Wrathful Reunion

Nero’s expression shifted from a more sorrowful state of softness and into a noticeably brighter one, he even managed a hopeful smile, in fact. In some way he had a lot of words to say; but his expression said it all. He simply looked at Zhalla, content with her response— but she knew him well enough by now. He was looking at her as if to say she was incredibly goofy for denying she was sweet at her core. “Yeah, I can imagine they’ve had their share of tragedy.” Nero spoke like someone who knew all too well, and Zhalla had known why that was for a good while now. “Then I'll do something like that for you. I’ll be untouchable and undeterred— I’ll lift you up and hold you together. I’ll make sure you’re unstoppable and unbreakable. That’s what I’ll do.” Nero declared, pointing a thumb to himself confidently, an unmistakable twinkle of gold in his eyes swirled as he did so.

“Carry that weight, I’ll just carry you.” Nero added, noticing that Zhalla was looking around at the scene now. There was an unmistakable pang of guilt in her expression, and understandably so. “I get it, it isn’t the best idea to stick around if it doesn’t help you heal.” Nero looked up, thinking of where to go. “Yeah, I know a good place nearby. Calm, serene— has cool frogs. Most people go there to meditate and destress. Does that sound good to you?” He wanted to be as close as possible to his home, for obvious reasons.

“Good, good!” Nero really had no reason to believe Zhalla was going to do the opposite, she wouldn’t dare disappoint Zukha after all. Leaning in to almost a centimetre away from her face, Nero directly eyed Zhalla’s smile. “Hmmmm. Looks like a wonderful, glowing, warm and sweet smile to me!” Hang on, that was a way more detailed description than before! What was he trying to do, make her smile more!? How nefarious!

Zhalla would protest at the idea of Nero challenging her to what was essentially a ‘cuteness-off’, which only made Nero give a jolly laugh. “Awww, turning down such a fun challenge? Whaaa^aaaat?” He was kidding of course, but knowing Zhalla, she might very well take it seriously. Nocti’s enthusiastic chirping and beeping probably didn’t help.