flickerflash | [Action -> Written on the 18th]

[If that kitten takes to one of the farmyards, Jack will be there visiting Murphy. Will she recognize him? He's just there, scratching the pony's mane and feeding him carrots and peppermints.]

I know, I know, lad. It's a terrible thing to be in a slump when it comes to the ladies. Chin up. Or. Muzzle, I suppose.

Edited 2012-07-16 01:52 (UTC)

[Katie arrives at the farmyards eventually, some distance away. But it's not hard to recognise the figure Jack cuts in amidst the haze of his echoes.

She approaches the long way around, hands on top of the fence and tugging herself along it like it's the world's slowest railroad. Her feet are a little sore. This searching around thing was so much easier when she could just jump places.]

Is he having lady problems?

Katie! [Startled, Jack turns. Murphy, who was NOT startled, whickers a friendly -- yet sad -- hello.]

Aye, darling: the lady ponies won't have him.

Perhaps he should try aftershave. My dad swears by Imperial Leather. It has all the ponies chasing him.

Erm....he likes his prickly chin-muzzily-wuzzilies.

OUCH.

[Murphy has just nipped the pirate for giving his chin-hairs an endearing pet name.]

Don't think I'm going to shave him.

[Katie giggles.] Perhaps you should just try the aftershave without the shaving part, then. It still smells all manly, doesn't it?

Perhaps we should just coat him with oat-butter. [The small pony seems to approve of this. He stretches his neck toward Katie, offering her a nuzzle.] Lookit him, all friendly with the womenfolk already.

Perhaps. [Well, far be it for her not to take advantage of a free nuzzle. Katie fair hugs the pony's neck.] I didn't know you had a pony. You should be the envy of every little girl.

The envy of......

Far as I know, Katie darling, no little girl actually WANTS to be Captain Jack Sparrow. I hope.

What's wrong with being Captain Jack Sparrow? Don't you like being who you are?

Hmmm? I...I am ENAMORED of being who I am, actually!

[Murphy whickers and nudges Katie. More pets please.]

[...she doesn't know that word. 8|a BUT SHE SHALL PRETEND SHE DOES.]

Then I don't see why little girls wouldn't want the same if they liked that sort of thing.

[Oh very well, Murphy. Though she might be petting him rather like an overgrown cat.]

YOU'VE LOST YOUR MAGIC!? [For real? Does that mean- No. NO!]

[...okay THAT WAS A LITTLE TOO SOON A JUMP, VASH. There's a long pause, because...uh.

Hm.]

It's very rude to butt into a little girl's business, you know.

[He's sorry, Katie, but the last time he talked to John because he lost something was for a pretty specific reason and he feels horrible he never knew.]

I, Katie, I'm so sorry.

Why on earth are you sorry? [She sounds more than a little snippy. Her own business. If you were going to be sorry, you should've been sorry months ago, you big jerk.] Maybe this isn't what you think it is.

I'd hope it's not.

...but if you ever want to talk about it. I'll listen. [And possibly go out to find someone he needs to give a talking ~~beating~~ to.]

Should I ever lose my magic, I'll be sure to come straight to you and talk about it, honestly and true.

Did you forget I repaired your room only the other week?

That's true, you did. Is there a reason you're asking John for it back? Did you lose some of it?

I haven't lost anything. I know exactly where it is.

With John?

That's none of your business.

[She slams her journal closed.]

[Don't think you can get rid of Vash THAT easily when he's worried Katie. Vash will be out and about as soon as that book closes. He'll be looking high and low for a little girl.]

[She's in the library in the back corner. No one will ever think to look for her there! Hers is a cunning plan.]

[It actually works pretty well. Vash won't think to look for Katie in the library, but when he runs out of places to look - besides all of the forest, he'll double check the library.]

[And as Vash opens the library door to go in, Katie is about to walk out. Which means she's sort of caught staring up at him and looking kind of disconcerted about this.]

There you are! I've been looking all over for you! I'm sorry I upset you.

Not sorry enough. Don't you know how to take a hint?

[Sob, sorry Vash. She doesn't want to talk about this.]

I've been told I'm bad at that, actually.

We don't have to talk about what happened. I just want to make sure you're alright. [A pause.] I know it was pretty scary for me when I had to ask for John's help.

What's scary about it? [She sounds scornful. And then a moment later, she blinks. Because she realises what he means.] Who killed you?

Someone who isn't here anymore.

Who killed you?

His name was Yuber.

[Having had him answer this question, Katie tries to walk off.]

[He doesn't stop her, but he follows.] What about you? Are they in Luceti still?

You say that like you expect me to answer you honestly. Everyone knows I only tell lies. [And she's getting more and more irritated. Because even if she could answer him h onestly, she doesn't know. And therefore, she doesn't appreciate it.]

No, I don't expect you to answer anything I ask. I just won't know how best to help you if I don't ask.

What makes you think I need your help? I'm perfectly capable of asking for it if it's needed, you know.

[There are other reasons she doesn't want to be in your presence, Vash. It's not personal.]

Alright, but know I want to help you if I can. [He knows that something like this, sometimes you need to think through yourself.]

[...

...okay. That's okay.]

Thank you.

Can I go now? I'm tired.

Yeah, you can go. I just wanted you to know that you're not alone and can talk to me anytime. About anything.

[A small nasty voice whispers up in her mind, everything except Rem. She quashes it. It's not true, anyway.]

Thank you.

[And she takes off.]

[Well, a certain, naughty cat has escaped the confines of her home, and is thus prancing around in the sunlight, enjoying what time she can grab to herself before Sanji undoubtedly tracks her down. She's covered a fair bit of ground, too, having made it all the way to outside the clothing store, ready to accost anyone who looks like they might give her some attention]

[omg KITTY \8D/ -- wait, Katie recognises that cat, and she changes her path to make a beeline for Pumpkin. Not because she's going to be the responsible party here, mind. Crouching down to hold a hand out.]

Good morning.

[Oh, someone approaching her? Excellent. Pumpkin wastes no time butting her head into Katie's hand, practically chirping out a welcoming meow. You won't tell Sanji she's on the loose, will you? >>]

[Never in a million years, Pumpkin. The chef will find you soon enough. ...she may be thinking selfishly that if she happens to be on hand at the time he might cook her some fish. >_> She utters the smallest meow of greeting back, which doesn't look all that strange. People meow at cats all the time, don't they? And sits herself right down on the ground there and then so Pumpkin has a small child to climb onto if she so desires. Scritch, scritch, scritch.]

[Katie, it’s like you know this cat. Pumpkin wastes no time in scaling the small girl, affectionately butting her head underneath her chin. Seriously, you should come over more. >_> Drown her in attention. She likes you, small child.]

Pumpkin-chwaaaaaaaaaaan!! [And of course, there’s the distressed call of a chef on the hunt, ringing through the village air. Hearing her owner, the cat can’t help but still and cant her ears in the direction of the sound, though she’s loathed to move from her position on Katie’s lap. Sanji will find them eventually, so might as well wait.]

[And Katie starts giggling, because it's very tempting to hide, cat and all, and watch Sanji run around some more. She won't, though. For one, Pumpkin is quite comfortable where she is, and so Katie will just while away the time until Sanji finds them both showering Pumpkin in much love and affection.

Besides, really she's doing Sanji a favour by doing this. Yes. >_>a]

[Some favor. B| Running running running running run-- oh wait. Stopping now. He scoots to a halt the moment that familiar shade of orange comes into view, a huge sigh of relief on his breath as he approaches.] There you are--

... Katie-chan? [There's a surprise. Not that he's upset to see his cat in the girl's lap rather than some random tree in the forest.

Okay so this probably was a good favor.]

[Katie glances up with a lazy sort of cat-in-sunbeam smile and continues scritching Pumpkin behind the ears.] Hello, Sanji. Have you lost someone?

... I thought I had. [Pumpkin, somehow sharing a near identical expression with Katie, purrs like an engine and shows no signs of movement. The chef just shakes his head in slight wonder and grins widely] But apparently you found her for me.

I shall have to charge you a finder's fish. [>_> It's worth a shot, man.]

Oh ho.

And what type of fish would a finder's fish be?

An extremely delicious one.

Well, it so happens that I have a few finder's fish at the restaurant, but I can't find anyone to eat them.

Oh. Well, then. [She stares down at the kitten in her lap as if coming to a silent agreement, and then peers up with her best impression of a hungry kitten. Which is surprisingly good, for some reason >_>]

Can Pumpkin come?

[Ha. Haha. B| Strange, Sanji is starting to build a new appreciation for all these cat-like expressions. As for the question, he stoops down to pick Pumpkin up, and she goes willingly]

It wouldn't be any fun if we left her here! [And let's face it - despite being a naughty cat, she's going to get fish too] And I gotta make sure she doesn't run off again.

[Katie scrambles up as her lap is vacated, and she offers him a smile which seems shyer now she has no Pumpkin to hide behind. As it were.] And we can't have not having any fun.

[She will happily trail after Sanji to Seventh Heaven.]

[It's a short trip, though slightly elongated thanks to Pumpkin attempting to scale up to Sanji's head despite the chef's amused protests. He's grateful to set her down once they're in the restaurant, and not to his surprise, his cat zooms right off the moment she's set free - probably to find the highest vantage point and troll incoming customers.]

I guess this is what I get for spoiling her.

Do you mind that she does it? [Hey, Katie understands the high vantage point thing. She gives a little wave at the cat.] I like to spoil my cat. She spoils me back all the time.

[He immediately brightens] Not at all! Pumpkin-chan can do whatever she likes~! [Yep. Spoiled with a capital S. Though Sanji gives Katie a bemused glance]

You have a cat?

No. I have a dog. But there's a cat that likes to think that she has me. Have you seen a black one called Licorice?

[Brook looked after it while Nami was one inch high |D]

[Well in that case...]

So that was your cat. [Fitting, he supposes. Katie seems like a staunch cat-lover for some unfathomable reason.]

You should bring her over some time! I bet Pumpkin-chan would love a playmate. [While he chats, he leads Katie into the kitchen proper, holding open the swinging doors]

[Katie hurried her steps to catch up, scooting through the door as if she's afraid he'll change his mind.] I think I shall! Licorice needs more friends, she's very lonely. [...Licorice gets around, actually. But shh. >_>a] And she loves fish, t...

[...and your kitchen smells delicious. Whatever she was going to say next sort of trails off as she kind of leans back and tries to inhale it all in one shot.]

[... Uh oh, did the smell knock her speechless? Sanji bites back a snicker and just watches the expressions play out on her face, scooting closer to the fridge]

Another fish lover? Maybe I should pack some away for Licorice-chan, too.

All cats love fish. [Shiiifty eyed gaze.] Would you mind? She eats more than I do.

I think I can handle that. [Opening the fridge now, and... huh]

Sorry Katie-chan, I guess I'm out of finder's fish. All I've got is salmon, tuna, catfish, cod, trout...

[She must be so disappointed.]

[Oh so very.]

Cod--!!

I-I mean cod is terrible, but I'm sure if you're out of finder's fish it will have to do. [>_>]

[Oh no, don't let him twist your arm over this, Katie! Even if he's already pulling out said cod and inspecting it for freshness. Yep, this'll do.]

In that case, just give it fifteen minutes and-- oh! [He pauses in the middle of grabbing some foil, looking over his shoulder] What kind of fish would your Licorice-chan like?

She'll settle for cod, too. [Clearly they share the same tastes.] I think she's allergic, but that's okay. [And Katie is trying her best not to look hungry.]

[Ha, allergies. Licorice can walk it off. >_>

Sanji is now mindful to put in two pieces of cod, lightly seasoning them on both sides with lemon and pepper before he wraps them in the foil. The oven's already warm enough to stick them in, so all that's left to do is wait. Sorry Katie, Sanji didn't bring his physic-breaking cooking skills with him this time.]

That should do it. [Glancing over his shoulder, hands on his hips] In the meantime, why don't I get you something to drink?

[Well, they are in a restaurant. Might as well treat her like a "paying" customer]

Okay! [But distraction by fish out of the way, she's sort of remembering that she meant to speak to him about certain things.]

Um... how have you been?

Edited (lol KJ thought this was her last post /facepalm) 2012-08-27 13:29 (UTC)

[Oh, right. Sanji had nearly forgotten about those "certain things" - or at least that he still needed to discuss them at large. Some of his smile dies, though it's more a show of deep thinking than disapproval. He hums to himself, framing a response while he goes on the hunt for her drink]

I'm fine. [It's a true enough answer, though give it a pause and he continues uncertainly] Can you... still see them?

Not at all. [She wrinkles her nose, then shifts her gaze directly to the space behind one of his ears.] Invisible fish are very tasty.

[He can't help it; one of his hands unconsciously trails up to his ear when Katie sends a glance in its direction, as if to brush something away, but he stops halfway and stares at the hand in faint accusation. It's not like he'd be able to feel or tell, anyway. He's checked a few times already.]

Heh, really? [A faint, amused grin] I'd try and cook one up for you but I don't think I'd be very successful.

... [Really, he's unsure how to go about asking what's really on his mind. The fact probably shows in his gaze shifting to the side, then falling a few degrees] And the others? Are they alright? [Because he might... miss them, sometimes. In that odd, surreal way one misses a half-remembered dream]

[Katie's headtilt of confusion and the slight frown will give away her surprise on that one. It isn't healthy to encourage some of those to stick around, Sanji.]

They're fairytales and dreams. You shouldn't give too much power to a dream.

[Even if she's being somewhat hypocritical on that score.]

[He nods like he understands - and he does. Or he thinks he gets what she's saying. Still, he can't help but seem a little sad all the same, standing there while rubbing at his neck.] Yeah, Katie-chan's right. [He made them, right? Made a half-starved version of himself and of Vivi. With them, at least, he should hope they disappear all together]

Will they ever disappear?

They're like all problems. Ignore them and they'll go away.

[... So he has to do the opposite, right? Fix them somehow? He's not sure, considering that statement is so normal it catches the chef off-guard. There are moments he's unsure how much is truth and how much is a lie]

I'll... give it a shot. [He offers her a tiny smile] Thanks, Katie-chan.

[...

...she hasn't made herself clear, she suspects. Katie struggles for a way to make it clear, and finally shakes her head.]

Do you want me to take them away?

[Uh. Cue Sanji looking startled] You can do that?

With a click of my fingers. It's so easy you'd wonder why I never did it before. Hardly as if it takes months of work.

[Oh. Well. He definitely got message loud and clear]

That much effort, huh? [Even still, he seems reluctant. It strikes Sanji as a little selfish to ask Katie that she spend her precious time helping him erase his own problems - not to mention how difficult it is to regard the echoes as anything less than sentient beings with a semblance of free will. So he doesn't answer right away, finally going to get that drink: some sweet, fizzy, lemonade concoction that's popular with most customers.]

Well, between you and me, I can't imagine that shit geezer leaving me without a fight.

He's a dad, isn't he? [She grins, quite happy with the implied answer there. It's better that Sanji find a way to deal with his own ghosts. She'll just...intervene if it gets out of hand again.] I bet he won't leave even if you ask him to.

[Zeff, on the other hand, is an ghost that's worth it.]

Heh. [Sanji imagines his Zeff echo smirking proudly at that, and despite himself can't help but smile sheepishly in Katie's direction while he holds out her drink]

Yeah, he's a dad - and one that's never listened to me before. Shithead won't start now. [And that suits him just fine]

Thank you. [Yeyyy, drink. 8D She takes a few large swallows.] Dads don't often listen. They think they know best in all the world.

Is it the same for Katie-chan, then? [He's... never really asked about her parents, has he?]

Oh, yes. And he never listens to anyone else's advice because he already knows everything. He's the school nurse. [Innocent blink.] My mum's a mechanic.

A school nurse and a mechanic. [He muses out loud on purpose] No wonder Katie-chan's so smart then~!

[And really handy when it comes to fixing things >>]

Oh yes. I get it all from my parents. [She nods solemnly.] My dad's the most foul mouthed school nurse you'll ever meet, you know.

But is he as foul-mouthed as a sailor?

No. He's as foul-mouthed as a chef.

[He'd been waiting for that, and so laughs heartily in response]

He better watch out - kids are impressionable. Soon enough they'll repeat every word he says. [As Sanji has found out multiple times in the course of his Luceti stay. It's the only reason he remembers that "shit" is an actual curse word.]

Every single one? That sounds like rather a chore.

[...]

A very colourful one, mind. But I think I like my own collection of words better.

[Besides, she has better swear words already in her memory. Her dad never swore in Gaelic. >.>]

Oh? Does that mean yours are worth repeating?

Worth repeating, worth remembering, if you can. I don't sound the way I spell.

[This amuses him, and he's about to ask her just how that works - but then the oven beeps and right on cue, a very sneaky cat comes slithering into the kitchen, threading herself between Sanji's legs with an impatient mewl for attention and food.]

--Pumpkin-chan, did you time that?

[Katie stoops down to offer Pumpkin a few loving scritches behind the ears.] I bet she's just been eavesdropping at the door.

[Either that or she has a built-in fish timer. Sanji wouldn't put it past her.]

Heh. Alright you two, sit down and I'll bring the food out to you~!

[Most cats do.]

Okay! Come on, Pumpkin. [She heads out to find a table close by, and pats her lap for the other cat. It's perfectly comfy, Pumpkin, honest.]

[He's got groceries, he's taking them home. But when he sees Katie, as always, he digs in a grocery bag for something for her and moves to intercept.]

[Katie doesn't see him until after he's on his way over, but her face brightens a little. She hasn't seen him about in a while.] Archie! Hello.

Kitten! [He produces for her a handful of strawberries, holding them out.]

[Oh my-- her eyes light up and she reaches out with both hands, scooping them up in her fingers.]

How did you know I liked strawberries? [She goes to pop one in her mouth before she hesitates and then bobs her head slightly. Manners.] Thank you very much.

[/nom.]

You are quite welcome, Miss. Have you been well?

I have been excellent. [She stops short of saying I've never been so alive! Even Katie can tell that would be overdoing it.] And you? You're staying out of trouble, aren't you?

As much as possible. Are you coming round for chocolate one day?

Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. [...she says as her eyes light up.] Not without being properly invited, of course. That wouldn't be proper. Where do you live?

House thirty-six. And you are invited any time you like, so long as you tell me you're coming.

What if I tell you I'm not coming but that means I'm secretly coming to surprise you?

I'll never turn you away, even if you're surprising me.

Then I shall have to tell you I'm not coming some time soon. [She pops another strawberry into her mouth. These are delicious, and she goes to tell him so, but talking with her mouth full is rude and she'd end up telling him they tasted terrible anyway, so she settles for making a muted sound of satisfaction instead.]

[That gets a grin. And, oddly, a sort of stretch, the sort someone makes when they're kind of stiff and tired and it's been a long day.]

You should know I make excellent chocolate. You won't regret it.

[And Katie feels surprisingly energetic for a girl who's been on her feet all day. She peers with idle and amused suspicion at the strawberries. Perhaps she was just hungry.] Would it be all right if I didn't come around today, then?

I wouldn't mind it at all. Would you like to not come now?

I would like very much to not come now. [Always delighted when someone speaks opposites with her she reaches out and latches onto his sleeve.]

[With grocery bags hanging from one wrist, he immediately tucks her hand into the crook of his elbow with every intention of walking her to her house, but at her touch, he suddenly feels very odd. Lethargic. Well-rested only seconds ago, he resists the urge to yawn.]

Mm. Well, come along then, Miss Kitten.

[Starting toward the house now.]

[Katie doesn't respond for a moment, blinking as if she's seen a particularly rare butterfly cross their path. In fact, she thought she noticed something odd, but she can't quite put her finger on it. She frowns faintly and scurries along at Archie's side all the same.] Do you need any help with your groceries?

No, but thank you for offering. Although if you’d like more strawberries, you may help yourself.

Oh well, then, if that's all right. [And distracted from her thoughts, Katie instead doesn't do anything sensible like asking Archie to hold the bag open but rather attempts to see if she can filch a strawberry from his groceries without making him stop. It's a challenge, you see.]

[He gives a mildly disdainful but fond laugh and opens the bag for her.]

[Katie makes a small victorious sound and dives in, restricting herself to another two. Then she skips a step back from the bag, glancing up to smile at Archie.]

You're terribly generous. I think...

[And she trails off.]

You think...?

[Archie closes the bag, feeling an odd malaise. Drained. Even the way he squints and blinks speaks of a strange sudden weariness.]

[She caught it that time. Just the bare drift of glamour, wafting through the air. It's always there. But she's not seen it drain like that before; not without an active decision to pull it free, which Katie is not in the habit of doing.

She feels very alive. Reaching near giddy levels, and it's enough that she realises and pulls back, stumbling away a few steps with a suddenly worried look.]

A-are you all right?

Mm. Yes, of course, Kitten. It’s been a rather lengthy day…

[Except it hasn’t. He has no idea when it started to be a lengthy day. He kind of wants to just…go home and sleep.]

[Katie opens her mouth, closes it. Wonders how to warn him. Realises she can't. Realises she doesn't want to, because then he'd think horrible things, and--]

Actually I think I shall have to come over now after all. {The words are rushed, her face pale.] I need to go home and take my dog out of the oven.

[And with that bizarre statement, there's a quick bob of a curtsey and she wheels, nearly stumbling over her own feet before she runs off. Distance is a better option.]

[If Katie happens to head out in the direction of the Battle Dome for her search, she'll happen to find a little black cat nearby who slipped away from her owner.

Of course, he's not too far behind and moves pretty fast for someone who looks perfectly human.]

[Katie spares a moment to appreciate the swiftness-- like a cat, she thinks. But what she does is drop down on her heels, holding out her fingers to the cat.]

Where do you think you're going?

[Most definitely like a cat. In fact, Leonhardt has most definitely been described as having movements like a cat.

The little black cat does fall victim to the lure of possible pettings and scratches just as Leonhardt catches up. Cecilia answers with a meow and some purring.]

I think she saw something she wanted to catch.

Cats always have something they want to catch. What's her name?

Dear Katie with the coveralls,

Wait your turn.

[So mean. 8( Katie frowns up a storm at her journal before deciding to be loftily polite.]

Dear John I think,

Is there much of a line, then? I sort of need it back.

[Hey, he thinks he's being nice.]

Dear Katie I know,

What will you give me for it?

[Hesitation, she has it. Nobody mentioned a price. But then, she really does need it back..]

What do you want?

Now, now. I can't do all your work for you.

But there's lots of different things you could want! How am I meant to know what it is? Can't you give me a hint, at least?

Here is a hint: a season plus one.

[And Katie

goes away for a good half hour, actually. Because in terms of what people want, the idea of time doesn't come to mind. 8|a So actually, there may be half an hour here in which she concocts all sorts of bizarre ideas on what he means by that, not the least of which being seasoning (salt?) and maybe he wants the whole of spring for himself or something, or some other season, and-- oh.

Back she comes.]

Do I need to wait another month?

[Ah, there she is! He'd gone back to his research, so his response takes forever.]

Give the lady a prize.

[But that's so far away. 8(]

What if someone kills me again before then?

Alas, this is the part where it no longer becomes my problem.

[Jerk. Big mean jerk, and at this point Katie would normally huff away and slam her journal and decide never to speak to him again, ever.

...only her magic is really kind of important. Really very.]

Can I make an appointment then or something?

Edited 2012-07-28 00:58 (UTC)

Fret not. It's already been made.

I'll send for you when I'm ready.

[Okay, that's not so bad. She just has to wait for a few weeks. So thus she is polite.]

Thank you very much.

[...just don't tell her that means she'll get carted off by droids or something >_>a]

[So the girl had lost her magic. He would like to feel happy about that, but from the sound of things it had been taken from her forcefully. A violation. And he hadn't wished that on anyone. Far better that she make the choice to abstain herself.

But Norrington made no reply to the message that she broadcast. It was not his business, and he would never have read it all had he not seen the word 'magic' alongside her name when glancing by. By then there were so few words beside that one that he'd read it all before he knew to stop. As for the chances of them meeting, well, he was not to be found around town over those four days. Perhaps if Katie happened to be Cullenward at any point. The admiral was there at the shamble-house, banging on things and hauling other things around. Occasionally swearing. They might just as easily not cross paths.]

Edited 2012-07-17 11:26 (UTC)

[Katie does get home in the late afternoon on the 18th, not in the best of moods. Vash is an idiot and John didn't let her have what she wanted, and travelling all the way to the beach the long way through the hated teleporter has just ramped up her sense of everything being terribly unfair.

The sound of Norrington banging about the house gives her pause. She doesn't like him very much, but curiosity wins out. Perhaps he's trying to fix something.

He might catch her peering at him from behind a door shortly thereafter.]

[He does catch sight of her, and he promptly ignores her. Just now he is hauling a beam of wood onto up onto a makeshift workbench. He labors with the one beam for a moment before turning his attention to another laid out on the ground. Without looking up, he says;]

You can make yourself useful by fetching me some rope. There should be a coil of it over by the wheelbarrow.

Edited 2012-07-18 21:26 (UTC)

Why on earth would I want to be useful?

[Petulant child. But she crosses to the wheelbarrow to fetch him the rope just the same.]

Why on earth would you want to be idle?

[He returns, holding out his hand. The hand is held out from the moment she reaches the wheelbarrow. She will have to approach under the full force of his expectation.]

Edited 2012-07-19 22:41 (UTC)

Being idle gives you much more time for thinking. [Katie doesn't hesitate with the rope, however, even if she sort of lugs it over one shoulder back to him. She holds it out.] What are you doing?

You an are idle enough girl -- what do you think I am doing?

[He makes sure to take the rope before she can snatch it away. Somehow it seems to him that there is a high enough chance of that.]

Edited 2012-07-21 23:04 (UTC)

Building a cage for a bear.

[Well, you asked. Once he takes the rope she hop-skips back a few steps.] I understand there's a lot of bears around.

A bear?

[A bear!]

No, not -- I am not building a cage. I am measuring this piece of wood with this rope, you see?

[He holds on edge of the length of rope flush with one end of the plank, and runs the cord across its edge. Where the wood terminates, he ties a knot in the rope.]

So as to cut equal measurements. Precision. Thought and action married, you see?

[Precision and measuring and thought and action-- Norrington, you're just trying to undo her all on her own, aren't you. Katie takes another step back.] Bear traps are more fun. What will you do with all your precisely measured wood, then?

To rebuild this ramshackle house requires us to gather known lengths of specific materials. Wood, of course, is chief among them.

You could just use stickytape. I bet if I used stickytape it would be faster. [Of course, she's already had the ixnay on the magicay speech on house repairs.]

One does not build a house out of sticky tape.

[He has encountered the stuff since his time in Luceti began. Wonderful it may be - but not that wonderful. Oh, he knows that he is twisting her words. He has a singular sense of humor.]

Edited 2012-07-26 23:44 (UTC)

Have you ever tried? It's very hard to lose furniture in one.

[18th / sometime after Vash and John's replies.

Raine is keeping an eye out for signs of Katie--if not heading right out to the beach to find her-- because the very suspicious behavior she noticed earlier in the week combined with the strange and outright blatant messages here warrants a little talk.

And maybe some bakery-snagged muffins for ammunition.

A person looking for John in order to get something back usually only means one thing, after all. If she can't find the girl--kitten or otherwise, though she may be girl, considering the message--, she'll resort to using a message, herself. For now though, she'd rather keep the attempts in person.]

[If she looks in the library, that's where Katie will be, at one of the back tables and kicking her feet in frustration. Vash got on her nerves, and John...

She's sort of slouched there with her chin in her hands and looking like she's been grounded for a month for no good reason.]

[She makes a few other stops, before venturing inside the library. She doesn't expect to find Katie here, though she at least means to ask anyone inside if they've seen -

and then she spots the girl herself, and is saved the trouble. Imagine that.

It doesn't take her long to cross the room toward her. Although her echoes are more than likely to herald her arrival before she does. Oops. At least the water isn't very high today - it quietly is, but Raine has more concerns.]

Katie. [A gentle tone, with some firmness behind it. An unspoken lets talk, sliding down to sit near her.]

[It's definitely hard to miss Raine's arrival, as Katie's scowl down at her kicking feet turns into a softer frown at the water that suddenly flows across the carpet. She glances up a half second before Raine speaks, and then ducks her head back down immediately.]

What?

[That's rude.]

Is something wrong?

Edited 2012-07-24 00:38 (UTC)

I think you know the answer to that. [But she's not being very pushy. A little adult-like, but that can't be helped.]

I know lots of answers. I study very hard, you know. I'm not sure which one you want.

Why don't we start with why you're not sitting down here in the library?

Don't people come to libraries to read?

[There is, in fact, a book next to her on the table. It's about vampires.]

I wasn't asking about what other people do.

Oh. What were you talking about then?

[Hi I'm a small child and I'm being difficult.]

I was talking about what would not bring a certain very curious girl who doesn't ask suspicious questions here. [She's calm, as usual, taking note of the book and title--it could mean just about anything, but with Katie one had to be careful.]

Oh. Well, it certainly wouldn't be vampires. Is what were you talking about a suspicious question?

It's a part of it all, isn't it? You haven't been completely yourself for some time now. Since... the spring.

I am never completely myself. It's not any fun to be just one person, after all.

There's something you're missing.

There's lots of things I'm missing.

[And she looks startled, because that's close to an admission. And Katie looks back down at her feet.]

Things that you can't talk about?

Always.

[There's a significant pause, before she continues.] And there's... John. You'll be in the tunnels, when he's finished. Tired, and very woozy.

[That gets her pulling back, looking startled.] The tunnels? Why the tunnels?

That's where he lives.

[...oh. That's rather nervewracking.]

Does he make house calls?

No house calls or exceptions.

[...is that really the only way she can get her magic back? Katie looks visibly upset now, staring back down at her feet.]

Then I suppose I will have to make the best of it and go there.

He'll... bring you there when he's ready. It's the when-you-come-back that I'm concerned about.

[Katie frowns. And then frowns again, jumping to the worst conclusion.]

Are you afraid I'll infect you when I come back?

Oh -- goodness, no, that's not it at all. You might be too weak to get back out on your own - when he finishes, he tends to drop people back off inside the the tunnel, and you'll be very tired and groggy. I just don't want you to be all alone when that happens.

{Tired and groggy and she won't remember who she is. She relaxes, though, because she believes Raine, and it's a relief to hear that. She looks down at her fingers.]

It's probably quite safe to wait for me there.

I would choose to wait even if it wasn't.

[...Raine ;w;]

But what if you drown?

Your safety is more important than my fear, and... it won't catch me by surprise this time.

[Your fear can kill you around a changeling; Katie knows that. But she can't bring herself to say it, because Raine has touched on the one spot of comfort she needs right now. Her fingers curl into the fabric of her pinafore.]

I won't let you. Drown. I promise.

I believe you. We'll get through it together, all right?

All right.

[It seems to be a good time to seal the deal with a fresh-bakery muffin offering. So she'll hold it out to her.]

[That at least brings the smile back to Katie's face, though it's small, and she holds out her hands to take the muffin.] Thank you. I hate muffins.

I was counting on that. Now don't eat up.

... Katie, why are you contacting John?

[Except. He doesn't need to ask that. Not with a question like that.]

[Sokka doesn't get the same upset reaction as Vash-- more of an awkward silence. She thought if she didn't sign her name this would be less obvious.]

I've never met a man with red skin before. I wanted to.

[Sorry Katie. Not this time.]

Is it because something happened to you?

Things happen to me all the time in Luceti. They're quite fun. [...which is an evasion, not a lie, and she realises too late that probably sounds like she means exactly the opposite. There's a pause in which she glances over her shoulder.]

Or should I say they're rather terrible. Perhaps all the terrible is getting to me.

You should have told us.

[Of course. He hasn't told anyone what happened to him. And the accusation is shallow.]

[Katie bridles at that. Unfair.] How can I tell you what I didn't remember? Maybe you should--

[And breaking off. Becuase that's rude.] Anyway, it's not-- it's exactly what you think it is.

[He's not going to give her a hard time for the secret. He's in no position to. He's more upset because of what happened, not because he's finding out now.]

Then tell me. Or. Try at least. [He knows she can't say it directly. But they can usually communicate anyway.]

What's there to tell? [It's sort of hilariously unfair that it's a secret she's kept for a matter of weeks, not the months that is being assumed. But it's not as if she was trying to be honest about it either way.] I remember everything as plainly as I remember the day I was born.

[So it's all vague still. He gets it.]

... you don't remember it, then.

No. I remember it perfectly. It was rainy and what dad would call a 'godawful time of morning'.

[So. Just any other day? That she doesn't remember? Man, this is hard.]

I'm sorry.

[...

Sorry feels okay coming from Sokka. She swallows.]

Everybody noticed, didn't they?

I don't know. Maybe.

[When Katara sees this, oh man. Maybe he should tell her himself.]

Perhaps they should never have noticed at all.

No. We needed to know.

Does it change anything?

Yeah. You can talk to us. It doesn't need to be a secret.

[Hmm.]

Do you think if I told people I'd find out anything new?

I don't know. [Perhaps someone already knows something. A killed on the loose?] Maybe.

[Katie has at least two leads. Sadly both of them are very much Katie having the wrong idea.]

Perhaps I shall try that, then.

[Of course, she won't do anything of the kind.]

[Yeah. He knows that's a lie.]

You should.

What am I supposed to say, then? I wonder how polite I need to be. I have a terrible problem with being polite.

I don't know. Do you remember anything?

[...]

I know he was a lot smaller than me.

[Bigger then. No surprise there.]

Anything else?

He didn't have any hands.

[So. She only saw his hands?]

Must have been quick on his feet, then.

[...]

Am I the only one who didn't die?

Yeah. Yeah, I think so.

[Well, that's...something. So at least there isn't a killer going around preying on kids or anything.

Nope, just her.

...]

Thanks, Sokka.

[She closes her journal.]

[... ahh. That's it then. Sokka stares at the journal for a good while after that before he closes it too. Looks like he'd have some tough news to share.]

[Action -> Written on the 18th]

action -- the 14th?

14th!

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[Voice]

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[Voice//Private] Of course it's up the mun if he finds her or not!

[Voice//Private] GOD GET OUT VASH

[Voice//Private] LAST CHANCE TO DITCH HIM!

[Voice//Private] Naww, that's no fun.

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I couldn't help myself

8Da You should NEVER help yourself. ...uh I mean.

LOL best logic >> <<

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Hi so apparently my brain died

rofl I HAD WONDERED

>_>

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