[from the pages—or rather, springs of Ranma ½, we bring to you. . .]

[onlyhonournow]

 [today, there's a rather large dog sitting, looking very reserved while gazing at the sky above the Fussin' Overlook]

[the dog seems rather familiar: there's something in its expression—and I mean, there can't be that many white dogs with red accents who have two swords strapped to their backs.] 

Comments

[onlyhonournow]

[!! the dog's ears perk up, and he looks cautiously around, sniffing at the air]

. . . Tavros? ... You can do that?

[and it speaks. in a very familiar voice.]

[bythehorns]

. . .

. . .

? ? ?

Uuhhh, this is, extremely, unexpected....

[onlyhonournow]

[he wags his tail, softly in happy recognition, but remains seated]

Tell me about it.

[bythehorns]

[You come closer. You are pretty sure that even as a completely different creature Drift is still not going to attack you.]

So, what happened, to make you, turn into a barkbeast? Or, I guess, maybe, turn back, I don't know...

[onlyhonournow]

[lowering his head and lying down to make himself less ... large, as he was about Tavros's height while seated.]

[since dogs can't laugh, he just exhales a little whine and props his muzzle up on his paws]

I think I ... sprang a little too far ahead of myself, so to speak.

[bythehorns]

[You sit down next to barkbeast Drift and reach out to skritch him between the ears]

I don't think I understand, how that could make you, turn into, a thing you are not, usually.

[onlyhonournow]

[oh, that's, nice. Didn't know that would be nice. He leans into it, tail twitching in contentment]

I discovered a spring with... transformative qualities. [pauses, nosing Tavros' hand eagerly for pettins]

I guess they wanted to give me a little warning—or a reward, depending on how you look at it.

[bythehorns]

[You keep petting. That is what you do with fluffy animals, pretty sure.]

Um, a warning?

[onlyhonournow]

[friendly lick. he's warm and slobbery. and soft. very different from usual.]

Not to be so keen in my explorations, perhaps. It's only temporary, I feel.

[bythehorns]

Well, um, I guess, that would be not so bad, unless you decided, you like it better this way, and you don't want to go back....

[onlyhonournow]

[ears flip-flop]

Everything changes. When I return to ... my usual form, I won't be the same as I was before.

[bythehorns]

You mean, like that saying, by Troll Ice T, about how, you can't step, in the same river twice?

[onlyhonournow]

[what time is it? it's time for gentle face-lickings!]

Exactly like that.

[bythehorns]

[time also for giggling and squirming, but not actually pushing away]

You are, um, really friendly, as a barkbeast.

[onlyhonournow]

I guess it just feels natural.

[backing off, but only to go into "play" mode, he barks happily and folds his forepaws down to the ground, with his back legs still raised, waiting, tail wagging the entire time]

[bythehorns]

Here, um, let's see if, this works, too.

[You dig through your sylladex for an empty pokeball oogonibomb. You hold it up so Drift can see it, and then throw it down the path.]

[onlyhonournow]

[cocking his doggy head to the side, puzzled for a moment, before instincts take over and he goes bounding after it]

[when he gets there, he sniffs it cautiously, then looks back at Tavros]

Should I bring it back?

[bythehorns]

[you have never actually played this game before yourself, now that you think about it.]

Well, uh, do you want me, to throw it again?

[onlyhonournow]

[we are so good at this.]

[considers. the face a dog makes when thinking is very silly.]

I would like that.

[wraps his jaws carefully around the troll!ball and trots back to Tavros, bending his forelegs to place it carefully at his feet instead of just dropping it.]

[bythehorns]

[Tavros: skritch your barkbeast friend between the ears.]

Here, let me see if, I can throw it better, this time.

[you try. in fact you can: your upper body has had a lot of work to do for the last sweep or two, and it turns out that comes in handy for throwing.]

[onlyhonournow]

[this time, he leaps after it, barking at it the entire way there]

[when he finally catches it, he rolls around in the dirt for a while with it firmly lodged in his mouth. So dignified. When he finally realises what he's doing, he drops the ball, lets out a short snuff, and noses it all the way back to Tavros.]

[then sits there, looking very noble. While covered in dirt and grass. Yup.]

[bythehorns]

[you can't help yourself. you are giggling. you try to cover your mouth while you do it as if that will make it less obvious or *something*, but this is ridiculous. and adorable.]

[onlyhonournow]

[more embarrassed snuffing noises. Still sitting very prim and proper, with his tail tucked around himself.]

Thank you for indulging me. That was enjoyable.

[bythehorns]

Hehehe, we can, do it some more, if you want. It's fun, to watch you.

[onlyhonournow]

[looking as disinterested as possible.]

Maybe just one more time.