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“Prajna, isn’t that pretty? Move in, this one will be so nice” a certain brunette cooed, as another familiar redhead floated through the bustling crowd towards a beautiful young cherry blossom tree. The androgynous ginger glanced up through the pastel pink petals and past the mighty, mysterious arms of the dark arbor and then raised its arms over its head in a fashionable pose, lowering its piercing gaze to meet the eye of the teen’s curious camera. Prajna made sure not to blink, despite the fluttering petals and staring bystanders, until the Star heard the soft, accurate ‘click!’ of Namini’s camera, to which the Star responded with a blink and an accomplished sigh. It returned back to its guardian’s side and took the camera from her to review the shot. Oh, how interesting.

“Namini used black and white” Prajna stated a bit too impressively. Namini beamed in her charge’s rare praise and pointed to the interesting shot. Lately, the duo had become a little closer, at least in the girl’s eyes, an intimacy sparked by Prajna’s addiction to television surprisingly. Despite the Nao household receiving the occasional fashion catalog, it took the usually indifferent soul the off chance of catching a marathon of modeling campaigns to suddenly become absorbed in the world of color, cuts, cameras and posing. Prajna had watched, for hours, that random Saturday afternoon, dozens of women practicing their catwalk, posing in staircases, pools, mid-air, and in meadows to realize just how exciting everyday life could be. That small flame of interest sparked the question, “Do have camera?” When the answer was “Yes”, then the flames spread like wildfire. “Good. Give to Prajna.” The following weeks were filled with the Star taking pictures of whatever it could before learning how to use the timer feature to take pictures of itself. Prajna’s increased vanity would have made the normal person choke and tear, like being stuffed into a room of smoke, but when the redhead began asking its guardian to assist in developing its portfolio, the teen couldn’t pass up such as chance at getting closer to her charge!

“The light made your eyes even more extraordinary. See here?” Namini explained and Prajna nodded in deep focus. The two then proceeded on their way, casually strolling along the cobblestone street where people had come to gaze at the blooming sakura trees, in celebration of White Day, a follow up holiday of Valentine’s day. It seemed appropriate to at least have come out here for this minor holiday, since the Naos hadn’t particularly done anything to celebrate Valentine’s Day, besides a tiny exchange of letters. Namini looked Prajna over to gaze at the Star’s unfamiliar attire and smiled to herself, “Prajna’s so into this modeling thing, it’s nice to see it try new things out.” Today, the two were out and about, donning all white pieces of clothing: Namini had on a white sweetheart cut sleeveless shirt, high water pants and some pink flip flops, her hair up in two small buns with matching pink ribbons, and Prajna’s hair was in a small messy braid, its edgy locks still growing out (though rather nicely). The Star’s attire consisted of a long sleeved Victorian style shirt, a more vintage style of shirt than what it usually wore, and its signature star ribbon and hat.

Prajna pointed to a small street vendor selling snacks like cotton candy and heart shaped lollipops, and for a second, it revealed an exquisite smile that seemed not so rare these nowadays…and Namini couldn’t resist snapping a quick candid. When reviewing the shot, the brunette could only sigh at the Star’s quickly growing ability to just pose so elegantly so effortfortlessly.

As the Naos approached the various street vendors, Namini’s eye on a particular hotdog stand and Prajna’s on a small woman selling handmade charms and imported candies, Namini made sure to take a few scenic pictures to throw in to their little holiday album. She snapped a picture of the steaming corndogs and sweet, oversized lollipops, a stray puppy begging for scraps, and then just a few quick shots of the busy and bustling crowd. Prajna had become distracted by the puppy as Namini reviewed the last shots to delete the ones deemed unfit, when the androgynous star turned and pointed to a food stand, “Namini, buy food for puppy dog. Is hungry, yes?”

Namini was just about to nod and go fetch a small set of fries or something to satisfy both the pup and Prajna’s need to feed the pup when she noticed something or rather, someone familiar in one of her pictures. Where had she seen this curly brown hair before… ? Ah!
The young girl turned her gaze up from her camera and glanced around the crowd, causing Prajna to frown. Pouting, it shot up from its crouching pose beside the pup and waved its hand in her face, but before it could scold her, Namini shot her own hand outward, a smile on her face, “Prajna! Look who it is! Aniiiittaaa~!”

Some bystanders had stopped to give the Naos an awkward stare, a consequence of Namini’s actions that Prajna did not appreciate too much, but when it followed its guardian’s gaze through the hustle and bustle of the strangers, suddenly nothing else mattered. Its cheeks burst into flames and the Star tried to distract itself with the pup once more. Prajna cooed “Good doggy” almost a hundred times as it ruffled its head, trying to hide its embarrassment and get Namini to refocus on the pup’s needs but Namini wouldn’t stop waving; She hadn’t seen Anita in such a long time, and that green was probably HER Frei right? Namini was dying to meet it! “C’mon Prajna! Let’s go say hello!” Namini chirped as she grabbed the arm of her Frei and drug it through the streets. Prajna was just about to rip her hand off of it, when it found itself floating just a few feet away from him, the green kissing Frei. Prajna felt every nerve its incomplete body send waves of fire all throughout itself, its cheeks burning. Perhaps though…perhaps he wouldn’t remember Prajna? It could only pray.

Namini, on the other hand, was beaming, “Anita! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” She jumped forward and perhaps engaged Anita in a rather too enthusiastic hug. When she released her, it seemed that, somehow, the smile on her face was even wider than before. “Is this your Raevan? I don’t think we’ve properly met!” she continued earnestly, looking Cruz over.

"Cruz? What a nice name, seems very appropriate for the summer time, y'know like cruise ships?" Namini giggled, making a small wave-like motion with her hands to help Cruz better envision it. Prajna...did not contribute to her enthusiasm, as it continued trying to avoid Cruz's emerald gaze. The Star vividly recalled Halloween: the mixed and over enthusiastic crowd of Raevans and owners alike, all donned in the most festive of costumes, the food, the spooky music, the hay everywhere, and of course, the scary stories of the Lady Widow. ...and the heavy romantic tension that came with those stories. After Cruz had witnessed such a poor display of character on the Star's behalf, how was it supposed to look him in the eye now?! Perhaps he was merely being kind to the redhead before so that he could discover the Star's weakness and use it to later take advantage of it! Prajna pouted and peeked up, if only for a moment at Cruz, to judge his face again: No... he really didn't seem like the malicious, calculating type but...Prajna HAD only met him once. How was it to know for certain? As Anita left the group to grab a quick afternoon snack, the curly haired brunette took note of the crocodile's accumulated flora and tilted her head in curiosity, a move too commonly displayed in anime, "What are the sakura blossoms for, Cruz?"

Prajna's glacier gaze fell upon Cruz's open palms then, spilling over with pink petals, and the Star began to wonder the same thing as Namini. But from his clawed fingers, to his olive forearms, up his biceps, continuing on to his collarbone and then to his jawline and then-- Prajna found itself captivated by the crocodile's lips once more, just like it had been at Halloween. Something about the green Frei simply seduced Prajna. He made the Star feel like it was falling to the Earth with no way of slowing or stopping, like its chest was going to explode into a million pieces across a galaxy of darkness if Prajna didn't lean forward and steal a teenyyyy...tinnnnyyyy little kiss of his lips. A warm blush trickled across the redhead's genderless features but a nearby vendor yelled out the deliciousness of his pretzels and soon, Prajna was back to its senses and ignoring Namini, jumped into responding to Cruz's question, "Prajna has been well...Cruz."

Namini turned to give her charge a curious glance before flickering her cerulean eyes back to Cruz. Had she missed something? The teenage girl made a quick mental note of the redness in Prajna's pale cheeks and its unusually politeness in addressing another individual. She gasped suddenly. Was this poor crocodile another victim of Prajna's kissing frenzies?! Namini felt her own face turn hot but she kept her lips sealed. She knew better than to pry into Prajna's affairs but really? Just how many people had Prajna kissed when Namini's back was turned!? Prajna's mind, on the other hand, began to race with calculations and strategies; If Cruz really was the manipulative type, perhaps Prajna would just have to befriend the crocodile, make an alliance rather than another enemy. Yes, another friend wouldn't hurt. Especially if he was a seemingly kind and curious soul like this one...

Namini was a bit relieved to have Anita return, a feeling of awkwardness having crawled up under the brunette's skin during her friend's absence. The young Nao couldn't really make sense of it but she had this underlying notion that the seemingly innocuous relationship between Cruz and Prajna was perhaps, not so innocent at all, or at least she didn't think so, with the way they were blushing and seducing one another via love stricken gaze alone. But again, she knew better than to pry into Prajna's personal affairs. As long as Prajna's not fighting with him, I guess things are okay, Namini thought to herself. She quickly pushed those thoughts away and replied to Anita's curious inquisitions with a tender smile, "To be completely honest, we haven't been up to too many things. I've started my semester at Durem University as a nursing major, but Anitaaa~ the classes are so difficult! I feel like I have been asleep for decades, only to wake up in this world where simple words have now been replaced with crazy terminology that has exes and zees throughout each and every letter! It's... so tough." Namini finished with a half hearted giggle, as she recalled her last paper on prescription medicines. "And while I'm studying medicines and needles and ethics, Prajna's been at home a lot lately, practicing on this cello some secret Santa dropped off. You should come by sometime and see it Anita! You and Cruz both! It's a lovellllyyyy onyx color, black like night. Oh I'm sure you'd love it. Oh! But I'm rambling on. How have you been, especially with your new babe?" Again, Namini laughed. She remembered the first time she met Prajna and how stubborn and finicky it was, though that has barely changed now. At least Namini and David were getting used to its mannerisms and knew now how to react appropriately to them.

As Namini ranted and raved to Cruz's human girl, Prajna kept its blue eyes fixated on Cruz's hands, the petals continuing to pool together in the crocodile's palms, wondering what it should ask Cruz next. It indeed HAD been some time since the two Freis last spoke and Prajna felt it knew very little of Cruz's personality to be able to respond appropriately; with Varun, Prajna knew it could be rough and wild, untamed in any civil manner, while with Vyn, Prajna understood that it must maintain a level of eloquence and femininity. But with Cruz... Prajna was not really sure which behavior the emerald haired soul responded to best. That's when it had a lightbulb of an idea, " Can Prajna hold?"

The Star extended its pale palms outward, mirroring Cruz's pose and waited. It was different if Prajna caught some petals on its own. This way, Cruz would have to either refuse Prajna's innocent request, coming off as rude or selfish, or Cruz would oblige out of, perhaps, courtesy or even better yet, desire. It was a poor attempt at conversation and interaction but Prajna wanted to see if Cruz had changed since they last met, if his motives were different than before; He had seemed fine with physical contact last time, his supple lips effortlessly interlocking with Prajna's own, but perhaps, in a more public setting, he had become more reserved? Or perhaps that was merely a one time incident, an opportunity just for Cruz to try Prajna out? Either way, Prajna had to know the true meaning today, refusing to let such an opportunity at answers slip away.

On the topic of past holiday gifts and goodies, Namini’s sapphire eyes seemed to brighten with a childlike enthusiasm; if it was something she prided herself in, it was gift getting. The young brunette made a mental note to go out with Prajna on a later date to get Anita and Cruz something one of a kind to make up for their absence during the winter holidays. Plus Namini was sure she had some extra holiday cash to indulge her friend in, even if it was just a little! Anita seemed like such a relatable girl, one Namini could see herself becoming quite close to, almost as if the older brunette was some kind of sister the Nao never got to experience. The mere thought of this potential kinship made the young Nao giddish and beam, her excited fingers twirling around the stray bits of her hair, “Please. Stop by any time you guys are in the area. Prajna and I only live about twenty minutes from this festival spot alone, so I can’t imagine you two to live too much further. Am I right? With that said, I mean, have you met any other Raevans yet? In this area? I remember David saying there was one or two though I’m not really sure who exactly…”

The teenager placed a pondering finger to her porcelain chin, envisioning the faces of all the Freis she knew. Isi and Eiry, and Aphismet and Rivener were around here somewhere if she remembered correctly...

Prajna continued in its disinterest of the women’s conversation, though seemed a least a little pleased to see that Namini was easily and thoroughly distracting herself with mere conversation. How simple minded she was. But as Prajna’s gaze was temporarily fixated upon Namini’s youthful mannerisms, Cruz loomed closer, his bestial whisper of a “Yes” too low and thoughtful for the Star to notice before Prajna found its face a few inches away from the Croc’s. Their fingers were making such delicate contact, Prajna noted. It felt like Cruz’s fingers were lingering oh so carefully as if not to destroy the beauty of the moment, like when one examines a spider web after morning dew, in awe at every intricate dewdrop gathered and held so tenderly. Then, just as quietly as he had come, the emerald decorated Frei slowly pulled himself away, leaving a small mountain of pink in the redhead’s frail fingers. Prajna watched him with meticulous eyes, waiting for any sign of sudden movement. For a moment, Prajna turned its dangerous gaze over to their guardians, wondering if they were in on this… this scene from some rom-com, but in this action alone is how Prajna distracted itself from Cruz’s gentle intentions. Within the next following moments, Cruz plucked a small blossom and placed it every so affectionately into the Star’s uneven crimson locks, tucked away by its pierced ear.

“Prrashnaa pretty” came the crocodilian coo as Cruz floated aback a few paces and examined his work…

Prajna’s androgynous features were adorned with a bright red, one that would out-color any cherry or stop sign. The petals immediately fell from the Star’s palms as if suddenly toxic and burning, but aside from that one sudden motion, Prajna remained stunned. Stunned and glowing like Rudolph’s nose. Yes, yes, it adored being admired and exalted, especially by fiendish witches like Lulu or Lucia but that’s because they were just that: fiends and witches. The way Cruz had conducted himself though, it was just… so…. soooo… feminine? Delicate. Careful. Affectionate? Quiet… All of the words Prajna had learned since its creation seemed to just flood its thoughts. Anything that seemed remotely synonymous to “careful” or “nice” was just bolding, italicizing, and underlining itself within Prajna’s head! It was all so, so much that the only proper response Prajna seemed to be able to make was,

“Thank… you?”

Now it felt even stupidier.

“Anastacia? That sounds very… European,” Namini stated a little too rudely. She immediately recoiled and murmured a small apology. “Oh! Prajna’s pretty close with Luka, or so I’ve come to believe. …Though they have a terrible tendency to cause mischief when in each other’s presence. I’m not entirely sure who’s at fault, still, since one time it seemed like they both played some part in a zoo fiasco but then another time… Prajna seemed genuinely apologetic about a little incident that happened. No matter.”

Namini attempted to laugh her rambling on and she wondered how Anita would react to her chattiness; it had been a while since the young girl had ran into 1) another guardian and 2) another guardian her age. It was refreshing to just chit-chat and discuss other mutual friends and relationships. It was similar to being in high school again.

Meanwhile, Prajna was also experiencing a feeling heavily associated with high school: romance. “Romantic” was the word Prajna had finally settled upon, in labeling Cruz’s tenderness. His worrisome affections. His… his… entirety. The way Cruz moved and spoke and looked just screamed romance and affection and yearning and and—

It felt like electricity was rushing through Prajna;s body as the crocodile reached up and caressed the Star’s soft but scorching cheek! The crimson haired Frei tightly shut its eyes, surprising even itself with its foreign shyness, but soon exhaled relief as Cruz retracted his hand and motioned to his own pale cheek. Before the croc could touch it again, Prajna responded, stuttering but still responding as best as it could, “Prajna is fine, Cruz. Is good. Is… almost…too good. Cruz is too…”

The Star wondered if its emerald companion would even understand this word but it thought it could give it a shot.

“Cruz is acting so …so….romantic with Prajna.”

At Anita's question, Namini immediately tensed and blushed. Recalling how easily she had lost control of and had actually lost Prajna at the zoo was beyond regretful and embarrassing. But the girl would feel rude if she didn't at least try and answer her new friend's question. Maybe ...Anita had behavioral problems with Cruz too? Suddenly, the idea of Anita and Namini sitting in a living room, drinking tea and exchanging mothering tips, with their Freis playing somewhere nearby overtook her. It seemed like a nice possibility!

"Well Prajna has a bad habit of making mischief...wherever it goes, with whoever it's with. So we went to the zoo and ran into Luka and Mr. Jezabroux and then, as Mr. Jezabroux and I were having a nice conversation... our Freis just bolt into the crowd! It took us forever to find them but luckily they were unharmed. It seemed they had some kind of bonding experience while we were missing as well, though I'm not exactly sure what happened," Namini recalled. Thinking back, she continued suddenly with her train of thought, "I don't think I was ever able to get Prajna to tell me what happened. What about you? Any...um..problems with Cruz? With him being new and all?"

What... was happening?

Prajna watched curiously, almost concernedly as Cruz began a small descent, cradling himself in his arms, as if suddenly cold, though that wasn't possible as it was a perfectly warm day outside. Then the murmurings began. Prajna had to lean closer to the crocodile soul to make out what he was saying. His voice sounded so ...guilty. Bad? What was he going on about?

Glancing over at their owners and noting their preoccupied body language, the Star took this opportunity to suddenly pull itself and Cruz out of their awkward mindsets. Prajna suddenly, perhaps a bit too roughly, lifted Cruz back to his original height and hissed, albeit a bit affectionately and genuinely, "Cruz. Don't be sorry. Nothing to be sorry for. You are too good but not bad just.. Maybe too good of person for Prajna. You are very...very.."

The awkwardness returned and Prajna didn't know how better to phrase the next words. With its small hands still gripping the other Frei's shoulders firmly, the redhead took a moment to recompose. It closed its eyes and searched for a word. There were actually many words capable of clarification but if Cruz had mistaken the word "romantic" for something bad, perhaps it was best to keep things simple. Prajna let out a small frustrated sigh and opened its eyes, locking its piercing gaze with Cruz's emerald orbs. Perhaps it was best avoiding laziness and use proper grammar to make sense.

"Romantic is not a bad thing Cruz. It makes people feel good here" Prajna pointed at the center of Cruz's chest. "It's just...some times... it makes people red in the face, "blush", and people don't know what to think. Romantic means you like someone. Like... kissing and.. holding hands...and..."

For a split moment, a memory of the angry Varun flashed through Prajna's thoughts and the Star reddened.

"It makes people think you have a crush on them. You ... like them... a lot. And we just met. You.. don't like me ... a lot... do.. you?" Still proud as ever, Prajna finally released Cruz and fluttered backwards, giving the croc space, the blush adamant on its cheeks.