DROP POP CANDY ♦ private

He really would? His lifelong 'purpose' as he had admitted earlier... would he really be fine with half of that? To leave her land and home alone and just seek out the tribe itself to destroy. Glad to assist with that, naturally, but it was good to know that she would not have to defend her birthplace from the one whose rage could potentially wipe everything out in the wave of hate. Feeling a sudden, overwhelming relief, the tanuki girl could not help but close the distance between them in one of her abrupt hugs, tight, firm, yet somehow also gentle, tender, and sincere. "Promise?" she asked in a small whisper, praying he was truly being genuine about his words. Would he really spare the continent's land mass for her?
Elyx was never really one for hugs, but Izayuki certainly had her way of putting him through that, even to the point of tackling and pinning him to the ground in the guild hall. It had been fun for her and humiliating for him, but Iza was a person of action. She was one of those physical types, and the hug she was currently giving was just using her actions rather than words to convey her emotion. Silver raccoon dog ears were pulled back in a docile manner for once as her tail hung limply, flicking ever so often in a comfortable manner.

He was in no hurry to pull back, which was encouraging, despite his usual awkwardness for when it came to hugs. As she held her firm and gentle grasp around him, silver tanuki ears perked up happily at that one word that made all the difference. It echoed the question, but nothing more could be asked for, as he had truly given her his word. He would not be destroying her old home, simply purging it from the rotten humans that lived there, with her at his side to help kill off the village and free that land. It sounded morbid, but she was happy to oblige. It was his goal, after all. "Thank you..." Izayuki murmured softly, truly happy to respond in the way that she did at his answer and confirmation. And at that time, the yokai finally gained back enough energy to completely shift back into her human form, ridding herself of the tanuki ears, tail, and claws, now simply appearing to be the average person again. Upon realizing this, however, Izayuki felt herself step forward slightly in surprise, resulting in her tripping forward unintentionally, her arms still been holding that embrace. Amazing what could happen in the matter of what was less than five seconds. First she was standing, and now here, falling.

Most of this thread was roleplayed offsite, as Elyx did not have access to FTRP at the time. I realized that we had not uploaded the rest, so here it is! owo

~~~

She fell forward after her thanks, he did not know what to feel at this point. It was not like a couple of words would suddenly shift his emotions and all the words he emitted from his lips previously, nor would he be able to take them back or the effect that they had. However, Iza was still here, and he was almost able to let out a little chuckle as he had realized how stubborn she was. That idiot, she might get herself hurt one day for it, he thought to himself, though on the inside of his mind, he was smiling. It was not like he meant to offend her, it was sort of an accepting sort of pushing away. And he did not actually mean it, he was very much grateful and happy that she had done that.

And from there, she would fall while they were both still hugging, causing them to tilt, for Elyx backwards, and Iza forward. Their landing on the earth was not as rough as he had expected, maybe he might have cushioned the impact somehow? His light brown eyes were closed upon the impact, and yet he was still able to hold onto the hug. It was out of instinct, not that he really knew that. Opening his eyes again, he would notice Iza's head in front of his, and his face then began to flush into a light shade of red. Acceptance... Iza...

~~~

Her stubbornness would eventually be her downfall, yes, but little did she care or realize it. From the rage and uncertainty the boy had before, to a calmer expression, almost one of humor, on his face, Izayuki could not help but share in his ease. "What're you laughin abou-...!" the girl's lightly indignant words instantly were cut off as she finally realized her bad footing, leading them to trip. And unfortunately, Elyx too had gone down with her. She had tripped forward, yet her fall was cushioned by the boy's body. The scenery around them was still that surreal forest of her imagination, but no longer Shadelle specifically.

As pink eyes opened after the fall to see Elyx once again pinned under her, yet at the same time, still holding and in his embrace. Her face in front of his, and seeing his cheeks go red, Izayuki could not help but feel a flush of embarrassment. Yet it was not because of their position or the fact she was on top of him, but the simple reasoning that she had tripped so ungracefully and clumsily. "Er, sorry..." she said, probably apologizing to him for the first time in all their time. The knowledge of her fall was awkward, as she did not trip over her own feet in such a way... well, ever, really.

~~~

An apology from the shameless Iza? A new experience, or one of the new ones. If he were not so flustered, he might have been able to call her out for it. This was not the time for that however, and even if it were, he was in just about a shameful position as she was, if not in a worse one. However, seeing her this close did not bother him too much now, a small pang of regret would surge through him if it went another way. She was in a way... Like Adrelissa. Adrelissa may have not been as annoying or impulsive as Iza, and she did not go out of his way to make his life a lot harder, but easier instead. Yet at the same time, he had the same amount of comfort with Iza as he did with Adrelissa. Am I just imaging it? If so... Am I imaging what I want to imagine? The boy would think to himself before gaining focus on reality, and there she was again.

Her attempt to get up from him slowly would be stopped, he refused to move his hands from her back. Instead, he would lower them as a smile would spread on his face, eyes half-closed now, even if it were his imagination, it was a wonderful fantasy. Don't be. He would say calmly. The most risk he had given was in the next move, moving his head upwards to match his lips with Iza's. With one small peck at first before losing a bit of strength, only for it to be regained quickly. He'd then aim to kiss her completely. It was beyond risky, with Iza out of all people. She was fun, but crazy as well. Maybe it was not the best move, but it was the one he felt was surest. Not that it really mattered, what had been done, can't be undone.

~~~

Pink eyes blinked in mild surprise as she found his hands not moving and releasing her from their embrace. She gazed down with her own innocent and curious expression at his half-closed brown eyes and smile as he told her not to be sorry for the embarrassing fall. It was the first time she had ever really apologized to him, and he was telling her not too? It was rare, and Izayuki's guard continued to lower itself to the point of not existing. Despite what had just occurred, she felt safe with him, as if she could finally trust him with everything. She knew him now fairly well, but what did he know of her? Perhaps it was about time for her to share. They were the same, after all, and while that claim had verbally been made, the yokai had yet to prove it to the human. He had yet to truly know her story and her origins and past. She was about to open her mouth to tell him as he moved his head closer, and that's when it happened.

Upon feeling his lips against hers, her instincts screamed for retreat again the unknown. The yokai and animal spirit inside of her said it was unnatural and wrong, but at the same time with her human mind, body, feelings, and emotions, it felt so right. The warmth pulsed through her, rooting from the face and from energy he gave her. While in that moment, she should have retracted, instead, she leaned slightly into it, closing her eyes, relishing the feel in all aspects. It was as if she could hardly control her logic anymore- pure, unconscious will of some unknown variety drove her forward. And if one or the other gently pulled back, leaving no room for disappointment, Izayuki would begin to run her mouth again, unintentionally, as her rare human nature made itself known in a soft whisper. "I love you."

~~~

While he was alone in the lock, it seemed he had the control. However, Iza quickly embraced it and took the drivers seat. A lot better than expected, better than himself for sure. Did she have experience with this? But that question was fairly obvious, she resented humans, and most likely never do this sort of thing with a tanuki. Was it natural talent? Unless there was another explanation, that had to be the case. A slight pang of regret would smack him across the face as they had let go, what had he done? Forcing Iza to think like that all because of instinct? But what calmed him down were the words that emitted from her lips, three simple words with a devastating amount of effect behind them. His light brown eyes were shaded by the Tanuki-girl above him, but they still had a little light revealing as he had then smiled.

I love you too... Izayuki... The first time he actually called her by her first name. Not once had he called her anything but that. It was natural for him to give her a nickname, and that nickname even felt like her real name. But there he was, saying Izayuki in succession. His hands still gently wrapped around her, he would lean his head back. What happened next was anyones guess, how they were going to treat each other, how they will look back upon this moment. It was unclear, but for once, the unforseeable future did not feel risky. It felt... Natural, and he felt free.

~~~

Izayuki was not the one leading, but hearing those words of affirmation and affection, she could not help but feel for once accepted in her life. Truly accepted. It did not matter that she was not a human- he could still love her for who she was, not what she was. And though she did like humans, she never knew that she could like and love one in such a way as this. In his firm embrace, she also felt safe and secure, as if nothing could touch or harm her ever again. While it was not as easy for her to put her arms around him, the floor being the barrier, she could still give off a light smile as Elyx, for once, said her full name, not resorting to the informal nickname that she typically preferred her peers to use.

The happiness inside was growing, and human nature was driving most of her actions. She did not know what else to say or do, but allow her breath to come out in a small, happy noise, a light giggle, as she held herself close to him and closed her eyes. The security and warmth was overwhelming. She could stay this way forever, perhaps, safe in his arms. It was amazing enough that she was managing to stay transformed as a pure human despite the flood of emotion. Yet one way or another, she was, and maybe it was just for him and because of him that she was strong enough to do so.

~~~

The scene around them was blissful, the forest was not one the reminded him specifically of Shadelle, but it actually seemed like a normal one for him to enjoy. His eyes closed as she held him just as affectionately, she knew his nature and hate towards the Lerale magicians and still stayed. It was his duty to make sure the oppressors don't live. If they really were alike, it should be Iza who managed to obtain her goal. He would help her, but he would not actually end the lives of the ones that she wanted to have bow on their knees. That was going to be the satisfaction that she deserved, so therefore, he will help her finish the job, but not actually do it. Same for her, she did not have to be the one to end the lives of the tyrants and the followers.

Her light giggle warmed his emotions as he kept his hold around her. It was a relaxing scene, and he was overall happy on top of excited. Yet at the same time, he still felt at peace. A small yawn attempted to press through his lips, but not in front of her. Despite this moment they had, he still felt a little bit of the fun rivalry that the both of them had. Showing that sort of weakness still felt unacceptable, in the end, she was his student whether she liked it or not. He can't let her think that he was weakened. Even though he was, the blur in his vision began to occur, the darkness behind his eyelids were no longer showing. It was time for him to drop, and for once, he could do it peacefully. Sleep took over his body easily.