locked to sadisticwarfare

[viliorate]

[In the months since being forcibly changed into a wendigo, Kimbley has gotten used to the cold. It's comforting, in an odd way. Maybe that's because he's a creature of the cold. It makes sense, doesn't it? It's funny in some twisted, bitter way that a man who was always cold in prison is now a creature that exists only in the frigid cold.

But that's not bothering him right now, not really. It makes him angry, but Kimbley's content to shove it away and not focus on it.

What is bothering him, is how hot it's getting. And how his fur has decided that now is a good time to start shedding everywhere in an effort to stay cool. The antlers are probably in danger of falling out soon, too, but right now he's miserable because of how just touching his mane causes fur to fall out.]

Dammit! What the hell is this?!

[So he's going to angrily shout at nothing because that makes him feel a little better.]

Comments

[sadisticwarfare]

Are you alright?

[As usual, Kimbley's having way more problems than Archer is. Sure, the spike in temperature is more than what he's used to in "barely gets warm enough to classify as hot" Central City, but Archer's dealing with it as best he can. He definitely prefers the freezing cold winter over this though. At least during the winter he has reason to wear a million layers and long sleeves and pants. He can't really justify them in the summer, but here he is. He doesn't need to hide anything except the bite marks on his neck, but he still insists on wearing long sleeves and pants anyway, just because he's not comfortable without them.

That said, his problems are really nothing in comparison to Kimbley's. He's got an idea of what's on his friend's mind today judging from the sheer amount of fur he's found around the apartment.]

[viliorate]

[He should have realized he shouted loud enough to get Archer's attention. Kimbley stiffens, his tail thrashing in annoyance.]

I... I'm sure you've noticed, but my mane is shedding everywhere.

[He might be a little embarrassed about it.]

[sadisticwarfare]

It's alright; I've been cleaning up.

[It gives him something to do that isn't lie around and complain about the heat, so that's good!]

You don't need to be bothered by that.

[He eyes Kimbley's tail for a moment. He's gotten pretty good at reading Kimbley's moods based on his ears and tail, so it looks like Kimbley's bothered by something. It's probably not the fact that he's getting fur everywhere, but he might as well get that out of the way!]

[viliorate]

Yeah, but it's frustrating. Why am I shedding? That's something cats and dogs do, I shouldn't be shedding!

[His ears are flat against his head when he speaks, arms folding across his chest. Which only causes more fur to fall out of his mane.]

...can I ask you something?

[sadisticwarfare]

[He has no idea why Kimbley's shedding so he can't answer that. He can answer Kimbley's question, however.]

Of course, what is it?

[viliorate]

I have a lot of trouble reaching my back. Can you... can you help me brush it out?

[It's probably knotted as hell because he can't reach it to do anything about his fur. The fur on his chest is perfectly fine, but on his back it's been uncomfortable for a while.

Might as well ask Archer about it while his fur is falling out.]

It'll be less awkward if I pull it off all at once instead of letting it fall out everywhere.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Now that Kimbley mentions it, his back has been looking a bit tangled. He's not sure how Kimbley would handle the tangles on his own, so this makes sense.]

Of course. I don't mind. Do you have a specific comb you use for it?

[Because apparently we're doing this now.]

[viliorate]

[...really? Just like that. He looks pretty confused, but he nods after a moment.]

Yeah, I'll go get it.

[So off he goes to get the comb, handing it to Archer after an awkward pause.]

Here. ...don't yank on it, okay?

[sadisticwarfare]

I'll be careful.

[He motions for Kimbley to sit then moves to stand behind him. Hmm. This is going to be difficult. He starts combing slowly and carefully, working out the tangles as painlessly as possible.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley sits down carefully, glancing behind at Archer. He smirks, clearly relaxed. Obviously, Kimbley trusts Archer completely, he has no reason not to.]

Of course you will.

[His ears twitch once in a while. It hurts, but the tangles are his own damn fault. He should have asked about this sooner, he just didn't want to because he was embarrassed.

That, and his huge crush on Archer makes him feel awkward as hell.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[He doesn't mind, this is oddly soothing somehow. He's very methodical in his approach, taking care of one section of fur before moving on to the next, starting at the bottom and working his way to the top. Once the section is free he combs it a few more times just to be safe, then moves on. Eventually he has to pause to bring the trash can over so he can get rid of the fur stuck in the comb, but he isn't bothered by it and returns to what he's doing quickly enough.]

It doesn't hurt too much, does it? It might be easier if you were to wet it and use shampoo or soap or something.

[viliorate]

[Kimbley shakes his head, glancing at Archer briefly.]

If I took a shower, you might end up sticking to me.

[He's only half joking.]

It's fine, this doesn't hurt too much. It's a little weird, but I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.

[sadisticwarfare]

What do you mean?

[He doesn't see anything weird about it, but this is Archer we're talking about.]

[viliorate]

I'm covered in fur.

[Obviously it has nothing to do with Archer.]

It's just... weird. I guess shedding this mane off will make me look a little less weird. I think my antlers are about to shed off, too.

[sadisticwarfare]

Well at least you won't have to deal with them during the summer.

[That's a good thing, right?]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[Aside from combing the knots out, he's still taking care of that.]

[viliorate]

[He's really not sure. He doesn't answer right away, instead muttering:]

It's too damn hot.

[...]

Would you help me dump a lot of ice into the bathtub? I need to cool down.

[sadisticwarfare]

Ah, we'll probably need more. I can run out and get some.

[The heat is nearly unbearable for him, but he can't imagine what it would be like if he had fur to deal with.]

[viliorate]

[It's partially the fur, but mostly it's that wendigos find the heat intolerable. All around, it's unpleasant to deal with.]

I'll help carry them. No sense making you do all the work.

[sadisticwarfare]

Well, I'd appreciate the help.

[They're going to need a lot of ice and he probably won't be able to get it all by himself.]

Would you like to go now?

[He's pretty much done here!]

[viliorate]

[He runs a hand through the fur on his shoulders, looking pleased.]

Sure. Come on.

[sadisticwarfare]

[He's glad he did a good job!

Anyway it shouldn't take too long to run to the store and get plenty of ice, so hopefully you can stand the heat for that long!]

[viliorate]

[He's definitely not comfortable, but complaining to Archer about the heat isn't going to do much for Kimbley. He'll just look incredibly uncomfortable in the meantime.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[He knows this isn't easy, but at least they'll be back soon with plenty of ice?]

[viliorate]

[At least this way Kimbley can curl up on top of tons of ice when they get back to the apartment, right?

It's definitely going to be a little awkward.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well yes, but he's not about to sit in there with you while you're covered in ice!

That said, he'll begin to prepare the tub and fill it with ice.]

How full do you want it?