<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/><br/>Alida had been thoroughly enjoying the softness that was Hest, pausing only briefly to hear his complaints about needing to rebrush his fur. She tuned out his rant, her mind only focused on the idea of brushing him herself--she squeezed him tighter, giving an excited eep. Just as she was about to ask if she could brush his hair, he poofed out of her embrace. She blinked once, twice...and then a thud. She turned only to see Hest a few feet away from her, all bent up like a pretzel from Izu's world.<span style="color: #408000">"Oh! Are you okay?"</span>she asked in surprise, though Hest only gave her a glare as he straightened himself up, his hands brushing the dust off.<span style="color: #408000">"You...should let me help you,"</span>Alida suggested, her fingers twitching to touch the soft fur. She restrained herself for the most part, her mind screaming at her that she was being, as Izu would say,<span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="font-style: italic"> "Fuckin' weird."</span></span><br/><br/>At that moment, Izu did speak up--though Alida noticed there was a slight displeasure in his mocking tone,<span style="color: #BF0000"> "Well, Hest...was there something you needed from us?" </span>The creature busied himself with adjusting and folding his wings back.<span style="color: #FFBF40">"No,"</span>he said simply, then added,<span style="color: #FFBF40">"Not yet at least. Eventually I'll need something from this Marmalade that your mate is so fond of."</span>Alida had been slowly creeping forward as Hest was distracted by conversation, but instantly stopped and attempted to look casual every time he turned around to throw glares.<br/><span style="color: #FFBF40"><br/>"...Oh, and like a handful of Blair-berries." </span><br/><br/>Izu gave a nod of agreement when Hest finished his list of supplies,<span style="color: #408000"> "Well, obviously. How could you forget Blair-berries."</span>It seemed Hest was familiar with Izu's type of personality as he decided to simply not respond. At that point Alida was almost directly on Hest, but Izu's eyes briefly caught hers and she paused. It was in that moment she realized she had been so distracted she had been ignoring the almost purposeful tugging of their connection. As she examined Izu's form and the feelings she was receiving, she noted that Izu was annoyed. It wasn't the only feeling she was picking up as there was definitely an emotion that lingered in the background that she was familiar with...but for some reason she just could not pin point it. She had a hard time sifting through Izu's emotions sometimes--they typically collided together and only ever evened out when Izu had a chance to reflect or sit quietly.<br/><br/>Alida needed to try to direct Izu's emotion into a less negative state. She gently stepped around the furry creature and made the short way to Izu, her new position at his side. She placed her hand in Izu's as she stood on her tip-toes to kiss the corner of his mouth. When she retreated she noticed that something shifted in Izu and had a small epiphany that Izu had been jealous. That was what that familiar feeling was. She looked up at the ent that had been anxiously observing the small group. Her lips twitched in amusement for a brief moment, then her attention was back on Izu.<span style="color: #408000">"We shouldn't keep Hest busy if we wish to have Marmalade before the sun fades. Besides, I am sure that the festival will be soon. We should make our way back so we can prepare ourselves..." </span>Alida suggested strongly despite the fact the Festival was at least another two hours away. She needed to make sure that she could find Izu something to wear that he would find suitable and she needed to ensure that he knew some of the more important cultural norms. It was her duty, after all, to help him assimilate into her world.<br/><br/>The small female pulled on her lover's hand, tugging him back towards her home. She purposefully avoided looking at Hest as she called out her goodbye to him, giving a less than enthusiastic wave. Hest seemed to give a huff, though called out his own dismissal. Alida continued her direct path as Izu lazily trailed along with her, both unaware of the ent's intent to follow them all the way back.<br/><span style="color: #408000"><br/>"You know, Izu, you were very calm considering that Hest knocked you down," </span>Alida started. Izu's eyes briefly flicked over to Alida's form and she felt his apprehension.<span style="color: #408000">"I'm proud of you. You didn't even jump his person," </span>she finished finally. Izu let out a huff and attempted to pull his hand away in effort to cross his arms. She refused him escape--her slender fingers tightening,<span style="color: #408000">"Just accept it Izu. I am proud of you." </span>And she was. Izu was a much more patient person than when she first met him. She had a feeling it was because she had tested his patience during the entire duration of them knowing one another and she had only become more obnoxious with her obliviousness when it came to social interaction in Izu's world. There even once was a time when she accepted a "date" at the flowershop because Izu told her it was just when two friends went out. When she informed Izu of the "date" that she was to go to, Izu seemed to briefly shut down and reboot as he processed the information. She learned very quickly that night, after a little bit of confused arguing and a nice romp, that dates were for people to find mates--not make innocent friends.<br/><br/>Alida gave a small giggle at the memory, continuing on their path.<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>It didn't take long to get back. As soon as Izu noticed the Ent following them, Alida suggested they might as well have the Ent take them back since he seemed so intent on being with them. The tall man gave a shrug, neither for or against the prospect---this time, though, the ent secured the two of them to his frame with vines. The entire journey Alida explained Euthalia's more important customs, especially when it came to festivals.<br/><br/>They emerged from the thick forest and golden eyes flicked across Euthalia. The vantage point on the ent allowed for Alida to examine all the true damage to her homeland. It seemed most of the damage had been cleaned up, though the trees and rocks around seemed scarred. She was thoughtful though chose not to dwell on it.<br/><br/>Eventually the ent placed them in front of an opening that Alida had directed him to. She stepped off, Izu following her hesitantly, though relaxing when he realized they were just back in her room. Alida then began undressing, a whoosh of relief filled the air as she whipped her shirt to the ground, followed by her shorts.<span style="color: #408000"> "Will you shed your garments or do you wish for us to find you an alternative?"</span>she asked, a hand on her now naked hip.