video, un: white heron

[mistsplitter]

[ The video starts off with a cat. A very fluffy cat with familiar ribbons where a cat's "side bangs" would be, and a familiar tiara-like ponytail… Said cat's fluffy tail is up as it is perched on someone she's comfortable with. As for said ‘comfortable someone’, all one can see of him is his midsection- a ribbed, sleeveless turtleneck top with his face out of shot. The focus of this was, after all, on the teeny fluffball. ]

Okay. We’re rolling.

[ Clearing her throat, which sounds like a cat trying to cough up a fur ball, she begins to speak: ]

Greetings. My name is Kamisato Ayaka, and as you can see, I have turned into a cat.

[ But because she is a cat? All one would be able to hear is her meowing at the camera. Literal "nya" and "meow" sounds, and no actual words being spoken. She… thinks people can understand her, because Cloud sure can. ]

Nya nya nya, nya nya nyanyanya, nya nya… [ She's talking about how this is probably Kizuna and asking if there is a way to reverse it as soon as possible because she has work to do… her ears fold inward and she "nyaa"s sadly. Out of shot, there’s a soft sigh before the magi-comm’s camera is angled up, leaving just the head of Nyayaka barely in frame as Cloud leans down a little to show up. ]

Right. That just about covers everything. [ covers what ] Anyone that’s got any ideas, thanks in advance.

[ The camera angles back down to Miss Kameowsato. ]

Nya.

[ Ever polite, Ayaka bows her head as thanks. ]

Think you got it, [ says an out of shot Cloud, hand coming down to gently pat her atop her floofy head before he reaches to stop the recording. ]

Comments

[sultanofsquat]

[ Good to see that the trend hasn't stopped! Spotting Kaito, he instead sighs with a little bow of his head, closing his eyes momentarily. ]

First thing in the morning.

[ Sorry Nyayaya. He's gonna lean into the kitty angle just a touch. This is for the claw marks. JKDFSLA ]

Thinking so... Could a Yokai be behind this?— [ Blink. ] Guess it is true...

[ Others have been saying so as well. ]

[nagano]

Hmm...

[ Chinscratch. The arukibake follow suit, lifting a leggy to rub the approximate location their chins would be. ]

Maybe a nekomata? I hear that they'll curse whoever ticks them off. Has Ayaka annoyed any cats recently?

[sultanofsquat]

[ "Has Ayaka annoyed any cats recently?" ]

Hmm. [ An audible yet soft hum, a couple of beats as he takes one look over at the absurdly fluffable feline. Face squirreling with a cocked brow and half frown. ] Feel like "Ayaka" and "annoyed someone" in the same sentence is an oxymoron...

[ Though between everyone that's responded and who he's conversed with, having someone to bounce words off of is helping more than he realizes. It's called "listening", Cloud. You did a lot of that, yourself. ]

Wait, Kaito. Think it could have anything to do with the depth of a Kizuna bond? [ A beat. ] The reason I can hear her?

[nagano]

Sure, maybe for people like us—but the yokai and ayakashi of this world have different values and sensibilities. Something innocuous for you might be an offense to an entire bakeneko's lineage.

[ A beat. He considers the blond's question, tilting his head. A few arukibake tumble off-screen. ]

For the latter, sure. You might be the only one who can understand her. But the former... I just don't know all that much about Kizuna bonds. Not my field of expertise yet. If your bond turned her into a cat, does that mean you could turn into a golden retriever?

[sultanofsquat]

Sounds about right. [ Not to compare yokai and ayakashi to this example but, speaking of values and sensibilities... ] Felt like I got into beef with oni for just breathing when we were out in Kyushu.

[ The little arukibake that Cloud recognize tumbling off does good in lifting his spirits some, shoulders showing less sag as the corner of his mouth picks up.

"Not my field of expertise yet." ]

Still hitting the books, huh.

[ He has to hand it to Kaito! Whilst Cloud has effectively adapted as he goes, he hasn't really done as much research into the properties behind Kizuna, let alone the magic that this country envelopes them in. If it weren't for his access to Materia, Cloud may have very well been more studious sooner. ]

A golden...retriever...

[ Blink. Blink blink. Down to Ayaka. Back to Kaito. ]

Just putting this out there now. If that happens, I'm blaming you.

[ More like Cloud'll be arfing him. dfkslja ]

According to Aether, Kizuna has reality bending properties. If we keep wishing her back, it might just work.

[ Suffice to say, it hasn't worked. Yet. ]

[nagano]

I got lured into an arm wrestling marathon with some ao oni. Almost won every match, too. That sure was a thing...

[ At the other's mention of studying, he quirks a smile. ] Books were my best friends back home. If I'm gonna be stuck here, I might as well make it my mission to consume every piece of literature that exists in Nippon. The university's library is just the start.

—The rules behind Kizuna effects are vague at best, though. Bonds are what determine the efficacy, but there's no downright empirical measure of either bonds or their impact on Kizuna. Maybe if you get all the refugees in town to wish for Ayaka to transform back, it'll work.

Or maybe it'll conjure a giant mass of destructive spirit energy. Who knows?

[sultanofsquat]

Oh you went the "piss 'em off" route. [ He shrugs, knowing that Kaito got suckered in. He must have just run the gamut of oni competitors after. ] Still, at least we're on better terms with 'em now.

Last time I set foot back at NRL, they wanted me to try out a new weapon...can't say I checked the libraries just yet.

[ Keyword being yet. It must be more vast than the hidden lab in the basement of the mansion... Color him curious. If he's not home and in need of some peace and quiet, Kaito could be seeing him sooner than later. ]

...

[ His lips quirk into a frown. Not discouraged from trying to get her turned back! Just...that scenario. Where's the LIE tho. He spares a glance down at the floofy Ayaka, her tail bobbing up from the bottom of the screen. ]

Think I'll pass on the prayer circle then. [ A beat. ] Just in case.

[ Everybody circle Ayaka. ]