After The Party + Keeping It Sneaky | Medium-High Aphro

[frozen_void]

Fatima couldn't explain why she agreed to go to the party. Sure, there was plenty to celebrate, what with Elicia and her Beast Fiends defeated and peace restored to humans and Witches, but she couldn't really stand parties. There were always too many people, and the Shadow Frost Witch wasn't really one for crowded places. So many people . . . she

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[onlysanechimera]

Zelgadiss paused in the midst of closing the door as he was addressed. Of course, he should have checked whether the room was already occupied. At least he recognized her.

"Fatima." He sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "Sorry. I was looking for somewhere to get away from the party; just my luck I found a room that was already occupied, but I suppose I should have noticed you were gone."

He smiled wryly. "I guess you were trying to get away, too, weren't you?"

[frozen_void]

She calmed once she saw the familiar chimera, and even allowed a little smile to appear on her face. Sure, she wanted to be left alone for a while, but where was the harm in letting just him hang around? He was certainly better company than the other Witches.

"Of course I was. So many people...it's suffocating."

[onlysanechimera]

"I know what you mean." He sighed, leaning against the wall; he didn't want to crowd her at the moment, not if she wanted to be alone.

Once he noticed that little smile, though, he returned it with one of his own and started to come a little closer. "How are you doing, Fatima? Other than being stuck at crowded parties, I mean."

[frozen_void]

She certainly didn't mind when he came closer. Company was pleasant in small numbers, as her past travels with Josie and Master Mattias had proven. It was just the massive numbers of people around her that usually caused so much discomfort. And the chimera had proven to be one of those few she could stand to be around more often than normal, so his presence was always welcome.

"Well, I can't complain I guess. I'm still in one piece after battling Elicia, so that's something to be grateful for." she said with a little sigh. "Not looking forward to the aftermath though. I'm not teaching material."

[onlysanechimera]

"Oh, I don't know." He wandered over to stand at the end of the bed - he wasn't going to sit down next to her without her permission, though. Even if she seemed more comfortable with him than with a lot of people, he still didn't want to crowd her.

"I don't think you'd do too bad of a job, really. Better than I would, at least. This is the longest I've stayed in one place in a long time, I'll admit."

[frozen_void]

"I don't know. I'm the opposite of a people person. I don't even know how to teach anyone anything...especially not something I've been able to use since I was a child." she said, sighing a little. There was a moment or two of pause before she looked over at him again from where she sat. "You actually did surprise me, you know...staying long enough to be at this party and everything. Honestly I was expecting you to slip away before such a thing even started."

[onlysanechimera]

"You say that as if they gave me the opportunity. Did you really think they'd let me get away that easily?" He chuckled quietly, then gave her a soft smile. "Besides... I wanted the chance to say goodbye to you before I left. It's been... nice. Being around and getting to know you, I mean."

[frozen_void]

"Good point..." she said, chuckling a bit. If Dia could manage to keep her there, she didn't doubt the Brilliant Witch could convince other people to stay. She was bossy like that.

Of course, his words had her turning bright red, and she looked down at her lap. An awkward smile came on her lips even as she tried not to make eye contact with him. "S-Same here...I'm glad you and I got to...to meet, even with some of the circumstances being less than ideal."

[onlysanechimera]

Zel's own cheeks colored a little as he glanced away, trying to hide a slight smile, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um... thank you, Fatima. Er. Sorry if I embarrassed you." He ducked his head a little, trying to think of something to say to alleviate the awkwardness.

[frozen_void]

It was always funny, she thought, to see the chimera so flustered. Better still, he couldn't hide a blush that easy.

"I think we're even since you look pretty embarrassed yourself." she said, offering a little smile.

[onlysanechimera]

He smiled sheepishly, raising his head. "Sorry. I still have that problem with compliments sometimes." Under his breath, he added, "Especially from you."

He didn't think she could hear that last part, though it was entirely possible he was wrong.

[frozen_void]

The pointed ears given to her by her master of her craft were for more than just show, so unfortunately for him, she did manage to catch the lowly muttered words. But for his sake, she didn't mention it. She knew how flustered he could get, and she didn't like embarrassing him.

"You and me both, Zelgadis." she said, still smiling at him. "But I never really feel as nervous around you as I do other people."

[onlysanechimera]

"Well, er, thank you." He was still blushing now, and seemed to be having a bit of trouble looking directly at her. He'd never entirely worked out why she had this effect on him.

Okay, that was a lie, he was pretty sure why. But he'd certainly never worked up the nerve to bring the subject up - though now seemed like a reasonable time to do so, really.

[frozen_void]

The Shadow Frost Witch tilted her head as his face grew even more flushed. She supposed it was just her, but it seemed like there was something more on his mind.

"You feeling alright?"

[onlysanechimera]

"Ah, yes, I'm fine. Just thinking... I suppose it's not likely we'll ever run into each other again after this, is it?" he murmured, finally sitting down next to her.

[frozen_void]

Just the implications in his words had her going still. Never see him again? That was a thought she didn't care to entertain at all. The chimera might have been a bit out of place around the rest of their merry band, but she always felt more at home when he was nearby.

"Don't say that...I'll start to think you don't like me."