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Arrival
Nov 22, 2019 18:32:07 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 22, 2019 18:32:07 GMT -6
Kazadus watched carefully as the two strangers left to warm up their ride. Having a nice warm vehicle to ride back in was definitely a boon as walking back to camp in what they were currently wearing would not suffice. While the warmness of the powered up tower was nice, they couldn’t just stay locked away in there forever. Getting out of the snowy region would be of excellent help thanks to Marcus and Tom. Assuming of course they weren’t human traffickers. If that was the case then he had no qualms about beating their heads in, but he had a gut feeling it would not come to it. He listened to Annalise’s concerns about their two supposed rescuers.
“I think we should take the ride. They seem like ordinary humans from what I could gather. Even if they turn out to be a couple of assholes, I’m pretty sure we can take them. We beat Smudge and we can beat these guys too.”
Smudge turned his head away from them in shame of his defeat, but Kaz was right. They did beat him and to add insult to injury, they beat him after eating one of them.
“Besides we can’t stay here forever. There’s no food and we have no setup to make a camp or home out of this place.”
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Arrival
Nov 23, 2019 12:47:48 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 23, 2019 12:47:48 GMT -6
Kazadus was right. Resources in a frozen wasteland were scarce, and Smudge may not provide much help. Even if they were able to get a hold of a source of meat, they had no means to cook it, and it was a risk eating it raw. Warmth could only provide so much before the need to eat and hydrate took precedence. They could take the portal to another world where it was warmer and greener, but again, there was the thought of why Kazadus' "friend" sent them here of all places. They had to find out why and where to go from there. Annalise squeezed the lever and pulled it down. The humming of the tower abated with the final lever, and the cold began to seep into the room. Goosebumps rose along her arms and legs and a shudder raced through her limbs. The thought of a warm vehicle sounded heavenly at this point. Annalise nodded at Kazadus. If Tom and Marcus ended up trying to kidnap them, or worse, they could take them on together. "Alright, let's go."
Just outside, a loud horn bopped. Tom and Marcus must be eager to get back to camp, and Annalise did not fault them for that. The sun was going down and that meant temperatures were going to plummet to dangerous levels.
"I vote we run to the vehicle. The sooner we get in, the sooner we get to warm up again," There was a restrained shudder to her voice while she spoke. Annalise counted down from three and she raced outside through the icy winds and snow. The snow vehicle in question was large and white, and it was propelled by a big fan in the back. Were it not for the freezing cold, she would have felt concerned at the thought of people like Tom and Marcus driving this thing over the ice.
Annalise yanked the door open and quickly moved over to let Kazadus inside so he could close the door. The interior of the vehicle was warm, but it would take time for Annalise's body to warm back up from that exposure. Her fingers were curled into her palms and they felt uncomfortably stiff.
In the front row, Tom and Marcus had their hoods back and unzipped their coats due to how hot it was. "'ey, there yas are! I suggest yas buckle up. It's gonna be a tad bumpy."
"Ya mean very bumpy! And don't go crashin' this time, Tom. The last--"
"--I don't think its a good idea to say that in front of the newzies. Yas goin' to scare them!"
Marcus grumbled to himself and Tom adjusted something out of their line of sight. The fan spun to life and they wiggled forward as they started to pick up speed. Marcus' shoulders wiggled as he compensated at the wheel until he found a means to make their movements more controlled. They still made abrupt shifts, but all in all, not bad so far. Annalise didn't realize she was gripping the seat and relinquished some pressure.
"Once we get yas there, there will be some paperwork. It'll help us with findin' yas a place to relocate to."
"Where do you two hail from?"
Marcus turned them away from a large, icy structure that was in their path, causing the vehicle to sway. Annalise grabbed the seat again and closed her eyes. She hated such abrupt motions, "Moon Valley, miss. 's a nice place to live."
"And they're open to newzsies, too!"
"Yes, there is that. Out of curiosity, what do yas two do for a livin'?"
Annalise would let Kazadus answer first, if he wished.
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Arrival
Nov 23, 2019 21:44:20 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 23, 2019 21:44:20 GMT -6
It didn’t take long for Kazadus to feel the cold of the region touch his body again. He could feel his muscles tense up from air turning cold. He gritted his teeth in discomfort and swore a little under his breath. Smudge on the other hand seemed fine. The little rodent had obviously adapted to the cold weather and most likely felt at home in their cold environment. Kazadus followed after Annalise as she made her way back downstairs. He couldn’t wait to get out of the cold region. Not that he really hated the cold, but being ill equipped to handle the cold wasn’t something he wanted to do. Maybe someday they would return to the tower to find out its mysteries. Afterall, Valandil had to of dropped them off at that location for a reason.
Upon hearing Annalise’s suggestion they run, Kazadus smirked.
“You have my vote. Its unanimous.”
“Smudge loves cold air. Smudge says walk.”
Kazadus started running with Annalise while he started talking to Smudge again.
“You lost your voting rights when you tried to eat us. Besides you’re not coming with us.”
Smudge held on to Kazadus’ bare shoulder and started to whimper. If the creature was capable of sweating then it would be. He was injured and would make easy prey for any other predators in the region.
“But but… Smudge will help.”
“No. We’re getting the hell out of here. I doubt you have any knowledge about anything else on this planet except here.”
“Please don’t leave Smudge to die. Smudge will change. Smudge will pledge life to you.”
Begging. He was really begging to stay with them. The bastard obviously ate humans in its diet, but on the other hand it was begging and completely helpless. He could of just chalked it up to revenge for being eaten, but then again something inside Kazadus couldn’t bring himself to leave Smudge to die. Not to mention the fact that Tom and Marcus would probably be wondering why he left his ‘pet’ out in the middle of nowhere to die.
“Smudge find new way of eating. No more eating hairless snow apes or hoomans! Smudge owes life debt to you.”
“Alright alright shut up you can come.”
The rodent grabbed onto Kazadus’ face and hugged his head as he ran.
“Thank you master. Smudge is eternally grateful!”
“Get off!”
Kazadus grabbed Smudge from his face and squeezed him in his grip as he continued his sprint with Annalise until they reached the inside of the vehicle. Kaz quickly closed the door behind him to cut off the cold air. The warmth of the vehicle felt incredible. He would of scooted closer to Annalise to try and get some body heat off of her and share what little he could, but he was aware of how bad he stank from the blood and vomit thanks to Smudge and wasn’t planning on subjecting her to that kind of torment. Smudge on the other hand sniffed at Kazadus.
“Smudge thinks you smell wonderful.”
Kaz just shook his head and closed his eyes. The bumps from the vehicle reminded him of some long ago memory. He was on a plane with several other soldiers. There was a lot of turbulence on the vessel. Each of them held their rifles in complete calm despite the heavy shaking. He could hear the speaker from the cockpit say “5 minutes until drop off.” Upon hearing Tom and Marcus again, the memory ended and he was back in the present. He looked out the window of the vehicle to see the landscape go by them. Hearing their questions, Kazadus answered.
“We’re from a place called Earth.”
Kaz heard them mention Moon Valley and wondered what a place with that kind of name could look like. Its name almost implied that it was always dark and always a full moon, but then again, it could've just been a name. Upon hearing them ask for their living, he realized he could get right back into his business of bounty hunting. Maybe this time without a leash.
“I’m a bounty hunter… Oh and the name is Kazadus. Don’t think we introduced ourselves earlier."
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Arrival
Nov 23, 2019 23:33:07 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 23, 2019 23:33:07 GMT -6
Annalise only caught snippets of Kazadus' arguments with Smudge, but she got the general idea. Smudge wanted to come along and Kazadus wasn't having it! Can't say she didn't blame him. For all of his obnoxious charms, Smudge could still be a danger despite him being adamant that he would not harm them. Somehow, someway, Smudge managed to convince Kazadus to let him come along for the leg of the journey. Annalise decided against voicing her opinions regarding his decision. She trusted Kazadus' judgement on this, and the two of them were able to take him down if he decided to betray them. "Urk." Before she could move towards Kazadus with the same intention of warming each other up, she got a good whiff of his temporary odor and moved further from him. The warm environment made the scent potent and it made her feel nauseated. She dialed down her sense of smell, which helped, and she breathed through her mouth to filter out the stench. Smudge needed to be educated on what smelled "good." Tom and Marcus could smell him as well and coughed uncomfortably. They carried on conversations but made a point of not breathing through their noses either, causing their voices to change. They would have to scrub the seat later. "Bounty huntin'? That's a relief. There's always some sort of bounty on the boards in town but there's a shortage of hunters that go after the bigguns." Tom slowed the vehicle and moved to the left. The whole thing bounced over ice and mounds of snow. Annalise inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. Marcus turned to Kazadus. His hair was flattened against his head thanks to wearing the hood for so long and his nose and cheeks were rosy. "We got more problems from some newzies, too, so I'll bet yas will get plenty of jobs. Oh and if ya see a purple alien with four arms, give him a good punch in the face for destroyin' our last camp."
Tom grunted in agreement.
Marcus smiled broadly. He would have extended a hand to shake Kazadus', but by Yahweh did he reek. "Pleasure, Kazadus! This here is Tom and I'm Marcus, but I think yas knows that already. What about yas, miss--yas alright?"
Annalise opened her eyes and smiled pleasantly despite the bumps and shifts the vehicle took. Now that eyes were on her, she had to dial down her discomfort, "Just fine. Name's Annalise. I craft jewelry, but--" The vehicle skipped over ice again and she tensed. Gods, she hated this thing. "I'm considering taking up bounty hunting. Would be a nice change of pace." Annalise chose to not to mention that Kazadus may need someone to watch his back considering all the misfortune he endured today. He was a magnet for bad luck.
This was also a new world with new possibilities. Annalise wouldn't abandon her passions for sake of making an income hunting people down, but now she could use these abilities that were forced upon her for a good cause. She no longer had to fear the doctor or anyone connected to him. The government that funded her creation had ceased to be, and with its disappearance, she was free to be open about her abilities.
"Jewelry? That's a new one! Ya make that necklace yas wearing now?"
Annalise's gaze fell to the necklace that, miraculously, wasn't destroyed from all of the shenanigans she and Kazadus had gotten into. That could be a good selling point in the future: jewelry so tough, it can survive going through portals and being thrown around! "I did. The stone inside is a star garnet."
"'s a what?"Annalise reached into her pocket for her phone, but when she removed it, the screen was completely shattered and unable to function. Damn it; when did that happen? "Er, I'll show you why it got the name when we get to the camp. I'll need a direct light source or sunlight."
"A star in a stone?" Marcus didn't understand how that was possible, "So...Smudge wasn't it? How'd yas become their--?" Marcus' brother gently elbowed him to get his attention before he could start a conversation with Smudge.
"Radio in that we'll be arrivin' in ten minutes."Marcus picked up the radio and began communication. In the meantime, Annalise looked to Kazadus and Smudge, "Doing alright?" |
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Arrival
Nov 24, 2019 20:05:31 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 24, 2019 20:05:31 GMT -6
Kazadus noticed right away that everyone sounded like they were breathing out of their mouths. All except for Smudge that was. The little wierdo was basking in the stench inside the vehicle. Kazadus silently hoped their camp had some kind of shower and new clothes. Everyone could tell he needed it badly. Upon hearing that there were some big bounties available, his spirits shot up a bit. Big bounties meant big payoffs.
He was just hoping that none of them were vampires. He hated vampires to no end. The thought of them boiled his blood, but then he did get a serious ass beating by one. He silently thought to himself 'Lousy bloodsucking walking corpses.' Upon hearing Annalise's interest in continuing to help in bounty hunting, a smile crawled upon his face. Having a partner in his line of work would really be a help. Not to mention she could also use those funds to help her true passion in jewelery. He kept his smile when she asked how he was holding up.
"Smudge is content."
"She was talking to me dummy."
"Annalise asking us both."
The small rodent stuck its chest out with pride. Kazadus just rolled his eyes.
"Other than smelling like a beautiful flower, I'm fine. Hopefully I can shower at the camp. How are you doing?"
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Arrival
Nov 24, 2019 21:11:46 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 24, 2019 21:11:46 GMT -6
Tom and Marcus were happy to report that there were showers at the camp, and an abundance of soap bars that may as well be Irish Spring scented. Both of them interrupted each other in the process of explaining that they had the luxurious option, but the intent was clear: they wanted Kazadus to shower pronto. Annalise would have chimed in, but her cutting off airflow through her nose made it all-too-obvious that she was in agreement, especially when she forgot to not breathe through her nose. That smell was enough to make anyone gag!
Annalise did not understand why Kazadus was all smiles when he addressed her, but Annalise found herself smiling in return. They had survived quite a harrowing day together and lived to tell the tale. When they were settled somewhere, they should celebrate their luck with that drink they never got to have back on Earth.
She did not want to admit it aloud, but Smudge was growing on her. That gremlin had quite a personality when he wasn't trying to devour them, and she hoped that would remain the case. Smudge and Kazadus' disagreement caused Annalise to chuckle, but Kazadus dubbing his offensive odor as a "beautiful flower" broke her into a fit of laughter that caused her to bend forward. She needed a moment to regain her composure after that one!
Laughter felt great after the events they went through.
"Ahah--oh. Ah, I'm fine. Just fine." Annalise wouldn't give the negative thoughts entailing losing Earth the light of day, not here in front of Marcus and Tom while in the confinements of this vehicle. There would be a time and a place to let things go in that direction. She did not want to end the conversation at that, so she kept going, "It feels...odd yet good to know there's an opportunity to truly start over. I'm sure it feels great for you to be free as well." Annalise made a point of eyeing him up and down, "We'll need to get you a more practical uniform first."
"We're close now," Marcus announced and put the radio away, "'s not much but there's showers. Best be quick, though. We're short on gas to heat the water but we're gettin' a delivery tomorrow mornin'. If yas hopin' to go to Moon Valley, that'll be your ticket out of here." Marcus cleared his throat, "Yas may need a whole bar of soap."
When they jumped over a hill, a camp came into view, the sort one would expect in a frozen environment. There were five long, rectangular, metal structures with tiny windows, a tall electrical fence surrounding the area, a radio tower, and other snow vehicles parked within. The gate into the camp slid open and Tom took them in at a slow and steady pace. When the vehicle turned off, Annalise let out a breath she didn't realize she had held.
"Before we go in, we must warn yas. We gots some scientists that get a tad excited over newzies so don't mind them. Yas don't have to undergo any tests if yas don't want to. The last time we tried to get a newzie to participate in blood tests, a scientist got their arm broke, they did, so it's optional."
"Marcy is the one yas got to watch out for. She'll try to stick yas with a needle if she can. She's got a friend or two, but they're much calmer."
"Thanks for the head's up." Annalise nodded for Kazadus to open the door so they could go inside.
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Arrival
Nov 25, 2019 12:50:41 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 25, 2019 12:50:41 GMT -6
"It does feel good to be free, but…"
The smile faded from his face. Just how many people were on Earth when it was taken. Kazadus wondered if anyone else had made it out alive. He didn't have any sort of real attachment to the world. Even if he had been born there, he felt like a stranger in an unknown world. He had no connection to what was once his home. It didn't make him heartless however. He still felt a great deal of remorse for the end of the planet. Valandil would owe him some answers later.
It didn't take long for them to reach the encampment. Upon hearing of test to be done, he sighed. Felt like he just had that done a few weeks prior by the government before he became a bounty hunter. He thought it would be a waste of time at first, but then again there was no telling what kind of effect going through a portal and entering a new atmosphere would have on them. Obviously the planet was Earth like, but there was no telling if there were subtle changes that would eventually cause them pain.
"Couldn't hurt to get a check up, but let me do your doctor's a favor and let me soak for a bit."
"Smudge no want shower."
Kazadus glared at Smudge. If he was going to tag along then he wasn't going to have him stinking either. Not to mention the doctors were going to have to look at the wounds they gave him and he didn't want the creature to stink up their camp either.
"Smudge is gonna shower or I'll use your flea ridden ass as a luffa."
"Smudge agrees to shower…"
Kazadus exited the vehicle and held the door open for Annalise to get out as well. The cold hit him once again upon exiting. He hoped to God that the shower was hot.
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Arrival
Nov 25, 2019 18:42:01 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 25, 2019 18:42:01 GMT -6
Annalise's smile faded as well when the realization of lives lost back on earth crept into her thoughts. It wasn't something she was ready to face yet; but would she ever be? The arrival at the camp did offer a much-needed distraction from that, but it meant having to handle another situation: scientists. Just how adamant were they going to be about getting blood tests or running scans?
"Marcie would appreciate that immensely," Tom shut off the engine and he and his brother practically barrelled out of the vehicle to get away from the smell. Both of them inhaled the cold air outside with far too much gusto.
"Urgh, I'm never complainin' about the wind burnin' my nostrils ever again!" Marcus exclaimed with determination, but given his track record, he may take things for granted again.
"Just like you'll never take havin' cheap beer for granted again?" Tom slammed the driver's door shut and rushed for the building they had parked next to. His brother was quick to follow after him.
"Hey! That's different! When it tastes like piss, it tastes like piss!"
Annalise held her breath as she moved over and hopped out into the snow where the air was much less potent. She thanked Kazadus for holding the door open for her and raced inside after Tom and Marcus. Once they entered the warm interior, the brothers kicked off their boots and removed layers next to coat racks, all the while, they bickered about different kinds of beer.
Annalise held the door open for Kazadus, and once he was inside, she slammed it shut to keep the cold from following them. Unfortunately, they got another whiff of Kazadus and Smudge. Tom and Marcus groaned, pinched their noses, and gestured down the hall, "First door on the left! There's clothes in there just--GO!"
"Don't forget to wash behind your ears and Smudge's ears."
Soon as Kazadus left, Marcus had left the room, returned with what must be Jenesis' version of Febreeze, and sprayed so much of it, the air became practically unbreathable again. Tom whacked the can out of his brother's hand and the two started fighting anew. While they argued about the air quality, she picked up the can, and sneaked off with it to ensure Marcus did not use it again. The odor of blood and bile was bad enough--they didn't need to die via Beautiful Flower.
Annalise realized she needed a shower as well. While she wasn't in as bad of shape as Kazadus, her hands were sticky with Smudge's blood and she had smears of it all over her torn clothing. It was definitely time for a change.
"Well, it's about time!" A woman's voice shouted from behind Annalise, "What did you bring this ti--oh, hello, there!" Annalise turned and saw a woman in a grey lab coat and a pair of large spectacles sitting on the bridge of her nose. Her black hair was cropped short, just underneath her ears, and it was a curly mess atop her head. "So, you're a newzie are you? Welcome to Jenesis! Say..." Annalise did not like the look she was giving her. This must be that Marcie she was warned about, "Would you mind undergoing some tests? Just some small things, like scans and some blood tests? It'll be quick, I promise."
"Marcie, I don't think yas should be stickin' her she's been through a rough day!" Tom took a seat at a table where a game of cards was hastily abandoned, "Found them without any means of survivin' we did. Let them relax before ya scares them off!"
Marcie scowled, "One of them could contain a means to eradicate common diseases for all we know! We cannot slow progress!"
Annalise was beginning to like her less and less. She was far too much like...
"Annalise, there's a sink where you can wash ya hands from that just down the hall. I'll keep crazy off yas." Tom thumbed at Marcie, who became red in the face. As she walked away, she overhead them arguing. That must be a past time around here. She would wait near the shower room to warn Kazadus about her.
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Arrival
Nov 26, 2019 20:18:29 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 26, 2019 20:18:29 GMT -6
"Hey Smudge, don't drop the soap."
"Smudge do not know what a soap is."
"You will."
It didn't take long for everyone to practically throw Kazadus and Smudge into the shower. He knew he stunk, but based off how pushy everyone was getting, he must of really stunk to high heaven. Smudge was the only one that didn't seem bothered by it but then again that was no consolation. Kazadus closed the door behind him and stripped down to nothing except his eyepatch. He quickly turned on the water. The heat felt good against his scared skin.
"Ohh Hoomans have third leg?"
"It's not a… nevermind. Get your ass in the water."
"Smudge no want to…"
"I will drag your ass in if I have to."
Kazadus turned on the other showerhead for Smudge. The creature looked extremely uncomfortable under the hot water. Kazadus scrubbed away at all blood and barf he was covered in. Smudge's fur was soaked in no time with water much to his dismay. Something was distracting Smudge as he looked on at Kazadus.
"May Smudge ask question?"
"What?"
"Smudge wants to know where you get scars from?"
Kazadus stopped scrubbing himself for a moment before he continued. That in it of itself was still a mystery. The fact that he could regenerate and yet still be so heavily scared meant several things. Either he didn't always have his powers or whoever did this to him must of been one sick bastard. There was that vision he had. Chained up and tortured for God knows how long. He didn't know why Smudge was interested in knowing, but he gave him an answer regardless.
"Battles and torture."
"You are stronger than Smudge, Smudge thinks. Scars prove strength."
"Well if it makes you feel any better I'd say Annalise added some strength badges to the back of your neck."
"Smudge is sorry."
"Save the apologies. Just scrub your ass and we're square."
Kazadus tossed a bar of soap at Smudge. The rodent caught the bar with both his hands. Surprising, since his hands were so small compared to the bar of soap.
"Smudge no want to scrub."
"Scrub…"
"No!"
"Scrub Goddamn it!
Kazadus picked up Smudge and was about to scrub him against his will, until Smudge managed to find the strength to transform. He wasn't as big as earlier when they first fought, but the shrinkage of size was a testament to how injured he was. His voice though the same, was only a little deeper. As he wrestled with Kazadus to get the soap away from him.
"Nooo! Smudge no want soooappp!"
"Hold still and stop your whining!"
Kazadus locked Smudge into a headlock as he started trying to scrub the size morphing creature. Smudge thrashed around and knocked Kazadus into the wall. The impact made Kazadus lose his grip on Smudge. The transformed creature attempted to scuttle away, but Kazadus quickly got back on his feet and tackled Smudge sending them both crashing through the door. Hot mist poured out into the outside room as Kazadus got on top of Smudge and managed to get a punch off the weak furball. It wasn't enough to hurt him too bad, but Kazadus needed to subdue the crybaby to get him clean. He picked up the protesting Smudge to drag him back into the showers.
"Sorry about the door guys."
"Noooo. Pleeease no more shower!"
"Shut up Smudge!"
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Arrival
Nov 26, 2019 21:47:53 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 26, 2019 21:47:53 GMT -6
Annalise did not hear much of what was going on in the shower room, that is, until both of them started raising their voices at each other. Smudge complained about getting clean and Kazadus argued with him. Shortly thereafter, she heard them struggling within the privacy of the shower room. If Smudge wanted to stick with them, he had to get used to smelling like something akin to Irish Spring instead of bile that had been in a school hallway for too long. Annalise was in the midst of picking dried blood from beneath her fingernails when the door was ripped from its hinges, and a larger Smudge struggled to get away from a naked Kazadus.
Thank god her back was turned from the door to begin with.
Annalise balled her right hand into a fist, placed it over her mouth, closed her eyes, and tried her utmost to suppress a laugh while Kazadus fought to get Smudge back into the shower.
"BY YAHWEH WHAT IS THAT?"
Oh no. That was Marcie. Annalise shifted her eyes side to side, cleared her throat, and moved away to ensure she was not seen. Unfortunately, in this tiny structure, there weren't many places to hide.
Marcie's glasses instantly fogged from the steam that wafted from the shower room, but that did not stop her from groping about in search of Smudge. Where was that weird thing? Luck was on their side, because the moment Smudge was yanked back into the shower against his will, Marcie staggered past, stopped, wiped her glasses clean, squinted about, and found Annalise trying to escape her line of sight.
She would do! Now, if she could just get her to offer a vein...
"Miss Annali--"
"No."
Marcie held up a few vials in which blood would be drawn. Each had a different colored cap. "It's just a--"
"I said, 'no.'"
"Not even for the betterment of the planet?" Marcie asked, doing her utmost to give Annalise her best doe-eyes. "What if you carry the cure to the sniffles? Or antibodies that could fight diseases? What if you carry something that'll spread and kill most of us?"
Leave it to scientists to be doomsayers. She hated that. "I need to wait for my friend."
"Bu--"
"MARCIE! GET YA ARSE IN HERE! 'S YOUR TURN!"
Marcie grumbled to herself, pocketed the vials, and ran down the hall, "YOU'RE INTERRUPTING SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS!"
"I had no idea harassing newzies was 'scientific progress'!"
"SHUT UP!"
"Didja tell her that it was for, 'the good of the planet?'"
"I'LL STICK YOU WITH A NEEDLE, MARCUS!"
"I'll stick you with something better, Marcie, and it'll make you scream more than the last needle that pricked you!"
Annalise heard a loud smack followed by an angry shout. Tom must have hit his brother. Again. At least the crazy scientist was off her for the time being.
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Arrival
Nov 27, 2019 22:33:44 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 27, 2019 22:33:44 GMT -6
As Kazadus made it back into the showers, he threw Smudge back towards his showerhead along with a bar of soap.
"Now scrub!"
Smudge wasn't going to get out of it. Kazadus made it quite clear that he could either do this the easy way or the hard way. Seeing as Kazadus wasn't budging on the issue, Smudge finally gave in and started scrubbing. As he scrubbed his fur, he started to shrink back to his normal size. Kazadus continued to clean himself off. A hot shower felt good after such a long day. The day had felt like a month since he woke up for breakfast that morning. As he finished getting clean, Kaz shut off the water. He picked Smudge up and sniffed at him.
"Great. You don't smell like ass anymore."
"Smudge smells… *sniff*... Good?"
A grin appeared on the little creature's face. He must have never had a proper bath before in his life. Hopefully it wouldn't be his last. Kazadus grabbed one of the towels from the rack and tossed a smaller one to Smudge. Kazadus dried off quicker, but Smudge had to spend a little longer trying to dry off do to his fur. Kazadus went over to the counter to see a good amount of bathroom supplies. Unopened toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth wash, combs, razors, deodorant. Their camp sure had a lot of supplies to keep them comfortable.
Kazadus sure as hell wasn't going to shave his beard, but he definitely would brush his teeth, throw on some deodorant, and comb his wet hair back. It didn't take long and by the time he was done, Smudge was dry.
"Hey Smudge. Hop up here a sec."
Kazadus eyed a comb on the counter with a name marked on it as 'Tom'. Kazadus merely thought to himself 'Eh. Better his comb than mine.' As he thought this, Smudge leaped up onto the counter.
"What do you need Smudge to do now?"
Kazadus grabbed Tom's comb and started combing back Smudge's fur until the top of his head looked slicked back and the rest of the fur on his body looked more presentable.
"What do think furball?"
Smudge studied himself in the mirror. His little grin only grew bigger. He couldn't get enough of himself in the mirror. Didn't take much to make the little guy vain. While Smudge was busy checking himself out, Kazadus picked out some winter gear from the clothes that were left in the bathroom. They had quite a few different sizes. Kazadus was a pretty big guy, but was surprised to find that clothes they had actually fit him. Well almost. They were a bit more snug than he was used to, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He picked up Smudge and placed him on his shoulder.
"C'mon dummy. You can check yourself out later. It's Annalise's turn."
"But Smudge look too majestic not to be looked at."
Kazadus walked out from the broken door with Smudge in tow.
"Annalise! Your turn."
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Arrival
Nov 28, 2019 23:13:01 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 28, 2019 23:13:01 GMT -6
Meanwhile, outside of the shower room, Annalise was keeping herself out of Marcie's line of sight while she, Tom, and Marcus played some odd game of cards. The faces and symbols were different from what she had seen back on Earth. It reminded her of those picture matching games, but she only saw the faces before she had to avoid Ms. Crazy. Whatever they were playing was taking a while, which allowed Annalise some much needed alone time to take a breather. Her stomach growled, and she figured now was a good time as any to munch on one of her protein bars.
It wasn't all that great in comparison to other flavors on the market, but it would fill some of the empty pit that rumbled in her gut. The second one would be given to Kazadus once he got out of the shower.
Just as she finished her snack, Tom cursed, Marcus whooped with glee, and Marcie groaned. Did that mean the game was over and that Marcie was going to try to find her again? Annalise shuddered and rubbed her arms. If that woman tried to come at her with a needle, she would break the damned thing.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have some important scientific research I must conduct!" Annalise heard a chair scrape against the floor.
"Ya say that every time newzsies show up!" Tom shouted, "Can't ya give them a moment to adjust, Marcie? They've been through hell!"
"Progress waits for no one!"
"By Yahweh..."
Annalise was sorely tempted to snag a warm coat and run outside to one of the other buildings to avoid Marcie. That woman did not look like she would accept denials until she was left no other choice but to heed it. Annalise had thought of telling her that her blood was explosive once it left her body, but she realized that would only make her want to get a sample even more.
That was when Kazadus, her saving grace, emerged from the shower in clean clothing, smelling fresh and clean, along with a well-combed Smudge who was quite pleased with himself. Annalise could practically see Smudge trying to pick up females with that new look somewhere in the Crystal Expanse.
"Now you do smell like a pretty flower," Annalise thrust the protein bar into his hands, "Head's up--that woman is going to try to get some blood out of you and may try to do the same to Smudge. I don't trust her so be careful." That said, she entered the shower room for a much needed wash.
Right on cue, Marcie approached Kazadus, adjusted her large glasses, and grinned from ear to ear with far too much eagerness, "Well, hello there!" Marcie noticed Annalise had escaped to the shower, but that did not matter! One way or another, she would get a blood sample! Now, back to this fine specimen. Marcie eyed him up and down with great interest, "So, up for some blood tests? I have juice!" It didn't work on the last person, so she had to sweeten the deal, "And biscuits!" Maybe, with enough convincing, she could get him to undergo scans, too!
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Arrival
Nov 30, 2019 14:52:26 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Nov 30, 2019 14:52:26 GMT -6
Upon being thrusted with a protein bar, Kazadus smiled.
"Hey careful. Flowers are delicate."
As he opened the protein bar and started eating, he listened to Annalise's warning of the over eager scientist. Though it did give him an idea to get something he really needed. You had to give something to get something and ever since arriving Kazadus had a hankering. He broke off a small piece of the protein bar and handed it to Smudge.
He let Marcie go on her little selling scheme to get Kazadus to go along with the rest. Smudge on the other hand wasn't interested in juice and biscuits. His tastes were more on the rare side. Rare as is fresh meat.
"Honey I'm gonna stop you right there. You get me a pack of smokes or better yet a cigar and I'll turn my head and cough as much as you want me to."
"Smudge want meat. No meat no help!"
"You can run test on him. Just stitch him up on his back and throw him a few steaks in after."
There was something else Kazadus noticed. The scientist lady had been making Annalise uncomfortable. He hadn't seen what had happened, but based off her hurry to get in the shower and her warning about the scientist, she had been making her uncomfortable.
"Oh and one more thing. We do these tests for you and you leave Annalise alone otherwise no deal."
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Arrival
Nov 30, 2019 21:21:18 GMT -6
Post by Annalise Thergo on Nov 30, 2019 21:21:18 GMT -6
"Don't worry. I'll make sure no one kicks you in the...bud." That was the last Annalise said to Kazadus before she gave Marcie the slip, leaving Kazadus to deal with the overly energetic and eager scientist, who held onto hope that he would buy into her offers. Alas, scientific progress was stopped right away. If she could not make them willing in their participation, then she wouldn't get the results she needed! There was no way she could force a man of Kazadus' stature into a scanner if he put up a fight, unless she drugged him, but Marcus would have words with her on that one. Damn that man!
Marcie groaned at the situation. Why couldn't people put scientific progress before their own desires? She forced her glasses up the bridge of her nose and her cheeks puffed up with air. "Ugh, fine. Fine I'll get what I can and I'll leave her alone. Just...hold on!" At least she could get blood from two out of three; that wasn't bad. Marcie turned from Kazadus and shouted down the small hallway, "MARCUS! I NEED SOME OF YOUR THIN STICKS!"
"HELL NO!"
"THEY WON'T GIVE ME ANYTHING IF I DON'T GIVE HIM SOME!" Marcie gestured dramatically to Kazadus, who was standing behind her with Smudge on his shoulder.
"NOT MY FAULT HE EXPECTS REASONABLE EXCHANGES FOR TAKING BLOOD!"
Marcie inhaled until her chest was puffed up, shoved her glasses again, balled her hands into fists at her sides, and stomped towards him until she was out of Kazadus' line of sight. There was an alarmed shout followed by the overturning of a chair. Marcus shouted at Marcie to "git" but the stubborn scientist refused to relent until she got what she wanted!
"THIEF!"
"YOU'RE HALTING SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS!"
"YOU'RE HALTING MY ADDICTION, YOU CRAZY WOMAN!"
Their voices quieted down, but they were still snapping at each other like angry alligators. This went on for a short duration and the scuffing of feet against the floor ceased. Surprisingly, she returned with Jenesis' version of cigarettes, and gave a slightly damaged box of them to Kazadus. Whatever she had to do to get them, she was not happy about it, but Marcus was whistling a happy little tune. That was quite a shift.
"We have pork shoulder in the fridge. Will THAT suffice?"
If it was, Marcie would gesture for them to follow her to her small lab where there appeared to be an MRI machine, along with equipment meant for studying various blood tests. Still irked, Marcie motioned for Kazadus to sit in a chair where there was an arm rest for one arm. First things first, she would tend to Smudge's wound, and manage to get some blood samples in the process. She hadn't seen such a creature before, and while she still looked like she was ready to throw out a punch at someone, she was glad to finally start gathering samples from the "newzies." Across from all the technology, Marcus had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face and Tom was shaking his head in disbelief at his brother.
Meanwhile, in the shower, Annalise was drowning out the conversations by humming Girls Just Wanna Have Fun to herself. Whatever dramatic antics were going on outside of that knocked down door were not her concern. Not yet, anyway.
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Arrival
Dec 2, 2019 16:11:51 GMT -6
Post by Cazador on Dec 2, 2019 16:11:51 GMT -6
"Is third leg called bud?"
"Smudge… just… ugh Goddamn it. Nevermind."
Kazadus shook his head as Smudge continued in his attempts to understand what he liked to call 'hooman' anatomy. Kaz had to at least give him some credit for trying.
"Smudge appears to have one also. You want Smudge to pull back fur and…"
"Do it and yours will be looking a lot more like Annalise's!"
".... Annalise has third leg too?"
"Just shut up Smudge."
Kaz took it back. Whatever credit he was going to give Smudge for trying went right out the window. After giving Marcie their demands, both watched as she marched off to 'acquire' Kaz's smokes. The sound of the scuffle put a small smile on his face. A box of cigarettes for a little bit of blood was far from healthy, but then again any damage he received that could of been cancerous could easily be regenerated. He gladly took the box from Marcie. He was hoping for a cigar, but he was in no spot to whine, especially since it looked like she had an ordeal trying to get it. Taking one out, Kazadus let a flicker of energy come out of his index finger. The heat from his energy acted like a lighter allowing him to start smoking.
"That's the stuff."
While Kazadus was enjoying his smoke, Smudge contemplated the idea of pork shoulder. He was hoping for something a little more gamey, but pig would suffice for the time being. He nodded in approval.
"Smudge will eat pork!"
Kazadus followed after Marcie with Smudge still on his shoulder. As he sat down on the chair, Smudge moved from Kaz's shoulder and crawled up Marcie's leg and up to her shoulder. He was eager for her to do whatever it was she was going to do. He didn't care if it would help her. He just wanted meat. Kazadus took off his new jacket and rolled up his warm long sleeve. It was difficult getting the shirt up do to the thickness of his arms, but he managed.
"Marcie right? Don't go sticking me in any of the scar tissue. It's just gonna break the needle."
His body was extremely tough to hurt, but he had always noticed the scared parts of his body were especially resilient to damage. He took another drag off of his smoke before it went out. That was the thing about cigarettes. They didn't last long. He'd grab a cigar the first chance he got.
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