Upon Silver Devil: Chapter Three

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[I can't say i've ever seen him drunk actually. I haven't seen him in nearly ten years.] Hmm that'd be interesting. [He got tall.] He smiled oddly, trying to make light of what was clearly pretty awkward and difficult.

Tala squinted at the paper. "I cannot read. Why do you not speak?"

Oh.. couldn't read? That was going to be awkward.
He pointed to his own head, then to her hoping she'd understand the gesture.

"Telepathy." She snorted. "To open the mind to a stranger is not my tribe's way, but the safety of this ship is more important, so I will do so. Explain yourself."

Kay looked relieved. I understand your reluctance, it's why I ask. It's rude to barge into someone's mind without permission. He bowed his head, looking apologetic. Yes, i'm unwell but it's only contagious if I bite someone or they ingest my blood. He opted to leave out the other option because it didn't seem relevant, he wasn't going to sleep with anyone on this damn ship. As I have no intention of allowing either to happen, you crew is in no danger.

Tala snorted. At least you're polite, even if you're dangerous. What is your disease?
She chose to use telepathy as well. It was polite in her tribe to use the same method of communication, once one was chosen.

Kay tensed, he wasn't really sure he wanted to go through all this but everyone else on this ship had been told hadn't they? He chewed his lip and nodded. The Imperium simply refer to it as the Infection. yes, he was going to try being vague.

Tala's nostrils flared. The disease that turns sensible people into savage beasts. You must be in the lucid phase still. How many days in are you? She reached for her gun.

14 years. He watched her warily. Great, more guns. Wonderful.

The minotaur halted, staring at him. I've heard of cases like you. If you speak the truth, then disposal will not be necessary.
She took her hand from her gun, watching him.

He relaxed a little. You've heard of others? now that was news to him. We always assumed it was my father's bloodline that saved me but i've never encountered any other person who's lived more than a few months.

Tala shrugged. Shape shifting species are supposedly resistant to the disease. I've never seen such a case myself, but I've heard a few stories. Do you shapeshift?

Kay nodded. But it hurts, a lot.

A softer, kinder soul might have relented and believed Kay without further requests for proof. Tala was not soft, or especially kind. Prove it.

And that will stop you from shooting me? He asked. He glanced to Rigel, looking apologetic.

I will not shoot you if you can change form, she told him. You seem to be enjoyable company indeed. I will consider you to be a friend.

Kay frowned, that hardly seemed totally reasonable to him but what choice did he have?
Fine. Do you have a preference for what I turn into? He was stalling.

Not the form your disease gives you, Tala joked. All others are acceptable.

Kay nodded and considered it. Honestly he'd never really tried to turn into many things. He didn't really want to subject these people to his true form though, that seemed like a good way to get shot. So... what was innocuous and non threatening?

He focused, gritting his teeth as his form shifted and shrank. There was a horrible grinding cracking crunching sound of bones breaking and reshaping. It only took seconds, and then instead of the short humanoid, there stood a ginger cat who straightened up, twitched it's tail and stared up at Tala warily with those same strange red eyes.

Tala smiled in a cow way that involved ear wiggling. I am satisfied that you are safe, Friend. Welcome to the Silver Devil.

The cat struggled out of the clothing that was now far too large for him and looked up at the minotaur unimpressed. Thank you. man, being even smaller was even more annoying. Bad choice of form Kay, bad choice of form.

Rigel was surprised by the shape-shifting since he hadn't been warned. He stepped back and stared at the cat form. "Um...what is that about?"

The cat looked at Rigel apologetically. It was remarkable how much expression that feline face could manage. Unfortunately it couldn't use the tablet that was now laying on the floor, but pawed at it anyway in the hope Rigel would pick the thing up before it got stood on.
If you could ask him permission to communicate telepathically, that would be wonderful. He told Tala.

Rigel frowned and came over to pick up the tablet and set it on the table nearby.

"RIgel, he wants to speak with you telepathically," Tala said, watching Rigel in interest.

Rigel frowned a little then shrugged "Alright. "

Oh thank goodness. He looked relieved. I don't think I thought this one through that well. The lack of opposable thumbs is extremely frustrating. He jumped up onto the table so he didn't have to look up so much.

Rigel nodded then looked to the clothing to pick it up "Um...want to borrow my room and change back, or just stay like this for now? I know your kind of shape-changer gets tired doing that."