Bliss just stared at the gift box, occasionally looking up at Marianne when she spoke. Bliss could tell Marianne was embarrassed by this entire exchange, and chose to just let her talk. It was nice to see that Marianne wasn't still angry with her, though it was a shame people only chose to show their better sides after something like this. Bliss saw it all the time in retail based stores. A customer would yell at the cashier, and everyone behind them would act unusually nice. Why couldn't we be this way more often?
The nanny noticed that someone was absent. Bliss wanted to talk to Mary before going to the study. She had something urgent to discuss with her. It was actually to the nanny's benefit that the streamer hadn't arrived at the break room yet, as this would give them some privacy. She would need to return her hat to her own room and make preparations before going to see Mary.
Bliss's preparations were really just to heat up a sandwich. Though she wondered if that was really necessary. Bliss barely felt like eating, and only forced herself to do so because she knew her lack of appetite was due to her emotional state. Oh well, it was a good excuse to visit Mary at any rate. Bliss knocked on Mary's door.
“Hey um.” Bliss lifted a hand to her lips, momentarily forgetting the words she rehearsed. “I didn't see you in the break room, so I thought you might like this sandwich? And maybe we could talk a bit?”
Ever since they returned back from the trial room, Mary had holed herself up in her room. Even when she heard Caora prancing across the hallway singing in his adorable voice, she didn't come out to chase the trap. She spent long hours just laying in her bed, wallowing in misery and contemplating what life meant to someone like Mondatta, what his final thoughts were. Was he consumed by despair in the end, or did his unyielding hope endure? Now, nobody would ever know.
The Infinite Streamer, ever so peppy, grumbled as she heard somebody knock on the door.
"I'm not hungry, go away." But then, as if the timing was perfect, her stomach growled loudly, and she blushed, covering her stomach with her hands. She opened the door, and Bliss saw how disheveled her appearance was; her hair was messy and one strap of her dress was down from her shoulder.
"Hello, Blissie. Come on inside," she spoke with a defeated tone, and took the sandwich. Once Bliss was in, she began wolfing down on the tasty treat. She seemed to be gaining color as she ate, and was mostly back to her energetic self.
"This tastes delicious! You could teach me your recipes sometimes; I bet you know lots of recipes to cook for lots of different kinds of children."Bliss just chuckled nervously. She didn't have the heart to tell Mary that she didn't really make that sandwich. “Oh, stop it you!” She waved her hand at Mary before sitting at the end of the streamer's bed. Of course it was true. Bliss did have a few go to recipes that she made for children with special needs. “Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. Good health is all about keeping that smile up. It's been proven that your body creates more antibodies when you're happy. That's true for both children and adults.” The nanny folded her hands in her lap. “I'm glad you're not upset with me. I got the impression that you resented the fact that I spent so much time with Caora and Shaun.”
Mary was about to take another bite when Bliss mentioned the other two, and then stopped.
"Well, that...It makes sense you'd spend time with Cookie." She sat next to Bliss, and quietly took a new bite.
"It's just...I'm jealous. Cookie likes being around you, and he always runs away from me when all I want to do is give him a sweet little hug. I just don't understand why he doesn't like them." As she said that, she shrugged, and her chest made a vertical movement.
“Oh, really?” Bliss pushed her fingers together. “Well,I just got lucky with Caora. Kids are weird that way, you know? There are plenty of kids who start off hating me.” Bliss giggled. “I find that you can't be in too big a rush to make friends with them. It's just like going on dates with guys, you know? If you're too eager, they get suspicious.” Bliss nodded. “But maybe I can help. Have you tried to do anything recently 'for' Caora?”
"Hmm? Oh, that's right! I was making a letter for him with Daimy-doo. We were just about done with it too, but...well, you know." As she said that, her face turned into a frown.
"Hey, I know you didn't know him that well, but Mondatta really was a nice guy. Sure, he was weird with his whole religion thing, but he never said a single bad thing about anybody else. That isn't easy. I regret I never managed to say that to him."Bliss nodded with a sigh. “I knew him well enough. I'll remember those four nights we spent together in Krista's room.” Bliss cleared her throat. “While I did enjoy his outlook on life, I have to admit that I don't have that type of resolve. Even now, I know there's someone among us I'll never be able to truly get along with. You know who I'm talking about right?” Bliss didn't give Mary any time to respond. “The infinite reporter!” She smashed her fist into her palm. “I try to keep my spirits up around her, but Noel's too nosy, don't you agree?”
Mary nodded once.
"Well, yeah. And before, I was also angry with her, as she did some shady stuff to me too. But, I decided to stop dwelling on that. I want to keep Mondatta's memory alive, and really get along with everyone. So I give up on all of my grudges, even the one for Noel!"“Really?” Bliss's eyes opened up wide. “That's... Really good actually. It isn't healthy to hold grudges.” The nanny folded her arms. “I was going to suggest we find some way to steal her camera. At least her film roll. She has those embarrassing pictures of us on there. Caora too.” Bliss looked away from Mary. “But if that's how you feel...” She looked the streamer in the eyes. “Do you mind being there when I ask her to get rid of the pictures instead?”
"Right, she still has those! Of course I'll come with you. That's what friends do right? Hehe~" She winked, and stood up from the bed, raising her fist up.
"Let's go!" “N-now!?” Although this wasn't exactly what Bliss thought she was going to be spending her morning doing, there was little she could do about that now. Bliss was guided out of Mary's room and down the hall.