hard work always pays off

vermillion: is your muse courageous, or would they consider themselves to be more of a coward? 

Neither, as Tikki is more of a peacemaker than someone who is courageous or cowardly. I mean, she can be bold and outspoken and most often doesn’t shy away from doing things, even back when she was younger so I guess you can say that she is actually courageous. But like, she isn’t in the sense where she’ll do something that is stupidly courageous, you know? Tikki likes to be responsible and level headed about the things she does, and if doing so makes others view her as a coward, than so be it. But I think she is more the former than she is the later.

currant: what’s something that absolutely disgusts your muse (can be a person, place, thing, ect)? 

You know how they say that love can be blind? Yeah, that can pertain Tikki as well because in all honestly and frankly it really isn’t much of a secret, but the stench of cheese is often nauseating to Tikki. Specifically that of the cheese that Plagg likes to buy, because he really enjoys buying cheese that are especially stinky (the stinker the better as he always says) and Tikki usually needs to pinch her nose just to keep herself from reacting any more negatively than the initial expression she often makes when he brings home another wheel. But as much as she isn’t a fan of the smell, she would never stop Plagg from buying cheese since she knew how much he loves it, and would even go as far as to buy him some herself (though not as smelly). Doesn’t make the stench of it any less appealing though.

acacia: how much does it take for your muse to hate someone? 

TASK 005:::….. Digging Deeper

QUOTE: “You don't have to do everything yourself. There's no harm in listening to others from time to time.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he agrees, attempting to be annoyed despite the very obvious grin still on his face. “I guess I should have known better than to doubt you, huh?” As they moved to the front of the line, Plagg set the basket with all the candles down and started to pull his wallet out of his back pocket. Despite the fact that all but one of them were Tikki’s own personal candles, her having found just the one cheese one was worth him paying for all of them. Besides, he knew a good part of the reason she always bought so may were because of the smell of his cheeses linger into their home - so really, it was his fault (not that he’d ever admit that out loud).

“Unless I’ve ever steered you wrong.” was Tikki’s response with a teasingly tone. Reaching the front of the line and closer to the check out station, she was about ready to pull out her wallet to pay for the candles, including the one she found for Plagg, when from the corner of her eye, she saw him beat her to it. “I can pay.” She spoke up, just as the person in front of them finished with their purchase making it their turn now. With most of the candles belonging to her, it made sense for her to pay for each and every one of them with the nacho cheese one being a gift.·

At the way she started her explanation, Plagg slowly shook his head, not yet actually looking at the candle being handed over to him. “Disappointing already,” he declares before finally glancing down. And when he does it a genuine grin slowly grows on his lips and a loud laugh escapes him. Nacho cheese. Of course of all the cheese related scents that could possibly be made into a candle it was nachos that made the cut. “Okay, you win. This is brilliant.” Adding the candle into the bag with the rest of them, Plagg already knew they likely wouldn’t ever actually light it. But no way in hell was he walking out of this store without it. “Maybe these stores aren’t all too bad.”·

“Just take a look at it before making any judgments.” She stated while fondly rolling her eyes at his theatrics while still holding the candle out to him. And once Plagg took it and glanced at it, Tikki found herself staring at him with anticipation in what his reaction would actually be. All her former confidence was teetering with the slight possibility of him not liking her choice despite it being a cheese scent of some kind. But when she watched that grin appear back on his face and he laughed after reading the label of the candle, the woman giggled. “I knew you’ll like it.” Tikki warmly smiled, his reaction more than worth buying the candle and having to deal with another cheese scent within their home. “I guess I was wrong earlier. Turns out, there are people who do enjoy the scent of cheese like you do. You just need to know where to look to find them.”·

“I can’t choose a single reason as there are so many things about Plagg that I love. When he’s not gorging down wheels after wheels of cheese that is, but no one is perfect and as revolting as the scent of cheese can be, his love for it is but another thing endearing about him.” @chaoticplagg

“He’s very caring and sensitive at his core, a side of him that he may not often likes to show but I’ve seen it enough times to know that deep down, that he is one of the most wonderful person anyone could meet. And he does not receive enough credit for all he does, nor does he ever asks for it despite him being deserving, but it’s that humbleness masked within all that mishit is what I love so much as well. And he understands me. Better than anyone I’ve ever met in my life, as he’s always aware of the right things to say or do to cheer me up and just simply being able to read me and my needs or wants without me having to say so. Even when I’m angry or upset with him, Plagg just knows how to make me feel better and even if he didn’t, I could never for the life of me stay upset with him for long. All he has to do is look at me and everything inside me begins buzzing.” 

As he stood in line with all of Tikki’s other candles, Plagg mentally debated with himself on whether he should lie about liking whatever candle she brought up to him next. He was fairly confident he wasn’t going to like it - thinking there wasn’t a single scent in this entire store that he might genuinely enjoy - but would it be worth it to just say he did anyway? Surely it would make Tikki feel good, especially given how confident she had seemed in it… But also what if she started buying it all the time and he was stuck living in a house that smelt disgusting 24/7? Well, he supposed, that’s probably how she feels about his cheese so maybe it was a fair trade. He didn’t have much longer to decide as Tikki came back and he hand out his free hand for the candle. “Alright. Let’s see what ya got.”

There was a scented candle she knew Plagg would like long before they even stepped foot within the store. It just so happened that Tikki had purposely kept them from going near where the candle was, initially feeling cautious in the idea of him noticing the candle and then setting his mind on wanting to buy it. Not when their home already smelled enough to compensate with the already overbearing scented nature that a general candle would give. But as she neared the section of where said candle lies and her eyes locked onto one, Tikki let out a small sigh yet with a smile. Plagg did so much for her already and he was tolerating the sweeter smells she personally enjoyed, one more of his wouldn’t hurt. It didn’t take her long to return to Plagg. “It’s no comforting grilled cheese type nor does it have the marble detailing effect of blue cheese,” She began, as she handed the candle she found for him. “But, I think everyone enjoys the scent of this every once in a while. Certainly perfect enough to light during a movie night.”·

As Tikki reaches out to pat his cheek, Plagg can’t help the smile that grows on his fcae. If it had been anyone else he would have easily swatted their hand away and made a comment about personal space, but this was Tikki. He didn’t know how to be mad at her - no matter how annoyed he may pretend to be at times by her antics. “Oh, someone’s confident. Alright, I’ll take that. But if I don’t like it you only have until I get to the front of the line to find another one.” Despite what he says, he knows he’ll likely accept whatever candle he brings up to her simply just to make her happy. Unless it was a godawful birthday cake one - that’s where Plagg drew the line. With the plan decided, he did as instructed and headed over to get into the growing line of customers ready to check out.

With a slight giggle, Tikki shrugged as she continued to smile confidently at him. “You bet I am.” She stated, and was very close to adding that if he didn’t like the candle she picks out, she’ll gladly offer to commission one for him. But even without saying so, she knew she’ll end up doing exactly that for Plagg if he genuinely didn’t like the candle she has in mind. But she was positive that he will, it was a candle she had specifically kept him away from when they first arrived to the store until now. “Alright, I can handle that. I don’t think I’m going to need to change it, but I’ll keep an eye out for any other ones you might like.” With a final pat and a wink, Tikki watched as he head off towards the line before turning around and making her way towards where she knew that candle was.·

If he hadn’t known Tikki for what felt like the majority of his life, he might have been surprised that she knew his top favorite cheeses. But that was exactly something that she would have picked up on and taken mental note of. “Yes, but blue cheese is more pungent, it’d make a decent candle. Plus they could do some marbling effect inside the candle to look like blue cheese,” he argues before shrugging his shoulders at the way she told him he didn’t have to pick that candle. Plagg knew he didn’t have to, but if she liked it then that was good enough for him. “That seems like quite a mighty challenge to take on, sugar cube. You sure you’re up for that? It might take going through every candle in this place before we find one I’ll like.”

“It would make for a pretty candle to look at.” Tikki admitting, figuring that she’ll give Plagg that one. But would the aesthetic of the candle make it worth owning one made out of a blue cheese scent is the question and being aware that Plagg would light it, makes it very difficult to answer. The small woman then smiled with utter confidence on her face, as she reached over and patted him against the cheek with her free hand. “I think I am, so don’t you worry.” Tikki stated. “There’s already one I have in mind that I think you’ll really enjoy, and in fact—” Shifting her gaze at the increasing line that lead to the cash register, Tikki glanced back at Plagg. “Why don’t you head to line and wait there while I go and grab it? Once I come back, you can see what it is and determine on whether you want it or not?”·

Plagg had indeed been thinking about getting a camembert scented candle specifically, but didn’t like the way Tikki threw out the suggestion as if it was obvious. Even though it absolutely was. “Or maybe I’ll change things up this time. Go for blue cheese,” he answers with a shrug, not meaning a word of it. If he ever did follow through with this half-baked idea of cheese candles, it would absolutely be for camambert. When she places the candle back down with a disappointed look, Plagg almost feels bad about his reaction. It hadn’t been an awful one - just not his kind of scent. But then again, none of the ones Tikki was usually into were his favorite. Picking the apple one back up, he doesn’t comment but places it in the mesh shopping bag he’s been holding for her, adding it to the collection of other candles she already decided to get. “Better make it a good one then.”

If Tikki wasn’t already holding onto a candle, she would have crossed her arms at him with a ‘really’ look on her face. She opted with the latter instead. “Blue cheese isn’t even your third favorite cheese.” She commented at Plagg’s bluff. He would go with a gorgonzola scent before commissioning for a blue cheese one. Her attention then was about to go back to searching for the lash candle, yet it gravitated back at Plagg as he placed the apple scented candle into the basket filled with the other handles. “Oh, you didn’t have to.” Tikki said, already figuring that she had enough sweet scented ones and if Plagg truly didn’t like it, she could live without it. It was still their home, some of the scents should be tolerable for him at the very least. Still, she smiled when he did that and even let out a laugh at his comment. "It’ll be one that you’ll like, promise.”

Plagg pretended to think her suggestion over for a moment, going so far as to let out a small hum before shrugging his shoulders. “Alright, I suppose that would work. Though I still prefer doing just a bit below the best I can. Working your hardest is tiring. But for you, sugar cube, I’ll try.” The truth was, even if Plagg didn’t always seem like the hardest worker on the team, he did indeed try his best. Or at least close to it. For all he tried to act like a tough, laid back guy - he truly did care. He cared a lot. It might not seem like he cared quite as much as Tikki did, but for the select few students he truly let into his heart, he would do anything.·

Tikki found herself rolling her eyes at his comment yet giggled after doing so. He words may not say so, but there was weight to them and she knew Plagg will try his hardest. As if he wasn’t doing so already. Plagg truly was as hardworking and caring as one can be, and for that she endearingly stared at him with a soft smile on her face. “And for you, I’ll do the same.” Tikki promised. Even if it had been brief, what hurt the most when she got let go was being unable to work alongside Plagg, and now that they were again, she wanted to make it lasts. If not for her, but for the students who cares for him too.·