#arc 3: edit with proper title/tag in a sec

[lightofunova]

Reshi shook her head at her student’s words. “I could not hate you for a mere misunderstanding, Zhen. Besides, even if you are my student you are still my equal. I have just as much to learn from you as you do I.” Though, she should have been more careful perhaps. Thoughts wandered to a recent time where someone had corrected her assumptions before.

Her eyes trailed his form, tired and unkempt. It was still her student, despite the way his hair stood out in random places and the exhaustion ebbed in his voice. Perhaps this was how he had truly been the entire time, yet she couldn’t tell. It didn’t change a thing though.

As the cup of tea was set infront of her, she took out a few of the sweets and snacks from her package. Small tarts, savory and sweet, and a dish of clotted cream. Nothing fancy, but it was somehow difficult to find in the present she now lived in.

And then he began to apologize. “No, there’s no reason to say such things. Honestly I agree. It was far too busy for us to talk at both events, let alone the scars the Gala left. I understand.” She said as she took a sip of the tea. Calming, and warm.

She couldn’t avoid his question for forever.

“Honestly?” Reshi met his eyes. “I’ve been horrible!” A small laugh left her, despite the tone of the news. She attempted to stay upbeat as of it would help the phoenix feel at ease somehow, but the demanor was quickly replaced by her true feelings, embers of her hair rising and falling quickly.

“Every day has been a meaningless trial for some Arceus-bound reason! I nearly died at the damn Gala, and the sleepover left one of my servants upset with me for my own inaction!” How embarassing. “I just…I wanted to have fun. I wanted to make friends.” Her voice grew quiet, her following words barely a whisper.

“I wonder if I was truly suited for this role at all.”

(@lightofunova)Reshi@Zhen: She entered the abode quietly, not wanting to disturb. Knocking at the door gently, a head of white hair popped in. “Hello Zhen.” She said gently. “I’m not here on buisness today, I just wanted to visit a dear friend, and catch up if you would like. I feel like sometimes we don’t have the time to when we want to.” From behind her back she showed a small parcel. “I brought Unovan treats to share, and some tea of course. What say you?”

Heat flooded his cheeks at the familiar face in his doorway. He was unkempt, horrendous and his mentor stumbled across him in such disarray! He hadn't the time or energy to fix his appearance! 

Misfortune after Misfortune! He internally groaned. A desperate plea in his eyes as he looked towards Caelus for a fix but the dragon gave him a sideward glance before chuffing and looking away. 

Is he mad at me?!

“Get in here,” he beckoned her inside. It was too late now. She saw him at worst. He doubted she would utter so much of a word of this. His Teach didn't seem to be one for gossip. 

He watched as she presented a small gift. Treats and tea? She knew exactly how to placate him. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just sit. Please before Nahkti rushes in here and tells me I'm being rude.”  

He listened to her soft words. A dear friend… His hands clenched as they rested upon his thighs. “I didn't know you thought of me that way.” He exhaled. “I thought I was…” He trailed off, averting his gaze. 

Rising to his feet, he took the tea she brought with her. “Let me warm this up,” he said gruffly. He wasn't gone for long. Soon he was back with two cups, steam wafting from the top. Placing one in front of her, he sat down with some distance between them, tightly holding his own. 

“Our responsibilities often get in the way of hanging out with someone.” His eyes never met hers, staring into his reflection upon the surface of his tea. A half smile as he spoke, “Well, we have all the time in the world, don't we? Being gods 'n all, we never have to worry about it.” His tone didn't match his words, his smile, lacking the spirit he was known to have. “I can spare a bit of time before I'm forced to do the boring stuff.”

Caelus gave a loud snort. He excused himself, the dragon moving behind the homestead. What Zhen needed now was a friend. 

Zhen raised his hand to brush aside disheveled strands of hair from his eyes. “Tell me, Teach. What've you been up to? From one event to another, I been worse for wear but I'm functioning, y’know. Again I'm sorry for the Gala and everything. I really wanted to talk more about things at the sleepover… It just didn't work out like that.”

He was developing a habit. Apologizing. When will it stop? His lips thinned, stifling the urge to say it again. Instead he said in a meek voice, “It wasn't the greatest for a serious talk anyway. 

How he missed being carefree and at ease.