Welcome to Gaia! ::

Bobby was wrapped in a towel, and under that... a very revealing 2-piece swimsuit -not like she can hide anything these days. She had spent the last few days secluded in her room, refusing to risk even being seen. Today, though... was a gorgeous day and she didn't want to let it go to ruins.

Trudging her way to the beach, the woman used her increased sense of smell to avoid anything and everything... but she had to make a pit-stop. She gathered food in the cafeteria, and stuffed her pack full of more food. Her stomach was always insistent on food, it was still 'recovering' from the change.

Finally, Bobby made it. Looking around, she made sure no one was around, and that she was truly alone. With almost a nervous action, she wrapped herself and delicately laid the towel down. After smoothing some area, the woman flopped onto it, her enlargened rear-end exposed to the air.

After awhile, the woman had fallen asleep. Occasionally, a sharp 'snort' would escape her lips.

She'd looked everywhere. She'd even returned to the sterile hotel room place she'd woken up in, and rexplored it; the door was open on the one downstairs, but no-one was there; it was as empty as her own.

She hadn't risked heading for the central building, even though while she had hugged a nearby wall and peered round, it seemed that there was activity inside. She didn't want to meet any more of the strange talking animalthings that were clogging up what was a very long dream now.

Eventually she followed her listless steps back towards the beach, peering around to see if the David man was there still. He appeared to be nowhere in sight; though to her nervous eyes, someone else did appear.

Someone sunbathing?
As she stepped a little closer, Angharad was relieved to see that the snoozing person, whilst on the chubby side, seemed perfectly normal from where she stood. Perhaps... she would know what was going on?

"Um... excuse me," she said hesitantly, twisting the sleeve of her shirt around her fingers. It was getting hotter already, and she wished she had a hairtie to take the heavy mass of hair off the back of her neck.

Bobby literally snorted awake. Since the snort was more a reaction when she went between the sleeping world and the harsh reality, the woman had no idea she had even done so.

Looking up at the nervous girl between breaks of her short, curly hair, Bobby appeared quite confused. Immediately, her sensitive nose could detect that this young woman in front of her had no apparant signs of animal, although Bobby could smell the faint smell of the serum. So, she was a new arrival, and a young one at that.

"Yes?" Bobby leaned up on her elbows that were crossed in front of her. She kept her fingers in the shadows and her hair did a good job covering her ears. So, except for upturning nose and bottom canines, she looked mostly normal.... "Can I help you, dear?"

She looked... odd, but not animalistic. Angharad swallowed lightly.
"Um.. have you seen a girl called Fiona Brooks anywhere? Short, light coloured hair, with an attitude?" She said in a small voice, a bizarre mental giggle coming into her mind at what Fee would say if she knew she'd been described as such.

"I didn't mean to disturb you.."

Bobby almost frowned. Another new arrival? Well, she had expected that. New arrivals were probably weekly here. Of course, she didn't know many people anyways, with how she stayed so far away from the others.

This one didn't seem to notice her changes. At the moment, she tried to hide her stomach, which had the most inexplainable of them all... of course, obesity was a problem almost anywhere, so why should anyone question her obscene appearance.

"I cannot say I have seen her, is she a friend of yours?" Looking around, the woman caught sight of her bag. She nodded to it with a gentle smile, "Are you hungry? I have some food if you want it."

The pig in her protested, it was her food, but Bobby's nuturing nature won the argument... she would hate for anyone to go hungry.

Oddly, she wasn't hungry at all, though lord knows when she last ate. Angharad looked to the side.
"I'm fine, thankyou..." She looked as if she was about to say something more, and then suddenly the words all came out in a rush.

"This is a dream, isn't it? I met a talking bear called David, and he said we were going to turn into animals, and that that," she pointed at the laboratory building high up on the mountainside above with it's ominous sign, "place was going to turn us all into animals somehow, and, and..." her breath was catching much quicker in her throat now, still raw from the days breathing chloroform, and she tried not to hyperventilate. This woman would tell her that it was all a dream, and that when she woke up Fiona would be standing there with a guilty grin and they'd be back at Peace River.

Bobby frowned once more. "Talking bear... David?" then, it all clicked, "Oh Chubbs! Well, I think he is actually a combination... bear, tasmanian devil, and.... oh what was the last?" After a pause, Bobby's eyes lit up as she remembered, "Ah yes! A wolverine!"

"Unfortunately, dear, it is not a dream... Although, I wish it was, at least dreams are supposed to be pleasant." With a grunt of effort, Bobby sat back and made her way so she was sitting on her cushioned rumped, her many-nipples displayed. "This is a nightmare, and as you can tell, I've already started to change."

After grabbing her bag, Bobby put her black-tipped hand in and withdrew an apple. "Until recently, I wasn't this... disgusting. And as far as I can tell, the laboratories don't really change you. That's just where you get your first shot. I was in my duplex when I.... " the woman paused and looked down at her body. She physically flinched, "when I... mutated."

Her eyes slowly widened as she realised that once more she was not safe. She knew the David bear? And.. she was changed, Angharad realised with a sick feeling in her stomach. She sat down carefully on the sand, knowig that this time she would not give into hysterics. If this was a dream, she was damn well going to beat it, no matter how scared she was on the inside.

"So... duplex.. is that the place we live, in that box village?" She absently itched her arm again, and then froze mid-action. They got injected, this woman confirmed it... what if she had had a shot also? Horror suddenly reflected on her face.
"Excuse me!" Cutting off whatever answer was forthcoming, and realising that her sleeve would not roll up far enough, the brown-haired girl almost feverishly pulled the musty top over her head. At least they'd left her her original underwear, whatever old clothing she'd been given. Twisting her head round to the side, she saw it.
The unmistakeable small weal where a needle had entered her skin.

Bobby wasn't quite sure how to take the girls reaction. She leaned back slightly as if in pain as the girl saw her... situation. The woman knew she was turning into a fat, disgusting thing. What exactly, she wasn't entirely sure.

"Yeah, the place you live 'in that box village' would be your duplex.... The closest thing to home." At the last word, Bobby sighed painfully. How she wanted to go home, if only to see her children and husband again. Now, she was reluctant... this was not the way she wanted them to see her, ever.

As the girl fumbled with her shirt, Bobby watched calmly, taking chunks off her apple silently. Her bottom canines were a problem, but that would just have to take getting used to. Seeing the tell-tale sign of the needle entrance, the woman remained silent.

After a pause, she tried to break the air, "Do you know the girl you are searching for? This, Fiona?"

Angharad remained dumb for amoment, just staring at her arm. After a while she slowly surfaced, pulling the shirt back over her bruised body in a daze. When she looked back at Bobby she seemed in a kind of daze.

"Fiona.. my best friend. We were.. going to liberate the animals... at Feral Labs. We got caught.. Fiona was there, we were both there. I should be making sure she's okay..."

The sensibleness and practicality inside Angharad was doing it's best to tie down firmly the hysterical, lost reaction that had been threatening to overwhelm all. So, she was going to mutate into an animal, somehow. If they'd done that to Fiona...

"My.. my name's Angharad," she said, after an awkward pause. "Sorry for not introducing myself earlier.."

Bobby frowned. Yet another victim... although the story was very unique. She couldn't imagine what the girl was turning into... much like in her case, the woman was too afraid to ask. But, at least she had a friend from the outside with her. The two of them will always have each other on this forsaken island.

Bobby resisted the urge to give the girl a hug, but as she didn't know how she would react to getting a hug from a woman with rolling fat and too many nipples... well, the woman resisted.

At the introduction, she smiled a little. Introductions.... why was she herself always forgetting those? "I am Bobby, and no need to apologize, I didn't do it either." She laughed a little at that, wasn't she supposed to be role model, both as a police officer and a mother?

"Is that short for Roberta? My cousin is called that," Angharad said, the random fact surfacing inher mind while it was busy controlling other emotions. She was still feeling a little dazed.

"So.. are we stuck here forever? How many people are there? There are a lot of houses..." A finger trailed in the sand in front of her, idle circles and squiggles, muddy green eyes far away.
"I think we're a long way from Canada."

With a nod and a bright smile, fangs flashing, Bobby laughed low in her throat, "Yeah, my mother thought I should have a nice, black-woman name! I don't mind it... and besides, it was always fun when..." The woman eyed the girl. She might as well tell her. At least two people knew about her previous profession. "It was always fun when we'd ask some guys which cop they would want to do something or ever... and then when they see that 'Bobby' is really a woman... well, what a priceless expression!"

At the sadness of the girl, Bobby reached over and put a comforting hand on Angharad's shoulder. She still didn't try a hug, "Yeah, we are here forever. I heard that there were thirty-six people here already... but that was weeks ago."

She didn't even try the Canada comment.... having been unconscious the whole way here, she had no idea. Heck, she didn't even know what day it was or how much time had passed since her arrival.

This time she barely flinched at the sight of the fangs. For some reason everything was sinking slowly into a fog in Angharad's mind, and not really registering. Instead, she looked up at the woman and smiled. "So you were a police officer? I thought.. ha, when we set out that nihgt, the worst I expected was a night in the cells from the police. Turns out Feral Labs are even worse, huh?" She laughed a little bitterly.

She still leaned into the odd touch. Even if she was alone, even if somehow Fiona had managed to escape, was back home in Peace River right now wondering where she was... at least she was safe. And Angharad was here, on this beach, on some godforsaken island, going to be turned into.. God knows what. A monsterous animal-person.

But thirty-six others! It was a wonder how no authorities had ever noticed... how would they explain where she and Fiona had gone? Angharad remembered with another guilty lurch that she hadn't put that note on the kitchen table. For all her mother knew, she had run off in the night... She hugged her knees, eyes distant, knowing that crying wouldn't help.

Bobby nodded with a sigh and took back her hand. She also kicked herself for smiling so much... those bottom canines were such a hassle and not the best when trying to be non-intimidating. "Yeah I was a police officer... but I don't think you should have been too concerned about a jail cell. You look too young to be admitted into one. How old are you? Sixteen, seventeen?"

But, the 'prison' of feral labs was much worse than anything Bobby or her district would be able to come up with... Hell, the people left to their own devices in New York City could come up with worst prisons. Right now, Bobby wouldn't mind being in a jail cell rather than the island. They didn't get a choice, though...

"Eighteen, actually," and at this Angharad laughed slightly. "Though I look young for my age, I guess. And to be honest.. Fiona and I were breaking and entering." She looked humble, before a frown grew on her face. "It was disgusting, what they were doing to the animals. When we heard from our PETA branch that they were building a lab in our town... we had to do something." She looked up, out to sea, and tears were spilling down her face, even if she continued talking calmly.
"Turns out they do even worse stuff to us here. David, the bear man... he said it was Moreau. And Moreau's the head man, isn't he?"

"Eighteen?" Bobby mulled over that for a minute. "I guess they would have put you in a cell then... maybe. Usually with animal activists, it is just for show, and just for a short time. But I would have to agree with you.... no offense to the animals, but Feral Labs has worse experiments than them."

"Yeah, Nicholas Moreau at least own Feral Labs. I am guessing that this Island is his own personal hobby. Quite frankly, I didn't put two-and-two together right away. He gave me my shot personally, but beyond being like any other doctor, I didn't see what was happening." With a kind of crude snort through her nose, Bobby gave a half grin, "Of course, who would ever think this was happening?"

"No-one." The girl laughed shortly. "I can't even believe what's going on... it's too strange. I mean, how does it even work? How can one injection cause our bodies to mutate?" She looked sideways at the chubby woman, and then down at the floor.
"Does it.. does it hurt?" She whispered, hand creeping up to her own arm where the shot mark still itched spitefully.

Billy had been unusually quiet these past few days since his return to his duplex. His wounded tentacle still hurt, itching terribly as he supposed it was begining to regenerate itself. He shuddered at the thought, and therefor tried not to think about it. The morning he decided to venture out again, he noticed a plate of strange crab-cake looking things with a note from Aubrey. He snorted after reading it. Right. Like he should believe that she'd just make him crabcakes to make up for cutting off his ball and driving him to drunken self-mutilation. He'd get a second opinion befor eating them. He wasn't stupid.

Scooping it up in his mitten-like hands, he wandered down the path towards the beach- on a lovely day like this, *someone* had to be out there... maybe Antony would be surfing or something.

It wasn't long befor he did, in fact, notice two figures on the sand. From this distance, he couldn't recognize either of them- he didn't recall meeting a fat black woman and a young girl like the one he saw. No matter, he was sure they still might be helpfull. "Hoy!" He called, striding closer.

Bobby smelled him come before she heard him. He stank of rubber and sea... and something else she couldn't quite place. There was only one person she thought could smell like that. As she turned, the woman smiled sweetly even though she seethed inside. It was him... again. But he didn't seem to recognize her. If she could keep her rage in check, maybe she'd get his name this time, "Why hello there!"

After eyeing the cakes, Bobby turned back to the girl, "I am not a biologist, but I think it is actual genetic alterations. Anything can be done, I think, with DNA. And I wish I could say it is painful, but it isn't... I'm sorry, dear."

Angharad raised her head, and clutched her knees tighter. Another man, and this one... with the strangest arms she'd ever seen, and odd lumps and bumps hidden not entirely by the shirt. This was even stranger than the bear man, and she didn't think it could have got any worse.

"Genetic alterations?" The words bounced off Angharad once more; that was truly impossible, some scifi writer's playground. But as the other darkhaired man approached, she swallowed again. How else could this be explained? It was all so odd...

"Hello," she said cautiously, in response to his greeting.

Still, Billy didn't seem to recognize Bobby, holding the plate out as he crouched in front of them, "Oy. Tha' mad lab b***h, Aubrey left these ou'side me room. I don' think I shoul' trust 'em. Wha' d'you lo' think?" Straight to the point. Afterall, the older owman looked as though she appreciated food.

Bobby snatched two of the cakes and stuffed them in her mouth. Hey now, if he was offering her food, who was she to deny them? To her, though, they just tasted like food. She played along nicely and grinned, making sure Billy saw her bottom canines, "Mmmm! Delicious! Aubrey? I don't think I know her... and who are you? Which duplex are you staying in?"

This time, she was determined to get his name... and his living space... even better!

With a shy grin, Bobby turned to the girl, "Just like some messed up sci-fi movie, don't you think?"

She just ate his food?
"Um, there are lab assistants? It's not just us here?" Come to think of it, the David bear had yelled something about an intercom and not talking to someone called Sabin. There must be real people up in that lab, not sad experiments like herself...
The irony of it began to hit her, and she stifled a giggle, the remains of tears still on her face. She'd set out to free the experiments; and ended up an experiment herself, begging for freedom.

Billy watched her with raised eyebrows, "Oy, I was concerned abou' them bein' drugged, s'my point." After a moment, he cocked his head, a tentacle slipping through the collar of his shirt to rub his cheak as though scratching an itch, "Ha' we met?"

Bobby shrugged, "I haven't met any of the assistants, just Doctor Moreau. Although, one guy did take my order for new clothes and such, so there must be some people.... might be automated, too..."

The effects of the cake being chewed hit her. There was something strange about them.... with a weird aftertaste. The pig in her didn't mind at all, but Bobby had the suspicion that the "crabcakes" weren't really that at all. But there was still some left for this man, and she really wanted him to eat them. She eyed them as if she wanted another hungrily.

Looking back up at Billy, Bobby shook her head, lying like a professional, "I don't think we've met... I'm sure I'd remember someone with your... attributes. As for them being drugged, I doubt it... I'm still standing, per say. " She winked innocently.

Angharad gasped slightly as the tentacle appeared, and huddled herself closer. A man, with tentacles? What happens if she got them too??

"Surely if a lab person leaves you food that you haven't ordered, you shouldn't touch it.." she said cautiously, nevertheless analyzing the facts. So, she could get new clothes? That would be something to do tonight, perhaps. Already, in this crazy situation, a tick list was forming in her head. Find something to clear the sour taste of chemicals from her mouth, find some fresher clothes, find Fee, dammit...
"Oh! Sir, have you met anyone named Fiona today?" The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

"Fiona?" He ignored her initial look of alarm at the sight of his tentacle- he would have had hte same reaction himself, afterall. "Ach, no, lass. I don' know tha' many people aroun' here, really." He shrugged, figuring the same thing as the girl had advised. He glanced up at the black woman who seemed so familiar... "So wha' are ye s'posed t'be, then?" His grey eyes swept down over her extra nipples, and he couldn't help but snicker.

Bobby snarled at him, flashing her bottom fangs. How rude! As if she wasn't having a hard enough time coping with these new changes, he was now rubbing it in! Well, what could she expect from a murderer? "I actually don't have an idea what I am turning into... I haven't really gotten around to asking." No way was Bobby going to admit to him, of all people, that she was afraid to find out as well.

She nodded to the cakes, "So, are you going to eat all those?"

Leaning towards Angharad, Bobby frowned and patted the girl on the shoulder, "I'm sure she's alright. With a few exceptions, I suppose, they tend to treat their... vict... guests without harming them."

Angharad sighed and leaned backwards, finally uncurling from her protective huddle. Hopefully nothing would hurt her, and these people seemed.. bizarre, but people nonetheless. Whatever they were turning into. And they didn't even get told? She flinched inwardly as she realised that she would not know what was going to happen to her. She only prayed that Fiona was far, far away and safe.

"Are you both... recently arrived then?" She asked nervously. If they only knew a few people, and had already had.. changes happen to them, how long would she have to wait? The throbbing weal on her arm scratched spitefully, as if reminding her.

Billy sat, finding no reason for leaving just yet. He was behaving! He was being a good boy! He took one of the crab-cake looking things into a hand, raising it to his mouth but pulled it away again to gesticulate while talking, "I've been her perhaps a month maybe? Then one afternoon I go home wit' these lovelies," He chuckled, taking the cake into a tentacle to sniff it curiously. He still wasn't sure if he wanted to eat it or not.

Bobby shrugged. Well, if he had been here about a month, than she would have been too, "About a month for me too, actually."

Wasn't he going to eat one? She was getting impatient and very tempted to stuff one down his throat. With a grumble, she reached forward and stole the cake from his tentacle. "Baby!" Bobby said in as joking a manner as she could and stuck her tongue out at the man. Stuffing it in her mouth, she chewed and swallowed it in one bit.

Yup, there was definitely something strange about these crab-cakes, but she wanted him to eat one, so she continued to goad him to it.

"A month?" If they had only been here a month, perhaps this project was very new. Perhaps it would be found out by the police soon, perhaps they could save her before anything happened.. save everyone.

But by the looks of these people, they resented their place, but they almost accepted it.
"But why did you come here? Can we not escape?" She burst out suddenly, watching the cake-eating with high suspicion. She was stll not hungry, and definitely not for anything that Feral Labs gave.

"Well, they tricked me... I don' know about you lot... bu' there's lots o' others wha' been here much longer... months an' months... maybe years, I don' know..." He shrugged. When his food was snatched from him, he raised his eyebrows, "Now aint ye th'wee piggy, eh?" With a chuckle, he reached for another, still ever wary.

Bobby was having a difficult time not attacking the octupus-man. Why wouldn't he just eat the darn thing?

Good thing Angharad was there, the girl was able to distract Bobby. "Yeah, I am not sure how long some of the others have been here. Quite awhile for some... and I know at least one person has been here for at least four months."

How did she get there? Bobby's anger flashed in her eyes again before she could control it. She so wanted to tell the story... that the man sitting next to her had killed her partner, and she had chased him... only to be knocked unconscious and then brought here. Somehow, the woman managed to just sigh, and nod in quiet agreement, "They tricked me as well."

At Billy's joke, her surprise kept her from trying any smart comebacks. A pig? Is that what she was turning into to? While her mind wrapped around it, Bobby stared in silence at her hands with the long black 'nails'.

For Angharad it was just another fact sinking slowly in the heap. Months.. years?? Though... if you were a mutated being, how could you face going back and seeing your family again...
She scrubbed suddenly at her cheek, the salty breeze causing the old tears to dry stickily. Her bruises ached, and she was beginning to get thirsty; perhaps she should head back up towards the 'duplexes' soon. She looked up hesitantly, over at the man, who seemed to be still debating whether to eat one of the cakes or not.
"I... I only just got here, and I don't know anyone really. What's your name, sir?"
The honorific only came so naturally after writing so many pointed letters of outrage and complaint, even though she never intended it to sound sarcastic this time. Instead it made her feel as if she was a silly fifteen year old again. She blinked, and set her face in a determined small smile.

"Hrm?" He glanced over to her with raised eyebrows, "Ach, me name's William. O' Billy if'n it pleases ye," He chuckled, "An you, Lassie?"

Bobby looked up when she heard the two talking. She smiled kindly at Angharad, "Well, now you know at least a couple of people, dear." With a wink, although she also meant it serious -though one couldn't tell by her tone and smile-, Bobby nodded in Billy's direction, "Although, I'm not sure you want to be associated with that one there..."

Finally! She had a name... later, she'd get his duplex. "Hullo thar' Will'um" Bobby snickered, giving it a poor imitation of a Scottish accent. What could she say? She grew up in New York City, what did she know about European accents except when she heard them spoken?

Grinning at Angharad, the woman grinned, "I'm Bobby."

"I remember," said the girl gratefully. "And I'm Angharad... but, but, if you'll excuse me, I think.. I'm going to find my duplex again." She got to her feet a little unsteadily, and waved a small gesture before setting back up the beach towards the path she had used to get down here. She glanced back again; that plate of food still looked highly suspicious. She hoped nothing bad would happen to Bobby...

Sandals flopping on the sandy earth at the edge of the beach, she began her climb up.

As the girl left, Billy sat back, frowning at the pig-woman intently. She was familiar. One of his tentacles still throbbed a bit from it's brusing and cuts, his eyes widening as he watched her pudged profile, "Th'Cop!! Yer th'cop!!" He cried suddenly.

Bobby waved to Angharad as the girl's retreating form left. While she was sad to not be able to talk with her more, the woman was also relieved... for she wasn't sure how she and Billy would get along for much longer. But she had been civil, right?

As Billy made his proclamation, Bobby was calmly pulling out a sandwich from her bad. From under her hair, and through pierced eyes, the woman growled quietly through her nose, "Yeah, what about that? It's not like I have authority here, thanks for you!"

Billy scrambled to his feet, "Well, I'm certainly glad th'ol' Doc's made some improvements to ye!" Once upright, he took a few steps back, brushing the sand from his rear as his tentacles quivered, tucking themselves away in his shirt, "I hope y'get so fat y'explode!"

Bobby watched him carefully, although she had no intention to move. Besides, she could always hit him with another tomato or something. The woman had been practicing, and that was not a skill she had lost... her kickboxing, though, was another story.

The pig snorted, "Look who's talking! At least I don't have any extra limbs! And did it ever occur to you that octopuses don't exactly have feet... at least, not in the same sense."

Billy suddenly felt an odd sensation in the back of his throat, as though he were trying to dry heave, but with an organ he simply didn't have. He sputtered, wretching and coughing as he tried to supress the urge, he supposed, to squirt ink at her. "Aye, bu' they're smart! An' too smart t'stay in th'company o' a fat b***h tha' can't seem t'listen t'reason! I hope he makes bacon out o' ye!!"

Bobby stared as Billy attempted... whatever it was he was doing. She giggled in the back of her throat at his feeble attempts, "What? Do you have a hairball or something? Interesting, I didn't know sea creatures could get such a thing!"

"b***h?" Bobby raised an eyebrow. Having already accepted that it was a pig she was turning into, for it made sense, the woman went with the words, "I'm turning into a pig, not a dog... And I hardly doubt I would taste very good." She snarled up at him, showing her sharp bottom canines, "I pity anyone who tries to get a lick."

"Aye, on account o' th'dirty American fumes ye been huffin'," He weased, a hand at his throat as he tried to get his breathing back to normal. That had eben strange... like a muscle convulsion. He didn't know a thing about octopuses beyond that they were many tentacled sea creatures who apparently liked to eat sushi. Maybe a bit of research himself was in order. Swallowing, he managed to get himself collected again, straightening up to heatedly glare, prepairing to leave.

Bobby smiled as she saw Billy struggle. "I'll take the American fumes over the Irish odor anyday, thank you... Of course."

With slow motion, the woman ate another part of her sandwich. Bobby watched Billy's expression and emotions with a kind of calmness born of experience. She took in the changing of his skin, the tentacles, the hair... with almost a sad shake of her head, Bobby tsk-ed in the back of her throat, "You look horrible... what would your mother think if she saw you right now?"

"She wouldn' give a s**t, jes' hidin' from me drunk o' a father," He snapped back, suckered hands balling into fists, his preverbial hackles raised. Just a swing. He wouldn't get buzzed for a swing, would he? How close was Aubrey watching? Was she watching now? She'd understand.... or she wouldn't and would make a eunuch out of him.

A drunken father, eh? Well, that explained a lot about Billy, she supposed. For a moment, Bobby pitied not Billy but his mother. She would probably be so disappointed... The woman's face frowned as she looked up at Billy with a kind of sorrow in her eyes, "Like father, like son... maybe it's better you are here. It would break her heart if she had to hide from you instead."

Bobby rolled to the side, getting on her feet as well. Standing up, she held to her sack as she wrapped the towel around her. There was no reason to allowed Billy the satisfaction of look down at her any longer.

Billy was shaking with rage, his face red and mouth pulled back in a vicious sneer, "Don' ye be pretendin' t'know ANYTHING abou' me, Pig," He snapped, his voice low and venimous.

Bobby leaned back with a smirk. Oh, how she knew that look so well. She imagined it was the same look she herself wore. The pig in her held back her own anger, too lazy to bring it forth until necessary.

When he called her 'pig', the woman couldn't help but think is the movie Babe... instead, she suppressed her laughter of the thought: Babe was a cute little piggy!

"Who said I was pretending? Do you honestly think your story is the first I've seen or even heard? Please, you insult me."

"So yer jes' righ', end o' story?" He spat, drawing in a few deep breaths to try to calm himself. Bide his time an he'd get her when the security cameras weren't watching. Cut himself up a side of ham. Make lunchmeat out of her. "Typical American snobbery." That growled, he turned to start to storm away from her. Don't let her get to you. She's trapped here the same as you.

Bobby shrugged, well, women were always right. It was a biologically known fact... and besides, the pig serum just enhanced that part of her, it didn't take it away.

Picking at her bottom teeth with a long, flat black nail, the woman only gave Billy half of her attention when she snorted quietly before she countered, "Typical Irish ignorance!"

Billy didn't even turn around, simply quickening his pace to leave the woman behind befor he was tempted to stab her. He supposed those feelings did not help matters when he was trying to explain any death of any partner was an accident. If Billy had a gun now.... he shook his head. Too many people and not enough bullets.

Bobby watched Billy stride away. She wasn't really concerned. Even ina body made of fat, the woman still knew at least how to take care of herself... Besides, she'll see him again; and who knows what will happen next time!

The woman, having gotten her fill of the sun, walked back to her duplex and grabbed random food from her sack to eat on the way.

"It aint gonna rain no more no more... it aint gonna rain no more... so how the heck do I wash my neck... if it aint gonna rain no more no more...." Emelyn half-sang, half-chanted. The jungle was littered with plants, poking up through the earth, promising edible roots- there were grubs crawling under every rock and tiny green snakes slithering through so much of the underbrush... but Emelyn convinced herself to look past it all. She didn't need anymore food stores- not for a while, anyway- and the girl didn't want to put herself in the habit of being too animal-prioritized. Today was solely about enjoyment- walking, swimming- thinking and writing. In her back pocket, she'd folded up several sheets of paper for just that very thing- and although nothing had popped into her head that had struck her as noteworthy so far, she had her pencil at ready, tucked into the back pocket, as well. In her front, 'holster' pocket, her always-poised, self-carved flint knife was also at ready... as she doubted that the need would arise for a quick-draw pencil.

Bobby strugged her sack over her shoulder as she left the cafeteria. It had been awhile since she had gone on one of her picnics, and esepcially not since her transformation. The woman took in a deep breath, stepping off the platform. What a grogeous day for a picnic! Too bad she didn't have a frisbee... or someone to play with.

The woman walked to the jungle. The smells entered her nostrils almost immediately. Musky moss, sweet flowers, fresh trees... it was going to be a great day, she could tell.

After awhile, the smells started getting to her. Bobby wound her way around, sniffing this and that intently. Small snorts escaped her nose, but nothing very lasting. When one new smell came, she would immediately divert.

Then, there was the smell of something human... well, partially human. It intrigued the pig's senses and Bobby was off. Her ears picked up the singing, which made her stop in her tracks. In a snap, the woman was in control again, the pig wanting nothing to do with this new arrival.

Bobby watched the woman for a little bit, assessing the character and danger level of the creature she beheld. But the other person was happily enjoying the weather, much like herself.

With a smile, she took a step forward and cleared her throat loudly. It came out like a squeal; but when she tried again, it came out correctly.

It would be exaggeration to say that Emelyn leapt into a tree, or fainted down dead at the sound of the pealing squeal. However, it would also be understatement to say it didn't affect her at all.

"Holy crap!" She issued, mostly to herself- as she her arms went up in the air and her legs jumped back- all of which were a kneejerk reaction to the unfamiliar sound. Only after this split-second reaction did Emelyn's right hand jump down to her front pocket, lingering on the shape of the flint knife where it pushed up the fading denim. But it was merely a precaution- for without the haze of her confusion, the 'squealer' was visible- and her second noise sounded more like a polite clearing of the throat than anything else.

Emelyn let her hand idle at her side- the dark woman didn't look threatening- and stepped closer. Another new islander- well... not so new that she hadn't changed, anyway. Emelyn was relieved that she wouldn't have to play the bearer of bad news yet again- although, as always, a twinge of sadness coursed through her for the sake of yet another life ruined.

"Sorry about that. You get a little jumpy out here," she admitted. "...I don't believe we've met. I'm Emelyn."

Bobby stared at the girl's reaction. She had never imagined that her actions, however polite they had meant to be, would have such results. "Oh... umm... I'm Bobby." The woman was still slightly surprised by Emelyn's motions.

Slowly, the effects wore off, the the woman could give the girl a confused look. "You get jumpy out here?" Bobby looked around the area, wondering if she had missed something. Why would there be a need to get jumpy?

Of course, Bobby hadn't met that many people, and never experienced when a predator animal goes instinctual.

Em nodded, bringing her hand up to rub at the back of her neck. It was still tense from her full-body surprise.

"Mm-hm. I ...live out here," she explained, "up on the mountain. ...And now that there are so many of us who are further along in the... changes, it can get a little dangerous out here." She wondered if, by the surprised look on the woman's face (for indeed- she was a woman, and no girl. Emelyn wondered how old she was, in passing...) that she may still know very little about the transformation process. Had Moreau found some new way to convince people that the changes that were happening to them were... temporary? Reversible?

It still wasn't entirely clear for her. Pyroth and Ambrose were pretty far, and she had never seen either of them attack. But it did start to make sense. At times, she had a hard time controlling the pig instinct. Surely the hunters would as well. Slowly, but surely, it sank in. And this girl lived out here by herself?

"Is there something wrong in the village area?" Bobby asked, pulling out an apple from her bag. She motioned toward Emelyn, wondering if she wanted one.

Emelyn's eyes widened at the sight of the apple- she'd not had a decent piece of fruit in months, sans those sweet little berries she could find near the mountain. It was a rare treat, and she accepted it with a smile.

"Thanks, this will be delicious. ...And no... nothing wrong with the village so much as- I refuse to stay in it any longer. ...I don't know how long you've been on the island- but a few months ago, the doctors decided to lock us all out of the 'faux civilization' and force us to live in the wild for a month or so. Just to study us, see if we'd attack each other and how we'd hunt for food- animalistic things like that. ...Then, as if on a whim, they let everyone back into the village. ...And I just decided... not to go back at all. If Moreau is so intent on letting us all know that he can take away our comforts whenever he'd like- at least now I'm taking away his choice to do that." Emelyn paused, rubbing her finger across the surface of the apple, and gave an apologetic smile to Bobby.

"I'm sorry. That's a lot to hear from someone you just met. ...How long have you been on the island?"

Bobby smiled, but it was not a happy one, as she nodded. "I had heard, yes. Not exactly the most moralistic thing to do. Then again, I think they've kicked their morals out the door and pad-locked it!"

With a wave of her hand, Bobby showed she didn't mind. She was always an open ear for anything. "It's alright, I am beginning to understand. I think I have been hear around a month. Sadly, I cannot really remember... the days tend to just blur."

"They really do," Emelyn agreed, her voice filled with the static of the past seven or eight months- all the things that happened to her, all the adventures and trials of the island- and yet, if she closed her eyes for a mere second, she could see herself on the deck of the Wilhemina- or walking along the New England shore. She was less longing than.. nostalgic, wondering how all the days managed to slip past her so.

"Morals." She huffed a laugh. "I don't think they know what the word means."

She pulled out a pear for herself and took a bite. Her bottom canines were still slightly awkward, but she was working with it. While the month seemed to pass in no time at all, Bobby was also remembering how she felt on her 30th birthday... it was only yesterday that she held baby Patty in her arms!

"Hrmph," Bobby grunted, "too bad we can't beat it into them. Also, that would be nice compared to the things they've done!" She took another bite, and after a few more... well, the pear -seeds and all- was gone.

If Emelyn hadn't an idea what sort of animal Bobby was turning into before- there would be no doubting after watching the eating display of such gusto, coupled with the nature of her altered features, that it was likely some manner of pig. Emelyn never ceased to be amazed at the new depths of depravity that Moreau would stoop to. No woman ever wants to be known as a pig... and here, he was transforming one into just such a thing- irrevocably. As she had before, the hedgehog-girl praised whatever twist of fate had caused Aubrey to reach for the hedgehog serum on the shelf.

"I'm sorry you had to find your way here," Emelyn said. "What was Moreau's ploy in your case?"

Bobby stared blankly at Emelyn for a moment. "Well, I didn't exactly find my way here as much as a series of unfortunate events." The woman paused, unsure how this girl would react to her previous profession. "I was chasing Billy... I don't know if you've met him... when I was knocked unconscious, brought here, and injected. I was intending on bring him back with me, and I was ina rush. I insisted on not needing an injection but Moreau insisted and eventually won out."

With a long sigh, she took out an orange this time. She was wondering if she should peel it. For effect, she did, but ate the orange peels.

"Mm... no, I don't think I've met anyone named Billy," Emelyn said, musing on the names of the islanders she knew. "Seems like there are more of us every day. ...But wait, you said you were chasing him? Does that mean you're a police officer?" Bobby's words caught up with her, and Emelyn couldn't help but ask- after all, it was just too cruel if Moreau had turned a police officer into a pig. ...Wasn't it?

"Was... yeah. I was a police officer. I think if Billy hadn't killed my partner I wouldn't even be here... be back with my family, go to my kids' basketball games. But fate can be cruel," Bobby smiled sadly, remembering the last basketball game. Mel had fallen and skimmed her elbow, and it took three grown men to keep the teenage down to put on the bandage so she could keep on playing.

"What's funny..." Bobby murmured, coming back to her new body on the Island. "...is that, I've been called 'Pig' before, and other, worse, things. It's never been true, though. Until now, of course."

She had finished peeling the orange and had just torn away the first slice.

"Oh my god... I'm so sorry, Bobby," she said, using the woman's first name as if they were already well-acquainted. "That's awful. ...You have children?" Her voice was sad and soft- the idea of Moreau tearing people away from their children was inexcusable- monstrous. ...It was bad enough that she herself had been spirited away, Emelyn thought- she didn't have any family left, sans those strange uncles and distant cousins that peppered the family tree with a little quirky insanity 'branches'.... but to take someone from their children. ...It was inexcusable. Whatever negative feelings Emelyn'd had for Moreau were now compounded- tripled, even.

"How old are they?"

Bobby smiled sadly, she was started to get used to the fact that she would probably never see her children again. "I'm... dealing with it, but thanks. And, I actually have three children, two girls and a boy. Patty is fifteen, Mel is thirteen, and Dicky is eight. But, they still have their father... Trevor is a great father."

With almost an ironic snort, Bobby flopped two orange slices in her mouth. "It's interesting, you know. They were always prepared for the fact that I might not come back one day... of course, they probably always thought it would be if I was shot in the line of duty. Not turned into a pig."

"Well, I have hope that one day you'll see them again. ...Moreau can't last forever- and neither can this reign of terror." She tried to keep herself from staring at the constant onslaught of food being consumed... but finally just accepted that Bobby wouldn't likely be offended by this opening curiousity. "By the way..." she said, "If you're ever out on the beach, say, and are hungry or just want to chat, I'm right up the easy slope of the mountain in a cave. I have plenty of food stores and would enjoy the company."

"I hope so too... but I don't really want to depend on it and be disappointed. For now, their pictures and memories will had to sustain me." Bobby noticed Emelyn's staring. She couldn't resist making a joke out of the situation. Shaking her head dramatically, the woman sighed, "It goes right to my thighs... Can you believe I had a girlish figure?"

Well, not necessarily. Her excersing had kept her toned, but after three children how much of a figure can a woman have? Of course, white skinny-chicks that never ate were an exception.

"Thanks, Emelyn, I will keep that in mind. What kind of food do you eat, if you don't mind me asking? I'll bring the right kinds... Not quite made-fresh yet, I haven't asked for permission to make food." With a wink, Bobby returned the invitation, "And I'm in Duplex 34, if you want to chance the village."

Emelyn laughed at the joke, realizing that it was less at Bobby's expense than evidence that the woman was beginning to move into an acceptance phase.

"I believe it. Then again, I also believe I once had real hair, rather than this mess," she joked lightly, tossing her head and exhibiting the slow follow of the heavy proto-quills.

"And I eat pretty much anything," she said, shrugging. "Omnivorous, just like you. I've been missing those things you can't get out here, though- like larger fresh fruit, and bigger portions of meat." She didn't mention Bobby's invite to the village, just as a matter of courtesy. Emelyn knew that there was practically nothing that would get her to step foot inside that encampment- but there was no need to seem rude to her new acquaintance.

Bobby made sure to remember that too. Emelyn can tolerate anything. Deep down, she felt that it was kind of nice to have another omnivore. She could go out on different dishes and create a feast where all of it can be appreciated.

The woman reached forward and tapped one of the quills with a long nail, "That must be a pain to brush....!"

"Psh!" Em laughed, most of it just a sound carried on the underbelly of a laugh. "I don't even try to brush this mess anymore. It's more spines than hair, anyway. ...If you don't mind my asking," she started, changing the subject slightly, "how many times have you transformed now? Just the once?"

Now gnawing on sugar cane, which had magically appeared, Bobby smiled, "Looks like an organized mess from here!" After a pause, and a particularly tough piece in the cane that she needed to gnaw harder on, the woman nodded. "Yes, just the one change... it was enough, even though I know I am not done....."

Turning, the woman showed off her very endowed rear end with its little tail, "And this was my prize.... I wonder, using a size-mass ratio, how many normal butts that would be..."

It was indeed a massive derriere, Em thought- but knew better than to voice it out loud. "Well... on the slightly, infintesimly bright side- you now have an excuse to eat whatever and whenever you want. You're destined to gain weight, after all- so at least you can do it in style," she suggested.

Bobby snorted, laughing at the same time. "True true!" She turned back around. She wasn't quite sure what was more comfortable for people to see... her fat butt or her multi-nippled stomach. "I always loved food, but more in a cooking sense. Now, I guess I get to enjoy both and not have to worry."

After a pause, the woman sighed, "I tried not eating so much.... it just makes it worse when I finally break down and have a nibble."

"Well, at least we're still omnivores," she said. "It's really nice to meet someone else who still is- everyone else turning into these ferocious meat-eaters or now they only eat vegetation... Oh, not that all of the meat-eaters are vicious," she assured. "But some of them are taking to the animalistic instincts a little too well." She didn't know who Bobby had met- but hopefully, she'd not come across Jamal...

Bobby shook her head, "I'm afraid I've only met a few people. I know Ambrose and Pyroth are meat-eaters, but they both seemed to have immense control over such things." The woman did a type of dry-snort, "From what I can tell, Pyroth doesn't even eat very much as it is...much less be tempted to actually hunt for his food."

She eyed the girl, though, watching the expressions, "Did someone try to... hurt you?" Bobby didn't have the heart to say 'eat'.

Emelyn wanted to reply with a mention that she'd never met Pyroth- though, after all this time, had heard of him. ...She would have even rather focused on Ambrose, that touchy subject- and tell Bobby that of course he was in control. The man was one great bundle of controls and personal 'regulations'. Ambrose lived by the rules- even if those rules were those of an incredibly high, almost noble standard that he forced upon himself.

...But Bobby's question didn't really create the sort of atmosphere that those sort of 'outs'... asides, really, would do.

Emelyn nodded, just twice, slowly, up and down- as if that might suffice. "Yeah. About... two weeks ago, I guess? I don't know the timing exactly. Like you said- days sort of melt into one another. One of the islanders is turning into some sort of great cat- like a lion or a tiger or something. He dropped out of a tree as I was walking in the forest and got me pretty good. ...I woke up in the labs with an IV and stitches. But I'm healing really well, and I'm okay." She didn't know quite how convincing she sounded.

Bobby rolled her eyes almost angrily. Not at Emelyn, but at the fact that the doctors here would allow such a thing to happen. Concern was written on her face, though, when she looked back at the girl. "Are you sure you are all right? While you may not have the bruises or cuts anymore, that doesn't mean there were no mental scarring. I don't mean to sound like a psychological expert or anything, but if you ever need to talk about something, just come to Bobby! She'll always be there for you."

While her tone had seen serious, Bobby was truly concerned. She had seen many girls get beat of, and spend years trying to deal with the event's aftermath... the mind gets injured too. When she thought about it more, it would explain why Emelyn thought that one would start getting jumpy around the island. So, the doctors didn't have everyone on quite a short leash as she thought. What would happen when the Island gets too crowded? Was there a limit to the Doctor's madness or will he enjoy watching his subjects tear each other limb from limb? The thought was rather daunting, and one she didn't really want to discuss.

It was the first time that anyone on the island had ever offered their services to Emelyn as a confidant and... mental rock, and Emelyn would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised. In truth, the girl had always provided a sort of bedrock for the comfort and sanity of those other islanders who would come to her with problems. Never before had any other shown such a level of concern- at least, in that they were willing to offer it outright. Perhaps it was a mark of the woman's age and maturity... and that she was a mother and a policewoman- a protector in both of her jobs. She was unlike the other islanders, Emelyn supposed- in that she did not possess the veneer of vanity and self-absorption that so often comes with youth... and in a silent thank you to fate, if not Moreau- Emelyn was glad that Bobby had not become a more self-absorbed, violent animal. Now, those natural tendencies towards love and protection... would be preserved.

"Thank you, Bobby," she said, her words sincere, "I really appreciate the offer. ...I think I'll be okay. ...I spent a long time in my cave, afraid to leave- but just the fact that I'm out in the open now- I'm pretty sure I'm on the way to putting it behind me. I'm just happy to be alive. But trust me, if I ever need to, I'll take you up on the offer."

Bobby smiled broadly. She reached over and patted the girl on the shoulder. "And," she added with a wink, "If you ever need a bodyguard... I'm you woman! I must say I done the job a few times. Even with my body... changing as it is, I'll find a way."

Hoisting her bag, the woman handed Emelyn the sack with all the food. "Here, dear. Take this. I made enough for two meals... for me. Hopefully that might last you awhile. Only one or two of the dishes should be eaten within 24 hours, the others should last much longer. There is fruit and stuff in the too, not to mention water. You might need it more than me. And I have an extra sack, so don't worry about returning it."

She gave Emelyn a hug and then stepped back. Bobby looked down at the ground and shook her head pitifully, "I sure am going to miss seeing my feet."

With one last sigh, she looked back up and gave the girl a bright grin. "You take care of yourself, Emelyn, and I'll be sure to see you around. I was planning on spending the day out here, but your company was appreciated and I just remembered something."

Grunting, the woman took off at a slow jog. She turned and waved, "Until next time!"

After taking the bag and thanking the jovial woman, Emelyn watched Bobby depart back through the brush, letting sweet thoughts of the woman- and this fortuitous day in general- sift through her mind and down into her body like water through a seive. The sack was indeed filled with food- apples and fruit, some jerky and even a half of a head of lettuce. As Bobby said, there were also two bottles of water at the bottom- which Emelyn looked forward to immensely. For the past few months, she'd had to travel to those sources of freshwater that eked their way through the island in tiny, sometimes dirtied streams. Having fresh, clean water would be such a treat. ...As was meeting the rotund, sweet woman.

Emelyn hoisted the heavy sack over her shoulder... and made for the mountains. So it had turned out to be a food collecting day after all.

Bobby was just about to go to the cafeteria for food when she heard the feet on the stairs. Who was it? She was intrigued, but concerned at the same time. If it was Billy...well, she'd probably have a fit!

"In a minute!" she hollered, still needing to get a second tank-top on. One wasn't enough anymore, it would always ride up her nipples and collect under her original boobs. To overcome that, she was beginning to wear a second tank top. It helped keep the first in place.

Slipping her feet into sandals, Bobby finally made it.

Upon opening the door, the woman stared. Her nose twitched. It was a woman she had never seen, nor smelled, before, and also had a musky kind of scent. She was so confused that she wasn't bashful about her appearance. The idea that this new arrival hadn't met a changed person never occured to her. "Yes, can I help you?"

Bobby blinked, clearing her head. Ahh, so a new arrival, for sure. And just arrived? That would mean chances around she's the first changed person this woman... this Kaveri met... which also meant she probably didn't know. But would Bobby be the one to tell her? She hoped not, but it appeared the odds were not in her favor.

The woman waved Kaveri off, obviously recognizing the stare, "It's alright, I'm getting used to it. I am not even the most... strange... one here." Her motion changed from a forgiving gesture to a welcoming as she held out her hand, "I'm Bobby Reynolds. I'll be more than happy to show you around. I must admit, I am still fairly new. Most of my days have been spent out on picnics around the Island. I will do my best."

Reaching in, Bobby pulled out with her the usual sack, empty now, and hung it over her shoulder. "Did you want to start at the cafeteria?" Food, it was always food first to settle the pig... the woman almost sighed.

Bobby had a hard time trying not to snort. 'Same thing'.... right.... She eyed the other woman from the side, but shrugged it off. "Well, I hope we get along.... it would make things much easier, I'd say."

Squeezing past Kaveri with a bashful, apologizing gaze, Bobby trotted down the steps. She circled and spread her arm about, "Well, this is the residency area. You can find almost everyone's living quarters here. Some choose to live out in the jungle and mountains, though... so be prepared for that. If you go this way, you'll get to the Town Hall. For the most part the entertainment room, first aid office for basic things, and the cafeteria are there."

She started out in that direction, walking side-by-side with Kaveri. Bobby would try to answer any questions. First, she had one of her own. "Sabin told you about me? Who is that, one of the lab techs?"

Bobby shook her head, "No, I've never met him before. There are so many people, you cannot really meet them all in just one months time." The fact that this man greeted Kaveri almost immediately made him a lab tech in her mind. She would need to know more. "Did you, umm... get a shot?"

While she asked, her own thoughts were running quickly. WHo exactly was this woman? She was using words she didn't completely understand... then again, Bobby was more familiar with 'ghetto' terms than anything else. Kaveri wasn't wearing enough shinies for that role.

Bobby was almost taken aback. This woman liked to talk just about as much as her! She shook her head, a smile breaking out on her face and exposing the long bottom canines. But the reasoning for the shot.... that almost made her stumbled in mid-step.

"Yeah, the shot is standard here. They don't let you stand on the land for more than 10 minutes without getting one. You won't get sick and die, here. I've been told that the lab techs, and especially the doctor, don't want their, ahh... inhabitants getting anything worse than the common flu." Bobby paused. Bugs? "Come to think of it, I don't think I've encountered any bugs here.... a lot of animals, though, especially mammals and reptiles."

Duplex 25? Now that did make Bobby stop. She stared at Kaveri, "That isn't possible! Joli and Chubbs live in Duplex 25!"

Bobby thought about what animals everyone was turning into, "Let me see.... I've seen a wolf, coyote, cheetah, green iguana, pig, snake, komodo dragon, octopus, deer.... but I've heard of a hawk and a bat as well. There may be bugs, but I haven't really encountered them."

She snorted, yeah, they were so kind to give them the shots. Flippin saints!

Bobby turned to Kaveri, "I am quite sure. I have a very good memory, even if it takes me a little longer to remember events. Chubbs and Joli live there." She nodded, but then started walking again. They were almost there, and she could smell the food already....