Jazz's Dorm (Lani and Obliv) [Finished]

Claire looked at her lap, giving a sad frown. "Last year... I realized I couldn't remember what my mother's voice sounded like... I-I could remember the way she looked when she was angry, o-or how warm her hugs were, but... I-I couldn't place her voice anymore..."

Jasmine nodded, shrugging slightly. "I never knew my parents." She said, "I was dropped off as a baby. Since then... hell, I've had countless families, countless people to call my mother or father... but I can't really... I don't quite have that sort of real family tie." She looked back at her, "Most of my tattoos are momentos of people and events... milestones and reminders." She held out her left wrist, scars marking her whole inner forearm, 'Enough' inked in cursive below the heel of her palm.

Claire felt an urge move through her, and she gently cupped Jazz's hand, looking down at it. "I-I'm sorry..." She gently squeezed the blue haired girl's hand. "I-I thought... That I-I knew what pain was... I-I'm an idiot..."

Jasmine forced a laugh, shaking her head. "I was fifteen then. One of my friends..." her voice softened, "passed on." She reached her other hand out, tipping up Claire's chin. "No one else's troubles should ever make your own insignificant. We all have our trials, our milestones. Just because we come from different walks of life, different situations, does not mean that either of us is better, worse, stronger, or weaker than the other. We're different, and that's okay."

Claire looked into her eyes for a moment. "S-Still... I-It's not fair that you s-should've been through so.... So much..." She broke their connection, looking down at her hand. "I-I would've given up... A-A long time ago."

"It's not about how much. It's not about what. It's about who you are after it, who you become, and how you let it change you." She tilted her head up again. "You never know for certain how you'd react to something until it actually happens. Don't pity me. There's no need. I mark my body to remind myself, to express myself, and to show my heart to the world."

Claire looked into her eyes again, and for some reason she smiled. She nodded at her words, giving her hand another squeeze. "Y-You're right... T-Thank you..."

"There's no need." She said finally, releasing her chin and pushing back a lock of her hair. "We all need someone to help us up sometimes. We're only human, in the end."

Claire's hand followed the path Jazz's had taken, further insuring the tuft of hair was tucked securely behind her ear. She blushed a bit, nodding in agreement. "Y-Yeah...human..."

Jasmine smiled. "I might start calling you an angel though." She said, her voice soft, face flushing a little bit.

Claire blushed at her words, looking to the side. "M-My weapon form... D-Does h-h-have an angel on it... B-But wh-why... W-Why are you going to c-call me that?"

"You're sweet," She said, looking down, surprised at herself. "You're innocent. You hide, but you care about people, take care of them." She shrugged. "You're a shining light in darkness."

Claire focused intently on the far wall, feeling her cheeks burn. "I-I'd... I-I'd think of s-something else to call you, but Jazz... J-Jazz works. Y-You're quick, a-and you've got a swing to y-you. You're upbeat..."

Jasmine laughed. "That's what I've been told." She shrugged before tapping Claire on the nose. "There's no need for you to come up with a nickname, even if I made you one. Just be yourself. Flow with life. Don't fight it. Be yourself and do what feels right."

Claire closed her eyes, muttering to herself. "W-What feels right... What feels right..."

Jasmine smiled, watching her, her eyes tracing the outline of the girl's face.

Claire looked back to her, giving a nervous smile. Slowly, she reached out, taking Jazz's hands and squeezing them. "J-Jazz... I just want y-you to know... I-I'm here for you..."

Jasmine smiled, squeezing her hands back. "And I'm here for you, little Angel." She leaned forward, slowly, cautious, and planted a gentle kiss to Claire's cheek.

Claire seemed to short circuit for a few moments, not really sure of what to do. Her cheeks quickly flushed a deep red, as did her ears. Still, she didn't do anything entirely negative, aside from the death grip she now had on Jazz's hands. Her eyes fluttered a bit, and her mouth opened and closed a few times before words came out. "J-Jazz?"

Jasmine laughed, the sound girlish and almost innocent. "Yeah, little Angel?"

Claire cleared her throat several times, just trying to get her voice to work. Eventually, she decided it wasn't going to work, and just leaned in, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Jasmine's face flushed, not from any real innocence --- no, she was far beyond that --- but from the sheer intimacy of the moment. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that this wasn't a typical thing for the girl, and that made it that much sweeter. She laughed softly, nervously, before leaning forward, pressing her forehead to the girl's.

"So..." she whispered, as though anything louder would shatter the moment. "Where do we go from here?"

Claire's cheeks and ears were a blazing red, and her voice was an even softer whisper. "I-I don't... I-I don't k-know... H-Help?"

Jasmine laughed, reaching a hand up and setting it on the side of her face. "What do you want?"

Claire shivered a bit at her touch, though she did lean into her hand. "I-I don't k-know..."