Traveling never used to bother her much.

True, she didn't really like being without the comfort and familiarity of her own home, but she had never found herself pining to be back there. Plus, her trips were always short, so there really was no reason to do anything other than enjoy the change of scenery for a few days.

Which is what made her current mood somewhat disconcerting.

Mistral was really not where she wanted to be right now - she wanted to be back in Vale.

But there was no helping that right now...she had a job to do, after all.

As various assistants rushed in every direction around her, checking and double checking each tiny bit of equipment in preparation for the show, she tried her best to focus on the task at hand. The minutes were steadily disappearing until her most dreaded part of this trip - the live interview.

"Nervous?"

Startled out of her thoughts by the question, Blake turned to find the show's star standing right behind her.

The young man was tall and lean, with striking blue hair and a smile so bright she could swear it winked at her at the same time he did.

Neptune Vasilias...she only knew of him from the (very brief) research she had done when her agent had informed her of this obligation. She hadn't uncovered why his hair was blue...or why he was wearing goggles in every single picture...but she did know the singular word that seemed to follow the boy everywhere.

Womanizer.

And with his smile and aura, she completely understood where those rumors had come from. In her life, she had only met one person with a smile more hypnotizing.

Thankfully, that one person just so happened to be her very own girlfriend.

"Just a little bit," she answered his question honestly.

"Hey, don't worry about it - it's just you and me out there, right?"

"Neptune! We're on in two!"

Neptune gave her another wink before striding onto the set for the beginning portion of the show. But his words had reminded her of what Yang had suggested just days earlier at dinner. There was nothing to be nervous about - she was just going to be having a short conversation with Neptune about her book.

Although she seriously questioned how much reading the boy did in his free time…

She watched the hustle and bustle behind the scenes as the show got underway - various segments coming and going. Her portion was going to be near the end. And the closer it came, the more her nerves started springing up, try as she might to keep Yang's advice in the forefront of her mind.

"Miss Belladonna?"

Turning towards the voice, she found an assistant rushing towards her carrying a full bouquet of white lilies.

"These were just delivered for you! They said it was urgent to give them to you right now."

Blake accepted the flowers with a 'thank you,' quickly locating the card and pulling it out. She had a sneaky suspicion who they might be from - which had her heart beating like a locomotive.

Even more surprised to find that the card had been handwritten, her face flushed when she read the message.

Dear Blake,

I've heard this Neptune guy is pretty hot - but let's not forget who really gets your heart racing. Knock 'em dead.

(And don't be nervous - you'll do amazing.)

3 Yang

Her face reached newfound shades of deep red when she finished the card, glancing around her as if the people passing by might have read its contents as well.

But even though her face was flushing uncontrollably, she couldn't stop smiling. Setting the flowers down by her belongings, she pulled out her phone and sent Yang a quick message - trying to convey some annoyance in her words so that the blonde wouldn't know how immeasurably delighted the gesture had just made her.

Got your gift - I might have to strangle you for the card though - in the nicest way possible :)

She had hardly pressed 'send' before her phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Like asphyxiation? I don't know if I'm into that - but I could be for you ;)

Her cheeks reverted to dark crimson at the replying text, just in time for another assistant to motion in her direction.

Time for me to go...Thank you though, she typed hastily before shoving her phone away and making her way to the side of the stage. Before she knew it, she was walking onto the set and into the bright lights - with a smile still pulling at her lips while her thoughts lingered upon the blonde.

How had Yang known that lillies were her favorite flowers?

Smiling briefly at the audience that was applauding her entrance, she made her way to the seat in the center of the stage that had been designated for her. She shook Neptune's hand before they both took their seats and the viewers quieted down.

"So, Blake, your newest book just went on sale and has had really great reviews so far. From what I've been told, it's been flying off the shelves recently - can you tell us more about it?" Neptune asked, gesturing casually to a copy that he had resting on the table in front of them.

"Ah yes...It's called The Empire of All and is a crime/mystery drama set in present day Vale."

"I must admit that I started reading it and fell in love with the characters - Jayce in particular - I really, really felt for him," Neptune said.

Blake felt her eyebrows raise at Neptune's comment - surprised that he had actually read part of her book and that he had chosen the villain to sympathize with. But she tried to brush off her surprise and continue the conversation.

"Yes, the characters in the story are all greatly impacted by a vicious crime that occurs in a small, closely knit neighborhood. There's a great deal of mistrust, false accusations, and gossip."

Neptune laughed and leaned forward, his new posture suggesting that she had just said something he really liked.

"Speaking of gossip - there's been quite a lot of that going around about your personal life recently."

Ah...so that's what he really wanted to talk about...

"You've been linked recently with a certain actress that we all know and love - care to shed any light on that?"

She felt herself fidget uncomfortably, remembering to subtract one of her five lives for the movement.

"Yang and I met at a signing for The Empire of All just recently in Vale. We started talking and have gone to some events together since then."

Her answer was cagey in an attempt to circumvent the subject altogether, but the gleaming look in Neptune's eyes told her that she wasn't going to be getting away from this one. He cared for this topic much more than for her book. And, admittedly, she did too.

"I believe the two of you have been spotted doing a little more than just attending events together," he replied with a sly smile, clearly referring to the kiss that had been front page news.

Thankfully, Yang had told her at dinner that she could say anything she wanted, and Yang wouldn't mind. Knowing that she couldn't make a misstep that would result in Yang being angry with her certainly took a lot of the apprehension out of discussing the matter - which she would guess had been Yang's entire goal.

So, if this was what Neptune wanted to discuss...then that's what they would discuss. He had very limited time to get any information out of her, after all.

"Yes, that's because Yang and I are seeing each other now."

The excited whispers in the audience made her flinch, but she couldn't help feeling strangely satisfied saying the words out loud for everyone to hear.

"You're confirming that you and Yang Xiao Long are, in fact, an item?" Neptune asked, clearly elated to have gotten her to admit this on his show.

"Yes, we're dating," she stated firmly, feeling a smile appear without warning.

Hearing Neptune laugh, she turned her full attention back to him.

"Well...you just made a lot of men and women very sad with that knowledge!"

She couldn't help laughing at his comment.

"Might you be one of those people, Neptune?" she asked playfully. Although, if she had to wager a guess, he was likely upset when any woman became unavailable to him.

"I just might be!" he replied, laughing good naturedly at her tease while the audience did the same.

"But last question, I swear, before we wrap up for today," he said, flashing another one of those ultra megawatt smiles in her direction.

"What's something about Yang Xiao Long that we don't know?"

Blake pondered the question for a few moments. There were actually a lot of things about Yang that people didn't know. The public perception of the actress seemed to be that she was nice, friendly, and, most importantly, attractive - but that didn't even begin to scratch the surface of the kind of person Yang truly was. She was smart, selfless, philanthropic, beautiful through-and-through, and somewhat of a goofball. The girl wasn't afraid to make a fool out of herself, and could make her feel like the most special person in the room with ease.

But, as greedy as Blake might sound, she didn't feel like sharing that side of Yang with the world just yet. For now, she wanted to keep that intimate knowledge just to herself.

A good answer came to her regardless, causing her to laugh at the memory.

"She really sucks at laser tag."

Yang laughed, turning down the television when the show cut to commercials.

She did suck at laser tag.

For as nervous as Blake had seemed before leaving Vale, Yang couldn't tell from the interview she had just seen. The author had seemed to be at ease and comfortable talking with Neptune, even if it had only been for a little while.

Neptune, on the other hand, was being a little too flirty for her taste. She would have to guess that all of the rumors about the boy were true...but Blake was nothing but cordial in return, so she didn't feel too bent out of shape about it. Mostly, she was just a tad jealous that the boy was with Blake right now while she was not.

Of course, she felt horrible that Blake had had to answer questions about her - the segment was supposed to be about Blake's book, after all. But, the girl had seemed to be in pretty good spirits when discussing her, and Yang couldn't help being quite pleased with her answers.

Maybe it was just her wishful thinking, but it had almost seemed like Blake was more excited to talk about her than about the book. But that couldn't possibly be true, could it?

When her phone started ringing, she practically lunged across the countertop to pick it up - hoping that it was who she hoped it would be.

"Hello?"

"Wow, you answered fast."

A grin plastered itself across her face at the familiar voice. Walking over to the sofa, she made herself comfortable before continuing the conversation.

"I uh...I was sitting really close to my phone," she fibbed, knowing that Blake didn't believe her in the slightest from the soft laugh she was now hearing.

"Were you watching?"

"Of course! And you were incredible, just like I knew you would be."

"All thanks to your help," Blake replied gratefully. "By the way...how did you know that lillies were my favorite flowers?"

She gave herself a mental high five at the question. She hadn't been sure what Blake's favorite flowers were when she had set out for the flower shop, but then she remembered a scene with lilies in Sunflower that had been quite memorable. Blake had described the flowers in such great detail and so fondly...something had told Yang that those were the ones she should send.

"Oh you know...just a good guess," she answered instead, not wanting to give away her secret source of information just yet. "Did you like them?"

"I loved them - they're exquisite. The card, on the other hand…"

Yang burst out laughing, remembering what she had written down in the card for Blake.

"You know the best part? The sales clerk was being super flirty and I just know that he read it as soon as I walked out of the store. I wish I could have seen his face…"

Blake's responding laugh was like music to her ears.

"Well...I hope you don't mind...but it seems like I just told everyone that we're officially dating."

Mind? Yang beamed at the memory of Blake confirming their relationship on live TV. How much more validation could one ask for?

"I don't mind at all! Of course, Glynda is going to blow a gasket, but what are agents for, anyway? I pay her to handle this stuff!"

Plus, it saved her from having to make it clear to everyone that she was no longer available. But the best part was that everyone would know that Blake was taken, too.

"Really? Good...I was a little worried that you might be upset…"

"Oh please, if it had been me, I would have answered far less eloquently. So I'm actually really glad that you did it."

Another laugh as Blake undoubtedly imagined just how Yang might make such an announcement.

"Oh, sorry Yang, I need to get going now," Blake suddenly said, sounding regretful that she had to cut their conversation short.

"That's ok - busy day?"

"Yeah, I have to run to a couple book signings and then maybe have a break this evening."

"Ah...dinner with Neptune, perhaps?"

She mentally kicked herself as soon as the question left her lips, realizing exactly how jealous it made her sound. But she just couldn't stop herself from asking...

Thankfully, Blake laughed off the question easily, putting her back at ease.

"No - although he did try to ask me out. Amazing too - I had just announced that we were dating and he tried to ask me out anyway?"

The answer made her feel better in some ways, but made her blood boil in others. That blue haired, goggle wearing...who did he think he was? She tried to let out a laugh anyway, feeling it fall a little flatter than usual.

"Anyway, I have to go, but I'll talk to you later, ok?"

"Absolutely. Have a great day!"

"You too."

Once the line had disconnected, she stared at her phone for several seconds, wishing that they were still talking. With a heavy sigh, she set the phone down on the coffee table and stretched her arms high over her head, feeling a yawn threatening to escape.

She had woken up far too early to make sure that she wouldn't miss the show this morning - which was shown even earlier in Vale since it was filmed in Mistral. But since she was up, she might as well use the time to be somewhat productive.

Blake's job wasn't the only one that had decided to start back up and get in the way of them spending time together. Yang had her own work commitments beginning to reappear. Awards season was approaching, which meant she needed to remember to invite Blake to the Celicas - and she had just received the script for the third Dust movie, which would start shooting shortly.

The massive script was currently laying on the coffee table beside her phone. She had flipped through it once already - finding several scenes that she was not going to enjoy filming with Cinder at all, but other than that it seemed like it would be pretty fun movie to make.

So, she could be responsible and begin memorizing her part...or...she could delve further into the writing mind of Blake and hope to discover some more unintentional secrets. If Blake had written in her favorite flower, who knew what else was in there...

Grinning, she reached towards the coffee table and picked up her tablet - powering it on and picking up Sunflower where she had left off.