10th Mini Encounter

Oneiro: A pink figure can be seen sat on a bench atop the station. The sunset emits a warmth that engulfs it, dragging its shadow across the sunflowers behind it. Despite the Nice weather, Oneiro can't help but to feel nervous.

... One doesn't even know if he's coming or not. Sure, one had brought up to hang out today, but one never really received a confirmation. Still, one waits.

Next to him, a pot sits. The petals sways along with the wind.

Wayfaring: The rumbling and chiming of the braking train seemed to echo throughout their shell as they walked across the station, creating resonant echos of life with each low-pitched whine. Thud... Thud... Thud... Their footsteps were heavy, each placement of their boot carried purpose... a sincerity never before seen worn on their sleeve. The invitation said to meet them here.

Despite the conversation never being meant for Wayfaring, they would be present regardless. Normally, Wayfaring would be humming a tune at a time like this, maybe skipping as they walked- but now was not the time; they couldn't leave them in the dark like this, so there was no other option than to come forward despite their overbearing yearning for solitude.

The sunset was blinding to Wayfaring, the air smelled of pollen and the fauna was a diverse collections of greens and gold. Clutching the invitation in their talon-like fingers, Wayfaring would eventually work up the courage to climb the stairs.

Oneiro: As Oneiro fidgets with his collar, he hears a trail of heavy footsteps slowly closing in. Its body stiffens, mutters a word of encouragement to itself, and stands up so fast that it dips forward a bit, but catches itself right before then. 

They smooth out their skirt for the however-many-time, and spins around to face the newcomer with a nervous smile. 

"Eh- hello, Wa—... ...Wayfaring?" 

That isn't who Oneiro was expecting... Her smile falls slightly. Where is... he?

Wayfaring: " Hiiii ^_^ " They would give a polite wave, their posture becoming even more bubbly than before- a gleam seeming to return to their eye.

" Bubby...? He's go to vacation for a while... I am sorry he can not comes to tells you himself..." Wayfaring would optimistically tilt his chin upward to the slightest degree, letting the rose tinted sky blind their view. "I is sure I can pass on information back to him! What did you invites they here to talks about?"

Oneiro: "Ah... I see..."
Oneiro is just standing there awkwardly now. His posture slouches ever so slightly, a sheepish smile clings on his face.

"Well I— er, I just want to..." Apologize. Say that I'm sorry. And... "... It— it's something that I need to say to him personally, haha... would you happen to know when he will be available, maybe? ^o^ "

Wayfaring: " I doesn't know when he is goes back home, but I will waits for him- and I will tells you when he does! " Wayfaring would slouch slightly as well, a feeling of curiosity washing over them.

" Was you waits for them for something... important? "
Wayfaring's eye would squint speculatively " Does they owes you money... "

Oneiro: As Wayfaring's question hits them, Oneiro straightens up and waves a hand. 
"Oh, no! I don't think they owe me anything, haha. ^_^; " 

"It is... rather important, I guess. Um— Last time we met up, it did not end in a good note... so I wanted to... tell him something. Face to face." Following its own train of thought, Oneiro tilts its head away from Wayfaring. Looking closely, a light hint of red is dusted across its face.

Wayfaring: Wayfaring would straighten back up, the ball-like joints of their shell creating a very slight scraping as they returned the player’s wave. “ Ohhh… Okay I is understands you… “

Wayfaring fidgets with the invite more; their left hand turning the paper forward and back… forward and back… forward, then back again as they spoke. “ If was being rude, maybe I can talks some sense into him when he is come back? “

They would stop fidgeting with the card’s envelope, recalling their memories shared with their ‘bubby.’

“ But bubby was looks very stress and tired before break… He look like he needed it a lot… I is just glad he takes time off! “

Oneiro: Oneiro's gaze lands on Wayfaring again. "I don't really know what you mean by uh... 'talking some sense into him'... but— I guess? Haha...?"

Her polite smile dips into a frown at Wayfaring's words— She couldn't help but feel guilty. All the more important that I need to talk to them.

"..."
The conversation fades into an awkward silence. Oneiro subconsciously fidgets with the hem of one's sleeves as they both stand there.
Then, Oneiro's eyes land on the pot that is forgotten on the bench. One leans down to pick up the pot with both hands and hovers it to Wayfaring. A polite smile returns to one's face.

"Actually— you can give this to him for me! ^_^ Inside the pot pokes out a batch of small flowers, the vibrant yellow petals contrast with the duller, spikey green leaves.

Wayfaring: Wayfaring’s eyes would light up upon seeing the potted plant; of all the possible gifts for their bubby, they knew that W4RD_N would absolutely love this one the most. After all, it was W4RD_N who always brought Wayfaring to their nature retreats. They both absolutely admired nature.

W4RD_N would’ve loved this place.
Wayfaring would pick up the pot, accidentally smearing a thick tar-like substance along the right side of the pot. “ Oh! I think bubby leaves you a gift too… I has to put pot down to gets it but I has it! “

Oneiro: When Oneiro silently mulls over the flowers that they chose, they perked up at the mention of Warden having a gift for them too. He tilts his head, eyes behind his veil look over to Wayfaring curiously.

"Yes? What is it?" It remains its hands on the potted plant to give space for Wayfaring to retrieve the gift he brought with him.

Wayfaring: Reaching into their back pocket, Wayfaring would search for an object situated inside their coat…

“ I thinks this is valentines day celebrations, right? “ The object is stuck, though small pieces of a vibrant plastic shine through- isolating itself from the pale white of Wayfaring’s coat. From the looks of how they’re struggling, the object is caught on something.
" I never celebrates Valentines, but I hopes you has good ones..." With one powerful tug, the object dislodges, flying forward and onto the ground- emitting a resonant clatter as it collides with the pavement. It’s an upside-down yellow disc with straps on opposite ends.

“ Oh well, is there for you to picks up when you wants to! ”
Theres a deafening silence, lasting for a good 2 seconds.
“ Happy Valentines Day, Oneiro! :-) “

Oneiro: Oneiro eyes Wayfaring as he puts the pot back down on the bench. His gaze follows the object as it flies out and clatters onto the ground.

...
Oneiro freezes.
... Slowly, they inch towards the thing, their own footsteps loudly thudding by their ears. They pick it up. And they flip it around.

"..."

Wayfaring: Turned to face the staircase, Wayfaring would lift the flower pot once more- preparing to haul it down the steps towards the train.

Wayfaring would turn to face Oneiro, a visible whimsy and gleam in their eye. Throwing up their right arm, they would wave a sincere ‘goodbye’ to their friend. “ I is glad to has sees you, even if invite was not for me! I think it has be a while since we first met… Hopefully we sees you again! “

Maybe it was Wayfaring’s ignorant nature, but they never waited for a reply. The only issue on their mind now was returning home before nightfall.

Oneiro: Oneiro doesn't react to Wayfaring leaving. While sounds of heavy footsteps fades, one can't tear one's gaze from the mask. It feels heavy in her hand. 

"... What?" He repeats under his breath. The mask stares back at him.
...
He swipes a finger across the charred spot of the mask. Sounds of something cracking barely reaches him. The warmth of the sunset stings his body. 

... This is probably what being sick feels like.