Subject to Bell's Viper [Miyako]

Brave Leader had gotten really hurt? Muika's eyes shifted from the book momentarily to Miyako as she went on.

Housewife had brought her home, and had sent Kitten Man out to fine her... So they must have found her right?

Her finger went up to the page she was on, and while she couldn't write she traced the characters over the page that wrote out, "What happened next...?"

"As Housewife took care of Brave Leader, Kitten Man was sent to my school to find me. Since I wasn't there, it was a real wild goose chase to find me and so he told Housewife, who had to leave poor Brave Leader's side to help him, since Housewife's powers are good for that stuff!" Miyako was pleased the girl wanted to hear more, happy to tell the story though her smile turned sheepish soon after. Here's where her mess up resided...

"Well it was loud in the dancing place, and I am new to all these things, so when I got a bunch of called from Housewife I didn't pay attention because I couldn't hear it. There was one from Kitten Man though when I checked, so I called him since he would never call me! But um... you see I thought they just wanted to know what I liked to eat, since Housewife liked to cook. I didn't know any better... It was my fault."

She sighed and looked down, obviously still blaming herself a bit for it. "But with Housewife's help, Kitten Man and him entered the place and drug me out! Our powers come from items we have on us, and I didn't have my item on me, so it was um... bad and I had to run back to my school before heading to Brave Leader. Housewife went back to his love, not wanting to be separated from her when she was hurt while Kitten Man was my escort, making sure I was safe. We ran through the city after I got my bracelet back and rushed up the stairs!"

"Brave Leader lay on the couch and I quickly ran over and healed her up, she looked so calm despite the pain! Just knowing she'd be fine... she...seemed like she'd had worse so she was taking the wounds well. I finally healed her up and then Housewife went to give her a bath and tuck her in bed so she could rest lots, while Kitten Man walked me home! We weren't going out yet so it wasn't romantic at all..." Miyako quickly added that on, since it seemed the girl liked romantic stories! She didn't want to lie to her, not at all or make her thing they... did that sort of thing yet... "Still, that's the story of my big mess up! I make sure to always carry this with me now though."

She jingled the bracelet with a grin.

It'd been a wild goose chase to find her, it sounded like it...from what Miyako described. She'd been having fun at a dancing place so she hadn't been able to hear anything...

Housewife and Kitten man had had to go all the way there to get her... Muika supposed it was good one of them had powers that could help find things...otherwise that might have taken longer!

Miyako had been able to heal Brave Leader though, and they all ended up okay in the end, she was happy about that.

While she put her main focus on the book, to keep up the front she was reading from it, her eyes did show her interest in Miyako's story, occasionally looking towards her as she spoke.

Items that gave powers... That sounded really neat, and she seemed interested as Miyako shook her bracelet; that was what she'd used to heal her scratches...

Like before, she traced the characters on the pages of the book to respond. "Powers from things like bracelets seem neat." ... "Seiya got me a necklace, but I like swinging it around on my wrist...it's hidden in my room though. It's got a red gem that looks pretty!" ... "It was a birthday gift!"

Miyako was happy Muika seemed to enjoy her stories, the girl's interest really obvious and just heartwarming. As Muika's fingers traced the characters, she paid close attention and then nodded. "They are really cool, though you gotta take care of the item or else there may be trouble with using it. Ahaha, a wrist...would be nicer for that... Y-You'd have a bracelet like Kitten Man and I then too, if you got powers and they did that!"

"How old are you now then?" Her smile was warm as she stuffed down all the worry over the man giving Muika gifts... "If its red it must match your eyes... Maybe a ruby then? Does it sparkle in the light?"

Since she could answer now, Miyako felt better about asking questions...

Muika listened to all of what Miyako had to say, giving a small nod when she mentioned taking care of it. She would! She'd never had a gift like that before ever, so she definitely would!

At her questions, she went back to tracing over the pages.

"I just turned thirteen recently" ... "I don't know what kind of stone it is, but yeah!"

"Wow! I'm eighteen right now, but I just turned it too!" So it must be a little past Halloween then... Miyako figured it out in her head, wondering what had happened to her to cause this. There was a bit more room for thinking here, with Hibiki not around to fog her thoughts with that blood...

Her and Regalia were ghosts in the past...though if Hibiki had come to see her too when he couldn't before then maybe others would? Maybe she would...slowly become corporeal... No!

Not here, not now! She needed to be in the...the future? The present! Miyako laughed softly, her smile faltering a bit before she brought it back up to full. "Maybe later you can show me it up close!"

She'd seen it before on other Muika, but she'd...definitely like to see it now too. Her eyes darted to the man working, wondering if he was up to something... secretly evil...

She'd just turned eighteen recently!? That was something, she was a grown up then, people were grown ups when they got that old she knew...

There were still a few more...long years before she was that old.

Show her later? Muika gained a small smile at that; "Yeah! I gotta get taken back to my room soon so I can show you!"

Seiya had said it suited her, and that it looked pretty on her, so Muika felt happy about showing it to someone that wouldn't take it! This person wasn't a bad person...she'd come to learn.

Muika looked over towards Seiya, noticing Miyako's eyes dart over to him; he looked up at that moment, catching her eyes and he gave a soft smile before his own eyes went back down to his work.

Miyako's grin was warm as Muika agreed to show her, the excitement visible to her. It seemed...she didn't get much chance to show others things... Seiya looked up and smiled though, causing Miyako to turn around for a moment and hide a grimace. Had Hibiki been trying to mess with her? No...no he wouldn't... he was nice... though this one was significantly less so...

But it had been said so matter of factly...

Then she'd get to show her her birthday present!

Muika was excited to do so, it was only her and Seiya that even knew about it since it was just between them. This was the best gift ever so she was excited to share!

It seemed like she wanted to talk more, but Muika was unsure of what words to trace out... It seemed now that she'd decided to trust Miyako...she had become much more inclined to being talkative.

Muika's excitement made Miyako smile more, though she wasn't sure what to do now... Muika wanted to talk more but what could Miyako bring up?

She floated up and down as she thought, hmming to herself. All she had to tell were stories about Hibiki and her really, or just day to day things... There wasn't too much more exciting she had with the whole super hero group thing going on...

"Do you think the kitty's okay?" That was the next thing Muika traced onto the page, though Miyako was floating so... Had she seen it? She could write it again...

542 was annoying, and mean so him with a cat...

With a glance over to Seiya it seemed he was finishing up with the last few pages of his work. How long had she been in here already? She was really distracted by the stories... She hadn't been paying attention.

"...He won't hurt her... I promise. You two may hate each other but..." Miyako saw the note even if she was bobbing in the air, trying not to speak too much about Hibiki and say things. Muika and him definitely didn't get along even now... or then would it be? Since now was in the past. "She's too fluffy and cute, even for his grumpiness. He likes cute fluffy things too much."

As Muika glanced over, Miyako noted how the girl's focus seemed to revolve around that man and...worried so much. She'd have questions when she got back, she'd want to tell Muika and Hibiki at least about it. It wouldn't be right to just... not tell them.

Muika...wasn't sure if she bought that, but Miyako seemed positive about it, so she'd try to believe her. The cat would be just fine then! She was too fluffy to think about hurting! Hopefully...

"Okay..." She traced.

She couldn't see him liking fluffy things either...but... Miyako was saying it would be fine...

"Alright...and I believe that does it." Seiya claimed, setting his pen down and looking back to Muika. "All done. I can escort you back to your room, you'll be fine until morning?"

"Mhmm!" Muika gave a nod and smile before slipping from the couch, returning the book to where she'd gotten it before moving over to Seiya as he stood.

"Alright then, I would advise you not to attempt to make noise if you have a nightmare though, I apologize. You were in luck I was wandering the halls that night and heard you first."

"Sorry...Got scared..."

She received a head pat, along with a soft smile; "It's alright, It's hard but...you'll be alright."

"Mm..." Muika nodded, her eyes darting over to Miyako as Seiya went for the door as a sign to follow.

Back to her room then...

Muika trusted...her..that much... Miyako felt her heart aching so badly at that and smiled instead of showing it...

She was startled as Seiya spoke, before following in Muika's wake and frowning now that the girl couldn't see. Nightmare...making sounds... She was so scared here! This girl didn't deserve any of that at all! Any of this or this place or...

Miyako felt anger deep inside, though her smile returned in spite of that as she floated after Muika down the halls. She'd follow her....

It wasn't a long walk, though it wasn't exactly short either, leading down a turn or two before reaching a hall with more than a few doors. Seiya and Muika headed down, and near the end of the hall they stopped.

Pulling out a key, he unlocked the door, giving Muika an apologetic smile once he'd opened it.

Muika had become a bit more timid, taking a small step towards the door before looking back at Seiya. His smile remained, attempting to reassure the girl before he gave her a final pat on the head and then she walked inside.

The room really...wasn't much of anything. It was mostly bare, with just the poor, creaky bed and mattress. No windows, no shelves...

The door shut behind Muika, and a lock of the door followed. Locked in from the outside...

Still... She had said she'd show Miyako her gem!

Without a word she made a few quick steps over to the bed and went under it a bit. There was a loose floor tile, and she was able to pull it up after some attempts. It wasn't a deep indention, but there was room that almost made it like a secret compartment.

"Here!" She said after a bit, scooting out from under the bed to show Miyako the chain and gemstone she had promised. "This is it!"

Miyako examined the hallways carefully, wary of weird people or traps and a bit jumpy due to those thoughts. As they walked down the hallway, she blinked as Muika became more timid...the room was not somewhere she wanted to be...

Seiya's reassurance helped, though Miyako was still looking for the hidden evil inside of him intently, but not obviously enough for Muika to pick up on as she was wary of pushing away the girl. As the door locked behind her, Miyako glanced back and gave a small shudder once Muika ran to the bed. Locked in... in this dinky room.

Waiting patiently, she watched as the girl messed around under the bed before moving closing in that odd floating manner she had been doing the whole time. It took only a moment for Muika to return though, making Miyako smile as she held out her hand to touch it gently. It was really pretty, she had to admit... not something you give a child though... Not a child who would get punished for having it.

"Woah this is really pretty! I don't know what kind it is actually though... Could be a ruby or something. This is a really nice birthday gift! Ahaha, even I would be happy to get something like this~" Miyako's smile was warm as she nodded firmly, it was really pretty... she had to admit since she could examine it up close like this.

Muika gave a big nod, "Mhmm! I don't know what kind it is either...but it's really pretty and I like it! I never got gifts like this before, well...I never really got gifts, but this one would beat all of 'em if I did!"

She gave a small laugh, obviously happy with the present, much different from the present Muika that seemed to despise the thing.

"Seiya said it suited me, and looked pretty though wearing it around my neck is weird so I just put it on like this!" Saying that, she began wrapping the silver chain around her wrist, letting the gem dangle once she was finished and showed Miyako.

She was...probably repeating herself a lot, but she was excited! She had an excuse!

Miyako wondered what caused the change in current Muika to dislike the gift so intently... I-It probably had something to do with the evil guy... Hibiki hadn't lied... she felt relief in that thought but also deep abiding anger. How...why!?

Why would he treat her so kindly and then...do that! Still hiding all her thoughts, she grinned and peered at the wrist before giving a firm nod and holding out her own wrist. "Aha, when you do it like that we match! See?"

She held her hand up, palm out so Muika could set her hand against it if she wanted. "It is really pretty and does look nice on you. I think I like it best where you have it though..."

Thirteen was old enough that it would probably look odd on her on her neck... it definitely wasn't something you just gave a child.

"Mm! Yeah!" They matched like this! Muika moved her arm slightly, letting the gem dangle some and swing around with a smile.

If she wore it like this, which was the way she liked doing it, they definitely matched! They both had bracelets!

She was happy to hear Miyako thought it looked pretty and nice too.

Miyako was laughing happily at Muika's pleased expression and response. They matched and she liked it! Sweet...so sweet... But there was a small problem now.

"Aha, so what did you want to do now? It seems we are alone! I don't have many more stories though, sorry. Most of them are about Kitten Man and I hahahaha..." Miyako sighed softly, wondering and wracking her brain for more things to talk about. She was stuck with Muika like this for a while and she wanted to soothe the girl more since she seemed happier... But the room was bare!

And she didn't...didn't want to know anymore about this place at all...

"Mm...Talk?" Muika replied, "It's usually...quiet in here, since I don't talk either unless I'm talking to Seiya so it's always quiet... You can talk about whatever you want?"

It seemed like she was the only one that could see Miyako right now anyway, so that probably counted...hearing as well since she'd been talking back in Seiya's office. So Miyako could talk all she wanted!

Muika didn't think she'd mind...complete silence wasn't always good... It'd be good to hear nice voices more... If Miyako wanted to talk about her and Kitten Man then she could...

"U-Um okay... I don't really... Um... Um... Lets see...someone once just gave Kitten Man a kitten! The kitten, Regalia, loooves him sooo much. She doesn't seem to mind when I steal his attentions away... And um... I one made Kitten Man a kotatsu! He's really quiet and hasn't experienced much in his life, so I wanted him to get to do so. We turned up the air conditioning all the way in summer and then snuggled under it so we could pretend it was winter." Miyako smiled as she finally found some small tidbits to offer. If the girl wanted to hear more about something... she could go into more detail on it.

"We also went to an aquarium on our first date! A little baby otter escaped and I got to cuddle it because it really liked me and it gave me its rock! It was so soft, Hi-Kitten Man was so confused but so was I too... Also stingrays are really creepy looking, so luckily I got to avoid that Exhibit. We've gone back a few times! He likes water it seems, or well doesn't dislike it?"

She could...rambling about Kitten Man all day if she was allowed to... it seemed like a normal subject of conversation...

He was just randomly given the kitten? Like...Like a present? The kitten loved Kitten Man though, but why shouldn't she? He was called Kitten Man for a reason!

Miyako had made him a...a kotatsu once?

"Kotatsu...I...think I know what those are..." Muika replied, glancing up in thought as she tilted her head slightly. Hmm... Kotatsu...

She was distracted from the thought though by the mention of an aquarium. "That's...aquarium is where lots of see animals are, right?" She mentioned otters, and one had even gotten out and she'd got to pet it! Stingrays...

"They are tables that have a blanket under the top! There's a heater inside and it warms the blanket and the people under it." Miyako explained, rolling to her back in the air as she waved her hands in a square shape to emphasize. "You only use them when its cold out, but Kitten Man keeps his place cooler than outside so its nice to sometimes just lay under it even without the heater on."

"Yep! All sorts of water animals live there, like fish or even like jellyfish and otters! They have different areas for either freshwater or saltwater animals and also sometimes have special exhibits where animals they normally don't have at this one visit so people can see them!" Miyako was glad the girl seemed interested in the aquarium, she could explain about it all day... "I lived by the ocean growing up so I liked to visit a lot."

Muika seemed interested in everything Miyako had to explain, "I saw kotatsus in a window then! At a store once a loooong time ago when I was living with my Papa!"

She'd been roaming around one day after running out and had just been looking into store windows, she believed that's where she remembered them from. She'd never tried them herself though...

The aquarium sounded really fun...

"I can't swim so I'm not good with water, but it sounds really fun! All the animals there... Water can be really pretty too, like...ponds and stuff..." Ocean was really big, she knew... Even if she couldn't swim it still sounded like a nice place to go! Aquariums...were just for looking from what she understood anyway, no swimming involved!