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 Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:00 am
His frantic mind buzzed with one thought: FLEE!! As soon as Ambrose had lifted his weight from Jordan, the dogboy kicked his paws in the sand, not intentionally to kick sand at the wolf (though that would have been a good idea if he had thought of it). He only succeeded in scooting himself deeper into the sand. He turned onto his side and pushed himself up, ready to bolt for the safety of his duplex---- when he slipped and fell face-first back into the sand.
He curled into a fetal position, resigned to his fate. A shivering, huddled mass of white fur covered in sand. Ambrose's scent was so very strong. It burned his nostrils with the sheer power and strength of his animal.
Wait... what...? Nothing happened.. and did he just speak eloquently? Jordan peered up at Ambrose with one slowly-opening eye, relieved to see him not lunging for his jugular, but the curling lip snarl was just as intimidating. He was so confused. The wolf wasn't attacking. He was dusting sand out of his fur.
"Sir.. Mr. Wolf.. You're not going to hurt me.. B-but everyone says you're a killer..?" he was stuttering his words as his mouth trembled and then his paws were tightly wrapped around his mouth at the last part, eyes widening. He'd been spared and now he may change his mind.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:11 am
At the "Mr. Wolf", the image of the fairytale Big Bad Wolf flashed in Ambrose's mind. The cowering person, the nasty reputation trying to beg for his honor... it did seem like something out of a children's story.
"Mr. Wolf" indeed.
And damn the other islanders for spreading warnings of Annie without bothing to give any more description than "wolf". Probably trying to distance themselves from her by reducing her to the animal she had become. She wasn't a person to them anymore, not an islander. Just... "the wolf". Ironic, that in all the reading he had done, it likely wasn't the lupine DNA in her system that was responsible for her madness but the serum and the process itself... Wolves generally didn't attack people, despite their fairy tale cognants. But whatever the cause for her madness, Ambrose has already run into the sharp side of her fangs and claws, and he had scars to prove it. It was because of her that his runs no longer took him into the jungle, and because of that they were fewer and further between. Most of the island was covered with jungle, and Ambrose did not like to be seen doing something so base. But... at least he wasn't like her despite similar appearences.... he was still a man... not just a wolf... not just a monster.
His ears stayed plastered to the back of his head as his mind tumbled over these darker thoughts.
Finally, he spoke again, slowly and deliberately, trying to start over. "I am truly sorry to have frightened you. It was not my intention. It was my own mistake for not looking where I was going." He stayed where he knelt, careful to not close the distance. He, unfortunately, had had to placate more than one islander since his arrival here. As one of the firsts, he was usually more changed than other new folk he encoutered...
"I don't know what you've specifically been told, but I believe that there may have been a case of mistaken identity. I'm not the wolf that you've likely heard the tales about."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:24 am
Jordan blinked in utter mystification. He was so very articulate. Commanding. Collected. Now, he felt horrible for reacting as he had. No one had told him there were two wolves!! This thought came through his facial expression as momentary anger for not being told more about the wolf on ther loose, his brows furrowing. As he collected himself and pulled himself to his paws, Jordan gapped the distnce between them both. His expression was still furrowed brows of confusion, though the fear could obviously not be detected at this point.
"I'm.. so very sorry, sir." he placed both his paws on Ambrose's right arm. "I hadn't been told anything more than there was a feral wolf on the loose killing people. That was during my first encounter with one of the residents.." he hung his head low in shame, not telling him that it had been Awen who'd warned him. "I'm very sorry for the way I reacted." Jordan slowly lifted his face, tears dripping down his cheeks. "Please, I beg your forgiveness.. I don't know how terrible it must be to be mistaken for being a marauding animal, but I'm truly sorry to have accused you without having more of the facts."
He could feel Jordan trembling against him and he leaned forward to hug the wolf tightly.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:32 am
Ambrose was grateful for the understanding and the apologize... but the degree to which the man subjugated himself... and then... hugged him...? That, Ambrose had not been prepared for - nor was he quite sure how to respond.
Then, slowly, he gingerly patted the man's back. "It's.... it's alright. I'm sure you didn't know any better. And the stories of the other wolf are the truth... I've seen her myself. For future reference, she's got a dark brown pelt and, well, is female." His ear flicked back. He was describing her as if she was an animal, too. But then... that's what she was now, wasn't it... He too wanted to distance himself from her, regardless of the polite, meek girl that she had once been... one of them.
"But you'll find that the majority of the islanders here will mean you no harm. We're as human as you are where it counts, despite appearences." His eyes flicked to the thick white fur, and his nose told him that the man had a distinctly canine air to him. "After all... even those who aren't as far along eventually will get there..."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:45 am
He felt safe near Ambrose, as if the omega submitting to the pack alpha. He definitely felt protected as the large paw patted at his back. The command of presence combined with the calm, collected demanor, he was definitely what his mind understood as 'Alpha'. Jordan looked up, meeting Ambrose's expression with a meek smile, flashing his canines in the process. He snugged a-hold of Ambrose another few moments before pulling back gently and respectfully, kneeling down before the wolf as if he were king, himself, and held up a paw, tilting his head to the side as if asking if it were alright to be part of his pack. This may not be what Doctor Moreau had intended with the drugs and mindbending but it was happening as a result of his mind trying to cope with these new thoughts.
Jordan's tail fanned the sand behind him as he remained there like a an excited puppy, awaiting any response from the wolf. He was strong and fast and noble, like everything he knew of wolves to be and he was awe-struck by his kindness. Jordan didn't exactly understand what was going on with him. He just knew this was the thing to do, to submit to the higher station of authority.
"I'll spread the word and inform people that you are not the wolf that everyone fears." So it was a female wolf with a dark brown pelt. He compared that to the noble golden hair and grey fur of the wolf before him, smiling even more. "I'll make sure this won't happen again, sir."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:55 am
Something seemed... off... about the way the fellow spoke. And yet, everything about his mannerisms seemed to bypass Ambrose's rational mind and speak to him in a much more instinctual level. It made him feel confident and in control, that the guy wasn't a threat; quite the opposite - that he was friendly and subservient and someone to be watchful over. And Ambrose liked that. There was so little about the island that Ambrose felt like he had control over - the labs saw to that. But at least the other people in his life, how he dressed himself and the care that he took in tending to his hygene - (despite the fact that he was currently spackled with ink in a few places from Billy; he hadn't had time to shower since then). In many ways, the lupine influences on Ambrose had intersperced themselves amongst Ambrose's pre-established personality and the result was a very congruent whole. Much of the wolf nature synched with the man's priorities and morals.
It was thus comforting that the man's mannerisms and posture immediately told that lupine segment of Ambrose's mind that judged every new person, sizing them up and trying to determine where they fit into the complex heirarchy of the island, exactly where this individual stood.
He nodded, feeling like a king; quite the turnaround from his embarrassing klutziness and apologies. "Thank you. Fortunately... I think there are many on the island who know me already, but it would be nice for those I haven't to not mistake me for the bloodthirsty savage. Ambrose... by the way... my name is Ambrose."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:12 am
He smiled, hanging onto every motion, every miniscule movement, every change in scent. He understood something that he didn't quiet comprehend. He was now part of the pack, the omega, the caretaker, the one who ate last and who answered to all of higher station, especially the leader. Ambrose was as quickly adopted as his alpha and he did not move from his position until given the permission to do so. He did understand canine behavior and that knowledge helped him to understand, though, he had a long way to go before he truly would comprehend the complex heirarchy of being in the alpha male's pack, to be protected as if it were the canine mafia and forever cared for, lest he gave any reason to not be trusted further.
"I'm Jordan Essex." he wagged his fluffy tail even more knowing his alpha's name. Yes, he was Ambrose, the leader. As much as he was compelled to call him 'sir' he was given permission to call him by his given name. His nostrils flared as he sniffed at him again, although the scent was registered in his mind, it was the way canines greeted one another, after all.
"Ambrose," he rubbed a paw against his cheek in a fidgety manner "If I should ever run across the she-wolf, what should I do? Will she try to hurt us if we run?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:20 am
He nodded in approval, shoulders staying square and his head and tail raised confidently. This was the first time Ambrose had encountered another canine islander that was this instinctual in his mannerisms, and it seemed to awaken so much of Ambrose's own developed qualities.
"Jordan... it is good to have met you, and I am glad that I didn't give you a heart attack there. Hopefully you'll never run into her. She tends to stay in the jungle. But if you do..." He thought back to her running for Antony when she tried to run "I wouldn't flee from her.... I'd try backing away cautiously... But I've only enountered her once before amonst a group of people. She went for the person who tried to run and I ... I intercepted her." Ambrose was loathe to admit - especially to this person who was looking up at him as if he were king - how strong the she-wolf was. "I wouldn't reccomend trying what I did." He finished simply.
Then, seeking a change in subject away from his shortcomings. "I don't suppose you've seen a deer-woman by the name of Emerwyn... or a black Horse-man by the name of Gaius, have you?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:44 am
He nodded sagely at the survival advice. He'd make sure to do exactly as he said, but then his ears twitched nervously and he fidgeted again. He had to tell him something that overrid a part of his self that had been so cautious. This would be ther first time he told someone else that he did not live in the village and he was afraid of the consequences.
"Ambrose... I.. I... don't live in the village with everyone else.. I live further down the beach, on my own..." he'd done it. He couldn't keep secrets from the alpha. "I have to walk through the jungle everyday to get food or if I want clean clothes and if I want to borrow a book. I'll have to be extra careful in the jungle from now on."
Jordan quickly changed gears and had to pause a moment to think of the people he'd met. He hadn't encountered a deer, nor a horse, but he had heard of the latter. "I'm sorry I do not know either, but I think a girl named Sophie mentioned a horse-man to me a few weeks ago." he nodded. It wasn't much help, though. "I'll keep a look-out for them and let them know you wish to speak with them." He gazed longingly at the opportunity to prove his usefulness to the pack, wagging his tail for Ambrose as much as he does at the thought of Doctor Moreau. "You can count on me to do anything you desire."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:57 am
Ambrose furrowed his brow and cocked his head as he listened to Jordan talk, an ear flicked backwards as he considered the implications. Why did Jordan live away from everyone else? And there really was something odd about the way he spoke. Was it just that the canine serum was having a stronger effect on the boy? If that was the case, he obviously wasn't done changing yet... how much worse would it get?
"There... is a road... a narrow dirt road that cuts through the jungle... it's further to the South of here, but it leads straight to the village. That would be safer... I don't know if she uses the roads or not.... but being she hasn't been caught yet, I doubt she'd be there often."
Ambrose nodded. "That's alright, I'm sure I'll find them eventually - it's nothing pressing, but if you happen to run into either of them you can tell them that I'm looking for them." He smiled, his own tail returning the wag. "Thanks, Jordan."
He glanced around the beach again. Aside from him and Jordan, there wasn't a soul else there. But at least it had been a good run, and he met a new friendly face. "It was good to meet you. But I think I'll be heading back and see if I can't find either of them elsewhere. I'm in duplex number one if you ever want to pay a visit."
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:54 pm
[New RP]
It had been awhile since Christmas and even though Amaya no longer considered taking her own life, she still couldn't find much of a reason to be overly happy. She kept to herself over the past month, only went out for food and to walk or play with Donner... sometimes she would visit Alec, but otherwise it had been a long time of solitude and only seeing others in brief passings.
The Australian Shepard that had been given to her for Christmas was slowly helping her heal. He seemed to grow very attached to her rather quickly and was always there to comfort her and cuddle when she was feeling more depressed than usual. He didn't seem to like anyone else though... especially if they got close to her or heaven forbid touched her. But other than his bad behavior around strangers he was a good dog and Amaya was glad to have him.
It was mid-afternoon on the island of Doctor Moreau and after a small lunch Amaya had lead her companion out to the beach so she could bask and he could play fetch with a tennis ball she had found in one of the storage closets in the rec room. She sat staring at the water as it came up a few feet away from her clawed toes and then pulled back again, touching a whole other continent somewhere that continued to move and bustle about, oblivious to their peril on the island. Donner had since gone chasing the ball like a mad man off down the stretch of the beach, a furry spec as he had ran completely passed it and now sniffed around for it.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:01 pm
While the medium-sized dog named after a famous reindeer sniffed around for a tennis ball, a certain young penguin man lied on the sandy beach, a magazine stolen from the Entertainment Room spread out over his face to block out that damning sunlight. As he usually would've just slept on his side or some thing, his cast managed to make that extremely difficult.
"Snkin...Mrumble...Damn bugs..." Marshall mumbled in his sleep, complaining of imanginary insects.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:05 pm
As Donner slowly made his way farther and farther away from his master, it was only certain he would catch the penguin man's scent. His ears perked and his head lowered as he approached closer and closer. Once he was a few feet away he could tell it was someone he didn't know. Someone strange. Someone not all that far away from his master.
He glared and his tail went up, fur bristling as a low growl started to emanate from his throat.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:10 pm
"The comic is ready when its ready please no more gifts...I couldn't eat any more Fish..." Marshall mumbled in his sleep, before being awoken by a sound that was NOT a legion of fans offering him fresh trout. It was...a dog?
He moved the magazine mask out of his face, looking up and immediately wishing he didn't.
"...Nice doggy?" Marshall said meekly.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:17 pm
Luckily for Marshall, Amaya was starting to get worried about how far away her dog was and how long it was taking him to come back. Even though she couldn't see where he was, her nearly silent call was loud enough for the Australian Shepard's keen ears to make out.
He blinked and stopped growling before looking over to where he had come from with his ears perked. Then he looked back at Marshall and gave him one last glare before turning around and bolting off down the beach.
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