Walking Disasters and Me Reunion – Ch 138

The petal tickles my nose as my eyes go cross-eyed while I stare at it, the urge to sneeze rising up within as Akiko gives a soft chuckle from above. "Cute~." She praises before lifting the offending foliage from its perch on the tip of my button nose. The playful energy present but still subdued after... well, after everything we just went through together. I give a faint smile in return, knowing that while both of us may be healing. That we both have things we need to work on, separately and together. I can feel that the bond between us ca out stronger in the end for it.

A wonderful reassurance on its own, but needed all the sa. I close my eyes again, lulled into a calm and peaceful hum as Akiko strokes my hair and blankets with her tails. Both of us content to stay cuddled together wordlessly until the sun begins to give its parting rays, making way for the dazzling rings and moon overhead. At so point, so system ssages filter through, but my sleepy and comfortable mind simply ignores them for now~.

I'm stirred from my half sleep, half dream state by a rustling from Akiko. "Gerra should have made dinner by now, my love. Do you want to co and eat? I think we both could use the company of our companions, and they are eager to see you. To verify your wellbeing with their own eyes and senses." She says softly, the petting continuous as her tails wave lazily against .

"I... I don't know... I'm not sure if I'm ready to see Sam again..." I mumble against her tummy after turning my head into it. Her fresh fragrance filling my mind and helping to ease my worries, sowhat.

"I understand." Akiko once more coos out in a kind, gentle tone. "I shall have Gerra make a plate for you and bring it to your room. Unless you wish for to deliver it?"

"N-no... Ugh... I don't know..." I sigh out frustratedly. "I do want to see them. All of them, even Sam. But just thinking about trying to talk to her again so soon is just... terrifying. But I know they're worried, and rightfully so. So I feel bad if I brush them off. And I don't want to exclude Sam or sothing either..." Well, much as things change they seem to stay the sa, sort of. At least now I know for certain my desire to see them even if it makes scared isn't based on so placent of value or sothing. I genuinely do want to see them. But... yeah. Terrifying.

"Hmm..." Akiko hums as she shifts effortlessly into a carry, my legs wrapping around her waist and arms around her neck like a child as we still sit on the bench. "I do not think they will mind waiting another night. Or until you are ready. But, if you can marshal courage, I am sure you will find their company healing in and of itself. And if it becos too much, the trepidation too great, I can escort you back to your room. No bother, no fuss."

It's my turn to hum as I nestle my face against her neck and hair, the silver ribbons shielding from the outside world as I ponder. "Okay... I... I'll try. At the very least, I can reassure them that I'm okay. Well, not okay necessarily yet, but you know what I an."

The kitsune nods agreeably, raising us off the bench as she pats my back comfortingly. "I do~. Just do as much as you feel secure in, Alia. The girls will understand. Just seeing your adorable face will be more than enough to ease their hearts."

As Akiko ferries us toward the kitchens, I use the allotted ti to prepare ntally. It helps imnsely that Akiko has willingly accepted her position in what happened, the burden of guilt shifting and sliding its rcurial weight between us now instead of solely on like I initially wanted it. Making the nervous fear of seeing Jun Li and Gerra again lessen considerably, even though its still an intimidating prospect.

But for Samantha? My heart races as I squeeze onto Akiko at the thought of interacting with her again. Mind torn on how to even approach such an encounter. Do I try to act normal? Ios seems to think that Sam sees what happened in a different way. An opinion brought about by the woman's own words, no less. But does that give the excuse to... brush off what occurred? Even if she forgave , or holds a kinder view on the matter? How much do I let the regret and the hurt that I see as my own and Sam's feelings on things influence how I interpret what happened?

I groan internally at the imagined scales of such a problem. The weight of my own views, beliefs, and painful interpretations opposed and weighted by the sa of Samantha. I know its not fair - to either of us - to let those odds tilt heavily in one direction or the other. Symbolizing the loss of agency and importance for whoever is on the raised tal dais. But at the sa ti, I don't know what that balanced middle ground between us even looks like.

The situation so extre, so different from anything I've ever done before. Sothing I never thought myself ever capable of. And... In a way, I am growingly seeing that notion as true still, the enraged version of and I are separate. But it doesn't change the fact that it still happened. And now I have to navigate how to claw my life back to normal from it. I guess the real question is whether or when do I let the other person that was the victim in this help with that. And how do I help her in turn, if she needs or wants to.

I sigh as I tuck into Akiko more. My wrapped embrace being t with affectionate tail presses and gentle pats to my back with her hand as she carries along at a leisurely pace. I suspect she is doing so to give ti to get my mind right, which is greatly appreciated. Although I doubt all the ti in the world would truly be enough to prepare myself. So things just need to be faced and confronted before you can move forward... And this sure as shit counts as one of those things...

Our lackadaisical stroll cos to an end all too soon, the scents of fresh grilled ats and spices wafting from the still closed doors and filling the hallway with its alluring aroma. Akiko gives a kiss to the cheek, her chilly lips making a small blush co to heat my skin before she sets back down to the ground. A tail coming to gingerly wrap around my waist as her hand slides into mine.

She turns to look down to , nothing but kindness and understanding - deeper now than it ever has been - as she says, "We will stay as long as you feel comfortable with, my love. Rember, everyone on the other side of these doors loves and cares for you. No judgent or scorned glances will be found once we cross this threshold. You are safe and among friend and family here, if you wish to see it in such a manner."

I wordlessly nod back, not trusting my words as my body trembles regardless of how much I try and calm myself down. Akiko likely not even needing the bond to feel and sll the fear wafting off , juxtaposed with the scents and warmth radiating from the room in front of us. She squeezes my hand softly, raising the other to open one of the large, oaken doors and bring us into the room. My free hand gripping the life preserver that is her tail around my waist in a vice as I shakily follow in behind her.

We ander through the recently used space, the violet and orange of the parting sun lights the courtyard beyond the kitchen in its glow. There, the table is set and prepared as the Gerra and Jun Li patiently wait, their hands seated in their laps as they face back towards the kitchen. Towards the erging forms of Akiko and I.

I regret the ntal sigh of relief at not seeing Samantha here, but it happens all the sa. Just as it happens that both won at the table piled with food stand and walk forward as we approach, the concern and worry plastered on their faces and displayed openly by their bodies. Tails low, dusting the grass beneath them. Eyes subdued with the obvious questions of wellness and empathy. Ears fastened to the tops of their heads.

Gerra seems to be mostly put together out of the two of them. Her usual playfulness gone, but collected in her stance and posture in her usual tank top that exposes her muscled abs and shorts that show off her trim thighs and legs. Jun Li, on the other hand, looks like she is about to physically vibrate out of her body and purple kimono with the needy want to hug . Her keening cry of concern only just managing to be kept securely in her throat as her eyes wobble with the threat of tears.

It's just like Akiko said, I admit. Just seeing them, even from my partially shielded vantage point behind the snow white kitsune as I unconsciously moved behind her, does indeed help ease my worries and tension. And seeing Jun Li in such a state has the weird effect of making want to forget everything and console her, flipping the dreaded dynamic on its head even further.

Akiko gives my hand a squeeze, looking down and back at as I turn up towards her. Her eyes flicking from to the two worried won calmly waiting for any kind of sign. Well, maybe not calmly in the black furred fox's case, but waiting all the sa.

I swallow down a knot of anxiousness, my heartbeat increasing its pace in my ears as I squeeze her hand back and move back to her side properly on trembling legs. Once there, I manage to unclench my grip on Akiko's poor tail around my waist, awkwardly raising the newly freed appendage to give them a little wave and greeting. "H-hi, Gerra. Jun Li."

Gerra's smile is quick as it is comforting, her tugging lips pulling back as she gently replies, "Hi there yourself, little bird."

Jun Li, however, seems barely able to control herself any longer, her shaking body almost mirroring mine as the sorrowful high-pitched cry finally makes its daring escape out of her mouth. Its tone and aning easy to identify as it pierces our ears and she wrings her hands. Gerra, who was standing right next to her, rubs the pink catkin ear closest to the outburst while she winces before turning to the distraught fox woman.

"Damn it, Jun Li. You promised you'd keep it together and not spook her! Get ahold of yourself!" Jun Li turns back to the annoyed face of Gerra, her own responding with trembling lips and puppy dog eyes that threaten to spill over with salty tears. Wait... Fox puppy eyes? Baby fox eyes? Baby fox eyes.

The sight is almost too precious and equally too much to bear. A genuine smile crossing my face at Miss J's antics. I turn to Akiko as the distraught kitsune and worried yet annoyed catkin focus back to , squeezing her hand in an unspoken request that she grants without issue. Her tail slowly glides off my waist as her hand retreats back from my grip, the round and motherly face coming to kiss the top of my head before she takes a step back.

As soon as there is the scantest bit of room, I'm waylaid by a fluffy and furry missile of the purest black fur. Keens and cries and nips and kisses landing on my every part of my face and head. Before said head is rapidly shoved between her breasts and earthy scent, the rest of my body enveloped in her thick, black tails. Like she is trying to shelter from any pain or sadness forever~. Wetness splashing in drips on top of my hair as I hear a muffled sigh with a southern drawl while Jun Li continues the love attack.

"Seriously, Junnie. We talked about this..." The tone is reproachful, but even still I soon feel the warm press of a second body against mine on the ground. A muscular pair of arms crossing underneath my chest while a similarly firm and dexterous single tail wraps and latches around my waist. With a loud, bone rattling purr, Gerra softly apologizes as she presses her head against my back, "Sorry, Alia. I honestly did try to keep this worried girl on her best behavior, but foxes can be quite the emotional and physical creatures as I'm sure you're figurin' out."

I hear a choked cry co from above , still faded due to my head being smushed into one of the most cozy and comfortable places in existence~. "Y-you!!You are j-just as guilty, Gerra! It must be har- *Hic* hard to levy such criticism while you commit the s-sa cri as I am. Besides, *sob* you are just as worried, too!! Look how you cling to her, and your rumbling concern can be felt for miles! S-so I do not want to hear such hollow and d-dishonest critiques! HMPH!"

As if I'm sohow to bla for this odd yet charming confrontation, Jun Li shoves my head even further between her pillows. My nose almost booping against her chest proper as the act of breathing becos... difficult. Still though, the absurdity of their fighting and the undeniable concern is more than effective. In a surprise to all involved, I laugh. A pure, honest exclamation of mirth, one that has been nearly foreign to since waking up from cultivating.

The situation and banter too silly, and too pure, and too heartwarming for my brain to process any longer. Too relieving as they instantly and effortlessly slap away all my worries about seeing them again. Too healing to my tired and recovering heart to deny the joy and comfort they've given . That I needed them to give , even if I was scared and confused on how to ask for it. Even if that fear manifested in a way that worried to see them at all. Another concept dashed and destroyed upon the rocks of their love.

The laughter mixes and molds, shifting its tone and color from vibrant yellows to sapphire blues as the emotional dams once more sunder open. Relieved tears at their continued and painfully obvious love swirling with sobs as I shift underneath them. Pulling my crying face free from Jun Li's jiggling bosom to wrap one arm around each of their necks, dragging their foreheads down to mine as I wordlessly wail out more pent-up emotions now relieved from their prisons.

Tears splashing on my face from both won who also silently maneuver into the changed embrace. The pink tail of Gerra mixing and intertwining with Jun Li's as they both equally comfort . Gerra's strong hand and arm crossing over the daintier one of Jun Li as they cup my face, our three foreheads pressing firmly against each other's. A small keen coming back onto the stage periodically between the kitsune's breaths as the catkin's purr rumbles and shakes the ground beneath us.

Overwheld by the release of so many heavy and twisting emotions, colors intertwining and rging their gradients all across my soul space, I lean forward without thinking. My lips planting heavily and ssily onto Jun Li's who gives a sound of muted surprise before I shift over and do the sa to Gerra. My legs hooking around a single one from each of them as I break the kiss and go back to rubbing my forehead against them.

"T-thank you, both of you." I say out between lingering hitches of breath. The gratitude enough for the mont as both won blink to each other, smile wonderfully, and then squeeze tighter in our tangled wrapping of bodies.

After a few more monts of shared contact, all three of us are picked up by a smattering of white, ice tipped tails. As our feet touch the ground properly once more, postures returning to vertical, Akiko gives each of us a warm, small kiss before she loving looks between our faces. Each of us just as tear stained as the other. "I am glad for each of you, heartened to see the relief pour from your hearts as well as your eyes~. Alia..."

She pauses as she cups my cheek with a hand, her eyes shifting from wistful joy to empathetic concern. "Before we return to the table, would you be anable to Samantha joining us? I know you wished to not exclude her, but the decision is yours. She would understand either way."

I jolt between the grips of the three of them, Gerra's purr returning in force as she grabs one of my hands. Jun Li pressing her cloud soft body tight against as she grabs the other. Akiko feeding as much calming thoughts and emotions through the bond as she holds my face in her hand. All of them doing their best to lift up and support . Akiko's words about family coming back to in that mont. Sothing I've often begun to think of this group as, and sothing that I want with every fiber of my being.

Likely the only thing I want more in this world than the closeness, and love, and belonging that being with all of them give is the return of Sandy. But even then, as a secondary bullet point on my list of wants and desires, it still is trendously important to . So, with that solidified in my mind and with their unwavering support, I gulp and nod my head without speaking. The intent clear enough for Akiko to do the sa in return as the girls comfortingly pat my back, rub my arms, or have their tails gently wave and wrap around .

We stand there for only a few monts, likely just long enough for Akiko to reach the doors. The sa ones that squeak and creak as they open, her footfalls being joined by another set as she begins her return. My heart throbbing near painfully in my chest as my breathing begins to beco unsteady. My hands tightening their grip against the two won at my sides as they unceasingly continue their best attempts to comfort .

I try to keep my twitching eyes still as Akiko returns to view, the three of our combined bodies standing off to the side so that we cannot see deeper into the kitchen. Akiko yet again gives a kind look and calming emotions as she moves into the courtyard. Her hand trailing behind her as it turns out to be guiding the last mber of our group into the grassy clearing and into view.

As Samantha cos into view, my breath hitches. Her hair is tied up in a bun that sits on the crown of her head, a few tasteful ribbons of her curly blonde hair coming to dangle at the sides of her face. She wears a silver and gold kimono that borders on becoming a traditional dress, the hems of it flaring out and nearly reaching her ankles. Her free arm wrapped across the belt of fabric at her waist.

The usual air of confidence that surrounds her vacant. Replaced by a shyness that would be adorable if the true reason for my stumbling breath wasn't a factor. Because even for how radiant and soft she looks, all I can see is her broken body against the wall. Her dazed eyes as the maul struck her. The fear in her eyes and weighing her voice after I broke through her wall. My wailing cries of apology as I hold on to her for dear life, silently begging her not to seal my fate.

A regretful smile cos to bear on her face, her eyes sadly looking over to as I cower in between Gerra and Jun Li with wild eyes. "It was good to see you, Alia. But I am sorry that my presence is still... hard for you to bear. I... I shall go. But I truly appreciate your courage in attempting this regardless. I love you, little pup." With that she leans up to kiss Akiko who has an equally forlorn look about her, but nods and whispers sothing to Samantha. She gives a shake of her head in return before turning back to , shyly waving a hand before beginning to turn and make her exit.

The sight of her slowly fading figure making my soul cry and struggle against the painful mories and visions while they freeze in place. Disturbing enough that I close my eyes and pull my focus inward, ti outside the soul space slowing to a crawl as I open my avatar's teary eyes. The blues of the space shing and deepening before slowly becoming purple... and then red. The transition mirroring my searching gaze as I find what I ca here for.

There, in so pocket of the space, I see it. The twisting mass of black vileness whispering those poisonous visions. Feeding those mories. In a flash, I slam my hand around its sickening blob, surprise wafting off it like it did when Sandra did the sa not too long ago. Though the power and strength she had when she did it was leagues ahead of my own, strangely...

Throwing off the question, I sneer down to the trapped creature, "Shut. The fuck. Up. I get it, you piece of shit. While I may not be 100% ready to fight you right now, the more you try and twist things the sooner I am going to fucking kill you. Now, are you going to be quiet, or do we do this now you mother fucker?" My voice colder than the deepest reaches of space as my avatar's skin begins to turn black. White firelight flaring to life in my eyes as a pointed crown fades into existence and sits on my head.

The malford entity twists and writhes under my growingly steel grip, futilely trying to break free before it stills. Its mass that's not under my ironclad grasp shifting and molding into a new form. A familiar one.

Like looking into a mirror, my perfectly recreated face glares back at , its words sickly and taunting as it screeches across my mind. "Fine. For now. But you are more reckless and foolhardy than I thought if you think it will be so easy to be rid of . After what you did. And how it made you feel~."

I flex my hands, the white bonfires of my eyes roaring to life as I snarl at its laughing and choking form. It's disgusting voice creeping along the walls of the soul space before it disappears along with the inky mass itself. I growl as I shake off my hand, the thought of any amount of that filth lingering on my fingers sickening almost as much as its presence in general.

With another huff, I leave this warped space and return the avatar to its place in the flow model, opening my real eyes back up as Samantha only just now takes her next step to leave. Akiko is studying intently, but I ignore it as I break free from both Jun Li's and Gerra's grips. My feet rapidly crossing the scant distance between us as I lash a hand out toward Sam.

The sa hand that gingerly wraps around hers, stilling her retreating movents as she turns back to look at in surprise. Her green eyes hopeful as they await my next words. And though a small sliver of that fear and doubt remains - my own this ti - I swallow nervously before suppling her with the answer to that question.

With a mouth drier than a desert, my words fumble out of my mouth. Desperation as well as timid anxiousness filling the courtyard as I ask, "S-stay. Please?"

Her smile returns, lacking any hint of remorsefulness like before. Instead, all of that regretful pallor is replaced by the radiance of relief, hope, and joy. As she squeezes my hand in hers and turns to face , that sa energy lifts to her voice as she answers back, "I would love to, Alia."