Quinlan took a slow breath and let his awareness spread. As he did so, he started recognizing faces.
Karl was the first to move closer.
The shapeshifter wore an immaculate black tuxedo, posture straight, shoes polished to a mirror shine. The contrast came from the head perched atop that refined body. A pig's face, pink snout twitching, small eyes sharp with intelligence. He adjusted his cufflinks, then bowed with perfect etiquette.
"Welcome back, son," Karl said smoothly while tipping his fedora.
He punctuated the greeting with a polite nod and an unmistakable oink.
Quinlan smiled. "Still refusing to pick a consistent form, I see."
Karl's tail flicked once behind him. "Consistency is for creatures who fear change."
Then he oinked a second time, averting Miri's and Lumi's gazes, "I only fear women. They are horrible, nasty creatures."
"Khm."
