This is not the leap I asked for. Backdated to week 1.5, dec 22

[theflyingone]

[ This livestream crashes onto the network with a visual burst of green. Someone is running through the trees, though quite high up. He leaps from one branch to another, tugging himself higher and moving faster than he would on ground (though he still prefers buildings to all this foliage). His eyes dart dizzyingly to his next hold and the next, moving with the ingrained speed and creativity of years of training and a determined efficiency. Something snarls behind him. A quick glance back shows a damp Eren pelting towards him below on the ground, running faster than expected of any un-totemed merperson.

[ Altaïr breaks through the end of the trees into the blinding sunlight, stopping on a branch. The land ends in a cliff, and the sea rushes below. He leaps out to dive, the air whistling faster with his descent...


[ Several minutes later, a calm psychic "voice" appends this to the post: ]

I found Malik. He bit me.

[ Even without actual sound, it still comes through surly and annoyed. ]

I also saw Eren, Infiltrating as well. I've lost him, so the danger has passed. What I need most now is some... [ an embarrassed pause, ] woman's clothes, preferably ones that fit in this world. Tall ones.

Comments

[theflyingone]

No. It was an accident.

[ Is he really being teased by a teenager, is this what this day has come to? The compliment helps soothe his wounded pride, however. ]

[naturaltwohands]

[A bit of a chuckle.

Also, this teenager is older than you. :|]

... Although I said I could not help with the clothes, perhaps I could see if any have been abandoned in the ship. ... But if you do not mind me asking, why do you need women's clothes?

[theflyingone]

Yes, it will be good to have spares until I can solve this... this problem. If you find some, you will know why I need them when you bring them to me.

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt is both amused and baffled by the secrecy. Enough that he's going to help. Women's clothes? Problem? He suddenly realizes what the problem must be. Altaïr has been polymorphed!]

By the gods. Altaïr, you mean--

[And Drizzt almost says it over the network, then stops himself.]

I will endeavor to find you clothes quickly.

[theflyingone]

[ Hearing an oath does not comfort in the slightest, not does the mention of his name in public. It's hard to hide a name among the Travelers, but ever since he found out that people could be stalked by just their name, he'd like to at least try. Still winded by almost drowning, he doesn't want to broadcast his location to the entire Network either.

[ private, psychic protection I ]

If you do, you will find me on the beach on the [ he gives the side of the island he's on. ] Make sure I see you coming.

Psychic Protection I -> Action lmao

[naturaltwohands]

[... Altaïr. You're more paranoid than Zaknafein, and that is saying something. Drizzt does see the psychic protection go up and uses his own in turn, though, even if he thinks that it's a little paranoid. But also, he knows that he wouldn't want gawkers either if he was turned into a woman.]

I will see what I can find and will join you shortly if I am successful.

[Action]

[And, sure enough, there is Drizzt walking down the beach, clearly visible, carry a bundle of clothes.

action, his life is suffering

[theflyingone]

[ What appears to be a tawny woman sits on the beach above the tidal zone with her legs tucked under her and a cascade of dark curls matted and dripping down her back. She is wearing a pair of antiquated men's boxers that might have been baggy on a man, but are now uncomfortably tight. A red sash is wound around her chest. Several items are laid to dry in front of her. A sword, short blade, and several throwing knives gleam in the sun—within easy reach. A light gray tunic, dark gray pants, and assorted leathers flap in the wind underneath the rocks weighing them down. They are recognizable as Altaïr's.

Altaïr turns his woman's head very soon, and frowns as Drizzt approaches. Close up, he is as muscled and scarred as he was when a male, but all this now lies on a differently-shaped frame. There is an oddly-shaped bite mark on his shoulder along with recently dried blood. He is damp and salty from the sea, cringing in his woman's skin and failing to hide it. He looks very much like an annoyed cat that has taken an unexpected plunge, complete with wet, tangled hair. He does not rise, but casts a suspicious look around. ]

I had to dry everything. [ he grumbles in a voice that sounds to him like a more mature version of the voice he had as a boy, but his surliness is the same. ] I dared not return to the ship, or risk drawing attention to myself and my clothes, which... no longer fit me.

action, Drizzt is like "oh tell me your life is suffering"

[naturaltwohands]

Safety and peace, Altair.

[Drizzt has to hide a smile as he's reminded of--well, an angry, wet cat. He has brought other things with him, including a comb and a towel to dry herself with. The child does have a brain. But truly it must be uncomfortable to be changed into the other sex entirely, and Drizzt is properly sympathetic to how it must feel. Also, it's horrifying to wonder if it can somehow happen to him as well.

He wants to say something reassuring, but figures the surliness may only get worse if a child provides such comfort. Instead, he will be calm, and hope that it will influence Altair towards a better mood.]

These clothes should fit you better, then. If not, I can take you back to Liminal and one of the others can make appropriate garb.

up to you whether its a complete set of clothes lmao

[theflyingone]

[ He furrows his brows at him. Having his body changed against his will isn't funny. He stands, glad to get down to business, though still half cringing and slouching, as if that could hide his new state. He takes the topmost garment and begins wiping the brine off his face, which is now uncomfortably smooth and stubble-free. ]

Did you find undergarments as well? or shoes?

[ He's not quite tough enough to go barefoot across the island, and he'd really rather not have things bouncing uncomfortably around on his chest. The sash he's using as support and cover now hardly counts as clothes for blending in, and it has got to be dried in the sun eventually. ]

Oh my god, yes. If only because it means Drizzt is carrying a bunch of ladies underwear.

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt does have more of a measure of sympathy the longer he observes Altair. The poor man is very much not happy with his current state. Which... Drizzt can certainly understand. Drizzt would be incredibly uncomfortable if he was a female drow especially--a different reason than Altair's discomfort, he know.]

Both.

[Drizzt colors a bit as he finds a rock to set the pile of clothes upon.]

I-I was not sure of your size, so I brought multiple... undergarments.

achievement unlocked: panty peddler

[theflyingone]

[ He gives him a flat look. Way to make it awkward, Drizzt. He grumbles crisply, ]

Thank you. Now turn around and keep watch.

[ Taking off women's clothes, which he is familiar with, is not quite the same as putting them on. After removing what he had on, there is a great deal of fumbling and muttered curses about hair getting in the way before he's made any progress. After he's finally got the right clothes on the right parts of his new body (he thinks), he asks, ]

Now, do I look... normal? for this land?

[ He continues to tug and fiddle with his clothes, but nothing can assuage the feeling that this body ill-fits him. ]

Drizzt's greatest achievement

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt obediently turns around, letting Altaïr have his privacy. He forces himself to remain serious. Poor Altaïr is not having a very good day.

When Altaïr speaks again, Drizzt turns back around and gives him a properly scrutinizing look. He smiles in reassurance when he's certain.]

Yes, you do. No one outside of those whom you tell should be the wiser.

[theflyingone]

[ He glances around again, then crouches to lay out his wet clothes and start rubbing the saltwater off his weapons with a bit of cloth from his new garb. ]

My thanks. Now I just need to find a way to change back. I have been told these symptoms manifest as the result of some outside force. Whether or not the same force will change me back remains to be seen...

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt watches the cleaning of the weapons with some interest, but not too closely to be invasive.]

In my world, magic often has something that opposes it. Fire opposes water, light opposes dark. Poisonous spells can be cured. There must be an equal but opposite reaction that will return you to your true form.

[theflyingone]

I am just about dry, so it cannot be being wet...

[ He hisses a little as he moves his arm, the bite on his shoulder smarting. ]

I have never heard of the bite of a sea person changing one's sex, but... Perhaps if it heals, I will return to myself. Seeking out Malik's Infiltrator and asking him to bite me again would not go well...

[ He rummages among the things attached to his wide belt. He hopes none of them are ruined. His first aid supplies are kept in leather pouches and sealed containers for this reason. He can always store them in his Hammerspace, but if he needs to help an Infiltrator, it might be awkward taking them out of that. He tugged the shoulder of the loose tunic down more and began pouring vinegar to disinfect. ]

[naturaltwohands]

We can hope it heals; the alternative would indeed go poorly, as you say.

[Drizzt tilts his head in thought.] The closest spell I know of is polymorph, which took another wizard to remove. I'm afraid this is out of my ability to understand the cause.

[And then he pauses for a second time.] Do you wish my help with the wound, at least? That much I can do.