Sting found Senna absentmindedly cleaning the kitchen, washing the dirty dishes with a somewhat glazed look. He tried calling out to her a few times, but she didn't hear him, so he stepped into the kitchen and walked over to gently nudge her.

Senna jumped when Sting nudged her shoulder and spun around, dropping the bowl she was cleaning. "Shit..! Sorry, Sting, you scared me."

"Sorry, didn't mean to. I tried calling out to you, but you were so lost in thought that you must not have heard me." He stooped down to retrieve the bowl for her.

"Sorry..." Senna took the bowl and set it aside. "Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing. We haven't really seen each other or talked since that night."

Both Senna and Sting blushed and looked away as certain parts of that night came to mind.

"Y-Yeah, well um, I'm doing fine..."

Sting watched as Senna dried her hands and went about putting away the dry dishes, unsure of what to say or do. A few awkward moments of silence later, though, Senna looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"What?"

"Hmm?"

"You're staring..."

Sting blushed and looked away. "S-Sorry..."

Senna moved to prep the whipped cream for the dessert. "I doubt you came here just to observe," she noted, glancing up at him as he leaned against the counter.

Sting crossed his arms. "I just wanted to catch up since it's been a while, but you seem out of it so I got worried."

Senna sighed and grabbed the sugar. "There's nothing to be worried about."

Sting watched her add the sugar to the mixture and continue whisking until it was a perfect consistency. "Senna, you've seemed out of it ever since that night. You haven't seemed as happy or as focused as you usually are. I'm not the only one who has noticed, either. We're all worried about you."

Senna covered the whipped cream and set it in the cooler, then cleaned her hands. "As I said, there's nothing to be worried about."

Sting pushed back from the counter as she turned to leave the kitchen. "Come on, Senna, what's going on? Why won't you talk to me?"

"Because there's nothing to talk about?"

"I don't buy that for a second."

"Can you just drop it, Sting?"

"Why are you shutting me out? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you didn't do anything wrong..."

"Then what?"

Senna stopped in and turned to face Sting. "Why do you care so much?"

Sting paused, his chest tightening seeing the expression she was making.

"Why does it even matter to you whether I'm OK or not?"

"Senna, I-" Sting wasn't expecting this sort of reaction from her, but then again, he wasn't sure what to expect.

"You know what? Just forget it..." Senna sighed, putting a hand to her face for a moment. "I need some time alone, so please excuse me..."

Sting stood there, a hand outstretched to stop her but at the last second, he stopped. His hand slowly retracted until it fell to his side. "Damn it..."

Senna found her way outside once more, this time in the courtyard garden. A large fountain bubbled gently at its center and Senna found a nice bench beneath a trellised archway covered in wisteria.

The breeze had turned into a gentle wind, carrying the chill from the mountains. It was colder than it was before, but still welcome on her skin. Inside the guildhall, Senna could hear the laughter and the music as the party continued on without her.

"I really do envy them..." she thought aloud.

As she sat there alone, watching the stars peek out from behind wispy clouds, she sang a gentle tune that her mother would sing to her whenever she was sad or upset. The wind carried her voice across the courtyard and through open windows. Eventually, someone heard her voice and followed it to the courtyard to find Senna alone.

"Senna?"

"Oh, hi Yukino."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Senna offered her a smile. "No, I was just about to leave." She stood and stretched a moment.

"I see."

"Did you need something?" Senna asked, noticing that Yukino seemed hesitant.

"O-Oh, I was just wondering if you were able to enjoy the festival. I understand that running a business keeps one busy, but I hope that you've been able to take a break from work."

"I take a break when I can, so I've been able to enjoy the festival well enough."

"That's good. And how is The Rocky Grove faring these days?"

"Business is booming, as it does with every festival."

"That must be nice. Do you enjoy running a business?"

"It has its moments where it's not the greatest thing in the world, but I love what I do so I don't mind. It's worth it in the end, after all; I'm able to provide for myself and meet interesting people all the time."

"That's certainly an optimistic way to look at it. I can't speak for the others, but I most certainly am grateful to have such a wonderful establishment here in town to visit."

Senna smiled at that. "Aww, thanks Yukino, that's sweet."

"Are you going to return to the party?"

"I was thinking it might be best to go home, actually. Mona and the others can finish up here on their own."

"Won't you at least stay for dessert?"

Senna shook her head. "Sorry, but I'm going to pass. I think it's best to just call it a night."

"Alright. I can let the others know, then, if you'd like?"

"Sure, that'd be great. Thanks, Yukino, and enjoy the rest of your night, OK?"

"You as well."

Yukino waved Senna off, clutching her hands to her chest as she faded from sight. 'I hope she's OK...'

As Senna walked home, Yukino let Mona and the others know that Senna had left. When Sting heard the news, he felt useless. He had wanted to comfort her, talk to her, let her know she wasn't alone, but nothing had gone the way he had hoped and now he just wanted to punch a wall. He was more frustrated with himself than anything else, but it didn't stop him from wanting to run to The Rocky Grove and try to fix things with Senna. What did stop him, though, was the look on her face when she said she needed time alone.

'What am I going to do?'

Amelia sidled up to Sting with a drink in hand. "Thinking about Senna?"

Sting took the drink. "Yeah..."

"Why don't you go talk to her, then?"

"She wanted time alone."

"And she's had that," Amelia pointed out. "It wouldn't hurt to try again now that she's had some time to herself. I mean, what's the worse that could happen? She says no?"

"She could get really pissed at me, too."

"Sure, but she'll get over it." Amelia put a hand on his shoulder as he downed the rest of his drink. "Trust me, I know Senna better than anyone else. Give her an hour or two of alone time and something to keep her hands busy, and she'll be fine. You'd really have to fuck up something royally to stay on her bad side."

"You've known her a long time, right?"

Amelia nodded. "Since we were eight years old."

"Damn, that is a long time."

"Let me let you in on a little secret," Amelia said, leaning in, "Senna loves magnolia flowers and candied nuts."

Sting looked at Amelia, seeing her wink. He was surprised at the little tidbit of information, as it was something he didn't already know, but he smiled and thanked her before she excused herself to join in on a nearby drinking game.