nysalogs | CLOSED ♪ And you were laughing along

Hmm, I might just take you up on that.

[He's not being entirely truthful here, but honestly, he's just not sure how to feel about what happened with Yona just yet-- and besides, today is supposed to be Mipha's day to relax! So hopefully she'll forgive him for telling a few white lies right now.]

But really? Not even once? Goodness, you really have been due for a day off! Shall I arrange a date to kidnap you again in the future?

[And speaking of kidnapping-- they're arriving at the hotel now, and probably getting at least a few odd looks given Mephisto is just casually carrying her around like this.]

[The good thing is 'might' leaves the way open for taking it back, so Meph is in the clear for now.

She looks a bit sheepish] I just haven't been able to find the time to dedicate fully to going... I end up thinking of the people who might need me or the things I should be doing to help out more.

[As for approval to kidnap her again...] If I give you an inch, you'll take a mile. [But her tone is teasing, at least.] Can I at least know the date ahead of time? [That kind of defeats the fun of it, Mipha, sheesh.]

[IT TOTALLY DOES but he can roll with it.]

Hmm, I don't see why not! Why, perhaps we could even make a weekly routine of it! There are plenty of people who need you-- and I just so happen to be one of them.

[And before she can have the time to appreciate how cute that sentence he just said was, he adds with a laugh--] I'm something of a workaholic myself, after all!

Weekly seems a bit much. [Taking a day off every week to just chill and do nothing but relax?? Sounds fake.

But. "I just so happen to be one of them." She softens almost immediately, though his next words do sort of ruin the moment. Mipha rolls her eyes and laughs] Saying you need me too is cheating, you know. And using me as an excuse to get out of doing work yourself is terrible too.

[She pokes at him accusingly, then laughs.] But still, I suppose you do need to rest and relax too. I could hardly call myself a healer when neglecting your needs just because I don't want to take a break too.

[Mipha, you can't work everyday, let yourself live???]

Exactly! That's a good way of putting it... why, come to think of it, I am due for a break, really.

My work may not be as strenuous as yours, but seeing as I don't need to sleep, I'm sure I work longer hours regardless. Unless you've decided to forgo that as well?

[--did he ever mention that?? He forgets what little spooky facts he's dropped about demons to her here and there.]

You don't? [If he HAS mentioned it, she's totally forgotten oops. Look, he tells her a lot of thins, okay? She can't remember everything. However--]

I remember to sleep! A little. Enough. [She's functioning, what more do you people want from her!?] But I feel a little bad falling asleep around you if you're not going to sleep as well... Wouldn't that get boring for you?

Not at all!

[Because he likes watching her sleep.]

[...but even he thinks that's probably a little too creepy to say, so he'll tone it down a bit.]

Even if I can't fall asleep, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a little quiet relaxation. Much like how humans enjoy having small, cute animals sleep in their laps! Sometimes I even manage to doze off for an hour or so... that's about all I need, really.

Except you're the 'small, cute animal' sleeping in their lap... [Because of course she won't forget his puppy form!!]

I suppose it's fine so long as you're relaxing and not bored. [Mipha shifts a little and rests her head against him a little, though she's now taking notice of the attention they're getting.]

...People are staring...

Hmm, they are, aren't they?

[THEY JUST JEALOUS THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN ZORA PRINCESS TO CARRY AROUND]

Well, I'd say we're close enough now... shall we take a shortcut the rest of the way?

[...he's not actually asking her opinion, of course. It's just an actually warning for once before he snaps his fingers and whisks them away--]

[And they reappear in the room proper, which is an almost needlessly fancy looking room. Spacious and warm, giving the impression of a very nicely furnished studio apt rather than a hotel room. Naturally, there's a big comfy bed, a small kitchenette... and in the bathroom, just visible with the door open, is very large jacuzzi tub, more than big enough for both of them.]

A shortcu-- [wHY.

More like 'why didn't she expect that' but it managed to catch her off guard anyhow. She looks around, impressed.] The things you do for the owner must be very impressive for him to gift you a room this nice.

[Y-yeah...

Despite herself she finds herself relaxing, sighing softly.] I suppose I really have to accept defeat now. How can I not want to relax already?

Oh, what can I say-- I know what people like.

[WITH AN OMINOUS FUFUFU really, how did she not guess he was evil, he still acts evil even when he's not.]

[He moves to set her down on the bed, then floating off his own hat and coat before falling onto the bed beside her, rolling onto his side and lying in true paint-me-like-one-of-your-french-girls fashion.]

But I'm glad to hear it meets your approval! How about it? After a long day of running around the city, why not start by catching up on some of that sleep you've been putting off?

[You know, now that she knows, it IS embarrassingly obvious. Jeez, Mephisto. Are you even trying.

She laughs softly when he lays down, though she doesn't do so herself. Her eyes sweep over to the bathroom and the tub beyond it contemplatively] I suppose it sounds like a good idea. [Mipha sits up more and leans over to kiss his cheek, smiling faintly before she moves to stand.]

But do you mind if I use the tub? I've been wanting to look at it since we arrived.

[For a guy who just shamelessly carried her the whole way here, he's still pretty easily flustered by the smallest things-- and a cheek kiss is one of them, much as he tries to play it off like nothing.]

Ah-- of course! By all means! This is your day for relaxing, after all-- do so in whatever way you please!

[She probably just wants a bath before settling in for a nap, right?]

[Oh mephisto, never change.

She gazes at him a moment through half-lidded eyes-- Whatever way she pleases, huh?--but then the look is gone so quickly it might as well have been imagined as she gets up off the bed.]

Thank you. Hopefully the wait won't be too long for you. [She just wants a nap! It shouldn't be too long of one, hopefully.

Mipha disappears into the bathroom, just nudging the door so that it's closed, but not fully. He'll her the sound of running water for a while before it stops and then... nothing. Because Mipha's definitely taking advantage of having a deeper pool of water to nap in this time and has fallen asleep almost instantly.]

[Now see, Mephisto is no stranger to taking long baths. He's a weeaboo, he knows all about Japanese Bathing Aesthetics™, and it really doesn't surprise him that someone from a water-dwelling species would want to take a long bath.]

[But after an hour, he starts to get kind of curious what she's doing in there, since he can't hear the water moving around at all. And while he's not exactly bored he is... lonely? A little?]

[N-Not that he'll admit it!!]

[...]

[But see, here's the conundrum: is it rude to barge in on someone taking a bath when they're always naked?? He's been standing by the door, waffling on whether to knock or peek or what. But eventually he decides to just push the door open.]

Er... Lady Mipha? Is everything all ri--

[..........]

[Oh.]

[That's right.]

[She's... a fish...]

[Gonna just clear his throat here--]

You know, you could have mentioned you were going to nap in here.

[She startles awake, sitting up quickly and blinking bleary-eyed at him in confusion.]

Mentioned...? [?? Why would she have mentioned that. Wouldn't it have been-- Oh.

Oops. She blushes brightly and looks embarrassed immediately as she wakes up further and realizes] I'm sorry, Mephisto, I didn't even think-- I assumed-- [Her blush darkens] I haven't had a bath this big in a long while, so...

[She got a little over-eager maybe. She moves as though to start getting out though]

[Okay, that look on her face makes having to wait an hour by himself totally worth it. But he waves a hand at her as she starts trying to get up.]

Ah-- that's all right! There's no need for you to get out. I was just wondering what was taking you so long.

Perhaps I'm the one who wasn't thinking... does your kind always sleep in water? I suppose drowning isn't exactly a concern in your case.

[She pauses a moment and then sinks back down, blinking lazily. The water's cooled by now, but it's still comfortable for her and not too unlike sinking back into familiar blankets in that she's almost immediately feeling content and comfortable again.

There's a hum of acknowledgement.] We can and do sleep in beds--I like things about both, so I don't have a particular preference. But I don't often get to sleep in the water anymore...

But yes, there are several large pools that we all tend to sleep in together. Even I would sleep with everyone else. [A pause and she thinks she should correct herself to the past tense there, but... This isn't really the time to be dwelling on sad things like that, so she refrains from calling attention to it.]

[No, not at all -- today wasn't a day for dwelling on negative things. He smiles when he sees her sinking back into the water, lingering a little by the door as he leans against the door frame.]

A communal sleeping area, hm? [Just a bunch of zora floating together in a big pool... but are they all as big as her brother is? Or her father?? He can't decide if the mental image is cute or terrifying, really.]

Well, if that's what you're used to... then shall I join you in here?

[The tub is certainly big enough for it -- and then some.]

[That wakes her up a little more again and she sits up some, but she doesn't look at all displeased with the idea.]

I-- ...Truthfully, I wouldn't mind. [She misses sleeping with people around, it's just more comforting to be next to someone! But it's a little embarrassing to just ask people 'hey mind coming over to sleep in the same bed with me?' or something.]

But would that be comfortable for you? [Wouldn't he get all pruney after a while?? Or maybe it was just another one of those #LitteDemonThings]

[It totally was, but uh. Not in the way she's gonna be expecting, probably.]

[But that's not the real reason he'd be uncomfortable. Because as she's sure to have noticed by now, despite being both his friend-with-benefits and his doctor, she's probably still never actually seen him completely nude.]

[And at least for now, she still won't.]

Oh, I think I can find a way to make it work... And he waves a hand-- and with a poof, he disappears!]

[Except on the other side of the tub, there's a very small splash.]

[...]

[And then out from under the surface of the water pops the cutest fucking thing in the whole goddamn world: a smol river otter, with a curly little tuft of fur atop his head much like his usual hair curl.]

[Don't be such a tease, Mephisto, jeez.

She tilts her head curiously, than abruptly sits up fully in alarm when he disappears.

??

????

The splash brings her attention to the water again though, and the curious new animal that's joined her. Mipha stares at it--him--bewildered; for a split second all she thinks is, 'how did this animal get in here?' before she realizes.]

M-Mephisto?

Who else would I be?

[YEP it's Mephisto. But unlike his dog form, this one isn't quite as "authentic" given he's put a little less effort into appearing realistic. A closer look will reveal his eyes to be exactly the same as his own: green and notably more cat-like.]

I thought perhaps something like this would be better than turning into a fish of some kind... and besides, aren't I adorable?

[He really needs to change his voice or something when he asks that.]

[On the bright side, otters probably maybe don't exist in her world, so she has no idea what's off or not. Granted, she doubts otters just so happen to have his exact eyes, so.

She reaches for him to pick him up already, leaning back against the side of the tub and bringing him up to cradle him against her chest.]

Fishing for compliments? [Her tone is teasing, but she pets him with a smile. 'Fishing'...No pun intended.] You're quite adorable, don't worry. I haven't seen anything as adorable as you. [She might be exaggerating a little herself, but whatever. What's a little ego-stroking between friends?]

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