The car ride home had been a soundless one.
The two hadn't uttered a word to each other from the moment they departed the studio. However, it wasn't in the least bit uncomfortable. It offered the orange-haired Aristocrat a period of long-needed quiescence for her clamorous mind.
Startled when Shiki's head dropped on her lap, Rima eyed her dear friend for a few moments, smirking lightly before averting her attention to the blurred images of trees, the occasional pedestrian and other inconsequential buildings.
A small frown drew her lips the second she felt him tremble, sensing his voracious bloodlust even when in slumber. The red-head turned to look down on her lap, her pout still intact. "He always seems serene when he's sleeping," she regarded internally. Careful so as not to wake him up, Rima slowly raised her hand to rest on his auburn hair, gently stroking his hair for the remainder of the trip.
Ultimately, the vehicle ceased its movements. Rima discontinued tending to Shiki's hair as he rose, indifferent to the driver's comment. "Thanks for the ride," she uttered monotonously, ignoring the man's question as she climbed out of the car. "No problem!" he exclaimed before driving off. Rima looked back at his side of the dorms, releasing a small sigh before heading to her own room.
"Hey," Ruka welcomed as Rima stepped into their spacious room. Rima nodded in recognition, shedding herself of her coat and hanging it coat rack. She walked into the bedroom, throwing herself back on the bed with a stifled grunt. "It's my fault," she huffed out, closing her eyes as the guilt began to seep in. If only she hadn't proposed her blood before, perhaps she wouldn't have instigated his thirst to this degree… What are you doing now, Shiki? Is the hunger still gnawing at you? She herself had forgotten the taste of blood, instead opting for the insipid flavor of blood tablets. While she could control her appetite, there were instances when the desire for blood was so utterly unbearable that it pained her.
Her eyes soared open. "Could Shiki be in pain?" She sat up, her eyes gazing out the window. Just the thought of being the cause for his discomfort didn't sit well with her. "I have to go. I have to make sure he's okay."
Rima took off, leaving a questioning Ruka behind in the dorm. She walked toward the male faction of the Moon Dormitory. Luckily for her, it was the weekend, and most vampires were out scouring the town at this late hour. As she walked past numerous doors, she finally came across the one she was looking for: Shiki and Ichijou's place. She knocked twice, and a few seconds later, the familiar blonde-haired vampire opened the door, clearly astonished to see her there.
"Rima-chan! What are you doing here?" Ichijou, though smiling, seemed concerned. "Girls aren't allowed here, Rima-chan," he reasoned.
"Just let me in, Ichijou. I need to see Shiki." There must have been something in her voice, because Ichijou suddenly understood, opening the door to let her in.
"He's in his room. I wouldn't bother him, Rima-chan. He seems a little cranky. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Rima approached the bedroom door, opening it slightly ajar to see if he was sleeping. The room was empty. "Shiki? I'm coming in." She pushed the door opened, raising her brow when he was nowhere in sight. A moment later, the sound of running water was heard in the bathroom. "Oh…"
"I guess I'll wait for him." She took a seat on his bed, her eyes wandering every nook and cranny of his room. She caught sight of the semi-filled wine glass on the nightstand, immediately recognizing the scarlet liquid it contained. "He couldn't even bring himself to drink it entirely," she thought bitterly. A twinge of guilt settled in…
And at that moment, Shiki emerged from the bathroom, a fog of vapor trailing behind him. Rima sat up straight, her sight never leaving his form.
"Shiki…"