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Roche carried a lot on her shoulders, and just like any middle manager, that weight had only increased after conversing with Rei.

Conversing was a stretch, in truth. That required an exchange of views and opinions. What Roche's mouth had earned her was a dictation of facts according to Rei, and she was loath to correct the woman whose touch promised death to Miseria and Magical Girl alike. Being told that everything falling apart was her fault and her fault alone didn't sit well with her, struggling to grasp just where it all went wrong and how she'd have had any hope of fixing it. 

Don't go to the flower shop and encounter Ashbringer? Highly unlikely she wouldn't have just crashed down on any other building and goaded them into a fight. 

Don't go to the beach? They'd have splintered apart over the summer and not even bothered coming to school. Suki would have been buried under frogs, Nyxia would have rebelled from the lack of progress, and Shuuko and Kiyo would have returned to find a club in flames. 

As Sylvia had once seen, her mind spiraled inwards, drawn by the pressure of Rei's condemnation, till it wasn't. 

The metaphorical foot came off the gas pedal, and her eyes blinked as she felt her emotions dim. It was a funny feeling, and familiar as well. Her gaze drifted to Tsubomi, feeling her magic at work without her having asked for it. Was this compassion on her part? 

Slowly her lips quirked upwards, as in the absence of dread there was only a faint relief to be felt, and she knew it was a brief reprieve she'd be better served savoring. 

[color=orange]"Nyxia. Acid Drop. Thank you both."[/color] The Track Captain inhaled grandly and exhaled gustily, letting the motion bring her head and shoulders up as she settled with ephemeral composure in her seat. 

[color=orange]"Rei will be joining us on out next outing. She's....unhappy with my leadership in her absence, and made it known her faith was misplaced. I'm just a bit rattled, is all, but I appreciate your concerns. For all that we got by on dumb luck and stubborn grit, I'm proud to be in a club with you all. Even Suki."[/color]

The heartfelt words were capped with a playful barb thrown Suki's way, as the Rule Keeper was also lacking in her concern for the prickly blood fiend courtesy of Tsubomi's appetite.

[color=orange]"I know I'm not perfect, or even all that good at leading you all, so thanks for putting up with me, and if there's anything I can do better, let me know."[/color]