The difference between Love and Friendship [Tetsuko]

In spite of the deep reddening of Tetsuko's cheeks, she couldn't help but smile as well. Acceptance, approval, validation... All of these things were interwoven with the Eisenberg parents' words, making her heart swell and pulse with joy. The more she thought about it, the more obvious it should have been that things would go like this. After all, Tetsuko had known the Eisenberg parents for as long as she'd known Esperia. They were good people, a kind family, one with a certain... Warmth... That Tetsuko sometimes found lacking in her own relations.

The Shindou girl wondered what it would be like to tell her own parents about this development... Tetsuko's sexuality wasn't a secret to them, her grandmother having been utterly careless with the matter after learning of it. They'd accepted her, of course, though the knowledge was kept within their immediate family. Her old-fashioned grandfather was something Tetsuko was still wary of... At most, he'd disapprove out of the lack of legacy, but her mother could override any decision he made...

...Even though, Tetsuko's mother was the one she was the most apprehensive about telling.

Ever since the accident, Miku Shindou hadn't been the same. She was withdrawn, like some part of her was still bound to the past. If Tetsuko told her of this sudden change... She wasn't sure how her mother would react. She wasn't sure if her mother would react, and that somewhat scared her. But despite her apprehension, and her mother's cracked state... Tetsuko did still hope to one day come to with pride, and declare that Eli was her lover.

Her heart was fragile, but warm. Once dinner finally reached its end and everything was cleaned up, the Eisenberg mother offered that Tetsuko take advantage of their bathing areas. "Ah, thank you Mrs. Eisenberg. I'll head up there now." She said, accepting the invitation and nodding to Elise before she went off.

Unsurprisingly, the Eisenberg bathroom was more spacious than most, even more than that of your typical Japanese bathing room. It was more like the beginnings of a communal bathhouse! Tetsuko would strip down and place her clothes in the basket, before stepping further into the facilities. Given the hot weather, the Shindou girl decided a nice bath would be ideal for cleansing her body. She'd turn it on and wait idly by the edge of the tub, dipping her hand in to test the waters until it was ideally warm. Then, she slipped, letting the deep warmth overtake her.

It was soothing, melting away what stress remained in her, and stress did indeed reside within her. For even in spite of all the fun they were having, Tetsuko couldn't help but feel some strange... Reservation. Doubt. Guilt. Fear. Like poison, they struck at her from the inside, a single question being posed within her own mind, a simple query that she doubted had a simple answer.

Do I deserve to be this happy?

She sighed, letting that worry flow out of her, if temporarily, as she sunk deeper into the warm waters, a soft smile setting on her expression. If she didn't this happiness, let her not regret it now. Let her, in this moment, at least take solace in the fact that no matter what... She didn't regret what she'd done today.

Indeed, acting with their hearts was all they could do right now. As unreliable and volatile as their hearts were, they were also undoubtedly 'honest'... And with all the confusion and misunderstanding that had compounded in the past days, that 'honesty', that capability for a truth that they couldn't feasibly deny, was of the utmost importance. Failing to communicate the will of their hearts was what had gotten them into this mess, after all...

Tetsuko breathed steadily in the tub, feeling the warm waters washing over her. She raised her hand, tracing fingers across the water's surface, watching the ripples echo out and fade away. Even the slightest touch to the water's surface created 'ripples'. The Shindou girl closed her eyes, imagining the cool waters that surrounded her 'iron isle'... She could almost envision it now, that dreamscape of hers. Tetsuko could feel herself stepping out, into the shallows of the impossibly vast ocean... The water was cool, soothing, the very opposite of the rough and coarse iron beneath her feet... She stepped out further, guided by the immutable light at her side... 

"Te~Tsu~Ko~"

The sudden and familiar voice had Tetsuko's eyes suddenly open, her body slipping in the tub and flailing for a moment as she tried not to slip beneath the water's surface. What was Eli doing in here!? Had she been in there too long? Tetsuko, slipping beneath the water to hide her bare body, glanced in the direction of the voice, her cheeks a vibrant red from the heat of the bath and a flustered person.

"W-W-What's u-"

She was naked.

All of a sudden, the ceiling became very interesting to Tetsuko, her gaze averted heavenward. She'd caught a glimpse, only a glimpse, but already Tetsuko could feel her blood pressure skyrocketing! Elise's smooth and fair skin, her lithe figure, her modest features... It was all too much! Not to mention the fact Tetsuko was naked too! Her temperature rose to dangerous levels, barely registering Elise's request.

"U-U-U-U-Um... I-I..." Tetsuko stammered out, feeling her mind grow hazy, consciousness sleeping from just how overheated she was getting! The poor girl was starting to faint right there in the tub... But on the bright side... She couldn't deny she hadn't, deep down, enjoyed the brief sight she'd gotten!

Tetsuko, in her brief unconsciousness, received but a momentary glimpse of the landscape that seemed to arise whenever she closed her eyes. It was the same as ever, iron sand beneath her feet, golden light in her hand, soothing waters nipping at her ankles... But there was one, very strange, yet immediately noticeable thing that Tetsuko became aware of in this 'glimpse'... The fog... Did it seem... A bit clearer? Or was she just seeing things?

Either way, it was just that: a glimpse, and soon enough Tetsuko was back in the land of the waking. And as her eyes fluttered open, the very reason she'd drifted off was lying beside her... Well, against her... The Shindou girl's cheeks flared up, as she realized just the situation they were in... At least they seemed to be tucked away into bed... And the fact Eli seemed to be asleep too meant Tetsuko wasn't too embarrassed. Maybe she'd close her eyes and pretend to be asleep, give one of them a chance to get dressed without removing Eli's pillow... Besides, it wasn't like this position was particularly uncomfortable or anything.

... Though, only a few moments would pass before Eli shifted beside her, and soon enough Tetsuko was asked if she was awake.

"Um... Y-Yeah..." Tetsuko uttered softly, thinking back on how they must have gotten here. She remembered fainting but what about Elise? Eli didn't seem to be wearing any of her clothes either! Wait... Was she... Planning something lewd!? The very thought reddened Tetsuko's cheeks, but the more she thought about it, the more outlandish that seemed. If so, why would she be asleep? Calming herself down, Tetsuko rolled over in the bed, shuffling underneath the blankets before opening her eyes and peering up, around the room.

"U-Um... How did... Did you carry me in here?" Tetsuko asked bashfully, realizing very embarrassedly that Elise must have seen her naked body. Tetsuko couldn't even say it would have been much of a sight for Eli... Her own body wasn't as lithe and smooth as the Germanic girl's. It had musculature, hardly cute or elegant, and plenty of scars to boot... Tetsuko looked around the room, hoping to heaven there were some clothes nearby, and fortunately, two pairs of pajamas sat on the end of the bed.

"Oh, thank God..." Tetsuko uttered aloud, breathing a sigh of relief and moving to stand up from the bed, though not without a stipulation. "E-Eli could you... P-Please look away, while I'm getting changed? I... Don't think I could... J-Just don't peek, please." Tetsuko stammered out. Once she received the confirmation from Elise that no such peeking would occur, Tetsuko would shift out from under the covers, before walking to the end of the bed to get changed.

Alas, the only pajamas there were Elise's, of course... And for Tetsuko, a particularly girly set at that. It was a soft pink evening dress, the kind of thing she'd never be caught wearing... But, she didn't have much choice, so Tetsuko reluctantly donned the pajamas, unaware of any peeking that might actually be occurring.

"This kind of thing doesn't suit me at all..."

"O-On top of you?" Tetsuko repeated hurriedly, the very thought only intensifying her deep, red blush. So not only had Elise seen her naked, she'd touched her bare body too!? All Tetsuko could hope was that Eli had passed out before seeing too much... On the bright side, it did make Tetsuko a bit less guilty about having seen Elise's body. As the Germanic girl gave her promise not to peek, Tetsuko breathed a small sigh of relief. "Th-Thanks..." Tetsuko uttered hushedly, before going about getting changed. Of course, some deep part of her did realize that if it was Elise, peeking was almost certainly inevitable... After all, one of the new things Tetsuko was starting to learn about her childhood friend was that beneath her innocent surface... She was something of a pervert!

Slipping into the girlish dress, Tetsuko couldn't help but frown at the light and delicate design contrasted against her lean and muscled body. This kind of thing just wasn't her style, it was better off on someone like... Well, Elise. Speaking of which, the burgundy-haired lass declared she was getting dressed too. "O-Ok..." Tetsuko muttered, the knowledge that Elise was so close to her and doing the same making her heart skip a beat. Fortunately, being the upstanding young girl she was, there was no way Tetsuko was going to peek! Not even for a moment, right?

Ancestors forgive me...

It was just one, momentary peek that had gone unnoticed, but it was enough to make Tetsuko's heart dance to her tune. Elise was beautiful, of that there was no doubt. She was like a flower, delicate and pure, soft and stunning. Her body inspired a desire to protect that flower, to shield it from harm, from the uncaring elements of a cruel world.

Eli insisted on Tetsuko's cuteness, and the young Shindou girl couldn't help but smile in flattery, knowing she was just trying to make her feel better. "If you say so..." Tetsuko uttered, turning around to see Eli in her undergarments. How she so perfectly blended sensuality and cuteness, the swordswoman would never know. The ironbooded girl walked around the bed as Elise continued to insist that she had some 'softness' to her... Was that really the case? Did the girl whose body was a blade really have such an aspect to her? All she could do was blush, sitting on the side of the bad as Eli asked if she wanted to talk about.

"Yeah, I'd like that, Eli... Talking with you helps me get my thoughts sorted out." Tetsuko admitted, climbing into bed and feeling Eli press against her. Tetsuko wrapped her arms around her, holding her close and tight, smiling calmly. The Germanic girl's sudden apology had her blushing, even though Tetsuko already knew... To think her bare body had been gazed upon by Elise... God, it made her heart pound. Especially when Eli still so liberally attached those words to her. 'Strong and cute'. Then came Tetsuko own turn to admit her guilt.

"Y-Yeah, I saw you too..." Tetsuko admitted bashfully. "It was embarassing, but... You're beautiful, Eli. You're like a flower, except you're always blooming... So I, um... Didn't completely mind seeing you..." She stated, tucking her head into Eli's hair, the noticing the soft scent of shampoo. "It's funny, isn't it? We've seen each other naked before, but now... It's something different, isn't it? It means something different..." Tetsuko continued, a hand raised to her burgundy hair and stroking it softly.

"I really do want to take this slowly, Eli..." Her tone was soft, genuine. "Everything in my life, I'm always tackling head-on, without thought... I just charge through and draw my blade, risking so much just to solve things right away. To cut down my obstacles, no matter I have to put at risk... But... This... Us..." A soft kiss was planted against Elise's forehead, delicate and chaste.

"I don't wanna rush this. I never want to risk this..."

Relationships weren't something to be half-assed. Even Tetsuko Shindou, inexperienced as she was, knew that much. They took, time, commitment and communication... And she was willing to give all those things if it meant she got to better understand her feelings for Eli, and all the specters that haunted it. The doubt and confusion surround what 'love' even was, guilt over the circumstances that had brought about their connection, shame and anxiety toward the demons that still loomed over them. Many would have run under such pressure. Many would have said it was foolish to stay. But if Tetsuko was to be a fool, so be it. She'd already made up her mind, to stand by Elise no matter the demon, to walk slowly with her as they waded into the unfathomable depths of her own heart... And enjoying the happiness that it brought them every step of the way.

Indeed, this wasn't something to rush. It was something to take step by step, savoring every moment.

Hearing Elise understood was a weight of Tetsuko's shoulders, the ironblooded girl having slightly feared that Eli wouldn't have possessed the patience to hold back her own feelings. But, that was foolish, for Elise was just as determined as Tetsuko to make their relationship work. Tetsuko would hold her tenderly as she spoke of dedicating both mind and body, of returning the swordswoman's own samurai-like dedication. "Thank you, Eli. It means a lot to me." The Shindou girl uttered quietly. Compromise was of utmost importance in any relationship, as Tetsuko was quickly coming to learn.

Taking it slow was beyond simply the intimacy or readiness for sexual exploration to Tetsuko. To her, it meant... Accepting how little they knew. How delicate this thing they had was, and how important it was that they treat it with care. How they needed to recognize that moving forward too quickly, that promising so much on the future could only hurt them. Tetsuko just wanted to live in every 'now' with Elise, and would quickly come to understand the compromise Eli desired.

Feeling the fingertips gently along her scars was such an oddly... Comforting... Sensation. Like Eli's touch could heal them, like it caressed them... Like Elise was accepting them as a part of Tetsuko, loving them. The Shindou girl let out slightly staggered breaths, just from Elise's touch, gazing into her soft eyes with acceptance. The Eisenberg girl was making clear what she wanted to have, and Tetsuko saw no reason to deny it from.

"Eli..."

A chaste kiss was pressed against her own lips, returned by the Shindou girl as fingers crept up to her breast. She felt them knead into her, pleasuring and firm, gentle yet forceful. Her cheeks reddened, a soft moan escaping her lips for but a second to allow Eli to intensify the passion of the moment. Tetsuko's grip tightened, hands grabbing almost desparately at Elise's back. Her lady's lust and desire, all for her, all flowing into her and sparking her own deepest longings. She could not provide Elise the most of what she desired, but if Tetsuko's dearest princess wanted but a taste, she was free to claim it...

Their lips parting, Elise confirmed this was their limit, Tetsuko smiling gratefully yet subserviently at Eli, as though thanking her for her mercy. She held onto her lover closely, gently as she laid down upon her, delivering such sweet words to the Shindou girl. Elise really was the only who saw her like this, the soft core of an outwardly sharp blade... And Tetsuko... She was the only one who got to saw Eli like this.

"It's the same for me... To the rest of the world, you're still that beautiful flower, but you only blossom for me... It's only in my garden that I get to see you grow like this, that I get to see how much you change and how impossibly kind you are... Eli... Is my flower... The only one I need in my garden..." She hugged Eli tightly, pressing a kiss onto the top of her head as Tetsuko closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

"Juicy?" Tetsuko repeated, smiling softly down at Eli as she nuzzled into her bosom. Gods, she was so cute when she got embarrassed... Granted, Tetsuko was starting to feel a bit flustered herself, delivering all those lines. As Elise explained further, Tetsuko couldn't help but smile softly, shifting a bit to get comfortable as her arms wrapped tenderly around Eli, getting into a position that was comfortable for both of them as she closed her eyes. "I wonder if you're like apples..." She uttered tiredly, a passing thought that escaped her lips before Tetsuko finally drifted into a deeper slumber.

"You know what this place is now, right?"

She'd gotten to know that voice well, Tetsuko had. Yet were she told to describe it, the Shindou girl wouldn't have any way to do so. As her dreamscape came into vision, Tetsuko found herself already in place, standing in the shallows off the coast of her iron island. The lantern of light was in one hand, the fog around her... Was almost not even there, more of a mist than anything else. Only the slightest obfuscation of her surroundings...

"Well?"

The voice spoke again, but differently this time... For once, it had a source. Looking ahead of her, into the endless ocean, was something new to the dream. A boat. A small, wooden boat floated a distance away from Tetsuko, and on the boat sat a figure whose features were... Amorphous. Even under a soft blue sky, this figure was nothing more than a shape of a person, even their own visage hidden by a wide hat.

"This... Is my heart..." Tetsuko answered firmly, stepping forward toward the boat... Only to find her feet slipping down, as the slope of the iron sands got worse the farther forward she went. So this was it... The end of the 'shallows'. Looking down into the clear water, Tetsuko could see that it dropped off harshly, leaving nothing but the open ocean after she got past a certain point...

"Well done. Few people see this kind of thing. Even fewer understand it. And eeeeeven fewer make it past the shallows..."

How was she to get any further than this? The water was up to Tetsuko's waist already, as she held the lantern above the water's surface.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

Tetsuko looked up to the figure, eyes not containing one hint of confusion... She already knew what she was being asked to do...

"Go on. Dive in. It's a lot deeper from here on."

She tucked the lantern under her arm, took a deep breath, and jumped forward, diving into an ocean of perfect blue... 

/EXIT /CONTINUED IN NEXT THREAD