Rain watches in stunned silence as Tess continues to gaze at him expectantly, her eyes full of uncertainty. Eventually, he says the only thing that's on his mind, their game of truths and dares forgotten.
"So...uhm...is this about those rumors?"
Tess frowns disapprovingly, her eyes suddenly filled with...apprehension.
"Yes...I wanted to know if they're true. But you...didn't answer my question Rain..."
He swears internally.
'Gods...I wish I knew who saw me that first time, so I could...'
He sighs to himself, trying to remain calm. Anger won't help him now. Nik already knows the truth about his alliance with Ronin, and he trusts Tess at least that much. He has no reason to hide his connection to Ronin from her. More importantly, she's the last person he wants thinking that there's any merit to these salacious rumors.
Returning his attention to Tess, who looks inexplicably...angry...for some reason, Rain sighs and nods apologetically.
"Well, the rumors are partly true. I have been visiting Ronin's room every night. But, and I want to make this absolutely clear, we are NOT having any kind of romantic relationship whatsoever. The truth is that we have an alliance, and part of the terms are meeting every day around that time. That's all that it is...seriously."
Though Rain remains unaware, relief floods through Tess's body, and her expression outwardly softens as a result. However, her face quickly becomes puzzled, and she stares at him incredulously.
"Uhm...okay, I believe that you're not sleeping with her, but...why the hell do you have an alliance? And how did you convince her to form one!? She won't even talk to anyone!"
Rain scratches the back of his head sheepishly, his tone becoming hesitant.
"Yeahhh...she actually approached me for the alliance. As for what I got out of it...I got a Relic, information on other students, and she's a pretty strong ally in her own right."
Tess stares back at him with a stupefied expression, remaining silent for several long moments. Eventually, she frantically leans over to stare intently at Rain, her voice obviously struggling to remain calm.
"S-...she...what!? She asked you for the alliance...and gave you a Relic!? But she's so...wha-...why!? What did she want in return!?"
Rain purses his lips thoughtfully, a troubled expression coming to his face. He doesn't want to lie to her, but he also can't tell her anything personal about Ronin. Even if he's closer with Tess, he takes his words to Ronin seriously...she's been helpful to him, and he wants to honor that.
He casts an apologetic glance back at the wide-eyed Tess.
"She wanted information on other students, like everyone else. Don't worry, though...I told her that anything about you or Nik is off limits. She also stipulated that I meet her for tea every evening, when we discuss information about other students. That's why I've been at her room. And before you ask...no, that's not all she got from our alliance. However, I can't tell you anything else...I promised to keep her business private. So, please respect that."
Tess's mouth is left agape as she processes Rain's statements. Her mouth periodically closes and opens, as though she' trying and failing to find the words to speak. Eventually, she just directs a concerned gaze at him. Her voice comes out...frustrated.
"I...see. So, the single most famous Legacy on the planet approached you about an alliance and gave you a Relic in exchange for...let me get this straight...your company at nightly tea parties. These are why you've been making late-night visits to a beautiful woman's room alone, but there's totally nothing romantic about it. However, there are secret conditions to your alliance, which you feel like you have to hide, even from me. Do I have all of that right?"
Rain stares at her in shock, taking in her mildly annoyed demeanor.
'I mean...I guess it does sound sketchy when she says it like that, but...why does she seem mad!?'
After a moment to think it over, he responds to her hesitantly, his demeanor apologetic.
"Yes...that's pretty much it...sorry. You...uhm...said that you believed me that we weren't sleeping together. But...honestly...you don't seem convinced. Also, you sound a little...mad at me."
Tess blinks in surprise, some of the annoyance on her face evaporating. When she responds, her tone is a bit calmer, though slightly flustered.
"Well...I mean...I believe you. I know you're not sleeping together, but...you know...there's no telling what Ronin's motivations are. And I'm not mad! I'm just a little...surprised...that my friend isn't willing to tell me more about why someone like her approached him. That's all."
Tess glances away from him, her demeanor tinged with embarrassment. Rain watches the display in confusion.
'Is she implying that Ronin...is interested in me?'
Remembering the stoic, awkward blonde girl, he has to fight the urge to laugh at Tess's idea. However, he also feels a bit...guilty...about having to keep things from her. Suddenly, his eyes widen as he remembers something that he can share with her. He addresses her with a conciliatory tone.
"Actually, there is something I can tell you about how I got on her radar...just, as always, please don't tell anyone. Not even Nik."
Tess quickly meets his gaze again, her mood seeming to improve, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"Oh? Well that's something I suppose...go on. And don't worry, you know I don't like talking to Nik, and I'd never betray you like that anyway."
She stares at him seriously, waiting patiently for an explanation. Rain lets a small, amused smile slip onto his face...he likes that all it took was a little concession from him to set things right.
'Yeah, Tess...I believe you. That's the only reason I'm willing to tell you this. That, and the fact that Nik already caught me, and Ronin before that. Still, you're the first person I'm willingly telling.'
Rain nods at her appreciatively.
"Thanks, I believe you. Anyway, uhm...you know that high score that Ronin got on the impact machine?"
Her expression turns puzzled, her voice hesitant.
"Yeah...what about it?"
He scratches the back of his head nervously, giving her a sheepish smile as he responds.
"Well...you see...that score was actually mine. I just put Ronin's name down so that nobody would know it was me. I mean, who's going to question that kind of score from the Fated Blade's daughter, you know? Problem is...she managed to figure me out somehow, and came to confront me about it. That's how this all got started."
Rain watches Tess intently, gauging her reaction...he expects her to freak out. To his surprise, her eyes widen momentarily at the shocking news, but then she just looks away thoughtfully. After a moment, she gazes back at him, studying his face with a conflicted expression.
"I see...thanks for telling me. So, Ronin figured out about your physical enhancement Talent...she learned how strong you are...all of which you've wanted to keep secret..."
She trails off for a moment, seeming to realize something, then her eyes become full of concern as she stares at him. Her tone becomes serious...urgent.
"Rain, she's not blackmailing you, is she? Do you need my help? I might be able to use my Siren Talent to make her forget what she learned, but I've never tried. If that doesn't work, though, we can figure something else out...I'm sure of it. Whatever it takes."
He blinks in shock, watching as Tess stares at him with a serious, solemn expression. Her normally bright, emerald-green eyes have turned cold and calculating.
'My gods...she's serious isn't she...'
Rain quickly waves his hands placatingly, his voice becoming a bit frantic as his eyes widen urgently.
"Woah, woah, there's no need for anything like that! There's no blackmail! I swear, she hasn't threatened me with that information, or even asked for anything in return for keeping it secret. Her and I are chill...seriously!"
Tess's face seems to relax considerably, relief evident in her expression, and she lets out a long sigh. However, the concern doesn't disappear from her eyes.
"Okay good...that's good. But Rain, this is serious...if the uppity students, especially Legacies, find out that someone outside their group has that kind of power...you might be a target. At the very least, you'll have a hard time being left alone after the Crucible...the clans would want you for themselves. So, are you sure you can trust that girl? She's still been raised as a Legacy...I don't like the idea of her knowing the truth about you..."
He stares back at her for a minute, his thoughts conflicted.
'I don't know whether to be touched that her first thought was about my safety, or a little scared by how calculating she's being all of a sudden. It's clear that my instincts about being able to trust her were right...she's really got my back, it seems. But on the other hand...was she really willing to mind wipe Ronin, no hesitation?'
Rain isn't judging her for the suggestion about using her powers in such a way. After all, she hasn't noticeably used her Talent since that first day they met in class, and she was clearly only suggesting it this time to protect him. Still, it's terrifying to see how ruthless she's willing to be if the situation calls for it.
After some time, Rain decides that her heart is in the right place...she's trying to help him. He feels a bit of warmth in his chest at the realization, and an amused smile slowly slips onto his face. The display causes the serious-looking Tess's face to twist in confusion. Ignoring that, though, he just responds to her, his voice lightly teasing.
"I'm sure that I'm not in any danger from Ronin. But Tess...I have to say...it's very sweet to see you so concerned about my well-being. I guess you're really my friend after all, huh? I've never seen you act so...protective. I'm touched."
Her face freezes, and a little bit of red seems to take root in her cheeks, though her expression remains mostly calm. She's quick to respond, her tone annoyed but flustered.
"Wh-...of course I was worried about you, dumbass! There's nothing strange about caring for my friend! And quit teasing me...you're making it weird.."
Refusing to wither under her glare, Rain just chuckles to himself with the amused smile on his face growing larger. After a moment, he remembers something, though, and he directs a puzzled expression at the annoyed Tess.
"Hey wait...Tess...I have to say, you didn't seem that surprised when I told you about my impact machine score. I expected you to freak out...ask me more questions, maybe."
Her eyes widen in surprise at the sudden change in topic.
"I mean, I was surprised, but...less so by the fact that you managed to produce a score like that, and more so that Ronin's score was actually yours. As for being curious about your abilities...sure I was, but I was more concerned about your situation. Plus, I didn't want to pry...I'm sure you'd tell me more if you thought that you could."
Hearing her explanation, he feels even more gratitude towards her well up inside him. But he also feels...more confused. His eyes narrow at her, uncertain.
"Well...thanks, Tess. You're right, I do trust you, and I want you to know that. But...uhm...what do you mean that you weren't surprised I could produce a score like that? Don't get me wrong...I have many redeeming qualities, I think, but projecting strength isn't one of them."
Following his question, her expression seems to become a bit conflicted, as though she's contemplating something. After a moment, she gives him a small smile and shrugs, her piercing green eyes studying his face intently.
"Uh, right...so, the truth is...I know that you've been holding back while we spar, Rain. You've shrugged off full, Ichor-infused strikes from me with only your base strength. So, finding out that you also have a Talent this strong isn't surprising."
Rain feels his heart fearfully skip a beat as he meets the calm but intense gaze of his friend.
'Sh-...she knows...but how!?'
Forcing himself to remain calm, he directs a level gaze at Tess. She's just studying his reaction patiently.
"Let's say that's true...about me not using Ichor during our sparring matches. How would you possibly know that? More importantly, why would that make such a strong physical enhancement Talent less surprising to you?"
Tess gives him a calm smile, her tone remaining neutral.
"My Nature makes me more attuned to the flow of Ichor, and I've learned the physical signs of Ichor use as a result. As for why that makes your Talent less surprising...well...I have a Titan Bloodline and decent Resonance, Rain. There's not another person in this whole Academy whose base strength could shrug me off like you have. If I had to guess..."
Her eyes seem to become more intensely curious, her gaze more studying.
"...you've got a God Bloodline...don't you, Rain?"