OOM: A Change of Perspective

[mogget_cat]

A few days had passed since the funeral when Yrael left a note for Jin Guangyao at the bar. Even translated by the Bar, Yrael's writing is thin spider-scratches upon the paper, letting Jin Guangyao know the offered Charter Skin was complete, and suggesting that Yrael could be found in the library should he wish to try it out.

One doesn't even need to go very far into the library to find him, either. The slant of autumn sunlight from a nearby window hits that particular high-backed chair in such a delightful way, warming the dark red cushion, that the not'cat could not resist napping in it. The neatly-folded Charter Skin sits on the table next to the chair, the multitude of Charter Marks forever flowing in and among one another through the fabric-like weave.

Comments

[hat_and_dimples]

Jin Guangyao approaches quietly, and marvels at the marks. They remind him of the Yiling Patriarch's more complex talismans.

"Yrael?" he says, softly.

[mogget_cat]

Each Charter Mark alone is simpler than any talisman mark, though there are more of them, woven closely together, defining and giving shape to the spell.

The soft-furred not'cat on the nearby chair wakes, its needle-like teeth and curved claws making a rare brief appearance as it stretches and yawns, luxuriating in the warm sun despite the chill season.

"Good afternoon, Jin Guangyao," it replies, straightening up to sit neatly with its tail curled around its paws.

[hat_and_dimples]

"That is how the magic works?" Jin Guangyao says.

His name feels wrong, such a long mouthful for such a familiar cat creature.

"You could call me A-Yao," he says softly. "That's how my name gets shortened by those who really like me."

Only Lan Xichen these days, actually.

[mogget_cat]

"A-Yao, then," chirrups the cat, looking pleased with those leaf-green eyes mostly closed.

Within the swirling and weaving mass of magic that is the Charter Skin are Marks that define what is means to be a cat, what connects and defines all cats and differentiates cat-ness from every other form of life, from the lean and leggiest cheetah to the heftiest Maine Coon, from the sleekest Oriental Shorthair to the fluffiest Norwegian Forest Cat, from the laziest lion to the most efficient black-footed cat, from the great tigers to the smollest fluff potat.

"The Charter Skin is ready, if you are."

[hat_and_dimples]

"What do I do with it?"

[mogget_cat]

"Come, sit," Yrael nods, leaping lightly up onto the side table to leave the high-backed chair free.

"It has been said that putting on a Charter Skin is a bit like putting on a close-fitting sock, if the sock were to just keep going," the not'cat remarks, purring. "One starts with one foot, and then the other, and from there until it covers you completely. Do not doubt it will stretch to fit you," and vice-versa, of course, "even if it seems too small at first."

That's by design.

[hat_and_dimples]

So A-Yao sits and puts the charter skin on his foot, the magic fizzing on his fingers where it touches his meridians, and then keeps pulling, and pulling, and even though it is tight, it just stretches on and on to cover him.

[mogget_cat]

The spell-fabric stretches to accommodate, the leading edge always just on the border of being too-snug until it isn't any longer, just as A-Yao will find himself shrinking to fit comfortably within the shape held and defined by the spell.

Yrael sits and watches, tail tip twitching occasionally.

[hat_and_dimples]

And then, there is another cat on the chair. It's extremely short-haired so its ears and blue eyes seem huge, all white except some reddish, almost golden, fur at its ears and nose, paws and tail.

"I'm a cat now," Jin Guangyao states the ovious.

[mogget_cat]

The white cat steps to the edge of the table, reaching with a paw to lightly boop the pale cat's nose. "You are a cat now." He sounds amused, or fond.

"How do you feel?"

[hat_and_dimples]

"Small," Jin Guangyao says. "Strong."

[mogget_cat]

"What do you smell?" Yrael asks, resting his chin on his forepaws at the edge of the table.

The library itself is a labyrinth of scents for a cat, old books and wood polish, paper and dust, the myriad smells of its visitors lingering long behind them.

[hat_and_dimples]

"Lightning and magic, paper and ink and dust, cedar oil, beeswax, sandalwood and tea," Jin Guangyao says. "Oh -- the last two must be lingering from my human shape."

[mogget_cat]

Yrael purrs, green eyes mostly closed, glad the shape offers what it should. Stretching for a moment, he gets to his paws with a pleased look. "There is much to experience."

[hat_and_dimples]

"Show me?" Jin Guangyao says, arching his back and stretching his tail.

[mogget_cat]

"Gladly," Yrael replies with a pleased smile. He leaps easily from the table edge over the new cat's back to land on his far side on the chair, and gently bonks his head against A-Yao's.

"Follow me," he says, dropping to the floor and making for the door.

[hat_and_dimples]

A-Yao hops off the chair and happily follows Yrael out.