hearthwarming | inbox 🌙 songerein

[ From the way he responds, it seems to her that he can still understand her, even if he can't talk back. That much is good, at least. ]

Should I...

[ cast the animal-speaking spell that she knows that he knows that she can cast? Alas, she trails off, considering for a second what would happen if she didn't cast her spell? After all, she's very much distracted by how incredibly cute he is as a cat...

So while Diluc may be able to resist whatever urges he feels, Ori is absolutely unable to resist the urge to reach out and start petting him. ]

Well, don't you just make the cutest little cat?

[jkfladsjf Ori how could you. You're supposed to help him!!

Diluc isn't fully aware of himself purring and pressing his face into her hand until he's well into doing it. So much for being able to resist instinct. He tells himself that it's not that different from how he reacts to her affections as a human, but that only explains so much.

The comment does earn her an irritated twitch of his tail, however. He knows full well she's being cheeky because she can. But he frankly doesn't have the heart to do more than that, especially with how soothing being pet like this feels.

Damn it.]

[ She will help... Later!

Right now, her heart is melting at the way that he purrs and leans into her hand. She would agree that this feels very much in line with how he usually reacts to any affectionate gestures she offers him - and that in a way, him being in this form feels... appropriate, somehow.

Still, she can't resist having a bit of fun with this situation even when she knows it might annoy him, so she leans over to lower herself so that she can touch her nose to the tip of his. ]

Good kitty.

[ Look, she can make it up to him later, once he's figured out how to turn back into himself. ]

[Ori touches her nose to his, and he responds by leeeeeeeeaning back away from her. Look, she's beautiful and he loves her very much, but that's awfully close and she's much larger than he is right now. It's a bit too much for him at the moment. However, he makes it a point to nuzzle her hand again to show that he's still happy she's here.

He has every intention of just remaining there with her, but a flicker of something behind her catches his eye. Something bright, reflective, and dangling. Immediately, he realizes what instinct is kicking in and starts pushing back against it even as he settles back onto his haunches.

'No no no no, don't do it...'

He dashes around her and pounces it. It's just a bit of ribbon, but it has his full attention.]

[ She doesn't take anything personally on her end, knowing full well how odd everything must be for Diluc physically, mentally, and emotionally in this new form. No matter how he reacts to her in this form, there's certainly no wiping the affectionate (and amused) smile on her face - and even moreso when his attention snaps to something behind her, and she knows very well what comes after that sort of feline stance. ]

Aha. Saw something you like, hm?

[ She's just going to... lay on the floor on her stomach and rest chin on her hands to watch him play with the ribbon. Gods, he's so cute. ]

[He bats at the ribbon until it falls from where it's dangling, at which point he chews on it a bit before losing interest and flopping down onto his side. It's not moving anymore, so there isn't any fun in attacking it now.

And it was fun to play with the ribbon, loath as his human mind is to admit it. Besides, he's defrosting a little in his resistance to his feline feelings while he's in this form. Especially with Ori watching him so fondly. It's not unlike how he regards her when she turns into a cat or other animal to comfort him--something she's done more than once in their romance. Given how they've both felt recently, a bit of animal companionship for his beloved stars is more than warranted. He can just let himself be a cat for awhile, if it makes her happy.

(There will be time for nursing his pride and dealing with related feelings of mortification later.)

He nudges the fallen ribbon and meows at her. Hopefully she'll get the hint.]

[ She would have been content— no, more than happy to simply continue watching him explore and discover what it's like to be a cat for sometime. She also would have understood if he ran away entirely, knowing Diluc's need for independence especially in the face of something potentially mortifying. Navigating this kind of experience can be so confusing - but it can also be so wonderful and fascinating, to see everything through the eyes of a different creature. It certainly has played a large part in how much Ori cares for the world around her, including all of its critters. She would let him have that kind of experience just as she would let him have the world if it were hers to give to him.

But instead he turns his attention back towards her, seemingly urging her to take action. His meowing and nudging are met with wide, amber eyes blinking at him in mild surprise. ]

Oh... Do you want me to play with you?

[ Well, who is she to say no? Her expression soon softens back into that fond look as she takes up one end of the ribbon and then sits back up so that she can hold her arm up and dangle the ribbon in front of him. ]

Edited (words are hard!!) 2022-07-13 23:29 (UTC)

[For what it's worth, trying out this sort of play is part of discovering what it's like to be a cat.

He gives a quick meow to confirm that she has the right of it as she sits up, and he goes right after the ribbon when she dangles it. The two of them carry on like that for a little while, and - Archons help him - he enjoys the game far more than he expects or will ever admit to. There's a rush in the experience not unlike fighting, and the challenge of trying to stay ahead of her movements and predict where the ribbon will end up keeps him on his toes. It's exhilarating, silly as that sounds.

It's also a sweet moment he gets to share with Ori, and that matters so much more.

Eventually (and reluctantly), he gives up the chase and settles at her side, purring loudly because he honestly can't stop himself. It's a noise of love and contentment.]

[ That's true, but she also totally would have let him walk all over the counters and knock stuff off. Not that that can't still happen...

But she's happy to oblige him this playtime for the course of its duration, both for his sake and for hers. This truly is such a sweet, endearing moment for them, and now she realizes how much she really needed this given everything that's happened as of late.

Once he's decided that playtime is over, the ribbon is discarded to the floor in favor of gently petting him as he lays at her side. She can't help it, but she moves to curl her body around his, gathering him into her arms if he lets her. ]

You know, you really didn't have to stay like this, moonlight...

[ She knows he could have given a more concerted effort to change back, if he really wanted to. Even if it might have resulted in an additional mishap, he's given no indication of even trying to change back. That he hasn't means, to her, that he's chosen to remain like this for a reason... Perhaps as a way to give them both a reprieve from the bittersweet heartache of Thoma being gone, if she were to guess. Even if she's incorrect, though - she adores him for this, what he's given her in these moments. ]

I know how scary and confusing it can be to be in a different form, especially when you can't communicate... But you kept at it anyway, because you've always been such a brave man... [ She chuckles softly against him. ] I mean, kitty.

[Ori pulls him into her arms, which causes him to tense up and squirm a bit out of reflex. Once she has him settled against her chest, he relaxes and presses in close.

He knows he doesn't need to stay like this--he's not entirely sure how to reverse the process, but there's nothing stopping him from making the attempt. But it makes Ori happier, and if he has to be honest it's made him happier as well. Purring, he realizes, soothes himself just as much as it soothes her. While he wishes he could speak like he could with the magical wolf transformations of the moon dreamscape, he can't deny that there's an appeal to exploring the world--and Ori's affections--in another form like this.

That said... she still bats at her arm at the "kitty" comment. No claws, though. He's not that irritated, and would hate to hurt her besides.]

[ She laughs again, light airy, at Diluc's response. Somehow, despite the fact that he's an adorable fluffy cat right now, the reaction still feels completely on par for him. Her beloved moonlight really is a cat, and she is enamored with him for it.

Ori loosens her arms around him, at least, so that he can pull or wander away as his feline instincts dictate. She's happy to keep him cuddled close like this, but she's also happy to let him have his space - just as she is with him when he's not a cat.

Just because he can escape from her arms, though, doesn't mean that he can escape from her sweet words. ]

I love you, Diluc. I'm... I'm glad you're still here.

[Diluc, both as a person and as a cat, appreciates that Ori allows him to take his space on his own terms--especially after he took advantage of that trust and space earlier in the year. Solitude is something he needs less often than he once did, but he still requires that sense of independence every once in awhile.

He doesn't need that space right now, however, and he remains cuddled into her chest even as she loosens her hold on him. And when she speaks, he suddenly feels very motivated to become human again so he can respond to her. A comforting meow or some purring doesn't seem adequate, given the sentiment that's just beneath her words.

It can't be that hard to use dreamotion to change back, can it? He focuses on his human form, closing his little kitty eyes as he concentrates...

In a similar fashion to how he transformed the first time, he changes again. It's not a perfect correction--he still has cat ears, small fangs, and a fluffy red tail--but it'll do. Her loosened hold means that he grows into her arms, and in turn he wraps an arm around her.]

I'm glad to still be here, starlight. I love you.

Edited (I FORGOT THREE VERY IMPORTANT WORDS FJDKSLFJSDF) 2022-07-14 20:39 (UTC)

[ Her eyes widen in anticipation as she watches his form begin to change. Adorable as he is as a cat, she of course prefers him the most when he is the dashing, redheaded man that she fell in love with. For a moment, she wonders if he feels this sense of anticipation whenever she's shifting between forms, too.

Only that he doesn't manage to change all the way back, and her love is left with a few feline features remaining. Her lips pull into a grin, though her eyes hold an overflowing fondness within them as his arm wraps around her and she moves one of her hands to softly caress one of his fluffy ears. ]

Hm... Did you have fun, my kitten?

"Kitten"?

[His voice is filled with equal parts fondness and chagrin, as he has a feeling this won't be the last time she refers to him as such. Especially since he's still part cat for the foreseeable future and she's petting his ear.

Which does feel nice, but that's beside the point.]

Is it too saccharine to say that I had fun because it was with you?

[ It absolutely won't be the last time she addresses him as her kitten, far from it, and this is a fact made clear by the way that her fingers continue toying with his ear. It's just so soft. ]

Maybe, but I don't mind at all because I had fun too.

[ She leans in to give him an impossibly soft, gentle kiss on his lips. ]

Though I wonder if you didn't really want to turn back, and that's why you still have these ears and a tail. Should I find that ribbon and see what happens?

[Diluc's hold on her tightens and his tail twitches slightly.]

You will do no such thing.

[He really should be used to this side of her by now, since it's been a couple of months since she lived eight months apart from him. And honestly, it's a part of her that he finds quite endearing. So much so, in fact, that he leans in for another kiss.]

I'm never living this down.

[It's not a question. He knows.]

[ Even when his arms tighten around her, she has half a mind to tease and ask if he's going to hold her down to stop her; instead she keeps the thought to herself as he curtails (ha) any more scheming on her part, and Ori smiles and giggles against his lips as they kiss. ]

No, you're not.

[ Keeping her securely in his arms and distracting her with a kiss doesn't mean she can't keep toying with him with her words, though. ]

You made such an adorable cat, but you're quite handsome as a half-cat too, darling.

[At least she's honest about that fact. And with the way she's giggling and petting his ear, he doesn't have the heart to be all that annoyed by her. She's always been dangerously charming, and now that she realizes how to wield that charm most effectively, he knows he's doomed. As was Thoma--the two had had that conversation about her at least once after she returned from her waking self.

He has no complaints.]

Is that so? [He leans in closer to nuzzle her neck.] I didn't realize you were into that sort of thing, starlight.

[ It really is a bit of a marvel, how much Ori had grown during her time away. It's almost as if the weight of the world no longer rests on her shoulders, and it's allowed her the freedom and will to truly come into her own. She still believes, wholeheartedly, that her time dreaming in this realm carried through into her waking self, and that the faith that Diluc and Thoma placed on her helped.

All to say, she certainly doesn't have any complaints on her end, either, when she's gotten to see (and enjoy) the effect that confidence has on her lovers. And although one of them is no longer here... They owe it to him, to continue sharing in this love even in his absence. ]

What do you mean, moonlight?

[ She knows what he means. Although she can't help but hum approvingly as he nuzzles in, and she also can't help the way that her other hand wanders down his back and gently strokes his fluffy tail. ]

[Out of pure reflex, his tail twitches at the contact. It feels strange, having a tail for her to touch in the first place, but it's not an unpleasant sensation in the slightest. He wonders, idly, if this is similar to how it feels with her own tail--particularly when it becomes involved in their more intimate moments.

He does really like when she uses it in that way.

The cheeky faux-innocence earns her a light nip on her neck, the bite a bit sharper than usual thanks to the ~~fangies~~ small fangs he has right now.]

What I mean is that you can't seem to keep your hands off of me.

Edited (it's "reflex," not "reflect" gg self ._.) 2022-07-18 21:48 (UTC)

[ The sting of that bite earns him an approving hum. She likes when he bites, and even more so in this moment, thanks to those ~~fangies~~ small fangs. The hand of hers that had been playing with the feline ears on his head moves to grasp lightly at his hair for just a moment. ]

Ah, my apologies...

[ She's not really apologizing.

But she does pull her hands away, both from his ear and from his tail, in favor of actually keeping her hands off of him. Just for now. ]

You wouldn't be able to resist, either, if it were the other way around.

[ And to that end, she closes her eyes and focuses her own dreamotion energy, drawing on her experience with Wild Shape to, in effect, mirror Diluc's transformation. Her rigid, pointed horns turn into similarly soft cat ears, her thin tail turning into a fuzzy one (albeit not as fluffy as Diluc's ) as she giggles and rests a hand against his face to bid him to look up at her face. ]

[She releases her hold on him, and he watches with no small amount of wonder as she transforms himself to match him. Ori is beautiful always, and he would never dream of changing a thing about her, but there's something about the ears and tail that just hits him and leaves him a touch breathless.

Probably the fact that he's still partially feline. Who even knows what kinds of pheromones or senses he's picking up on that he doesn't even consciously realize.

He looks into her eyes, expression soft and reverent. The sound that comes out of him sounds suspiciously like a purr.

Huh. He hadn't figured that, of all things, would have carried over.]

You're right. I can't.

[Unable and unwilling to stop himself, he reaches over to gently pet an ear.]

[ Her brows hitch up when she hears him purr. She hadn't quite expected that to carry over, either, and there's something about the way that it sounds with his voice that does something to her. Then when he caresses her ear, she sighs contentedly. ]

Oh, that feels nice...

[ It's not too unlike getting her ear pet when she's shifted into her cat form, but it's certainly different given her and Diluc's present circumstances. Obviously, she can't quite kiss him when she's a cat and he's petting her ear - but she can certainly do so when they're both like this, and that's just what she does, looping her arms behind his neck to pull him down into a kiss. ]

[Diluc returns the kiss with equal fervor, wrapping an arm behind her waist to pull her up with him and into his lap as he sits up on his knees. Ostensibly, he's trying to nudge them toward some surface that's more comfortable than the floor. In reality, he's struggling with the 'separating himself from Ori' part of the task.

Especially since moments like this have been few and far between in the days since Thoma's departure. They've both been two inside their own heads, too busy grieving and making sense of this new reality. He has to admit, it's kind of nice to just let a bit of lust slip through and take over. To think that all they needed was a bit of silly dreammotion backfire to break the ice...]

I can do other things that feel nice, if you want them.

[He's testing the waters. There's no guarantee that Ori's ready, and he doesn't want to push her if she isn't.]

[ She is entirely pliant and willing in his arms as they kiss, settling into his lap with ease as he sits up. Ori really rather likes being in his lap whenever they’re like this, and— it doesn’t escape her, either, that they haven’t been like this in some time.

But it is nice, to simply let their desires take over. And in a way, it puts a part of Ori that lurks deep within at ease, relieved that, in spite of everything that’s happened, Diluc still wants her. Even when it’s going to be only her, from now on.

He tests the waters with his words, and Ori presses in closer in response, moving her hands to frame his face as she presses her forehead against his. ]

Don’t be silly, moonlight, those other things don’t just feel nice - they feel amazing. So please, show me…

[ And with that, she closes the distance between them with another kiss, this time eagerly parting her lips against his. ]

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