flameandpassion | 80 [Voice] Backdated to earlier today, around 2:00 PM.

Figures.

[It's muttered, but she doesn't bother arguing. Cas had already apologized for placing the blame on her. She sees no need to prove it any further. And it makes her feel better that Cas seems to have taken her side anyway. 8|

She pauses, though, as she contemplates this, before she suddenly looks as if she's sulking, and she pushes herself backwards to sit against her pillows, irritated.]

Lucifer crashed my prom and I didn't even get kissed. I should quit being a teenager.

I told him not to bother you further. He did not entirely agree, but said that would not without reason.

[Lucifer's 'reasons' wouldn't necessarily be good ones but at least maybe they'd be better than 'she was entertaining'. At Rei's comment, he just stares, a little surprised for a moment and certainly a little baffled.]

Were you intending to be kissed?

[She doesn't look very confident at that, but she does look comforted that Castiel tried. Standing up to Lucifer isn't something a lot of people do. That someone did it for her is something she's grateful for beyond words.

-- and then Castiel kept talking.

She frowns slightly, at that, before sighing -- mostly in exasperation.]

Well -- yeah, but whatever. It's stupid. There are more important things to worry about.

There are.

[He says this in a tone of great finality, and like it's obvious.]

Who were you intending to kiss?

[John, he figures. But he should be certain.]

[She rolls her eyes at him, before focusing on the ceiling.]

My date.

[She resists the urge to say 'duh'.]

[Just this look Rei. Judging your date. And you a little.]

[She doesn't notice until she glances over -- and promptly looks affronted.]

What?

Is it customary to kiss someone you barely know on a first date?

[Don't even mention how hypocritical he is okay, don't even.]

You're walking a line that's going to get you hit.

[8|]

[This face.]

I am asking a question. There seem to be many rules about kissing and about doing so being meaningful, and you do not know him well.

[He's totally judging.]

Who says I don't know him well?

[Somewhat huffily.]

[Just this look. Do you know him well?]

What, Cas.

[Yes. She does. Bastard.]

How many times have you spoken to him?

[He mostly isn't sure about Nat okay and is generally just as unsure why Rei likes him so much for seemingly no reason. 8|]

A lot.

[She's starting to frown, now, because where is this all even coming from.]

And I've been to his house a few times -- why are you so concerned?

I don't trust him.

[It's as simple as that, really.]

I don't understand why you do.

Because I do.

[Rather simply.]

The same way I trust you, and Toushirou, and anyone else I meet in this place. He's proven himself to me. That's all I need.

Despite what you know of initial law propositions in the police force?

[That's still the breaking point for Castiel; Nat can say he 'means well' all he wants, and it actually means nothing.]

What did he do to prove himself?

I told him, flat out, that I wasn't going to go along with any of the laws the original members had proposed, and he let me join anyway -- because he didn't trust Jean-Louis and he wanted it to change, but he couldn't do it by himself.

[She brushes her hair out of her eyes with a frown.]

He's done nothing but help me with what I want to do in the force, including limiting Raphael's influence.

[So there. 8| But she pauses, at that, before she averts her eyes.]

He gave me what I needed to tear apart the police force if I wanted to.

[But that's all she's going to say on that.]

[That all sounds good. But sounding good still means very little. They could all be simple moves to gain trust, manipulation, arraying of pieces. Castiel had done exactly the same thing before, after all; for all of his lack of knowledge about social interaction, he could do this. It runs in the family.

But if Rei is so convinced...]

Fine. I assume you know to be cautious despite your reasoning.

[She arches her eyebrows, at that, before she gets to her feet to move in front of him properly, crossing her arms across her chest, almost in a challenge.]

I think I can take care of myself when I trust my gut. After all --

[And Rei moves one arm to wave her hand dismissively, looking almost vaguely entertained.]

Everyone told me you were bad news and I think my bet's turned out pretty well so far.

[That's true, at least. Rei can take care of herself. But at that last comment, Castiel crosses his arms as well, looking down at her.]

Most of those here are generally unintelligent and concerned too much about things they should not be, and not enough over those they should.

Exactly. Which is why I make my own impressions before I listen to anyone else's.

[Which includes you. Thank you very much.]

Don't worry. I'm not running off and getting married and moving out anytime soon. It was just a silly dance.

If you insist.

[This is a stupid topic anyway.]

Rachel forced me to dance. As did Raven.

[Moving onto: complaining. And okay, Raven didn't force him, but she might as well have.]

[ ... grin.]

So, what, you can dance now?

[And Rei steps forward, offering her hands.]

Come on, show me.

80 [Voice] Backdated to earlier today, around 2:00 PM.

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