bakerstreet | what's your number?

Everyone's probably got their own ideas where that line is. So I guess it's up to you. Just like it's up to me to decide about how to look at my past. Decide where your limits are and see what the number does.

[Usa makes a small circle, seeing if the thing follows her. It does, turning in the direction she's facing. How annoying.]

I don't feel anything from it either. There has to be some way to make it go away. Somehow I doubt attacking it would do any good.

[She thinks...and then yes, it settles on four.]

Well, at least that's fixed...

I can't really think of any usual way to take care of it...but though I can use magic, the theory behind all of it is just a little...beyond me. I just know if I knew the possible theory I could get it but...

[Another moment, and she lets out a loud sigh and moves to rub the bridge of her nose. No other signs of frustration show up on her face though. At most, maybe her eyes narrow.]

Hopefully it's just some sort of jinx and will wear off in time if not figuring out what it wants.

[Usa studies the number over Byleth's head, reaching out to put her hand through that one, too.]

You have the ability but don't know how to use it? Most I've seen requires imagination or willpower. I'm not sure what kind of theories are involved.

[She reaches up again to the number over her head, pretty stable now. Her hand passes through with no change.]

What could it possibly want? We figured out how to make it stop changing.

In my world, magic and science are one and the same. There are rules to it. Formulas and such are written. I only understand the basics. Three of my students are amazing at it.

[She hums, looking at their numbers again.]

Jinxes...are like curses in a way. They don't last long though, and are more for childish mischief than anything else. The most common one being based in white magic. Silencing a person. It lasts a day at most and can be broken by doing something the caster thinks would take a while to puzzle out. I usually ask my students who learn it to make it saying somebody's name during practice...if it works on the same rules, it's probably something the person who set it up would find difficult themselves.

I know someone who would love to visit your world.

[She folds her hands behind her back and walks in a slow little circle, glancing up from time to time to see if her new shadow was still following.]

So all we have to do is figure out what it's conditions are and then do that? What would make someone want to see our many partners we've had? Are they embarrassed? Jealous? I don't want this thing up there for the rest of the day.

Who knows...like I said. It's mischief. They probably wanted us to be embarrassed. Frustrated... I think for it to be completely personal though, who ever did it would already know the numbers.

So, I'm thinking it's just impersonal. Maybe somebody wanting others to lighten up? Conversations can take rather dark tones around here...

But I suppose they also don't understand how traumatic the subject can be.

So it's probably no one we know because we didn't even know one another before now. Maybe they were embarrassed by their own number and decided that if everyone's was visible they could blend in. Maybe... oh, that's an awkward thought.

[She shrugs and crosses her arms, staring up at the number.]

You're right. Too many dark tones. I want something more. I suppose making a new friend would count. If I'm not assuming too much.

I enjoy making new friends.

[This time, Byleth really smiles, brightly all the way to her eyes.]

Should I tell you a funny story? I can go on about my number problem, or my students. My students always make me smile.

Good. Because I don't have many, so having more is probably good.

[She grins, until it smooths out into a proper smile.]

I like funny stories. Go ahead, either way.

Well, let's go with one that involves my number and my students.

[She hums for a moment. How to word this.]

A battle happened in my world and I had been convinced I wouldn't see any of them again. After five long years we had been parted, I cried one for one of the few times in my life. Then, they all came back, one by one. And ...well, they were all grown up.

I still don't know what really came over me, but I cornered one. As we were kissing, he suddenly made the strangest noise and pushed me away. Just as I was about to apologize, he stammered "I'm sorry. I just thought the goddess had come to me and...I came too."

[She reaches up to adjust her hair, and also takes another little swat at the number. While Byleth speaks, she listens intently, her cheeks darkening a little by the end of the story.]

He... just from kissing? Wow, you must be a really good kisser.

[And after she blurts that out, she blushes a bit more.]

I just meant that... um, what happened next?

Edited 2020-03-25 00:30 (UTC)

He was always a shy young man, I'm sure lacking experience also did him no favors...

Though if you want to try, maybe you can tell me how good I am?

[She's teasing...kind of. She just has a hint of mischief in her eyes.]

I calmed down, he was embarrassed and we ended up just having tea after he went to change.

Yes, I've heard that can be... a problem.

[Now her cheeks match her hair.]

Try kissing you? I don't know... I mean... what if it makes my number change?

[She laughs. That was an awkward reply. She's not against the idea, just surprised.]

I'd probably be embarrassed too. Especially if I really liked the person.

Offer is still on the table.

[She huffs, laughing in her own way.]

I mean, then I would be the first one you could count on.

I know. Now it's just a funny story. Though I'm sure he's still a little flustered by it, I think we grew closer. He's a lot more confident with girls who used to bowl him over, so...maybe I helped? Or it's wishful thinking.

Wait, seriously?

[She puts her hands on her hips for a second, then reaches up and touches her chin as she thinks about it.]

That would make you my number one. I guess it's a good thing we're friends now.

[She grins, taking a little step closer.]

I think you did help. It may not have been how he imagined that situation going, but he probably really liked you and getting to share that with you is something he'll never forget.

You'd...just have to be a little patient. I have more experience with men than women.

[Just because she's good at teasing everybody, doesn't mean she is quite as good at getting much farther.

Though that doesn't stop her from slowly placing a hand on Usa's hip.]

I want to believe that. I don't know if it was 'I met a goddess' worthy, but... I feel like my students helped me become...a more human individual. I had a lot of difficulty expressing myself before them, not because I didn't understand my feelings, but they just never came to my face. It wasn't from any real trauma, they just...never showed. Because of them I can laugh and smile.

I can be patient, when I want to be. My experience is... [Her number flickers.] ...let's assume I don't have any.

[The number goes back to zero. Usa feels a little thrill at the touch and in turn she places a hand on Byleth's shoulder. She's feeling a little giddy, smiling more than she had in a long time.]

Maybe to him it was just like that. I could easily see you as a goddess. Reaching out your hand toward the future, molding young minds and helping them grow. That seems very goddess-like to me. And even better, you grew, too. I'm still learning to express myself, without tripping over things like... you know, words. Sometimes it's easier to just do something rather than think about it and try to explain.

[She huffs in laughter again, and ever so carefully pops her hip to touch Usa's. They may have admitted this is going towards a passionate kiss at the very least, but they still only just met and got to know each other.

Which is why she's not assaulting Usa like she did poor Ignatz and starting with a set of small, playful kisses starting at one of those cute ears and down her jaw line.]

I'm still working on that. Explaining my thinking.

[Usa takes a deep breath, a little shiver running through her at the contact between them. Not being assulted was good so the little steps suited her just fine.]

It can be very tiring. If it's easier for you to lead by example, I'm sure I'll catch on.

[Feeling those little kisses, she tilts her head a little, long pink strands of hair sliding against her shoulders. Usa inches closer, shifting her hand so her thumb brushes against Byleth's neck.]

[Byleth gives a soft hum of consideration to those words, tilting her head to give a kiss to Usa's thumb. In spite of her outward calm, the woman's pulse is racing, and very slowly a light blush is starting to dust her cheeks.

She gets a little bolder, moving to rest her hands on Usa's waist as she moves to kiss the young lady on her chin, just below her bottom lip.]

I'll keep that in mind, and try not to run too fast.

Edited 2020-03-25 19:42 (UTC)

[Usa finds herself breathing a little deeper, until Byleth's lips touch her chin. The breath seems to catch in her throat and she has to remind herself to let the air back out.]

I appreciate your consideration.

[She tilts her head back leans forward, toying with a few strands of Byleth's hair while she purses her lips.]

[It's probably no big deal that Byleth's eyes and hair are constantly shifting from blue to green for Usa, but the professor does hum at the touch, reaching up to gently touch one of Usa's pigtails.]

One of my other students...has hair much like yours...though perhaps a little darker.

[Another kiss, gentle and once again dangerously close to Usa's mouth...well until she notices that her lips are looking a little...

And so she goes for it, giving the girl a soft peck on her lips, still trying her best to keep things nice and easy.]

[That is a curious thing, one that catches Usa's attention when she gazes into Byleth's eyes, but she say anything about it. Her first inclination is to pull away from someone touching her hair, but she doesn't. It feels nice and she turns her head to give Byleth easier access.]

Mine is probably softer.

[Usa blinks a couple times, feeling the warmth of Byleth's breath on her lips. They're so close, she could just scoot forward a tiny bit... but Byleth beats her to it, and she feels the warmth of lips against hers.]

Much like your lips...

I'm trying my best to be soft. I used to not be.

[She huffs in laughter. Letting all that nice, soft hair flow through her fingers.]

Mm... I am definitely not as soft as you.

[Another soft kiss...with just a little sharp edge to it as she nibbles lightly on Usa's bottom lip before pulling back again.

It might be true. Getting this close it's easy to see that Byleth is a strong woman, powerful muscle in a small package, even closer looks might make hair thin scars more noticeable.]

I thank you for your efforts.

[Usa smiles, turning her head slowly to allow more hair to flow through Byleth's fingers, but not enough to turn away from her.]

There must be some soft spots...

[She hums, giggling a little from the sensation of having her lip pulled like that. Her scars aren't physical, so up close, her skin is quite soft, pale, and nearly pristine. Seeing the little scars on Byleth, she reaches up and touches her cheek gently.]

what's your number?

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