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"Oh that sounds pleasant," Nita giggled, absently wondering if chair legs up her nose might explain some of Fee's insanity. Not in a bad way, of course, but it was an amusing thought.

"Or like people who drive through McDonald's, get a large fries and a Big Mac, and a Diet Coke." She grinned guiltily. "Although I do drink diet soda, so I guess I'm not one to talk."

Nita eyed the napkin full of knives again, not sure if she really wanted to ask, but... "So what have you been up to?" she asked, a bit warily.

Fiona scoffed openly, her mind not really registering that Nita was defending them. "Reasons? Like what, being completely smashed?" She frowned, tilting back and forth on her chair. "Well Lauren isn't free from that excuse. You know the first time I met her, and remember that she was completely sober, she like, attacked me. Seriously. Claws and fangs and animal-like-s**t. All I did was say how it was ******** up that people were tricked and kidnapped and how the scientists were all messed up in the head!" She paused, "Which I seriously thought would be the general agreement around here. Considering we're all turning into freaking animals."

Nita bit her lip, not wanting to make excuses for Lauren, but also unwilling to let her be attacked, however vicariously. "Look, hey, I don't like this either. D'you think I really want to be here for the rest of my life, being turned into a red panda? But," she paused a moment, thinking out her wording. "For some people.. it really is better here." She sighed, hoping Fiona would be willing to hear her out at least.

Her expression became solemn and the front of her seat came down for a gentle landing so that she could lean across the table a little. "That doesn't make it right." This seemed to be enough of a defense for Fiona's opinion, and so she fell silent as she finished up her salad and began to gnaw thoughtfully on the end of a carrot. After a moment, she said, "And that doesn't change the fact that she freaking attacked me. I don't like her."

Nita sighed again, although some very irrelevant part of her was relieved that Fiona wasn't sitting so precariously. "I know it's not right, and it's certainly not legal. If it were, it would be publicized, and maybe people could volunteer instead of being tricked or whatever." She tucked her feet up, Indian style, which was more comfortable for her.

"I'm sorry she attacked you, and it seems the feeling is mutual; she doesn't like you either. But it still doesn't give you the right to talk s**t about her, or say that she's crazy. That's not right either." Nita bit her lip to keep from saying too much more. So much for not taking sides...

"Talk s**t?" She repeated incredulously. "If I randomly tried to bite you and rip your neck open for having an opinion, you'd think I was ******** bonkers, wouldn't you?" Fiona's temper began to become aroused, but more evident than that was the hurt expression that touched her face at being 'betrayed' by one of the few people she had come to trust.

Nita put her head in her hands and shook her head slowly. This was not going well. "Fine," she shot back, "I'd think you were nuts. But maybe your opinions struck a little too close to home. Maybe you should try knowing people instead of just assuming they'll agree with you." Her brows knitted together, deliberately avoiding looking Fee in the face. Nita was anything but confrontational, and she really didn't feel like crying in the middle of the cafeteria.

Fiona looked at her closely, shocked. "Maybe you're right. But normally some things are okay to assume. Like if I hit five people in the hand with a hammer without warning them or giving them a choice, would you expect any of them to like it?" But the fire had left her voice, and Fee sighed, turning her eyes away. "I can't... this is just... stupid."

Nita almost laughed at that. "You're right," she said softly. "It is stupid, and I didn't mean to yell at you..." She stared at the crust of her sandwich, guiltily. "I guess we're both scared and frustrated... At least I am," she admitted, apparently fascinated by some crumbs on the table.

"I'm not afraid of anything," she said in response, puffing up slightly but lacking her customary devilish grin. "But I get frustrated and sad and stuff just like everyone else." Fiona looked off into space across the cafeteria. "I miss my parents, my friends, my life. But I won't let that stop me from being who I am. From fighting against this in any way I can. I won't lose hope." A pause, and then she looked back at Nita. "But I don't want to lose any of the few friends I have here, either."

Right. Fiona wasn't afraid, and Nita's name was Mud. All posing aside, the rest of what Fiona said seemed sincere. "I think," Nita said carefully, "There's more to it here than basic Right or Wrong, Black and White, etc. etc. We all have to deal with this crap our own way, and still find friends, even though we don't necessarily see eye-to-eye." Nita nodded slowly and attempted a smile.

She finished off her carrot and stood suddenly, taking her bundle of napkins under her arm. "I'm going to go back to my room. I have some stuff I wanna do..." she paused, wondering if she should tell Nita. If she was friends with Lauren and Awen... probably not. Plus there was the matter of cameras in the cafeteria. A compulsive shudder ran down her spine. "I hate cameras so much thanks to this place," she mumbled to herself. "But... I think I'm gonna go."

"I already hated cameras," Nita muttered. For her, it was the constant surveillance that was the most unnerving about the Island. She stood as well, figuring she wasn't going to eat the rest of her sandwich, which was a bit dry anyway. She should take something back to her duplex for Lauren, though, if she was still there. "I guess I'll see you around though, Fee."

"Yeah," she mumbled, feeling the remainder of anger and surprise melt away, leaving the slightest bit of guilt. "I don't want to make you pick sides," she said quickly, "but I don't want you getting confused and thinking that I'm the bad guy." With that out of the way, Fiona was free to march out of the cafeteria, considering her concerns adressed. "I'll see you later," she called over her shoulder, and then went off in a direction away from the duplexes.

Nita frowned slightly but nodded anyway. "Right," she said, as if she were trying to convince herself. She watched Fiona leave, and once she was safely out of sight, Nita put together a couple of sandwiches, grabbed a soda and various snack-foods for Lauren. Pushing away her own vague sense of guilt, Nita walked slowly back to her duplex.

A moment later, Nita walked through the same door. There was usually at least one person about at this time of day, and besides, Nita was hungry. "Annie!" she called out, making her way quickly through the buffet line. She hadn't seen her neighbor much lately, and she approached the girl with a smile. "I see you made it through the storm okay..?"

Nita was somewhat taken aback by Angharad's glazed-over expression. There was something.. not right. She was too cheerful, almost manic. Nita smiled more carefully and sat down with her plate.

"I just heard," she said. "That's why I'm here, to see if anyone knows anything." Going crazy? Nita thought, eyeing Annie. Oh, I'd believe it... She rubbed her arm, wincing as she touched the blossoming bruise around the needle-mark.

So Fiona was okay, too. Good. Nita still wasn't happy with how their last encounter had gone. No time for that, though. She prodded her sandwich with her fork and nodded.

"Yeah. Maybe there was some power surge? Because of the storm, and the power coming back like that..." Nita shrugged. At least the zapping hadn't really hurt all that much, although she certainly wasn't looking forward to it happening again. "I know I didn't do anything to warrant it, so I'm guessing it was some kind of mistake."