[early morning cat posting]

[sevenhorrorsmods]

Who: everyone
When: July 25
Where: class 3-C
What: a few visitors!
Warnings: none!

[On Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. on the dot, the student body is awoken not by the bell, but by the sound of meowing echoing over the intercom.

[It's not just the PA system, either. Soft, gentle, and very cute mewls fill the classroom hallways; distant on floors one and two, but much louder on floor three. Intrepid explorers who follow the noise will find that one of the third floor classrooms has been overtaken by a pack of ghostly cats!]

[Each creature is the size of a normal housecat, and has the mannerisms of one. That is, they will attempt to hop into your lap for some prime cuddling time, ears and tails flicking adorably all the while. Their bodies are a pale, ghostly white, and their eyes glow a soft, gentle blue. Although they are translucent, they are still solid to the touch, and they feel just like a normal cat does. Soft fur and everything! Aren't they precious? Aren't they just so stinkin' cute??? DON'T YOU JUST WANT TO SMOOSH THEIR ROUND LI'L KITTEN FACES??]

[So long as characters are kind to the cat spirits, the Nekomata are completely harmless. They just want to play and snuggle!! Although. . .]

[Anyone who touches a cat spirit will find themselves hit with a sudden need for physical contact. This can range from something small (desiring a high five) to something bigger (needing to CUDDLE THE SHIT outta someone). Being surrounded by more than one Nekomata means the compulsion becomes stronger, too! One cat means it can probably be safely ignored, but five?? If you don't HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND RIGHT THIS SECOND you JUST MAY DIE!!]

[Oh, so you don't like cats? No problem! The Nekomata are mischievous creatures, and they WILL leap onto people's backs and shoulders without warning. Being cat spirits, they can also teleport from one place to another, so. . . you can be minding your own business one second, blink, and then be staring into the eyes of a cute cat spirit perched on your lap the next.]

[The Nekomata will be drawn towards members of Anzen more than anyone else per their target lock curse, but they are excited to shower literally anyone in a bit of cute kitty affection, regardless of their homeroom]

[Please let me know if your character is being violent and/or aggressive towards the Nekomata. Otherwise, enjoy some compulsive physical bonding with a cute ghostly flair!]

Comments

[moonfeather]

One of my companions specialized in barehanded combat. She's an extremely formidable opponent, more than if she had a sharp weapon.

[Although that would actually be scary, it's Ai Thao after all.]

I could fight barehanded, but I don't have the particular weight or force required for it.

With whom did you train with as you grew up? Though we had soldiers, guards, and specialists at our beck and call, I was mostly up against my siblings.

[brokenlance]

My father, and the knights of Faerghus instructed me. I was also raised alongside other noble children of my age - whom I still consider dear friends.

I was closest with a pair of brothers - the oldest of which joined the royal guard, and I trained with him frequently. He was my shield. And like you, he favoured honing his speed.

[There's a distant look of sadness in his eyes when he speaks of him, though]

[moonfeather]

[What he describes is an environment of mutual respect, camaraderie, and an investment in Azure's wellbeing. He had friends and family that supported him and such, the losses he suffered were different from hers.

(a pain so deep and vast, her own was mourning for what little she had been given)

She's spurned on (by the nekomata's presence) to once again reach out to him and lightly pat the side of his head (maybe she might have done so regardless) and setting her hand down again.]

It's so hard to lose those around you isn't it?

[brokenlance]

[His head snaps up, but not because of her touch. Not that he has ever been accused of being a subtle person, but the fact that she picked up on it - his loss - brings to the surface a sudden flash of grief. It's there and gone, before being swallowed up in the name of nobly enduring.

It's true. He had everything. He was so cherished, and in one stunning moment, it all shattered. A break that cascaded across everyone in his life.

He tenses his jaw, willing his voice not to sound too affected.]

Indeed. I hide it rather poorly, don't I?

[moonfeather]

It just goes to show that what you had and continue to bear is of utmost significance. There is no shame in that.

And it just so happens that we've once again proven we are, as they say, birds of a feather.

[That's always been a funny idiom to her, but it resonates too much in the moment. She gently picks up the cat sitting on her lap and sets it on the ground much to its chagrin, and then stands up, clasping her hands together.]

I lost my mother when I was young. Despite the size of my family and our empire, it was her absence I felt the most keenly.

[It's a web of complex reasons.]

So if it's any comfort, you can know that I can understand at least a little bit of what you're going through.

[brokenlance]

[It would be rude to remain sitting when a princess stands, so Dimitri stands himself. He's a good 5 inches taller, and yet Brisa holds herself with such an air of dignity that he cannot help but feel quietly awed.

(Does she know what he's going through? Goddess. He wouldn't wish that on anyone.)]

Not only your mother but your country - your people. I could not begin to compare my hardships to yours. I can only hope that I can learn a fraction of your poise and compassion.

[moonfeather]

[He wouldn't be wrong; his situation would likely have its own intricacies and nuances. Hardly anyone from Fiorella's own world could understand the gravity of her own. Being royal is one thing, but her divided lineage was another; the living embodiment of two conflicting sides.

However, as strangers who have only just met, she finds herself looking up at Azure, smiling reassuringly.]

You've already demonstrated more than enough with the words we have exchanged with one another. Poise, I have my family to thank for. Any compassion I have learned was from people who are better than me.

[brokenlance]

[His kneejerk reaction to her words is a sincere plea:]

Please, don't say such things. It hurts my heart to hear you say that you are lesser than anyone.

They are different circumstances, nothing more.

[moonfeather]

Aha. Forgive me. I don't typically try to wound others during a first meeting.

[She forgets sometimes, that her low self-esteem slips out due to her upbringing. It will take a long while to heal that damage.]

Let us make sure our next encounter is a cheerful one and perhaps one where we can face each other in a casual spar between warriors. How does that sound?

[brokenlance]

[Low self esteem 🤝 Low self esteem]

Just so. I would love nothing more, Brisa.