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Anjo Nala knew what it felt like to be in danger. She also knew what it felt like to be comfortable, and she could say without a shadow of a doubt that right now. Inside this suitcase that mysteriously houses many guests, she is comfortable.
She had been through a lot lately, from the Manus, to being locked away by Zeno, to journeying with Vertin, to going back to the Foundation and now here. She couldn’t lie to herself, part of her wanted to run far away from Vertin, and the Foundation. But she decided, for herself, based on her own thoughts and feelings, that she would trust the young girl.
There were lots of reasons behind that trust, but ultimately, her decision was spurred because Nala knew if she chose to not trust Vertin, she would never trust another human again. And even after the turbulent and traumatic century she has witnessed, she wanted to trust humans. At least some of them. Surprisingly she was accepted without much issue. Vertin made a request, and after half a day, with a relatively short interview by some Foundation members she was accepted into Vertin’s team. From her understanding that alone granted her some immunity as well. While also placing a burden on Vertin, should Nala ever do anything deemed out of line.
Nala couldn’t help but slightly shake even now. It felt like this was a dream she could wake up from at any time. How could she accept this situation as fact? A short while ago she was gnawing on a bone sitting on a Manus base. Trapped by a doll with no chance of escape.
She almost killed her now savior. Why would Vertin take such risks for her? Why would Vertin help her with seemingly nothing to get in return? She truly could not understand the situation as it were. The life she lived now seemed like nothing more than a joke, a lie greater than any before. How could she not trust Vertin with everything she had? That’s all Nala could think of. What it means to trust someone after so long in solitary. What it means to… love someone unconditionally.
Nala thought for sure Vertin cared for her. At least a little, right? She’s only met a small number of this suitcase’s inhabitants, and even that has been a lot. Clearly Vertin cares to help a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean she does it for people she cares not at all for, yeah? Nala wasn’t sure what to think, what lines may be in the sand. She felt she knew a lot about Vertin, and nothing at all.
What she knew for sure was Vertin kept a level head, even after being suffocated and nearly dying, Vertin simply got up and comforted her. Nala blushed, still thinking back on the moment she let Vertin take control. She seemed so cool, so unbothered by anything else. In Nala’s eyes Vertin should have been scared of her like others have been. She nearly killed Vertin, before laying into the Zeno soldiers, she was covered in their blood still. Yet Vertin gave Nala her hand, she cared for her with no sight of fear in her eyes. Nala never thought a human could be that way. So selfless and caring for others. No matter the incident.
At that time, she realized she actually missed Vertin. They haven’t been able to see each other much since reaching the foundation, sure. But miss her? This fast? She can’t remember the last time she felt this way. Or who she felt it for. She supposed she missed her sister, but they would never meet again regardless.
Still, she wanted to see Vertin even as night passed overhead. Perhaps especially because night passed overhead. She wanted to sleep in the same bed as her, be comforted by her again. Was that too selfish? Was that too bothersome? Her mind was encumbered by such thoughts. She wanted to be near Vertin, but maybe Vertin would find that annoying. She didn’t want to bother her too much, but she also wanted to just be near her. Nala let out a soft sight before standing. It was nice getting a room here. Vertin was so nice for all of this. But she couldn’t help feeling lonely.
She decided to take a chance, as she walked out of her room and began down the hall. She would clarify with her new master the means of their relationship. The means of where they stand amongst each other. Hopefully without bothering her at all.
She left her room in search of the young woman, in search of her aloof master. Vertin had been the one to give her a very short tour, showing her very little of the of the suitcase before running off to, “handle other matters.”
Nala knows where her room is, and where Vertin’s room is. As well as a gathering area of sorts. Earlier it was busy walking through the halls as she ran into a great many people, all with varying personalities that she’s not sure she can fully keep up with. Even with herself a little out of her depth, she couldn’t help but be very happy being able to interact with so many nice people again.
Now though, late at night there was far less people to run into on her walk towards where Vertin sleeps. She wondered if Vertin was even awake at this time, it was much more likely she was sleeping by now, wasn’t it? As she stood in front of Vertin’s door, hesitant all over again at bothering Vertin. Should she knock? Should she just walk in with confidence? Should she return to her room? Nala kept going back and forth in her head while biting and her own nails, a bad habit she picked up somewhere at some time.
And then, without warning, the door swung open, revealing Vertin with a curious look lighting up her eyes. “Ms. Kimberly? Is there something I can help you with?” Vertin asked, her quiet voice piercing the hallway and leaving Nala stammering.
“Y-you, how did you know?” She half squeaked in surprise, “also I’ve told you already, you can call me Nala.”
At this small protest, Vertin looked only more confused, before finally smiling softly at her. “Well, I could hear you bite your nails, in fact it gave me a small fright.”
Nala turned red at the mention of biting her nails before breaking into apology. “I-I’m sorry, I just wasn’t sure if you were sleeping by now and didn’t want to wake you.”
Vertin laughed quietly at that before stepping to the side with an adorably small yawn, “come in. We wouldn’t want to disturb anyone else if we’re going to continue talking.”
Nala blushed at that, but this time not in embarrassment but because of a feeling she wasn’t so sure she understood. With a quiet sigh however, she stepped past the threshold. Entering Vertin’s room for the first time. “Yes, thank you Master.”
Vertin seemed to glance at her as if signaling she wanted to say something at the use of such a title before deciding elsewise and closing the door. “Feel free to sit wherever, I don’t have much in the way of refreshments however.”
“That’s quite alright, I just wanted to see you really. I didn’t come to bribe snacks out of you.” Nala giggled slightly before at last sitting on the bed, glancing at Vertin to make sure she didn’t make a mistake. Vertin for her part sat down in a chair near the corner of her room. The desk a few feet away was covered with a mess of paper, and a pen sat neatly on top signaling just why Vertin is still awake.
“Well regardless I’ll store something in my room from now on, just in case you visit again.” Vertin’s smile reflecting off the soft lights and leaving Nala stammering in place for a few seconds. Nala feels almost sad at the distance between them right now, even though it’s still a small room. Vertin either ignored the apprehension or didn’t notice it because she looked almost pointedly at her as if to ask, ‘what brings you here?’ Even still the patience shown is almost too much for Nala’s beating heart.
“I just wanted to talk to you. A lot has happened, and it seems my presence has made you quite busy.” Her poor master was even still in her day clothes, clearly not having changed at all today. Vertin’s hair looked slightly disheveled and the only difference between earlier today and now was Vertin’s hat and jacket were left hanging near the door.
“It’s made the two of us quite busy I expect. But it’s a good busy, a ‘busy’ that I enjoy. Because I know it means your continued presence here. How about you though? Adjusting well?”
Vertin gazed at Nala with such a softness she lost her breath for a moment, ‘what is happening to me?’
“Nala?”
“O-oh sorry Master. I am adjusting well, thank you. I am a bit overwhelmed about how much my environment has changed so quickly. As well as how nice everyone is, but I’m handling it well I believe.”
Vertin hummed for a moment her gaze landing somewhere away from her. “Yes I suppose your environment has changed multiple times recently. And while I don’t know everything about your history, I can tell it is long. If you’d like I could set up an appointment for you with a doctor to discuss with them.”
Nala smiled somewhat pensively, “I’m not sure I’d be entirely comfortable with that. Besides talking to you is more than enough.
Vertin only smiled brightly in response, “well feel free to talk to me anytime. I am quite busy usually and I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m sent somewhere else but I can always make time for you.”
“A-ah thank you Master. I’m surprised you have enough time to be this kind to everyone in this briefcase.”
“Well I try and keep my time open to everyone but I’ll make sure to keep my time open to your more than others.”
Nala blushed crimson and played with her own claws for a few seconds, nervous emotion creeping into the air. “Master, I did have another question if you wouldn’t mind. Could I sleep in your bed tonight?” She said it so quickly she momentarily couldn’t comprehend what was said. She looked anywhere but to the other girl in the room.
The seconds felt like minutes, and the minutes felt like hours. She felt she couldn’t breathe, and as if she has made the gravest mistake she has ever made.
“If you’d like.” The words echoes throughout the room before her eyes shot to Vertin leaving her own head spinning. Vertin had a small smile as she met her gaze, while a light blush brushed her cheeks.
Nala’s heart felt as if it would stop as she slowly came to accept that Vertin said yes. And that the steadfast Vertin was blushing. Nala gulped as she raised both her arms before realizing, she had no idea why she was raising her arms.
Should she get under the blankets and wait? Should she sit still until Vertin makes a move? Finally her arms still stiffly in the air she nodded. A giggle cut through the tension as Vertin covered her mouth with a hand.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes... I... should I wait while you finish the paperwork?” Nala eventually stammered out.
Vertin spared one glance toward the paperwork before standing up and making her way to her dresser. “It’s all about you anyways so the rest can wait till morning. I will have to change though.”
Nala stared wide eyed as Vertin began unbuttoning her top before realizing with a start how rude that was and instead staring into the wall.
Vertin chuckled as Nala heard the sound of clothes rustling. “Don’t stare too hard at the wall, it might get scared.”
“You always say the most ridiculous-!” Her own anger caused her to abruptly turn to Vertin catching her stripped down to her underwear. Her own words yet again died on her lips as she forgot her manners. The sight lasted merely a second before a gown cut the sight off as Vertin threw it on.
“Most ridiculous what?” Vertin look almost unabashedly smug as she stared down at Nala.
“Nothing. Never mind.” Coughing, she stood up as Vertin pulled away the covers and sat down. She undid her hair and began brushing it out.
“You can lay down if you’d like.”
Nala meanwhile was standing awkwardly, before sitting down on the edge of the bed and turning to Vertin. “I uh, may I help you with that?”
“Sure.”
Vertin turned so her back was facing Nala before she could even blink. Then a brush was eased into her hands without another word. She had to catch her breath slightly before finally she ran a hand through Vertins hair.
It was soft, well cared for, and the silver color was lovely to the eyes. She felt as if she could run her hands through this hair all night but she already promised to brush the hair so another time perhaps.
Nala worked dutifully on the hairs, smoothing out the pieces sticking up here and there. A few minutes passed as Nala hummed a tune, getting lost in another world. A softer world. A kinder one.
Finally, she neared the end as she flipped Vertins hair to the side. Not before catching a glimpse of something that made her pause once more.
Of course she knew it wouldn’t be healed by then. And thinking about it, she would have noticed much sooner if she was paying attention. On another day her eyes would have passed by Vertin’s neck, only pausing to enjoy the sight.
But instead, the wounds on that neck made her pause. Without thinking, Nala moved all of Vertins hair out of the way and choked on a sob. Because there, encompassing her new friends neck, existed the marks left behind by a hand that had choked life from it.
There, was the marks Nala herself left behind. She had almost killed her, not of her own volition. But still the memories rose up choking Nala’s happiness from only moments before.
If Vertin hadn’t landed that shot so expertly on that doll, she may be dead right now. This small, beautiful, smart, caring, and strong woman would have been gone without a chance at recovery. By Nala’s own hands. How was it her own place to stand by her side? When that was the case.
She didn’t notice as Vertin turned her head slightly and look at her. She didn’t notice the soft smile, or the quiet sigh. She didn’t react when Vertin’s small fingers took the brush out of Nala’s hands and set it to the side. Nor as Vertin turned off the light.
“Vertin,” is all she could gasp against the dark room as she was pulled into bed laying in this young girls arms.
“It’s okay Nala.” Vertin said nothing else as she patted Nala on the head.
Vertin had wrapped her arms around Nala. Accepting everything Nala was. The pain, the anger, the strength. Everything.
Acceptance. What a wonderful word she had forgotten the meaning of.
Nala at last closed her tired eyes and hugged Vertin back. She tucked her head under Vertin’s own in the crook of her neck. Her tail wrapped around Vertin’s waist and she breathed in out of relief.
“You smell nice.” At first she didn’t even know if she had said it out loud. But Vertin’s response came even quieter than her own.
“You too.” Vertin’s grip tightened slightly, and her breathing softened.
If Nala Hari could wish for anything right now, she’d wish to remain in Vertin’s arms until the end of time. And maybe that was possible with someone called the Timekeeper.
Meaningless thoughts drifted Nala to sleep that night.
The first good sleep she had gotten in a long long time.
In the arms of a woman, who would surely grant her silly wishes.