[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img] [b]&[/b] [h2]Kimble[/h2][/center] It was a calm night in Penrose when Kimble had decided to take Alicia on a date. The former catgirl had kept herself busy with work, trying to distract herself from the incident with Lamashtu, but she finally had decided to take a break. And so the two were now strolling over on the central market street, looking through the windows of the few shops that had remained. Despite all the responsibilities that one had to deal with, Alicia still did what she could to spend time with friends. She’d met with Penny, done what she could to keep from being overwhelmed by the weight of work. Sometimes it had succeeded, sometimes it had not. And through it all she could not escape the lingering frustration and anger at having been denied that final fight with Mariette. [color=8dc73f]”Oh, that hat is pretty!”[/color] Kimble had squished her cheek against the icy glass to take a closer look. To take her mind off that, she was hanging out with Kimble. There was less to do in the devastated city, but hopefully they would turn that around soon enough. Until then, Kimble had decreed that they do some window shopping...Until she ended up getting stuck. [color=8dc73f]”Uh oh...I think I need help, Alicia!”[/color] Standing next to Kimble, Alicia couldn’t help but snicker as the former catgirl became fixed to the glass pane. [color=aba000]“How did you even do that?”[/color] Alicia asked as she watched for a moment. She’d heard of people getting their tongues stuck to lamp posts, but not windows. Having delighted in her misery for a few moments, Alicia would help her out. Glancing around, she used her Light magic to heat up the glass window so Kimble could pull her cheek free. [color=aba000]“Are you alright?”[/color] she asked. Hopefully it wasn’t too harrowing of an experience, even if it had happened at the expense of her dignity. Kimble shook her head after she was released, and giggled a bit. [color=8dc73f]”I’m fine. As long as you’re around, I have nothing to be afraid of...Even mommy,”[/color] she responded, turning more quietly with the last few words. They moved to the next window, which showcased various books. [color=8dc73f]”Alicia...Have you ever had a fight with someone? Not like a regular fight, but...One with a person you cared about?”[/color] Relieved to hear that Kimble was alright, Alicia was more than ready to resume window shopping. She hadn’t seen very much to grab her interest at present. But there was still time for that to change. And she would admit that the faith Kimble placed in her was warming. Especially in spite of all the stuff the city had been through recently. As such, the question took her off guard. Alicia frowned, not sure what inspired it but still determined to treat it as seriously as it deserved. It mattered to Kimble, and that was what mattered. [color=aba000]“The only time I can think of was with Penny. That girl Chloe came back into town for a bit, and really tried to set her against us. Things got pretty tense, though admittedly Penny did try to compromise by splitting her two personalities into different bodies to square the circle.”[/color] She shivered just thinking about it, though the fact that Chloe had skipped town again before it got worse was some relief. Even if it was another thing she had not been able to settle. She flashed a chagrined look to Kimble while scratching the back of her head. [color=aba000]“Sorry I can’t be of much help. I guess I’ve gotten pretty lucky there.”[/color] Kimble frowned, and took Alicia’s hand. [color=8dc73f]”No, it’s fine, Alicia.”[/color] She sighed, and looked down at the ground. [color=8dc73f]”You’ve had your hardships too. But you’ve grown so strong over them. While I...I guess I haven’t changed that much.”[/color] [color=aba000]“You just need to be around more,”[/color] Alicia observed with some amusement. But she quickly left the meta humor behind to return to more serious matters. This was a conversation that Kimble seemed to care about, so she shouldn’t make too light of her. So she continued to maintain a firm grip on Kimble’s hand as she shook her head. [color=aba000]”Anyway, I think ‘strength’ is a bit subjective. I’m not physically the strongest, and I haven’t really gotten the opportunity to personally mete out justice on people. I just have some….strong beliefs, and I was lucky enough to interact with people who respected that sort of thing.”[/color] A sigh followed, as she glanced upwards in reminiscing of her own. [color=aba000]”I think everyone is like that. It’s just a matter of finding what that is.”[/color] Kimble smiled, enjoying Alicia’s touch on her head. [color=8dc73f]“Well, maybe not strong with lifting or punching, but I meant a strong heart. Even when you first went against Justine, you still placed my safety above that. And when other villains have been in sight, you’ve never failed to stay and save those who need saving. I think that’s the sign of a strong person,”[/color] Kimble mused. The two ended up at the city square, where Kimble sat on one of the benches. She looked around, as if to ensure they were alone, before she asked in a soft voice: [color=8dc73f]”So...Do you think what Rachel is doing is right, with the Ascendancy and all?”[/color] [color=aba000]”It’s….complicated,”[/color] Alicia conceded, holding back a grimace as she joined Kimble sitting on the bench. [color=aba000]”I think the role they have is necessary, being able to handle things a normal branch can’t. But I don’t agree with their attitude. It’s just a lot harder to argue that after the Rave.”[/color] She paused for a moment, letting her feelings work through before she could begin to speak again. [color=aba000]”The hardest part right now is figuring out where to go from here. I can’t exactly just tell her what to do. But no, I don’t agree with her most of the time.”[/color] Kimble nodded, and placed a hand on Alicia's knee. [color=8dc73f]”Yeah, I know how that feels. When I first joined Beacon, I wasn't sure what to do either. Everyone kept staring at me like I was a stray animal who wandered into the office."[/color] She clutched at her woolly cap, as if reaching for her former feline ears. [color=8dc73f]”But whenever I felt bad about it, I remembered my promise to make a real change, and I kept working hard. Things aren't going to change by just being a bystander. I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you could do really big things, Alicia. A lot of people here respect you, and trust in you. You just have to realize that."[/color] She turned quiet after that. [color=8dc73f]”I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry. I just want you to know you can be more confident in yourself."[/color] [color=aba000]“It’s fine,”[/color] Alicia replied, shaking her head as she leaned back in her seat. [color=aba000]“Though I’m not sure how we got here. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one bringing up your mood? You did get roughed up pretty bad during that fight.”[/color] Kimble giggled. [color=8dc73f]”The medics over at Beacon did a good job healing my injuries, so I’ll be fine."[/color] She then kissed Alicia’s cheek, a blush on her cheeks. [color=8dc73f]”Besides, getting to spend some time with you is all the healing I’d need."[/color] [color=aba000]“Nope, I refuse,”[/color] Alicia declared, shaking her head firmly even as she blushed from the kiss a bit. [color=aba000]”I am going to pamper you at least a little and you are going to like it. Understand?”[/color] It was the least she could do given how few and far between these sorts of opportunities were. Kimble was surprised by Alicia’s assertiveness, and she became visibly flustered. [color=8dc73f]”O-Okay, Alicia."[/color] She then giggled a bit. [color=8dc73f]”Now you’re starting to get it~"[/color]. Kimble’s encouragement earned an eye roll from Alicia as she grinned.[color=aba000] “Don’t push it,”[/color] she replied, nudging Kimble’s shoulder with her own. These were hardly similar situations, despite the efforts to create some sort of equivalence between them. But for now she’d prefer to focus on something else rather than her difficulties as head of Penrose Beacon. The next question that arose to her mind was what they should do next. Were this a normal winter, she’d have suggested going to see the shopping mall trees, but that was not in the cards with the state of the city. That was when an idea occurred to her. It might not be a romantic movie, but it could work nonetheless. [color=aba000]“How about we go ice skating?”[/color] she offered. It might not be pampering by itself, but it could lead into that in her opinion. Kimble’s eyes lit up. [color=8dc73f]”Oh, I would love that. Let’s go!"[/color] Soon enough they found themselves at the ice skating rink; it was the very same place where Alicia first had her meeting with the forces of the Ascendancy. Any cracks in the ice that were made on that day have since frozen over, replaced by the sight of some people ice skating around in a circle. After the two rented some skates, Kimble had put hers on, and slowly slid over to the ice. She was visibly struggling to keep her balance, her arms held out from her sides. [color=8dc73f]”Y-Yikes, this is diffi-Aaah![/color] She slipped on the ice, about to fall down when Alicia caught her. Returning to the ice rink, Alicia was not surprised to find that there was no sign of anything that had happened here before. Just happy normal people, skating or trying to skate. Leading the way, Alicia rented them some skates and made her way over to the ice. It had been a while, but she was getting back into it. Kimble seemed to be having more trouble, abruptly losing her footing and causing her to fall. Luckily Alicia was there to grab her, first by the arm and then wrapping a supportive arm around her waist for now. [color=aba000]“I thought cats were supposed to have a great sense of balance,”[/color] she teased, eventually letting go once she was sure Kimble would not immediately fall. [color=8dc73f]"Well, I'm sure even cats have trouble on ice,"[/color] Kimble responded, holding onto Alicia as she steadied herself. [color=8dc73f]"Besides, I'm no longer like that, Alicia. I quit the life of a monster."[/color] She eventually managed to keep herself up, and made a simple slide forward. [color=8dc73f]"Now it's working...Oh, it's just like riding the wind."[/color] She smiled, and took Alicia's hand. [color=8dc73f]"This is really fun."[/color] Alicia made sure to keep Kimble close, not doing anything sudden that would cause her to fall again. It made things a bit more difficult, but she didn’t mind. Not with this company. They moved in a wide circle around the outside of the ice rink, staying clear of people for now [color=aba000]“Sorry,”[/color] she apologized with a small wince. [color=aba000]“Do you want me to stop making jokes like those? I didn’t mean to be insensitive about things you’d rather move past.”[/color] Still, Kimble’s realization earned a happy nod from her companion. [color=aba000]”Exactly. Once you get past that initial part things becomes easier.”[/color] [color=8dc73f]”It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean it,”[/color] Kimble responded. [color=8dc73f]”If you want to, you can continue to make jokes like those. I know I’ve made plenty of terrible puns, haha~”[/color] She giggled, and enjoyed the time the two spent together; gradually, Kimble learned to skate without Alicia’s assistance, and made a graceful spinning jump. [color=8dc73f]”By the way, I heard from Sally that you two were going to the Christmas party. Could I come too?”[/color] She asked. [color=aba000]“Alright. Well, if you’re okay with it,”[/color] Alicia mused. She’d at least try to cut back on the amount of cat jokes. Though having thought about it that was low hanging fruit anyway. She could use this as an excuse to improve her game. Alicia was not as much into the jumps, but she nonetheless spun and made quick turns as she followed Kimble on the ice. They stayed close though, even if they were no longer holding on to each other. Alicia regarded Kimble with a warm smile in response to her question. [color=aba000]“Of course. It’s for Christmas, why would I stop you?”[/color] That wouldn’t exactly be in the spirit of things. Kimble’s smile beamed like the sun. [color=8dc73f]”Yay! I’ve never been to a Christmas celebration before, so this is great! Thank you, Alicia!”[/color] She went up to Alicia and hugged her, causing the both of them to spin in place. She snuggled up to Alicia and looked up to her. [color=8dc73f]”Do you think anybody from the Ascendancy would want to join too?”[/color] Alicia’s smile warmed all the more with Kimble’s open affection. She might not have succeeded in keeping the city safe from looming evils, but she could at least take pleasure in moments such as these. What else would she have, if not that? [color=aba000]“I thought about going to get a Christmas tree for Beacon, but we can always do that later,”[/color] she mentioned with a laugh. [color=aba000]“They’re gonna want to celebrate after everything that’s happened over the past couple of months.”[/color] The mention of the Ascendancy earned a hum of thought. [color=aba000]“FanFan definitely, maybe Leena if she’s back on her feet. Past that I’m not sure. Maybe Elora? Or the twins? I know I’m obligated to ask Rachel out of respect, but who knows if she’s willing to attend.”[/color] Honestly, it was up in the air whether the Ascendancy girls could tear themselves away from working to go to a party held by Dan. [color=8dc73f]"That sounds good,”[/color] Kimble responded. She kissed Alicia's cheek. [color=8dc73f]”Thank you for being there for me and bringing me to places, Alicia. I promise I'll always be there for you too.”[/color] After a moment Alicia returned the kiss, only blushing a little bit from the public display of affection. [color=aba000]“Don’t worry about it. I’d be a poor girlfriend if it was just work all the time.”[/color] There were things to do, things to worry about. But all that was in the future. For now, the duo skated on.