|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:28 pm
The letter had been sent on to Soleiyu and Stirling paced, hoping that the Mauvian would show up soon.
…She wasn’t sure what was going on with this new outfit and this new dagger...thing. It wasn’t that she was upset by it…but it would make it more difficult to shove a long, thin piece of metal into the eyes of her enemies…the dagger wasn’t sharp nor thin and…though it had a better chance of getting into someone’s eye…it…
Well.
It wasn’t a long, thin piece of metal!
The thought made the new Squire sigh and she continued to pace in a circle, glancing up every few moments, hoping that Soleiyu would just appear.
She felt different. Kind of. Her skirts were fuller, and she had…a hat. Like some crazy…old fashioned princess party hat or something…whatever. Her dagger was pretty, decorated with a jewel on the hilt and thistles and she still had thistles on her outfit as well. It was nice.
Glancing around again, Stirling sighed and slumped down onto a bench, closing her eyes. “Soleiyu…where are you? I know that you’ll know what’s going on…” The words were soft, but were distinctly a whine.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 3:36 pm
“I was across town,” Soleiyu answered suddenly, just a moment before his energy signature caught up with him.
He’d come through the shadows in an effort to be discrete–since he was running through town. He’d slowed to a trot just a bit away so he could catch his breath, but he’d heard Stirling talking to herself just before he arrived.
“And I was looking for a Page, not a Squire. Why do you look so worried, Stirling, what’s going on?”
He jumped up onto the bench so he could sit next to her, and he was already giving her a good look over. The last time he’d seen her wasn’t so long ago, but the new development was still surprising; he felt like he still had so much he wanted to teach her, but here she was–a squire!
…He didn’t know how, so of course, the first thing he assumed was that she’d gotten in trouble or was in danger.
There hadn’t been any energy signatures nearby on his way over but he looked around anyway–just in case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:21 pm
Stirling watched him and reached out to stroke his head, snorting. “What do you mean? I mean, something happened and like, my hairpin is gone…I’m a Squire now? What does that even mean? Is that like what the other two are?”
She had gotten stronger? That…well! That was a good thing, wasn’t it. It meant that they would respect her a bit more and believe that she could protect herself. And them if it came to it.
Holding her new dagger out, she sighed slightly. “I’m not worried, I just wasn’t sure what happened and if I had done something wrong…also, this won’t go into people’s eyes as easily, so that’s a bit worrying…though I guess I can smack people with the hilt of it if worst comes to the worst…”
Of course she was concerned about how this could affect her fighting style…she had everything so well figured out and now…
Now this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:20 pm
Soleiyu squinted at her and tilted his head to the side a bit. She was too young to be thinking about stabbing people in the eye!
“I suppose,” he answered slowly. “I mean, I suppose it’s good that you’re thinking out of the box. Being flexible and adapting is important to staying safe. But yes–it’s like the other two are. And it means you’re doing very well, Stirling. I’m proud of you, it’s hard work to earn more power. That it happened so quickly means that you’re ready for greater things. I have high expectations for you! But, no pressure. I knew good things would come of you.”
He seemed proud, smug even. “Lysithea is a wonderful world, of course you’d be rewarded. I want to see your Wonder sometime, have you been exploring much? Now that you’re stronger, you can go more often.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 5:37 pm
Stirling nodded, and gave a grim little smile. “Good. I hope that they realize this means that they don’t have to worry about me. It is hard work but…I’m happy with myself for it, and it’s beautiful up there, Soleiyu! Of course you can come with me, I hadn’t really meant to go this time but like…I had this pretty awful run in with someone from the Negaverse and they made me feel like I was drowning and then they left and I just…”
Scratching her cheek, she shrugged. “I had a bit of a panic attack and then ended up on my Wonder…it wasn’t really how I’d have…you know. Wanted to end up there but…here we are, yeah?”
Hesitating, she reached out and drew the Mauvian into her lap, not really caring if he wanted to be cuddled or not. He had come so this was his life now.
“I want you to go with me next time, I did promise after all…and I didn’t mean to break the promise…it just happened.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 4:13 pm
Though Soleiyu made an indignant noise when he was pulled into her lap, he didn’t protest. It took him only a few seconds to settle there, and he seemed comfortable enough that he didn’t mind.
“Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. I’m not upset. Just curious. If we make a plan, we can break supplies to explore. Or snacks, those are always good. I’m glad Lysithea seems like a safe place. I’ve been to other worlds where there’s much more danger. Another Senshi I know, Malus? He’s got traps all over. I think he’s been busy removing them, but I’m glad that’s not something you have to worry about.”
He lifted his head in silent demand for some attention, particularly behind his ears.
“A panic attack, though. Are you feeling better now? It doesn’t matter how strong you get, I’ll always want to fuss over you. You mustn’t get mad at me, a Guardian Cat is supposed to be a guardian. It’s in my blood. And you can’t just tell me that something awful happened and not let me make sure that you’re actually all right.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:31 pm
Stirling obliged with soft scratches behind his ears, and then moved on to rubbing the soft, warm things between her fingertips. “I really just don’t like drowning. I guess I had kind of repressed it but like. It was bad when I felt like it again, that’s all. And lucky for me it’s not something that’s going to happen too often, I don’t think…so I shouldn’t have to worry about it, not really.”
It was over, and she was okay now…and she had Soleiyu who wanted to help look after her…and for once…
…The thought was kind of welcome.
“I’m better now, I think. A lot better now that you’re here. Cats purrs are supposed to be good for that kind of stuff and here you are, in my lap just purring, so how can I not be okay now?”
Pausing, Stirling bent down and pressed a kiss against his nose. “...I know you’re not a real cat but. The purrs still work. So there. Anyway, that’s why I sent the letter…and I’m happy you came to make sure I wasn’t dead.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:05 pm
“Are cat purrs supposed to be good for that?” He hummed thoughtfully and let his tail twitch, and maybe put a little more effort into the low hum radiating from his chest. “Well, who am I to deny you any comfort if I can.”
His tail curled around her arm every now and then and he closed his eyes as she pet him.
“I’m very happy that you aren’t dead. I’d like you to stay that way. I know you don’t want to be protected, but be gentle with my heart. I have enough to worry about. And you're working so hard, I know you're going to be great, Stirling. I know you've got strength in you that others can only dream of. Promise me that you’ll think about me before you’re too reckless though, won’t you? …And promise me that you’ll always call me if you’re in danger or need to talk.”
She was too young to be on her own, but he didn’t think any less of her for her age or inexperience.
She hadn’t had anyone really looking after her for so long. He wanted to make up for missed time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:39 pm
“That’s what the internet says, but there are times I wonder if the internet was just created by some of you Mauvians to trick us into worshiping cats more than we already do…it does make some sense.”
Stirling laughed softly and then fell silent with his words, giving a soft sigh as she thought them over.
“I can’t make a promise that I know I won’t keep…but I’ll call you if I need to talk and don’t think I can handle it on my own…I’ll…try to be better with calling you when I’m in danger but…I can’t promise I’ll be great at it…or will do it as often as you think I should. But. I’ll try.”
It wasn’t what he wanted, and she knew it but…it was more than she would have agreed to when this whole thing started so…it was progress, no matter how small.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 1:42 pm
Though Soleiyu scoffed, he didn’t deny that there might have been some Mauvian influence online. Who was he to judge what the others did? He liked technology that you could build, anyway.
“Trying is a good start, Stirling. Don’t underestimate how much making an effort means to me. I don’t expect perfection. You’re a teenager, anyway. At that age, notorious for wanting adults to be hands-off, anyway. Forging your own path, making your own choices. I know,” he assured. “But I appreciate that you’ll make an effort. It’s a learning experience, I know. For both of us, probably. But.”
He stretched a bit, and pressed the soft pads of his paws into her leg as he did so.
“I’ve got a credit card, anyway. So if you ever need to unload, say, over a meal,” he shrugged and settled back into a comfortable position in her lap. “There’s a bit of incentive to reach out.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:21 pm
Stirling laughed, feeling the last bit of her worries drift away with the action, and she nodded, scratching behind his ears once again. “I’m not sure how you have a credit card when you don’t have thumbs, but if you ever wanna get food with me I’m always game for it.”
If they thought that bribery was going to get her to reach out more and try to ask for help from people…well…they might have a good idea going. Food could convince Stirling of almost anything, and the idea of extra time with this wonderful cat…Mauvian...was nice too.
“...If you want to, my roommate’s gone for the weekend so if you wanted to spend the night in my dorm I could sneak you in, just a thought. We can use that credit card of yours and get delivery and just…have fun?”
It seemed like a good idea to her, and she could only hope it would to him too. “I’ll tell you more about my Wonder too!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:53 pm
Soleiyu considered it for a moment and then nodded. “I think I can manage that. I’ll give my family a call and let them know. You’ll have to come by and visit sometime, I’m sure they’d like to meet you. And Evan makes such nice, home-cooked meals. And Cambria’s a wonderful baker. It’s a little busy right now, though. I don’t want to overwhelm you with so many new people.”
But, there was time to introduce her to everyone at her own pace.
As long as food was involved, he was pretty sure he could get her to open up and give them a chance–and he already knew that they were optimistic about her, too.
It was a good start–and he was happy enough to get to know her, and more about her Wonder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
