Welcome to Gaia! ::

Selma had found it more and more difficult not to break down as they made their way back to the Waystation. It was only the fact that Tali was there with his arm around her, that gave her the strength to continue. In her mind, she was playing the "fight" over and over again, even though it was the last thing she wanted to think on. She also pondered on what could or would have happened if Tali had not arrived when he did.

Finally, they made it through the doors and up the stairs to the room Selma was staying in for the duration of their time at the waystation. Soon after the door was closed, Selma let herself release the emotions she had been holding in this whole time and the tears began flowing down her cheeks.

"He....he...Tali...he almost" she stuttered, before sinking to the floor, her tears overcoming her ability to speak cohearantly.

For several minutes, she sobbed into his shoulder, clinging to his blue robes, but eventually, her sobs mostly weakened into sniffles, and she wiped her eyes, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you Tali..." she said, whispering, her voice hoarse from crying. "I don't know what I would have done wi-without you..." she choked back another sob, trying to stop thinking about what had happened, not wanting to start crying uncontrolably again.

The corners of Selma's lips turned up into a small smile at his gestures and words and she gave him a tight hug.

"You're very important to me too. I'm so glad I know you Tali." She paused for a moment, not sure whether it was what happened that spurred it, or if it was simply how she felt, but either way, it felt right to say it right now for some reason.

"I....I think I love you Tali..." she pulled back from the hug to look at his expression.

Selma looked a little taken aback at first, but then she started to nod slowly, and the small smile returned to her face, only with the tiniest hint of dissapointment.

"I...think I understand Tali..." she swallowed and closed her eyes, choosing her words carefully. "We're still growing up...and learning the ways of the world, trying to figure out what life has to offer. I-I can't ask that you decide on something like that.... I'm glad you care about me, still though... but I won't take back what I said about you...be-because I believe it to be true..."

She was blushing deeply, and her words had a nervous quality about them, but her eyes held a determined look, showing that she meant every word.

((*pat pat* its ok))

Selma kissed him back, and smiled wider at the words that followed. While the recent event was still present in her mind, it had been pushed back for the moment to be dealt with at a later time. She would no longer let it spoil some of her last precious time with Tali, until who knew when.

Noticing that she had kind of messed up his hair, when she had been using him as a crying shoulder, she reached over and gently brushed a stray lock of hair behind his ear. The red-head let her fingers linger on his face, caressing it, her eyes studying it, as if memorizing how he looked, even though she already knew.

Selma smiled and then responded her voice and expression slightly wistful as she looked at him.
"No...I just want to remember you, as you are now...before whatever happens to us in the near future happens." She shrugged. "I guess its a little silly."

She cuddled up to him, laying her head on his shoulder. "Hmm...yes, you're right. I guess I worry too much. I've been doing that a lot lately. Everything is changing and we're powerless to stop it...even though it is the now....I mean the change isn't all bad...I just like how things are now...."

Selma kissed him back, holding the kiss for a while, before breaking away, grinning.
"Indeed it can get better," she said slightly breathlessly, studying his eyes. She turned her body to face him more directly, and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning in for another kiss