failed private video;

[cutiepanther]

[ After explaining to Nico in Nozomi's body that she wants to try to fix things between them, Maki's taking another step in that direction. Except, this video was DEFINITELY just meant for Nico, and not everyone else! ]

Look Nico, I have something to say to you, so can you just watch this without getting mad at me for two seconds?

[ Already Maki is starting off sounding a little haughty, and difficult herself, but that's how she is. ]

W-We're not so different, you know? We both like music and dancing, and we both try pretty hard in what we do. W-What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry for making it sound like I was judging you back at the hot springs. It's obvious you try pretty hard. ...Even if you are pretty shameless when it comes to dancing naked, back at the hot springs.

[ Why is this so hard...Maki's full on red now. ]

I just want us to be... friends. O-Or at least civil with each other! Is that so difficult?

That's all I wanted say. Just don't get the wrong idea here, or anything, okay?!

[ Blushing and awkwardly trying to avoid the subject of just what Maki could be thinking there, she shuts off the video and posts it, forgetting to make sure it only sends to Nico.. ]

Comments

[cutiepanther]

I didn't invite her! Nozomi and Eri did! [ As if she expects the other to know who they are. ]

I was still in my bikini, the other girls got undressed for the hot springs! And we're too young to drink!

[deadlydango]

So, friend of a friend. And...heh...you watched, huh?

[A shrug.]

And age never stopped teenage girls from drinking before.

[cutiepanther]

I was watching her dance, d-don't make it sound strange!!

[ Maki may have been watching intently, but she has no idea why she might have been, and refuses to admit it. ]

My parents would be really mad at me if I ever tried drinking. [ What kind of role model are you?! ]

[deadlydango]

While she was naked...

[Anko's smile sharpens and she laughs. She's a TERRIBLE role model. Do not do as she does.]

And your parents don't need to know what you do in your free time...

[cutiepanther]

That's not the point you should be focusing on!

[ Why did things have to turn out like this? Everything is awkward and embarrassing! ]

That sounds like something I would never do!

[deadlydango]

It isn't? Because I think it's kinda cute.

And why not? Are you a goody-two-shoes?

[cutiepanther]

Then you should go tell her that! I was still wearing a bathing suit, and I wasn't dancing!

[ ...Maki is very much a goody-two-shoes who loves her Mama and Papa and still believes in whatever this world's version of santa is. ]

I-I don't see why that matters.

[deadlydango]

No? Look, kiddo. Bathing suit or not, it's a hot spring.

And it matters because a good little girl wouldn't be so bright red over a little bath time fun. Or apologizing like the other person did something wrong.

[cutiepanther]

That's not something people do at hot springs normally is it??

[ She doesn't quite know what people do when they drink after all. ]

I-I'm apologizing for a different reason! I just don't know if this girl and I are friends or not, and it's really annoying!

[ Well, more like are they friends, enemies, or potential love interests. ]

[deadlydango]

I would say it is. Doesn't seem weird to me at all.

[Her shoulders rise and fall in an amused shrug.]

And I hate to say it, but you probably are friends. You don't spend time in a hot spring with lame people you don't like. And you said yourself that you guys share interests.

[cutiepanther]

I'm pretty sure you and I have different experiences at hot springs then!

[ It had been awkward, but then, maybe it was awkward for different reasons, like Maki being attracted to Nico but not knowing it. ]

We share interests, but it's not like we get along at all..

[deadlydango]

Probably have.

[All things considered Anko is kind of wild.]

And you...probably get along better than you think. Heck if she's dancing for you, she may even like you.

[cutiepanther]

I guess whatever you do is your own choices, as long as you aren't hurting anyone..

[ Maki is definitely not wild, not unless she learns to adopt a new persona for her musical career. Right now she's still definitely the stuck up, distant rich girl who doesn't break the rules. ]

Wait a minute, she was dancing because she wanted to show off, t-there's no way she likes me!

[deadlydango]

Well...ladies often show off for the people they like. I know I do.

[If the skintight mesh wasn't a dead giveaway.]

[cutiepanther]

Hold on! Now you're making it seem like I-I'm...interested in her...

[ From the blush, and the way Maki can barely even say the word "interested", it's actually pretty clear she has some inclination for that. ]

[deadlydango]

[Anko laughs, not nastily...but much more genuinely.]

You're kidding, right? I said she might like you, not the other way around. And you make it sound like it's a bad thing to like a girl.

It isn't.

[cutiepanther]

[ Laughing, no matter what kind, just makes Maki blush more. ]

I-I don't think it's bad for girls to....go out together, I'm just saying that I definitely don't have interest in her, and there's no way she is interested in me either!

[deadlydango]

Okay, good. I was about to correct you if you thought otherwise. People got no business telling other people who to be with. But then again, I find all sorts attractive.

And take it from someone who knows, she probably does like you. You're a sweet little thing.

[Shut up Anko, you're like...barely 19.]

[cutiepanther]

I just don't have time for things like that. I'm too busy to worry about dating someone..

[ Or so she tells herself so that she doesn't have to feel weak or inexperienced as she is when it comes to romance. ]

E-Even if you say something like that I don't know if I can believe you. What kind of person fights all the time with someone she actually likes?

[ ...Maki never went to school with other kids. ]

[deadlydango]

Now I know you're just making stuff up. You have time to date, if you have time to go out to the hot springs.

[Anko...actually knows that feeling though, it's why she avoids romance for more than a night.]

...seriously? Were you ever a kid? Or did you just...spring out of your dad's head fully grown?

[cutiepanther]

T-Those are two different things! I-I'm just...really busy...

[ Maki's never even had friends before, and now she's actually sort of thinking about romance...she just keeps telling herself she's ready, hoping it will all go away. ]

What's that supposed to mean? ...I was homeschooled, if that's what you mean.

[deadlydango]

That's exactly what I mean. You weren't around kids when you were young. Kids pick on the people they like most.

[cutiepanther]

T-That can't be true!

[ She really had no idea that was a thing. ]

...She does act like a kid even if she's older than me though. [ Oops, she didn't mean to say that out loud. ]

[deadlydango]

It's absolutely true. I was absolutely merciless to the guys and girls I liked when I was little.

And I still am.

[Again, her Ekans flicks a tongue at Maki...because she's here too!]

[cutiepanther]

And how far did that get you? Are you dating someone now?

[ Maki really doesn't get how things work in situations like this. Her knowledge is much more based in science and music..

That snake though, she's not doing well with it, ears folding down again. ]

Your Pokemon...is a little frightening.