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Lilly had taken something of a double take over the course of the meeting. While she was half paying attention, that remaining fifty percent was her watching for an opportunity to find Monokuma alone. He kept on about his motive, but in reality, she was only interested in clarifying some parts of the rules with him. Specifics, mostly, that weren't clarified explicitly in the handbooks, but it was information she wanted regardless, especially now that her camera map was completely drawn up.

But watch as she might, the opportunity never came. The next second, he they were called to collect pairs of handcuffs. There were obviously some things in his speech that she missed, if her surprised - if not curious - expression wasn't obvious enough. Still, she tried to take the initiative; as much as being bound nearly twenty four hours a day didn't sound the most appealing, making a new friend was always welcome. There was even room to invite her to the Girl's Club.

[colour=fbd178]“Lilly?”[/colour]

With the odd looking handcuff already locked around her wrist, Flare reached out to the pink poptard. It wasn’t like she was dreading what was about to come, but her hanging eyelids certainly betrayed a reluctance to tie herself to Lilly.

[colour=fbd178]“Could you put the handcuff on please?”[/colour]

As she bounced her way down the Amphitheatre steps to the stage, Lilly heard her name called out from somewhere nearby. A quick, frantic glance about located the source: her partner, Flare.

[colour=PaleVioletRed]"Oh, hi hi!"[/colour] Lilly called out, bouncing through the short distance between her and Flare, [colour=PaleVioletRed]"This is super weird, right? Right? I don't get why they're forcing us to do something like this..."[/colour]

[colour=fbd178]“Yeah...It is odd; which is why I want to discuss it with everyone.”[/colour] Observing Lilly as she closed the distance, Flare could see the overwhelming enthusiasm that hit her like a tidal wave; as she took a step back, she made it clear that she wasn’t used to such bubbly behaviour. [colour=fbd178]“I can’t imagine what the bear wants to accomplish with this.”[/colour]

Lilly took another step closer to Flare as the latter finished her own comments of the matter. She was energetic, certainly, but she also very obviously had no qualms violating another’s personal space; the moment she was close enough, she reached down and, with a firm but gentle grasp, likely owing to her weak physical strength, took hold of Flare’s wrist. If the girl wanted to, it would be no hard feat to pull away, but Lilly didn’t pay any mind to that.

[colour=PaleVioletRed]”I hope this doesn’t last too long, I’ve got so much work to dooo…”[/colour] she whined, idly, as she played with the pair of handcuffs. From an outside perspective, it might have looked like she was simply rolling them around in her hands. But at such close proximity, Flare could see properly: she was evaluating them. Turning them over, checking the locking mechanisms as best she could from outside. thumbing the timer - all of it in an experienced, though unprofessional, manner.

All Flare could do during the assault, was uncomfortably tilting her head back, hoping that Lilly would back off before Flare could sour the mood. However, when she noticed Lilly playing with the handcuffs she calmed down. With a squint, Flare evaluated Lilly as she was checking out the cuffs.

[colour=fbd178]“You should find a way to work with me then. We’re gonna be together for now.”[/colour] She stated as she took one side of the handcuffs from Lilly and locked it around her wrist.

[colour=PaleVioletRed]”Wha-”[/colour] Lilly exclaimed, flinching slightly at the sudden click of handcuffs being locked around her wrist, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”I-I wasn’t ready..!”[/colour] What had once been a half childish, half serious expression had turned completely childish - complete with a pout.
[colour=PaleVioletRed]”Meanie…”[/colour]

Though at first she seemed upset, and her words and facial expression seemed to back that up, she rapidly changed gears. Almost as quickly as she had taken to berating her partner, Lilly gave a small, light giggle, and pushed her way into the taller girls torso, in a kind of no-arm hug. Even then, despite the angle, it didn’t seem particularly awkward.
[colour=PaleVioletRed]”I bet this is gonna be super fun, don’t you?”[/colour]

Flare should really have expected it from someone with no concept of personal space and an infinite amount of cheers, but still, she didn’t expect this. She did not know what to do at all as she raised her arms awkwardly, only to slowly, very slowly, wrap them around Lilly.

[colour=fbd178]“S-sure…”[/colour] At least she could find solace in the fact that Lilly couldn’t see Flare’s face as it was, not blushing or red, but uncomfortable and irritated. Before releasing her from the hug, Flare took hold of the other side of the handcuff and put it around her own wrist. [colour=fbd178]“So what are you working on?”[/colour] She smiled as she released Lilly.

[colour=PaleVioletRed]”Oh, oh, yeah! Well…”[/colour] Lilly began, taking a deep breath, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”I’ve sorta been making this map, of all the camera locations and stuff. I’ve got this super big detailed map of the whole place now!”[/colour] as if to emphasise, she brought her non-handcuffed hand up into the air, attempting to spread out her small, five foot on the dot body, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”Cause that sounded really useful!”[/colour]

Then, as quickly as she had pulled away, she leaned in once more. This time, though, it wasn’t for a hug. Lilly stood up on her toes, expecting Flare to lean down so that she could whisper into her ear.
[colour=PaleVioletRed]”This is super-confidential-top-secret stuff though, okay? You gotta swear on your life not to tell anyone.”[/colour]

Although she did [i]not[/i] lean forward, she still intended to listen carefully. [colour=fbd178]“Cross my heart and hope to die.”[/colour]

[colour=PaleVioletRed]”Weeell…”[/colour] Lilly giggled, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”So y’know how I’m gonna try and take over the cameras and stuff? Well, I had this idea, and, and,”[/colour] somehow, she managed to lower her voice even more than before, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”If I get it right, well… I-I think I might get access to the Game’s entire server system, if there is one!”[/colour]

[colour=fbd178]“That’s...“[/colour] Flare’s face went through a variety of emotions, from confusion to surprise to caution with a smile somewhere in between. [colour=fbd178]“And you didn’t tell anyone? Nobody knows?”[/colour] She gently grabbed Lilly by the shoulders. [colour=fbd178]“I know you love to be social and have fun with everyone but...You should keep this secret to yourself. It’s a dangerous thing you’re playing with and I don’t want to see you hurt, nor the others. If our captors find out…it could be bad.”[/colour] Although her words were urgent, Flare was completely calm during this exchange, yet she was reluctant to let go of Lilly until she had an answer.

Lilly squirmed uncomfortably in the sudden grasp. Hugs were her raison d’etre, be that giving or receiving, but this was no hug. A bashful, quiet giggle followed. [colour=PaleVioletRed]”I-it’s just a theory,”[/colour] Lilly reaffirmed, attempting to wriggle out of Flare’s grip. In her gentle hold, the limits of Lilly’s physical strength were obvious. [colour=paleVioletRed]”There might not be anything to hack, if Monokuma’s smart. I-I hope there is, so I can be helpful to everyone… b-but okay, I’ll keep it secret. On one condition, though!”[/colour]

Noticing the tension, Flare softly let go of Lilly before placing a hand on her hip. [colour=fbd178]“Anything you want.”[/colour]

Something of a heat rose to Lilly’s cheeks. She backed away from Flare a step, half looking up to the girl, and then away again in anxious excitement and embarrassment. [colour=PaleVioletRed]”Um, well, you see,”[/colour] Lilly glanced around, checking who was nearby, and ducked back up close to Flare, whispering with abashed furore, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”Chikako kinda sorta invited me to this, um, girl gang, and I know she’d want more people to join so, so, I was thinking you’d maybe like to join too..?”[/colour]

[colour=fbd178]”Uhh…”[/colour] Flare raised her eyebrows out of surprise, as she definitely expected something much more complicated and important. Trying to awkwardly raise a smile, she scratched the back of her head. [colour=fbd178]”I-i can do that, sure.”[/colour] As she breathed in deeply, all tense feelings gathered in her lungs, and with a long sigh, they were blown away. The now relaxed Flare extended her hand towards Lilly with a smile. [Colour=fbd178]“It’s a deal.”[/colour]

Chikako would definitely be pleased. Lilly smiled, a shy, innocent smile of happiness, and grasped Flare’s hand with her own. [colour=PaleVioletRed]”So, uh,”[/colour] Lilly let out a childish giggle, [colour=PaleVioletRed]”W-we should probably, um… come up with sleeping and [sub]bathroom arrangements sometime[/sub] [sub][sub]soon, huh?”[/sub][/sub][/colour]