entranceway | Video; early morning of 01/19

[The woman who pops onto the screen? She doesn't look at all pleased. She's disheveled and incredibly sore, but at least she's been able to have a shower since things have returned to normal. She'd woken up in her own bed, having muddied up the sheets -- so, okay, she's still pretty annoyed.

Still, it had occurred to her that she'd done something a little bit irresponsible the night before. It had been motivated by anger, certainly, but it isn't as if she'd killed the man -- still, she needs to get it off her chest and just make sure that he's -- you know, still alive.

She clears her throat.]

Uh, all right -- this message is especially for Alistair, or for anyone from his world -- now that this thing is working again.

I was attacked in the forest last night by someone accusing me of being a demon, so I thought that you guys might know him. I knocked him out and left him tied up outside the tavern, so I don't know where he'd be now.

[She scowls.]

And just to clear it up for anyone who might be wondering ... I'm not a demon.

[She motions to her hair.]

I mean, do you see a set of pointy horns? I have no interest in your immortal soul, okay? So further attempts to end me? Not going to be dealt with so gently.

[It's a bit of posturing since she's never actually killed anyone, but...they don't need to know that.]

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[Okay, that was just begging for a somewhat inappropriate response. She smirks.]

If I was inviting you over to protect me, you'd be staying in the bed with me. Obviously.

I can't promise I won't steal all the blankets, though.

Oh. Ah. Ha.

[Mystique you are a bad person. And going to make him choke on his own tongue, joke or not.]

I, ah- I wouldn't want to impose. I could just sleep on the floor. Much easier. Ha.

[In truth, it isn't a joke. She wouldn't expect him to sleep on the floor.

She can talk a big game, after all. Following through...less so.]

See, that just seems mean. I've slept on floors -- it's not great.

It's no good for a lady, such as yourself but a big, drooling brute like me? I can handle it. It'll still be cosier than some of the caves I've camped in.

[A year on the road, camping out every night means a nice flat floor without any damp or rocks doesn't seem a half bad place to sleep. And he'd still be more comfortable than sharing a bed. What if he rolled on her in the middle of the night? Or worse?]

Trust me, I've done my share of 'homeless camping wherever there's cover from the rain'. I wouldn't wish it on anyone else if they had any other options.

[She pauses, eyebrow raised.]

So you're -- what, afraid you'll drool on me in the middle of the night? Please.

I drool a lot! And I might snore.

[And those are still not the worse things that could happen so he's just going to stop this discussion before he starts blushing even more.]

...You don't really want me to come sleep over do you? I mean, I will if you're serious but...

[This seems like the perfect moment to draw some more information out of Alistair. She smiles innocently and raises an eyebrow at him.]

Would I be making someone jealous if you did?

Oh, for sure! Who wouldn't be jealous? I'm quite the catch you know.

[Haha. That's not a serious question, is it?]

Well, I'm convinced.

[She lets the smile slide into a smirk, though.]

I meant more specific women -- or men -- who might be worried about you having naked fun with others.

[Is there a mouse in the room? No? Then that squeak must have come from him. Not a surprise given he's staring at Mystique in mortified shock.]

What? No, I'm not- I don't-

[Give him a minute and he might manage a full sentence. And to sound less like his voice has magically unbroken itself.]

Maker's breath, of course there's no one-

...Oh, haha. Very funny. You did that on purpose.

Maybe a little.

[She raises an eyebrow at him. Would he completely lose it if she admitted that she wasn't actually just teasing him, at least not 100%? It's a toss up as far as she's concerned.]

Not my fault that you're cute when you blush.

Cute? That's just what a man wants to be called.

[Not that he's helping his case any by pouting at her.]

But if you're saying it I don't mind so much.

[So maybe he wouldn't lose it completely. But he would need to immediately go hide until the blushing stopped.]

Careful, you give a woman an inch with that kind of thing and she'll compliment you all over the place.

[She chuckles, not bothering to point out that he is indeed not helping his case.]

For now, though, I guess I'll have a mabari bodyguard.

That's a risk I'll just have to take.

[He can shoulder the burden. Somehow, he'll manage.]

You'll be in good hands- uh, paws. And the rest of us will make sure it doesn't happen again.

But if I call you in the middle of the night, I'm sure you'll be right over, right?

[She grins again. Okay, definitely teasing this time.]

[Yes, he's wise to her ways now. That gets only a snort and a grin in return.]

If it's an emergency. But I do need my beauty sleep.

Well, of course. We can't all shapeshift.

Or look like you.

[Alright, not exactly smooth, he'll just-]

Ah, I'll let you be. If you need anything...

[And he'll just be on his way before he says something foolish.]