[ Someone who wants him!!! Griffon flaps and hops and settles down alongside her. ]
Those fuckin' thunderbirds. Think they're such hot shit.
[ He grumbles and grumbles until V's feet can be heard on the stairs. Just as Griffon promised, he's accompanied by a large cat. A panther that glows and flexes with red infernal energy on the inside.
V is similarly still dirty and sooty, like she is, since all he did was come home and fall asleep in a chair. He perches wearily on the arm of the couch and the panther sits beside him. ]
[Her fingers still don't have their usual strength as they preen through his feathers, but she at least manages a slow, steady pace in her petting. She weathers his grousing with patience and gentle attention until V makes his appearance.
She lifts her head, and beneath the exhaustion and filth of battle and travel her expression is sweet and bright.]
Thank you. I'm glad to see you're okay; Griffon says we got a new friend, too.
I only had a little trouble, towards the end. [ He collapsed on the road to the Keep. NBD. ] With Shadow here now, I should be approximately as strong as I was.
[ It's reassurance, in its own way, to remind her how far they've come since she found him out in the snow. He lays a hand on the big cat. Shadow's simply larger presence was easier to be tactile with. ]
It understands, but doesn't speak human tongue. Personally, I find him very expressive.
[ Sometimes it, sometimes him, sometimes just Shadow or demon. The creature was a shapeshifter, it could be whatever it wanted. ]
[ Shadow groans boredly at her and gives a big, expansive yawn. It seems the cat has already made itself comfortable in these surroundings. His disinterest is really a good sign and V pats the creature approvingly. ]
Some of our battles were a struggle still, without him. He's very valuable.
[ Griffon does ruffle angrily. ]
I'm happy, to be all together again.
[ Rather than unruffle, Griffon looks away in embarrassment. He knows V can be sappy, he just knows better than to include him in it. ]
They are demons. [ Who generally consider humans inferior snacks. ] You should be alright if you remember that.
[ Remember he has his own mind, remember he has his own way of communicating, and that he thinks he's a lot bigger and stronger than he actually is. Much like Griffon. Also remember he hangs out with demon hunters and possibly likes to play rough. ]
Don't try to... 'play' with him.
[ He had seen Nico do it once with the panther sized version and she hadn't liked the results. ]
Gosh, I wonder how on Earth I'll handle a mischievous demon.
[She continues pampering his precious bird, maintaining deadpan eye contact with V the whole time.]
Oh, speaking of taking things, I have some extra notebooks and stationary you can bring with you. Something tells me you'll be taking a lot of notes while you're there. Should I pack some toys for Griffon?
Some of the soldiers showed me a few simple things on the camp fire.
[ For much the same reason Hakuno was worried about: so he didn't starve while scouting out in the woods. ]
I have a little more of the cornmeal in my pack. And we have eggs.
[ Those were the topic ticket items for griddle cakes, and those were a simple matter of mixing up a batter haphazardly and cooking it off on a hot pan. Pretty simple. ]
[She's shocked he can tolerate the texture of cornmeal, but she feels she should encourage this. She transfers Griffon to his arms instead, and stands and stretches with a faintly alarming number of cracks and pops.]
I'll make sure to leave some bath salts for you. They're good for muscle aches.
[ Griffon flaps his way up onto V's shoulder, and there's the silhouette completed. It's comforting to have both of his creatures again. Griffon might have gotten a little spoiled being an only child for a few months. ]
Thank you.
[ He doesn't know what salt in your bath has to do with anything, but that's the kind of question that can be written down and referred to later. ]
I'll make sure they don't eat your breakfast.
[ 'The demon ate it' is a plausible excuse, but it's also one that can only be used so many times in your life to any effect. ]
[She gives him a smile, tired and warm, and pats his arm as she slowly moves past him. She makes her way up the stairs slightly faster than the common garden slug, at least, but he doesn't see her again for nearly an hour.
She comes downstairs practically a new woman, toweling her hair and humming along the way. A faint floral scent is wafting off of her, and she's got a nice, healthy pink in her cheeks.]
[ He turns his head from where he is finishing small cornmeal cakes, with the aim to move on to eggs. He's tied his hair back out of his face, the little ponytail doesn't quite get all the short pieces in front. Washing up to his elbows in the kitchen sink had been easy enough, but all he could do to his hair was tie it back. ]
Almost done. Nothing's burnt.
[ She knows that V, she'd be able to smell it if it was. ]
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Those fuckin' thunderbirds. Think they're such hot shit.
[ He grumbles and grumbles until V's feet can be heard on the stairs. Just as Griffon promised, he's accompanied by a large cat. A panther that glows and flexes with red infernal energy on the inside.
V is similarly still dirty and sooty, like she is, since all he did was come home and fall asleep in a chair. He perches wearily on the arm of the couch and the panther sits beside him. ]
Welcome home.
[ That's the proper greeting. ]
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[Her fingers still don't have their usual strength as they preen through his feathers, but she at least manages a slow, steady pace in her petting. She weathers his grousing with patience and gentle attention until V makes his appearance.
She lifts her head, and beneath the exhaustion and filth of battle and travel her expression is sweet and bright.]
Thank you. I'm glad to see you're okay; Griffon says we got a new friend, too.
[In his most Griffon way.]
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[ It's reassurance, in its own way, to remind her how far they've come since she found him out in the snow. He lays a hand on the big cat. Shadow's simply larger presence was easier to be tactile with. ]
It understands, but doesn't speak human tongue. Personally, I find him very expressive.
[ Sometimes it, sometimes him, sometimes just Shadow or demon. The creature was a shapeshifter, it could be whatever it wanted. ]
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[She keeps one hand reserved for continuing to pamper Griffon, lest he get his demonic dander up again, but raises the other one in a weak wave.]
Hi, Shadow. I don't know how much these two have told you, but I'm Hakuno. Welcome home.
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Some of our battles were a struggle still, without him. He's very valuable.
[ Griffon does ruffle angrily. ]
I'm happy, to be all together again.
[ Rather than unruffle, Griffon looks away in embarrassment. He knows V can be sappy, he just knows better than to include him in it. ]
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I'm glad to hear it. Does Shadow have any foods he likes, or do we have a second Griffon on our hands?
[Namely, a demon garbage disposal.]
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[ It would be some creepy body horror if he could maintain each unique digestive system.... What about if he was a guillotine.... Speaking of, ]
Watch for his tail. It's heavier than it looks.
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[She's too beat for verbal filters.]
Griffon says he doesn't like humans very much, though.
on today's episode of it's me or the cat
[ Remember he has his own mind, remember he has his own way of communicating, and that he thinks he's a lot bigger and stronger than he actually is. Much like Griffon. Also remember he hangs out with demon hunters and possibly likes to play rough. ]
Don't try to... 'play' with him.
[ He had seen Nico do it once with the panther sized version and she hadn't liked the results. ]
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[Though, there were girls who loved her to the point of cruelty or crushing, so...
Well, either way, she'll totally respect them. Ignore the fact that she's cradling Griffon like a gigantic feathered baby doll.]
How would you even 'play' with a panther? Jerk a rope around on the ground like a snake? I can't imagine that would be too interesting to a demon...
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She tried to play wrestle with them.
[ Kind of like people do with dogs, only with this demon panther that can turn into weapons. Nico lives on the edge. ]
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I'm not really the wrestling type. Shadow looks like he could crush me if he ever decided to sit in my lap, let alone 'play.'
[She is a fragile and squishy Master, V.]
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Good. But do let me know if he causes you any trouble. He can be... mischievious.
[ His precious cat. ]
I'll take both with me when I leave for Terebellum.
[ This revives Griffon's mouth: ]
He's got classes. I already know I'm gonna die of boredom. Fuckin' nerd shit.
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[She continues pampering his precious bird, maintaining deadpan eye contact with V the whole time.]
Oh, speaking of taking things, I have some extra notebooks and stationary you can bring with you. Something tells me you'll be taking a lot of notes while you're there. Should I pack some toys for Griffon?
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I'm certain I will. We only have a week to take down as much as we can, from the professor and the library.
[ It was going to be rather challenging. ]
I can't bring attention to myself. They'll each have to wait quietly, until we return.
[ See! How boring! It's going to be for Griffon! Pat him consolingly. ]
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Well, speaking as somebody who was designed to be nondescript, keeping your head down shouldn't be too hard, with that much to do.
...but.
[She levels a finger at him.]
You better not use this as an excuse to skip meals. I'm checking with Griffon when you come home.
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I'm sure all the students have to eat somewhere.
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I'm packing you snacks.
[She lets her hand drop, stifling a yawn.]
...do you want to take a bath first, in the big tub?
[She doesn't know how she's going to scrape together the willpower to get up. Especiallywith the comforting weight of Griffon pinning her down.]
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No, you first. I'll get some tea and food ready.
[ He holds out his hand to help her and the bird sit up. ]
What do you think, are we gonna have to burn the clothes they're so dirty?
[ Kekekekeke. ]
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She's pouting a little as he helps her right herself, but she knows it's for the best. Ten more minutes like this and she'd be out like a light.]
No, I've got some solutions for tough stains, and blood's easy to deal with. Have you been practicing cooking, V?
[Color her shocked and proud, if so.]
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[ For much the same reason Hakuno was worried about: so he didn't starve while scouting out in the woods. ]
I have a little more of the cornmeal in my pack. And we have eggs.
[ Those were the topic ticket items for griddle cakes, and those were a simple matter of mixing up a batter haphazardly and cooking it off on a hot pan. Pretty simple. ]
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[She's shocked he can tolerate the texture of cornmeal, but she feels she should encourage this. She transfers Griffon to his arms instead, and stands and stretches with a faintly alarming number of cracks and pops.]
I'll make sure to leave some bath salts for you. They're good for muscle aches.
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Thank you.
[ He doesn't know what salt in your bath has to do with anything, but that's the kind of question that can be written down and referred to later. ]
I'll make sure they don't eat your breakfast.
[ 'The demon ate it' is a plausible excuse, but it's also one that can only be used so many times in your life to any effect. ]
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[She gives him a smile, tired and warm, and pats his arm as she slowly moves past him. She makes her way up the stairs slightly faster than the common garden slug, at least, but he doesn't see her again for nearly an hour.
She comes downstairs practically a new woman, toweling her hair and humming along the way. A faint floral scent is wafting off of her, and she's got a nice, healthy pink in her cheeks.]
All done. How's breakfast coming?
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Almost done. Nothing's burnt.
[ She knows that V, she'd be able to smell it if it was. ]
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