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WHO: Raha and roommates
WHERE: Their house
WHEN: Post-dinos
WHAT: Raha is about to understand why Amal told him telling him about his ears would be catastrophic
WARNINGS: A cranky catte boi

[Like most people, Raha has been completely exhausted after these dinosaur shenanigans. So when he rolls out of bed this morning and is a little bit more wobbly on his legs than normal, he chalks it up to the fatigue.

However, when he stumbles into the kitchen for some much needed coffee, the other two residents may notice something a bit... different. Namely, the absence of his human ears being replaced by a pair of red cat ones atop his head, and a fluffy tail swinging behind him trying to deal with the shifted center of gravity.]

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[Amal is making a nice frothy morning chai when he hears some sleepy footsteps.]

Good morning!

[He lifts his mug to his lips to take a sip and turns to see who it is, only to be greeted with cat ears. He turns away and thankfully sprays most of the chai back into the cup, but the jig is up.]

He—hello! Uh, how are you feline? [FUCK] I mean, how are you feeling?

[One of Raha's ears does a sleepy little flick as he rubs at his eye, giving Amal a little smile.]

Good morning. I'm... feeling a bit unstable, but it's probably from dealing with the dinosaurs. [Ignore the sway of his tail, that's definitely not the cause.]

[Well, at least one thing is back to normal, but a part of Amal is absolutely aching at how cute this is. Right, well—]

It took a lot out of all of us.

[He sets his cup aside and dishes up a mug of masala chai for Raha.]

Why don't you drink this and see how you feel?

Oh! Thank you.

[He takes it gratefully, hands cupped around it, and it may look very much like all is back as it should be, his tail doing a delighted swish. Unfortunately, he can feel it even though he's not controlling it right now, which means he frowns a little, looking behind him.]

.....Why do I feel like I'm missing something?

[well you shouldn't since you've actually GAINED something. /badumtish]

[Amal is trying so hard to stay casual, but he has to admit this is kind of funny. But he also knows Raha is probably about to freak out and laughing would be rude. He clears his throat and takes a sip of his own chai, and then sets it back down, his movements very measured.]

If I didn't know better, I'd say you were playing a trick on me.

[He sighs fondly.]

Don't panic, but... you should probably look at yourself in the mirror.

[Raha tilts his head curiously at Amal, before putting his cup down as well. New changes to his appearance, he assumes, but-- what?

When he moves to stand before the mirror, he initially doesn't notice. This is just what he's meant to look like, isn't it? But soon enough he realizes, wait, no, those are new, and what--

His tail and ears have the most reaction, amusingly, flying up straight in shock as Raha takes in his new... features. He reaches up to try and feel his no-longer-present human ears, before looking to Amal with wide eyes.]

[The tail and ears going straight up is cute enough to make his heart ache. He manages not to keel over this time.]

I suppose it was bound to happen eventually. This is what you looked like before—one of the graceful hunters and explorers of the worlds over, a Miqo'te.

[He smiles, and there's a little bit of mischief to it.]

If anyone calls you catboy, smack them.

[Oh he was not prepared for this. He was not prepared for this at all.

He carefully lifts his hands up to his new cat ears, and, yup, he sure can feel those, they're definitely attached to him, and this is very weird and he's not sure what to do about it.]

....I certainly don't feel graceful at the moment. [yes good, deflection. he's learned from the best.]

[Amal hesitates for a second, and then he reaches out to gently place his hands over Raha's, allowing him to pull away if he wants.]

Give it time. No one's expecting you to do a balancing act today.

I would at least like to be able to walk without stumbling...

[But even as he's whining a little, he doesn't pull away, and seems to be trying to relax himself with Amal's help.]

[Encouraged, Amal guides Raha's hands away from his ears, so he can hold his hands in front of him. If Raha stumbles he will definitely be able to catch him. The scene is reminiscent of teaching someone how to walk, and he's reminded of a sweet memory in the Tower.]

Then let's practice.

[He squeezes those hands a little, trying to be reassuring.]

I won't let you fall—I promise.

[Raha smiles, a little flush to his cheeks- this is kind of embarassing, after all.]

I know you won't.

[It's not nearly as trepidatious as a toddler learning to walk would be; he knows how, after all, it's just his balance has been thrown off by the tail. Still, having someone here to help, to try and get a sense of control back over it, is already steadying him in its own way.]

[The urge to dip Raha like a tango dancer is so much right now but he will behave. He will behave!!!! He guides Raha forward instead, chuckling a bit as he knows this is probably overkill (Raha is an adult, he can walk) but enjoying the moment nevertheless.]

One step at a time. Just like that.

Every once in a while, something comes along to shift your worldview, like putting on a new pair of glasses. But you're a quick learner. You'll be all right.

[Raha will walk with him a bit, settling himself into the feel of it- his posture changes a little to adapt, and something about the way his shoulders square back is probably a bit too familiar as well.]

...You really couldn't have warned me, though? [He sounds a little exasperated, but it's clearly mostly a tease.]

[If Amal's ears could perk like a cat's, they totally would right now.]

I did mention that they showed under your hood back then, but that wasn't much of a warning, you're right.

[Another step, and another.]

I was almost getting used to seeing you with cute little round ears, too. Not that the Miqo'te ears aren't adorable, of course~

[He smiles slightly, teasing in his own way.]

I'm just relieved it isn't something more... dire. You gave up so much to travel the rift back then and begin again. If you started to lose yourself to the Tower... well, I would be burning down Zodiac right now instead of spending time with you. They'll be lucky if I don't change my mind about it one day.

Edited 2022-09-12 20:17 (UTC)

With the crystal, you mean?

[He does sort of remember that- enough to know how very self-conscious he was about it, anyway. Though...]

...I wonder if there'd be a way to get you back home, though, then.

[r a h a no]

[He purses his lips for a moment, then nods.]

The way it spread... it obviously hurt you, and you kept pushing through it, but I wish you hadn't needed to.

[Pain wasn't the sort of thing one could easily transfer between people. But if it had been something heavy he could put his arms around, then Amal would have borne the burden without question.

There's a flash of coldness in his veins at the very suggestion of Raha sending him home, however.]

I doubt it. And even if there was a chance, I have to refuse. My dear Raha, I'm of the opinion that the only way to send everyone home properly is to have cooperation. That means no self-sacrificial heroics... and seeing as it would be the fourth time or so, I'd rather tie you up than let you pull that again.

[He does not need to sound so happy about that last threat, but this is Amal we're talking about. Is he kidding? Maybe, maybe not. He's lost Raha too many times, or come close, to simply let another friend walk away again.]

There is one other thing that you are overlooking, though you wouldn't have known for certain unless I told you.

[Rather than navigate the corner of the hallway, he smiles roguishly, eyes twinkling, and bows so he might place a chaste but teasing little kiss on each of Raha's hands. Ever the gentleman.]

I've lived in many places all my life but I only have one home... and right now, it's here.

[This is where he's needed. This is where the Scions, his family, need his help the most.]

[Raha hums, though he's still thinking through it. Portals obviously do not work, but unless a theory he very much hopes is not true, then there has to be a way to get people back--

The thought process is short circuited, as it usually is, by Amal saying and doing something particularly bold- it is perhaps good that his ears cannot get any redder any more, though they do stand straight up in surprise.]

I-- here? Really?

[Surely- surely he'd prefer to be back with his friends on his world? Where they're all there, where they remember everything they'd been through?]

[He straightens, still holding Raha's hands gently hostage—though of course if Raha seems uncomfortable at all, he'll let go.]

For a wandering soul like me, home isn't a place. It's the people I care about.

[His smile softens.]

That means you and Alphy and every other Scion who is here but doesn't remember. [Like Alphy's poor sister.] What kind of friend would I be if I simply left you here to deal with whatever comes? We still don't know what ties us all together—my present, and your memories... What if I'm the one from the past again? None of it is clear, but I feel like leaving without solving that mystery would be a big mistake.

I want to see Etheirys again, don't get me wrong—I have promises to keep, to the 'you' that's there, and to myself. But I won't sacrifice anyone to get there. That's not who I am.

I know you're not.

[But he is, assuming that he's the one being sacrificed. It's odd how simple that decision feels, without really knowing the full weight of it all, how easily he'd exchange his well being if he were assured Amal (or Rhel, or Rose) were happy and safe.

That... seems like something to focus on later.]

Have you seen any of the others? My memory is still not entirely clear when it comes to the rest of them, but I've only seen Alphinaud around.

[Yeah, let's not discuss that right now. Amal squeezes his hands again, trying to be light and warm and comforting.]

I haven't. But unless Alphinaud is an only child suddenly, then his twin is waiting to wake up like you two did. The fact that it's only me and my other reflections that traveled here cements that in my mind.

[Ghaleon is by no means a morning person. His work schedule forces him to rise early, but he staunchly refuses to shine before the second mug of tea. This does not, however mean he's oblivious to Raha's zombie shuffle towards the coffee maker, nor to his housemate's sudden... additions.

His own ears wiggle a bit, both out of amusement and a desire to see if the redhead's would respond in kind.]

You seem clawfully tired today. Planning on taking a catnap if your bean water doesn't prove effective?

[Ghaleon. Ghaleon, please.]

[One of the ears flicks in response, and Raha pauses, tilting his head with an uncertain frown. He felt it, but he's so unused to the sensation that he doesn't know what it was...]

I've far too much work to do for that-- but, well, sometimes it happens without my meaning to...

[his ability to fall asleep in the weirdest goddamn places may make more sense now.]

[Satisfied with Raha's reaction, Ghaleon takes a sip of tea.]

All the more reason to take a nap then. You're going to make mistakes if you're so tired you're not noticing what your own appendages are doing.

My... what?

[He doesn't think his arms or legs are moving without his knowledge, and... appendages is kind of a weird word to use them for them anyway...

........why does he feel like Ghaleon is talking about something else entirely?]

[He takes another sip of tea to hide the grin threatening to overtake his face. Oh, this morning is becoming such and unexpected delight.]

Check your ears, dear.

My--?

[Raha reaches up to where his ears should be-- but they aren't. What. What.

Then, for a reason he can't explain-- instinct? bodily awareness???- his hand reaches up to the fluffy red ears now atop his head. W H A T

brb raha.exe has stalled.]

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WTF I NEVER GOT A NOTIF FOR THIS

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