mistsplitter: (🐈 π“ƒπ“Žπ’Άπ“Žπ’Άπ“€π’Ά 004)
🌸 α΄›Κœα΄‡ sʜΙͺΚ€α΄€sα΄€Ι’Ιͺ ʜΙͺᴍᴇɒΙͺᴍΙͺ. ([personal profile] mistsplitter) wrote in [community profile] jikan_network2022-09-15 01:08 pm

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 β€˜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. ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (long night before)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-23 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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. ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (uh...?)

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[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-23 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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... ]
sultanofsquat: (what's done is done)

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[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-23 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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 ]
sultanofsquat: (steeled)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-23 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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... ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (:o)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-24 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ "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 apologizesβ€” 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. ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (:o)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-26 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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 nyanyanyβ€”"

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?
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (uh huh sure)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-27 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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?
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (calm beneath the cold)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-28 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ γ„γŸγ γγΎγ™! 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? ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (long night before)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-29 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ "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 ]
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (even if you think it's real)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-09-30 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
Huh? [ Color him curious. She...wasn't a fan of fried rice? He's less disappointed and more intrigued as he sits more upright in his seiza posture. When she brightens further and makes mention of chazuke, it clicks with him. ] Ohhh...

[ :O ]

I wouldn't mind. Never tried chazuke, myself. [ He goes for the little bottle of soy sauce, ] Does the rice hafta be cold or anything?

[ And drizzles some over his rice. ...and even the egg! It was lacking in salt. Problem solved. ]
sultanofsquat: (just realizing now...)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-10-01 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ To taste foreign cuisine... From the times their conversations veered in the direction of food, they found that their worlds seemed to have similar tastes. But there was still something special about trying something from a foreign land, even back home. In a way, hearing her speak so earnestly about Chazuke and the smile that graces her lips as she gets excited thinking about it, only serves to light that spark and make it burn hotter for Cloud. He's a swordsman and a fighter, but that didn't mean he couldn't learn...

Yes. He'll reach deep into his memories and try to rediscover the tastes of home once again. So help him, he was going to make sure Ayaka didn't just get to try foreign cuisine, but something literally out of this world. It shows in the way he starts to smile lightly in kind, nodding his head as he listens to her explain her favorite dish. ]


Well, now I know what else to grab while we go to the marketplace. [ A beat. ] Gonna need a meat or two for the Chazuke I wind up making.

[ It sounds really simple. And of course he'll want to try it from her, first. ... He huffs then, cheeks turning a faint shade of red. He won't say why, simply returning to his late breakfast. But the thought ran through his mind. Was he the type to daydream? Not so often...but a memory waiting to be made sprung into his thoughts- the thought of her coming down to find him up later in the evening, preparing a bowl of her tea-infused comfort food. ]
Edited 2022-10-01 04:55 (UTC)
sultanofsquat: coeurlwhiskers @ twitter (follow me)

[personal profile] sultanofsquat 2022-10-01 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds easy enough to whip up...

[ The conversation veers in the direction of his interests, and how he'd found himself growing attached to hers with time... Mulling it over as he takes another bite of his rice and egg, whereas in the past he would have tried to shy away, pushing his old persona on the situation in a bid to uphold the image of himself? Too much has happened since then... He's remembered so much. And yet... ]

I've been told I'm a good listener. [ Perhaps even moreso now. His hands fold over each other on the table as he takes a little break from his bowl with a loosed sigh. ] Truth is... I'm not sure I woulda tried so many things before.

Before I came here and got my memories back, I was just focused on making money, and...building on my reputation as an Ex-SOLDIER. [ "Being an asshole", Cloud. It's okay. You can say it. ] For all I knew, fighting's all I was good for.

[ That thought does tug the corner of his lip back down, though his eyes do return to Ayaka by his side. And just like that...the sight of her is what brings some of that light back. There were only a select couple of people who could see glimpses of that lonely country boy who wanted to be recognized, flecks of the real Cloud Strife through cracks in the glass. But now? ]

Feels like ever since I got here... [ Ayaka can see him too. Clearer and clearer by the day. She's taken her place in the deepest spot of his heart. ] I've been figuring myself out as I go.

[ Cloud smiles, humming with a nod. Mm. ]

And I get to do that with you. [ A beat. ] Hope you don't mind if I keep listening.

[ And taking an interest in the things he listens to. ]

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