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 Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:24 pm
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:17 am
Komodo & Wolf
Even though it was only a few short weeks after Christmas, the island showed anything but the traditional signs of winter that the New Englander was accustomed to. As he strolled through the village after visiting the cafeteria, he longed for the crisp winter air, the snow on the ground, or even, strangely, the bare winter trees. If anything, the nostalgic trappings of his old home had the added appeal of a welcome respite from the clingy humidity that his furry body was certainly not well adapted towards.
But despite the discomfort, this was about as cool as the island tended to get during the day, and so Ambrose, after his daily gorging in the cafeteria took his time as he passed through the village, stretching his legs and letting his mind wander.
He still couldn't bring himself to eat the eggs in the cafeteria. One of the few non-meat things that he still had savored after the finalizations of his transformation now gurgled his stomach at their very sight... and the memory of the soft leathery objects that had plunked into his lap in that very cafeteria not so long ago from a girl he thought of as his sister.
Joliette on the other hand truely didn't mind the warmth, the Komodo liked the sun in the middle of hte day, and of course the dark coolness of inside at night. As per her normal actions she was at that time trying to keep out of sight, still wary of people's reactions despite the fact that none had been bad to that point. In this she was moving close to buildings and other places less likely to be seen as she moved around hte perimeter of the inner village area, she had no destiation, just wanted to get out of hte duplex and enjoy the sun.
Ambrose caught a scent then, something distinctly familiar, and yet different than any specific scent in his library. Then again, the shedding of the humanity from the scents that he learned of the other islanders was not a new thing for the wolf. And yet, despite teh distinctly animal smell of even the islanders who, like him, had completed their change there was still the unique tinge that generally tipped him off to their identity.
So with the lizard scent, Ambrose's head turned quickly. while vaguely similar to Amaya in odor - and hers was quick to his mind on his train of thought - he quickly discerned that it was in fact a reptile of a different color. Joli.
His ears flicked back as he saw the brown shape lumbering along one of the paths... on all fours. At first, he didn't want to believe - surely she had been nearly complete when he last saw her - and she was barely human.... but there was no denying in her heavy build, her short legs that Joli was no longer even partially bipedal. Like Pyroth, she was hardly indistinguishable from the animal she had been infused with. Were it not for the mop of brown hair strangely situated on her lizardlike head like an animal in a wig - Ambrose would have had a hard time visually distinguishing her from the real deal.
"Joli...?" He called hesitantly, subconsciously dropping to all fours to meet her. It seemed more appropriate, the back of his mind coached. And truth be told, that form of locomotion was almost more comfortable for the wolf man - save for his pride. Though unlike the lizard before him, he still wore the trappings of his human persona - designer clothes - a polo and khaki shorts sized to fit his mass.
Joliette lifts her head more to the sound of a familiar voice calling her name and comes to a dead stop turning her head, her tongue flickering as she looked around till her eyes landed on the wolfman, she studied him for a moment, clothing... something she dearly missed, though the last she had worn had become very tattered by the time she had gone to the labs.
"Hi Ambrose...." she says almost hesitantly, he'd known her from the start, when she had been... human. And she'd known him since he'd been about 1/4 done... it was still a shock to see the changes Feral forced on them.
A wincing smile - the closest he could manage to a friendly one at the moment - graced his face as he padded forward once it was obvious that the woman seemed to be of sound mind despite her reptilian, clothesless appearence.
"Joli.... I... hey there." He stopped himself from immediately launching into the barrage of questions such as how and when. Instinctively, he sniffed a few times at her to gauge her mood.
She lifts a brow at his sniffing, she's nervous, but otherwise mellow and down in spirit. "I see you changed too" she says after a moment breaking the ice a touch. Her tongue flickers taking in his final scent. She glances past him a moment then looks directly at him, was more not wanting to be overwelmed by numbers of people, the Komodo did like it's solitude after all.
He flicks an ear back as she drew attention to his own change. That's right, he had changed since he last saw her... and it was relatively dramatic in his point of view as well.
"Yes... although I am not really in much of a position as others to complain. At least... from what I know... it's over. I'm done and I can start to move on from here. You.... I assume that you are in the same situation now, yes? How... how have you been holding up..?"
"Yes, I believe this is the last change... I have a lot more control then I used to, I'll admit that though... I dont lose it like I used to. Which in itself I suppose is a good thing. I dont have to be worried about losing the control to the point where I attack anyone anymore" She nods "You? And your fiancee? Doing well I presume?"
"That is good to hear... to be honest... If I had to choose, I'd take a sound mind over a human body. At least you can learn to adapt.... and perhaps maybe there might be some unrevealed advantage to your shape.." Ambrose didn't mention that he couldn't precisely think of one, but... he was sure there was. Strength? He knew little of exotic animals beyond the research he had done into his own species.
"And yes! We're doing quite well, actually. Things are progressing. Slowly, but they are moving. She.... still hasn't changed again, though.... I worry about her."
"I wouldn't have a ... sound mind for lack of any better term if it wasn't for David" Joli admits to him "Learning to adapt is harder, I've about given up on eatting in the cafeteria... I cant get at any of hte food without help in there, nor sit at any chair at any table."
She pauses a second "hasn't changed? but... she's been here like three quarters the amount of time I have..." she frowns at this
He nodded. "Having someone special in your life is priceless here.... someone to cling to... to share the experiences - the bad and the good. I couldn't have made it alone, I can tel you that." Ambrose confided.
At her second question, he shook his head. "She's only changed the once in al the time she's been here. They have her take.. supplementary injections, run blood work... I know she's had problems... complications.... after seeing the gravestones.." he shuddered, the fur rising along his hackles as the chill ran down his spine.
"Yeah.. well he ran into me one day, or rather I ran into him, and I wasn't in control when I did, he made me go up to the labs... Ok well I agreed to go, against my better judgement... but I still went." She pauses and thinks about the headstnes he refers to. "What happened to them all. I mean last time I saw him the Dude was happy and well"
"I... I think that they are trying.... I mean, overall circumstances aside... they don't want us dead... or insane. I spoke with Aubrey about them...." He spoke quietly. It didn't sit right with him... the Dude being gone...
"This procedure... you and I know how experimental this all is... how impossible.... there... were unforseen problems she said. They tried to correct them, but ... they can't fix everything. I don't know the details. I don't think I'd want to. But I think there were different circumstances. But it all would boil down to the body rejecting the change."
She shudders a little "I am glad it wasn't me... Would prefer being locked in a bare room for 3 days far more then that... Even spending even more birthdays here then that... I've already spent two of those so far..." at that she grows quiet
Ambrose nodded, and then blinked. "wow... you're right... my birthday is coming up later this month.... I hadn't even given it a thought. And... three days in a room? What was that about?"
"Mine was a few days ago, just before new years... As for three days in a room, when David convinced me to get help, so I could stay in control, the git locked me in a bare room for three days after they gave me the two injections" she tries to explain the best she could
Ambrose nodded, but his brow furrowed. "Why did they lock you in the room?"
"Why does the git do anything... they escorted me into a room, the git talked to me through a speaker, I threw a food tray at the 'window' a few times and eventually they knocked me out and gave me the injections, it was almost over when I came to, and then they left me there for three days or so before returning me to the village" she nods slowly as she speaks
"I've personally had little interactions with the man... but I've heard nothing but horror stories about him. I'm sorry that you had to endure that.... but at least it's over. And... like you say... you do seem more stable. I remember during the lockout you were pretty bad off. The hunger did strange things to a lot of us. The new islanders are lucky they didn't have to experience that."
"I got a lot worse then that" Joliette admits "I very rarely could hold onto control after the third change, the beast almost always had it, and only a few people could seem to pull me out of it."
His ears lower. "Dear lord.... I... I'm sorry about that. I didn't know you had gotten that bad. I... I didn't know that anyone had gotten that bad. I... I'm sorry, Joli. How? I mean.... did you fight it? Did you deny it? What let it get such a strong foothold? Just the nature of the serum?"
"I dont know, but I think fighting the instincts didn't help at all... Eventually I gave up fighting, gave up hope I suppose, and hte beast took over... Was still worst when I was hungry though. I haven't lost control as of yet since the injections and change at the labs" She thinks about the past and what had happened, some actions she could remember and wished never had happened
Ambrose nodded, though as sympathetic as he tried to look, there was a worry behind his eyes. He kept his instincts in control through a system of picking his battles. Much of the emotions that coursed over him in any given day were likely largely a factor of his lupine nature... it was a strange sort of synthesis. And while his transformation was complete, Ambrose did harbor secret anxieties that someday that equilibrium would tip. In the months or years to come, living in this jungle, he would give in to a simpler, animalistic nature. He needed to find more to keep him occupied.
At least he had Angelina. And in the near future, the wedding to look forward to and plan.
"Hunger... can drag down even the best of us... I try not to let myself go for long without food. I'm glad that they were able to help you."
"Yeah I suppose..." she pauses, "better help would have been for this never have been done to us at all... Iknow what my parents felt last winter, I can't imagine what they are doing now, I dont know that I want to know if they are still looking, not to mention anyone else's parents or loved ones that are stuck here. " She watches him, his expressions, trying to gauge his feelings, they almost seemed mixed to her, but she wasn't sure
Ambrose nodded silently, his eyes meandering down to his front paws as his ears flattened against the side of his head. What were his parents doing now? Did they even miss him? Did they think that he ran off and did something horrid, possibly damaging to the precious family? Or did they honestly miss him... worry about him.
Finally, his tail flicked and he sighed. "No one can argue that." He responded sullenly.
She nods, "Yeah... But I suppose we can't dwell on it, it doesn't help us" she says quietly looknguinto the sky for a moment. "Have... have you seen Hargun at all lately? I haven't... I'm worried about her" she tries to think of exactly when she HAD seen her last
Ambrose paused, then shook his head. "Not in a very long time. Before the lockout. But... I didn't see a headstone, either.... so... maybe that's a good sign?" He winced. "But... there are a lot of people that I haven't seen in a while, so don't take my word for granted. I stay in my duplex or around the village most of the time. And my schedule has been rather off."
"I hope she's ok... I miss her,I uess eventually I should touch base with all my friends, and avoid those whodidn't really like me too much. I'm just scared oneday I'll run into a new islander and they wont have as accepting a reaction as others have had..." She pauses "have you had bad reactions?"
Ambrose nodded. "I have... I think there have been at least three times that I've been called a werewolf... newbies scream.... every time it happens it chills me... makes me feel positively miserable. I... I was always raised that appearences were important... how you present yourself... first impresions..." he gesticulated with a forepaw/hand. "It's... hard. But... at least ... every time it has happened, and I explain myself... people come around. They understand. They're scared, but not of me. And.... for better - but mostly for worse.... soon enough they join us."
He sighed. This conversation was rather depressing.... he felt bad for Joli...he really did. "Have you seen Pyroth? Maybe... you might be able to help eachother. His changes took him about as far as yours did."
"Pyroth? no I haven't seen him in a very long time, where does he usually hang out?" Now Ambrose had her curious about changes taking anyone 'as far as herself'
Ambrose paused, then shook his head. "I saw him during the Halloween party... I think he's been in the jungle, actually.... not that I'd reccomend that. It's been dangerous since... well... Annie. Or ask Bobby, I think they've been hanging out."
His ears flicked back. "But I should proably get back to Angelina. You take care, Joli... and feel free to drop by any time, alright?"
"I have spent most of my time in the jungle, I think I'll be ok out there... " she pauses and looks out intot he jungle then ack "Ok, thanks for talking Ambrose, it was really good to see you again"
Ambrose hesitates then nods. "You be careful. Jungle out there and all..... but seriously, Annie's dangerous. I know you can probably take care of yourself.... but still. She chewed me up and spit me out." He reached out and patted her forepaw with his. "It was good seeing you too."
She gave him a small yet genuine smile and turned for the jungle "Keep happy and safe Ambrose, and say hi to Angelina for me" and with that she lumbers into the folliage
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:26 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:54 pm
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 1:18 am
THAT INSUFFERABLE ARSE!!!
She was still frustrated, her conversation with Jordan did nothing but make her upset. She had control at this point, for that she was grateful, she didn't want to be a danger to her friends or fellow villagers. She makes her way back tot he duplex using the makeshift handle another of her friends had made so she could actually get IN her home and pauses. It was shady inside, the lights were off, and thanks to the fact she couldn't reach them, the blinds were drawn for the most part. This didn't overly bother her, the darkness at least... She was used to it and the Komodo liked it.
"God damn gits... I hate all them" she was grumbling still about Feral and what they were doing to so many. She turns lifting her head and looking up at the wall her eyes land on the intercom... who would she get if she called it... There was a chance at the Aubrey lady so many seemed to like, or the red haired git or even her own personal tormenter... "Oh to hell with it..." She moves closer staring at the intercom for a time before attempting to reach it... Failed... "Damn it all I swear that prat has made everything impossible" she tried again this time digging her sharp claws into the wall moving slowly till she had JUST enough reach to hit the pad... though with no fingers and already near falling she had NO idea what number she did press as she toppled back to the ground with a very loud THUD
Her question remained unanswered for a good thirty or seconds when finally there was a short beep. Sabin had been in a foul mood all afternoon since wrapping his mind around the decision that lay at his feet, but the incoming call from one islander in particular, his old torment-toy, his "project" brought a wry smile to his face and he intercepted it before the receptionist got to it.
"Joli.." the unmistakable voice murmured out of the speaker. "What is it that you are calling for?"
"You..." she growls a bit as she rolls to get upright once more "You gormless arse... just how many more till you guys are done ruining lives..." She knew the voice, it was as if it was engraved in her mind and the last time she had heard it was right before her solitary confinement in that bare room when she went for 'help'
Sabin screwed his face up in irritation. Perhaps this was what he was expecting - an accusation. But his buttons were easily pushed at this point, and Joli was certainly one that he could take it out on.
"Ruining lives?! ME! You have the nerve.." He said with an undisguised growl. "Do you forget the treatments that we have you on? the ones that are keeping you sane?"
"I wouldn't NEED them if I wasn't here, if I was home in Britain, if you gits hadn't done to me what you've done! You especially I KNOW you are responsible for the creature you turned me into... don't deny it! You ... You..." she stopped trying to find the word she wanted but her frustration slowly turning to anger was putting her at a loss for the right word
"YOU were the one who had to go where you weren't invited. If it wasn't the island then it would probably be a penal colony somewhere, or a war-torn nation, or some other godforsaken piece of land that you had to stick your nose where it wasn't invited. You knew you were taking a risk, and you're just pissed off that you got caught!" Sabin countered. "And I never denied picking your fate. But believe me - you could have a much worse selection. When was the last time you took a trip of the island and seen some of the poor sods that Moreau hand-picked?"
"Poor sods!!! Why you!!! these are people, people you ... arses ruined the lives of." She paused her loud talking cursing a number of foul words quietly in her French tongue, all of them, every last one directed at the white-haired man at the other end of the line. "You hated that I was vegan, that's why you locked me in that blasted cooler... I almost had you that day, I got you good in the bollocks! and I would do it again if I could!" She moved closer to the wall again hissing slightly, her body almost parallel with it.
Sabin's face darkened at the memory of Joli's successful, albeit brief, attack on him. He had no remorse for leaving her in the freezer for that offense. "Of course I locked you in the damned freezer after that. What did you expect? You were a ball of hate the moment you were pulled in here - refusing to even get what you thought was a normal injection because... "it might have been tested on aaaanimals!" he mocked in a high-pitched voice while waving his hands about dramatically.
"People like you are a problem in the world - too busy listening to their big hearts than to see what is necessary. I gave you the strength of a predator. Not all animals are cute and fluffy. Death happens in the wild just like it happens in "civilization". It's necessary and it's the way things work."
"Strength of a predator" she mocked him right back, though it didn't quite sound the same as he had his French sounding voice and she... brit. "You really ARE a gormless plonker aren't you. You dont give a toss about people's feelings, only yours. You've been tormenting me since I got here... Now I can't even live a semi NORMAL life, I can't even reach the bloody counters, light switch or door handles!" The frustration grew more and more into anger as she spoke and her words grew louder to a near shout as they left her mouth
Sabin smiled ruthlessly as he crossed his arms. "Believe me, Joliette, you could have it much worse." he said dangerously. "Congratulations, currently you are experiencing life as a handicapped person might. Consider it a perspective. I am sure that if you were innovative enough, you could figure out some solutions. You still have a human mind, dammit, use it."
"Oh and I'm SURE you don't! After all if you had a HUMAN mind you would have some sort of a CONSCIENCE! But noooooooo you do things that show just how heartless you truly are, like that damned raft made out of part of hte yacht I came here on, or the 'clothing' you sent which damned well DISSOLVED." Now she WAS angry, her tongue flickering between every other word, her tail moving agitatedly hitting the wall a number of times at least once cracking the paint on it.
Sabin outright laughed when she brought up the raft and the clothes, not even bothering to mute the speaker. This was helping him feel a little better. And as she ranted, a new idea was sparking in his mind that drew a wide, toothy smile across his face.
"And you can't take a damned Joke!" Sabin barked back. "You are so quick to blame others, so happy to wallow in your own misery instead of trying to FIX things. You need an intervention from your boyfriend before you're even willing to ask for help from the labs. You wait for people to approach you to help you with your handicaps! And all the time you moan about how hooorrible your life is, how miiisserable you are. You could have it worse~!"
"SHUT UP YOU NAFF PILLOCK!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, something stirred inside her, she didn't feel like she'd calm down at him at all even if she tried, "YOU GORMLESS ARSE WITH NO HEART...." she didn't stop she called him every single insult she could possibly think of, never once stopping to let him get a word in edgewise.
Sabin rolled his eyes with a sigh. "And so now you just resort to insults." He shook his head and clicked his tongue at her. She probably wasn't even listening to him over the roar of her own voice.
"You'll make yourself hoarse with all that screaming." He responded calmly over the wash of obscenities while his finger lingered over the keystroke on the computer that would send her to unconsciousness.
She didn't hear him, her voice only grew louder at the sound of his voice coming over the speakers of the intercom, far as she was concerned he had no right to speak to her at all.
"Goodnight, Joli~!" And with that, he tapped the button, watching as her over the screen while her body went limp and her rant was cut off mid-word.
Then, stretching and popping his knuckles, he radio'd one of the groups of guards to meet him at the front of the labs.
When they arrived, he handed them a small spray bottle that had a liquid inside, warning them to wear a mask and gloves while spritzing it down her throat, and an electric razor...
The brutish guards snorted amongst eachother like schoolyard bullies before eagerly driving off to fulfill their "duty". It was a welcome change from hunting Jamal or Annie, that had been having dire results recently.
And then Sabin returned to his office, pleased with himself, and went to go watch the video. Komodo dragons were infamous for their mouths that bred bacteria. There was also a particular strain that tended to cause chronic laryngitis - one that tended to last at least three weeks in people. It would be interesting to see the mixed results. If Joli thought she was so bad off - it would be delightful to see her stripped of the last visable remnants of her humanity with her hair, and her form of communication. She didn't think it could be worse? He'd show her.
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