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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[ 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... ]

[ And perhaps it is her own wish that was needed to be heard all this time. Cloud would feel his girlfriend's arms around him now, skin so soft. There's no fur anymore, but he is definitely cuddling up to something just as soft.

Soft and bouncy aksjsdk ]

A... Aah....

[ It looks like Ayaka's wish has just come true, in the most unexpected of ways. Just like Aether when he had turned back into a human after being a cat, Ayaka has none of her clothes on except for the ribbons in her hair. She's somehow seated on the counter top, her butt so cold now because of this.

She swallows thickly, unsure what she should even be doing. Should she run back upstairs in a rush to put clothes on? But what if Cloud really needed this cuddle? This is the most confusing moment in her entire life.

[psyduck] ]

[ Was it comfort? Was it something he desperately needed? Not really. But compulsions were a powerful thing, and whether it was his bond with Ayaka or their Kizuna bond...or something deeply rooted inside of him that hasn't been seen in years, Cloud was following what he wanted. There'll be plenty of time to apologize and sort out his feelings later! Yet it felt so much easier to tell her that he loved her... Hearing her rumbling against him as she starts to purr, the sound of steam seeping from the sides of the rice pot lid behind them filling the empty air between them, made him feel like this was okay.

To answer that curiosity of hers? Yes. In due time, she'd have seen this side of him. Albeit it would have looked different from how he's displaying affection now. And it was a moment that no one was ever going to know but her. A moment in time left solely for the Shirasagi Himegimi to embrace with him. ]

...

[ Yet, just as quickly as he submitted, so too did their predicament change. For the better. ...but depending on who you asked? For the worse. afdljks Her fluffier warmth is gone. And sure enough, as if it were all a dream, only to find himself waking up to another kind of dream, he's woken up. Ayaka would find herself seated on the counter top, with nothing but ribbons in her hair and a certain swordsman's face buried in her breasts. ]

...............

[ His face is extra warm now. And his arms have slipped down to supporting himself on the countertop as he...halfassedly leans back just enough to still be resting against her ~~soft and bouncy~~ chest, but his eyes peeking up from beneath his bangs. ]

.....................................

[ She swallows thickly. He tries to except he instead makes a strained noise in his throat. On one hand? He couldn't have been happier to see her return back to normal. On the other hand? ~~If her legs were wrapped around his waist? It'd be game over.~~ ]

H-Heya...

[ If this wasn't his girlfriend, he'd be on the other side of the room, turned around and standing at attention like he were preparing to face a sergeant. But it was. So... ]

[ Colour creeps up Ayaka's cheeks, and she finds herself just... having a staring contest with her beau even after he greets her. This is rather awkward, isn't it? Even more awkward if it weren't Cloud. It is, but... she can't shake that feeling of embarrassment over something like this! ]

... H- Hello, my love.

[ Okay, she can say it now because she is no longer a cat, but she's still in a rather awkward position. Looking away, she tries to figure out on her own how best to get out of this situation without embarrassing the two of them even further. ]

May I be excused?

[ Just like that! Nailed it. ]

[ "H- Hello, my love." ]

...

[ Frankly, if she'd stayed as a cat for long enough, he still would have told her that he loved her. But that's a moot point, now! More importantly, she finally cuts through that fog in his brain with four simple words. What the hell was he going to say otherwise? It wasn't like they were trying to be affectionate earlier. ...not in the way that would have left her perched on that counter longer. So his breath clips, grip on the counter tensing for a moment as he pushes himself back up. ]

R-Right. Sorry. Just...

[ Maybe it's the fact that they're not at the Kamisato Estate right now, not to mention it having to do with it being Ayaka, but even with her state of undress, Cloud is more focused on the more important facts. Had she not asked to be excused? He would have stayed right there, beating her to the punch with that kiss she'd been wishing for as a cat. Clearing his throat, he takes her hand to help her hop back down.

...

If she jiggles from that, his peripheral view apologizes— I MEAN ]

Unless we're dreaming, that coulda been a lot worse.

[ As in. She could have been a cat for much longer, like he thought she'd be... If she takes her leave to get dressed, he's going to be knocking on wood. ]

[ She does take his hand to get down, but Cloud's going to notice that she's not looking at him. Once her feet are on the floor, she bows her head before walking away. It is a walk of shame, and she only starts moving faster and running up when she reaches the stairs.

Ayaka says nothing about the consolation Cloud had provided. She doesn't have anything she wants to say about any of this any more. She's done being a cat, so she would like to move on.

Even as she changes, putting her dress back on and all, she comes up with ways to move on from the situation. It was just Cloud present when she became human again, but it didn't make what happened any less embarrassing. He just saw her naked! And it wasn't because they were kissing each other and touching one another! That's what makes this so awkward!!!

Cloud shouldn't be worried, but Ayaka does take some time upstairs. Even after dressing up, she finds herself staring at the mirror and... well, she's not frowning or anything, but she still doesn't look all too happy. A little peptalk does the trick, though. She can trust Cloud, and she can trust in him that he won't tell anyone about what happened. He's always kept her safe, so even if she feels so embarrassed for what happened when she became human again? She thinks he'd do what he can to cheer her up, and just thinking about Cloud doing something for her is already doing wonders. ]

[ When she's back down, she makes no scene of what happened. A polite smile, and she finds herself back in the kitchen. Cloud should be done cooking, but... ]

I'll prepare the tea.

[ Back to normal. :) ]

[ Any other time, under any other circumstance, Cloud might have understood why she wasn't exactly looking at him. It wasn't anything he did or said. ...okay maybe it was something he accidentally did. He wordlessly follows her to the bottom of the stairs, instinctively keeping a lookout for anyone that could dare see them despite the fact they're nowhere near any windows or open doors in his own new house. Ever protective as he shakes his head and sighs once she leaves his view. That could have gone more smoothly...

Perhaps talking about her more feline transformation after would be best. They can get on with their day again!

...

Riiight after he takes the rice off the burner as it finishes steaming so he can begin with plating. It's really a simplistic breakfast, with fresh hot rice on one side and soft, fluffy scrambled eggs on the other. Except there's one tiny little finishing touch he decides to add for her. Before, he wouldn't have given a rats ass about presentation. But if his girlfriend was going to be putting in the effort for him? Then...well, there's a reason he was going to be trying his best to replicate his mother's stew for her down the road.

Sesame seeds on top and the dish is ready! The only problem was, waiting for Ayaka to come back down after having taken such a long time.

As tempted as he was to come up the stairs to check on her, he also gives her the benefit of the doubt by biding his time to wait. ...and take his magi-comm in hand and fire up a video that just went live almost two hours prior.

"Nya nya nya, nya nya nyanyany—"

Suddenly,

"I'll prepare the tea." ]

!

[ Magi-comm back in pocket, GO. A bowl of tuna-flecked scrambled egg and cheese with sesame seed garnish and rice? GO. Not rewatching their cat video? ...hahahANYWAY ]

Sure thing.

[ Back to normal, indeed. Even if he really couldn't help but be filled with relief that she was standing in front of him again, as her true self. The smile that returns to his face, warmer than normal, says as much as he brings over the bowl for her to see for herself. And also because this was one of the first times he's actually cooked for her. ]

How's it look?

It looks very appetising.

[ Ayaka is none the wiser to your kitty shenanigans, Strife!! BE THANKFUL.

And she would like to sit down already, but she offered to make tea. Hopefully the food will remain warm while she boils some water. It shouldn't take a while, and she can join Cloud while she mixes the matcha. He can eat ahead if he likes! So long as she's next to him again.

About two minutes later when the water's been boiled, she comes back to the dining with the pot, the matcha, and the other things for her not-so-elaborate tea ceremony. She really loves doing this... and Cloud as her tea-drinking partner has always been so enjoyable. ]

Do we have soy sauce?

[ There's nobody else in the house, and no pets to steal their meals! So while she remains in the kitchen to boil water for their tea, he's quick to set their bowls down. Considering that they were preparing a meal for a kitty-sized appetite...it's really not that elaborate. If anything, the fact it's scrambled egg and rice and that's it? At least, in his eyes feels kind of pathetic compared to what Ayaka's given to him.

She doesn't judge him for it, and yet it's all the more reason he has to embrace the spark that'll drive his cooking skills up. He'll never be a chef. But a home cook? Not just for himself, but for his friends and girlfriend alike, it's something worth picking up. At the very least, Cloud was adept and quick to catch on with various things when he puts his mind to them! He was prepared to return to the kitchen to wait for her to finish up when she was already back to greet him. ]

Oh! Right, right. Hold on.

[ That's a "yes" from Cloud if there ever was any. If she weren't carrying a pot of boiling water and various other knickknacks, he may have stolen away a quick kiss from her on his way by. While she settles the table and prepares the tea real quick, he'll go dig into his icebox and grab the soy sauce! ...well, "dig" as in not reach very far. It's still relatively empty and in need of stocking. The subtle aroma of matcha fills the dining room air when he returns with a fancy little glass bottle with its red cap. ]

You still wanna check out the nearby market with me after?

[ The tea is just about ready by the time Cloud comes back with the soy sauce. Just a few more seconds of mixing everything, and she's got a good and thick blend of green tea! It's a heavy complement to their breakfast, but Ayaka thinks it is still a good combination.

Pouring a cup for Cloud first, and then her own, she gestures to their breakfast. ]

Let us eat. [ Hehe! She laughs softly, covering her mouth with her hand. ] I won't have to eat by putting my face to the bowl. I am fortunate.

[ She's no longer a cat! She can prepare tea and eat properly. While Cloud may not have considered Ayaka an inconvenience, she is glad that she's back to normal. That means he can focus on his own thing, and she can go back to the role she's wanted to play around him— that of a partner and someone who supports him in full. ]

Oh— [ Their plans for the day!! Ayaka nods immediately, happy that they don't need to cancel anything anymore. ] Yes. I would like to do that.

[ いただきます! With a gentle clap of his hands together, Cloud welcomes the new meal and refreshing tea. Picking up a clump of white rice with some egg atop it, he can't help but smile a little as she brings her prior predicament back up. Perhaps the less they talk about how it ended, retracing those memories couldn't be too bad. It's not like her beau had any intention of stretching the conversation out forever, either. She's back to normal now; he wouldn't want things to be any different. Yet, with a brief yet thoughtful hum as he looks to his girlfriend by his side, ]

I coulda fed you.

[ Holding out his chopsticks for a tiny kitty to accept while he held the egg and rice steady? ... Kind of like what he's doing now? With a hand beneath the end of his chopsticks in case he happens to drop anything, he doesn't intrude any further, holding it towards her without shoving it in her face. In the comfort of his home, and with the person most important to him, she's getting a glimpse at a rarer playful side of Cloud. A side that usually came out in the form of taunting and teasing, with Ayaka it's something softer. ]

Something like...

[ This? ]

I couldn't possibly— [ Ah... her protest comes a little too late, because there's Cloud, feeding her like he said he would.

Her face turns just as red as the ribbons in her hair, and she has to look away for a moment as she tries to calm herself down. Teasing or not, Cloud's actions certainly have an effect on the young Kamisato lady. ] Ah...

I am not a cat anymore.

[ >:T Cloud does not see Ayaka pout often, because it is an expression she rarely feels the need to make, and yet, here she is. She cannot say no to him, though, so she leans forward to be fed.

The rice is soft, and the egg is fluffy, so she is quick to swallow, not even savouring the food. ]

Thank you very much.

[ "I am not a cat anymore." It's a good thing that Cloud doesn't have a penchant for ~~bullying~~ teasing very often. It just meant he can preserve this little moment in his memories along with the rest of the moments that saw him fall so hard for her. Before, this had embarrassed him to be on the receiving end of. And depending on the right circumstances? It was still going to fluster him. Cloud didn't see himself as the "lovey-dovey" type, but it's still much easier to soften up around Ayaka now.

He does indeed relent once she accepts the bit of rice and egg off the end of his chopsticks. There's only little flecks of tuna throughout the egg. And considering Ayaka was still a kitten at the time...it might be underseasoned. Luckily, soy sauce was going to save the day! Leaning back, he sighs through his nose as his smile turns into something more sympathetic. ]

Sorry. Shoulda specified I'd try this normally, too.

[ With that nonchalant confession that he'd return the favor and feed her like she's done for him out of the way, he's content to start eating! ]

I should have plenty of leftover rice. [ A beat. ] Heard that frying it after is a good way to get it all used up.

[ Don't set your kitchen on fire too, Cloud. You just got this place. kjahdf ]

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