starwill | ic inbox

... "I fear nothing" is a line I've hard many times before. Usually it winds up being a curse in the end.

[In both her time as a Stellaron Hunter, facing down enemies who think they can take her down with anything less than an entire squadron of forces behind them, and in.... a much more tragic way. She can't even remember how many times she heard that mixed among the cries of for the empress! from her dying brothers and sisters.

... But that's not something she wants to think about right now. Gripping her plate a little tighter than normal, she pushes those thoughts away. This is supposed to be a fun time, no need to drag yourself down unnecessarily.]

But at least yours doesn't hurt just by the smell. That's a good sign.

It's okay, the worst thing that can happen is that I get cardboard pizza.

[ Stelle. ]

Nope, it seems normal. Shall we start?

[With the way the restaurant controls how many people enter, they're definitely able to find a table to sit at. The place is crowded, but not uncomfortably so, so they're able to set their meals down at a nearby table and talk without worry.]

Is it bad luck to say good luck with something like this?

[Even as she asks, Firefly doesn't wait before taking a bite out of her burger - and after a moment, her eyes light up. Looks like she got a good one!]

Mmm!

I didn't come up with a gacha phrase, so... I don't think it's bad luck.

[...]

Probably.

[ Nevertheless, Stelle takes her seat across from Firefly, scooping a good amount of curry in her spoon and bringing it to her lips, slowly chewing before-- ]

It's really spicy...!

Here-! [The milkshake she ordered is pushed across the table.] In case it's too much. You don't have to drink it, but I know that's supposed to help if something's too spicy.

[As she takes another bite, Firefly wonders when a possible special effect might take place. Is it only after they finish eating? Should it kick in any second now, after the first bites? She hums a little as she mulls it over...

Distracted by her thoughts and her meal, she doesn't really notice the change. But the next time Stelle glances up at her from her own meal, there's no mistaking it-

A pair of soft, grey cat ears seem to have sprouted on top of Firefly's head. And if Stelle were to look closer, she'll notice a tail of the same color now swaying behind her.]

This one's not so bad... it actually tastes more like crab than the breading inside...?

Thank you-!

[ She's appreciative as she hurriedly chugs the milkshake down in one go before placing the glass back onto the table with a relieved phew... she doesn't feel immediately different, but then again, she doesn't know how she'd be able to tell.

Maybe it'd be like the teas?

And then she looks up. Blinks several times. Wipes her eyes. Blinks again. ]

Hm. I don't think there's a good way to add 'meow' to your name, Firefly...

... Huh?

[She blinks. The ears twitch. And that's when Firefly notices something's off. What she thought she could write off as just a breeze from the opening front door brushing over her head was something moving; she reaches up to touch the top of her head and-]

Huh?!

[It comes out as more of a squeak this time around as she pats herself on the head, feeling her surprise new appendages.]

That's what they meant by a surprise effect-?!

Looks like it.

[ Except Stelle doesn't seem to have any animal ears herself. ]

They're cute.

Really?

[Ah... she can feel her cheeks growing warm at the compliment. In turn, the tail behind her swishes back and forth, fur puffed out like a nervous cat.]

It's strange.... I can feel myself touching them, even though I didn't feel them appear...

Do you think I'd lie? Well... magic is weird, I guess.

Yeah, just a little... but at least it's not anything bad.

[Ah, but that compliment... it lingers in the back of Firefly's mind, sinking down into a spot in her chest and warming her heart.]

... What about you? Are you feeling any different at all?

...I don't think so?

[ Which is probably weird in of itself. ]

[A little weird... maybe Stelle rolled really well? Or... really bad? Or maybe it's some kind of slow-acting effect... hm...]

Do you want to try something else? Or finish up and head out?

[ And immediately, Stelle blurts out: ]

I want to try you, actually...

...

[...........]

H... Huh?

Did I stutter?

N-No, but-!

[The ears on the top of her head fold back, and her tail swishes back and forth even quicker now. Firefly's voice comes out as a bit of a squeak, but she quickly clears her throat before speaking again.]

That's not exactly something I've ever heard you say before... are you sure you're okay?

Maybe I was waiting for the right moment.

[ She says it so confidently and smoothly that it's hard to tell how serious she's being. ]

You're really cute, Firefly... the way your tail swishes back and forth is even cuter.

I-It's not like I can help it...

[Stelle can be surprisingly smooth when she wants to be. Playing the gallant hero when they first met in Penacony, how easily she leaned into all the challenges in the Scorchsand Auditions... she's very charming! And even before now, it's made her heart flutter on more than one occasion, the way Stelle talks or acts around her. Or even just the way she smiles...

So this is a lot. The rational, logical part of Firefly's brain is very much convinced Stelle's currently under the effects of her food, but...

... If things get too weird, she can stop it. Maybe, for now... it's okay to be a little selfish. Like their time together before everything went to hell, their flight among the fireworks...]

... Not a lot of people call me that.

Well, that's because they just think you're cool.

[ Stelle shrugs nonchalantly. ]

But I think you're cool and cute. Especially right now.

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