" Tch. " Was the closest to an answer Neko was going to get. But Bakugo did find his new surroundings was... different but not different enough to raise alarm bells.

even with the lack of words that the blonde provided, it was obvious to anyone else in the area. from rags to riches he seemed poorly dressed. which was to say that his attire didn't match anyone else's. simplistic. straight and to the point. so in other words, nekomata was just calling him plain.

❝think we covered that,❞ the thiren speaks. this time her voice ranging from another space. no longer was she in front of the other, rather she leaned her body against a post idly inspecting a wallet of sorts. ❝what we haven't covered is why you're here. ❞ what an indirect way of asking from where the newcomer originally reigned. the twin tailed cat's tails swayed, amused and intrigued to learn of the answer, either verbally or through other means.

❝ hmm..❞ she hums to herself, now perching on that same metal post adjacent to a newstand.

{{ L }} " All I was saying is what's with the cat ears and twin tails? There aren't any Cons around. "

twitch, twitch the feline's ear goes , just as the inquiry is posed. a second is taken to consider her own response. seems like this kid has never heard of a thiren before, much less seen one. nekomata sighs while a yawn kicks in, arms out-stretched. swiftly maneuvering around the newcomer. mana's already made it up in her mind that he'll be paying for this explanation. after all, nothing comes for free.

❝ it's not a costume. ❞ she interrupts last second, leaning in close to get a better look. ❝ im a thiren. ❞ simply put. though upon answering it, she can't help but to stress and strain a part of her identity. ❝ you must have been sleeping under a rock all your life to not to know this-❞ she teases, stepping away, smiling.

"So if I was acting? I would have come to you with some pathetic sob story—and you would have believed every word." Raiki shrugged a little. "Your cooking sucks, by the way. That's why I was picking at it." A little more honesty for you.

They were in no way apologetic, for their past or their present. That wasn't what this was about. Their eyes flicked to Paimon, their expression becoming unreadable once more. "At least someone here has the guts to ask." Their attention shifted once more to Aether, eyes locking on him despite the way he refused to meet them. "I meant what I said when I sought you out. I don't know what I want; I just knew I had to leave."

This was, they found, the best way to deal with others: in half-truths rather than lies. "When I stole her gnosis from you and she thought I was still on her side—you saw what happened when she realized I had betrayed her. It probably looked like any other attack to you." They dropped their gaze to their hand, palm up and open. "But it was more than that. She tried to take over my body. [...] I was only saved because the Doctor unsealed my full power centuries ago. If he hadn't, I'd be gone." Their palm closed, hand balled into a fist, and they stared evenly at the Traveler again.

but, alright, TOUCHÉ. of course he fell for the falsehoods. upon arrival, anyone would — (everyone but mona... its the reason he's still here to this very day. had it not been for her aid, it would have be a pile of who knows what ) — given as he was rather social and exuded such light. but even the shiniest of trinkets can carry the darkest secrets. when the time is right, he fully intends to thank the astrologist for her deeds and acts of kindness.

❝... but you didn't. ❞ the traveler responds childishly.

with the discussion taking place, the tinier god hovered around, ears listening intently, awaiting for the moment to strike. ❝HEY ! ❞ she stomps her foot down in the air, butting in the conversation as best she can. ❝ traveler's cooking is a lot better than yours ! ❞ up to bat to defend her companion despite the many times he's made a suspicious dish. she still appreciated his craft and work put into making all the food. she rather preferred his to those of their other friends as for they, tended to lean more towards spicy foods and her tongue cared more for sweets than bitters. a finger was in trajectory at raiki. the nerve and the gall of this guy. her arms cross in a fit and she turns her nose up. ❝ paimon bets you can't even make unagi chazuke taste good. ❞ not one of her most favored dishes as the little godling didn't care much for the taste of eel.

im here as an ally, not a friend. while those words take a second to sink into the mind of the vessel, paimon wasn't entirely persuaded by the puppet's story. even still she remained silent, floating above both pawns, lips pursed and twisted. solemn. ultimately discomforted by past events. as partnering with ei was a constant whenever traversing through inazuma once things settled from the decree and on. his feelings on the entire ordeal were mixed. their upbringing was... rough and finding the right words to aid in deterring the moment wasn't quite easy either.

Raiki—the name still not quite them just yet, but time and exposure would surely change that, just like it had for every other name and title they've called their own throughout their long life—stared at their plate in silence for a second longer before they took a breath they didn't need only to let it out in a sigh. "Knock yourself out," they said as they handed over their plate. "I don't need to eat like you do, anyway." It was more of a habit—and they did like the taste of food, especially when they made it and it was good.

❝ i don't trust you. ❞ the vessel speaks, hands moving to discard what remained on the plate. while he wasn't fond of letting food go to waste, he wasn't about to act on the urge to be barbaric and give the vagrant anything else to use against him. even if it was as little as eating off of his plate.

once the outlander properly discards of both remains, he perches back on the makeshift stool — the side of a tree trunk — and his eyes gaze downward. away from the stars and that accursed skyline. ❝ and if being cordial is pretending , then i would have to say that i am doing a better job than you. why, with your sour acting skills,❞

there's a deliberate pause in the anti gazer's words. you can tell that its grinning from ear to ear. ❝ it was only awkward because i had to watch you stab at a piece of crab for over three minutes. you looked like you were struggling. ❞ the traveler finishes his snarky reply with a snicker of his own. eyes refusing to give scaramouche any eye contact and instead turns his attention to the bright blazing fire before the two of them.

adeptus' temptation was the name of the dish served. while it wasn't on the vessel's mind to prepare, he had just enough ingredients stored away to make it.

BLAME PAIMON. who just so happened to be hovering around at this very given time. so much for having a piece of mind..

who said i agreed to any of this?

i said i would help you. i didn't say i would be nice to you while i'm helping you.

you scratch my back and i'll scratch yours.

oh no. don't tell me it's locked.

i was hired to protect you. that's my job.

i'm actually starting to tolerate you, believe it or not.

i don't want to be stuck here with you.

i'll work with anyone but you.

i'm not letting you sleep on the floor.

they're forcing me to work with you and i don't like it.

how long do you think we'll be stuck here?

is that the only tent we have?

i think we're snowed in here. we'd better find a way to stay warm.

it's going to take a few days for them to reach us.

you sleep in that room, and i'll take this one.

you can't get rid of me that easily.

i'm just going to come right out and say it - i hate being here just as much as you do, but we have to make this work.

don't get any ideas.

i'm going to see if they'll switch my room.

until you came along, i had this under control.

if we're going to survive this, we'd better work together.

why did they sit me next to you?

i'd like to be as far away from you as possible.

out of all the people in the world, i had to get stuck with you.

guess you're just gonna have to get over it.

i thought you were worse than this.

i'm not going anywhere, and neither are you.

you're not exactly my favorite person to be around.

well, get used to it. i'm not leaving.

i told them i don't need a bodyguard.

i never wanted to spend this much time with you.

all this time spent together has really opened my eyes.

you're not as bad as i thought you were.

we might as well try to get along.

i guess i should learn a little bit about you.

i think that means we're the only ones left.

there's no way i'm sharing a room with you.

you again? i've seen enough of you already.

i thought [name] was coming. why are you here?

they're counting on us to save them.

since we'll be here for a while... might as well make the best out of it.

i think we can set aside our differences for two minutes and work this out.

honestly, i think i was wrong about you at first.

there's absolutely no way i'm working with you.

fine, but you're sleeping on the floor. i'll take the bed.

as your bodyguard, i'm supposed to stay with you at all times.

i think we're snowed in for a while.

you could always sleep on this side of the bed.

we have to at least pretend we like each other.

the whole point in having a bodyguard is for me to keep you safe.

i don't like asking for your help, but here i am, asking.

you and i are the only ones who can deal with this.

you don't have a say in the matter.

looks like we're stuck here.

just sleep in the bed with me. i'll even make a pillow wall between us.

i'm not sharing a tent with you.

i need you to stay out of my way.

Send "Come here, _____" to beckon my muse over to yours.