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 Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:47 pm
Yesterday, while exploring the island on a sort of nature hike, Jordan had stumbled across the colony of test subjects that Dr. Moreau had so kindly informed him of. Remebering that there were some who would react with hostility, he'd backed down and tried to remain incognito.
However, today was different. He'd become determined to scout out the village and hopefully come across someone who would be able to direct him to facilities for laundry and food.
As the previous day, Jordan carried with him his composition journal with the pen clipped to its cover. As he set foot into the vicinity of the village proper, Jordan glanced around silently taking in the sight of so many duplexes at first. There were many more test subjects than he was expecting, but not to mind. He looked like a lost tourist with a dumbfounded expression that said 'help me'.
Jordan, as a representative of Feral Labs, was not about to be seen in casual clothing and had reluctantly put on one of his wrinkled, already-worn work outfits from earlier in the week: black silk shirt, gray dress slacks, navy blue tie, and of course, he wore his black baseball cap and his blue sunshades. Those were a god-send at the moment as his awkward cycle had left him somewhat light-sensitive today.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:55 pm
Not knowing that the new unsuspecting islander needed help, or even that he was close by Awen appeared from around the line of duplexes. Her rubber skin still slicked with wetness from her swim and her whole body had a nice shine to it in the sunlight.
She had, in fact, noticed the man shortly after she rounded the duplexes and seeing that he was unchanged didn't really mean much to her, she had been seeing many new comers who hadn't yet experienced their first change- but knew of the island.
The manta girl raised a webbed arm and waved politely as she was continuing towards another clump of buildings ahead.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:09 pm
Suddenly, there was someone coming around the line of duplexes and he stepped lively to catch up so he could ask a few questions. That's when he noticed the mystery girl's appearance in more detail. His lively step slowed to a cautious walk. He didn't want to frighten her off afterall.
He arched a brow slightly at her appearance. Remember how you're supposed to conduct yourself, Jordan. He thought to himself as he continued his approach. Something was off. Was she one of the test subjects here? He'd best be careful not to say or do anything stupid to jeopardize his second chance.
"Excuse me, miss. Miss, please, may I have a moment of your time. I've only been here a week and I was wondering if you could tell me where I could do laundry and find something to eat."
The closer he got to the girl, the more he noticed and he tried to curb his initial shock. What was going on. What was with her arms? And her skin seemed so slick and... rubbery? He took note that she was still dripping. Was this some sort of state-of-the-art swim gear?
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:21 pm
At the 'excuse me, miss.' Awen raised an eyebrow at the man, well he certainly was a little formal, wasn't he? Her expression changed to a soft smile as she listened to the rest of what he had to say but her mood changed drastically. Her stomach knotted hearing he'd only been here a week, she couldn't wrap her head around how he'd gone a week without food.
As he looked her over Awen had long ago prepared herself to the shocked and odd looks she recieved, but it didn't seem as though he were going to freak out. Good, so she wasn't his first islander.
"Oh, um, sure. The laundry machines are in that building over there, there are a couple of signs once inside so it shouldn't be hard to find. The cafeteria is over there, and the other buildings and rooms have a library slash tv room, a workout room, an arcade and a few little lounge areas." She pointed to the locations she had been indicating and everything was said with the most polite tone. "There's a community message board over there. Islander run, mind you, the labs never put one up so an islander made it himself."
She tapped a flippered foot and scratched awkwardly around her gills. The girl looked as if she was trying to remember something she had missed but with a resolute shake of her head she turned her violet eyes back to the newcomer. "That's about it for the town places."
Finally she allowed a puzzled expression to break through her polite smile. "Now, tell me, how the heck did you go a week without food? Most people find their way to the cafeteria before most other places." She chuckled softly and crossed her arms as best as the webbed things could.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:45 pm
He smiled as she was of great assistance. He nodded as she pointed to each respective area. So there was plenty for the subjects to do here. That was rather nice of Dr. Moreau. They were given entertainment and recreational activities to occupy themselves during their stay.
"Thank you so much." he tugged on his wrinkled silk shirt. "I was afraid that I wouldn't find a laundry machine to clean these dirty clothes."
She seemed to be one of the less hostile residents, which was only a positive point in his first encounter with a native. His attention was drawn to her flippered foot as it tapped. That must be rather form-fitting to be so responsive to every motion. Jordan's attention was brought back to eye-level as she asked how he'd survived a week without food.
"Oh, I found my mini-fridge stocked. It was a good thing Dr. Moreau had the foresight to do so or I'm not sure what I would have done." he smiled kindly to her and extended a hand in a gesture of good faith. "Thank you for your assistance. I'm Jordan. I was transferred here recently. Do you happen to work in the labs as well?"
It was then that Jordan noticed the gills. Gills? Wait... gills?? How could she... what would they... Gills...?? His questioning thoughts were cut off by more questioning thoughts.
"Forgive me for asking... miss... I'm afraid I didn't catch your name... How well does that swim outfit function? It must be fairly simple to breathe underwater." Jordan smiled naively, hoping that she would correct him without him making a complete fool of himself.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:08 pm
"Oh." Awen laughed softly as she replied without really thinking. "Well that would explain it then. When I arrived we didn't have fully stock--"
Her brow drew in as a dark look came over her face. Something in her mind just clicked and it wasn't a happy thought. She was his first islander encounter. He didn't understand what she was and what was that he said? He worked in the labs? It couldn't have been like Lily or Newt- no then the guy would have known about what was going on. And he did say he tranferred recently.... Damn.
Awen gave a quick look around before pointing a finger with a very serious look on her round fac. "Don't introduce yourself and say you have anything to do with the labs." She said quickly and lowered her finger. "Most people around here won't take kindly to it and you do not need enemies like that right off the bat."
She half turned from him and placed a webbed hand on her forehead to cool her forehead. Giving a heavy sigh she tilted her head back to the man, Jordan he said his name was, before shaking her head and looking downward. She hated what was coming next, it always came and it always made enemies.
Turning back to him the girl crossed her arms and held a rather sad look on her face. "My name is Awen Zyn. I arrived here a year and a few months ago. I was told I was coming here for therapy so that I would not fear water anymore. It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. Feral Labs has a shadey side, and my poor boy you are standing on it. This island is used to experiment on human subjects, fusing animal DNA with our own to make us something... different. As far as I can tell there are four stages of change that we go through- I am in the third stage of change and was injected with a manta ray serum. If you don't get the injections on time often you get very ill and I've been told you could contract a rather fast acting form of cancer. There are already a few islanders that have died due to complications and others have been killed by an islander who has gone mad and dug out her control chip. It is a risky place to be, but we have no choice now. Escape isn't an option mostly because the control chips they use are able to knock us out at a push of a button or spoken command. You worked for the labs, you said? I'm sorry but whatever you did to mess up has landed you here on the island. I'm not going to lie the transformations are painful and you can never leave for home again. I'm sorry Jordan..." The manta ray spoke slowly yet briskley, making sure he heard every word but left him no time to interupt her. Now she paused to take a breath and smiled.
"There are bright sides though. Most people have found amazing talents in their new forms and the island is like anyone's dream. No work, just relaxation and activities to keep your mind off things."
She now stopped finally and remained with a sad sort of smile on her lips awaiting any reaction the man may throw her way. Yelling out of anger, fear, disbelief, hyserical laughter? How would this newcomer react, she wondered? Unlike other island guessing games this one Awen hated and braced herself.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:34 pm
Was it something he'd said? He knew it. Jordan had said something stupid and upset her. He was afraid of what might happen when she became deadly serious. Would this get back to Dr. Moreau. Oh no... he didn't need to make trouble for himself... not again.. not so soon... Then, he listened as she warned him about not introducing himself as part of the labs and he cocked his head curiously.
"Enemies? Dr. Moreau had warned me ahead of time that there were those who were hostile towards the labs and those who were more friendly and open to them."
Before he could say more, Awen told him something that made the pit of his stomach ache. Fusing animal DNA into humans is what this island facility's project? He'd been told of an project, but beyond that nothing specific and he'd hesitated to inquire about that more when he'd had the chance. His thoughts were racing as she told him the horrible truth, the true nature of the beast as it were, the dark side of reality. Stages of transformation... cancer... and death has already resulted in some of the subjects. His heart beat faster as he didn't have time to mull over any of the information offered freely to him.
Was there the chance that he wouldn't share in their fate? Was it possible that he wouldn't have to suffer painfully?
Awen's words shook him when she stated: "..whatever you did to mess up has landed you here on the island. " Whatever he had done. Yeah... Whatever he had been a part of indeed. But... the doctor! He would have been infuriated if Jordan was truly being punished! It couldn't be true that he was to share in their fate! He even lived apart from their colony! What more proof did he need.
He took a deep breath, feeling a bit light-headed suddenly. He removed the sunshades and Awen could see just how exhausted Jordan was at last. His bloodshot eyes told him of the story, a man who had fears and worries of his future, of a man who hadn't had a decent night of sleep in almost two weeks. Jordan lowered his head and rubbed his eyes. What was going on?
"But... maybe it won't happen to me... right?" he absentmindedly rubbed the injection spot through his silk shirt. "I'm.. here to work. Not to be transformed into an animal." Jordan lifted his weary eyes and studied Awen's animalistic features. A manta ray...
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:47 pm
Awen sighed heavily. So it was fear and denial. Not me, never me! A reaction she'd encountered before. Shaking her head once more she sighed.
"Lily was on the island to work, she even was in the labs for a time I hear-she is now one of us. Newt, a nervous littler janitor, was working in the labs. Now he's out here, offering a bug removal or bug catching service to islanders. He's transforming just like the rest of us."
Biting her lips she hesitated to introduce Jordan to the mentality most islanders had. "Basically it comes down to this: If you live out here- you're one of us and will transform. If you live in the labs- you're one of them and you will not transform. You've told me you live in a duplex, out here, that means you're one of us."
She shook her head and gave a snark laugh. "What most people don't realise is that it doesn't matter if you're one of us or one of them. Human or not, we're all trapped here. I'm willing to bet that most of the lab techs in the head office over there came in similar ways that you did- a relocation with benifits they can't refuse. I know, as I have talked numerous times and am friends with one of Moreau's more trusted staff members, that no one leaves the island except for Moreau himself, Aubrey - his right hand tech and fiance- and James, the helicopter pilot. Don't take too seriously the 'us' versus 'them' mentality. Really it's 'us' versus 'Moreau' as he's the b*****d who started these experiments. Or... rather his Grandfather appearently did, but he took up where the old man had left off. At least that's what I gather from the big fancy tombstone and stuff I've heard from Sabin."
Letting out a slow breath Awen's eyes finally returned to the bloodshot eyes of the new islander. "I'm really sorry about this, hun, I really am. I don't like seeing new arrivals.... but it's better you know the truth from the start."
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:08 pm
Unreal.
This was not happening. No, it wasn't going to happen. It couldn't happen!! Jordan rubbed his face with the hand holding his sunshades, his other clenching into a fist. He was so tired and being in control of himself was difficult with such stressing news.
"Everything was supposed to be forgivven." he spoke with a warble in his voice. "This is my second chance.. to prove myself."
He felt that nervous, frustrated lump swelling in his throat. He couldn't break down. Jordan was stronger than this. He wasn't going to show anything less than the rock-like fortitude. Even if the residents of the island were undergoing painful metamorphosis into animal-human hybrids... but Awen had mentioned two other people who'd been enmployed by the labs: Lily and Newt... so... maybe it was possible.. was it going to be true that Jordan would also join them?
He sighed in confusion. This wasn't helping his already high stress level. He gave Awen a look of his increasing uncertainty as he felt so faint and staggered backwards a few steps, almost falling down.
"Awen.. you're obviously one of the sub--" he stopped himself from calling her a subject. "you didn't lunge at me with hatred and animosity, so is it correct to assume that you're on good terms with the situation and the people in control? I'm not sure if I can easilly digest any of what you've told me just now.. I'm sure it was hard for you to believe at first as well."
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:13 pm
Awen spoke of her friendship with Sabin and her disapproval of the us and them mentality but she supposed it was lost on the man's ears. He'd had a lot to take in. As he stumbled back Awen stepped forward darting out to catch him before he fell, but he didn't so she simply stopped herself and stepped back.
"Come on..." She said softly and waved him on. "Let's get you a place to sit, some water, maybe some food and then we'll keep talking okay?" She half turned and indicated that she wanted to take him to the cafeteria before she'd say anymore.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:29 pm
He stayed close to Awen. She was the only other person here he knew and she seemed friendly and trustworthy. He needed a friend about now and followed her. Food and water sounded good. His stomach churned partially from stress, but also with hunger.
"That sounds like a plan." he forced a smile.
He felt like an idiot. He was deceived again?! This was ridiculous. Jordan's naivete' knew no bounds apparently, if even the man who'd employed him had pulled the wool over his eyes.
"I'm not mad at you. I just want you to know that. I'm.. it just... seems that I don't know who to trust and who to be wary of. I'm not doubting what you've told me.. I can plainly see that you're telling the truth.. I just hope that it won't happen to me. I'm so tired and stressed.. I haven't slept in about two weeks.. and I can't sleep in my duplex.. I'm only able to get an hour or two at most before I'm up long enough to pass out from exhaustion hours later." Jordan was opening up to Awen.. just like he had on the mainland, just like he trusted Dr. Moreau and now he was doing it again.
As they entered the cafeteria, the smells of so much food assaulted his senses all at once and he rushed (almost falling flat on his face as he tripped) to the line. The assortment of food was... plentiful. That was sure. He began to gag at some of the choices on the menu and quickly turned away with a hand over his mouth, clutching the side of a table for support
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:11 pm
Awen smiled as they approched the cafeteria. "You know Jordan, you have no idea how good that is to hear. Most islanders freak out and yell at me- and then we're in foul states ever after. I'm glad you're not the same."
She would have laughed at his race to the food if he hadn't turned around and gaged only a moment after. "Woah there, slow down hun. Calm... You haven't eaten in a bit have you?" She shook her head an moved over to a nearby table leaning against it to wait for the man to pick his meal. "And yeah getting used to the time zones and whatnot are weird. You'll get it eventually though."
"Like you guessed, I'm good with most of the labs. I'm one of the only subjects who is." She made sure to stress the word subject to show that he need not be afraid to use it in her presence. "I'm on good terms with Sabin and have a nice repore with a few of the techies on monitor duty, but as far as the true people in control there is only one - Moreau - and I will never say that I am on good terms with that man." Her tone turned to that of bitter disgust when speaking of Moreau.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:26 pm
Jordan took a slow breath and waited for his stomach to settle. He nodded in affirmation to her question.
"Yes, it's been a few hours too many since I've eaten and it's not helping that my stomach is killing me with stress. I think I'm good now." he smiled genuinely to her this time, not forcing it as he made his way back to the food.
It did smell good and he had a hard time choosing. As he picked up a plate Jordan looked it all over, deciding on mashed potatoes and two sausage, with a side of carrots. He grabbed a bottle of water as well.
He hung his sunshades in the collar of his shirt and picked up his plate. He was careful not to trip this time as he sat down with Awen, on the opposite side of the table, so he could be face-to-face.
Jordan quickly scooped a few spoonfulls of potatoes into his mouth, without thinking of present company. His stomach immediately settled some as the flavor hit his tongue.
"Mmmmmmmmmm...." resounded as he swallowed. "Oh man this is so good."
Jordan set down his spoon for a moment and smiled at Awen. "Thank you for helping me learn the layout of the land. I really appreciate it."
He'd picked up on her usage of the word 'subject' and understood that she wouldn't be offended if he had said it earlier. He didn't say anythign to the tone she took when Awen had spoken Moreau's name. Jordan really couldn't be sure still that this was his fate and understood how the situation could turn someone bitter against a man holding an island's worth of people-turned-beasts captive.
"What are the other staff like? Sabin. And Aubrey. It might be good to become familiar with the people who're running things here."
Jordan stabbed a few carrot slices with his fork in the meantime.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:38 pm
She settled into her chair and paused at the question. "Sabin is nice, to me at least. He has a sense of humour that most don't really understand, and he plays pranks occasionally. Nothing serious, in my opinion, but I've seen a few islanders become furious with the man. He's got a french accent." Dreamy in Awen's opinion but she kept that to herself. "Uh, and otherwise seems to be helpful. He's really big into mythology and used to teach at... Harvard I think."
The manta girl bit her lip considering the next one. "I don't honestly know much about Aubrey. Mad in love with Moreau, I've heard many of the events around the island are her doing.... she saved my life once..." Pausing Awen sighed. She had mixed feelings about Aubrey ever since her snit with Sabin all that time ago. "She generally seems to be nice but watch out she's got a wicked temper...."
Shrugging the girl leaneed on her elbows. "Not that it matters much. Most islanders don't come into contact with the head ups all that often. When they do it's generally because something's gone wrong or by the intercom in their duplex. And few islanders care to know any techie-except to recognise them for whenever they think they'd be able to take revenge." Awen rolled her eyes at the very thought.
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Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:53 pm
Jordan couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of one of the higher-ups playing pranks on the job. It caused him to choke a bit on a carrot chunk, but it passed.
"Maybe I'll get to meet him one of these days. It seems likely enough since I'll be in the labs at some point as soon as I'm given my assignments." He winced as soon as he'd said that magic word 'labs' and looked around in a paranoid fashion to make sure there was no one else who'd heard it. Confirming they were alone, he settled back into his chair.
"I hope that I won't make enemies here, but considering why I'm here and for what purpose that I am here, it seems inevitable." He tried not to look so glum about that and snickered again at a lab tech conducting practical jokes.
He was feeling a little better with food in his stomach, even if it wasn't enough to compensate for the exhaustion brought on by sleep deprivation.
"Awen, I know this may be an awkward request.. but.. you've helped me out and I'm eternally grateful- so is my stomach.. you're the first person other than Doctor Moreau that Ive met and.. well.. it would be nice to have a friend here." Jordan hoped that didn't come off as anything odd or weird. "A friend, someone more experienced with the inner workings and layout of the island, would be invaluable. And you're such a nice person."
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