A generic sort of modern AU

[kremdelacreme]

Work days at a tattoo parlor might seem more interesting and unique than the average part-time wage slavery, but sometimes, it has just the same qualities as most customer service jobs. Dealing with tiresome people, fielding calls, complaints, appointments, and confused wrong numbers, maybe poking a hole in someone if you've been a very good boy today. But it's what he does, and it's what he enjoys, and right now, even though he's tired of it and looking forward to going home, he'll be eager (enough) to go back in tomorrow and do it all over again.

There's something to be said about job satisfaction, these days.

It doesn't pay enough for him to be able to afford his own wheels though, and so he's just gotten off the bus at the stop about a block away from his apartment building, and is walking. It's starting to rain, which isn't uncommon for this time of year, but it's also freezing out just now, so it adds another layer of misery to an already irksome day.

But he counts himself fortunate, especially when he spots those few homeless that tend to lurk out of the weather in this neighborhood. He has little to offer them between his own necessities, and what he's been attempting to save up, so he resigns himself to walking by with his head down. It's only because he's staring at the sidewalk that he actually notices what looks like a flattened, dirty animal on the sidewalk, and he's about to step over it with a disgusted noise, until he glances over and realizes that it's not just a flattened, dirty animal, but that it's actually attached to a significantly less flat, but still filthy, dog. He doesn't see any sign of a collar, but it doesn't seem right that a dog this big and apparently well fed is just out here as a stray. So he stops, kneels, and holds out his hand about a foot from the dog's face.

"You're going to start smelling worse in about five minutes," he points out, mostly talking to himself as he looks over the dog. It might have been white before it rolled in...whatever that is all over it.

Comments

[kremdelacreme]

When a half-naked stranger wanders out of his room rather than his dog, Krem immediately reaches for the knife he keeps clipped to his belt, flicking it open at his side as he eyes the man warily. This is absolutely not what he'd expected for the end of his day; he'd just wanted to hang out on the couch and play video games for a few hours before heading to bed, but instead there's a tall man looking a him like a lover come home after a long vacation.

"Where's my dog?" is the first thing that comes to mind to ask, closely followed by, "and why aren't you wearing anything?" Largely inconsequential things, considering that there was a stranger in his apartment, but it didn't seem like this guy had stolen anything that he was aware of, nor does he look particularly menacing.

[el_tybs]

The first thing that makes him realize that something is off is how Krem looks at him when he approaches, his steps stopping and head tilting slightly at the aggressive stance. The next thing that occurs to him is that he is able to process the words being spoken to him much better - being stuck as a dog did things to you. And lastly the questions themselves. Where was his dog? He was right her- oh.

More awake now he finally can recognize that his perspective was vastly different, much higher up than it was before, and he wasn't walking on all fours. Or covered in fur for that matter. For several moments it's clear that he is rather surprised and slowly touches his face, arms and chest as if seeing if they were really there.

Once he looks back at Krem he smiles, mouth opening up to say something, but only a rasp of air is heard. The smile quickly turns to a frown, growing concerned, as his hand reaches up to touch his throat, making a noise of clearing it and trying again.

[kremdelacreme]

The lack of voice is throwing Krem as much as the way the man moves and investigates the changes, so it occurs to Krem that maybe this guy is just as confused about what's happening as he is. He lowers the knife just a bit and takes a step closer.

Then he points a finger. "Are...you my dog?" He looks skeptical, with pursed lips and furrowed brow, but at least he's a little less threatening in his posture now.

[el_tybs]

Not being able to talk was rather concerning, and for a little time his attention isn't on Krem as he continues to clear his throat with no luck. He doesn't even notice when the other man draws closer, not until he hears the question, looking up to see a finger pointed at him.

Honestly who would consider asking that kind of question off the bat, but then again Krem was pretty sharp and different. He smiles once more and gives a large nod, taking a step forward.

[kremdelacreme]

If at least one of Krem's coworkers hadn't been a mage he wouldn't have even considered that to be a possibility. But mages are weird, and made weird shit happen, and a handsome man that had previously been a handsome dog? Not exactly the most surprising thing he'd ever heard of. It was still weird to come home to, though.

"Alright, one mystery down. Have you been able to change back this whole time?" he asks, suddenly looking that much more paranoid as he stares up at Sam. If that were the case, then he'd...he'd slept around this man, changed in the same room at him, and the idea makes him bristle.

[el_tybs]

That paranoid stare was back, which in turn has Sam biting down on his bottom lip nervously. He's quick to shake his head though to indicate that he had not. Maker, this would be so much easier if he could talk. Using some magic to help with that was possible, but at the moment all his mana was drained. Everything about him was going to be off for a little bit it seemed.

Clearing his throat again he glances at the kitchen then back at Krem. After a moment he motions for something to drink - maybe it would help?

[kremdelacreme]

Krem's brow hovers upward, but he follows the gesture and heads to the kitchen, searching his refrigerator briefly for something sweet that might alleviate whatever was making the man's voice refuse to function. He picks out a bottle of juice and holds it up with an arched brow. Does this guy even like juice?

"Could write it down," he suggests, so that at least there's some option while they figure out how to get the other man's voice back.

[el_tybs]

Sam's lips thin out a bit at the suggestion. It's, in no way, a bad one, but he doesn't exactly have pen or paper on or near him. Even so, he nods and motions towards the drink then continues to nod and mimes out pen and paper.

As a dog he would be all over and in Krem's space for attention if things hadn't changed, but with the man still giving him looks and a weapon, Sam follows but at a safe distance. He waits patiently as the juice is poured out then slowly moves to get it when he's instructed to do so.

[kremdelacreme]

The look on Sam's face as he takes the juice makes Krem frown a little more deeply, and he sighs, leaning against the side of the refrigerator.

"This isn't exactly the most ideal way for me to learn that you're not actually a dog," he points out defensively, crossing his arms and pouting a bit. Why hadn't the guy given him come kind of hints before now? Yes, he'd acknowledged how smart the dog was, but that had been a product of the assumption that he'd been really well trained. He leaves it at that though, and fishes in a drawer to find an ink pen and some scrap paper to be used for easier communication.

[el_tybs]

Having only been drinking water out of a dog dish for the past several days, the glass of juice is very much enjoyed, not just because it was sweet and flavorful, but also because he could actually hold something. Perhaps he should be going easy on it, but he eagerly drinks, chugging it a little before taking it away with very little at the bottom.

When the pen and paper are offered to him he raises a brow at Krem, setting the glass down, then hesitantly takes the items. Moving closer to the table he sets the paper down and starts to write. Well it takes a few moments of him just staring at the paper as if trying to remember how to write before anything actually gets written down.

'Could be worse. At least it didn't happen while you took me to work. Or you rubbing my belly.' He grins slightly as he holds up the paper, somewhat amused by it all. Course at the look he's given he clears his throat and goes back to write something a bit more serious.

'Normally I could have figured out a way to communicate to have made that information easier to digest. I was stuck as a dog for a while though. It does... odd things to your mind. I'm not even sure why I transformed back. Unless the effects of the ring finally wore off.'

[kremdelacreme]

The writing gives him that impression as well as he looks over it; like someone that's only recently learned to write. He reads it over, giving Sam a frustrated little grimace before reading on.

"Ring...you mean the thing I cut off you? If that's what was doing it then why didn't you turn back as soon as I removed it to begin with? That was a hell of a time lag."

As he gives the man a moment to respond, he pours another glass of juice. This is all very surreal to him, and he's not sure he'd be able to really tell anyone what happened without them being just as bewildered as he was.

[el_tybs]

He places his index finger on his nose to indicate that Krem was right on the mark, that he was talking about the ring he had cut off him a while back. The other question and the comment have him huffing though, and chewing slightly on the inside of his cheek.

'I'm not... sure. The spell on the ring might have been meant to last even after the item had been taken off? And they finally wore off? I didn't exactly volunteer to put it on.'

[kremdelacreme]

"Did you know the ring had such a spell on it? I imagine if you didn't realize it before, since you don't seem able to think very well when you're a dog, it's possible it might not have occurred to you to try and change back. You were just as confused as I was before, so...maybe you just changed back while you were asleep without realizing."

Krem ran a hand over the side of his head and around the back like he did while he was thinking, scratching some at the shaven stubble. This is all very strange for him, and he worries a little more when he comes to a realization. "Who even put it on you to begin with? Did they just cast you out or did you run off or what?"

[el_tybs]

'If it was a matter of simply not concentrating on it, I should have turned back the first night I slept without it. Whatever it was, it was a rather complicated spell to even have kept me in that form. I did realize there was a spell when I couldn't turn back, but I couldn't take the ring off on my own... perhaps not without chewing my toe off. Eventually I just kind of 'forgot'.'

The following questions aren't any easier, which only has the mage sighing more before reaching for his glass again. He takes a moment to think on that before flipping the paper over to write.

'I don't know who they were. Some guys just broke into my house. They hold me down for long, but one of them managed to slip the ring on. It didn't occur to me what it could be. I turned into a dog and escaped out the dog door.'

[kremdelacreme]

Krem's fingers tap on the countertop as he reads, turning over the information in his mind.

"Could be that they were expecting you to do just that, turn into a dog after they got the ring on you so that you would be stuck. Not sure why someone'd do it, but there are awful people wherever you go."

He decides not to ask more after that. the man doesn't seem to care much for having to answer them when it's all still muddled in his mind. Instead he grabs for a beer out of his refrigerator, twisting off the cap and taking a few long swallows, a quiet huff parting his lips after.

"If you still need somewhere to stay, you're welcome to hide out here until you figure something out. Just...don't try and climb back into my bed, alright? 's weird enough, knowing you've seen...well, basically everything." He grimaces at the idea, looking down at the floor.

[el_tybs]

'That's possible. That or something else... unless they didn't know I could do that? I'm... not sure.'

Certainly talking about all this while he couldn't really talk, and having to strain to get his head back in order was bothering him some. He's thankful when the questions stop coming, though he understands that Krem would have them. He had many himself.

For a time he just watches Krem, head tilting a bit like he did as a dog, not really realizing he's doing it. Sam listens intently for a bit, lips thinning at the grimace. 'Aw, but you're so comfortable to sleep with.' He smiles slightly, though at the look he quickly crosses the line out. 'I appreciate the offer. The couch will be fine?'

[kremdelacreme]

"Long as you promise to try not to shed on anything, you can sleep wherever else you like." Krem shakes his head, finally moving back around to stand at the other's side, elbows leaned against the counter, his bottle clasped between his hands. He swipes some condensation away with his thumb.

"So...what's your name?"

[el_tybs]

'I'm not much of a shedder while I'm a human,' he points out with a little bit of quirk to his brow. He can see that Krem is a bit uncomfortable with all this, but taking it surprisingly well. He didn't have to let him stay. Course if Krem didn't he wasn't sure where he'd go...

'You can call me Sam. It's Samouel, but shorter is fine.
Your friend at the shop wasn't off.'

I seem to have gotten the muse back for a little bit at least. Feel free to ignore if you like tho.

[kremdelacreme]

"I'll have to let her know, then." Skinner did have a knack for calling people things they ought to be called, whether it be a good name for a pet, or a slur against some rich twat. Krem's fingers continued to tap on his bottle, then stalled when something occurred to him: Did this guy even have a home to go back to once he was out of danger?

"So where'd you come from? Pretty sure I'd remember having seen you around somewhere if you'd been local."

Nevah!

[el_tybs]

'That might be hard to let her know unless you explain the whole "my dog is actually a man" thing.' Like if it was for a day it wasn't so hard to explain, but after being together for a bit, it might bring up questions is all. Not that he really minded, but still.

'I'm not local, no. From the general region though, yes. I've come through here before, but I live further north. Kind of just ran and got away from where I lived.'

Re: Nevah!

[kremdelacreme]

"Somehow I doubt she'll actually be all that surprised. But I don't know for sure that she wouldn't mention it offhand to the wrong person and end you up in trouble," Krem said thoughtfully, looking over the writing. "North...Free Marches maybe? Or up near the Storm Coast."

[el_tybs]

'Really? Interesting.' Probably would be a lot of questions, but Krem had a point. She would probably not mean anything by it, but best to be safe.

'Been to the Free Marches, but no. Storm Coast is definitely closer. I'm a bit more east in the Coastlands from there.'

[kremdelacreme]

That sounds like Denerim to him, or thereabouts. He nods thoughtfully.

"If you have anyone there you want to contact, let me know and I can make a call. I could also just ask one of the others at the shop to put you up, not tell them you were my dog. If that were a thing you might want anyway."

Part of him doesn't actually want to re-home Sam, so to speak. But he still feels a little weird about all of this. He straightens back up and heads to his room again, intent on finding Sam something to wear before he got too chilly. When he comes back, it's with a pair of comfortable shorts with elastics and an old night shirt that's seen better days.

"Here. Get covered up before I get a visitor and they end up thinking I just have random naked men hiding in my place."

[el_tybs]

'Well I'm not exactly hiding,' he points out, but slips into the clothes anyways. So no random naked men, just oddly dressed ones.

'Would it be easier if someone else put me up? Don't have to come up with a story on why you're trying to find a place for me to stay?' Not that he wanted to be moved elsewhere, but he could understand if Krem wasn't comfortable enough to keep him now that he wasn't actually a dog.

[kremdelacreme]

"Thing is, I don't know if it would be easier for someone else to put you up. They'd probably ask more questions, or have some kind of ultimatum. Get papers, get a job, or get out, that kind of thing." Krem sighs and rubs his hands over his head again, then heads back over to the couch to settle in, his thumb swiping through the condensation on his nearly empty bottle.

He seems to come to a decision after a minute of leaving Sam to his own devices, and starts his console up. The food he'd brought home is mostly forgotten by now

"C'mere. I figure if you're gonna stay a while, might as well see if you're any good at co-op."

[el_tybs]

The shirt is first to go on, and he's just about done pulling up the pants when Krem calls him over. Co-op? Sam tilts his head curiously, wandering over slowly before taking a seat on the couch next to Krem, though making sure to give him his space.

'Co-op for what?'

He can see that it was a game now that he was looking at the screen, but which game?

[kremdelacreme]

Krem simply hands hum a controller and boots up a game. It's a puzzle-based one that relies on the players not dicking one-another over to advance, though there are incentives to do just that, usually in the form of great jokes and an achievement or two.

"Just something to pass the time. Maybe your voice will come back in the next few days, if you're lucky. No more dogfood should help. Eh...sorry about that, by the way."

[el_tybs]

Oh he's heard about this one - it was supposed to be pretty good. Course this wasn't going to be easy considering he was a bit of a silent partner at the moment. For a couple minutes Sam takes his time pressing all the buttons and seeing what he had to work with.

'Eh, not like you knew, but man is that stuff terrible.' Well he could see why a regular dog would like it. 'I'm sure it'll be back soon. ' He hoped.

Should we skip ahead any? Thinking Sam might sneak into Krem's bed out of habit.

[kremdelacreme]

"It's meat and gravy-flavored cereal, of course it's terrible. Less surprising now that you kept trying to steal my food when you thought you could get away with it." Krem shakes his head some, letting Sam work out the controls briefly. Hopefully his hand/eye coordination hadn't suffered too much as a dog.

Sounds good to me. And more than likely when he's especially tired.

[el_tybs]

'If I was able to eat it I got away with it.' He certainly got caught afterward and getting a lecture had not been nice, but the things you do to live.

He's thankful that Krem gives him a little bit of time, though it's not having played a video game in a while that he needs to reacquaint himself with. After figuring he could die just by walking off edges or falling into pools he deems himself ready.