[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190209/f0498008de11ac4e2ef4110eac49dbd4.png[/img][/center][hr][hr] Slowly but surely, everyone began their departure, heading on their own paths as the boy convinced the girl everything was fine before joining the others. The thief could only really squeeze his hands to the point where his knuckles became an ivory white, lips sealed tighter than any vault he managed to bust into, grinding away at his teeth as the crowd slowly dwindled, bit by bit. God damnit. Nothing was planned out at all with him standing around like a blithering idiot, watching as the whole place crumbled around him, leaving him with just Ryuma in the general vicinity. He just... ugh... ... Aurel just took a seat, dejectedly grabbing a seat and tearing it out from a table and flopped down from it, ruffling his hair. Idea... Idea... right... Ryuma wanted to hear him out on his plan. [color=92278f]"... Ultimate Tutor... the plan is for me to head to Hibiki's Lab and... discuss a few things with him... it... might help us all out in the long run to the point where we can organize a [i]proper[/i] meeting..."[/color] Ryuma watched whatever he could of Aurel’s thought process from his face—whatever else was true, the guy was clearly stressed out. He pulled one of the chair out and sat on it, putting himself on the same level with Aurel. [color=lightgray]“Are you okay, dude? You seem pretty out of it,”[/color] He scrunched his face a bit, [color=lightgray]“And… What exactly are you planning to go to Hibiki’s lab for?”[/color] He shifted in his chair—man, he’s glad Snow didn’t end up hitting him with one of these. They were anything but cushy. The thief blinked, still keeping his head tilted down, staring down at his own knees. He swiftly shoved one hand into his pocket and fidgeted about, all while he began nibbling at his index as Aurel continued to avert his gaze from the Ultimate Parkourist. [color=92278f]"Y-yeah, I'm fine, it's just... uhm..."[/color] He paused and bit down hard onto his finger, silence lingering as he kept his finger tightly clamped, only releasing his captive hand the moment he felt that it could bleed if he held it like that any longer. [color=92278f]"... th-the atmosphere... [sub]yeah, that...[/sub] it's probably just getting to me or something... a-and, I just... want some advice? He is the Ultimate Tutor after all."[/color] Ryuma raised an eyebrow, [color=lightgray]“You think he knows what he’s doing any better than the rest of us? Cause it’s not like he’s solved the mystery of this place or anything,”[/color] He shrugged, [color=lightgray]“Though who knows, maybe I’m just being cynical,”[/color] He said, though he didn’t really believe it, and nothing in his tone suggested that he expected Aurel to either. [color=lightgray]“What are you so worried about anyway? I mean,”[/color] He gestured casually to the whole room, as if trying to point out some embodiment of the situation, [color=lightgray]“besides the obvious.”[/color] [color=92278f]"... it's not that he knows better, it's just... because he's a tutor, he can... erm I'm, uh, worried about..."[/color] Aurel began stuttering a bit, shifting around in his seat as he cleared his throat, letting the silence take over... ... and just as he started he ended, slowly scooting the seat out, almost in a manner befitting of a robot - stiff and mechanical. His gaze was moderately suspicious as well, a little more evasive and jittery than the other day. It didn't help that the thief began to "brush" his hair out of the way multiple times to an ludicrous degree before stopping instantly. he went about brushing his hair in and out of the way to the point where it looked like he was rubbing his head. [color=92278f]"... eh, it's nothing important... r-really."[/color] [color=lightgray]“Man, don’t ‘it’s nothing important’ me,”[/color] Ryuma said, a bit annoyed at this point, [color=lightgray]“It’s obviously at least a little important, or it wouldn’t be bugging you. Hell, even if it isn’t, you’re kind of one of the few people here who isn’t a total maniac, so you probably haven’t gone off the deep end of rationality yet.”[/color] Aurel froze, like a deer caught in the spotlight of some poor fellows car. He didn't want to say anything else, feeling his embarrassment rising up to his neck, constricting and choking him, preventing him from digging a deeper hole with his lies. As his body worked for and against him, his hands slowly moved towards his lap, curling into fists, digging into the sides of his thighs. [color=92278f]"... it's n-[sub]n-[sub]nuh[/sub][/sub]... uhm... mmm..."[/color] He began murmuring and mumbling to himself before weakly walking back to the seat and slumping into it. [color=92278f]"I... uh... well..." "... I… couldn’t do anything right..."[/color] Ryuma opened his mouth for a second, then closed it. After another moment, he spoke, [color=lightgray]“Listen, I know what it’s like to feel like a screw up. But like, there’s only so much you can do here, you know? I mean, I get wanting to be able to help and to fix all of this, but it’s not solely on you to get us out of this, and if you mess up it’s not going to completely keep us from getting out, y’know?”[/color] [color=92278f]"... yeah, I... I sort of get that, I suppose... but..."[/color] There was something rising in his voice before the sound dissipated. He pursed his lips, clearing his throat as he did his best to pick at the words, opening his mouth for a second before shutting it again. [color=92278f]"... I just didn't do anything..."[/color] Slowly, but surely, a paradox of a complete, yet incomplete thought escaped his coarse throat. [color=92278f]"I didn't communicating any important information, interjected when this whole discourse was devolving, and I possibly played into that... that..."[/color] His voice was hoarse, nearly inaudible due to the fact that it was more restrained rather than his usual silence. Ryuma shrugged, [color=lightgray]“Well, then speak up more next time, I guess,”[/color] He leaned forward, [color=lightgray]“But hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. This situation is complicated, y’know? Just be glad you didn’ start whatever cat fight happened back there.”[/color] Aurel's chest tightened for a second, voice almost ready to burst like a balloon... granted, it would of him talking at a normal volume, followed with tranquil words laced with fury. Regardless, instead he just pondered on Ryuma's words, speaking naught a word for the next few minutes. Silence lingered in the air as his hands loosened up, only to interlock as the thief continued staring at the at the ground, until finally... [color=92278f]"... yeah... I... I suppose you're right,"[/color] he spoke up, barely above a murmur followed by an audible sigh. Yeah, this whole situation, while a crappy deal [i]was[/i] complicated, especially since not everyone wanted to work together or play nice... [color=92278f]"... though, I don't get why she’s just... aggressive... er, Momoe, I mean..."[/color] [color=lightgray] “Pfft, man, I don't know what the bitch’s problem is. Just ignore her, if all she's gonna do is cause problems then there's no point in bothering with her,”[/color] Ryuma stretched out,[color=lightgray] “Well, hey, I’m gonna go chill out after all this mess. You can come with, or don't, but either way do yourself a favor and don't worry about the bitchfest.”[/color] The thief just blankly stared, absorbing the words of Ryuma as did a sponge would to with syrup. Even as Ryuma moved on, he still pondered on those words... why? He could only visibly frown as those seconds passed; there had to be more to it... Momoe didn't seem like a stupid person, yet... [color=92278f]"Yeah, I'll be sure to do that... also, I think I'll take you up on your offer."[/color] ... despite all that, his answer was instantaneous. [center][b][color=AFEEEE]Aurel and Ryuma grew a little closer today![/color][/b][/center]