>>"So how long 'till we head out?" Saff asks no-one in particular
>"An hour. Be sure to dress well before going out, though, it's -20C out."
>>"Aye aye."
>She gets up from the table and gestures for you to follow her
>You do
>You make sure you're out of earshot of the others
>>"So...I got the impression you wanted to talk."
"Yeah, although it's nothing serious- well, okay, that's not right, but my point is that this isn't a 'we need to talk' sort of thing. Except I need to talk to you."
>She raises an eyebrow, and the corner of her mouth quirks up a bit
"Okay, so here goes. In the long run, we haven't known each other for very long. But I feel that, despite that...we go together, ya know?"
>She doubles over laughing
>>"A-are you quoting Grease?"
>She has another gigglefit
>You feel more than a bit awkward
>>"Listen, I'm sorry, that was just unexpected and sweet. Continue, please?"
>You nod
"Right. So...I guess I kind of feel a strong connection to you, and I'm not sure if it's the usual, classic dictionary definition of being in love, but you're pretty and I really like you for...well you."
>Great, you're being a beta faggot
>You can still hear *Her* mocking words, a verbal teabagging after ganking you.
>"You fucking beta faggot"
>Fuck that noise, you're better than that
>Saff starts responding, but you hold up a finger
"That came out pretty fucking pathetically. Basically, I think I might be in love with you, and I know I want to rail you like I was playing Quake 3."
>You can see her processing all sorts of emotions quietly
>Fuck, what if she doesn't feel the same?
>And now you pissed it away trying to prove yourself
>Oh god oh god oh god
>You hug her tightly
"I...I'm sorry, please don't hate me!"
>God, you're pathetic
>The two of you stay like that for a bit
>You feel her body relax, her breathing and heartbeat growing steadier
>Then she lifts your chin with one finger and looks at you
>>"I don't hate you, Anon, never have, never will."
>Her smile means the world to you
>>"And, for what it's worth, I feel a connection with you too. How was it you put it? I'm not sure if it's the dictionary definition of being in love, but I like you for you. Also, I liked that Quake 3 remark, very clever."
"Are..are you friendzoning me?"
>She shrugs
>>"Are you friendzoning *me*? "
"I...don't know. I'm not sure if like, a 'traditional' relationship between us would work, but you're special to me."
>>"And you to me"
>You look at each other
>>"This is getting us nowhere, is it"
"I suppose, but...I dunno, I think I might like nowhere."
>>"Heh. But seriously, what says we just take it one day at a time, you know?"
>You nod
"I can do that."
>You check your cell phone
"34 minutes. Maybe we ought to get ready and stuff?"
>>"Sounds good. Should be plenty of time, provided none of us have another breakdown."
"Hey!"
>>"Relax, that was a dig at myself more than anything."
>You head to your rooms with each respective key-haver, and get dressed for the ball-shrivellingly cold weather, and bring a camera, like any good tourist, as well as a thermos you fill with hot cocoa.
>Coffee's good for waking you up, and you've built some tolerance to the taste, but cocoa tastes better, and you're mostly going to be a passive observer, so...
>Plus, Saff isn't a fan of coffee either
>You head out into the lobby, waiting with the others
>Their gazes are curious, probing, but they're courteous enough to not pry openly