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Who: Madoka, her new kitty (Maru/Sleepy Ash) and you!
When: Day 2 of Fiddlesticks
Where: Everywhere on the train
What: Madoka is very excited about her new cat. And also likely making very bad life decisions for herself here by making a contract with a vampire.
Warnings: Likely mentions of vampirism.

(note: threads will mostly be between madoka and your character, maru might randomly jump in to pipe up on some threads, you'll know if/when it happens!)

( a: dining carriage )

If you've seen Madoka going anywhere on the train since yesterday, you may have noticed something new about her. Namely the fact that she's dragging a tiny black cat with her everywhere she goes.

Right now she can be found with it in the dining carriage, where she's seated at the table not to eat, but to instead draw in her notebook. She keeps sneaking glances over at the cat as it's sleeping on the table next to her notebook though, and after a while Madoka can't take it and giggles as she gently boops his face with the not-sharp end of her pencil.

"So cute.. Who's the most adorable kitty around? It really is you..!" She's staring at the cat with so much endearment in her eyes, but that's the exact moment where she looks up and only then seems to notice you being there too. Madoka's face immediately grows pink with a blush.

"A--Ah, I'm sorry!" Because apparently she feels the need to apologize for gushing over her cat publically..

( b: near the on board shop )

Or you may spot Madoka near the on board train shop. Apparently she's been using it, since the girl's arms are loaded with way too many chips for one tiny teenage girl to eat. There's six different bags in her arms, and the tiny black cat is precariously balanced on top of her head. It seems to be going well.. until one of the bags of chips slips out of her hands, falling onto the ground.

"Ah..!"

The girl is trying to pick it up, but it's a difficult process with her arms this full and her not wanting to disturb the sleeping cat on top of her head.. Someone please help the poor girl instead of watching her attempt to bend down and pick it up only to fail.

( c: anywhere in the train! open to madoka's close cr! )
(if you're wondering if you're close cr, then the answer is probably yes.. but feel free to check with me on plurk or discord!)

After a while she figures though that she should probably at least tell some people about the true nature of her kitty. It's going to be really awkward if someone sees him transform and freaks out about it in the middle of battle.. So while carrying the cat in her arms, Madoka makes her way through the train to try and look for people she's close to.

When she finds one of them, she'll offer a small smile and say: "Um.. Sorry, but do you maybe have a moment for me..?"

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Maru looked up at Madoka. Had he said something bad? She was making excuses for him like he'd said something bad, but the Green Guy didn't seem to mind that he was green or that it was brought to his attention.

He looked back at the guy and then yawned. "Nope... never seen someone green before... except a hedgehog."

Piccolo blinked and looked back at Madoka. She was doing that awfully polite thing that was adorable again. He smiled at her without realizing it.

"It's fine, Madoka. I understand." His eyes flicked back to the cat. "So you're Madoka's new friend, hm? You're not up to anything sneaky, are you?"

He couldn't help but think of Puar and Oolong while talking to Maru. They could both shapeshift and sometimes got up to a little mischief from time to time. It usually didn't hurt anything though so Piccolo wasn't trying to sound too intimidating at least.

It's almost comical how high-strung Madoka looked over this next to how chill and sleepy the cat is.. but at the very least she seems to lose some of the tension when Piccolo smiles and says he understands. It's not even that she's scared of him - he's been nothing but nice to her! - as much as she just really doesn't want to hurt his feelings..

(Also, wait, green hedgehogs? Is that another vampire from Maru's world who also took liberties with traditional vampire lore?)

The thought shoots through her head, but instead she pushes it aside for a moment, calmly smiling up at Piccolo.

"Maru wouldn't pull anything sneaky. He's a good boy."

Sneaky required energy and the motivation to sneak. Maru had neither. In answer he just yawned and dropped his head onto Madoka's hands, giving Mr Green a sleepy blink.

"I'm just a vampire shut-in kitty who spends his time eating snacks. What's the point in being sneaky?"

He yawned again and then lifted his head, tipping it back to look at Madoka. She was upside down, but he gave her a little purr anyway. She thought he was good. He liked that.

Between Madoka's and Maru's reaction to the question Piccolo was content to let things slide. She clearly knew he wasn't an ordinary cat and still adored him, and vice versa, so that was all fine and good. But one of Maru's words struck him. He frowned slightly.

"Did you say 'vampire'?" Why would a vampire hide as a cat? More importantly, why was Madoka friends with a vampire!? Piccolo narrowed his eyes at Maru but remained calm for the moment. "What kind of vampire? You're not going to go biting her, are you? Or drain her energy without her knowing?"

The purr makes Madoka let out a content giggle, although she can't be fully at ease once Piccolo's questions start following. It's not too surprising that he's questioning it.. After all, Madoka was so super surprised too the first time she heard that Maru was a vampire. Still, she can also imagine it can't be fun for the poor kitty to have to endure these questions over and over, so she quickly speaks up - a hint of awkwardness in her tone again.

"M-Mister Piccolo, Maru isn't that kind of vampire!" Since being on the train has taught her that the traditional kinds of vampires that do need blood to survive also exist.. And technically Maru will bite her, but it's okay! It's just a little bit! "He doesn't need blood or energy or anything like that to live. A-- And he wouldn't do anything without my permission either. He really is a good kitty!"

Maru had, for a moment, felt perfectly fine with this guy. Until he got stuck on that one word. Before he could open his mouth though, Madoka had started talking. And defended him. He looked up at her and had the strangest urge to just hug her.

Yes. He was a vampire... sort of. Maybe he considered himself a monster but he wasn't the kind who went around draining people of their blood. This wasn't some cheesy b-movie.

"You're an alien. Are you gonna probe me?" Maru asked, looking from Madoka to the green guy. Stereotypes sucked. But if he wanted to go throwing them around, Maru could do the same.

"I don't see how that's-- What does that even mean?" Sorry, Maru, but Piccolo has never seen a movie much less one about aliens. And he doesn't read the news either and he hasn't shifted through all of Kami's memories. He doesn't like the whole 'watch the people constantly' as much as his former other half did. He was more a fighter than a guardian. So he doesn't know the trope from anything else, either.

"I'm asking simply because I know what a vampire can do, and I know Madoka... well, you've met her. She's too nice and that makes her vulnerable." He didn't say it to be insulting but it was Piccolo's way to simply be blunt. His eyes darted to her but quickly away again. Normally he didn't feel bad for being so forward but being mean to Madoka was a low blow even for him. He stood his ground with a straight back though.

Thankfully Madoka is distracted by the other things Piccolo says before she can start on a very, very awkward explanation of alien probing. But then again, is it really that thankful, considering the exact part that distracts her? Of course it's the part about her being too nice and therefore vulnerable, after all.

It makes her gaze drop, visibly looking sad. She's not even upset with Piccolo, because she knows he's right. She really is vulnerable. (And weak, she adds in her mind.) It's no surprise that that's obvious to other people as well.

"I'm sorry if I worry you, mister Piccolo.."

Maru kind of wanted to hurt Mr Green. How dare he make Madoka sad.

Have you ever seen a kitty scowl? Maru was doing his best to do just that. Maybe he should hiss? Angry cats hissed, right?

He jumped out of her arms and onto Madoka's shoulder, he pressed his side gently against her while he glared at the alien guy. "No, she's strong. And I'll help her be stronger. Being kind isn't a weakness and isn't a vulnerability." And he would fight anyone who tried to argue with him.

"I would say it's both," Piccolo countered firmly, almost as if he were heartless. It couldn't be helped. "I'm not saying the world should be without such people but it is a weakness and it's definitely a vulnerability. It's easy for people to pray upon such weak-willed individuals. Not everyone is kind enough to protect the weak. Some just like to look down and laugh at those weaker than themselves."

Piccolo wished he was only referencing people like Frieza but in his inner heart he knew who he was truly reminded of: the Demon King Piccolo. He did his best not to focus on that though lest the memories creep up on him and he relive the horror he once wrought upon the world. All while laughing with unabashed glee as people died around him. All so he could have a bit of fun.

Edited 2020-05-28 04:30 (UTC)

Madoka doesn't see it coming at all that Maru is about to move until he's already jumping out of her arms and onto her shoulder. But even that could never be as much of a surprise as the words he says afterwards are, rendering her completely quiet in astonishment for a few moments. It's just.. so sweet of him to defend her like that. Not that she thinks he's right - how is she strong at all? - but it doesn't take away the gratitude she feels at hearing him say those words in the slightest. All she can do in response is mumble a soft and half-surprised "Maru.." before turning to look at Piccolo when he speaks up.

But the man's words have the complete opposite effect, especially with that tone. It's not like Piccolo doesn't seem pretty stoic in general, but hearing that firm tone when it comes to this topic feels so.. sad. Madoka hates even just hearing it. It's like her heart is shrinking away inside of her chest. Without Maru to hold onto in her arms, she instead wraps her arms around herself for a moment to try and deal with it.

It takes a moment before she can even say anything.

"I.. don't think being kind and being weak-willed is the same thing at all though.." Don't get her wrong, this isn't about Madoka herself. She knows she's weak. And weak-willed. She isn't a good example of this. But even just here on the train there's so many examples of people who are both kind and strong. "Of course there are bad people who are strong.. but there are kind people who are strong as well. There are kind people who protect other kind people. I know I'm weak, but that doesn't mean you should think of all kind people that way, mister Piccolo.."

Maru was done with that tone. He jumped from Madoka's shoulder and landed in a crouch as a human. His normally tired, bored expression was gone in favour of a look of annoyance.

Part of him understood where this guy was going. But there was a key difference now. He was talking about Madoka His Madoka. His Eve. And there was no way he was going to let that slide. She was his to protect, even if it was just from the hurtful words of someone she considered a friend.

And hurt she was. He could feel it. And it angered him all the more. He refused to have him shake her confidence in this way... It couldn't happen.

"People who look down on the weak are the weakest of them all." Maru glared at the Green Bastard. "Can't see past their own ego. Think they know everything. But you don't know a thing about Madoka. She's stronger than you know and her kindness only makes her stronger. And I'll make her stronger than even that."

"I never said I did," Piccolo began to reply directly to Madoka, his expression softening ever-so-slightly. He knew all too well the kindness of the strong. Goku only ever used his strength to protect everyone around him. The Namekian had nothing but respect for such a strong, pure-hearted warrior.

But Maru's transformation interrupted anything else the Namekian might have said to express this sentiment. His expression hardened once more, returning to it's more usual sharp lines.

"You're right, they tend to expect their own strength to be enough to win every battle but those that fight to protect others tend to find an inner strength far stronger than the tyrants and sycophants of the universe. But 'kindness' is not 'strength' unless you forge it. And you cannot teach her how unless you first accept the truth and build upon it."

Maru defending her just now was already surprising enough, but him suddenly transforming into his human form is even more surprising. Sure, he did promise to protect her, but.. she was kind of assuming he'd do that in battle, not in social situations! Not that she doesn't appreciate the gesture, it's so sweet, but still...

Madoka listens to the two speak, feeling kind of uneasy. And although she feels slightly guilty for it since it might exactly be a sign of her being weak, she can't help but reach out and cling to Maru's arm a little. It's just.. something about being near him like this makes her feel a bit stronger.

She doesn't say anything though. After all, she already acknowledged that she thinks she's weak. And judging by what Piccolo is saying, he at least doesn't think all kind people are weak? So it's probably just her that's weak, huh. Madoka can live with that without protest... She'll stand up for other people all day long, but standing up for herself is an entirely different story.

Maru was ready to be angry on Madoka's behalf. Ready to defend her and protect her at all costs.

And then, just like that, it was gone.

Madoka's hands upon his arm and the warmth of her at his side made him break eye contact with Green Bastard and look down at her. And the anger melted away. He didn't like how sad she looked. He didn't think she was weak. She couldn't be weak. If she was weak they would never be able to fight together. She needed a strength of will that overrode simple physical strength, because Maru didn't have his own.

"I think we should go." He said to her, ignoring the other for now.

Piccolo waited. He wasn't the type to demand acknowledgement (not outside of battle or training at least) and whatever he had initially called Madoka over for was along since forgotten in the fuss.

He, for one, wasn't particularly upset. He felt marginally bad for making Madoka sad and guilty, but that couldn't be helped. They would both get over it eventually, and if not then Piccolo would cross that bridge when he came to it. As for Maru, Piccolo thought the kid (or whatever, the vampire could have been old he supposed but it didn't feel like it) was a little over-worked but couldn't really blame him too much. The plus side was the vampire seemed to have a good heart. Piccolo could live with that, or rather, he could live with Madoka being friends with Maru because of that.

So if they were going to leave, it meant the Namekian would simply go back to meditating for now. So he waited to see what they would do.

Madoka's gaze moves up to meet the boy's when he says that. For a moment she just stares at him, and then her gaze quietly shifts between Piccolo and Maru, like Madoka is trying hard to think of what the right thing to do here is, even with this weight pressing down on her heart.

She lets go of Maru's arm, but still holds the other's hand. The reason for it is clear enough - it's so she can actually politely bow to Piccolo before uprighting herself and speaking up again.

"I'm sorry, mister Piccolo. I'll work hard so I can become a strong kind person rather than a weak one." After all, it's not like she just wants to hide behind Maru. That's not what their bond is about. Maru makes her stronger by giving her the ability to fight, not just by protecting her. The girl doesn't exactly look like she's cheered up much, but she does at least sound like she genuinely means those words.

It's then that she looks back over to Maru, squeezing his hand slightly. "Hmm, you're right though, Maru.. Let's go, okay?"

Madoka's hand moved into his own, and Maru took it and curled his fingers around hers. He waited for her to say what she wanted to say and a slight look of sadness crossed his eyes for a moment. She was strong... Why couldn't she see that? And why couldn't others?

He returned that little squeeze of his hand with a gentle one of his own, and a nod. "We go now."

Without looking back, hand still in Madoka's, he took the lead for once. Part of him wanted to just scoop her up and get out of there as fast as hos feet could take them, but he walked.

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