A quiet few months would either bless them with the space required to build a solod foundation or leave them to fall back into their distant, hateful patterns. Melody hoped it was the former — she hoped they would carve a small piece of happiness for them both, but she still wasn't naive enough to have full faith. Distantly, she wondered if the doubts and fear would ever leave her, or if they'd ever reach a solid enough state that she could at least confidently ignore the doubts.

"It'll be nice to join you again in the New Year." Melody replied warmly. Truthfully, she couldn't remember the last time they were at a ball together (last Christmas maybe?) and the labyrinth this summer certainly didn't count. Choosing to avoid that particular thought Melody pushed forward, "I asked [cook's name] to make [food] tonight. I was thinking we could try that game from Paris again?"

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