As Fauna walked through the streets of Hogsmeade, her mind was anywhere but in the present. It jumped back to the dance last night, the SAWS surveys earlier that day, and the surprise owl she'd gotten from Devlin just before midnight. Despite the moment of internal panic when she'd found a ring hidden among the box of chocolates, it had been a fantastic ending to a busy, but happy day. His letter had explained that the ring was just a promise ring (whatever that meant, Fauna was still figuring out), and more importantly, he'd be able to meet with her in Hogsmeade that weekend.

Her mood had changed drastically when she'd bumped into Alex Snark on her way back to the common room, arms full of gifts. The Slytherin had taken one look at her, snickered, and then commented: he sure is spending a lot on someone he's just using to get back at Waker.

Her great Valentine's Day? Completely ruined.

Fauna kept telling herself that Alex was just messing with her head, and his comment was just a result of the firewhiskey he'd imbibed in the pubs that night. Truth was, she didn't know what to believe. Last year, Devlin had still seemed bitter over Waker, and when Waker had found them snuggling out on the grounds, he'd acted way too vindictively for someone who was supposed to be over her. But using her, to hurt someone else? That was a new low. If it was even the slightest bit true...

She bit her lip and shook her head, a lump forming in her throat. She had to know. That was why she was here. All she had to do was flat out ask him, right away, before he had the chance to charm her or distract her.

Fauna fidgeted with the ring on her finger, underneath her mitten. She hesitated as she reached the Three Broomsticks, finding him leaning against the brick wall in his casual (and she'd say sexy) manner. Her heart jumped and a smile spread across her face. Despite everything, her immediate reaction was one of joy and anticipation. Blame the hormones!

Ask him right away, Fauna reminded herself, moving closer until she tapped him on the shoulder, then threw her arms around him, giving him a kiss like she hadn't seen him in months. Which she hadn't!

"Hi," She greeted him a little breathlessly, unable to help the grin tugging on her lips. "Er, I got your present last night. Thank you," she told him sincerely, deciding not to ask him right then what exactly a promise ring was and what exactly it meant.

"Um... oh! I have something for you," Fauna rummaged around in her bag, then handed him a small wrapped box with a pocket watch inside that she'd ordered a few weeks ago, and a gift bag with hot cocoa and a card.

She was just, well.... stalling. Okay, she was stalling. But a part of her really wanted to see his reaction, to see him happy, before she told him what Alex had said.

Despite the presence of a wool cap and several layers, Devlin couldn't help but feel the cold bite of winter tug at his bones and he shivered violently before pulling his hood up over his head. He wasn't used to being so cold, having been a furry and somewhat thick guy most of his life, so he blamed this sudden habit of shivering solely on his 'father'. Knox had, after all, kept him locked up in a drafty old hovel for the last month or so as he waited for his trial. He even thought about writing up a will stating that if he died of Pneumonia or hypothermia, that Greyfriar was at fault.

Granted he probably could have escaped to a warmer place but to be honest, Devlin had been scared. He hadn't heard from Kingstreet since his arrest but he was positive she was planning something horrible as punishment. The mere idea that she was still out there, waiting and biding her time before striking, made him terribly nervous. So nervous in fact that he was always glancing over his shoulder and had started up the filthy habit of smoking. A habit he had abhorred in others but was now partaking in with growing frequency, especially as it got closer and closer to his trial. He was even smoking now, despite knowing that Fauna would show up any moment.

As the warm glow of the fire burned down to the strip of gold paper at the filter, Devlin reluctantly spit out the bud and watched as it melted into the dirty snow with its brothers. He thought about lighting another, but decided against it. Fauna should be there any second and he didn't want to greet her smelling like he had just come home from a bar. Instead, he slid a piece of peppermint into his mouth and sucked on that instead. Good thing too, because moments later, a finger tapped playfully on his shoulder to announce her arrival.

"He--" He started to say, a smile instantly coming to his lips moments before her soft pink ones joined it and cut him off. The kiss was so warm and comforting that Devlin nearly melted into her arms. Sliding his arms around her waist, he pulled her close and deepened the kiss almost roughly in his excitement. He nearly growled when she pulled away, but reluctantly let her go as she excitedly presented him with a small wrapped box.

"Hi, Er, I got your present last night. Thank you, Um... oh! I have something for you,"

A smile tugged at his lips as he pulled the wrapping away from the package of cocoa and a silver pocket watch with his name on it. Popping it open, he whistled at the picture of Fauna inside. Not a scantily clad picture, as he had partially expected considering his past experience with girlfriends, but one of her staring out at him with a playful and surprisingly sexy gaze. Merlin... those eyes. He loved those eyes. He felt like he could just dive into them and find himself in a pool of gentle healing warmth. You could swim all day in those eyes.

But you could also drown.

He had been haunted by the idea of her looking at him in disappointment and shame, those eyes he loved so much accusing him of betrayal. It cut him deeper then he ever thought possible and suddenly it was hard to continue looking at that picture. Quickly, but carefully, snapping it shut, Dev slid it into his pocket and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. "I love it. Seriously. That picture is incredible..." He murmured against her hair before pulling away and smiling down at her "Although it in no way compares to the real thing..."

He let the compliment hang in the air for a second before chuckling "That was corny wasn't it? Blame it on the fresh air I am getting for the first time in months..." He leaned down hugged her, breathing in her hair deeply before sighing "Merlin I missed you... How have you been?"

Though Fauna's cheeks were already pink from the wind, the color in them deepened when he whistled appreciatively at the picture she'd put inside the pocket watch. Fauna had been worried that it was a little, well, egocentric of her to put her own photo into the gift, but judging by his reaction she was glad she had.

She grinned at him, eyes sparkling. Merlin, it was easy to forget everything that had bothered her this past month when she was standing right next to him, hearing his voice, looking at him, kissing him. They had this chemistry, but it was more than that. Just being around him made her feel happy and cared for.

He kissed her forehead and complimented her, and she was just about to thank him when he laughed and pulled her close. Fauna didn't think it was corny! Ok, maybe it was a little corny. It was also sweet, so she hugged him back, catching a whiff of smoke underneath the peppermint. Which made her wonder and worry for a moment, though she ignored it when he asked her how she'd been.

"I've missed you too!" She exclaimed, pulling back slightly to kiss him on the cheek. "I've been fine," Fauna answered cheerfully. "Same old, same old."

Her smile turned a bit too bright to be genuine, reminded of what Alex had said, along with the dramatic events of the past month. She hadn't told Devlin yet about her dad contacting her, even though he was one of the few who would likely understand and relate. If all went well... maybe today would be a good time, she thought.

"You look like you're freezing," she said softly, giving his hands a squeeze.

"Want to go inside and grab a butterbeer?" Fauna was still stalling, of course. While she didn't want to make a scene in a crowded pub, she also didn't want him to freeze before she got the words out. The fact that this felt like a real date had nothing to do with it!

"I've missed you too! I've been fine, Same old, same old."

Her chipper tone and too bright smile were warning signs that Devlin readily recognized. His mother had gotten the same look and tone when announcing that they would be eating bread and cheese for dinner, usually because his father had lost his paycheck in a dice game or a bad investment plan, and she was trying to make the best of it. It was a look that he should have investigated upon, but Devlin simply didn't want to. Fake as her smile was, it was still her smile and he wanted to see it a bit longer. Ignorance was bliss after all. If she wanted to talk about it, she would. He wasn't going to bring it up.

"You look like you're freezing, Want to go inside and grab a butterbeer?"

Devlin chuckled "Getting cold eh?... Sure sure, let's head in. My treat..." He said as he grasped her tiny hand and allowed her to lead him to the pub entrance. Holding open the door, he ushered her into the humid warmth of two many bodies mixed with the melting snow they tracked in. As they took a seat, Devlin removed his coat but not his hoodie, prefering to keep the ability to hide his face. After glancing around the room, ensuring they hadn't been followed, Devlin turned to her and gave her a soft smile "So... um... How have you been? I heard that the valentines day ball went off without a hitch. I am glad to see no one got hurt this time..."

Inside, Fauna shrugged off her coat and mittens but left her hat on, as was her habit. She clasped her hands together on the table, twisting the promise ring around on her finger, and returning his smile when he asked her again how she'd been. He looked so sincere. A part of her just wanted to shove her doubts away, only she knew they'd pop up again once this date was over.

"Yeah, the ball went great," she nodded, trying to sound upbeat. "We actually sold some stuff for SAWS. The art booth did well. Everyone loved the bands. It was great. Really great," she trailed off, realizing she'd said the same word three times.

"Um, afterwards though..." Fauna shrugged, glanced away, and paused for a long moment.

She looked back at him, expression worried. "One of your friends - I'm sure it's nothing," she interrupted herself with a shake of her head. "I mean, I think he was drunk, or something. He was just saying these crazy things..."

She swallowed. "I mean, saying things like... you were using me," her voice lowered to a mumble. "Why would Alex say that, you know?"

Her question was supposed come off as hypothetical, but it sounded awfully curious.

"Yeah, the ball went great, We actually sold some stuff for SAWS. The art booth did well. Everyone loved the bands. It was great. Really great,"

Sipping his butterbeer, Devlin nodded and muttered little things like 'that's good' and 'wish I could have come', just to keep her talking. He had a sinking feeling that if he didn't keep her focused on the good things, she might tell him why her smile was faltering and her voice seemed a bit too happy. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong moment to take a mouthful of butterbeer and she abruptly changed the subject to what he could only assume was the thing that was bothering her.

"Um, afterwards though..."

Swallowing hard, he licked his lips and stared at her, waiting. "Yeah? Go o--" he started to say when she had paused for too long. He didn't know what she was about to tell him, but something in the pit of his stomach told me that he wasn't going to like it. He was not disappointed.

"One of your friends - I'm sure it's nothing, I mean, I think he was drunk, or something. He was just saying these crazy things... I mean, saying things like... you were using me, Why would Alex say that, you know?"

Devlin nearly choked on his drink as the truth spilled from her lips. Now this he hadn't expected. Something going wrong at the dance... one of his ex's saying mean things to her... these things he expected, but not one of his closest friends spilling something that could... and would if he didn't play his cards right... ruin their relationship. He had to be smart about this. If he told her the straight truth, she would hate him but if he lied straight out, she would hate him as well. Using the rim of his cup as a shield, Devlin took a long drink as he thought of how he could respond. After a moment, he swallowed and sighed.

"Look... I'm sorry about Alex. He's... a bit of a jerk when he is drunk." He started, reaching out and touching her hand reassuringly. Wrapping her slender fingers in his own, he stroked the soft skin of her knuckles as he spoke, his head shaking in disbelief at his friends words, "... I mean, I am assuming he was drunk because that is the only logical reason I could think of for him to say such horrible things to you..."

Sighing, he rubbed his temples as though he had formed a headache trying to figure out this conundrum. "I... I suppose it could be jealousy... I mean, both Gavin and I have found girls that mean more to us then just a fling and he hasn't... but I still just don't understand why he would tell you that I was just using you to get back at Waker... it just seems petty... even for him."

The way Devlin coughed a bit on his butterbeer made her stomach sink. He looked surprised, but not especially confused. Her mind started to analyse this worrying observation as he put a hand over her cold fingers and tried to reassure her that too much alcohol had caused Alex to be such an arse. Fauna didn't move her hand away, but she went still, uncertainty shadowing her features. Should she believe him?

She looked at him, watching him rub at his forehead, and for a second she felt bad, because this was the first time she'd seen him in a month and a half, and they were talking about some stupid, jealous remark Alex had made in a drunken stupor. It didn't seem fair. Not to him, not to her. She opened her mouth, about to tell him that it didn't matter, and that they should just enjoy the rest of their date even if she hated herself for it later.

But then he mentioned Waker.

Fauna hadn't mentioned Waker. She'd purposefully kept Alex's words vague, reasoning that talking about Waker right off the bat would just make this more tense then it needed to be.

Her face lost all color. Very slowly, she pulled her hand away and crossed her arms, glancing down. For a few long seconds, she was silent.

"I don't understand either," her voice cracked at the end. She swallowed, her chest tight, heat rising to her face.

"Why are you lying to me? Why would you do that?" She burst out, finally meeting his gaze. She wasn't yelling, but the emotion in her voice caused one of the waitresses to glance over. Her eyes shone with tears, and her chin even wobbled, but shock allowed her to keep the blubbering at bay for now.

He knew the moment the color drained from her cheeks that he had said the wrong thing. What had he said? Wasn't his reasoning sound enough? What could it possibly.... oh. She hadn't mentioned Waker, had she? Cursing inwardly, Devlin found himself at a sudden loss for words, his mouth flopping open weakly in an attempt to find something, anything, to say to make it all better. She didn't give him a chance though.

"I don't understand either, Why are you lying to me? Why would you do that?"

As those beautiful blue eyes he loved so much filled up with disgusted and disappointed tears, Devlin felt a rush of conflicting emotions color his cheeks. He felt helpless and vulnerable, unable to find the right words to calm her fears and convince her that he truly loved her. He hated it when she, or any woman for that matter, cried, especially if he was the cause. It reminded him too much of the hell his adoptive father put his mother through and how much he was becoming the man he despised. But at the same time, he also felt embarrassed and angry, irritated at how others in the pub were sneaking looks at them and whispering, presumably about her waterworks and his worth as a man, to each other. Their stares and jeers made the room feel uncomfortably stuffy and crowded. As the feeling of being trapped enveloped him like a lead lined blanket, his claustrophobia set in and left him feeling tense and nervous.

"L...Look it's... it's not like that. I didn't..." his eyes twitched back and forth, eying the people around them nervously as he rubbed his arms, his hair... anything he could touch to keep him focused. This didn't seem to help much as he begin to look around almost frantically and his breathing became rushed and ragged. Fighting the urge to just bolt from his chair in fear, Devlin leaned forward and whispered with more force then he intended, "Look... can you quit the crying already.. I.. I can't deal with that. Not here. Let's... Let's just go outside and we can talk. Anywhere but here..." Standing, he grasped her elbow in a shaking hand, his expression switching between vulnerable and pleading as he muttered "Please Fauna... I will tell you everything, just come with me...Please."

Fauna blinked at him through her tears, astonished that he was telling her to stop crying just because he couldn't deal with it. Indeed, he looked the most perturbed she'd ever seen him, glancing around at the people in the pub who were whispering and staring at them. Fauna knew they had an audience, but for once, she didn't care what people thought. Let them be "that couple" on Valentine's Day weekend.

"Fine," she said in a clipped tone as he pleaded with her to leave with him. She jerked her elbow away, flung on her coat, and stormed out of the Leaky Cauldron, turning the corner and stopping in the narrow alley between the pub and the neighboring building. She finally looked back to see if he'd followed, swiping at her eyes and her nose with her hand.

He didn't want tears? She'd give him anger, then. Fauna crossed her arms and glared at Devlin, mind whirling with emotion. It was true. He'd actually been using her. There were so many things she wanted to say, but none of her questions made it past the lump in her throat.

"So sorry if I was embarrassing you," she rolled her eyes, clenching her jaw so she wouldn't burst into tears. "Can't wait to hear the excuse you have up your sleeve," she muttered underneath her breath, shifting her glare to the wall because she couldn't look at him anymore.

The few sips of butterbeer she'd had rebelled in her stomach, and her breaths came out in short puffs, dreading whatever he had to say next, because some part of her knew it wouldn't be good enough.

"Fine,"

He was honestly wounded when she yanked her elbow away and stormed off, not even looking back to see if he followed. Couldn't she tell that it was being in that crowded room and not her that made him feel the need to leave? Weren't woman supposed to be the ones that were hard to read? He thought he knew, but right now, he wasn't sure. Fauna was very clear about her feelings on the matter, that was for damn sure. Dropping a few coins on the table, Devlin followed her quickly, avoiding the stares of the other pub crawlers. When they got outside, Devlin followed her like a dejected puppy into the alley where she promptly turned away and avoided his gaze.

"So sorry if I was embarrassing you, Can't wait to hear the excuse you have up your sleeve,"

"You weren't embar--Fauna.. Fauna, please look at me..." Devlin tried to duck down so he could look her in the eyes. He needed to be able to read her to know if he was saying the right thing, but her refusal to meet his eyes made it nearly impossible. "shiiit..." Devlin pulled back sharply and ran his hands through his hair, tugging at the messy brown locks in exasperation.

"God dammit! This wasn't supposed to happen!" He muttered to himself but loudly enough for her to hear.  With a growl he slammed both of his fists against the wall before leaning forward and resting his forhead on the cold brick. "Just... Just hear me out, ok? It's not... exactly what you think." He studied the crevices and cracks in the ancient brick with far more interest then it deserved, avoiding her glare with difficulty "Yes... I will be honest... It did kinda start out that way. Not... using you, persay, but I did pursue you at first to prove a point..."

Turning around, he leaned against the wall and stared up at the clouded over sky, still unwilling to meet her gaze "... Waker told me that I was a horrible person that no one would ever truly love... and that I would never find a girl that wasn't some stupid bimbo out for a fling..." Surely she could understand his drive to prove such a horrible accusation wrong. "... I wanted to prove her wrong... so I chose the one girl in school that I knew wasn't like that, one who wouldn't let stupid reputations or popularity cloud their vision... You..." he was careful to mix in a compliment, hoping she realized that he chose her for... pure reasons.

"So yeah... Maybe... Maybe I was using you, but I wasn't trying to get Waker back or anything like that..." He finally looked at her, the expression on his face as honest and open as it could get, a rare expression from the king of facades. "I just wanted a girl that would like me for me... and one that I could really fall in...love... with..." There, he said it. The L word. Surely she couldn't hate him now. His eyes met hers and held there, waiting breathlessly for her response.

She kept her gaze fixed to the brick of the building, head turned away, as he tried pleading first, then taking his frustration out on the wall. Fauna jumped a bit and stole a glance at him. He looked so defeated. As he started to explain, the truth caused her throat to close up and a myriad of emotions flitted across her face. Some part of her felt sorry for him, and her expression would soften, tempting her to run into his arms and kiss these problems away. The sound of his voice and even just looking at him brought in a rush of affection, a jolt of attraction.

For once, however, she couldn't believe him. Devlin was trying to own up to what he'd done, and yet he was excusing his actions at the same time. Putting the blame on Waker - she'd heard it before. And when he talked about Fauna, painting her as this great person, all she wanted to do was argue with him. Did he see her for who she really was? When would he start to blame her like he seemed to blame Waker for everything?

Fauna didn't feel like the good person Devlin viewed her as. In the beginning, she'd been attracted not just to him, but to his confidence and popularity, and how his gang of friends followed him around. It didn't matter to her anymore, but it had mattered to her a little then. Now, she just felt stupid. A few of her friends had tried to warn her, and the little voice in the back of her head had said 'be careful'.

She hadn't listened.

"I just wanted a girl that would like me for me... and one that I could really fall in...love... with..."

Their eyes met. Fauna's breath caught in her throat.

"I love you too, Dev," the words came so easily to her, so suddenly, but they rang hollow. Her miserable expression and the sadness in her voice made the revelation bittersweet.

"But..." She ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. "But I'm not... I can't..." She swallowed. "You use people, Devlin." She looked him in the eye, stating it as a fact. "For whatever reason, whether I'm, you know, 'too good' to care about reputations, or easily manipulated. It's the same thing. And it's not just me."

She paused. "So you weren't trying to get back with Waker. Big deal!" Her words came a bit faster now. "You were trying to get back at her, weren't you? What else have you been lying to me about?"

Fauna veered into that question without warning, crossing her arms. She knew what Fig had told her about Devlin's dodgy activities, and this time, she wanted to know if he'd tell her on his own.

"I love you too, Dev,"

"Then..." why can't we forget this whole mess... he had started to say when he realized that there was a 'but' coming. There was always a 'but'. A girl with such a dejected expression didn't say 'I love you' without adding something that ruined the whole sentiment.

"But... But I'm not... I can't... For whatever reason, whether I'm, you know, 'too good' to care about reputations, or easily manipulated. It's the same thing. And it's not just me."

No no no no... His mind reeled as she bit out the words that he didn't want to hear. Why didn't she just take his compliment and  forgive him? Why did she have to analyze it and turn it into something bad. He tried to think of something... anything at all.. that he could say to turn this mess around. At this point it wouldn't even need to be all in his favor, he just didn't want it to end in the way it was heading. Nothing came to mind and he found himself speechless as she went on, the emotion in her voice crescendoing as his own begin to fade into emptiness.

"So you weren't trying to get back with Waker. Big deal! You were trying to get back at her, weren't you? What else have you been lying to me about?"

Devlin's mouth flopped open, prepared to claim innocence, but nothing came out. The protest died in his throat as he realized that he was screwed no matter what he said. She obviously believed what she had heard from others, so no amount of denial would convince her and if he told her the truth, she would only have a reason to hate him. Defeat washed over him as he realized that he was fighting a losing battle. No matter what he did he was going to lose her.

"Fine...You obviously already have heard everything, but I might as well tell you..." He said softly, his tone suddenly cold and empty, as though his previous passion had been suddenly sucked dry. "Yeah... Yeah, I'm not a good guy... I cheated... I stole... I swindled... " His eyes flickered to hers, empty and emotionless "... I did a lot of stuff that I am not proud of... But I do know one thing that I didn't do wrong and that...was loving you..." The blank expression was briefly crossed with emotion before he forced himself to look away, murmuring to himself "... I just wish you could see that..."

Fauna had not expected his voice to turn so cold, or his expression to become so closed off. She hadn't expected him to give up so easily, without fighting for them. She didn't want excuses. She just wanted... she wanted him to change. To tell her that he could be different, that he could stop the road he was on.

She wanted things to be different. And yet she knew they couldn't be.

Tears broke free, steaming down her face, and she looked down, sniffling.

"I'm sorry," she choked out. Sorry that one of the few things they had in common was that they loved each other. Sorry that she knew too much about what he'd been doing. She shook her head, overcome with emotion.

"Is this it?" She burst out, frustrated. "That's all you have to say?"

Maybe if she was still the same person he'd pursued a year ago, knowing he loved her would have been enough. They probably never would have had this conversation. Now, after calling him out on it, Devlin was willing to admit to what he'd done, but he didn't seem willing to change it. Fauna couldn't, and wouldn't, ask him to 'become good' for her. It had to be up to him.

"I'm sorry,"

To most people, these two simple words indicated acquiescence and apology, but Devlin knew that they meant something very different for him. Fauna wasn't trying to smooth things over, she was sealing the deal. Feeling the weight of this realization, his shoulders fell in defeat and he heaved a heavy sigh. Those beautiful blue eyes that had always stared at him in adoration were now filmed over with disappointed tears and Devlin found himself unable to look into them anymore. Forcing himself to stare at the wall, Devlin sucked in his lips and nodded in understanding. This was the end and he knew it, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"Is this it? That's all you have to say?"

Devlin's brow furrowed at this comment, a hint of anger flaring up through the sadness. What was she asking? She had obviously made up her mind, why ask if he had anything else to say? Sucking in his lips, Dev rubbed his chin in thought before finally managing to bite out "What? What do you want me to say? Tell me what to say to make this better and I will gladly scream it from the rooftops....I will say whatever it takes to fix this..." His eyes finally met hers, the hazel orbs glinting with anger under his furrowed brows. "But... what does it matter now? I mean,  I can stand here and tell you all day that I am sorry and that I am going to change and make it all better, but you have already... obviously... made your decision about me based on what others think... So no matter what I say, you will always doubt me..." The emotion in his voice was beginning to choke him up as he managed to mutter "... I don't know that I can live with that..."

This little rant suddenly took the wind out of his sails and he had to lean against the wall, the rage drained from him. Rubbing his eyes, Devlin fought the swell of frustrated tears that he could feel building up. The last thing he needed right now was to cry in front of her. Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he added hoarsely "... So what do we do now then?"

Fauna blinked at him when he responded angrily. It hadn't been a fair question, and he wasn't a mind reader, but his reaction instantly put her on the defensive. She shot a weak glare back at him, silently rebutting every word that came out of his mouth.

She couldn't help but be influenced by what other people thought of him; her friends and family especially. He acted like she shouldn't believe them even when the things she'd heard had turned out to be true, and the last one, about Waker, tore her up inside. How could she trust him anymore? The thought of forgiving him, of letting this go, made her feel worse than the thought of walking away. He was right. From now on, she would doubt everything he told her. Fauna didn't have the will to try to build up that trust between them a second time, and she knew that if he slipped up even once and used her or lied to her again, she'd be devastated. She felt devastated now!

"... So what do we do now then?"

"I don't know," she said after a long moment, sounding just as defeated as Devlin. 

"I miss you when I'm at school," she admitted in a mumble, unable to meet his eyes. The tears had stopped for now, but her chest hurt and her face stung from crying.

"I don't like lying for you." She left it at that, but the guilt ate at her every time she saw Tamis and told her nothing.

"My friends, I mean... they were avoiding me." Bitterness crept into her voice, and her mouth thinned. She'd lost Waker, likely for good. Figaro, Sophie, and Chance had all been affected by their couple drama and avoided her for at least a little while. She hadn't realized how much she'd resented that until now.

Fauna shook her head. "And... with the Waker thing... I can't. I can't just... get over that." She risked a glance at him. "Do you understand?"

Her tone was both frustrated and filled with guilt. She didn't want to have to spell it out for him (or for herself). Saying the words out loud made it so much more real.