shipmaster | (no subject)

[ Oh hell. Flourish backs up too, letting Curious drag him back. Having much the same thought. ]

You can't have a game with just two people.

Furthermore, we're on the same team. There's no one to compete against!

[ Neither of the Lacertans actually SEE Messenger move. The statue is merely leaning back, one leg flung over the arm of the throne, the next time one looks. ]

Oh come now, what have they said about my games?

[ He frowns at that, thinking furiously back through all the things they've absorbed today. ]

That you're about teaching things. Plants, information, that sort of thing.

I am oh so partial to learning and advancement.

Still wish to leave? I will let you go.

[ Goddammit. Curious may be his teammate's name, but Flourish can't resist sating his own curiosity ... ]

Fine, then. I'll play.

And you my little duckling?

Yes.

[ A beat. ]

What is a duckling?

Small and foolish, I'm guessing.

AND. Nothing you're likely to run into here.

Anyway! Lets do a little bit of a walk about then, shall we? [ A moment later, both Blanks are enveloped by a sudden, swirling wind and shrink. They change, getting smaller. Cuter, more tentacley.

EVERYTHING IS SO BIG AND SO FAST AND YOU CAN FIT INTO EVERYTHING AND YOU CAN TASTE FROM YOUR SKIN AND HEAR FOREVER. ]

[ What. The hell. Flourish barely has a moment to yelp in terror before the change is on him and the world expands in dizzying leaps and bounds. But by the time it's done, he's ... happy? About it? Because holy shit he never knew how amazing that thing was, and over here, and he can move without hurting because there's no bones in this squishy body, only boundless enthusiasm -

He immediately moves to try and scramble up on top of Curious, his tiny tentacles waving all over them. He is, naturally enough, a an especially tiny squidrat. ]

[ Curious squooshes this way and that, only mildly aware of their passenger in this new, fantastic sensory overload. WHAT IS THIS??? NEW COLORS?? RANGES OF SMELL? HOLY CRAP EVERYTHING IS SO BIG. ]

Good Lord what? Can you see THAT? Is it SUPPOSED to be like this?

[ For the moment, the Judge is silent, to let them get used to their new form. They have all night, after all. ]

[ Flourish, meanwhile, gladly holds on for dear life. Just smelling and looking and staring and-- ]

I think this is the best day of my life. I didn't know there were so many smells.

You've hardly had more. Probably. [ Though for the comment, there's nothing but delight in Curious' voice. ]

Oh. Oh hold on I want to try something.

Please. As long as I get to watch.

[ He wriggles in place contentedly. ]

[ In which case... What had appeared to be the smooth stone of the throne, at this size and through the optics of the squiddy eyes had a multitude of textures, cracks and crags. Just begging to be climbed.

UP THEY GO, Curious racing up the side, assuming Flourish can hold on. ]

[ Flourish lets out a pleased, gleeful noise as he holds on for dear life. Fortunately these little tentacle are delightfully clingy, and he has no trouble sticking to Curious' back. ]

Ha! That's one way to get to the top!