Welcome to Gaia! ::

Shiori nodded. "I understand that well. It took me an entire week of Yuki pestering me to finally accept anyone here." she sighed, gently running her fingers through his hair. "Between what I saw of you, what you showed to me, the fact you wouldn't relent... it was hard to ignore."
Again, she refilled his glass. "You're drinking a lot, Aled-kun... are you nervous?" she prodded gently, eyes seeking his out. "Are you sure you're going to be alright? Perhaps you should slow down..."

Shiori nodded. "I don't blame you." she rested her head against his for a moment. "You have enemies all around you... your entire family is threatened... it must be a heavy burden, Aled-kun. I wish I could understand it.... but I do understand nervousness... vulnerability. You've given me plenty of both."
She smiled, lifting her head to watch him closely. "Not that I mind now... Perhaps I can start worrying about you the way you worry about me." She pulled him into a hug from behind, resting her head on his shoulder. "Someone has to take care of you after all."

(I live, but I might have to restart here soon.)

Shiori nuzzled him slightly, unable to catch herself. Her cheeks were starting to grow warm. "Of course I have to worry about you. Isn't that what people do when they like one another?" she tilted her head, watching him. "And really, what burdens do I have now? You take care of me in every way... you bring me medicine, gave me somewhere to live, three full meals a day, a job... what burdens could I possibly have now? You lightened mine.... It would be wrong of me to not want to lighten yours."
She leaned her head against his, kissing his hair. "I think I like you a lot, Aled... a lot, lot."

When Shiori found herself kissing Aled, she was needless to say very surprised; however, not once did she stop herself.
In fact, she kissed him deeply.
When she pulled away, she watched him closely, trying to gauge something. "You shouldn't say things like that lightly..." she warned. "I won't get my hopes up, Aled."

Shiori's face flushed immediately, nearly warm enough to burn Aled's hand. She couldn't deny him; she suddenly understood how easy it must've been for him to seduce the others.
With good reason. She was finding it harder and harder to think.
She had to keep a clear mind....
"A-A-Aled..." she stammered, "Aled-kun, I, I..."
It was hard to catch her breath after something like that. Her eyes met his, barely blinking, feeling transparent as ever.
But before she knew what she was doing, she was kissing him again, trying to trump his fervor by at least ten.

Shiori had shifted slightly, nearly on Aled's lap. "I hope that's not all you see." she whispered, holding his cheeks in her hands. "Beauty fades with time, anata..."
She kissed him deeply, before moving to gently kiss his neck.
In truth, she wasn't one-hundred percent sure of what to do, but she figured Aled would be more than willing to help.

Ooooo... ping!
If only he knew. It almost broke her heart to hear him say that.
"You speak too kindly of me." Shiori whispered, pausing for a moment. "I have just as many secrets, just as strong a shadow-side as you do..."