Onwards

Noise in her head drowning out the flap of wings-- if Jael had her wits about her, maybe she would have expected it. Erish's habit of being just close enough, just far enough, was a comfort. The spiral of self-doubt and, all the mean shit Jael could say to herself in her head snagged on Modesty's teeth. Eye going wide, whites showing around the bottoms, going stiff. As quickly as she's been taken up, the pet is released. Jael tries to center herself. Desperately, she tries. Today, her wits are buried beneath other things.

Going from the hold on her muzzle to... comforting her. In moments, Jael is willing herself to relax again. Trying, as she tucks her chin close to Modesty's shoulder. She wasn't being cast out or pushed aside, she wasn't being blamed. But that's hardly on you. Hearing Modesty say it helps a little, and she's doing her best to sip her tea. Trying. “I just w--” the words die on her lips, interrupted by a familiar voice. Jael had hardly noticed Modesty's shifting, but with Gilgamesh now standing in the doorframe... fuck.

Jael is frozen. Wide eyed, wild, her gaze is the only thing that moves. A plea, silent. Heart pounding. Opal gaze darting from Gilgamesh to Modesty, trying her best to steady the quiver. Licking her lips, an attempt to hide that the lower one is trembling. The uncertainty needs an exit point, a place to escape. Pulse racing, she knows it's Modesty's decision.

“Speech.”