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Something suddenly occurred to her. "There are two people... you can't tell. You can't trust them. Their names are Awen, and Lauren. They're the ones I told you about... who've sided with the doctors. Awen is..." she pulled back of the hug, gesticulating and indicating a line from her wrist to her hip. "She's got this weird webbing, under her arm... and these blue things sticking out of her head. She's some kind of... fish. And Lauren has fur all over, and horns, and ugly, point hands and feet. And she eats bugs." Fiona frowned angrilly. "Lauren almost attacked me. She's insane. Stay away from both of them, if you can help if. They're like... spies, or something. And if they hear that I'm going to try to get Annie out, they'll do everything they can to stop me and anyone who helps, I bet."

"That's the thing, I have no idea what they're doing to her," Fiona muttered, her frown deepening. "The next time I see her, she'll probably be part crocodile, or something. Arrg, why didn't I see this coming!? I can't even protect my best friend!" In a fresh wave of anger Fiona kicked a small rock, despite being in bare feet, across the pathway. "I need to go work out. Maybe I'll see you around... what was your name? Amy?"

(( New RP ))



Kikue had finished unpacking and had eaten most of her meals in her room. Sushi did well packaged up and kept in the fridge. Still, she knew she had to get out and explore some more, so she resolved to sit on the wooden landing of her duplex and watch the goings-on in the village square below.

She had brought her book with her, Prinz und Rabe. She cradled the book lovingly in her lap, her yukata fabric in folds around it. The story began, as it always did... "Once upon a time...a man died."

She settled back against the side of her duplex, already lost to the story.

Kikue noticed Ambrose immediately. Although he was nearly on the other side of the village from her, having the first number in the line of duplexes, she heard the snap of a door as he left his duplex and pattered down the stairs. Looking up from the pages of her book, she wtched him curiously, seeing the distinctly advanced animalistic features jutting out painfully from every area of his body. He did, indeed, look like a wolf crossed with a man, walking on two wolfish legs with paws instead of feet. She was transfixed. Jamal had not nearly been so far along.

Quickly, she closed her book and placed it under her good arm. Stepping lightly dwon the landing stairs, she strode towards the mess hall, where the wolf-man appeared to be heading. She didn't wave this time, remembering the gesture had only served to irritate Jamal previously.

I can't believe how much he looks like a wolf. It's like an old story of the werewolf. Can he talk? It didn't occur to her until now, but she had no idea if serums stripped you of your voice. She slowed her pace, hopeful he would see her and make the first move.

Relief spread through Kikue. He could talk! Perhaps the serums left certain human traits intact. She hadn't even thought of losing her voice, but thought terrified her. Seeing the man address her was a welcome gesture.

She slowed her pace further until she was closer to him, stopping as she held her book to herself. "Hello," she said, sounding cheerful. "I hope I didn't startle you. I just saw you walking and I was outside reading...I thought I might come and say hello." She still didn't know what to expect with the serums; if some wariness to outright humans was in there somewhere, like most wild animals. She fidgted for a moment, a bit unsure of what to do in that case. "I'm new," she explained, "but I know about the Island." Kikue gave the man a bit of a nervous, soft smile. "I've only met two others so far. My name is Kikue."

Kikue realized the somewhat ridiculous notion that she might be the one to startle Ambrose. After all, he had a wolf's ears and nose, and probably what went along with those senses. The potential fact interested her, and she looked at face inquisitively. She broke into another small smile. "I guess I should take into account what the others already have, but I find it difficult, granted that we are both human." She resisted the childish urge to stand up on tip-toe and pet his long nose in a reassuring way. How strange it was to talk like this!

She moved her book to her side, sighing. "I know. I wish the circumstances were better myself. I only found out about this place a few days ago." She held up her broken hand, still bandaged, as if to indicate why she was here. "I'm supposed to be getting therapy for my hand. I was just a little surprised to find a person who looked half like a tiger on my way to the mess hall the first day."

Ambrose might still be on an errand there. She nodded at the building. "I'm not sure if you have time to talk or not...if you're busy getting food." She didn't want to impose on people, no, but she did want to learn more about this man. He seemed open to discuss what was happening...and that was what she needed. Answers.

"Jamal?" She looked curious immediately. "Actually, no, he was very civil with me...he told me about the Island. I think I annoyed him at first, because I kind of interrupted him on his way here, to the mess hall. He was very straightforward but I liked that, in a way. He told me about the serums." She mulled over Ambrose's information carefully. She could probably see Jamal lashing out at people; she believed about him having a temper. But he hadn't raised a hand -- er, paw -- against her at all. Kikue shifted uneasily on her feet. "I see..." Maybe it was the serum. A tiger. Weren't they the strongest of the cats?

Nine months. He's been here nine months. And no jobs here...all the time in the world. Thank gods I brought my textbooks.

Kikue gestured toward her duplex. "I've been inside mostly...I've had a little trouble sleeping." She hesitated on explaining her roster idea. It sounded a little silly now, but she knew it was important. But still...more about the serums. She needed to know that, too.

Flciking her grey eyes toward the top of the mess hall, she shielded her face from the sun and looked back to Ambrose. "I take it they're constantly watching us. Right? I wonder if you might talk to me about the serums...I still don't know a lot about them...I found out what mine was but, I still don't think I'm very able to predict what this is going to be like..." Gods. And he looked so much like a wolf. Not that Kikue was afraid of him, but she knew such changes would come, inevitably, to her too.