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[waitingforplayer2]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHIAKI NANAMI.

FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

*** galagamer has joined XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
<galagamer> This is Chiaki Nanami.
<galagamer> I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

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[figlia_morbida]

[Really, she should have known. But she didn't want to assume Nanami would be on the eighth floor, not with absolute certainty, so she climbs the floors meticulously. It's a weird kind of fun, actually.

Trish would never admit it, but she did miss some parts of being a werebear. Her strength and intimidating night form most of all, if only for the inherent benefit of being a strong monster type with a sight to match. But the unique abilities to smell and hear things from a distance was also sorely missed.

She doubts she would have ever stepped on her father's tail at the pool party if she'd had them, since even breathing is very audible if there aren't any barriers to obfuscate it.

Anyways, she arrives at the familiar space of the eighth floor, her nose and ears awash in similarly familiar scents and voices. She could name them, but her attention is less on what she knows is there, and rather on what she doesn't know for certain. Still, it's hard to miss the sound of chiptunes and the like, especially when Ryslig isn't known for the technology to abet it, especially not the portable sort. Unless there's a Gamed Boy she doesn't know about in the wings.

Still, Trish listens further, but the bips and bleeps continue unabated, and so she raps on the door of 804 with fuzzy white knuckles.]

Nanami...?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ The sounds behind the door suddenly go silent as Nanami, her hearing still enhanced just by being a monster, startles at the knock and the quiet voice at her door. What... who's visiting her? It's not one of her hallmates... ]

The door's open! [ She's curled up in a sunbeam, on the floor of the main living space in the apartment, next to the window. It's just a couple of seconds after calling out, when she realizes whose voice it is. ]

Is that Trish-san...?

jojo poses at Nanami

[figlia_morbida]

[That's got to be permission.

Trish waits a moment regardless, just in case Nanami changes her mind, but then she's pushing the door open and stepping inside. Because the voice confirms that it is indeed Nanami, but that's as far as the familiarity goes. Despite herself, Trish looks for a familiar flash of squishy purple as she sweeps in, but there isn't any of that anymore. Instead, there's a huge bonsai in the room, a bonsai that shifts and moves, a little handheld device in its leafy hands.

...Ah.

Trish puts a hand on her hip, standing in a jaunty but familiar way, since they've both changed again, it seems. All of this to preface her answer, which is:]

The one and only.

[Una means "one", after all!

As for Nanami, Trish tips her head. Bark and leaves...she's a nymph just like Giorno. Weird. She wonders what the through-line is, since Giorno is always up to no good and Nanami is sweet as can be.]

You're taking a well-deserved vacation, from what I've heard. How is your new body treating you?

"una means one," harmony continues to have more revelations about math

[waitingforplayer2]

Ah...

[ Oh... somebody told her? She looks at Trish for a long time. Huh... she wonders who? ]

It's... [ Oh. She looks down at herself, from the body she's been spending the last... several hours at least, trying to distract herself from, all bark and leaves and a huge tangle of roots.

She curls in on herself a little, glad that she's sitting on the ground and not holding herself up by her roots, which still feels weird. ]

I'm... still getting used to it, I guess.

:3c

[figlia_morbida]

[Trish hums, returning the look, as a guise to study Nanami from tip to toe. Even as they speak, she commits it all to memory. The smell of timber, the sound of the rough scrape of bark against itself and the shift of leaves. It's such a drastic change from the soft, squishy purple mer she'd come to know, but it's Nanami nestled underneath, and thus important to know and know well.

She doesn't seem happy about this new body either, and Trish thinks for a moment and no longer before she pads over to settle on the floor across from Nanami, sweeping her tail up so she doesn't sit on it.

Her purse is placed between them, and she opens it to pull out a brown bag, held closed with a sticker, offering it to Nanami.]

Can you eat food like this? I brought fresh trapizzino with me so we could have something to snack on while you showed me games.

[Since she will not eat salty, buttery popcorn nor candy nor whatever else constitutes comestibles in an arcade, no ma'am. That's calories.]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She stares at the bag for a little bit, processing what it is that Trish is saying. ]

I... think so? [ She hasn't done a lot of eating since she changed, but... whatever's in there smells good.

She takes the bag, despite herself, and opens it. If her eyes could widen, they would, when she sees the delicious treats within. Snacks for-- ]

Oh... the arcade. I was going to show you.

[ That's why Trish is here. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[Trish waits for the verdict, since while she is fond of Nanami...any feeding-through-weird-feet is going to be vetoed while she is around to see it. Not that she's ever seen a nymph feed that way, not yet, but the mere idea of it is gross?

Absolutely disgusting.

As for the belated realization, Trish shrugs a fluffy shoulder.]

And I meant to surprise you by showing up unannounced. Though, I don't mind a change in plans.

[They can hang out and talk about games right here in the comfort of Nanami's space. That's just as good, right?]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ The good news for Trish is that Nanami hasn't really figured her roots out yet at all. She's barely planted them in soil, even - mostly they've been on floors or pavement, since she got them.

So for now, Nanami'll slowly take out one of the little ... pizza sandwiches? It smells like cheese and meat and that's heavenly. ]

I'm sorry. I've been here mostly. [ She takes a bite of the snack, and... is that the ghost of a smile on her face, finally? It does taste really good, like comfort food. It helps her relax a bit, at least.

She hands the bag back to Trish so she can take one. ] You changed too. [ It's her first time seeing Trish as a werebear, in day form. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[Her poor roots...this is what all city plants feel like, surely.

Anyways, Trish adjusts so she's sitting a little more comfortably, that is: curling forward to drape her arms over her knees, her tail sweeping up and against her side. Cozy...

She accepts the bag of trapizzinos wordlessly, watching to see how Nanami takes it. Admittedly, she's not very familiar with Nanami's tastes yet, and she's pleased to see it's well-received. Good, good.

She pulls one out for herself, showing off her fangs briefly as she takes a hearty bite. Being a bear means meat tastes twice as good, which is stupid because it was never her favorite before, but whatever.]

You don't need to apologize to me. Besides, compared to you, I'm lucky enough to be back in a body I'm familiar with.

[She thumbs a small trace of crumbs off the corner of her mouth.]

That being said, you got the hang of your new body quickly last time. What's different about this one?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Trish is so soft-looking... and it makes Nanami miss being a merperson more, for the moment, now that she's all bark and leaves. But she tries to push that down, there-- there has to be good stuff about being a nymph, too, she just hasn't found it yet.

And Trish's question, as she munches on the little snack, makes her focus on that, looking down at herself-- becoming something that's less sad to think about, but more... strange. What is different about this one? ]

The old me kind of just felt like me but with scales. [ Well, that was half of being a merperson. She takes another bite and thinks. ] Mm... and then swimming was nice.

[ Okay, that's half the question. Come on, Nanami... hmm... ] I... feel a lot... different now, I guess.

[figlia_morbida]

[She could ask Giorno and find out very quickly what all the perks of a nymph might be. Asking Trish what Giorno thinks, however, would be a less fruitful endeavor. Giorno is an extremely eccentric boy and would kiss a spider on its ghastly head just behind it's eight eyes. He likes strange things and being strange. That would be Trish's answer.

But that's neither here nor there.

Here, Trish listens and digests this answer. It makes sense. Although Nanami's body had an odd texture, and all her human features were just as absent as they are now...she supposes an animal, even one of the ocean, is a far closer cousin than a tree, regardless of whether or not that tree is animated by magic.

And if there's one thing trees don't usually have, it's freedom of movement. That's what she thinks about when Nanami brings up swimming.

Trish takes another bite of her snack, swallowing before speaking again.]

I asked a silly question, didn't I? It's different in every way, just as it was the first time, while you're the same person underneath.

[And then, seemingly abruptly:]

How do you feel about going out today?

[waitingforplayer2]

Mm...

[ Is she the same person? It's hard to say. She feels so much different than she did as a merperson, and even as a human, in ways that are really hard to put her leafy finger on.

It's just another thing to think about, she supposes.

She's snapped out of her thoughts again, mid-chew, by Trish's suggestion. She looks out the apartment's big window, at the sun and at the street below. ]

Mm... the sun outside is nice. [ She has been going to the roof sometimes for some sunlight. It feels nourishing on her fronds. ] I'm still pretty slow, though.

[figlia_morbida]

[Trish's green eyes flick to the window, following Nanami's gaze.

It's a lovely day, aside from the fact it's too damn hot. She used to love it, but fur makes warm weather horrible. A plant monster however...they've got to love it.

Trish looks back to Nanami, considering.]

...Is that part of the reason why you've stayed inside this whole time?

[She could see that being a huge deterrent. She could see any part of it being a deterrent, really.

But it comes back to a lack of freedom. In her mind, it does.]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She nods, sort of embarrassed to admit it.

She should be out there figuring it out, but she's just been so tired since her near-drowning and unexpected change. It's way easier to curl up in a sunbeam in her own apartment.

But being out in the sun does sound sort of nice, honestly. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[Trish has no context beyond the natural discomfort of a new body.

Nanami is notably silent too, and Trish brings her hand to curl over her lips thoughtfully.]

It won't be an issue if you've got help.

[It's no good keeping her cooped up like this, right?

Of course, if she doesn't want to, Trish won't push the issue. But she likes it better when Nanami is able to explore to her heart's content.]

[waitingforplayer2]

Mm...!

[ She's... again embarrassed to take help, even offered freely. But...

Well, she did like riding on top of Trish as a mer. And she does wonder if she can do something similar as a nymph.

So she nods slowly. ] Yeah... you're right. [ She's brightened a little bit, now, her fronds perking up and her roots raising a little as if she's preparing to get up. ] You... wouldn't mind?

proving Jackal right even more as she carts around a tree

[figlia_morbida]

[Asking for help fucking sucks. Trish knows this well. Pride is her sore point, and she assumes Nanami's is the simple fact she's too selfless, and imposing on others is anathema to her entire being.

Which is why Nanami doesn't have to ask, because Trish has essentially already decided for her.

Trish finishes her trapizzino, unfurling a little, her tail swishing behind her.]

I wouldn't offer if I did. No one makes me do anything I don't want to.

[This is emphatically not true, but Nanami doesn't have to know that.]

My only caveat is that it has to be close. I'm not carrying you all the way to Vandare and back.

[This is a shitty joke. Who would ever go to Vandare willingly.]

choo choo all about the Trish train monster

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She finishes the last bite of her own. She's... smiling just a little bit, finally, on her wooden features, despite herself. ]

Um... if you take me to the arcade... I could show you around.

:3c

[figlia_morbida]

[Trish doesn't show it in an obvious way, but she's pleased.

Well...her tail is swishing behind her as a tell, but she's not a dog, so it could also be read as agitation. If it weren't for her peaceful expression, that is.

Regardless, Trish has to ponder just how she's going to accomplish this. Nanami was easy to carry in water because the smaller girl could simply meld to her person. Carting her around now will be a little more cumbersome, but she's not one to be dissuaded by a challenge.]

I think that sounds like a fine idea. You know, I'll be in Bavan most of the week, so if you need help getting there going forward, you can reach out to me.

[But for now, they get to figure it out first.

So, Trish adjusts herself until she's walking on her knees. Awkward, but it keeps her low to the ground so she can offer her back to Nanami.]

Do you think our lake trick will work just as well on land, Nanami?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Nanami's starting to get your number, Trish, she recognizes that tail wag. Bears are basically big dogs anyway, right? ]

I think... we should try. [ It's-- she's going to be more cumbersome like this, but... maybe it would work? She looks down at her roots. ]

If it's not painful for you... maybe these can hold on...

[ She carefully takes Trish's shoulders - her leafy hands are gentle. Then she tries to lift herself up.

Her roots... do not want to come up, actually. They like being grounded. She hesitates. ]

Can you stand? [ Tries to get a good grip on Trish. This might take a bit of strength - do you even lift, Trish? ]

[figlia_morbida]

[They are not big dogs!! But the languid to-and-fro of that curled, fluffy tail betrays a relaxed mood. Anyone who has made her upset would immediately recognize the sheer contrast of it compared to the agitated, rapid swishing tail of an unhappy werebear.

She's not as subtle as she'd like to think, either way, and she listens to Nanami's concern with a tilt of her head.

Would the roots be painful...? Maybe if there was no buffer, but her fur is so thick it takes some time for water to reach her skin during her morning shower, and it takes even longer to dry off once her fur is properly soaked. No, she doesn't think the roots will be a problem.

Nanami seems willing to try it still, and Trish feels the odd sensation of the leafy facsimile of hands gripping her shoulders. As for that question, she responds by planting a fuzzy foot on the floor, changing her stance to a kneeling one.]

Only if you're sure you're not going to fall.

[In her mind, Nanami's question might seem silly, but it's also a reminder that she doesn't look like the type to be able to do this because in a proper reality? She isn't. But being a monster means nothing makes sense anymore, so what the hell ever.

Carefully, Trish will stand, although she's not sure what to do if Nanami falls. At worst, Nanami will simply be back where she started, and hopefully not too startled. Can trees bruise?]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Nanami grips Trish's shoulders tight. Her roots protest, but Nanami wills them up, and holds on.

What tendrils had been inching their way into the floor, release their purchase, and the tree girl comes loose suddenly. She clutches onto Trish, holding on, and her roots dangle-- but begin to look for new purchase.

In a method not terribly unlike how her tentacles previously behaved, Nanami's roots seek something else to hold onto - Nanami's got good arm strength, but it's not the most comfortable for all her weight to be dangling like that. So a few of them begin to lay themselves on Trish's back-- one, then another, then another, with a few gently draping over the sides, Nanami working hard to will them not to hold too tight-- or worse, attempt to take root. It's just an extra way to balance herself. ]

How-- how's that? Does... does it hurt? [ She's perched on Trish's back, but it's-- somewhat less precarious than when they were in the water together. This is going to take some getting used to. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[It's radically different to their time in the lake. There, Nanami melded almost seamlessly to her form with a body that was squashy and elastic, and now...she's stiff bark all over, her movements slower and more uncertain. Trish doesn't have that appetite for discovery anymore, for her part, but that's immaterial when Nanami is not a soft and wet thing touching her.

No, the tree change may in fact be fate smiling on them and their odd dynamic.

Anyways, Nanami comes free from the floor, and her roots cling to Trish's back and middle. Trish is skinny, and hopefully that makes it easier for the nymph to grip rather than more difficult. Less surface area, sure, but a more secure grip when opposite roots can parallel one another.

The grip isn't too tight either, although it's a little strange to essentially be hugged from behind by a tree. She can feel the toughness of every root, but her fur is an excellent cushion, and she glances over her mottled shoulder at Nanami.]

Not at all. How is it for you?

[She seems secure, but Trish doesn't know how much effort it's taking for her leafy passenger to hold on.]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ It feels comfortable. It feels familiar, actually, even though this isn't a stunt they've done very often yet. Hearing that Trish isn't in any pain or even discomfort helps the nymph to relax even more; she drapes herself over Trish's shoulders, and allows her roots to get a slightly more secure purchase, entangling with each other as they hold on. ]

It's good. [ The quiet little sigh she makes sounds very much like one of relief. ] I... I think I'm ready.

[ Hopefully her fronds aren't tickling Trish in the face too much, given her position. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[It's always odd to have someone hanging on to her, but it's not done without permission, and it's ultimately done to help.

Nanami seems happy with the arrangement, particularly, and Trish has to subtly angle her head up and down to push a frond under her chin. Tragic, that Nanami doesn't get to see the way the werebear's face screwed up when the aforementioned frond brushed her nose. That tickled!

Once that's done, it's time to get moving, and Trish takes a few experimental steps around the room to see how Nanami does. She's not very heavy for a tree, and has a pleasant smell, actually. Like the forest itself, shrunken to the microcosm of Nanami's person. However, that's a weird thought to have, and Trish crushes it under her metaphorical heel.

Anyway.]

Yes, you seem plenty steady. Are you ready to head out?

[Or...will she lose her nerve?]