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"Popped free?" That would explain things but... "Thats bizarre." Richard just shook his hand amazed and slightly bemused underneath it all.

When he noticed where Billy was staring at he visibly flinched. He really didn't want to get into that. He hunched over a bit, trying to make the breast less visable, it worked partially but they still could be seen under the contours of the shirt. Easier to overlook but still there.

"Oh the bandage? I always have one. Helps to be prepared, in case of random tiger mauling." He smiled uneasily. Richard was a pretty good lier but only when he wasn't off balance and he was quite flustered now. A slight sheen to his skin appeared as the sweat glands began to leak.

Richard made a little indignant high pitch scratch like growl and throwing subtlety to the wind, crossed his arms in front of his chest. He face worked trying to come up for alternate explanation. "I am NOT." He looked down search for words that had lost him. "Its just an uneven change! I lost alot of weight from my belly it just hasn't come off my... um chest yet." His eyes were nearly frantic. Please let him buy it. Please let him buy it.

"...Yes." There was split second hesitation but Richard certainly sounded convinced. He drew himself up and huffed. The tentacles hovered over him protectively. "I'll be a man until the day I die, no matter what Moreau does to my DNA." His lip curled and growl rolled out of his throat. He wasn't looking at Billy at that moment but instead a certian redheaded doctor in the corner of his mind.

He didn't catch all of that but the word "male" was clear. Richard looked down at Billy's... legs. "I'll take your word for it." He didn't really want to know how Billy anatomy worked down there. He bit his knuckle for a moment, he had been so good about denying it. Now the reality of his situation threatened to overwhelm him. He felt a surge of emotion but managed to fight it back with anger.

"RRRGGH!" he exclaimed whipping his fist from his mouth and slamming it into his thigh. "Its so damn childish! I call the b*****d a monsterious c**t and this is what he does to me." It was so unjust for a slip of the tongue, unfair.

Then as quick as the anger had come it was gone, replaced by a sullen sulk.

The word "Lass" hit Richard like a blow. "b*****d!" He cried as as a tentacle lashed out, striking and then adhering to the side of Billy face. Richard looked as if he was about to follow it, he was on his toes, crouched to spring, his teeth bared in a snarl, hands locked into a claw like pose. It might have been humorous if not for sheer amount of anger in his eyes. "Don't say that... Ever... Again." The words came out as interspersed with a saw-like growl.

Thanks to the impact of the tentacle Billy's ink spray hit Richard slightly lower than it was intended, most of it landing in his open mouth instead of splattering in his eyes. Still that was enough to have its intended effect, Richard fell to his sputtering and coughing. Meanwhile the tentacle had adhered to Billy's slimy face. A wet surface was ideal for the the suckers and they held fast as Billy attempted to scramble away, stretching the tentacle out enough to reveal its beads on a string like internal structure.

Billy's ploy worked, if a bit to well. Richard fell on top of the octopus, his shirt snagged on on the spines, guiding one of them directly into the side of his left breast. Richard's high pitched scream echoed over the lake. His hands failled out until his claws found purchase in Billy's back. Blinded by pain, Richard pulled.