queenofheartsrp | sixth bullet

sixth bullet :: video/action

[The feed turns on to reveal a large, sunlit meadow that clearly showcases the work of someone who has been working with the magic dirt; a gazebo stands in the center of the clearing, simple in design and yet possessing an old-fashioned sort of charm. The outline of the Monsigny apartment complex can be seen some distance away, a recognizable shape through the thin wall of trees. A pretty picture, to be certain, and yet one devoid of human life; there's no one in sight, much less the one responsible for the gazebo's creation.

Then there's a flurry of motion near the bottom of the mirror's peripheral vision and the feed pans down to show Mami, gesturing to get the Vine's attention. And yet the girl has quite clearly undergone some radical changes; there are cat ears rising out of her hair and a tail peeking out of her skirt to swish around her ankles, both feline appendages a soft golden color to match her curls. She's been severely reduced in size, not much bigger than a pinecone.

Mami looks ridiculous and yet doesn't seem to be bothered by it, given how she appears as unruffled as always. There's no panic, no outrage, just a faintly amused sort of surprise....on the surface, anyway.]

Ah, hello? Can anyone hear me? [the words come out in a squeaky whisper and she clears her throat, trying again in a louder voice.] I'm in something of a predicament, I'm afraid. In making use of the magic dirt, I somehow triggered one of those troublesome side effects; the result is hopefully obvious enough that I don't have to describe it. [A polite chuckle.]

In my current "state" [and here the ears lie flat against her skull for a moment, a clear display of the annoyance her calm smile is attempting to hide] walking back to more appropriate shelter has become a great deal more difficult. If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate some assistance.

[ooc: Mami has been wildcarded! The area affected is only the gazebo itself, for a couple of hours; comments will be responded to by

nekofinale for icon purposes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That brief expression of unhappiness gives Mami room for pause, and her tiny gold eyes search Utena's face. Feeling a little abashed in spite of herself, she decides to merely nod and carefully begin the climb into Utena's hand. Mami tries to make the attempt as dignified as possible...but it's hard to have dignity when you're so small and silly-looking.]

[Utena watches Mami attempt to climb into her hand with a fond, soft expression. She's trying not to treat her like a real cat, as she is certain Mami won't appreciate that...but she's really cute, and small.]

Do you need any help getting up there?

No, that's all right. I can manage it.

[She says it calmly, although those ears are once more flattening back against her skull in annoyance, and the tail is swishing back and forth in an agitated way. It's a good thing Mami is too focused on the physical climb to pay attention to Utena's face, because that expression would make her uncomfortable for reasons she can't quite fathom.

With a soft growl of effort, she finally swings herself up and over, landing securely in Utena's palm. Mami allows herself a moment to feel pleased.]

[Utena bites down on the inside of her mouth hard, in order to prevent the giggle rising up in her throat from escaping. She's trying her absolute best not to poke fun, but it's so cute...

She lifts the hand Mami is sitting in to her shoulder.] Do you want to climb up there? It's safer to get around if you do. You can hold on to my hair. [She almost adds, like Chu-Chu does, but wisely decides to omit this.]

[Mami tenses up as she's lifted, her tiny hands taking a fragile hold of Utena's fingertips to keep her feeling at least a little grounded. She gives the perch a polite, yet very dubious once-over, the fur on her tail poofing up a little with wariness.] Won't that hurt? I might yank too hard, given how active you are.

[Utena shakes her head.] No, it'll be fine. You can hold on as tight as you need to.

[She hesitates for a few moments longer before letting out a little sigh to herself. There's really nothing else to do but trust Utena on that. So slowly, and admittedly awkwardly, Mami regains her footing, standing precariously in the middle of Utena's hand. Knowing better than to spare the sickening drop below even the briefest of glances, she makes a graceful hop over to Utena's shoulder, immediately latching on to the long pink hair to steady herself.

She settles down carefully, reasonably close to Utena's ear so that she won't have to shout to be heard.]

Is this all right?

[Utena waits for Mami to hop onto her shoulder and regain her footing before speaking. In the case she would've fallen, Utena is reasonably certain she would've been able to catch her, but she's relieved it didn't come to that.]

It's just fine. Is it all right with you?

I have no reason to complain.

[Her tiny hands gently part Utena's hair, exposing more of her ear.]

You can hear me fine? I don't want to seem too loud.

[Utena does laugh a little now, but only because the brush of tiny hands tickles.] I can hear you loud and clear. [A pause, and she amends:] But it's not too loud. Are you all ready to go?

[She's a light, warm little weight on Utena's shoulder; her tail curls up in her lap, secure and out the way. Mami reaffirms her grip on Utena's hair, takes a deep breath, and gives her squeaky response.]

As I'll ever be, I supose.

Good. Well, let's go!

[And they're off! Utena is, at the least, walking instead of jogging, or running.] ...Hey, won't it be dangerous for you to be in your apartment alone? [It's not like Mami can reach anything, in the state she's in.]

[Mami instinctively tenses when Utena begins to walk, the other girl's body moving beneath her. Her other hand grips Utena's shirt where it covers her shoulder, tiny fingers digging in. She's slow to relax as she considers the question.]

I don't think there's any cause to worry. It might be dangerous, yes, but the outdoors contain far more threats....and this magic will only be temporary. Better to pass the time inside than not, I'd think.

[Utena is careful not to move too quickly, and on occasion glances to her shoulder to be sure Mami is secure enough.]

Well, what if you need something? Won't it be hard to get around like that?

[A moment of silence; deliberate, prolonged. Mami sounds faintly amused when she responds.]

Utena-san, is this a hint that you want me to invite you over?

Huh? I...well...

[She glances up to the sky, embarrassed. If she's caught, she might as well be honest...]

I thought it'd be easier if you had someone around, that's all.

Well, I can't really deny something like that. [She lets that carefully neutral response hang in the air for a moment.] It's not as though I could really stop you, in this state.

[That works well enough as approval for Utena -- she imagines it's as close to an invitation as she's going to get.] All right. Well, I'll hang around for a while. [...] Until you're back to normal.

Hopefully it won't take a week for that to happen, huh?

[She shifts a little on Utena's shoulder.]

You remember where my apartment is, right?

Geez, I hope not. [She nods her head.] Yeah, I remember. It's not too far from here, right?

Yes, that's correct. I didn't lock the door, so there should be no trouble getting in.

[She had used to do so, in the beginning, but as time went by and the only real threats came from the Gardens itself rather than its residents, continuing the practice seemed fairly pointless.]

That'll make things easier.

[And Utena continues to walk slowly, but purposefully, until the looming shape of the apartment complex comes into view. From there it's only a matter of going up the stairs (she takes one step at a time instead of two, as she normally would, and doesn't jog) until she reaches Mami's apartment door.

She removes her shoes before she walks in, slips into the guest slippers, and pads her way into the living room. She's uncomfortable going any further in Mami's house, so she sits at the low glass table and holds her hand to her shoulder again in order to help Mami climb down.]

[Some of her unease returns as Utena mounts the stairs, manifesting only as a tighter grip on Utena's shirt; the last thing she wants is to slip off the other girl's shoulders and tumble such a long way down. She has to work to shelve that nasty mental image when it comes time to step into Utena's hand once more.]

Ah, thank you. ....I'd offer you tea, but I think it'd be more than I could handle in this state.

[The ears twitch, threaten to flatten again.]

It's fine. [Utena smiles, to put Mami at ease. She watches the ears twitch, and for a moment appears distracted. Would Mami mind, she wonders, if she scratched her behind the ears?

But no, now isn't the time for thoughts like that! She shakes herself out of her reverie.]

Maybe I could make you tea instead...if that's okay.

[Unaware of what's going through Utena's head, Mami tilts her head to look up at her. It's a cute, curious gesture; the tail swishes from side to side behind her.]

....I'd like that, but only if you have some yourself.

[In an attempt to retain some control over the situation:]

Do you need me to show you where everything is?

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action; that icon sdkljsdewoi

action; I will use it on you forever

action; gonna die

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;