Iris pulls back the shower curtain to respond to Drake's knocking. The tells him to wait since she couldn't hear what he was saying.

The faucet squeaks as she turns the water off and exits the shower. She wraps a towel around herself without really drying off and opens the bathroom door. The bath towel is doing a poor job of covering Iris' cleavage.

Drake is visibly shocked.

Iris has some "self reflection" time in the shower. She laments her sleepy/drunk behavior towards Drake and claims that she made herself useless to the person that she is supposed to be helping. Feeling like an idiot, she questions how she will be able to face him again.

Just then, a series of short knocks startle her out of her thoughts.

Drake's muffled voice calls out to her from behind the door. He asks if she can hear him.

((Happy Saturday readers! I hope the week has treated you well so far. Iris is having a very hard time adjusting to the social ins and outs of having a guest in her apartment. Don't worry, she gets the hang of it eventually. Also, surprise nudity again. This page isn't necessarily meant to be "sexy", but set a standard for how casually nudity may show up as things go forward in the story. Every character's body is shaped by their past. And those pasts will be revealed later on in the comic. Though I'm dying having to wait for some of them. Anyway- Look forward to the next update where Iris answers the door~!))

Drake is confused why Iris would ask *him* for permission to use her own home's bath. He notes that her behavior changed again.

Iris tries, unsuccessfully, to leave the conversation with some of her dignity in tact. Then grabs some clothes and heads to the bathroom. But she glances back at him briefly before ducking in and shutting the door.

Drake continues to ponder Iris' erratic behavior.

((Hello readers! I hope you are all staying cool out there in this melting heat. This page want through several revisions just to the dialog alone... I am always worried about miscommunicating in my work. Iris is a nervous wreck for several reasons that will become apparent shortly. If you feel second-hand cringe/awkward with how she is behaving? Good. That's on purpose. Anyway- See you next time where Iris has Too Many Thoughts.))

Drake occupies himself with inspecting the things on the living room TV stand. He picks up a framed picture of Iris' family and turns it in his hands as he comments how he can't find any brush strokes on the "tiny painted portrait."

Suddenly, there is a loud clattering and crash as Iris announces her success in finding clothes.
She triumphantly presents them to Drake while wearing a big grin on her face. She specifies that she found items that would help keep him warm.

Drake hoists up and readjusts the bath towel around his waist (the fate strings seem sad about that). He asks Iris if she needs a hand looking for clothes.

Iris dismisses his offer and assures him that she can handle the task just as she trips over her own feet. She starts to fall forward but hops and flails her arms to try and recover... Only to slam back-first into the laundry closet.

She claims to be okay and makes her way to the hallway.

Drake cringes. He could clearly tell the words were hollow. She was not exactly alright. He ponders if he should have insisted on helping her.

(( Hello my dearest readers! I hope the week has been treating you well. I had to burn the midnight oil to get this one done thanks to my new job sucking away all my energy. But at least it's out on time, right? Anywhoo, poor Iris is doing her best in such a strange situation. Her bubbliness seems to be wearing off. Meanwhile, Drake is at a loss for proper etiquette. Never fear, the cringe will continue until morale improves~ >;3 ))

Drake has realized that Iris is very intoxicated. His concern quickly changes to barely contained frustration as he confronts her about the empty bottle from the floor.

Iris answers in a nonchalant manner that, yes, she had been drinking.

Drake places the bottle on the nearby dining table as he voices his opinion that it's unwise for a lady to drink so heavily.

Iris scoffs and insists that tonight's drink was only "slightly" more that her usual amount. She asks if she missed anything while sleeping.

Drake responds with an exasperated explanation that he has been trying to get new clothes.

Iris seems confused, so Drake reiterates that he needs new clothes because he would like to wear more than a towel in her company.

She fails to stifle a laugh as she offers to find something for him to wear.

(Happy Saturday readers! I got this one done on time, hooray!!! I wonder what Iris' usual drinking amount is? Did you spot the Strings of Fate slowly pulling Drake's towel lower? Fate is such a prankster~ <3)