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“You know, not many people can make me melt without something libidinous involved!” “Oh, you’re just flattering me again! And don’t you dare get any ideas, mister!” “Calumny and slander! I fancy myself a great many things, but certainly not sycophancy. Hah! And perish the thought! I’d prefer we stay platonic, anyway.” “I’m glad the feeling’s mutual, hun. I really do appreciate all of this…” “C’mon, Izzy. What are friends for?” In many ways, ‘twas an impeccable denouement to the perfect night that began with naught but a vague idea with stellar execution. Plans and itineraries were established months in advance to ensure that no unexpected surprises would crop up and stymie their meeting. Both Elizabeth and Tahajin had been through some rather traumatic, dreadful and harrowing experiences in the past few months – effectively kneecapping them beyond the alleviation of the ‘soothing’ didactic paragraphs that remained the extent of what could be done over the Internet. Digital tête-à-têtes were fine in and of themselves, but there’s a latent and irrefutable desire in us all for tactile comfort, and no amount of black pixels or erudite circumlocution could ever adequately substitute. Sooner or later, this intrinsic pull – stronger than gravity yet far more imperceptible – pulls souls of a like polarity together. As such, their meeting was inevitable. Battered and bruised by time and the events held therein, they pressed on unabated. Betwixt this strength of character and an allied past, any air of unfamiliarity upon their first legitimate meeting didn’t stand a chance. That said, it did take several minutes of face-to-face discussion before the tergiversation was dropped entirely – replaced with nonchalance. Once anathemas in their respective hometowns (or homeworlds, to be pedantic), both possat and panda had a myriad of parallel history to regale the other in before they both dove into the foray of what the metropolis had to offer. Naturally, the d’oeuvre was dinner and a show before the two fled from the taciturn outfits of late night life to the air-conditioned luxury of a room made for two…friends, that is. The best were separated with a nightstand-curtain partition for a little extra privacy come bedtime. Anything else would have come off as too promiscuous (and wouldn’t be covered by his airline mileage). Caught up in a nigh unending, fluidic trail of conversation as their thoughts synchronized, biology bested them both as the first yawn of the night was issued with fanfare and tongue flourish. Eroding their vestigial energy on caroons and reruns, Izzy unconsciously fell into the monochromate’s arms – and they stayed adhered that way until the next commercial gave them the chance to scan the periphery. Fleeing to the opposite ends of the twin bed, eliciting a cacophony of bedspring commotion, they were both a flurry of apologies until Tahajin extended and hooked his ringtail around the jade-sprinkled bear and brought her around for a hug. Any objections were subdued by a common warmth that developed within the embrace. Within seconds, the panda acquiesced with an affirmation that trailed off in such a way that drove the paroxysms of coos and awws – something he’d definitely have to work on containing better in the near future. Twisting towards the neighboring panoramic windows while still in armlock, they surrendered themselves to starlight-induced reverie (an odd phenomenon considering how many streetlights were still on). Together, they stared off into the middle distance then up along the depths of space. Tahajin wrenched his glasses from his muzzle and placed them on the adjacent nightstand now that his myopia could work to his advantage as pinpricks of light grew into gibbous moons and shimmering bokehs. It was within that instant in which something absolutely adorable crept from the bowels of the resident bamboo-nibbler. It wasn’t a purr, no… A bear’s anatomy wouldn’t allow for such a light thrum. However, it was some sort of…contented harrumph (if you can forgive the oxymoron) that dissipated into what could only be described as a mew. It was heartrendingly sweet and acted as the last metaphorical straw. Churning just beneath the surface, the possat began to lose several ounces of cohesion below the waistline 'til naught was left aside from an amorphous grey mass littered with pseudopods and sundry villi that supported a relatively viscid upper torso. Both ichorous limbs coiled around the bear, merging into a tight band of affection as part of her began enveloped – though he dare not move an inch more, lest he give the wrong impression! This was simply an embrace, after all. It was then and there that Tahajin relayed his coquettish little statement, much to the panda’s mirth. Laying against a vertical pool of polymorph whose essence siphoned and expelled any residual anxiety like so much chaff, Izzy didn’t let base trepidation impede the mellifluous cuddle the duo shared. Ebony goop ebbed and receded like a placid ocean, never so much as treading on anything that might inspired a negative reaction. While this whole scenario was a humongous leap of faith, he set very clear boundaries for that eve and wouldn’t allow himself to slither past them. Veneered in a bright silence, it would be the duty of the noir shapeshifter to stick his neck out – this time breaking the serene stillness with a clearing of his throat, followed swiftly by a gentle, but groggy cadence… “Izzy?” “Yeah, Taha?” “Thanks for being a great friend.” All the sentiment of the night culminated in one final nuzzle before they fell asleep against each other, resigned to their dreams. |
