010 // video/action for EVERYONE WHOO [fourth wall]

[futariniousama]

[ The feed comes on, but the only thing visible is purple. As the cameraperson backs away, the blur of colour resolves itself into a charming feline.

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[ action ]

[adieuing]

[Oh, well, if Niou's busy drowning in kittens, then it's entirely possible that he might miss the familiar face that is lingering nearby and watching the spectacle with a touch of amusement. (And coincidentally, accompanied by a purple cat of his own.) Perfectly understandable, though; 'cute and fuzzy' does still retain a certain edge over onlookers. Even ones that have been conspicuously absent for five months.

So he's just watching for the moment, entertained by the scene. Drowning in kittens. What a way to go.]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou gathers up three of the kittens and zips them into his jacket, placing kisses on their faces whenever they get high enough on his chest to reach.

And no, he doesn't notice Yagyuu right away, but the suspicious-looking Purrloin does. It makes its way over to his feet in a manner that can only be appropriately described as 'oozing,' and covers his shoes when it suddenly turns to an amorphous puddle. ]

[adieuing]

[The oozing is the first signal that perhaps this Purrloin is not all it appears to be; however, even that recognition doesn't quite prepare Yagyuu for the experience of having his shoes abruptly covered in purple...goo. Instinct wins out and he takes an involuntary step back, being careful not to crush the puddle underfoot as he slides back out of its way.

He's not the gamer that some of the members of his team are, so it takes him a few seconds before the pieces click into place. A Ditto, clearly. And an apparently friendly one, at that. A quick glance down at his Espeon confirms that it doesn't seem particularly ruffled by the Ditto's proximity, either.

So he crouches down slightly, the way one might when talking to a child or a pet, and examines it with a faint smile.]

Ah, hello. You're quite friendly, aren't you?

[futariniousama]

[ That voice-

Niou gives his lapful of kittens a somewhat perturbed look. Seriously, he must just be imagining things, because there's no way....

But a glance over his shoulder confirms it: there he is, examining the Ditto with his usual composure. Yagyuu.

He grins before he can stop himself, but he's quick to find an excuse. ]

Aww, look at that pretty baby.

[ He stretches out along the ground and beckons the Espeon, watching out of the corner of his eye as the Ditto resolves into an Espeon, itself, and sniffs at Yagyuu's hand. ]

[adieuing]

[Given the recent oozing, Yagyuu looks about as initially hesitant to touch the Ditto as anyone would be about placing their hand against a mass of purple goo, but he eventually allows its investigation without pulling away. It really is remarkable, seeing its imitative skills firsthand; in his opinion, it's the sort of Pokemon that suits his partner to a tee.

But it seems they're going to play a game, the two of them, with neither one wanting to bite and directly acknowledge his partner's presence first. And that's just fine with Yagyuu. Niou may be the one who particularly favors cats, but he's far from the only one who enjoys a game of cat-and-mouse.]

And talented as well, I see.

[Meanwhile, his Espeon appears to be intrigued by the motion of Niou's beckoning (or perhaps just enamored by his praise), and so it makes its way over with fluid, collected ease, crossing the distance between them with the poise and grace of a lion.]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou rolls half-over, reaching for the Espeon as it approaches. He doesn't make to grab, just holds his hand up for the Pokémon to examine. Pokémon or otherwise, it's a rare feline who'll let a stranger snatch them up without preamble.

Even as he awaits acceptance, however, his eyes are on Yagyuu's hand, currently being thoroughly examined by a much more purple Espeon than the one he's courting. He wonders how long he can keep this up - how long either of them can keep this up, or how long they can afford to.

How long will it last? ]

Man, what're you doing with a sleaze like him? [ He addresses the Espeon at his fingertips with a nod toward its trainer.

The Ditto!Espeon twists quite unnaturally to look over its shoulder at Niou, as if considering his words, then actually shrugs, much like a human would, and turns back. It opens its entire head and closes it over Yagyuu's hand with a wet smack, but no pain. ]

[adieuing]

[Yagyuu's Espeon flicks her tail in a way that can best be described as casual disdain, as though such antics are entirely beneath her. But she does inspect Niou's hand when he offers it, and then presents her well-groomed head to be patted.

Yagyuu, meanwhile, is attempting to settle on an appropriate response to having his hand inside a Ditto. This is decidedly not something covered in standard etiquette. Also, it's rather...goopy.]

Ah. That's...quite a welcome, isn't it? Though I'm pleased to know that you, at least, are happy to see me.

[His thoughts actually run more toward why is my hand surrounded by goo and how do I get this off me, but he's containing that for the moment, thankfully.]

[futariniousama]

[ Ditto eases itself off of Yagyuu's hand, leaving behind no trace of wetness or violet stain, somewhat surprisingly. As soon as it's whole again, it looks precisely like a brightly-coloured Espeon, and even cocks its head and offers a convincing 'Espe!'

When the real Espeon acquiesces, Niou strokes her head gently, passing his fingertips over the gem on her forehead. He's distracted by her, certainly, but not entirely - he doesn't miss the small barb that Yagyuu throws his way. ]

You'd be way better off with someone like me. At least I know how to treat a pussy.

[ The wicked grin on his face is audible by his last words. ]

[adieuing]

[And, game or not, the remark is enough to make Yagyuu finally bite; he doesn't look up from the Ditto at his feet, but he does respond dryly enough that there's no doubt who his comment is actually directed towards.]

Her name is Lady. Do you know how to treat one of those?

[Tentatively, he reaches for the Ditto with the intent to pick it up and carry it back to its owner; with the spell broken, there's not much point in keeping his distance anymore, and it only seems polite to offer the little creature a ride.]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou grins at his newfound friend, but it's meant for his old one. He scratches Lady under the chin. ]

Sure as hell do. I treat you fine, don't I?

[ The Ditto slides apologetically right between Yagyuu's fingers, becoming a puddle on the ground and suddenly shrieking, with absolutely no warning. Niou doesn't flinch. ]

[adieuing]

[Lady, apparently, is fond of being fawned over, and extends her chin a little more insistently in response. She's a proud little thing, and goodness knows her trainer never dotes on her like this.

Meanwhile, the shrieking Ditto is still occupying Yagyuu's attention, up until he decides that it can probably fend for itself just as well if he doesn't harass it any more, and just closes the distance between himself and Niou instead.

Purple masses of ooze. Really.]

With all the lessons I've given you in being a gentleman, you'd think at least a few of them might've stuck.

[futariniousama]

[ Every girl is fond of being fawned over. At least, every girl worth fawning over is, in Niou's experience. He rubs a finger gently around the edge of the gleaming stone on Lady's forehead, finally glancing up at Yagyuu. ]

And what makes you think they didn't? Maybe I just don't wanna be a gentleman.

[ The Ditto oozes its way back to Niou of its own accord, resolving into a second Espeon again for his trainer to pet. ]

[adieuing]

[There's probably also something that could be said for Niou's ability to get past a stoic exterior and draw out what truly lies beneath; Lady, evidently, is no exception, and by now has mostly abandoned her unruffled disdain in favor of simply trying to monopolize all of Niou's attention.]

Evidently not, considering our current circumstances.

[He subtly checks to make sure there is no Ditto on his shoes. What is his life, that this is even a concern.]

But even for a trickster, this is hardly a proper hello.

[futariniousama]

[ Niou scoops Lady up, unceremoniously and without warning, and cradles her in his arms as he continues his attentions. ]

What, you want a hug, Yeeaaaahgyuu? Didn't mean for you to feel left out.

[ He puts a little more drawl than is necessary on that syllable, just to tease, and stands up with Lady in his arms, grinning at his partner. ]

[adieuing]

It'd still be preferable to unhinging your jaw and swallowing my hand, I suppose.

[Lady wriggles a bit in token protest before settling comfortably (and triumphantly) into her favored place; Yagyuu, for his part, just looks faintly amused at the whole thing. He may not be grinning, but his expression has definitely softened into something much closer to genuine friendliness as the conversation has gone on.]

Still, your acknowledgment can suffice for the moment. Hello, Niou-kun. It appears you've won Lady's favor already.

[futariniousama]

'Course I have. She's just like you, y'know.

[ Niou strokes Lady's belly, looking down at her, then casts a sly glance up at her trainer. Yagyuu can almost certainly anticipate something ridiculous impending. ]

Acts all pretty and aloof, but just melts right down like honey when you pet her right.