<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em>~ Mari, strong feelings towards Nicci's reaction ~</em><br/><br/>It took Mari a few seconds to...realize that something was amiss. Like a love-sick fool, she was still looking at Marcus and wondering if their first time would be as explosive as their kiss. She had been left...breathless, her body practically throbbing with desires that she knew were too soon to express. But it was the shift in mood that quickly snapped her out of her dreamland and brought her down to realize that Nicci needed her.<br/><br/>Well...not exactly needed her, but when Marisol said someone tearing it, it automatically kicked her protectiveness into gear. She shifted just a little bit, enough to turned towards Nicci and while she continued to hold Mila's hand, she reached out and gently cupped Nicci's cheek. "Hey," She smiled softly, the look in her eyes tender as she caressed the woman's soft cheek. She made sure to only look at Nicci, to only focus on her new friend as she murmured, "You're okay. This is all...new to us." She smiled softly as she whispered, "A little bit scary...and unsettling...but...we're all in this together. Every last one of us."<br/><br/>And even though Mari didn't look at everyone else, she felt like she was right. They all wanted this just as much as the other person. Leaning forward, she continued to look into Nicci's eyes until at the last minute she closed her eyes and pressed her lips gently to Nicci's, offering a gentle kiss of comfort. It lasted but a few seconds, but through it all, Mari continued to hold Mila's hand, keeping their bond of one another connected.<br/><br/>Pulling back just a bit, she gently brushed an imaginary lock behind Nicci's ear and whispered, "You're strong. You're beautiful. And I know it's...it's a lot." <em>But it's how it has to be</em>. She didn't say it, but it was in her eyes.</span>