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"It would interesting, just to see peoples' reactions." Nita thought about that for a moment before adding, "Or maybe not. I'd hate to think someone actually thought it was funny to scare the new people." Nita wasn't that mean or jaded yet.. was she?

She shook her head as if that would get those thoughts out, or at least shove them to the back of her mind. "Wow, Number 5. I'm in 42, and I know there are people at least in 51 and 52." Nita shook her head again, this time in disbelief. Could there really be that many people 'acquired,' in just under a year?

Accepting the plate with one hand, she stood briefly to rummage in the bag for the other knife. Reclaiming her spot, she said, "It's the middle of July now..."

Nita was quiet for a few minutes, balancing the plate on her fuzzy knees and cutting the meat into manageable pieces. "It's kind of nice to eat something other than bamboo."

Nita chewed thoughtfully. "Yeah... It's a little kid living in #51. He's about ten years old, I think. I know several people have kind of taken him under their wing... or whatever." She grinned in spite of herself.

"Red panda," she explained, fingering her long ringed tail. "Diet is like, 80% bamboo or something like that. Plus some other fruits and vegetables, nuts, eggs, and sometimes meat. So we, er, they can eat other things, but mostly just don't." Nita realized she was probably giving a bit more information than Pyroth had expected, but whatever. She had done her research.

"He's turning into a dolphin, which is actually pretty cool, when you think about it. And he has MS... They're supposed to fix it. Beats me how turning into a dolphin would cure MS, but apparently it's working. He's changed once, and he told me he hadn't needed to use his catheter anymore." Nita grinned. "We went swimming and saw that pod of dolphins that hangs out around here sometimes." With her free hand, she pointed out across the water. She and Cody had both been pretty excited about that.

Nita shifted on the branch, being poked uncomfortably by something underneath her. "I actually asked the labs what I was turning into, before I changed. I wanted to know... I'm glad I did, really. They do have a lot of good animal books in the entertainment room, so the least we can do is be informed." She shrugged. Maybe it was a strange way of looking at things, but Nita had always stressed the importance of knowledge. Plus, knowing a little about the animal had helped her with her changes, especially when it came to instincts.

Nita quickly finished up her portion and handed the plate and silverware over. "Yeah, I guess he won't be able to walk, but at least he'll still be able to like.. breathe air. And he was really excited to see the dolphins. He wondered if he'd maybe even be able to talk to them later on." She grinned. Personally, she thought that was a bit unlikely, but then... if someone had told her just a few months ago that she'd be turned into a red panda, she probably would't have believed that either.

She stood and wiped a bit of sand and moss from her shorts (which had once been her favorite jeans with the holes in the knees). "I'd thought I was going to change during that huge storm a couple months back... There was an injection mark and everything. But then a few days later, an escort of armed guards showed up at the cafeteria. As if I could really do anyone much damage!" Nita gave a self-deprecating laugh at the thought of herself seriously hurting anyone. Sure, she had claws now but they were much better for climbing than anything else.

"Well, I originally made my way over here to dunk myself a couple times before going home, so I think I'll do just that. And I'll probably take a proper shower myself; I know what you mean about having to wash a ton of fur!" Nita chuckled. "It was nice meeting you, too, Pyroth."

[Fin, I think >.>]

Thom, on the other hand, had one thing on his mind: the small package of DVDs he had received that morning from Sabin. His recordings of the World Cup. They had finally arrived, and he had been hard pressed not to watch them the moment he had been completely awake. He had waited so long without them, endured the season with the knowledge that his team was playing, proceeding, moving on despite the lack of one certain player.

However, that didn't mean they were doing well. He was quite sure they were managing, but he was worried all the same that their progress had been hindered. It had been all he could do to force himself not to run to the entertainment room and the TV there to watch. But when he had gone to find Natsumi to join him...she wasn't home. The bloody raving morning person wasn't home. And he had promised to wait for her to watch.

Damn it all.

But it was fine, it was fine... He could wait a few hours, could manage that long. To distract himself from temptation, he had retreated to the beach for a long jog. He had passed up Emelyn before he realized he had even seen her and paused in step, glancing back over his shoulder, then starting in her direction. "Hard work?"

He crouched at her side, nose wrinkling as he eyed the fish, but at her offer he accepted a small piece, lifting it to eye level. "...You only live once." He popped the piece of dried fish into his mouth, chewing contemplatively, and finally grimaced slightly, swallowing nonetheless. "Mmn, you're right. Needs somethin'. Why don't y'just come pick up some food in th' cafeteria? I knw you're not fond of th' village, but... You wouldn't 'ave t' stay long."

"Well, yes an' no," he argued good naturedly, dropping to sit on the warm sand at her side. Thom had never been fond of sand previous to the island. It got into absolutely everything and was a pain and a half to wash off. But, since his change especially, there hadn't been much nicer than stretching out on the warm sand for a long nap, wallowing down and cleaning up with a quick dip in the waves afterwards. He had a new found love for beaches since scales had appeared along his arms and legs.

He eyed the basket of fish, as if contemplating a second piece, but soon disregarded it in favor of continuing the conversation. "He very well could take the ability t' rely on the cafeteria from you, but you've learn t' survive without it. So abuse his generosity while y' can, then shove it in his face when you can fall back on your own skill if needed."