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It had seemed as though another was out and about on the beach and he had come with what Amaya had not brought: headphones and a shiny MP3 player clipped to his jean pockets. He'd come from further down the beach, supposedly walking the shoreline in bare feet, jeans, and just his pendants up top. He had a semi-farmer's tan: long hours in the sun wearing a tanktop had left strap marks on his broad shoulders where he was a darker, richer brown than usual.

The black man was warbling along to some rap music as he tromped down the beach, oblivious to anyone nearby, stopping occasionally to wade up to his knees (pant legs were rolled up to mid-cafe) and admire the waves and whatnot. He did this in front of Amaya and Anjali and was not really aware they were there until he turned around and nearly fell backwards, surprised. Smooth...oh yeah.

Jamal gave both women an accusatory look, but it was mostly in jest. "Ya'll tryin' ta scare a brotha' mo' than he be already?" he quipped as the headphones were pulled down to rest around his neck and he pushed the pause button on the player. "Hidin' up in da....uh....sand?" Okay, so...bad attempt to try and brush off his startlement.

The clawed wave only brought a slight wince, but that was all. He was forcing himself to get used to the idea that animal-like people were running all over the place and he was going to join the ranks eventually. He forced a nonchalant look though and squinted his eyes. "You be at da hall'ween party, righ'?"

Then his eyes shifted to Anjali, whom he also squinted at, but did so longer than he had to Amaya. "s**t, dis music all old...ain't got no way to get new stuff, but it a'ight," he said with a shrug as he regained a normal expression instead of a squinty stare one. "Now, I ain't 'memberin' yous befo', so I 'pologize...what be yo name?"

"Yeah, dat's righ'," he said with a nod and smile as he sort of haphazardly wandered in their direction while glancing at and tinkering with his musical equipment until he was about to trip over their outstretched legs. The black man had enough common sense to flash a look of apology as he realized he probably sprayed sand about as he scuffed along, then flopped in the sand in front of them to form a triangle-like arrangement.

Anjali's outstretched hand was taken and he shook it, not being one to do the old 'kiss the hand' type deal that lots of guys did. "Ah, I git it. I ain't been herr so long either...as ya probably kin see." The latter was said with a sort of grudging tone to it, emphasizing his knowledge on the real deal at the island.

Jamal leaned forward, arms crossed and propped on his knees to get comfy. At Amaya's question, he looked a little leery and perhaps a little disheartened. "Ah...well, doin' betta then a few days 'go. Ran into..." he paused, trying to remember the crazy bird lady's name...Gwen? Oh, no, Greer. He was never going to keep everyone's names straight. "Ran into Greer n' dat wolf guy. Ambrose, yeah? Well, what'eva...fact is I weren't so ready to see dat sorta thing."

He sighed and ran a hand over the top of his doo-rag and shook his head. "Bad night...but I bet yous knowin' how dat be." Jamal tried to be sensitive about the topic, but he wasn't always so good.

Anjali recieved a look of alarm and he leaned back, face alight with panic. "Wait, yous tellin' me people be turnin' into plants?! "

Chubbs had started to get himself ready for the upcoming match he had with lord knows who. He found the beach was quiet when he was here with Colche it would be a good spot to run. He needed a good few laps up and down the sand to get him back to working order, too many twinkies and cigarettes had him a little worse for wear.

He had his pants rolled up and sleeves as well, he didnt like his shoes, they were steel cap boots, and they were the only pair he could afford, they were a little small and long periods wearing them would squash his toes. Chubbs ran along the sand, trying to gain speed if he could.

Coming around a corner of the beach he spied people there. He hated running in front of people they usually just stared and whispered like he was some freak. One was a guy, he looked like he could have been one of the fighters he was against. So Chubbs decided not to show him any weakness and sprinted as best he could, looking like he hadn't seen them.

A glint caught his eye and he peered sidways, one of the girls he was talking to had scales on her, not alot but they were there. Chubbs found himself staring a little and wondered how long halloween lasted exactly. Just then he felt his foot catch on some drift wood and he came crashing down

" Son of a Bifffmfmffff"

Face down into the sand

Chubbs heard voices around him, nice ones seeming concerned. This place was so odd, so many nice people, if it weren't for the kids he'd never leave. Though right now he wished he was an ostrich to bury his head in the sand.

He sat himself up, eyes closed till he could get the sand away from his eyes.

" By mimn mow bey were fervin fand for wunch"

He sputtered some of the sand in his mouth, even in the situation he was in, his humour reflex still kicked in. He tried to chuckle while getting the sand from his face.

Chubbs chuckled and dusted his face, clearing his mouth of sand as he heard Anjali introduce himself. His cheeks already red from blushing.

" Hold on, lemme just see if i got sand in my eye"

He opened his eyes slowly, then blinked a bit, making sure. It was fine to see, and he turned to closely look at his carers. Woa!

Chubbs pondered if he was cursed to look like an a** in front of every attractive girl he saw. Both of them were very pretty, and he found himself redder than before. Like most cases, humour was replaced by nervousness like a smack to the back of the head.

" Oh umm G'day... ah... which.. er.. Anjali?"

The girl that helped him up, he could see the scales now, he found himself glancing alot, and pondered if him and Colche hung out alot.

Chubbs looked between them, smiling somewhat in his polite ways. He told himself not to say anything stupid, but then, how could he embaress himself further than now?

" Amaya, and ah Anjali... i'll um try to remember them"

Chubbs brushed himself down a bit, trying to get the sand off him.

" Oh my name... it's ...it's Chubbs"

He picked up his cap and dusted it off carefully, it was his favourite and lucky cap, he didnt want to see it worn out too much.

" Turning into?..."

Chubbs looked up and then made himself comfortable in the sand, looking between the two quizically. He thought he finally caught on, but had to make sure.

" Umm is ther like.. some costume party I missed hearin about. Cuz um.. I'm still new here and... ah.. met like two.. no three people... no wait!, both you that makes five. Um well anyway, there was this girl in like cat stuff annd I think she's not too well. But umm.. well you look good though"

He motioned to Amaya with a smile think blinked

" Not that I mean you know that you're hot.. but well you are just.. ah.. oh... I didn't say anything!"

Chubbs put his hands over his face and hoped meteorites were aiming for him.

Chubbs rubbed his face, widhing the red would come off, then as he listened to them, he heard a twinge of seriousness in their voices. He peered curiously at them.

" Um.. something the matter?

Chubbs listened, and listened well, and blinked. That was some joke they were telling, he knew if he looked at any time that he believed them and asked " really?", they'd laugh and points and say " fooled you".

He raised a brow, turning people into animals? but how? He looked down at the clawed feet of Amaya, it was too good, it was there, in his face. How could it be? Why didnt people stop this?

It hit him, when he spoke to Jolieete, they were really stuck here andhe joked about it. It was all too much to sink in at once, it felt so damn unreal, yet Colche and Amaya just slapped the truth in his face.

He keeped looking between the two girls, waiting, hoping now that they were joking, his face wearing disbelief. Amaya though seemed upset, she almost sounded though she would cry. And Anjali, she looked angry at him, for what?, not knowing what was going on?

He bit his lip, he didn't want people upset, it's the worse thing to see. Chubbs did what he thought was best for now, hoping that under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do.

And he got up and hugged them both.

" I'm sorry"

Chubbs looked up at Anjali, seeing her move away. Maybe she didn't want it, but it's all he could do to express himself. His eyes got a bit watery, he felt a little rejected. Amaya though hugged him back and he looked down at her. She was crying and he didn't want her to, he wanted to make it all better.

He sniffed, swallowed hard, and finally took a breath. He wrapped his arms about the girl and petted her back. It still felt so unreal, but what he saw before him was, not the scales, but the tears. Chubbs' mouth openned, he wanted to speak, something that'd help, something that'd make her not cry anymore.

He took a chance, wishing his good natured humour might cheer her up a bit.

" At least ya better looking than me?"

Chubbs, smiled, but sadly. She had laughed a bit, he was happy for that, for now he'd be here for her till he wasn't needed. He looked up at Anjali, trying his best to listen though his mind was racing. He petted Amaya's back and smiled shyly at Anjali.

" Well ... it is.... I don't think my hearts beating"

He smiled sadly again, always humour to obscure his other feelings. Thoughts kept popping in to his mind, what was this place, what was he to become, why was everyone here? He'd thought he'd ask.

" Why haven't people been told?"

Chubbs slowly let go of Amaya, he felt she may not like him hanging onto her all day, but he listened to her and saddened, Still petting her back for comfort, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a twinkie in a sealed wrapper, it had survived the spill. Chubbs placed it in her hand with a small smile, twinkies made lots of things better.

" I'm sorry.. I didn't know... I didn't mean.. for ya.. to like.. do it again"

Chubbs pondered now on the fact that he was here and that he was going to change. Into what? he had seen two people with different looks. He looked up to Anjali as she spoke.

" There's a girl... um.. a kinda strange girl... no..not in looks I mean"

He couldn't help but blush thinking about the day before

" She was very happy, um... Colche I think she was"

Chubbs nodded, finding it odd he remembered a name. Then he blinked and loooked to them both

" Oh and I meant, ah.. why hasn't anyone..you know... called like police?"

Chubbs thought about the marks he had seen on Colche and what Amaya said about her, it really did look that way.

" Yeah.. the was um, a lil pushy and a bit over friendly, .. umm she had these scars all over her ..."

Chubbs cut himself short, and stopped the motion of his hand going up and down his fron. He cheeks fired red once more and realised what he was saying. He blessed all things holy that Anjali took the attention as she said her good byes.

" Umm.. nice to meet you too... ermm, sorry bout the hug"

He bit his lower lip, hoping she heard it as she left. Then with a shy smile he turned back to Amaya

Chubbs sighed and rested his arms on his knee's, thinking about Colche. Part of him wanted to be where the people responsible for her were and beat the living s**t out of them till his hands bled.

" Need to teach her that clothes are spose to be worn"

Chubbs looked up at Amaya and wondered if the shock would ever die down, it really did feel like his heart had stopped. He needed a drink. He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and opened it up, showing Amaya the picture inside.

" I came here for them"

He held it out to her for her to take if she wanted a closer look. It was starting to sink in now, he was never going to see them again, and if he did, it'd not be him they saw.

" I needed the money to build a place to train them, all I'm good at is fighting, I was offered a boxing match with a large sum to help me out"

Chubbs sat himelf in the same position, it looked awkward but it felt good to him.

" I'm sure you are missed, even if you think you are not. And... umm to look at a brighter, well er.. side to things, maybe the people here, well... they need you."

Chubbs was hoping what he said made sense, he didn't tend to make much in front of a girl.

" What I mean is.. well umm look at me.. if you hadn't been here, I might have had a heart attack finding out some other way"

He smiled lightly and rested his chin on his arms, looking over her scales

" Did it hurt?"

Chubbs blinked. Four?! there were four changes?! How could you go through that many. He saw the look on Amays face as she told him it hurt to change, jesus, least the could do was make is not physically traumatising if it were to be mental. She even had a tail. Chubbs was starting do feel really pissed, how could they do this to these people thatd been so nice? That Sabin... if he saw him again, bones would be broken.

He tried not to show the anger on his face

" I hope I don't end up.. like a pig or something. I...."

Chubbs decided they needed a laugh

" Can you see me like this?"

And with that he pushed his nose up to make a snout.

Chubbs remembered the button Sabin told him about on the intercom. He was going to push it tomorrow to find out about his fight. Chubbs scratched his chin, then nodded slowly.

" I guess I can..."

He pondered what to do now, it felt so useless just sitting here. It was nice though, there were nice people, people that didn't shun him for his size. Well of course they didn't, they were being changed, to judge him would be to judge themselves.

Chubbs' thoughts ran through his head, fight, stay, escape. What would he do? He blinked, a thought came to mind and he looked about, wondering if they were being watched. He then leant over to Amaya and began to whisper.

Chubbs almost pouted. Of course others had to have thought about escape, or even tried, but this magic sleep s**t? It was a big let down, he thought he had a good idea. Maybe it could still work, somehow. Chubbs sighed.

" I need people... I need them to need me, like those kids. They make me feel like I have a purpose... I.. I dunno if I can lose that."

Chubbs slowly got to his feet, dusting himself as he did. He felt angy, he usually didn't feel like this.

" Sleep or no sleep, they'll learn soon enough"

Chubbs dusted off his sleeves. He needed something to feel better, turning to Amaya he smiled lightly.

" Umm.... come on... we need ice cream"

He held out his hand

Chubbs looked over at her, he couldn't feel the cold, he was hotter than heck with his hand in a girls, made him tingle. He couldn't let Amaya go round like this, he made an " O" face as she explained about her cold bloodedness. Letting go of her hand, he pulled his sweater off, he was warm anyway, he had a black t-shirt on underneath.

Chubbs draped it over her shoulders and hoped he didn't smell. He did shower and deoderised just before the beach.

" I'll....I'll... be okay... it's all setling in"

He decided to walk her home instead. Something of a habit forming. Chubbs, the escort service. He blushed immediately thinking that like a male prostitute.

" Remind me to cook ya a batch of Chubby chilli... it'll umm, warmya right back"

Chubbs nodded and smiled, looking up at her duplex.

" Same goes for you.. if.. erm.. ya need me .. for.. well whatever"

He rubbed the back of his head, blushing slightly. Looking to the way to his duplex, he started towards his room.

" Thanks again"

He waved back to Amaya