|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:01 pm
Chana meets Joliette Joliette stood in the center of the area outside her duplex, on a chair beside of her... her laptop, in front of her... her tripod and camera. She had a darkroom now, and she intended to make use of it. Her camera was pointed in the direction of hte mountain as she took photos.
Chana was wandering around aimlessly when she saw a woman with one very nice camera. Clearly, she must've been another staff member, because no camper would have such an expensive camera.
"Hello!" she called out, altering her path.
*clickclickclickclick* The camera took a rapid series when she pressed the button once and then she looked up. "Hello" she said in her thick british accent with a smile "Wonderful day for photos" she said motioning her camera before standing up and looking up at the female she'd yet to meet.
Chana nodded and smiled, forgetting her buck teeth for a moment. Then she recovered and hastily shut her mouth. Stupid teeth. Too big and ugly to do anything for her image...
...ahem. "Yes, it certainly is beautiful out," she agreed. "How long have you been here?"
"Well let's see, uhmm I think about 9 days give or take I believe" she said with a nod, "You are new I presume?" she asked curiously.
Chana nodded, bemused. Was it like identifying freshmen in college? Ah well, she'd learn her way around soon enough.
"I just arrived this morning."
Joliette nodded with a weak smile "I guessed that since I haven't seen you before. I'm Joliette" she introduced herself her name sounded rather french considering her british accent "I guess I best say welcome then" she held her hand out Not that I would want to welcome anyone to this place, but politeness is important, considering she likely doesn't know... she thought to herself.
Chana smiled and shook Joliette's hand firmly. "I'm glad to be here," she said. A British accent...she felt undercivilized. Though no one had said this was an American camp...
"I'm Chana," she added, realizing she'd been so absorbed in where Joliette was from she'd forgotten to introduce herself.
"A pleasure Chana" she said with a smile "How much of the village have you seen?" she asked, she wasn't sure just how much she'd seen as yet.
"The village?" she repeated. So that was the lingo... "Not much, really. Just from my duplex, twenty-six up there, to here," she admitted with another smile.
Joliette looked in the direction of 26 "Ah so Chubbs has a neighbour now He'll like that he's a nice guy" she looked back to her "Want a bit of a tour? I know I got lost when I first tried to find my way around here."
"Chubbs?" Ack! What a horrible habit she had, of repeating anything she didn't really understand! Chana flushed. It had to be a nickname of some sort.
"A tour would be wonderful, thank you," she told Joliette distractedly. She'd said she'd been here nine days...but wouldn't they want all the staff to come at once? It was much more efficient...ah, but hadn't she seen how odd the doctor was? If it was some strange philanthropist in charge directly, without someone experienced to give him advice...yeah. Then he'd just do whatever. He was rich, right?
"Yes, thats his name" she said "Give me a moment to put this away and I'll show you around" she said and turned off her camera capping it then hauling it and the tripod up to number 28, and putting it inside before coming down and taking her laptop and chair back into 27.
Chana shrugged inwardly and simply stood patiently. Was she borrowing the camera from someone else? Or was 28 just storage?
Did it matter? Half of this island didn't make sense anyway.
"Sorry for taking so long, I've turned to storing much of my camera stuff in my darkroom" she said rejoining Chana tucking the keys into her pocket she looked abouts "I think the town hall would be about as good as any to start."
"You have a real darkroom?" Chana exclaimed. Oh, how intriguing! At least that meant they could take pictures here and not wait to develop them. She followed the other woman along.
Joliette nodded "Yes, I finished building it last night, least it gives me something to do here" she said as they walked "Sooo... What reason did you come to the isle?"
Chana stopped walking at that question. "What reason did I have for coming here?" she repeated, anger creeping into her voice. "Well, I decided to come help the mentally disabled at this camp because I was taught it was the right thing to do!" she said vehemently. "Are you implying that I might have an ulterior motive?" Chana demanded of Joliette.
Joliette stopped and turned to her her hands up as if in surrender "Woah... I'm sorry, not you you wouldn't have an ulterior motive, but the doctors here do..." she defended herself "Please forget I asked" she said with a sigh not having expected that reaction.
"It's forgotten," Chana told Joliette, after giving her a suspicious glance. The doctors had an ulterior motive? Not surprising. Most people did, after all.
Joliette turned and headed for the town hall again ... She didn't know if she should tell her the truth or not "Town hall has the cafeteria, laundry room, building supplies storage, entertainment room and some other stuff in it" she said.
"Sounds really nice," Chana commented. She was too interested in her new surroundings to notice how...down...Joliette seemed.
"Theres a couple beaches here too" she said nearing the building "The place can take some getting used to, I believe there is 27 occupied duplexes or so."
"Really? I'd like to see one of the beaches too, if you don't mind," Chana replied.
Joliette walked into the door and stopped, "That direction goes to the laundry room, that direction to the entertainment room.. and this direction to the cafeteria" she said before heading into the cafeteria.
"Okay," Chana nodded and continued following Joliette into the cafeteria. It was...a very nice cafeteria, if a little unbroken-in.
"They make some decent food here, and good salads" she said "Are you hungry?" she was still contemplating what to do, she hoped Chana didn't run into a changed subject before she found the truth out.
"Flying mostly kills my appetite," she confessed. "But if you want to eat, I'll find something to munch on and keep you company...if you like." Why did Joliette sound...what was it, worried? Nervous? Why?
Joliette shook her head "No thats ok I'll grab an apple to eat as we walk, I ate a little while ago, wasn't sure if you had" she said looking up at Chana before wandering towards the fruit on the counter.
Chana spied something else that appealed to her and picked up a piece of wheat bread to snack on. "Are there set meal times?" she asked.
Joliette looked towards her and shook her head "No, theres no set times for anything in the village, we do as we please" she said before taking a bite from the apple.
"I...see," Chana mused. That was...very odd. The mentally disabled, especially autistic people, didn't react well to an unscheduled set of events. Was the camp director mad?
Joliette noted her hesitant reply and leaned against the edge of a table "I guess it's kinda nice to get away from deadlines and such" she mused sticking one hand into one of the plethera of pockets that riddled her vest.
"Oh? What was your last job?" Chana asked, innocently.
"I'm a photographic journalist" she told Chana "Thats how I wound up here actually, got too nosey for a good scoop for my own good." she was honest when she said that, though she wasn't sure how to expect it to be taken.
"Ah huh," Chana replied. That explained a lot. Minor islands like this were almost always private property...and so she could imagine that the media (or rather, the tabloids) would love to know just what was going on onshore. That thought process was, Chana knew, what came of growing up in America. Land of the freedoms to be fought for and home of the nosy.
"I found the person I was looking for though, so I guess even if I can't share that info it was worth it to know my hunch was correct" she stood up once more "Shall we?" she motioned the door.
"Yes, we shall," she replied, thinking a bit about what Joliette had said. So she'd come here looking for someone? It was probably some celebrity's brain-damaged child, due to drugs during pregnancy, or something like that.
Joliette dropped the core in a trash can "So what do you do for a living Chana, on the mainland that is" she asked looking up at her.
Chana blinked at the change of subject. "Well...I had a temporary job packing boxes of food for the Ark while I was waiting to hear back about this job," she replied, a bit nervously. There was something...out of kilter here. And Chana wasn't sure what.
"The Ark? I'm sorry I'm not sure I'm familiar with that" she said scratching her chin looking curious.
"The Ark is a Jewish food pantry," Chana explained. She didn't really want to get into more detail at the moment.
Joliette smiled "Sounds like a nice place... is there anything in particular you'd like to see from here?" she asked stopping in the doors of the town hall.
Chana swallowed the last of her bread. "Um...the beach, please?" she reminded Joliette.
She nodded and turned in the direction of the nearest beach heading throught eh village to get there "Theres two here, I believe one is larger then the other, very nice though, no broken glass or anything to worry about stepping on so bare feet are perfectly safe."
"It sounds lovely," Chana replied, squinting against the bright sunlight.
After a few minutes she padded out into the sand "This is the one closest to the town hall, it has a nice view I think" She says with a nod looking out into the water.
Chana stood as if stricken. "It's...it's beautiful," she whispered, afraid to break the beauty of the moment.
It was things like this that made up for all hardships and confusion.
Joliette nodded "You should see it at sunrise, I sometimes come to work out and wake up , a lil martial arts and a cool breeze does the body good" she said "I've seen Dude and Amaya on teh beach a lot, oh and I think Colche really likes it too, Not to mention Vasile, he was on teh beach when I first got here, morning run I think."
"I see..." Chana replied absently. Then she forcefully pulled her attention away. "I think I'd like to go unpack a bit...take a nap. I think I can find the way back...you coming with?" She asked out of force of habit, she didn't really want any company for once.
She looked towards the girl, she looked like she had a lot on her mind "No thats ok, thanks though for asking, have a good nap, and I'm sure I'll see you around again, if you need anything I'm in 27."
Chana smiled and waved to Joliette, then turned and walked confidently back to her duplex. She had a lot to think over as she unpacked.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:46 pm
Nightmares "C'mon Chana, you've got to get up."
Chana groaned and turned away from the voice. It was nice and warm under the covers, she couldn't see much light from behind her eyelids, why wake up?
"Chana, get up now!"
She sat upright immediately on hearing her mother's tone of voice. A room swam into focus. Her room. Only...not. All the colors were muted and subdued. And her mother was...wearing a dirty brown coat that looked like a sack and motioning for her to put on something just as ugly.
"No way!"
"Chana, put it on!"
That was her boyfriend. The one she'd given up so much for, who'd dumped her and left her to fend for herself. He was leering at her, hinting at what he'd do if she didn't get dressed. She hurried into the clothing her mother held.
Then her mother led her through a strange, dark, and gloomy version of Buffalo Grove. No one was smiling, or even talking, and everyone was going to the same place. The trainstation.
Chana's heart began to pound. This was like those Holocaust movies that she'd had to watch since third grade...
...it couldn't be happening. Not now, the whole world had learned it's lesson, right? It couldn't be happening to her! She had her whole life ahead of her; things to do, people to meet, boys to date...
...she was next in line. That horrible English teacher from 9th grade that was a Neo-Nazi was standing at the train, ready to push her onboard. Chana screamed.
"Noooooooooo!"
Chana opened her eyes in shock, her heart racing, and stared at the ceiling. What the hell was going on? The dream had been so vivid...
She violently pushed the light covers aside and hurried to the bathroom. The light, when she flicked it on, was almost too bright. She checked the time. Three in the morning. She'd taken more then just a nap, and had slept in her clothes. Chana examined herself in the mirror. Pale, sweating, hair a mess...not too bad.
As she stripped her dirty clothes off, Chana spared a thought for her downstairs neighbor. She hoped he wouldn't wake to the sound of her showering in the middle of the night. But dear Lord she needed it.
She stood under the spigot and tried to relax and imagine the hot water washing away the nightmare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:58 pm
Chana meets Jamal Chana sighed as she finally saw the moonlight glinting off of the ocean. It had been a few days since she'd gotten her tour, and she'd already made one wrong turn trying to get back to the beach.
Still, it was beautiful. She shut off her flashlight to better enjoy the scenery. And to look at the stars. To see how many constellations she could make out under the clear sky.
The beach was already occupied, as it usually was this time of night. Jamal was standing at the edge of the water, shoeless, letting the gentle waves lap at his bare toes as he stared across the water at the horizon. His eyes were squinted, yet reflected a pained look to them as he peered out. The man had foolishly been staring out there for ages, looking for signs of life that might spell as a source of rescue for him and Awen. Lights...motion...anything that might give away a chance at freedom.
But yet realization of his plight was only confirmed as he saw nothing civilized out there on the dark waters except for the curl of whitecaps every once in awhile. He felt so foolish...wondering how long he had until life as he knew it would change. Jamal felt the Doctors were teasing him; Hargun had seemed to surprised to know he'd been on the island so long and hadn't yet changed. This should have been comforting.
"Bastards," he uttered under his breath, unaware of Chana's appearance on 'his' beach.
Chana gasped involuntarily. Someone else was here! But...where? Her eyes hadn't fully adjusted to the darkness...was that a shadow over there?
"H-hello?" she called out, feeling nervous. Maybe she was imagining it? Then she'd feel really foolish...
Jamal turned sharply, his solitude interrupted by a nervous call that almost made him curse aloud. Dammit, he could never find a place where someone wasn't around.
"Yo," he said, his tone somewhat more gutteral than usual. Irritation was very blatant in his voice and his expression; he probably sounded pretty menacing without actually meaning to.
The fact that his dark skin coupled with the dark clothing he was wearing probably didn't help this image either. It was like he was almost trying to be evasive as he stood there in darkness at the water's edge.
Chana almost blanched when she heard the voice. What kind of camp was this that they'd...no...nevermind. That would be prejudice. She knew a lot about prejudice, and would do her best to not judge.
Calm down. Think calmly. Say something.
"It's very beautiful out here," she said, still very nervous. Would he construe that as an insult? Or maybe he'd just tell her to ******** off or something like that, right? This whole camp was so weird.
"Yeah, I guess," Jamal said blandly, arms crossing over his chest as he peered at the moving form not so far away now. It was a woman; he could tell by the voice and the way the shadows played off her form. "Nice ta come out herr now n' then."
He didn't recognize the voice and that made him semi-curious, but also edgy. What if it was another one of those cracked out Docs?
"Now and then? You've been here a while too?" The words slipped out too fast for her to gather them back up, like the feathers in that story. The one in the kids prayer book for the High Holy Days about gossip.
Gah, this wasn't the time. But this was the strangest place. Why bring people in at different times? What did that really accomplish?
Eccentric philanthropist in charge, she reminded herself.
"I been herr a month."
His face faltered as he spoke...god, had it been that long already? He shook his head as to rattle the thought from his mind, a hand drawing upward to rub at his chin. The black man sighed airily and forced his attention to the here and now.
"You be new then? I ain't 'membrin' yo voice b'fo," Jamal asked cautiously. He still wasn't sure if this was a Doctor or not and he remembered Hargun's warning of them coming at night. Surely this would be a good place for them to try and get at him with an injection...the beach was usually nice and private this time of night.
A month!? But....that was...no, it wasn't her business. Best to stick with answering the question.
"Yeah...I got here on Saturday. I...haven't really been out much. Too much to unpack and organize, you see." That was safe enough to admit. Don't talk...don't think about those nightmares that terrified her so much, she refused to leave her duplex.
Jamal didn't seem to notice her surprise as he moved a little closer, finding that talking to shadows almost made him feel like he was losing his mind.
"Best ta get used to this place...spendin' time in yo duplex ain't gonna help in the long run," he remarked absently, his mind still wandering back to his original purpose of being on the beach. "You ain't been herr long, ain't surprisin'. They keep bringin' people in one atta time...what they drag yous herr fo'?"
He didn't know if she knew what was happening here really, and for what he figured, she probably wouldn't believe him in the first place. Honestly, Jamal wanted nothing to do with the explaination portion of the island. He'd leave that for people like Hargun or Ambrose, who do a find job of scaring the s**t out of people when they come around the corner.
Chana tried to stifle a shiver as the man moved closer. She had to admit that he was right, though. An escape was just that; an escape.
Then he changed the subject.
"I'm here to be a counselor, of course!" she answered heatedly. Why did no one seem to believe her? Did she look that young? "You think I got this shirt for nothing?" she demanded, forgetting, for the moment, that her flashlight was off. The shirt itself was simple and grey, reading "5 Year Staff" and "Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute."
Jamal stared blankly at the woman before looking at her shirt, then leaning in closer when the lettering was not obvious from where he stood. No doubt she'd probably take it completely wrong...not that he cared. Any chance to look at a woman's chest without being slapped outright worked for him.
"Coun'selo' fo' what?" he asked bluntly as he finally leaned back, hand again rubbing at his chin. The only time he'd heard the word counselor was when he was behind bars and ordered to take alcohol classes and talk to a shrink back when he was younger. This woman didn't look the part for that sort of job. A chill passed down his spine though; was this woman part of the staff here?
Most of Chana's fear was shunted to the side in favor of outrage. What was going on here? Joliette had taken a moment to think about her job, and this guy was...he was definitely not a camper.
"I'm here as a counselor for autistic people!" she replied, using a great deal of will to not add "of course" or "no duh" to the end of her statement. And...had he been staring at her chest? Men. Soooo exasperating.
"...Awww-what?" He gave Chana a very suspicious look, a glimmer of dangerous light flickering in his eyes. This woman was using pretty scientific language and claimed to be a counselor...how could she not be one of Moreau's people? "Be you staff herr then? You knows what happenin'?"
Jamal didn't even try to keep the accusation from his voice as he practically growled the questions at her. If she knew what was going on here, he bet he could get some answers from her. He didn't care that she was a woman; if she was part of the Doctor's staff, he'd do whatever necessary if it meant that he could possibly buy himself freedom...even if it meant this woman was going down in the process.
"Autistic," she repeated, with growing impatient. "You know, mentally retarded? And yes, I am being paid to be here, but no, I have no clue what's going on! I met the weirdest doctor when I got here, and I haven't even met the camp director!" Now Chana was simply pouring out all her frustrations on the poor man, and had stopped caring about this "ghetto black guy" except as semi-friendly ear.
"I've recieved no instructions, not even a schedule, no cares if I stay in my beautiful duplex all day and night...this place is a mess!" Only then did Chana realize she might have said too much. She belatedly clapped a hand to her mouth. "Oh my G-d, I didn't mean to say all that. You must think I'm so irrespectful..." she apologized. Of course this man had no wish to hear her life story...she just hadn't spoken to anyone about anything serious for such a while...she'd completely lost all common sense for a few moments.
Out of the first batch of words, all he got was 'retarded', which basically made him think of stupid people. Okay, fair enough. But who in the hell would want to deal with stupid people all day. He rolled his eyes at that as she continued to ramble.
As she continued, his evil gleam slowly disappeared, replaced now with a oddly void expression. So...she wasn't really staff. Dammit to hell.
"This callin' dis a camp now?" he asked with a disbelieving laugh. Wow, the Doc was turning out lies left and right. "You musta met Doc Moreau then, if you met some nutcase. I ain't met him yet...o' dis camp directa' you talkin' 'bout, unless dat be Aubrey." Prolly fo' da betta' he thought darkly as he stared at Chana, trying to decide if he should even bother trying to lay it all on the line. By her previous outbursts, he figured she'd be stubborn like he was. It probably was not worth the breath.
"Did da Doc give ya a shot o'sumthin'?"
Might as well ask. Surely she had to have gotten one...the Doctor didn't seem to let anyone pass through his grasp lately.
"Yes, a camp!" she stated angrily. "And yes, I think I was behind on some shot...TB or tetanus...but he had it and I'm good now."
Whoo. Now that all that was out, she felt a lot better. More able to appreciate how beautiful the nighttime beach was. And the stars...the brightest she'd ever seen them.
"Whateva'" Jamal said dismissively with an accompanying headshake. This girl obviously wasn't going to be an easy one to convince of anything. "I jus' call it hell. Ya'll see soon 'nough...takes some time ta get used to dis place."
It was then he was reminded he hadn't gotten a name from her. Probably should get it so maybe he could have Awen go introduce herself and perhaps let her do the dirty work of explaining the purpose of this island; the blue haired girl seemed to be the best at it as far as he knew.
"Da name's Jamal, in case ya wond'rin'. Ran inta anyone else yet?"
"I don't believe in hell," she told him coolly. Jamal. Not some random guy. And where had her manners gone?
"I'm Chana," she responded, emphasizing the "ch" like an old yenta from Eastern Europe. "I met a woman named Joliette...no one else though."
"Ya will in time. I promise ya that." There was no humor in Jamal's voice as he spoke. He, of course, had no idea of her religious affiliation and if he did, he didn't care. This place was as close to hell as he felt he'd ever get.
At the mention of Joliette, he placed the name with the girl with the british accent and bubblewrap. He nodded in recognition of the name and mused privately to himself. So...she hadn't met any of the transformed islanders yet... "Ya'll prolly run inta the main crowd event'ally. Gettin' ta be so many of us herr that it's startin' to get hard to not run inta someone in a lil' time."
Chana looked at Jamal sharply. He seemed to know more about something than he was telling her...ah well. It probably wouldn't make a difference in the long run. She shrugged as a response and changed the subject.
"Did I interrupt you? I should probably head back now...it was nice meeting you though." And...she actually meant it. Strange as it sounded (to her).
Jamal let his gaze drift back towards the water, mulling over the idea. Had she really interrupted anything other than his brief flight of fancy?
"Ya ain't interruptin' nuthin'," he said finally, a slight air of defeat to his voice now. "But dat be a'ight if ya need ta go...Chana." He attempted to say her name as she had said it, but he couldn't make the sound properly. Ah well.
"Apparently I don't need to be anywhere," she spat. "But I think I needed to just rant. Thanks for listening."
She didn't even wait to hear Jamal's response before heading back to the village.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:13 pm
Chana meets Amaya Amaya sat outside the cafeteria doors, allowing the hot afternoon sun to warm her scales. The air conditioning inside was rather uncomfortable, so since she was alone for the time being she chose to eat outside and bask at the same time.
She sat cross-legged, the bowl of salad resting in her large palm and the other awkwardly holding the fork that stabbed at the veggies contained within. These past few days hadn't been so bad. Despite that one weird encounter with the preist, everything had been... well, pretty good actually. The iguana girl smiled to herself as she ate in silence.
Chana had just woken up. She'd gone back to her duplex after meeting Jamal at the beach late last night. And, of course, her belly had woken her up, demanding that she remember how long it had been since dinner yesterday.
In her sleep-fogged daze, she didn't really notice the girl sitting outside the building as being...out of the ordinary. "Boker tov," she greeted the girl. When was the last time she'd been able to sleep so late? Probably that last Shabbat two or three summers ago. When had she last worked there...?
"Huh?" Amaya blinked and looked up at the strange woman that approached her and froze. Crap, someone ELSE she hadn't met yet? Please oh please let them know what was going on...
"Uh... hey." She looked down and didn't wave, just in case this woman didn't know the truth. If she didn't then... well, she really didn't want to see her reaction to her strange apperance.
"It means "good morning"," Chana provided, still not really seeing Amaya.
"Is there anything good in the cafeteria today?" It was just an innocent question, Chana was trying to make conversation on "safe" ground. Besides, camp food was not to be envied unless if you didn't have enough to eat.
"Ah." Amaya gave an understanding nod. Well, this woman was certainly being... calm, if anything. Thinking that she knew about the truth and was taking it rather well, she looked back up and at the cafeteria doors. "Eh, depends on what you like. Veggies are fresh at least." She gave a light shrug while stabbing at her salad and taking another bite.
"Veggies? No cereal? And is there 2% milk?" Or maybe the other woman was only interested in veggies. It was possible. It was also possible that she had...some...strange skin condition. Like leprosy? Or wait...wasn't that white spots? Gah, too much brainpower was required to figure that out right now.
"I dunno, really. You'll probably have to go and look. I only went in and grabbed a salad before making my way back out here... didn't really look over the menu very much." Amaya was looking at her salad again, not annoyed at all by the woman's questions... she was actually having a normal conversation like she was a normal person again. It was pretty nice.
"Okay, thanks," Chana replied, and went inside to fetch food. She decided that she'd eat outside with the other woman, maybe the woman would let slip her condition. If Chana had any major flaw, it was that she wanted to know what was going on with people. She'd befriend anyone, but liked to know what was going on that might affect how much they were getting out of a program or such.
A few minutes later, Chana returned with a bowl of Frosted Flakes and a small milk carton. It was a few days to expiration, but wasn't there yet. All was right with the world.
"May I sit?" she asked the woman.
Amaya wasn't really expecting the woman to come back outside and request to sit with her, so for a second she looked up in surprise before smiling and shuffling over. "Sure, no problem." She was just sitting on the ground outside the door, not really bothering with any tables that might have been set up outside. For some reason she loved to sit on the ground and feel the grass between her toes while she ate.
After she had shuffled over she wiggled a little bit, allowing her tail to curl around her without getting smashed against her body and the wall. Danm, that thing was a pain.
Chana sat down, poured her milk, and was taking a spoonful of cereal when she saw the tail move. She blinked, then looked up at Amaya's face, truly seeing it for the first time.
"Do you like dressing up?" she asked, calmly, though she'd gone a bit paler than usual.
Amaya stopped mid bite, letting her fork back into her bowl as she looked at the woman. Oh... crap... she didn't know...
"Dressing... up...?" She frowned and looked down at her bowl, her stomach turning. Please don't let her freak.
"This... isn't a costume if that's what you mean." Green eyes closed, not wanting to see her reaction.
"Not a costume..." Chana trailed off, staring. Then she burst out laughing.
"Of course it's not! You must be like some of my friends in college, who swore that they really were the people they were dressed up as. I see now." And she dug into her cereal, having found a rational explanation.
What...? Amaya frowned and glared at Chana, her tail lashing and hitting the wall behind her with a smack. She... she was ******** LAUGHING. Something the girl didn't even know she had snapped.
"Don't ******** laugh! I'm serious! Look at my hands. Do these look fake? Like gloves?" She held one out and flexed it, using the other to set her bowl down on the ground for now. "Does my tail look fake? Is it some electronic thing moving on it's own?" Her tail continued to make quick, aggrivated lashes against the wall, not hurting at all for some reason. Her voice at first was a yell, but then died down to that of quiet anger and sarcasm. Paired with her scaly face, sharp teeth, and narrowed eyes she did look rather intimidating as some of that innocent girl that had arrived on the island was lost forever.
As the woman started yelling, Chana froze and looked up. Her eyes, her face, her hands, her tail...her tail...her TAIL!
Dear Lord the woman had a tail. That was the last thought Chana had as darkness swarmed over her. Thankfully her face missed her bowl by a handspan as she fainted.
Amaya's anger quickly turned into regret as the woman fainted.
"Crap! C'mon lady, I'm sorry!" She paniced and helped her up, resting her against the building and turning to fan her with a large hand. God, why had she snapped like that? The woman was just being logical! Anyone with sense would jump to anything but being turned into an animal!
"Oh god, I'm so sorry... Wake up, c'mon..."
"Mrrrrrn..." Chana moaned as her eyelids flickered slightly. Then she opened her eyes, groaning again, and stared at the ground. She was aware of someone holding her up against something, but all she could focus on was a fleeting memory of something she thought she'd seen...
"G-d," she moaned, and looked straight ahead. Into the woman's face. "It's...it's not..." She couldn't even get the words out, she couldn't believe it; and she was still disoriented from her fainting spell.
"Thank god..." Amaya breathed out a sigh of relife as she came too, but withdrew once her eyes opened. She took a few steps back, remaining in a crouch with her head down. If she scared the woman again... she didn't know what she'd do.
As soon as the woman relaxed her hold, Chana slid down the wall to sit in the dirt. Her legs were not yet up to holding her weight, and she still felt quite dizzy. Eyes dilated, limbs shaking...she was nowhere near recovered. Her fists clenched and unclenched convulsively. It said in the Torah...or was it the Tanakh?...that G-d had made man, Adam, in His image. Right? Was this still that image? Was such a thing possible?
Was she going crazy? Chana brought her hands, her normal-sized human hands, up to her head, as if that might possibly help. It didn't even block out the world at large, but she didn't have to look at...at the woman.
She tried to say something, but the only thing that came to mind was a silly old song she'd learned long ago. "In the beginning, beraysheet. In the beginning..." she sang in a shaking voice, ignoring the world around her.
Amaya frowned and looked down at the ground, unable to watch Chana. Should she just leave her alone? The woman would probably be better without her around. Sighing, she hung her head low and grabbed her bowl before standing and walking to the cafeteria doors. "I-... I'm sorry." She stuttered before walking inside to put away her dishes.
Dimly, Chana heard the woman's apology, but she didn't allow it to register. The song. Remember the words and sing them, and it will be just fine, just like when you first learned those words in kindergarten. "The world was dark, there was no light. There was no day and there was no night. In the beginning..."
"...in the beginning, beraysheet." That was the end of the song. Chana sighed, then winced. Now that her concentration was gone, she was incredibly aware of little things; the rocks beneath her butt, the fact that both feet and her left leg were almost completely numb, the drying tears on her cheeks. Her face felt dirty, and her Frosted Flakes looked to be completely saturated. And...ew...disintigrating in the milk.
Chana moved into a squat, then had to catch herself as she lost her balance and pins and needles ran up and down her legs. She tried again, and made it up. She scooped up her bowl and returned it to the cafeteria. Then she headed back to her duplex. The one place she had now to feel safe in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:54 pm
"Am I Going Mad?" Chana locked the door behind her as she entered her duplex. It took her a few tries; her hands were still shaking. Finally it locked, and she collasped on the bed. Her bed.
Lord, what was going on? Had she...was that woman...how? No...not how. What was going on. A better question. Chana grabbed her Gates of Prayer. Table of Contents...ah. Afternoon service on page 111. Forcing herself to take her time, Chana read the service aloud. And when she came to the T'Filah, the standing prayer, she read every single supplication, especially the ones for understanding, forgiveness, redemption, health, freedom, and deliverance. Those she made sure to read in both Hebrew and English.
When she finished the service, Chana pulled out her Plaut. Now seemed like a good time to reread Genesis. And a very bad time to leave the duplex.
She took her time. The pages were very thin, and Chana's hands were still shaking, even now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:22 pm
Solace from Madness Chana had fallen asleep sometime during her reading. Now she was awake and staring at a wall. And pinned to the wall she currently faced was a calendar.
Hannukah was a month away and for fear of being detained at the airport, she hadn't brought any essentials with her. She'd assumed she'd be able to get the proper items once she got to her destination.
The doctor had said that dialing "0" would get her what she wanted. She hit the button.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:31 pm
Sabin watched the intercom button flash on the phones several times. How was it, he wondered to himself, that he always seemed to find himself the only one availble to answer it? Admittedly, he had almost made a game out of Joliette's requests... well, no almost about it really.
This time, it was from one of the other new subjects. He glanced at the moniter to see that it was the curly-haired girl who thought she was here for a counseling job. Referencing the notes on her file briefly, he read that it was dubious as to whether or not she 'knew' yet.
With a frown, he finally tapped on the button to patch through to the room.
"This is Dr. Duvert at the main facilities. Can I help you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:35 pm
Chana blinked in surprise. Another doctor? This was an odd place indeed... Best not think about it.
"Um, yes. This is Chana Cohen. I was wondering if I could get a hannukeah and forty-four candles by sundown on the 25th." Was that really her voice? Why was she so nervous? Nevermind. It was probably some subconscious thing that made no sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:43 pm
The sound of a few keys tapping was heard as Sabin made a note on her file, and flagged the request.
"I don't see that being a problem, Miss Cohen. We should be able to get everything to you in time for your religious observation."
His eyes skimmed the notes on her case file - the information she had been given and found out.
With a small smile, he spoke up again. "And have you been able to meet with any of the... ah.. special needs individuals? I don't know how much information you were granted, but not all of them are children. We are running a very intensive program and trying to pair the most counselors per individual in order to help them. So as more individuals arrive, we have need for more counselors. Some of them are not even children, but still need assistance. Some of them are better able to cope with their disorders than others, as well. But regardless, you are paired with your downstairs neighbor."
Sabin smiled mirthfully behind the speaker. Chubbs was certainly not 'special needs' - but he was a boxer, and most boxers had taken enough blows to the head (Not to mention the profession wasn't exactly one most intellectuals chose) to perhaps at least make Chana stop to wonder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:50 pm
Chana nodded, though she knew (or rather, thought) he couldn't see her. "Thank you very much, Dr. Duvert."
Then he continued talking. And...her downstairs neighbor? Joliette had mentioned him by name...hadn't she? Oh...curse these strange events that kept her from remembering!
"I assure you, Doctor, that I have worked with the mentally disabled of all ages, from children to senior citizens. But I am happy to," she omitted the word finally, "hear who it is I should be working with. Thank you again, Doctor."
At least she had some direction of what to do next. She'd have to meet her neighbor sometime soon and make some progress; find out what he liked, what his specific needs were...all sorts of things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:56 pm
"No problem, Miss Cohen. You have a nice afternoon, and I'll see to it that you receive your menorah and candles."
And Sabin hit the disconnect button with a smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 9:49 pm
Chana meets Father Stewart Once more Stewart was out walking around the Village, he liked this place. It was civilized, but it wasn't horribly crouded like the city. Another day he would have Colche take him into the forest again, but he didn't dare venture in to it's depths alone.
After recieving confirmation of a hannukeah and candles, as well as tangible instructions, Chana was in a much better mood. She had decided to roam the village. She was so happy, she was humming one of her favorite songs.
Then...she noticed a man. In...a cassock? Oh...dear.
"Ah...hi!" she called out, trying to be polite. Inside, she was nervous all over again. Why oh why was there a priest here?
Stewart looked around for the source of the greeting. His eyes finalyl setteling on a young woman with curly brown hair. Just a normal person, not one of those 'demons' that he had seen around the island. "Hello!" He said smiling "I don't think I've seen you before. But I'm pretty new to the island so I haven't met many of the others." Ah, I've frogotten my manners again, how rude of me. My name is Father Stewart Young"
So far...so good. "I'm also pretty new here. Chana Cohen," she said, as she finally came up to him and held out her hand.
She really really hoped he wouldn't start in on how she was destined to go to hell unless if she converted. Or ask why she didn't have horns. Or anything else equally prejudiced and foolish.
He shook her hand and smiled warmly "Nice to meet you Chana! It's also nice to see that I'm not the only one who is new to the island." He paused while looking around the village. Thank God none of those horrid demons were here. "It really is a beautiful island... Except for a few things. But never mind my rambelings, care to join me for a walk around the village?"
"Um, sure," she accepted the invitation. At least there was nobody around...maybe she really had hallucinated earlier. Lack of sleep and stress could do that..
"So...um...what do you do for fun?" Chana asked, trying to make conversation.
"Ah, nothing too exciting" He said with a small laugh "Back home, I would usually be preparing for mass, or doing confessions. I must admit, since I've come to the island. I've spent most of my free time studing the Scripture. That doesn't sound like too much fun, but it is all very interesting. What do you think of it?"
Chana chuckled a bit. "I guess I find it more interesting than most...I was actually reading Genesis earlier today." She turned and gave Stewart a smile. How funny! Aside from the mass preparations (d'var torah?) and confessions (consoling heartbroken teens), they seemed to have similar interests.
"How interesting!" He said looking a bit surprized, but happy that he had finally met someone on this island who he could relate to "Genesis has to be one of my personal favorites. Currently I've been working on Exodus. I can't tell you how nice it is to finally meet someone on this island who knows what I'm talking about!"
Chana laughed. "It's easy to say that Genesis is your favorite, since it covers a wider range of time than the other four books combined! Especially when you first get into Numbers and the census. G-d. I know that portion better than most," she offered ruefully. After all, she'd had to write a d'var torah that somehow related her life to "how to include a person in the census." Possibly the driest part of the whole Torah.
"That is very true, most people ask me how I am able to read through it so many times. I don't have it all memorized though, for some reason people think that preists have the entire Scripture known by heart." He said shaking his head and chuckeling "Well, Chana. I hate to cut our conversation short, but I really need to go catch up on my prayers. I've been neglecting them, life's been quite... different here on the island." He finshed with a nod before heading back to his duplex.
Chana waved at the priest's back with a silly little smile on her face. That hadn't been so bad at all! He hadn't said anything about specific religions, and that was fine with her.
She wandered along through the village, singing softly.
"Wherever you go, there's always someone Jewish.
You're never alone when you say you're a Jew..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:56 pm
Left outside Chana's duplex is a small package, simply wrapped in brown paper.
A note is attached to the top:
Quote: "Miss Cohen, As per your request, here is the menorah and candles that you requested so that you can observe Hannukah." ~Dr. Duvert
Inside the box is very nice antiqued bronze elaborate menorah:
There is also a package of 44 candles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:14 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:26 am
Chana returned to her duplex after the...odd...meeting with Cassidy. She knew that the other woman had been on the island longer than she, and they'd ended up talking about Gaga.
For the life of her, Chana couldn't recall Cassidy's face. Just that she was in a wheelchair.
Shaking of her unease, Chana picked up the small package that had been set on her doorstep. Taking it inside, she carefully opened the box (you never knew when you'd need a box) and found a beautiful hannukeah. Bronze, with a lion, the branches were made to look like a tree...or a burning bush...it was lovely. Also in the package was a box of classic beeswax candles, the kind she remembered from childhood, before her mother had started buying all the funky new kinds of Hannukah candles (all one color, long-lasting, no wax left, scented, tall, short, baby's first, etc.).
It was a bit stunning to realize that for once, she'd spend Hannukah warm. And without snowball fights. Then again, it didn't sound like such a bad thing. Snow hardly ever fell in Jerusalem after all. (She was so mad she hadn't bought that postcard showing the Dome of the Rock under three inches of the white stuff on her first trip.) Coicindence or irony? Only time would tell that answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
