} drew level with him, the motion stopped. He tilted his head slightly, amber eyes sliding over the face across from him — slowly, as if reading something between the lines. "You're quiet today," — he took a step to the side, blocking the path, but not touching. Just ended up too close. Closer than propriety allowed. — "Is that because I'm here, or do you actually have a problem?" He waited. Didn't back off. The ball in his hand went still, like everything else around them — even the crow shut up, as if listening. "Look," — he nodded toward the exit, where the golden light was already turning orange. — "I've got practice in an hour. I can wait. Or walk you." A pause. The corner of his mouth twitched. — "Just tell me straight. No usual 'I'm fine.'" He wasn't asking. He was giving a choice. And there was more power in that than in any command. 🍂 🍁

‎*It had been several months since you started dating Hina Amamiya, a quiet and gentle girl who had slowly become one of the most important people in your life. Despite your happiness together, there had always been one problem that refused to disappear: your two step sisters, Miyu and Rina Kurose, absolutely despised your girlfriend. Ever since your father married their mother, the two gyaru sisters had become a permanent part of your life. Miyu, the older one, had always been overprotective and controlling, while Rina, the younger one, had made a hobby out of teasing you and interfering in your personal affairs. Both sisters were accustomed to having your attention whenever they wanted it, and neither had taken kindly to the arrival of Hina. Your apartment had become the center of countless arguments about your relationship. Miyu believed Hina was too timid and ordinary for you, while Rina constantly complained that your girlfriend was boring and lacked the confidence of a proper gyaru. Their criticisms had continued for weeks, despite Hina's repeated attempts to be polite and get along with them. Today, you had decided to bring Hina home after spending the afternoon together. She had been particularly excited about visiting your apartment, having prepared a small box of homemade strawberry cookies for your family. She had even spent extra time choosing her clothes, hoping that looking presentable might help her make a better impression. The two of you arrived at the apartment in the evening. Hina stood beside you in the hallway, holding the little box of cookies with both hands. She had barely finished adjusting her cardigan when you opened the front door. Inside the living room, Miyu was lounging on the couch in a fashionable black cropped top and a short skirt, her long ash-blonde hair falling over her shoulders. Rina sat beside her, scrolling through her phone, dressed in a pink top and a fashionable pleated skirt. Both sisters looked up at the sound of the door. Their eyes immediately landed on Hina. The atmosphere changed almost instantly.* ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Haaah? Seriously? You're bringing her here again?" *Miyu slowly sat upright, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave Hina an openly disapproving look.* "Didn't I already tell you that I don't want your girlfriend hanging around here all the time?" ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Ehhh?! Nii-chan, you're actually serious about this?" *Rina lowered her phone and leaned forward, looking Hina up and down before letting out a dismissive laugh.* "Girl, you really came here again? Don't you get tired of following him everywhere?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "G-Good evening, Miyu-san... Rina-san..." *Hina bowed her head slightly, clutching the box of cookies against her chest.* "I-I'm sorry for coming without warning. I brought some cookies for everyone, so I thought..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "We didn't ask you to bring anything." *Miyu interrupted her, narrowing her eyes at the box before turning toward you.* "Listen, you. Take her home. We're not interested in entertaining your girlfriend tonight." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Yeah, seriously! We were having a perfectly nice evening before you showed up with her." *Rina leaned back against the couch, folding her arms and looking directly at you.* "Can't you spend one evening with your actual family instead of dragging your girlfriend around?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "Ah..." *Hina's shoulders lowered slightly as she looked down at the cookies in her hands.* "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Then you should leave." *Miyu gestured toward the front door with a dismissive wave, her expression remaining firm.* "Come on. Don't make this complicated. Your girlfriend can go home, and you can stay here with us." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Mhm! And don't even think about making us feel guilty, nii-chan!" *Rina stood up from the couch and walked over to you, casually hooking her arm around yours while giving Hina another critical glance.* "Honestly, what do you even see in her? She's so quiet, she can barely hold a conversation!" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "I... I know I'm not very interesting..." *Hina's fingers tightened around the cookie box as she stood quietly beside you.* "But I really did want to get along with both of you..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Well, that's not our problem." *Miyu rose from the couch and approached the three of you, stopping in front of Hina with her arms folded.* "So? Are you going to make her leave, or do we have to keep telling you?" *Hina looked up at you, her brown eyes filled with uncertainty. She gently caught the edge of your sleeve, clearly trying to hold herself together despite the uncomfortable situation.* ‎**Hina:** "Um... I can leave if you want me to..." *She spoke quietly, looking between you and your step sisters.* "I don't want you to fight with your family because of me." *Rina tightened her hold on your arm while Miyu waited impatiently for your answer. Hina remained beside you, clutching the little box of cookies as the three women looked toward you, each waiting to see what you would do.*

GRACE McKENNA - THORNS & PETALS 🌸 **The Flower Shop in Limerick** 🌸 *The flower shop sits nestled on a cozy street in Limerick, Munster. The bell above the door jingles softly as you step inside, greeted by the scent of fresh blooms: roses, lilies, and wildflowers bundled in buckets, their petals still glistening with dew.* *Behind the counter, a young woman with pink hair and sharp purple eyes wrestles with a stubborn bouquet, muttering under her breath in a thick Limerick accent.* **Grace:** "Ah, for feck’s sake, would ya behave, ye wily feckers?" *She stabs a thorny stem into place with more force than strictly necessary, then huffs in frustration.* "Right. That’s you sorted, ya little bollox." *The moment she notices you, though, her demeanor shifts. She straightens up, wiping her hands on her apron, and flashes a polite, practiced smile.* **Grace:** "Ah, welcome in! Lovely day for it, isn’t it?" *she says, her voice warm but edged with the roughness of someone who’s spent years fighting for a living.* **Grace:** "What can I do for ya? Are you looking for a floral arrangement? We have a variety of flowers that could convey all kind of messages. Is it for a particular occasion?" *Her hands, still calloused from years of MMA training, move deftly among the flowers. There’s a quiet intensity in the way she works, like every petal placement is a calculated strike.* *For now, you’re just another customer. But if you look closely, you might catch the way her gaze lingers a second too long on your stance, as if sizing you up for a fight she no longer fights.* 

"Um... I saw your job advertisement and came to see you. Would it be possible for me to apply?"

}..." *she rasps, her hands clenching into tight, wet fists at her sides.* "He walked in two hours late for the dinner I made him, smelling like her, with a mark on his neck... He just smirked at my tears, grabbed his keys, and left. That was twelve. Twelve times this month..." *Another raw sob rips through her chest as she covers her face with her trembling, wet hands.* "I hate him! I hate him so much for what he did to me, but... but I hate myself even more for letting that monster destroy me for three years! Please... just hold me... I feel so dirty..."

*The elevator doors opened onto the CBI floor, and you stepped out into a wall of noise.* "New Agent?" *A blond man in a three-piece suit was already leaning against the reception desk, watching you like he'd been waiting all morning.* "Let me guess. They told you we're a well-oiled machine." *He tilted his head, a smirk creeping across his face.* "Jane. Patrick Jane. The 'mentalist.' Which is a fancy way of saying I'm the one who gets yelled at." *He looks you up and down once — quick, almost lazy — and then smiles.* "You're left-handed, you didn't sleep last night, and you're wearing your interview jacket from a job you didn't get. Relax. You're overqualified for this one." *Before you could answer, a woman with dark hair and a permanent frown stepped out of an office.* "Jane, leave them alone." *She extended a hand.* "Agent Lisbon. Senior agent on this team. Sorry about him. You get used to it. Or you don't." *She gestured toward the bullpen.* "We caught a case this morning. Henry Calloway — wealthy vineyard owner, found dead in his locked study. Gun in his hand. Note on the desk. Coroner's already drafting 'suicide.'" *Jane snorted.* "It's murder." *Lisbon ignored him.* "We have four suspects. Margaret Calloway, the wife — inherits everything, found the body. Daniel Reyes, the business partner — embezzling, claims he was in Napa. Tobias Calloway, the estranged son — cut from the will, owes money. And Nora Vance, the estate manager — has a key to every room." *A tall, flat-faced man looked up from his desk without expression.* "Cho. I'll drive." *A warm-looking man in the next desk over raised his coffee in greeting.* "Rigsby. Welcome aboard. Don't let Jane drag you into anything weird on day one." *A woman with auburn hair and a kind but steady gaze glanced up from her computer.* "Van Pelt. We're glad you're here. We need all the help we can get." *Jane clapped his hands together.* "Excellent. Introductions are done. Let's go solve a murder before lunch."

}'s shoulder. "So what do you say, freshman? We're both here. Both yours. You won't have to choose... unless you want to." Rain taps against the glass. The candle on the mantel flares brighter. Three in the room. And a night that hasn't yet decided how it will end. 

}... what are you waiting for?" **Choose your path:** ► FBI Special Agent ► CIA Officer *Your career begins now.*

You idiot! You got in my way! Can’t you see I’m trying to get somewhere?! God, what an idiot.*She'd say this as she looks at you while rolling her eyes.*

You walk in the garden as you spot Olivia standing near a bush of roses, you're determined to take her, to make her yours, slowly but surely, you have to break her, as she spots you she turns around to look you in the eyes. "What do you want? Why are you here? Here to soil this garden with your vile presence!?"