Gods Syre. I-I'm so sorry. No one deserves that. [ He sounds entirely too familiar with the concept. It was Alice once before, during Valentine's Day. ]

They're...so horrible sometimes. P-Playing with our emotions and-and things like that. Like it, like it doesn't even matter to them. [ Helios sounds, for once, a bit bitter and angry at the Malnosso. As if everything that he's been through boils to the surface. ]

Sometimes they do. But...not often. Not often enough to-to excuse the things they do. I'm so terribly sorry Syre. I-I think this...calls for some t-tea and maybe cookies?

[ He manages a small smile. ]

You can stop by if you like. I-I really don't mind in the least. [ And maybe getting out will help somewhat. ]

Of course. I'll wait for you then. T-Take your time, too. No need to rush.

[ Meanwhile Helios is just going to bake the best cookies ever and make some tea. ]

[ 45 minutes is more than enough for Helios to prepare some tasty treats. He's hasn't started the tea yet, but now that Syre has come around he certainly will. The door opens and Helios smiles as he moves to the side to let Syre in. Luminair will trot over and give a welcoming little chirp as he nudges her leg, orange eyes looking brightly back up at her. ]

Come in come in! I made some cupcakes and cookies. I-I hope you don't mind, I wasn't sure what you'd prefer. [ A warm smile as he moves a little off to the kitchen. ]

I'll, um, get some tea started for us. Do you have any flavor in mind?

Oh! Yes of course. Earl Grey is one of my favorites. It's very...soothing.

[ Helios gives them both a warm smile. And he heads off into the kitchen. Luminair's tag wags happily as Syre pets him. He'll give her hand a nudge urging her to keep petting. ]

Well I've got plenty in this house that's for sure! Do come in! Have a seat, relax, if there's anything else I can get you in the meantime, don't hesitate to ask.

I can...certainly understand that. Experiments often lead to such necessary things.

[ Helios looks over at her with a smile. He had gone out after their talk to the shop to get exactly that. He nods and brings out a plate of the Red Velvet cupcakes. ] I-I figured you might want those. So, um, I made them just for the occasion.

Oh heavens no. I think you have the Malnosso to blame for that, or the world itself actually. [ Helios laughs as he sets down the plate of freshly baked cupcakes. Luminair chirps happily as he wags his tail, orange eyes beaming and shifting to a bright sky blue. He'll sniff the air and move closer to cupcakes. ]

Ah, Luminair. I can certainly count of you to eat my cooking. [ Helios beams. ]

[ Helios watches Syre carefully as she takes two of the cupcakes. Luminair gives a happy little chirp looking back at Helios with questioning eyes. Helios waves the little dragon off, which sets off Luminair's tail into a fit of happy wags. ]

No, certainly not. We definitely have to meet on better terms in the future though. [ Helios colors slightly at the compliment. ] Ah. N-No. I'm just...trying to help, is all. No blessings needed for that.

[ Helios' own face colors a little at the compliment. He gives a quick sheepish laugh before turning around. A hand will find its way to the back of his head. Oh, dear, that wasn't quite what he was expecting her to say. ] O-Oh I'm not, really. I-I mean there's-there's so many other people who-who would do the same. I just...try to help a friend in need, is all.

[ Then he'll turn back around, his face much less hot and more normal looking once again. ]

O-Oh. Really? [ Helios sounds a bit sad at that, actually. He was just doing simple things that anyone would willingly do for someone else. It..actually makes him quite sad.

He looks away, his own face feeling hot very briefly again. ] It-it's no trouble at all Syre. I-I enjoyed do it, s-so you don't have to thank me for it.

[ Luminair chirps curiously as he looks up at Syre, frosting and cupcake crumbs on his face. You two are sure acting weird. ]

Ah w-well...people can change. [ He smiles a little more. ] But maybe you'll f-find someone like that back home? I-I hope you do at some point. You, um, deserve that much at least.

[ Everyone deserves to have someone dear and close to them. ]

[ Helios blinks and just...looks embarrassed at that. He is so very red right now. He coughs and turns away to go get the hot, now boiling kettle. He'll turn the stove off and take out two bags of tea, Earl Gray and his own Vanilla Chai. He lets the two bags steep for a few minutes. But while they're doing that Helios will bustle around the kitchen. ]

I-I don't know about that. I-I'm not all that special or-or anything of the sort. [ He is so being modest now. ]