|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 6:55 pm
Zest. The zest was fine. Cooked. The pith, never. He took the peeled orange with a grateful grunt and just popped it into his mouth in halves. His mouth was rather large, yes.
Dari spun around and offered Toby his board, having just realized that that was probably what Maia had been looking for. Toby nodded in thanks and drew a heart for Maia.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:04 pm
Maia handed Toby a second peeled orange, and smiled as Dari provided Toby's board. Oh good, now they could talk! She smiled at the heart, then gave Toby a hug.
"What would you like to do?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:08 pm
Toby simultaneously bit off half of the orange and rubbed the heart away with a furry wrist.
What do you want to do? he wrote. He was good for stargazing, he was good for swimming, it was all fine. He had a lot of time to kill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:13 pm
"Both?" Maia suggested. It was a bit cold to go outside--well, "outside" while wet, so... "Stars first?" She took his hand again. "Ready?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:18 pm
Toby nodded. Sure. Stars first. He took her hand again and headed for the hall and yard that would allow them to watch the stars. He plopped down on his haunches and then rolled over and grabbed Maia, tugging her down atop his fuzzy self. Oddly, he didn't smell especially like a dog, he just smelled more strongly of himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:25 pm
Maia settled herself comfortably and smiled down at him. "We're not supposed to be Maia gazing," she teased him, ruffling the fur on his head. She put her hand on his chest, listening for his heart.
"I love you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:34 pm
Toby grunted again. He could vocalize more. He could bark and howl like any canine. He didn't like it, though. Dari always told him to not be so self-conscious, but the switch from intelligent federal agent to naked dog-man was a bit much for him. Instead of trying to yowl 'I love you' like a well-trained husky, he drew the shape of a heart on Maia's back with the tip of a nail. His last transformation had been so lonely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:56 pm
Maia was content with the heart. She ran a hand over Toby's ears, smiling at him. "All I did last full moon was think of you," she said. "I called Dari the morning after to make sure you were alright." This time she got to be with him. "This past month's been the best in my entire life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:59 pm
Why was it Maia wanted to talk sweet now, when he couldn't respond? Or maybe that was why she did it? He tilted his head up into her touch the same he might if she chose to play with his hair in human form. In response to her statement on the past month he gave her a good hug. Gentle, considering his potential strength, but a good one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:11 pm
Maia stroked his ears and her hand traveled down his face. She booped him gently on the nose. She climbed off of him, nestling beside him instead. She looked up at the stars. "They're beautiful tonight," she observed. But not nearly as interesting as Toby himself was. She wrapped an arm around him, resting her hand on his chest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:16 pm
This was good. He could get used to this. Transformations had never been fun before Maia. Sure, there was the crippling pain, but once that was over it was over. He wrapped an arm around her as well to watch the stars with her. He didn't remember their constellations, but it didn't matter. He'd come to associate Maia with the stars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:27 pm
Spending this time with Toby was so special. Even though he couldn't speak, he didn't really have to. He was good at expressing his feelings nonverbally.
"I see a new constellation," she said softly, and pointed. "See? The seal Dari made, and the heart you did. There's a wolf. You and me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:36 pm
Toby gave a little huff of air that was definitely a laugh and his lips (or his current equivalent) reflexively pulled back. The ends of his mouth turned up and he flashed just a little bit of front-teeth. He couldn't help it. He bumped his nose against Maia's cheek and stroked her arm. She was making s**t up. He knew she was. It didn't matter. It felt wonderful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:44 pm
Maia smiled, she'd gotten him to laugh! While it hadn't been her intention, it was definitely nice. She ruffled the fur on his chest, falling silent. Just being here with him was wonderful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:00 pm
Really it was a little silly. He was laying naked on the ground, staring up at the sky that was always there. The stars were always the same. At least mostly. Being here with Maia made all the difference.
They remained outside quite a while before Toby picked up his board again. Rather than write a message, he tried his damndest to draw a swimming stick figure. It wasn't quite to Dari's level.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
