(no subject)

[abundantlove]

Who: Crew of the Shepherd + anyone who would be around
What: I want caaaandy!
Where: The ship and all around (catch-all event thread)
When: 9th onward

The Shepherds had picked up several new crew members in recent days, but it seemed that the world they were now in had seen fit to share with them another new addition: the presence of bowls of heart shaped candy strewn about the ship.

It seemed shenanigans were about to be afoot.

Comments

[abundantlove]

"Makopi!"

And now she's latching herself onto her fellow Precure, hugging her as tight as she can. When she finally responds, it's almost like an afterthought.

"Oh... yeah, sure! They're pretty good..."

[knightlyidol]

"Eh?"

Blink. Blink blink.

Well, that just... happened. Not that Mana being touchy-feely was out of the ordinary, but this seemed out of nowhere even for her. Makoto's not entirely sure just how to process this.

"Um... I'm glad to hear that?"

...

"Mana? Is something the matter?"

[feel free to pick whichever one of the ones listed above if Makoto takes it]

[abundantlove]

"Hm? Nope! Nothing's the matter!"

Hope you like snuggling, Makoto, because Mana's doing that right now.

"... Oh, hey! I still have some of the candy! You want one?"

She held up one of the hearts, offering it to Makoto.

[knightlyidol]

"Hm... Well, alright then."

She was being needlessly paranoid, that was it. Mana was just being Mana. Just, you know, slightly-more-affectionate-than-usual-Mana. Nothing strange about that.

The same went for that candy. Clearly nothing suspicious was going on here.

"Alright, sure." Taking the offered candy, she put it in her mouth. After a few moments where nothing happened, Makoto was suddenly returning the hug. Quite, uh... enthusiastically. Yeah, she's cuddling you now, Mana.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Makoto's common sense is yelling that, no, this is very much not normal. But the rest of Makoto is too busy enjoying the cuddling.

[abundantlove]

At this, Mana blinked. Makopi... Makopi was hugging her back? Makopi was hugging her back?

...

No, no. This was too good to be true. What had happened? Was this one of those dream worlds where everything you ever wanted got given to you?

... No, that was silly.

"Makopi, are you alright...?"

[knightlyidol]

"Huh? Of course I'm..."

...and that's about the point where it started to sink in just what she was doing. She blinked a bit, before starting to blush furiously, freezing mid-cuddle.

"A-Ah... I... I'm sorry, I'm not sure what just came over me!"

[abundantlove]

"It's okay!" Mana tried to reassure her. "It's fine really! I don't mind it!"

She sighed sadly, and hugged Makoto gently.

"I just... I don't want you to step outside your comfort zone, Makopi... you aren't the type to wear your heart on your sleeve..."

[knightlyidol]

"W-Well... I'm not really, no. This isn't really... my thing."

That's putting it rather lightly. Not that she wouldn't show affection like this no matter what, but definitely not so casually. It felt... weird. Not good or bad, per se. Just weird.

"I'm not sure why I just did that..."

[abundantlove]

"... I see... it's... it's not making you feel bad, is it?"

Because that's the last thing Mana wants Makoto to feel right now.

[knightlyidol]

"Ah, n-no, not at all!" Back to blushing again. "I'm just not used to it. That's all."

She sighed, trying to calm herself down a bit.

"Sorry, I'm... really not good at this kind of thing."

[abundantlove]

...

[Mana leaned forward, hugging Makoto more tightly]

Shhh, shhh. It's okay... you're doing just fine, Makopi... I'm glad we can express our friendship like this.

[knightlyidol]

I-If you say so. I don't really know what I'm doing. I feel a little silly, actually...

[abundantlove]

Eh heh, I guess I can understand that...

... I won't tell anyone if you don't...?

[knightlyidol]

Ah, y-yes... I would appreciate that. [No one must know of this.] Thank you.

[abundantlove]

[Mana hugged Makoto again]

Don't worry... I know how important you "cool" side is to you~

[knightlyidol]

It's not like it's about being 'cool' or anything... I just... prefer to be taken seriously. That's all.

[No, it really is just about her cool reputation, let's be honest here. Such a kuudere.]

[abundantlove]

Are you suuuure Makopi? [her tone is teasing] You don't like people thinking you're cool? Because I think you're really cool...!

[knightlyidol]

I'm sure. It's not about-

[Wait, rewind.]

E-Eh? You really think so?

[abundantlove]

Of course! Your calm demeanor! How well you sing! You're one of the coolest people I know...!

[knightlyidol]

It's really nothing all that special... I'm just not the type to panic, that's all. But, ah... Thank you, I guess.

[we switched from prose to brackets at some point]

[abundantlove]

No problem, Makopi! Besides... Valentine's is about showing friends appreciation too, right?

...how did I not even notice that, wow.

[knightlyidol]

...Mhm. You have a point there, I suppose.

I've never really celebrated Valentine's Day before, though.

[abundantlove]

Well, no time like the present, right? [have another hug]

[knightlyidol]

Ah-

[All this physical affection, what do- oh, right, returning the hug. That works.]

I suppose so. I'm really glad I can be here to celebrate today with you and the others. I don't know what I'd do without you.

[abundantlove]

[Mana stared... and then visibly brightened, hugging Makoto even tighter]

I'm glad we could share it too, Makopi...!