Do listen to our song, won't you? I'd be honored if you enjoyed it.

…! [The mushrooms catch his attention, so much bigger than him at this size. But it’s then that he realizes… Lucius brought him here on purpose, didn’t he? Because he likes mushrooms?] Nu… [He turns around to look up at him, wordlessly questioning him.]

Nu! Nuuuu! [He frantically waves his little arms all around, demanding to be put down! It’s to no avail, unfortunately. His little stubs can barely reach his face. But at least Lucius was gentle with him.] Nui nui… 😔

[Oh… The impossible temptation of a cat’s belly… Even as a plushie it’s hard to ignore. But within those soft paws are claws, and Jade doesn’t want to know what’ll happen if he gets torn open! So he slowly turns himself around and starts waddling away, squeaking as he walks.]

N… Nu?! Nui nu?! [Now his arms go up in EXTREME alarm, and he seems to ask if Trey was alright. Or… erm. Lucius. He waddles closer with his little plush legs, looking up at him. …They did sound awfully similar.] Nu…

[His arms go up in alarm. Oh, if Azul or Floyd were to see him like this… He’d never hear OR see the end of it. He may very well find himself trapped in one of his own terrariums until it wore off.] Nu… [He seems to sigh as well, or some approximation of it.]

[He squeaks softly, like a dog toy.] Nu… [He can’t really emote as a plush, but he’d be blushing right about now. So he just gets comfy in Trey’s arms.]

NU! [“TREY!”]

[He clings with his little plush arms, even though it doesn’t do very much at all.] Nu nu. [“Thank you…”] Nui nu nu… [“How embarrassing this is.”]

[When squeezed even a little, he lets out a soft squeak.] Nu. Nui nu nu nui nu. […Incomprehensible, but he’s probably saying something like “Save it.”]

NUI NU NUI

[It’s the first of April. Something is amiss…]

[Was it possible for his grin to get any wider? Because it did. Not only was it an edible terrarium, but he even included little mushroom treats and plated them accordingly. Jade can do little more than stare in wonder.] I… I love it. It’s perfect. [He had a huge appetite, but this may be +

[He was just trying to be rational about it...! But now, when there was zero doubt about how Trey may feel, Jade was completely unabashed with his feelings. He looks so elated he might burst. His mouth curves into a barely-contained grin, taking Trey's hands in his own. ] Yes... I suppose I must.

[You'd think Jade was the one under the effects of a love potion with the way he leans into Trey's touch so affectionately. Three days was hardly enough to satisfy him!!] ...My apologies. You merely surprised me, is all. I'm unaccustomed to such affection. Though I'd gladly accept another.

[Jade's face flushes a bright crimson, staring at Trey starry-eyed when he parts from the soft kiss.] Me... too... [He looks completely head over heels and at a loss for words, having had his first kiss so gently swept away from him.]

[SPRINTS]

[He can't help but follow Trey's demand, letting his hands drop away from his face and look down into Trey's eyes.] ...You're too late. [Jade's voice is quiet, and with such little distance and no more hands to hide behind, it's easy to see the intensity in his gaze as he speaks.] +

Floyd… 😒

I was preoccupied. Vice Housewarden duties and all that. [He’s curt; and he almost seems… pouty?] What a shame.

……

[Jade looks at her so very seriously. Who do you think he is!] Of course I would. I would keep him housed in one of my terrariums and feed him the finest scraps from the Lounge.

[It’s like his brother always said; Morays are cowards. They’d sooner hole up and hide from a foe they feel they can’t face. So… Jade quite literally hides his face behind his palms.] Trey, I’m… I’m unsure where you’re going with this! [These kinds of feelings were a new sensation to him, +

[Jade had a masterful poker face, but even his carefully schooled expression couldn’t hide the way his ears reddened with embarrassment. Was Trey… insinuating something?] Perhaps. Or maybe someone’s eager to stay in my debt, seeing how frequently he “owes me one.” [It’s what Trey says next +

Careful, now. That's quite the dangerous phrase. Surely you know how things work in Octavinelle, don't you? [Jade's smile shifts to a sly grin, tilting his head.] Are you certain it's wise to be indebted to someone like me? Especially when you're already due a pastry. [Yes, he hasn't forgotten. +

Oh? [Jade flips through his notes curiously, noting how meticulously Trey seemed to catalogue everything. He seemed to take good care of the plant, so what could possibly be causing it to wilt?] Hmm... I wonder. [Leaning in to investigate the plant itself, he checks the underside of the leaves, +

[Jade seems to stiffen when Trey touches him, but he doesn’t shy away.] I’d say my talents lie more in potionology, but I’m fairly decent at alchemy. Why? Is there a particular solution that’s troubling you?

Unfortunately, yes. I believe that’s what Azul calls “accountability?” Though I’m sure he’s already accounted for this outcome anyhow, so who am I to spoil the fun? [The ball sails at his face with blazing speed, grinning as he catches it one-handed.] It’s more of a promise, Floyd. [CHUCKS IT]

[Jade accepts the offering with a bowed head, taking a quick sip between breaths.] It’s good to see you as well. My apologies for my current state, I wished to slip out before anyone at the lounge realized my absence. [A little white lie never hurt. He was just excited to be here.]

[It really wasn’t an exaggeration to say he ran. He grabbed his field notebook and lab coat and took off through the halls, pulling on his coat as he went. It’s only when he approaches the botanical gardens that he tries to even out his breathing and slow down, strolling in.] …Trey. ☺️

[Catch!] Floyd, you should know better than to throw things in the lounge. …Or rather, than to start things you know you won’t win. 🤭 [LOBS IT.]

↪️📱 [3:52] Greetings, Trey. A pleasure to hear from you. ↪️📱 [3:54] You needn’t say any more, I’ll be on my way shortly. [He’s straight up sprinting to the botanical gardens.]

[Jade allows himself to be guided along and hugged, though he doesn't hug back. He's a tad awkward like that, but it's appreciated nonetheless.] Thank you, for thinking I'm... "cool." Though I must ask you to please refrain from throwing him, I /would/ still like him in one piece. 😞

I’m not sure… [He sighs with all the weight of the world, letting his hands rest on his cheeks.] What if he’s just being nice? He’s always doing little things for everyone. If I misjudge and speak too soon… I don’t think I could ever live it down. I’d turn to seafoam and float away.

……. [He silently puts his hands over his face, embarrassed.] Perhaps I /am/ losing my mind. I don’t know what to do, Prefect. I can’t possibly tell him.

[Jade goes through a couple emotions over the course of a couple seconds; from shock, to embarrassment, to anger, and back to embarrassment, looking at Yuuka with his mouth pulled into a firm frown.] …That won’t happen. I won’t let it. [The serious tone to his voice is almost eerie.]

FLOYD.

[His face progressively gets redder and redder, until even his ears are red.] ...Stop talking. I will do no such thing.

...Did he say something? Because I may have to have a word or two with Floyd.

[He freezes completely, the color in his face draining as he looks at her.] ...Huh?

Over what? There's nothing to bug me about. 🤭 But if there was, and you weren't my brother's girlfriend, I'd throttle you.

Who said anything about being scared? I'm not scared. Certainly not. [Guy who is scared.]

I'd like to think I can conquer whatever may be thrown my way, but flying classes... continue to hinder me.

Oh! My apologies, I’ll finish right away. I shouldn’t keep you from your errands longer than I already have. [A good cup of tea should be savored, though. So it isn’t as if he’s particularly chugging it down or anything, drinking at a leisurely pace.] What is it you have to attend to, if you +

[Jade makes sure to admit all the praise to memory— Azul wouldn’t want a single anecdote forgotten, even if he isn’t cooking the dessert himself.] Ah, you’re sure–? [He finds himself nearly fumbling over his words seeing Trey winking at him, eyebrows raised in surprise. He did indeed have Trey’s +

Of course I've seen you there. It's only natural when an entire school shares a botanical garden, after all. [As to why he didn't say hello... Well. That's a trickier question.] I merely didn't want to interrupt your activities. And maybe I had my own business to attend to, hm? [He folded his +

You're in the science club, yes? I've seen you and Rook a few times when cultivating mushrooms in the gardens. I could easily point you to a few spots they grow, they're good for a few mild poison potions, if I recall correctly... [Jade pauses then, the casual invitation leaving him stunned. +

[Jade's expression lights up with recognition, his mismatched eyes shimmering with excitement.] Leucocoprinus birnbaumii! It's found most commonly in gardens and greenhouses; there's a couple patches in the botanical gardens if you know where to look! Ah, but I'd love to someday see if there's +

The strawberry kingdom... [Jade's imagination was definitely conjuring up some fantastical images about her hometown with a nickname like that, but he puts that aside. Now wasn't the time. Instead, he offers her a pat on the shoulder.] Nothing ever beats the taste of food from home, I'm afraid.