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 Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:08 am
Oh...so -that- was it. Jamal nearly snorted in amusement. It was true he was a player and liked to look at women, but as it stood he was pretty much screwed in the fact that he felt horribly detached from the island population already and he hadn't even changed. Awen was pretty much the only person who understood him and/or could deal with him and he knew it; he was surprised she didn't seem to.
"I ain't thinkin' you need ta worry none 'bout that," he said in a more serious tone, looking right back at her without a flinch. "Ya know I spend mo' time wit' you than anyone else? Ain't that sayin' sum'thin', righ'?
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:14 am
A small smile twitched to her lips as she turned her purple orbs back up to the big man. She nodded a little bit not taking her gaze away. "I suppose it does..." Her smile strengthened a little bit more.
On some level she had know that Jamal felt alienated with all but her, but her over alayzing nature and her natural ability to worry over nothing took over most of her thoughts and feelings. She also had a little bit of a self-confidence issue... which she wouldn't want to get into right now.
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:18 am
"Well then you make da call, Shorty. I ain't forcin' nuthin'. Maybe yous jus' need time to get it all straight in yo' mind."
And it was true...he refused to force anyone into something they didn't want (unless they were looking for a fight and Jamal obliged).
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:25 am
She shook her head a little bit. "No..no I know what I want." She giggled softly. "I mean I've already slept with you...the logical next step either way is some sort of relationship anyway right?" She had meant that comment to be a half joke, but again...she was..really bad at jokes.
Her stomach growled loudly at her and she blinked and blushed a little bit. "I know what I want Jamal I was... just worried about what you did. So if...if you want to... I'd be thrilled to... be with you. Um in a relationship."
When once again her stomach growled she sighed softly. "But right now I'm thinking I want some breakfast..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:31 am
He indulged her bad joke with a grin anyway. He could work on that too.
"Well if dat's what yous want, then I can roll wit' it," he said clearly, a genuine smile cracking his joker personae.
"N' breakfast be sumthin' I could use too. Didn't eat much past few days."
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:37 am
A broad grin broke out onto Awen's lips. This was... wow. He really did want...? Awen felt sort of like a giggley school girl, but the giggles wouldn't quite come and she... well wasn't in school anymore. She was happy though. She was very happy Jamal could 'roll with' the more serious relationship idea. It was just so refresh and exhilerating and--
FEED ME. Her stomach roared.
Blinking Awen turned towards the door as she had done the day her and Jamal had gone for lunch. But there was a difference this time, she reached out...and held Jamal's hand giving it a small squeeze.
"Sounds like a plan then..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:40 am
"To da cafeteria," he said as though answering her growling stomach, then gladly accepted her hand, a mischievious smirk on his lips as they headed for the door and off in search of a meal.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:08 am
Cafeteria Gossip...and then some. She had to admit... her duplex felt... so bare and alien that she could not stand being in there for too long, not just yet.
That... and she was hungry. She tested and injected herself her insulin before coming out to what she had been told was the cafeteria, knowing most people would probably be unconfortable with her doing it on place.
But when she came there... somehow, the fish smelled pretty good. And fish wasn't really her cup of tea.
She tossed the matter aside, however, settling for having lasagna, sitting somewhere calm, eating with one hand and playing on her DS with the other. Jamal was already there, mowing down the remains of a rather...rare steak of some kind. He didn't really feel like asking if it was really cow or if it was something else; ignorance is bliss, especially on this god-forsaken island.
He was dressed lightly today in a white tank and long shorts without his usual hairwrap or his jewelry. A basketball rested lightly underneath his foot which he rolled back and forth idly as he chewed.
He peered at the strange girl as she wandered in, eyes squinting as he stared at the long train of hair that trailed her around the cafeteria until she finally sat down. Hm... He tried not to stare, but...it happens. Kim didn't seem to notice for a few minutes, too busy trying to whipe some final boss a**. It was only when she failed at that task that her brown eyes looked up to meet Jamal's stare. She didn't seem too annoyed, or well, annoyed at all, simpely smiling at him.
"Hey there ! How it's doing ?" Jamal shoved another piece of steak into his mouth, juices dribbling down his chin until he wiped it off with his forearm. Such wonderful manners. He rolled the ball from foot to foot while giving the girl a look over, trying to place her with anything familiar. When he was unable to, he finally figured he might as well ask.
"Yo," he said simply, giving her a nod. "Ain't seen yous b'fo...new?" "Yeah." She answered, flipping the lid of the handheld closed and taking a bite of lasagna. "I came, uh..." Great, she was allready losing track of time. "...One or two days ago, something like that. I kinda conked out..."
Playing with her fork a bit, waving it in between her fingers idely, she glanced at him. "Im Kim, pleased to meet you." "Oh, dat 'splain it why I ain't 'memberin' you then," he said with a slow nod as he pushed his plate away and kicked back the remainder of his mountain dew, then flicked the can neatly into the nearest garbage can (which wasn't all that far away, but he felt like he needed to show off). "Da name be Jamal...I ain't been herr all dat long eitha' but...longa then yous apparently."
He shrugged some, then peered at the thing in her hand. "Whatchoo got?" She blinked a bit, but then seemed to get what he was talking about.
"A Nintendo DS. Game console." She took another bit of lasagna, not sure weither or not he would be interested. He seemed like the sporty type... and usually those weren't too much for games.
"Im a game designer... So I like to keep up to date on that stuff, since I might develop for it one day." Not like she wouldn't have gotten one anyway... "Oh s**t, I know what them be," he said with a light snort. "Ain't seen one inna long a** time, 'cept when Awen got 'em 'round wit' 'er. So...er...you make games fo' them things? What game yous got in it righ' now?"
He peered over the table curiously at it, then glanced at her. Hmmph...only way she'd be developing games would be if the Doc set up a place for her to do so. And, if she was knew, she probably had no idea what was going on. Jamal wasn't one to want to talk about it anyway, so he carefully avoided the topic. "Final Fantasy." She shrugged a bit, cutting another part of pasta, cheese, and sauce and bringing it carefully to her mouth so that she wouldn't stain her shirt. "The rest's either at the duplex... or home." God, this was nice and all... but she really, really, really wished she was home instead of here.
"I wish those duplexes didn't look... well... so generic." She asumed they all looked the same inside. "But it won't be too long..."
Or so she thought. She didn't ask him why he was there for... assuming it was for a similar reason that her, and knowing some people didn't like to talk about it.
She glanced sideways, waving her fork torward the basketball.
"You play basketball ?"
Way to state the obivious, but she visibely felt like she had talked enough about her. Jamal bent over to pick up his basketball after it nearly got away from him, which he set on the table, and rolled back and forth from hand to hand. At the mention of the duplexes, he smirked.
"Them duplexes suck. I moved ma s**t 'round ta how I wanted it, but...ain't nuthin' like back home. I miss all da lights 'n noise n' s**t from back home....them doctor people try real hard to get what we be wantin' but dat kinda stuff ya can't just stick in a box, ya know? You got plans fo' yo place?" He bit back the question of "Or do yous think yo' leavin'" to spare any drama. Jamal didn't need it right now.
As the topic changed to basketball, he grinned and flipped the ball up onto a finger and spun it around so it balanced on it's tip. "Yeah, I play a lil'...I ain't playin' much herr cause there ain't many who play. I guessin' you ain't so much of a sporty chick then?" "Well, as you said... I can't do much with what's there currently... but ill do my best to make it feel better, I guess. To at least feel confortable in it."
Which probably would happen when she had everything hooked up.
"Well... Yeah, im not. I could play with you sometime, if you want it. I won't be much of a challenge, tho." She twirled a lock of ebony hairs around her finger. "Havn't played basketball since... damn, high school at least. I like biking best. And a bit of soccer, but I suck at that."
And well... when you are 5', getting a ball in an high net wasn't that easy. "Mmm well, them Docs'll get ya whateva' yous needin', o' so I been told. Just drop a note o' sumthin' and they work it out," he informed as he passed the ball from finger to finger as it spun, not really watching as it did so. He really did need to put in a request for some basketball shorts, some oils for his hair, and other essential Jamal items.
"At least yous played a sport at some point...I met people that ain't neva done nuthin' like it b'fo. Lazy a** muthas, I tell ya." He shook his head with disapproval. "Ain't neva played no soccer b'fo, but bikes ain't bad...s**t, I oughta put in a request fo' onna them." "Hmmm..." She twirled the fork a bit again, before taking the last bite, and pushing the tray torward the middle of the table to get it out of the way.
"Well, as much as I like sitting on a chair all day... it gives you the jitters, you know ? Like when you just gotta get out and move or SOMETHING before you glue to the chair." She laughed a bit. "Maybe I should, too... The island is beautiful... I wonder if there's trails going into the forest ?" "Yeah...I jus' played some ball othawise I be out doin' sumthin otha' than stuffin' ma face...gotta rest ma feet for a bit. Ain't played ball in so long that ma muscles ain't so happy wit' me." He gave a long suffering sigh, but it was mostly exaggerated for effect. "But yeah, I bet there be some trails out herr. O' maybe jus' axe n' they make some."
Finally the ball lost momentum, having been briefly forgotten about so it slowed in it's turning, and randomly fell off to the side and bounced away much to Jamal's chagrin. Awen walked into the Cafe and was surprised when a basketball bumped into her feet. Before she even had a chance to look around she had picked up the ball and blinked. Looking back up she noticed Jamal, not looking too happy and a girl she didn't know sitting across from him. Jamal, by his expression must have been the one to loose it. Awen grinned and contemplated making a crack at Jamal dropping the ball.... but decided against it.
She walked forward and set the ball down on the table. "Loose something?" She smirked a little bit. What? That didn't count as a crack! Well... a little maybe because of the smirk....Kim... visibely wasn't up for going to go axe the trails herself, at the slight face she made when he mentionned it.
It faded quickly, however, with the arival of the other girl. Visibely they knew each other... She smilled, but otherwise remained sillent. Jamal didn't even have to turn around to know who was ripping on him, but he did anyway. A mock-wounded look spread over his features.
"Geez Shorty, you jus' walkin' in n' yous already startin' on me," he drawled in exasperation, which also was just to add to the effect of his expression. A hand reached out to grab the ball, palming it with little difficulty since his hands were pretty large, and returned the ball safely into his lap.
"I take it you two ain't met b'fo," he said, passing a look to Kim and then to Awen, noting each had a sort of curious look on their faces. She grinned even more at his wounded stance over everything. She pat his shoulder and slung out the chair next to him sitting down. "You know I'm only teasing you big lug..."
She turned her attention then to the girl and held her hand out across the table. "The name's Awen Zyn, pleasure to meet you." Though she smiled she started wondering. She gave Jamal a glance from the corner of her eye wondering if he had told her anything about hte island yet, not thinking the gaze could be misinterpreted at all."Kim, nice to meet you..." She blinked a bit. "Your name's familiar, tho... Ah, there it is ! I think I live upstairs of your duplex..." The whole thing was still confusing her a little bit.
And well... Awen's glance made her a little nervous, but she didn't say anything about it. "When ain't you teasin' me," he said, holding his wounded expression just long enough to cover that statement, then he gave a characteristic Jamal smirk and settled back in his chair, watching the two girls. He caught Awen's out-of-the-corner look and his lip twitched before he mouthed a very discrete "no" and shook his head ever so slightly in hopes it wouldn't be noticed.
"Kim says she be inta that gamin' stuff like you be, Awen," he said, trying to help them find some common ground and maybe have a little bit of conversation. "Bet you two could both beat the s**t outta me in a game instead of jus' you, Awen." She took Jamal's 'no' into account but since he topic changed this wasn't the time, besides a broad grin broke out onto her face at the mention of another gamer. "Oh really?"
She laughed a little bit and gestured to Jamal. "This guy said that Resident Evil 4 was 'his game'" She glanced back and giggled. "I owned him so easily when it got to my turn. He really is hopeless. I'm glad to meet some actual challenge on the island though!" Even..if admittingly she hadn't really challenged many people on the island. "Well im not exactly... super good or anything..." Apparently, the change of topic was enough to get her to forget all about the sillent communication... expecially because of the subject involved.
"Im more into rpgs and things like that..." She glanced at the time on her clap-on watch, and sighed a bit.
"Not like im bored, but I have alot of things to set up still..." The little twinkle in her eye told them it was probabely things Awen would ratter enjoy. "So ill catch you both later, okay ?"
After waiting for their answers, she headed back torward her duplex. "Fffffft," said Jamal in his most articulate manner, trying to gain a noble sort of visage in hopes of saving face. "I let you win." Of course, that come out sounding kind of halted and almost question-like.
As Kim got up, he watched her, feeling almost sympathetic that she was probably clueless. Well...knowing Awen, Kim'd know soon enough. Or if she happened to run into the most-changed islanders. "A'ight, well, see ya 'round then." Awen waved a little bit. "See you around Kim. Hope to play you sometime." She grinned and leaned back on her chair.
Thinking better she scooter her chair closer to Jamal and leaned against his shoulder. "Let me win...ppfft." She giggled and glanced up at him. "You're about as good at video games as I am at speaking ghetto.... decent, but not great." Taking a deep breath she nuzzled his shoulder.
How many more people was the Doctor going to bring to the island...? When will enough...be enough? She couldn't break it to her then, bad subject change really. She'll probably have to talk to her later, after all they were neighbours."...okay so yous got me there," he admitted grudgingly, wrapping an arm lazily about her middle. "But hows about yous play some ball 'gainst me...then dat be a diff'rent story. Even though' I be callin' ya Shorty fo' a reason....you ain't gonna have such good luck tryin' ta steal da ball." Jamal snickered affectionately but grew more somber as Kim disappeared completely.
"So...she be pretty new from what I found out. Didn't ask none 'bout why I was herr but I figure she ain't knowin' the real deal." " How the heck are you supposed to find anything here?"
Chubbs was walking around in the village. rugged up in his usual sweater and jeans, looking around the building. He decided to set up his punching bag, which he was carrying. It was heavy, but he didnt want to run back and forth trying to get the right gear for the job. So hoisted on his shoulder the bag sat.
Chubbs frowned, he'd been walking all over the place. He really needed a map of some kind. The smells from the cafeteria were wafting over his nose. He always had a good smell for food. Looking over at the building, he saw people inside. One was the guy from the day before, he was sure of it. God he fell flat on his face in front of him, Chubbs couldn't help but grow red.
He took the chance to see if either of them knew where the tools were, and walking up to the door, he pulled it open slightly and stuck his head in. Awen nodded slowly at the change in tone, he was saying really what she was thinking. "So it seems. She's too happy really to know... unless the Doc is actually telling people now adays?"
Awen had a sudden thought, so wrapped up in the thought she didn't see the man pop his head in the door. "Jamal, don't you think someone's going to get wise to this sooner or later?" She said rather hopefully. "I mean... my friends know I'm gone to an island for therapy. They fully expect me back one day, and others I'm sure have people thye left behind that knew something of where they were going." She smiled brightly. "Maybe there's still a chance they'll find us and stop this huh?"
She spoke rather loudly with excitement at the idea of being saved, not thinking anyone would over hear...except maybe the kitchen staff but they already knew anyway so it didn't matter. She had no idea anyone else might have heard..."I ain't countin' on him tellin' anybody anythin'," Jamal said curtly, a flit of displeasure crossing his broad features, lip curled in a similar manner like when he was mouthing 'no'. "I figger he ain't gonna tell peeps cause it prolly betta and more safe fo' him. Da man be a ********' coward. I ain't seen his face once yet. Prolly cause he knows what I done and I ain't afraid to beat his a**." Jamal didn't know that Moreau had been assaulted already once and what the outcome was, but he probably would still stick with his words.
At the mention of people perhaps searching the small band of islanders out, he tried not to be too optimistic. "I figger too dat most of us herr weren't plannin' on stayin' long...so maybe all them searchers get togetha one day and find us. Maybe." He absently brushed her arm with a finger before the sound of the door opening caught his attention. Chubbs tried to look like he was not looking at the two in the cafeteria, but what else was there to look at? food? Chubbs shifted the bag on his shoulder. He was glad that he caught their attention so he didnt have to interupt too much.
The food was really getting to him though, something smelled damn good and his tummy growled audibly. Chubbs blinked and grew bright red, and quickly decided to ask what he was here for.
" Umm.. er.. would, y-you happen, to know where there's umm... like a tool shed?" Awen blinked up at the big man. Wow he was taller than Jamal and...well big-er. She wasn't thinking that rudely at all, she was just the small frame type, by nature not really by too much choice. But it's not like the guy looked bad or anything. Actually at first glance, especially with the way he seemed so shy Awen pegged him as the teddy bear type.
Smiling slightly she shook her head. "I haven't seen anything like that here, sorry. Maybe if you call Doctor Moreau he'd order some for you?" As much as she hated the Doctor he did provide a lot of things and was quite helpful.
She leaned forward away from Jamal a moment and held out her hand. "I'm Awen Zyn by the way."He glanced up, now hearing a voice, hardly looking put off by the appearance of a vaguely familiar man. Eyes darted around the cafeteria for a moment as though trying to search out a place where tools might be kept, but he couldn't even place where the entertainment room was half the time, let alone a bunch of tools were.
"Sorry man, I ain't got no idea," he finally admitted, sitting up straighter. "I ain't even heard of one bein' out herr...if they ain't got 'em, I bet yous could put in a request for 'em like Awen said."
After Awen introduced herself, he did likewise, only without the extended hand. "I think I seen you b'fo...ain't sure we got names through cause I hadda run so fast. Da names Jamal." Ah the introductory phase, it was hard to get through, like a barrier. Chubbs thought though that the people on this island were pretty cool though, maybe he'd stop being so shy. He walked inside and put the bag up against the wall and made his way over shly to the pair. With a grip of the offered hand by Awen, he shook it lightly and then offered his own to Jamal. He introduced himself with his own australian flavoured voice.
" Ah, G'day, .. I'm Chubbs.. and um.. glad to meet ya. Oh and.. um thanks any way" Awen pushed out a chair with her foot before settling back onto semi-leaning on Jamal. "Nice to meet you Chubbs have a seat hm?"
The gears were already turning in her mind. He didn't seem to know, but then, how could she know? Neither her nor Jamal had changed... and who knows if Chubbs actually knew or not.
"What do you need tools for anyway? Just curious of course." She would play it safe for now. Even if she wanted to tell the truth she had some tact about it.Jamal shook the offered hand, now that it was free, and was briefly amazed at the man's sheer size. He looked to be just a bit taller than Jamal...certainly wider and more massive all around. It gave the black man some pause, realizing his "big man" on the island title was pretty much gone. Oh well. "Chubbs," he said, trying the strange name out on his tongue before nodding in agreement to Awen's offer of a chair and her question about the necessity of tools.
"Saw ya carryin' something," he said in a non-accusatory manner, also curious. Still wearin her Gi having not bothered to change out of them she wandered into the cafeteria in search of food, she peered around and saw 3 familair faces, only 2 of which she had properly met "Hello" she said softly in her thick accent Chubbs looked down at the chair, damn, it wasn't often people wanted him to sit with the, he was almost speachles. He sat down quietly, praying and hoping the damn thing wouldn't break.
" Oh .. umm.. brought me a bag to train on.. but um... feel bit stupid now... but hey.. it's an okay way to like.. get ya frustrations out on"
He smiled sadly, trying his best to keep up good spirits
" I need to hang it up,.. um somewhere... need a hook and a drill"
He twiddled his thumbs nervously, looking between them both.
" I can always use it for a scratching post if I'm a cat huh?"
Chubbs blinked and then went red.
" Oh s**t!"
Then he slapped a hand over his mouth. It hadn't occured to him that they might not have known. Oh he was in deep crap. Then he heard a familiar voice and turned to see Joliette. He almsot saw her as a guardian angel rescuing him from the grave he was digging himself. He waved to he and hoped the attention would fall on her. She turned to Joliette and gave her a polite smile, but really she was mid train of thought at Chubbs' reaction. She would deal with that...
Awen sighed with relief. "So you do know." She was glad she wasn't going to have to tell somebody else. "Don't worry though.... I've been here over a month and Jamal's reaching the month mark..um..soon right?" She tilted her head at Jamal thinking yeah it's been about a month.. "So yeah we know. You'd make a cute cat I'm sure, though I honestly peg you as a teddy bear." She giggled a little bit.
She now turned her attention to Joli. "Hi Joli." She held a gestured hand out to Joliette. "Jamal, this is Joliette." She paused and gestured to Jamal. "Joliette this is the imfamous Jamal." She giggled a little bit."..Don't worry none, Chubbs. We both knowin' what's gonna happen," he said with a slightly dejected sigh. "At least, the changin' part. I ain't got no idea what ********' animal they turnin' me into." And jesus christ, ANYTHING but a cat. He loathed the fuzzy bastards...too small to be any good and too needy. But anyway...the punching bag. "s**t, I bet that thing come in handy later..."
As Joliette was introduced, he grimaced. "Oh...yeah...yous came into the cafeteria that day, didn't ya? I know I seen ya before."
Jamal passed Awen a suspicious look. "Oh, and I be imfamous now? This be news ta me." She walked up to the group "Hi Chubbs, glad to hear you figured it out." she said with a weak smile "Hey Awen.. it is, well theres a face for a name at least" she chuckled and held a hand out towards the black man "Nice to meet you Jamal, under what seem like better circumstances then last I saw you" she said looking at the man Chubbs took a massive sigh of relief hearing that he didn't let the cat out of the bag so to speak. He nodded to Joliette, answering her question, then hearing Awen he went completely red. He never took compliments well and he lowered his face to hide it under his black cap.
" Awww.."
When she gigled he couldn't help but smile, he loved to here giggles, just always made him smile. Probably why he used alot of humour. He heard Jamal speak and he thought about how today was the day he was going to talk to someone.
" Umm.. Anj... oh... Angie? i think?.. um she said if ya ah, talk to .. like .. the guys on the .. intercom.. you can find out like what you are. I'm gonna talk to one of em... um hopefully... I need a few things.. couple answers... I'f ya'd like rather.. find out from me.. I.. er I can ask.. what's in you?"
Chubbs peered up a bit, enough to see their faces under his brim. Awen couldn't help but giggle a bit more at Chubb's new reaction. This guy could be so big and scarey if he wanted to, even moreso than Jamal perhaps, but he just hid under his cap like a turtle. Hmm... maybe the Doc was gonna turn him into...?
She glanced at Jamal. "Oh I helped Joli move some stuff in duplex twenty eight, her new dark room. We couldn't move a few things so I mentioned you might help...and..maybe gushed a little bit about..um...me and you.. um being a couple." She blushed a little bit, she had just been so exstatic about it...
She completely missed what Chubbs had said about finding out what she was turning into. Too many thoughts buzzing through her mind...With a flurry of movement Ambrose realized that he had made up his mind. He felt the distinct need to be around people. ANyone.... except Angelina or Emelyn. He needed company and support. And food, his stomach prodded. Comfort food if nothing else.
The cafeteria seemed the most logical solution. HE hoped to find Amaya... maybe even Greer or the Dude... but as he jogged into the large room, he stopped still. He was faced with, unlikely enough, a large group of people - none of which had begun to change. Jamal included - who the last time he had seen him he had succeeded in making him feel worse. The blue-haired girl.... he couldn't remember her name. And Joliette... who at least - last he had seen - knew and was dealing with it... and just his luck - someone he didn't know at ALL. A tower of a man with thick red sideburns.
"Ohboy..." Ambrose murmured, starting to regret his decision on the cafeteria.
Hesitating, shifting from foot to foot indecisively, he finally sucked in his pride - knowing that at LEAST three out of the four people at least KNEW, and got a tray, loaded it up with steak.... and chocolate cake.... and then took a breath before heading over to the group.
"H....hi there.." His tail gave a half-hearted wag. His cheeks were wet, and his eyes were bloodshot, if anyone was paying attention to anything other than his other, more notable, appearance. Jamal gave Joliette a look of faint amusement. "Yeah...I'm hopin' I ain't gonna lose it like dat again...really." That whole thing was embarassing now that he looked back on it, but still his stomach churned unpleasantly as he remembered having to see Ambrose up close and...
He lifted his gaze and was promptly greeted with the appearance of the wolfman. He stiffened almost instantly, but then his mind started to scream at him to cool it. This was not new to him...he KNEW what was going on. Settle down...settle down ya dumbass... He managed to squish the urge to flinch for the most part.
"Hello...Ambrose," he offered, swallowing hard afterwards. Joliette pulled up a chair after grabbing some salad, she saw Ambrose come in as well "Hello Ambrose she greeted." she smiled and looked back to Jamal "When reality hits it hits hard, don't worry, it can happen to any one of us. And I'd love help movin hte boxspring out of there, especially after the top matress landed on awen" she looked a lil sheepish saying that Hearing Chubbs words "I don't think I have the bravery to call up there and ask that..." Chubbs lowered his hat again when he got giggled at, he didn't mind, it kinda brought some merriment to the situation. Looking back up finally, hearing more company coming, Chubbs blinked as he saw Ambrose, looked down quickly and tried to focus. In his mind he spoke
. o O ( Okay, don't over react, you just saw a dog guy. He's still a guy, like yaself. Just treat him like you always wanted to be okay?)
Chubbs watched Ambrose fetch himself some food, he looked like he was feeling awkward, He had a remedy for that.
With a shy smile Chubbs offered a hand to Ambrose, a sinciere one.
" Names Chubbs, forgive me I'm a Noob"
He looked at Joliette while he still held his hand out and try to keep a smile.
" I need to know, I've.. ah.. this suspicion they'd likely.. well make me a pig... and uh, ... I can find out, if you guys want.. I mean.. I wanna be useful to ya... not just the guy that umm. makes sure ya miss out on donuts"
He smiled lightly at his joke Feeling Jamal's muscles tense Awen gave his shoulder a little nuzzle. She was reminding him she was there for him... she looked up though at the man. He had...changed a lot more than when she last saw him. Wolf, just like Sabin had said. But still something wasn't quite right...
"Ambrose?" She tested under her breath. "I thought his name was Andy..." She shrunk down on her chair a little bit blushing, glad she hadn't said hi first or she would have made a major goof.
"Um...Hi." She said more strongly and smiled to him.
Giggling at Chubb's new joke...she was giggling a lot.... She shook her head. "I'm really too scared to know.. to be honest... I have some..suspicions..."Ambrose took a shaking breath as he seated himself, nodding hesitantly to Jamal. At least.... all of them knew, he reassured himself, stisll cursing his bad luck at the assortment of people in the cafeteria. At least Emelyn wasn't there...
And, beyond that.... they at least seemed to be trying to pretend things were normal.. and for now... that was good enough.
"I... hope you're doing better today, Jamal..." Ambrose forced a smile, after wiping at his eyes.
"And Hi, Joli..." He nodded to her.
He turned fully to the large man who he hadn' seen before, and looked surprised at the hand before taking it with an air of respect of the courage that he could image that it must have taken. "It's... nice to meet you, er.... Chubbs.." he smiled... although the smile didn't quite seem that enthusiastic. His voice seemed strained.
He nodded to Awen, "Yes... it's Ambrose." He confirmed.... "Though... you'll have to forgive me... your name was...?"
He sliced roughly at a piece of steak, chewing it roughly before swallowing. His movements were jerky, and after a few bites he ran his han akwardly through his hair. Jamal broke the odd trance he found himself in and then glanced at Joliette. "Boxpring? Ooh...OH. Sorry, yeah, brotha can help ya out wit' dat wheneva." A light smirk graced his lips at the mention of Awen getting smooshed by the matress...poor thing.
Chubbs offer was then given a faint headshake. "Might be betta if I found out fo' maself...I ain't handling second hand info all that well as of late."
Then his eyes flitted cautiously to Ambrose, whom had taken a seat next to him. Today though, the intense fear that the wolf might have encountered that day was muted..it was more of an uneasiness than anything. He noted the younger man's fidgetting. "You a'ight?" "I won't stop you chubbs, but they may not tell you other people's info. I certainly don't want to press 0 again after my last experience" she made a disgusted face "Thanks Jamal" she said and looked towards ambrose when Jamal spoke to him pausing with her food, his question seemed accurate, Ambrose soomed , well she wasn't sure, but not his usual optomistic self Chubbs felt a lil deflated, back home he had a reason, he was somebody to someone... the kids. Even if that's all he had, it still made him a better person knowing that. Here, he was really nothing, nothing useful he could do, and the only thing he thought to do, no one really wanted. Awens giggles helped though, she was good to be around.
Chubbs shook the hand of Ambrose, it felt so furry, and he smiled at least, was a good thing. He looked bout as nervous to meet him as Chubbs was of Ambrose. He sorta felt out of place here, seems people were already friends, and he was just meeting them. Ambrose's steak looked good, Chubbs needed something to occupy himself before he lost it in front of them
" I'll just, umm .. find out bout me.. see how I go. Hmm, think I'll go get something"
Chubbs got up and headed over to the food with shuffled feet and hands in pockets. Awen shifted a little bit n her chair. Something seemed to be wrong with Ambrose... now that Jamal had mentioned it. "I'm um..Awen..." She said meakly to his question looking concerned for the furry guy. But...she didn;t really know what to say and something shifted inside of her.
All of a sudden she just had to clear out. Something about being around people right then made her stomach turn around. She looked between the four others and gave a little smile.
"Hey uh... you know I think I need some air..." She stood up slowly. "I'm gonna head out and...catch you guys later okay?" She gave Jamal a small kiss on hte cheek and everyone else a wave.
She waited for their responces if any then turned and headed towards the door.
Before she left she paused. "Feel better Ambrose..." She said softly before turning and heading out. He mused over the topic of coversation. Despite his own change, it suddently became very relevant all over again. Ambrose considered himself having been exceedingly lucky... but now it was time to play roulette all over again. "I... assume from the conversation... you guys sound worried about your serums..." He winced. "I.... know how you feel."
Ambrose lookd up suddenly as Awen shot up. HE was about to repeat the formalized greeting when she shot up. In his state of mind, he was about to worry that it was something he said when she gave a sincere well-wishing.
However, the peck to Jamal's cheek, while it gave a small smile, only seemed to aggravate the issues in his mind. Jamal managed true sympathy for Ambrose but was interrupted as Awen flittered up from her seat with a declaration for a need of air and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll be out in a bit, a'ight?" he said before she managed to disappear, then turned back to the group. "Bye Awen" Joliette called to her as she left and looked towards the others once moreChubbs blinked, midway through putting a couple of hamburgers on a plate. Ambrose was sorry. Chubbs turned about a bit, listening to him. Ambrose was having problems, of course he was, but Chubbs hadn't thought about that, he was worried bout himself. Chubbs felt a twinge of guilt, he wanted to make Ambrose feel better some how.
" It's okay, it's the name right?"
Chubbs made his way back to the table, settling down in his chair.
" It's ..ummm really fine, I..I gave myself the name... I'd rather had been called that than hefher, or, ya know?"
Chubbs looked between the three, leaning on the table.
" I'm gonna find..umm.. find out... I hope... but I know I'm new... and ah all.. and you don't know me... I'm not going anywhere... and I'm a great listener....ask my mum"
He gave a bit of a smile Ambrose decided that, for the moment, perhaps it would be easier to talk with them about their anxieties. Perhaps that way, at least, he could try to not worry so much about his own and... in a way.... maybe even figure out a way to help Angelna with some of her own fears.
"I... know another person.... who just arrived." He fidgeted for a moment, took a bite of steak. "She's really worried about that as well.... as am I. I was spared... really.. this waiting period. I was the fist one here to change to my knoweldge. But that brought with it a whole different set of issues."
Ambrose smiled to Chubbs. He couldn't help it, he seemed like a nice guy, and another person who didn't deserve to be here. "Yeah... I'm sorry - I mean, I see what you're saying, but me, I'd just call you whatever you'd like to be called.... or your real name.... And good luck - that takes a lot of courage. I hope that it's something that you can live with." He replied hoenstly.
Ambrose looked at Joliette consideringly. "I don't know this... Sabin fellow.... but I've seen the technicians make decisions that seem.... cruel... in a word. A woman, Cassidy... terrified of snakes... and I'll give you two guesses what serum they gave her. I know that this probably isn't sounding comforting" Ambrose backtracked, miserably. "I'm probably just making things sound worse."
He sighed deeply, looked to his three companions, then took a risk. "Have.... have any of you... ever known somone you really care about.... and something happend between you and you thought that things were irreparable.... or that you'd never... you know... see eachother again..... then... surprise!" He held his hands out, his voice mimicking the scared smile on his face. "And it's wonderful to see her.... but there are.... complications... beyond that.... LOTS .... of complications..." Jamal silently cursed, his worries confirmed as Ambrose explained the Doctor's evil nature...purposefully picking out things that their captive wouldn't like.
However, Ambrose started to speak again of a situation that he'd sort of been in before...but somehow there was enough of a difference to it to where he didn't agree nor disagree. he just listened. Joliette put her salad fork down and leaned on the table "No, but perhaps getting it off your chest will help Ambrose" she said softly trying to be as supportive as she could given the circumstanses Chubbs smiled a bit at Ambrose, he was a nice guy, kinda like a drinking buddy.
" Chubbs is fine, I uh kinda got use to it now"
He took a big bite out of his burger, it may have been huge for others, but that was normal for Chubbs, he had a big mouth. Chubbs listened to Ambrose, who seemed to have trouble explaining. Afterwards, He offered a situation, and hoped maybe it would sounds similair.
" I ... ah well, my dad... he um.. walked out on mum... and I found him , like down the pub, I umm got a bit mad and broke his nose"
Chubbs blushed a bit, and looked down at his food and not the others.
" Been like four years since I had... umm... seen him.. and I well... he came for my grandfather's funeral... I thought I'd like never see him again"Ambrose shrugged, feeling rather on-the spot. There was so much background. "It.... it's really a long story..." He said with a shake of his head.
He raised his eyebrows at Chubb's story. "Ouch..." He shifted a bit awkwardly. By the sounds of things: a father who walked out on his mother and a deceased grandfather, Chubbs had had his experience of hardships. Ambrose's relationship problem now seemed... well... definately differet.
Finally, he took a breath. "Back home... I had been in a wonderful relationship.... we had been seeing eachother for about three years... Angelina.... well... she was wonderful. I had thought maybe someday we'd.... you know.... get married.
Then.... THIS happened. I get whisked away to this Island. Supposedly for 'two weeks'. My heart is broken when I hear the truth. I never... you know.... even really got to say good bye. From what I Hear, I assume they tell her I died somehow. For the longest time, I hold out hope that maybe, someday, somehow, I 'll see her again.."
He swallowed.
"Then I got my third injection. And things ... reality, I guess... crashes down around my now furry ears. They're never going to let me go. Even if I escape, they say I' get cancer and probably die a horrible, painful death. So I start to try to face the hard facts that I will probably never see her again.... I'm lonely.... I need someone to confide in... to.... you know... share things with.... and I start to move on...
Emelyn.... Emelyn is a wonderful person. She really has been helping me through this - see the better sides of things, make me smile, and listen to my concerns - no matter how selfish or stupid they might be. The other night... we got closer..."
He blushed.
"Then... y..yesterday...." He took a breath. "Angelina.... she.... she showed up. HERE. She... she was looking for me... she never gave up hope.... she dug too deep and they lured her here to 'see me'. Now she's trapped here too. And... and God I missed her so much. But... now she's trapped here. I mean, I woudln't wish this on my enemies let alone her.. But I feel guilty for enjoying seeing her. But.... but I admit... Emelyn... and she's upset - rightfully so! But.... what can I do to help her understand I stilll love her.... and.. and... Emelyn! I really do care for her.... and she needs someone here as well... and and..." He dropped his face to his chin. "I don't know what to do...." He whimpered.
Ambrose really, REALLY wished that there were still alcohol on the island. Ouch...this was QUITE the situation Ambrose had caught himself in. Sadly, he was so poor at really offering serious advice and felt he was more or less taking up important space here in a council that he had little to offer.
"s**t man, I wish I could offa some help, but...damn," he said lamely, shifting in his seat until he finally stood up. "This sorta stuff I ain't so good at...so I'mma excuse maself. Gotta go find Awen anyway and make sure she a'ight."
He did offer Ambrose a pat on the shoulder as he slipped around; he really was trying very hard to deal with all these changes.
"Ya'll have a good one, a'ight?" he said in his most friendly manner, though still it sounded a little curt, before disappearing in the same direction as the blue haired woman. Continued RP in post after Joliette's delivery of bubblewrap.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:57 am
Sometime the next day...
A series of LARGE cardboard boxes and even a few wooden crates appear by Jamal's door. Many are labeled "Fragile" and "This End Up"
Inside the varying boxes is:
Quote: ~ Safelights ~ Kodak Supra Endura Paper of various sizes ~ Various bleachfix, brightener and stabilizer chemicals ~ Main developing and stopbath chemicals ~ Process Timers ~ Dishwarmer & Thermometer ~ Photographic Print Tongs ~ Print Trays and Chemical Storage Bottles ~ Measuring Cylinders ~ Film Tank ~ darkroom sinks & Ventilation ~ Exposing Enlarger, Focus tool, filters, etc ~ Extra specialized film of varying kinds
There is no note attached.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:54 pm
Jamal sauntered up to his door, having taken a long run down the beach in just some shorts, and gawked somewhat as he found a pile of boxes and crates nearly blocking his door. His eyes narrowed in annoyance and he threw his hands up. "What da ******** ain't ordered no ********' s**t like this," he muttered as he tried to find a path around all of it to his door. As he squeezed between two of them, he paused.
"Fra...gee...lee. What da hell does dat mean?"
The man tapped one of the boxes, his curiousity getting the better of him. Hmm...
RIIIIIIIIP.
Packing tape flew over his head as he invaded that box and was met with masses upon masses of packing peanuts and bubblewrap. Score. The black man attached himself to one of the bubblewrapped hunks and tugged on it until a long black rectangular objected partially stuck out from it's packing. It look like a light of some kind. Well, whatever....he wanted the bubblewrap. He hauled the light out and set it on top of another box that reached about chest height, not really taking care to make sure it was secure.
He tugged impatiently at the wrappings around the light until the plastic bubblewrap finally was freed and he crackled some between his fingers. Pop pop pop....poppoppop....How satisfying...
The sight a 25 year old man growing giddy over packing materials was probably one of the most obsurd sights ever, but he beamed happily and cracked away without a care. He turned, unaware that his elbow was right on track to hitting the fragile glass and metal object, and struck it hard enough so it wobbled uneasily at the edge before plunging to the ground with a loud clunk and the sound of breaking glass. Jamal flinched.
"Uh...oops," he mumbled, picking it up and plucking a few strands of grass from the end where the corner of the metal frame seperated, then set it halfway back into the box it came from. "Ya'll be a'ight." He glanced to make sure no one was watching, however.
Pop pop poppoppop... pop pop
Holding the half-spent wrap in one hand, he investigated the contents of one of the crates, finding a sink of some kind. Jamal squinted at it briefly, then shook his head, tsking under his breath.
"s**t, they thinkin' I'mma put dat in mahself, they outta their ********' mind."
He left that alone, since there wasn't much interest in a sink, and then moved to another box, this one somewhat small than the rest. It contained more packing peanuts and what looked to be smaller boxes that were longer than they were wide. Setting his bubblewrap down, he grabbed one and tried to pry the end off it. When that end didn't work, he turned it over to try the other side. No dice...
As he went to put the box back, the first end he tried to open suddenly gave way and nearly a hundred pieces of paper of some kind scattered in the dirt and grass at his feet. He swore loudly and stooped to scoop them all up, crunching the corners and creasing the centers with his clumsy movements. Jamal tried to stuff them back in the box, but half of the papers were longways and the other half were not, so they didn't go in so easy. He lost his patience in trying to get them back in so he shoved hard and the ones lying the wrong way crumbled as he forced it all back in the thin box. Whoops. The box was discarded back into it's original packaging.
The next box was also smaller but contained several jugs of some kind of liquids. He pulled one out that was about the size and shape of a bleach container and cracked the seal on the lid. Not being the brightest light in the room, he sniffed at the fumes from it experimentally, wondering if it was indeed bleach; he could use it for all his white tanks that were slowly becoming stained and unwearable. However, that was a bad idea. Eyes watered immediately and he coughed painfully, causing him to lose his hold on the jug. Needless to say, the contents splattered all over the box the jug came from, plus the one underneath that was labeled "Film". Another whoops.
"Maybe I jus' betta leave dis s**t out...damn docs ain't knowin' where dis s**t 'sposta be," he murmured as he wiped at his teary eyes with the back of a hand and retrieved his bubblewrap.
Pop...poppop.
Hopefully it wouldn't rain...he wasn't sure who that stuff was really for but he'd be damned if he was going to drag it all inside and take up the tiny bit of free space he had. Jamal slipped inside his duplex without another thought.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:22 pm
Joliette was done her exploring for the day, heck she'd even manged to find her way back to the village without getting lost!, "Now what number might he be in..." she mused to herself hoping to locate Jamal and ask for that help with the boxspring. She wandered along the duplexes musing to hserself just how few numbers she knew the owners of. That is till she came to #7... she blinked and walked closer "Well that damned bloody gormless arse" she muttered using what she had deemed as sabin's name She put her hand to her face and sighed "I'm going to make that git replace anything that got wrecked here" she grumbled and wadded through the packing peanuts to the door unsure who exactly lived there and knocked
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:25 pm
Jamal had just sat down on his bed, bubblewrap still in hand, when the soft rapping came from outside. He cocked a brow, wondering what they wanted...Awen would probably have just walked in and he didn't do anything to warrant Em to come and see what was going on....
"Comin," he grunted, cautiously coming to the door and cracking it open ever so slightly; if it was a damn doc, he was going to slam it shut and lock it.
A blink of surprise flashed across his features. "Joli?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:30 pm
"Good day Jamal" she said with a smile glad to have found who she was looking for, "I hope this day is finding you well" she said, she made it plainly obvious she didn't blame HIM for the equipment "I guess I've killed two birds with one stone..." she looked up at the man with an amused look to see him holding bubblewrap which was partially popped
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:34 pm
"What up," he managed, while at the same time hiding the clutched plastic behind the door, feeling rather conspicuous. Better to play it off...even though clearly Joliette had a reason for being there and he had a dull feeling it was because he might have just trashed something that might have been hers.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:37 pm
"I was searching for you to help maybe with that boxspring.. and by the looks of it maybe help me take the darkroom equipment the gormless arse left at your place to the darkroom duplex" she said pleasently with a smile fully intending to write a nasty note to sabin later and holding her frustrations back for that particular event
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