Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ridley Marlow stared down the ramp bypassing his front steps and the path beyond. He had just finished circling his bedroom for a good half hour, getting used to the feel of the chair and concentrating on anything but the pain radiating down his legs. He felt confident, but there was still some risk in sailing down the ramp and missing the turn in the path that lead to the main road and the cafeteria beyond. He bit the inside of his lip and rolled to the edge of the ramp. This would almost be fun if he didn't have to worry about falling out of the chair and undoing 6 weeks of recovery.

The grips slid through his hands smoothly as he glided down the ramp. The friction burn warming his palms as he eased to a stop reminded him that perhaps some gloves were in order if he planned on traveling much. Nodding in congratulations of his little feat, he wheeled his way down the walkway and towards the commons.

The common area was well landscaped and well let, giving a nice little community feel. The large building in the middle had several doors, clearly marked. A posted sign outside gave a room number listing for all the services/rooms provided, including the cafeteria, exercise room, movie/video game theatre, arcade and game room, and general supply station.

The beach could be seen in the distance beyond the edge of the village. There was a path seemed to lead up from the sand. A figure moved up the path, seemingly just coming back from a swim in the ocean water - the figure was wearing black swim trunks and had a towel draped over his neck and shoulders.

Though it would be hard to tell at a distance, there seemed to be something very...wrong abut the figure. As Marlow would look, and the figure came close, the man that came into better view seemed to be covered in a grey fur!

"Need help?" The man asked the man in the chair, as if nothing was wrong. He ringed water out what appeared to be a tail as he asked, as if it was the most normal thing in the word. His smile might have even been consider dashing had is not been splayed over black lips and sported a glistening white pair of extended canines.

White circled the hazel irises of Marlow's eyes and replaced the color of his face. "What...?"

He was a logical man from a very logical background. He had never in his life seen something so strange that it defied explanation, until now. It had to be makeup... or a costume... that's what his mind tried to tell him anyway, but its voice was so meek he had trouble believing it. He wished he could. On impulse he looked over his shoulder, searching for a guard, someone normal, someone not looking like something you would meet under a full moon in a nightmare.

Vasile tossed some of the wet white hair out of his face, looking at the man more critically now. His fur was still damp from his skin, which begged make Marlow question the idea of a costume. If it was one, it was amazing, for the drying fur was clumping together in little bit, exposing the skin in areas on his face and stomach.

"Need help with the door?" Vasile reached out, releasing his tail, and help the door open for the man, a worried expression crossing his features. Vasile hadn't even considered the man didn't know the deal with the island here... he'd never had to break that news to someone before.

The chair began to drift back and Marlow made no attempt to stop it. "N-no. I-I-I don't." He managed to force out. On his own two legs, he would have been half way back to his room by now... maybe two thirds. As it was, his condition and the fact that the creature had made no move to harm him were the only thing keeping him from crawling over the back of his chair.

Vasile's ears quickly dropped as his smile faded fully into a worried frown. "You're... new here, aren't you?" Vasile released the door and turned to look at the man fully, suddenly looking very sad and a bit embarrassed. "Crap, I've never had to do this.. uh.." he thought for a second. "Uh... I'm not going to hurt you? My name's Vasile. Vasile DiRossi?" He almost winced as he said it, looking for the spark of recognition.

Marlow shook free of his stupor enough to squint at the Vasile's face. He hadn't exactly studied him on the posters or in his films, but under the fur there was something familiar, mostly about the eyes. "DiRossi...Y-you're the actor... this... this is a movie?" That would make sense right? Just like he thought earlier... just a costume. A really good costume... at a hospital, with no cameras or crew in sight.

Vasile couldn't help a smile - a bit- when he was recognized. He certainly didn't get that very often. "Aye. Or, well, I was. Uhm... " the white haired man scratched behind his ear nervously. "You might of heard- or not..." he glanced once again at the chair. The guy could have been in a coma for all he knew, "that I was 'killed' in a helicopter crash. Heh."

He looked around. "This, however, isn't a movie, unfortunately. Nor is this," he motioned to himself, "..a costume."

Marlow laughed nervously, gripping the wheel rungs of his chair so tight his knuckles were white. "That's a good one." He tried to forget that maybe he had heard something in the news about some Hollywood big shot dying in the last year. It must have been Keanu Reeves... not DiRossi. "Now really... "

Vasile looked around, not wanting to cause a scene. "Really. Uh... why do you think you're here? It seems to be different for everyone..." Vasile opened the door again. "Why don't we go in here, get a cup of coffee or a glass of water or something?" Vasile looked at the bars on this chair, where people could push him. "May I?"

Marlow gave a very short nod before leaning his head in his hand. His mind switched to a different tactic. He had fallen asleep in his room... and this was just a bad dream brought on by that shot Dr. Lockheart had given him. Best just go along with it at this point, at least until he woke up. "I'm here because they said they might be able to fix..." He looked at his lap. "...Motorcycle accident... almost two months ago."

Vasile wheeled the man into the building, towards the cafeteria. "Fix you? Oh yeah, I'm sure they can re-grow your legs or something. Just don't expect them to be human legs...." Vasile winced, looking down at the guy. "Er, sorry. That wasn't very tactful. But, uh, yeah. Needless to say, I didn't used to also be like this. Foxy, you know?"

"Wait... What?!" He turned in the chair, ignoring the protest of his limbs. Don't expect them to be human legs? "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"The crazies up in the labs," Vasile gestured, not really knowing if he was pointing in the right direction or not. "They kidnap people... turn them into things. Me? I'm 'lucky'" he spat out bitterly, "I'm turning into a fox. Some of my friends... not so lucky. Snake. Octopus. Iguana." Vasile wheeled him over by a table and quickly ret retrieved two bottles of water, offering the man one.

Marlow reached for the bottle, but his grip was too shaky and it fell to the floor. "But... not everyone right? I mean... they do other types of research?" Moreau wouldn't pull a stunt like this... he wouldn't dare.[/] He was here to get his legs fixed and then go home.

"Uh..." Vasile sat down on a chair next to him. "My friend Ambrose's girlfriend's been here a few months and she still looks completely human. But I don't think anything was wrong with her... and if they're doing anything to her we don't know about it yet." He shuddered, that thought almost more disturbing to him. "But uh.. I think they're messing with out heads... behavior and all. But still turning us into animals as the same time..."

"Dr. Lockheart... didn't say anything about this..." he managed, suddenly becoming very preoccupied with rubbing a spot on his arm.

"Oh? They never tell you right away. And uhm, I wouldn't be surprised if she's not exactly feeling sympathetic to the lab rats right now. One of us, uh, I'm not sure who, tried to kill her not too long ago." Vasile frowned. "I...really don't think you're going home. I'm sorry..."

Marlow dug his thumbnail into the armrest of his chair, staring at the gouge it made as he cut across the leather methodically. "I don't understand why anybody would want to hurt the woman." He hissed bitterly. The notion that this was all a dream had abandoned him. His mind was far to practical to think up something as ******** up as this no matter what drug he was on.

"My name is Ridley... Ridley Marlow."

Vasile nodded, holding out a ... paw.. for him to shake. "Vasile DiRossi."

He looked around the room, not really knowing what to say. "I'm sorry. So far no one that's come here has gone home. Or if they haven't, they didn't send any help. I... wish I knew what else to say..."

He took the offered paw and shook "I have to admit, I'm at a similar loss..." Marlow leaned back in his chair. "How is the fox thing working for you?"

His ears turned red, a bit of embarrassment stinging them. "Oh, well, it was okay at first. I mean... at least considering... but recently I think they're messing with my mind or something. Doesn't quite sit well with me.." He shifted in his chair, looking away. "But you know.. I've given up resisting. I know a hopeless situation when I see one."

Marlow nodded sympathetically, still not quite able to make full eye contact as he mulled everything over in his head. Questions were rising in his mind and getting swift, often brutal answers. Escape? Where would he go? How would he get there? His father coming to the rescue? They had both signed the forms acknowledging the 'risk' of his procedure. It wouldn't be long until he was as dead as DiRossi. As for his fate... "Can I confess something to you, right now, just so I can get it out in the open?"

Vasile blinked. "Of course."

"I..." He gave a sad little smile. "I don't think I'm going to be one of the lucky ones."

Vasile's left ear perked a bit, while his right one dropped further in sympathy. "Don't say that. Not everyone's been getting creepies. My best friend, he's a wolf. And... and a someone else is a dog. Why.. those aren't so bad. Be hopeful? Maybe they'll turn you into... a..." he gestured thinking, "A rabbit or a kangaroo! Yeah! Fix your legs up real nice." Vasile gave an encouraging smile.

Marlow ran a hand though his hair and stared at the ceiling. "Yeah... fix me up good." Though he appreciated the effort he wasn't entirely convinced. He doubted that Moreau had gone through all this trouble to just turn around and start doing him a favor. But despite it all, Marlow confessed that he was rather impressed. This was one of the greatest abductions he had ever heard of. When Moreau got around to telling his parents, they would tearfully thank him for trying his hardest to help their poor, crippled, foolish son.

Vasile frowned. "Sorry... but uhm.. you know? For the most part every where is really supportive. No matter they pull." For the first time, Vasile caught himself looking over the man, and wondering just how immobile he was...

"Well that's a grand thing." Marlow sighed, still arched over the back of his chair, now with his arms dangling limp at his sides. "I imagine if nobody's going anywhere it helps to be on friendly terms." He was a fairly social, empathetic kinda guy... when it served him best to be so.

Vasile curled his still slightly damp tail in his lap and began to comb his fingers though it - his nervous habit. "Can... I get you anything, I guess. I'm sorry, I've never had to do this to someone. Give 'em the bad news and all. I'm sure it can't be easy..."

Marlow waved his hand. "No, no. You did great. Saying it's not much easier than hearing it, I bet." He swallowed dryly. "Do you have anything to drink here? I mean... drink. I haven't had something to drink in a really long time and now seems just perfect."

Vasile perked a bit. "Aye! There's an open bar on the beach!" He jumped up, grabbing the chair by the handles. "Its not all bad here, at least. They'll virtually give you anything you want... that doesn't involve you leaving the island."

He gave his paw a pat with his hand "You're a good man, Vasile."

Behind his chair, Vasile grinned like the Chesire cat. "I try" He wheeled him back out
towards the beach. It was actually quite a stunning sight. The beach and the jungle... the island was beautiful. It was almost a shame.

The bar was a covered hut along the path. It was a bit bumpy over the pebbled, sandy path, but Vasile tried his best to keep the chair steady.

Marlow was along for the ride, physically and mentally. It was too surreal to even reflect back upon properly. He was on a tropical island, being whisked away to a white sand beach by fur-covered action star Vasile DiRossi where, when the setting sun set the beach a blaze with orange and red, he hoped to have the stiffest drink he ever held to his lips.
Vasile was a bit concerned how quiet Marlow was, but he figured he needed the time.

Once at the bar, Vasile made sure he made sure he had a nice view of the ocean. Vasile crawled behind the bar. "What can I get you, Ridley?"

"Marlow." He corrected on instinct before shaking his head at his own rudeness and explaining. "Ridley's one of those family curses that gets passed on every other generation." He straightened himself up and tried his hardest to look over the edge of the bar from his low seat. "Are there good things back there? I can't tell... better just surprise me."

"Okay, Marlow then...." Vasile looked around. "We have about everything you could imagine...." Vasile grabbed the drink mixer book and started to mix a cocktail for him.
"You don't have a nickname or something you go by? Just going by your last name would seem like it would feel so... impersonal." He shrugged, mostly curious than correcting.

Marlow lifted his shoulders and dropped them. "Nobody's ever managed to come up with something better and I've never minded it much, but if you think of something let me know." Wasn't like the Marlow name was going to be getting him much further anymore anyway. "What about you? Your friends all call you Vas... or Veal... or something?"

"Just Vasile. Unless you want to get on my nerves on call me Sily." Vasile slid the glass over to him. "Only my brother calls me that. My parents still call me Victor." He winced and laughed. "Wow, I don't think I've told anyone that. Vasile DiRossi is my legally changed stage name."

"Your secret's safe with me." He grabbed the glass and gulped down half without even pausing. "That's got to be a relief, right? No more tabloids? No paparazzi. That's why I never dated people in that business." And then the other half as well.

Vasile's eyebrow arched. "But you had the opportunity?" he asked with a smirk. I mean, that wasn't a statement most people would pop off. Most guys would give their left nut for a chance to date Angelina Jolie, paparazzi be damned.

"But, yeah, I guess if you were looking for a silver learning, the illusion of privacy is nice. 'Cept Moreau watches every move we make. Hidden cameras are everywhere."

"Augh." He tossed his head back again and thunked the glass back on the counter. "You didn't need to tell me that. I could have been happily buzzed for at least another 10 minutes without that knowledge." He inched the empty glass back towards Vasile.

Vasile quickly went to refill his drink. "I'm sorry." He frowned. "You learn not to care after a while. I wouldn't worry too much about it."

"I suppose it's minor compared to the prime concern. Thanks" He took the refilled cocktail and drank, this time in smaller increments. "So I guess that leaves only one question: What the hell does one do on an island while they wait to turn into... whatever the hell it is they turn into?"

"Well..." Vasile leaned over the bar a bit. "Watch movies. Work out. Enjoy the beach, Get drunk. Have sex. And b***h. A lot." He smirked, trying to keep the atmosphere as light as possible.

"So it's like college then?" He laughed, finally making eye contact.

Vasile met his gaze right back, giving his best smile. "Exactly. Just less classes and more fur." His tail waved behind him happily. "Though... you can learn a few things if you know where to look." He perked his eyebrows and fished popped a maraschino cheery in his mouth as he fiddled around with making his own drink.

"Well, they say you never stop learning" He waited until Vasile was finished mixing his drink and then raised his glass. "Cheers."

Vasile's drink looked fruity and tropical, and he clinked it to Marlow's with a smile. Vasile came back around and sat on a barstool. "Motorcycle accident, you say?" He looked at his chair with a sympathetic wince. "Must have been bad. But I once heard that any motorcycle accident you walk away from at all is a lucky one."

"Windy road, missed a turn and went over an incline. Bike landed on my legs." He made a chopping motion along his shins. "Wanted to cut them off, but I woke up before they could grab the saw. Wasn't really willing to accept the idea of losing my legs." He chuckled, trying to keep a good mood even as he stated the obvious. "Kinda rethinking that decision now."

Vasile chuckled as well. "Yeah well. I think the reason I got here is even dumber. I slept with this one big-time director's daughter. Found out later she was fifteen." Vasile winced. "Anyway, he had some really high-brow friends, if you know what I mean. I don't think I landed here by mistake."

"That's... really bad luck. And kinda dumb" Marlow agreed. "But it's going to make one hell of an E! Hollywood special."

"Damn straight it will," Vasile said with a grimace. "I think that's half of why they did it. A fallen star in his prime is a multi-million dollar commodity." He shook his head. "Not like I'll ever be sleeping with any 15year old girls again..." me mumbled into his drink before going bottoms-up. "What duplex are you in?"

Marlow look into the bottom of his drink, realizing he had finished the rest without realizing. He had to think about the question for a second. "47... bottom floor obviously. You?"

Vasile was quick to give in a third. The guy needed it. And Vasile definitely didn't mind. "Fourteen. Means I've been here a while."

"You seem to be doing okay... other than the head messing thing you were talking about earlier..." Marlow sniffed and started in on the most recent beverage. He hoped he would be so level headed when his time came.

"Yeah, I'm doing pretty okay. Its been hard to adjust, but if you don't let it get to you..." He smiled. "I've actually made some friends. Real friends. Not like I've ever had before, ya know?"

"I suppose you have too..." Marlow mused, leaning his chin on his hand and watching the sun melt into the horizon. He found himself wondering how many real friends he had made in his life. None were coming to mind.

It was almost romantic. That is...if Marlow wasn't, chances were at least, straight. And he just hadn't been told the worst news of his life. "Leave anyone behind? Wife? Girlfriend.?" Vasile glanced over, trying to be nonchalant. "Boyfriend?"

Marlow shook his head. "No wife, no girl, no... boyfriend." He narrowed his eyes slightly but tried to play it as cool as Vasile.

"That surprises me," Vasile said, looking at him. "You're young, handsome. Some how I'm getting the vibes that you had money..."

"Bad priorities on my part." Marlow cleared his throat, setting down his glass. "I'm hard to impress."

"So...what does it take to impress you, then?"

Marlow straightened his shoulders. He wasn't exactly comfortable with where this conversation was headed, regardless of the three drinks in his stomach sloshing about with a regaling chorus of 'just roooooooll with it Ridley! "A lot." A hell of a lot.

Vasile decided to let it drop for now, trying to play it cool. "I used to be like that," he admitted. "I think I've grown." Images of the other night flashed through his mind, with Tim and Avery. He averted his eyes. "A little, at least."

"This seems to be the place to do it." He moved his hand and released the brake on his wheels. "But I just got here."

Vasile nodded. "Some people handle it well. Others... not so much. But there are people here who will do their best to help." He gave a small smile and looked down at his empty glass. "Heh. We should slow down. Don't want to spend your first day here with a hangover, huh?"

"A little late for that I think... for me. I'm still a little done over from the trip." He nodded again. "It's been a hell of a day."

Vasile patted him on his shoulder. "I can imagine. I wish I could give you some good news." He thought for a moment, but drew a blank. "You seem pretty high profile? Maybe someone will break their cover. Almost happened with me. Some paparazzi chick didn't believe that I was dead. Course she came alone...now she's here..."

A slight shudder ran through his body. If anybody were to come looking for him, it would be family... and he wasn't bitter enough to wish his fate on them just yet. "Yeah... maybe." He placed his hands on the wheels. "Thanks... for everything. I'll be seeing you around, right?"

"Mind if I walk you back?" Vasile didn't know if that was the right phrasing, but it sounded a hell of a lot better than 'push you home'

Marlow looked up the incline. It was a long ways, and he was exhausted. He couldn't imagine making it very far before he started drifting back down the hill. "That'd be fine. 'Preciate it"

Vasile took hold of the handles and headed the way back up to the village. He didn't know what to say. Small talk was hard in a place like that. And he obviously didn't want to talk about the labs or Moreau.

"It was nice talking," he said as they got to his door. "Look me up if you need me. Hope you don't feel too bad tomorrow. Drink water."

"Thanks again. You were really helpful..." He turned around inside the room so he could face Vasile. "We'll talk again, I'm sure."

"Hope so." With a charming smile he waved again and turned to leave, his tail waving happily behind him.

Marlow watched him go, seeing past the silhouette of fur and tail with ease now that he had talked with the man... or maybe it was just the three strong drinks. Either way, he imagined things would be much harder in the morning.

Marlow rocked back and forth in his chair, leaning over the back of the chair one moment and finding his head between his knees the next. He would have preferred pacing, but the amount of effort and concentration it took to spin the wheels in such tight confines was counter-effective. He had tried. God how he had tried. Three days of pills by the pair and then by the dozen. Anything to keep himself from having to touch that intercom. Now the pain was unbearable and the fear that grew with each day only whetted it, making it sharp. The cycle had reached such a fervor that even despair had crept in to twist the knife.

With fingers digging into his thighs leaving crescent slits in the fabric of his pants, he glared at the plastic box mounted on his wall, the call button glowing softly in the dim light. He tried to pull his head away, concentrate on something else, but there was only the agony that in turn set his gaze back to that one hope of salvation. Shakily, one hand left his leg and grasped the wheel, pushing the chair in an awkward path towards the intercom. He found brief respite in the shock of the cool wall on his sweating cheek as he reached up. Brief, as with the next wave his fingers stabbed at the 0 and #.

"Main Laboratory Facility," came a tired voice from the other end. "Can I help you?"

"Lockheart" He gasped, his voice strained. "Doctor Lockheart."
"Hold please."

After a few short moments, the familiar, friendly sounded voice came over the line. "Yes Mr. Marlow?"

How could she act so cool? So cheery when she knew that by now he understood what was happening here. He almost chuckled in disbelief right there, and even with his efforts he couldn't hide the tone of bemusement in his voice. "Hello Doctor..."

"Hello, Mr. Marlow. What can I do for you?" She knew the best way to handle this was to just... do it. She took a breath, wondering how he would handle it.

"Ah. I'm glad you asked..." He paused, keeping his fingertip pressed so hard against the button he could feel his pulse throbbing in his entire hand. "You did say I should call if there was anything I needed... but I still feel... kinda rude." He did laugh a little that time, cursing himself inside for everything that had lead to this moment.

"Rude? Of course not. What can I do you for? You feeling okay?" Aubrey's brow creased a bit... he sounded sick... but it was way too early for change.

"Well." Two forces where at odds inside him. The loudest voice was the pain, the one that he had been so ignorant of in a hospital bed with countless medicines. If he had known of this feeling before, had there been some accident that revealed what was dwelling under the cloud of painkillers, he was sure he would have chosen differently. His legs would have been gone, but he would have been spared. But the loudest voice wasn't the most insidious. Coiling through the gaps in his thoughts was the desire for and end to all the questioning. To no longer have a knot in his stomach whenever an unrecognizable creature that was once a man or woman passed in distance and to wonder what would be his fate. Just to know would be possessing some control over it, even if it was only his mind. "I need one of two things, really. But to be frank, I certainly wouldn't mind both."

Aubrey frowned and tried to make her way towards her office. "Okay, I'm listening Mr. Marlow."

Aubrey wheeled up to her desk and flipped on the small camera over her computer monitor as she clicked on the keyboard, brining up Marlow's biostats and camera. Aubrey's face flickered onto a small screen in his room.

Marlow cringed as the activation of the screen filled the room with foreign light. Cameras... Vasile had said there were cameras everywhere... He couldn't move again to face the screen. It had been too much on his body and ego to prop himself where he leaned with his arm outstretched. To his disgust he found himself turning his face to the wall, away from sight. He spoke softly but every remaining bit of his cherished pride punctuated each word, "I need to know what's to become of me... I need to know or I need enough morphine to be sure that I don't care anymore." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'll probably need the morphine either way..."

Aubrey sighed. "I can get you morphine plenty if you need me to, Mr. Marlow..." she paused. "Are ... you sure you're ready to know what's in store for you?"

"With all due respect, Dr. Lockheart." Marlow replied calmly. "How exactly does someone make themselves ready for that? Do I spend time with family? Do I enjoy what days I have left walking on my own two legs? Do I stare in the mirror and try to memorize a face I don't even recognize now?"

Aubrey signed audibly. "If you insist, Mr. Marlow. I regret to inform you that the serum chosen for you is banded land snail." She winced and waited for his reaction.

Marlow tilted his head, now staring at the adjoining wall. "A what?"

"A snail, Mr. Marlow. As in escargot."

Marlow tried to roll his eyes, but lost the will half way through the motion. "That was rhetorical, doctor, but thank you for putting it in more culinary terms." It was the worst of times to be quippy, but it was about all he had left at this moment. "I'm turning into a sidedish."

"But a high class one," Aubrey mused sarcastically.

Marlow matched her wit through a strained smile "Your labs have a taste for irony."

"Of you have no idea," she snorted. "I'm sorry you're in pain. You can pick up some medication at the village square in about an hour."

"Your sympathy is appreciated." Marlow gave a little wave into the empty air, knowing that it was being seen from some unknown place.

"You probably won't believe me, but I'll do whatever I can to make you new life here as bearable as possible." She sighed. "I'm sorry for the deception. Its all part of the job here."

Marlow bit his tongue, literally. Of course. Kidnapping the heirs of despised business contacts and turning them into giant mollusks was just a standard ******** business practice. Nobody would ever frown on that. Hell, they had been doing it in Japan for years and Moreau was only trying to keep up. "Naturally" he managed after an uncomfortable pause.

Aubrey let the pause hang in the air. "Well then.. I'll send the medication down there ASAP."

"Thank you, Doctor." Marlow nodded, honestly grateful despite the anger reddening his face. "I'll be waiting."

Aubrey clicked off the connection and made the drug order to be sent to the village immediately.

Marlow dropped his arm and sat in silence as the room faded back into darkness. He had gotten what he wanted out of the call, but it didn't bring him much comfort. He had done the wise thing and not gotten his hopes up about being "lucky"... but that sort of pessimism always bore sour fruit. As for the pain... the clinic was far across the village and he still hadn't mustered the nerve to retreat from his wall. There was no way he would ever get a hold of the medicine... unless. His eyes drifted back up to the intercom. "******** it." He punched the keys, but this time he did not wait for a reply "DiRossi... It's Marlow... I have a favor to ask."

Vasile spent an extra hour or so in front of the mirror that morning, making sure each hair on his body was brushed and bathed, conditioned, and positioned. After fussing with his hair, and dressing as snazzy as his now-meager wardrobe could manage, Vasile headed down to the cafeteria. He raided the selection of sushi offered, picking out every piece that looked questionable at all. Sure it wasn't Benihana's, but it was a fresh and its not like cooking style came into factor with sushi. Leaving the cafeteria with more fish than the two of them could possibly eat (and not feeling at all sorry for the actual fish eaters who would be going without the rest of the day) Vasile headed over to Marlow's place with a definitely spring in his step

Marlow's preparations were less elaborate through little fault of his own. Firstly, the only clothes he possessed were standard patient issue complete with obvious Feral Lab logos. He didn't even have the comfort of his own underwear (and as a result had taken to not wearing any at all.) Secondly, he wasn't exactly sure what it was he was preparing for. Surreal life had given way to surreal sleep and even though he felt quite lucid at present, he couldn't completely separate what was said or done and what had been only imagined... if indeed anything was dreamed. He had to face that possibility as well. The snail thing, that he knew was real. The morphine had been real too, thank god.

But the talk with Vasile... who had been indulging who? Had he been toying with Vasile because it amused him to watch the vixen... or had Vasile simply played along with the banter out of pity for a man strung out on the most painful night of his life? Was this lunch... or a lunch date? Marlow groaned slightly in front of the bathroom mirror as he ran his fingers through his hair. Best just let things play out as he had been doing from the start...

He gave himself a final once over. There was one outcome of the conversation that was evident. He had finally snapped out of his self-pity long enough to fix himself up a bit. He was scrubbed clean with his hair hanging soft and loose. His chosen outfit, though still courtesy of the lab's supply, was the most casual of the set. He was ready.

Vasile's pleasant smile took on a seductive up-curl when he saw Marlow, not bothered to let his eyes hungrily take in the 'dressed up' version of the man that already drew Vasile crazy for some reason. "Good afternoon," he purred, lifting the covered plate to indicate his 'catch.' "You're looking well." He stepped forward, held open the door and offered to help him out. "How have you been feeling?"

"Well enough," Marlow replied as he wheeled through the room towards the open door, "thanks to you and your assistance. I doubt I'd be looking so well if you hadn't been able to come."

"I'm just glad I could help," he said with a genuine smile. He handed the platter to Marlow, asking him to hold it in his lap so Vasile could push him from behind. "Its a lovely day, don't you think? I really hope they have sake at the beach bar. Would make one hell of a picnic, aye?"

Marlow stared at the platter in his lap, only slightly begrudging the fact that he was being used as a cart or worse, was getting the invalid treatment. He swallowed it quickly because what Vasile said was true. It was a fine day. "A hell of a picnic..."

Vasile pushed Marlow towards the beach bar, already enjoying the company and still proud of his idea. The trail to the bar was a bit bumpy, as always, but Vasile really did do his best to make sure it was as smooth as possible given the circumstances.

Vasile parked him near the bar and then immediately rushed behind the counter to check the heavily stocked cabinets for the sake.

He had been thinking about it since they started down the trail. There was really no dignified way he was making it out to the sand, was there? The chair would be useless on the dunes and he was in no mood to be carried. His legs were certainly not up to the task, which left dragging himself on his belly, which was just as absurd as all the rest. But just as before, he couldn't summon the will to disappoint Vasile. "Any luck back there or do we need to leave a note in the suggestion box?"

Vasile moved around a few bottle, but a triumphant "ah-ha!" from behind the bar seemed to answer his question. He popped up, bottle in one hand and a few saucers in the other. "Bingo. Tell you want, these crazy docs know how to drink, that's for sure."

He smirked as he glanced over the bar. "Or they know how to pick a poison. This place is just full of temptation."

Vasile met Marlow eyes and curled a grin over one of his long canines. "Yeah... it is." He came around the other side of the bar and looked at the sand, the chair, and back to the sand... obviously having the same realization that Marlow did earlier. But he was determined not to spoil the evening, so, after a few annoyed flicks of the ear, Vasile took the blanket he brought with them and began to spread it over the sand, just a few paces beyond the beach bar. It faced the ocean, and while not quite as close as he would have liked...it was still a good view.

With a nearly audible sigh of relief, Marlow set the sushi on a stool, backed his chair against the bar, and began the careful process of slipping to ground. It took a few minutes, but with calculated shifts of his weight and the strength of his arms, he managed to reach the blanket with pride intact. It was warm and pleasant on the sand and once he brushed himself off he smoothed the fabric for Vasile to sit.

Vasile waited patiently for Marlow, took the platter and the sake and sat next to him on the blanket. He was far enough away not to be considered too forward, but definitely closer than any proud heterosexual male would sit to another.

"So... now I feel kind of pressured," he said, taking the cover off the plate of fish. "You built it up so much last time... what if this doesn't measure up?"

"I'm not worried." He assured him. "It might not be the same thrill, but I don't think there was ever a better day for eating sushi."

Vasile held out the platter to him then, leaning a bit closer and gesturing to the wares as if a he was a model on a game show. "Indeed, I can't get over the view," he said, staring directly at Marlow.

He wasn't going to falter, though in the middle of his mind a miniature representation of himself was jumping up and down, flailing his arms as if trying to wave off oncoming traffic. A second representation, this one only a voice, was clucking its tongue shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the road in the first place. He smiled back, still cool as ever. "The variety is a little daunting though... I might need some advice."

Vasile nodded and scooted a bit closer to the man. "Well..." he purred, wiggling his fingers over the plate as he decided, "Yellowtail is most people's general favorite. Its mild with a very. firm. texture." Vasile emphasized each word then paused. He picked up the piece with his long fingers, holding out to him... it was ambiguous as to whether he was motioning for him to take it from him with his own hands, or if he was asking permission to place it in his mouth himself.

He tilted his head to the side, stalling as he stared at hand and sushi both. "Old reservations... not always easy to ignore" he tried to explain.

"Maybe it would help if you just closed your eyes and opened your mouth," he said playfully, holding it out further. "Remember what it was like the first time."

Marlow chuckled in spite of himself, leaning back on his hands. "It's worth a try." He let his eyes close with a flutter and his lips part.

Vaile's tail twitched behind him, so tempted to do something...very forward. But he just shook his head and took a breath, reaching forward and placing the piece of yellowtail sushi on the man's tongue, watching intently.

Marlow closed his mouth over the offering, savoring it with a satisfied sigh. It was as good as he remembered. Maybe even better....

Vasile let a sigh escape from his own lips, leaning back on his own arms, watching with a wistful smile. "See? Good, yes?"

"Exquisite." Marlow agreed, still not opening his eyes as he swallowed. He was... amazingly content. A startling concept given the situation he found himself in both now and in general. Maybe it was easier to forget than he realized.

Vasile crawled even closer to him, bringing the sushi along with him. "More?" he asked softly, near his ear.

His stomach tightened, the hot breath on his neck telling him exactly how close Vasile was, but he found himself nodding. "Surprise me."

Oh... the temptation. Vasile swallowed and took another piece from the platter. Tuna. Tuna was always good. He placed the palette of rice on his tongue slowly.
He thought about how easy it would have been for him to just eat his lunch, shake Vasile's hand, and wish him well. But no matter how many chances had availed themselves he had always chosen the more difficult route. Why? His tongue arched to meet the food, just faintly brushing against Vasile's fingertips as it took the sushi gratefully.

Vasile tried to keep the murmur to himself, wondering if Marlow was actually being as flirtatious and inviting as he seemed to be... or if he was just interpreting it that way. One thing Vasile was -not- used to in relationships was uncertainty or insecurity...two things that were killing him here. Never had he ever hit on a girl and embarrassed himself because she ended up being lesbian - part of that being dumb luck. But the chances of a fan girl being lesbian were far fewer than rich pretty boy being gay. All statistics and logic would indicate Marlow was nothing but a straight man... but Vasile was NOT being subtle in his flirting...and he hadn't told him to stop?

That meant something, didn't it? Or was Marlow just teasing him because he could?

Or was Vasile just horny and reading too much into everything? He reached for another piece of sushi and placed it on his tongue, letting his finger linger there longer than before... just to see what he did.

His subconscious was ready with a hundred justifications, some vague some complex. There was the strain of the island, the grieving for his lost life, the knowledge of what was to come. How could one show restraint in the face of that? As for Vasile... a man. Well. Vasile's gender had never been the most striking of his features. Even beyond the white hair and subtle grace, it was the kind face, the only one he had found in this dark time, that had mattered most in his eyes. He also couldn't help but note that Vasile did not act like any man he had even known... gay or straight.

Again he found his lips rising towards the food, sucking into his mouth, only this time his eyes opened just slightly to peer at Vasile.

Vasile was leaning in close, his green eyes burning into his as he watched his expression closely. His own mouth was slightly open, his canines resting ever so gently on his bottom lip. "Good?" he breathed, barely above a whisper.

He nodded firmly, one of his hands unconsciously pushing the plate out of the distance between them "Good."
Vasile let the air linger between them for minute. Once again, Vasile saw nothing but a blaring green light... but why didn't he just go for it then? After a moment, Vasile lets his claws trail down the side of his face, just barely touching him, but watching for his reaction. "So what now?"

He did not pull away, bearing the shiver that tickled the back of his neck as Vasile's finger's slid down his cheek. "I wish I could tell you..."

Vasile swallowed, leaning in a bit closer. "You probably think me...rather forward..."

Marlow breathed steadily, still not moving away. "I think I'm through thinking..."

"Are you now?" Vasile smiled, almost relieved. He had given his last warning. "That's... good..." Vasile's claws reached back into his hair, gently pulling him towards his face as he leaned in, catching his lips with his mouth. The kiss was chaste, for the most part - tentative at first as Vasile waited for his reaction.

He was calm and gentle at first as the sting of shock dulled but by the time his hand rose to cup Vasile's jaw his confidence had swelled. It was a kiss that Vasile had started, but he was the one that deepened it.

Vasile felt the chill rush down his spine, the hairs on his tail and ears pricked and sensitive. Vasile returned the kiss passionately, a low growl-like sound of approval in his throat as Marlow deepened it. He moved in, pressing his body close.

Marlow wasn't startled by the fervor. He reveled in it, enjoying the first bit of exhilaration he had known in many months. It was new, it was close, and it wasn't going anywhere until he let go.

Vasile held the kiss for many moments, exploring this new territory gently. His hands slide out of his hair and wrapped around his shoulders to better hold the man to him. Finally, breathing deeply, Vasile pulled away...just far enough to look him in the eyes.
Marlow's eyes smiled warmly as he hid his breathlessness effortlessly. You could have blamed it on the sake if you waited, said the voice in his head, or the morphine if you just went for it last night. But no... in broad, sober daylight. How are you going to explain this one to the country club? His inner reply was a firm, mental <******** off. The voice went quiet again.

Vasile nuzzled his neck gently, trailing feather-like kisses down it as he made a happy purr-like sound. He reached around and pulled the sake bottle over. "That...was nice," he whispered as he poured a saucer out for the pair of them.

"It was" Marlow agreed in an affable manner, staring out to the ocean as he stretched his neck. "It certainly was..."

Vasile sat flush next to him, his tail wrapped behind him and curling up his thigh on the opposite side. He offered the saucer to Marlow, looking about on cloud nine. He could have easily just pounced him right then a there, but Vasile did his best to maintain a bit of class. He seemed like a generally classy guy.

Marlow took the small dish and held it to his lips, taking a proper sip at first, but then dropping all pretenses and tossing back the full shot. He needed it. But he knew when and how to cover his rudeness. Before Vasile could give him a disapproving look he took the bottle, refilled the cup, and offered it to Vasile.

Vasile nodded and sipped, doing his best to look seductive in the process. "Whatcha think'n" he said, then finished off the saucer, refilling it and offering it back to him on an open palm.

Marlow chewed the inside of his lip as he tried to think up the most appropriate response... one that wasn't an outright lie but that wouldn't kill the mood entirely. It was a tricky scenario that had to be handled with tact and poise. "I'm trying not to think, actually. Thinking creates problems."

"I see." Vasile trailed his claws over Marlow's neck and jaws. "Ironically that's exactly how I lived my life before I came here." Vasile learned forward and ran his lips over the trail his claws were making, dipping his hands down to slide over his torso. "So I can definitely see the appeal...."

"It's certainly helping me over look a rather large problem at the moment" He watched Vasile's hands with piqued interest.

Vasile's hands trailed over the buttons of his shirt, undoing the top two. Just enough that he could slip his hands to run over his collarbone. "What problem would that be?" Vasile asked in his ear before laving his tongue over it. Vasile silently prayed it wasn't him (or his gender) he was referring to.

"It really..." he shivered at the wet kiss though he felt oddly warm "...really doesn't matter at the moment."

Vasile's fingers trailed to undo some more buttons. "Aye... but will it matter in the morning.." Vasile leaned down and trailed kisses over his collar bone, letting his teeth graze ever-sp-lightly over his heated skin.

Though it pained him to stop Vasile's attention, Marlow caught him by the chin and tilted his head to look into his eyes. "That's really going to depend on you." Though his face remained kind and optimistic, there was a certain seriousness. "I might be fine with it tomorrow, the day after that, maybe as long as I stay here. But."

Vasile nuzzled his palm then caught a finger between his lips, sucking just -slightly- for a moment. "But..?"

Marlow felt his resolve weaken. Was it so wrong to just savor what he had left and not think about what would happen when everything changed... when he changed. He had no reason to believe that Vasile was interested in anything but what he saw, and the painful truth was that what he saw was not going to last. He was quiet for a long while as he rested his thumb on Vasile's lips.

Vasile crawled closer, straddling his lap, looking down and him with his charming smile, hands going to run through his hair again. "I just don't want to be thrown out of your duplex tomorrow morning. Its not a nice way to wake up."

Marlow shook his head with a chuckle. "I can promise that won't happen, but is that really where you want to be tonight? In my duplex? Seems a little rushed."

Vasile chuckled back. "Perhaps I am getting a bit ahead of myself," he said, shaking his head. "Good things come to those who wait...so they say." Vasile leaned down and trapped him in another long, deep kiss.

It was a well timed kiss too, because Marlow wasn't sure he would have been able to mask the look of nervous doubt at what could have been worst possible idiom that Vasile could have uttered. Thus it was with gratitude that he returned the embrace and let all his questions fade away once again.

Vasile was expertly skilled at the game of romance and love-making, and fortunately for Marlow, most of it was rather gender-nonspecific. He had spent years learning how to kiss perfectly, tease relentlessly. Not breaking the kiss, Vasile continued to undo the buttons of his shirt, letting his hands explore over his chest and stomach, taking his time. Vasile had also learned to take his changing anatomy into consideration...his long deft fingers and hands now equipped with fur, rough pads, and pointed tips that he didn't hesitate to experiment with.

Whoa Marlow closed his eyes, his face contorting between a pleasured hiss and emotional wince. It felt good... wonderful even. But Vasile was the only person he could call friend on this island and he knew that this could very well ******** that up. He was fast approaching the point where he would ******** it up no matter what he did. He stroked a hand down Vasile's back, running his fingers through his tail fur before locking his arm around his waist and rolling them over, pinning Vasile beneath his stomach as he tried to ignore the pain that shot up his legs. He smiled down at him and laid a kiss on the hollow of his collar bone. "You are ahead of yourself... and you should wait. I'm not going anywhere"

Vasile wrapped his hands around his shoulders and nuzzled. "I'm sorry," he breathed. "I'll be a good boy I promise."

"All right." Marlow replied, immensely relieved as he rolled onto his back, keeping Vasile trapped in crook of his arm so the fox understood that this was not the end of it.
Vasile rolled onto his side so that he could press himself to the curve of Marlow's body. His tail curled around his hips possessively and he seemed content at the moment to rest his head on his hand, and play with Marlow's locks with his free fingers. "So...have I outdone your previous sushi experience at least?"

"There was a previous sushi experience?" He teased "I wouldn't have remembered it if you hadn't brought it up."

Vasile covered his face, a subtle giggle...regardless it was a very feminine gesture. "You're going to give me a big head," he said, learning in closer. Vasile reached for the plate and settled back beside Marlow, popping a piece into his own mouth before holding out his offering.

"I'll give you what you deserve, Vasile." He took the sushi into his mouth with a smirk "No more, no less."

It was Mexican food today. Something of an old favorite of Marlow's, as it reminded him of holidays to the southwest and the country beyond as a child, where he and his cousins would stuff their faces with nachos at the poolside of a string of rather upscale resorts. Now that he was older, a taco was a little more dignified but still packed with flavor and mess. He set the stuffed corn shell down on his plate and flipped through the newspaper, idly searching for something of note.

The squirrel woman, whose hair had grown longer since her change, leaving her with the ability to tuck it behind her ears just enough so that her next movement would immediately free the locks into her face. When she walked in the cafeteria, she had on sunglasses due to her pesky albino eyes. This caused her to only register that there was a male sitting, eating, and reading something before she moved to get food from the buffet.

Once she had accumulated a bit of this and that, mostly vegetables with a large variety of nuts and seeds. Antony was planning on taking leftovers home.

With her shades now pushed up as a makeshift headband, she glanced over at the attractive, but obviously still unchanged man sitting and eating. He was quite attractive, and she hoped another islander had already broken him in.

"Mind if I join?" She asked him simply, noticing the wheel chair as she stepped closer to his table, tails flicking behind her.

"By all means." He folded his newspaper in half, making note of his place in the stack, and set it to the side. "Allow me." Crippled or no, he couldn't ignore the niceties that had been part of his cultured upbringing. He wheeled his chair back from the table and pulled out the chair to his left, giving her a subtle once over as he waited for her to sit.

Another 'lucky' mammal it seemed, though he was quite sure what. He had never seen a creature on earth with so many tails. That was almost as striking as her white fur and red rimmed pink eyes. Seemed the labs had a flair for the exotic when they were in the mood.

Antony blinked when he actually came over and pulled her chair out for her, setting her tray down and murmuring a clear "Thank you" as she sat down. Though, she gave him a curious look. It was obvious she didn't usually get that sort of treatment.

"I'm Antony," she introduced before she started to eat, offering him her hand to shake over the table, "And I'll hazard a guess that I'm not the first changed person you've met here?"

"Ah. Yes" He took her clawed hand and gave it a gentle shake. "I've been properly initiated. I hope that isn't a disappointment." He resettled himself at his tray "I go by Marlow." He took another bite of his taco. "Just came in a couple weeks back. I've... been staying in a bit. Getting used to the new setting"

"Ah, but did you get the decoder ring yet? By the way, a pleasure." Antony glanced over to take in his features a bit more as she stabbed a particularly feisty tree of raw broccoli with her fork, bringing it to her lips to nibble on in a slightly rodent-esque manner.

She could understand him not wanting to leave a duplex, especially in a wheel chair, which unfortunately made this man easy pickings for a pissed off predator. "Yeah, staying in has its advantages... Like AC, for one."

"No ring I'm afraid, though I'd think here it would be a leash and collar. I must not be making enough friends, might be taking things too slow. But," He resisted the urge to take smaller bites of his taco as he watched her meticulous chewing patterns, "I'm eating out, meeting new people. That must be worth something."

"You know, leashes and collars can be hot," she commented, seeming to notice her chewing when he did, and promptly finished the broccoli off in the next bite. It was obvious she didn't have an eating disorder. "Who all have you met so far?"

A shard of shell caught in his throat at her offhanded comment, prompting him to utter small a cough. "I suppose they can be..." He took his time chewing after that, somehow managing to keep his mind from running off with that tangent no matter how it urged.

"If you didn't think I was a shut in before, you'll definitely think I'm a hermit now." He raised his right hand and started curling up fingers as he counted off his introductions. "There was Vasile first. He was the one who conducted my initiation. He also recently introduced me to his friend Ambrose. There was also rather... brief acquaintance with a man named Billy and a young woman named Nita." He stuck out is thumb and waggled it "And now you make 5. I can finally start counting on my other hand as well."

Antony's lips curled upwards in a sort of bemused smile when he mentioned Vasile, eyeing Marlow once more as if to verify a few things in her mind. "So you've already been hit on? Considering you're attractive and Vasile... Well, there are many words to describe him." She chuckled for a moment before considering the others he had met, "Ah, Billy is a character, to say the very least, Ambrose is a good guy, and Nita seems nice enough."

Marlow arched his eyebrow at the statement, not sure what to make of it. So Vasile had a reputation, it seemed. "He's... made his interest known." Marlow said plainly, sipping on his water and confessing no more. It was also strange to him that this was the second time someone had commented on his appearance in such a blunt manner. It's not that he didn't recognize his own physical appeal... he just wasn't used to having it pop up in casual conversation. His final conclusion was that either Antony and Vasile had similar motivations, or he was going to be the recipient of a lot of awkward compliments. He could see it now. Hello, my name is Bob. I'm turning into a possum and you are rather attractive.

She simply smirked knowingly, taking a handful of nuts and leaning back in her chair. "And where, might I ask, do you interests fall?" Afterall, the squirrel woman wasn't going to try and pursue getting laid if Marlow was gay, she had her own pride to deal with.

Absently, she let her nut free hand reach up to run through the fur on her chest above her usual tank top. It was hard to tell if the motion was entirely without its ulterior motives or not.

Marlow watched her fingers as they left furrows in her pale fur. Did everyone on the island work this fast, or was he merely 'fortunate?' to be receiving so much attention. "My interests?" He asked nonchalantly, wiping his hands on his napkin. "Honestly, the whole situation I find myself in here added to my current condition has not been very kind on my desire to pursue interests." He took sip from his water, casually removing his gaze from her hand's distracting movements. "And even at my best, my interests are very hard to pique."

"The way I see it, might as well get some fun in as a human before the changes start really kicking in... Your loss, however," she said smoothly, tilting her head to the side at his comment about his interests, eyebrow raising. "Then again, some may have equipment malfunctions under this whole animal situation..." The comment was delivered in a conversational sort of tone, though her eyes watched him intently, their color creating an affect of their own.

Maybe people paralyzed from the waist down really couldn't work themselves... In that way. This was new territory for her.

"Anyways," Antony continued, motioning openly to his chair for the first time. "Pardon me if this is taken as rude, but what happened to land you in the wheels?"

Marlow clenched his teeth at her subtle jab but otherwise kept a friendly and open demeanor. It was as much as he expected from her and there was no point getting defensive about it now. He was positive, were he to have the will, that he would have nothing to be self-conscious about. He didn't, however, feel the need to prance about proving it.

The chair thing was also an expected annoyance, but again he couldn't begrudge anybody being curious. New faces and their stories were no doubt a cherished commodity on the island. "I have a short version and a long version I've managed to polish up in the last couple weeks. Do you have a preference?"

"Whichever you prefer," she replied, reaching both arms up and arching her back in a stretch. In the middle of the long motion, her arms bent back to hide the fact that her ears were attempting to fold back. No one needed to see that.

When she finally relaxed once more, her tails had taken up their residence flipped up against her back, tips curled down and flicking every so often. Despite the fidgeting of her appendages, her full attention seemed to be on Marlow.

"Missed turn on the last 500 miles of a 5,000 mile road trip. Somehow I got ahead of the motorcycle, but then it caught up. Shattered both my legs from the kneecaps down. 'Unsalvagable,' they called them. But they couldn't cut them off without my permission, and I never gave it." He leaned back in his chair with his glass, nursing the water as he would a harder drink. "Shame they didn't declare me insane. Could have saved me this 'trip.'"

"Bikes tend to do that," the squirrel woman murmured with a frown, "Damn exhilarating to ride though." The mention of driving reminded her just how much she missed it, and her body seemed to yearn to feel the accelerating pushing on it.

She shook off the tangent in her mind and nodded towards him, "I'm sure the staff told you they could help you walk again? This was supposed to be a two week vacation for me..." Sighing, her hands went to her back pocket of her shorts as she stood up a bit to fish out her pack of cigarettes. Her lighter wasn't far behind.

Manners be damned, subjects like these called for a smoke.

Marlow would have offered her a light, if he had one. Another thing waiting for him at home, along with every single thing he owned down to his wallet. He shouldn't have waved his mother off when she offered to pack him a duffel. "I was told that I would be taking part in a highly experimental procedure that could result in my death. And to the outside world, I'm sure that's exactly what happened." His eyes flicked briefly to the newspaper stack. He would have to take those back to his room.

"Probably," she stated honestly, lighting her smoke and taking a long drag when it was clear he either didn't mind or didn't care if she smoked in his company. The lighter and pack of cigarettes were left on the table. They'd go back into pockets whenever she stood up again. "I don't know if I'd want to know how they dealt with my lack of return home..."

A hand ran over her face partially to cover up the worry that was probably written all across her features.

"I'm sure somebody somewhere is earning a hefty salary sorting that all out and some cases are easier than others." He eyed the packet of cigarettes, considering asking for a favor... but he couldn't help but be reminded of every single prison cliché on TV and given how the conversation started that wasn't an entirely irrational connection.

She managed to catch his glance to the pack when she removed her hand from her face, making a 'feel free to take one' sort of gesture towards both items. "No hefty salary on me I'd assume. Vasile maybe, since he was teenage girl's cherry poppin' fantasy being a big star and all, but not someone like me..." Trailing off, she shrugged, offering a weak smile. Average Joes like her didn't really get much attention paid to by the media, and if they managed a cover up on a movie star... Well, she didn't harbor much hope for a rescue.

"Well." Marlow reached out and plucked a cigarette from the pack, tucking it behind his ear for future use. "I'm sure whatever they didn't spend on cover up they invested in other areas. You've got nice tails."

Antony gave a glance behind to the offending appendages and chortled softly, "They're a pain in the a**..." Upon realizing what she said, she shook her head and corrected herself, "Pun not intended... But I just have this feeling I'm going to end up looking like a feather duster by the end of this s**t. Ah, and thank you."

Said tails seemed to fluff themselves in attempts to attract more attention, their flickings becoming more frequent.

"It's no trouble" Marlow smiled, reaching up to twirl the cigarette tucked under his hair once before leaving it be. "Just felt I should point it out." He was no expert, but as far as tails went, he had to admit that they were handsome and entertaining to watch. Tails, by themselves, weren't exactly a depressing subject to boot. He missed having uplifting things to talk about.

"My first change I had three, and two more came in the last one. Apparently, an albino squirrel was just to plain for them." She rolled her eyes and popped another handful of nuts into her mouth, finding it strange that her cheeks seemed to be able to store more food than normal.

Noticing him fingering the cig, a thought suddenly dawned on her, "I had a friend who used to smoke pot medicinally for chronic pain, so if you ever need or want some..." A shrug punctuated the end of her offer, not really sure what else to say as she tested the waters. Some people were really anti-pot.

"I wouldn't turn that down." He admitted. Who knew how long the staff would be so accommodating with his morphine. It was precisely for that reason that he had taken to palming the second pill of each of his two pill doses. A little more pain now was going to be worth having a way to deaden it in the future... but he couldn't say no to an additional back up plan.

She smiled slightly, nodding. "I know I have a healthy supply, and Billy's even growing his own last I checked. Therefore, I'm inclined to share every so often." Especially if she could actually help someone by sharing.

"I'm sure it pays to have a hobby. I appreciate your generosity." He tapped his finger at his temple and then gestured generally in her direction. "I've been lucky in the acquaintances I've made so far. I hope that continues for a least a little while longer."

"I'm sure you are capable of taking care of yourself if you meet any of the unsavory islanders." All else fails, he could probably easily punch them in the stomach and then run over them with his wheel chair. Part of her took great joy in picturing Thom being run over repeatedly by a wheel chair. "I'm actually surprised I don't have more enemies to be honest," she said thoughtfully, flicking ashes onto an empty plate on her tray before taking another pull.

"You seem to be... a very open and accommodating sort. I imagine that's appreciated around here." But could also earn someone a enemy or two. He secretly wondered how Vasile would feel about her earlier inquiry... did they have a rivalry of sorts? The thought put an unpleasant kink in his gut and a shake in his confidence.

"I tend to get along better with men than women," she admitted, chuckling at his choice of words, which were true in a way. They just didn't describe her personality too well, that's all. Other things however...

"That and you'd be surprised how judgemental people can be despite the fact that we're all turning into animals... Or plants even!" She was, of course, referring to both her tattoos and professions, which were both looked down upon on more than one occasion on the island. Not to mention all the s**t she got from strangers before her 'vacation.'

"I do worry about that." Marlow admitted with only a touch of bitterness. He worried about it a lot with what he had coming. "Put enough people together and they will try to form a hierarchy. Human nature... Hmm." He gave a melancholy smile as he finished off his glass of water. "It's funny that we could be thankful for judgmental pricks because it means that we'll never be fully changed." He pushed his tray to the center of the table and gathered his papers in a pile to slide into his lap.

"If they do it, just call them out on it... Granted that may not get you many friends, but alas, people pleasers have no balls." Shrugging somewhat, she watched him push the tray towards the middle of the table, and out of habit, she stacked his plates onto her tray, sliding his tray under hers. "If you ever need anything, just call duplex 30 and I'll head over. Capable or not, I nearly took a tumble down the stairs when I was on crutches, and I prefer my stairs not to be bloodied." She gave him a grin to show that she was simply making light of the situation. That and she didn't want to be like 'ok cripple, I'm on the top floor and since you're CRIPPLE and can't get up there, then I have to visit your lazy a**.'

That would, in Antony's opinion, be quite rude.

"Thank you kindly." He gave her a nodding bow from his chair. "Duplex 47, should I ever manage to obtain something you might need. My assets are a bit... non existent at the moment, but who knows in the future." He offered his hand once again, this time wheeling about so he wouldn't have to reach over the table. "It's been a pleasure."

She returned the gesture, shaking his hand firmly, slight smile still remaining. "Who knows, I'm quite the utilitarian." Standing, Antony slid the pack of cigarettes and lighter back to where she had retrieved them from, gathering their trays and putting them away for the lady to wash.

God... damn that was far more work than it needed to be. But it would be worth it. Oh how it would be worth it. Marlow readjusted his gloves, making sure they fitted absolutely perfectly. He would have no accidents on this journey, not this one. From his vantage point atop the hill, he could see the entire village spread out below. But he wasn't interested in the veiw. Keen eyes studied each bend, curve, dip and stretch of the road before him. This was definitely going to be worth the two hour push. His fingers were tense as they slid along the wheel grips, waiting for the release of the brakes. A push of the thumbs and was off.

So. ********. Worth it. He was dashing down the slope, chair clattering over asphalt and just barely making each turn. Even through the leather gloves Marlow could feel his palms burning from the heat of metal running through his palms as he tried to control a less than worthy machine. He didn't care. The wind was beating against his body and finally he could feel his heart pounding at its old, familar pace.

Newt had left his duplex finally, but only after he had set himself up with the proper protection. He had changed into a fresh clean jumper, an overlarge pair of rubber gloves tugged onto his hands carefully, the webs tucked in carefully, although they still chafed- just in case he had to touch something one of the islanders had touched. He had found a plastic gasmask in one of the supply cabinets, donning it as well- just in case an islander stood too closely and contaminated the air. In the same closet he had found a pair of safety goggles, in case of an islander spraying as they spoke, or who knew what. The larger-sized boots were more comfortable on his changed feet, and between the added leignth and with the aid of the handle of his upside-down turned broom, he had figured out an odd step to get around with. It involved a sort of short poll-jumping with the broom handle, using the stick to help push his body forward with enough oomph to catch himself again. Unfortunatly, every unnoticed crack or uneven ground and the stray pebble could put his careful rythm off, sending him into a horrible stumble. He tired easily, though- while his leg muscles seemed better equipt for jumping, the majority of him was still human shaped and built.

He had been taking the long way around the villiage, trying to avoid the lunch rush in the cafeteria to find sollice at the beach. He was half way across the road when he ran out of breath. The gasmask certainly wasn't easy to breath through either.

"YAHOO!" Marlow pumped his fist in the air as he picked up speed. He wasn't going to bother slowing down for this final turn. He was going to save it all for one long coast that would bring him right to the center of the plaza... provided he didn't flip his chair when he hit the grass. Details details. He'd worry about than in about another fifteen seconds. Fourteen seconds. He passed the turn, his chair teetering dangerously for another three seconds which brought him to the coveted count down. Ten... nine... The road was narrowing down as the he rocked into the ring of duplexes. Eight... Sev- what the hell was that in the middle of his path? Si- No... really what the hell was- OH s**t!

Newt heard the sound of wheels on illy kept road befor he managed to catch a glimps of the speedster through his goggles, his green eyes widening with horror, "Ah!" Instinct kicked in, and the man lept at full streignth, shooting through the air to land on his masked face several yards away with a plastic grinding crash.

Marlow and his chair fishtailed off the path. It was good instinct on the driver's part, but with the masked man now miraculously out danger's way, it looked like a foolish overcorrection. The chair only made it a few feet before flipping on itside, taking a fair amount of meticulously groomed landscaping with it not to mention propelling its passenger the remaining distance between wreck and escapee.

Marlow landed with a pained grunt, limbs sprawled as he finally came to rest with his eyes staring up at the tropical sky. He blinked. Well... wasn't this familar...

When Newt managed to roll over and recover from his sudden froggish leap, he straightened the mask that had managed to slip off his face, glancing about to see just what had nearly hit him. At the sight of the spilled cripple, the custodian gave a cry of alarm, crawling for his broom befor he inched his way over, "Are... are... are... are y-you alright, s-sir?"

"Hmm?" Marlow lifted his head enough to see what had to be a character out of some poorly done bioterrorism flick. He flexed his arms and neck, giving himself a quick check. "Nothing broken that wasn't already busted."

Newt's eyes darted back and forth as he crouched a good distance away still, not making any move to come any closer. "Ah... ah... G-good! Good! Ah... I m-mean... er-"

"Did the chair make it?" He pointed off in a random direction. It was a real love-hate relationship, that chair and he. On one hand, they had been inseperable, journeying across the island, eating together, enjoying the sunset. On the other hand... they had been inseperable. You can fill in what all that meant. So while he hoped that his friend would pull though, he had to admit with a touch of guilt that he was enjoying their time apart.

"Ah-" The oddly dressed man used his battered broom to straighten up a bit to catch a view of the chair, watching one of it's wheels sadly turn despite it's horizontal and scratched, scuffed and dirty state, "It l-looks like it's alright-"

"Ah..." They would share many more fun adventures then. "You sound a bit shaken. Are you all right?"

Newt nodded, "Wh-what on Earth wh-where you doing??"

Marlow shrugged "Joy Riding"

Newt wasn't quite sure he understood, but still made no movement to help him back into the chair. It was an awkward sort of predicament. Every fiber of Newt's being seemed programmed to be helpfull, but above everything else, Newt was a coward.

Marlow arched his eyebrow as the man seemed to hover off to the side. Wow. Someone who was willing to give him the chance to take care of himself. That was a welcome change. He rolled over onto his belly, searching out the direction of his chair. There it was... he hoped he looked a sight better or there was sure to be a lecture of someone in particular happened to catch him on the way back to his suite. He dug his fingers into the earth and began the less than dignified process of dragging himself towards the chair.

Newt took a nervious step backward, feeling exceedingly akward at the sight of his struggle. His insides were burning not only with hunger, but his Newtish desire to aid and be generally subserviant. "Ah... are... are y-you sure you're alright?" He managed again lamely.

Marlow peered back over his shoulder, just slightly peturbed. "If you are looking for a way to help, you could jump ahead and turn my chair back up. I'm just saying..."

Newt fidgeted with his rubber glvoes, clinging to his broom as he glanced from the chair, to the fallen man and back again, "Are... are you a sub-sub-subject?"

"Subject?" Marlow was confident that he didn't care for this term at all. "Who wants to know?" He rolled over onto his back as he finally reached his fallen mount and gave the man a more scrutinizing look. He looked absolutely ridiculous, but beyond the mask and gloves he also looked official in his snappy little feral lab jumpsuit.

"I... ah..." That answered that question. Newt took an instinctive hobbling step backwards befor returning to his crouch, "I'm s-sorry, b-but I c-can't."

"You... can't?" Okay so maybe he didn't always want help but what the hell was this guy's problem, refusing to help a crippled man back into his chair? Was this another part of Moreau's little grudge-fest or was this guy just a p***k?

"I... I... I r-really am sorry!" The man's voice was sincere albeit muffled behind his mask, and it seemed the urge to obey was too strong. Carefully keeping a wide circumfrance, he hobbled around the fallen cripple towards the chair, shoving at it with his broom as though he could prod it upright without getting too close and touching it himself.

Marlow shooed his broom away, clearly annoyed. "I'll clean it off myself, thanks." With a less than gentle touch he righted the chair and set the brake. He'd worry about getting of the grass once he was seated and could glare from at the man from a more proper four feet, not four inches from the ground.

Newt wasn't sure what to do, clinging to his broom desperatly as he watched the man ready the chair himself. But how could he have helped him without risking getting infected again?

He struggled back into the chair, somewhat relieved that it was getting easier each time he had to manage it unaided. With a final huff of breath he settled square in the seat. "You've been a real help." He quipped sarcastically as he dusted off his chest and arms. "I'm so glad 'a kind and helpful staff' wasn't just another in the mulitude of lies I've been fed about this place."

Newt crouched lower, trembling as he clung to his upside-down broom, his eyes clenched shut behind his safety glasses. His voice broke as he spoke, wavering pathetically, "I'm-I'm s-sorry! I'm s-sorry! I... I... I... p-please d-don't be m-mad at me!"

This was just... sad. Marlow leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers infront of his stomach. "It's... all right." He really hoped nobody was seeing this for the staff member's sake. Marlow was confident that even the octopus could take this guy if he was in the mood. "It 's really alright."

Newt shook his head, his wrongly informed fear coupled with the surreal situation he had been put into to begin with sending his already fragile emotions turn-about. What was he supposed to do? He quieted his near tears, instead fidgeting self conciously with his grip on the broom.

"So" Marlow began awkwardly. "Sorry about the... thing" He pointed up the road, still eyeing the man cautiously as if he expected him to either start brandishing his broom at him, break into a fit of anguished sobs... or both. "I was just... Why are you dressed like that?"

"D-dressed like what?"

"That..." He gestured to the entire Tom Clancy novel reject ensemble

"M-my j-jumper? I... I'm a cus-cus-cus... a c-c-custodian," Newt stammered, shifting in his crouch.

"Well that explains the broom, but dare I ask why a custodian needs a gas mask?"

Newt gave a little hop backwards, his breathing quickening behind the mask to fog up his safety glasses.

Marlow was having his doubts about the whole situation. There was something off about the janitor that didn't end at his outfit. "Or maybe you just want to keep that to yourself..."

"I'm... I'm s-studying th-the effects of... of exposure, th-they said... or... soemthing like that," He babbled suddenly, blushing behind his mask. It was clearly mumbled in defence of himself.

"Studying?" He gave him a skeptical look. "I thought you said you were a janitor..."

"I... I am!"

"So..." Marlow steepled his fingers as he helped guide the man through his reasoning. "If you are a janitor... but if 'they' are 'exposing' you to something down here and 'studying' it... wouldn't that make you a subject as well?"

His eyes darted back and forth anxiously, "I... b-but I'm n-not a sub-sub-subject... I... I... j-just work here!"

"And such a fine job you are doing..." Marlow leaned forward in his chair, trying to get a closer look at the janitor.

"W-well, I'm sorry! I'm a jan-janitor, not a doc-doctor!" He prattled, his rubber gloves chafing where his webbing had been pinched between the fingers for too long.

Marlow held up his hands with a dismissive shrug of the shoulders. "Forget I asked, Mr...?"

Newt cleared his throat, attempting to straighten up slightly, although he couldn't seem to bring himself to straighten his legs completely, "Er... F-fil-fil-fil-filinas. Newton Filinas."

He offered his hand. "Marlow. Just Marlow"

At the sudden movement Newt panicked and gave a startled cry as he whipped his can of spray- disinfectant, spraying it at the sudden infectious subject befor he could hop backwards clumsily.

Marlow's hands shot up to sheild his face but he was no match for the reflexes that had saved Filinas on the road. "Ah ********." He wiped at his eyes, but that only rubbed the spray in further. The sockets puffed red and watered as he continued to flail.

"Ah-!" Newt gaped in horror at what he had done, "I'm s-sorry!! I'm s-sorry!"

Marlow snarled, scowling blindly in to direction of the frantic apoligizing "I swear if you say 'sorry' one more time...."

Newt squeaked, pursing his lips.

"Actually, you know what? Screw that" He fumbled for the brake levers on his chair. "Where's an intercom?"

"Wh-what do you need an intercom f-for?"

Marlow struggled to get some traction on the slick grass with little success. "I'm telling."

"T-telling?? Ah- ah n-no," Newt hopped over, managing to catch himself with the aid of his broom walking stick, "P-please, n-no! I'm already in enough t-trouble-!"

"Oh?" Marlow laughed in disbelief. He couldn't imagine what Mr Finias or Philinus or whatever the hell his name could have done to upset his superiors.

"Ah... ah... h-here!" He offered Marlow his hankercheif, "I c-could... r-run and find cold w-wa-water for it if you'd like! If... if it'd help-?"

"Now you are in a rush to be helpful... " he sneered, finally catching a little ground and staggering forward a few feet.

"I d-didn't m-mean to get it in your eyes!"

"You know what? Fair enough. I almost run you over. You almost blind me." He waved him off as he finally made it back onto the road... not that he could really tell except for the change in sudden change in terrain. "I say we're ******** even. I really hope your 'study' goes well, buddy."

"W-wait, m-maybe I c-can... c-can... p-please d-don't be m-mad!" Newt sputtered, desperatly hop-hobbling after the man in the chair.

"Don't... touch my chair." It was a pointless request, as Newton had been doing everything in his power to avoid contact with Marlow since the beginning but he'd be damned if the slimy little creep built up the nerve now. He tried to blink the cleanser out of his eyes but still could see nothing but a wash of greens and blues. "Just... help me find my house..."

"Wh-which one is th-that?"

"The one with the wheelchair ramp in front of it. 47"

"Ah... th-that... th-that would make sence, w-wou-wouldn't it?" The janitor laughed weakly.

Marlow narrowed his eyes, not that it wasn't very noticable amid the seething and squinting. He clearly wasn't amused.

"Almost... almost there... it's t-to your left up th-that way," He at least tried to assure him.

Marlow kept spinning, trying to keep a good distance ahead incase he did something foolish like say 'thank you' and ended up with a broom over his head for his trouble.

And Newt meekly followed, giving him directions as needed, although he was feeling mroe and more uneasy.

"Am I there yet?" He better be. He needed to do a proper slamming of the door in the face if he was going to regain any of his lost dignity.

"J-just a m-meter ahead th-there is the ramp-"

Marlow made an overdramatic turn and clattered onto the stoop. A fumbling of the keys later and the front door swung open. He wanted to be safely inside before addressing the man again. "Thank. You."

"Ah- y-you're w-wel-welcome!" Newt smiled behind his mask, even if his mouth was hidden.

"Right" and SLAM. Just as satisfying as he thought it would be.

The ceiling looked the same as it had 10 minutes ago, an hour ago, and by some miracle the same as it had yesterday... before this had happened. Marlow reached up to rub his face in his hands but jerked his palms away as the sensitive tentacles framing his lips touched back. The hands balled into fists that slammed down to the bed spread yet another time. There was nothing about this new shape that didn’t disgust him. His mottled skin felt perpetually swathed in a thin veil of sweat. There was a crumpled towel on the floor abandoned hours earlier after constant, fruitless attempts to wipe the clamminess away. His position on the bed, flat out on his back, was intentional. Any contact with the conditioned air chilled the bony plate that had grown under his skin, reminding him of its presence and of what it was to become.

And his legs... well that had been the second to worse part of it. The smaller of his two aspirin bottles, the one where he stashed his pocked morphine tablets, lay untouched in the back of his drawer. There was no more pain. He had wrapped his knuckles against once shattered shins and felt nothing but the protest of sore muscle. The heartbreak had come when he had tried bending them and finding the gift gone. It was as if the muscles and tendons that once so dutifully performed the job had been spirited away. In many ways, it was far worse than before.

But his legs alone couldn't stand against the final concern that had kept him from surrendering to self-pity. There would be time enough for that later and it was his fault for waiting until now to give the problem the serious thought it deserved. Vasile... what was he going to do about Vasile?

It was well after the sky had darkened before Vasile made it back to the village. Vasile was concerned. They were supposed to meet at the lake again for more swimming. Well… swimming and maybe a few other things… but that wasn't the point.

The point was… Marlow never showed up. Vasile knew he liked to make the trek down to the lake on his own. It was difficult, but Vasile suspected that Marlow didn't like to be pushed around everywhere. He needed to learn to be independent, and Vasile did his best to swallow his desire to coddle the man and let him do as much as he could on his own.

But now that it was getting darker, Vasile grew worried. Once it started to get dark, he dried off and made his way down the path slowly, praying he didn't mind Marlow toppled over somewhere unable to get up.

But no…he didn't see him. Coming into the village he rushed to his duplex, hoping he was in there. He knocked. "Marlow?" he called, the worry eminent in his voice. "You there?"

Marlow's heart jumped with a brief moment of elation at the sound of Vasile's voice before settling down in a drawn out wince. Of course, it would be in Vasile's nature to look for him the very same day he went MIA. It was that level of dedication and attention that had endeared him to the man after all, so he wouldn't have it any other way. However, at the moment, it was very inconvenient... even tragic. He did not harbor many hopes for what would happen when he opened that door

Vasile paced outside the door. He tried to look through the window, though the blinds were drawn. He did his best to see inside, but to no avail. He leaned close against the door and tapped again. "Its Vasile, Marlow. You in there?" He pressed his ear to the door and listened.

It would be at least two minutes to get into the chair and to the door and he didn't trust his voice. It could waver or crack, betraying him in an instant. He turned on his side, grimacing as a draft hit the plate again, and reached for his bedside lamp. The light flicked on then quickly off again, giving Vasile his answer.

Vasile blinked as he saw the light go one and off. What did that mean? "Marlow, what's up?" He tried the handle, only to find it locked. "Are you hurt? Do I need to get help?" The concern in his voice was evident, and written all over his face, had Marlow been able to see it.

"No..." He managed, his arm stretching for the handle of his chair and dragging it to the bedside. What was he going to say? How was he going to explain? Did he even have the right to speak when he had lied all this time? Twisting truths and dealing in distractions had been a treasured family trait and by sheer luck it had never come back to haunt him until now. Maybe it was less a matter luck and a more the steady build up towards divine retribution for his sins...

He pulled himself into the chair and tried to ignore the onslaught of foreign sensations his new body sent his way. He intentionally bumped into dressers and lamps as he went, doing his best to let Vasile know he was, in fact, coming to the door.

Vasile chewed on his bottom lip, listening as he came closer. His ears didn't lie, and he could hear his movements rather clearly. He bounced up and down on his new digigrade feet and recoiled a bit as by instinct, his nose went to work. Hypersensitive and acting on its accord, all Vasile really got from it right now was the stench of new mulch put out I the landscaping.

Marlow rested his hand on the doorknob. Even if a part of him felt justified in his actions, there was still no 'right' way of doing this necessary part. With a heavy sigh he turned the handle and let the door drift open.

"Marlow! I was worried… we were supposed to meet at the lake remem---"

That's as far as Vasile got before the door drifted open enough to see the form on the other side. His voice dropped and he blinked several times. "Marlow?" Realization hit him like a ton of bricks and he dropped down to a crouching position in an instant, putting him at slightly-below his eye level, so Vasile could look up at him. "Marlow oh my god… you...." His green eyes were large and round as they settled over his features, his expression becoming disconcerting.

"You…" he didn't seem to know what to say, as a curious paw reached up towards his face, wanting to touch.

He flinched but didn't draw away. Why would Vasile want to touch it? He couldn't even bear to do it himself.

Vasile's paw, very gently, touched the tip of the growths from over his eyes with the pads of is hands, before the slid downwards to cup his face. "I wish I was here…" Vasile said after a moment. Though he tried to conceal it, his mind reeled with possibilities…what was he becoming?

Marlow closed his eyes and shook his head in disagreement. It was a godsend that Vasile had been spared.

Vasile's thumb gently rubbed over the growth near his mouth before Vasile pulled back and took his hands in his. "Talk to me, Marlow. Are you in pain? Can I get anything for you? What can I do? Oh god, I should have been here for you, Marlow…" His ears were down and his expression of concern was genuine.

Marlow shook his head again, this time with the faintest hint of desperation. Why did Vasile have to be so understanding, so considerate? "Don't... please don't..."

Vasile's expression fell a bit in confusion. "Don't…what?"

There were no less than a hundred words he could have used to try to smooth it over. To make it look innocent, to explain how pure his intentions had been, but the thought of manipulating Vasile even further only made the stone in his stomach heavier. "I knew..."

"You knew? What did you know?" Vasile's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked him over. The suspicion was clear in his eyes, but he didn't voice it.

Marlow raised his head, meeting Vasile's gaze. Though he tried to keep his expression neutral, the depths of his eyes filled with regret. "Moreau is no friend to my father. For the sake of business, they kept things civil but in private..." he trailed off, his hands clenching involuntarily around Vasile's paws. "Before I left the hospital, my father bragged about how this was a sign of a promising truce... and if Moreau boasts the same I'm sure he does it with a much crueler smile..."

Vasile listened raptly. He swallowed, looking over Marlow's features on his face again, and he tried to hide a wince. "…what is it, then?" he asked smally, his voice sounding nervous. He gently pushed the chair back and closed the door behind him once fully back inside the duplex.

He hadn't spoken it aloud since he first received the news, and now that he did he couldn't get over how ridiculous it sounded. He gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Something fitting... you don't need legs when you crawl around on your belly." He swallowed, resting his forehead in his hand and forcing himself to touch one of the soft growths. "A snail."

Vasile blinked. "A … snail." The mental image Vasile got wasn't a pleasant one… and he screwed his eyes closed, looking away. He stood and paced a bit in front of his chair, his tail twitching at the tip.

This was perfect. There was such a thing as …karma or God or something. Divine retribution for Cass this was. A SNAIL? A snail… shells…slime… what the hell did a snail person even look like.

But that… that was for later. A hurt expression came over his eyes and he looked back at him. "You knew this? For how long?"

Marlow forced himself to keep his eyes on Vasile though the expression of pain grieved him. "Dr. Lockheart informed me. The same night she first prescribed the morphine."

Vasile gawked slightly. That night... that was the second time they even met. "That long?" He looked incredulously at the man. "You… you should have told me." There was a small hint of anger to his voice, but it was mostly veiled by a sense of betrayal.

The corner of his mouth twitched as more frustrations boiled to the surface. "How could I? You were trying so hard to convince me that everything was going to be all right? I wanted to believe it was the truth... It only got harder after that."

"You could have saved me from looking like a fool," he sneered, shaking his head "I probably looked so stupid… sitting there trying to cheer you up. I'm surprised you don't despise me for rubbing it in."

"I was grateful" Marlow shot back. "Even if it was naive and yes, maybe even foolish. But I never wanted to make you look like a fool. I tried to protect you."

"Protect me?" Vasile shook his head in disbelief. "Protect me from what, exactly, Mr. Marlow." In his shock/anger, he almost wanted to ask if Cass put him up to his little white lie, but he reigned in his tongue for now.

Marlow sighed, slumping in his chair and pressing his fingertips into his temple and hairline. "You think I've resisted 'us' all this time because I'm old fashioned?" Despite the lightness of the words, his tone was serious, expecting an equally serious answer.

Vasile stopped mid-paced and stared. Did he hear that right? "Yes... I did. You mean… you mean we haven't…" Vasile motioned awkwardly with his hands, "You've held me back because you knew you would…" he sighed and motioned helplessly towards him.

Marlow gazed intensely at Vasile though his spread fingers as he answered with a direct and simple "Yes."

Vasile pinched the skin at the base of his muzzle between his eyes. "My god." He turned away for a moment. "For what purpose? Liked watching me beg? Having fun toying with me?" Vasile's eyes stung with tears and he grimaced. That's the last thing he needed right now.

"Never." For the first time he pushed his chair forward in an effort to get closer to Vasile. He wasn't like that. He never had been and he hated that he had done something to make Vasile suspect him of it.

He glanced over his shoulder at Marlow, but didn't turn back around yet. "Then why? Why purposely hold that from me! I had a right to know, Marlow. If you knew… since we.. I thought we were. .. you know… you tell things to each other."

"I..." he started, some of his nerve faltering. "I didn't realize we'd get to the point where we tell things to each other... and when we did, the lie was too far gone." He pressed a curled hand up to his lips. "I never meant to hurt you, Victor. But when things started happening... I just wanted to keep believing that everything was going to be as you said... that it was all going to be okay."

Vasile was perfectly still as Marlow spoke, save for the very tip of his large tail that twitched back and forth in a bout of nervous energy. That was, until, Marlow used his real name. No one outside his family, and a few -really- crazy internet fan girls, knew his real name. And certainly no one had called him by it in nearly a year now - since he last saw his mother. He clasped his hands over his muzzle and squeezed his eyes shut again. There was a feeling in the pit of Vasile's stomach that he didn't want to admit was there. Or admit what it might be… he was afraid of what he might be feeling, and it scared him, to be perfectly honest. Not that he would admit that to Marlow. Or even to himself.

After a moment he turned back to Vasile and lowered his hands. "How did you know… it might not be okay had you told me?"

"I didn't know" Marlow confessed. "I just knew that I was content and you looked happy. I just couldn't imagine this," he gestured to his altered face with a look of helplessness, "being a part of that. I've spent the whole day in this room and I still close my eyes anytime I think I might see myself in the mirror. How can I expect you to bear it when I can't even bear it myself?" He offered a sad sort of smile. "You deserve one of the lucky ones."

Vasile's expression fell, his ears dropping down in sympathy. He swallowed and looked over the man's features again. He dropped back down to his squatting position in front of his chair, reaching up and taking his face in both of his hands. "Marlow…" He looked long and hard at him. "Its not that bad," he said, forcing a supportive smile. "Its… its not bad at all, Marlow. It just…is." He smiled up and him in a bit of amusement. He moved his hand to run through his hair. "None of us are lucky here. There are no 'lucky ones.'"

Reflecting that same smile, Marlow leaned forward until his forehead, budding antennae and all, rested against Vasile's. "I'm sorry for misleading you."

Vasile's hands moved down to his shoulders, tentatively feeing the growth there. Being gentle, but needing to feel it. "This isn't easy for anyone, Ridley," he said softly, leaning right back. "It hurts. It's…hard. No one, no matter what, likes to watch their face get stolen from them. No one feels beautiful. No one feels…right." He paused and looked at him significantly. "You shouldn't have to go through his alone. I… I want to be help you. Be there for you… you know." He swallowed, his voice suddenly feeling very dry. "I care about you … a lot… "

Marlow cupped Vasile's cheek in his palm, taking in everything he said and remembering now, more than ever, what he had been afraid of losing. What he had been willing to lie for. "Okay." He said it to everything. To his name from Vasile's lips, to his desire to be at his side, and to the timid confession that moved Marlow most of all.

Vasile nodded slowly and smiled somberly. He gently pulled him close and pressed his lips to his. Gently, just to emphasize his words as he stroked his hair. Vasile felt shaky and uncertain, but he knew Marlow needed his support. So much was boiling just under the surface of Vasile's eyes.

Marlow returned the kiss, chaste but tender. Even when in full health, he had trouble sorting out his feelings. Drained as he was now, he gave it up for impossible. Every word and gesture was on impulse, usually driven by whichever emotion pushed ahead of the rest. At the moment, desperate hope was the uncharacteristic forerunner "So... you'll stay here with me tonight?"

Vasile nuzzled him lovingly with his muzzle. "Of course I will," he whispered, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

Marlow let out a shuddering sigh of relief that ended in a warm, grateful smile. "Thank you."

It had required a plan. Marlow knew where his strengths lay, and unfortunately, regardless of how skilled he used to be, stealth and haste were just not his forte. Maybe with a little bit of practice, he would develop new ways of sneaking and speeding. However for the time being he had to do the best he could with a set of wheels, the cover of dusk, and the knowledge that Vasile customarily gave himself at least a couple hours of time at home after his final 'no, really, I'm leaving now honest!'

And he used that time to his full advantage. There was the grooming first, which required some adjustments from his usual routine to account for his changes... and he wanted to look his best. He dressed well: slacks, belt, shirt and even shoes to fancy up his no longer bandaged legs. Next was a series of stops that send him zigzagging across village proper and slightly beyond. If someone had spotted him, they didn't take note. As usual he was quite skilled at masking his true intentions... not that anybody was so bored that they would take interest in his plans. Or maybe they were. That crowd at the lunch table certainly seemed starved for entertainment.

The final leg of the journey was by far the most difficult, but then also the most impressive. A good three hours after Vasile had left Marlow's to return home, there was a knock on his door.

Marlow was greeted by a chorus of what seemed like multiple dogs barking (yipping, actually) from the other side. Over the assault, Vasile could be heard yelling for them to settle down. Vasile was just finishing up his daily grooming regiment...something that now took him hours to complete thanks to all his...fur. Every inch of him got the same attention his head hair did... brushed, groomed, and even moussed and primped where needed. He had grown overly fond of his big fluffy tail, his dirty little secret, and always paid extra close attention to it.

He set down the brush and grabbed a shirt on his way to the door, slipping it on but keeping it open. "Coming," he called, scooping up his little deformed dog under one arm before opening the door.

Marlow smiled up from the landing, presenting a very modest but elegant bouquet of flowers no larger than hand that held them. "Surprise." He grinned, holding it higher. "I only ate two of them, promise."

Vasile blinked, Marlow being the last person he expected to see at his door. "Marlow?!" Vasile dropped to his haunches, a huge smile on his face. "For me?" He felt his ears burn a bit, dangerously close to a blush. No one had ever given him flowers before, of course, he wasn't used to being the 'girl' in the relationship. On that note, Vasile surprised himself with how much he found himself... liking the gesture. He was happy to see Marlow, and he looked so nice, and it was a surprise... and coming bearing gifts... well, no one could complain about that.

He took the flowers from him and gave them the customary sniff. He had a dumb smile of his face that wouldn't wash away, which was really killing his attempt to look suave. He looked down at flight of stairs and back to the unchaired Marlow. "Did you?"

Brutus shifted in Vasile arms and gave a series of grunty growls and whines, stretching all three of his necks forward and trying to sniff at this new person.

Marlow gave a wary glance at the squirming dog—ses, "Yeah. I did. How else was I going to surprise you? But ah!" He held up one hand in pause and reached behind him where a supply bag dangled from the strap slung over his shoulder. "There is more." He paused dramatically with hand poised over the satchel, as if carefully planning his next move. In the end he retreated, staring past the flushed Vasile to the room beyond. "But, that can wait until I'm no longer sitting on cold concrete. Think your body guard there is going to let me in?"

Vasile's tail wagged happily behind him, eyes sparkling with the anticipation already. “Oh, of course!” Vasile backed away from the door and motioned for Marlow to come in? “Do you... need any help?” he asked hesitantly. He gave a supportive smile and then rushed back towards the bathroom, grabbing a glass and filling it with water for the flowers, and unceremoniously dumping his dog critter into the room and shutting the door behind him. He placed the makeshift vase on the bedside table before returning to Marlow's side.

In that short time, Marlow had managed to slip into the room and close the door behind him. Well, that had been a rather successful trip in his mind. He did a quick job of brushing off the bits of dirt and grit that had clung to his clothing, hoping to erase the evidence of the step by step trek up the stairs to Vasile's second story suite. It was better for Vasile to focus on the ends, not the means. He was quite relieved that Vasile seemed genuinely happy to see him. He wasn't sure about the flowers... but if there ever was a time for flowers it was now. A fragrant bouquet of 'sorry I kinda lead you around all these weeks and boy you sure were swell for not slapping your tail in my face on the way out the door like I deserved.' It was the little orange and white flowers that really brought out that sentiment. The little red stars hinted at something entirely different, but he wasn't going to go there just yet. The night was young.

Vasile's curiosity was getting the better of him, his large green eyes darting from Marlow's face to the bag every couple of seconds, though he tried to cover for it. He learned forward for a quick canine peck on his cheek as he sat down next to him. “Can I offer you a chair or anything?”

Marlow made a sour face. "Tired of chairs. I think I can do without them for a night." He stretched his limbs out on the floor before him, letting the pack fall off his shoulders. "I propose a picnic."

Vasile leaned back on his haunches until he landed on his rear, curling his tail around him as a makeshift cushion. “Sounds excellent,” he said, eying the bag again. He motioned towards it with his paw. “So, what else?” he teased, tail twitching.

Marlow tutted him for his impatience, pulling the bag around until it landed in his lap. "The best I could manage of course." He pulled out carefully towel-wrapped bundle. "Did you know that while the beach bar has over a dozen each of glasses for martinis, scotch, and margaritas, I could find only two," he pulled back a corner of the cloth, revealing a pair of special, long stemmed glasses, "champagne flutes."

Vasile sat back, wiggling in excitement but almost giddy in the presentation. His smile broke into a toothy grin at the glasses. “How convenient for us, then.”

"I promise you there was nothing convenient about carrying both the champagne and the ice" he pulled a dripping wastebasket liner filled with ice and, yes, the frosted black neck of a bottle of champagne peeked out like the stamen of a bizarre plastic flower . "But well worth the effort when it means it comes to you already chilled." He set the towel and bottle-pouch down and pulled out one last surprise; several napkins packed with strawberries and a Hershey's chocolate bar. "Now this..." he gestured with the candy towards the microwave. "I don't know if this is going to work but... you know. Worth a shot."

Vasile was blown away at the gesture, and in truth, very touched. “You didn't have to do all this...” he said, though the excited and happy expression on his face implied otherwise. He looked curiously at the candy and the strawberries, taking him a moment to connect the dots. But recognition flashed across his eyes and he gave a wry grin. “So clever...”

He gave a humble shrug. "Well I figured if I was going to be rude enough to barge in without announcing myself, I had better come bearing presents." Vasile was glowing, even under the thick coat of fur, and this pleased Marlow greatly. Making up for past mistakes was proving to be rather liberating as well. The change had crumbled the final barrier he had erected between them, and at last he felt the freedom talk with Vasile as he wished, share with Vasile as he wished, and do with Vasile as he wished.

“Well,” Vasile said, still grinning, “You're forgiven. Feel free to barge in anytime with presents, though, you certainly won't hear my complaining.” Vasile reached and ran a claw down his jaw line. “You dressed up, too,” he noticed, eyes dropping down over him. “You look nice. Well, you always do, but you know what I mean.”

"Because I thought you'd like it..." he smiled, straightening his shirt collar and stealing a touch as his thumb passed Vasile's hand.

Vasile's gaze turned more serious for a moment. "I do like it," he confirmed, scooting closer, watching. "This..." he motioned to the set up, "this is really nice."

"It was nothing..." Marlow assured him, far more modest than his usual self. "Just wanted to... you know." There were actually several things he ended the whole scene to express, however, he would let Vasile decide exactly what it was Marlow was trying to say.

Vasile gave his answer by stealing a quick, soft kiss. "So ... where do we begin?" he inquired, looking over the spread.

Marlow stopped himself as he felt his shoulders lean forward, trying to follow the brief peck as it withdrew. With a slight cough he straightened his back and took the bottle into his hands. "With a toast" he suggested, switching modes with ease. "Not sure what too, but it's just not the same if you don't clink some glasses together." With some swift handwork and a satisfying pop, a stream of white foam burst from the top of the bottle. He offered the first glass to Vasile.

Vasile took the glass and nodded his thanks, waiting to drink until Marlow had his glass ready for the toast. “Let's see... “ Vasile thought, looking quickly around the room. “How about... 'to making the best of it.'?” He gave a significant look to his partner, hoping it came across as romantic without being sappy or overbearing. Vasile certain had learned to enjoy himself where he could, and hoped Marlow could take comfort in him, and perhaps try to do the same.

Marlow tilted his glass, striking Vasile's with a soft and pleasant chime. "To making the best... and to the best of everything." He added with certain admiring shimmer in his eyes.

Vasile nodded and clinked his glass, finally delighting himself with a small sip. His eyes didn't break from Marlow's the whole time, his tail swishing behind him a slow, deliberate manner. One of his hands slid up from the floor to rest on Marlow's leg, just above the knee, and he leaned against him, wanting the closeness and enjoying the moment. It was certainly the most romantic situation he ever found himself in. Sure, he had champagne before and all. But, besides the fact that he was usually the one brining the bubbly, the whole feel was difference. It wasn't practiced or rehearsed. There was a spontaneity and sincerity to the whole thing that really struck a chord with him. On an island where you're cut off from everything, it brings new meaning to the words 'its the thought that counts'.

Marlow let his arm wander until it found itself hooked about Vasile's waist, his hand resting contently at his hip as they leaned into each other. It had been a well-executed plan, the food and the drink. But that wasn't what had made the evening. It was just the natural flow of 'them,' something he had come to trust more and more as the days passed. He had a feeling that even if they were denied another bottle of champagne or if strawberries disappeared from the menu forever... they would always be able to find moments like these... opportunities. Marlow set down his glass and raised his hand to brush away some of the long strands of white hair from Vasile's neck, his warm breath filling the fur underneath as he drew closer.

Vasile let his eyes flutter closed and craned his neck subtly, giving Marlow better access. His own hand farther up his leg, gently sliding over his hip and looping around his waist as well so he was holding him loosely.

The pressing of his lips against Vasile's skin was more urgent than Marlow's cool demeanor let on. Direct and purposeful, a non-verbal segue into an issue that had been dwelling in Vasile's consciousness for about as long as he known Marlow. Almost exactly as long as he had known Marlow in fact. Marlow nipped lightly, the small tentacles framing his mouth brushing against Vasile's fur with a pleasant chill that rather surprised their once entirely ungrateful owner.

Vasile let out a shuddering breath as Marlow nipped at his flesh, a shaking hand quickly setting his flute down so he could fully wrap both his arms around him, one of his hands reaching up into his hair to cradle his head at the bend of his neck. Vasile breathed out something that was probably Marlow's name, though it was quiet and exhaled rather than spoken. Not quite a question, but more than a statement, more like an inquiry of confirmation of where this was heading. Vasile had reigned in his more carnal desires for Marlow for a while now. Not that that was a bad thing... he had grown so fond of the man due to the bonding they had shared because of it. But there was a built up passion within him that was very quickly bubbling to the surface.

Once folded in Vasile's arms, his embrace tightened. Reservations had given way to eagerness, but he was by no means rushed or naive. Vasile's sigh was met with an affirming hum, slipped into his mouth directly as Marlow abruptly broke from his course to press lips against lips.

Vasile returned the kiss as deeply as he could. Unfortunately, he wasn't as proficient with his new muzzle as he would like to have been, but he managed. He pressed Marlow close to him, his hands slowly sliding down to his hips, his fingertips pressed over him with purpose. Vasile's tail swept around to include Marlow in its embrace.

It should have been awkward. Marlow had expected it to be very awkward. Vasile's fur and other animalistic features had helped Marlow see past the fact that he was a man, but there had been nothing to distract from the distraction itself. He anticipated the logic that he had used to come this far would fail him... but it was quite the opposite. He had abandoned the logic in favor of the more chaotic whims of passion.

Vasile held the kiss for a long time. His fingers pressed into his hips as he flexed them, his hands eager to roam over his body. But Vasile kept them still for the time being. He was determined to take this slow. Marlow wasn't going anywhere... and maybe if Vasile played his cards right, he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. When the kiss finally broke, Vasile took a few hot breaths against Marlow's neck to catch his breath, then took his turn nipping and licking at the soft skin there

Marlow tilted his head towards the display, flinching only slightly as Vasile passed over the dark fringe of skin that had formed during his transformation. Vasile had gone through far more than he, but he never wavered when Marlow touched his fur or face. As if testing this concept, Marlow let his hand fall to the small of his back until two of his fingers rested at the place where spine became tail.

Vasile made a purr like sound, arching his back into Marlow's hands as he continued his attention. His lips came up from his neck to his jaw line, laying a trail of kisses there before coming back to his lips for a moment. His hands finally left their place from his hips, gently sliding over the fabric of his shirt, running up his sides, then over his chest and shoulders.

He pressed against that spot as Vasile's shoulders feel back, a massaging caress following down that line through the thick fur of his tail and back again. He was pulling him in, so far that they began to occupy the same place on the floor. Limbs parted to make way for other limbs until Vasile straddled Marlow's thigh. Vasile didn't even need to put down any cards. Marlow had his hand showing.

*******
redface

*******

Vasile body went limp as the shuddering sensation slowly faded away, leaving Vasile's mind and body in a happy, warm, tingly sense of ecstasy. Panting for breath in large gasps, his tongue lolled out happy as he leaned back against Marlow and nuzzled at his neck, hand reaching up behind him to run through his hair lovingly.

Marlow hummed through a blissful smile as he made himself comfortable, keeping Vasile nestled in the curve of his body. He whispered into the furred shell of his ear "It was a good surprise?"

"Best surprise ever," he purred, as he opened an eye to peer back at him with a smile. "That was amazing."

"And worth the wait?" He replied with a hint of hope in his voice.

"Definitely," he said with a nuzzle. His ears dropped curiously. "And for you?"

Marlow smirked into Vasile's hair. "Hard to believe I used to think this was boring. I must have been insane then... and insane again for making us wait so long." He gave his puffed tail a languid stroke "I promise I'll be more sensible in the future."

"Maybe if was a good thing in the long run," he admitted to Marlow quietly. "I've enjoyed our time together. Sex or not." He tilted his head back. "Not that I'm complaining. And yes, you must have been insane. But I've been known to do that to people," he said with a teasing grin playing on his lips. He gently pulled away and shifted, wanting to be face to face with Marlow again.

Marlow gave him a kiss on the forehead when he came to rest again, giving into more affectionate displays than he usually allowed himself. "Maybe better, yes." He leaned his head on one of his arms and let the other trace along the underside of Vasile's muzzle. "I suppose we have more than just a 'thing' going here... don't we?"

Vasile's face broke into happy smile, his tail swaying contentedly behind him now. "I hope we do," he said, eyes warm and sincere.

He nodded in agreement. "I... didn't really think it was possible in a place like this. I'm glad I was proven wrong."

"Well," Vasile said, stifling a yawn as the post-coital snuggle/sleep response tried to kick in. "We're all still people here, regardless how much they try to change it. I think it's expected that people don't want to go through this alone." He smiled softly at Marlow and ran a hand over his cheek. "It strips your life down to the bare essentials. It opens your mind up to what really matters and how you really feel about things. Coming here made me totally reexamine how I was living my life and why. And you're forced to make adjustments and changes. Perhaps a part of it is denial... but in the end there's an acceptance that, good or bad aside, things are different. And you have to react." Vasile shrugged, slightly embarrassed. He was never the philosophical type until he came here, either. "And if you managed to find someone in the process, then I suppose you can consider yourself lucky in some degree. I know I do."

Marlow reflected on his words. His good fortune was his own, and he refused to give Moreau any credit for what happiness he had found in his living experiment. The madman had not intended for this to happen, and the threat of what he might do should the whim take him was very real to Marlow, so real it squashed what thoughts of rebellion dwelled in the back of his mind. He had done the doctor a favor, finding something it would hurt to lose so early in his stay. Neither of them might ever know what sort of troubles he could have caused if he was still without will or hope. Or perhaps he was being paranoid... Moreau's choice of a snail seemed indicative of just how insignificant he considered Marlow to be in the grand scheme of things.

Eventually his thoughts turned away from himself and back to the heart of Vasile's message. He gave it careful consideration, and then spoke. "I would think that if, by being here, I could help someone else be a better person, my life can still have a worthwhile purpose." It wasn't CEO or President of the United States, for certain, but if left with only most basic elements of human nature, it was as good as it got.

Vasile nodded. "You should base your own worth on someone else..." he looked him in the eye before continuing with a trailing, "but on that note... I don't know how significant I am, but you certainly give me reason to want to get up in the morning."

Vasile cleared his throat gently, suddenly realizing how on the verge of sappy that sounded. "m'sorry," he mumbled, covering, waving his hands dismissively. "I'm going to go wash up... care to join me?"

The look in Marlow's eyes warmed as Vasile spoke, but he said nothing more on the subject. Perhaps he was worried about falling into the same sappy trap that Vasile had found himself in. "I think these tubs are too small for us both to sit." he complained over dramatically before breaking into his first lecherous grin, "but I'll certainly watch as I wait my turn."

Vasile matched his grin, leaning forward to touch his nose to his. "Sounds good to me."