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 Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:01 pm
"And what a coincidence indeed," Emerwyn said, smiling as Emelyn appeared.
She looked now at Emelyn. "She's just the one I was seeking, as well."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Fiona. And so good to see you again, Emelyn."
This was far too odd to make sense. So, Emerwyn didn't bother to try to figure it out.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:08 pm
The girl blinked once, and then twice. "Okaaay. Really weird. But I guess I shouldn't be complaining." She opened her mouth to say something and then cut herself off, frowning. "You've changed too. It seems like everyone I know is getting more... animal...ish. Nita, Rex, you-" her eyes shone briefly with anger at the situation, "...and me, too. Which means Annie can't be far behind." This statement was made with dread, laced with regret and sadness.
"But... that's not what I came here to talk about. I was wondering if you knew about any places on the island that doesn't have cameras?" Fiona turned her gaze back upon Emerwyn, indicating that the question could be directed to either of them.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:16 pm
"I love coincidences," Emelyn said, coming closer to the duo, "but I don't know if this truly qualifies. I criss-cross this part of the woods at least three times a day, for one reason or another. ...Mushrooms," she said, indicating the basket, explaining why she was there now, "...I would have run into you at some point, if you were in the woods long enough."
Emelyn leant down to put her basket on the ground, and gave Emerwyn a hug. "I'm sorry I ran out last time- that day was... strange." Then she released the hug, and would have given Fiona a similar one- regardless of the changes in the girl's appearance, or the short time they'd known each other- if not for the sudden question.
"As far as I know, every place on the island has cameras of some sort- although I don't know about far up on the mountain. I've never had any indication that I was being watched in my cave... but really, it's unlikely that I'm not being watched." She spoke squarely and honestly, trying to distract the girl from the hurt and the fear that came through so clearly in her earlier statement- that her friend was not far behind. That, and Emelyn suspected that this girl- whatever she was becoming- would respond... to honesty.
"I think your best bet for not being watched... is to swim out as far as you can from the island, and talk there. I would assume there'd be no way to fully watch what goes on out there. And even if they could do a close-up from a mountain lens... they'd be unable to hear you speaking."
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:23 pm
Emerwyn returned the embrace, glad to see Emelyn in higher spirits, so it seemed. "That's quite alright. I'd gotten a little concerned, I'll admit."
She simply shrugged at Fiona's question, allowing Em to take that one. She had no idea; she'd never thought of it. What did Fiona want to talk about that she needed to avoid the ever-watchful doctors?
"And, yet, that would not stop them from being suspicious," Emerwyn offered to that last comment.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:31 pm
"Out in the water? That makes sense, but it doesn't really work for... what I have in mind." Fiona looked around warily- there could be cameras planted in the trees, watching them at that very instant. "Solid ground is kind of important. I mean, I could build a raft, but anything escape or rebellion related that would take you more than a couple hours to make will get smashed by them the second you fall asleep, I'll bet. And even if you didn't fall asleep they could just... knock you out." This comment reminded her of another thing she wanted to discuss.
"Have you ever thought about how much more control we would have without these chip things? If they weren't able to knock us out at will, we could overthrow them in no time with just brute strength, planning and stuff. Imagine the possibilities, if someone could find a way to just... get it out." At this Fiona rubbed the back of her neck, annoyed that it was undetectable to her external poking and prodding.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:39 pm
Emelyn stayed, standing next to Emerwyn, her arm out to touch the deer-woman's arm with affection. The woman seemed happier, if not a little more preoccupied than usual- and there was much they had to discuss. But at the moment, her eyes were focused towards Fiona, her brows twisted down in thought and a chunk of her inner cheek sandwiched between her teeth before she spoke.
"Well, I know some people have attempted escape via water- one that I know of- but no one tried to stop her. They just fetched her when she passed out. It's too far to swim- so you'd have some measure of autonomy, even if you built a little raft. They'd likely assume you weren't stupid enough to try to escape on a little log raft. And the chips- they're... very powerful. And I'm sure they have some sort of failsafe to keep us from... removing them. Your best bet for those is to try and disturb the signal. Not that I have any clue of how to do that."
Emelyn spoke simply, plainly, and without concern for the possibility of cameras being about. Her time in the wild had drained her of that constant, curded fear that had always seemed so important when she lived in the village- particularly when Moreau had thought her to be on 'his side'. She didn't even know if the cameras in the wild were pervasive, or if they had sound attached at all. So she spoke with something that was either bravery... or apathy. It was impossible to tell, even to herself.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:47 pm
The thought of the chips always bothered Emerwyn once she'd learned of their existence.
"They have taken amazing measures to keep us under their thumbs, yet not locked up in cages... It seems they are always seven steps ahead of us."
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:54 pm
Fiona listened carefully to Emelyn's response, but couldn't help but snort and snicker when she mentioned disturbing the signal. "Are you suggesting I walk around with a tin-foil hat? Repels the signal from both the laboratories and the mothership!" She laughed, but it faded quickly as she tried to think how to work her plan. Another problem would be recruiting someone to help and telling them the plan without alerting the scientists... maybe the 'out in the ocean' tip would prove useful in that respect.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:58 pm
Emelyn couldn't help laughing, but neither would she attempt to suppress the bubble of mirth that burst in her throat.
"Something like that. Probably a weensy bit more high tech," she said, "But Emer's certainly right. They're always a few steps ahead of us. At least... technically," Emelyn said suggestively, warping the word 'technically' to let Fiona know that while the lab may be technologically ahead of the islanders, there may be something to be said for emotional and social manipulation. A sort of... mutiny of minds.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:02 pm
Emerwyn's laugh was hardly audible under the others, being lighter and softer. The humor also did not touch her quite as much.
"I don't suppose it would be completely safe to ask what it is you want to do," Emerwyn said, her soft voice lowered considerably more, out of some newly rekindled fear of supervision.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:19 pm
"Unless you're up for a trek to the beach and then wading out in the ocean, it's... not really safe to say out loud." She sighed slightly, "Maybe if I run into you in the village sometime, I'll write it on a piece of paper, and you can burn it after you've read it, or something. I do need help... but I can't risk giving the scientists the upper-hand... not that they don't already have it. So anyways, it was nice meeting you, and thanks for the advice, Emelyn. But I'm getting hungry, so I think I'm going to head back. See you around!"
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:27 pm
"See you, sweets," Em said, then, softer, "and... for what it's worth, you look great. You can still see you through the changes. Completely." It was said just as Fiona left, and Emelyn wouldn't know the girl's reaction to her words, but it still needed to be said.
"So I suppose it's just you and me." Her hand was still on the deer-woman's arm.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:31 pm
Emerwyn nodded to Fiona, her interest actually piqued by this prospect. The fire of intrigue flickered in her.
After Fiona left, Emerwyn felt glad. Now she would be able to speak to Emelyn one-on-one.
"So it would seem," she said. It was a casual remark, but did it have some other meaning that Emerwyn did not even intend?
"I have wanted to talk to you. I was very concerned about the other day."
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:34 pm
"I know... I'm sorry about leaving so quickly. But- to be honest, all the business with Aubrey was upsetting me- and Chubbs said that he might be the one who did it." She put her hands up, as if to suppress the train of thought, "I don't actually think he did it... and now I at least know Aubrey's okay, but... well, suffice it to say I was the one who found Aubrey out in the woods, and all the blood and her body was cold- and then, I was alone for two weeks with no human contact- except perhaps Moreau's threat of revenge." She took a deep breath, and it came in ragged.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:38 pm
It was Emerwyn's turn to place a comforting hand on Emelyn's shoulder.
She had been through much. Emerwyn had felt overall very detatched from the situation.
"That man - Chubb's you said? - he is truly a kind person, isn't he?
The only thought in my mind as I looked at him was to run away... I couldn't even meet his eyes.
I fear, that even if it wasn't him, it could have just as easily been him... Something like this was bound to happen, if you'll pardon my pessimism."
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