[video]

[twintailedtamer]

[this comes somewhat early in the morning... Izumo hasn't liked to advertise the fact that she has a pet lately, but in this time, she's cradling her new cat Noukimi in her arms and looking desperate]

S-someone... I need help... the curse... It's cold, and my kitten... she's... she's...

[the cat is indeed shivering, but... not because of the curse. It's because Izumo is holding her, and the kitten is getting cold as a result. However, Izumo is assuming wrong because she woke up with Noukimi in her arms...]

Please... she's still young... I don't know what to do...

Comments

video; - have a rare moment of vulnerability

[twintailedtamer]

... R-Rin...

... it's my fault... I was the one making her cold... it's not hurting the animals...

I'm so stupid...

video; izumo :(

[keepsthefire]

Wha... n-no you're not stupid! It's okay, I didn't realize it either at first!

video

[twintailedtamer]

[and here comes the explosion]

She... SHE COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF ME!

[and now Izumo is shaking... not just because of the cold... and maybe not even just because of Noukimi...]

video

[keepsthefire]

[Oh boy...]

L... look, cats are smart, okay? I bet if she got really uncomfortable she probably just woulda... squirmed outta your arms and found some place warm. So... so calm down, alright? Don't beat yourself up over somethin' that didn't actually happen.

video

[twintailedtamer]

... I-I just...

[she's crying now, and hugging herself as she's shivering]

I promised I'd take care of her...

video

[keepsthefire]

I know... and you're doin' that. It's not like any of us knew this was gonna happen...

video

[twintailedtamer]

...

......

No one knew what would happen back then, either...

video

[keepsthefire]

No. But... it worked out, didn't it... ?

[She was still there, after all. That had to account for something.]

Re: video

[twintailedtamer]

... Only because of your father.

M-Maybe I should give her back to you...

video

[keepsthefire]

No.

[sorry, Izumo, Rin isn't buying this self depreciation]

I know you're better than this. I know you've got what it takes to care for her so even if you tried to give her back I wouldn't let you.

video

[twintailedtamer]

... wh-why...

... why do people like you and Shiemi and Paku... why the hell do you believe in someone like me?!

video

[keepsthefire]

Why shouldn't we?

Re: video

[twintailedtamer]

...

[and... for once she can't think of a reply, and just sits there looking dumbstruck]

video

[keepsthefire]

You're gonna be okay, Kamiki. And she will, too.

video

[twintailedtamer]

...

......

Thank you Rin...

video

[keepsthefire]

I gotta look out for my friends, y'know.

video

[twintailedtamer]

y-yes, of course...

video

[keepsthefire]

... look I know you're really not the physical affection type but at least lemmie give you a quick hug or somethin' so you're not freezin'.

If not for yourself then for your kitten.

Re: video

[twintailedtamer]

...

Okay.

Um.

I'm in my room.

video

[keepsthefire]

Gimmie a minute.