"These," Caius said calmly, examining the fluffy things at the top of Arian's head, "are wolf ears."
Arian froze. "...What?"
Caius leaned closer, his expression serious. "You can turn into a wolf."
Arian blinked once. Twice. Then slowly, as if realising for the first time that his ears existed, he lifted a trembling hand to touch his head. Ears. Actual, furry, moving ears. And when Caius' fingers brushed one lightly again, it twitched.
"Oh."
He suddenly felt something pressing between his back and the tree. A lump of… something. His hand moved down to check, and his fingers brushed soft fluff. He turned, craning his neck, and—
"TAIL?! I have a tail?!"
It wagged. It actually wagged.
Caius stared at him like he was the dumbest creature alive. "Apparently."
Arian looked at his own body, completely scandalised. "I—why do I have a tail?! I mean, wasn't I human? I have—hands! Feet! I talk! Humans talk!" He spun in a small circle, his tail flicking in panic, just like a dog.
