that's quite alright. you're still very, um.. nice!

[ and cute, they think, despite the "half-dead" look. but they shouldn't say that. ]

i don't mind if you're.. less formal with me. truth be told, i actually.. don't really like being treated differently like that.. don't tell anyone!

[ !! that makes them brighten up, too! they smile, an actual, genuine smile. ]

it is..! i, um.. don't have many. in fact, i only actually have *one*... but now i've finally got another!

[ they pale a little. ]

i— that sounds terrifying! i, um, *am* a princess, but my family is very much alive..

[ .. not that they've seen them in years. ]

so here's to hoping we can experience even more together. it's.. nice to have a friend.

[ they pause, looking shy. ]

.. that is, if you want to be..!

... are you feeling okay? you look, uh..

[ "horrible" is rude. don't say that. ]

.. unwell.

[ looking up at them a little terrified before obviously trying to collect themself. ]

o-oh..! hi! i mean, hello..

[ clearing their throat and bowing a little. ]

hm.. you know.. i feel that way sometimes, too. i feel like.. there's so many things i've missed out on..

[ a hint of sadness in their tone. ]

.. i guess we're both experiencing new things! that's— nice, right?

// RAINE STAYS WINNING

ah—? if- if you'd like to?

[ they seem a little taken aback, quickly trying to regain their composure. be polite. be pleasant. the voices of their advisors ring clearly in their mind. a deep breath, and they're neutral again. ]

um.. is it really that exciting?

[ they bow in turn, a little stiff. practiced. ]

..princess rosalyn. um, it's.. i'm.. pleased to make your acquaintance.

[ they sound like they're reading from a script. ]

mh.. right.. yes, of course. i don't know why my brain jumped straight to that..

[ ..probably because the other comes off a little scary, too. ]

ah.. huh? do you mean like, k.. killing people?

i agree, the people here are.. interesting, to say the least.. a little scary too, in some ways.

.. i don't know how. so.. company would be nice.

[ even though they'll get in trouble for it. ]

home. i have— people who will notice that i'm gone, and they'll be really upset, so.. i should get going as soon as i can.

[ JUMPING ] UM. yes, i just— i'm.. lost. i need to get back before anyone notices i left...

i don't really understand, anyway.. it seems a bit silly to order eachother to kneel. 💧

i always find it awkward when people bow..

— into a drawer and pull out some cold medicine, handing it to mokou with another bashful smile. ]

..here you go. what we came here for.

— face growing hot. they're sure mokou can see their blush from where they're standing.. ]

it's nice, huh? you wouldn't believe how long it took me to convince my advisors to let me get this stuff..

[ they huff, organizing some of their plants and cleaning up a little. then, they reach —