[Journal] Duplex #1 - Ambrose Maurlias & Angelina Swanson

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Vasile's Transformation

In which Ambrose meets Vasile, Zach and Ian at the cafeteria, still worried and depressed about Angelina, and Ambrose plays witness once again to Vasile's transformation

http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=201&t=1140526#54038580  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Chat with Vasile

Vasile followed Ambrose out. "Hey, hold up!" He didn't really know why he was following him, especially after that... that dream he had. Of course, people generally say they have weird dreams before the change, right? Thats all it was...

Vasile trotted up next to Ambrose. "You, ah, left fast?"

Ambrose slowed and turned with a sigh as he heard the approaching voice behind him. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to Vasile, Ambrose was just feeling particularly down. And he knew that Vasile had every right to be in a poor mood as well, but Ambrose felt like he was being pulled in a myriad directions already. He needed to lift his own spirits, not take on the burden of another.

But maybe they could console eachother? After all... being selfish was only going to make things worse.
"I'm sorry, Vasile." He finally said, paused in the path between the cafeteria and his duplex. "I just... There's a lot on my mind, and some of the things said there got to me a bit more than I would have liked to admit."

"Oh?" Vasile frowned. "I'm sorry..." His ears dropped and he shoved his black furry hands into his pocket. "I could, leave you alone, I guess..." However, it was said in that patheric tone, coupled with his whipped-puppy expression, that seemed to imply the very opposite.

He shook his head. "No... no it's alright. Honestly, I went to the cafeteria because I was tired of holing up by myself in the duplex. I... maybe it's the damn serum, but I don't like being alone for long periods of time." His ear flicked back and he glanced away as he finally put words to his suspicion.

"And.. I'm sure that you've... well... you just went through a rough transformation." He looked back up, a sympathetic smile.

Vasile made a slight grimmance. "I dunno... its weird. Like... like I'm looking at myself and I'm starting to get all, like scared and stuff.. but then all I can do is think of Cass..." he swallowed. "It makes me.. it makes me feel like i don't have room to complain, ya know?"

Ambrose nodded. He had felt very similar in the past. He didn't look like himself anymore. He had always groomed himself for a particular look, and one of Ambrose's few ways of dealing with stress and situations out of his control around him was to take control of his outward appearance... giving him the illusion of being on top of things. Coming to this island changed his look, changed his identity... and Ambrose still felt like he was in some bizarre limbo, even after adjusting to the unfamiliar face in the mirror. And the worst part about it was that he knew it wasn't complete. That even if he got used to this, it would only change again. That's why the news of Pyroth had scared the hell out of him. They were taking everything away?!

"I... I know how you feel, Vasile. Honest to God. Some days I count my lucky stars that I'm not..." He glanced around quickly, feeling guilty. "In Amaya's shoes... or Cassidy's... or even Greer or Awen. But... this isn't me. Even if they turned me into my favorite animal... and to be honest I never had a problem with wolves... but... I might like wolves, but I didn't ever want to BE one." He growled in frustration, not finding the words to express what he wanted to say. "I hate the looks of fear... of horror... that I've seen written on the new islanders' faces. And I know that even people who arent' scared... they view me differently than they would have if they met the REAL me."

He watched Vasile, sighing again. There. He was doing it again, bringing the focus to HIM. "I'm sorry. I'm sure I'm not helping."

Vasile didn't seem to mind, instead he nodded emphatically along with him. "Right, right? I mean, thats like exactly how I feel. I'm.. I'm almost afraid to look at myself in a mirror because... because I know I'm not going to like what I see. But if I try to complain, someone else will just say I look pretty!" He puased and scrunched his nose. "Am I... you know..pretty?"

Ambrose nodded. "Precisely." He replied with a bit of a smile. It was good to have someone else who was in the same situation as he was...

"To be honest, you don't look bad. But you're right. It's not you." An ear flicked back in hesitance. "I don't know if I'd use 'pretty' per se..." Even if the word is appropriate...

"Ian wasnt' far off, though. You dont' look too dissimilar to me, aside from fur color and the fact your hair seemed to have grown... and your tail is fluffier." He inventoried as his eyes trailed over Vasile.

"But... what scares me... I saw Pyroth just the other day. And he looked a lot like I do.... and Zach said he saw him today and he could barely stand up." His ears crumpled, his tail tucking. "Aubrey told me that even when this is still over, that we should be able to still speak, to stand up and have hands..." He took a breath "But it's the should that scares me."

Vasile was feeling over his new nose, winching and furrowing at its sensitivity as he listened to Ambrose. "So like.. you mean we actually become like... animals..not animal people?" His eyes widened a bit in surprise and his brush tail twitch behind him
"I don't know!" Ambrose interjected quickly. Nothing scared him more than the thought of being a literal wolf on the island, running through the woods, hunting small animals... hunting other islanders... and completely forgetting his old life.

"I ... I am just saying.... maybe Zach overreacted... maybe Pyroth was just sore after a transformation... but... I don't know."

Vasile shrunk a little from Ambrose's answer, his ears dropping against his head and shying away. "Well, uh... so far no ones gotten, like, dumber, right? I mean, you mentioned the steak and all.. but he could still talk and s**t. ya know? You'd think if that was going to happen it would have already started, right?"

"That's true!" Ambrose latched onto this. Maybe even if they all did end up looking like animals... they'd still be able to think. Ambrose had had some... bouts with instincts, but nothing ever threatened to rob him of his cognizance.

"The only people I know who's.... really gone crazy with all of this is Jamal and Julian... and Julian's just...well, crazy crazy - not like an animal. And I think Jamal had.... issues to begin with as well."

Vasile nodded, kicking at some pebbels with his claws black feet. He had long since given up on wearing shoes. "So, like, do you think Jamal had the right idea? I mean.. they seem to have covered all thier bases. You don't think we can just,, you know.. overthrow the staff, do you?"

Ambrose shook his head quickly. "Given that we couldn't even break into the labs when the power was out, I think it's a stupid idea." Ambrose grumbled. "I think Jamal's more likely to piss the staff off and bring worse things on him and maybe us than if we leave well enough alone. Even if they left, then we don't get our injections. And if we don't, then yes - we probably won't change any more, but it might very well kill us. Like it or not, we're prisoners here unless some outside force changes that."

"Lovely," he mumbled, kicking a larger stone down the path. "Have you.. see Cass recently?"

Ambrose shook his head, pondering. "Not since... well...the lockout. And I was trying to avoid doing so given that you and she were lacking in the clothing department." He gave Vasile a snarky grin.

Vasile's ears turned a bit red and the right one twitched back twice in rapid succession. He cleared his throat, "Right, well, anyway.. she, uh.. changed again."

Ambrose looked up, eyes widening. "Cassidy, too?" There was a hesitance. Ambrose began to tick a count on his fingers, eyes showing that he wasn't liking what he heard.
"You... you've changed as many times as I have now. If I'm right... Amaya, Cassidy, Colche and Pyroth have changed one more time. And I don't even know if thier change is the last one. Colche isn't even completely furry like you or me... This is assuming that we all have the same number of changes, though." Ambrose still didn't like the idea. Almost all of those people had originally changed after he had. Ambrose's fate was looming close on the horizon. What would become of him?

"I don't know. She isn't taking it well at all. She looks really..." Vasile swallowed, looking for a word. "...different."

It begged the question. "How... different?"

Vasile sighed. "Really different. Her hair's nearly gone and her scales are almost everywhere now." He thought back and motioned with his hands, "Her legs are nothing more than little stumps and she has to ...slither to walk." He shook his head slightly. "Her, uh, nipples are done, weirdly enough. And I dunno what happened to her... well you know what I mean," his ears reddened more. "And," he added quickly, "she's got red bird feathers on her arms like wings."

Ambrose whet his lips as he listened to the description. He hated the fact that he thought that it sounded more like Vasile was describing the monster in his next movie than his girlfriend.

He shook his head, the wince evident on his features.

But what was even worse, was the use of 'almost' in a few places.... She wasn't completely scaly... her legs were still there with a snake tail. Snakes didn't have legs..

But... they werent' completely changing into animals. How 'unfinished' would they look when they were finished.

"What... what do you think, Vasile? Do you think her... change is complete? Or... that there is more?"

Vasile swallowed. "I have no idea." He thought about it for a moment. "She looks kind of... stuck in between somewhere. But what kind of snake has wings? I mean...are they trying for something? Cass mentioned some mythical creatre called a..." he tried to recall. "******** it, I dunno. Do you think maybe he's just trying to make fake things? Like those crytozoologists or something? Maybe you're like.. the wolfman or something."

Ambrose shrugged. "Maybe.... I don't know. Hell, we could ask, but I don't know if we'd like the answers." He looked down at himself. "I sure look like the wolfman." Ambrose said, a bit bitter. "But then what about you? I don't know any fox man stories?" Or genet ones... but Ambrose wanted to leave Angelina out of the conversation if he could. Not only because he was still feeling very worried about her, but he didn't want to rub in Vasile's face that she got a 'good' animal and Cassidy didn't.

"But I mean, if we're not becoming complete animals, wouldn't we always look stuck 'in between'? How do we know when it's over?"

"Don't the Japanese have like.. were-foxes or something?" he ventured. He read a lot of scripts...people would try to make a movie out of anything.

"Maybe we should just ask. I mean, you said yourself that one chick is pretty nice."

Ambrose shook his head. "You're asking the wrong guy. But.... I don't see the harm if you really want to know in just outright asking. We're not going anywhere, they really don't have any reason to lie. It might be better than the nerves than just speculating."

Vasile just shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well...." Ambrose stalled, slipping his hands back into his pockets. "I'm still waiting to hear something about Angelina." Grr. He said he wouldn't bring it up. But.. he couldn't help it.

"Oh...I see," Vasile looked like Ambrose had just told him his dog died. "Okay, well, I guess I'll see you later.."

"I'm sorry, Vasile... I... I know how you feel. If you want to talk... I'll be around. I... I'm just a mess right now." He ran a hand through his hair, subconsciously trying to still groom himself when the world around him seemed to be in disarray.

"Yeah, sure, I know," he said. "I should .. go see Cass anyway. Bye.." Vasile kicked one last rock then truned around, heading vaguely in the direction of Cass's duplex.

He sighed, feeling bad watching his friend trudge off. Nothing seemed right recently. He wished he could do something... anything.

Feeling positively frustrated and helpless, Ambrose headed back to his own duplex.  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Visiting Hours

After speaking with Vasile, Ambrose headed back to his duplex to dutifully wait. IT was much like before, the anticipation, the worry. Being alone again only invited the worrysome thoughts back to the forefront of his his mind. Even though he was in his room, it still felt like a hospital waiting room.

He tried to pick up one of the wolf books that Moreau had ever so 'kindly' gifted him with at Christmas, but it only served to remind him about what Zach had said about Pyroth, and it was quickly replaced.

He just wished he knew something concrete.

It was about then that he heard the buzz of the intercom connecting to his room, and he looked up with eager anticipation.

An unfamiliar voice came over the speakers, saying that for the time being Angelina was stable enough to have a visitor... but only for an hour.

Without having to be told twice, Ambrose was out the door and to the gate in front of the labs as quickly as his padded feet could carry him. There, two armed security guards opened the gate and escorted him into the laboratories, despite his protests that it wasn't necessary - that he wasn't goign to cause trouble.

They took him into the elevator, up to the fourth floor, and then to a small hospital down the hall beyond a few identical doors.

He was instructed that the door would be locked behind him, and after the hour he would be escorted back out the gates.

Taking an anxious breath, Ambrose turned the handle and stepped in.

Angelina was sitting up, propped against the headboard of the hospital bed. She was ideally picking at a sandwich on a paper plate in her lap.

Her face lit up like a lightbulb when saw who was at the door. "Ambrose!"

Ambrose's expression mirrored hers as he saw that she was not only awake, but also sitting up and picking at food.

His tail then did a very good impression of a propeller. "Angelina! You're awake!" He was immediately by her side, carefully wrapping his arms around her, and before he knew what he was doing moistening the side of her face with his tongue.

Angelina gave a soft wiggle, reaching up her hand to wipe her cheek. She planted a kiss on her nose. "Hi Ambrose.." she said, smiling. She looked tired, a bit pale. But her eyes were shiney and her smile was genuine.

Ambrose also looked like he hadn't slept much recently, but on seeing her much of his exhaustion and worry was forgotten. She looked relatively healthy -no longer the frightening pale, feverish sweaty gleam she had before.

"You look so much better, Angelina... how... how are you feeling? I was very worried."

Angelina held fast to his hand. "I actualy feel pretty good," she said. "I'm just glad to be feeling better." She kissed the back of his paw. "I'm glad you're here."

His spirits lifted at her reassurance. "Really?" His confidence and thankfulness to the staff also took an upswing, even though it might have technically been their fault she was sick to begin with.

"I'm... I'm really happy to hear that, Angie." He almost never called her a nickname. With his ears down to the side and his tail whipping back and forth he took a striking resemblance to a puppy.

She nodded. "That Aubrey lady gave me some food. They said they want to watch me for a little bit to make sure but they've brought my fever down and stuff."

Ambrose nodded, bringing his hand to cup her face. She did still feel a little warm, but infinately better than before, and the life was back in her eyes - it looked for all purposes like her fever had broken.

"What did they say? Are.. . you better now?"

"Aubrey said..." her face a bit, "that they would try again in a few weeks, after all my levels have stabalized."

He frowned, taking this in and slowly nodding. So she wasn't 'free'... just... delayed. But at least she was healthy. "I... understand." Too bad they couldn't just leave well enough alone. "ANd... they dont' think it will... have bad side effects this time..? Is it going to be the same serum?"

"I dunno," she said. "I don't think she knew, either."

He frowned. He didn't want to play this waiting game again... wondering if the animal would be bad right after they found out about the genet. Vasile's anguish now rather prominent in his mind. "But... I mean.... still a genet, right?"

"She said...she said it depended if they could make another one."

He winced bitterly. "I... for your sake... I hope she can. Maybe... there was a mistake in the first formula... or maybe it was just the waiting. I don't know, I'm not a doctor." He reached out and squeezed her hand. "maybe at least she'll keep something cute and mammalian even if she can't... because of all this?"

"I hope so," she said, pulling at the frays in her blanket. "Aubrey seems nice. But I get the feeling its not totally her decision."

He frowned, nodding, his tail swishing. "I'm sure she has some sort of say, though." He smiled reassuring. "I think she's second in command after all." He chuckled, "Just stay on her goodside..?"

Angie nodded, giving a hopefuly smile. "I never thought I'd be so anxious to go back out there. I would killto lay there on the beach right now."

He smiled warmly. "We'll have to do that as soon as you get out of here, then."
"Is there anything else I can do for you? Anything I can get?"

She shrugged. "I don't think so. I guess I just have to sit it out and hope notihing goes wrong."

He nodded. "So they don't even know yet about the next retry on the serum in a few weeks." He took a breath. "Well... in the meantime... we'll just enjoy eachothers company. You will be feeling better, you'll be stabilized, one hundred percent human." He stroked her hair. "So it sounds like they... cleared your system or something."

"Something like that..." She leanred foward, laying her head on his shoulder

He snuggled against her again, half up on the small hospital bed. He heaved a deep, breath and let it slowly, warmly trail out over her neck. "Wish I could have been here more for you. They only just let me in. I was worried sick."

"I figured that was the case... I didn't mean to worry you." She learned forward and gave him a kiss. "You're here now..thats what counts."

He smiled. "They said I'd just get in the way. I promised I wouldn't but... well... I suppose they didn't believe me." He returned the kiss, adding another hair stroke.
"I'm supposed to be here when you're sick. Look after you. I didn't care if you weren't awake."

She slipped her arms around his neck. "You can make up for it when they let me out, then," she said with a wry smile.

He grinned, following her meaning. "Understood. As long as I know you're better." He winked. "I don't want to hurt you."

She smiled back and yawned. "Just stay here with me until they kick you out?"

He tried to snuggle closer. "I couldn't think of anything else."

She smiled warmly, in his arms quickly finding herself tired again, and slipping off to sleep.

Ambrose held her closely. It felt good to have her in his arms again. And he couldn't express how relieved he was that she was looking so much better.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." He whispered quietly over her, a gentle smile.

No more than moments after an hour passed, the guards opened the door and escorted Ambrose back out of the labs.

Ambrose was reluctant to leave, tried to put up a small protest of asking to just stay with her, but eventually gave in and was herded out of the complex.  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Angelina's Back! .... And sticking up for Jamal?!

Ambrose jogged back to his duplex as fast as his legs could carry him, cutting off the dirt path and cutting through the jungle to cut off some of the time. If Ambrose hadn't been so dead-set on getting back to the village as soon as possible that all other thoughts than seeing Angelina were pushed out of his mind then he might have stopped to consider how much quicker he seemed to have gotten since the serums had changed his body.

He had gone to the labs to see about visiting Angelina, only to find out that they had already released her! They must have missed eachother!
So emerging from the jungle, Ambrose excitedly returned to his duplex and flung the door open, his ears pricked, smelling Angelina's familiar scent around the duplex before he even opened the door.
Angelina was sitting on the bed, her iPod on and blasting in her ears. She jerked up from her relaxed position, a surprised "eeep!" escaping her mouth as Ambrose came through the door - not having heard him.

She had obviously been crying, her eyes puffy and red. She quickly wiped at her cheeks, a smile spreading across her face once her heart quit racing. "Ambrose!"

Ambrose clung to her as she ran to him, but his elation was quickly dampened by the look of her face, the puffiness and the sheen on her cheeks where tears recently clung.

"Angelina? What's wrong? I.. I was just at the labs and they said that you had been released. But... what happened? I thought I heard chopper noises over the village! Are you feeling better?" He dind't know which question to ask first, and they all kind of came out in a disorder./

Angelina flung her arms around Ambrose and squeezed him tight - estatic to be in his presence again. She buried her face in his furry neck and took a few long, deep breaths.

"I'm okay," she muffled, leaning back to plant a kiss on his furry ear. "I'm just... ugh. They had a chopper out here, flying over. Painted like Search adn Rescue... but it was just a big joke. One of the staff threw out a big banner that said "APRIL FOOLS!"

Ambrose shook his head, an incredulous look jumping to his face. "You... you're kidding me!" Ambrose had gotten to the point where he could... deal with the staff. Aubrey wasn't even that bad. But.. something like that?! That wasn't a joke - it was downright CRUEL.

"Why would they do that?! I thought they were trying to at least placate us." He shook his head with a growl. "Painted and everything??" He exasperated?

He pulled her into a hug again, happy to see her up and about... she looked much better than even last he had seen her in the hospital bed. "I'm.... Angelina, I'm just so glad to see you up and about again. You sure you're feeling better?"

"Actually... besides from that.. I feel wonderful. Better than I have in a long time, I hate to admit."

Despite the hesitance in his expression after hearing the news of the helicopter, Angelina's assurance did quell his anxiety. "I'm... I'm so glad to hear that. I... I admit I was really worried about you. I'm... I'm glad they were able to help... even though it sounds like it was their faults to begin with..."

Angelina nodded. "I'm worried about Jamal. I think he's going to hurt someone! He was... SO mad!"

Ambrose ears lay back. "You... saw Jamal...?" Ambrose had only had bad run ins with the man since before Christmas. He had been feral and violent and unremorseful in every encounter he had heard about.

"He... he didn't try to hurt you did he??" Ambrose tone was low, serious.

He was at the place where they dropped the banner...he, uh...he was pretty pissed. We were together - getting all excited and bouncy... I was looking for you..he had packed..." She bit her lip. "Then when the banner came down he kind of...snapped. He roared and destroyed it...he said I should run away or he might hurt me..."

Ambrose winced. "I've heard.... rumors of him attacking other islanders. You shouldn't hang around him, Angelina.." Ambrose cautioned, holding her hand tighter. "He's unstable... and dangerous. I don't know if it's his serum, or just him. But I have my suspicions." Ambrose growled.

Angelina looked dissapointed at Ambrose. "If he's reacting badly to the serums we should be supportive, not turn against him!"
Ambrose frowned disgruntingly. "Yes... but... I don't think it's just the serums... and when I'm civil he is pissy at best. I think it's more JAMAL with the serums as opposed to the serums talking."

Angelina gave him a dissapproving look. "We all in this together, Ambrose. No need to be making enemies,:

"I never said we should! I had nothing against me but apparently I say one thing wrong and suddenly I'm as bad as them!" He crossed his arms, a petulant look. "I don't understand him, and I think that maybe he resesnts me for my upbringing or something."

Angelina smirked. "Yes. I'm sure he resents you for your upbringing. Cracker."

Ambrose scowled. "What! I ... I'm not a 'cracker'!" He protested, fully aware that he sounded stupid. "I mean... He... He's from Chicago or something... the ghettos... and... well... I dont' have anything against him - really - not until he tore into me for just a stupid joke."

"Ambrose sometimes I don't think your always the most, uh, racially tolerant person. You kind of ...reek stuck up white boy."

"That is NOT true!" Ambrose protested. "I am very tolerant! I'm ... I mean for God's sake I'm quite tolerant of people turning into Lizards and snakes and the like! What difference would skin color make a difference." He deflected.

He wasn't anxious around black people. really - just because... he didn't exactly have much contact with them before... but that didn't matter! "I met a new woman recently... Her name was Bobby - she was black - and we got along quite well!"

Angelina shook her head. "WHatever. Point beinf I don't think just... I think we should try to HELP him!!"

Ambrose huffed. "What am I supposed to do? I think he hates me!"

Angelina sighed and pouted, giving Ambrose a sad look. "I don't know... I just... ugh. Nevermind. So much for community here."

"well what do you want me to do? I'm worried he might try to bite my head off or something. Believe me, I'm all for community - I'm usually out trying to talk with people or easing people into the situation... And it's hard! The one person I've had problems with... rrrg. " Ambrose was tempted to bring up that until now Angelina had mostly been a hermit, avoiding the other islanders.

"I wish I could help him. We used to be on good terms - even helped Chubbs build the golf thing. But then he just... decided that I was a bad guy or something." His ears lay back and he took a seat on the bed with an overdramatic sigh.

"Well I want to help him. He seemed to like me."

Ambrose frowned. "Well... I'm glad. I just... " He sighed. "I don't want to see you hurt. I know he's even hurt the women he... ah... has been close to."

Angelina tilted her head curiously.

Ambrose shook his head. "I've heard from Awen, who used to... well, kinda be seeing him... that he hurt her - clawed her up pretty good. He's been off. And I know you want to help him, but so did they, and they got hurt."

"Well.. even if you hurt me I would still try to help you."

"Yes... but... you're not seeing him!" Ambrose whined. "And I'd be there for you too. I'm not saying that Awen did the wrong thing... but that if he's willing to attack her..." He trailed off, the warning already in place. "I don't know what I'd do if he hurt you. Or worse."

"Well, I can take care of myself!" the skinny 115lbs woman who looked no older than 17 protested, crossing her arms over her puffed chest.

Ambrose didn't try to look skeptical... but it was there. "Angelina, to be honest, the man gives me the willies. He's angry, has no restraint, strong, and, well, he's got tiger's claws for God's sake."

"The 'willies' Ambrose?" She sighed. "Well...whatever. But I'm still worried about him. I wish I know how to help.

Ambrose pouted. "Yes... well..." He sighed. Angelina had a way of getting under his skin. And he DID resent the fact that Jamal hated him now. They used to be friends. But he just couldn't seem to get along with him.

"I'm worried, too. But I don't agree with his... tantrums. And he tried to kill Aubrey, too. I don't think any of this is Aubrey's fault and he's trying to murder the woman who is our only liason with the staff."

"Yeah," she sighed. "Aubrey is nice." She snuggled close to Ambrose. "Well, maybe we can think of something. I'm careful. I promise. But right now I'm hungry and depressed and want ice cream."

He kissed her forehead. "Well, then..." He sighed again. "Just... be careful. Please. And.... I'll go with you if you want me to. I still think that he'll be pissy at me, though."

He stood up, offering her his padded hand. "Well, let's get you your ice cream." He gave her a soft smile. "And keep you in good heath. No more sick Angelina!"  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

THE THIRD TRANSFORMATION

Ambrose was elated to have Angelina back, out of the laboratories, and with her old fire back... even if that fire was currently being directed to justifying Jamal's actions. If Ambrose was perfectly honest, he wouldn't have cared if Angelina was sticking up for Moreau himself as long as she was back in his arms and with her spirit rekindled.

As he settled into bed, his arms around her, he felt the happiest he had in a long time. Out of the woods (literally), Angelina feeling better, a full stomach, clean, and in a warm bed.

However... Ambrose's dreams that night were not reflective of his happy state of mind. They seemed to wrench the bliss from him and cast him into a dark world. The dream was vividly real, so palpable that even the scents that he had begun to distinguish worked their way into the imagry. And while the dream seemed so real, it seemed to only exist for the moment - the details of the previous 'scene' fading into the next, only leaving the sense of horror and foreboding. Angelina was once again wrested from him, sick, slipping through his fingers and blaming him for her condition. Moreau was there, standing over him, laughing as he pulled Angelina away. But then it was his father - yelling at him for having gone with her to begin with. That if he had done what he said, gone to medical school, then he would be His Son... Not an Animal.

And then he was on the island, an animal, on all fours - the scents more vivid to him than the imagry - they were pulling him, pulling him to do the very thing he feared. there was a deer in his sights... but it wasn't just a deer.

Meanwhile, Ambrose was growling, kicking his legs, and tossing and turning all over the bed, likely waking Angelina long before the dreams returned him to consciousness as they played one scene that he had worried over and shunted to the back of his mind after another.

Angelina felt the kicking, heard the whining. But didn't seem to be able to pull herself from her deep, foggy sleep for a long while. Finally consciousness started to kick in, and she turned over in her bed, feeling disturbing unrested. "Ambrose?" she muttered out, slowly sitting up and trying to get her head to stop spinning. A particularly hard swoop of Ambrose's back leg caught her in the stomach and she made a oof sound and bent double, smacking his thigh with a stinging swing. "Ambrose, wake up!"

The first call of his name was lost on him... though somewhere in his dreamstate it was mixed in, Angelina calling out for him - but ever beyond his reach. He growled, his body lurched again and kicked - connecting with Jamal who was trying to tear him away from him when the voice came again... and as Ambrose swum back to consciousness realized that he had been in the clutches of a particularly bad dream. His body tensed as he sat up - too quickly as felt himself reeling with the sudden movement and lurch into consciousness.

He placed a hand on his head, trying to steady the room as he blinked at the concerned Angelina by his side, his vision piercing the very early morning light. "Angelina..?" He asked, sounding somewhat drunk.

Angelina put her hands on his shoulders. "You were having a horrible nightmare... are you okay?"

The room was still reeling. And hot. Very hot. When Angelina placed her hands on him she could feel the warmpth creeping through the fur. His eyes were bloodshot and subconsciously he opened his mouth to pant.

The memories of the dream were hazy at best.... but he knew it wasn't good. His heart was still racing and he was shaking. "I... I ... geez... yes... dream. It had to be."

Angie rans her fingers though his fur in concern. "Ambrose, you're burning up!" She placed her hands on the sides of his face, and over his forehead. "My goodness.. are you okay?" Her eyes were filled with concern, wide awake now and scooting closer to him

His brow furrowed as he raised a hand to her shoulder to better steady himself on the lurching bed. "I don't... I don't feel so great... Now that you mention it."

It WAS hot in here... and seemed like it was getting worse. He felt sore... especially... his.... arm. His eyes widened in dread realization. He knew it was coming. He had all but assumed after hearing about Pyroth and Cassidy... "Oh no. God... I knew... but... why... didn't ... why didn't they ask." He recoiled, some part of him ashamed... not wanting her to see... but scared... scared of what the new wave of changes would do to him... how much of him would be left?!

Angelina's faced paled. "Oh no... you mean...?"

He winced, ears flattening. It was happening. He knew it. He felt his heart fluttering, felt a weird disorienting headache mounting, and a strange pressure... racing in his blood.

He turned awkwardly, more of a lurch to the side, barely stabilizing himself as he caught himself on his hands with his face pointed away from her as the headache turned into a hammering beating out from his sinuses. Every little scent seemed to send a needle of sensation into him as an audible sickening crunching noise began.

Angelina latched onto him at first, not wanting him to turn away from her, not wanting him to be frightening. But the first alteration of his bone structure she not only heard but felt as much of her body was pressed against his. She gave a surprised squeal, tainted with fear and anxiety, and jumped back alitte.

Ambrose let loose a very canine yelp of pain that trailed into a screaching whine that sounded remarkably like an injured dog as his jaws lurched forward, bones grinding and sinuses swelling. His already wet nose grew more bulbous, taking more of a canine shape. And as his jaws grew his teeth did as well, as if they were being alotted freedom to grow to their 'proper' size. Each one felt like a dentist taking a drill to his jaw without any anestesia. He tasted blood, he felt like his head was in a vice... and it wasn't abating. If anything the crunching growth was torturously slow as he curled into a fetal ball.

Angelina felt the tears spring to her eyes seeing Ambrose in so much pain. It hurt her to see him like that, and it shook her to her core. Her stomach wrenched as she watched the Ambrose she had gotten to know a love - already greatly different from the man she fell in love with, change again. And somewhere in her mind a terrible voice reminded her that one day, this would be her.

Not knowing what to do she just flung her arms around him and buring her face in his fur, as if crying to hold him back from some unseen force.

When the pain in his head only just began to abate, it seemed to leap to his hands... to his feet. As if they had been slammed in a door they built with the pressure of throbbing blood... and stretching bone. His fingers thickened, as did the leathery pads on his fingers, but his feet began to stretch, distort. His big toe being left in the dust at his swelling toes, thickening claws and lengthening feet. His screaching yelp reduced to a continual whimper as he tried to bite his lip, keep from crying out louder.

He was mostly unaware of Angelina, the pain, the sheer pain dominating his mind - chasing away anxieties, concerns, and everything else but the single sensation.

Angelina squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to watch. Being able to feel and hear the changes under her arms was enough to turn her stomach.

Finally, after God knew how long, the white hot pain seemed to subside, finalizing wiht a stinging in and around his eyes (and what seeemd to be a thickening of his coat) to make him give a seething wince, only leaving exhaustion and soreness.



His muscles released their hard, shaking tension - as Ambrose's body collapsed slack onto the bed, physically and emotionally drained. He breathed a quivering breath, pulling the sheet to him as he curled up. It... it was over. He felt the pressure, the racing heart rate slow, and the pain giving way to an ache - and with it the return of his cognizance... but he almost wished he were still out of it. Because now.. now he could hear the sobs of Angelina... he knew she had seen a transformation and what it promised her some day.... and worse yet... he didn't even know what he looked like... would he be unfamiliar to her... would she not be able to see the old him in his face any longer? His entire face felt sore and swollen - he imagined it felt as if he had been hit in the face with a snow shovel - swollen and broken. How far gone was he? Was his face just another wolf's like hte ones that peered out of the books on his shelf - the figurines that perched around the room?

Angelina slowly pulled back as his convulsions slowed. Her voice was wet and thick from sobbing, her cheeks slick and eyes red and puffy again. "A...Ambrose..." She looked over him with wide eyes. Her eyes reflected shock and a touch of residual fear. Was that really him. She reached out to touch his face, but stopped, not knowing if that woudl hurt him or not.

His breathing was still heavy as slowly, with a wince, he went to try to prop himself up. He felt beaten, bruised... tired and hungry and weak.

His ears lay back against his head in fear and his tail gave a half-hearted attempt to tuck as he turned to her, eyes squeezed shut - not wanting to see the expression that he wished he hadn't glimpsed out of the corner of his stinging eyes.

His tongue darted out to whet his black lips. "I'm sorry.." He breathed, even though it didn't make much sense for an apology. It just seemed appropraite.

"I didn't... I didn't want this.... you... to see me... " He wasn't stringing his words together well. He didn't know what he expected, but it certainly wasn't for him to change again before Angelina did.

Angelina hesitantly put her hands on his face, gently, feeling the muzzle. "Oh my god," she breathed. She didn't know what else to say... just sitting there looking over him, a mix of a fear and the desire to take him in her arms and comfort him.

Ambrose felt a cold, tingly, crawling feeling in his stomach that seemed to sink lower as she said this. His eyes opened hesitantly, anxiety written over them as they searched her face with knitted brows and ears that hung as low as they physically could.

His eyes were rimmed in black skin, his irises wider so that barely any white shown in his eyes. The clear blue that before was only flecked with yellow now had a stain that seemed to permeate radially outwards the human blue from the pupil. A hint of alien, animalness even in the depths of his eyes that before shone out of the fur of his face as undoubtably Ambrose.

"An...gelina...?" He said, the canine whine in his voice again. "Is.... is it that bad...?" The answer was written on her face. Why did he ask?!

"Its...." she didn't know what to say. It depended on your interpretation of bad, really. "Your nose..." she said, almost whistfully, a hint of a smile fluttered against her lips for a second, though it might have very well been a small, mournful smile.

"My nose..?" He repeated, his tongue feeling thick in his mouth... his whole mouth feeling strange to him. Heavy... toothy. His voice sounded more gutteral in his groggyness and trying to work around his aching mouth that felt so awkward to him.

She ran her hands up and down the length of his muzzle, letting her fingers trail ever-so-lightly over his gums, his teeth. She swallowed and looked back over him, into his eyes. She tried to blink back the tears, but it was just so strange. She felt like she did when she first opened the door to him when she got here. Just that sadness.. that sense of loss. Even though she knew it was Ambrose in there, it was still odd, almost sad to see a part of him that she would never see again. She didn't even have a photograph of it. It made memories seem odd, out of place.

She sat back on the bed and placed her hand over her mouth and just shook her head helplessly, shoulder slumping as she strugged for something to say.

Ambrose slid his eyes closed as she felt his ... nose? No. No it wasn't a 'nose' anymore. A muzzle. Like an animal. Even with his eyes closed and without a mirror, he could feel the length that her fingers softly traced the downy fur along it... how long it must be.
His eyes felt moist... maybe... maybe it was still the strange stinging.

The silence was almost worse than the crying.

He sat there with her... with her... before finally venturing to talk again, hating how misshapen his mouth felt, feeling his tongue brush against a long sharp tooth accidentally as he formed words. Reminders. All of it reminders. "It's still me.... Angelina... I still.... God it must be bad. But... I love you... and... I'm sorry... sorry that I'm not... not the man... you fell in love with... on the outside."

Angelina's chin trembled and she climbed over to him, taking one of his large paws in her hands. "Hey, don't say that," she lightly chided as she wiped at her cheek. "I love you, too, Ambrose... of course I do!"

His mouth twisted to a irony-laden half-smile. His hand was sore - but the discomfort was well worth the compensating warmpth of her hands on him.

"Even... like this? I know... I know.. Amaya scared you. And I.. I'm probably as much... an animal as she is now..."

Angelina bit her lip. "but I didn't know Amaya. Amaya... she scares me because I'm afraid... well, I'm afraid I'm going to look like that. No skin.. just scales. No warmth, no hair... alien, almost. You - you don't look, ah, that different than you did before. Really! And ... and I loved you then, yes? You know that, right!?"

He nodded. Angelina filled him with a warmpth that it seemed before she not only accepted him for what he looked like, but still found him handsome.

"I... I understand. And.... and you're not going to be like that... and... at least neither will I. And... And I know you loved me." Not that different..? He hoped so. Hoped so badly.

He testingly lifted his arm, stretching his muscles that were sore from the tension, making sure he could still reach and that it wasn't like he heard Pyroth was...

His heart skipped a beat as his muscles protested, but then breathed an audible sigh as it was just the soreness.

Angelina forced a smile. "See?" She looked around the room. "Maybe going for a walk on the beach might feel good? Maybe? I dont know.. " she kissed his palm. "Its probably sore, huh? But really.. you just look a bit different issal."

He nodded slowly, eyes darting away. Part of him wanted to venture into the bathroom and seek a mirror - to face it then and there.... but another part of him really didn't want to deal with that. Not after the pain and trauma.

"It... it is sore... yes. I wish I could say it wasn't. The beach does sound nice, though." He gave her a weak smile. "Or something to eat." He cupped her cheek in his hand tenderly after her kiss.

She smiled and nodded. "Cafeteria always has stuff right? Like hot pockets nad munchies.. we can go there first." Angelina slipped out of bed and found her flip-flops, not worrying about changing out her pajama PJs or sleep shirt she wore (which was one of Ambrose's old shirts - she liked them the best because even if they were clean washed she sore up and down they smelled like him). She help out her hand welcomingly, wanting to hold it as they went out.

He carefully got to his feet, to wince and give a small whine as he began to put some of his weight on his strange, swollen feet.

They were sore... but dammit he could walk. He shifted more weight, finding it impossible to stand flat-footed - the arch of his feet no longer flat. He held tightly to her hand as stabilization, his tail lifting for extra counterbalance as he finally got to a slow stand and took a breath. He was just wearing his short sleeppants, and he really didn't care.

"Yeah.. they... they've always got something to eat." He smiled weakly to her, his tail giving a few cursory wags as his stomach gave an encouraging rumble. He was weak and his body needed nourishment after... that.

Angelina nodded, watching him carefully but making sure her expression remained encouraging. She help to his paw tightly and let him lean on her as much as she needed as they slowly made their way to the cafeteria "This will help," she said with false confidence, "get you used to it, you know. Walking and stuff."

He nodded as his walking was more of shifting his weight from one sore foot to another as it became pointedly painful. The bones themselves still felt unsure, weak. Like coming out of a cast. He was slow walking, and was so glad that the cafeteria was close.

But as soon as they were out of the duplex, the smells were so powerful. He had thought his sense of smell was heightened before... he could make out the various dishes that were being prepared for the morning... anticipating the taste of each one.

He wiped his furry arm across his mouth, realizing embarrassingly that he was salivating.

"Thanks... Angelina. For being here... I... at first I was worried... and I'm sorry you had to see... but.. having you here... you're a lifesaver." His voice was still awkward, but genuine.

She squeezed his hand, opening the door for him to the building. "It was going to happen eventually, right? I'm just.. I don't know. Its weird. But its okay now. Until, you know, its over, its just going to keep happening."

He nodded, swallowing. "Maybe... I don't know... Maybe it is over? I mean... they never said exactly... how many changes...?" He let a bit of optimism slip into his voice. He didn't know how he looked.... But he could talk! He could hold her hand (and likely an epee), and he could walk upright. And of course, he still thought like himself. Those were the things that were most important.

His ears pricked and he lifted his large muzzle sniffing the air as they walked into the cafeteria, his nails clicking on the linoleum. His long tongue licked his chops as he smelled cooking eggs and sausages... ham and pancakes and bacon. His stomach gave another hearty growl.  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Day of the First Change - cont'd in the Cafeteria

"Why don't you sit down?" she said witha smile, pushing towards a table. "I'll load you up!! You're really hungry, yes?! I'll get you a bit of everything!"

She rushed over to the food lines, picking up a tray and a few plates. She had seen Ambrose eat before, so she knew what she was getting into. She put a few peice of toast and some eggs on her plate, then began to pile the near stacks of eggs, bacon, and hamsteaks onto Ambrose's

"weemawepaweemawepa in the jungle the mighty jungle..the lion.." A song always seemed to be on her lips of late, she had no reason not to sing that was for sure. Though she still had alot on her mind after discovering wheer babies came from. She tried not to think about it too much and satisfied herself by changing the words in the song she was singing "The cheetah sleeps tonight" she giggled as she pushed the door open and stopped looking at the two figures. Pausing only for a moment though she gave a puurr, Ambrose was one of the men she truely trusted, he was a big brother c** father figure. Her nose told her it was him though he smelt much mroe strongly than he usually did.

She puzzled over this for a moment spotting Angilina she padded over in a some what graceful bouncy manner, no cheetah ever walked like that she had gained the chetahs long legged grace while keeping ehr fun loving bounce "Angelina!" she grinned, she was pleased to see them both but food first then talk. She glanced at Ambrose as she padded on past him, barely even noticing he was different, everyone was different. No wait, he was more furry. She stopped mid stride and tilted her ehad to the side blue eyes fixed upon the blond "very furry today" she smiled obviously not taken aback by his new apperance she boundd to get some brekkist.

Ambrose gave Angelina a wide, appreciative lupine grin and his tail thumped gratefully as he sat down heavily, sore, into one of the chairs.

"You, my dear, are a Godsend." He responded. He had been about to ask if she would get his food for him if it wasn't for the kick of chivalry that made him feel stupid for asking her to help him. But if she offered...

The scents were positively dreamy, almost enough to set his mind on a happy cloud despite the agonizing changes he had just been through and his daunting anxiety about what he might look like.

His ears swiveled back as the door opened before he even turned around, but as he did so he relaxed from his initial trepidation seeing the familiar figure of one of his 'little sisters', Colche.

"Colche" He said, his voice sounding gravely, but friendly, with a wide smile. She didn't even hesitate at his different look... was it not that bad...? Or... well. this WAS Colche. If he could have picked someone to run into, it would have been her. Maybe... maybe the worst was over for the day.

"How have you been?" His tail gave a small wag, but he didn't make the effort to get up. His sore muscles were more than content in the chair, thank you very much.

Angelina set down the heaping plate of food in front of Ambrose, popping a peice of bacon guiltily into her mouth as she did so. And snuggled up close to Ambrose and took a big bite of her toast. "I know," she remarked to his comment about her bing a Godsent, and to illustrate she planted a kiss on his furry cheek.

She gave a warm smile to Colche, happy that her reaction to Ambrose wasn't a negative one. "Hello Colche!" Angelina was already feeling much better. THe sort of relieved high you get after a good long cry.


Colche came striding back after piling ehr own plate with various things from the food bar, plus a slice of cake which she balanced precariously with a glass of milk.

Sitting opposite the two she gave a puurr. As she sat the bruises on her chest were obvious. They had started to fade by now and the sweeling and pain was long gone. "I'..good" she smiled brightly giving a giggle she leaned a furry claw over to touch Ambrose's cheek. "Ambrose a purty wolfy" she giggled pulling her claws away and taking a sausage in between her thumb and forefinger. She sate silently for a moment, she had oobviously learned she could chew rather than just swallow the way she used to. So much had changed for her.

The girl put the sausage down and looked thoughtful for a moment "Found out where babies comes from" she blinks a few times looking at Angilina "Angelina have baby I wanna see" she grins perfectly innocently, the idea of a baby being inside somones tummy was still rather perplexing to her, Angelina had a prince charming, Ambrose, they could have a baby so she could see exactly what would happen. Aubrey had said she couldn't right now but that was okay she could convince somone else she was pretty sure.

Ambrose tail, even though he was sore, began wagging most enthusiastically as the food was placed before him. He didn't spare long before picking up his fork and shoveling it into his mouth.

"Thank you so much" Ambrose said around a mouthfull of eggs and a big grin. He was feeling better too. The morning seemed more 'real' with wonderful company, and delicious food going to his bitching stomach.

His listened to Colche with ears forward, curious as he ate.

He blushed under his fur at the compliment. "Thanks, Colche. That... that means a lot." His tail gave another thump.

He was just reaching for his glass of milk and taking a drink with a curious and surprised noise as she mentioned her recent discovery.... however the creamy liquid was soon expunging itself from his long nose as he hacked and coughed at Colche's 'innoculous' request.

"What?!" He coughed, patting his chest with a big furry hand.

Chubbs stretched and sighed, lumbering towards the cafeteria. God he was eating alot lately. He wondered if his new weird a** genes were doing something to his metabolism, or did he have three stomachs to fill. The fact that he'd been down and that food filled a hole for him didn't help either. He smelled the food before he got to the door. His mouth began to water at the thought of the salty bacon and crisp sausages. He spied people through the door and opened it as he entered. There was Colce, looking better than she was, Angie, and.... wait....who? Chubbs stared for a bit then blinked, got a hold of himself quickly and looked to the food instead. Was that Ambrose?

Angelina's eyes went wide. "Wha----what?" She clasped her stomach with her hands and didn't know whether to burst out laughing or blush.

"uhm..." she giggled, "uh.. maybe one day Colshe. But I don't know if Amrbose is ready to be a father yet." She reached over and took his paw, giving him an impish look.

Colche sighed a little "Aubrey no have baby neiver" she stated though she shrugged off her dissapointment as Chubbs entered. Her ears flattened a bit, she wasn't sure if she should be frightened of Chubbs now, he had definately scared her with his rampage with Zach. Shivering abit she turned ehr attention on her food, she was hungry after all and her belly usually protested ALOT if it wasn't fed when asked.

After a moment more of eating though she grinned, she had another announcement to make and who better to make it to than her big brother "I'm seventeen in a munf" she grinned toothily looking proud of herself at such a statement she knew when her birthday was she supposed she had to tell everyone else when it was too though, other wise how would they know unless Aubrey told them?

She waited for a reply nibbling a sausage again hardly noticing the embarressment she had caused betwent he two love birds. "Ambrose be daddy soon I wanna see" she puurred quietly, she really was ever so curious with her new discovery though part of it, she was still frightened of "Aubrey says it no hurts cept for the last bit." She nodded in a certain manner though she was looking for a little aggreement from the two.

For the moment, Colche even managed to succeed in distracting Ambrose from his meal as he spluttered and managed to get the milk out of his nose and onto the napkin. A few more coughs and he was mostly back to normal and looking anxiously caught between the two women with a swallow.

"I... Uhm... Someday, Colche... I... uhm..." His mind drifted back to the fact that Angelina had long ago run out of birth control, and he didn't exactly have condoms.... except the one.... but, he had assumed that they were just too... 'different' now. But maybe some day? He had always wanted to have a kid... someday. But here? Like this? Until Colche's questioning it was the last thing on his mind.

He looked back as the cafeteria door banged again, his eyes widening at the big figure. He almost didn't recognize the big furry man, but his nose immediately brought up the mental image of sweating outside working on the golf course, chatting and laughing, and telling stories and anectodtes.

"Chubbs...?" Ambrose whispered, looking at how much fur had spread over the man. He had obviously been through a nother chance since Ambrose had last seen him, but judging from his posturing and unlabored steps, it wasn't nearly as new as Ambrose's own. He missed Colche's anxious reaction with his own surprise.

Chubbs looked at the small groupe together, once more with a quick glance as he headed to get food. He wished he hadn't. He saw the look that Colche had on her face, that all too fearful gaze that now three people showed to him. It always hurt, cutting like a knife into him. HE saw the look on Ambrose's face, it was much the same look he'd given Ambrose a moment ago. Chubbs thought to Ambrose he'd be hardly reconisable.

Grabbing up a plate on a tray, Chubbs becan to load it up with all kinds of meats and a couple of hasbrows. He grabbed a little ketchup on the side and a small bottle of apple juice and headed back to the tables. Chubbs sat himself down at a table, a couple positions from the rest and lost himself into breakfast. He didn't want to look up, their faces would only break him.

Angelina broke into a fit of chuckles. "Its a very big deal Colche," Angelina tried to explain. "It changes your life, having a baby. I just don't think we're ready right now. But if I get pregnant, you'll be the first person I tell, how's that. Even before Ambrose!" Her eyes crinkled up into half moons.

"A month, huh? Do you know how old you'll be?"

Her attention was destracted now to the lumbering creature that came in. She smiled at him akwardly, not knowing who he was. She looked questioningly to Ambrose.

Colche looks to Angelina and nods lightly "okay I know before ambrose" She grins before replying to the next question in the same jovial manner. "Seventeen like duplex" she giggles, though she looked around to see Chubbs sitting some where else. Her ears flattened shamefully, she hadn't meant to be frightened of Chubbs, but he was scary when he got Zach. Her tail tip twitched a few times and she looked to Ambrose, her tongue peeped out from between her lips and she turned around "Chubbs" she pouted, turning to Ambrose "Chubbs hurt bad man, zach wus gunna eat me" She nods seriously, the fur on her shoulders had still risen, the sight of the rampaging chubbs would be soemthing she would find VERY hard to forget, but she hadn't been eaten as a result of his actions. Even if she had only realised later that Zach was trying to make her and Chert in to lunch.

Ambrose grinned widely at Colche. "Your birthday, huh? You'll be seventeen?" He smiled, his tail thumping a few more times. Without even noticing, Ambrose had polished off the food on his plate. His body made sure to get the food he needed.

"Well then, I'll have to find a gift for you." He gave her a mischivious grin - as best as he could - which at the moment without much practice with his still swollen-feeling mouth looked odd to go with his gravely, hoarse voice.

He cocked his head at the mention of Zach. THe last he had seen the man, he was meek, scared of the things around him. had he changed as well? He would have had to... but to attack someone?? What was the island coming to? Between that and Billy and Jamal.... A frown creased his face as he shook his head. That explained the bruise, he supposed. "I'm sorry, Colche..." He looked over to Chubbs, his tail giving a couple wags. "Chubbs.. I uhm... thank you... for looking out for her. Hey... we should... talk sometime, alright?" The man looked haggard... there was a lot weighing on him.

He chuckled. "And Colche's lucky! Find out before ME if I'm going to have a kid. Wow." He gave Angelina a bemused look before russling both of their hair and getting - slowly- to his aching feet while stifling a yawn (unsuccessfully - his wide-open mouth not completely blocked by his hand.)

"I'm... I'm really sorry, Colche... I... I changed this morning." He said hesitantly. "And I'm really tired now that I've eaten." He looked back to Angelina with a hopeful/pleading look. Right now, after the full belly, and the wonderful comfort from Colche and Angelina, he wanted nothing more than to curl up next to Angelina and fall asleep.

He leaned over the table to wrap the Cheetah girl in his arms and smoothed her hair as he parted with her. "You eat well, Princess Cheetah" He smiled warmly. Parting, he took Angelina's hand and walked back towards the entrance, with a wave to Chubbs.

((And we're out <3 - Thanks guys, but we've been up all night and about to fall over @_@ ))

Chubbs looked up, knowing he shouldn't have, half chewing a sausage in his mouth. Even though there were smiles, he still felt the uncomfortable air in the room. Hearing Colche talk about him attacking Zach made him blink. He didn't know a Zach, least, the guy was Billy right? Chubbs looked confused then guessed that the guy that he attacked wasn't Billy but this Zach person. How many people were after Colche?

Chubbs nodded and half smiled to Ambrose when he spoke to him. Changed this morning hmm? It must have hurt, that muzzle on Ambrose was big. He gave the couple a wave when they left and while eating, he looked to Colhe. He sighed and looked to his plate and took a sip of juice.

" I'm sorry Colche"  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Ponderances

Sleep. Ambrose was more than ready for a long, restful sleep after the agonizing changes of the previous morning. After filling his stomach in the cafeteria, a nice, long sleep curled around Angelina was exactly what he needed - shut out the world and his worries about his appearance. Close his eyes and let Angelina's comforting scent wash over him, her warmpth in his arms and under the soft, clean covers of the bed. He was asleep almost as soon as his eyes were closed.

He was likely out for over twelve hours as his body converted the protein from his meal to help compensate for the trauma of the shifting bones and adjusting muscle and ligaments demanted. He would likely be sore for a week, but at least the dreamless, healing sleep would help things along.

Finally, he rejoined the land of the living, slowly. These long sleeps almost always resulted in the whole situation, the island, the injections, seeming like a far-off dream as he woke - half expecting to find himself back in his apartment in Massachusets, and would tell Angelina of the crazy dream he had. Perhaps he just hadn't completely come to accept this as his new life. Perhaps it was his subconscious reminding him that there was more to his life than him giving up and joining the islander community.

Regardless, the brief moments of denial were always dismissed with the rustle of the sheets against his fur, or the colorful details that his new powerful nose brought him.

With a sigh, he slowly extracated himself from the bed, careful not to rouse Angelina.

Before he was even halfway across the room, hobbling on his sore feet instinctually going to go take his morning shower, he hesitated. In the bathroom were mirrors. The objects that he had been avoiding since his change. At least Angelina had distracted him from that this last time - comforted him, took him to get something to eat. He had even run into two of the other islanders - giving them a vantage of his new face before even he was privvy to it.

But there was no more avoidance. Flicking back his ears he strode forward and wrested open the door, prepared to face his reflection.

However, even in the dim lighting of filtered light from the windows of his main room that barely reached the dark, windowless bathroom, he could see enough. It was that bad. It was his fears - looking into the face of an animal... just like the myriad images of wolves from his books.

Swallowing and closing the door, he flipped onto the light, facing his full reflection - a man-shaped wolf wearing short sleeppants, a tucked bushy tail and ears pressed flat against its head.

It mirrored his movements, approaching and raising a paw-like hand to the glass, swallowing.

He had... prepared himself. Made himself look into the books an imagined them as mirrors. He had even somewhat grown accustomed to the proud-looking animals that many men had cast into villainous roles over the years. They weren't mangey animals or skinny vermin. They were almost majestic - with full coats and an almost intelligent look in their amber eyes.... Ambrose could even admit to admiring that.... but still... facing it in an honest to god reflection. Knowing that the animal before him was what everyone else saw. A part of him railed against that.... the cultivated look, professional salon haircuts, manicures, plucked eyebrows, skin treatment, and expensive clothes. Ambrose lived above his means throughout the first year of college, living a lifestyle of luxury that he was used to. That was one of the many reasons that he had to do this damn "medical study" to begin with. Irony.

He frowned, and then bared his teeth in the mirror. He stopped quickly. A snarling animal with huge fangs. It was more frightening than he was prepared for. His face was gone. Even his last 'stage' he could still see a shadow of his old self - the shape of his jaw, the build of his face. It was furry, and he had the beginings of a muzzle. Now... his mouth was that of a wolf's on a human scale. While his forehead was taller, it was not enough for even a family member to recognize him.

He leaned forward. Even his eyes were ... different. The mere flecks of yellow had turned into a wide stain from his pupils that took up half his eye. His irises had expanded to fill all the visable part of his eyes, rimmed in black.

At least he still had his hair.

He turned his back, stripped and stepped into a welcoming, hot shower, scrubbing at his new, thicker fur. He used almost the entire bottle of shampoo - he smelled to himself, after the exertion of the transformation...

But the water running over him was good... calming. This was him now... there was no going back. He... he would be this.... but the scariest thought now reared its head.... he still could see himself in his eyes to some degree - he still had his hair that said he was no mere beast. He could stand and reach up to his head and had his full range of mobility.... but ... what if this wasn't the last change?

He rinsed until the soap ran out of his fur and found himself, his thoughts diverted to worries, shaking himself dry as soon as he turned off the water. With a frustrated growling sigh he stepped out and deliberately toweled himself off again.

There were the other changes too. Little things, mental things. But... it wasn't as bad as he had originally feared... as bad as he heard other people giving into - like Jamal, who had only changed once. Either it was inconsistent, wolves weren't that different from a person when it came to basic needs and desires and being group-oriented.... or Ambrose was a stronger person. He didn't feel any less intelligent, he had his sense of self.... and, hopefully that at the least would never be lost.

He put back on a clean set of clothes, and regarded himself again, a slightly damp wolf wearing the trappings of his old life. He ran a hand through his hair again - he liked the lenght... something that all of these changes had given him the priviledge of now - wearing something how he liked its look as opposed to being scared that people would view it badly.

But he had to know. If this was just another 'stage'.... or if he could relax... knowing that he was done, and could get used to the face in the mirror.

Turning to the intercom, glancing back to the sleeping figure, Ambrose tapped the 'zero' button.  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Questions...

Turning to the intercom, glancing back to the sleeping figure, Ambrose tapped the 'zero' button.

"Dr. Lockheart," Aubrey answered, sounding tired and a bit irritated. "What do you need, Mr. Muarlias?"

Ambrose hesitated. Aubrey sounded at the end of her rope, still... maybe it was a bad time. But if things kept going maybe there was no good time. Besides, he needed answers.

"Maybe this is a bad time.." He started apologetically - the last thing that he needed was her irritation at him as well. Even though it was the labs' faults about him... and Angelina's sickness.. their lives WERE in their hands. "It sounds like things have not been getting any more smooth for you either, Dr. Lockheart."

"Not really, Ambrose," she sighed, "But its not your fault. I'm sorry, what do you need?"

He ran his hand through his hair, and took a breath. Probably a throwback from his highschool days, and most particularly his parents, Ambrose always felt nervous around authority figures, worried about what they'd think.
"I... uhm... well... heh. As you can probably tell I... changed again. I... I thought I might have gotten asked since Angelina was.... butthat'snotthepoint!"

He took another breath. "This is the third time I've changed... is... am I done? I mean... I look... really animalistic. More... more than I hoped I guess... So... I was hoping I could relax... get ... get used to this..?"

Aubrey rubbed her temples. "I've been busy to make personal calls, Ambrose, I'm sorry. The staff has a scedule they stick to and they don't have time to negotiate with everyone because most people don't come willingly.

But thats neither here not there. No, I'm sorry, there is still one more injection, Mr. Muarlias."

He nodded. Honestly, maybe it was best he didn't know it was coming. He saw how it worked with Angelina, knowing that the change could come over you any moment for a full day. That was more aggravatingly frightening than suddenly realizing it was upon you.

Then he stopped, his tail tucking. "One more...?" He looked down at his padded hands, his furry body. "But... I thought... I mean... How much worse can it get?" His voice raised an octive. "I mean... I heard... I heard a rumor Pyroth can't even stand up straight all the way. Is he done? Or is he just on the same... stage... that I am? I thought I'd still have hands? Be able to stand up...? What's going to happen to me?"

"Our intentions," she said, leaning back in her chair and suddenly wishing she had a drink, "is that the final form will allow for mostly human mobility. However, Pyroth is developing faster than we originally projected. He's at the same stage you are."

Ambrose shifted from foot to foot, suddenly feeling bad for the man. He hadn't looked much different than he had last time they had seen eachother. They both had changed since then... but apparently Pyroth more than he.
"I guess.... I guess I just have a hard time.... visualizing being much worse than I am now without losing mobility... or anything. Could... could the last shot just do nothing? Or... am I following predictions?"

She gave an exasperated sigh. "We're unsure, Mr. Muarlias. Please don't forget the meaning for the word experimentation. We don't know whats normal and what's abnormal yet. Our hopes were that the subjects retain human stature, but you're one of the most advanced tests we have."

Ambrose didn't like that answer. But... it's not like bitching at her would change it. "And... without the last injection.... it's unstable... right?" He knew the answer.

How long would he have before he would know? "And... everyone gets..." He ticked off on his fingers "four changes? Or is it different for diffrent people? And... they've been slowing down... so... how long until I'm... uh... 'due'?"

Aubrey clicked a few keys on her keyboard. "We're still doing research that would detemine the exact time, Ambrose."

"I see." He said quietly with a sigh. "I uhm... " Ambrose wracked his brain to see if there was anything else he needed to know now that he was actually speaking wtih Aubrey personally. "Thank you... for helping Angelina. So... she's stable for the time, now? She said that you said you'd try again after a week or so..?"

"Yes," Aubrey said, rocking back in her chair again. "Once her levels return to normal we're going to try again."

He nodded. "Hopefully... still a genet?" He said with an entreating smile. "I... I appreaciate you... being honest with me, Aubrey. It.. means a lot to me that you try, even though the situation isn't.... ideal."

"yes, genet." But then she blinked and smiled, which reflected in her voice. "Thank you," she said genuinely. "I do try, it means a lot to me that you recogize it."

He smiled back, glad to hear a tone other than exhaustion or irritation. Even though Ambrose wasn't aware of it, the deference to an authority figure that had been ingrained in him from his parents was only accentuated by his lupine DNA, recognizing the staff as authority, the ones with the real power on the island. Every bit of him screamed to avoid their ire and be submissive... even though Ambrose knew in his bones what they were doing was wrong, and never stopped resenting his removal from his normal life. His plans.


"Thank you. I know you try. It's nice to know that at least someone on the other side of the fence does."

"And its nice to know someone over there appreciates it. I don't think most people realize just how much worse it could be. How it might become..."

"I remember the lockout." Ambrose said coolly.

"Yes, well. Next time you hear someone planning my death you should remind them that the next step is permanent enclosure in observation rooms!"

Ambrose's ears pinned back. "I never heard any such planning... I only heard through rumor after the fact."

He sighed. "But I'll be sure to let them know the staff's plans in dealing with such. I'm... I'm worried about whether certain... individuals' temperments are a reaction to the serums... or their own ways of failing to cope with the situation."

"It doesn't matter in the end of the day," she sighed. "We are not going ot risk they health of ourself, or staff, or the other islanders."

"I just hope that... some sort of solution can be found. I would hate to find myself or someone I care about locked in a room because of a negative shift in their brain chemistry."

"From what we can gather - all of your retain your general human emotions, including knowing what's right and wrong."

Ambrose chewed on that thought before nodding, thinking back to Jamal and him nearly jumping down his throat - and rumors of doing so to others. Jamal wasn't the.. most stable individual to begin with, and Ambrose couldn't help thinking negative of his upbringing. "I see." He said simply, selfishly comforted by the fact that he, at least, felt relatively mentally normal...aside from some harmless "quirks".

"Thanks for answering me, Aubrey." He replied, using her first name.

"You're welcome, Ambrose."  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Peaceful Protests?

Ambrose walked carefully out of his duplex and towards the cafeteria. Even having gorged himself on a huge breakfast after the change, it had been well over a day since then, and his body was still clamboring for much-needed protein after his change.

He felt vulnerable walking out alone and just having shifted. He knew that chances were likely with the number of people on the island that he'd run into someone - especially going to the cafeteria... but he couldn't not eat, and he had dealt with changes before. At least he had had time to face them himself....

He just wished he hadn't found out the information that he did from Aubrey.

Shaking his head and forcing himself to think positively, about the meal he was about to heat, he poked his head into the large building and was met with a surprisingly empty mess hall.

With a wag of his tail, he clicked his way across the linoleum and filled a tray with tasty meats, got a set of silverware, and sat himself down at one of the long tables, begining to quickly wolf down his steak a big forkful at a time. His mouth still felt strange to him, his teeth still a bit sore, but when it came to getting food into his hungry belly it wasn't that difficult to figure things out.

"I think this is it..."
Angharad peered in the doorway, her hair almost dry. The room with its several tables and serving area was almost empty; her stomach turned a little at the smell of meat.
And further down, a wolf was eating hungrily.

The girl clapped one hand to her mouth silently. Granted, the head bent over the plate belonged to a body wearing neat trousers and a pale polo shirt, but still.. it was greyfurred, and had ears.
A wolf man.
She forced herself to take another step in. Surely it - no, he, was just like the bear man, and a perfectly normal.. person underneath. She waved faintly to Fiona behind her, and called out in a slightly wobbly voice.

"Er, hello?"

Fiona wandered right past her friend, tugging on her sleeve as she passed and ignoring the smell of cooking meat with a trained tolerance. "Oooohh, look Annie. They have steamed broccoli." She scrunched her nose disdainfully, but began to seek a plate. "It's overcooked, but right now my tum' is empty and doesn't really give a damn. Bring's back memories, eh?" As the girl yammered, she was completely oblivious to her surroundings, and it was only once she'd retrieved a tray and turned to nag Angharad that she saw the other occupant of the room.

A compulsive shiver ran down her spine, and she forced herself to smile. "Oh wait, lemme correct myself. Now we're in an oldschool horror movie." Putting on her business face, Fiona told herself she would need all the support she could from the other prisoners- the word echoed through her mind rather gloomily- if she was going to get her plans into action. Quickly snatching a decent supply of fruits and vegetables and cradling a bottle of water between her hip and elbow, she walked across the cafeteria purposefully and plopped right down in front of Ambrose. "Hi!" Right to the point, wasn't she?

Ambrose looked up from his meal quickly as he heard the door open and the figures of two unfamiliar girls walked in. He swallowed quickly and selfconsciously, bringing a furred hand to his mouth as he did so, trying to clear his teeth of remnant chewed food before opening his mouth to speak.

His ears flicked back cautiously as he did so. He smelled their trepidation, but they didn't look at him and run away... that was a plus. They were definately new - their unchanged forms and anxiety assured him of that.... but at least given their reactions he probably wasn't the first other changed islander they had enountered.

"Hi." He replied with a closed-mouth smile to the first girl, the shorter brunette who looked at him with hesitant eyes. He knew how he looked.

Of course, Ambose damned his sensitive hearing as he heard the second girl's low-talk to her friend. It wasn't the first time he had heard somethign akin to that either. The Rayanya girl, the one he hadnt' seen since his first encounter had called him a werewolf. And he was even more lupine now.

As she approached confidently and set her tray down in front of him, he mustered a wry smile. "I think that the movie might be different than my appearance suggests, however." an ear flicked back. "Perhaps something more akin to Frankenstein or something else with mad scientists. But hello yourself....miss?" He spoke with a practiced refinement in his voice, and upon closer inspection his hair was well cared for, combed and perhaps even gelled. His polo shirt and khaki pants bore the label of Abercrombie.

"You look new." He stated, extending a paw-like hand to whichever of them took him up on the offer. "My name is Ambrose."

Angharad followed faintly afterwrds, the steamed broccoli now not really appealing. She picked up a couple of bananas and an apple, and followed over. A werewolf? He certainly looked the part, though the neat clothes, neat accent and neat hairstyle were throwing her off balance slightly. She slid along the bench to sit beside Fiona, keeping her eyes off of the plate in front of Ambrose easily now she knew what to expect. She picked cautiously at the banana; it seemed edible enough. Even lab rats had to eat.

"Um, I'm Angharad," she volunteered, mumbling slightly round her mouthful. She left it to Fiona to take the offered paw; it gave a whole new meaning to the command 'shake!' in her head.

"Frankenstein, Werewolf movies, it's like a combination of every bad science fiction movie that ever existed." She shook the extended hand (or was it a paw?) with a wink, seamlessly hiding her surprise at him having heard. "Fiona Brooks. Yeah, we're new." She was tempted to say 'fresh meat', but decided it was too soon to start making jokes. "How long you been here?" She said idly, munching on some celery distractedly. "A few months, I'm guessing, from what the lady I met on the beach said. M'I right?"

Ambrose gave a small ironic smile with a nod at her commentary. "I wish it were just a movie." He replied, giving her hand a practiced squeeze before picking his fork and knife back up.

"But it's nice to meet you, Fiona and... Angharad." He paused, cutting a few more pieces of the second steak. "Although... I wish I could say it were under better circumstances, all things considered."

He took another bite, chewing thoughtfully with a nod and swallowing before responding. "Nearly eight, actually. From the sounds of it you two have at least been given the 'introduction'. Not to sound callous, but I'm glad I wasn't the first... changed islander that you encountered. It's never easy on anyone to tell or be told."

Angharad looked to the side for a second. The first changed islander she'd met... she'd promptly laughed hysterically and then fainted. Guilt lay looped over that memory; now she knew a bit more of this bizarre island, she would really have to go and thank that bear man.

"I must admit, yesterday was a bit... disturbing," Angharad admitted, still picking at the banana. "Just dumped in a room and left there with no explanations and a shot mark in your shoulder..." She shuddered a little. "But eight months is a long time. Was there anyone to tell you what was going to happen?" She couldn't help a little bit of compassion slipping into her voice. Everything in her head was scoffing and only believing that what she saw was real because she'd seen too many movies. It was just like a special effect, but for your brain, making everything real.

"Yeah... I didn't want to believe it at first. I honestly thought it was just someone in a costume that Feral Labs had hired to give us a bit of a scare so that we wouldn't try messing with them again. Honestly, it wouldn't have been the first time it'd happened to me." She chewed on mouthfuls of veggies between sentences, stabbing a carrot stick in the air for emphasis. "This isn't right and it isn't legal. I'm not going to just sit down and take this."


Ambrose winced. "Yesterday? You mean you only got here yesterday? Ouch.... " he shook his head. "I know how scary this must be for both of you. Unfortunately I didn't have the luxury of being explained what was going on when I got here. I had signed up for a 'two week' medical study. I thought I was going to make five thousand dollars that I was goign to put towards my next semester at university..." He snorted. "Lucky me. I didn't find out the truth of the matter until after the follow up injection. I was the first one here who changed and I had no idea what I was in store for. Even though the second shot only gave me a bit of fur, teeth and claws, and a nub of a tail.... by comparison not much... but I still went, pardon my french, apeshit."

He sighed, eating another few bites quickly. "I demanded answers, and only then did they tell me the truth." His ears lay back. "I didn't 'sit down' and take it either. I railed against the staff. I argued, I appealed to the only individual who seemed to have any sort of conscience - a Dr. Lockheart..... and nothing. Hell, they say if we leave after starting the injections before the process is complete it can give us cancer. I don't agree with what they're doing. I lost... a lot. I was going to go to the Olympics some day... I never patched things with my parents... but fighting them only seems to make it worse." He sighed.

"Sorry about the rant." He said belatedly.


"It's no rant, don't worry..." The words of the ever present peacemaker. "But... Dr Lockheart?" Angharad was surprised; if that cold-hearted woman was the only one with a conscience, what the hell would the rest of the staff be like? She hunched up a little over her apple. And listening to this man's life dreams... he was just a normal person like them. Even the Olympics, that ws incredible... and wanting to speak with his parents... the torment of not leaving that note still hung over the girl, and her green eyes flashed for a moment with unexpected anger. But she kept it to herself for now.


"From what I've heard about the staff," Fiona mused, sporting the carrot between her teeth like a bright orange cigar, "I think a direct approach towards changing things won't work at all. What I want to do-" and at this the girl looked around paranoidly, even though she doubted the cameras would be visible, "-is do some... peaceful protesting, so to speak. Get a bunch of people together, have a party, play some normal party games, get to know everyone... and then discuss and brainstorm a way to change things. Get a list of demands written down. I've only been here a day and even though it's not exactly a jail cell, there's one big problem that I see." She removed the root from her mouth and frowned darkly. "There are new people. Me'n Annie are probably the newest people to get here, but I know a thing or two about just how many rats they use for one big experiment, and as much as I hate making the connection... I'm willing to bet anything they plan to take more people in. What if we could stop them? Save dozens of other people from having their lives ruined?" She sent a quick look at Angharad- she hadn't voiced this idea to the girl, and so was checking for responses from the both of the listeners.

"Yes... Dr. Lockheart.... why?" Ambrose asked, lifthing his brow curiously to the brunette. From the skepticism in her voice it sounded like she hadn't exactly gotten on the woman's good side. Not a good way to start ones' stay on the island.

He turned his attention to Fiona, chewing thoughtfully as he listened.
Finally, he rolled his furry shoulders in a shrug. "Well... Honestly, not to rain on your parade, but I've tried to convince them and appeal to Dr. Lockheart's sympathies about bringing willing subjects if they MUST bring more subjects into this ... 'experiment'." His ear flicked back. "I had freshman Bio.... I know that in order to set up an experiment you need a looot of test subjects. I think I was one of the first and I've born witness to person after person after person arrive. See them lose their humanity just like me. Only a few have embraced what has happened with open arms. And I'm happy for those people. I wish everyone they brought was like that instead of plucking people from happy lives or cutting off their futures. But the argument they gave me - and I'm not saying it's right, is that I'm sure you're aware that what is going on isn't exactly legal, and they can't exactly advertise what they're doing."

He tapped a clawed finger on the table. "And as far as demands.... you're right about this not being a jail cell. But you know what... for their purposes it probably wouldn't make much of a difference to them if it was. In fact it would probably be cheaper for them and safer." Ambrose declined to mention the lockout that had really made him appreaciate what they had. Maybe that was the ultimate goal of that... 'ordeal'. "The fact we have a cafeteria.. that we have private duplexes, bathrooms, hell, an entertainment room and caribbean beaches.... If I wasn't trapped here and turning into an animal... I would hazard a guess that many people would opt for such a life - not having to worry about money or jobs... And they've been known to supply people with requested goods if they 'play nice'."

He opened up his other hand . "Of course... we are trapped. And we are at their mercy. They've got cameras all over the island and can knock us out with a word." He sighed. "Even though I'd be considered a freak if I ever went home... I'd be the first on to hop on a boat if it could take me back to America.... except for the potential medical complications if I don't get my final injection."

He placed both palms back on the table. "Fact of the matter. We're trapped, and if we leave we're as good as dead because I don't think anyone else can reproduce this sort of gene therapy. I'm trying to make the best of it. I miss my parents... I have barely even touched my epee since a month or so after I arrived here. And I feel guilty about that, even though I know that I'll never have another competition... never see the Olympics. I went through my denial... my anger.... and both of them were equally futile." He stabbed another larger piece of steak and tore it off the fork with his teeth. Not even thinking, he only gave it a few cursory bites before swallowing it down.


He'd been through it all, he said. The denial Angharad herself was feeling; the anger that she was sure was running through Fiona's veins.
None of it.. none of it made any sense.
Angharad huddled to herself slightly more on her seat, eyes staring at the table as she twirled the apple stalk round and round.
She knew she could never truly accept what had happened to them. The shock was still too new, too fresh. For now... she would live for a week or so, and ignore what happened, not thinking about the future. Perhaps... perhaps it was a holiday. Where people looked like animals. Her mind seized eagerly on this possibility, this way of thinking, in the hope that for now.. it would stop the mind from falling apart.

Her face brightened, and the stalk came away from the apple. "Well, I've never been to a tropical island before," she commented cheerfully. "It feels like a commune of something here. All eating in the same place.. I hope I get to meet everyone." Shining, fragile happiness shone from every syllable.

Fiona's eyes flickered dangerously as Angharad moved away from the topic of rebelling, but didn't comment. She ignored the remainder of food on her plate and set her elbows on the table, weaving her fingers together and setting her chin atop them. The girl was silent for a while. Eventually she sighed. "I'm surprised you all take such offence..." she began, her voice tempered with forced civility, "...at being accused of not trying. Of sitting around, feeling helpless. You're the second one to say, 'I've tried, it failed, so it's gotta be impossible.' If everyone on this damn island-" and here frustration infiltrated her schooled tone- "is going to be like this, then I guess I'm on my own. I'm not stupid. I know there are people watching and electric thingies and whatever. I know attacking them will only hurt all the people stuck here. I'm not stupid." She reiterated for emphasis.

"But whatever. Maybe I'll just steal that other woman's idea and live in the jungle like some kind of messed up Robinson Crusoe." Fiona said it, but deep down knew she wouldn't dare, if only for Annie's sake. Either the poor girl would get dragged along with her and be miserable, or she would stay in the village and feel guilty and worry. Fee was sure that Annie would need her to get through this... this... whatever you could call it. And she wasn't going to turn her back on her friend. Still, she allowed the idea to float around the table, if only to gauge her reaction.

Worry and skepticism etched the wolfman's face at Angharad's turn of paper-thin optimism. He supposed it was better than sinking into a deep depression, but probably was just a delay of the inevitable. The cheer was far from genuine, that was certain. "Well.... I Hope you are able to as well." He stated carefully.

He listened to Fiona as he finished up the large slab of meat on his plate, his swiveling ears betraying his emotions of doubt if Fiona was familiar with canines.

"Well... I suppose the offense in myself or others might stem from the fact that it does seem like you did and are accusing us of taking this lying down. That implies that we're weak and .... well... complacent. And... well... damn, maybe in a way we are. But I'd like to see you still 'fighting the good fight' after eight months when you're so far gone that you could never lead a normal life again, would likely die trying, and your girlfriend is in with you too - needing their medicines and you're just trying to carve out a piece of something familiar."

"I think.. I think I'll have to look at the situation a bit longer before I can decide my path." Angharad took a deep breath. "I think... that if I decided to do anything right now other than just take in what is happening for a while...
I'll go even more insane." She laughed slightly, her words more directed at Fiona than the wolfman opposite.
"I just can't seem to think right, and I think it would be foolish to make any rash decisions."
She pulled her sleeves over the palms of her hands nervously, as if she had said something out of place, before continuing softly.
"I can't condemn anyone for thinking what they think. Except for the Lockheart woman," she added absently. "For now.. I'll have to get used to living on a tropical island," And she nodded to Ambrose, smile still weak.

Fiona gave a soft, almost pained sigh. "Alright, Annie. I'm not going to drag you into this, for once. It's my fault you're even on this ******** island. So... I'll just leave you out of my stupid, worthless, pointless plans." The venom that rankled her expressive voice was one of built up and bottled in stress. She pulled her hands free of one another to rub presumably soothing circles against her temples. "This is just so complicated." The girl furrowed her brows, and appeared ready to spring up and storm away at any second.

Ambrose solved Fiona's problem. Having finished the meal on his tray, he stood, given the ready-made excuse to take his leave. The women were still dealing with having just come to the island, and obviously knew eachother from long before their recent arrival. She would bear the same guilt he felt in bringing Angelina.

"Best of luck to the both of you, and I do mean that." He spoke evenly, his ears pinning back at Fiona's spiteful words, not entirely sure if they were partially directed at his own complacence. "And yes, it's complicated. No denying that. I hope you're able to find your peace." He gave them a small nod as he bussed his tray and padded out the door.

((Writing myself out :3 - I am leaving town for the weekend. T'was fun!))

Angharad Anderson

"Fiona, I don't mean that.. your plans aren't worthless..." Angharad was suddenly tearingly guilty, that she seemed to have let her friend down. She barely acknowledged Ambrose's departure, a nod of a bowed head and a 'thankyou.'. But her eyes sought Fiona's. "It's complicated. Too complicated for me at the moment," and her voice was very small. "It doesn't mean I don't think you have the strength to sort it out..."

((Baibai Sabin. Thankyou for the RP! :3 ))

 

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Respite from the Heat
Swimming in the lake with William

Billy didn't know why he was so terrible with people- or rather, he did know, yet still felt they were out to do him in, the lot of them. He was snippish. He was allowed to be. He was hungry. Starving. And not for fish. Feeling particularly antsy alone in his Duplex, Billy felt he could clear his head better with a walk- maybe a nice soak somewhere, moisten his... tentacles.

Through the jungle paths he trudged, trying to think about anything but his chapped nostrils. He found his way to the river he had met Awen in not too long ago. A nice soak. Get his mind off of everything. Off of this horrible island. Look on the bright side of things. Like the human gel had carried on about.

Well, he was on a tropical island.

His previous employer wasn't going to shoot him.

Maybe it wasn't *that* bad.

As he stripped down to his skin, able to fully take in his changes once again, he changed his mind. No... no, it was that bad. But he could at least enjoy the cold water.

Ambrose had recently come out of one of his many trips to the cafeteria. This time, thankfully, there hadn't been any other islanders hanging around dining... not that Ambrose didn't usually mind company, but even with the support from the other islanders, he still felt selfconscious about his new... physique. Especially after facing the hard truth that the mirror reflected back at him.

He was father gone than he ever imagined he would be, even when he found out the truth of the island... and it was only going to get worse.

And he had seen the looks in the eyes of the girls', heard the whispers. He had been subject to rumor and nasty jibes before he had come here, after all he had been through high school, but it was different now, much different.

He made note of the flier on the cafeteria door. Fiona, one of the two new women he had ran into was looking to throw a party. It wasn't a bad idea, admittedly getting sloshed at the beach bar shortly after his first change had likely helped him start on the path to coping a good deal. hell, maybe he'd even help out - things had been down ever since the lockout and a party could be good. But for now... Ambrose turned away from the village and out towards the jungle.

He hadn't been out there since he had been forced there - perhaps a part of him thinking that if he went back he wouldn't be able to come home. But aside from the shelter and air conditing of the buildings, the shade of the jungle - especially near the streams, were the only respite from the glaring sun that was only getting worse as it was growing further and further from "winter". Ambrose itched his shoulder irritably, flicking an ear as a particularly large insect zipped by.

His fur, as he had quickly discovered, now thicker than before his last stage, was hot. Why couldn't this island be further north?! Ambrose, who had long ago declared his despise for snow, was now begging for it. He paused as he ran into the river that cut across the jungle and chewed on a lip.

It looked nice. Cold, clear. Glancing to either side Ambrose made his decision quickly, stripping out of his shirt and pants, revealing hopefully to no one else just how lupine he had become, and slipped into the cool waters with a relaxing sigh. He was as of yet unaware of the other presence in the water not too far off.

Dogpaddling towards the center, he took a breath, submerging for a good minute to soak himself completely, before surfasing further down the stream with a gasp.

At the sudden smell of wet fur and the sounds of splashing, Billy turned quietly in the water where he had clung to a shallow shelf in the riverbed. Blast! Someone was there! He saw pointed ears and a wet, canine build. Pyroth? He eased forward slightly, pulling at the water with his tentacles.


Before Ambrose even realized that there was someone next to him (or opened his eyes), he shook, water spraying everywhere.

When he did open his eyes, his jaw hung open as he was pretty much face to face with the sleezy newbie he had run into in the entertainment room. His ears flattened, and he backpedaled a few steps, thorougly embarrassed.

Crap... and what was his name? All he remembered was that the man was panicking... Angelina slapped him, and that last they had encountered the man had gotten a heavy dose of reality shock. So much for his peaceful alone time.

"Uhm..." He finally vocalized, smoothing some of his hair away from his eyes where it was clinging or trying to slip into his open mouth. "I.... I... I'm terribly sorry. I... I didn't realize anyone else was in here..."

"Y'aint Pyroth. Who are ye, doggy?" Billy kept his head low, mostly hidden in the water as he watched the rather transformed Islander skeptically.

Ambrose frowned, looking irritable at the monicker. "No... I'm not Pyroth. I'm Ambrose... don't you remember-" He stopped himself. he had changed since then...

"We met in the entertainment room a few weeks ago briefly, though I was not quite as... canine then. Although you did seem rather out of it..." He eyed the man skeptically. "Though I'm surprise you forgot Angelina's slap.. and your realization that most of us weren't wearing costumes."

Billy flinched back, eyes narrowing, "Aye, Angela's sex puppet." He gave a chuckle, eyeing him up and down as though sizing him up. Sech a fine, untouched speciman o' th'human race, I wouln' let her go prancin' abou' in tha' wee getup I saw her in yesterday."

Ambrose's scowl at being called Angelina's "sex puppet" turned into a wide-eyed, bristled "What?!"

Taking a breath and shaking his head he glared at the man, suddenly feeling dirtier for sharing the same patch of water with him.

"She is yer woman, righ'?" Billy raised his eyebrows.

"Well... yes..." Ambrose regarded him dubiously. "Although I wouldn't say it in such... possessive terms." He crossed his arms across his chest, wondering where this was leading to."

"Yer gettin' hair all in me river, lad," Billy cocked his head, frowning pointedly and still low in the water.

A small curl of his lip revealed a long, curved fang. "Last I checked the river belongs to the 'good' doctor. Besides, I wouldn't be so concerned with hair - I'm sure your grease is polluting it more than my fur."

"Oh! Ohh tha' was good! Real good, lad!" He laughed, finally straightening up, gently shaking off his tentacles as the water level dropped to just below his chest. "Tha's sure tellin' me!"

Ambrose wasn't entirely sure if his laughter was snide or genuine, but as Ambrose was puzzling over what to make of if, his eyes bugged as his torso and its writhing tentacles came into view.

"Dear lord" was quickly muffled with a pawlike hand to his mouth and a rather obvious aversion of his look. Ambrose hadn't been ready for the sight to say the least. He had assumed that the newcomer hadn't changed yet.... obviously incorrectly.

"I'm sorry!" He followed up quickly. "I just wasn't prepared... ergh... I'm sorry, I must seem like a damned hypocrite. I didn't think you had changed." His eyes were drawn back to his chest with a morbid curiousity.

"Shame I don' got a wee cutie lassy in a teeny bakini t'slap you fer tha', aint it?" He snorted, glaring darkly at the man-beast. His tentacles wriggled angrilly befor wrapping around his torso for support.

Ambrose looked as if the man had slapped his nose with a newspaper, a frown tugging at his mouth as he forced himself to look away from the squiggling tentacles.

Instead, his mind decided to focus on the image of Angelina in the bikini she had brought with her to the island. Realizing a moment later that he wasn't wearing anything and the water wasn't that deep, Ambrose sunk lower and muttered another 'sorry'.

Once again, Ambrose was pointedly reminded of how 'lucky' he was to have been selected for a 'good' animal. Even though he agreed with Vasile thoroughly about the whole issue of feeling guilty about feeling bad for himself as he WAS becoming an animal and he wasn't keen on that whole idea in general.

Change the subject.

"Do.... do you know what you're becoming..?" he hesitated.

Way to go on the subject change.

Billy raised an eyebrow, looking down at the man. The fact he had extremedies lopped off here and there had to be dismissed- he hoped the water was enough cover to keep anything he was missing, tentacle or testical, would be left alone.

"Oh, I was thinkin' a duck, wha' d'ye think?" He chuckled wickedly.

Ambrose's eyes narrowed. "har har." He replied with a snort.

For Billy's sake, Ambrose hadn't noticed either... shortcoming.

"Well, I mean... there is more than one creature with... uh... tentacles." He said the word as if it were a disease.

He eyed them again, noting the row of suckers along his arms, and the happily squirming added ones coming from his chest. He'd never say it.... but they were quite disgusting. Ambrose wouldn't trade him for any amount of money, even if that was as far as the squid-man was going to change.

"Th'general concencuss is Octopus. An' wha' are ye? A husky-dog?" Billy leaned back to swim against the current in a bored sort of fashion.

"Ah... I see." Octopus. How in the hell was that going to work? Did they even have bodies or just a head with tentacles coming off of them? Ambrose studied the tentacles coming from his chest. Time would tell, he supposed. The poor b*****d. was an apology in order? Or would that make him seem to be all the more of an a**? Likely the latter. He had already put his big foot in his mouth more than once in this short encounter.

"A wolf." He corrected quietly. "At least that's what the doctors say. And, well... given what I've been reading, things seem fairly accurate."

"Big bad wolf's gonna' huff an' puff an' rip her bakini off, eh?" Billy chuckled, amused by his own joke. It was a lot more entertaining a thought than how his own transformation would take him when he was as far as this man... or Pyroth... would this Wolfy blonde soon be reduced to teh same hunched... crippled monstrocity? What would he himself- He stopped those thoughts, shaking his head a moment befor dunking his head under a moment and resurface.

Once properly squeejeed dry with a suckerlined hand, ha glanced over to the wolf, "How old are ye, lad?"

Ambrose blushed thoroughly, though whether or not that was evident under his fur was another question. However, his darting gaze off to the side was incriminating enough. It had taken some time for Angelina and him to... get used to the idea of his change, but at least before his last change they had made some real headway, to the point of a little bit of not-so-innocent playacting in the confines of their duplex and some maturized fable plots.

Ambrose took a seat on the pebbly bottom on the other side of the river's sloping bank, the water rising to about his mid chest. "I'm just twenty one... a few monts ago." He replied, looking to the man curiously. He seemed to be emerging out of his snide teasing tone.

"What about yourself?"

"No' thirty yet, bu' soon," He grunted, looking thouroughly upset by this fact.

"Thirty?" Ambrose looked him over again. "Thirty isn't that bad." He commented.

"At least you had more years of freedom." Ambrose might have been to the Olympics already if he had been nearly thirty by the time he was abducted.

"Freedom," Billy chortled, laughing at the sky, "If'n y'can call it tha'." The tentacles wriggled, feeling exceptionally good in the water. It was sick. This... hideous wolf man was disgusted by the sight of the damn things growing from his torso.

What would She have thought?

"I've barely don' anythi'n yet."

mbrose shrugged. "I would expect more than we've got going now. For all of our 'freedoms' here we are stuck here, and at their mercy if they so choose to exact it." His ears flicked back again as he drew a breath of the humid jungle air.

"I wish that I had had more time... I know that there is always something else on the horizon... but I had so much I was working for."

He glanced over to his companion. "What makes you say you hadn't done anything? I'm sure you'd done something in thirty years... maybe not built the great wall of china or some great occupation... but at least something meaningful to you?"

Billy grunted, half floating half leaning back in the water watching the sky, his brows furrowed. "Waisted. Feckin' waisted th'whole bloody thing."

Ambrose rested his palms on his furry thighs, leaning forward a bit.
"If you hadn't come here, though... would you have even realized that? Or changed it?"

He sighed. "Sometimes you don't realize a good thing until it's gone."

Good things.. Goood things... oh yeah, they were gone... but not totally gone, not completely gone not totally out of reach yet.... just hidden away as a puzzle, taunting and teasing him with this ******** up clarity and this rediculous.... problem.

"Y'd think tha'..." Bill mumbled, staring so hard at the clouds his right eye twitched. The msucle spasm seemed to be enough to snap him out of his thoughts, grunting as he raised a hand to rub it sorely.

Ambrose cocked his head in a very canine fashion as he watched Billy's eyes going somewhere very distant, wondering what the man, however sleazy, might have been like before whatever happened to send him down this rather nasty spirial.

The man was suddenly surprisingly quiet.

Ambrose flicked at the water in front of him before trying to breach the quiet. "I... apologize, but I don't think that I recall your name from our previous encounter."

Billy sat up, arms resting on his lap now as he sat on the shallower banks, tentacles still poking for more water. He cleared his throat, glancing to the bank. "William," He grunted flatly.

"William." Ambrose echoed with a nod, adding the name to the growing list of islanders in his mind. "Well.... even though it probably sounds contrite... maybe there is something of significance that you can do even though we're all trapped here. Who's to say what's important in the big scheme of things anyway?" A small tug at the corner of his mouth. Ambrose wasn't even sure how apt he was to believe such a thing. he had built up his entire life for a few small goals, most of which were now shot out of the water.

He still had Angelina he could cling to here, a comfortable remnant of his old life, but Ambrose had not exacly made a move to carve out a new life here yet.

"An' maybe we'll all jes' become a nice little pettin' zoo o' fun an' excitement an' love an' friendship," Billy snorted, finally standing with his back to the wolf-man, tentacles and suckers twitching as the water rushed off of him.

Ambrose remained sitting about chest-deep in the water. He was soaking wet, but it felt good compared to the sweltering heat that he knew was only going to be getting worse as the days crawled towards summer.

Ambrose made a small disgruntled noise at the thought. "Hopefully there will be more in store for us than that." Ambrose replied, but there wasn't much conviction in the words.

He averted his eyes politely as Billy rose, as naked as he was but without the luxury of obscuring fur, out of the water.

"Well, we'll see, now won't we?" Bill slipped on his worn jeans, lips pursed as he collected his things, "Nice swimmin' wit ye, Amby, but I'm off." With a wave over his shoulder, he didn't even wait for a responce befor walking away.

Despite the fact that william didn't look back, Ambrose returned the wave with a sigh as he leaned back in the water.

"Take care, William." He replied. "Best of luck to you."

And now that Ambrose was actually alone, he slipped his eyes close and enjoyed listening to the noises of the river and the jungle.
 

[Ambrose Maurlias]

In the River with Emelyn
One of the Correlates of Murphy's Law must be that when I finally decide to go skinnydipping, I must run into people -.-

Emelyn

To see the rather small strips of fabric that comprised Emelyn's white bikini... one would have thought there was no room for any additions. Emelyn, apparently, hadn't gotten the memo. In the side strap, she'd tucked her flint-carved knife, the handle of which she'd wrapped with water-shaped beach grass and left poking up over the edge for easy access. She didn't think there'd be much need for it down at the river- but all the same- she didn't feel safe without its minute protection.

But then again, she also didn't expect to have... company.

"Oh," she said summarily- more an exclamation of surprise than a word.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose had been blissfully and obliviously soaking in a smaller tributary of the cool river, floating on this back, where the water was moving more langorously.

Having been relinquished of William's presence several hours ago now, Ambrose had slipped into a state of relaxation that only a half-asleep state in the shade and wet respite from the heat of the island could provide.

His polo shirt, short khaki pants and briefs had been left on a branch near his point of entrance on the banks several meters upstream, and Ambrose had long forgotten his nakedness.

However, when a sudden, and unmistakably feminine "Oh!" roused him from his reverie, his state of clotheslessness came back quickly to him as Ambrose, before even identifying the source, ducked under the water.

His lupine head emerging on its lonesome a few moments later, joined momentarily by a large pawed hand to wipe his long blond tresses from his eyes to give him a better look at one rather surprised hedgehog woman.

"Emelyn..." He spoke the name slowly and sheepishly. "I... wow, the river has become a popular place all of a sudden..."

Emelyn

Emelyn bit her bottom lip, pulling it inside her mouth for a moment of a surpressed smile before realeasing it again when she felt her composure had returned. It wasn't like there was anything on Ambrose she hadn't seen before... but even so- the fact did little, she was sure, to distill that measure of embarrassment and surprise he must be having.

"Well, perhaps it's just the sake of the... sights," She said, holding back a smile but unable to let the cheekiness lay fallow as she placed a hand on either hip.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose sunk a bit deeper into the water, covering his nose as he could feel his cheeks burning. There was a murmured blurbing as a few bubbles escaped to the surface.

For once, Ambrose was glad of his... changed anatomy for the purposes of modesty, although it was true that although the situation was rather embarrassing, she had seen him before. This, however, only questionably releived any potential awkwardness.

Giving another bubbly sigh into the water, Ambrose straightened up a bit in the not-so-deep water, exposing himself down to his waist as he wrung out his hair and resisted the gut instinct to shake himself.

"SO... ah... Emelyn... Aside from the ...obvious.." He gave a wry smile. "What might you be doing about?"

Emelyn

Emelyn let the smile spread to her face- now that it was more a happy pleasantry than a teasing grin. She shook her head and lifted her shoulders in a carefree shrug.

"Mm. Not much. Just washing off the 'dirt of the road'. I've been out all day scavenging." She winced slightly in the face of the sun, stepping gingerly into the water as she spoke. There was a pause as she walked up to her chest, and dunked her head backwards into the cool water. Only after she'd resurfaced- standing straight up so that her proto-spines wouldn't flop into her face, did she rub out her eyes and take a good look at the man she guessed she'd always have a special friendship with.

"So. ....How long has it been? Since the change?"

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose sidled back to give her some more (unnecessary) room as she walked into the river. Why is it that whenever someone does something, such as skinnydipping, even in the most remote of locations, people seem to flock to them. Had I been wearing swimtrunks, I am willing to wager that I wouldn't have run into anyone.

Directing himself towards the question, Ambrose shrugged, bringing a hand to his prominent muzzle as the subject was breached. "About a week now I'd say..." He glanced down at the surface of the water, glad that the moving water did not do much for its reflective properties. "It still takes some getting used to... even after having changed before, and seen others around me."

He glanced over at her, now freshened from her dunk. "So you're still doing alright... out of the duplexes? I'm honestly surprised... and admittedly somewhat impressed... that you've kept it up this long."

Emelyn

Emelyn idled in the water, spinning about with her head back, letting the water skim the dirt out of her spines. It was a cool, sweet feeling- as was the warmth that beat down on her furry face. But nothing was sweeter than those delicate compliments that floated through the air to meet her ear.

"Thank you," she said, her eyes still skyward. "It means a lot to me that you feel that way." She lifted her head up to peer at the man. For that's what she saw him as- a man, despite the fur. Too long had she gone without seeing Ambrose's original, human face to see him as that- but rather, she saw him as something more than man or beast- she saw what he projected, those emotions and loyalties that were unique to what he was. And that transcended species.

"And I'm doing fine. ...Since the attack, things have gotten a lot better. ...Well... despite ...everything," she nodded at his fur-covered form, "you still look... like you."

Ambrose Maurlias

He watched her turn gracefully in the water, the rivulets of water slipping through her spines, and creating pretty, if fleeting, patterns in the water around her.

He nodded at her acknowledgement. "It... seems to suit you, somehow. I'm sure that sounds strange. I don't mean that you're some sort of wild woman, but it seems you've found a new confidence .... 'living off of the land' and all of that. I just hope that you're getting enough to eat, and that nothing's really been bothering you."

He smiled, the expression starting to feel more natural to him now - the soreness of his muzzle had faded, and the subtle expressions that had seemed ungainly before now integrated themselves almost disturbingly easily on his inhuman features. But this was him now, no mask -and just like before even his first transformation, it was what people saw. It was important that he could clearly express himself. And the lupine features only seemed to sometimes accentuate Ambrose's attitude - aided with the movement of his ears, or small curl of his lip. Perahps the small keys in his DNA that built these features coded also how to use them.

"Thank you... That means a lot to me... although I'm sure that that goes without saying."

Emelyn

"Mm," she said, smiling at him and inviting her lip back into her mouth in a tender bite once more- this time, more out of happiness than out of a desire to contain embarrassing mirth. ...She wondered- nearly as idly as let the water hold her up- how she'd been so angry with him so long, how she could have shied away from this friendship. ...Emelyn knew that the feelings that had been blossoming within her for Ambrose had died before they'd had a chance to flower, but- now it seemed so long ago, and although the buds of love had died- the branch was not barren. Instead, the fresh green growth of friendship had returned. And it felt right.

"I've been called worse things than a wild woman," she said, beaming in the light. "And I don't think you need anyone to tell you this suits you. ...Hell," she said, tipping her body back to float upon the surface of the river, "I think you'd settle into any skin they'd given you." She hummed a happy, singular laugh. "In fact, I'd like to think that we're all fitting into our new skins with some sort of dignity."

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose settled onto his haunches where the bottom of the stream angled back up to the riverbank, his tail wagging behind him against the resistance of the water. It felt something like a rudder, he thought idly to himself.

He was glad to see her smiling to easily around him again. He had been worreid to speak with her again after the tension during the lockout. Ambrose had originally grown close to her because he found her easy to talk to and a fast friend. More than anything he hadn't wanted to lose that. And after a tremorous period... things seemed to be blossoming again alongside the other spring growth. Not the vibrant passion that had perhaps been the future of the smiles before, but a comfortable friendship. Perhaps the changes over his friend were also ... suiting - not just in the way she bore them with a human dignity, but also setting her aside in her uniqueness. She wasn't just a face that had reminded him initially of Angelina during her absense - but unmistakably her own person.

He grinned wolfishly. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that others' words have not been as favorable, Emelyn."

He gave a rolling shrug. "Perhaps it's just from the bias of familiarity - reading too many books on wolves, but I think I am fairly lucky in my fate by comparison. But maybe it's like horoscopes or vague fortunes - whatever you read you can apply to yourself, and it seems to fit. Of course I'm sure that I have been changed under the surface as well from these injections more than I realize. But I like to pretend that's not the case."

"Some I think better than others, but perhaps in time some of the rest will find comfort. I hope so at least. But some of the newer ones... Jamal... and I've heard rumors of others... don't seem to be taking too well. I don't know if there is a change in the serums, but I've heard of... attacks..." Ambrose shook his head, not realizing Emelyn's own recent encounter. "Maybe it's because I'm a 'predator' myself, but I've yet to at least run into anyone being more hostile than throwing strong words or perhaps growling and showing teeth." He shrugged, trailing his thick, rounded claws through the surface of the water. "Or maybe just different people have more measures of self control.... or maybe the changes for some are the opportunity for an excuse for hostility that they wanted to display. Something to blame?"

Emelyn

Clouds hold no answers. They are nothing, and they symbolize nothing. Merely in the minutes of chance might they take shape- the winds may form them into the visage of the familiar- or perhaps the mind might change a cloud- likening it to shapes and figures as it projects itself upon such a malleable bit of nature. ...In that moment, the clouds above Emelyn's eyes were nothing... as truly, they are always nothing. But in that moment, they seemed to her to be a herd of beasts, chasing after their prey.

Emelyn could almost hear their feet pounding beneath them- a cavalcade of clawed, misformed hands that struck the earth as their bodies were propelled forward. In her mind- no vision of Jamal or the attack suddenly appeared- no TV movie-esque flashback in which the edges of her memory fuzzed over to allow her to relive those moments suddenly played. Instead, she had to force it to the surface, coaxing the warped threads of that terrible hour to the foreground of her life's tapestry. Only then could she run through the events in her mind, allowing them to run in the background of her consciousness as she turned her head to Ambrose.

"I think... it's a combination of both the serum... and the measure of the man inside the new skin," she said softly, her voice echoing strangely in her mind as her ear was tucked underwater, "Sometimes... Moreau makes the monster..." she looked back up at the sky. "And sometimes Moreau just brings it out."

She paddled back a bit, allowing a soft kick to propel her. And as she floated past Ambrose- almost leisurely, the perfect image of an airy, lighthearted soul- she contradicted both their eyes- and, like a cloud is revealing itself with a gust of wind to be nothing... she shattered the illusion.

"I didn't know... that you hadn't heard," she said. "...Jamal attacked me a few weeks ago. Almost killed me. I woke up in the lab with stitches all down my back. ...Never before have I been so happy to be in a white room."

Ambrose Maurlias

Emelyn's leisurely strokes invited a similiar level of comfort and security from the wolfman, he leaned back again, his eyes traveling skywards to see what Emelyn's eyes might glimpse in the clouds.

To his eyes, however, no murderous heard of beasts trampled across the otherwise clear expanses of the sky. Instead, lying picturesque in the open expanse of sky the river carved between the jungle's canopy was the sinuous contours of the female form. He cocked his head, brow furrowing for a moment as the clouds weren't quite right to flesh out the image that it was so close to. Ambrose nodded in agreeance to Emelyn's sage proverb, and was about to vocalize his concordence while picturing that bunch of clouds there perhaps traveling to another prime spot to more accurately reflect his mental image....

But as she changed her course and spoke of her own encounter with Jamal, his words stopped in his throat and his eyes were wrested from their imaginative diversion, now forgotten, and back to his very real companion as they widened with incredularity.

"He attacked you?!" He summarized, aghast. "I had heard that he attacked Awen and Antony shortly after his change... and even Aubrey not so long ago... But the first two I could chalk up to him having a rough time dealing with the change... Aubrey with a violent rebellion against the staff.... but you? ... and that recently!"

He shook his head, a rumbling growl in his chest. "There is no excuse for that!"

Emelyn

"He really wasn't himself," Emelyn said- the only thing in her mind that she might liken to an excuse, "he dropped down out of a tree and never said a word. Just growled... and then leapt at me when I ran. I tripped on an upturned root, though... and when he jumped he missed where he was aiming for. I think. I fell to the ground and rolled up." She made small, circular patterns in the water that radiated out into a larger, quieter disturbace across the entire surface of the river. "It's the only time the hedgehog has ever taken over. ...I don't remember anything after that. Just waking up in the labs with Aubrey."

Emelyn hadn't cried since the attack. Not since that night that she'd crawled up the mountain in pain and resigned herself to the dark loneliness of her cave had she let her emotions...fall down her face. It was the true nature of the girl- that she would allow herself so few tears for any one thing. ...Only Mizzie's death had broken that rule. She'd cried so much and so often, her eyes were constantly raw with loneliness, and those around her tried to give her 'space'. It had seemed frightening to them- wrong, somehow- that even such a deep mourning could bring out such apparent, violent weakness. Crying was meant to sort out your feelings, to ease a sudden sorrow- not to constantly moisten ones face as if in protest of loss. Likely, these same people who had avoided Em after her sister's funeral for this uncomfortable reason... would have applauded her now. Such a strong, upstanding child. Such a paramount of optomism. ...But how they might have shirked away at the knowledge that for every tear Emelyn found she could not cry... inside the fear and the loneliness only compounded.

"Do you know... after the attack on Aubrey, someone said they put Jamal in a cage. ...They didn't do the same after the attempt on my life. ...And..." she said, her voice even and low, "I've been thinking. If the staff watches us constantly, if they have cameras all over- surely they'd watched the event as it occured. ...Why didn't any of them do something?" She closed her eyes and swallowed down a suspicious lump that had crept to her throat. But still, no tears waited behind those blue eyes.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose's face turned down once again to the moving surface of the water, a solemn expression as he listened to the accounts of an event that should never have occurred.

"I don't know how good of an excuse that is for him. I heard... I heard that he killed a man before ever coming her. He told me himself." Ambrose had declined to mention this to many people.... but he had recently found himself worrying more and more about sharing such a small island with a man like him. At first, when Jamal had thrown it in his face in argument - and an argument that would signal the end of what somehow started as a frienship between the two very different men, Ambrose had sought justification. Now, that seemed justification in itself for Jamal's brutish attitude.

He raised his head again at her query. "I heard a rumor, though I never saw him there myself." He scratched his arm. "I.... I wish I could say I knew... why that happened. Everything I've heard from the staff is their claims that they wouldn't want true harm to befall us. We're too... expensive." He stepped closer to her, treading water as the bank fell away from the base of his feet. Maybe... you say you've been in the jungle? Maybe there aren't as many cameras out here.... Maybe... it can be dangerous out here." Worry laced his voice as he saught to make eye contact.

Emelyn

Emelyn turned her head to him. She'd heard something... maybe pleading, questioning in his voice.

"It's a very western belief... that it's not acceptable to sacrifice the body for the mind... or the body for the soul. One, you can see... it's tangible, it's flesh and bone and blood..." she put her hand up, stretching- as if to reach the sun. "If it's damaged... people can see it. It scares them. ...But if your mind is hurt... if you've violated a tenet of your soul- no one can gauge that pain. It's... acceptable." Her hand willowed down to the water.

"I'd rather have this...torn to shreds," she said, meaning her body, "and be okay, in here..." she moved her head, languidly where it lay in the water, "then be the most beautiful... most 'safe' traitor to myself." She floated near to Ambrose, and reached out that same hand which had failed to touch the sky, and touched him, instead.

Ambrose Maurlias

He took the hand that wandered towards him between his big hands, the rough calloused pads were tickeld by the coarse brown fur that covered her own, smaller hands.

"I suppose you're correct. I have been... brought up to view injury to the body to be the most painful of offenses... they are what people see. Perhaps like the physical changes that this island brings and one reason I think you are one of the people least changed on the inside for bearing some of the most changes. You can look beyond the shell, or more importantly you know that as long as you have the strength and identity on the inside, that no matter what happens you are still you... and you can cope. I wish that some of the other islanders who are still more human onthe outside and yet much less so beneath that facade... could see things like that."

He patted the hand. "I still do admire your courage and determination. FOr your sake, however, I hope that that trial by fire is the fierciest of the physical trials that this exodus puts you through. Even if they are preferable to returning."

Emelyn

His eloquence and humanity was not lost on the girl- but rather, it washed over her like the slowly drifting water. She didn't regret staying away from him in those months after Angelina arrived- for, surely, it was yet another case of being true to her emotions, to her soul, in forsaking something so much more obvious- but, at least... she had missed him. Missed that honesty and stoutheartedness. At the heart of him, Ambrose was- noble... if such a word could be used to describe someone with the face of a wolf and the heart of an athlete.

"So eloquent... for a naked man," she said, her heart lightening with her words.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose paused, his soliloquy falling flat from his mouth as he realized the clearness of the water as he was sharply reminded of his lack of clothing. He sunk lower again, laughing into the stream as he raised a hand to his face.

"Touche." He chortled. "well... I've been put in my place. "

"But even with the... ah... lack of clothes... it was nice running into you, Emelyn. But I've probably been in here long enough. I should quit while I'm behind before I run into someone else sans clothing." He gave a barking laugh after his wolfish grin.

Emelyn

"Here... I'll be all genteel-like," she laughed, standing up and covering both her eyes quite pointedly with her palms. "It's been nice to see you, too. ...Well, back when I could see you, that is." She spun in the water, her eyes still dark to the world as she enjoyed the feeling of the disequilibrium.

"Too bad, though..." she said, not knowing whether he'd crawled out of the water yet, so she kept her eyes shut. "It would've been nice to see if wolves can prune in the water..." she laughed.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose laughed lightly as he walked back onto the riverbank, pausing to shake before grabbing his dry clothes. Without bringing a towel with him (as he had lacked the foresight to alert him of his watery respite) he dind't have much other choice.

That was it.

He pulled on his shorts first, turning back to her. "It's safe, milady." He teased, his tail swishing with his bemusement. "And... he looked down at his palms. The only skin exposed was the thick pads. "To solve your riddle... it appears not."

He peered over at her. "You'll have to let me know whether or not hedgehogs do." He winked and plucked his shirt from the branch. "Next time!"

Emelyn

"Ah! Cheeky little wolf," she said to herself- her voice aghast but her entire self quite amused as she watched him go. And as he disappeared, back on his way to what Emelyn assumed was civilization, she thought... what a great friend he was, a great man.

"Too bad he's got such awful taste in women," Emelyn said to herself before taking a deep breath and popping her head beneath the water. ...And she wasn't being self-deprciating.

 

[Ambrose Maurlias]

Hotfooting it on the Beach
(Ambrose bumps into Alec & Amaya on the beach)

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose had indeed returned to his duplex after his stay in the river most of hte previous day. He'd showered, spent time with Angelina, and in general was trying to settle into things again. The change was always disrupting.

Once again, the epee sitting neglected in his closet for months now gave him a twinge of guilt as he passed by it to retreive a clean set of clothes. It was a sharp reminder of his old life. But a part of him that had always been there...

Looking down at his form he winced. He couldn't even fit into a standard fencing helmet any more... He would actually have to adapt the fencing stance that had become second nature to him now that he could no longer stand flatfooted.

The pad of one of his fingers paused on the cool metal of the guard and he sighed.

Another day he thought, chickening out.

Glancing outside, he paused. well... I'll... I'll go check the beach. If it's actually empty, maybe I'll come back for it.

Ambrose stepped out the door, going by the cafeteria for a quiet breakfast, and trotted down the path to the West beach - the one he knew was more likely to have people.

Right now, he'd prefer people over the quiet, focusing drills with the sword that would never see him any use.

As he got close, he did indeed hear voices carried over the wind, joined a few moments later by scents. Lifting his longer muzzle to the wind, he almost immediately pinned one as Amaya, and a smile came to his face. The other was unfamiliar... and mostly untainted by the scent of an animal... but if they were with Amaya, then he was likely to be spared the painful explanation.

Cresting over the sandbar at the edge of the beach, he spied the pair and walked forward, hands shoved into his light khaki pants, tail swaying out of the hole he had cut into the backs. He wore a blue polo shirt, with all of the buttons undone.

"Amaya?" He called with a greeting smile, ears back just a bit, knowing she hadn't seen him since his change.

Alec Derring

Alec's eyes went wide as he listened to Amaya, remaining silent as he let her tell him what she knew. Admittedly, he didn't care enough for Antony to be offended by what he was hearing, more intrigued with the gossip that he'd most likely keep to himself. He could see her throwing a fit like that but the 'loose' comments were a little harder to swallow. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but a voice caught his attention.

Striding down the street was a very canine-esque form though Alec was having difficulty putting his finger on what exactly he was. Jaw shut before it even fully opened and the teen turned away to stare at the waves uncomfortably until he was properly introduced or something.

Amaya Vaughan

The lizard was snapped out of her train of thought by a familiar voice. She turned, seeing his changed feet first before meeting his face. It was different, but you could still tell it was Ambrose.

"Hi Ambrose." She smiled, her tail twitching a little behind her. She barely gave his change a second thought, other then how hard it must be for him.

"Alec, this is Ambrose. Ambrose, Alec." Amaya gestured to both of them, realizing that the line-up was Alec, Amaya, then Ambrose. What was with names starting with the letter 'A'?

Ambrose Maurlias

Without realizing that he was privvy to a simiar train of thought that was going through Amaya's mind, Ambrose gave a small chuckle as he extended his very changed hand after a moment's pause.

"Apparently Dr. Moreau likes to take the names from the top of the stack." He commented wryly.

"But... hello, Alec." His tail gave a couple of wags without him really realizing. He looked over his choice of clothing, from the chains to the colorful mohawk with a curious expression.

Ironically, someone dressed like this Ambrose would have likely turned the other way and pretended that they weren't there (if he hadn't been introduced) back home - he was obviously from a very different world than the young blonde man. Ambrose just hoped that he wasn't like Jamal.

Alec Derring

Alec pulled the hoodie off his head in an attempt to look somewhat less like a street bum to the fancy-dressed dogman, smirking at a joke he really didn't get anyways. "'allo, nice t'meet ye." He accepted the handshake awkwardly at first, not used to such formalities. Although he wasn't very threatening, the man's posture was enough to intimidate the teen rather than his animalistic attributes. He didn't think he'd be seeing someone else so far along that soon.

After the shake was said and done, he reamined quiet amongst the friends.

Amaya Vaughan

The teen laughed. "That's just what I was thinking."

Once again the awkward silence fell, though she didn't seem to mind it as much as she used to. Instead she patted the sand next to her on the opposite side from Alec in a gesture for the wolfman to sit and relax.

"You been doing okay?"

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose squeezed Alec's hand with a practiced confidence that contradicted his animalistic appearance, giving him a nod and meeting his eyes before returning his attention to Amaya.

He took a seat where the sand was patted, giving his 'little sister' a reassuring smile. "As well enough as can be expected..." He responded. "I've had about a week or so to settle into... recent changes now at least. But damn if the island isn't significantly more hot since it was last week." He waved his hand in front of his face for emphasis. His fur did look a bit thicker than it did before his last change. "At least you are lucky in the respect of becoming something properly suited for the climate. I think I've even seen an iguana or two about around here every now and then."

Alec Derring

Surprisingly, Ambrose had touched upon a subject that he had been mulling over in his spare time for awhile now. In tradition of his curiosity, he went ahead and voiced his concern. "Wha' if some'un turned in'teh a poleh beh' o' somethin?" He traced a symbol into the sand with his finger as he thought outloud, unfazed as the spot beside him was occupied. He was clearly concerned about his own transformation, the only hints he'd offer to others being the vague and sometimes random questions he'd blurt out anytime he saw fit.

Amaya Vaughan

"That's true. Guess I kind take it for granted." Amaya didn't mention how much she missed seeing the stars though.

"Polar bear...?" She paused, thinking. "I... dunno. Maybe they'd adjust their room to be really cold. That's what they did for me. Well, warmer." That thought had never really occured to her.

Ambrose Maurlias

Ambrose winced and shook his head. He knew how miserable he was already feeling on the sunny days - someone with even MORE fur, and likely added... 'padding' would have it rough. "Ugh, that would be bad. Maybe they wouldn't pack on as much... ah... storage? Or spend a lot of time in the A/C or in the water. Poor b*****d, though - it's hot enough even without fur here for most people. And it's only April. And I was here in August - it's only going to get worse." He gave a small shake.

He looked to the mostly quiet newcomer curiously. "I'm sure you keep getting the same questions, but how long have you been here, Alec? How... are you doing?"

Alec Derring

Alec grimaced at the thought of being that incredibly fat in such a hot climate, suddenly wishing he'd left his hoodie back at his duplex. "Ye thanks, ye sound so posi'ive." The punk teen laughed quietly to himself, hoping his joke wouldn't be offensive seeing as he wasn't upset by it at all. He'd deal with things as they came.

"Ah... mehbeh a week or so." He scratched the back of his head, thankful for the relaxed environment. "'Am okeh... dealin, yanno." He didn't have much else to say. What was there to say? He couldn't do much but deal with what was thrown at him.

Amaya Vaughan

"Yeah..." The reptile trailed off and fell into silence, not having much to add to the conversation.

Ambrose Maurlias

Sitting on the beach, on the hot sands, under the hot sun, and talking about how damn hot he was already, Ambrose was begining to feel just a tad bit miserable. While the jungle tended to be more humid, at least the canopy provided ample shade and respite from the glaring brightness.

He couldn't even go into the water given the fact he had worn some nice clothes. And he wasn't about to strip down in front of Amaya and someone he hardly even knew.

It looked like Ambrose would have to find another location other than the beach if he did in fact want to continue working on his fencing. OR at least not during the middle of the day.

That and Amaya seemed oddly quiet. Was he making her uncomfortable?

He nodded to Alec. "I'm glad at least... I'm sure you've been told, but despite how we look... most of us are nice people - and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask one of us." He clapped him on the back as he rose to a stand. "I'm in duplex number one, speaking of. We're in this together."

He turned back to Amaya. "I'm sorry for heading out so quickly. The heat really is getting to me." He said, begining to actually pant. The thick fur sprouted from every possible pore, leaving Ambrose - much like real canines - miraculously free of sweat glands.
The worst part about it, In Ambrose's mind, is that half the time he didn't even realize when he started to do it - and such an obvious sign of a canine nature (that usually was associated with lack of intelligence) bothered him sharply. Especially around people he didn't know well.

"I will see you later. Both of you I'm sure." With a wave, he trotted back to the duplexes to go find the blessed A/C.

Alec Derring

Alec nodded, appreciating the support Ambrose offered. "Ye thanks man, take i' easeh." He furrowed his brow as he watched the canine leave, admittefly a little concerned for him.

"Nice guy." He commented when he had travelled out of sight, turning back to Amaya to continue their conversation. "I' 'elps havin' people like ye n' Ambrose n' stoof." He said this mostly without thinking, fidgitting with his hoodie until he couldn't take it any longer, and took the sweater off. "Ye realleh quiet..."

Amaya Vaughan

"See ya Ambrose, take care." Amaya nodded to him as he got up and left.

"Yeah, Ambrose is a good guy." She smiled, glad that she was at least helping him a little on adjusting to the island. Though his next comment caught her.

"Y'know..." The iguana looked over at him. "Your like the fourth person who's said that to me. Am I really?"

Alec Derring

Alec of course found this highly amusing, especially that she had no idea of her tendencies to fall silent in a conversation. "Ye, y'kinda stop talkin afteh awhile." He laughed as he crossed his legs, uncaringly tossing his hoodie into the sand beside him. "Ye don' say much." He knew she was shy but her introverted nature was statring to be very obvious.

 

[Ambrose Maurlias]

BEACH BAR TRUTH OR DARE!

Part 1


Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose picks up a glass, wandering around behind the bar. It certainly was busy that night - everyone seemed to respond to a calling of the alcohol. He smiled, rememerbing the last time something happened like that. "Hey guys.. how about a game of Truth or dare?" He grinned wolfishly. Looking quickly over to Amaya, who had been quiet almost every time he'd seen her lately. "Amaya! Truth or dare?"
Antony:Antony raised an eyebrow from her corner. "I think we just time warped back to high school," she muttered to herself.
Amaya: Amaya blinked, having simply been watching the others. Truth or Dare? Didn't they do this... months ago? That had been fun. She couldn't even recall if she had changed then or not. "Uh... truth." She managed to mumble.
Alec: Alec snickered from his spot amongst the crowd, nudging at Amaya with a grin. "Aw weak, ye shoulda picked dare."
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose smirked and thought with a smile. "Truth, eh? Well... " He looked at her - start easy... "Why have you been so quiet recently?"
Cassidy: Cass gave a soft laugh into her pint of beer. "What, this again?" she teased.
Emelyn:: Emelyn sat, cross-legged on the sand, idly wrapping her fingers about her pilots goggles, which sat in her lap. She didn't have a drink in her hand- she never touched the stuff- but was thoroughly enjoying the assemblage.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose shrugged, giving Cassidy and Antony a wide smile. "From my experience, the last time we did this it really helped break some of the glacial ice that somehow existed on this tropical island."
Fiona: Fiona looked on, strangely silent. Her expression, however, was full of varying shades of amusement and interest. This... could be fun.
Amaya: A non-existant brow raised. "'Cause... well..." She fidgetted with her long fingers. "I dunno, really." This had come up with Alec too. "Guess I'm shy?" Yeah, that was a nice way of putting it.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose shrugged, pouring himself a glass of whisky from behind the counter. Might as well go all out. He looked to Angelina inquisitively as he pulled out another glass. "Good enough, I guess. Your turn!"
Antony:She raised her eyebrow, not really seeing how this was breaking the ice. It just seemed to make Amaya uncomfortable.
Amaya: "Hm... Alec, truth or dare?" She already knew what he'd probably pick.
Kaveri: Kaveri, having just poked her head in, overheard the deadly phrase of "truth or dare." Didn't girls do this at sleepovers or something? She'll just hang back and people-watch with Zach for now and not get involved.
Angelina: "Make me something fruity," she said, batting her big blue (underaged) eyes at Ambrose.
Alec: Alec took a swig of his homemade cocktail. "Well..." He coughed and fidgetted in his spot. "A'd say dare but 'am not cuttin' off me 'air..." He laughed... nervously.
Vasile: Vasile sat in a stool next to Cass after grabbing a corona from behind the bar. His tail swung over the edge as he watched the goings-on, keeping to himself for now.
Amaya: Amaya raised a brow once more. "And you call me weak?" Oh. Burn.
Emelyn:: Emelyn forced her focus to the answer of the man she'd not yet met... and away from the simpering couple. There were so many people here she'd not met- so many better things to think on than if Angie still despised her.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose smirked at Angelina, read over some of the recipes taped to the top of the fridge, and started mixing.
Alec: The teen gave a bitter glare to his reptilian friend. "NO 'AIR."
Cassidy: Cass was merely coiled on the ground; a stool was an exercise in futility, after all. She leaned against Vasile a little and watched intently, smiling a little.
Antony:A gag was disguised as a cough as she saw the eyelash batting of the still normal girl, taking back a shot of vodka.
Ambrose Maurlias: Checking the available liquors, which didn't do much to limit thei choices, he proceeded to mix a "Hawaiin Ecstasy" - pronouncing it as such as he slid to to her with a grin.
Ambrose Maurlias: Nodding to Vasile and Emelyn with a friendly smile, he walked back around to the front and took a seat, waiting to hear what the punk teen would have to subject himself to with a wry smile.
Amaya: "Fine. Fine." That wasn't what she had in mind anyway. "Eat one of your cigarettes." She grinned sharp teeth.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose made a face, his long tongue sticking out in distaste. He could hardly stand the stench let alone eat one of the cancer sticks.
Cassidy: Oh, gross. Cassidy choked and sputtered on her beer.
Angelina: Angie gave a not-so-subtle quick glance to Emelyn before taking the orange-red drink and plucking the pineapple from the glass, sucking on the fruit and wiggling her eyebrows at Ambrose.
Alec: Alec stared in utter horror, wishing he'd been told to kiss someone or streak or something like highschoolers really did. Not... like he'd know. "Wha' th'fook?"
Antony:"What'd the poor smoke ever do to you to deserve being eaten?!" Antony called out over the swarms of people, shaking a finger at the lizard girl.
Zachary: Zach tapped his fingers lightly against the side of his head as he leaned his arm against the bar. He watched silently, occasionally looking over at her as if to ask her what they were doing there.
Emelyn:: Better to eat it than smoke it, Emelyn thought wryly to herself, wrinkling her leather nose in distaste but saying nothing. Carcinogens weren't high on her list for sympathy...
Amaya: Amaya silently agreed with Emelyn, but didn't say so. Instead she shrunk down a little in her seat and said nothing. It was Alec's dare afterall.
Vasile: Vasile's tail casually draped over Cass's shoulders as he grimaced. Nasty things.
Fiona: Fiona gave a half-snorting laugh, her attention making bounds from person to person and twinkling with mischief as they did so. She crossed her arms in front of her chest in a manner that said 'serves him right.'
Alec: Alec let out a groan, pulling a cig from his pocket. "This i' gonna sook..." He mumbled and winced, throwing his head back and tossing the cig down his thoat.
Kaveri: People here certainly looked interesting, and some of the animal-folk look downright alien. "This kinda reminds me of the Star Wars cantina," Kaveri whispered to Zach in a low voice, a smirk tugging on her lips.
Angelina: Angelina watched Alec and Fiona intently. So she wasn't the only 'human' left on this rock after all. She didn't know whether to be releaved or a bit sad. She wondered how new they were.
Antony:Since they were technically 'outside,' the squirrel woman dug in her pants for her pack of cigarettes and a lighter. If one was going to get eaten, then she would hold a formal memorial and smoke one.
Vasile: Vasile made made no effort to hide his disgusted look to Antony when she pulled out her cigarette.
Amaya: The iguana couldn't help but stiffle a laugh as she watched him. Taking in the look on his face as he was forced to swallow it.
Cassidy: Cass giggled a bit and petted Vasile's tail. It was just like a fur stole! Except nicer and not dead.
Angelina: "Thats disgusting," she commented around her straw.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose put his paws together and applauded the young man. "Good job." He made another face at the thought of how the thing must have tasted. "Your turn to torment."
Alec: He looked like he was going to puke for a good minute there, eyes watering as he attempted to contain his gag reflex. "You... payin' fo' tha'" He coughed, washing it down with a good helping of his drink.
Kaveri: Kaveri watches Alec eat his cigarette, a low chuckle escaping her throat. "Man, poor kid."
Amaya: "Oh you'll be fine missing one of them." Amaya rolled her eyes and patted the teen on the back.
Antony:Antony gave Vasile a look of 'like I give a ******** what you think of me' before lighting up and taking a drag. She was on the outskirts of the crowd anyways.
Emelyn:: "In fact, I warrant you'll be better..." Em said softly, stretching out on the sand with a wry smile.
Alec: "Alrigh'..." The teen took a good look around, trying to catch someone he didn't know well. It was more fun that way. "Aye." He gestured to Emelyn. "Dare o' whateveh."
Zachary: Zach smirked at Kaveri's cantina comment, but made a mental note to avoid dares. "Hey, at least there's no secondhand that way."
Emelyn:: Emelyn blinked in surprise, but shrugged her shoulders at the statement. "Well... since you don't know me, I don't know how good a truth would do. So... erm... dare."
Kaveri: "That's true," Kaveri nods, then tilts her head curiously to see what's going to happen to the spiky-haired chick.
Alec: Alec grinned, clearly pleased by the hedgehog's decision. "Lick.." He paused for only a moment, clear that he didnt think this over a bit. "im!" He pointed to Zach.
Angelina: Angelina giggled, getting funny flashbacks from middle school.
Emelyn:: "Lick him?" She pointed to Zach, not emphasizing either word over the other. She looked at the punky-headed guy with a laughing smile. "Contrary to popular belief, he's not a popsicle..." (cont)
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose snorted into his cup, his tail thwapping against Angelina to one side, Vasile to the other.
Emelyn:: But it was a dare, so she laughed, and walked over to where Zach sat. She knelt next to him and winked at him. "Sorry about this." Then she proceded to give him a short lick along the side of his face.
Cassidy: Cassidy began to chuckle helplessly. She put a hand over her eyes, set down her drink for a moment, and just laughed.
Fiona: One of her eyebrows perked at the 'hawked guy's selection. "This should be interesting..." she muttered tactlessly to herself, watching for his reaction.
Alec: Alec burst out laughing, as immature as he was. He figured he'd let her go easy that time.
Kaveri: Kaveri covers her mouth in attempt to conceal her laughter. "So, how's he taste?" She asks the hedgehog girl with a grin.
Emelyn:: Afterwards, Em covered her eyes and laughed, feeling a red blush creep to her cheeks. Thank goodness it was covered in fur.
Antony:The tattooed woman couldn't help but snort openly, "As long as clothes stay on..." She couldn't help it if she had the mind of a male.
Vasile: Vasile's tail curled tighter around Cass's shoulders, though he sat there, casting long sideways glances over at the wolf-man. Vasile wondered if he would change anymore.. he looked pretty, well, wolflike already
Zachary: Zach's tapping stopped immediately as he gave the spiky-haired teen a look of confusion. It was soon transferred to Emelyn as she licked him. "What are you--"
Emelyn:: "Try him yourself," she said cheekily to the woman she didn't know, but also with a smile. Then she turned to Cassidy. "Truth or dare?"
Amaya: Amaya giggled as well, though seemed to be trying to keep the spotlight off herself.
Cassidy: Cass stopped laughing abruptly. Well, she deserved it. "Er. Dare."
Vasile: Vasile nudged Cass with his thigh, smirking.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose followed Emelyn's look to Cassidy, getting a good look at her and held back any sort of reaction. She HAD changed, Vasile was right. If there were anyone on the island he was happy for that the changes weren't done..
Kaveri: "Ha! I might as well. C'mere--" Kaveri drapes her arm around Zach's shoulders, attempting to lick up the other side of his cheek. Poor guy, getting all this attention!
Ambrose Maurlias: It was definately her - she looked caught between two forms that didn't mesh well at all. He kept his mouth closed and soon found himself with a predicament all his own of muzzle + glass
Alec: Alec took a look around, realizing there were so many people he didn't know. "Huh." He hummed and drank down the rest of his cocktail. "Reeefiiilll..." He whined to no one in particular, clearly buzzed.
Zachary: "Hey!" Zach squirmed, grinning nervously as she licked him also. What the hell was wrong with women these days? "I'm not a salt lick!"
Emelyn:: "Dare? Damn, now I have to come up with one. ...Okay.. erm... alright. I dare you to... oh man... okay, I give up. It's more of a truth- but... tell Vasile something he really doesn't know about you."
Alec: "A' wou'n complain." The teen raised an eyebrow at the crimson guy's comment before keeping anything more to himself.
Amaya: The girl raised a brow at Alec and rolled his eyes. There was no way she was going to refill his drink this time. He already seemed buzzed.
Antony:For the first time, Antony noticed the girl with the dreads and piercings, but at Alec's comment she simply raised an eyebrow. "Of course you wouldn't," she teased.
Emelyn:: After eliciting her 'dare', she turned back to Zach and knelt next to his ear, whispering only for him. "Sorry about that. You can get me back later, if you'd like." Then she left him a soft, friendly kiss on his cheek.
Vasile: Vasile quirked an eyebrow, looking to Cass.
Cassidy: Cass looked up at Vasile. "Er. That's hard." She took a sip of beer, more to stall than anything else. Everything was either really... trivial, or just downright embarrassing.
Cassidy: "I kissed a girl once," she said at last, and looked down, just slightly horrified. "It was at a party. I was kind of drunk. Um. There."
Zachary: "Well I don't know what turns you on, kid, but..." he mumbled at the spiky-haired teen, his face a shade of scarlet to match his scales.
Vasile: Vasile's tail thumped. "Oh really?" He raised an approving brow and let a toothy smirk spread over his face.
Alec: Getting no reaction from his feeble plea for a drink, Alec crawled over until he was close enough to make himself another drink. "Ye, ye" He snickered.
Vasile: Then. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Cassidy: Cass stuck out a forked tongue. "Already quite fine on that front, thank you. Your turn. Truth or dare, Vasile."
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose's mood was lifting already, people were smiling, and amusing dares were flying. With a sigh, he glanced around and lapped at some of the alcohol in his glass.
Vasile: "Aw s**t, I should have seen that one coming," he said, his smirk fading.
Vasile: "I'm not quite ready to streak down the beach in the nude or anything, so Truth."
Antony:Antony took a long drag from her smoke before offering Alec the bottle of vodka with a smirk, after she had refilled her drink of course.
Alec: Alec gladly accepted, raising the bottle in thanks before refilling his glass greedily. "Streak! Streak!"
Emelyn:: Emelyn went back to her seat on the sand, rubbing her forehead as if to coax the blush from it. Poor Zach, she mused, as she returned the goggles to her forehead.
Vasile: Vasile blinked an eye at Alec. "You'd like to see that, would ya?" He winked in mock seduction
Antony:She made sure to swipe the bottle back after he had refilled his glass.
Amaya: Amaya glanced at Antony and then Alec. Oh yay, he was probably going to get drunk... if he wasn't already. She hadn't touched anything, thinking the stuff smelled like pee. She doubted her new pallet would enjoy it anyway.
Cassidy: Cassidy gave this a moment of thought, her finger tapping against her glass. "Truth, truth. What is," she said slowly, "the strangest thing you have ever bought for yourself?"
Fiona: Teenage curiosity spurred on by natural confidence, Fiona allowed her eyes to rake across Vasile's figure at the suggestion of streaking. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Darn, a truth. Oh well, maybe later.
Alec: Alec paled, realizing he hadn't been paying attention to who was being dared. "uh... neh thanks?" He winced and sat down quietly.
Vasile: Vasile took a long drink from his bottle, thinking. "A full body waxing," he said with a cringe - then quickly added - "it was a modeling gig!"
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose winced. "Ouch..."
Cassidy: Cass winced visibly. "Yikes. I'm not entirely sure I wanted that mental image."
Amaya: "Wow." Amaya raised a brow, staring at the changed Vasile.
Vasile: "Hey!"
Antony:"Full?" Antony echoed, eyebrow raising. She had only gone as far as a Brazillian.
Ambrose Maurlias: "Course, I bet you anything it would hurt ten times as much now!" He barked a laugh.
Alec: Alec spit out his drink, not wanting to EVER feel that pain.
Cassidy: Cass grinned and stroked his tail. "Now, now. No waxings for my fuzzy man." She was, possibly, just a tiny bit tipsy.
Vasile: "Anyway..." Vasile's eyes darted around the crowd, settling on Antony as she spoke to him. "Yes. Everything that wasn't on my head, or a well-shaped eyebrow was OFF. So, truth or dare?"
Kaveri: "Wonder what the hell modeling he was doing THAT for," Kaveri says to Zach, "Can't imagine any of these guys getting a waxed ANYTHING, much less shaved. -- Porn, maybe?"
Vasile: "NOT PORN!" His tail ruffled. "It was a swimsuit add! They were just, uh.... very....very small....swimsuits..."
Cassidy: "Porn," Cassidy repeated, giggling.
Vasile: Vasile huffed, nursing his bottle.
Kaveri: Kaveri gives a hearty laugh, dismissively waving her hand. "Sure, buddy."
Zachary: Zach was still a fierce shade of red, but he managed to get out a semblance of a laugh.
Amaya: Amaya giggled again.
Alec: Alec wished he was deaf and without imagination at the flying accusations of male porn.
Emelyn:: "Bm chka bm bmm.." Em hummed in the background.
Antony:"Dare," she murmured, snickering at the labret girl's comment, "Nothing I've seen him in... So nothing hetero?" She was, in fact, kidding.
Vasile: "I think if I was ever in porn my naughty-bits would be all over the net."
Emelyn:: Emelyn turned to the person next to her and whispered, laughingly, "We don't get the net here, do we? ...Too bad.."
Vasile: Vasile gave a happy-evil grin when Antony said dare. He hopped off his stool and raided the fruit basket that hung over the bar for drinks, taking a bananna.
Kaveri: "I don't think I've ever been on 'the net,'" Kaveri adds. And really, she hasn't -- most cable companies don't go to abandoned buildings.
Vasile: "You always claim..." he said, handing the girl the fruit. "That you give the 'best head ever." He waggled his eyebrows at her. "Demonstrate." He turned to sit back down, t hen quickly added, "ON the banana."
Antony:"Wishful thinking?" She asked him.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose's eyes widened curiously at the procurement of the bananna, and even more at the dare, lapping more at his alcohol and caring less.
Cassidy: Cass glanced up at Vasile and over to Antony, more puzzled than anything else. "Best head ever?"
Angelina: "I'd rather watch Vasile demonstrate on the bananana," Angelina mumbled into her drink with a secretive smile.
Antony:"A good blow job, involves more than just the c**k... I'll have you know," she said with a grin, but taking the banana from him anyways.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose spluttered into his cup. "I don't!"
Antony:Antony raised her eyebrow at Cass, "He didn't tell you? Tsk."
Vasile: Vasile patted Cass on the shoulder. "Take notes."
Kaveri: Kaveri suppresses a laugh, covering her mouth and leaning back, her other arm still draped around Zach's shoulders.
Alec: Alec froze, grey eyes slowly moving over to rest on Antony, frozen in just... shock.
Amaya: Oh jeeze. Adults were so gross... and sometimes seemed more immature then she was. Though like always, she remained silent.
Vasile: He smiled at her, hoping she got the fact that he was joking. really hoped....
Fiona: Fiona laughed, leaning over to Ambrose (who happened to be the nearest person she recognised) and saying, "Remind me never to eat a banana split here. Ever." A wide smirk appeared on her face.
Cassidy: "I'll be sure to file it away safely," Cass teased. ".... wait. Tell me what?"
Vasile: Vasile just shook his head, trying not to blush.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose continued to chortle harder at Fiona's additive. "I'll do that!" He grinned back at her.
Zachary: Zach glanced between Cassidy and Vasile with slight alarm. He hadn't heard people talk about their sex lives this casually since college, and those stories were mostly made up.
Antony:The shot was thrown back before she took care to peel the sticker off of the banana before raising her eyebrow at Vasile, "Well aren't you the honest one."
Cassidy: "Uh." Cass's tongue flickered. "Should I know what this is about? Do I really want to?"
Antony:Part of her was stalling, banana peels didn't exactly taste great.
Antony:"Considering no one here wants to see this banana get fellitio except for Vasile, I'll simply..." She trailed off, opening her mouth and proceeding to carefully, due to the curve of the fruit, push it down her throat till it's stem was pretty much the only thing showing. Once done, it was quickly pulled back out. "Now that takes skill," she boasted, tossing the banana in the nearest trash can.
Antony:((D: Sorry, had to be done... Antony = whore. >_>))
Alec: "THANK YE' AN' GOO'NIGHT" Alec announced when it was over, abruptly retreating to the bar to get some ice cubes. Yea, that's it.
Cassidy: Yes, a complete loss for words. Cass decided she really needed another swig of beer, and decided to just focus on that for the moment. Good thing she couldn't really blush.
Zachary: He moved a little to better shoulder Kaveri's arm, nervously putting his hand on her back to steady her. He was glad the breeze was cold. His face still felt like it was burning.
Kaveri: Kaveri looks on with mild amazement - it's quite difficult to suppress that gag reflex, and Antony seemed to have some kind of a gift. "I'll be damned," she murmurs.
Amaya: Amaya held no reaction, having found it disgusting.
Fiona: "Bravo!" Fiona shouted humorously, clapping and grinning. It was funny to her, at least.
Antony:She gave Kaveri a wink, obviously not sober.
Angelina: Angelina clapped, winking to Ambrose.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose felt his own cheeks burning, turning away from Antony - but not until the 'deed' was done.
Antony:"Oh! My turn..." Antony blinked, looking around at those present as she tried to decide who to pick. "Hmm... Zach," she grinned evilly, "Truth or Dare?"
Alec: Alec eventually returned, flopping back down wherever he could find room.
Zachary: Zach blinked at Antony, still in a little shock. "Oh, I guess... um... dare."
Antony:Noticing Alec's return, Antony grinned and looked back over to Zach. Motioning between Alec and the dragon, she smiled sweetly, "You two... Kiss." Insta-cold shower for Alec.
Amaya: Say what? Amaya blinked, shocked and looked between Zach and Alec. Oh jeeze...
Kaveri: Kaveri is morbidly curious to see what's going to come out of this one. She looks at Antony with a crooked smile, then back at Zach and then to Alec, clearly more amused than she should be.
Alec: Alec's jaw dropped, just... STARING at Antony in a 'how could you do this to me' sorta way.
Cassidy: "Karma is a wonderful thing."
Emelyn:: "Holy cow. ...Boy Zach, bet you wish you were getting licked now," Emelyn nearly squealed, falling back on the sand with the propulsion of her laughter.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose coughed. Strong whisky... yeah... that was it, eyes going from one poor guy to the other, very glad that he wasn't the targed.
Antony:Antony wiggled her eyebrows at Alec, patting his leg as a gesture of 'I'll make up for this later.'
Zachary: Zach mouthed the word "traitor" to Emelyn as she laughed at him. Kiss... a guy. He could probably do this. As long as he kept the 'guy' part out of his mind.
Fiona: "Somebody get a camera, quick!" Fiona said with a snicker.
Antony:"I'll ask Aubrey for a copy of the video."
Emelyn:: Em just responded, after she'd propped herself up on an elbow in the sand and saw Zach's mouthed word, with a wink.
Kaveri: Kaveri gives Zach a reassuring pat on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger! ... lizard ... thing!"
Alec: Alec's head dropped with a pathetic whine as he sloooowly edged him torso in the angle that Zach was in with the most... disgusted look on his face that rivalled any hangover he'd ever had.
Alec: *his
Angelina: Angelina had a huge grin on her face. Yaoi was hot.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose gave her a look. "Traitor!"
Zachary: At this rate, the blush would become a permanent rash. Why had he picked dare? He shut his eyes tightly, hoping that the teen would get it over with quickly.
Vasile: Vasile shifted and his right ear twitched three times in rapid sucession.
Antony:The squirrel woman glanced around, the smirk on her face widening as she saw everyone's expressions.
Alec: Unfortunately Alec was firmly stuck in his place, left staring at the dragon man to wait for HIM to make a move.
Emelyn:: A grin covered the face of the hedgehog-girl as she looked around at the gathering. "Oooh... methinks the gentlemen are getting a little uncomfortable," she said, her voice tinged with delight.
Angelina: Angelina. "What?" she asked innocently. But an idea brewed in her head and her grin grew wider and she patted his knee.
Cassidy: "You may as well just get it over with," Cass hooted.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose didn't like that look. Scowling suspiciously, he lapped more at his drink-he'd figure out an easier, less embarrassing method lated.
Zachary: Zach opened one eye to glance at Emelyn. "You think?" he whined, before closing it again.
Emelyn:: "Aww... come on! ...Kiss... kiss... kiss..." she chanted.
Angelina: "Kiss kiss kiss..." Angelina joined in.
Antony:Antony whistled some old western show down music.
Kaveri: "C'mon, boys!" Kaveri feels compelled to give Zach a jump start, throwing her arm out to lightly shove him in Alec's direction.
Fiona: "Doooo iiiiit!" Fiona added to the shouts of encouragement, her own devious grin mirroring those of many of the present females.
Alec: Alec shuffled closer, obviously delaying this as log as he could. "D'ye 'ave like... some disease or somethin cuz 'am not su-" He of course didn't see the shove coming, unable to dodge the oncoming Zach as their lips met.
Antony:Part of her was expecting Zach to make her kiss a girl later on in the night, but then again, the dragon was rather naive.
Angelina: Angelina gave an approving cheer as the lips came in contact.
Zachary: Zach didn't see the violent shove coming, and thus couldn't avoid it as he temporarily locked lips with Alec. It was over just as quickly as he pulled back, putting a hand to his mouth.
Alec: Alec flailed his arms and made sure to scramble at LEAST 3 feet away from Zach after it was over, wiping furiously at his mouth in horror. "Drink! Driiiiiink!!!"
Ambrose Maurlias: "Poor bastards." Ambrose lamented, worrying more about his girlfriend and her devious mind.
Kaveri: Kaveri roars with laughter, applauding with approval.
Emelyn:: "Oh, you men are so uptight." Em said, mirth coming out every pore.
Antony:She gave a wolf-whistle at the pair, giving Alec an apologetic look, handing him her shot of vodka.
Cassidy: "That wasn't so bad, now? Was it?"
Angelina: Angelina plopped herself right down in Ambrose's lap. Not saying anything, just smiling herself.
Antony:"They're uptight because they're straight," she pointed out, laughing with Em.
Vasile: Vasile joined in the laughing, though his ears were awfully pink.
Zachary: Zach glared at Antony's whistling before turning his attention to Kaveri. He spoke from behind the hand, afraid to move it. "Truth... or dare?"
Kaveri: "Oh, hell. I'm setting myself up for disaster, but whatever, man," Kaveri shrugs with a toothy grin, "dare me."
Antony:Antony simply blew Zach a kiss and winked at his glare.
Alec: Alec downed the shot and slumped against the nearest person that wasn't Zach, afraid to look in the guy's direction out of embarassment.
Angelina: "Revenge!" Angelina cheered, giggling at her own suggestion.
Ambrose Maurlias: "Brave woman in respect to the dares that have been flying around." Ambrose lifted his glass to the woman whose name he had yet to learn.
Angelina: Angelina helped herself to a sip from Ambrose's glass. "eugh, gross.." she pinched her face up.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose chuckled, polishing it off with a few coughs and then handed her the empty glass. "Make me something better then." He challenged.
Amaya: Amaya seemed to be the only one not really having a good time... maybe she was still too young, prude and naive. Or maybe she was still just shy around crowds and people she didn't know.
Zachary: Zach moved the hand a little as he contemplated the dare. His eyes darted between Antony and Kaveri before he announced it.
Zachary: "Kiss Antony."
Angelina: Angelina got a twinkle in her eye. Such a small little woman and Ambrose had made her such a strong drink...
Angelina: She climbed over the bar (literally) and got to work.
Vasile: Vasile looked to Kav. "Now what did she do to deserve that," he teased.
Antony:At Zach's comment, Antony simply grinned and glanced over to Kaveri before patting her lap, "You're standing and I'm lazy."
Alec: Alec burst out laughing, though he could've seen that from a mile away on a foggy eve in Devon. "Thas more like i'!"
Cassidy: Cass shook her head. Guys kissing, now girls... It was a good thing she'd had such an easy dare.
Ambrose Maurlias: "there goes my idea." Ambrose sighed overdramatically, glancing between Emelyn and Angelina. It would be copying now. Damn. He then looked warily at the small brunette in front of the bottles of alcohol.
Kaveri: Kaveri shrugs, smiling. "I've kissed a girl before, I can do it again." She looks over to Antony, tilting her head before starting to approach her. "You can't live in Olympia without kissing a girl."
Alec: "'ow far's Olivia from 'ere?" Alec called out, laughing and obviously feeling the vodka a bit.
Antony:Antony simply grinned, leaning up when she was close enough to whisper in her ear, "Want to be cruel and give the men a show?" She had enough alcohol in her for that.
Emelyn:: Emelyn heard Ambrose's words- then saw his gaze shift between her and his girlfriend. Her eyes narrowed at the man, and she decided one thing. ...She didn't very much like Ambrose when he was drunk.
Angelina: Angelina didn't seem to notice or care abuot the comment, too busy pouring over drink recipes and pulling out an assortment of bottles.
Kaveri: "Ah, why the hell not," Kaveri whispers back, curling an arm around Antony's waist and pulling the other woman towards her.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose's lament was soon distracted (fortunately not noticing Emelyn's glare) and hypocritically turned to watch the show.
Antony:Grinning, she moved her right hand to the back of the woman's neck, pulling her down with an audible purr. Time for a sadistic show.
Alec: Alec watched, drink in hand at what was guaranteed to be entertainment.
Zachary: After Kaveri left, Zach moved to sit by Emelyn, having spared her from his barely-vengeful dare. He watched Antony and Kaveri, still not moving his hand from its place in front of his mouth.
Emelyn:: "Cat got your tongue?" Em said to Zach in a kinder tone of voice, and reached up to pull his hand down to his lap. She wondered why he'd come to sit with her- and hoped it wasn't... pity.
Angelina: Angelina cleared her throat for Ambrose's attention, sliding a tall glass his way. "Its called a Waikiki Woo Woo!!" she exclaimed, proud of herself
Kaveri: Kaveri bares her teeth in a grin, putting her other hand behind Antony's neck and allowing herself to get pulled down. Let's get this party started!
Cassidy: Cass glanced up at Vasile, and then appeared to decide that the bottom of her glass was very interesting indeed.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose, momentarily distracted, smacked his lips and took the tall, fruity drink from the grinning woman's hands, smelling it cautiously.
Ambrose Maurlias: His tongue flicked into the mixture, letting the rum-based fruit drink tingle it before grinning and lapping at it with gusto. "Not bad." He replied wryly.
Antony:Antony immediately caught her in a passionate kiss, groaning softly in order to make sure that those that weren't 'allowed' to watch could hear them. She was trying to torture people damnit!
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose's ears crumpled back, eyes darting to the scene daringly
Alec: Alec forced himself to stare at his glass's contents as he whistled a little tune that didn't seem to do the trick in drowning out the "noises" that beckoned everyone's attention.
Cassidy: Cass looked up involuntarily, squeaked, and looked back down. Okay. This was almost punishment for admitting that stupid kiss.
Angelina: Angelina looked rather unphased, but amused
Zachary: "I don't think that was a cat..." he mumbled quietly, gazing in the direction of Alec. He was about to speak again when Antony's loud sounds interrupted him. He smiled at Emelyn, face still very red. "What have I done?"
Kaveri: Kaveri leans into the kiss with much panache, adding to the noise with an amused 'ooo!' squeal, running her hands up into Antony's hair. What a beautiful trainwreck!
Amaya: Amaya wasn't really bothered either, or at least she tried to make it look that way. Green eyes stared at the tabletop, her chest feeling tight.
Emelyn:: For the most part, Emelyn ignored the kiss, as she laughed gently at Zach. "You've just owned up to a dare. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't agonize over it. You did well," she smiled.
Antony:Backing them both up so that she was able to sit down again and pull the other woman closer between her legs, tilting her head to the side to deepen the kiss.
Angelina: Angelina would elbow Ambrose in the ribs if his attentioin got too focused.
Vasile: Vasile leaned down. "Kissed like that?"
Fiona: Fiona watched out of the corner of her eye a tad curiously, if only to know all the gory details for storytelling at a later date. They certainly seemed to be... enjoying themselves.
Alec: Alec looked a little uncomfortable to say the least where he sat amongst the group, thankfully his alcohol was doing its job at making him clueless.
Cassidy: "Ummmm." Cassidy fidgeted without looking at Vasile. "Something like that. Maybe."
Vasile: Vasile just grinned to himself.
Kaveri: "Mrmphpht!" Kaveri tries to cry out, but continues to let Antony take the lead.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose blinked. IT was... still going? As his stare lingered he felt the sharp elbow in his ribs and pulled his attention away.
Antony:Antony lingered with the kiss for a minute or so longer before pulling back to catch her breath, eyes still closed as her lips curled into a lopsided smirk. "Kiss enough for you Zachypoo?"
Angelina: She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
kimie kitty chan: Nita sat at the back of the group with some sort of fruity drink in her hand, amused at all the goings-on.
Antony:Glancing over to Ambrose, she waggled her eyebrows at Angelina with a knowing expression. The art of manipulating men included more than eyelash batting.
Kaveri: Kaveri attempts to wriggle out of Antony's grip, laughing hard. "Oh man," she gasped, "that was a hell of a thing." Wiping her forehead, she goes to sit back down. Now it was her turn? Hmm... who to pick?
Zachary: Zach looked from Emelyn once more to quickly roll his eyes at Antony. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were enjoying it more than us guys were." He turned back to Emelyn again.
Kaveri: She glances around the room, twirling her finger in the air to pull out the next victim.
Antony:"Kissing is kissing," she said simply, figuring the comment explained itself.
Fiona: Fiona snorted in response to Zach's comment. "No, I don't think that's possible." She gave something partway between a smirk and a sneer.
Fiona: ((Fee hasn't been picked. *belated*))
Kaveri: "Hm... how about the, uh... wolf dude?" Kaveri jabs an unsure finger in Ambrose's direction. "Truth or dare?"
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose blinked, pointing a clawed finger at himself before smiling, tail thumping. "Me?" He smiled, glancing around. He couldn't chicken out in response to everyone else.
Ambrose Maurlias: "Dare. And the name's Ambrose" he smiled.
Angelina: Angelina slipped out of his lap, sitting next him. "Wolf-dude" she snickered.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose stuck his tongue out at Angelina.
Antony:Antony wolf-whistled at him before adding a casual wink.
Kaveri: "Yeah! Alright, Ambrose," Kaveri grins, rubbing her hands together deviously, "I dare you to... kiss the green chick over there. Yeah, her--" She points at Amaya.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose blinked, and looked to Amaya, who had been remarkably quiet and sullen, he realized, scratched the back of his head. She was his 'little sister'!
Angelina: Angelina straightened up, pouting.
Amaya: WHAT?! The look on her face couldn't be described in words.
Alec: "Amaya kisses!" Alec randomly blurted out, grinning like a fool. Why not? She needed a good kiss to lighten her up.
Ambrose Maurlias: But... a dare was a dare, right? he got to his feet, giving an apologetic look first to Angelina, and then kneeled over to Amaya. "I'm sorry, 'sis'." He winced, rubbing his paw across the top of her head.
Antony:Blinking, the squirrel looked back and forth between Amaya, Ambrose, and LashBatter. Oh this would be interesting.
Ambrose Maurlias: Then, glancing around, he smirked, and gaver her a big, wet 'dog' kiss - licked up the side of her cheek.
Angelina: Angelina chuckeled, making herself relax.
Amaya: Amaya was tensed up and ready to bolt when a wet, sloppy tongue made contact with her face. She blinked a few times before realizing that was it. Oh thank god. "S'ok, that was nice."
Emelyn:: "Awwww... a patented Zachy kiss," Em said, clapping her hands with glee. She had wondered how Ambrose would make it so it wasn't awkward- considering the sort of relationship they shared.
Ambrose Maurlias: He chuckled, his tail thumping as he stood up again and, with a hand to his chin, regarded the dozen or so people around him with a mirthful light in his hand.
Alec: Alec clapped his hands, enjoying the dare. "Awww...." Despite his half-drunken state he knew Amaya would've been upset over anything more than that.
Amaya: Indeed she would have. The last thing she wanted was her first kiss to be from her 'big brother'.
Ambrose Maurlias: "Angelina!" He spun, tail motoring. "Truth or dare."
Angelina: She leaned forward, a predatory gleam in her eye. "Dare."
Ambrose Maurlias: He grinned toothily, the possibilities spirialing in his mind. Then, with a grin, he vaulted over the bar, grabbed another bananna and tossed it at her. "Show up Antony!"
Angelina: Angelina blinked. "With who?"
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose guffawed. "I was just going to say the bananna... but I mean... if you WANTED to give us a show...." He chuckled.
Angelina: Angelina couldn't help stop the blush. "BUt...
Angelina: you know how I good I am!"
Ambrose Maurlias: It was Ambrose's turn to turn red.
Emelyn:: Emelyn covered her eyes with her hands. This was a subject she wished she werent as privvy to as she was...
Ambrose Maurlias: He gesticulated in the vague direction of the fruit. "Well... you know... do a ... production... sort of thing."
Angelina: Angelina grumbled to herself, swiping the fruit out of his hand. She looked at it and sighed. No way she could deep-throat like Antony could...
Fiona: Fiona snickered, humming a tune and muttering lyrics: something along the lines of "This s**t is bananas- B-A-N-A-N-A-S!"
Zachary: Zach's blush had started to fade, but returned when Emelyn used a pet name of sorts for him. He glanced over at her quickly before closing his eyes as the banana stunt was about to be repeated.
Antony:Antony rolled her eyes, but said nothing for now, simply glancing over to Alec briefly and cocking an eyebrow.
Angelina: But... worth with what God gave you... Angelina closed her eyes, trying to concetrate then she heard Fee. "Oh nO! I HATE that song!"
Fiona: "So do I," she said with a wince, "But it popped into my head. Fits perfectly, don't you think?" Oooh, a double entendre.
Alec: Alec was shaking his head, not sure if his teenage hormones could take mcuh more of this. "Give a' guy a' BREAK alreadeh!" He laughed though he was partially serious. Think cooold showers.
Angelina: She huffed and closed her eyes again, trying to forget there was a whole group of people watching her.
Kaveri: "Yes, we have no bananas," Kaveri croons, resting her hands on her hips.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose groaned at the puns, but not without a healthy dose of chuckles.
Angelina: She went to work on the banana... though maybe not as deep as Antony, she tried to make up with lots of tongue and lip work, completely with sloppy sucking noises.
Angelina: When it was done, she was beet-red and flung the fruit squarely at her boyfriends head.
Ambrose Maurlias: Ambrose let loose a startled yelp as he was beaned with the bananna, fumbled to catch it after it connected squarely in his chest.
Ambrose Maurlias: To try to reply, he gave it a sniff, peeled it, and then ate it after sticking out his tongue again at her.
Emelyn:: Emelyn actually snorted as the projectile fruit bounced off its target.
Antony:Antony laughed out loud, relaxing with a smug smile to herself. After that show, the tattooed woman hadn't lost any of her confidence.
Antony:"I'd like to point out in both our defenses, banana's are far from the real thing."
Angelina: Angelina tried to calm herself down, but it was hard to chose who she wanted to pick next without ...looking at people. "What about you," she asked, pointed to the quiet girl in the back. (Nitta). "Truth or dare?"
Antony:bananas*
Ambrose Maurlias: "I'll accept that." Ambrose replied to Antony. "No way in hell would I eat the real thing." He winked, the banana halfway devoured.
kimie kitty chan: Nita's head jerked up. Damn. She'd been spotted. "Um.." She took a big swig of whatever she was drinking. "What the hell. Dare."
Antony:"Detachable p***s!" She cried, busting into giggles. She hadn't heard that song in forever.  

[Ambrose Maurlias]

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[Ambrose Maurlias]

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