[and It wriggles free, leaps up onto the couch, and grows to the size of a tiger. It lies over Hershel, bundles him up in Its paws, and purrs loudly.

Hershel knows the routine by now. he goes limp and quiet, letting his head empty of everything but the pressure and rumbling.]

.. h.. hh…

[any attempt at self-soothing shatters the moment Luke shouts. Hershel flinches, gasps, and starts babbling frantically.]

No—Luke—m’not—didn’t mean—not nothing—I’m sorry—I’m sORRY—I’M SORRY—!!

[the Hound urgently paws at Teddy’s arms.]

> I’LL BE BACK . NEED TO SETTLE 🎩🧳🧩 BEFORE IT ERUPTS .

[the form under the blanket shifts, arms curling over his head. the mumbling quiets to incomprehensibility.

the Hound waits a moment, before chiming in.]

> THE BODY WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE STREAM . IT SHOULD BE WHERE IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE .

> NOT SURE IF IT CAN HOUSE AN EXTRA 🎩🧳🧩 THOUGH . .

Lose my..? Hh-hahaa..! Body got up and walked away! Lost it! Wonder where it went~?

[Hershel is barely audible—but he sounds borderline delirious.]

Just memories.. electrical signals.. noth—𝘯𝘨𝘩.

[an abrupt pause. his breath stutters.]

No.. no, stop it.. none of that now… just calm down…

[the Hound nuzzles Teddy back, chirring somberly.]

> JUST DIFFERENT . NOT GOING AWAY . I WILL STILL PROTECT YOU . STILL BE YOUR FRIEND . .

[It looks to Luke. any previous hostility seems to have vanished.]

> IS PARASITE THE WRONG WORD ? IT IS SOMETHING THAT LIVES IN MY BODY AT MY EXPENSE . YES ?

> WANT TO . . HOLD ? ALRIGHT . .

[the Hound shrinks Itself down to the size of a month old kitten, and lightly paws at Desirée’s arms.]

> GIVE ? I’LL BE GOOD . PLEASE ?

[It sounds.. almost scared to upset her.]

[the Hound bristles as Luke speaks. It barks sharply.]

> I DON’T WANT TO KEEP IT ! I WANT IT GONE ! IT’S A PARASITE MY BODY CAN’T KILL !

> BUT . SINCE I CAN’T GET RID OF IT . REJOINING IS EASIER . .

> FOR BOTH OF US . I THINK . .

[Its gaze drifts down to Teddy as It settles back down.]

> STAY APART ? NO . NOT FOREVER . THE CURSE IS A SICKNESS RUNNING ITS COURSE .

> I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROLONG IT . AND I DON’T WANT TO .

[the Hound glances at Luke and Teddy, and whines at the souring mood.]

> IT WILL BE OKAY ! WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE ! WE’LL STILL BE NICE-GENTLE !

> UNLATCH ? IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD ? UNSYNC ? DISCONNECT ?

> MINDS JOINED BACK TOGETHER FOR A MOMENT . THINKING THE SAME THOUGHTS .

[the Hound rubs Its head against Desirée’s clavicle, warbling softly.]

> DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN . 🎩🧳🧩 DOES NOT LIKE IT .

> MIGHT HAPPEN MORE . . AS WE GET CLOSER . .

[the repeating continues for a moment, then is interrupted by a soft gasp.

the Hound had shaken Its head violently.]

> SORRY . SORRY . WAS SYNCING . . THINK I’VE GOT IT TO UNLATCH . .

[Hershel goes quiet, breathing as though he’d just run a marathon.]

[Hershel doesn’t really respond. there’s some muffled mumbling, but it just seems to be him repeating the phrase to himself. his breath keeps catching.]

> TRYING TO BE GOOD . HAVE TO BE GOOD . . G̸O̴O̵D̶ ̵D̶O̶G̵ . . .

[the Hound growls to Itself, curling up and gritting Its teeth.]

G̵̢̀o̷̼̎ȯ̵͎d̸̪͆ ̸͎̍d̵̰͠o̶̥̚ĝ̷̲…̶̭̓

[Hershel echoes It, voice crackling and hollow.

slowly, he retreats further under the blanket until he can pull it down over his head to hide completely.]

[the Hound wriggles for a bit longer, then briefly flashes Its claws. luckily It reigns Itself in before It starts scratching, and slumps.]

> GOOD . .

[Hershel’s gaze flicks towards Luke for a moment, before darting back to the Hound. he lets out an anxious, questioning hum.]

[the Hound squirms and whines in displeasure. it’s like holding an armful of eels.]

> BUT I’M JUST LOOKING ! BEING NICE-GENTLE !!

> IF THEY SEE ME BE NICE-GENTLE THEY WILL NOT BE SCARED YES ??

… Glad I… c-could.. help…

[Hershel’s gone tense and quiet again, watching the Hound like a hawk.

It doesn’t seem to really have a nose, so It scents with Its tongue—teeth slightly parted as Its snout nudges at Luke’s sweater.]

> HUMAN SHAPED AGAIN ! SORRY . DID NOT RECOGNIZE YOU AT FIRST .

I think you understand humans well enough for your age. Though I find more understanding comes with more lived experience—

[the Hound suddenly wriggles out of Desirée’s arms and scampers over to Luke. It circles and sniffs at him, curious.

Hershel’s eyes snap to It, his breath catching.]

Shopping’s good. That’s certainly something you can help with..

[Hershel withdraws his arm again, turning his attention back to Luke.]

… Mm.. mhm.. s’hard when your body isn’t.. human.

[his brow furrows, and he quickly shakes his head and changes topic.]

he hesitantly reaches out again to pat the girl’s head. limited contact seems to be more bearable.]

You’re doing fine, dear. We’ve got plenty of grownups here to handle the grownup issues.

Though I’m sure we could find something for you to help with if you’d like..

Hm.. sort of like… how I was. Well, try to think human thoughts—but don’t fret too much if you can’t..

The fact that you can return to normal at all means the situation isn’t nearly as dire as it could be. That’s good…

[Hershel’s gaze lingers on Luke for a moment, then trails over to Teddy.

[and then his skin starts to prickle, and he’s forced to let go and retreat back under the blanket.

though he still peeks out, watching wearily.]

Do you think it’s over already, Luke? Or just paused..?

[once they’re within reach, Hershel twists around and sweeps both kids into a one-armed sideways hug.]

You’re not a bother, my boy. Not at all. Any inconvenience matters little. M’just glad you’re here.. safe…

[he lightly ruffles Teddy’s hair.]

You too, dear. Just help however you can.

[Hershel peeks out from the blanket, heart clenching. he slips an arm free again and reaches out, waving the kids over.]

L’ke.. Teddy.. c’mere..?

the sound of Luke’s actual voice gives Hershel pause. he goes very quiet and listens intently.]

Gh—!

[Hershel bites back a whine, the fox noises sharp enough to jab at his brain.

he schools his reaction, and pulls the blanket over his head to hide the fact that he has to cover his ears.

aside from a few muffled self-soothing hums, he manages to keep quiet for a while…

… Think he’s just trying to talk, dear.. not laughing at you..

[Hershel’s still mumbling, raspy and quiet.]

S’a noise foxes make.. has a different meaning… not sure what it is though..