( it's not so embarrassing; she once remarked that asking him to stay with her would be too selfish so she'd ask him to stay safe instead, and that's plenty more embarrassing. or maybe it just is to tsukasa, who knows his cheeks grow that faint soft pink they always do when she's around.

there is no hug (yet). but he takes a moment to be a little bold, to entwine their fingers, because she's already done that before and he's put it under "things anya finds socially acceptable to do as friends" so it's fine, it's fine, it's fine. )

I'd love to. It'd be wonderful to get out of the cold... I saved my favorite chore for last—walking the horses and chocobo. ( of course it is and of course he did. ) You see— if they're not ridden that day at all, they still need their exercise, right? So we do a few rounds of it throughout the day... I probably shouldn't hold off on it until the end of my shift, but it's really relaxing.

( and it gets him out of stinky stalls. ....he hopes he doesn't smell too strongly of animals. he didn't even think about it. it's fine. it's fine. )

Anyway—yes, of course ♪ Though I'd never turn you down, Anya... I mean, it's always a lot of fun to spend time with you, so— ( , h ) Sh-shall we?