Second Petal [video]

[rosetotheoccasion]

[Well this is... new. For those who know Ruby, they're probably used to see her as a bouncing ball of energy and excitement. Which isn't a bad thing - Ruby's a pretty upbeat kid who just wants to keep making sure her friends always feel that way too!

But now... now she looks a bit withdrawn. Not outright upset, but she most certainly has the look of someone that's really being bugged by something.]

... Hey, guys.

[Geez, even the way she talks is a bit deflated.]

I kinda have a question. People have been talking about their friends disappearing, and it kinda got me wondering...

When someone returns home, what if they... knew things. About stuff that happened that they didn't experience yet, 'cause someone knows what happened to them in the future, and told them about it.

[... Ah. The picture is becoming clearer now...]

Do you think... could what happened to them later on change, then?

Comments

[in4apounding]

That's what friends are for, right?

[A small sniffle in the aftermath of everything, but combinedwith a quiet laugh.]

...it is, isn't it? I mean, I thought I was sure and I'm going to do it either way, but I think some of my previous information wasn't as complete as I thought.

[rosetotheoccasion]

Huh? Yeah, of course! Friends do stuff like this all the time!

[So why does it feel. Weird? Not bad-weird, but... weird.]

But it's still.. I dunno. Really nice.

[in4apounding]

Like I said, you're my best friend.

[...She understands what a big deal that is, right?]

I mean- before I met you there wasn't-

[Falling silent for a second, trying to put words to something she'd thought was too obvious to need further definition.]

You accepted me for what I was with no hesitation or question. Told me I was real, that I have a soul. Something I'm not even sure I- ...it meant a lot to me. Means a lot.

[rosetotheoccasion]

... I'm glad I could make that feel special for you.

[Her face feels warm. But... it's not a bad sort of warm. Not like when she's sweating in the middle of a fight or on a hot summer day. It's more like the kind of warmth you feel when you wrap yourself up in a fluffy scarf.

She kinda doesn't want it to stop.]

And it still means a lot that you trusted me enough to tell me, y'know? I wouldn't be upset if you didn't, I can understand why you were scared, but... not a lot of people trust me with big, life-changing secrets.

[Only Penny and Blake, really.]

[in4apounding]

It's- really special, yes.

[Ducking her head a little as her cheeks flush a bit. This... probably isn't the best time for THAT.]

I just wish I'd had the courage to tell you on my own.

[And probably also not the best time to change the topic back to regrets. She takes a step back, forcing a bright smile and holding out a hand for Ruby to take.]

Are you ready, friend?