ToT Chap2 - Opening Up Pt3

The door opens as Sonya and Yang return to the medical building. Sonya looking a bit better, but like usual has her passive uncaring face on.

Yang knows it won't be that easy, but she does feel confident that her and her teammate are for once, finally making progress in finding their true paths.

Though as they go back and see Cris only, Yang looks concerned not seeing Nox. Sonya herself curious to where the shiny male went off to.

Surprisingly, before Yang can walk forward Sonya instead walks up to Cris and asks, "Where did umm Nox go to. We need to talk to him real fast."

Yang looks to Sonya then smiles softly. She lightly giggles and says to her, "H-How quickly your learning. Seems you listen to me better than Mentor."

"Because you don't hit me. I swear Mentor just wanted to see me in pain so just hit me when she felt like it." Sonya grumbled.

"Maybe if you listened for once-"

"You know, your getting much sassier than I remember." Sonya says with a frown as Yang smiles to her amused.

Sonya looks back to Cris. "Did he leave already?"

Cris looks skeptical. "No he didn't. He didn't seem up to health so he's using a room to rest for a bit. Nox doesn't suffer from the symptoms of the epidemic, luckily it isn’t contagious at all."

She looks down before frowning with a rather worried look on her face "Yet he spaced out once you two have left the building. I kinda caught him off guard when I asked him if he was worried about you."

Sonya herself looks down in concern. Her bell ringing out quite loudly as war ears lower on her head in concern.

Suddenly her frown deepens once she realizes.

I'm actually worried for him?! Ugh what's up with this day. Yang is a bad influence on me. Or wait, maybe that's a good thing. What a pain.....

She looked over to Sonya for a moment when her Heal Bell ringed out loudly "He's at the last room of the right floor. If you both want to check onto him."

"Thank you Cris." Sonya says when she finishes then quickly walks to where she directed them.

Yang also thanking Cris then quickly follows her teammate. Yang looking nervous again with concern

"W-We're still going to see him? M-Maybe we should let him rest. H-He's probably tired. H-He didn't get too much sleep last night." Yang says then flinches realizing what she said.

Sonya pausing for a minute to look back at Yang confused and suspicious. Yang looking frantic as she waves her paws and shakes her head while sweating.

"I-I mean! N-Nothing bad happened I swear! I-It's not what you think! N-No I mean...!" Yang starts to ramble as her voice squeaks.

Sonya sighs then holds a paw up to silence her friend. "Stop. I'll hear an explanation later."

She then continues forward to the room. Yang looking nervous with a soft groan following again.

Once they come to the door, Sonya stands on her hind legs and knocks softly but firmly. "Nox, it's Sonya and Yang. May we talk to you for a minute?"

Yang stands next to her worried since she doesn't want to intrude or bother Nox. Tapping her paws together nervously. "I-It's both of us, Sonya and Yang.." She says softly but loud enough to hear so Nox doesn't think Sonya only said that to make him come out.

Yang worried that Nox might feel responsible since from what Cris said he probably saw Sonya just like she did before Sonya took off suddenly. Wanting to reassure him everything's ok.

Sonya also wanting to say something to him but not out of anger. Keeping her voice firm but also calm.

"Umm... give me a moment please!" Nox’s voice sounds from the other side slightly muffled due to the door.

Yang looks concerned when they hear Nox say to give them a moment. "M-Maybe we should come later."

Sonya herself looking curious as though it's muffled, she almost thinks his voice sounds sad or shaky. Yet before she could answer Yang Nox’s voice sounds again.

"A-allright... y-you both can enter the room now."  

Her ears lower on her head, her bell giving a soft ring when he says they can go in.

I'm seriously having second thoughts on this.

Sonya sighs, no backing out now, then opens the door.

Sonya walks right in as Yang peaks in from the entrance. She looks apologetic to Nox once her eyes land on him while Sonya walks to him and sits in front.

Yang comes in the room slowly while she says to Nox, "E-Excuse us. W-We don't mean to bother you Nox."

Nox looked calmly towards the two as they entered the room, his ears twitching a bit when Yang apologizes which made him shake his head softly.

"It's fine Yang, couldn't fall asleep even if I wanted to." His eyes however kept track of Sonya's movements and gestures.

Sonya stares long and hard at Nox while reaming quiet for the moment as she seems to study him closely with a frown. Not a mad frown, but a contemplating one.

Yang looks nervous to her quiet partner then back to Nox. "E-Everthings fine now. S-Sonya isn't mad at all. A-And we talked things over. W-We just came by to umm....." Yang looks down unsure.

"To thank you."

"Glad to hear that everything is fine betwe-eh?!" Nox started to say but then looks shocked and surprised in the same time to hear Sonya saying thanks towards him.

Even Yang looks to her shocked. Not remembering the last time Sonya ever thanked anyone but her.

Sonya now looks down a bit awkwardly and embarrassed. Not very comfortable since she doesn't completely trust him and might be a bit resentful at having lost to him. Yet she can't deny she does hold some respect for him as a fighter.

She keeps her gaze down as she keeps talking. "I wanted to thank you for watching out for Yang while I wasn't here. I shouldn't of let her go on her own. The fact you were here and helped her means a lot to me. Thank you."

"O-oh no i-i-it's not a big deal. I-I just err..." Nox was at a lost by now, not knowing what to say because of that while really wanting to jump into the little pool again to sink into the water from embarrassment.

Sonya sighs through her nose then looks back to Nox seriously. "No it is a big deal. To me at least."

She pauses for a minute now noticing how embarrassed he looks with a small redness to his face. She stares at him like that for a second then shakes her head glaring to the ground realizing she was staring.

Yang though watches them both from the side. Looking back and forth as she takes in their reactions to each other in both confusion but also interests. Especially to her teammate as she hasn't seen Sonya so nervous or awkward before.

Was it because she's become aware of Nox in another way than just suspicion?

Sonya clears her throat and musters up what confidence rational thought she could and looks back to Nox. "Anyone who helps my teammate and close friend is important to me. So don't say it wasn't when it is to me. Thank you Nox. I really mean it."

Sonya looks turn a bit serious and sad. Still upset at herself for putting Yang in that position and pushing her away.

"Alright, I understand that you really mean it by now." Nox replies to her, slightly calming down.

Yang gives a sad but happy look to her teammate. And also makes a mental note to keep a closer eye on her teammate when she's around Nox. Finding it curious that though she doesn't trust Nox yet, she seems to actually be giving him a chance.

Sonya sighs again then looks to Yang. "Can you do me a favor. Go tell Cris that I'll be done for the day. I helped all I could but I should give my bell a rest for now."

Yang looks with understanding. Then can't help but giggle. "You were listening to Mentor when she told you about the bell being alive."

Sonya looks irritated at her teammate. "Stop bringing up Mentor. Just go."

Yang giggles again and smiles to them both and heads out the door.

Nox actually become calmer now watching them interact with each other like that, and mentioning a Mentor peaked his interest as he paid attention to what they mentioned about said Mentor.

Once Yang is gone, Sonya turns back to Nox.

A serious look on her face as she says, "Nox umm...." She looks awkward again and nervous. Then closes her eyes readying herself and looks back to him.

"I also want to apologize to you." She lowers her head ashamed along with her ears. The bell ringing softly.

Her words caused him to tilt his head. "Apologizing for what?"

"When we met, all I've done is treated you with suspicion and rejection. I have problems trusting others as, let's just say, I haven't had the best experiences with others my kind. And due to that, I immediately judged you and treated you unfair. I'm sorry. You don't deserve that since I just met you."

Her ashamed position and the ring of her heal bell only reassured that Nox was listening to her. "I see... and I can kinda relate to that in a way or another Sonya. You don't have to apologize for a habit that you have from your past, but I'm sure that habit will be gone in the near future."

She looks skeptical to what he said, but looks up with her ears raised to talk on something else besides that. "You helping Yang made me think you were just doing it to get something from me or her.”

Hearing the part about Yang also made him realize why she was being very honest with him now "Yang is one of the few Mienfoos that I've met during my journey. But her goals are a lot different then the ones I've met and I kinda want to support her with that. Besides that she's rather timid and shy is she gentle and caring... I do appreciate her being like that. I wouldn’t do that to someone like her."

Sonya gives him a look that she believes him as she continues after he spoke. “Yet the fact Yang was able to sleep with you nearby told me that wasn’t true. Yang can't sleep with just anyone and the fact she slept in today shows that she can sense you have no ill intentions and was able to let her guard down with you. And the fact you didn't do anything to her while she slept also says a lot to me."

"I did notice it yesterday evening, but now it surprised me that she was able to sleep in the same room as me." He says recalling last night’s events. Sonya nodding to him in confirmation to what she explained
Knowing her friend, though very timid, is a good judge of character due to her ability of sensing aura. So though she was worried, she knows Yang wouldn’t have stayed with him if he had bad intentions.

Her eyes suddenly narrow softly, "I'll be honest. I don't completely trust you yet. And I'm sure you don't to me either. But I do have respect for you as both a capable fighter and a decent person. I just wanted to say thank you, and I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive or or trust me. I just needed to say this for myself. Yang wants me to learn to trust others, and in a way, you helping her is helping me to..... try to consider trusting others again." She says uncertain. Still not sure she can do it, but the actions of both Yang and Nox today is making her see a slightly different light now. It's not strong yet to make her believe differently, but it's a start.

His black eyes narrowed softly in return "I'm fine that you don't trust me completely yet. And yes, neither do I trust you completely either Sonya. Yet you did gain my respect for being a capable fighter and a surprisingly decent person."

His body stretched a moment on his position before speaking up again "I do forgive you, even if you don't want that, since I threat the people that I meet the same way they threat me. Besides, I do consider us more of acquaintances right now."

Sonya raises her head surprised and almost shocked hearing that Nox forgives her. She didn't expect him to forgive her that quickly it easily.

Her past with her family making her know forgiveness is either earned or not possible so she is shocked for sure hearing him say he forgives her just like that. A part of her thinking he doesn't mean it and is just saying it to let it go.

Yet the honest way he speaks and looks at her right in the eyes as he does tells Sonya he truly means it.

Somehow the fact that he really does forgive her makes Sonya very relieved and, dare she say it, happy.

Wait what? I'm happy because he forgave me?!

She makes a face with a small blush on her cheeks at that thought. She shakes her head quickly to get rid of it, only to look surprised again hearing him call them acquaintances.

"Acquaintances." She repeats looking thoughtful.

Deep down, she can't help but almost feel sad by this. Not that she'll ever admit it.

Yet, she knows it's for the best to stay acquaintances for now. They don’t trust one another yet and aren't close to being friends, but they have interacted with each other often enough that he hasn't given her a reason to hate or be suspicious of him yet. Not that he won't later and though she's upset at thinking like that, experience has told her to not let her guard down until she knows for sure she can trust him.

For now, he has started to show signs she could. And apparently she to him as well. So for now, she can accept it.

She looks Nox straight in the eyes and nods. "Very well. Aquantances it is."

She then gives him a smirk. "And as aquantances, I'd like to warn you now that I will want a rematch someday when we have time and return to Tabira. You have one win over me. I won't be satisfied until I even our score and beat you fair and square."

His eyebrow raised once she got a smirk on her face when she warned him that she'll want a rematch once they were back in Tabira.

He couldn't helped it but chuckle from that statement, before having a challenging look with smile on his face "Very well, we'll have a rematch once we're back from the missions! But don't think I'll go easy on you Sonya."

Sonya looks satisfied when he accepted her challenge just like she knew he would. Like her he too has pride as a fighter so he didn't disappoint her when he challenged her back.

For once, excitement builds up in her at the thought of being able to spar with him again. Yet, next time she'll make sure to keep her focus and memories in check.

Now that she has seen a new side of him and knows for sure he isn't of her clan like she thought he was, she should have better control when they spar again. She'll still be cautious but this time she'll try to stop herself so not to hurt him.

Not because i care if he's hurt! Only so Yang won't worry. she thinks.

Before he was able to react to what he was feeling did a humble, yet soft and quiet "Thank you..." while not looking to the female Eevee's face right now.

Her ears raise up when Nox said thank you. Her bell ringing out as her ear moved quite loudly. Because of Yangs soft way of speaking Sonya learned to easily pick up noises. Plus it's one of her most heightened senses she was trained to have. One thing she hates to admit has come in handy from her past. So due to that she was able to catch what he said.

For some reason, hearing him say that and the way it sounded, makes her heart suddenly skip a beat and makes her want to cry.

------

Yang had waited outside the hallway as she listened in on Nox and Sonya. Staying a bit away so they wouldn't catch on she was eavesdropping.

After they both said their peace, a small relieved smile comes to her face. Being proud of her teammate and thankful to Nox for forgiving her.

Yang knowing Sonya needed to hear that so she wouldn't be tormented by it later.

Yang knowing Sonya is more sensitive than she lets on and the fact she was worried about him shows it.

Yang slowly walks away quietly once she feels they're alright. Going to find Cris and do as Sonya asked.

------

She's not sure why as she looks nervous all of a sudden and her ears lower on her head. The bell ringing out again.

"I-I'm going to find Yang. We both should rest before heading to Darkhowl woods. I heard from some traveling over here some kids are missing. That'll be our next task."

The male Eevee heared Sonya's Heal Bell ringing quite loudly when her ears moved to look towards her again for a split second. "Y-yeah, check on Yang and get some good rest with her before we head out to Darkhowl Forest." He cleared his throat while replying.

Sonya stands up and turns to the door. "Cya around Nox." She says honestly with no resentment or suspicion.

"Sonya, I think the kids might have been kidnapped by a possible witch.” Nox suddenly informs Sonya, making her stop and look to him over her shoulder.

“I'm going after the young shiny Woobat that's wanted alive, but my guts keeps telling me that we might meet an evil witch in that forest too. So uhhh... stay focused and alert while you search for the lost kids, okay?" Nox says seriously in warning.

Sonya nods in thanks at the warning then head out the door and shuts it so he can rest and walks off.

She narrows her eyes in concern as Nox reminded her of the fact a potential witch encounter might be possible in the search for the missing kids. Sonya's thoughts finally going away from Nox and to her skittish teammate.

Yang said she would help in this task because of the kids. Wanting to help find them despite the fact they might run in to a witch. Sonya knows her friend wants to do this to help them, yet she also knows Yang is just as bad with witches as she is with bandits.

Then again, she herself isn't good around witches either but for other reasons.

Her ears lower on her head at the thought, her bell giving a soft ring though it sounded almost broken.

For the first in a long while, Sonya feels nervous about the upcoming task. A part of her feeling she or Yang shouldn't do it.

She sighs softly. Then narrows her eyes determined.

They can't run forever. Sooner or later they will encounter a witch and the bad thing about this is this witch is taking children.

Something she or Yang won't sit back and let happen. For now she steels herself on the possibility.

Focus on the task. Finding the kids safely and bringing them back. And as Nox said, be vigilant and alert. If we can avoid a fight then we'll do it as long as we find the kids.

She thinks trying to reassure herself as she walks and raises her ears up in determination. Though her bell still gives off a slight broken ring.
Back in the main room, Cris sighs in relief as she finally had a moment of break for herself, only to notice Yang approaching her now as she asks her softly "Oh, you're the shiny Mienfoo from before. Is everything alright with Nox and your partner?"

Yang smiles walking to Cris. "Yes ma'am. I-I apologize for coming and leaving so abruptly. M-My name is Yang and I'm Sonya's teammate."

Yang then lightly explains about Sonya needing to rest like she asked to Cris.

As she finishes, Sonya walks in and looks to the two. She looks to Cris and lightly bows in an apology. "Sorry for leaving like that Cris. Nox is just fine and just resting in the room."

Yang smiles knowingly to Sonya. Yet blinks confused as she can sense something is wrong with her teammate. For some reason, Yang can sense her aura feels almost nervous. In fact, it feels almost like she’s scared.

Sonya doesn't show it though on her face as she says, "Yang let's help organize a few things before we leave. We'll catch a night transport later."

Yang now realizes why Sonya might be nervous and scared. Bringing her paws up to her chest as she looks nervous but nods to Sonya as they get started helping to organize Cris's workspace.

They would be going to Darkhowl Woods soon. Yang silently prays they don't run in to a witch.