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Hargun walked out of the duplex, taking a deep breath. Just as she had faded from socializing as odd as it seemed to her, she had to be woken to finding another one of her friends changing. It was pretty painful for her to bare.

"So.. I had no idea you and Chubbs were.." she began and looked to her scaley friend. She mustve been turning into a lizard of some sort by the looks of it.

"Yea." she said blushing a bit. Another one to add to the list.. that seemed to be growing.

"I used to love reptiles when I was little but I forgot.. the tounge senses.. what now?" she asked and watched Joliette flick it in and out. She didnt mean to ask but she had absolutely NO idea of what else to talk about after all tha trama to her.

"I mean.. if you dont mind me asking.."

Joliette turned her head to look at her friend "Uhm I dont know but it seems 'smell' I am picking up smells of the island I don't recognize" she admitted she wrapped her arms around her torso trying not to catch her Gi with her claws "I don't know, reptile of some kind, only clues I have are what I can see... and feel" she moves one hand rubbing a hte nub in her backside gingerly before crossig hte threshold of hte town hall

Jamal had spent most of the day in the cafeteria for some reason...either he was hella hungry or he was just really bored. Today he was decked out in basketball shorts and a baggy tee, and unlike the two approaching girls, hadn't yet sprouted a single claw or rouge hair to date.

For now, he was hunched over a bowl of cereal and was shoveling it into his mouth while thumbing through a sports magazine about boxing. All the work he'd done with Chubbs had got him actually interested enough to look up information about the sport.

Hargun turned around at Ambrose's voice, happy to know someone else was there besides her to confort Joliette. Especially since it was Ambrose who seemed to be the one gone through the most pain over any other islander.

"Hey Ambrose.." she said and looked at Joliette sympathetically.

She hadnt yet noticed Jamal.

Jamal hardly glanced up as the group came in. The voices were familiar enough...

He lifted a hand and gave a lazy, sloppy wave without lifting his eyes from the magazine that was boldly emblazened with something about heavy weight boxing and their training equipment of choice. The black man hardly cared if they saw him or not...he'd probably get up eventually and go be social.

Hargun looked over, now noticing Jamal after Ambrose mentioned him.

"Oh hey there Jamal. Sorry I didnt.. uh.. notice you there." she said and turned to Joliette. "Yea.. you do need to eat something.. its not just your changes, but you look rather hungry.." she said, wanting to have to avoid looking at her poor friend. Those changes could break your heart.. definately since she knew this would change Joliette's whole lifestyle almost.

Hargun walked over to the food bar quickly though, needing to get something in her tummy as well.

Jamal swore as a splash of milk escaped his heavy-handed spoon handling and splattered all over the page much to his utter annoyance. Dammit...well, maybe he could put it back in the 'library' and no one would be the wiser to his clumsiness. He was finished with it anyway.

He lifted the magazine up into the air and gave it a few strong shakes, sending the milk on it all over the floor and on the surface of the table, then closed it up proper and flung it back onto the table on TOP of the splattered milk.

The clicking of nails on the floor brought his attention to the group that had just entered. At first he thought that it was Ambrose coming along, but instead he was greeted with a green-patched Joliette who looked distinctly ill. At first he squinted and stared...were those SCALES among her freckles or was Sabin back to his tormenting? His eyes widened when he confirmed his first guess and couldn't stop himself from looking slightly taken aback.

Hargun gathered up a plate of shrimp and some bread.. a little bit of the salad ham as well that she always loved eating at buffets. She hadnt yet lost ALL her taste for other foods, but still preffered bugs over all.

She came and sat back down next to Ambrose, sighing.

She was silent for a while, unable to think of anything wity or cheerful to say like she usually did. It was turning out to be a depressing morning.

Jamal passed a look of slight panic to Ambrose, wondering how everyone was being so calm about all of this. It wasn't so bad for him seeing already transformed people having an advancement, but to see a completely normal person now looking like...one of them...

"Yo, Ambrose," he managed to say without much waver to his voice, trying to push off his uneasiness with a stout shrug of the shoulder and placement of his arms on the table. However, for once, he felt distinctly out of place among the changed islanders...he was the only NON-changed person here...and for that fact, Joli had been here a lot less time than he had and she was already sprouting scales. Now, either someone was playing games with him or something had to be up.

He held his tongue as the question of "what up" lingered there. Pretty damn obvious what was up, wasn't it? However, Joli's mention of Chubbs being changed made him squinch his face up and he swore under his breath. ******** to ruin a perfectly good thing with his boxing teachings. God dammit, how inconvenient.

"Well s**t." He didn't know what else to say.

Hargun took a bite of her shrimp then shot a glance at Ambrose rather suprised at him. "Shes got claws... and sharp teeth." she whispered to him. Finding the two both close to each other rather frightened looking really slaughtered her mood for the day. She tried her best not to sound bitchy though.

"I was shocked to have found them BOTH changed at Chubb's duplex." she started and looked at Jamal. Now that she ran it over again, he said hed been at the island for a VERY long time when she talked to him in the entertainment room. WHY in the world had he not shown ANY signs of changing?

She also had no idea about Anjali, so she couldnt use that as an exscuse.

What did Moreau possibly have against him, if thats what it was, that would keep him waiting so long.. so dangerously and antagonizingly long to change?

Jamal gave both Hargun and Ambrose a very hawk-eyed glance, noting that they each look at him in turn in a way that gave him the impression they were wondering something about him or they were checking him out for some reason. Eww.

"Sounds like a lizard, if ya askin' me," he said in hopes of not looking as weirded out as he felt. "Ain't that s**t similar ta Amaya?"

Hargun nodded remembering Amaya's scaley ness. Joliette had yet to show any signs of a specific lizard though and it would take a while to figure it out most likely.

Hargun poked around at her food, but ate most of it after a while. She was still pretty tired, and Joliette and Chubbs had woke her up at a bad time. She yawned and looked at everyone at the table.

"Guys I dont want to sound rude, but I outta bail soon. I was still sleeping when I heard Joliette and Chubbs and Im still pretty tired." she managed to say.

"Oh," Jamal said lamely as each added their two cents in on his guess but shrugged. "Well, whatever. Yous prolly gonna figger it out soon 'nough anyways."

Ambrose's reassuring speech made him feel better...so he wasn't the only person to think that maybe his serum failed! Okay, well then maybe the chance that this was the case wasn't so far-fetched. It was enough to make him smile smugly and tap the table with his nice, human fingers. So what would they do to him if the serum failed to take? Let him go home? Or just wander around the island? Either was a decent option...except the whole going home thing again put him at risk for being picked up by the police.

"Yeah, I'd be so ********' sad if dat b*****d's plan ain't gonna work fo' me," remarked the black man snidely. "Ain't da first time I be puttin' up trouble fo' some crazy ********' b*****d...ain't gonna be da last."

Hargun smiled at everyone and waved, yawning then turning to the door.

"Bye guys.. hope things cheer up.. or at least get a bit better." she said, and waved a hand lazily before slumping out of the cafeteria and back to her duplex.

Ambrose's jab was well landed to judge by how Jamal's eyes narrowed immediately and glittered in an almost feral way, not at all in a manner that would appear to be jokingly. Arms drew against his chest in a firm crossed position as his jaw tensed, then he dropped his arms to grip the edge of the table.

"Yeah or maybe I jus' lucky and ain't gonna be screwed like da rest o' yous," he said acidly, kicking his chair away from the table and standing, his temper obviously flaring and getting the better of him. They were NOT going to ruin his hopes that he was going to escape this whole mess.

"It ain't ma fault you is how you is and it ain't my fault I be how I be. s**t, I'm ********' due fo' a goddamn lucky break."

"You ain't got no ********' idea," Jamal snarled, a finger flying out to point accusingly at Ambrose. "I never ********' said any of yous deserved ta get what you be gettin', but goddammit fo' once maybe I jus' got da best end of the deal 'n it jus' be happenin' herr?"

The pointing hand moved now to tug at the hem of his shirt, lifting it up over one pec and shoulder while the other hand jabbed now at little circular scars that marked thricely on his abdomen and one near the socket of his shoulder...remains of his lackluster bullet-dodging career. "You ain't never been shot at, I ********' bet, let alone been HIT...run from the cops eitha, Ambrose? Jus' cause yous a black ********? No, you ain't. So maybe yous best forgive ME fo' lookin' fo a reason to get one ova' on dat b*****d."

"Can't 'spect yous to anyway. s**t. Yous just like them people," he said, dropping his shirt down so it settled back into a baggy drape across his form. "You ain't got no ********' idea." His tone was almost condescending now but the anger on his face was still very apparent. He highly disliked the fact that they could "smell his fear" as it were. One couldn't even HIDE such an emotion anyone with these people around.

"And scared? ********. I be ********' past that bullshit," he said, which was true. He wasn't scared anymore, just...apprehensive and uneasy, which was pretty much a very close cousin, but not the same in his views. He knew what was possibly coming, it was just a matter of when and if.

However, he figured his welcome was wore out at this point and honestly he wanted nothing to do with Ambrose right then, or Joliette or Chubbs by proxy of being one of 'them' now. He had no one to confide in anymore and that felt like betrayal even if they couldn't control it. Even Awen was changed at this point...were there NO complete humans left? He snorted harshly and shoved away from his chair, stalking to the food bar to grab a handful of snack-sized chip bags with every intention of leaving.

"Maybe I jus' wanna ********' know if I'm gonna change or not. To know if they ********' screwed up so I ain't gonna have to go to bed tonight wond'rin' if Imma wake up ta'morrow wit' fur or scales or ********," he bellowed, whirling away from the food, his face taut with anger that just sort of manifested itself in him out of nowhere. "You weren't herr way longa' then some people and they be changin' and you just get ta sit and guess how long it gonna be. Yeah, dat's a real good game...yeah, yous mighta been herr when no one else knew what was goin' down, but you jus' had the doc's word to go off n' there weren't no walkin' examples 'round ta go against."

A hand beat his chest sharply with a loud thump as though emphasizing his presence there.

"Ev'ryone be tellin' me I been herr so long and ain't done jack s**t...you think that's a'ight? You think dat makes me feel good so I get ta walk in limbo?"

The black man drew a sharp breath and an oddly relaxed expression took over his face, yet his mouth curled and eyes glittered with a look of irony and acceptance.

"But s**t, dat's a'ight. Yous don't believe in fate...yous been spoonfed all yer life...yous one of them high 'n mighty white folk who kin afford ta pay da bills and buy expensive s**t...so o'course you figger it so easy to jus' change a way of life. But by god, when a ********' black man might succeed where folk like you ain't, well..."

Jamal basically lost all respect for Ambrose at this point because to him, Ambrose had turned this into something that it shouldn't have turned into. The blonde had always oozed rich and well-off since the day that Jamal had met him, but he tried to put that off in hopes of banding together to get through this bullshit...but at this point, Ambrose had started spouting almost how no one's life could have been harder than anyone else's and that ticked him off. Self-righteous? Basically. Did Jamal care? No, because he had never intended to come off like he was better than anyone, even if he privately thought he was in some aspects.

Chubbs walked very slowly into the cafeteria, he was still feeling tender, the fact he put a dent into the wall using his body didn't help. He frowned hearing the argument, it rang through his new ears and he held onto them to trying and block the noise. He then looked over to where it was coming from, Jamal and Ambrose. Two people he though were his friends now bickering at each other.

He winced hearing the words thrown at each other as he tried to uncover his ears. He looked partly scared and partly angry. He felt it was a barking match that he should be winning, that he should yell over them. Chubbs eased himself into the room and looked between them like he he should do something, and a ugly gut felling made him feel sick, something telling him to smack them both out.

"s**t, dat's betta than bein' dropped on an island and bein' met by a bunch of people who looked like ********' MONSTERS outta a movie," he retorted harshly. "I'd be givin' anythin' to go back ta not knowin' and just havin' it happen if it gonna. Then I ain't gonna have ta deal wit' no what ifs...just what nows."

The scorn never left his voice, but it was mingled with almost an inflection desperation as he spoke. He was still very angry about everything now, it seemed.

"And at leas' you got dat time in a nice place wit' food all da time and s**t. I ain't been so lucky and maybe yous need ta realize things ain't a goddamn picnic fo' ev'ryone in there life...so I wanna hang onta this ONE THIN' and yous gonna tromp all ova it? Aw hell naw. Ya can be bitta' if ya want, but don't take it out on me. Yeah so yous got stuck herr cause you lookin' ta get more educated o' ********, but some o' us come herr because we ain't got no choice. SOME o' us be wanted fo' -murder- because we jus' tryin' ta get by and survive back home 'n s**t happens. I was tryin' to change my life...get away from fate as yous like ta put it, but brotha can't get no break anywhere. So how 'bout you just shut da ******** up 'n let me cling ta whateva ********' sign of hope I got?"

Chubbs wrapped an arm around Joliette, he balled his fist, not out of anger, but so he wouldn't touch her with his new nails. His head dashed back and forth between Jamal and Ambrose like watching a tennis match, and just as annoying.

He held Joliette tighter as he fel himself growing hotter under his clothes. Why was everything suddenly crashing and burning? The lastest days felt like a rollercoaster, going so high and feeling up, then suddenly plummeting to the ground.

" W-..we can stand here, and argue here till... till we are blue in the face. But that just makes us animals... You two, there's no need for this...We all have our points of view.. our own opinions.. a..and we can either agree or disagree. W- we got to stay together... we are the only family each other has now... there's no one else we have."

Chubbs was trying not to cry or go completely ballistic at them both, it was so hard, he wanted to shout, he was angry at what had happened.

" I lost my family.. twice now, I.. I need to believe that you are my family now.."

Chubbs clenched his fist, wanting to hit something, he'd only ever felt like that around Sabin.

" I can't lose another family again.."

Ambrose might have lose some of his fire, but Jamal was far from it. He was quickly rising to the point he had so desperately tried to stay away from since he's been here...a point he hadn't been to since that night in the alleyway that ended his life as he knew it.

"I NEVA ********' SAID IT BE YER FAULT O' ANYONE ELSES DAT HAVE THIS s**t HAPPEN FAULT," he practically roared, the desperation gone and replaced with refueled anger that deepened the severe creases about his eyes and forehead as he practically vibrated. "When did that -EVA- ********' come outta ma mouth!?!"

The appearance of Chubbs only made him more angry because he knew the man was going to try and get involved...and he did. Jamal didn't listen only because he liked Chubbs enough to not want to start a war with him too...the man had never given Jamal a reason to not like him.

Jamal paused, realizing now what had just slipped out of his mouth, and an intensely bitter expression spanned his darkened features. Ambrose had made him so angry that he had let slip the one thing he had been so desperate to keep from everyone. Great...just ******** great. Now he was an angry black man who was a known killer.

His eyes acquired a hollow, worn look even though he continued to hold a snarling posture with his mouth, but he looked defeated in a way that was hard to put your finger on...maybe the slight slouch of his shoulders gave it away.

"You ********' win," he said more quietly though he continued to seethe internally. "I'm jus' a stupid, black, murderin' b*****d who don't know nuthin' 'bout anythin'. Ya be sure ta let all yer friends know....but don't botha tellin' Awen. She already know."

His clenched fist loosened and the bags of chips he had not long ago grabbed onto scattered to the floor with a crinkling plop as he turned for the door, nearly wrenching the handle off as he flung it open.

Chubbs pulled the saddest look as Jamal stormed out. He wanted to go do something, he wouldn't be able to catch up with him if he tried.Chubbs sighed and looked to the floor, he for once didn't feeling like breaking something and sat in a chair slowly.

" Ah! nut sack!... damn thing"

Chubbs winced and ran his hand over the nub on his back now. He watched Ambrose get some frustrations out in the cafeteria. It looked almost good to Chubbs.

Chubbs took a deep breath and stratched as his cheek while running his tongue over a canine. He listened to Ambrose and nodded. The guy was trying, he saw that.

" It's okay... don't fret mate... things will work out... christmas is coming up... we could all use a bit of some holidat cheer, even if it's a fuzzy one"

Chubbs smiled as best he could, but it seemed sad.

Chubbs noded slowly to Ambrose, he was sore, like he'd done six hours training at a gym, he ached all over.

" Friggin killed changin"

Chubbs looked towards Joliette, noticing she'd been watching him closely. He got a good chance to see her closely now. He must have looked so different, he didn't want to see his face if he could help it. Chubbs stuck his hand on Joliettes, then tried to hide his claws again.

The smells from the cafeteria were getting to him, Chubbs took in a deep sniff before looking to Ambrose.

" It's understandable about the gifts... but well ya helping me bring one to the community"

Chubbs tapped his nose at Ambrse and gave him an all knowing wink to suggest to keep it hushed in front of Joliette.

" We don't have much to do left.. I umm could help ya whip up something for Angie if ya like.. all you need is imagination Ambrose"

He stroked Joliette's hand as he spoke.

Chubbs smiled lightly, and even through the change, he still blushed. What's more his fur and hair seemed to blush as well a little. He nodded to Ambrose and cupped Joliette's hand in his.

" I .. I appreciate it..Ya a good friend Ambrose"

Chubbs watched him head out to leave, and he turned to look at Joliettle, aching a little bit still. He smiled at her, for even through the change, he still could see the love in her eyes.

Chubbs took a deep sniff in the air and the smells asaulted his senses. He felt himself almost salivate and his stomach growled loudly, almost like there was an actual wolverine in his stomach. He blushed a little and smiled to his love.

" I ah.. think my stomach is talking for me"

He rubbs at his stomach and looked over at the display of food with hungry eyes.

Chubbs nodded and stood on his feet with some effort with his eeyes closed. The aching sucked big cheesey nuts, it wracked his body as he walked. He headed towards the counter and grabbed a plate. The food looked good. He started grabbing a couple of chops, then a steak, and some more of both. He placed some vegetables on the side, for some reason he didnt't feel like them that much. Chubbs grabbed a soda and a knife and fork and made his way slowly to Joliette and sat.

Chubbs looked over at Joliette, and smiled lightly. Je rand a hands slowly across her cheek, he skin felt a little different but she was still his soft and gentle Joliette.

He began to cute up huge chunks of steak and chew the, popping them in his mouth passed his canines. The meat felt good hitting his stomach. He looked over at Joliette once more and chewed his upper lip.

" I um.. didn't hurt you... last night did I?"

Chubbs smiled as he chewed and blushed shyly. His hands petted her check again, hoping his nails didn't scratch her. He wished he didn't clamper over her this morning, she must have been in pain enough with out him kicking her.

" Ummm actually.. I meant before the changes"

Chubbs smiled and took a deep sigh of relief, he was glad he hadn't. He took up a napkin and wiped his mouth and lips as he watched her. He wanted to show he was still there for her, that the change didn't matter. He only hoped she felt the same as he slowly leaned over and kissed her lips.

Chubbs chuckles a little and smiled at her flickering tongue. He'd still been able to kiss, which was good.

" I dunno, It kind of has advantages"

Chubbs smiled cheekily and blushed a little, then bit his upper lip. His teeth stood out easily.

" Hmmm have to get used to these too."

Chubbs rubbed his nose along her finger and sniffed at her. He grinned and chuckled a little.

"Ooo hey you smell like my cologne... oo smells nice on you"

Chubbs took in another big sniff and closed his eyes, looking like he was in a dreamy state. He knew this would get a giggle out of her, something he needed to hear.

" Sillier than a derangd lunatic, more powerful than Joliette's giggles, able to smell cologne in a single bound... it's Super Sized Combo!"

Chubbs then made a classic superhero pose with hands on his hips and a grin on his face.

Chubbs chuckled and smiled softly, only frowning some as she fell over. He grunted and got to one knee and scooped her up with a chuckle.

" I'm sorry.. heh .. I just needed to hear you giggle"

Chubbs rubbed his cramping hand over hier shoulder and sides where she fell. His hands weren't all that good at the moment, they were both bruised from hitting the wall like he had. He lifted her onto his knee and from there he put her back into her seat with a smile.

" I'll just have to hold you more... so you don't fall"

Chubbs looked at the salad, then the plate of his and dumped her salad onto his plate, standing with a wince.

" I can.. take this home and eat it later"

He looked down at his hands as he picked up the plate, it felt weird to have those long nails, he concidered clipping them. He offered his other hand to Joliette and smiled, his teeth stuck out som, but he tried.

Chubbs blushed and smiled, holding her hand as best he could as he walked with he to the door.

" I umm.. felt like a salad... it looks nice"

" Oh it doesn't sound too bad... gives something to go with the steak"

He pushed the door open and held it there for them to both head outside.

" I have a better treat to taste on when I get back anyway"

Chubbs smiled and winked at Joliette.

" Going to look some things up?"

Chubbs smiled and stroked her hand with his thumb abd looked up, feeling the sun beat down onto his furry body. He actually felt a bit hot.