APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME

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APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME

Another month, another test drive meme! Our test drive memes are open to anyone interested - regardless of whether or not you join our game!

All Test Drive Memes are game canon. Players can choose to keep their TDM threads canon or not. TDM threads can be used for AC and can be used as your writing sample for your application.

Our TDMs serve as a way to build into the actual lore and worldbuilding of Deer Country and we strongly encourage everyone to enjoy and participate! Current players are always welcome to pull prompts from the TDM to reference on the Network or bring into logs as well as tag out to new characters top-leveling on the TDM itself.

Characters will always be able to actively die during TDMs as this is an extremely dangerous world. You can still have this be game canon! Check out how character death in Deer Country works here.

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask down below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Delicious, Gelatinous Fruit Treats]
[Image Two: Women in white dancing around a May Pole (Animated)]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A woman turning away from a mirror. ]
[Image Two: A woman trapped inside a mirror with disembodied hands grabbing at her. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A Forked Trail on a Wooded Path]
[Image Two: The Grim Reaper at the end of a sewer tunnel]

[NAVIGATION]

TDM Questions • Reserves • Taken • Applications • Full Navigation

[Jump to Comments]

A MOSTLY PLEASANT ARRIVAL

WHEN: May
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced honesty, personality changes, physical changes.

---

Congratulations, sleeper! You're one of the lucky ones to arrive in a month that is not awful to come ashore. The transformational process is almost alarmingly quick and painless. In fact, it is so quick that it is deceptively easy to change back into a squid and do it all over again! Partial transformations are not uncommon during this month for the first twenty-four hours after arriving, and even brief transformations of minor facial features like hair color, eye color, height, weight and a few more extreme possibilities have been known to happen. Don't worry, because the transformations are all temporary and none are inherently monstrous (Unless you already are a monster, in which case good luck with that!). Greeters are present in force to help accommodate you as you make your way, your welcome backpack and items all freshly and neatly cleaned and ready for you as they put the robe on. Everything is so welcoming and inviting that it almost seems like they're having a party.

This is, in fact, because they are. The Wild Moon is about and festivities are in full swing throughout the month of Bauphomette. May poles are set up and it is possible to dance around one if you should wish. Doing so can help to ground oneself in their current form, which may help new arrivals settle in a bit better. Even ignoring that, it feels good to sing and dance, and everyone is very friendly. Even the usually grim Hunters who guard the roads and entries to the shores seem to have less stern smiles on their faces, though their eyes are ever watchful to keep the peace of the festivities.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK
Decorations this month are decidedly floral in nature. Everyone is dressed in white, regardless of their usual preferences. Flowers adorn many of the people of Trench and the weather throughout the first week of May is pleasant. Even if it rains, it is a refreshing, light and pleasant rain, and there are many awnings and umbrellas to take shelter underneath.

And of course, there's refreshments. What festival in Trench would be without them? The foods this month have a very floral theme to them. Edible flowers have been grown and prepared especially for this time of year. They've been used to help create infused and gelatinous sweets, Floral spring rolls and edible flower cookies and the like, along with floral teas that are meant to calm the mind. Additionally, the people of Trench will note that any of the foods present can have a beneficial, albeit transformative effect on the mind and body. They promise it won't last long, but if you're really concerned there is hard tack and water available that's quite filling.

Changes from Food will last a few hours at most. There are several options available among the drinks and foods. These may be combined as the player sees fit. Drinks have mental effects, while Treats have physical ones, the Trenchies will inform:

Pomegranate Juice: Sweet and tart, anyone who drinks it or has some of the fresh pomegranate and seeds will feel compelled to speak nothing but the truth. Pomegranates are found littering makeshift shrines to Bauphomette throughout the party, and Trenchies insist they are free to take.
Petal Infused Hot Tea: Pungent and aromatic, it is relaxing. The heat gives a warmth and vibrancy that fills a person with confidence, to the point of arrogance and fearlessness, leading the emboldened to try something that they might not otherwise do, even if it's very risky!
Floral Iced Tea: While refreshing, it feels like there's something just a little lacking, and anyone who drinks some will feel that they need more but not what they need more of at first, making them clingy and affectionate towards other people, especially strangers.
Iced Water: It's not the tastiest, but has a way of washing things away. Water can cleanse and remove the effects of other drinks, though it leaves the person feeling emotionally drained if it is used this way.

Floral Spring Rolls: Trying one of these surprisingly edible treats will have the added effect of giving a person plant traits temporarily. Hair may convert into tresses of ivy or carefully manicured moss, or perhaps a mushroom cap! Skin might become bark-like or chlorophyl green. The more that one eats, the more that they change.
Gelatinous Sweets: These curiosities come with a note. “Have you ever wondered what it is like to walk in someone's shoes?” Eating one has a profound physical effect, causing a person's appearance to transform into that of another person in Trench! It may not even be someone they've met, or seen yet! It would be awkward to meet someone, not looking the way you're supposed to, or worse? Looking like them!
Edible Flower Cookies: They come with lovely notes saying “Eat Me!” What could be sweeter? Well, like something out of Alice and Wonderland, eating one can cause a person to grow or shrink by a foot. More cookies can cause the height difference to become worse and worse, though if you're only a foot tall, it's a good way to end up an inch tall! So, maybe eating more to fix the problem is risky.
Hard Tack: Like the water, it can fill the stomach and remove prematurely any physical effects, though if it does so, removing a physical change physically drains the character.

A DIM REFLECTION

WHEN: May
WHERE: Throughout Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Paranoia, existential dread, hallucinations, possession-related horror.

---

They warned you about mirrors. Every once in a while, one of the locals in Trench might have whispered it, made a sign of warding when they passed by mirrors, but nothing seemed out of place. They told you that you might see yourself in it, and you would never be the same. However, every time you've looked it's been fine. So, maybe they were being superstitious about something? It certainly wouldn't have been the first time someone had gotten paranoid about nothing in Trench, would it?

How wrong you were. Maybe it was when you were looking down at a puddle rippling in a light breeze. It might have been a formerly polished piece of bronze covered in tarnish that adorned a building. Perhaps it was that lovely bit of obsidian in the shop where you caught your reflection garbled by the shape. It happens only when a reflection is seen in a distorted surface, especially those that are naturally occurring, though occasionally damaged and weathered surfaces that were polished will work. When you were looking at the image, it seemed to look back at you and something was wrong, distorted, imperfect. By then it was too late.

The natives were right. You saw some part of yourself there in the mirror. It might be something that you've hidden from others for a long time, or it might be an exaggeration of a single part of yourself that you aren't proud about. What it is, is a distorted and incomplete part of yourself, something that you try to keep controlled and in check, and it was there, smiling at you and winking. The moment it winked, it was like you were riding in your own skin, watching and unable to act as you changed into a self that reflected that distorted, unnatural and incomplete side of yourself. What shadows do you hide from yourself?

This effect lasts for, at most, one solar cycle. From the rising of the sun to its setting, or the moon to its setting, the effect can last no longer than that. Especially strong-willed people, particularly palebloods, can end this effect sooner through force of will, though it usually lasts at minimum an hour. The character is, for the duration of this effect, changed in personality to behave in accordance with some singular aspect (of the player's choice) of their personality that they do not usually focus on in their day to day behavior. This change can be subtle, or it can be drastic and even dangerous. Its goal is to make sure that everyone sees and witnesses this change, and goes out of its way to impact others in a memorable fact, making sure that they see there is more to the character than what they are revealing. This could be relatively innocuous or extremely dangerous, depending on the person, and the whole while the dominant personality is riding inside their skin, forced to watch what is happening.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

WHEN: May
WHERE: Dream worlds
CONTENT WARNINGS: Existential dread, disturbing visions

---

It happens when you are asleep one night. There is no warning for this effect, and it comes without apparent cause. One night, you go to sleep, and then suddenly you find yourself in a dreamscape, on a path. You can sense eyes on you the whole time that you are present in this field, and though they have a sense of benevolence to them, there is a deeply alien element to the experiment, almost like you are being observed by a scientist through a microscope. You are not alone on the path, either. One, or possibly more than one, other people that you may know or not know, they seem to have entered the same dreamscape. Behind you is nothing but shadow, and before you is a path. Might as well get going if you want to wake up, right? That's how these things work.

Introductions and questions aside, there's nothing but the path and dense, impenetrable woods on both sides, so eventually you and your companion start walking. As you do, shortly you see a branch in the path ahead of you. The fork has two paths, one of which shows the traffic of many feet, footprints grooved well into the worn cobblestones and mud. One of you will somehow recognize that the footprints are their own, and will notice that the other path has no footprints or very few. That is when the compulsion hits. It is inexorable and impossible to deny, the curiosity to see what is down the path that those footprints do not travel.

Travel, walk and taking that path, you will be treated to a vision. It is a moment in the dreamer's life, where they see something that happened in their life, which involved a choice. Did they go left or right? Did they say yes, or no? A choice they made, even one that seemed immaterial at the time, had some profound effect, and now you and they watch as the other choice was taken. And, within the hour, you will see the results, to your horror. Something terrible will happen to them. It could be anything, but it will be life-shattering, perspective altering and ghastly. They might even die from the experience or see a loved one die. The horror of it will still be in your hearts as you stand there for a moment, trapped in the sight of the aftermath, trying to come to terms with what you have just seen, and just at this moment, after a few parting words are said, both will wake up in a cold sweat.

The event that plays out can be from either character. Close CR is not required. Bauphomette has summoned the characters into the dream directly, and is sharing a distorted mirror of an opposite choice that could have been made. Actual “What if” canon events such as alternate timelines in Supernatural could be used for this, or the entire event can be concocted for this scene. The characters themselves are witnesses, and cannot be personally harmed in any physical way, but the horrific ending for the 'vision' version of the one whose dream this can be as awful as desired and take any form wished so long as it is unpleasant. Please be aware and mindful of each other's Content Warning Preferences in setting these scenes up.

CODING

Comments

Toboe / Wolf's Rain / Paleblood

[onewiththewild]

NETWORK ¦ video ¦ human

[ it took Toboe SO long to figure out how the Omni works; he is a wolf, not magic-savvy! The pup watched others working with it and after he bit the stone, threw it against a tree and poked every part of the projection the Omni forms, he finally figured out how to post to the deerNet. When the video comes up, you see a human boy around 14, brown hair and four silver bracelets on his right wrist. And wow, he is excited. Because he managed to turn the feed on; you go Toboe! ] Ah! It's working! Finally!!

[ Okay, you can do this, Toboe. Act cool. ]

I was told I can talk to other people through this thing. My name is Toboe and I just arrived so I thought I should say hi and get to know you. [ because people, he loves people. And yes, he wants to talk to you all ]

Oh, and there is a big dog [ it's totally a wolf ] around, a red one with four silver bracelets on his wrist. [ like the ones Toboe has, why yes, indeed. That is not suspicious at all ] He is very nice and you don't need to be scared of him, so you don't need to hurt him. He just walks around, looking for food, and he will like it if you pet him. [ really, please don't hurt him and pet him forever. Toboe will claim to be the "dog"'s owner, so hopefully there won't be any issues. Certainly, he is not the best at lying but this is the best thing he could come up with so nobody would try to hunt Toboe down if they saw him. ]

And- [ he pauses because he realized what he was just about to ask. How can he ask? "Did you all die, that's why you are here?" or "Is it normal to bring dead people here?". Toboe doesn't want to think about his death, but he doesn't understand how they brought him to this world. He also wants to ask about his pack, if they reached Paradise or if they were here, but he is afraid to hear "no" just like he is afraid to hear "yes".

He can't ask any of that.

For a moment he looks worried, but he puts up a smile (tries to, though it's a sad one. Toboe doesn't hide his emotions) and finally he asks something completely different: ] Can you tell me about the blood thing? It was really confusing...

ARRIVAL ¦ wolf

[ Toboe came out of the ocean on his own and transformed on his own back into a wolf. The whole process was, of course, incredibly confusing because he doesn't understand why he was a squid at first, and he is not the kind of person who is able to form theories and understand technology, magic, or much of the non-animal world. But the whole squid thing was temporary and he thinks maybe it was all just some strange dream he had and that is enough for Toboe. The Waker was kind and gentle and left Toboe desiring more of it, but their job was not done and they turn to help more of those tiny squids coming out of the ocean.

"How nice." he can't help but think. Now with the items he got on arrival - no clothing, though, he has no use for those - Toboe decides to keep moving, while carrying the bag and all of its contents in his mouth, and eventually comes to find the festivities other are participating of.

At first he considers using his illusion to look human, but ultimately Toboe does not want to be human and he wants to get closer to others as a wolf instead, thus he approaches whoever is cloests, tail wagging and wet nose poking against people's hands while he begs for food with big puppy eyes. If that is not enough to get someone's attention, the pup gently paws at the person's leg while whining softly, before he sits down and tilts his head.

Food for puppy, kind sir, please.

Although this is certainly a dog (a wolf, in fact!), he does have the Welcoming Bag, thus this animal either stole it or someone gave it to him when he woke up, giving away Toboe is most likely a Sleeper. ]

arrival

[dohaeris]

[sansa wears a thickly embroidered white coat dotted with hidden wolves over a long white dress stitched and pleated to look like it has long white feathers all down the front. there is, in fact, a wolf next to her in a matching collar, a little more than half grown (for a direwolf). in fact with lady next to her she can sense both 'wolf' and 'sleeper' before her human senses fully register his approach. she turns, holding a pomegranate. she smiles.]

Oh! Hallo. It's good to meet you. Do you need some help with your bag?

[he is not the first wolf-sleeper she has met here.]

[onewiththewild]

[ Toboe pays attention to Sansa first before realizing there is another wolf around, ears quickly perking up and tail lowering. He had no idea this person already had a pet, but the realization that there is another wolf around causes Toboe's heart to race a bit while he approaches with a small submissive wag. Friend?

However, Lady is not... like a normal wolf. She doesn't feel like it at all. It's a strange thing and it's confusing too, leaving Toboe to tilt his head before he looks back at Sansa as if trying to find a justification, although he has none.

Still, he places his bag by her feet. Yes, he is a good obedient boy, she can check his bag, although Toboe won't have any personal items there, just what usually all Sleepers would receive when they first arrive ]

[dohaeris]

[sansa has many pets, though she considers lady a friend. in fact, the white raven overhead who looks like he has a very amusing secret is her omen. lady adopts a regal posture for this little cousin, but she can sense that there is something more about him, or at least something sort of humanlike, and doesn't bark or growl. sansa gracefully bends down and slips the bag over her shoulder.]

We can leave this at the inn. They don't seem to have much to eat here that's good for wolves. [she pauses. a slip of the tongue is unlike her.] Or dogs. They should have meat and fish for stew, there. Or Lady could fetch you a crab, if you like.

[onewiththewild]

[ the inn? Is that even a good place to go? Toboe is a stray, after all, unlike Lady. And speaking of her, he looks back at the wolf again, tail wagging a little and wondering if she can also talk ; but given that wolves in his world do not want to be found out, he remains quiet. He will ask her later.

Since Lady also doesn't seem upset about it, Toboe moves closer to Sansa, poking her hand with his wet nose. A small thank you but also an agreement that he will go along with her, actually, before he gives few steps forward, stopping to look back at the girl. The bracelets in his right front leg move along, tingling around; that would be the only personal item Toboe has.

Lead the way, Toboe will follow! In fact, he is very interested in stew, he remembers that's what Granny used to make for him. ]

[dohaeris]

[sansa turns and beams at the press of his noise, moving to pet him more thoroughly behind the ears.]

You're very sweet. And you have beautiful jewelry! I feel ill at ease without my needle necklace.

[she hadn't...meant to say that, had she? lady barks once and trots ahead in the direction of sanguine station. sansa follows her.]

The inn is a wonderful place for new Sleepers. The people there know much about Trench, and this world. They're very kind. They taught me how to cook onions, and one woman even brought me stays.

[she frowns. she definitely hadn't meant to mention her stays. she looks at the pomegranate in her hand and ignores the raucous raven laughter overhead. she'd thought the curses were in the making of the food, and that fruit would be safe, but she now realizes that was an entirely baseless assumption. stupid.]

[onewiththewild]

[ a pet!

Toboe is more than happy to receive, pressing his head against Sansa's hand while his tail wags madly. very much like a puppy indeed because he is one (and he hopes Lady won't be annoyed that Toboe is being pet by her owner friend) because wolves can be possessive.

But when Sansa mentions her jewelry, Toboe looks up to find it. For a normal wolf, he seems to pick up on things no normal wolf would.

He still doesn't quite understand why it's bad to admit to things like this, though. Toboe tends to be honest and he will listens to others, and he is more than glad to hear Sansa. Thus he comes closer to her, pressing his body against her legs.

It's alright, you can tell him about onions and stays!

[dohaeris]

[lady seems more amused by his antics than anything. nothing can threaten her bond with sansa, but least of all sleepers, even wolf-shaped ones. if he were an ordinary wolf, she might try and bring him into her pack, but sansa cannot ride in his skin.

sansa laughs and ruffles the fur on his back.]

Oh, you're only little. Sorry, my brothers never liked when people said that.

[she freezes. she definitely didn't mean to mention her brothers. she eyes the pomegranate again, and tosses it into the sea. well, if anyone is going to hear her secrets, it may as well be a wolf. she smoothes his fur back down.]

This city is the best one I've ever known for wild creatures. You can stay with me if you like, at least to sleep. The woods here are very dangerous. We can show you how to hunt crabs.

I'm sorry I'm so late! if you wish to drop this thread, it's absolutely fine!

[onewiththewild]

[ Toboe closes his eyes, leaning into the touch. Despite being a wolf, he is tamed, extremely so, and has always been eager for a connection with another human ever since his owner passed away. While it's strange that a wolf wishes to have an owner, this is Toboe's nature in the end.

He looks up at the girl once she mentions the danger of the woods, and while a place to sleep with her sounds great, Toboe is still on a mission to also find the rest of his pack.

he looks back at Lady and finally speaks. He is afraid of scaring others due what he can do, but talking to a direwolf should be fine, right? Not that he knows what a direwolf is and he doesn't know about the connection she has to Sansa or that Sansa will be able to hear wolf talk... but Toboe has been silent so he doesn't do anything wrong.

However: ] I would like to go, but... I need to find my pack. Have you seen other wolves here, Lady?

arrival (wolf)

[hammerbearer]

Oh, what's this?

[There's a teenage human (or hume where she comes from) girl here that Toboe has approached, her hair braided, her clothing practical (for Trench) and a bit surprised and maybe a touch cautious but not distressed at seeing the reddish wolf (dog?) approach her for attention.]

Now, that can't possibly belong to... wait, does it?

[There is a moment where she takes a second look over animal and bag. Sleepers can tell who specifical possessions belong to and it's clear to her that the Welcome Bag Toboe has definitely belongs to the wolf. This is where her hand, which had already started to draw out what looks suspiciously like dried beef out of her own bag also pauses its movements. Yes, she was definitely a sucker for dogs. But she's not entirely a sucker for con artists and her suspicions are rising.]

I'll have you know I'm not that gullible. [Arms are now crossing and hands decidedly empty of any dried beef treat.] Are you new? I suppose I should wonder if you can even understand me, but I haven't met a Sleeper yet that couldn't in some fashion.

[Hrmph! With all the teenage hrmph that can be mustered.]

[onewiththewild]

[ is that........ beef?

Toboe's eyes go wide when the smell of meat hits his nose and immediately he is ready to start wagging his tail fast, but then the girl stops there and she doesn't follow through with the motion and does not give him the beef.

No... beef...

Toboe sits down, staring at the empty hands and then back at the girl. Naturally, he can't tell anyone he can talk, but he is good at pretending limited understanding at least, so Toboe tilts his head and after tries to paw at the girl again.

Please... give beef. ]

[hammerbearer]

[Beef is a precious commodity in Trench, Toboe, considering what it takes to raise a cow and thus reserved for good dogs. Are you a good dog right now, Toboe? Tricking a young, innocent teen into thinking you're a helpless doggo? At the second pleading, Gaia primly places her hands to her hips and looks 'sternly' down at the wolf.]

Oh no you don't! I'll have you know I've been here for a while. [And is possibly from somewhere were wolves tend to look somewhat different or aren't common.] Though if you're needing help because you're new, I can probably do something about that.

[Yeah she's putting up a cool front but she's got a soft heart inside. Gaia crouches down before Toboe to be 'eye to eye' with him. There is a gentler look in her eyes now they're down at this level.]

You are new, aren't you?

[Of course at this point she's going to start reaching out and trying to place a hand on Toboe's head. Because who can resist petting the doggo, really? This teen has some different scents. There's the hint of beef jerky that her hand had brushed, but also a few others. Light cosmetics (even in a place like this), soap, human. Also the scent of an actual dog imprinted enough to gather she is often near or lives withone. Definitely not wolf in this case though.]

[onewiththewild]

[ Toboe is the best dog! Even if he has to pretend he can't understand her, he is still a very nice and good dog.

When Gaia crouches down, Toboe tilts his head to the side, not really wanting to admit to anything. It's not easy for him, he has to be careful or he will be hunted; when he showed himself to Leara, things went terribly and she was terrified, and Toboe doesn't want that happening again because.... he loves people. He doesn't want to scare them.

When she finally pats his head, he just leans forward and presses his face against Gaia's, wet nose and all, and tail wagging with happiness. The smells are interesting, but he is much more focused on being petted, even more than food it seems! ]

[hammerbearer]

[ She can't help but smile since absolutely no one's looking and fondly ruffles the spot between Toboe's ears. ]

I'm going to be very cross if I find out you're tricking me you know.

[ There's no bite to the warning so it's probably reasonable to think she's leaning toward Toboe being more of a 'dog' than a 'transformed person'. Whether she'll really be cross if she finds out the truth is questionable.

After a nice round of petting, Gaia crouches to be on better level with the wolf, looking like she's trying to puzzle the matter in front of her. Namely, the intriguing notion that animals can be Sleepers too. ]

I suppose you probably could use some food. Are you on your own? [ This time the dried beef comes out of the bag and is offered to Toboe on the open palm of her hand.]

I wonder if you even know what to do with that bag of yours. You might not think it's any of my business of course. But I'd hate for someone to take advantage of you.

Arrival

[thisislife]

[this was certainly something Lexi could say she hadn't expected, a wolf with a welcoming bag. but god knew there were some strange people in Trench, she shouldn't have been that surprised to see a wolf.

she also shouldn't let the wolf approach her, but Orville seemed to think the wolf was okay, so that was good enough for Lexi. even pawing at her leg was no big deal, the poor thing seemed to be doing his best to seem completely calm and sweet, considering those puppy eyes.

so she crouched down so that she could be at eye-level with the wolf] Hi! I'm Lexi. I don't have any food with me, but if you're okay with coming to my place, I have lots of fresh salmon. Would you like that? [never mind that the salmon was originally intended for her dinner, she'd figure something out]

[onewiththewild]

[ the puppy eyes work very well and Toboe has perfected them the best he can! While it is food he is looking for, he is also looking for some pets, perhaps more of the later than the first (yes, petting trumps food).

When she invites Toboe to come back to her place, the pup wags his tail, however he isn't entirely sure about following strangers home. He is trusting - for sure! - but he has learned to be a bit more careful. Plus, he is still expecting to find his friends here, and he doesn't want to leave the beach if that's where they will be showing up.

So Toboe ends up just pressing his nose against her hand afterwards while his tail continue to wags softly, but he ends up pawing at her again rather than moving. It was very kind of her! But he needs to find his friends, too. ]

[thisislife]

[the puppy eyes are so cute! so yes, he's getting more pets, along with some cutie talk about how he's so sweet, how he deserves all the pets in the world.

it may be for the best? Gaze can kind of be...a lot if one isn't used to it. and she's still in the process of getting used to it, she's only been in Trench for one full month, starting on her second. she, too, often wonders if someone from home will arrive, especially Rue. so she'd get why he'd want his friends from home.

also cute, along with the pawing. she feels absolutely ridiculous about what she's about to do, but she pitches her voice a little lower and softer] Hey. Hey. What's wrong? Huh?

NETWORK

[hopticulture]

['sup have a rabbit. it's weird how this guy goes on and on about some dog and then just changes the subject, so...]

Is this dog a friend of yours from home? What sort of food does he like?

[onewiththewild]

Mostly meat. But he also likes potatoes, and some fruit... [ the thing about being a wolf is that... well, a wolf is a wolf. And a rabbit is a rabbit. They don't feel bad for eating rabbits, because such is the circle of life, and Toboe is a carnivore thus he eats meat.

naturally, he won't eat friends. But he is not going to be flustered to see a rabbit asking what a wolf likes to eat -

but he sure is confused because she looks like a human-rabbit mix? ]

Uhm-- are you a human or...? You look like a rabbit at the same time.

[hopticulture]

[she doesn't seem to mind. in fact, she appreciates the fact that he's not being awkward about it because it's true: a wolf is a wolf. that's just how it is. except he says it's a dog so she's assuming, y'know. dog.]

Well, I won't have meat on me, so it's good to know the other kinds of food he'd like if I ran into him.

[ah. she's used to these sorts of questions by now...but it doesn't make it sound any less ridiculous, the idea she's something other than a rabbit.]

I'm just a rabbit. A dwarf rabbit if you want to get specific. I assume we don't look this way where you're from.

[onewiththewild]

[ Toboe shakes his head. ] No. A bit shorter. [ he smiles a little, but Toboe is willing to accept things. After all, he himself can make an illusion that allows him to look human.

But she is a rabbit, then. Not a human.

She probably can see him as wolf the moment they meet since in the end animals are capable of perceiving things differently, or at least that's how it went in Toboe's world. Every animal could tell he was a wolf, regardless if he used his illusion or not. Thus it makes sense to him to shed said illusion away, allowing Haru to see a wolf instead.

Not a very big one, young too. Toboe is only two, after all. But he is very much a four legged kind of wolf and not at all a humanoid one. ]

We look like this. [ he pants a little.


And no, Toboe doesn't know, understand or is even aware he should have made this conversation private. ]

arrival

[undermoonlight]

[For Atsushi, it's the opposite: He's spent most of the month as a tiger and is relieved to have his human form and mind back. Eager especially to eat some good food and try to unwind, he had gone to check out the festivities and ended up with a few snacks to try.

He pauses when he feels a tug on his leg and looks down to see Toboe. The welcoming bag is a quick giveaway: This dog must be a Sleeper, then. Strange, maybe, but Atsushi is something of a tiger. He's in no position to judge.

Atsushi is also not used to dealing with dogs. Not under good circumstances, anyway. He looks around to see if anyone else is coming up to claim the dog (that's a wolf, Atsushi,) before kneeling down at Toboe's level. It's only polite to be at eye level with the people you're talking to, right? And this is a Sleeper, so Atsushi feels they're on the same footing...

... Does that apply to dogs too?]

I'm sorry- um... Can I.. Help..? You?