Welcome to Gaia! ::

Richard was in a very similar situation himself, although his own funk had not lasted quite as long. The little newletter was coming along and the day spent on the construction site had made him feel useful. He was definitely a bit sore today though, he would go and help out some more once his arms stopped feeling like jelly.

Overall he was feeling better than he had in weeks, he had even taken the coverings on his mirrors. Although his eye avoided them still. If he kept busy he wouldn't have to think about the monster he was becoming. The female monster.

He had been writing a blurb on the construction when his stomach growled for attention. He plate consisted of various cooked meats and a token buttered roll. He probably wouldn't eat it but he had convinced himself he would try. Plate full, he moved toward the tables. Enroute he tried to squeeze past the woman who appeared memerized by the fruit table. He forgot to take into account of his own tail which lashed happily behind him. As he moved past his tail slide along Maryke's own.

At the crash Richard whipped around, his last in encounter with Zach had been in the cafe and he remained a bit jumpy as long as he stood on the blue and white tile. He had no idea what had disturbed the woman, he had grow used to his tail sliding againist things has he walked and the soft fur of Maryke's tail had barely registered. He expression was slightly accusitory as he surveyed the scattered objects.

"Are you..." He expression changed from disapproving to curious midsentance as Maryke's tail curled around the orange and pick it up. "Alright?"

Richard had abstractly observed that Maryke was and was still an attractive woman by island standards. However that observation when no further than an attractive coffee table did. Usually beautify would trigger a casade of thoughts that invoked grief ridden imagery of his long departed wife. Now there was nothing, no stirring in his loins or any where else. Markye's inquery focused he thoughts on that abence and he stiffened, the tail froze and the tentacles began to peek over his shoulders.

He bit his lip for a moment as he assured himself the statement was innocent, not a dig. There was no way Markye could see his almost breasts bound underneath his shirt. He forced himself to relax.

He smiled a tight lipped smile and forced a bit of a chuckle. "Eh more or less." He extended a hand, "I'm Richard. I don't believe we've met."

"Nice to meet you." Richard's grip wasn't nearly as strong as it once was. It was due to the shortened digits and the fact that he didn't want to peirce her hand with his claws.

"Care to do lunch?" He smiled a bit, flashing his pointed canines. It was nice to meet some one friendly. He didn't seem to notice her skitisiness. He gestured to a table. He quickly glanced over her changes and assumed she had only one change. "Been here less than nine weeks?"

Richard sat down at one of the tables, careful to avoid sitting on his tail. "Your second?" He looked whimsical for a moment. " I haven't seen you around before, this is my..." He looked grim and tone shifted toward the bitter end of the sprectum. "Second." He flex his hand breifly, then picked up his fork and stabbed the medium rare steak on his plate, red juices oozed from it.

He cut a piece away from the hunk and chewed on it. "Been keeping busy then?" He said between chews.

Richard had always enjoyed meat, but usually it was far more well done than this. And it had never tasted quite as good. He savored his meal, oblivious to to Maryke's disgust. He chuckled a bit. "I can understand that somewhat. I've been a bit of a recluse myself lately. Its been hell on the furniture." He waved his clawed hand.

Richard had not been dealing with his changes well and was ready to admit that as long as he didn't think about the end product of the changes. As a he didn't want to think about it he did ask Maryke what her animal was. "Now I'm just trying to keep myself busy with little projects."

"Ah Billy and his theater. Was over there the other day actually. Gaius seemed intent on working this old man to death." He winked good naturedly. "Was a good work out at least."

He paused and popped an eyebrow at her, "Why? You a performer? Billy is still hard up for acts I hear." He looked her over again. Maryke looked like she could be a model perhaps maybe a singer? The clothing and hair style screamed that she was one of those "fashionable" people. He didn't see toned muscle of a dancer or anything to else to indictate talent for the stage. She could be an actress though. He would certianly buy that.

"Shenzi's looking for a band I think." He added as he chompped down on another bite.