lumberlady | Prismatica IC Contact

[ She's so strong! It's not new information, he was aware of her strength before, but it's different seeing it applied to himself when he feels so large and awkward and heavy compared to his usual body. Working as she does, and working where she has, gives her all that physical assurance in being able to handle so many things.

Heck, while he's stronger than he looks, it's not because he works out or has worked that kind of hard. Frankly, it's all due to Murasame. ]

Right!

[ He's still red cheeked out of embarrassment for all of this, but it's reassuring knowing Konoha really will make sure he doesn't fall flat on his face.

All four hooves on the floor and spread somewhat to keep him steady, he accepts the lost belt end and tries again. He's still awkward, and he comes close to dropping the belt once more, but this time he does make the pass off and manage to do what she'd instructed. ]

Then I tie them, right? In a bow?

[ He starts a simple knot, one that could loop into a bow, but please help him, Konoha, because right now he's behaving like he's tying a ribbon in his hair or tying his shoes... this kind of underwear is so strange to him, it's so... right there. ]

[Konoha hasn’t seen many babies of her own species. Her own village was mostly humans, and when she went in town it was mostly stallions, and the few mares with foals usually had them swaddled up at their breast at that age... but she thinks it must be kind of like this, all ungainly and hard to balance. So... this is just practice!

Practice that, for a moment, makes her expression darken slightly, gaze averting at the mental reminder. She needed to stop thinking like that. The doctors had said this place made them all barren. There wouldn’t be anything to practice for.

Shino’s voice draws her back, thankfully, and Konoha puts on a smile again, nodding.]

Just tie a bow if that’s easiest for you to get off later. No need to make it more complicated.

[And once he was done... horse trousers! Perhaps a weird garment, but it covered the rear, and the bottom flap covered the crotch, so... mission accomplished?]

[ Shino hasn't even wondered about fertility here, just as it wouldn't occur to him to worry (can he even procreate, he sort of doesn't think so, if he sat down to think about it), but what does occur to him to worry about is... well, everything else right now.

He misses her darkening expression, but catches when her gaze averts. There's a question in his eyes before she replies, and it lingers after; what had she been thinking about? Too hard for him to blindly guess. ]

A bow it is.

[ He says instead, doing as promised; and what follows is, well, weird, yes, but also preserving his sense of modesty better than the sheet or a blanket alone was doing. He'd never think twice about seeing a horse or deer in their natural state, but as soon as it was his body? Too much! He can't be seen in public that way! ]

En, thank you, Konoha. I was freaking out trying to figure out what to do... or if I'd have to leave this place half dressed.

[ Other freak out thoughts: bathing, bathrooms, and... bathing. He needs his daily baths, okay?! He holds off on that, figuring there must be a bathhouse that'll work if nothing else. His mind wanders back to her averted gaze, not paired with the awkwardness or embarrassment they might have both been feeling, but something else he hadn't identified. ]

Is there anything that's been bothering you?

There you go.

[A bow was fine. And it gives her something to do to refocus, to drag herself out of the momentary, depressing reminder that she'd recently learned she wouldn't be able to have the thing she wanted most. What her husband wanted.

Instead, she gently smooths her hands over the trousers, fixing the fit here and there until they lay mostly right. Unfortunately for him... these were designed for horse rears, and when jinba needed to use the restroom their tails lifted, conveniently raising the back of the trousers with them. But with a deer tail... he might just have to get out of them then back in.]

Don't worry about it... I was a little shocked getting a call like that, but I'm glad I could help.

[And she really was, she was, so she can smile again and put aside the unfortunate reminder. It wasn't something she thought a man would really understand anyway, let alone a young man like himself.]

No, I'm fine... Do you think you can walk?

[ He watches her smooth everything out, trying not to allow his hide to twitch. He succeeds half the time, the other half visible as a twitch of skin or a reactionary twitch of his stubby deer tail, which as Konoha could predict, doesn't lift the flap in the same convenient way that a horse tail does. If this ends up being a regular issue to contend with, he's going to need to seek out custom tailoring.

The thought alone gives him a headache, so he promptly stops thinking about it. ]

I'm sorry it was so early...

[ When she was obviously sleeping, and she's so busy during the day. ]

If there's any way I can make it up to you, tell me.

[ When she says she's fine, he doesn't fully believe it, but he also knows he won't press. He asked, and made his concern for her known, and anything else was on her terms to decide. Hamaji had taught him that over the years, and it's a lesson he retains close to heart.

(Not that she's wrong. For a dead man to contemplate children when he's not assured of living to see another day, it's complicated. Nothing he'd want to leave behind, either, and what also if he outlived any children he had? There's no way to win, if he ever took to thinking about it.) ]

I can try.

[ The answer should be yes in his opinion, now that he's calmed down and been otherwise embarrassed. The panic that'd taken over him earlier that morning has subsided, and while he's careful as he walks forward, placing each hoof with deliberate precision, he's steadier than he had been. It helps being in the open space of the living area by the entry way, with ceilings high enough and without dangling parts to catch on his antlers. ]

I think I'm getting the hang of it. Until I have to walk on ice, or stairs.

[ How's he going to have to balance? He's only ridden horses behind someone else, how does any of this really... argh! It's so frustrating! He breathes out in an exasperated sigh, wanting to throw his arms out to the side but keeping the motion small to maintain his sense of equilibrium. ]

When people talk about the changes that happen during the moons, I never thought it'd be like this!

It's alright. I'm just glad it wasn't that you were hurt or something.

[Which had admittedly been her first thought, hearing how panic-stricken his voice had been when she first answered the phone. As for how to make it up to her... She'd come up with some sort of chore he could help with next harvest to allow him to feel like they were even again.

When he walks she hovers nearby, not wanting to appear overbearing but wanting to at least let him feel like she could catch him again if he needed it...]

Let's not walk on ice and avoid stairs, then, alright? Well- as much as you can.

[And avoid the root of her upset, because so far... all her attempts to speak about it have just made her husband sad, or she's attempted it with women who... were quite glad not to have to worry about pregnancy here. She supposed she should try to understand their relief, even if it was instead her worst nightmare.]

I haven't seen anyone who was Iris change like this before... you're my first... But I guess it's still "deer parts" so maybe we should have thought of it...

[But she can't help but laugh a bit wryly, scratching behind her ear a bit awkwardly.]

I can't imagine what I'd do if I woke up with two legs or something...

Stairs might be the hardest.

[ The admission is paired with a sigh, given how much of the city on each level is comprised of staircases one needs to navigate outdoors, unless one takes the longer ways around. There are solutions, he's just usually impatient, and the restructuring of his thoughts about his haphazard navigation tendencies is another headache.

One more thing to shove off until later.

He's been staring at the ground where he's placing his forefeet when she admits he's the first case she's seen transformed in this particular way, Shino lifting his head to look at her with the "two legs" comment. ]

I've heard of Sanguis gaining full fish tails but staying normal from the waist up, I guess it's possible. If that does happen... at least I can help you with balancing then, huh?

[ Offering a small, sheepish smile. He's still not entirely steady, but that's less because he can't walk right and more because he's still cautious, figuring out how to move without tripping himself up. His tail flicks occasionally, sending the flap of material over it twitching now and again. ]

This is why we're supposed to be careful with whatever weird bracelets that one guy sells, isn't it?

[ Shino, in no way is that a helpful, not vague statement. ]

They’re not my favorite either, to be honest...

[There were so many of them in this city, where they built everything so high... just another one of the many reasons Konoha just felt generally more comfortable in the Groves. Plus, dirt was so much kinder than concrete and metal on her hooves.]

There’s some Sanguis people who get snake tails like that, too... so I’m really hoping there’s not like a “human” moon, haha... or I really will need your help.

[They’d definitely be even, that was for sure...

But his next comment does leave her a bit confused, blinking as she keeps a slow pace beside him still, glad to see that he’s gaining a bit more confidence.]

Weird bracelets?

A human moon?

[ That gets the first real smile out of him, and he chuckles a little, rubbing his face with his hands. ]

Maybe there is. Or a monkey moon. It'd be close enough, wouldn't it?

[ Then they could all go hotspringing together. He's heard stories about that in other parts of the country. Not so much where he grew up. He drops his hands away from his face, having been steady stepping forward even without staring at the ground. Not fully certain, but more confident than he had been. Now he works on turning slowly, which is done with such care that he's actually putting himself more off-balance. ]

Uh, the... the things that... that Lumi guy? The Wolf Wares shop, or the Ware Wolf shop, something like that. I saw him one month and bought a necklace I liked the shape of, and it did something to the magic the moon makes me have. There were bracelets too, I think? Only he said he thought those did something else about making moonblessings stick around full time. Word of mouth from his other Moonblessed buyers.

[ He wrinkles his nose, glancing over at her as he finishes his awkward turn around. ]

I didn't like the sound of it, so I decided not to deal with it.

That would work, I guess... I grew up with humans so they look like humans to me, but my husband's nephew had never seen one before they came down the mountain, and he said they looked like naked monkeys to him...

[Noticing that he might be thinking about his movements just a bit too much, Konoha moves a touch closer, keeping up the conversation in the hopes that maybe talking would distract him enough that instincts might kick in. Maybe that would work?]

Oh... I think I bought some seeds from him, once. And a box that plays music.

[It had seemed like such a strangely eclectic gathering of wares she'd gotten curious, but.]

Guess I'm not buying any jewelry, either... I don't really want that magic or the moonblessings sticking around, thanks...

Naked and shaved ones...

[ The conversational distraction is working, his movements less jerky and overthought, growing more fluid. The fact he's dressed now too helps, one more thing set normal in a series of things so wildly outside of his version of normal. ]

Buy jewelry from the other merchants, if you want any. Do you?

[ He gives her a curious look. His two necklaces are actually on still, but he only lifts his fingers to brush against the chain of his stylised cross now. ]

I didn't think he was entirely honest, but I've got a different magic than usual during Iris moons so... yeah. It's real.

Haha, exactly...

[Which was... well, she supposes if she thought about it, she could see it... monkey babies, especially, looked kind of like human ones...

At the idea of buying jewelry, though, she sort of waves her hands in confusion, shaking her head with a sheepish laugh.]

I've never bought jewelry in my whole life... I'm not fancy enough for nice things like that, Shino!

[Whether it was just pretty or did magic things... she can hardly even imagine it. Wearing nice silks was already something she only barely managed to pull off, she's pretty sure, so!!]

[ Too bad neither of them knew any members of the ape family...

He blinks, then smiles, still moving easier now that he's not concentrating on actually moving. ]

Who needs to be fancy? A decent hair comb is great for keeping hair out of the way, and fun and practical. Beautiful things don't need to only be meant for fancy occasions. Most are happier being used at all.

[ This is the perspective of someone regarded as a beautiful thing, depending on the audience. Largely he ignores them all. ]

A nice hair pin... anything like that, would you give it a chance and wear one?

Do combs count as jewelry... ?

[Legit question from a country bumpkin... obviously women wear them in their hair, but Konoha’s have always been a cheap wood, nothing fancy an lacquered or encrusted with jewels and delicate artwork. She pats her large bun of hair (admittedly the perfect volume and shape for inserting a hair pin) and the simple ribbon that tied it together, considering his question... but in the end she has to just laugh.

It was way too simple a question to be considering.]

Yeah, of course... I guess! I just never think to buy stuff like that... I mean, I know I have the money now but... it just feels weird to!

[Why buy nice things for herself when she could buy food or cloth or nice things for other people?]

Maybe it's just best as gifts from people who care about you—

[ Initiate: find Konoha a nice comb! A hair pin! Something lovely and useful day to day.

He finally notices that he's moving without tripping over his feet, which promptly almost has him trip; his arms flail out and he goes into a half bow, but he does catch himself from going down on his face again. ]

Woah! [ He plants his hands on his upper forelegs, slowly inching his hooves back until he's standing properly again. ] I think I'm getting the hang of this.

[ Turning his head, he beams at Konoha. It's such a relief, from the clothing (her sacrifice of it, really) to no longer feeling panicked by his own suddenly unfamiliar body. Expressing gratitude repeatedly... yes, that's his best plan! ]

Thank you!

Sure-

[She loses the train of thought abut accepting gifts almost immediately, moving to catch him, but- No, he's got it! So she smiles proudly, straightening back up herself.]

You're welcome, Shino.

[She doesn't have much confidence about teaching how to walk, any more than she thinks she can teach how to breathe or blink, but-]

I need to get back home soon to make breakfast and start work... Are you going to be alright? Or- Do you want to just come with me?

[Gonta wouldn't mind a new pseudo-nephew dropping by, she's sure!]

... It's not like I'll break legs for long if I fall down stairs, right?

[ This is him trying to figure out if he's safe to follow along after her given the stairs at his building. He'd be happy to go, it would be far more grounding and safe than being on his own, but... ]

I'm joking! I'm joking, I'll be fine. You don't mind if I tag along?

[ For a guy with unfamiliar antlers and hair that still doesn't like cooperating, he does the whole hopeful, big green eyed look really darn well. Only slightly impacted by being taller for once. ]

Shino, don’t even say that!

[Don’t you bring that evil on them, even as a joke??? Sure, maybe he would turn back human and be fine, but breaking a leg is a big deal to a jinba! Usually a life or death deal! Maybe a swat would teach him a lesson...

Except he’s looking at her so cutely...

D... arn it...]

I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it! Now come on, or I’ll give you to Gonta to work with him plowing all day!

[There! A verbal threat swat instead!]

[ It's more that it's his kind of luck, but he does look shamefaced at her reprimand; he may or may not agree initially, but he can recognise when shooting off his mouth has caused someone else harm, and wish to better himself on that count. Sorry! Very sorry! ]

I'm sorry, I won't joke about things like that again.

[ Though at the idea of plowing all day has him... blinking and canting his head a degree. ]

Not that plowing sounds like it's all that bad? I guess it's tiring, and I'd probably be terrible at it, but you get to see the results of all your hard work right then.

[Darn you, Shino, that's exactly how she sees the rewards of manual labor.]

Trying to keep up with Gonta will leave your legs feeling like jelly, you know!

[So she just has to explain it, absently gathering up the blankets he'd used as clothing before and beginning to fold them, unable to suppress her housewife instincts.]

It's supposed to be a threat!

[... Okay, she's failing at this, but.]

... It's very threatening! Very threatening! Please don't throw a shoe at my head instead!

[ Speaking from experience, shoes tossed at his head hurt even if they don't leave lasting injuries! He holds up both hands in a warding off gesture, looking almost comically concerned. ]

You're lucky I don't wear those metal horse shoes some other worlds use!

[Shodding with metal shoes isn't quite a thing yet in her world and country, but she's learned about them, okay! That's a real shoe you don't want to get hit with!]

Now, come on-

[She does shoo him forward a bit with the blankets in her hands, though, back towards the bedroom he'd come out of.]

Get whatever you need so we can go make breakfast.

[Also maybe a hair brush.]

[ He ducks his head down low to fit his antlers back through his bedroom door, but he's not sure what he needs. A coat? He makes his way to the dresser that holds his small wardrobe, pulling out a scarf and coat. One he wraps around his neck; the other he manages to shrug into before carefully walking back out into the front room.

He, uh. Absolutely forgot a hairbrush, still more than a bit mixed up over the sudden change in physical form. Thus his hair is still a beautiful mess, looking like he just rolled in the hay in more than one way. ]

I think I'm ready?

[ Why does he sound like he's asking her a question. ]

[Oh, he should be asking a question.]

Do you not own a brush, Shino?

[But even as she says it there's no malice in it, instead just stepping forward to fix it herself, moving to pluck strands of his hair off his antlers and try to smooth it down around where they sprout from his skull, fussing gently all the way.]

There we go! Much better.

[ ... Oh no! He almost turns around to leave and get his brush out of his bedroom when she steps forward. He goes still, blinking as she works his hair off his antlers and smooths it into more order than he's bothered with today. Silent until she's done, he simply says: ]

Thank you.

[ Yet again, and for everything. His hair stays in place after her coaxing, and he stays still, too, lifting eyebrows. His tail twitches, disturbing the fabric keeping it from view. ]

Am I ready now?

gently wraps up... ? until next time <3

lumberlady - 2020-01-01 15:10 (UTC) - Expand

Prismatica IC Contact

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gently wraps up... ? until next time <3