[ yeah, okay, "stressed" is about what he was predicting. As the shock wears off, Lupin relaxes somewhat knowing they're not in pain or in danger (provided someone reminds them to eat), sighing and shaking his head. ]

So that's what happened... I wouldn't have seen that coming, either. [ from each others' perspectives, he supposes they have different "powers," but the definition is clearly a little looser than he was imagining. ] Don't worry - that stuff never lasts very long. I'm sure you'll be back to normal in no time.

[ In actuality, he's not that sure, but he's being optimistic, as usual - besides, he's here to run damage control. Someone's gotta keep them from freaking out. But it's true that the quest effects are usually far less permanent than, say, a wish gone wrong, and so, his worst fears are assuaged. Lupin smiles wryly, gently sneaking his fingers around Cairngorm's and trying to pull their hand away from their face. ]

You're gonna be fine. You've got me here to help you out. And being a human isn't so bad, I promise.

[ from his perspective, there are a lot of potentially good things about this, actually... but, again, he's prioritizing their peace of mind here, not his sudden curiosity. ]

[ why isn't he surprised that their first method of dealing with this new problem was "sleep" ... at least their second one was calling him over. That's got to be an improvement. ]

Well, most humans only sleep at night, and after they've used up all their energy... [ ... is that really that different from gems? Probably not. Which leads Lupin to believe there's another (obvious) cause to this particular problem. ] You're probably stressed out. It's hard to sleep if you've got a lot of worries on your mind, even if you're tired and it's dark.

[ He can't help marveling inwardly at holding their hand and actually feeling warmth instead of cold stone, either. How long will this last, he wonders? It feels like a waste to just sleep it off when the two of them could go eat lunch or take a boat ride together or something. But Lupin's not inclined to force them into things just for novelty's sake when they're struggling. Taking care of them might be fun by itself. ]

How about I keep you company? You might be able to calm down some and get some proper rest. [ a beat; he smiles mischievously. ] Although I guess you did say before that you couldn't relax around me. I'll have to try to be less dashing for your sake - just this once.

Heh heh. Sorry, but the chances of me letting that one go are zero.

[ the truth is that it made him really happy when he heard it... although he's sure Cairngorm's excuse for it is true, too. Considering their caring nature and their awkward indirectness are two of their traits he finds most charming, both ways are just fine. Lupin squeezes their hand back affectionately, the scolding intent missing him almost completely, and tugs them towards him a little bit, taking a step in the direction of their room. The layout of the house has changed pretty significantly thanks to Lottie's wish, but he thinks he still knows where it is...

He looks their way again, unable to resist. Unquestionably, he prefers them the way they usually are - that's the Cairngorm he knows and loves - but he can't help being fascinated by this transformation. And they're still cute. They know how he feels; he doesn't make any attempt to hide the enamored glances he throws their way these days. ]

You know, I don't think I've ever seen you without those shoes on... I was wondering why you seemed smaller.

[ they're small... logically, he already knew they were small, but those ridiculous heels add so much height. Without them - and without their heavy rock body especially - they suddenly seem so petite and delicate. It's a little jarring; it's sort of endearing, too. Like this, he could actually scoop them up into his arms like he always wants to... but it would be too self-indulgent to do that out of nowhere when they're befuddled from this transformation. Maybe in a little bit. He'll figure out some excuse... ]

I know. I guess you've just usually got a bigger presence. [ being an immortal crystal and all. Lupin continues, slightly more seriously, as he approaches their door: ] Are you feeling all right? Human bodies are a tad more complicated than crystal ones. If you haven't eaten anything, you probably should.

[ it hadn't seemed out of the ordinary while he'd been at the academy, but the bed certainly looks huge and out-of-place in the little Flavo house, even after the "renovations." It only draws Lupin's gaze for a second before he turns back to Cairngorm and their grimace. He smiles ruefully. ]

Eating's one of life's greatest pleasures for us lowly mortals, you know. You might be surprised. [ a pause; he lets go of their hand to hold their shoulder briefly instead. ] Go make yourself comfortable; I'll whip up something simple for you to make you feel better. And after that, I'll stay with you as long as you've got even a shadow of a worry in your heart. All right?

[ he leans in to press a quick, reassuring kiss to their forehead, then breaks away from them to head for the door (and the kitchen) once more. ]

[ Lottie will have to forgive him for taking some of her stuff, but it's for a good cause. It does take him slightly longer than planned to get back to Cairngorm's room due to gawking at the weird technology in the kitchen and trying to figure out what everything is; fortunately, all he really needs to use is the stove, and he at least knows how that works. Mostly.

(He figures it out.)

Lupin returns with a tray in his hands, two steaming mugs and a thin slice of that fruitcake the two gems got (that stuff lasts forever) sitting atop it. He's not really a chef beyond the basics, and he's even less of one with such limited ingredients - especially at someone else's house - so he's glad there was a ready-made treat sitting there for him already. ]

Voila! Not that I put in much work on this - but it should be tasty and warm you up. That's what's important. [ as much as he'd like to strut his ego here and serve them something fantastic... it's just not possible. He sets the tray down, then picks up both of the mugs, holding one out towards Cairngorm as he moves to take a seat next to them. ] It's mulled cider. Careful - it's still hot. I don't want you to burn your mouth.

Good question. There's not really a way to tell for sure - just don't take a big gulp. Blow on it a little to cool it off, and then take a sip. Like this--

[ and he demonstrates for them, gently blowing some of the steam off the top of his mug before taking an experimental sip. It's not scalding hot, fortunately, since he was trying to make it quickly - it feels nice more than anything in this cold weather. Or it does to Lupin, at least. ]

Mm. It warms you up in the winter.

It matters to me, [ Lupin offers, simply. He knows they're stuck like this for a while; he just wants to try and minimize the discomfort. Which he is, perhaps, doing a poor job of at the moment, but getting a warm beverage into their system will have benefits in the long-term, okay. Since they don't inch away, he continues stroking their back, inwardly wondering at the feeling of skin that gives and the suggestion of warmth through their clothes. Perfectly normal things that aren't even really noticeable - save for the fact that he knows those features aren't supposed to be there. ]

... Well, I can't deny it's less convenient then just soaking in the sun like a tree. But doesn't have to be a chore - people come up with lots of delicious combinations of food, and being able to taste lots of different flavors is fun.

[ he lifts his mug an inch or two in a demonstrative way. ]

When it's cold out, eating or drinking something hot like this will warm you up from the inside - it relaxes you. And sweet drinks like apple cider are sort of a rare treat. [ a wry smile. ] If you have to drink something, it should be something you can enjoy. This is probably the only time you'll be able to experience this, right? I think that counts as a special occasion.

[ he chuckles under his breath, giving them a nod. ]

There's a method to our madness, believe it or not.

[ he's not surprised they like having a logical angle to observe these behaviors with; it's the same as a scientist trying to rationalize some strange animal behavior. Once again, Lupin's grateful they don't view him as a strange animal in spite of all that... or, at least, they view him as more than just that. ]

To be honest, though, I was thinking in much simpler terms. Being warm feels nice. And tasting something sweet makes you happy. [ and that's really what he wants to give them right now - comfort and pleasure to distract them from the fear. ] Are you cold? I can warm you up again.

No, I am. A little.

[ he echoes their response back to them, quietly amused. It is cold out, although at least Cairngorm's house is a great deal warmer than his own, thanks to Lottie. He isn't tolerant so much as unwilling to let something like the weather get in between the two of them; in this case, though, it works to his advantage, and so, he doesn't bother playing tough. He's gotten quite good at reading their body language and interpreting their non-responses - he takes the reply as a shy positive, and smiles knowingly. ]

So you'll be doing both of us a favor this time.

[ Lupin closes the few inches remaining between the two of them where they sit, nudging their knee with his; he stops rubbing their back to loop his arm around their thin waist, drawing them gently into his side, actually drawing them in and not hoping they just go along with him, for once. There are countless things he wants to share with them like this, in reality. But body heat is a fine place to start, and so is this small one-armed embrace. ]

[ it is almost a role reversal. Lupin admires their strength and their intimidating presence, finds it attractive, even; at the same time, there's something wonderful about them actually being as small and delicate as they look, too. He always feels this desire to protect them and hold them close - to be half as reliable and capable to Cairngorm as he is to other humans. These current circumstances are like cheating to get there temporarily. He's not above basking in them a little anyway. ]

It's different. I wouldn't say it's better, exactly... [ is it nice being able to touch them freely and fearlessly? Sure. But they're not comfortable this way, and therefore, he can't really say it's better. As always, their smile is what he's aiming for. He looks down at their pretty face resting against him, and their reddening cheeks, and feels his own heart skip a secret beat. Dammit. He's supposed to be putting them at ease, but they're so cute, and all soft edges now... With a sigh, he shakes his head a little, setting his mug down. ] Warm, cold, that doesn't matter. You're what I want. You could be covered in spikes and I'd still find a way to get my arms around you.

[ he tilts his head, leaning in to gently nuzzle into their hair - silkier than usual, but with that same distant fragrance of earth and snow that's become so familiar to him now. Lupin murmurs his words into the silvery strands, playful. ]

Do you like it better?