Questioning minds

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Pandora watched the TV show, that is until Nomine poke her. She then looked back and then looked at her arm where he poked. No she wasn't exactly made of ice or lightning, so she shrugged in return.

"... I gave up my Model W. It gave me ice and lightning abilities." She then looked at him when he asked about a broom. "... No, but I flew on a staff. Is that close enough?"</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

"I guess. Can ya teach me to fly it?" Nomine obviously doesn't realize that only works for Pandora when megamerged with her own biometal.

FZ somewhat felt a small ping of pain when Pandora mentioned she gave up her biometal. Probably had to take a lot of courage to do that. But he honestly hoped Nomine wouldn't give him up; not just yet anyways.

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Pandora had to shake her head at Nomine when he asked about flying it. Not only did she give it up, but yeah... it was a biometal and only worked on her. She looked back down to the ground before glancing back at the other reploid. How to explain this...? She wasn't even sure.

"I can't... it's a biometal, or as close to a biometal as you can get... Model W is... different." It had no consciousness to speak of, and it was pretty much an item to be used. Either way, she would swing her legs back and forth naturally, not aware of Model FZ's pain. Well, at least he did have a consciousness.</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

"...Doesn't make as much sense to me but...I'll believe ya," Nomine replied to her. "You tend to know more stuff than I do."

That was his honest belief anyways. He continued watching the show for a little bit, deciding to be quiet again.

At first, the strategy the bad guys were using against the main character seemed to be working. Several people on the ship were showing concern for the main character, including the girl who is obviously the love interest from earlier. Eventually the main character's friends in their own robots help bail him out of the trap before they drive off the bad guys once again. Once the episode ends, Nomine looked at Pandora.

"Hey," he began. "You don't have a boyfriend...right?"

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>"... I don't know that much. My father kept me from exploring..." Oh how she hated that man. As much as Prometheus, but she never outwardly showed it.

Pandora shrugged when Nomine spoke up, her eyes still on the TV as he kept talking about what was on, and what was being shown. Finally, the episode ended and Pandora wondered if she should keep watching the shows. Either way, the episode was over and now her big red eyes tore away fromt he screen and towards Nomine when he asked that. Surprisingly, a bit of emotion showed through them, as the eyes widened a bit.

She then shook her head. What did Nomine mean by that?</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

Her dad huh? Nomine made a mental note to ask more about him later. It didn't seem like a good time to ask about him more.

Why does he know that? It confused him that he would even think of that as well.

She seemed surprised he asked. Somehow he seemed a little bit...relieved she didn't though.

"Well..." he stopped himself and thought a bit on how to say this. He was having some...difficulty trying to form his next words.

"Well...I kinda...like you. But like...It's different. I kinda...Like you more than just a...friend I think," he began. He thought for a few seconds and thought about what to say next. "I like doing stuff with you and all. Hanging out with you and everything. It's always been...fun. Yeah. That's the word. Fun."

He looked up at her. "And...Well...You don't have a boyfriend. I don't have a girlfriend. I don't think I've ever really had a girlfriend before. Or a boyfriend. I think. All I know is they are supposed to be...'closer to you than a normal friend is'."

He let out a deep breath and just held his head in his hands. A small groan escaped. "I don't think I said it all right. I think I screwed up words again." He straightened himself back up and left one of his hands on his forehead. "Ow my head hurts." This really took a lot out of him. And his head was definitely on overload trying to figure out how to say everything just now.

"So...um...you wanna...uh..." He just shook his head and sighed. "You know what I meant, right?"

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Pandora glanced over to Nomine as he seemed to speak unusually. As in he liked her? Maybe? As a boyfriend? Pandora listened quiet to him, turning a bit pinkish around the cheeks as he spoke up. She didn't know why, but it made her feel. Warm? Not uncomfortable. Happy? She had a close friend? They did indeed have a lot in common. She was silent for a few moment, her eyes a bit widened in surprise.

"... You mean like... You and I as boyfriend and girlfriend?" She pointed to herself before glancing at Nomine again. "I... i don't mind being closer to you than normally. You... You're a lot like me. I like it..." She shuffled a bit nervously. Naturally she would look at him, hoping he wouldn't explode his head from the emotions.

"Y-yes. Of course I would."</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

Nomine's face was turning red too. He felt somewhat relieved at her answer and yet...there was an adrenaline rush he didn't understand. He was happy, excited even. More than he ever had been since...since he escaped that place with Model FZ.

He was happy, confused, excited, nervous...such a torrent of emotions swirling through him right now. So many questions as well.

Pandora, arguably the first friend he made in his new life here, said yes. Not only that, the way she was acting when she responded to him...it was cute. Yes he was almost positive right now this was the perfect time to use the term cute.

His impulses began to take control of him. Or instinct. It didn't matter what the word was called at this point. He scooted closer to her on the couch so that they were exactly right next to each other. He gently wrapped an arm over her shoulders. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. As far as Nomine remembered...No. That wasn't it. As far as Nomine cared, Pandora was now the first girl he kissed in his life.

It lasted for only a few seconds before he pulled back. That kiss...it helped him relax a bit. Relaxed enough he was...actually smiling. Not a serious wide grinned smile like you'd see some goofy clown or overly energetic ninja give, this was...This was Nomine's smile. Calmer and a bit more at ease.

"I'm sorry if I just...surprised you. But...You made me..." he paused for a second as he considered his next words. "Very...Very...Happy. Thank you...Pandora."

He hoped he didn't scare her too much with what he just did. He...really didn't want to lose the relationship he had with her just as soon as they...pretty much decided to go this extra step.

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>All these emotions, they raged through Pandora. Some she never felt before. She was normally the emotionless type and she had no idea how to react to all of it. It didn't matter that Nomine was leading her into a kiss, when he did, she felt... fear? No, excitement. Love. Power. FEELINGS. Everything that she was denied as Model W Pandora. Now she could finally live her life. She had someone she could love, not as a sibling.

She pulled back and then looked at Nomine, her eyes wide with shock, the only emotion she could express right now. She immediately relaxed when he spoke up and she gave him a smile. A gentle, pretty smile, a visible smile. not one of those tiny ones she made. The ones she would give to Prometheus whenever he was being a total sweetheart.

"... You made me happy too, Nomine." She then pulled him into a tight hug.</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

This was probably...No. It definitely was the best smile he's ever seen Pandora make. When she hugged him tightly, he was surprised at first, but then wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. In that embrace, Nomine couldn't help but take a small sniff of her hair. It was...kinda right there in his face after all. And he kinda liked it. He wasn't sure how hair is supposed to smell, but Pandora's was nice. Heck, he liked a lot of things about Pandora after all.

He slowly rubbed her back while still embracing her, then pulled back so he could look at his new girlfriend's eyes. Bright red, almost like his own eyes.

"Heh," he chuckled. "Guess that means...we can both continue to make each other...really happy."

After a brief pause, he asked, "Hey...can I kiss you again? You were...kinda my first time kissing a girl...and I think I really like it."

Yet another new thing for Nomine to experience, love in a relationship. As far as Nomine could tell, he was going to enjoy this new experience in his life very very much. He was somewhat hoping Pandora would enjoy it with him too.

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Pandora wasn't aware of him sniffing her hair. She was just happy he was around. Besides, scent was an important thing. Either way, as soon as she pulled back, she looked at him, right in the eyes. Identical red eyes. They certainly had a lot in common and she was happy to find someone like her. She then nodded eagerly when he spoke up and then spoke up.

"Yes... indeed we can make each other happy..." Of course after that pause, Nomine asked about kissing. Hey, she did like kissing too. She was never kissed by anybody, even her brother. At least on the cheek. She would then lean forward against to give him a proper kiss on the lips.</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

It was one thing when he was the one who kissed her. She was now leaning in and kissing him. And it still felt great. Actually, it felt better coming from her for some odd reason. Well, this whole afternoon kept feeling better and better.

He waited till she pulled back from the kiss before he spoke up. "...Ya know...I think you're definitely better at the kissing thing than I am. Actually a lot better."

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Indeed, this afternoon was the best afternoon Pandora had in a long time. She wanted to know more about Nomine, though right now she knew he liked kissing, though. Maybe she could help him remember things too. But right now, they were discovering this new emotion, and Pandora was feeling elated. Though as soon as she pulled back, Nomine complimented her and she couldn't help but blush.

"You're not bad. Well... I don't know kissing... So I don't know whether you're good at it or not... but I think you're good at it too..." There, a Pandora compliment! With a small smile added with it as well.</sub>

[Nomine and FZ]

"Guess that means we're good for each other. Or whatever that saying is," Nomine said as he pulled her a bit closer to him in their hug. He leaned his head against hers, and looked down at himself and her as one of his hands slid off her and slowly reached for one of her hands, as he slowly tried to slip his fingers between hers. "Don't really care what the proper thing is called at this point."

What mattered was that they were together, and nothing was going to change that right now.

Well...except for one thought that just came to Nomine's mind.

"...You think Juli's going to try harder to kill me when she finds out about this?" he asked Pandora.

Granted, he's not going to go down without a fight.

[Model W Pandora]

<sub>Pandora smiled and looked down at Nomine slipped her hand on hers and she entwined her fingers with his as well, feeling at peace with herself as the other spoke up. Yeah, it didn't matter right now. They were together and it felt good. She'd glance up at Nomine as he asked what would happen when Juli found out and she made a bit of a sheepish look.

"I don't know; let's not tell her yet." She spoke simply. Whatever Juli didn't know wouldn't hurt her.</sub>