Alice let out a long sigh, bracing herself for Rachel's reaction to her explanation.

  "You see...It's because... Okay, yes, she fetishized me for my skin color. Yes, she's a huge perv, no doubt. But the reason why I accepted her panties and all is... Beyond the fetishization and perversion, she treated me with such care, such affection that I never got from anyone else. I wanted that admiration, that touch. She made me feel...seen, and wouldn't hesitate to give me the physical affection I wanted for so long."

  Rachel's eyes widened, completely caught off guard by Alice's confession. "You were seeking physical affection? From that...pervy, skin-color obsessed—"

  Alice nodded softly, her cheeks a touch red from embarrassment as she cut Rachel off. "Yes, I was. It wasn't about fetishization or perversion, okay? There was just this...gentleness, this intimacy. She made me feel valued, desired, and that touched me in a way I never expected. I couldn't turn that down.”

  Rachel seemed utterly bewildered, her disbelief evident. "So, wait a second. You're telling me, the reason why you took Leopoldine's panties is that she was kind and...intimate with you? And it wasn't about the whole fetishization thing?”

  "Exactly!" Alice insisted, her words rushed, hoping Rachel would understand. "It wasn't about the fetish, Rachel. It was about the emotional connection. She made me feel important with her...her...affection, even amidst her, you know, perversion.”

  Rachel shook her head slightly, trying to wrap her mind around the situation. "I...get the emotional connection but accepting her damn panties... That's a really odd way of showing affection, isn't it?”

  Alice sighed, a mixture of vulnerability and frustration in her voice. "I know it sounds messed up, but it wasn't about just accepting her panties. It was about the moment, okay? Leopoldine wasn't just pervy, she could be gentle and...affectionate. And in that moment, I just... let myself be. I let her touch me because she wanted to touch me, and I wanted to be touched.”

  Rachel's expression softened, a hint of understanding mixing with her confusion. "So, it was about more than just accepting the gift? It was...about the touch, the way she touched you?"

  Alice nodded, her cheeks still burning red. "Yeah, it was. It was about the way she touched me with...respect, I guess. Respect for my dark skin. Like she genuinely cared for it. And I craved that kind of touch, Rachel. I craved that connection, even from someone as strange as Leopoldine.”

  Rachel let out a sigh, still trying to make sense of the situation. "Okay, I understand that the touch was a big part of it. But why the panties, though? It still seems a bit extreme, even for that kind of connection, doesn't it?”

  Alice's cheeks reddened a bit more, her voice almost a whisper. "I guess... I wanted a memento. Something that reminded me of the way she made me feel. Something...to remember that connection, that affection. Leopoldine gave me her panties, and I guess I just wanted to...hold onto that moment, in some small way.”

  Rachel stared at Alice, her expression still a mix of confusion and concern. "So, the panties weren’t just a parting gift, they were a way for you to hold onto that moment, that connection. But Alice, Leopoldine is...well, she's a pervy creep, and you accept her panties, like it's totally normal?”

  Alice nodded, feeling a wave of guilt and shame surge through her. "I know, I know it sounds messed up but...when she approached me with her...panties, it was this...intimate moment, okay? She offered them to me like it was a token, like she genuinely wanted me to have them. And in that moment, I just...accepted. I couldn't say no. It felt...important, in a weird, messed-up kind of way.”

  Rachel let out a sigh, her concern deepening. "Y'know...if you wanted affection so bad...you coulda told us. Me and Zalgo, we're literally right here, and we love you to bits and pieces, unlike that crazy pervert.”

  Alice's eyes flicked downwards, her voice softening even more. "I know, and I love you two dearly. But...you guys are different. Leopoldine and I, we have this...connection, if you can call it that, that's rooted in her admiration and attraction to my skin color, all that stuff.”

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  Rachel shook her head, disbelief evident in her voice. "So it's about the fetish, then? It's about her perversion for your dark skin, right? That's what you're getting at?”

  Rachel's expression showed conflicting emotions, between understanding and skepticism. "Yeah, I think I get it. It's like Leopoldine's fetishization was the... spark, but the connection you had with her was about more than that. It was about that attention, that affirmation you needed, even if it came in a messed-up, fetishistic way."

  Zalgo chimed in, her eyes reflecting the same conflicting emotions as Rachel's. "So, Alice...if it's really affection and closeness you're after...why can't we just give it to you? Our friendship is already cemented at this point, and we don't mind showering you in appreciation.”

  Alice nodded slightly, her voice still carrying a hint of guilt and shame. "I know, and I'm incredibly grateful for both of you. But... it's not the same. Yeah, you guys provide friendship and affection, but you don't touch my skin, you know? It's... different."

  Rachel rolled her eyes slightly, still somewhat unsettled. "Yeah, because we're not perverts obsessed with your skin color. We love you for who you are; the whole package. The quiet, language-learning, anime-watching, doll-making nerd I've been knowing for all these years.”

  Alice blushed even more at Rachel's description of her, her embarrassment obvious. "Hey, I'm not a nerd."

  Zalgo chimed in, suppressing a chuckle. "You literally have a whole shelf full of 'kawaii' plushies, Alice."

  "Shut it," Alice grumbled, her cheeks burning even redder.

  Rachel smirked, still teasing Alice. "And let's not forget those anime conventions you can't resist attending."

  Alice groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You guys are the worst."

  Zalgo added, her smile wide. "And the countless manga volumes stacked up in your room."

  "Okay, okay, I get it!" Alice exclaimed, exasperated. "I'm a geek, alright?”

  Rachel chuckled, amused by Alice's reaction. "Geek, nerd, whatever you want to call yourself. We love you just the way you are, quirks and all."

  Zalgo nodded in agreement, her voice warm. "You're our lovable, anime-obsessed, doll-crafting friend, and we wouldn't have you any other way."

  Rachel chuckled, her smile widening. "But you love us."

  Alice's blush deepened, but she couldn't help but smile at her friends' teasing and acceptance. "Ugh, you guys are insufferable.”

  Zalgo chimed in, joining the teasing. "Admit it, you'd be lost without us."

  Alice rolled her eyes, still red-faced. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

  Rachel and Zalgo shared a playful glance, their teasing still going strong.

  "Don't pretend you don't love our banter," Rachel added, her tone taunting.

  Alice's cheeks remained bright red, but she couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay, fine. I can't deny it. You guys drive me crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

  Zalgo smirked, still enjoying the teasing. "You know you love us, even when we tease you."

  Alice feigned irritation, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "Yeah, yeah, just shut up and go to bed already. We have to go to Valoria and crap anyway."

  Rachel chuckled, not quite ready to let go of the moment. "And leave you alone to dream about your dark-skin-obsessed admirer?”

  Alice's cheeks flared up again, her embarrassment evident. "Shut up! I don't... I don't dream about her, okay?"

  Zalgo snickered, still finding amusement in the situation. "Oh, come on. We all know you fantasize about Leopoldine and her...strange obsession.”

  Rachel joined in, her tone teasing. "Yeah, Admit it, Alice. You secretly enjoy the attention, even if it's a little twisted."

  Alice's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she pulled the bedsheets over her head before muttering, "Good night.”

  Rachel and Zalgo chuckled, not ready to let it go just yet.

  Rachel chuckled, her tone playful. "Hide beneath the covers all you want, but we know the truth."

  Zalgo added, her smile mischievous. "You can't escape from the truth, Alice. Leopoldine still has a hold on you, even in your dreams."

  Alice grumbled under the sheets, her voice muffled. "GOOD NIGHT.”

  Rachel and Zalgo shared a look, their teasing grins wider than ever.

  Rachel smirked, relishing in stirring the pot. "Oh, come on, Alice. Don't act so shy about it. We all know you secretly enjoy it."

  Zalgo added, her voice teasing. "Leopoldine's obsession with your dark skin? You lowkey love it."

  Alice, still hiding beneath the bed sheets, could almost be heard pouting. "SHUT. UP. I SAID GOOD NIGHT.”

  Rachel and Zalgo burst into laughter.

  Rachel tried to compose herself, her voice laced with amusement. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, just enjoy those dreams, Al. Not too much, we still have to go see what's up at Valoria, so don't go overboard with the fantasizing.”

  Zalgo continued laughing, her voice mischievous. "And remember, Leopoldine is still out there, drooling over your dark skin, not realizing you're having a blast dreaming about her. Just try not to scream her name in your sleep."

  Alice lacked the energy for a comeback as she just sank further into the bed, waiting for the pestering to end to get her well-deserved rest for the journey to Valoria.