28/5/24

hophophopper: Hopper1 from the flashbacks! (Young Hopper1)
The core alchemists are working on a potion/spell combination to change someone's species (basically reverse-engineering whatever it was X Wizard did, but for people with lesser power levels).

Only, when they first try changing a Chemy to human, Steamliner and Hopper1 interrupt and derange the spell!

The result? They are now cats. Torn between just waiting for the change to wear off, and trying to research a way to plain old reverse it, at least the alchemists can be entertained by EVEN CUTER shenanigans starring our favorite Chemies!

Thoughts:
Hopper1: some kind of tortoiseshell? Siamese? Mostly light-colored, with darker markings on the head where the antennae normally are. Very talkative, still always wants to see what people are doing... Also very sad over not having wings anymore. Can jump, but has no hunting instinct. "Pet me, Houtaro!!"
Steamliner: A fluffy black cat (with some grey/white underbelly?). Tiny meow, big presence. A very clever shadow who both follows you everywhere and somehow fails to be actually underfoot when doing so. Cannot jump normally for a cat to save its life, but can climb well and does not appear to have any trouble adjusting to its new limbs. "Hopper1 no, don't do it!"

Shenanigans: Hopper1 climbs a (fake) Christmas tree, only for the tree to immediately fall over. Steamliner panics and goes to get its humans, who extract the silly cat-Chemy and make sure Hopper1 is okay.
One day, tired of not being in the spotlight, Steamliner crafts a glider-and-harness and jumps down from Kitchen Ichinose's roof. It is a success, but gets the cat-train barred from leaving the house for a whole week afterwards.
(Hopper1 is forbidden from trying the glider out for itself, much to its disappointment.)
Video compilation of Steamliner and Hopper1 trying to get a toy, only for one of the unchanged Chemies to intercept and run off with the prize instead.

Bath time? Neither Chemy has an issue. Vacuums? They are chill. But going to the vet?
Hopper1 just sees it as a time for treats; Steamliner practically disappears whenever the idea of visiting the vet is voiced.