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 Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:22 pm
Over his sobbing came the scratching at his door that curiously caught his attention. He didn't want company and he didn't want to be disturbed right now. Maybe it was Seth with an attempt at being 'funny'. He couldn't be bothered with the plans for the statue right now, not that he'd be very receptive or cordial about the thylacine man's presence. It was hard to be nice to him, even though he seemed genuinely willing to apologize.
Jordan growled as the scratching continued and he sneered, gripping his pillow from underneath his head and he lobbed it as hard as he could at the door in anger. "Go away..." was all he said. and laid back down in his bed. Colche could hear the anger and frustration in his unstable voice.
He didn't know it was the cheetah girl that he'd rescued from the boar standing outside his duplex. He didn't know her scent yet. He'd met her prior to his change.
The scratching continued and he sat up. Whoever was there was persistent. He dangled his feet off the side of his bed, ready to give whoever it was scrathing at his door a piece of his mind. Jordan wiped away the tears on the back of his arm. It was like a soft towel.
With a heavy sigh, he stood. Jordan really didn't want to, but he couldn't ignore this scratching all day. The door flung open, with an angry Jordan -half dogman- standing on the other side, mouth open ready to give the person a mouthful when he saw it was the cheetah girl and he stopped himself short of uttering a string of foul words.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:33 pm
Colche had frowned when she had heard his voice, unable to hear the muffled words because of both door and pillow so she continued to scratch. Of course when the door swung open, her head automatically tilted to the left "Jordie a doggie!" she giggles, stating the obvious was really what she was best at. A smile pressed on her furry lips and she looked atthe man with an admireing air about her, as if a god had just opened the door to her.
She let a slow puurr roll from her chest and finally she opened her mouth to speak. "Hai." she whispers her ears flickering about in a twitchy manner her tail lashing back and forth in an almost helicoptor blade like manner. She didn't usually loose ehr nerve in these sorts of situations. She was here to thank the man not turn in to a puddle of mumbles on the floor. Puffing out her chest, (which was maybe not the best idea as she was, as usual, naked) she puts on one of those, brave faces. "I bringed ya somethin'" she beamed then, hoping he would let her in, though judging by his scent he was eitehr upset, angry or both, still, she usually knew how to make people happy. Hugs cured all as far as she was concerened.
She looked at him pleadingly her dark hair falling back over her front in a torrent of black waves.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:44 pm
He didn't want to be mad at her, so he simply nodded softly. "Yeah, Jordan's a doggie." he repeated in a soft whisper. It wasn't said with malice, but it was a bit cold. She was obviously happy to see him. She was acting peculiar. Jordan leaned his shoulder up against the door frame as he waited to hear what she wanted. He really didn't feel like talking, but he had nothing against the girl who worshipped him like a hero. With the color of his fur he realyl was becoming a 'white knight'.
Jordan's eyes went wide and he choked, losing his balance when Colche puffed out her chest. She was a naked cheetah girl, after all, and he hadn't expected to see that much of her, even if her hair was long usually covered her front. He barely caught himself on the door frame with his paws. "Uhm..." he was at a loss of what to say, tilting his gaze to the sidefor a moment as he turned around to return to his bed.
"Door's open. Help yourself in."
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:55 pm
With a little puurr, the slender cheetah girl came in through the doors slowly the crutches making a tapping sound on the ground as she entered his plex. She turned and wondered if she should close the door or not. Deciding she should really she turned around and pushed the door as hard as she could, which was a bit of an effort, cruteches were prooving to be a pain in the tail. Licking ehr soft furred lips she finally turned and came towards jordie plonking herself, rather unceremoniously on his bed and dropping the crutches ont he floor instantly. She puleld a tongue atthe metal devices. She really hated them.
Shrugging off her backpackshe pulled it around to her lap with a little giggle. "bringed nice things for thankyou" she whispered, her head lowering once again,s he felt extremely embarressed, she felt like a child even though she didn't wish to be thought of as one. Still, this was what she could do for now and Jordie seemed in desperate need of cheering up.
Opening up the large pack she pulled out a rather large objet, it was long, slender and pretty much covered intin foil. It was infact a snapped broom handle wrapped in foil to look like a sword, she held it out to jordie and grinned. "knights needs swords" she paused and pulled out the second thing from her pack, two large silver plates (of the plastic kind) tied together in two places to make armour, "and armours to protects" She giggles looking at the man, trying not to sound too silly, trying hard to make her words come out better than they usually did though she wasn't really sure if it was working or not.
Maybe her little gifts would cheer the man up any way? She'd put lots of glitter ont hem too so they were ver shiney protecting items!
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:09 pm
Jordan laid back down onto his bed on his side. facing the girl, watching as she struggled to close the door. She came over and sat down with him and he blinked at what she pulled out of her backpack. He chuckled just a bit at her gifts, not quite sure what to think. She'd put some thought into this hero title and he felt flattered that she thought so highly of him. That meant someone aprpeciated him, right?
"I don't know if I'm a hero worthy of such nice gifts, Colche.. I'm just a useless dog.. not a hero.." he sighed with a huffing breath. His eyes kept on her though. She'd come all the way out here to thank him for being kind enough to help her when she needed it and all he could do as be a jerk.
He took the sword and meekly waved it around as if he was fighting off an evil monster and he set it down between them. How could he be so unfriendly as to act so cold to her kind reception. "They're lovely gifts.. thank you.. I don't deserve to know someone as nice as you, Colche.." he sniffled again, eyes welling with water. His arm rose up to hide his face, though it was obvious he was about to cry. He attempted to stifle the sniffles, but that only made them come out louder in choking breaths.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:21 pm
Colche tilted her head. She didn't quite understand why he was crying, her small furred ears flattened against her head. "not just a dog Jordan" She whispered, moving her gifts aside so she could crawl over to the man and lift his head in to her lap. She puurred softly playing with his slightlyfuzzy ears. "No be sad" whe whispers, her perfect blue eyes watching the now rather hairy guy as he broke downin sobs. "Didn't want to make sad" She pouted a bit, though she had the feeling that maybe this wasn't her fault.
She tilted her head as she looked down the mas body, she couldn't help but notice his extra furry feet. It was unusual for somone so early on in their transformations to have such fuzzy paws. "I like your feets" She stated rather randomly, a little playful smile coming to her lips as she said it, her furry, padded fingers still playing with the mans ears as she looked over his body. "yousa purty hero doggy knight Jordie, cause I ses so okies?" she set her jaw firmly and looked at him with a very serious look to those deep, baby blue eyes.
Lowering her muzzle she touched the man on his forehead with her nose and lips, her kitteny kiss she gave to those she liked alot, those she thought needed a hug, Jordie definately needed a hug, she just couldn't work out what else he needed to feel better.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:46 pm
He didn't have time to protest as she scooted closer to him and it took him bu surprise when she moved his head into her lap. He couldn't figure out what she was oign until a little thought sparked: she was trying to comfort him. He closed his eyes, laying against her. Her fur was so soft and comforting. He couldn't deny that. "I- It's not your fault.. you didn't do anything wrong.." he sobbed between breaths. "I've not felt good the past few days.. I'm afraid I'm going crazy, losing my mind.. or worse.. I don't want to get sick.. I don't want something to go wrong and make me so sick I..." he hesitated from finishing the thought with death.
He laid his paws near his cheeks and they slipped down, draping onto her legs. His ears flicked as she gingerly played with them and it made him feel odd, not uncomfortable, just.. indescribale. It was a new sensation to have paws that weren't his own touching his ears.
"You like my feet..?" he glanced down at them and wiggled them, spreading his toes-like digits apart, like a dog would and stretched his legs. He moved them around for her amusement. It wasn't much of an effort. He really didn't move them around a lot. She really liked his feet? No.. not feet.. they were paws now, just like his hands. He gave out another gentle huffing sigh at that thought. He couldn't wear shoes anymore, which meant he felt it when he stepped on pebbles and sticks and whatever else could bring pain to his pawpads.
"Why do you think I'm pretty?" he was caught off guard by that comment, especially after hearign she liked his paws. He was covered in soft fluff all over his arms and his legs and a little bit on his face, like sideburns that rubbed against her own fur. He just nodded a bit, not wanting to argue with her. If she thought he was a hero, and pretty, and whatever else, then why not let someone see some good in him? Was he going to start pushing everyone away when they tried to make him feel better? But again, his train of thought totally derailed when she kitty-kiss-nuzzled his forehead. He looked up to see her petite feline muzzle pressing against him. He reached up tentatively and hugged her. He hugged her and cried into her fur.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:56 pm
"I likes your everythings" She giggles, it was a rather innocent phrase which could probabl;y be taken the wrong way though to Colche, she was simply letting the man know she liked him, for reasons she couldn't really explain herself. Sure she'd had a crush before, but Josh hadn't returned her feelings and she didn't expect Jordie would either, che couldn't help but get overly attached to her 'heros'.
Colche acctually looked embarressed when he asked her why she thought he was pretty, her ears twitching in a rather uncomfortable manner, she told alot of people she thought they were 'pretty' and she meant it, but this was a special kind of pretty, she liked jordan, he had helped her and now he needed her help and she was happy and ready to give it.
Holding tightly to the furry man when he hugged her she let her puurr roll softly, but loudly from her chest to let him know she was happy and here without saying any of those words she always got so mixed up with. "I'm heres" she whispers, the only words she thought she really needed to say. She wanetd desperately for Jordie to smile and be happy, she didn't like that he was sad noone had to be sad, especially her heroes.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:08 pm
He sniffled, his face against her fur, unintentionally registering her scent at the same time. He held extra tight when she said such nice things to him. He scooted clsoer to her and held onto the cheetah girl like a comforting pillow. He'd have hugegd his own pillow, but it was lying against the wall, on the floor, near the door.
It was an odd noise that he made when he giggled softly while chioking on a sob. She was definitely trying to make him feel better and he felt so bad that he ouldn't just magically be in a better state of mind. He laid his head against her shoulder and closed his eyes tightly, forcing the tears to roll faster. It felt good to hear what she was saying even if it wasn't making him imediately feel fine.
"Nothing's making sense to me, Colche.. I'm so scared.. of everything.. I shouldn't be, but I am.. I'm afraid of what I'm becoming.." he meant that physically and as well psychologically, not that she could know the latter. "How do I make it stop..? How do I get the sadness and fear to go away..?" he asked as if he actually expected an answer, but honestly, he was just talking to let her know that he didn't hate her.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:17 pm
Colche took a deep breath, this was one of those moments when her loose graps of the english language had to pull out the stops and make sure to say it right. Biting her tongue she nuzzled the mans cheek with her nose. "you, no be bad.." she paused searching for the rest of the partially coherant sentence "I'll makes sures 'n' look after Jordie, just no sad no more.Island good place, nice place, home. "Island makes fear go byebye, nothin' ta fear, my turn to protect. I am promise." One of Colche's longer speaches she reached for more words but none came, maybe she had said what she wanted to though something felt missing. Wrapping her arms further around the man she nuzzled in to his neck, her soft damp nose and furry cheeks brushign against his cheeks and neck. "Promise." she never broke a promise, and for jordan, she would cling to this promise.
"Thin's changes, but always be you, no matters whats" she gave a swift nod then, she had seen enough people transform to feel this way, to feel that everyone, was ultimately still whom they had come to the island as. Things changed a little, their appearance, they got some instincts that they couldn't always keep in check, but mostly, they were still the same people.
"Jus' no be sads, Heros is always braves when scary things is happens" she puurrs, refusing to let go of the idea that the doggish man wasn't still her hero.
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:32 pm
She was starting to sound like him. This scene felt familiar. Nevermind, familiarity aisde it was comforting. He'd been on the other side of this, giving the speech of being there and protection, but to hear it.. it was different. It did make him feel better. He had a heetah on his side who would make sure he never felt sad, who would protect him if life on the island became too hard to bear, that if he should get so depressed he feels he has no other option... he didn't want to dwell on that.. no.. he wouldn't try to take his own life.. would he..?
He laid against her, his back pressed to her chest, letting her hold him tight in her furry arms. Her thunderous purrs were very soothing and he felt himself calming. The rage was battling for ontrol, the depression wanting to drag him deeper into sorrow.. but the peace brought on by her purrs... it was like playing with a very large kitten. It was relaxing.
"I'll.. try..." he nodded gently, unsure if it was just that simple as changing his mind about things. "I don't want to be sad.. I was happy for a bit, but then... things have been difficult to adjust to since my change.. I like being able to hear ad smell things better.. but I don't know what my purpose here is anymore.." she'd been here much longer than he had, no doubt about that and hse'd seen things that he could only guess at. She knew how to survive here and was offering him that knowledge and companionship to make it on the island with his sanity intact, hopefully.
"Even heroes have bad days.."
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:48 pm
"Change is good things." she smiles softly, kneeding his chest with her claws as a kitten would when nursing, she was very gentle and her puurr continued onwards. "Makes fast, strong an' fuzzy" She giggles, she was glad jordie was going to be furry. Taking a deep breath she rested backwards against the head rest of his bed, his head still nestled in her lap. She wasn't going any wheer "Have nap, be here when wakes" she smiles brushing his hair from his forehead and looking down on him fondly. She had just decided she wasn't going any where until Jordie was happpy again, well except fr maybe if she had to go and do a lesson, but she would return heer to his duplex and 'protect' him from his sadness. It was the least she could do.
She let a yawn roll over her lips then still holding the samoyed man in her arms, gently hugging his shoulders. "I look after, no matter whats."
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:07 pm
Jordan Essex Jordan was still feeling quite depressed and he didn't really want to go outside, but he pushed himself to go outside as far as the beach before stopping on the sand. He was having a change of dress today, instead of his usual suit attire, he had unpacked some of his casual wear. He'd hung up his tie and silk shirt in exchange for a shirt layered with descending shades of blue and black jogger-type shorts with silver lining down the sides. He couldn't push himself past the sands of the beach because he'd already imposed upon several others with his problems and there was little chnge that had resulted beyond pushing him deeper into the quagmire of his depression.
He wasn't content to sit on the beach today. He had to move around and so he walked the length of beach, holding his arms behind his back, paws clasped as best they could be. Jordan kept his eyes on the sand beneath him, watching his paws instead of where he was going. His strides were slow and lax, letting the sand crunch loudly under his paws as it sifted between his toe-like digits. The breeze that normally felt so good and refreshing merely carried the scents of the ocean today with little joy. Awen Zyn A little ways along the beach the canine would notice the waves parting around the figure of a blue haired islander. Awen didn't sit very close, definately not close enough to be emersed when a wave came in, but close enough for a trickle of water to reach her and every once in awhile pool about her ankles before drifting back into the sea.
She stared out at the horizon with not much more than a blank stare. Unlike many, however, this islander had a small smile on her lips as she watched where sea and sky met. Jordan Essex The dogman sighed. The water was so tempting. He wanted to swim badly and the only time he had taken that opportunity was the day before his first change. He had so much fur on him now. Would that affect his ability to tread water or just make him heavy like a lead weight and sink? He'd been afraid to find out, but in his current state he just didn't care if he did sink to the bottom.
He paused in his step and looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun. It was definitely another sunny tropical day and this fur made him hot as.. well, a dog on a hot summer's day. It was decided: he'd go into the water again. He needed to excercise badly and his paws made weight-lifting awkward. Jordan turned to the water, pulling his shirt off and tossing it onto the sand as he made his way towards the waves. Awen Zyn "Well, not the first time someone's started stripping inront of me without even noticing." Awen laughed as she glanced over the man. He was the skiddish new islander, the one that had a fear yet fondness for Moreau? "At least it doesn't look like you're going to drop the rest."
The manta mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "unlike the others" under her breath and shook her head with a small grin. How many people had she caught bathing in the river and lake and accidently seen them naked? Seven or so wasn't it..? Jordan Essex He'd gotten to the watery limit where the sand was dry and the sand was wet when he heard Awen's voice. It was so familiar and he looked up gasping as he hadn't seen her in... seven weeks?! Not since his encounter at the lake with her and Joli. He felt embarrassed, not only because he was half naked in her presence, but because she was seeing his body half covered in fur and the chest, stomach, and abdomen of his torso still bare human flesh. Though, he was relieved to know she was doing well.
Jordan waved shyly at the manta girl, stepping tentatively into the water. "Hi, Awen.." was all he could really muster. He didn't know what else to say. It wasn't her, it was his mood. He paused as he hadn't felt the cool water on him in what felt like eternity and he arched his back, gasping from the pleaurable sensation it brought against his pawpads and his fur.
"Oh no.. I'm not skinny-dipping today.." he said it as if he had before, which he hadn't He looked around nervously quicly at the thought of anyone seeing him completely nude.. and changed 'down there'. Jordan pushed himself forward and the water rose up his legs. "Oooooooooo.. this feels so good.." he sighed, letting his eyes close. Awen Zyn Awen smiled watching the man enjoy the water as he did. She wished she could venture into the salt seas as other could, the lakes and rivers were sufficient but they were nothing like the open sea. Such room and freedom is what the manta ray truly longed for, and will be forever denied.
"Sorry for rushing off last time. But I suppose you can now relate to the change, hm? I didn't really want to scare you watching mine." Jordan Essex He nodded to her statement of empathy for others' changes, as well as his own. He'd been more scared of his own changes than the fear he'd dsplayed when the manta had rused off.
"I understand.. Believe it or not, I actually dove in after you.." he splashed water on himself, revelling in the feeling this brought him. He even submerged himself beneath the water to get himself accustomed to the cool temperature. Tropical water was usually warm, but in the 'winter' and spring seasons, it still got cool and refreshing. "I changed about... four weeks ago..? And unfortunately, I didn't know the symptoms that brought it on and went into the village for some tylenol.. I wound up changing infront of this poor girl on her first day.." his ears flicked and he shook his head "I don't know who was more frightened: me or her.. it.. hurt.. so much.." he looked at his paws, holding the pawpads skyward. He was glad neither he, nor Awen would be able to see the clawmarks that had been dug into his arms during his change, though, they may have healed by now anyways. Awen Zyn Awen scratched the sid eof her check and nodded. "I know you did...." Sighing the girl listened to the stories told to her by the now furry islander. Had it really been four weeks or more since she'd seen the man? It hadn't seemed that long at all... "Poor girl." She mumbled softly, although was a little bit glad it had happened. Better to find out sooner than later it seemed to her.
She looked away hearing of the pain. Awen hadn't really known too much physical pain in her changes and the last was uncomfortable at worst. She embraced it fully and she believed it helped her pass the latter changes. She hadn't truly known how painful it could be until Miller changed right infront of her in the duplex. There had been so much blood... did all birds and beasts go through this? Maybe she was lucky because the rubber just had to emcompass her.... her skin just had to change substance it didn't have things bursting from it.
"Well, you're on your way to becoming one of us now." She smiled softly. "I wonder what you're changing into, some kind of canine I'd imagine with that tail and your paws." Jordan Essex "Definitely some sort of dog.. though I'm not sure which breed.. the girl I changed infront of- uh Sophie- thinks I'm becoming a husky.. and I'd been researching it until I was distracted.."
He waded towards Awen, forcing a small grin. His cheeks were rosing. "I've met a lot of nice people.. Ambrose, Maryke, Lauren, Colche, and especially Kim.." maybe it was the way the sun hit the water he splashed onto himself, but it looked like there were definite colorful sparkles surrounding him. "We...uh.. that is... uhm.. me and Kim.. uhm.. became close after she transformed in my arms.. only a week after I had changed.." he was definitely acting smitten with his stammering. It was embarrassing. He'd never really gotten this close to anyone in this manner before. "I even threw her a birthday party and ordered her the perfect gift. I'd been to her duplex and seen all her video games and techno stuff and got her something callled the Nintendo Wii. She really loved it too.." he cracked a smile, fumbling his paws over each other nervously as he confessed his lovel ife to Awen. Awen Zyn "Kim?" Awen paused a moment as it took awhile for the name to truly sink in. "OH! Kim the gamer Kim? She used to be the duplex above me, er, before I was moved anyway!"
She chuckled softly. "Ah! You got het a Wii? Great! Now the island has all the systems from last gen and this one. I've been dying to try out the Rev for so long, I was salivating for it. Never got to hear all the hype or name change, until Miller told me what I missed."
Her grin broadened however as she pressed onto more serious matters. "Aw! So Jordie's got a girlie? Cute!"
It took Awen just this long to realise that she had missed her own birthday. Pausing a moment with a furrowed brow she thought. No candles, no cake no presents. She'd completely missed her own birthday while she was unconscious in the labs. Ah well, not like she would have done anything anyway.... No one even now knew her brithday. Except the labs themselves. Jordan Essex "Wait... You know Kim..?" he lowered his paws, blinking in surprise. It shouldn't have ome as a surprise because of their time on the island. "And you lived below her..? Wow.. that's quite an amazing coincidence. Well.. maybe you two can play it sometime.. glad I can spread the fun.."
Seeing Awen was alive and well made him feel a little better. Knowing that she and Kim were duplex mates, if not friends, made him a bit happier, but also made him worry too. Friends had a tendency to share information, like he was doing with the manta. He really did like Awen as a friend. She was sweet and kind. And he tried to hide the fact that Miller had left a bad impression on him, but if Awen knew him, he'd not let it spoil their conversation.
He blushed. The moment of tender thoughts was enough to stave the depression at bay- for a few moments. He blushed even more as she ribbed him a bit about having a girlie. Jordan's paws rose to his face and he couldn't keep himself from turning brighter red and he let out a soft giggle. "It really surprise me.. we just kinda.. bonded on the beach.. and watched the sun dance on the waves.. I didn't know if I'd see her again, so I gave her my sunshades as a reminder that I'd been there for her.." Awen Zyn "Didn't know if you'd see her again?" If Awen had a nose she would definately wrinkle it at that statement before shaking her head. "You're on an island, boy! There is a directory in the town hall with all the names and duplexes of the islanders, geez. You would have seen her again, ya lug."
She giggled and kicked a foot up to splash the poor pup. "But still is was very cute and sweet of you it seemed to do that. I'm sure Kim was touched."
The little self conscious clockwork turning away in Awen's mind almost made her smile fade, but she held it. She hadn't seen or talked to Sabin in awhile... she was sure he must be busy with something important, and she knew that he was more wanting to just be friends, for now, but it still kin of hurt to hear about yet another happy couple on the island. The manta girl was... insufficient as far as girlfriend material as far as she was concerned. All she had were silly little crushes on men who obviously were not interested.
Sure Jamal had been for awhile... but that had obviously changed. Still she was slightly bitter that the tiger man hadn't even remembered her, perhaps her looks had changed but her voice and at least hair had stayed the same. He knew what she had been turning into, how could he have just not remembered?
A slight tinge of red rose to her cheeks as she grasped some wet sand in her hand playing with it. She shouldn't be this way, she shouldn't be so self conscious about everyone seemingly pairing off. She wasn't exactly the most social islander, never had been on mainland either, so she wouldn't likely get noticed much. She was aquatic and spent most of her time in the lake and rivers anyway. But still... sometimes all Awen really wanted was someone to hold her. Something at this rate she wasn't sure she'd ever get.
Looking back up to the dog she laughed. "Weeelll anyways Kim and you should be good together. Both nice and fine people. But I'd say start practicing your gaming my friend, you'll need it. I could even teach ya a few tricks to beat that Kim, eh?" Jordan Essex "I...uhm...I mean... there's just so many people and everyone has their own lives still and..." he really didn't know what else to say, trailing off on that particular thought with a bedfuddled look of defeat. "Y'know... sometimes people just get busy.. right..?" he had no clue what e was babbling about.
Jordan splashed back at her, his tail splashing water on either side of him. "You're faster in the water...but I bt I can make a bigger splash.." hw winked and bellyflopped, sending water everywhere.
That was perobably a bad idea. He hit the bottom with an 'oof' and surfaced quickly for air, looking pretty stupid for doing that without thinking.
'Nice and fine people'. Maybe Kim.. but he had his secrets, his connections to Feral. He felt anything but a fine and nice person. A fine and nice person wouldn't be trying to impress to labs by putting on such a show like he had with Newt.. and he wasn't nice for punching Seth in the snout.. and..
"Uhm... she'll expect me to be able to play.. video games..?" he gave her an awkward glance "Uhm.. the last thing I ever played was PacMan.. on my Atari.. when I was a kid. I think you're both way out of my league for competition purposes." Awen Zyn Awen rolled her eyes at the splash. Of if only she could enter the water fully he'd see who could make the bigger splash, but she dropped it.
"Ah Jordie, she probably wouldn't expect you to, or force you or anything. But she's a gamer, she probably would like to hang out and game with you." Jordan Essex "I'd enjoy that. Even just to watch her play. I'm not much of a gamer, myself. I ever had time for them." he gave a gentle, but not rude, shrug. "Maybe you can get me up to date on that sometime. We could make an afternoon of it."
Then something odd hit him. Awen had been staying away from him. Was it something about him from their prior meetings? He looked hurt by this. Maybe he shouldn't press it and just let her keep her distance. Awen Zyn Awen was about to nod and say she'd love to train him in the games. Kim and Awen had always been pretty evenly matched, perhaps she could get Jordan to defeat her, someone she's not expecting to finish her quickly... But she was stopped by the look on the man's face.
"What's wrong Jordan?" Jordan Essex He shuffled his paws in the sand nervously. He wasn't sure if he could say it, but it was bothering him. He felt like he was being paranoid again, but maybe he'd said something that secretly offended her. Jordan stepped closer, cautiously in the shallower area where the manta was. "Did I say something wrong.. to offend you..? You've.. been staying away from me.. in the shallow end.. We're still friends, right..?" He tilted his head down to the water, saddened by the thught that she may be keeping her distance from him. Awen Zyn "Of course we're still friends Jordan!" Awen was really puzzled by the self consciousness of the man. "I can go into salt water, it's bad for my gills. Almost drowned last time I went in." Jordan Essex "Oh!" he gasped in stupidity. "I'm so sorry, Awen! I... I thought... god I'm stupid.." he pounded a pawed fist against his forehead. "It must be so insensitive of me to splash around.." he moved closer to the manta-girl and sat down in the water next to her, giving her a hug.
"I didn't know you'd get hurt if you came out further. It's okay.. I'm really sorry.. lately, I'm not quite sure what's wrong with me.. For about a week, I've been depressed.. I think there may be something wrong with me.. I'm so afraid and scared that I may be getting 'sick'.." he emphasized the word 'sick', meaning the cancer-kind-of-sick. "I haven't been myself lately at all.. and it scares me.. Colche has even been checking up on me every day to make sure I'm okay.." Awen Zyn Awen looked the dog man over as she came trodding up to sit beside her. Letting out a soft breath the manta half closed her eyes. "It's okay Jordan." The girl started to feel dizzy, the onset of staying out of the water for too long. But surely she could stay a little while longer...
"Jordan... I'm sure you're okay." She smiled and gave the man a nudge. "But what are you feeling? What does it feel like when you feel this sickness?" Jordan Essex He really hesitated. He didn't want to say anymore, biting his lip. He pulled his knees as close to him as he could and huffed. "I'm constantly having headaches and my stomach churns.. like.. worse than normal stomach pains.." he splashed his paws in the shallow water. "And.." he paused, not saying a thing "You know, you're probably right.. I'm probably just fine.." he didn't want to say anything to make her upset or worry her unneccessarilly. He'd work through this himself, he hoped at least.
"I'm sorry to bother you with my problems.. I feel like I'm losing it.. my mind, that is.. and I'm just trying to find out what my purpose is.. it's hard, y'know..? Feeling useless.." Awen Zyn Awen couldn't help a small chuckle. "Oh Jordie, it just sounds like you're homesick." She reached up and ruffled his hair slightly. "Most people go through their homesickness after awhile of being on the island, especially after the first change. I mean most of us miss home before that but it really hits you all at once awhile later, you know? Last Christmas I was completely recluse, I wouldn't come out of my duplex for anyone. I felt like I was always dizzy, wanting to throw up, pains worse than any kind of cramps I've ever had. I guess it's a mix of realising what this means, and that home will never be the same place, you're not going back and this is life now. But it will pass eventually."
Smiling the girl wrapped a webbed arm around the dog for a pseudo-side-hug. "I know what you mean though, about trying to find a purpose on the island. There isn't much to do here, education and work is pretty much dead. Maybe you could start writing about life on the island? We my be able to convince the labs to have someone publish it as a work of fiction, names and everything changed obviously, but it might be a neat idea to work on. Or maybe you could help Richard and his newsletter? He's trying to build a sense of community on the island, and it might just work. Or I hear Billy is hiring for some kind of talent show, perhaps you could be a part of that, or help Billy with organisation? Really the only thing you can do is keep yourself occupied, think of something you always wanted to try, if only you had the spare time, and well just do it. It could be fun." Jordan Essex Awen had a way of making the blahness seem not so signifigant. The manta was being cheerful and positive about the activities of the island and had offered several that sounded appealing if not a distraction. He couldn’t resist a smile in return and leaned his head onto her shoulder carefully. "I guess it could be a touch of homesickness that's causing this.” His comment was brief so he could listen to every word of encouragement drawn from her own experience on the island, giving her a huggle as she told him about herself just a year before.
He chuckled at the thought of anything he’d written on the island being published as fiction. That amused him. But it also reminded him that he’d lost his hands during his first change and he sighed softly, just resting his head upon her shoulder. “Maybe you’re right, though.. it won’t do any good to keep moping about the island for the rest of my life. It’s hard right now to feel very happy, but it can’t last forever, right? If I try to interact more with the others, maybe I’ll find some happiness.” He closed his eyes halfway, enjoying her company in the shallow water “I haven’t been able to write since my change. I’ve been trying but it’s horrible. I even broke one of my pens and ruined several pages in my journal.” His nose wrinkled at the mention of Richard. The guy frightened him on their first encounter, but as he was learning, the changes have a way of making people behave in strange ways, just as he had submitted to Ambrose on the beach with the notion of ‘alpha’. “Back home, I worked for a zoo. I have degrees in both veterinary medicine and zoology. A nice guy named Victor talked me out of a rage a few days back and I’d mentioned that to him as well.. he offered the suggestion of using my knowledge for the benefit of the others, like a village doctor.” Awen Zyn The girl brightened. "Hey that's a good idea. It would make our dependance on the doctors a little less probably. Of course medicine and whatnot will all be coming from the same place, but might be nice to be able to trust the one treating you."
After a pause Awen glanced over at the corner of her eye at the dog. "I mean, at least how the others see it. The labs have saved my life on a number of occasions, some were my own fault anyways..." She shrugged. "I don't really mind all that much personally, but to each their own." Awen Zyn "Well I don't really know... It's probably better if you ask yourself." She drew in the sand beside her. "I mean, I'm not really sure if Richard would go for the idea. From what I know he used to be a vet of sorts himself. And it may be that he believes there is more to being a doctor of us than vetranary knowledge, us still being kinda human and all, or he may have done it himself....." She gave the man an encouraging smile. "Or maybe he's just too damn busy. It's worth a shot anyways but I still think you should bring it up yourself. I'll go with you if you like, but it will sound a lot better coming from you directly." Jordan Essex He nodded softly. "Okay.. It wasn't right of me to try and push it onto you. It's just.. I've met Richard before.. and he scared me.." he wiggled his hindpaws "I know that sounds horrible.. he was the second person I met after you and I haven't seen him since.." he'd lowered his head and hoped she wouldn't slug him or worse- hate him for saying that.
"I'm sorry.." he whispered. "You're right, though. It's something I have to do. I have to confront him with my.. uhm.. our.. oh someone's idea.." it wasn't his original thought to offer his services to the others after all "I just hope he doesn't find it in poor taste. It's not meant to be a sick joke. It's what I did back home. It's what made wme happiest in life." Awen Zyn "Understandable Jordan." Placing a hand on the dog's shoulder the manta ray pushed herself up. "But really deep down Richard is just a kitten. He kind of reminds me of those grandfatherly figures from the movies, you know? He really is a good guy, if a bit... Well stern I suppose one could say, but I know that's not the right word at all."
The girl shook her head with a small smile. "I'm sure it will be taken innocently, you don't mean to poke fun you're trying to help. Things will be fine Jordan."
Glancing back to the path and thinking of the river that ran just along it Awen smiled softly. "But it's about time I be getting home." Jordan Essex Jordan gave Awen a great big doggy hug before she could leave. She was a positive influence on him and he liked that. Pulling back, he smiled at the manta girl. "Thank you, Awen. You always know just the right thing to say to make a guy feel good." He couldn't help but hug her once more for good measure.
"I'll be sure to mention the idea to Richard when I see him next and you take care of yourself, alright? Next time I'll have to coem visit you at the lake or maybe we'll meet down by the river." he smiled. "Somewhere you can swim and be free." She was one of the good ones, like Lauren: she found the good in the island and didn't let nay-sayers ruin her cheery outlook.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:13 pm
Thomas Brinley It was nice being able to go near the duplexes without fear, but Thom still found himself spending the greater majority of his time in the jungle. It was just altogether more comfortable and suitable for him. The duplex was nice when it rained--something that still unnerved him, despite the end to his fears--, and the bed was certainly more comfortable than the trees he slept in otherwise (especially considering that Natsumi was usually in bed with him). But the room was stuffy, predictable, and, despite the fact that both of its occupants were reptiles, often rather chilly, which didn't sit well with Thom at all. The jungle, on the other hand, was usually warm despite the season. The cobra felt more comfortable amid the trees and vines, could move more easily, could hunt more easily. At the sound of someone coming, he could curl up around a tree and watch said islander walk right by him, something that was quite impossible in the village. He had quite adapted to life among the trees in the four months plus he had been spending on and off there, and even though he had Natsumi back at the duplex, it was good to escape back to the jungle for time to himself every so often. Especially when he was hungry. He knew all too well that his eating habits would unnerve Natsumi, not to mention the fact that the cobra was seriously eyeing the gecko as a potential meal whenever he was particularly peckish, and so the safest option was to just wander off until he could catch his fill in the jungle. Today, said fill would be composed of rabbit...if he could catch the little bugger hopping a short distance away. The cobra was laying almost flat along the ground, arms pinned to his sides as he approached the unsuspecting bunny in near silence. He had spotted the little creature a good while back, and been following it for the better part of an hour by that point, but was finally near enough that actually capturing it was beginning to seem possible. It never crossed his mind that rabbits were not native to tropical islands. There were more unusual things around. Closer, closer... It hadn't even noticed him. A little further, a little further... The rabbit looked up, sitting up on its hind feet, and in a sudden burst of speed Thom was upon it. However, he didn't bite; instead, he snatched the rabbit up with a hand around its neck and, when it struggled, caught its back legs with his free hand, laughing aloud. "Success!" Jordan Essex It had been a long day as far as he’d been concerned. He’d gone swimming earlier to take his mind off the lack of stimulus. That had only managed to kill two hours of his dragging day. The beach was his playground and yet he was still feeling depressed. If only he could feel well again, then he could enjoy the water, the sun, and the sand… his life on the island.
There seemed to be no escaping this horrible feeling hanging over his head. His personal dark cloud continued to rain on him, mocking his very existence. He’d considered calling the labs to ask them of his mysterious assigned duties, but he just didn’t have it in him. He didn’t want to piss them of again. He’d upset Doctor Moreau twice in his first three weeks on the island and maybe he deserved this feeling of disorientation. Maybe he deserved to be ignored until he could prove himself once again. But how..?
To that end, he’d become frustrated even more, deciding he needed to leave the beach for a while. The workout room was a great place to blow off some steam, even if it was difficult to manipulate the machines with either sets of paws. Jordan set off for the village area and that either meant taking the safe route that was the dirt road off in the distance or chancing the jungle and a possible wolf through the jungle shortcut. The latter was the path of least resistance and in his mood, he didn’t care if he did meet up with that wild animal. He’d hope to give it indigestion and sour stomach for weeks.
He itched his doubly-fur-coated arms as the humidity was much more present in the density of the foliage than it had been in the gentle ocean breeze of the beach. That served as enough of a distraction to keep him fully watching where he was going; however, that didn’t prevent him from hearing the squeek of a terrified rabbit nearby. He stepped forward, with less than the normal bit of caution, the animal’s cry snapping him out of his funk momentarily.
To Jordan’s shock, he spotted the largest damn snake he’d ever seen in his entire life. And he was manhandling a poor rabbit like it was… like it was… Upon that realization, Jordan went green in the gills as it were. It was the life of a living creature in danger bringing him back to his senses as he called out “Hey.. what do you think you're doing to that rabbit..?” Thomas Brinley Ack, it had screamed. Thom had forgotten that rabbits could scream. He frowned down at the little creature, repositioning his hand to snap its neck, but paused before doing so as Jordan's call drew his attention. The cobra drew himself up proudly, frowning down his nose at the stranger and, for a long moment, saying nothing. However, another kick from the rabbit reminded him of the situation at hand, and, after a flick of his tongue, he addressed Jordan. "I'd think it's rather obviouss, so I'll refrain from explainin'. It's no concern of yours. Bugger off." Jordan Essex “I’m making it my concern.”
Jordan was theoretically committing himself to suicide. The cobra could easily strike him down in a moment’s blink if he so felt inclined. The response given was hardly satisfactory to Jordan and he inched forward, keeping his paws at his sides, but in clear sight. He was reminded of Joli tearing apart that rabbit infront of him and it made his stomach churn. He loved rabbits. They were cute and fluffy and they were generally quiet unless threatened by predators such as a giant snake. Nice pets to have around and simple to care for. Was he honestly thinking of rescuing the would-be lunch to give him something to do? An animal to care for once more?
“I’ll ask nicely this once: Please don’t eat this rabbit. I’m sure there are more appetizing game to be found.”
Jordan was crazy off-his-rocker! He was nearing the precipice of insane and about to leap off! Maybe… that’s what he needed? To care for another creature once more? The cry had stirred something in him, that spark he used to have for all of the animals he oversaw in the zoo back home. He looked the cobra dead in the eyes with a glare of seriousness. How amusing, a dog trying to intimidate a snake. Thomas Brinley "How noble," he replied dryly, tongue giving another lazy flick to analyze this stranger. He needed fear to win out a bluff, else the encounter would result in a fight and he would most likely lose his meal during it. Thankfully, the fear was there, however, whether it was for the man or the rabbit was unclear. If Jordan was only worried about injuries to the rabbit, a bluff wouldn't do much good. If not, Thom could probably scare him away with little trouble. Of course, the easiest solution would've just been to crack the rabbit's neck, but the fact that someone would be standing there watching him do it weighed heavily on Thom. That guilt saved the rabbit for the moment. "Believe it or not, game issn't exactly eassy to keep up with when one doesn't 'ave legs, and I'm quite tired of lizards by now." The bloke wanted a staring contest, didn't he? A win to Thom--Jordan had already lost, for the snake could not blink, and was not about to look away. He met the bluff, holding Jordan's gaze with his own piercing glare, then laughed aloud, fangs visible only briefly. "If you expect me t' jusst set down my dinner an' watch it hop away at a word from a complete stranger, you're madder than I am." Jordan Essex He curled back his own lip, exposing his elongated canines. It wasn’t fearsome, but he was displeased by the snake’s mocking words. He should have anticipated resistance from anyone and everyone, especially from a predator. To his own disadvantage, Jordan was neither predator, nor immediately prey. When it came to what he did best, Jordan was nearly fearless in his resolve, or was that just a touch of foolishness masked as bravery? Either way, he felt the need to rescue this poor creature and prolong its lifespan. The situation at best was precarious and Jordan was on the losing end of it. He was trying to call the shots to the guy with the proverbial gun.
Jordan could just as easily left and ignored Thom and his meal-to-be, but that kind of guilt would never let him live peacefully. He was a bleeding heart when it came to animals’ suffering in his presence. He likely would do anything to assure the safety of this normally woodland rabbit, even if it meant endangering his own life in the field.
“I do apologize for making your life harder, but I cannot –in good conscience- allow myself to part company, knowing that you’re going to eat that lapine. It goes against who I am and what I’ve worked for.”
Of course he understood the man needed to eat, but… he just couldn’t live with that image brazened into his mind, those horrible squeaks of agony tearing through him like a hot knife. He tried not to blink as much as he tried, keeping focused on Thom’s face. It was unnerving to stare down a snake the size of a man. “I spent six years in veterinary and zoology degree programs, I’ve cared for animals for years, from one zoo to another. I refuse to turn my back on the suffering of another animal.” And with that, he was sure this is what he should be doing, like Victor had suggested. Thomas Brinley Thom's limited patience was already beginning to wear thin. He listened, but grudgingly and only with half an ear, busying himself meanwhile with restraining the rabbit. Humming lazily to himself, but nodding towards Jordan to ensure the man that he was listening, Thom released his hold on the rabbit's neck, holding it upside down by its legs. He swept his tail around and looped that around the rabbit instead, tightly enough so that it wouldn't escape, but not enough that it would suffocate. It was just a means of freeing his hands, not killing his dinner. "You 'refuse', do you?" The rabbit trapped and his hands free, Thom returned his attention to Jordan, gracing him with another short nod. Movement was fluid and effortless to the snake, and with three swift sweeps of his tail Thom was directly in front of Jordan, stretching just a bit higher with the aid of his long tail to frown down at the other man. His hood flared, a low, warning hiss escaping with his words as he spoke. "An' just what do you proposse to do about it?" Jordan Essex Thom’s movements were so swift that he was upon the dogman quickly. Quite frankly, he was impressed by this display, though, impressed was replaced with a twinge of fear as that hood flared. This could potentially be very, very bad for Jordan. He’d just pissed off a very large snake. He couldn’t deny this was a touchy situation and one false move could result in Jordan being rushed to the medical facilities for a fatal dose of cobra poison. Thom had him by the snarflies. He stood firm in his posture, even if he took a step back. Bad move. Always the sign of scared prey. “I’ve seen a komodo dragon tear apart one rabbit. That image is forever engraved in my mind. The horrible wailing haunts me. I will risk bodily injury before I have to experience that again.” He was stern in his statement, but scared as hell at the prospect of becoming dinner himself.
“This is a matter of principle. If I just ignore this, like I did before, then I’m turning my back on who I am.” He was certainly being a chatty thing. Not exactly what he typically was, but he’d been acting so odd for the past few weeks, what was another day? “You want to eat that rabbit, then you’ll have to do it infront of me. Can you do that? Are you capable of dealing with a horrified look engraved in your head, haunting your memories? Want to know what it feels like? Just try me.” Jordan was crazy. He was trying to bluff a bluff. Thomas Brinley One point working in Thom's favor was that Jordan thought he had venom. In fact, he didn't, but he wasn't about to tell Jordan that--he wasn't entirely sure of it himself. Most things he ate were small enough that he just snapped their necks, and the one time he had bitten another islander, Miller, he had never seen the budgie again. So, theoretically, Thom could have venom, and could have killed with it, and just not know it....but he doubted that. Still, it was a handy bluffing tool. "The rabbit would have a quick death," he slowly assured Jordan. "Just a quick twist--crack its neck." He demonstrated with a twist of one hand, chuckling. "An' there'ss no messy tearin' or shreddin', it's much easier to just sswallow it whole." Grinning, Thom glanced towards the rabbit in question, then back to Jordan, still laughing softly. "Eat it in front of you? No, I'm not quite that impolite. 'Owever, if you continue to pesster me, I won't 'ave to. One quick little bite, an' your rabbit friend will be demoted to an appetizer, whereas you will become the main coursse." Jordan Essex He winced at the description of the rabbit’s possible quick death. His wince turned into a shudder that caused a cold arc to race up his spine. It was quickly becoming a ‘damned if I do, damned if I don’t’ scenario with Jordan losing either way. It was torment for the animal lover. Thom was making a mockery of him and Jordan had given him the ammunition to do so. It was frustrating all right.
Jordan rubbed his temples with a paw. “I don’t understand why you find this all so terribly funny, but it’s not in the least.” If only he could grab the rabbit and bolt for it, but that would never work… would it..? It was insane, but insane was all he had to go on so far. He glanced between Thom and the rabbit, uttering an annoyed growl as he tried to think quickly.
He didn’t quite know how to respond to that last statement. Could he really carry out that threat? Then, was there anything to lose? Could he take the snake? “Fine. You win.” He sighed, turning around, starting to walk away. However, that was only a ruse to throw Thom off. After a five second retreat, Jordan turned around and lunged at the snake, his target with outstretched paws: the rabbit. Thomas Brinley "You 'ave th' nerve to try and take my dinner from me," Thom pointed out, grinning. "That in itself is hysterical." As the dog man turned to go, Thom looped his tail forward to transfer the still-squirming rabbit back to his hands, but the sudden lunge from Jordan threw him off. The cobra retaliated immediately, striking down to sink his fangs deep into Jordan's shoulder, but it wasn't exactly the 'little bite' he had promised. He kept hold, arms looping around Jordan to pin his arms to his side, even as his tail moving to coil about the man, once, twice, a third time, and so on, taking the place of Thom's arms and only squeezing tighter whenever Jordan exhaled. Unfortunately, in order to propertly suffocate this annoying stranger, he first had to release the rabbit--but evidently he had injured it without attempting to, for the bunny only limped a short distance away to hide under a bush, unable or unwilling to risk a run for the jungle. Jordan Essex He squeeked as the breath was being squeezed out of him, exhaling in a hoarse yell as those fangs sunk into his shoulder with the true ferocity of hunter and hunted. Jordan obviously the latter. It hurt. It hurt like no pain he’d felt to date. Jordan been bitten by snakes before, but this was nothing like those ever felt. This was a man-sized cobra lodging his killer fangs into the shoulder of its prey as he squeezed the life out of him. At least the rabbit was safe for now.
He struggled in the coiled grasp foolishly. Jordan was panicking. Irrational behavior led to irrational consequences. If anyone had told him that today he’d be trying to steal a giant cobra’s dinner only to become dinner, he’d have laughed at the incredulous nature of that statement. Even if he could wriggle out of the coils, there still remained the matter of those fangs in his shoulder, keeping him in place,. The more he struggled, the more it hurt. Jordan ceased his movements. His lungs were being pressed hard against and his breath was leaving him. This was not going well.
“S’oooooooop… i’ huuuuuuuu’s….” he wheezed out ‘stop it hurts’ minus the ‘t’, only further expelling the last of his lungs wind. Thomas Brinley As with Miller, now that Jordan was in Thom's grasp, Thom wasn't about to release him. He had given the dog man fair warning, had given the option to just walk away and leave Thom alone. But the noble fool had ignored it, too determined to save the damn rabbit--who would still be dinner, Thom noted mentally, whether Thom managed to eat Jordan or not. However, again as before, Thom's intended murder went unfinished. Alerts went off in the labs as Jordan's vitals dropped rapidly, and the moment the cause was pinpointed a shock ran down the cobra's spine. Thom tensed momentarily at the all-too-familiar zap, then slumped forward and lay still, out cold. However, that didn't change the fact that his fangs were still deep in Jordan's shoulder, or that he was still coiled around the dog man and, even unconscious, quite heavy. Jordan Essex Jordan’s struggles slowed as he was phasing out of consciousness. His face turning blue as he gasped with burning lungs. This was it. The end of the road. Snake food. It was so hard to keep focused. Everything was becoming blurry and fuzzy. It hurt so much. It hurt far too much. He couldn’t fight it anymore and with a last gasp he blacked out, feeling gravity pull his limp body to the ground.
He was unaware that Thom had been zapped as he came to. The coils were still tight around his body, but air was reaching his lungs. Jordan felt immediate disorientation as he tried to look around, but he couldn’t move any other part of his body. The small amounts of air reaching into his burning lungs kept him alive. He called out, wanting to scream for help as he felt beaten and injured himself, but nothing more than miniscule squeaks erupted sheepishly. Jordan pulled forward and yelped as he was immediately tugged back. The fangs were locked in his shoulder and it burned horribly with pain. Wait… what had happened…? Thom was unconscious…? What..? This hadn’t made any sense at all.
He continued his squirming, trying hard to get loose. He didn’t want to be food and this was a lucky moment to flee if he could only dislodge himself from the cobra. Newton Filinas Newt had left his meeting with Lucas, wondering exactly what he should do about his predicament. He couldn't believe the man hadn't known about the dangers of the jungle, or the predators that loomed about to eat smaller, more defenseless islanders like himself, but he supposed the boy knew now, didn't he?
It also had somewhat sapped what had remained of his desire and drive to be productive. He continued his trash combing, pleased to find a whole makeup kit someone seemed to have not wanted anymore, and quickly stashed it away in his "Keep" bag, when he suddenly heard what sounded like a scuffle further towards the edge of the village. Near the jungle.
His first fear was that someone had been caught by the wolf or the tiger, and his immediate reaction was to flee. There wasn't enough screaming for it to be either Annie or Jamal, though, and so his curiosity peaked he left his cart to hop towards the quiet sounds of struggling. Jordan Essex "Unnnnnngh...." Jordan groaned as he was coming to once more, realizing that he was still entwined with the snake in the jungle. He felt so weak from the lack of oxygen. How long had he been out..? As he sucked in air as if it were going out of style, Jordan tried to wiggle out fo the coils, but he was making no progress and he was afraid he'd awaken the cobra if he struggled too much. Jordan didn't know about buzzing. He'd been told about the chips by Awen a long time back, but nothing more than they were chipped. He'd never inquired about the subject either, finding that he'd anger someone with the topic.
"Heeeeee'p..." he choked out. "Heeeeeeeeee'p..." came the weakened plea. The cobra wrapped around him was like a noose about his whole body and he feared there was no escape. His arms were pinned to his sides still and the fangs in his shoulder kept him firmly in place. His struggles were only making them hit raw nerve. Newton Filinas Newt followed the dim wheezing sounds of cries for help, before caught sight of the tangles that had become of Thom and froze immediately. The frog knew it was a bad idea to be this close to a giant snake, instinct hammering away at the back of his head, pleading for him to leap away, but that selfless Newtish part of him kept him grounded...
that is until he saw the patches of white furr and face that told him WHO exactly was crying for help. Well, well well. If it wasn't the recruiter. "KrrKIT!" His eyes narrowed, and he debated turning back, pretending he hadn't seen anything at all. Jordan Essex The familiar croaking... what was his name again...?Norman..? Newman..? NEWT! Tere was hope after all! His salvation would be the frog..... that he had berated into the ground till was nothing more than a fumbling glob of Feral property. At hearing the nearing croaking, Jordan strained his voice as much as he could, barely above a whisper as he 'yelled'. "Neeeeeeeeeeeewt.. heeeeeeeeeee'p meeeeeee.. p'ease... heeeeee'p meeeeeee.." His struggling renewed as the hope of being freed was within sight.
"P'eeeeeeeeeeease... beeeeefo'e he wakes up.." the scared dogman was whimpering now. Full-on, actual pitiful canine whimpering. He began to sniffle as Newt pretended not to hear him. He was being ignored...? How... how could he do this to him?! Why would he leave him to die in the coiled clutches of the cobra..?! He gave Newt a pleading look of desperation as tears rolled down his cheeks. If this is what the forg wanted to see, then he was getting even. "You.... wouldn't leeeeeave meee heeeere, Newt..?" Newton Filinas "Y-y-you know... I... I w-was.. per-per-per-perfectly h-happy b-befor you... you c-came b-bothering me...." Newt murmured, taking his time to think this through. How long before Thom woke up? "And... and I've n-n-n-nuh-ne-ne-ne-NEVER B-been... per-per-per-perfectly h-happy b-before." Newt never shouted. Newt had trouble bringing his voice above a whimper generally, but for once it seemed the poor belittled man had reached an end point. A saturation point. He couldn't take it any longer. Frogs might be small and timid, but they could also be vicious predators in their own right. There was no loyalty serum in this employee. Just nearly six years of hard labor and a sad, sad attempt to try to be wanted, valued. Newt had never really thought how much he could possibly be worth to people, but he was worth something to Gaius. He was worth something to Liamh. He was worth something.... well, not necessarily to Natsumi, she cared about as much as a paper crane for him, but he definitely cared for her, and wanted her to see his worth as well. But now it was wasted. Used up and monopolized. Out of his control. Well, Newt had control over this, didn't he? Jordan Essex In this particular situation, the frog's stuttering was like a spike being driven through his head and out the other side. Each and every stuttered syllable was painful as Newt tormented Jordan for what he had done. Jordan just wanted to be freed from the confines of the snake straight-jacket. He was helpless to ignore the ramblings of the angered frogman and he was incapable of even plugging his ears so he had to endure the flowery speech of how Newt was happy and blah blah blah! Grrrrr! "I was only doing my job. Don't blame your problems on me, Newt. I'm so sick of it. Have some integrity for your own mistakes and stop blaming others for your misery. I didn't ruin anything. I didn't make your life hard. I wouldn't have to have been there in the first place if you'd just done your job." It wasn't the time to argue the point, but Jordan was getting pissed off at the frog's allocation of blame and he wanted to get away before Thom woke up. "Now, if we're done playing the blame game, can you PLEASE get these fangs out of my shoulder!" he gasped for breath. Newton Filinas Something deep in the frogman seemed to snap slightly with a painful breaking noise. The expression on the janitor's face was the same he wore late at night while torturing small animals and pretending that they were his father, or his employer, or Jordan himself.... but now, left for him so nicely bundled by his rival in love. It took only one enormous leaping hop to land heavily on top of the bundle of snake and dog, his eyes wide and wild with years and years of pent up.... everything. Thomas Brinley Newt's spontaneous attack probably wasn't the best idea he could have had. The impact of a giant from landing on top of him was enough to startle Thom awake. He grunted in surprise as his eyes, open even while he was unconscious, refocused, and instinctively retightened his coils about whatever they were holding--in this case, Jordan. He took a moment to reestablish himself, eyes sweeping the area before falling on Newt... He jumped up as if he had been shocked, freeing his fangs from Jordan's shoulder in the process, and reared back in an attempt to ram the frog off of him. Why knew what the creepy b*****d had been up to!? "Get the 'ell off me!" Jordan Essex Jordan had been surprised at Newt's wild leap on top of Thom. That couldn't be good at all. His thoughts were wild with fear 'if there's any justice in the world, keep this frog from beating me senseless.' was what he thought. Newt's crazy-eyed stare was unnerving. Jordan was a sittign duck. He had 'free punch' tattooed on his face. "Okay, Newt, let's talk this out without violence. We don't need to get physical here." he tried to be calm, but under the bizarre cirumstances of being entiwined by a giant cobra with a mad frog looming overhead left him anything but calm.
Without warning, the coils tightened and he gasped for breath once more as he was taken ff-guard. Oh no... The stupid frog had done it now! He could have just helped Jordan out but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He had to be some vengeful and spiteful in someone's need. This was so very bad as he felt the snake shift and tighten around him. As he glanced up at Newt in horrible surprise, he squeeked out a breath that would have been a warning the snake was awake. Newton Filinas As Thom suddenly woke, Newt flinched and nearly lost his grip, but the walls of the damn had already begun to crumble, and there was little stopping him now. He hopped back onto the bucking snake, fists flying to the poor man being squeezed tightly, "C-C-CRUSH HIM!" Newt screamed, eyes streaming with angry tears as he beat a fist down against scales, trying to find an open patch to send Jordan a blow, his throat inflating frantically as he croaked as ferociously as froggishly possible. "C-CRUSH HIM D-DEAD!!" Thomas Brinley Getting the frog off of his should have been easily. Newt should have fallen off when he was rammed, and, at a hiss from Thom, run off with his metaphorical tail between his legs. He wasn't supposed to come charging back to try and beat the living hell out of Jordan, and he most certainly was not supposed to land a few punches to Thom in doing so. Right now Jordan was the lesser or two evils. Thom gave another hard shove to get Newt off of him, tail quickly uncoiling, more for the purpose of aiding Thom than releasing Jordan. Once free, the cobra struck--but didn't bite, instead wrapping both arms around Newt and quickly looping his tail around the frog to still him, hissing through his teeth. "Goddammit Newt, calm down!" Jordan Essex What manner of devil's fortune had smiled upon Jordan? It's name: Newt. In his unwillingness to aid Jordan's escape, Newt had awakened the beast and was now its target of aggression. That was fine with him. Stupid frog trying to beat him to death when he was in a pinch. Served him right! This only served to prove that Newt was responsible ofr his own woe, not Jordan, but that wouldn't likely sink through the frog's slimy skull. He'd probably blame Jordan for nearly getting him killed by Thom. Feh. Whatever. Dumbass!
Jordan -for his own safety- didn't move an inch initially when Thom's coiled tail loosened and released him. In his stunned state, he took a few cleansing breaths to fill his aching lungs. Only when the cobra had re-directed its attentions to Newt did he slink away slowly. Not far, just in the direction of the bushes where he'd seen the rabbit flee. He could still save the little guy and come out of this intact. He kept peering back over his shoulder as she tried to sneak on his pawpads, hoping that stupid frog wouldn't say something. Newton Filinas "N-NO! N-NO He's... he's g-GETTING AWAY!" Newt shrieked, unfortunately, wriggling and writhing in the cobra's tightening grip. His little froggy heart screamed in terror of being in the snake's coils, only heightening his moment of rage. "OF C-C-C-C-Cuh-COURSE Y-Y-YOU'D LET HIM G-GO, Y-YOU HATE ME!!" Thom's grip was tight enough to keep him from moving his arms or legs, but his wide mouth was still functional, his tongue flying out to hit the snake and stick right to the end of his snout. Thomas Brinley Thom just about wet himself when he found Newt's tongue plastered to his nose, but settled instead for freeing one of his arms and literally snatching Newt's tongue away. Shuddering in disgust, he tightened his tail around Newt's legs and gave the frog a shove, toppling him forward and promptly sitting on his back while his tail shifted up to wrap around Newt's arms as well, freeing Thom's. He cuffed the back of Newt's head to shut him up, then glanced up after Jordan, frowning. "Get your arse back 'ere an' sit, or I'll let Newt after you," he snapped, jabbing his finger towards a spot on the ground a few feet away. "You're lucky I don't toss th' both of you off th' cliffs, 'avin' the nerve t' interrupt my lunch an' jump on me while I can't defend myself!" Hood flared, he hissed through his teeth, shooting another glare down at Newt before glancing back up to Jordan. "Now, what's all this about?" Jordan Essex Busted. Jordan arched stiffly, stopping in his tracks. “Yes, sir!” he called out without turning around. The snake was not someone he wanted to piss off so he promptly obeyed and sat himself post-haste where he was assigned. T least he gave him the choice and this way Newt was properly restrained.
“Yes, sir.” Jordan lowered his head, like a bad dog who knew he’d done bad, fumbling his paws in one another and dragging his hindpaws in the soil. He didn’t know where to begin. Damn.. this was not comfortable. “Well.. uhm.. you see.. that is..” he stammered not even careful with his words. He was scared shitless. “I don’t know what his problem is.. he’s blaming me for all of his problems.. it’s not my fault if he got into trouble for making wind chimes and playing in the mud all day.. or whatever he does..” Had he just said that?? Newton Filinas Under the coils of the snake, the frog's plump body shivered. Newt had, surprise surprise, started crying again, needing an outlet for the pent up aggression the snake seemed intent on forcing him to bottle. He kept murmuring things like, "N-n-nuh-nuh-not f-f-fair..." and, "L-l-lying..." between his broken, miserable croaks. Thomas Brinley Thom took some small satisfaction in the fact that both dog and frog were clearly terrfied of him. He wasn't entirely thrilled with the fact that he had to sit on Newt, nor was his temper helped at all by the fact that he hadn't eaten yet, but maybe he could be done with this quickly, ensure that Newt wouldn't kill anyone the moment he was free, and figure out where that rabbit had gotten to. His tongue gave a lazy flick in search of said rabbit, and, after assuring himself that his meal was still in the area, Thom returned his attention to the argument--or, rather, to Jordan, utterly ignoring Newt for the moment. He doubted he could get any sense from the frog anyway. "He's th' first islander I've 'eard of to get in trouble for doin' nothing. What should 'e be doin' instead, hmm?" Jordan Essex This was becoming more uncomfortable as it dragged out. Jordan didn't have much of a choice. Already having felt the cobra's bite made him obedient for the moment. He shifted uncomfortably on the ground as he tried to avoid Thom's gaze. He'd lost that game already.
"It's not my place to say. I was just the messenger." that was good enough for now. He'd have to carry out the charade just a little longer. He wasn't proud of what he'd been doing and not overly satisfied by the motivation of lying to protect who he was from the others. Newton Filinas "Wh-what do you DO, J-j-jor-jor-jordan??" Newt snarled, throat expanding on either side of his neck with a loud, angry croak. "M-muh-muh-messenger f-from where?? Fruh-fruh-from WHO?" Tears were streaming down his fat froggy face, his eyes wobbling as angry tears flooded from them in an obscene amount of liquid. Thomas Brinley "Not your place?" He laughed aloud, shaking his head. "It's not your place to ignore my question. I'd 'ave to say this is the bravest I've seen Newt since arrivin' on the island. Clearly you've done somethin' to upset 'im, an' I'd advise you to tell me what before my grip slips an' 'e comes after you. 'E seems fairly set on rippin' you to pieces," Thom noted dryly, glancing down to the frog. "Not to say I blame 'im, if you were as rude to 'im as you were to me." Jordan Essex He glared at Newt, willing him to shut up, but it wouldn't happen. What choice did he have? Go through the wringer again or get tackled by the swampthing.. Jordan rubbed his temples in obvious frustration. He'd have to milk this part and make it convincing. "Like I said. I was a messenger. I was sent to find Newt. To tell him to return to his duties. As I see it, I did not have much choice in the matter." his stomach was churning, not just because of stress, but because it felt like there was something else present, something moving around inside him, like in those Aliens movies.
"I was only being a team player. Whatever happened after-the-fact is beyond my knowledge and I cannot take responisibility for. But there's your answer." Jordan looked up, pale as a ghost as the dread filled him. He'd practically said he was a Feral grunt and that was never good to divulge to anyone else. "So.. what now..?" Newton Filinas When Jordan's story remained the same, Newt seemed to loose some of his steam, the sobs returning in a thankfully silent series of miserable shudders, his face pressed against the ground to make a fair amount of mud with his leaking massive eyes. Thomas Brinley Oh brilliant, he had captured a lab cronie. The situation was quickly growing ridiculous, moreso when Newt stopped defending himself and went back to crying. Bloody nuisance. Jordan was obviously not telling the truth, at least not the whole truth, but he couldn't well drag it out of the dog man while he had to restrain Newt. And even assuming he managed to do so, what was he supposed to do from there? He had already injured Jordan, there wasn't much more he could get away with, especially if the dog man really was working for the labs. "You bugger off," he finally muttered, waving Jordan away. "An' you'd best 'ope I don't 'ear that you're still pesterin' Newt. 'Urry up, leave." Jordan Essex Jordan blinked incredulously. He couldn't believe he was actually being dismissed so easilly. It stunned him to no end and took him several moments to kick it into gear. Slowly, he stood and backed away cautiously. What else was he supposed to do? Stay there and anger a giant snake? This was unorthodox to say the least, but at least he still had his health. Rubbing his shoulder, he scurried off into the foliage towards the village. It was far too conspicuous to run to the beach, so he made a path for the village.
About ten feet or more from where Thom was pinning Newt down, Jordan spotted the rabbit. It was obviously limping from an injury. Looking back over his shoulder real quick, Jordan picked up the rabbit and stuffed it under his shirt and hauled a** towards the village. He was still going to save the bunny yet! And now, this was a great start towards his village career as a vet/doctor for the others. He'd been bitten and strangled and yet he was the victor in this round.
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:17 am
Lauren Granger Lauren sat in the empty cafeteria with Comet on the chair next to her. The scene was almost comical, two hairy beings sitting side by side with plates full of food. The contents were different however. Comet had chopped steak and was eating it hungrily. Lauren's plate held raw snake, freshly killed with a side of fried beetles. She ate hungrily alone. Nita had gone out somewhere so it was up to Comet and Lauren to fend for themselves tonight. And the lunch lady had given them both a special treat for the occasion. Jordan Essex Panicked and fleeing from the jungle- bleeding from the cobra's death-force bite- Jordan had made it to the village. He was feeling woozy from the time he'd had the life squeezed from him by Thom, but he was on a mission of mercy! He remembered the nook of medical supplies nearby the cafeteria and grabbed some things he thought he would need: tongue depressors, gauze, iodine, rubbing alcohol, and ace bandages. By this point, he was feeling the need to sit badly. His afternoon had been a bit of a drain with his experiences with Thom and Newt trying to kill him. There was no time to return to his duplex without passing out or crossing paths with the hungry, enraged snake again. The cafeteria would have to do.
Carrying the rabbit under his blood-soaked, torn shirt and paws full of the gathered supplies, he hazardly pushed open the cafeteria doors and rushed to a far table near the back, keeping his back to anyone. He hadn't registered anyone else present immediately, though Jordan had thought he'd seen someone familiar. Jordan whispered coaxing words as he let the rabbit slip out from underneath his shirt, setting down his supplies and immediately snapping tongue depressors in half. Lauren Granger Lauren smelled him before he came in, blood and fear. It was obvious to her nose and made her tail hairs bristle on end. She dropped her fork as soon as Jordan burst in. He was covered in blood and appeared to be holding prey. Comet saw it comming to and whimpered at her friend in need. They both got up at the same time and ran over to Jordan to assist him. Only Lauren was faster, being part mongoose. "Oh my God Jordan, what happened?" She sniffed another predator on him, one that made her hiss audibly. She knew what this was, "Cobra?! Damnit did you get bit?!" Lauren puzzled herself on knowing what a cobra smelled like but didn't let the confusion stop her from moving. Lauren herself held no concern for the rabbit. Her clawed hands grabbed alcohol and cotton and started cleaning Jordan up. "You need to sit down." She ordered. Jordan Essex His concern wasn't for himself. He was wounded, yes, but he could take care of himself later. At the moment, he needed to patch up the poor fellow he'd rescued from being lunch. Holding the rabbit down with a gentle grasp, he took a tongue depressor and snapped it in half in his fangs and gently applied both halves to the rabbit’s injured leg, tieing it up with some bandage in lieu of the tape he’d forgotten to procure.
His ears twitched as he registered the familiar voice. He didn’t flinch or deviate his attention, busied with taking care of the poor woodland critter. He nodded to her question, snapping another depressor unnecessarily. He rubbed his temples as he tried to formulate a response, now the rabbit’s leg had been splinted, at least it would hold for now till he could do better. “I don’t know his name.. but it was a cobra.. no mistaking it…” He brought a paw to the bleeding wound and winced. “Dammit.. that was no warning bite either.. he meant business.. even… even..” he felt woozy as his eyes fluttered for a moment “… even squeezed the life out of me… I don’t know what happened, but I blacked out.. he was unconscious when I woke up..”
He did as he was told and hissed when Lauren began rubbing alcohol on his wounds. He’d intended to do it himself, but she had a better vantage point to clean the wound properly. Jordan slipped his shirt off, revealing the large puncture wounds bleeding down his chest and back. Lauren Granger Lauren continued to work at dressing his wounds, "Calm down wuse, I'll get it. I suppose you can take care of your rescue mission there." She didn't know there was a cobra serum on the island. Her hair bristle further and her muscles tensed at the thought of it. Something was nagging at her to go out there and kill it to protect the burrow. Protect your friends.... She shook those thoughts off as well. "Why wasn't he buzzed, I don't understand." She said as he took off his shirt. Her eyes widened at the wound, "What the hell? Are the people at the monitors getting lazy now that old Moreau is on vacation? Bastards." She reached for some more alcohol as Comet cautiously came near and nuzzled Jordan gently. He stood up to the table and leaned over to sniff the rabbit. Comet whined a bit looking at Jordan and then the rabbit. "And that ******** b*****d of a snake that did this to you. God damnit people, can't they control themselves?" Lauren knew the answer to that herself, most people that had gone further off then Jordan couldn't includeing herself. Her bristley hair and tense muscles were a sign of that. "You've changed..." She added looking him over. Jordan Essex He smiled at Comet. He helped to distract him from the pain of alcohol in open wounds. “Hey Comet, how’s it going? I’ve missed you, buddy.” He scratched his claws carefully over her ears and used them to get at that right spot that made all dogs wag their tails.
There were two things wrong-in his mind- with what she’d said. “Buzzed? What’s that?” Being buzzed was a new term to him. And the second thing was Moreau being on vacation. Had he heard anything about that..? “When.. when did Doctor Moreau go on vacation, Lauren..?” he seemed to be heart-broken at that thought, moreso at not being made aware of that till now. He’d thought for sure he would have been told.
He couldn’t but smile as Comet sniffed at the rabbit and it made him sniff at the rabbit too, unconsciously, of course. Doggy see, doggy do. It smelled… interesting. To say the least. He shook himself out of a daze and looked back at Lauren. “How bad is it..?”
“It happened about a month ago..” he looked around.. scanning for the table and pointed with the arm of the wounded shoulder, wincing. “It happened over there.. and it hurt like hell, just like you said it would. I changed infront of some poor girl on her first day.. Sophie.. I think.. yeah.. sorry.. kinda fuzzy at the moment.. I think I may have technically died out there.. not sure how long I was out..” his nose twitched again as he sniffed at the rabbit again. Why was he doing that..?! Lauren Granger "Didn't miss me one bit did ya?" Lauren teased. "I'm beginning to think you only tolerate me because of my dog." "Those fangs must be ******** huge..." she answered, "It's pretty bad. I think you need to go to the labs. I know Freshman college level biology but that's about it. Just enough to know you'll pass out from any more bloodloss." She sniffed some more, "I don't smell poison. Don't ask me how... but I feel like I can tell what poison smells like." Unknowingly and on an instintive whim Lauren put her nose to Jordan's skin to sniff some more. Then it took over further into licking the wound better. Lauren noticed what she was doing and was a little embarrased and grossed out but for some reason kept doing it. It felt good to take care of someone in the most basic way of her animalistic nature. It also felt wonderful not fighting herself for once. It was like a beacon for her to go with her instinct and impulses. She felt... purely free. Jordan Essex “I missed you too, Lauren. I mean, I don’t have many friends out here.. and I meet more people who’d rather hurt me than try to show some basic kindness.. you’re one of my friends.. I was double-teamed by a cobra and a frog in the jungle a few minutes ago and almost lost my life..”
“It’s that bad, that I’d have to go to the labs..? Geez.. I really didn’t get a look at the fangs.. he got me from behind and proceeded to squeeze the life out of me..” of course, he didn’t mention he’d provoked the attack by stealing Thom’s lunch, but minor details like that were insignifigant. He huffed softly as he did a sort of double-take when she mentioned she could smell poison, but there was none present. That was reasurring.
His eyes shot open as he felt something strange on his shoulder, warm and wet. Through his peripheral vision he saw Lauren tending to his wound, with her tongue, like an animal would for another who’d been hurt. He thought best not to bring light to it as it could anger her and he didn’t need that. His day had been hectic enough. He continued to pet and scritch Comet in the meantime, giving a soft smile to Lauren’s kind gesture. Lauren Granger Lauren finished tending to his wounds and scientificially realised the bacteria she must be introduceing into his system. She stopped as her cheeks became warm and she reached for the cotton, "Oh... um sorry..." She said as she cleared her throat. A small smile escaped her lips, "It's strange... I mean that felt amazing. I didn't know what I was doing at first but to not STOP my instincts. That just... woah." Her brain nearly felt like it was exploding in a mystical revelation, "You don't know how... oh ******** you don't have a clue how divided I've been since I've been injected. I mean I feel like two people." She wrapped up his wound after finishing to dress it. She didn't know why she had let herself ramble about stupid things to her weak and bleeding friend but she did. Right now she felt so free from that tiny gesture it was unreal. Jordan Essex Her revel had made him smile and then he realized... "You've changed since we last met, haven't you..? Wow.. I'm sorry I didn't notie before." He was happy for her. She really seemed to enjoy herself and honestly, it felt good for him too. It was like havign a big cat nurse a wound. "Honestly, Lauren, it's not a problem. Soon enough, I'll be right with you. I've already been displaying some strange behaviors.. like when I met Ambrose. He's so nice.. and.. for some reason.. I wanted to submit. Y'know, like a dog, in the hierarchy of canine leadership."
He slipped his shirt back on carefully. The bleeding would stop eventually, but for now, the cotton would soak up most of it, giving him ample time to get medical attention from the labs later. He stood up, shakilly, and fell back into his seat. "Uffff.. damn.." he rubbed his temples "Lauren, I hate to impose on your good graces, but would it be too much to ask for some water and maybe something to eat.. anything with meat in it is good." Lauren Granger Lauren smiled larger at him. It felt good not having to be careful about what she said around someone, to not step on anyone's toes. Maybe she should hang out with this guy more. "Yeah I've changed.... wait NO I havn't changed. You need to sit down I think the bunny will be fine. " She laughed at his mention of Ambrose. "So you'll be licking my back later on too? " She said jokingly. "No I'll go get you something. You better sit down so you don't pass out." She pulled his chair out and sat the dog boy down. Lauren went over to Delia, "Another dog needs food, more steak please and lots of it." She said as Delia happily obliged. Lauren brought the food and a glass of water over to Jordan. "Well maybe... we can start something new. " Lauren said as she sit down, "You and I can go with our impulses no holds barred with eachother and we won't judge eachother for it!" It sounded like a good idea till she said it. "Well unless you have an urge to kill me that won't fly!" Lauren smiled incharacteristicly sweetly in his direction. Jordan Essex The sweet smell of steak assaulted his nostrils and he was practically salivating before she could return. Jordan eyed the tray of stacked meat and was panting a bit as it made his heart flutter with excitement. He’d been courteous enough to wait for her to set down the tray, but after she sat down, he’d grabbed the top steak in his bare paws and was tearing at it with the canines in the corner of his mouth. Much like a starving dog. “Fank you fo much!” he swallowed a big mouthful. Of course, he didn’t hog it all for himself. Jordan slipped Comet a hearty chunk when he thought she wasn’t looking.
He was intrigued by Lauren’s suggestion and smiled wide at it. He could act on impulse and not be chastised by someone who may be prudish enough to cling onto their fading humanity? Already in these past few weeks, Jordan was learning to like his new senses. He truly was in a new world of enlightenment through his transformation. He nodded, taking another huge chunk out of the steak and swallowed first before speaking this time. “Actually, that sounds like a plan. I don’t know what to expect honestly and if I do start acting somewhat odd after my next change, it’s comforting to know I wouldn’t be judged I happened to give in to more animalistic behaviors.”
He glanced down at Comet and just wondered how much more doglike he’d become. Lauren Granger "It's a plan then" Lauren felt excited by this notion, "I just... don't have anyone I feel like I can be a mongoose around, except..." She for some reason stopped herself from mentioning Nita's name. She wanted to keep that a secret from Jordan and she had no clue why. This seemed at odds to their new pact to run on instinct and impulse unabashadly around eachother. Maybe she unconsciously knew Nita wasn't pro islander anymore. Or maybe it was something else... Lauren felt a bit akward as she puzzled this through her mind but decided to get up and grab her tray to finish her meal. Jordan Essex Curious how she paused. She was so full of life and then she suddenly stopped shy of mentioning someone’s name. This struck him as odd, considering from what he knew of her, Lauren was not the shy, quiet, introvert type Jordan was more closely to being. Jordan smiled on though and leaned in to give the mongoose a playful wink. “Oh, do you mean Doctor Moreau? It’s alright to show affection towards him. I find myself quite fond of him too.”
“There’s just too many people that are hung up on this whole becoming-an-animal trip. It really is disheartening, but then I meet people like you and Awen who are really cool about the changes and the island and the labs. I nearly get my butt kicked halfway to China for being tolerant.. no obedient to the labs.” That was a much better word choice.
He drank some water and poured some in his paw for Comet to lap. He was really building this whole pack mentality with other canines and it made him feel good. Lauren Granger Lauren's cheeks felt hotter under his fur after the wink, but the other mention of Moreau just made laugh, "Yeah Moreau, well he's more lie a father to me. Kind of stupid huh. But I suppose there was a time where I did have a little thing for him. Thinking about that right now is gross though" Lauren stuck her tongue out and resumed her eating. She thought to much, perhaps that was her problem. Animals probably don't think that much. Comet doesn't think when she barks at the dryer. She seemed very fond of Jordan. "I think I will have a hard time bringing Comet home with me if you keep spoiling her." She commented, "Hell and to think I was spoiling her." Lauren reached over to ruff Comet's head but Comet liked the new person that smelled like dog. Yes, yes he was more like her than the one that smelled funny at times. Jordan Essex “I can’t help it. Ever since my change, I’ve been experiencing new things, one after another and it’s so completely amazing!” he beamed proudly. As she’d promised, the changes ushered in a new world of discoveries. “And just like with Ambrose, I feel a kinship with other canines. I’m not sure if it’s instinctual or something embedded in the very breeding of every canine mind, but it makes me happy to do this.” He leaned down to give Comet a kiss on her forehead, while he ruffed her cheeks. “I guess it’s like.. well.. like another family.. if that makes any sense.”
He smiled between Comet and Lauren. “I guess it comes with the territory. I’ve even begun to consider the beach as my turf.” He chuckled. “Silly, huh? But, it’s my sanctuary and it’s so peaceful out there. I love to sit on the sand and let the breeze whip through my fur. Do you know how many scents the ocean breeze carries? It’s so nice.” Jordan felt comfortable around Lauren and was able to open up more due to that. Lauren Granger Lauren nodded in agreement, "I can understand that. Hell I used hate everyone before I started changing. Now I find myself way more social and actually nice. Sure I can still be a b***h but it seems like it fixed that part of my brain." She smiled at sharing these thoughts, "I keep feeling like I NEED to get along with as many people as possible. But being pro island, that's nearly impossible." Lauren signed audibly at this. It seemed to be the center of her issues. Another nod of agreement came to his mention of the beach. Lauren pointed to her nose, "This thing doesn't miss much right now." She claimed proudly. "I love the beach. Do you surf by any chance? I havn't gone surfing in forever. I've been with Rex before but havn't seen Rex in forever. Seem s like that happens a lot around here. The island is so huge right now. Everyone seemed to see eachother all the time when I was only the tenth person to arrive." Lauren thought back to how more wild everything was back then. She would explore all the time. Now everything seemed to be found, not very many hidden places left. She hoped there would always be a part of the unknown left for her to find and discover. Jordan Essex “I won’t hold it against you one bit, Lauren. If you need to rant and rave, then I’m here to listen. We’re not holding back, remember. It’s great that you feel social. I’m still… well… a wall flower. But, when I’m near you, you inspire me to be more outgoing and that can only be a good thing, right?” he stroked the rabbit’s ears and down its neck, trying to keep it calm. Being near two dogs and after nearly being eaten by a snake was an ordeal that made it jittery.
“I do love to swim, but I’ve never been surfing. It looks fun from what I’ve seen, but I don’t know if I have the coordination for that. I actually ran into Awen the other day at the beach. She’s completed her changes, y’know.” He gave that informational head’s up with a smile and a quirked brow ”And because of her encouragement, along with Victor’s, I’ve found my purpose here on the island.” He continued as he petted the rabbit “I want to open a clinic outside the labs and use my veterinary and zoological knowledge to benefit the subjects, and those who aren’t.” he smiled down at Comet. Lauren Granger "Alright no holding back, " Lauren nodded. Of course there was still some things she was holding back but it wasn't entirely conscious. "I'm glad I inspire you. Wow, I've never heard that before." She finished eating her snake and beetles and washed it down with some cherry coke. "I used to swim for high school." Lauren said, "Hell I used to be so different back then. Miss perfect popular prissy pants." She stuck her tongue out. "My hair was long and my complexion was perfect and unflawed. I was everything others hated and secretly loved it. I did everything back then until mom died..." She trailed off a little in slight thought. Thinking of her mother wasn't as painful as it used to be but still stung. "Back here though, I started those things back up. But I need to find a niche as well. I had learned quite a bit from Moreau about science." She just noticed something. "Awen! You know Awen, we used to be best friends. She owes me some snorkeling and some underwater cave diveing! Hey maybe we can all go swimming sometime!" Lauren was getting excited at that idea. "And I think you would make an excellent vet. We need one, most medical practice here is based on human anatomy and knowledge mixed with advanced biological studies. Hardly anyone knows much about veterinary medicine. Maybe I can work for you!" Lauren was downright bubbly at this thought. Jordan Essex He chuckled as she regaled him of high school life and upped the anty. “We would have gotten along well in high school. I was the high school football stud. My dad was the coach so I couldn’t say no. Plus, I was so violent then. Hormones and such.. just raging and making me angry all the time. It gave me the outlet I needed to vent my frustrations by crunching some bones.” He didn’t look as proud as he thought he would, but he continued on. “I became the team’s star player and everything. I was the muscular stud of every girl’s envy.” That part, however, made him smile from ear-to-ear.
“Awen is so cool! She was the first subject I met and we became instant friends, even if I was a dink.” he sat up and grinned even wider. “I’d love for us to go swimming together! That’d be so awesome, indeed! I promised her I wanted to go swimming anyways, since she can’t take the saltwater. I’ve been by the river and the lake and both places would be perfect for a get-together where Awen wouldn’t get dehydrated and we’d have plenty of space to stretch out.” This was a fantastic idea Lauren had and he was liking her more by the minute. Jordan leaned forward, propping his head onto his folded arms as he listened intently with interest when she’d said he’d make a great vet. This fluffed his ego. “With eighty-some-odd people living outside the labs, I think I’d need some help. Do you think the labs would allow me to open a clinic? Either in the village or out of my duplex?” Lauren Granger Lauren gave him a doubting smile, "You a football hero... NO ******** WAY!" She said in shock, "I had maybe one boyfriend in high school, but it wasn't anything serious. We went out together and I think we kissed ONCE. I was way to busy with everything else to be dating." The memories of that time in her life were good, felt nice to reminense about. This was something she hadn't done for a long time. "I'm sorry Jordan, I can't see ya as the a football stud. Just can't picture it." She laughed again as she shook her head and drank some more cherry soda. "Deal, sounds like a plan I will contact the labs about some snorkeling gear. I think scuba might be contraband... maybe a LOW level of oxygen might be alright though. I could try and cut some red tape with that." Lauren was confident if she tried hard enough she could get whatever she desired from Moreau. This wasn't true but Lauren still believed it. "And yeah I think they would. If you're pro labs anything you desire is yours. That is if it's not contraband. They may not trust ya with scapel at first but I'll see if I can pull some strings there as well." Lauren winked at that, still highly confident in her connections with the labs. Jordan Essex Jordan laughed at Lauren's doubt of his high school triumph, nearly choking on a chunk of steak in the process! “That’s okay, Lauren. I hardly believe it myself anymore, except I lived it. I graduated seven years ago and immediately went into veterinary school, my life’s dream. I couldn’t have done it without my mom saving a fund since I was a kid.” He nodded sagely, hoping the mention of his own mother wouldn’t hit her like a sucker punch. “Like I said, football was anger therapy. After three years of that, I had it worked out of my system and adjusted.”
He clasped his paws as best he could, loving this girl’s enthusiasm. “You do what you have to and we’ll be swimming in no time. I can understand they wouldn’t want us to have scuba gear, but that’s okay.” He took another chomp of meat, feeling the food helping a little, but he was still weakened and in a sense of security now that his wound was tended to and wrapped. “And if they knew you wanted to help me, I’m sure they’d feel more comfortable. They like you a lot, it seems, and if nothing else, they can have you spy on me.” He winked back playfully, unaware that had already been the case the first visit to his duplex. Lauren Granger The mongoose girl was enjoying the coversation but Comet was getting a little antsy. "Well then, sounds like some arangements need to be planned out before all this can happen." Comet whimpered and pawed at Lauren's lap, "I think she needs to go water the trees. And I need to go check on somethings as well. Besides, you better be going to the labs to check out that wound." When Lauren stood up Comet barked and ran around in a circle from her excitement. "Woah, damn girl, wish I was as easily amused." Jordan Essex Jordan laughed again. Comet was such an amusement and Lauren was excellent company. He’d get to see them again and he knew where they lived. Duplex 42. He could surprise them sometime with a visit. She’d likely have good news for him after talking to the labs. He was ecstatic to have a friend like Lauren, who was cheerful, upbeat, and could further his concept of a village clinic that would benefit the subject community.
He stood up carefully and gave Lauren a big hug. “You take care of yourself, Lauren.” He smiled from ear-to-ear. Then he leaned down, and scruffed Comet’s neck fur playfully. “You be good too, girl, and I’ll come over to play sometime.” Everything was coming up rosier the more he tried to be obedient to the labs. Sure, that meant nearly being killed by a man-sized cobra and the occasional psychotic frog assault, but if he could persevere past that he’d well be on his way to making things happen around here. Lauren Granger Lauren did like Jordan and all, but men touching her always struck warning alarms in the still human part of her brain. She however shut them off to be more friendly and mongoose like and even hugged back. "Was good to see ya again, don't be a stranger." Lauren waved as she left to go back to her duplex. It was so much fun doing Moreau's bidding. She would have an excellent report for him when he returned. Possibly this would prove her loyalty to the labs even more and plant her a position as a lab tech. Jordan Essex "Duplex 42." he smiled as she led Comet to do her business, turning back with a smile to the rabbit. He'd be takign that dirt road home today. No sense in risking further injury from Thom or Newt. He'd suffered several bruises because of that crazy amphibian, but it was nothing compared to what Thom had done. He'd take care of the rabbit first and get it situated in his duplex, then he'd worry about getting himself checked out by the labs.
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