Through The Trees [Veralia/Stella]

"Huh."

That's all Veralia could see when she was smothered by Stella. Feeling her warmth and chest stuffed in her face was a lot to take in. So, she didn't initially return the hug. It was odd to be the object of desire, but it wasn't unpleasant and pleased her otherwise envious nature.

After a moment of silence, her thoughts sorted themselves out and Veralia's hand found its way to Stella’s head, patting it lightly.

"Now you are just trying to use your assets to kill me. That's thinking with your head I guess."

Veralia's voice was tinged with amusement as a low chuckle escaped her lips. She reciprocated with a quick, albeit less intense, hug before they separated.

"Walking a dangerous path there trying to snuggle with a creature of sin. Some of us can kill you, while others can drown you in lust."

With a teasing wag of her finger, Veralia began to retreat backward, her movements deliberately restrained.

"Time to put those assets to the test and get a bit of cardio in. Catch me if you can – I’ll keep my speed to a human level for fairness. Another hug's your prize if you can catch me."

"You can say that."

A smile curled up her lips as Veralia held her hands behind her back, looking at Stella with amusement reflected in her gaze.

Her movements started to increase ever so slightly; being one step ahead of Stella as she wanted to get the woman sweating and pushing her stamina. So, she would start to jog and motion for Stella to follow her down a path nearby that went through a field of trees that overlooked the night sky. With the noise pollution dulling the stars in the heavens, it was a beautiful sight to behold and one Veralia found so much more comforting than the dull decay of Hueco Mundo.

"Mmmmmm, I know you felt bad about what you said. Don't sweat it."

Veralia's tone carried with a sense of easygoing nature as she tried to reassure Stella, her eyes briefly meeting the Quincy's as they jogged.

"Coming from Hueco Mundo, it's rare people get close or give a damn about the things they do or say if there aren't strings attached, lust involved, or some type of ulterior motive."

She paused her train of thought, but her steady jogging rhythm never faltered. For a moment, she seemed lost in contemplation against the serene backdrop of the night.

"It's strange, trying to accept genuine kindness. I'm not used to it, and yet, I don’t sense any deceit in you. It’s... unsettling, yet oddly refreshing"

Her words trailed off, leaving a thoughtful silence as they continued their nocturnal run, the tranquility of the earthly night offering a poignant counterpoint to the harsh reality of her own realm.

Veralia glanced back at Stella, her gaze momentarily drifting off into a thoughtful distance

"Perhaps. It's not hard to linger and move about this world as long as I don't piss off certain factions."

Her voice carried with it a notion of caution mixed with the freedom of a wanderer; as if she knew the seas of this world like the back of her hand. Still maintaining her running pace, Veralia's gaze started to look back up toward the heavens. It seemed as if the stars themselves seemingly echoing her contemplative state.

However, Stella's sudden tap on her shoulder snapped her back to the present, drawing a playful wriggle of her nose and a knowing smirk.

"Ah, you are picking up the pace. That's the spirit."

There was a tone of delight heard in her chuckle. It seemed as if she was pleased with Stella's progress thus far.

"But I suppose you may be right. I can sniff out those that wish me harm."

When Veralia spoke, her voice became drenched in a mix of pride and wariness honed by survival instincts. As they covered a considerable distance, Veralia eventually slowed, allowing Stella to catch up. She came to a halt, facing Stella, her breathing steady and controlled despite the miles they had traversed.

"You are too innocent for your own good. It's...sweet and endearing. But..."

Her expression softened slightly with genuine concern.

"Be careful. One of these days someone might take advantage of that. In a world where deception is the norm, such innocence can attract the wrong kind of attention"

Her words hung in the air, a gentle warning from one who had navigated the treacherous landscapes of power and survival, to another still learning the ropes.

Friend? That was a new one. Sure, Veralia had people she could give or accept lust from, those who were associates and people she was allied with; but it was a harder ordeal to embrace another's friendship.

Her right eyebrow arched skeptically, yet there was a curious gleam in her crimson eyes as she mulled over Stella's proposition

"I don't dislike you. If you are hellbent on following me around like some lost puppy, so be it."

With a playful flick of Stella's nose, Veralia's lips curled into a half-smirk.

"We'll see what comes out of our relationship. For your sake, you should be careful."

As Veralia held her blood gaze on Stella, her tone of voice was light yet underscored with sincerity.

"Those that play with fire tend to get burned."

As she snorted at the cheesy joke, a wisp of emerald flame danced past Stella. It would feel like a warm summer breeze, a stark contrast to its potential ferocity. If Veralia so chose, she could melt the average powerless human on a whim.

All that was left now was the manner of their little prize. After all, Stella DID work for this

So, Veralia began rising on her toes to envelop Stella in an embrace. But, It wasn't just a physical connection; it felt deeper as if the very essence of Veralia's envious flame was intertwining with the purity of Stella's spirit. The hug was enveloping, conveying a warmth that seemed to emanate from the core of Veralia's being.

Pulling back, she looked into Stella's eyes, her own reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

"Are you satisfied now, or do you wish for more?"

Stella's face was flush like a cherry, so Veralia chuckled as she saw the Quincy sit down on the field of grass before her. With a playful glint in her eyes, she sauntered over and tapped Stella's head gently, teasing.

"Get your head out of the gutter. I asked if you wanted more hugs. I can tell that lustful blush from a mile away."

As she laughed slightly, the woman then put her hands in her pockets and sat next to Stella. However, she didn't say anything initially. Her eyes were set on the twinkling stars above; getting lost in them as Stella prodded her about what Hueco Mundo was like.

Closing her eyes, Veralia reflected on that very question. All that came to her was blood, fire, and the endless darkness of that realm. It wasn't a pretty place as it was filled with the worst aspects of humanity in living form. Still, even in such a hell, there was beauty to be found. She found moments of tranquility in the quiet deserts and the mysterious, endless forests that were The Forest Of Menos.

Yet -- none of it matched the splendor of the earth's bountiful color.

"It can at times, but it lacks the vivid colors of the earth. The rich greens, the beautiful touch of the sun against your skin, the gentle breeze of a warm summer evening; it's all so much more beautiful than the endless sands of Hueco Mundo. All there is infinite night and it grows dull after many years."

With her eyes opened, Veralia smirked as she didn't seem too down in the dumps about it. Instead, there was a look of intrigue.

"What makes you ask?"

Her tone was light, yet her eyes searched Stella's for a deeper understanding.