Safe Haven

Important Conversations

Reina knocked on the door before her before nudging it open gently, trying not to startle Haven if she was inside. Almost as soon as she entered the room, Reina spotted Haven. She was sitting before the window, just staring in peace. 

Reina walked to her side of the room like usual to avoid disturbing the 'mon. She stood by the bookshelf, pondering as she gazed over the items available. She was looking for her book on berries and medicines, but...

Suddenly, Reina remembered that she had left it by her nest the other night, falling asleep as she had read it. She plopped onto her bed and opened the book. Whenever she would take a break from reading, she would document her status by folding the top corner of the page. Reina unfolded the corner of the page, flattening it as best she could with her paw. 

Some would tell her to get a bookmark, but it's just how she's always done it. She learned it from her father, and that was something she treasured. 

After some time reading, Reina heard a grumble from the other side of the room. She turned her attention toward the sound, noticing Haven standing up and moving to her nest. Reina just looked at her, and they met eyes. 

"Wh-what's up?" Reina asked, stuttering. She still wasn't fully used to Haven, but she was getting better. Haven turned to face down, glaring at the ground. 

"I'm just antsy. Very, very antsy." Haven said plainly, a little bit of irritation seeping into her tone. Haven nodded, looking back at her book awkwardly. 

"It's nothing for you to worry about, just..." Haven began, trailing off. She looked back at the window, peering at what lay outside it. Trees swayed with the winds of the ocean and waves crashed against the sandy shore. Wingull cried, flying through the air above the deep blue sea. 

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Reina asked, half curious and half knowing the other 'mon needed to get her feelings out. Haven looked back at Reina, guilt showing in her expression. 

"I'm always ranting to you. And when I'm not, I'm being a pain." Haven began, digging her claws into the nest beneath her paws. Reina just watched, listening still. "I just don't get how you put up with me," she said, looking down with a saddened frown. 

Reina looked at her curiously, intrigued by her opening up again. "Well, you seem willing to share with me fairly soon after meeting. I guess I just wonder..." Reina paused, realizing she had said such a long sentence without messing up. She brightened. "Has anyone ever put in the effort to see that you can be... More than just "a pain"?" Reina asked, making air quotes with her paws. 

There was silence after that, and Reina quickly regretted what she said. Too soon, she thought. She cringed inwardly, unsure of what to say next. Looking up, she fully expected Haven to be furious with her. However, she seemed quite the opposite. 

Tears plagued Haven's eyes, gleaming as they ran down her cheeks. "I n-never really--hiccup--thought of th-that..." She whispered, but Reina still heard her words. 

"I didn't mean to make you cry! Oh, gods, I'm sorry..." Reina began, promptly padding over to the silver eevee and peering at her distraught expression. She just cried weakly.

Haven gazed up at Reina, tears staining her face, "Would you... Please be patient with me?" She asked desperately, looking back down with an embarrassed frown. Reina nodded vigorously. 

"Of course! I mean, I-I think I-I'm pretty p-patient, so," Reina explained, holding a paw out for Haven to take. 

Haven peered at the held-out paw nervously, waiting to try anything. She looked around the room and finally put her paw out. Reina touched her paw, smiling.