retrospec | voice| on the other (octopus) hand

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voice| on the other (octopus) hand

[Usually Howard interacts with the network through text, since he's nervous of using any other format, but this time, his deep and weary voice can be heard.]

Um. A question out of curiosity, I-I suppose. If you've "received" a physical change through Retrospec, what was it? If you've received several, what is the worst one...?

[There's the sound of something falling off a table onto the floor. He lets out a shuddering sigh, his tone slightly exasperated.]

Yeah. [A pause.] Before I forget, I need someone who can go out and get some groceries for me. I'll pay you for it. I just don't feel like going outside for a while. I-I'm fine...really...............

[ooc: somebody's got tentacle hands now. life is fun!]

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... to put it bluntly, if you are experiencing some changes due to what Retrospec has done, you cannot avoid the inevitable.

So if there is something I can do, including bringing you groceries, I would be happy to do it. Being the owner of a cafe, I had to get over the changes to my appearance pretty quickly.

[ saying like he's actually over it. nope. ]

Including lending you an ear. Or two. Cat ears, by the way.

...I know I can't.

[There's defeat in his tone. Yes, he knows it's inevitable. He knows that too well.]

That's very nice of you. I must admit, I guess I'm curious about your new ears...not that I want to ignore your own feelings about it, but I do think they sound pretty nice...

Well, I am happy to show them off provided you allow me to see you. I cannot promise the world, but I can tell you that I will not judge you.

A small blessing, but not one that should be taken lightly.

I-I'm glad.

[He thinks for a moment. He doesn't know this man that well, but...]

I don't mind seeing you. If you're free.

I am... well, I can make myself free.

[ the power of a business owner. ]

Is there anything you'd like in particular? I could bring you a snack. Tea. Something that would comfort you...

Tea would be nice, actually. Cookies, perhaps, as a side...if it's not too much to ask.

[A pause.] I'd have to ask you to...not tell anyone else what you'll see. Please. I don't want this getting out...

I assure you that I will keep your matters private.

[ said with a smile, hoping that his tone is warm enough. ]

I can bring those things along. You're in luck, the cookies are fresh. Just let me know where you are, and I'll be there as soon as possible.

Alright.

[He says his address here - it's in a small apartment building in Apprassage.]

Take your time. No rush.

Hm. Okay, that doesn't seem too far. See you soon.

[ he won't rush, but he'll certainly be a little more hastier than usual. the tea needs to stay as warm as possible, after all.

so with that, Leon makes his way without getting too lost and finds the appropriate apartment door--- knocking twice. ]

Who is it?

[The door opens only a fraction - Howard's eye peers out, appraising the visitor.]

Oh. [He draws back slightly.] It's you, from the network, right? [A beat, as his eyes travel upwards to-] -With the, uh, ears.

[ with a warm smile, Leon nods, his ears gently wiggling as to acknowledge their existence. ]

You're correct. I'm Leon. I've brought some sweets as well as some tea. I wasn't sure what kind to bring, so I brought two different cups for your appraisal.

[ he holds up the bag, as well as the cup holder. ]

May I enter? I promise I come in peace.

...Yes, you may.

[Kindness from a stranger. He would have never expected it. There's a long pause - he feels rather touched, all of a sudden - before he pulls open the door.]

Come in. [He steps back into the apartment, opening the door wider, and Leon might see that his hands are simply not there. They're replaced by a bunch of writhing tentacles, spreading over every inch the floor like a group of very greedy vines.]

Please watch your step, alright? I don't want you to trip.

Trip? But cats have excellent balance, just like I do---

[ of course, he has no reason why this is a worry until he sees those tentacles, how they cover the area in front of him and Leon's ears twitch and his tail instantly becomes... unsettled. his fur frizzes up, poofing out of surprise and a sudden alertness that comes with raised eyebrows.

honestly if he didn't have cat bits, he probably could've masked his surprise better. ]

--- I will be very careful.

[ he can't get on his tippy toes, but Leon can certainly try his best not to step or kick any of the tentacles. in fact, his eyes won't leave the ground as he makes his way toward a kitchen (or any room honestly) with his bag held close against his chest and the few cups of tea secure in the crook of his elbow. ]

Are you able to control them at all?

Thanks.

[There is a kitchen off to the side. Some of the tentacles slither out of the other's way as he moves inside. Howard just closes the door behind Leon, moving over to the couch in the living room.]

Somewhat, yes. It's like...having a hundred arms. It's rather overwhelming. [His eyes are so sunken, one wonders if he has even gotten sleep for the last week.] Do you need some help with those things...?

No, no. I'm fine. [ making his way into the kitchen, he's able to put down the bag and cups down, all while keeping an eye on the many tentacles that cover a lot of the floor space. he can't imagine stepping on one arm, let alone a bunch at a time, and that keeps him as alert as possible. and for a moment, he stares quietly at them all, almost counting them in his head before realizing how rude it must be to stare.

both ears perk up in realization, tail doing the same motion. ]

Oh. I am sorry, I... [ lifting one Styrofoam container out of the bag, Leon opens it to ensure all of its contents are safe before removing a few more small containers. ] ... mini-muffins. Blueberry and chocolate chip. They're bite-size/

[ then he gestures to the cups. ]

Black tea and herbal tea. I brought sugar, milk, and lemon. I just wanted to make sure you had some options...

Oh. I like muffins. And the variety of teas sounds good...

[He says, casually - it's easy to put his attention on sweet offerings rather than the fact that, well, he's sitting with his hands replaced by octopus tentacles.]

That's really nice of you. I'm really touched... [He would gaze away, too self-conscious, but his gaze is trapped by the movement of the other's ears.] Goodness. They really do move like real cat ears...

[ the power of food and drink distraction tactics. not exactly done on purpose, but he'll take what he can get. after all: Leon considers himself fortunate. what if he somehow had a cat body, but a human head? Retrospec seems to be merciful and merciless when it comes to their changes, after all... but maybe he should be thankful about his former self's origins instead. ]

It's not the first time I've heard that. I keep thinking the same thing when I look at myself in the mirror throughout the day.

[ he looks at the black tea. something basic, but delicious. ]

Do you add anything to your tea?

[ actually he'll just bring everything over to the couch, one of each muffin as well as the tea and the additions. ]

I don't know what you are capable of doing with them, so...

[ Leon doesn't want to assume anything. ]

I mean, I think they're nice. I'm sure many would think the same...it's cute, in a way. [A beat, his cheeks slightly flushing.] I-I don't intend to disregard your feelings, but that's just how I honestly feel.

[Embarrassed, he turns his attention to the offerings. One tendril reaches up, slides around one of the muffins.]

I like a bit of sugar and cream. [It takes a few attempts to try to get the muffin to his mouth - he clearly doesn't have enough control over his own ability yet - but he finally manages to take a bite of it.] And, well, it's...not too hard to move them around. I just need to, well, focus a bit.

Many do. Some have tested whether they are real or not, and have found they are quite stuck to my head. [ a pause, as his ears flutter in recognition of being talked about. ] It's not that I dislike the compliments, rather it is still hard to get used to them. Mostly because they feel like they're meant for someone else, if that makes sense.

[ it's easy for Leon to pour a little bit of cream and add some sugar to the tea in hand, before holding it out to the closest tentacle with a small and sincere smile. of course his eyes follow the one that snatches the muffin and he once again finds himself watching with plain curiosity. ]

Here. I hope it's the right amount. [ 'a bit' is the barista's nightmare, but he tries his best.

then he swallows and takes a deep breath before meekly asking: ]

... normally it's others who ask me this of my ears, but can I touch one of your...

[ he's. very curious. ]

Of course I understand. It is not really "you" who was born with it, if you understand what I mean.

[He has to use a few tentacles to take the cup, trying to stabilize it as best as he can so he doesn't spill it over himself. It's a bit of a circus act, watching the bundles of tentacles undulate to pull away the muffin and lift the cup to his mouth.]

[He takes a sip. It's divine.]

This is perfect. Thank you. [The question makes him pause, sheepishly turning his gaze to his reflection in his tea.]

I-I don't mind.

[He lifts a tendril to the other, like he's expecting a handshake. It feels like a regular octopus tentacle- cool, slightly slippery to the touch.]

[ he can sigh in relief for a couple of reasons, but the bigger one now looms in front of him in the shape of a tentacle. with a neutral expression, Leon lowers his head to take a look at the underside of it, ears flitting as he sizes up one of Howard's many limbs. ]

I bet with practice, you could get so many things done in a day. [ a murmuring to steady himself, to keep things as lighthearted as possible, before tapping the tip of it with a fingerpad. and once he is convinced that he's not hurting Howard in any way, he brushes his palm against it and takes it into his hand.

then, he shakes it delicately, which follows a tiny laugh. ]

I apologize. This is amazing.

I-I suppose? I mean, when you put it like that...

[He hasn't really started to think about how this whole ability would work in regular life. It's still all new and startling to him, like waking up to discover that you can see a new color that no one else can.]

[He can feel Leon's hand on his tentacle - the tip of it twists over his fingers, like some particularly inquisitive caterpillar.]

You really think so? [He's clearly not used to compliments, judging by the way his voice slightly cracks on the last word.] I didn't think it could be really "amazing"...

[ he nods, smile growing as he continues to evaluate the general touch and feel of it, letting it slip from his fingers as Leon reflexively shrugs his shoulders. ]

It is amazing. I could've never imagined such a thing in my life. I'm just sorry that it must've scared you considerably, huh?

[ again, he thanks his lucky stars. ]

But, um... I promise that if you need someone to keep bringing you things, I can certainly do it. Until you get more and more used to it, or if I... I don't know.

[ sadly Leon knows no magic otherwise he'd offer that too. ]

Well, I woke up with them. It's really frightening, to wake up and suddenly you just...have no hands...

[He has to take a quick breath, feeling like this is all some strangely wonderful dream. His tentacle slides back to his lap as he takes another sip of his tea, expression bashful.]

You're very kind. I mean, to offer something like that. I-If there's anything I could do for you in return...

[ again, sympathetic looks--- he really does feel for Howard. it's not fair for things to be dropped on someone without warning, and he still seems quite shaken by it. but at least he has tea, which Leon feels can help.

still, he can't keep his eyes off those tentacles. they keep catching his attention, but he forces himself to tear them away and back to Howard's face with a smile. ]

If there is something I need, I'll try my best to come to you. You can also always come by my cafe. If any customer gives you grief, I'll remove them without hesitation.

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