Shadow's Diary (noncanon)

Wednesday, 4-12-2372

I've decided that Rouge and I should stay friends.

I know I was very nervous and indecisive last night, but I had a bit of an epiphany today. I went to work with Eclipse like always, and I saw Rouge within minutes of our arrival. She seemed perfectly unconcerned about what happened last night; I couldn't even detect the slightest change in her behaviour! She greeted us, and made one of her usual attempts to flirt with me (this time she teased me about my quill style), saying, "Well, aren't you looking devilish today? You really ought to brush those outer quills down; when you lean forward, it looks like you have horns!* You wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea, would you, formosus?" She ended her comment with a suggestive wink, and I gave her my usual "not happening, Rouge" stare. Eclipse asked her what "formosus" meant, and she explained to him that it's her newest nickname for me. In case you're not versed in Latin, Diary, "formosus" means "handsome" (in Latin, of course). Rouge has been taking a course in Latin, as she thinks it will be useful should she ever want to learn the Romance Languages.**

Rouge's answer led to an explanation of what "Latin" was, as Eclipse didn't know Earth had any languages beyond English. His confusion may seem ridiculous to you, Diary, but the Black Arms had only one language before Black Doom learned English from Gerald. "Had." Oh, I never did give you an origin story for myself or Eclipse, now did I? Well, I'll tell you about it later.

Anyways, there was one thing Rouge did today that proved last night actually happened. Rouge mentioned how great she thought Eclipse and I were as her friends when we witnessed a vicious argument in the hallway between two human women. The topic of the argument was something stupid, apparently involving who had had a worse childhood. I'm not even kidding, they were both spitting with rage at each other when one of them had dissed the other's previous homelife ("You're not the only one with a bad past, you know! Maybe you're just overreacting, did you ever think of that?"). Rouge made sure to inform us how grateful she was that we don't argue like that, despite both Eclipse and I having very tragic backgrounds. She told us that the fact we hardly ever mention our pasts shows that we could control ourselves in front of others, despite the fact we're still bothered by them.

I know she went out of her way to tell us that, as she's really never made comments like that before. I gave her a grateful look because I could tell she did it for my sake, even more than Eclipse's. Beyond that one incident, though, nothing within her actions suggested she even remembered talking to me. Much less kissing me. But her word choice was clear, and she said "friends." I think that, coupled with how she didn't even bother mentioning last night, proves that Rouge kissing me was a friendly gesture. It's not like she thinks I wouldn't have told Eclipse; I tell Eclipse everything! If I don't, then he figures it out through our mindlink--often without my permission, the little sneak--and that's much more awkward than just telling him about something in the first place.

So, coming back to my original topic, I'm going to treat Rouge as a friend like I have been. I think of her more as a friend, anyways. If she feels something more, well, she'll make sure to tell me. She isn't shy about things like that. Well, actually, she's not shy about anything. If she has feelings, I'll be the first to know. I'd rather let her make the first move anyways; I know nothing about romance, while Rouge has had more relationships than I've had days in my life. I'll see how it goes tomorrow, and maybe I'll even take the time to write out my past to you. Until next time, then, Diary.