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The pressure Shenzi was putting on his arm was beginning to make his shoulder ache, he tryed to let the little arm to bare her weight but it was too weak. He ignored it for now but I knew he'd have to transfer her to he left side eventually. As he waited for Shenzi to regroup he looked over the girl's changes, feathers, scales on the hands, it conflicted with the paw like feet and birds simply didn't have tails that lashed like that.

It reeked of Sabin's work, a combination of animals. No wings... yet. He allowed himself a small smile. "I guess I get to welcome you to the mythology club." He chuckled bitterly. So much for this poor girl's future, to be an oddity among an island of oddities. He pushed it from his mind for now. For now he had to focus on getting her home.

Richard began to slowly guide her back toward the duplexes. They walked together, he moved so she could cling to his left arm for balance. His cane was forgotten in the sand.

"Ah, well. Have you met Sabin? He designed both my own serum and Zach's, the dragon. He seems to have a... flair for making myths real. No matter the cost." Richard's tone was friendly and conversational but there was a lurking accent of bitterness.

Richard tried not to flinch when Shenzi's naked tail brushed his legs. He kept moving but it was slow going.

He followed her gaze. "I know, it will probably be sore for awhile. At least it won't be attacking people." Richard was happy to be useful for once. Having a purpose was very important to him and it had been something he was coming dangerously close to losing. He had to keep busy.

"Anyway, Sabin isn't a biologist he's an Anthropology Proffessor. I'm not sure if he mad or just nutty." Richard's opinion of Sabin was mixed, compared to Moreau and Ginvera, Sabin had been friendly if a bit odd. He had yet to wittness the man's sadistic side.

Richard was breathing a little heavy as the pair crested the hill, bringing the village into view. They had lapsed into silence for some time both concentrating on getting up the inclined path.

"Almost there, well more than halfway at least." Richard gave her a ressuring smile. She was taking this awfully well, he hadn't heard her complain about her condition once. Tough girl he thought, he himself had nearly punched a hole in the wall of his duplex. "Which duplex is yours?" He really hoped it was an odd number, he wasn't sure how'd she manage stairs.

Richard stopped as she put her hands to her face and gently patted her back in a reassuring manner. Was she about to break? Nothing could be done about that right now.

As to her question Richard pursed his lips considering, he remembered his own frustrations on that point. Truth would be best, Sabin might just toy with her. "Well your still yourself. Still Shenzi." He squeeze her shoulder. "As to the serum? I think it could be a gryphon." The contrast between her hands and her feet had giving it away to Richard. He started reading the mythological books cover to cover in his own fruitless search.

Richard grinned uneasily. "I could be wrong." He didn't think he was, but wasn't going to press it. She would find out eventually he supposed. "At least yours is easy, I still have no idea what I've been injected with." He was attempting to deflect the conversation from Shenzi to himself.

Part squid was about as far has he had gotten with own diagnosis, after hours of research. The sour thought distracted him enough for Shenzi to fall before he could catch her.

He knew perfectly well the girl was far from fine. She was so close to home though! Well not really home but the duplexes were the closest thing available. Well kindness had gotten them this far, maybe a sternness would get her the rest of the way.

"Come one Shenzi, we're almost there. You can lay down all you want once we get up those stairs." He place his hands around her arms, just below the elbows and gently pulled her up to her feet.

Richard followed her up and stood on the balcony dragging his weight up by the railing, realizing for the first time that he had left it on the beach. Too late now, he'd have to find it later. Once at the top he allowed his eft hand to massage his injured shoulder, Shenzi had put just enough strain on it to make the muscle howl in protest. It would fade to a dull ache in a few moments he knew but he would need some advil to sleep tonight.

Richard looked at Shenzi, a tired sadness mixed with concern filled his eyes. It would be futile to ask if she was okay. This was not okay. He settled for simply offering more assistance. "Can you manage from here? If you need anything, just ring duplex 70. You are going to be be hungry after you sleep."