MASKTOURN

Seki woke up, collapsed against the sofa they had been sitting on when the flaming figure had abducted them. They groaned slightly, their neck aching from the awkward position, and slowly straightened up and rubbed the back of their neck. In an instant, it all came back to them, and they realized they were home. The house was quiet, the sun had fallen beyond the horizon and the living room was lit with a few lamps that had a warm, cozy glow. Had it been a dream? That was Seki's first thought, before they glanced to their right and noticed an unfamiliar figure sprawled on the sofa as well: A young adult Zoroark who was wearing Roman's clothes. Seki's jaw dropped and their eyes widened. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Seems like it was a good idea to discuss where to meet up, since notably, Radysh and Remoul were not also crowding up the couch. Roman was entirely knocked out, not even stirring as Seki sat up. He seemed pretty normal, for a zoroark here. Instead of the typical straight fur, his was shorter and lightly curled all over his body. The ponytail were twists tied back that were just a bit shorter than the average zoroark. His ears were also extra long and pointy, featuring all the same piercings, including the oversized gauges on the lower side. Since his jacket wasn't zipped, it was pretty clear to see that he was thin, too. Not dangerously like he was in the beginning of the tournament, but there was still some work to be done. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki looked at Roman with confusion and alarm. Shit. Why had he changed like that? Did Eternity hear his worries and thought this would make him blend in better? Well, the way Roman looked right now, Seki was sure a lot of people would find them pretty. He had such attractive features to him as a Zoroark. She contemplated whether to wake Roman up or not, but sleep was probably good for him... Seki stood up carefully and went to fetch a soft felt blanket from a basket, and spread it over Roman's shoulders and body. "Seki?" Called a soft voice from the stairs. Seki's ears perked up, and they scurried to meet up with the white Ninetales that descended the stairs. Seki jumped up and grappled him with arms and legs around his neck and waist. "Oof, S-Seki? Where were you? I was worried when you left so suddenly without saying a word", Riki asked with a strained voice when Seki squeezed him tightly with all limbs. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Unfortunately, Seki's warm reunion would be shortly interrupted... By a screaming zoroark. It was definitely a mix of shock and agony making it up. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki and Riki's furs bristled, and their tails sprung to an upright position. Seki squeezed Riki even tighter, while he tried to shove them off to go see who was making the ruckus. "Wait, wait, it's okay, don't hurt him!" Seki told Riki, as the fox marched into the living room, his spouse still wrapped around him. Riki looked at Roman with confusion, and paused. Since Seki seemed to know this guy, he didn't jump right into defense mode. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was still laying on the couch, but the blanket that had just been put on him was thrown across the floor. His back was arched as he gripped on to his head and continued screaming. His wide eyes were quickly switching between the typical blue and a bright red color, one that was more extreme than he'd even had in his human body. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki dropped off Riki once they felt sure he wouldn't jump Roman, and then hurried to the Zoroark's side. "Shh, Roman, Roman, talk to me, are you in pain? What's wrong?" she spoke, kneeling next to the sofa and looking at them with concern. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"H-hurts- everything-" Roman gasped for air between his screams. "My powers are- c-coming back-" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"A-aw, crap, uh..." Seki glanced over Roman helplessly, before attempting to pet his head soothingly. "Is that... a bad thing? I didn't know you lost them... Uh, I can get you painkillers?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

His whole body was twitching at this point. "J-just have to wait-" Roman squeezed his eyes shut as they stayed red. He had no reaction to Seki petting him. "N-nothing you can.. do- wh-what happened to m-me..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears lowered, and they continued petting Roman gently, evenif it didn't help. "Okay, let's just wait then... Oh, um, I don't really know why, but you turned into a Zoroark? I guess Eternity thought you'd blend in better. I'm so sorry, I didn't know that would happen..." Seki apologized sincerely. Riki stayed back and eyed Roman from afar quietly. He figured Seki would explain everything later, and didn't ask any questions for now. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wh-what's a zoro..ark?" Roman asked. "W-wait- are my friends changed too? A-are they okay..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"They are a type of fox people", Seki explained. "I.. don't know, but maybe? They didn't spawn with us... But don't worry, let's wait for a day or two, and they'll probably show up", they reassured. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and just tried to work through all the pain. After a while, the twitching finally stopped and Roman opened his eyes, which were the same reddish-brown with the white pupil as he had before. He let his body go limp against the couch, totally exhausted from that ordeal. He hadn't looked at himself yet. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki continued petting Roman through his pained situation, convinced that it would soothe him at least a little. Once Roman went limp on the sofa, Seki rubbed his bag gently. "Are you feeling better? Do you want anything? Water? Or something to eat?" she asked, but just then Riki emerged from the kitchen with a tray. balancing a glass of water, painkillers and a ham-and-cheese sandwitch on it. He set it on a little coffee table next to the sofa. "Oh, thank you, Honey. Roman, this is my husband, Riki. And Riki, this is Roman", Seki introduced. Riki nodded and spoke in a polite tone: "Nice to meet you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Nice to m-meet you, too.. I-i'll try to not stay and bother you too long.." Roman said weakly. He didn't really know where he'd get the money to move out though. He hadn't had a job since he lived in Mlipuko where he just worked at one of the few stores in town. He definitely couldn't remember how to work a cash register. He opened his eyes as he heard something get set down. He slowly reached his arm out toward the tray, but paused as he saw the fur and claws, unable to really process this right now. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded. "Don't worry about it, you're no bother at all! You can stay here and get used to everything as long as you need, and then I can take you to my work place to get your situation sorted out. We can get you your own apartment, a job and all medical help you need, et cetera," Seki said and patted Roman's back. Riki tilted his head slightly. Seki didn't usually take work to home, but this seemed to be a special case. In the moment of silence that followed, everyone's sharp ears could pick a quiet noise coming from upstairs: it sounded kind of like a squeaky toy. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Medical help? He hadn't been to the doctor in like ten years.. "Thank you-" Roman paused as he heard the squeak. His ears moved on their own, which felt very weird. "Wh-what's that..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki sighed. "Hoshi... I just managed to get him to sleep.." Seki sprung up. "I'll go! Oh, is Song sleeping?" Riki shook his head. "She's been up since you left. She's playing hide-and-seek right now. I was looking for her when I heard you move around here." Seki paused. She had been awake since they had disappeared? That had to mean it hadn't been that long ago, not a week for sure. They didn't bother thinking about it longer, it didn't matter, and it was a good thing their family hadn't been wondering where they were for a longer time. Besides, Seki couldn't wait to cuddle and pamper their perfect little baby boy any longer, and they skipped to the stairs and leaped up over a few steps at a time. Riki stayed with Roman, looking after Seki, before turning to face the Zoroark again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Crap, he'd done all that screaming and whimpering when there were sleeping kids upstairs..? He would've tried to be quiet if he knew that.. Roman watched Seki leave to go be with their kids, but didn't say anything about it. He was intruding, wasn't he? No matter how much Seki would try to tell him otherwise, it was clear he would be messing up whatever family dynamic they had here. One he knew he didn't deserve to be a part of. "I-i'll just go- I can handle myself." Roman said quietly and finally sat up. He was making a clear effort not to look at himself. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki's expression shifted slightly, but remained mostly unreadable, politely distant. His tails lowered slightly, and his ears relaxed ever-so slightly. He stepped forward, and raised his hand a bit, as if he was going to put it on Roman's shoulder or use some Jedi magic on him. "Hold your horses. You are still unwell, and Seki has put time, effort, and care to bring you here to safety. To run away would be an awful way to show gratefulness, don't you think?" It sounded like there was a warmth to his voice that hadn't been there before. "You should at the very least stay the night. There's no mind in going out in dark and cold. Tomorrow we are wiser, and you'll feel better and more logical after a good night's rest." Riki gave Roman a slight smile. "I'll go prepare the guest room. Stay here and rest on the sofa in the mean time. If you are gone by the time I come back, know that you won't get too far before Seki comes after you, and he'll be very upset that you left just like that." Riki gave Roman a look that was both playful and cautioning. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman raised his arms up over his face as Riki raised his hand, but slowly lowered them as nothing happened. Even if he wanted to run, he wasn't very confident that he could on his new legs. He had just adjusted to having wings, and now everything was different again. "A-alright.." Roman said quietly. He hated sleeping alone, but he didn't want to appear that ungrateful. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded, and left the room, leaving Roman supposedly by himself. The house was quiet. Muffled sounds of Seki's coos came through the ceiling. It sounded like they started softly singing after a moment. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman tried not to eavesdrop, but it seemed like this place was pretty easy to hear through. His ears pinned back as he heard the singing. Raikal had just been singing to him.. And now they were gone forever. And he had been awful about it. If he left, and could actually get away, where would he go? Before, he'd either find some guy with low standards to take him home or sleep in his blood dimension with Radoul watching over him. He hadn't been truly alone in a very, very long time.. not since that basement. He whimpered softly, and put his face in his hands. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aside from the muffled singing, there was some very soft tapping sounds... apparently coming from this room? They paused once in a while, so maybe Roman was just imagining, or maybe it was some home appliance making noise. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

At the tapping noises, Roman glanced out from between his fingers to try to see what it was.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Right in front of Roman, stood a little figure: Golden blond fur, with caramel brown accentr on the paws, snout and the tips of the ears. Curly, pastel blue ruff around the neck and similar mane atop the head. Big ears with puffy pastel blue fluff in them. Two big, bushy tails that turned from blond to white to pastelly blue towards the pointed tips. Soft, baby pink pajamas. Big, bright, dark blue eyes that looked at Roman intently. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah!" Roman yelled out in surprise, and leaned back in to the couch. Quickly though, he realized it was just a kid- well, could adults in this universe look so small..? "U-uh- who are you..?" Roman asked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The little creature jumped a little, tails poofing out and sticking upright. "Song", she whispered, and put a finger to her lips. She was indeed a kid; her smooth fur, proportions and still digitigrade legs indicated so, as well as her high-pitched, bright voice. "Who are you?" she asked under her breath. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Okay, one of the kids here. So this wasn't some random one that snuck in. "Oh.. I-i'm Roman, I m-might be staying here for a day or two, I guess.." Roman said, trying to speak quietly like she was. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Song smiled and her tails wagged slightly. She staggered a little, having to take a couple of steps back and forth on her tippy-toes to regain her balance, before standing stably again. She tilted her head, eyes never leaving Roman. "Are you sick? You yelled a lot," she continued speaking quietly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh- yeah, b-but I'm okay now.. Why are we whispering..?" Roman asked quietly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm hiding! I don't want to go to bed", Song replied. She wnt and climbed onto the sofa next to Roman, and sat down. "Why are you sad?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman looked over to her as she sat next to him. When was the last time he'd actually talked to a kid...? "Um... I just moved here from f-far away, so I'm just nervous.. I guess." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? Are you homesick? Papa gets homesick sometimes. But you don't gotta be nervous. We are nice", Song smiled and kicked her paws. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's good to know.." Roman said. "My friends are somewhere in the city, I think. So I have to find them, then I can probably leave you guys alone." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aww, can you play with me before you leave?" Song looked at Roman with big puppy eyes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I- I don't think I know many games that kids like.." Roman frowned. He'd never wanted kids, but that other universe him had three.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's okay, I can teach you!" Song smiled. "You have pretty hair. Can I braid it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Everyone always liked his hair.. everyone always wanted to touch it.. "Sure, um.. it's already twisted so it might be a little hard for you to braid." Roman said and moved his ponytail over his shoulder. It was pretty heavy, especially in the style he spawned in with. It would have taken days to twist it all himself probably, so thanks magic transformation. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Song squeaked excitedly, and scrambled to sit on the sofa in a way she could reach Roman's ponytail. Meanwhile Riki made his way out of the guestroom and chuckled at the sight of Song. "Sweetheart, don't bother our quest, will you?" he reprimanded softly, smiling. "You should be sleeping already." Song yipped, startled, and climbed over the armrest of the sofa to try and hide, but knew she was busted. Her lowered ears and disgruntled eyes peeked out behind the armrest. "I'm not bothering! I'm being really nice!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"She hasn't been bothering me," Roman said, also coming to her defense. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, well that's good", Riki hummed with a smile, and rounded the sofa to try and get to Song, but she ran behind the sofa and appeared behind the other arm rest. Riki sighed. "Snowflake, you have kindergarten tomorrow", he coaxed. Then, he turned to Roman. "I put some pajamas on the bed if you want. They probably won't fit well, but in case you don't want to sleep in your day clothes, they are at your disposal. I also put a spare toothbrush and toothpaste on the night stand, and there's a towel on the bed as well. The shower is right next to the guest room, at the end of that corridor, if you want to clean up", Riki gestured to the direction he came from. "Would you like to eat something before you go to bed?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman watched as the pup ran behind the couch. Pajamas would be nice, but brushing his teeth and showering.. He wasn't sure if he was ready to see himself in a mirror yet. "Eating something would be... Good.." Roman said. He didn't want to say what he was really hungry for in front of the kid. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, what would you like to eat? I could make you an omelette or if you like pasta, I could warm you some leftovers from today?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hmmm.. neither would really satisfy him. "Um.. An omlette sounds good. I can go to the kitchen and help you." Roman said and put his hand on the arm of the couch. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, if you want to", Riki nodded, and gestured Roman to follow him. He walked to the kitchen, and opened the fridge. "What would you like in the omelette? Barbecue pieces? Ham? Cheese? Tomatoes?" Riki listed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman pushed himself up with his arm, and instantly shook on his new legs. He couldn't figure out how to walk upright, so he walked awkwardly on all fours over to the kitchen. Once he was certain the kid was out of earshot, he spoke up again. "Meat sounds good, any kind." Roman said and pulled himself up to his feet with the help of the counter. "C-can I talk to you about something weird..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki kept an ear turned towards Roman, and glanced at him when he crawled into the kitchen. His eyes widened slightly with worry, and he turned towards them. "Are you feeling weak? Perhaps you should go back and rest more..." he quieted down when Roman spoke again, and nodded. "Of course. I may not have a obligation of confidentiality like Seki does, but I promise you I won't gossip or spread your information," he promised. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No I'm fine I just don't know how to walk in this body-.." Roman cleared his throat. "I need to eat other things that aren't.. Traditionally eaten, or else my body starts to.. not work. I don't know how I'm going to keep up with it here, the method I used at home was probably not very good for me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki watched roman with a raised eyebrow and slightly tilted head. "...Go on", he urged, while picking out an egg carton and a couple of meat products out of the fridge. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Um.. I promise you and your family will be safe, I can control myself.. But I'll be needing blood. Human- uh- not animal blood." Roman said. "I need a small amount twice a day. Or else my body will start to break down other stuff.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Both Riki's brows raised, and he hummed, setting the food items on the counter. "How did you go about it at home?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I'd, uh.. approach random guys on the street.. and say they could get with me for the night for free if they gave me some.. and before that my girlfriend just gave me some when I needed it. I've needed more over time." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki gave another hum and nodded, seeming less judgmental or shocked than maybe expected, but his brows furrowed slightly in thought. "That might become a bigger issue if you keep needing more over time.." Riki murmured. He took a bowl from a cabin and began beraking eggs in it. "May I ask something personal.. maybe rather insensitive?" he inquired, peering at Roman briefly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm willing to try to find a way to get rid of my powers, I don't really need them anymore.. That would stop me from needing blood." Roman shrugged. "Go for it, I'm sure I've heard.. worse." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded. "That would probably be the best solution. Hm..." Riki handed the bowl to Roman with a whisk. "If you'd like to help, you can whip this while I cut the meats." He got out a cutting board, and began cutting the ham and barbecues into slices, while thinking how to put his words. "Hm... well, basically, are you sdi-free? Or do you know?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman looked unsure, but took the bowl and awkwardly placed it down on the counter. He grabbed the whisk and spun around the contents sloppily. This new body was.. different. "Oh I think that's a fair question.. But my powers make it so I can't get sick- I'm sure that just sounds like some weird excuse, but it is true. I can't get diseases because of how my body works.. But if it would make you comfortable I could still go get tested, I just don't know if my 'normal' levels are.. Normal. I haven't been to the doctor in like ten years." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded and hummed. He lifted the cutting board above a frying pan and scraped the meats into it with the help of the knife. "That's good, I suppose. I just would like to know that I won't get anything that can be transferred through a bite, if I were to offer you blood. Hmm.." He set the cutting board on the counter and paused, looking at the knife and his free hand in consideration. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, I've already gotten some from Seki a few times, and they seemed fine.." Roman said. "I should be okay for tonight, really, you don't need to offer me anything.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki's ears shifted slightly back and he seemed to tense slightly. "You have?" The Ninetales replied with a sharper tinge. He then let out a strained sigh and turned on the heat of the stove. "Those things can take root and turn up after a while. It would be best for both of you to get tested, just in case", he continued. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Roman had been closely watching Riki's expression, and he could tell enough that maybe he shouldn't have said that. "They agreed to it- they saved my life.. More than once." Roman quickly added. "I'll do that as soon as I can, I promise." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, I don't doubt that", Riki glanced at Roman with a softer expression, that still showed traces of annoyance. He began poking the meats around the warming pan. "They have a tendency to be reckless and self-sacrificial. I trust Seki will tell me everything eventually, with what they can without revealing confidential details about you, but I hope he at least kept his wits about him." He sighed hevier, shaking his head lightly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Seki did say that Roman reminded them of themselves.. ".. He's probably been the smartest person around, to be honest.. It definitely wasn't me.." Roman sighed. "How has everything been here without them here for a week..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki gave a short chuckle and a small smile. "Well, I'm glad to hear that at least", he hummed. Then, he cast a confused look on Roman. "Week? What do you mean? Seki has been staying at home for a while now, they're on a parental leave. Has he been seeing you for the part week?" Riki tilted his head with a puzzled frown. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'HUH?' "Um-.." Crap, what could he say here? ".. Maybe I'm just confused-.. They should be the one to talk to you about it, I think.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki hummed. A puzzled, agitated sound. "Perhaps. You do seem confused. He should be down here shortly." Once the pan was hot enough, Riki took the egg bowl, seasoned it with salt and pepper, before pouring it over the meats. It did sound like Seki was walking down the stairs. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was still awkwardly leaning on the counter for support. His ears perked up as he heard Seki coming down, thankful but also nervous about what might have to be discussed. "Th-thank you for the omlette, by the way.." Roman said and tried to push himself up straighter. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You're welcome", Riki hummed and stirred the mix. It sounded like Seki cooed to Song in the living room for a while, before their soft steps drew closer to the kitchen. "Hi guys", she said in a soft voice when she peeked in. She looked much happier than Roman had seen her before, although the fur around their eyes and cheeks was damp and the eyes slightly bloodshot. She shuffled quickly next to the two, holding something against her chest. "Roman, Roman, look what I have", she whispered, and lowered her hands a bit to show the bundle of blanket she was holding. A fluffy gray and white head with bright pink tuft of hair and big ears peeked from the folds. It could have been a kitten or a puppy dog, sleeping soundly, little nose twitching. The creature was small enough to fit between hamburger buns. "This is Hoshi, our baby boy", Seki whispered, eyes sparkling. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It was nice to see Seki look happy- they had seem so stressed on the island. Probably half because of him... He looked with interest at whatever Seki had. He hadn't been expecting a baby, well, to him it looked more like a puppy, but he'd probably have to get used to that. '.. You need parental leave for having a baby this small? Wait, which one of them is the mom?' He blinked away those thoughts for the time. "He's very cute." Roman smiled, though now will all his overly sharp teeth in his maw it seemed a bit.. Threatening. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Isn't he just?" Seki beamed and brought the pup back against their soft chest. "How are you feeling? Good enough to eat", they asked, glancing at Riki's cooking. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm gonna try to eat something.. I, um, told Riki about what else I need to eat already." Roman said and adjusted his arms on the counter. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? Well, good", Seki nodded, and watched how heavily Roman was leaning on the counter. "I heard you have been feeding him your blood", Riki hummed in a colorless voice. "Huh? Yeah, I did", Seki confirmed. "Did you consider the chance you might get infected with something?" Riki continued, now with a stricter tone. "Well I-. I was considering a lot of things at the time, and there really wasn't time or chance to go about it differently", Seki huffed defensively, lowered their ears a bit and their tail squirmed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Probably best not to say he could also use his powers to control them. "I would've died if they didn't." Roman said. "And I'm sorry if I did get them sick, if I did... I'll do whatever I can to try to make it right." Roman said. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Exactly! He was starving and we were really out of options, besides we had bigger problems to think about than a little infection. And I feel just-, well, now that I think about it I don't feel very good, but it's most likely withdrawals, stress, and lack of sleep." Riki kept nudging the egg mix on the pan, but glanced at Seki with his brows scrunched more and more. He seemed to get worried about Seki not feeling well, but then blinked and stared at her sternly after catching on one particular word. "Withdrawal? Darling, what is going on?" "Ah", Seki's ears lowered and they sighed. "I should probably start from the beginning." Seki summarized the events of the tournament in their simplistic and crude style, telling that they were abducted by a god called Lifebringer, that was having an argument with another Lifebringer, and decided a death tournament was the way to go about it. They briefly mentioned Roman getting in deep trouble with the first Lifebringer and Seki helping him out where they could. Since he didn't have much to return to, Seki offered taking him and his friends back to this world, but Roman had changed species and his friends had probably ended up somewhere else in the city. "We were there for a week, but it seems like time here hasn't really passed at all", they concluded. "I haven't taken my meds for a week. I should ask my doc if I should go back to full dose or take smaller ones first..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

He was glad that he kept discussions about him and Naiyta scarce. "Yeah... So that's why I'm all wonky with walking. This new body is a lot.." Roman sighed. "Tomorrow I want to go out and try to find out where Radysh and Remoul ended up, I'm the reason they're stuck here too.. Maybe in different bodies.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki hardly remembered to tend to the food while listening. His expression remained stern, though it shifted once in a while in the scales of confusion, worry, and anger. Finally, he turned off the stove and covered the pan with a lid. He turned around with a sigh, to properly look at the two. "That's such a ridiculous and unbelievable story, but I don't see why you would be lying about it. Crazier things have happened in this world, so why not this", he murmured and shook his head. He then took a closer look at Seki, and stepped closer to them. He wrapped his hands gently behind their shoulders, and brought his long snout close to Seki's face and neck, sniffing across their fur carefully. Seki tried to keep a straight face, but their tail twitched, and by the squiggly smile on their lips you could guess it tickled. "You do smell odd. Like you have been traveling", Riki hummed. "Oh, darling..." it seemed to hit him then, that his spouse had been through something rough, and he hadn't even been aware. He hugged her gently, careful of the pup that was squeezed between the two. "It's okay, I'm home now, I'm fine again", Seki said quietly, but smiling. Though the evidence that they had been crying earlier weer still slightly noticeable. "I want to focus on getting Roman settled nicely and get him all the help he needs. It's my responsibility, since I brought him here. I gave his friends my phone number, and also told them they could seek for you at the Palace, if they are here in the city." They turned to look at Roman. "I can come with you tomorrow. We can go walk around the city and see if they are loitering around the Palace. If they don't recognize you, they probably still recognize me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman glanced away as Seki and Riki embraced. He always felt like he was third wheeling.. "Oh-" He looked back as Seki spoke to him. "You don't have to do that-.. You're on parental leave, I'm sure I can figure it out myself.. It'll be harder if all of us changed, but I'm guessing I could pick out the most confused looking people from the room." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I think you need someone to come with you. I don't want you to get lost, and if you find walking difficult too", Seki shook their head. "I can go out with Hoshi. The city is pretty loud for him, but it's good to socialize him a bit. I'll put ear muffs on him", Seki smiled. "Hmm, why do you find walking difficult?" Riki asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.. My new body is just different.. My muscles are different, my limbs are longer, my hair is so heavy.. A-and I just got used to having wings on my back before, and now they're gone.." Roman shook his head. "If you.. Really want to go with me, I guess I can't say no.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Seki challenged Roman with a grin. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No-" Roman quickly shook his head. "I'd probably get super lost, and or kidnapped or something else evil if I went out on my own.. I just don't want to keep you away from your family all day, if the other two aren't already there.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, that's sweet, but don't worry. Riki has to go to work, and Song is going to kindergarten, so I can hang out with you in the city. We probably should buy you some clothes anyway", Seki smiled. "I can drive you to downtown", Riki offered, finally letting go of Seki. He opened the lid from the frying pan to see how the omelette looked. "Your meal is ready", he added. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"New clothes.. I haven't gotten any in a while, besides uh.. Raikal's stuff.." Roman hummed, and looked at his disjointed outfit he currently had on. He sniffed the air as Riki opened the lid, and it was very strange to him just how much he could smell now. It was kind of overwhelming. "Thank you, it smells really good." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's expression softened slightly, and they smiled, waving their tail a little. "It'll be nice to have something fresh to wear that fits you." "You're welcome", Riki hummed with a nod, and put the omelette on a plate. He took the plate to the dining table and set it down with utensils. "What would you like to drink?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, that'll.. be nice. Maybe I can find some dresses that actually fit me right.." Roman smiled. He pushed himself off of the counter and took a single step forward before he tripped, and went back to using his hands. "I-i don't need anything to drink, the food is enough." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

1

"Ooh yes! I think a skirt would look good on you as well," Seki perked up and swished their tail. They were excited to go shopping now. It would be fun to find Roman clothes he liked and let him explore his feminine side as well. "Oop", Seki reached their arm out when roman tripped, but didn't manage to stop him from falling. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He didn't have as much issue walking on all fours, so he stuck with that for now. He walked himself over to the table and pulled himself up to the seat. "Thank you for the food, Riki. It looks really good." He smiled at the other fox. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded to Roman, and went back to the kitchen to clean it up. "I wonder if we could get you crutches or a walking stick or something", Seki pondered and took a seat at the table as well. "You'll get used to walking, but until then it'd be good for you to get some support I guess." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grabbed on to the fork he was given with his entire fist, not wanting to try to figure out how to use his fingers at the moment. "Eh, I'm kind of used to crawling around.. Does everyone here walk on two legs?" Roman asked. Seeing a bunch of dogs walking bipedally was weird to him, but he'd probably get over that quickly.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No, a lot of kids don't. When their insteps develop enough it starts being easier to walk on two legs. Some people have developmental issues and never learn to walk on two legs, but most people walk upright. Keeps your hands clean", Seki explained and idly stroked Hoshi's head. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's.. True, I guess.." Roman mumbled and took a small bite of the omelet. It sat on his tongue for a moment and he made a strong expression before he dramatically spit it back out on the plate. "Eugh- sorry- e-everything just tastes different now.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears lowered. "Aw... I'm sorry." They looked at Roman with a sad, maybe a little regretful expression. "I... hope you'll get used to it. I'm sorry I dragged you into this world. I promise there will be good things, too.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You don't have to apologize.. I.. I-I don't even know what we'd be doing if we went back to our world.. Me and the guys w-would just be on the streets- or.. Petrai or Sadihak would come out and fight us, probably.." Roman shook his head and sighed. "I got used to drinking blood, and I've eaten plenty of other gross things.. S-so.. I'll get used to it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed, and rocked Hoshi slightly from side to side, still seeming a bit down. "Okay, yeah. If you want my blood instead I can give you a sip. And, if you aren't gonna eat that, I can." Seki nodded at the omelette with a small smirk. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I feel like I shouldn't drink your blood in front of your husband and baby..." Roman said, somewhat nervously. "I'll eat it. I need to eat something tonight.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Eh, I guess. Riki gets jealous easy", Seki muttered playfully and rolled their eyes, chuckling. "But okay, take your time. I think I'll go take a shower and change something nicer on. Then we can all turn in for the night." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't mean anything by it when I drink people's blood-" Roman added. It didn't mean anything, except when it did. "Have a nice shower, I'm sure it'll be nice not having to use those communal baths." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki cackled and shoved Roman's shoulder playfully. "I know, I know. But Riki is Riki. He's silly." Seki chuckled to themself, before standing up and taking Hoshi to a little nest before going to shower. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Silly was one way to describe that. Roman shook his head, and went back to slowly picking at the strange tasting omelet.. He eventually finished it up, not without gagging a few times, and set the fork down on his plate. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki had been listening to the conversation from the kitchen, sipping from a class of sparkling water. He leaned on the counter with his hip, and seemed to be thinking about something. Seki didn't take too long. When they came back, they smelled better, and had a soft, over-sized shell pink t-shirt and baby blue sweatpants on. They were still carrying sleeping Hoshi around against their chest. "Hey again. You did it! You ate the whole thing, nice", they praised Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had mostly just sat in place and disassociated after he finished scarfing down the strange omelet. He had a lot on his mind at the moment. "Oh- yeah.. I did." Roman said. "Stuff gets stuck in my teeth in all new places now, that's another annoyance." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, dang. You can borrow a toothbrush. Hopefully that'll help with it", Seki gave them a lopsided smile. "I was thinking we could all sleep in the living room tonight. Would you like that? Song has already fallen asleep on the sofa, and I thought you might feel strange in an unfamiliar place alone at night." Seki tilted her head. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes that sounds great-" Roman said, sighing a breath of relief. His shoulders visibly lost some tension. "I-I didn't want to bother you, but I get really freaked out b-being alone in the dark, especially overnight.. I don't think I'd sleep if I stayed in the guest room by myself.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aww..." Seki's ears lowered with a sad smile. They stepped closer to give Roman a little side-hug and rub their shoulder. "Okay, I'll, ask Riki to help me set up the living room nice and cozy. Honestly, I'll feel much more at ease when you are all close to me as well", they smiled warmly, patted Roman, gave Hoshi a little kiss, and turned to beam at Riki who was lingering in the kitchen. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman leaned in to Seki, leaning his head in to their shoulder. "I don't need too much, just a blanket.." Roman said. "I'd help set up too, but I have a feeling I'll just get in the way..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki chuckled. "Don't worry about it, champ. You just sit back and relax." Seki stayed for a brief moment, letting Roman lean on him, and then went to the kitchen to suggest the sleeping arrangement to Riki. Shortly, the two arranged the living room so that there was a cozy sleeping area in the middle of the floor, lined with blankets and pillows, cushions and some the kids' plushies. Riki went to change his night robes on, and Seki put the sleeping pups into cozy blanket nests on the floor. "Did Riki give you any pajamas?" Seki asked quietly, looking up at roman while tucking the kids to bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

While the rest of the family was out arranging the living room, Roman had managed to get himself up to his feet, though he was still holding on to the table for support. "I think he mentioned something about having them upstairs in the guest room." Roman said. "And, uh, would you have some kind of rope? Not for weird things- I'm just going to bed blood hungry, and I don't know how this body will react to that. I think keeping my mouth shut will give everyone some piece of mind, y'know, like those rubber bands on lobster claws." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah", Seki frowned slightly, tilting their head and looking somewhere up in thought. "I... Don't know about that. Sounds like it would be uncomfortable for you. Hmm.. Riki might have a muzzle you could try, but I don't know how comfortable that'd be to sleep in either." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't mind uncomfortable, I'd rather be safe, especially with your kids out there too." Roman said. "But of anyone, if I lost control I think I'd go after you, since I can already smell your blood. I'd just like to make sure that can't happen." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, I get that. If you really want to, you can ask for that muzzle from Riki. Or would you like me to fetch you the pajamas and ask him so you don't have to run up and down the stairs?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If you could do that for me, it would be really appreciated." Roman said. "I'll work on getting to the living room." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, I'll be just a sec", Seki smiled, and hurried quietly to the upstairs. It didn't take long for them to return with blue plaid-patterned pajamas. "Here you go. They might be a bit big for you, but you can roll up the sleeves and legs", they said while handing over the clothes. A few moments later Riki descended the stairs in a gray night robe, holding a muzzle in his hand. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had managed to hobble his way in to the living room in the time Seki was gone. "Thank you," Roman said and took the clothes. Riki in a robe, hmm.. this reminded him of that art Radysh was really in to. He must be having a good time in this world. "Ah, I'll get that on after I go change.. Is there a bathroom on this floor?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yup, the door on the right at the end of the hall. There's also a shower in the room on the left if you need. Oh, and here's the toothbrush and paste", Seki offered the items they pulled from their pants pocket. Riki stepped next to them and held the muzzle for Roman to take. "Do you know how to put this on?" He asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He was quickly running out of hands for everything, but he managed to grab everything. "I should be able to figure out out.. Not too different from stuff I've had before." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki hummed and smirked faintly. He and Seki settled down on the cushions and began talking quietly between each other while Roman went to change. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman headed over to the bathroom, half leaning against the wall to support himself. He took quite a while once he was in there, and the faucet turned on and off a few times, but never stayed on for too long. He eventually came back out, changed in to the pajamas and having his previous clothes in his arms. He hadn't yet put the muzzle on. The pajamas definitely blanketed over him, even with the sleeves and legs rolled up. He also didn't have a tail, so there was a small gap in the back. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki was lounging on the blankets and pillows, propped up by one elbow, and Riki was sitting next to the pups, lightly stroking Hoshi who squeaked and twitched slightly his sleep. "Heh, well those aren't too tight at least", Seki commented and swung their tail playfully when Roman stepped in the room. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Definitely not." Roman chuckled and awkwardly sat down along the edge of the blanket, as far as he could get from the family without being off of it. He set down his neatly folded clothes on the floor next to him. "I'll probably lose some weight overnight since I didn't get my blood today, so just don't freak out in the morning." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Seki frowned. "It's not a big deal if you want to feed before going to sleep." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll be fine, really, it won't be worse than how I was before the tournament. It'll help that I ate that omelet, too." Roman said and picked up the muzzle. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The muzzle was a pretty basic model; it was made of leather straps and metal, having a cage-like structure for the muzzle. "Alright.. well, you should probably have somehing tomorrow before we go out, at least", Seki hummed. "How do you think a venge stone would affect you?" Riki asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... Yeah, probably tomorrow. I won't be able to walk too well." Roman nodded and put the straps over the back of his head, under his massive ponytail. "Vengestone.. Hmm- oh, I think Roque told me one time to definitely never ever touch it or I'll die, or something, but she also lied a lot..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh, yikes. Well that's a bit risky to try out in case it's true", Seki grimaced. Riki nodded. "We'll have to figure something out for you. How to safely sustain you until you can get rid of your powers. If it's possible", Riki mused. The muzzle had a soft padding on the inside against the top of the snout, and the straps were relatively comfortable as well. It had a particular scent. The leather had been regularly oiled, and a faint smell of scented cleaning products hinted that the item was well maintained and kept clean and hygienic. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, good to know it was clean.. He wasn't oblivious enough to be clueless to what its intended use was. He adjusted the straps to ensure it was on right, and pulled it a few times just to be extra sure. It fit well enough. "Are there not other animal-people here who need to eat blood to live..? Or have they like.. Evolved past that..?" Roman asked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Not really. A lot of people enjoy blood in food, but that's from animals. Like, primitive animals. Oh yeah. It's also kind of a taboo to eat animals that have a person version of them. Like rattata for example. All kids like to chase mice and rats, but we don't eat them, because there are people Rattatas as well. Hmm.. There are some wild animals that drink blood, though", Seki pondered. "There are stories of bat-people who drink people's blood, but in the general public it's not normal behavior", Riki added. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The politics of this world were going to get complicated pretty quickly.. What was it that he'd just eaten in that omelet? "Mmm.. Guess I'm a weirdo here too, then. Definitely not normal back home either.." Roman sighed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"How did you end up like that? Is it a curse?" Riki asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... umm.." Roman's ears pinned back. "There's some kind of god in my head that gave me the powers, apparently.. I thought for a while that it was my ex girlfriend, or they somehow came from within me, but.. Nope. And she doesn't talk to me to tell me what's happening." Roman knocked on his head with his fist. "So.. I don't really know what can be done about it. She spoke to someone else who was possessing me once, but I've never heard from her." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh... I guess we need some religion specialist or something", Seki tapped their tail on the blankets in thought. "Perhaps... Other things we need to sort out for you as soon as possible are your papers", Riki added. "Things will most likely turn out fine if you apply for an asylum from Ninjago. Your reason could be religious persecution, since you were threatened by a god in the previous world you were in." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Threatened is one word for it." Roman mumbled. He'd had enough of any gods by now, physical, in his head, or otherwise. "They'll just believe me? You don't want me to try to come up with some story that sounds less insane?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It's not unheard of for people to come from other dimensions, although it is rare. Obviously, the authorities would like to confirm that you are not a threat to the society, or anything since... well, sometimes the people who come from other worlds have bad intentions. Seki could testify for you, but they have a criminal record, so it might not be enough. Being as truthful as you can be is best way to sell a lie, so if you think you need to cover something, you should focus on veiling that in any truths you can say. It is pretty obvious that you are not from here, so it would be best not to say otherwise", Riki spoke. Seki just listened, and seemed slightly frustrated and bored by the topic. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Will my powers be an issue..? They make me sound kinda... Nefarious.." Roman said. "And I don't think I'll be able to hide them for very long, especially if we're going to try to get blood through more reputable means.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'd say it's probably best to be upfront about them. If you hid them, you would seem much more suspicious, but if you are honest, the authorities will be able to work for a solution for your needs regarding them. They might even come up with ways to remove them, who knows", Riki nodded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll try to keep that all in mind.." Roman nodded. "That's probably enough about my issues, I'm sure you wanna get to sleep. I'm tired too." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm already sleeping man", Seki yawned and stretched. Riki smiled. "Yes, we can talk about everything in more detail later", he hummed. Riki switched off the lights, leaving the room in dark apart from the soft, flickering orange glow of the electric flames of the screen display in the hearth. He settled next to the pups, and Seki lied down next to him, between the family and Roman. They pulled the blankets over them and got cozy. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had been laying on the very edge of the blanket, but as Riki turned off the lights, he scooted in closer to Seki, just enough to faintly touch their back. "Good night." Roman said and adjusted his muzzle one last time to make sure it was secure enough. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Good night", Seki and Riki echoed. Seki smiled and had half of mind to scoop Roman into a hug, but let him be, and instead hugged Riki tightly with a blissful smile while closing their eyes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

And so, all the family (and the stranger they brought in), fell asleep peacefully.. ... But it seems like it couldn't stay that way. A few hours later, Seki would wake up to the feeling of cold metal and warm saliva brushing against their neck, exactly over where Roman had bitten before. The zoroark with glowing red eyes was sitting up next to them, sniffing their fur and trying to bite through the metal cage. He was snarling lightly as he was unable to access anything. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's heart leapt, and they flinched and tensed, baring their teeth and reaching to grab the beast by the shoulder, but as they rolled over to their back, they already remembered. "Roman..." they whispered. "Can you not? I'm tryina sleep.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't respond as they moved, but just went straight back to trying to bite them. Were his eyes glowing more than normal? Not to mention, the weight loss he had warned them about was in full effect. His ribs were even more visible under his curly fur, and his pajamas hung off even more loosely. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki frowned and patted Roman's head, still half-asleep and eyelids feeling heavy. "Mmgh... you should've had my blood in the evening, bro..." they mumbled and sighed. Seki reached out both of their arms and wrapped them around Roman's shoulders. They rolled around again, tackling the Zoroark onto the floor next to them, keeping a tight grip. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman snarled, louder this time, and struggled under Seki. He continued trying to bite them, and the longer Seki held on for, the more they'd start to feel a certain tingling in their head. Roman was staring at them intently and drooling. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Shh..." Seki stroked Roman's back with their thumb, but frowned and shook their head at the tingling feeling. "Okay, you're going for a snack..." Seki muttered, and began sitting up, adjusting their hold so they could lift Roman. "Hee-yup..." They began dragging Roman out of the room, shuffling through the blankets and pillows. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Roman struggled a bit in their hold, still trying to get at their neck, but mainly just hung there pathetically. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, alright, I know, you're staaarrrving..." Seki grumbled while navigating the dark hallway to the bathroom. They opened the door with their tail and stepped in, sitting on the closed toilet lid and putting Roman sitting on their lap. "Hold your rapidash..." they mumbled while trying to one-handedly unfasten the straps of his muzzle. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It was pretty simple to get the muzzle off, seeing as Roman just kept the cage pressed to Seki's neck, like it wasn't there at all. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"There we go, you hungry hungry fiend", Seki sighed as they pulled the muzzle off of Roman's head, and switched the lights on as well. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As soon as the light was switched on and the muzzle was off, Roman lunged at their neck. As a human, he had been incredibly considerate of how and where he bit, but as he was now.. He bit down around their whole neck, sinking down his many more razor sharp teeth haphazardly and shaking his head. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki couldn't help a startled and pained cry as Roman chomped on their neck. "Fuck! Are you trying to eat me whole?" they hissed in a strained voice, instinctively trying to pry Roman off of them. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was not letting go, and only sunk his teeth in deeper. Blood was rapidly spilling from the wound, which Roman lapped up. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Adrenaline, rising fear, and the simple disbelief of anything dangerous to happen in their own home, by their friend, dulled the pain, but the feeling of cold air seeping deeper into tissues it shouldn't, and the sensation of water pouring across their neck and chest felt off, alarming. "Roman...!" Seki wheezed and smacked his head sharply a couple of times, hoping to snap him back to his senses. Their tail was squirming and lashing around the bathroom, hitting the wall and knocking off the small trash bin under the sink. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Smacking him did seem to get something through his head, and his eyes quickly dulled to their usual shade of red. He unlatched and pushed himself off of Seki and to the floor, where he covered up his mouth with his hands. "I-" Roman stuttered. "I don't- no- I'm s-sorry-" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki coughed when Roman let go, and their hand went to the wound. "Fuck... dude..." The door slammed open, Riki's tails filling the hallway behind him. His stern, glowing eyes quickly assessed the situation, widening at the sight of blood. His snout twisted in a snarl. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

There was not much guessing to be done, between the muzzle sitting on the counter, Seki's wounds, and Roman's face covered in blood. The zoroark whimpered and curled up next to the bathtub, tense for whatever Riki was going to do. He didn't know how to explain himself. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki didn't bother addressing Roman. Since he wasn't acting aggressive anymore, Riki ignored him and stepped into the bathroom, only shoving the Zoroark roughly out of the way with his leg, before checking the wound on Seki's neck. "Riki..." Seki's eyes were pleading, almost guilty. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't protest getting shoved, quickly moving back in to his curled up state after Riki moved away. He wanted to run away, but the only way out was back toward the kids.. And he didn't trust himself enough, not to mention how Riki would react to that. "I- I can stop the bl-bleeding-.." Roman quietly offered. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki had reached for a hand towel to press against the wound, but his gaze snapped towards Roman when he spoke. "Do it." Riki commanded with a strict bark. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman shakily stood up and used the wall to support himself. He gingerly held his hands over the wounds, and they clotted up almost instantly. There was quite a lot of blood that had already spilled, but it wasn't worth it to try to get it back inside. He moved his hands away as the bleeding stopped. Once that was done, he slid right back down the wall until he could sit. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki monitored Roman's every move with sharp eyes. He stepped closer to see that Seki wasn't bleeding anymore and let out a slight sigh. He carefully cupped their cheek and kissed the other one, relieved, but once he turned back to Roman, his gaze was burning cold again. "I chose to give you a chance." "Riki, please..." Seki intersected, but the tall fox threw them a silencing glance. "I chose to trust both of you. That you would have the ounce of common sense, and self-control to not cause an emergency situation in this house. I was clearly wrong." Anger and frustration rattled his voice, even though it seemed he tried to keep himself composed and not raise his voice. Seki lowered their head, opening their mouth to say something, but they were woozy, and Riki had all the right to feel the way he did. Seki felt stupid, guilty, and cornered. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman couldn't even open up his eyes to look at them. He deserved all of this and more, definitely. "I-I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to I- I'll leave. I w-won't bother you again." Roman said weakly. "All of y-you would be safer if I wasn't here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Be quiet", Riki growled. He bent down and grabbed the front of the pyjama shirt on Roman, taking a generous bunch of fabric into his grasp so the shirt wouldn't just slip right off the smaller fox. He yanked Roman up to his feet, and started dragging him out of the bathroom. "Uh, R-Riki, where are you-?" Seki started, looking up in concern and confusion. "Stay there, Seki. I'll be right back", the Ninetales said strictly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman could hardly stay up on his feet, both from his lack of balance and his weakness. He tried his best to not have to be literally dragged. He wanted to beg some more, to say that he didn't need to hurt him and he'd just leave without any issues, but Riki seemed beyond reasoning with at the moment. He should've just gone with Raikal to the fold- who was he kidding thinking that he could ever get any better? @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki tried to follow despite of Riki's words, but their legs were shaking badly, and they felt like they were on a boat with how much the floor seemed to tilt and quake. They had to sit back down and look after the two anxiously... But Riki wasn't taking Roman to the front door. After half dragging, half carrying Roman through the house, he pushed the Zoroark into a closet. "You'll spend the rest of your night here", he announced darkly, and closed the door. The lock clicked shortly after, and then Riki's footsteps receded again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman hardly had time to process what had happened before Riki had locked the door. "No- NO!" Roman screamed as the footsteps walked away. He would've rather been beaten. Or kicked out. Or both at the same time. Anything was better than the dark and loneliness. The gnawing hunger. The things he saw in the darkness that he gradually saw as more and more real. "PLEASE!" Roman sobbed and scratched at the door. He didn't have Roque, or Radysh and Remoul, or even his talisman. He was entirely and truly alone. "Y-you can beat me up! I-I'll leave, a-and never come back! Just please let me out!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Nobody answered. Roman could hear the pipes in the walls thrum and hiss as water was turned on somewhere in the house. It ran for quite a while. Sometimes he could hear echoes of Seki and Riki's voices, but they were distant and muffled, only traces of conversation. Apart from that, it sounded like Hoshi was crying again, his squeaky whimpers carrying faintly from some part of the house. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman continued screaming and clawing at the door until his voice went hoarse. His breaths were ragged and frantic as his eyes scanned through nothing. He turned from the door and tried to feel if there was some other way out, but he was truly trapped. The longer he was in there, the more things started to fill in the darkness. Glowing red eyes, chains, a corpse.. He gouged out the wall and tore up whatever items wherever they appeared, but that didn't make them disappear. In the end, he was huddled in the back corner of the closet, facing the destroyed wall. Everything within sitting distance had been torn up. He had ripped off the pajama shirt and was rubbing his arms and sides relentlessly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

There were some soft footsteps, and then a little knock on the door outside the closet. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't respond, he was too spaced out and in his own little world. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Are you there?" a weak voice squeaked. A little pink nose sniffed through the crack under the door. "Hello?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No no no no no-" Roman said hoarsely as he heard a voice. "I-i can't do it, I can't do it.. please l-let me out.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

There was a pause, and then the voice spoke a little louder. "Why did you bite dada? We were all nice to you.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I didn't-.." Roman paused for a second and took a deep breath. This was a closet at Seki's house, not Roque's basement. There was no corpse behind him, even if whenever he looked behind him, he swore he could see it. He kept his face buried in the corner, trying to ignore the blood matted in to his fur. "I-i couldn't control myself.. I really d-didn't want to.. You know how your dada h-helps crazy people? Yeah, I'm one o-of them.. I-i should never have b-been here.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Another pause, some shifting of paws and fur on the other side of the door. "Why did you scream? Are you angry?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Th-the dark really freaks me out.. I- I s-see things that aren't there.. I don't like it.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Now, after a pause, the soft pawsteps went away for a moment, but soon there was a scraping sound like something was being pushed across the floor. The sound stopped behind the door, and then there was shuffling and creaking, and then a snap of a light switch, and the closet was suddenly bathed in light. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman flinched back as light illuminated the closet, which helped his anxiety, but he was still to scared to see if that corpse was actually behind him.. Or the destruction he had already wrought on everything in arm's reach. "Th-thank you.. I... I appreciate it.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Papa is angry..." Song said, instead of replying. She sat on the footstool she had brought over. "But dada is worried about you. They are being loud..." She curled up and hugged her tails. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Papa was Riki, and Dada was Seki.. Good to know... but who had the kids?? "I know.. I-i'm sorry I'm making them fight.. Th-that must be scary for you.." Roman said quietly. Had his parents ever fought in front of him..? He couldn't remember.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm.." Song nodded, even though Roman couldn't see it. "Papa says you're dangerous, but, but you didn't bite dada on purpose. It still hurt a lot, it's still, dangerous..." Song frowned. The situation was too complicated for her, and she understood why her parents were arguing so intensely. If she couldn't think what was right in the situation, even they probably struggled, even if they were adults. "You are dangerous, even to yourself", she figured, "because you can't control yourself. That's, also scary to you, isn't it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's.. It's not fun, no.." Roman mumbled. He could smell Song behind the door. More than just the general smell of another creature. Half of Seki's blood ran through her, and that's what his nose was focusing on. He was glad that he was trapped somewhere. "I-I don't know what I can do. I never wanted to be this way. I can't help myself.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It's not fair..." She pouted. After a moment, she asked: "Who did you talk to earlier?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"A lot of things aren't fair when you're someone like me." Roman said. "Um.. When, earlier..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Song seemed stressed out and confused. Why weren't things fair for Roman? Things had to be fair always, for everyone! "You said 'I can't do it'. I didn't tell you to do anything, so you must had been talking to somebody else." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. I-I don't think it was anyone, I just.. The dark reminds me of another time I was in the dark, and someone was making me do something.. um.. Bad. I-I was confused.." Roman said. He still hadn't turned around. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"...Did they make you bite someone?" Song turned her head towards the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... I-it was something like that. But worse. You don't need to know more than that." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's sad..." Song sighed. "Have you been in prison?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Huh..? Oh- no, actually.. That's probably surprising to you." Roman said. "I probably deserve to be." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? I thought you were.. I don't know if you deserve to, but.. papa said he would call the police. Dada doesn't want that. She said you wouldn't survive in there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman tensed. He figured some kind of institution would be where Riki would drop him, but prison? No, not a chance. ".. Prison wouldn't help me. I'd rather die th-than be imprisoned.. They'd never let me out.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, I guess dada thought so too..." "Song?" Seki's voice carried from further away. The pup lifted her head and lowered her ears sheepishly. "How long have you been awake sweetie? You should be sleeping." "He was afraid of the dark, I switched on the lights", Song said, slid down from the foot stool and went to hug Seki. "Are you okay, dada?" "I am, no need to worry sweetheart. Could you please be a good girl and go take care of your lil brother while the adults talk?" Seki said with a soft voice. "Okay..." The small pawsteps faded away, and a heavy shuffling and heavier footsteps neared the door. "Roman? Did you have a chat with Song?" Seki's voice was much friendlier than you'd think it would be after being bit like that. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I did- pl-please don't let Riki send me t-to jail.. He can rip all my teeth out, or kick me out, or beat m-me up or.. Just anything b-but that.." Roman said shakily. "Or if h-he is going to send me there anyway, you can k-keep up your end of the deal for if I lost my fight. I feel similar a-about it.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, Roman, shh..." Seki shuffled closer to the closed door and sat down on the floor. "Don't worry, he won't. He knows it's not the right place for you either. He locked you in there to be safe, and to step back before he could hurt you, and so he could calm down and think clearer", she sighed. "That was a scary situation, and Riki, well... when it comes to his family being in danger, well... The last guy who tried to kill me almost got his throat ripped out by him, heh..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I'm glad that he cares about you so much. I deserved th-this.." Roman sighed. "This is going to sound literally insane a-and it would be kind of stupid for you, but.. Could y-you look in here and tell me that there's no b-body behind me? I haven't b-been able to turn around since the light's been on.. I'm scared.. I know that could be me tricking you in to opening the door, so d-don't do it if you think I am. I'll just keep sitting in the corner.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Honey, this is not your fault. I shouldn't have been so careless", Seki hummed. She paused, and her ears perked up in confusion and alarm. They were quiet for a moment before answering. "Oh, Roman, I'm sorry.. I promised Riki I wouldn't open the door. It's not that I don't trust you, but I have to prove him that I can use my one braincell at least sometimes. You understand. He'd be so mad at me if I immediately went and broke that promise", she apoligised. "In any case, I promise you that you are the only one in there. We don't tend to store dead bodies in our house. Let alone there isn't really enough space for many people in there anyway. Might be a couple of spiders at most", Seki smiled lightly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's okay, I-i know it's a bad idea.. I'm not even sure i-if I can keep from lunging at you again if you open it..." Roman sighed. "H-how much longer is Riki going to keep me in here..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah... Are you still hungry? I think he's going to keep you there until we can feed you somehow." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah.. I'm still hungry.." Roman sighed. "I don't really know what we can do, I can't substitute out animal blood or anything.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, and I'm not allowed to give you any more. Riki seems pretty unlikely to give you any right now too. We might need something from a blood bank, or something. It would be convenient if a venge stone worked on you without killing you", Seki sighed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I could.. try the vengestone..? Maybe Roque was lying..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, but if she wasn't, I'd actually have a dead body in my house. That's reeeeeally a bad look on me specifically", Seki grimaced slightly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, it's not like anyone would be looking for me- besides Radysh and Remoul.. It would be easy to get rid of me and say I just never made the trip somehow." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Dunno how easy that'd be", Seki sighed. "...Who was it, by the way? The dead guy you thought was with you in there?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. it was my grandpa. R-roque kept his body with me when she trapped me in her basement.. it's why I don't like the dark." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, gross", Seki grimaced. "Why'd she do any of that?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"She.. wanted to see if she could recreate her powers in me. She killed someone she cared about, so.. sh-she gave me the only person I cared about.. he wasn't actually dead all the way.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's.. so many layers of fucked up. No offence, but I really don't get what you saw in her", Seki huffed. "Did it work, then?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. she was all I had. I couldn't leave." Roman shook his head. "And yeah, it worked.. that's where I got my powers from." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmmh, you poor thing... That sounds like getting rid of the powers isn't as simple as reversing what you did to get them. Hm..." Seki paused for a moment. "Remoul and Radysh would probably be fine giving you blood, I imagine." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, but I have no clue where they are.. O-or if they even made it to this world in the first place.." Roman said. "If I could get more normal food, it might help satiate me.. a little." @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

"I'm sure they are here somewhere... they probably don't want to call since it's the middle of the night, or they haven't gotten to somewhere with a phone", Seki sighed. "Um... I could... push some crackers under the door to you if that'd help?" they suggested. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'd.. h-have to turn around to take the crackers, I think.. and I still feel like there's something behind me.." Roman mumbled. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, your back's towards the door? Honey, if there was something, you would have tripped over it when you entered. There is nobody in there but you, and your little god friend in your brain, I guess." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He couldn't just logic his way out of it. Of course there couldn't be something behind him, he had clawed through every square inch within reach the first ten minutes he was trapped in the dark. That didn't stop him from the unnerving feeling that kept him pinned to the corner. "You... must b-be right.. I'm gonna turn around a-and look." Roman said, extremely unsure. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Easy does it, buddy", Seki spoke encouragingly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took in a few deep breaths to calm himself (a little), and slooooooowly glanced over his shoulder... There was nothing real on the ground in the closet, besides for the torn clothes and paper he had dropped there. But on top of that wreck, there was something. Just a wiggly, faint outline of a something. It was vaguely old man shaped. Roman yelped and smashed his body further in to the corner. His glowing red eyes somewhat illuminated the space right in front of his face. "There's s-something- something-" Roman whimpered. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki frowned slightly. "What is it? A spider?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No it- it's like-" He didn't know what he was, but he at least knew it wasn't a real corpse. "You're g-gonna think I'm crazy. It's.. J-just an outline of a person.. I can see it.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed, and shifted a little closer to the closet, sniffing the air and tilting their ears. "Hmm... Do you... often see things that are not really there? Even when you are not locked in a closet?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

There was absolutely nothing in there, besides Roman. ... And maybe a few long dead and curled spiders. "You think I'm crazy." Roman said. "No I- I d-don't usually hallucinate.. Not when I'm not dying, anyway.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

cw drugs ment "I think you are traumatized", Seki corrected. "It's alright, I used to have a lot of hallucinations years ago, though mine were largely because of drugs.. They can't hurt you, you just need to learn to tell when they aren't real, and ignore them. I know it's not always easy." Seki frowned. "You did just get some of my blood. Are you still so starved that you end up hallucinating?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Well, he definitely was traumatized. Probably an understatement, honestly. "I don't feel like I'm dying, I shouldn't b-be seeing things.." Roman shook his head. "I-i wish s-someone else could look at it.. I don't- I can't make myself believe it's n-not there.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed. "Believe me, I would, but I'm not allowed. Well, I don't even have the key right now. I'll go ask Riki to check on you, yeah?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I-is he going to be mad that I broke things in here..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Uhh, probably a bit irritated, but there's nothing irreplaceable in there, mostly just cleaning and housekeeping items, and some stuff that's going to second-hand market. He's not going to hurt you, unless you attack him. Don't worry." Seki stood up carefully. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Okay.. b-because I tore up everything I could reach.." Roman said. "Tell him I'm sorry.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki let out a soft chuckle and nodded a bit. "Don't worry." With that, they shuffled away, leaving the light in the closet on. After a while, a lot more decisive footsteps approached the door. "Stay at the back of the closet", Riki's cold, commanding voice carried out as a key clinked into the lock. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i will.." Roman said, having no urge to move at all from his spot. As Riki opened the door, he'd be able to see the carnage Roman had made across the floor, and.. Well damn, yeah that hazy outline of a body was visible in front of Roman's bare shaking back. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki glanced over the mess, wrinkling his muzzle in annoyance, but quickly focused on the blurry figure. His eyes widened, and he pointed a taser at the shade, seeing if it would react in any way. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The thing didn't seem to have any kind of awareness. It just.. existed there all wobbly and vague. "Th-there's nothing, right..?" Roman asked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hrm..." Riki sweeped one tail across the figure. "It appears you are haunted on top of everything". he murmured. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It definitely wasn't physical, either. When touch it wobbled and shook a little like.. An illusion someone was putting out. "No!" Roman screamed, and moved his hands over his ears. "No, i-it can't really- it can't be real!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmh.. There's no need to panic. It's not exactly doing anything," Riki frowned, and knelt down. He reached out a hand to try and sense Ghost type energy. "It's not green, which is unusual..." he murmured." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It felt more dark than ghost. "I can't be locked in a closet with my dead grandpa he's going to be mad-" Roman frantically shook his head. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Calm down", Riki grunted. He let his hand glow softly with Fairy energy, and waved it through the figure. "It's not real. It's your doing." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

With the fairy energy, the illusion faded away. Even Roman seemed to be made even more uncomfortable by it, and be writhed in his timeout spot. "How- how w-would I do that?" He asked weakly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki pulled his hand away and propped his forearm on his knee. He looked over Roman with slightly more compassionate gaze. "You are a Zoroark now. Some Zoroarks have the ability to create simple illusions. Yours isn't half bad. With some practice, you could get a job at a circus", Riki spoke, half attempting a joke at the end, although his tone didn't change. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"O-of course I'm a freak here just like I am everywhere else.." Roman said pathetically. ".. I do belong in a circus.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki sighed and shook his head. "Don't say that. People with some magical abilities tend to be popular. You just need to learn how to harness your magic so you won't end up scaring yourself again. Here." Riki tossed a pacl of crackers and a candy bag next to Roman. "Seki wanted me to give these to you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman picked up the packs, and glanced over his shoulder at Riki wearily. "Thank you..." He said. "I-.. I hate to ask you for anything else, b-but out with my clothes I have a belt with a feather on it.. I would feel less scared if I had that w-with me in here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'll go get it," Riki nodded, backed out of the closet and locked it again. After a while, Riki returned with Roman's clothes, as well as a pillow and a blanket. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

While he was gone, Roman had turned around to face the door, but was still in the corner. He took the items and set them down in front of him, but kept the talisman in his hands. "I-i won't be able to sleep in here, but thank you.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"At least they can make you a little more comfortable," Riki said dryly. "Be careful not to hurt yourself on all that clutter." He started closing the door, before pausing and seemingly deciding whether or not to bring up something else. "Another thing", he said, opening the door again. "Seki won't be able to accompany you to the city in the morning. They have to stay at home and rest so the wounds won't reopen. Their sister and mother are also coming to visit shortly. I'm not sure if they want to meet you, but I thought I'd tell you in case they do want to." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Who will take me then..?" Roman frowned. But that was hardly the troubling part of what Riki had to say. Who on earth would want to meet the thing that had nearly just killed their family? "Don't tell them I'm still here, I-i can be quiet.. they won't know." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"They know already", Riki tilted his head. "And Seki's blood is pretty easy to smell off of you. Going back to taking you to the city, I suppose I can take you to look for your friends. You would have to stay put while I'm at work... but hopefully your friends will turn up quickly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. mmmm.. I just don't want to hear them be mad at me.." Roman sighed. "If you'd take me, that would work.. I-i can just sit at your office or whatever.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded. His gaze softened slightly again, and he sighed. "I understand that you didn't want this, and that it's not your fault you need blood to survive. But Seki is important to us. When we are angry at you, we really are angry at what happened, and to ourselves for not being able to prevent it. We are scared of what could have happened. It was very dangerous, and I am angry that you and Seki didn't just take care of your hunger before we went to bed. However, what is done, is done, and I'm glad nothing irreversible happened. I hope you learned something, so this won't happen again. "I don't hate you, Roman, and I know you really need our help. I need some time to fully calm down, but I don't think you deserve this any more than Seki does, either. When it comes to Seki's family, they are good, wise people. They will understand your situation, but I think it is your responsibility to take their emotions as they are, and explain yourself, if they were to talk to you. They are here to check on Seki, mainly, and his mother will take the kids for a couple of days. They have an ability to sense when their family member is in danger, so they contacted us soon after the incident." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman sat and listened to all of that- he didn't have much choice to do anything else. "I-i'm.. I guess I learned that this body wants blood more strongly than my other one did.. And I can't bite people the same way." Roman slowly nodded. It was a good thing Seki didn't have that power, or else their danger alarm would be ringing nonstop for Roman. It would probably get annoying. "I'll listen t-to them if they come talk to me.. but I don't even know how I'd explain all of this.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki listened and nodded. "That's a good thing to know. And don't worry, me and Seki will be doing most of the explaining." Riki paused for a moment, thinking if there was anything else he needed to say. "Try to get some rest.. if you need any entertainment, there should be some old comics and books in some boxes on the shelves", Riki glanced around, trying to see if Roman had pulled the cardboard boxes and shredded the books, or if they were still in place. Then, he pulled the door closed, and locked it again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Thankfully, the comics had been out of his reach from his spot on the floor, so they were spared. Once Riki was gone, Roman hunkered down on the floor of the closet and covered himself up entirely with the blanket. He held his talisman close to his heart, and just tried not to think about much of anything.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

After some time, the doorbell rang. Someone opened the door, and soon several voices started talking. Song's voice rang bright and clear as she greeted her aunt and grandma. Others words were harder to distinguish, until they moved closer to where Roman was locked up. Then he would be able to pick up bits of the conversation. It sounded like Riki and Seki were summarizing everything that had happened since last evening, and then a woman's voice berated Seki for being careless and for biting more than they could chew. "You should have asked for help! Why do you have to put your own neck on the line, literally, when you have an array of friends and family who want to make sure you aren't putting yourself in danger?" Seki seemingly tried to get a word in, and failed repeatedly, until now. "I was planning on asking for help later! It was already late, I didn't want to pile a whole project on anyone at night! I'm not as stupid as you think, I know I can't do everything myself." The arguing continued for a while, and as the voices were lowered again, the words became harder to distinguish. "Where is he now? I'd like to talk to him", the woman asked, and soon walked towards the closet. "Be nice to him", Seki stressed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

From the moment he'd heard the doorbell, Roman had moved from the center of the closet back in to the relative safety of the far back corner. His ears were pinned back against his head, and his face was buried between his knees. He tried to mentally prepare for a verbal beat down, but he wasn't too sure if he could handle much else today.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

There was a sharp knock on the door. "Are you awake?" the woman asked in a commanding voice. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't say anything, but there was definitely someone whimpering on the inside of the closet.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

There was a short pause, before the woman spoke again. "I want to have a word with you, and I also have blood for you. I'm going to open the door now, but if you attack me, I'll use powers on you. Is that clear?" The lock clicked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. blood?" Roman finally chimed in, looking back toward the door. It must've been in a closed container- he would've smelt it by now.. "I-i won't attack you, I'm in the back.. Oh- I don't have a shirt on but I have a blanket on." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The door swung open, and in the doorway stood a tall and slender, black-furred creature, who didn't resemble Seki much apart from having long, upright ears. Hers were much wider and fluffier than his, though, and they had an orange stripe running across the back horizontally. Her tail was thick and heavy, resembling that of a dolphin's in shape, although the fin on the tip was lined with feathers. It also had an orange band around its middle section. She was wearing a black qi with golden accents that left her shoulders bare, showing off orange circles on them. She had a stern look in her orange eyes, and a round, yellow gemstone in the middle of her forehead glowed faintly. She had black tufts of silky fur framing her head on both sides, coiling softly, and her fur on top of her head was slightly longer than the body fur as well, waving gently. What differentiated her from Seki the most were the two black wings on her back, slightly held open. They were tipped with yellow and orange feathers each. The woman eyed Roman for a short moment, before tossing a sealed plastic blood bag to him. "Eat. Then we can talk." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman scanned over the new person as the door opened. Definitely unfamiliar, but all he could focus on was the bag of blood in their hands.. And the wings, which gave him just a slight pang of sadness. He grabbed the bag and held it close to his chest, his sharp nails nearly ripping right through the plastic. "Y-you might not want to watch, it's.. Gross." Roman said and looked away, still huddled in the back corner. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The lady crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. "Be at ease. I have seen worse." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't sure about that. Well, he was starving, so he wasn't going to wait anymore. He knew if he tried to bite it it would probably leak/explode, so he went at it with his nails. He tore off a corner and gently sucked at it, making a strong expression of disgust at the taste on his new tongue. Regardless of that, he stopped after he'd only drank about a third of it. "I-i think this is all I usually take.. Less than I thought, honestly.." Roman said and pinched the corner closed. "Do you think I could save the rest? I'd hate to throw it out.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The blood was cold and felt a bit thick. The woman watched with the same sharp expression. She nodded at Roman's question, and her eyes as well as her fur patterns, and the gem in her forehead glowed a bit. The bag in Roman's hands glowed faintly as well and tugged itself free from his grip. It floated back to the lady, who took the same corner between her fingers, pinching it tightly. "I'll tape it and put it in cold for you. Just a moment." She stepped back, closed the door and walked away. Seki and Riki's voices mumbled something further away. After a moment, she returned. "Feeling better?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was half tempted to seize the bag back, in pure instinct of it being taken from him, but he fought that urge off. 'Does she have blood powers too?' He wondered as she left. "Yes, I'm feeling a lot better." Roman nodded. He was shivering less now than he was before, and his eyes weren't glowing as much. "Thank you.. For getting me that." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

She nodded. "Good. I'm Hannah, Seki's older sister. You gave us quite the scare, there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm Roman, but uh, you probably already know that.." Roman said quietly. "I'm sorry, I couldn't control myself. I-i don't mean to get people hurt but.. It always happens.. I'm a curse." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah hummed, her eyes searching and stern. "For what I've heard, you rather have a curse, one that you didn't search for yourself either. There's something that gives you powers, but requires constant blood sacrifices, isn't that it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman couldn't make eye contact, choosing to just look at her wings instead. "Y-yeah, that's part of it.. but I was a curse before I got that curse.. No one around me is ever happy." Roman mumbled. "But if I didn't have these powers, I would be better off. I never wanted them in the first place.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah hummed again, one brow slightly quirking up. "I see. And what's the source of your powers?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Apparently there's some God in my head, but.. it's never talked to me. It only ever talked to other people who were in my head.. It makes me feel kind of irritated." Roman said. "I don't even know it's name..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm." Hannah frowned and tilted her head, stroking her chin with her other arm still folded across her chest. "Could I try to talk to it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Um.. I-i guess so. Do you have blood powers too..?" Roman asked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm? No, I don't have blood powers. Is that required to form a connection?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No, but.. How are you going to talk to it..? It doesn't speak through me, or anything like that.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I can try to form a spiritual connection. Your co-operation is necessary for it to work, though." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.." Roman shifted. "Um.. Sure, I'll do whatever you need me to do." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah nodded. "Can you stand?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Not very well.. But I can try." Roman said and leaned against the wall as he pushed himself up. He kept his balance on the wall with one hand, and held the blanket over himself with the other. "Do I have to be off the wall..? I don't have much balance in this body yet.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You don't have to, if it's too difficult you can sit down. I'll just have to squat", Hannah shook her head and motioned Roman to sit back down. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman happily sat back on the ground. "Are you going to mess with my memories while you're in my head..?" He asked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No, I'm not going into your head. I'll try to look deeper, into your soul", Hannah explained and squatted down keeping her balance with her tail and wings. "All you have to do is to let me. I'm going to guess this won't be as easy as opening a book and reading for me.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Soul magic was a bit beyond him.. "Oh.. What if my soul is bad and tries to eat you or something..?" Roman asked, entirely seriously. "I'll let you do whatever, but I have no idea what my soul is going to be like.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah burst into a laughter, both surprised and amused by Roman's question. She shook her head and chuckled, before looking at Roman seriously with a shimmer in her eyes. "I'd like to see it try", she declared with a low voice. She lifted her hand-paw towards Roman. "I'll put my hand on your forehead. Close your eyes and try to relax." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He at first leaned away from the hand before slowly leaning in to it. "That's all I need to do?" Roman asked as he closed his eyes. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes. Relax and let me form a connection. You might not feel anything, and it might seem like we are just sitting here in silence, but let it be. Just relax and try to calm your mind. If you do feel my presence, try not to react to it, and don't push me away." Hannah put her paw onto Roman's forehead, and rubbed it lightly to find the right, comfortable spot. Her hand was warm, but the paw pads on her fingertips and palm were calloused and almost leathery. Once she was comfortable with the position, she closed her eyes as well, but the rings in her fur, as well as the gem on her forehead began glowing again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman did his best to relax, which was definitely aided by her hand on him. He seemed to be pretty good at clearing his mind, at least.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He would start feeling light tingling on his forehead, like someone was lightly moving his fur, just by the tips, except it couldn't be that. Hannah's hand was still firmly planted against his fur and skin. The tingling would continue, and gradually spread wider across his face, and deeper, scratching his brain like a nice scalp massage or some hard-hitting ASMR. Nothing else seemed to happen for a while, except Roman would feel a little warmer and even a little heavier, like an invisible hand was pushing him down. Then, he could clearly feel Hannah's presence, as vividly as if she was pressing herself against his whole body, as if she was present in a more personal level than was physically possible. Her aura was forceful but warm, at the same time bright as the sun and dark as the deep sea. "I am Hannah Garmadon. Guardian of this realm and the Heir of this planet. Reveal thyself, you, who possess this youth. Who are you, and why do you torment this boy?" Hannah spoke without words, only her intentions and will resonating in Roman's soul. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was incredibly relaxed, and equally empty headed. All he could focus on was the soothing physical contact- or at least what felt to be that. 'Hm? Oh, another person.. Torment is a strong word, don't you think? He wanted this, after all. I saved him. He would have died without me.' A feminine voice spoke back.

"He did not want this. He has said it many times. Now he is in danger to die because of you. What do you want from him?" Hannah's fur bristled slightly, and she frowned, both concentrated, alert, and excited to receive an answer. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'He was happy when I first appeared, believe me, there was nothing more in the world that he wanted than for me to step in and save him.' The voice said, and moved around where Hannah's spirit was. It seemed like something small, and it hopped rather than walked. 'I don't want anything, in fact I was thinking about leaving him so I didn't have to compete with that disgusting Lifebringer. But now that we're out here, I don't see much of a reason to leave..' @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"As far as I know, he was abused and forced into many things he truly did not want. I can tell he does not want you. And I, certainly don't want you here." Hannah bared her teeth and her ears pointed back. "If you don't want anything from him, then leave. You are not welcome here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'You don't know him as well as I do. You should try living in here for nearly a decade.' It laughed. 'But if you are this insistent.. Fine, let me show you what will happen if I leave.' As it said that, Hannah would feel it slowly start to shrink away.. And the first thing to fail was Roman's heart, which lulled to a near stop, and when it did pump, did so with extreme effort. His body choked and leaned further against Hannah. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah's wings hissed as the feathers brushed against the floor and each other, as she raised them slightly, and her fur bristled further. Her fingers on Roman's forehead pressed against him tighter. "Stop." She took a hold of Roman with her other arm, and tried not to break her connection despite the disturbance. "So you are telling me, that he will die if you leave, and he will die if you stay and he doesn't get a person's blood every day?" She hissed at the astral being disdainfully and frustrated. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was limp against her, but the god made its way back and Roman's heart regained its normal function. "He will die in his current state without the powers I provide, yes. And he will wilt to nothing if he doesn't continue to get blood.." It said and bounced up next to Hannah. "But if I tell you how to get around this, what do you have to offer me?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I have nothing for you, fiend. I don't want you here and I'm not making deals with you either. If you are the only thing keeping him alive right now, then fine. Keep at it. My brother will get mad at me if he dies now. But if he, or you cause any trouble for this planet, or even this city, I will extinguish you myself." Hannah gripped at Roman's head with her one hand, apparently without noticing. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman winced slightly, but tried his best to keep his mind blank. "Wow, not even going to hear my offer? You really think I am evil.." It laughed. "I assure you I want the best for my subjects. Roman here would not seek to make himself stronger if I did not impose this twice a day blood need in him. And without being stronger, well, he's always victim to something or someone. I'm helping him." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah relaxed marginally and growled. "You are not giving the least trustworthy impression. I am not taking risks with entities from the outside. And it's clearly barely keeping him alive, let alone making him stronger. Getting that amount of person blood is going to get him killed at a stake." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Outside is a weird way to describe it, I can already access whatever world I wish. There are some people in this world already touched by me, though just as unknowing as Roman was." It said. "If I gave him the choice to give up and get weaker, he would take it. He has no self preservation instinct in the long run, it has to be immediate." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah bristled again. "What are you, Overlord's minion? Good to know I need to keep an eye for you." She snarled. "Excuses. He has people who can take care of him now. You don't seem to understand the real life consequences for his blood requirements. I will have to pull strings to get him donated blood, and he needs that all the time. He's going to eat away blood that could save someone in an emergency. He's going to be dangerous when he's hungry, and that's putting him in danger." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The Overlord? Hah, he's way too cliché for me." It laughed and bounded over to Hannah's other side. "I don't see what you want me to do about that. You have refused to even hear out my side." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah, quirked an eyebrow. Cliche? She didn't comment on it further, though. "If you want to help him, make his life easier. We can feed him normal food to make him stronger. He should require less blood. And I refused to listen to you because you were trying to swindle me into giving you something. Talk, if you want to talk. I'm not stopping you from explaining yourself, but I will not lavish you with gifts for information. If you so much want to help him, then tell me how to help him."

3:15 PM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Gifts are not what I'm after. I don't figure I could get you to leave me offerings or anything similar." It said. "You wouldn't be able to do much on your end, unless you feel like finding him a whole set of brand new working organs the second I leave. If you'd indulge me, I could make it so his powers gradually healed him instead of hurting him if he doesn't get enough blood. And once all of his organs work again, I would leave..." "But I just need one thing to be done first. One teeny little thing. You have to understand that I don't work for free." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah couldn't really frown any more than she already was, but she was concerned to hear how Roman had several damaged organs. "Well, that would sound more feasible and reasonable," she hummed agreeably. "Tell me what it is, and I shall decide if it is worth this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The thing bounced away again, but stopped not too far away from Hannah. Where it stopped there was now something that Hannah could see. A human- Roman's normal body- laying on the ground on his side. He had two black wings that were slightly iridescent, and seemed just as thin and spindly as his zoroark form. A rabbit... no- some animal that at a surface level resembled a rabbit was cuddled up to his chest. It had large red eyes, giant ears, sparrow's wings, deer's hooves and antlers, and a long fleshy rat's tail. Roman seemed unconscious, but his hand was resting on the back of the creature, fingers buried in it's coarse fur. "I want him to be entirely, completely happy. That's what I want." The voice said, emanating from that strange animal. "Easier said than done with him. I don't expect that it can be done quickly." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah's eyes widened slowly, as she took in the sight. Her fur sleeked gradually, and she watched quietly, with mixed emotions, confusion being the main cause of tension in her face now. She tried to sharpen up, and frowned suspiciously, scrutinizing the two creatures, trying to sense deceit. Eventually, she sighed lightly, and relaxed a little. "My brother probably has plans to make that happen. I will give him my support and protection as well. He has powerful allies in us. If you keep your promise, there will be less of a risk that he gets himself in trouble, like today." In all honesty, Hannah didn't care about Roman like Seki did. To her, he was a potential threat, who had already attacked her little sibling, but since Seki seemed attached to the kid, she would try to help him as well. "And this is all you want? For this boy to be happy?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I keep my promises." The voice spoke around Seki, without the rabbit moving it's mouth. Even with it closed, white froth seemed to perpetually drip out from the corners and dripped on to the metaphorical ground. "People usually don't trust me, but I just want people to be happy. Is there something about me that makes me appear untrustworthy? Evil, even?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't trust entities that have power over people. And Roman told me he didn't want these powers, and my brother told me he has been forced into many things against his will. Your powers made him attack my brother. That makes you look evil in my eyes," Hannah explained coolly. She eyed the small creature, with a puzzled frown. "Is this... your true form?"

"Seems a bit hypocritical, maybe your power over others isn't innate, but you still have it. Everyone manipulates someone else, that's just humanity." It said. It lowered its head down to rest on its one good front leg. "Yes. You can see why I don't conduct much business in person. No one would take me seriously." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know I'm hypocritical, but I know myself," Hannah replied simply. "You are indeed smaller than I expected, but power isn't about size. However, you don't seem to be... in full health." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It narrowed one of its big eyes at Hannah. "What? Are you worried about me? I won't die and take Roman with me anytime soon, if that's what you're concerned about." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm... well, good to know. I suppose I just didn't know incorporeal beings could have ailments." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"I am a real, corporeal being, but I choose to represent myself in this plane as I actually am." It said. "I go by many titles. I'd like to think I'm representative of all the struggles my subjects go through." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh, I see..." Hannah's brows were still scrunched, but her expression softened, and she seemed to relax, and her presence felt warmer. "You are not from this world' though, are you? Where is your body?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I am 'from' many worlds, but my body currently resides within a hidden place somewhere else. I don't usually come out in person." It said. "If I do, I am with one of my.. Stronger, more reliable subjects." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I see... I suppose that makes sense", Hannah hummed. She eyed the rabbit and Roman's old form for a moment, before composing herself straighter again. "I shall see that Roman will become happy. As you said, it might take a while, but we will do our best to support him. And you will regrow his organs back and then leave, as agreed," Hannah nodded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good. I look forward to seeing it." She said. "You may want to not tell him that he needs to be happy to get rid of me. That will most likely just stress him out more... And if he gets back to a state like he was in before I got to him after I leave, I might come back." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That is fair. Goodbye for now." With that, Hannah took a deep breath, pulling her consciousness back to fully herself again. She was still holding her paw on Roman's forehead, and supporting him with her other arm, slightly leaning over. The glow in her fur patterns and forehead gem dimmed, and she opened her eyes slowly. She looked at Roman for a few moments, before brushing her hand over his head and one ear. "You can open your eyes now, Roman", she spoke in a low, tired voice. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After a moment, Roman groggily half opened his eyes. His face contorted in to a slight wince, and he leaned further in to Hannah. "I don't feel good.." He mumbled. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

She hummed, and scooped him into an awkward, one-armed hug and patted his shoulder with her free hand. "It's okay. Do you need more blood?" she asked, weariness still in her voice, though she straightened herself a bit and spoke a little stronger now. "You should wash yourself, too. Maybe that'll make you feel better." Hannah wrinkled her nose a bit at the smell of her sibling's blood. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No I.. I don't think I need any more..." He weakly shook his head. "I'm not too sure if I can shower on my own.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, alright. Seki can probably help you with that, but they can't carry you right now, so I'll take you to the bathroom." Hannah shifted Roman around a bit to get a good hold of him, and lifted him up into bridal carry as carefully as she could. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Thankfully, Roman was no heavier than a handful of half expired grapes. "Y-you would trust me with Seki again..? Did the thing in my head say I'm safe now..?" He asked tiredly. "Or.. Is it gone..? I can't tell if I feel different, I just feel sick.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Hannah sighed, and began to step out of the closet backwards. "It didn't straight up say that, but I gathered you aren't out for their life. You just had something to eat, so I think you're safe enough around them for now. Riki will probably keep guard as well. The thing in your head, it's still there, but we reached an agreement. You'll still need blood regularly, but you should get healthier and eventually be able to wean off of it." She turned around, facing both Seki and Riki in the room. Seki watched with wide, worried eyes. There was a layer of gauze and cotton slabs wrapped around their neck. Riki seemed rather nonchalant, but tired. "I'll take Roman to the shower. Can you guys help him wash up?" Hannah spoke. "Yeah, sure", Seki replied, and looked at Roman. "How are you holding up, champ?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-it really said that? Did you have to give it something..?" He really hoped he wouldn't be inconveniencing Hannah or Seki or Riki anymore- especially not with some weird blood god. "D-did you figure out what it is?" He paused when he gave Seki a brief glance-over. "I'm alright now.. I'm still sorry. If you don't want to or-... I can shower myself." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Not really, I just had to assert my dominance", Hannah lied. "It's some sort of minor deity that believes to be helping people, for what I gathered." Seki smiled faintly. "It's all good. I'm not afraid of you, buddy. I'm glad Hannah didn't bully you too much." Hannah carried Roman back to the bathroom, where splatters of blood had already been cleaned away. She set him down into the bathtub, and gave way to Seki, who had followed close by. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Minor deity... Not even a major one... And if that's what it thinks helping is, I'd hate to see what it does to people it wants to hurt.. Yeesh.' Once placed in the bathtub, he pathetically slid down until he was entirely flat in the basin. "Th-thank you for 'asserting your dominance' then, I.. Definitely wouldn't be able to do it." Roman sighed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Don't mention it. Part of the job", Hannah said curtly, and backed out of the bathroom. She walked away through the corridor, and soon Riki stood in the doorway. He watched Roman and Seki with a conflicted expression. "I'll be right here if you need me", he finally said, before closing the door and leaving the two in peace. Seki kneeled next to the bathtub, crossed their arms on the edge of it and leaned down to look at Roman worriedly. "...I'm really sorry. I wish your first night had gotten better. You look like you need a good rest."

7:47 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's not your fault. Bad things just.. f-follow me everywhere." Roman mumbled. ".. do you really think things can get better for me..? I-it feels like I'm always going to be like this..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aww..." Seki reached into the tub and started petting Roman's head. "It might feel like that right now, and you still have conditions that make adjusting difficult, but it will get better. I promise. I'll be here to help you every step on the way, until you feel like you are not just surviving, but living your best life. Trust me, it's difficult right now, it might be for years, but once you are my age, you can look back and be glad you didn't give up", Seki smiled warmly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman still seemed unconvinced. ".. if it wasn't your job to help people like me, would you still do it anyway..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki let out a soft chuckle. "Why do you think I took this job?" she asked in turn. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. is the money good..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki couldn't help but burst in laughter. "Not at all! It pays the bills alright, but it's Riki who bought this house and all that. No, I don't do this for money. Riki would gladly provide the whole family and I could just lounge about all day if I wanted to," they chuckled. "I took this job, because I want to help kids who are in difficult spots. Part of it is for selfish reasons, I suppose. I guess I hope by helping people I could make amends with the things that I did in the past, even though I know it won't bring anyone back, or undo any pain I've caused. But, even if there is selfishness in this, I also genuinely want to be there for young people who feel lost, like I wish someone was there for me, when I was a teen. Someone who helps them through the messy, dark, difficult times, so that they don't end up like me. So that they won't lose their youth. If I can help out even one person to live a happier life, that's good enough, but I will try and help as many as I can, because I know what it's like to be lost." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman shrunk down further in the tub as Seki laughed. Was it that silly of a question? Despite his growing embarrassment, he listened closely to what they said. ".. That's so nice.." He said quietly. "I-i want to help people too.. but.. I don't think I've ever actually helped anyone ever." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know you do", Seki smiled gently, "but something I've learned is that you can't pour from an empty vessel. The person that needs your help the most right now, is you. You gotta help yourself before you can help others. You are your first responsibility, before anyone else", Seki stroked Roman's head again. "And then, maybe one day you'll find your way of helping people, but first you need to feel good enough yourself." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Help himself before others... Yeah, that probably would've helped more people in the tournament. He kept thinking getting himself more deeply involved with Naiyta would get others off the hook, but it almost just seemed to make Naiyta crazier. "I think you're right.. and Roque is gone, I think that's my first step.." Roman said. "Wait- if the god in my head gave me the powers... Roque didn't even make them! Ugh, just another thing she lied about.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm? Yeah, I guess, huh," Seki hummed at the notion. "Well, lets get you nice and clean now. Everything else can wait," Seki smiled and patted Roman's shoulder. They began helping him out of his clothes. "I was excited to go clothe shopping with you, but Riki wants me to stay at home and rest", Seki sighed. "I feel like you should rest too. Are you sure you have the strength to go to the city in the morning?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Roman let Seki get his clothes off, which wasn't too much just pants with the talisman tied on. After they were off though, it was pretty clear Roman was glancing at something down there... "I need to go- even if I can't go shopping.. I need to be there if Radysh and Remoul show up. I don't know what it means if they didn't show up with us." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"If you are sure. Although Riki would bring them here after his shift ends. And we can go shopping on another day." Seki took a washcloth and turned on the water from the tap. He ran it until the water was a nice temperature, and soaked the cloth. Then they squeezed some soap on it, and began rubbing the blood stains from Roman's fur. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I want to be with them as soon as I can." Roman nodded. He wiggled in the warm water. When was the last time he had been bathed by someone else- not counting when Raikal had bathed in his body.. and also Naiyta... Quite a while! He hummed and kept his mouth shut as Seki worked on some of the blood around his mouth. He didn't feel like tasting soap tonight. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright. Well, I doubt we are going to sleep anymore tonight. I'll probably watch tv, so you can come and try to nap on the couch. And then you can probably nap more in Riki's office. Can you sleep during the day?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I can nap anywhere.. Well, as a human I could. I can probably still do it." Roman nodded. "Do I need the muzzle again?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's good. Oh, yeah, Riki probably wants you to wear a muzzle in the palace area, but uh. The one you wore today would look a little out of place in there, so he will probably put a different model on you. One that the guards use for caught suspects and such. They're not as comfortable, but you'll manage a few hours, I'm sure." Seki shifted Roman a bit, making sure he wouldn't get water in his ears or nose, and scrubbed him down until all the blood was off, squeezing the washcloth clean and soaking it every once in a while. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm used to being uncomfortable by now.." Roman shrugged. With Roman's fur texture, it was hard to make sure every single curl was fully cleaned out.. But it was probably good enough. "Thank you, for doing this." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hey, no problem", Seki smiled. They took the shower head and rinsed Roman down carefully. Then, they brought a big, fluffy towel, and wrapped it around him, before picking him out of the tub. They sat on the lid of the toilet bowl, put Roman on their lap, and began drying his fur. Once the towel was soaked through, they picked another one, and used it for a while, before picking up a big hair dyer, and blowing the rest of their fur dry. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

By the end of the drying, Roman definitely resembled a blown-dry poodle. ... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

(again, sorry for taking forever;;;

time to wrap this up!) The rest of the night went peacefully, as everyone gathered in the living room to watch tv or nap. In the morning, Riki took Roman to the city, as promised, and he got a visitor's pass to the palace. Later that day, he finally got to meet his dear band mates! @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had been sitting around Riki's office as expected, wearing a more socially acceptable muzzle by this point. He didn't really know how to help with paperwork, or anything at all relating to Riki's job, so he mainly just fiddled with paper clips and worked the shredder when Riki was done with something. They had alerted all the other palace staff to be on the lookout for people matching Radysh and Remoul's human descriptions- or possibly random very confused Pokemon with the same names. Seeing as he had already bent all the paperclips around four times, and there were no papers left to shred, he chose to just spin around in the spinny chair for a while now. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You should try and rest a bit. You hardly slept last night", Riki glanced at Roman over his reading classes. The room was spacious, decorated with curtains and ornamental patterns on the walls and ceiling. Riki was sitting behind a large, table, and behind him large windows let daylight through. A flagpole with Ninjago's flag was set on one side of the window, and the imperial family's own flag was set on the other side. Aside from the office table, there were a few big, plush chairs, and a couple of sofas set around a long coffee table. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I want to be awake if they show up. And I've had worse nights of sleep than that," Roman said and put his feet on the ground to pause the spinning. "Have you heard anything yet about them? Or found any info online?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I would wake you up if someone was at the door", Riki hummed, and set the papers he was reading aside. "I'm sorry, I have not started searching yet, but I can do that now." He opened the lid of his work laptop, and began browsing. "Are Radysh and Remoul their official names? How do you spell them?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, that's their official names.. R-a-d-y-s-h and R-e-m-o-u-l." Roman spelled out. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Last names?" Riki typed on the laptop. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh.. Radysh Xander and Remoul Vitello. I'm pretty sure..." Roman said. He hadn't heard their government names in quite a long time. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki nodded, and wrote their names just to the general search engine. Perhaps he could find social media accounts, mentions in old school magazines or something similar. It was the quickest and easiest thing to try. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Hmm.. didn't seem like anything for those specific full names. But the first names brought up one match- an ursaluna librarian employed in one of the local public libraries in the city. His name was Radysh (insert a more appropriate pokemon surname here), so maybe it was a coincidence.. There wasn't anything of note for Remoul based off that name. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki hummed. "Not much immediately. If they were in a band, their names probably would come up early on. Did they have other jobs than playing at your band?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmm.. Radysh was in college for something nerdy when he dropped out and joined us, and Remoul was a waiter at some Italian restaurant we stopped at. I'm not sure if that's very helpful- is there even Italy in this world?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki chuckled. "I'm not familiar with that style of cuisine, no." He glanced over some other results, and came back to the Ursaluna, maybe just because his body type was somewhat similar to Roman's description of his human form. "Hmm... what was the band's name, just in case?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The Roqueing Rayes- I don't know if anyone told you about Roque yet, but.. it would probably be best to avoid her." Roman mumbled and spun around in the chair once more. "Is there still a little town called Mlipuko in this world? Out in the desert?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, that sounds somewhat familiar. Sea of Sands is such a large area, though." Riki turned and brushed a curtain aside with one of his tails, revealing a large map on the wall. "Ah, there, I believe that's Mlipuko", he said, tapping the map with his tail tip. Then, he turned back to his laptop, opened a new tab and searched for The Rockening Rayes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Cool, another place he should probably avoid. As for the Rayes, the only thing that came up was Rock Squared, a two person band consisting of two lycanrocs. One was midday form and the other was midnight with multi colored hair. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki clicked out of the tab, deeming it unuseful for his search. Next, he searched through a telephone directory, but unfortunately all names were alphabetized according to the surnames, which made finding the band mates impossible. Sighing, Riki returned to the open tab of the librarian bear, and considered for a moment if it was strong enough of a lead to follow. Eventually, he picked up a phone and called to the library. "Hello, this is Captain Icefang of the Imperial Guard. Might I inquire if Radysh (Whatshisface) is at work today?" he spoke once the call was picked up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh gosh, no he's not, actually.. Is he okay? he no called no showed today.. Or is he in trouble? He's a very nice guy-" The person on the other end rambled a little. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"There's no need to worry. I have a.. lost person with me, and I am trying to find people who might know him. If Radysh does come to work, please tell him to report to the palace guards and say that Riki Icefang invited him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh... We haven't been able to get in contact with his husband either, and it's very unlike him to not call ahead of time... Could you maybe do a welfare check..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes, of course. Is his husband's name Remoul, by any chance?" Riki's ears perked up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No..?' The woman on the either end replied. "Is he seeing someone with that name?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm, I sew. No, not necessarily. He is just someone else we are looking for. We shall check on Radysh regardless, since you requested. Could you give me his address for faster contact?" Riki leaned back into his chair. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

She gave out his address, one that wasn't all too far away from the station. "Is that him?" Roman asked and leaned forward in his seat. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki ended the call and looked over at Roman. "Someone with the same name at least. His colleague mentioned a husband, though. Did Radysh ever marry?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Married? No- he didn't even really date.." Roman frowned. "Maybe it's not him then.. Dang it, I got excited.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Perhaps not, but I think it's still worth checking." Riki took a look at his watch, and closed his laptop. "It's almost lunch time. Do you want to come with me to check the address of this Radysh? We can get lunch on the way back." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Um.... Sure, I guess I can come with.. Is it just going to be you and me?" Roman asked and tried to carefully stand up on his own. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't think we need to bother anyone else. Your case is a unique one, and I'd like to avoid getting too many people involved early on." The fox put his glasses away, stood up, and picked his hat from a rack. "Come on, then. You can take support from my arm if you need", he stepped next to Roman and offered his arm. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was very much struggling to stand on his own, and gratefully accepted Riki's arm. He still practically weighed nothing so it wasn't too hard. "Thank you.. I-i really appreciate you doing all this." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki only nodded in reply, as he started leading Roman out to his car. In all honesty, he was still wary of the young man, not least because he had attacked his spouse. He was doing this mostly for Seki, and of course, his duty was to make sure Ninjago and its citizens were safe. Having three outworlders running rampant didn't sound like a safe thing to occur. ... After a small car ride, Riki parked by the road. "Maybe you should wait in the car?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman enjoyed the brief trip. He hadn't been back in Ninjago city in quite some time. Even if this version was different, it was similar enough. As they parked, Roman looked over at Riki. "That should be okay.. Do people get kidnapped from cars often here?" Roman asked and glanced around the area wearily. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki looked at Roman with a surprised, almost shocked expression. "No, I have never heard of someone getting kidnapped from a car", he shook his head. "...People must be in high demand where you are from. In any case, I doubt anyone would dare touch a palace official's car. Be at ease. There's blood bags and straws in the mini fridge for you if you need a snack, too." Riki tapped the little slot. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, fancy car," Roman commented, but didn't yet look in to the fridge. If he saw it it would probably just make him more hungry- and he'd rather save the limited supply he had. "Good luck inside, I hope it's them.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Thank you. I'll see you in a moment." Riki left the car and locked the doors. The windows were dark from the outside, so nobody wouldn't even see Roman sitting in there. Soon, the Ninetales arrived to the given address' door, and rang the doorbell. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The apartment seemed a bit dingy, but not too bad. There was a doormat in front of the door to their apartment that featured a big ursaluna snoozing in a hammock. After the door bell went off, there was some commotion inside. "No- you go get the door, you big bear! Go!" ... And then an annoyed, gravely roar... And some floor-shaking footsteps toward the door.

Riki stood behind the door with his ears perked up, his hat held in his hand against his torso. He cocked an eyebrow at the voice, and waited for the door to open. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The footsteps got to the door and something big scratched at the door nearby the handle. There was another frustrated growl as the handle twisted a few times, but ultimately, didn't open fully. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki waited for a moment, before calling out: "I everything alright?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Another grunt from inside... Finally, the door handle twisted all the way and the door opened inward slightly.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki leaned to the side a bit, to see through the crack. "Good day. I am Riki Icefang from the Imperial guard. Are you Radysh (Someguy)?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The inside of the apartment seemed like.. A mess. A small two person table was flipped over (including the chairs), bits of white and red fur were strewn across the floor, and the large ursaluna who had opened the door was standing awkwardly on all fours with a shirt halfway on. The bear looked up at Riki wearily, but kind of half nodded... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki took note of everything, and focused on the bear with a more attentive expression. "People at your library were worried since you hadn't called or come to work", he started, but paused with a curious gaze. "Forgive me for assuming, but you don't happen to be friends with Roman Ricci?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The bear seemed even more confused at the mention of a library, but perked up at hearing Roman's name. He quickly nodded and moved closer go Riki to try to see behind him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

A smile spead across Riki's face, and he seemed to relax. "Good, we've been looking for you. Roman is waiting in my car. Is Remoul with you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh nodded again. "I'm not going with you!" Remoul shouted from the bathroom. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki lifted his head towards the voice, before looking at Radysh again. "Is it okay if I come in?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh slowly and awkwardly shuffled back from the door. "No!" Remoul shouted from the bathroom again. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I just want to make sure you are alright, and help in any way I can", Riki said in a slightly louder voice so Remoul could hear he was talking to him. "Hm, maybe I should go get Romane after all." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I need to not be a weird freak, that would help!" Remoul shouted back. Radysh frowned, but ultimately, didn't say anything. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki sighed. "Yes... I understand that this must be horrific to experience. I apologise for your current situation. Seki didn't consider that something like this could happen. Well, to be fair, there was no way to know." His ears tilted back slightly. "I'll fetch Roman, so you can meet. He has been worried about you." He took a step away from the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm gonna break his face when I see him!" Remoul yelled yet again. Radysh sighed and shook his head. He pointed toward the door. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki looked back at Radysh. "Oh, you'd like me to leave?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh shook his head and finally sat down fully. He moved his hands up and looked at his fingers for a moment before he attempted to sign something. It was a weird sign language to Riki, and really only half understandable. Plus, Radysh was very slow at it. It seemed to be something about Remoul not wanting to see Roman, but Radysh did. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki watched Radysh with a small crease between his brows, before nodding slowly. "Should I bring him here or would you rather come to the car?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh thought for a moment, before signing again. Here. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, just a moment, please." Riki nodded, and returned to the car. He was smiling slightly when he opened the door for Roman, but he seemed a little stressed out as well. "Good news, we found them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was already staring at Riki as he approached through the window. "Wait- really?! They're both in there?" Roman asked and quickly tried to undo his seat belt. "Are they okay?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes, both of them. Radysh seems healthy, but I couldn't see Remoul since he was hiding in a room. They have both changed, and it upsets him very much. He isn't coping well so far as I can tell, but Radysh seems much calmer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman paused as he clicked the seat belt off and it shot back up in to the wall. "Th-they- they both changed..? Are they like me..?" Roman frowned. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki shook his head. "Different species. Radysh seems to be an Ursaluna. I can only guess what Remoul is." Riki reached his hand out for Roman to help him out of the car. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grabbed Riki's arm and pulled himself out. "What's an ursaluna..? Is it something cool?" Roman asked. "I hope Remoul doesn't look too bad.. he's always been really particular about his appearance.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ursaluna is a large bear", Riki explained as he supported Roman and closed the car door, before leading the other fox to the building again. "I understand. This must be hard for him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. That explains why Radysh isn't too upset, I guess." Roman said and awkwardly followed Riki. He was getting a bit better on his two feet, but still held on to the other man. "Do you think there's any way we could turn him back? I-i guess me and Radysh are alright with it, but I don't think Remoul will be.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm not sure. We can definitely look into it", Riki promised, but he had no idea if it would be possible. If they had switched forms without anyone's intention, who could change them back? Maybe it was just the nature of this world, maybe humans didn't belong here? Riki helped Roman to Radysh and Remoul's door, and knocked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh was quicker to open the door again this time. Roman let go of Riki and pushed the door open himself the moment it moved. "Radysh!" He exclaimed and burst inside. The door bounced dully off of Radysh since he had been sitting right behind it, but he quickly brushed that off. Roman lunged at him and grabbed him around the waist (well, he managed to grab about half of his waist) and sent the both of them to the floor. Radysh grabbed him back, easily managing to wrap around Roman entirely. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki smiled and couldn't help his tails slightly wagging at the sight of the reunion. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Radysh and Roman held each other for a few minutes before Roman finally spoke up again. "Riki- could you go check on Remoul? I-i just want to be sure he's okay too, even if he doesn't want to come out.." Roman asked. "No, leave me be!" Remoul shouted from the bathroom instantly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki looked towards the bathroom door and frowned slightly. "...Yes, I suppose it's for the best." Riki stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind him. He stepped around the two guys, and knocked on the bathroom door. "Excuse me, Remoul, I just want to make sure you aren't hurt", he spoke. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I told you, I'm fine!" Remoul growled from inside. "If you- if you come in here I'll scratch you with my big claws!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's alright. I'd rather see for myself. Remember that to me your form is not weird or uncanny. It won't bother me." Riki pressed on the door handle and tried to enter. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Seems that Remoul hadn't had the foresight to lock the door. The door opened up, revealing the inside of the bathroom. It was even more of a mess than the living room- white and red hair was scattered everywhere across the floor and counters. Remoul himself was laying in the tub holding a pair of scissors. He was a typical looking zangoose, but currently missing large patches of fur. Some of it seemed cut, and others torn out. As Riki entered he quickly rolled over on to his side, facing away. "Don't look at me! Leave!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

2

Riki's brows furrowed when he saw all the fur scattered about. He stepped back from the doorway, but not to leave, just to toss his hat onto a rack in the hall before stepping into the bathroom. "Shh, calm down. Have you cut yourself?" Riki approached the bathtub calmly, nose twitching to detect a scent of blood, and his eyes scanned the bald patches on Remoul as well as the scissors. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No, I'm not an idiot," Remoul said as he buried his face in the corner of the tub. True to his word, there didn't seem to be any blood in the bathroom. "I can't exactly calm down, this is literally a NIGHTMARE!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki relaxed slightly, and nodded. He crouched next to the tub. "Yes, I apologize... but I promise you that you are not in any danger. Though your body looks and feels unfamiliar to you, you are safe. Everything will turn out alright. Just breathe." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Keep away from me, freak!" Remoul yelled as Riki crouched next to him, and swung the scissors out wildly in his direction. "You'll be in danger if you don't leave me be!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki leaned back, tilting his head up and shifted on his feet, not to tumble onto his back. He still thudded onto his tails, bracing his right hand on the floor, before quickly wrenching himself up to his feet. "Calm down, boy", he said, now stricter. "Threats and violence won't make you feel any better. I'll leave you in peace, if you leave the scissors with me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Nothing is going to make me feel better!" Remoul pulled the scissors back in and hid them away between his body and the ceramic wall of the tub. "If you take them, I'll just tear it all out instead. Is that better?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki sighed and shook his head. "Why do you hate your fur so much? Do you not like the color?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't like having it." Remoul seethed. His ears were pinned back, but his tail was moved between his legs. "And my face isn't my face. And my body isn't my body. Is that justification enough for you?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No... I know. I understand your anguish. If it bothers you so much, you can have it shaved, but... it would be better to let it be. I'm sorry this happened to you."

8:29 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know, I can either be a freak to myself or everyone else." Remoul curled around himself closer. "Am I ugly?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Riki tilted his head and looked over Remoul's patchy fur. "You look like a healthy Zangoos in your prime. You are not ugly. Though, the cut fur does look like you have become the victim of an aspiring, very young hairstylist", Riki let out a single, soft and low chuckle. "I can't see your face, but I can't see why you would look bad. I heard from Roman you were very handsome as a human, so why wouldn't it carry over?" Riki suggested amicably. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Remoul glanced over at Riki, but still held most of his face away. "I don't know what makes whatever kind of weasel I am look good-.. Keeping myself handsome was a full time job as a person, I don't even know where to start here.." Remoul grumbled and slowly held the scissors up toward Riki, handle toward him. "J-just get out of here, I don't want to see anyone.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You should just take it easy for now. There's so much to get accustomed to, so don't stress about the details, they can come later", Riki reached out to take the scissors and nodded. "Thank you. Call if you need something." The guard turned and left the bathroom, closing the door behind himself. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱