But if you're me and I'm you

[favourthebow]

Who: Kíli and Tauriel, and then YOU!
Where: Dining room for Tauriel, anywhere (minus remodeled areas) for everyone else!
When: During the whole week
Rating: PG? Don't expect anything worse than that.
Summary: Kíli gets stuck in Tauriel's body. Chaos ensues.
The Story:

FOR TAURIEL;

[Being in this place is already maddening enough; Kíli's been here a short time but still it is difficult to wrap his head around everything. He is not by far used to it. As a matter of fact, what with the unexpected events that spring upon them, he is sure the opposite will be most likely. But being alone must be even worse. He would give anything to be by his brother's side, but he welcomes Tauriel's presence just as much, especially when she does not seem to mind his company either.

So for them it is common to spend time together, at least once a day, if anything to share a meal. They head to the dining room, like they do every evening, so they may eat together, but when he opens the door, the view that greets him is not one he expects.]

... well. [He looks from the strange new decoration to the elf standing next to him.] This is different.


FOR ANYONE;

[If he knew this was what was expecting him in the near future, he wouldn't have cursed this place so much for splitting the ground apart. Not that he minds Tauriel, quite the opposite actually, but that doesn't mean this situation is any easier to handle. She is too tall, too lean, her hair is long and he keeps getting it tangled into everything, even around her arms when he walks. Not to mention he can't even walk properly without feeling like he's about to lose his balance and fall over. A feeling that is not aided by the heightened senses that come with being an Elf.

Still, that does not mean he will simply lock himself up in his room until this event passes. It is difficult to adapt but he walks outside nonetheless, spending a lot of his time simply wandering around the grounds, though with the beach so much closer, it's not like he manages to ever wander too far.]

Comments

For Kili in Tauriel's body...

[not_apriest]

[She stumbles. He doesn't think he's ever seen her do that before. She's a graceful creature. Like walking art. He moves quickly to her side, taking her elbow, gently, to steady her.]

Easy. Are you well?

[favourthebow]

[Kíli's instinctive reaction, of course, is to jerk away from the touch, thankfully not losing his footing as he does so. It's when he looks over at the man that he seems to remember - he's not quite himself right now.]

Yes, I... I'm sorry. I must have tripped on a cobble.

[not_apriest]

Tripped? I've never seen you do that before. Your walk is usually so confident and sure-footed.

[Because he sure does watch her walk.]

[favourthebow]

[He stares blankly, mouth half-open, for a second.]

I was distracted.

[Trying to focus on how a female elf even walks.]

[not_apriest]

[Mm-hm. You're doing it wrong.]

By what?

[favourthebow]

Well...

[Haven't you just walked yourself into a neat little corner now, Kíli.]

... things.

[not_apriest]

I see. [He smiles and offers his hand.] Well, perhaps you'll allow me to distract you for a little while.

[favourthebow]

[Alright, now he's narrowing his eyes suspiciously at that hand. What do you think you're doing there, buddy.

A beat, and then,] I believe I have been distracted more than enough for one day, thank you.

[Keeping his hands very firmly set at his sides, mind.]

[not_apriest]

[He, again, gently takes her by the elbow.]

Come now. What's the matter? You've never been this...distant with me. You can talk to me, you know.

[favourthebow]

I haven't-- [Oh Mahal what is happening.

Oh.

Oh... no.] I'm. I am not feeling alright today. And I would thank it if you stopped touching me.

[He presses his lips tightly.] Now.

[not_apriest]

[Aramis withdraws and holds his hands up.] Apologies. If you're ill, perhaps we should go to the clinic.

[favourthebow]

[Kíli is frowning at him, he knows he is. After a moment he forces himself to look away.]

I'm alright. [Which is in fact a lie. Maybe he was alright before this conversation, but now he is as far from it as can be. He turns his back to the man and makes his way to a bench nearby, his footing uncertain despite his best efforts to focus all his attention on it.]

[not_apriest]

You can barely walk.

[favourthebow]

Of course I can. Do you not see me walking right now?

[But he only manages it because he stops trying to walk like she does, and lets his step fall a little heavier on the ground. It is the only way he makes it to a bench nearby without stumbling again.]

[not_apriest]

Without your usual rather transcedent grace. You're clearly ill. Please don't be so proud as to refuse help.

[favourthebow]

[Transcendent grace? Kíli would laugh, if only his heart wasn't being painfully crushed at the moment. Or Tauriel's heart, technically, but details.]

I'm not. I do not need help. [He sits down on the bench, remembering to at least keep his back upright as he looks anywhere but at Aramis resolutely.]

[not_apriest]

[He looks at her a little oddly.] My apologies, my lady. [Except she clearly does, but just doesn't want his help.] Have I offended you somehow?

[favourthebow]

No, not at all. [He is starting to think he should have said something about not being Tauriel right from the start, but it seems a little late for that now.

So instead he forces a smile, which even on her face probably looks just as fake as it would on his, thinking all the while that he best just leave before he says something he will regret.] I'm sorry. My thoughts were elsewhere.

[not_apriest]

[Something is still odd. But she's being strange and evasive in a way she's never been before.]

Then I will take my leave, m'lady. [He bows.] But please let me know if you need any help.

[favourthebow]

Right. [It is a beat of a moment before he remembers that she probably would not have answered in such a curt way, and he corrects himself, bowing his head in return.] Of course, I will. Thank you.

[itisourfight]

[ Tauriel has come to find considerable comfort in Kili's company, which is rather unsettling when she thinks about it and that is why she tries not to most of the time. There is enough to feel uncomfortable with in this place as it is, no need to add to that by scrutinizing her feelings about the young dwarf too closely.

The redecorated dining hall is hardly the oddest thing that has happened to her in Wonderland so far, but it sure is quite something nevertheless. ]

It most certainly is...

[ She's not sure whether to be disturbed or amused, and so her expression ends up being a sort of mixture of the two. ]

[favourthebow]

[For a while Kíli stares at the scene before them. The place is far more modern than it was before, still he is able to recognize a table and seats when he sees them. It must be yet another of those strange chances of this place, and it is almost scary how he so casually adapts to it this time, shrugging as he steps into the room.]

It should work the same way, right? [He makes his way to one of the booths, taking a moment to touch the odd material of the table and the cover of the seats.] We should be able get food just the same as before.

[itisourfight]

[ Kíli has quite the gift for taking things in stride, Tauriel has come to learn. It is almost contagious, and she finds herself shrugging along with him as she follows him into the diner. ]

I suppose so, yes.

[favourthebow]

Alright then.

[Once she agrees to it, he slips into one of the seats without much hesitance, and immediately focuses so that food produces itself on his side of the table. He is quite hungry after all.]

I was thinking of heading to the woods one of these days. Well, once the forest returns, which... I assume it will.

[He adds that last thought since the beach is much closer to them since this morning, and anything beyond the gardens seems to have disappeared for the time being.]

[itisourfight]

[ Tauriel takes a seat across from him, seemingly not sure whether to be pleased or worried by his idea. ]

You would not go alone, I hope.

[ Her need for food is much smaller than his, and in truth she often comes with him to these meals simply because she enjoys his company. Still, this particular time she too makes food appear, a simple meal of bread and cheese and fruit. ]

[favourthebow]

[He simply shakes his head as he reaches over for a piece of meat from his plates once she has food in front of her as well. Amongst his kin he would hardly wait before eating, but he is never too sure what are the manners of Elves, and whether or not that would offend her.

Not that it matters much, since he still eats with his mouth open and scarfs it all down without any elegance to it most times. Let's say it's the thought that counts.]

I hope so too, actually. I thought you would like to come with me. [He looks up at her then, taking a first bite of the meat while he waits for her answer to his invitation.]

[itisourfight]

Oh.

[ A smile curls her lips and she stops with a piece of apple halfway to her mouth, glancing over at him with obvious satisfaction. ]

I would be happy to.

[ And then she pops that piece of fruit in her mouth, and everything gets very strange. ]

[favourthebow]

Good! I'm glad.

[As if he would ever ask anyone else. The smile he offers her is easy enough, at least until she mouths a piece of food.

Then he's no longer smiling at her, but at himself. He stops halfway through his chewing, the smile dying as it is replaced by a confused frown.]

What... [He stares incredulously, wondering for a moment if perhaps he is imagining things. He does not really notice he is taller now, nor does he remember to look down at himself just yet.] You're... what?