Gehenna's Gate

Red Cold River

'Call me when you can.'

Bad timing.

'I got home from work and passed out, sorry.'

Kazuha had answered Vena's text the next morning, but by then she was already dressed and in the car on the way to the boardwalk with Rae.

Vena told Rae practically everything, sure, but she didn't exactly want to express how truly paranoid and untrusting she was of literally everyone- especially not someone Rae may be developing a crush on.

So, this wasn't really an appropriate time for that kind of phone call, she'd have to find time to run to a bathroom or slip away for a minute when they got there for the details, but it seemed like Kazuha at least recognized the name- whether that was good or bad was still in the air, at least for now.

"Think Childe will like my outfit?" Rae gave her best friend a wide smile, effectively dragging the girl from her thoughts as she turned now to look.

Rae was in her usual out-of-school attire, which usually consisted of some type of crop-top shirt and jeans with heels.

"You're gonna regret that shoe choice later," Vena chuckled warmly, gazing down now at her own boots and thinking the same thing.

"Pain is beauty, darling." Rae sang, clearly in a good mood.

"Plus I threw a change of clothes in the trunk just in case."

"Oh yeah, I think my tennis shoes are still in the trunk too actually." Vena remembered, saying a silent prayer to herself as she realized her feet were probably going to be in rough shape by the end of the night too.

She'd been far too distracted by her thoughts to really think logically about her attire, while Rae had only really cared about Childe's opinion.

"I see you went all out on the makeup today too." Rae shot her wingwoman a teasing glance, eyes half-lidded as she sized her up from head to toe.

"Trying to impress someone? Childe's bestie, Nate, perhaps?" A wiggle of Rae's eyebrows caused Vena to roll her eyes as she let out an exaggerated noise of disgust.

"I only saw him for like two seconds before we left the restaurant. He's not my type anyway." The violet haired girl turned her head to look out the window, curious how far away they were now while she admired the landscape.

"I thought you didn't have a type? WAIT- how cute would it be if we went on a double date together? C'mon, V!" Rae pleaded, acting like a kid in a candy store at the thought.

"I can barely handle you every day, you think I want to add a man to my life too? No chance." Vena playfully waved her hand, dismissing the idea with a smile, always amused by her best friend as usual.

There really never was a dull moment between the two of them, always joking or teasing each other and having laughs.

"Ohhhh~ I get itttttt~" Rae nodded her head, a smug smile hanging on the corner of her mouth now as she theatrically nodded her head, clearly having figured the girl out.

"What?" Vena questioned, curious what the girl was hinting at now.

"You aren't slick, V. I see you." Rae continued to tease, reaching over to give Vena's thigh a gentle pat as she continued poking her fun.

"What?" Vena asked again, laughing now at the blonde's dumb games.

"Did your hair all cute, the dark yet smoky, sultry eye makeup... your favorite goth girl boots, showing off your perfect legs with your shorts and fishnets..." Rae continued along, dramatically gesturing a hand toward each item she named, her voice sounding as if she was staring in a movie and reading her lines, hanging on the end of every pause.