your l.o.v.e. is MINE for the tAkInG! (Echo)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He pulled his own food toward him and stuck his fork into his steamed rice. He took a huge bite, which was difficult to do through his mask. "Damn," he muttered.

[~echo~]

Rhea watched him as she chewed, a small smile lighting up her features. "Having some trouble? It might be easier if you take your mask off," she said with a teasing grin.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Sorry, can't do that," he said after he swallowed.

[~echo~]

She chuckled and drummed her fingers against the table. "Oh, fine." She continued to eat in silence.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He stared down at his food for a few seconds and then sighed. He pushed it away and set his fork down.

[~echo~]

Rhea watched him. "I'll go in my room to eat so you can."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He shook his head. "No, stay," he said. "I've just lost my appetite."

[~echo~]

Rhea cocked her head sideways, then shrugged and continued to eat.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He watched her, his eyes wistful behind his mask. He wished he could tell her who he was; he wished she wouldn't hate him if she knew.

[~echo~]

Rhea sighed when she was done. "Thanks for going to get that for me."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"It's the least I could do," he said. "I'm practically holding you prisoner, after all."

[~echo~]

Rhea chuckled nearly humorlessly. "Yeah. But I could leave at any time if I wanted."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"That's true," he said. "But you'd probably die."

[~echo~]

She appeared as though he was about to argue but then shrugged and nodded. "Yoire probably right."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry this is happening to you."

[~echo~]

She gave a faint half-smile. "No, it's not your fault. I shouldn't have stolen all those things and... I suppose I have my father and mother to blame for the feathers and wings."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He grimaced at the mention of her ancestry and her ability. "Right. That."

[~echo~]

Rhea leaned back in her chair, looked out the window. It was getting dark. She grimaced.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I think I'm going to go to bed," he said, standing up.

[~echo~]

Rhea looked at him and then nodded. "Okay," she said softly. She stood too and headed into her room. She swiftly changed into some shorts and a tank top. She sat on the bed and put her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands.