Cleaning House (OPEN to all)

[Gar]

Ni breathed a sigh of relief when it was apparent that Zay's disoriented state had passed. When her friend called her by her name for the first time, without using titles, she felt the same unidentified feeling push into her chest. Ni didn't know how to answer Zay, all she could do for the moment was gently wipe Zay's tears from her face and smooth down her disheveled hair with one hand.

'I'm not strong,' Ni wanted to confide in her, 'he haunts me, too. I think I am over what happened, but then it all comes back again, uninvited. I understand a little of what you are feeling...' But she knew she couldn't be honest about that. That would only cause more distress.

There was a long period of pensive silence before the Zeltron found her voice again. "You are already strong, Zay. Just look at all you have survived," she said softly, returning Zay's gaze, "And you will only become stronger. Right now you just need to focus on yourself and your own needs. The rest can wait."