Prompt 8 (Snowbunnies): Winter seems to bring out the cutest of all rodents; this isn’t the first time that small, white rabbits have infested Destiny City. They’re small, rarely larger than a guinea pig, and have large eyes and wiggling noses. They are always pure white and seem to show up whenever there’s snow. They aren't menacing or evil, they're just everywhere. They seem strangely domesticated; they are sweet, curious, and friendly creatures that will eat anything you give them. They always seem cold to the touch, and when they shake, little snowflakes sprinkle off of them.
While they seem to be social creatures who seem to appreciate anything warm and will cuddle up to steal body heat, they are too skittish and fast to be kept for pets. They can show up just about anywhere, either alone or--often--in pairs. They tend to wander off on their own without any trouble, but if you surprise them or try to catch or hurt them, they may bite. Their little teeth are enough to break skin, but after one bite they run away. The bite itself isn’t bad, but the effects are a bit unpleasant: for roughly two days after the bite, the injury is cold and the victim will feel random, cold, shooting pains. Their core body temperature will drop and they will often be sent into random fits of shivering. No medicine seems to help, and no amounts of blankets or hot baths can soothe the chill. You're just going to have to deal with it and hope it gets better…
Most experiences with the bunnies are perfectly pleasant, you just have to worry about them burrowing. There are holes peppering Destiny City, and with the fresh fallen snow it can be impossible to tell where they are hiding. The holes range from small holes to several feet deep, so can be a minor inconvenience to a potential hazard. On the bright side, sometimes you wind up covered in bunnies looking for warmth from their sudden guest. On the other hand, there are a rising number of trips to the hospital for twists and sprains. The bunnies always leave with the snow, so best to enjoy them--or avoid them--for as long as you can.
At first Illyria was content to remain in Eleonora's arms for the journey that would result in a nice warm drink. That had been the plan going forward in her mind. It wouldn't do to be put back down in the cold snow just to develop more clumps of snow that would stick to her fur. That would have been rather unpleasant. As she glanced back to the direction that they had been travelling from Illyria sighed before relaxing even more. Whatever had been taunting both her and Eleonora seemed to have gone about their merry, or not so merry, way.
That was a relief in itself. The Mauvian wasn't sure how many more surprises she could take over specific holidays. Although it seemed as if at least one more was in store for the pair this evening. Illyria wasn't sure what clued her into the small creature at first but soon her orbs were tracking a small rabbit that was so white in color that it almost blended in with the snow that it sat amongst, just watching them pass. Instinctively Illyria sat up straighter before psst'ing sharply to get Ele's attention. "I think we have company," was her follow-up comment to the senshi of heat.
Shanyume
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:35 pm
“Huh?” Eleonora canted her head to the side curiously. Had the mischievous creatures from before finally caught up to them?
Brows furrowed, she turned her head and pivoted on her heel to look behind her. The first sweep of her gaze saw nothing out of the ordinary, however, it was when she remind still that Ele noticed subtle movements in her peripheral.
Small upright ears swiveled atop the little bunnies' heads. Beedy black eyes blinked back at her but none seemed brave enough to approach the two of them, not yet anyway. “Oh my goodness-” a chime of excitement, hardly suppressed, escaped her hushed words. “Look at them! They’re so cute.”
Not as cute as Illyria or Liryn, but still adorable in their own right.
Illyria's gaze hadn't left the creature that she'd spotted at first. It certainly looked like a bunny for sure. But weren't things around the holidays deceptive? Instead of cautioning her friend Illyria squirmed a little to a position that would allow her to jump down in defense if something were to happen. But it seemed that the little creatures, and there was definitely more than one now, had no intention of attacking them.
Was it a ruse? Or were these creatures truly benevolent? Realizing that she at least wanted a closer look Illyria took the risk in jumping down and landing amongst the small group. At her impact on the ground the bunnies scattered for a few minutes before they found the nerve to re-approach the duo. Illyria stood stock still as the creatures neared her new position before sneezing softly. The noise startled the group but they soon settled down again.
"They seem friendly enough Ellie," and she started purring softly, "just easily startled."
As she moved slowly to gently reach out her paw to touch one of the rabbits Illyria felt the world shift again and suddenly she was on human limbs. The rabbit she'd been attempting to touch darted away. "Oh, that's inconvenient."
Shanyume
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:03 pm
Stunned into silence, but perhaps not as shocked as most would be, Eleonora stared at Illyria with slate-blue owlish eyes.
She blinked several times before finally actually speaking. “Well well, tonight really is full of mystery and surprises, if I didn’t know any better I’d think it was Halloween instead of New Year.” For all the time she had spent with Liryn, Eleonora was aware that Mauvians had a humanoid form, two actually; one with feline ears and one with more human.
Rare as it was to see, there was no hiding her delight.
“How long have you been able to change into this form?” She asked, the bunny all but forgotten.
Rising to her now human feet Illyria gave a small frown at the feeling of the cold snow hitting the bare skin that she currently was sporting on those specific limbs. She brushed off the voluminous folds of her dress before she spun around and almost slipped in the slushy material. She wasn't upset that she had changed into this form, quite the contrary. But at this precise moment in time, it was a little harder to deal with. Instead of focusing on the bunnies once more as they seemed to get over their shock as she wasn't deigning to disturb them further, Illyria instead turned to face Eleonora. Her face scrunched up in response to the question that was posed of her, "I think it's been a little while. We've not seen each other since our impromptu geocache hunt ... so sometime between then and now."
Illyria wasn't sure that would suffice for an answer that would satisfy Eleonora but it would have to do. How did one explain the circumstances of when they broke through the constraints that had been placed on oneself from the moment they'd realized they were different?
Illyria crouched down, trying to ignore the cold of the snow, as she reached out a hand to try and coax one of the bunnies closer to her. It seemed that it was less afraid and more inquisitive and soon Illyria was allowing the animal to snuggle into her arms. "Being like this has its ups and downs, but this, this right now, is most certainly an up moment."
Shanyume
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:39 pm
“Honestly, you look like a cross between a winter fairy and a cosmos knight.” Mostly because of the gold stars and soft pastel rainbow gradients. “Your dress is absolutely gorgeous.” A delicate lace-trimmed collar rested just off her shoulders in an elegant fashion while soft rainbow pastel colors pooled around her feet. It looked like Illyria was ready for a winter ball or even a ballet.
Never mind her more pronounced aura, it’d be ill-advised to go into a cafe with her feline features so exposed. Some patrons might not bat an eye and presume that she was wearing costume pieces, but a slight sway of her tail would debunk that idea quickly.
Eleonora cautiously approached and with steady hands, she reached out to carefully offer the small bunny a series of gentle pets. “I’m surprised it let you hold it since rabbits are often fearful of cats. Then again-” she paused to consider her words. “It might know you have a pure soul and can tell that your aura is kind.” No measure of chaos flitted around her.
Watching as Eleonora managed to coax a bunny close enough to touch had Illyria gently stroke the ears of the bunny she held before listening closely to Ellie's words. Maybe there was something more at work that had the creature in her arms not freaking out but it looked downright comfortable. She wasn't really wanting to release it but sadly even if she had a place to keep such a wonderful, seemingly friendly, animal it wasn't right to have to cage it to keep it.
"That could be a good hypothesis about it sensing my kindness and thus not being afraid. I bet if I passed this one over to you it'd probably be just as calm. I think as long as you treat them with no ill will that they'll retain a sweet disposition. I swear all this one is wanting to do is burrow into places where it could be considered warm."
Going to her knees in a kneel did Illyria allow her arms to open to see if the little bunny wanted to leave just yet. It turned its head to look at her before choosing to remain where it was. "Huh, well you unfortunately can't stay there forever small one. I know you probably don't understand but I will need use of my arms soon."
Turning back to Eleonora with a caution not to dislodge the animal did Illyria grin, "see?"
Shanyume
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:20 am
Rabbits were uncommon around Destiny City, except for maybe a couple of parks but that is an environment where they would thrive. To be seen out in the streets, hiding in snow burrows in the back of alleys was a little more unusual to see. “I’ll be honest, I’ve only seen bunnies like these once before. It was a couple of years ago, Winter like it is right now. But once the snow melted, they disappeared as well.”
Eleonora continued to pet the ears of the one she had been handed. “I wonder if they could survive on my sisters' homeworld.” Probably not since they hadn’t found anything in the way of vegetation during their multiple visits that could sustain actual living creatures. Still, it would be nice to see something alive, preferably not deadly, in the places their past lives once called home.
Carefully she set the bunny down and, with a melancholy expression, watched as it hopped away from them. “Part of the mystery that is Destiny City, I suppose.”
“I think I’m going to power down, my civilian clothes are much warmer than this, and I’m starting to lose feeling in my toes.” Eleonora gestured to the more Summery attire she was wearing. Not being able to sense auras was as much of a risk of drawing unwanted attention to her but the Cafe wasn’t far from where they were and soon they’d be inside.
Illyria digested what Eleonora had been explaining, that she had seen these creatures once before. Were they just a seasonal thing then? Her ears twitched back and forth as the bunnies took off for parts unknown. After seeing such a sight did Illyria wonder what else was likely to show up around the holidays. Her mind was growing ever and ever more curious if anyone had ever tried making spreadsheets and diagrams that would at the least show a correlation of unexplained events around various times of the year.
Hearing what Eleonora was mentioning about powering down did Illyria's forehead crease in thought. While it wasn't advisable to go into public looking as she did now, there were two options open to her. She could go back to being in her cat form, or go back to her cat form but then use her trinket to appear more human-like for a while. "Eleonora, do you know if the cafe allows animals inside? I can use a glamour to appear totally human if needed but I think I'd prefer being in my cat form if anything."
Shanyume
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:32 pm
"It's a cat cafe that I've been to on a couple of occasions. I think you should be fine." Eleonora sounded hesitant because honestly, she wasn't certain of the policy with bringing your own feline friend into their establishment. It might be restricted to the cats that lived with the owner, or were a part of an adoption group looking for forever homes for some of their older cats, who were allowed. But she presumed that they'd find out when they arrived.
"If for some reason they don't let us in then we can go back to my home and I'll make us something warm to drink there." Fiona had baked some fresh white chocolate macadamia nut cookies last night which actually sounded pretty good right now.
Nodding in thought Illyria reverted back to her cat form and waited until Eleonora powered down to Breanna before trying to hitch a ride on the young woman's shoulder. Hopefully the cafe wouldn't object to one additional cat in the cafe for however long they would be there for.
"Hopefully they don't object to little ole me. I'm too cute to turn away."
There was a hint of a smile on her face as she spoke this line but deep down inside if they did turn her away well then she'd get to see Breanna's place after all.
