[Open + Closed] If I Had A Nickel For Every Time My Soul Got Transformed...

[crushed_pearls]

Who: Erin Peters and YOU, but also Phil and Cassandra de Rolo
When: January 21st Onward
Where: Locations
Summary: Fallout of some regains, trying to bounce back still, So Many Animal People On This Ship
Warnings: Lost bullshit, Erin's eyes in a jar, violent transformation. For reference all prompts after 1 feature the post-transformation Erin.


1. Well One Of Us Is Going To Have To Change (Closed To Phil; Sundries)

Avoiding asking Friday why she gets so much fucking mail is getting increasingly difficult for Erin. The curled-up scrap of the Contract with Stone is unexpected but very welcome; at last, she can haul her own sunfish, or at least not spend power like water to do so. The jar with her FUCKING EYES IN IT is disgusting but Erin had given them to Colors for Hedgespinning; maybe she could do the same? Or, preferably, Ossie or Giles or Okie might do the same, as Erin doesn't want these curst fucking things anywhere near her...

The grooming kit arrests her attention, though. Erin knows these tools. She used them often, once Gabby had warmed up to her. They're even etched with a little 'GG' encircled by feathers and thorns. God, it's been so long; Gabby was decades ago, and yet, and yet -

Searing pain, down Erin's shoulders. She lurches, dropping the grooming kit back into its package, crying out in shock. That sound rapidly becomes a scream of absolute fucking agony as raven's wings tear their way out of the meat of her shoulders and shred the back of her dress and coat into tatters. Feathers lace their way into Erin's tempestuous hair, joining the storm, and little scales - like a bird's - grow into place around her wrists and ankles.

"Mother fucker," Erin half-yells, half-sobs. And then, in a louder voice, a call for help: "PHIL!"

There's blood everywhere now. It's gonna be a whole fucking event, isn't it?

2. The Retired Villain's Club (Closed to Cassandra; Cabin 134 & the Hoard)

Love can you come to my cabin at your convenience? I have something I want to show you and talk about. Difficult conversation probably. There is no rush whatsoever.

3. Acceptable Levels of Hypocrisy (Around)

Sometimes you need to resort to weird measures to get around your problems. The issue: Erin has not been eating properly and she knows it. The solution: Erin is now eating in the weirdest goddamn places. Catch her with cups (not bowls) of various foods while perched on the statue in The Promenade, nibbling her way through an improbable amount of carbs while whittling in the Lounge, carefully eating garlic bread with a fork in The Library, or even indulging her endless need for sugar in the shallow reaches of The Infinite Tommy Bahama. Can't be on people for self-care if she's not caring for herself, damnit.

4. A Castle Made Of Clouds (Tauva)

Every few days you might catch Erin at Tauva with her doll's castle, now fully-manned by wooden figurines with operational siege weapons (powered by rubber bands), poking and prodding at it with her stylus and sometimes jotting down notes in braille. If she has reason to suspect you're into building, y'know, buildings, or have experience with interior design, you might have received a text requesting a consultation on a project; if not, well, she's got a doll castle in the smoking lounge, fuck's up with that?

Comments

[decrypter]

"Look at Erin after, please. She's probably still got her ears ringing, and I hope she's not sick."

This softly said while Helena is the one with the puffed out hair and lying down very still so that nothing hurts unbearably. Fight her on this, Erin Peters.

"This isn't my first time being shocked...it just hurts greatly..."

There's probably bruising up her legs where the electricity came in, and the muscle strain - if anything's inside, she wouldn't know to name it, other than things are painful.

[crushed_pearls]

"Helena for the love of god, I need Pepto Bismol, you might be fucking dying. You get treated first."

Erin looks back to Ylva, pleading, hopeful. Please say she made the right call in not getting a doctor first.

[actuallyawolf]

She gives a startled blink, and glances at Erin. She frowns, her expression deeply concerned, and more than a little conflicted.

"I mean. I'm gonna help the person lying down first, okay." Ylva digs into her fanny pack for her spell focus, and approaches Helena where she's lying down. "I mean, I'm guessing this has to do with... what was that? That weird magic? I was going to come find you anyway."

She rarely remembers to text people if they don't text her first.

Ylva, gingerly, smooths her hand over Helena's hair, muttering under her breath as she directs those healing energies.

[crushed_pearls]

"Sorta. It's my fault - I asked Helena to demonstrate a self-defense tool she has so I'd know how it feels and...then someone attacked electrically. Maybe they were going after me and hit her, maybe they went after her, either way they're a fucking dick."

Erin's wings flutter nervously. Those are new too.

[decrypter]

One of Helena's virtues is that she doesn't fuss while being healed, though her hair still crackles with static. She just will lie quietly, letting Ylva do what she needs - the pain ebbing away is the greatest relief, and it helps her breathe easier.

"Thank you for this...and for coming so quickly."

See, she's not dying. Nothing that can't fixed with some care and some rest. Erin doesn't need to worry anymore.

[actuallyawolf]

Yeah, Ylva is going to ask about the wings. This is not the most surprising new shape to find Erin suddenly in, but it is worth asking about.

"'Course I did. So. You can just make everyone know where someone is? Is that what it's supposed to do?" A beat. "If you find out who did do it, let me know, because what the crap."

Ylva squints down at Helena. "That looks like it's helping."

[crushed_pearls]

Erin mouths 'thank you' but doesn't speak aloud; Helena was asked.

[decrypter]

"It is, thank you. I'll definitely still need to rest, but I don't think I'm in danger of keeling over." Eyes closed, she takes a deep and easy breath. "And that's part of it. It's supposed to let others in the vicinity know of what I'm calling a threat, and disorient said threat to let me try to escape."

Pause. "I didn't expect it to alert that many people at once, but I've never tried it on a ship before."

[actuallyawolf]

"I guess we're kind of close to each other here. Neat trick, though."

She sounds approving. Ylva withdraws a hand, frowning at Helena with a faintly worried expression passing over her face. "I think that's most of it, though. Resting should help. I mean. It's lightning." Ylva turns to look at Erin. "So are you hurt too, and why do you have wings?"

[crushed_pearls]

"I'll be fine, it's already passing. Sonic attack..." Erin's head is still ringing. She shakes it off, wings fluttering. "The wings - a soul alteration came in Sundries and they exploded out of my back. They're still sore as hell."

Erin to everyone: please ask for help.

Erin right now: failing to ask for healing.

[actuallyawolf]

Ylva wrinkles her nose suspiciously, not even a little bit fooled. She puts her hand on Erin's arm for another round of magical healing. She has the spell slots.

"Are they always there now or can they come and go?" A frown. "Are they going to hurt every time?"

She always just gets clothes or things.

[crushed_pearls]

(Dear God not everything is agony any more.)

HOLY SHIT.

Erin almost misses the question as she flutters her wings in wonder. Ylva can just do that? Like a Spring Courtier can? There's a brief pang of wistful envy which Erin quickly smothers by Loving Ylva(tm); she pulls the wolf into a hug and wraps her wings around her.

Right, Ylva had asked something.

"Permanent. Gotta blow shapeshifting to make 'em go away, which means doors are about to be a really fun time. Uh. Sorry in advance if I just walk into the room swearing, Helena, 'cause. Doors."

[actuallyawolf]

She buries her face in Erin, inhaling deeply.

"They're really nice wings, though." She ruffles through the feathers gently with her fingers, the gentle touch of someone who knows what it feels like to have feathers, even temporarily, and how they should be stroked. "But hm, yeah, it does seem like a lot to get used to all of a sudden."

Being wrapped in wings is surprisingly nice.

[crushed_pearls]

Erin's face burns bright red. "They're really as nice as all that?" she murmurs in an uncertain voice. "I - I'd just gotten my body where I liked it and now it's...they're...I didn't precisely pick them, but..."

Words fail Erin.

[actuallyawolf]

"They look strong and soft. I mean, it sucks that you didn't get a choice about them. That's... not fair. But they're nice wings, at least."

Ylva bites her lower lip to keep from laughing at Erin's blush. Because it's very cute, thank you.

[crushed_pearls]

"Ylvaaaa you're gonna make me melt in front of Helena..."

It's only half a whine. Erin rubs her nose against Ylva's and in a much softer voice adds: "Your cabin free later?"

[decrypter]

In an absolutely cheery voice, knowing Erin's probably already feeling soft -

"Please keep making her melt, Ylva."

She's thoroughly happy for you both, she just has to gently tease occasionally.

[actuallyawolf]

Ylva does laugh, then, and with that encouragement she leans up to kiss Erin quickly. "I can definitely try to make her melt." And she lingers, arms flung casually around Erin's waist, still faintly laughing. "Probably. We can definitely check to see."

[crushed_pearls]

In a strangled squeak, definitely blushing Unto Fucking Death but holding Ylva close anyway: "Pleasedo."

[decrypter]

Is she laughing at Erin? No. Absolutely not. She's definitely not turning her face in the pillow on the infirmary bed to stifle a few giggles.

Seems she doesn't need any power to put Erin on alert.

[actuallyawolf]

Oh, now she's on the spot. Ylva opts for several quick kisses, one after the other, and then a slightly longer one.

"It was kind of neat to just. Know where you are. I liked that part."

[crushed_pearls]

Breathlessly, clearly a bit drunk on the kisses, "Ylva!"

Erin nips her wildflower on the neck before burying her face there where she's safe from further kissing, warm and red faced, Mantle crackling merrily to mock her melting. "You've got my scent, love. I can never be far from you. I'll...drop by later? Say um. Sevenish?"

Plenty of time to clear the cabin.