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"Yeah, okay, Doctor. Maybe it's just because you're used to an enhanced body with support systems and a healing factor. Thought of that?" Way to make Howard feel helpless and inadequate, Zou. Because bodyswapping with a synthetic human totally wouldn't do that on its own.

It's also incredibly creepy to seeing Zou using his expressions. They seem just a little bit subdued compared to when Howard's seen himself in the mirror or on tape, and Zou hasn't been using the hand gestures Howard always uses unconsciously. "See, yet another reason to not be afraid. No wonder you can keep your cool while punting T-Rexes around."

He touches his new throat thoughtfully. "It's been doing that a few months. I think I'm used to it by now. Wouldn't mind having your voice, though, even if laughing with it's weird."

"Could be," Zouichi says. "I'm just saying... you should take care of yourself. Make sure you don't get sick and end up treating yourself in Medical."

Zouichi has always had muted body language, so hand gestures aren't really his thing. Howard, by contrast, seems to use them with abandon; Zouichi hopes no one runs into him in the middle of an especially exuberant display -- at least not while he's tooling around in a Synthetic Human body. He frowns a little at Howard's comment. "You think that's why I can remain calm when I'm fighting? Because I know I can't get hurt?"

Wow, watching Howard touch his throat like that is... a little surreal, there. "Well, when is it supposed to stop? I thought it was only supposed to last a few months." He looks up at Howard for once, considering. "...You like my voice?"

"I take care of myself fine, Zou. Okay?"

Don't worry, Z, Howard's not going to randomly smack someone while gesturing and punt them through a wall. He gives Zouichi a skeptical look. "No, I think you have a lot of reasons for staying calm and feeling less pain is one of them. Don't take everything I say as a hidden insult, alright?

"I think it can last up to a year? It should probably be settling any time now." He puts a hand out. "Not like that, man, but it's a nice voice. You could have, like, a lisp or be super-nasal or something, but instead it's a nice voice. Almost low enough to be commanding."

Zouichi nods. "Okay." He just worries sometimes.

He meets Howard's look with an almost plaintive look of his own. "But if I don't take everything as a hidden insult, it feels like the magic is gone."

Zouichi... actually works to speak more softly so he doesn't sound commanding or intimidating. "Thanks... I think? I'm sure yours will finish changing soon. At least, I hope so. It's a little annoying not knowing what's going to come out when I say something."

Howard tilts his - Zouichi's - head at Zouichi, sure something just went both unsaid and over his head. It's been a while since anyone's actually worried about him. Even back in the FAYZ, Orc didn't worry about him.

"Well, I know the foundation of a good marriage is mutual suspicion and distrust, so I guess I'll have to accept that." Now he's paying way too much attention to their voices. "Hopefully we're not stuck bodyswapped long enough for it to be a problem for you. I mean, not that I mind the extra half-foot, but this is kinda...yours."

Zouichi looks back at him for a moment. He knows that expression, even on his own face. "I was worried about you," he says. He was actually trying to avoid saying it, outright, since he's sure the revelation will make Howard feel awkward, but since he's going to get the 'what are you talking about' look anyway...

"Well, just you know, honey, I miss that extra half-foot already." He scowls down at Howard's considerably shorter legs. "I wonder if the Inn has any stools."

And his hair. It's weird to have hair as short as Howard's. "Your head feels all naked, by the way."

"You were?" If it's possible for a synthetic human's face to flush, Howard's accomplished it. He reaches a hand to chew on the fingernails then stops halfway up, remembering it's not his body to mess with as he pleases. "Whatever. I don't need you to worry about me."

The fact that he worries a little bit about Zou on some of those missions is not going to come up in this conversation, dammit. Or ever.

"I'm not that short. Just climb on the counters or something." He runs a hand through Zouichi's hair. "Your head feels like it's got a mop on top of it. You're not allowed to grow out a 'fro in my body, by the way. You'll just look stupid."

Ack. Watching himself blush like that is weird, so incredibly weird. "Of course. Don't you ever worry about your friends? I'm pretty sure it's actually a prerequisite."

"And I'd rather not climb on the counters unless I have to. Sounds kind of undignified. I'm pretty sure I saw a stepladder around somewhere..."

Zouichi rolls his eyes. "Clearly, you don't know how to appreciate the finer things in life. Also, you're not allowed to give me a haircut. Under any circumstances." Zouichi does not want to get stuck with a crew cut or anything equally ridiculous. "Maybe I can wear a hat or something. It feels cold."

"Yeah, but, over serious stuff. Not whether or not you're getting enough sleep." Of course, Zouichi doesn't need to sleep, usually, so that's really a non-concern. But it was worrying about Zou on that Trojan Horse mission that first cued Howard in that Zou'd been promoted from mere acquaintance.

Is that really what he looks like when he rolls his eyes? "I'll leave your emo kid hair alone if you leave mine alone. Seriously, I don't want you giving me Tina Turner hair just to keep your head warm."

"It is serious. If humans don't get enough sleep, they become sick, incoherent, unable to function, or begin hallucinating. Or a combination of those. Not everything has to be about whether or not you're bleeding out of the floor."

"'Emo kid hair'? You know, jealousy doesn't become you, Howard. No one else ever complains about it." He sighs. "But fine. I won't inflict Tina Turner hair on you. Whatever that is."

"My body doesn't feel that bad, does it? I mean, I'm not an insomniac or anything. That night you came over wasn't normal." Of course, how would Z be able to tell? Does he even know what tired is?

Mostly Howard worries about Zouichi's little spaceship on the aerial missions getting blown to pieces. It could happen! It's not even unlikely!

"I'm not jealous. You've got an emo haircut. How do you put up with it getting in your eyes all the time?" He pushes Z's bangs out of his face again. Besides, he likes his hair. When you run your hand over it it feels kind of like a sheep. "No dreads, either. Tried it once and you do not want to go down that road."

Zouichi shrugs. "I don't know. It just feels a little... strained. It's hard to describe. I've never felt this before."

Even if his VF was destroyed, he could survive in space! He'd be fine, more or less!

"It's a perfectly normal haircut, and I'm used to it. Besides, that's what parts are for. And anyway, there were Synthetic Humans with much longer hair than me." Zouichi doesn't want his head to feel like a sheep! Besides, his bangs are completely maintainable, thankyouverymuch. "Grow them again sometime; I want to see what they look like."

"Might just be normal fallible, mortal human you're feeling."

But what then! Just float in space forever? That sounds miserable! Besides, what happens if Z gets blown to pieces too?

"Haha, no. I'm not going to spend the months it takes to grow them looking like an idiot just to put a smile on your face. No offense."

"Oh, please. I'm as mortal as anyone else."

Jeez, Howard, do you ever have a morbid imagination. That's what the EX-GEAR is for!

"Oh, come on. It wouldn't just by for my amusement -- it'd benefit the entire crew." He sighs melodramatically. "I guess I could always see what it looks like in the Sensoriums."

"Okay, Dinoslayer. Whatever you say."

Howard pretends to shudder. "You realize dolling me up in different hairstyles in the Sensoriums would be totally creepy, right? I mean. Just so you know."

"Oh, come on. I let you see me in a maid outfit."

:D

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Re: Kanoe Zouichi

Tie up around here?

Sure!