𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎, 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗. // 6/6 // CLOSED

Ariella kissed Lucky's cheek quickly before retreating back to her cocoon.

(Her cocoon like the room, or her cocoon like her walls are back up?)

Lucas smiled. "And who do you know that wants to live with one other person and not be out searching for as many people as possible?" He asked in a light tone.

Ronni immediately raised her hand. She proceeded to gesture to all the people back in the apartment, before curling in on herself.
Uh, me. Because this many people scares me.

(we kinda paused while you were gone, so nothing much has changed. Lucky and Ariella are still in the front room talking, Devon is still on the couch, Liam is still talking to June also in the front room, Lucas and Ronni are out in the hallway talking, Alastor and Zeus are off taking a run, and Sinjoro hasn't moved)

Lucas laughed, sending the sound bouncing off the walls. It was a pure laugh. wholesome and sweet sounding and he tried to tamper it into low laughs, which he managed to do after a moment."At least you're honest about it." He said through chuckles. "I would be happy to take you up on that offer, but I think these people want me with them."
He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and smiled. "So, are you going to branch off, or do me the honors of keeping me grounded around this many people?" He asked curiously.

Ronni's eyes widened as she realized what she'd said absolutely sounded like an offer.
Well. He didn't take you up on it, so don't freak out.
She looked down, thinking for a moment after he asked, before nodding slowly and looking up.
You're safer in a group anyway. Tanya said softly.
Says you!
Ronni nodded and gestured west, opposite where the sun was slowly climbing into the sky, and then spread her hands in a flat, open gesture.
As long as we're heading west, towards wide open spaces.

Lucas nodded. "That's where i'm going at least, the others joined me on my way." He told her. He paused, turning to look at her, a sly smile on his lips and his eyes glinting madly. "I think i'm going to make it my personal mission to make you like me, not romantically, but i'm going to make it my goal for me to be your favorite person in the whole group." He told her smiling and placing his fists on his hips.

Ronni immediately stiffened. Up to this point, everything had been fine, she hadn't felt overtly threatened, just the normal level of anxiety that came around guys.
Now, suddenly, her adrenaline was up. He was singling her out for his attention, and the last time someone had looked at her like that, with that intention… it had not ended well.
Easy, he's not attacking you, it's alright… Tanya was on edge in her head as well, trying to calm the suddenly-panicking girl.
Lucas was between her and the door, so she couldn't go back in the apartment to be around others without having to move past him. She knew she was being irrational, he hadn't really said anything problematic, but she couldn't shake the rising anxiety in her chest, and sudden lump threatening to close her throat.
She just stared at him, not moving, trying to think how to react.

(She's just curled back up on the couch)

Lucky smiled at her, before scooting over next to the couch. He stayed seated on the floor, not invading her space, but he leaned against the couch. "I, um… I want to apologize about last night… I didn't mean to fall apart on you…" His smile was gone, replaced by a blush and a frustrated expression.

Ariella gave him a gentle smile. "It's okay Lucky. Don't worry about it." She stayed on her spot on the couch.

Lucky swallowed hard. "I don't really remember what I told you last night, if I told you anything." He rested his arms on the couch cushion, and rested his chin on them, looking up at her. "What did I say?"

Lucas saw Ronni's face change and watched her glance at the door.He stood up so quickly, he almost fell over. "Hey," he said in concern "I'm sorry— I didn't mean too—" He burst out of the door to the roof and placed his hands on his knees, taking in gulps of air.

Ronni blinked. Of all the things he could have said or done, that was not the thing she was expecting. She watched him go, not sure what to do, and wound up just sitting there, away from everyone, thinking quietly.
He's clearly not trying to make you feel uncomfortable… Tanya said slowly.
I guess not… But that's a weird thing to say, regardless. Ronni countered.
Just because he specifically said 'not in a romantic way' doesn't make it weird. Tanya admonished.
But why would he say that? And I don't like the attention. Ronni frowned. It made her anxious when men paid attention to her.
He's trying to be nice, give him a chance. Tanya said softly.
Ronni crossed her arms and didn't move from the hallway. ……..Fine.

Ronni sat there, thinking Lucas would have to pass her as he came down the stairs. She'd let him know it was ok then.
As long as he doesn't look at me like that. The expression had set her off without her really thinking about it.

She also had to wonder what had happened to Alastor and Zeus. They'd disappeared a while ago and she hadn't seen them. She couldn't imagine they'd just run and keep going, not with Liam still here. Alastor seemed to have bonded with the kid.
Well. Regardless, if Alastor is gone, I'll make sure Liam s taken care of.

After what felt like hours, but was really only ten minutes Lucas's eyes were dry and he stood up, making his way back down the stairs. He paused when he spotted Ronni and gave her his attempt at a small smile.

Ronni swallowed hard as he came down the stairs. Here goes nothing…
She stood, and when he paused and smiled at her, she stepped up close to him, way closer than her personal comfort zone usually would've been ok with. Maybe closer than he would've liked.
She reached out and touched his arm.
"Please don't be upset, Lucas. Just… don't look at me like that." Her voice still had that rough sound, like she hadn't used it in a while, but it was gentle. She returned his smile, before turning and heading back into the apartment.
I'm thirsty, where's the water?
You're distracting yourself…
Shut up!