In The Works...

Geez Tala...

Hitomi tried not to sigh at just how eager Tala was to help her. Still, she let her do what needed to be done. Honestly at this point, the heat from her own damn face was doing wonders at keeping her warm. "Nn..." She responded, a bit dejectedly. It had to be done, but that didn't mean she would have to like it! She took a breath, mentally preparing herself for this brand new form of embarrassment she would have to endure.

Tala would see Hitomi's ears shoot straight up when Tala said the illusion wouldn't just wear out. She would be STUCK LIKE THIS? She began to nod furiously as Tala said they would begin searching once they were all warmed up, but she stopped as Tala told her that she couldn't fight. "Nn!" She stomped one foot down, her small hands balling into fists. She could fight! She just needed her sword is all!!!

She snapped out of her own reaction as Tala mentioned food, her ear twitched slightly as she began to realize that she, herself, was getting quite hungry. She seemed to deflate again as she realized she'd probably not be much use here either. "Mm."

Fortunately for Hitomi, Tala was pretty clever about changing Hitomi. Knowing that she'd be embarrassed, what Tala did was first slide the tunic over Hitomi's head, allowing it to drape over her body and cover her up while Tala pulled at her robes from underneath. Once she did, she hung the wet robes over the log and slipped Hitomi's arms into the sleeves of the white tunic and then quickly bundled Hitomi in her robe. Hitomi would notice it was considerably warm and heavy, as well as note a faint smell of sweet peas as a fragrance.

Hitomi eventually reacted to her proposal, but started to protest when Tala told her she couldn't fight. At this, Tala actually frowned and raised a finger at her.

"Oh, don't you 'nn' me, young lady!" she said in a scolding manner. "You're in in no conditon to fight the way you are! Not only are you a lot smaller, but if you get hurt in this current state, it'll be more harmful in the long run. Besides, it's not like an illusionist is any real threat. The fact they use illusions probably goes to show they're too weak to fight us themselves!"


She then softened her tone and grasped Hitomi at the arms firmly.

"I know you want to fight, but it's too risky, okay?" she said. "Let me be the one to protect you for now, alright?"

Hitomi would notice Tala's expression sadden again. The latter sighed.

"Huh...so that's what you meant..." she murmured, not to Hitomi but seemingly herself.

Tala would get up from the log, but not stray too far from Hitomi. She started setting up a pot and a cooking rack. She'd take her tankard and pour some water into the pot and mix in some rice. What she added next was chocolate and milk before serving a warm bowl of what looked like chocolate rice porridge drizzled with milk.

"Here," she said before mixing in some sugar with a spoon. "It's quick enough to make you warm and the sugar should keep us up for the trip. We call it champorado back in the Dearmad."

She was about to place it in Hitomi's hand, but then reflected that the bowl was maybe a little too big for her and too hot. She instead sat next to Hitomi, scooped up a bit, blew on it, and moved it towards Hitomi's face.

"Now say 'ah," she said happily.

Hitomi was certainly grateful for how quickly and efficiently Tala helped change her clothing. It spared SOME of Hitomi's rapidly fading dignity at least. Once she was all changed, Hitomi idly waved her arms, watching the large sleeves flap a little bit. She was still in shock of this situation truth be told. There was a lot to register. She wasn't scarred, she had her arms back. SHE FELT her arms. She was also tiny. She was beginning to notice that she was acting a bit different too, though she wasn't sure if that was the illusion or just...this whole situation.

Of course, her thoughts died as soon as she began to be scolded. Her ears pointed upwards in surprise, and then quickly drooped low in shame as Tala continued on. Everything Tala said made sense, but...she wanted to do something more! Still, as Tala took her arms Hitomi couldn't help but relent...for now. She relaxed again, but didn't make a move for a few seconds. Slowly, she raised her arm, leading Tala's hand up. She pushed her cheek against the older woman's hand briefly, nuzzling up against it. "Mm."

As Tala began to collect things for food, Hitomi would simply sit down and begin to finally investigate her current situation. She stretched her arms out, staring at them with wonder as she spread her fingers. She could feel the movement, the warmth of the skin. Gently she balled her left hand into a fist and knocked it against her right. There was no hollow sound, or clacking as her prosthetics normally would. It seemed real, it felt real. Her mind was trying to tell her that it was real.

Tala's reappearance quickly snapped Hitomi out of her thoughts. Hitomi looked at the food with wonder. Clearly never having seen such a dish before. She reached out her hands eagerly, but was left horrified as Dorrance suddenly pulled it away, sat next to her and...well...

Again, Hitomi began to flush once again. She supposed the wasn't that bad all in all. Not in terms of what she'd dealt with today after all. Even so...It took her a few seconds before she finally relented. She opened her mouth, staring at the food itself. What came out of her mouth was more a small squeak than an "ahh", but it was the best she could do.

When the food hit her tongue, Tala would see a clear reaction of delight on Hitomi's face. She didn't know what this 'champorado' was, but it was like nothing she ever tasted before. Stars practically shown in her eyes as she scooted closer, now turning to face Tala. Tala would see, among everything else was Hitomi's left ear almost lazily twitching every few seconds as she let the food sit on her tongue. A few seconds later and Hitomi's mouth was open once again, another small squeaking noise was made, her eyes going from Tala to the food rather excitedly.

Tala couldn't help but smile at Hitomi's reaction to the dish. She let out a small giggle as she scooped up another spoonful and blew on it.

"Do you like it?" she asked as she did. "This was my favorite as a kid--well, my favorite even now. Someone very close to me used to make this for me when we traveled in Dearmad. Usually it's hot in Dearmad, but the nights were very cold and he'd always make this to warm me up."

Tala's voice was thoughtful and soft as she retold the tale. She smiled, but Hitomi would notice a deep sadness in the woman's dark, dark blue eyes. The woman would proceed to feed her another bite, however.

"If you want, I'll teach you the recipe once we're back to normal, hm?" she said sweetly, reaching out with one hand to pet Hitomi's head close to her ears.

She'd continue to feed Hitomi and wouldn't stop until Hitomi said so. As she did, she looked around. Her back straightened as she thought she saw two silhouettes in the woods. It was that of a tall young man and a small girl with long unruly curly hair. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, Hitomi would notice Tala just holding the spoon mid-air and empty.

Tala's mind filled with the sounds of a girl's rambunctious laughter and the pleased snickers of a young man.

"Oi, chibi, don't run too far. You'll trip."

"I'm nooot, Sal! And I'm not chibi!"

Hitomi would notice Tala's spoon start to shake as her eyes fixated on the shadowy figures ahead. However, Hitomi wouldn't be able to see them.

"M! M!" Hitomi nodded furiously as Tala asked if she liked it. Despite wanting more, she listened intently to Tala's story. Someone close to her made it for her, and he'd make it for her to warm her up. Hitomi noted the deep sadness in her voice. She wanted to ask more, but thought better of it. At least for now. One day, when an illusionist wasn't messing with their minds, she'd ask.

She took another bite, her eyes beginning to shine again. She perked up considerably as Tala told her she'd teach her the recipe, prompting another "M!" Out of her. Her eyes widened quite a bit as Tala reached out and began to pet her. Slowly, she relaxed to Tala's touch, a small humming sounds beginning to come from her. She found her eyes beginning to close as she focused on the touch. It felt better than she cared to admit. Hitomi hadn't felt another's touch in quite some time. Tala hugging her and coddling her like this. As much as she'd NEVER admit it...She quite liked it. Tala would begin to notice Hitomi's head shift, clearly wanting her to pet closer to the ears. Her own head moved back and forth as she focused on the sensations.

Yet, she quickly noticed something was off. Hitomi paused a moment, looking up at Tala. She was shaking, the spoon held in mid air. Hitomi followed her gaze and saw nothing.

This illusionist was getting on her nerves! She felt her blood boil. She needed to bring Tala back.

...

Slowly, Hitomi moved forward, making sure to not knock over the bow Tala was holding. She make her way to Tala's lap once more before sitting and pressed against her once more. Her head nuzzled against Tala's side, a small whining noise moving through her as she tried to bring Tala back to her. If she didn't notice Tala right away, she'd feel a small pressure on her side through her clothes. It seemed Hitomi had caught herself right before nipping her once again. She...didn't want to get thrown again in the process here.

Tala would come back to her senses when Hitomi started to nuzzle against her side, to which she managed to get a glance of. She then glanced back to where she saw the silhouettes and they were gone. She THEN caught Hitomi in the middle of almost nipping her again, but instead of scolding her like she probably would have (those nips hurt for some reason), she smiled at her and began scooping her up into her arms again.

"I'm sorry, did I space out for a moment?" she said before nuzzling against the little girl's face. "Now, did you want to eat more or are you perhaps tired? If you are, I can carry you on my back as we try to get out the forest."

Hitomi certainly seemed pleased with herself as Tala was pulled away from whatever illusions she was seeing. Take that you-AH!!!! Hitomi was quite surprised when she was suddenly picked up and pressed against Tala. Again the girl felt heat rush to her face as Tala began nuzzling against her face. Still, she seemed happy, so Hitomi was doing her job.

When asked whether she wanted to eat more or if she was tired, Hitomi froze. She...well she didn't want to fall asleep on Tala's back, but she also didn't want to stay and eat more. Well she DID want to stay and eat more. She only had two bites after all.

...

W-well, she could enjoy this a bit longer right?

Hitomi pointed towards the bowl once again. She might as well finish it right? This time though, she planted herself in Tala's lap, snuggling up next to her. At least this way she could immediately pull Tala out of whatever illusion took hold of her right? She looked up towards the woman, a small smile on her face as she waited.

Before long though, another burst of cold wind would rip through their campsite. Again, chills would be sent up both their spines. Tala would notice a small light in the distance. It was hovering a few feet off the ground, lazily bobbing back and forth. She'd hear a small giggle before it began to move away. As it did, another gust of wind hit, causing the campfire to flicker and Hitomi to bury herself into Tala.

When Hitomi pointed at the food, Tala nodded and beamed. The food was a little colder not. Still warm, but not scalding, so she started to scoop food for Hitomi and feed her on her lap without hesitation. Tala was still a little on-edge. She wasn't sure if it was her own head or the illusionist, but the images were enough to shake her up.

Luckily, Hitomi was great at keeping her attention on-point. Aside from the fact she was just adorable, it felt nice to Tala to actually take care of someone other than herself for once. Being alone, she had to focus on her survival and nothing else--no goals, no partners, nothing. Aside from being lonesome, things had been...aimless. Now that Hitomi was here though, that wasn't the case.

Tala looked at the child rabbit endearingly. Even if she hadn't been in this younger form, there was an innocence and naivete about Hitomi that just melted Tala's heart. She could tell that Hitomi had lived a hard life and that it was one that hadn't been filled with all that much love. That made Tala ache a bit. Even in her youngest moments without parents, she had always had...him. And when he was gone, that just broke her.

She'd feed Hitomi a few more spoonfuls before a gust of wind blew. Tala held onto Hitomi tightly, using her cloak to cover even her head from the cold. When she looked with her arm shielding her eyes, she saw the same glowing light.

It was the same light they had seen earlier before Hitomi was transformed. Putting two and two together, it was clear that there was a connection to this and the illusionist. She could easily have gone up and run, but she couldn't leave Hitomi--not when she was freezing. She couldn't just up and carry Hitomi into danger, either. Instead, Tala reached out for the scythe on her back and, in a low and warning voice, she called out.

"Who's there?" she demanded, all while soothingly stroking Hitomi reassuringly on the head with her free hand.

Hitomi happily settled into Tala as she was being fed. She hated that she like this, but...for now, she'd indulge herself. She wasn't used to this level of care, and...Well if she was stuck like this for now, she might as well enjoy it right? She sighed happily, the small humming sound in her throat returning as she ate.

Suddenly though, a gust of cold wind hit her. She felt Tala wrap her arms around her and keep her warm. Hitomi practically melted. This felt too nice, she hardly felt the cold..."Mm..." Despite Tala's current worries, she'd hear Hitomi let out a pleased sigh as she was pet once more. Oddly enough, Hitomi hadn't even heard Tala's call. Instead, she was nuzzling against her hand rather happily.

As Tala called out, she'd hear a small giggle and the light would fade. Just then, a bit of snow would land on her cheek. Looking up, she began to see flakes begin to fall one by one. The air would grow colder still and she'd feel Hitomi shiver slightly in her lap.

Hitomi was getting annoyed by this cold. She'd been enjoying this...Why did it keep getting colder!? She huffed angrily. Suddenly, an idea struck her. Her brain didn't think it through in the least, her instincts taking over. She grabbed Tala's shirt, lifting it slightly before suddenly burrowing in. Tala would feel a slight tickle as she felt Hitomi's ears rub against her stomach. Any other time, Hitomi would NEVER have done such a thing, but she didn't seem to be in her right mind anymore, instead she simply wanted to be warm and this was the quickest way.

If Tala tried to pull her out, it would definitely take some coaxing, or a strong hand.

Tala glared at where the light was and was about to send a fire ball in its direction when she felt the snow. She looked up and a light drift of flakes started to fall upon her and Hitomi. She looked back to where the light was, but it was gone. Okay, they HAD to follow that light. It was their only chance of breaking the illusion (not that Tala wanted baby Hitomi to go away) and finding the bandit once and for--

"H-haaaaaa...!" Tala shrieked as she felt soft and ticklish fur rub against her bare stomach.

Looking down she instantly realized Hitomi was burying into her shirt for warmth and for once Tala was the one who felt mortified as she tried to push her blouse back down and pull Hitomi out.

"H-h-h-hitomi!" she squeaked. "G-g-get out of there!"

She sorta failed at this because Hitomi was now nestled under her shirt and Tala was trying to resist every urge to laugh as she was VERY ticklish. Hitomi might notice that Tala's body had completely stiffened and that her face was red from trying not to laugh.

Eventually, Tala managed to grip Hitomi by the shoulders and pull her out, the former's eyes wet at the corners as she let out a small squeak, "Why did you do that!?"