2/11/2025, 2:08 AM
The recognition in Izumi's shocked cry was an immense relief. Chou's tail lightly kissed her flanks with the force of her tail's wagging, a grin breaking like the dawn across her features.
If anything did happen to cause Choumi's return to harbor a different form, the once-werewolf did not recall it. That small mercy was one that didn't even cross her mind - there'd been a seamless transition of consciousness, devoid of pain or cognitive dissonance, and she was simple thrilled to be home.
She craned her neck slightly, brushing her chin across the rich chocolate pelt as if to say check out the new threads, Izumi, before the Empress closed the distance between them in that eerily graceful way of hers. Choumi found her fluffy cheeks gently cradled in a pair of ink-splashed paws, lilac eyes seeking her own, their delicate hues faint in the dim dawn light. Choumi swished her tail across the sandy beach and grass beneath her, huffing fondly at Izumi's concern.
It warmed her heart to see the woman's care conveyed so, but it equally worried the young woman to know that she'd worried Izumi so much. She outstretched a paw to set it in the Empress' chest fluff delicately, a reassuring pat as she lightly shook her head with a soft smile. There is nothing to apologize for. Whatever had happened, Choumi knew it hadn't been Izumi's fault, and she would do her best not to see the blame placed on the silent crane's shoulders.
