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 Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:11 pm
"Sleep," she mumbled, turning over and burying her head in the pillow.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:14 pm
A wry, bemused smile. "Sleep, huh?" He traced a blunt, round claw down her exposed side.
"You've been sleeping soooo much since we went back to the duplexes. Let's doo something." Ambrose hopped out of bed and headed to the restroom, speaking from there as he cleaned up and did his morning routine.
"The rain's cleared up... we could get something from teh cafeteria, go eat somewhere.... Watch a movie, I don't know... something."
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:18 pm
"Whatever," she said, mid yawn, forcing herself to sit up on the bed. She comtemplated the options then sluggishly followed him to the bathroom. "Something low key, Ambrose, I haven't beeen feeling very well." SHe examined herself in the mirror, paying close attention to the color of the her cheeks and the white of her eyes.
Everything looked fine. She put the back of her hand to her forehead. "Do I feel warm to you?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:22 pm
Ambrose's smile faltered as he heard her vocalize her feelings.
Emerging from the bathroom as he was tugging on a shirt, he came back to sit down next to Angelina with a concerned look. "How long..." His from deepened as he put his pads to her forehead. SHe did feel a bit warmer than normal.
"A little bit..." He hesitated. "maybe... Maybe we should go to the Town Hall lady... she has medications... and they told us that we could go to her for non-emergency healty problems..." He chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:25 pm
Angelina shook her head quickly. "No thank you. I'm not taking anyting from the doctors here."
To her, that just seemed a bit overly trusting, considering most of teh staff here was turning people into weird science experiments.
And sighed and plopped back down on the bed, her pasted-but-yet-unused toothbrush in her hand. "Its probably just a cold from being stuck out in the rain. It'll suck it up."
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:32 pm
Ambrose looked quite dubious. "Well.... if they wanted to do anything to us... they can. And have, for that matter. We're probably worth more to them alive than dead or sick." He eyed her, an ear flicking back. "But it's your decision. I wouldn't force your hand."
He stood up and used a hand to smooth down the fur of the other arm. "But!" He held up the finger. "If you start to get worse, all bets are off." He said seriously.
He paused before her, running a hand tenderly through her hair. "So I'm going to look after you, you hear?" He thought.
"How about this.... we get some food from the cafeteria - including some nice soup... go to the entertainment room and camp out and watch some television? IT's been ages since we've done that."
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:40 pm
Angelina gave a cute smile and leaned her head into his paws. "OKay, if I get worse then you can force me to take their medicine." She gave a pout and battered her eyelashes. "But for now, I'll just stick with pampering." She lifted her arms and gave him that 'pick me up' much like a toddler would.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:43 pm
He chuckled softly as he put his hands around her waist and lifted her carefully, with a small grunt.
"Heeeave!" He joked with a wink, pulling her into his arms.
"Now, you." He said, his cold wet nose against hers. "Would you like me to just take you to the entertainment room? I can get some food and meet you back there?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:49 pm
"Hey," she said in playful indignation at Ambrose's grunt.
"OKay, that sounds perfect," she said around her toothbrush as it hung from her mouth. "Just let me finish getting ready. I don't think you'd appreciate me lounging around the TV room nekkid."
She wiggled from his arms and rinsed her mouth out, quickly donning a pair of baggy jeans and one of Ambrose's T-shirt. When she was ready, she looked at Ambrose again expectantly. She liked being toted around like a little girl when she was sick. She musted the most pitiful look she could.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:55 pm
He eyed her choice of clothing with a smile. "That looks comfortable. And good, you're going to be snuggled up..." He grabbed the comforter from the bed, "with your furry boyfriend, some hot food, and a good movie."
"Oh that's not fair..." Ambrose said, trying to muster his resolve against her stare.... ultimately to no avail. Even though Ambrose wasn't the strongest man he knew by any means, at least she wasn't very big. He hefted her up again, headed for the door, and across the short walk towards the side entrance to the town hall.
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:46 am
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Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:11 am
Poor Unfortunate Soul Ambrose had spent most of the afternoon and next morning coddling Angelina. She was still feeling miserable, even after a good night's sleep. As much as he didn't want to show it, he was getting worried. He kept telling himself, it was just a cold. They usually ran for a week or so, and usually got worse before they got better anyway.
She was still refusing medicine - at least nothing heavier than tylenol that he brougth to her - but not seeing any doctors.
So, in the meantime, Ambrose was her errandboy and pampering her to the best he could. So, midafternoon, Ambrose padded out of his duplex on the mission to go bring her food from the cafeteria (and get some for himself while he was out).It wouldn't be exactly fair to say Bobby was lost. Sure, she had no idea where she was, but that was expected for someone who just arrived. The woman did, however, catch a sniff of food. Her stomach growled loudly, giving the impression that it was a wild boar or some other dangerous creature. Following her nose, Bobby worked her way to the cafeteria.
She wasn't quite there when she caught sight of someone... or, something was probably a more accurate term. Bobby stared, that was all she could think to do. Her mouth hung low. She had lived in the city her whole life and seen crazy things. What she saw... this... wolf-man thing, was new. Yet, logic crept into her mind and soon, Bobby closed her mouth and approached. She thought that he was like one of those people that had animal implants.... hair-fur, whiskers, surgery for new structure, maybe even filed teeth. Bobby shuttered at the thought of someone sitting for all that fur implants, but hey, whatever floats their boat!
"Ummm, excuse me," Bobby mummured, then repeated loader, "Is there a cafe or something around here? Am I going to right way?"Ambrose turned around quickly, his thoughts disrupted by the sudden appearance of yet another unfamiliar person. Apparently since the 're-opening' of the Island and the return of Moreau and Aubrey, Moreau had taken it upon himself to bring himself some welcome-home presents, Ambrose thought to himself with a sympathetic sigh.
At least she didn't seem to be freaking out about his appearance. Fortunately, he must not be the first one to have encountered the woman. If there was one positive thing about the increased number of Islanders, that had to be it. Of course, the negatives were far worse: the fact that more and more people were losing their lives and futures to the mad doctor...
He ran a hand through his hair and turned to fully face her. "Ah, sorry, I didn't see you approaching." He introduced himself awkwardly, extending a furry, round-claw-tipped, padded hand. "My name's Ambrose."
"And yes, actually. I was just headed to the cafeteria myself."Bobby smiled broaded and took the extended.... hand, again amazed by the incredible job of his animal implants. The best she had seen before was maybe some eye-ridges... fake whiskers, and some random fur.... with maybe tiger stripes tattooed on. For sure, this man had found the best of the best for his own implants. "Bobby Reynolds, it's nice to meet you. Do you mind if I join you? I am starving."He smiled, and clasped her hand with a practiced firm, but not too-firm, shake. On her still-human hands, she could feel the rough calluses of his pawpads on his palm and fingertips, and the brush of soft fur. Strangely enough, for such elaborate 'implants' and body modifications, he was wearing the sort of clothing that those who were concerned about 'fitting in' wore: Abercrombie Khaki pants and matching polo shirt.
"A pleasure. And I don't mind, although I'm probably going to make it fairly quick. My girlfriend isn't feeling so well, and I'll be bringing her her meal back to the duplex." He explained.Shaking her head in disbelief very slightly, Bobby could not get over the seeming-authenticy of Ambrose's fur and pads, which she still just took as a surgery of immense proportions. Her mind didn't, couldn't, comprehend what the Island was all about.
Upon hearing about his girlfriend, Bobby frowned slightly. "Oh, I am sorry to hear that. Is it just something from this tropical weather? I hope she will be alright. If there is anything I can help with, please ask. I have three children, and they've caught some nasty illnesses over the years." The woman winked, although the genuine concern in her voice was apparant.Ambrose's first reaction was a smile of gratitude at her hospitibale offer... but his mind reminded him sharply of the towering predicament over her... Three children, and it was likely she'd never see any of them again.
His genial expression faltered; she didnt' seem too bothered by the off-handed reference to her family. Might... she not know what was in store for her? But then why barely a second glance at his appearance? Maybe she had come to accept it... or maybe her children were already grown anyway... althougth she didn't seem that old to the wolfman.
"Three children... wow. That must have been a handful." He commented cautiosly. "But thank you... she's been pretty stubborn so far. We got... ah... caught out in the rain not too long ago - so I'm sure it has something to do with that." He wasn't going to unload the bemoans of their lockout - no need to frighten the woman. "I've been giving her Chicken soup, lots of water, and tylenol so far... it doesn't seem too terrible, at least - it seems to just be a rather nasty cold.... I hope"Bobby nodded dramatically, "A handful, yes! Patty and Mel were somewhat difficult, thank goodness my husband was around. By the time Dicky came, though, we were pretty used to everything even though he was our first son...he is also about five years younger that the girls, so we had some breathing time. Trevor and I both grew up in big families, though." The woman paused in her speech with a happy sigh. She loved talking about her family, and Bobby really did have that chance very often since most of the time the only people she could tell were criminals. "I have pictures, but I left them in my room... I didn't think I would see anyone here."
"Hmm...." Bobby mumured, thinking over Ambrose's list, "sounds to me like you've done this before. You have everything I would have thought of, except orange juice....but my children all hated orange juice, so that was never an option. They got it from their father's side." Bobby laughed a little. Maybe this was what she needed....some time away from the busy city.Ambrose nodded mechanically as he listened to her list off her happy family. How could he tell her... after all that? No, no she had to know.
He clued in on the not seeing anyone. Maybe he could learn something about her. "Not see anyone..? Why is that? There are nearly thirty.... ah.... people around here. It's hard to not run into someone when you're out and about " He gave a sort chuckle "Even if you're wanting some time alone.
"And I'll have to pick up some OJ for her from the cafeteria... force-feed it to her if she doesn't want it. Use the Vitamin C and all that." He grinned.
They were just getting to the cafeteria door as he held it open gentlemanly for her. "Here we are.... it's not fancy, but the food really isn't bad." He gave her a toothy grin, his tail giving a couple lashing wags behind him in his half-bow.Bobby walked through the offered door. She smiled and chuckled slightly after getting through, not noticing the tail wags. Once through, the woman turned around and gave the best curtsy she could in her jeans and tank top, "So, chivalry isn't dead it seems.... never would have seen that at home!"
Then her mood changed as she turned to the subject at hand, "Thirty people around here?" Bobby frowned slightly, noticing the wolfman's pause. "I didn't know there were so many, I thought maybe a slight handful at most." Her mind started working... maybe finding her man wasn't going to be as easy as she thought...Ambrose straightened and followed after her. "And where is it that you call home?" He asked with genuine curiousity. "I'm from Massachusetts."
His brow furrowed as she seemed confused by the number.. "Well, when you think about it it isn't that many... well, at least those of us in the residency. I'm sure that there are many more in the laboratories, but we never see them." He replied cautiously.
He walked over towards the empty lunch line, picking up a tray and a plate, heading for the food, spearing a few slices of ham, a dallop of scrambled eggs, and some breakfast sausages.
"What... ah... what did you come here for if you don't mind me asking." Maybe this would enlighten him..Bobby couldn't pick up her general cheeryness. She, of all people, understood the pickups in language, the words 'residency' and 'laboratories' did not bode well in her mind. "I'm from New York City, born and raised.... Although I never picked up the accent."
She paused for awhile, figuring she would question about the words that were bothering. Her stomach insisted, although quietly this time, so she piled some french toasts, eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns on her plate while she tried to think of her cover story.
With a sigh Bobby looked up and gave Ambrose a half-grin, "Well, I won a three-day vacation here. It was only for one person, so I had to leave everyone behind...although I think my husband would have loved it here! We generally don't get out of the city much.""Ahhh, The Big Apple." He smiled, taking a seat at one of the long tables that reminded him sharply of High School. "I've visited a few times... saw some of the shows. It's amazing when you're from a smaller city like Concord like me. Always bright, somethings's always going on.... And the food..." He sighed wistfully, poking at one of the rubbery eggs with a fork. "Well... let's just say that sometimes I'd give my left arm for some good Chinese food or Italian or something aside from the normal food made en-masse.
"Vacation..?" He hesitated, his ears drooping a bit as worry etched in his face. "And... ah... How long have you been here?"Bobby laughed at the mention of food, her mood lightening again...now that was something she personally loved, "Well, maybe I'll make ya some food while I am here, no? I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years and experimented with cooking."
The woman shrugged, "Today is my first day. I already took my nap to get over any jet-lag, so I'm all set!"Sabin smiles widely. "I can't express how nice that would be. I didn't exactly have the chance to sharpen my culniary skills much in my year of college."
His face fell at her response on delay. "wait... you just got here?" He asked, the hair already standing up on the back of his neck. "You mean..... I'm the first other person you've run into...?" He eyed her suspiciously. Even New York City wasn't that strange where the residents wouldn't look twice... at least he didn't think so. Hell, if he ever escaped he knew where he was going if that WAS the case!Bobby almost jumped back at the wolfman's sudden change. From all her training and experience, she immediately went on the defensive. Even with her tray in her hands, the woman was in a fighting stance. She eyed Ambrose, "Yes... I just got here. You are the first person I have seen here, except for the doctor of course..." Bobby had said everything slowly, as if tasting the words around her mouth.Ambrose squirmed in his seat, the food, for the moment, ignored.
He winced, watching her defensive position. He had heard, like everyone else, how dangerous the city was.... although he had been shielded from most of the seedy underside on his tourists's visit to the city.
"And... you didn't notice anything.... strange..?" He pressed, an ear flicking back in anxiety.Bobby sat down and set her tray down, although she still watched Ambrose warily. "No...." the woman eyed the wolfman. "Is there something I am missing here? Aren't you a vacationer, or a worker here?""I.... uhm... wellll.." Her police training screamed that the man was becoming very nervous.
He chased the eggs around on his plate with the fork. "I came here nearly.... seven months ago... for a two week medical study... They have complete control over entrance and egress from this place. We're prisoners." His ears crumpled. "and... " He glanced down at his furry arms and claws. "worse."Bobby had casually taken a bite of her french toast as she watched Ambrose squirm. She knew something was up. Hearing what the Island was all about, the woman scowled. It didn't make any sense. Finally, something clicked, even though it took awhile. She dropped her fork and a chunk of french toast fell from her hanging mouth.
Bobby stared at the ears, the fur, everything, "You mean... you didn't want to do that to yourself?"He met her eyes with the blue-flecked-with gold eyes. "No.... no I didn't.. This... this isn't me." He emphasized, holding his arms up.
His eyes saddened as he realized that she finally pieced things together. She must be a nice person, not saying anything about how he looked, despite circumstances... very tolerant.
"They did this to me." He finished, barely above a whisper.Bobby couldn't believe what she was hearing. And by 'they' Ambrose had to be assuming Dr. Moreau... who she didn't really care for in the first place. Putting her hands in her lap, the woman looked down and stared at them. How could she have been so dense. Very quietly she whispered, "I... I just assumed you went through those surgeries where people try to make themselves look like animals. I have seen many of them. Although.... when I saw you, I just thought it was a very good job done."
She wasn't hungry anymore... in fact, she almost felt sick. The woman was frozen, though. She couldn't move... although maybe there was hope?
Bobby looked up at Ambrose and smiled slightly, "Maybe I can get us off? I know where we can hide... there are thousands in New York!"He swallowed, and then shook his head quickly. "No... no, lord, no. I'd never do... this to myself. I've seen photos of them on a TV special once, now that you mention it.... but I didn't think there were that many people like that.
He squirmed.... in teh awkward silence poked at his food, taking a hesitant bite, exposing his changed dentition. "I'm sorry... I had to tell you. Honestly. And... If you can find a way off this island and a way that I wouldn't be viewed as a freak back home.... I'd love that.... honestly. But.... from what I heard... I mean... these changes are genetic... they've warned us that if we don't stay... see the process through to completion that we can... have side-effects, get cancer..." He trailed off. KNowing that the staff was there througout the lockout meant that it really was them likely behind the "injection-less changes."Bobby smiled encouragingly, "I do not think I could take you anywhere where some people would see you as... different. Humans are cruel creatures, but there are always those that can see beyond the differences, and be entirely comfortable with them."
Starting to feel better herself, Bobby stood and slapped her palm on the table, "That's settled then! When I get off this rock in three days, I'll get you some help! Maybe there are some doctors around that can even reverse the changes, you know!" The woman's smile grew and her eyes sparkled with the idea of helping.Ambrose was softening, a genuine smile on his face. He knew the truth of the brutality of the world - he had bent over backwards fitting into society, to make himself liked, groomed himself with expert precision to set an attitude that others would perceive him as before he ever opened his mouth. He was no idiot to not know what THIS appearance would say to people outside of the island.
But when she mentioned leaving. "w.. wait... you mean..." He winced. "They're not goign to let you leave either... no one leaves. I mean... you know... you know what they're doing... I'm sure they've already given you the shot too..." His eyes widened.Bobby frowned down at Ambrose, "What do you mean I cannot leave? What is that supposed to mean? I did get a shot, two actually... but what does that have to do with your appearance?"
She sat back down, figuring this was going to be a long speech. One of her hands was resting on her thigh, and it was clenched tightly as she waited anxiously.His ears crumpled back again. "I.... We were all tricked here... for one reason or another... vacation... medical study... shipwrecked... it doesn't matter..... they're all lies, they don't let us leave. And the shots.... it's the start of it. This is genetic manipulation... some twisted gene therapy. The first shot doesn't do anything... visable.... but ... the second shot... it changes you.... and the third... even more..."Bobby's hand clenched further. She hadn't asked for this! She didn't need to ask Ambrose to know what kind of 'changes' were involved. And she could never leave?
Her eyes widened... her family! She would never see them again? Oh no! She wanted to talk to Trevor, apologize for everything! This wasn't fair! Not to her, nor any of the other, what, 30 people here... not to her children, her husband.... her partner! HIM!
From all the talking, Bobby had actually forgotten about the reason she was here. She wasn't tricked here! She was no where even near here... Bobby had followed a criminal onto a boat where a freak accident happened. It was all HIS fault.
Bobby's eyes almost seemed to crack with fire. For an instance she glanced at Ambrose and smiled sweetly, giving an aweful effect, but not directed towards him. Standing up, the woman nodded to the wolfman. "I'm sorry Ambrose, I need to go look for someone. Thank you for all your help, and please five my regards to your girlfriend."
With that, the woman pivoted and stalked out of the cafeteria to search for one man in particular... the whole reason she was here and would now never be able to leave. She would make him pay... somehow!Ambrose looked remarkably like a beat dog as he watched the emotion play over her face. "I... truly am sorry, Bobby." He replied. "I wish you luck... and if you want to speak with me - I'm in duplex number one." His mouth gave a wry, ironic twist. "Been here a while."
Ambrose finished his breakfast alone, his heart deep in his stomach. At least... she hand't freaked out, but was instead filled with a richteous anger. He didn't blame her... she had a family for God's sake.. she was a mother. How could they? Ambrose had been one of the people in the worst, in his opinion, situations when he first arrived - with a girlfriend, in college... olympic bound. But a mother of three? He shook his head.
He only ate because he knew he'd regret it later if he didn't. Slowly, he packed a breakfast for Angelina, and was on his way back to the duplex he had begun to regretfully call 'home.'
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Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:42 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:48 pm
In the afternoon, an electronic sound began to ring from Ambrose's duplex's panel, when both Angelina and Ambrose were in the room. "This is Dr. Aubrey Lockheart, please respond Miss Swanson." The small monitor activated to show Aubrey sitting in her office, leaning back in her chair and indicating to a web-cam like device on her computer.
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Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:57 pm
Ambrose was curled up around Angelina in the bed, listening in on the Itunes that played in her headphones. If anything, his new hearing did have some merits - them not having to worry about sharing earpieces being one of them, as he ventured that he might be getting as clear a sound from the player as she.
He had recently brought her back a tray of food and hoping to see an improvement in her overall condition, but overall, things seemed to if anything be going in a steady decline.
He was startled from listening to a verse from a song that, while admittedly not his tastes, seemed rather appropriate from their overall condition when the buzzing interrupted his thoughts and his head snapped towards the door. Kissing her softly on the head, not knowing if she even heard the announcement and holding up a finger to indicate he'd be back in a moment, he hesitantly padded towards the panel in surprise. He'd seen the small panel there, but never really gave thought to its use - only having had verbal communication with the lab techs in the past.
"Aubrey...?" He queried, concern leaking into his voice as he glanced between the curvy brunette on the screen and the lounging, more girlish one on the bed, giving an incline of his head to the Moniter when she glanced up. "What... I... uhm... to what do I owe the...." his ear flicked back "pleasure..?"
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