the Clinic (Open character-based RP)

Void Blazer stared in surprise as the woman was rushed away by the Clinic's crew. Wow, where did these guys come from anyway? It's like they just appeared out of no where. I guess it's for the best, those Thorns sure did a lot of damage to her.

"Does it really matter where they came? Now that the woman is safe, you can seek out the vam- aw heck, I have some business to attend to, do what you want, I'll speak to you again later." said the voice of Agamar, sounding rather annoyed.

Ugh! You still never explained to me why it's such a big deal I speak to orchid anyway, or what makes you so sure she's a vampire.... Yet again, no answers, he leaves me so in the dark, yet now speaks like he's so familiar with me, I hate it. As Void Blazer contemplated what his voice was up to, he let out a long yawn. Speaking aloud to himself he said, "Oh man, I'm tired, I guess I've been through a lot on my first day, I've fallen asleep twice already...maybe I should get some real sleep finally."

Void Blazer headed to his room, with his mind filled with questions, as he pondered if his second day would be as exciting as this one.

[ QUOTE ]
A nervous smirk flashed across Sandra’s face and she tried to lock eyes with Sis. <snip> “It can alter your brain functions to stop telekinetic powers from working. It won’t put him in a coma but it’ll be less detrimental than using a power dampening device.”

[/ QUOTE ]

Sis’s eyes narrowed. “So…something that wouldn’t make it past the Geneva conventions is not only allowed, but installed without the patient’s knowledge? Sounds like thin ice to me.” She paused for a moment before asking her next question. “Who’s got the master button?”

[ QUOTE ]
Sandra started explaining, her expression calm and intellectual but cringed her face just before finishing her sentence. “Perhaps I’ve said too much?”

“You’re damn right you said too much!” Ed flared up again, “I’m not a damned guinea pig!”

“Um, it was the nature of your condition, your powers of resilience and the clinic expending their resources that got them to agree to my company lending some help,” Sandra went on, getting slightly defensive that it might be possible that her magitech may somehow be inadequate to help those in need.

[/ QUOTE ]
“Oi…this is like a scene out of a bad movie…” Sis muttered, glancing between the two of them.

[ QUOTE ]
Edward backed down and turned a cold shoulder to both the women. “I wouldn’t bet on it,” he growled toward Sis as he was now getting more miffed with the both of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

“Yeah, yeah…I’m getting that. And don’t get snippy, brother. You started most of this, you know. Not that I’m letting anyone off the hook at this point.” Sis tightened her ponytail again and rolled her shoulders. A long soak in the hot tub was starting to look good, even if she had to wear the bathing suit of string that Saffyre had packed.

[ QUOTE ]
Sandra, on the other hand, smirked nervously. “Oh, well I’m not really psychic. My suit can pick up the minute waves given off by the minds of living things, amplify, interpret then transpose the information into thought. So without my suit, I’m incapable of doing that.” She blushed a bit and straightened the jeans she was now wearing with her hands, “….and I cannot reactivate a suit so soon after I switch it off.”

After a short awkward moment for Sandra, she managed to summon at least an inkling of defiance in the situation despite the possibly dangerous pair. “Hey, what are you planning to do either way, ground or air? Run? Because I am against that. I’d like to help Ed’s condition, not help him escape.”

[/ QUOTE ]

Sis almost laughed. “Ain’t technology wonderful? Limitations make my job a breeze. As for which way the security team is coming…I just like to know my situation. No one ever said anything about escaping. I was just trying to get Grumpy away from them until he could calm down enough to walk back in on his own. I dunno about you, but being assaulted with a syringe would put me in a bad mood too.”

Turning her attention to Edward, she said, “If you DO want help, you’ve got it. If you don’t, I’m happy to stand here and watch you get pummeled into submission. No skin off my back either way.” Sis shrugged. “Seems to me like you need to talk to the head doctor or whatever. Awful funny way of doing business, implanting devices without telling your patients. Are you absolutely certain you didn’t sign a waiver or something?”

As Orchid drank her warm milk a soft fog of one bittersweet memory softly caressed her demeanor. It caught her by surprise as a treasured reminiscence crept into her mind on velvety soft cat feet crossing her consciousness.

* * * * * * * *

The sky was gray, the air was cold. It was November and the leaves were falling from hibernating trees like multicolored tears in the soft mist of autumn rain.

Orchid had come to pay her respects at the grave. Her hands held a single white calla lilly as she approached the headstone in Dark Astoria's Moth Cemetary.

The name on the grave marker read Alex Stone, Beloved Husband and Father. Orchid took one searching look around before running her hand over the top of the stone and leaving the white lilly just at it's base upon the earth.

She knelt to pick a weed from the dying grass, "I wish that you had been mine, StoneCold. I wish that I could still talk with you about the hell I've been through." Orchid smiled a wistful smile as her fingers traced the carvings in the headstone, "We made a legendary team. We shared a legendary love. I miss you so much."

Orchid began weeding the neglected grave in earnest. "Do you remember when we met? My symbiote was in another body at that time. I thought you were the most handsome man I'd ever seen." Another smile crept across Orchid's lips, "We got off to a bit of an awkward start, both of us tongue-tied around the other. It was sweet..."

She tenderly pulled a tendril of ivy from it's dead grip on the headstone, "I loved you and grieved to let you go back to your wife and children. I pray that life was sweet to you and you found contentment."

Then Orchid sat and shrugged, "As for me? Well... let's just say I walk alone now. I've changed from the woman you knew in life. I've changed in my undeath."

She stood and looked one last time upon the marker, "I've reconciled to peace. Life is a little sweeter from having loved you."

One last caress of her hand upon the headstone and Orchid faded into the soft mist of shadows.

* * * * * * * * * *

A single tear fell into the last drops of milk in the glass in Orchid's hand as a soft and tender smile crossed her lips. She was content and at peace for a the first time in a very long time. She watched night begin to fall outside her window, unaware that she was being watched through a sliver in her room's unclosed doorway.

[A New Day]

Ella awoke at precisely six AM, without the aid of an alarm clock. She hopped out of bed and lightly skipped off to the bathroom to start getting ready for the new day.

Sometime later…

Ella stood at the message board at the entrance of the cafeteria and read today’s activities. After breakfast there was a Heroes Discussion Group. She all ways found them entertaining. She loved hearing the stories of heroics and epic battles. Ella herself didn’t have any stories to tell, she was never a hero, almost quite the opposite. The stories were almost always passionate, and the sessions started out great. She wondered if today they would end as per usual with lots of arguing.

After the Discussion Group there were some outdoor activities (for patients mobile enough) that were weather permitting. She didn’t need to go see Doctor Tyler today, and she knew that Doctor Tyler could almost always see her anyway.

Ella queued up in the breakfast line, and waited several minutes for the waffle press to become free. She took a seat at what was currently an empty table and looked around to see if there was anyone she recognized.

-- A council base

Agamar paced in the darkness of his room, grumbling to himself,

"Agh! This project is taking too long, I have neither the Galaxy soldier nor the vampire in my control! The leaders will have my head if I do not obtain them. I have much work to do."

-- Void Blazer's room.

Void Blazer peacefully lied in his bed, sleeping. Only to be woken up by the voice of Agamar,

Agamar:"Get up you fool!"

Void Blazer's fell out of his bed from the sudden mental shout. "Gah! What happened?!" he shouted in surprise. Agamar said annoyed, "You've been asleep for 9 hours, you don't need that much sleep anymore big boy."

Void grabbed his covers off his bed and put them over him, muttering, "In 5 minutes, I had an exhausting day yesterday." There was a silence. Is he gone...? "No! Now get up!" Agamar's shout sent a pain through his head, not as powerful as it had been when they first "met", but enough to cause discomfort.

"Okay okay!" Void Blazer shouted. Agamar took no notice, or rather, didn't care, about the hostility in Void's voice, "And be sure not to respond to me vocally once you leave the room, people will mark you as a lunatic." Void Blazer only groaned, and showered.

When he was finished, he donned his costume once again, and went to the door, as he turned the knob, Agamar spoke, "I've actually got work to do, so I won't be able to give you advice for some time, but when you speak to the vampire, be polite, and courteous." Void Blazer grunted at the comment, "What are you, my dad? I don't need your advice, buddy. You don't know me."

Agamar could be heard chuckling, "I know you more then you think."

Void: Huh?

But once again, Agamar did not respond. I hate it when he does that! Is he playing games with my head? While Void Blazer though, he heard a rumbling in his stomach. Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to think on that while I EAT...

Void Blazer turned the knob, and headed to the breakfast line, grabbing some biscuits and gravy, and some french toast. ((This is a big time spa right? So I'm assuming they offer more "complicated" foods such as that.)) Mmm, my favorite!

After he exited the line, he looked around for a place to sit. As his eyes search the room, his gaze fell upon Ella, and he immediately moved over to her table, and sat across from her while putting down his plate. Calmly, he asked, "Hi Ella, how are you feeling? Are you better from the..umm...incident?" While he waited for a response, he took off his mask, and began to eat.

((Dang, I haven't made a post with this much content in a while, feels good, even though it's never really as long as everyone else's.))

Orchid awoke with a start from a nightmare, her head hitting the high padded sides of the coffin-like surround of her bed and bouncing off back onto her pillow.

A small pinpoint stream of sunlight illuminated the falling light snow of dust from the curtains in her hospital room. She watched, transfixed, for a brief moment like some concentrating cat watching a rat hole for it's prey before closing her eyes again.

"Oh gawd, is it morning so soon?" groaned Orchid as she pulled the covers up over her head. "This trying to adapt to being on a daytime schedule from being a nighttime person is gonna kill me... I suppose I need to get up and see what's on my schedule for today."

Orchid climbed out of bed and after her rising ritual and accompanying abulations she rummaged through her closet for something appropriate to wear. She settled on a comfortable and loose fitting caftan, a matching headscarf and soft leather mojari shoes.

After checking her schedule for the day at the Nurse's Station she followed people heading to the cafeteria.

Once in the cafeteria Orchid perused the different buffets for any items that she could eat or drink. It never entered her mind that all they might have available were the standard breakfast fare which she couldn't have with her dietary restrictions. As she reached for a container of cold yogurt an Orderly handed her a cup of something warm to drink.

He whispered to her, "Don't worry, it's Type A positive, freshly drawn for your breakfast. Enjoy." A look of concern crossed Orchid's face as she realized the Orderly that handed her 'breakfast' was wearing a bandage wrap on his arm as though he had just donated a pint of blood.

The Orderly smiled at Orchid, "It's quite alright. There was a blood drive this morning - thought you might like a treat afer your rough day yesterday. It's for the patients here and you are a patient, right? It's legal, it's noted in your file. Enjoy your breakfast, Orchid."

Orchid watched him resume his rounds as she held the cup of life in her hand. It was warm and she didn't know whether to be thankful or repulsed by her 'breakfast'. It had been so long since she'd had non-synthetic blood, she was a bit taken aback by the surprise.

She absent-mindedly pulled out a chair from a table and sat down. It was a moment before she realized she had sat at an occupied table. A table occupied by Ella and Void.

[Void] "Hi Ella, how are you feeling? Are you better from the..umm...incident?"

Ella looked up and smiled at Void. She had just shoveled a large fork full of syrup drenched waffles into her mouth, so she didn’t answer immediately. She gave him a pleasant and embarrassed smile while she chewed the waffles down to a manageable level. Eventually she spoke.

“Oh, I am fine now. Thank you for asking” She said in a soft yet confident tone. “I am sorry for any of the trouble that I caused”

She swept her long white hair back with her freehand while her other stabbed some more waffles with the fork.

“How did you sleep? The rooms here are very nice” The subject shift was done effortlessly, and didn’t seem remotely forced.

Ella turned and looked at the new arrival at the table. (Orchid). She blinked once slowly at her, but smiled politely at the same time. She shifted her head toward Void, because it wasn’t obvious when she shifted her eyes. She noticed that the new arrival seemed to know Void and waited patiently for an introduction.
---

Both Kia and Hali were awake and dressed. However they were awake and dressed for different reasons. Kia hit the gym early and was working up a good sweat and appetite. Hali was dressed leisurely to relax and enjoy the Spa’s facilities.

Just about the time that Hali strolled into the cafeteria, Kia was starting the next phase of her workout. She had a trainer robot set to defensive mode only, and it was busy blocking the combinations of punches and kicks that Kia was delivering.

There was plenty of room to criticize Kia’s technique. As much as she might think otherwise, she was NOT a scrapper. The trainer robot was effortlessly blocking every punch and kick she threw. She had enough skill to hold her own against untrained fighters but everything else was just heart and attitude.

Either way Kia was getting a superb workout as she attacked relentlessly, strike after strike. She was drenched in sweat and breathing hard, not using her powers, and loving every second of it.

Ella:“Oh, I am fine now. Thank you for asking” She said in a soft yet confident tone. “I am sorry for any of the trouble that I caused”

Void Blazer spoke nonchalantly, "Eh, it was no big deal." Even though I ended up being rolled away in a gurney...

Ella:“How did you sleep? The rooms here are very nice."

Void Blazer took a small bite of his toast, and after he swallowed, "Well, I had a bad...wake-up call, but overall it was pretty-" as he spoke, he noticed Ella shifting her head. What's she lookin at...? He turned his head to be looking right at Orchid, finishing his sentence unintentionally, "lady..." Wait, what did I just say? For a few moments he looked over Orchid's new outfit. Relativley excited to see her he said, "Hey Orchid! Lookin goo-" Wait, no, polite, courteous... "Er...I mean, good mornin. You look ah..nice today." I sound really stupid right now...oh god, Agamar was right...

Void began to shake a bit, "Umm..." Void Blazer looked around, and then conveniently, he remembered Ella,"Oh right, Orchid, I don't believe you met Ella yet did you? Orchid, this is Ella. Ella, this is Orchid."

While he waited for introductions, he gave a nervous laugh. I sounded so stupid, I just know it, I sounded so stupid...

Orchid blushed slightly as she smiled at her breakfast companions, "G'morning Void. Very nice to meet you Ella. Those waffles look delicious as do the biscuits and gravy. I'm on a bit of a liquid diet or I'd be having what you're having."

Void's change in thought at the end of his sentence had made Orchid blush slightly. She didn't think he was shy around Ella but he seemed a bit flustered around herself, and she found it both charming and alarming.

Orchid sipped from the straw protruding from the cup in her hand. A brief thought flashed in her mind, "What if Void is hiding something around you? What if he's more than just socially awkward around women? What if - indeed. . ."

Orchid smiled a girlish smile towards Ella, "So, what's fun for girls to do around here during the day? They had me on some rather strong medication that pretty well knocked me out yesterday, so today I feel like seeing more of the amenities and activities of this place."

Her eyes wandered over to an obviously flustered Void as she smiled, "What's on the agenda for fun things to do today?"

Orchid pryed the top off the container of yogurt and began to stir it with a spoon to warm it up faster, then took another sip from the warm liquid in the cup as she waited to hear from her breakfast companions.

Most of the night Kruth'T, had been working on repairing his translator.

It was most fortunate that the Vanguard had returned the equipment he needed to do the job. Although it would be more accurate to say they had returned his escape pod, witch just happened to contain his equipment.

Once the repairs were complete, Kruth'T returned the equipment to it place, and closed the pod. He then returned the translator to it's place(it's disguised as a scale at the base of his neck).

Once done he then spent the next hour being poked and studied by doctors. At the end of the session he was told that he would need to see Doctor Smith at five in the afternoon. Since he was now free he decided to head to the cafeteria. After all that he was hungry again.

Kruth'T was happy to see that the staff had been informed of his dietary needs(although he did have to ask for some fresh fruit). They quickly brought him a tray with a couple of pears, and a tightly covered ceramic container. He then moved away form the line, looking for a place to sit.

Scanning the room he saw Void blazer, and.... Ella! They we sitting near an unfamiliar human, talking. A part of him was surprised, he didn't expect to see her for a while yet. That was a speedy recovery.

Kruth'T made up his mind, and walked up to their table. "Hi all! Mind if I join?"

While Orchid spoke to Ella, Void Blazer tried to calm himself to some degree. Okay, calm down man. Breath, you don't want to sound like a wreck right? So get it together, be cool. After a few deep breaths, his shaking slowed down significantly, till his legs were only slowly moving back and forth. Though, they sped up a bit when he heard Orchid speak to him again.

Orchid:"What's on the agenda for fun things to do today?"

Quick, say something...cool! Void stumbled over his words a bit as he thought of what to say, he never actually even thought about what he wanted to do himself, "O-oh, well, you know, I'm just uh..looking to start getting more physically fit again. I think I've been losing some of my edge since my last mission. I'm gonna start weight training, maybe find some people to spar or train with, then um...relax at the hot tub I guess. I'll just add more things as I go along through the day, I still haven't even seen it all here." Come to think of it, that actually sounds like a good idea. While Void admired his idea, he began to smile.

Mere moments later, he heard the voice of Kruth'T saying, "Hi all! Mind if I join you?"

Void patted the seat next to him, while turning his head towards the lizard man and said with now a full grin, "Course not buddy, take a seat!" Void then took a look back at Orchid and said to her, "This happens to be my good friend Kruth'T, don't let his looks fool ya though, he's a pretty gentle guy." Void Blazer then grabbed a biscuit, and opened his mouth wide to gulp it down, but stopped as a thought to enter his mind.

Man, what am I thinking? I don't want look like a slob! Geez, maybe I should have asked for more advice from Agamar, rather then telling him off...

He then lowered the biscuit, and began to merely nibble at it. I wonder if Kruth'T ever had lady problems...

Orchid smiled and nodded her head as she spoke, "Very nice to meet you Kruth'T. I hope I pronounce your name correctly. It's not a name I'm used to hearing - does it have a meaning?"

Orchid's mind flashed back to the summers she spent on her family's ranches. Kruth'T with his reptilian looks reminded her of carefree summers with buzzing cicadas and assorted reptiles that would come onto the front porch to gorge on them.

She caught herself smiling shyly as she inadvertantly stared at Kruth'T. "I'm sorry... I don't mean to stare you just remind me of some pleasant memories of my childhood", said Orchid as she looked away momentarily before admiring the quiet dignity and power of the reptilian man taking a seat at the table.

She decided to take a gamble with a funny incident she remembered hoping Kruth'T would find it sweet and not be offended by her reminiscence.

"Did you know that I used to wear baby anole lizards as earrings when I was little? My family would all go to the county fairs and we'd win what they called 'chameleons' as prizes for competitions there. My cousins and I would feed the baby lizards and then let them bite our earlobes - we'd wear them as earrings until we went home. Once we were home we'd gently take them off and keep them in a nice habitat with plants, water and heated rock and plenty of insects for them to dine on until they grew large enough to release in our back yard. We'd study them and I think they'd study us in return.

My family was very indulgent with all the kids to allow us all sorts of animals to play with. To this day I still admire snakes, tortoises and lizards, most are very beneficial and don't bother anyone. I learned to have a 'live and let live' attitude by learning to respect them."

Orchid hoped that Kruth'T would see the humor in wearing color changing lizards as earrings then caring for them until they could live free. She meant no offense from the story, she only wanted to learn more about him and his life.

She thought for a moment before speaking again, "I guess I am a bit odd... I appreciate animals that would make most people cringe. - frogs, toads, salamanders... bats, rodents, bugs. I think once you understand a thing you no longer need to fear it. Respect it, certainly - but not fear it."

Orchid began to lose herself in thoughts about the beautiful water snakes and flatshelled turtles that would pop their heads up next to hers and of the huge bullfrogs that would jump over her when she'd swim in the fishing ponds during the warm summers of her youth. How she suddenly longed for the innocence of being a child of nature of those times.

[Void] "Oh right, Orchid, I don't believe you met Ella yet did you? Orchid, this is Ella. Ella, this is Orchid."

Ella’s smile broadened as Void introduced Orchid.

[Orchid] "G'morning Void. Very nice to meet you Ella. Those waffles look delicious as do the biscuits and gravy. I'm on a bit of a liquid diet or I'd be having what you're having."

Ella nodded politely with a pleasant smile fixed on her face. She was the picture of perkiness and friendly, though she didn’t extend a hand to shake as hers were occupied with utensils while Orchids were occupied with yogurt and blood.

“Its very nice to meet you too Orchid” Ella over emphasized the name as someone does when committing something to memory.

[Orchid] "So, what's fun for girls to do around here during the day? They had me on some rather strong medication that pretty well knocked me out yesterday, so today I feel like seeing more of the amenities and activities of this place."

“There are lots of fun things to do here” Ella managed to be enthusiastic despite having been here longer than most patients and physically healthier than most of the patients that have been here longer than her.

“There are plenty of outdoor activities, weather permitting. But the weather is usually pretty good. I think there is a storm controller here somewhere that keeps thing closer to the pleasant side of things, but I haven’t figured out who” (Though not from a lack of trying).

“There is some indoor stuff as well. In the recreation room and …” She was cutoff by Void’s response, though not impolitely. She waited patiently for him to finish.

[Void] "O-oh, well, you know, I'm just uh..looking to start getting more physically fit again. I think I've been losing some of my edge since my last mission. I'm gonna start weight training, maybe find some people to spar or train with, then um...relax at the hot tub I guess. I'll just add more things as I go along through the day, I still haven't even seen it all here."

“I can show you around…if you like.” Ella’s tone soured slightly as she spoke the next bit. “There are sections of the gym that are under repairs that might not be available today” There was a hint of remorse and embarrassment in her voice, luckly she was saved by the latest arrival…

[Kruth'T]. "Hi all! Mind if I join?"

“KRUTH’T!” Ella’s face light up in a huge bright smile as her friend Kruth’T entered.

A powerful urge to hug him passed though her like a wave. She grabbed the table to steady herself as the powerful urge swept though her. There was a muted crack under her hand where she had squeezed the table too hard leaving a small crack in the plastic top. This luckily went largely unnoticed as Void invited Kruth’T to join them and made introductions.

Ella’s smile didn’t fade though. She made a mental note to report the feeling to her shrink. It was precisely the type of thing her shrink was interested in Ella reporting.

“How did you sleep Kruth’T? Was your room okay?” If Ella was pleasantly perky before, then she was perky to the point of being fidgety now as she smiled across the table at Kruth’T.

Kruth'T placed his tray on the table, and turned the seat so that he could sit without cramping hit tail.

Ella: “KRUTH’T!”

"Ella, it's good to see you again. You look fully recovered."

Orchid: "Very nice to meet you Kruth'T. I hope I pronounce your name correctly. It's not a name I'm used to hearing - does it have a meaning?"

"Nice to meet you as well. Actually, you spoke my name better then most." Briefly, he recalled some of the more mangled versions he had encountered. An amused gleam winked in his eyes for a moment. "Although I'm not surprised that you haven't heard it before. I'm one of the few of my kind to have reached this dimension and world. Kruth means 'small blue white note' in my peoples music language. 'T is something akin to my family name."

Ella: “How did you sleep Kruth’T? Was your room okay?”

Kruth'T shrugged at her questions. "I didn't need to sleep just yet, so I spent most of my time fixing my translator." After learning about the powerful telapaths in the area, he had decided to adjust it so it wouldn't burn out. "My room is the same one I had the first time I was here. I guess they saw little need to change it since no one knows when another of my kind will turn up."

It was then that Orchid told him her story. Although, he didn't understand most of it, he thought it sounded pleasant. So he wasn't offended.

Just as she finished, Kruth'T's stomach made him aware that it was done waiting for food, by loudly growling. "Excuse me but I haven't had any nourishment since this time yesterday." He then cracked open the container. Quickly he reached in with his other hand and grabbed a pinch of the larval insects within. Quickly, he ate them and made sure the lid was on securely. "Sorry if my food disturbs any of you, but there are very few things on this world that I can metabolize." Kruth'T said as he chewed his meal. Once he swallowed he took a small bit from one of the pears.

Orchid:"I guess I am a bit odd... I appreciate animals that would make most people cringe. - frogs, toads, salamanders... bats, rodents, bugs. I think once you understand a thing you no longer need to fear it. Respect it, certainly - but not fear it."

Kruth'T nodded at this wisdom. "My people have similar beliefs. Although, we've found it little help when dealing with watter." Kruth'T gave a small shudder. Few of his people weren't affected by hydrophobia, and if records were accurate, the condition was getting worse.

To Void: "How are you doing, Void. You seem a little quite?" Kruth'T asked as he took another pinch of food.

Orchid watched Ella's reaction to Kruth'T and made a mental note not to offend her by being overly curious and friendly toward Kruth'T. The very last thing she needed was to make anyone uncomfortable or upset with her - she was odd enough as it was.

"Maybe I'll avoid the gym and look for an archery range. I've always wanted to try it", spoke Orchid softly as she took the lid from her coagulating warm drink. She swirled the contents of the cup for a minute.

Without lifting her eyes from the red goo in her paper cup she continued, "Kruth'T I'll be the last person to judge anyone on their diet here. If you're hungry, feed on what your system can digest."

Orchid's fangs were beginning to protrude from the corners of her mouth as both hands now clasped the paper cup securely. She politely turned away from her breakfast mates at the table, "I don't mean to be rude, but please excuse me for a few minutes, I need to finish my drink before it clots." In accord with tasteful rules of social etiquette, like some mantled giant bird of prey, she hunched over and hid herself within the loose folds of her caftan as her fangs sank into warm congealing protein. Always the lady, she was mindful not to slurp as she daintily consumed her meal.

She blissfully closed her eyes as she devoured her breakfast - hoping she was hidden enough not to unnerve anyone at the table or in the room that may have been watching her.

Void Blazer stared blankly as he watched Kruth'T and Orchid talk back and forth,

What the...? They're both a bit more out there then I thought.

Kruth'T:"Excuse me but I haven't had any nourishment since this time yesterday." He then cracked open the container. Quickly he reached in with his other hand and grabbed a pinch of the larval insects within. Quickly, he ate them and made sure the lid was on securely. "Sorry if my food disturbs any of you, but there are very few things on this world that I can metabolize."

Void Blazer didn't say anything, keeping more of his thoughts to himself.


Well, that's certainly...different.


As they continued to speak, he let his mind and eyes wander.

I wonder what my "voice" is doing....I still don't even know who he is. Still, if there's a psychic link, we must've met before, he's obviously quite familiar with me....

"How are you doing, Void. You seem a little quite?" Kruth'T
asked as he took another pinch of food.

"Huh?" Void mumbled. "Oh, sorry. Guess I've just got a lot on my mind, you know? I've just got a...big schedule."
Well, he probably DOESN'T know actually, but it probably doesn't matter. No one needs to be concerned with this.

Orchid:"I don't mean to be rude, but please excuse me for a few minutes, I need to finish my drink before it clots."

Void Blazer turned his head back to Orchid, noticing she had suddenly hunched over to finish her drink. "No need to turn away Orchid, it can't be that funky looking, after all, Kruth'T eats some uncommon food as well, but he didn't need to hide it or anything."

Void Blazer turned his head back to Orchid, noticing she had suddenly hunched over to finish her drink. "No need to turn away Orchid, it can't be that funky looking, after all, Kruth'T eats some uncommon food as well, but he didn't need to hide it or anything."

It wasn't that Orchid thought herself as merely 'funky looking' during a feed it's just that her own sense of politeness didn't wish to alarm anyone as she did. She didn't think herself a very attractive picture with the change in her appearance.

Her fangs were the least of the changes that happened to her as the bloodlust, no matter how controlled, began. Her eyes became more creature than human - solid black without a discernable pupil. Her face became more batlike - wrinkled and darker skin. Her fingers became more slender with long claws. Her ears became more pointed as her entire body gave off a blueblack aura of darkness. Even her hair changed to a dark blueblack color as she fed.

No, Orchid didn't think that she was the lovely bronze colored woman that anyone would recognize, so she hid herself during a feed. She had been known to smash mirrors and windows during a feed if she had seen her reflection during her changed state of being.

Orchid stopped long enough to hiss softly to Void, "I turn into a monster. Do not see me." Her fangs then punctured the bottom of the paper cup to get at the last of her breakfast.

Void Blazer felt a shiver go down his spine, as he heard Rakash hiss.

Rakash:"I turn into a monster. Do not see me."

A monster...? Like...a vampire. So she really is. So the voice wasn't lying to me....

Giving out a nervous laugh, he looked towards Kruth'T, "So, uh, buddy, have you got any plans for today? Want to do some weight training with me later today? Eh heh.."

Void quickly began to shovel his food in his nervousness, and stood up, as he spoke with a pitiful mask of cheeriness, "Eheheh, you know what? I think I'm going to go right now, feel free to come along if any of you want to come!"

<Orchid> "Maybe I'll avoid the gym and look for an archery range. I've always wanted to try it"

"What's an archery range?" Kruth'T said softly, while eating some more insects. The question seemed to pop out before Kruth'T could think of about it.

So, seeing as Orchid was busy with her food, Kruth'T turned an inquiring eye to Ella. "So anyways, I seem to be free of doctors until 'five'." He said the word as though the concept was giving him some difficulties. He glanced at a small wrist watch, that was tied to his belt. It had numbers counting down, presumably, to the time of the appointment. "You are more familiar with the layout of this place then I am. So, do you have any suggestions? Perhaps to whatever, this archery range is."

"Just so long as it doesn't include the lake." He added teasingly.

<Void> "So, uh, buddy, have you got any plans for today? Want to do some weight training with me later today? Eh heh.."

Turning to Void. "No I haven't made any plans yet, except to see my healer. I was just asking Ella if she had any suggestions. Although, that sounds interesting. What kind of activity is it?" The odd tone in Void's voice gave Kruth'T an odd sinking felling.

<Void> "Eheheh, you know what? I think I'm going to go right now, feel free to come along if any of you want to come!"

"Is something wrong Void?" Kruth'T asked.

Something unnerved him... I wounder... Kruth'T then looked to Ella, and Orchid in confusion.

Orchid closed her eyes as she began the change back to her more human form. A satisfied sigh emanated from her as she regained her composure and placed the now emptied paper cup onto the table. "There's nothing like a satisfying breakfast to start the day off right."

"What's an archery range?" Kruth'T said softly, while eating some more insects.

Her ears caught the last of a conversation, "Is something wrong Void?" Kruth'T asked. Kruth'T then looked to Ella, and Orchid in confusion.

Orchid watched Kruth'T for a moment as she dabbed the corner of her mouth from the last drop of her breakfast. "I think I make Void nervous, I don't really know why. That or he's just really shy around women - though he seems to be alright around Ella. Yeah, I think I make him nervous."

"As for archery, if Ella or Void don't have plans with you, you're very welcome to tag along with me Kruth'T while I look for a range. I don't even know if they have one here." Orchid brought a spoonful of now warm yogurt to her mouth as her mind began to wander once more.

((FYI, I got a note from Midnight Dawn, and Magda. They are having some account trouble but hope to have it all straightened out soonish. So they expect to be back with us in about a week. <crosses-fingers&gt)

Ella watched and listened at the various conversations happening all around her. She knew all about the physics of archery, bow design and even fletchery but has never once held a bow. She also knew exhaustive amounts about physical conditioning and weight lifting. She knew far too much about many, many subjects. What she didn’t know was social interaction. She knew all of the theories and terms that psychologist would label things and behaviors, it was the actual interaction she had very little experience with. At least based on what was legitimately her own experiences were very limited.

So she sat and watched and listened, never intending to be antisocial. She tried to ignore the protein compositions of the species of maggots that Kruth’T was eating, that popped into her head every time he took a bite, and tried to stay focused on actual things.

Ella who was looking around as if watching a tennis match from one participant of the conversation to the next, and then the next. Suddenly started as she realized that she had been addressed. She blushed bringing only the very faintest hint of pink to her face.

“Oh I’m sorry” She sat up a little straighter to speak then wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

“Yes, they have an archery range, but the bows they have available are very weak and substandard. They don’t like <air quotes> weapon grade </end air quotes> equipment around for security reasons. Unless it is part of your talents, then you are allowed supervised use at the weapons range for rehabilitation purposes. But that is for those that signed in and surrendered their equipment on admission. There is lots of paperwork involved”

‘If you guys are interested they have a Heroes Discussion Group** starting in little while. That’s when one of the patients gets to story tell about their adventures and heroics. They are normally lots of fun despite that they usually end with a arguing and a brawl. There is someone who always thinks they know more about this or that villain group.”

“But if you are not interested in that, I can show you to the weight room and the weapon range.”

((OoC: ** I actually have nothing planned for the discussion group, so if anyone is interested in going to that, or leading the discussion with a long monologue feel free to jump in and run with it.))

Ella: “Yes, they have an archery range, but the bows they have available are very weak and substandard. They don’t like <air quotes> weapon grade </end air quotes> equipment around for security reasons. Unless it is part of your talents, then you are allowed supervised use at the weapons range for rehabilitation purposes. But that is for those that signed in and surrendered their equipment on admission. There is lots of paperwork involved.'

‘If you guys are interested they have a Heroes Discussion Group** starting in little while. That’s when one of the patients gets to story tell about their adventures and heroics. They are normally lots of fun despite that they usually end with a arguing and a brawl. There is someone who always thinks they know more about this or that villain group.' ”

Orchid grinned while replying, " 'Well I would hope that the archery range would be safe. I'm more interested in the mental exercise of concentration than in scoring points for hitting the target. At least for me it's an exercise in the art of zen - to concentrate so clearly as to become part of the mechanics of the bow, the arrow and the target. I suppose it's more an issue of psychology than of physics - of mental clarity and acuity versus physical strength and scoring.'

'As for the Heroes Discussion Group...' Orchid hissed a breath in through her mouth before continuing, 'it's probably best I avoid situations that end up in heated debates or a brawl.' She looked around and leaned in close to Ella and Kruth'T, 'I'll let the two of you in on a little secret - I'm a bit of a pacifist. I don't really see the point in getting violent over rhetoric, makes no sense at all to me. You have your opinion, I have mine, we can both discuss the finer points of those views for the sake of arguement without being uncivilized toward each other.' "

Then Orchid smiled to herself with the realization that what her grandmothers had told her when a child was true - she did look at the world a little differently - and she was alright with accepting that.

Kruth'T carefully considered his options, while he finished his meal.

Despite Orchids' somewhat confusing disruption, the archery range seems interesting.

However, he still wanted to talk to Ella about yesterdays' events. But the Hero discusion group didn't really interest him.

From her description, I'm surprised that they have it at all. Besides, it's not like you'd have anything to add... That these humans could understand anyways. Kruth'T took a deep breath and willed the sudden burst of isolation that accompanied that thought, to the corners of his mind.

<Ella> “But if you are not interested in that, I can show you to the weight room and the weapon range.”

Kruth'T seemed to perked up at that suggestion. "Some practice would do me some good." He said softly. "At least it would help pass that time."

<Orchid>'As for the Heroes Discussion Group...' Orchid hissed a breath in through her mouth before continuing, 'it's probably best I avoid situations that end up in heated debates or a brawl.' She looked around and leaned in close to Ella and Kruth'T, 'I'll let the two of you in on a little secret - I'm a bit of a pacifist. I don't really see the point in getting violent over rhetoric, makes no sense at all to me. You have your opinion, I have mine, we can both discuss the finer points of those views for the sake of argument without being uncivilized toward each other.' "

"True, discussions should never end in a battle. There are usually ways of proving ones point that don't involve violence." He said in agreement.

"Well I'm done." Kruth'T declared has he finished the last pear. "Give me a moment to take these to where they belong, and I'll be right back." Quickly Kruth'T took the tray and the container (although he did have to ask directions to return that), to where they belonged and returned to the table.

Kruth'T seemed to perked up at that suggestion. "Some practice would do me some good." He said softly. "At least it would help pass that time."

“Okay” Ella nodded enthusiastically. She hurriedly started feeding her mouth forkfuls of waffles as fast as she could chew them. She half rose from her chair as she continued eating; cleaning the plate of the last bits of waffles.

Ella inhaled the last bits of her breakfast then hurried after Kruth’T to clear her tray as well. She was full of girlish excitement as she hopped her way back to the others.

“Shall we?” She smiled brightly. She offered to take each of their hands (Kruth’T & Orchid’s) to lead them out of the common room and outside.

Internally she was deciding what route to take them. The weapons range was kind of far off. The shortest path was straight across the golf coarse then though the forest. There were many paths through the forest, some short and some long. Ella knew them all but her access to the forest was somewhat restricted as her handlers liked to keep close tabs on her.

Orchid nearly choked as a spoonful of the last of her yogurt went down the wrong way with Ella's hurried excitedness. "Um... ok. Let me just find a trash... oh, nevermind I can eat and walk at the same time" said Orchid as she stood then pushed her chair in under the table. Yogurt container in one gloved hand and the other gloved hand ready to take Ella's hand.

"Are we lifting weights or trying archery, or something else?" Orchid wasn't really sure just where, or what, was on the minds of Ella and Kruth'T to do. Anything was fine with her, she craved the companionship of people - no matter what dimension they were from. The truth of the matter was she felt a bit confused but decided it best just to be carried along with whatever her new friends had planned.

Orchid found it a bit strange that Ella looked to be around twenty-ish but acted so much younger. Orchid smiled to herself thinking, 'Ella has a zest for life. She has the enthusiasm of a group cheerleader. I think Kruth'T and Void like her. I can see why, I think I like her too. Where did Void disappear to anyway?'

And so Orchid walked, Ella in the center holding hers and Kruth'Ts hand, headed for wherever and whatever the day might bring.