Backdated to this morning

[forgedinbattle]

[Xena does wake up where she went to sleep. Instead, she finds herself in the lobby this morning- in a much smaller (and much cuter) form.

Don't mind her, she's just going to be scurrying about, trying to avoid being stepped on and figuring out what exactly she's supposed to do until this wears off. Feel free to harass the hedgehog. Just don't expect her to be happy about it.]

Comments

[forgedinbattle]

["Magic castle. How else?" Or that's what Xena would say if she could answer properly. As it is, Gale will have to settle for some huffing and puffing for a response as the hedgehog stares back up at him.

Hope that helps.]

[fanstheflame]

[he tilts his head. okay, it's a little pissy. but he knows hedgehogs don't actually bite as a defense, so he pulls the sleeves of his shirt up over his hands and reaches down to carefully scoop her up]

Come on. Let's get you outside before someone else does something dumb.

[forgedinbattle]

[Whoa. Whoa. Those pissy little noises increase for a bit when he scoops her up, but she does realize that he's trying to be helpful, so eventually she quiets down.

She's still not happy about the situation, though, so there's still a little hedgehog glare aimed at Gale.]

[fanstheflame]

I know, I know. I'm a human, not to be trusted. Big and scary. But you'll be outside soon.

[he shuffles her right out the lobby doors and sets her down on the path]

There. Better? [and then it hits him]

... I'm talking to a hedgehog.

[forgedinbattle]

[Oh, that's hilarious. Welcome to the insanity of her life, Gale. It may just look like the hedgehog is laughing at you.

Because she is. So, yes, it's better now.]

[fanstheflame]

[okay, this is just weird. well, he's not going to lose his mind today any more than he already has, so --]

... You almost look like you can understand me.

[forgedinbattle]

[Nod (or as close to one as a hedgehog can get)! Yes! She can!]

[fanstheflame]

[stares]

Okay, nod again if you seriously can, because that could have just totally been a coincidence.

[forgedinbattle]

[Nods again! With an added squeak! You can figure this out, random teenage boy. She has faith in you.]

[fanstheflame]

... That is so weird. [he crouches down in the grass next to her and fishes in his pockets until he finds the remains of a granola bar he got from the kitchen that morning. unwrapping it, he lays it down on the ground]

You hungry?

[forgedinbattle]

[He thinks it's weird?

Actually, she is hungry! And this is a lot better than some of the alternatives, let her tell you. She was not looking forward to eating bugs. So she'll accept a little kindness from a stranger and nibble on the end of that granola bar.]

[fanstheflame]

[he's still very new to this, okay?]

Huh. ... Cool. I guess this place really will bring in anything.