[Given the fact Adrian is still in his travel form, he really has nothing to be afraid of, even with Rosso barking at him angrily like he is. Yet...he still finds himself recoiling a bit as he goes on, his ears disappearing into his mane.
It's not the first time Adrian's said it- that somebody's got "bad taste" in friends if they consider HIM a friend- so Rosso reacting to it so strongly is...surprising.
Why...? Since when did Rosso even...]
Who said I wasn't fuckin' confident, huh?
[He puffs up a little as he stands a bit straighter, his lips curling to reveal rows and rows of sharp fangs.]
You did a minute ago when you said my taste in friends is bad when I called you a friend and then backtracked!
[Self-awareness with Rosso is... it exists. It exists in rare moments like this, and the whole of Bavan should be grateful to witness it. Alas, they are not, because the crowd that was previously steering clear of The Big Cat is now giving both of them the widest possible berth.
Anyway, to him, basically saying "get better taste" about oneself is certainly a vote of not being confident, and the only reason Rosso recognizes it as such is because he's the same damn way.
Elrians are also incredibly weird about friendship, so there's that. Three whole interactions is enough for Rosso to make friends with someone simply because his overprotective instinct will not let him do otherwise.]
Honestly... [he huffs and drags a hand through his hair, apparently unbothered by what is ostensibly a threat display. Rosso wants to say "I see right through you" and "I'm not all that confident either", but the words die on his tongue the moment he tries.] ...we don't have to be friends, but if you ever insult my taste in others again, I will go get a squirt bottle and spray you down with it.
[It's probably for the best Rosso has the forethought to keep those words internal, even if they're true. Adrian doesn't quite know what to think, but at least in this body his fur hides the way his skin would be flushed. With anger, probably, but far more than just that.]
God, you're stupid...
[He shakes his head roughly, pacing in a slow circle with his tail flicking from side the side, the occasional flash of the stinger hidden within the fur showing as he does.]
And if you even think 'bout doin' that, I won't hesitate to eat you.
I'm not fucking stupid! And good luck fucking trying that in the first place!
[Rosso is very fucking stupid, thank you. Luckily, he's got the self-preservation to not question the stinger or the way it flashes at him. He doesn't fancy knowing what it does. Poison or paralysis or something unpleasant, certainly.
With a sigh, he follows Adrian with his good eye, arms crossed over his chest. What a disaster of a conversation... which is how all of Rosso's conversations generally go, but still.]
...why are you a giant cat right now anyway? Got somewhere to be? [He's assuming it's akin to a werewolf's travel form, anyway. Rosso still doesn't get everything that goes on here.]
Sounds like what happened to me a bit ago. When we were talking on the... [the network.] Laptop things.
[Words are hard. :(]
When I came out of being an actual dog, I found that I could shift back freely. Don't know what triggered it the first time, though. You might be able to do something like that. Probably. Unless I'm completely wrong and you're just gonna be a whole cat forever.
[Adrian grumbles, moving finally to sit on the concrete instead of pacing in circles. He reflexively reaches a paw up and just...licks it, rubbing it over his face without even realizing he's doing it.]
So it's just another weird monster thing, then. Fine. I'll take bein' a wildcat over a housecat any day anyway.
[...oh, he's just like an actual cat. While Rosso tries not to look like he's super entertained by this, his tail wags and gives all of that away. Shortly after, he snort laughs and gestures with a clawed hand to Adrian.]
[Adrian is also not a common housecat, not by a long shot. He's a huge, theoretically wild animal currently, and Rosso will treat him with respect, damn it.
Which means...Rosso is going to suddenly have to contend with said cat suddenly lunging at him with his full weight, paws connecting with his shoulders. He's no doubt going to bowl Rosso over this way, but he doesn't like...throw him forcefully to the ground so much as he falls with him. Either way, they're both monsters and Adrian noticably has his claws sheathed, so it's not really going to hurt.
He's just, you know. Making a point, with his muzzle mere inches away from Rosso's face as he snarls down at him from where he's now perched on his chest.]
[Rosso's very little and very light, so he goes down easily; even if Adrian weren't a big cat, he probably would've fallen over anyway. Combat-experienced as he is, though, Rosso at least has the good sense of locking his neck up so that his head doesn't smash into the pavement.
Nearby, the crowd scatters with shrill shouts and expectations that a full-on brawl is about to break out.
Expectedly, Rosso bares his fangs, nails scratching at the pavement below as he makes some attempt to right himself.]
What, gonna chew my face off with your stinky cat mouth?! Try me, punk!
[He might be more threatening if he a) wasn't fucking tiny and b) had an actual weapon on him. Like this, his words are simply empty.]
[It's tempting, very tempting, to just start a fight right here in the middle of the street, but...while Rosso is annoying as hell, Adrian isn't wanting to fight necessarily. That kind of attention is something he's been trying to avoid unless he had a really good reason, and while Rosso is a little shit, he isn't a little shit that he wants to murder today. Lucky him.
No, instead? Adrian moves to lay his entire weight down on top of Rosso, folding his paws in front of his neck to show him just how much he intends on staying right where he is.]
[Rosso's ears flatten against his head, and he squirms. Boy, does he squirm, but there's a pretty big weight difference between the two right now. As it turns out, big cats are mostly muscle! What a fun thing to be reminded of while he's laying on the sidewalk thrashing about.
When the pedestrians nearby figure out that these two are not, in fact, about to rip each other's limbs off, they carry on with their lives.]
I'm not a fucking child! I don't need a time-out! If you wanna be a cuddly-ass cat, I want no fucking part of it!
Maybe you shoulda’ thought’a that before you opened your mouth?
[He rumbles, his tail flicking from side to side as he makes a point to settle against him even more, giving his mane a brisk shake.
He could get used to this. It would have been nice when Misha used to get mouthy with him back in the day. No easier way to win an argument, that’s for sure.]
He looks up at the sky and watches the clouds. Listens to footsteps as people walk by. Wiggles his leg in some feeble attempt to get his tail out from under it, stuck in this spot as he is. Smells literally nothing but cat. By the El, cats sure fucking smell. Maybe it's the dog brain working overtime... maybe he's just grouchy... he's probably just grouchy.]
Uh-huh.
[...you know what.
Rosso is going to do the emotionally mature thing here. He's going to... pet the cat. Back to square fucking one. Patpatpatpat—]
If you're gonna cuddle, guess you can put up with this, right?
But also, when Rosso suddenly reaches up to pet him, Adrian stiffens. He growls under his breath, warning...but at this point it's likely about as threatening as an actual housecat. Especially when he could have torn Rosso's face off a while ago if he really wanted.
...hm. That feels...nice. He guesses. Annoying, but it's easy for his mane to get knotted up, he's realized. No amount of grooming can keep it free of tangles, even if he's been pretty fastidious about trying to keep it clean. Of course Rosso will still probably come across a twig or a leaf or two, but at least he's not like...caked with mud or something.
His ears flick every time Rosso's claws reach them, Adrian exhaling a growl with every breath.]
You're lucky I'm even lettin' you move your dumb arms.
[Actually, when Rosso discovers the tangles and a few sticks here and there, he starts doing the petting thing with both hands. There are moments where he'll occupy himself pulling debris out of Adrian's mane before going back to scritches.]
Just admit that you like being petted.
[There's a little grumble as Rosso pulls a crunchy, dead leaf from the tangles and tosses it off to the side to get swept up in the wind and likely stepped on by the daytime crowd.]
Cat instincts got you good. How long do I have before you start purring? [Do big cats even purr—]
[The pavement digs into his skin, and the way his skull is pressed against the hard ground reminds him of all the times he'd be out journeying and had to sleep somewhere outside. He's expecting to sit up with gravel clinging to his hair whenever that happens.
For now, though... huh. Adrian really is a cat. Whack.]
[Oh, yeah, Rosso's totally tripping right in the middle of this bright, sunny day. He rolls his good eye, a tch on his lips. Part of him has to wonder if he's comfortable to lie on at all... whatever. Details, shmetails.]
I'm sure. I often hallucinate cuddly-ass giant cats takin' a fucking nap on me while I'm lying in the street.
[Honestly, not entirely. At least not on the sidewalk. But he is more comfortable than the ground...and the cat brain is telling him this is a superior place to be, so therefore, he sits.
And just for Rosso continuing to mouth off, Adrian will drop his head- his very heavy lion head- onto Rosso next]
Keep yappin' an' I'll keep you here till' the sun goes down.
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flammadecinis) wrote2022-05-15 03:26 pm
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It's not the first time Adrian's said it- that somebody's got "bad taste" in friends if they consider HIM a friend- so Rosso reacting to it so strongly is...surprising.
Why...? Since when did Rosso even...]
Who said I wasn't fuckin' confident, huh?
[He puffs up a little as he stands a bit straighter, his lips curling to reveal rows and rows of sharp fangs.]
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[Self-awareness with Rosso is... it exists. It exists in rare moments like this, and the whole of Bavan should be grateful to witness it. Alas, they are not, because the crowd that was previously steering clear of The Big Cat is now giving both of them the widest possible berth.
Anyway, to him, basically saying "get better taste" about oneself is certainly a vote of not being confident, and the only reason Rosso recognizes it as such is because he's the same damn way.
Elrians are also incredibly weird about friendship, so there's that. Three whole interactions is enough for Rosso to make friends with someone simply because his overprotective instinct will not let him do otherwise.]
Honestly... [he huffs and drags a hand through his hair, apparently unbothered by what is ostensibly a threat display. Rosso wants to say "I see right through you" and "I'm not all that confident either", but the words die on his tongue the moment he tries.] ...we don't have to be friends, but if you ever insult my taste in others again, I will go get a squirt bottle and spray you down with it.
[Take that, you cat!]
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God, you're stupid...
[He shakes his head roughly, pacing in a slow circle with his tail flicking from side the side, the occasional flash of the stinger hidden within the fur showing as he does.]
And if you even think 'bout doin' that, I won't hesitate to eat you.
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[Rosso is very fucking stupid, thank you. Luckily, he's got the self-preservation to not question the stinger or the way it flashes at him. He doesn't fancy knowing what it does. Poison or paralysis or something unpleasant, certainly.
With a sigh, he follows Adrian with his good eye, arms crossed over his chest. What a disaster of a conversation... which is how all of Rosso's conversations generally go, but still.]
...why are you a giant cat right now anyway? Got somewhere to be? [He's assuming it's akin to a werewolf's travel form, anyway. Rosso still doesn't get everything that goes on here.]
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......that's a good question.]
I changed into one, the other day.
[And he...kindof hasn't really changed back, yet. So.
He's just like this now. FOR now, anyway.]
If it's anythin' like my hands, it'll go away at some point.
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[Huh...]
Sounds like what happened to me a bit ago. When we were talking on the... [the network.] Laptop things.
[Words are hard. :(]
When I came out of being an actual dog, I found that I could shift back freely. Don't know what triggered it the first time, though. You might be able to do something like that. Probably. Unless I'm completely wrong and you're just gonna be a whole cat forever.
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[Adrian grumbles, moving finally to sit on the concrete instead of pacing in circles. He reflexively reaches a paw up and just...licks it, rubbing it over his face without even realizing he's doing it.]
So it's just another weird monster thing, then. Fine. I'll take bein' a wildcat over a housecat any day anyway.
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[...oh, he's just like an actual cat. While Rosso tries not to look like he's super entertained by this, his tail wags and gives all of that away. Shortly after, he snort laughs and gestures with a clawed hand to Adrian.]
Aren't you such a cute wittle kitty?
[Rosso dies in 3, 2...]
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...what was that?
[There's your out Rosso, what will you doooo]
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You're out here groomin' yourself like a common housecat. It doesn't do shit for your intimidation factor is all I'm saying.
[And also that Adrian is a cute kitty when he's not about to commit a murder. Cats are cute! Adrian... kind of about to not be cute, probably!]
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Which means...Rosso is going to suddenly have to contend with said cat suddenly lunging at him with his full weight, paws connecting with his shoulders. He's no doubt going to bowl Rosso over this way, but he doesn't like...throw him forcefully to the ground so much as he falls with him. Either way, they're both monsters and Adrian noticably has his claws sheathed, so it's not really going to hurt.
He's just, you know. Making a point, with his muzzle mere inches away from Rosso's face as he snarls down at him from where he's now perched on his chest.]
Yeah, that's what I thought I heard you say...
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Nearby, the crowd scatters with shrill shouts and expectations that a full-on brawl is about to break out.
Expectedly, Rosso bares his fangs, nails scratching at the pavement below as he makes some attempt to right himself.]
What, gonna chew my face off with your stinky cat mouth?! Try me, punk!
[He might be more threatening if he a) wasn't fucking tiny and b) had an actual weapon on him. Like this, his words are simply empty.]
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[It's tempting, very tempting, to just start a fight right here in the middle of the street, but...while Rosso is annoying as hell, Adrian isn't wanting to fight necessarily. That kind of attention is something he's been trying to avoid unless he had a really good reason, and while Rosso is a little shit, he isn't a little shit that he wants to murder today. Lucky him.
No, instead? Adrian moves to lay his entire weight down on top of Rosso, folding his paws in front of his neck to show him just how much he intends on staying right where he is.]
You're ass is gettin' a time out.
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[Rosso's ears flatten against his head, and he squirms. Boy, does he squirm, but there's a pretty big weight difference between the two right now. As it turns out, big cats are mostly muscle! What a fun thing to be reminded of while he's laying on the sidewalk thrashing about.
When the pedestrians nearby figure out that these two are not, in fact, about to rip each other's limbs off, they carry on with their lives.]
I'm not a fucking child! I don't need a time-out! If you wanna be a cuddly-ass cat, I want no fucking part of it!
[Fruitless wiggles continue.]
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[He rumbles, his tail flicking from side to side as he makes a point to settle against him even more, giving his mane a brisk shake.
He could get used to this. It would have been nice when Misha used to get mouthy with him back in the day. No easier way to win an argument, that’s for sure.]
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He looks up at the sky and watches the clouds. Listens to footsteps as people walk by. Wiggles his leg in some feeble attempt to get his tail out from under it, stuck in this spot as he is. Smells literally nothing but cat. By the El, cats sure fucking smell. Maybe it's the dog brain working overtime... maybe he's just grouchy... he's probably just grouchy.]
Uh-huh.
[...you know what.
Rosso is going to do the emotionally mature thing here. He's going to... pet the cat. Back to square fucking one. Patpatpatpat—]
If you're gonna cuddle, guess you can put up with this, right?
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[I MEAN
IT'S NOT...NOT CUDDLING
But also, when Rosso suddenly reaches up to pet him, Adrian stiffens. He growls under his breath, warning...but at this point it's likely about as threatening as an actual housecat. Especially when he could have torn Rosso's face off a while ago if he really wanted.
He's about as trapped as Rosso is......oops.]
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[He's just gonna give some scritches behind the ears... comb that mane a bit with his claws...
If Adrian is going to be petty, Rosso is simply going to be obnoxious. As if he hasn't been this entire time, but you know—]
Might as well get comfortable, punk.
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...
...hm. That feels...nice. He guesses. Annoying, but it's easy for his mane to get knotted up, he's realized. No amount of grooming can keep it free of tangles, even if he's been pretty fastidious about trying to keep it clean. Of course Rosso will still probably come across a twig or a leaf or two, but at least he's not like...caked with mud or something.
His ears flick every time Rosso's claws reach them, Adrian exhaling a growl with every breath.]
You're lucky I'm even lettin' you move your dumb arms.
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Just admit that you like being petted.
[There's a little grumble as Rosso pulls a crunchy, dead leaf from the tangles and tosses it off to the side to get swept up in the wind and likely stepped on by the daytime crowd.]
Cat instincts got you good. How long do I have before you start purring? [Do big cats even purr—]
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[He grumbles even as his eyes sort of start to lazily drift closed.]
Also, never, cause I don't purr.
[But what if though...]
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[The pavement digs into his skin, and the way his skull is pressed against the hard ground reminds him of all the times he'd be out journeying and had to sleep somewhere outside. He's expecting to sit up with gravel clinging to his hair whenever that happens.
For now, though... huh. Adrian really is a cat. Whack.]
Fallin' asleep on me?
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[He can't help it, alright? You're petting him, so obviously he's going to relax...whether he likes it or not.]
You're imaginin' shit.
[You're also imagining Adrian's paws now kneading your chest, oops.]
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I'm sure. I often hallucinate cuddly-ass giant cats takin' a fucking nap on me while I'm lying in the street.
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And just for Rosso continuing to mouth off, Adrian will drop his head- his very heavy lion head- onto Rosso next]
Keep yappin' an' I'll keep you here till' the sun goes down.
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looks up at my typo in my last tag and just eats my hand
ITS OKAY I didnt notice
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