[open] well we could be friends, we could shake hands

[lumelume]

WHO: Mado and you
WHAT: he's back
WHEN: early Kingsway
WHERE: the Gallows
NOTES: man dog dog man bird

I. I keep 'em close (for Ellie)

Maker only knows how long he's been flying, or if he spent the whole time as a pigeon, but when Mado returns to the Gallows it's in this form, late at night, and he makes a beeline for a familiar window of the tower.
Fluttering onto the sill, he nudges the glass open with his beak, and, seeing that (I'm taking a liberty here) she's still awake, pecks lightly on the windowframe to alert her of his presence.

II. I keep 'em real close (OTA)

After a two-month absence, it feels strange to simply come strolling back into work and wave hello to everyone who may or may not have missed or even noticed he was gone, so Mado opts to ease back into his presence in the Gallows by spending most of his time in canine form. Those who greet him are bound to see a quick transformation and receive a hug (or a handshake, or simply a hello, whatever they prefer), but to all other parties there simply is a little brown and white dog where there wasn't before, trotting about the courtyard, sleeping by fireplaces and under carts, and occasionally sitting perfectly still to watch the passersby with an uncanny awareness in his canine face.

III. So no one can take them from me (OTA)

There's still one realm where his human senses outperform his canine ones, and that's up in the Scouting office, where Mado sits placid and cross-legged as he leans over what, at first glance, might appear to be paperwork: and on a closer look, one might identify it as the Trade alphabet, dutifully written over and over, with each iteration finding new clarity.

There is a separate parchment with very simple words copied from a book, and also his name in both its forms, Amador and Mado, written in careful columns to practice the shape of the words.

He seems quite serene as he works, but is never one to turn away an interruption.

Comments

[sprent]

Gela is cautious, but still curious. She watches the dog respond, in much more than action, and thinks to ask, "Do you understand me?"

Odd.

... Wait, she's heard that- "Jude? Is it you?"

[lumelume]

Aha, an easy mistake to make. Rather than keep the mystery going, Mado rises onto his hind legs (an impressive stance, for a dog), hops once or twice, and then turns human, hands splayed in a gesture of apology-via-fanfare.

"Not Jude," he explains, "sorry, amica, hope I didn't frighten you."

[sprent]

Gela wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen it for herself: a dog, turning into a man. She blanches, stepping backward, and makes herself laugh to account for it. Her heart is racing.

"Only a bit," she admits, because it's probably obvious, "Wasn't expectin'– there are more of you? Here?"

Shapeshifters?

[lumelume]

It's an effect he's somewhat used to having on people, and if she hadn't clocked him before the change, he'd have done it out of sight; it's a courtesy thing. That not being the case, however, all that can be done is to forge ahead.

"Only one that I know of, and you named him already," he says kindly, rocking back on his heels.

[sprent]

Okay, so two. (That they know of, an uneasy thought.) Mado, here, is the picture of ease. The way he rocks back on his feet is almost childish, carefree. Gela looks at him, and before she can stop herself she asks, "Can you learn how to do that?"

Because if she could control this thing inside of her and keep it locked away for good–

That would change everything.

[lumelume]

"Yes," Mado answers easily, "if you're a mage! I've learned to be a bird, as well. And I'm trying to be a mouse, but it takes a while to get the new form right." Blessedly, he doesn't demonstrate.

[sprent]

"Oh," Gela says, feeling foolish, stupid for ever thinking to ask, "I'm- not a mage." And that's why she can't tell him that she can turn into a wolf anyway, because what she is doesn't follow any rules, is without control. She'll scare him, and he'll tell other people, and then she'll be asked to leave.

For a moment she looks a little glum.

Then she says, "What does it feel like? Turnin' into a mouse."

[lumelume]

"Oh. Well! There are ways you can still do it, with a mage's help, but historically they're not very nice." His smile is open and sympathetic as he shrugs helplessly.

"So far I'm not able to get very small. Or mousey. It takes a while, though it's not as perilous as trying to become a bird."

[sprent]

Yes. He's right about that. Gela smiles back, a little tight, and wipes her clammy palms against her skirt.

"... I suppose there's a lot of you that you have to make very small," she considers, trying to picture it. It's almost funny. "But why is a bird perilous?" Of all things.

[lumelume]

"It's bad news if you've jumped from a high place and don't have it quite right," Mado replies, grinning nonetheless, "not that that's happened for a while."
One might ask 'why not take off from standing on the ground then, you absolute doorknob', but if the thought has crossed his mind he has certainly not paid it any attention.

[sprent]

Gela will be that one.

"You can't start from the ground?" For all she knows about the subject you could have to have the running start, just to get yourself going. Maybe it's easier to turn into something else if there is pressure behind it.

[lumelume]

The smile remains as though plastered on, even if Mado's eyes go a bit distant. He's silent for several long moments, then simply states, "that's no fun."

[sprent]

"Oh."

Of... course it isn't. Gela stares at him, and resists the urge to glance over her shoulder in the same direction he's staring. Overall she's still unnerved by him. Thinking, she says suddenly, "What's your name?"

[lumelume]

As easily as though they had never discussed the previous topic, he answers: "Amador! You can call me Mado, if you like."

He rocks back on his heels again. "How about you?"

[sprent]

"I'll call you Mado." Because nicknames endear you to somebody a bit faster, surely? "Gela. Just- Gela, it's not short for anythin'. Good to know you."

[lumelume]

"Gela!" he repeats cheerfully, "good to know you too, amica. Have you been with Riftwatch long?"

[sprent]

"Some months now." (Wtf almost five??) "I'm not the newest by any stretch of the word, but it still feels like that sometimes."

[lumelume]

"I know how you feel!" Mado enthuses, "it's been several years now, I think, and I'm still not certain I've found my footing." Some of that comes with the territory of being Like This, of course, but he's not complaining.