Sept 18: After the party

[Alex Campion]

Alex sat under a tree, reading a book on animal anatomy. He was trying to figure out new forms.

[Juma Ngomo]

"Isn't it getting a little dark to read," comes a friendly voice from nearby, "Or is darkness not a problem for you?" Juma's in uniform, partially shifted into his feline form, in particular his face is a strong hybrid complete with oversized ears atop his head.

[Alex Campion]

Alex looked up at Juma

"Not really a problem."

He turned the book to show he had grown his thumb into a natural lantern producing a green glow.

[Juma Ngomo]

He nods approvingly, "Useful. What are you working on?"

[Alex Campion]

"Reading up on animal anatomy so I can use my shapeshifting to mimic things."

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma nods and crouches nearby, "I've always had a hard time learning things like that from books. I'm Juma, by the way." He lets his features smooth back to his normal appearance.

[Alex Campion]

"I'm Alex," he nodded.

"Is your shifting purely animal?"

[Juma Ngomo]

"Yes, and only animals I have properly eaten from. I have a few forms that I can borrow reliably," he shrugs, "And yourself?"

[Alex Campion]

"Me? Fungus actually. But I can mimic bones pretty well out of chitin, which is in fungal cells. I just have to have enough calcium in my system to keep it hard."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Fungus has many uses. Back home we had a delica.. uh.. never mind."

[Alex Campion]

"It also has medical and pollution management applications. Unfortunately it can do nasty things as well."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Most living things have that potential, in one way or another. What sorts of creatures are you thinking of mimicking?"

[Alex Campion]

"I'd like to fly."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Mushrooms are not exactly known for that. It is a lot of fun though, if you can manage it. Does anatomy help, or do you need more general physics?"

[Alex Campion]

"Both would probably help me find the right shape to take. My new body is quite versatile."

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma tilts his head and looks over Alex, "New? Is this a recent change?"

[Alex Campion]

"It happened while I was in a coma."

[Juma Ngomo]

"When did you recover from the coma? That must have been a shock."

[Alex Campion]

"Just over three months ago. And yes, it was."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Welcome back to the land of the living then," he smiles, "have you had any problems adjusting?"

[Alex Campion]

"At first I did. Learning to move again was a challenge."

[Juma Ngomo]

"You seem to have adapted quickly. I would never have guessed that you lack.. muscle."

[Alex Campion]

"Not muscle in the traditional animal sense. Even if I did, there would have been atrophy to contend with. And I think my training with my original ability helped a great deal."

[Juma Ngomo]

"I would expect so," he nods and stretches. "But I think I will continue walking the campus. Take care, and if you would like a partner for shapeshifting practice, feel free to ask."

[Alex Campion]

"I'll keep that in mind," he nodded.