high_seas | There's something terribly wrong with your muffler.

[carefully not cleaning up any such shards of wood, or really, anything ever, Kuzan makes his way to the island to explore. What clothes you may find him in depends on what day though he's dressed alternately as a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker, batman, a nekoneko cafe waitress, a lazy gondola driver, and a lazy man who reclines on an engawa in early June wearing a dragonfly yukata and eating cashews with a slow air as he waits for the fire flies to come out. Now with portable engawa]

[Coby was surprised that people didn't seem at all concerned about giving away basic outfits for free. Only the nicest outfits cost money, so he hadn't gone that far in terms of finding things to wear. When he finally found Kuzan, he was wearing a suit and tie, wearing a grave expression on his face.

He was an important businessman.]

Kuzan. [He straightened his tie and nodded towards the older man.]

Coby-san. [do you need something? Only he's getting a strange and uncertain breeze where he's not used to one, the bell on the fake tail is annoying and his tights are starting to itch] Would you like to see the specials?

[Before that moment, Coby had never wanted to take his own life. He felt, for just a short while, as if everything he had ever done was wrong.

Still, he was a professional business-man. He would never do such and unsightly thing as break in the face of annihilation.]

No. I would simply enjoy a cup of coffee and biscuits.

[Kai is absolutely in her element on this island. Every last cent she has saved up is getting spent on clothes and you're not likely to find her in the same outfit twice, even if you run into her multiple times over the course of the same day. That what she wears affects her personality and abilities hasn't even registered with her. All she sees are CLOTHES CLOTHES CLOTHES. (Though someone might want to point out that she may want to reconsider this outfit.) She's also available for fashion consultations!]

[Finding out quickly that Coby didn't like a lot of the free clothes he was given, he finally decided he would buy something. Something that wouldn't make him feel weird and rude and more important than he actually was. He frowned inwardly, realizing that there wasn't any distinction between mens' and womens' clothing at all. Everything was in the same space.

Finally, he found an outfit he thought would be neutral. When Coby finished putting on the ronin's robes and left the dressing room--his expression turned dark and somber.]

[It's schoolgirl time, so Kai's first response upon coming across Coby in his latest outfit is to giggle and clap her hands.]

It suits you, it suits you~ You should toooootally keep that one!

[Coby fed Kai a deadened look, somewhat irritable as he drew his hand into the front of his robe for a pipe and tobacco. Skillfully fitting some in to the tamp and lighting it with a book of matches, he huffed and finally responded.]

Aren't you a bit too excited, Kai?

[That's really, really eerie. He's just one insult short of convincing her he's channeling Lord Ujiyasu.]

Um...no? Uh...

[No, seriously, do they need an exorcist?]

Are you, like, okay?

[Coby let out little pools of smoke from his nostrils.]

Am I okay? I don't feel ill, if that's what you're asking. Otherwise, at the moment--nothing is amiss.

I don't know...I mean...you're awful...um...

[She waves her hands vaguely.]

Calm?

Ah. [Coby looked to Kai once more, tilting his pipe.] Do I?

[It was turning a little less calm and a little more dark and broody.]

Y-yeah...and it's, um, getting a liiiittle creepy.

[She's pretty sure she saw someone dressed as an exorcist earlier this morning. Maybe she should figure out where they went because wow. This is extremely un-Coby-like.]

I see. Why do you think it's creepy? All I'm doing is speaking peacefully with you.

[With the aura of a crazed murderer, sure.]

Exactly! Usually you'd be having a panic attack by now! Which, I mean, good for you that you're not but, like, it's super eerie.

[She possibly should have brought her sword but it didn't match the whole schoolgirl thing.]

Ahhh. Interesting. I suppose you prefer my behavior when I'm more shy and nervous?

[He carelessly tapped some ash out of his pipe.]

Huh? Um...maybe? I mean, sometimes it can be a total hassle, but you're freaking me out right now. Are you sure you're feeling okay? Do you need an exorcist?

[Can't hurt to ask, right?]

...Nonsense. My name is Coby and I'm a Captain of the Marines.

[He flipped his pipe and drew his hand into his robe for more tobacco.]

If I identify as such, shouldn't my identity be clear?

No, no! See, okay, it's like this: You're usually all "aaaah!" but now you're acting like cool and stuff. Like, I'm pretty sure if someone offered you a pipe and tobacco before you'd be like "Oh no! I couldn't! What if it messed up my breathing! I've been working so hard on that! And it could make a mess! No! How terrible! I'd never get all the ash cleaned up!" and then you'd, like, break out in a cold sweat until you found the broom just so you knew it was still there.

[Or something like that. She nods sagely, sure she's explained it quite well this time.]

[Coby listened, his expression turning more and more deadened as Kai progressed. As she finished, he took one little toke off of the pipe and--]

I see. You possessed such a low opinion of me?

Huh? No? You're just really, um, flaily?

[Yeah, she worries that he's going to fret himself into oblivion, but it's not like she looks down on him or anything. Far be it for her to criticize anyone for being too high strung.]

It seems as if your definition of me is one that doesn't seem 'cool'. Unless you mean 'cool headed', I'm fairly certain that constitutes as derision.

[There was a thin stream of smoke leaving his lips.]

Perhaps you've only chosen poor phrasing?

Huh?

[Too many words with too many syllables. Brain shutting down.]

Do you want people to think you're cool or something? Is that what's going on? Because you're kinda doing it wrong.

I haven't any clue what on Earth you're getting at, young lady. [Not that Kai was all that much younger than he was--]

I'm enjoying a smoke. Beyond that, nothing else.

[somehow or another found himself dressed as a Venetian (or the equivalent) boater. Complete with the boat. So he is poling along, making up for the lack of water by creating a thin sheet of ice to carry him along.

He stops as he sees Kai, though and stares at her a long moment before tipping his straw like hat up]

Need a ride?

[Kai's current dress involves a hoop skirt so large that she's not quite sure she'll fit in the boat if she even manages to get into it somehow. Still, a lady should be polite. She folds her parasol and pouts cutely.]

My, I should hate to turn down an offer from a gentleman, but however would I get in?

[Well, besides the island being a bit rainfoesty, it seemed alright. She needed to pick up a bit of clothing change anyhow, and showing up on island in a skin tight... rainbow but not thing was not her idea of a good time. So to start, she looked for something dark, black, simple. That seemed hard to do, and when others kept shoving clothing to you, it was hard not to try other things on.]

[At first she wore a simple outfit, which for some reason lifted her mood considerably. A light and airy outfit that brought her to a better mood. That better mood moved her to look into other clothing, most of which brought her mood up to cheerful, happy, sultery, flirty or just in general fun loving. So far, nothing that would make her mood set anyone on fire at least...]

[There is some point that someone stuck cat ears on her head, a tail and a dress. So there is a chance you could run into her being very cat like. She might brush up against you. She might purr. She might just want you to take her for lunch so she can get something to eat.]

[In general? She's in a good mood and enjoying this place a lot. Come run into a shopping, very cheerful Liz]

[Coby had taken awhile to finish picking even one outfit. When the natives said that outfits were often times returned quickly, he took it to be a 'standard' that would have to be abided by. His first few run-ins with outfits had been terrible, but they gradually improved. When he found Liz out on the street, he was wearing a military officer's uniform.

Fortunately, not the pull-away one. He saluted Liz briefly before speaking formally, his eyes set dead ahead of himself.]

Ma'am. How goes your excursion, today?

[Liz turned, almost with a bounce as she looked back to Coby, being handsome and properly Military. She blinked and then smiled sharply. Smiles didn't quite fit her face well anymore, but this one was large and amused.]

[With a bounce in her step she came in a bit too close, leaning forward and looking up, hands behind her back, tail hanging behind her, ears on her head. She made a little Nyow sound and tilted her head]

Coby! Aren't you looking formal.

[Coby might have already been perfectly programmed to being militaristic in his posture and even his casual behavior, but it was tough to dismiss something as ridiculous as what he had just witnessed. Coby stared at Liz awhile, not entirely sure as to how he was going to react to her.

Finally, words came out.] Miss Sherman. You're looking rather... energetic?

[She was just in a really good mood, and as agile as a cat, if she ever wanted to test it. Hell, that smile could be down right mischievous if she tilted it just right. But she looked up at him, hands still behind her back and smirking]

I'm feeling rather energetic. This island is raelly strange. I'm not sure if I like it or not. One one hand, the people seem nice, on the other... [her eyes got distracted by someone walking by, a bit of ribbon dangling. Her head turned and then her foot turned and she turned after, but--Oh! Right. Turning back to Coby she smiled again.]

What was I saying? Not important. Hey! Have you seen this vendor over here? I'll buy you something. They're really sweet.

[Oh god, she's not talking to anyone when they leave this place, ever again...]

[Fairly certain that Liz had gotten into the peyote, Coby lowered his hand and adjusted his tie with a measure of concern in his voice.]

Well, they are very nice... [Still, he was just a touch unnerved by literally everything there.]

Er... Wait, what are they selling? [It was odd when Liz had more energy than him. Coby never acted too excited, but he was always moving around just like she was--while Liz was usually fairly still and composed in comparison.]

[Or the Cat Nip? because that could be a thing too, really...]

[And honest, she doesn't mean to seem... scattered and cheerful and easy to distract or anything like that. Just hope she's not a defiant personality too...]

[And yes, it was pretty odd to see Coby being as dour as she generally is. but she reached out, hands trying to take hold of his arm softly, pulling him to the vender. There were animal ears, tails, little masks and clothing in the stand next to this that were designed to go with the accessories. All fancy looking, but all up for trade ins or sales.]

No, look, Coby. Look. See? These are all pretty interesting. They let me try one on. So comfortable. [Seriously, look, or she might get all clawsy on your arm with out even knowing it.]

[He really was going to have to consider focusing just a touch more on what it was Liz was doing. He thought that and then immediately after, Liz grabbed him and pulled him towards the vendor with swiftness that seemed completely apart from her. It was odd--he was letting it go without a care and still ultimately maintaining his sanity.

He should have been complaining quite a bit more.] Are you certain? It wouldn't be so frugal to invest so recklessly in accessories, miss.

[faster then normal. And a bit stronger as well. Liz wasn't naturally a slow person, just a very calm and centered person who took her time and didn't rush things. This Liz? IN this... costume? She was a little hyper, bouncey, smiles, and purred. Clearly there was something up.]

Sometimes, my dear friend, spending a little bit of cash is okay every nyow...--now and again. And what's it hurt to try them, Captain. [Title and all. Here, look... try these ones, what ever these ears are. She's holding them out to him, hip cocked, grinning.]

Nnn. [Coby couldn't help the noise that came out of him. Sure, looking was one thing, but actually partaking was another. He wasn't sure what would happen if he rejected Liz, though, so he cautiously took the ears and looked at them--and then back at her--with nothing but worry in his eyes.]

... [He said nothing. For the moment, Coby was crippled.]

[She said nothing in return, just gave him rather large sad eyes, like a damn cat trying to get her way. Look at that pout! it's alsmot fangy. There's a small sniff as well, maybe even a lip wibble, just a small one, as she holds the ears to him still, questioning and pouting all at once.]

[Can he resist or will he give him. That is the question How powerful are her cat like charms right now]

[The frown only got more and more grave. Raising his hands up to take the ears, he hesitated once more. Eventually, he caved at the behest of his heart telling him that the kitten eyes were just an illusion he should have ignored.

All the same, the ears went on and he said nothing until--]

...I don't feel any different, meow.

[That pout and big eye power stayed there until he moved to put the ears one. She waited, held her breath...]

[And then grinned a cat like smile that devils would have loved. :3!! She then busted out laughing!]

Nyow! They look great with your hair.

[Coby stared at Liz, his spirit obviously broken the moment she laughed. His worst fears were confirmed with such an emphatically joyous tone.]

Meow, I don't see why they do. I already have normal ears, don't I?

[She's going to feel SO bad about this later. Awkwardly apologize for being a brat and laughing. She didn't laugh. She doesn't laugh. And she wasn't laughing AT him, just... she felt happy right now is all.]

Yes, you do! But these ones are cute. You look very charming. [If she got him out of that coat and into a tail, he'd be much more free to be catlike! But she didn't try to go that far yet. Just happy he tried the ears. She was distracted enough with that for now.]

Don't be so serious, Coby. Now you can have twice the hearing and all the more fun.

[no, seriously, when she gets to the boat she's hiding below deck for a few days. Being this chipper is gross].

But, meow, they're not actual ears...

[He reached up to touch them, giving them a few experimental tugs. He didn't seem to feel anything, but at the same time he wasn't even responding to the meows coming out of his mouth.]

Wait. Are you hearing out of them?

[Hmm, he had a point there. She reached up to poke her own ears, fingers running over than, then the upper ones. She then grinned, shrugging, like it was no matter.]

I feel like I can hear better, so that’s what matters, right?

[he glad she didn’t try to push off a tail set as well! Maybe a collar with a bell on it?]

Pretty comfortable though, right?

[Deep down, Coby saw Liz pawing at her ears and wanted to reach over to smack them. The urge was suppressed to the utmost.]

Meow, I wouldn't say I could tell the difference between now and then...

There's something terribly wrong with your muffler.

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