[Paris, Champs-Élysées - Dawn's Blade Arena, 10th Floor: The Infirmary Room]
"You..." Valencia stuttered, her voice barely a whisper.
Rel's head snapped up.
Confusion spread across his face, his eyes searching hers for a clue.
"...!"
She met his eyes for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes.
A blush crept up her neck as thoughts flooded her mind.
My mind's gone blank! What should I say to him?
The words she'd wanted to speak – words of gratitude, perhaps even apology – evaporated in the sudden awkwardness of the moment.
"..."
Silence hung heavy in the air.
Rel shifted uncomfortably, the quiet intensity of Valencia's presence was completely different from her usual aloofness.
haah...
Finally, he sighed and pushed himself up from his seat.
"I told Jan and Bazz that you had to leave early – came down with a sudden fever,"
