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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:48 am
Loves LostAmbrose After walking the ladies back to their respective duplexes, Ambrose quickly found that despite the alcohol in his system, he wasn't the least bit tired. He sighed, stretching his arms, and looked around the desolate village. He didn't feel like being alone just yet. For some reason, the thought of going back to a lonely duplex seemed like a punishment. He wasn't ready to .... be alone with Cassidy or Greer. They were such nice ladies... and he really could emphasize with Greer.... but... it... was really too soon. Ambrose wasn't ready to give up hope just yet. So... instead, Ambrose headed back towards the beach, and the new seaside bar. Even though the air itself had cooled off, the sand was still warm under his bare feet. (He seemed to be going without shoes more and more these days.) Maybe another good drink was what he needed. Maybe it would help cool the burning of his heart. The Dude The Dude was laying on one of the leaning palm trees that skirted the beach, watching the sunset. One of this legs was hanging down from the tree, dangling back and forth. The evening breeze was ruffling the blond ropes of his matted hair a little and his arms were folded under his head. Surprisingly, he wasn't smocking anything, nor drinking. Just ... hanging. Ambrose Ambrose paused in his trek to the bar and just watched him for a moment, wondering what memories might be tumbling in his mind. He vividly recalled the sobering confession of the Dude at the end of their drinking 'game'. He apparently had struck a nerve he had never intended to touch. He dithered for a moment, debating between getting something more to drink first or not. Finally, he went behind the bar, and - referencing the list on top of the minifridge many times, he made another Bloody Mary, and a White Russian. After the clinking of glasses for a few minutes, Ambrose walked back over to the palm tree, both drinks in hand. "Hey..." He started, glancing up to the pensive figure. The Dude The Dude turned his head away from just mindlessly starring at the setting sun and waved his flipper at Ambrose. "Yo! "ssup?" He was smiling jsut fine, acting liek nothign was wrong, but everything was just cool, smooth, noproblem Ambrose Ambrose inclined his head with a small smile. "You shouldn't stare at the sun" He said in a friendly chide. Holding up the glass with the milky drink towards the Dude, he spoke up again. "I'm not sure if you wanted anything else to drink.... but I went ahead and made this up for you. This is the kind you drink, right?" The Dude The Dude stretched out his hand and took the offered glass: "Yep. Thanks man" - he saluted Ambrose with the White Russian. He had a feeling that he knew where this was going, but wasn't sure whether he wanted to talk about it all. Then again ... they were gonna be here, together, for the rest of their natural lives ... Ambrose Amrbose returned the salute with his own glass and knocked back a deep swallow of it. The mix of spicy and alcoholic heat felt good on the back of his throat and he held it there for a moment. Ambrose usually didn't drink except for the occasional drink at parties, shunning the thought of getting drunk or losing control of ones inhibitions, never understanding the appeal to drinking onesself so silly they couldn't remember the next morning. Now.... he could understand. He had never expierenced such loss before.. frustration... constraint, yes.... but never felt so damn helpless before. He sunk down to a sit at the base of the tree, looking out over the ocean. And thought about how to start the conversation that was looming over them like an inevitable rain. "You... loved her, didn't you..?" The Dude The Dude gave Ambrose an odd look: "Yeah ..." - he started. Of course I did, you moron. I married her - he wanted to say. What jerk marries a girl if he doesn't love her?! But he held his horses. Who cares, anyway. That was a long ago past. A different time, a different place, a very very different Dude. Maybe now, if they were to meet again, he wouldn't have fallen for Maria, and she most certainly would not have fallen for him. Nah, that was a lie. He would have fallen for her even now... "But that was a long time ago" - he said, mostly reminding himself. Ambrose Ambrose nodded slowly, wondering what the Dude's life might have been like with a wife... did they sail the seven seas together? Dodging modern-day pirates and drug lords in the Carribbean? Or... was it very different...? "I.... if you want to talk..." Ambrose started, feeling stupid, and filling the stupidity with another swallow of his drink before starting again. "I know it was a long time ago.... but, that doesn't mean that you've forgotten... or even want to forget. I..." he sighed. "I don't even know what I'm going to do in my situation... and I wasn't even married. I... I can only imagine what you've gone through." The Dude The Dude smiled at Ambrose: "Talk? No ... not really. To be honest, in my experience the best way out is to try and forget. That's what I've been telling you about Angelina. I mean ..." - he shut up, taking a sip form his drink and turning back to the sun. "I mean ... there is other beauty in this world, that no girl can give you. There is the sun and there is the sea. They can also feel an empty heart." Ambrose Ambrose looked down at the myriad grains of sand that made up the gorgeous beach and the lapping waters that reached towards them. He glanced back up to the Dude silently for a while, pondering this statement. The 'advice' seemed to fall cold on him... not sit right with him at all. Many things that the Dude had said to him previously had the ring of Truth, of things learned from expierence. This... this seemed to be words of someone who had given up. Someone who had found pleasures in the place of happiness. "I.... I don't believe that. I can't believe that." he shook his head. "You can't deny love.... even if it is in the past. It... it makes you part of who you are. I think... if you truly love someone... they become almost a part of you. When.... when that part is lost.... for whatever reason, you can't just pretend it didnt' exist...." He looked back to the landscape. "The sun... the sea... the beaches.... it is beautiful. I won't deny that.... but... it can't love you back." The Dude "Okey, well, you do that." - the Dude shrugged and swirled the ice cubes in this glass around yet again. He was not good about talking love and emotions. At least not to another guy. Well, probably not even to a girl. And most certainly not when it hit so close to home Ambrose Ambrose shrugged darkly. "I'm just trying to help" He countered. "But you seem to be content being miserable. If that works for you, then who am I to say otherwise." He took another deep swallow, and sat back against the tree rather forcefully. He held the glass up to the remains of the light, thinking that it should have held more than the little remaining suggested. The Dude "I'm not miserable" - the Dude took a sip from his glass. "I'm fine. I just don't like to air out old laundry." "And you don't know s**t." - he added, starring stubbornly at the glass. "When somebody tells you it's better to forget, you tell them 'No no, it's better to forever remember and cherish', cuz yeah, love's sacred and all. How'd you know whether it's better for them to forget it or not? You haven't been there." Finishing his drink, he stared at the scarlet sky, no wiling to face Ambrose: "You don't know s**t." Ambrose Ambrose looked to him resentfully. "Becuase I think it would tear me apart more than it is now to let myself forget something that wonderful." He countered. "I think it would be a slap in the face of what you had to give up all the ties you had to it: Your memory. You forget things that are a disgrace, that don't deserve to leave a mark on history. You don't forget the things that are good in your life. Yeah, cherish and remember and sacredness and all of that. What's so wrong with that?" "You think I'm a child? Or unseasoned by the world? Wouldn't it be more cowardly to run from those feelings? Because it hurts to try to forget it? Even if that hurt is because it was such a wonderful thing?" He set the now empty glass down into the sand, which held it firm. "Maybe I'm a romantic at heart, or maybe I am too swept up in the ideals of the past, but when you search for love and acceptance, and you finally find it where you least expect it... you don't... forget that." He ran his fingers through the sand. "Maybe... maybe eventually you have to deal with the loss.... if... if you know she's never coming back. But don't forget." He looked back up to him, his eyes a bit bloodshot - but whether from restrained emotion, or from the alcohol it was hard to say. "Do you think she would want you to purposely forget her? Or would you have wanted her to forget you if it had been the opposite? " The Dude There was dead silence from the Dude as he buried his face under his flippers and sat quietly for a while. This boy next to him didn't seem to be willing to just friggin let go of the subject. No matter how obviously unwilling the Dude was to discuss it. Looking at the blush on Ambrose's ears and the redness of the eyes the Dude assumed that was due to the extra alcohol. And what was so horribly wrong about just telling this punk what happened? It's not like he did anything wrong, right? At least he didn't have to tell Ambrose about that. The boy was on a crusade for love for his own sake. It was Ambrose who didn't want to give up, who wanted to love his Angelina forever. If he'd just tell him his own circumstances, it'd shut him up ... "Look, here, Ambrose. I am not saying that I forgot Maria. She was great. She was the best. But remembering her is so friggin painful that I try not to. Okey?" "And yes, if she was in my situation, I hope that she'd get over it and find a new guy and have a happy life. She was a survivor, she'd pull thru. God, I wish it had been me in her place, honestly. I'd do anything in the world to have traded places with her back then." Ambrose Ambrose heaved a breath and held it for a moment. "I can understand that.. And I know how badly it must hurt.... " He met the Dude's eyes. "I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to move on.... especially... when at least you have some closure. Not that I would wish for anything in the world for something bad have happened to Angelina or I like that.... but I can't give up hope that somehow... someday we'll find eachother. I think of her, and I think that she must be wondering where the hell I am... and I want her to be happy... but on the same note, knowing that I'm here, away from her, and that we could be together again, and happy... that's eating me up inside." He held up a hand. "I'm... I'm not trying to say that your situation is any easier.... but ... maybe there's a way you can remember her... a tribute or something... that can help give you the closure instead of trying to bury a wound that isn't healed." Dear lord he even sounded like Angelina now. talking of sharing emotions and dealing with them. She had beat those words - well, not those precise words, but words like that so much into his head. He looked down at the innoculous empty glass with a huffing sigh. The Dude "I've had plenty of closure" - the Dude grunted. "I've spent past seven years to try to ******** close this casket. I've said my goodbyes. I've had my tributes. I ******** turned my back on the world for a while there. She is still in here." - he pointed at his head. There was an unhealthy glint in his eyes, a despair mixed with rage. "Your memory of Angelina is that of her smiling pretty at you when you left for the plane. My last memory of Maria is that of her laying on a coroner's table. Her face bloated and her eyes eaten out by insects. Our unborn child was laying on the tray next to her, because the ******** cut it out. Okey?! So ******** you Ambrose. Yes, I'd rather forget. And yes, I'd rather I was on that table while she would be alive now, leading a normal life with another guy. Any day, just tell me where to sign." He took another deep breath: "And you are a p***k for thinking that you are the only one for Angelina. There are millions of other guys out there. What - you are the cutest, sweetest, most sensitive of them all? None better? BullSHIT." He punched the palm with his finned fist. Ambrose Ambrose was on his feet, his eyes stinging, and his lips peeled back to reveal the inch-long canine teeth. The alcohol was definately rushing through his system and skewing his perspective and emotions. He had just tried to help, and Goddammit, he knew he was right about the things he said, and was justified in how he felt. Words in response were hard to find. The vivid picture that the Dude painted for him left a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't even try to deny the pain and anguish that the Dude, no, Sean, must have felt and still clung to his memories. The imagry that he tried to shut out along with all of the good. "I...I.." He tried to focus and started again. "I love her. I never said I didn't want her to be happy... even.... even if that means she believes me dead and finds it with someone else." His eyes began to sting even more. Those words were so ******** hard to say. "I... I just .... She's alive... and I'm alive... and we both love eachother. I... I feel so damn helpless here, but I can't pretend that it's something I can just let go of! It's... It's not Fair!" He whined, partially aware of how fruitless and childish of an argument that was. "And before you say it - I KNOW life isn't fair! It obviously has dealt you a shitty hand in all of this as well. It doesn't ******** mean I have to be happy about it." He was ranting, not even really knowing what he was trying to say anymore other than he was upset, he was frustrated about having to justify his feelings for Angelina, and faced with the emotional problems of someone he considered a friend as well that he didn't know how to help any more than he could help his own. The Dude Yes, by this point this was a shouting match. Both of them were seeing red. The Dude himself was all to close to making this a full out brawl: "Well, what do you suggest should happen? You heard the doctor - you can't leave. Or you die. What do you want?! That they bring her here - to this island? Turn her into a squirrel so that you two can live happily ever after? Don't give that monster ideas - he might just do that." Ambrose Ambrose bristled. "I don't KNOW! I... I don't want THIS.. this... "Ending" If you can call it that! I don't want to be here, and for God's sake I wouldn't wish this existence on my enemies, let alone her! I.... I just, God damn it I miss her." He was standing, fists clenched and shouting back up at the Dude's perch in the tree, a rolling animalistic growl punctuating his words. The Dude The Dude had jumped off the perch and was facing Ambrose. He was glaring at the scowling friend of the wolfman. Ambrose was screaming at him. Hell, he was growling. The Dude's own blood was boiling over and all he wanted was to punch something really hard. The Dude's hand formed a fist and he crouched, ready in case Ambrose went for him. Then he stopped and straightened up. "Look at us." - he said "We are beasts." Ambrose The snarl on Ambrose's face immediatly went slack as the words struck him to the core. The realization was like a bucket of ice water over the man who prided himself in his self-control and refinement. He felt suddenly nauseous. They were arguing over... justice? Their own predicament? They were both miserable and they were taking it out on eachother? His face paled and he looked back to his friend. "My... my god... Dude...I... I'm sorry." He flubbed his words. "You... you're right. We can't do this.... we... we can't let him win over us like this. Jesus, we're not enemies." He put a one hand to his temple and the other steadying himself on the tree. He would really like to have blamed it all on the alcohol. Accuse the doctor for spiking the beverages with something more insidious. But the truth was that the boiling feelings were already there, the drink had just eased his grip on them. And he had just seen a side of himself that terrified the living s**t out of him. The dude was right... he was acting like an animal. The Dude "I'm sorry, too." - the Dude put his flipper on Ambrose's shoulder. "We are arguing over nothing. Clawing at what will hurt the most. That's sick." Looping his arm around Ambrose's neck he sighed: "Sorry man. I'm not man enough to talk about the past. Don't ask me about it. And I will not tell you to forget your Angie. Okey?" Ambrose Ambrose nodded, shaking a little bit from the after-stress. "You... you're right.... you're absolutely right." He whispered. "I... thank you... thank you for realizing what was going on....I... I should have seen it sooner." He shook his head, chiding himself for letting it go as far as it did. "I... I understand. I'm sorry for prying as much as I did, and... that sounds like a good arrangement. I won't bother you about it. But I will listen if you ever want to talk." He swallowed and turned a weary smile to him and threw his own arm over the Dude's shoulder as they headed back in the direction of the village, and a much-needed sleep.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:49 am
What is happening....
Ambrose didn't even bother flipping on the lights after arriving back in his duplex after walking back to the village with The Dude.
What the hell had just happened to him? He had intended on just commiserating with a friend over a drink, and it had ended in a screaming match; he had been seeing red, not a friend but a rival. Ambrose didn't want to think what he would have done had the Dude not had the prescience to realize what was going on. The words he spoke still hung over Ambrose like an accusation. "Look at us. We are beasts." Ambrose had never had such a sobering experience in his life. He had been absolutely right. He was more than just yelling or arguing. He had been at the brink of a fight, and moreso, he was snarling an growling like an animal, baring his rather sharp teeth. How... deep was the effects that the serums having on them?
Ambrose rarely drank, especially to excess. For the exact reason of preventing what had happened tonight. He wanted to be in control of himself, to maintain an exterior of discipline and refinement. Ambrose knew that he had passions beneath the surface, emotions that he disliked to show to most people. Even with Angelina, she provided an outlet for the "positive" emotions that he had hidden before - as even those were not acceptable to display in most situations. Fencing was an outlet for his aggressions. But even with fencing, he had to maintain control and harness those, lest they leave him too more open for attack.
That was one of the things that made Ambrose feel so... wrong... about the facade he tried to mold himself into for his parents. Even though Ambrose knew now that Dreu had his own not-so acceptable outlets for his emotions, when he was around his family and society, he was the perfect image of what he was expected to be. Ambrose never felt like he fit in because of this. He had grown up seeing his parents and their friends and Dreu always the spitting image of refinement. When he himself tried to fit that mould, it made the emotions that he harbored under that exterior pressure him. He could meter it out in acceptable forms, but it never felt right. Coupled with his silent interests that were viewed as unacceptable or frivilous, he felt even more out of place. But even with Angelina, who helped him discover and accept many of those interests in the right company, it was hard to break old habits that were so ingrained as Right and Wrong. She tried to prevent him from bottling his emotions. And to some degrees, he WAS more open. Angelina was the first person who had seen him cry in about ten years. He could certainly express his... passions (but only in privacy. Ambrose still couldn't bring himself to openly display such affections in public beyond the most subtle or courtly of ways) .... and creativity. But... rage, frustrations, despair.... those he tended to keep deeply hidden. Just as the Dude had said, he felt they were bestial - made him less of a man; less of a gentleman. Strength of character kept those from marring him. Or so he had told himself. And thus why he generally looked down on drunkeness. He had honestly never drunk himself to that point before - a casual drink or two at dinner or parties, but after seeing more than enough "stupid drunks" at parties, he had never cared to be like that himself.
But... tonight... things had been getting too much. He had thoght of all the stories of the lonesome hero, turning to drink to drown his sorrows. And perhaps that would happen. He didn't want to forget, but to savor the feelings, commiserate with a friend. But that's not what had happened. Perhaps it had begun like that.... but it wasn't just his sorrow that was unlocked with the alcohol - it was his frustration, his anger, and that long-locked up rage. And it had been taken out on someone he considered one of his closest friends on this Island.
But... the question lingered - the very question that scared him: was it merely those long-bottled emotions that had exploded that night...? OR.... was it something deeper, more sinister? Had the snarling, growing, and bristling last night been merely an overexaggerated expression of his human emotions? Would he have snarled and growled before,just not without the teeth or the vocal cords to back it up? Or... was he more wolf than fur and other features?
That thought unsettled him. Because... if that were the case, and the features were assured to get "worse".... would he slowly loose control of one of those things that Ambrose considered most central to his being - his control of himself and his emotions? Moreau was taking away his physical self image - something he had cultivated since childhood. He had always been told that presentation and first impression was a meaningful thing, and told people more about him than speaking with them for half an hour could even convey. And even more so, that looking in the mirror, and seeing the face looking back shaped ones' self identity and personality. The thought of looking in the mirror over his stay here, and seeing his face progressively less human was still a thought that Ambrose was mentally trying to avoid. But, what if he had to not only fight that appearance attacking his self-image, but his emotions battling him from within at the same time? Would he even still be "Ambrose" at the end of this?
HE swallowed. No. He would persevere. If he told himself that he had the excuse of the "wolf" in him changing his demeanor and emotions, then it would, subconsciously. If he held himself to a diffrent standard then it would spread. For now... he wouln't admit that it was because of the animal DNA in his system that he lost his temper... it was the alcohol and those emotions he kept bottled inside to begin with. The alcohol that made him loose his control and inhibitions. And he wouldn't let himself do that again. He needed to find other methods of releiving that tension. He needed some aspect of his Self to cling to during this, some rock. And Ambrose wished more than anything that he could be with Angelina.
Ambrose looked over to the photo sitting on his bedside table. Reaching over, he took it, staring into the faces looking back at him. This would be his mental mirror, he promised himself looking at his human face. Even as he changed, this is who he was - and who he would always be. Not an animal, despite appearances. He would not let that touch his Self.
His gaze wandered over to Angelina in the photo, smilng happily, the life so evident in her eyes... Remembering the Dude's words, he shook his head again. He could never forget her. He WOULD never forget her, never stop loving her. THe poets always said that no force of nature or block could stop true love. And he believed with his whole heart that they were meant for eachother. Somehow... fate would intervene.... somehow, eventually, he would see her again. He tried to ignore the voice of the Dude's that still reverberated in his mind demanind How. HE couldn't leave here before the process was finished, or he would die, cancer eating him alive and his cells breaking down. Her coming here would damn her to the same fate. Even IF they let him contact her, he would never be able to tell her the truth... and how could he say goodbye to her without letting her know why? It would hurt so badly. And what if he could get off a secret message? What good would it do letting her know where he was if it would leave her helpless too.... unless she could somehow get help.... which would probably bring him back to the cancer option. Would they ever let him leave? After he was 'stable' and the transformation was complete..? And... if she thought him dead by then - which she was sure to - would she have moved on? The same conundrum was if he waited to try to contact her secretly until then. If Ambrose HAD been dead, he would have wanted her to - to be happy. But he wasn't.... He was being selfish again - at least that's what the Dude said. Yes, there were more fish in the sea for her - millions of choices. And he wasn't exactly isolated from eligible women.... but... it wasn't the same.
He sighed. Well... hope was an aspect of faith after all, wasn't it? Not necessarily in a deity or anything, but in fate itself. He would just hope. That somehow, someway they would se eachother. Of course, hope alone woudln't get him anywhere... what could he do while stuck on the Island? Plan to convince them to leave after they got the information that they needed from the experiment and he was stable? Perhaps. To find a way to get word to her of the truth - and the mixed problems of being unable to leave? They were daunting tasks... the second one especially, and likely to bring down the wrath of Moreau himself. And since Ambrose would most likely be here for a very, VERY long time.... Moreau had the ability to make that stay miserable or at least comfortable - minus of course his freedom, humanity, and old friends and family.
Which left Ambrose... precisely where he started. Determined to retain control of himself, and keep hope that he'd see Angelina again, with no concrete method of doing so. But, at least he identified a possible problem... and knew where his priorities lay - Remembering: both himself and who HE was... and Angelina, their love, and what that meant to him.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:50 am
VasileAmbrose As much as Ambrose undeniably hated the Doctor for what he was doing, and for the unscupulous, unethical experiments he was running to begin with, somewhere, deep down in his confused psyche, Ambrose harbored a margain of guilt himself. Why didn't he just do what Angelina had asked of him and "Lowered" himself to work at a fast food chain this summer? Admittedly, it probably would have only paid $5000 for the entire summer of working, but doing a medical experiment was not only "the easy way out", but also risky. He had breezed past the health warnings on the forms - never thinking that he would be the "one" in the proverbial thousand that came down with some weird disease. He was healthy, and had never been horribly sick. That was for other people. Little did he know that what it truly was would be much worse. And yet he ignored his intuition and the uncomfortable feeling when he climbed into the large, black, unmarked helicopter and let them carry him far away from the United States and any sort of legal protection or law enforcement. No one would ever know the truth to his disapperance behind whatever story they concocted. And all because he was so eager on his forms that he apparently made himself so much more desirable to Moreau than every other person who had signed up for the same damn study. And then there was Cassidy and Greer, only starting to go through their own changes, and realizing for themselves the horror of the predicament. Even if the Doctor had tried to be as objective as he could in bringing in Ambrose, and perhaps that boisterous "Thorn" woman and some of the rest, that couldn't stand up to Hargun coming in, a child, and Greer - who had a future in entomology.... And then there was the animal he had chosen for Cassidy... a snake for God's sake... he had to know how much she hated them. Was he that cold-hearted to choose snake BECAUSE of her fear of them? He had nothing on her as far as that went. .... at least the changes had been relatively minor so far, but he could only imagine the future, and how she would deal with it. He thought these angry thoughts as he skewered a leaf on his blade. He stopped, not expecting to have done so - merely to have 'tagged' it. He sighed and dropped his stance and removed the leaf from the end of his epee. At least fencing was still stress relieving, he thought, and there was no setting better than on the edge of the beach. Vasile Vasile had gone home that morning, changed into some shorts, and went running on the beach. He preferred his workouts in the morning. While Vasile usually hated any kind of displeasure or inconvienance to himself, he was willing to break his own rules when he came to lovemaking or his appearance. His whole career was based upon his looks, so keeping himself in good physical condition was important to him. Today was already looking brighter than the last couple. Nothing like waking up next to a beautiful woman to make one optimistic. As he ran down the beach, he cought glimpse of another islander he had yet to meet. Unfortunately he was male, but unlike the flat slob who he met yesterday - this young man was handsom and fencing. Swordplay, not thats a contact sport Vasile could see himself enjoying. He loved working out, but hated big brutish activities like football or soccer. He enjoyed tennis and racketball on occasion. He slowed down and tried to catch his breath a moment before walking up and waving a greeting. He took the towel from around his neck and wiped off his face and neck. "Morning there," he said. As he got closer, he realized the man was in make up. Vasile started to flip though the cast list in his mind, trying to remember who this person might be. He recalled a man who fenced. Some pretty odd, but likable name... what was it.... Ambrose Ambrose turned to him, lowring the blade and smiling charismatically. "Good morning!" He looked over the individual, his brow creasing a bit, not recognizing him. "I... don't believe we've met." He rested the sword against his left shoulder and held out his right hand after wiping off on his khaki pants. It was still cool enough out in the morning to wear them. He watched his face carefully, trying to gague his reaction to the features to discern whether or not he had been "informed." "My name is Ambrose" He said with a smile. Vasile Vasile gave a dashing sparkling-white smile. Amrbrose, yes that was it.. "Nice to meet you Ambrose, Vasile said, wiping his hand on the towel before holding it out to him. "Vasile DiRossi," h e replied with a smug smile. "Nice to meet you!" He didn't even blink at Ambrose's changes. Ambrose Ambrose's smile widened. He was focusing first on his reaction, and was relieved that he apparently didn't have to explain to someone else about the despicable nature of the facility. Perhaps the Dude had spoken with him already, or perhaps one of the many people Ambrose had told was passing on the word. Then the name clicked and Ambrose did a double-take. "Vas... Vasile??" Memories flooded - of course! He looked... well, he looked just like him, he chided himself on the stupid thought. He had seen his face (and his torso) all over the walls of Abercrombie and Fitch. And then, over the movie posters for a few of the theatres. He remembered Angelina's pointing out and teasing Ambrose that maybe he could get a modeling job for his favorite clothing company, of which he was wearing a matching shirt and top that very moment. He shook his head. What in God's name was he doing here?? He realize he was staring and swallowed, trying to smooth over his reaction. THe last thing he needed was to look stupid in front of someone like him. "It's a pleasure to meet you!" He grinned. "Although I'm a bit caught off-guard to find you, well, quite frankly, somewhere like here." Vasile Vasile's smile broadened at the ephipany Ambrose had, and he nodded, like he was expecting it. He shook the man's hand and then stepped back, looking over the beautiful island. "I know, I know. But they make everyone do these acting camps nowadays. Even the stars." Ambrose Ambrose opened and closed his mouth. acting camp...? That.. that didn't seem to make any sense to him at all. "Er... Pardon me... but... what are you talking about?" Vasile Vasile's expression darkened. "You know, the acting camp for the movie." He motioned to Ambroses changes. "You're wearing the prostetics." Vasile Vasile looked confused, then sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh my goodness, you're in character. Man, its not even nine o'clock A.M. Relax, man," Vasile laughed and patted Ambrose on the back, but there was a nervouses to the man's voice Ambrose Ambrose sighed. Anything he said would be intrepreted as an act. Very clever on the Doctor's part. Frustratingly so. Any warnings would be intrepreted as part of the grander act. A bit of callous curiousity wondered how Vasile would take realizing that it was real. "I suppose you're right.." Ambrose consented. He was emotionally weary after speaking with both Cassidy AND Greer the day before. "But..." He gestured, having to know. "What... what have they told you so far...?" Vasile Vasile crossed his arms. "What do you mean what have they told me? I have the cast list and the basic synopsis, if thats what you mean. The final script won't be available until they're ready to shoot." Ambrose "I see..." there was a distinct note of uncomfortableness in Ambrose's voice. List of characters?? Synopsis?? Ambrose was boggled at the effort, and certainly curious as to the contents. "Might I be able to take a look at your copy sometime?" Ambrose asked, worried, guilt seizing him for the deception. Vasile Vasile tilted his head. "You should have your own?" Ambrose Ambrose paused on the edge of making the outright lie worse. Why did he have to be in this position? He hated this. And on top of EVERYTHING else. He wanted to know more. But if he switched back to honesty he would probably just confuse the poor man even more now that he had unfortunately confirmed the lie Moreau had told him. But if he said more, then it would be very hard to dig himself out of later, and probably make it even more difficult to convince Vasile. Rrrrrg. "I wasn't sure if mine was up to date. I got here several weeks ago." Ambrose flinched. Why in the hell did he just say that? He thought back to poor Cassidy still struggling to deal with her changes.... and Vasile's comment about prostetics.... and eyed the handsom actor with a new, critical eye. Vasile "Several weeks? Man, they must really want you for this role. You must have had a long ways to go." He looked Ambrose over a few times. "Hell, you could almost pass as my stunt double. Well, I'm in 14 if you want to come by?" Ambrose Ambrose shrugged uncomfortably as he bought it too easily. "Stunt double?" he asked with a quirk of a smile, taking it as a compliment after remembering Angelina's comments. "Is that where you're headed now?" He asked, curious. Vasile Vasile shrugged. "If you don't mind me catching a shower while you're there looking it over. I need to freshen up after the run." Ambrose Ambrose shoved his free hand in his pocket. "I... ah.... suppose so..." He self-consciously sniffed a bit, realizing that he wasn't exactly the picture of freshness anymore after his own early morning workout, but deigned to comment, hoping it was just his own sense of smell. Vasile Vasile put the towel around his neck and headed back into town. He was upstairs in number 14. The room looked surprisingly....bare. At least from what you would expect for a movie star. Vasile stepped in and dug up an packet of bound papers and tosses it at Ambrose. "There ya go. If you'll excuse me?" And with that he dissapeared into the bathroom. The first few pages of the pack was the typical non-disclosure agreement, very similar to one Ambrose had to sign to apply to the medical exhamination. Then there was a about a half-page to a page bio of every single current resident of the island - and most of the notable staff, including Dr. Moreau and Dr. Lockheart. Ambrose Ambrose sat down on the chair at the desk and paged through it, shaking his head at the depth of information in the packet. It was distinctly... creepy. Most of the information was things that he had already known from speaking with the individuals, admittedly... but there were bio sheets of people he hadn't even met yet, apparently living just under his nose. And writing about them as if they were fictional... just.... eerie. And then he got to his own bio. It was... a charicature... exaggerating his personality and interests. He probably re-read it about three times, unable to shake the creepiness of it all. Who had put this all together? Moreau? Aubrey? Someone else? He didn't get up the entire time that Vasile was in the shower. Although by the time he emerged, Ambrose was sitting at the table, rubbing his temples. Vasile He shrugged. "I guess they're really going to push the characterization." Vasile's eyes suddenly lit up, giving his face a very boyish look. "Hey, do you think they're gonna pull for an Oscar nomination??" Ambrose Ambrose snorted bitterly, feeling miserable both for himself and this young actor. "Who knows." He looked over to him, a strange, defeated look in his eyes, still fighting with his conscience wanting to tell the truth. Whoever had brought him here must have wanted him here. To go to this amount of effort on this phony 'script'. This was no haphazard marooning or random test subject no one would miss. This was a full-blown smoke and mirrors job. Was it too late to try and convince him now? "So... what exactly is your part in coming here? Like you said... sending a practiced actor here with a bunch of unknowns...? And... no offense, but you don't seem to be exactly in-character." Vasile Vasile sat down the bed. "Manager made me do it. He says it will help. I've never done a film-on-location. All studio work. Guess he wanted me used to all this sand and heat. But you know i've done photoshoots from here to Timbuktu. I know how to work under harsh conditions." Vasile dug through his bag, looking for some clothes. "And I'm not big on being incharacter unless I'm filming. I think its like making a plumber go arond and fix pipes that aren't broken when he ain't at work." He shrugged. "But I can't seem to get anyone to tell me a scedule of events. I mean, I was under the impression there would be those big "lets sit around the campfire and go through the s**t you learned in drama school" BS." He frowed and finally pulled out a shirt. "And they lost my damn luggage, can you believe that?" Ambrose Ambrose fiddled with a pen on the desk. He was listening, but with an increasing sensation of a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Your manager set this up, eh?" Ambrose had the sudden thought of what IF this was actually some sort of twisted co-project with Moreau to make a bundle off movie rights, when all of it was actually real. Keeping the actor in the dark as to the true nature by saying everyone was just in character. But the thought was dismissed when he thought about how unwilling most of the subjects would be to cooperate. Especially when most of them probably had to be "disappeared" or else they'd be recognized by friends or family. Ambrose could see Vasile's logic in not liking the camps. It was obvious his hand had been forced coming here even WITH the excuse of a movie. He wondered why someone would go to that effort to send him away here when he woldn't be able to ever leave.... unless that was the point? "So what are you planning on doing here if no one gives you any instructions?" Ambrose gave a bitter smirk. "Most of the rest of us are just... well... 'being ourselves." He finished darkly, tapping on the entry on himself in the packet. Vasile Vasile gave a smug grin. "Oh, I know. I've already met a few of ya'll. I guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. Hanging out, meeting people, and getting close to the ladies here. This place it too beautiful not to enjoy it." Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "It is beautiful here" Ambrose breathed. "I... just wish Angelina could be here to enjoy it with me...." He gazed out the window at the view that crested some of the trees, the ocean spreading out in the background. Vasile "Don't turn around," Vasile said, and began to get dressed. "Angelina.. " he wondered why that name sounded familiar then it clicked. "Oh right...the love interest. I didn't know you were in character. You know. LIke right now." Ambrose Ambrose kept his back rigid and faced away from him without looking back. "In character.... right." He lamented quietly. Even that was ficticious to him. He tried to change the subject. His mid flashed back to Cassidy.... "You know.." he began. "While I'm not exactly on the market.... Cassidy's a really sweet girl, and... really down recently... " As long as Vasile still thought it was a set, and the features prostetics, he wouldn't care about the snake-ness. And Cassidy could really use the confidence boost that a movie star found her pretty. "You should talk ot her." Vasile Vasile finished buttoning his shirt and looked over. "Oh yeah?" He thought for a second. "Why's she's down? What does she look like? You're not using the "she's sweet and as a great personality" thing to hide the fact she's ugly are you? I mean, I don't do charity cases." Ambrose "Oh no!" Ambrose spoke up. "She's just... well... she... doesn't like the prostetics" Ambrose winced. IT sounded so lame. "She's rather cute, I would think. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, freckles. Somewhat athletic." He gestured vaguely. Ambrose was still dutifully looking at the wall. Vasile "I'm done," Vasile imformed him. "Maybe I'll go see her later. Is it her first gig? It can be pretty scarey." Ambrose Ambrose turned back. "Yes... she's certainly new to all of this." He answered truthfully, starting to stand again. Vasile Vasile took the packet from Ambrose and flipped it open, looking for Cassidy's profile. "Aight," he said. "You shoud talk to that Sabin guy about getting an updated script." Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "I'm sure you're right." Ambrose replied, not knowing what 'Sabin-guy' that Vasile was referring to. "And be nice" Ambrose added. "She's... well... a bit sensitive at the moment." he cautioned. Vasile "I'm always nice to young ladies," he said with a wink. Ambrose Ambrose wasn't quite sure what that meant, especially in conjunction with the wink. He suddenly really, really hoped that he hadn't done something very wrong, as images of his brother and other image-conscious people who kept a very different interior than exterior flashed through his mind. "Ah.... right.." He fumbled. "Anyway... good luck around here. Things can get pretty hairy." He gave an ironic smirk. Vasile "I just want to get it over with. This place is nice, but I think I'm already getting homesick." Vasile looked grimly at his bag and pulled out his celphone, opening it with a hopeful look. But the frown on his face told Ambrose it was only wishful thinking. "I miss modern technology." Ambrose Ambrose nodded sympathetically. "I... I really do too. I honestly do. But... something tells me that we've all got a long haul ahead of us." He sighed heavily, thinking morosely about his own cell phone, useless in his bag in his room. "I also woudln't expect to get any reception. I have yet to. But if you do... do let me know." Vasile "Sure thing, man." Vasile looked up and gave him a wave. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you around." Ambrose Ambrose winced and waved back, heading for the door. "take care, and I'm certain that we will" He headed out and down the stairs, back towards his own bungalow and a much-wanted shower after his own work out. He still felt guilty.... and really hoped someone would open his eyes to the truth... but hopefully, first, he could help Cassidy feel better about herself with some compliments and perhaps some wining and dining.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:51 am
Back to the DudeAmbrose After his discussion with Vasile, Ambrose went back to his apartment to shower. His own body sweat becoming rather obvious to himself after Vasile himself had taken a shower after running. He pored over in his mind what he had seen in Vasile's apartment. The script, while seemingly innoculous, to Ambrose seemed honestly creepy. Pondering that, and the discussion the night before, still feeling embarrassed by his behavior, Ambrose wandered over to the Dude's duplex, and knocked on the door. The Dude The Dude was about to go out the door, so he was surprised to face Ambrose with his fist up in the air. Under his arm he had his mask and a bag. It looked like he was gonna go diving. "Yo. 'ssup?" Ambrose Ambrose blinked as the door opened almost anticipating him. "Ah... hello!" He started, obviously caught off-guard. He glanced at the diving gear and back at him with a note of surprise. "I... ah... wanted to ... well.. apologize again" He scratched the back of his head. "when I was sober at least... I... really acted out of turn last night. I'm really not usually like that." He swallowed, looking back to his eyes. The Dude The Dude patted Ambrose on the shoulder: "Yo, it's cool. I'm sorry, too, I suppose. Can we, like, forget about it already?" Ambrose Ambrose winced and nodded. Apparently forgetting was the Dude's method of dealing with things that he wasn't particularly fond or proud of. But, as promised, he let it drop with a shrug. "No problem, Dude." His eyes spoke of unasked questions, but he pushed them aside. "I... wanted to mention... I just ran into someone I hadn't met before here... well.. hadn't met before at all really, although I'd heard of him. A Vasile DiRossi... not sure if you've heard of him... but they must have been damn ballsy or something to bring him here." The Dude "Huh? oh yeah, I met him. Remember I told you? His pooch peed on my rug ..." "Why is he so special?" Ambrose Ambrose blinked. "That's who you were talking about?" He shook his head, and suddenly the "Vasiline" comment made sense. He thought he had been referring to someone's hairstyle. "Well... he's an actor - and a model - but he's known. And furthermore, they're getting more elaborate in their lies. Whoever thought to bring him here made up a big coverstory. Even after speaking with me - and you apparently - he still thinks he's at some acting camp. Got a whole damned character list with all of us on it. Profiles. It's... creepy."The Dude "NO WAY?! Neat - can I see? Did Moreau make me the evil villain? Oh that'd be rich!" - the Dude considerably perked up here. "And ya know ... if this means somebody comes looking for us here - that's even better. I mean, folks don't just let a movie star dissappear ..." Ambrose Ambrose shook his head. "I couldn't get a copy, but he let me read it. And there wasn't really anything villainistic... just... lazy" He gave an apologetic smile. "And that's true! Ambrose chimed in. I don't see why he'd allow that to happen. I mean, I'm sure Moreau knows who he is... why make a move that risky?" He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "But... he doesn't even know yet... I tried to tell him but he wouldn't hear it. Thought I was being 'in character'. I think people have a right to know, but I don't know if you've had to tell anyone by yourself yet, but it's damn hard" He frowned. "After Cassidy and Greer with you, then Julian and Hargun..." he shook his head, scratching his arm. The Dude "Hey, I''m not lazy. I'm just content with what I have." - the Dude protested defensively. "And I've had to tell plenty of people. And I think I'll let a chick handle this one. Aubrey said he's a total heartthrob or some such thing ..." Ambrose Ambrose snorted with a smile. "I believe you. But that's what the 'script' said." His expression softened a bit with sympathy. "I just hope that the newcomers start to trickle off.. or at least that they bring in people that actually want to be here." He sighed. "And maybe Cassidy will tell him - I suggested he speak to her - I think she could use someone like him to help her feel pretty with what's happening." The Dude "Ah ... sure I suppose" - the Dude shurgged. "I don't think Cass had to tell this story to anyone yet, but she is a level headed girl. And if he's gonna cry I'd rather she get to have to hug him then me, that's for sure. I thought he was gay when I met him. Wouldn't you? With the gelled hair and that mini dog?" He remembered something: "I wasn't the only one who thought that, either ..." Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "Maybe they can help eachother out." He quirked an eyebrow and then laughed. "Gay? Wow... ah... actually I didn't think about that." He looked worried as he remembered being invited back to his apartment when Vasile showered. "I don't think I met his dog, but he seemed more spoiled than Gay to me. But I've known plenty of people like him." He chewed on that. "Not the only one...?" The Dude "Yeah. That Timothy guy has a crush on him." - the Dude smirked: "Which is cool, I mean. It's cool with me ... but why did he have to decide that I make a goo match maker ...." Ambrose "Timothy?" Ambrose asked, and then searched his mind for the script. "I... haven't met him personally, though I think I read something about him in Vasile's script. Shy... sad musician type?" He then guffawed when he heard the whole story. "Matchmaker? Oh that's funny!" Ambrose grinned teasingly. "You could be real popular. The Dude's dating service! Get a real gimmick going with the whole "stuck here" concept." The Dude "Yeah ... that guy." - the Dude was starting to go down the stairs. "Maybe I should still go on ahead ... ya know? Set up a nice blind date for Vasile and Timmy over there. Somewhere VERY private from which Vasile can't escape easily ..." Ambrose]Ambrose chuckled, heading slowly after him down the stairs. "Might be interesting. Poor Timothy, though, if Vasile really isn't interested."
He glanced over to the swimwear. "Going for a casual dive, or something in particular, if you don't mind me asking?" [/quote]
[quote="The Dude "Huh? Poor? Why's he poor ... oh ... hmmm ... you think I shouldn't?" - he scratched his goatee. "Ya know, he might go after you next. You are tall, polished and blond as well." "Me? Oh, I just wanted to check out the Wilhelmina wreck one more time. I dove around it yesterday, found some stuff. Just want to see if I can find anything else" Ambrose Ambrose's voice caught in his throat at the concept. Not that he had a problem with gay people, but if the adoration for Vasile the Dude mentioned was indicative of clinginess.... Ambrose was having a hard time of thinking of seeing any women let alone a man for christsakes after Angelina. He laughed, a bit nervously, but seeing the point. "Well, you never know - maybe if you give the two of them a chance they'll hit it off" He smiled. "Wilhelmina?" Ambrose looked confused.... The Manatee was the Dude's boat... then he remembered... "Ooooh, was that Emelyn's boat? Good luck salvaging that! I haven't seen her since we first met, actually. Is she taking everything alright?" The Dude "She is okey ... erm ... she volunteered to be in this study after Moreau talked to her about it. So she felt really bad about it for a while, like she betrayed everyone and what not. So we talked. And I think she is better now. What do you think of her?" Ambrose Ambrose boggled at him. "Whu?" He shook his head. "Volunteered after the fact?" He scratched the back of his head. "I mean... if this isn't so bad for her.... good for her... Thorn seemed happy to be here as well. That's... that's fine. I WISH Moreau would only bring people who wouldn't mind being here. Beyond that, I honestly haven't gotten the chance to know her." The Dude "She kinda looks like your Angelina. Ya know? Petite, blue eyes, brown hair ..." - the Dude looked up at Ambrose, testing the waters. Ambrose Ambrose gave a nostalgic smile, nodding faintly. "I... noticed the resemblance to be honest" He shrugged, putting his hands in his pocket. "I don't know much about her personally though. She seems rather bright, though." The Dude "She's bright. She's also very fragile ..." - the Dude realized he was blabbing to much and went for topic switch. "So wanna be my partner in crime for that blind date thing?" Ambrose Ambrose thought on it, and shrugged. It was too soon for him, if that's what he was pushing. It's not like he didn't appreaciate it, and he found the idea of the dude as a matchmaker bemusing, but to not only see someone this soon, but someone who so obviously reminded him of her... he shook his head and distracted himself with the topic switch. "Sure." He smirked. Maybe it was mean, but it's not like they were making them do anything, just setting the scene. "What do you need me to do?" The Dude "Well, let's think ... we need a secluded spot from which Vasile cannot escape easily." - he grinned "Like, a grotto or a locked room or something XD Except more romantic then a locked room." Ambrose Ambrose laughed. "Well... " he pondered. Secure spot on the Island..? "perhaps just somewhere that decorum wouldn't let him leave early.... but I can't think of anything fitting that description either." "We could set up a showing of something...? Maybe even one of his movies if they ordered one..." He scratched the back of his head "And make sure Timothy and Vasile are the only ones that go?" The Dude "Hmmm ... movies ... yeah, that's a plan. This way it doesn't look like, ya know, a total prank. And Timmy gets to speak to Vasile in private, dark room." - the Dude snickered. "But where can we find a movie theater?" Ambrose Ambrose grinned wider. "Precisely, my bewhiskered friend!" He looked devious for just a moment. "And where other than our very own brand new entertainment room - just off of the Cafeteria. They've got a biiig screen TV, and a library of movies, magazines, and the like. Even an X-box!" The Dude "Oh, cool. go Aubrey. My laundry life did get filled. Kick a**!" - the Dude rubbed his hands together. "Well, you tell Vasile and I'll talk to Timmy. Which move will it be?" Ambrose Ambrose grinned widely. "Your doing?" he smiled "great work! there's some good stuff there. And the not so good. But perhaps it's for the best. "Final Destination 3" is one of them - and that's Vasile's first big claim to fame." He saluted. "I'll do my best. Shall we plan it for tomorrow afternoon?" The Dude "Tomorrow ... err ... hmm ... tomorrow I'm busy" - the Dude suddenly looked uncomfortable. Ambrose Ambrose nodded, thinking. "The day after then?" He chuckled. "Since when did you have a busy social calendar?" The Dude "Yeah, sure, sound good." - the Dude nodded and then smirked: "Hey, I'm very popular here among the fish. Didn't you know?" - he tried to slip by with a joke Ambrose Ambrose smiled, knowing perfeclty well that wasn't the truth, but he let it drop. "Well, don't have too much fun" He waved. "So do we attend the showing as well and then duck out, or just set it up?" He asked finally, stopping following him to the beach. "Just so I have things straight." The Dude "Hmmm ... yeah, you know, I think it'll look better if there are a lot of people there at first. But we HAVE to make sure Timmy sits next to Vasile. Mayeb we can rope Greer into this, too. I bet she is Vasile resistant" Ambrose Ambrose scratched his chin. "Hrmmm.... maybe so. That or if it's just you and me come up with some reason we HAVE to duck out early that he can't use to get out of it as well.." He pondered what could be that pressing on an island with no real responsibilities. The Dude "Yeah, like going to the rest room or something. And NEVER coming back XD" - the Dude grinned Ambrose Ambrose grinned. "that's great! Of course it would seem odd if we both have to. Unless we bring some sort of greasy food that doesn't agree with us...." He put on an innocent expression. The Dude "I honestly do not think Vasile will care. He's so full of himself,t he only thing he will see is the screen." - he shrugged Ambrose Ambrose shrugged. "True enough. But I'll be sure to bring somehting like a chili dog regardless." He smiled. "take care and good luck salvaging!" The Dude "Okey." - the Dude waved and walked off to the beach.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:52 am
Vasile Take 2Vasile Vasile finished reading over the script synopsis for the second time that evening. Frustrated, he left his apartment in a huff and headed over to Ambrose's duplex, Brutus following at his heels. He rapped on his door impatiently. Ambrose Ambrose sat up from his bed where he had finally been reading through some of the books he had brought since he had discovered the true nature of the Island. Setting HP6 aside on the bed, he got up and wandered over to the door. "Hello?" He asked curiously, opening it up and looked between Vasile's irritated face to the small dog at his feet. "Is... there something the matter?" Vasile Vasile stepped in, regardless if Ambrose invited him or not. "I"m fine," he said. Brutus followed and began to sniff around the room. Vasile sat on the bed. "I talked to Cass," he said curtly. Ambrose Ambrose eyed the dog warily, remembering the Dude's warning about the rug. He looked back to Vasile, somewhat surprised by the tone. "What's wrong...? I assumed that you two would hit it off.." Vasile He shrugged. "She was great. She was sweet, and sexy...even with the makeup. I was really getting into her, too," he admitted. "At least I thought I was." Vasile threw down the script on his bed. "She was in character, the whole damn time," he sighed. "I swear, sometimes I just really wish a girl could just be herself around me, man." Ambrose Amrbose swallowed. that wasn't what he wanted to hear at all. While he thought that Vasile thinking that Cass's makeup would be a great icebreaker to get them to talk, and Vasile not to be afraid of her - helping Cassidy's esteem.... he had hoped that Vaisle would ultimately learn from Cassidy what he and the Dude had been unable, or unwilling, to pass to him. He eyed the script again. It wasn't fair that Vasile was still being led around here when he had been here for days, and seen at least half of those who had already begun to change. "has... anything else struck you as particularly odd here, Vasile?" Ambrose tested the waters. Vasile "of course, this whole damn placed it messed up," he scowled. "Whoever is running this joint needs to get his ducks in a row. They can run a decent camp for s**t. I've posted THREE requests for event scedules, I can't contact my manager, and the duplex they told me the makeup studio was in is empty, and no one will answer a damn of of my questions!" Vasile was certainly aggitated, obviously not used to the kind of attention (or lack thereof) he was getting at this place. Ambrose Ambrose wandered back into the room, closing the door. He looked over the desk and ran his tongue over his sharp teeth, thinking. "Maybe... they don't want you to. Maybe they're just trying to give you the run around with excuses to keep you from taking up arms and rallying against them for as long as possible." He looked over to him. "Other than the in-character thing, how did things go with her..?" Vasile "What would be the point of that" Vasile asked. "Pissing me off is only going to hurt them in the end. Wait until I get back, man, the stories I'm going to tell. They will never find work in Hollywood again!" He took a deep breath and ran his hands over his hair. "It was going well," he said. "She's cute and kind of shy. I like that." Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "well... if I wanted to continue what I was saying before, I'd say that the casting choices of "unknowns" like us was because of our similarities...." He sighed. Why did he always seem to have to be the one to break the news. At least Vasile seemed more mentally stable than Julian. Not more stable granted - he was sure that vasile would fly off the handle as soon as he realized they couldn't leave... but maybe Ambrose needed to see that - see someone else violently upset at the staff for that. "And if I wasn't being facetious and feeding into their lies then I'd say that it was because she WAS being herself." Ambrose held up a hand. "And before you say something about being in-character, listen to me. This." He tapped on the script. "Is an elaborate ruse to keep you controlled for as long as possible until you find out the hard way just like I did." "Think about it this way, Vasile. You've raised all the same questions - where are the cameras? Where are the training camps? And how come you've never heard of any of us before. And ..." Ambrose tried to think - those could be explained away by this rather clever ruse. "All of hte problems you've had with luggage, service, and so forth?" Vasile Vasile just sat and started at him dumbfounded. "Huh?" He blinked. "I have no idea what you just said." Ambrose Ambrose opened and closed his mouth, and tried to recenter himself. "Ah... sorry... my... I think my mouth is running ahead of my thoughts." He sighed. So much for subtlety. "You like Cassidy for how you think she acted. Well, She really is like how she's acting. She's a nice girl and all that." He gestured. "I... I lied to you earlier, Vasile... And I feel really bad about that. But it's hard to break the news to people sometimes, and I had honestly been having a rough time myself. I confirmed the lie that you were told by... whomever sent you the script." He breathed. "Cassidy wasn't 'acting'. She really is exactly like she... well... is." Vasile "Oh. My. GAWD." Vasile wailed and stood up quickly. "Not you, too!" Vasile ripped open the script and flipped to one of the middle pages and read: "The trick is, of course, the protagonist thinks he is on the island to film a movie. The other characters will most likely do everything in their power to convince him otherwise, with the irony being it's really true!" He slammed the script into Ambrose's chest. "I'm sick of this s**t. You guys are messed up. You think this is going to impress someone? Here's news, all it does it make you look desperate for work!" Ambrose Ambrose looked honestly offended. "Dear lord." He looked at the script - he had only breezed past the premise earlier to look at the 'cast of characters' - to see if there were others on the Island he had yet to meet, and how accurate the accessment was. "And drop the "not you too!" s**t! It's... Arrrrrgh..." How to convince someone who was unwilling to be convinced?? "He pondered and turned back to him, holding the back of his hand out to him. "Look. Look close. Pull on it if you have to." Vasile Vasile blinked and looked at Ambrose holding up his hand to him. He licked his lips and looked down at it hesitantly. For a moment, you could see the fear in his eyes. But then he just shook his head and stood up straight, turning his nose to the air. "No," he said, plainly. Brutus came up to Ambrose and sniffed at his shoe. Then jumped up and wrapped his forearms about his knees. He was humping him. Ambrose Ambrose sighed in frustration. "Why not...?" he pressed... "Are you scared to learn the truth..?" He was about to press further when he noticed the... dog at his leg. He looked down, not sure whether to feel annoyed or embarrassed. "Of course." He said flatly. At least it hadn't pissed in HIS room. He jiggled his leg a little bit hoping to dislodge the pup without hurting him, something else struck him. Canine. Beautiful. Could the dog smell the wolf in him? Perhaps he could use it to his advantage to try to proce it to Vasile. Ambrose curled his lip back and loosed a canine warning growl. Vasile Vasile raised a pointed finger at the man. "Of course I'm not afra-" he was cut off by the growl in Ambroses's throat and he just stopped, as if his voice failed him. There was no denying it - Vasile looks terrified. He just stood still and watched Ambrose, his mouth half-open and his eyes trembling. Ambrose Ambrose turned away from the dog and back to the man, almost immediately regretful of the plan of action he took. He swallowed, the growl gone from his throat and held his hands up placatingly. "Vasile... I'm sorry...I... s**t... don't be scared..." He finished lamely. Vasile Ambrose's voice seemed to snap him out of his trance. "I'm not afraid!" he whined, though he suddenly looked like he was about to cry. He quickly scopped up Brutus and headed for the door. "You are all crazy!" Ambrose "Vasile, wait!" Ambrose caught him by the arm. "Please. I... understand if you need time to think about it." He took a breath, thinking back to his conversation with the group. "Look... we know that you're feeling a bit out of sorts and out of your element here. We were going to surprise you, but we're trying to set up a showing in the entertainment room tomorrow afternoon with Final Destination 3." He gave a genial smile. "Can we count on you showing up?" Vasile Vasile immediately wrenched his arm out of Ambrose's grasp. "Don't you touch me!" he snapped, though it honestly seemed to be an almost knee-jerk response. He took a breath and calmed himself down, listening to what Ambrose had to say. He looked sketpical, and a bit uneasy. But the Publicity Hound deep in his sould answered for him. "A showing of one of my movies? I.. I suppose I could do that." Ambrose Ambrose jerked his hand back and held his hands up again. "Sorry.." He watched him for a minute critically. He droped his hands back to his side with a shrug and a nod. "8pm." He smiled faintly. Vasile "Will Cassie be there," he slipped out, before really having the chance to stop himself. Ambrose Ambrose smiled. "I'm sure she will." He replied with a smile. Vasile Vasile let a smile tug on his lips as he reached for the door handle. "See you there, I guess." Ambrose Ambrose gave a small wave as he was leaving, picking up his book again. "I wouldn't miss it!" Vasile Vasile stopped and noticed the book Ambrose was reading. "Hey, uh.. you have anything, I dunno. Star Trek-ish or somethig I could borrow?" Ambrose Ambrose scratched the back of his head. "I.. really didn't bring very much here... just a few books and, well, the basics like clothes and toiletries." He glanced over to the bed which had HP6 lying open about halfway through. Vasile He looked dissapointed. "Oh, well... no problem. THanks anyway." With that, he headed out the door.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:53 am
((What follows is a chat with Vasile following The Dude and Ambrose's attempt to get Timothy and Vasile to talk privately. They set them up in the entertaintment center watching one of Vasile's movies. Then both Ambrose and the Dude surreptiously snuck out within the first 20 minutes.))
The day after the 'blind date" at the movies, there was a soft knocking at Ambrose's door. On the other side was Vasile, elegantly dressed and groomed as always. He checked his teeth in the reflectoion of the brass number one on his door and ran a comb through his blonde hair.
Ambrose had been up for a couple of hours, and also dressed rather nicely, although since going through his transformation he admittedly hadn't been spending quite so much time grooming himself to the perfection he usually held himself to. But still, compared to most of the islanders, Ambrose was quite nicely dressed and groomed.
He opened the door with a curious expression. "Vasile..? What's up?"
"Hey Ambrose," he said cheerily. He came in without being asked and turned to face him, a wry smirk on this face. "That was pretty smooth of you last night," he said with a wink. "Timmy told me what you guys were up to."
Ambrose swallowed, looking a bit nervous as he closed the door after Vasile. "He... uh... what?" Ambrose winced, having a small sinking feeling. If Vasile DID know what was going on, why was he acting all cheery? He knew Vasile didn't swing that way... and in fact, Ambrose DID feel a bit guilty about 'setting him up' like that.... but he honestly dind't see the harm in putting them together in a room watching a movie...
Vasile sat down in a desk chair backwards.. "I was... well, pretty surprised.." he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But you know, I think it ended up for the best, you know? We talked a lot of stuff out. He didn't really give me the best first impression."
Ambrose furrowed his brow, and then sighed, nodding. "I... I'm sorry.. It ... well... it was pretty underhanded." He swallowed and looked at the floor. "From what the Dude told me, he wanted to talk to you but didn't think that he'd be able to do so alone..." He scratched the back of his head. "Apparently made some sort of thing with the dude about cleaning his carpet..." he glanced back at Vasile.
"No no, its all good," said Vasile. "Actually... it was pretty amazing. We talked for hours..." Vasile seemed to get a dreamy look in his eye. "I mean, I haven't just talked to someone like that in a long time.:"
Ambrose's glance turned hesitant, with a bit of confusion. "really...? You... did? Well... good for you then. I'm glad he was able to get whatever he needed to talk to you about off his chest then..? or....?"
"That was pretty rough, actually." Vasile stood back up and stuffed his hands in his pocket. "You know he likes me? Like.. likes me like me..."
"I.... I heard he had a crush on you.." Ambrose admitted "Though to be honest I had never met him personally before." He looked back over to Vasile. "Is... he okay now? I mean, unrequited love can be tough..."
Vasile coughed into his hand. "I was pretty surprised at first, ya know? I've never really had to deal with stuff like that." He stepped a bit closer to Ambrose, looking up. "But he made me really think. You know? Like really think." Another step closer. "At first I was really wigged out. I mean.. a guy with a crush on me? Thats just... odd. But he made really stop and think.." Vasile took another step closer. "And, well, this is kind of hard to say. But I think he made me realize something about myself..>"
Ambrose's politeness and hesitance started to turn to a distinct nervousness. "He... uh... what?" he erked starting to feel his personal space being tresspassed on. He stood his ground though, a wary eye on Vasile.
"Yeah.. you know. Its really a shame I can't feel the same for him. He's a sweet guy. But he -did- make me realize that... perhaps my mindless chasing after females was just my way of dealing with something about myself I didn't want to explore." Vasile stepped even closer, kissing-close, and looked up into his eyes, then reached out and took his hand. "That maybe, there is someone ... else I might be... attracted to.."
Ambrose gulped. "haha... Very funny,Vasile..." Ambrose's face, however, conveyed none of the mirth of his words. He took a step back, trying to deftly pull his hands out of Vasile's. "I mean... we barely know eachother for the very first thing... and... well... while you may be be having feelings like this... confirming some of what I thought were the Dude's misplaced assumptions... I... well... I am perfectly happy with my own... sexual preferences..."
Vasile's demeanor suddenly took on a whole new feel. His smiled dropped and his bright eyes narrowed into angry slits and his lips turned into a scowl. "Oh don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't fall for a scum like you even I was queer," he snapped then spun around. "Thanks for lying to me about Cass."
Ambrose's jaw dropped and suddenly felt as if he was slapped across the face. "I... but..." He closed his eyes and swore under his breath. This was NOT what he wanted to happen. In helping one friend out he might have lost the chance to keep a different potential friend. And on such a small Island, Ambrose was becoming distinctly aware of how small rivalries could blossom into much worse. "Vasile.... Dammit... I'm sorry. From what you told me yesterday it sounded like you were rather upset with eachother.... and I honestly didn't see the harm in setting up a situation where you two could talk."
"What? So trying to hook me up with some f** is susposed to make me forget all abuot this one nice girl I just wanted a chance to talk to? All you had to do was say she wasn't coming! I would have still COME!"
Ambrose's face fell. "I.. I didn't know that" He huffed. "besides! I wasn't exactly 'hooking you up'. I mean, it's not like I locked you in anywhere, or put it in the position of a blind date or anything. Just got you somewhere you could talk!" He frowned. "The general situation wasn't my idea anyway. And who suggested you talk to Cassidy in the first place, anyway!"
"Great. So now I have a chick who's angry at me and the awkward knowledge that my flatmate has a crush on me. I guess I owe you a ton of gratitude!"
Ambrose frowned. "I didn't make her mad at you. You said you liked her. And I assumed you already knew of Timothy's feelings."
Vasile gave a dramatic sigh. "Look, man. Please don't lie to me again, okay?"
Ambrose, looking honestly guilty, nodded. "I promise. I.. I'm really sorry about that." He shook his head at himself.
"You know he's the only person that's been really honest and playing it straight with me - " Vasile snorted at his unintentional pun. "Its ironic. Figures, huh?"
He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry... we... we're all really stressed here.... it's a horrid excuse, but I suppose I seized an opportunity to try to make a bit of light... and it backfired. I truly do apologize, Vasile. You have my word that I will not lie to you again. But... if you do want that honesty from me, I do warn you to be careful about what you ask of me if you don't want the truth."
Vasile shrugged. "I have something I need to give to Cass," he muttered. "Later." With that, he headed out the door
He followed after them for a bit. "is there anything I can do... to apologize...?"
"Just... I don't know. I'll think of something."
Ambrose nodded, still feeling rather vile. Why had he agreed to do that? Probably because he still felt rather guilty about the argument and acting downright bestial to the Dude the night before he agreed to help him do this. He sighed. "well.... regardless.... good luck, Vasile."
"Thanks man," he said over his shoulder, and kept walking
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:13 am
Aubrey chat
Aubrey came down to the bar the next day aswell. It was becomming her daily habit, to have a drink
after work then go for a swim. Lord knows, if she continues this up she's going to get a tan. And maybe even lose
some weight with the swimming. Well, if could lay off the margahritas maybe.
Ambrose, meanwhile, was feeling very... on edge. Today had been the first day that anyone
apparently had had any problems with his appearance - two people had made a hasty retreat from the cafeteria upon
his arrival. While they didn't say anything, given Ambrose's frame of mind, he assumed that it had been because of how
he had looked. Growing up in a setting where appearance was almost primary, this cut him deeply.
So, grabbing his fencing gear (and even a second set - just in case he might actually be able to tie someone else down
to practice with him - as he seemed to almost invariably run into someone else on the beach) he put on his mask, hiding
his face, grabbed the epees, and headed towards the sandy stretch that made up the beach.
Aubrey leaned back against the bar with a frozen drink in her and watch someone approach. She wasn't
sure, honesty, it was AMbrose or Greer, but she guessed it was one of the two, since Greer wasn't really the most
feminine of ladies and Ambrose wasn't really the most masculine of men. She smirks to herself and waved, wondering
if they could even see her.
Ambrose was getting close to the bar area and had just settled down into an en guarde position when
he caught movement and turned to face the figure waving. Squinting through the wire mesh he made out Aubrey. He
swallowed. Great. This could either go well... or turn into another shouting match. And to be honest, he really wasn't
in the mood for the latter.
However, he dropped his stance and straightened, waving to her. He set down the extra equipment and shouldered the
rapier, walking over.
"Fancy a drink?" she asked as they came over. Maybe the voice would help.
Drink. Ambrose remembered his last drinking excursion and how badly that ended. It really drove
home his old decision to not drink to excess. But if he was goign to work out, something liquid - and non-alcoholic-
would probably be good. "Maybe just some juice or lemonaide." He commented hesitantly.
"Ah, Ambrose I presume?" She walked over to other side of the bar and poured him a glass of orange
juice. "Doesn't it take two people to swordfight?"
Ambrose chuckled and nodded."who else?" He asked, bemused.
"Yes... technically. But I haven't seen Greer anywhere, and have yet to have anyone take me up on the offer to let me
teach them. But I can at least practice point control and foot work by myself. And various parries and attack angles."
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. Against her will, the image of Moreau leaning over Lauren's shoulder to
corrent a chemistry problem. She took another sip of her drink. "You can teach me."
Ambrose quirked an eyebrow behind the mask. "teach you?" He hadn't thought of that. And...
admittedly... it might be a wonderful catharsis. "This won't get Mr. Controlling upset, would it?" he said bitterly.
Aubrey shrugged. "I wouldn't figure, as long as you keep it with the those swords." She said with a
smirk, indicating the rapiers.
"well, naturally" He responded, handing one of the epees to her hilt-first. "Though if you actually want
to learn, there's a lot to learn before you can actually spar." He sighed, having mixed feelings about playing so nicely
with Aubrey. She was sweet, yes.... but... He wasn't exaclty happy with her. But maybe playing nice would
eventually make her more sympathetic...
Aubrey glanced up to one of the cameras. Then she took the hilt, testing the weight in her hand. "You
don't have to if you're uncomfortable."
"No... it's alright." He gave a smile, that, this close - she could probably make out. "I've been wanting
to teach someone... It's.... hard being one of the only fencers on this Island.... I... I really miss the competitions"
Aubrey's eye twitched. "You know, maybe this isn't such a good idea."
Ambrose frowned and sighed. He didn't want to argue, he really didn't. Between being yelled at
earlier in the day by vasile, and vacating the cafeteria by walking inside, today wasn't shaping up to be the best of
Ambrose's days. He shook his head. "nevermind. I just... I can't just let myself roll over and pretend nothing's
wrong."
"Well things would go a lot smoother if someone could hold a civil conversation with me without a snide
comment or guilt trip," Aubrey snapped, handing back the rapier.
Ambrose took it back with a huff. "Well... I don't know what you expect." He grumbled, the mask still
firmly in place.
Aubrey leaned back against the bar. "You're not really helping your reputation as the snotty little whiny
rich boy. Standing there being all huffy behind a mask." She took another sip of her drink. "I've told you before I'm
here to be your friend if you'll let me."
Ambrose bristled a bit and tore off the mask at the challenge. "Pardon me if I'm being a bit testy about
my appearance. I apparently cleared out the cafeteria this afternoon just by walking in." He clenched his jaw. "So you
insult me and then ask me to be your friend in one breath." He shook his head. "And as for being your friend, it would
be a lot easier were we to have met, say, on campus as opposed to you being one of my 'captors' who is transforming
me into the wolfman.
"I didn't bring you here!" she snapped, straigtening up. "And you don't look bad at all if you ask me," she
added, honestly.
"Look, I don't know the specifics as far as who pulled my form out of the piles." He took the juice that
aubrey pored and took a few sips. "But I do know that you're part of who's keeping me here. And certainly don't seem
that inclined to find a way for me to leave. And I suppose my appearance a matter of opinion. Apparenlty the long
black haired girl and scruffy black haired man didn't think so."
"I couldn't do anything to help you even if I wanted to," she sighed, looking away. "You're going to be
here forever. It would be best for everyone involved just to accept it and try to adjust."
"Easier said than done." He retorted. "It's much harder than you might think to just turn your back on
everything that you held dear, all of your life's plans and accept a life of just... being there on an island. Your
entire being changing. And I'm sure if you really wanted to, Aubrey, you could do something. Something."
Aubrey took a swallow. "I know, its easier said than done. But its like you're determined to make this an
'us vs. them' situation and that's not going to help anyone."
She looked up into the corner of the bar, knowing there was a camera there. "I wouldn't overestimate my position in
the chain of the command."
Ambrose watched her glancing at the corner of the rafters, wondering if she knew something was
there, or of she was just trying to focus on something other than his face. "I mean... it's not my decision really, is it? It
IS an "us" and "them", isn't it? You live in the mansion, you inject us, you help decide who to bring here, and you
yourself have freedom AND aren't changing into an animal. What am I supposed to think? Seriously?" His voice wasn't
whiny, it was more... confused, as to why it shouldn't be obvious. There was a note of defeat in his voice.
"You have freedom," she countered, motioning. "Do do whatever the hell you want while you're here.
You don't have to work, you get everything you could possibly need!? Nothing's free, you know. Nothing.
My point is.. you're here. You're not going in anywhere, and well.. I'm willing to help you in any way I can. Call me
crazy, but I actually like you."
Ambrose laughed darkly. "Freedom? You call this freedom? Yes, we can do whatever the hell we
want... as long as it doesn't threaten Moreau, or you, or eachother. And we can't leave or see our loved ones or family,
or even contact them. We have no contact with the outside world... "
He sighed. "Aubrey.... I know you have sympathies for us... but a good group of us saw where your loyalties do lie.
And not that it surprised me or anything. It's not like you knew any of us from Adam before we came here where you
obviously love Moreau.... but... " he shook his head. "I guess I'm having a hard time understanding how you don't seem
to see where we're coming from here. Why we're unhappy and why we can't just throw our cares to the wind and live
for the moment."
Aubrey blushed alittle despite herself. "I never said you should be happy. I KNOW why you're unhappy.
But what I'm trying to say is we're doing our best to HELP you with the transition." Aubrey took a few calming breaths.
"To help you understand what's going on and help you learn how to live with this new stage in your life. Sometimes,
things just don't happen the way you planned! And you can sit and fight it to no avail, or you can roll with the punches
and try to make the most out what you got!"
"You know what would be best to 'help our transition'?" he said with a sardonic quirk of a smile.
"Letting us do it at our homes. Hell, to let us go home, eventually even. I can guarentee you that faced with the choices
between secrecy at home, and stuck on this island forever, I think all of us would choose the first."
He took a drink. "Of course, I'm sure that's unrealistic. Secrecy and all that." He glared at nothing. "But keep in mind
that Moreau is valuing his secrecy above peoples' lives."
Aubrey looked away. "There's too much at risk to let you go anywhere. And nothing could garuntee
someone would just turn this whole operation over."
"Sure there is. The threat of taking us back." He shrugged darkly. "But... right... I know... too late, and
all that." He heaved an audible sigh.
"When is this all going to be over. I mean go public with this? You and he are so terrified about people finding out. You
know it's illegal what you're doing here. So by that argument, how can you ever release your findings? And thus, how
can you ever actually do the "benefits to humanity" that you're claiming that this whole sick experiment is for?"
"the thread of taking you back? YOu think that would work? All it would it take for some person to
contact the authorities and tehre wouldn't be a here to take you back to!" Aubrey sighed and gulped down her
beverage.
"The stuff we learn here.. it can all her translated as theorectical and send back to Feral Labs for legitimate analysis and
channels. Its.. its kind of like showing your work for a math problem after you've already figured out the answer."
He chewed on his lip. "So all that about 'being famuous' and us personally making a difference was all
bull then? No one is ever going to know about what you're really doing here if you and Moreau have any say in it, are
they? We're going to be swepped under the proverbial carpet. Look at this cure - nevermind the peoples' lives we
ruined in the making."
He drunk some more, almost wishing it were alcohol for a moment. "So, even when you're done and go public with
findings, we won't even have the hope of going home again." His eyes stung. Goddammit he would not let it get to him.
Not in front of her again.
"Actually you will be famous, but we have a lot of breakway to make through first before we can go
public wi the human testing." She was being as honest and straightforward as she knew how. " And... I don't know. If
we go public with the human testing, then I see no reason why yuou couldn;t..."
"But how can you ever go public if what you've been doing is illegal?" He asked, confused.
Aubrey picked at a napkin. "I don't know. It depends on how the beaucracy works. If what we do really
does change history, then usually the govermnent, especially if profit is involved, overlook things like that"
Ambrose sighed, not looking too optimistic. "but that could take years... decades... at the
earliest."
"Most likely, at the earliest."
Ambrose just looked depressed. "I... I wish I hadn't parted ways with my parents on such bad
terms..."
"You didn't really 'part' with them before you came here. They cut you off months before you
applied."
"That's what I meant." Ambrose replied. "I had hoped someday to repair things... make them proud of
me. There's no hope for that now. I'll always be a disappointment. A disappointment that they'll most likely never see
again."
Aubrey chewed at her lip. "I'm sure they don't think of you that way. They are your parents..."
her expression darkened and she sighed. "There are more important things in life than your parent's approval
anyway..." she muttered and took a long drink.
He frowned. "You don't know my parents. I've always been a disappointment. How much
'research' did you do on me? Obviously not enough if you didn't know how close I was with Angelina. Our last fight was
because I finally realized that I couldn't continue living my life the way they set it out for me - especially when even
when I DID that I couldn't ever seem to earn their favor." He kicked at a stray hermit crab.
Aubrey snorted. "You? A dissapointment? MIster Olympic aspiration? My parents would have loved
you." She went to refil her glass. "My parents couldn't give a rat's a** how well I did in school. Or that I wanted to
be a doctor. Or change the word. No, no. Changling the wolrd was nothing compared to my brother's winning soccer
game." She sneered at no one in particular.
Ambrose snorted. "My grades were NEVER good enough for them. No matter how well I did. It
was always "when Dreu was in your grade, he made straight A's". Or "Dreu was in so many extracurricular
activities..." He located a napkin and began to fidget with it. "They wanted me to go into medical school, to be
something to 'be proud of.' But not quite as good as Dreu - who went to Harvard for Law School. Goign to be a rich
and famuous lawyer. He played tennis which is apparently inherantly much better than fencing. Dreu was
student body president, and ever so popular and well mannered. Nevermind that he was screwing the cheerleading
team behind their backs." He snorted into his juice.
Aubrey poured a shot of tequila and offered it to Ambrose, then poured one for herself. "My parents
only cared about sports. It didn't matter what. Like... thats all that mattered." She gave an ironic laugh. "You know
had I had your parents and you had mine, neither of us would probably be nearly as ******** up."
Ambrose hesitated for a moment before taking the drink. Just one can't hurt.... He took it and
knocked in back, with a few short coughs aferwards.
"Your parents actually valued sports? Even something as 'obsolete' as fencing? Dear lord, I would have LOVED to
switch. Although I don't know how much you would have liked mine. All they cared about was image. Image image
image. Apparently it didnt' matter how nasty you were on the inside, or how much of a b*****d you were under the
surface as long as everyone else thought you were the perfect image of a gentleman. Of course, It wasn't until I was
about 16 that I realized that."
"Oh yeah, sports. Any sport. They probably would have been deligted to have someone in their family be
different and like fencing. I can hear them at them family barbeque now! Because that would have made you special
and talented."
Ambrose frowned into his drink. "that would have been nice for a change. They hardly even said a
word of congradulations when I won a match - even regional or state... But honestly, I don't think they would have cared
even IF I played tennis, or was class president .... Dreu was THEIR son. I was their "other" son." He shook his head. "I
tried so damn hard to make them proud of me. I know this probably sounds like whiny bullshit. But ... Most people
dont' know how much it hurts to feel like your parents just don't care about you. I wore the shirts that would make me
'fit in'. I hung out with other 'acceptable' people. I didn't talk about the things that intersted me. And finally I started
living life for ME. And thought maybe I could make them proud MY way. And it only got us into an argument... and me
deciding to do things by myself. I thought maybe ... if I could make it on my own for a few years... graduate college...
and... ideally, get into the Olympics... I could change their mind." He shook his head. "Even living independently for
myself, I was still hoping to please them." He swirled around the few drops that had clung to the inside of the shot glass
around, watching them leave a trail.
Aubrey collected the glasses as started to wash them. "I'm sure they are more proud of you than you
might thing, Ambrose."
"At the very least, absence makes the heart grow fonder. It any good comes of this from their end, they will hopefully
realize how damaging their actions were, and will remember you very fondly."
Ambrose smiled bitterly. "Yeah... well I guess I'll never find out for sure, huh?" With that he set down
his glass and picked up his epee. All in all, certainly a miserable day.
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:10 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:21 am
Huge Group in the CafeteriaPart 1Amaya Vaughan Amaya sat at one of the many tables in the cafeteria alone, her eyes downcast and staring at the coffee cup between her gloved hands. Her eyes were still somewhat watery and every now and then she would wipe a tear from her cheek that managed to slip out. After having that horrible dream she had scrambled through a shower and slipped on some clothes before darting to grab a cup of coffee. There was no way in hell she was going to sleep again after that.
She twisted the mug back and forth in her palms as she stared at it, not wanting to look up at the horrible bare cafe. She was in duplex 20, right? Meaning their were 20 people here... and not one of them were in the cafeteria? That was kinda weird. Regardless, she really hopped that someone would come in soon... anyone really. Even though she was still slightly crying and their was a snowballs chance in hell she would tell them about her dream, she still would have liked someone to talk to. Amaya wondered where Thorn was or if she was in the health center thing getting her lessons... Hargun Hargun had been having a dreadfully hard time getting to sleep at night lately, her head absolutely not wanting to shut down. She was very exhausted and had a rather fatigued look, her eyes had formed tiny purple rings and she was constantly yawning. Other than that though, she was somehow able to maintain a generally perky mood throughout the days. Today she decided to get out and chat with her fellow islanders, and hopefully get a bite to eat.. her tummy roaring at her. She left her duplex miracously without her sketchbook and headed very slowly towards the cafeteria. As soon as she entered she didnt even bother to look for a place to sit, until after gathering up a large a** plate of food, and carrying it witha lazy slump. She looked around and spotted a rather unfamiliar face sitting alone at a table. Yawning, she attempted to wave with one hand, almost dropping her tray. "Heya! Mind... *yawn* if I sit with you?" she asked and tried to lean against the table next to her. Greer Cassenwari Greer was on a meat mission, a new, icky tasting thing she'd had to get used to since the second injection had made her a carnivore. Striding into the cafeteria full of purpose, she went straight to the food and grabbed two steaks before even thinking to look around for people. Spying the artist Hargun sitting next to someone she didn't know, Greer grinned and sat down at the table. "Hello Hargun! How are you?" Amaya Vaughan The young girl blinked and looked up at Hargun, snapped from her daze. She smiled immediantly and nodded, wiping her eyes clean. "Sure! I was kinda hopeing I'd bump into someone else." She went to take a sip of her coffee when the other woman approached with... FEATHERS?! Oh god. What the ********. Amaya stopped in mid-sip just... stareing. No, it was rude to stare. Blink danm you, BLINK! Hargun Before Hargun sat next to Amaya she found the voice of someone she DID recognize, and apon turning to greet Greer.. "Hey Greer- HOLY s**t!" she said, and dropped her plate... luckily on the table. Rushing to sit down, Hargun scooted up next to the table and got up in Greer's face, staring.. and poking at the sprouted feathers. "Wha... wha.. what the heck happened to you?" she gasped and sat back, looking to Amya and smiled awkwardly then back to Greer. Her appearance kinda woke Hargun up a bit. Picking up one of her rolls she crammed the thing in her mouth without chewing, so suprised by her friend's changes. Greer Cassenwari Startled, Greer sat perfectly still for Hargun's inspection, smiling shakily when it was over. Spending all her time with Ambrose and the Dude meant she'd somewhat forgotten about how physical her changes were. Oops. "I'm sorry I startled you Hargun." Gesturing to her feathers, yellowing legs, and meat-filled plate she shrugged. "I got my second injection." Amaya Vaughan Okay, enough stareing... stop it... stop it. Amaya finally forced herself to blink and shook her head before looking back to Hargun and the bird... woman... thing. "Mmmyeeeah... I think I'm deathly confused and in shock right about now." She set her mug on the table and looked between the red-head and Greer with one eyebrow raised. Hargun Hargun started joking on her roll.. it was obviously going to happen. Finally coughing it back up she stared at Greer with somewhat frightened eyes. "SECOND injection?" She exclaimed. She figured the shot would be a one time thing and wouldnt require a lot of revisiting with Moreau or any of the strange lab assistants here, but if a second injection was comming, it meant she was gonna get one too. Shaking, she tried to eat a spoonfull of mashed taters. "Wow.. you.. youve really changed just from that second shot huh?" attempting to swallow some she started up again. "Oh my god Greer.. what ARE you changing into.. and.. and what else is going to happen..?" she eyed the two giant steaks. Hargun sighed and yawned at the same time, and put her fork down then turned her head to Amaya. After getting over Greer a second thought shot in her head. I bet she doesnt know.. she MUST be new. MUST be.. she thought and began to furiously attack her food, trying to avoid having to speak further on the subject while they were on it.. about transforming and all. The Dude XD His fierce red tomcat in tow, the Dude walked into the cafeteria, cigarette in his mouth, hands in his pockets - ya know, the works. He saw Greer, the redheaded girl who drew and whose name he was currently forgetting and a new teenager. This one had dark haired and had the cutest nose on the island. So he grinned and walked up to the girls "Hello, ladies" - he nodded and waved his flipper hand in a greeting. Meanwhile, Captain Morgan sniffed out the steak that Greer had aquired and decided that htis woman was now his new best friend. ((Sorry for crashing the party ^_^ Couldn't resist!)) Greer Cassenwari Greer sighed, gulping down half a steak to get her strength up for the lecture ahead. "This entire island is set aside for experiments being conducted on us by our host, Doctor Moreau. The first injection you recieve seems to get your body ready to react to the ones that follow. We're all turning into different animals - my two friends are becoming a wolf and a sea lion, the woman who lives downstairs from me is becoming reptilian, a fellow I met recently is going towards skunk, and I'm becoming a bird of prey, although I'm not entirely sure what species yet. Each injection will change us a little more until... until the Doctor decides we're done, I suppose. Most of the second injections happen while you're sleeping, if that makes you feel any better. No being held down and tortured per se." Stopping to eat, the other half of her first steak disappeared. THe faster she ate, the less she had to taste. Turning to the Dude, she blushed a little, smiling and giving Captain Morgan a halting pat. "Hi Dude!" Amaya Vaughan "OHGOD!" Amaya jumped five feet in the air as the Dude entered, shivers going down her spine. She then listened to everything Greer was saying even though her eyes were now locked on the new arrival. Once she was finished her head slowly turned to look back at Greer. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed, not really being able to really take all of that in. "Well... guess it's my fault for getting tricked into that bullcrap he told me and I'm screwed now." She shivered again, then caught sight of the fluffy feline. "KITTY!" She reached down and tried to usher him over towards her. Ah, distractions. Gotta love 'em. Hargun Hargun rubbed her tired eyes, now a lot more calmed down.. mustve been the overall shock of seeing her friend look a whole lot different. "Well I knew we were all changing but.. yea like I said, didnt figure it would be such a long strenuous process.. but oh well." noticing the Dude Hargun tried to smile. "Hey Dude!" she didnt pay much attention to Capt. Morgan though.. she didnt like cats. Not much at all. Hmm.. in my sleep huh.. yea right.. LIKE ILL EVER GET TO SLEEP. she thought to herself, and started chewing at a greasy looking burger she picked up. Burgers, taters, and a roll. What an interesting appetite. After she took a bite she glanced at Amaya again. "Well, cant say its your fault.. he got me too... crushed my hopes and dreams.. took everything away from me.. BUT HEY, Im here alive and /somewhat/ happy right..?" she asked uneasily. Cassidy Smith With a plate bearing a single, if large, rare steak, and a glass of lukewarm iced tea, Cassidy made her way into the dining hall of the cafeteria. Meals had just been so boring, lately. Fortunately, she'd picked up a little cup of chocolate pudding. She could deal with that. There seemed to be a lot of people, today, and some of them she didn't even know. Yikes. Cassidy hesitated, her tongue flickering, then approached the table. "Um. Can I join you?" The Dude XD The Dude pulled up a chair and sat down by Greer, stretching out his legs. He was not wearing shoes and the oversized feet flopped strangely in the air when he moved. "Hey Greer" - he winked at her, then grinned charmingly at the blush. Did Greer actually have a thing for him? Nah ... it had to have been the alcohol ... then again ... hmmmmmmmmm .... Still distracted, he turned to Amaya who had just gotten the low down. The new teenager seemed to be taking it ... alright. Which was great! Maybe that is why Moreau seemed to be concentrating on teenagers nowdays - they seemed to have less to loose and tolerated the news much better. He just listened to her and Hargun talk, not wanting to add fuel to the barely smoldering fire. When Cassidy showed up, the Dude waved at her as well: "Yo! Come, come!" With his right hand he pulled up another chair from a neighboring table. She looked okey, not too shy anymore. It'd be intersting to find out whether Vasile had much luck with her. And then there was the Karma situation ... Captain Morgan tolerated a pat or two from Greer and Amaya and jumped onto the table to investigate the steak business. Unfortunately, by the time he got that far, Greer had eaten it all. Greedy! Disgruntled, he stretched out on the table in front of everybody and gave the humans an evil eye, hoping that would frighten them into feeding him something good. Greer Cassenwari Using her hunger as an ecuse to hide her reaction to the wink, Greer leapt up, got another steak, and sat back down again. Chopping a fourth of it up into small pieces, she piled them on the table in front of the minature tiger, hoping appeasement would keep him from thinking about eating her cricket again. "Hello Cassidy! How are you?" She smiled at the newly arrive, partially changed woman, glad to have yet another partial ally. Hargun and Amaya's reactions had been rather... unsettling. Amaya Vaughan "Well, I didn't really have many dreams or anything back home to begin with... so I guess this doesn't bother me as much as it should." She moved her coffee cup back and forth, not really feeling up to drinking any more of it. "Though what makes me mad is that I was lied to. I mean, that doctor guy creeped me out but I just thought it was that... natural scared of doctors thing." Amaya made a weird hand gesture to emphasis her point. "Thorn lied to me too which makes me kinda mad... but what pisses-"
She visually flinched, catching herself too late. "-... ANGERS me is all this lying stuff. I mean... he couldn't have gotten ALL of you with the lie he told me. Your too old... No offense." She held up a hand to the group who had gathered around the table, but refrained herself from diving into the reason she had been dragged here. There was no reason for the entire party to start pittying her for something that was over and done with. Amaya glanced up at Cassidy then looked away again to keep herself from stareing. They were all probably feeling pretty self-conscience without her gawking. "And... sorry about all the stareing. Couldn't help it." Green eyes went back down to the mug as she twirled it about on the table, looking up at the large fluffy cat every now and then but refusing the urge to grab it and squeeze it like some living security blanket. Hargun Hargun snorted. Too old? she shouted in her head, but just maintained a straight face. "Ugh.. yea. We've complained about that factor of his actions a lot.. or I have at least. Dont really doubt anyone else here hasnt." she said and shook her head then looked to Cassidy. Because she hadnt met her before the scales and tounge didnt exactly cause her to jump... she was starting to feel guilty for inspecting Greer.. just natural of her to be interested in whats happening to her friends. She waved slightly to the blonde-haired girl and took another bite of her sandwhich, unable to swallow from a chain of yawns following. "Oh my WORD. Why am I so freaking tired!" she accidentally thought outloud, then glanced around and went back to her food, wiping her face with her napkin and fiddling around the leftovers on the plate with her fork while watching Greer and Capt. Morgan. Cassidy Smith Cassidy was already carefully cutting her steak up into bite-sized peieces; she couldn't look up. There was too much shock in the eyes of these two new people--at least, that's what it seemed like to her. "I miss my family, and my books, and snow. And ice cream." She sighed. "But, really. I don't know what they told you, but I came here for a job. At a hotel. And I was dumb, and believed them, and even when it turned out that there was no hotel, it was all just a... a... a misunderstanding," her mouth twisted, "I let them inject me and settled in just fine." She took a piece of meat on her fork, popped it in her mouth, chewed two or three times and swallowed it mostly whole. Stupid new teeth. The Dude XD When Greer arrived with the steaks the Captain was pleased. Finally, a human who knew how to treat him with respect. Greer was added to the very short list of tolerable humans along with the Dude (sometimes) and the lunch lady (oh my love!). He chowed down, growling threateningly to himself as he gorged on meat. Meanwhile, the Dude was distracted listening to Amaya. Hey, go girl. Now that was a very fatalistic take on the situation. That Moreau guy sure knew whom to pick for his projects. Well, at least he was getting better at it, the Dude corrected himself, remembering Ambrose. Poor guy, he seemed to be the one most screwed over by the situation ... him and Vasile ... but somehow, the Dude wasn't feeling all too sorry for the silver screen siren. "Well, Amaya, he fed all of us various lies, some better and some worse. It's not hard to lie well to people if you know which buttons to push. And the folks from Feral Labs did their homework on all of us. Well, except me and Emelyn. We are kinda freebies on this island - shipwrecked after a storm. And ya know, one should never give up hope. Life has a way of turning out alright in the end. And ya know ... one adjusts." He looked at his flippers and smiled back at Amaya: "Like, I get to swim so much better now, ya know? I"m the Dude by the by. That's what people call me. And I am turning into a sea lion" - he introduced himself. Greer Cassenwari Greer gave Cassidy a sympathetic look and them smiled at the table. "I thought I was coming to be a field entomologist. This was not true, but I've managed to become my own one-woman bug studying team on the island anyway, so it's worked out." Swallowing the last of her steak, she frowned at the feathers on her hands, speaking to no one in particular. "You don't think my hands will become wings, do you? Cause that would be bad." Amaya Vaughan Amaya blinked and looked over at Hargun. She was about to say 'then get some sleep' but stopped herself. That was mean and too obvious. She listened to all the stories on how each person had winded up on the island. Jeeze, Moreau was... to put it simply, a dickhead. As she listened to Dude she nodded in complete agreement. "Exactly. This is just one more thing that I'll force myself through. I mean... NOTHING is perfect so their has to be SOME way off the island, right? It'll just take some time and a lot of thinking." She gave a shrug. Be positive. Positive was good.
Amaya smiled at the Dude and nodded to everyone. "Names Amaya, by the way. He raked me in by telling me this was some kinda resort thingy for older orphaned teenagers. When I saw Thorn it didn't exactly make me suspicious if y'know what I mean." She frowned and sat back, her gloved hands idly fiddling with her locket. "So uh..." The young girl wondered for a moment if it was a touchy subject to ask, but Dude seemed open enough about it. "Do you all know what your turning into 'n stuff?" Hargun Hargun looked nervous to what Greer said. What if she too was turning into a bird or something that wouldnt have the use of hands? Then how could she draw? No way.. Moreau's mean but as Lauren said hes somewhat a nice guy.. he wouldnt have given me something winged. Wait.. unless Aubrey.. did... she thought nervously and shook her head. She sat back and slid her tray foward. She didnt finish everything on there like she thought she would. Looking to Amaya she shrugged. "Id LIKE to know.. desprately. " sighing she smiled slightly to everyone. They were turning out to be pretty interesting creatures, but who knew if shed be the first freaky or odd-like animal. "I just hope I dont turn into something that will cause conflict among us all." drifting off a bit she laughed to herself. "Maybe Im turning into a sloth.. hence my exhaustion.." Cassidy Smith "I haven't asked." Cassidy made a face. "Some sort of snake. I dunno what else has a forked tongue, anyway." She stared down into her supper. "I really, really, really hate snakes. I wonder if I'm going to be poisonous. And... wings! I don't even know what's going to happen to my arms and legs." She grimaced. How would she hold up her books? The Dude XD ((sorry ran out didn't expect to take so long ^_^)) The Dude turned to Greer: "Hm ... that's a good question. My arms are turning into flippers, just like a sea lion's but it look like I get to keep my thumb and index finger. Maybe if your amrs turn into wings you'll get to keep some of the digets as well?" Greer Cassenwari She nodded at her friend. "I hope you're right." Turning to the artist, she spoke. "You know Hargun, you could just be sliding towards nocturnal. Plenty of animals don't come out during the day." Giving the girl a smile and a pat on the hand, Greer stood and bussed her tray. Returning to the table to give them all a smile, the Captain a pat, and the Dude a shy wink. "Bye all!" She called, striding back to her room to gear up for another exciting day chasing bugs. Despite the feathers, this was the life. Amaya Vaughan She shuddered at the thought of turning into something she hated. Like a monkey... or something. Though she had to admit their were few animals she didn't like. "I think I'm too much of a chicken to really ask..." Amaya looked back down at her coffee cup and took a sip, cringing as cold liquid touched her lips. With a frown she set her cup back down on the table, feeling incredibly bad for Cassidy. Turning into something you feared? That'd give her nightmares... She looked up once Greer stood and forced a smile before giving a slight wave. "Bye-bye Greer, it was nice meeting you." Her legs started to swing back and forth, barely touching the ground in her chair out of nervous habbit. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose was just heading towards the cafeteria as he spotted Greer making an exit. He was dressed nicely, wearing some clean long khaki pants and a polo shirt, long since given up trying to hide his features, although his hair was very neatly brushed and slicked back, and even the fur on the backs of his neck, down his jawline, and over his arms seemed shiny and healthy. He gave her a friendly wave and headed in, and nearly coughed at seeing the cafeteria at the fullest he'd ever seen it. Including a completely new face - a young dark-haired girl who looked to be barely a teenager. he shook his head in incredulity. However, before he went to go sit with them, his stomach forcefully reminded him of his primary reason for coming, and took him directly to the food line where he was met with the glorious sight of... steaks... rare steaks. His hands were on the tongs before he could even finish calculating, adding two... three... four.. and finally five of them onto the plate on his tray before he headed over and set his tray down near the Dude, Cassidy, Hargun, and the other girl. He smiled to his friends and assumed that given the girl's company that she knew the ropes. "Good afternoon." He smiled pleasantly to the company. After sating himself with at least a preliminary slice of the food, and swallowing, he extended his hand to Amaya. "I don't believe we've met yet. My name is Ambrose." He said with a practiced aire. "Seems that new people are showing up every day..." he added, a little hesitant. Vasile DiRossi Vasile was going mad from boredom. The beach was great and all, but he was getting lonely. He hadn't seen Karma or Cass around, and he hadn't heard anything from Cass in regard to the note he sent her. Finally, he decided he had gotten hungry enough to justify going to the cafeteria. Tucking Brutus under his arm, he headed into the cafeteria, looking to surprised to see it rather full. Timothy Matthews Timothy heard the door above him shut and someone walk down the stairs. He decided to peek out the door and saw Vasile walking toward the cafeteria. Timothy felt weird, he didn't want to be a stalker or anything but he was rather bored himself, and food did sound good. Quickly getting dressed in something a bit nicer he headed out towards the cafeteria hoping to maybe talk to Vasile and hang out. While getting something to eat of course. Hargun Hargun smiled at Greer. "Thanks. That helps. I kinda figured because Im usually in bed really early in the afternoon." Waving as Greer left she looked to Amaya. "I dont really get the time to ask.. the last time I saw Moreau we were all there and he was NOT in a good mood. But oh well... Ill find out later anyways." She smiled as she saw Ambrose come in. "Hey Ambrose. Hows it going?" Good lord.. theyre just appearing from no where! she thought as she saw a new man enter with an adorable dog in his arms, then spotted Timothy and shouted out. "Hey Timothy! Woah-" she noticed he changed as well. And at that moment a very odd feeling fell over her.. he arrived with her yet he's also recieved his second injection. The slight feeling of being left behind or struggling to catch up seemed to fit better.. out of most of her friends now she was the only one who hadnt changed yet. Is that a good thing? she asked herself. The Dude XD Okey. Greer WAS trying to flirt with him. Awkwardly, but persistently. WOW. As the befeathered entomologist made her exit, the Dude followed her with his eyes, processing this sudden realization. Well, she WAS cute ... in awkward geek kinda way. Adorably Vilma-esque ... but why would Greer have a crush on him?! ... he wasn't even smart. Really not the type he'd think Greer would go for. This was all very new and unexpected. But the Dude grinned nonetheless. It felt nice to be liked. And winked at. Then Ambrose entered and he waved to his buddy as a greeting, trying to act casual about all this. A bit belatedly, the Dude responded to the others. "Sorry, zoned out. Good to meet you, Amaya. So ... you are an orphan, huh? Man, Moreau knows how to pick people that will not be missed all that much ... b*****d." - he nodded at her and petted Captain Morgan on the back. The cat stretched blissfully and closed his eyes to snooze, enjoying the love. He wouldn't even mind if people other then the Dude would give him a pet or two. As long as they were respectful about it. "Well, there are ways of this island, I am sure, but we have been told that if we leave before completing the full series of injections, we will die of cancer shortly there after. So that effectively prevents escape attempts for now." - the Dude added to Amaya. Then Vasile and Timmy showed up. Captain Morgan, who was comfortably stretched out on the table, opened one of his evil eyes and looked lazily at the newcomers. Oh ... looky there ... entertainment has arrived! He gave Brutus a look with enough vile attitude to make a New York rat have a heart attack.
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Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:22 am
Huge Group in the CafeteriaPart 2Amaya Vaughan Amaya smiled and shook the hand Ambrose offered. He didn't look as... different as the others, though she could tell her was one of the ones who had started to change or whatever. Her handshake was surprisingly strong despite how little she was, a trait she had picked up from her father. "Heya Ambrose, nice ta meet ya. My names Amaya and... yeah, I just arrived yesterday about." She then looked over at Hargun and thought for a moment. "Well... what about those call buttons in the rooms? Thorn told me that if you press 0 you get help or something." She made the same weird hand gesture as before to emphasis her point.
"Cancer? ... Jeeze..." Amaya lowered her head, feeling bad for everyone almost now. Now what? She sighed and frowned before her attention went over to the door. "Doggie!" The frown immediantly vanished at the sight of the tiny dog in the man's arms. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose looked over as the Cafeteria remarkably began to fill up even more as two other familiar faces entered. He nodded pleasantly to Timothy and Vasile, still looking a bit sheepishly towards Vasile. "Amaya. It's nice to meet you" his handshake was firm - but not deathgrip - in return. "Well, nice as I suppose it can be considering the situation" he gave a halfsmile as he overheard the Dude's summary of her situation. "Orphan...? So you were adopted here..?" That certainly fixed her here. No one to come looking for her either. They were getting resourceful, and careful it seemed not to retrace any steps. But unlike Colche, she seemed rather perky and well-adjusted. He nodded at her question. "Yes, you can press 0 to get a hold of one of the staff at the lab... unless you irritate them and they disable that" he added as a grumbling after affect. At Amaya's call of "dog!" Ambrose nearly coughed on his steak, thinking that she was referring to him at first until he looked back following her eyes and spotted Brutus. "Oh! That!" Ambrose spluttered in relief. Vasile DiRossi Brutus licked in Amaya's general direction eagerly, his little tail stub wagging. Vasile gave a dashing, but innocently charming smile. Brutus wiggled to get out of his grasp, but then his ears shot upwards as a scent wafted across his nose and he almost wet himself. He wiggled out of his master's arms and went bee-lining towards the door.
"Brutus what's gotten into you?" Vasile asked before he spotted the red cat. "Oh." He flattened his gaze over at the Dude and his cat.
But then is struck him. Who were a few of these new people. They weren't in the script. Make up crew?? No, that would be too good to be true, and this little girl was definately not ex-CIA. "Vasile DiRossi," he said, holding out his hand to her.
He gave a nod to Ambrose, and then his eyes widened as he saw Tim. "Oh.. Timmy. I've never seen you with your make up on.. thats, uh...interesting." Timothy Matthews "Ahhhh... Vasile ummm..." Timothy was about to point out that it wasn't make up, but he really didn't want to argue with Vasile about this. "Thanks" he said flately and stood by the tables. "Hi, don't think I know you all here, I'm Timothy Matthews, I'm a musician. Sort of." Timothy rubbed the back of his neck and watched the cat and brutus. All these people, it really made him nervous which caused some kind of... a feeling inside him. It was like something was tensing up, since he realized he was a skunk he didn't even want to think about it. He walked up and noticed that they had some seafood. He looked over the food they had and noticed the shrimp, the small little pieces of meat looked extremely appitizing just laying there, all lined out. He served himself while everyone else chatted. Hargun Replying to what was talked about with the phone dialing and all she gave a nervous grin. "Well I didnt remember about those.. Ill remind myself to talk.. er try to contact Moreau later." Hargun raised an eyebrow towards Vasile as he mentioned Timothy wearing makeup. Whats with him? Thats obviously not makeup..She watched Brutus and looked down at her pushed aside tray, picked it up and walked over to the trash bin to throw everything away. When she came back she leaned her head over on the table and closed her eyes. "Mm.. Im just gonna rest my head a little bit guys, if you dont mind. Ill still listen though.. Im just so tired." The Dude XD As his prey fled even before he could really start hunting, the Captain debated giving chase. Briefly. But he was being petted over here, and he really did just devour two steaks all by his lonesome. Chasing a dog, no matter how entertaining, was just not wise at this moment. The red cat yawned widely, showing off his yellowing fangs and went back to dozing. Meanwhile, the Dude watched Vasile compliment Timmy on his "make up". O-key ... did no one fill him in yet? GAWD. It's been, like, a week by now? And yet Vasile seemed to be still under impression that this was all a movie in which he was the hero. Hey ... whatever works ... So Timmy was a skunk, huh? Man, better either stay on his good side or very far away. A skunk was nothing to joke about, especially a human sized skunk. Talk about a big stink ... He grinned to himself, imagining a vivid picture of Moreau's death by Timmy's powerful glands. Oh, that'd be morbidly kickass. Maybe he should talk about that possibility with Timmy sometime ... it had merit. "Hey Timothy! Looking good in black and white, man!" - still smiling to himself, the Dude nodded to both Vasile and Timothy and went back to scratched his cat behind the ears. Ian Campbell Ian moved to the side as he entered the cafeteria and saw a dog rocketing towards him. "What the...." he muttered "What's a dog doing here..." Looking up from the animal he spotted a rather large-ish group of people. Among them were only two people he had met, the Dude and Hargun. Wandering over nervously he smiled slightly. "Hi. Um..." He had spotted Ambrose, wondering what the man had thought about his abrupt departure the last time they had seen each other. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, "I'm Ian." He looked around and saw how many people had started to change....how long until he too would. As his gaze wandered over the faces of the people, he couldn't help but think about how long before they all changed. Amaya Vaughan "Yeah, guess you could say that. This was supossed to be a little get-away for orphaned teenagers." Amaya jumped at Ambrose's sudden coughing fit, eyes wide. "Oh god, sorry." She laughed nervously and started to swing her feet again. Blinking, she watched the tiny dog scramble and frowned, slumping into her chair. "Awwww..." She wanted to cuddle it... Amaya turned and reached up to shake Vasile's hand, but stopped and looked directly into his eyes. "Vasile... DiRossi...?" She blinked a few more times before having an epiphany. "Hey! Your an actor, right?" Queen of obvious, thy name is Amaya. "But... why're you here?" The young girl stared up at him, rather shocked to find someone so well-known.
"Wait, make-up? What?" She raised a brow and looked to Ambrose and the Dude, utterly confused. "And uh, heya Timothy." She gave a slight wave, wiggling in her seat. GOD THE CONFUSION. Amaya looked back over to Hargun. "... You should really go sleep if your that tired." Subconciously a gloved hand reached over to the large fluffy lump on the table and scratched it between his ears, having forgotten all the nasty glares it had been giving everyone and everything. Hearing someone new, she turned around and gave a wave up to Ian. "Heya Ian, names Amaya. Got here about yesterday." She held her free hand out to him. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose blinked as the cafeteria began to get even MORE crowded. Had someone turned on a magnet or something? He looked to Timothy again and did a double take. He ... had started to change as well. Black and white fur was sprouting from various locations of his body, and his ears had grown and rounded. Something in the back of his mind prodded the word "skunk" at him, and Ambrose shifted nervously, once again feeling slightly better at the doctor's choice of his own animal. "Timothy... I'm sorry.." he began, patting the man on the shoulder. He looked incredulously to Vasile, but merely shook his head. Ambrose looked over to Ian as he approached, recognizing one of teh people who had fled at his arrival in to the cafeteria the other day. He had found out later from Colche that he hadn't really scared her off... but what about him? And with the present company also sprouting fur or flippers and Ian's... arrival and not departure... perhaps he had left for another reason as well..? Ambrose reached out to shake Ian's hand. Even though Ambrose was well practiced in teh proper way to introduce himself, with Ian his handshake was a bit hesitant, not quite as confident and strong. "Ian... yes - I remember you from the other day... I had thought that I frightened you off. You left before you could give me your name." Ambrose glanced over to Amaya again as she gushed over the movie star. It certainly was an ecclectic group of people.... he glaned around the table... perhaps the closest thing to a family he'd have here... the people he'd be sharing the rest of his life with...? Vasile DiRossi Vasile scrated the back of his head. All these people were doing the whole "but its not makeup" bit. Oh boy... not this. This made in very uncomfortable. A dread in the pit of his stomach. But he refused to believe it. This was definately some weird candid camera Big Brother Suvivor Surreal life thing, or something, and he wasn't going to be played the fool.
"I'm just here on vacation," he finally said to the young woman. Whatever. He didn't want to argue with another woman abuot the whole acting campt thing. Looking very uneasy and uncomfortable in a large group of people that all were alittle off their rockers, Vasile headed towards the food display. Timothy Matthews Timothy got an entire plate of shrimp and sat down, he then sat there and begin to munch them one by one. It felt right for some reason. After he realized what he was doing he looked back up, hearing everyone and feeling Ambrose's pat. "Thanks Dude, Ambrose. It's a little weird but I'll adjust." Timothy shrugged, he really wasn't that well off on it but he didn't want to sound that... cowardly in front of Vasile. Timothy nodded to Ian, the new commer. He hadn't met him before either. He sort of saw a similarity between himself and this guy, well he would have if he wasn't sprouting fur. "I'm just here to eat and chit chat, don't mind me." Hargun Hargun grumbled at Amaya with her head still flat on the table. "Whats it look like Im trying to do right now?" she made a snorting noise, obviously a lazy laugh and murmered. "Im eating the table, cant you tell.." she said sarcastically. Apon hearing Vasile's name quite a few times she finally realized a celebrity was here on the island. Though she wasnt really a fan of his and didnt know about him THAT much.. just his name, she looked up, her hair stringling in her eyes and glanced at him and put her head back down. "Heya Ian." she said, and tried to lift her hand up to make a small wave. She turned a bit and looked at Timothy's plate for a sec, just curious if he had developed some odd appetite like some of the others did. The Dude XD The Dude stood up and followed after Vasile, leaving the Captain in Amaya's capable hands. The kitty was actually purring. Granted it still sounded rather like a growl, but whatever that girl was doing, the Captain aproved. "So hey, Vasile, how's your script studying going?" - he grinned at the actor, and picked up a plate. With a nonchalant expression he began piling shrimp onto his plate ... one dozen ... two dozen ... three ... Lowering his voice to a very private whisper, he added: "Heard you've been practicing love scenes on a good friend of mine here ... just a friendly advice - you brag to anyone about that and I tell Cass. And I'd say some flowers and a sweet sentimental apology letter is also in order. What do you think?" He quirked his eyebrow at Vasile and put a shrimp into his mouth, swallowing it without chewing. Ian Campbell Ian nodded at Amaya's introduction and after shaking Ambrose's hand, shook hers. "Arrived yesterday huh?" Ian said to Amaya. "Heh, always trying to get more people....acting like there's not enough of us as is." Ian turned to Ambrose. "Ambrose wasn't it? Sorry for bailing on you, but after the other girl fled, and I having scared away all the other people I've met on the island...I was having problems with coping." He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "Yeah, sorry 'bout that." Ian sighed as he glanced around looking at those who said hi when his gaze came across Timothy. With the exception of the white in his hair and the fur, he could have passed as a twin brother to his own little brother back in the states. "Hmm, Timothy.....did you know - wait of course you wouldn't know...I'm such an idiot. But you resemble my little brother. He'd be about your age I think....." Ian halted he was rambling, excessively. Turning slightly red Ian moved towards the food table mumbling a quick "hello" to Hargun Amaya Vaughan Amaya stared at Vasile like HE was the one with flippers and watched him walk over to get some food. "... Has... anyone told 'im? And why is he here? Is this some movie or some-GOD I'M CONFUSED!" Gloved hands shot up to grab her head before a loud thud echoed once her cranium made contact with the table and stayed there. "... Ow. That wasn't something smart to do."
Gradually, she turned her head to look at Hargun through her mess of raven locks. "I mean in a BED not on a table. Though the table does taste pretty good, doesn't it?" She gave a snort and went back to stareing at it. "Scrumtious." It was then that she realized her hand wasn't touching red fur anymore. A gloved hand rose from her lap and scurried over much like Thing from the Adam's Family so she could continue to scratch the Cap'n between his ears. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose had paused in his conversation to wolf through a good portion of the steaks he had brought with him to the table. Although, while he was eating them quite quickly, he did have good manners in his defense. He chewed quickly with his mouth closed, and sliced them with his knife pre-eating. Finally, taking a break, he spoke up again. "That's ironic, Ian." He began . "And here I thought my apperance was the cause for yours and Colche's departure. Perhaps there have been a series of miscommunications." Ambrose watched the Dude go speak with Vasile and turned his attention back to the people he was less familiar with. He shook his head sadly at Amaya. "Everyone here was given a different... er... cover story." He kept his voice down, careful not to speak loud enough to catch Vasile's attention who was already distracted by the Dude. "His was just more.. well... watertight than most peoples'. Probably because the Doctor doesn't want to deal with him when he DOES find out any sooner than he needs to. His thoughts lingered on her, and, to be honest, he was glad that at least he didn't have to break the news to her. "I'm sorry.... I don't know what things were like for you before you came here... but I DO hope that it won't be that bad for you here. I really want to believe that they're starting to think more about who they bring - people who don't have as much to lose back on the mainland.... unlike Hargun and Timothy and Vasile and me." She looked so young, too... had her whole life ahead of her. Even if she was an orphan. So many dependent people here... Colche... perhaps her... then again - youth didn't necessarily mean she couldn't take care of herself. "Thorn" seemed the perfect example of bullheaded independence in someone so young. "Well.... if you need anything... don't hesitate to ask -" He gave her a smile. "your resident wolfman." He said jokingly with an odd mix of bitterness and sarcasm thrown in. "And good luck, Timothy.... it... to be honest.... isn't something exactly simple to adjust to." He sighed, taking a consoling bite of meat. Vasile DiRossi Vasile looked in digust at all the shrimp he piled on his plate, and he suddenly wished he hadn't grabbed the few he did. But then he composed himself and put on a very smug smile and looked straiht up at the Dude. "Brag?" he asked, mocking insult. "Come now. For one, if you've heard abuot that then it isn't me you should worry about kissing and telling." He moved down the line, but stayed close enough to Dude so he could hear without raising his voice. "Anyway, I don't need to brag. I'm confident in my abilities in a lover, and unlike some men," he stopped to give an accusatory glare to Dude, "I don't need to brag to reassure myself of my sexual mastery." That was partially true at least. It's bad publicity to go around and brag about the women that you've slept with. And being he was a famous movie star, it was the women who did most of the bragging. Vasile continued, "as for an apology, I don't think thats necessary. I didn't do anything to her that she wasn't positively begging for by the end of it. I had fun. She had fun. And we went our seperate ways. She gave no indication she wanted me to stick around and complicate things." Vasile glaced back over the dude and popped a grape in his mouth from the fruit bar. "You think you have me all figured out don't you? Just because I enjoy sex, and have proven myself a capable lover doesn't mean I view women as mindless little toys." He paused, watching his expression. "That's what you thought, isn't it? To be honest the woman in question proved herself to be very intelligent and engaging. In addition to being absolutely dynamite in bed, in case you're wondering." He grinned. "But just because I don't want to wisk off and elope every woman I enjoy having a little fun with doesn't mean I don't value them as human being." Vasile sneered and spun around on his heel. "Anyway," he said over his shoulder. "At the very least maybe now you won't think me to a f**, eh?" He ran a hair through his hair flippantly and strode out of the cafeteria, waving to the Dude with a smile and twirl as if they had just had a brotherly jest. Timothy Matthews Timothy noticed Vasile go as he was finishing his plate of shrimp which he'd... quite frankly devoured. Strangely enough, some new basic instinct of his felt like he thought they were going to move any second. He watched Vasile go, feeling foolish and sort of upset. But he was full now. "Hey, you didn't have to be so rude." "Anyway everyone, it was nice meeting you but I'm gonna go as well. Work on my music for bit. I hope you understand..." Timothy trailed off and when Vasile was safetly at a distance he jetted out too. Hargun Hargun laughed at Amaya's comment about the table. "Its truly is much better than the other food here." she lifted her head up once more and yawned a very heavy yawn and scratched her tummy. "Well, I hate to join the bandwagon guys, but Im gonna go home and take a well needed nap." she said, stretching and getting up out of her chair. It suprised her how she casually mentioned her duplex as /home/. One could hardly call a hotel/apartment sized room a home. Either that or she was just too used to living in a normal house. She patted Amaya on the back before leaving, and tried to sound as reassuring as she could. "I was confused at first too.. then depressed... then just.. here. Youll get used to it and we're all here with yah so.. GOODNIGHT EVERYONE.." she said, slumping out into the sunlight and wincing at its brightness as she walked out towards the duplexes. (wrapped for me) The Dude XD The Dude listened to Vasile's tirade calmly. All the snide remarks and cheap stabs amused him. He just kept eating the shrimp in front of Vasile, being pretty gross about it on purpose. His sense of taste has considerably weakened since the injection, he noticed. Normally this amount of raw shrimp would have caused a gag reflex even in him. But when the primadona strutted out of the cafeteria without even giving him the chance to respond, he tensed up. Setting the plate down, he followed Vasile out, catching up with him right outside the cafeteria. "Hold up here, Vasile. First of all - I didn't needed those details. I kinda consider her my little sister, and while it's nice to know she's dynamite in bed, she was not all too dynamite when she came to talk to me about all this, superstar. But hey, as long as you are not gonna brag, good by me." - he was keeping his voice down still, to keep the conversation private. "And I suppose you a right. Flowers might be a bit overkill. She doesn't really want to see your face any longer, to be honest. I just thought that a few orchids might, ya know ... sway her opinion of you? Make you appear less like a pompous d**k? Your pick, really. You'll be seeing all of us for a while, boy. Better start thinking about not making enemies ..." At that moment Hargun and Timothy had walked out of the cafeteria after them as well, so the Dude stopped talking. Ian Campbell Ian watched as many of the people left the cafeteria. Grabbing some food he sat down at the seat Hargun had vacated and began to eat, pausing every so often to speak with Ambrose. "It seems this entire island is a cancerous mass of miscommunication." Now how did he know such refined words? He had never used the word cancerous in civilized conversation before in his life. "Everyone being told something different, and then there are the people who cannot seem to understand what is happening." Ian looked at his plate thinking. "Even if everyone did understand though, they would still possibly refuse to accept it. Such is the way of people." Amaya Vaughan "Ohhhh, I see." Amaya finally peeled her head off the table and folded an arm under her chin to rest on it as she pet Captain Morgan with her other hand. "I'm not missing much. I stayed at the orphanage for almost three years after my gran'ma passed on. People don't exactly want a 15 year old kid who's just gonna grow up and leave soon anyway, y'know?" She turned her head so she could lay it sideways and look up at him, smiling. "Thanks... I'm just glad I'm not the only one here or something." The young girl paused, frowning for but a moment. "I just really don't like being alone. Not having any family or friends or anything. Kinda makes me like it here, despite the 'Doctor Dolittle gone crazy' thing." She then quickly added: "Though it's not like I'm just gonna roll over for him or anything. You still have family back home, so I'll try my best to get you back there. Pops would want me to try and fight back, no matter how subtle it may be." An almost forced laugh escaped her lips as she looked back over to the Captain.
Bright green eyes trailed Vasile as he left, then went to Timothy as he got up. "See ya Timothy, nice meeting you." She gave a slight wave before letting her arm flop back onto the table so she could resume scratching the large fluffy cat. "Oh yes." Amaya smiled at Hargun, liking the girl who seemed to fall around her age. That was nice, least she might NOT be the youngest one here. Absently, she wondered how old she really was but didn't get time to ask as the red-head stood up and patted her on the back. "See ya Hargun and thanks." Her hand rose once more and haved before flopping back down. Ah, petting a cat. One of lifes most simple pleasures.
It was then that she realized she had been the only one who didn't get anything to eat. Feeling awkward she stood and bussed the cup off coffee that had long since gone cold. After silently grabbing merely an apple and a can of Pepsi she returned to her seat and set the apple down as she opened up her soda. For some reason she had never been one for sitting down and eating a large meal, only taking snacks throughout the day when she started to get a little hungry. Amaya then noticed Vasile and Dude kinda of... skidaddle at the same time and as she looked at the door she asked Ambrose and Ian almost in a whisper; "Hey... is something going on with Mister Dude and Vasile?" Green gaze looked back to them, a little worried. Oh god, what if they were having a fight? Vasile DiRossi ((sorry if its out of order, I've got to leave soon and its just between Dude and Vasile anyway))/ Vasile turned around and glared. "Well if she was having morning-after remorse, Mr. Dude, then she certainly didn't feel the need to say so to me at the time. And she certainly wasn't uncomfortable with what we were doign the night before. If she has a problem with me, she could be coming to me, not whining to you. She's a big girl, who can make her own decisions."
Vasile started to walk away, then turned around. "Perhaps I'll leave her a note if its bothering her so bad. But don't forget, sir, in your rush to hate me that it takes two to do the nasty."The Dude XD There were people around now and he was not comfortable to discuss the issue any further. He already said too much anyway. Gah, this man was annoying ... be cool, Dude. Be cool. Giving him a black eye will not solve anything here. Why did he even bother to talk to this twerp? "You know what, buddy? Forget I said anything. Just ... forget it." - the Dude sighed. "We'll talk once you get your second injection, Don Juan." He was not stopping Vasile any longer, instead, he turned around and trotted off down the path towards the beach. Man, a swim sounded very nice right about now. (And I am out as well. Good night everyone! Thanks Vasile for sticking around.) Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose waved to Hargun. "Take care, and go get some rest. You look like you could use it." He turned his attention back to Ian after he finished his steak. "Unfortunately it does appear so..." he sighed. "And I'm having a hard enough time accepting it myself. I don't want to, dammit... I can't accept that this is IT. Even the... furriness aside, stuck here..." he shook his head and looked to the young girl. "Being alone is hard..." He moved his fork around on the empty plate. "And that's really brave of you. I... I do have a family back home - and a wonderful girlfriend... But you shouldn't have to worry about me. Althought I'm glad to hear that at least maybe you can make the best of this... but still, none of us should have to be here. None of us should be forced to stay here and participate in this science experiment gone horrribly awry for the rest of our lives." Ambrose stifled a yawn. "I should probably head back to my room as well. Eating tends to make me sleepy.... He nodded to them and stood up. "I wish you the best - all three of you. And I'm easy to find if you have any questions or learn anything significant." With a small wave Ambrose bussed his tray and headed out the door, back to his duplex for a nice post-meal nap. ((Ambrose... signing off. Early classes in the morrow)) Ian Campbell Ian waved farewell as Ambrose left and finished his meal. As he took care of his plate he turned to Amaya. "Take care of yourself, don't let yourself be fooled by anything here. Demons lurk" Now what had inspired him to say that bit? To avoid further embarassment Ian quickly dismissed himself "Really sorry....urgent necessity. Must go.." CLutching his stomach for added effect to the falsehood Ian ran fromthe cafeteria. Amaya Vaughan Amaya had taken a bite out of her apple as she listened to Ambrose. He was right, none of them really deserved this. She swallowed what was in her mouth and waved as he headed out. "See ya Ambrose!" He was pretty nice... all the people here seemed to be pretty nice, actually. The thought of FOREVER on the Island still haden't sunk in yet, probably wouldn't for at least a few months. "Gotcha." She gave a thumbs up and a quick 'see-ya' to Ian as he left.
There she was in the cafeteria alone again. Oy.
... Eh, oh well. Time to explore a bit. After finishing her apple she snatched her soda and headed back to her duplex to grab a few things.((Marker! *clicks little movie thingy* :B ))
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Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:02 am
Ambrose and the Dude
Aubrey came down to the bar the next day aswell. It was becomming her daily habit, to have a drink after work then go for a swim. Lord knows, if she continues this up she's going to get a tan. And maybe even lose some weight with the swimming. Well, if could lay off the margahritas maybe.
Ambrose, meanwhile, was feeling very... on edge. Today had been the first day that anyone apparently had had any problems with his appearance - two people had made a hasty retreat from the cafeteria upon his arrival. While they didn't say anything, given Ambrose's frame of mind, he assumed that it had been because of how he had looked. Growing up in a setting where appearance was almost primary, this cut him deeply.
So, grabbing his fencing gear (and even a second set - just in case he might actually be able to tie someone else down to practice with him - as he seemed to almost invariably run into someone else on the beach) he put on his mask, hiding his face, grabbed the epees, and headed towards the sandy stretch that made up the beach.
Aubrey leaned back against the bar with a frozen drink in her and watch someone approach. She wasn't sure, honesty, it was AMbrose or Greer, but she guessed it was one of the two, since Greer wasn't really the most feminine of ladies and Ambrose wasn't really the most masculine of men. She smirks to herself and waved, wondering if they could even see her.
Ambrose was getting close to the bar area and had just settled down into an en guarde position when he caught movement and turned to face the figure waving. Squinting through the wire mesh he made out Aubrey. He swallowed. Great. This could either go well... or turn into another shouting match. And to be honest, he really wasn't in the mood for the latter.
However, he dropped his stance and straightened, waving to her. He set down the extra equipment and shouldered the rapier, walking over.
"Fancy a drink?" she asked as they came over. Maybe the voice would help.
Drink. Ambrose remembered his last drinking excursion and how badly that ended. It really drove home his old decision to not drink to excess. But if he was goign to work out, something liquid - and non-alcoholic- would probably be good. "Maybe just some juice or lemonaide." He commented hesitantly.
"Ah, Ambrose I presume?" She walked over to other side of the bar and poured him a glass of orange juice. "Doesn't it take two people to swordfight?"
Ambrose chuckled and nodded."who else?" He asked, bemused.
"Yes... technically. But I haven't seen Greer anywhere, and have yet to have anyone take me up on the offer to let me teach them. But I can at least practice point control and foot work by myself. And various parries and attack angles."
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. Against her will, the image of Moreau leaning over Lauren's shoulder to corrent a chemistry problem. She took another sip of her drink. "You can teach me."
Ambrose quirked an eyebrow behind the mask. "teach you?" He hadn't thought of that. And... admittedly... it might be a wonderful catharsis. "This won't get Mr. Controlling upset, would it?" he said bitterly.
Aubrey shrugged. "I wouldn't figure, as long as you keep it with the those swords." She said with a smirk, indicating the rapiers.
"well, naturally" He responded, handing one of the epees to her hilt-first. "Though if you actually want to learn, there's a lot to learn before you can actually spar." He sighed, having mixed feelings about playing so nicely with Aubrey. She was sweet, yes.... but... He wasn't exaclty happy with her. But maybe playing nice would eventually make her more sympathetic...
Aubrey glanced up to one of the cameras. Then she took the hilt, testing the weight in her hand. "You don't have to if you're uncomfortable."
"No... it's alright." He gave a smile, that, this close - she could probably make out. "I've been wanting to teach someone... It's.... hard being one of the only fencers on this Island.... I... I really miss the competitions"
Aubrey's eye twitched. "You know, maybe this isn't such a good idea."
Ambrose frowned and sighed. He didn't want to argue, he really didn't. Between being yelled at earlier in the day by vasile, and vacating the cafeteria by walking inside, today wasn't shaping up to be the best of Ambrose's days. He shook his head. "nevermind. I just... I can't just let myself roll over and pretend nothing's wrong."
"Well things would go a lot smoother if someone could hold a civil conversation with me without a snide comment or guilt trip," Aubrey snapped, handing back the rapier.
Ambrose took it back with a huff. "Well... I don't know what you expect." He grumbled, the mask still firmly in place.
Aubrey leaned back against the bar. "You're not really helping your reputation as the snotty little whiny rich boy. Standing there being all huffy behind a mask." She took another sip of her drink. "I've told you before I'm here to be your friend if you'll let me."
Ambrose bristled a bit and tore off the mask at the challenge. "Pardon me if I'm being a bit testy about my appearance. I apparently cleared out the cafeteria this afternoon just by walking in." He clenched his jaw. "So you insult me and then ask me to be your friend in one breath." He shook his head. "And as for being your friend, it would be a lot easier were we to have met, say, on campus as opposed to you being one of my 'captors' who is transforming me into the wolfman.
"I didn't bring you here!" she snapped, straigtening up. "And you don't look bad at all if you ask me," she added, honestly.
"Look, I don't know the specifics as far as who pulled my form out of the piles." He took the juice that aubrey pored and took a few sips. "But I do know that you're part of who's keeping me here. And certainly don't seem that inclined to find a way for me to leave. And I suppose my appearance a matter of opinion. Apparenlty the long black haired girl and scruffy black haired man didn't think so."
"I couldn't do anything to help you even if I wanted to," she sighed, looking away. "You're going to be here forever. It would be best for everyone involved just to accept it and try to adjust."
"Easier said than done." He retorted. "It's much harder than you might think to just turn your back on everything that you held dear, all of your life's plans and accept a life of just... being there on an island. Your entire being changing. And I'm sure if you really wanted to, Aubrey, you could do something. Something."
Aubrey took a swallow. "I know, its easier said than done. But its like you're determined to make this an 'us vs. them' situation and that's not going to help anyone."
She looked up into the corner of the bar, knowing there was a camera there. "I wouldn't overestimate my position in the chain of the command."
Ambrose watched her glancing at the corner of the rafters, wondering if she knew something was there, or of she was just trying to focus on something other than his face. "I mean... it's not my decision really, is it? It IS an "us" and "them", isn't it? You live in the mansion, you inject us, you help decide who to bring here, and you yourself have freedom AND aren't changing into an animal. What am I supposed to think? Seriously?" His voice wasn't whiny, it was more... confused, as to why it shouldn't be obvious. There was a note of defeat in his voice.
"You have freedom," she countered, motioning. "Do do whatever the hell you want while you're here. You don't have to work, you get everything you could possibly need!? Nothing's free, you know. Nothing.
My point is.. you're here. You're not going in anywhere, and well.. I'm willing to help you in any way I can. Call me crazy, but I actually like you."
Ambrose laughed darkly. "Freedom? You call this freedom? Yes, we can do whatever the hell we want... as long as it doesn't threaten Moreau, or you, or eachother. And we can't leave or see our loved ones or family, or even contact them. We have no contact with the outside world... "
He sighed. "Aubrey.... I know you have sympathies for us... but a good group of us saw where your loyalties do lie. And not that it surprised me or anything. It's not like you knew any of us from Adam before we came here where you obviously love Moreau.... but... " he shook his head. "I guess I'm having a hard time understanding how you don't seem to see where we're coming from here. Why we're unhappy and why we can't just throw our cares to the wind and live for the moment."
Aubrey blushed alittle despite herself. "I never said you should be happy. I KNOW why you're unhappy. But what I'm trying to say is we're doing our best to HELP you with the transition." Aubrey took a few calming breaths. "To help you understand what's going on and help you learn how to live with this new stage in your life. Sometimes, things just don't happen the way you planned! And you can sit and fight it to no avail, or you can roll with the punches and try to make the most out what you got!"
"You know what would be best to 'help our transition'?" he said with a sardonic quirk of a smile. "Letting us do it at our homes. Hell, to let us go home, eventually even. I can guarentee you that faced with the choices between secrecy at home, and stuck on this island forever, I think all of us would choose the first."
He took a drink. "Of course, I'm sure that's unrealistic. Secrecy and all that." He glared at nothing. "But keep in mind that Moreau is valuing his secrecy above peoples' lives."
Aubrey looked away. "There's too much at risk to let you go anywhere. And nothing could garuntee someone would just turn this whole operation over."
"Sure there is. The threat of taking us back." He shrugged darkly. "But... right... I know... too late, and all that." He heaved an audible sigh.
"When is this all going to be over. I mean go public with this? You and he are so terrified about people finding out. You know it's illegal what you're doing here. So by that argument, how can you ever release your findings? And thus, how can you ever actually do the "benefits to humanity" that you're claiming that this whole sick experiment is for?"
"the thread of taking you back? YOu think that would work? All it would it take for some person to contact the authorities and tehre wouldn't be a here to take you back to!" Aubrey sighed and gulped down her beverage.
"The stuff we learn here.. it can all her translated as theorectical and send back to Feral Labs for legitimate analysis and channels. Its.. its kind of like showing your work for a math problem after you've already figured out the answer."
He chewed on his lip. "So all that about 'being famuous' and us personally making a difference was all bull then? No one is ever going to know about what you're really doing here if you and Moreau have any say in it, are they? We're going to be swepped under the proverbial carpet. Look at this cure - nevermind the peoples' lives we ruined in the making."
He drunk some more, almost wishing it were alcohol for a moment. "So, even when you're done and go public with findings, we won't even have the hope of going home again." His eyes stung. Goddammit he would not let it get to him. Not in front of her again.
"Actually you will be famous, but we have a lot of breakway to make through first before we can go public wi the human testing." She was being as honest and straightforward as she knew how. " And... I don't know. If we go public with the human testing, then I see no reason why yuou couldn;t..."
"But how can you ever go public if what you've been doing is illegal?" He asked, confused.
Aubrey picked at a napkin. "I don't know. It depends on how the beaucracy works. If what we do really does change history, then usually the govermnent, especially if profit is involved, overlook things like that"
Ambrose sighed, not looking too optimistic. "but that could take years... decades... at the earliest."
"Most likely, at the earliest."
Ambrose just looked depressed. "I... I wish I hadn't parted ways with my parents on such bad terms..."
"You didn't really 'part' with them before you came here. They cut you off months before you applied."
"That's what I meant." Ambrose replied. "I had hoped someday to repair things... make them proud of me. There's no hope for that now. I'll always be a disappointment. A disappointment that they'll most likely never see again."
Aubrey chewed at her lip. "I'm sure they don't think of you that way. They are your parents..." her expression darkened and she sighed. "There are more important things in life than your parent's approval anyway..." she muttered and took a long drink.
He frowned. "You don't know my parents. I've always been a disappointment. How much 'research' did you do on me? Obviously not enough if you didn't know how close I was with Angelina. Our last fight was because I finally realized that I couldn't continue living my life the way they set it out for me - especially when even when I DID that I couldn't ever seem to earn their favor." He kicked at a stray hermit crab.
Aubrey snorted. "You? A dissapointment? MIster Olympic aspiration? My parents would have loved you." She went to refil her glass. "My parents couldn't give a rat's a** how well I did in school. Or that I wanted to be a doctor. Or change the word. No, no. Changling the wolrd was nothing compared to my brother's winning soccer game." She sneered at no one in particular.
Ambrose snorted. "My grades were NEVER good enough for them. No matter how well I did. It was always "when Dreu was in your grade, he made straight A's". Or "Dreu was in so many extracurricular activities..." He located a napkin and began to fidget with it. "They wanted me to go into medical school, to be something to 'be proud of.' But not quite as good as Dreu - who went to Harvard for Law School. Goign to be a rich and famuous lawyer. He played tennis which is apparently inherantly much better than fencing. Dreu was student body president, and ever so popular and well mannered. Nevermind that he was screwing the cheerleading team behind their backs." He snorted into his juice.
Aubrey poured a shot of tequila and offered it to Ambrose, then poured one for herself. "My parents only cared about sports. It didn't matter what. Like... thats all that mattered." She gave an ironic laugh. "You know had I had your parents and you had mine, neither of us would probably be nearly as ******** up."
Ambrose hesitated for a moment before taking the drink. Just one can't hurt.... He took it and knocked in back, with a few short coughs aferwards.
"Your parents actually valued sports? Even something as 'obsolete' as fencing? Dear lord, I would have LOVED to switch. Although I don't know how much you would have liked mine. All they cared about was image. Image image image. Apparently it didnt' matter how nasty you were on the inside, or how much of a b*****d you were under the surface as long as everyone else thought you were the perfect image of a gentleman. Of course, It wasn't until I was about 16 that I realized that."
"Oh yeah, sports. Any sport. They probably would have been deligted to have someone in their family be different and like fencing. I can hear them at them family barbeque now! Because that would have made you special and talented."
Ambrose frowned into his drink. "that would have been nice for a change. They hardly even said a word of congradulations when I won a match - even regional or state... But honestly, I don't think they would have cared even IF I played tennis, or was class president .... Dreu was THEIR son. I was their "other" son." He shook his head. "I tried so damn hard to make them proud of me. I know this probably sounds like whiny bullshit. But ... Most people dont' know how much it hurts to feel like your parents just don't care about you. I wore the shirts that would make me 'fit in'. I hung out with other 'acceptable' people. I didn't talk about the things that intersted me. And finally I started living life for ME. And thought maybe I could make them proud MY way. And it only got us into an argument... and me deciding to do things by myself. I thought maybe ... if I could make it on my own for a few years... graduate college... and... ideally, get into the Olympics... I could change their mind." He shook his head. "Even living independently for myself, I was still hoping to please them." He swirled around the few drops that had clung to the inside of the shot glass around, watching them leave a trail.
Aubrey collected the glasses as started to wash them. "I'm sure they are more proud of you than you might thing, Ambrose."
"At the very least, absence makes the heart grow fonder. It any good comes of this from their end, they will hopefully realize how damaging their actions were, and will remember you very fondly."
Ambrose smiled bitterly. "Yeah... well I guess I'll never find out for sure, huh?" With that he set down his glass and picked up his epee. All in all, certainly a miserable day.
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:36 pm
Ambrose and The Dude
Ambrose was meandering through the village after breakfast rather aimlessly. The days had really been seeming to bleed together. Every day it seemed like there was a new face on the Island, a new story. The duplexes were gradually filling, and there was no brighter news for the residents other than the staff were trying to be as accomodating as possible - aside from the whole unable to leave and turning into animals. It was surreal, seeing people you had known for a couple weeks slowly transforming, looking animalistic... and you yourself as well, the future hanging uncertainly ahead of you.
He sighed, sitting on the edge of a small planter that he didn't recall from before. He felt... listless. He wasn't doing anything - he wasn't working, he wasn't in classes, and he wasn't formally practicing fencing with the group. It's like he was there, but not completely. Sighing, he returned to his duplex and gathered up some of the fencing gear into a bag, and meandered over to the Dude's apartment, the closest friend he had made so far.
The Dude was just coming out of the cafeteria and saw Ambrose. He trotted over to say hi to his buddy, especially since yesterday he hadn't gotten much of a chance to talk to him.
"Yo, Ambrose. Why the long face?" the Dude stopped in front on his friend.
Ambrose looked up, startled out of his reverie. "Dude~" he chuckled. "Just the person I was on my way to see, actually."
He shrugged, rearranging the bag on his shoulder. "I... well, not much, just thinking I suppose. Although I suppose that isn't exactly the most healthy of pastimes around here. At least not for ones' nerves."
He indicated the bag he was carrying. "I, well, I was wondering if you might be interetsed in trying on a set of fencing gear for size. I miss having a variety of opponents."
The Dude, still in a philosophical mood after his conversation with Cassidy, asked: "Whatcha thinkin' about, Ambrose?"
But when Ambrose offered him to fence, he waved his flippers around: "No man, sorry. I don't think I can even hold that things properly ... and these feet are not the best to be prancing around in, ya know?"
Ambrose shrugged, surprised at the inquiry. "Just... pondering the concept of 'the rest of my life' I suppose... that and, quite frankly, still trying to get used to the idea of so many other people still appearing. I feel sorry for them... they all have their stories, you know? At least... at least some of them - like a girl I met named Colche... some of them might actually have a shot at a better life here, but not many."
He looked over the Dude's flippers and winced. He had probably just stuck his foot in his mouth by pointing out the dude's developing disablity. "Well... er... I suppose you could manage it if you wanted, but... well... you're probably right about at least having trouble maneuvering..." He scratched the back of his head. "I wonder if my changes are going to hamper my ability to fence.."
"Heh" - the Dude patted Ambrose on the shoulder. "I was just talking to Cassidy about something like that. She's scared her legs and arms will fall off, you know. Poor girl."
Ambrose swallowed. He hadn't even considered something like that. "Dear lord.... you don't think they will.... do you?" he ventured. "Is... is Cassidy doing alright? I honestly haven't seen her since the drinking thing the other night. But, I reccomended that Vasile speak with her - was hoping he might be able to help her feel.... well... more human to be honest."
He decided to veer conversation to something a little less depressing. "So... How DID you get that nickname, anyway?" He queried. "No one has ever really labeled me with anything like that" He smirked.
"I think I perked her up some, but Cass is a deep girl who likes to be by herself. I am not sure whether me giving her a pep talk really solved much. But she smiled." - the Dude shrugged.
"And my nickname? Well ... I think I got it back when I was hanging at a commune, after Maria died. Did lot's of acid, trying to fry my mind and forget all about her. Didn't want to be called by my real name and silly stuff like that. Well, it just kinda stuck after a while. It's strange for me to be called Sean now."
Ambrose nodded, listening. "Well, she's got friends here more than willing to listen if she wants to talk. I hope she knows that at least. I mean, if she wants to be alone and think, I can respect that. But sometimes that can be just as maddening as the process, in my opinion. People aren't meant to try to do everything alone."
Ambrose worded his response to the nickname carefully. He didn't want to stir too many unfortunate memories for him. "I can understand that..." He admittedly, honestly. He had been thruogh the Dude about different ways of coping with loss, and while he didn't agree with forgetting, he could understand the pain that he must have felt. "It seems fitting... but perhaps that's just because it's how I've grown to know you by. But I think there is obviously much more to you than just 'Dude'... if that makes sense" He waved it off.
"Amen, partner. You tell her that." - the Dude grinned. "And thanks. You make me blush" - he grinned even wider. Switching the topic, the Dude then said
"So it was you who hooked up Vasile with Cass, huh? Vasile seems to be quite ... taken."
Ambrose nodded. "I'll have to go track her down again. Not that it should be that difficult - being on an Island or anything. But I wasn't sure if she'd want some privacy or not."
And he shrugged with a bemused smile. "No problem. But yeah, when I met him a few days ago I suggested it... I tried to get the truth through his head, but he wouldn't have it. And to be honest I almost don't blame him. The story he was fed was honestly pretty watertight. But I thought, if he DOES think it's all prostetics, then he certainly wouldn't balk at her appearance - even though it's not that bad. And since he's a hollywood star - maybe he could help her feel pretty again. And really? I hadn't heard anything about how they were doing since he mentioned the other day that she had walked off."
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Honestly I felt a bit guilty about the Timothy thing - he seemed rather... irate about that" He winced.
"Oh please, Ambrose" - the Dude waved his flipper in the air. "Vasile can handle a few knocks on the nose. He's intolerable and snotty. And we'll have to live with him for the rest of our lives ..."
That perspectve cleary didn't appeal to the Dude.
"Well, I know... but on the same argument we do have to all put up with eachother for the 'rest of our lives'... no reason to make enemies. I mean, dear lord, could you imagine a practical joke war or something like that when we're all confined here? It could get frightening."
"If I were to fight a practical joke war with pretty boy, I'd win. No way that diva is beating me" - the Dude announced defensively.
"Oh... I'm sure you would" Ambrose protested. "But, not to say that it couldn't make things awkward to say the least."
He glanced around at the empty walkways around them. "So anyway, where were you off to when I caught you?"
"Oh, you know, the usual - diving" - the Dude shrugged not quite willing to get off the topic of Vasile
"I mean - fine, my cat scratched his dog, then his dog peed on my carpet. But this time all I asked for was to be nice to ... somebody. And what do I get - insult after insult. Pompous brat ..."
"Ah..." ambrose scuffed his foot about. "I didn't know he had been insulting to you. Honestly he's been rather cordial to me. I'm sorry to hear that."
He smirked. "Maybe he just needs a good liquored-up bonding expierence" Ambrose jested, poking the dude in the ribs. "Get him off his high horse and down with the rest of us 'mere mortals.' "
"Well, I've been insulting him back, so it's not like I'm innocent. And I think he's cool with you cuz you are all prim and clean cut and ... like him." - the Dude pouted then flailed his flippers "I'm ticklish, man! You think getting him drunk will help? Well, I can try. But I might beat him up next time he gets snotty. Especially if' I am drunk myself. And that woudl be bad ..."
Ambrose smirked, and defended himself agains the flailing flippers with a laugh.
He straightened at the 'prim' reference, running a hand through his hair. "Well... maybe... but I'm not THAT bad... Am I?" He stuck his tongue out.
"Anyway, maybe not smashed but at least loosen him up a little bit. And maybe if the company is good at the atmosphere is light enough it could be good. Maybe get him in a better mood - and not just you guys, maybe me, you, him, Cassidy, Greer... whoever else is interested." He shrugged.
"Hm, okey, that's a possibility." - the Dude nodded. "And you are not like Vasile, no worry. But maybe he thinks that, you know? Maybe we can play I never again" - he grinned at Ambrose. "See what all he has done before, have Greer turn red like a beet."
Ambrose smirked. "Well, I don't want to get drunk myself again... but we'll see. " He put his arms behind his head. "But I'm game. Hell, if you could be my point man. I don't want to... well... lose myself again like the other night. But it sounds like fun... I really was enjoying myself the other night until then."
"Oh, sure. You keep me from giving Vasile a black eye and I'll keep you from starting to growl at things." - he grinned and put his flippers ion the his pockets. "Well I'll be goign here, then. Good luck finding a sparring partner."
With that the Dude headed off for the beach.
Ambrose smiled. "Sounds like a deal. I'll ask around and see when would be a good time for people. Take care, and thanks! I'm sure I'll find someone willing to try something new" he ended with a tease, and waved, heading off as well.
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:52 pm
Greer Greer smiled, pointing her toes towards home. "Good, because any gelatin you can substitute with catfood and veggies sounds pretty suspect to me." She sighed, not wanting to talk about this but knowing she had to. She just didn't have info knowlegde about relationships not to do some research. "So... have you talked to the Dude in the last day or two?" Ambrose Ambrose snorted at the concept of the food. "Well, I'm sure that the crickets don't notice the difference at least." He commented as they walked back. He nodded. "Yes, actually - I spoke with him just yesterday. He seemed to be doing pretty well. Why?" He smiled. Greer Reaching her door, she pushed it open and ushered him inside. "When did you talk to him?" Ambrose Ambrose shrugged. "Well, not about much in specific.... Cassidy's worried about losing her limbs.. and about Vasile... and getting people together at the bar again soon." Greer Shutting the door behind them, she picked up her desk chair and nodded to the only other seat in the room. "Shall we take these out to the blacony? It takes a little doing to get them past the sliding door, but it's very nice." Ambrose Ambrose smiled, pickign up the other chair. "That sounds nice. The weather here admittedly can be rather pleasant when the humidity isn't that bad." He slid open the door and maneuvered the chair out onto the balcony. Greer "I think it's always lovely! You almost never see the sun in Seattle, what with all the clouds. It wasn't until I went to Umass that I realized it could be sunny and winter at the same time!" Ambrose Ambrose laughed. "True - though I doubt that we'll see any winter here. Not being so close to the equator. ... I never thought I'd say it but I think that I'll miss the snow." Greer Greer nodded, sitting down. "My first traying experience with my biology TA is something I'll always treasure." Turning the conversation back to an early topic, she looked nervously down at her feet. "So, when you talked to the Dude, did he happen to mention me at all?" Ambrose Ambrose through back through the brief conversation with his flippered friend. "Mention you...?" he pondered for another moment before shaking his head. "Not really... why?" Greer "Well..." She looked out at the view, wishing something out there would grant her the courage she lacked. "You remember when we were playing that I never game, and I didn't have to drink when Dude said 'I've never kissed a guy'?" Ambrose Ambrose nodded.... slower. The tail that had been wagging nearly continuously since the cafeteria began to slow as he began to visualize where this conversation was heading. why on Earth would that bother him,
though?? He had a girlfriend. Angelina. He WOULD see her again.... somehow.. "Yes... I remember." He finally spoke, leaning towards her in the chair, trying to read her. Greer She could feel the blush spreading up to her hairline, but she slogged onwards. Greer was determined to ask the help from her friend she so desperately needed. "...I would have to drink now." Ambrose Ambrose pursed his lips as her words confirmed his suspicions. "You.... and The Dude...?" He tried to make his voice sound happy. Dammit, he should be happy for her. She was sweet, she was cute - despite what she thought... And the Dude was pretty much his best friend here... .... and Greer was smart, she was funny... and she Fenced!.... The smile wavered, however much he tried to keep it up. I have a girlfriend. I WILL see her again... It's only been... a month. I'm not this weak."That's.... great!" The voice seemed strained. Greer She smiled at him, so incredibly grateful to have someone to talk to and completely oblivious to how miserable he sounded. "It is! And it isn't. And - oh Ambrose I can't do this!" She wailed, pulling off her glasses and covering her face with her hands. "I'm not this girl! I'm not pretty, I'm not social, and I don't know how to do this! I've never even had a crush, let alone... this!" Ambrose Ambrose's brow furrowed. "No - why not? I mean, you ARE pretty... really, Greer. Maybe you never ... I dunno... did your hair or wore fancy dresses, but you don't need to to be pretty. Did you ever see those riduculous movies about turning the social outcast into a prom queen? They made a ridiculous parody about it recently, too, but it made a good point. It shows how someone really gorgeous can be viewed as 'geeky' or unattractive just because they dress in a particular way. But... I mean.." he flustered, hoping that he wasn't insulting her more. "What I'm tryign to say is that you Are pretty... whether or not you realize it." He nodded. "And everyone deserves to be able to have someone. And you've never even had a crush? Dear lord, I mean, Greer - no offense, but it really is about time... it's part of life...." Greer She put her hands down on her lap, looking at her glasses to avoid looking at him. Shaking her head vehemently, she spoke softly to avoid breaking into tears. "If you love someone, and they die, they make a hole in your heart that never goes away. It safer being alone, and until I came here I never wanted not to be. I was happy not knowing what I was missing." Ambrose Ambrose looked down, his heart begining to ache. "We.... well... a lot of us have been through that, Greer.... I know the Dude's lost someone he loved.... I... well... no one I loved has died... but... I don't know if you know, but I have..." He paused, continuing the next bit in a whisper "maybe had now.. a girlfriend back home... I... I have honestly tried not to think about it too much... but... I don't know how I'll ever see her again." He pulled in a deep breath, forcing himself to look back at Greer instead of his hands. "It hurts... but - as cheasy as it sounds, even if I don't see her again, I am happy that I had her... I wouldn't give the memories for the world. " He avoided mentioning how badly the Dude wanted to drown the memories of Maria away in alcohol. "You can't live your life never taking the chance of getting close to someone..." He pulled in another breaht, hoping to find courage in it. "Because... well... it's not fair to you... or to someone else who might want to get closer to you." His face was reddenign again. Greer She shrugged, voice faraway as the memories washed over her. "It always worked for me. My dad died when I was fifteen, from cancer. After that I just... went away. Wasn't me anymore. I had friends before that, went to dances, hung out, giggled over boys... but then he was gone and it was like I'd died too." She could believe she was telling him this. She hadn't said these things to her own loving, understanding mother, and now she couldn't stop herself. What the hell? "Just worked harder to have something to do. Studied insects because they were interesting and didn't hurt. I took of fencing just to keep my mother from worrying about me so she'd stop trying to ask me about it all. I pushed my MOTHER away. How could I let anyone else in?" Ambrose Ambrose fiddled with the arm of the chair as he listened. "But... you don't regret the time you spent with your father, right? You still love him... and he's still very much a part of you even today. The people you're around... the people who love you and you love in return... they all contribute to who you are." "Studying insects is more than just an escape for you, isn't it Greer? I've seen you talk about them - how your eyes light up. You have a passion.... I mean... it may have started as somethign to occupy you and keep others away... but it really is something you love doing. And fencing... I have a hard time believing that you do it only to keep your mother satisfied...." He scratched his arm. "I mean... I fence... because I did hope that I could make my parents respect me... respect the things that I do... but also because I truly love it. I wanted to make them proud through something that I loved." Greer She nodded, pushing the memories away and finally turning to look at him. She didn't deserve to call him 'friend.' "Yes, I know, I love being an entomologist, which is very much my Dad's fault for encouraging me to collect bugs as a kid, and fencing has turned into something wonderful. I don't know, I just... just decided that life would be easier if I didn't try to do the social thing. My little implosion at fifteen scared everyone off anyway, and when I started coming out of it I figured I missed my opportunity. If it weren't for the fact I came here, I'd still think that. God I'm messed up!" Sighing, she smiled sadly. "I'm sorry to put all of this on you Ambrose, but you're the only one I trust." Ambrose Ambrose reached forward, boldly taking her hand. He was honestly flattered by her final sentence. "I don't think it's too late.... Hell, I mean, I was a 'late bloomer' myself... although admittedly not as late as some comparitively." He smiled. "It's never too late to find love, or happiness... or even yourself. I lived in my brother's shadow until I was about seventeen. I acted the way he did, wore the same kinds of clothing, even hung out with the same type of people. I was too scared to live for me. But... you can turn that around. If you don't feel like you're happy living the way you have been." He chuckled. "I mean some people don't realize till halfway through their lives that they aren't doing what it is they want to be doing. You shouldn't hesitate to take what you want from life just because you haven't done it yet. No one would ever get anything done then!" Greer Greer gave a choking laugh. "Well I've certainly begun change, whether I want to or not. I think this bird venom is making more casual and open than I used to be, which is not a bad thing." She wqueezed his hand happily. "I'm sorry, really, I was just going to ask dating questions so I made sure I didn't missinterpret stuff. I didn't mean to um, gush like that. I don't usually. Stupid bird." Ambrose Ambrose nodded, still holding her hand. "I... I Know what you mean... honestly I have felt... different. Though usually it's nothing I can place my finger on - and that makes it even more unsettling. There are things that I'm not sure whether or not they're just emotions that I've been suppressing... or if they're new... Or even if I'm expecting to be different and so I feel different - a placebo effect. It... it's kind of frightening, though. I don't want this to change who I Am... inside. But it's hard when you don't even know what's the serum.. and what is just being stuck on a tropical Island, away from home and anything familiar, and the normal reactions to that." Greer Greer smiled at him. He was really cute when he over-analyzed things. " 'Normal reactions'? Do you suppose this comes up in psych classes a lot?" Ambrose Ambrose shrugged, blushing. "Well, I guess the Psych class I took last semester is worming its way out, huh?" Greer Greer laughed, rolling her eyes. "I took human anatomy for that Gen. Ed. credit... ended up being a highly amusing semester long sex ed course." Ambrose Ambrose laughed. "I think they tried to recruit as many freshman as they could into the intro to psych course. There are a lot of open sections, and freshmen kind of get the bottom of the barrrel as far as order of selection. But it wasn't bad.... kind of interesting, actually." He shrugged. "Anyway.... I guess what I'm trying to say... is what I did was I sat and thought about the things that are important to me... what I don't want to lose about myself... I mean, if you don't know Who you are, how are you supposed to stop yourself from losing that?" Greer He was all cute and earnest-looking. And young. Very young. Even though she knew for a fact she was behind him in the whole relationship arena, looking at her friend sit there and philosophize suddenly made her feel ancient. "I have to admit, I've never been a soul searcher. Deep thinking has always been either too painful or time consuming for my tastes." Ambrose Ambrose shrugged self-cosciously. "Well... to be honest, growing up and acting like someone I wasn't for a long time .... well... when I did eventually realize this it did involve a lot of soul-searching... building on a lot of years of repressing what I really felt about things." He shook his head. "I hated leading this... double life... acting one way and feeling another. Never thinking that the things that I liked to do were good enough, or acceptable. Then I realized how much of a hypocrite I was being when I found out that my brother was doing the same thing... just better at it. And the things that he did when no one was looking was really sleezy." He frowned, looking down at their hands. Greer Greer smiled. He was getting cuter by the second. "I'm sure you never did. Ambrose and sleazy are two words that will never belong in the same sentence without the accompanyment of 'not'." Ambrose Greer smiled. He was getting cuter by the second. "I'm sure you never did. Ambrose and sleazy are two words that will never belong in the same sentence without the accompanyment of 'not'." Greer Greer smiled. He was getting cuter by the second. "I'm sure you never did. Ambrose and sleazy are two words that will never belong in the same sentence without the accompanyment of 'not'." Ambrose Ambrose's blush intensified. "Well... no... not exactly..." He verbally stumbled. "But... well... it made me kinda realize that what I was trying to do wasn't exactly realistic... it was a very enlightening moment..." Greer Reaching forward, she put a finger under his chin and left his face to look at her. "And I, for one, am very glad you did." Ambrose Ambrose blinked, swallowing, and slowly a smile emerged on his face. "I... well, I am too..." He was about to finish with if I hadn't, though, I probably wouldn't be here... But... for some reason, looking into her eyes like that at that precise moment, being here in that chair didn't seem all that horrible. Greer Greer had a sudden urge to kiss him, which squashed quickly, horrified with herself. If she had picked up anything about relationships, it was that most people only had one at a time. Hastily taking her hand off of his face, she smiled warmly to cover up her mental argument. "So... do you think I could ask you those questions I was planning on?" Ambrose The moment was broken as if cold water had been thrown on the potential couple, and Ambrose sat back, his hand goign to the furry spot on the back of his neck as he looked away. He felt his heart travel down to have a conversation with his stomach, and again mentally kicked himself. He shouldn't be feeling like this. He should be
happy for them. "Ah... sure, Greer." He looked back to her. "Ask away." Greer "Um, well... how do you know the diffence between like, love and lust?" Too embarrassed by her own thoughts, she completly missed his reaction. Ambrose Ambrose blinked, and sat back, rubbing his head. She certainly was direct. "Well..." he drew out, thinking back. "I guess you have to ask yourself... if the person you're around makes you happy... makes you smile just being with them. And would it matter to you what they looked like? Can you be happy being around them without doing anything physical?" Greer She nodded, mentally taking notes. "Which one is that? Like? Love?" Ambrose "Wellll..." Ambrose drew it out. "It's hard to tell sometimes. If you just like someone, it can be like that.... but if you really love someone... you can feel miserable without them... but also, knowing that you love them can make you happy even if you're currently sad?" He winced. "I'm sure that doesn't make any sort of sense." He gestured, sitting back. Greer She grinned and grabbed his hand again, giving it a friendly squeeze. It was entirely possible she'd been a touch dependent person who'd denied it for years. Or it was the bird DNA acting up again. "That's okay, I'm asking tough questions. Thanks for trying to answer them. This more than earns you another epee match, sabre or no." Ambrose Ambrose smiled, whether it was at the contact or the promise of an epee match, he didn't dare try to disentangle them. His nub began to wiggle again. "Sounds like a deal. And I'll do my best. But just because I've had a relationship doesn't automatically make me an expert" he winked. Greer She scoffed. "You know more than I, which isn't hard. God, how did I get myself into this?" Greer shook her head ruefully and commandeered Ambrose's other hand too. "I mean, if I ever thought I was going to start kissing anyone here I would have assumed it would be you, even if you are kind of young and girlfriended. You just make more sense. Not that I don't like... Sean... I do, clearly, he's just, we're not, we're just so different."Ambrose Ambrose felt his heart quicken as she spoke, only to bomb again as she ended with Sean. "Well... always glad to help." He proferred with a smile, squeezing her hands back. "And... well... I mean..." he babbled "No one can tell you what is right. Love doesn't always make sense. I mean... I never would have guessed ahead of time that Angelina and I..." That's right, Ambrose. ANGELINA. Not Greer. Don't give up. . . . But... what if I never see her
again? I want her to be happy, and I love her... but how long should I wait? On hope that is formed of something no
more substantial than gossamer. You've argued with Aubrey and the Doctor and there is no way off of this rock.
Especially no way off this rock and still be a man. And even if I were to escape somehow as a wolfman... that might be
years from now... years in which she will have probably assumed me dead and burried me in her heart...
But it has only been a bit over a month..... but... He shook his head, his thoughts turning over and over on themselves.
Finally, he focused on his half-finished sentence.
"Well... we were very different ourselves. Though she helped me figure out that inside, I wasn't that different at all."
Greer Her heart went out to him, as it did everytime the subject of Angelina came up. This had to be tearing him to pieces. "This is going to sound stupid, but if there's anything I can do to make things better... I'm so sorry Ambrose." Ambrose Ambrose gave her a smile. "I... that means a lot to me, Greer.... I just... I just wish I knew what to do about it." He held her hands tightly, as if holding onto them for support. "As much advice as I can give.... I feel so lost in this. It... I mean, it's been over a month now - which isn't long in the scheme of things... and I feel I can't give up... but on the same note - what am I supposed to do? Just wish and pray that things will magically work out? I've explored the possibilities here - and every one of them ends with a dead end. If I leave prematurely - even if we somehow escaped - we probably get cancer and die. This whole experimentation process might take years, by which time she'll more than likely have moved on - besides which , I don't know how human I'd be anymore at all. But... I did... I DO love her... but... I don't want to just crawl up into my room and lament not having her.... I can't just live my life for a memory. I dont' want to forget her - and I feel like such a b*****d if I did want to move on... but when? I mean... Arg!" He looked to her, frustration and other emotions evident. "I... I don't know what to do. The fact that she's still alive... and out there... it makes it so much harder..." Greer She nodded, not about to attempt to weigh in on the subject of whether having your loved one dead or alive where you couldn't reach them was the worse. "You know that saying, 'It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all'? I think it's really evil that that's true. It'd be a lot easier if it weren't." Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "I have to agree.... I don't regret for a moment what we had.... but it sure can complicate things... as I know you know." He sighed with a smile. "But... what do you suggest, Greer..? Am I... am I being unrealisic thiniking that there's a chance that 'love will prevail?' Does it matter? Will I end up making myself more miserable if I long after something I can never have again?" Greer "Well..." she sighed. She was not the one with such answers. "Maybe you should take your own advice and not let past pain get in the way of future happiness? Don't forget her, but don't let her memory get in the way of possibilities. I mean, you never know, Sean and I might not work out." She grinned impishly, "And after I crushed his heart into dust you'd need to teach him how to love again. On a random note, was it weird that calling the Dude Sean seemed wrong? Huh. Anyway. Ambrose Ambrose smiled, nodding slowly. "You... you are right." He ran a finger over the feathers on her hands. They felt soft... "Roll with the punches and that, right..?" It sounded a bit hollow.... but it was true... he was just having a difficult time getting over the feeling that thinking of anyone else was cheating... because it kind of was, wasn't it? He smirked. "True... so... I mean... does that mean that you and Sean.. er... The Dude... well, is going to happen then...?" He ventured, his eyes going down to join his hands at analyzing her feathers, zipping and unzipping the microscopic teeth that kept the fibres together. Greer She giggled, finding the sensation rather ticklish. "Ooo, that feels neat! And as for me and him, god, who knows? We've kissed, like, twice or something. Unlike some girls I knew, this does not cause me to start picking out a wedding dress." Ambrose He smiled up at her, glad that his fidgeting with her feathers had earned him a smile and a giggle rather than something more uncomfortable. Then he blinked. "You and he... kissed already?" The chance seemed to be flitting off like the golden ball in those Harry Potter books. Then he made himself listen to the converstaion. "Well... you probably don't even want to know the proportion of casual interests or dates that actually wind up in something as serious as marriage". He said, wondering which of them that was supposed to be encouraging. Greer She nodded. "Yup, hence the whole reference to that drinking game we played earlier." She watched him, brow furrowed. "Are you okay?" Ambrose Ambrose nodded, mentally slapping his forehead. "I.. I knew that, really" He winced. He did know that. "And I'mfine!" He put on a smile again. Greer She smiled at him. "Liar. You're thinking about something deep and dark and depressing." Ambrose Ambrose tried to play innocent. "What, me worry?" He responded, unable to resist the quote. Greer Greer snorted, giving a look that made it plain she was not going to be fooled by him. "Out with it. If you don't, I"ll give you...uh, cooties!" Ambrose Ambrose looked up to her, and despite his nervousness, his face cracked open in a smile. "I just... well... I... I think that it's wonderful that at the very least you and I seem to have some things in common. I... well... I like being able to talk to you about things on our minds..." He gestured. "It's great to know someone else who's so passionate about the things that you are... you don't seem to let other things drag you down... but still... there's more to you that a lot of the people I've known." He whet his lips, taking a breath, and putting on a smile. "I guess... well, the Dude's a lucky guy." He eventually spat out. Greer He was trying to tell her something, but for the life of her she didn't know what it was. Maybe if she'd been good with empathy, or sympathy, or hell, just plain understanding other human beings she would have gotten it, but no. Instead she fell back on her old tried and true method of trying to cheer someone up through jokes or gestures of kindness, and since the joke hadn't worked... Leaning forwards, she gave her friend a kiss on the cheek. Her mind snorted and said it hadn't meant THAT kind of kiss. "Thank you Ambrose." Ambrose Ambrose breathed out, smiling bashfully to her. It had taken enough out of him to say what he just said, and he still wasn't quite comfortable with pushing his way forward... and she was obviously intersted in his best friend... maybe it was for the best that she didn't seem to have pieced together what he was trying to say. So... Ambrose did what years of training had taught him to do. He took those emotions, wrapped them up, and bottled them down. He patted her hand. "It... well... it's true. You're a wonderful friend, Greer." He said, a bit of disappointemnet slipping into his voice. Greer Greer grinned, hearing the disappointment and still having no idea where it was coming from. She seriously needed a class or a reading list or SOMETHING...sheesh! In yet another attempt to cheer him up, she released his hands and wrapped him in a warm hug. "You are too Ambrose! And whatever is wrong that you won't really tell me about, I promise we'll make it better." Ambrose The emotion that he had stuffed down in that mysterious pit in his chest burbled in frustration. As much as he appreaciated Greer noticing his discomfort and trying to help, what she was doign currently was certainly not helping. He reached up and gave her a tight hug, holding her like that for a moment, breathing in her scent. "Thanks, Greer." He muffled into her shoulder. "And... I'm sure things will work out. Don't... don't worry about it. I'm happy for you two. At least some people are finding happiness on this godforsaken rock." He gave her a final squeeze before he let her go, sitting back against the backboard of the chair. Greer Greer leaned back too, resolving to ferret out her friend's hurt and make it either disappear or ease it somehow. Her mind suggested some 'easing his pain' ideas but she carefully ignored them. "As odd as it may sound, this island is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It's letting me live again. Creepy huh?" Ambrose Ambrose shook his head. "No - actually, I don't find it creepy at all... I mean, I'm glad some people are making the best of it. I hope that everyone can.... although even if they did I still don't think what the doctor's doign is right..... I just... well... I should have been more honest on that damn survey form for the medical study. I've been so goal-driven my entire life that I don't know what to do when I'm not on a schedule and aren't working towards something..." He shrugged. Greer She laughed. They really were too perfect. Why wasn't she in his nicely sculpted arms again? "You and me both. Look at me - I've gotten a TAN since I've been here. I didn't go outside enough to darken like this before, Seattle weather or no." Ambrose Ambrose laughed. "I've been going out a lot more than I used to as well... I just feel... I guess like I'm wasting my time. But, ironically, there isn't exactly much else I'm distracting myself from. Maybe I'll go explore the jungles sometime soon; I admit I'm curious about that." He shook his head. "I'm still training with the epee by myself on the beach sometimes. I enjoy it, and it is a great stress relief... but in the back of my mind I'm still training for the Olympics..." He frowned. "Even if it's not true... it's like I have to be working towards something." "Do you think it's possible... that somehow, someday, I might be able to?" Greer "A wolfman at the Olympics?" She made a show of thinking, and then nodded vigorously. "As long as you don't use steroids, sure!" Ambrose Ambrose shrugged sheepishly. "Well... it's technically not against the rules.." He winced. "But... well, I think I'd have a whole nother can of worms there. But then again, isn't Lance Armstrong like some sort of genetic abberation? I've heard his resting heart rate is something like... 25 beats per minute, and has some weird sort of physiology in his legs." Greer She shrugged. "I have no idea, but considering how long it took them to make women's sabre an olympic event it's the least they can do." She grinned, patting his hand. "I'll vouch for you if it helps." Ambrose He smiled and placed his other hand on top of hers. "Thanks. Maybe having an enthusiastic birdwoman would help my cause" He replied. Making light of it did seem to help... Greer "An enthusiastic, carnivorus, birdwoman. I'd be very scary." She laughed, trying to imagine herself intimidating anyone. Ambrose Ambros laughed as well. "What... do you think we'll look like? I mean, they've all been very vague. I don't even think that they know for certain." Greer "I'd ask Hargun, since she's the artist she'd be better at imagining asthetics. But if I had to hazzard a guess, I'd say big, bi-pedal animals would be the best outcome. Honestly, it's the in between stages that worry me." she closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue, making a face. She really didn't want to see herself again until she got to the end. Ambrose Ambrose nodded. "That would be interesting to see... But I guess none of us will really know until the end... however far off that may be" He shrugged. "At least the inbetween stages don't seem to have been that bad so far... maybe it will be a mostly smooth transition? Though I feel sorry for people like Cassidy... I mean... unless she changes in big spurts, I know she's worried about losing limbs... and I don't know what halfway-through losing legs would be like.." Greer "Okay, we need to stop talking about this." Greer shivered. "Makes me wonder if I'll grow a beak, which completely weirds me out. Ambrose Ambrose winced and cringed as he realized he had stuck his foot in his mouth. "Oh man, Greer- I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Greer She stuck out her tongue again and laughed. "It's okay, it's just, ew! The only thing that's ever given me a viceral ick responce is the idea of things moving around under my skin, so this is doing it for me." Ambrose Ambrose's hand subconsciously went to his arm, shuddering at that thought as well. "Understood." He stretched, looking out over the patio as the sun was setting over the trees. "Well.... I should probably let you be... I'll meet you at the bar tomorrow afternoon..?" Greer "Of course! I wouldn't miss it." Greer stood and saw him out, leaving the chairs for later. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she turned him to face her before he left. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" Ambrose Ambrose stood as well, looking at her eye to eye as he became painfully aware of what it was that he was keeping quiet. He could tell her anything, yes, anything but what he was feeling. The feeling that would get between his two best friends here, and made him feel disloyal to Angelina. "I know" he said, tryign to make it sound as sincere as he possibly could. "I think I'm going to go for a walk.... or practice some footwork." He gave her another hug. "Glad we could talk, Greer. Honestly. I don't know what I'd do here without friends like you and the Dude." Greer She hugged him back, having gotten rather attached to that action since she'd relearned it recently. How had she gone so long without human contact? "I know how you feel. If it weren't for you two, I'd have gone insane weeks ago." Ambrose He chuckled. "Me too. I think I was alone here for the first few days before I even knew anything was wrong, and I was going stir-crazy." He smiled. "Good luck, Greer - and if you ever need to talk about anything at all, I'm here." Greer She smiled and gave him another kiss. "You too bub, and stop being such a stranger!" Ambrose He smiled softly, and if she didn't know any better, by now she might think that red was the natural color of his cheeks. "You too, Greer. I'm pretty easy to find." With that, before he moved to the door, he gave her a quick peck back on her cheek, and then stole off quickly through the sliding door.
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