driftfleet | (no subject)

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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Man, the way her face just lights up, you'd think you offered her the sun. Or at the very least some delicious fish.]

Really? [She wasn't ready to go back, but no way in hell is she passing up a GIANT WOLF RIDE.] Thank you very much, Mr Wolf! I'll have to bring you a basket some time.

[Or a grandmother nobody will miss.]

[Which... well, it might be why he decided to make the offer. He's a giant ravening monster, but he has a soft spot for Fable children. Also, he appreciates the manners.]

Sit up at the base of my neck and hold onto the fur. Don't worry about pulling.

[His fur is thick and soft and plush and warm. He's giving off heat, but it's only once hands are in fur that you can really start to feel it.]

[While Katie adores the snow in general, sinking her hands into that warmth is more than a little welcome. She hops up lightly. He really is very big-- if she kittened she could probably vanish into his coat and never be seen again.]

Ready!

[He gives a gentle shake to make sure she's in place and gripping firmly and then starts trotting through the woods. He's not in a rush right now, letting her enjoy the sights from up on high.]

Surprised you're not frozen from being out here.

I did freeze for a little while. [You bet she's enjoying the ride. He's so big.] But I got better. I'd have missed out on all the fun otherwise.

[...but seriously, she's rather glad someone adult thought to ensure she was wearing warmer clothes today. And she hasn't actually been out here long enough to regret it.]

Well, long as you got better.

[He runs slightly faster to leap over a large gap, taking a more direct route, but one which will bring them to the back of the town, away from where people have parked ships.]

There any other kids on the fleet for you to play with? Been told it's better for kids to have other kids around.

Oh, there's plenty! And I know some people from home, too, so there's lots of company.

Nobody else is a giant wolf, though. [...well.] Unless they're in disguise. I suppose it's possible.

[Bigby hadn't noticed many kids, but then again, he didn't really know much about the other ships. He knew there was at least one other little girl, a timid blonde thing.]

I was in disguise. Being this big doesn't work in a ship.

Really? [Oh my god he could be anyone. She has to go to the Bloodsport and see if she can spot him!!

...somehow. Well, how hard could flying a shuttle be :|a]

That makes sense. For all I know, everyone could be in disguise. I'm in disguise. I should look more closely.

Mm-hm.

[He had been going to tell her his name, but now it seems like this will be far more fun.]

There are others in disguise. I don't know if you'll be able to see it on them.

I'm very good at spotting disguises! I suppose it all depends on how obvious you are.

[You, sir, she suspects might be easy to spot. And Sam can take whatever shape he chooses, she'll always recognise him by his echoes. Not that Sam takes shapes. Though that idea does distract her imagination for a good few-- oh, what was she doing? Heck yeah, RIDING A GIANT WOLF.]

Are they in disguise because they're too big like you?

[Bigby doesn't really think about how easy he is to spot. He'd never had to hide who and what he is from anyone who knew it was possible.]

Maybe. You'll have to ask them when you find them.

[He then proves even giant, ancient wolves can be lazy by sliding down a snowy hillside on his belly.]

[Now she's sledding on a giant wolf. Giggling all the way.]

They need to let you have a ship big enough just to be yourself.

[He gets up at the end, shakes off enough to dislodge the snow without dislodging his passenger and start trotting again.]

Well, guess the Marsiva would be big enough. But it smells bad enough with my other nose.

I suppose your sense of smell is much better than mine. [Hers is keen enough, but cats and wolves are worlds apart in that regard.] Does it smell less when you're human, then?

... no. Not really.

[In some ways, it's worse, because he has more trouble focusing as a human.]

How annoying. Are there any things you like the smell of? Maybe you could decorate.

[You know. Liberally.]

[What comes to mind isn't helpful or appropriate. He gives a low snort.]

You can't bottle the scent of open forests and winter frosts.

I bet there's a way. [It'd involve magic she doesn't know, but there are ways to at least bewitch the senses, let alone the amount of weird treasures she's come across. Anything's possible.]

If I ever find a way, I shall let you know.

Yeah, probably.

Thanks, kitten.

[The city is starting to come into view. He stops at the edge and looks over at the buildings.]

Well, this is where I drop you off. I don't think I'll cause a panic, today.

Oh, that's a shame. Panics can be quite a lot of fun! [But she slides down the side of his coat affably, landing surely on her feet.]

Thank you for the ride, though, Mr Wolf. If you're in disguise, what do most people call you?

Yeah, they can be.

[He knows it. Sometimes, even now, he enjoys the fear and panic his presence creates.]

But not here and now. Fear is a weapon. It needs to be used responsibly, or you'll end up getting hurt by it.

[He leans down, that massive head coming close and then

boop

nose to nose briefly.]

You're going to try and find me, remember? Now what's the fun in that if you know my name?

[Yeah, she's learned that lesson already. Katie looks a little cross-eyed as he comes close, and then backs away a step in startlement, rubbing at her nose. Then she smiles, crooked and devious.]

Oh, well. It was worth a try. Hide and seek it is.

[He dips his head the once and then leaps back up the slope, vanishing into the snow and forests.]