[voicetest]

[outclawed]

[so after making some truly terrible choices and getting his ass kicked and passing out in an alley somewhere, Aster is... waking up somewhere that is decidedly not an alley, though not really any less sketchy]

[--and startling with a flash of real panic when he sees that while he's been patched up, his bear Animalia is still activated, bandages wrapped around his paw where it had been slashed]

Comments

[toxicitactility]

Got it. So what were you doing all beat up then?

[And with his Animalia manifested like that. It'd be smarter to lay low.]

[outclawed]

...A drunk caught a kid picking his pocket. I thought he was... too harsh.

[raises his human hand to rub at his face, a little embarrassed]

[toxicitactility]

[ Stares at Aster a long moment, shocked. ]

[outclawed]

...It turned into a brawl, and I was outnumbered by a pack of drunks who'd already drowned away their restraint-- things got... dangerous.

But the kid escaped.

[toxicitactility]

... weird question. Do you remember what the kid looked like?

[outclawed]

...Skinny, about eleven, light hair, brown eyes. Split lip and a black eye, I'd guess, among other bruises.

[looking back to Zoah, curious]

[toxicitactility]

Haha, oh man . That just figures!

Pretty sure you got lured in by one of our local kid gangs.

[outclawed]

You keep tabs on them?

[toxicitactility]

Well someone has to. Plus they're regulars.

[outclawed]

...They're lucky to have you.

[toxicitactility]

Dunno about that. Anyway, you're one to talk, picking a fight like that. Maybe think twice next time?

[outclawed]

I know. I know.

[toxicitactility]

Alright then. Otherwise next time won't be free of charge.

I'm Zoah, by the way.

[outclawed]

...Aster.

[toxicitactility]

You hungry, Aster? I'm starved.

[outclawed]

[looks like he would like to say no, but]

...I could eat.

[toxicitactility]

Great. Stay right here.

[ Getting up! And leaving the room, obviously to get something. ]

[outclawed]

[waits, quiet]

[toxicitactility]

[All seems to be going well...!!

Until there's the sound of a crash.]

[outclawed]

[...doctor's orders vs loud noises...]

[gingerly scoots himself out of the bed and peers around the doorframe]

[toxicitactility]

[It's not a pretty sight. There's clearly been a break in and an attempt of some kind, because a plate has been smashed on the ground, food scattered with it... and Zoah is backed up against the wall, being held at gun point but a guy who looks less than friendly.

Strangely, Zoah looks moderately calm. His hair, oddly enough, seems to be twitching and moving on its own too. But the gunman has accounted for that.]

"Try it and I'll shoot."

[outclawed]

[almost before the words are out of his mouth-- bursts into the room on pure instinct, aiming to strike the gunman's hand with a powerful blow, claws raking]

[toxicitactility]

—the fuck?!

[Zoah practically squeaks, his hair going WILD as the gunman goes down.]

[outclawed]

[pinning the gunman down now that the gun is out of the picture, paw heavy on the back of his neck, claws pricking against his skin]

Leave.

[toxicitactility]

[The gunman swears too, and Zoah hovers over them both.]

He-- he can't if you gottem on the ground like that.