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Aubrey Lockheart
Crew

 
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PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:00 pm


Aubrey's eyes narrowed at Sabin's nearly visable shift in attitude. She gave him a puzzled look.
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:08 pm


Silence stretched on from Thom's end of the conversation. He felt faintly nauseous, stomach knotting up as he stared in disbelief at the panel. However, after a short while, he chuckled softly, only a slight bit of uncertainty audible in his voice as he replied. "Surely you're pullin' m' leg...?"

Labmouse 5ive

 
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Sabin Duvert
Vice Captain

Winter Trash

 
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PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:11 pm


The grin only widened, invisibly to Thom, at the pregnant pause that rang loud and clear over the intercom. Aubrey, for the moment, was shoved to the edge of his awareness.

"Oh I can assure you most definately that I am not, Mr. Brinley." The voice was smooth, a gloating purr. "I am glad to hear that you have made some friends though," it teased. "You will have plenty of time to get to know them better."
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:12 pm


Aubrey shot Sabin a glance. What had gotten into him?

Aubrey Lockheart
Crew

 
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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:20 pm


"...Thank you, Doctor Duvert," he finally managed after an equally lengthy pause, gritting his teeth rather than grace the doctor with a sizable piece of his mind. Snatching up the deflated soccer ball, he stormed from the bedroom, pacing the length of the living room twice before tossing the soccer ball uncerimoniously at the wall and collapsing onto the couch. "....********."
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:26 pm


Later that afternoon, a box is left by Thom's door.

Fortunately for Thom (one of the few fortunate things about the day) is that in order to get one ball with the Feral Labs logo, they had to get several. So there is a box of about eleven more soccer balls left on his porch, no note.  

Sabin Duvert
Vice Captain

Winter Trash

 
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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:33 am


Facing the Truth
Meeting Jamal


It was safe to say Thom was fairly upset.

The evening following his intercom conversation with Doctor Duvert was nothing but a blur of thoughts. Mixed emotions ranging through sadness to fury, memories of life before the island, reflections on opportunities lost now that he was here. Lost in thought, he had forgotten dinner entirely, and finally dozed off some time past midnight, sprawled out across the couch.

By the following morning, his emotions seemed to settle on anger and, positively seething, he had stormed from his duplex, intent on finding the doctor in person and somehow 'persuading' him for a ride home. However, with the sight of the box of soccer balls on his porch, the idea was immediately discarded. Instead, he picked up the box and stomped off in search of something valuable to punt soccer balls at.

....Finding nothing, he had eventually given up and dumped the contents of the box onto the ground, taking out his anger on each soccer ball in turn by punting it full force towards the cafeteria, occasionally side-stepping or ducking to avoid a return bounce. Rather pointless all in all, but it made him feel better...imagining Sabin's face on each and every one of those balls.

THUMP.

The resounding thud after thud after thud on the cafeteria was grating on Jamal's nerves as he finished off the last bit of a bleeding raw steak. He had tried to ignore it to the best of his ability but it was a fact that the tiger man's fuse was short to begin with.

THUMP.

Just ignore it...just ignore it....

Jamal lifted a oozing piece of cow flesh to his mouth and tossed it in, sucking the juices from it in a slow, deliberate manner. The noise had to stop sometime, right?

THUMP.

"Oh fo' ********," Jamal growled as he shoved himself away from the table, ears flattened against his head as far as their half-developed selves could go. Couldn't a man eat in peace around here?!

He left his mostly empty plate behind as he stalked for the exit, determined to figure out what in the hell was going on. He was still in a good mood, at least as good a mood as the tiger man ever was in, so he didn't start cursing as soon as he broke to the outside. He did, however, look irritated to say the least as a slight snarl curved onto his face. As he stalked around the building, he spied the stranger and the pile of weird colored balls. Jamal hadn't really seen a soccer ball before...and certainly not one with feral lab logos stamped on them. Well, hopefully Jamal could persuade this person to take his tantrum elsewhere. If it required force, so be it.

If Thom noticed the tiger man's arrival, he gave no sign. Indeed, just as Jamal had decided to come put an end to the thuds, Thom had run out of balls to dish out his anger on and allowed for a brief pause while he gathered them up again. He nudged the assortment into a pile once more, then, without looking up, sent one ball spinning towards the cafeteria--and, unfortunately, Jamal.

Being that he was skilled in basketball, Jamal had athletic prowess of some sort, so usually he'd be able to easily dodge the incoming ball. However, his first instinct was to catch it, both from his instincts in basketball and instincts of the tiger. Unfortunately, the ball was kicked lower than a usual chest pass for b-baall and so when he tried to stoop to catch it, he mis-judged the momentum behind it and it slipped through his hands and slammed painfully into his shins.

"SONNOVABITCH" Jamal bellowed as he recoiled and did a hop or two in place, his tongue pinched tightly between his teeth as pain shot up and down his legs. Oh god did that hurt....

The offending ball skittered away into the grass a few yards away, but it was not forgotten. Oh definately not. As soon as Jamal could move, he snagged the sports equipment from it's resting place and clenched it tightly between his hands, his claws threatening to puncture the fresh, smooth surface.

Thom was already positioning another ball for a kick when Jamal's shout reached him. Grimacing, he ran a hand through his hair, offering a 'Sorry about that', though he wasn't entirely sure if the man heard or not. Regardless, he had apologized, and he was perfectly content to not bother with a conversation, not meet any new islander, and go back to breaking down the wall with his soccer balls.

...That is, until he noticed the delicate situation of the one in Jamal's hands. "'Ey now, careful. Colche already popped one. The others'll 'ave t' last me th' rest've m' ********' stay," he muttered, glowering down at the Feral Labs logos winking up from the balls on the ground.

Jamal's lip curled into a genuine snarl and he pressed his claws tighter to the skin of the ball, yet it hadn't popped...yet.

"You ain't gonna have enough of these ********' things ta last dat long if ya ain't mo' careful wit' what yer doin'," Jamal snapped back testily before releasing tension on the ball and insteaded twirling it clumsily on the tip of a claw. He was still getting used to trying to relearn how to fingertip spin his basketball and the fact that the soccerball was lighter didn't help. "Yer new."

There was no warm welcome to Jamal's voice and no sense of sympathy either. It was a clear, blunt statement.

"Unfortunately," he replied bitterly, raising a brow at Jamal's attempts with the soccer ball. Temptation gave in, and he lazily scooped a foot under the nearest ball, lightly kicking it straight up only to snatch it out of the air and begin spinning it on one finger in a much more practiced manner than the tiger man. A little mockery never hurt anyone.

"You, 'owever, seem to 'ave been 'ere a while," he retorted, taking a moment to note the various changes the man had undergone. Recognition dawned and, eyes widening somewhat, he tipped the ball to catch it in his palm, cocking his head at Jamal. "Ah, you're that tiger man I'm s'posed t'be avoidin'. Not as far gone as I expected."

Wow, this guy was NOT doing a good job of getting on Jamal's good side.

As the realization dawned on Thom, Jamal's temper was slowly breaking. He did not take well to mockery in the LEAST. The tips of his elongated canines were slowly showing themselves more and more as the seconds passed.

"Yer ********' RIGHT I been herr awhile," he snarled, flipping the ball off his finger into his palm in mimicry of Thom, but his intentions with his claws reinstated themselves as he pressed the tips back firmly to the soft 'flesh' of his target. "You ain't been herr long 'nough ta take peeps words seriously, 'pparently, since ya wanna piss me off. I wasn't lookin' fo' a fight but if ya want one..."

His eyes narrowed sharply in a serious threat.

Again Thom grimaced, dropping his 'game' in favor of saving his soccer ball. Letting the ball in his hand fall to the ground, he held up both hands in an inoffensive manner, rolling his eyes upward as if searching for patience. "I meant no offense. Just repeatin' what I 'eard. You'll 'ave t'pardon me. Just learned I'm stuck 'ere an'... well, I'm sure y' weren't too 'appy when it clicked either, eh?"

Jamal gave the younger guy a very critical stare in a long silence that fell until he finally released pressure again on the soccer ball. "Ya betta get use ta watchin' yer words 'round herr. I ain't da only one dat don't like bein' insulted. Whetha ya mean it o' not."

The ball was flipped back up onto a claw for a moment before he threw it off to the side.

"I was ********' thrilled," he snapped bitterly, clearly being sarcastic to judge by the displeasure on his face. "Jus' what I always wanted, ya know. Ta turn inta a ********' kitty cat."

The tiger man grumbled low in his throat but seemed to lose some steam. He really didn't feel like fighting...not after the thing with Antony in the cafeteria.

"I'll keep that in mind," he assured Jamal, though is seemed more a formality than anything. He wasn't about to change him entire reaction to people just because he was stuck on an island with them. If they irked him, he would insult them. Or, yanno, bean them in the back of the head with a soccer ball when they weren't looking. Not that it would be too difficult to pick out the culprit.

"Better'n some though, eh? I mean... Look at Cassidy, for example. At least you've still got legs?" He grimaced at the memory of the snake woman, shaking his head sadly. The poor thing had hardly been recognizable as human... Once human, anyway. "An' a tiger's hardly some house cat. Though I see y' point... Hardly lookin' forward t'my own, ah.. first change," he finished awkwardly, frowning down at his hand as if anticipating the transformations it might undergo.

Jamal shrugged, rubbing his chin between an index finger and a thumb, giving Thom a scornful, yet also thoughtful stare as his tail arched into a question mark shape behind him.

"Cass seems like she's doin' a'ight wit' what she got. As bad as it sounds, ya sorta adapt...what else kin ya do? Ya get to da point where ya don't know what normal is no mo'." For a moment, Jamal almost sounded like he was going to give some sort of advice or a peptalk, but he quickly resumed a tone of annoyance.

"Maybe if yer lucky, you'll go as long as I did b'fo I changed da first time. Do ya even now what yer stuck wit'?"

Jamal had either cared little to get the other's name or the thought had slipped his mind currently. They hadn't gotten off on a good foot.

"All th' same... Sproutin' fur's one thing. I couldn't imagine losin' limbs." He shuddered slightly at the thought, finally pulling his eyes away from his hand. Whatever the serum, he wasn't changing just yet, and he had that to be thankful for.

"'Aven't th' faintest," he admitted with a shrug. "Nor do I wish to, I think. I'd rather wait without knowin' then figure it out and dread everyday 'til th' change. I'll learn soon enough. No use invitin' misery sooner." For a moment, he seemed about ready to start punting soccer balls again, but he restrained the urge, fixing his attention on Jamal. "'Ow long've you been 'ere, then?"

Jamal shrugged and ran his tongue over one fang. He seemed to be relaxing now that the confrontation was minor and he didn't have to literally put his clawed foot up the new person's a**.

"I didn't ask what I was turnin' inta. I waited 'til ma second change...now it's sorta obvious....so I didn't ask no one. Whateva' works fo' you, I guess." Jamal didn't sound like he thought waiting it out was a bad idea, but he didn't sound like it was a great one either. It was hard to find a happy medium ANYWHERE on this island.

"As fo' how long I've been stuck herr...since Octoba'. It's May now, ain't it? I lost track of time back when they locked us outta da duplexes..."

"I s'pose," he admitted thoughtfully, "that there's a certain element of good an' bad either way. Findin' out, y'either get th' reassurance that you'll stay relatively human, or, well... You spend y'days dreadin' th' next change in fear of windin' up like poor Cassidy. Adaptions or not."

He paused briefly, staring in disbelief ovre at the tiger man. "...Since October?" Mind, there were certainly others who had been here as long, if not longer. But having an actual time line to refer to made it that much more realistic... There really was no leaving, was there? "Yes, May. They locked y'out of th' duplexes? Why's that? ...What in hell's name're we supposed t'do stuck on an island? It 'as t'get old."

"Fo' so stupid ********' ex'perment," he growled bitterly, clenching his hands into fists for a moment. "Them docs like ta make it sound like they da nicest peeps ya eva' gonna meet but dat sure ain't da truth."

"Ahh.. Some'ow, after learnin' they're turnin' people into animals, that doesn't surprise me." Scowling, he clenched his hands into fists in almost a mirror of Jamal, only to let them fall as he turned his attention to the nearest soccer ball, half tempted to send it spinning towards the cafeteria regardless of the tiger man's temper. "So I've gathered. Duvert'd best hope I don't catch up with 'im once I start changin'."


TBC
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:34 am


Ambrose Maurlias
Ambrose posts on the outside of the cafeteria door a big note.

It's on the Feral Labs stationary that comes in all the rooms, but the message itself is handwritten/handdrawn.

Quote:


Soccer Football Leage Forming!

User Image - Blocked by "Display Image" Settings. Click to show.

Anyone Interested meet up in the cleared out area between the construction site and the jungle Tuesday evening at 8pm.


Labmouse 5ive

 
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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:35 am


Sabin Duvert
Transcript from the First Soccer Match!

At the edge of the village

THOM:Thom had arrived some time earlier with his box full of soccer balls, having lugged the entire thing over on the off chance that they had more popping incidents. He had remained off to the side, juggling a soccer ball n one foot, as people began to arrive, waiting until he judged that everyone was there before addressing the odd assortment, clearing his throat to demand attention before speaking. "Right, so.. T'day's simply judge skills, pick teams an' th' like day, so I 'ope y'don't expect much. I'm assumin' since you're 'ere, y' know at least th' basics of th' game, so we'll just run a few drills an' go from there."
AMBROSE:Ambrose smiled widely, tail wagging. He had opted to wear just a pair of khaki shorts, given the temperatures and his fur. He was also eager to get Angelina out in the open and her mind off of her change, as well as the thrill of the game, and competition with what looked a sizable group of people.
AMAYA: Amaya just hung back in the crowd, mostly towards were Alec was. Now that Ambrose had Angelina around, she didn't want to bug them.
ALEC: Alec fidgetting with the shoulder of his baggy top, looking around like he was truly lost and had stumbled on something completely alien. He'd played football before, but from the sounds of it this wasn't supposed to be some
ALEC: leisurely game of kickin a ball around the grass.
ANGELINA:Angelina stuck VERY close to Ambrose, looking exceptionally nervous. She was wearing a pair of biker shorts and a t-shirt that was tied up.
ANTONY: "Drills?" Antony cocked an eyebrow, tails lashing slightly behind her in irritation. Since when were they a part of a professional team? Wasn't this suppposed to be fun?
ANGELINA:For the first time since her change she was outside. Her spots and peachfuzz clearly visable on her skin, and her tail twitched nervously behind her.
REX: Rex nodded at the unchanged islander leading the whole ordeal and glanced around to their new motely crew. Animal-style soccer was sure going to be fun. Rex needed something to dedicate to and to get him outside.
THOM:Thom quirked a brow, tossing Antony a frown. "Ambrose an' I 'ad th' idea of a league type situation.. Add a bit more competition to it. Though we'd also expected a bit more people, I think," he muttered, glancing
ANTONY: She was wearing a sports bra and a pair of someone's boxers, waistband folded down several times so that the sort of fit.
THOM:around. "...Might 'ave t'settle for simple matches whenever we find time with this lot."
AMBROSE:"Well, we can always start small." Ambrose spoke up in suggestion. "Maybe try a practice match before more people gain wind of the league? Pick a sample team and see how we work together?"
KAVERI: Kaveri hadn't cared much for sports before, but she figured it would be a nice distraction to get her out of the duplex. She felt rather aloof, seeing some new faces in the crowd, so she stuck around the back of the group to listen.
ANTONY: "Maybe then we can gather some people and play football," she suggested absently, stretching her left leg carefully.
THOM:"S'up t'you, then." Thom shrugged, scooping his foot beneath one soccer ball and flicking it up into his hand. "Skip th' warm ups an' just pick teams? Take a vote."
AMBROSE:Ambrose shrugged and raised his hand.
LAURENLauren also raised, unsure as to which was best.
ANGELINA:Angelina figited with her shorts, pulling them down, and her sleeves, in a failed attempt to cover some of her spots as she waited to see what was happening.
AMAYA: Amaya just watched the others, not really caring what they did honestly.
ANTONY: "Sounds good to me," she said, cracking her neck lazily.
ALEC: Alec stared blankly, looking to Amaya with uncertainty before raising his hand.
REX: "I'm cool with whatever." Rex shrugged, with this bunch of misfits it would be hard to have equal teams anyways.
KAVERI: Kaveri gave a shrug and lamely held up a scaly, grey hand.
AMAYA: The iguana just raised a brow at Alec, giving him a "what?" look before turning her attention back ahead and lazily raised her hand a little.
THOM:"Uncertain bunch, aren't we?" he drawled, shaking his head. "Very well, suit y'self. Pick captain's an' we'll be on with it. I nominate Ambrose."
AMBROSE:Ambrose blinked, and then his face parted into a lupine grin. "Sounds like fun! I'm up for it if no one else wants to fight me for it." His tail wagged.
ALEC: The punk teen was expecting Ambrose to be picked, which was fine with him. He'd rather be on his team by the looks of it. As he waited, he rummaged for a cig and lighter.
AMAYA: Well hell, she had never even played soccer how was she supposed to act?
REX: "Go for it, bud." Rex nudged his head in Ambrose's direction with his tail flicking baack and forth in excitement behind him.
ANGELINA:Angelina looked uncertainly around the bunch, hiding further behind the much larger Ambrose.
AMAYA: Amaya caught wind of what Alec was doing and gave him a HARD nudge in the side with he elbow.
AMBROSE:Ambrose glanced back and gave Angelina a reassuring smile before walking up and joining Thom by his side. "And I presume you'll be the other?"
REX: Rex chuckled at Amaya and winked secretly.
AMAYA: The girl blinked up at Rex and then looked down, dropping her arm from it's jabbed position in Alec's side with a tiny smile.
ANTONY: Antony clicked her tongue at Amaya's motion, muttering something about being outside.
THOM:Chuckling dryly, Thom dropped the ball to the ground and folded his arms. "Oh I dunno, I'd 'ave thought miss squirrel over 'ere would've called it for 'erself by now."
ALEC: Alec snorted loudly when he was nudged in the ribs, almost biting down on the filter in his mouth. "Muh-wuh?" He grunted rather loudly and shifting the weight to his other foot.
AMAYA: "You're about to play a sport and you're lighting up a cig? It'll just get in the way. You should wait until afterward if you must." Amaya chidded.
ANTONY: Her eyes narrowed as her attention turned towards Thom, pointing towards him as if she were calling out a home run. "I'd watch it if I were you."
REX: And they already act like they're married! Rex thought to himself.
ANTONY: Needless to say, she had no clue he was a professional.
AMBROSE:"Alright... well... I guess it would be time to choose teams, then. Who goes first, Thom?"
ANTONY: "Oh he can fit in a smoke if he wants while teams are being picked." She said over her shoulder to the lizard girl.
THOM:"I'll take y'word for it, sweet'eart." He rolled his eyes, then waved a hand towards Ambrose. "'Ave at it. You pick first."
ALEC: He fought the urge to utter something back, instead he did nothing but put the lighter back into his shorts. "Ye...righ'."
AMBROSE:Ambrose nodded to Thom first, figuring he might give him the first pick, given Thom's experience. He looked out over the group of people in front of him and took a breath, looking indecisive.
AMAYA: The lizard visably winced, as if Antony had yelled at her or something when she haden't. Frowing, she just shut her mouth again and looked at the ground.
AMBROSE:No pressure, right? the little voice in Ambrose's head teased. There was Angelina... his girlfriend... looking nervous.... but on the other hand, there was Rex - a tall, sporty type who would likely play better...
KAVERI: Kaveri put her arms behind her back, curving her long neck down and somewhat folded so it sat comfortably between her shoulders without straining.
LAURENLauren couldn't stop herself from grabbing the large bug in the grass and popping it into her mouth.
ANGELINA:Angelina blinked at Luaren and stared in a bit of horror.
THOM:Thom's expression perfectly mirrored Angelina's as he stared at Lauren.
AMBROSE:"Er...." He drew out, looking between the two of them. Angelina... wouldn't mind if he didn't pick her first ... right? As long as he didn't pick her last?
AMBROSE:He took a breath and finally spoke out his first decision, tactics and competitiveness winning out. "Rex!"
AMAYA: Amaya seemed to be doing her best to ignore the mongoose.
KAVERI: The vulture-woman smirked as she watched the... ferret? ... eat the bug. At least it wasn't rabbit guts.
ANGELINA:"EXCUSE ME?" Angelina spun around, planting her hands on her small boyish hips, her tail bottle-brushing out.
REX: Rex's eyes flashed open in happiness, "Sweet." And walked over to stand next to Ambrose, his new team captain.
LAURENLauren caught Angelina and Thom looking and smiled a toothy grin complete with bug legs sticking through her teeth.
ALEC: Alec became distracted and watched Lauren down the bug, unable to contain his immature laughter despite the rather quiet gathering. "Aye Rex! Fair play!" He cheered as his friend was chosen, oblivious to Angelina's anger.
ANTONY: "Dude, he's male and this is sports, chill out."
AMBROSE:Ambrose's ears plastered back, looking sheepish. "Ah...." His eyes darted to Rex, flashing the lion-man a smile. It had been a while since he'd seen him - he'd definately changed. But he looked overall happy.
KAVERI: Kaveri started snickering.
LAUREN"I'd picked Rex too." Lauren added.
REX: "Feisty bunch tonight, huh?"
ANGELINA:Angelina stormed away from her hiding spot behind Ambrose in a huff, not caring if her shorts were riding up her a** anymore. Her tail twitched behind her in an annoyed fashion.
ANTONY: "Exactly." She agreed with Lauren, a look that clearly considered the choice a no brainer playing on her face.
THOM:Thom knew only a few of the islanders, but that knowledge did nothing to help him choose. His first thought was Alec...and then thoughts of the cigarette came back and he pointed to the
THOM:girl storming from behind Ambrose. "You."
AMAYA: Amaya just glanced at Angelina breifly. It wasn't like he was breaking up with her or something, why was she so upset?
KAVERI: Kaveri hadn't met Rex before, but she agreed with the others just by how the guy looked. "He looks like he'd be good at this," she chimed in.
AMBROSE:"Wh.... what??" Ambrose blinked, dumbfounded at Thom's pick.
ANGELINA:Angelina's expression was surprised at first, but her lips curled into a smirk. "Aye!" She stuck her tongue out at Ambrose and jogged perkily over to Thom.
AMBROSE:He hadn't expected that to happen. Never had it occurred that Angelina wouldn't wind up on his team.
LAURENLauren laughed at the situation. "Aww... someone stole your chick!"
ANTONY: "Sweet," Antony murmured, obviously eager to see how this game played out now.
REX: Rex's lips curled into a smile, flashing his large fangs. Taking Angelina away from Ambrose added in a whole new game dynamic.
THOM:Thom quirked a brow at Ambrose, a smirk playing across his lips. "Somthin' wrong?"
AMAYA: Ooooo, burn. The teen did her best to hide a smirk.
AMBROSE:Ambrose scowled, though there was a bit of a playful edge to it. "Nice pick, Thom. That's my girlfriend." His ear flicked back and he flashed him a grin with a bit more teeth in it.
ALEC: "'urreh up." The teen called out innocently, growing bored enough to consider leaving.
ANGELINA:Angelina stood next to Thom and buffed her fingernails coyly.
THOM:"Brilliant." He laughed, flashing a grin. "Bit of suspense never 'urt anyone. Pick y'next."
AMBROSE:Ambrose smacked his lips, casting Angelina and Thom a last rueful look before looking back out over the players. "Alec~!" He called out, remembering the teen's interest, and taking a gender bias.
AMAYA: Ahhh, s**t. There went her last friend to hide behind.
REX: "Yeheheah!" Rex cheered and went up to give Alec a high five.
ALEC: "Well ain't i' ma birthdeh." The punk teen gave a coy smirk and stuck his tongue at Amaya as he walked over to a place beside Rex after returning the high-five.
ANTONY: Antony simply stretched her left ankle and calf a bit more, pleased that it was feeling much better.
THOM:Thom nodded, glancing around the group before pointing to the mongoose girl. "You, ah, what was it, Lauren?"
LAURENLauren smiled. "Sweet! I'm with the pro!" She marched over to Thom triuphantly.
AMAYA: Amaya just frowned at him, feeling exposed and alone now. She shifted on her feet and crossed her arms over her chest, long tail curling slightly around her large feet.
REX: Rex smirked as Lauren's name was called, now knowledgeable of her relationship with Nita. He still needed to talk to her about borrowing her surfboard.
AMBROSE:"Hrmmm..." Ambrose scratched his chin and looked at the cluster of remaining people. Amaya.. Anthony... and Kaveri.
ANTONY: She blinked at Lauren's comment, eyes narrowing as she gave Thom a glare. Oh she hoped she wasn't on his team. He deserved an a** whooping.
AMBROSE:Anthony probably had the most game-spirit of the bunch... but he was already stung from not picking a friend... His eyes darted between Amaya and Anthony.
AMBROSE:"A-" He almost went to say Amaya's name... but years of competition, and some deep down pack hunting instincts made him deviate "Antony!"
AMAYA: Wonderful. Amaya felt like just sitting down and watching now.
KAVERI: Kaveri grunted, folding her arms over her chest. She never pegged herself an athletic type, even though she was made of meat. It was down to her and the lizard queen.
REX: Rex gave a puppy-eyed frown to Amaya, but changed his expression to greet Ant to their team with a hug and a smile. "Nice to see yeh!"
ANTONY: A wide grin appeared on her face as she pushed herself to her feet, making her way over to Ambrose. "It's on," she said to Thom before returning Rex's hug.
ALEC: Alec didnt seem to mind having Antony on his team, almost completely missing the hurt look on Amaya's face. It was just a game, right? The fact that he'd convinced to even come here in the first place eluded him.
THOM:Lovely. His only choices left were big foot and accordian neck. A tough choice.. He was extremely tempted to flip a coin on the decision.
ANTONY: "Likewise," she replied.
LAURENLauren wondered if it was legal for someone to use their tail in soccer.
THOM:"Right, then, I'll take, ah.." He waved vaguely in the direction of Amaya, as he hadn't the faintest idea what her name was. "An' then I'll find someone else so we'll be even."
AMBROSE:"Someone else?" Ambrose queried, then mock-pouted. "So I can't have an extra team member on my side?"
AMAYA: Amaya hesitated, looking at Kaveri. "I'll sit out if you wanna play. Doesn't matter."
ANTONY: "I'd say he," she gestured to Thom, "Can count as two since he's pro."
THOM:"You 'ave three lads, if anythin' I deserve the extra," he argued, shrugging. "But I 'ave someone in mind."
AMAYA: The last thing she wanted was to be on Lauren's team against all her friends.
LAURENLauren put her hands on her hips, "Three lads. Pshh... like having a c**k has anything to do with soccer" She looked highly annoyed towards Thom.
AMBROSE:Ambrose looked skeptical, but waited to see what he'd say. "Someone now? What do we do in the meantime?"
ANTONY: "Cause we all know that men are automatically more skilled than women," she said roughly.
REX: Rex watched the dispute in silence. He didn't care about the teams, in all honesty. He just wanted everyone to be happy.
KAVERI: "Whatever you want," Kaveri said, rolling her shoulders in a half-shrug.
ANGELINA:Angelina stayed silent. At least it wasn't football. She couldn't tackle an overdone french fry.
AMAYA: Amaya nodded and gestured towards Thom's team to Kaveri, sitting down afterwards.
THOM:"No offense intended," he added towards Lauren, gesturing to Ambrose's team. "But their, ah.. Animals're more built f'speed than out team appears t'be."
ALEC: Now we were going to fight over teams? Oh great. This was turning out to be like highschool. not... that he'd know anything about it.
THOM:our*
ANTONY: "You picked the least transformed," Antony pointed out.
KAVERI: "You don't wanna play?" Kaveri asked after Amaya, tilting her head at a quizical and probably unhealthy angle.
NITA:Nita sat on the sidelines, watching the proceedings. Was this really such a good idea afterall?
AMAYA: "Nah, I'm fine."
THOM:"Not really," he countered, jabbing a finger towards Amaya.
AMBROSE:"Come now... it's okay! It's just a game. Amaya - can you call the plays? Maybe? If you don't want to be on a team? Or I'd be happy with an extra player" He grinned.
ANTONY: She frowned, and offered Amaya an apologetic look for Thom.
ALEC: Alec frowned deeply, staring at the lizard girl. "Wha, ye no' playin now? Fook tha', if she don'play, then fook tha'." The irishboy was starting to show a bit of temper, irritated at how this was turning out.
AMAYA: "I dunno how. I'll just sit out and watch." Amaya said, hugging her knees and ignoring Thom.
LAURENLauren found herself annoyed at the team drama. Like she had any right getting annoyed at drama considering how much she normally CAUSED.
KAVERI: Kaveri chewed on the inner stud of her labret. "C'mon, he picked you, dude. Nobody's gonna want a fat necky girl on their team anyways." She motioned towards Thom, getting a little annoyed.
THOM:Thom just rolled his eyes, folded his arms, and stepped to the side to wait until everyone shut up or wandered off.
ANTONY: "If she wants, she can play ref and then red card your a**," she jabbed her finger towards Thom the exact way he had to Amaya.
AMBROSE:Ambrose sighed irritably. This was not working out at all like he had envisioned - a good natured competition. A sport, working together with a group...
AMAYA: Great, she had caused all of this? "I'm FINE. Damnit. Go ahead, Kaveri."
ALEC: Alec frowned even more, hearing Kaveri's jab. So this new guy was playin favorites now? The slow teenager was starting to catch on and wasn't liking it.
ANGELINA:Angelina sighed and sat down in the grass (it better hid her tail) and waiting for everyone to calm down.
REX: Rex didn't like all of this agressive competition so early in the 'season'. Why couldn't people just accept that they were on the team that they were chosen for? In the end they were all (or mostly all) friends.
ANTONY: Antony turned to Kaveri and tried her damndest to keep her temper in check. She wasn't exactly 'skinny.'
REX: He followed suit to Angelina and kicked back in teh grass.
REX: *the
KAVERI: Kaveri groaned, "Man, just go out there and play and enjoy yourself. I'm in no shape to be doing anything anyways."
THOM:"Oh come on now, this wasn't meant t' offend anyone. Pardon me f tryin' t'pick people who look like they can run without trippin'." He scowled.
LAUREN"Can we just PLAY!" Lauren shouted out. She wanted to get on with the game but most importantly she wanted to move around.
ALEC: That was it. Alec stomped towards Thom and got right up into his face. "Wha the 'ell thas s'posed t'mean ya bloody peice a work!?"
ANTONY: "Are we going to ******** play or not?" She finally growled loudly, glancing around at everyone who had sat down. Unfortunately, Thom's comment had hit a nerve,
AMBROSE:Ambrose did his best to keep Antony over with Rex while stepping forward. "Okay. We've got the teams... I for once agree with Lauren. Let's put aside differences, anxieties, and have a good time."
ANTONY: but luckily Lauren yelled before she could launch herself at the Brit in retaliation.
KAVERI: "I can run just fine," Kaveri said, turning quickly to face Thom and ending her sentence with an annoyed, throaty click. Sure, her toes were huge but she learned how to get around on them.
AMAYA: "Go play, Kaveri. Everyone go play." Amaya glared at the sand in front of her, looking more pissed off then she probably ever had before. She didn't seem to be budging.
LAUREN For once agree with Lauren... what the ******** was that suppose to mean? But Lauren oddly enough kept her mouth shut and just rolled her orange eyes at Ambrose.
ANTONY: Antony stepped foreward and grabbed the Irish boy around the waist, pulling him away from the Brit. "Get him in the game," she murmured into his ear.
AMBROSE:Ambrose's ears flattened seeing Amaya, feeling bad and guilty now. And he knew he might very well be getting a guilt trip from Angelina later. He sighed.
THOM:Thankfully, any retaliation to Alec's outburst was silenced by Ambrose's words. Thom settled for a glare, backing away a pace himself as Antony pulled Alec back, then sighed. "Are we playin' or not?"
AMBROSE:"Amaya... we'd love your help with directing the game if you don't want to play on a team. Now... let's pick goalies, and Thom.. point out the goals"
LAURENLauren pointed to Nita, "Maybe she could join?"
REX: This was getting to get too much drama, he felt like standing up and roaring over all of the bickering, but controlled his breathing and kept his cool. All of the excitement could get a lion worked up.
NITA:Nita shook her head vehemently, which was a mistake. It only served to bring back the dizziness.
AMAYA: "I don't know how to direct a soccer game." Amaya said honestly, and a little more bitter then she had intended. "I'm just watching."
ANTONY: "I can goal if you want,
ANTONY: Ambrose, less running," she suggested.
AMBROSE:He sighed again. There was no convincing her over the already existing drama. He'd have to catch up with her later. Finally, he nodded quietly and turned to Antony. "That might be best.. with your leg and all."
ALEC: Fuming, Alec patted Antony's hands to calm himself down and backed off immediately. He wasn't one to fight, even now. Pacing around, he hung back until everything was settled. Tell him when to play and he would.
KAVERI: Kaveri suppressed the urge to hiss and hop a few steps back, the vulture instincts welling up from all the tension. "So who's ******** side am I on? Normal boy's, right?"
ANTONY: She let go of Alec, giving his shoulder a squeeze before looking at Thom expectantly for where her goal would be.
AMBROSE:"Yes... Kaveri... I'm sorry, apparently so."
REX: Rex nudged Alec friendily and mouthed "Breathe" calmly. Things should wind down soon.
AMBROSE:Ambrose gave an appreaciative nod to Rex.
LAURENLauren had failed to see why everyone was getting so mad at Thom, other than the fact the game had not started yet.
THOM:"Good t'know I'm th' bloody villian 'ere," he muttered, then glanced around. "They 'aven't let us much 'ere t' use... We could stretch th' field a bit an pick a few trees, may'aps?"
LAURENShe smiled at Nita, giving her a wink, too bored to do much else.
KAVERI: Kaveri grunted and ambled over to Thom's side, opting not to say anything else.
AMBROSE:"The trees work for me." Ambrose agreed, giving Antony a nod and then another one to the closer of the two points.
REX: "Or we could just use jackets and the like to mark where goals would be if the trees don't work." Rex suggested.
ANTONY: "Or just draw lines in the sand."
AMBROSE:"That might be easier."
THOM:"Jackets'd be 'arder t' see, but that works as well." He shrugged, then turned to 'his' team. "Who wants goal? At this point, I could care less."
ANTONY: Too bad they didn't have an actual soccer field.
AMBROSE:Ambrose muttered again under his breath at the dampened spirits.
LAUREN"I'd rather be running." Admitted Lauren. She didn't want to stick in one place waiting for action to happen.
ANGELINA:"I'm kind of small for a goalie," Angelina offered.
THOM:Thom turned his gaze pointedly towards Kaveri.
REX: "Alright then!" Rex said, springing to his feet to try and liven the mood up again. Nothing was worse than a league of half-assed players. "We
REX: 've got the teams and positions getting sorted. So shall we warm up for jus'go for it?"
ANTONY: Antony cracked her knuckles and eyed Thom as she made her way towards 'her' goal. He was being such an a**.
KAVERI: Kaveri was probably one of the larger people on the team. She would not be surprised if she were picked for that alone, and she returns the gaze with a shrug. "Whatever, I'd honestly rather be running."
ALEC: "Ye." Alec agreed with Rex for the sake of doing so, nudging the lion to move away from the group and practice on their own.
AMBROSE:Ambrose clapped his hands, trying to sink in with Rex's enthusiasm. "Yes - this is supposed to be fun - now let's start having some, alright?" He chimed in.
LAURENLauren looked rather annoyed, "Well whatever. I can goalie if you WANT me too. I just want to play."
ANTONY: "Yall can trade off if you want."
AMBROSE:Ambrose nodded to Antony. "And that's a great suggestion. So everyone can be on the field at some point."
CASSIDYRather belatedly, Cass slithered her way over to the crowd, more intending to come watch the game than actually play. "Um, hey guys!"
AMBROSE:Ambrose's ears pricked as he heard a new voice, his mouth splitting in a grin. "Cassidy!"
THOM:"...We'll do without," he muttered, sighing as he turned back to the rest of the group. "Just run fast."
AMAYA: Amaya just glanced at Cass. At least there would be someone else to talk to while everyone else played.
REX: As Rex made his way to their side of the soccer pitch, he eyed a green monstrosity slithering down the field. Who was that? He stopped in his tracks and returned to the group for this new reassessment.
AMAYA: She stayed balled up on the sidelines, staring at her feet as she dug them into the sand.
ANGELINA:Angelina waved at Cassidy with a smile. Wonder if she's thought any more about my idea.
KAVERI: "You can tackle people in this game, right? The sign said football," Kaveri said.
ANTONY: To get her mind of murdering the normal one, Antony waved to Cass.
LAURENLauren eyed Cass too, she had heard about her and seen her around. Why did she have to get the fun serum? Jealous eyes gazed over the snake girl.
AMBROSE:"Not that kind of football! Soccer-football. Hey Cass - that makes the teams even - if you and Amaya played?"
THOM:"...Soccer, Kaveri. Not American football. Oi Cass, come be goalie for me." He waved her over, cracking a grin.
ANTONY: "Not normal football, unfortunately." Antony sounded somewhat sad.
CASSIDY"I think I'm just watching, today." Cass laughed, slightly self-consciously. "How am I supposed to play? I can't kick."
ANTONY: "Like hell Thom! It's Ambrose's pick."
AMBROSE:"heeeey, Isnt' it my pick" Ambrose chimed.
ANGELINA:"Goalie!" Angelina said enthuisastically.
KAVERI: She caught Cass out the corner of her eye, turning her head. She'd seen her before, on that one day. She waves, then turns to Thom again. "Can I still beat people up?"
ANTONY: "Exactly." She smirked at Thom.
THOM:Thom frowned.
AMBROSE:"Only if you're on my team." Ambrose replied to Kaveri
CASSIDY"Goalie?" Cassidy tilted her head. "I... guess that would work."
ALEC: Meanwhile Alec moved over to where Amaya was sitting, standing by her so that his shadow cast over the scaley one entirely. "Come play now, ye?"
KAVERI: "Sold," Kaveri grinned. "Any way we can do tradeoffs?"
AMAYA: Amaya couldn't help but feel even lower. Someone without legs was getting picked faster then she was.
LAUREN"Recruitment is NOT an option!" Lauren shouted out.
AMBROSE:"It's a different game now with more options." Ambrose grinned.
AMAYA: "I'd be on Thom's team." She replied blankly to Alec, not looking up.
KAVERI: "I wanna be on the side that thumps some heads," the vulture-woman jabbed an approving thumb at Ambrose.
ALEC: "NO, ye stuck wi' th' d**k'ead." Alec grinned mischevious at Kaveri and grabbed Amaya's arm to pull her up without even listening. "So? Come on, kick me 'round."
ANTONY: "Man, if it's full contact, I'd love a chance to be switched from goal at some point." Antony could difinately deal with playing dirty.
LAUREN"dickhead sounds more lasting then 'The normal one' I think you have a new nickname." Lauren beamed at Thom jokingly.
AMBROSE:"Sounds fair to me to switch out with Goalies. Amaya, Cass. You two have to play." He said demandingly. "Bigger teams, more fun."
AMAYA: "Whatever." Amaya frowned, letting herself be pulled up.
THOM:Mary Mother of God, he had created a monster. "So--wait, who's on which team now?" A pause, and he cocked his head towards Lauren. "..Thanks so much."
CASSIDYCass scratched her head. "I knew I should have got here sooner. I'll play, I'll be goalie."
KAVERI: "That's true, 'the normal one' will only last like a month."
ALEC: "Ha-ha." He chimed as Ambrose made the decision for Amaya and dragged her further into the group.
REX: Rex nodded in agreement with Ambrose's coments, "And besides Amaya, you'll block like no other with those hands of yours." He tried to make the comment seem as offhand as possible, he knew she was sensitive about her changes.
AMBROSE:Ambrose laughed. "Alright, Cass - you shall be a tough goalie to get past. We'll take turns on my team."
ANTONY: Antony gave Lauren a cheerful, approving grin, "I'm sure dickhead could be improved if we had time to be creative."
ANGELINA:Angelina looked forlornly at Kaveri's comment
AMBROSE:"Oooh, that's a good point, Rex. Amaya - want to be goalie?"
KAVERI: "Judgemental p***k?" Kaveri offers with a grin.
AMAYA: "Sure."
ANTONY: "Works for me," she grinned wickedly.
AMBROSE:He clapped her on the back, tail wagging now. "You'll do great! Protect our goal, soldier!" He grinned.
AMBROSE:"Now, team, let's see if we can beat Dickhead and his ladies." He trotted towards the middle of the field.
CASSIDY"Go for it, Amaya!" Cass clapped her hands.
LAUREN"We need a another team name. I don't want to be Dickhead's ladies" Lauren said seriously to Thom.
ALEC: Happy enough that things were starting to work out, Alec skipped (yes, skipped) off towards his teamates and hip-checked Rex as he went by.
AMAYA: The reptile smiled slightly, allowing herself to be dragged off.
KAVERI: "Dickhead's Angels?"
REX: Rex jogged quickly behind Ambrose, these people needed some livelihood.
AMBROSE:"How about just "The Ladies!"" Ambrose called back over to them, teasing.
ANGELINA:Angelina rubbed her temples. Oi.
ANTONY: Antony doubled over at both Ambrose and Kaveri's comments, laughing loudly.
CASSIDY"Dickhead? Have you been making enemies?"
AMBROSE:((Ambrose's: Rex, Alec, Antony, Amaya))
AMBROSE:((Thom's: Angelina, Kaveri, Lauren, Cass))
ANTONY: "He was being a little s**t to Amaya," Antony said simply to answer Cass' question.
THOM:Thom blinked after Ambrose, then, scowling, waved Cass towards the chosen goal and dragged the box of balls off the 'field'.
LAURENLauren seriously wondered what she had started. I mean, she was just playfully jabbing at Thom, she didn't mean anything serious about it.
CASSIDYCass made her way over to the goal, feeling as awkward as she looked. "No picking on Amaya..."
ANGELINA:"He wasn't picking on her really. Everyone's being sensitive."
AMBROSE:Ambrose nodded to Angelina, giving her one more apologetic look, big puppy-dog-eyes and all.
ANTONY: She pointed towards Thom as she made her way out on the field, "Karma's about to bite you in the a**."
AMBROSE:Ambrose turned to face Antony, Alec, and Rex. "Okay, guys! This is for fun, but try your best. Our team is built for speed, so let's use it, okay?" His tail wagged as he looked at his 'packmates'.
AMAYA: Sensitive? Wasn't she the one throwing a fit over Ambrose?
KAVERI: Kaveri was going to show Thom that 'fat' girls weren't completely incompetent at sports. She was built like a tank! She'd be a good linebacker or quarterback or something. They have those in soccer, right? She never really
KAVERI: paid attention to that stuff.
LAURENLauren had met karma but knew she wasn't anywhere around here. In fact, she was not in her duplex anymore either. She seriously wondered what was going on and why she was going to bite Thom on the a**.
REX: Rex scowled at Alec's hip-check and took off after him. He deserved a good noogie. Though after a bit he stopped to listen to the leader's words.
AMAYA: Amaya stood between the two "goal posts" that were... trees. Oh yay.
THOM:After retrieving the soccer ball from the center of the field, he met with his team near their goal. "Firstly? I'm not as much of a d**k as m' new title suggests. Kaveri--that's y'name, right? Feel free t' tackle
CASSIDYCass coiled herself loosely in front of the vague goal, the tip of her tail twitching. "Okay. Um. I haven't played soccer... football.. whatever, since high school. I don't really know what I'm doing..."
AMBROSE:Ambrose clapped his hands, ending the short huddle and went to the field middle, leaning forward with his hands on his knees, tail swishing and ears forward and down to the sides.
CASSIDY"... wait. Tackling?"
LAURENLauren cocked an eyebrow, "Rules changed?"
THOM:any an' everyone on th' other team. Lauren an' whatserface, just try t'stay open...An' Cass, just don't let anythin' in the goal, righto?"
KAVERI: as big asKaveri went out onto the field. She had no idea how to play this game, but she figured she could just body check people into submission or something. Her eyes lit up at the mention of tackling, "******** win!"
CASSIDY"Well, geez. I remember that much." Cass laughed.
REX: Rex jogged out to the cetner of the field behind Ambrose as backup. He hadn't played in ages but it couldn't be too complicated to pick up again. He grinned menacingly and bared his large fangs to the opposing team.
THOM:"Then y'good t' go," he assured her, cracking a grin. "Right then, let's go." Dropping the ball on the ground, he started back for the center of the field, lazily dribbling it from one foot to the other.
AMAYA: Amaya shifted from foot to foot, tail swaying slightly behind her. All she had to do was block the goal... right?
ALEC: Alec stooped down in his chosen position, digging his heels into the grass to prepare for a run. "Wait, wuh po... place am I playin?" The confused teen stood back up, obvlivious that the ball had been dropped.
ANTONY: "Just be brutal, and all else fails Alec, rough the Brit up for Amaya." She motioned towards his woody joints and smiled.
LAURENstay open... right... Wasn't she suppose to kick the ball into the goal. Lauren wondered if this was going to be a team effort or a one man show. She wasn't going to let it be that way.
KAVERI: "The hell if I know, all I know is, I'm the tank," Kaveri flexed proudly, giving her sternum a hard pat. This brought her back to her protesting and rioting days.
AMAYA: Amaya snorted from her position at Antony's comment.
ALEC: Alec grinned, having forgotten about his "rough" elbows. Maybe he'd actually play well today? If he didn't get flattened by Kaveri or something first...
LAURENRunning Lauren was good at, being fast and agile she was GREAT at since the change. But tackling... not so great. Hopefully she wouldn't get pounded into the dirt here. She didn't want to have to tunnel out of a squished situation.
ANTONY: Antony allowed herself a few strong straight jumps in place to 'warm up,' or to simply show people that her leg was fine and dandy. Time to go crazy squirrel.
AMBROSE:Ambrose keeps his eyes on Thom and the ball, trying to keep himself between him and the goal.
CASSIDYOh man. Cass didn't even know some of these people, or what she was doing. Please, let no one tackle the goalie.
KAVERI: Kaveri looked for a good position to put herself at. She wasn't sure if she wanted to play offensively or defensively.
REX: "Lets get it on!" Rex hollered, jogging up behind Ambrose as back up in case Thom broke away, which was just about garaunteed to happen.
THOM:And, finally, the game was on. Thom stole a quickly glance around to pick out his team mates, nodded Lauren ahead, then broke into a run as he neared Ambrose, swerving around the wolf man.
LAURENLauren rushed ahead trying her best to stay open in case Thom was in a bind.
REX: Rex saw the juke and curved in towards Thom at a run, jabbing at his feet to try and steal the ball away.
ANTONY: Antony immediately went after Lauren after seeing Thom's nod, having no problem keeping up with her longer legs.

AMBROSE:Ambrose murmured a curse, and slowed down to change directions before chasing after Thom's heels from the other side of Rex.
AMAYA: Oh damn, was this guy a pro or something? Amaya watched from the goal, keeping her hands up.
ALEC: Alec backpedalled quickly, quickly deciding he was going to back up the goalie as a blockade.
CASSIDYYikes. This Thom guy really was good. Cass had seen him play around by himself, but... wow.
THOM:Thom stopped the ball on a dime by placing a foot atop it, the other serving as a guard between himself an Rex. Spinning a quick circle, he scooped the ball with him and darted around the lion man's
THOM:other side, resuming his charge towards the goal.
KAVERI: Damn, it was all going too fast for her. Kaveri decided to hang around back to play defensively, knowing she would never be able to keep up with Lauren and Thom.
LAURENLauren saw Antony approaching and tried to dodge around her but knew she was being covered. Especially with all those damn tails.
ANTONY: "So much for having a team," she jeered at him, fluffing her tails out to help block Lauren from view. Finally, a use for the ******** grinned at Antony and her taking advantage of her ... attributes, but kept on Thom, trying to make it to the stopped ball before he could take a shot.
REX: "Darn, he's good." Rex muttered to himself. Dropping to a slow jog, their only hope now was Amaya.
ALEC: Seeing as two people had already been slid past, Alec figured it was his time to try something. Charging for Thom he skipped to the side and snapped his foot in an attempt to snatch the ball away.
REX: Ambrose needed his room anyways.
ANTONY: "Come on boys, play rough," she called to Rex and Ambrose. "He's not your granny!"
LAURENLauren finally found an opening as Antony was distracted, jogging foreward closer to the goal with mongoose speed.
THOM:"Well y'blockin' m' runner," he shouted towards Antony, but kept his eyes ahead. As Alec charged, he made another clever save, guiding the ball towards the right only to slip his foot around and give the ball
THOM:a swift kick towards Lauren.
REX: "Gooood stuff!" Rex furrowed his brow grinned evilly. He charged head-on towards Thom and jabbed his foot in wherever it could go. Rex needed a warm-up, get his head into the game.
AMAYA: Amaya ran to where Lauren seemed to be heading to, but stayed between where she and Thom were.
CASSIDYCass strained to see from her end of the field. It was all really confusing from this point of view.
AMAYA: Amaya ran towards where Lauren was the second she saw the white orb travel in that direction.
ANTONY: "s**t," she muttered to herself as she pelted to try and block the pass, but instead of trying to get ahead of Lauren, she simply charged her shoulder into the mongoose's.
THOM:...And was terribly glad he had done so when Rex's foot connected with his shin. After sending a kick of his own towards the lion man, he rushed to Lauren's aid after the ball.
ANTONY: Hopefully her weight would work for her.
LAURENAs Lauren went to kick the ball she was knocked down by the squirrels force. "s**t" She yelled as she fell.
ALEC: Alec snarled as he was absolutely dismissed, the skinny irish kid attempting to stop and change direction back towards Lauren.
LAURENShe did quickly recover but the ball was out in random play.
AMAYA: "Yay!" Amaya cheered for Antony.
ALEC: "YES!" He yelled and made a b-line for the stray ball.
ANTONY: Antony lept over Lauren, and went for the ball, turning and kicking it in the opposite direction of Thom.
NITA:Hey, isn't that a foul? Nita wondered. It had been years since soccer in gym-class, but... D:
CASSIDYCass was beginning to wonder how well she'd hold up if she got tackled. Especially by, say, that lionish-looking fellow.
THOM:One Lauren fell, Thom knew the ball was out of his grasp and doubled back to intercept the expected kick from Antony, muttering curses under his breath when it went off in a completely different direction and rushing after it.
REX: Rex caught the ball with his foot from the kick by Antony and said, "I think it's a throw-in, isn't it?"
LAURENLauren was realising why soccer wasn't a contact sport. It just didn't fit the game. She was onto her feet and ran to a more defensive position towards the goal hopeing to help recover the ball.
ANTONY: "No hard feelings?" She called after Lauren, keeping her eye on the Brit as ran to hold him up, allowing her tails to help block his view of the ongoings.
AMBROSE:Amrbose's ears pricked and he applauded his teammates. His adrenaline was starting to pump. This is how things were supposed to be.
THOM:Slowing to a walk, Thom nodded, letting Antony rush ahead and lingering back towards Ambrose. "Right, toss it in."
REX: Rex blinked confused, his mind blurred from the rules and jogged towards the sideline, ready to receive the ball.
KAVERI: Kaveri stood in wait as she watched the ball go towards her side of the field, poised to run up and body slam anyone who got near her. Mercy on the person who gets in the path of a charging tank!
ANTONY: "And here I thought we had permission to play rough." She scowled, slowing down and motioning towards Kaveri's earlier musings.
AMAYA: A thrown-in? Why? She blinked and slowed down from running back and forth in the goal whenever the ball got close.
CASSIDYCass shifted slightly, feathered arms spread, trying to prepare herself. Oh, yeah, she was going to get smacked in the head, she just knew it.
ANTONY: "You know, with Dickhead giving Kaveri permission to tank people."
ANTONY: There better not be double standards, she thought heatedly.
REX: Rex took a few steps out, figuring it was far enough to be considered 'out of the field' and threw the ball towards Antony over his head. Finally things were getting a move on...
ANTONY: Antony blinked when it was thrown to her and she let the ball bounce off her chest before passing it quickly to Ambrose with a swift kick. Afterwards she set off in a quick run upfield towards Cass.
ALEC: Alec darted into the opponent's section of the field, waiting for somesort of pass so he could make a shot on the goalie. "Uhh... KICK T' ME!"
CASSIDYOh no! Cass had to try not to panic and decided to just take up as much room in the goal as she possibly could. There was a lot of her... but not nearly enough to block the whole thing.
AMAYA: Finally the action was off of her. Relaxing a little, she watched the game start to move a little more down the other half of the feild.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:35 am


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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:10 pm


After exausting yourself and going to bed you have weird dreams. The dreams induced by the trip to the labs and the injection of your next stage of a serum. Not that you'd know that for sure.

When you awaken you find your skin... itches in many places. One of them being the top of your hand. As you scratch at it feels rough a thin layer seems to come right off. Under it you see the forming scales. Whether you do anything to encourage it or not the thin near transparent dermic layer falls off from all the places where scales appear to be forming.

You notice the scale patterns forming along your hands, your back, and your stomach. Lighter looking ones also spreading to your face and to cover a greater area on your stomach.

Your toenails fall off and your feet become less defined, the toes merging except for the big one. They still appear to have the same shape and you could play soccer with them, but it'd take some getting used to. The most painful part of the transformation occurs when your spine grows long, the skin stretching as a long scaled tail grows out. You can tell from the soreness of the growth that though that isn't the end of it's growth by far.

Internally, some part of you feels a small craving for moving prey even as the transformation has left you somewhat hungry. Not that this is something you need or even can really have yet, but food that isn't skittering seems... off to you.

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PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:20 pm


The match had gone splendidly. From the first point to the last, the team had been at its best, which was a win in itself for everyone aboard the charter bus--but the score of four to none certainly added to the general good spirits. The opening match of the Cup was only a weak away, and the team, according to the boasts of dear captain Beckham, had never looked better. They were sure to do well. Hell, with such players, they may even win.

Celebrations had been underway even before the team piled up for the bus ride home, but even crammed on the bus they hadn't ended. Celebrations for the match they had won, for the disgruntled expressions on the other team's faces, for the successful Cup-to-be. Music blared, drinks abounded, and bus fairly vibrated for the multitude of voice speaking, joking, shouting at once within it. The game must have been reviewed a hundred times as various players reenacted spectacular plays. Most repeated of all were the goals: Owen 1, Gerald 2, Brinley 1--and a spectacular assist by Rooney, as he repeatedly insisted to the laughs of his teammates.

Thom lounged across his seat, sipping lazily at his drink and nearly choking on it multiple times as he bit back laughter. Standing in the seat behind him, Aaron shamelessly repeated one of his goals for the umpteenth time to an approving audience. Never mind that each time it had grown more outlandish and ridiculous. That was half the fun of this game: Seeing how far one could stretch the truth before it became impossible. They had all be there. They knew what they had seen. But with alcohol in their systems, with all the laughter and music, Aaron's tales bordering on back flips seemed perfectly probable. Even more so when he pulled a soccer ball from the overheard compartment to reinforce his claims.

"...An' then, well," He gave the ball a little spin, shrugging in feigned modesty to the sarcastic applause of his listeners. Laughing, he leaned to sit on the back of the seat ahead of him, throwing a somewhat mocking half bow from this position and unceremoniously dropping the soccer ball onto the lap of the man stretched across the seat in front of his. "That makes th' score what now, Thom?"

"Eight t' seven, as y' well know," he replied with a roll of his eyes. After downing the rest of his drink, he grinned despite the bitter tasting alcohol, snatching up the soccer ball and passing it from hand to hand out of habit. "But these Cup matches comin' up, Gerald--not sure you can take it, mate. I'll rack up in th' first three matches while they're chasin' you in circles."

"Never much liked books," Gerald drawled over the blaring music. He made a grab for the ball, missed, and gave it up with a wave, laughing. "There, y' can beat me off m' a** when I'm drunk. Aren't y'pro--"

The cabin of the bus was suddenly awash with the light from a pair of headlights directly ahead. A horn blared. The bus swerved. A short, hesitant motion, then again, sharper, veering off-- Briefly, over the music and startled shouts, there was the sound of crunching brush beneath the wheels; a crash as metal hit metal, a dull whine as metal gave way. The bus tipped precariously forward, farther, farther; someone fell down the center aisle, slamming the front window despite the hands that reached to catch him. Broken glass. Blood. White knuckles gripping the seats to prevent the same fates. The whine of tearing metal, and the bus leaned sideways now, toppling diagonally off the bridge into the ravine below. Shouts. Screams. Crash. Black.

A split second later he was awake, staring groggily around the immediate area. The bus was in ruins, the front crushed inward from a heavy landing, the rear shorn almost completely off by the angle of its fall against the ravine wall. Twists of broken metal and shards of glass littered the ground, the seats, the still forms crumpled across them. The stench of blood and smoke lay thick over the area. He was the only one moving.

This upset him, but not for the reason he expected it would. The lack of movement, the heavy smells; this was not a good place. His tongue flickered out of habit and he silently began the escape from his prison, lean form easily contorting to slip between and over seats. Bodies lay crumpled around him, whether dead or unconscious, he could care less. They were unmoving, they were spoiled.

Almost lazily he slipped through a broken window, scales maneuvering carefully around the glass to avoid injury. Again his tongue tasted the air, analyzing, searching. Death, smoke. Nothing to interest him, and quite a bit to warn him away. He continued through the rubble, tongue flickering every few seconds--and then movement. He tensed, head swiveling towards the brief action, then began moving once more, dark scales rippling as he approached his prey.

As he neared, the movement's grew. The creature was clearly frightened, but injured, dragging both legs badly as it half crawled away from the snake. An easy snack, he decided, though the creature proved him wrong when it snatched a stick from the ground and rolled to face him, waving the makeshift weapon threateningly. "Go on! Bugger off."

The words meant nothing, nothing at all to him, but the show, the threat of a fight, that irritated him. The cobra rose from the ground, hood spreading in anger, 'standing' tall as a man with a good length more coiled upon the ground. The creature paled, but held its weapon high--too high, for the cobra stuck, laughing aloud as it dove beneath the arm to sink fangs deep into the human's chest.

Aaron screamed, and Thom awoke with a start.

Labmouse 5ive

 
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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:39 pm


Reserved
PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:06 pm


Learning to Walk...Again
Meeting Awen


Though still sore from the previous night's changes, Thom was determined to have the last laugh in the situation and had retreated with two of his soccer balls to the field near the duplexes where his team had suffered a horrible defeat the day before. Still, despite the unpleasant memory of the game, the area was the only open stretch that he knew of that wasn't sand and should prove easiest for growing used to his knew feet. The scales, the tail--as bizarre and uncomfortable as they were, it was his feet that bothered him the most. Walking was awkward, running was difficult, and dribbling a ball while running was near impossible at first. But after the better part of the morning was spent running, tripping, and climbing to his feet to try again, he was managing fairly well once more--provided he concentrated, watched his step, and stopped imagining the ball was a rabbit.

Awen had gone for a small walk. She couldn't go to any of her favourite spots in the jungle anymore because of her own feet being horribly delicate, but she remembered a small patch og non-jungle ground just on the outskirts of the village. It seemed like a nice place to go and so she went.

When she arrived she saw an islander she hadn't met run through the fields. She didn't go up right away and just watched him handling the ball. This made Awen sigh softly, she'd seen the flyer on the doors of the cafeteria and honestly she wanted to join in. She'd liked rec soccer, but now... she glanced back down to her feet.

"You're pretty good with a ball!" She said as she finally stepped forward slowly.

Focused as he was on managing the ball, the voice took Thom completely be surprise. His head snapped up towards Awen, his foot slipped over the ball, and he tumbled to the ground in an uncoordinated heap. Hissing a curse under his breath, he untangled himself and sat up, dragging the ball over with a hand and shooting the glare a girl. Not that she deserved it, of course, but since the game he hadn't felt very amiable towards any of the islanders. Having just suffered his first change himself and hardly managing to dribble a soccer ball didn't help his mood.

However, as her words processed, he relaxed somewhat. Sighing, he climbed, with some effort, to his feet, shifting awkwardly from one to the other for a moment before glancing back towards Awen.

"Pardon my jolly mood," he mumbled sarcastically. "This 'asn't been th' best of days. Though that did 'elp." Knowing he was still 'pretty good' even when he kept tripping over himself was certainly an ego booster. "Don't b'lieve I've met you b'fore. Name's Thom."

"Awen." She walked towards him. "I'm so sorry I made you trip. Are you alright?"

Now that she was closer it was easier for her dulling vision to see just how much the man had changed. "And don't worry... we all have bad days, weeks...months... just the way things work, especially here."

"Fine." He shrugged, scooping his foot beneath the soccer ball at his side and flicking it up into his hands. "Wasn't th' first time this mornin'."

As she seemed to be examining his changes, he allowed himself to do the same--and found he was staring when the sheer extent of the girl's change hit him. Mind, after meeting Cassidy, not much could phase him, but this... She must be as far gone as the snake woman, the sight simply wasn't as terrifying because of the different animal. "...Pardon my bluntness, but what in 'ell's name're you supposed t'be?"

Awen laughed. "You know I've been getting that a lot lately, actually. I'm a manta ray, actually. Yes I can breathe underwater, no I have no problem breathing air, no I can't swim off the island to try and get help, I'm freshwater."

"Uh-huh." He quirked a brow, pondering over her words for a moment while giving her a second glace over, then shrugged. "Pity, that, but 'm not surprised they thought of it. I'm...not sure what I am, t' tell th' truth. Just changed last night." Thom grimaced at the memory of the painful experiance, glowering down at his toe-less feet.

She shook her head slowly. "Sorry I can't tell you either. I'm not very good at this guessing game." The manta girl frowned. "I'm sorry to hear of the recent change."

"No worries," he assured her, waving away the comment. "I'm not entirely sure I want t'know." Not after the state of his feet. In truth, he had a very good idea of where he was headed--at least, generally speaking. It was undeniable. He had sprouted scales, a long, slender tail, and his feet, unike many of the islanders which shifted and grew, had lost much of their form. But the longer he denied it, the less he had to worry about it. "An' it was bound to 'appen sooner or later, I expect."

Labmouse 5ive

 
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Labmouse 5ive

 
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:03 am


The First Step is Admitting It
Ranting to a fellow snake.


Thom heartily regretted his trip to the beach.

After his day struggling out on the 'football field', he had risked the walk through the jungle to spend a relaxing evening on the beach, swimming, sun bathing, and generally wasting time until the sun went down. That had been the intention, anyway.

Upon arriving, however, things took a decidedly different turn. Though one side of him, the side that kept insisting his soccer ball would make a lovely dinner, was thrilled by the warm sands of the beach. But the other, the side Thom desperately clung to following his first change, was heartily put out by his first steps onto the sand. Though thus far he had suffered only 'minor' changes, it was terribly unnerving to walk across a beach and be unable to just...sit and play your feet through the sand. Sift sand between your toes.

Nevermind the fact that it was much easier to walk on the sand with solid feet. He missed sifting, dammit.

Cassidy was coiled on the sand, nose in a book, her spirits surprisingly light today. Things had been quiet, and even if she was putting off a few things, she certainly wasn't going anywhere. It was definitely time to catch up on her reading, and she'd found a quiet, warm patch of sun and had settled down there for at least an hour.

She turned her head as Thom came near, not sure herself if it were chance or if she'd picked up on him in some way; scent or body heat or whatever it might be.

At least it wasn't someone she didn't know. She didn't feel like having the same conversation over again. Wait. That was Thom, right?

Oh, dear.

Cass raised a feathered arm in vague greeting, wondering if he saw her.

Distraught as he was by his altered feet, Thom failed to immediately notice the python woman, looking over only when he caught her wave out of the corner of his eye. His blood ran cold as he recognized Cass, slender tail coiling around his leg despite the slight twinge of pain. Even more than the first time they had met, the sight bothered him. That'll be you in a few months, a voice hissed in his head.

Shoving it to the back of his mind, he forced a weak smile, which faded almost instantly as he stepped towards Cassidy. "I...owe you an apology, f'our first meetin'. I'd forgotten at th' football game, distracted..." He paused, frowning briefly, then added, "But I am sorry."

Momentarily puzzled, Cass stared at Thom, taking the moment to note his new reptilian state, before it dawned on her what he was talking about. "Don't worry about it," she said dismissively. "Half the people I meet these days have the same reaction." She carefully replaced her bookmark, and held it against her chest.

Was he some sort of lizard? She wanted to think so, but there was something bizarrely familiar about him, now. She couldn't place it.

"Sit down if you want. You look like... well, like you've had an interesting time lately." As had they all.

"Somethin' t' look forward to m'self now," he replied dryly, lifting a hand to eye the dark scales littering the back. After a pause, nodding, he sunk down on the sand beside her. Involuntarily, he smiled, fingers sinking down into the warm sand, but as his feet made to do the same, his smile faded.

"Changed last night," he finally offered, sparing her a glance. "I think I'm goin' t' be a snake too." He spoke in a rush, fixing his eyes on a point on the sand. As much as he wanted to deny it, and as loathe as he was to admit it--well, who better to talk to on the subject than Cass?

Cassidy found herself staring at Thom's feet. They were going a different way than hers had, but they did seem to be going. That, there, clearly limited things a bit.

She looked up at him hurriedly when he mentioned snakes, though. "A... a snake?" she repeated weakly, and puncutated it with a tongue-flicker. She could deal with herself, most of the time, since she didn't have to look at herself. But another snake serum?

It did seem to fit.

"Oh, god," she said, in a small voice. "I'm sorry."

Thom self consciously shifted his feet, tucking them down into the sand and, for the most part, out of sight. At least, hidden to the point that they still looked normal. The scales on his hands and face, now, he could care less about, and the larger ones on his stomach and back were easily hidden by clothes. But his feet? His shoes didn't fit properly any longer. He couldn't hide his feet. They were a constant reminder of what was to come.

Waving aside Cassidy's words, he tried again, searching for an excuse. "Unless--I mean, I know absolutely nothin' about reptiles. Y' don't know of anythin' else it could be, do you? It doesn't.. doesn't seem likely with, y'know, m' feet as they are, but--but maybe? Maybe I'll keep m'legs, right?"

There was a slightly desperate note as his gaze fixed on the bizarre formations that were once Cass's legs, and he grimaced faintly, hands clenching into fists in the sand.

Cass shook her head. "I really have no idea. I always kinda... never really like reptiles. Especially snakes." What an understatement that was; she grimaced slightly. "I know my feet went differently. They were fine after my first change... after my second..." She hesitated. "Look, I don't want to scare you. But I was in a wheelchair for a while. And then I had prosthetics, once I'd figured out how to walk in them. Maybe they've... hah... improved things, second time around."

Her mind was conjuring up horrific images of Thom further along, and it occurred to her just how good of an idea Angelina'd had, when it came to the pet corn snake.

"I really don't know if you'll keep your legs. I hope so."

It wasn't that Thom disliked reptiles, persay. He had never been much of an animal person, else he might have liked them very much. But the prospect of turning into one, of turning into something like Cass for the rest of his life was absolutely terrifying.

"Your feet were fine?" She hadn't even been this far at her first change? ...Well, his situation was bloody hopeless, then. "I can't use a ruddy wheelchair--I 'ad t'use crutches for a month in school and it damn near killed me. An' prosthetics--Prosthetics! I can't lose m' legs, Cassidy, I can't!"

Temper tantrum aside, Thom was terribly upset. He scrambled to his feet, as if expecting his legs to simply fall off if he didn't use them, and began pacing back and forth. "What, is this some sort of sick joke t' them? Chop th' legs off th' ruddy football player? This. Isn't. Bloody. Fair."

For a minute, Cassidy couldn't say anything. "They like sick jokes, here. I'm sorry, Thom. Maybe it's not a snake. Maybe there's some sort of weird lizard without toes...?"

It wasn't very helpful. It wasn't very likely. And she didn't even have anything better to offer.

She raised herself up off the sand a little, what passed for "standing" for her. She could think of all sorts of things to say. Maybe you'll keep your legs longer than I did, slithering wasn't so bad once you got used to it... she couldn't say that, though. She didn't believe it herself.

Hell, she didn't think she'd taken this realisation any better than Thom.

"No, it's not fair," Cass offered, as soothingly as she could. "It's stupid and vindictive."

A toe-less lizard? Oh, yes, that was making him feel loads better, as incrediably unlikely as it was. Who ever heard of such a thing? He was already losing his feet! For Cassidy it hadn't begun until the second change, but for him...

"What 'ave I done?" he questioned, turning to Cass. ""What 'ave I done t' warrant this? This weekend--this weekend past th' World Cup began, the bloody football World Cup! An' I should've been playin' in it, but I'm stuck on some ruddy island losin' m' legs t' some ruddy mad doctor." Positively furious and more than a bit confused, he whirled around and stormed down the beach for the water, pausing only once he was up to his knees in the waves.

Cassidy exhaled slowly, set her book carefully down on the sand with just a moment's hesitation, and slithered down towards the water's edge. She had a sneaking feeling that she was maybe not the best person to be offering comfort, but hell, she was the only one here. At least she knew what it was like.

"Of course it sucks! It's the shittiest thing that's ever happened to me, I know that, and I'm guessing you agree? So screw them. Screw the doctors. Screw karma, if we did something to deserve this." She shook her head. The World Cup.... christ.

He nodded slightly in agreement, but wilted visably with her words, finally stepping back a few paces and uncerimoniously dropping to sit in the shallows. "I don't even know 'ow I got 'ere." One hand roses to hold his head, covering the smal scar that remained from his concussion wound. "I think there was a wreck.. but afterwards, I don't know. Don't know if there was foul play, or truely an accident, or if any of th' rest of th' team wound up 'ere as well."

Briefly falling silent, he dropped his hand to rest on his knee, lifting his head to glance over to Cass. "'Ow'd you wind up 'ere, then?"

"They offered me a job. I thought I was coming to clean hotel rooms in some fancy resort." Cass waved a hand vaguely. "And I think they knew, you know. I'm really... phobic. About snakes. I think it was on purpose. It's too weird of a coincidence. If they picked a snake for you, then they're doubly jackasses."

She leaned back on her tail a bit. "I guess the best thing would be to not let them win, you know. Deal with it somehow. I'm still working on that."

"Ahh..." Brilliant. Here he was, prevented from playing in the World Cup, instead sulking on a beach with a hotel maid. Mind, no offense towards Cassidy, but had anyone told him the morning of the wreck how drastically his life would change following it, he would have laughed them to the neighboring nation.

"I'd imagine there's a reason behind every pick," he replied, shrugging. "Doesn't surprise me that they'd stoop t'somethin' like this. Duvert was positively giddy when 'e told me I wouldn't be leavin'. 'Dealin' with it' is much, much easier said than done," he added, grimacing faintly. "..But then, I s'pose you're quite aware of that."

"Duvert is completely out of his mind," Cassidy said flatly. "I don't disbelieve you for a minute. Moreau... well, I only met him the once, but he at least can pretend to be sane."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "It's difficult, I'll give you that. I'm not doing so well at it myself. But I figure it's got to be better than sulking all the time, right? In the meantime... you still have your legs, and you should enjoy them while you do."

"I 'aven't spoken with Moreau 'imself yet... But Duvert was more than enough staff f' me, thank you." Sighing, he climbed to his feet, dusting off sand and wringing the water from his shorts. "You're right, of course. Enjoy things while they last an' all. Who knows, may'aps vanishin' toes may just be a nasty side effect."

Lifting his head, he cracked a smile. "Sorry f' rantin' on you. Long night, y'know? Actually, I think I'll 'ead back... Take care of y'self, Cass." And with a parting nod, he started back up the beach for the jungle.

"Feel free to rant at me any time," Cass said. "I'm around. You be careful, too."

She sighed a bit, and went to go fetch her book from where she'd left on the sand.
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The Duplexes

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