voice| on the other (octopus) hand

[ohrlyeh]

[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!]

Comments

[beneathmoonlight]

Yes...

[Atsushi knows that Howard said he was sick, and he really shouldn’t pry, but he can’t help wondering if something else is amiss here.

He glances at the basket, then back up at Howard.]

Do you...want me to leave it out here?

[ohrlyeh]

...Yes.

[He knows this looks strange. He's not even opening the door with his hands (he has none), so just him poking part of his head out must look like quite the image.]

I just don't want you to get...sick. [A bad attempt at a lie.] Sorry.

[beneathmoonlight]

...okay.

[Atsushi has no idea what to make of this, but he should...probably just leave, right? He sets the basket down by the door, looking unconvinced as to the reason behind Howard’s sudden reluctance to show himself.]

Howard-san...you don’t have to hide from me, you know.

[Atsushi gives him a sad smile.]

I won’t barge in, but I just wanted you to know that.

[ohrlyeh]

...I know.

[When he was recovering from a hangover, eyes gone, put in the position of finding powers alien and strange to him, and Atsushi had held him close, comforted him in such a dark time.]

[He casts his gaze down, feeling guilty.]

I don't want to burden you, Atsushi. [A pause. He seems to be trying to find words to say.] You don't deserve that.

[beneathmoonlight]

You’re never a burden, Howard-san, I promise.

[That’s the truth, but still, Atsushi won’t pry.

He makes sure the basket is out of the walkway before giving Howard a little bow.]

I’ll let you rest, Howard-san.

[He turns to leave, adding one more thing over his shoulder.]

They’re really good if you try heating them up for thirty seconds in the microwave.

[ohrlyeh]

...Atsushi, wait.

[Comes his voice, suddenly timid, behind the other - Howard shrinks back into his room, only his eye visible. This is stupid. He should let Atsushi go.]

Can you...can you turn on the microwave for me?

[This is...so embarrassing. But now that Atsushi mentioned it...]

I know it sounds strange, but, I...I can't turn it on by myself.

[beneathmoonlight]

Huh?

[Atsushi honestly isn’t expecting Howard to stop him, but he immediately turns around and comes back to listen.

...what??

Atsushi is so confused, but Howard needs his help for whatever reason, so he can’t possibly refuse.]

Um. Sure...

[Atsushi stares at Howard for a moment.]

Can I come in?

[ohrlyeh]

...Yes.

[There's a sigh from him, defeated. To hide this is just...ridiculous. Atsushi will see it eventually. Feeling a growing sense of shame, he steps back from the door, opening it wider.]

You can come in. [A beat, as he moves further into the apartment.] Please...please don't scream.

[Since, you know, when Atsushi enters, the apartment floor is practically covered with tentacles of different sizes, twisting and winding all over themselves.]

[beneathmoonlight]

[Atsushi isn’t sure what he’s expecting when he enters Howard’s apartment, but it sure isn’t this. His initial reaction is his eyes widening in shock, and he nearly drops the basket of croissants out of sheer surprise, but no screaming happens.]

Howard-san...

[Oh, there’s a tentacle stuck to his ankle...

This is...strange...but somehow Atsushi isn’t afraid.]

How long has this been happening?

[ohrlyeh]

Since this morning.

[He moves to sit on the couch in his living room - he sounds helpless, like a child who has accidentally spilled their glass of milk all over themselves.]

I can't even type.

[beneathmoonlight]

Oh...

[Atsushi, despite being shocked by all this, wades through the tentacles to pop a couple of croissants in the microwave, because that’s what friends are for.

It only takes about a minute for them to come out piping hot, and Atsushi brings them over to the couch and sits next to Howard.]

I’m so sorry...I had no idea it was preventing you from leaving your apartment.

[ohrlyeh]

Yes, well, I can't...go out like this, can I?

[Just dragging his tentacles behind him...that's quite the sight. He gives the croissants a good few minutes to cool down, though a few tendrils are already wrapping around the coffee table legs.]

Can you imagine walking down the street like this? People would see me as a freak.

[beneathmoonlight]

I wish I could say that’s not true, but people are cruel.

[It’s not reassuring, but...]

The people that matter would never think that of you, Howard-san.

[There’s a tendril wrapping around Atsushi’s foot, but it almost feels like more of a hug than anything.]

Maybe...you can learn to control it eventually?

[ohrlyeh]

...I suppose so.

[The tendril just sort of rests around his leg - if Howard is conscious he's doing it, he doesn't say a word.]

Maybe. If I could control my eyes changing, then I can deal with this. But it would probably take time.

[beneathmoonlight]

It might, but I bet you can do it, Howard-san.

[He reaches down to gently touch the tentacle around his leg. It feels like you’d expect.]

You could multitask a lot with these! Imagine how many cats you could pet!

[ohrlyeh]

...

[He straightens. He actually hadn't thought of it that way.]

[The tentacle wraps around his hand, like he's giving it a handshake.]

You're right. I could pet... so many cats...

[beneathmoonlight]

Right?

[Howard could multitask a lot of things!]

I bet the croissants are ready to eat now!

[But Atsushi will wait until Howard has one first. It’s only polite.]

I’m glad to see you’re okay, though. I was worried because you seemed extra quiet.

[ohrlyeh]

[Of course he'll have one. And of course, they're always delicious - he leans back, letting out a very pleased noise.]

Well...I've been dealing with a lot. [He chews some more, his expression falling.] You've...seen what I have to deal with.

[beneathmoonlight]

I know.

[Atsushi takes a couple of bites before continuing.]

I know it’s easy for me to say, but you don’t have to hide your changes from me. I promise I won’t think any less of you because of them.

[ohrlyeh]

Really...?

[That gets him to look over at Atsushi, his eyebrows raising in slight surprise.]

I mean, thank you, but...uh. What if it...gets too much?

[beneathmoonlight]

Too much?

[Atsushi shakes his head.]

You’ll always be Howard-san to me, no matter what.

[ohrlyeh]

Even if I...

[He swallows.]

Even if I don't look anywhere near human anymore?

[beneathmoonlight]

Even then.

[If only Atsushi knew what was in store for himself in the future.]

I don’t mind staying for a bit, if you’d rather not be alone during this.