Being embodied was harder than the Watcher expected.
"I'm hungry," it complained to Maya, still in cat form. "Not feeding-hungry. Food-hungry. This is uncomfortable."
"That's normal. Cats need to eat."
What do cats eat?
"You don't know?"
I have never been a cat before.
Maya spent the afternoon teaching the Watcher about cat food, cat behavior, and the strange obsession cats had with knocking things off tables.
"That's a thing they do. No one knows why."
I will try it. The Watcher knocked a glass off the counter. Satisfying.
"Great. You're learning."
Other challenges followed. The Watcher struggled with sleep ("Why must I stop being conscious? This seems inefficient."), with grooming ("My tongue is rough. Why?"), and with the sudden urge to chase things ("That butterfly is fleeing. Should I pursue?").
"Yes! That's called playing. Go chase!"
The Watcher chased.
The butterfly escaped.
The Watcher returned, confused but oddly pleased.
I understand why Anino chose this form. It is... delightful.
"Told you."