(no subject)

[bb_wolf]

Who: Bigby and anyone silly enough to be out in the mountains
Broadcast: No
Action: In the deep, wild parts of the planets where there is the promise of giant, fierce animals.
When: Any time after planetfall is made.

Normally, his skin doesn't chafe so much.

He knows it's because of the lack of options. There are places in the city he can shrug it off and be himself. He can always catch a cab and go out into the forests. He knows he can get out if he wants or needs to.

But here, he can't. The ship is literally not big enough for him, he would struggle to fit in the corridors, let alone his cell.

But this planet, this is like home. Not Fabletown, but the Homelands, his father's lands, where the winds cut to the bone and the snow is so thick that it reaches his belly as he walks through it.

He sets off on foot out of town, dressed in his usual slacks and shirt and tie with the concession of having rolled down his sleeves. It's cold, but it only has to last until he gets out of sight.

Because out of sight of the population, he strips and then he claws his way free, a nightmarishly huge form of black brown fur that quickly lopes off in search of prey. He's already communing with the wind spirits, trying to prove he's one of them, that they should help him.

You can try and catch him on his way out of town, before he shifts.

If you're game, you can find him out in the mountains. Maybe your hunt team makes the mistake of thinking that thing is prey.

((OOC: If you want to hunt Bigby, please message me to work it out, but he won't be aggressive to anything vaguely sentient. Anyone lost in the snow can be found by the giant mostly friendly wolf.

Action spam welcome, but I didn't want people trying to read a block of tiny text.

Spoiler pic for TWAU showing Bigby's wolf size and another one.))

Comments

[hitbyakar]

[ She manages to catch him as he's headed out of town.

She quirks an eyebrow looking at him -- aren't you cold, guy? But she doesn't comment. ]

Heading out?

[bb_wolf]

[He contains the sigh. He had been trying to get out fast and into something more comfortable than this.]

Was planning on it. Yeah.

[hitbyakar]

[ Normally, she'd leave it at that, give him a nod, and go on with her day, but -- he seems almost antsy, if she had to put a finger on it. Is there something dangerous out there? Something exciting?

Hmm. ]

Would you mind the company?

[ If he's paid any attention to how she's behaved on the ship so far and the way she treats her assistant, he'll know that her polite requests are merely a front for letting someone know what she's going to do, or something that's going to be done. ]

[bb_wolf]

[Antsy is definitely the word for it. He's virtually shifting on the spot to get moving, but then she wants to come with and really, who ever wants his company?]

Actually I was hoping to go and explore alone.

[hitbyakar]

[ Yeah, that's about the response she expected. ]

Oh? And why is that?

[bb_wolf]

I'm a lone wolf, me. Like not having to watch out for anyone else.

[hitbyakar]

You think I would have to be watched out for.

[ That's rude, Bigby. ]

[bb_wolf]

Yes. I don't fancy a snowball down the back of the neck.

[Other sort of looked out. Not the sort where you need looking after.]

[hitbyakar]

[ Pfft. She at least looks a little amused when she realizes the actual implication. ]

I haven't been a child for quite some time.

[ Probably ever, honestly. What is "fun and games" when your adoptive dad trains you from childhood to be a warrior? ]

I insist. I'd like to see what's up there, myself.

[bb_wolf]

Being a child and throwing snowballs have nothing to do with each other.

[He sighs and rubs his face.]

Look, I don't want company. I want to go and do my thing, probably get some hunting done.

[Bigby has never been civilised enough to suffer for the sake of being polite.]

[hitbyakar]

[ The way he's reacting just seems to confirm to her that he's hiding something.

Either way, her expression becomes cold, her tone authoritative. ]

I don't believe I gave you the option to say no.

[bb_wolf]

[Bigby's expression shifts. It's still a very human face, but it gives every impression of an angry wolf, with the wrinkled nose, bared canine and shoulders going up slightly.]

Fine. Don't say I didn't tell you.

[He starts stomping off into the wilderness, still completely inappropriately dressed for it.]

[hitbyakar]

[ There we go. To her credit, she doesn't flinch or even seem to react to the anger. She'll just follow along silently as he stomps, adjusting her scarf to better wrap around her neck. ]

[bb_wolf]

[Bigby starts walking. He moves with comfort through the snow, despite the fact he's clearly starting to feel the cold. He pushes on, not saying anything, heading well out from MOST prying eyes.

And when he's far enough out, he stops and slips off his shoes and socks, undoing his tie and then starting to take off his shirt.]

1/2

[hitbyakar]

[ ... ]

[hitbyakar]

... I believe you may have the wrong impression.

[ WHY ARE YOU STRIPPING?????? ]

[bb_wolf]

You were the one who insisted on following me out here. You were the one who doesn't believe no means no.

[He pulls off his shirt. He's unscarred, heavily muscled and fairly damn hairy but not Wolverine levels.

The pants are coming off next.]

[hitbyakar]

[ She says nothing, but takes a step back. She doesn't look away -- she was married once, after all, a man's body isn't exactly news to her -- but she is now visibly on guard. She grips the end of her scarf, ready to attack if he approaches her. She's fairly confident that she could take him, if he still thinks it's smart to try and approach her. ]

[bb_wolf]

[There is nothing in his manner that suggests attack, threat or even interest in her. He's stripping in a matter of fact way, until he's stark naked and then he bundles his clothes up into a neat, practiced parcel and hangs them on a branch by the tie.]

You'll want to give me more room.

[His voice is a growl, his body starting to bulk up and thick fur like hair spreading over his arms, chest, down his stomach, across his cheeks. His eyes are starting to glow a deep golden yellow.]

[hitbyakar]

[ She notices that he's not approaching after all, and is briefly confused, before --

Ah. He's not human. All right then.

She backs up a bit more per his request, though she's not entirely convinced that once he's done he won't be some kind of people-eating and/or attacking monster, so she doesn't go anywhere in case he needs to be taken out. ]

[bb_wolf]

[Oh, Lisa Lisa, if you only knew...

He drops forward onto all fours, stretching and shaking himself out. And out. And out. Casting off the restrictions of thin skin and fixed ears and breakable nails. It takes seconds, to feels like a lifetime of stretching and he finally shakes out his thick pelt, from his nose to his tail and he stretches for real, front paws out and pressing his chest to the snow and yawning wide.]

You did insist.

[hitbyakar]

[ She did. And she doesn't regret it, it's good to know the people you're living with. She watches him silently for a moment. ]

Is this how you were born? Your true self?

[bb_wolf]

Yes.

[Obviously, not so big at birth. But basically.]

I was the youngest of a litter of seven. Being able to become human is a relatively recent development in my life. Only the last... four centuries.

[hitbyakar]

[ ... Ah. That explains him knowing about the time she was alive. He'd been alive much, much longer. Hmm.

She chooses her next words carefully. ]

Did you choose to become human, too?

[bb_wolf]

Yes.

[Mostly. Yes.]

I was offered the shifting, as part of payment of debts. Life debts. So I could come and live with my community in New Amsterdam.

If you're going to be here, you could be helpful, you know.

[He flops down onto his stomach completely, putting his head at something like her head height.]