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 Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:43 pm
IIX lay on the floor in the main handler meeting room. He was off to the back left laying down by a chair. He rested his head gently on his forepaws, staring blankly ahead. Faust had been sitting in the chair IIX was laying by, but the blonde had gotten up to go get snack from the break room a few minutes ago. IIX had inwardly wanted to follow after his handler, but he willed himself to stay in the end. Faust would only be gone a few minutes. He didn't need to follow the two-legs everywhere.
Oh, back when IIX had been put into Faust's care, IIX followed him everywhere. He use to worry that Faust had left and wouldn't come back if he was gone for more than five minutes- sometimes less. So IIX had stayed close to the man for the first few months. He had long since learned that faust was a very patient person, someone who would never abandon IIX. No, he just wouldn't! But the Layhr couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry from time to time. He impatiently lifted his head, blowing a snort of air out his nose and giving his tail an impatient thump before settling down again.
He will come back. It's only been a few minutes. Stop worrying, he told himself. He figured that perhaps being back in the lab was making him nervous. He didn't like it here. It was a bad place with bad people. He closed his eyes, tail thumping behind him still. He WILL come back.
Faust, meanwhile was procuring some coffee and snacks from the break room. He had figured that IIX would be fine alone, and when he had gotten up, the Layhr had shown no interest in following, except a lift of his head.
"I'll be back in a few, IIX." he had said reassuringly. IIX had given a slight chuff and settled back down.
He filled up his mug and looked at the muffin in the basket next to the coffee machine. Poppyseed, blueberry, lemon, chocolate chip... he tipped his head from side to side, trying to figure out which one he'd get. While he was at it, he should grab something to bring back to IIX. The layhr did have a soft spot for sweets, which was pretty much Faust's fault. He gave a slight laugh and put a poppyseed muffin in his pocket, and grabbed a biscotti for himself before turning to head out to the main room again.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:01 pm
Learning from past experiences, Rose rapped lightly against the door to the handler’s room, waiting for the loud silence of nothing before pushing it open. Her red eyes scanned the room, seeing only the interesting looking Layhr resting. Opening the door wide, she looked at VI and pointed into the room. Normally he would begrudgingly obey, but today he was being more stubborn than usual.
Rose wrinkled her nose in frustration, noting this to be another prime example of why other caretakers use leashes. Her frustration quickly turned to empathy, worry, and sorrow as VI defiantly parked himself in the hall, making it a point to lie there and stare at her. She swore off leashes and collars for him the moment she saw him emerge from the crate in wonderment of freedom. It dawned on her that until that moment, he had never been outside a metal box without a leash, a strap, or muzzle. Instead of being grateful for her consideration, he completely took advantage of what some would see as a silly idea. Leaning against the doorframe, still holding the door open with her foot, she put her palms over her eyes and forehead in acceptance of the situation -for after all, it was her fault he was so distant and upset; and anything he dished out was justly deserved – she breathed deeply before lowering her hands and opening one eye to glance over at the Layhr in the room.
“I bet you never give your handler trouble…”
She muttered this more to herself than anything.
VI was enjoying himself immensely. Her distress was beautiful vengeance to him. Even still, as with everything in his life, he felt it at a distance. He didn’t allow himself the smirk he felt creeping along his muzzle, he didn’t allow himself the sense of relief and pleasure that comes with the sweet taste of owning something or someone; he simply sat there, staring, feeling justified. Making a big display of yawning, stretching, and generally being a pain in the a** and rubbing in the fact that he was ignoring her.
((I really dont feel like digging up VI's text color code atm, so enjoy the brighter green XD ))
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:08 pm
CC came crawling into the room, inching along like a newborn, and trying to get up - failing miserably. He was already panting from the exertion. Chris didn't know he was here, and he was all alone and on his own, having slipped out of the bed Christopher had set up, and come creeping this way ALL the way from that room. No wonder he was so tired! He hit VI's paw, and made a soft squeak as his sensitive nose was bruised by running into the older Layhr. The young cub sat down with a whimper, and looked allllll the way up to the adult. His eyes went WIDE when he saw how big this one was compared to him. Would he EVER get this big?
It then occured to him that the one he'd run into might not like cubs, so he started to back away... very slowly and cautiously. Not able to get very far because of his state of health, but at least the poor thing was giving it an attempt.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:34 pm
IIX opened an eye- the glowing one- and watched the scene between the new two-legs and her Layhr. The green one seems to be stubbornly resisting entry into the room. Sometimes IIX forgot that not all layhr were cooperative. Some were very bitter and a general pain to two-legs- and with good reason. After what many had to undergo, wariness and distrust and in some cases, hatred, of things on two legs. It had taken IIX a little while to trust Faust fully himself.
At the human girl's words he gave his tail a wag and made a content vocalization. She was spot-on. IIX was one of the more well-behaved Layhr. Faust was his friend. Why bother giving him trouble when he was so nice?
He gave his large wings a brief flutter and opened the other eye as another layhr near to the room. This one was small and...almost sickly. He had the odor of illness on him and IIX gave a curious and almost concerned growl in his throat at the sight of the little one moving along. It bumped into the green layhr by the door and seemed to back up quickly, probably not used to grown Layhr.
IIX pushed himself up and moved closer to the door slowly, tucking his wings in as close as he could. he paused a few feet from the door, examining the little layhr.
'Are you okay?' he grunted gently at the little one.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:51 pm
Rose smiled at this one’s response and eagerness. She checked his shoulder casually, reading his moniker and committing it to memory. IIX. 8. He was a little younger than her own VI, but not by much. They might’ve known each other in their caged lives here, if they were ever allowed to socialize. This beautiful Layhr seemed to have the taste for life though, instead of VI’s jaded personality. It gave her hope that maybe one day VI would overcome this. After all, if his supposed cage mate could, why not he?
She studied his build, his two typed wings and the interesting red markings gracing his form. For some reason he reminded her of a hawk; but what the real attention grabber was the green neon glow emitting from the tip of his tail. It looked almost like a radioactive fire. It was while studying IIX that she heard the squeak and swiveled to confront the noise. A small, pitiful looking thing seemed to be inching away from VI in fear. Her first thought was that VI had injured it, but she quickly dispelled that thought. VI was stubborn and disheartened, not mean spirited.
As if to prove her point, VI himself turned to look at the little bundle, obviously for the first time with how much curiosity he was displaying. It was sick, and probably wouldn’t last too long. Preparing to rest his head again, he was interrupted by IIX’s approach, and tilted his head only slightly as the other Layhr approached, only enough to study him. This one felt young and lighthearted, he nearly chortled at his apparent naivety. Hearing him voice his concerns, he decided to let the winged one take care of it, and went back to being trouble for Rose.
((darkred, anyone? XD))
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 10:25 pm
CC looked up at the one that spoke to him. He didn't know quite how to talk yet, so he 'voiced' his reply with a lick to IIX's nose, and a rub of his own. He then proceeded to pretty much lose consciousness, as his little heart couldn't take the stress right now. He was considerably smaller than any Layhr cub to date, and as he lay on his side, it was also seen that he lacked a tail flame, or any other distinctive features. He was plain and drab, with only a black marking that looked like an EKG line around his front left foot. He was on his right side, so that was very easily seen. His handler hadn't shown yet, and it was doubtful the man even knew he was gone [as Chris had been busy when CC snuck out]. The man had been dropping off papers, and had gotten distracted talking to one of the scientists. The little Layhr's last conscious action was to situate himself so that he would fall essentially right into IIX's paw. And there he lay, unmoving. Perhaps even unbreathing, for if he WERE breathing, it was too shallow to tell from a distance.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 10:41 pm
IIX could tell the human girl was looking at him. But he was used to people looking at him, staring at him. There was always something that attracted attention of others, even in the labs where his species was commonplace. He was... different. But he didn't have time to think about Rose and her examining of him- it wasn't like he cared much. The cub was more on his mind.
He watched as the little one approached him and gave him a soft lick and friendly rub in response. This one was young, perhaps too young to properly communicate, or just not developed enough to know how to communicate with vocalizations. He was a little surprised when the little thing collapsed over his paw, laying mostly unmoving. His maw dropped open in shockand he leaned down to nudge the cub frantically. He swung his head up to Rose. Two-legs were smart, two-legs knew how to make things better.
'What...what do I do?' he growled. Of course, the moment he implored the girl's advice, he realized that human spoke mouth-words, word different than a layhr's words. He swung his head around to VI, his own mismatched eyes meeting VI's orbs of uniformed illumination.
'What can we do? What do we do? The little one it...it just stopped moving...' he said uneasily.
He leaned down and lapped at the cub, trying to stimulate it into waking up. He took the cub by the scruff and gently pulled it back into the room, away from the doorway somewhat, and nudged it a few more times. Oh, this was not good. Where was Faust? He was a smart two-legs! He'd make things better! There...there had to be a way to fix this...
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:17 pm
VI stirred enough to sit up, watching as IIX moved the probably dead cub into the room.
He sighed, knowing this meant he would have to show some sign of communication with Rose.
“I’ll get her to help… Keep your wings on, no need to panic.”
He looked up at her, figuring she already knew what he was asking, but that the right thing to do would make sure. Flattening his ears, he gave a low, imploring growl before grasping the hem of Rose’s skirt and tugging her towards the direction of the cub. The moment she started moving into the room on her own, he let go, feeling that he’d done his part.
His pride a bit bruised, he muttered,
“That thing better live… not every day I touch the two legs willingly.”
She had known the situation was grave the moment IIX looked up at her imploringly, but the shock of everything kept her still until she felt the tug of the cloth moving her into the room. She snapped out of it and rushed over, mentally putting aside the fact that VI made contact with her to mull over later. The Layhr watching over the cub seemed to be freaking out with worry. She took a risk and rested her head upon the top of his head as she bent down to examine the cub.
“I know VI doesn’t respond, but I think you guys understand a lot more than we’ll ever know. If you can hear me, if you understand, find help. Find his caretaker, or yours.”
Just in case, she pointed at VI, and then herself, trying to make the connection of being a handler, then pointed to IIX and out into the hall with a questioning look, hoping he would understand.
That done, she rested a single finger under the left foreleg of the pup, right where it met the body; feeling for a pulse. She thought she could feel it… weak and faltering, but maybe she was wrong?
Oh please let help come soon… she wasn’t trained for this.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:25 pm
Chris seemed to sense that the cub was in trouble. He burst in, and essentially LEAPED OVER the two adult Layhr, and land beside the other handler, and the cub. He started rummaging around in his pocket, brow furrowed.
"I thought I'd locked the cage I had him in! ... CC, you're going to be the death of me... and yourself."
He pulled a vial out from where he had been looking.
"Ah HA!" he cried triumphantly, and withdrew a syringe to pull the liquid into, before injecting it into the little one's foreleg.
After a few moments, the medication kicked in, and CC started to stir, the first thing he saw being the nose of the one he'd licked. He squeaked, and reached out a paw to grab it. He wanted to play now! The little tail started to pretty much wag, very, very softly. He was still weak, but the cub had quite a will to live.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:53 pm
IIX had been staying close to the cub, pawing at it, occasionally lapping at it and nudging it. Despite what VI had said, he thought this was a perfect cause for worry. He could hear Rose. He could understand her, but he wasn't too keen on leaving the scrap of fur. He looked at her pitifully, and then went back to his ministrations.
Off course, it only took a few minutes for another two legs to come crashing in. As he came at the cub, IIX quickly backed up. This two-legs seemed panicked, worried...it didn't seem to mean harm to the cub. If that had been the case, IIX wouldn't have moved away. He sat back, feeling the worry inflate like a balloon in his chest, pressing against his ribs. The balloon of unease, however, as the cub started moving. IIX let out a long breath. He butted the human that had aided the cub with his head affectionately. He turned back to the cub, watching as it squeaked and pawed at his face.
He gave a playful chuff and nosed the cub, dropping his front end down, hind end up in the air like a dog excited to play, tail swaying side to side. He knew everything would be alright.
Faust watched the fandango from the doorway, having come in about the time CC's handler darted into the room. He arched his borws, taking a deep sip of his coffee.
"Well...there's somethign you don't see every day." he laughed.
IIX looked up from his play and grunted. 'Oh, now you show up after I've nearly had a heart attack.' he mumbled.
Faust laughed as his layhr growled at him. "I...take it I missed something, huh?" he said, walking into the room.
IIX rolled his eyes in exasperation, though the action was only evidenced by his non-glowing eye. Two-legs were such strange creatures. At least he was back now, though. IIX always felt a little safer with Faust around. Still in the play-bow he turned his attention briefly to VI, looking at the green layhr questioningly, almost as if to ask if he wanted to join in.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 12:11 am
Everything happened so fast. First she was alone with three Layhr, and one seemingly dead, to having two men in the room with her, and the little furball she had been so worried about was now playing with IIX. The little hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she felt a different kind of unease wash over her and leave a bitter taste in her mouth. It’s not like she hated, or even disliked men; they just seemed so… imposing sometimes. She was always slightly on the socially inept side, awkward in groups and fearful of everyone, and this was no different. Feeling out of place, but trapped by the man sipping coffee in the doorframe, she backed up the other way until she found a chair where she could see everyone at once. Feeling a bit more at ease, she lowered herself into it, feeling suddenly very weary.
“Well, I’m glad that’s passed. I was really scared there. I’m guessing you two are the other Layhr’ handlers?”
She raised a hand to her head, a few fingers running along her brow line in her anxiety.
Well, the cub lives after all. Yay.
VI glared at the man behind him, discerning, until he judged him to be no hazard and flopped down where he was. The undignified display that IIX was putting on had him staring. He looked like a common housedog. Did he have any idea how that looked? He let his thoughts wander elsewhere, resting a moment on the sickly cub. Why is it that every time he went anywhere with that stupid handler of his something bizarre like this happens? He sent a look her way that was pure venom, murmuring to himself. Decidedly ignoring everyone, he lounged about, waiting for whatever was going on to be over.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 7:46 am
YAY! PLAY! Now -this- was CC's idea of fun! He went into a playbow of his own, and squeaked because it was his version of barking. He pawed at IIX's nose, and made to leap forward, tumbling snout over tail to land in an upside-down heap at the older Layhr's feet. Offering a puppy-grin, he righted himself, and gave a huge yawn, along with another squeak. He sounded like he was tired but happy. Before too long, he'd curled up against IIX's leg, and rested his head on the larger Layhr's paw, starting to fall asleep again.
Chris watched his charge for a few moments before seeing that the other, older, Layhr had his cub's best interests in mind. He turned to the other two, and grinned a bit. Rather shy himself, he tended not to speak unless spoken to, but once the occasion came, he was more than willing to have a decent conversation. He nodded at the woman.
"I'm the handler of the little one. CC by moniker. He's often sick like this, but I don't exactly know why. His heart's always been very weak, and he has trouble breathing sometimes. Sometimes, like just now, he passes out completely. I thought he was asleep on the bed I'd made for him a few rooms down. I'm just glad that I noticed and got here in time."
His gaze turned towards the now-sleeping CC, and the older Layhr he'd attached himself to.
"He seems to like that other Layhr.... but the green one appears as though he or she couldn't care less... What are their names or numbers?"
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 12:27 pm
IIX watched VI flop down, watching them with eyes that looked...so jaded, almost. He'd have to talk to VI later, though; he did wonder why the other one seemed so apathetic. Maybe he was tired? IIX tilted his head, but didn't spend much time pondering why VI wasn't interested in play. His attention was quickly turned back to the squeaking cub as it pawed at his nose. He gave an audible snort, lifting his head up quickly in surprise. As the little one tumbled forward and landed at his feet, IIX gave a content sort of undulating grumble, something that sounded oddly like a laugh. He playfully beat his wings, and tossed his head. This was fun. He rather liked interacting with his kind in such a playful way.
Back then, back before Faust, the interactions were hardly pleasant. He was generally ridiculed back then- by both two legs and his own- for being a freak. For being 'useless'. None of that seemed to matter now, though. He wasn't useless.
The little one seemed tired and with a yawn, curled on IIX's feet. The bigger Layhr didn't mind though, and dropped from his play bow onto the ground, letting the little one rest. it didn't seem very strong, almost fragile. Most cubs were delicate to a point, but this one...it seemed like it would break at any moment, even when it was acting so vivacious.
He looked over at VI again. It still bothered him this one was so apathetic. He knew...he knew not all Layhr were content and well-adjusted. The bad men did bad things. The bad things that made the Layhr hurt. Maybe what happened to VI was a very bad thing.
'You look...bored.' he started, aiming his vocalizations at the green Layhr. 'Is there something wrong?'
Faust took a seat over on the same side of the room as Rose, though he made sure to sit a few chairs over to give her space. The girl...she seemed a little distressed, and crowding a distressed person was probably not wise.
"What exactly happened? I missed most of it. I was in the breakroom getting a small snack." he inquired, indicating his coffee mug and biscotti stick as evidence.
He smiled at her second question and nodded. "Eight is my charge. His numerical markings are a little skewed, but I think it makes him more unique." he smiled. He then turned his attention to Chris. Ah, so the little one was sickly? Poor thing. He laughed as he made the comment about CC's attachment to IIX. "Yes, IIX is very easy to get along with. He's...gentle and rather kind. very well-behaved...most of the time." The Layhr gave a snort in response. "He seems very...optimistic. Hopeful almost. It's surprising for someone who's been through god-knows-what here...." he sighed.
He looked over to VI, the green one. That one did seem like more of a loner. Though he wagered the disinterested temper was probably more appropriate for a lab sort of creature. If there was one thing he learned back at the lab he worked for, some subjects handled lab life better than others. Granted, he worked mostly with small animals, not creatures like the Layhr. But he figured it had to beall relative...mostly, anyways.
"Perhaps he is just a loner?" Faust said, taking a sip from his mug.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 4:45 pm
Curled up and on his side, he was flexing his forepaw, placing it heavily upon the ground and just absorbing the information on how it felt. The strange, almost webbing tissue gave him the ability to splay his pads wider. The sensation was oddly soothing, similar to the way one might clench and unclench their fist and find the repetitive process a balm on their nerves. Arching his back, he felt the strange dorsal fin pull slightly; he was doing all of this to pantomime the impression of swimming. In water he was an entirely new creature, though not as graceful or quick as he’d have liked, there was this brute power with his bulk and how easily he could maneuver himself that made his adrenaline flood.
In essence he was off in his happy place.
He heard IIX’s inquiry and dragged his head across the floor so that his nose pointed at IIX before his eyes opened. Letting the information digest, he almost grinned. Bored was an interesting way to put it. He was bored of the abandonment, the constant disappointments in life, of the way things promise to only get worse. In fact he was kinda bored of the whole breathing in and out thing.
“That’s one way of saying it.”
He kept his voice low, he might be gruff, but the sick cub was sleeping, and that kind of thing just wasn’t his style.
Watching the interactions of the Layhr, she let the other handler sit by her, grateful for the space. She listened to CC’s owner, and then to IIX’s, absorbing the information and noting they both mentioned VI. Rose mulled over what to explain first, but she really didn’t feel like dishing out her whole life story; or VI’s for that matter, so she kept her eyes intent on the dozing cub for a moment before speaking.
“I don’t know exactly what they do to the Layhr here, but I can tell you it’s not good for their health.”
She debated with herself over how much more to say. She’d seen creatures in far better condition not make it; but that wasn’t encouraging and the little guy really seemed to like life too. A weaker spirited Layhr would’ve certainly given up by now.
“I… I could look at him, if you like. I never finished my classes, mind… And Layhr aren’t stray dogs or anything that I could even compare to.”
She hunched over, resting her arms on her legs as VI was rather creepily moving his head by dragging his right cheek on the floor.
“As for VI… well, let me explained what happened here first. I was having trouble getting VI into the room with IIX. …er, I mean, VI wouldn’t go in the room anyway, I’m not saying he doesn’t like IIX! In fact since they’re close to the same number they probably went through the same tests, maybe even knew each other. I mean, he just doesn’t like the room anyway. Well, he doesn’t like much anyway”
Her voice had raised a pitch and her speed even more than that. Nervous and worried she had upset someone, words just kept tumbling out of her mouth. Realizing that she was sidetracking, and needed to calm down, she took a deep breath; praying no one was mad at her, before continuing.
“Er, sorry. Well, VI was lying in the hallway when CC bumped into him. I’m afraid we gave the tyke a scare because he cried out before IIX came to the rescue. The poor thing collapsed, and IIX brought him in here.”
Recalling her monologue to IIX, something was clicking in her head, but it hadn’t fully formed yet. Putting it on the back burner, she continued.
“You – she nodded to Chris, cause she didn’t know his name – came in at that point, and saved the day.”
Rose smiled at him before turning her head to face the handler beside her.
“And I do believe that’s when you came in.”
It hit her. IIX responded to him as if he understood. Sure, VI seemed a bit uncanny sometimes, but he was so distant and never made any sort of effort to communicate with her; she’d never been sure if the Layhr could understand.
“IIX… hears you, doesn’t he? I mean, he knows, right?”
Thoughts were tumbling over memories, points that supported both sides. There were so many instances when she could’ve sworn that VI understood, and even acted on her words, but there were other times, and then it didn’t make sense. She thought maybe since she lived alone her brain was just playing tricks, making up companions in creatures that couldn’t possibly… right?
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:19 pm
Chris sighed, and flopped into a couch - as he'd been standing since he arrived in. He didn't bother CC. He thought that the cub looked incredibly content curled up against the older Layhr. Speaking of older, he hadn't seen another cub in the entire facility... he was starting to wonder if CC was the youngest one here. It wouldn't surprise the scientist if he WERE. Without much further thought on that, his eyes rested on the other two Layhr, curious. He didn't want to disturb the cub's rest, but what he wasn't telling the other handlers was that the solution he'd injected into the cub was a temporary measure. On the mention of the woman taking a look at CC physically, he was immensely relieved.
"Would you please? I can run get a medical kit and stethoscope if you need one. I sort of left my entire pack in the other room."
He gave a sheepish grin, but kept his voice low. His gaze traveled the length of IIX, and focused on VI for a few, before he gave up trying to understand them, and went back to his conversation.
"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you, by the way. My name is Dr. Christopher Drayton - but you are more than welcome to call me Chris, or anything you like."
The cub's sleep was fairly undisturbed. He wasn't moving from his warm place, and that place happened to be IIX's foot. It was probably a hassle to the other Layhr, but CC was too young to understand things like that, and he really preferred just to stay where he was. He wasn't feeling well again, and his chest was hurting. Whimpers escaped softly, and he started to shiver. Cold. Every time his chest hurt like this, he got so cold. He even went so far as to try and wrap his paws around the other Layhr's leg, as if a child hugging a pillow.
He felt sick, and he didn't like feeling sick. Things seemed a little slow, and the poor cub's skin was hot to the touch - even to the touch of another Layhr. In an effort to get away from the heat, he started moving in his sleep, and wound up curled up in the middle of the floor, shivering nonstop. Chris noticed, but couldn't do anything. It was times like this when the Layhr needed a real doctor... not a scientist playing one.
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