XVI: Ode of the Storm

Sharpened eyes were locked on the unassuming red head as she made her way through the area; a piercing gaze honed solely on her. Would the girl have felt the gaze? Did she know she was being watched for some time already? Perhaps the glances form those she passed would stifle the feeling from the one who never looked away. With so many curious about the foreigner and her strange appearance, so many were watching her that mayhaps the woman would be unable to pick out any singular person amongst them all.

From the streets, to the food stand, and inevitably to the spot where the woman would witness a small outbreak of violence, the gaze upon her would remain unbreaking; intensifying in fact, as it seemed the owner of said gaze had begun to draw near. The woman flinched, the sight of blood from the skirmish before her affecting her in a way the one that watched would never know. They didn't care about that fight, it was a simple and daily thing in Sadala! They cared about only one thing, and while the crowds were distracted, beginning to cheer for the brawl breaking out, the one who watched would strike!

Without warning, without hesitation, her presence concealed by magic, her intentions unclear but strangely enough lacking malice. Despite all that, the pressure of her gaze would intensify as in mere seconds she'd be upon the girl; then, a sudden touch to one of the girls tails before a voice would call out-

"Heyhey!!" excited and surprisingly soft, "Fox lady! Please-!" if the woman turned around to meet with the one who called out to her, she'd find a rather petite, five foot tall Saiyan girl looking upon her. eyes wide with excitement, though her gaze was not locked onto the woman herself, but the woman's tails. "C-Can I pet your tail? Please?" she'd request, though she'd already been rude enough to attempt touching one of the girls tails when she tried to get her attention, "Are they soft? You have so many!" As enamored as the young Saiyan girl was, a realization would cause her to snap back to reality as she remembered her time with Russ, and her embarrassing interactions with the animal people of Earth, "Gah! I'm sorry! Was that weird to ask? Yeh, it WAS weird to ask, what am I even sayin'?" she'd remark, taking a step away from the woman as she visibly facepalmed at her rather cringe actions towards this foreign visitor.

Zuqetta visibly beamed with delight at hearing she'd been allowed to touch the fluff before her; so distracted as she was, she hadn't even taken to actually addressing the woman properly. Once permision had been given, Zuqetta struck without hesitation; gentling taking hold of one tail and giving it enjoyable strokes, taking note mentally of he surprising softness before giving the second the same affection. Would Xiao have been jealous? Possibly, he was a silly fox sometimes; Zuqetta didn't want to pass up this opportunity however, anthros, fauxbians, or whatever, they never usually gave her the chance to pet them like so!

Then, the woman would introduce herself; Zuqetta flinched, had she fallen so low in her obsession that she'd forget her manners!? She'd quickly break away, allowing the woman proper space so they could speak properly. "Rinako? That's a cute name! My name's Zuuuuu...q-" Zuqetta hesitated, now getting a proper look at the twin tailed individual.

This wasn't a fox person; they weren't a a typical Zoanthrope like those she'd seen on Earth. Or a Fauxbian like Striker or Tinker! Heck, she didn't know what Xiaolan really was, but even he was more of an actual animal! This woman before her was just that... a person, not an animal, but a person with animal features, no different than Zuqetta herself to a degree! Zuqetta's face would redden as she came to this realization; imagining some stranger coming up and asking HER if they could stroke her tail was the most off-putting thought she had, and yet she'd just done the same to this woman. Worse yet, it wasn't like she could just take it back and apologize with a "nevermind", she'd already done it!!!

Zuqetta's mouth was agape as her minor pause became an awkward silence; it was too late to undo the mistake, but that didn't make it too late to apologize anyways. Shutting her mouth, she'd shake her head and regain her composure before clasping her hands together before her and bowing her head slightly. "I'm so sorry!!!" she'd exclaim, face still red with embarrassment, "I didn't mean- that is, I know you said I could, but-" she'd lift her head, unsure of what exactly to even say as an apology. Her gaze would dart around nervously while she took her own tail into her grip as it lift, petting it unconsciously as she tried to think of what to say.

"W-We're in public and all-" That wasn't it, that had some weird implications which only caused Zuqetta would become ever more flustered, "A-anyways, I'm sorry!" she'd say again, shooting the woman a stern, puffy cheeked gaze, "You shouldn't let people pet your tails so easily!" she'd scold, keeping her own tail close to her chest, "It's- I mean, I'm Zuqetta... by the way." she'd finally introduce, her veering away slightly as she tried to calm down from the experience.

Zuqetta would first begin to feel at ease with Rinako's words; despite the actions taken, the fox girl didn't seem too off put by any of it. A small sigh of relief would escape from Zuqetta as she calmed herself momentarily, only for that calm to steadily begin to fade as Rinako with on. What Rinako had meant as a joke, Zuqetta had taken entirely the wrong way. Zuqetta would steel herself, attempting to hold back any intense reaction, though her fluster wasn't quite so easily contained. With passerby's looking on curiously, some even hearing Rinako's words and muttering with their companions, Zuqetta would waste no time in taking hold of Rinako's hands and giving a rather excited nod of her head.

"Friends! Absolutely!" She'd exclaim with a bright smile; though when Rinako wasn't paying too close attention, would shoot a rather intense glare towards those who threatened to approach.

What is she saying!? Zuqetta would think, her mind in a mild panic, Sayin' stuff like that out loud? And around all these... BRUTES!! She'd continue, her gaze piercing towards those who thought of walking up to ask Rinako the same as she'd done; each would turn away however, feeling the murderous intent that oozed from Zuqetta towards them. That kinda stuff... Ven said that's s'pose ta be private stuff, you don't just-

Zuqetta would shake her head, trying to ignore the rather excitable thoughts that were coming to mind. She'd look back up toward Rinako with a determined expression, her misunderstanding of the woman's words causing her to think of the fox as being on the more pure and naive side. It was clear, she'd have to protect this fox from the unsavory that would take advantage of her kindness, lest the worse happened! Resolved to her choice, Zuqetta would clasp Rinako's hand even tighter, giving her a hearty shake before speaking up.

"Well it's nice ta meetcha Rin!" she'd say enthusiastically, quickly forming a plan to remove Rin from the street-side's more hostile environment, "Plant doesn't often get visitors all things considered!" she'd say with a light laugh, "Whatcha doin' hangin' 'round here-?" she'd ask, before "suddenly" having a realization, "Oh! Hey, how 'bout we go to a crepe shop I know! You can tell me all about your visit there!" she'd say insistingly so, lightly tugging to guide Rinako away by the hand she still held; all part of the plan!

Zuqetta stayed alert towards any miscreants of uncouth individuals who might attempt to chat the duo up; thankfully she'd gotten her name an appearance out through Sadala well enough through fights, flyers and general word of mouth to keep most away. those that didn't keep their distance, would find a sudden telekinetic hold on their tails as they were quickly yanked and tossed away, hopefully before Rinako could notice anything. As the two walked, Rinako's reaction would help to calm Zuqetta a bit; sweets were certainly something she could get behind and she'd pick up the pace as she led Rinako away from the scrupulous.

"Hehe, you're in luck then, 'cause these are directly copied from Earth!" Zuqetta would explain, "People like ta think that Saiyans are all just punchy-punchy, stab-stab-" she'd remark, making gestures with her fists, "-but that's just because the minority is the loudest. Saiyan's aren't much different from any other." she'd say with a light pout, her mind clearly distracted by a past conversation with others she'd prefer to forget, "We've got farmers, and traders, butchers, bakers, treasurers- all kinds of things! Not everyone is a soldier or warrior!" she'd continue, leading Rinako around a street corner and into a rather wide ally lined with stalls akin to a market area.

"I won't lie, most Saiyan's tend ta react pretty aggressively ta things, but can ya blame then!? With so little vegetation on our side of the planet, its always so hot! Not ta mention growin' plants is difficult, the rain has ta be treated 'cause it's so acidic, and then foreigners tend ta always have the same stereotypical misconception! It sucks!" she'd say with a huff, finally bringing Rinako to a rather quaint stall with a small line where the two could wait to place their order, "Hmhm, but I'ma change all that, just ya wait and see!" she'd say excitedly, mostly to herself before turning her attention back towards Rinako properly while they waited in line.

"Anywho, curb your expectations! I think the crepes here are pretty great, but can't say the same for you if ya like the ones from Earth alot." she'd say with a sage-like nod, "My experience with the ones on Earth were... they were tasty, but small, lots of fruit and that wrap doughy stuff was thin." she'd explain, her arms crossed and head tilted as she tried to recall her one experience, "This shop tried ta copy them, but we lack a lot of ingredients here as you can imagine, so less fruit, more delicious ice-cream~ uhh, oh, and the dough is super thick and chewy!" she'd finish, her face bright with excitement as the line steadily began to move.