Tzirret's mind burned as Ma'tanza got closer. Hearing his feelings get reciprocated was one thing, but he thought his head might explode when she kissed his cheek.

With him still holding onto her loosely, Tzirret sat agape and focussed his stare into Ma'tanza's eyes. He wasn't there anymore, not in a desert or on rocky crags. There was no moon or stars or anything. The only thing he was experiencing was the feel of her soft fur under his hands, her eyes, and the sensation of closing the gap between them. He moved without any further worries haunting him, bringing his arms around Ma'tanza's body, closing his eyes, and pressing his lips against hers.

The fear in Tzirret's mind had gone from worry to thrill at this point. Whether or not Ma'tanza felt the same way, he knew that taking this chance would only have been more difficult later on. Just this once, he had to overcome the limits of his temperament on his own. He did, and it was terrifying.

[hr]
"Ah!" Gallus exclaimed as his wrist was caught out of the air. After a short struggle, Gallus' strength was overcome by better leverage and he was left to ponder just how Ri'vashi knew what his movements would be. Either he was so rusty that he was telegraphing too much, or she had some kind of sixth sense.

"Say what you like, Ri'vashi, but let it be known that you have a better combat instinct than any old coot of an advisor." Gallus said painfully. When he tapped for mercy and was let go, he took a moment to rub his strained arm and loosen up again. "I do not know how you could convince Dro'cahi about prioritising the war, I don't know him. But...it sounds like this attack on the stronghold, if it proves possible, could be an opportunity to prove yourself. Use what you are good at; your keen eye, your reflexes, your intuition, and your training. Then you'll at least have a platform of respect to stand up on. How does that sound?"