jikan_network | video, un: white heron

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video, un: white heron

[ 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. ]

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[ If she trips and falls off the counter, she'll just use her claws on Cloud again— WAIT FASDGSDG ]

Yes. I should be okay if I am careful.

[ She doesn't want to get her fur on the food, so she watches Cloud from a distance. Oh! Maybe she can help? Um... the salt and pepper should be nearby, so... if she just tries to take the salt shaker with both her front legs and push it to where Cloud is... ]

You mustn't forget seasoning for the eggs.

[ Helping!! ]

[ she claw. he heal. it's a perpetual cycle.

Once the rice is washed and he has it set, foregoing any soy sauce or other fixings he would otherwise experiment with for traditional white rice, he sets the pot on the burner and leaves it to steam and cook. He's gotten pretty good at measuring how much water was needed for rice, eyeballing it by this point in time before he fetches a skillet for the eggs. He thinks...three? He looks over at Ayaka as he holds a fourth one. Would that be good for the both of them? She should have the equivalent of one, probably...or less, given her teeny tummy. He's terrible at cracking eggs still, so he won't be doing any fancy one-handed cracking any time soon, but he's at least not getting shell in the bowl as he cracks them in! Before he can start whisking them though, Ayaka's pushing the salt shaker on his counter towards him.

From the corner of his peripheral, he spots Nyayaka and has to stop literally everything to watch her. This is...a first. Red XIII may be good without opposable thumbs, but he was born that way. Ayaka's fluffy little self carefully nudging a salt shaker up to him before coaching him to season the eggs was cute beyond words.

So cute, that he doesn't even bring attention to it, realizing that he could have very well skipped this step. ]

Oh- Thanks. [ A beat. ] Prolly woulda forgot, actually.

[ He accepts the salt shaker, setting it by the bowl for when he begins to whisk and mix. If he's going to make softer scrambled eggs, he's gotta make sure he preps everything before it goes in the skillet with some butter. That part, he learned through lots of trial and error. Just when he's prepared to whip the eggs, however... ]

...

[ He takes one good look at his girlfriend atop the counter, watching so patiently.

"—with cheese and tuna..." ]

Just a sec. [ He steps away from the mixing bowl and stovetop, going to his icebox to retrieve the freshly wrapped tuna that's already been filleted for him. ] At least this is something I know anyone can have.

[ Mimicking the sushi chefs that he's seen in bars slicing it on an angle, he sets the fresh fish on his cutting board and makes sure to cut off a couple nicely sliced pieces of tuna before setting it on a plate. No way was she getting it just dropped right on the counter. The cuts...actually look pretty clean! ]

Here. [ She can't really use a fork or chopsticks, but...he still sets the little plate in front of Ayaka with the tuna sashimi slices, a little smile along the way. ] To tide you over.

[ And for helping. ]

You have sashimi!

[ What a surprise! Hopefully this wasn't too expensive for him... She really should do her best to shop for Cloud, too. So she can help in this household, too.

Her tail is back up again as she stands on all fours. Looking at the plate with starry eyes, then back at Cloud... gosh, he's spoiling his girlfriend so much!

Her little kitty tummy rumbles. ]

Just a small bite. I would like to wait for you.

[ Just as Cloud waits for her to finish making tea before starting his meals. He's always been so sweet... and she has a lot to make up for.

Seeing as the piece is a little big for her though, she brings out a claw to slice the piece with. The fish has lines for her to figure out where to cut, and when she's sliced the piece into six? She bites on one and sucks it into her mouth. Given that it's a small piece? He might have missed it if he wasn't watching. ]

Just something to practice with.

[ There are different kinds of tuna, apparently. This one, while still terrific, was among the cheaper fish. But thankfully, part of it can be used and go good with the scrambled egg! Come to think of it, maybe searing the tuna before cutting and mixing it in with the scrambled egg was a better idea...

Though now that he's spotting Ayaka attempt to cut it with a claw to make the bits smaller before slurping a tinier piece, ]

Ah. Good idea. [ He takes another section of the block of tuna, this time a chunkier piece this time, while wrapping the remaining fish back up to set in the fridge. He'll sear that off, before cutting it into even littler pieces to go in the egg. The butter goes in as the pan runs closer to medium-high on heat. Hopefully he doesn't mess this part up... He really wants to make this good for her. Even if she's a cat. ] Y'know...

I think I've got my next cooking project.

[ With the little bit of butter that's melted and coating the pan? On goes the tuna piece! Just enough to cook the outside and some. ~Sizzle~ ]

Nya?

[ It's after her third bite that Cloud talks about his next cooking project. Ah... at least she doesn't have to chew! She can answer almost immediately. ]

What will be your next cooking project?

[ She would have ended her question with a "my love", but it feels weird to hear that from a cat. Ayaka controls herself for now, even though she has gotten used to calling Cloud that. Not to mention? She really loves doing it. There's something fulfilling about it. ]

[ The shrine is back in the living room, but where that portrait of his mother and him as a child remains, sits in his mind's eye when she asks about his next project. Thinking of it now, as he lets the tuna rest in the pan for another half minute before flipping it, brings a smile to his face. Along with a soft glow of a blush in his cheeks. ]

I ever tell you what Mom was known for in my village? [ He wouldn't even know where to begin to get that authentic, rich taste, but... ] Stew was her specialty. Throw a buncha stuff in a pot and let it cook nice and slow.

Mm. [ He nods, talking himself through what he wants to do for her. ] I want you to try it.

[ Tuna flip! Next to salt the eggs, alone with a little bit of black pepper. He's lighter on the sodium, however. Usually he'd use double the amount (normal), but he only gives two shakes into the bowl. ]

[ Fluffy cat is now surrounded by flowers ☺️☺️☺️ ]

Yes, please!

[ She would like to try it!! How exciting! ]

Your mother's stew must be so delicious if so many people know of it!

[ She just got cuter. What the hell. How did floating sakuras around a tiny fluffy kitten make her even cuter. Hold onto your cooking utensils, Cloud. You can't go and pet her now. ...don't do it. ]

Yeah... Just gonna be a bit of trial and error on what all goes into it.

[ He might have to ask around for anyone that knows how to cook...though as that thought mulls over in his head, whisking the eggs and mixture as he gets ready to take the little tuna block off to dice it up as well, ]

Wanna try sometime? [ He sighs, still smiling lightly as he removes the tuna from the skillet and sets it on the nearby cutting board. ] When I make a batch that doesn't taste ~~burnt~~ bad.

Yes, I would love to!

[ No hesitation at all. It is a very special dish, and even more special because Cloud is making it.

It is not often someone makes her something to eat as a present... In fact, she's never experienced anything like it before. ]

It can have anything you like in it!

Edited 2022-09-19 07:38 (UTC)

Kinda like a hotpot, huh?

[ Only thicker. ...and he knows everything going into it. He gets to work with thinly slicing the tuna chunks, the inside still partially raw, but the outside having browned nicely with a crust. Success!! He didn't burn it! ...chances are, if he tries that again another time, it won't come out as good. But that's for future Cloud to figure out. Right now, he's gonna keep dicing up that tuna until it's in itty-bitty pieces. That's when he tosses them into the egg mixture.

He continues to busy himself with prepping the eggs, the rice continuing to cook nice and slow as piping hot steam seeps from the sides of the lid from time to time. ~~A shame this world didn't have modern rice cookers yet.~~ ]

... wonder if they sell cheese graters around here.

[ Because as he retreats to his icebox, he pulls out a wrapped block of what appears to be orange cheddar cheese. He peels away the plastic and sets it on his cutting board also, knocking off a block of it before sparing a glance to Nyayaka once more.

Hmmm.

Her sashimi appetizer was all well and good, but, she's about to receive a couple near-paper thin slices of cheese- something Cloud spent way too much time on as he started cutting and dicing at it until it was itty-bitty blocks. Tinier than the clawed tuna pieces Ayaka made for herself. She's about to have some of that sprinkled on her plate beside the tuna bits if there's any left. ]

Alright. Scrambled egg time.

You haven't eaten. [ Even a little bite, Cloud! It's okay to eat your ingredients.

Ayaka still has one full sashimi piece, uncut and untouched. While she does not point to it, she does meow at it repeatedly to call Cloud's attention and have him look at it. ]

You may have this before it gets, um, warm.

[ Sashimi is supposed to be eaten cold, after all... ]

[ While he may hear her voice, clear as crystal, her meowing instead is very audible. As if Ayaka was intently doing so to catch his attention. Before he can pour the scrambled eggs into the bowl, he blinks curiously back at her when she offers the second slice of sashimi he left for her. ... it's damn near impossible to say "no" to her as a human, let alone as a talking kitty cat now. Sighing through his nose in faux defeat, Cloud smirks before taking a couple steps over to where she waits. No chopsticks right now; the tips were stained in slippery egg yolk from mixing.

She'll have to forgive him for picking up the full slice by hand, popping the piece into his mouth with a satisfied little hum.

...

And just for good measure. Ayaka's getting her ear scritched again before he retreats to pour the egg into the pan, another small knob of butter already down and coating the inside so that it wouldn't stick. The rice was going to take longer to cook, but that was alright! It's a satisfying sound as the inside of the pan is coated in egg, the blond taking his chopsticks to stir the gradually forming curdles around. He has to be careful not to let it sit for too long... He's fucked up many before to get to this point. He's no master. Far from it. But...at least he knows how to keep them soft.

He looks like he's in his element now, focused and determined as he keeps an eye on the steaming rice, his girlfriend on the side, and the condition of the eggs. Very soon he can take them off the heat and let the residual temperature cook through the rest!

Another trick the book taught him. ]

[ To think that she would be trying out Cloud's cooking, and she's a cat as she does it! What a strange turn of events, but Ayaka doesn't seem to mind.

Even just watching him eat and then go back to cooking is an experience— both entertaining and comforting because she just wants to be around him.

This time? She gets the pepper shaker, sliding it to where Cloud is with her nose. Now, she doesn't know if he will need it, but if he does, then good job! If not? That's okay, she can just put it back. ]

Did you forget this?

[ Out of his peripheral, he spots Ayaka nudging the pepper shaker closer with her nose. Another blow to his armor seeing her like this, so cheerful and adorable. If he wasn't cooking, he'd be that much closer to just scooping her up. Even if he didn't know what he wanted to do when he did it; he just wanted to hold her when she's like this. Cloud would just have to make up for it when she's back to normal.

He actually wasn't planning on using the pepper. For all intents and purposes, the light salt, cheese and tuna were all he had planned...

But when she asks him? It's like he doesn't even hesitate. Instead, he picks up the pepper shaker, passing it off to his left hand before taking a moment to rub the back of Ayaka's ear. ]

What'd I ever do without you...

[ She may be a cat right now, but her heart was always the girl he fell for. If it wasn't for the active scrambled eggs that are on the verge of being cooked firm, he'd listen to that thrumming sensation he feels right now. The urge to just lean down and plant a kiss on top of her fluffy head. But he gives the side of her ear and down the side of her head a good pet before pulling away one more time to shake some pepper into the pan.

Give it one final mix? Aaand...off the heat it goes! ]

There. Just gotta wait for the rice.

[ The scrambled eggs are done! With little bits of seared tuna sprinkled throughout the egg, and finally, setting the cheese on top to melt on top. ]

Edited 2022-09-22 05:48 (UTC)

[ If Ayaka were more expressive and were the type to sing songs while waiting, she would be humming a tune by now. She does love this... it's such a simple moment with Cloud, but she's enjoying every bit of it.

She hopes that they can do something like this in the future... with her as a human again! ]

Does Zack also coo- [ A pause. There is something that is bothering her. ] Does he also coo— [ ... her nose feels itchy. She paws at it. ] Coo—

Oo— ah...

[ NYAACHOO!

The softest kitty sneeze.

Nyaachoo! Another. And another! And another! ]

Oh dear...

[ She gives up. She'll just plop on her belly on the counter 🥺 ]

[ The fact that she's a cat right now adds to the fact that he's thinking a little too hard on multiple things at once. He hasn't really been singing since her food made him belt out randomly at her housewarming party. But the next time she's here...and when he has her back as a human, she may hear a familiar tune as he hums. ]

Huh?

[ With Cloud done cooking for now, he'd migrated towards the sink to rinse and dry his hands when Ayaka started asking him about what Zack knew. Raising an eyebrow, he patches his hands through the cloth hanging in front of the stove as he watches her face twist a little. ]

Does he...? [ Coo- ...cook? Does Zack cook? A question for after. Right now, ] You okay, Ayaka—

[ NYAACHOO! Impulsively, he reaches a hand out for her, ]

Oh. S'cuse you— [ Nyaachoo! ] Oh. Again- [ Nyaachoo! ]

[ Oh. ... Oh he gets why, and now he's cracking a smile. He feels sorry for her! ]

Oh no. The pepper.

[ Mustn't laugh. Mustn't. Laugh. ]

Got you all sneezy...

[ Oh no. He said "sneezy". His inner dork is shining through. And when she finally gives up with a bummed little flop onto the counter, her excessive fluff makes her look even rounder as she lies in defeat. The look on Cloud's face isn't cruel mockery or teasing. But...something else that's rare and genuine. The smile on his face is both sympathetic and filled with enamor. Short of going "awww" outloud, she's getting a new side out of her beau that he hasn't shown anyone before. Let alone himself. Still sharing that look of sympathy on his face, with the eggs cooked in the pan and the rice waiting to finish up, he's completely free to give her all the attention in the world now.

Leaning down beside her, he places his cheek into his hand, elbow resting on the countertop when he strokes down her back to the base of her tail once.

There there, Miss Kameowsato. ]

Sorry. That was cute.

[ It was a very shameful display! For one, she could not even cover her nose when she sneezed. Second of all, she sneezed so many times! She'd be blushing like crazy out of embarrassment if she could show expression in that manner. All Cloud gets right now from his kitty girlfriend is a resigned feline. ]

Would it be alright if you sent Ayato a message when we are done eating? Perhaps he would know how to reverse this.

[ So she can stop being called "cute" as a cat... :T

... she will accept the pets though. In fact, she inches closer to Cloud when he's near, not getting up from where she is but moving forward with one paw after the other. ]

[ ... if it's any consolation to the kitten, he wouldn't have reacted the same way if she was a human? Less embarrassing that way. There's gonna be at least a few more minutes before the rice finally cooks and settles down, so rather than draw his hand away, he continues petting her. ]

Probably for the best. [ Please don't blame him for this, Ayato? ] If it's got something to do with Kizuna and the strength of bonds...ain't nothing quite as strong as yours with—

[ Cloud was about to say that Ayaka's bond with her brother was stronger than any other, this world or back home. ...up until she started slowly doing the fluffiest army crawl towards his hand. His breath catches in his throat, and his face starts to feel warm all over again at the sight of her.

No, it wasn't for the usual reasons. It's something completely different. ...something new, and exclusive to this new form entirely. ]

Can I— um...try something?

[ He says, shy and nervous despite the fact he continues to give her ears loving attention. ]

[ Oh!! Ayaka gets up immediately, attention all on Cloud.

Her ears twitch a couple of times. ]

Yes? What's the matter?

[ Shit. This is even harder. He almost feels like backing out, but he knows that Ayaka would want to know what's on his mind...and it'd sit and linger. And he's overthinking things now so- ]

Can I...pick you up again?

[ There's no need to stay on the counter for much longer if they're going to go eat at the table after! But that's not the reason why, is it, Cloud. 'u' His face is burning red. And if he doesn't get an answer in due course? He'll get too embarrassed and back out. ]

[ She tilts her head first and walks towards him, careful not to slip or accidentally bump into the plate where the sashimi was earlier. While she doesn't get up on her hind legs or anything, she tries to paw at him as a sign of agreement.

Of course he can. ]

You may. But... what's wrong?

[ She's never seen him like this before... ]

[ As she paws at him, a sign of consent and agreement, Cloud is ginger in the way he takes her and lifts her back up. Scooping her up beneath her fluffy bum and midsection, Ayaka will find herself taken off the counter and is now securely back in the arms of her beau. Only this time, there's a bit of hesitation and tension in his body. ]

Nothing. I just...

[ He's not making this any better by being so secretive!! But...since they're alone, and it's just the two of them... He's trusted her with so much already. Something like this in comparison to the troubles of his past should be so much simpler. But he's stepping outside of his comfort zone. But...it's only because he has to be the one to shake off the preconceived notion that he wasn't allowed to act like this.

In the same way that the Shirasagi Himegimi couldn't be seen hopping for joy or becoming overly excited about particular things... Cloud has to be able to accept that sometimes? It was okay to just let your inner softie out. It was okay to actually break down your own defenses. And though he may not audibly fawn... ]

[ The unspoken "please don't tell anyone I did this" is palpable, as he looses a sigh and finally feels the tension in his body leave him as he cradles his feline girlfriend in his arms. She's safe and sound against his chest, his expression relatively neutral when he just...

Throws caution to the wind and gently buries his face into the side of her neck, effectively vanishing in the excess of extremely soft fur. He's not allergic to her, which makes the experience even more pleasant. So Ayaka is now being subjected to the softest nuzzling cuddle from her boyfriend who was too embarrassed to say what he was thinking.

She's not a cat. She's his girlfriend. She's also the cutest goddamn thing and he just...damn it, he just needs to get this out of his system?? SFDKJHA Then he can go back to reserved, loyal and caring mode. ]

So soft-

[ muffled ]

[ This is a new side of Cloud, for sure. One Ayaka's never seen before, but it most certainly isn't unwelcome. She wonders now, as she looks at him, blinking up at him with those round grey eyes of hers... would she have seen him like this at all, this sort of vulnerable, if she did not turn into a cat?

... ]

Nya.

[ It is strange at first, but at the core of it all? Ayaka doesn't mind it. If she's able to provide comfort to Cloud in this way, then she is glad she turned into a cat. But hopefully not for long, because as she relaxes into his touch, nuzzling her face against him as she purrs? She wishes she were back to normal so she could properly hold him and kiss him... ]

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