<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://s300.photobucket.com/user/SociallyToxicBeauty/media/f9baa897-e285-4e2a-92b5-e0eb263a67ea.jpg.html"></a><a class="postlink" href="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/SociallyToxicBeauty/f9baa897-e285-4e2a-92b5-e0eb263a67ea.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #408000"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Alida</span></span></span></div><br/>Alida was absolutely overjoyed to see Marmalade. So much so that, once again, Marmalade could do no wrong---even if he did assault her lover. "Marmi!!!" she exclaimed, her eager hands pulling Marmalade away from Izu, the sound of his claws detaching audibly. Marmalades claws instantly detracted the moment he was in Alida's arms, his head butting her under her chin while purring.<span style="color: #408000">"My sweet precious baby,"</span>Alida cooed, her finger reaching out to gently scratch the stubby little thing's ear.<br/><br/>The entire time Hest was inching closer and closer with some sort of fascination for the tiny creature.<span style="color: #FF8000"> "So, this is Marmalade... What does it do?"</span>he finally asked, his face incredibly close to Marmalade's. Alida drew back some as she felt Marmalade's heckles rise with Hest's intrusive behavior.<span style="color: #408000">"I do not think being right on his being is a good idea. Marmalade is a little....cautious of other's outside of Izu and me,"</span>she explained while the agitated cat began to emit a threatening growl. The green haired woman took a step back to comfort Marmalade and to avoid Izu's scratched up fate befalling onto Hest.<span style="color: #408000"> "He is just a little creature, is all. He is very sweet and cuddly if he gets to know you---but otherwise, he is a bit hostile,"</span>she admitted a little bashfully. She always insisted the cat was a gently creature and would never hurt a soul, but that was usually to Izu and it was usually after Marmalade was aggressive towards the man.<br/><br/>But she had a feeling Hest would try to eat Marmalade if he attacked. She wasn't sure, but she felt like that was probably a solution he would find.<span style="color: #408000"> "We should put Marmalade in my room for the time being. I doubt he wants to be at a loud festival,"</span>she stated, already pulling away from the group and heading back to her room. It didn't take her long to deposit the cat and she had come back within a minute or two.<br/><span style="color: #408000"><br/>"Shall we go?" </span>she asked, looking towards the two men.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~Time Skip~ <br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s300.photobucket.com/user/SociallyToxicBeauty/media/73ff0a74-992c-491c-a6a2-745c5893625b.jpg.html"></a><a class="postlink" href="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/SociallyToxicBeauty/73ff0a74-992c-491c-a6a2-745c5893625b.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #0000BF">Yehuda</span></span></div><br/><br/>Izu had seemed a bit in awe when Alida guided them to the festival. There were twinkling lights everywhere--all of them different sorts of bugs and small creatures. Along with the glowing specks in the air, there seemed to be music and singing coming from all directions causing a tribal-esque beat to fill their ears. A large fire was in the center of it all, males and females dancing around it both in the air and on the ground. Everyone had armbands, but they were of different materials--none of which were gold or silver. Fruits, vegetables, and even meat were piled upon the tables, goblets and pitchers accompanied plates, while people passed around the herb Alida had informed Izu of earlier.<br/><br/>There was much more going on, but Alida hardly registered it as she was used to the festivals of her people.<br/><br/>Alida looked somewhat longingly at the fire, wishing to dance with the others. However, a primal fear seemed to spread in her chest as she looked at it, flashes of the attack entering her mind. She shook her head as she felt Izu's fingers graze her hand and she looked up at him with a reassuring smile. It was fine, she told herself, she would just dance later when the fire was...less fiery.<br/><br/>It was then that Yehuda appeared, his dark hair and piercing white-blue eyes stared into her. His presence surprised her as she had not noticed him until he was right in front of her. She wasn't even sure which direction he had stepped out of. She looked back at him apprehensively, his own aura seemingly apprehensive as well.<span style="color: #0000BF">"Alida..."</span>he started, ignoring Izu's presence entirely. Alida took in a breath, wondering what the hell Yehuda could possibly need to speak to her about.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0000BF">"I am sorry." </span><br/><br/>A whoosh seem to come out of her and she was a bit surprised. Yehuda was a bit more prideful than most in her world, so she was genuinely surprised by his apology. The surprise seemed to turn into automatic acceptance and happiness. Here Yehuda was admitting his mistakes. She was proud of him for that.<span style="color: #0000BF"> "I am very happy that you found a connection. I was just disappointed, as who wouldn't be losing the chance with such a beautiful and intelligent creature..." </span>His hand came up and cupped her cheek gently and he kissed her other.<span style="color: #0000BF">"All the happiness to you and yours, Alida," </span>he whispered. Alida gave an automatic reply, leaning back some,<span style="color: #0000BF">"All the happiness to you and yours,<span style="font-style: italic"> brother</span>." </span>Yehuda seemed to pause, but only barely as he pulled away. There was something akin to hurt in his eyes, but Alida could not see it as she tried to avoid his gaze. Calling him brother was the only way she knew to make boundaries clear. He apologized and he said he was happy for her, but she also knew that she needed to say it out loud for all three of their sake's.<br/><br/>Yehuda then looked to Izu and gave a bow of his head,<span style="color: #0000BF">"All the best, Prince Izu."</span>With that, he was gone.