Joanne Tristell's Story

Joanne walks deeper into the trees, with a very light step, as if the slightest sound could notify the guards and have them start to keep a closer eye on her, and risk her small freedom. She slowly turns her head, as quick movements tend to catch the eyes of others, whom she wishes not to disturb.

"Hi Everybody!" Still echoes in her ears. Joanne knew which subject this proud voice came from, but her name is currently in the dark to her. She would've replied, but decided not to. Minutes later, she could hear them playing tag.

"All this running around and chasing each other... I can't remember the last time I did that." She whispers to herself. "I might be able to join..."

"...But after this book, of course."

'The Eyes Inside' is the title of the new romantic novel that Joanne is allowed to read. All she needs now is a quiet place to read it. But that seems to be impossible at the moment. Every corner, tree and rock in this area seems to be good hiding places bound to be used by the others.

"...The trees. I can climb them." Again, she whispers, trying not to give anyone nearby her idea.

She walks towards the nearest oak, and with her standard-sized claws slightly protruding her fingertips, Joanne manages to climb a few branches up, ranking them with comfortableness on the way. Finally, she reaches a sturdy looking branch, seemingly wide enough to surface her whole back from the ground below. She climbs on and easily finds the comfort spot. Then she takes out the book and starts reading.
"Thank god they let me keep my thumbs, or this would've been hard."

Joanne pauses. She senses something. Someone. Nearby.
As much as she'd usually love the company, today wasn't such a bright day for her. She slowly looks around.

Maybe it's just the bird-like subject flying around... She looks up. No sign of her.
Ok... maybe the subjects playing tag are nearby. She sniffs the air. No animal-like scent.

This is weird. I know there's someone around. But it's not a subject. Who could this be?
Joanne decides the reading can be saved for later. She puts the book back into her small satchel, along with her other "adventuring equipment". She leaps down to the forest floor, landing on her hands and sneakers. As she stands, she glances everywhere in a calm fashion.

This is too weird.

"Well. This is new. Usually you subjects run away from people like me."

The deep toned voice broke Joanne's headache. She realized who she bumped into. One of the guards stationed at the East Watch tower.
I ran that far... I can barely see the main building.
She realized the man she knocked into was still on the ground and looking dizzy, but he was sober enough to speak.
He's not hurting me, like probably every other human here... I should probably go back, before other guards see what I did here.

Without hesitation, she begins to start building her speed, when her path was suddenly obstructed. Another person dashed in a similar direction. Joanne recognizes this subject. It was the one who shouted earlier.

"Hello everybody!" Echoed once more in Joanne's head. Now might be a good time to finally answer her call.

What was her name? Judith? No... Edith? Closer, but not....Eden? Well, it's worth a shot.

"Hey! You, sprinting in front of me! Edith is it? Or Eden?"

Aello looked the batgirl up, and then down and realized that...she was not in fact alone. This girl could fly too, they could fly together. She listened as the girl spoke about leaving this place and the idea sounded good, more than good...it sounded wonderful.

She spoke to the girl in the kindest voice she could muster, "My name is Aello, would you like to fly with me?- But their introduction was cut short when Aello cauht movement in the corner of her eye. She shot her head in the direction of the Facility. A gaurd had spotted them! But he was alone..How foolish...

A devious smile formed on her lips and she cocked her head to the side. "Hey," she called out to the others, pointing to the lone,injured gaurd,"Anyone hungry?"

Aello swooped down after Elesh and lagged a bit behind,she saw someone headed a different direction, but it was too risky to head back. He was too far away now, but somone was missing from the group. She flew behind the group and shouted, "Head toward the river, its a bit wide but thats the point right? To lose them?Does anyone need a lift?"
She scanned for the missing person, and saw Eden had stopped. "Where's Pavel?" She asked, hovering and flapping her wings," Did he fall behind?"

Aello catches up to where Joanne is calling out. "You two are falling behind," she says carefully lifing the cat girl and boy with her talons and thrusting her wings to ferry them across. She drops them in the ground on the other side and lands beside them. I need a breather, " I don't believe we have met. My name is Aello!" She knew it was a strange time for introductions but these were the people she just faught escape with. She should atleast know their names.

She calls out to the group," Is that everyone? Shall we have a roll call of some kind?"

Eden squinted at the map, not able to read it and understand it quickly. "So where do all the humans live then?"She asked Joanne

Kathleen
Kathleen attempted to stand when Shane let her down. Her legs wobbled, but she stood firm. She was still shaken up as she gazed around the little camp the kids had made. She locked eyes with the person she was looking for and pure joy spread across her face.
"Aello!" She called out as the girl swooped down to her and scooped her up in her arms. Aello's feathers were soft, adn she could feel her breath on her shoulder.
"Kathleen!" she said her name, and Kathleen felt joy to be reunited with the closest thing she ever had to a child.
She looked over to the others and saw the wolf-boy. He was injured. She hugged Aello and said, "Maybe I can help him."

She left Aello to thanking Shane and rushed over to the boys side. Some of the others were near, but she didn't let them know she was intimidated. She layed her gun down and cradled his head, turning to Joanne saying, "What happened here? Maybe I can help."


Aello

Aello watched the treeline for Shane, it had been such a long time. She was starting to get worried, then She saw him! He was carrying Kathleen on his back. She dove out of her tree toward the woman and hugged her, calling her name. "Kathleen," she though she would never saw it again. She missed Kathleens sweet voice and embrace.
Kathleen turned to see Skylar with the others and left to help him. Aello let her go, knowing that there was no reason to argue. Kathleen could more than liekly do something to aid him, and Aello really could not. She watched her run to his side and turned to look at Shane.

She was so grateful for him, he had brought back the only thing she knew and loved her whole life, and she was starting to feel somethign special for him too. Without thinking she threw her arms around and hugged him, then closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his.
She pulled back after a moment, she still had winger arms around him and she was turning bright red, her blue eyes inches away from his. She let go quickly and crossed her arms behind her back, she looked at the ground while she spoke.
"I saw a picture on the front of one of Kathleens books one day," she started drawing a circle in the dirt with her talon, "I always wanted to try it..."

Aello

She was touched by Shane's kindness. He was so trusting of her, of Kathleen, as if they had known eachother all their lives, though they only met a short while ago. He had already done so much, but his generosity overflowed like rain filling a saucer. She began to think about the future for the first time in her life. She wondered if the three of them could be happy together someday, but she pushed the though out of her mind. There are bigger thigns to worry about right now.

She turned to the group and asked, "Who's comin?"

Kathleen

...I can take you to doctor lady I think it would be easier for me to carry you than to have a bird carry you."

Kathleen approached the boy, he looked very strong. She thought to herself... yesterday I was filing papers, today I'm being carried arounf my men half my age...Oh how unpredictable lifes turns can be.. She chuckles to herself. Though she was a little apprehensive to climb aboard the "arm socket poppin' express" she felt she could trust him not to harm her. She accepted him help as he hoasted her up. She braced herself with her hands and balanced herself, crossing her legs in front of her she leaned over a bit to ask the boy, "Is this ok? I'm not too heavy am I?"
She thought back and didn't remember ever being introduced to the boy, "I don't think we have been properly introduced," she extended her small hand to himfron his shoulder, "My name is Kathleen, what can I call you?"

Kathleen noticed the cat girl approach her. She was a cute little thing, and she was so sweet when she thanked her. When she returned she ha given her a smile. She realized that there were a lot of them she didn't know yet so she said to the group waving from her shoulder throne. "Hello, you can call me Kathleen," she lost her balance a bit and blushed. "Im sorry I don't know all of your names yet," she smiled to the Kylar and the ohters below, "but I would love to get to know you better along the way. Won't you come with us?"

Joanne knocked her head with her fist, as if one side of her brain was punishing the other.
Stupid! You thanked her, you smiled at her, but didn't say say your name!

She then moved closer to Kylar and spoke. "My name is Joanne." Hoping Kathleen heard that since she was on Kylar's shoulder.
Joanne then returned her eyes to the front and realized she was right in front of sharp looking rock. She just about managed to dodge it.
Yikes! Her fur puffed up again. How embarrassing...

She heard Kathleen say about being close to town, so she looked in her satchel. She found a beanie. Not the best looking hat, but it'll have to do.
She put it on to hide her inhuman ears and tucked her tail down one of her pants legs. There. I'm a human. She paused in her thought. I should be human. She frowned, but then took a stern expression. Why do I care about that now? Tsch. I'm proud to be a hybrid now. She carelessly threw the thought away, and promised herself never to revisit the thought ever again.

Kathleen

"You are more than welcome," she said to Kylar, he smelled like the sweet apples, "We are almost there."
Just then the boy in Skylars arms woke, taking a slash at Kylars chest. She called out in surprise as he just barely missed her leg.

((OOC ill save the rest for later)))

Skyler was shocked as Joanne ran towards him embracing Skyler from the side "Joanne..?" , A feeling of relaxsation overran Skylers primal thoughts as he came to his sences while in Joanne's arms. He felt weird as if someone else actually cared for him, while most of his time in the facility Skyler was left to himself alone and unwanted growing up in the facility rased to become a monster. But now someone else cared for him besides his mother, Joanne was this new person and Skyler felt like he mattered to another living being, wrapping his arms around her smiling "Why hello their, ya missed me" Skyler attempting to act calm and sarcastic as before while in pain. Looking up to Kathleen, Skyler spoke "My name is Skyler Terra Carabalo, if you will tell me where we are going I'll be much more calm", sniffing the air catching another familiar scent.

Eden Skyler thought, he was surrounded by familiar faces along with ones he's never seen before. A new group of friends he thought again, never having anything close to a friend before Skyler was amazed, why would they even care enough to drag him all the way out here to bring him to a Hospital. He felt welcomed and well wanted someone in this group cared enough about his life, a feeling like no other for the first time Skyler felt happiness

Coughing up some blood standing slowly looking up to Kylar, Skyler did not have much of a choice his regeneration was stagnant and his body was not really in working condition. Coming to the conculstion that are still lodged contain something that keeps his body from regenerating, obviously so if he was coght by the facility Skyler would not be able to put up a decent fight. Looking over to Joanne, "Hey I'm going to be looking forward to our little chat Joanne" Skyler said smiling then glancing at Kylar jumping onto his shoulder "Thank you" he said softly trying to get comfortable. Observing the surrounding area while on Kylar's shoulder looking down at Eden giving her a wave. Responding to Kathleen Skyler looked over his shoulder "Nothing is broken, my head feels fine I just feel dizzy. About 6 bullets hit me I would say, I think they were trying to bring me down without killing me, so removing the bullets shouldn't be a problem right?."

Wondering how long he would have to travel like this the weakest of the pack, dead meat he thought to himself, Skyler wished to recover quickly to become as strong, fast and powerful as he was before. Focusing on the path ahead, Skyler knew it will be filled with problems and complications they escaped the facility but how long could they evade them. How long will it be before he will have to kill the groups hunters, a life of running Skyler thought a life of a wolf.

"I think I see a building up ahead."

It was the hospital, Kathleen had actully taken them on a secret path created by her father when he build the hospital in the town. It was large and white and crisp, but the down past it was older with cobblestone roads, and the majority of the people walked. Everything was close together and small, the whole town wondered why anyone would build a hospital there but they were thankful to have the medical care so close. Luckily the path led to the entrance closest to elevators, and the lab.

Kathleen turned to the group and motions for them to stop. She asked Kylar to let her down, and he complied lowering her and setting her down softly. She looked at the group, paying particularly close to Eden as she spoke. "Wait here, I am going to go unlock the door."

She passed through the tree's and walked along the path to a heavy silver door, she pulled the chain from around her neck and slid one of the keys into the door. It clicked open and she pulled it open peering inside. Only a nurse was in the hallway, reading a chart as she walked away from Kathleen, turning heel and walking out of sight. She pushed the open door button for the elevator and stuck her heels over the sensor to keep the door open. She returned back to the exit and pushed the door open to see the kids still standing by the trees. She called out to them, "Alright come quiclky," and opened the door for them, "get into the elevator, but watch my shoes!"

"I think I see a building up ahead."

Jumping down from Kylers shoulder, watching Kathleen leave the group dissapearing into the trees comanding us to stay put till she unlocks the door and comes back . Stretching letting out a long yawn Skyler stands tall feeling much better than he did before glancing over his shoulder "Thanks for the lift big guy" he said to Kyler with a smirk. Pulling back his long flowing silver hair like the first time he met Joanne smiling, Skyler walked toward Joanne as she stood at the front of the group. Putting his hands in the tattered pockets of his pants "Well I'm feeling much better" Skyler spoke softly walking by her side. Smiling awkwardly as a sharp pain ran through his body, concealing the pain with a simple joke. "I've been meaning to ask you... well before all this happened" Skyler spoke seriously looking Joanne in the eyes, pausing then continuing to say "can you braid my hair" He Laughed dropping the serious tone and look smiling at her once again.

"Alright come quickly get into the elevator, but watch my shoes."Kathleen beckoned.

Listening to Kethleens call, he walked forward with Joanne grasping her hand. "I don't want to collapse again, I hope you don't mind" Skyler spoke with a charming smile , following Kathleen inside of the hospital. "Idiot" Skyler thought to himself, "you don't just go grabbing someones hand what if she feels weird about it. you cant be so direct" shrugging off the negative thoughts Skyler continued forward wondering what awaited inside of this new building. Still proceading with caution, even though Kathleen is the main reason they've made it this far Skyler still had his doubts. "what does she gain from helping us... well I'll rip out her thoat if she betrays any of us."

(occ: The itallics and quotes, are his thoughts, I don't wanna confuse any one)

"Sure, I'll braid your hair. But after you're fully healed."Joanne told Skyler as she giggled to herself, giving her a smile Skyler was happy with her response for he was expecting a no also he was glad that his hair would finally return to its normal look. The braided style gave Skyler more room to move animal like in combat rather then being concerened with his hair being cut up.

Cramping inside of the elevator being forced to cramp his body up with everyone else, but as Joanne got closer to Skyler he felt more calm then ever. Sniffing the air as the elevater makes its slow and time consuming descent, Skyler noticed that Joannes scent changed during the decent it felt as if she was afraid or nervous about something. Thinking to himself why would her mood and smell would change so quickly "I hope Joannes alright, I can feel that shes nervous... But why?" Feeling the discomfort of the rest of hybrids around him Skyler couldn't help but to laugh to himself, unlike them he was used to being cramped in elevators when the scientists would conduct experiments on him as a child.

Still keeping his hand holding Joannes, Skyler and the rest of the hybrids exit the elevator staying close to her side as Kathleen presents the old timeless human a man she claims to be her father. "...Calm your nerves children, you are safe here." The old man ensured the group, Skyler looked around then directly at the older man wondering how safe this place really was, keeping doubts about the underground lab and the safety it could hold. From what was seen their is one entrance hopefully that's not the only exit as well. Again feeling the change in Joannes mood by her lovely scent Skyler softly mutters, "Relax, we should be safe here right? Well hell I'll protect you if anything goes wrong" trying to reestablish some sort of comfort within Joanne.

The elerly man reahed down for his cane and struggled a bit to life himself from the chiar, and he made his way over to the group. Kathleen steped forwad, crouched downto his level and gave him a quick hug. He looked over the injured and lookec over at Kathleen and said "Looks like we have some work to do. He turned to face Shane and sadi, "Please lay the human on the table. I will work in him." He then looked over to Joanne and Skylar, "Will you please walk him over to that table, Kathleen get a set of tools and remove the bullets from the wounds." he bagena to walk toward the table Shane carried the man to, looking back at Skylar he said, "If you would like your bullet removed Kathleen can help you as well, just please sit in the chair, I wouldn't want you to hit your head on any equipment."

Kathleen

Kathleen watched as her father distributed the kids,and made her way over to table with a cloth rolled. She pulled the cloth back to reveal a series of shiny surgical tools, gleaming and sharp. She washed her hands and picked up a pair of pincers These should reach... She stood next to the operating table and awaited her patients. She was eager to get them started, after all that was the reason they were here. She reached down and grabbed a syringe, and pulled the plunger back on some local anestesia and squirted a bit out at the end to allow no air bubbles. She wanted ot cause these boys the least amount of pain while she dug the bullets out.

Aello

Aello stepped off of the elevator to see a lab, much like the one back at the facility. She began to feel uneasy, but knowing that Kathleen was here with her set here mind at ease. She watched as she hugged her father, I have family... She thought as she recalled the last few days. She went from having no one, to being truly with Kathleen, falling for a boy, and meeting her grandfather. It was a lot to take in, so she made her way over to a round table to wait for the others to finish working. It made her laugh, Yesterday I would have chosen to perch somewhere like a bird, but today I have s string desire to sit in comfy chairs and rest my head on tables, how human...

Looking back to Joanne with a smile "Yea, everything will be alright" Skyler spoke as the anesthetic ran through his veins. Dosing off slightly, feeling weak but at the same time relaxed again hoping that the drug would wear off soon so he could talk to Joanne again. Skyler knew that she cared for him and for that he was grateful laying back on the operation table closing his eyes imaging himself and Joanne talking again. Softly speaking as Kathleen begins to remove the bullets "Im ready doc", Skyler knew what ever anesthetic Kathleen used on him was very strong being able to almost knock him out quickly and with Joanne beside him Skyler slowed the beating of his heart and calmly fell asleep.

"Well," the old man said, "Usually I would have some of my assistants help me, but since this matter is quite secret would you like to help me? You look like you could easily pop them back in. Then once we get him stable, I'll get that bullet out for you." He smiled, it just looked like a really deep wrinkle amung the sea of smiling wrinkles.

Jared woke, and began to speak to him. The old man smiled and said, "Welcome back, try not to move, and yes that would be rather helpful."

Kathleen
Kathleen gave Skylar the anethesia, injecting him three small doses around each bullet wound. She looked over at the cat girl, who was smiling at her. It was a small smile, one that said to her "I'm trying to be strong..." She reached out and placed her hand on Joanne's and said, "He will only feel a little pressure and then it will all be over." She smiled at her warmly and then continued to her work. She placed the forcepts in each wound, trying not to dig around too much, and dropped each slug onto a metal pan on the table next to her.
It's amazing how they are controlling themselves so well, and forming relationships though we never imagined they would. All of them are trained killers...but they act like normal teenagers.
The last slug made a thunk on the pan, and she watched in amazement, now that the poisined rounds had been removed, Skylar actually began to slowly heal in front of her. "Thats nifty, how long will that take to finish?"

Aello

"You think their gunna be ok?"

She smiled at him in response, "Of course, Kathleen has always taken care of me. I know she feel the same about all of you guys too." She felt a strong sense of pride toawards the Kathleen. She was happy to know her, and love her. She looked over Shane, I'm happy I know you too...
A slight rose formed on her cheeks at the thought, she asked him, "So...what about your family? or is that too painful?" She hoped she wasn't crossing any lines, but she wanted to know more about him. She wanted to know anything about him, everything.