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 Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:15 pm
((Gaius and Sophie only, though I suppose anyone could've guessed that.))
It had been nearly three days.
Three days since she'd had a human face, since her tail didn't brush against the tops of her calves, since she wasn't covered in fur. No one knew about Sophie's transformation except for the scientists, and she was determined to keep it that way for as long as possible. She didn't even want Gaius to see her deformed, animal nose, and she certainly didn't want anyone else staring at her.
She'd left her duplex once since the change to fetch food, and the smells had been enough to drive her insane. The whole place smelled like an amalgamation of predators, and it sent her roo instincts into a panic. Running as best she could with two heads of lettuce and enlarged feet, she had made it from the cafeteria to her duplex without meeting prying eyes. But, alas, the lettuce was running low and turning different colors, so soon she'd have to go out again. Otherwise, she'd starve.
Which, at the moment, didn't sound like a very bad idea.
Curling up on her bed, she slumped, frustrated in that for the first time, she couldn't get to sleep. Her tail tucked into her little furry ball, and she sighed, wiping her hair from her face as she stared at her door, thinking nothing in particular.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:37 pm
It'd been a while since he'd last seen her... But then, sometimes that happened on the island. People needed time to themselves after all, right? Perhaps Sophie was feeling a bit down. Well, Gaius was determined to cheer her right up! Laden with a fiery bouquet of flowers hand-picked from the jungle, Gaius strolled happily through the duplexes, his small tail swishing behind him with each step. He payed the changes little mind, having grown used to them over the months, amongst the other things he'd grown used to.
Walking up to Sophie's door, he gave it a quick knock with his knuckles and waited, smiling to himself as he remembered how she'd hold his hand and play with his fingers... those strange fingers she seemed so fascinated by. It was endearing, really. Perhaps she would enjoy a walk on the beach today...
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:06 am
A knock...? At first, Sophie didn't register the sound, but then something clicked, and she jumped up, determined to hide. However, all she managed to accomplish was snaring a foot in her bed blankets and falling right to the ground, creating enough noise to let someone know she was here. She muttered curses under her breath in anger and despair, then half-ran to a secure place in the back corner of the room, curled up with her legs ready to spring into a run...or a hop, depending on which half took over.
What she had failed to realize up to that point, though, was that her door was unlocked: whatever was outside could easily get in. Her heart raced, but she was quite literally stuck in a corner, so the best she could do was turn off the lights, which dimmed the room enough so that, perhaps, whatever was looking for her couldn't see well enough to find her.
Her human side doubted it.
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Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:23 pm
"Sophie?" Gaius tilted his head, concerned by the racket from inside. It sounded as if something had fallen, and his mind instantly jumped to the possibility that Sophie was injured. He tried the doorknob, surprised to find it unlocked, and pushed it open. "Sophie? Are you okay?" He poked his head in, glancing around in the darkness, and took a hesitant step inside. He knew she was here, she had to be. Had she fallen and knocked herself in the head? Was she bleeding? His hand fumbled alongside the wall before finding the light switch. Instantly the lights flooded the room. Gaius blinked, looking around, before his eyes fell on Sophie in the far corner. His brows bounced up, obviously surprised. He took it all in - the longer tail, the fur, the nose. It clicked together in his head, remarkably fast for the often clueless man. His shoulders sagged slightly as he relaxed from the anxious state he'd been in, a hint of sadness passing over his expression. "Sophie..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 2:57 pm
Sophie winced as the lights blared on, it didn't feel safe to her to be in a place so bright. She curled up into a tighter ball, and only after her name was called did she look up to see who had entered her room, her still-blue eyes wide in shock. Had her face not been covered in fur, she would've blushed in shame, and tried to curl herself into an even tighter ball, but between her awkward feet and tail, she was unable to do so, and instead simply sprawled across the floor, the full extent of her changes shown.
Slowly, she got to her feet, and struggled for balance with her thinner arms. Her shocked look changed to slight frustration as she looked at Gaius, very much not amused.
"I suppose it's okay for people to barge in uninvited nowadays, eh? What are you doing here???"
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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:36 pm
He took in the sight of her changes, fighting back a wave of panic as his mind did the math - how long before he was next? Outwardly, the inner bout of emotions showed themselves in his widened eyes and tense muscles. He couldn't help but stare. She was so different, even more-so than after her first change. She could barely walk properly!
However, when she snapped at him, Gaius's surprise and concern faded a degree. "I just came in because you didn't answer... I thought you had tripped or knocked over something and hurt yourself..." He folded his arms defensively. "I was worried! Why didn't you even try to contact me?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:56 pm
Sophie took a step back, partially alarmed by his sudden defensive mode and partially offended by it. Stumbling, her paw-like hand scrambled and found her bed post, her attentions off of him for the moment. However, when she returned the gaze, it was angry and hurt. She'd never expect him to look at her this way...with those shocked eyes, his frightened stare. Wouldn't he, above anyone else, understand that it was just as strange for her?
"I didn't call because of this, Gaius, or maybe you just haven't noticed!" She grabbed her tail and gave it a sharp tug, her short muzzle snarling up in a wince. "Do you honestly think I'm gonna go outside looking like this?! Eh???" It was in her angered state that her accent fully showed itself, loud and brassy and so unlike the Sophie that normally showed herself.
She backed away, standing in the corner where she'd been curled up in just a moment ago, her expression faltering and all of her fur on end, a tan mixed with grey all about her body. She was hurt, not because he had chosen to come, but rather that he had come so late. A part of her had seen him there, right with her as it happened again, but he hadn't been there. He had probably been about playing with Marshall, or doing something else more important. The more she thought about it, the more her tail twitched irritably, and her feet shuffled as she dispersed her weight to one leg, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall.
"So if you want to stare at me, you'll have to do it in here, because this little freak of nature is not going anywhere."
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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:17 pm
"Hey now, don't go putting words in my mouth! I did happen to notice, and I would never call you a 'freak of nature'!" He took a step forward, unfolding his arms. His fists balled unconsciously into fists as some part of him registered as being 'challenged.' "If you'd just called, I would've been here instantly! I worry about you, and I want to help you through this as best as I can, but it seems all I get for my effort is you getting angry at me!" His voice rose as he spoke until he was practically yelling at the end.
"I'm going through as much hell as you are, Sophie. At least you get to keep your fingers!!" he snapped without thinking.
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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:22 pm
As Gaius's voice rose, Sophie shrank back further away, until by the end of it she was slumped on the floor again, looking up at him with fearful eyes. She tried backing away further, but hit the wall, and pushed herself up against it, trying to be as far away from him as possible. Her voice was timid, and shook as she spoke: "Gaius...I...At least you can walk around without being scared of every noise, every smell, every change of light..."
It was clear that her heart was no longer in the argument, but she never left his gaze, even though she looked frightened to death, and had to take a moment to calm herself again. Once this was achieved, she quickly bounded around him and back into her bed, pulling the covers over her head and peering at him from her new haven, shuffling as far inwards as she could. A soft whimper escaped from the folds of blanket, and she shook her head, as if trying to deny it had come from her.
"Just...just go, if you're going to be the angry one."
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Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:17 pm
Gaius froze in his steps, shocked by her words and what he had just done. No... this wasn't him. He wasn't one to take out his anger on someone else, especially not Sophie! His shoulders slumped with shame, looking away from the quivering pile of blankets that was his friend. He pleaded, "Sophie... I... I didn't mean to get mad. I'm sorry..."
Hesitantly, he moved over to stand beside the bed, hoping she wouldn't run again. "I was just... upset. I thought you didn't trust me... that you didn't want me around. I had no idea... you were so scared..." He shook his head. This wasn't doing any good. "I'm sorry... I'll just leave..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:36 am
Sophie flinched as he first moved, then slowly calmed down, determined to watch him walk from the door to be in her solitude once again. He shouldn't have scared her like that, and...
She was being entirely unreasonable.
As thought took over from instinct, her muscles relaxed, and instantly, the guilt poured over her. How could she have said something like that??? It wasn't his fault!
Feeling embarassed, she crawled out from her safe little snuggle of blankets, even though her roo half was begging her not to. She sighed as she got to her feet, looking away. "Gaius, don't go...I-I know you meant well. It's just...it's so hard to fight a part of me that's scared of everything now." Shuffling as best as she could to his side, she went to wrap her arms around him, then hesitated as her eyes caught her fur. Slowly, she conpleted the hug, awkward as it was, and snuggled her small muzzle into his stomach.
"I don't want to be scared of you, Gaius...I don't want you to be scared of what's happened to me..." The last part of the sentence was nearly a whisper, and she held back tears as she held him close, her lengthened tail pulling around her.
"I love you, Gaius, and if you...nevermind. Just, please, don't go. I don't wanna stay by myself forever."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:47 pm
Gaius paused, watching Sophie emerge with a mixture of hopefulness and confusion. She didn't want him to go? After the way he'd raised his voice at her with no provocation? He ran a hand back through his hair, realizing just how much the stress of the island and their situation was weighing on him. And Sophie had it worse, she'd only recently changed.
It was an even bigger surprise when Sophie hugged him, snuggling her face against his chest. A quick blush spread across his face, as equally awkward as the hug and entirely self-conscious of his clumsiness in such close proximity to a girl. Sophie was so small, so fragile and delicate...
Carefully, he placed his arms around her. "I'm not scared... I'm just concerned..." He held her close, ruffling her fur. It was strange, but not unpleasant... almost like petting a dog. A small smile pulled at his lips. Sure, it was a terrible fate to become an animal, but there was no way to deny that Sophie really was quite cute, with her little nose and those big ears....
"I love you, Gaius."
Everything came to an abrupt halt. Gaius's eyes widened. He... did he just hear what he thought? Thoughts ran helter skelter and jumbled together in his head as outwardly he flushed pink, mouth hanging open.
"I... I... Sophie..." He stammered, speachless. Instead, he embraced her tightly, letting action speak where his words could not. He grinned, unable to stop smiling. Nuzzling the top of her head with his nose, he managed a whisper. "I... love you too."
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:43 am
Smiling weakly at the sound of his voice, Sophie did nothing at first, except to softly clench at his shirt, trying her best to remember this moment. Gaius's scent...it was different, but she could learn to love it: after all, at least it wasn't 'bear' smell.
Finally, she lifted her head to meet Gaius face-to-face, moving in slowly to kiss him on the cheek. Even in her confused, muddled state of mind, she wouldn't be so direct as to kiss him head on. The fur on her face tickled in such close contact, and she laughed just a little bit, almost afraid that being too loud would take her back to reality.
"I'm so sorry, Gaius...I mean, at times, I can't control mind over instinct. It's really weird." But, of course, Sophie wanted to get the argument off her mind, so she didn't say anything more, and from a snuggled up position to the horse-man, reached for his hands. However, what she felt in her pseudo-paws was not hoof, but...flower? She blinked, then looked up at Gaius in question, sure he could explain it to her.
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:02 pm
Despite being just on his cheek, the kiss left Gaius in a stuttering flushed state. It was soft, almost like a cat nuzzle as the fur brushing his cheek, but with human emotion behind it. Red faced, he chuckled weakly as she laughed, mind reeling after the contact.
He heard her talk, but understanding came slow, until he noticed her touching the flowers he had forgotten he still held and looking at him inquisitively. Gaius blushed, a sheepish smile spreading across his face, and lifted the bouquet to her. In the excitement some of the flowers had gotten a little mangled and some had lost a petal or two, but it was largely intact. He handed it to her, reaching up his other hand to brush her cheek and hair out of her face. "I got these for you while I was out in the jungle. They were pretty and I thought you might enjoy the smell, since... well, flowers aren't scary." He grinned teasingly.
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