So I tell myself you're coming home, like you've done a million times

[keybearing]

WHO: Sora, open
WHERE: Heropa
WHEN: 18th July
WHAT: Sora returns, with a new power. Of course he has to experiment and check it out. So, sorry if he freaks everyone out running around as a lion cub.
WARNINGS: None



[Sora's no stranger to arriving in new worlds. Or in cases like this, revisiting old ones. It takes a moment for him to readjust, to get his bearings. For more reasons than one might initially expect. He's much smaller, taken aback by the paws as he looks down after noticing how tall everyone else seems to be as they walk past, some not quite noticing him just yet. He figures it can't hurt to try find his way back to his housing at least, figure things out from there. It'll be possibly more difficult than he anticipates due to everyone's potential reactions to his current form though. The necklace still is a major sign as to who this really is, if anyone he knows even vaguely spots him among the crowd either ignoring him or being rather alarmed at the lion cub with his explorations.

Come try reassure the bystanders the baby lion won't maul them, join them in wondering what the heck a lion is doing on the streets of Heropa like this? Recognize the necklace and try help? Or take advantage of the convenient travel size cub?]

Comments

[resipiscent]

[Riku watches this display, furrowing his brow, then nods as Sora pushes his file toward him. It's kind of been sitting on his desk collecting dust, but he gets what Sora is trying to tell him -- they've always understood each other easily, after all.]

A new power?

[keybearing]

[There's a nod as his tail swishes, relieved his friend seems to understand so easily. It's more difficult that he anticipated, being like this. Still, there are certain advantages at least, and some fun to be had. Sora can't help the affirmative and excited rumbling that starts, almost similar to a purr as he then makes his way back to the bed. Or, more specifically, to Riku's lap, curling up a little.]

[resipiscent]

[Riku blinks, then pets him quietly, flopping over so his spine is flat against the mattress, but his feet are still on the floor.]

So... you can turn back whenever you want, right? You're not stuck?

[keybearing]

[The petting is met with enthusiasm as Sora all but leans into it, finding it more relaxing than he might have figured. There's a pause at the question before he figures the only way to be sure on the answer is to try change back.

Which he manages, now curled up next to Riku with his head in his friend's lap as he straightens, looking to his hands once more.]

Riku, I did it!

[There's a laugh as he all but flops on Riku to hug him properly in his excitement.]

[resipiscent]

[And then his hand is buried in not fur but the hair on Sora's head, and he blinks, half-sitting up before Sora tackles him again, this time quite a few pounds heavier.]

Whoa -- ! Congrats.

[keybearing]

It's so cool! I had a tail when I was at Atlantica, but I was a lion!

[A very tiny baby cub. But. Details. He's still excited over it! Though it may take a bit more practice to really adjust to this new power. Sorry Riku, he's a bit heavier and bonier now. But at least he has sort of figured this new power out. Kind of.]

[resipiscent]

A baby lion, but you're right.

[It is kind of a neat power, he has to admit. What Sora can do with it, though, he has no idea.]

[keybearing]

Can a lot of people do that? Have powers to turn into animals? I was still able to communicate with you easily enough too. Even if I wasn't sure talking if you'd understand me or just hear roars or something.

[Sora isn't entirely sure what he could do with it either. It's still pretty obviously recognizable enough for anyone who knows him. And lions aren't just seen around anywhere in the States for him to really blend in like he does later with the Pridelands. But even so. It's something new, of course he's initially hyped.]

[resipiscent]

Not sure, actually. But you should try talking next time. If you can't, then you can't -- it's not a big deal or anything.

[It sounds like fun, actually.]

[keybearing]

I could. Either way you seemed to understand what I meant so it works out!

[Regardless,Sora doesn't seem too concerned over that detail. He could figure some other ways to communicate, as he had just now, by improvising, his body language. Of course, Riku knows him better than anyone else here, so others may not quite pick up on things as easily. It still definitely seems more exciting to him than anything else, given how he's currently just laughing as he lies sprawled on top of Riku.]

[resipiscent]

I think I understood because I know your body language pretty well. I'm not sure about other people, though.

[Riku stares up at the ceiling -- how is it that he ended up squashed under Sora like this?]

[keybearing]

I guess. I mean, you grew up with me and all, even if you hadn't seen me like that before. Other people it might be tougher. If I can't talk like that, I mean. I should try....

[It doesn't take long for him to try concentrating again and get it, reverting back to the little fuzzball cub.

And. Yes. That is a rather pathetic roar. How precious.]

[resipiscent]

... Is that talking?

[He sits up, scooting so he's sitting facing Sora.]

[keybearing]

[It's. Some attempt at least. In answer and response to the question, Sora makes to bat Riku's nose, his mouth not quite making that familiar pout the same way in the lion form before attempting again. To say Riku's name.

Which comes out as a growl of sorts.]

[resipiscent]

Heheh.

[He rubs Sora's forehead, just above his eyes.]

Not all that eloquent, huh...?

[keybearing]

[Sora just sort of shifts, slumping down on Riku's chest, almost nuzzling into the contact in spite of his pouting, tail swishing and seeming to signify he's calming somewhat in spite of the annoyance and disappointment. Regardless, he can at least enjoy this. Letting Riku pet and stroke him. It's....nice. Comforting, as he closes his eyes for a moment.]

[resipiscent]

[Aww. He feels a little weird about this because it's Sora, not just some random cat, but also, he's... really cute. Riku bites his lip, trying to keep from getting too gushy over him.]

Why do you have to be so cute about it?

[keybearing]

[It's almost like it takes a moment for Sora to register what Riku said, what he asked just now. Because initially he's just remaining curling up there before he reacts. Reacts by a tilt of his head, tail swishing more vigorously for a moment before he bats at Riku's face again, as if attempting to quiet him on the 'cute' comment, ears drooping.]

[resipiscent]

Oh, stop. It's your own fault for turning into a tiny cat and getting me to pet you.

[keybearing]

[Well. Sora could be more ruthless and change right back here and now sprawled on top of Riku. But he doesn't. Instead electing to attempt another bat at him. Or more precisely, his hair that hangs down. It's more playful than really antagonistic in spite of his obvious slight annoyance.]

[resipiscent]

[He blinks, then reaches up, grasping the lock of hair between two fingers. This is just experimenting, but -- he wiggles it, looking at Sora closely.]

[keybearing]

[While lions are larger cats, they still have that intrinsic feline behaviour. And Sora himself has been easily enough distracted even prior to discovering this power. So of course he reaches, attempting to bat at the hair, to try 'catch' it. Though whether he realizes he might actually have his claws out as he playfully shifts and attempts to chase the wriggling hair, tail swishing and his ears drooping as he watches and pounces.]

[resipiscent]

[Oh, there's claws. He makes sure to hold the hair away from his face -- he doesn't want a slash across the face, naturally.

There's a pause and then he's looking down at that brown tail and taking it in one hand, pulling it around so Sora can see it. Will he chase it?]

[keybearing]

[Yeah, best try keep from accidentally scratching him. Sora would feel pretty bad if that happened without him meaning to or realizing.

But he does jerk back a bit once Riku reaches for his tail, spinning around almost startled as he stares at the tail, initially going for it as he sees it swishing around before realizing. Then he stops, rolling over and giving Riku a look.]

[resipiscent]

[Sorry, he's laughing. Riku leans back a little, running his fingers through his hair.]

Heh. Sorry, I couldn't help it.

[keybearing]

[Sora gives him a look, attempting one paw over Riku's mouth as if to tell him to shut it before attempting to settle back down on his stomach and curl up. Clearly if Riku is going to tease him a nap seems better at this moment in time.]

[resipiscent]

[Well, he's not gonna lay here with his legs hanging off his bed if that's what's happening. Riku deposits Sora next to him, then scoots sideways a little, so he can stretch out comfortably.]

Okay, there.

[keybearing]

[It's almost instinctive that he bristle a little at the movement when Riku picks him up, but he's patient enough that he waits, watching Riku shift to a more comfortable position before resuming his spot once more and curling up for a nap, tail swishing slightly as his ears droop.]