The Wrong Soulmate [TinyThings x SoftStroke]

[TinyThings]

Near the center of the bustling city of Manhattan, there was once a cute little park, with all the natural wonders of fabricated nature. A desperate attempt at replicating the beauty and tranquility nature offers, in the midst of the noise and stench of cars. A horribly failed endeavor, of course, because like most architects, they had to have everything neat, and everything in it's designated place. Perfect curves and symetrical lines. Completely missing the point of nature. It is in it's chaos, the real beauty is found. No one in the big city would allow this, though. Chaos was unheard of. Everything has to follow the proper guidelines, set out by old farts, who only really cared about the world around them, as far as their own nose.

Always has society worked like this, however. Even when the status quo was broken, and the existence of the Supernatural was proven, people just desperately tried to make everything go back to normal. And, with lots of wars in ancient times, it did. The Supernatural was near quelled, and those who weren't was forced to live among humans, hiding their existence in fear of ridicule. Labels were made. Werewolves were animals, caged as Guard-dogs, while hunted in the wild. Fellguards were bouncers and Boxers, hurting each other for human benefit and entertainment. Succubi were prostitutes, whores, sluts, no good for anything but pleasure.
Such was the life of the Supernatural, so it was no wonder they quickly learned to hide themselves. Either in the shadows, or in the open. Among humans, they lived their lives, the best they could. Most of them, just wanted to exist, but none of them were surprised to hear of those who broke... Vampires, going crazy, ripping apart multiple humans, before Special Task Forces could take them down. Succubi, draining their lovers, taking their life-essence, only to be caught by the same Special Forces... No one liked to hear it, because they knew it only made their reputation worse, but... No one was surprised. Even in this day and age, when such incidents were years apparat, no one would bat an eye, if it ended up happening again.

There were a light for some of these creatures, however. Many kinds of Demons, such as the Succubi, could find humans labeled as 'Soulmates'. These were obviously extremely rare, a Demon very rarely having more than one human of such a caliber, destined for them, but it did happen. With such a Soulmate, their lives could often be made easier, as was the case of the Succubi. With a Soulmate, they could go much longer without sating their needs. Days, sometimes up to weeks, without fully starving. Finding ones Soulmate, could truly help the Succubus, who struggled with the lot they'd been given in life.


Such a Succubus gazed over the busy streets, into the dainty little park, observing the pebbles of summer rain striking at the rooftops of cars, and pavement bellow rushing feet. Everyone was in a hurry to get somewhere on foot, hoping to avoid too much of the rain. Such a hurry, to avoid something so natural and pure. Something so relaxing. So. Beautiful. The young Succubus observed with one of the few smiles of the week, her head slowly bobbing from side to side, from the music playing from the earbud in her left ear, the second earbud hanging from it's cord. She wanted to hear the rain-drops on the window facade of the cute little Coffee shop she was attending, as well. Her usual spot near the edge of the windows. One of the smaller booths, meant for only two people to sit across from each other, and socialize. Of course, this young woman always came here alone, because she always felt safest that way. Alone.

Of course, there was no telling this young woman was a Succubus. She looked like any young girl, probably nearing her twenties, or very early in them. Amber-hazel eyes and lively red locks reaching just down past her shoulders, only put into a mild kind of order, nudged out of her face, she was quite a neat looking young girl. Most of the rest of her body was nearly covered in a slightly oversized white hoodie, with a pair of white leggings, reaching down into a pair of crimson shoes. On the front of the hoodie was the large, fuzzy face of a red panda, embroidered quite nicely into the shirt.
Very few things about her outfit suggested any kind of wealth, and she could easily be confused as a student, except for the jewelry she wore. A pair of expensive looking earings dangled from her ears, only sometimes visible among the red locks, as well as several rings on a few of her fingers, adorned with gemstones of mostly redish colors.

The young woman, seemingly sitting in silence, had her chin rested on her hands, fingers cupping her cheeks as she looked out onto the busy street, observing people, while also avoiding eye-contact with anyone. She was a curious young woman, but had no real interest in an actual conversation. Hence, the lonely little booth near the edge of the coffee shop, received her order of a Frappe, placed neatly in front of the young woman, by a young man.
"You're order, Ma'm." He offered formally, before hurrying on with other orders. The shop seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, quite a few customers having shown up in a pretty short span of time.
"Oh, thank y..." She was about to thank the boy, looking after him with a few blinks. She looked around, immediately understanding his hurry, a weak smile spreading across her lips. She was just happy to see the little place having some good business. She only gave her cup a quick glance, seeing the usual, simple single-use cup in her peripherals, thinking nothing really of it. It wasn't the usual cup, but this had happened before, the shop having run out of the cups used for Frappes. Usually, they apologized for the change, but they were busy today, after all. The cup was at least lacking the straw, as she usually requested, bringing out her own metal one from her purse. She preferred using this, never having been a fan of plastic straws, and it also meant they'd have an extra straw, for someone else!

Of course, a mix-up had indeed happened. Somewhere, someone had gotten a nice, cold Frappe, with extra Caramel and Cream, but with no straw to actually drink the tasty drink, from the topped cup. The young woman, on the other hand, had been given a nice hot cup of coffee, of some variant, that she now stuffed her straw in, looking back out at a dog she'd seen a moment ago, still not entirely out of view. She didn't even touch the cup to pick it up, just tilted herself down to find the straw, sipping up that large, soothing gulp of cold, crushed ice, that she found so...
It took her brain exactly two seconds, before it realized the mixup. Just long enough, that she managed to get a nice big gulp of hot coffee into her mouth, that it wasn't prepared for.
"Mmmh! Mhm! Mh!" She exclaimed, keeping her lips clamped closed, not to spit out over the entire table. Her Hazel eyes first went wide, as her body started bouncing slightly in the seat, looking around for something to spit the hot liquid out in, continuously giving little uncomfortable squeals and groans, muffled by those clamped lips. Both her hands started aimlessly waving in front of her face, as if fanning the closed mouth would make any difference, finally pinching her eyes shut as she forced herself to drink the hot liquid.

"Ahaannh..." She complained, finally able to open her mouth again to let cool air inside her mouth, whimpering as she tilted her head back with an almost adorable little cry, bouncing a few more times in her comfortable seat before lowering her head again, pointing her burning tongue out from her lips, as if trying to look down and see if it was bad. Of course, this was a dumb endeavor, just seeing a slightly reddened tongue, nothing particularly strange about it otherwise...
For now, the young woman doesn't seem to've realized the noises she'd made, had given her quite a bit of attention, more than a few people looking over to the young woman for a moment, some holding in little laughs, while some not even trying to hide a little snicker, or two. Not that anyone could really blame them, though...

 

[OldSS]

There was always a path in life that one was meant to follow. There were variations of it, but when you really broke it down, most people in society saw a simple linear track: childhood, primary school, secondary school, university/technical program, first job, better job, years of work, then retirement. It was... a rather depressing outlook if one stopped to think about it. That concept that lives were all meant to hit the same track was somewhat reductive of the entire nature of free will, saying that freedom could only exist within boundaries. In a sense, it could even be considered a sort of paradox of philosophy. Freedom of life, while also being confined to it. All things that could overwhelm anyone.

Which was part of the reason that Julianna didn't think about them. It wasn't really her place to go and think about it. Plus, well, she had too much else to do. She was firmly in that part of the cycle that 'better job' would be placed in. After two years of work at her first entry level job, she'd been given the promotion to now be the one above the entry level workers. It wasn't exactly a very... glamorous role when put like that, but it was more money, better clout and without the fear of having to work to keep your job. Which made it good for Julianna! It was far, far less of a stressor put on her head.

Often, people around the workplace would refer to Julianna as July, pronounced like her name and not the month. It was ironic, given she was actually born in June. If one were to ask someone about July, they would refer to her as 'nice girl.' Not that it would offend her by any means. July had worked her entire career to be that 'nice girl' that everyone would want to be around. She was kind to those that asked for things, did her work plus a bit extra as well, and overall made herself a worker and person that people either needed or wanted to be around. In that sense, July was the exactly like every other worker. She was exactly like every other person that went to work, exactly like everyone else.

Some people would find being called 'just an average girl' as an insult. July had never really taken it that way. There was a reason that average was defined that way, and that was because it was good. Desirable. People liked when they had others around them that were normal. Was July just a flat piece of cardboard? No, that wasn't true either. But in the grand scheme of things, if one were to look down at her, they would see her as just another girl. And that position still suited her perfectly fine. She had nothing against it, and nothing to gain by fighting it. So it was a label she wore.

Escaping to a coffee shop after work wasn't exactly radical, but the fact she didn't go to a chain restaurant was a bit out of the norm. Her peers preferred Starbucks, she liked this place. It was quaint, just big enough to make the space feel open but not let too many people crowd it. She'd found it by chance one night, and that was really that. She enjoyed it, and the coffee was good. It was a nice place for her to sit down and think a bit. Not exactly meditating, but getting her bearings? That was there to see. And she had always ordered a rather basic white chocolate mocha. She actually was used to drinking it right away; she had used the fact she could drink coffee right form the pot as a bit of a trick growing up.

It wasn't until July went to actually take her first sip that she realized it was wrong. She stopped because her lips closed on air where a straw should have been. She looked down at the drink, realizing what had happened. It looked as though the letters on the side that they normally used for initials had been smudged. Too much moisture from the machines? Or, did that make sense? Well, it wasn't her place to justify it. Thankfully, seeing someone that was having an averse reaction to a cup of coffee in a small store that she had seen being given the drink right before her was enough information for her to know where to go.

The small woman would see July approach. July had a fairly normal body type, a small but perky chest that smoothed down into some maintained curves on her side, rolling into a small set of hips, thighs, and leading into slender legs. Her hair was black, and she always wore it in a braid that went down the left side of her face. She'd gotten it from some movie or other, too long ago to remember. She despised heels and went for some simple comfortable brown shoes that looked formal but were actually more athletic, a fact she was proud of and didn't mention as though it was a secret. A simple blue skirt was tucked into her blouse of a matching deep blue; they were bought in a pair a long time ago, and she didn't care to really go mixing and matching. She didn't go shopping for clothes much at all. Kind green eyes looked down to the woman in the hoodie, framed against a set of warm lips and a defined set of cheeks that might have been the most striking thing about her face overall.

"Looks like I found the issue!" July chuckled gently, "I think they switched our drinks around. I didn't actually get a taste of mine, I'm used to there being a straw." In hindsight, drinking hot coffee through a straw seemed a bit odd, "Mind if we switch? I mean, I like almost everything they make here but it looks like you weren't ready for that and, you know." She moved to gently take a seat on the side of the booth opposite the girl, "...Yep, that's my cup. My initials are there. JR. First name July. Last name Roberts. ...I'm kidding, nobody is actually named Roberts. It's actually Ravin. July Ravin. Sounds like a superhero name, right?"

 

[TinyThings]

Far too preoccupied by observing her tongue, the young girl didn't noticed a stranger approaching. Wild thoughts were running through her mind at this point, overshadowed mostly by her social anxiety. Now she'd have to call out for the personel... She'd have to apologize for taking the wrong order. She had to make herself an issue for others. She didn't like doing that. She didn't like standing out. Being a problem. Sure, a tiny part of her realized, she, and possibly someone else in the store were the ones who'd been wronged here, and she'd already paid for her nice, cold Frappe. Then again... Maybe this wasn't so bad? Not like it tasted bad, at least. Had a lovely meld of coffee and sugar of some sort, possibly a chocolate of some kind, and the two strong tastes mellowed each other out quite well. She could just. Drink this, and not be a bother to anyone, right?

The redhead jumped lightly when a voice suddenly approached her, finally realizing this had even happened, her Hazel eyes looking up with surprise. A slightly brighter hue of red build on her cheeks, as she quickly pulled her tongue back behind her lips, looking a little baffled by the other woman's first statement. She found an issue? Was she sitting in someones seat? Had she managed to spit on someone? Had she been too loud, and bothered this poor woman?
Of course now, the young woman was quick to aliviate those fears, pointing out she was probably the intended owner of the cup of warm coffee. The girl looked down at her cup, then chuckled lightly as a weak, but pleasant smile spread across her lips, looking back up, her cheeks now a little bit hotter.
"Oho, yes. Yes, that might be the issue... At first I'd just thought they'd mistaken my order, but. This might be yours." She suggested, finally looking to the cup, seeing the faint, gentle fumes coming up from the little drinking hole in the cup, as well as around the metal straw stuck into the center, where intended. She saw the initials, turning the cup around to show them to the young woman, looking up to her hand as well, smile growing a little wider as she saw her own initials. HH.

The girl looked down to the cup, elegant fingers still fiddling a bit at the sides, before snapping out of it when the other woman introduced herself, by means of her initials. Her Hazel eyes looked up, a low snicker escaping her with July's playfulness, and then suggestion that it sounded like a Superhero's name. This made her snicker again, looking thoughtful for a moment, before noddin, causing a few red locks to fall over her ear, hiding her earrings.
"I could see that. And yes, of course. I am... Sorry, I already took a sip of yours. I'm. I'm so ditsy, I didn't even look or touch the cup before taking a sip. Stupid." She laughed a bit awkwardly, taking out a napkin from the table's dispenser, picking out her straw and holding it over it, to avoid spilling on the table. "I'm sure you can. Can get a new cup, if it bothers you I had some... Good coffee, though! Mocha, isn't it?" She questioned, a nervous, but gentle smile across her lips. It was clear the hazel eyes didn't really know where to look, the girl seemingly not all that used to social interactions. Very much not used to people just... Joining her. It was nice, though. She liked it.

Realizing she hadn't returned the kindness of introductions, she sat up as if suddenly, pointing to the initials on her own cup.
"And those are mine. HH. Hazel Harrowing. Mmh. More of a... Fantasy character. Perhaps a... Wicked Witch in the forrest? Serving Love-Potions for the right price, and cursing my enemies with a life-time of unsatisfying Coffee!" She suggested with a weak little chuckle, sitting up slightly as she accepted the drink, if being given it, pushing July's over to her. "Nice to meet you, July." She formally greeted the other woman, holding out a hand to offer a hand shake.

 

[OldSS]

In July's mind, making a good first impression was key to making sure that people liked you. While people would say that they didn't judge people at face value or assume things about someone... that was a lie. A very large, very blatant lie. Now, was that to say that July was intentionally manipulating the way that she introduced herself? No, not really. She simply wanted to ensure that the woman understood a bit about who she was: kind, a bit silly and most importantly, not someone that would be mad at them. It would honestly be very simple for her to walk right up and start demanding her coffee and getting very mad, and then backing off to instead rant at the underpaid baristas here that likely had just made a simple error. If there was no malice behind someone's actions, though, what point was there in holding it against someone?

Her impression of this Hazel Harrowing was rather... interesting. Her posture, clothing choice and the way that she spoke indicated someone that was less confident in themselves, perhaps even a bit skittish. But it seemed that was more so being shy, which made sense given the fact that July had more or less just walked up and then forced herself into a conversation with Hazel, regardless of the context. Still, her voice was rather cute, and the way that she looked around and jerked her attention from side to side had an odd charm to it. That, or perhaps July was worried that she had scared this poor girl somehow. Either way, it was important to indicate that she wasn't really here to scare her, with the greeting being the first step in the right direction.

"Don't worry about the sip, I grew up with parents that both had a ton of siblings, they're all used to sharing," July shrugged, "Only child, though. Not quite sure why they stopped at just me but hey, I'm not complaining. Means I never had to share my birthdays with anyone," She extended her hand out, her handshake firm and practiced from years of working in environments where she needed such; it was a firm but not forceful, enough to indicate she was giving Hazel her attention, "You're not too far off with the name. Though a witch is a bit harsh. I'd say more so a sorceress. Maybe one of those that live in the woods and get called on whenever there is some big quest that has to happen. The quirky member of the group the others aren't sure about but get pretty dang sure when she turns and her potion causes the boss to explode! ...Eheh, I dabbled a bit in those sorts of things in university."

"Not to be a little stalkerish here, but I think I've seen you around for awhile," July continued, "I come here every day or so. Whenever I get time, more or less. It's a really nice shop! I found it by accident when I was looking for one of the big chains around here. So glad I made it here instead." July took the time to fully slide her body into the booth, indicating she was here to stay for the moment, "I like your hoodie! It's really cute. It reminds me of some of the things I used to pick up in the college. I mainly relegate those designs to pajamas now. Sadly the working world doesn't appreciate if you walk in wearing anything other than brown, black or gray. If there was a conspiracy to remove color from the world by all the bigwigs up there pulling the strings, well, I wouldn't belive it but I'd talk to the people that did!"

 

[TinyThings]

Hazel smiled sweetly with July's reassurance, her natural features clearly shining far more, when she wore a genuine smile. Those were hard to come by these days, and Hazel always found herself consciously treasuring the moments she got to spread one. It was a strange thing, really. Treasuring something that should be so natural. Hazel didn't want to take moments like these for granted. Moments, where she could just relax, in the company of someone else. Even then, she couldn't... Entirely, relax. Sure, he was at meetings right now, but... What if he got off early? That was why she'd picked this place in the first place, though. It was out of the way. So, even if he did get off early, why would he pass here? Perhaps he'd found a way to stalk her phone?
Paranoia was never far away from Hazel, her bright eyes occasionally shooting out onto the street, as if seeing something out of the corner of her eyes. She'd always blink a few times, and go back to focus on July, because there was never anyone there. Not him. Not one of his partners...

Hazel snickered lightly with her comment about sharing birthdays, as they exchanged a hand shake. If she could've had an active family, she would've happily shared her birthdays with anyone who'd want them... Of course, she knew July was joking, and wasn't about to go spreading depressing vibes like that, but the thought came up for just a second.
As July went on about how she imagined her name, Hazel's smile only grew, and for the first time focused purely on the other woman's face. She felt herself, for a moment, entranced with what was currently happening. A real, genuine conversation, with a human being, that didn't involve chores, degradation or sex... It felt... Nice, and she perked up at the mention of dabbling in 'those sorts of things', tilting her head a bit.
"By that, you mean things like Roleplaying? Like... Tabletop? I've. Always wanted to try it, but. Never really had the chance to. Just watched a lot of it on the internet." Hazel admitted with a weak chuckle, before looking thoughtful for a moment. "I don't know... I think I'd be a good Witch. I'd be a recluse. Mysterious and considered dangerous, because people don't understand me. Really, I just want to brew potions, and dream of going on adventures with a group of good guys, and defeat bad guys!" She wiggled lightly with that idea, moving a hand out. "Oh, and, of course, sacrificing children to dark gods! Can't forget the sacrifices, Witches has to do sacrifices..." She joked, her voice thick with sarcasm, a cautious snicker following her banter, but her bravery was quick to falter, her anxiety urging her to explain, and get the idea right back out of this woman's head, that she'd play a character who sacrifices babies! "Of course, I am joking. I'd be misunderstood, and one day give Witches a better reputation." She nodded to herself. The real reason behind Hazel's insistence on a 'Which' as her names character, might not be entirely obvious, but it seemed Hazel liked the idea of being misunderstood, but proving people wrong. If only July knew the truth, she'd know just how straight from the heart that idea actually was.

Hazel's cheek brightened in a gentle red hue, as July mentioned having seen her before. Her lips curled a smile, eyes darting out the window for a second, catching on to something, which obviously wasn't what she was worried about. Looking back, she smiled, finally lifting her Frappe to take a large sip from the refreshing, cool beverage.
"Me too. I come here, usually the last few hours before my. Boyfriend. Comes home from work." She paused for a moment, clearing her throat as she looked down to the Frappe, her lips seemingly finding it a bit harder to smile for that time, until she twirled her metal straw in the cup, looking back up with a nod. "Yeah, this is way better then the brand-shops, that I've tried at least. And, it has a nice view of some of the park, too." She agreed, looking out the window for a moment, her faint smile hiding the heavy thoughts on her mind. She came here, to get out of the apartment. It smelled like alcohol, sweat and blood. It felt like a Prison, that she came back to by her own free will, every fucking day... She cursed herself for that fact, and for a moment the smile completely dropped, looking at a young man, rushing through the rain with a newspaper over his head.

Her smile came back immediately, however, when she was complimented on her hoodie, perking up to look back at the woman who'd so strangely joined her.
"Isn't it? I thought it was really sweet." She agreed sweetly, looking down the hoodie, holding it out by the sides, to display the head more clearly. She looked back up, laughing lightly with the suggestion of a conspiracy. "Oh, if those kinds of people could have their way, the world would lose all of it's curves and grooves, and turn into a black and white landscape with a whole lot of symetrical lines..." She followed up with a laugh, lifting her Frappe to take another deep swig, looking over July as she did. "I like your blouse too. Blue suits you. I've always liked blue, going with green." She mused with a warm smile, not making it entirely obvious she was referring to July's bright, green eyes. with her hands resting before her, she abscentmindedly played with one of the expensive rings on her right hand, pointing a finger towards July, and nodding in her direction with a question. "What do you do, if you don't mind me asking? You mentioned the working world not favoring colors? Makes me guess that you wear some kind of uniform? Or a Suit? Other than your Superhero suit, of course! But, you gotta have a job, besides your Superhero-ing, to maintain your cover..." She playfully laughed, proceeding to bend her neck down, lips playing idlely with the end of her straw, taking small sips.

 

[OldSS]

Something about Hazel was making July think a lot more critically about her words. It was in the same way that one could tell if someone was lying, which at first made her wonder what was really going on with her. There was a sort of edge to her words, an edge of... sadness? Depression? Something that it felt like was both being covered up and displayed for her to see. She wasn't sure which one it was. But she also wasn't working to try to pursue everything that this little woman was telling her. She looked like she wanted to keep some things hidden, the hoodie and such all showing her that not all was right. If she'd been a bit more quick on the uptake, she might have seen some of the signs of things that were to come. But that wasn't the case, and she wasn't quick today. She was intentionally not doing anything to really suss out the issue here. It was rude to do that to someone, just a step down from doing something like judging them, which she'd already been critical about making sure she didn't do.

"Tabletop, I've met people who do it in person but, well, I can't really do that. I'm a bit too self-conscious about what people would think of me, as shallow as that might sound," July sighed and leaned forward, "I just a few campaigns, just small get togethers with friends. they never really went anywhere. Wasn't quite anything that was worth sticking around for in the end. We just sort of would let one thing die and then make another one until it stuck long enough for us to remember it next time we got together," She paused, "Well. And, you know, everyone in university drinks a bit. So it didn't help that the one that was supposed to be running the thing often times had gotten into the wine before we got there. Not enough to be sloshed but jjjuusssstttt enough to not really be paying attention to what was going on." Normally, July wouldn't be letting so many details slip like this. It was a bit odd that she felt so comfortable around this girl. Perhaps it was just the way that this little woman was acting. She felt like she could talk and there wasn't any reason not to keep going with it. She let that sink in for a few moments, if only to just think about what she wanted to say next.

"If that's the sort of witch you want to be, I'll let you keep it," July leaned back in the booth, "I remember some author or whatever saying that any character can be interesting if you give them reason to be. No need to make assumptions off the bat! ...I don't know what point I was trying to make there." July paused, trying to get her bearings back, "Ah yes, the coveted boyfriends. All of those things," July shrugged, "Not my thing. Not that I'm knocking others for having it. I'm just a bit of on the other side of the fence, if you know what I'm saying," She smirked, "But don't worry, I'm not someone that's gonna force that on people. I know this one lady at work that does that. Drives me crazy. It doesn't help she's actually really pretty. It's like looking at fruit you know is bad for you but you still wanna taste it!" She paused, a blush spreading over her face, "Ahem... I'm saying a lot here, aren't I?"

The next conversation topic gave her reason to ramble aimlessly, "Oh! Oh. Heh, well you probably won't believe me with this, I work as a research assistant for a small real estate company. There's only like, ten of us overall, four of them are contractors so they go out and do their own thing. I spend most days pulling information on buildings and then sending it to the guy above me to do the work. They've talked about letting me go and get some more education, but I told them unless they foot the bill I won't be doing it," She let out a shudder, "It's way too expensive. Like. So much. Just to say I have an MBA. Three letters!"

"Oh, and if you want to know the superhero suit, clearly I would have to do something crazy," July waved her hand, "I mean, you gotta be sexy in some way or otherwise the guys won't wanna watch you. But you can't go too far in one direction. It's all really silly in the end.... Oh, thank you on the blouse! Sorry, I get talking and then I sort of store what I want to say for next sentence but then I do another thing for next sentence and... eck. I'm talking a lot, sorry."

 

[TinyThings]

As July began on her exploits in Tabletop, however humble those might be, Hazel seemed quite curious, leaned a bit over the table, fingers gently spinning her cup. She did occasionally take sips, and then stir, intending to keep the drink near frozen for as long as she possibly could, while slowly enjoying the smooth, creamy taste. Something about July brought something back up inside Hazel, that she'd long since forgotten. The other woman didn't seem to laugh much at her jokes, or really seem all that pushy to get to know her, but Hazel wasn't looking for that kind of self-gratification in the first place. But it was the casual feeling of the conversation. Just the fact to be talking to someone, without having to worry about what might creep up on you. That, and she kinda liked the sound of July's voice. The people who spoke to her these days, all had strong, rough voices, and mostly talked down to her, but July had a smooth, gentleness to her, that was all too refreshing.

"Sounds like University, alright. At least the stories I've heard. Never went myself." Hazel admitted with a weak smile, taking a sip from her drink, as she looked out the window for a moment. Hearing about little get-togethers with friends, just joking around with casual games of Tabletop, shot a tiny arrow of longing through Hazel. She'd never really had friends like that herself, mostly just work acquaintances and clients. Sure, a few of the other girls back at the brothel, and on the corners she used to work, had sorta been like family, but even then, she always felt out of place. Maybe mostly due to jealousy on the other girl's part. Hazel was cheap, because she didn't much need the money, and she was gorgeous to boot, given the right set of clothes and conditions.

Hazel bore a small smile as July recovered from the Sorceress idea, finding herself strangely appreciating the gesture. She'd suggested the Sorceress because of the negative conotations of Witches, probably wanting to 'defend' Hazel. It was a nice gesture, really, and that hadn't been lost on her.
As July mentioned the idea of a 'coveted' boyfriend, Hazel had to look out the window by their side for a moment, her smile faltering, with a discreet little tick of her shoulder. If coveted was the bruises on her chest, arms and stomach right now, the next girl could have it all, and Hazel would live alone if she had the choice... Her boyfriend was the reason she had to wear hoodies out of the house, at most times. She was almost sure some of the horrible things he did, he did to try and demolish her interest in going out. Make it too much of an effort to hide the abuse.

July hadn't meant anything of her statement, however, and Hazel knew it, quick to turn her attention back to the other woman, chuckling lightly at the mention of a fruit she couldn't have.
"The ones you can't have... Often taste the sweetest." She suggested, smirking back in accordance to the smirk she'd received a moment ago. "I got what you meant, though. I... Used to lean on both sides of it, really. And. It ain't really out of any preference, that I've ended up where I am." She admitted, a little bit of her Southern Accent playing through, quickly causing her to blush for a moment, realizing what she was saying. She was quick to move the conversation on to July's job, hoping the other woman wouldn't poke too much into that suggestion.

Hazel's head tilted slightly as she curiously listened. July's job sounded interesting, to say the least, but not at all what she'd expected. The woman seemed very happy to talk about it, and just as happy to have it, making Hazel smile once again. It was nice to meet someone, who was happy with her lot in life. It didn't sound like a particularly breathtaking job. Not the kind that made heads turn. But, it sounded like a good job. And, if it paid the bills and made July happy, nothing else really mattered.
She chuckled along with July's ramble, her smile perpetual on her lips at this point. She continued doing so, as July went on about her suit, and how it would have to be 'crazy'. It was clear that Hazel truly did enjoy the company, and she waved a hand with July's apology.

"Oh, don't worry. I prefer your company over my loneliness, and your voice over the silence, and nothing is chaining me to this chair. You don't have to apologize." She mused with a warm smile. "And let's not pretend like it's only the guys, who wants to watch you in a sexy, skin-tight suit... Or, for that matter, try to lie to me, and tell me you've never gushed over Cat-woman, Harley or Wonder-Woman in their suits?" She suggested, playfully smirking, the gentle hue on her cheeks making a return. "I know I have. Sure, I would've gushed over them in their normal attire as well, but... There's something about skin-tight, isn't there?" She giggled lightly, her bravery coming to a full stop then, not exactly prepared to continue on by herself, instead just clearing her throat as she took another sip of her coffee.

 

[OldSS]

When Hazel broke off talking about boyfriends, that was something which July couldn't help but take notice of. It was one thing for the cute girl to act like it was nothing overall, but to then go and show something that indicated more made her start to question things. Only as far as the initial questioning went, though. It was rude to go and try to analyze people like that, even if she felt that there was something there that she wanted to go and investigate. But right now, that wasn't what they were doing. And the conversation kept moving, which meant by the time it would even hit her mind a second time, she was already on to something else. Thinking wasn't always as linear as people liked to act like it was, after all.

"Well, I'm here a lot, so if you want to chat a bit more in the future, you're welcome to!" July paused, "Actually no, I'm really a secret celeberity in disguise, it's gonna be 10.50 per minute if you wanna actually keep talking to me, you've already wracked up about seventy bucks here, I accept all major credit cards," July grimaced a bit, realizing only after she'd said that how bad her joke was; she wasn't exactly the best when it came to being funny, and most of her friends said her humor was an 'acquired' taste, "Erm, I mean like, you know. I'm here pretty often so, I'm not against chatting a lot more. In fact, I'll do it for free!" She smirked, "I'm an e-celeberity, after all." She paused, "I'm, not, okay I'll stop, I'm really not that good."

Hearing the woman so openly talk about sexual topics like that was certainly a bit of a shock. 'Gushing' sort of implied something lewd to her. Normally, she would try to steer it away from that, but it looked as though Hazel was comfortable with it. And that little pause at the end was all she needed to see that Hazel felt embarrassed by what she'd said, so she wanted to come in and make her feel a bit better.
"Well if we're being honest about it, it's not really those that I'm that into," July waved her hand, "My friends in university introduced me to some anime they really like and... well. Sometimes they have that one character that is just made to be fetishized. It's hard not to. I think it's just because skin tight is as close as we can get to showing nudity. so we kinda gravitate towards it. But I don't know, maybe some people just like that sort of thing," July grinned a bit, "Hope that didn't make you weirded out. You brought it up first, in my defense!"

Slowly, July leaned back so she could take a massive swig of coffee, "Agh! There we go." She tapped the side of the still very hot cup of coffee, "I have a weird tolerance for heat. I've had my friends take the hottest water they can out of the faucet and watched me drink it right away. There, you got a fun fact about me!"

 

[TinyThings]

Hazel smiled with the invitation to chat with July, snickering only slightly as a joke evolved out of it. Her head tilted slightly as July grimaced, and then tried to real in the joke, taking it back. That just made Hazel laugh a little more, shrugging a shoulder lightly.
"And, here I was about to get out the check-book, and get to writing checks out, buuut, if your offer is free now, I'll take it." She smirked lightly, winking a single time, until catching herself in doing so. She blinked a few times, pulling her shoulders a bit higher up, looking back out the window. "I've got access to a lot of things these days. Meant to be having the time of my life. One thing I haven't got a lot of, is people to talk to. I'd almost be ready to pay for that." She admitted, smiling a bit more faintly, eyes still looking out the window as she spoke, catching on to a few leaves floating by the window, battling the wind and rain, before giving in, dropping into a puddle. Her hazel eyes trailed back over to July with that, a warm smile across her lips. It was all too obvious she was battling between two parts of herself, and that melancholy was never very far away. Even then, July had managed to drag her more out of it than usual, and it was starting to warm her up to it.

The flustering across her cheeks didn't leave as July took the rather lewd comments, and build upon them, but her lips grew into a more confident smirk, looking thoughtful. At the mention of 'being weirded out', Hazel just chuckled, shaking her head a few times as she looked down to her Frappe, spinning the straw a few times.
"You'd... Have to make an effort, to weird me out with anything 'lewd'." She admitted, the hazel eyes drifting back up to July, narrowed just enough to almost look sultry, accompanied by a confident grin. Being weirded out hadn't been the original reason for the flustering, but rather the fact that she'd brought something like that up, to someone she wasn't sure would appreciate it. Knowing that, though...
"I agree, probably something like that. And, skin-tight can show a woman's curves off at their best. Make any bossom perky, and any booty firm, but jiggly..." She suggested a second reason, snickering slightly as she shrugged, taking a long sip from her Frappe, smiling up to July. "Of course, nothing beats the natural beauty bellow. Clothes are, just that, after all." She snickered again, resting on her elbows. "Haven't watched much Anime, to be honest. Played a few games in the style, like Final Fantasy, and the Persona series. Which, those last two instalments of Persona? Mh. Probably some of the best games I've played. Jerked some tears out of me, several times." She chuckled lightly, happy to speak about something she had, at least, a little knowledge of. Some, more than others...

She watched July take that large sip of coffee, her brows raising slightly. The lack of reaction to that heat made what she was about to tell pretty obvious, Hazel giving an impressed little chuckle.
"Sure seems you have... Even when I don't surprise myself, I couldn't drink that much hot liquid in one gulp." She smiled, looking thoughtfully out of the window, her tongue rolling around in her mouth for a bit, feeling those gentle burns still remaining in there. "Hmm. Only seems fair if I give you one in return. Mh. Oh! I can do the splits, while standing up, without using a wall." She smiled, proudly, nodding a single time. She had many quirks, but not all she was proud of. Her flexibility, was a point of pride. And highly valuable in her past trade.

 

[OldSS]

July was more than willing to indulge this strange sense of lewd comradery that they were sharing. It was strange to talk about something so... scandalous, but that wasn't to say that she thought it was bad. She could tell that Hazel was working to try to stay out of some bad mood, and right now she could only assume it either had something to do with her normal life, or she just had a rather bad day. Either way, it wasn't in her own good judgement to shut something down. It just so happened that she was confident enough in herself that she didn't feel the need to get all blushy and nervous when it came to lewding things, simply because she had been around a number of people that were very, very much okay with talking about that sort of thing.

"I guess when you boil it down though, everything is just there to make what's underneath look better, I guess that's why so many people went and figured out the same thing," July waved her hand a bit, "Not actually played those games, sadly. I know if I do I'll get sucked into it and it's not really in my better judgement to try to, well, get that involved," She let out a small and nervous chuckle, "Ahem. I mean, I'm sure that playing some of those games jerked something out of you. Something that's probably wet too. Just not tears," July had a blush on her own face, but this was a somewhat more tame one. One that made her feel a bit better about the conversation. Knowing she was engaging Hazel did wonders for that.

"I think ti's just a genetic thing, my dad used to be able to drink almost boiling water and still be fine, I'm not that good though, stupid genetics diluting the family line," July rolled her eyes a bit. Hearing those little tidbits about her made her blink a little, "I... huh. I actually might like to see that. It sounds like a fun little trick to pull off! At least something cute to show off at parties." She would have made a comment that it would let her see a little more of Hazel, but that was far out of line. She found Hazel adorable, it wasn't in the best judgement of anyone to go and try to drive her off with a perverted comment like that. Talking about sexual things was one thing, aiming at each other brought something else entirely to the table.

"How long are you planning on staying?" July looked down at her watch, noting the time, "I can stay for a good twenty or so minutes. After that I gotta get home and do the adult things. You know, eat, clean, get ready for another day of work... all the normal things," July leaned back in her chair, stretching her back out. She really did enjoy talking to this girl. She was just such a fun one to talk to, someone that seemed to have a good eye for conversation. She just was a bit too shy right now to fully take advantage of it, which July wanted to break her down from, "Here, let's be some teenagers for a moment and let me do this," July pulled a small pen from her purse and a napkin, jotting down her phone number and sliding it over to the girl, "There. I figured this makes us friends, might as well look the part!"

 

[TinyThings]

Hazel seemed completely comfortable, and confident with the lewd subject, not gazing out the windows quite during it, focusing entirely on July as she spoke. She nodded in agreement, easily figuring that's the reason it's become such a popular 'Heroine' outfit. One of her brows rose when July mentioned not having 'played' such games, a playful little smirk across her lips, that really brought out the gentle lines of her face, making it such an entrancing thing to behold. The beauty of her kin, stood out the most when they were confident. She nodded her head knowingly at the suggestion it could bring something out in people, a silent giggle at the suggestion of getting wet.
"Why Miss July Ravin, that sounds to me like a woman considering such scandalous things?" She suggested, pouting her lips for a moment, fingers turning the straw in her drink, those hazel eyes looking down to the girl's gentle blush. She snickered, pointing towards July a single time, lowering to her straw. "You should give it a try, one day. Might learn something. Who knows, might even be nice to get wet like that, once in a while." She suggested, showing some brass confidence. It felt... Good. To be her flirtatious, playful self again. She hadn't been like this for so long. For a good reason... She immediately felt a pang of regret, realizing he wouldn't like what she was doing. He'd punish her, if he found out she was doing this. In a most uncomfortable way. And, it also made her realize, it'd been quite a while since he'd fed her. That her hunger, was dancing at the gates. She would have to plead with him, soon. He did know, how to remind her of her place...

This faltering of her bravery had her shivering for a second, her eyes going straight out the window again, before they got onto a different subject. Probably for the best. She gulped, looking back to July as they conversed about funny facts. Such a simple, funny thing. Once again, with a completely different topic, July managed to bring a smile to Hazel's face, chuckling lightly at her suggestion, bobbing her head from side to side.
"Depends on the outfit... Or, well, the party, I guess. Good enough party, and flashing a bit of 'underlining' might not be so bad." She suggested with a small smirk. For a moment she looked to July with an almost playfully knowing face, snickering as she looked down at her Frappe. Again, she seemed like a woman combating with herself. Wanting to say something, but finding it hard. She took a breath, looking up with a warm little smile. "Maybe I will show you, one day." She said, in a more careful voice, as if not wanting it to seem flirtacious. She was proud of her flexibility, and wanted to show it off, but she didn't want July to get the wrong idea. Hazel did have a boyfriend.

With the question of how long she'd be staying, Hazel looked thoughtful for a moment. She reached for her purse, while focusing on July as she continued, making it take a while to find her phone, and pick it out. She snickered lightly with July's suggestion they be kids, looking down to the paper written for her. At the suggestion that this made them friends, however, her namesake eyes looked up with a warm tone to them, a highly expressive, warm, and genuinely happy smile creeping up on her lips as she nodded.
"I like the sound of that." She agreed, nodding one more time as she looked down to her phone, remnants of that joy still present in her face.

That joy was drenched from her face, like a cloth torn from a flimsy shirt, the moment she looked at her phone.
'Where are you?'
Few words could really chill Hazel to the core, but he could do it so damn easily. Fear shot through her like cork from Champagne, gulping as she swiped a finger across that cursed screen. Her phone, the newest Samsung model covered in a nice white case, with a small red gemstone-looking dots on the back, in the shape of a heart, trembled for a moment, as her face was filled with fear for a moment. A fear, quickly hidden, as if rehearsed, her facial expression instead turning perplexed.
"O. Oh dear. Time did fly by fast... I actually forgot I had an appointment right about now. Shit. I... I better get going fast." Hazel chuckled weakly, quickly slipping out of her booth, snatching up the cords of her earbuds, stuffing them into her purse along with her phone, picking lastly the red umbrella leaned against the wall where she'd sat. Clutching the umbrella for a moment, she looked down to July with a warm smile, giving an almost formal little curtsy.
"It's truly been a pleasure, Miss Ravin." She excused herself, almost turning around before noticing the note, a happy little smile on her face as she snatched it up. "I'll throw you a text later. Maybe we can actually meet for a coffee, another day? Rather than get our orders mixed, and my mouth scolded." She suggested with a little giggle, waving with the cloth, as she quickly turned on her heels, heading towards the door.

Getting outside, she didn't run, she sprinted. Every hard step on the pavement sent droplets of rainwater shooting up around her. She didn't even bother with the umbrella, just clutching it to her body. She actively made sure July wouldn't see her face as she passed the window, the heavy, fearful frown on it, not for her eyes. She didn't need to know that. She didn't need to share that burden. She didn't need a shoulder to cry on. She just... Needed a friend. For now, that was.

 

[OldSS]

The sudden shift in the way that Hazel acted wasn't subtle, and July could tell something was off from the moment that she looked at her phone. While Hazel moved to conceal the feeling, it was one that July felt as soon as she saw it. She wasn't sure why it stood out to her, but Hazel's reaction was a normal one. It was far beyond the idea of normal. But it was a topic that she didn't broach for the same reason she wouldn't touch that of what Hazel's earlier reactions had shown: she wasn't sure where the line of what was upsetting her and what wasn't lie. So she didn't touch it. And her reaction to Hazel having to suddenly leave was one that left her a bit worried and anxious. She wanted to try to stop Hazel, but she could think of no logical reason that would keep her there that would work. So she just slowly nodded her head and gave a small smile to try to ease any unease that came with this.

"Well it's been a pleasure talking to you too, Hazel," She winked as she used the far less formal greeting, "Please do text me, I'm happy to meet up again! I know I spent a lot of time talking here. Actually, if you tell me what you want I can order something for you if I get here early," July had already forgotten what the drink that she'd accidentally tasted was. Soon, however, Hazel was sprinting out the door and all she was able to see was the first few steps that Hazel took before she was gone into the night.

"Would you like to meet up again?" That was the text that started a friendship. It was one thing for the two to meet up, share some fun facts about each other, and then never talk again. For July, it was odd for her to make friends like that outside of work. But something about Hazel had drawn her in. The girl was fun, with some perky energy under her that seemed weighed down by something. Maybe she was thinking too hard, but hearing Hazel laugh and giggle just felt good to her. Making a girl that had fled from the cafe so quickly feel happy was a good cause for July. Maybe she just liked to see people around her be happy, and if that was the case, then Hazel was the perfect target.

Of course, with her talking so much, she'd forced herself to make an active effort to learn more about Hazel. She memorized all the drinks on the menu that Hazel liked in order and by which season she would prefer to drink them in. She learned the ways that Hazel liked to make and mix her coffee when she got it just to be sure that she always had everything perfect for the girl. She asked into what Hazel would like for dinners and lunches, learning the spots around the town she liked. She worked into figuring out the small things like favorite color and music, her fun stories and more. All things that she wanted to know more of simply because Hazel was just such a fun and easy girl to talk to.

Today was another such one of those days. It was rather rare that the two were able to meet outside of the cafe, for reasons that were still unclear to July, but she was happy to do so. It was a chance for them to do something fun. She'd planned for them to meet at a small restaurant that Hazel had mentioned liking, then head over towards a movie that she had reserved seats for. She never saw any movie without reserved seats now. It was her way of taking Hazel out on a fun day together, something she thought that Hazel seemed to need more than ever. She wasn't always the fastest to text, so being in person like this was one of the easier ways for her to talk with the girl.

Speaking of today, July had a rare chance to be out of her work attire and show off how she normally dressed. It was... not special. A simple blue button up shirt with some pretty white details around the side of the shirt and a long navy blue skirt that swished down to her feet and framed her nice pretty gray shoes she'd found in the back of a store. In one of her hands, she held a small box. It was a little gift for Hazel, something that she thought the girl would like to have. A little pair of earrings with her favorite gemstones inside! She was just hoping that Hazel would see the box she was 'hiding' in her hand when she arrived.

 

[TinyThings]

Sadly, Hazel was far too much in a rush, to even realize she'd been asked a question. She only realized this after a few of those quick steps down the street, and immediately felt horrible.
She stopped... On the sidewalk, she stopped her rush, stepping under a small overhang, bringing out her phone, and the note she'd been given with a number on it. Quickly, she added the number in her Contacts, writing it off as just the number, not trusting him not to look through her contacts, and didn't want to make him suspicious, if she'd added July by name. And, with the contact added, she quickly wrote up an initial text, a small smile on her face.
"Frappe. My favorite is Frappe, with coffee, no whipped cream, and extra Caramel. ^-^" She wrote, a soft sigh crossing over her lips. She had a friend... But she also had to get home. She got back on track, and returned to the plan of rushing home. The fact that this whole idea of a friend had managed to stop her in her tracks for a moment. Push her fear of him aside... That enough, told her this really meant something.

Whatever it meant, it did not spare her a light beating for not being home when he returned... But for once. The very first time, in a few years now, she felt no remorse for what she'd 'done'. She'd met July. She went to bed in tears that night, but wearing a small smile.


As their friendship progressed, Hazel truly started opening up more, and more. She would share things so easily with July, something she didn't think she'd ever really be able to again. She'd become a recluse, under the harsh thumb of her boyfriend, never truly speaking with anyone. Never wanting to go you. Going out, risked a beating. But now. She looked forward to going out, every single time she did. Even when she hadn't planned ahead with July, it was just the chance to see her, that got her excited. She'd become... Dependant, on their little meetings. It brought her much needed joy.

As she opened up, July truly started learning things about the playful, quirky, somewhat nerdy and quite flirtatious girl. She'd learn that Frappe, was pretty much always on the menu. She liked cold, sweet drinks. Cold Brew Coffee was a winner too, with Vanilla, Caramel and strawberry would always get her going. Her favorite type of wine, the red and fruity variety, promising to any spirits above, that it had nothing to do with her favorite color being just that. Red.
She learned, that in music, she enjoyed deeply emotional, as well as melancholic music, like the more popular songs from Sia, the popstar, but also the more obscure, like Unshaken, by D'Angelo. That she could enjoy all kinds of movies, but had a soft heart for Horror flicks, as well as almost any kind of Romantic Comedy.
Hazel shared it all, but mostly stuck to the things she liked, and seemed a lot more careful with who she actually was. What she did. How her relationship was. It was those kinds of questions, if they ever came up, she'd usually tend to avoid.

Today was one of those rare, special occasions. He was out. He was gone, and would be until, earliest, next morning. Being as their situation were, as it was, he was far from faithful, and he was out with one of his other girls. Of course, there wasn't a single regret about this, from Hazel. It just gave her time alone. Or, rather, these days, it gave her time to spend with July! Her favorite passtime these days, and she always dressed herself up for it.
Luckily, she hadn't been bruised for quite a while now, meaning she didn't even require to wear heavy clothing. That is what July would usually know Hazel for. Hoodies, thick leggings and jackets. She almost always had her arms covered.

Not tonight, however. Tonight, she wanted to wear something nice! She wanted to wear something... Lady-like. She caught herself, for a moment, thinking she wanted to look 'sexy'. Even still, she didn't want to give on any wrong vibes, so she wasn't going all out. She went with a lovely red dress, top part hugging her bossom quite nicely, showing her bust more prominently than usually. The dress flowed from just bellow her chest in lose frills, the skirt part running just bellow her thighs, showing off a bit of the black stockings bellow, before her feet went into her long heels. A long necklace held a red amulet just above her cleavage, rings as always adorning her fingers, and earrings dangling from her ears. Her hair updone in an almost fantasy esque way, that looks like it'd taken her hours to pull through, which wouldn't be all too far from the truth. She also wore a little more make-up than usual, outlining her hazel eyes, making them pop, while giving her eye-lashes a nice wave to them.
She was dressed up, no doubt.

Entering the restaurant right on time, she looked up to see July, a warm smile spreading across her lips. She had seemed particularly down the last couple of weeks, but she found herself beaming more brightly today. Found herself... Brave. She wasn't sure this would last all that long, but for now, she was going to revel in it.
"Heey July! Oh, I love that skirt... Blue really is your color." She chuckled, walking up closer, hands folded around her purse in front of herself. Walking over, she noticed something in July's hand, at first not drawing too much attention to it. "I still can't believe you remembered this place... I only mentioned it, like. Once? It really does have the best Italian Pastas." She smiled, taking in a whiff of the fresh pasta, already being cooked for other customers. It was a small Italian restaurant, who mostly stuck to their Italian roots, but also had a few 'Americanized' pieces on the menu.
Hazel couldn't quite keep herself, eyes drafting down to the little box in July's hand again, looking back and forth between it, and the other woman's eyes. Her head tilted lightly, pressing her lips together, with a look saying: 'Please don't me ask...' She was playfully impatient, and fighting to keep herself from asking. If, of course, 'eye-hints' wasn't going to cut it, she would eventually ask.

 

[OldSS]

If July was being quite honest with herself, the time that she spent with Hazel had been a bit of an anchor for her. It was different from going to work and interacting with her peers. They were used to seeing her, engaged her at a distance and never truly let her show more sides of her. She'd never met someone that would let her open up so many things about herself. Hazel was someone that actually let her do that, actually let her show the parts of herself she found silly or weird or sometimes just awkward. She was a girl that could go on talking for way too long, could spend so much time on so many random little details that it was just utterly silly. And yet Hazel would listen to it all.

In spending so much time with Hazel, she would learn more about July. July was a girl from a simple family, an older sister with a sibling that she didn't really have any relationship with due to them drifting apart as people. Her family had started off lower middle class but her father had worked as hard as he could to get them into a comfortable life, which had been the basis for July working as hard as she did for her own money. It was why she owned a small one story house this early on in life, why she was in such a good position, and why money wasn't a trouble for her. But it left her with little friends, and most of her free time she'd scrounged together. While she was set up in many ways, she was behind in others.

Another interesting quirk of July was her sexuality. July would say she was bisexual leaning lesbian. She'd discovered this after seeing several advertisements in a lingerie magazine that showed women in small strips of thin red cloth that barely covered themselves. She'd cut those pages out of the magazine and kept them as a guilty pleasure. While she'd never actually gone and tried anything, she'd become fairly certain over time that she did enjoy the thought of being with another woman. It was a certainly a thought that she would think of whenever she saw a cute girl on the street. The thought of getting to have someone in her bed was a tempting one, but she'd never even let herself entertain the thought past that. She was someone that didn't let romance or sex into her life because it would distract her from what she wanted, and that was security.

But Hazel was an interesting case. She was certainly attracted to Hazel. She'd never said that outright to her, given that she preferred their friendship stay a friendship and not get something far more complicated. She'd sussed out that Hazel clearly had someone important in her life that was keeping her from some things, which made her hesitant to even broach the topic. She didn't want to even tell Hazel she found her a very pretty girl when she decided not to wear something like a hoodie to cover herself up. She knew that whoever had her was lucky that they even had someone in their life like that. Hazel was cute, silly, funny, and just overall someone that brought a lot of joy to the room when she was around. She wasn't going to risk that by just letting her think with some naughtier sides of her head.

But this had the side effect of letting Hazel get closer to her was, of course, Hazel learning even more about July. She loved the color Green, even though it didn't suit her and she often would try to force it into things that didn't always look good on her. She was a big fan of ska music, something she said despite the only band she even knew about being Reel Big Fish (before they got old, she insisted). She herself wasn't the best cook and more or less just rotated out the same recipies of chicken and beef each week. She spent almost all day at home in some form of PJs simply because she thought they felt nice. She used to write, and even had an early draft for a novel, but had given up after seeing what it would take to try to get it published. She didn't game much, but watched a lot of anime and even had a small manga collection that she held dear to her heart. She had almost no fashion sense and simply wore business casual most of the time since it was just that easy to plan for. And on top of it all, she was a bit of a romantic herself, enjoying the idea of taking someone out somewhere nice to eat and spending a night snuggling down before something happened.

Speaking of something happening that in no way fit the implication, as soon as July saw Hazel, her mind almost went into a reboot. Hazel was... such a gorgeous woman. Whoever was out there that was able to have such a beautiful girl both inside and out was just the luckiest one ever. It was easy to catch July staring until Hazel had gone to sit down with her, at which point her mind started to move again enough to form those things called words.

"Ahem... sorry, you're just... wow, Hazel, you're beautiful," July looked down at her own outfit, something that she had thrown on thinking they were going for a casual night out, "Sorry, I see pretty girls and I can't help but take some mental pictures so I can figure out what I can do myself." She waved down one of the waiters, something that was common in this restaurant to try to be more 'authentic' to the foreign concept, getting them their delicious breadsticks and some water to start with, "The theater isn't too far from here, I figured we could maybe do some daytime drinking before we head on out. Have some fun! I can just call us a ride to get us back if we end up going too far," July tapped the drink menu, "Plus, this is on me today. You got the last place we went to!"

Seeing that Hazel was eying what she had but not saying anything was enough to make her roll her eyes, "Gah, you were supposed to speak up!" July moved to lift the little box and hand it over, "Okay, so, I know you said those earrings you got last year ended up getting really scratched, right? So, I was doing some shopping the other day and found those!" Inside the box was a pair of beautiful silver earrings that had a small shine to them when the light hit them. The earrings had a diamond-shaped beautiful blue gemstone inside on each one, sculpted beautifully. They were shaped almost like some sort of fantasy-esque design, with the small little curves and framing of the gems inside, "I saw them and thought they'd look great on you! I mean, I don't know. Maybe I just have horrible taste. But if you don't like them, you can at least have them as a backup." She neglected to mention that she'd spent a good amount of money on them; she'd seen Hazel after a particularly bad day last week, and this was more of less her way to make up for that.

 

[TinyThings]

All of this, was relatively new to Hazel. Having a good time with humans, had just rarely happened in the past. Sure, she'd had a few friends, but they were so far apart, they hardly even remembered each other. The last couple of years with him, this had gotten even worse, basically become the recluse. He liked it like that, so she'd followed suit. Now? Now she was taking chances, to rid herself of that stigma. She treasured her time with July higher than anything, and at this point, she'd risk quite a lot to get to see her. These last couple of weeks especially, with how harsh he'd gotten with his punishments. He'd noticed her general demaneure and attitude had gotten brighter, and he'd sought to break that down. He'd almost managed it, but still,today, she managed to show up with a smile, happily sliding into her seat, with a cheerful little sigh. He was gone. She wasn't at risk. Today was a good day.

Hazel smiled sweetly with July's compliment, looking down herself for a moment, resting her elbows on the table as her fingers frigiditet slightly with each other. She snickered lightly with July's addition, tilting her head as she pouted.
"You look lovely yourself, July. Don't forget that." She complimented back, nodding a single time. "But, if you want pointers, maybe we can go shopping again, some time, and look for more festive clothes?" She suggested with a little giggle. They'd already been shopping for fun things, she figured next time they could look for some more 'sexy' clothes. The idea of seeing July in something like that, certainly didn't ring wrong in Hazel's mind. She did have to smile, however, as she waved down a waiter. "I have to admit, though, I still quite adore your style, so don't change it on my behalf." She added, looking up to the waiter as he arrived. She nodded eagerly with the call for breadsticks, putting her arms together on the table, leaning a bit over it, as those hazel eyes started looking over that little item in those elegant hands.

"Oh, that sounds like a great idea! I could do with a few glasses tonight." She admitted happily, really wanting to put the last few weeks behind her, hoping desperately her boyfriend would come home from his lover with a better mood in hand. She nodded with a thankful, curtious smile, as July mentioned she'd be buying today. She liked the dynamic they'd gotten. They both seemed to be fairly well off, and could afford evenings like these, and it made Hazel feel capable. But. It also felt nice being served, once in a while, and July wasn't afraid to do so. It felt so formal, and nice. It also didn't feel entirely like a date, although sometimes, the thought did drift into her mind... Dating July would be so nice. She was great, in so many ways. She cared about Hazel. Had an interest in her, personally, and it felt so... Nice. Of course, she always cursed herself for those thoughts, knowing it wasn't fair for July, and also that she'd be punished severely if he found out.

Finally getting July to break about the item in her hand, Hazel giggled lightly with her starting complaint, raising a hand to nibble at a nail with her lips.
"Felt like it'd be rude to just ask..." She admitted with another little laugh, holding out a hand to accept the little box. Putting both her hands on it, she looked up as July explained her purchase. Her brows rose slightly in enamored surprise, slowly opening the box as she looked back down. Her lips slowly grew into a wider smile, her head tilting with a cheerful little sound. For a second, her mind was wondering why July'd gone with blue. She knew what Hazel's favorite color was, after all, but it only took her mind a few seconds to curse that thought out of there. Blue, was perfect. It was July's color. It would be like wearing a bit of her. Seeing a bit of July, on herself. This thought caused her smile to grow even wider, jaw dropping for a few seconds, just looking at the pretty design, a finger gently moving them in the box.

"July... You shouldn't have." She mused sweetly, looking up to her with a thankful smile. She was quick to look back down at the earrings, before reaching for her own. She removed the dangling, expensive jewelry from her ears, placing them neatly next to the box, only to take out the new ones. Putting them in her ears, she eagerly picked out a small hand-held vanity mirror from her large shoulder purse, while also taking it off and hanging it on the chair. Those hazel eyes brightened as she looked over the earrings, a hand gently tugging a big of those red locks down next to them, realizing... Blue actually looked alright on her.
"Oh, my... Blue. Actually suits me, alright, doesn't it?" She smiled, lowering the mirror to let July see them properly as well. A finger gently played with one of the earings as she looked at herself for another moment. "Thank you, July. I. I really like these. I am going to take extra good care of those." She mused, smiling as she put the ones she'd worn into the restaurant back into the new box, putting that into her purse. Doing so, she looked thoughtful for a moment, narrowing her eyes as she looked back up to July, small smirk on her lips. "How... In the world, did you remember that?" She asked with a little giggle. "I just... Remember mentioning those scratched earrings in... A flash." She suggested, remembering quite correctly. She'd basically just mentioned it shortly, as a point to talk about, that they never really got all that into. It had been a pair of her first earrings, so she had been a bit attached, but not enough to make a huge conversation out of it. That July remembered, meant a lot to Hazel.

"Oh, what are we watching tonight, by the way?" She asked with a warm smile. Due to Hazel's rather strict and rarely open Calendar, it meant they pretty much had to watch what was on, the nights that she was available. They weren't really able to work out time and movies. She rested her chin on her hands, a surprisingly enamored smile on her lips. She looked to July with even more affection than usual, without even really realizing it. With Hazel's expressive face, said affection might be quite obvious to the observant eye.
Once a waiter came with sticks, Hazel would happily pick one, while also filling a glass of water.

 

[OldSS]

Back when July had first been making friends, one of the things that she'd been told was she needed to listen more. That had been the thing that she carried with her the most from all the advice she'd been given. Whenever Hazel said something that she thought she should know, July would mentally take a note of it and then physically write it down later. She had an entire notebook of small, little tidbits. It sounded strange, but she did that for everyone she wanted to remember for. She didn't have the recall in her head to be able to think right away when buying a gift or picking out something to fully remember the little things that would make them happy. She just didn't tell anyone that was how she did it, lest she sound like a stalker or someone that cared too much. It was a tip she'd gotten from a book, that was all!

"I wanted to get them in green, but they didn't have the same design," July admitted, "I did try to find one that was closer to your fave! But I saw those and thought you'd look perfect in them." She'd done her best to try to find them in the right color, but it hadn't really worked out that way. July had found one that was a bit what she wanted, but it was almost double the price. There was only so much she could justify spending, and if Hazel knew that pricepoint just for the ones she now had on, she'd spend the next hour having to fend off 'You shouldn't have!' remarks.

"You say a lot of things, I just do my best to remember them," July smiled warmly towards Hazel, a smile that was as pure as one could get when it came to friendship, "I know you said those earrings were important to you, and well, I've scratched some of my own from time to time. So when I was walking by the store it clicked in my had and I wanted to give you something so you didn't have to worry about them. You already have a lot of effort you put into looking pretty," July waved her hand up and down the beautiful dress that Hazel was wearing, "Which, speaking of, they look great on you. Very good. Perfect piece to top the whole image off, I would say."

"Well, I know this isn't the best, but!" July moved to slide a pair of tickets over along with a napkin for the oil that the breadstick imparted onto Hazel's fingertips, "I wanted to get us into that new horror one, the one with the woods? I didn't remember the name. They were sold out. But!" July put her hand up, "I did remember you saying that you liked rom-coms, so I managed to get us some pretty nice seats for that new one!" July started snapping her fingers, "The name, what's the name... agghh, it's the one with that one actor you like. The one with the red hair, big boobs, that one? Gahhh...." July... wasn't the best when it came to names. It had never been her strongsuit to remember something like that, "Well, you know! You can see the name on them. I, hope that was the right one!"

Once the waiter came over, July ordered a small bottle of red wine, "Nab what you want, I want to start off a little simple. Plus, we are in an italian place. Feels wrong not to drink some form of wine!" While the wine was on its way, July had a salad delviered for her as well. She normally hated the stuff, but something about the way this place made it was wonderful, "How have you been, Hazel?" July asked after pouring herself a glass with their soon delivered bottle, "Not talked to you too much lately. Everything alright?"

 

[TinyThings]

Hazel spread a warm smile as July explained what she'd actually been going for, her cheeks almost flustering a little at the thought, chuckling.
"Green, like your eyes? Think that would've been pretty too." She admitted, gently stroking one of the earrings as she looked back down to the mirror. "But I do really love this design, and branching out in colors can be a good thing, right? And I do really like how this vibrant blue goes with my hair." She admitted, smiling cheerfully into the mirror, before looking back up, resting the mirror back down, giving July a genuinely thankful smile. "Thank you so much, July. These are lovely, I truly will treasure them." She promised, again in the most genuine voice, so much so that one would find it hard to imagine Hazel ever lying. Something, she wasn't particularly good at either.

It warmed Hazel's heart, hearing how deeply July had taken her words. She still remembered their first meeting, and how July had seemed so eager to talk about herself, but been careful not to ask questions. This had slowly changed, and even though she felt July remained a little careful with her questions, she also felt like it came from a good place. She knew that she wasn't always too good at hiding her feelings, and it seemed July had picked up on some struggles. And while she was careful with her questions, she was so caring and open. It rubbed off immensely, making Hazel admit and mention things, she wouldn't to others. She hadn't directly mentioned the horrible situation she was actually in, or ever really talked about her boyfriend, but she had mentioned that happiness felt like a fickle thing these days. Like something she could always see, but never really grasp. That she'd felt sheltered for quite a few years now, and that the world didn't really appreciate her. Worries, July had always tried to nurture and caress, trying to make Hazel feel better, and it always worked. Consistently, July brought a smile to Hazel's lips, and brightened her day.

"Oh, stop, you'll make a girl blush." She playfully complained with the compliments, waving a hand dismissively, but visibly doing what she said, a light fluster rolling up her cheeks. Tonight, July might notice something around Hazel's cheeks as she blushed, being little, obscure dots, showing behind a layer of make-up. Freckles. Hazel apparently had natural freckles, probably something she'd hidden with powders in the past. Tonight, however, she hadn't used quite as much as she used to, feeling a bit more free from her boyfriends clutches. A man, who didn't much appreciate her freckles.

"Ouh, thank you." Hazel mumbled, still a little bit of bread-stick in her mouth as she did, taking the napkin and keeping it ready, not quite looking down to the tickets as July continued. She smiled as July started looking for a name, narrowing her eyes a bit. "Red hair, big boobs? Oh, Mariane Colt?" She named the girl in question, pointing to July with the bread-stick, finally looking down to the tickets, raising her brows. "Oooh, yeah, this one! That's the one where Mary has that side-cut in all the promotional material? Orh, she really looks gorguous with that hair... So wish I could pull that off." She mused, taking another little nibble from the stick, looking back up to July, pointing the stick at her with little bobs. "Great choice, dear. Great choice." She mused, sliding the tickets back to the other woman with a smirk. "You better hold on to those... You know how bad I am at remembering my things. Like my straw, that first time we met? So glad you brought me that back." She chuckled lightly. Hazel was good with names, her memory quite decent with that and visuals, but she forgot her things on quite a regular basis. "And, I do like it when you carry my things for me..." She joked with a playful laugh, taking another bite of the stick, eyes shimmering for a moment. "God... You gotta try these, they're really good..." She mumbled before taking another bite.

With the waiter over, Hazel ordered a Mushroom Pasta, and smiled with July's suggestion, asking for them to have a full bottle of wine, rather than a small one. "We can share?" She suggested, letting July pick which one they'd have. With the order out of the way, Hazel absentmindedly shuffled her dress a bit with her clean hand, before finishing her last bite of her bread-stick, looking to July with her question. She slid her own glass over for July to pour her a glass as well, looking thoughtful with the question. Her lips pouted a bit, some of the melancholic pondering July would've gotten used to with Hazel came back. There was a second of a frown, before shrugging a shoulder, picking up her glass.
"Been a few... Rough weeks. There's been some trouble at my Boyfriends firm, and it's put him in a bit of a... Foul mood." She suggested, grimacing slightly with a roll of her shoulder, almost timidly flexing her neck for a second. "Which translates into him being a bit... I don't know, handsy? In a way I don't particularly like..." She admitted. This was quite new from Hazel. She'd never really talked much about her boyfriend, and when she had, it'd been superficial. At this point, July didn't even know her boyfriend worked at a firm. "So I've just... Spent time... Helping. Him around in the apartment." She continued, a visible cue suggesting 'helping' wasn't so much a material thing, as it was a physical one. "But! He's out tonight, working with the firm, trying to figure out ways around the issues they've been having, so. Hopefully he comes back tomorrow, in a better mood." She said, hopefully, raising a glass to cheer with July, before taking a relatively large swig.

Hazel's inability to lie, wasn't always true. She seemed relatively genuine about most of what she said, but it was clear things were probably worse, than what she made them out to be, and that what he was doing tonight wasn't exactly as said. It also looked like Hazel wasn't exactly proud of what she was doing. Like a bit of sadness was creeping up on her about the subject, but also a strange kind of resolve, as if this was something she'd wanted to say for a long time. Admit, that everything wasn't really alright. Looking for help. Looking for guidance.

 

[OldSS]

July had been able to tell from day one that something had been off with the way that Hazel was approaching things. She spoke always with a hint of sadness at the edge of her words, as though if she were to go for too long it would overtake her. She seemed to reign herself in when she spoke for too long and made sure to avoid other subjects. July had taken that to heart when she took time to talk in deeper subjects with Hazel. There were areas that she didn't touch base with around Hazel, namely her love life, what she did at home, and what she was thinking about at home. Something about the situation had set in a bit of a fear around the topic for July since day one, but she also knew that poking at it would likely result in some sort of worry on Hazel's part. She even knew Hazel had picked up on her unwillingness to talk about that sort of thing... which made the way that Hazel actually started to talk about it today a startling even that almost made her consider choking on her wine for dramatic effect.

Hazel's boyfriend was a mystery. She'd never learned his name, what he did, or even what he looked like. To her, it was a sign that something was wrong in the relationship. At first, she'd assumed that it was because she was having issues with him as a person, perhaps not finding as much love as she once did. But the way that she was now hearing about it made it sound even worse. She spoke in such hushed tones, like she was afraid of what she was saying. She was picking all the right words to try to make it sound like just a normal occurrence between them, but the small ticks that she gave were enough to tell her that it wasn't all that it seemed. And even more so, mentioning that she was just waiting for him to be in a 'better mood' implied that she knew what he was like in this bad mood more intimately than she likely should have. It was all things that didn't leave her with a good feeling about it... or really good feelings at all when she got down to it.

"Well, I know work can be stressful," July began, trying to see how she could tread through a minefield with a tanker ship that was her personality, "But I do hope that he gets back to a good mood soon enough," July took a long sip of her wine to make her start thinking more carefully again, "Being mad is one thing, we all do that. But if someone is being mad enough that it's affecting the people around them, that's where I start to feel it's a bad thing. I mean, I talk a lot, and if I talk too much it makes it sound like I don't want to listen, right? If he's so mad you've been upset for this long, I'm not saying that you should dumb him, but you need to have a good talk with him. Just, you know, say how upset you are and that you just want to be a bit happier all around. Nothing bad, just make it clear you're in a bit of a place and you wanna move out," She took another sip, "I mean, if you were my girlfriend, I would be worried at making you upset. But then again, I also don't like conflict. So, maybe it's just personality things."

This was another time where July realized she'd talked way too much. She'd gone for so long she'd ended up making a fair few judgements on Hazel's boyfriend, something that could be very bad if she didn't clarify, "I mean, I uh, sorry if that came off as me kinda, being rude!" She quickly sat her cup down and looked off to the side nervously, "I just. You're a really good friend to me, Hazel and, you being upset kinda worries me. Girls can kinda sense these things. I mean, I can't but I can tell right now. Just, you know. Talk to him. You've been together a long time, you clearly want to be with him. Or, like, I assume that. Uh. You know, I kinda made myself sound, really bad here. I'm sorry, that wasn't, my best behavior. I'll uh, stop talking about it now."

Great. And now July had dragged this entire conversation down with her. That was just, perfect. She had to think, fast. And thankfully, the waiter came around to ask for their orders. July quickly looked down and tried to think about what she wanted, which was simple, but she used it as a moment to ask for another minute to look it over. It gave a good break to the situation.

"So! I got us the good seats in the theater," July smiled warmly to Hazel, hoping to bring the mood back up, "Middle back row, perfect place. nobody behind us, good view of everything. And I have some of those whole reward point things saved up, so we can do that too if you want some snacks." July refilled her wine glass and topped off Hazel's own, "Maybe we could try to squeeze in some shopping after? You can help me not look so, well, plain standing next to you."

 

[TinyThings]

Hazel looked a little nervous as they came on to the subject of her life, pressing her lips together lightly, as she focused on July, letting her speak. Hazel didn't have any idea what it really meant to be stressed on the workplace, currently being unemployed, and her past occupation not exactly a stressful kind. Demeaning, very, but not stressful. Currently, she had no job on her boyfriend's behest, apparently enjoying being the provider, in return expecting Hazel to be the 'Housewife'. Hazel wouldn't have mind doing it, if it wasn't such a thankless job under his guise. The work she did to keep his place clean, was only really acknowledge when he felt like she did a bad job, and punished her.

As July continued on the rather heavy subject, Hazel's eyes slowly drifted down, her lips remaining together, hard enough to avoid frowning too obviously. She'd... Actually never tried to explain to him, how she felt about all of this, before. She'd sorta just... Let it happen. Let him mistreat her, thinking it was his way of letting off steam. And, if she could help him in that regard, surely that was some sort of caring? Perhaps even some twisted form of love? She had no real context in the world of love anyway, so what did she really know?
When putting up the suggestion if she was her girlfriend, Hazel looked back up to July, a small smile spreading on her lips. Seemed like a nice dream, to have a partner who actively wanted to keep her happy. Someone like July, who sometimes even went out of her way, just to get a smile on Hazel's face. Of course, that could surely only be a dream. July, even though she seemed to have a heart of gold, could never actually live with a creature like Hazel. No one could, surely. When not with someone like him, Hazel required attention several times a day, hence her past profession... No. A sweet dream, is all that was. A very lovely dream...

Hazel had looked thoughtful for a while, looking down at the table between them as July apologized, ending up rambling a bit. Hazel's resting, almost solemn looking expression, probably didn't help July's worries, as it gave her a melancholic air. She was, however, just thinking things through. Maybe she should start talking to him? Explain how she really felt, again. Sure, she'd tried to steer him away from the abuse and the heartbreaks in the beginning, but he'd always just went straight back down the same road. Perhaps, she should start being more assertive? They were Soulmates... Meant to be together forever. He had to at least see, that he was breaking her heart?

Hazel finally snapped out of her thoughts when July said she'd stop talking about the subject, looking up as she blinked a few times. It was almost obvious that Hazel had been pulled out of deep thought, and that it'd only been the dark thoughts weighing her down, as a warm smile slowly grew back on her face, reaching out a hand to take one of July's, if she allowed.
"No, no. You don't have to apologize. I know you only say these things, because you care, and that means a lot to me." Hazel mused, trying to comfort the rambling woman. Subconsciously, Hazel's thumb would gently stroke July's hand, as she looked back down to the table, head tilted slightly. "Maybe I'll try to discuss it with him again. Surely, he can see my point of view? Like you said, we've been together for a long time, and I. I really do feel, like something has to change, because... I'm not. Happy. When I'm with him, anymore. But I want to be with him, so. Guess. We really do have some things to work you." She admitted, her smile dimming for a moment, looking away for a moment, her fingers gently clutching July's hand, before quickly pulling it away, realizing she'd been holding it this entire time.

"You're a really good friend of mine as well, July. I do enjoy all of the time I get to spend with you, and cherish every text I get." She admitted, looking back, finding her smile again. "Which is probably why I'll take your advice. I haven't really tried to talk sense into him for a long time, and. It hasn't worked wonders in the past, but. I never had a good friend, to keep me strong in the past, either, so. Perhaps this time, will be different." She said, with a shred of confidence in her voice, but nothing overwhelming. She was still doubtful. Very much so. But it really did feel like she had something, she hadn't had in the past. A friend.

Hazel folded her hands in front of her again, when July went on about their tickets for the theater, a warm smile on her face as she nodded. She looked a little surprised to hear that she'd gotten the good seats at the back, knowing it wasn't always particularly easy, to plan ahead on things, when going out with Hazel. It was usually last minute things. While they had been able to plan this trip some days early, it still came as a surprise that she'd managed to get those seats, especially for a Rom-com.
With the suggestion of a shopping trip, Hazel beamed even brighter, a small, smirking chuckle spreading on her face with July's suggestion, gently slapping her hand in a playfully reprimanding way.
"Oh, stop, you're not that plain, you look gorgeous, sweety." She mused a compliment, still smiling like the sun. "But, you had me at shopping, regardless. Even if we end up getting a few too many glasses of wine, that'd just make the trip even more fun!" She insisted, laughing slightly. "And... To be honest, I'd really like to see you in a fancy, sexy dress... I've got a few ideas, and I think you'll wear them well. Stop me, if I become too much!" She insisted with another cheerful laugh. "There's going to be no budget tonight either, I won't hear it. You do so much for me, lately, I'll help you pay for a fancy dress, so I can get to go out with you, wearing it." She insisted with a warm smile, folding her hands in front of herself.

 

[OldSS]

And there she'd gone again. July had done exactly what she was afraid of doing in the first place: talking too much. She wasn't oblivious to the way that her friend lowered her head down as she spoke. She'd gotten so impassioned about what she was saying, so driven to see through to the end everything that she needed for Hazel to hear that she'd made her upset. She knew that she had when she saw that talking to Hazel after the fact was like pulling her out of her own mind. People only did that around July when they were tuning her out. They only did so when she knew that she'd made them upset. She... couldn't go and do that again. Not when she knew she could hurt Hazel. She was the first friend she'd had in so many years that... the thought of losing her like that because of her own stupidity was too painful a thought to entertain. Such was how July's mind worked. Such was how seeing Hazel's first words after she spoke acted.

July didn't have friends. She knew why. She was a self-absorbed person that talked too much. It was just as simple as though. People didn't care about her when they knew she wasn't putting them fully at the center of attention. It wasn't like she was trying to make someone upset. It was just natural for her to say what she wanted to say. So she'd learned to stop talking to people. Stop really working at forming other friends. Hazel had let her just ramble. She was certain Hazel had even thought she was vain when they first talked. Everyone did. It wasn't natural for her to really dig into other people's sides. She just... wasn't like that. So she went silent. Her way of trying to salvage what she'd already said, was just that. Salvaging.

Hazel's words didn't do that much to calm her down either. It was just like before. She was trying to make her feel better. Because she'd gone too far. She was far too into her own head now to truly accept what Hazel was saying. It wasn't that July was someone that wanted pity, but more so she felt like this was Hazel trying to make her feel better after she'd gone too far. For now, she looked down at the way Hazel gently stroked her hand and smiled, even if said smile was sad. Had she just hurt her friendship with Hazel? She hoped that it wasn't the case. She liked Hazel. She should have just kept her mouth shut.

At the very last, the mention of shopping pulled July out of her own almost self-proclaimed funk. She looked to Hazel for a moment as the thought of it came to her mind. Shopping... did sound nice. But she didn't have that much money to really spare here. She looked to Hazel for a long few moments, weighing that. Was it worth it, getting a chance to spend time with her friend? A nice night out, getting to see herself actually looking cute for once, and looking cute and sexy for Hazel in particular?

"I think, I'd like that," July moved to tip another glass of wine into her lips, letting out a small sigh as she did, "Hmm... I mean, I don't know how much I can drop right now... not really in the best place in terms of extra cash but..." July sat her glass down and mirrored Hazel's relaxed stance, "I think, it'd be nice to go out like that. Just to get us a little out of this whole thing, you know? I would love to go. I warn you I'm not really a girly girly when I shop. And you'll probably end up having me try on fishnets before it's all over. But you know, I say let's do it."

July raised her glass, "Cheers, maybe?" She held the glass out, "To a day out with friends?" The clink would be enough to lead them into their food finally arriving, and to start off the day proper with delicious and lovely food.

 

[TinyThings]

"Cheers." Hazel agreed, raising her own glass, gently clinging it against July's glass, nodding a single time, head tilted a bit. "To a day. With best friends." She agreed, with her own spin on it, a genuinely happy smile on her lips, as she parted them to take a good sip of her wine. And it wouldn't be the last... Hazel didn't exactly get drunk, but tipsy would definitely be the best way to describe it. It would be the first time July really saw Hazel in that kind of state, and it seemed she had decided to be open to letting lose a bit that day. And, she did. Hazel's bubbly, playful and maybe a little touchy personality, really played through when she'd had a few glasses of wine. She would take any chance she could, to wrap her own arm around July's, walking as close as comfortably possible. More than a few times during their movie, her head would meet with July's shoulder, even if her hand did it's best to stay away.
That night, it became incredibly obvious, that Hazel trusted July a lot, and truly wanted to be close to her. Maybe, a bit too obvious, in fact, letting lose a bit more than she probably should've. She might've even planted some wrong ideas in July's head, if the human wasn't as understanding to the Succubus' playfully flirtacious nature. Of course, Hazel had no idea that might be happening. She was having an extremely good time, and those were so hard to come by.


For many weeks, she'd remembered that day fondly. The time they'd spent shopping, had been an absolute blast as well. She'd even bought a cute dress for July, that she'd taken a liking to! It was nothing expensive, or she was sure July would've refused, but it was a nice looking thing, maybe a bit more provocative than the usual thing she wore, but still in the elegant, Lady-like manner, Hazel so adored July for. She wanted to show July that she could wear proper, elegant things, and still be sexy as hell, and that was a fairly easy task. Hazel had her eyes opened a bit more, just to how beautiful July was, that day. She was a very pretty woman, and she was still lost to how she hadn't found a lover yet.

The again, Hazel's outlook on 'Lovers' had been so twisted, she could've been caught hoping July never found anyone... Better that, then what she had.


The two friends would've seen each other now and again for a few weeks after that day, but after that, Hazel had been silent for a while. An entire week, she hadn't answered any texts, or calls, and there was a very good reason for that. She'd done it... She'd started asking questions. Requesting things. Asking him to be better. She wanted him to. She needed him to! She could've live like this anymore. The daily verbal, and by-daily physical abuse, was just becoming too much. He was her soulmate. Could he not see, that he was destroying her? She'd become defiant.
At first, he'd cooled off for a few days, allowing Hazel's hope to fester. Of course, that hope was crushed, when everything just got a lot worse. He was getting more suspicious, while getting even more physical. The physical abuse was daily now. He'd clearly taken offence to her defiance, and was now cracking down on it, hard. She never felt safe anymore. For an entire week, he'd monitored her, even staying home from work several days, to keep an eye out. He was sure she was getting all of this from someone.

That day, he'd snatched her phone, and looked through it. She'd protested, trying to get her phone back, but that'd only earned her a black eye, and a painful rib, from how hard he stood on her, to keep her down. It wasn't hard for him to find her correspondences with July, and it immediately sent him over the top. There was no name on the number, but it was easy enough from a quick scan to know it was a woman. Didn't change anything... He knew that Hazel was pan-sexual, and wasn't having any of this.
The beating was short, but only because Hazel finally cracked. She fought back... With a clenched fist, she'd practically sent him tumbling over the couch, knocked out in a single punch. She was a Succubus, her physical strength high, but not entirely inhuman like some other Demons. No, it was the adrenaline the power came from... He'd abused her so badly, for thinking she was being unfaithful... What was he going to do, to retaliate from being knocked out by his girlfriend?

She couldn't stay... She had to run!

And run, she did. Running through the pain, was easy enough with the adrenaline running through her. Her side stung, her thigh was threatening to make her limp in her run, and her breath was ragged, but she powered through. Why? To where? She wasn't entirely sure, but still somehow had no doubt. She was going to July's place... Or, close to it, at least. What was she going to do when she got there? She definitely wasn't sure about that. She just had to get away, and towards something she knew. Towards the safety, that she'd felt together with July. Away from pain. Towards happiness.


Standing in front of July's building, Hazel still had no idea what she was doing there... She couldn't show herself here. Her body was still healing, which meant that she couldn't hide. She was plain for all to see. Naked, at the end of a small side-alley, across from July's building. She had clothes on, of course, the clothes she'd run out with. Her white hoodie, with that panda print, now torn at the front, down from the neckline to the middle of the panda. A pair of equally torn leggings covered her bare shaking legs, now threatening to give up, due to the pain, all the while carrying the heavy, soaked clothes. No, clothes weren't the issue. Her identity was...

From the front of the hoodie, only able to half cover her head because of them, a pair of red horns poked up from her head. They curved backward a bit, then a little forward before ending in spikes. They were quite elegant, and not as intimidating as others of her kin's. Some might even consider them quite flattering, and even cute, the way they accentuated her feminine features. Her skin was also a different color. More pale, than usual, the freckles running along the top of her cheeks more prominent due to this, as well as the ones on her chest and neck. Her red hair, flowing down around her neck, also became more prominant on the pale skin, making it more lively, even in the soaked wet lumps it was now.
To go with the horns, a relatively thing tail had ripped it's way through her leggings, hanging still behind her, due to the heavy mood she was in. The tail looked scale, but the scales were so small and delicate, that it was quite soft to the touch, and nothing as uncomfortable as some humans always thought, when they saw scales like that, almost like that of a snake, but without any roughness. At the tip of the tail, a pair of fins in the shape of a hard slowly twitched, as the cold started gnawing her to the bone.

With a whine and a limp, Hazel back a bit into the alleyway she'd ended up in, still looking up at July's building. She couldn't show herself like this... July couldn't see what she truly was, or she'd go running. Might even report Hazel, thinking she'd tried to seduce her! Humans could be cruel... If anything, her boyfriend had taught her that lesson. Beat it into her, quite literally.
Thinking about the beating, had the pain coming back in force, causing the adrenaline to slowly settle, all of the emotional stress coming with it. A heavy cry escaped Hazel's lips as she curled up against a wall, her legs unable to carry her anymore, causing her to drop down with a painful whimper. She cried. Cried, she'd done a lot in the past, but this time was worse... She thought she'd gotten something better. She'd no longer needed sex daily. She was neither a slut, nor a prostitute for a while... What now? Now, she had nothing. She wouldn't be able to see July anymore, either. She'd just end up being a bother for her. And, she wouldn't want to be her friend, when she had to go back to whoring!

Within one evening, Hazel had lost everything, and she curled into a ball, completely ignoring that she was quite litterally sitting in a small puddle, completely soaked, and freezing. Being curled up, her tail practically hid bellow her, and her horns were hidden by the darkness, as well as the white hoodie, as long as no one got too close. In truth, all that could really bring anyone on to her, was the heavy, heart wrenching sobs that escaped the young woman. And, maybe, perhaps that panda hoodie, might attract someone who'd seen it many times before.

 

[OldSS]

As much as Hazel liked to hide it, July knew from the day that she met the girl that Hazel wasn't like who she said she was. She knew the girl was hiding some side of her, because July had for the longest time. The tendency to talk so much, to want to give gifts and make her feel good, to want to hang around a pretty girl like this... a lot of who she was she kept hidden. People in the real world didn't want to have reality. They wanted a curated version of who you were they could just connect with and move on. But Hazel wanted all of her. Why, she didn't get. But having an entire night of having such a beautifully dressed woman like that wanting to touch her... she couldn't say that it wasn't an incredible feeling. Even if she knew it was happening the entire time.

She never once pushed Hazel away. She never once even considered the thought of it. If Hazel thought she was being subtle, she wasn't. July didn't mind. She was able to spend a day with Hazel, slightly tipsy, just like that. Going to a movie and seeing something that was just engaging enough to keep her interest while she felt Hazel's head resting on her shoulder. Running around shopping and trying on piece after piece that seemed to grow increasingly risque. She knew this was Hazel's nature, just who she was. But she couldn't help but have some longing. Some desire for more. Everything about Hazel, to her, was perfect. Perfect and... just, perfect.

And then... it faded.

Well, that was dramatic. It wasn't as though she didn't talk to Hazel. But she felt the weight of the time between replies further and further. They hadn't gone back out since that day. They still ran into each other in the coffee shop, but even that had grown to less and less frequently. And soon enough, she wasn't seeing Hazel at all. Then the texts slowed down, even if Hazel insisted she liked talking to her. It was a distance that was forming form Hazel's side. July wasn't sure why it was, but she could guess. And the more she felt that feeling, the more the depression set in.

Then, the week where Hazel didn't speak to her. She'd never had the feeling of a friend giving up like that. Or rather, a friend ignoring her like that. After the third day, she stopped sending messages out of fear of annoying Hazel. She didn't see or hear from her. And that just felt like the last straw, to her. had she driven Hazel off, like she did her other friends? Was she too selfish? Was that gift too much? She didn't know. And answers could only come from the one that was ignoring her. She was... out of luck. She didn't have Hazel right now. she didn't have anything, really. And that feeling just made everything more and more powerful until she finally had just reluctantly given up.

----

July didn't like the rain. Whatever she said to Hazel was just a pleasantry. She hated how it made everything dull and dreary, how getting wet just made her feel cold and uncomfortable all day. She hated so much about the rain. And she'd been starring at it from her office window for many, many hours. The office was the only address she'd given Hazel. Hazel hadn't asked for her home address just yet. Why, she didn't know. Maybe she just didn't want someone finding out about it? Well, whatever the case, she'd spent all day in the same stuffy office clothes that she'd first met Hazel in, long past closing time. She was the last one out even, even locking up for them. She threw her bag on her shoulder and groaned as she made her way out into the elevator.

Which was just in time for her to find her umbrella was broken. Broken right at the spring that would make it stay up. She'd cursed everything and just tossed it out. Her car was on the other side of the building. It was right up against the other buildings, near some alleyways. She parked there since parking closer meant she would have to pay money. But it was a long run, and so she just hissed as she darted out into the rain, being pelted with it as she made her way around the building and over to her car .

If July hadn't stopped to try to pull her keys out before she got to her car -something she should have done inside anyways- she wouldn't have seen it. She wouldn't have seen the bit of white that was filling the alleyway nearby. She wouldn't have seen how the dim lighting of the exterior lights nearby gave just enough for her to recognize what it was. She stepped towards it, passing her car in confusion. She knew that hoodie. She knew who tended to wear it. But... that couldn't be her, could it? Only bad people would end up in alleyways like this. Clearly, that couldn't be her.

"Excuse me!" July called out as she got within earshot, "Are you alright?" As soon as she asked that question, she knew something wasn't. The way that the person was sitting was clearly pained. The way her muscles tensed, her body was positioned, it wasn't a good place or way to sit. And that alone was enough to make alarm bells go off. She should have turned around and called the police, but she didn't. She instead ran up to the person. Because if it was her, that wasn't good. What was she doing, all these blocks away, no at least two miles away from where she guessed she lived? It wasn't even a minute before she was in front of the girl, fumbling her phone out to switch on the flashlight, "Listen, my name is July, I'm going to..."

July seemed to freeze as she saw it. It was almost impossible to miss. Standing in front of the girl, with her cell phone light up so she could see what she looked like, seeing the indent the horns left on the hood, the poking out of the tail, the tufts of red hair that the girl had... it was all but obvious. This was Hazel, but not Hazel. This was... a succubus. July knew of them, of course. Everyone had. But she'd never expected this. And for those few moments, confusion overtook her. Not fear, but confusion. Yes, succubi could disguise as humans, and it was somewhat of a talking point (or rather used as an attack) when it came to how succubi operated. Hazel had been her friend for this long and she hadn't shown her? Well, the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. There was a noninsignificant chance that she could just reject Hazel the moment she saw her as one, especially like this. The light she had on Hazel reflected the raindrops as they pattered past the two of them. July spent so long staring at Hazel that, by now, her clothes were soaked as well. For such a rather long time, she'd never known this. And for such a long time, she had found herself just... confused.

And then something in her brain snapped. What the hell was she doing? She moved to put her phone away, then she acted. She knew moving the girl right now would hurt, but she had to. She was going to be in danger laying out here with injuries like this. She couldn't even see the full extent of it all. But she wasn't going to leave her best friend out here like this, Slowly, a caring, comforting smile formed on July's lips. It wasn't a succubus right now that was in pain like this. It was Hazel.

"Alright, Hazel, this is going to hurt. I'll try to make it comfortable." With that, she stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Hazel's body. One came to slide under her knees and the other her shoulder blades. Picking Hazel up as vertically as she could so as not to hurt. And then, she moved along with the girl. The rain slid over them as July helped carry her. She didn't say anything right now, not when she was focusing. Hazel needed her right now. She lead the two into the parking lot of her office, showing she was one of the last ones to even leave. There were only two cars in the parking lot. One was a smaller gray car that was low to the ground, a bit scuffed in some places, with simple light brown seats that could hold five people. the backseat was all conjoined together. The only thing that identified who it belonged to was a small dangling set of letters from the rear-view mirror: a pretty mixture of pink and blue that spelled out 'JULY' on it. Having a nickname that was a month of the year paid off in some respects.

And then, she arrived at her car. She gently moved to sit Hazel down in the passenger seat, at which point she smiled and looked around, "Here. I keep a towel in here. Somewhere...." She reached under her backseat and pulled out a rather old and ratty looking towel, one she would normally keep for cleaning up oil and such, but it would have to do. She moved to wrap it around Hazel's shoulders. It wasn't going to do much, but she slid into the driver's seat and got the heat started.

"I'm going to take you home, okay?" July explained as she started the car, "...My home, I mean. I have some first aid stuff there I can get you. It's a bit of a drive but I'll get us there quick," She paused for a minute as she turned from the lot and out into the road, "...You don't need to tell me about what happened if you don't want to, Hazel. Or explain the whole succubus thing. I'm a little... not, a lot confused, but it can wait."

 

[TinyThings]

"Excuse me?"

The question came as a distant background noise, only causing the small woman to flinch slightly, curling herself up even tighter. Doing so was painful, causing her to wheeze slightly, Hazel's eyes pinning tightly shut. A low ringing had started in her ear, causing sobbing to slow down, instead just focusing on breathing. She felt like she was close to collapsing, even though she knew that this was a bad idea. A horrible idea, in fact. her body would be able to heal, even if she fainted, but being fainted in an empty alley, wearing torn clothes, wasn't going to look good. Even if someone decent did find her, they would probably still bring her to the police, or a hospital. First thing they'd do... Call a number on her phone, and the only tagged one was his... She would end up straight back with him...

July? Hazel's blurry mind started working through the throbbing pain, wincing as she shifted slightly onto her left but cheek, the pain in her right thigh intensifying. She gulped, eyes shimmering behind closed eyelids, realizing light was shining down on her. Her mind freaked out, realizing someone was currently seeing what she was... With a painful whimper, Hazel slowly raised her head, weakly opening her eyes to look up towards the light. Only her right eye could open properly, the swell on her left eye making it painful to open. Her black, running mascara was all to prominent on her pale skin, running down from a mix of tears and rain, making her look like quite the trainwreck, if the black eye and busted upper lip wasn't already enough.

Looking into the light, Hazel's facial features would be all too familiar to July. It was definitely Hazel. The horns peaking up from her head, however, wasn't the only thing differentiating her from the woman July had come to know. Those hazel eyes had drifted from the loely mix of brown and green, into a light golden color, the one open eye looking weakly up at the light. Right now it would hardly be visible, if July wasn't looking incredibly close, but the pale ears behind the red hair had become longer, thinner and pointier, currently drifting downwards bellow the hood, displaying her mood if the distraught face wasn't already enough.

The light from the flashlight caused Hazel's eye to narrow slightly, looking up at the stranger above her. Stranger? The clothes was the first to hit her, the sharp light from the flashlight obscuring July's face, but she soon realized who this was. Realizing this, Hazel's expression frightened, as she slowly leaned back against the wall behind her. Doing so, she winched, her ears flattening inside the hood, a low whimper escaping her lips as she moved her hands down by her sides, splatting into the puddle bellow her.
"J... July?" Hazel mumbled weakly, trying her best to look up, but not into the light, as July stood stunned for a moment. "I..." She started, but quickly realized she couldn't find words, instead just gulping, her chest heaving weakly with a twitch, realizing her breathing hurt. The tear, destroying the hoodie, was also now revealing one side of her chest, as well as the bruise-marks on her throat, and the upper curve of one breast. The beating had been very bad this time... It was always bad, but never quite like this. He'd choked her before, but never left her this broken... She was sure, in the moment, that he was going to end it, then. He didn't care about her, after all. She was just easy sex, and looked good by his side at Dinner-Parties...

Hazel remained silent while July stood stunned, which felt like hours, but was probably more like a minute or two, before she finally took action. Hazel looked up with her one good eye, confusion in her expression as July spoke. Hazel twitched as July came close, as if she was about to move away, her tail swishing out of the water in a protective arch around her body. She didn't protest, however. Even if she wanted to, she would've been way too weak to do so. As July's arms came down under her, Hazel winced as hands met her knees, pinching her eyes shut as she shot a hand up to meet the side of July's neck. Pinching her eyes hurt like hell as well, bringing back that headache like a hammer, causing her to whimper. Doing so, she looked up to July, still struggling to find a comfortable way for Hazel to sit in her arms, a strange look of affectionate confusion in her eyes. Hazel slowly wrapped her arms around July's neck, beginning to silently sob once again, crying out every time her body hurt, which was pretty much every time July did anything. There was no getting around it, this would hurt, but Hazel just weakly invited herself into July's arms, letting her pick her up.

Hazel cried, as she nuzzled her forehead up against July's neck, panting a few times as her ribs reminded her they were bent, clutching herself closer to July. With her forehead against July's neck, it meant the Succubus' horns met it as well, but the creature seemed very intent not to poke, or hurt the human with them, and avoided doing so with excellence. Her long, prehensile tail slowly started wrapping around July's waist, as she whimpered again, entire body shaking like an earthquake.
"I... I'm. Sorry. I'm sorry, July. I.. I didn't." She whispered slowly, her voice harsh and shaky, suggesting the damage to her ribs. Hazel's body would heal these injuries by itself, with the energy she'd had since the violent sex she had last night, but it would tear her levels down quite badly, and take some time. "I didn't. I... I didn't know. Where else to turn. S. Sorry." She whimpered, finishing her sentence with some struggle, crying out as she clutched herself closer to July, much to her own pain, but she didn't care. The feeling of that closure? It far outweighed the pain...

She continued to repeat that she didn't know where to go, eyes closed as they approached July's car. Weakly opening her eyes, Hazel saw the car out of her peripherals, causing her to look down to it as July opened the door. It caused her to whimper slightly, looking into the car, and on the seat she was being brought down towards, as if something was wrong. As if she didn't like this idea...
"I... I'll make your seat all wet." She mumbled, showing why she'd been against this idea... July should just leave her. She wasn't worth the trouble. Now she'd have to clean her seats as well! Hazel had sat down in a puddle, her butt was probably dirty with mud. Guilt started building in her body, but she was still way too weak to fight anything July did, being sat into the car with no fuzz, except for a wince of pain.

Seated, July weakly raised an arm, having looked down herself while in July's arms, realizing how indecent she was. She tugged up at the torn hoodie that she'd loved so much, causing her to sob a few times again, eyes pinching in pain once more, causing her to whimper even louder.
"I... I'm such a mess... Not worth it." She whimpered, twitching as July came close with the towel, but again doing nothing to fight it. Her tail had begrugingly gone from July's waist, to flopping near lifeless onto the floor, only the tip still flexing on occasion now.

Feeling the towel over her shoulders, Hazel pulled it in a bit, curling up into herself once more, eyes shimmering weakly. She flinched as July's door closed with a smack, weakly looking over towards her. July's words caused Hazel to quickly jolt, head raising with a second of panic across her face. The word 'home' clearly had some negative connotations to it for the young woman, suggesting what'd happened. July was quick to continue, however, causing Hazel's face to immediately calm down, slowly lowering as she nodded her head.
The Succubus gulped painfully, as July continued. She slowly turned her head to look up to July with that one golden eye, blinking a single time. Her expression spoke volumes, thanking the other woman a milion times, before any words even expressed it.
"Thank you. July. I... I don't. Deserve you." She whimpered, a genuine look on her face, the melancholy July had managed to wash away, back in force, sorrow plastered on the broken woman's face for all of the world to see. Her heart wasn't just in a slump, it was bleeding in the corner. If ever an image of someone feeling dead inside existed, Hazel's face in that moment would be right there.

Talking was clearly painful for Hazel, and everything was obviously taking a toll on her. Her eye shimmered back shut, as she leaned her head back against the rest, causing her hood to slide down a bit, revealing a bit more of her horns, as well as the perky, pale ears behind, poking out of the red hair. Even in a world where pointy ears were incredibly rare, the human mind quickly understood what flattened ears meant, from the animals that had them. Her sorrow was entirely, and fully on display. As was the fact that fainting might be quite imminent, as the young Succubus' chest slowly heaved, back trying to straighten up as much as it could to prevent pain, and legs a little spread for the same reason.

 

[OldSS]

Just carrying Hazel felt like something out of a dream. A horrible dream, one in which was more likely a nightmare. Finding her friend like this, beaten and bruised and half naked in an alleyway was definitely nightmare worthy. But right now wasn't the time to go and worry about that. She'd wasted too much time already trying to get herself to act. It didn't matter right now what she thought. Hazel needed help, and she would do it. There were several things that she could get out of all of this, and several more things that she was able to get just by having the succubus in the car with her. But right now wasn't the time for that. Questions would rip Hazel apart more than she was. She needed to just keep her calm and focused.

"They're just seats," July responded with a smile as she helped to both put the towel around Hazel and fasten her seatbelt as gently as she could, "Don't worry about it. Really." She could tell Hazel was in far too much stress right now. She was oscillating between caring about her hoodie and then having to try not to actually pass out. Just starting the car looked like it hurt the girl. There was so much here that needed to happen. First, was getting her home.

There had to be a reason that Hazel had gone to her and not a hospital. And there was only one thing that really came to her mind. Seeing how badly Hazel, especially in that state, reacted to her saying 'home' was enough to tell her volumes. Her boyfriend had done this to her. The mysterious boyfriend. She knew Hazel wasn't going back there. she wasn't going to go back there at all, ever. Not as long as July had her. Anger built up, which was good. That meant she could focus. Focus on this situation. Not her own feelings. Just the situation.

"When we get home, I'll get you some medicine and help out with it all... I would give you pain medicine right now, but I need to know where it all hurts when we get there. I'm really sorry," July paused, "Hazel, I'm really sorry about this, but I need you to stay awake for me. I don't know how bad this is yet. I'll let you sleep when we get home, but until then I really, really need you to stay up." If this was as bad as it seemed, her passing out could mean something very bad. She needed to let Hazel focus on something.

"...Work was alright today," Talking. July did talking the best out of everything. She could keep talking. Once she stopped at a stoplight, she leaned over and took hold of Hazel's tail. She moved and gently placed it in her lap. It'd moved to wrap around her waist earlier, so, she must have wanted that. And it was a physical sensation. Holding onto something could help keep her awake. Whenever she stopped driving, she'd reach down and start petting it with her hand. But she had to talk for now, "Just did what I always did. The coffee machine was broken when I got there, someone tried to fix it and ended up with it giving a huge blast of coffee everywhere. They had to go and get new clothes, thankfully they weren't hurt. And after that I just kinda worked. And worked and work. Just what I do, you know?" That... wasn't a lot. She needed something. Seeing Hazel like this... brought up a memory. She rolled with it.

"...When I was younger, my dad didn't want me in Girl Scouts, so he sent me to this little knockoff branch that did something similar," She smiled as she spoke, the lights of the night waving and running in and out of the car, "I was, thirteen maybe. We were hiking, four of us girls I think, and one of them fell off the edge and went all the way down. We were supposed to go with an adult, but they had stopped back on the trail and were going to catch up. When we got to her, she was really badly hurt. Had her left arm half ripped open and her right leg was busted. The others girls were too scared to do anything to help her. But my dad had drilled into me what I do in those situations, so I gave her a splint and bandaged her arm and we all took turns carrying her back. We were almost three miles in. But when we got back, they said if I hadn't done that, she might have died. And I remember her when she thanked me later for what I did. After that, I did a bunch of volunteer first aid courses. That girl that I helped carry back was named Brittney. She's kind a bratty girl but after that we were best friends. Best friends all the way through the end of high school. And she was the best friend I could've asked for, really. Whenever someone made fun of me, she would jump in and defend me. She respected me and I really respected her. And then when we were going off to college, we were supposed ot go to the same place. She got a scholarship in another state. Thought we'd stay connected. But a few months in and... we just stopped talking to each other."

"I didn't really make a lot of friends after that. I talk a lot. You were kinda my first one," July smiled, wanting to take the thing that she was talking about and make it a better situation for her, "I always just got coffee so I didn't fall asleep on the way home. Then we met and... I was just so happy to have someone to talk to again. You were so pretty that day, you know? And all of that. I remembered thinking I'd drive you off. I got in my head that I drove Brittney off since she stopped talking to me. But... you were willing to stick around and learn more about me. And, you know, I was just happy to know you really did care about me. And you know... I guess that I'm trying to say here is that, you're a really good friend. My best friend. Thanks for coming to me for all of this..." She stopped near her house and gripped the tail on her thigh tightly, "Let's get you inside, okay?"

July's home was a rather quaint one. She pulled her car up into her driveway. The house was one story, just as she said, with a little blue vinyl exterior that had a small front door and several windows along its length. There was a small fence around the back, currently dark brown as it was damp with rain. The house itself had the door open into the living room, which was fully connected to the kitchen, and a small hallway that led to a single bathroom, master and guest bedroom. There were some plastic-looking plants along the small sidewalk that led into the door, and there was no garage, instead a large canopy over the driveway that extended along the side of the house. She had parked the car there, and thus Hazel didn't have to go back in the rain. She took her in through a sidedoor with peeling paint into her living room (there were two doors into it). And once inside, she had a mission.

She took Hazel right to the guest bedroom. It was a room with old looking green paint and only three small pieces of furniture: a light chestnut sidetable, a large brown dresser, and an elevated bed with a chestnut frame, four pillows and currently a set of blue sheets and comforter on it. It was on this bed she laid Hazel down without question. Sheets were sheets. Hazel needed her. Once she was laid down, she looked down at Hazel, that affectionate confusion starting to turn to worry by now. She'd taken so long to get home. Hazel had waited so long for her...

"Hazel, I need to take off these clothes so I can get a look at what's going on, okay?" She looked down, "I'm going to cut these off," She tugged at Hazel's bottoms, "...I'll be as gentle as I can getting this off." She knew how much Hazel liked that hoodie. Even when it was torn, muddy and soaking wet, she wouldn't dare cut if off, "And after that, I'll get to helping you, okay? Stay with me. I'll try my best not to make this hurt." She didn't care to see what Hazel looked like naked. She needed to see the damage. And so she retrieved a pair of scissors, gently took hold of her hoodie, and began rolling the hoodie off after her scissors had cut apart her bottoms as deftly as she could.

 

[TinyThings]

"Your seats... Though." Hazel silently mumbled, more or less to herself, as July took care of her. The golden eye slowly followed July as she got her into the seat, her body pressing into the seat as the seat-belt was applied, flinching only slightly, but nodding to let July know she was alright, in case she worried. She seemed to. That was a strange sensation in itself. Of course July did, Hazel knew her well enough to know that she would, but... It was still all so strange to her. Why did she care so much? Was that really how friendship worked? Would she be this worked up, if July was hurt? That thought was answered in a second in her mind... Yes. Yes, she most definitely would. She'd probably also be panicking a bit, and contacting 'Doc', the old healer at the brothel she used to work, to get pointers. She wouldn't have any idea what to do, when helping a human.

Hazel just slowly nodded her head with July's first words, clearly close to falling asleep. She really didn't want to... Sure, her body 'might' heal, even if she fainted, but it was such a painful process. Then again, she hadn't fallen asleep when she was stabbed by one of her more phsycotic clients in the past, so... She didn't really know what would happen, if she fainted. Maybe she could just sleep the pain off? In reality, Hazel didn't know much about her own kin, or how their body really worked. It worked, much like a human. Falling asleep now, could be quite detrimental to her. July's help, would be god-sent, even if Hazel didn't know it. It still was, to her, but for other reasons than actually 'needing' the help, as she did. And she did, need the help...

A low moan escaped Hazel as July requested she stay awake, slowly turning her head in the other woman's direction. Her head very slowly nodded, a pained whimper escaping her as she breathed. The weakest, most painful little smile grew on her face as July started, but through that pain, just how genuine it was become all too transparent.
"Yeah?" She weakly asked, showing immediate interest in what July was going to talk about. Was she entirely interested? Maybe not. But she always liked to hear July talk. She was so witty at times, and then so direct and serious in others. It was like a little roller-coaster, every time.
A low gasp escaped the Succubus, as well as a painful flinch causing her to groan, when July reached for her tail. The golden eyes had darted down towards the touch, as the tail had flinched away from the fingers. It was clear, some fear was still lingering in her mind, even with her friend here. She immediately felt guilty, but didn't show it as her golden eyes moved back up to Meet July's. A second later, the soft tail sought out the hand that'd reached for it, very gently stroking across the palm. The tail felt a little heavy in the hand, as if too weak to really keep itself up, but it squirmed into the lap it was placed, the tip very slowly snaking from one side, to the other. It was comfortable.

Hazel giggled a single time with July's story from work, a small smile on her lips as she closed her eyes for a second, imagining the scene of an exploding coffee machine. Her imagination probably made it a lot more cartoony than it actually was, with a whole lot more bang. It was a funny thing to imagine though, and it did help keeping her awake.
Her eyes opened again as Hazel went on to another story. The Succubus nuzzled a bit into her seat, getting a bit more comfortable with a painful, silent whimper, that she tried to hide not to interrupt the story. Her eyes looked weak and a little glossy, her blinks slow and long, but she was attentive, and keeping conscious. Every time July's hand came down to pet the tail, it would gently nudge up to meet the petting hand, before tiredly dropping back on the thigh it originally rested on.

As July finished her story, Hazel slowly blinked, a weak, somewhat melancholic little smile on her lips. As July continued, she blinked again, looking down for a moment. There would've been a red hue on her cheeks with July's nice compliments, and the way she spoke so affectionate about the Succubus, but she was far too weak for that. And, she didn't feel right about it... It'd been a lie. She'd pretend to be human. Now... She couldn't be that anymore. She could be Hazel, the human. The person July had befriended. She would always be Hazel, the Succubus now. Or, just the Succubus. Surely, when July's kind, considerate nature got over that, and fully realized what she was dealing with, all of this was over? A Succubus, her best friend? No one could live that down, surely.

When the car pulled up, Hazel didn't move her eyes from July's, a weak moan coming from her, as she raised a hand to place it on July's shoulder. She paused her from getting out, as her tail gently nuzzled around in the squeezing hand, having something to say. Something more important than her! July's story had been sad. She deserved more than that.
"You should... Give Brittney a call... Maybe. She just. Got busy? And. You got scared. Thinking y. You drove her off. You're. Considerate like that. And so. She thought. You didn't want to talk anymore? Brittney sounds like. A good friend." She muttered weakly, nodding her head a single time, as a finger gently stroked July's shoulder. Trying to move a bit to look more directly at July, Hazel suddenly tossed her body back with a painful cry, pinching her eyes again, just causing the ringing in her ears to intensify again. She put a hand on her ribs, crying a few times with the pain, putting the urgency back in the moment. She'd tried so hard to make July relax for a moment, and realize that she really didn't need to be all this worried about her. This pain? Physical, tangible? It was nothing.


Hazel hardly complained as she was removed from the car, going back to being silent again, the little talking she'd done having been painful enough. She was weaker in July's arms this time, one arm dangling down her side, head lulled back on a shoulder, but her eyes remained open. July wanted her to stay awake. She would stay awake!
In her efforts to stay awake, her eyes caught everything they could, without moving her head too much. She saw some of the exterior of the house, causing her to smile lightly. It looked like it'd be a cute little place? She hadn't seen the full picture yet, of course, but what she had, seemed nice. Seeing the colors of the walls, and a few of the plants and things on their way, the Succubus' smile remained. The place seemed so... Quaint. She'd gotten so used to black, white and modern by now, having practically lived it for the past couple of years in her life. Seen very little but that, and the coffee shop.

Being put into bed, Hazel looked around the ceiling for a moment, before focusing back up to July. Her eyes widened just a little bit with the woman's request, blinking a single time, going silent for a moment. She sucked in her lower lip, biting just lightly at the edge, as she nodded her head. She really didn't want July to see her like this. She was filthy. Bruised. Ugly! And she wanted to be pretty for July. Even now, in such a dreadful moment, she didn't want to disappoint July. She already had, of course, revealing she'd been lying to her, all this time...

Hazel did nothing to stop July from cutting the bottoms, her tail just starting to wrap up a bit, arching over her waist, fingers finding it and nervously fidgeting with it. As her legs were bared, there was only a little flinching as July, quite tactly, cut down the right leg, slowly revealing the large, dark bruise. It looked worse now than it had earlier, the skin darkening from the fractures, but generally just looking like some very forceful impact, nothing to be really done with but wait and let heal. Her legs almost looked longer, when naked like this, her pale skin stained with that one, large bruise, but otherwise quite pristine and glistening in their wet situation. She wore a pair of simple, but elegant, white panties, the cloth thick enough not to be transparent around the crotch, but the cloth around her thighs had gotten a bit so.

Getting to the shirt, Hazel looked down, gripping at the lower hem of the hoodie, a frown slowly growing on her lips as she cried, pressing her lips together hard.
"I... Ihi. I really liked this hoodie." She sobbed, seeing the torn face of the panda, dropping her head back on the bed as she started trying to help July pulling it up, over her head. Doing so, she realized that she couldn't arch her back, or bend it, July needing to tug at it to drag it out from bellow her. A painful process, but nothing compared to bending or arching.
With the hoodie off, her torso was revealed to be the main source of attack. Dark bruises around her neck, suggesting some aggressive choking, but no real way to soothe that. There were the dark spots on her chest, one on her breast even reaching down into the light brown bra she wore. Both those bruises also looked more like impacts, and if they had done more damage, Hazel would probably not be breathing right now.
And then there was the bruise on her stomach. It was darker, with a nasty outline, suggesting some internal damage. With the FIrst-aid training Hazel sounded like she had, she'd probably know the ribs were bent, with how raggedy and weak her breathing were, but the lack of wheezing suggested no lounge was punctured. It was highly likely there were some internal bleeding, but 'possibly' nothing lethal. If either were ready to take that chance, would be up to July, but Hazel knew her body could heal that, since it had before. She just didn't have to resolve to tell that, before July asked, if she was going to.