Blaire was in her element, elbow propped on the bar while she kept up a conversation with the bartender she was clearly familiar with. Once her drink was in hand, she turned, to see that strangely clad fellow from earlier. What was up with that anyways? One of those regency romance fantasy balls that were popular about now? Renaissance faire perhaps? She did recall there being one held this weekend. Maybe he came straight from the venue. Regardless of whatever his deal was, he was clearly looking uncomfortable while doing his best to appear otherwise. It wouldn’t hurt to try and help him break the ice. Though, her idea of being helpful kind of just, spilled out and came off more pointed than anything. “You just come from the renn faire?” +++ At least she didn’t make them wait. The timing was almost perfect, actually. Aon scowled at the swish of her tail paired with her smirk. Again they found themselves nearly reeling at the dark aura just diffusing off of her. They were really regretting their choice of atmosphere now. The corner of their lip curled slightly. Of course they knew what this was about, but the confirmation of it being about that stupid vault was bait they couldn’t refuse. “Haha oh I see. That coward couldn’t reach out to me again himself? That’s cute.” Pushing themselves off of the wall they stood at a cocky little slant, one hand on hip. “Well, I’ll tell you just as I’ve told him. I don’t have it anymore. You’re wasting everyone’s time.”

hey only im allowed to test

Lan could only blubber in response to Aon's questioning. Well, seeing her beaten and defeated, obviously. Rendering her unable to do anything anymore. That's what all these adults wanted, and they were stupid for not being self-aware enough to realize that- ...Well, Aon had disappeared before she could vocalize any of those thoughts. Maybe it was for the better. Rock sighed and shrugged, logging herself out before Lan could. As she appeared back on her operator's homescreen, the latter slumped up against the edge of the building they were hiding behind. "I don't get it either, kid," she admitted solemnly. "Like it or not, I think we're just gonna have to keep putting up with 'em." It took a while for Lan to respond, her expression sinking into misery. "...I don't want to do that," she eventually mumbled sadly. "Why do we have to pair up with these people... for the Alpha stuff...? Why not Rockman-san, or..." "Think of it this way, kid," Rock quickly interrupted. "It's probably part of Alpha's plan to make this so scuffed, right? So... we can't let it win." That seemed to immediately calm Lan down, though Rock immediately felt bad about the excuse; she didn't feel good about making it sound like they were throwing Ellen and Meiru under the bus. "A-and... it's probably better for us if we learn to work with anyone, right? Helps, uh, prepare us for the future." The attempt to save face didn't sit all that well with Lan, but she accepted it nonetheless. "I... guess," she mumbled, rolling across the wall of the building in frustration. "But it's... stupid. I just want to..." She went silent again, unsure of what she wanted to say. What did she want? She wanted to be strong, but people kept rejecting her just for that. She didn't want to isolate everyone... she didn't want to be alone again. If she kept trying to be stronger, would her friends leave her, too...? She didn't... she didn't want that, but she needed to be strong, she needed to be with Rock, she needed to do better so she could... ...She laid up against the brick wall, curling herself up as she gave her PET a tender glance. A little tear rolled down her face.