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 Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:15 am
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:16 am
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:19 am
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:29 am
Ian meets Avery and Rex: Rex Vadnais The last thing he remembered was darkness, the freezing ocean water and being ripped from side to side by waves until he went unconsious. Rex felt many things before his eyes creaked open to see the island around him. The grainy warm sand on his cheek, several open wounds and an awful pain in his neck. His skin felt the tightness that he knew the ocean waters did to you.
A breath in? COUGHHACK! Rex scrambled to his knees and coughed up quite alot of water. "Ughh.." He moaned, trying to steady his breathing. At least he was alive...
After rubbing the salt and sand from his eyes, he saw the immense forest in front of him and the endless sea to his back. An island? Well at least it was better than floating out in the water until he died. What exactly happened last night? So much of it was washed in his mind, all into one big blur. Rex collapsed back to the ground and lay there in the warm morning sand, no wanting to move due to aching everywhere imaginable.
The worst was over though... right? Avery Calder He was dying. Yes, Avery was sure of it - his entire body ached, and he was sore in places he didn't even realize could be sore before. He could feel the cuts and bruises all over his body, sand irritating the wounds, and why did his neck hurt so much? He pushed himself up on his arms, intantly coughing up saltwater when he tried to gasp in breath. "Oh god," he moaned, rolling over onto his back and opening his eyes. He squinted up into the sun for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. He remembered falling off the cruise ship, and calling for help... he thought he had seen someone dive into the water after him, but after that, he couldn't remember anything. Maybe he had imagined it? Obviously, he had not been rescued. He turned his face to the side, looking away from the sun. His eyes focused on the figure laying a close distance next to him, and he gasped. Thank god, I'm not alone, he thought, feeling suddenly relieved. He pushed himself up enough to crawl over to the person laying on the sand. "Hey... hey, buddy... are you okay?" Oh god, his throat felt like it was on fire. Rex Vadnais Rex focussed on his breathing, blocking out all sounds of the waves and the tropical birds... in, out, in-- HUH?
At the sound of a voice, everything came rushing back to him. The night before, the fight, the girl who fell over and then diving in after him. It hit him, they were deserted. Questions filled his mind like the salt water filled his stomach.
The voice. Rex jumped! er... kinda-half-rolled since his body wouldn't permit much movement when he realized there was another with him. His eyes rolled into wild realization as he made out the body next to him. A girl dressed in rather punkish clothes with long blonde hair and looking just as beat up as he was. "Yeah, I'm fine. But--" He coughed, a small amount of water coming out again, "but you were the one I'm worried about" He let out a little half-smile, trying to make the situation seem better than it was. Then he realized... this was no blondie he was talking to, but a man in woman's clothes. A drag queen... okay, nothing wrong with that.
Rex rolled over onto his back to give his belly some space, the sun shone searingly, blinding Rex temporarily.. Avery Calder "Me?" Avery blinked. "Well..." he looked around their surroundings; on one side, the ocean, on the other... a dense forest. No signs of civilization or any other humans here, it seemed. What were they going to do now? "... I've been better," he sighed. " Everything hurts... but what about you? Are you alright?" He sat down next to him, carefully, being mindful of his injuries. "Thank you, by the way," he said, softly. "For trying to help me..." Rex Vadnais "Heh," a chuckle escaped his lips, "ehh, deffinately had better days." His lips curled into a gentle smile, still looking straight to the sky. He reached an arm up and rubbed the back of his neck. It must just be from the whiplash. Surfing had taught him much about the ocean, and you don't want to get stuck in a wave's pull. It's brutal.
"Well, I do what I can. But apparently that wasn't good enough." Rex weezed a sigh, then propped himself up on his elbows, looking out to the sea. "It could be worse." Always optimistic... Avery Calder "Worse?" Avery stared at him in disbelief. "How could it possibly be worse? We're... stranded, who knows where... we both look like we got mugged, and... and I've got sand everywhere." He took a deep breath, burying his face in his hands and trying not to cry. This couldn't be happening! "What are we going to do? We're ******** stranded! On an island, or - or somewhere! God damnit." Rex Vadnais Rex looked around. He was going to cry, oh please don't cry. "Uhm... I'm just saying at least we made it on some island instead of still floating out at sea," He didn't dare mention sharks or the like, that'd probably make things worse. "I mean, as far as we know, this is somewhere in Florida! Just beyond those trees, there could be a huge resort where... we can swim with dolphins!" Rex began to fool himself, he really hoped there'd be at least some kind of building. Unfortunately, those buildings were the labs.
The man eased himself to his feet, legs quavering, and examined the beach as far as he could see. Beyond the forest, a large mountain stretched for the high blue sky. Rex swear he saw something distant glint in the sunlight... "There, see on the hillside? There's... something!" He looked back down to the sobbing man and placed a large hand on his shoulder. "Things are looking up!" Avery Calder "But I can't swim," Avery replied, laughing a little and wiping his eyes. He sniffed and looked up in the direction that Rex had noticed the building. It looked so far away... but it was better than staying here, on the beach. He sighed and slowly stood up, putting his hand on Rex's arm for support. Once he was sure he wouldn't fall over, he dropped his hand. "Alright... I guess we should get walking then, huh?" he said, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "By the way... what's your name? I'm Avery," he smiled a bit. Rex Vadnais Rex looked shocked, "You can't swim?!" He's never heard of such a thing, the water was such an important thing to him, not being able to swim would... suck. "Well that's really unfortunate."
He helped the boy to his feet to find that he towered above him, like he did with most people, "Avery? I'm Rex." He would have extended a hand in greeting, but figured this wasn't the time. Rex turned and saw the jungle, the ocean's breeze rattled the leaves and made the forest seem quite menacing. "I imagine we could get walking." But running his tounge through his dry mouth, he learned what his body really wanted. Fresh water. "Yergk... the salt water's dried out my mouth. Whaduyah say we find some water." He highly had his doubts that they were on Florida, but the building... Avery Calder "I know, I guess I just never learned," Avery said, a little embarrassed. "I can, like... float. And I can doggie paddle a little bit." "Water? As long as it's not salt water, I think I've had enough of that for... forever," Avery shuddered, and looked up at Rex. "But where are we gonna find some?" Avery had no survivor skills whatsoever. "I mean, we obviously can't just find a water fountain in a forest..." Colche "I'v got rumblies in my tumblies, rumbly rumblies in my tumblies!" Colche recited the oh so famous words that pooh bear sang in her book and she made double sure to sing it loudly. She wasn't exactly sure where she had left Lily, at the river she thought, any way, she wanted a walk and a run and where was best for a run? The beach of course! She smiled to herself ehr tiny fuzzy fluff of a tail twitching left to right as she broke throught he line of trees her long, jet black hair racing behind her.
Nestled in her arms sat a rabbit, small, fluffy and completely harmless lookign nestled in the cat girls arms. She really couldn't run with him sitting there but she would think of something. Spotting people she smiled, they must be somone she knew, she hadn't sen any of her family for a while. their scents didn't bring any particular scent to her that she knew though. But shrugging it off she padded towards them, everyone on the island was friendly. Even the men. Her huge, doe blue eyes smiled as she approached, the wind whipping ehr hair about her strangely marked features. Her most defining feature of course beign that she was naked, and partly covered in fur, it didn't seem to bother her though. Amaya Vaughan Amaya had been wandering farther and farther from her little camp, even though it wasn't intentional. Heading South she had crossed three rivers before the sound of the beach started to echo through the dense forest... it would be a nice change in sceanary compared to the dense, uninviting jungle. With a sigh she walked on, her clawed thumb absently fumbling with the locket around her neck. Recently it had been the only real sorce of comfort she got... thinking about the past and her parents. The thought of them seemed to be the only thing that brought a genunie smile to her face in time likes these.
The sand pushed awkwardly between her elongated toes, making walking a little more difficult here then in the forest. She paused for a moment, green eyes looking at the ocean that lapped at the island's edge. Somewhere on the other side of that was home... or at least she liked to think so.
Then again, did she really have a home anymore? Moreau, or Feral Labs, had legally adopted her... so this was actually her home now. Or prison. It all depened on how you looked at it. Her larges hands dropped to her sides. She didn't have a place to return to... she had nothing left that beckoned over the ocean for it. Absently she wondered how much it had snowed back in Pennsylvania.
Bah, enough of those thoughts. Shaking her head, she started walking again and... could have sworn she had heard a voice. Her brow furrowed as she climbed up a sandbank. Who was that...? She squinted and slid down the other side of the bank. "Colche!?" She called out, wondering if it was the young girl. Colche was alright! Grinning she went to run towards her, but froze. Who... were those other two people?
She stood there, staring. Though she wasn't as nude as Colche, she was only in her underwear and her scales stood out like a sore thumb... not to mention her huge hands and feet. Ian Campbell Ian had had a lot to think about after his encounter with Chana. Luckily for him he was unable to smell Emerwyn anymore and he could leave his mind unguarded once more. Around his head he wore a small woven crown of vines. It served two purposes, the first was to keep his hair from his eyes, and the second was to remind him of who he thought he was. He found the trees growing sparcer and the dirt turned to sand beneath his hooves. In the distance he could see the ocean and 4 people. Squinting he could almost identify them. It appeared that Colche and Amaya were there, as well as two people he did not know. Walking closer he saw that Colche was naked and Amaya was wearing nothing but undergarments. Not that he was wearing much more - only a pair of leafy shorts barely held together by thin strips of vine. He would have to replace them soon, they could fall apart at anytime. Ignoring the lack of clothing on his two friends he smiled broadly and despite the fact that there was nothing to be happy about he made it appear as though he was happy. "Hoy!" he called cheerfully. Rex Vadnais "Well that's certainly a start! I'll glady teach you once we get to the resort's pool" Oh man, did that resort sure sound nice. He'd never wanted to see civilization so badly.
Water could be a problem, "All of this foliage had to come from somewhere! There's possibly a stream nearb--" his sentence was interupted as Rex something running at him from up the beach. Was it a person? It was! "Hey! Look down there! It must be a resort personel, see? We're safe and sound!"
Rex looked father up the beach and saw some other kind of figure, but it had a green tinge to it. What an awkward bathing suit that woman had. "Hey... there's more of them." Glancing around, Rex began to feel a little... uneasy. Where were these people coming from?
"Hoy!" He heard. The jumpy man whizzed around and saw a person. Wait.. that wasn't a person, it was brown everywhere and... furry? Something wasn't right. "These people look.. strange.. I don't like it" Rex braced himself, did he run? Fight? Wait..? Avery Calder Avery couldn't wait to get to the resort either - in fact, he didn't even care if it was a resort, or just a crappy little hotel. As long as there was water, food, a shower and a warm bed, he would be satisfied. Avery looked up when Rex stopped speaking, noticing the three figured emerging from the forest. But there was something... off about them. "What the hell... they have... fur? And... what is wrong with that other chick?" Avery gripped Rex' uppar arm, moving to hide behind him a little. Avery was no fighter, and Rex looked like he would be able to handle himself well in a fight. "Are they some type of weird animals?" Then, a little more quietly, he whispered, "you don't think they'd... eat us, do you? Where the hell are we?" Colche Colche turned almost instantly at the sound of Amayas voice. The grin which spead ehr kitty features made ehr look very childish and delicate but she managed to break in to a sprint and virtually fling herself at Amaya, being careful of her rabbit though "amaya, amaya, amaya!" she puurred happily so glad to have found one of those family members she had been searching so hard for.
Looking up with those dark, sweet blue eyes she noticed Ian too, he was little known to her but she certainly knew him, of course there were still the others to worry about. She desperately wanted to tell Amaya of her adventureds with Lily, about the pigglett and about the fact that Aubrey wasn't on the island any more. The black bird didn't house her 'mother' figure though so all the past thoughts were scuppered as wave upon wave of happiness flooded over her. She was so glad to be with them again. Maybe the other people would be happy too.
Grinning up at Amaya she started once again on her long legged saunter towards the two unchanged men "Hi" she smiled softly, tilting her head a little curiously, all men on the island were nice, even if they weren't fuzzy. The fur on the back of her neck stood on end any way, she stopped, maybe it was better to wait for Amaya and Ian, people she could definately trust. Amaya Vaughan As the lizard-girl was gawking at the sight of Colche running up to two strange men... naked, she was snapped out of her daze by Ian's call. Looking around, she spotted him coming from the brush and couldn't help but smile as well. Both Colche AND Ian were alright! Even though it was such wonderful news for her and she wanted to run up to both of them and say how happy she was to see them, she could tell by both of the men's reactions that... they didn't know what was going on.
So she stayed where she was, her legs screaming for her to run back into the cover of the jungle and to hide. Amaya felt more exposed then she had in a long, long time. Her legs twitched a little and she took a step back. The same thing that happened with Chana was going to repeat itself, she just knew it. Her large hands rose to her chest, fingers fiddling with the locket dangling around her neck.
"Yah!" Amaya said in alarm as Colche literally flung herself onto her. She had to push one of her feet back to keep her from toppling over. "Hey Colche... I'm glad to see your alright." An awkward smile came to her features as she pet the back of the young girl's head... afterall, Colche was naked and hugging her. But she had to remind herself that it was Colche, the poor girl didn't know better and even she was rather skantily clad.
Green eyes then watched her depart and greet the other two. The girl wanted to follow, just to make sure they didn't do anything to Colche... but she stayed where she was, the fear that the same thing that had happened with Chana would repeat itself. Ian Campbell Ian's smile became genuine when he saw Colche hug Amaya and he followed Colche as she went to greet the two strange men. The men both looked really confused and Ian knew how he and the two girls must look to them. Like freaks, an inner voice told him, and he had to agree. But he couldn't let the strange men know, he had to act happy. Let them know that they were safe-ish. Especially since that none of the buildings were currently running that they couldn't get an injection. They would stay human. "Greetings." he said when he was close enough. "I am Ian, Ian Campbell." He purposely did not reach out a hand to shake - neither would probably have shaken it. "The girl is called Colche." His smile did not fade, but the look in his eyes was tired, wary. Rex Vadnais Rex's heart began to race and mind running faster than the tap water from a sink, but he still held his ground, fists clenched and chin up, hoping for the best. "I don't have the slightest clue, but we'll find out soon enough." He'd fight if he had to, even though it was one of his least favorite things in the universe.
Rex saw Colche leap at Amaya, yelling her name. "Whoa! That first one just pounced the other! What was she screaming?" The adrenaline was causing his imagination to kick into overdrive. These villagers were insane. He couldn't show fear becuase he thought Avery might have a break down... Animals could probably smell their panic.
The green thing looked okay after being attacked by that first furry person, but then she began to walk over. She was actually rather sweet looking, the adorable expression of a small girl enveloping her face. She was naked.. and furry.. but spoke english? "Uh... hi?" Rex said nervously, unsure of how to react. His strong fists softened... this thing was just too cute.
Glancing nervously around with his blue eyes, he noticed the green figure stayed back... a strategy? Maybe they weren't going to be eaten after all...
Then the third man approached, Rex less wary of this one. Who were these people?! It appeared that he had horns, antlers more-so... and was covered in fur, but walked upright and didn't seem to show much fear. Then the deer-thing spoke, like the cat girl, in english with a proper introduction. Ian? They had names... and rather normal ones at that, not some random tribal jibberish. "Yeah.. Rex... pleased to meet you?" He took a small step back, still confused as hell and scared to boot. Avery Calder "I don't know if I want to find out," Avery muttered. What the hell!? These things can talk? he thought. "What is going on here? I've never seen anything like... those... mostly naked... animal things." He felt like he was going to panic. Maybe he should run for it... no, they might try to chase him - Avery felt that he was safer staying near Rex. For now, at least. But he grew more nervous the closer the others got to them, and he tensed up, staying behind Rex. Ian? Colche? Well, their names were normal enough, he supposed. But he just couldn't stop staring. When Rex introduced himself, he figured that he should too. He wouldn't want these things to think he was impolite... "Uh. I'm... Avery," he replied weakly, and obviously afraid. Amaya Vaughan Amaya watched the two walk up and greet the strangers confidently, suddenly feeling like a incredible heel. Sighing, she walked forth as well, though made sure she stayed behind Ian and Colche. If they could do it... so could she. A little. "My names... Amaya." She added, albeit timidly while hiding behind Ian much like Avery was hiding behind Rex. Ian Campbell Ian suddenly felt very awkward. Both Amaya and Colche were practically hiding behind him. When the blond man spoke Ian almost lost his smile. So they were mostly naked animal things huh? Well, most of it was true, except that they weren't things, they had been people once too. Both appeared obviously afraid and Ian thought about what to do. He stood up straight to his full five foot nine height and spoke again. "It is a pleasure to meet thee. Do not be afeared, none of us will hurt thee, we were once human." Ian was no longer smiling, but he looked quite serious. "Just as human as both of thee, merely months ago." The truth was a valuable thing. People may not know it, but often the truth gave them more power than falsehood, and Ian needed to make sure that they knew the truth. Rex Vadnais Rex felt Avery tense up while he was still holding his arm. He would've glanced down at him, but instead had all of his focus on the "people" surrounding him. But as the animal-people closed in and spoke in english, the man began to feel safe and more secure. One thing was for sure, this obviously wasn't Florida's peninsula. He was glad that Avery was calming down too, with his attempt of introducing himself.
Rex watched as the green girl approached as well. Why was she holding back? She must've been a bit shy or something by the way she hid behind Ian the Elkman. Amaya. Gorgeous name... ooh, so thats what the Colche girl was screaming. All of the mutated people were actually quite nice! However frightening their appearance may have been. Rex nodded a head and smiled at the scaled lady. Was she a scared as he and Avery were? The didn't seem to hold back much while introducing, as if they'd done it before. Were Rex and Avery the first? How many others could there have been?
Then Ian stood tall and spoke. Old English? Rex hadn't heard them speak enough to know their accents or way of speaking. Had these people had outside contact in years, or were the exiled here? The questions continued to pour into Rex's brain. What was going on?
Ian mentioned they used to be human? "Bu-wha? How?" The man began to get even more nervous. How were these people turning into animals? It just didn't seem possible. Avery Calder When none of the strange creatures made any move to hurt them, Avery relaxed just a little, and let go of Rex's arm - he didn't move out from behind him yet, though. "Wait a second... you're human? I mean... were human? How did... why aren't you human anymore?" he asked. He was still afraid, but now moreso about how these people somehow became what appeared to be part animal than being attacked by them. They didn't seem to want to hurt them, so maybe they weren't all bad... just creepy looking. Amaya Vaughan The iguana-girl let Ian do most of the talking, her face peeking out from behind him at both Rex and Avery. She frowned at what the deer-man was saying before looking at the ground sadly. She highly doubted that either of them would believe them, despite the look on their faces.
She caught the smile Rex had given her and looked a little surprised, her eyes widdening a little bit as she shifted on her long toes. Though she didn't return the gesture, the sad frown still on her scaley features. Ian Campbell Ian's expression grew even more grim. "We became the victims of a cruel experiment. Some came on their own, under the impression that this island had a different purpose, while others washed ashore and have been held here." He could tell that they doubted him. He wouldn't have believed it himself after washing ashore. At least they were safe. They might be stuck on the island, but with all the buildings seemingly abandoned, they couldn't possibly get an injection. But he didn't mention that. He didn't want to give them any sort of false hope. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose was still parolling the Island looking for more Islanders after his encounter with Antony and her update on her and Jamal's situation. He was glad that more and more individuals were being accounted for. However, as many as he had located there were at least that many missing.
Instead of heading back into the jungle, Ambrose started walking around the perimeter of the Island, from the West beach around the point of the South, and then to the East.
As he walked, his acute ears and nose picked up people.... several of them by the sound, talking. His ears pricked curiously, he trotted faster towards the beach where several figures emerged into his vision. A few he made out almost immediately - Amaya's familiar scent... and... was that Colche?! Colche was alright! His tail began wagging and a smile came to his face as he made out more figures - Ian!
And then Ambrose's quick approach slowed as he saw two completely new people to him. No, they just had to be people that he hadn't met yet - lord knew that there were enough people on the Island to be people he hadn't met. Hell, He hadn't actually met Antony until earlier.
While a bit more guarded, he still approached, smling widely to the group. "Colche! Ian! I haven't seen you guys in so long! I'm glad you're alright!"
His eyes strayed to the two strangers cautiosly. "Ah... I don't believe we've met...." For the moment he assumed that they had been there for a while. "I'm Ambrose."
Then why did they smell afraid....? Rex Vadnais Avery said what Rex was trying to say, but he was too baffled by the situation to express his questions into undertandable words or sentences. When Avery let go, he shot a quick glance down at the man. Obviously, he was getting a bit more confident, that's good. Rex then looked back to the three people before him, unsure of what to say.
Unfortunately, Amaya still looked shy and reserved. There was probably some reason for it, but Rex didn't even know the slightest bit about these people or their background... well.. besides the fact that they once were human. Those leftover questions still brewed in Rex's head. At least he was now standing normally, no longer scared for his saftey.
"An experiment?" Rex said, finally forming a coherent sentence. He looked to see how the others reacted, but was only welcomed by stone solemn faces. "This can't be true. I mean, how is this possible? How many others are here? Naw, you're just kidding me, aren't you." Yet Ian, Colche and Amaya stood there in front of him as real as could be. He felt like pinching himself or looking for some hidden camera. "This is just some cruel joke."
Then he remebered the night before, once more. Avery and Rex had fallen off a ship and been marooned. It was all true. But, it just didn't seem right...
Then yet another animal-person came running up the beach. Everyone here seemed to know each other, so there couldn't have been too many more, could there? Rex was too dumbfounded to say anything or even seem happy towards Ambrose. He just sat there, awestruck. Avery Calder Avery had to agree with Rex. "This is insane. People can't be turned into... animals. That's impossible!" When Ambrose approached the group, he couldn't help but think, how many more of them are there!? "No!" Avery suddenly spoke up, a little louder, when a realization came to him. "I get it! Ha ha! This is some type of furry convention! And you guys are playing a joke on us! We're really on some beach in Florida, right? At a resort!" He laughed then; it was impossible for people to turn into animals. This had to be some furry convention... it had to be, there was no other explanation. "I bet all this is fake, right?" Avery moved towards Ambrose. "You're all just wearing costumes," he said, and he reached out to tug on some of the fur on Ambrose's arm. Amaya Vaughan Amaya watched them, wondering if the two men had washed up on shore as well... if that was the case, they had picked the best time to wash up on it. The labs were shut down, even though the duplxes were too. Maybe they could find a way off the island before everything became up and running again? Or was it going to stay like this forever? She shifted from foot to foot, wondering what she could possibly say at this point.
"But..." She started, her voice timid and shy as she peeked a little out from behind Ian. "Everything shut down awhile ago. I don't think anyone is here to inject you..." Unlike the deer-man, her voice was perfectly normal... albeit it had a Pennsylvania accent.
Then another voice caught her attention. Her face literally lit up at the sight of Ambrose. There was a God! "Ambrose!" She almost squealed, eternally grateful for his pressance. He always made things go smoother. Once he was in the small 'group' she went over to him and took one of his arms into her hands like a small child, much like how Avery had been hiding behind Rex earlier.
The lizard-girl listened to Rex, her tail giving a small twitch behind her. She knew this was what would happen. Green eyes went to the ground again, not wanting to see as Avery started joking and laughing about it... just like Chana had. Her hands gripped onto her brother's arm a little tighter and she turned her head away from Avery and closed her eyes. She wished she could close her ears too... she didn't want to hear this. Ian Campbell "It's not fake." Said Ian quietly feeling very sad that those two had washed up on this beach. "These antlers on my head are attached. They have grown out of my skull. The fur is attached to my arm. My hands." Ian didn't want to think about his hands and he winced. "My hands are more hoof than hands it seems. If thou doubts you can touch them. Figure out that they cannot be removed." Ian looked behind him to Colche and saw Amaya and Ambrose together. His heart felt squeezed and he wanted to cry. To cry for all those already on the island and for those two that had just discovered it. "Ambrose, how art thou? I haven't seen thee for awhile. Perhaps thou has been faring better than I." Ian knew how he looked. There was dirt encrusted in his hair and on his face. Washing in a stream just didn't do much after awhile. He would love to have a shower if he could ever get back in his duplex. Ian's voice had sounded calm this entire time. Unknowingly, until Ambrose had arrived, he had taken charge of the situation. He had felt the need to make sure that Colche and Amaya were protected. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose's approach slowed as he started to catch the conversation and really realize what precisely was going on. His ears lowered hesitantly and he exchanged glances with some of the familiar islanders who were all coincidentally about as changed as he was.
Talk about a shock for these two. "I.... ah.... assure it... it's genuine." He had heard of 'furries' from Angelina a few times, but only enough to know the term.
Ambrose didn't pull back when Avery reached to tug at the fur on his arm. However, the soft fur was quite genuine to the touch - soft an not with the plastic-y feel of feaux fur. ANd furthermore, it grew right into the skin, tugging against the arm, but not coming off OR moving a whole section of it as if it were a coat or a suit.
Ambrose smiled welcomingly to Amaya. "Amaya, good to see you... sorry about my absence recently." He glances around the group that has collected. "But it appears you have found about as many other people as I." He also spoke with a relatively unaccented voice - save for perhaps the hint of pretention that indicated someone from a wealthy New England family.
He took her big hand in his free one and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "How have you been...?" He added quietly, aside to only her.
The wolf nodded cordially to the stag. "Ian... I've been.... well enough as can be expected." His fur was also uncharacteristically matted, his hair disheveled.
He turned his attention back to the two newcomers, stepping forward and seeming unafraid to take initiative. "This... Island - I do not know how much they have told you.... but yes... there ... there were doctors here. And I use that term loosely. They were... experimenting on us. They brought us here under a variety of excuses. But they disappeared a month... maybe two ago. Perhaps you're lucky.... But regardless, to our knowledge we're still trapped here. Unless.. do you have a boat? Will people be looking for you?!" Rex Vadnais Rex looked to Avery with puzzled countenance. What the crap was a "furry"? He shifted uncomfortably and crossed his arms, unsure of what to believe. When Avery reached out to tug Ambrose's fur, two possibilities streaked through his mind. One, it would be a costume, the plan would be revealved and a camera crew would run out of the jungle or something. Or, this fur was real... and that could only lead to more possibilites. For some reason, Rex leaned to the latter.
He turned to the timid Amaya. "Closed down? The labs? Wait.. labs. AS in there are buildings here?" He gazed back towards the mountain and saw that same metallic glint as before. "So that's what those are."
Then Ian spoke once more, temporarily calming the conversation and settling Rex's doubt. This was real, you can't fake the feeling and emotion injected into his mini-speech. But would this happen to Rex? How was the animal determined? With each piece of information, new questions arose.
The Ambrose cleared the mist for Rex as well. Doctors? Like mad scientists? They were living in a sci-fi novel. Then Rex remembered home in San Fransico. "We both fell overboard on a cruiseliner and washed up here." The he thought about his parents, co-workers.. and Julie. He fiddled with the old engagement ring on his right hand insecurely. "No one will be looking for me." Avery Calder Avery quickly jerked his hand back when he felt that the fur was indeed very real. He stumbled back into Rex, and then got behind him again, whimpering. "It's real... but... no, I don't want to believe it," he said, tears springing into his eyes. "This is too much, I don't want to deal with this!" He knew he shouldn't be crying - he's supposed to be a man, after all - but he couldn't help it. He couldn't deal with everything that had happened to him, all so fast - first the fight on the boat, falling overboard, being stranded on some island... now these animal people were talking about experiments and doctors and labs? He reached up and covered his ears, not wanting to hear anymore. "My mom and dad were on the ship... they'll get people to come find us, they'll notice me missing. And we'll get rescued and get the ******** off this stupid island, and everything will be okay..." he sniffed, trying to convince himself that they would be rescued. There's no way he would be stuck here. Amaya Vaughan She squeezed Ambrose's hand back, though covered his entire hand with her fingers when they all curled around his furry palm. Silently she listened, eyes opening halfway but staying firmly locked on the ground.
Though as Rex spoke, she looked up slowly at him before meeting his eyes and looking towards the mountains. He seemed a little more... level-headed about the situation. "Yeah, the labs are over there." She pointed a long, clawed finger in the direction of the labs before she realized what she was doing. With a flinch, she pulled her groteque limb out of sight. "But... if you fell from a cruise liner, won't they know that you went missing?" Her eyes went back to Rex, but she didn't let go of Ambrose's hand. The wolfman could probably still smell her overall nervousness.
Amaya watched Avery, almost starting to cry herself. She wanted to reassure him somehow... but how could she? Look at her... She bit her bottom lip, forcing the tears gathering into her eyes to keep from slipping any further. "See? You have a chance to get off... the doctors are gone as far as we know and everything is turned off! You have a really good chance at getting rescued..." And it made sense, at least to her. When you thought about it, both of them DID have a good chance at getting rescued. Ian Campbell Ian remained silent as he listened to both of them. He liked Rex and Avery seemed a pretty decent fellow. He would probably be a bit different after getting over the fact that he was stranded on an island full of animal people. Ian was glad noth of them seemed to believe them now, but he still wanted both off the island. To spare them the same fate. "We can hope for your rescue." Unbidden a thought came to mind: It'll just be another disappearance in the bermuda triangle. No one would look for long.He sighed and his arm started to itch. Ian scowled and grabbed a handfulof sand and scraped it over his arm to relieve the sensation. "Forgive me," he murmered. "But the truth needed to be told. I'm sorry both of ye have to be here, but I doubt that ye will be leaving. From what I know this island is near the Bermuda Triangle. Ye will just be left as a disappearance in the triangle." Ian knew that he was making them have less hope, but the more truth they had now, the less hope they had to lose later. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose inwardly cringed at Avery's reaction, even though he knew part of it was coming.
His ears lowered and he took a step towards him, despite the fearful reaction lay a hand on his shoulder. "Look... I know as much as anyone how you must be feeling right now...." He trailed off on his name. "Hey... I know you're scared... but maybe it's true... God knows I hope so... but if they do come looking for you... they you'll go home... maybe we'll all be rescued. But if the doctors arent' here, then you two shouldn't be in any ... danger of all of this happening to you as well. Despite appearances... we're just people.... we aren't going to hurt you." Ambrose thought back to Awen's stories of what had happen with her run in with Joliette and Jamal... and decided not to say anything.
"Even if you don't have anyone" He looked to Rex. "Then Amaya's right... there is still the cruise liner. I mean... I'm sure they're liable... as soon as they realize passengers are missing, there will be a report." Ambrose sounded like he was half-trying to convince himself
His face fell when the Bermuda Triangle was brought back. "But..." he protested, "IT IS just a myth after all... the cruise liner can't just pass that off - they'll have to at least look for you guys... I mean.... they might give up, but perhaps we could try to get a signal fire going." Avery Calder While their appearances were still a little frightening, Avery no longer feared being harmed - or worse, eaten - by these... people. They seemed harmless, and were trying to calm him down, at least. He just wanted to go home. He wanted to crawl into his bed with his stuffed plushies and sleep and forget any of this ever happened. What did I do to deserve this? he thought. He looked up then, really looking at them now. The girl with scales seemed a little shy, but the deer man and wolf man - Amaya, Ian, and Ambrose? - seemed a little more confident. He glanced at Rex, who didn't appear to outwardly be afraid at all. He felt a little ashamed with himself, for being the only one that was scared enough to cry. "Yeah... we can get a fire going..." he sniffed, and rubbed his eyes. "They'll find us... they have to. I mean, it's not like we could have drifted very far from the ship, right?" he asked, and sounded slightly desperate for agreement. Amaya Vaughan The iguana-girl looked up at Ian as he spoke, her frown returning. He was right... both of them were probably doomed to the same fate everyone else was. She sighed, now unable to think of any real reassurance for Rex or Avery and let Ambrose handle it.
Now that she thought about it... what if they did get rescued? What would happen to all of them that had changed already? What would happen to her? She started to get worried that they would get rescued... she had no place to go. Her long, clawed fingers reached up and fiddled with the locket around her neck. No, she couldn't think like that... no matter what happened to her, most of the people on this island deserved to go back home. They had a home to go back to.
"Right." Amaya nodded to Avery, unable to come up with much else in the reassurance area. "We can make a fire... and get you some water and food." She wanted to say 'until you get rescued'... but she wasn't sure if that was a good thing to say at the moment. Ian Campbell Ian nodded as Ambrose planned a fire. A fire was a really good idea. "There is a stream not far into the jungle. The water isn't as clean as it could be, but it is better than salt water. If we are going to stay on the beach I know where it is and if anyone had anything to carry water in I could bring some back. As for food I do not know much about where to find any; I eat leaves and grasses." Ian was no longer ashamed to admit it. He was part deer now. He accepted that. He only wished that he was human again. Ian also had no clue how to get a fire started, he would leave that to Ambrose. He could get some wood however. "I want ye to get rescued. If the doctors do reappear I want you to be as far away from this island as you could possibly get." Ian had already made up his mind that if rescue did come he would stay on the island. There was nowhere for a deerman on the mainland. Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose seemed more than happy to leap to agreement with Avery. "I'm sure they will! My camp already has a fire going, we could build a bonfire on the beach... and bring a torch from our fire... " Ambrose almost immediately started togo back into planning mode.
"You couldn't have washed far without a life raft or anything.... "
The wolf did sense the nervousness from his scaled 'sister' and he looked trepidiouly back to her again.... maybe it was just the new company... feeling sorry for them for being drug into all of this perhaps...? He gave her hand a squeeze again.
"Our camp probably still has some meat as well.... we were kind of split up when the buildings shut down." His ear flicked back in irritation. "We've spent the last month or so tryign to salvage what we could from the jungle... find out where the rest of us went. The Island is deceptively large."
Indeed, there was a makeshift spear strapped with vine to his back, a knife at the waistline of what looked like plaid sleeppants. They were branches that looked like twisted metal was tied to the ends. Avery Calder As if on cue, Avery's stomach growled at the mention of food. "I... I guess I'm a little hungry... and I could use some water, too," he said, grinning sheepishly. "I guess a shower is too much to hope for right now? I've got sand in my cuts, and they sting a bit..." Avery glanced at Rex, not wanting to go anywhere with these other people without him. He was the only one that was completely normal on this island, it seemed. Again, he felt relief that the man was here with him... but guilt that it was his fault Rex was even here. "How many more of you are there?" Avery asked. "And is the camp very far from here? Amaya Vaughan Amaya nodded to all of them. "I can probably gather some fruit. Though I don't have anything on me to carry water with... obviously." She nodded to Ambrose, knowing that getting some supplies from their camp and bringing them back was probably a pretty good idea.
Silently she agreed with Ian, even though neither of them spoke it outloud. If a ship was to come... she would probably choose to stay on the island with the few who chose the same. She had no family, the only realy family she had since her grandmother had died was right here. Beyond that, she had nothing else.
She then looked to Avery, glad that he seemed to have calmed down considerably. "It'd probably be better to wash your cuts out with salt water. Doesn't it help heal them?" She asked no one in particular. "And the camp is North of here." Amaya said, pointing a little again. Ian Campbell Ian nodded again and smiled again, feeling a little more at ease. But almost scowled at Avery's question of how many people were on the island. "More than twenty people are here." At least that was about how many people that Ian had met. "Would you mind if I stayed at your camp with ye? I've been sleeping wherever I can in the jungle, wandering around looking for people." Ian felt a pang of regret. Emerwyn, Julian, and Chana were alone in the jungle for all he knew. "Fruit?" Ian's eyes lit up. He hadn't had fruit in a long while and he loved it. What he wouldn't have given for a tomato or an apple right then. . . "Sorry, no shower. I want one too, but all the duplexes are locked according to someone else I've talked to." Ambrose Maurlias "You're welcome to either come back to our campsite.... You too Ian. We've been building lean-to's and are by the river for easy access to fresh water. We've been collecting people after a fashion - safety in numbers and we can work together to gather resources. Alternatively, you are free to stay here on the beach... or anywhere else, really. But I would think that trying to set up a signal fire while the boat stil might be looking for you would probably be a good idea. I don't mind gathering some firewood to bring over here. If you want to stay by the fire and have things brought to you, or go with someone to clean your wound and get some food is your decision."
He gestured to the north. "I'd say our camp is probably.... somewhere between thirty minutes and an hour's walk from here. Not that far. In total..... given the number of occupied duplexes before we got locked out.... probably around thirty of us."
Ambrose turned to Amaya as he headed back to where he had seen a collection of driftwood. "Feel free to come with me to get the bonfire going, or you can help them find the stream and food." Amaya Vaughan "I think I'm gonna look for some fruit, then come back here." The lizard-girl said to Ambrose and the others with a nod and a tiny smile before turning and heading into the brush.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:31 am
More: Rex Vadnais Rex had stayed quite through most of the conversation, not exactly having much to add but the occasional nod or murmer of agreement.
And the plan was such: find supplies, meet up and Ambrose's camp to the north and make a signal fire for any remote hope of being saved.
All of this hit Rex quite hard, and while remaining level-headed about the ordeal on the outside, he was really scared as hell. His mind was screaming, as were the cuts and gashes all over his body. "The salt water would sting like crazy, but it might help clean the wound. Also, if you have any alcohol, that could help kill any bacteria." He looked out to the ocean, "And my clothes were just getting dry, too." He smiled, taking another glance at these new people.
Rex wondered, what would happen if they were saved? He would go back home to his mundane job, empty apartment and lonely life. Sounds like a blast... If the Lord destined him to be here on this island, then so be it. Who knows, being an animal could be a whole new adventure, only experienced by the people on this island. But that wasn't right, he couldn't live on this island forever, right? He'd end up like one of those people on a Missing Persons show. It's not like the world would leave him behind... right? But maybe becoming an animal would be the best thing tha could happen to him, everything hadn't exactly been in his favor since he was a kid. I wonder what animal I'll beco-- No, stop it, Christian! Things will begin looking up soon.
He waved goodbye to Ambrose, "I may as well get to cleaing these cuts before they get infected." Rex looked to Avery, then to Amaya, Ian and Colche. "We'll meet up at your camp later. Hour or so's walk to the north, right? Thanks for... explaining everything to us. It means alot that you'd take the time to sort things out." He smiled, his teeth just breaking the lip-line, then turned to Avery and beckoned for him to follow. Avery Calder Avery cringed at the idea of more salt water and, even worse, cleaning his wounds out with it. Just get it over with, and then you'll get to eat when the lizard girl... Amaya, comes back with some food, he thought to himself. "Er... yeah, thanks. Catch up with you all later," Avery said, before turning and following Rex to the shore again. He didn't understand why salt water would be better for cleaning out wounds than fresh water, but Avery guessed these people know more about it than he does, so he'll just have to go along with it. When they arrived back at the shoreline, Avery walked into the water until it was up to his knees, unconcerned about getting his clothes wet again. He crouched down, and dunked both his arms under the water, inhaling sharply when the salt stung his cuts. "That hurts..." he muttered. Rex Vadnais "Okay.." Rex shook his head and prepped himself for the pain that was going to ensue rather soon, "We were just out there for hours right? What's a little more stingin' gonna do?" He gave another uneasy smile, walked about 15 feet out and dove under. Everywhere, select patches of skin burned as they were enveloped in salt water. His head poked out, bobbing on the surface with his black tie floating around his face. His face wrinkled in a pained grin and looked back to see how Avery was doing. "I don't know how this works, but it gets the job done." Planting his feet on the sea's sandy floor, he stood up and wiped the water off of his face, then continued to rub gently at the slices and punctures. "You doing alright?" He paused... thinking over his words, "This whole island thing is... quite a trip." Avery Calder Avery watched with shock as Rex dived right into the water. Did nothing phase this man? Avery had a hard enough time just putting his arms in the water, and . He looked down at the water, feeling suddenly very useless. He can's swim, he doesn't even know how to start a fire, and he can't even fight to protect himself. All he can do is reply on other people to save him... He looked up again when Rex spoke, gently rubbing his arms. "Yeah... that's one way of putting it," Avery said. "Where do you think we are..? How can experiments like this be legal? You'd think PETA would be all over their asses... and you'd think this kind of thing would be on the news, but I've never heard of it." Ambrose Maurlias Meanwhile, as promised, Ambrose spends the next several hours collecting driftwood, dry fallen branches, dry mosses and other kindling onto a huge stack on the Eastern beach, above the tide-line.
His work is fervent, the looming image in his mind of a huge cruiseliner, perhaps just out of view. Their salvation. They can get off of this island if he can just get this fire going to signal them. He tosses on lots of small branches with leaves that perhaps will smoke once the fire gets going.
Finally, there is a stack of wood on the beach nearly as tall as the wolfman himself is, and he grabs a final piece of wood to go fetch a starter from his own fire.
Finally, setting fire to the heap, Ambrose sits down by the bonfire - a good dozen feet away, to wait.
However, as he does get the thing lit at long last, the looming shapes of dark clouds on the horizon start to cloud over Ambrose's hopes just as much as they do the skies. Island of Moreau Over the next few hours, distant darkness on the horizon edges its way closer. Rumbling roars of thunder peal over the island and the sky seems to close in on the island below it like a shroud. With a CRACK a few lightning strikes hit the island on the mountainside signaling the commencement of the rains. THe rains are smothering, seeking and destroying dry wood and fires. And that's just the begining, the winds tear through the trees, scattering unsecured objects, damaging shelters. The bright sunny skies could only last so long... Rex Vadnais The cold water had left Rex unphased because of his many hours swimming in freezing water. Over the years, it didn't become much of a big deal. besides, the cold waters of the Carribean were nothing compared to his winter waters back home.
Then he looked to Avery, rubs his hands on the tender spot on his neck once more. "Legal? I doubt it. Unless this is some secret government base..." He trailed off in thought then drudged his way back onto the sandy beach. the warmth was nice and nothing sounded better than a hot shower.
Rex looked to the horizon from which they were washed in when he noticed some clouds forming in the distance, "Well it looks like it's not all blue skies here." he smiled, pausing to enjoy the moment, before snapping to reality. "Uhh... wounds nice and clean? I reckon we oughta head back and find that... Ambrose was his? Damn, I never introduced myself." Ambrose Maurlias Ambrose's hackles rose as the darkness encroached from the horizon and the foreboding thunder ripped across the skies.
With a snarl he leapt to his feet, shaking his fist to the heavens. "GOD DAMN YOU!" He cried. "Our CHANCE! Our Chance to get off this goforsaken Island!" His eyes stung. This was not the first time that Ambrose had built up his hopes around one flimsy idea, but the falls did not lessen with repetition.
The coiling smoke was already obscured by the shrouding clouds - no one would see it from very far away, despite the leaping flames. And those too would be soon quenched, he thought as a big, fat droplet fell onto his shoulders.
"IT's not FAIR!" He shouted again, at the skies, at Moreau, at Fate. He felt cursed. That was an ample way to put it. Even if his lupine nature didn't have to do with the folkloric lycanthropy or the mark of the devil, he felt every bit as cursed as the creatures of myth. Cursed to lose his humanity - as much as he was denying it, and cut away from his home, from his family.
The larger pelting drops hissed against the hot wood of the fire - which wavered but held strong, until the drops were joined by a seeming infinate amount of companions, finally winning the war, extinguishing Ambrose's proud accomplishment, and the symbol of his possible salvation.
With frustration and desparagement, Ambrose lifted his short muzzle to the skies, howling out in wordless anger and betrayal.... in a long, mournful howl that echoed across the island with rains and the rolling thunder. Avery Calder Avery shut his eyes tightly and splashed water onto his face, cleaning it off a bit before standing and looking up at the sky. "s**t... when are we going to get a break?" he whined a little, sighing. "I guess this means we can't start the signal fire," he murmured to himself. How is anyone going to find us now..?He glanced back out at Rex. "I'm gonna head off into the forest, before the rain starts and I get even more wet," he said to him, and he hurried past before the rain started, jogging past Ambrose on his way to the forest and dissapearing behind the trees. Rex Vadnais "Yeah.. these clouds look pretty damn ominous." Rex murmured uneasily. He didn't like the way things were looking.
Then Avery bolted past him, "Yeah, you go on ahead, I'll be right there." A strong sea breeze whipped up from in front of his and blasted his hair in an even more frazzled look than before. Brr... A cold wind and wet clothes make for one freezing man. He took off his shirt and tie then wrung them out, leaving any extra water behind in the ocean where it deserved to be. He slipped them back on then ran off into the jungle before Avery got too far.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:24 am
Ian had wandered off the beach when Ambrose howled. Even remembering that chilling sound sent shivers down his spine. He had wandered in the rain losing track of where he had gone, losing track of where the camp was. He had slept where he could, barely eaten and he felt weary beyond all belief.
When the rain stopped Ian had made it it out of the woods and he was very surprised to find himself at the duplexes. He sighed, remembering that he had been told they were locked. But he also ahd an idea, it wouldn't hurt to try. . .
The door to his duplex swung open and he gave a truly relieved smile. He staggered in and went to take that shower he had so yearned for.
He stepped out of his shower gratefully and he looked at his muddy watch where he had left it on the countertop. Usually he showered with it one but he had realized that he didn't always need to wear it anymore. Marcus could live on without him wearing the watch.
Instead of his usual jeans Ian decided to wear the newclothes he had gotten for Christmas and he smiled at the feel of clean clothes against his fur and skin. They were very comfortable and Ian knew he had never appreciated clean clothes as much as he did now.
Using a comb Ian struggled to comb out the weeks of tangles in his hair and after he felt as though he had lost half his hair he looked presentable. Leaving his watch on the countertop he exitted the bathroom and went to root through what he had brought with him to the island.
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:12 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:13 pm
Reserved for RP with Bobby
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:14 pm
reserved for RP with Ambrose/Vasile and others.
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:15 pm
Party planning with Fiona
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Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:26 pm
Emerwyn found rather quickly just how good it felt to run around on her new legs, and made herself quite content to do it all day after her grueling change. However, when the day began to end, she found herself feeling very lonely. She sat against a tree, wondering what on earth she was to do about this. Then, she hopped up nimbly to her feet, and cantered back to her room and struggled with the doorknob momentarily. She laughed in memory of her friend's turmoil. What was even more of a struggle was getting hold of a scrap of paper without tearing it. And even worse still was securing a pen in her hand fit for writing. However, she eventually managed, thanking something other then the Doctor that she'd retained her thumbs. The note she wrote read thus: The Note I am waiting - number eighteen. The writing was crude, and at best legible, but she was satisfied, and went off to slip the note under his door. Then, she returned to her room, and waited for the King.
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Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:31 pm
Ian had just gotten back from the cafeteria with some lunch when upon juggling his food he managed to open the door.
On the floor, not far from the opening was a piece of paper. Setting down the tray Ian picked up the note and read it carefully. 18. . .searching his mind Ian realized that it was Emerwyn's duplex. He had told himself that it was better if he avoided her, but she obviously wanted to see him. Frowning he pocketed the note and leaving his food where he had left it, went to the nearby duplex and knocked on the door.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 2:16 pm
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 2:18 pm
Ian woke up and yawned. He debated seeing Emerwyn again today and decided against it. He was more in the mood rto be alone.
Getting dressed he headed towards the cafeteria. He would get some food then watch a few movies.
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:02 am
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Reply
