Walk with Eva.

After departing Castle Phoenix, Eva takes you for a walk all the way around the exterior of the walls. She doesn't take you all the way into the forest, but you notice there are far more flowers, a lot more grass, and in general, just more plant-life in the area than before, no doubt the work of Peony. It's a little more windy today, though Eva's warm body snuggled up against you keeps any feelings of cold far away--such a cute girl, with a fluffy tail, and long, soft ears.

You remove your arm from her grip, which for a moment leaves her surprised and saddened, though you then wrap it around her and bring the tips of your fingers through her hair. They caress up, unable to resist feeling her adorable bunny ears in your hand.

Eva shivers. "Mmm. That feels good," she whispers, and then she giggles. "S-Stop that!"

"But if it feels good, why do you want me to stop?" you tease. "It's not my fault you're so soft."

"Do you really like them that much?"

"I don't know. Maybe not as much as your tail," you say, sliding your hand swiftly down her back so that you may wrap your fingers around the ball of cotton protruding out from above her rear end.

But she doesn't stop you. Instead, she wraps her arms around herself and giggles again, now leaning against you. If you haven't grown your strength since first arriving, she'd have probably toppled you over just then.

"Here we are!" she suddenly shouts, accidentally knocking your hand away as she points forward.

Ahead is a beautiful little area beside the entrance of the forest. The grass is lush and vibrant, and covered in flowers of all different colours, with a few perfectly shaped rocks for sitting around a glistening pond. You spot a frog hop by before diving right into the water with a tiny splash. Eva takes you over, and the two of you place yourselves down on two of the stone seats adjacent to one another.

She sighs softly. "It's quiet here." And it is. All around is the sound of a single frog croaking now beside the edge of the water, as well as birds above. She taps her toes together and looks down at her shoes. "I really like this outfit," she adds.

"It looks great on you."

Eva smiles wide. "There's so much I'd like to know about Earth!"

"Maybe if we ever find passage back again, we could all go and visit."

"This is... This is nice," she says quietly. "I like when we can be alone together. Listen, I know there are a lot of girls here. And we all care a lot about you and each other." She stares down timidly towards her lap as she fiddles her thumbs together. Colour grows across her face. "I don't want to be selfish, but when we went to Redbloom Academy together, it was so nice. Just us on an adventure. And then uhm... there was the night you... p-pulled me on top, and we..."

Unsure of what to say in the moment, you open your mouth to speak, but hesitate as you watch her struggle to finish her thought.

Finally, she continues. "Sorry!" she blurts out, looking straight into your eyes. "I didn't mean--"

"It's fine," you cut her off as you reach over and touch your hand to her cheek. "I get it."

"I don't mind when we're all together either. I didn't mean anything bad."

"I know you didn't... I care about you a lot, Eva. I really do--"

"I love you too!" she shouts over you, but instantly catches herself. Her entire face turns beet red, which she covers up with both hands. Though, it doesn't last long. She starts to giggle to herself, and then she bursts into a fit of laughter. It's a welcome diffusion of a moment that for a moment was potentially awkward. "I can't believe I said that. Ooh, I don't know what to do now."

You smile back. "Eva--"

But once again, she cuts you off, this time with a surprising grapple. She tugs you off the seat, and the two of you tumble down onto the grass with her pinning you down. She looks down at you, and she sticks out her tongue playfully. "You don't need to say anything," she says.

"It looks like you're on top again," you jest.

"I said you don't need to!" Still laughing, she rolls off your body and falls flat on her back beside you.