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 Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:59 pm
IIX watched VI move with interest. He watched the dorsal fin twitch and flex, and inwardly, he felt his own wings shuffle somewhat. VI has that placid, jaded look again, and seemed to pause before answering. IIX tilted his head to one side.
'What is it that bothers you?' he asked slowly. Maybe he was just bored- there wasn't much for a Layhr to do here, after all.
He could feel the smalled Layhr moving against him all the while. Felt its little paws wrap around his larger paws, felt it snuggle down against him. None of this bothered him at all. It was a whole new expirience for him, though. Never had he interacted with something so small, something so fragile. He was curious, but also felt an urge to care for the little one. Wasn't that the job of the bigger things? To protect the little things that could no protect themselves?
He could feel that despite the cub's shivers, it felt warm, so warm. This...this was not right. No, not at all. The sickly smell still hung off the little layhr's body, and that made IIX uneasy. The little layhr had scooted away from IIX, and as it lay in the middle of the floor now. IIX got up and circled the cub a few times, chuffing uneasily before settling down nearby. He left some space between himself and the cub, but he still remained close. He extended his wing, his soft white wing, out and over the cub like a shield.
Faust watched IIX's protective actions over the smaller cub, and he felt a smile spread over his face. How curious! It would seem that IIX was good with kids, as it were. He'd have to include that in IIX's next report.
He turned back to Rose as she spoke, and listened to her patiently, nodding here and there. He had a feeling...that what they did to the Layhr wasn't always good. He knew what they did to the lab rats where he worked wasn't always 'good', so he couldn't fathom what must happen to Layhr, creature specifically created in labs. He simply nodded understandingly to that comment.
The girl...she seemed rather nervous about things. Her voice raised in pitch, her speed at which she iterated her words increased, and she had to pause to take a breath.
He nodded as she finished her account of what happened, feeling like he understood things far more.
"I believe that they" He gestured vaguely to the Layhr, "understand a great deal more than most people are aware of. I believe that IIX hears me, and that he understands a lot of what I say."
He nodded in self agreement. He did feel that when he spoke, IIX listened, and IIX understood. That intelligent look in those eyes, the gestures that implied that the Layhr was listening...there was no way it was all coincidence. Yes, IIX had to understand him.
Faust smiled politely at Chris and nodded. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Chris. I'm Dr. Faustus Kelly, though you can call me Faust." He turned to Rose. "And you are...?"
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:41 pm
A failure, next to you two.
She could’ve never said that aloud though; no matter how much she thought it.
“Rose. Nothing more to it. You’re welcome to use a nickname though, if you can find one.”
Well, wasn’t this awkward. Her nervous hands busied themselves with tidying up her long skirt and blouse, feeling very small and defenseless in a room with such important men. Not that she was, really… it just felt that way. At least Chris felt more organic to her, like a dad that stays up all night with a sick kid. Faust felt very methodical, maybe more calculating. It wasn’t a bad thing, just harder to relate to for her.
Something was wrong. IIX was pacing the cub in circles, only settling to spread a shielding wing over CC. Raising out of the chair on an instant response, she remembered reading somewhere that it was believed that animals could sense illness and the like easier than humans could. Maybe part of the sixth sense thing, so to speak; like the way they used dolphins in new medical research with terminal kids. If IIX was antsy, it meant she should be too.
Approaching the subject of interest, Rose kneeled in front of the two, putting herself closer to VI than she would’ve normally if she wasn’t focused on something else.
“Dr. Chris? You said you owned some medical equipment I could use? Just the stethoscope would be fine, I don’t want to wake the little guy, but IIX seems anxious about something…”
If what Faust said was true, then the Layhr could understand her. She rose her gaze from the infant to the one standing guard, trying to catch his one glowing eye with her two bright red ones.
“IIX, I know the little guy is really sick. Is it alright with you if I move him and have a look?”
She didn’t want to just push past him, and with how much concern he was showing for the injured cub it only seemed right to ask permission.
VI didn’t even bother with a response, for even if he did have one, IIX’s attention was elsewhere. He went back to resting, just looking like a large lump of green something on the floor, not even stirring as Rose knelt beside him. Normally this might’ve stirred him to move, but the vinegar was all out of him for the day, and now that no one was paying attention to him, he felt more comfortable and could simply ignore them all too.
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 8:31 am
Chris nodded at her request, and slipped off to get the said item, returning within a few moments to hand it to her. By now, he WAS worried, and he hoped that this woman knew more about raising and caring for Layhr than he did. After all, the two creatures like CC in this room were far older than the cub, so they must have been cubs themselves once, right? It would only be common sense, would it not? Once Chris had handed off the medical equipment, he found himself hard put to stop looking at Faust. The man was simply the most handsome he'd ever laid eyes on... and WAY out of his league. But that didn't stop his heart from jackhammering away at over two-hundred beats per, or his face from flushing. He felt like a high-school student spying a crush from across the hall, and there was a sort of thrill there. He had to concentrate hard to wrest his attention away from Faust, and back to the situation at hand. He was sure it was covered, but there was always the chance that Rose might need someone to help her hold CC or something in that vein.
The moment Chris' eyes landed on his charge, he forgot pretty much everything else. He hadn't noticed how HORRIBLE the cub looked, and now that he did, he felt absolutely horrible for it. He closed his eyes, and reached out to stroke CC's ears.
"How is he?" he asked very quietly, and was mum while Rose examined his 'child' (of sorts).
CC didn't put up any fight while being examined, and actually attempted to roll over so the Rose could get a better look. The little one was very well-behave, and didn't seem to mind being poked at and prodded.
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 7:15 pm
As Rose kneeled before him, IIX looked up at her. When she asked him to move he carefully lifted his wing, fluttering it slightly to adjust the pinions, and pulled it in to his body. He gave a small nod and very carefully, he scooted backwards and once he got a few feet away, he slowly stood up and made his way over to Faust.
Rose was a good two-legs. Good person. She was a little...nervous? Anxious? He could tell by the way she moved and fidgeted. And she gave off that smell...a smell similar to fear, but not quite. Nervous. Uneasy. That's what the smell was. But she was still trustworthy. She seemed to honestly care about the little cub. He places his head on Faust's lap and let a long breath escape his nose.
Faust was, of course, completely oblivious to any affection that might have been attributed towards him. He wasn't good at picking up on subtle hints, and even overt displays of affections were often just regarded as someone being particularly nice to him. Faust was...naive. He sat in his chair, watching the cluster of beings around the small cub, just sipping at his coffee. The most he did was nod gently at Rose and smile.
"Rose. That's such a nice name." he commented.
He watched the scene unfold, watched Rose approach the cub, and watched as IIX obediently moved back away to come back over to him. IIX was such a good creature. He seemed to have a good judge of character too. Faust grinned, and as his charge laid it's head across his lap, the blonde reached down and stroked IIX's mane.
"That's a good boy. They'll take good care of your little friend." he reassured softly.
IIX huffed again and turned his gaze up to his owner, shifting his head slightly and giving Faust a lap with his tongue. He felt so peaceful now. He was worried about the cub, but with Faust here...things would be alright. Sometimes he just knew these things. He took in a deep breath, absorbing his owner's scent. Oh, what was that? He snuffled around a bit. Oh, he smelled something good, something sweet... He nosed the pocket of Faust's long white jacket.
Faust looked over at IIX, and then remembered the muffins he had stockpiled. He fished out the blueberry one and gave it to IIX. It wasn't like he fed his charge junk ALL the time, so this once would hurt.
IIX took the muffin in his mouth, but before he set to eating it, he looked over at VI. He looked so left out...IIX sort of felt bad. He was unaware of the fact VI reveled in solitude. Carefully, IIX padded past the two humans that were examining CC and sat down by VI. He set the muffin down by the green Layhr and let a smile pick at the corners of his maw.
'If you do not wish to speak of what's bothering you, it's okay. It's not my business anyways. But whatever it is, if indeed it is anything, it will pass, and you'll feel better when it does. It can't last forever.'
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:16 pm
With Chris gone and IIX obliging – to which she kept her fascination to herself - she didn’t feel right poking at CC, so instead she thanked Faust for his compliment before readying her mental tools for the impromptu check up. Rose fidgeted a bit less now, feeling a little more in her element, and whether VI knew it or not, she was extremely fond of him, and being closer to her Layhr gave her more confidence. Running her fingers through her hair along both sides, she looked down at the emaciated looking cub. Her lips twisted in a slight frown, worry playing across her face. Remembering something suddenly, she jerked slightly in response and dug something out of one of the well designed and hard to notice pockets within the folds of her skirt; a little bottle of that instant germ killer stuff. It would have to do in a pinch.
She had just finished putting it back when Chris came in, giving her the medical instrument. Wrapping it around her neck for now, she nodded as she thanked him, her mind already somewhere else.
“Thanks Chris, I’m going to examine his form a bit first, nothing heavy, mind; but it might tell us something.”
Even as she spoke, her fingers were gently brushing back CC’s deep red mane. It served the double purpose of being soothing as well as giving her the opportunity to check for dander and see whether the hairs came out easily or not. Those things were fine, but even as she did it his apparent fever made even a hovering hand above his body feel slight waves of heat. Concerned, she stroked his forehead, and then his side; once more trying to be soothing.
“He’s burning up…”
She put that knowledge to the side for now, not able to diagnose anything on one symptom, and trying to lessen it without knowing more was foolish. Rose then checked the webbing of his tail for rips, as she often did with VI while he slept, as well as his ears and pads. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary yet, besides the fever. Not knowing whether that was a good thing or not, with gently imploring fingers, she checked muscle tone and bone structure.
“Well, outwardly he seems alright. So far there’s the fever and his diet to be worried about.”
Noting how thin he was once more, she removed the stethoscope from around her neck. With the device in hand, she placed the ear buds in her ears and warmed the metal disc in her palm before testing it against his underbelly. CC had given her a better reach of his underside, and she deeply appreciated his trusting behavior. With the instrument she could hear his stomach, though she didn’t know enough about that to really say if it was alright or not. Moving over his chest and back, she noted his trouble breathing, perhaps fluid build up in his lungs. That could mean pneumonia. Biting her bottom lip, she moved to his chest once more to try and hear his lungs better when something caught her attention. She didn’t know what it was at first, but searching around on his chest, the next time it happened she was luckily in a better place to hear it. A slight off note, a low rumble that made the heartbeat sound just a bit irregular.
“Chris… I think CC has a heart murmur…”
He had been blissfully ignorant of the closeness he was suffering with Rose and one of the male humans when IIX spoke. Coming out of his stupor, something caught his attention. A slightly sweet scent emitted from something close by. Curiosity aroused, VI muddled through his thoughts to the surface and pay attention to IIX. There was IIX, and right by him was a food puff. He did like those food puffs, but why was IIX giving it to him? Glowing eyes fixed on his benefactor curiously, VI started to mull over quite a few thoughts. Surely this Layhr with his mismatched wings had survived the same terrors as himself; the same long nights with no days and terrible pains. Why did he choose to smile? It wasn’t like he was all that much younger than himself, if younger at all; he shouldn’t be so foolish. It can’t last forever. Well, no. It doesn’t. However, it keeps coming back, it’s always there looming above them. There was no escape from the white coats or the cold hands that prod and hurt. The moments of freedom where just there to patronize him, remind him that there was life out there that is indeed so much better for others. But just like the glowing moniker branded into his shoulder constantly reminded him, he was marked for this. He would return to those cages that smelled of suffering. They all would.
Maybe IIX just didn’t know it yet.
The fight was out of him now, the small flame of anger that was really the only other thing he felt besides the nothing. He just wanted to sleep, to forget if he could.
“Thanks”
He muttered it softly, wondering if he should warn him, to try and explain. No… let him smile while he can. Let the ignorant be happy and leave the suffering to the wiser.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:29 am
Chris bit his bottom lip in worry. He hadn't known that, as he hadn't had a chance to examine CC since he received him. It was something of a shock to him that something so wrong could happen with something so little. CC was his pride and joy right now, and he really couldn't bear it if anything happened to the cub. He peered over Rose's shoulder at his charge's chest.
"He's going to be ok, though?" he asked, a little hesitant.
It was hard for him to believe that anything could be physically WRONG with created life... but then again, CC had - as the scientists had taught him - been mistaken for other Layhr, and often got the same experiments done twice or more. It could have been this that had contributed to the heart-murmur Rose was hearing. Or, it could have been something else entirely.
CC, for his part, was enjoying the woman's touch. She was gentle - unlike many of the people who had handled him in such a fashion in the past - and she was careful not to upset him. It was why he trusted her, and wriggled around a bit to make getting to certain parts of him easier. His fever was ebbing by the time Chris took him back from the woman. He was feeling a bit more alert. A bit more awake, and more energetic. And now he was curious. The fever hadn't gone completely, but CC now fully noticed the others in the room. He squirmed onto his feet, and starting crawling over to the older Layhr - especially the nice one with the wings and brown fur. The green one seemed mean, and he didn't want to make him mad.
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:27 pm
Faust sat by his seat, staring into his coffee cup. It wasn't that he felt like he was being left out of things- after all, he hadn't done much to even attempt congregation with the other handlers. For all his kindness and warmth towards people...Faust was fairly socially awkward. He never mastered the art of social interaction very well, always spending more time with his face in books than out at parties.
No, he didn't feel purposely left out...just inadvertently forgotten. Of course, this didn't trouble him. He didn't have a problem with not being the center of attention. And it was understandable they were preoccupied with the health of the small cub. So he sat back, and sipped at his coffee. What else could he do? What bothered him is that he felt helpless. He disliked feeling helpless.
But still, there wasn't much he could do.
He watched Rose examine the small cub with a tender touch and smiled. She was a good person. Timid, but a good person.
He turned his attention to his charge soon after, watching the Layhr offer his Muffin to the green Layhr, the one that seemed so jaded. It ceased to amaze him that after all IIX must have gone through, he remained calm, quiet, and kind. Such a gentle soul.
At the mention of a possible heart murmur he swung his head back around. "Systolic or diastolic?" he asked curiously, oblivious to the fact Rose might not even know. "It makes you wonder whether it's a septal defect or a valve defect..." he mused, leaning back in his chair some, iterating that second statement to no one in particular.
He turned the cup in his hands and fidgeted around with it a bit. When Chris asked if CC would be okay, Faust spoke up again.
"Well, it could be an innocent murmur, in which case it might be linked to something like...anemia or a thyroid defect. it'll go away once whatever's causing it goes away. If it's an abnormal murmur though..." he trailed off. He shrugged and finished his coffee, setting the empty mug down. "I'm not sure. Genetics and biotechnology is more my department than medicine. I'm sure CC will be fine, though. He has a good handler, after all." he finished with a reassuring smile.
He watched the little one squirm free and start to make it's way over to IIX. Faust chuckled lightly as his charge met the little cub and laid down again.
"The cub seem fond of IIX. It's...adorable." he observed, watching the two Layhr interact.
And smile he did. Mismatched eyes met VI's glowing orbs.
'The humans call it a muffin. It's good. You can have it; I have no doubts my two-legs has another hidden away. I have no use for two, so I figured I would share.' he further explained.
Unaware of VI'S inner turmoil- and unwilling to interrogate further- he remained seated where he was, green-flamed tail-tip flicking slightly. Near to him, he heard the slight sound of movement, and when he turned his head, he realized it was the cub crawling towards him.
He got up and slowly started moving to the cub so it didn't have to drag itself too far- not that they were that far apart, anyways. He didn't want VI to feel like he was ditching him, so he threw a look over his shoulder.
'Smile once and awhile. It'll make you feel better...and it keeps the hope alive.' he said.
He turned back to the cub and laid down near to it. He was still unfamiliar with things so small. So far, the onlt tiny thing he had encountered was the small kitten Faust had at home. If this Layhr cub was anything like the kitten, he would have to make sure to be careful with it, and watching his tail and wings, so as not to actually buffet the smaller being with them on accident.
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 9:53 am
Quitting her patient, she worried her bottom lip in thought. She knew of a cat that had a heart murmur, and it had gotten worse. The poor thing had to get fluid removed from its heart because of congestion; the right chambers couldn’t keep up with the blood being pumped through the faulty valve. But, it still was alive.
Watching the fragile form scoot along the floor towards the cheery IIX, she couldn’t blame him. VI was- Wait. VI wasn’t scowling; he was staring at a muffin. Shocked and amused, she looked to IIX, since she hadn’t seen Faust move. Rose tried to hide her smile, mostly due to the fact that it would look ill-timed. Maybe there would be hope for VI after all.
Hearing Faust, she shifted her position on the floor to encompass both doctors in her sight. She shook her head apologetically.
“Sorry Faust, the only thing I remember about those words is they describe blood pressure. I couldn’t even tell you what chamber the murmur seemed to be sounding from, or even if it’s regular. However,”
Before continuing she gave Chris a smile,
“I didn’t hear that thrill whistling sound the really bad murmurs have, so I’m thinking it’s manageable. With his shortened breath, I am concerned though… you might want to talk to someone completely qualified…”
She looked a bit helpless, hoping that Faust would perhaps chance a look at CC and see if he could make a diagnosis himself.
Nodding in agreement as Faust discussed it with Chris, she turned over the possibility of the thyroid problem. It hadn’t felt swollen under her touch, but then again, a problem with the thyroid would also lead to hormonal imbalances; something that could perhaps affect why he looked so thin and small?
Oh, he knew very well the ‘muffin’ was good. Rose often baked things, and then would go to bed, carelessly leaving one or two of the choicer food puffs, a term he used to describe any of the tasty bread things that came out of the oven, on the counter in precarious reach if he was feeling bold. (If he knew that she left them that way on purpose so that he could have some without feeling like she was doing him a favor, maybe he would cease devouring them.)
He watched as the weak cub worked his way towards them, happily. Hope? That thing that keeps you thinking of the best, making childish promises with yourself, only to be hurt and crushed by the very same airy thoughts? Isn’t that what he had once? The only thing it accomplished was leading him to believe that there could be a way out, a better life. Well that certainly didn’t happen, did it? He had been returned here, and he would again; just like all the others. There was no place to run, no way to hide. They’d come for you, one day. It was inevitable.
“You haven’t been free from the Whitecoats long, have you?”
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:56 pm
Very, very slowly, the cub stretched, and rose from the position he'd been in. He wasn't really feeling all that bad, aside from being hot, and he wanted to play now! He started to squirm in Chris's hands when the man went to pick him up, and finally managed to be set onto the floor, so he could explore. Feeling stronger, he moved over to the larger, nicer one of his own kind, and plopped himself down, looking all the way up. He wasn't sure if IIX was tall for a Layhr, but he DID know that he wanted to be that big someday.
Today was a special day for the little one. He'd been planning it all month, and trying his hardest to learn. Today was the day he'd been waiting to come since he was born. He opened his mouth. To the humans, it was a series of whines. But to his fellow Layhr, they were his first words!
"... Friend?.... Please?"
Chris saw that his charge was in good hands... er.... paws. He let himself relax a bit, and drew another syringe out of his pocket, injecting HIMSELF with it, remembering belatedly that there were other people in the room. He let the syringe empty into his bloodstream, and smiled at the two before drawing out the empty, and tossing it in a nearby Sharps bucket in the next room. He came back in, and sat on the couch, studying Faust and Rose.
"Those weren't drugs. Well, they were, but not of the recreational type. Every so often, I have to take both heart-medication and anti-depressants. I have no problem with needles, and taking them when I need them is a whole lot safer for me than taking pills that I might forget."
He shrugged.
"My son came up with the idea of giving MYSELF the shots, even though it was already in my mind to do so."
Chris sighed slightly, and shook his head.
"Ian's in here somewhere. I lost track of him. He was supposed to stick with me, and I don't know where he ran off t-"
"Father, you are blind as well as senile. I'm right here."
The youth that had spoken was in the doorway, leaning with his arms crossed, and looking down at the Layhr - especially CC - with obvious disdain. He was blonde, like his father, and wore an impeccably tailored black suit-coat, over a red, tight-fitting velour shirt, whose sleeves were striped white and red. The sleeves stuck out of the coat a little. He had on black slacks, and a top-hat with a red band. There appeared to be red and black playing cards - an Ace and a Joker specifically - stuck into the band as one would do with a feather. The child carried a cane as well,with a wolf's head topping. Most likely, this was a fashion statement, as Ian appeared to be about sixteen years of age.
Chris let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and gestured to the boy in the doorway.
"My son, Ian Benedict Drayton. Sixteen, and already a graduate of college. He's been in charge of caring for CC while I'm gone. He's also in charge of his own company - isn't that right? What was it called again... Sitting Duck? Singing Startling? Oh, I KNOW it was some sort of bird..."
Ian chuckled, and shook his head slowly. He took off his hat, bowing to Rose, and taking her hand up - kissing it gently.
"A veritable pleasure, M'lady."
He tipped his hat to Faust.
"And to you, M'lord. The words you're looking for, father, are Eagle's Eve. We specialize in creating custom androids, robots, things like that. It's mostly toys right now, as I don't have QUITE enough in the funding department to pursue more intense goals. Eventually, I fully intend to branch into full AI. But that will take quite a while."
He smiled, and glanced at Chris.
"Your medication, father?"
"Already taken. Do you two mind if he comes in and has a seat? He's really a very nice lad once you get to know him. Although he comes on a little strong at times."
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:51 pm
IIX wasn't the largest of Layhr- he was an average-sized adult, though he imagined his large wings often made him seem bigger than he really was. But to a cub, especially one as small at CC, he probably looked rather big and impressive.
He rolled slightly to the side and let his head rest against the floor, watching the little cub approach with mismatched eyes.
He blinked at the clumsy vocalizations and gave his best Layhr-grin. So hard the little one must have worked to sort the real words from baby-babble. He lifted his head some, raising a paw up. He rested his forepaw on the cub's head affectionately, still smiling.
'Yes. I'll be your friend. I am your friend.'
It was moments like these that gave him hope that the world wasn't that bad, that even sufferers of the project could still be more than worthless slabs of meat useful only for tests. At VI's question, he turned around to look over his shoulder at the green Layhr.
'Actually, it has been some time since I was freed of the white coats and my kennel. After all this time...seeing the Outside...it's only shown me there's reason to have hope. Hope is like the light that allows the weakest plant to grow in even the poorest of soil. To smile it to let that light shine through. Without hope...we will all wither away.'
He swung around as a new human came to the door. He was dressed strangely, even for a two-legs. He tilted his head, keeping his gaze fixed on the newcomer. This two-legs was young...not fully grown, but working towards it. IIX sniffed the air, tilting his head. Oh, he had a scent similar to that of the cub's handler, though it was slightly different. perhaps then this human was offspring of CC's handler? Or maybe he spent much time with him. But there was something about the boy's smell he didn't really like. It was almost...a bad-person smell. He did seem particularly terrible, but IIX didn't trust him. His body language troubled the Layhr as well. He snuffed a little in his general direction, and gently removed his paw from the cub's head, setting it on the ground once more. He had no need to be aggressive or defensive towards the human-cub yet, but he would watch him Something didn't set right.
As the girl confessed she didn't understand most of the terms he used he blushed some. He forgot sometimes that not everyone was a scientist like he was.
"Ah, sorry Miss Rose. There are times I forget not everyone is familiar with the terms I use." he apologized.
He watched the cub wriggle free and move towards IIX. It was fascinating, the attachment the cub showed to his older charge. But back home, even the kitten had shown an interest towards IIX- once she had gotten over her nervousness, that is. perhaps, he theorized, the cub had limited expirience and interaction with older specimens, and looked to IIX as a sort of older sibling or parental figure...maybe a mentor? It was intriguing.
Faust turned his gaze back to Chris, just in time to glimpse the man inject himself. Was that a form of medication, like insulin? After all, he doubted this man- Chris- would inject recreation drugs in plain view as such. When he returned and explained the situation, Faust nodded. So it was a sort of medication.
"Ah, it's good you're alright then. But ah, it sounds such a pity you have to medicate yourself as such, though." he said, leaning towards Chris and resting his hands gently on the other man's. It was his own way of expressing that casual 'ah, so sorry to hear, but it's good you're well.'As for the hand-touch...well, Faust was often not aware that everyone was not perhaps as touchy as he was.
At the sound of another voice, he looked to the door. A youth in strange dress was standing there. Faust also took notice that IIX had fixed an intent stare on the newcomer. How odd...IIX would normally approach newcomers and watch them curiously, seemingly waiting for an introduction or greeting. At first he suspected his lack of inquisitive activity was due to his preoccupation with the cub and a reluctance to abandon the smaller Layhr, but...no. IIX's body seemed more tense, more alert, his gaze staring directly at the young man. Faust wasn't worried at his charge's behavior, just curious. He trusted IIX not to attack or act rashly without probable cause beforehand, but his charge's strange behavior was cause for interest.
He couldn't help but notice the boy's odd style of dress, or course. It was clearly a magnificently crafted outfit, one that looked interesting- perhaps even 'cool' depending on perspective. But yet, it was rather unique and uncommon as far as societal norms of clothing went. But...M'lady? M'lord? The way he spoke was a little strange as well. But Faust found himself fascinated by it all.
"You speak strange." he blurted in true Freudian-slip fashion, not fully thinking about his words until after he had said them. He winced after he finished speaking his statement, though, realizing how crass that may have sounded. "What I mean is, the way you articulate yourself is unqiue and unfamiliar to me as evidenced by the way you address me and Miss Rose by such formal titles. The politeness is, however, appreciated and well met." he hastily added, trying to fix his mistake.
Granted, he was one to talk- his manner of speech could be considered a little strange and formal as well. But it could have been worse- he could have said something like 'you dress funny'.
"It is impressive you are already so accomplished at a young age, though. I've always been interested in cybernetics myself, though my primary focus thus far as been in biological science, primarily genetics. I have also noticed your style of dress is deviant from societal norms. is there any occasion for such unique dress? Or is it merely 'for fun' as it were?" he continued, smiling at the boy.
He didn't quite like the way Ian had primarily addressed his father either. It seemed insulting to assert Chris was senile and blind. Even if it was just a sarcastic jab, it seemed a little rude to disrespect one's elders in such a way, particularly a father. But then again, it could have been a joke Faust had missed, so he said nothing on that topic.
"Ah, understood. I've heard most children around your son's age generally act as such." he laughed, smiling at Chris.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:17 am
The moment she saw the syringe enter Chris’s body, Rose’s sense of hearing cut off. She blanched (and hoped not too noticeably) and quickly took new interest in the floor. Waiting for the queasy feeling to subside, Rose silently berated herself. This was yet another reason she could’ve never finished all her classes; the sight of injections still did terrible things to her, never mind if they were intended for her. Trying to busy her shaking hands by folding them within her skirt, it came as a total surprise when one of her hands was suddenly lifted away from her to the waiting lips of a stranger she had totally missed the entrance of. Shocked out of her mind, she had no will to fight the youth, and simply let him kiss her hand as she stared unabashedly.
“Oh my…”
She stammered, before regaining some semblance of reason. Before she could return the greeting, albeit less enthusiastically, he was already addressing Dr. Faust. Back to her previous state of fluttering nervous energy, she rose and tried to not attract attention as she made a simple polite curtsey of sorts before scurrying to a seat against the back wall, trying to calm herself. She felt like a silly creature, being there in the presence of such people. Not to mention they were all males. Feeling rather small, she took a seat a few places away from Faust and started the long process of balming her frayed nerves.
Catching snippets of conversation, she heard Faust’s amusing comment, and agreed with a slight smile. She felt horrible for Faust as he rushed to amend his exclamation; that kind of nervous worry was all too familiar to her. Turning her head slightly to glance at the eloquently dressed teenager, she really didn’t know what to make of him. He was worlds apart from Chris, and seemed rather detached himself. What a shame. Rose felt sympathy for him, reasoning that someday, even with all his fortunes, he would not necessarily be happy. After all, one can’t buy back their childhood, and his was obviously spent on being an adult before his time.
VI himself had secured the mask of nothingness at the newcomer’s approach. Things were getting a little too crowded for him, and he found it the perfect excuse to slip into his blasé stupor. He didn’t bother responding to IIX, since everyone’s attention was diverted. Rather, he pouched the muffin within his cheek much like a chipmunk and laid back comfortably, watching the others through half open eyes. The queer little human kissed Rose’s hand, which brought back a few unsettling memories of that male. He had lived with them a long time ago; and really was alright. But he left too, as they always will. He shut the thoughts away, and stared off in sullen thought; wishing he was back at home with the sun warmed stream to call his own.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:59 pm
CC gave a half-squeak of glee, and butted his head into the older Layhr's leg as a sign of friendship. He sighed, and settled there, seeming to be feeling better. But he was.... wary of Ian, and kept looking up at him as though the boy was going to do something to him. Something horrible. This could be a sign...
Ian didn't wait for the others to respond. He simply came inside, and sat down on the couch, stretching out, and almost 'kicking' his father OFF said furniture. The next time he spoke, it was with a certain detachment that made him seem much older than his sixteen years - even WITH a college degree at that young age.
"Yes, well... Cybernetics is a fascinating industry, and I've actually dabbled in cybernetic construction methods before."
Just how MUCH he'd 'dabbled', he wasn't about to say.
"My style of dress serves no purpose. If you find it offensive, I can most certainly change into something else. And as for my speech..."
He lowered his hat to cover his eyes, a smirk at his lips.
"Some of us are well-bred enough to understand that usage of the common tongue tends to denote one AS a commoner. Which I most assuredly am not."
He laughed a bit, and snapped twice, looking towards the doorway. A CAT crept in, smoothly, and jumped up into Ian's lap, where he started stroking the fur.
"THIS is my finest achievement to date. You would not know it to look at him, but Nails here is the prototype of a certain type of cybernetic pet. One that can learn. Simple commands, mind. I have yet to make anything more complicated than a cat or a dog."
CC was now taking this opportunity to hide behind IIX's legs, and duck his head back there too. It was almost as if he were AFRAID of this Ian kid...
Chris sighed, and let his son go off into his tangents. It was common for Ian to get off-track if something of interest was mentioned. After all, there was very little the child could do in a place like this, and boredom had a way of working itself out. For Chris, it was with his own thoughts. For Ian, it was with conversation.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:38 pm
IIX broke his stare on Ian and lowered his head, smiling gently down at the cub as he butter his little head against his foreleg. He gave a content chuff in response. He turned back to look at VI, just in time to see the Layhr take the muffin into his mouth. He gave a rumbly sort of Layhr-laugh and turned back.
He turned back, returning to watching the younger two-legs that had come in. He watched as he settled on the couch, pushing at the older two-legs. IIX grunted and tilted his head. Was the younger one fighting for possession of the most comfortable resting place? Or was he asserting his dominance? Two-legs were so strange! Either way...IIX didn't like that human-cub. He returned his attention to observing him...just in case.
Faust shifted uncomfortably a bit. It was hard for him not to correct the youth for his disrespect. All he did was frown slightly. He looked again to IIX, who seemed to be watching them all intently. He had confidence nothing would happen with IIX around- the Layhr wouldn't allow it. He himself wouldn't allow it. He let out a breath, feeling foolish for being so nervous. Though the way the boy spoke unsettled him ever-so-slightly, he figured he was reading into things too much. His face seemed to visibly light up when the boy mentioned cybernetics, though.
"Oh, that's fascinating. I've always had a soft spot for technology, though I've been busy with IIX and work, so I never get the chance to dabble myself." he sighed in an almost dreamy manner. He always was a bit of a technophile.
He laughed a bit- perhaps nervously- as the boy mentioned his clothing. Served no purpose? He just...dressed like that for no reason? How strange. But then again, clothing was a matter of personal style and taste. he shrugged slightly.
"No no, it's fine. I was merely curious because not many people share the same style of dress as you." he explained waving nonchalantly.
Faust frowned an bit, looking more quizzical than displeased and nodded slowly. "I...see. But since the common tongue- or vernacular as it were- is more widely accepted, that would make it the normal, the majority. And in this society, is it not the majority that dictates acceptance? Speaking in a unique dialect as such generally denotes one as being out of the norm, which often makes the being a target for ridicule or curiosity. And if they deviate too far, they are not thought of as being 'well-bred' but rather as being 'strange' or perhaps 'weird' and actually become a stigma, am I not right?" he asked curiously, hands now folded in his lap.
Of course, at the mention of cybernetics and the appearance of the cat set another smile on the man's face. He looked at the cat curiously, his mouth slightly agape. It was a fascinating work of technology indeed.
"Amazing. Utterly amazing. Very impressive work, Ian." he murmured.
IIX felt the little cub backing against him and hiding behind his legs. He allowed the cub to seek shelter under him, and stared a little more intently at the odd human. He averted his gaze a moment to watch the cat move across the floor with curiosity. This animal...it looked like a bigger version of the kitten at Faust's. But it's smell was off. It didn't have that distinctly feline odor...instead it had a sterile sort of smell...like metal and static. Curious.
He lifted his gaze to the Ian-cub again, narrowing his eyes slightly.
'I'm not sure I like that two-legs. He seems strange...not like the others. He smells different too. What do you make of him, VI?' he asked without turning to face the other. he wasn't keen on removing his gaze from the young man just yet.
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Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:27 pm
Now this was getting out of hand. Shifting anxiously in her seat, she couldn’t bring herself to watch the prissy brat any longer. He obviously had no respect for his father and came off as rather supercilious. Staring hard at the floor, a slight movement caught her eye. Tilting her face to encompass the Layhr in her line of sight, it didn’t take a genius to peg the child for what he was. IIX was alert, seemingly anxious or nervous, the cub was beside himself in fear; and VI seemed more quiet and still. To the untrained, it would seem VI was calm, but Roserain had lived with him for long enough to know the worse the danger, the quieter, the more stoic he would become; his own personal defense mechanism. Nibbling her bottom lip, she played a mental chess game of possible actions and outcomes. Longing to be home, she tried to find an excusable way to leave that wouldn’t upset anyone and wouldn’t get her in trouble with GenTech. It was time for her to make her monthly report, and calling off the appointment on this short of notice was bad form. However, it’s never like her reports differed. He remained stoic, he ate about the same amount from day to day, swam the same number of hours, slept regularly, and so on. Yes, he steadily grew, but he wasn’t as interesting as some of the other Layhr, and she could almost feel the boredom from those she reported to.
These thoughts were still chasing each other around her mind when a cat walked in. Listening to Ian describe it, Rose felt a sense of disgust rise and fill her mouth. There were REAL kittens and cats in need of homes! Ones that could appreciate the attention, return love! Silently seething, she kept watching the Layhr, waiting for some signal from VI, some idea of his opinion.
Responding to IIX’s question, VI opened his right eye only, looking first at the Layhr that spoke, then to the pup quivering by his paws, and finally for a moment upon Rose before closing it again before speaking.
“He’s making Rose too upset, I might not be here soon and then you’ll have to tell me. But if it’s an opinion you’re looking for” – with this he opened both eyes and looked at IIX sincerely – “I would look to your cub. He’s to young to know better than to be honest.”
Glancing once more at the quivering bundle at IIX’s paws, VI closed his glowing eyes and lay still once more, silently willing Rose to get up and urge him home. He deserved a good swim.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:03 am
Ian yawned slightly, and his eyes met Rose's. It was a threatening sort of glare - something that warned her that she might meet with an... accident... if she attempted to leave. Something dangerous and wild, and no totally sane. He smiled, however, the cruelty in his eyes still there.
"Thank you - I pride myself on my work. I have a degree in robotics and cybernetics after all. It would be a shame for me to waste it. Of course, I HAVE done various other experiments. Some of them a great deal larger than Nails here. Interesting story about him. He was once a real cat."
He stroked the mechanical cat's ears.
"I unburied his cadaver for this experiment. I find that once the process of decay is halted, the fur and skin are easily separated from the bone, and - when dried - makes an excellent overskin for the armature. The head I kept in tact. Eye, ear, and mouth movements are still controlled by the brain. Though I WILL say it was quite a challenge wiring the skull for 'life' again. It was interesting, though. Even though Nails was on his way out, it took quite a while for the poison to have any real effect. I would have preferred it quicker. He was in pain, after all, and what I gave him would end his life in a painless manner."
At this last line, he APPEARED to be looking at CC, before he turned back to Faust.
Chris looked a bit ill when his son launched into the explanation of the creature. He paled visibly, and started wringing his hands a bit, in an attempt to seem to not be paying attention. His stomach churned. He started to wonder which one of them had 'molded' Ian in this way. But he said nothing.
CC retreated further behind IIX, and started to sway a little. He was dizzy now, and he mouthed the older Layhr's leg to draw attention to his plight. His eyes wouldn't keep all the way open, and it wasn't long before he collapsed again.
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