[Video]

[dotthedisconnect]

[The feed opens on a...a bird, person-thing? At least, that's what the beak would seem to signify. Any other would-be distinguishing features are covered by a black suit that may or may not be familiar to the viewer. There's also a tall purple crest from above its forehead, just over where the brows are drawn tight and the eyes make facing points. The roadrunner-thing is not pleased.]

I suppose you think this is amusing.

[No, not you. Or so the chances are, if you're seeing this. Though you may still find it such, depending on your familiarity with the involved parties. And also your sense of humor.]

This is Tech, by the way. As I'm sure you can't discern from my degraded appearance. If anyone needs me during the week, I will be lying low in my lab. Until this wears off.

Comments

ACTION

[monadont]

[This week has found Shulk as a pony. A lovely maroon pony with yellow mane and a mark on his flank in the shape of a gear. He has a bag containing his notes slung on his back.

Tech has proven to be a good source of information, and they're still studying the Monado, so the morning has him knocking on the lab door with a hoof while he carries the Monado by its handle with his mouth.

Hopefully Tech has thumbs because handling the Monado without them is pretty difficult!]

ACTION

[dotthedisconnect]

[When Tech opens the door he only looks, first at the saturated horse he doesn't recognize, and then to the weapon that he does. Initially he is going to ask this creature where it obtained the Monado, but then he quickly considers his own situation.]

. . . Shulk?

[monadont]

[Shulk nods. He'd actually say something if he didn't have a mouth full of sword. Must be Tech, judging from the voice. He points inside the lab with a hoof. Let a pony in?]

[dotthedisconnect]

[Was that a 'yes?' Okay, sure, he will process all of this later. For now he steps aside to give the thing space.]

[monadont]

[Make way make way, pony coming through! Shulk has to adjust his grip on the Monado so he doesn't get stuck in the door as he walks through. But hey he gets through, successfully keeping the blade from dragging in the ground, too. He places the sword on its usual place, and mouth finally free--]

Looks like the curse got you, too.

[Okay he can't quite keep the amusement from his voice.]

How are you feeling?

[dotthedisconnect]

[Oh, yeah. You're one to laugh, pony-boy. Tech rubs his temples.]

In a word? Frustrated.

[monadont]

[Hey, pony or not, Tech being a bird is pretty funny. Has he looked in a mirror?]

Well... At least it's only a week, right?

[Shulk trots over.]

[dotthedisconnect]

At the most.

[Less, ideally.]

But my change is largely cosmetic. How are you handling your, um. Hooves?

[monadont]

[Shulk looks down at his hooves before looking back at Tech and gives the pony equivalent of a shrug.]

I'm managing. Usually a combination of teeth and hooves is enough for every day tasks.

[He nudges a chair so it's out of the way with one of his front hoofs.]

[dotthedisconnect]

I see. Still, I imagine that requires a kind of coordination that you would be unaccustomed to, ordinarily. Or did your transformation also impart appropriate motor skills?

[Suddenly: science.]

[monadont]

[Yes good. Shulk looks down at his front hooves before looking back at Tech.]

To a certain extent, yes. I have no trouble walking, despite the extra legs. It feels like I've always had this body.

[And he trots in an easy circle around Tech to demonstrate.]

But I don't have the knowledge of how someone in this form would perform tasks that I would normally use hands for. I'm fairly certain I handle everyday tasks differently to someone who's always been like this.

[dotthedisconnect]

I see. Interesting.

[These curses have a way of being unexpectedly convenient, in odd ways.]

So why did you come by, anyway. Is this really the ideal time for research? [He nods to the rested Monado.]

[monadont]

[Well, no -- and he shakes his head, snorting when a bit of mane gets into his eyes -- but Shulk doesn't exactly feel comfortable leaving th weapon in his room. Especially when there had been those instances of peoples' belongings going missing recently...]

I came to see if you were alright.

[But hey Tech seems to be handling his curse alright so.]

[dotthedisconnect]

[Oh, right. Of course.]

Well, I am. As alright as can be expected, at any rate. Given the circumstances. But my case doesn't appear to be nearly as unfortunate as yours.

[monadont]

[Hehehe well, Shulk's grinning, despite that. Here's a question. So...]

Can you fly while you're like that?

[dotthedisconnect]

I doubt it. Geococcyx californianus is primarily a land-based bird. My associate is capable of flight under his own power, but his skillset is unique even among the species.

[monadont]

Associate?

[He'd be bringing a hoof to his chin if it wasn't so difficult to do so.]

Is he good with machines too?

[dotthedisconnect]

By conventional standards, perhaps. He does consider himself some sort of an inventor, but he doesn't really begin to approach my level.

[monadont]

[Haha. Well, as far as Shulk can tell, Tech does have the skill to back up the ego, so it's not necessarily an inaccurate claim.]

Does he specialise in anything?

[dotthedisconnect]

[You had better believe it, kid.]

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure. I know that he dabbles in robotics. But with decidedly mixed results.

[monadont]

[Oh? Shulk grins.]

There weren't any accidents, were there?

[dotthedisconnect]

No.

[Well, at least not until he tried to help...]

His designs are just more conceptual than...functional.