001 | Video | Day 136

[chimaerical]

[She’d tried handling things covertly at first. After all, you didn’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself if you didn’t have to, right? First rule of being a cat burglar – except that didn’t exactly apply here, since she hadn’t gone out of her way to break in. She never broke into a place she couldn’t get out of, and as far as she could tell, this place didn’t have an exit. Not that she could find, anyway, and she’d searched damn near everywhere.

That meant it was time to turn her attention elsewhere. Whoever had brought her here had done good work, managing to knock her out so thoroughly that she didn’t remember. Sounded a whole lot like Manticore, but she’d burned the last facility they’d dragged her into to the ground. If any stray remnants of the organization were still kicking, she doubts they would be this sloppy.

They’d left her a phone. She was damn well going to use it.]

Consider this a public service announcement for anyone out there who gives a damn. Me and labs? We don’t exactly mesh.

[She’s seen enough of them to last her several lifetimes, thanks.]

Oh, I know, blowing hot air around isn’t going to impress anyone, but I’m not looking to impress. This is a warning. The last facility that tried to lock me up became a pile of ashes pretty damn quick.

[She’ll get out. Manticore had seemed impossible to escape, but she’d managed it all the same – twice. She could pull it off again, even if she didn’t have an accomplice this time. She’d manage.]

You labcoat types never learn, do you? You’re never gonna break me, and that’s not a challenge. That’s just fact. So I hope you’re listening, because you’re going to seriously regret trying to cage me. I’ve yet to come up against a cage that’s strong enough to hold.

Comments

Video

[cinereoargenteus]

[There's an extreme close-up of dark claws and grey fur, with the camera titled at an off angle. Garrett still has yet to master the art of using his phone. He didn't understand half of what the pretty girl had just said. The part he did made him think of his battle-loving, dagger-throwing sister Rachel.]

No bars to chew through in this cage. Makes it harder to get out.

Video

[chimaerical]

The last one didn't have bars, either.

[The answer is simple, casual. She won't let that discourage her. She'd gotten through some pretty thick walls in the past. She just needed time and the tools.

His appearance doesn't seem to phase her, either. In fact, he reminds her a whole lot of Joshua, except a little on the furrier side. Another Manticore anomaly? Probably.]

Do you know how many people are trapped here?

[cinereoargenteus]

[The camera tilts again, this time at another extreme angle. He'll learn eventually what's the proper distance to be seen on his phone, but until then, it's going to be a lot of trial and error.]

Have not met everyone. By their scents, a score 'n a pawful more.

[He hesitates for a brief moment before adding on.]

I am not sure many can be trusted.

[chimaerical]

[Luckily for him, she's patient about that sort of thing. She's used to watching and guiding people through culture shock.]

That's more than I'd like.

[More kidnapping victims can only be a bad thing, after all.]

You're probably right. There aren't a lot of people out there worth trusting.

[She pauses.]

I'm Max.

[cinereoargenteus]

'Specially with so many different types here. People look at different and do not like it at all.

[Such has always been his experience back home. He doesn't expect that change no matter what the kindness he's seen thus far.]

Name is Garrett. Ain't Max a man-type name?

[chimaerical]

I think different is underrated.

[She smiles, and it should be pretty apparent by now that she doesn't have even the slightest issue with what he looks like.]

A man-type-- no! [It's a little harsher than she means for it to be, and she quickly corrects herself.] I mean, not always. Plenty of girls named Max, too.

[cinereoargenteus]

Apology. Always been a name for men back home. Thought there might be something you were not mentioning.

[What started out as his contrite face has morphed into a grin that Garrett's not even bothering to hide anymore.]

[chimaerical]

You thought there might be--

[She cuts herself off and laughs, just a little. Alright. She likes you, pal.]

Nope. What you see is what you get.

[cinereoargenteus]

Good. 'Cause I like what I see.

[Smooth, fuzzy fox. Real smooth. Meanwhile, on the inside, he's screaming that he can't believe he just blurted that out to a pretty girl.]

[chimaerical]

[Lucky for him, she's good-natured enough to just take the compliment. If she liked him a little less, she might take offense.]

I'm told I have that effect on people.

[cinereoargenteus]

Think you and I are going to get on like hammer and nails.

[He makes another note in his head to work on his similes and metaphors. There's got to be an easier way to make himself understood.]

[chimaerical]

I think we will.

[She grins back at him. It might not be the comparison she would have chosen, but it's not unlike the kind of things that Joshua would have said.]

You remind me of a good friend of mine.

[cinereoargenteus]

[Garrett's not good at accepting comments gracefully, so he deflects it with a joke.]

Oh? Hope he was a good-looking friend.

[chimaerical]

I thought so.

[For all the crap Alec gives Joshua about being a dog-boy, someone has to be on his side.]

You two would get along, I think. Too bad he's not-- actually, no, it's way better that he's not here.

[cinereoargenteus]

I feel the same way. Kinda want one or two of my brothers and sisters here, but kinda glad none of 'em are at the same time.

[There's a wistful note in Garrett's voice.]

Only the second time I have not had any of them around.