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It was early in the afternoon following the Trials. The closing ceremony had been a fiasco, with sonic mages drowning out the crowd's whistles and boos with canned applause. Marceline had no love for Perrence and its aggressive brand of nationalism, but they had a right to be angry and, at the end of the day, the academy's corruption had been laid plainly bare for all to see. Then, portals had opened and people had gone home, but not all of them. A solid half had stayed and would be here for at least another couple of days.

Some would be at the party. In fact, almost everyone who was someone would be. That was why she was here, in Zarina's backyard, setting up tables. The pets were playing. The sky threatened rain just enough to make her apprehensive, and that, in turn, was enough to make her forget her greater apprehension. She and Tku had baited the bull during the auction. Juulet would be coming for her at some point. She had all of the pieces ready. Now, she just needed to put them into place and execute the plan. She turned to Zarina. [color=598527]"So, what did we need from The Groove, again?"[/color] she asked, [color=598527]"I'm probably gonna head there once the tables are done."[/color] She glanced up at the clouds for a moment and then back at her friend.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Uhh, like, the power to conquer the sun. And maybe some magic wine.”[/color] answered Zarina as she was rehearsing the roles of her animals for the party. Always keen on putting the family to work in the traditional Virangish style, it seemed her past experiences were transferable to the education of beasts. [color=#E5E4E2]“If you can find some helper demon, or somehow bring a small ab here for a quick energy boost, I'm game too. But otherwise? I just need more Champagne, mi hermana.”[/color]

Osman's training was paying off, and as Marci was preparing for her departure, a successful delivery of wine and shrimp-on-cream biscotti was made. The confused mollusk had its beady, dark eyes look up to Marci expectantly.

Quickly, still bustling about, Marceline responded in kind to Zarina's teasing remarks. Then, ambushed as she was about to leave, she reached into the little pouch she'd taken to carrying around for Domino and pulled out a treat for Osman. [color=598527]"I guess you've earned this, huh, little guy?"[/color] She nodded in Zarina's direction and hurried upstairs, bounding the steps two at a time. It came with an ease and agility she could not have imagined two years prior when it seemed as if she were headed for a short life mostly spent confined to a wheelchair. 

She made her way to her desk, caught her breath, and grabbed some paper and a quill. Dipping it in ink, she began writing.

[quote][i]Dear Zarina,

The first thing I want to say is sorry. I'm writing this because I don't know how to say it to your face and I'm worried that you'll try to stop me if I do. You're probably standing outside of our secure deposit box doing the weekly pickup right now. When you get home, we'll talk. Until then, I ask that you listen. 

By now, there's a good chance that Juulet is either dead or there was an attempted murder against her. That was me. I didn't do it out of hot-blooded anger or some sense of justice. I didn't ask others, except for Fiske, to get involved, because I didn't want to put them in danger. In this case, the less that you knew, the safer you were. You've... always been the big wing under which I've nestled, the big sister protecting me, ever since we met. I never had a blood sister and you're better than any I could've ever asked for anyhow. I didn't tell you nothing because I don't trust you; I'm telling you now because I [u]do[/u].

This was something personal, though, and if I've been caught, then the consequences are mine alone to bear. In short, she murdered Manfred. It was Juulet. Dami knows she's done all manner of horrible things since. She tried to kill Fiske and, I'm quite certain, Xiuyang too but, first, she was there in Mandelein when Manfred, Ismette, and Qasem died. Dory was the only survivor of that ambush and, irrationally, I suspected her at one point. Then Jocasta confirmed that she'd seen Juulet too. Forgiveness doesn't matter here. It's about the danger that she represents. Juulet is a mad dog who needs to be put down, for our collective safety and because she took Manfred from me.

I know there was some speculation as to why I took the items that I did from The Trials and, hopefully, it's clear now why I did: the magic disruptor because, without the Gift, she's just some skinny one-legged girl with a god complex and twisted black heart, and the twenty-five hour copy of myself so that, if she somehow overcame that, it wouldn't actually be [u]me[/u] dying during the ensuing rampage. I'd just have the awful memories from it. Here's hoping that didn't happen. Yes, I'm committing murder. No, I don't do it lightly. Sometimes, bad people need to go away, or be made to, and it doesn't just happen. Good people or, at least, people like me need to do it.

I'm sorry for telling you this way, big sis. I just love you and I was worried you'd try to talk me out of it and I'd listen even though I feel, right now, in my bones so strongly, that she needs to die for what she's done and the threat that she represents. You're just... so good-hearted. You're the best. I mean that, from the bottom of my twisted black little heart.

Love,
Marceline [s]Hoh[/s] Escarra[/i][/quote]

With that, she let it dry for a moment, folded it up, and sealed it in an envelope. She grabbed the keys to the box on her way downstairs, offered a cheery wave goodbye, and issued a promise to be back soon with the goodies. Ten minutes later, she'd left the envelope where it would wait until Lepdes. She took a deep breath, turned about, and headed for The Groove. 

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Zarina stood motionless before the opened letter box she or Marci checked every week or so, although the recent revolution had delayed the habit by a few days. Her eyes were wide, hollow and fixed on the unfolded letter. Her hands became clammy from holding the same position for well over five minutes and her back wasn’t appreciating the posture either. Eventually, as the reality of its contents set into the tired teen’s mind, her hands began to shake and her heart rate skyrocketed.

[i]Marci is Dead.[/i]

That was all that rang in Zarina’s mind. That was the only way to explain what had happened. To suffer another loss in which she was completely powerless was utterly devastating. 

[b]Once again, she could do nothing to save her sister.[/b]

Lethargic, Zarina zoned everything out. The paper fell to her feet and many passersby stared in her direction in silent worry. 

[i]Marci cannot be dead.[/i]

Her next mantra sprang life back into her paralyzed body. She broke the unspoken convention of keeping temporal magic under wraps and brazenly teleported from to the limit of her range until she reached the one place she knew she could find information on Marceline’s whereabouts.

[i]BONK BONK BONK[/i]

The pinkie-side of her fist pounded against the door of the commons dorm many of the Tethered lived in. [color=#E5E4E2]“IZZY! LUISA! FELIX!”[/color] she yelled out with no regard as to how [i]angry[/i] she sounded. [i]Dangerous[/i] even. If she did not get what she wanted there, she had another, far less pleasant lead to exploit.

While Isabella did not live here anymore, Luisa was home. [color=orchid]"Zarina! What is it!?"[/color] The door unbolted itself and the door swung open. Her eyes flicked up and down the unexpected visitor for a second or so, her expression one of worry.

Zarina stared at the wheelchair-bound girl that opened the door. She had the attention of the tenants. Now what?

[color=#E5E4E2]“...”[/color] she needed a moment to catch her breath. [color=#E5E4E2]“Marci ...”[/color] the Virangish's voice was meek and gravelly from the exertion. [color=#E5E4E2]“Do you know where she is?”[/color]

For a moment, Luisa studied her, hands moving from her wheels to her lap and fingers threading themselves together. She swallowed. [color=orchid]"You think she's dead?"[/color] the girl asked with some worry.

Zarina closed her eyes and let her head slump down. [color=#E5E4E2]“Gods, I hope not, Luisa. But something did happen.”[/color] she looked up through her hanging hair toward the girl on two. [color=#E5E4E2]“Something bad. You don't know where she is, then?”[/color] a rhetorical question. She slammed her fist to the door frame, magicless of course. [color=#E5E4E2]“Fuck. I need to speak to Jo, then.”[/color]

[color=orchid]"You [i]should[/i],"[/color] Luisa confirmed. [color=orchid]"Listen, Zazz."[/color] She took a push forward and reached up to rest a hand on the other's forearm. [color=orchid]"I can't just say nothing. I can't leave you in the dark."[/color] She shook her head. [color=orchid]"I don't know much, okay? Marci... messed with that yasoi maniac - I don't know why - and she lost. She's not [i]alright[/i] but she [i]is[/i] alive. Jocasta and Izzy have been looking after her."[/color]

Answers. All kept from her. It felt like betrayal. Wide eyes shot toward Luisa. [color=#E5E4E2]“You all knew. Fucking ...”[/color] she unleashed steam out of her nostrils as a furious scowl took form on her visage. She really wanted to unleash something, somewhere with Luisa as an easy target. But she had an answer, and the girl looked racked by guilt already.

Wordlessly, Zarina turned around and disappeared. Jocasta's was next with twice as many rude knocks on the door.

There was absolutely no answer.

Zarina grit her teeth. Then, for a moment, she actually used her head. A little drawing was in order.

There was nothing out of the ordinary, and then there was so much energy that it felt as if she was under a thousand feet of water. Jocasta appeared behind Zarina and reached out a hand for her. [color=ffdead]"Come in. Sit down. Behave,"[/color] she commanded, [color=ffdead]"and I will tell you what I am allowed."[/color]

Crushed. Utterly so. That was the almighty power of Jocasta.

The respect Zarina had for this woman was immense, but it would never be enough to pardon the condescension she felt in this moment. The angered wildblood had been forcibly pacified, but a look of resentment couldn't be so easily scrubbed off her visage. Still, she took the hand and found the nearest seat to compose herself after taking the Jojo blast.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Where is she?”[/color] she asked plainly, slumped forward with her arms rested over her knees and her chest still heaving.

[color=ffdead]"Safe from prying eyes, where she needs to be right now. Where she's asked to be."[/color] Jocasta answered simply. [color=ffdead]"I'm sorry you weren't told. The world's been a bit crazy this last week and... she's struggling."[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“Prying eyes? Ya'hma. I'm not just some random prying eyes, Jo.”[/color] responded Zarina, indignant. [color=#E5E4E2]“What the fuck happened?”[/color]

Jocasta sighed, opening the door and floating in ahead of Zarina until she was seated in her wheelchair once again. [color=ffdead]"She made a twenty-five hour copy, but those things are exactly alike, down to clothing, thoughts, and impulses. I wasn't aware either until I'd checked."[/color] She pursed her lips and set hands to wheels, twisting halfway to head for the dining room. [color=ffdead]"I think she was convinced that she was the copy. She had a plan. It went awry. Here we are."[/color]

Zarina shook her head. The explanation did not make her feel any better. [color=#E5E4E2]“I want to see her.”[/color] she demanded. [color=#E5E4E2]“I want to be there for her. I need to, Jo.”[/color] she looked up to the Tan-Zeno with a mixture of immense frustration and growing desperation.

[color=ffdead]"First, Zarina, come here."[/color] She turned back and held out her arms for an embrace. [color=ffdead]"I'm sorry for the sudden crush. You were roiling with energy and anger and..."[/color] She paused. [color=ffdead]"I can't take chances anymore."[/color] She waved Zarina in with her hands. [color=ffdead]"Hug me. I need it too. Then we'll talk, okay?"[/color]

The anger was still there. It was [i]painful[/i] to keep it all in. The hesitation to come in for the hug spoke volumes of how she truly felt.

But she still went in, her long arms coiling around the seat-bound blonde and lifted her slightly for a tight embrace. [color=#E5E4E2]“I'm sorry.”[/color] she whispered, mouth and nose buried into Jocasta's shoulder.

[color=ffdead]"I'm sorry too, Zazzy."[/color] She squeezed tightly for a moment and sighed before releasing her friend. [color=ffdead]"I was scared."[/color] She backed up a push and turned. [color=ffdead]"Follow me. We walk and talk."[/color] She glanced over her shoulder. [color=ffdead]"Marceline doesn't want to see you."[/color] She held up a hand to forestall immediate protest. [color=ffdead]"It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her."[/color] She shrugged tightly. [color=ffdead]"She barely wants to see [i]me[/i]."[/color]

Zarina walked with her friend and listened. She kept her head lowered and her eyes narrowed slightly. She focused on every piece of information, and after clarifications and corrections, she found something to pick at. [color=#E5E4E2]“But you still see her.”[/color] she said, bitterly. [color=#E5E4E2]“So does Izzy. Why can't I see her? Even once?”[/color] 

Jocasta took a deep breath and, all at once, she whirled on the spot. She stared up at Zarina, a dozen emotions flashing across her face. [color=ffdead]"She was forced to overdraw."[/color] She glanced down sadly at her lap. [color=ffdead]"You know what that does to tethered, and she [i]is[/i] a tethered, whether she wants to admit it or not."[/color]

Zarina stopped and looked down to meets eyes with Jocasta. [color=#E5E4E2]“You lose yourself faster.”[/color] she confirmed, arms crossed. [color=#E5E4E2]“If you're all doing this then it's much worse than the feet getting prickly.”[/color] she clenched her fists and shook her head. [color=#E5E4E2]“Doesn't change shit, I wanna be there for her. Same way you were.”[/color]

Jocasta took a deep breath and released it, her face regretful. She nodded. [color=ffdead]"She's..."[/color] She glanced to the side and her fingers squeezed the folds of her dress so tightly that it bunched up. Her gaze shot up to meet Zarina's. [color=ffdead]"Like me now, Zarina. She's on two and there's no reversing it and it's ruined her."[/color]

Confronted with the severity of the situation, she stood adamant with only her breathing getting louder - heavier. [color=#E5E4E2]“... All the reason for her sister to be there.”[/color] she turned and began to walk again, stone cold and clearly bottling [i]a lot[/i] inside. [color=#E5E4E2]“Then I'll find that little rat that didn't stop her.”[/color] she muttered with unadulterated rage in her voice.

[color=ffdead]"Zarina,"[/color] came Jocasta's voice from behind her, [color=ffdead]"Do you love Marci?"[/color]

Zarina stopped again. [color=#E5E4E2]“Of course.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]"And so do I."[/color] Jocasta rolled up behind her. [color=ffdead]"Do you [i]trust[/i] our sister?[/color]

Zarina exhaled loudly. [color=#E5E4E2]“After this? I don't know.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]"Do you trust [i]me[/i], sister?"[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“I do.”[/color] Zarina spoke with more confidence. [color=#E5E4E2]“I always did.”[/color]

[center][h3][url=https://youtu.be/FInAE4--d84]♫[/url][/h3][/center]

[color=ffdead]"Then listen to me, okay? Losing half of your body like this -"[/color] She ran the edge of her hand across her tiny waist. [color=ffdead]"Is like nothing you can imagine. It's not just the inability to walk, but basic, bedrock things: your independence as a person, your sense of what makes you... you, your vision of the future and what your life will look like, the way you [i]know[/i] other people see you and how you're [i]always[/i] the one who's different, lower, [i]pitied[/i]."[/color] 

She shook her head. [color=ffdead]"Zarina, I use the Gift to turn myself over in bed and lift my rear off of my seat every hour so that my bones don't poke holes through my skin."[/color] She swallowed and wrapped her arms around herself. [color=ffdead]"And when I forget and they do, or when I break one of those brittle, weak things, like I have at least thrice since we met, I use binding to put myself back together."[/color] She grimaced. [color=ffdead]"But I don't even feel it right away - not until I check every few hours or until I start swelling up. And then there's the pain in my back: constant and agonizing from sitting all day, or how I have to cool or heat myself constantly because my body can't do it."[/color] Her face became awkward, disgusted. [color=ffdead]"I would piss myself and shit myself were it not for the Gift and how I was taught to use it to assist with those... matters."[/color] 

Her cheeks flushed red and, after a moment her eyes flicked up to regard her friend. [color=ffdead]"Those are things people on four don't know, because they don't see them and we tethered don't talk about them. They're things that Marci is coming to terms with, learning her way around."[/color] She shook her head a second time. [color=ffdead]"I shouldn't even be saying this, but I need you to understand that this isn't about you. It's about her shame, her vulnerability, and her embarrassment."[/color] There was a weak shrug. [color=ffdead]"She needs time. She needs space. She needs to find her own answers."[/color] Jocasta swallowed. [color=ffdead]"Around us, she's 'normal'. She has people who know what she's going through, who can help her learn, who she feels won't judge."[/color] She held up a hand again. [color=ffdead]"I know [i]you[/i] won't, but it's perception that matters here and not reality. She loves you, but she can't face you. She can barely face [i]us[/i] as it is, so I am asking you, my best friend, to back off - [i]please[/i] - for her and for me."[/color] 

The restless Zarina grew ever more frustrated with not getting what she wanted. All that mattered was finding Marci, no matter what she had become, and be there for her. Because she was her sister. And she'd move the world for a sister.

But the reality of the situation unfolded right before her under the form of the woman she respected the most. Jocasta's accursed state of existence was the living proof she needed. Zaz's restless legs came to a stop, and eventually she let her rear drop onto the nearest convenient surface. [color=#E5E4E2]“I let this happen. I was so up my own ass handling that Dami-forsaken party to pay attention.”[/color] she wallowed in guilt, jaw clenched and fingers pressed against her skull.

[color=#E5E4E2]“I may not understand, Jo, but you know, right?”[/color] she looked up to her Tethered teacher and best friend. [color=#E5E4E2]“You know I'd do anything for you guys, right? I'd stake my life for you, especially for Marci.”[/color] she shook her head and clenched her fist enough to have her partially mutated claws to dig into her palm. [color=#E5E4E2]“I won't force myself into her life. If she's that determined to cope this way, then I'll respect it. But I ain't gonna do nothing.”[/color] the head shaking increased as blood trickled down her pierced hands. [color=#E5E4E2]“That pathetic rat of a boyfriend of her's - he's fucking done.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]"We needed that party, Zarina."[/color] Jocasta was implacable. [color=ffdead]"Dare I say it may have saved lives."[/color] She glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the kitchen, but twisted back, thinking better of it. [color=ffdead]"And I know how much you care. That's why I both trust you with my very life and know that you need tempering sometimes."[/color] Jocasta's voice became firm. [color=ffdead]"Fiske is a fool and I'm no fan of him either but, if you care for Marci as I do, you know her well enough to know that she'd have done it with or without him and she'd not have been stopped."[/color] Jocasta sighed, casting another tired glance over her shoulder. She threaded and unthreaded her fingers in her lap. [color=ffdead]"She was riding a high: win after win - and starting to believe in the myth of her own invulnerability; the infallibility of her own genius."[/color] She locked eyes with Zarina, searchingly.

With no target to direct her grief and rage, Zarina shifted her gaze with a focus on keeping it toward the floor. The unhealthy clenching did not cease and the breathing only got heavier. [color=#E5E4E2]“You're far too accepting of this situation, Jocasta.”[/color] spoke Zarina with unshaken resolve in unleashing her anger as she met Jo's eyes. The damaged palms had already healed, leaving only rapidly congealing blood on her hands. [color=#E5E4E2]“WE could have stopped her. WE could have changed this, you and me!”[/color] 

The angry teen seemed to be looking for something, and after failing to find anything to put in her hand, she stood up and mercilessly stomped the chair she sat on. She really need to break something in a tantrum. [color=#E5E4E2]“FUCK! That sack of shit could have opened his cocksucking mouth! SOMETHING had to be done! [i]I[/i] could have DONE something!”[/color] and after a show of brutality and releasing far more anger than stemmed just from this specific predicament, she fell on her rear and his her eyes. She was crying.

Jocasta reached down and swung her feet from their footrest. No sooner had they thumped limply upon the floor than she had pushed herself to perch at the edge of seat. Clumsily, she levered herself onto the ground beside Zarina, wrapping both arms around her from the side. [color=ffdead]"Feels unsatisfying, doesn't it?"[/color] she admitted. [color=ffdead]"Fuck, I know it does."[/color] Idly, she stroked Zarina's hair, combing some of the tangles out of it, but she wasn't as gentle as she might've been had not some anger sparked inside of her as well. [color=ffdead]"Would be so much easier to [i]hurt[/i] someone for this and, for the record, I swear to you that I will rip Juulet limb from fucking limb."[/color] She squeezed a bit tighter and, even without magic, her arms were strong. Then, she pulled back. 

[color=ffdead]"But Marci's alive. She survived something that, by all rights, should've killed her. You know I haven't sugarcoated any of what comes next, but we tethered have the Gift. We can manage, and she will too. Just... be ready for her. Don't treat her any differently when she's back but don't like... avoid it: her... disability."[/color] Jocasta shrugged awkwardly. [color=ffdead]"It's not always an easy balance to strike, but I think you'll get it."[/color] She managed a supportive smile. [color=ffdead]"You have a way with people, and it's just Marci, after all: cute lil' shit that she is."[/color] 

Sitting beside Zarina, Jocasta straightened, pushing her bottom off of the floor for a few seconds. [color=ffdead]"At the end of the day, she's her own person and made her own poor decisions. The past few days, when I haven't been busy risking my neck for some change around this place, I've been watching over her, and everything that's run through your head, well... It's run through mine too."[/color] She shrugged. [color=ffdead]"I've gone over what I could've done differently so many times I've lost count. I've thought of smashing Fiske's face in for not stopping her. I've been angry at [i]you[/i], to be honest, but this is nobody's fault but hers, much as we both love her, and that evil bitch Juulet's."[/color] 

Jocasta sighed, nervously tucking some hair behind an ear. [color=ffdead]"I know I maybe sound insensitive or apathetic. I'm sorry if I'm not validating your rage well. We all need that. I've just... had longer to think at this point and come out on the other side of it.[/color] She took a deep breath and released it. [color=ffdead]"Ahn-Dami punished Marci for a mistake, but Vyshta spared her life."[/color] She posted her weight on one arm and leaned to the side. [color=ffdead]"Our sister will be okay. She isn't right now - she feels stupid, broken, and shocked - but she [i]will[/i] be, I promise, and she'll come back to us. She'll come back to [i]you[/i]. I trust that little Brandæble. She'll sort it out. Okay?"[/color]

Copious amounts of sobs, tears and snot had to be go through before Zarina composed herself. Jocasta's delicate handling of the situation paid off, even if time was the biggest actor in making the young dragon run out of energy to spare for wallowing. She had held onto her blonde friend quite tightly until they were made to part.

Brushing her face from the unflattering mess of mucus and dried tears, she looked up to Jo with red and still quite damp eyes. [color=#E5E4E2]“Fuck, I'm a moron.”[/color] she spoke like there was something stuck in her throat. [color=#E5E4E2]“I was gonna do the exact thing she did. Take out my rage on someone and have it backfire somehow.”[/color] she shook her head while aggressively rubbing her left eye with the bottom of her palm. Sniffles. [color=#E5E4E2]“I just wanna see her, y'know? It's ... It's a lot, after everything that's happened.”[/color]

The still whimpering teen reached her hand out to hold Jocasta's without ever pulling her in. It was merely to have a connection with someone - to feel someone she trusted. [color=#E5E4E2]“I can't lose more. Not after Miret, and Tommy, and now Marci ... Even if it's not forever.”[/color] she clenched the hand just a little. [color=#E5E4E2]“It's why I'm asking you to not go after that psycho. If she comes for us, we'll deal with it. But ...”[/color] her second hand cupped the back of Jo's hand. [color=#E5E4E2]“I don't want to lose more people that I cherish. Especially not for wretched nations, old power mongers or foreign monsters.”[/color]

Jocasta didn't quite know what to do, so she simply hugged back. When they finally separated, she breathed deeply, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and forced a reassuring smile. [color=ffdead]"I'll speak with her, when she's up to it. For what it's worth, I agree that it isn't healthy for her to be shutting everyone out like this. I think she'll come around soon, even if we don't exactly see her around campus for a bit."[/color] Jocasta shrugged. [color=ffdead]"It's just a big adjustment - a lot to learn."[/color] 

For a moment, they lingered there in silence. Then, came the second part. [color=ffdead]"I'm a target as long as I live, Zaz. That's the nature of it."[/color] She sighed nervously. [color=ffdead]"But I can promise that I'll never make any unnecessary enemies. My wild days are done. I'm with you. Okay?"[/color]

fter a few deep breaths, Zarina appeared to be coming to. There even was a trace of a smile when she looked back into Jocasta's eyes. [color=#E5E4E2]“I won't lie, I kinda need her too. I don't have the patience to keep Zeno Bucks family friendly on my own.”[/color] she partially joked after a loud sniff. [color=#E5E4E2]“She'll be in my prayers until she's ready.”[/color]

The Virangish then reached for the back of Jocasta's head, just over the nape and pulled her in. Their foreheads met before she spoke. [color=#E5E4E2]“Then when danger steps into our home, we all face it together, yeah? Nothing good ever comes when we wanna bear all those burdens like fairy tale heroes, habibi.”[/color] she turned her head slightly and smooched her sensei's cheek. [color=#E5E4E2]“Thanks for being the voice I needed. I'd be lost and do something terrible otherwise.”[/color] she beamed a genuine grin at Jo. [color=#E5E4E2]“Remember, I'll always be on your side. Just like I [b]promised[/b] back in Torragon.”[/color]

Jocasta returned the small kiss, though she blushed considerably. She gave a small nod to go with it. [color=ffdead]"I know you will."[/color] She breathed. [color=ffdead]"I know and you have no idea how much it helps to have that."[/color] She smiled back. [color=ffdead]"But I never want you to risk yourself for me, okay?"[/color] She swallowed. [color=ffdead]"You and Marci, Ayla, and Yalen: you're good people with bright futures. We stand together -"[/color] 

She snorted at the irony of her word choice, but then continued. [color=ffdead]"If anyone comes to hurt you guys, but I won't have you go out of your way and risk yourself for the monsters who come for me. They're on a whole different level."[/color] She pulled back a bit and flexed her rather impressive biceps. [color=ffdead]"But I'm pretty strong, you know. Right?"[/color] She smiled and reached forward, placing her hands on each of Zarina's shoulders. [color=ffdead]"What I need most is your support, your belief, and to know that you're safe."[/color] She slumped back a bit and sighed. [color=ffdead]"The Gods crafted me as I am for a reason - I have to believe it. There's no two ways about it: I stand out and I'm not about to let that strength go to waste. I'll be the next Hugo Hunghorasz if that's what's needed, and I'll do better than he ever did."[/color] A determined look came over her face. [color=ffdead]"Fairytale time, suunei!"[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“Fairy tale time, Sensei!”[/color] dragon Zarina just smirked at her. [color=#E5E4E2]“... I'll get you a new chair, promise.”[/color]