Xaviers!

There was a moment of silence.

"Do you need a hug?" Katarina said, after a moment.

"...rain check maybe," she replied after an extended pause, "since I....uh...well I'm naked, and in the shower."

"Oh! Of course, I apologize.

I, uh, saw the fur, and thought..." she tried to explain, embarrassed.

“....it does sort of cover the naughty bits. I get it."

There was a loud smack of water into tile as she rinsed off and shook out some part of her that had been recently shampooed.

"If I didn't sometimes shift back human I'd think about walking around like this... wearing underwear with this much hair and a tail is not great."

"...kind of gross to sit bare-assed in class and cafe though," she added after a beat.

"If it makes you feel better, most people probably do not notice. They, uh...

...They do not think twice if a dog runs around nude, no?"

“Most dogs don’t try to sit at the cafeteria table.”

"Oh, we have had some dogs back home who would try to sit at the table all the time! And we would say no, but they did it anyway. It was very cute."

"....was always more of a cat person before. Feel like I maybe understand dogs more now."

"Was the toothpaste okay? My senses just playing tricks on me?"

"It seemed fine to me. Do you mind if I keep it?"

"No. Go ahead. Tasted awful to me," she replied. "I can get some more later...maybe if I can actually shift back to normal again will be easier to get into town."

"...If you need something, I'm sure I can help you get it," Katarina offered, tucking the toothpaste neatly into her toiletries bag.

"...well. If you're going to the store soon, a tube of toothpaste would be great... I can pay you back, of course."

"I'm sure someone will head to the store soon. I shall add it to the list, and do not worry about it!"

“...I’m no charity case. I will pay you back.” she replied.

“...nice to meet you. Sorry if I startled you.”

"Many things are startling here. That does not make them bad experiences," Katarina nodded.