|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:04 pm
"A dolpin? Hey, that's not so bad, hm? Dolphins are cute and friendly and very smart. I bet you'll be able to swim really well, too." She embued her voice with as much enthusiasm as she could manage, trying to cheer up Cody.
Nita shifted herself out from under him and padded to the bathroom. One nice thing about the duplexes all being identical was that it made finding things really easy. She pulled off a length of toilet paper and went back out to Cody, handing it to him.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:10 pm
Cody smiled in reply and took the toilet paper she handed, blowing his nose "Thank you"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:22 pm
"Of course," Nita said with a smile. Her shirt had big damp splotches on it but she didn't mind. Sometimes people just needed a good cry. She knew she'd done a lot of crying during the first couple of weeks she'd been on the island.
Seeing the dolphin books on the bed, Nita picked one up and flipped through it. "Have you found out anything interesting in here?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:40 pm
Cody looked back at the books and picked up the one he had been reading (looking at the most interesting pictures actually. Most of the stuff written then was either boring or completely impossible for him to understand)
"Kinda. Did you know dolphins shed their skin 9 times more than humans? And you can tell their age by counting the teeth?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:58 pm
"Do they really? That's really awesome." Nita looked through the book she was holding, which did have a lot of pretty cool pictures. "Have you ever seen a dolphin up close?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:06 pm
"And it says their breathing is voluntary, but I don't know what that means. Or the ecolocation bit"
Cody tried to recall any experience with a dolphin, but the closest he ever had been to one was through the tv screen
"No. You?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:20 pm
"Voluntary means that they can control it. They have to think about their breathing. Like, right now, you're breathing without thinking about it. It just happens. Same with blinking. You don't tell your eyes to blink, they just do. Does that make sense?"
Nita paused a moment before continuing. She didn't want to be too wordy, but she knew the answers, and it would soon be relevant for Cody. "And echolocation.. It's kind of like sonar. Like what submarines use. They send out a high-pitched noise, and the sound waves bounce around and form a kind of picture. And the dolphin can sort of 'see' that picture. Bats can echolocate too."
She smiled and pointed to a diagram in the book that showed a sonar screen on a sub.
"I went to the ocean once, a few years ago, and we went out on a boat and dolphins came right up to us." Nita grinned at the memory. There was something about dolphins; their grace and humour and obvious intelligence, that really appealed to her. "Sometimes you can see them here, too, doing flips out past the breakers."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:43 pm
"Like the bladder?" This was important point for Cody, since one of the effects of his MS was having to go to the bathroom too often. And for several times he had hold the urge while looking for one
"Wow, cool. You think I will be able to do that?" maybe that was Emelyn meant by seeing in the dark
"There are?" this particular piece of news amazed Cody. He wondered what it would be like to be with them once he changed. Maybe he would even learn how to speak dolphin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:54 pm
"Mmhm," Nita said, nodding. "Like, most of the time you don't have to think about holding it in, unless you have to go really bad. Otherwise your body just knows to contract those muscles." Unless maybe if you have MS and your brain isn't working properly, she thought, realizing the importance of his question.
"Maybe you'll be able to, I really don't know. But I can climb trees a lot better now. My claws dig into the bark and the muscles in my arms and legs are stronger.
"I guess you haven't been to the beach yet? It's not far; there's a path that goes straight to it. I bet if you were out there when the sun is setting, you'd see the dolphins." Nita grinned. She'd remember to go out at dusk again soon and look for dolphins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:05 pm
"I see. And I didn't know pandas could climb trees! Thought they only eat bamboo" the only panda Cody knew was the giant one, but his knowlege of them resumed to 4 words: black, white, bamboo and China
"There's a beach? Maybe we can go see them together" he remembered what Emelyn had told him about dangerous islanders and going alone didn't seem like a good idea, specially if it involved going through the jungle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:15 pm
"Well, I know red pandas can climb trees, because I've done it. Almost involuntarily!" Nita winked at the little joke. "But I think you're imagining the really big pandas, the black and white ones that look like bears. I'm turning into a red panda. They're a lot smaller. And red." She grinned.
"And we, er.. they do eat bamboo mostly, but red pandas can also eat nuts and eggs and stuff."
Nita patted Cody's knee. It probably would be a good idea for him not to go alone. "I'd like that," she told him. "Some evening, when it cools down some. Fur gets really hot, I'll tell you." Nita made a face. She was particularly greatful that all of the buildings on the island were air-conditioned.
"Anyway, I'm going to leave a note for your neighbor upstairs. It was really nice to meet you, Cody."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:22 pm
Cody chuckled, trying to imagine a 'hanging around on a tree' Nita "Those are the only ones I knew"
At the mention of the furs getting too hot he felt a bit sorry for her. It would probably be like wearing a wooly coat during summer
"I liked meeting you too" he half-smiled, happy for this accidental aquantaince. Up until now everyone seemed really nice and helpful
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:31 pm
"Well, know you know another one," Nita quipped. She stood up from her spot on the floor and stretched. Her t-shirt was mostly dry, but she would probably change when she got back to her duplex.
"Anyway, I'm in Duplex 42, which is just a few doors down and upstairs. If you ever need anything, or just want to hang out on the beach, feel free to stop by, 'kay?" Nita headed towards the door to retrieve the bucket from the porch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:21 pm
Little Monsters and Wolfs Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose had just made it back from the labs, the ring secure in the case in his pocket. He hadn't taken his hand off of the case during the entire walk back to the village - be it clasped securely around the small black box in his pocket, or frequently withdrawn from it to open it up and see it again - just to make sure it was still there, or to smile widely again at the faceted stone... imagining it on Angelina's slender finger....
The sun had long since set by the time the jungle receeded to the familiar cookie-cutter buildings, but the darkness didn't bother him very much anymore - his keen night vision and his overdeveloped sense of smell and hearing kept his footsteps even on the bumpy dirt road and alerted him of anything that might be stirring around him. However, now that he was back, the village was rather silent, despite his thirst for company.
His tail swished as he paused at the edge of the village. As much as he wanted to bound home to see Angelina and fall to one knee there and then... he wanted to wait - make it perfect. And the last thing he wanted was for her to find the ring inadvertantly. Maybe he could kill some time, chase down some people to talk to... get their opinions on what would make a wonderful proposal.
As he turned to go towards Vasile's... or maybe Cassidy's or one of his other friends' duplexex, when he hesitated, and glanced towards the newer "section of town" as he rememebred his discussion with Aubrey. Cody was there, and probably alone. He could only imagine what it would be like for a kid here.. alone, especially at night.
It wasn't THAT late, after all. Ambrose turned and headed to Cody's room, and knocked softly on the door - if he was asleep, he didn't want to wake him Cody Archer Cody was wide awake and reading, something very uncommon coming from him. Everytime he tried to sleep fear haunted him, that horrible feeling of being completely and absolutly alone in the dark. So he was doing his best to keep his mind busy and the fear at bay
He was reading a line about the feeding habits of the dolphins for what it seemed the hundreth time, the information sliping away as he reached the end of the sentence thanks to the boring way information was presented there
At the knock he actually jumped on the spot, thinking for a split second it was one of those dangerous islanders coming to get him. But he soon came to his senses, thinking how stupid he was being, though his beating hearth said otherwise
Trying to calm himself down he opened a slit of the door and then opening it wide when he realised it was Ambrose
"Hi Ambrose. What are you doing up so late?" Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose smiled to Cody, leaning down with his hands on his knees and his tail giving a friendly wag. "Hi Cody. I was just coming back from a walk, actually. I thought I'd swing by to see how you were doing. I know it must be scary to be all alone in your duplex in a place as strange as this." Cody Archer "No it's not" he tried to sound brave, but it was impossible to hide his racing hearth and the very slight trembling of his voice to someone with dog ears Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose's ears lowered to the side and his smile softened as he reached out to smooth Cody's hair. He didn't contradict his proclamation - he knew htat to Cody it probably was important to him not be seen as scared, but that didn't mean that he didn't need comforting.
"Well, it was scary for me when I was here all by myself at first." Ambrose confided. "But there are things that you can do to help feel better." Ambrose had never had a younger sibling, and with the picking that he had always gotten from Dreu, his older brother, he had often wished that he had. He would have been nice to him - he would have someone to talk to - to look out for. Since coming to this island he had taken two "little sisters" under his wing, and loved the feeling of being someone to protect them - really satisfying his ideals of being like the heroes of the swashbuckling movies, as well as the lupine instinct to look after 'pups' in need.
"Would you like me to come in? Even if you're not scared, it might be lonely here by yourself." Cody Archer Cody was happy Ambrose didn't called him a liar or talked to him like he was a little kid "What things?"
"Sure" he opened the door a bit, but then felt a bit embarassed to show Ambrose the confusion that was starting to settling in "Sorry about the mess" Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose shook his head as he walked in. "Don't worry about it. You just moved in after all. And the place looks a lot neater than many of the other peoples' here."
He walked in and pulled out the chair from the desk, turning it around before sitting down, crossing his arms over the backboard. "well, when I got here at least, I went to learn the kinds of animals that lived in the jungles here - so I knew that there wasn't much out there that could hurt me. And I went to the beach - it's really pretty out there - lots of seashells that you can find. I did my best to meet a lot of the people here, and I try to keep up with it. And most of all, I made friends - people I could talk to, or I could go visit with if I was scared." Cody Archer "I already met loads of people. You, Thom, Colche, Amaya, Emelyn and Nita" he intentionally ommited Aubrey. Ambrose already knew and he was currently blaming on her, the only doctor he met, for not being able to see his parents again "They're all really nice, though Emelyn told me there were dangerous animal-people around that could try to hunt you" Ambrose Maurlias "Wow!" Ambrose chuckled. "You've been busy!" He nodded. "Emelyn is a nice person, as are all of those other people.
Ambrose paused at what Emelyn said. "There.... are a few people... who have had some... problems." He admitted carefully. "Namely a big tiger-man named Jamal. But most of the other people are usually pretty nice - and I really don't think many people would hurt you in particular." At least I HOPE not. Who would actually hurt a child? WOULD Jamal be that dangerous? The only other people he had seen or heard that had had... fits... was Joli - who seemed to be alright when she wasn't very hungry, and Zach. Who also seemed to be alright from time to time.
"But if ANYONE seems mean, just leave them alone, and I wouldn't think they'd hurt you. worst case, come to me or one of your other friends and we'll look out for you. When I first came, hardly anyone was mean, but just like out in the rest of the world, there are always sometimes bad people. But here at least most people are nice - most people don't even lock their doors." Cody Archer Cody chuckled at that reply. Nearly everyone he met so far was by accident, specially Nita
"What problems?" he knew tigers were dangerous, no matter how cool they were. Maybe if he knew what was bothering him he could avoid getting attacked Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose pondered this, and tried to think how to phrase it. "People who... don't have much self-control... for the most part. At least from what I've seen."
"But most people, even those that have problems, usually have enough self control to stop themselves from actually hurting anyone. And if they cant'... well... the labs keep an eye on everyone here. If anyone tries to hurt anyone, they ... do something and they make the person attacking them go to sleep for a little bit. And something tells me that the lab people will keep a close eye on you to make sure no one hurts you." Cody Archer "Like wanting to hunt? And what do you mean putting to sleep?" Cody was really curious about this. Maybe they used sleeping darts. Or maybe gas? He wanted to know Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose nodded. "yeah, like wanting to hunt. Most people have enough sense to - if they don't just get food in the cafeteria - to go after ... small animals in the jungle."
He thought about this. "We... don't know exaclty. We... think that they put a chip in us or something. We've seen Moreau speak to people and put them to sleep with a command, but also I've heard they can do it remotely.... when they watch us on the screens." Cody Archer "A chip? And screens?" This was getting confusing
Cody sat in a more confortable position on the bed. This whole place was starting to seem very frightning. And who the heck was Moreau? Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose nodded slowly, feeling that he was probably overwhelming the kid.
"I... I'm sorry. Most of the time you never see or think about any of the... 'behind the scenes' things. And... they do care for our wellbeing. They don't want us to get hurt." It would screw with their experiments... but Cody needs reassurance now...
"And none of us want you to get hurt, either, Cody." Cody Archer "So it's a security system? Like in the movies?" it sounded less scary that way for some reason. If they were watching him and had a way to put the others to sleep, maybe there wasn't any danger of getting attacked at night or when he ventured too far of the village Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose nodded. "Yes! Exactly. A security system. They keep an eye out for trouble and to keep people safe." And keep themselves safe, too, of course.
"So, with your friends like me and Thom and Emelyn, and with the security system, you'll be fine, kiddo." He smiled, his tail wagging. Cody Archer Cody smilled feeling quite relieved. He then turned and picked one of the books lying on the bed, showing a picture with leaping dolphins to Ambrose
"I know what I'm going to be. See? Em and Nita said dolphins could do really cool stuff" Ambrose Maurlias "Oh really? You found out what you're going to be?" Thank god, someone else apparently broke the news to him that he would be becoming an animal as well.
"That's great, Cody." He smiled as he saw Cody's expression. He liked his animal - that was excellent. "You're lucky. A lot of people wind up wiht an animal that they don't like, but dolphins are great. And I can tell you like them." Cody Archer "Who doesn't?" he smiled widely "But you like yours don't you?". It wasn't hard for him to imagine something he didn't like to be turned into. Rats, squirrels, rabbits, slugs... a endless list of them. And from his meeting with Thom he had a faint idea how unpleasent some changes could be to some
"I asked Aubrey and..." Cody's expression turned gloom again at the memory of the news she gave him Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose nodded. "I do, actually. It was kind of difficult for me to deal with at first... the concept of turning into any animal... but the more I've met people, the more I've read up on wolves, the more I realize that I think I am lucky. I like wolves, and they seem to... I don't know... fit me. Maybe it's just me saying this after I've already changed a bit, but I still feel like me if that makes sense?"
He nodded soberly. "Aubrey will tell you the truth. She... she is the nicest of the staff members." Cody Archer Cody just shrugged. Turning into an animal wasn't at all bad. They got to do cool stuff "I dunno. You look cool like that. Better than that werewolf back at the 3rd Harry Potter movie. That one looked like an ugly scarecrow"
"Well I don't like her. It's not fair" the trears were starting to come up again, as anger boiled up inside him Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose laughed loudly at the comparison. "Thanks, Cody. I think he looked pretty stupid in the movie, too. I... I read the books and it didn't sound at all like they described him. And... I'm flattered that you think I look cool. It's strange for me... people meeting me like this, not knowing how I used to look. But thanks."
He frowned, got up and went to sit next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Shh... it's alright, Cody. Aubrey.... what did she do?" Cody Archer "I only saw the movie. But you're nearly as cool as the Van Helsing werewolf... but more real" he really liked that movie, thinking it was stupid kids his age not being allowed to see it. Good thing his dad had rented the movie and allowed him to watch
"She said I wouldn't see my parents again. They said it would only be 6 months when I came" his voice trembled as tears ran free through his face and sobs started to form Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose grinned, puffing his chest out and giving him a fangly grin. "Nearly as cool, huh?" He teased, rubbing his head with his knuckles gently.
But at the trembling voice, Ambrose stopped, his face becoming more somber as he scootched closer and gave him the one-arm hug a bit tighter. "I think that's the hardest part about this island. I left my parents on bad terms, which is the worst part for me... and now I'll never see them again. But... that's not Aubrey's fault. Even she isn't allowed to talk to anyone off the island... that's becase of the man that owns the Island, Dr. Moreau." Cody Archer "Black is cooler" he sticked his tongue out in a playful manner, while he combed the hair back to normal with his fingers
Cody sank his face on his fur. He had been doing this too much lately, but that primordial search for confort spoke louder "M-Moreau?" Ambrose Maurlias He nodded. "He's.... Aubrey's fiancee. He owns Feral Labs. And this Island. He... well... I don't know how much people have told you, but what they're doing here isn't exacly legal. He's... very worried that he would get in serious trouble if anyone finds out about this project. We... we're forming our own family here. A lot of us have friends, loved ones, families that we've had to leave behind. Aubrey is the closest thing we have to a good communication to the people who work for the labs. SHe's.... she's too nice to be doing what she does, but she loves Moreau." Cody Archer "No. Only Aubrey. She said this wasn't legal and the treatment couldn't be interrupted, or I would get worse. But once finished I could get home, I wouldn't tell anyone!" Cody couldn't grasp the concept of a new family. His family was his parents, his grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins... Ambrose Maurlias He nodded. "I've heard the same thing. That if the ... procedure stops before it's done it could make us very sick. But Moreau won't risk anyone going back, even if they promise not to tell. For one, we'll look... different - like I do now or more. And... it would be very difficult to deal with normal people looking so different. Not that I don't want to go back either.... but it would be hard. " Cody Archer Cody pondered on what he just heard. It was true there wasn't any anthros walking around the streets, it simply wasn't normal. Actually if he thought better it was true some people had trouble with others they didn't like. Just like in recess, where the bullies picked on smaller kids and the popular often act like they were superior to everyone else. He had suffered to that social exclusion a bit too, when some kids thought being around him would get them sick too
"I think I get it" Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose nodded, seeing the pensive look on the boy's face. "People... are mean to people that are different." He said somberly. He had seen more than enough cases of that back home. He had been conditioned so much to 'fit in' and to carry himself just right, wear the proper clothes ever since he was a boy. He was far too familiar with the social repercussions of being even slightly different, and the disapproving gaze of his own parents. Ambrose Maurlias He shook his head. "That's one good thing about this island. Except for the very new people who first arrive, everyone is very understanding and supportive. We're all going through it together." Cody Archer Cody felt better and gave a faint smile, pushing himself away from Ambrose's chest and drying off the remaining tears with the back of his hand
"Sorry. I've been crying a like a girl" Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose shook his head with a smile, wiping at the wetness with the back of a fuzzy finger. "Don't worry about it. If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you that I cried too after I found out what was going on here and I started to grow fur. And... I don't cry either."
He was such a sweet kid. It was really too bad to see that he had to be here.... but Ambrose knew that his medical condition pretty much made it a choice of this or a premature death.
"And black is NOT cooler" He added belatedly, hoping to bring a smile back to his face. Cody Archer Cody looked amazed at Ambrose. He was an adult and he had cried?
"Yes it is" he pushed Ambrose as to prove his point, but with little effect. He tried again, putting his whole weight agaisnt him, but only managed to slid off patheticly onto Ambroses' lap Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose paused for a moment with a serious nod before his face breaking into a playful chuckle. He wrappedboth his arms around Cody and flopped backwards onto the bed with him with a playful growl. "No it's not!" As he ticked him under the ribs. Cody Archer Cody felt the world go round as Ambrose roll over with him attached, then breaking into an histerical laughter as his weak spot was being attacked
"Ok, ok you win" he said between laughts Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose was chortling along with him as Cody exploded into laughter, his tail wagging enthusiastically as the grin split his face. "Aha! No one beats Ambrose!" He grinned as he relented and sat back up and ran a hand through his blonde hair. He slipped his hand into his shorts pocket for a moment to check the security of the contents and then smiled, leaning back on his hands and panting. Cody Archer Cody lied down as he gasped for air, his hand making a slow bee line towards the pillow. Taking this window of distraction, he trew it straight to Ambrose's face Ambrose Maurlias "Hey!" Ambrose yelped in suprise as he had been assuming Cody was going for the pillow in order to lie down, instead of it being projected towards his head.
It beaned him, and plopped down into his lap as Ambrose looked to cody with a curled lip (around a smile). Grabbing the pillow, he rolled to his knees with his hackles up and tail standing straight up as he brought the fluffy pillow around towards Cody's head. "Catch me offguard, eh?" Cody Archer "Tickling is against the rules" he said as he grabed back the pillow Ambrose Maurlias "Oh?? Says who?" Ambrose kept a firm grip on the pillow and fought to connect it with his head. Cody Archer "Says me" he struggled and tried to get away from Ambrose, using his feet as a leaver against the wolf's hips Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose play growled and let go of the pillow quickly, instead gathering up the sides of the blanket around cody to form a sack. "Gotcha!" Cody Archer "Hey! Let me go!"
Cody tried his best to escape that roll of doom, but sadly Ambrose had the size, weight and strength on his side. So he did the only thing he could do, play dead Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose watched as Cody went limp, a bemused smile on his face as he let the sack go. He poked cautiously at the still form. "Oh no! I killed Cody!" He cried overdramatically, raising the back of his hand to his forehead. "Whatever will I do?!" ' Cody Archer Cody jumped suddenly, crying Boo! and laughted like he hadn't laught in a good while Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose raised his hands and yelped. "Aaaa~ He's back from the dead! Zombie Cody!" Ambrose grabbed the sheet and raised it between them. "Back foul demon!" Cody Archer "I will eat your brain" he started doing slurping sounds while he reached out for Ambrose in a zombie like manner Ambrose Maurlias "Noooooo!" Ambrose howled, scrambling backwards and trying to conceal the wide grin on his face with the sheet as he still held it between them. "I've created a monster!" Cody Archer "Gimme brains" he grabbed the sheet and tried to catch Ambrose Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose let go of the sheet and sprung off the bed, facing Cody, his tail wagging as he rested his hands on his knees. "You'll have to catch me first! No brainmeats for the zombie!" Cody Archer Cody tried to catch the much more agile wolf, doing zombie impressions all the way. But soon tiredness started to take over him and he could stop himself from letting out a loud yawn Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose bounded around the room, trying to keep from being caught. However, hearing the yawn, Ambrose slowed himself and purposely allowed his tail to get within the boy's reach. Cody Archer Cody managed to grab the furry member, a wide grin stamped on his face
"Gotcha" but again he let out another yawn. Not wanting to stop he tried to rub away the sleep of his eyes, but it was evident it was way pass his bedtime Ambrose Maurlias "Ahh, you win." Ambrose said after a small lurch that was held in check by Cody's grip on his tail.
He turned around and ruffled Cody's hair again with a smile. "But I think that it's probably time that you turn in for the night." He said with a wink. Cody Archer "Do I have to?". Apparently his face said yes, because Cody's eyes were heavy and his voice sounded sleepy Ambrose Maurlias He smiled as he swept him up and carried him over to the bed. "Yes, I think you do." He smiled. "But I can stay until you fall asleep." Cody Archer "Ok then" Cody went to grab a overly large t-shirt he used to sleep and went to change himself in the bathroom. Went it came out it was obvious it belong to an adult and not to a 10 year old kid, nearly reaching his knees Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose smiled kindly at the boy when he came back out, and pulled up the chair to the side of the bed to sit on. "Did you have a good day?" Cody Archer "Yeah, thanks. I haven't been in a pillow fight eversince I got sick" he climbed onto bed, only covering himself with the sheets Ambrose Maurlias He smiled. "Well, then you were definately due for one." Ambrose replied matter-of-factly.
He helped adjust the tussled sheets around him, switched off the light, and then returned to the chair, resting his arms on the back of the chair. Cody Archer It didn't took long for Cody to fall asleep. He was tired, both mental and physically, but no terrors tormented him this time Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose watched him slip off to blissful sleep with a smile on his face. He watched him for a few minutes to make sure he wouldn't wake before quietly getting back to his feet and slipping out the door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:46 pm
Neighbours finally Meet Newton Filinas Newt had gotten good at sincronizing his timing to be fairly invisible to the other islanders. That was what good janitors did, afterall. At that point in the day, most had retired to the cafeteria or somewhere in the village in what Newt liked to think of as the "Rush Hour", leaving him free to wander off and stay busy somewhere else on the island grounds. Like many times befor, he found himself sinking once again in the soft sands at the edge of the waters on the beach, this time up to the boney portrusions of his ankles. He had thankfully put his cleaning supplies away allready, leaving him with his boots slung over his shoulders by the laces and the legs of his coveralls rolled up to his knees. It was a peacefull thing to do, especially when one wanted to cool off without actually swimming. Cody Archer Ever since Ambrose gave the news to Cody that the risk of being attacked by a dangerous islander was non-existant, the boy ventured much further than before
Today was beach day. He felt like inviting Nita, but the cooler hours of the day didn't suit him very well. He wanted to swim, to run and to go hunt for shells. Maybe another time
Right now he was walking along the shore absentmindedly, picking up a shell or a pebble every now and then. It wasn't until he was just 20 feet away that he noticed he wasn't alone anymore Newton Filinas Newt didn't notice the little new comer at first, idly watching the scenery, but startled slightly at the sight of him. Once he realized he was just looking at a seemingly lost child, he relaxed, fidgeting with the bottom of his boot without moving his feet, "Ah... er... h-hallo...?" Cody Archer After meeting so many anthros, Cody found strange to find another normal person
"Hi! I'm Cody. You're you?" Newton Filinas "Er..." The stuttering janitor glanced over his shoulders in search of a possible chaperone, but it was just them and the beach. "Are... y-you lost little boy?" Cody Archer "No..." Cody seemed rather annoyed for being addressed as little. He was already 10! Newton Filinas "Er..." Newt frowned down at the boy, scratching his cheak as he tried to figure out what a child could possibly be doing on this beach of all beaches. "W-where... er... is y-your... ah... m-mum, then?" Cody Archer "Back at home"
Cody managed not to start crying as this painful topic was brought up. Instead he just gave the full explanation, since everyone here seemed curious to know
"I'm here to try a cure for my MS. And I know I'm going to get turned into a dolphin for that" Newton Filinas "Er... ah..." Newt gaped, his face flushing. A kid? A boy? A child?? the doctors couldn't- wouldn't- they'd never-
A sudden tightness gripped the bottom of his stomach as the tiny voice that did question why he was there himself. Certainly not to clean.
He stopped those thoughts as soona s they started, though, swallowing thickly, "I... er... I s-see..." Cody Archer If it wasn't the fact he was a bit annoyed at this man calling him little, Cody would have wondered about why everyone acted so strangely about him being here (not that he hadn't already)
"And you? I haven't got your name yet?" Newton Filinas "Oh, er... I'm... " He wasn't quite sure how to introduce himself to a child. Mr. Filinas? Newt? "Oh, Er, s-sorry, um..." He knelt town to crouch slightly, mroe at eye level with the young man to offer a hand with a shy little smile, "N-newton." Cody Archer Newton? That rang a bell "Oh, you're Newt? Aubrey told me about you" he shaked back, with half a smile on his lips
Cody hadn't forgive the doctor yet, but he trusted her information on the people she had describe him. It was accurate until now Newton Filinas At that, Newt's sharp features went scarlet, "Ah- sh-she... sh-she d-did? What... what did she say?" He stammered anxiously. Cody Archer "She said you were nice. That you wouldn't mind helping me in case I needed something" Newton Filinas At that, Newt looked relieved, straightening up a little, "Oh... oh y-yes, I'm the cu-cus-cus-custodian. D-did you have th-them in sch-school?" He gave a smile, trying to find something to relate to the child with. Cody Archer "Yeah, but we called them janitors" Now he knew why Aubrey said he would help. Cody wasn't expecting to have a janitor living righ on top of him. He didn't looked so bad though, like the one back at school with a walrus moustache that kept picking on kids every now and then Newton Filinas "Oh... w-well..." Newt cleared his throat, fidgeting with his boots still over his shoulder once again, "C-custodian... s-sounds a b-bit more dig-dignified... at l-least I think so." Cody Archer "I guess... but it's a bit of a mouthful. But why are you here? Taking a break?" Newton Filinas "Ah... yes. I c-come here in the aftern-noons, g-generally... wh-where are you off to?" Newt backed up onto the sand to sit, using his rag to dry the sand off of his feet befor pulling his socks back on. Cody Archer "Just looking around. But I should get back to the village. I'm getting hungry"
Cody waited for Newt to get ready. He had brought sandals instead of his usual tennis shoes, so he didn't have to take the sand away. It would fall off as his feet dried on the way back Newton Filinas As the janitor finished tying his shoes, he rose and brushed himself off, "I c-could walk w-with you a little... I sh-should... go clean up befor g-going back to w-work..." Cody Archer "Thanks"
The walk to the beach was one of the things that bored Cody the most. Not only it was boring to walk alone, but it was a whole mile away from the village, a distance he considered rather long Newton Filinas As they started the long trek back, Newt anxiously kept his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slumped, casting curious glances at the boy beside him. "Ah... s-so... how l-long... have you b-been here? On the island, I m-mean." Cody Archer "A few days. A week. I'm not sure, lost track of it. You?"
Cody absentmindedly kicked a pebble as he walked. It didn't matter much how long he was here, he never paid much attention to the days... except during school Newton Filinas "Oh, I've b-been... working here for years," Newt striaghtened, looking proud of himself as he always did when inquired about his job, but the little nagging feeling of doubt that had pressed it'self against the back of his throat was back and he slouched again, rubbing his nose in a nervious gesture, "Ah... b-but... they r-recently... m-moved me here to w-work. Th-the villiage I mean. I w-was... up at the l-labs befor." Cody Archer "Really? What did you do there? Why did they send you here? And which one you like best?" Newton Filinas "Er... th-the same I d-do here, really. M-mop up... f-fix the f-fuses when they b-blow... m-make sure the elevators r-run properly and the airconditioners are w-working... c-cleaning up m-messes..." He cleared his throat. Soemtimes he had been a bit *too* thourough, he reflected. "Er... l-like best? I... I suppose... it *is* n-nicer here... I have my own l-living space... n-no roomate or t-tiny l-little quarters to w-worry about..." Cody Archer "Cool. You think you could fix the faucet back at my room? I can't make it stop leaking"
Cody started falling behind. His MS was up to its tricks again, the tiredness attacking. Soon he had to lean against a tree to recover from the shakiness of his knees Newton Filinas "Oh, sure th-that wouldn't be a pruh-" Newt stopped when he realized he was walking alone and turned to see the poor boy catching his breath, "Are y-you alright?" Blast and damnation! He didn't know what to do with a sick child! Cody Archer "Yeah... just tired. Happens a lot" Cody sat on the ground. Seemed it would take a while before he got some strenght back, specially because he hadn't ate in a while Newton Filinas Newt licked his lips, glancing up and down the beach, "I... I c-could carry you... if you w-wanted. J-just t-tell me when we g-get to y-your duplex?" Cody Archer A piggyback ride? He hadn't had one in ages. Seemed strange to ask.... but since he was offering...
"If I don't weight too much for you, yes please. I'm in #51" Newton Filinas Newt flinched at hearing that, "F-fifty... f-fifty one? Y-you mean on the b-bottom floor?" Cody Archer Cody nodded. Didn't he knew?
"Yeah. And you live on top right? Number 52. Why aren't you ever there anyway?" Newton Filinas He lived right above this little boy and hadn't even known it? "I... I'm n-not home very often- l-lots to... to c-clean and do and s-suchlike..." He answered meakly, still reeling from this new knowlage. "B-but... but f-feel free to knock on my d-door any time!" Right BELOW him! Is *that* why he was relocated? To play baby sitter? Cody Archer "I tried. Twice"
Cody tried to get up, but his legs were still too weak. Only by luck he didn't fell Newton Filinas Newt blushed, looking embarassed although he didn't really have any reason to. "Ah... h-here," He moved to crouch in front of the boy to offer his back. It was definatly a good thing he remembered to drop off his broom this time. Cody Archer Cody climbed/stumbled onto Newt's back
"Thanks" Newton Filinas The janitor hefted him up, standing upright. Newt was a very tall man, although not many noticed past his slouch- so Cody had a very nice view as he pressed on towards their duplexes, "W-well... it's n-nice to... finally m-muh-muh-meet you." Cody Archer "Wow. Great view" Cody looked around at the new perspective, then looking back at Newt "Nice meeting you too" he smiled Newton Filinas At that, Newt gave a little nervious laugh, "N-n-nuh-not many p-people say that." Cody Archer "I bet you don't give many piggyback rides either" he chuckled. It was fun trying to imagine Newt's scrawny figure lifting up people Newton Filinas And indeed, it wasn't long befor Newt was huffing and wobbling, but said nothing so vulgar as a complaint. "W-well, I h-had to... b-be helpfull, d-didn't I?" He laughed. Cody Archer Cody laughted, but felt sorry for Newt putting so much effort on himself
"If you want you can put me back down and I'll use for support. I'm supposed to to walk by myself anyway" Newton Filinas "N-no... I c-can... I c-can... ah..." He panted harder, finally coming to a stop, "M-maybe I can't." That said, Newt wobbled down into a crouch to let the young man off. Cody Archer He chuckled as he got off Newt's back. His legs weren't completely recovered, but he managed to walk while using Newt's arm for support. Good thing the village wasn't much further Newton Filinas Newt continued on quietly, trying to catch his breath as best he could befor he thoughtlessly pulled a cigarette from the pack in his side pocket. Cody Archer "Hey!" Cody snatched out the cigarette without a second thought. One thing he hated was that smell of smoke the cigaretts spread around him. That and he always had the habit of snatching them away, or pointing it out, everytime he saw someone smoking them Newton Filinas "Ah- H-hey! Th-those aren't for ch-children!" Newt cried, immediatly stumbling as he tried to grab it back. Cody Archer Cody just crumbled it and was about to throw it away
"You shouldn't smoke. You get yourself and others sick and smelly" Newton Filinas "Ah, d-don't!" Cigarettes took up a rather large percent of Newt's pay, and he wasn't about to waste a single one. Even if he wasn't sure what the exact status of his pay currently was. Cody Archer "Promisse you won't smoke it?" Newton Filinas "W-well, I c-can't now that you've c-crumbled it!" Newt said in an exhasperated stutter. Cody Archer "It's not that bad. The filter is still intact" Cody handed it over. The cigarette was a bit bent here and there, but still usable Newton Filinas Newt took it back with a befuddled expression, but tucked it away behind his ear for later. "Er... w-well, n-next time, y-you could j-just have t-told me." Cody Archer "Next time don't try to smoke it around me" Cody stick out the tongue in a playful manner Newton Filinas "N-note taken, s-sorry," The janitor groaned, shoving his free hand back into his pocket while they walked. "C-can't seem to get a break around here." Cody Archer "It's ok" he grinned as he grabbed Newt's arm again to walk "Hm? Why?" Newton Filinas "Oh, I j-just always seem to be in t-trouble, is all," He shook his head with a sigh. Cody Archer "Trouble? How can a grown up get in trouble?" Newton Filinas "Y-you'd be suprised," He sighed, "Ah- er... here we are..." They were going down the lines of duplexes, their numbers slowly approaching. Cody Archer As they reached they set of duplexes, Cody took the key he kept around his neck for safe keeping. He opened the door and reveled the huge mess within it. Clothes were pilled up here and there, books were scattered around, the bed completely unmade and there were even crumbles of food in the corners. Seemed like a hurricane came to live in the room
"Sorry about the mess" Newton Filinas Newt staggered at the sight, wondering if he should intervine with the catastrophe inside, but cleared his throat, "Ah... it's alright... um... if y-you'd... ever like a hand with... ah... anything y-you know..." Cody Archer "I think I would need one.... I don't know to keep a room clean" he was visibly embarassed for admiting it. Even though he had to keep his room tody back at home, it was his mother who did the cleaning Newton Filinas "Er... I'll er... j-just... m-maybe I'll c-come by t-tomorrow?" He offered weakly. "Help y-you... um... pick up?" Cody Archer "Okay then. Thanks"
Even though Newt was a janitor, cleaning up a whole room felt like too much to ask... specially considering the state of this one Newton Filinas "I'll t-try to stop by!" He smiled, backing towards the stairs, "B-but I n-need to get back to work... it's a l-large villiage." Cody Archer Cody watched as Newt proceded to his duplex, waving him a goodbye before he went to his
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
