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om_mainIanto is relieved to discover that he doesn't have yet another cat to rescue. Instead, he has a nice chat with a fellow expat and is absolutely thrilled to meet Daniel's old babysitter.
Ianto hadn't been avoiding the common room, per se, but his experience earlier of trying to be a good Samaritan and getting bitten for his efforts had tarnished the room slightly in his eyes. Still, as he passed the doorway and heard brief yowling (feline again, of course) he knew he couldn't just ignore it.
With a put-upon sigh, Ianto walked into the room.
The yowling wasn't actually anything bad, it was Bobby da Costa grand standing and being his usual attention seeking self. Only difference being the package the personality was in, which today was suddenly an oncilla, apparently one of the Brazilian cousins in the leopard family. Wholly unexpected but he seemed to be adjusting considering the fact that he was hanging off of a fellow student's tail. Padfoot's in fact.
Sirius was one of the few students who could still talk to the transformed students which had somehow turned into the two play fighting in the rec room. He hadn't yet gotten to the bottom of the cause of the events, he was too busy have fun.
Ianto couldn't help the small chuckle at the sight of the very tiny spotted cat attached to the tail of the very large dog. This certainly didn't look like an emergency, but it didn't hurt to check. "Everything alright here?"
Padfoot barked happily and at his suggestion, Bobby hopped onto his back which enabled Padfoot to shifted to the more recognizable Sirius form. He was still on all fours but at least he could speak, right?
"Hullo, don't think we've met. Brilliant day this, isn't it?" He'd been loving it.
Eyes wide, Ianto looked over the interesting scene. He'd had a moment of excitement over the thought that people were shifting back, but the tiny leopard-looking cat was still very much a cat. That had to mean that this was another shifter. "No, I don't think we have. Ianto Jones."
Sirius stood and Bobby walked up his back, using his shoulder as a perch. He didn't want to be talking to their ankles, he told Sirius which made him chuckle.
"Sirius Black, nice to meet you. Welsh, I'm hearing?"
"Quite," Ianto answered. Something about the name was a little familiar, but only in the haziest of ways. "London?"
"Ow!" Sirius yelped as Bobby dug claws in lightly. "Yes London and this is Bobby, Roberto da Costa and he was objecting to not being included. Weird day we're having, right?"
"Hello Roberto," Ianto addressed the cat. "You'll probably have to reintroduce yourself later, when you're in human form, but it's still a pleasure." He glanced back to Sirius. "It is strange; rather impressive, too, that a mutant could do all this."
Well he'd assumed it was mutant cause too and, yes, impressive. And a little scary if he thought about it too much to be honest. "Yeah, I know. Still, pretty cool. Everyone's getting a taste of the shifter life."
Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Well, not everybody." He gestured loosely to himself. "But I'm glad to be around to help anyone in need." He offered Sirius a small smile, "I see you've decided to provide entertainment?"
"No harm in a bit of fun, right? And it evens the playing field a bit." Sirius pointed out as Bobby neatly crossed to his other shoulder. "And I can still chat to the animals which is exciting for some of them. Hang on, Bobby I'm sorry but Brazilian isn't one of my lang- ok, ok, no need to insult me in French and Latin. Those are languages I do know!" He was laughing though.
Ianto blinked. "You... can understand them?" Ianto looked around him briefly before deciding to sit cross-legged on the floor, not entirely sure about how stable Bobby would be on his shoulder perch. "Can you understand all animals, or just transformed humans?"
"All of them, it's part of my mutation. Heightened sense, doggy transformation and Dr Dolittle-ness, not a bad package but the talking thing has never been as handy as it has today. " Sirius explained as he sat down too, Bobby hopped down when he did and moved forward to investigate the new student.
Ianto held out a hand palm-up for said investigation, waiting to see if he passed muster before offering a pet. "Does it get translated as English?" Ianto thought that must be very distracting. "Mornings must be awful."
"I just understand it, it's not like they're talking English to me like the movies. It's weird, I know." Sirius shrugged a little, watching Bobby too. His little tail was raised in greeting as he looked up, apparently not sure how to say hello without words. "It's not so bad, interesting really."
"No spy network then, shame," Ianto said distractedly as he leaned down a little to meet Bobby's eyes. "Would you like to be pet? Sharon can vouch that I'm not terrible, at least. Or I can go, and you can go back to felling the dark grim." He had, after all, interrupted what seemed to be a good time.
"Not spies but little Prada does give my an interesting insight to Lydia and Scott's life, for sure. And then there's little kitten Oliver, Pietro's feline charge." Sirius chuckled as he watched Bobby sniff curiously. "Bobby says if he's anyone's pet, he's Jeanne-Marie's. That's an insight I didn't need. Cute." He laughed a little again.
Ianto knew of Prada, and of course he knew Lydia, but the other names weren't familiar. "Oh, I'd hardly call any of the recently-transformed pets, especially since it 'feels temporary'," Ianto quoted, still not sure what that meant, "and it seems like everyone has kept their mental capacities." He raised his voice in a half-questioning tone, looking to Sirius for confirmation.
"So far as I've seen and he was making a joke, Miss Beaubier is his girlfriend, y'see." To which Bobby mewed his agreement and approval. "Who says it 'feels temporary'?"
"Oh, there-" Ianto pulled out his phone. "There was a post, on the forums. Someone," He found the post and projected it up for Sirius to see, flipping it around. God he loved this phone. "Sorry, Wanda posted about it. This was all due to a mishap with her powers, did you not know?"
"Power mishap I heard, not the full story. Kept getting distracted." Sirius said honestly. "Glad to hear it's definitely reversible then." He hadn't wanted to panic anyone but had had concerns. "Makes sense it was Wanda, yeah." He nodded thoughtfully and reached out to stritch Bobby's back lightly.
"I don't think I've met her," Ianto said as he put his phone away. "Her powers must be very interesting, to end up causing all this." It reminded Ianto of his conversation with Felix, about how some people's powers were simple, and others... less so.
"Interesting's definitely one word for it, yeah." Sirius nodded, Wanda was not a girl to cross, that was for sure.
Ianto raised one eyebrow slightly at that response but decided to move on. "Anway, it's certainly the best excuse not to finish your homework that I've ever heard." He grinned and reached to scratch Bobby behind an ear.
"True, instead of dog ate my homework it's I was the dog." His smiled returned at that thought. "Not unusual for me though teachers get rather cross when I do it in class. No idea why."
Ianto chuckled. "You'd think they'd be used to things like that around here. Though I suppose thumbs are rather required for most classwork."
"Sirius Black," He started in an imitation of one of their teachers "You caused enough disruptions in this class without adding a tail to the mix now change back this instance!"
"To which you respond... 'woof woof'?" Ianto replied deadpan.
"You catch on quick, Ianto." Sirius grinned back.
"I'm a great observer of human behavior," Ianto smiled, only partially in jest. "I'd have to be with my mutation. I'm hard to notice, unless I actively try to get your attention," he explained.
"So that's why I ain't seen you about before, you got invisibilty or something then?" He asked, genuinely interested though he was watching wild kitty Bobby in amusement.
"Not quite," Ianto's brow furrowed slightly. "People can see me, I just don't register as important. Like a thing you see in passing, or out of the corner of your eye." It was a bit difficult to explain, really. Maybe an example would work best. "People won't walk into me or anything, but they don't consciously realize that they've walked around me."
"So you kind of blend in you mean? Or you mess with people's perception of things?" Bobby clambered back up onto his shoulder, batting at a strand of hair.
"Entirely perception, people with psychic shields see me just fine." Ianto leaned back on his hands, a bit tempted to find something for Bobby to chase but not sure if the human boy inside would be insulted. "I'm sorry, Bobby, have we been ignoring you?"
"You'll soon learn that like myself, Da Costa is a poor little rich boy used to being in the spotlight so we don't share well." Sirius joked and then yelped "OW! Roberto! Fuck you too, that was a joke! Chill out with the kitty claws!
"Back to powers that sounds useful but something tells me it's not something you're too good at switching on and off yet?" After all he'd barely heard word one about Ianto from anyone, but then maybe that's how he wanted it?
Ianto's bright grin at Bobby's antics dimmed a little and his eyes shuttered. "It has proven useful, yes." Being ignored was remarkably peaceful, for all it was lonely. Blinking and resettling his shoulders to shake his mood, he added, "But you're right in that I can't control it." He pursed his lips determinedly, "Not yet, at least."
"Well, it's there specialty here. Bobby says he had no control when he came either and that's saying something because he literally has the power of the sun, yikes!" Sirius had veered into jokes because he could see he'd stepped on some raw nerve there and since he didn't quite know what it had been, humour was a good way to smooth things over. As he spoke, Bobby clambered back onto his shoulder.
Ianto tilted his head and peered at the kitten. "Well, seeing as he doesn't seem to consist of molten plasma, or be performing thermonuclear fusion, that speaks well of the school, yes."
"Don't you dare!" Sirius suddenly told the oncilla kitten "He's threatening to singe me a little to show you his control. And I feel like I'm one half of a bad puppet show." He laughed a little at the pure ridiculousness of the situation.
"Look at it from my perspective," Ianto's smile quirked to the side. "For all I know, you can't talk to animals at all, and just enjoy drawn out pranks."
He laughed at that "True and gotta admit I love a good prank, but this is on the level, I swear!"
"I've no reason to doubt you," Ianto shrugged philosophically. "Though if I find out there's no Bobby at the school I'll be very displeased." He winked at Bobby.
"And he'd probably have an existential crisis over who he is," Sirius joked back. "So, are you glad you didn't join in with the furry fun or disappointed, Ianto?" he liked the name, he hadn't heard it before and it rolled from the tongue easily.
He hummed, considering. It might have been fun to frolic with the others... but Ianto wasn't exactly the frolicking type. "Pleased, I think." He was glad to be around to help any of his classmates who might need it. "Would you have liked to have been turned into a puppy?"
"I can turn into a puppy whenever I want." Sirius pointed out "And, yes, that huge dog is a puppy. My shifting doesn't really conform to a breed but I'd say similar to a Newfoundland and the shifter vet the school got us agrees. I'm just an insanely big puppy." Dog years to humans years meant that a teenager was on the same level as a one-two year old pup.
Ianto opened his mouth, but was too caught up with the idea that the already massive dog was, in fact, going to get larger to form a proper response. "Shedding will probably become an issue," he eventually managed.
Sirius laughed and shrugged, accidentally off balancing kitty-Bobby who flailed and dug his claws in, ending up hanging from Sirius's arm whilst the English boy cussed out a stream of pained swear words.
Recoiling briefly, Ianto very carefully kept his face blank as he reached forward and cupped his hands underneath the dangling oncilla, lifting him up so that he could remove his claws from Sirius' flesh. He was rather impressed by Sirius' cursing repertoire, though, and was barely containing his laughter by biting his inner cheek. "There there," he pushed out in an attempt to be sympathetic.
"Jesus fucking Christ on a pogo stick!" There were tiny little bleeding clawmarks on his biceps but he was laughing too, it was too ridiculous not to. "Fuck Bobby, what did I ever do to you?"
Pulling the freed cat into his lap, Ianto started petting the ruffled classmate to settle him a little. "I'm sure you were perfectly justified," he directed at Bobby. And then he frowned. "Oh lord, Sharon's got me completely trained."
Sirius laughed even more than that. "She's gotten to you too, huh? Sharon's a doll."
Ianto snorted - Sharon was interesting and magnetic and fierce, but he wouldn't call her a "doll." "She is certainly something. And I don't know how, but I know she's to blame for the fact that I've been completely surrounded by cats today." Somehow.
He chuckled again "Well, she certain knows how to make an impression. I must admit that whether I'm close or not with them, I have a special place in my heart for all my fellow shifters here."
Ianto wondered if Sirius realized he had just blocked Ianto and Bobby from a level of friendship - not that Ianto felt excluded, per se; it was just an interesting way to start a potential friendship, by declaring that there was a depth of emotional connection that Ianto could never reach. Though Ianto supposed he didn't know how he'd feel if another "invisible" mutant came to the school. Perhaps it would create an automatic bond like Sirius seemed to imply, or more likely, the pessimist in him whispered, they would be driven apart by their different perceptions of their mutations.
That was neither here nor there, though. "I've only really interacted with Sharon and Diaval. How many shifters are there at the school?"
"Lots more than that, there's Bigby, Rahne, Remus, no sorry Remus left recently. That sucked balls. Um, Cal steals mutations so technically he can be one. I do enjoy Diaval, he's quite something isn't he?" Sirius grinned as he poked at the tender little cuts. He had no clue of how personally Ianto had taken his rather glib remark about shifters. "Inu-yasha isn't a shifter but there's definite doggie-ness in that mutation of his, and then two human shape-shifters though only one's still on site, the other lives in town."
A little overwhelmed by the onslaught of names, Ianto gave himself a moment to sort them properly in his mind. "Diaval is great, and doesn't mind sharing treats from back home," he grinned when he was done cataloging. Scratching Bobby under his cheek, he asked, "Human shape-shifters - as in they can change into different people?"
"Yup, two of them and both English. Curtis and Eames. Fascinating power, they can literally be any face and body they like. Quite the talent." Sirius confirmed with a nodded, watching Bobby lean into the Welsh boy's hand with amusement. He'd so be denying this when he got changed back.
Careful to pay attention to what Bobby seemed to like, Ianto considered the implications of being able to turn into anyone. It was a bit frightening, really. "Impressive, I'm sure. A different method of blending in."
"Or standing out, whichever they want really." Sirius added, attention turning back to his arm. The scratches weren't all that deep but they still stung. "How do you find your blending in? Frustrating or useful?" He could imagine it could easily be both in spades.
Ianto made a face at Sirius' scratches - he should really start carrying around plasters. "It's both," he confirmed Sirius' thoughts. "It was very useful, until I needed to get something from the shops. Since I've come here, it's been increasingly frustrating." He huffed out a breath. Sometimes he just wanted to talk to his classmates without inducing a startle response.
"Right," Sirius nodded a little before asking. "Now I've met you, I think I should notice you more, I mean I have a pretty good nose for scents especially ones I know. I'll introduce you when I can?"
"Perhaps," Ianto shrugged a little dejectedly. "Sharon tried to sniff me out once, and just sort of... lost the trail when she got to my room. I think it has something to do with the ability to physically see me. But," he added, a little optimistically, "it seems like Daniel is able see me, or at least more easily, so there may be some exposure adaptation." Ianto wasn't quite confident enough to say that it was due to his training efforts.
"Well, we can test the theory out at least, see what works." There had to be hope after all. "If it's perception it's in someway messing with our minds so maybe we can learn to shield from it like with the telepaths."
"Yes, Philip said something about getting training for that." And Ianto had had a brief thought that getting training for himself might be useful, but he'd lost the idea in the madness of getting settled at a new school. "Still, it seems simpler to just figure out what's wrong with me, than expect my classmates to develop psychic barricades."
"There's nothing 'wrong' about you." Sirius told him immediately very firmly. "It's inconvenient, sure, but there's nothing wrong with you. Just gotta figure it out is all."
"Oh," Ianto was visibly taken aback by Sirius' response. "Uh, thanks?"
"No need to thank me, it's the truth." Sirius shrugged.
"I suppose," Ianto let that trail off as he looked back down at Bobby. It didn't feel like the truth, not really. But maybe someday it would. He cleared his throat and shifted in preparation to move. "I should get going. I was originally trying to track down my roommate - you haven't seen a tiger cub, have you? Possibly accompanied by a purple cat."
"Not yet though that sounds like quiet a sight! Who's the tiger?" Sirius asked, moving to pick up Bobby. "I'm gonna return you to your girlfriend, buddy. Why should I be clawed when she's the one who promised to love you in sickness and in fur!"
"That... is a very specific vow," Ianto commented as he got to his feet. "The tiger is Daniel Jackson, my roommate. Short, messy brown hair, glasses, usually found with a book in hand."
"I've seen him about," Sirius nodded and then, responding to Bobby said "Oh really? Apparently Bobby used to babysit him when they were kids. Small world, eh?"
Ianto focused like a laser on Bobby. "Oh?" A pleased and dreadfully curious expression flitted across his face, settling into a broad grin. "I do hope you have pictures. And stories."
Sirius translated for the kitten "He says Danny might not approve but he sounds amused. He's got some cute stories apparently."
Danny? Ianto let the nickname settle in his mind - Daniel hadn't seemed like a 'Danny' to him, but he supposed Bobby would know better.
"I'll be eagerly waiting for the return of your human vocal cords, then." Ianto should probably feel a little guilty going behind Daniel's back to get stories... but he really didn't. "It was a pleasure meeting you both. If I see you around, I'll be sure to say hello," Ianto directed at Sirius; after all, he had no idea what Bobby looked like. But Ianto reasoned it couldn't be too hard to track him down. Apparently all he needed to do was find Jeanne Marie.
"I'll wait for your call with eager anticipation," Sirius told him solemnly before grinning "Nice meeting you, oh by the way: you said something about snacks from home? I fly back there a lot so us UK kids took control of a cupboard in the student kitchen and it's stocked full of home comforts. If it's missing anything you want tell me and I'll get some next trip." He grinned and wink as he settled Bobby on his non-mauled shoulder.
"Lord, what I'd do for an Aero bar," Ianto blurted out. And then turned pink. "Not, not literally."
Sirius smiled reassuring "Don't worry, you're far to young for me anyway but I'll see about those Aeros."
Still flushed, Ianto attempted a, "Yes, well," before deciding to just cut his losses. "Thanks for that. And, ah, bye." And then he turned on his heel and fled.
Speaking to Bobby, Sirius said lightly "Intriguing boy." Before heading off in the opposite direction towards the TA rooms.
Ianto hadn't been avoiding the common room, per se, but his experience earlier of trying to be a good Samaritan and getting bitten for his efforts had tarnished the room slightly in his eyes. Still, as he passed the doorway and heard brief yowling (feline again, of course) he knew he couldn't just ignore it.
With a put-upon sigh, Ianto walked into the room.
The yowling wasn't actually anything bad, it was Bobby da Costa grand standing and being his usual attention seeking self. Only difference being the package the personality was in, which today was suddenly an oncilla, apparently one of the Brazilian cousins in the leopard family. Wholly unexpected but he seemed to be adjusting considering the fact that he was hanging off of a fellow student's tail. Padfoot's in fact.
Sirius was one of the few students who could still talk to the transformed students which had somehow turned into the two play fighting in the rec room. He hadn't yet gotten to the bottom of the cause of the events, he was too busy have fun.
Ianto couldn't help the small chuckle at the sight of the very tiny spotted cat attached to the tail of the very large dog. This certainly didn't look like an emergency, but it didn't hurt to check. "Everything alright here?"
Padfoot barked happily and at his suggestion, Bobby hopped onto his back which enabled Padfoot to shifted to the more recognizable Sirius form. He was still on all fours but at least he could speak, right?
"Hullo, don't think we've met. Brilliant day this, isn't it?" He'd been loving it.
Eyes wide, Ianto looked over the interesting scene. He'd had a moment of excitement over the thought that people were shifting back, but the tiny leopard-looking cat was still very much a cat. That had to mean that this was another shifter. "No, I don't think we have. Ianto Jones."
Sirius stood and Bobby walked up his back, using his shoulder as a perch. He didn't want to be talking to their ankles, he told Sirius which made him chuckle.
"Sirius Black, nice to meet you. Welsh, I'm hearing?"
"Quite," Ianto answered. Something about the name was a little familiar, but only in the haziest of ways. "London?"
"Ow!" Sirius yelped as Bobby dug claws in lightly. "Yes London and this is Bobby, Roberto da Costa and he was objecting to not being included. Weird day we're having, right?"
"Hello Roberto," Ianto addressed the cat. "You'll probably have to reintroduce yourself later, when you're in human form, but it's still a pleasure." He glanced back to Sirius. "It is strange; rather impressive, too, that a mutant could do all this."
Well he'd assumed it was mutant cause too and, yes, impressive. And a little scary if he thought about it too much to be honest. "Yeah, I know. Still, pretty cool. Everyone's getting a taste of the shifter life."
Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Well, not everybody." He gestured loosely to himself. "But I'm glad to be around to help anyone in need." He offered Sirius a small smile, "I see you've decided to provide entertainment?"
"No harm in a bit of fun, right? And it evens the playing field a bit." Sirius pointed out as Bobby neatly crossed to his other shoulder. "And I can still chat to the animals which is exciting for some of them. Hang on, Bobby I'm sorry but Brazilian isn't one of my lang- ok, ok, no need to insult me in French and Latin. Those are languages I do know!" He was laughing though.
Ianto blinked. "You... can understand them?" Ianto looked around him briefly before deciding to sit cross-legged on the floor, not entirely sure about how stable Bobby would be on his shoulder perch. "Can you understand all animals, or just transformed humans?"
"All of them, it's part of my mutation. Heightened sense, doggy transformation and Dr Dolittle-ness, not a bad package but the talking thing has never been as handy as it has today. " Sirius explained as he sat down too, Bobby hopped down when he did and moved forward to investigate the new student.
Ianto held out a hand palm-up for said investigation, waiting to see if he passed muster before offering a pet. "Does it get translated as English?" Ianto thought that must be very distracting. "Mornings must be awful."
"I just understand it, it's not like they're talking English to me like the movies. It's weird, I know." Sirius shrugged a little, watching Bobby too. His little tail was raised in greeting as he looked up, apparently not sure how to say hello without words. "It's not so bad, interesting really."
"No spy network then, shame," Ianto said distractedly as he leaned down a little to meet Bobby's eyes. "Would you like to be pet? Sharon can vouch that I'm not terrible, at least. Or I can go, and you can go back to felling the dark grim." He had, after all, interrupted what seemed to be a good time.
"Not spies but little Prada does give my an interesting insight to Lydia and Scott's life, for sure. And then there's little kitten Oliver, Pietro's feline charge." Sirius chuckled as he watched Bobby sniff curiously. "Bobby says if he's anyone's pet, he's Jeanne-Marie's. That's an insight I didn't need. Cute." He laughed a little again.
Ianto knew of Prada, and of course he knew Lydia, but the other names weren't familiar. "Oh, I'd hardly call any of the recently-transformed pets, especially since it 'feels temporary'," Ianto quoted, still not sure what that meant, "and it seems like everyone has kept their mental capacities." He raised his voice in a half-questioning tone, looking to Sirius for confirmation.
"So far as I've seen and he was making a joke, Miss Beaubier is his girlfriend, y'see." To which Bobby mewed his agreement and approval. "Who says it 'feels temporary'?"
"Oh, there-" Ianto pulled out his phone. "There was a post, on the forums. Someone," He found the post and projected it up for Sirius to see, flipping it around. God he loved this phone. "Sorry, Wanda posted about it. This was all due to a mishap with her powers, did you not know?"
"Power mishap I heard, not the full story. Kept getting distracted." Sirius said honestly. "Glad to hear it's definitely reversible then." He hadn't wanted to panic anyone but had had concerns. "Makes sense it was Wanda, yeah." He nodded thoughtfully and reached out to stritch Bobby's back lightly.
"I don't think I've met her," Ianto said as he put his phone away. "Her powers must be very interesting, to end up causing all this." It reminded Ianto of his conversation with Felix, about how some people's powers were simple, and others... less so.
"Interesting's definitely one word for it, yeah." Sirius nodded, Wanda was not a girl to cross, that was for sure.
Ianto raised one eyebrow slightly at that response but decided to move on. "Anway, it's certainly the best excuse not to finish your homework that I've ever heard." He grinned and reached to scratch Bobby behind an ear.
"True, instead of dog ate my homework it's I was the dog." His smiled returned at that thought. "Not unusual for me though teachers get rather cross when I do it in class. No idea why."
Ianto chuckled. "You'd think they'd be used to things like that around here. Though I suppose thumbs are rather required for most classwork."
"Sirius Black," He started in an imitation of one of their teachers "You caused enough disruptions in this class without adding a tail to the mix now change back this instance!"
"To which you respond... 'woof woof'?" Ianto replied deadpan.
"You catch on quick, Ianto." Sirius grinned back.
"I'm a great observer of human behavior," Ianto smiled, only partially in jest. "I'd have to be with my mutation. I'm hard to notice, unless I actively try to get your attention," he explained.
"So that's why I ain't seen you about before, you got invisibilty or something then?" He asked, genuinely interested though he was watching wild kitty Bobby in amusement.
"Not quite," Ianto's brow furrowed slightly. "People can see me, I just don't register as important. Like a thing you see in passing, or out of the corner of your eye." It was a bit difficult to explain, really. Maybe an example would work best. "People won't walk into me or anything, but they don't consciously realize that they've walked around me."
"So you kind of blend in you mean? Or you mess with people's perception of things?" Bobby clambered back up onto his shoulder, batting at a strand of hair.
"Entirely perception, people with psychic shields see me just fine." Ianto leaned back on his hands, a bit tempted to find something for Bobby to chase but not sure if the human boy inside would be insulted. "I'm sorry, Bobby, have we been ignoring you?"
"You'll soon learn that like myself, Da Costa is a poor little rich boy used to being in the spotlight so we don't share well." Sirius joked and then yelped "OW! Roberto! Fuck you too, that was a joke! Chill out with the kitty claws!
"Back to powers that sounds useful but something tells me it's not something you're too good at switching on and off yet?" After all he'd barely heard word one about Ianto from anyone, but then maybe that's how he wanted it?
Ianto's bright grin at Bobby's antics dimmed a little and his eyes shuttered. "It has proven useful, yes." Being ignored was remarkably peaceful, for all it was lonely. Blinking and resettling his shoulders to shake his mood, he added, "But you're right in that I can't control it." He pursed his lips determinedly, "Not yet, at least."
"Well, it's there specialty here. Bobby says he had no control when he came either and that's saying something because he literally has the power of the sun, yikes!" Sirius had veered into jokes because he could see he'd stepped on some raw nerve there and since he didn't quite know what it had been, humour was a good way to smooth things over. As he spoke, Bobby clambered back onto his shoulder.
Ianto tilted his head and peered at the kitten. "Well, seeing as he doesn't seem to consist of molten plasma, or be performing thermonuclear fusion, that speaks well of the school, yes."
"Don't you dare!" Sirius suddenly told the oncilla kitten "He's threatening to singe me a little to show you his control. And I feel like I'm one half of a bad puppet show." He laughed a little at the pure ridiculousness of the situation.
"Look at it from my perspective," Ianto's smile quirked to the side. "For all I know, you can't talk to animals at all, and just enjoy drawn out pranks."
He laughed at that "True and gotta admit I love a good prank, but this is on the level, I swear!"
"I've no reason to doubt you," Ianto shrugged philosophically. "Though if I find out there's no Bobby at the school I'll be very displeased." He winked at Bobby.
"And he'd probably have an existential crisis over who he is," Sirius joked back. "So, are you glad you didn't join in with the furry fun or disappointed, Ianto?" he liked the name, he hadn't heard it before and it rolled from the tongue easily.
He hummed, considering. It might have been fun to frolic with the others... but Ianto wasn't exactly the frolicking type. "Pleased, I think." He was glad to be around to help any of his classmates who might need it. "Would you have liked to have been turned into a puppy?"
"I can turn into a puppy whenever I want." Sirius pointed out "And, yes, that huge dog is a puppy. My shifting doesn't really conform to a breed but I'd say similar to a Newfoundland and the shifter vet the school got us agrees. I'm just an insanely big puppy." Dog years to humans years meant that a teenager was on the same level as a one-two year old pup.
Ianto opened his mouth, but was too caught up with the idea that the already massive dog was, in fact, going to get larger to form a proper response. "Shedding will probably become an issue," he eventually managed.
Sirius laughed and shrugged, accidentally off balancing kitty-Bobby who flailed and dug his claws in, ending up hanging from Sirius's arm whilst the English boy cussed out a stream of pained swear words.
Recoiling briefly, Ianto very carefully kept his face blank as he reached forward and cupped his hands underneath the dangling oncilla, lifting him up so that he could remove his claws from Sirius' flesh. He was rather impressed by Sirius' cursing repertoire, though, and was barely containing his laughter by biting his inner cheek. "There there," he pushed out in an attempt to be sympathetic.
"Jesus fucking Christ on a pogo stick!" There were tiny little bleeding clawmarks on his biceps but he was laughing too, it was too ridiculous not to. "Fuck Bobby, what did I ever do to you?"
Pulling the freed cat into his lap, Ianto started petting the ruffled classmate to settle him a little. "I'm sure you were perfectly justified," he directed at Bobby. And then he frowned. "Oh lord, Sharon's got me completely trained."
Sirius laughed even more than that. "She's gotten to you too, huh? Sharon's a doll."
Ianto snorted - Sharon was interesting and magnetic and fierce, but he wouldn't call her a "doll." "She is certainly something. And I don't know how, but I know she's to blame for the fact that I've been completely surrounded by cats today." Somehow.
He chuckled again "Well, she certain knows how to make an impression. I must admit that whether I'm close or not with them, I have a special place in my heart for all my fellow shifters here."
Ianto wondered if Sirius realized he had just blocked Ianto and Bobby from a level of friendship - not that Ianto felt excluded, per se; it was just an interesting way to start a potential friendship, by declaring that there was a depth of emotional connection that Ianto could never reach. Though Ianto supposed he didn't know how he'd feel if another "invisible" mutant came to the school. Perhaps it would create an automatic bond like Sirius seemed to imply, or more likely, the pessimist in him whispered, they would be driven apart by their different perceptions of their mutations.
That was neither here nor there, though. "I've only really interacted with Sharon and Diaval. How many shifters are there at the school?"
"Lots more than that, there's Bigby, Rahne, Remus, no sorry Remus left recently. That sucked balls. Um, Cal steals mutations so technically he can be one. I do enjoy Diaval, he's quite something isn't he?" Sirius grinned as he poked at the tender little cuts. He had no clue of how personally Ianto had taken his rather glib remark about shifters. "Inu-yasha isn't a shifter but there's definite doggie-ness in that mutation of his, and then two human shape-shifters though only one's still on site, the other lives in town."
A little overwhelmed by the onslaught of names, Ianto gave himself a moment to sort them properly in his mind. "Diaval is great, and doesn't mind sharing treats from back home," he grinned when he was done cataloging. Scratching Bobby under his cheek, he asked, "Human shape-shifters - as in they can change into different people?"
"Yup, two of them and both English. Curtis and Eames. Fascinating power, they can literally be any face and body they like. Quite the talent." Sirius confirmed with a nodded, watching Bobby lean into the Welsh boy's hand with amusement. He'd so be denying this when he got changed back.
Careful to pay attention to what Bobby seemed to like, Ianto considered the implications of being able to turn into anyone. It was a bit frightening, really. "Impressive, I'm sure. A different method of blending in."
"Or standing out, whichever they want really." Sirius added, attention turning back to his arm. The scratches weren't all that deep but they still stung. "How do you find your blending in? Frustrating or useful?" He could imagine it could easily be both in spades.
Ianto made a face at Sirius' scratches - he should really start carrying around plasters. "It's both," he confirmed Sirius' thoughts. "It was very useful, until I needed to get something from the shops. Since I've come here, it's been increasingly frustrating." He huffed out a breath. Sometimes he just wanted to talk to his classmates without inducing a startle response.
"Right," Sirius nodded a little before asking. "Now I've met you, I think I should notice you more, I mean I have a pretty good nose for scents especially ones I know. I'll introduce you when I can?"
"Perhaps," Ianto shrugged a little dejectedly. "Sharon tried to sniff me out once, and just sort of... lost the trail when she got to my room. I think it has something to do with the ability to physically see me. But," he added, a little optimistically, "it seems like Daniel is able see me, or at least more easily, so there may be some exposure adaptation." Ianto wasn't quite confident enough to say that it was due to his training efforts.
"Well, we can test the theory out at least, see what works." There had to be hope after all. "If it's perception it's in someway messing with our minds so maybe we can learn to shield from it like with the telepaths."
"Yes, Philip said something about getting training for that." And Ianto had had a brief thought that getting training for himself might be useful, but he'd lost the idea in the madness of getting settled at a new school. "Still, it seems simpler to just figure out what's wrong with me, than expect my classmates to develop psychic barricades."
"There's nothing 'wrong' about you." Sirius told him immediately very firmly. "It's inconvenient, sure, but there's nothing wrong with you. Just gotta figure it out is all."
"Oh," Ianto was visibly taken aback by Sirius' response. "Uh, thanks?"
"No need to thank me, it's the truth." Sirius shrugged.
"I suppose," Ianto let that trail off as he looked back down at Bobby. It didn't feel like the truth, not really. But maybe someday it would. He cleared his throat and shifted in preparation to move. "I should get going. I was originally trying to track down my roommate - you haven't seen a tiger cub, have you? Possibly accompanied by a purple cat."
"Not yet though that sounds like quiet a sight! Who's the tiger?" Sirius asked, moving to pick up Bobby. "I'm gonna return you to your girlfriend, buddy. Why should I be clawed when she's the one who promised to love you in sickness and in fur!"
"That... is a very specific vow," Ianto commented as he got to his feet. "The tiger is Daniel Jackson, my roommate. Short, messy brown hair, glasses, usually found with a book in hand."
"I've seen him about," Sirius nodded and then, responding to Bobby said "Oh really? Apparently Bobby used to babysit him when they were kids. Small world, eh?"
Ianto focused like a laser on Bobby. "Oh?" A pleased and dreadfully curious expression flitted across his face, settling into a broad grin. "I do hope you have pictures. And stories."
Sirius translated for the kitten "He says Danny might not approve but he sounds amused. He's got some cute stories apparently."
Danny? Ianto let the nickname settle in his mind - Daniel hadn't seemed like a 'Danny' to him, but he supposed Bobby would know better.
"I'll be eagerly waiting for the return of your human vocal cords, then." Ianto should probably feel a little guilty going behind Daniel's back to get stories... but he really didn't. "It was a pleasure meeting you both. If I see you around, I'll be sure to say hello," Ianto directed at Sirius; after all, he had no idea what Bobby looked like. But Ianto reasoned it couldn't be too hard to track him down. Apparently all he needed to do was find Jeanne Marie.
"I'll wait for your call with eager anticipation," Sirius told him solemnly before grinning "Nice meeting you, oh by the way: you said something about snacks from home? I fly back there a lot so us UK kids took control of a cupboard in the student kitchen and it's stocked full of home comforts. If it's missing anything you want tell me and I'll get some next trip." He grinned and wink as he settled Bobby on his non-mauled shoulder.
"Lord, what I'd do for an Aero bar," Ianto blurted out. And then turned pink. "Not, not literally."
Sirius smiled reassuring "Don't worry, you're far to young for me anyway but I'll see about those Aeros."
Still flushed, Ianto attempted a, "Yes, well," before deciding to just cut his losses. "Thanks for that. And, ah, bye." And then he turned on his heel and fled.
Speaking to Bobby, Sirius said lightly "Intriguing boy." Before heading off in the opposite direction towards the TA rooms.
