video; Ishtar, March 13th

[trustheart]

[The video feed is a first person view of a bunch of purple stuffed goats, mounted on wheeled platforms, chasing after someone who's running. Some of them have ribbons around their necks, some of them has attachments connected to their platforms for a variety of jobs. For those that know of them, they'd be recognizable as Hibiki's spy goats.

The camera moves to show Chris's face, who looks both winded and angry as she shouts at her device.]

THEY'VE BEEN AFTER ME ALL DAY! SOMEONE SEND HELP!

SHIKYOIN, DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT THIS IS YOUR FAULT!

Comments

Action

[holygrailed]

[Sometimes you miss the commotion on the network completely when you're out on a walk. Irisviel is on an impromptu visit to her friend's temple when she spots said friend being chased by... purple stuffed goats... on wheeled platforms?

...It would be a truly hilarious sight if it wasn't Chris being chased.

...Still a little funny with Chris being chased.

But never let it be said Irisviel is not a good friend. She hurries over, plucking hair from her head and channeling them into wire.]

Shape Ist Leben!

[The wire glows and begins to form itself into a large filigree eagle. With a screech, it launches off Irisviel's arm and begins to dive-bomb the goats.]

action

[trustheart]

[Chris doesn't see it coming... and to Irisviel's credit, neither do the goats. They ended up being knocked on their sides, their little wheels flailing.

Chris gasps, and stops, holding up her hands.]

Irisviel, no! You don't need to hurt them, this is all my fault!

[Later, the absurdity that she's defending a bunch of stuffed, semi-robotic goats is gonna hit her, and she's going to be mortified at what her life has become.]

[holygrailed]

[The eagle is on a second diving pass as Chris shouts out. Irisviel holds out her arm as the eagle pulls up, flying back to land on her arm. The glow disappears as the eagle unravels back into wire, and wire, fades back into a thin strand of hair. As the hair drifts away, Irisviel hurries over to Chris.]

Are you all right? Why were you being chased?

[trustheart]

[Chris breaths a sigh of relief as the attack stops, and she relaxes a bit.]

They got it in their heads that I could make them look cool or something. It's... kind of silly, honestly.

[holygrailed]

[The goats gather around their fallen brethren, circling frantically as they can't do much else. Irisviel looks at the goats, trying to remember why they looked familiar.]

Oh! Don't those belong to Hibiki?

[trustheart]

Yeah, they are.

[Chris moves to go and help right some of them, sighing as she gets to work.]

Honestly, this whole thing is pretty damn ridiculous...

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel too helps right some of the goats, the ones upright circling around in joy. A few still gather around Chris, bumping against her, but they seem to have learned their lesson too.]

How did all of this happen?

[As she talks, she pats one of the goats on the head.]

[trustheart]

...

[Chris frowns, and is quiet for a few minutes as she tries to figure out what to say.]

I made these guys think I was a great make up artist or something. I was doodling on this doll Shikyoin left lying around, and I had to lie to one of 'em to save face. They must've liked my work.

[holygrailed]

If they liked your work, perhaps there was merit to it.

[Irisviel looks at the gathered goats. They're a strange bunch; plush, bound to rolling platforms, yet able to move on their own. Aware, yet so simple.]

What fascinating constructions, aren't they. I wonder how they work?

[trustheart]

Uh...

[Chris peers at them.]

I guess they have a motor inside them? That doesn't really explain how they have personalities, though...

[holygrailed]

Perhaps they're magical in nature?

[Irisviel's fingers press a bit harder into the goat she's been petting, checking for some kind of frame or support. The goat bleats, head bobbing slightly from the pressure.]

I wonder if Hibiki is a mage?

[trustheart]

... Somehow, I don't think that's it.

[She shrugs, and lets out a frustrated sigh.]

Maybe her world is like some kind of weird gag manga and they can pull off stuff that should be impossible for other dimensions? Or something. I don't discount anything anymore.

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel giggles, patting the goat a final time before pulling away.]

Anything does seem possible. Now now, go on, return to your master.

[One goat bleats reluctantly, hovering close to Chris in hopes of a makeover, but is nudged on by its companions. The purple herd rolls off. What an interesting sight.]

[trustheart]

[Chris can't help but smile as the majority roll off... though a few remain, for the purpose of facilitating other threads further down.]

You really have a way with, uh... animals?

[holygrailed]

[Or perhaps the goats are rolling off to ambush again. All is possible for maintaining timelines.]

Do I? [Irisviel smiles innocently as she waves at the purple herd.] Or perhaps they are simple and used to following orders.

[trustheart]

Or maybe you're just such a mom you have an easy time bossing kids around.

[Chris can't help it, she snickers at her own joke.]

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel gives a delighted laugh, a bit of mischief shining in her eyes.]

Oh dear, I wouldn't say I'm bossing anyone! I'm sure everyone is happy to listen to me and what I have to say. I am so kind after all.

[trustheart]

I hate to tell you this, Irisviel, but... that's exactly what a good mom is like.

[She remembers enough of her own mother to recall that much.]

[holygrailed]

Oh dear. [Her hands lace behind her back.] I never thought I'd have so many... kids.

[trustheart]

[Chris grins a grin a mile wide.]

Bless your bleating heart?

[holygrailed]

Oh, Chris, now you're making me baashful.

[trustheart]

Should I hoof it on out of here before I really get in trouble?

[holygrailed]

With the ones we saw, I think it's more wheeling on out.

[trustheart]

Aw come on, Irisviel! You broke the combo!

[holygrailed]

I did not. The goats were on wheeled platforms. Not a goat pun, but a pun all the same.