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A few months ago... in December... In the office of Dr. Sabin Duvert

A message is sent to Sabin's office, through a secretary. The message says that Moreau wishes to speak with Sabin with some urgency. He asks that he report to his office as soon as possible and speak with no one about it.

Sabin thanks the secretary and pauses for a few moments, considering. Had Moreau heard of some of his... 'games'? Was this about some of the experimental serums he was working on... or perhaps a belated scolding for the admixture of the macaw into Cassidy's serum?

Sabin shook his head, blowing off his concern and slid to his feet, heading up to the laboratory that moreau had barely disconnected himself from in months. He walked with a lazy confidence. The garish beachwear gone - replaced with more somber, dark clothing - but a stylization that bordered on eccentric. His hair was still back in its messy ponytail, but he wore a button-up shirt covered in a dark vest, and a tophat perched on his head.

Without bothering to knock, Sabin walked into the lab with a mildly curious expression on his face. "You wanted to see me, Moreau?"

"Yes I did Sabin. Sit, please" Moreau said with a smile. "And close the door behind you."

Sabin nodded, a curious spark still in his eyes, but with a sharper edge to it than when Sabin first arrived on the Island.

The door closed with a click and Sabin flopped into a chair, making himself comfortable. "What's on your mind..?" Sabin queried

"Well, I undertand you've had some... pet projects lately. Some that even seem personal... and horribly without reason." Moreau didn't seem too upset about this, but there was a stern tone in his voice.

A frown graced Sabin's face. "There is a... pardon the cliche, Doctor, a method to my madness." he protested. "While you are doing experiments on the bodies of our subjects... I am an anthropologist by discipline. I study social situations... conflicts... and I've had a bit of psychology in my background. I find it fascinating the responses of the subjects to situations. How much the serum might affect their decisions... their desires. The way they deal with stress." He leaned back, unphased.

"Ahhhh... you know I was hoping you'd say that, that's perfect for what I have in mind.." Moreau smiled and handed Sabin a folder. The folder was completely sealed.

"Open it." he said with his grin larger.

Sabin was.... surprised to put it mildly... by the Doctor's response. A part of him felt... quite intrigued.. almost maliciously so. This encouragement seemed to help quell the small part of himself that was still protesting the ethics... that these were people after all. The part of him that had intentionally avoided getting to know them on a personal basis had only opened it up for this. The remainder of that voice knew that he had been on this island too long... that he needed at least a small vacation.

But.... Sabin was nothing if not curious, and for the moment at least, those quiet protests did not reach his mouth. Instead, he took the folder, broke the seal with a rather long nail, and opened the document.

Inside the folders were access plans, and detailed information about the sublevels of the facility. Sublevels that no one else on the island knew about. They ran under much of the island and if anything seemed larger than the facilities above the island.

As you go through the paper work, you notice a section marked for old experiments, living facilities, research rooms. Everything.

Sabin tapped a nail against his chin as his eyes pored over the building plans. His eyes narrowed as he realized the scope of the subterranean facilities.

"What... praytell... do you have in mind, Good Doctor?" The words had an almost velvety quality, a malicious purr.

"We are going to do a psychological experiment. As you probably know atleast from your time here, numerous traits and instincts exibited by animals are believed to be part of their biological make up. If anything our research here has only strengthened that idea." Moreau grinned.

"I want to put it to the test."

Sabin nodded, following his words as he leaned forward. "We have already noted some exhibitions of uncharacteristic behavior for some of the subjects who are particularly far along in their transformations. What specifically do you have in mind to do?"

"The islanders have had it easy, food, shelter, everything provided for them. In fact I've made a point to attempt to make their stay comfortable for them, as it will likely be in the future." he grinned.

"But science, demands a test. We are going to disappear Sabin. The entire facility will go on lockdown, and everything we have will be moved to our underground section." Moreau obviously had been preparing for this for some time.

"Do you see where this is going Sabin?" Moreau had a certain gleam in his eyes.

Sabin's eyebrows raised significantly. "You mean... you can pull all of this under? Take away their duplexes... the fences... the cafeteria ... ?" There was no disguising the vaguely sadistic smirk on Sabin's face.

"Well I can't pull it all under. But I can lock them all up. The buildings and all the glass that we used is nearly indestructable. They couldn't get in if they want to." he flipped a pen inbetween his fingers.

"If anything, we can attempt to make them believe it is something really odd, when we all just... vanish." his smirk only grew larger.

Sabin scratched his chin, grinning. "Sounds... fascinating" He agreed. "How long will we maintain the charade? How long will this experiment last? And when do you plan on begining? I don't see how we would bring new subjects in during this period..."

"I've had to question that as well. I don't intend to set a duration, but I would guess around a month. You see Sabin, you will be placed in charge of the facilities." Moreau smiled again.

Sabin smiled. That seemed like a good period of time. It probably wouldn't hurt any of the subjects, but it would be plenty of time to see them squirm... to question... to perhaps resort on some more... natural... impulses. "Me? In charge?" His smile widened. "What about you and Dr. Lockheart? Where will you be?"

"And are we going to further any of the new subjects' progression before we begin?"

"Actually yes, I hope that most of the subjects will be ready to advance. I want as many of them as possible to be... part animal. I want them to rely on their new instincts and skills to hunt. If anything I want to encourage them down a more... beastial trail." he laughed a bit.

"But I don't just intend for you to observe. I want you to... interact." Moreau pointed to the numerous tunnels to different parts of the island. "Of course you can order any tools you'll need in advance... basically, I want you to mess with their minds and encourage them to act on instinct. But to do so without revealing yourself, let them question, assume, anything else they want to do. Let them suspect... but not know."

Sabin nodded, listening intently, the smile not leaving his face. "What if they... squabble amongst themselves? If they travel down that far of a path? Am I to use the sleep command? Or of any of their lives are at risk due to inability to fend for themselves or some other reason? "

"Allow them to fight, I don't think any of them would kill each other yet. If you need to use sleep, do so, but try to do it away from the others. If they are borderline starving, track them, leave a raw dead rabbit for them or something, encourage their nature but obviously don't let them die." Moreau was smirking as well.

Sabin nodded, liking what he was hearing. "I will most likely be compiling a list of things that I would like to acquire. And I presume that the offshore unit will still be posted in case any of our.... swimmers... decide to try something?"

He held up a finger. "But I must ask, again, where are you going to be? And is there a way I can reach you if need be?"

"I will be leaving the facilities, with Aubrey who is to know none of this. When we return, things will perhaps return to normal. I will be expecting a full and detailed report." Moreau tapped his fingers.

"Since we made the island an external communication deadzone, I am leaving it completely in your hands. Don't fail me Sabin. You won't be able to contact me, though you still can communicate across the island. Oh and if anyone tries to escape by swimming, let them get far enough away for no one to see, put them to sleep, and have them descreatily delivered back to the beach." Moreau grinned sadistically. "That way they can question... what brought them back, make sure they see nothing."

Sabin was practically wriggling in anticipation. Not just the trust that Moreau was putting in his hands.... but that he was being presented with one giant... beautiful project - nearly three dozen lives placed in his hands to manipulate, to control, and to question their own control over themselves. Added to his fascination with the bizarre and fantastic transformations they were undergoing.

"Sounds like an excellent plan." He smiled. "And you'll be leaving the facilities?" Sabin seemed surprised. "I wish you two the best in wherever you plan on going. Will I ever be able to take a leave of absence... to visit my family?" It was the only voice of protest in his mind - the part that spoke that he would need to pull himself away from this at some point.

"We will have to discuss that at a later time Sabin. Realize, the only reason Aubrey is leaving the facilities is because I will be with her." he tossed Sabin a card.

"Hold onto that when you get into the elevator, it will read the magnetic coding and allow you access to the lower levels. Remember, prepare everything, but keep Aubrey out of it. She might have... moral objections." Moreau said it like it was a very silly thing.

"We go live January 2nd."

Sabin nodded, snatching the card from the air. It wasn't a resounding 'no' - and Sabin was delighted that Moreau placed enough trust in him to ask this of him, without even letting Aubrey in on this. And the project was more than enough for the small words of protest to be overshadowed with the exquisite possibilities.

Sabin snickered at his concerns. "You can trust me." He said with a devious smile.

"And I have but two more questions. What of ..... your estranged cousin? Is she to be taken into the facilites with the laboratory staff...? Or to be tested along with the rest of the subjects. And I presume that the injection calendar will be followed as normal? Knocking them out and injecting them? Perhaps they might even jump to the conclusion that they will continue to change without further injections..." Sabin's eyes lit up. "I could even use the air-injector to prevent needle puncture sores...."

Moreau grinned at all that. "It sounds like you are already thinking in the right direction. Yes, she will be disincluded from the loop as well... she is a subject first, and family second." Moreau snickered.

"Do you like your project Sabin?"

A wiiiide grin was the only answer to Moreau's question.

"To reiterate, I want you to make them as paranoid, and push them as much to their animal side side as possible. I want to see their limit... and also, your limits." Moreau put the paperwork in Sabin's hands.

"Goodbye Dr. Duvert."

Sabin took the paperwork, tucking it carefully under his arm. "I will make sure that is seen to, along with a complete report of the results." Sabin gave a half-mock salute.

"Enjoy your trip~!"

Late in the night, far past midnight, at a time when only those animals whose eyes are well adjusted to the inky blackness that comes when the only light - the moon and stars- are blanketed by the thick rainclouds, the thick heavy droplets begin to slow... and then finally stop.

The buzzing of insects and birdcalls that had been all but absent during the steady drone of the falling rain slowly begin to pick up experimentally, then call out in a chorus welcoming the clear and rain-less night air.

However, the noise of the buzz and birds are soon joined by another humm. This one, however, is one that the Island has not heard in over two months. It is not the querying chirp of a cricket, or a methodical crick of a treefrog. It is a steady, mechanical humm, droll and mundane - but to some acute ears that catch its chorus that spreads across the Island from the Beach Bar to the Village to the Laboratories - it is the most welcome night noise of them all.

For those staying in the beach bar, if they are not already awake then the florescent lights that slowly flicker on probably does the trick.

In a loud resounding CLICK, the duplex doors unlock in unison.

About three hours following this, the scent of cooked food begins to spread from the now unlocked and open cafeteria.


**

Sabin Duvert, with a smile in the darkness somewhere deep in the bowels of the Island, leans back in his command chair and stretches his arms as he watches the moniters - the tiny cameras scattered all over the Island and waits to see the reactions.

"Ahh... it was fun... while it lasted." He checks his watch that boasts something akin to three in the morning. "But we must prepare for his return... I suppose~" He says to no one in particular, with lament. "Although.... I rather did enjoy this..."

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

That evening, after Sabin took over Natsumi and Aubrey spent a bit of time crying to sort some of the things she was feeling in her office, she went looking for Moreau, wanting to tell him about the note from Chubbs. She knocked quietly on his office door. "Can I come in?"

Moreau of course had been watching Aubrey as she walked down the halls towards the labs. He knew she was comming towards him from almost the moment she left the labs. He took a bit of time to push his hair back and straiten himself up. When she knocked he smiled, "Yes Aubrey?"
Aubrey opened the door and wheeled in, forcing a smile. "Hey. Uhm... Chubbs gave me something to day, via Colche, I think you should see."

Aubrey had a crumpled note in her lap that she handed over to him.

http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=29&t=1140502#61859731



"Hmmmm...." Moreau said as he looked at the note. "You know I wouldn't let that happen."

"I know.." Aubrey twisted the blanket in her lap then smoothed it out. "I still don't like being threatened like that. Especially using Colche like ... like a tool. I mean, I don't know, but I kind of read the fact that he sent the note with her that he was implying he would hurt her."

"Well, he does want us to do something about him... I have an idea that would create more security for him and us." Moreau smiled and placed his hand in Aubrey's gripping it tight. "We'll station a guard with him... ordered to keep a safe distance, stay outside his door, and to not interact. The guard will be responsible for 24/7 monitoring and will have multiple methods of bringing him down if needed."


Aubrey gave him a bit of a grin. "Well, thats nicer than what I was thinking." She gave him a bit of a wink.

Moreau looked intriged, and maybe a little turned on. "Why what do you mean Dr. Lockheart?" he said in a friendly yet sexy tone.

She smirked. "Well the mother in me was tempted to send a note back that said any damage he did to Colche I'd take double out of Joli. But thats not very professional, Dr. Moreau."

"Still, it might doubly enforce our point." He grinned a bit and rubbed Aubrey's hand a bit harder. "Why don't you write him a return letter explaining his new... friend. Also explaining that exact fact." Moreau had the most wicked smirk on his face.

"I don't know i that would really help my reputation," she said, half serious and half joking. "But I'll think about it. I'll send it down with the guard when I'm done."

"Sounds fair, would you like me to have the guard assigned or would you like to pick someone out yourself?" Moreau was still rather intrigued by this mean side.

"Oh, I'll find someone, baby." She nodded decidedly.

Moreau stood up, walked over to Aubrey's side of the desk and leaned foward onto Aubrey's wheelchair and kissed her passionately on the mouth. "It's great to have you back..."

Aubrey was surprised, but certainly wasn't complaining. She kissed him back just as passionately. Damn injuries.

"The weirdest things turn you on," she chuckled, letting her hand slide over his slacks in teasing places.

She looked down at her "wheely dealy" as Colche put it and shook her head. "Thanks again for this. It feels so great to be able to get back to work. At least move from that same cramped little room."

"Anything at all for you." Moreau smiled. "You know... I've been considering expanding this office so it has room for two."

She quirked an eyebrow. One one hand she rather enjoyed having her own office, but it was the gesture that was the most significant. Sharing an office with him? Well damn, that was probably harder for him to offer than the engagement ring, Aubrey mused. "Oh really?"

"It's just a thought..." he grinned. "Run the island together, all that."

Aubrey shook he head in disbelief. "I think you're still just in shock, baby. I'm sure you'll get tired of me"(again, she thought bitterly in head) "after too long." She was teasing, of course, but she knew this was NOT just a light offer from the man.

"I never got tired of you Aubrey. I just... overreacted to things that upset me." He ran his hands over hers. "But that shouldn't be an issue any longer."

"Well...is it, Nick? Nothing's really...changed. You said yourself we had some things to work out. Its okay to talk about things." She squeezed his hands. "I don't want to upset - no matter how 'well' or 'unwell' you handle it."

"I've told you what bothered me Aubrey... just... respect my chain of command in the future please. If you have an issue with one of my decisions you can come talk to me about it." Moreau sighed. "And respect me..."

"I do respect you, Nick," she kissed his cheek. "Promise."

She looked away for a second. "I ...hope you don't mind, though, that I had Duvert give Miss Tanaka the injection.."

"Not in the least... I can understand a certain sensativity in that matter. Besides, it works well into the debt that Dr. Duvert owes you. Feel free to bring that up whenever you want." he smiled to Aubrey. "Maybe get him to do a bit of your work if needed for us to have more time."

She nodded, relieved. "I just wasn't prepared, especially after, well, yeah.." she put a hand on her stomach. "I'm sorry, I'm just being paranoid. I'm sure I'll be better than new everwhere thanks to you."

"We are likely the most advaced medical facility in the world. I don't think you could ask for anymore." a grin crossed his face.

"I dunno, I have some pretty expensive tastes," she teased and kissed him again gently. "Anyway, I should let you get back to your work..."


"No... stay just a little longer with me." Moreau rubbed Aubrey's hand and pulled one up to kiss it. It was so nice it was almost creepy.

She gave him a gentle smile. "Oh? Well, of course, if you want me to. Anything I can help you with?"

"Well, I've been reviewing some notes on the combination serums, to maybe create a bit more mental stablization in any upcomming.... built subjects. Maybe you can shed some light on to something I haven't figured out yet." he directed her over to his desk.

Aubrey wheeled her way over and situated herself to look over the files. "Good. God knows we don't want a repeat of Zach."

She looked over the files for a few minutes before, without looking up, "Any thoughts on a date, yet?"

"Just a few notes.... I've had other things on my mind..." Moreau pulled out the notations he'd made.

Aubrey looked up, tapping her fingernails on the desk. "Yeah... I've had things on my mind, too." She fiddled with the ring. "Like... plans..." she tried to make it obvious she was messing with her left hand.

"Yes... I've also been looking over plans for increasing security of the island as well... to avoid a repeat." he hoped this would comfort Aubrey on some level. He also hoped she shouldn't keep prying.

"Mmm.." she said, her smile fading. "yeah."

She flipped a few pages in the file.

"Excellent."

An arrangement...

A thankfully unfamilar security guard was dispatched to seek out Billy. Using the trackers they had on them it didn't take him long to find him. "Mr. Woodrow?" the young and rather green looking guard said. Though he looked a bit green, there was no doubt that he was in excellent physical condition.

Billy jerked up from where he had curled up where the rocks met the water, making him a shallow little shelf to huddle in to stay wet without drowning. He had scoped it out in the dark, ready to spend the night there. It was evident from the sound of his voice that he had been crying not too long ago, "Wha' d'y'damn people want from me NOW?"

"Dr. Moreau would like to speak with you." the guard said. He detatched a small radio and tossed it in the general direction of the Octopus, careful to avoid the water.

"Ye'd think these fine *doctors* woul' bloody speak t'me b'for punishin' me fer crap. I still aint done nothin'," He snarled, but reached a tentitive tentacle down to grab it with a sucker, pulling it up to rest it on top of his backpack where he had shoved it in a dry crevace, "Wha' th'feck's this, then?"*

A familar voice cracked on the radio. "Mr. Woodrow, by this time I hope you understand the severity of the situation." a grin could almost be heard through the radio. "And that we can come to an.... agreement."

"Y'damn redheaded FREAK! I'll rip yer feckin' tongue ou' an' make y'choke on it! Wha' god damned situation coul' there BE?? I'm DOIN' Wha' y'tell me to!! I've been a feckin' GOOD BOY!" At the sound of Moreau's voice, Billy's face contorted with rage, his tentacles coiling and seething fitfully.*

The radio crackled again. "Now now Mr. Woodrow, temper. I'm here to make you an offer, but if your going to be that way. Maybe I should reconsider."

"Why're y'pickin' on me? Why was I locked out?"*

"It has to do with something that is important to me. Somethiny you've been too attatched to recently." Moreau's sneer was almost audiable.

"I aint done nothin' bu' try t'be a good sport! Y'lot trick me here, cut off me ball, turn me into a feckin' octopus and a *cripple*- yer into th'mind games, Doc, bu' no' me. Lay it to me flat, Doc, I'm stupid." Billy's patience and constitution was wearing thin. His nervious sniff had grown into a fullfledged tick that took the muscle just under his eye as well now.

"Stay away from Aubrey, avoid her at all costs, refused to talk to her, or interact with her. Pretend your mad if you must, do not directly blame more or the deal is off." Moreau's voice crackled for a moment. "In exchange, I will reinstate your duplex, your bed, and everything else important to you. In addition, I might be willing to sweaten the deal a little bit. The security guard standing there also has with him a few interesting pills."

Billy fell silent, although his eyes flickered. Chubbs had only given him back one of the many bags of his stash, and it was getting rather low. He was hurting. He was aching. "Why've I got t'avoid her? I aint done nothin' t'her. Wasn' me wha' attacked her."

"No it wasn't, but if it wasn't for you Mr. Woodrow she wouldn't have been out there in the first place. But that is the offer, it's the best one you'll get. Unless you'd rather stay out here." Moreau's tone was cold and serious through the small speaker.

Billy shifted, his face trembling as he thought. After an exceptionally long period of time, he finally spoke up in a low, unsteady voice, "Wha' sort o' pills?"
"Vicodin, Mr. Woodrow. Perhaps I'll see what else we can cook up for you in the future, but I think it's effects will be exactly what your looking for. Do we have an arrangement or not?" Moreau said from the speaker.

"An I jes' ha' t'no' talk t'yer girlfriend no more?"

"Yes, if she approaches you you must give her the idea that you want nothing to do with her. I've already assigned a new doctor to you."

"You can avoid talking to her if you must, or come across as angry. I don't care Mr. Woodrow, I just want you to have nothing to do with her."
"Why all this? We've jes talked. Yer tha' insecure y'think she fancies a slimy blue tentacled freak o'er you?" Billy couldn't help but chuckle at the rediculous thought that somehow seemed to be fitting.

"Your presence around her sickens me, she needs nothing to do with people like you. Do we have an arrangement or not?" Moreau's tone was growing irrate.
"I want regular weekly supplies," Billy finally snapped in a business-like tone. "An' no' jes' Vicodin. Bring me a boquet. Morphine, th'closest y'go' t'acid, pot, uppers downers, y'name it an' I'll stay out o' yer hair."

"Too much would be noticed Mr. Woodrow, you wouldn't want Aubrey to catch you on Camera with stuff like that would you? I will see what I can do... but whatever I send you, it is to be taken discreetly and only by you. I willl also inform of your schedules of when you WILL not partake in drug use on Camera."

"No deal, Doc."

"If Dr. Lockheart saw you with these things she would likely want to confenscate them. I am trying to do you a favor, but if you wish to stay out here." the security guard moved towards the radio to pick it back up.

"Those are me terms, Doc, an' if y'don' like 'em, I guess I don' sicken y'*tha'* much. Maybe I like this lake. Maybe I like yer lady friend."
"If that is how it is Mr. Woodrow. I will be taking what you have with you as well. I tried to offer you a fair deal. Goodnight Mr. Woodrow." Moreau paused for only a second to see if this would change Billy's mind, before he'd knock him out and take his so called "stash".

"Aye, I'll tell th'gel yer lovely offer, an' well jes' see wha' she t'inks o' ye bein' so cheap as t'bribe th'competition away. Y'do t'ink o' me as competition, eh? Tha's wha' all this crap's aboo'?" Billy was actually feeling a lot better. Even here, living in the mud, slimy, hideous and mutated, with a winning personality, Moreau seemed to fear him taking his girlfriend away. Moreau was scared of him.

"Mr. Woodrow, there are worse things I can do than toss you out of your comfy little home.... do you really want to make me cross that line? After all, you overdosing to the point of damaging yourself mentally and perminantly.... seems very likely."

"An' so what? I'm turnin' into a feckin' octopus. Tha's supposed t'feckin' scare me? Hell, if I died t'nigh' I'd be *relieved* I din' live t'see meself grow any uglier! I'm sure that one woul' jes' crack her up. Good sence o' humour on her, tha' lass. Aye, I'm quite fond o' her. A' least I put her above me material desires in any sence. How abou' ye, Doc?"

"Your stepping over that line Mr. Woodrow, right now." Moreau wasn't used to not getting what he wanted. He thought for a moment. "If you agree to follow the mentioned schedule and stay away from her, I'll get you more of what you really want."

That made Billy hesitate, "An' wha' do I really want, Doc?"

" The same drug that you brought onto this island. The one your keeping near your one remaining testical." Moreau almost half snickered.

On his own side of the intercom, Billy remained silent.

"Do we have an arrangement Mr. Woodrow?"

"An I jes' can't speak t'her."

"You don't speak to her, you keep away from her, and you do not say it is because of me or even indicate as such, or the deal is off."

"How much would I get?"

"Enough for yourself, to keep you sufficiently doped up at a time. I will ration off weekly supplies, and replenish it every week, in private. Check where you normally keep it when you wake up." Moreau figured that way he wouldn't have too much at once, and atleast for a while it would be very believable that it was part of his original recovered "stash".

"I want a contract."

Moreau laughed. "Mr. Woodrow, do you understand who enforces contracts? The government. Do you understand who the government here is? Me. Do you realize how silly that request is? No, I'll keep my part of the deal, or you'll no longer have to keep yours."

Billy's nervious tick was back and after he sniffed, he rubbed his nose with a tentacle, huddling back on his wet rock, "Fine. We go' a deal."*

"Good. Head back to your duplex, when you wake up, your old bed should be reinstated. It may take me a couple of days to procure, but I will. You'll have a happy morning very soon Mr. Woodrow." Moreau's radio clicked off and the guard came and took it. He pulled out the vicodin and tossed it at Billy. The bottle had been conviently done up to look like it had come from the mainland, not from Feral Labs directly. The guard walked off with the radio.

Billy picked the bottle up in a tentacle, his head bowed. Power and Coke. Power and Coke. Moreau had his love and Billy had his. Simple as that. Priorities. And it had nothing to do with Aubrey. Billy managed to get the bottle open, popping three before he huddled down, content to stay on his rock by the lake for the night. He didn't particularly feel like returning to civilization just then.

Moreau chidded himself for giving in as much as he had. Aubrey really was his weakness at times. Perhaps one day, he'd have to let that go. But not yet.

Lauren was dressed to the nines in the dress Moreau gave her the first time he won her to his side. She went up to Nita's duplex, knocking on the door.

The black dress looked good on her, but made her feel sort of uncomfortable, as if she was too dressed up or in a completely different skin then what she was used to. One would think Lauren would be used to transformation by now.

She knocked on Nita's door. "Nita..." She said nervously.

"I see you've changed! You look wonderful." And Lauren met it. It was actually a relief to see Nita more furry then normal.

Lauren handed Nita the letter. "Thank you!" Maybe it was a stupid thing to get all dressed up like that but hey, Moreau said it was an 'extravagant dinner' he should have something for Nita to wear.

"We're going out for dinner tonight!" Lauren said as she went to hug Nita.

"Surprise!!" Lauren replied, throwing her hands up. "Don't worry Nita, I'm sure Moreau will have something perfect for you." Well in reality, Lauren wasn't sure at all but she was hopeing.