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Richard smiled and nodded, "It was good talking to you." His voice was still a bit quiet but it was on its way back. "Feel free to stop by sometime. Let me know if you hear anything more about this TV station." He ran his hand through his hair, itching the base of his scalp. "I better go work on the newsletter. I think I only have a week left." A shudder ran though him at the thought and a very faint mewl, escaped his lips. He had been good at avoiding that little reality so far but it still snuck up on him a couple times a day.

Collecting himself he looked up at Nita, gave her a weak grin and turned to go.

For the first time in many weeks, life on the island wasn't looking quite as dark and empty as it had been. Beyond just the theater, he had a greater purpose! The things Seth had suggested... Despite the fact he knew it would be months before anything would come of it, the scruffy, worn-clothed pegasus-man couldn't help but imagine their break-out as if it would happen tomorrow. There he'd be, chopping down guards left and right with his shovel as he kept them off the others hijacking the jeep, or better yet, as he pictured it in his mind, sacrificing himself valiantly to keep off the labs as the others escaped in the helicopter. The possibility of death was a vague, distant notion in these daydreams of his, and only served to add a greater sense of heroism to the feats, rather than fear or a much-needed dose of reality.

It was in this high-flying mood that Gaius trotted up the stairs to Nita's duplex, a bowl beneath his arm. Vixen had been left at home to her own devices and was even now probably getting into some kind of trouble, but he didn't mind. He wanted to see Nita. He had so much to tell her! Of course, he'd have to be careful! Cameras everywhere, he couldn't tell her anything directly.

Once he was at the door, he gave it a quick tap-tap with his knuckles and waited.

It was apparent by the horse-man's widening eyes that whatever may have been in his mind was for the moment forcefully shoved aside. He'd not seen her for a few weeks, sure, but this... was not what he'd been expecting!

It was almost with dismay that he exclaimed, "N-Nita...! What... happened to your body?! You're HUGE!"

Nevermind the fact he himself looked like a half-shaved My Little Pony crossed with a lumberjack. But that was beside the point!

Gaius blinked at the paw held in front of his face, then remembered... ah right, she hadn't seen him since his change either. Probably was a good thing she hadn't seen him during his bandage phase... or when he'd attempted to wax his legs and had patchy hair all over. No, definitely not a pretty sight.

He rubbed the back of his head and shrugged in amused apology. "I mean, well... not huge huge, just round... er... You'd think I'd learn, but my mouth keeps getting bigger each change..." Gaius grinned sheepishly and winced, before turning his attention to the dog bumping against his legs. His grin brightened and he crouched down to ruffle her between the ears.

"You know, I tried asking the labs about the dogs they gave us... apparently it's something Aubrey's in charge of. Why someone in the labs would be involved with something with these dogs, I have no idea..."

Straightening back up, at least high enough to avoid brushing his ears on the doorframe, Gaius cast a quick glance behind Nita. The place was cleaner than he'd remembered it... or was it? She'd always been pretty neat. He turned his attention back to the panda girl and another thought struck him with a troubled frown. "...were you always this, uh, short? I didn't think I'd grown taller..."

Gaius winced, teasingly playing up the 'pain' of his punched arm by rubbing it, but paused as he blinked in surprise. "Wait, shorter? That's possible? Er, I mean, I guess if they did that to you, that'd explain it, but still... I hadn't really thought of that, what with my legs and all. I'd only have thought that could happen if you turn into something bone-less like Billy..."

He trailed Nita inside, closing the door behind him. It was nice to be able to talk with the girl, he'd forgotten how much he enjoyed her company. Yet, he knew she was already claimed by another girl, that much had been made clear. Still, he couldn't help entertaining the hope... and the level of their friendship was always a source of confusion for the man.

Pulling out one of the chairs he'd given Nita, he sat down across from her, setting the plastic-wrapped bowl on the table. "Well, I came by mostly to catch up. See how you were doing and all... Ah!" His face brightened as he leaned forward eagerly. "Did you hear? The supplies are back at the theater! We're making good progress again! Despite everything, I think we might be able to get done in a month!"

Gaius's ears perked up at her quick statement and he sat up with a bit of excitement. "You did? Did- Er, I mean, I hope you liked it..." Now that she brought it up, he felt embarrassed. Who was he to presume on her when she already had a partner? It had just been meant as a friendly gift, but if she thought he was meaning more... Was he meaning more? Augh, what if he was really a cad who was trying even now to woo her away from her true love just to have a one-night stand and...

Outwardly, Gaius fidgeted with his hands, scraping the hoofy parts together in what was probably an irritating habit, but as the panic and insecurity gripped him, he clenched them together in an attempt to still his emotions. As he became immersed in his thoughts, he turned his head to the side and tugged on one of his ears furtively. All of this in the matter of a minute.

Finally, he blurted out in a quick, worried voice, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything, really! I'm not trying to get between you and your girlfriend!"

The horse-man flinched at the harsh tone, though it wasn't directed at him. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to upset you..." The implication of her words began to sink in as he stammered and he looked up, confused. "Wait, what do you mean 'nothing'...?"