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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:12 pm
Once they had returned to the camp and Brian and Beth had trusted Misha to not run off again, the former-girl-now-cat found herself at a loss. She could not speak and, unlike Arthur, did not have anything approaching opposable digits. She wandered the site aimlessly, investigating debris left behind and using her paws to shove things about until she felt like she was being productive. It did not work very well. She missed her human form. It was useful and pretty and so much easier to understand. Not that her form as a serval cat wasn't lovely. It was just different. Spotting Beth sitting by herself near the low fire, though, gave Misha something other than self-pity to focus on. She still felt horrible for every scratch and scrape she had given her friend. If only she had her voice again, she would apologize over and over again. When this was all over and she had thumbs again, she swore she would make it up to Beth. For now, though, all she could do was silent encouragement and affection. She huffed a bit and then strode over to her friend. Settling down at Beth's side, Misha nuzzled at her hand until she could work her way under it. Then she looked up at Beth and offered a feline smile. Please understand, she thought.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:37 pm
Beth had tried her damnedest to follow Brian everywhere. To his credit, he usually let her, unless there were other friend there that she trusted to keep her safe or at least occupied. But he was the type of man who did not want to sit idly while others went out and risked their lives, so he was in and out more than Beth was comfortable with venturing. When Misha found her, it was at a point where Brian had left to be the hero again and Beth could not find any of her still human friends to follow around like a lost puppy. She sat by a banked fire, her right hand cupping her left wrist and gently stroking the fabric of her coat above her forearm. She wasn't thinking of anything, really, as she zoned out, watching the flames dance. Misha's presence made her jump as she was abruptly reminded that she inhabited space, living and breathing. Smiling softly as Misha pressed against her, she pulled her left hand from her grip and gently stroked Misha's head and back. "Oh, Misha. I'm sorry to see you like this. But believe me when I say that you are absolutely lovely in either form." She had no desire to add on to the trauma that her friend had suffered, so why not stroke her ego while stroking her tummy? Misha seemed subdued, almost apologetic, but Beth did not seem to mind. The woman had never had pets. She was not entirely sure how to treat a cat, exactly. But she knew Misha would let her know if she did wrong. As she figured, being gentle was about the best way to act. WC: 282
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:28 pm
Ego was ego and the compliment was appreciated even though Misha would still have rather had her true form back. To show her gratitude, she again gave Beth's hand a little bump. Then she settled herself more comfortably at her friend's side, pressed warm and solid against her hip. It was weird, she thought, how she defaulted to all of the endless cat videos she watched in order to find the proper communication behaviors. Just like Beth, she had never had any pets of her own unless you counted a fish or two won at a carnival after a lot of begging and pleading. Of course, she had wanted a cat. Cats seemed to her to be everything lovely in pet - something pretty and independent and cuddly and not over-taxing. Now that she was one, though... Though she supposed she was rather bigger than a normal house-cat now. She wondered if she could purr. She moved to rest her chin on Beth's knee. WC: 386
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:59 am
Beth smiled warmly down at Misha, grateful for the company. "I know you probably don't like it any more than I do. Whatever will you do instead of talking?" She laughed to show that she was not trying to be unkind. "I do miss your voice, though. I wonder what you would say now, if you could." She sighed deeply, scratching the top of Misha's head with her manicured nails. "Probably something mischievous and cute and fun. I'd probably laugh and keep up the joke." Her smile faded a bit. "It's so hard to keep cheerful. This is somehow worse than the Alps. At least we were against 'the elements.' But now it's just so...scary! No one knows if they could be next. Next to turn. It's like your body turning against you. How do you fight that?" Her hand had slowed as she followed the train of thought deeper. But she seemed to come back to herself and continued petting. She normally only got so maudlin with Brian. Misha had never really struck her as the type to welcome contemplating one's navel. It was what made her so good at cheering everyone up. "You probably think it's rich, me saying stuff about how scary it is, thinking about changing, when you've already gone through it. If you can even understand me. Can you...understand me?"WC: 225, Total: 507
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 12:18 pm
Misha nodded slowly, her golden eyes on Beth's face. While the continual petting felt lovely and seemed to soothe both her and Beth, the turn towards somber concerned her. She already suspected Beth could think too much; she was a smart woman and sensitive. Thinking about what-ifs, however, would not help them in this moment. Still it was hard to keep her own chin up when it was furry and she was on all fours. She kept telling herself that it was temporary, that the others would figure out how to reverse this. Aphrodite would never allow one of her Chosen to stay trapped in the form of a cat. Huffing a sight to interrupt her own thoughts, Misha nudged Beth's hand again and slipped out from beneath it. Then she moved to sit directly in front of Beth, posture downright regal. She cocked her head to one side and studied her friend. Suddenly, she reached out a paw and patted Beth's hand. It was only temporary. It would get better. WC: 557
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:40 pm
Beth almost laughed at how serious Misha was being. It was strange how human her mannerisms were, despite her outward form being that of a cat. It really showed how much the transformed people retained. She wondered if the initial freak out was simply from being disoriented. She wondered if this almost human intelligence was reserved for Chosen. She wondered if there were innocent people out in the swamp, trapped in the terror and chaos of being cursed to an animal form. She wondered.... ...and realized that she was, again, spiraling into a dark set of thoughts and leaving the physical world behind. She shook herself and turned her hand over so she could grasp Misha's paw. Misha could understand her words; she doubted Misha could suddenly read her mind. "Well, thanks. I'm glad you're still able to hear and understand me. It makes me feel less...alone. Though I still have to keep up one side of the conversation." She stared at Misha's feline face, wondering if there might be something better they could do besides moping. "I've never had a cat before. I don't know how to play with you. Do you...want to play fetch? Or, I guess that's a dog thing. What about...I hide something and you find it?" She scrunched up her nose. That didn't sound right either. Agitated, she tapped her other hand on her thigh as she thought. WC: 233, 732
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:29 pm
Misha appreciated that Beth was trying. She really did. But fetch? Hide and seek? She tried to make her muzzle laugh or giggle or something but she had no luck. So, instead, she drew her paw from Beth's grip and stretched. Oh, that felt good. She stretched her front legs out as far as they could go on the ground, tail end raising naturally. Mmm, better than yoga. A bit weird but she would go with it, she supposed. Looking sideways, Misha checked on Beth's reaction.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 8:34 pm
Beth regarded her with something between amusement and concern. "No? Not appealing? Well, I can't just pet you or my hand will fall off! And you might just pass out from boredom." She wondered if pets were like children and prone to mischief when they weren't being entertained. "I don't know, Misha. What do your cat instincts tell you to do?"WC: 61, Total: 793
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 9:08 pm
To be honest, Misha thought she would rather avoid any of her cat instincts for the foreseeable future. Those stupid things had led her to hurt her friends, after all. They also had her wondering where she could find something small and crunchy and squeaky. Her stomach was empty but not that empty! Shaking her head a bit, she straightened and returned to Beth's personal space. She gave a little meeping meow, sat back on her haunches again, and balanced precariously until she could put her front paws gently on Beth's shoulders. Then she leaned in until she booped her nose against the other woman's. It was silly, sure, but Misha hoped it would make Beth laugh and relax. She really did not have to worry about entertaining Misha.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 9:23 pm
Misha's antics did the trick. Though Beth watched her curiously, she let her stretch to place her paws on her shoulders. When they booped noses, she giggled at first, then right out laughed, taking the moment to wrap her arms around her slender feline body. "Your kitty instincts say cuddles and kisses? All right, I think I can do that." She scooped Misha up and cradled her against her not insufficient bosom. Then she gently kissed the top of her head and ears, no doubt leaving red lipstick marks scattered over her fur. WC: 93, Total: 886
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 10:07 pm
Cats could not laugh or at least Misha could not figure out how she personally could do so. Mentally, she shrugged and allowed Beth to cuddle her. The kisses tickled, though, but she accepted them as best she could. It had been a long day for both of them. Comfort was good. Beth's affection also helped distract her own mind from spiraling down into worry that this would be a forever-state. Determined, Misha ejected such thoughts and focused on her friend. A faint purr started low in her chest and she gave into it. Comfort worked for now. WC: 870
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:04 pm
Just holding Misha was enough to comfort Beth. There was going to be a cure out there. They would find it. And Misha would return--all curves, dark hair, and sparkling gray eyes. It was the first moment in Louisiana that Beth had actual hope that they could win this. She pressed her forehead to Misha's and said, "We'll fix this. I know we will." To punctuate her bold assertion, one she didn't normally make, she scratched under Misha's chin. shortgreen If you wanted more/had more to say/didn't make word count, feel free to continue! Otherwise, I'm fine ending it here!
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