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 Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:47 pm
She listened, and it took her awhile before Thina could place his reaction. As he spoke and walked, she hummed a little. With him always saying "good", "bad", "boy", Thina was reminded of a younger child who was recently chastised... and now looking for approval. That thought made her think twice, "Jordan, how old are you?" The way she said it gave the impression she was merely interested, not necessarily condescending or such.
Thina had never heard of a "Doctor Moreau", so chose to not question any further.
The silence held, and she instinctually filled the gap with a quiet music from her throat. Thina was impressed with the measures that Jordan went through to make sure she was comfortable. "Thank you" she said as she took his paw.
Her ear cocked to the sound of water, "Yes...." she agreed, though she wasn't sure where they were.
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:04 pm
"I'm twenty-five." he offered pleasantly.
As they’d walked towards the river, Jordan enjoyed the song that Thina hummed, Jordan’s ears wiggling as he easily heard her pleasant tune. “You have a nice voice. That’s a pretty song you’re humming.” His tail wagged faster, finding the music quite pleasant in the background.
He was happy to help her along the path. It gave him a good fuzzy feeling to help others. The serum amplified some of his already-present traits, masking him a harder worker and eager to please. Not to mention, receiving praise. When she thanked him, that sent him onto cloud nine. “You’re welcome. I just wanted the journey to be more pleasant for you.”
He’d heard the water before her human ears could pick up the sound of moving water and Jordan led her with her hand in his paw near the bank of the river, smiling as it was the pleasant view that he’d promised. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:22 pm
Twenty-five? Thina was slightly shocked at some of his behavior. Wasn't he a little old to be constantly looking for favor? Maybe it was an American thing?
"Hmmmm, thank you," she nodded, accepting the compliment as they walked along the path. Thina was unsure how to react to his "gentlemen" attitude. It was unexpected to be treated so well. So, she played it safe and said nothing.
They arrived to the river bank. Thina stood in shock, her jaw dropped but with the corners curved a bit up in an attempt of a smile. Finally, she shook her head to clear it, "Neh, poli kala... uh, very beautiful."
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:36 am
Jordan smiled at her reaction. That had made it worth the trip, to see her reaction to the river's majesty. It was quite beautiful with the setting sun hitting areas of the surface just right to create shimmering spots of gold. The dogman found a comfortable tree and leaned against it as he seated himself for a good view of the evening sun rolling on the river waves. He kept an ear out for potential dangers and sniffed the air every few minutes for the same reasoning. It gave him a sense of duty to watch over the human so she could enjoy the surroundings. The humans had to be careful coming into the wilderness. They were vulnerable to any danger that could present itself, whatever it be. Jordan may not have been the best of bodyguards, but push come to shove, he could scratch the surface of someone’s skin with his dull claws.
He didn’t want to rush her visit, remaining quiet and stayed at his tree so he wouldn’t disturb her. Jordan wondered how much she knew about the island. It didn’t seem too much, if anything at all. He felt bad for scaring her in his moment of misunderstanding. That would be difficult to recover from. Jordan didn’t want her to think from here-out that he’d be any sort of threat to her. He wasn’t a monster. Well, the current state of his physical being did scare him, so he couldn’t exactly fault her if he was judged for that. Those mini paws poking form his stomach were unsettling.
It was fascinating and concerning to see two new humans in the same week, only two or three days apart from each other. Humans had been in rare supply since he’d arrived. Thina and Dee were the first human subjects he’d come upon since his own arrival. It was a stark reminder of what some of the upstarts had said before, that there would always be a constant supply of incoming subjects at the labs’ disposal. That sparked Jordan thinking further that he’d already been on the island nearly three months and had experienced two changes. By the time both Dee and Thina would have undergone two transformations, would Jordan already have reached his fourth stage? Or would he even be finished with his changes at that point? He couldn’t help but think what surprise was in store for him that would allow him to defend himself more effectively.
Jordan leaned back against the tree, boredly, and idly dragging his claws over his chin. The rolling water was loud, but soothing, like a white noise machine cranked loud, to his canine ears. Before long, he was even humming to himself. Maneater, by Daryl Hall and John Oates. He didn’t know the words beyond the chorus and he didn’t think that it was an appropriate time to be muttering those lyrics.
“I’ll be over here if you need me.” He figured she’d be fine if he took a break and zoned out a bit. It was the safest thing that he could do to prevent another mishap. Jordan stretched his arms above his head, paws clasped together, simotaneously, stretching out his legs with a soft groan briefly interrupting his humming. His tummy paws wiggled and kicked as he stretched out his arms and legs.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:42 pm
Thina barely noticed that Jordan left. After the moment of awe passed, the woman sat down, hiked up the tattered hem of her dress, and put her feet in the water. That was about as far as she was willing to go, for she was still wary of too-much water... and that would include going for a swim. Besides, with the sun setting, the air was cooling and she did not need to get sick here.
The woman rested, letting the current of the river tickle her toes. She basked in the sound, allowing the water and animal music drift around her. Thina wished she had brought her lyre, to try and find a song that complimented what she now felt. But how could feeling be accurately put in the strings of the instrument?
Jordan's concerns were not present in Thina, as she hadn't yet learned the dangers of the Island. For now, she lived in the 'now' and enjoyed the evening.
Finally, the dogman spoke up, and the woman turned. Thina was surprised he had moved, but nodded, "Okay!" She turned back, and watched some more.
It was after yet another pause, that Thina reached around where she sat and gathered rocks. One-by-one, she would toss one across the water. She threw, and watched the stones as they added more music to the song she heard now.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:17 pm
Thina had been down by the water longer than he’d expected. He opened an eye with concern to make sure she was alright, but not immediately seeing her within sight. He’d closed his eyes before witnessing where she’d gone. He didn’t need to panic, though. He could sniff her out, though it wasn’t necessary at the moment. His ears caught the sounds of the water and splashing. Jordan figured if she’d been in any sort of trouble or danger for that matter, he would have heard something from her.
Jordan casually rose from his tree, taking the time to stretch himself out. “So wonderful out here..” he muttered to himself, ears twitching to the sounds of the birds. He padded slowly to the river bank as not to give her a fright if he’d happen to sneak upon her in a moment of peacefulness. It was neat being able to walk quietly with his pawpads muffling his footsteps. Slow, deliberate steps towards the water. Jordan wanted to charge into the water, but this wasn’t one of those visits. There was time to come back another time for a long swim.
He sat down a few feet behind and off to the left of her, smiling as she seemed so calm and content to toss rocks into the water. The only sound that he made was the involuntary swishing of his fluffy tail that moved a few fallen leaves. He wasn’t so calm and content when he’d arrived, but then again his conditions that had landed him here were anything but peaceful, nor were the circumstances condusive to enjoyment of his surroundings till his canine attributes had allowed him to see and hear things in a new light.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:51 pm
Thina look over her shoulder to glance at Jordan. The way he sprawled there, contented with the moment made her homesick. She had always enjoyed the company of the stray dogs. They were abandoned by the original owners and lived of the scraps of people... but yet were happy to be alive and enjoyed human company. It wasn't to say that Jordan reminded her of an abondoned dog that Thina always felt akin to... but many times she would watch the sun set in the mountains and she would have the companionship of at least one of the strays by her side.
Before her eyes could water too much at the memory, Thina tore her gaze from the dogman to look again at the river. She threw another rock in the river. "What family your like?" Thina asked, her English was horrible as she fought her emotions. She had never felt more homesick than she did at that moment.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:29 pm
His family? One way of dealing with life on the island had been not to think about his small family. Doctor Moreau had become the surrogate father figure. He’d never see them again, nor hear from them in any way, shape, or form. When Christmas had come and gone, he felt such sadness that he was alone, with not even a gift left upon his doorstep. It would be the last Christmas as a human, for a week later he’d leave such things as humanity behind.
He paused a moment to unscramble the misplaced word ‘your’, but understood what she had meant otherwise. “My family was small and I never saw much of them. I am an only-child. My mom always worked two jobs. She was gone to work in the mornings before I woke up for school at 6 am and I was asleep before she came home at night. My father was a busy man too but I saw more of him. Without my parents around I had to take care of myself and make decisions without their guidance." Jordan paused for a moment, snuffling. "I never got to know the joy of having an older brother to look up to and I never had the chance to be a big brother. I always wanted a brother.. I felt so alone.”
There were issues with family that he lamented because he missed out on those experiences. He wondered if his parents even knew he was missing, if they’d tried to contact him. They probably thought he was dead and that was probably for the best. As much as he wanted to let them know he was okay, Jordan couldn’t bear the thought of them knowing he was changing into an animal possibly only five hundred miles from home. They’d ask questions and that would lead to them being ‘silenced’. Jordan felt a cold chill race up his spine and shivered all over. Jordan laid his paws into his lap, smiling weakly. She’d hit on a sensitive topic apparently.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:37 pm
Thina listened, but when the implications of Jordan's family struck her, she didn't quite know what to say.
She was horrified. "Aweful! Family should be with eaches: foods, holidays, name days, all." Being 'cursed' as she was, Thina knew the feeling of loneliness, but it was a different kind.... and it did not take full effect until she couldn't produce any children. She had grown up like any other child, or so she thought. Her parents loved her, and her brothers -while they teased her like any other sibling- were always there for her. Not to mention the extended family. The idea of an only child who had to raise himself was pretty much unthinkable.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:00 pm
“My family never had the time to be together. Mom and dad were always working so hard just to keep out of debt. Money was an issue, but Christmas was the big day we were always together as a family- usually. Sometimes mom had to work on holidays, so it would just be me and dad. I had to accept that they made sacrifices because they loved me.”
Jordan should have shut up and was realizing this, but maybe he did need to talk about it at last. He rubbed the back of his neck, gauging her horrified expression. Was it really that astonishing to hear? Sure, not everyone’s family was as strained as his and he envied his friends’ lives. It was rare to have no siblings. “I watched my friends’ lives and they were ungrateful for what they had. They thought their brothers and sisters were a pain when I would have given my left arm to have a brother to grow up with. I’m sorry.” He chuckled nervously, still rubbing the back of his neck. “I never really had much of a family so I don’t know what I missed out on.”
“I didn’t even know my grandparents. All I know is my dad’s family hated my mom so they no longer wanted to be a part of their lives as long as they were together and my mom’s parents smoked a lot. They died within six months of each other when I was only five, so I don’t remember them.”
Jordan looked down at his footpaws, wiggling them as he let her absorb what he’d shared. He didn’t know what to think himself. His family really was screwed up in the name of love for their only son. And now they’d lost their child. With no knowledge of what had happened. No closure. They’d go through life not knowing where there son was or that he was becoming a madman’s dog. Jordan covered his face from her sight as he turned it to the side so she wouldn’t have to see the tears, choking back a sob.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:30 pm
Thina didn't know all the emotions that rolled through Jordan's mind. She shook her head every now and then. She just couldn't imagine a disfunctional family that did not stick together. No matter how bad the child was the parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even the further extended family, would stick by them and be there.
What could she say? Thina did the only thing she could do. When Jordan turned aside he wasn't fast enough to keep her from seeing the moisture gather. The woman took her feet out of the water and shifted so she was by him. Gathering the dogman in her arms, Thina held him and patted his head while telling him 'secrets of the family' in Greek. Even though he probably didn't know what she was saying, her voice was calm and soothing... for she added a bit of her singing voice that was used for lullabies.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:52 pm
Jordan missed his family desperately. Dredging up memories, that weren’t as old as he thought, still hurt. He had no physical possession to remember them by, only the memories he feared would fade in time the more canine he became. Jordan wanted what life had unfairly taken from him.
He didn’t ask for sympathy, but it’s what he got anyways. She was too kind to comfort him, even if he didn’t understand what she was saying, he knew the intention was all the same. Jordan wiped the tears from his eyes as they came, but it was a faucet of sadness. He choked on the repressed emotion, failing to keep himself composed. To realize how much he loved needed family nearly three months after permanent relocation to the island was too hard to accept. It was cruel.
The dogman returned the hug. Thina’s soothing voice took some of the edge off the despairing thoughts. The fact she was an actual human was more poignant than anything else. She was human and that’s all that mattered. Jordan closed his eyes and forced himself to picture himself as the human he was. A human being comforted by a sweet grandmotherly figure, not as the mutated canid.
“I miss them so much..” he choked between sobs.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:38 pm
Thina was torn. It was getting late, and she was afraid of being out and about at night, even with Jordan there to protect her. The shadows had been scaring her more than usual, and that was probably because this was the first time she was really away from home - no matter how childish that sounded.
But, she wasn't about to rush the man. It seemed that this was an emotion he had bottled up for some time...and it would be better for him to get it out, so the healing may take its course.
Hearing the words from his mouth almost made Thina choke on her own bottled tears. She missed her family now, too. Sure, some of them were dead from old age, but she had brothers, nieces and nephews, still alive. Thina wondered when she'd be able to see them again.
The whole time, she held on to the changing man, rocking back and forth like she did when her great-neice Phoebe skinned a knee and cried herself to sleep.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:08 pm
It hurt to deal with the realization of what he’d lost, how much he’d given up since his big blunder that had brought him here. He was alone, at odds with most everyone he’d met, and he feared the few people he remained on good terms with would be turned against himself as well by actions of his own design. He was on an island where humans were becoming animals and animals were becoming dangerous.
He didn’t want to be a dog. He didn’t want to be Feral’s property. Jordan wanted a family, a life, to be what he was, not what he was becoming. Circumstance had changed him physically and mentally, but something they could alter were his memories that he still clung to, for as long as he still could. He was just a laboratory experiment now. That simple fact would never change. He didn’t want to serve the labs, nor do their bidding any longer.
The sadness Jordan felt was morphing into other emotions. It was making him uncomfortable, not to be near Thina, but what he might say or do in the coming moments, so he pulled himself from her arms gently and hefted himself to his paws. He needed to be alone. He had to think about things.. his continued ‘loyalty’ ,as much as it was, towards the labs and Moreau, and this kindly woman didn’t need to be caught within that crossfire of conflicting thoughts.
Jordan offered his paw to help her up and escorted her back to the village before it ad become too dark for either to find their way, returning to the beach once he was certain she was safely in her new, permanent domicile.
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