[ action ]

[tempredmental]

Who: Keith and everyone who comes across him
Broadcast: No
Action: Huntress, Iskaulit
When: From today until the end of the drift period (Sept 25)

=====

Sept 19 - 22

[SURPRISE... Keith was small again. Except... this time? He didn't remember the Fleet. He's not as young as last time, either. There was some panic and angry lashing out at a few people to start, but, once he settled down, he started to explore.

He stuck mostly to the Huntress and the Iskaulit. He'd look familiar to anyone who knew Keith, really, and especially to those who had seen him de-aged last time (though he was a bit older than before). However, be prepared for grumpy stares and lack of trust. Keith was not trusting by nature thanks to how things went for him after his dad died. Adults were especially the bane of his existence.

Care to meet a young emo teen? He might have just pick-pocketed you.]

=====

Sept 23 - 25

[Keith stalked along the corridor, his paws padding softly on the metal floor. He'd woken up as a panther, but he wasn't going to just stay put in his room until it wore off. It was annoying, because he didn't have hands and he couldn't speak to anyone. It also meant he couldn't do his assigned job, either.

So, he was trying to pass the time by strolling around the Iskaulit. He was relying on others to get him back and forth between ships, and had gotten Lance to help him over there that morning so he could jog around the ship with Shiro for their normal routine. Granted, a panther jogging with a man that had dog ears and a tail wasn't exactly normal, but here they were.

It was hard to resist the catlike traits and something at the edge of his peripheral vision shifted, getting his attention. He froze, his tail twitching sharply, before suddenly dashing off down the hall.

Look out, passerby! That panther is about to run you over!]

Comments

[tempredmental]

[Keith got up and moved so he could settle in and sniff at what Lance put in front of him. Well, something like an animal instinct kicked in that really wanted it, even without anything fancy on it, so Keith grabbed it without even really thinking about what was going to happen next. He picked it up off the plate, momentarily considering giving in to the desire to hide his meal from potential thieves, before finally putting it back down and using one paw to hold it down and make it easier to tear into.]

[the_tailor]

[For now, Lance just watches, hoping the steak is to Keith's satisfaction. He's not exactly a pro when it comes to feeding panthers, but...]

If you're still hungry afterwards, I can try to make something else.

[tempredmental]

[Keith's tail flicked a little at the tip as he ate. It wasn't exactly pretty, but, then again, when was any wild predator chowing down on a kill pretty? Sorry, Lance. He'd answer and try to make dinner conversation, but that wasn't really possible at the moment. He did at least try to offer a purring-like noise between swallows as a way of saying thanks.]

[the_tailor]

[God, Keith is so...cute, for being, well, a wild predator. He leans against the counter, continuing to watch him with a little smile.

Well. Looks like he'll be catsitting for a few days.]

[tempredmental]

[If anything, Keith was a pretty cuddly predator. The fact that he had his mind intact helped a lot with that, and he wasn't just some wild animal running around the ship.

It also didn't take him long to finish that steak. Instinct took over, and Keith started to lick his paws and wipe them over his face without thinking about it.]

[the_tailor]

[Yeah. Definitely cute. He tries not to let out an audible "awwwww", but he's definitely grinning when he takes the plate and puts it in the sink.]

Hope you liked that. Uh, anything you want to do in particular? I mean... Well, if there is, just lead the way.

[Since it isn't as if Keith can answer the question exactly.]

[tempredmental]

[Once satisfied, Keith stood and stretched his front legs out in front of himself, toes and claws stretching fully out for a moment and then retracting again. He seemed to consider Lance's offer, and then circled his boyfriend's legs before heading back out again. He didn't know how to ask for a specific ship, but he went to the transporter room again.

He rose up on his hind legs, and placed his fore paws on the console.]

[the_tailor]

[Right, so he wants to go somewhere. Fair enough. Lance pauses as he looks at the controls. He can't exactly ask Keith what ship he wants to go to.]

Okay, how about this? I'll start slowly listing off the names of the ship, and you let me know when I get to the one you want to go to.

[And so he does.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith's tail lifted slightly in response and he managed to nod at the suggestion. When Lance said the Iskaulit, Keith made a small noise and tapped Lance with a paw, his tail swishing a bit.]

[the_tailor]

Iskaulit it is!

[He smiles, giving Keith a little scratch behind the ears before he sets the destination. One teleportation later, they've reached the Iskaulit.]

Lead the way, kitty.

[tempredmental]

[Keith bounded out and into the main area of the ship. And then, damn... he didn't fully think this through, did he? He couldn't exactly work out in the gym in his normal way. He stopped, about halfway there... and he huffed a sigh, his tail twitching in annoyance at this realization. His go to stress relief was a no go.]

[the_tailor]

[Lance follows along, unsurprised when Keith leads him to the gym. Though there is a problem, of course.]

Well, uh. Can't exactly lift weights or punch a punching bag like this, can you?

[tempredmental]

[Keith growled, pacing in visible frustration. He walked back to Lance, pressing his forehead against his boyfriend's thigh.]

[the_tailor]

Sorry, babe. ...Hey, how about the obstacle course? You can run around there! That ought to help burn off some of that energy you always have.

[It's about the only idea he's got. It's a shame they're drifting, otherwise he'd take Keith planetside to run about.]

[tempredmental]

[There was a slight lift to Keith's tail at the suggestion. It wasn't a bad one, that was for sure. Keith wanted to tease Lance about keeping up with him, but... yeah, that was kind of impossible at the moment. So, he did the next best thing he could think of. He lifted himself up on his hind paws, resting his forepaws on Lance's shoulders, and then put his head on one shoulder. Here... have a hug.]

[the_tailor]

[Oh. My god.

This might be one of the cutest things ever. Lance does his best to hug Keith back, one hand moving to stroke his fur and scratch behind his ears.]

No matter what form you're in, you always manage to be absolutely adorable, you know that? You're perfect.

[tempredmental]

[Keith gave a soft rumble in return, almost like a purr, then rubbed his head against the side of Lance's cheek before licking him. It was the best he could do for a kiss in the circumstances.]

[the_tailor]

I love you too, babe.

[A little more scratching and hugging, and he laughs.]

Now let's go see how fast you can complete that obstacle course, yeah?

[tempredmental]

[Keith stepped back, dropping back to all fours then, and trotted off towards the course. His whole attitude seemed better once he reached the entrance, waiting for Lance to join him before heading inside. He stretched his legs, massive claws appearing for a moment, and then yawned, revealing a full mouth of fangs and teeth. The glitch had certainly changed everything it could...

He gave a quick shake before moving to the starting line and glancing back at Lance to see if he would join him.]

[the_tailor]

[Keith already seems to be in a better mood, so yay for that! He's a little taken aback by the fangs and teeth when he sees them, but it's not like he has to worry about Keith biting him (in this form, anyway).

He'd been planning on just watching, but with Keith looking expectantly at him like that, he ambles over.]

You know you're definitely going to win like this.

[tempredmental]

[Keith swished his tail, his whiskers extended forward with the anticipating of trying this out. He probably would win, as panthers were generally faster than humans, and definitely more agile. Keith was pretty agile already, but being a large wildcat sort of gave him a bonus for the time being. He rubbed against Lance's leg, curling that long tail around his boyfriend for a moment before using it to playfully whack him.

Then, he crouched, ready to spring forward on the count.]

[the_tailor]

Ow! Excuse me, abuse!

[He huffs dramatically, but is grinning when he moves to crouch at the starting line as well.]

On the count of three, then. One...two...

[And instead of saying three, he takes off. What. He could use the handicap.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith lifted his head, his ears perking forward as he made a slightly surprised noise in response to Lance starting fast. He'd shout false start if he could, but... well, he growled instead, bounding after him at full speed.

There was a catch... agile or not... wildcat or not... Keith wasn't used to running on all fours, and, still having his normal mind, it was a little weird to comprehend. He was fighting the cat instincts at the same time as he was trying to take advantage of the difference in the feel of how he moved. His tail swung wildly as he tried to keep his balance, using his claws to keep grip, but stumbling when he didn't pull free quickly enough. It might not be as big of an advantage as Keith would have thought.]

[the_tailor]

[Huh. Maybe this might be a little even after all. Lance hadn't taken account the fact that Keith was very much unused to this new form. It'd only been some hours, after all. Lance manages a few chance glances aside at him, unable to help a chuckle when he sees his boyfriend taking an obstacle a little clumsily.]

C'mon, kitty! You can do it!

[Wait, why is he cheering his opponent on.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith gave a soft growl of frustration, but he kept pushing himself. He wasn't the type to give up when it came to physical feats... until he got to the rope ladder. Well, damn. He didn't have opposable thumbs! He growled again, pacing impatiently as he attempted to figure it out.

Then, it clicked. The rope was tied to wooden poles. He crouched at the bottom of one of the poles and jumped, scrambling his way up to the top to race along that upper level for the next part.]