Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ian nodded "I'm glad as well." His stomach growled, reminding him of his sporadic eating habits over the past week. He plucked a leaf from a nearby bush and began to chew on it slowly, staring at the dirt caked in his fur. "I really ought to get home and shower," he muttered not noticing that he had referred to the duplex as his home.

Ian shrugged. "I can walk you to the cafeteria for your lunch. I can eat grass, since my priority is showering before going anywhere where I can potentially meet someone." He didn't like to admit it, but he was a tad vain and didn't want to be seen as dirty as he was. He smiled wearily. "Shall we go?"

New RP!

Ambrose wandered out of his duplex the next morning, hands in his pockets and his mind deep in thought. He was dressed in just a short-sleeved shirt and shorts today - realizing quickly that long pants over fur was both itchy as well as sweltering. Despite efforts to mingle with the other Islanders since his transformation, Hargun's reaction had made him more anxious than he would have cared to admit. He had assumed that he would be in safe territory with anyone who had changed, epecially those who had already received their third injection, but he was been incorrect- and this made him question his assumption that at the very least, if he was turning into a freak and jailed on this Island, that at least the company he shared either sympathized or would come to do so once they learned that they were all in the same boat.

Looking around outside his duplex, Ambrose was about to head to his usual thinking spot on the beach, but, having left his fencing gear in the duplex (he honestly wan't in the mood - his muscles were still exceedingly sore and the heat of the Island had compounded since he grew a fur coat) - he turned instead to the leafy fortress that was the jungle. Remembering his last foray into the 'wild' and how he had mentioned that with his romantic notions of adventure that he should spend more time there (and a subtle whispering curiousity that came along with his new genes to the cooler woods) Ambrose turned and picked his way through a small path that led into the trees.

THe first thing he noticed was the smells - it was amazing! It was like he was seeing a world before him that had always been there but he had never noticed. Ambrose gaped in wonder as he could smell where animals had been, the scents of various types of plants. While he was certainly unpracticed in identifying what the scents belonged to - some scents conjured images... or feelings to him - some curiousity, some hunger....

And the sounds - the medly of birdcalls and insects, rustling in the underbrush. Before Ambrose really realized it, he was padding through the woods, awestruck as he let himself be led by the wonders of the natural world that had always been there.

As Ambrose wandered through the jungle, listening to the oddly soothing cacophony of songs of the jungle, a new sound reached his ears - something not of the jungle, but of a human voice. His ears swiveled towards the noise before his head did, bringing images of the shy girl Colche to his mind, as well as the gentle instruction that he had given her a few nights ago with the karaoke machine.

Turning back towards the way he came, Ambrose quietly headed towards the singing. As much as he appreaciated the time to explore and think... and as hesitant as Hargun's reaction had made him with seeing the islanders since his change, he couldn't deny his fondness for company - and from what he knew of Colche, while her reaction might very well be strange, it would not likely be one of fear.

His footsteps in the soft earth were much quieter than on tile where his claws clicked against the smooth, man-made surface, and he moved with an inherant grace - his athlete's training and practice melding smoothly with the precision and inborn dexterity of a wild predator, and while his mind was elsewhere, his steps over the brambles and through the underbrush were no where near as awkward a his last foray into the jungle

He emerged through a clump of bushes to see the young woman strolling down the path which, Ambrose realized with a surprise, he must have wandered off of without realizing. He smiled to her, his tail wagging instinctively.

Ambrose's eyes sofened even more as Colche looked on him without a shred of fear, his tail wagging more confidently. "That's right" He whispered, touched with her reaction. "It's me, Ambrose." He stepped closer to her as she approached him, grateful for meeting her here and her strange mix of curiousity, trust, and wonder at his change.

He leaned into her touch on his fuzzy ears - it felt surprisingly nice, then he gaped in surprise at her declaration. Pretty Puppy? He was amazed that Colche drew the connection between his appearance and a canine - he didn't know she ha learned that, but then again - she seemed to be learning in leaps and bounds since she came here - and he was very glad to see it. He wanted to see her happy here - see the Island do someone some good at the very least - and he felt protective of her childlike nature. He gave a rueful smile, that would probably be lost on her. "Been talking to Greer?" He teased. "She's taken to calling me 'pup' as well.." he said with a small shake of his head. "But that's alright... I would much rather you see me as something like a puppy... friendly... than some sort of monster like I fear others might." He put a fuzzy padded hand on her shoulder with a proud smile that contained a small hint of sadness - acceptance of his condition was no easy fact. "But you think I'm still pretty...?" he was touched...

He smiled as she asked him to go with her through the woods. "I would love to explore with you, Colche." Then, to phrase it differently. "Yes - Ambrose explore with Colche. The Jungle." He gestured to the trees around them "can be pretty." he finished.

Ambrose smiled at her compliment, but felt somewhat uncomfortable still with the presence of such an animalistic feature. However, that didn't stop them from lowering in gratitude at her words. "Thanks, Colche. I'm glad you like my ears." At least someone did.

"Yes!" He grinned to her, taking her hand with a conspiratory squeeze as he gestured with his other hand to the mysterious jungle. "Let's go see what's out there, yes?" He smiled to her as he gently began to lead her down to the path. Once again, he looked around the trees around them, his ears pricking as he lifted his nose to the wind. "This really is amazing.." He confided to her as they started walking. "I mean... as much as I don't like what's happening to me... this is fascinating..." He spoke to her, enjoying the company.

He smiled encouraging as she slowly pronounced the word. "That's right! Fascinating" He pointed around the woods, wondering if he could explain the word any better. "Something you want to know more about?" He smiled apologetically with a smile. Fencing was easy to teach for him - something he had the vocaulary to deal with, that he recalled very clearly both being taught as well as had assisted the instructor many times with instructing new members of the fencing club. He hoped that maybe that patience and desire to see people around her learn would bleed over into other venues.

He stopped, however, at Colche's second phrase and turned to her, swallowing a bit as he felt his eyes misting. "R.... really, Colche?" He was taken aback with the strength of her sentiment - knowing that she knew exactly what she was saying. She knew things were happening to them - she cared about him... and Ambrose's respect for the young woman grew in leaps and bounds - this statement confirmed that she really was bright... just had been denied opportunities that the rest of them had - as Aubrey had explained to him. And beyond that.... her kindness. "Colche... that means.... so much to me." He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her in a hug. "Thank you." His tail wagged enthusiastically.