sidespirit:

image

               rin feels the change – the rush of heat ! – plumping against her own hand, curiosities rising along with temperature and tissue. ❝ huh❞  for someone seemingly so young, she catches on quick to transfiguration. it almost makes rin nostalgic for her own days of shapeshifting mischief. before she can question the kid, however, she scampers off into the kitchens before them, causing a cry from a cook followed by the expected “RIN, what is she –”  relax, she’s some big tipper’s kid or grandkid or something. we’re supposed to entertain her, ❞ rin assures, waving a hand. with that, she swipes a fresh plate of crispy pork from the counter. it’s not quite ham, but the basics of taste are the same. ❝ here, try this. it’s fancy ham. ❞ 

image

              “ FANCY ham! “ ponyo repeats, eyes growing round with unbridled excitement as she grabs a whole fistful of pork and stuffs in into her waiting mouth.  she chews with enthusiasm that only a child can muster, but then it hits her – the flavor – and she freezes.

                 suddenly her expression softens, and she positively melts, shoulders slumping.  she chews slowly now, eyes slipping closed.  her energetic rampage seems to be at an end.  the little shape shifter, subdued by this newfound fancy ham, turns her attention toward rin.  this woman is her friend now.

image

                 ponyo’s plump face fills with sudden determination and her arms stretch upward as she approaches the spirit, stumbling forward on legs she is not used to, until her tiny limbs lock around rin.

x