[ It wasn't that she didn't want to enjoy Vanyel's company. Quite the opposite, in fact. But she hadn't told Kaz yet about her... involvement with Vanyel and Farraige both. There hadn't been a reason to, honestly. She didn't try to kid herself into thinking there ever would be.

Okay, so. Maybe she hopes there will be. Hoping despite herself is what Rose does best though. Just like how she'd hoped to win this competition and instead fallen extremely short of that goal. Third place. Just the thought makes her face scrunch up in disatisfaction again. Not for the first time, she thinks she might as well have just lost. She's currently brooding over it again somewhere by herself when- ]

Is that so? [ she asks, question ending in a huffed laugh at the ticklish feeling of his lips against her skin. She doesn't even tense this time despite the surprise; it's a sign of how far she's come in comfort with intimacy such as this. A satisfied hum escapes her as she leans back into him just slightly, encouraging more of those gentle kisses. ]

What would have made me win?

[ Tell her she's pretty, boyfriend. She needs to hear it to cover up the sting of loss. And to Vex, no less. ]