alnifolia | ( open ) dreaming again but I know that it's all in my head

[ The thing is... Oriphi gets seasick so easily; she has never fared well on the seas.

The few times she has traveled by ship in her life have seen her leaning over the edge of the ship for the better part of the journey, in an effort to spare other travelers from the sorry sight of a seasick tiefling. And they have always ended with her nearly toppling over as soon as her feet finally found land again.

Which is why she was absolutely gutted to hear that this was the only way to travel to Inazuma. And ultimately, at the suggestion of a similarly nature-loving friend, why she ended up as a stowaway cat aboard the Crux.

Part of Oriphi thinks that Kazuha was amused by the whole situation - especially the antics that Cat-phi got up to in order to avoid detection by Captain Beidou or anyone else on the crew (which she's pretty sure were all in vain anyway, as perceptive as the captain is) - but she has to agree that the journey was easier to stomach when she could spend the whole trip curled up and catnapping in Kazuha's belongings. Still, the ordeal as a whole was just exhausting.

Now that they've finally reached and docked at Ritou, though, the cat is quite literally out of the bag. Ori finds herself wanting to get off the Crux as soon as possible and flusters a few of the crew as she zooms past on her way down to the best of her ability which, admittedly, is not at its best at very moment, as going from sea to land proves to be just as difficult as a small feline. The people around the docks of Ritou may be perplexed to find a black cat making its way very unsteadily along the piers before ultimately slumping against a crate with a soft, sad meow. ]

[ Stray animals aren’t an unusual sight around Inazuma. Sure, they avoid the more wild areas unless they’re especially tenacious, but where there’s civilization, there’s sure to be cats and dogs roaming around, begging for scraps or getting scratched behind the ears by anyone they manage to charm into it.

Thoma usually finds himself utterly charmed - he just can’t resist a cute face and a pair of fuzzy ears. Most of the strays on Narukami Island know his face and are well-aware he often has food in his pockets. Sometimes he can’t go even two steps because there are so many animals swarming around his feet.

The animals here at Ritou aren’t quite as spoiled, but he still takes time for them when he can.

He’s around the docks on an errand when the poor kitty wobbles its way across his boots and he finds himself following, concerned, with his shopping tucked under his arm. ]

Hey little friend. [ Softly, warmly, as he crouches, one hand held out to the cat. Is it sick? Maybe he should take it back to the Kamisato estate with him? ] Are you okay?

[ The cat's ears perk up at the sound of a concerned voice and - that's not Kazuha's voice nor does it smell like him - so she lifts her head slightly and opens her eyes slowly to see who it is. ]

Meow?

[ Oh, that's right, she's still in the form of a cat. She really ought to change back, at some point, but at the moment she really is just too tired to even think. Although she doesn't recognize the man before her, her instincts are telling her that this is a person she doesn't need to be afraid of. After all, how a person treats a stray speaks volumes of their character.

She lowers her little cat head again, but this time finds herself leaning into Thoma's open hand and rubbing the top of her head against his palm. ]

[ Thoma can’t help but smile, something bright and fond, when the little cat steps up to nuzzle against his hand. ]

You were looking pretty unsteady on your feet there. You’re not sick are you?

[ Said as he watches the cat move, looking for any signs of illness or injury. So far it seems fine, so perhaps it was a momentary thing? Or maybe the little critter came in on one of the ships? He doesn’t know if cats can get seasick, but it seems like a reasonable assumption.

If so, that’s a long journey for such a small creature to make alone. ]

Are you hungry? I have some fish here if you want it.

[ Yes, he does keep snacks for strays on him all the time, why do you ask? ]

[ Cats might not suffer from seasickness, Ori honestly wouldn't know, but tieflings that are temporarily cat-shaped certainly do. Regardless, Ori is actually holding up remarkably well all things considered - the nausea is subsiding now that she's not on an actively moving boat, but she really is quite tired and it also takes her energy to retain this form, even more to turn back.

She is also hungry, though, and so at his mention of fish she looks up at him and meets his gaze, tilting her head. This is a kind person, she thinks, and she gives another meow as though to say yes, please. ]

[ Oh, he knows a yes when he sees one! With a soft little laugh, he draws his hand away. ]

Okay, hold tight.

[ Setting his shopping down, he rummages through his things until he comes up with a bit of fish wrapped in paper. He undoes the ties keeping it together and sets it out in front of her. ]

There you go. That's all I have on me today, but I'll be back tomorrow with some more.

[ He really has to stop feeling responsible for every stray he finds, but he can't quite help it. Something about being all alone, this far away from anyone and anything that might be familiar strikes a chord with him. It makes him think of... well, of himself. He wouldn't be where he is without the kindness of strangers.

The cat is definitely getting some pets while it chows on the fish, though. ]

[ This particular cat might seem more expressive compared to others, from the way that she looks up, smiles at him, and even gives a little nod in thanks before she leans down and starts chowing down on the gracious offering of fish.

Ori would feel much the same, for her part; she is, after all, quite literally a stray cat far from home at this very moment. It's only thanks to the kindness of those she's befriended along the way that she's been able to navigate being in this entirely new plane of existence the way that she has. She's tried to do her best to help others along the way, too - and maybe with that she'll be forgiven for the fact that a few unsavory beings have crossed over as well, probably as a result of her own journey - although she would have tried her best to help people regardless of whether she felt indebted to do so.

But these are really thoughts for another time, because right now there is delicious fish to be had! She's definitely enjoying the extra pets to go with the meal, too, if her purring is anything to go by. She hadn't quite realized how hungry she was until this moment, so the fish is devoured before long. ]

[ He really is impressed with how expressive this cat is! She actually nodded at him before she started eating, like she was saying thanks. He's starting to think that perhaps this is someone's pet - or was someone's pet, before it found itself an ocean away from home.

Once she's finished with the fish, he picks up the bits of trash left behind and tucks it away to deal with later. ]

There you go. I hope that helps you feel a bit better.

[ He reaches over to scratch the kitty under the chin. What a cute cat! ]

Like I said, I'll be back tomorrow with more, okay? Try to stay out of trouble until then!

[ While Ori has certainly spent a lot of time in groups as a mercenary or as an intrepid adventurer, she's otherwise usually alone, and especially as of late being so far away from anyone she could call a close or old friend. Naturally, it's likely that she misses receiving friendly, physical affection - even if she doesn't realize it, and even though she's not the type to ask that of even her friends to begin with (she's never said no to someone asking her if she would like a hug, at least). Maybe it helps that she's so tired she can't think, but either way, as a cat she's awfully welcoming of the attention she receives from the stranger.

She continues to purr in appreciation of the chin scratches and everything else - and at his promise, she gives another little nod and lifts a paw, almost like she's waving goodbye.

Over the next few hours or so after they part ways, Ori wanders the streets of Ritou in her Wild Shape, trying to get a lay of the land. It seems that there's been quite a bit of turmoil in Inazuma up until recently when the Traveler she's heard so much about showed up. There's also some talk of a man who runs around helping fix people's problems, and in a passing thought she wonders if that might have been the person who'd given her food. It's not until quite late at night that Ori finds a spot tucked away in in the cliffs along the shoreline of the island that she returns to her tiefling form and, casting an arcane veil of shadow to conceal herself and the small, cozy camp she's made for herself, she finally has a good rest for an evening.

The next day she goes about observing Ritou as a cat again, if nothing else for the ease of getting around without attracting too much attention. When she comes across the place where the kind stranger had given her, though, she stops and waits. There is a note tied to her tail with a string which she had naturally tied to her own tail as a tiefling before she shifted that morning. She would make sure that the kind stranger would be able to see the note and read it if he wanted to: it simply says "Thank you for the fish! -Ori." ]

[ Thoma isn’t one to renege on his promises, even to small animals. Perhaps especially to small animals. He doesn’t have cause to go to Ritou often, but he makes space in his errands to go back to the small island if only to check up on the cat he met the day before.

His first stop is of course where he found the cat in the first place – animals will often return to the place where they were given something to eat in the hope for more food, and sure enough there she is. The note, however, catches him by surprise. ]

Hey there kitty. What’s this?

[ Said as he reaches with one hand to stroke the cat and scratch her behind her ears. With the other he gently pulls the note from the tip of her tail to read. ]

Ori? Is that you? Or do you have an owner somewhere?

[ Looking around doesn’t seem to reveal anyone waiting and watching to see how Thoma behaves with their cat. How weird! ]

[ Cat-phi can't help but close her eyes when Thoma scratches behind her ears and nearly forgets that she had wanted to make sure he saw the note. Luckily it's obvious and he naturally sees it. His confusion makes her realize that she probably could have written a longer note to explain the situation, but thanking him for the food really was the most important thing she wanted to make sure she could convey at the time...

She rubs her head against his hand when he looks around to try and get his attention again; once he looks back at her, she'll stand on her hind legs and gesture to the name on the note with one of her paws, and then gesture towards herself with a meow, to try and answer his question. ]

[ Well, this situation is getting more absurd and yet somehow adorable by the moment. He’s pretty sure this cat is trying to play charades with him, which leads him to believe she’s more than just a simple cat. Perhaps she’s some kind of spirit or youkai in disguise?

Whatever she is, she’s still pretty darn cute. ]

So you’re Ori. I bet you want your snacks now, huh?

[ He still means to make good on his promise, no matter how… odd this interaction has become. Like before, he pulls out some fish wrapped in paper and offers it out to her. ]

[ She gives a little cat nod and a little cat smile when he's gotten her name. Cat-phi is beginning to think that she should have just introduced herself as, well— herself, in lieu of this roundabout way, but she also really didn't want to startle this very kind stranger.

She also would hate to keep taking advantage of the generosity of said kind stranger, and she did manage to have a bite to eat before she shifted back into this form in the morning, so instead Cat-phi shakes her head at his offering before quickly turning and disappearing further into the little corner of Ritou's docks that's become their meeting spot.

When she returns very shortly, another stray cat is in tow - an actual stray cat, too, and one that is considerably hungrier than Ori. She paws at the wrapped fish to reveal it to the other cat, then meows as though to offer it to them before she looks back up at Thoma with something that almost looks like an apologetic look - if cats could even be capable of such an expression. ]

[ Thoma is... still pretty confused, but he's happy to let the scene play out. He stays where he is, crouched on the dock, waiting to see what Ori will do.

When she comes back with another cat, he can't help but smile. ]

I see. You wanted to share.

[ He clearly doesn't mind or seem to think she put him out. As long as this fish is going into someone's tummy, he's happy. ]

I really wish I could stay longer, but I have to get back to my errands. I hope you both enjoy the meal.

[ Cat-phi, in turn, doesn't seem to mind that he has to leave. In fact, she tilts her head curiously before she poises herself to leap onto Thoma's shoulder, although she'd be just as happy to simply follow closely behind his footsteps otherwise. She'd like to explore Inazuma more, and she has a feeling that this gentleman knows his way around and would be a great guide - he's been so friendly so far, after all! ]

Whoa!

[ The sudden presence of a cat on his shoulder throws off his balance for a split second, and he brings up a hand to brace her tiny, furry body as she gets settled. ]

Didn’t you hear me? I’ve got to go.

[ Once again, he takes a look around, waiting for the cat’s owner to step out of the crowd of passersby and take their pet back. No such thing happens. He gives the cat on his shoulder a quizzical look. ]

Unless… you wanted to come with me?

[ Truthfully, Ori could very well communicate with him telepathically to make this whole ordeal a little less confusing... although it has the potential to have the opposite effect. She hasn't gotten a feel for how the people of Teyvat respond to such a phenomenon; where she came from, at least for those who practice arcane arts for as long as she has, hearing someone's voice in your head just sort of happens.

So for now, she remains silent but otherwise quite expressive for a cat, as she has been. She gives the best smile she can with a cat's mouth and nods her head. ]

[ Thoma has pretty much figured out by now that this is no ordinary cat – but then, Inazuma is home to strange and magical things. Perhaps this cat is a kitsune guide… a neko guide? In any case, he can’t bring himself to say no to a cute face no matter what. ]

Okay, but I’ll be going pretty far. This is your last chance to turn back.

[ She really does appreciate how carefully he's navigating this, and she understands how confusing this might be. But she's chosen him as her guide and she'd like to stay a cat; perhaps, in due time, she'll be able to explain it all to him.

Back in Liyue, at least, her arrival had caused a small stir with rumors spreading about a certain 'Wanderer.' She'd like to keep a lower profile in Inazuma. Although she's heard that this nation is facing more peaceful times, it can't hurt to be careful especially when she's not only a visitor from another land but from an entirely different realm of existence altogether...

So she nods once more, and with one paw she seems to point forward, as though to encourage him and say, let's go. ]

[ There’s no mistaking that motion of her paw as anything other than encouragement, so with a laugh, Thoma sets out.

The walk from Ritou to Narukami is one he’s made a million times, and he’s more than happy to point out landmarks or offer random facts about the sights to his new companion on the way over. She could still be some strange Inazuman spirit, but he can’t help but feel like he was chosen to guide her – and guide her he shall!

It's turning out to be a rather pleasant walk, until he rounds a bend and runs smack into a group of Treasure Hoarders crowded around some poor merchant’s cart. The merchant is an acquaintance of Thoma’s from Ritou, though he can’t say he knows the man terribly well. He looks pale and frightened, hands raised as the bandits keep their weapons trained on him.

Oh boy.

Thoma casts his feline companion an apologetic glance and lifts her from his shoulder, setting her on the ground to quietly shoo her away before he addresses the bandits. ]

Hey fellas, is this really necessary? Why don’t you let the poor gentleman be on his way?

[ Ori finds herself rather enjoying her tour thus far. The way that Thoma is talking to her, as a cat, like she really was a person really endears her to him. Of course, she really is a person, but still.

How disappointing it is that the tour must be put on hold...

Despite having taken the form of a cat, Ori pointedly does not move away from Thoma when he sets her down. She hopes that this encounter won't escalate; however, in the event that it does, she wants to be ready to help her guide. ]

[ Of course it’s going to escalate. While some of the Treasure Hoarders keep their weapons trained on the merchant to ensure he won’t run, a good deal of them turn their blades on Thoma as well. More than one pair of eyes flick down to the Vision at his hip, but it seems they think that numbers are on their side.

Thoma gives Ori a little nudge with his foot. He really wishes the cat would take a hint and get out of here - he’d hate for her to get hurt. When she won’t move, he can only take solace in the fact that she seems highly intelligent for a cat, so maybe she’ll be alright when things get nasty.

One of the bandits snaps under the tension of their stand-off, lunging at Thoma with his sword. Thoma’s spear materializes in his hand in an instant and he brings the weapon up to deflect the blow.

And that’s the moment when all hell breaks loose. ]

[ Thoma's Pyro Vision hadn't escaped Ori's notice when they first met, even as exhausted as she was - but she's spent enough time in this realm to know that those with Visions are usually special in some form or fashion. So far, with Thoma, she's taken by his exceptional kindness, generosity, and what seems to her like an eagerness to help and protect others.

So when the stand-off becomes a brawl, Ori decides that she must show Thoma the very same eagerness to help and protect. In the moment that the bandit's sword meets Thoma's spear, another bandit throws a flask full of lightning in his direction— and Oriphi's feline shape begins to glow then grow in amber light as her body returns to its tiefling form just in time for her to let loose a whip-like, vine of thorns that snaps around the explosive and hurls it away.

The Treasure Hoarders are quickly taken aback and even stunned by the sudden appearance of another person— and another person who looks quite different, at that. There seems to almost be a moment of pause; and in that pause, Ori glances over to Thoma and nods, giving him a small smile as if to say, I've got your back. ]

[ He'd figured that this cat was somehow special, somehow something other than just a cat, but even he could not have predicted the shape she'd take.

The whole brawl stops before it can truly start, with both Thoma and the bandits stunned. The bandits because they weren't expecting backup, let alone backup that looks like that. But Thoma finds himself captivated for another reason.

She's gorgeous.

And isn't that a weird thought to have in the middle of a fight with some Treasure Hoarders?

The moment is broken quickly as another bandit tries to hurl another elemental grenade their way. Thoma snaps out of his reverie just in time to slam the end of his spear down, erecting a shield of flame over them both. ]

Thanks for the assist. Let's finish this.

[ A fire shield is not something Ori has often come across even in all her years of adventuring and travel. As such, she finds herself impressed by Thoma's display. Even though the people of Teyvat - those with Visions, at least - can only wield one element, Ori has found herself surprised time and time again by the unique ways that each person's power manifests. That Thoma's does in the form of something protective speaks volumes, and Ori feels sure now more than ever that he is a good person, indeed.

Wreathed by flame as she is, Ori moves forward and lashes out with another thorn whip to ensnare one of the Treasure Hoarders who's been throwing bombs at them - pulling them closer only so that their face can meet the end of her quarterstaff.

Now, using intimidation as a tactic was always something that came more easily and naturally to her old adventuring friends and her sister - but sometimes, the moment calls for it. Ori doesn't want to exercise violence more than is necessary, and these Treasure Hoarders have clearly bit off more than they can chew with Thoma and especially now with a certain Wanderer from another realm. So she stops short of landing another blow on the man in range and says, ]

Leave now, and don't let us catch you harassing innocent people again.

[ Despite her best effort, though, Ori isn't the most persuasive person by nature and Treasure Hoarders are nothing if not insistent. Whether or not they'll heed her warning seems to be up in the air. ]

( open ) dreaming again but I know that it's all in my head

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