AN: Another catch-up post!

Committed to memory (Kurt, Sidney)

"Checkmate."

Sidney winced, nodding his head in resignation as he surveyed the carnage their game had turned into. "Maaaaaan. Probably shoulda been a little more careful in the midgame, huh?"

Kurt crossed his arms, pondering the question. "On the one hand, exercising caution is hardly a detrimental trait. On the other hand, there's no way to evolve and grow without occasionally breaking from convention – in this case, I think it was worthwhile. Had you gone here instead, then perhaps – "

"H-Hold up," he stammered, watching as Kurt rapidly re-arranged the pieces. "You actually remember all that?"

"Of course. Don't you?"

Maybe (Alan, Fie, Vivi, Edel, sequel to Flowers)

"M-Maybe?" Alan yelped, his eyes flying wide. "Maybe?!"

"Okay," Fie interrupted with a tired sigh, fixing Vivi with an unimpressed stare. "First off; ignore her if you have to, Alan. We've learned from experience that it can work real well sometimes."

"Rude!"

"You hear something? No? Exactly, good job. Second – c'mon, there's no maybe about it. We went through an awful lot of possibilities for this bouquet, but the one you went with? Awesome."

"She's going to love it," Edel assured him. "Have you thought about how to give them to her?"

"U-Uh, well, I – "

"Annnnnd the panic's back."

Maybe not (Celine, Emma, mention of EmmaxMachias)

"Well, look on the bright side. At least you know when it is now," Celine told her, watching as Emma glared at the calendar in front of her.

"I'd hardly consider that a bright side considering how little time there is! Who consciously hides their birthday, honestly?"

"Oh yeah, because you made a huge deal out of yours, right? Any ideas on what to get him?"

"Outside of books that he could buy anyway? No." Palm cradling a cheek, she pondered "if I were Machias, what would I…?"

"You. Wearing that concert outfit from first year."

"…"

"Maybe not, huh?"

The stars aligned (Musse/Ash)

"Hold up a sec. You don't actually believe that crap, do ya?"

Musse mock pouted, insistently shoving the magazine at a reluctant Ash. "I'll have you know astrology is a practice rooted in many a tradition from time immemorial."

"Could've fooled me. Damn shame it's being used to ask burning questions like is your compatibility written in the stars then, huh?"

She laughed long and loud at that, the sound ringing like a bell.

"… Please tell me that ain't the actual article," he pleaded with a weary groan, his fingers massaging his temples.

"You're not far off."

"Aidios wept."

You're late (Rean/Alisa)

"Hello, Rean Schwarzer speaking."

"Hey, Rean. Just a heads up, I'm gonna be – "

"You're running behind schedule too, huh?"

"It's a madhouse! Something went wrong in R&D and a message wasn't passed on and – ugh, it's a whole thing. You too?"

"Oh, not nearly as crazy. Orbal tram broke down so we're all kinda hanging out waiting for it to get moving again."

"… Y'know, I'm trying really hard not to be annoyed with you right now."

"Jealous?"

"You have to ask?"

"Hope coffee and treats'll help. See you soon, Alisa."

"Goddess willing. Love you, Rean."

"Love you too."