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om_mainTybalt plays a prank. Toby's unamused. Simon and the Professor are even less so.
As unpredictable as Toby could be, there was one thing Tybalt could always rely on. The good old faithful Coffee Pot Pilgrimage. Which is why he was lounging around the kitchen the morning after the Summer Ball. Apparently he'd actually gotten up early (or possibly just not slept), given that he looked awake and perky (or at least smugly default Tybalt relaxed).
"Good Morning October." he greeted her cheerfully. And then held up a hand as if to ward off a blow. "Don't worry, I know better than to start a conversation yet. Here." Lounging by the coffee machine meant he could immediately pour a mug and hold it out to her. It seemed that something had put Tybalt in an impish good mood this morning.
Toby, for her part, wasn't entirely conscious, which was hardly surprising, given that it was not only morning, it was the morning after a party on which someone was attempting to converse with her before she'd refueled with caffeine. Still, she had enough presence of mind to cast a suspicious look in Tybalt's direction, even as she came over to collect the mug. "Do I want to know why you're not only awake this early, but actually perky?" She considered her own question for a moment, then made a face. "No. I don't. Not until after coffee."
She smelled the tang of pennyroyal and musk as she raised the cup to her mouth, but thought nothing of it. "Cut yourself shaving?"
"I should remember never to underestimate your sense of smell when it comes to that sort of thing." Tybalt remarked drily. But with that same impish twinkle of amusement. "yes, I did cut myself. Don't worry, it was only a little nick. Since I'm sure you are beside yourself with concern." He was being honest, right? He'd never said that it was when he was shaving. That had been her.
"Oh, and here I was about to call 9-11," Toby deadpanned. She rolled her eyes and took a large gulp of coffee.
She immediately knew it was a mistake. She shot Tybalt a look that was equal parts anger and hurt as her stomach started burning, and she realized as his own memories flooded in just how deliberately he'd done this. "You son of a-" the coffee cup fell from her hand as it transformed, an the last word emerged as a cat's howl.
Toby's bitten off curse was met with Tybalt's deep, mischievous laugh as he deftly caught the tumbling coffee cup out of the air. "My what a cute little cat." He drawled playfully. "I suppose this makes up for missing seeing you as a raccoon. You couldn't have been any cuter than this then." He gave the coffee a suspicious sniff and then drained the mug with a shrug. "I did always say that too much coffee is bad for you." Not that he'd ever actually said that, giving health advice usually involved teasing her about getting stabbed. But it'd work for the ultimate goal of teasing Toby.
Toby, now a brown and cream colored tabby, attempted to direct a death glare at Tybalt. This wasn't funny. At all. Granted, it would wear off eventually, but she really, really hated transforming, and damn it, why hadn't she ever tried when she was borrowing Cal's powers, so that it came with a "how to change back" instruction manual? She was going to have to...
Cal. Or Diaval. Or hell, the cat girl with the purple hair. Someone had to be able to tell her how to change out of this form. She took one swipe with her claws at Tybalt's leg, just on principle, then turned tail (literally) and raced out of the kitchen. Damned if she was going to stick around and let him mock her. She should've known he was up to something when he hadn't been a total ass at the Masquerade.
And to top it off? He'd actually drank the rest of her coffee.
"Aw, don't be like that." Tybalt teased as her claws failed to leave much of an impression on the tough leather of his pants. When she turned tail he shifted into his own cat form and bounded off after her. He wasn't going to let the fun end so quickly! Besides, what cat doesn't like a good chase?
Fuck. The fucking bastard was chasing her now? Toby fought twin instincts to turn on him and run, and went with the latter. She'd taken the first right, not really caring where it went, and ran through a shadow.
Or into it. She'd barely entered it when she felt something shift, and everything went black. And cold. By the time she emerged, two hallways away, she was cold, panicked, and even more angry. Great. Now not only was she a cat, she was one who'd picked up that weird other ability of Tybalt's. And she didn't have any idea how to control that, either.
Loping behind her, Tybalt was keeping pace without really trying to catch her just yet. This was all fun and games. Except for the small growl of displeasure he made when she vanished into a shadow. He hadn't figured on that happening. And while being a cat for a while was an experience (he thought) would do her some good (and amuse him), the shadow paths he went through weren't exactly 100% safe. Oh well, it'd be fine if he was there to pull her out. So clearly this just added incentive to the chase! Tybalt jumped into the shadow, following her with the same instinct that let him navigate the dark realm on the other side. She was still in sight when he dropped back into normal space and he picked up the pace a bit to keep up with her.
He'd followed her? Toby's ears flattened and she looked around desperately, trying to figure out where she could go that wouldn't pass through any more shadows. The options were limited, and she took a lefthand turn at the next hallway, no longer entirely sure where she even was. Sooner or later, Tybalt would have to get bored with this. In the meantime? There was no way in hell he was going to catch her.
If he'd had the body for it, Tybalt would have laughed at seeing her ears flatten like that. He knew Toby well enough to guess what she was thinking. Like he'd ever let it be that easy! Tybalt bounded around the corner to make sure he didn't lpose sight of her. If he fell behind too far she'd probably fake him out at a corner. Of course, if he got too close he thoroughly expected his feisty friend to try and use those claws again. But that was just part of the spice, right? So he kept a middling distance a few body lengths behind her. And meowed loudly. Just in case she thought he wasn't behind her.
Was it possible to hiss while running? Toby gave it a try, and determined that yes, it definitely was. This wasn't funny, and she had no idea what she was doing, and damn it, where were people when she actually needed them, anyway? With that in mind, she charged into the shadows once more, emerging under a table in a brightly lit room that smelled of antiseptic and...
Legs! Toby raced straight towards them, not even caring who it was. With any luck, whoever it was would pick her up. For once, she didn't even give a fuck if she got him in trouble. He'd started it.
Anogther shadow jump? Please. As if she was going to lose him by using his own powers. Once again the tabby tomcat hopped through the same shadow. Unlike Toby, Tybalt didn't charge out from under the table though. There was someone else out there, and Tybalt was more inclined to keep himself out of sight. He'd see how they reacted to Toby before he did anything. After all, if Toby kept running he was confident he could keep up.
Simon startled suddenly as something barreled into his legs, taking a step backward from the laptop in front of him. His gaze shot downward and he blinked in surprise at the sight of a cat, crouching down immediately to get on the animal's level. He couldn't remember there being a brown and cream colored cat shapeshifter at the school. He knew about Tybalt, and about Sharon, but this one seemed remarkably different. Rankin, maybe? "Hey, hey, slow down there."
Simon! Toby let out a relieved meow that it was, at least, someone she recognized, and who might stand a chance of figuring out who she was. She peered up at him with eyes that retained their silver color despite their new split-pupilled configuration and tried to calm down enough to consider her options. Simon had said his powers were touch activated, right? Hand to hand probably wasn't an option, but...
What the hell. Toby attempted to head-butt his dangling hand. With any luck, it'd still work.
Well, this was an interesting development. It looked like Toby was actually seeking help, something Tybalt couldn't remember her actually ever doing. Now he was more curious than amused. Sure, he'd seen Simon around in the past few weeks, but were he and Toby close? Staying out of sight under the table, Tybalt settled back onto his haunches to observe.
Simon's hand reached out to meet the cat's head - and instinct to pet - but as soon as they made contact, his eyes dilated, his fingers stilling between her ears as he instantly recognized who the cat was. Shape may be different, but genetic structure remained. Certain signatures as well, such as the odd configuration of her blood. He'd had something of an education in shapeshifted students recently, what with the incident with Wanda's power, which made identifying her infinitely easier.
The problem was that he did not know how she'd gotten to be a cat. Daye's power, he knew, was similar to Calvin's, in that she could pick up other abilities, but that meant that she had to have tasted the blood of another shapeshifter. There was also the matter that he could clearly tell that her heartbeat was up, anxiety edging into all senses. Something was definitely wrong. "Toby?" he asked quietly. "Is everything alright?"
Toby pulled back and gave Simon a look designed to express just how stupid a question she thought that was, and glanced down at herself pointedly before looking back up again. No, she wasn't alright. She was a cat. Even if she wasn't currently passing through dark airless space, that was still a long way from okay.
Heh, now this was funny. Tybalt had always found people trying to talk to cats amusing. Maybe because he didn't have the same problem (when the cats were cats and not transformed caffeine addicts). In any case, this was all going very well indeed. With a satisfied sense of accomplishment he started to groom his fur while he observed how this would play out.
"Clearly," Simon replied wryly. "And I assume you are having trouble reverting to human form because you would not be sitting here playing charades with me if you could do so at ease."
He reached out to lay a hand on her back, taking in her physical state, making sure that she was uninjured in any other way. When he was done, he gave a small nod. "As I understand it from our studies of the other shifters, it's a matter of intent. You have to put yourself in the correct mindset. First of all, I'm going to need you to calm down. Slow your breathing, slow your heart. Think of comfort. Would it help if I sat you up on the table?"
Would it help if he...Toby grimaced, an expression she at least hoped translated fairly well in cat form, then got to her feet. Being picked up wasn't exactly on her agenda, but at least on the table she probably wouldn't have to worry about passing through any shadows. In the meantime, she focused in on the rest of what he'd said. Intent. Calm.
Purring. Toby hissed and flipped around, her back arching. Bad enough Tybalt had followed her and was watching her try to get help. He didn't need to gloat, too.
Simon's eyes narrowed and he took two steps forward, shoving the table sideways to reveal the other cat in the room. Not one he recognized either, but one Toby clearly felt threatened by.
Well, he'd been spotted. oh well. Tail held high, Tybalt strutted out from under the table and instead hopped up onto it. Feigning total unconcern he sat down there to eye them both with a look of wide-eyed innocence. Because he was just a cute cat, right? He couldn't possibly be up to anything bad.
Oh, he was not pulling the innocent act, was he? Toby hissed again, her fur bristling indignantly, then took a step backwards, eyeing the table height. If he could jump up there...
No. Calm. Intent. She was not getting into a literal catfight. She closed her eyes and attempted to stop thinking like a cat, though the feline form seemed to fight against her attempt. Finally, though, she managed to break through, and with a stretch of form that she tried not to think about too hard, she found herself still on all fours on the floor, but now in human form. She scowled and shook her head, fighting a wave of disorientation. "You asshole. Just wait until I get my hands on you." Which she would. Shortly. Just as soon as she stopped feeling as if she were going to throw up.
Simon was forced to take a step back, putting a gentle arm around Toby to steady her. "Easy. Take it slow."
This probably a good time to stay in this form, Tybalt concluded. Much as he might be tempted to tease Toby some more (there were some good lines he could use), staying as a cat was probably best. Mostly because he'd bet any amount of money that Toby was going to have a less than pacifist response any second now. Best to stay in the small and slippery form. All the better to run away from you my dear.
Toby got to her feet shakily with Simon's help, her eyes still fixed on Tybalt. Who, despite being a cat (or maybe because of it) looked entirely too pleased with himself. "Don't worry," she assured Simon. "I've got absolutely no desire to kill him quickly." She narrowed her eyes and added, "I should've known you were up to something. This is what the whole nice act at the party was about too, wasn't it?"
"I assume that you two are acquainted?" Simon asked, studying the cat carefully.
Okay, now Tybalt actually had something to say that was more pressing than teasing. Which meant it was time to change. His transformation from smug tabby to smirking young man came considerably easier than Toby's. A moment later he was sitting comfortably on the edge of the desk. "I'm not sure if you're giving me too much or too little credit October. But sometimes a dance really just is a dance."
Toby scowled. "And the timing was purely coincidental, I'm sure." She looked over at Simon. "I take it you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Tybalt yet? I'm surprised - I'd have thought he'd have annoyed everyone by now."
"I was briefed on his power, but haven't yet had the chance to scan him for Dr. MacTaggart." He wasn't sure if that was Tybalt's fault, or Moira's. "I'm not sure I appreciate anyone who clearly forces their powers on another person. I assume it was forced, judging by your reaction."
"If you think I forced October to take a cup of coffee you don't know her very well at all. Furthermore, scanning is something done to barcodes and airline luggage. I'll pass thank you very much." Tybalt quipped drily in Simon's direction. Apparently not having been introduced wasn't going to stop him from being snarky. Then he turned his attention back to Toby. "Of all the virtues you could ascribe to me, why is it always long term planning? Possibly the only one I don't possess."
"You're not in possession of any virtues, period." Toby looked back to Tybalt, who was sitting there with that damn, satisfied...cat-look of his. It was really tempting to feed him to the wolves. Really tempting. On the flipside, it was Tybalt, and they'd always settled their own scores.
Finally, she decided to just split the difference, and sighed. "It could've been an accident," she allowed grudgingly. "He did say he'd cut himself. It could've dripped in the coffee."
"That's generous," Simon retorted dryly and folded his arms over his chest as he looked between the two of them. "I suppose we'll find out. The headmaster always seems to know these things. If your friend here finds himself cleaning out horse stalls by the end of the week, then we'll know it was no accident."
Normally Tybalt was very quick on rejoinders to pretty much anything Toby said about him. This time he didn't though. Apart from a lingering glance at Toby, he directed his response (and a much sharper glare) at Simon. "If you are going to make remarks about me when I am sitting right here, I would thank you to direct them at me instead of at October."
"My apologies. As something only fit for barcodes and airline luggage, I thought I was not worth your time," Simon answered, finally turning his attention back to the young man. "However, since you seem to desire my attention, my name is Simon Tam. I don't take kindly to those who injure others for the sake of a prank. Therefore, as the intern in this particular medical facility, I can tell you to please get your rear end off of my infirmary table and either put it in a chair or walk it right out that door before I call the headmaster myself."
Raising an eyebrow, Tybalt looked over at Toby. "I'm sorry, i can't see any injuries. or have I missed something October?" He didn't wait for a response before hopping off the table. "But very well. I'll be taking my leave. See you later October." With that he turned to leave, head held high with the same cocky arrogance he'd shown sauntering in as a cat.
Toby rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. "You are not going anywhere until I know I'm not going to disappear into the nearest shadow. Again. Or at least until you tell me how not to."
Despite the attempt at a haughty exit, Tybalt stopped and turned. He didn't look happy, but he cut the usual snark. "Staying in the light would be a good start. But I wouldn't worry too much. Getting onto a Shadow Road takes an effort of will. I doubt you would have found that wall anything but solid had you not been running away in such a helter skelter fashion Think of staying where you are when you're in a shadow and don't picture yourself as a cat and I imagine you will be fine."
Helter skelter? "I wouldn't have been running, period, if you hadn't been chasing me," Toby pointed out. Okay, granted, she'd started running before that, but she'd have stopped a lot sooner if he hadn't been racing behind her, meowing. She took a deep breath, though, because for once, he didn't seem to be feeding her bullshit. "But fine, I'll keep that in mind."
"Maybe you should stay here until the effects wear off," Simon suggested. "I can get you some coffee that isn't tainted in the meantime."
Tybalt just cocked an eyebrow at Toby. They both knew when she'd taken off. Granted, they both also knew he'd have probably chased her regardless, but still. He glanced briefly at Simon when the suggestion of staying was made and shrugged. For one thing he wasn't sure if the offer was even meant for him, for another he wasn't sure he wanted to. But still..... "If you think it is necessary I can stay to follow you through shadows. If you feel you need watching that is." It was a snarky way to put it, but Tybalt clearly didn't think Toby did. Whether that was out of faith in her or because he wanted to finish his stomping off was anyone's guess though.
Toby rolled her eyes. "Go." She gestured Tybalt towards the door, knowing full well he'd worded the offer as he had fully expecting she'd tell him just that. She turned towards Simon. "If you've got coffee handy, I won't turn it down."
"Well then. See you soon October." With that Tybalt turned and walked out. Apparently he wasn't going to try for some sort of snarky parting shot.
He made it through the glass doors, at least before running head first into Headmaster Xavier, the man tucking his hands behind his back as he regarded the young teen. "Sadly, I will not be offering coffee in my office, young man."
Tybalt stopped dead in his tracks. From behind, Toby and Simon could see his shoulders stiffen. And then deflate slighty." That's a shame. Suddenly I think I could use one." Despite the flippancy of the answer, Tybalt sounded a bit deflated. He knew the game was up.
As unpredictable as Toby could be, there was one thing Tybalt could always rely on. The good old faithful Coffee Pot Pilgrimage. Which is why he was lounging around the kitchen the morning after the Summer Ball. Apparently he'd actually gotten up early (or possibly just not slept), given that he looked awake and perky (or at least smugly default Tybalt relaxed).
"Good Morning October." he greeted her cheerfully. And then held up a hand as if to ward off a blow. "Don't worry, I know better than to start a conversation yet. Here." Lounging by the coffee machine meant he could immediately pour a mug and hold it out to her. It seemed that something had put Tybalt in an impish good mood this morning.
Toby, for her part, wasn't entirely conscious, which was hardly surprising, given that it was not only morning, it was the morning after a party on which someone was attempting to converse with her before she'd refueled with caffeine. Still, she had enough presence of mind to cast a suspicious look in Tybalt's direction, even as she came over to collect the mug. "Do I want to know why you're not only awake this early, but actually perky?" She considered her own question for a moment, then made a face. "No. I don't. Not until after coffee."
She smelled the tang of pennyroyal and musk as she raised the cup to her mouth, but thought nothing of it. "Cut yourself shaving?"
"I should remember never to underestimate your sense of smell when it comes to that sort of thing." Tybalt remarked drily. But with that same impish twinkle of amusement. "yes, I did cut myself. Don't worry, it was only a little nick. Since I'm sure you are beside yourself with concern." He was being honest, right? He'd never said that it was when he was shaving. That had been her.
"Oh, and here I was about to call 9-11," Toby deadpanned. She rolled her eyes and took a large gulp of coffee.
She immediately knew it was a mistake. She shot Tybalt a look that was equal parts anger and hurt as her stomach started burning, and she realized as his own memories flooded in just how deliberately he'd done this. "You son of a-" the coffee cup fell from her hand as it transformed, an the last word emerged as a cat's howl.
Toby's bitten off curse was met with Tybalt's deep, mischievous laugh as he deftly caught the tumbling coffee cup out of the air. "My what a cute little cat." He drawled playfully. "I suppose this makes up for missing seeing you as a raccoon. You couldn't have been any cuter than this then." He gave the coffee a suspicious sniff and then drained the mug with a shrug. "I did always say that too much coffee is bad for you." Not that he'd ever actually said that, giving health advice usually involved teasing her about getting stabbed. But it'd work for the ultimate goal of teasing Toby.
Toby, now a brown and cream colored tabby, attempted to direct a death glare at Tybalt. This wasn't funny. At all. Granted, it would wear off eventually, but she really, really hated transforming, and damn it, why hadn't she ever tried when she was borrowing Cal's powers, so that it came with a "how to change back" instruction manual? She was going to have to...
Cal. Or Diaval. Or hell, the cat girl with the purple hair. Someone had to be able to tell her how to change out of this form. She took one swipe with her claws at Tybalt's leg, just on principle, then turned tail (literally) and raced out of the kitchen. Damned if she was going to stick around and let him mock her. She should've known he was up to something when he hadn't been a total ass at the Masquerade.
And to top it off? He'd actually drank the rest of her coffee.
"Aw, don't be like that." Tybalt teased as her claws failed to leave much of an impression on the tough leather of his pants. When she turned tail he shifted into his own cat form and bounded off after her. He wasn't going to let the fun end so quickly! Besides, what cat doesn't like a good chase?
Fuck. The fucking bastard was chasing her now? Toby fought twin instincts to turn on him and run, and went with the latter. She'd taken the first right, not really caring where it went, and ran through a shadow.
Or into it. She'd barely entered it when she felt something shift, and everything went black. And cold. By the time she emerged, two hallways away, she was cold, panicked, and even more angry. Great. Now not only was she a cat, she was one who'd picked up that weird other ability of Tybalt's. And she didn't have any idea how to control that, either.
Loping behind her, Tybalt was keeping pace without really trying to catch her just yet. This was all fun and games. Except for the small growl of displeasure he made when she vanished into a shadow. He hadn't figured on that happening. And while being a cat for a while was an experience (he thought) would do her some good (and amuse him), the shadow paths he went through weren't exactly 100% safe. Oh well, it'd be fine if he was there to pull her out. So clearly this just added incentive to the chase! Tybalt jumped into the shadow, following her with the same instinct that let him navigate the dark realm on the other side. She was still in sight when he dropped back into normal space and he picked up the pace a bit to keep up with her.
He'd followed her? Toby's ears flattened and she looked around desperately, trying to figure out where she could go that wouldn't pass through any more shadows. The options were limited, and she took a lefthand turn at the next hallway, no longer entirely sure where she even was. Sooner or later, Tybalt would have to get bored with this. In the meantime? There was no way in hell he was going to catch her.
If he'd had the body for it, Tybalt would have laughed at seeing her ears flatten like that. He knew Toby well enough to guess what she was thinking. Like he'd ever let it be that easy! Tybalt bounded around the corner to make sure he didn't lpose sight of her. If he fell behind too far she'd probably fake him out at a corner. Of course, if he got too close he thoroughly expected his feisty friend to try and use those claws again. But that was just part of the spice, right? So he kept a middling distance a few body lengths behind her. And meowed loudly. Just in case she thought he wasn't behind her.
Was it possible to hiss while running? Toby gave it a try, and determined that yes, it definitely was. This wasn't funny, and she had no idea what she was doing, and damn it, where were people when she actually needed them, anyway? With that in mind, she charged into the shadows once more, emerging under a table in a brightly lit room that smelled of antiseptic and...
Legs! Toby raced straight towards them, not even caring who it was. With any luck, whoever it was would pick her up. For once, she didn't even give a fuck if she got him in trouble. He'd started it.
Anogther shadow jump? Please. As if she was going to lose him by using his own powers. Once again the tabby tomcat hopped through the same shadow. Unlike Toby, Tybalt didn't charge out from under the table though. There was someone else out there, and Tybalt was more inclined to keep himself out of sight. He'd see how they reacted to Toby before he did anything. After all, if Toby kept running he was confident he could keep up.
Simon startled suddenly as something barreled into his legs, taking a step backward from the laptop in front of him. His gaze shot downward and he blinked in surprise at the sight of a cat, crouching down immediately to get on the animal's level. He couldn't remember there being a brown and cream colored cat shapeshifter at the school. He knew about Tybalt, and about Sharon, but this one seemed remarkably different. Rankin, maybe? "Hey, hey, slow down there."
Simon! Toby let out a relieved meow that it was, at least, someone she recognized, and who might stand a chance of figuring out who she was. She peered up at him with eyes that retained their silver color despite their new split-pupilled configuration and tried to calm down enough to consider her options. Simon had said his powers were touch activated, right? Hand to hand probably wasn't an option, but...
What the hell. Toby attempted to head-butt his dangling hand. With any luck, it'd still work.
Well, this was an interesting development. It looked like Toby was actually seeking help, something Tybalt couldn't remember her actually ever doing. Now he was more curious than amused. Sure, he'd seen Simon around in the past few weeks, but were he and Toby close? Staying out of sight under the table, Tybalt settled back onto his haunches to observe.
Simon's hand reached out to meet the cat's head - and instinct to pet - but as soon as they made contact, his eyes dilated, his fingers stilling between her ears as he instantly recognized who the cat was. Shape may be different, but genetic structure remained. Certain signatures as well, such as the odd configuration of her blood. He'd had something of an education in shapeshifted students recently, what with the incident with Wanda's power, which made identifying her infinitely easier.
The problem was that he did not know how she'd gotten to be a cat. Daye's power, he knew, was similar to Calvin's, in that she could pick up other abilities, but that meant that she had to have tasted the blood of another shapeshifter. There was also the matter that he could clearly tell that her heartbeat was up, anxiety edging into all senses. Something was definitely wrong. "Toby?" he asked quietly. "Is everything alright?"
Toby pulled back and gave Simon a look designed to express just how stupid a question she thought that was, and glanced down at herself pointedly before looking back up again. No, she wasn't alright. She was a cat. Even if she wasn't currently passing through dark airless space, that was still a long way from okay.
Heh, now this was funny. Tybalt had always found people trying to talk to cats amusing. Maybe because he didn't have the same problem (when the cats were cats and not transformed caffeine addicts). In any case, this was all going very well indeed. With a satisfied sense of accomplishment he started to groom his fur while he observed how this would play out.
"Clearly," Simon replied wryly. "And I assume you are having trouble reverting to human form because you would not be sitting here playing charades with me if you could do so at ease."
He reached out to lay a hand on her back, taking in her physical state, making sure that she was uninjured in any other way. When he was done, he gave a small nod. "As I understand it from our studies of the other shifters, it's a matter of intent. You have to put yourself in the correct mindset. First of all, I'm going to need you to calm down. Slow your breathing, slow your heart. Think of comfort. Would it help if I sat you up on the table?"
Would it help if he...Toby grimaced, an expression she at least hoped translated fairly well in cat form, then got to her feet. Being picked up wasn't exactly on her agenda, but at least on the table she probably wouldn't have to worry about passing through any shadows. In the meantime, she focused in on the rest of what he'd said. Intent. Calm.
Purring. Toby hissed and flipped around, her back arching. Bad enough Tybalt had followed her and was watching her try to get help. He didn't need to gloat, too.
Simon's eyes narrowed and he took two steps forward, shoving the table sideways to reveal the other cat in the room. Not one he recognized either, but one Toby clearly felt threatened by.
Well, he'd been spotted. oh well. Tail held high, Tybalt strutted out from under the table and instead hopped up onto it. Feigning total unconcern he sat down there to eye them both with a look of wide-eyed innocence. Because he was just a cute cat, right? He couldn't possibly be up to anything bad.
Oh, he was not pulling the innocent act, was he? Toby hissed again, her fur bristling indignantly, then took a step backwards, eyeing the table height. If he could jump up there...
No. Calm. Intent. She was not getting into a literal catfight. She closed her eyes and attempted to stop thinking like a cat, though the feline form seemed to fight against her attempt. Finally, though, she managed to break through, and with a stretch of form that she tried not to think about too hard, she found herself still on all fours on the floor, but now in human form. She scowled and shook her head, fighting a wave of disorientation. "You asshole. Just wait until I get my hands on you." Which she would. Shortly. Just as soon as she stopped feeling as if she were going to throw up.
Simon was forced to take a step back, putting a gentle arm around Toby to steady her. "Easy. Take it slow."
This probably a good time to stay in this form, Tybalt concluded. Much as he might be tempted to tease Toby some more (there were some good lines he could use), staying as a cat was probably best. Mostly because he'd bet any amount of money that Toby was going to have a less than pacifist response any second now. Best to stay in the small and slippery form. All the better to run away from you my dear.
Toby got to her feet shakily with Simon's help, her eyes still fixed on Tybalt. Who, despite being a cat (or maybe because of it) looked entirely too pleased with himself. "Don't worry," she assured Simon. "I've got absolutely no desire to kill him quickly." She narrowed her eyes and added, "I should've known you were up to something. This is what the whole nice act at the party was about too, wasn't it?"
"I assume that you two are acquainted?" Simon asked, studying the cat carefully.
Okay, now Tybalt actually had something to say that was more pressing than teasing. Which meant it was time to change. His transformation from smug tabby to smirking young man came considerably easier than Toby's. A moment later he was sitting comfortably on the edge of the desk. "I'm not sure if you're giving me too much or too little credit October. But sometimes a dance really just is a dance."
Toby scowled. "And the timing was purely coincidental, I'm sure." She looked over at Simon. "I take it you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Tybalt yet? I'm surprised - I'd have thought he'd have annoyed everyone by now."
"I was briefed on his power, but haven't yet had the chance to scan him for Dr. MacTaggart." He wasn't sure if that was Tybalt's fault, or Moira's. "I'm not sure I appreciate anyone who clearly forces their powers on another person. I assume it was forced, judging by your reaction."
"If you think I forced October to take a cup of coffee you don't know her very well at all. Furthermore, scanning is something done to barcodes and airline luggage. I'll pass thank you very much." Tybalt quipped drily in Simon's direction. Apparently not having been introduced wasn't going to stop him from being snarky. Then he turned his attention back to Toby. "Of all the virtues you could ascribe to me, why is it always long term planning? Possibly the only one I don't possess."
"You're not in possession of any virtues, period." Toby looked back to Tybalt, who was sitting there with that damn, satisfied...cat-look of his. It was really tempting to feed him to the wolves. Really tempting. On the flipside, it was Tybalt, and they'd always settled their own scores.
Finally, she decided to just split the difference, and sighed. "It could've been an accident," she allowed grudgingly. "He did say he'd cut himself. It could've dripped in the coffee."
"That's generous," Simon retorted dryly and folded his arms over his chest as he looked between the two of them. "I suppose we'll find out. The headmaster always seems to know these things. If your friend here finds himself cleaning out horse stalls by the end of the week, then we'll know it was no accident."
Normally Tybalt was very quick on rejoinders to pretty much anything Toby said about him. This time he didn't though. Apart from a lingering glance at Toby, he directed his response (and a much sharper glare) at Simon. "If you are going to make remarks about me when I am sitting right here, I would thank you to direct them at me instead of at October."
"My apologies. As something only fit for barcodes and airline luggage, I thought I was not worth your time," Simon answered, finally turning his attention back to the young man. "However, since you seem to desire my attention, my name is Simon Tam. I don't take kindly to those who injure others for the sake of a prank. Therefore, as the intern in this particular medical facility, I can tell you to please get your rear end off of my infirmary table and either put it in a chair or walk it right out that door before I call the headmaster myself."
Raising an eyebrow, Tybalt looked over at Toby. "I'm sorry, i can't see any injuries. or have I missed something October?" He didn't wait for a response before hopping off the table. "But very well. I'll be taking my leave. See you later October." With that he turned to leave, head held high with the same cocky arrogance he'd shown sauntering in as a cat.
Toby rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. "You are not going anywhere until I know I'm not going to disappear into the nearest shadow. Again. Or at least until you tell me how not to."
Despite the attempt at a haughty exit, Tybalt stopped and turned. He didn't look happy, but he cut the usual snark. "Staying in the light would be a good start. But I wouldn't worry too much. Getting onto a Shadow Road takes an effort of will. I doubt you would have found that wall anything but solid had you not been running away in such a helter skelter fashion Think of staying where you are when you're in a shadow and don't picture yourself as a cat and I imagine you will be fine."
Helter skelter? "I wouldn't have been running, period, if you hadn't been chasing me," Toby pointed out. Okay, granted, she'd started running before that, but she'd have stopped a lot sooner if he hadn't been racing behind her, meowing. She took a deep breath, though, because for once, he didn't seem to be feeding her bullshit. "But fine, I'll keep that in mind."
"Maybe you should stay here until the effects wear off," Simon suggested. "I can get you some coffee that isn't tainted in the meantime."
Tybalt just cocked an eyebrow at Toby. They both knew when she'd taken off. Granted, they both also knew he'd have probably chased her regardless, but still. He glanced briefly at Simon when the suggestion of staying was made and shrugged. For one thing he wasn't sure if the offer was even meant for him, for another he wasn't sure he wanted to. But still..... "If you think it is necessary I can stay to follow you through shadows. If you feel you need watching that is." It was a snarky way to put it, but Tybalt clearly didn't think Toby did. Whether that was out of faith in her or because he wanted to finish his stomping off was anyone's guess though.
Toby rolled her eyes. "Go." She gestured Tybalt towards the door, knowing full well he'd worded the offer as he had fully expecting she'd tell him just that. She turned towards Simon. "If you've got coffee handy, I won't turn it down."
"Well then. See you soon October." With that Tybalt turned and walked out. Apparently he wasn't going to try for some sort of snarky parting shot.
He made it through the glass doors, at least before running head first into Headmaster Xavier, the man tucking his hands behind his back as he regarded the young teen. "Sadly, I will not be offering coffee in my office, young man."
Tybalt stopped dead in his tracks. From behind, Toby and Simon could see his shoulders stiffen. And then deflate slighty." That's a shame. Suddenly I think I could use one." Despite the flippancy of the answer, Tybalt sounded a bit deflated. He knew the game was up.
