[Action -> Written on the 18th]

[flickerflash]

[After a conversation with Buffy, Katie's on the hunt. This week, anywhere between the 14th to the 18th, she's looking for a man with red skin who may or may not be incredibly old (by her own thoughts on the matter) but she's reliably informed he might be able to help her.

That's not gonna work out so well, mind. But such is life. On the 18th, she hunts through town as a kitten, because by this time she's getting too much attention. That, and asking fellow cats for possible directions is less attention-getting when you're a cat yourself. 8|




In the end, though, she has no luck. So loathe as she is to use her journal, she tries asking outright on the journals; written and hopefully as anonymous as possible.]

[Written]

Dear John with the red skin,

Can I have my magic back, please?


[Seems legit.]

Comments

[flickerflash]

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?

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

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?

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

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

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

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.]

[simplestgift]

[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.

[flickerflash]

[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?

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

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.]

[simplestgift]

[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.]

[flickerflash]

[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?

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

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.]

[simplestgift]

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

[flickerflash]

[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.]

[simplestgift]

You think...?

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

[flickerflash]

[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?

[simplestgift]

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.]

[flickerflash]

[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.]