Descendants of Arcana Base

*Whip stays silent for a while, but eventually pats Mana's shoulder comfortingly and steps forth*
Whip: If you've got nothing else to say, then you can leave. We've got the message. We'll save Hana before either of you can hurt her.

Kimitsu: ... *turns to the shadows and seems to sink into them; however his voice can be heard as he leaves, and it's a wonder as to whether or not he meant the two to hear his thoughts* Good.

Mana: *stares at the now normal walls with teary eyes* ...

*Whip, uninterested in glowering at the wall, glances down to see Mana's expression. He takes her hand lightly*
Whip: ...Hey.
*He turns his whole body to face her*
Whip: ...We're going to do it. We'll find her.

Mana: *closes her eyes and takes a deep steadying breath as she squeezes Whip's hand* ...It's just... really sad... you know?

*Whip glances over his shoulder, as if half expecting the Bat-hedgehog to return from his shadows*
Whip: ...You mean, what he said... about hurting your sister...?

Mana: From the sounds of it... it sounds like Hana and him were like you and me. *her ears lower to accent her sadness* I don't understand how he could betray her if it was like that...

*Whip wraps his other arm around her other shoulder*
Whip: If he betrayed her, then they were nothing like you and me.

Mana: *turns to bury her head in his chest* (quietly) Hana's so close...

*Whip holds her head close and drops his voice down and octave*
Whip: Then let's find her. And save her. And kick the ass of anyone who tries to get in our way.

Mana: *smiles into his chest* So why am I the lucky one, huh?

*His single chuckle shifts the tone of his voice*
Whip: You're not.... I am~

Mana: *rolls her eyes* If you say so. *after a moment, her grip tightens on the rabbit* I want to look for Hana tomorrow.

*Without hesitation, he nods*
Whip: Okay.
*He pauses for a moment*
Whip: ...It's probably going to be just us. I don't think... they have any more members to spare here...

Mana: That's the plan. I'm not going to get anymore people involve with my problems, Whip. Too many people have gotten hurt because of me...

Whip: What happened here wasn't your fault, so... don't blame yourself...
*He begins caressing her gently below one ear*
Whip: No one else will get hurt. We'll make sure of that. The only people getting hurt from here on are those bastards who are holding Hana...

Mana: *leans into his caress but gives a smirk* I like how you're talking about hurting someone when you're trying to make me feel better~

*His tone, whilst still being soft, carries a hint of teasing in it*
Whip: You don't like it? I can... start talking about kittens and bunnies...~

Mana: *giggles softly from his words* You mean us? I thought you preferred the term "rabbit" in all honesty~ "Whip the Bunny" doesn't sound nearly as intimidating as you might hope.

*Whip chuckles as he adjusts from one leg to the other, a small smirk emerging into view. His reaction is delayed for a second, his smirk turning slightly serious, but then his qualm seems to resolve itself, and he cranes his head down until his touches Mana's, allowing him to look into her eyes*
Whip: I don't need to be intimidating when I'm with you.

Mana: *the trademark blush lights up her ivory muzzle once again, causing her to refer to her biting defense mechanism* Y-Yeah... Tell me about it. You act all fluffy now.

*His hand finds its way to back of her head and runs under her hair. He tilts his muzzle closer to her, and his voice drops to a whisper*
Whip: You're the one... who makes me like this...

Mana: *shivers from the proximity and the tumble of emotions raging inside of her, causing her defense mechanism to fail* (inexplicably, she feels the need to match Whip's volume, but her voice sounds somewhat hopeful as well) A-Are... Are you going to... to kiss me again?

*Whip's lowered voice makes it almost inaudible, but his chuckle can be felt between their contact*
Whip: Only if you ask me to...
*Despite his saying this, the space between them becomes short enough to finally entice him. He meets Mana's lips softly, and his arms wrap more firmly around her waist and around her head*

Mana: *although embarrassed, she returns the kiss eagerly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in an attempt to pull herself closer*

*Whip displaces as much space between them as possible, until they are tightly held together. His hand runs through her hair, caressing her head gently*