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

[ascatic]

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?

[ohrlyeh]

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...?

[ascatic]

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...

[ohrlyeh]

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...

[ascatic]

[ 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. ]

[ohrlyeh]

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.

[ascatic]

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. ]

[ohrlyeh]

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.]

[ascatic]

[ 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.

[ohrlyeh]

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"...

[ascatic]

[ 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. ]

[ohrlyeh]

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...

[ascatic]

[ 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.

[ohrlyeh]

[He doesn't know what to say. He could just thank the man over and over and over, and even he doesn't think that would be enough.]

I'm so grateful...

[His gaze flits up to the other's ears.]

I'll take you up on that. I will. But you don't need to go so far for someone you...just met.

[ascatic]

It may seem odd, but... I feel that I should. [ he looks up at the ceiling, ears twitching as he pulls his tail into his lap. ] I've gotten the sense that my other self was not particularly kind, and who knows who comes from where?

[ covering his own ass, but also maybe some kind of future form of repentance? ]

Besides. [ he returns back to smile at Howard. ] It just wouldn't have been right to stay quiet.

[ohrlyeh]

Making up for the decisions of your past life...well, I can understand that.

[Even if he's still clueless as to what his other self actually wanted, he still wants to do all he can not to be like that...that monster. Whatever it is.]

[He smiles.]

Anyways...you're a very kind person, Leon. You really are.

[ascatic]

[ that smile wavers, but his face brightens up considerably with a healthy shade of pink darkening his cheeks. ]

Ah... ha, thank you. If only my employees thought the same thing!

[ they do, as far as he knows. he's just kidding... well, except for the threat of cat-ear wearing. ]

If you don't mind, I'd like to stay for a bit longer but then I will have to depart. However, I hope that you will soon feel comfortable enough to leave your apartment... perhaps those without the application will acclimate to you quickly.

[ohrlyeh]

They should.

[He says it just matter-of-factly - why wouldn't they feel the same way?]

That's completely fine. I'm glad for the company and...that's a nice thought. I hope that happens. [His expression turns a bit bashful, one tendril going up to rub at his cheek self-consciously.]

This might be rude to ask, but...can I just...t-touch them? Your ears. Just briefly, I just want to see what they're like...

[ascatic]

I have no idea why they might not, but...

[ and his ears wiggle as he holds back a laugh, only the corners of his lips firming up before completely relaxing. Howard's request isn't unusual by any means; it wouldn't be the first time he's been asked and wouldn't be the last, so... ]

Not rude at all. [ his tone is soft, edging a little closer to Howard. he's heard of pets being used as therapy. technically, he could accomplish the same thing? ]

They're a little sensitive, but I trust you will be delicate.

[ohrlyeh]

I'll do my best.

[It's going to be awkward, because, well, he doesn't have hands, but he'll make do with what he has. He reaches up with one arm, a tentacle uncoiling upwards before it rubs over the nearest ear with its tip.]

Heh. It's soft.

[ascatic]

[ it takes every fiber of his being to not tense up or recoil, the sudden touch of cool flesh making that tip twitch and flutter several times. he squeezes his eyes closed, tail going still until he knows he's fine.

and he is. it's not the most relaxation sensation Leon's ever felt, but quite different. ]

It is a cat's ear... I would be a little disappointed if it wasn't.

[ another flit, and he opens his eyes. ]

I do try to keep them in a presentable condition. Those who wish to touch them don't deserve anything less than satisfactory.

[ohrlyeh]

[There's a pause. And then Lovecraft laughs. It's a bit of an odd sound, coming from his usually morose-looking face, but it's a laugh nevertheless.]

Do you? I wonder what kind of regimen you have to go through.

[He rubs the ear down to its base, like he's trying to mimic scratching behind it (though he has no nails).]

I imagine that it must be strange to wear hats...

[ascatic]

A very soft brush, not getting water or soap inside of them... they are much more fragile than a human's ear. Not to mention, they are more exposed.

[ a dangerous life, being a cat-man. ]

Sadly it means waking up a little earlier nowadays, but it is good to see the sunrise.

[ the scratches are... well, he knows what Howard is trying to do. it still feels nice, eyelids drooping in relaxation. ]

Most likely, but I've never been one to wear hats. This will just be a permanent reminder that hats do not belong on my head.

[ohrlyeh]

That sounds very intensive. I couldn't even imagine waking up early...

[He decides to lavish a bit of attention on the other ear as well, his smile content. This man is soft in so many ways...he quietly counts his blessings, his anxiety momentarily put aside for the feeling of simple, quiet joy.]

That's sad. Maybe you could cut out holes in your hats to make them fit?

[ascatic]

[ with a sigh of relief, Leon has to almost shake himself out of the growing stupor settling on his mind: a combination of realizing that he is certainly not a cat, and that he is still a functioning 'human' adult with some kind of shame? ]

Ah... probably. Maybe. It's been harder making sure my pants are able to properly allow my tail to thread through the hole I've made in them.

[ imagine ruining every pair of pants ever owned. ]

But I apologize... I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome.