Zeph answered the door to see Xiam and Iri standing in front. Xiam was in a plain red shirt with yellow polka dots and Iri wore a plain flowery shirt with a yellow background. He wasn't expecting them but since they weren't dressed for any big occasion, he invited them in casually. "Hey you two, come on in."
Iri and Xiam both gave a light nod and strolled in, taking a seat on Zella's couch. Zeph went over and sat beside them near the edge where Zella's favorite brass lamp stood.
"How's Zella today?" Iri asked curiously.
"So, so." Zeph slouched against the couch. "Ky's irritable because she hasn't had a bowel movement in like four days." He never candy-coated anything.
"That was a bit more info than I needed," Iri said as she gave a small sigh and rolled her eyes.
Xiam just laughed, "Has she increased her fiber? Muin had the exact same problem."
"Xiam," Iri scolded her husband and hit him gently on the hand.
"Trying to," Zeph said, "but it's just hard still. She's in that bathroom trying as we-hey?"
Zella didn't speak a word as she came out, marched over to Zeph with gloves on her hands and grabbed his tail, tying it to her brass lamp.
Zeph looked at his tied tail, back to Zella as she sat down, and back at his tail again. "What was that for?" Warno's tails were more flexible than other species and she freaking double knotted it.
"Well. That's one for my Chronicle," Iri said chuckling as she watched Zella take off her gloves. "AI 5677. Today I watched a Guard get his tail knotted on Zella's lamp."
"Don't write that," Zeph warned her, but only received the females laughing in return. "Females."
"Hey," Zella furrowed his eyebrows. "I said don't call us females, didn't I?"
"Fine then. Girls," Zeph said in a condescending manner. He tried to pull his tail away but the lamp wobbled, causing Zelly and Iri to laugh harder. "Oh yeah? At least I can poop." He grabbed the lamp and begin the arduous process of undoing his tail.
"Well Iri, Xiam. How have you been?" Zella smiled, neglecting Zeph.
"Good," Xiam said, "any luck this time?"
Iri just covered her face in embarrassment.
"That's really not important right now." Zella glanced over at Zeph, still not bothering to help.
"That would be a no," Zeph added as he finally got his tail untangled. "You'll know because she'll be throwing confetti when she finally does."
"Well now that you've gotten past most of your nausea, do you think you're ready to go out and meet someone?" Xiam asked Zella.
Zella pointed over at Zeph who was fluffing out his poorly abused tail. "He says no."
Xiam didn't look too happy at that statement. "I know it's risky, but she can't-"
"Why are you rushing her?" Zeph said, his voice becoming serious. "She's got a ton to deal with, guys add to the problem."
"Now isn't really the time to start meeting strangers off the street," Zella agreed. Smart woman.
"Well don't meet a stranger, meet that one guy." Xiam smiled, "Zaria's friend, remember? You were supposed to meet at the restaurant? He's liked you since forever and he's shown nothing but concern for you since he heard what happened. He really wants to talk to you again."
Zella gave a long drawn out sigh. "Yes, I know who you're talking-"
"No one!" Zeph interrupted coldly. "No one, no way, no how! I don't care if this guy knew her since freaking childhood, no one is dating her! Are we clear?"
Xiam didn't look very happy at Zeph's outburst. "Crystal clear. Guard."
Zeph stood up and crossed his arms. "I'm a Guard first and a friend second. Under no circumstances will Zella go out."
Zella just looked away. Zeph always got really upset when someone mentioned she should consider dating. The truth was, she never really wanted to date. Well, anyone that was dateable. Zeph sat back down and Zella looked at him gently.
"Fine then, no dating yet." Xiam agreed. "Until after the baby is born."
"There's not a set time," Zeph disagreed.
"Oh, I think there is. Probably when you have to leave." Iri answered backing up her husband.
"There's not a set time," Zeph repeated himself with more affirmation.
Zeph, Iri and Xiam all argued back and forth. Who she should date, when she should date, how she should date.
Zella couldn't take anymore as she stood up. "Will you just leave it be?"
Xiam and Iri both nodded and smiled. They probably thought she was going to side with them. Ppft!
"Why won't you two just leave me be, okay?" Zella looked at Xiam and Iri with distaste. "I don't want to date, I have no plans for dating even after the baby is born, and when Zeph leaves I might still not want to date. It's my decision so quit pressuring me."
Zeph just leaned back comfortably on the couch with a bright smile etched upon his face.
"Fine. Pardon us for being concerned," Xiam said curtly as he stood up. "Come on Iri, it's getting late and we need to be headed home."
Iri nodded and stood up. "Thanks for a nice evening," she said a bit colder than she meant to be.
Zella politely escorted them to the door. Xiam easily went out, without saying a word, but Iri stopped briefly to whisper something to Zella.
"I know why you feel that way Zella but he's a Guard and he will never be with you."
Zella gave no reply as Iri continued out the door.
"What was that about?" Zeph asked.
Zeph couldn't have heard, but he knew by the way that Iri stopped that she had said something to her. "Iri said nothing." Zella closed the door. "Just a warning of sorts."
"What, about not dating?" Zeph scoffed. "Trust me. The pro's always outweigh the cons."
Zella smiled sadly at him. "Well, one day I'll still have to take that leap. Just not anytime soon."
"You know, you don't really have to date. I mean, considering what happened it might be better for you to never date at all," Zeph added as he walked behind her.
"Why don't we just skip this for now?" Zella groaned as she headed to the bathroom door. "I'll be back soon."
"I'm cheering for you," Zeph chuckled.
Zella felt her cheeks get hot as she closed the door. He was never going to change.