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After setting down the last of the food at the table, Vivica sat herself down between Kylola and Lina.

Not long after sitting, Vivica felt Lina's hand stroke up and down her thigh before coming to a rest on her knee.

```

Sharon: It's nice getting to eat with a larger group again... Shame Te-su isn't here though since it's the last night we'll be seeing him for a while.

Isalla: You know what's an even worse shame? Te-su's going to be here through a full moon and I'm going to be on border watch. Do you have any idea how much it sucks to be on border watch through a full moon? Oh wait, no--you--don't, because you're a boy. *pouting*

Sharon: *awkward chuckle*

Kylola: It's not that bad. The suppressants are quite effective.

Isalla: Not that bad? It's the best time of the moon and I have to miss it. On top of that taking suppressants is the worst. The stupid things take forever to wear off. Last time I had to take them, I missed out on two full moons just because they didn't wear off in time. I didn't become a rammu to not have a good time right before I might be killed.

Kylola: *disapproving scowl*

Yineh: *low whispering to Kion* Don't look so worried. Isalla-su is just trying to rile Kylola-su up. While I've never been willing to try it myself, Isalla-su says it's the best way to get what she wants from her.

```

Vivica took a long lingering whiff of the air in the room and noted the fact that while Wafit, Demoron and Sharon were all completely unaroused, it was clear that everyone else in the room was at a near breaking point, except for Mirra who as usual was impossible to gauge.

```

Sharon: Ki-su, Wa-su, De-su, would the three of you mind helping me gather supplies from the warehouses after we're finished here?

Yineh: *low whispering to Kion* Don't feel obligated to accept his request. He's just giving you a chance to escape before things get wild in here. Just say something like, "I already promised Yi-su I'd help her with something. Unless you actually do want to duck out. Viv will also make an excuse to leave, I'm sure, so you could say you're helping her with something, too."

```

Vivica gave Kion an inviting smile when he looked towards her, which caused him to instinctually smile back.

```

Kion: I-I'm sorry, but I think I already have plans with Vivica.

Sharon: No worries, I'm sure we can manage on our own. *knowing smile*

```

Suddenly realizing that Lina didn't know what was going on, Vivica began talking without a second thought.

```

Vivica: Li-su could help you.

Sharon: *stunned* Of course, if she wishes to, I'd appreciate her assistance.

```

Vivica's heart sank as she saw the look of rage flash across Lina's face as she jerked her hand away from her knee.

```

Lina: *growling* It would be my honor. Which warehouse?

Sharon: *nervous* Oh, uhm, yellow.

Lina: *growling* Understood.

```

Vivica watched in shock as Lina got up from the table and walked out of the common.

```

Yineh: Why didn't you just invite her along with you and Ki-su?

Vivica: *panicked* I wasn't thinking. *disheartening* like always... It just came out as soon as I thought about it. I'll go talk to her.

```

Vivica tripped over the rug and tumbled across the floor as she tried to rush after Lina.

```

Yineh: Are you sure?

Vivica: I'm fine, I'm fine.

Yineh: *whispering to Kion* She's totally not fine, but-

Vivica: Mind your own business, Yineh! You don't have to comment to him about every little thing.

```

Vivica picked herself up off the floor, then turned to face Yineh and bowed.

```

Vivica: *remorseful* Sorry, Yi-su, I didn't mean it. You're being a great mentor.

Yineh: It's fine, no worries.

Yineh: *whispering to Kion* She'll apologize to you later, she feels really bad about snapping at people, and since it was about me helping you understand things she'll probably feel extra bad about it.

```

While biting her lip to prevent herself from replying to Yineh's whisper Vivica proceeded out the common and towards the yellow warehouse, but stopped midway when she began hearing Lina talking to herself.

```

Lina: *low growl* I shouldn't be angry. I already knew she liked Kylola more than me. *irritated growling* I just can't believe she would go out of her way to get rid of me like that. When she's listening in on me tonight, I should give her a piece of my mind. *sudden silence* What if she's already listening in on me? Nee, not even she could hear me this far away, and if she was going to come after me she'd have caught me before I even made it here. She's so freakishly fast she could have probably beat me here if she actually cared about me. *nearly inaudible whisper* I'm probably just an annoyance to her.

Teran: I doubt that's true.

Lina: *surprised* Eep~

Teran: *playful laughter* Sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you, I just commonly come up at this tree and all the growling got me curious.

Lina: *inquisitive* D-do you have as good of hearing as *bitter* Vivica?

Teran: Sadly no. Truly no one else's hearing comes close to hers and Mirra-su's. I'm just skilled at the hearing I do have. Anyway, judging by the way you said her name just now, I'm guessing something happened between you two?

Lina: *angry growl* She ran me out of the common so I wouldn't interfere with her time with Kylola and Kion.

Teran: *skeptical hum* Doubtful, do you realize what time of moon it is?

Lina: *confused* Huh?

Teran: It's nearing the full moon, and it's not uncommon for things to get quite sexual after last meal in the common leading up to it, especially when Isa-su's around, and Viv often talks before thinking. So, I'd reckon there's good odds that whatever she said wasn't intended to be taken as it sounded. Of course, I wasn't there, but it sounds like something that would happen to her. *awkward chuckle* Poor girl gets in a lot of trouble for caring about people as much as she does.

Lina: If that's the case, why didn't she come after me to explain it?

Teran: Who said she didn't? Based on her scent, I'd say she's been standing within hearing range for quite some time.

Lina: R-really?

Teran: Indeed... is there any reason she might be unwilling to show herself?

Lina: *nervous utterance* I-I told her never to come in and reply to anything I talked to myself about... B-but I didn't start talking to myself until after I got to the warehouse. She should have caught up to me sooner.

Teran: And you're--sure that's a reasonable expectation?

Lina: Jsha... Isn't it?

Teran: Again, I don't actually know what happened. Therefore, it's impossible for me to be certain of anything, but one thing I can say for certain, which is especially true when strong emotions are at play, is that you should always allow for quite a lot of wiggle room in expectations. Especially those that dictate a person's reactions and reasonings. That includes yourself as well. If you look back at what happened, do you feel you gave ample opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings, or did you allow yourself to react purely by impulse?

Lina: *ashamed* Impulse.

Teran: When you're done talking to Vi-su, please return to the common. I have an announcement to share with everyone that she needs to be present for. *nervous* Maybe try not to take too long, though the scent in the air is getting rather thick.

Lina: U-understood.

```

Vivica stayed frozen in place as she watched Teran exit the warehouse and make his way up to her.

```

Teran: *whisper* Remember she's still new to all this, it's been less than a phase since she gave up her entire known life.

```

As Vivica's ears twitched at the sound of Lina's voice, Teran gave her a reassuring smile, then walked away.

```

Lina: *nearly inaudible whisper* I just want to find a hole to hide in 'til I die. I really wished she'd just storm in here and start talking ... okay-okay gotta just suck it up and talk loud enough she can hear me.

Lina: *nervous* So, ah, Viv? You there? Oh, ah, yeah, I guess I'm still technically talking to myself. I should have told you to come in while I was talking to Teran. *awkward laughter* I-I'm going to have to remember you take your promises quite seriously. Okay, I'm just going to come out of the warehouse now.

*short silence*

Lina: *defeated sigh* Sorry, I'm just a little scared of what you're going to say... I really--really want to believe Teran was right, and you were just helping me get away from some stuff I was completely unaware of, but he wasn't there.

*long silence*

Lina: I'm sorry, I just... I-I really started to care about you, a-and I-I, I don't know... would you please just come in? *depressed* If you're even out there.

```

Vivica took a long deep breath as she opened the warehouse door, only to be immediately pulled into a tight hug by Lina.

```

Lina: *whisper* Even if it's not true, just tell me it is.

Vivica: I'm mostly incapable of lying, so that would never work out, besides it's exactly what Te-su said. I wasn't trying to push you away. I just did a really poor job at showing my concern for you. *awkward laughter*

```

To Vivica's surprise, Lina pulled her into a deep passionate kiss.

```

Lina: *blushing heavily* I'm sorry, forgive me?

Vivica: *reassuring smile* Of course. *clears throat* W-we should head back to the common.

Lina: Jsha.

```

Vivica couldn't help but smile as Lina grabbed a hold of her hand and tugged her in the direction of the common building.