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[color=sandybrown]LOCATION;[/color] THE TOWER - VALORA'S APARTMENT.
[color=sandybrown]COLLAB BETWEEN;[/color] [@Blazion] & [@Prosaic][hr]

It didn't seem like much time at all had passed before Valora's door was being knocked on, so soon after her latest guest's departure. The Frenchwoman, having taken a quick shower to remove the sweat from her earlier panic attack, now could only poke her head out of her bedroom to stare quizzically at the door before finally moving to it.

Yet once she was before the door Valora hesitated, a shiver running down her spine. What if it was Onyx come to see her? The thought of opening the door to see the giant feline made her insides twist and a shudder, and her slightly damp feline ears flicked backward - they were receding, but taking their sweet time about it.

That was silly, though! More than likely it was one of the New Horizon employees, or even Alice having forgotten something. The blonde tilted her head to glance over at her couch as though to check, before shaking herself. They had [i]just[/i] talked about this! She couldn't be afraid of a door. With a deep breath Valora finally unlocked her door and opened it.

Valora blinked at seeing her closest friend in the tower. He looked so dishevelled, and her mind cast back to when she had last seen him - slinking from the gymnasium after having Elliot hanging all over him, distressed and no doubt worried over herself. That twist to her gut returned, not in fear this time but guilt. It bubbled up in her chest, pushing the words from her mouth.

[color=SkyBlue]"[i][b]I'm so[/b][/i][/color][color=sandybrown][i][b]rry![/b][/i]"[/color]

Their words had blended together into some kind of weird and freakish, apologetic amalgamation.

Silas was quick to take Valora into a hug, a warm hug that pretty much enfolded her against his chest for a moment. He hated that Onyx had scared her so much and it had made him strive to want to keep her safe. She was his best friend and her wellbeing was of constant concern to him. He knew that he should have prioritized her more and he was beating himself up over it. He didn't even know what she had to apologize for but he was as insistently worried as ever. 

He was comfortable to have her in his arms though, hoping that he could maybe offer some solace to her. His vision was getting bleary and his head was aching, he was going to have to down another energy drink or two. He wondered if he'd left any in her fridge, he tended to drop by her apartment more than the rest of the heroes in the tower. 

He pulled back and looked her in the eye, his eyes were starting to look a little bloodshot and he was getting that pale, drawn, exhausted look about him. "[color=sandybrown]Valora,[/color]" he said softly, "[color=sandybrown]I'm so sorry I didn't show up sooner. Ka'van had a problem, he needed someone to talk to. I feel really bad about leaving you to hang like that.[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"Oh, Silas,"[/color] A sigh couldn't help but escape Valora's lips and she just shook her head, only to cup his face and examine him closer, as comfortable with him as he was to her. [color=SkyBlue]"You are running yourself ragged again. You did not have to worry - Alice was with me. I am just sorry I didn't help [i]you[/i]."[/color] The woman bit her bottom lip briefly, before stepping back and gesturing her friend inside.

"[color=sandybrown]I'm not running myself ragged, there's no such thing, my dear Valora.[/color]" he huffed dramatically, but his mouth was edging on a smile.

He was glad that she was okay and that Alice had helped her. It wasn't often that he left that job up to anyone else but if he had to choose a person then he guessed that Alice was as good as it got. "[color=sandybrown]I'm glad she stepped up to help, I was really worried that you might need me.[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"Come, you must rest. We can pretend to watch a movie for ten minutes until you fall asleep on the couch."[/color] A slight smile graced her lips, an easy comraderie that allowed Valora to gently tease her friend.

"[color=sandybrown]I was gonna-[/color]" his voice broke off into a yawn, he stepped inside of the apartment. "[color=sandybrown]I was gonna down an energy drink and run on fumes, excuse you. Have I left any of that toxic garbage in your fridge?[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"You do."[/color] The Frenchwoman replied, firmly locking the door behind Silas. However rather than let him retrieve it she crossed her arms and raised her unmarred eyebrow. [color=SkyBlue]"Though I admit I was tempted to drink it when I was devouring my fridge to regain my energy earlier. I almost regret not doing it. Come, Silas, you look exhausted. We can have a-"[/color]

The golden-furred ears to the side of Valora's head, peeking out from her blonde hair twitched. [color=Skyblue]"Cat nap?"[/color] It said something for how comfortable she was around him, to make feline jokes.

"[color=sandybrown]Ah, come on, Valora,[/color]" he grinned, nudging her lightly with his elbow. "[color=sandybrown]Don't make me [i]caterwaul[/i], I was [i]feline[/i] fine before I got all beside myself with worry.[/color]"

Though he did give in, letting her lead him over to her couch. He had been here mode than enough times to know that it was best to let Valora have her way. They had created a sort of cycle of caring for one another and he would be wrong to not let her have her turn. "[color=sandybrown]Okay, okay, only because of the pun though-[/color]" he broke into another yawn. "[color=sandybrown]And we [i]are[/i] going to watch a movie, maybe something nice and cheesy? You know how I love a good romcom.[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"You have been around Joseiah far too much,"[/color] Valora sniped back, though the humor in her voice was obvious. Maybe she had been as well, to be fair, he had that affect on those he hung around with. For now, however, it was time to focus on getting her guest settled. [color=SkyBlue]"And your best feature is worrying over others, but you do not worry over yourself nearly enough! Now sit down and pick a movie, I will gather the blankets."[/color]

Yep, Valora was going to build another blanket nest. She was rather good at them.

"[color=sandybrown]Don't hate me 'cause I'm funny.[/color]" he called after her before going through their selection of animal-proof movies, he eventually settled on one that was as disgustingly sweet as it was corny. He had forced her to watch it a gazillion times but [i]scary movies gave him nightmares[/i]. "[color=sandybrown]I was just saying to Ka'van that you are the epitome of all that's great in this world, I'm your biggest fan.[/color]"

He almost couldn't wait for the blanket nest, it was one of the most comfortable things that he had ever experienced. It was hard to be uncomfortable when you were literally surrounded in blankets on all sides. "[color=sandybrown]Maybe tomorrow, if we're not busy saving the world, we can hang out again.[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"I would say I'm your biggest fan as well, but you have a rather long list!"[/color] Was called back in return. It didn't take long for Valora to return with an armful of blankets that utterly obscured her vision, having to edge into the room to avoid tripping. After dropping them on the couch she quickly began arranging them with practiced ease, though she did perk up at Silas words. Her ears were mostly back to normal, but the sprinkling of short, downy feathers that were sprouting from her neck seemed to ruffle.

[color=SkyBlue]"I would like that. And you know you are always welcome here. Especially if you need to get away for a bit."[/color] Satisfied with her nest of blankets for now Valora turned to Silas, tilting her head. [color=SkyBlue]"My door is always open to you."[/color]

"[color=sandybrown]If you would dare to believe it, I was very unpopular in highschool.[/color]" he allowed Valora to arrange their nest, comfortable to be the one being taken care of. That was the good thing about Valora, she treated him with just as much consideration as he treated her. Sometimes if was tiresome being the only one who took care of the team, it was good to always come back to Valora. "[color=sandybrown]Thank you, Valora.[/color]"

He smiled to her, yawning into his hand before settling back to watch their film together. "[color=sandybrown]I'm not sure you know how much it means to me that you're always so good to me, I think I'd fall to shambles without you.[/color]"

[color=SkyBlue]"You are too busy worrying over others to worry over yourself, [i]someone[/i] has to,"[/color] Was Valora's response, gently nudging her shoulder against Silas' as she settled back with him in the nest. She didn't mind that he picked his favorite movie again, even if she could almost quote the entire opening sequence. He'd likely fall asleep very soon into it anyway. [color=SkyBlue]"But I am happy to be the one that does. You are my closest friend here, after all. Who else would build me a collection of animal-free movies?"[/color]

"[color=sandybrown]Only your best friend, of course, my dear Valora.[/color]" he gave her a playful smile before getting comfortable. "[color=sandybrown]Seriously though, thank you.[/color]"

The two watched the movie, comfortable in each other's presence and it wasn't long before exhaustion seemed to overtake the boy. Valora had been right to begin with, he was destined to pass out as soon as he started watching the movie. It was usually a struggle for him to keep himself awake after using his powers [i]once[/i], let alone [i]twice[/i]. He fell into a deep, snoring kind of sleep, tossed into sweet dreams that involved romcoms, Valora Beaumont, and strange centipede-maggots that wouldn't stop acting like cats. 

Today was weird, but it was good to be comfortable.

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