The Price of What Comes After (Zuqetta/Ise)

| Ise | 67,100 PL | Base Form |
| 6/6 KP | 0/6 MP | 0%/270% |

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Ise became more and more certain that her subtle reaching out to Zerori with her tail was a good idea as things continued to play out, she was completely unaware of exactly why Zerori appeared to be so bothered but frankly the exact whys were presently irrelevant to Ise, perhaps it was arguably even better to not know because if something was intentionally being done to do this Ise was rather certain her reaction would be something less subtle than trying to quietly comfort Zerori.

Ise worried at first that she had made things worse when when dam broke and Zerori began actively crying and it was only her own panic and lack of certainty on what to DO that kept her from pulling back her tail before Zerori’s wound around it, she felt rather tense at first which made sense considering the situation but Ise was somewhat pleased to find that once their tails were wrapped around one another Zerori appeared to relax somewhat.

Ise debated on how to or IF she should say something, it was VERY apparent Zerori was having some sort of trouble and Ise wanted nothing more than to figure out how to fix it, but before she could do or say anything further Zerori spoke up speaking her name and then as best Ise could tell she paused to collect herself, and yet while doing so Ise could tell Zerori seemed somehow MORE on edge, she could feel her friends heart rate steadily increasing through their contact and-

Ise’s attempt at further analyzing things came to a screeching halt as Zerori spoke and the words took a moment to properly sink in, and for as little context Ise had on relationships as a result of her upbringing she was not so completely unaware that the words Zerori spoke, followed swiftly by the message ‘spoken’ with Zerori’s own energy pulsing, were something she could not understand.

Zerori liked her.

The following moment after that realization were filled with a distinct mental panic, Ise had not really put much thought into such things, her Father had little interest in the subject of romance by her understanding and as Ise had emulated him she had not put much thought into it.

The revelation required a very quick assessment of her own feelings, Zerori was her closest friend, her best friend. Frankly speaking in many ways her ONLY friend. Everyone else was some degree of ‘ally’ or ‘familial relation’ or ‘subordinate’ .

Zerori was… she was easily among the most important people to her, perhaps THE most important, especially in the wake of her Father’s death. The only people that even came close were Vocado, Kayfor, and Polarus and there was a very good chance she had lost Kayfor today as well…

Part of Ise felt a bit terrified at realizing just how important Zerori was to her, losing her Father had been crushing and a cold calculating part of her brain wanted to never have that sense of crushing loss again, and the easiest way to do so would of course be to NOT feel so strongly about someone.

But even if that part of her had any real ‘say’ in things Ise was fairly certain there was little she could do to NOT feel as strongly as she did about Zerori “I…I really like you as well Zerori” Ise began a few attempts at further response, primarily through the same stuttered elevation of power Zerori had so cleverly used but to her immense frustration Ise found herself lacking the right ‘words’ to express herself.

With a small hum Ise realized the best method was perhaps not one that required her efforts to be eloquent or clever as she’d been taught, but rather something far more simple yet somewhat less common among at least the noble culture of Arcose, Ise removed herself from her seat and closed the distance between herself and Zerori to wrap the other girl in a hug.

WC: 663
TWC: 2765


Though still obviously drained and tired, Zuqetta would do her best to push through with a forced smile as Zerori and Ise exchanged their pleasantries. She felt happy for them, though considering what it was coming on the heels of, it was difficult for Zuqetta to show any more enthusiasm than she already was. At the very least, it was humorous watching the two of them fumble over their words for something so simple. It was certainly a different change of pace from all the serious things that had transpired up to this point.

Indulging herself in another mouthful of her chocolate cake, Zuqetta would lay her head on her arm as she spoke up with her mouth still full.

"Ef et maffers-" She'd begin, before taking a moment to swallow done her mouthful of cake, "-I like the both of ya." She'd say nonchalantly with a smile, with no real deeper meaning behind her words other than to be a bit mischievous.

With Zerori storming out in embarrassment soon after, it seemed obvious that Ise was likely to follow. Zuqetta however, was much too tired to join in the festivities; and had no intention of playing third wheel. Instead, she would simply continue to enjoy her cake, leaning closer toward Zriracha and continuing to indulge in this momentary lapse of maturity. She knew she couldn't act like a child forever, but if Zriracha was keen to allow her, then at least for the moment, Zuqetta would accept.