Ildraniath knew that love or attraction was rarely very rational and there was a reason Eldar strove to control themselves. But she also knew that emotions could only be controlled partially. Whether rational or not, the heart might still ache. Whether you tried to wall the pain off or tried to embrace it, it remained until you managed to make it a part of you again. Until you owned it and used it, weaved it into the tapestry that made up your mind and person. Emotion had to be channeled, controlled, put carefully into place or else it might overwhelm you.

For a few moments, she was acutely aware of her own breath - of Zouichi's. She kept forgetting that he was so young (relatively). Had he never loved before? She let her fingers trace over his lips and then took one more step forward. "We can embrace it. It... one way or the other, it's going to become a part of us. Whether we live or die."

She leaned in and let her lips brush his. The future was uncertain. She could indulge - if only slightly.