|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:46 am
Jordan hadn’t let go of her once it had begun. He’d clung to Kim as tightly as she had to Jordan. Not experiencing a fever prior to his initial change, it hadn’t occurred to him it was the herald to her metamorphosis. The stark realization terrified him. Jordan had never seen another islander change and he tried to be brave for her in the face of his own fears.
He didn’t want to let her go. Their mutual embrace had brought comfort to both through the rough waves. Even after her changes had ceased, Jordan held her tight, bringing her peace of mind as they watched the ocean on their beach. The sun danced just for them on the waves as they shared a painful experience that transformed into a tender memory.
He wouldn’t allow her to go home alone, not with a killer still on the loose. Jordan escorted her to her duplex and had stayed with her for a few hours afterwards, by her side. His concern for her condition urged him to convince Kim rest was a wise decision. He felt like Sir Jordan, the White Knight as Colche had called him, more than ever now.
He hadn’t used deception nor lies to get close to her. She was different. Kim wasn’t a mere ally. She was a friend, someone he knew he could enjoy his time with moreso than most.
He’d stayed with her till it neared his curfew and courteously excused himself. His journey through the jungle had been a happy one as he left the village. He knew her duplex number. He could visit her again and that thought made his tail wag excitedly. What a happy ending to a day that had begun so horribly.
Jordan felt alive. He was brimming with new, unfamiliar feelings.
For her.
There was no doubt that he’d bonded with Kim in their emotional huddle. The extent of that bond was yet to be explored.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:30 am
It was a favor he’d pulled strings for. There’d been a chance that it would be ignored or placed in an approval-waiting bin for the rest of his natural life. Jordan was trying to be a good boy lately and staying out of trouble the past week or two, so maybe that’d help in him along. The favor –undoubtedly- would come back to him at a later point, much like in the godfather, but it was worth it completely. He’d made his intentions clear this was not in malice or spite of anyone and there would be no blackmailing of another with the requested information.
It had been a day since he’d called the labs with his request and Jordan was giddy with anticipation. If this went well, he’d be a very happy dog. His tail was rapidly fanning the air as he struggled to write out a guest list on a piece of paper torn from his journal. It was difficult to hold the pen and even moreso to write anything that was as legible as chicken scratch.
He’d have to locate some people to let them know what was going on. He wanted this to go well. Already being given the use of the cafeteria for that evening was fantastic. He had everything taken care of except for who would be there besides the two of them. Sure, he could have just a quiet evening, but it’s always more fun to celebrate with people you know.
He’d made sure to cover his ends and was quite elated with the labs’ cooperation. Just as Lauren had said: “Look we have anything we could want, as long as it's not anything that can be used for violence. We have a whole different world to experience, we are catered to our every need and desire." The labs really did like to make the subjects happy and were willing to meet reasonable requests. This served –above all else- to further solidify Jordan’s devotion to Doctor Moreau and the labs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:09 am
Jordan Essex Jordan was on cloud nine. He’d slept well, felt fantastic, and he was a young man with someone special on his mind. And now he had the task of finding guests for the Kim’s surprise birthday party while he waited for the decorations and her gift to arrive at his beach duplex.
His tail was wagging on overdrive at the happy thoughts of surprising her on her own birthday and for the labs being so very cooperative in his secret plan. He’d been running around everywhere trying to find someone he knew, but it wasn’t shaping up well. He didn’t know too many people and he was rather shy around those that he didn’t know too well.
He wasn’t going to let this setback get him down, though with only four days to find a few party guests, he was beginning to feel the heat on such short notice. So, he got himself something to eat. A big plate of juicy, hot hamburgers piled high. He was picking them up with his claws because his paws’ dexterity was still very unrefined. He had to use both paws to hold onto his food and the piece of paper that sat next to him with one of his best fountain pens lying on top was testimony to the chicken scratch writing with paws produced. Even he had trouble reading the names.
“Okay…” he said between bites “There’s eighty-some-odd people on the island..” *munch* At least one of ‘em’s *munch, gulp* gotta know Kim.” He was shoveling the food down pretty good in his high-energy pace that drove him to be so focused. “Maybe…” *munch-munch-munch* he scarfed an entire hamburger that time “Awen has at least heard of her… or even Colche.” Aislinn_Derry Aislinn was managing. That was about all that could be said for her, though. She'd been in a bit of a funk the past couple of days, angry and upset over being unable to walk properly. She had, in fact, not even bothered to stop by Brian's Duplex in a little while because she didn't want to get -him- down. But she was feeling better now. She'd gone for a walk in the morning and was maneuvering the walker quite a bit better and faster now. She could walk at a rather normal pace, though angling her large posterior around her Duplex was still difficult. She'd run out of her stockpile of food in the Duplex a while ago and hadn't figured out a way to get food back in there again given her inability to really -carry- anything. So, she'd taken to visiting the cafeteria whenever she had to eat. Her own plate was the opposite of Jordan's, piled with apples in particular, but other fruits and vegetables mixed with the slices she'd cut and turned it into a lovely little concoction. She had the plate balanced on her walker. It was rocky at best, but she'd learned to lean forward and balance it a bit against her chest as well so that it wouldn't fall when she walked. Slowly, she made her way to the nearest table and sat down...just in time to hear Jordan muttering about Kim, "Well, I don't know Awen or Colche," she informed him, "But I do know Kim." Jordan Essex Jordan so focused on his meal and the party to pay attention to the presence of anyone else. His ears twitched a bit at most. He was mid-bite with another bun-less hamburger in his bare paws, when he’d heard Aislinn say she knew Kim.
He gulped hard, almost choking, pounding a fist on his chest to force it down the rest of the way. He dropped the other half back on his plate and went wide-eyed- not at her appearance, though that was the most different variation he’d seen to date.
“Oh my god! You actually know Kim??” his surprise turned into elation as his chair toppled precariously backwards, almost sending him crashing to the floor. Jordan’s claws scraped along the table to catch himself and keep him from falling onto the hard, tiled floor.
Jordan suckled on his claws more- hurriedly than usual- to get the last remnants of juices and flavor from his paws and scurried over to Aislinn ASAP. Jordan busted on the floor when he bolted around the table too quickly causing his paws to lose their footing. “Whoa!” he said, followed by a yelp as he felt on his tail. No matter, he recovered on his paws in no time and was sitting on the other side of the table from Aislinn panting with a half-canine smile, literally showing off his elongated canines.
“That’s so great that you know Kim! I’ve planned a surprise party for her birthday in four days and I desperately want to find guests. I know she doesn’t like big crowds, but familiar faces would surely make her day better.” His partially-canine nose was sniffing, both at her and her fruit. Aislinn_Derry Aislinn had to smile at Jordan's antics. His canine attributes brought her thoughts briefly to the African Wild Dog she'd neglected to visit with over the past few weeks, and she made a mental note to catch up with him again as soon as possible. She moved over a bit when he fell next to her-- normally she would have reached out to try and help him, but as it was she wasn't really in any condition to help. "Sure, I met her when I first got here and then again a little while ago." Jordan Essex “Oh where are my manners.” He smiled gentlemanly, offering a paw in greeting “My name’s Jordan. And I also know Kim.”
His tail wagged excitedly as he crossed his arms on top of the table, leaning forward hopefully. His cheeks flushed red, a stark contrast to the white fluff on either side of his face. He was happy as could be to find someone the pterodactyl would recognize. Jordan tried to calm himself in a moment of great excitement, though his tail had an independent mind and didn’t obey.
“Would you be interested in coming to the party? It wouldn’t be much of a party if it was just me and Kim.” Though if it were just the two of them, it’d be just as special. “It’s going be here in the cafeteria and I’ve got party decorations, a gift on the way, and there’ll be food and cake as well.” He smiled proudly at his efforts to bring some sunshine into someone’s life.
“I know this will brighten her day.” His nose twitched as he bit his lip, with an elongated canine, momentarily before speaking once more “She could really use the company of friends on her birthday.” He was hesitant and wary to mention Kim had recently changed- huddled tightly in his arms. Aislinn_Derry Aislinn smiled, "Oh, sure, I would definitely come," She didn't know the other all -that- well, but it wouldn't hurt. There were only so many people to choose from on this island, afterall, as far as friends went. And really, she rather liked Kim. "Would it be allright if I brought a friend?" She didn't know if Brian knew Kim at all, but she figured if he wanted to boost the numbers it wouldn't hurt to invite him along. She really did need to talk to him soon, though. Jordan Essex “Oh yes! Please, bring a friend. That would be fantastic.” It’d also give him a chance to meet some of the other denizens at the same time. Parties were good for bringing people together and if they all left with new acquaintances-turned-friends, then it was all for the better. “The more the merrier, you know?”
Jordan was all smiles at this point. His ears flicked as he remembered his pen and torn sheet of paper. He lifted an index finger as best he could as he excused himself a moment, returning with them in his paws. Jordan chewed on the pen and twisted it in his fangs, making the pen click.
“I’m making a guest list.” Though it was horrendous. Even a doctor would have trouble making out his handwriting. It embarrassed him to admit that his penmanship had gone to hell as he awkwardly fumbled with the pen. ”May I have your name? And that of your friends’?” Aislinn_Derry Aislinn blinked, looking at the list, "Would you like a hand with that?" her hands, at least, were still fully intact, even if it was difficult to write and hang on to the walker at the same time. "My handwriting'll probably be easier to read. Anyhow, my name is Aislinn Derry and my friend is Brian Grant." Jordan Essex “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aislinn.” He almost called her Miss Derry.
His ears flicked at the offer, even more embarrassed to admit that he needed help, but he conceded to her offer and shifted the pen and paper over to her begrudgingly. Jordan slumped forward, his head falling onto his folded arms.
“Oh.. is it safe to assume you’d prefer more herbervorous food at the party? And… what of Brian? What do you think he’d prefer?” It was an awkward question to ask and possibly a bit insensitive, but it was important to have the details covered. “I want to make sure everyone is catered to so all can enjoy.” Aislinn_Derry Aislinn grinned, writing down her own name and Brian's on the list. She wasn't sure about the rest of what was written, so she didn't translate it just yet, "I prefer healthy foods," she nodded, "Which includes a lot of fruit and veggies, but I will eat some meat as well. And Brian...well, I'm not sure." She twirled the pen in her hand thoughtfully, "He's turning into an African Wild Dog, but he's not very far along yet. He'll probably have a bit of both, really." Jordan Essex He perked up again as he heard what Brian was becoming. Another dog? Even if it were a wild dog, was still canine!
“Oh really? African wild dog, you say? I haven’t met another canine yet and I’d really like to.”
And that thought made him happy. The concept of alpha was in his mind. There couldn’t be an alpha without a pack and pack mentality. He was suddenly feeling less uncomfortable about his bad handwriting and even offered to help her out by pointing a claw to the various scribble-scratched names.
“Thank you for your help, Aislinn..” he wiggled his paws “I’ve got to learn to reuse my han—paws. But it seems we all go through an adjustment phase.” He tried not to make her current physical condition the focus of his statement as he noted her walker.
“The first name is Awen. She’s the first sub—“ he caught himself saying subject and quickly choose a different term “islander I met here. She’s really nice. A manta ray.”
“The second there is…” he scratched the fluff on the side of his face with a claw as he tried to remember who was written second. “Uhmm… I think… was it Lauren or Colche?” he couldn’t read it, nor make any of it out himself. “Lauren brought me out of a bad funk. She gave me a better perspective on the situation and I’m grateful to her for that. Colche is a cheetah. She calls herself a princess cheetah.” He chuckled as he was informing her on why he’d wanted to invite certain people. “Everyone on the list I consider a friend.” Aislinn_Derry Aislinn nodded, "Yes, an African Wild Dog. His fur is beautiful...." She paused a moment, smiling at the thought of running her hands through his hair again, then shook herself out of it, "Ah, yes..." she transcribed the names as he said them, "It's true there are a lot of things to get used to...but hard work gets through it most of the time." She didn't want to bring up the walker. She hated that thing, "I'm sure you can get used to using your paws. Might talk to Brian about it, in fact, as I know he does some writing and his hands are getting very pawlike." Jordan Essex “I’d like that. It might help me to know what to expect from another canine.”
Jordan smiled at the pleasant manner she spoke of Brian’s fur. It made him giggle inwardly. Having hands-on experience with animals in the zoo and being familiarized with a wide variety, he could picture the fur and nodded in agreement.
“Oh, there’s one more name I’d like added to the list, if you wouldn’t mind too terribly much, and then I won’t trouble you to write further. Sophie. She’s a sweet girl. Couldn’t have been here more than two weeks now.. I met her in the cafeteria on her first day here.. unfortunately, she witnessed my first change into what you see me as now.”
He quickly changed his tone and went with the subject of fur color and canines.
“I’m not sure if my fur’s going to remain all white or develop other color patterns to it. I haven’t quite figured out which breed of dog I’m changing into yet. I became side-tracked after meeting Kim.” He couldn’t help but blush deeply, bringing his paws to cover his face. Stupid! Why’d you say that? Aislinn_Derry Aislinn grinned, noting down the other name, "I can add in a couple more to invite if you like. Oz, Sayuri, and Shenzi are also really cool. You could try them anyhow. I don't know if they know Kim, but I'm pretty sure Shenzi at least will show up if you tell her I'm coming and it's a party." She stretched the arm that wasn't holding onto her walker a bit, and set the pen down, looking him over, "I couldn't really say either. You don't really have any of the distinctive features of any breed just yet," she'd had plenty of experience trying to figure out what breeds peoples' mutts had in them, "And there are a lot of breeds that are all white. Brian just knows he's an African Wild Dog because he studied them last and he has some very distinctive colour patterning." Jordan Essex He nodded at her eager-to-help suggestion. “Sure, in case someone can’t make it, it’s always good to have a few extra guests and back-ups.”
This was shaping up quite well. Jordan was pleased with the growing guest list. It’d be a celebration to remember. He’d never been in charge of a party or even a friendly get-together, so this was fairly new and a big task that was taking care of itself.
“Ooooh wow..” his eyes lit up when he learned Brian had actually studied among African wild dogs. Field study… what a lucky … uhm… dog. She had his full interest in who Brian was and the work he’d done. “I really want to meet him now. I used to work in a modest zoo.” He offered proudly, though it was nothing compared to putting yourself into the field, in the wild. Maybe he’d come out with a new canine friend from this!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:33 am
He had a list and one, possibly two confirmed guests. He still had a few people on his list to confirm in person and with uncertainty working against him, finding those people on an island of eighty-plus test subjects was much like seeking a needle in a hay stack. Jordan had been given some leads by Aislinn and he’d become intrigued by her friend, Brian. Oz, Sayuri, and Shenzi sounded particularly promising.
There were people Jordan hadn’t seen in a while that he believed would enjoy a party. He’d enjoy repaying Lauren’s encouragement with a festive celebration. And he wondered about the whereabouts and health of Awen still.
Although it hadn’t been as long since he’d seen Sophie, he believed that inviting her personally would secure the girl’s alliegances with the laboratories. After all, the labs had so graciously sanctioned his plans. He wouldn’t give up on her until he was assured his influence had fostered trust, both in him and within the labs and their respective doctors. A party certainly displays they are catered to and kept happy.
He was being kept busy and active between the preparations and his search for these people. The box of decorations had been delivered that morning and he had everything that was requested. There was the ‘Happy Birthday’ banner, streamers of various pastels, plates, cups, and napkins with festive balloon print, bags of assorted balloons, and a box of candles. Along with the decorations was the gift wrapped in shiny silver wrapping paper in a box with a red bow on top.
With one day left to assemble party guests, Jordan was feeling the heat. This was the last day he’d be able to run around on that task and he'd have to set out early. Tomorrow he’d have to set up decorations to set the party atmosphere and he was doing it solo. He’d have to make sure dietary needs were properly taken care of as well and that people enjoyed themselves. He had his hands full, but he kept telling himself it was for a good cause.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:25 pm
Jordan Essex Jordan had just realized it. This was bad! Not now! Why –of all times- now?? Somewhere in the village he’d dropped his list! Jordan couldn’t find it and he was dashing here and there through the village frantically looking for it. There were names, people he needed to see, to invite to the party. Everything had been going so well until now. Why does something always have to happen when plans are going so well??
“Think Jordan! Think! Where’d you last have it?!” he paced back and forth in the village proper, looking distressed, as he recalled the places he’d been to. The cafeteria, the workout room, the recreation room… he’d checked each of these places and he couldn’t find his precious sheet of paper.
The entertainment room! It had to be in there! He thought, as he dashed off in that direction. In an absent-minded act, the list was in the entertainment room. He’d slipped it into the AKC canines book that he’d borrow almost two weeks beforehand and hadn’t realized it was still in there. Well, actually, it’d fallen out of the book and underneath the couch of the entertainment room, to be precise. The list had the names of Awen, Lauren, Colche, Aislinn, Brian, Oz, Sayuri, and Shenzi listed in Aislinn's handwriting, below Jordan's chicken-scratch penmanship with his paws. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke had been in the Entertainment room for almost a two hours now. At first she had come in here to get her mind off of things. Afterall, her body was still sore and her mind was still numb from what she had done with Billy. God...how could she have been so stupid! It wasn't that she didn't like him it was...hard as hell. After what happened in her bathroom she needed...she had no idea what she needed in all honesty. But she did think that watching a movie would take her mind off of things. It would grab hold of her thoughts and pull them into whatever world had been displayed on the screen.
Only it wasn't working. She was still all over the place emotionally. She wanted things she knew she shouldn't be wanted, and she was scared out of her mind for even wanting them in the first place. It was something she REALLY didn't need. So her hazels watched the screen, but she really wasn't paying attention to whatever was on it. She didn't even know what was there. She just...stared. And then she ran a hand through her wavy black and white locks, with the brown still towards the bottom. When she did she heard a small 'clank' of something. Maryke still wore braclelets. She still dressed herself up, even though she knew, and she really KNEW that she would never be beautiful again. When she looked down she groaned.
It seemed her bracelet had somehow manage to snap off and rolled underneath the couch. Perhaps a lot of her jewlrey was now broken or on the edge of broken since her freakout last night. But in any case she got on her hands and knees to fish it out. And when she did she was met with a crumpled paper. Pulling it out, from curiousty alone, she skimmed her eyes over, instantly recognizing the names of three of the people listed.
Jordan Essex Jordan pulled open the door and stepped in quickly. His list had to be in here and he needed to find it before the day’s end. Time was running short and he’d already wasted so much time already. The television was on as it usually was in use by one of the multitude of islanders. That tail, the white fur… it was unmistakable who this was. Okay, this was de ja vu. At least he didn’t slam his tail in the door again.
He’d have to say a hello to her in a moment, but for now, he was focused only on finding that guest list. He darted over to the book shelves and started there. It wasn’t likely, but there was the chance it’d been left in the book. He’d done it before. Slips of folded paper made great bookmarks and page-savers. However, he’d slipped it in there for safe-keeping without thinking about it and had forgotten to take it out.
Jordan frantically flipped through the pages, but it wasn’t in the book. He replaced the book and looked around the shelf. “C'mon… where are you? Where are you? This isn’t happening to me…” he slumped against the wall, slapping a paw to his face in frustration. Maryke Jimenez
Okay so this had to be some sort of guest list....or perhaps hit list. She wasn't sure. Maryke couldn't make out the handwriting. One set was entirely illegible, and the other was legible, but she still couldn't read whatever it said at the top. Being crumpled like it was made the ink smear slightly. She was so into trying to figure out the paper and its meaning that she didn't even notice a familar person enter.
Only when she heard some movement at the books did she fully turn around. She frowned slightly at the sight of another person. The only person that had seen her since her newest change was Billy and that....well that was something she didn't want to think about. Not that she was having luck in that department. As she still couldn't stop thinking about what had happened between them.
But she stood to her full height, a hand still holding onto the paper, and took a few steps back, hoping he wouldn't see her at all.
Jordan Essex He spread his paw’s digits slowly as the index finger slid down and he saw Maryke in his line of sight. She was different. And holding a piece of paper with familiar ink bleeding through! He’d not even given notice to her changes as he was so intensely motivated by the list. His mouth opened in awe and his paw fell to his side. At first one might think that it was in reaction to her new appearance; however, Jordan wasn’t like everyone else.
He pushed away from the wall and stepped cautiously forward. Who knows how jumpy she could be right now and he didn’t need to startle her. If she ran away with his list, then he’d never see it again. It’d be useless after today anyhow. He eyed the paper with calm intensity. He had to be sure if it was indeed his.
“Hello, Maryke.” He held his paws up to show he wasn’t going to make any hasty movements. “Can… I see that sheet of paper you have there?” his footpaws were flexing their claws into the carpet. “It’s very important that I know for sure.” Maryke Jimenez
s**t she was seen! Slowly she stopped and stood, her head dipped down as her hazels stared at the floor. She felt so foolish, disgusting even. He was an animal too, so of course what she looked like didn't matter. But damnit...it matter to her!
And then he asked about the list. Her maw turned into a confused frown. "uh yeah sure...." she said forking it over.
Jordan Essex He graciously accepted the list and scanned it quickly. The names were a bit blurred but this was it most definitely. His worry vanished and a wide fanged smile appeared. He folded the list three times into smaller squares and pocketed it.
“Thank you so much, Maryke. Thank you. Thank you! You’re a life-saver!” he said as he leaned forward and hugged close to her.
He’d noticed the changes and he noticed how she was acting so differently since their initial meeting. Something encouraging. Say something encouraging for her. He leaned his face closer to her fluffy ear and whispered “Your sense of style is cutting edge. No one can take that from you. Maryke, you make it look good.” He pulled back, smiling from ear-to-ear, his elongated canines showing in perfect view.
She had to have changed recently by her shyed reaction. Then it hit him. He knew what would cheer her up. “I owe you an explanation for the list. I’m throwing a surprise birthday party and I’ve been trying to gather attendees.” His tail wagged slightly “I bet a party would do you some good. So what do you say? Interested?” Maryke Jimenez
A pair of hazel eyes widened at the fact that it had been his list. she was now more curious then ever at what it all meant, but guessed it must be sort of guest list. And at the hug she stiffened, her tail halting in it's light sway. She was about to say something. She didn't want to be touched, she wanted to be left alone as she self pitied over losing her face. Her face and all her beauty along with it.
But then his words hit her like a ton of bricks. Her style was cutting edge? AND she made it look good. His words held more weight then he would ever know. She still toiled and troubled over what she wore. She still went hazy over her appearance, she tried SO hard to cling on what she was, WHO she had been and how hard it was to get there. And....he made her feel good over that fact. Like she didn't have to let go of all that. She'd just have to adjust and make it fit her new.....not so charming, body.
So a wide grin slipped into her maw, even showing the white of her lemur teeth, which also looked rather canine. Oh so it was a party...she wasn't so sure about that. Of course HE made her feel good about the way she looked...but seeing too many people at once....it..god it'd be soo..
No pull it together, Maryke, she inwardly told herself. This would be the time in which she could make or break it. She'd always been one for social events and now wasnt' the time for her to want to be in a dark hole somewhere.
"Sure..." she said, keeping an award winning smirk on her new snout. It really might do her some good.... "Count me in! Where's it gunna be at? what's the dress?" she asked in a series of questions.
Jordan Essex Jordan seemed to have a knack for helping others feel better, knowing one thing or another to say at the right moment. It was a treat to see that confident smirk once again. It wasn’t difficult for anyone to recognize that Maryke was a woman of class and dignity. Jordan wasn’t always the sharpest tool in the shed, but in their last encounter, he’d sensed she was a woman who appreciated the finer things in life, such as style and class in the social crust. Maryke was the Lovey Howell of the island. Even in her changes, she needed to know one part of her life could remain constant.
“Fantastic.” He responded to her positive answer. All it takes sometimes is saying the right thing to give someone their spark back. Apparently, he’d done that for her.
His tail wagged happily. He was learning a few new tricks on the island, namely how to survive and win friends through persuasion. Happy subjects meant happy doctors and when the staff were in a good mood, it meant good things for everyone. Perhaps he’d be rewarded if he kept up the good work. He seemed adept at this. If only he could be this way for everyone he’d met.
“The party is for Kim.” His tail waggled even faster as he mentioned her name and he fidgeted on his footpaws. The claws flexed again. Jordan brought his paws to his face, trying to hide behind them, the backsides hiding his warm, reddening cheeks. “It’ll be… uhm… it’ll be…” he cleared his throat of a ‘frog’ “..in the cafeteria tomorrow. I plan to be in there most of the day setting up. I’ve got decorations: balloons and streamers.” Maryke Jimenez
Her tail now kept a happy pace behind her, swaying from side to side and then swaying from side to side with it pointing upwards by her head. Lemur tails were fully functional and she was already used to it, and could manipulate the thing to do whatever she wanted or needed to do. Her feet on the other hand were still giving her trouble. She still wasn't used to the feeling of walking on her hands (which is exactly what it felt like), and when standing for long periods of time she began to shift. Like she was doing now.
She didn't know who this Kim person was, never met her, bit instead she just nodded. But then she noticed Jordan fidget and even though he hid his face she still caught the red of his cheeks. She knew that look. It was the look Billy had given her whenever he was flustered and engaged at the same time. Maryke knew it wasn't directed towards her in particular, but she noted it was when he said the girl's name. A coy smile spread across her lips.
"Oh...that sounds nice," she said, though she really didn't find it to be all that 'nice' as opposed to...common. Maryke had never been to a part with balloons and streamers before. She was used to the ones with catered plates, waters, and chittering small talk. But this would still be interesting no doubt. Just as interesting with Jordan's new attitude. "So...is Kim your....friend?" she asked, a brow raised.
Jordan Essex He tried to compose himself, but it was hard. He couldn’t help it. Jordan had never felt this way before. After what they’d been through together, he felt close to the girl. Call it puppy love or a crush, but he was smitten. He felt light-headed in the moment and sat himself on the couch. He nodded to Maryke’s question.
“Yeah.. it is.. I wanted to do something nice for her..” Jordan felt comfortable around Maryke. She was a confidant and someone who made him feel good in her presence.
He arched forward, arms folded across his lap “We’d met on the beach. About a week or so after my first change.” Why did he feel compelled to share his sacred moment? Did.. Jordan hope that if he told her what happened between Kim and himself… that perhaps she could give him advice? “I thought it was someone else at first” he visibly winced at the thought of a murderous wolf ripping him into ribbons of flesh “but then I saw her huddled near the treeline. “I----….” He choked. On his words, feeling that lump in his throat rise “She said she had a fever.. I didn’t experience fever when I changed.. so I didn’t know at first…”
He looked up at Maryke with soulful hurting in his eyes as he recalled the pain. “She started changing. Right there. Infront of me. I’d never seen anyone change before. I held onto her dearly as she rode it out. I felt her changing in my arms. I tried to be strong for her as she cried into my chest, but the pain of my own changes was still too fresh in my mind.” He wiggles his claws as effect “I broke down as well as we never let go. We stayed that way, huddled together on the beach as we watched the sun dance on the water.”
Jordan sniffed and smiled as his eyes watered. “I told her that I wouldn’t leave her. I felt like her knight, wanting to protect her.” Jordan wiped away the watery build-up of tears with a claw. “I walked her home and stayed with her hours afterwards to make sure she would be alright.” He’d just gushed it out to her, even if it had been condensed and simplified.
“I just thought that she would enjoy a party on her birthday, let her know that she’s not alone. That someone cares for her.” Of course, he left out the part where he’d gotten her personal file from the labs… Maryke Jimenez
She crossed her arms to listen, but didn't expect to hear such a long story. Not that she minded. But soon she sat on the table in front of the couch, her tail adjusting to sit down but still waving back and forth in the air. The more she listened the more she couldn't help but think of Billy. The whole story reminded her of it. But when he finally finished she leaned forward and patted him on the back.
"Doe she know?" she asked, "That you yanno...you've got it this bad for her?"
Jordan Essex He chuckled at her bold question. He sniffled and rubbed his eyes. Whether Maryke had note or not, he was without his sunglasses. She was seeing his changed face unhindered by distraction. He smiled nervously and nodded. “Yeah.. I think she felt it too.. but.. I’ve never felt this way before.. I’m confused.. I don’t know what to do..” he admitted lowering his head into his cupped paws. “That’s why I’m throwing the surprise party. I want her to be happy, but I don’t know how to tell her in my own words.”
He let out a soft breath and lifted his head from his paws. He looked at her admiring her spirit. She was a fighter. A survivor. “Have you ever felt that way about anyone?”
Jordan was seeking counsel in a round-about manner, afraid to say anything directly and unsure of what to ask for his own benefit. He was hoping she could give him sage advice for his situation. He hadn’t thought much about his connections to the labs possibly coming into play as a factor for better or for worse. It had helped him arrange the party, but he was cautious to mention the labs and his employment to anyone. Jordan feared in that he'd be forced to choose -one day- between his work and his heart.. as a test of his own allegiances. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke had noticed his face, and she tried her hardest not to mention it or even look too hard. She expected the same for her, what with her, as Billy put it, 'big nose'. She always a nice cute nose and now....it was like a dog's muzzle. So yes, whatever she thought about his canine facial features, she wasn't going to say. Though she could most assuredly relate.
"I get it," she said to his first utterance, her head nodding in complete understanding. Jordan was a good guy and even with his dog like features he was a cutie. That would work in his favor. But then the next question reached her ruffed ears.
Her nose twitched, and her tail took to swaying at a faster pace behind her, clearly agitated about something. "Well...." of course she had. There was Alexa, but she never countered her. That...whatever 'that' had been was merely some break and confusion. She had been curious and that was that. That truth came easily to the lemur's mind so she moved on. Billy. Oh yeah, she'd felt the exact same way about the octopus man. She really truly cared about him. But would she say that? Admit it? Feel it to where she was ready to let others know?
Hell no.
"it's complicated with me," she said finally, but continued to pat him on the shoulder to be reassuring. "But I do get what you're coming from. and if you want my advice?"
Maryke was used to giving advice of this sort. It was practially her element. Her business wasn't romance, it was sex, however she did counsel the girl's she pandered into her own lives and more often then not she even helped the men deal with the mundane of theirs. Even on the island she'd offered her own opinion.
"You're right in treating this girl like a queen, remember not to overdo it," she continued, "You don't want it to seem like you're smothering her. Play it cool but let her know you're appreciating her and interested at the same time. When she's had a few drinks to loosen things up......then you pull her to the side. Explain you're feelings, don't make it sound creepy, just be yourself..." her maw slipped into a wide smirk, "After all that she'll be just itchin' for you to be hers..."
Jordan Essex He listened on the edge of his seat, literally scooting towards the edge and holding himself on the cushion with his paws. She was the professor of love and he was the rank novice pupil learning things for the first time in his life. Who would have thought innocent Jordan would be learning how to woo a woman from another woman. He was enthralled by what she had to say, trying to commit every word to memory.
“I’m not the smoothest guy in the world.. hell.. I was hot in high school when I played football for several years and worked out hard every single day. Yet I was too shy to go near anyone.. now, I’m still shy and I’ve fallen into something good.”
He rubbed his arm. It wasn’t the same as when he was in high school. He even flexed it a bit and it looked so pathetic. That was roughly ten years ago. He was only twenty-five and those days weren’t so long ago.
Jordan chuckled as she said to get her drunk and then whisk her off to the side and tell her his feelings about Kim. He wasn’t sure about that option but he certainly wasn’t going to openly object and offend her. She was freely giving advice to the clueless young man.
“How can I know if I’m doing it right? And.. what if she doesn’t feel the same way? What if that day was just a one-time spark we shared in a moment of empathic bonding?” he was nervous about tomorrow and others learning of his feelings. What if she rejected him infront of everyone? “I like her. No one’s made me feel like she has.” His brow furrowed in doubt and confusion. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke leaned back a litte, his elderly in this game of romantic cat and mouse. "Oh trust me, if she's not feeling it, you'll know, "she explained.
"Just look at the way she's acting... if she starts to look around when you talk, her eyes focus on something else, or she skirts around the subject...well then it's time you back off before she gets out the mace...per se. But..., " she held up a delicated blackened finger, "if she starts to lean forward," she leaned forward to demonstrate. "Her eyes lock onto yours...she starts wetting her lips or giggle, or toss her hair," a coy smile remained on her maw, "All the things I'm doing now...well then keep going, because that means she's hooked."
Jordan Essex He smiled as Maryke demonstrated for him. Visual aids were good for a know-nothing in this field. He had to admit, it was effective. He felt his attention glued to this as she expertly got into the role. He blushed as she leaned close. She was good. Really good.
Jordan gulped, perspiring a bit. “This is good to know.” He nodded, fidgeting in his seat, rubbing his paws back and forth nervously on his furry knees. “If she’s not interested, should I just back down and give her space? What if I get in too deep and find out she’s not interested?” Jordan was struggling with the concept of anyone being able to love him on that level of emotion.
He licked his lips that suddenly felt dry “Oh.. I ordered her a gift that I’m planning on giving her tomorrow. When is the right time to do that?” Maryke Jimenez
"Welll if you pay attention to the signs then you can pull out before you get into deep," she said, with a descive head nod. "And yeah, space is good. If she's not interested you don't have to lay low or go into hiding or anything, just take it as friends. Who knows," she shrugged, "maybe she'll come around later..."
At the prospect that he got this girl a gift she crossed one furred leg over the other and held a finger to her chin, clearly in thought. "Alright, you can gift it to her when the other people do, buuuuuut," she let out a soft chuckle, "if things go well, and depending on how big this gift is, you can give it to her right before you tell her how ya feel."
Jordan Essex “Oh it’s something she’ll enjoy a lot. I’ve done my research.” He grinned proudly. “And I know it’s something she doesn’t have. Plus, when I was in her duplex with her, I noticed the electronics and video games, so I wet with a winner. Something that came out in the past month. I’ve never played video games, it was always sports and physical labor in my days, so I hope that she loves the gift.”
He blinked and grinned. “Oh yeah.. I forgot to mention.. when we were huddled on the beach, I wasn’t sure if we’d meet again..” he blushed deeply. He was so easy to turn red with the right buttons. “So, I gave her my sunglasses as a keepsake of our moment, a memento of the knight who was there for her.”
Jordan gasped with realization “And if you’re there, could you help me.. maybe with signals? Like.. if she’s really into me or if she’s wanting her space? Kind of like that guy Steve Martin played in that movie…” of course he had no clue the role was based off of Cyreno Divergerac, just that he’d seen a movie once where Steve Martin played a big-nosed character who helped someone’s love life. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke had never been into video games so as he spoke she only vaguely nodded. Clearly the guy knew his prospect, so by the sound of it this girl would already like her gift.
"Ohhhhhhh I was wondering what happened to your shades," she said, "well that was certainly smooth of you." And she meant it. It was the equivalent of a man lending a jacket or a class ring. Girls fell for it each and everytime.
"Jordan that's a great idea!" she said happily. Of course she only was familar with the movie, having seen it several years prior. But still it was an excellent idea. "I'll skirt you the whole time, I'll stay out of the way, but I'll be in sight. If she's not interested, " she held a furred hand and moved it across her throat, like a slicing action, "I'll do that. If she IS interested I'll give the 'okay' sign. How's that sound?"
Jordan Essex “Great! Thank you so much! I appreciate all your help in this. I know I can’t go wrong with your help, whichever way it goes.” He chuckled, feeling sneaky for doing this, but he wanted things to go well and there was no rule about getting professional assistance! Love is war and every war requires battle strategy! “I’ll keep myself positioned so that I can see you periodically and keep an eye out for your signals.”
He loosened his posture and sat up, feeling more confident about the entire party and conquest of the heart. “And if worse comes to worse, I give her the gift and keep things cool, just like you said. If it takes longer to win her over, then I’ll work harder for it.” He smirked as she complimented him on the shades tactic. “I didn’t exactly have a pair of scissors to give a lock of my hair.” He played with his ponytail and whipped it back and forth. He was proud of his hair.
He giggled with glee and shuffled his paws on the carpeting. “With you on my side, I can’t possibly go wrong. You’re like a love doctor.” He winked playfully “writing prescriptions for …uh… love.” He trailed off without something witty to end on. Maryke Jimenez
"You're welcome," she said happily, stretching her arms high above her head, her body still worn from all that she'd been trhough. "That sounds good, I bet you'll have her by the end of the night," she joked.
She couldn't help but be startled like that. A love doctor? Like Dr. Ruth? The thought made her giggle. Perhaps she'd found her calling in life after all. "Something like that," she said finally. "Now...you feelin' better?"
Jordan Essex “I’m feeling much better now.” He smiled at the lemur woman enthusiastically. “And I’ll feel even better if you have a good time at the party tomorrow.” He stood up and took her hand in his and leaned down to kiss it gently, godfather style, with a giggle. “You’re a god-send, Maryke. I owe you soooooooo big. Any time, anywhere. Consider it a favor that I owe payment in full.” His tail excitedly wagged behind him as he held her one hand in both of his.
“I’ve got to get up real early tomorrow to set up decorations, oversee the food is prepared for the various dietary needs, and acquire some drinks from the beach bar. Hopefully I won’t get in trouble for moving the alcohol.” Maryke Jimenez
If Maryke's skin tones would allow her to blush, she'd be doing so now. In another time and place she would expect this kind of treatment. But with her face looking like a dog's and her body looking like a long tailed yeti, well feeling so good about herself was on rare occassions. She squeazed his paw like hands when he kissed hers and let a small contented sigh. Occassionally the lemur girl wasn't against helping people. Especially when she felt so damn good about it afterwards.
"Seems like you've got your hands full," she said, nodding. "Well, I'll try to make it there as soon as I can, prep you up with my being there. Do let me know if you need anything, I'm in 56," she said. "I should get going myself. A lemur needs her beauty rest and all." Not that it would do her any good, but the statement still stood as a means to get going. With that she stood to her full height and stretched one more time before sweeping out of the door. And for the first time since it had happened, Billy had been pushed far out of her mind.
Jordan Essex He was happy and calm thanks to Maryke’s insight and knowledgable asisstance. He could focus on the finishing touches and the list. The party would go well, he wouldn’t be sinking like a rock, and he’d get to mingle with people and allow others to do the same. Jordan was doing a great service for his community and giving the test subjects a day of celebration and diversion.
“I think everything’s set. Just bring yourself prepared to have fun.” He waved as she parted company.
Jordan was so proud of himself for helping Maryke as well and giving her an outlet to feel important and beautiful as she had always been in life. He was definitely finding a niche that he liked and keeping the others happy could only look better on himself in the eyes of the doctors.
“Have a good night and sleep well.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:13 pm
Jordan Essex The sun had risen and was shining on a happy day. Jordan had taken a hot shower and groomed his white fur for extra fluffiness. He was ready to take on the day ahead. The dogman had only left his duplex on the beach a few moments before with the box of party decorations in his arms. His tail was wagging happilly and there was a definite bounce in his step as he made his way towards the jungle.
Sophie C. Bell Sophie had had enough of the beach, that was to be sure: it was no place to be without even so much as a good pair of shorts and an old t-shirt to swim in. Trudging back towards the jungle and her duplex, she began to wonder if perhaps she could just ask for those things, and they'd be supplied. After all, Dr. Duvert had said that her stay would be paid for, and so far, they hadn't charged her for food. But, then again, she couldn't exactly trust the guy, either. It was all too confusing. However, she pushed those thoughts aside upon seeing a familiar puff ball of white, and jogged ahead to meet him. "Hey Jordan!" She called out, slowing back down to a walk beside him as she caught her breath. Running was certainly not her strength, and even a little jog made her heart pound a bit. She made it a mental note to start to exercise more, but forgot about it the moment she looked to Jordan. "So, what're you doing out here?" She looked from his face to the decorations, then put two and two together. "Is it someone's birthday?" Jordan Essex He'd been minding his own business and lost in his own world, so at first he hadn't heard Sophie's call. It wasn't until she actually sped up to catch him that he was even stirred from his own little world. At first he was afraid of how to explain why he was on the beach with a box of decorations. Luckilly for him, she provided him an out at the same time.
He nodded courteously. "Indeed it is someone's birthday today. I have a lot to do today for preparations so I wanted to get an early jump on the matter."
This was perfect. Jordan ad hoped to find Sophie. He needed her to be there as a testament to the labs generosity and caring for its test subjects. "I couldn't have pulled this off without the help from the labs, though. They were so quick and helpful in getting me every party supply I requested. Fantastic, isn't it?" he wagged his tail happilly as he hoped to snag her with his line. Sophie C. Bell "So you can order stuff, and they just give it to you?" Sophie asked, the concept sparking her interests. That certainly would solve any of the problems she had regarding a bathing suit...but, she wondered if the perks only came to someone who had been there longer. Either way, it was an interesting idea. "That's pretty cool...So, who's birthday is it?" Sophie looked to the box in the hopes that the decorations might hold some clues, but she still had no idea who it could possibly be. Then again, she only knew a few people, so chances were it was someone she'd never even met. "Want me to help you set up?" Jordan Essex Jordan smiled. He had her right where she needed to be. Her interest had obviously been piqued as her face lit up. There was hope for her even in a mass of doomsayers who would have her believe the labs are the devil. "Oh yes, within reason, I imagine. I doubt they'd allow something that could harm another person, but in my case, party decorations are a great way to boost morale for everyone involved. I'm sure that if you stay on their good side they'd be more willing to cooperate for a more costly merchandise." he flashed his long canines in a friendly smile. "Do you have something particular in mind, Sophie?"
"It's Kim's birthday." his cheeks reddened as he admitted, with no way to prevent her from seeing, with his paws full. His tail wagged faster too and happilly. Sophie would see paper cups, plates, and napkins with festive balloon print, a happy birthday banner, white paper table cloths, a rainbow of streamers, plus a box wrapped in shiny silver paper with a bow on top. Sophie C. Bell Sophie blinked, then laughed weakly, scratching the back of her head with a sheepish grin. "Uh, well, I just need a bathing suit or something so I can go out and do stuff at the beach. Kinda hard to go swimming in tennis shoes and jeans." She laughed again, but stopped when her attention caught the shiny box within the decorations, and once again her interest went up. "So, is Kim someone special?" She asked, noting the way he was acting. Maybe she was his girlfriend or something. Sophie didn't know why, but her heart sank a little at the idea. But, since it wasn't relavent, she ignored it for the time being, and just looked back up at Jordan, a mischevious grin accenting her canine features. "Awww, that's so sweeeet," she said, her voice dripped with sweet sarcasm and just the slightest tinge of teasing. Jordan Essex “Swimming’s great for you, too!” he added “This is a great beach to take a swim. Some of the clearest water and the freshest breezes.” He’d swam in the waters before is change but he was hesitant to do so now wit so much fur. It might actually cool him off or make the humidity feel even worse. “I guess swimming in tennis shoes would be difficult. Who needs shoes anyways?” this of course, he referred to his own condition in which he could no longer wear shoes. The reference was able to go without clarification as Sophie had been there to pull off his shoes before his feet exploded into paws.
At her next question, Jordan stiffened up and skipped a step, nearly dropping the entire box on the ground. There was no hiding it. He was as open as a book. She’d called him out, like in some western movie showdown. So he nodded. “You could say that.” He smiled, hefting the box against his knee and back into a firm grip in his paws. Her additional commenting made him blush even more and his eartips burned bright red. If he’d had his paws free, they’d have been covering the redness in his face, but had to push on in the meantime. He wasn’t used to having someone special, nor being teased about it either. Sophie C. Bell Sophie's look faded into a smile slightly more sincere as she patted the guy on the back. "That's cool, man: sounds like she's a lucky lady." She couldn't help but laugh at the fact that his ears had turned red, though, and it took a moment before she could stifle down the infectious giggles. "Do you want me to help you carry the stuff? I think we're almost there...wait, where's this party supposed to be, anyways?" She looked around with a curious expression, then turned back to Jordan with an inquiring look. "Are we going to the duplexes?" Jordan Essex Jordan wanted to say ‘Yeah, she was real lucky to painfully transform in the presence of a stranger.’ But he didn’t. he mood was set and it had to keep flowing that way. He nodded again. “We’re all lucky to have friends and people who care for us.” He pulled the cheesy line off with a grand grin.
“Oh no, thank you though. Paws aren’t the greatest for carrying boxes, but I’m forcing myself to use them as well as I did my human hands.” Jordan nodded forward as they came to the village. “We’re going to the cafeteria. It’s going to look like a party zone when I’m done.” Sophie C. Bell Sophie couldn't help but smile as she shook her head, nearing the cafeteria. "If only everyone else had the same outlook that you did. The world would be a better place," she commented, running a hand through her hair. She set her sights on the cafeteria nearby, trying to think of it with streamers and such. In her mind, it still looked a little bland, but maybe they'd do a better job than her imagination. "So...is the 'party zone' going to have music? Games? I don't think you'll have to worry about food, but maybe some doggie bags for when the guests leave..." She didn't catch the slip until after she'd said it, and covered her mouth at first before she sighed, shaking her head. "...Sorry, shouldn't have said that." Jordan Essex Jordan let the slip slide. It had hit a nerve, yes, but it wasn’t worth quivelling over. As they got to the cafeteria, Jordan set the box down, opened the door and held it open with a leg, then proceeded into the food hall with the box of party supplies. “Yes, there’s going to be music and uhm… I really couldn’t think of party games to play. This is my first time planning a party and I think I’m doing well for a first-timer.”
He set the box down on a table and began emptying the contents. Further underneath the table cloths were hidden a cd player, portable speakers, and various music cds. “Okay, this shouldn’t be too hard… I hope.” He chuckled, after the pause of doom. He tore into the plastic packagings with his claws, freeing streamers, and balloons, and white paper table cloths. He carefully set the gift to the side as he began to work at once, taking streamers and setting them up. “If you’d like, you can start on some balloons.” Sophie C. Bell "Yay music! It wouldn't be a party without it," Sophie commented, taking a seat at a table as she tore open a bag of balloons. "Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get to dance with Kim." As Sophie looked down at the multicolored balloons, she was suddenly posed with a serious problem. With her nails being the way they were, one wrong move and she'd be popping the things left and right. Sighing, she nearly asked Jordan if there was something else she could do, but as she looked up to the man diligent in his decorations, she realized that it'd probably be even worse for him, so decided that she'd just have to brave it on her own. It was the least she could do. The first one didn't go so well: only half-full did she snag it on a nail and make it pop, causing her ears to ring for the next minute or so. However, she somehow managed to get the hang of it, and after she'd blown up a few, she pulled out some ribbon, sut it with her teeth, then tied the balloons to them, taping the decorations on the wall opposite from where Jordan worked. She admired her work from a few feet off, then turned and sat back down, stretching out a few more balloons to be blown up. "So, what do you think, Jordan? A couple more and this place'll be looking pretty awesome." Jordan Essex He blushed at the comment of getting to dance with Kim and lost himself in that thought till the loud popping startled him back to his task. "Let's get some music going." he stopped what he was doing momentarilly to pop in some techno. He figured he couldn't go wrong with it. There was plenty of other music as well if someone objected. As he strung streamers, he heard Sophie ask his opinion and he gave as much a thumb's up as he could with his thumb-turned dew claw. "Looking good, Sophie. Thanks for the help." Jordan went from task to task, even helping with a few balloons.
Today was the big day and Jordan was in no short order of excitement. All his efforts were paying off and everything was looking better by the minute. He’d been- with Sophie's enthusiastic help- stringing streamers over the cafeteria and blowing up balloons all morning, while the food and punch was being prepared in the kitchen by Delia. It was a great help to have her working on the party spread.
The multi-colored rainbow of streamers followed the outline of the cafeteria doors and flowed overhead where they either cascaded onto a table end (every other row of tables) where they were taped or continued to dip and bow from the ceiling for the length of the cafeteria.
Blowing up balloons with fangs had caused more than one to pop in his face, startling him half-to-death the first couple failed attempts. Balloons were taped around the inner cafeteria door.
In the back of the cafeteria was a ‘Happy Birthday’ banner with the letters strung to each other in a colorful arch.
Handling all that tape had been painful. As much stuck onto his fur as it had to the decorations, so a few strands of white fluff hung from the occasional balloon and streamer.
A few tables were covered by white, paper table cloths. Atop the white-covered tables were platters of various food: There was cubed cheeses of all varieties, from mild to spicy; diced chunks of luncheon meats surrounded by a ring of carefully-rolled meat slices; crackers of all sorts (saltines, butter crackers, melba toast, wheat, and vegetable crackers); for the more herbervorous people, there’s several platters of assorted fruits and vegetables; likewise, there’s also beef, pork, poultry, and even raw fish (as per the usual cafeteria selections). There’s also a large bowl of fresh green salad, bowls of vegetable and cheese dips, as well as salad dressings. In the middle of the spread is a large punch bowl filled to the brim with fruity red juice. Surrounding the punch bowl are plates, cups, and napkins with festive balloon print.
The dogman was running back and forth making sure everything was set up and ready like it should be, from the tables to the streamers, to the balloons, to the food. And when no one was looking he snagged a cube of ham. Yummy. Sophie C. Bell Sophie reclined in a chair away from the center of the room, stretching her arms. It'd been so long since she'd actually prepared for a party with cutesy decorations and balloons, and she'd forgotten how tedious it could get. But she'd also forgotten how fun it was, and smiled to herself as she watched Jordan to continue to buzz about, acting busy over things that she herself would've long since stopped worrying about. Sophie supposed that this Kim girl really was that special to him, and if that was the case, she would do whatever she could to make sure that things went well for the two of them. "I bet she'll love this," Sophie said, standing up as she walked over towards the food tables. Personally, she wouldn't have minded a snack, but seeing as how she hadn't eaten much for a while now, it didn't particularily bother her, and she could wait. "Can I ask what you got her, or is it a secret?" Jordan Essex Jordan was proud of the end result. It looked, sounded, and smelled like a party. Everything was in working order and all that remained was for the guests and the birthday girl to arrive. He'd made certain to leave a note for Kim on the door to her duplex asking her to meet him in the cafeteria today. It was cheesy and a bit lackluster, but it made him giggle at the thought of how surrpised Kim would be when she saw everything he'd done for her.
"She's gonna love it. She has to to." he peered over his shoulder, back at Sophie. "I'm not giving any hints. Everyone gets to know what's in the box when she does. And not before." he grinned, keeping it hush-hush. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke hoped she wasn't late. She didn't remember what time this little shindig was set for, only that she had said she would come. She'd spent most of her time fussing in her bathroom. But that was to be expected. She normally did that whenever she went out. Only instead of 'does this make me look fat' it was more on the lines of 'will this take away from my godawful face?' Finally she settled on a low cut red halter and a pair of stonewash shorts, both of which hopefully went well with her lemur fur. It was so odd that she chose her clothing based around the fur. But, that's the mindset she was in. Maybe she just wanted to make a good impression. But mosly she didn't want to look like an outcast. Despite the fact that in some way they ALL were, it still affected her.
Maryke didn't even know where this place was at, but she followed instinct and instinct told her to follow her sensitive ruffed ears, which led her to the source of music. She smirked at all the balloons, streamers and other such things. It was a party she wasn't used to. But interested her and instantly her still human eyes darted around for Jordan. Afterall she was really here for his sake.
Jordan Essex He'd taken a breather to enjoy a cup of punch and snack on a few pieces of rolled-up meat on crackers. He was bee-bopping to the music, letting himself be carefree for one afternoon. He didn't notice Maryke at first, since he was faced away from the door and jamming wit his eyes closed. He had never been one to do air guitar before, but the atmosphere just had an effect on him and he was. That's when he turned around, saw Maryke, and slowly lowered his arms in a vain attempt to play it off by straightening his tie. Sophie C. Bell "Oh, alright," Sophie said, faking a pout as she sat back down. She made a note to herself how few people were at the party, and started to wonder if this was someplace she should even be at...but, then again, she didn't want to leave Jordan all by himself until the others arrived. So, she decided that she'd wait until others show up, and then she'd leave: there was no point in staying at a party for someone she didn't know. Call her not social, but she honestly wasn't all too interested in what this Kim girl was doing, and parties reminded her too much of home. Sophie's head jerked up at the sound of the door opening, and she looked at the stranger who'd come in. Was that Kim? She wasn't sure what to do: greet the woman, or just sit down and look all nonchalant hoping that people would come to her. She wasn't all that good at parties, really. So, for the sake of being shy, she stayed in her seat, arms crossed, but she called out, "Hey, Jordan! Someone's here!" over the music. Maryke Jimenez
Keep it together, keep it together was the mantra running through her brain as she slinked forward. She couldn't help but chuckle at the air guitar, but didn't bed too much on it. She didn't want to make Jordan more nervous then she was certain he already was. The lemur girl slowly swished her tail up high, just near head. A sign that she was in a happy mood, which was good considering all the self inflicted tormoil she'd been going through lately.
"Everthing is looking wonderfuly," she said in an attempt to encourage the dog man, "and look you quite dashing..."
Instantly her hazels ticked over to the other girl, sizing her up. She didn't think this was Kim, she knew she wouldn't be THAT late. Besides there was only two people here. "So.....whose your friend?" she asked, extending a hand out for Sophie to take. "Im Maryke.."
Jordan Essex Maryke came! She came as she promised! That was fantastic! Jordan had been looking forward to seeing her at the party. Having another person arrive did ease him a little. It meant this wasn't just a foolish waste of time. His own tail made happy movements as he was excited to see the lemur woman and padded up to greet her.
"Maryke! It's great to see you! Wow, you really dress for a party." he smiled and couldn't help but be flattered by her comment of him looking dashing.
He smiled, turning his attention to Sophie. "I can't take all the credit. I'm glad I didn'ty have to do this ALL on my own. This is Sophie. Sophie. Maryke." he introduced them. Kim Nguyet Kim had gotten up like every other morning, and had lazed around a bit before finally getting dressed. So, a year older today. Again. She still wished she was home to celebrate it, but it was no use to keep thinking about that.
When noon came around, she went to go out, go fish in her lake, when she noticed the note stuck to her door. Jordan wanted to see her in the cafeteria ? She clicked her beak a bit. She had been doing very well at not showing herself to the world for the past few days, but if he was waiting for her... It's not like she could hide forever, anyway. So, she decided to go, made sure her skirt and everything was straight and neat, then went on her way. She really looked forward to meeting Jordan again, and was of course clueless. It wasn't like she had told anyone her brithdate anyway.
She rose an eyebrow when she heard music coming from the cafeteria as she walked closer. What was going on in here ? Hn. Still, she made her way inside, and was just floored. Happy brithday... okay, unless there was another islander shared the same date, there was no mistaking it.
She remained at the door for a moment, a bit stunned. Sophie C. Bell Sophie donned a modest grin, putting a hand behind her head as she laughed sheepishly. "You did most of it, Jordan, really..." She looked to Maryke, then took the woman's hand in a firm handshake, opening her mouth for further introductions when suddenly the door opened again, and Sophie turned her head out of curiosity. Ah, this must be Kim. No one else would've come to the party with that shocked a look on their faces. But, that being said, Sophie couldn't help but stare for a moment. Was she...a dinosaur? Collecting her thoughts, she held up her hands and shouted a good, loud, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" which would've been great except for the fact that it was an obviously delayed reaction. She looked around the room, expecting everyone else would do something similar. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke was too stunned to issue shouts of 'happy birthday'. After shaking Sophie's hand the lemur girl turned to the doorway and....... her hazels grew wide. Her heart skipped around widely in her chest. A lizard...a dino....the object of her childhood nightmares? Oh so that was Kim. That was...... a frown slipped to her muzzle. But she was quick to hide it, she was used to putting on a show. And right now she needed to be there for Jordan. After all, she promised.
But hoboy were those lemur instincts kicking in. "Happy Birthday!" she said charmingly, a reaction even more delayed then the others had been.
Jordan Essex His ears twitched as Sophie and Maryke had become acquainted and he turned his head towards the door in time to see it open. The look of joy on his face was truly priceless as his eyes lit up and his cheeks rosed with glee. His mouth opened with great anticipation and he too exclaimed 'Happy birthday!' and proceeded towards the dino-girl enthusiastically and with open arms.
He greeted the stunned girl with a fond embrace, careful of her wings, and leaned close to kiss her on the cheek, smiling from ear-to-ear, he repeated more quietly "Happy birthday, Kim." his tail fanned the air behind him creating a gentle gust. He gently looked longingly into her stunned eyes. Kim Nguyet Kim couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable. This was so much... she hadn't expected anything at all, and mostly, she was uncomfortable with herself and how she looked. Especially with the two women she had never met before right there. But... no one had ran off screaming yet, so... maybe... it would be okay... ?
"Uh..." Still a bit stunned, Jordan's kiss made her redden a bit as well. "Wow, uh... thank you, everyone ! How... how did you all know ?" This was the biggest surprise, as she didn't remember ever telling anymore. Sophie C. Bell Sophie walked a little bit closer to the party girl, but kept her distance when Jordan moved in: after all, he'd worked this whole time just for her, so he deserved a few private moments. However, after the dinosaur's gaze fixated on her, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious. "I knew because he knew," Sophie replied, pointing a clawed finger at Jordan. "My name's Sophie, and unless I just wasted a bunch of breath and embarassed myself, then I'm guessing you're the birthday girl, Kim." She smiled, not holding out a hand at the distance they were at but still keeping herself looking friendly, doing her best to ignore the saurian features of Jordan's 'special person'. Maryke Jimenez
"Well, I can always sniff out a good party," Maryke said with a light chuckle. "Jordan's been really hard at this...so I do hope you like it. I'm Maryke by the way," she said, fixating her maw into a wide grin, her lemur teeth showing in a sparkle of dazzling white.
She turned towards the others. She stayed at the back, her hazels darting from one to the next. She didn't want this party to die, or any of them to feel uncomfortable. The ice had to be broken someway. "Introductions aside....whose ready to get this little shindig started?"
Jordan Essex He knew Kim would be surprised to say the least. That was the point if a surprise birthday party. Though... he couldn't tell her how exactly he'd acquired the information of her birthday. That might... scare her off. And he worked so hard to put this all togeter just for her.
He lifted her right hand in his and enjoyed her presence. He was beet red as well. He couldn't believe that he'd kissed her on the cheek so boldly. "Enjoy yourself." he smiled, showing off those canines. "Today's all about you." he tugged on her hand. "I've got a special present for youooo." he said in a very giddy tone, leading Kim towards the silver-wrapped box.
He was ecstatic. "Open it." he was like a child wanting to know what was in there. Inside the box, when Kim opens it up, she'd find a brand new Nintendo Wii, a memory card, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess to play on her brand new system. Jordan looked on excitedly in anticipation. Kim Nguyet "Glad to meet you both !" She said, with as much of a smile she could manage without it becoming painful with her new beak. She'd only been able to start talking normally a few days ago, after all, and right now she was MORE than glad. She gave a little bow to each of the ladies, then her attention turned to Jordan.
"You... did all of this for me ?" When was the last time she's had a surprise party ? Hell, she didn't even remember. It was very easy to tell that the pterodactyl girl was touched by the gesture, not only of Jordan's efforts, but also that Sophie and Maryke where there, at a party for a complete stranger.
All of this, and a gift, too ? She let herself be lead to the silver-warped present, and she didn't waste a moment in opening it, finally leading to her yellow eyes widening. Oh, lord, this... this couldn't be possible, was it ?! But there was the system. She had heard about it, before she came to this island... ah, but wasn't the console named Revolution then ? Ah, but it didn't matter. She gave no question about how he knew - he must have seen the pile of games in her duplex. Her question was how. And, as this was the Kim-equivalent to be given a huge diamond, she couldn't help but stare in wonder. "Oh my..."
She wouldn't be able to play this on her laptop, she would need a proper television. She could use the entertainment room in the meantime, if they would ever let her order one... But ohmygodohmygodohmygod...
Not really knowing what to say, the next best thing was assaulting the boy with an embrace, of course ! "T-thankyou..." She somehow managed, awed by so many wonderful things happening at once. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke was pleasantly surprised. To her video games were....well they weren't something she was interested in or ever thought about before, but Jordan had obviously done his homework. He seemed to be handling things quite well, so she turned and gave the dog boy a wink when Kim wasn't looking. Just to let him know that things were running quite smoothinly and he didn't have anything to worry about.
She supposed by Kim's reaction that he could already figure all that though.
Jordan Essex He couldn't have predicted she'd be this elated. Video games for her were like the holy grail of all things awesome. Jordan couldn't be happier if he'd tried. Everything was cementing into perfection. He'd gotten his foot in the door. He was in. This was so fantastic for him. For them.
"I'm so glad you love it. I noticed your video games collection and somehow knew this was the right choice."
He'd caught Maryke's wink and he looked stupified for a moment and then it hit him how truly spectacular a job he'd accomplished. And it made him tense up and blush profusely as the madame had given been there to confirm that he was doing the right thing. Miller Milano After the meeting with Emerwyn Miller had neglected to bother going back to Awen's he had spent that night under his tree getting up the next day to wander around thinking about Emerwyn's words, the song she sang also echoed in the back of his mind mixing with the sound of the beach and the small party going on as he got closer.
Soon enough the little bird boy could make out figures just past the tree line on the edge of the beach. Slowly making his way closer he popped out amongst the trees edging closer to the party noticing what seemed to be the birthday girl opening a present, he wasn't sure what the girl was turning in too but that box sure as hell was obvious! "Ze island has Wiiz but they can't fixz mah door? Eh leastz they got Wiiz..."
He blinked when he realized just how loud he said that and how close he was to the others. "Er... heyaz?" Kim Nguyet Right now, the how and the why didn't really matter, but she could only think of two things - either she did give out the date to someone and Jordan asked enough, or he asked the lab. Oddly the second option didn't bother her too much... It wasn't like Jordan would do anything bad with that information, or could, really. The dog-boy had her full trust after all.
Still not completely letting go of him, she gave him a smile before turning her attention to the new boy who had entered. "Fix your door... ?" It had taken her a moment to understand, with how the beak distorted his speech. Looks like she had it good for now, but she would probably struggle after the thing became fully grown. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke looked very furry right at the moment. Instantly at the loud noise her ruffed ears flattened against her skull and she leapt backwards, her eyes darting around widly until she located the bird boy. Letting out a 'hmmp' she began to smooth down her silky white fur and especially her hair, which was now standing on end. She let Kim ask the question, but still raised an eyebrow.
Jordan Essex The interruption didn't bode well with Jordan. Everything was ruinning so smoothly and then this bird crashes in yelling about a door and the gift he'd just given Kim. How dare he try to sully this moment of triumph! He clenched a paw behind his back in annoyance at Miller. He didn't want the dinogirl to see him agitated in this happy moment.
His eyes squinted at Miller, giving an upturned snarl of his mouth, minus any sound. He should have known that with so many residents on the island there would be one upstart who was so ill-mannered and so very rude they acted on imputent impulse.
He tried to ignore Miller for the most part- as much as he ould for the time being- and snugged Kim from behind, wrapping his fluffy, white-furred arms aroud her shoulders, leaning forward to rub his fluffy sideburns against her cheek. Miller Milano Miller's cheeks turned a bright shade of red as every one in the group seemed to stare at him like he was insane, and he didn't blame them if they did. After all it didn't come across as sane to be mumbleing about your door not being fixed at a party you stumbled in to.
"Yahz... mah doorz been jammed past few dayz and labz said they can't fix it..." he shrugged his shoulders a bit looking to Maryke who seemed to be frowning at him, "Sorryz if I wuz a bit loud, I didn't meanz to scare any one." He nodded towards the Wii and smiled, "Congratz I guess on gettinz a Wii for yah birthdayz?"
Something in the back of his mind however, the very small part of him that was thinking like a Budgy told him to back down a bit when he noticed Jordan more closely, something about him just seemed to startle that little alarm in the back of his head, but for now he ignored it thinking it was only the result of having scared the group with his arrival. Maryke Jimenez
Maryke upturned her nose at his apology. Some people she was more accepting to, but some people just.....rubbed her the wrong way. And her fuzzy body was living proof of that factor. "You didn't scare anyone," she said, still smoothing herself, which really looked like a primate fuzzing over themselves though she lacked the picking bugs part. "You startled us," she correctly. "And yes, Kim's the birthday girl..."
Her tail was swishing back and forth behind her, lower now. It really was a long tail, and she was always careful with it. Sometimes it seemed like the damn thing had a mind of it's own. If she was irritated or agitated she really couldn't take the blame for anything the long black appendage did.
Jordan Essex He wanted to ignore the birdboy. He was trying to ignorew him, for the sake of keeping things moving in a more positive direction. Then he remembered, he had one more surprise for her! He smiled wide and nuzzled her cheek again, before pullign back gently, letting his fur rub soothingly against Kim’s skin.
Jordan winked “Be right back. I’ve got one more surprise for youooo.” And he padded past Miller, resisting the urge to kick him. Oh, how that would have been so satisfying to teach him a lesson in manners. An ironic one at that. He vanished into the kitchen, where he applied the appropriate number of candles on top of the specially-made cake. Having her info, he knew she was diabetic and he’s so glad he knew about that. What could he possibly say if he’d inadvertently caused her to go into diabetic shock- or worse!
After lighting the candles, he came out with a red heart-shaped cake. Yeah, it was probably over the top, but he was going for the gold here. He was fighting for the affections of someone! With twenty-three lit candles, Jordan began singing ‘happy birthday’ as he precariously held the cake on its platter in his paws. Kim Nguyet Kim did seem a bit sad to see him go, but she let him, turning to Miller for the moment. "Wow, I do hope they fix your door..." Unlike Jordan and Maryke, Kim didn't seem too annoyed. A little bit, perhaps, at being startled, but that wasn't too evident.
But then... Kim didn't get mad all too often. Most of her frustrations turned to sadness due to how passive she could be at time.
Her thoughts where interupted by the song, and she couldn't help but stare at the cake. Awww...
"Oh, wow... You didn't need to do all that, really..." But she was happy, and she milled. Hopefully all this hadn't been too much of a pain to put together. She had of course noticed the shape, and blushed sightly. No, it couldn't mean that, right ? No man had... loved her before, after all. And who could love a dinosaur ? No, it was probably something else... Miller Milano Miller bit his tongune for the time as Maryke went at him and eventually let out a little sigh, "I didn'tz mean to starttlez any one then I'm sorryz..." he shook his head, what had he done to get her so up in arms towards him? Was this going to end like it did with Antony? Him laying semi unconsious on the ground for a bottle to the head?
Miller turned to regard Jordan as he walked away tilting his head as he went and looked back to Kim as she spoke. "Eh it'z not so badz really, I'z living with a friendz for the time beingz." When Jordan returned he steped back from Kim letting him have the space to present the cake. He didn't sing along seeing's how his voice was horribly slurred but the sight of Jordan making Kim smile reminded him again of Kikue causing his mind to wander away for the moment coming back once the singing had finally stopped. Maryke Jimenez
She was satisfied for that, but pursed her maw together. Finally after a beats she relented and gave her fur one more smooth down. "It's okay... it happens."
Finally she directed her attention back to Jordan's display, and clapped her blackened hands together when the cake was brought out. She wondered if Kim might think this was all overboard, and worried that she might be turned off by it. But by the dino's reaction she was pleased to see that she wasn't.
Jordan Essex With care he set the heart-shaped cake infront of her. He was going for the heavy tactics now. He’d won her trust, he’d won her favor, now he wanted to win her over entirely. Jordan took a step back, resting a paw upon her shoulder and massaged gently, but firmly, smirking at the very cute girl.
“Blow out your candles and make a wish. It just might come true.” He winked and massaged her shoulders with both paws as he stepped behind her, coazxing her into relaxation. He was playing his cards well, but even he was worried this was like the gambler who held five aces in his hand.
He’d help her blow out the candles if she weren’t able to manage with her new beak. Kim Nguyet Kim, of course, already knew that her one true wish was impossible. Still, there was no harm and playing around, no ? Nodding with a smile, she croutched a bit and managed to blow all the candles out in one go.
"Yay, I got it !" She grinned, feeling herself leaning into the massage. Miller Milano Miller slowly came to attention as Maryke addressed him again nodding, on an island like this being startled was almost a daily given for you never knew what might bump in to you just around the corner.
He stood back from the whole scene though letting Jordan and Kim enjoy what ever moment the two were having with the cake. His mind continuing to slip back to Kikue and what Emerwyn had told him the day before. Jordan Essex Those words Kim spoke as she blew out her candles.. struck him deeply and he melted. His paws continued massaging another few moments and then they slid down her body as he leaned against her backside, giving a bold kiss to her cheek once more.
Jordan held his cheek to hers and closed his eyes, huolding her snugly. He shivered at the thought he'd won her over completely and that made him happy. The course of events had just happened and here he was, throwing a party for such a wonderful woman. He didn't have to say a thing. He felt so close to her. He wanted to be with her. He was so smitten with puppy love.
"I'm so glad you're enjoying the party and your presents. It makes me happy to see your beautiful smile. I hope you can enjoy a love-struk dog just as much as I do for you." he whispered softly, rubbing the back of a fluffy paw on her cheek. He couldn't hide the feelings back. Even if she had known, he'd feel wkward if he didn't express the way he felt. "The day we met.. was intense. And we held one another on the beach.. watching the sun dance on the waves." he rubbed his paws down her sides and held onto her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I hope I'm not out of line for feeling this way or for planning this special day for you." Kim Nguyet Everything was going fast... almost too fast. Spiraling out of her control, even if she still had problems believing it. This island... There where so many girls here, all prettier, better, not as shy... Why her, then ?
But what if she didn't care why ? And what if she didn't want to think of the possibility of another. He had been here for her, at her best and at her worst. But still, as he spoke, as he admitted his own feelings, she found herself speechless.
She had loved, once. But then, she wasn't loved back, and she had given up. But then, what did it matter here, on this island, away from everyone she once knew ? It was useless to live in a past she couldn't go back to, right ?
Still not saying a thing, she moved, slowly, until the tip of her beak reached his lips. This was the closest thing to a "true" kiss she could manage without twisting her head too awkwardly. Her first kiss. The adrenaline rush was amazing, and when she finally figured out what exactly she had just done, her face reddened and her face lowered a bit torward the rest of her body as her neck folded upon itself a bit, her own way to attempt to hide a blush. Had she... really just done that ?! Jordan Essex He’d been taking this so fast, possibly far too fast. But look at what he’d accomplished for overcoming his shyness for the cause. He’d achieved the successful mission to get closer to her. These new feelings that told him he wanted to be near her, to hold her closely like thy did on the beach.. they were overpowering.
This was right. He wanted this and he hoped that she wanted this as well. Before his racing mind could flood him with more of these thoughts, she’d turned and kissed him on the lips. It caught him off guard and he blushed deeply. He held her close as she did and he kissed her in return, tilting his head to the side so that he could kiss her directly upon her lips. The spark was there. This was right.
Jordan stepped back from the birthday girl, holding her hand as he helped her to her feet. He smiled at Maryke for all her help as he held Kim tightly in his arms. “Thank you for coming, Maryke, Sophie.” He nuzzled through Kim’s black hair. “It meant a lot.”
Jordan smiled wonderously into Kim’s beautiful eyes. “It’s been a great afternoon, but I think we need to retreat into a more private atmosphere. Neither of us are exactly the most social of party animals and all the excitement has me yearning for a quiet rest with a special someone.” He squeezed Kim gently around her torso, hugging the pterodactyl against his front. . Sophie C. Bell It was nice to see that Kim was enjoying the party, the present, and everything else: it was a good thing among everything Sophie heard about death and disaster and any other sort of dismay, and it made her feel good somewhere inside to watch her be close to Jordan, to snuggle up against the dog-man in the awkward way that made Sophie somehow think that she'd lost that kind of innocence along the way. Maybe that's what made her feel so lost, then: she felt like she didn't belong here, never mind the fact that she'd decorated and hollered out the first 'Happy Birthday'. It didn't matter that Jordan had accepted her as a member of the Island and that she'd pretty much settled in. She just...didn't belong there. Pure and simple. In all that happiness and purity, she wasn't supposed to be among the people involved. "No problem, Jordan," she said, offering a thumbs up and a smile, but the moment he looked away, the smile faded, and she began looking for the door. In order not to be rude, she simply slipped away from all the action and excitement, looking over the Duplex information before making her way to the door, taking one final look at the party before heading back to her duplex. She had some things she had to take care of, anyways. Kim Nguyet Kim just nodded. All those emotions did have her pretty tired, anyway. Rest seemed like a good thing. Right now... nothing really mattered, beyond being with him some more. She took the Wii along, but forgot all about the cake as the two lovebirds made their way out. Jordan Essex He'd become so infatuated with Kim that Jordan wanted her all to himself for the rest of the day. All that mattered was being with her and making/keeping her happy. His arm remained around her backside, gently stroking the length of her back and scritching carefully with canine claws. Jordan laid his head on her shoulder as they walked along. He was totally smitten and her big fluffy puppy to love and cherish and in-turn he would do the same. Ah, to be young and in love.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:34 am
Jordan Essex I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure
And I just cant wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now everytime I go for the mailbox , gotta hold myself down
Cos I just wait till you write me your coming around
I'm walking on sunshine , wooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
and don't it feel good!!
The dogman was singing the perfect song for his appropriate mood. Jordan was stoked and brimming with joy. He had a girlfriend now and a secure job on the island. Life was good, nevermind being slowly changed into a hybrid animal. It was all about perspective and as long as there was good to be seen from the situation, then there was no reason to think otherwise. He'd made the party a success and he'd gotten to spend time with Kim afterwards. He felt good for making her so happy; and; his efforts had produced fruitful results.
He was a good boy. A very good boy.
In his excitement, Jordan had too much energy to keep cooped in his duplex. He wanted to walk around and explore, but he wanted to go where he hadn't been before and that's how he found the river. His ears twitched and his nose did likewise as he took in the scents and sounds of the water, the sounds of the rolling river and the occassional movement of a fish at the surface.
It was peaceful out this far. It was just him and nature, the way he liked it. Newton Filinas It wasn't far down the riverbank that he came to a rather dirty looking blanket thrown out across the lawn. A few bits of driftwood twisted with bent paper clips and string, as well as other curious bits and peaces of things apparently salvaged from the garbage or from deep in the jungle or along the beach. There was a small toolbox with a feral labs logo on the top, latched shut tightly. Whoever had been working here at this odd little picnic was no where to be seen, though, but there was a distinct scent about the place that lead towards the river. Jordan Essex His cheerful humming singing stopped as he spotted the blanket just sitting there. It was like a scene out of a horror movie: the happy-go-lucky dog walking along minding his own business when he finds abandoned possessions mysteriously left behind. What odd things to be collected.. he thought to himself. Then he saw the Feral Labs logo and his hart thumped with excitement again and his tail fanned the air. Moreau was Feral and Moreau cared for Jordan. Ah, the joys of mind-warping hypnosis.
Like a curious pup, he leaned down and started sniffing at the toolbox and the assorted possessions on the blanket. It didn’t smell like anyone he knew, but he’d only been able to know people by scent for three weeks, so..
“Hello…?” he called out, tilting his head to look around.
After receiving no immediate acknowledgement, Jordan became worried. He huddled down on all fours, crouching as lowly as he could, which was a bit awkward. His canine paws and semi-digitgraded legs made it a bit easier to be in this stance, but it was still awkward. He lifted his nose to the air and sniffed. What if the wolf had slaughtered whoever it was who left this here and dragged them away. A cold chill arced his spine as he felt vulnerable and paranoid at that moment.
“Hello…..?” he called out more meekly a second time, fear in his voice. Newton Filinas Fortunately, the owner of the toolbox had not been devoured by anyone, and in fact had been hunting smaller frogs and little birds that fluttered along the edge of the riverbanks. Newt kept low in the water as he stared boggle-eyed up the bank to where the dog-man had found his tools. Blast! He thought he had gone far enough off the path to be alone! He held his breath, hoping to goodness this intruder didn't try to take his toolbox, or he would be in trouble or sure! They had trusted him with them, after all, he couldn't loose them or have them stolen- it'd be horrible!!
There was nothing else but to do it. He swallowed, keeping himself as submerged as possible with only his balding head and massive eyes poking out of the water, "KrrrKIT! Ah... ex... excuse m-me?" Jordan Essex Jordan nearly jumped out of his skin and fur as the croaking preceeded words from nowhere. He was really paranoid as he couldn’t see anyone at first, afraid to move from his position. He kept himself low to avoid being seen, but that apparently had failed since someone HAD seen him… There was only one thing he could do! And he dove behind a tree!
“Who’s there….?” He called out louder, keeping his back to the tree and looking around briefly every few seconds. This was so ridiculous. He was hiding from something he couldn’t see. He had to conduct himself in a more fitting manner, but he was afraid there was someone lurking who could tear him apart. Why’d he have to come out this far to an unexplored area??
Jordan took a deep breath, hoping he wasn’t about to get himself killed and held up his paws to show he was unarmed. “My name is Jordan Essex. Show yourself now and make it easier on yourself.” he made it the command stern and certainly not to sound like a request. “And why is there Feral Labs equipment just left in the open this far out..?” He leaned down, reaching out to claim the toolbox. If it was abandoned, then he had a responsibility to return it to the labs. Newton Filinas "Ah!" The moment he touched it, the frog-man leaped from the water to the bank in a soggy amphibious mess, "D-don't, th-that's muh-muh-mine!" With two more hops he was beside the frog man, reaching to pull the toolbox back defensively with a frantic ribbit. Jordan Essex Jordan tugged back on the toolbox, not letting Newt have his own property, until it clicked. Yeah, Jordan wasn’t always the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was good at what he did. He just let it slip from his paw and glanced over the frogman. His nose flared as the smell of riverbed muck hit his nostrils and it made him sneer.
“So. You work for Feral, then?” He was calm in the statement, trying to ham it up a bit. This guy was a frog! Come on! What could a frog do to him? Seriously! Jordan tilted his head to the side till he heard it crack. “Who are you? And what exactly are you doing out here with tools?” his eyes narrowed suspiciously. Newton Filinas Newt wasn't sure what to say at first, hugging the heavy thing to his wide slimy chest. "I... w-well... er... y-yes... er... n-no... I m-mean... " He swallowed. Calm down, calm down, he wouldn't try to take them again, would he? No, he'd have no choice but to defend what was his, after all. "I... I used to w-work th-there... I... um... w-well, I w-was m-m-making things." Jordan Essex Making things? With random junk? And what was this guy’s issue anyways? He was jumpier than Jordan. The dogman just nodded at the admission and took a step back to show that he wasn’t interested in stealing Newt’s tools, as they were clutched protectively. He threw his paws up infront of himself and waved them briefly and arched his brow. “To each his own, I suppose. I obviously don’t have the artistic vision to foresee what you could possibly make from this.” He pointed down to the blanket’s contents. He didn’t even think to ask why Newt was working way out in the middle of nowhere.
He was even more interested now. Another Feral employee. There was no such thing as being a former employee. He knew from experience. This man was a part of the company from now to eternity, just like Jordan. This brought a grin to his mouth, curling the corners back and displaying his elongated canines. His paws flexed and uncurled “So, Mr. Frog” with nothing else to call him, surely that’d get the name out of him “What’s your story?” Newton Filinas "Oh... ah... er... th-these... are g-going to be w-wind chimes," He lifted up the cross-bars bit and the few rigged panels of driftwood he had set up to be hung from them in an attempt to illustrate, although it was still difficult to imagine. "And... um... Th-that's er... N-newt, not F-frog... KrrKIT!"
He set the pieces down again, shifting anxiously, "M-my... m-my st-story? I ah..." Shy was too light a word for what Newt was, but from his experience, sharing the fact he was an employee wasn't something to be proud of like he had first thought, but something that resulted in being beaten, bitten and trampled and teased. an employee wasn't something to be proud of like he had first thought, but something that resulted in being beaten, bitten and trampled and teased. Jordan Essex Jordan emboldened by his sense of power over Newt, at least having succeeded in some form of intimidation in the dog’s own mind, stepped over to Newt and patted his shoulder with some disgust at getting muck on his fur. “Mellow out, Newt. I’m not going to hurt you. You see…” he paused dramatically, looking around to add effect, before leaning in to whisper “I’m a company man too.” He winked, thinking himself to be subtle with his lame wordplay.
He couldn’t help but smile at Newt’s creativity with making wind chimes from driftwood and scrap metal. “Wind chimes, eh? That’s pretty industrious.” He added a friendly smile, wanting to make the frog feel safe around him. “Are you making them for yourself? Or maybe a special friend?” Lure him into a sense of security by showing interest in his project and extract what he wanted to know all in due time. Newton Filinas The frogman huddled down bashfully, smiling a little. He was proud of his work. "I w-was.... hoping p-people w-would like to t-trade for them." When he realized what Jordan had meant by Company Man, his eyes lit up, "Ah- Oh! Er... wh-what d-did... er... what was y-your...?" Jordan Essex “Well, it looks like you know what you’re doing. Anyone would be lucky to hang a handmade windchime outside their door. Sadly, I don’t know what I could trade for craftsmanship you’re showing.” Bait him along. Give him just enough rope to hang himself with and then… “What’d I do?” Jordan repeated, dumbfounded. He hadn’t been prepared to hear that, nor was he ready to answer that. He stepped away from Newt and turned his back to the frog, rubbing his eyes with the paw that wasn’t covered in muck.
“I did something I wasn’t supposed to, Newt. I listened to someone I shouldn’t have and I caused trouble. I made Doctor Moreau very mad. That’s why I’m here.” He sighed at that thought, but turned his head to face Newt, his expression genuinely regretful for doing anything that would displease the doctor. “But I’m here for a second chance. Instead of taking legal action against me and inevitably locking me in prison for the rest of my natural life, the gracious doctor has let me continue working for him. Yes, I’m becoming a dog, but you know what, Newt, my friend? That’s alright. I deserve to be turned into an animal. Doctor Moreau wouldn’t do this unless he wanted to show me the error of my ways.” He nodded sagely, those subliminals playing in his duplex were gradually digging deeper and nestling more into his impressionable mind. His tail waged excitedly at the thought of making Doctor Moreau happy. Newton Filinas Newt's brows furrowed as the other man completely failed to answer his question. "I m-mean... w-what... d-did you do for th-the d-doc-doc-doctor? I... ah..." He shifted, looking a touch embarrassed, "I w-was a cus-custodian. I... I m-made a m-mis-mistake too. S-several, I sup-suppose... B-but the others s-said th-they weren't s-so ter-terrible as to... to w-warrant being t-turned into a frog! KrrKIT!" Jordan Essex What could Jordan say? How could he actually answer that question to another test subject and not expect to be pummeled. He rubbed his temples as he felt a headache coming. “Well… what I did… uhm…” he looked down, sweating a little. This wasn’t going well now. It’d been turned around against him. “I was… a lab… assistant..” he slowly looked up to see if the frogman was about to go on the offensive. That was as good an answer as any. He was a lab assistant, but whether or not Newt was aware of what that entailed would soon be revealed. Newton Filinas It wasn't anger or revulsion, but a look of awe and a slight tinge of jealousy on the frog-man's fat, necklace green face. "Ah... r-really? Wh-which b-building did you w-work?" Had he been hired before or after Newt had been sent to the village? Bia had been one of the exceptions, but he rarely had come into much contact with lab techs, save in passing. If he had met this Jordan before, then he unfortunately couldn't recall. Jordan Essex His brow perked and a smile crossed his mouth once more. This was unexpected. Most definitely unexpected. “Ah, yes. I worked there for a year. Of course with my credentials I was a shoe-in for the position. With degrees in veterinary medicine and zoology, I was eagerly taken aboard.” He was feeling confidence in Newt’s interest. Excellent. “I was in building two, where I worked as quality control in refining and catching impurities in blood and tissue samples.” He wouldn’t tell Newt about the horrifying experience once he learned that Feral Labs was truly exploiting animals, not helping them. “But, you know, as much as I did for the company, we couldn’t function at such optimal capacity without the diligence of our devoted custodial staff.”
Oh, this felt good. Newton Filinas At the surprising appraisal, the ex-janitor's throat and chest puffed with pride, "W-well... well, it r-really wasn't... I m-mean... I've... b-been here a f-few years myself," He murmured bashfully, "I... I th-think about th-three or so... B-before the ah.... s-stage t-two or wh-whatever you all c-called it... I'm n-not sure. B-before human testing st-started." Newt had gotten his job and held it for so long because he didn't ask too many questions, and did as he was told. Mop up this, clean out that cage, feed the twelve limbed rabbit, replace the flickering lights in lab number 8B... all in a day's work. Jordan Essex “Come now, you’re being fat too modest, Newt. You provided a crucial task in the labs that I dare say only too few could properly accomplish. You should take pride in the knowledge that your efforts allowed myself and even Doctor Moreau himself” he held out a finger, waggling it at Newt for added effect “to perform at the highest level of efficiency. Thank you, Newt. Thank you for being so devoted!” he saluted the frogman in showmanship ‘seriousness’ and applauded him. Stroke his ego and he’ll take any bait.
“Do you still proudly perform your tasks of custodial engineering?” he fancied it up to make him feel even more important and useful “I have a feeling that no one else could even hold a candle to the excellence you hold yourself to in your custodial duties.” His smile widened into a conniving smirk “You have to be why the cafeteria remains so sparkling clean and the entertainment room always look unused. And for taking care of the workout room, I doubly applaud your efforts, my friend. I couldn’t do a proper workout if the machine area weren’t properly tended to.”
“We’re part of a family, Newt. We are a rare breed that too few of the others outside the labs can understand. We’re doing the world great service by showing our loyalties towards a great man’s company. And family sticks together.” Newton Filinas The frog appeared to be near tears with bashfulness until that question rang in the air, "Do you still tend to your duties?"
He gave a terrified ribbit, his stomach churning, "Ah... n-no, actually... I... I ah... used to s-sweep up... th-the cafeteria and... entertainment room and the like b-but... ah... I... er... th-that is... s-since... I m-mean... some... some of the others had.... encouraged me to... to do some th-things for m-myself and... ah... w-well, I s-started... m-making things and um... w-well, I d-didn't... s-see the point in... k-keeping to my d-duties." Jordan Essex “Oh yes! I do keep to my duties still and I do them with aplomb!” he smiled from ear-to-ear with pride, though he honestly had no clue what his assigned duties were just yet. He didn’t need to know that. “I do as I’m told and do it with pride.” Jordan couldn’t help but notice that Newt still wore his jumpers. Certainly there was still a part of him that yearned to return to his duties and lung to that part of his life.
Jordan whistled approvingly. “Those are some nice coveralls you’ve got there buddy and from the looks of it you take excellent care of them. It seems to me that you truly enjoyed your job. It also occurs to me that the others outside the labs weren’t so appreciative of your skills. I bet they turned their noses up at you, even called you at any hour demanding you clean up some mess like they were the king of Siam. They definitely didn’t appreciate you enough if they convinced you to pursue other endeavors. I’m afraid they were too spineless to say anything, but Newt, you’ve got to get back in the saddle. Reclaim your mighty broom and continue your duties, because you are not a slave to their whims, you are a custodial engineer!”
During his long-winded tirade on maintaining responsibilities, Jordan found himself becoming empassioned in his movements, thrusting his arms through the air and stepping lively to make the act of Newt’s duties seem even more important.
“Has any of the residents ever thanked you for performing your duties with a grade of perfection? Have they ever invited you over for reasons other than unclogging their toilet? Newt. You are the master of your world and you are destined for greatness. You are a proud member of the Feral family. Not many are privileged to that claim. That makes you like my brother, Newt. And brothers stick together. They look out for one another.” Jordan calmed himself for a moment, balling a fist to cover his mouth as he coughed, lowering his closed eyes for dramatic tension.
“We make life for the others more livable. The labs take great care of us. They love us. Doctor Moreau loves each and every one of us. In return, all we are asked of is to be steadfast to our diligence in our tasks. Certainly, there is time for projects on the side, but you must remember who you are first and the service you provide to others who require your excellence and devotion.” Newton Filinas Newt was speechless for a good long while before he managed to sputter something that was coherent enough to understand, "I... w-well... ah... " Indeed, his unmistakable janitorial uniform lay in a rumpled heap on the blanket while he had been out swimming, and when the dog-man mentioned it, he was quick to grab it and pull it on over his large flat feet and rutund belly. "W-well... ah... Muh-muh-miss... er.... M-maryke once... g-gave me s-some j-jewelry f-for... c-cleaning up s-sick in her b-bathroom..." He offered, "And... th-then l-later sh-she... er... s-sort of... explained her l-love life to me... th-that was a... er... f-friendly th-thing, not a jan-janitorial thing, r-right?" He smiled uneasily. Truthfully, since giving up his duties to simply do what he wished, he had slowly slowly been developing a sort of pride about his little personal projects. He enjoyed going swimming in the mornings instead of attempt to get to the cafeteria to sweep before the village staff closed in and took the work from him- "Ah! Er.. and... th-there's already a.... s-staff to clean the v-village. Th-they d-don't need me." He tried to protest. Jordan Essex He was content to let him speak his defense. By allowing him to speak, Jordan could more effectively crunch him into a corner, to coerce him to go back to his duties, by using Newt’s own words against him. It was a power game that everyone played at some point or another. He’d been on the receiving end enough times to know how it was done.
“Ah! Maryke. I do know her, as well.” He smiled and patted Newt on his backside, wiping off some of the muck from his paw in the process. “Well, there are always exceptions to the rule.” He really couldn’t use her in any negative connotation, not after she had been so instrumental in giving him romantic advice in dealing with Kim, then being there for emotional support at the surprise party. “Newt, buddy, all I’m saying is there’s room for fun activity, but before that comes your duties to the company. All fun and no work makes the higher-ups frown. Think about how much easier your life could be if you just stuck to your broom and disinfectant, did your job, made a positive impression on the big man, himself.”
Jordan’s eyes lit up as he was suddenly inspired. Certainly someone so dedicated to janitorial duties was repulsed by the thought of uncleanliness, even in all his froggishness, Newt had to still find uncleanliness unpleasant. Sure, he was covered in muck, but he did put on those coveralls rather quickly at the very mention of them. Somewhere down inside the animal was a germophobic custodial engineer. “Oh the horror, Newt!” he was hamming up the drama “Imagine the horror of someone waking up to a black mold infestation in their bathroom! Who possesses the tactical skill to combat such a lethal menace? Who, I ask, Newt?” he patted him on the back heartily, not giving him the chance to respond “You, Newt. We need our fine custodial engineer to fight off mold, fungus, and… dare I say… germs.”
“Only you have the elite training to eliminate germs from our habitats. You want everyone to remain healthy, don’t you? I know that if I ever have a problem that can only be taken care of by the scientific ingenuity of our custodial engineer, I’d like to think you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from saving the day.”
And just to top it all off properly “Newt, you’re important to the team. We couldn’t function without you.” Jordan smirked in that oh-so friendly, manipulative manner as he leaned up against a tree, folding his furry arms behind his head. Newton Filinas "B-but... I w-wasn't... I m-mean.... I th-thought I had... I w-wasn't... " The frog-man gaped at the dog, unsuccessfully attempting to defend himself between breaths of Jordan's long impressive speech. "But I th-thought... D-doctor Aubrey s-said I d-didn't have to anymore...!" At the mention of the germs, an old fear bubbled up in his tubby froggy heart. "W-what? I... b-but... isn't there a... a whole t-team here to... to k-keep things clean and... I m-mean... I d-don't have any k-keys anymore..." What was this man talking about? It had been made fairly clear that he had been discharged, and it only made sense that he couldn't have been returned to the mainland. He was happy to not have been disposed of in another fashion. He didn't know why he still wore his jumper- it made him feel secure, he supposed. He hadn't wanted to admit it, but he had always silently hoped the labs would have noticed his early attempts to keep up with his supposed duties, but it never really seemed to matter any. If he didn't go clean, the night staff or some other islander would have gotten to it before him. Jordan Essex The dogboy remained leaned against the tree, cocking his head upward as he continued to hold his arms still folded behind his head. He’d flustered the frog and that was good enough an accomplishment. That at least meant Newt was so confused he’d begin to question himself and his actions between working for the labs and making wind chimes at the riverside. A sly smirk crossed his mouth, causing the corner to curl back in a mischievious manner. “Hey, I’m just looking out for you, buddy. That’s all. You’re in charge of your life, but are you sure the path you’ve chosen is the right one for Newt?” Devil’s advocate was a fun game to play. So was getting into people’s heads. Newton Filinas The right choice? Every time he caught his own reflection, or was startled by his own monstrous shadow, or even the catistrophic state of his duplex had convinced him that he had to have made at least one very bad mistake somewhere along the line of his life. "I... I'm n-not sure I understand...." His hairless green brows knit as he frowned, suddenly afraid, "I... I d-don't have my old sup-supplies anymore- I b-broke my cart!" He had removed the wheels of his bucket to make into pulley's for Gaius's theater! He had figured he didn't need it anymore. That was when it dawned on him.
Besides Aubrey, no one had actually... said he had been fired. He hadn't had any belongings in his duplex, really. Just his cleaning supplies. They hadn't stopped him- he had kept busy- they had wanted him to.... His mouth opened and closed, eyes wobbling as he huddled down against the ground, legs pulled against his sides. Maybe Aubrey had been the test.... maybe her seemingly kind words had been a final test from the labs! What if he had stayed obedient? What if he had kept up with his duties, despite everything? Despite the opinions of the other test subjects.... maybe they would have cured him! Or... no, it was fairly obvious that his record was riddled with mishaps and abysmal failures. For that matter, he never even really liked being a janitor!
Mind made up, he looked up at the half furred man, throat inflating in a timid ribbit, "KrrKIT! Ah... d-do... do I h-have to?" Jordan Essex This was progress. He’d burrowed into his head and made Newt question himself, his actions, and his future with the labs and the island itself. The flowery speeches were wearing down the frog’s defenses. Jordan was too proud of his handywork. This was a new course for him. He’d never acted this way before the island. Was this his way to survive? A defense mechanism? Or a more sinister, subconscious by-product of the mindbending subliminals? In any event, Jordan was relishing this power he held over Newt, wittling at his mind, his sanity, to break him and remake him useful to the labs.
The answer to Newt’s question was simple. The frog was relying on Jordan to steer him in the ‘right’ direction. “Of course you do, Newt. It’s your place on the island. The labs take care of us and when we’re good boys, they give us special perks.” Jordan padded confidently over to Newt’s huddled form, patting him on the back “It’s a simple choice, my friend. The labs are the only salvation in this. We need them and they need us. Even I serve my purpose happily. Be a team player, Newt. Work with us, don’t fight against us.” He extended a paw down in offering to help the frogman up, putting on his kindest smile.
“We are important in a ways the other test subjects could not fathom. Our purpose supercedes anything they could envision.” Newton Filinas Newt wasn't sure what to make of this train of thought. He wobbled as he let the dog-man pull him upright, ever uneasy on two feet. "I... I'm n-not... not sure I understand you... er... entirely... I m-mean... wh-what about the other c-cleaning st-staff? And... and sup-supplies and...?" Jordan Essex “You’ve got a lot to think about- and I understand that. It’s natural that you’d find yourself confused after you’ve been away from the contact of the labs for so long. It happens. To everyone. It’s human nature, you know?” after helping Newt to his feet, he paced behind him and made a few circles around him.
All of this was coming from somewhere he didn’t quite understand himself. It was becoming part of what he thought he needed to be. It was one method to becoming a good boy. He needed to impress Doctor Moreau and what better way of doing that than by reaffirming Newt’s convictions to the labs.
After distracting him with his pacing, Jordan rested against his tree once more, with his arms folded confidently, even cocky, behind his head. The dog was all smiles, sly, slick, conniving. “You are part of the cleaning staff, Newt. That’s not my area of expertise, but I’d suspect you could tell me more about the cleaning staff and their functions than I could guess at. If I chose to run away from my duties, it wouldn't mean I'm no longer a part of the labs team. We have obligations. And as far as supplies, the labs are willing to meet our commodity requests.” Newton Filinas The man was making Newt more and more nervous rather than more obedient, and as soon as he was leaning against the tree again, Newt crouched down froggishly once more, throat trembling anxiously, "B-but... I d-don't... p-particularly w-want to be a jan-jan-janitor anymore." Jordan Essex "Life's not about what you want to do."
Jordan lost a bit of his smile. This nut wasn’t cracking as easily as he’d anticipated. Maybe- just maybe- he’d come on strong. Nah! It was this guy! He’d been neglecting his duties so long he’d forgotten his place. Okay, change of strategy time. He wasn’t about to lose this guy after all the wind he’d just wasted.
“Does this mean you’ve completely turned your back on the very people who gave you a chance when no one else would?” Newton Filinas "T-turned m-my..." Newt sputtered, eyes widening slightly as embarrassment crawled over his face. "I... n-no... th-they... I had... I th-thought I was... I th-thought I h-had been... if... if I'd known I w-was... I d-didn't... they were k-kuh-kind enough to..." He couldn't seem to finish a sentence, floundering to try to explain his actions. At the mentioning of this tetchy subject, though, those large bulbous eyes had begun to wobble and water, dribbling fat tears down his neck less face. Jordan Essex It wasn’t his fault Newt was crying. If he’d just been more willing to conform to Jordan’s way of thinking, he could have avoided the emotional scene. This sad display made Jordan angry, uttering an annoyed ‘Tch…” and he snarled a bit. He didn’t have this much resistance with Sophie. She clung to Jordan’s words and accepted them as the right way. Why couldn’t frog legs just do the same?
“You thought wrong.” He folded his arms across his chest. Newton Filinas Newt's throat was inflating and deflating as he began to hyperventilate, eyes wide with terror, "Wh-what... wh-what w-would... would happen if... if I d-didn't? W-would they be mad? I d-don't want to be in any m-more t-trouble! I've... I've t-tried to st-stay out of t-trouble and... and st-stay busy.. I... I had an idea I w-was... g-going to st-start soon- s-selling w-wind chimes and... and j-jewelry and... ah... if... if I duh... If I... wh-what... " He couldn't stop the tears, just like he couldn't stop the miserable ribbit. "KrrKIT!" Jordan Essex This was more than irritating. Even with his paws tucked under his arms, they flexed and unflexed balling into fists. Jordan closed his eyes and grit his fangs, shaking his head back and forth towards the ground. Pathetic.
“You’ve turned your back on the labs, so what reason do they have to keep you in their graces? They gave you a helping hand when you needed one most and you repayed their kindness by biting the hand that feeds you. Can you survive in the wilderness all alone? You’ve taken everything they have done for you for granted and spat in the doctor’s face.”
He huffed indignantly. “Look, I’ll level with you Newt… our meeting wasn’t an accident. As you’re well aware, there are cameras everywhere. They told me where to find you.” He looked up to the frogman with that annoyed sneer. “I could get in serious trouble for even tipping you off, but… I was sent out here to give you one last chance to reform your ways.”
Oh, yes. If he wouldn’t listen to reason, Newt would certainly listen to cleverly-fabricated lies. He wasn’t giving up so easily. This man was breaking and Jordan was pissed off at this point. It took every bit of nerve not to break his wind chime and throw it into the river. However, that would be counter-productive… at least until it was necessary as a last resort.
“I’m here on behalf of the labs, Newt. Whether you do or do not come return to your duties won’t affect my living in comfort, but if I were you, I’d be asking myself if I wanted to live in the river mud, being paranoid for the rest of your amphibious life of all the predators looking to have frog’s legs for dinner.” Newton Filinas Newt was silent, mouth opening and closing uselessly as he tried to form coherent words. It wasn't Jordan's voice he was hearing, though, it was deeper, and far more familiar.
Ungrateful little selfish b*****d! Do something USEFULL for a change! You will not step FOOT in this house again untill you can act like a human being!!
He did a fine job of that, hadn't he? His stomach clenched and flopped and crawled, the tears still dribbling down his wobbling cheeks, although he still remained quiet, muddled mind fumbling over should haves, could haves and what ifs. He hadn't KNOWN! How could he have known? But he didn't WANT to... but... would they really throw him out of his duplex??
He was under the bushes again, and there she was, claws and muzzle bloodied by her friend's torn throat, and he knew he knew he knew she was hungry for more. NO! No, he couldn't... they wouldn't have... but Aubrey had said... but had she really meant...
That was when another thought clicked in Newt's clever head, his brows furrowed and the tears stopped, "C-could... y-you sh-show me your ID b-badge?" Jordan Essex “You do realize that I can walk away now, cutting my losses, to leave you here to play in the mud and make wind chimes for the rest of your days and report to the labs you were beligerent and uncooperative. Questioning my connections to the labs isn’t in your best interest.” He said with disdain towards the frog. “Don’t question my obedience to the labs to detract from your lapse in loyalty.”
Jordan huffed with an upward thrust of his chin, maintaining his assertive, if not aggressive, posture. He was forced to think on his feet. It was good practice for finding what he was good at. Jordan could imagine himself being the poster spokesman as a Feral Labs motivational speaker. He’d tried to nice way, but now it was time to whip out the baseball bat and shatter some bones. Doctor Moreau surely would be less disappointed with him if he were to get another member of the team to realize his place and abandon foolish whimsy.
“And wave it around like a flag for some malcontent to tag me in the back when I’m not looking? You should know better. There are dangerous folk lurking the wild.” Newton Filinas Newt shifted warily, sniffling as he glanced to the tree line, twisting his webbed hands together anxiously, "Is it n-not also... c-company puh-puh-puh-policy to m-maintain st-strict and... t-tight security? I... I... I'm n-not about to let... j-just any f-fast t-talking.... st-stranger t-tell me wh-what I sh-should do!" That had been a rigorous part of even the cleaning and maintenance staff's training. Feral labs was no pushover when it came to security. Jordan Essex Citing company policy.. how aggravating. His eyes narrowed in frustration at this slimy man’s slimy nature. He wasn’t going to just give in. And Jordan wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. This was his shining chance to earn brownie points. Fine. He wanted to bring up company policy, then that was just fine. Company policy… Inspiration.
“You can cite company policy till you’re blue in the gills.” His eyes shifted to the blanket with the makings of a wind chime and various assorted junk piled. “It doesn’t change the fact that you’ve shirked your responsibilities. You’re still a member of the team, whether you realize that or not and you’re invited to resume your duties. This island facility is still Feral Labs. Be it on the mainland or this island, you are on Feral property. That means you’re still on duty. What do you suppose they would have done in the states if they’d discovered you playing with tinker toys instead of doing your job?” he wasn’t allowing Newt to answer before continuing “You would be reprimanded and your job could be filled by someone more competent than you.”
He shook his head and huffed. “You’ve seemed to have ‘forgotten’ ” he emphasized the word “who you are and where you are. You have jeopardized Feral Labs’ policy of security by convincing yourself you are no longer bound by any of their guidelines and contractual agreements. Your employment was not terminated. You are not exempt from the policies of Feral.” He nudged his chin in the direction of the blanket “And you’ve misappropriated Feral Labs property for personal gain. That’s quite an offense you’ve committed, Newt. If you believe yourself no longer employed by the labs, then you’re guilty of theft. Those tools are property of Feral, but you’re using them for personal gain. I believe that’s a breech of company policy.” He grinned smugly. Newton Filinas Forgotten.... not terminated.... theft... personal gain...
"Wh-wuh-woo-what? What, b-but... b-but I... I... I th-thought I had... sp-special per-permission to... The... the other islanders have r-re-requested... ah... I d-didn't m-mean any h-huh-hah... ah... I..." He floundered, derailed again in the face of such horrific accusations.
There was his father, bellowing at him again, and nothing hurt more than that eternal look of disappointment. He'd always tried to do a good job, he always tried his hardest, but he had always done SOMETHING to ruin it in some way, a bad choice or a clumsy gesture... this job had been no different from any other moment in his life. Like everything else, it was something he just hadn't been good at. But he liked helping Gaius. He liked rummaging around for nicknacks to make into something new and beautiful. He felt powerful and productive... he felt like he had some sort of worth, something to share with everyone. What choice did he have, though? He couldn't- this was a message from the labs, he supposed... his final warning, his last chance to prove himself... Jordan Essex “Any and all special privileges are restricted solely to active personnel and –even then- not everyone is privy to such bonus. Only those who have proven themselves steadfast and hardworking employees above and beyond the general masses qualify for special treatment; however, seeing that you no longer desire to continue your services with Feral, then you are in violation and you are in the possession of hot property.”
He listened to the stuttering frog try to explain his case. And he was unimpressed. A part of Jordan was enjoying this game- and that’s all it had become. A way to pass the time. A way to amuse himself. This was so much fun.
“Again, you thought wrong. You assumed things incorrectly. The others are not employed by Feral, now are they? We two are employees of the labs. What errant thought would cause you to believe the word of one of the test subjects over the labs, themselves? That’s not a wise career decision, Newt.” He’d made that mistake several times before Doctor Moreau had taken action against him. He spoke from experience with that line and the conviction could have won him the Oscar. “You know better. The ‘islanders’ have no authority over the labs.” Newton Filinas "B-but... th-then..." Newt's eyes trembled, trying to find any loophole, any way to avoid this mess, "B-but... aren't... y-you a s-subject too? J-just... wh-what exactly... d-do you do for the labs?" Jordan Essex What did he do for the labs now? Well… he was doing this, wasn’t he? He knew what he did on the mainland, but as for currently, he wasn’t exactly sure. That unpleasant complication could ruin everything. “Test subjects and Feral employees are infinitely different on levels that cannot be compared. They lack the technical training we do. I’m a laboratory assistant, as I’ve stated previously. Do you possess the proper clearance to know such information? Obviously, from your lack of knowledge you don’t, therefore you aren’t privy to such classified information, simple as that. Let me see your official identification.” He turned the tables on that little ploy. Newton Filinas "It's... it's b-back home... b-but... if y-you s-saught me out, y-you'd... ah... I..." he floundered, up to his neck now and beginning to thrash around a bit and attract the sharks. Jordan Essex Jordan held out a paw to interrupt Newt from saying another word “I was instructed where to find you, not authorized to follow you all over the island. Once our business here is concluded we’ll part our ways and that’s that.”
He stretched his arms wide and yawned, showing off his canines. He slid down against the tree and sat on his rear, leaning forward to rub his exposed paws. “You’ll have to pardon me. My dogs are barking.” He grinned at the very bad pun.
Jordan looked past Newt for a moment, out to the water, giving them both a few seconds to let sink in the situation. He was wondering how much further he’d have to go to convince the frog the labs weren’t bad. The islanders had really did a number on him, hadn’t they? They’d placed thoughts into his head. There was no ‘I’ in ‘Team’.
He listened to the rolling river and the froggy croaking for a few moments, collecting his thoughts and plotting how else to convince him that working with the labs was much more in his interest than standing against them.
“We’re on the same team, you and I. The labs wouldn’t have sent me out this far, just to confront you, if they didn’t show an interest. You’ve strayed from the flock and I’m the shepherd sent on their behalf. They believed it would be easier for you to hear this from another employee who has already undergone a change than from a standard-issue security force armed with guns. You’re scared and you’re uncertain, but know this, Newt: the labs care for us and they have our best interests in mind. Come back, Newt. What do you say? Can you give the team another chance?” Newton Filinas Newt, meanwhile, was frowning intently at his large flat feet, a look of misery on his chinless face, "I... I sup-sup-suppose... I d-don't have a ch-choice... if... if th-they're g-going to... to evict me..." It was horrible. He didn't want to do it, but this Jordan made it sound like he had to. That faithful moment when the wolf had come to taste fresh tender rabbit meat came rushing back into his mind, and he shuddered, the frightened tears bubbling back up and he sniffed. He'd call the labs. He'd call the labs and ask them if what Jordan had said was true. He had seen no evidence beyond the man's word that he worked for the labs- it might have just been a practical joke. Some of the other islanders trying to tease him because they knew he had been a janitor. Still, the knots in his stomach twisted and clenched at the terrible fear that maybe he was telling the truth! Jordan Essex “You’re making a wise decision. You’ll see this is for the best.” He leaned back against the tree, closing his eyes as it felt good to rub the pawpads of his footpaws.
He felt quite accomplished for getting Newt this far and actually admitting that it was for the best, even if he had no clue they would or could evict him. Sometimes one threat was just as good as any other, even if it was built upon lies. It was rewarding on some level to mess with the frogman and if it meant he was going back to the labs that was bonus points. Somehow that really pleased him. The labs were good in his mind and they were to be obeyed, not betrayed. The frog had turned his back on them and that was unacceptable. He had to be brought back.
“Welcome back to the team, Newt. We missed you.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:47 am
Ambrose Maurlias NEW RP
Ambrose hadn't had any luck looking for Gaius or Emerwyn in their duplexes. Then again, it wasn't much of a surprise - it was one of the rare months on the island before the weather got miserably hot, and many people were taking advantage of that fact.
While he hadn't yet seen anyone working on it, the progress on Gaius's theatre was looking great, and even Billy seemed to be in livlier spirits and being productive.
And the temperature wasn't making Ambrose swelter just walking around outside. So taking advantage of the "winter" season, Ambrose decided to take a stroll down to the beach. It was a likely place to find people if he didn't run into them in the village. Besides, it had been too long since he had let himself stretch his legs and run - feeling his heart pumping in his chest and the muscles burn in his legs.... and arms.
He had left the polo shirt behind, after all it had been stained earlier that day with Billy's ink, and while the island wasn't hot per se, it never really got cool.
And while he would never do it with other people watching - at least not yet, Ambrose found it secretly invigorating to run on all fours - he was faster than he had ever been before - the wind rushing through his fur was an amazing sensation, and the scents that carried on the wind were fascinating. And it certainly was a swift way to carry him the mile + distance to the Western sandy shores of their island home. Jordan Essex Jordan was riding the high of staying out of trouble, finding romance, and as well his niche. The dog man was coming into his new role and learning to enjoy being shifty for the sake of the labs. Life was good. Yes sir.
He was on the beach as it was the closest location to his duplex without having to trek through the jungle. He preferred to remain on the beach anyhow. It was 'his' turf as he was usually the only person out this far. The cool breezes were so refreshing and soothing for the mind.
It made coping with the humidity a bit easier. The long fluffy double-coating of fur on his arms and legs were like wearing wool pajamas at all times. Walking through the dense, moist jungle was a pain, so in spite of laziness, it was easier to relax in the sand, knees held close to his chest, just losing himself in the peaceful atmosphere. Ambrose Maurlias Carried by his momentum, the exhiliration from the run, and the delight of gaining a lupine endurence, Ambrose had hardly slowed by the time the dirt path let out onto the sandy beach.
His pawpads spread and the warm, soft sand cushioned his footfalls as he tore out onto the beach, forgetting for the moment the reason he had come out here in exchange for the runner's high and simple canine pleasure that he felt the need to experience from time to time. After all, it seemed to help quell other, baser desires if he gave in to harmless urges such as this.
The salty scent of the sea carried on the cool breeze from off the island and Ambrose closed his eyes, letting imagry play in his mind's eye. Mixed with the sound of lapping waves and the vague scent of fish and beach wood and long-dead shellfish it was a very tranquil and soothing picture.
As Ambrose kicked up dry sand in his wake, at his loping run he almost didn't smell one other scent present on the beach until he was nearly upon its owner. His eyes jerked open to see an unfamiliar partially-changed man sitting in the sand. And too late, he tried to slow down. Jordan Essex Jordan too enjoyed the scents carried on the breeze, though his enhanced senses were hardly comparable to a wolf's. His nose twitched inccessantly and it didn't bother him at all. He'd been making a game out of 'What's that smell' for some time now and it amused him. Having enhanced senses was a gift no human could imagine to possess and for that, he pitied their dull hearing and lackluster sense of smell. For the past three weeks Jordan had been experiencing the world in a way he'd never been able to in twenty-five years of life.
His slightly-pointed ears would twitch to every stimulus that presented itself. The waves were -of course- the primary sound. He loved that sound. He'd loved it back home, but the beauty of this beach amplified the experience ten-fold.
Jordan squinted as he thought he'd heard something, but it was drown out by the rolling waves. His ears twitched more as he heard it again, trying to figure out what it was. He lifted a paw to the bridge of his nose, rubbing between his eyes. Closing his eyes seemed to help him focus as the other sound was approaching- fast. He just happened to look up blurry-eyed, drawing his paw away from his face, when he saw the outline of a rapidly-approaching form.
No one he knew.
He squinted his eyes again and that's when he saw... oh god.. no...
Jordan's first response was to panic. His heartbeat raced two, almost three times faster in an instant. It was too late to move out of the way as the large wolf was barrelling upon him. The dread in his eyes was evident without the sunshades no longer in his possession. His mouth opened in horror, ready to cry out a horrible gasp.
This was it. The killer wolf had found him at last as he trembled in fear. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose locked his legs, but the only good that did in the soft, giving sand was to send him skidding towards the man with a look of horror plastered to his face.
His ears plastered back against his head and he squeezed his eyes shut in preparation for the impending collision, and a moment later his bulk crashed into the stranger - and with a surprised yelp they were btoh sent toppling into the sand.
How acutely embarrasing. Why wasn't he paying more attention!? Why hadn't he opened his eyes, and why hadn't he let his nose tell him more about the surroundings than just the distinct smell of the beach itself?!
With a groan and a flinch that displayed his sicled fangs, he tried to push himself off of the poor guy, preparing to apologize profusely. Jordan Essex The collision hurt like being side-swiped by a mac truck and he was sent flying in the sand, but not far enough as he let out an exapserated 'OOF' as the wind was knocked out of him. He was pinned under the large wolf's bulk, stunned by the force of impact.
Jordan was hesitant to touch the wolf, even to use him as leverage to unearth himself from his body. Anything to set this feral off and that thought frightened him further. Jordan squirmed, trying to worm himself away, but it was no-go. He was trapped until the killer so desired to release him from his clutches.
He breathed uneasilly, gasping sharply with each breath. This was it. He was going to die. He wasn't going to get the chance to see Kim again. His time was short as his equally short life flashed. His lips quivered and he couldn't control his fear anymore. He gripped the sand, as much as one can, and closed his eyes, preparing for the final moment of life before becoming dog kibble.
"Please don't kill me!!" the words escaped his fanged mouth. Great, his final words to be remembered by would be a cowardly display, shouting 'Please don't kill me.' Ambrose Maurlias "Oh god, I'm So TERRIBLY Sor-" He cut off, cocking his head and his face contorting into a baffled confusion. Kill him? Why would he...?
Oh.
His ears flattened to the side and he scowled, pushing himself up to a kneeling position with a belabored sigh and began to pat the sand from his fur. He obviously knew about the island. He looked like he had changed at least once or twice. It was probably her fault. His lip curled momentarily, and Ambrose didn't think that this was probably not helping the nerves of the dogboy.
He shook his head, with an exasperated gesticulation. "I'm not going to kill you" he insisted. "Really." Jordan Essex His frantic mind buzzed with one thought: FLEE!! As soon as Ambrose had lifted his weight from Jordan, the dogboy kicked his paws in the sand, not intentionally to kick sand at the wolf (though that would have been a good idea if he had thought of it). He only succeeded in scooting himself deeper into the sand. He turned onto his side and pushed himself up, ready to bolt for the safety of his duplex---- when he slipped and fell face-first back into the sand.
He curled into a fetal position, resigned to his fate. A shivering, huddled mass of white fur covered in sand. Ambrose's scent was so very strong. It burned his nostrils with the sheer power and strength of his animal.
Wait... what...? Nothing happened.. and did he just speak eloquently? Jordan peered up at Ambrose with one slowly-opening eye, relieved to see him not lunging for his jugular, but the curling lip snarl was just as intimidating. He was so confused. The wolf wasn't attacking. He was dusting sand out of his fur.
"Sir.. Mr. Wolf.. You're not going to hurt me.. B-but everyone says you're a killer..?" he was stuttering his words as his mouth trembled and then his paws were tightly wrapped around his mouth at the last part, eyes widening. He'd been spared and now he may change his mind. Ambrose Maurlias At the "Mr. Wolf", the image of the fairytale Big Bad Wolf flashed in Ambrose's mind. The cowering person, the nasty reputation trying to beg for his honor... it did seem like something out of a children's story.
"Mr. Wolf" indeed.
And damn the other islanders for spreading warnings of Annie without bothing to give any more description than "wolf". Probably trying to distance themselves from her by reducing her to the animal she had become. She wasn't a person to them anymore, not an islander. Just... "the wolf". Ironic, that in all the reading he had done, it likely wasn't the lupine DNA in her system that was responsible for her madness but the serum and the process itself... Wolves generally didn't attack people, despite their fairy tale cognants. But whatever the cause for her madness, Ambrose has already run into the sharp side of her fangs and claws, and he had scars to prove it. It was because of her that his runs no longer took him into the jungle, and because of that they were fewer and further between. Most of the island was covered with jungle, and Ambrose did not like to be seen doing something so base. But... at least he wasn't like her despite similar appearences.... he was still a man... not just a wolf... not just a monster.
His ears stayed plastered to the back of his head as his mind tumbled over these darker thoughts.
Finally, he spoke again, slowly and deliberately, trying to start over. "I am truly sorry to have frightened you. It was not my intention. It was my own mistake for not looking where I was going." He stayed where he knelt, careful to not close the distance. He, unfortunately, had had to placate more than one islander since his arrival here. As one of the firsts, he was usually more changed than other new folk he encoutered...
"I don't know what you've specifically been told, but I believe that there may have been a case of mistaken identity. I'm not the wolf that you've likely heard the tales about." Jordan Essex Jordan blinked in utter mystification. He was so very articulate. Commanding. Collected. Now, he felt horrible for reacting as he had. No one had told him there were two wolves!! This thought came through his facial expression as momentary anger for not being told more about the wolf on ther loose, his brows furrowing. As he collected himself and pulled himself to his paws, Jordan gapped the distnce between them both. His expression was still furrowed brows of confusion, though the fear could obviously not be detected at this point.
"I'm.. so very sorry, sir." he placed both his paws on Ambrose's right arm. "I hadn't been told anything more than there was a feral wolf on the loose killing people. That was during my first encounter with one of the residents.." he hung his head low in shame, not telling him that it had been Awen who'd warned him. "I'm very sorry for the way I reacted." Jordan slowly lifted his face, tears dripping down his cheeks. "Please, I beg your forgiveness.. I don't know how terrible it must be to be mistaken for being a marauding animal, but I'm truly sorry to have accused you without having more of the facts."
He could feel Jordan trembling against him and he leaned forward to hug the wolf tightly. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose was grateful for the understanding and the apologize... but the degree to which the man subjugated himself... and then... hugged him...? That, Ambrose had not been prepared for - nor was he quite sure how to respond.
Then, slowly, he gingerly patted the man's back. "It's.... it's alright. I'm sure you didn't know any better. And the stories of the other wolf are the truth... I've seen her myself. For future reference, she's got a dark brown pelt and, well, is female." His ear flicked back. He was describing her as if she was an animal, too. But then... that's what she was now, wasn't it... He too wanted to distance himself from her, regardless of the polite, meek girl that she had once been... one of them.
"But you'll find that the majority of the islanders here will mean you no harm. We're as human as you are where it counts, despite appearences." His eyes flicked to the thick white fur, and his nose told him that the man had a distinctly canine air to him. "After all... even those who aren't as far along eventually will get there..." Jordan Essex He felt safe near Ambrose, as if the omega submitting to the pack alpha. He definitely felt protected as the large paw patted at his back. The command of presence combined with the calm, collected demanor, he was definitely what his mind understood as 'Alpha'. Jordan looked up, meeting Ambrose's expression with a meek smile, flashing his canines in the process. He snugged a-hold of Ambrose another few moments before pulling back gently and respectfully, kneeling down before the wolf as if he were king, himself, and held up a paw, tilting his head to the side as if asking if it were alright to be part of his pack. This may not be what Doctor Moreau had intended with the drugs and mindbending but it was happening as a result of his mind trying to cope with these new thoughts.
Jordan's tail fanned the sand behind him as he remained there like a an excited puppy, awaiting any response from the wolf. He was strong and fast and noble, like everything he knew of wolves to be and he was awe-struck by his kindness. Jordan didn't exactly understand what was going on with him. He just knew this was the thing to do, to submit to the higher station of authority.
"I'll spread the word and inform people that you are not the wolf that everyone fears." So it was a female wolf with a dark brown pelt. He compared that to the noble golden hair and grey fur of the wolf before him, smiling even more. "I'll make sure this won't happen again, sir." Ambrose Maurlias Something seemed... off... about the way the fellow spoke. And yet, everything about his mannerisms seemed to bypass Ambrose's rational mind and speak to him in a much more instinctual level. It made him feel confident and in control, that the guy wasn't a threat; quite the opposite - that he was friendly and subservient and someone to be watchful over. And Ambrose liked that. There was so little about the island that Ambrose felt like he had control over - the labs saw to that. But at least the other people in his life, how he dressed himself and the care that he took in tending to his hygene - (despite the fact that he was currently spackled with ink in a few places from Billy; he hadn't had time to shower since then). In many ways, the lupine influences on Ambrose had intersperced themselves amongst Ambrose's pre-established personality and the result was a very congruent whole. Much of the wolf nature synched with the man's priorities and morals.
It was thus comforting that the man's mannerisms and posture immediately told that lupine segment of Ambrose's mind that judged every new person, sizing them up and trying to determine where they fit into the complex heirarchy of the island, exactly where this individual stood.
He nodded, feeling like a king; quite the turnaround from his embarrassing klutziness and apologies. "Thank you. Fortunately... I think there are many on the island who know me already, but it would be nice for those I haven't to not mistake me for the bloodthirsty savage. Ambrose... by the way... my name is Ambrose." Jordan Essex He smiled, hanging onto every motion, every miniscule movement, every change in scent. He understood something that he didn't quiet comprehend. He was now part of the pack, the omega, the caretaker, the one who ate last and who answered to all of higher station, especially the leader. Ambrose was as quickly adopted as his alpha and he did not move from his position until given the permission to do so. He did understand canine behavior and that knowledge helped him to understand, though, he had a long way to go before he truly would comprehend the complex heirarchy of being in the alpha male's pack, to be protected as if it were the canine mafia and forever cared for, lest he gave any reason to not be trusted further.
"I'm Jordan Essex." he wagged his fluffy tail even more knowing his alpha's name. Yes, he was Ambrose, the leader. As much as he was compelled to call him 'sir' he was given permission to call him by his given name. His nostrils flared as he sniffed at him again, although the scent was registered in his mind, it was the way canines greeted one another, after all.
"Ambrose," he rubbed a paw against his cheek in a fidgety manner "If I should ever run across the she-wolf, what should I do? Will she try to hurt us if we run?" Ambrose Maurlias He nodded in approval, shoulders staying square and his head and tail raised confidently. This was the first time Ambrose had encountered another canine islander that was this instinctual in his mannerisms, and it seemed to awaken so much of Ambrose's own developed qualities.
"Jordan... it is good to have met you, and I am glad that I didn't give you a heart attack there. Hopefully you'll never run into her. She tends to stay in the jungle. But if you do..." He thought back to her running for Antony when she tried to run "I wouldn't flee from her.... I'd try backing away cautiously... But I've only enountered her once before amonst a group of people. She went for the person who tried to run and I ... I intercepted her." Ambrose was loathe to admit - especially to this person who was looking up at him as if he were king - how strong the she-wolf was. "I wouldn't reccomend trying what I did." He finished simply.
Then, seeking a change in subject away from his shortcomings. "I don't suppose you've seen a deer-woman by the name of Emerwyn... or a black Horse-man by the name of Gaius, have you?" Jordan Essex He nodded sagely at the survival advice. He'd make sure to do exactly as he said, but then his ears twitched nervously and he fidgeted again. He had to tell him something that overrid a part of his self that had been so cautious. This would be ther first time he told someone else that he did not live in the village and he was afraid of the consequences.
"Ambrose... I.. I... don't live in the village with everyone else.. I live further down the beach, on my own..." he'd done it. He couldn't keep secrets from the alpha. "I have to walk through the jungle everyday to get food or if I want clean clothes and if I want to borrow a book. I'll have to be extra careful in the jungle from now on."
Jordan quickly changed gears and had to pause a moment to think of the people he'd met. He hadn't encountered a deer, nor a horse, but he had heard of the latter. "I'm sorry I do not know either, but I think a girl named Sophie mentioned a horse-man to me a few weeks ago." he nodded. It wasn't much help, though. "I'll keep a look-out for them and let them know you wish to speak with them." He gazed longingly at the opportunity to prove his usefulness to the pack, wagging his tail for Ambrose as much as he does at the thought of Doctor Moreau. "You can count on me to do anything you desire."
Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose furrowed his brow and cocked his head as he listened to Jordan talk, an ear flicked backwards as he considered the implications. Why did Jordan live away from everyone else? And there really was something odd about the way he spoke. Was it just that the canine serum was having a stronger effect on the boy? If that was the case, he obviously wasn't done changing yet... how much worse would it get?
"There... is a road... a narrow dirt road that cuts through the jungle... it's further to the South of here, but it leads straight to the village. That would be safer... I don't know if she uses the roads or not.... but being she hasn't been caught yet, I doubt she'd be there often."
Ambrose nodded. "That's alright, I'm sure I'll find them eventually - it's nothing pressing, but if you happen to run into either of them you can tell them that I'm looking for them." He smiled, his own tail returning the wag. "Thanks, Jordan."
He glanced around the beach again. Aside from him and Jordan, there wasn't a soul else there. But at least it had been a good run, and he met a new friendly face. "It was good to meet you. But I think I'll be heading back and see if I can't find either of them elsewhere. I'm in duplex number one if you ever want to pay a visit."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:48 pm
Had it had been six weeks of life on the island facility? Forty-two days since he last slept in his Tampa apartment, at least. Everything about Jordan was moving in an odd direction lately. Jordan still worked for the labs, though he hadn’t been assigned any official duties. He was becoming an animal-human hybrid and he was more accepting of that fact instead of questioning and behaving in defiance, as he first had. In spite of being given his big second chance to redeem himself, Jordan had once again betrayed Doctor Moreau’s trust before his initial physical transformation and afterwards he’d become deceitful and a liar, in the name of the doctor, towards the test subjects to protect himself and to achieve his ends. He’d succumbed to the anger Jordan thought had long been suppressed, even assaulting one with extreme prejudice for slandering Doctor Moreau viciously. He had even allowed himself to fraternize with one of the test subjects like a horny high school boy lost in his first emotional crush. What the hell was he doing?
Stress was a magnificent catalyst for all of these, but moreso, the extreme sleep deprivation he’d endured before the island. Yes, stress had been known to cause people to act out of their typical linear archetype, but combined with the mind-numbing, thought-killing downward spiral where irrational thought prevailed and seized its victims tight within its venomous talons, he was a prisoner of his device.
He’d been lying on his side in bed, thinking about his most recent exploit, what he’d done to the frogman. There was no doubt in his mind that he’d enjoyed it- and that’s what bothered him. Who was he? What was he becoming? Jordan knew he was changing physically, but there was a second unforeseen change occurring in his mental facilities. He wasn’t acting like himself. He wasn’t behaving the part of the shy, reserved young man who’d been employed by Feral Labs over a year ago. He was becoming someone different who was enjoying these power games and the force of presence to affect the lives of others.
He stretched out on his bed till he heard the cracking bones in his stiff legs, flexing the claws on both sets of paws. He wasn’t content to just lie there, but he was saddened over the fact that he hadn’t regained complete use of his former hands. He missed writing in his journal and it had been a major ego blow when Aislinn had written for him when all he could muster was chicken scratch.
“There’s no give without a take.” He lamented, wiggling his paws infront of his face. “I can smell the breeze and I can hear the world in new clarity, but I can’t hold a pen to save my life..” With an annoyed grumble, he scooted off his bed and ventured to the bathroom mirror.
He leaned on the sink, glaring at the reflection as his claws clicked against the porcelain. This is the same face he’d seen reflecting for the past few weeks. This was his shifting reality. He’d literally gone to the dogs. “Roll over and be a good boy.” He gloured at himself, curling back the corner of his lip to reveal the elongated canines. Jordan ran the claw of his index ‘finger’ up and down along the length of it. His other paw slid off the porcelain, slowly rising to his cheek. His claws ran over the sideburn fluff. If for a moment he’d been aware of his room being bugged he would have hesitated his monologing. “What’s wrong with you…? Why’re you doing any of this…?” Quite honestly, the incident with Newt had made him feel useful. It made him feel like he was part of the team, pulling his weight once again for the cause. “You’re not invinible! This isn’t a game!” His facial expression wrinkled in disgust at his recent actions, slumping forward to catch himself against the bathroom wall with his paws, forehead pressed against the mirror.
Jordan sniffled, trying told back an outward expression of emotion. He hated this feeling of weakness so much and bit the upper right canine into his lip not thinking. He didn’t so much as yep or flinch, but just held himself there over the sink A droplet of blood pearled and dribbled down his chin, mixing with the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He stared blankly as droplets of blood splattered into his sink basin.
Jordan felt like he was losing his mind. Even if he had known about the mind-warping subliminals contained within the music, they couldn’t be blamed completely. Yes, they were affecting his thought processes and making these recent actions seem more appropriate, yet, they were only setting the stage for him. The mind control implemented throughout every aspect of his modified duplex, separate from the test subject colony, made his actions more persuasive and appealing, but, in the end, he had still chosen to follow through on these actions, believing them to be the correct decisions.
He had to be losing his mind. One minute he’s a conniving plotter and the very next he’s playing the part of a subservient dog to another canine, all while feeling new-found loyalties towards Feral and Doctor Moreau propelling him to behave this way. When would it all end? When could he feel like himself again? His old self, not this conglomeration of new facades all serving as defense mechanisms. And now this foreign concept of ‘alpha’… he’d become indoctrined into Ambrose’s pack, further confusing him in this looming identity crisis.
Who. Was. Jordan Essex?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:10 am
Seth Callaghan It was a fairly warm morning already, despite the fact that the northern hemisphere was in its winter season. But the seasons didn't affect the tropical island weather a great deal, and the day was already humid and uncomfortably warm despite the fact it was not even noon yet.
Seth left the air-conditioned comfort of his duplex, intending to get the next item on his list. While some of the other things in the past required stealth and good timing (such as when nobody was looking), this next needed item would require some cunning plotting and smoothly worded lies.
The thylacine-man headed beyond the perimeter of his marked territory in the jungle and wandered out onto the beach, leaving his strange pawprints in the hot sand, walking out to where Jordan's duplex was located. The animal within became nervous as it smelled his scent on the air, being able to recall quite clearly what happened last time when he met with this person. But no, the man bit his lip and forced his mind into telling himself and his instincts to be strong, not to run and retreat.
This was important, afterall.
Seth made his way up the steps, kicking the grains of sand off his bare feet before he knocked on the door, giving it a good solid firm knock with his knuckles. Then he stepped back once more incase the door should fly open, or the occupant within should get mad and fly at him in a rage. He stood on his hinds as he stepped back onto the sand once more, waiting to see what would happen. He would run if necessary. But if he didn't have to.... this could get rather interesting. Jordan Essex Jordan hadn’t moved much from his bathroom sink, pitying himself, becoming a mixture of conflicting and confusing emotions vying for control. It had been maybe ten or fifteen minutes following his venture into the bathroom. So much raw emotion had come to the surface at once regarding his actions since his arrival and the path that he was walking. He just wanted to be alone to sort out his wild thoughts. He’d isolate himself from everyone if he had to till he figured himself out. Anger. Fear. Doubt. All of these were running amok in his frightened mind. He no loner knew himself, nor what he was becoming.
A solid knock came to his door and it scared the hell out of him. Who would be at his door?? He jerked up and hit his head on the corner of the mirror, hissing through his fangs in pain. He didn’t want to answer his door. He wanted to hide from everyone, though he knew that wasn’t possible. He’d tried and failed.
Jordan looked at himself in the mirror, wiping away the tears. He splashed some water on his face, taking his time. He wasn’t looking forward to company and he wasn’t sure how he’d react. He looked like hell. He licked over the puncture wound his canine had left in his bottom lip, the bleeding had stopped thankfully.
Jordan sighed as he made his way to the door, hesitating. He even tried to pick up the scent of who was on the other side first, but it was no use. It wasn’t familiar. He clutched the doorknob as best he could and opened the door slowly, keeping his eyes towards the ground. Seth Callaghan When the door initially opened, Seth stood tall, his tail raised with his sense of curiousity. He took one look at Jordan and blinked. So the man had changed afterall. Interesting. Part of the man wanted to point and laugh, to give him a smarmy lecture about how "I told you so" and that he was going to suffer the same fate as everyone who came here. But no, that's not why he was here today. Seth hadn't come out onto Jordan's beach duplex just to annoy him.
"Hey there, um," Seth began. "I'm probably the last person you wanna hear from right now. But I could really use your help." He paused, hesitant. "You see, a couple of my mates and me, we're planning something for Dr Moreau. Was wondering if I could use your help." Jordan Essex His ears twitched at the voice and Jordan winced visibly. Eyes shot level with Seth standing at his stoop, a snarl of a grimace plastered on his face. He wanted nothing to do with this troublesome man and today was not a good time for his bullshit. Jordan’s eyes narrowed in disgust and his nose wrinkled in the same sentiment.
Jordan fought every urge to slam the door in his face. The only thing that kept him in sight was the mention of Doctor Moreau. As if he’d just given up on his hostilities, Jordan let the rage for Seth go- for now, his facial expression softening. He really didn’t want to hear what the man had to say and –at the moment- didn’t care that it regarded Moreau, though his fluffy tail wagged nonetheless.
A soft sigh ushered his soft-spoken voice in a defeated tone, a definite change from their violent run-in. “What do you want…?” Jordan slumped against the frame of his door. Seth Callaghan Seth flattened his ears in reaction to Jordan's snarl.
"I don't really want anything, I'm just here to ask a question. Is now a bad time?" He wondered, tilting his head slightly, trying to work out what was going on in Jordan's head. He looked... unhappy. Perhaps it was because he had transformed recently, or something else? He shook his head, deciding it probably wasn't a good idea to ponder over it. At least he didn't look like he was going to attack.
"I can come back later, or go ask somebody else if you don't want to be bothered. But then you'd be left out of it." He shrugged. "You see, to put this simply, I'm planning a surprise for Dr Moreau. It'll involve some of the other islanders too. We're... creating something for him and the other lab staff, we kinda need some supplies to complete it. I've looked around but couldn't really find some of the stuff I was looking for."
"Interested in helping?" Seth grinned, trying to appear friendly. "It is for Doctor Moreau afterall." Jordan Essex Jordan had waved his paw in circles, indicating for Seth to speed his hokey little explanation. Of course now was a bad time. He was in the middle of a breakdown and would have appreciated to have continued it in solitude. Jordan didn’t feel like fighting. He didn’t feel like protesting. He was… numb. He didn’t care why Seth was here or that it was a surprise for Moreau or that he wanted his help. Jordan just wanted to curl up and cry in sorrowful pity.
“No… you’re not interrupting… now is fine…” he made no attempt to hide, in his voice, that something was amiss. He currently lacked the capacity to care. At least he wasn’t being rude or violent. He hated the thylacine man with a passion, even blamed their ‘fight’ for being the cause he was turned into an animal, having met Seth the day before he transformed.
There was something definitely wrong. Jordan wasn’t preaching the gospel according to Moreau, nor making an effort to colorfully hide behind a facade. This was it, an empty shell of a man, lost in his own inner conflict.
He didn’t even seem to be listening whatsoever as he slid down the doorframe, huddling in the open doorway. Jordan sniffled, staring at his bare footpaws. Seth Callaghan Seth bit his lower lip and stared at Jordan as he sinked to the floor of his duplex. He felt a mild sense of deja-vu, and felt just as hopeless as he did when he had come across Newt in much the same state of depression a few weeks ago.
"Hey, erm, cheer up." Seth said in the best encouraging tone he could muster. "Being on this island isn't so bad once you get used to it. You don't have to pay your taxes and if you're wanted for treason against your country, they'll never find you here. You can have all the free booze you want. And," He added quickly, an amused grin on his face now. "You can sleep and eat whenever you want, and make a whole lot of land yours. Just... don't go looking around mine too much, okay?"
"Er..." Seth didn't come any closer, but continued to keep his attention on Jordan. He looked like he was going to cry. Great. He felt absolutely hopeless now - what was he supposed to do in a situation like this? Sure enough he wasn't fond of the guy, an especially wasn't fond of the fact that he had slugged him one in the snout. But he didn't hate him as such, especially not to the point of wanting to make him feel worse. He still needed him right now, afterall.
He tried a different approach.
"Why don't you call up the labs and ask for a whole bunch of free s**t? You can ask for anything you want, just about. They'll give it to ya for nothin'. They gave me a new laptop afterall." Jordan Essex He sighed, pressing the dewclaw of his right paw into the central pawpad of his left. He didn’t have the will to move from that spot or that position. There was no point. It didn’t matter if he payed attention to Seth or played with his paws, sat in his doorway or stood. Each choice brought with it consequences. There was no escaping that truth for Jordan. Things were much different in his case from most others in ways they wouldn’t understand, in ways they didn’t need to know..
There was an awkward silence for several seconds in which time Jordan continued playing with his paws in what some might mistake for fascination and others idle distraction. Jordan huffed with resigned lackluster.
“You cheer. You pretend to be happy. That’s right, drink yourself stupid and gorge till you vomit. Be happy for me too. Indulge till it hurts, then sleep it off in paradise.. none of you appreciate what you have.. what you can do.. all of you ungrateful children spoiled with luxury..” Jordan spoke oddly, but still in his near-whisper tone of a man shattered. Indeed, the others had privalages he did not. He couldn’t sleep when he chose, he couldn’t venture where and when he so chose either. No one understood the pressures ad restrictions he faced, nor would they understand. How could they?
He laid his head against the doorframe, hiding his face under his furry arm as he wiped the tears away before Seth could see them, but his sniffles were sure to give him away if the choking sobs hadn’t. Seth Callaghan "Hey now," Seth grunted in an objecting manner. "You don't know that. You don't know if I'm grateful or ungrateful, the only time you ever discussed anything with me, it was about this place in general, and then it ended in you punching me in the face. But that was weeks ago and I hold different opinions now. Animal deformities and painful body changes aside, this place isn't so bad really."
"Okay, you're stuck here, just like the rest of us." He flattened his ears. "It's permanent - get over it. We look too messed up to just go back home now - what would society think of us if we went home?" He was silent for a few moments, still trying to struggle with that realization himself. "They took my life away from me and I'll never forgive them for that, but..."
He was silent again. Here he was trying to sound like he enjoyed the place, yet he was trying to escape it himself. He just didn't have it in him to argue a side he himself didn't believe in.
"Look, there's still lots of stuff you can do here. Start over. I own a territory here now, that's my domain and mine alone." He grunted and folded his arms. "I can't say I exactly like the lab staff for what they've done to me, but on the bright side, I don't have to take the train to work every day, I don't have to make money to support anything, I don't have to deal with booming interest rate hikes. That's all meaningless here."
He grunted once again at Jordan, mild irritation in his voice. "Oh come on. Get up off the floor and go for a walk down the beach. Come on, it'll do you some good." He scowled. "No need to lie on the floor and look hopeless. Been there done that, didn't get me anywhere." Jordan Essex Start over… was that even possible..? Was that what he needed? To start over, re-identify himself as the young man he knew himself to be once upon a time, not the stranger he’d caught a glimpse of in recent weeks? He didn’t hear anything after ‘start over’, his mind focusing on that intently. And indeed, Jordan seemed to look deep in thought, bringing his paws to his mouth, tapping the claws against his fangs. No.. it was a stupid idea..
Jordan glanced at him blankly, looking as if he’ll being with more tears any minute. So much fear, so much confusion.
He huffed. Seth was right. There were some positive aspects of the island, but that didn’t matter. Nothing mattered really. Not at the moment, maybe not tomorrow either- or the day after that. Jordan fell quiet, giving in to despondence. He suddenly didn’t feel like talking anymore. He’d already said more than he usually would have. He wasn’t the great orator he’d been posing as. That wasn’t him. Jordan was becoming wrapped in lies and deceit and losing his identity in the process. He didn’t know what he was becoming in the psychological sense, but it scared the hell out of him the way a part of him wanted more of it. Seth Callaghan Seth made a soft grunting noise in his frustration, becoming tired. It seemed like Jordan wasn't really listening to him any more.
"Ah come on, snap out of it," He moved forward finally, grabbing at Jordan's nearest paw-arm, pulling on it slightly, trying to encourage the man to his feet. "Moping around like this ain't gonna get you anywhere, trust me - I tried it. I spent weeks either drunk or bombed-out on the floor of my duplex. Didn't change squat - I'm still stuck here, aren't I?"
"You ain't gonna change s**t if you just sit there and do nothing." He sighed. He felt a complete loss on what to do now. "D'ya still want to help out, or should I come back another time?" Jordan Essex Jordan didn’t resist. He was pulled and so he rose onto his paws, using Seth as a balancing weight.
“Snap out of it, huh..? That’s the best line you have..?” what a callous thing to say. ‘snap out of it’ like it was just that simple. He shook his head in frustration and lifted his paws chest level. “I used to enjoy writing in my journal.. now I can’t even hold a pen and if –on the off-chance- I am able to manipulate one, I can’t even read the chicken scratch.” His paws trembled as the tears welled again “So, no, I can’t just snap out of it, but thanks for the concern.” He rolled his eyes in disdain, the anger shining through for that moment of angst.
He slammed the door behind him and pushed Seth out of his way, motivated to… move. “Don’t feed me that old line.” He wasn’t energized for a walk, but more accurately propelled by his mood swings. He felt like he was losing it and if he wasn’t careful, he would. He turned around after having put several feet between them. He didn’t like this guy. He didn’t care what he was up to. He didn’t even want to be a part of it. Yet, he was afraid of what he’d do if left alone.. he’d slip into a deeper state of despair, further lamenting.
“So…” he didn’t know what else to say. “Why am I so damn important to you?” his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Seth Callaghan Seth couldn't work out Jordan's mood exactly, and was confused by it. He sensed the anger well enough, but it was sporadic. The thylacine instincts were telling him 'danger!' now, but Seth continued on.
"I'd say something different but I was never one to sound all encouraging and stuff," He shrugged, allowing Jordan to move ahead of him once on his feet. He felt safer being the one behind, he could watch the guy and flee if he made any sudden moves. "I'm no motivational speaker. What I'm saying is true though, perhaps you can't just shrug it off immediately, sure, that's OK, I respect that. Took me the longest time to get over it. But you're not goin' to go anywhere if you don't get over it eventually, ey?"
He stopped briefly, toes sinking into the sand at Jordan's last question. "Why are you important? Well, I dunno really." He shook his head. "First off I thought I'd come here to try an' make amends. The second reason was because I was gonna ask if you knew of how to acquire something special." He paused. "You're pretty fond of Moreau, right? This thing I'm planning is because of him, a suprise for him. I thought maybe you'd be interested in helping out with it. You don't have to help with the actual construction part of the surprise but some tools'd be handy."
"Who knows," He shrugged, continuing after Jordan again. The sun was beating down on him now, and although it was hot, part of him actually liked it. He would have to so sunbaking in it later.
"If you're in Moreau's good books, you might even be able to call him up on the intercom in your duplex and ask for 'em. D'ya know what I mean?" Jordan Essex None of this seemed right, but he couldn’t think straight. Their first meeting hadn’t been a memorable one. Jordan hated this man, loathed his very being, yet he was tolerating him. Why? He could have just as easily told him to ******** off and burn in hell, but he hadn’t. Goddamnit.. he was doing it again, wasn’t he? Playing the role of the spy to gain information. These games of subterfuge were addicting. He’d let Seth think whatever he wanted of him. Whatever. He was apathetic towards the thylacine’s misinformed assumptions.
“You don’t understand.. it’s not that..” He opened his mouth to say more, but paused in silence. “Nevermind.. it’s nothing..” waving his paws in dismissal of the thought.
He didn’t know what to believe. This man, who’d been so diehard against the labs was now making amends and wanting favors? His spider-sense tingled all over and he was even more confused. He had to keep an eye on Seth, but he didn’t want to care what he did. The only reason he showed any remote interest was the doctor was to be the recipient of this ‘gift’. Doctor Moreau- he made him feel good, but that only brought on more mixed feelings. He felt strongly towards him and wouldn’t want harm to befall him. Moreau was also an alpha, like Ambrose: a leader to be respected and obeyed. Was he being unfairly paranoid of a man honestly wanting to make amends?
The heat was getting to him, sweat beading on his forehead. He felt weaker in his stressed out state and marched closer to his duplex. “And… who says I’m in good with him..? I’m just a screw-up.. that’s all.. that’s why I’m here..” He sniffled at the thought of being abandoned by Moreau. His tail wagged nonetheless. He’d angered him at least twice and had been scolded, if not punished on each occasion.. He was making stupid mistakes and bad decisions left and right. To that end, Jordan didn’t know if that was true or another lie to distance himself. Seth Callaghan Seth continued to remain several feet behind Jordan as he followed along, the instinctive desire to remain alert was high. He wasn't in his territory, the animal within was becoming more and more nervous by the moment. Seth bit his tongue and continued along, determined to get what he needed.
"Who says you're on good terms with him, ey? Well, me for a start." Seth mused. "You're certainly on better terms with him than me - I've never met the man myself, never even spoken with him over the intercom. Was it him who gave you your own space on the beach? I got shoved in with the rest of the regular bunch, I would say that there's pretty interesting.
"As to why we're here, I think all of us screwed up in one way or another. So what? There's more than one way to turn a bad situation into a good one." Jordan Essex If he’d really wanted to pull something shady, he would have come forward with it, Jordan mused. This guy wasn’t bright enough to be subtle. So maybe he did want to do something nice for the doctor.
Despite the heat getting to him, his tail was fanning behind as he was believing this could be a great way to get in good with Doctor Moreau again. His expression remained skeptical, but he believed Seth.
“Okay.” He nodded, approaching Seth with an outstretched paw “I’ll help you.” Inwardly, Jordan finished the sentence with ‘and take all the credit’. Seth Callaghan "Great." Seth was grinning now. He stopped once more as Jordan turned around and took one small edgy step back as the dog-footed man began to approach him. "Happy to have you on the team." He took the paw and shook it, grinning as wide as he could. With his snout and wide jaw, the expression more than likely would have looked downright silly.
"Okay, all ya' gotta do is this," Seth began, his grin fading as he took on a more serious expression. He moved closer to Jordan, speaking in a low voice in an attempt to minimalize the noise that any nearby microphones could have picked up.
"All you need to do is get a pair of pliers. Something that can cut wire. Wire that's about, say..." He paused for a moment to think. "Three or four milimetres thick. Yeah, that's about right." He paused, nodding to himself. "Ya' see, part of this surprise involves this... giant thing with a wire frame." He made vague motions with his paw hands, as if motioning something big and round. The miming gesture could have very easily been mistaken for a ball, or a balloon. "We need to cut lengths of wire to make the right shape for the surprise. From there, the other islanders and myself can complete the rest. But we can't do it without the wire cutters."
"So yeah, cutters. Not sure where you're gonna find 'em. Streuth, I've looked all over the bloody island and turned up nothing. I hope you have better luck." He gave the other man a singular curt nod. "So yeah, that's all ya' gotta do. And if you wanna help further then I'll leave you the right information. You're up there in the good books with Dr Moreau, right? Use your powers of persuasion on one of the other people here on this island, sniff 'em out. Perhaps call up the man himself or something. But whatever you do, don't tell him what it's for. If he has to ask, its a surprise and nothing more. Ya' with me so far? Any questions?" Jordan Essex Jordan was nodding, trying to listen to what was being side, but he was on his own track of thought, thinking how he’d steal this project out from under Seth, take complete and total credit for this ‘surprise’ and make Doctor Moreau very happy with a gift. And if Seth had anything to say about that… well.. then.. uh.. well, he’d think of something, but this seemed like the one big chance to show the labs that he wasn’t a screw-up and deserved to atone for his sins. There wasn’t much more to it than that. A simple train of thought for a simple person without a prayer.
“Uhm… pliers? Would they just give out something like that without being suspicious…” sure it sounded feasible.. pliers were needed to cut wire… but.. would they see it the same way without giving him the third degree? It was good to see Seth wasn’t going on about an escape attempt. Maybe there was hope for him yet.
“Why can’t you get what you need?” he was just a little more than curious. “You… uh.. you’re not in any sort of trouble are you?” Seth Callaghan "No," Seth shook his head. "Doesn't seem like a tool they just give out to anyone. Which is a pity because if you have a whole lot of wire that needs shaping, say into a sculpture or the likes of something similar, you can't cut the desired length off to what you need."
Seth grinned in a feral manner. This was working perfectly so far, Jordan was buying into his story. If the man came through for him, then his plan's end was pretty much guaranteed.
"There were no pliers around the construction site when I visited Gaius and his team that is busily working away on building the theater." He looked genuinely dissapointed. "They weren't doing anything that involved bending wire around. Everywhere I looked turned up nothing so far." That part wasn't a lie. While he didn't look in many places yet, he still was without pliers.
His ears perked up as Jordan asked if he was in any trouble.
"Oh no, no no." He quickly shook his head. "All the times I talked to Dr Duvert, we were on fairly okay terms. He even got me a new laptop after I broke my old one by accident, so I certainly don't think I'm in their bad books." He shrugged. "But then again, I asked for an ATV and I didn't get that... I guess some items they just don't want to give out. Maybe you'll have better luck, ey?" Jordan Essex “Are you planning on making a wire sculpture for Doctor Moreau?” he couldn’t help but crack a smile at that thought. “I bet he’d really appreciate a gift in his homage.” That tail wagged fervently again. Jordan so did like Doctor Moreau, didn’t he? And it hadn’t occurred to him to question why in the past few weeks that he had developed such a turn-about.
Construction site? Theatre? Jordan looked both confused and curiously amazed there was something new on the island he hadn’t learned about. He’d have to check that out on one of his outings. Jordan was puzzled as to whom Seth mentioned. “If you don’t mind me asking.. Who is Gaius..? A friend helping with the gift..?”
Again, that name came up: Dr. Duvert. Jordan had yet to meet this mysteriously elusive man and yet he was so known and talked about. Was Jordan so isolated from everyone else that he’d bonded so much more with Doctor Moreau? It made sense..
Jordan fidgeted in the sand, keeping the fleshy pawpads from staying on one hot spot for too long. ”I’ll see what I can do..” he gave only the slightest of nods. “I want to see Doctor Moreau’s happy face light up when I… uhm… we present his gift..” stupid! He’d let that faux pas slip.. Hopefully it would be overlooked. Seth Callaghan "Yeah," Seth paused for a moment. "Something like that. I'll draw up a rough plan of what we're going to do, if you like. But don't let anybody else see it, okay?" He made a mental note to draw up something fake, but believable.
"I'm not much of a sculpture artist myself, and I don't know how to protect it from the rain, but that's where other people come in." He smirked as he watched Jordan's tail wagging. He was definitely turning into some kind of dog. Seth was suddenly glad that his animal wasn't so expressive, and also glad of the fact that it didn't make any apparent outward movement when it was happy. Otherwise it might be much harder to pull off any cunning ideas. A wagging tail when he was trying to weave a lie might look suspicious.
"Ah, Gaius is a bloke working on the theater. I think he's in charge of building it... not sure there really." He thought for a brief moment. "Yeah I guess maybe I could call him a friend one day, if I got to know him better. Not a bad bloke, really. He has a long neck and these funny looking wing things growing out of his back. You can't miss him."
He frowned in thought once again, seeming to be in another time and another place for a moment. Once they started the digging, they would need a place for all that dirt... so why not make a mock-statue out of the leftover dirt and put it somewhere noticable? He had already been talking about a sculpture, that may as well be it. It seemed like a perfect idea.
"If you want a part in it, you could help with some of the sculpture if you want." Seth grinned at the dog-footed man once again. "Any good with the arts?" Jordan Essex He could picture it now! The statue would be a stern representation of the real life doctor, an arm folded across his chest and a file held in the other. A true inspiration for everyone on the island. “That’s what everyone needs, a statue in the village. It would unite us together in our love for our beloved Doctor Moreau..” he was near swooning at quiet the words passing through his mouth. “I’d love to see a concept preliminary of the statue, please.”
Jordan was easily distracted when the good doctor was mentioned and any suspicions of Seth’s motives were displaced and forgotten. This man was reforming his wicked ways and he didn’t have to do anything. Jordan wasn’t up for another speech on why the island was good and the labs were the savior. This was a small bit of joy in an otherwise shitty day. He couldn’t help but express himself physically, not that he could control the tail’s movements. Emotions were not easy to hide as a dog.
Jordan logged the vague description of the horse-man and e had to sit down. Jordan moved slowly, worn out by the heat and the humidity, towards the stoop of his duplex and held onto the wall as slid himself down, careful of sitting on his waggly tail. Once situated, he nodded at Seth. “Yes, I would appreciate if I could be a part of this project. I hope you can understand it means a lot to me..” his ears flicked as he’d looked up in time to miss the frown. “I’m not very artistic, though…” he sighed, feeling useless in the respect he wouldn’t be able to lend a creative paw in the design. “When do you plan to get the project started..?” Seth Callaghan "Heh, love is a bit of a strong word, don't you think?" The thylacine-man arched an eyebrow at the other. "Admire, perhaps. I have to admit, there's certainly a few things about him I admire."
"Such as his power, and ability to con suckers into coming here..." He thought, flicking an ear in annoyance.
He quickly snapped out of his thoughts and gave Jordan another wide grin. The thylacine seemed calm now, and had the man lower his stiff banded-tail, relaxing it completely. "But yeah, you want a preliminary concept? Okay, easy done. I'll have to sketch it up, you can go over it and make it better, or change what you want. You can be in charge of what it looks like, how's that sound?" He chuckled, amused now. This had initially started as a small sniff of a lie, and now it was brewing into something truly marvellous. Several people building a big sculpture could prove quite the distraction from what was really going to be happening.
"The way I picture this thing though... it's gonna need a thick heavy wire frame, perhaps some mesh too. Perhaps ask for a soldering iron too? For melting and holding the wire frame in place, I mean. Ask for concrete, clay, anything you need. Don't matter if you're not artistic, we could find somebody who's good at that stuff, I bet. And you can learn along the way as you go."
"When to start it, oh... I dunno." He pondered that question for a few moments. "I can start digging up the dirt right away I guess. But planning's first, I'll show you some of the sketches I have in mind and we can go from there. How's that sound? In the mean time, get out of this heat. You look bushed." Jordan Essex He was willing to concede to Seth’s admiration of Doctor Moreau, even though he believed everyone should show more love and appreciation for the man in charge. He lacked the stamina to get into an argument with Seth. “Whatever…” was the best retort he could muster, feeling his spirits sink low once more at the reminder of so many malcontents.
He leaned against his door and stared at the sky. His claws drummed on his knees, trying to resist getting uppity about his recent beliefs. There was no point to cause trouble. Wasn’t he punished enough? He tried remembering if he’d been so strongly conflicted in such a short period about anything. “Sure…” Jordan responded quietly, distantly to the offer of a concept sketch.
Seth’s words were all becoming a blur. The heat was causing a woozy feeling. And he kept just staring into the sky. He wasn’t feeling well to begin with and being outside seemed to exasperate that feeling. All he heard was Seth’s tone, the words being more of a distorted warbling.
Jordan stood uneasily, shielding his face from the sun, gripping the doorknob as he did. He wasn’t looking so hot. “Just… keep me informed… stop by when you have something to show me…” he twisted the knob and pushed his way into his duplex. Seth Callaghan The thylacine man merely raised an eyebrow at Jordan as he watched him. He seemed to be acting quite strangely indeed. The heat, perhaps? That could have been it, but it just seemed weird to Seth. It wasn't even that hot... or maybe he was just used to it. He did used to live a country where the residents sometimes referred to it as "the land of perpetual summer" afterall.
"Will do," Seth nodded as Jordan told him to keep him informed. That part would be easy to do, he noted to himself. "I'll either knock, or leave a note under your door. We can discuss this another time, any time really. But soon, okay?" He raised a paw up as if to say goodbye. "Farewell, have fun there."
Seth wandered off down the beach, leaving Jordan to his own devices for now, heading away from the duplex to think. This hadn't turned out the way he he had been expecting, but things rarely did. It wasn't a bad situation though, and one he could work with. One he could work with quite well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:35 pm
He closed the door on Seth, shaking his head. A paw rested on his face as his body slid to the floor. Slumped on his rear, Jordan sniffled, now alone once more. He could be in solitude. He was becoming used to being alone, isolated from the others in every aspect. He wasn’t like them. He couldn’t hope to be like them. Yes, he’d interacted with them, but in the same sense a scientist observes rats running the maze. Perhaps this new project would give him an outlet for his frustrations. Could he hope to be accepted by them if he worked alongside them for a common group effort? He had no sense of belonging amongst their ranks. He wanted to believe he was above them… but in the end, was he only more like the other subjects than he could have feared?
Since displeasing Doctor Moreau on two occasions, Jordan had become paranoid and fearful of future repercussions. He’d convinced himself that he needed to become a better employee, even if he hadn’t been assigned official duties. Jordan had become compelled to act as an extension of the labs even though he felt completely useless to them. The chance run-in with Sophie when he’d first transformed provided the opportunity to begin and then when he met Newt, he’d forced the frog back to his duties. This statue project of Seth’s seemed like a very good idea to get back in good with Doctor Moreau. Jordan felt distanced from the labs, but just maybe he’d be recognized for is attempts with Sophie and Newt and when he presented the statue, taking full and complete credit, he could already picture Doctor Moreau’s grateful accolades. He felt so lost without the doctor.
His behavior changes had caused instigated this depressed emo state in the first place. What confused Jordan was the way he’d begun acting. So different from what he used to knew. Was he consciously trying too hard to be someone he wasn’t or was it a side-effect of his canine changes? He had no earthly clue what was happening to him. Jordan slammed his fist against his door in anger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:10 pm
Joliette Rigiel The sun warming her chilled scales really did feel good tot he Komodo, it was too cold in the cafeteria, way too cold.. Damned airconditioner... Just another thing about what the git did to her that Joliette really didn't like. She pauses looking skyward and thinking... When would it ever end... when would the git have destroyed enough lives Jordan Essex Jordan had thought that maybe -just maybe- if he vented some of his frustrations in the gym, he could stop feeling so fidgety, angry, and shake the onset of depression. He wasn't in the mood to deal with people and he'd gone out of his way to take alternate paths if he did hear and smell others nearby. He was feelign fractured and broken with his latest exploits and confused by his actions. He'd been acting so out of character for himself and he had too few leads as to why. Joliette Rigiel "When you stupide git when?!?" she called to the sky, she knew she wouldn't get a reply... but she felt she had to say it. Felt she had to shout it to the world, she was frustrated, and there almost seemed to be nothing she could do about it. Jordan Essex "What the hell...?" Jordan muttered, looking up from the ground. A familiar voice had shouted and he'd only heard one test subject use the word 'git': Joliette. "********..." he added with realization. He'd been trying to avoid the more dangerous subjects for good reason. The last time these two had gotten together, he'd used her to hide from Moreau and that hadn't ended well for Jordan. His ears twitched as he tried to detect from which direction the voice had come from, but it wasn't much use, not with the setup of the village proper area. The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. So he froze, looking around nervously. Joliette Rigiel "You already have a thumb on our lives, watching our every move... Must you destroy more lives???" She growls slightly and her tongue flickers. Her large tail move in an agitated manner, having met yet another innocent person who didn't know what the isle was about had started to bother her. She looks around, surely there had to be something she could do damage to without having to actually stand. She had enough control that she knew it wouldn't be a living thing... And eventually her eyes landed on a pair of legs... furry ones... and her eyes lifted till they rested on the side of the male. She was still upset, but wasn't going to do anything bad "Oh... uh hi" she salled slightly from the distance away that she was Jordan Essex He stiffened as Joli approached. He was afraid of her now, fearing what she was capable of. The komodo could tear him limb-from-limb at any time she so felt like it. Tentatively, he took a step back, then another. His paws flexed defensively, as if his canine claws could really do any damage to her. She hadn't recognized him. That wasn't good. Maybe she wasn't as in control of herself as she'd claimed during their meeting at the lake. Joliette Rigiel "Oh great NOW what did I do?!? I'm not a freakin alligator, and I may be a Komodo but I do have some sense of control.. Not that anyone here would believe me I'm sure... Just like the girl I met today didn't believe me when I told her what this place is all about" her frustration was mounting despite keeping control of the beast Jordan Essex She did recognize him afterall. Great. Fine. Good for her. Hand the komodo a meat cookie. He grumbled as she threw that comment back in his face. What a b***h. Jordan would have backed down if he'd been in any better frame of mind, but seeign as things weren't going well for him at the moment, he decided to not back, to step up to meet her anger and to match her horror story with one of his own.
"I know you're not a damn alligator... so sue me for making a mistake! Geeez..." he huffed indignantly "Oh I'm sorry you had to break the truth to someone.. AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T ******** TRANSFORM INFRONT OF SOMEONE ON HER FIRST DAY!! Yeah! Not what I'd call a good day... writhing in pain as you have to rely on someone else to pull off your shoes before your feet rip through the material because your hands have become useless paws! Yeah, I'm sooo sorry for you!" he was getting worked up worse than he should have and not thinking at all. His chest was heaving and he was breathing hard, flailing his arms as he spoke. Joliette Rigiel "You think you've had it bad??? I've been thrust against a wall and pinned there while someone was changing, changed in front of a little boy who happened by, changed in front of another at the beach and wound up getting sprayed by them right after... and locked in a empty room for three days in complete silence and solitude while being changed so I couldn't even stand up anymore. And this is just me, I know everyone here has had bad transformations, what makes you think you are the only one who deserves pity?" Her frustration was growing with every word she spoke, her eyes narrowing and long sharp claws digging firmly into the ground Jordan Essex He'd been stunned by her blunt confession of anger, too stunned to formulate a retort. His jaw hung open wordlessly as he tried hard to think of anything to say, yet nothing would. He growled in frustration for a lack of anything coherent, balling his paws into fists.
"I'm not asking for pity... but don't think you're so much more worse off just because you've lost your humanity... Not all changes are physical.. you should know that.." he winced at the flashback of her ripping nito the rabbit, thinking that could easilly be him if she lost it. Joliette Rigiel "Never said I was more worse off, in fact I said other people have had it just as bad, NOONE who is still alive here has had it worse ... we're ALL stuck on this god forsaken rock for the rest of our lives... If you want someone worse off go look at the cemetary... Look at those who not only lost humanity but their LIFE.." She stayed firmly rooted in her position. Jordan Essex He knew some had died and he'd accepted that as a possibility for anyone's fate if complications arose. He had no clue there'd been a cemetary erected on the island and that creeped him out. He visibly flinched again as his paranoia once more seized his mind with the what-ifs that could go wrong.
"Yeah, we're here for the long haul, but why does that have to be a bad thing? Maybe some people have incentive to find the positives of the island. It's not as bad as you make it out to be. The changes hurt like hell, but the benefits outweigh the bad- by far." Joliette Rigiel "The benefits..." she stopped and stared at him "Look at me and tell me ONE benefit I've had Jordan... I cant even reach the blooming lightswitch!" She stopped her words right there and waited for a reply. She wanted to hear just what he thought was a benefit of what had been done to her Jordan Essex He was angered by her defiant challenge. She'd been here longer than him and she was content to lose herself in the doom and gloom story like most people. Not him. Not anymore. Not since Lauren had set him straight.
"I'll give you one alright. David." he smirked victoriously as he offered that back at her. "You're not alone. You think it's so bad here. You focus on everything that you can't do... but what about what you? I can hear and smell things I never could as a human. That beign said, I can't hold a damn pen to save my life. One of my few fond joys in life had always been keeping a journal and I can't even do that anymore. It looks like chicken scratch. And I have a tail that wags on its own. I can't control it. I've even slammed it in a door already." it was difficult to give this speech right now. He really wasn't sounding very constructive. It was coming out angry and in his confused, frustrated state, he just knew that he had to be good for Doctor Moreau, but that wasn't happening, was it? Joliette Rigiel All right he had her there... though to her it was the ONLY benefit she'd had outside of friends... The fact that she couldn't reach anything frustrated her to no end. It didn't help she couldn't use a sink, she couldn't take photos or develop them, or even sit in a chair, she was stuck on the ground with no options. "Get a recorder Jordan, dictate your journal..."she tells him bluntly "Be lucky you can still walk" the wheels in her mind were whirring a zillion miles an hour at that point, a mix of feelings and emotions Jordan Essex The suggestion had taken him off guard. Why hadn't he thought of a recorder? Could he even manipulate one? He stared at his paws and frowned. He felt so very useless right now. His world was changing and he was an idle dog with no direct purpose. Yes, he wasn't constrained by the laws and regulations of the outside world, but he felt entirely useless being here. What was his affiliation with the labs anymore?
He sighed, rubbing a paw over his face. He didn't feel good, not at all, even worse than when they'd bumped into each other. Joliette Rigiel "Look I have to go... You just keep in mind others have it just as bad... you aren't better thenthem... as for your hands... you can't hold a pencil.. I cant hold anything.." she looked at her lack of fingers for a moment and without another word turned heading for the duplexes, she did not wait for his reply or retort, she was upset... and she wanted to let her frustrations out on someone she felt deserved it more... Jordan Essex He was pissed off and frustrated as he kicked some dirt up and stormed off towrds the gym. He didn't even know if he'd be able to do anything there, but he needed to vent and vent hard with some weights. He grumbled about ungrateful bitches always whining about their problems and never looking at the good things they have available to them. It was eating at himmore and more and adding to his already existing issues. Jordan didn't say anything to Joli as she walked off. He didn't have any interest in being mauled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:29 am
Jordan Essex Jordan flung open the door to the gym furiously, storming out into the village. If it wasn't one thing it was another! He'd been on his way there before stopped by Joli and after their parting of ways, he was in need of some hardcore excersise in a bad way. Too bad it didn't help any. He only felt incredibly angry and frustrated. The weights kept slipping out of his paws and the stationary bike was difficult to manipulate with his hindpaws. Even the chest press and lateral pull had proven difficult to manipulate. He was growling in festering rage he hadn't experienced in many years, something he thought he'd overcome in high school, but stress has a way of bringing up those sort of things when one least expects it.
Victor Zimmerman After some debate with himself, Victor had decided to leave his duplex. He didn't really want to, but he knew he couldn't just keep himself holed up in his duplex forever, and his duplex was cooler than the outside air, and now that he couldn't rely on clothing to keep himself warm, outside was probably his best bet, at least until the people at the labs delivered that electric blanket he ordered right before his change. If they delivered it. So far Victor hadn't been in any of the other rooms of the town hall other than the caferteria, and he did want to see what else was there. So the lizardman randomly picked a room to go and explore, hoping nobody else was in there for the time being, and Victor picked the workout room. After 'standing up' by balancing his weight on his tail and leaning against the door, Victor managed to get the door open, and slipped inside, crawling inside as quickly as he could so his tail wouldn't get caught in the door, but the lizardman's tail was too long, and fiendishly clenched onto the middle of his tail as it closed. "Damnit!" Victor shouted as he kicked back at the door to free his tail, which was still painfully sore from his changes, finally freeing himself after a few tries. Victor dragged himself further into the gym, turning himself to try and make sure he wasn't bleeding or anything, and luckily he wasn't, but it still throbbed hotly, and the lizardman wasn't aware of Jordan's presence.
Jordan Essex Jordan was incapable of calming himself at the moment. He hadn’t been able to think coherently enough beyond ‘smash’, ‘crush’, ‘maim’ like a notable green hulking comic book character. The lack of displayed willpower, the flaring temper, and the total abandon of reason: Jordan was riding a dangerous high. He was incapable of caring about the repercussions of his actions in this mindset, driving himself deeper into this frenzied state. Everything about his situation was driving him crazy and he had no way of resolving it one way or another. The feeling of weakness was his sore spot. It caused him to do stupid things. Right now, he was content to vent his rage on anyone or anything he came across.
His mind was too hazed with angry thought to take note of the exclamation, replaced with a colorful one of his own as he realized he’d dropped his cap sometime during his workout. He’d gotten about ten yards into the village when he realized this and his eye twitched in aggravation. Every little thing was liable to set him off into a worse anger. He stomped the ground and pummeled the air wildly with his fists, appearing to be assailing an invisible threat to the casual observer. He stormed back in the direction of the workout room, flinging open the doors as he did. An appropriate line to say would have been ‘Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!’
Victor Zimmerman Victor looked at the different equiptment there in the workout room, all things he wouldn't be able to use, not even the treadmill, his body structure made him too wide to be able to use it, his legs would just hang off the sides, the only thing he could possibly have any use for was the balance exercise ball... which was something he could use to rest on in his duplex. The lizardman had taken a couple more steps into the workout room, just out of the way of the doors as they were flung open by Jordan, surprising Victor, who looked up at the dogman from the floor, not saying anything at the moment, waiting for Jordan to make the first move.
Jordan Essex The quiet lizardman hadn’t been immediately noticed by Jordan as he stormed in, sniffing for his own scent as he moved from machine to machine that he remembered using, getting a serious nose-full of his own sweat and musk, as well as anyone who’d used it recently. It wasn’t all that bad either, but it was definitely something to get used to, being able to smell such a pungent scents in greater detail. The gym had always been his second home and he couldn’t figure out why he’d stopped going for several years after high school.
He found his hat near the stationary bike. It’d fallen under the next one over. As Jordan lent over to reach for it, his nose twitched and he caught a whiff of something new- no, someone new. His ears twitched as he debated looking over, grabbing his cap and beating it against his leg, getting any dirt and dust off.
Victor Zimmerman Victor had been surprised that Jordan hadn't immedately noticed him, but soon saw the reason why, the dogman was too focused on finding something, in this case his hat, to see Victor who laid low to the floor. Once Jordan had found his hat, Victor crawled over to where Jordan might see him. Better to let the other man see him now than accidently sneak up on the guy and freak him out more than he probably already be from his appearance. "Hey there"
Jordan Essex His ears twitched again as Victor moved, even scuttled, could it be called? He wasn’t alone, which means someone had been so clever as to hide themselves upon his entrance, which didn’t make him happy. He let out a low, displeased grumble. They weren’t speaking up which meant either it was someone new caught off guard and speechless at his appearance or some rude subject who’d never seen a dogman in a gym before. He slowly lifted himself back up from getting his cap, flexing his paws angrily, ready to lash out on whoever this was. Jordan was taking his time, trying to get this man’s scent through all of the others, but it was too overpowered. So, the next best thing was to give this person a good look.
Adjusting his cap onto his head, he slowly turned, muttering “Take a picture. It’ll last longe----“ and he was cut off as he quirked a peculiar gaze at Victor, stunned at what the hell this abomination could possibly be. “What the hell…?” is all he could muster. It was callous and it was inappropriate, but damn! He was freaky and Jordan currently lacked the courteous restraint to bite his tongue.
Victor Zimmerman take a picture? what was that supposted to mean? Victor wondered, as he kept his snout tilted down, so that Jordan wouldn't have to see his two mouths at once. The dogman's reaction was less than he had hoped for, but better than he had experianced so far. "Everything all right? you sssseem upsssset" Victor asked, his large second mouth moving some, and hiding the mouth below, the 'ventriloquist's trick' as he had come to think of it as, it probably was better than distrubing Jordan anymore than he already was. "I'm Victor by the way, wassss jussst looking around"
Jordan Essex “No, I’m not alright!” he snapped at the awkwardly-shaped lizardman. What a stupid question! Wasn’t it obvious that he wasn’t okay?! Some people… why did they have to ask such obvious things?! Couldn’t they just mind their own business? Of course, on a normal day, Jordan would have asked the same thing. That was neither here nor there and facts didn’t matter to someone lost in anger.
Victor’s second question earned a grunt after Jordan’s curt statement, rubbing his paws over his face, with evident displeasure. He leaned back against the stationary bike, huffing at him. “At least you’re not some new kid with no clue what’s going on… looks like you’ve seen better days there, Vic.” He purposely cut off his name to be an a**. “And to think we wouldn’t be having this wonderful conversation if I’d kept better track of my stuff.”
He flicked a claw to knock his bangs out of his face. “Name’s Jordan….” he offered begrudgingly. Seeing Victor’s twisted form was oddly making him feel better momentarily. Kind of a ‘Sucks to be you, Glad I’m not! Hahahahaha!’ moment. Others’ pain and misery was always good stuff when you’re pissed off at the world. It meant you weren’t alone and someone else was getting screwed too.
Victor Zimmerman Jordan's angry snappy responce didn't surprise him so much, or worry him, neither did being called 'Vic' It was a nickname he usually allowed his friends to call him by. the lizardman had been with enough patients to understand Jordan's attitude. "Good to meet you Jordan, and Yessss, I've sssseen better dayssss but I ssssuppossse we all have..I got my tail sssshut in the door when I came in, hard to get usssed to ssssomething ssso long thatsss attached to you" Victor curled his tail halfway around himself. "I haven't ssseen anyone new around, although I don't get around that much" Victor shuffled his feet to get into a more comfortible position.
Jordan Essex Jordan visibly jumped and winced, grabbing at his own tail and rubbing his rear when Victor mentioned the evil of slamming tails in doors. That was a pain that came surging back to memory and one that made him unable to continue leaning against the bike. Even if he was pissed at the world, it wasn’t cool to take joy in something like that- especially after experiencing it firsthand.
“Ouch! I’m sorry..! I did that a day or two after I first changed.. this thing has a mind of its own, so even if I’m careful, I have to be even more careful than that cuz it tends to move when it wants and wags at happy thoughts.. and gets caught in doors if I’m not watching..”
Why he did this next, he couldn’t figure out. Maybe it was simple psychology, but Jordan moved closer to Victor, slowly and cautiously. Vic had opened a dialogue with the irate dog and he was remaining calm in the company of the mad dog. He didn’t know if he could trust this freaky lizard yet, so he kept a few feet between them as he crouched down nearby, holding himself up with a paw on the nearest machine. Jordan was angry, but he couldn’t help his curiosities about the deformed man. “So…” he didn’t know what else to say, glancing around, but in obvious need of someone to talk to. His distress was all-too clear.
Victor Zimmerman Victor nodded at the mention of how troublesome having a tail could possibly be. the lizardman watched Jordan as the other man moved closer and crouched down. the former psychology student was able to keep calm for one simple reason, which was his mind was clear and untainted by the animal side the other islanders had to contend with. "Sssso?" Victor echoed back questioningly, he wondered what Jordan could be angry about (besides the obvious situation with every islander) the dog man seemed distressed in some way, but he didn't want to out-right ask him. "I arrived here...about two monthssss ago, but don't think I've met any more than ten people"
Jordan Essex Jordan started counting on his claws, lifting a finger-like digit for each person he recounted meeting. He counted three times on one paw. “I’ve met… fifteen or so people?… give or take a few.. in about a month.. or something like that..” he combination huff-grunted, not really paying attention that he wasn’t raging on a tirade, instead opening himself up unconsciously. Getting someone to talk about themselves was a good way to get them to dialogue and he was havign trouble keeping it all bottled up.
He huffed again, tryign not to look weak in the eyes of someone else, but wasn't losing his temper also a sign of weakness? Bah.. “I…uhm… didn’t mean to snap…” he was trying to focus through the angry haze, something difficult for him indeed “… things haven’t been going well the past few days…”
Victor Zimmerman Victor tapped the long wicked claws of his forelegs on the floor, his chest arms moving a bit as he listened and watched Jordan "Itssss alright, thingssss been difficult for me assss well, I changed jusssst a couple dayssss ago, been trying to manage all thesssse limbsss and crawling around." and people staring and being shocked by his appearance, but Victor didn't say that. Victor recognised that Jordan might want to talk about something, the thing that was making the dogman angry. "Whatever issss bothering you can't be that bad...I mean after I changed I looked in the mirror and it sssshattered to piecesss and firssst persssson I met afterwardssss took one look at me, sssscreamed and ran away" This was Victor's attempt at some humor on his situation, it still hurt that Gaius had done that to him and conventantly left out the fact he was the one that broke the mirror with a shoe he'd never wear again.
Jordan Essex Jordan didn’t laugh. Even if he had been in a lighter mood, he may or may have found the attempt at humor more amusing as he found it helped to ease the pain sometimes. He tipped the brim of his cap lower, to hide his eyes, with the flick of a claw. He felt that feeling of uneasy weakness welling in him and Jordan hated people seeing him weak.
“It’s… not exactly the changes bothering me..” he held out his paws “Well.. except it’s hard to write with paws, though someone suggested getting a recorder..” he quirked a brow as he realized that may not have made sense to someone else. “Oh.. I used to keep a journal.. and I’ve been trying to practice writing, but I think I should just give it up.. it’s too hard and I can even read the scribbling.. not that I can hold onto the pen for long..”
He shook his head “But… no.. that’s not why I’m upset…” his voice lowered to more a whisper “I … I’m not sure how to say this…” he had to choose his words carefully “I… feel useless.. you’d think someone with degrees in veterinary medicine and zoology wouldn’t feel useless on an island of people slowly becoming animals… but… I feel so lost and pathetically utter useless.. I thought I knew my role here, I thought I had a purpose, but nothing makes sense to me right now and I feel torn apart.. I’ve been acting so differently and I don’t know who I am anymore..” Jordan had left out a lot of the connecting pieces, but he couldn’t disclose everything to Victor. He couldn’t tell him the parts about his Feral connections or this being his second chance to atone. Jordan slumped on his rear ungracefully, arms flopping down to his sides. His head lowered and he sniffled, ushering the oncoming tears he tried to wipe away.
Victor Zimmerman Victor knew his 'humor' wasn't that good, and didn't expect any laughter, expecially when Jordan was upset. So the lizardman listened, it was what he was good at, at least a third of everything in psychology involved listening to other people and their problems. So Victor listened to everything Jordan had to say, not interrupting and waited for the dog man to finish. Victor hadn't expected Jordan to start to cry, he didn't realize that Jordan felt so upset about feeling 'useless'. The lizardman crawled closer to Jordan, Victor knew how the other man felt, he had felt the same way not long ago, hopeless and useless. "Jordan, I know thingssss here can be difficult, but I do know we all need ssssomething to keep ussss active, make ourssselvesss ussseful." Victor moved closer to Jordan, to place the paw of his foreleg on Jordan's foot. "If you have degreessss in veterinary medicsssine, then to mossst of ussss you're almosssst like a doctor, if ssssomeone gets sssick or ill you might know what they ssshould get from the clinic to help, tell people what food might be bad for the animal they're changing into, like chocolate, thats not good for catsss right? The important thing issss you need to try to find ssssomething to do, ssssomething you want to do, sssomething you like to do" Victor's tail shifted in back of him while he spoke. "I wassss going to get a doctorate in pssssychology before I came here, and I didn't know what to do after I changed the firssst time, but I decssided to try and help otherssss, the sssecond time I changed I wassssn't ssssure if it wassss worth it to keep trying, but I've made up my mind that I can more good trying to help otherssss than hide away jusssst becausssse I look bad" Victor did want to continue to help others, and didn't want these changes, these twisted multiple limbs that he had to keep him from that. Jordan was someone that obviously needed help, and Victor was going to try.
Jordan Essex Why’d he have to be so weak all the time?? He was always trying to be strong throughout his life and with each and every endeavor, but the truth was he was just a weak, scared little man who no longer had control over his life and that frightened him. It was bad enough he let his rage explode in such violent manifestations, but now he was crying infront of others! He felt so ashamed of himself and hid his face further under his cap, wiping his eyes with the furry arm.
Jordan sniffled deeply, folding his arms across his chest defensively, protectively. He was afraid of saying anything that would come back to haunt him on the part of the labs. He jerked his paw at first, but didn’t pull away from Victor. He was only trying to be helpful, the role Jordan was usually in.
“I don’t know if I can make that much of a difference.. most people know chocolate is lethal to cats and dogs.. the labs take care of anyone who gets sick or needs medical care.. by the time I could figure out what was wrong the labs would send people out and have retrieved the sick individuals.. but in any event, I thought I was doing what I wanted to..” he was referring to more than veterinary medicine, his connections to the labs and his place in their rank “..but I feel so alone, so without purpose. I don’t have any rhyme or reason for anything I’ve done during my time here and I think I’m losing my mind..”
He sighed at this bleak feeling of loss of purpose. What he’d done to Newt was disturbing him greatly and he’d begun doing the same to Sophie.. What was happening to him? Why was he acting in bizarre ways and what was really going on? Initially, it was the fear of further punishments from Moreau propelling this new pattern of behavior. He tipped back his hat with a claw, letting Victor see him cry. “There’s things I can’t tell you… that I wish I could… but it’d cause more pain for both of us.. things that could make our lives here uncomfortable..” he wanted to tell someone his fears and concerns, but with the sword of Damacles dangling overhead, he was so hesitant..
Victor Zimmerman Victor couldn't imagine what the labs could do to them that could make their lives more uncomfortible, probably because so far Victor had managed to keep out of trouble and avoid being punished by Dr. Moreau or Duvert. It did worry the lizardman that Jordan might believe that he was 'losing his mind'. "Jordan, you're aren't lossssing your mind, everyone responds to sssstressss differently, ever think you are acting the way you are becausssse of the fact of what the people in thosssse labssss are doing to everyone? changing ussss into animal human hybridssss? itssss ssssomething nobody sssshould have to deal with, but we are, we all are Jordan, you, me, the rest of the islanderssss, and we have to learn to manage ssssomehow. I'm sssure you have friendsss that can help you though the rough timesss, jussst like right now" Victor didn't name Dr.Moreau or Feral labs directly, he felt it was better not to directly assign blame to one factor person or group, the truth was much more complicated than that. While Victor believed Dr.Moreau was responscible for what was happening, he also knew it what Moreau's position of wealth and power that allowed him to get away with it. The deformed lizardman pulled himself up closer to Jordan, hooking his right forelimb onto a bench press, to help stand him up more at eye level with Jordan, having to lean back on his pained tail, making him wince. "You can tell me Jordan, you ssshouldn't be worried about ussss both being punisssshed becausssse of what you tell me, If anyone sssshould get punisssshed, it ssshould be me for making you tell me, and if that information helpssss me help you, than I think it would be worth it becausssse I do want to help" Victor placed his left foreleg on Jordan's right shoulder, partially to balance himself better, but also to try and comfort Jordan. the lizardman kept his chest arms still as he could, not wanting to startle the dogman. Victor was worried what the labs could do, but he needed to take the risk.
Jordan Essex He trembled. He’d spoken about the labs to others before and it had caused him strife as a result. The doctor had reprimanded him. Jordan was so very frightened to speak about anything lab-related, even as Victor closed the distance and rested his arms on his body. He never should have mentioned it in the first place..
Even if victor was correct, that he wasn’t losing his mind, there were forces at work, neither could be aware of beyond the physical changes, altering his mind. He shook his head in confusion as he listened to the lizard’s rational thought. He didn’t want to think ill of the labs. It was sickening to think that they were causing this to happen to him. “No… they couldn’t.. they wouldn’t do that to me.. I know the labs wouldn’t play with our lives like that.. merging our DNA with that of an animal’s is one thing, but for them to purposefully alter someone’s thought processes…” he looked down at his paws, not wanting to believe they would or could manage something like that “N-no.. it has to be my fault, something that I’ve done.. it has to be self-inflicted, not the fault of the labs..” that only made his heart sink at the thought of something going wrong with his serum… was he experiencing illness brought on by complications? “I—I’ve heard that sometimes… complications arise and people can get sick… like a form of cancer… I hope that’s not happening to me.. I don’t want to die..” his eyes widened and he began hyperventilating at that thought. “Oh god, I don’t want to die!”
He hugged himself tighter, rocking back and forth more paranoid than before with lurching concern for his well-being and his future. His brown eyes tightly clamped shut, driving more tears from his eyes. As his mind reeled in fear, he distantly registered Victor inquiring what he knew about the labs that could get them in trouble and he bit his bottom lip. He didn’t know what to do. He was so lost and uncertain he should do. Could he take the risk of entrusting someone else with his private information, with the consequence of the labs acting against him?
His lips trembled as he breathed hard, so panicked and scared. The tears ran with force again. Jordan trembled between the machine and the lizardman.
Victor Zimmerman Indeed there were other forces at work that Victor and Jordan were both unaware of, and it maybe for the best that it stay that way for now. Victor was concerned more now about Jordan now than he was before. Alter someone's thought processes? where did that come from? it was a worrysome statement to make, but it was almost forgotten when Jordan started to speak of complications, illness and cancer. It was something that concerned him as well, the days he couldn't even eat before each change he had so far and feeling so sick...were his changes 'complications' of whatever serum they had given him? So many questions he could ask, but Jordan wasn't the right person to ask, he could ask Dr.Duvert later. "Jordan...thatssss isss not whatsss happening to you...and you're not going to die..." Victor carefully moved himself, his forelimbs and chestarms to give Jordan a hug, it was a bit difficult and awkward, but it worked, and Victor held onto Jordan with his head nearly on the dogman's shoulder, leaning against the other man, just holding on. "Quiet now...you're going to get though thissss, we all are, and I'll be here to help you out any way that I can Jordan, Jusssst relaxsss, you're going to be alright"
Jordan Essex The hug came as a surprise, squirming a bit, but he didn’t stop him from trying to comfort. Jordan was huddled into himself and when Victor wrapped his limbs around him, Jordan reacted in kind. He was more scared than he previously had been in the past weeks and his rampant mind was creating these delusional possibilities without proper substantiality.
Jordan was sobbing uncontrollably, breathing raggedly as he clung to the lizardman, laying his head on his shoulder as well. He was trying to control his emotions in spite of the growing fears. The tears kept pouring as he sniffled, trying hard to regulate his breath to a decent rate. He’d give himself a stress-induced health problems if he didn’t stop these wild emotional mood swings that were brought on by the stress in the first place.
“I- I’ll try… *sniffle* b-but it’s hard… I’m sorry to bother you with m-my problems… *sniffle* I’m s-so scared, Vic.. and I don’t know what I’m g-going to do..” he was stuttering between sobs. Jordan clung tightly to Victor, frightened that something bad would happen if he let him leave.
Victor Zimmerman " Itsss alright Jordan... itsss alright to be sssscared, we all are ssssometimesss." All Victor could do is hold onto the dogman and try to comfort him, it was difficult, Jordan was so upset, and Victor was concerned over Jordan's well being, but felt that if he could help the dogman get though this emotional highpoint, that Jordan might turnout alright. He continued to hug Jordan, wanting him to just let it all out and calm down. "If you ever need to talk to ssssomeone Jordan, I'll be here when you need, no matter how ssssmall a problem it issss, I'll try to help out, i'm here to help people with their problemssss"
Jordan Essex His sniffles continued though quiter than a moment before. He was finding some comfort in the hug, but it was momentary. He was still crying and he was gasping for breaths like a fish out of water, but he tried to be stronger. He tried to be in control. He nodded at Victor’s words, as they rang with truth. Everyone became scared at some point and it was only normal to be in a situation where certain things were unknown, where men and women were becoming animals.
Jordan pulled back slowly, wiping his face with the back of his furry arm. He looked at Victor and understood that he could emphasize with being scared. Jordan wasn’t sure what he was becoming, but it didn’t seem natural. “Th-thank you… I really appreciate it…” he gave Victor an extra squeeze. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen to me and I’m not even sure if I’ll be the same person when it’s all over… but it’s good to know that I’m not alone.. I guess that’s wrong to find comfort in that fact, knowing that I’m not the only one suffering..”
He hefted himself up from his spot on the floor, being careful not to topple Victor over, using the machine as support. He snuffled, looking down at him, adjusting his cap nervously “I should probably get back home and try to rest a bit.. maybe find something to distract myself.. Thank you for being there for me, Victor.. and I’m sorry for being nasty earlier..” he extended a paw to hake the lizardman’s hand.
Victor Zimmerman Victor nodded and let Jordan pull away from him, carefully removing his limbs and luckily not catching his curved claws on Jordan or his clothing, using the nearby benchpress to help lower himself to the floor, once again having to look up at Jordan. "You're welcome Jordan, and you won't be alone in this, none of usss really know what will happen, the bessst we can do isss be there for each other when we need to be." he looked at the offered paw, and had to rear back on his legs and tail to offer his 'hand' in return, in this case, his forepaw, carefully holding his clawed limb against Jordan's paw, it still felt too strange and awkward to use those chest arms to do the same. "Itsss alright Jordan, I undersssstand you were only upsssset" The lizardman couldn't hold himself up like that long, and slipped back to the floor. "If you need me, I'm in duplexsss Sssseventy Five Jordan, Call or knock on the door anytime you need to talk, and for anything"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:56 pm
Usually, Jordan would have been sitting at his desk practicing his handwriting during his ample hours. It was like being a kindergartener all over learning to scribble the letters. It had become quite frustrating that he'd physically snapped one of his pens in half. That was a fun mess to clean up.. Pages and pages of his journal were blotched with inked that leaked through the pages and blotted over some of what he'd written when he still had hands. It wasn't going well and it should have been so simple.
That -of course- was one of his least concerns. To be blunt in simplest terms, Jordan wasn't happy. He felt completely, utterly useless, even thouh Victor had said that he wasn't, that he could use his veterinary and zoological knowledge to offer his services to the other inhabitants, the test subjects. Victor had told him he'd practically be a doctor in their little community. Jordan wasn't so sure about that, however; he wasn't sure about anything the past few days.
To that measure, Jordan lay, curled in bed, sniffling as he had been alternating between anger, sadness, and depression. He held one paw in the other as his knees lay near his stomach. He just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his self-pity, while his time was still his own. He knew sooner or later he'd have to eat or do his laundry, but for now, he wouldn't do either. He'd even been considering wearing some of his more casual clothing that had been brought with him on the trip to the island. He'd been wearing only his three suits ( one of which had been shredded during his transformation and the other two likewise augmented). Maybe a simple change like that would help? Maybe he just needed to take a breather and collect his thoughts? But, then there was the reminder of how he'd acted towards Newt and convinced him to return to his duties. He was afraid that if he wore anything but his suits he'd be turning his back on the level of professionalism he was expected to maintain and that included apparel.
Jordan listened to the soothing music that played constantly in his room, letting the tears of his frustrations dribble onto his pillow. On an island of so many, Jordan felt so distant from them all. He wasn't like them. He would never be like them. And again, the circle of depression spiraled deeper into loneliness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:09 pm
She would have usually have gotten to Jordans duplex in a matetr of minutes, but with the crutches hindering her movements, it had taken much longer than she realy enjoyed. Already she was missing her freedom, the long legged sprints between her destinations. However, a trip to the villiage had been necessary, she had to get some things to thank jordie for rescueing her and she wasn't one to shirk on any sort of responsibility to herself. Of coruse, deciding what to do had been a little difficult but eventually, with a craft kit to paw, she had made something special for the now doggish man.
Of course, if she'd have known that jordan had changed perhaps the item would have looked a little different but it didn't matter. Once she had put all of ehr things in to a backpack, she had once again made the long trip back up the track towards the beach.
She had paused on his doorstep now, a little bashful maybe though this was a very unusual thing for her these days. She was usually forwards in these situations. Tilting her ears forwards she pulls one of her furry arms from ehr grutches and scratches on the door. She had learned a long time ago you were supposed to knock. For a start the door wasn't always open, or they might not even be there.
From the recent scent surrounding his Duplex, she knew Jordie was inside, she just hoped he answered. Deep baby blue eyes smiled as she waited for the door to swing open, fidgeting a little with the straps of her backpack, rolling the black straps between her thumb abd furry fingers as she waited, a little impaitently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
