Full Moon Night Next Time

[reborningreen]

Oliver was nervous. He felt itchy and twitchy and out of place. He felt like he was steadily losing a little of himself, and yet... this month, it felt less intrusive, less insanemaking.

He felt like his body and mind were shifting, but slower, and easier than before. Which was weird, but not so weird that he could not deal.

This time, when the shift came, he was ready, and when he stood there, changed again, after, he explored himself, washing, and carefully feeling himself out, seeing how he felt and reacted in this new body.

Dressed once more in his makeshift outfit, he waited for Justine, meditating on his front porch.

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[ishisstrength]

Justine arrived as quickly as she could with a small bag of the things she'd need tucked beneath her arm. It wasn't just for sewing but a comb should he want her to brush her fur and some books that she thought he might enjoy. These changes were difficult and while last time he had been trapped in heat, she thought that this time he'd prefer a distraction.

She stopped a foot in front of his porch and smiled.

"You look like you're doing better." Her head canted to the side, midnight hair falling over her slender shoulders. "How are you feeling?"

[reborningreen]

At her approach, his eyes opened, and he smiled a little.

"I am. I've been meditating a lot, and working with a witch named Sansa Stark as well. She has given me a few ideas." He felt more settled, more certain. And he had ideas.

Oliver smiled to her.

"How are you? How have you been?" His voice was that low rumbling sound, and he was more at peace with it.

He rose from his position, and nodded to her. "Would you like some beer or something to eat?"

[ishisstrength]

Justine smiled. "Sansa is a good person. I'm glad that she's willing to help." She liked Sansa, in a way, they had a great deal in common and Justine had found an unlikely friend in the other witch.

"I've been alright, just cold." She closed the distance between them and looped a scarf around Oliver's large neck. "I'm not a fan of it." Less so in the middle of summer.

"I'm alright. But how are you? You seem calmer than before."

Less aroused.

[reborningreen]

"She is. She['s been helping me think a lot." He nodded to her.

"I am." He smiled and snuggled her for a moment after she put the scarf on him, then smiled as he let go and stepped back. She reminded him of his former girlfriend, Sara, in a lot of ways.

"I've been learning to control myself without resisting the way I am changing.

[ishisstrength]

"I'm glad to hear it." Both that he had gained a good friend and that he had managed to find a balance in her life. Justine was a little envious. She wasn't able to find that balance and with every breath she felt herself split in two.

"Do you mind if we get out of the cold? Or maybe I should take that beer." Her arms and nose were already getting cold.

"Then I can measure your head for the hat."

[reborningreen]

"Of course." He led the way inside, and he smiled at her, and closed the door behind them. Inside, it was warm, and he was able to lead her to a spartanly decorated set of rooms.

"And you can have that beer, too, if you like?" He smiled at her.

He gestured her to a chair.

[ishisstrength]

Justine exhaled a breath of relief as they stepped inside. Warmth surrounded her and it began to de-thaw her limbs as well as the tip of her nose. "Yes. Thank you."

She took a seat at the table and began to take off some of her layers while also laying out her things on the table.

"I brought some things for you as well. In case you were looking for more distractions. I know the full moon is difficult."

[reborningreen]

"Alright." Oliver collected a beer for her, and brought it out, putting it on the table as he sat on a stool that would put him shorter than her, and smiled at her. His face was right in front of her chest, and he chuckled a little as he looked up at her from his new height.

Oliver nodded. "Oh? Thank you. I am always fond of spending time with you." Oliver gently touched her arm, warmth in his eyes.

[ishisstrength]

Justine remained seated with her hands resting lightly in her lap. Her eyes were locked on the collection of items she had brought with her. Now that she was here, she wasn't sure what he would want or need. "Thank you. It's the same for me." She smiled down at him, her expression gentle and warm. She did not know Oliver well but she enjoyed her time with him.

"I am happy that you are doing better this time." Even if she might have enjoyed their game of cat and mouse during the last full moon.

Thin pale fingers wrapped around her beer. She held it for a moment, feeling the cold seep into her digits, and then took a deep swig of the dizzying liquid. "Besides a hat and-" She smiled a little wider, her dark eyes glimmering with affectionate amusement. "-some company. Is there more I can do for you?"

She wanted to at least help one person in her life. She's tired of feeling like a burden.

[reborningreen]

"I am. You have given me a lot. Getting me through that first turn was something I can never repay." He bent his head to her and took one of her hands and kiss it.

"You are a gift, and someone I am very glad I know." He reached into his small bag and pulled out a small bracelet. It was of common metal, but etched with perfect runes.

"I made this for you. Its got no magic yet, but I thought, since you were so good at helping people, this might be helpful. Once enchanted, it will store magic, so you can use it later at need."

He nods.

[ishisstrength]

Justine smiled at his kiss. Oliver really was sweet. She's happy that he's doing so much better now. "You have gotten very good with your claws." It was impressive.

Her eyes dropped to the curious bracelet, taking it into her hand as she inspected the shapes. They looked familiar but she couldn't place them exactly.

"This is meant to store magic? Like for the full moons? When it's harder." It wasn't harder for everyone but Justine wasn't a master. "Why did you? I didn't think you could learn magic but you're studying runes anyway?"

It was surprising and impressive.

[reborningreen]

"Exactly. Then you can draw on already stored magic without the strain of calling on your own."

Oliver was happy to make it for her.

And he nodded. "I like fine things, like, carving, and making things. And I have a good eye and hand at it, so I thought I could work as a rune-carver. I was told my runes are better than some experienced witches' are, which is nice to hear. But it means I can help, in a way."

He gently stroked her hair with his claws, setting it straighter.

[ishisstrength]

Justine smiled. "Thank you Oliver. That is very kind of you."

She wasn't used to getting gifts, not ones that were handmade.

"You're very talented. I cannot carve but I have been sewing runes into my clothes." Which was what she had worn during the last full moon. The clothing that Oliver had all but destroyed. Justine had replaced it all easily enough though she'd gotten some help enchanting the runes again. "If there is anything else you need enchanted. I can help." Many witches could but Justine really liked feeling useful.