[7:51 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
No. Way.
Holy shit.
"AMIGA?"
There was a thump... THUMP... THUMP as Su-Ji rapidly approached a certain someone on the docks. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:58 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Zerada stilled. Once more, a sense of electricity ran through her veins, at a lesser pace, of course. The voice immediately was familiar. Where Zerada felt a sense of irritation when she heard Kal, this time, she felt a sense of warmth when she heard this new voice.
"Gato?" Zerada raised an eyebrow as she turned around. When she spotted Su-Ji, she couldn't help but give him a wide, easy-going grin. "You're here too, huh? Good to see you!" @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:14 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji ran up to Zerada, opening his wide, furry arms before scooping the other up and giving her a tight hug. "Can't believe it's you!!!" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[8:49 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Aaaaaand once more, she was getting lifted up and was now off of her feet, okayyyyyy- It seemed like today was National Pick-Up-Zerada Day. Who would be next? Dear god, hopefully Su-Ji was the last person to do this to her.
"Easy, easy there, gato," Zerada chuckled. She couldn't resist giving Su-Ji a little squeeze, letting her hold linger for just a few moments. "I've missed you, too. I can't believe I'm seeing you here- You got an invite for the tournament, too?" @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:51 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Yeah!! Can you believe that?" The catboy released Zerada and let her fall (safely) back onto the docks. "I dunno about me being all- y'know- tough in a fight and all that but I figured what's the harm in sneaking in? Grabbing some grub, getting a room to sleep in, even if only for a night." He grinned. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[8:56 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"If they allow tag-teams, I'm sure the two of us can help out each other's weaknesses," Zerada hummed. At the last part of Su-Ji's words, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly as she crossed her arms. "You know, if you were hungry or needed somewhere safe to sleep, then you could've gotten back in touch with me, you know? I could've helped you on out again, you know I don't mind one bit." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:57 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji's ears shifted back and he looked anxious, rubbing the back of his neck. "I felt bad bothering you for all that again-- I mean... you've already helped enough before, yknow?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[9:01 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"And isn't that what buds are for?" Zerada asked.
Buds. The word still felt- Wrong to her. Was she deserving of Su-Ji's friendship? She liked to think that she was. She only had a handful of friends, and god, to have a friend like Su-Ji.. Was nice. Quite nice. Zerada definitely wanted to keep their friendship going.
"I get feeling bothered about- Accepting a helping hand, you know? It took me a good while to actually be willing to take one.." Zerada uncrossed her arms, raising a hand to her sleeve to adjust her flannel. "But know that my hand's always gonna be extended out to you, alright?" @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[10:11 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Yeah-- I know-- I just. Don't wanna make it seem like Im trying ta take advantage of you." Su-Ji shifted a little, crossing his arms. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[10:42 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"Trust me, I can promise you now, that's something I'm never gonna feel like, alright?" Zerada offered him a small, somewhat awkward grin. She gave him a little playful bump against his shoulder with a closed fist. "Promise you." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[3:30 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"If you're sure..." he mumbled a bit, moving his arm to rub the spot she bumped.
"....So what've you been up to?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:51 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
“Still just- The usual, if I’m honest,” Zerada gave a slightly shrug. A hand reached up to rub at the back of her neck. “I’m still just traveling around, the usual. I happened to not be so far from here, so I didn’t have too long of a travel to make it here in time. How about yourself? What’s been new with you?” @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:02 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"I killed a mouse last night," Su-Ji grinned. "Don't have a trophy to bring you though.. it was my dinner--"
The catboy chuckled. "Uh- been living on as usu, ya know? Saw the letter, the prize, figured I'd make the day trip over yonder." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[11:11 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"You did? Look at you, Su-Ji, great job," Zerada grinned. "That mouse didn't stand a chance against you. Proud of you, gato."
"But I hear you, I feel like things have just been the same for both of us then, huh?" Zerada hummed. "Nothing's too new or too different." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[11:19 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji gave a proud grin, actually purring at the praise.
At the comment of their recent shortcomings, the purring quieted down and his ears shifted back a little. "Yeahh... it suckssss... Boring.... but hey!! Maybe we'll have some excitement now!" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[11:56 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"Maybe we'll have some other mystery on our hands to solve," Zerada wondered. "Or, maybe we'll have a better boat ride experience than before with the canoes. I'm sure we'll get something as good as that." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[12:00 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji's fur brittled. "Ehghgh- don't remind me..." he whined. "Hated that freakin... waterfall..." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[12:20 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"I try to repress it all too, if I'm honest," Zerada shuddered. "That isn't-.. A pleasant time." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[1:43 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Haha.... I almost died..." Su-Ji replied... strangely still positive in tone as he rubbed at his shoulder a bit. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[2:41 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"YEahhhh.. I remember that," Zerada hummed, giving Su-Ji's back a light pat pat. "We both went through some shit, but don't worry, it'll be fineeeeeeee this time around. I doubt we'll see any 'gators." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[2:42 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Yeah- they don't like heat right? ...Or... wait..." Su-Ji frowned... "are they warm blooded or.. cold blooded...?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[3:24 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"With the kind of shit they did to us, to you in particular, they have to be cold-blooded," Zerada frowned. "But I'm not too sure what they could be. Maybe that was something we could've asked someone before we left the camp." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[3:26 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"I hope they're not cold-blooded..." Su-Ji mumbled almost bitterly. "Their blood is cold and we're going somewhere cold... they'll be in their natural habitat...." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[3:53 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
".. Do alligators like snow? Because they were all over the beach, and it was pretty hot there-" Zerada paused. ".. Though, perhaps they were buried during a time when it was colder, and the climate changed for it to be warm, and now-.. Hm.. Well, if we see any alligators, we know not to touch them, or touch any alligator artifacts that are buried in the ground that could electrocute us." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[3:57 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"But what if that's exactly what they want us to not do- touch them? It'd be the perfect disguise if they were hiding something from us-" Su-Ji rubbed his chin. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[4:12 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"Then, you can leave it to me to take care of it," Zerada grinned, straightening up slightly as she did so. "I got my electricity, gatito, I can handle it."
[4:12 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
@Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[4:26 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Are you.. sure...?" Su-Ji gave a quiet whine... before shaking his head and grinning. "No, no- of course you're sure. You're Zerada." He chuckled, moving to wrap an arm around her shoulder, "you've always got my back, Amiga." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[5:32 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"Exactly, just as you've always got mine," Zerada laughed. "If we get into a situation like that, I'll take care of it- Last time, we didn't get to test out overcharging the electrical current, so we'll give that a try! It'll be fineeeeee." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[5:48 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Just don't hurt yourself again, 'kay?" Su-Ji gave her a playful punch in the arm. "Soo... What are you doing here..?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[6:06 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"Don't worry, I would never do such a thing ever," Zerada nodded her head. At his question, she couldn't help but shrug slightly. "Well, I haven't been doing- Much, if I'm honest. I went to a farmer's market the other day, that was probably the only exciting thing I've done for a good while now."
She paused. "I don't want to say I'm here only because I'm bored, but I figured they can maybe give me a-.. A hand with what I've been working towards." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[6:11 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Ohh- right! Can- Can I help? If thats okay, I mean, I know its personal and all and-" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[6:17 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"I mean- I always appreciate your help and having you around, and we do have really great thoughts when we're together, but I'd hate to drag you into things that- Can cause you trouble, you know? It's all a bit-" Zerada snapped her fingers a few times, struggling to find a word. "I dunno, 'messy?' It's drama you can maybe avoid." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[6:19 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"My whole life's messy, Amiga. I can handle whatever biz you have going on." He gave a confident thumbs up. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[6:21 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
"I-I meannnn.. It's preeeeetty fucked up," Zerada winced slightly, a hand reaching up to fiddle with the yellow goggles around her neck. "Like- Yikes, you know?" @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[6:23 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Trust me, Zer. I can handle it. I was mauled by gators. I can handle anything." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[6:42 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Zerada still looked a bit cautious- Nervous, even.
".. These guys are a bit more intense.." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[7:00 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji frowned a little, getting the idea that he had to be a little more serious. "Listen, Zerada... I wanna be there for you if you need help... if these people are as bad as you say they are, you're gonna need backup... You have my back, I have your back. That's how we work- you know?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:11 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
If they had this conversation just a few years ago, Zerada wouldn't have even considered this for a second. She would've instantly refused, instantly would've pushed Su-Ji away, instantly would've moved away to create a greater distance. It would've felt like she was leaving a family pet out in the rain, but she would've insisted that, for Su-Ji's sake, the momentary pain would be worth a lifetime of safety.
However.. She was different now. Zerada had been through a tremendous amount. She had formed bonds with very, very few people, but those bonds were some of the most valuable ones that she had. Now, Zerada was able to slow down, take a moment, and focus on her own well-being. Accepting help? That was something that she was a bit more willing to do.
Taking in a deep breath, Zerada slowly nodded her head.
"Yeah, y-yeah, you're right with that," Zerada did her best to grin. "That's how we work. I got you, and you got me. Thanks for your help, gato." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[7:14 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Always happy to help, Amiga." Su-Ji pat her back softly. "You don't gotta tell me the details now if you don't wanna. It can wait- especially with so many people around. But maybe later, yeah?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:23 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Zerada nodded her head, looking a bit more at ease. "Yeah, yeah, I'd like that a bunch, gato, gracias." She took in another deep breath and cleared her throat. "We definitely have a lot more to catch up on." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[7:25 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Yeah! It's been a hot minute, hasn't it? You try to replace me with other companions during that time? I won't get jealous.. promise." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:33 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Zerada let out a genuine laugh, giving his back a little pat.
"Don't worry, I could never dare to replace you. Though, I did feed and befriend a crow a few weeks back. He seemed pretty nice, I miss him a bit, actually." Zerada teased. @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[9:14 PM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji let out a quiet growl. "crows..." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[11:39 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
“Not too fond of crows? That’s okay, they’re not everyone’s favorite,” Zerada hummed. She crossed her arms over her chest and raised a finger to tap at her chin in thought.
“Though, I think the crow was pretty fond of me. They do fancy blue things, and I wear a lot of it- Maybe that’s why the little guy was trying to be a friend.” @samzart
[7:19 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji let out a half-playful hiss. "...That crow and I will have words..." The catboy half-whined and half-mumbled. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[7:57 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
“I’m sure that you two will,” Zerada chuckled, giving Su-Ji’s back another pat. “I’ll be honest though, a cool little crow doesn’t compare to you.” @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:00 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Heck no it doesn't," Su-Ji grinned and moved to cross his arms. "Bet that crow can't turn human, can they?"
Su-Ji's tail flicked. "Probably can't talk either." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[8:04 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
“Couldn’t do either of those things,” Zerada hummed. “Also wouldn’t have been able to take on alligators as many times as you have.” @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[8:39 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
Su-Ji grinned before flexing like the strong catboy he was. He paused as the ship came into view.
"Oh,Ship, the boats here!" He gasped.
"And they have food?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[10:55 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
Zerada was very, very proud of her catboy.
At the sight of the boat, Zerada looked- Slightly uncomfortable. She did her best to reflect Su-Ji's excitement.
"Food sounds great," Zerada nodded her head. "I could go for a meal right about now.." @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺
[10:56 AM]Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺:
"Kinda.. Culty... sounds fun!!" Su-Ji grinned. "Lets go get some grub then, yeah?" He walked backwards toward the boat, watching and waiting for Zerada to follow. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐
[3:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:
“.. I won’t lie, I didn’t expect a lot of religion to play into this.” Zerada admitted. “I’m not the most religious person, but that Catholic guilt is very strong with me. This’ll be- A good time.”
Zerada hesitated once more before she stepped closer toward Su-Ji, heading to the spot where the boat was. Fun. So much fun. @Sam | Su-Ji 🐯+ Wolf 🐺