2nd Key ❋ [Video / Action] Backdated to late morning

[bendthekey]

--in the head.

Do you ever have anything polite to say?

Like you would know the difference.

[It's Toul again and she's been rather quiet, mainly because speaking over the network is still so new to her. She's getting used to it, but really she much prefers speaking to people in person if she can. Today though, she's trying to figure out exactly what's going on while speaking to the person on her shoulder who happens to look identical to herself. She doesn't really know what to do with someone so negative.]

...I wonder if you're tired. You seem a bit grumpy.

[The little her reaches out to yank harshly on Toul's ear, making her wince and her other twitch as she tugs to pull the little person off.] Maybe if you stopped being so stupid I wouldn't have to treat you like a kitten to get anything through.

[Toul holds her as gently as possible while the mini-Toul glares at her, and finally is able to look back at the screen.]

...Does anyone know what I should do to calm her down? She's been like this since I woke up.

Don't talk about me like I can't hear you.

[Toul winces again.] I didn't mean it that way!

{OOC: Feel free to run into Toul and her very cynical and negative inner voice. mini!Toul is not that nice.}

Comments

Video;

[sangreine]

[Okay, wow. Saya would not like one of those on her shoulder.]

I'm sorry, Toul. Have you ever seen her before, or...? [Or is it a curse? Saya has no way to tell.]

Video;

[bendthekey]

It's not your fault, so no reason for you to be sorry, Saya.

[The little Toul tugs on her ear again.] She's apologizing because she's useless and knows it.

[Toul reaches out to take her hand off her head because that was starting to really hurt.] Would you please stop saying things like that?

Video;

[sangreine]

[Toul, are your inner voice and Saya's related, perchance?]

No, she's not. You be quiet! [Scolding the mini-Toul is go.]

Video;

[bendthekey]

[Toul reaches up to cover the little person's mouth.] Oh please don't pay her any mind, she's just a bit cranky. I almost sat on her earlier today and--ouch! [And that's how Toul gets bit in the hand.]

I'm not cranky, I just know you better than anyone else. Stop trying to be so nice.

Video;

[sangreine]

Even so, she shouldn't be such a jerk. Nobody likes people like that.

[Addressing the tiny!Toul] Maybe you're just jealous because people like the bigger one better, because she's sweet and you're acting awful.

Video;

[bendthekey]

[Toul feels a bit boosted by that. She doesn't normally meet people who compliment her so easily.] Really, I'm not the easiest person to spend all day with. She has a right to be--

Oh stop that already. Quit talking down to yourself. How pathetic. [Little Toul is not nearly so willing to let things go.] This is why people like her about as much as she really likes them. She knows it and you'll prove as soon as her back is--

--You shouldn't accuse people like that. It's not very nice. [Toul is exasperated. She picks the little person up and sets her down. She normally can keep the smile in almost any situation, but something about this just makes her feel very tense.]

Nicer than being a fake.

Are you sure you aren't arguing with me just to argue?

Video;

[sangreine]

[The whole affair is pushing Saya's buttons in a very personal way.] Quit telling her what she should be feeling! You don't get to decide that.

[And to Toul, sympathy implicit despite her irritation with the tiny counterpart,] Can't you just leave her behind for a while? That's got to be horrible to listen to. [She speaks from very personal experience.]

Video;

[bendthekey]

Of course I know how she's feeling! I know better than you ever will! [But the little Toul turns back to the big one, as if dismissing Saya.] Do you see how she talks to me? Such a temper. Just imagine how she would react if you got her angry. Be careful not to step on her toes, you bungling girl.

[Toul just laughs a bit, but it's a very strained laugh. She doesn't know how to react with this much negative being so blatant and rude. Normally she ignores it as if it was meant in a completely different way. This is much harder. Personal.]

Um...I tried? But she follows me and shows up everywhere when I do. And she's so small! I couldn't leave her home on her own this way.

Video;

[sangreine]

[Little mean Toul, Saya might squish you if she thought it wouldn't upset the real Toul. So she'll just dismiss right back.]

You're way too nice. I don't get why anyone would want to be mean to you when you're so nice.

Video;

[bendthekey]

I never realized so many liked spineless people. Listen to her. Of course she thinks you're nice. She probably wants to boss you around like everyone else.

[She can ignore you right back, Saya. Toul is feeling a little overwhelmed by all of this, but she smiles in thanks at the compliment. Her cheeks flush.] Ah...thank you. You are, too.

[She turns to little Toul.] You shouldn't question it so much. Being nice is a good thing, you know.

When you want something out of someone. Now what might she want from you, eh?

Video;

[sangreine]

[This conversation is going to make Saya very unhappy very quickly. So probably best if she doesn't continue it.]

Toul, why don't I see you later. After you get rid of her. I hope she doesn't make your day too difficult.

Video;

[bendthekey]

[Toul quickly brings a hand up to cover the little hers mouth again when it looks like she's about to say something particularly unkind.]

Yes, that sounds wonderful. I was told things will go back as they were soon. I am very sorry for everything.

Video;

[sangreine]

It's fine. [Saya gives a tight-lipped smile and waves before she disconnects. She's a bit on edge now, but it's not Toul's fault. She wouldn't want to be judged by her secret innermost thoughts, if that's what that little one is. They'd doubtless be far worse than what she just heard.]

[pratful]

[ he's smiling as he flicks through the network. Today, nothing can get his spirits down. Especially not a strange little puppet duo currently on his screen. They're actually almost cute together. ]

Having a bit of trouble there, are you? That little one certainly seems like a handful.

[bendthekey]

Ah, yes, she is! [The words "I can hear you!" are shouted in the background to which Toul replies,] I know you can! I'm not ignoring you, really.

[Then she turns back to the boy on the screen.] Do you know why someone like her would arrive? I've never seen anyone else with this...situation.

[pratful]

[ ah... ] Has no one explained to you how curses work here? They're a bit peculiar but eventually you get used to it. [ much to his everlasting ire. ]

Today's a bit of a special case though. It seems like today is the day of curses past. Who knows what the heck you'll get stuck with.

[bendthekey]

Someone explained to me that curses happen, but no one thought to mention that little people were curses. [Which is really Toul's main point here. She did not ask for a little person.]

[pratful]

[ he shrugged ] I'm afraid anything is possible with a curse. And it's usually the nice ones you have to watch out for.

[ ugh, tribble curse, he still remembered that one. He was forced to wear the same clothing for three days before all the laundry could be done. ]

[bendthekey]

Well this isn't necessarily the um--nicest I could think of...

You say that because you don't like people know what you really think!

[She frowns at her.] But I don't think that way!

[pratful]

[ he laughed ] Most people would think having a doll follow you around all day would be nice. I think your friend there might agree. [ in fact, he's starting to see a slight resemblance to Morgana in the small one... ]

[bendthekey]

If he can call me a doll, I wonder what he's thinking about you. Overgrown cat, maybe? [She'll be glaring at this boy because she's not a doll and it's perfect opportunity to dig at Toul. Toul just looks a bit haggard from it all.]

Could you please try to be a little nicer? [She turns back to him.] I'm dearly sorry. My name is Toul. Who might you be?

[pratful]

[ he's too busy eying the creepy mini Toul to notice the haggardness ]

Maybe I just think you're turning yourself into a pest. What are you going to do next? Order your owner to comb your hair and do up your dress?

[ But he tears his eyes away from Mini!Toul and admits, at least to himself, that maybe Toul does look a bit like an overgrown cat, but so long as she doesn't try eating any rats in front of him, who was he to judge? ]

I am Arthur Pendragon, Miss Toul. I would like to say it's a pleasure to meet you but I have a feeling your companion would disagree no matter what I said.

[bendthekey]

I'd rather never let her touch a comb nor trust her near my hair with it.

[Toul dutifully chooses not to respond to that and focuses on Arthur instead.] It's still a pleasure to me. Meeting new people is like having a new adventure.

Not such a good thing considering your idea of "adventure."

[She smiles even if it's a little strained. Toul has no idea what to do about her mini-self.] Have you been here long, Arthur, sir?

[pratful]

[ he nodded ] It's been near a year, actually. Certainly long enough to adapt. I'm sure you and your companion will likewise do the same given due time.

And as for adventures... [ Arthur smiled ] I'm afraid you'll just have to take that one day at a time. [ he just hopes she manages to avoid the rather abrupt adventure of being chained to someone. Surely the City has some taste. (which is doubtful, but one can hope!) ]