Please Don't Eat Me!
Alexis Gideon
Alexis had decided to take advantage of her afternoon off to get some of her shopping done. Eclipse was getting HUGE and she decided that it was time to invest in some new aquarium equipment. Unfortunately, Alexis would never return to the nearest pet store, and so her shopping trip took her quite a bit further away from her house than she would have liked.
She kept to the back streets in an attempt to avoid the people she was convinced were monitoring her. Being relatively new to the city, Alexis was lacking in her knowledge of the alternative routes. Sure enough, she eventually found herself completely and hopelessly lost.
She kept to the back streets in an attempt to avoid the people she was convinced were monitoring her. Being relatively new to the city, Alexis was lacking in her knowledge of the alternative routes. Sure enough, she eventually found herself completely and hopelessly lost.
Bolide
It was all too confusing for him now. He had been away from the big city for too long. Bolide felt cramped and hunted. The few people he had known were gone. Why had he bothered to come back? Loneliness, yes, but it was a stupid thing to do. There was no one here for him, no one, no one. Bolide hunkered down, wrapping his tail firmly about his legs. He felt quite put-upon. Bolide would have voiced a nice loud bellow to tell the whole world how he felt, but he ... shouldn't. Shouldn't draw too much attention to himself. Martina was long gone, but Bolide knew her rules had kept him safe in the human world. He could obey for a little while longer.
There weren't too many people out, at least not along this little street. Maybe they were used to Cambrians, being so close to the Institute. Maybe they just didn't care. Either way, no one had tried to cause a fuss about Bolide lurking next to an empty vendor's cart. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but the cart's ragged umbrella just barely fit over him. It kept off the worst of the sun's afternoon rays. The massive Cambrian grumbled quietly beneath his breath. Disgraceful. What was he even doing here, in this sad little run-down street? There was nothing for him to buy. He had no money. He had had a Visa card once, but that was currently floating in the middle of the Pacific. Bolide heaved a sigh. Pointless. He would have to follow his nose to get out of this warren of a city and back to the blessed ocean. For now he would doze a little, wait for his energy to return. Shambling all over the dryland had taken its toll.
There weren't too many people out, at least not along this little street. Maybe they were used to Cambrians, being so close to the Institute. Maybe they just didn't care. Either way, no one had tried to cause a fuss about Bolide lurking next to an empty vendor's cart. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but the cart's ragged umbrella just barely fit over him. It kept off the worst of the sun's afternoon rays. The massive Cambrian grumbled quietly beneath his breath. Disgraceful. What was he even doing here, in this sad little run-down street? There was nothing for him to buy. He had no money. He had had a Visa card once, but that was currently floating in the middle of the Pacific. Bolide heaved a sigh. Pointless. He would have to follow his nose to get out of this warren of a city and back to the blessed ocean. For now he would doze a little, wait for his energy to return. Shambling all over the dryland had taken its toll.
Alexis Gideon
Alexis had taken a break from her wandering and purchased for herself a couple of popsicles from a small corner store. She should have asked for directions, but her suspicion of all strangers as of late extended even to the frail old man behind the counter of what was obviously both his home and his livelihood. Nevermind, Alexis thought, if she continued on the way she was going, she was bound to end up somewhere.
And so Alexis continued on her way, lapping at her dripping treat and basking in the afternoon sunlight. She let her mind wander and paid little heed to where her feet led her. The street was nearly deserted, after all. She could stand to be a little careless. That was, of course, until she felt her foot trod on something distinctly unsidewalk-like. She looked down and saw an umbrella sporting a pair of feet and a tail, attached to which was a creature unlike anything she’d ever seen. Alexis nearly choked on the piece of popsicle she had in her mouth and coughed.
And so Alexis continued on her way, lapping at her dripping treat and basking in the afternoon sunlight. She let her mind wander and paid little heed to where her feet led her. The street was nearly deserted, after all. She could stand to be a little careless. That was, of course, until she felt her foot trod on something distinctly unsidewalk-like. She looked down and saw an umbrella sporting a pair of feet and a tail, attached to which was a creature unlike anything she’d ever seen. Alexis nearly choked on the piece of popsicle she had in her mouth and coughed.
Bolide
The pressure on his foot was negligible, but Bolide's temper flared. He shook his head, working the stiffness out of his neck, and brought his face down level with the human's. Four shiny pink eyes glared blearily at her. "What you do?" His voice was hoarse from months of disuse. Wonderful, his first day back in his 'birthplace' and already he had gotten himself lost and stepped on. Stepped on. Bolide was weary and lonely. He felt dreary, draggy, and sad. He was far from impressive, and he could accept being ignored by the people of Rosewood. But stepped on, as though he didn't even exist? It was simply unacceptable.
Bolide stretched, straightening up out of his habitual stoop. Good. Good! He had looked like some pathetic hunchbacked gargoyle. No wonder he got no respect. The battered umbrella caught on his forehead for a moment before being pulled from the cart and tossed into the street. The Cambrian's hood flared most impressively as he puffed himself up. Standing straight, he towered over the little human. After favoring her with a glimpse of his majesty, Bolide breathed out in a sad little whoof, his hood deflating as he slumped back down. Too much effort, to scare some little no-account softie.
Bolide stretched, straightening up out of his habitual stoop. Good. Good! He had looked like some pathetic hunchbacked gargoyle. No wonder he got no respect. The battered umbrella caught on his forehead for a moment before being pulled from the cart and tossed into the street. The Cambrian's hood flared most impressively as he puffed himself up. Standing straight, he towered over the little human. After favoring her with a glimpse of his majesty, Bolide breathed out in a sad little whoof, his hood deflating as he slumped back down. Too much effort, to scare some little no-account softie.
Alexis Gideon
'I-I-I-" Alexis stammered, trying to formulate a response to the creature's question. Her pitiful attempt was cut short at the Cambrian's display of aggression. She jumped when the umbrella hit the street and dropped her bag of treats.
When he seemed to be finished, Alexis cleared her throat and tried again. 'I'm really sorry, sir. It's just that I'm lost and I wasn't looking where I was going. I didn't mean to..."
Stay calm, she told herself. They can sense fear. Or was that dogs?
When he seemed to be finished, Alexis cleared her throat and tried again. 'I'm really sorry, sir. It's just that I'm lost and I wasn't looking where I was going. I didn't mean to..."
Stay calm, she told herself. They can sense fear. Or was that dogs?
Bolide
"Hmmmf." She was nervous of him. Rather than feeling satisfied, Bolide just felt gloomy. There weren't many people about, but surely someone had noticed his little display. Probably best to be leaving now. Bolide's head was turned to the side, breathing in the air while he kept an eyepair focused on the human. Not-threat. She had called him sir. Mild ego boost.
Bolide focused his attention on the air. Where was the sea? Impossible to tell! The reek of old cheese, bread, grease, noxious meat, and other unsavory things coming from the now-empty cart was clogging his nose. It might not be as bad for the human (might even smell good, in fact), but most of the substances used in your common hot dog or arepa were impossible for Bolide to digest. Just the thought of all that oiled-up dairy made his stomach turn. Bluech. He raised a surreptitious claw and wiped at his snout. The dairy/grain/grease stench was strong enough to make his nose run. How undignified. The little human female was not-a-threat, but he still didn't want to look like a fool in front of her.
Picking a random direction, Bolide lurched to his feet and began to lumber heavily down the street. The human had a sort of smell about her that made him anxious. Or maybe it was a look. Could be just a feeling. Something, something, something. He wanted to get away from her.
On the other claw....
Changing course abruptly, Bolide made an about-face and headed back for the girl. What was it about her? Something! She would tell him. Heedless of the fact that people were quite probably staring, Bolide loomed over the human. "You! What with you, is it? Well!" He leaned to one side, shifting his weight so that he could effectively tap one broad foot against the pavement. "Hmmm! Well? Tell me!" His people skills needed polish, but Bolide would get his answers.
Bolide focused his attention on the air. Where was the sea? Impossible to tell! The reek of old cheese, bread, grease, noxious meat, and other unsavory things coming from the now-empty cart was clogging his nose. It might not be as bad for the human (might even smell good, in fact), but most of the substances used in your common hot dog or arepa were impossible for Bolide to digest. Just the thought of all that oiled-up dairy made his stomach turn. Bluech. He raised a surreptitious claw and wiped at his snout. The dairy/grain/grease stench was strong enough to make his nose run. How undignified. The little human female was not-a-threat, but he still didn't want to look like a fool in front of her.
Picking a random direction, Bolide lurched to his feet and began to lumber heavily down the street. The human had a sort of smell about her that made him anxious. Or maybe it was a look. Could be just a feeling. Something, something, something. He wanted to get away from her.
On the other claw....
Changing course abruptly, Bolide made an about-face and headed back for the girl. What was it about her? Something! She would tell him. Heedless of the fact that people were quite probably staring, Bolide loomed over the human. "You! What with you, is it? Well!" He leaned to one side, shifting his weight so that he could effectively tap one broad foot against the pavement. "Hmmm! Well? Tell me!" His people skills needed polish, but Bolide would get his answers.
Eulie
It wasn’t as if Alexis was new to the world of Cambrians. She’d spent the greater portion of her education studying the creatures and knew more than the average person about their fossilized remains. All of the education in the world would not have prepared her for Bolide. She hadn’t expected them to be so big and … toothy. Her thoughts wandered back to Eclipse in his bowl at home. He was harmless now, but what if he grew into this? Alexis shuddered slightly, but quickly composed herself.
She noticed the Cambrian’s reaction to the hot dog cart and smiled. Hot dogs had always revolted Alexis, but her inferior sense of smell saved her the indignity of the experience. In an attempt to appear more in control of the situation, Alexis reached down and rescued a second popsicle from her grocery bag and popped it into her mouth.
The abrupt change in Bolide’s behavior shattered any composure Alexis had managed to fake. Completely against her will, she stepped backwards and cowered slightly. When she realized what she was doing, she scoffed in disgust at herself and straightened her back. Looking Bolide straight in the eye she said “I don’t understand what you mean. Speak more clearly, please.”
That would show him. Assert your dominance!
She noticed the Cambrian’s reaction to the hot dog cart and smiled. Hot dogs had always revolted Alexis, but her inferior sense of smell saved her the indignity of the experience. In an attempt to appear more in control of the situation, Alexis reached down and rescued a second popsicle from her grocery bag and popped it into her mouth.
The abrupt change in Bolide’s behavior shattered any composure Alexis had managed to fake. Completely against her will, she stepped backwards and cowered slightly. When she realized what she was doing, she scoffed in disgust at herself and straightened her back. Looking Bolide straight in the eye she said “I don’t understand what you mean. Speak more clearly, please.”
That would show him. Assert your dominance!
Polecat Junkie
Ha! She was standing up to him. Good, good! That popsicle looked delicious and cold. No! Stay on track. Stay on track. There were too many sensations in this human city. His head spun. What was he after again? A popsicle? No. No. He wasn't sure what he was after. Focus on the female.
She wasn't whimpering and cringing like some kicked dog any more. This pleased him. Pathetic behavior rasped on his nerves like a bandsaw. Bolide curled his lip in a sneer, showing off his teeth. The little female wasn't afraid of him, and he wasn't afraid of her. That was all ... sorted out. Time to get down to business.
His foot frozen in mid-tap, Bolide leaned forward. "You know what I ask. You stupid?" He sniffed disdainfully and slightly wetly. The hot dogs still hadn't cleared from his sinuses. "You friends with ... different people?" She reminded him somehow of his Mutti, of the people at the Institute. She had a kind of feeling about her. And she had some really very nice looking snacks. It wasn't acceptable for a female to gift food to a male, but. Hmmm. "I am trading you for your ice things." Damn! He had meant to stay on track.
She wasn't whimpering and cringing like some kicked dog any more. This pleased him. Pathetic behavior rasped on his nerves like a bandsaw. Bolide curled his lip in a sneer, showing off his teeth. The little female wasn't afraid of him, and he wasn't afraid of her. That was all ... sorted out. Time to get down to business.
His foot frozen in mid-tap, Bolide leaned forward. "You know what I ask. You stupid?" He sniffed disdainfully and slightly wetly. The hot dogs still hadn't cleared from his sinuses. "You friends with ... different people?" She reminded him somehow of his Mutti, of the people at the Institute. She had a kind of feeling about her. And she had some really very nice looking snacks. It wasn't acceptable for a female to gift food to a male, but. Hmmm. "I am trading you for your ice things." Damn! He had meant to stay on track.
Eulie
Stupid? Alexis felt her face flush and opened her mouth before she was able to control herself. Clearly there was some sort of language barrier in place and losing her temper would certainly not help the situation.
“Sure, I’m friends with tons of different people,” she responded automatically. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Alexis realized that perhaps the creature before her had intended a different meaning for his words. He didn’t seem the type for small talk. Alexis certainly wasn’t stupid and quickly added “But … maybe that’s not what you mean. I have a pet fish at home?”
She was startled by his next request, if you could call it that. She glanced down at the popsicle in her hand and absentmindedly licked at a drip running down her hand. “Well, it’s my last one, but we can share it if you’d like.” Alexis broke half of the popsicle off and held it out to Bolide. “Hurry, before it melts!”
“Sure, I’m friends with tons of different people,” she responded automatically. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Alexis realized that perhaps the creature before her had intended a different meaning for his words. He didn’t seem the type for small talk. Alexis certainly wasn’t stupid and quickly added “But … maybe that’s not what you mean. I have a pet fish at home?”
She was startled by his next request, if you could call it that. She glanced down at the popsicle in her hand and absentmindedly licked at a drip running down her hand. “Well, it’s my last one, but we can share it if you’d like.” Alexis broke half of the popsicle off and held it out to Bolide. “Hurry, before it melts!”
Polecat Junkie
A fish? A fish. That was stupid. Why would someone keep a fish when zillions of the things could be gotten from the ocean for free? And those little fish humans kept as pets were weedy things. Runts, not even enough for a snack. More importantly, why was she telling him about her fish? Human females did like to yammer, though. Bolide had never seen much difference in blather-levels between human genders. According to the television, though, females were worse. That was a fact.
This female was clearly out of her squashy little mind. Share? What did she take him for, some kind of charity case? Bolide wasn't going to go taking gifts of food from some little strumpet. That was simply Not Done. He understood if she had none left to trade, but she didn't have to be so offensive about it! Bolide gnashed his teeth angrily. "What are you thinking I am, little female? We don't share food like mates." Wait a moment. Had she been offering him the fish as well? Ugh! Sick. "You want to be giving me fish too? Nasty! Or you too stupid to know what I am asking you?"
This female was clearly out of her squashy little mind. Share? What did she take him for, some kind of charity case? Bolide wasn't going to go taking gifts of food from some little strumpet. That was simply Not Done. He understood if she had none left to trade, but she didn't have to be so offensive about it! Bolide gnashed his teeth angrily. "What are you thinking I am, little female? We don't share food like mates." Wait a moment. Had she been offering him the fish as well? Ugh! Sick. "You want to be giving me fish too? Nasty! Or you too stupid to know what I am asking you?"
Eulie
Startled, Alexis pulled the popsicle back towards her body. “I’m sorry; I was trying to be nice.” She thought about he said and considered that perhaps this was some sort of cultural taboo for his species. In her studies, Alexis hadn’t encountered the possibility that the Cambrian entities would retain some of their cultural habits, though, in retrospect, it made sense. She knew that the Snowline Cambrian naturally spoke Hawaiian and she had personal experience with the flashes of dreams (memories?) from Eclipse. Hoping to redeem herself, Alexis added “What would you trade me for it?”
“Eat Eclipse! N-no, that’s not what I meant!” she panicked, as if they mere thought of Eclipse as food would have him swimming around this shark-thing’s stomach. “He’s not a normal fish. He’s like you.”
“Eat Eclipse! N-no, that’s not what I meant!” she panicked, as if they mere thought of Eclipse as food would have him swimming around this shark-thing’s stomach. “He’s not a normal fish. He’s like you.”
Polecat Junkie
Ruffled feathers slightly soothed, Bolide settled back. His mouth still hung open to taste the air, but he was no longer gnashing his teeth at the little woman. What would he trade? Bolide hadn't thought that far. He tapped at his necklace thoughtfully. The chunks of coral and bone clinked lightly. "Could give you a pretty thing." Martina had helped him make the necklace, with her nimble little fingers. Bolide didn't really want to give it up. "Better, could give you a good big fish."
So she didn't want her fish eaten? The fish was like him? Bolide bridled slightly. He wasn't a fish. The Cambrian forced himself to slow down and consider her words before lunging at her again. Too much of that would get some authorities called down on him. Not an attractive prospect. Did she mean the fish was another baby-Bolide? Could be, could be. Bolide knew enough not to hope for another of his species. Must be another baby Cambrian. That would explain that ... funniness about her.
But not all baby Cambrians were good. Ha! Bolide knew about that. He grunted. "You got a fish to turn into a person? Not to be eating then, hey?" A couple of pink eyes cast their jaundiced gaze over the woman. "Better for you if you are not being one of them. Bad people."
So she didn't want her fish eaten? The fish was like him? Bolide bridled slightly. He wasn't a fish. The Cambrian forced himself to slow down and consider her words before lunging at her again. Too much of that would get some authorities called down on him. Not an attractive prospect. Did she mean the fish was another baby-Bolide? Could be, could be. Bolide knew enough not to hope for another of his species. Must be another baby Cambrian. That would explain that ... funniness about her.
But not all baby Cambrians were good. Ha! Bolide knew about that. He grunted. "You got a fish to turn into a person? Not to be eating then, hey?" A couple of pink eyes cast their jaundiced gaze over the woman. "Better for you if you are not being one of them. Bad people."
Eulie
Noticing the necklace for the first time, Alexis was extremely curious. She didn’t think of this big brute as the sort to wear jewelry, let alone something that was clearly handmade and held sentimental value “A big fish it is then,” she said and held the treat out once again. “I haven’t had fresh fish in ages; I’m looking forward to it!”
“Oh, I know all about the bad people,” Alexis began with a bit of a sigh. “I got myself into a little bit of trouble with them a while ago. I’m pretty sure they know all about my fish by now. Actually, that’s what’s got me into this predicament. I’m a bit lost ... I’m looking for a new pet store. You wouldn’t happen to know where it is, would you?” She glanced over her shoulders to confirm that she still wasn’t being watched. Would she always be this paranoid?
“Oh, I know all about the bad people,” Alexis began with a bit of a sigh. “I got myself into a little bit of trouble with them a while ago. I’m pretty sure they know all about my fish by now. Actually, that’s what’s got me into this predicament. I’m a bit lost ... I’m looking for a new pet store. You wouldn’t happen to know where it is, would you?” She glanced over her shoulders to confirm that she still wasn’t being watched. Would she always be this paranoid?
Polecat Junkie
Bolide carefully grasped the popsicle in one heavy foreclaw. He was pleased. Dopey and ill-mannered, this female was, but she was quick to catch on. "Good. To be getting a fish." With some ceremony, the Cambrian deposited the popsicle in his wide mouth and swallowed. Deliciously cold, sweet slush. Too bad there weren't more.
And a good thing that she wasn't one of those sneaky nasty people. Bolide detested sneakiness. "Those people, making trouble with you? Ha!" His jaws gaped open and he let out a harsh cough of laughter. "Show them to me, hey?" He puffed himself up a little and stamped his feet. Nasty killers. They wouldn't get this woman's fish if he had any say in the matter. He would help her get to her pet store to buy dinner. But ... that might be tricky. "I am not to be going in the pet stores any more. They have a rule against it," Bolide said doubtfully, his hood falling back once more. "Well. Okay. We are finding it, I wait outside. Then you get delicious pets."
And a good thing that she wasn't one of those sneaky nasty people. Bolide detested sneakiness. "Those people, making trouble with you? Ha!" His jaws gaped open and he let out a harsh cough of laughter. "Show them to me, hey?" He puffed himself up a little and stamped his feet. Nasty killers. They wouldn't get this woman's fish if he had any say in the matter. He would help her get to her pet store to buy dinner. But ... that might be tricky. "I am not to be going in the pet stores any more. They have a rule against it," Bolide said doubtfully, his hood falling back once more. "Well. Okay. We are finding it, I wait outside. Then you get delicious pets."
Eulie
Smiling, Alexis turned and started walking in the direction she’d been headed before she stumbled across Bolide. “I might just take you up on that offer sometime. They haven’t done anything yet, but there have been some creepy people wandering around outside of my apartment lately. It just makes me nervous, you know?”
Oh dear! Alexis could imagine, without much difficulty, why there was a rule against the shark-man going to pet stores. She certainly wasn’t going there to buy dinner for herself. Oh well, he could think what he wanted as long as he stayed outside and away from the merchandise.
“Hey, we never really introduced ourselves, did we? I’m Alexis.” She would have held out her hand, but changed her mind when she remembered the claws he’d taken the popsicle with. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice the impoliteness.
Oh dear! Alexis could imagine, without much difficulty, why there was a rule against the shark-man going to pet stores. She certainly wasn’t going there to buy dinner for herself. Oh well, he could think what he wanted as long as he stayed outside and away from the merchandise.
“Hey, we never really introduced ourselves, did we? I’m Alexis.” She would have held out her hand, but changed her mind when she remembered the claws he’d taken the popsicle with. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice the impoliteness.
Polecat Junkie
Poor, stupid female. It was a wonder she was still alive. Letting freaks lurk outside her place? A shame. Even humans should have enough sense to defend their own territories. Bolide rolled his eyes (a complicated procedure) but remained silent. Honestly, the way they acted, he wouldn't be surprised if humans went around apologizing to their own murderers for the mess the killing made. It was a disgrace.
"I am Bolide," he rumbled, shambling along after the woman. He had been spending too much time in the sea lately. Walking on dryland was even more difficult than usual. Bolide measured his steps carefully, not wanting to make a mistake and squash the woman. "A-lex-izzz," he drawled. "A lex is what? Ha! You see?"
"I am Bolide," he rumbled, shambling along after the woman. He had been spending too much time in the sea lately. Walking on dryland was even more difficult than usual. Bolide measured his steps carefully, not wanting to make a mistake and squash the woman. "A-lex-izzz," he drawled. "A lex is what? Ha! You see?"
Eulie
In all honesty, Alexis was too afraid to act on her suspicions. It wasn’t like the Pikaia’s Children fanatics went around wearing badges and costumes to identify themselves. They could be anyone, anywhere and that frightened Alexis. They used to just be an annoying nuisance, but now they were a threat. Any police officer could turn against her in an instant if they ever found out about Eclipse. Hey, she caught that eye roll!
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Bolide.” Alexis kept her distance from the giant shark-creature but tried to maintain a friendly appearance. His joke was lame beyond belief but she chuckled. “Yeah, that’s a good one!”
She wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead and glanced at the noon sun. If they didn’t find the pet shop soon, they’d have to seek shelter elsewhere. Alexis didn’t think the clearly aquatic being would particularly enjoy being stuck with her outside for any length of time anyway, and she didn’t want to make those teeth cranky.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where the pet store is, would you?”
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Bolide.” Alexis kept her distance from the giant shark-creature but tried to maintain a friendly appearance. His joke was lame beyond belief but she chuckled. “Yeah, that’s a good one!”
She wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead and glanced at the noon sun. If they didn’t find the pet shop soon, they’d have to seek shelter elsewhere. Alexis didn’t think the clearly aquatic being would particularly enjoy being stuck with her outside for any length of time anyway, and she didn’t want to make those teeth cranky.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where the pet store is, would you?”
To Be Continued...
