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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 8, 2020 14:36:06 GMT -6
Sara adored helicopters.
While she could fly in any number of forms (some with more ease and grace than others), there was something to be said about the thrum of the engine, the whirr of rotor blades and the sheer power held within an incredible creation of technology and aerodynamics. While she waited for takeoff, the shifter vibrated with excitement and as soon as they were in the air a massive grin was plastered to her face. It was a struggle to stop her tail from slamming into anything as it threatened to wag but, for the sake of the pilot beside her, she managed to control it enough that only the tip twitched; truly a marvel, given there were a number of reasons for her to be excited.
14,000 reasons, if early population estimates were correct.
The shifter’s knowledge of Surras, the species she had been tasked to research, had been accrued from a handful of accounts; they were non-hostile, group-orientated, carnivorous (of small birds and mammals), nocturnal and resided within an enormous, currently hidden through the use of illusions, tree. Said structure was apparently near impossible to climb, hence the helicopter.
Even knowing the tree would be far larger than any she’d ever seen, once broken through the ring of illusion and faced with it in front of her, Sara’s mouth hung slack-jawed in awe. It could rival a mountain in height. The pilot glanced over, clearly expecting such a reaction and she heard him chuckle through the headset. “Impressive, isn’t it?” “Why aye man, that’s one word for it, like! Bloody incredible it i-” the shifter’s voice cut off mid-sentence as she abruptly pressed herself against the glass, having spotted movement in the air below. The fact she ricocheted a little from her headset hitting the helicopter chassis didn’t seem to curb her enthusiasm any. “Cor blimey! ‘Ave a gander at ‘em like!” Flitting through the air, their vibrant colours filling the sky with an incredible display in the waning light of the setting sun, flew more Surras than Sara could ever hope to count. She let out a breathy sound of wonderment, before exclaiming, “They’re stunning!” Another amused chuckle from the pilot, before he banked the helicopter around and began their descent towards the tree. His voice crackled through the headpiece “Right then Dr Summers, we have a designated landing site, where I believe you’re to be met by a representative of the Surras, yeah?” “Why aye man, that’s all there is to it.” The pilot nodded and the helicopter descended further, guided by sure hands. It wouldn’t be long before they would reach their destination and Sara could get a good look at the group hosting her for the next few days.
What fun this would be!
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Post by Sharei on Jan 8, 2020 15:54:53 GMT -6
"Don't push!" Toko yelped, nearly landing himself off the branch when one of the females shoved forward to get a look at the strange thing the humans had sent. The big contraption was coming in for a landing in the lower boughs, where the branches were thickest. Landlings seemed to be more comfortable when they couldn't see the far away ground, which made no sense to Toko. If they usually spent all their life on the ground, why would seeing it make them uneasy? Silly things.
"Look at it!" said a Dam on the other side of him. Her coral and white fur bristled as the machine came close enough that they could feel the wind off the rotors. "It's huge!"
"And loud," complained a second orange and pink Dam.
"I thought they were sending humans," said an olive coated female behind the other two. All three were piling onto Toko's shoulders to get a look, draped haphazardly across the bigger alpha and secure in his protection. Or his shield, at least, because they were going through an awful lot of effort to stay behind him. It wouldn't have been a big deal except that they kept pushing to see more of the approaching helicopter.
"Maybe its a human?" asked the coral Dam.
"Nuh uh," said the olive one. "Humans don't fly, don't be stupid."
"I'm not stupid, you're stupid-"
"Stop!" Toko barked and swatted all three of them with a sharp crack of his tail. The females darted away like startled rabbits, ears back and flat, but he would not be taken in by their doleful eyes. "The humans are inside it, they said."
"Ooooh," said all three in unison, ears perked forward.
"Did it eat them?" "How do they get out-" "Why don't they ride on top-" "How does it fly with a silly spinning leg-?" "I wonder if they'll be nice-"
Toko heaved a sigh of relief as the helicopter touched down. The Dams fell silent as the rotors slowed and the roar of the noise began to ease, and though he could feel their collective gasp when the machine's door opened, none of them dared approach. He did not blame them. Everything inside him was screaming danger, run, even though he knew the big machine wasn't a predator come to eat them.
It still looked ominous.
Toko gave the big machine a serious side-eye as he approached the disembarking passenger. So this was the human researcher they'd sent?
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 8, 2020 17:03:37 GMT -6
With the pilot having stilled the rotors enough for Sara to safely exit the vehicle, she soon bounced her way out and turned her attention to the tree towering above. She slung an arm above her head, providing a shield from the still-bright setting sun as she looked upon it and mouthed a silent 'wow'. It was even larger up close, she didn't think she could explore the whole thing even with a week in hand. What an incredible home the Surras had!
Speaking of, it seemed that one was approaching, judging by the movement in her peripherals.
The shifter turned her attention to the blue-furred super, trying to stifle the rising squeal of excitement at seeing him, or at how cute they were. She didn't want to spook them and thus maintained a very tight measure of control over herself as she walked closer, intending to put some distance between herself and the idling helicopter so she'd at least have a chance of conversing without shouting. The pilot wouldn't lift off again until they were a safe distance away, just to be safe where downdraft was concerned.
When Sara was within a few feet of the Surras, she paused politely, giving him chance to close the final distance if he felt comfortable enough to do so. One hand briefly lifted to her neck, fingers brushing against the strings of the necklace hanging there, just to check her translator charm was, in fact, hanging there, before she raised one hand in a gentle wave. Her tail wagged, another sign of her happy excitement at being here, meeting these Surras.
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Post by Sharei on Jan 8, 2020 17:53:47 GMT -6
"Do humans usually have tails?" "She's so pretty! Kinda furless though-" "Shhhh-!"
Toko's left ear twitched to catch the whispered chatter of the Dams following him while his right perked forward to listen to the movements of the stranger. His tail swished restlessly as he closed the distance between them, the end curling.
"Uh. 'Hello'." Toko tipped his head slightly and sniffed, tongue coming out to taste the air so that he could commit her scent to memory. "That's how humans say it?"
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 9, 2020 12:30:28 GMT -6
Sara smiled gently, nodding her head in response. Luckily, the translation charm dealt with the issue of her oftentimes difficult to understand accent, leaving her English clear and easy to follow, without her having to actively think of using received pronunciation. "Yes, hello is right! Hello to you to, it's wonderful to make your acquaintence!" She had to raise her voice over the sound of the helicopter spinning up its engines once again, the pilot readying for takeoff. Thus, Sara indicated the deeper reaches of the tree with a few small gestures of her hand. "Would it be alright for us to get further away from my friend?" A quick point at the helicopter, "It's an awfully loud machine and he can't safely leave with us so close, we'll be able to talk more easily after."
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Post by Sharei on Jan 9, 2020 13:09:04 GMT -6
Toko was all too happy to get away from the roaring of the strange human-machine and its spinning parts. He waved Sara back the way he'd come and jogged down the branch, causing the females to skitter away like frightened mice when Sara followed. They regrouped again further yet, the trio huddled together at a distance. When Sara's eye was inevitably drawn to them Toko rolled his own theatrically.
"Ignore them," Toko said. "They wanted to be the ones to present you with our gift but they're being shy. Hey! Come over here!"
The females whined, to which Toko slapped his tail against the branch in warning. The three Dams whined louder but eventually obeyed. Each dropped to all fours and crept forward, wings tucked and tails coiled, sneaking glances at Sara as they gathered around the male's legs like children hid behind a mother's skirt.
"Are you going to give the gift or not?" he demanded.
The other two Dams looked at the coral one who, upon seeing she'd been voted in, shot her companions a dirty look before sliding forward. But despite her fear there was obvious curiosity in her eyes as she looked the new figure up and down. She stopped just in front of Sara and produced a necklace of small, beautifully carved stones in spiraling designs that had clearly been lovingly polished. Each stone had been picked for color and quality and arranged in a pleasing way, with a larger oval stone at the heart of the necklace.
"Our carvers made it," Toko said proudly. "To welcome you!"
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 9, 2020 16:30:40 GMT -6
Sara was exceptionally careful not to make any sudden movements as she followed Toko, especially when a small group of females scattered at her approach. She did, however, make a soft cooing sound in a subconscious attempt to soothe. Luckily, over the years and especially recent months, the shifter had become better at reigning in her more bombastic excitement when faced with new animals or supers. As such, there was only the twitch of her tail to give her away.
During their interactions, she watched the Surras carefully, logging behaviours, apparent rank and personalities of individuals and their methods of dealing with new situations - or strange individuals, in her case. She didn't push for the females to come forward, leaving it to Toko and pack dynamics to sort the situation one way or another. The talk of a gift was most intriguing and touching, sparking a warm glow in the woman's chest.
When a Dam finally did creep her way forward (Sara was again momentarily taken aback at just how beautiful they all were), the shifter bent over just a little, so they were on a more level height. She held out her hands to receive the necklace, then gave the female a gentle smile with no teeth, aware that to show those pearly whites was often a sign of aggression. "Oh it's absolutely lovely, thank you!" The necklace really was a splendid piece of craft, so much so that Sara found herself locking away 'capable of complex crafts' as another piece of information regarding the Surras species. She also found the warmth in her chest strengthening as she looked down upon the stones. To have been given such a thoughtful gift was so unbelievably heartwarming that the shifter felt a touch of warmth building behind her eyes. To stop herself getting too emotional and because she wanted to wear it anyway, the woman slipped the necklace over her head, stating as she did so, "I love it so much, I'll wear it right away." With the necklace secured and with the noise of the helicopter now barely a hum on the horizon, proper introductions felt as if they were in order. "Hello everyone, I'm Sara Summers, who might you all be?" She waited for the group to answer, ever patient and curious. She wondered why this group, in particular, had followed the blue male to see her arrival. The bravest of them, the most inquisitive? There could be any number of reasons.
Then, once the Surras responded or perhaps shied away, the shifter looked to Toko and asked, "Would it be easier for everyone, less scary, if I looked like you?" A pause, before Sara realised she might want to explain a bit further what she meant. "Ah, my apologies, I should explain. You see, I'm a shapeshifter, given the right sample, I could become like you all. I'd be a Surras. If that would be alright, of course."
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Post by Sharei on Jan 9, 2020 16:57:53 GMT -6
The Dams' eyes lit up when Sara put on the necklace and all three leaned in, encouraged by the positive interaction and Sara's approval. Toko looked on with pride, watchful as any protective alpha should be, yet aware that the woman meant no harm. But when she mentioned shapeshifting, and shapeshifting into one of their own kind no less, all four Surras' mouths opened in surprise. Their ears perked forward in unison and there were all but stars in their eyes.
"You can do that?" one of the females cooed in excitement. "Amazing! Do it!" said another. "I bet you'll have great colors!" said the third.
"That would help a lot!" Toko said enthusiastically. "But... ah... you might get jumped on." At Sara's quizzical look he lifted a hand and pointed to the thick branches above. Peering down at her were sets of dozens, possibly hundreds, of eyes leaned over the upper branches. Surras lined every possible inch of space, seeking to get a good vantage from which to view their newest visitor.
"I told them they couldn't jump on the human," he explained. "They really want to meet you before- ack! I forgot! I should show you where you're staying!"
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 9, 2020 17:59:10 GMT -6
Sara found herself chuckling at the Surras' responses, glad to hear and see that they were excited at the idea of her shapeshifting. Their expressions were adorably endearing. There had been reports of what appeared to be a mating season, based on documented behaviour, but those sightings had been in earlier spring, so given how many months had passed, she and the department assumed now to be a safer time. It would be fine, she was sure.
Just as the woman was about to mention what kind of sample she would need, Toko mentioned 'getting jumped on' and one of her eyebrows shot into the line of her fringe. She turned her gaze skyward, only to intake a soft, surprised breath and just how many eyes were currently peering back at her. Cor blimey. She thought to herself. Guess that answers where a load of 'em are, like. Then, returning her attention to Toko, she said out loud, "Well, I think I'll be alright, even if they do jump on me. But yes, please, lead the way to where I'm staying. I warn you, I'm going to have so many questions for you all." Another smile, a gentle wave with one hand to indicate she was ready to go.
Presumably, the Surras led her through the trees and while they travelled, the shifter continued to explain about her abilities, "So, in order to be one of you, I'll need a living sample of some kind - blood, spit, semen, that kind of thing." Sara was so used to the concept of her abilities and what was required, not to mention with her speciality in genetics, she hadn't realised what she had said for a few moments. When she did realise, the shifter quickly followed up with, "Someone could spit into my hand if that's easiest. Hopefully that's not too off-putting." Probably best not to let them get the wrong idea about what sort of sample she might be after.
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Post by Sharei on Jan 11, 2020 15:12:14 GMT -6
None of the Surras seemed particularly bothered by the shapeshifter's explanation. The Dams continued to watch her with open interest and even went so far as to walk beside her where able. The rest of the time was spent climbing up the enormous trunk, which couldn't have been easy for a clawless human with no wings or tail to help. Toko peered back at her every few feet to make sure she was alright to pull herself over the huge root-like obstructions or suddenly veering branches.
"Doesn't matter to us," Toko said over his shoulder. He reached out and hooked Sara around the middle with his prehensile tail and hefted her with surprising strength between one large branch and another. Then he made a flying leap himself and landed lightly beside her. "You can have some from me, how ever you want it."
The branch they'd reached was particularly wide and often the site of many social gatherings in the tree for its relatively flat surface. It nestled up against the trunk in a neat and tidy way, which had made it ideal for a new hole. The Growers had worked for days to make it as comfortable as they'd been able with their limited resources; human homes seemed so much more complicated than any of them had realized.
"This way," he enthused and lead Sara to a small opening where the branch met the tree. It was shadowed by the leaves far above and low enough that she had to duck to get inside, which he thought added a little privacy. Immediately inside was a small landing and a flight of stairs that curved upward, wide enough for a single human or Surras. The staircase opened up to a circular room six or so steps up, where a makeshift trunk and low table had been placed alongside a thin stuffed mattress covered with comfortable looking pillows and blankets of varying colors. There was a single small window that looked out over the branch they'd just vacated, and not a lot else.
"We didn't know what else you would want," one of the Dams said from the top of the stairs. The others peered up over her shoulders. "Is this okay?"
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 11, 2020 20:30:45 GMT -6
Sara made a high-pitched sound of surprise somewhere between a squeak and a giggle when she was hefted into the air, not anticipating it but finding the experience fun all the same. Strength belying their size was another little titbit she added to her list of Surras information, alongside the prehensile nature of their tails. She supposed, given their no doubt active lifestyle and treetop life, it made sense that their body strength would be well developed. Though she had to wonder if the tail in particular held a lot of strength. Her own (once she acquired the form) would be hampered by the crocodilian nature of her limb, she knew, but that was fine. She'd manage.
"You can have some from me, how ever you want it."
Toko's casual response received the slightest flick of one eyebrow from the redhead, in which she had to wonder whether he was aware how that came across, or whether they cared. The society of the Surras may have viewed sex in far less monogamous and serious terms than humans, after all. Still, best not to take up that particular offer.
As they walked, the shifter found her attention regularly drawn to the layout of the tree, the manner in which it was used and traversed by the Surras, the sheer health and grandeur of it. The whole biological structure really was incredibly impressive. But before long, the group had reached their destination and if her hosts were concerned Sara's lodgings weren't good enough, they needed have worried. She inhaled a soft gasp as she stepped inside, taken aback by how much care had been taken to replicate certain aspects of human housing. Coupled with the natural beauty of the tree and the carefully cultivated level of relative privacy, Sara was completely captivated by it. "Ohh you're all so thoughtful! This is perfect, thank you!" Carefully placing a small satchel on the floor, she'd brought from the helicopter (it only contained a few spare clothes, a notepad, pencil and some hygiene products, enough for the few days she was scheduled to be with the Surras), the shifter excitedly moved around her temporary home, running her fingers lovingly across the stairs and low table, once she'd made her way to the top floor. "At this rate I'll be coming back and bothering you all again, given how nice this all is." She remarked with an amused chuckle.
Once she'd investigated her new surroundings, the shifter turned her thoughts to how she would approach her studies. She could ask the group to sit down with her and answer a few questions, so that she could note them down, she'd love to sketch one of them too, if they were willing. Or...
"So I was thinking..." Sara said, looking between each gathered Surras in turn, the tip of her tail twitching, "-that while I was hoping to sketch one of you, if that would be alright, I'd love to see how you all live and how your society works, from a more natural perspective." She looked to Toko, who had come across in various interactions as being a leader, of sorts. One who made decisions, at least. "Toko, would now be a good time for a sample? I'd most certainly rather not draw blood from you," a light, joking smile touched her lips, "-not a good way to make friends, which I'd rather like to be." She held out her hands, a gesture of invitation, given he'd rather amicably agreed to it on their way here. "Saliva will be fine, if you're still willing."
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Post by Sharei on Feb 5, 2020 14:30:35 GMT -6
When Sara expressed her appreciation for the modest home they'd made her the Dams chittered excitedly amongst themselves, already talking about ways to help improve the home. Toko rather suspected that the newcomer would find herself on the receiving end of quite a handful of gifts in the coming days, especially blankets. Must get cold without fur.
His musings were interrupted when the woman turned to him again, returning properly to the reason she'd come in the first place. Right, yes. Research. He totally hadn't been distracted by imagining humans covered in bright ginger fur. Didn't they call that the bigfoot? Sara's feet didn't look particularly large-
RIGHT, YES. Sample.
"Sure!" Toko said, ears flicking forward. He took Sara's hand and licked a long stripe up her palm, which immediately presented additional information. The barbed tongue was a familiar sensation not unlike a cat's, and the impressive fangs on these clearly carnivorous creatures were on full display when he opened his mouth.
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Post by tsukikoko on Feb 17, 2020 9:11:09 GMT -6
Sara had barely a second to appreciate Toko's dentition, or take note of the raspiness of his tongue, before she raised her wet palm to her mouth a licked the line of saliva there. Odd to anyone watching, perhaps, but she needed to do so in order to acquire the sample properly. For a fraction of a second, the shifter's eyes glazed over as her body assimilated the new genetic information. She exhaled slowly, a deadpan, breathy tone stating 'Surras', as her skin took on an odd rippling visual, like a heat haze on the horizon.
Then, she blinked, refocused on Toko and smiled.
The rippling across Sara's flesh became more volatile, though only for the span of a blinking eye, before the woman was gone and in her place stood a bright, ginger Surras. Plates of gold ran across her shoulders and down her arms, while her fluffy hair had become slightly longer. Her tail stood in stark contrast, still green and scaled. The female teetered on her hind legs for a moment, quickly dropping into a crouch while her brain adjusted to the new bodily dimensions and muscles at her disposal. First shifts always took some getting used to. She was naked now, the few clothes that hadn't been charmed now caught halfway down one arm and leg. Her gift still hung around her neck, unchanged.
Sara took a moment to disentangle herself, asking the room with a slightly broken version of the Surras' language, "How... I look?"
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Post by Sharei on Feb 23, 2020 10:44:35 GMT -6
There was silence as all four Surras took in Sara's transformation with wide eyes and perked ears. No one said anything for a beat, and then the room erupted in noise. The Dams squealed and launched forward to run their hands through Sara's new fur and to feel the silkiness of her longer ginger hair. One pulled a wing and stretched it out so that they could look at the beautiful spotted pattern.
"You're gold!" said one.
"So pretty!" said another.
"Shame about your tail!" said the third.
Toko chuckled and swiped his tail over the floor. He was as excited, but it was best to let the females get their fill before he moved in. "You look good," he said with a head tilt. "What's wrong with your tail though?" he asked and gestured at his own long, luxuriously furred one. "Its... stumpy."
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Post by tsukikoko on Feb 23, 2020 16:49:41 GMT -6
Where some might have found the sudden influx of attention and physical contact overwhelming, Sara embraced the experience with relish. An excited trill escaped her mouth, an instinctive equivalent to a human laugh. This was such a wonderful bit of social bonding!
Assuming the dams didn't mind, the shifter returned their touches with gentle strokes and investigations of her own; touching their wings, feeling the softness of their fur, testing how hard the plates of their shoulders were. At Toko's compliment she fluffed with delighted pride, guessing from his and the dam's comments that gold was a good colour to have. His question, on the other hand, prompted her to look around at her own tail. She chittered, akin to a giggle and raised one shoulder in a shrug. "Ah, tail.. never changes." Sara's 'accent', for lack of a better term, was now an attempt at the Surras' natural dialect without the aid of a translation charm, drawing only on what instinctual basis of it she had. It was a touch stilted, but a decent attempt nonetheless. "Always scaled. I used to it." She then gestured to herself, running her new hands through the fur of her chest and belly. "My colours... Good? Normal?" She asked, trying to inquire what the standard and rarer fur patterns were for the Surras. From what she had seen already, they were vibrant and varied, but she also knew her transformations tended to have a ginger patch or tint that weren't always.. standard.
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