lumberlady | Prismatica IC Contact

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?

You're welcome.

[Oh, no. How is she supposed to be a strict aunt if he looks so cute like that? Also... oh, no, was she jinba-biased? He looked cuter to her now that he had four legs and a tail? A cute tail that twitched?

But even if she is biased... (which she hopes she isn't!!) Mm. That question earns him a nod.]

Yup. Now you're ready.

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