Hadaya was sitting on the sofa, looking disappointed with his shoulders sunken down. His ears were no longer as expressive as they once were, so he really needed to let his emotions show in his body language. It was not like he was missing a tail to emote with, after all, as he had never had one of those anyway. So he could work with this, and get his point across, or so he hoped.

Tony spotted him sitting on the sofa and frowned at him, tilting his head in wonder. Now what had the little guy looking so gloomy?


It was very strange, having a young man in the house. His son had moved out a while ago now, after all, leaving just him, his wife, and his daughter. Hadaya lived there sometimes, when he wanted to crash with them, but he was usually much smaller, much fluffier, yet somehow much more demanding. As a cat, he was easy to accommodate. As a human shaped being, it was a little more difficult. It was strange, too, as he did not seem to have any of his cat abilities, or the powers of humanoid mauvians like Tony had seen before. No, he just seemed… helplessly human.

And it was clear he was not getting used to it in a hurry, either.

“What’s wrong, Hadaya,” Tony sighed.

“I want to go get food, but I don’t think any of my usual restaurants will share with me now,” he said quickly, looking up with doleful eyes. Well, he still had that look mastered, no matter what form he was in. Tony winced. Hadaya was wearing a very forest-y looking outfit, which lacked shoes or any sort of modern fashion sense. Certainly not good for picking up dinner. He sighed, rubbing the back of his own neck thoughtfully.

“Well, no, I don’t think they would allow you to get your usual freebies, no matter how cute you try to be. What about if I give you some cash, and you go buy whatever you’d like? I’ll… go with you, just in case you get confused.” Or into trouble. Hadaya was very good at getting into trouble. Plus, Dogby and Gizmo needed their walk.

“Oh, that’s awesome! Thank you, Tony! Can I wear your shoes? Wait! Can I wear your clothes? Oh, please?! I want to pretend to be human just like you do!”

“I don’t… pretend to be…”

“What you wear to the library! I know where you keep it, in your closet in your room! Hold on, I’ll go get changed! I’ll be right back!” Hadaya leaped from the sofa in a burst of energy and delight, scampering mostly on his hands and feet before he righted himself and awkwardly charged up the stairs. Tony stared after him blankly, watching as Dogby and Gizmo both went barking up the stairs in a frenzy after him. Had he even managed to agree to let Hadaya borrow his clothes? While he had mentioned before that wearing shoes would be important if Hadaya left the house, he had not quite…

It did not take the excitable former cat long to struggle into an outfit that was a bit too big for him and hurry back down stairs. He tripped over the shoes he was not used to wearing and all but somersaulted at the end few stairs, rolling to a face planted stop on the landing. Tony hurried over, but Hadaya was already back on his covered feet before he could even help him up.

“What do you think!” He beamed excitedly, holding out his arms and turning around. Tony frowned, reaching to untuck the jacket from the back of Hadaya’s pants, but otherwise approving the look. He was wearing one of Tony’s more classic librarian tweed suits, slacks and vest included. Tony had to adjust the buttons, Hadaya having missed on in his excitement and leaving them lopsided, but Hadaya patiently let him. The clothes hung off the wiry, young looking man, but it was the best they were going to get on such short notice.

“It’s passable, I think. Are you okay in those shoes? You uh. Didn’t seem to be. Coming down those stairs.”

“I’m good! Come on, let’s go get some food! But I want to pay, okay!”

“You mean you want to hand them the money,” Tony sighed, knowing the mauvian had no money to speak of. He also knew the little guy could put away a surprising amount of food, so it was likely going to be a long, expensive evening. But if it made Hadaya happier in this strange situation, then Tony did not mind it.

“Yeah! And get the change!” Hadaya laughed, tugging Tony toward the door.