The great thing about the creepy, endless dark of the month? Less light to see flushed faces or any fashion faux pas that may have been done. Hell, maybe even some of the steam that radiates off of him can be missed in the gloom!

Manabu could easily excuse the jolt of surprise at Ryunosuke's appearance as just the dog barking startling him - said dog is already hopping over to jump in the lawyer's legs, ready for pets. This gives his person the chance to gulp his heart back down and clear his throat, stepping over greet him.

"Aa, ye-yeah," he breathes, a waver in his breath. "We can take the lamp down the street; it connects right in front of the Archive, so it won't take long...

"Unless you want to walk!" he pipes in before an answer can be given, shoulders going up. "I don't mind. Either way."

Yeah sure, just walk around in the spooky darkness for a half an hour, brilliant.