#bitty cell

They appear when the day has hit the calmest lull a gray humanoid figure featureless and every changing in size an mass even as they're looked upon.

Humorously however they have a little wizard's cone hat on their head slightly to one side.

They appear in front of you a smile wide on that otherwise blank face.

"Hello Cell! I heard you liked bitties how would you like to be one for a week?"

You don't get a chance to answer the spell already cast with the flick of a wrist through to the waved end of a wooden wand.

The world is growing rapidly or in fact You are shrinking.

(Congratulations! You have been turned into a bitty of your choice for one week by the magic anon :) )

Wha- Hey, WAIT-!

Magic Anon: Day 1 of 7.

Magic Anon Day 3 of 7

That's actually a really good idea! I imagine a few things I can't test super well, since A) no legs, and B) hovering (levitating?) but I can for sure test some of the accessibility features we've been working on!

Now where to start...

---

It had taken more time than they really wanted to admit to iron out some of the more awkward adjustments of their temporary body (eating without having to open one's mouth was weird), but with Key Largo hovering protectively just outside arm's reach and a whole day to spend, Cell was eager to explore and assess as much as feasibly possible.

As soon as they figured out how to safely get down from their temporary sleeping area.

"Halim...?"

The Papython looked up from his desk, petite rectangular pince nez doing little to disguise his mildly confused expression.

"Good Morning, Cell. Something I Can Help You With?"

"Uhmm... How do I get down...?"

A blink, and the orange lamia gave an amused snort before he was moving to get up from his chair, offering a boney but gloved hand that was easily climbed up on.

"Not By Yourself. Patients Need To Stay Put For Their Own Safety."

"...oh. Ohhhh, yeah, that makes sense. Don't want a Mamba blitzed out of their noggin on pain killers getting loose and causing trouble."

"Indeed. Halo Was Bad Enough With His Circling, Remember?"

Cell chuckled, their skeletal hand gripping Halim's gloved thumb as he lowered them to the floor. Which was immaculately clean, good job Halim!

"Halo is a sweetie, I'm glad he found a good family. I should talk to his foster and ask how he's doing, I haven't done that in a bit."

The orange lamia inclined his head in a bemused nod, his pale golden eye lights watching attentively as the much littler sort of lamia sort of swam off his hand, their stubby tail not quite long enough to slither but not hindered in the least due to their constant levitation. Key Largo he didn't need to help, the Brassberry shortcutting to his person's side in a blip of teal magic without so much as a hello.

"May I Ask What Your Plans Are Today?"

"Exploring! I'm gonna go around and make sure all the mini stuff we've been building together is up to snuff while I'm small enough to actually test it safely."

"Really? In That Case, You Should Talk To Moon. He's Been Keeping Very Busy The Last Few Months."

"Moon? Really? Huh, that's cool. I'll see if I can find him then. Thanks, Halim, I'll see you at lunch!"

The Papython just smiled, exchanging a speaking look with the Brassberry before he retreated back to his desk. Best he start preparing some bandages and ointments that would help ectoplasm heal, just because Cell's usual clumsiness hadn't yet reared its head didn't mean it wouldn't...

"C'mon, Key, I wanna make sure the handrails actually work-!"

=Two Hours Later=

"Okay, squirt, what've we learned?"

"Toothpicks -ow- make shit -ow- ladder rungs -ow."

"And...?"

"Being -ow- made of ectoplasm -ow- doesn't mean -ow- I can't get -ow- splinters."

"Aaaand...?"

"When you -ow- tell me -ow- not to climb -ow- something, I should -ow- listen."

Sad you don't seem to be having much fun a a bitty, is there anything you are enjoying about the temporary situation?

Magic Anon Day 6 of 7

This is still ongoing, IRL has just been Not Great. Thank you for asking!

---

Oh geeze! Is that the impression I've been giving?!

I mean- I guess the last couple check ins haven't been all that positive, I suppose I just got to thinking about things too hard and came off a lot more melancholy than I intended... Adjustments and hiccups happen no matter what, that's life, but being a bitty has actually been kind of awesome!

Sunny has been absolutely losing it over being able to hug me like he wants, Moon and Code wrangled me into helping with some pranks after they found out my tail didn't actually burn (it's a cold fire, apparently) and we spooked Bahadur thinking I accidentally set the curtains on fire (the screeching lecture was so worth it to see his eye lights to the cartoon boggling thing).

What else...

Oh! I got to explore the back gardens with Key and Locke, and we helped out making a whole bunch more bridges and walkways for the pass through groups we get from time to time. Popsicle sticks and balsa wood are a hot commodity in this place, let me tell you! And glue. So. Much. GLUE.

Not going to lie, though, getting to see a trellis of runner beans towering over you like a skyscraper is something I will never get over, it was so cool and gave me so many ideas for new posters and stickers for the Sanctuary's pop up shop. We sell excess produce and crafts at the local farmer's market throughout the year for extra expenses, it's awesome.

I even got to talk to Pocket! I never thought I'd be able to talk to them, not after the trauma they went through. Five years on, and he's still anxious around me and all the bigger bitties. But being a bitty myself, even only for a short while, I got to sit down with him and re-introduce myself, and he didn't try to hide or run from me. Freely admit, I may have almost cried. We got to talk for a solid five minutes before he started getting anxious, and Key Largo told me that's one of the longest conversations he's ever seen the Cherry have. I'm so freaking proud of Pocket for being brave enough to give me a chance, and I really hope I can talk to him again before this magic ends and I have to be human again.

Hell, might just ask Halim if the spell is repeatable, the annoyance of no legs would be worth it to be able to meet other bitties on a more equal basis...

Like hell you're repeating this mess.

Key! Come on, I know this whole thing was sudden, but it really has been helpful! Think of all the cool stuff we got to do!

You're human. You're supposed to stay human. Period.

Fine, fine, have it your way... I'm still gonna ask.

Cell...

Emergencies only! For emergencies only! I promise.

Magic Anon Day 5 of 7

I... Wouldn't say settled, per-se.

The Crew has been really helpful getting me safely through the days, making sure I don't fall off things and reminding me that I have magic I need to maintain to stay healthy, but-

I'm human.

I've been human all my life, I'm used to being human. I might not be the tallest or the strongest or the most attractive, but I'm comfortable with my body and my self, and this- Yeah, this body I'm in might be a direct projection of my SOUL, but it's not really me, it's a version of me. It's better than -say- swapping with someone else's body, or being turned into something like a pet or wild animal, but it's still not-

*sigh* I'm rambling, sorry.

To put it simply, yeah, I'm figuring it out. I'm getting around by myself 99% of the time now and I've been able to help around the Sanctuary again in a reduced capacity, so I'm not feeling like a burden or anything. I still have moments where I forget I don't have legs and technically can't climb ladders or jump like I'm used to, and speaking without moving my mouth is... Weird, but I'm still able to make calls and file paperwork and Bahadur has been showing me all the adaptations he's constructed so smaller bitties can help him in the kitchen safely. God, am I proud of him for that, had no idea that was something he was working on. Apparently Code and Whisper have been showing him how to use Blender and make 3D models...?

Magic Anon Day 4 of 7 (Yes, I'm aware it's not actually, but life happened)

If this had happened even a year ago, that would definitely be a worry. Cu very much prefers to keep to himself and his selected safe people, chief among them being me. Hence the frequent sweater spelunking.

However, because of his preferences, he does not leave the house, and we had to go through some pretty rough adjustment periods when I had to leave for field work. He also really doesn't like hanging around the front desk unless he absolutely has to, so when I'm on check in duty, he tends to leave me to my work and instead will wander off to focus on his schooling.

Finding appropriate classes online that accommodate for his limitations was really difficult when we first started trying to figure out how to teach him basically anything, since he couldn't understand most speech as well as not being taught how to read or write. Our big break through was thanks to a family who moved in a couple doors down about... Oh, two years ago?

They're a group of Monsters that consider themselves to be each other's extended family, including several types who communicate in very non-traditional methods that focus on SOUL reading and general vibes. They were incredibly helpful in figuring out how to communicate with Cu in the early days, and the youngest actually takes the same online classes that Cu does since they require similar accommodations.

To sum things up, Cu Cuchulain is fine. Annoyed at the situation and genuinely upset at Key Largo for not "protecting" me, but once he got a sense of my SOUL and the fact it hadn't changed, he sat on me and refused to let me go anywhere until he had sufficient cuddles.

Magic Anon Day 2 of 7

It's been... Okay, actually. Weird, for sure, I cannot get over the fact that I currently don't have legs, but it's not bad!

Halim and Van checked me out to make sure I was healthy, and Halim mentioned that I'd probably adapt alright thanks to something he called "passive SOUL harmonics" adjusting to the magic my body is made out of right now. I think it has to do with how Monster and Bitty bodies are magic projections from their SOULs...?

Anyway, you're not wrong about Key carting me around. Though I'd definitely argue about getting into trouble-!

---

"...I can walk, you know. Erm, hover. Levitate...?"

Cell squirmed a little, but didn't make a huge effort to wriggle free of the strong, leather clad arms carrying them about like a rescued maiden from a fairy tale. The flaming end of their tail swayed back and forth in a manner similar to a cat focused on a bird on the other side of a window, thinking on how to get to the feathery snack without smashing face first into the glass.

Above them, Key Largo gave a snort.

"Sure y'can. Like earlier when y'got distracted and hovered right off the walkway and fell into the recycling bin."

The temporary bitty promptly flushed, the green glow of their magic flaring as they reached up to shove at his face in annoyed embarrassment.

"Shut up! It's not everyday I get to see things from your guys' perspective, so sue me for being a little fascinated, damn!"

Key just snorted again, uncaring of the way his face was being smushed and smirking down at his human person.

"Fascinated, huh? S'that why ya got stuck on the ceiling and needed Bahadur t'carry ya down? Cause you were fascinated with the stucco?"

"KEY-!"

The Brassberry just chuckled, letting Cell smush and smack ineffectively at his face and neck, the complete lack of harmful intent making the whole thing very much a silly, playful display.

Cell had always been a physically affectionate person, which was all well and good for the bigger bitties and fellow humans, but when the person they wanted to give snuggles to was the size of their hand, it was difficult to give that physical affection without accidentally causing distress and harm. The downside of having physical matter for a body- No matter the SOUL's intent, physical matter always had the capability to cause damage, just like how the ground didn't have to be anything but present to break someone's fall and cause a concussion. Or worse.

Now a bitty themselves, they had gone on a hugging spree the moment they figured out how to move around, and had just as quickly worn themself out in the process.

A soft, ectoplasmic finger brushed the edge of Key Largo's socket, and he leaned his head back to give Cell a sidelong look as they frowned up at him (as much as their half skull face would allow).

"Y'wanna find Mama an' her litter before they head outside for the day, or am I puttin' ya down t'wobble for an hour?"

"...I wanna find Mama and her litter."

"Kay then. Fingers outta my sockets, yeah?"

"Wha- Hey, WAIT-!"

A bright flash whited out the reception area, echoing an intense flare of magical power that had every bitty in the building immediately on high alert. Several Crew members bolted for the more sensitive and high strung Residents, checking in where they could and rushing others to safe spaces where needed, while the primary group that most frequently acted as security all rushed to the front room as quickly as short legs and teleportation would allow.

Ed was first to arrive on the scene, crimson magic flaring as he blipped into view atop the half wall that divided the reception area from the stairs, Key Largo and Locke not far behind with Code and Van right on their heels. Golden star like sparkles were just barely faded from the air, mixed with flecks of pink and green that had every bitty present lifting their metaphorical hackles.

Code leapt into the air, using his string magic like Spider-Man webbing to swing himself quickly across the room in search of bitties that might have gotten caught in whatever splashback or crossfire, while Key Largo jumped down, Sizing Up and hitting the floor with a solid thud. Locke hopped up onto his fellow Brassberry's wide shoulder, Van joining on the opposite shoulder, while Ed summoned a large, toothy Gaster Blaster, climbing on top of the construct to use as a hovering mobility.

"...anybody see where the sparkles came from?"

"Nah. Long gone. We'll hafta check the cameras."

"Wasn't It Cell's Turn At The Check In Desk?"

The tension in the atmosphere ratcheted up several degrees along with Key Largo's shoulders, his teal eye lights flaring as he grit his fangs hard enough for his jaw to creak. He quickly turned towards the desk where the Sanctuary's lone human was supposed to have been sitting, trusting his fellow bitties to keep their positions as he set to investigate.

Whatever magic had been done, it was centered on the desk, something that was made obvious by not just the concentration of dimming sparkles in the air, but also the way the air felt thick and tingly like just before a lightning strike. There was even a pale sunburst marking splashed across the wood where the magic burst had bleached part of the desktop, something that made Key Largo start to growl uneasily.

No sign of his chosen human...

A small flicker of movement, hidden by the upraised part of the desk. "Key...? That you?"

Browbones furrowed on several skulls. That... Sounded like Cell, but- Off. More echo-y, like a bitty with an immobile jaw speaking with their SOUL rather than projecting sound through their magic.

Key Largo stepped closer, a hand lifting to brace on the magic bleached desktop as he leaned over to get a better look at the other side. He felt more than heard the others joining him, and their magic collectively spiked in shock at what they found struggling to sit up amidst a mess of tumbled pens and waylaid papers.

Bright neon green eye lights with slivered cores of yellow peered up out of dark sockets which creased slightly in a slightly sheepish half smile, a skeletal hand lifting in a halfhearted wave.

"Uh, hi?"

Magic flickered -blue, gold, crimson, teal, seafoam- as all five bitties initiated a CHECK.

"What the fuck, kid?!"

The newly-minted bitty flushed, the faint green glow around their body brightening as well as coloring across their sharp cheekbones.

"Language, Ed!"

Crimson eye lights brightened, and the Edgy snorted a laugh as he directed his Gaster Blaster to lower down to the desktop, the construct vanishing as he dropped onto his own feet. The lamia-skeleton-ghost(?) huffed at him, but didn't protest when he leaned down to help them up.

It was a gesture that seemed to finally kick the others into gear, blips and flashes manifesting into the lot of them crowding around the former human to make sure they were okay.

"Are You Feeling Dizzy At All? Any Nausea Or Discomfort?"

"No, I-"

"W̷̳̘̣ͭ͆ͫhy̵͛̇̀ d̨̯̳̩ő͖ ̐͝y͢o̦̳̗͝u̠ ͓͙͋̈̀g̳̜̦ŏt͓̅ śp̨o̺̼̯t̰̭́s?͚͇͇̌ͩ͑ ͔͖͋̎Ẃa͑ͤi͢t,̸ ï̵̙̰̲ͣ̂ś t̸̝͎͉̋̄̿h̒̚a̭͉tͤ̇ fire̖̒?͙͔̓ͯ́!"

"I dunno, I think-"

"Hey, maybe we should-?"

"BACK. OFF."

Eye lights brightened and dimmed and flickered, and suddenly there were only two bitties left on the desktop with the former human, knowing better than to get between an upset, over protective Brassberry and their person. Well, besides Van, who only gave Key Largo an irritated sidelong glance before going back to gently checking over Cell's new and unusual body for any injury or damage.

Key Largo didn't bother with a return glare, his bright eye lights fixed on the slim little snake-like bitty currently giving him a tired look.

"Key, honey, was that really necessary?"

The senior Brassberry's frown deepened, and he stomped up into their bubble of personal space, that green glow slightly washing out his pineapple patterned button up as his eye lights darted over the newly formed bitty, his hands clenching into fists at his sides before he forcibly reversed the motion to reach for that exposed bone shoulder. Despite the change in appearance, Cell was still to scale, coming up to his collar bones even without legs to stand on.

An ectoplasmic hand came up to rest on his wrist, those bright green eye lights softening with understanding.

"I'm okay, Key. Startled, a little confused, but I'm not hurt. I promise."

Their SOUL hummed, louder and clearer than usual but still the same SOUL, and Key Largo's angry facade broke, his scowl collapsing into a weary frown as he pulled his chosen human person into a firm hug.

"...you're gettin' checked out by Halim and Van."

"Fair."

Van just rolled his eye lights, shaking his head.

Drama queen.