Neko-Jin HQ

[Mitera Nikkou]

Tetsuo looked down, embarrassed at herself for her actions, and feeling like she was inferior and couldn't have that sort of effect.

"That can't be it... You two already care for each other, don't you...?" She replied, quietly.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

Scientia beeps Tetsuo on the nose. "I didn't say SUPER power."

[Mitera Nikkou]

"Well, still..."

She shifted her stance a bit, still fidgeting.

"I should have known that something wasn't right with telling Catnip... Well, you know..." She said, then looked up and raised her hands in a warding gesture, getting flustered. "Not that I don't find you...! Oh, um..."

She covered her face with her hands, embarrassed beyond belief and not having a clue as to what to do. She was trying to wing the whole social thing, but she was worried that she'd say or do something wrong. Both Catnip and Scientia were really nice as far as she could tell, but she didn't know how to express it the way that she wanted. She didn't want to sound like she thought catnip was ugly because she didn't like freaking her out like she had, but then she didn't want to say that she really liked her and gave her the wrong idea... Whatever that was. She was a bit confused, and her brain felt like it had a slight "regaining circulation" feeling.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

Catnip puts a hand on Tetsuo's shoulder. "It's okay. I don't blame you for Scientia's prank. And I don't blame you for not wanting to say that. What I said was true. You're a friend, and part of our extended family. If you want to be something different. That's up to you. If you want to decide, that's up to you. Just wait a while. You're still getting used to the whole thing."

[Mitera Nikkou]

Tetsuo lowers her hands and nods her head, then stands there awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

Scientia coughs. "Um, shall I run a few more tests, or do you want to assume you simply have enchanced diplomacy skills?'

[Mitera Nikkou]

(OOC: Sounds like Scientia's asking Catnip, there. ^_^; )

"Well, science isn't based on assumptions, right...?" Tetsuo responded, smiling a little despite her fidgeting, knowing that her answer would likely inspire more tests.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

(Edited.)

Scientia thinks for a minute. "I have an idea, just a loose one, and I want to try it. Catnip, can you do me a favor, and run around the lab. I'll time you."

Scientia prepares a stopwatch, and does the timing. While Catnip is running, and is out of hearing range, she turns to Tetsuo. "Deception is an essential part of some psychology experiments, especially this kind. I'm going to tell Catnip that I'm doing a second run to establish a more valid 'control', and before she starts, I want you to encourage her."

[Mitera Nikkou]

"Okay, I think I understand." Tetsuo replied quietly. "I hope I come up with a good, um... Cheer, I guess it would be?"

Just before Catnip does start her second run, Tetsuo will exctitedly yell, "You can do it, Catnip! Scientia says that she's seen you do better! I want to see you go really fast!"

(OOC: I figured that putting it that way will allow you to make two posts in one, to save your time.)

[Chibi MitchellTF]

Catnip comes back, and Scientia taps the clock. "Okay. Good time. Now, I want to do another try to make sure to establish a good control. Now, get ready..."

Catnip holds up her hand, and moves to get a drink of water. She is about to get a drink of something from a fridge, when she double-checks the label. A look of disgust crosses her face, and she puts it back. She then finds a sealed bottle of Aquafina, double checks over it, and holds it up to Scientia. Scientia gives her an OK sign, and she down the whole thing in one prolonged gulp. She does pull a face after drinking it, though.

Catnip gets her position, does a few stretches, and here's Tetsuo's cheer. A look of irritation, then anger, then focus, flashes across her face. Scientia's barely said 'Go', and Catnip leaves a furrow in the floor, practically leaping out.

Scientia looks at the clawmarks in the metal. "Well. Dang. I'd say that's statistically significant. Wonder if she realized that the Aquafina was fruit-tinged. Well, better not order any more of that!"

[Mitera Nikkou]

"She doesn't normally do that?" Tetsuo asked, sounding (as well as appearing) surprised. "It'd be neat if I could do that..."

Tetsuo tries to watch Catnip and somehow manages to keep up with her location, thinking that Catnip looked pretty cool with her determined expression.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

"Well, the furrows are new."

Catnip makes the loop, and screeches to a halt, padding on her toes to keep from tripping. "How'd I do? Better than ever."

Scientia nods. "Oh, yeah. Better than ever. WAY better. Last time you got near this time, your tail was on fire!"

Catnip's hand hovers over the 'garbage' button. "You were timing me that time?"

Scientia giggles nervously. "However, more importantly, I think we answered the question about Tetsuo's power. Her motivation is far, far beyond anything reasonable. When she cheers someone on, when she supports someone, they are invincible. She pushes people beyond their limits, to a new and greater height. She's the ultimate morale support."

She's talking to Tetsuo as well, in addition to Catnip. She's just more directly talking to the one with the figurative hand on the figurative trigger. And sure enough, Catnip's hand moves away from the garbage chute button.

[Mitera Nikkou]

"I hope that doesn't mean that I have to dress as a cheerleader." Tetsuo joked, to hide her excitement over having, well, something more than she had before.

Overall, though, she thought that her future had some good prospects now.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

Catnip and Scientia both turn to each other, share a LONG look, and turn back to Tetsuo. Their smiles are not exactly nice, a mischevious cheshire grin. They each take a step forward, and talk at the same time. "Well, now that you MENTION it..."

[Mitera Nikkou]

"Eh...?" She looks back and forth between them, and takes a step back, followed by another. "H-hey... What are those looks about...?"

When it came to her, she began to wave her hands in front of her, as if warding them away.

"Oh...! It was just a joke!" She told them, stepping back until she "eeped" when her back found a wall. "R-really...!"

By the time their shadows overshadowed her, she looked up at them imploringly, although with a bit of a sweat drop on her head.

"Um... Guys...?"