LATE MARCH. MONDAY NIGHT
[9:00 pm. Just right beside Hillcrest Park]
The night sky was smothered by thick clouds—no stars, no moonlight, only the dim glow of streetlamps cutting through the falling snow.
A man walked the stone-cold sidewalk, cigarette dangling from his lips. His shoulders sagged with fatigue, and his half-lidded eyes betrayed the exhaustion he carried with him.
Despite the biting chill of early spring snow, he dressed lightly, as though he couldn't be bothered to care.
CIFER POWERS
27 YEARS OLD
STATUS: IS FREEZING
"Damn Wallace… making me walk all the way to his place" Cifer muttered under his breath, taking a drag from his cigarette.
The bitter smoke curled around him, offering the illusion of warmth against the freezing air.
"Why the fuck is it snowing now of all times?"
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
His boots pressed into the thin layer of snow, each step careful against the slick pavement. The cold gnawed at his skin, his body trembling with every gust of wind, but his pace stayed steady, even if slow.
Ha…
With a sigh, his breath clouded into mist, blending with the ash from his smoke and the white of the falling snowflakes.
He flicked the cigarette away, watching it hiss faintly as it melted into the slush. His hands buried deeper into his pockets, jaw stiff against the cold.
From his jacket, he pulled out a half-empty carton of cigarettes—the same one he'd carried a few nights ago at his sister's party. A quick tap against his palm, and a single stick slid out. He caught it between his teeth as if it were natural.
But before he could light it—
Whoosh—
A sound.
Faint, but strangely close.
His head tilted toward the small hill that rose beside the park. He narrowed his eyes, squinting into the darkness, snowflakes stinging his lashes.
The noise faded. Silence returned.
Cifer shrugged it off, resuming his walk.
Then—
Whoosh—Thud!
"...Ah"
His world flipped.
Something slammed into him from the side, knocking the cigarette from his lips.
In an instant, he was flat on his back, staring up at the storm-dark sky. The pavement bit into his spine, a dull ache spreading through his head and back.
His face didn't show it, but the heavy pain radiated through him.
'Fuck…' was the only thought rattling in his head as disorientation clouded his senses.
He sat up gingerly, one hand clutching the back of his skull as though willing the pain to fade. His vision swam, but he'd been through worse—blurred eyesight wasn't exactly unfamiliar territory.
"Ugh… sorry, dude. You good?"
The voice reached him through the haze—smoky, low, and just as shaken as he was.
He squinted, trying to focus. His eyes caught a vague silhouette sitting nearby, back turned to him.
"I'm alright" he muttered, forcing himself to his feet. "You?"
His muscles groaned in protest, but he brushed the snow and grit from his clothes, blinking until the street lights sharpened his vision.
The figure was still seated, clearly rattled, so he stepped forward and offered a hand.
"Here, let me help"
"...Thanks"
She grasped his hand, her touch light and soft. As he pulled her up, his sight finally cleared—and the shock hit instantly.
Vibrant pink hair.
Dark blue hoodie beneath a brown jacket.
Blue skirt and purple stockings.
And that familiar necklace, snug around her throat.
One of the faces that had stood out to him.
"Ramona?"
RAMONA FLOWERS
AGE UNKNOWN
STATUS: DOESN'T EVEN LIVE NEAR HERE
Her head tilted slightly, recognition dawning on her expression.
"Cifer?" She barely managed his name before the act of standing up betrayed her.
A sudden wave of dizziness made her stumble forward.
Without thinking, Cifer caught her—one arm looping around her back while the other still held her hand.
"You sure you're alright?" he asked, the faint worry showing in his voice, his palm patting her back as though reassurance could settle the vertigo.
"...Mhm"
Ramona's response came out soft, muffled against his chest. She let herself lean into him, the fabric of his shirt rough against her cheek, his heartbeat beating in her ear.
For a moment, she stayed like that, head nestled close, her breathing as calm as the night.
Cifer hesitated, then relaxed slightly, holding her in place.
His expression remained unreadable, but his tone softened.
"So uh… what were you doing up there?" he glanced back at the slope she had apparently descended.
If descended was the right word.
Ramona's reply came slow, distracted. "Just… hanging out… with… this… dude. Ah—"
Her words froze midway. The realization caught her off guard, and a faint warmth crept onto her cheeks.
Almost too quickly, she pulled herself off him, brushing snow from her jacket and pretending like the moment hadn't happened.
Cifer, catching the change in her tone, didn't push it.
"So I take it you've made a friend?" his voice carried that teasing hint of concern.
It was like an older brother or, worse, a worried parent. He remembered how she'd been when they first met: closed-off, distant, not exactly sociable.
"Not exactly… haha…" Ramona let out an awkward laugh, her breath misting in the cold.
She turned away, her tone shaky, embarrassed for reasons Cifer couldn't get a click on.
"How abo—"
"Hey~! You alright down there~?"
A familiar, energetic, and slightly out of breath voice cut her off.
Both Cifer and Ramona turned toward the slope she'd tumbled from. The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder, crunching clumsily through the snow.
Emerging from the swirling white was a young man with messy, orange-tinted hair. His navy parka hung open, hood down, denim pants dusted with white. His breath puffed in the cold as he stumbled to a stop, catching his balance.
SCOTT PILGRIM
23 YEARS OLD
STATUS: WAS ON A DATE
"You fell pretty deep" he said between breaths. "Wasn't even that far a drop"
He jumped off the last ledge, landing beside them. Then his gaze lifted—and froze.
"Cifer?"
Cifer blinked. "Scott?"
A brief pause between the two men caused enough awkward silence to freeze the air solid.
"Uh…? Ah~!" Cifer finally muttered, breaking the tension with the world's most awkward noise. "...Date?"
The word hung in the air like a question mark popped out above him.
Scott straightened, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin. "Yeah!"
"In a way" Ramona added quickly, her tone noticeably more reserved than his.
Cifer's lips twitched into a smirk as realization clicked in his head. He didn't need any more questions since the pieces fit on their own.
—————————————————————————————
[Not that long after. At a house. Well, Ramona's house]
The storm outside had worsened, the wind howling against the windows. Seeking shelter from the blizzard, Ramona invited the two men inside.
Now, in the warm glow of her kitchen, the three of them gathered—steam rising faintly from the heater, damp clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin.
Scott and Cifer sat across from each other at the small kitchen table, towels draped over their necks. Behind them, the window blurred with white as snow piled against the glass.
Scott, stripped down to his back shirt, shivered uncontrollably. He hugged himself, teeth nearly chattering, trying—and failing—to stay composed.
Meanwhile, Cifer sat opposite of him, no jacket, no gloves, just his thin collared shirt and that unnervingly calm face. He leaned back in the chair, arms crossed.
He looked perfectly fine.
Inside, however, he was absolutely dying.
Ramona, equally soaked, moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, rummaging through her cupboards.
"What kind of tea do you two want?" she asked, half-turned toward them as she scanned a shelf stacked with boxes.
Scott titled head. "There's… more than one?"
He tilted his head, staring like she'd just spoken another language.
"Uh… what do you have?"
"If you got Sleepytime, I'll take that" Cifer said immediately.
Ramona paused mid-motion, a short snort escaping her. "Pft. Yeah, you definitely need one"
The irony wasn't lost on her—he already looked like someone who hadn't slept in days.
"Let's see…" she murmured, turning back to her shelf.
Her eyes darted over each label as she read them aloud with mechanical precision:
"Blueberry, Raspberry, Ginseng, Green Tea, Green Tea with Lemon, Green Tea with Lemon and Honey, Liver Disaster, Ginger with Honey, Ginger without Honey, Vanilla Almond, White Truffle Coconut, Chamomile, Blueberry Chamomile, Decaf Vanilla Walnut, Constant Comment, Earl Grey…"
She stopped to breathe, then turned slightly, flashing a faint smile.
"...and, of course, Sleepytime"
Scott blinked again, lost halfway through that list. "I… uh… what are you having?"
He scratched the back of his head, visibly overwhelmed.
"Also, were—uh—were some of those made up?"
Ramona ignored the question entirely. "Do you just want to have Sleepytime as well?"
Scott thought about it for a grand total of one second. "Yeah. That one. Sleepytime. Sounds nice"
"Good choice" Cifer smirked faintly from across the table. "It's like chamomile for people who've given up"
Scott frowned. "...Thanks?"
Choosing to ignore Scott's second regarding the authenticity of the tea names, Ramona offers him the one Cifer chose.
"That sounds good to me" Scott said quickly, nodding as if he understood anything about tea.
Truth be told, he didn't. Not even a little.
"Can you just make mine extra hot?" Cifer added from his seat.
"Sure" Ramona shot him a glance over her shoulder. "Just don't blame me if you get burned"
She turned back to the counter, humming faintly as she prepared the drinks. The scent of herbs and honey soon drifted through the room.
While she worked, Cifer decided to stir the conversation.
"So~~ she's the girl you were talking about" he said casually, but clearly amused.
"Yeah" Scott blinked with blank eyes. "You said you didn't know her"
"You did a terrible job describing her that time" Cifer replied, leaning back in his chair.
"I did…?" Scott tilted his head, already failing his own memory.
Before Cifer could respond, Ramona returned with a tray of steaming mugs. She set them down carefully, eyeing both men.
"Scott looks like he's gonna die. So why do you look fine?"
Her tone carried a hint of disbelief—Scott was visibly trembling, his chair creaking with every shiver he made, while Cifer looked completely fine.
"I'm dying quite peacefully, thank you very much" Cifer said dryly, his breath misting faintly as he lifted his cup.
Ramona smirked. "Heh. You guys want a blanket?"
"That'd be awesome" Scott answered immediately.
"Sure" Cifer added, almost too casually.
"Alright. I'll be back" Ramona said, walking out of the kitchen. Her footsteps faded down the hall.
For a few minutes, only the sound of the blizzard outside and the two men's chattering voices filled the silence.
Then… predictably, Scott stood up, glancing toward the hallway.
"Where do you think you're going?" Cifer's voice cut through his thoughts.
Scott froze before completing a step. "Uh… to check on Ramona?"
"She might just be changing" Cifer said, not looking up from his tea. "Just wait"
Scott thought about it, lips parting. "She's taking a while though. Who knows, she must've gotten kidnapped by, uh… robot ninjas or something"
Cifer sighed, setting his cup down with a soft clink. "We're two guys inside a single woman's home. Sit down and behave"
His tone was calm but commanding.
Scott slumped. "Right. Yeah. Good point"
He shuffled back to his chair and sat. The old wood creaked under his weight. He shivered, arms wrapped tightly around himself as the storm roared outside.
Across the table, Cifer finished his tea, utterly unbothered.
—————————————————————————————
A few minutes later, Ramona reappeared—now in a long-sleeved shirt and fitted pants, looking far more relaxed than when she'd left. Her damp hair clung to the side of her neck in soft strands.
She'd gone off earlier claiming she needed to grab something for her two guests, yet she returned empty-handed
Ramona leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "So, you two crashing here for the night?"
Scott and Cifer exchanged a quick glance before turning back to her.
Scott's expression was eager, his eyes were practically beaming. Whereas, Cifer was a bit more hesitant.
"I'm cool with that" Scott grinned.
Of course he was. Scott always leapt headfirst into things he wanted, enthusiasm first, logic… somewhere else entirely.
Cifer, on the other hand, seemed preoccupied. His brows pinched together as he weighed invisible concerns.
"Hold on" he murmured, already patting his pocket for his phone. "I need to make a call first"
He scanned the kitchen, searching for a quiet corner away from the other two.
"Is there another room I can borrow for a bit?"
"Yeah" Ramona nodded toward the stairs. "You can go up to my room if you want"
"Thanks. I'll only be a few minutes" Cifer offered a small, grateful smile.
He slipped out of the kitchen. His footsteps faded down the hall, then up the stairs, each one echoing a little too sharply in the quiet house.
Once he vanished, Ramona slid into the seat Cifer had left, crossing her legs, then her arms, then uncrossing her arms only to cross them again.
"So" she said, leaning forward toward the table. "How'd you two know each other? College?"
It was her only guess since she managed to pinpoint that Scott is jobless.
The young man simply blinked. Then let out a small, awkward laugh.
"I thought we were avoiding the past? Hehe"
"Heh" Ramona raised an amused eyebrow. "Not a past. He's a person, isn't he?"
Scott laughed again, rubbing the back of his neck as though trying to massage a memory out of his skull.
"Hahaha. Well…" he squinted, thinking hard—perhaps a bit too hard. "I actually… don't think… I remember much. He just showed up one day"
Ramona stared at him. "That's it?"
"Pretty much" Scott could only shrug with a sheepish grin. "It was like one day he wasn't there, and the next he just… was? I'm not too sure though…"
Ramona leaned back, lips tugging into a small, awkward smirk. "Well, can't say I get it…"
Scott beamed as if he'd somehow won something by pure accident.
"See? You get it"
No—she didn't.
Ramona's eyes softened, though her amusement lingered.
Scott had taken her words, filtered them through his own understanding, and landed on a conclusion, one that made sense to him.
Still, she let the moment pass.
They drifted into small talk soon after—harmless things.
The worsening weather. What they'd eaten that morning. Mundane details exchanged simply to keep the silence away.
Scott, curiosity ever bubbling beneath the surface, occasionally slipped in more personal questions, hoping to peel back another layer of the girl sitting across from him.
Each time, Ramona sidestepped them effortlessly—redirecting the conversation with casual experience, steering it back toward safer ground without making it obvious. Which wasn't too hard with how oblivious Scott was.
Minutes passed.
As their words began to thin out naturally, Ramona noticed something.
Cifer still hadn't come back.
"I'll go check on Cif for a bit" she said suddenly, pushing her chair back and standing before the conversation could settle into an awkward quiet.
"Ah—" Scott looked up, startled. "Are you sure? I mean, it's probably important stuff. Don't wanna barge in on a guy handling… important things. Haha…"
It was a weak attempt to make her stay. Transparent. Endearing, even.
Ramona smiled, finding it oddly cute. "I'm just going to make sure he found my room"
Her tone was gentle as she left the kitchen, footsteps fading down the hallway.
"Yeah… sure" Scott muttered, lifting a hand in a small, awkward wave. "I'll… I'll just be here"
The kitchen felt noticeably emptier as Ramona disappeared. Scott slumped back into his chair, glancing around absentmindedly. His tea had gone cold. At least he was dry now.
—————————————————————————————
Upstairs, Ramona slowed as she reached the doorway to her room. Voices drifted from one of the rooms.
It was Cifer, obviously.
He sounded like he was wrapping up his call, so she paused by the entrance instead of interrupting.
"Yeah, I'll get you something to eat when I get back" Cifer said, his voice sounded tired but still remaining patient.
—Also, we're out of meat for Asteroid. Can you pick some up on the way?
The reply came through the phone's speaker. It was husky, a bit disoriented. It was familiar to Ramona but the static made it impossible to discern.
"Please, just call Butch" Cifer replied, already negotiating. "He knows who you are, he'll send some over"
—Get. The. Meat.
The words landed with enough authority that Cifer immediately pictured the person on the other end with arms crossed, glaring.
"Ha… fine, fine" he sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow morning"
—Screw off already. I'm busy.
The call ended abruptly.
Cifer lowered his phone and exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple as if trying to physically remove the tension.
Ahem
He turned at the sound—and found Ramona standing in the doorway.
"You done?" she asked casually, stepping inside.
"Yeah" Cifer nodded. "I'll be staying the night too"
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
"But I'll have to leave early" he added. "Need to pick up some stuff"
Ramona tilted her head.
"Girlfirend" she asked, then paused. "Wait—you said you weren't dating anyone"
"No—uh" he corrected quickly. "Just a friend that lives with me"
She smirked, eyebrow lifting. "Sugar daddy situation? Like Scott's?"
"Heh. Definitely not" Cifer replied, amused despite himself. "Just… a small circumstance"
His gaze wandered briefly around the room.
"So…" he added, hoping to change the subject. "I noticed you don't have a couch. Or a TV for that matter"
He kept his tone light, his curiosity retrained. As Ramona stepped closer, he remembered glancing around the house earlier—keeping in mind what it had, what it didn't.
And more importantly—
He had no idea where he and Scott were supposed to sleep tonight.
"I'll just set some blankets on the floor" Ramona said ,matter-of-factly, as if the solution were obvious. "You two can sleep there"
Then her gaze drifted—lingering briefly on his upper arm.
"Didn't think you were the type to wear ink"
Cifer glanced down, realizing the damp fabric clinging to his skin had exposed the black mark near his shoulder.
"Oh, this?" she waved it aside. "Just some stupid, dumb high schooler thing I did"
Ramona nodded, a faint smile crossing her face. "Guess we all did dumb stuff in high school, huh"
For a split second, something distance flickered in her eyes…
Nostalgia? Maybe regret?
"You as well?" Cifer asked gently, noticing the pause and nudging her back to the present.
She hesitated. For a moment, it looked like she might answer. Then she shrank back slightly, her shoulders tensing.
"It's not really something I want to talk about right now"
Her voice was soft, but it was firm, already drawing a quiet boundary.
"Oh" Cifer realized easily. "Least favorite topic?"
The assumption was careful, nonintrusive. Ramona's expression softened. She leaned back against the wall, folding her arms loosely.
"Yeah. Something like that"
A small smile tugged at her lips. After Scott's earlier attempts to poke and prod, Cifer's understanding was… refreshing.
Not wanting to drag the mood down, Cifer shifted gears.
"Speaking of which" he said lightly. "We should probably start setting up the blankets now, huh?"
"Oh—yeah. Sure" Ramona replied, appreciative.
"I'll grab Scott to help" Cifer pointed his thumb at the door, already turning toward it.
"Okay. I'll prepare some blankets and pillows in the meantime"
She watched him leave before turning toward her closet.
Creaking it open, she rummaged through the shelves until she found a few thick, soft blankets. She tested their warmth, running her fingers against them, then carried them over and laid them neatly on her bed.
Once finished, she sat beside the pile.
Ha…
A quiet sigh escaped her.
She hadn't admitted it out loud, but she'd been on guard the entire time.
Not because she distrusted them—far from it. She'd only just met Scott, and barely knew Cifer beyond a handful of conversations, yet she genuinely enjoyed their company.
Scott's painfully obvious infatuation was… cute, in its own awkward way.
And Cifer—his calm, his consideration—was unexpectedly endearing. More than she cared to admit.
Still, Ramon knew herself well enough to recognize the truth.
She wasn't done with whatever shit she's dealing with her past.
Leaning back against the headboard, she stared up at the ceiling, thoughts drifting dangerously close to places she wasn't ready to revisit.
'Meh. I'll deal with it some other day'
She brushed the feelings aside just as footsteps echoed on the stairs.
Ramona stood up, straightening her clothes.
Whatever she was feeling could wait. For now, she had guests to take care of.
—————————————————————————————
[Same Time. Cifer's House]
The blizzard raged without a hint of mercy, burying the world beneath a suffocating blanket of white. Trees bowed under the weight of snow, sidewalks vanished entirely, and cars and rooftops blended into the landscape as indistinguishable mounds.
Nestled within the frozen storm, Cifer's house stood silent, no exception to the night's relentless grip.
Inside, however, warmth did prevail… mostly.
The upper floors were dark, curtains drawn tight against the storm. Only a handful of lamps illuminated the first floor, their glow muted. From there, a trail of warm light spilled downward, leading down invitingly to the basement.
The basement itself was spacious, carefully designed for both comfort and utility.
At its center sat a singular gaming table surrounded by four chairs. Behind it, shelves neatly displayed an array of board games, with a compact fridge stationed conveniently beside them.
Beyond that was a third living room, complete with a fireplace whose steady crackle fought back the winter chill.
A washroom and storage area lined one side of the space, while another section housed a small but well-equipped gym: weight racks, a treadmill, a stationary bike, and floor mats—everything needed to stay active no matter how brutal the weather outside became.
Near the staircase stood another room, its door left open as if welcoming the warmth and cold inside.
It was an art studio.
Blank white canvases of varying sizes filled the space—some stacked neatly in corners, others arranged on shelves. The walls were adorned with finished paintings, each one different in style and mood. Racks of supplies crowded the room: paints, brushes, pencils, pastels—there were an abundance of tools meant for creation scattered in one place.
At the heart of it all sat a stool between an easel and surrounding shelves.
Perched atop it was a petite, hair-haired young woman.
She held a palette in one hand and a flat brush in the other, with another brush tucked behind her ear. A headband pulled her bangs back, revealing a deeply focused expression. An oversized gray shirt hung loosely over snug white shorts, both protected—somewhat—by an apron splashed with color. Even then, streaks of paint dotted her arms, legs, and cheeks, at the very least it was evidence of long hours spent immersed in her work.
She stared intensely at the canvas before her, sharp eyes tracing the vivid strokes and layed hues.
ROXANNE RICHTER
24 YEARS OLD
STATUS: ART BLOCK
Ergh…
Frustration crept across her face as the inspiration she'd been chasing slipped away mid-stroke.
"God… damn it…" she exhaled sharply. "Ha…"
With a tired sigh, she set both the brush and palette aside.
Stretching her arms overhead, she worked the stiffness from her joints before carefully stepping away from the easel, weaving through shelves and canvases without disturbing a single one.
She headed for the washroom.
The soft hum of running water filled the silence as she splashed cold water onto her face. The small shock cleared her head—if only for a moment. She lifted her gaze to the mirror, droplets clinging to her skin, her reflection staring back with uncertainty written plainly across her eyes.
"Maybe I just need a break…" she murmured.
She splashed her face again, then reached for the towel hanging beside the mirror, patting her skin dry.
Click!
The sound was unmistakable.
Roxie froze.
Her heart jumped as she lowered the towel, slowly peeking out of the washroom toward the staircase. Every muscle in her body tensed.
Quietly, she reached for the sword mounted on the wall beside the door, fingers curling around the hilt with familiarity.
"Cifer!" a sharp voice echoed from upstairs. "Where are you? Why is the damn place so dark?"
Heavy footsteps followed.
"You downstairs?" the voice continued. "You don't mind if I crash here for the night, right?"
The speaker noticed the light from below and began descending the stairs.
Roxanne said nothing.
She slipped behind the staircase, pressing herself into the shadows. Her mind raced: calculating distance, timing, angles. No one was supposed to be here. No one she's expecting anyway.
The footsteps drew closer.
Click… clack…
Each step echoed sharply against the glass stairs.
"C'mon, this isn't funny"
Swish—
The moment she sensed the voice crossed into range, Roxie moved.
She lunged from her hiding place in a fluid motion, blade gleaming as it sliced through the warm basement light—stopping just an inch from the visitor's throat.
"Holy shit?!"
The intruder stumbled backward and fell hard onto the floor.
"What the fucking fuck?!"
They rubbed their backside, groaning in pain.
Roxanne blinked at the familiar features.
Up close, the visitor was a young woman—possibly around her age. She wore a black coat with a furry hood thrown over a brown jacket and blue tanktop. Her round glasses sat crooked on her nose, knocked askew by the fall. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail.
Then Roxie noticed the accessory on her wrist.
A familiar black wristband with a word sewn across it.
POWERS
JULIE POWERS
22 YEARS OLD
STATUS: CIFER'S YOUNGER SISTER
—————————————————————————————
[2:00 am. Ramona's house.]
Ramona woke with a dry throat and the vague sense that sleep wasn't coming back anytime soon.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes before pulling a thin blanket around her shoulders. The room felt different in the dark—messier than usual. Pillows and blankets were scattered across the floor, reminders that she wasn't home alone tonight.
Her gaze drifted downward seeing Scott lay sprawled across the floor, shirtless and completely unconscious, limbs tangled all over the small space.
But the other presence she expected to see was missing.
As Ramona looked around, a sudden chill brushed against her bare skin. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, turning toward the source.
The balcony door stood slightly ajar.
Through the narrow opening, she caught movement outside.
Being careful not to wake Scott, Ramona padded quietly across the room. The door eased open, letting her peer out.
Cifer stood blankly on the balcony, looking as tired as ever. His clothes were dry now, though his shirt was still half-buttoned, his collar loose despite the cold.
He put his weight against the railing, gaze fixed on the night sky—clear at last, stars scattered overhead. A cigarette burned between his fingers, smoke curling upward before being swallowed by the wind.
Ramona slide the door open fully and stepped out beside him.
"Can't sleep?" her voice barely disturbed the quiet night.
Cifer turned at the sound and smiled faintly before returning his gaze back up.
"Yeah. I don't know" he said. "Just… got worried for some reason"
Ramona joined him at the railing, resting her arms against it as she followed his gaze to the stars before pointing to the object between his fingers.
"Mind if I have one?" she asked.
He glanced at her, faintly surprised. "Hm? You smoke?"
"Only sometimes" she replied, a hint of sheepishness in her tone. "Or, uh… when I'm drinking"
Cifer snorted. "Heh. Smoking's bad for you. Bad"
She rolled her eyes. "I don't want to hear that from you of all people"
A corner of his mouth curled upward.
"Fair"
"C'mon" she added. "Don't be an ass"
"Alright, alright" he sighed theatrically and reached into his pocket, pulling out his cigarette pack. With the familiar tap, one slipped free.
He offered it to her.
"Thanks"
Ramona placed the cigarette between her lips, then paused.
"...Got a light?"
Cifer felt into his pocket, pulling out a lighter.
He flicked it once expecting a radiant flame. But nothing.
Twice. Still nothing.
"Ah, fuck" he frowned, trying a third time. "Looks like I'm out"
He flicked it a few more times out of stubborn hope before giving up entirely.
"Yep. I'm out. Sorry"
He slipped the lighter back into his pocket, scanning the balcony as if expecting fire to magically appear.
"It's fine" Ramona tapped his arm. "I'll just use the stove"
When she turned toward the door Cifer made her stop.
"Wait—hold on a sec"
"What? Got an idea?" she asked, looking back with an eyebrow raised.
She pushed her weight against the railing again, cigarette still resting between her lips.
"Stay still for a bit"
"...Alright? Hm?
She barely had time to react before Cifer inched his head closer. A bit too close.
Her breath hitched slightly as he leaned in, their faces briefly within inches of each other. He took a drag from his own cigarette, the ember flaring to life like a small star.
Then, smoothly, he tilted it toward hers.
The tip of her cigarette caught the spark, glowing as she inhaled. For a brief moment, the embers of both cigarettes burned side by side, twin sparks lighting their faces in warm orange hues.
Like it was their own starry sky.
Ramona blinked.
For a second, she wondered if she'd imagined something—but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came.
Cifer leaned back, turning his attention to the sky once more. He exhaled, smoke spiraling upward like a large dark fog and dissolving into the night air.
Ramona stayed quiet, watching the smoke fade, her gaze lingering on him longer than she meant to.
"Thanks" she said at last, lifting the cigarette between her fingers. "You do that for everybody?"
Cifer huffed. "Sorry. I don't usually run out of lighters"
He tapped the cigarette against the railing, knocking free the ashen tip. It was already burned down past the halfway point.
"Anyway" he continued, his voice more subdued. "Sorry for interrupting your date. I would've just gone home on my own if not for the… you know. The blizzard earlier"
Ramona's hair swayed as she shook her head. "I don't mind. It's not like I'd just leve you stranded in the middle of a snowstorm"
There was warmth in her voice, it was quiet and unforced. It was a difference Cifer could faintly notice.
His eyes made their way toward her. "So… did you enjoy yourself?"
Her answer was lost in her thoughts. And though she searched for it, she failed to find the right one.
"I'll say" she did find an answer at least. "It was… something. Different, at the very least"
It was vague, but it was as honest as she could make it out. In the first place, she wasn't sure exactly how to describe a night with Scott.
Cifer turned to lean his back against the balcony railing. "He likes you. A lot"
Ramona scoffed under her breath. "Is it that obvious?"
She already knew the answer. Scott wasn't exactly subtle.
"Ugh~ God" she dragged a hand through her hair. "This always happens to me"
"Popular girl?" Cifer asked, glancing at her as he took another drag.
"You could say that"
There was a strange tension in her tone. It was prideful, but there was a hint of exhaustion to it. A tone Cifer is very familiar with.
"I mean… I'm not saying it's a bad thing" she added, more to herself than to him.
Ramona placed the cigarette between her lips. Smoke spilled into the air, pale against the dark sky.
Cifer's eyes focused on her for a moment before finishing his own cigarette. He flicked it to the ground, crushing the dying ember beneath his foot, snuffing it out before it could fade on its own.
He exhaled what little smoke remained in his lungs.
"I'm not really the best person to hand out advice" he said, his thoughts hazy with smoke and ash. "But… I think you need to sort things out on your end before pulling someone else in your life"
he paused, his gaze drifting to the faint reflection staring back at him in the sliding glass door.
"I don't know…" he continued quietly. "It just feels pretty foolis—being so certain you're done with problems you never really gave yourself a chance to face properly"
The light in his eyes dimmed—like an ember smothered too soon. It didn't fade naturally like it was meant to; it was extinguished before it could burn itself out.
He shrugged, his tone shifting completely as if to erase what he'd just said. "But what the hell do I know? Not like I really get your problems"
The words were self-deprecating, but the sincerity clung to her all the same.
"Heh. Why did you suddenly get all wise" Ramona let out a quiet chuckle, nudging his side with her elbow. "But… you're not wrong"
She took another slow drag, eyes lifting toward the stars.
"Guess there's no point rushing things"
Silence settled between them again.
It wasn't awkward, not heavy. Just there. There comforting them.
Cifer rolled up his sleeves and crossed his arms, the night air brushing against his skin.
Ramona finished her cigarette with slow drags, occasionally stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking.
"I should probably turn in now" Cifer said at last, breaking the silence they were both enjoying. He pushed himself off the railing, relaxing his arms overhead. "I still need to be up early… well, later"
Despite the small smile he offered, the same weariness in his voice betrayed him.
"Yeah" Ramona replied. "Same here. I just remembered I still have work"
She flicked her own cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath her foot before sliding the balcony door open in front of them.
"Early start?" Cifer asked.
"It's not like there's anyone else to deliver packages" she answered with a confident tone.
"Wait—are you the only delivery person in the city?"
"When the one they have is this good" Ramona declared proudly, puffing out her chest with a grin. "I'm the only one they need"
They drifted inside together, trading idle remarks, until Ramona noticed Cifer staring at the floor.
"Problem?"
He nodded toward the blankets. "Scott's… taking up quite a bit of space"
Scott lay sprawled across the floor, monopolizing it entirely as he snoozed away without a care.
And utterly shameless about it.
Ramona let out a soft chuckle. "Come on. You can just sleep with me"
At her offer, Cifer could only stiffen. "Oh no. I really can't"
"I am not making you sleep in the kitchen" she said, already taking his hand and tugging him toward the bed.
There was hesitation in his eyes, glancing once more at Scott, before reluctantly following.
Ramona climbed onto the bed first and patted the empty space beside her.
"Dude" she called out in a whisper, smiling up at him. "I said it's fine~"
"S-sorry for intruding" Cifer muttered, finally sitting on the edge of the mattress.
"Don't worry about it. There's plenty of room"
"Ah. Yeah. Thanks"
He slipped under the blanket and lay beside her, stiff as a board, trying to make himself as small as possible.
"You look like a vampire" Ramona teased softly as she adjusted the thin blanket over them.
He fidgeted, surprised at how comfortable the mattress was despite the lack of proper covers.
"Still cold?" she asked.
"Not really" he lied.
"Well, I am"
Without asking, she scooted closer to him.
"I'm pretty cold" she repeated, meeting his eyes.
Cifer's earlier nervousness completely dispersed as he locked eyes with her for a moment.
With a quiet sigh, already knowing she wouldn't drop it, he slid and arm beneath her neck and drew her closer, resting her head comfortably against his chest.
Ramona adjusted instinctively, relaxing into him.
For a moment, neither spoke, but neither could fall asleep immediately.
Ramona had expected something else… something unfortunately familiar.
Instead, there was only warmth and restraint. There was no pressure, no expectations. It was just a quiet consideration.
She wrapped an arm around his waist, pressing closer. Only now was she feeling the chill on his skin. "You liar. You're pretty cold too"
"Shut up" he murmured, keeping his eyes shut. "Go to sleep"
She laughed softly and nestled against his neck. "You're definitely cold"
"...Happy?" he asked her after a moment, keeping his arm tight around her.
"Very" her answer showed much of her satisfaction. "Thanks"
Then, quieter, she added.
"I think I needed this. Whatever this is"
"Well" he took a deep breath as he paused. "I'm glad I could help. I think?"
He was confused at her gratitude, but didn't dwell on it.
Her breathing evened out not long after, sleep claiming her mid-thought.
Cifer following soon after.
Across the room, Scott slept on, dreaming of winning Ramona's heart, utterly unaware of how the night unfolded.
Three people, sharing the same space—each chasing something different.
Comfort.
Understanding.
Romance.
Their paths had crossed for now.
What they would gain. What they would lose. It all remained uncertain.
But for tonight, that was enough.
—————————————————————————————
[???. ???]
At the center of a room bathed in crimson light, an observer sat in silence.
???
AGE: ???
STATUS: ???
Dozens of screens surrounded him, each one alive with motion—different places, different moments, all unfolding at once. Conversations replayed. Expressions froze and resumed. Every gesture, every word, every subtle shift in emotion was recorded and examined with meticulous care.
Nothing escaped his gaze.
A slow grin crept across his face.
Leaning forward, he rested his elbows against the sleek surface of the desk and pressed a single button.
"Patel" he said calmly, amusement threading his voice. "Let's start the game"
A sharp beep echoed through the room, marking the end of the call… and the beginning of something far less benign.
END