Philia
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The aura of the apartment building had been so tense since the funeral, and now that the trials were beginning for sweet Nina and her loyal pet, Rose feared it was doing bad things to her friends' health. They needed happiness, they needed good vibes and a good night of fun, and that's exactly what she wanted to give to them.
She had been playing at a few bars in downtown Central, and had begun to make a name for herself in many of the smaller venues. So, after gaining a few favors from playing out and making acquaintances with many of the owners, she managed to snag the entire group free tickets for one of her favorite local bands.
That Friday night, she and Paninya had taken the duties as designated drivers, as they did for every outing. Rose didn't drink, due to her health, and Paninya, being a personal trainer, was not a fan of what alcohol did to her body. This was quite often a blessing for the group, for it meant everyone that did partake in drinking had the opportunity, and the D.D.s were akin to staying sober and still having fun. Jean, Becky, Alex, and Garfiel all decided to cram into Rose's Beetle, while Ling, Lan Fan, Ed, and Winry all rode with Paninya in her Jeep. Though her car was rather compact, and maneuvering through traffic was quite the feat in downtown on a Friday night, the group still had a riot of a time playing phone tag between the two cars, trying to keep up with each other as they made their way around Central.
The venue was a restored building from Central's earliest years. On the outside, the brick walls and elegant detailing gave the place a feeling of history, while on the inside, it was a modernized paradise for free spirits and wild times.
Rose smiled as she watched her friends interact, while they waited to be admitted. Garfiel and Alex were the epitome of "handsy"; no matter what, they always had some kind of hold on one another. She found it rather endearing, it told her that they relied on one another to be their anchors to the world. Jean had an arm wrapped tightly around Becky, which Rose read as a showing of pride in his partner. Becky made little faces at him and poked his sides constantly, but smiled at her husband whenever he did it back, revealing her bold, and slightly childish nature, as well as her need to give him some kind of unrequited attention.
"Enjoying the swarm of love bugs?" Paninya asked her, nudging her with her elbow as if to alert her back to reality. "Guess we'll have to be each other's dates tonight. Again."
Rose laughed full-heartedly. "I never mind having you as a date, Paninya."
"You're the only one," she grinned. "Which is fine by me. Dating is not my thing."
Rose smiled at her friend, taking in her ease as she rolled her eyes at their neighbors. "Maybe not, but being amazing sure is."
"Flattery," Paninya began, pointing a finger at the girl, while she smirked, "will get you everywhere with me."
"Oh, don't I know it?" Rose bemused, tangling her arm with Pan's as they entered the building.
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"I still can't believe Winry and Ed are a thing," Paninya shouted to Rose as they sat by the bar, sipping on lemon water while the couples drank or danced. "Never saw that coming."
"I did," Rose replied. "First time I met him, he was a complete mess of sexual tension."
Paninya cackled, nearly spitting water across the bar. "Stop! You can't be serious!"
"Oh, I am," she exclaimed. "Winry practically wrapped herself around his arm like a koala on a stick, while he was trying so hard to refrain from staring at her breasts."
Paninya's laughing intensified. "That's going in my maid of honor speech! Oh my god!"
Rose smiled, and turned to look at the topic of their conversation. Ed and Winry were standing at the edge of the bar, drinks in hand as they talked through the entirety of the band's playlist. Their heads remained impossibly close as they spoke back and forth into each other's ears, smiling at one another as though they were the only ones there. It made her happy to see her friend so deeply infatuated with someone that was equally as infatuated with her.
"She's really wanted that for a long time," Paninya said, pulling Rose from her thoughts. "The whole 'Iris Effect' kind of relationship."
Rose tilted her head in confusion. "Iris Effect?"
"Yeah," Pan replied. "You know, the whole 'eyes zoom in on that one special person, just like the movies, and suddenly they're the only two people in view'. That type of thing."
"Oh," Rose said, and nodded her head. "Well, seems she's got it."
"Are we weird for not wanting that?" Paninya asked. "I mean, I guess I can't speak for you, but.. You know?"
The question had caught Rose by surprise. "Why would you think that about yourself?"
The girl shrugged. "I dunno. Everyone acts like finding love is the most important thing in life. I just.." She sighed, and twirled the straw in her glass. "I just don't see the appeal of love, I guess?"
"Paninya," Rose said, placing a hand over her friend's. "Love is not defined by romance alone. You have so much of it in you, but that doesn't mean you need to feel every form. You are the love you bring your family and friends, and what they give to you."
Paninya smirked, and rubbed her thumb across Rose's hand before giving it a tight squeeze. "Thanks, girl."
"Of course, my friend!" she laughed, and looked out to the dance floor, noticing a pair of their friends were amiss. "Speaking of love… Have you seen Ling and LanFan?"
Paninya's face went blank. "Son of a bitch."
She jumped from her seat at the bar, and began to run.
"Those drunk idiots better not be trying to fuck in my car, again!"
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