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 Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:42 pm
"October already." He laughed at the date. "If I did get something, I've completely missed it. Or Reuben ate it." He looked at the dog, raising an eyebrow at him curiously. It wouldn't be the first thing that the dog decided to chew up. "But a Halloween party, huh?"
He shrugged. "I'm not really sure, yet. Someone suggested I might be a dog, though." He didn't look exactly thrilled as he said it.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:54 pm
Nita grinned and poked at Reuben's belly. "Did you eat Lucas' invitation, silly dog?
"But yeah, it said we could request costumes, or stuff to make costumes, from the labs." Even though the last large get-together Nita had gone to hadn't ended very well, she couldn't help but get at least a little excited at the prospect.
She hmmed, inspecting Lucas' pointed ears. "Could be. Some sort of mammal, at least." So it seemed Lucas would be considered another of the "lucky" ones.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:02 pm
"It sounds like it might be fun. I have no clue what I'd go as, but I think I'll try to go." He looked over at Reuben. "Do you want to go, too?" Lucas laughed as the dog wagged his tail. Reuben was always happy when people paid attention to him.
"Yeah. I was thinking about asking the labs next time I called, but I'm still not sure." He looked back over at her. "I've heard of pandas, but never a red panda."
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:18 pm
"I've always been bad about figuring out costumes, but it does sound fun."
She nodded. "I asked the labs what I'd be, before I even changed. I wanted to be prepared, or at least as prepared as you can be here."
Nita resisted the impulse to launch into lecture mode. "Red pandas aren't actually related to giant pandas. They're from a similar habitat though, and eat bamboo, which is why they have similar names. Basically they look like red raccoons, only with thicker bodies and tails." There. That was brief enough.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:27 pm
"Sounds like you read up on them." He smiled. "I never thought about that. Being prepared. If I know what I'm to become and am able to research it beforehand, I might be ready for whatever comes next. Instead of it coming as a total surprise." Learning about the behavior and instincts of the animal would definately be helpful.
"Have you developed a taste for bamboo? How strong are the animal instincts?" He was curious. It had been a question he'd wanted to ask for a while now.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:38 pm
"Exactly," Nita told him. Finally, someone else who understood.
"I do like bamboo; they keep it for me in the cafeteria. I eat a lot of other stuff, too, though, since red pandas are actually supposed to be carnivores."
She thought for a moment on how to answer the question about instincts. "That... depends on the situation. For me, I guess I'm jumpier than I used to be. Prey animal, and all. And, uh, I spend a lot of time out here, hanging out in trees."
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:49 pm
Lucas nodded.
He was a little worried about instincts he might start to develop. It weighed on his mind that if he really was a carnivore, it was quite likely he was becoming a predator. Would he start attacking people, too? Like Joliette? He had heard about other predators that were becoming aggressive. What would happen to him?
"I see..." His tongue brushed against one of his fangs and he sighed.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:03 pm
Nita shrugged again. "I'd suggest research, since you're not horribly opposed to it. It seems to depend on the person, too, how much the instincts affect them. Self-control and whatnot."
Of course, Annie had been a gentle, self-possessed girl. No,don'thinkaboutthat.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:13 pm
"I guess I really should find out. Your the second person to suggest I should." I just hope I can control whatever is to come.
He really did. For the first time he thought of Joliette and felt sorry for her. Emelyn said that she was a friend, and the other woman had still attacked her. The thought of him attacking someone like Emelyn or Emerwyn frightened him.
Adjusting his glasses, Lucas stood up. As he did, Reuben lifted his head, then got to his own feet. "I'm going to continue my walk so you can go back to enjoying her sunbath." He smiled and beckoned Reuben to him. "I guess I'll see you at the Halloween party?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:24 pm
Nita smiled and pushed her hair out of her eyes habitually. "Good luck, Lucas. There are a lot of animal books and encyclopedias in the entertainment room, if you haven't been in there yet."
She gave Reuben a hug and a final scritch. "You be a good boy, Reuben, and take care of Lucas, okay?" Nita winked at the man and stretched out again. "I'll keep an eye out for you."
A final thought came to her. "Oh... If you hear from Emelyn, or know when she gets out of the labs, would you let me know? I'm in duplex 42, and if you could stop by or leave me a note... Well, I'd really appreciate it."
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:31 pm
Reuben leaned into the scratch, then walked over to Lucas.
"Thank you. And of course I'll let you know." He smiled and nodded as he slipped his messenger bag over his shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Nita."
Waving, he started on his walk again, Reuben following his lead this time.
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:39 pm
"Thank you again," Nita said. "And you, too." She waved after them and settled down again on her stomach.
Sighing, she tried to relax; this was her third encounter in a row that yielded some sort of bad news, awkwardness, or a bout of depression.
[Fin]
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:15 am
[Encore!]
Bobby had been avoiding 'civilaztion' for awhile. She slept in her duplex, but that was usually the extent to her village life... well, and taking massive amounts of food from the cafeteria; but that was a given. She hadn't even seen Pyroth since Halloween, and the pig had no idea how long ago that was. The animal taking over, all Bobby really cared for was the here and now. The future, and even the past, have been regularly quited.
Today, the pig found herself strolling along the river. While water was not her friend, the placid river didn't hold the irrational fear the beach had over her. In fact, it was somewhat calming... and who knew what she might do. Maybe she'd catch a fish!!!!
Actually, that sounded like a grand idea. She hadn't tried that in awhile... not sense.... well, when she was human; that was another life.
Going around, Bobby found a strong, thin branch. Digging in her basket, she found some thin string. Putting things together, the pig held on to a fairly decent fishing pole. Now, the bait..... she dug in the ground with her hooves and maneuvered a worm out of it and onto her string. She didn't know if it would work, but she'd try.
Going to the edge of the riverbank, the woman sat down next to her basket, legs and hooves draped in the water. She hummed quietly, a song deep in her mind but if she tried to think about it, the melody would escape her. Every now and then, Bobby reached over and grabbed a snack.
What a gorgeous day.
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:22 am
The manta ray had been slowly making her way up the river when she suddenly noticed a worm wriggling on a string ahead of her. She glanced quickly at her surroundings and realised that she must be in a certain kitty-squid's fishing spot.
Awen smiled as she surfaced not too far away from shore, just close enough to rest her feet on the bottom of the river. "Hey Richar--" She paused mid-wave as she realised the islander sitting on the bank wasn't her old friend.
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:26 am
She heard the splash of displaced water. Jerking her head unbalanced her a bit, and Bobby flailed to prevent from falling in. After he recovery, the pig blinked in surprise. The face was new, the animal was definitely new.... she had no idea who that person was.
Recognition not registering, the woman stared blankly, "Uh, hello....." She completely didn't realize her fishing string was taut and tugging in her hooves.
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