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Post by inakamoto on Apr 6, 2014 1:02:14 GMT -5
Tony didn't respond to their comments at first, only smiling for a bit before speaking, "I realize you're rather curious as to why you've been brought here. I will explain everything in due time, but first, I'd like for you to humor me for a moment, while I ask you some questions."
Both Alpha-7 and Gun-Max exchanged meaningful looks, their faces expressionless as they listened in.
As Tony continued, he reached into his jacket, pulling out a small device, "To be honest, I'm hoping for a more peaceful resolution to our mutual problem, one that would ensure all parties come out safe and unharmed. Well, relatively unharmed, to say the least. And whether or not we can reach that mutual peace will be highly dependent on your answers."
Tony placed the device on the floor, an equal distance between the computer console and the cell, before turning to face Belle, "More specifically, your answers, Miss Leroux."
Tony then turned from her, continuing on with his speech, "Normally, we don't bring in human targets. It mostly goes against our...objectives. You, however, are special. You have specific knowledge that I believe will be mutually beneficial to all of us. That said, I certainly hope you'll be able to give us your full cooperation, if not for the sake of your friends."
Tony pulled a small remote from his pocket, and pointed at the device. After activating it, the device began generating beams of light, which turned into holographic imagery. As the images came into focus, they showed three 2-dimensional images: one was a picture of a towering castle, the other two showed different natural landmarks.
"Now," Tony said, redirecting his gaze towards Belle, "what can you tell me about Hyrule?"
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Post by zuyuri on Apr 6, 2014 11:27:25 GMT -5
So much for keeping out of this. Belle had kept her silent, unapproving glare at the new man, Tony Stark. Whatever that device was, it couldn't have been good. Would it give all them some confession based toxin that would react to lies? When Tony came over to her, it too all her will NOT to throttle the glass and try to punch that smug expression off of his face. Her expression dwindled a bit when he showed familiar image. Hyrule. Her second home. Her fist clenched tighter. All he wanted was information about that? But why? Just so he could attack that kingdom and kidnap her family the same way she and her friends were. Over her dead body. Her hazel eyes glared up at him, glowing with absolute loathing.
"If you think I'm going to betray my friends, my family, just to give you a little lecture about a realm that DOES NOT CONCERN YOU, you're sadly mistaken, Mr. Stark. You're a rat; locking up innocent creatures that have done you no wrong, treating them like they were nothing more than animals! You don't deserve ANY of my knowledge. I'll never tell you about Hyrule." After a breath, she took a head count. Someone in their cell was missing. Her fist flew in over her head, a resounding thunk echoing. If the wall hadn't been separating them, Tony Stark would have had a nice bruise on his 'pretty' little face. "Where is Sally?!"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2014 22:03:53 GMT -5
Gia looked at Jing, "I am-" She stopped, not sure what she wanted to say. She suddenly remembered a piece of her past, and her name with it. She looked down and shook her head. "I don't know. I do not know anymore!" She stood, then walked to the edge of the cell. She looked down, listened to this Tony mad address Belle. What made her so special? What made everyone so special? Why did she feel as if she was the only one who didn't belong here.
She mustered the courage in her and put a fist to her heart, the other hand at her side. "Why ask her questions she won't tell you?" Gia spoke softly at first, the way she would in her leopard form. She then narrowed her eyes, a certain painful loneliness in her eyes. She looked to Tony and her heart made her strong. "Take me away from here!! These are NOT my people! This is NOT my home. You've done with me what you wish, have you not?"
She stretched out her hands to show him her form, "Do I not please the mighty?! Take me elsewhere!! These are NOT MY PEOPLE!" She breathed heavily after yelling, then bawled her fist. "If you are so bound to the idea of ruining me again, at least let me take my misery elsewhere. Let me rot away and die, but at least let me do it away from them-" She reached her hand to the others, then turned back to the man. "I am already being poured out like a cup of water, do I need to leave the last dignity I have left in the hands of strangers I don't even know?" She pleaded to be taken away.
Gia, no, the woman with the leopard's fire in her eyes, did not want to die with people who didn't care who she even was. She felt bad to leave Jing, who had at least the kindness she so desired from her own people. However, the other's were unbearable to the pride in her heart that swelled up, and the pail in her soul that weighed her down. She didn't want them to watch while she lost who she was.
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Post by DisneyWinxHeart on Apr 7, 2014 0:21:54 GMT -5
Molly didn't like this place but felt much more comfortable with Jing being there. He at least was nice. She knew better than to wish that Kaya or someone else was here. This wasn't fair. "I don't understand. You have powers to right?" she asked standing up. "Why are we so special? What do you need us for?" she said with a glare, probably a little darker than most would expect. But she hoped that Alpha seven or someone in charge would answer her. "And don't give me "you are still a child you wouldn't understand," I understand enough to know that you are horrible people!"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2014 19:17:45 GMT -5
Kenoko was really confused and had wandered away from the rest of the group. She didn't understand what the people in charge meant and the only reason she knew this was bad was because of how everyone else was acting. She began to circle the room looking at everyone in the cell with them. Apparently some weren't happy with the others and Kenoko made a mental note to avoid that lady. Kenoko looked back at the man speaking and the two nearby him. She thought she recognized one if them but she couldn't quite remember. When Kenoko heard the word snuggle her words perked up and tried to figure out who had said. She When she found the person who had said it she smiled up at her and said, "I'm a children." She remembered what Mewtwo had said about smiles and gave her biggest ones.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 8, 2014 3:56:54 GMT -5
Tony's smile evaporated as he listened to Belle's outburst. He was hoping she'd more cooperative, but it was apparent diplomacy would not be of much use in this situation. She was too free spirited, too...strong willed.
Gun-Max's gaze turned to Gia, his hard expression softening slightly as he watched her cry out. It wasn't easy seeing her so vulnerable. Worse yet, deep down, he was fully aware that he took a part in causing her pain. He felt like he was betraying the oath he had taken so long ago, that oath he'd once referred to as 'a corny collection of pretty words'.
Alpha-7 was feeling no better. She tried to keep her emotions inside, but looking at Molly and Kenoko in that cell. They didn't belong in there, she was well aware of that. But, what could she do? Her loyalties were to Strato-Form, and to the mission of protecting innocent humans. As she averted her gaze away from the cell, she continued repeating the same words in her head, over and over, that it was all for the greater good. But the feelings of guilt continued, and she could feel her facial features contort because of it.
"Clearly, you don't fully grasp your situation," Tony said, giving his coat a good tug, "and its obvious you won't be as forthcoming without more information. So, I'll be blunt."
Tony clicked his remote again, and the images of Hyrule were immediately replaced with the Strato-Form Industries logo, an atom with a yellow nucleus, and 3 orbiting particles.
"On the outside," Tony explained, "Strato-Form's primary goal is the pursuit of knowledge. We pride ourselves with our advancements in the fields of science, and the expansion of human knowledge. However, there is one other function we perform; one the general public is better off not knowing about; a duty entrusted to us by the highest powers in the land: controlling the enchanteds."
Tony immediately raised his hand as he continued, "Now before you all go flying off the handle, our primary focus is on legitimately dangerous enchanted beings. Criminals, monsters, terrorists; beings who show genuine and unquestioning malice and hatred to human-kind."
Tony then began pacing in front of the cell, using his hands to punctuate his different points, "And, of course, you're all wondering, what does our mission objective have to do with you. Why have we brought you here? To understand that, you must first have a firm understanding of one thing: preventative measures. Stopping the threat, before it becomes one. The fact of the matter is, we can hunt down and punish all the criminals and ne'er-do-well's we please, but the public will never truly be satisfied with the enforcers simply serving justice. They want us to keep them safe. To stop the crimes before they manifest. It's true, we can't protect everyone from everything, but that thought should not stop us from doing as much as we can, to protect as many as we can."
Gun-Max had redirected his attention towards Tony, his optics watching move back and forth, while Alpha-7 continued staring off in another direction.
"And that, friends, is why you are here. Despite what you may claim, despite your good intentions, your cirque represents a very clear threat to humanity. A culmination of some of the most powerful and potentially dangerous beings known, all under the protection and control of one man. To us, that reeks of suspicion. And you can stand there, posturing on about your desires to simply live in harmony with humans, it doesn't change anything. You may not be planning to strike against humanity now, but if some time down the road, if any of you were to fall victim to blackmail, mind-control, or even coercion from your own kind, the possibility of the damage your cirque could cause if you turned against humans is too great to ignore."
As Tony continued, Alpha-7 glanced over in Esmeralda's direction, curious to see how she was reacting to his 'performance'.
"But despite what you may think of me, I am not a monster. I'm not like the more...unreasonable individuals of my race. I can see the potential for good from your cirque, and I understand your desires to be left alone. It is for that specific reason, that I'm looking for a peaceful resolution for both our parties; it is also why I'm so interested in Hyrule Kingdom. I see this world as a peaceful, tranquil place. One where a cirque like yours would no doubt flourish, and grow. A world where you all could enjoy the freedoms and harmony you all no doubt yearn for."
Alpha-7 looked up at Tony with a start; it didn't take her long to piece together what he was suggesting, "Sir, are you suggesting we deport them???"
Tony cleared his throat before answering Alpha-7's question, "Relocation, Alpha-7. I'm merely looking to give them an option they wouldn't have been given, under different conditions; a chance to live in a world...where they could be accepted."
Tony then redirected his attention towards Belle, "Now, am I really that bad of a guy, to offer you a deal such as that?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2014 10:55:19 GMT -5
Jing watched Gia’s break-down with concern and some amount of helplessness. He didn’t know how to help her and it killed him because he always tried to help people. Bandit or no, Jing was a fighter for justice. “Hey, hey it’s okay” He told Gia. He couldn’t touch or hold her and just got up and stood in front of her. “Hey, you’re alright. I don’t know why you’re here and not with your people, but we’ll find them, okay?” He caught Tony’s comment about criminals and scowled in his direction. He’d never killed humans, and he stole things that were usually supernatural to begin with. Getting called ‘dangerous’ annoyed him. He gritted his teeth at the proposal to live in Hyrule. “Except we’ve never been to Hyrule! What makes you think they’d accept us? This world is my home!” it sounded to Jing like Tony was trying to shove his problem onto someone else and it really bothered Jing.
Jade looked over at Tony. “So then why didn’t you just take this proposition to Facilier himself? You don’t seem trustworthy when you kidnap a bunch of people” she tucked her head under her paws again and went to sleep. She was currently done with everything, the realization had been too much for her.
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Post by zuyuri on Apr 8, 2014 12:08:23 GMT -5
Despite Tony's "beneficial" route, Belle remained calm, keeping her anger to a low boil as her outburst had given her nothing. Behind her, Gia was going into a mild fit of hysterics, leaving Jing to try and keep her cool. Jade and Jing put in their two cents about the situation before the young human continued, "And what if Hyrule becomes a threatening environment? Will you eradicate the people relocate them? Force them into a place in a continuous cycle of extinction?" Tony admitted himself he was viewing the cirque as a threat. He was speaking of 'relocation', when really all she heard was 'eradication'. "You speak of relocation, yet all I hear is exile. Most of us have considered Earth our home, so by forcing them into a new environment that some can barely adapt to is unwise. That is my secondary home you're threatening, Mr. Stark; which, by the way, I STILL refuse to give any information about to you. I only tell people I trust about it, which, does not include YOU. And, given that we are no doubt being watched at different angles, I will continue to be silent about it."
Another thought quickly popped up when she thought of the other people at the cirque. No doubt Facilier would be peeved about the attacks, and divided families would be doing anything to get their loved ones back. The 'threat' the cirque was showing Tony would only be confirmed as long as they were still encased. "Oh, and let me bring me something to light. By kidnapping us, you're only bringing what you're so afraid of to yourself. The cirque WILL come looking for us, and they'll do ANYTHING to get us back. But I know how to prevent this, and beneath that smug little grin that you carry, so do you. So for once, do something for other people besides your own selfish hide."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 10:20:59 GMT -5
The fierce leopard pulled her ears back, his answers not satisfying in the least, 'So they insisted on keeping her here with the others. Great.' she thought sarcastically. She bawled her fist, but Jing's words softened her anger, but a desperation to be free from them(all of them) was still present on her mind. Her breathing hardened toward Tony, but a blur in the corner of her eye made her focus on another face. The distant expression of Gunmax made her uneasy and she didn't know why. She recalled something, but it was sudden and too quick to process in that moment. She turned to Jing and relaxed her hands at last, rubbing her palms were her claws hag dug in. "No, Jing, okay would be out of this cage with my claws in that smug coward, okay would be somebody noticing a leopard is missing. Okay would be-" Her voice continued to raise, but it was cut off when she realized it didn't matter. She shrugged her shoulders and started rubbing her palms again. She begun mumbling in another language, making facial expressions to convey her disapproval and distaste, as well as a bit of humor and sarcasm mixed in. She looked down at her palms while she spoke on, being fueled by Tony's fascination of Belle and her native land(Or so Gia guess it was).
"And what about my people? What makes humans the rulers of this world? If I remember, in your history, you even caste out other humans from their native land to build your own. Then you called it the land of the free. If you ask me, it is us who needs protection from the likes of you-" She pointed toward Tony, then her ears fell when she realized Belle was a human. She smiled weakly, "-You know, not all of you, of course.." She stopped pointing and rubbed her arm. She looked toward Jing at his outburst, "Mine too!" She confirmed. This was certainly her home as well, wasn't it? She had memories of only this world. She didn't know what happened to the other cat people in her memories, but she guessed nothing good. She wondered if she was the last of her kind, and what that meant for her.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 10, 2014 19:07:41 GMT -5
Tony's grin returned as he listened to Belle's speech, which was followed by a small chuckle upon her finishing. Listening to her, along with Gia, Jing, and Jade, all so passionate and defiant, still so ignorant of so much. He really couldn't help himself.
"You really don't get it, do you?" Tony asked as he began pacing again, "My offer isn't given out of necessity, it's out of charity. I'm giving you this opportunity because I feel pity for you. My superiors' only orders were to ensure your cirque no longer pose a threat to human society. The means are for me to decide. And if it should turn out you're unwilling to accept my offer, I'm well within my capabilities of disbanding your cirque all together. You say Facilier and his ilk will come looking for me? I welcome it; it saves me the trouble of looking for him. You and your 'circus friends' are a threat only to people who cannot fight for themselves. To me, you're nothing more than targets within my cross-hairs."
As he continued speaking, Tony made his way to where Gun-Max was standing and placed a hand on his shoulder, "And I wouldn't let that little skirmish at your wedding ceremony go to your heads. What you witnessed back then was but a mere taste of the storm I'm capable of unleashing upon your cirque. And Team-X? They were sent in with explicit instructions to use as little amount of force as possible. If they had been sent in to kill you, we would not be having this conversation. Likely, many of you would be lying in pools of your own blood, and your precious cirque burned to the ground."
Gun-Max gave a sideways dirty-look in Tony's direction, and flicked his hand off his shoulder; Alpha-7 simply turned her back towards Tony, her gaze directed away from the cell.
"Bottom line is this," Tony said, moving back towards the cell, "you all can choose one of three options. Option A, you accept my deal, leave this world, and live peace. Option B, you refuse my deal and become prisoners. Or Option C, you refuse my deal...and become statistics. Either way, I still get the outcome I desire."
A second after he finished speaking, the doors to the cell opened again, and single person's silhouette was visible.
Tony turned to beckon the individual to enter, "Ah, good. Just in time, please enter."
Alpha-7 and Gun-Max turned to see who it was, and their expressions turned to utmost concern when they saw the face.
"Stark," Alpha-7 asked worriedly, "what are you-?"
"Proving a point," Tony said as he continued to beckon for the individual to enter.
The individual seemed hesitant at first, her form was stiff and rigid as she stood in the entryway. However, after a short while, she finally found herself coaxed into entering, taking slow and timid steps as she entered into the holding area. As the doors closed behind her, and she came closer to the cell, the surrounding lights soon revealed her features: it was Haruhi. Her hands were held in front of her, her left hand tightly squeezing her right. Her head had been lowered to hide her eyes under her bangs. As soon as she was close enough, Tony gently placed a hand at her back, and faced her towards the occupants in the cell.
"Tell me," Tony asked, "any of you recognize this young lady?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2014 10:54:30 GMT -5
Raven blinked eyeing Stark her form shifting to sit up but straining for a moment...Ravens longer hair made her un-recognizable; why she was captured was beyond her...she just hoped her kids were safe."Could not have waited till after the happy couple said their Idos could ya Stark?" asked Raven sarcastically as she held her hair up"I'm going to need a pair of scissors safely ...that cut hair..I wont sit here with long ass hair!"she'd try to joke. grinning at Esmeralda"Not that it don't look good on you Esme.''She'd pause."BUT. it over heats me .''She'd look around."A...nd..water.''she'd note the dry throat she had. how long had she been here knocked out? She thought maybe they'd at least let her cut her hair.. she wondered where her cloak was.on the floor? She praid no-one put it on.
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Apr 13, 2014 12:12:48 GMT -5
Esmeralda had to smile. Everyone was so brave in giving Tony a piece of their minds. She knew her father would be proud of them. Although she did get more than a little angry when Tony explained what they were doing, and what they had planned. "Why should we be punished for crimes we may never commit? The circus had lived peacefully with humans ever since it opened. What makes you think we'll suddenly turn bad? I mean, do you really think an innocent little girl like Molly would hurt someone?" She gestured towards the girl. Seriously, anyone who thought she was dangerous had to be nuts. "Don't know if they'll be willing to grant that request, Raven," she said. "These people seem to think anything in our hands are dangerous. Paranoid people like Tony are the reason my dad made the circus in the first place."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 17, 2014 17:56:52 GMT -5
Alpha-7 immediately pulled Tony to the side, whispering in a harsh tone as she looked in square in the face, "What the hell are you trying to prove?!"
"It's called 'breaking the horse in', Alpha-7," Tony whispered back, "these cirque members need to learn their shortcomings, and understand that we are the ones in control. It makes the process much easier, for us, and for them."
Alpha-7 didn't respond right away, instead looking towards where Haruhi was standing. She was visibly upset at being there, her shoulders hunched over in a way that looked as though she were holding something heavy. This may have been partially attributed to her inherent stage fright, but from what she had recently learned in regards to Maria's report about the cirque, it may have been something more.
"I don't know about you," Alpha-7 turned her attention back to Tony, "but I wouldn't consider it wise to antagonize a trapped animal with a stick. When they bite back, they bite hard."
Tony's expression betrayed very little as he looked back at Alpha-7. He then glanced in the direction of the cell. It was always hard to tell what he was thinking, and Alpha-7 always found it unnerving, especially in situations like this.
Tony then turned away from Alpha-7, and faced the cirque members, "I'll give you 48 hours to reconsider my proposal. I suggest you give it some careful thought; I may be a 'mere mortal' by your standards, but I'm more than capable of killing Facilier. You can count on that."
Before leaving, he placed a hand on Haruhi's shoulder as he walked past her, "Could you be a dear and help Max and Alpha keep an eye on our guests, Haruhi?"
Haruhi didn't answer, merely dropping her head lower as her hands squeezed tighter together.
"Good kid," Tony said flatly, patting her shoulder, and then strolling out of the chamber.
Gun-Max let out an exasperated sigh as he looked over in Haruhi's direction. This business was always the toughest on her and Konata. They learned to hide it, but he could still tell how bothered they were with the things they did.
Alpha-7 felt sympathy for her as well. When Haruhi and Konata were first brought there, she was the first to protest their recruitment. Despite their abilities, they were nowhere near ready to be thrust into their world. But, Tony was insistent; if he wanted someone, he got them, no matter what the circumstances. And that was the sad truth of Team-X: they were all roped in by Tony's lasso, and would never be free from his hold.
After a brief and awkward silence, Gun-Max keyed in a command into the console. Two panels in the floor opened up, both near the console, and two chairs were raised for use.
"You wanna have a seat?" Gun-Max asked Haruhi, doing his best to sound sympathetic.
Haruhi still didn't speak, but simply walked over to the chair and sat down, her hands still tightly clasped together as they rested on her lap.
Alpha-7 looked at her metal watch, and tapped one of her controls. The jewel on her arm immediately displayed the current time, 8:34PM. Normally, she wasn't much for turning in early, but she still felt drained after being injected with the serum, and decided to call it a night.
"Wake me up if something happens," Alpha-7 said to Max as she dragged herself towards her cot.
Gun-Max gave an affirming nod as he slumped into his chair. The silence of the room was starting to bother him, so he decided to try turning on some easy-listening tunes. Absentmindedly, he keyed in another command into the console, and pulled up his regular track. The song that started playing was 'Juliet' by Royal Wood. A wave of nostalgia washed over him; it had been forever since he last heard this song. As he leaned back in his seat, he glanced over at Gia, curious as to whether or not she remembered.
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Post by zuyuri on Apr 17, 2014 18:19:09 GMT -5
No one seemed to know the beat up looking girl Tony had mentioned. Or, if they did, they weren't responding. Belle didn't know the girl, but she did feel a pang of sympathy for her. The one recruit joining them, Alpha-7, took the words out of Belle's mouth. BNy getting the group riled up, it would only be making things worse. She stroked her Aginastrate with relief. If Duncan was right, her S.O.S. would be sent directly to him, meaning people would be coming closer. She scowled after Tony's back, grimacing in frustration. They would no doubt be watching them, even with the physical crew on standby. "One thing you should know, Tony," Belle whispered to herself, continuing to stroke the pink gem as she joined the others in their little huddle, "not every creature can be broken. Also...never mess with another creature's mate or children."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 21:41:23 GMT -5
Gia wasn't sure why Tony had backed down, but she guessed it had something to do with what Alpha-7 had said. She pointed her ears back, trying to understand exactly what the others were thinking, but gave up after Tony left. She backed away from the bars and hugged herself as if it had suddenly grew cold. She watched Gunmax and Haruhi sit down, wondering if she should pretend to be warm with her group. She knew it wasn't real though. Their warmth wasn't what she desired. She turned her back to the pair and became slightly annoyed by the soft music. She yawned when she noticed Belle settling with the others, still in a less dominate mind set. She walked toward the group, stretching a bit to prepare for the down time, but something stopped her.
Her arms remained in the air when the song played. That song that made her ears twitch. Her limbs slowly retracted to her side, her ears pulling back again to catch the music better. She turned, her ears correcting to the perfect listening position. Her eyes widened when she saw Gunmax looking her way. She took in the words, and the music and recalled a voice. There was laughter, and she remembered begging for this song to be played, but who? Who did she beg? Who was she able to loose herself with? She didn't recall. The song dragged on and the room became lighter, in fact, she seemed more awake than before, more relaxed. She even let a smile slip, the memory light. Then a vision set in that seemed darker. She frowned and her ears pointed back, now fully facing the bars. She put a fist to her heart and recalled arms pulling her down. She remembered yelling and voices commanding her to leave, telling her it was wrong. They promised it was for the better, but she remembered rage. She remembered being in stress, so much so that she scratched at her own body, her own heart, just to never forget.
She pulled down her shirt a bit and sure enough there was a scar above her heart, barely visible, but enough for her to remember. Her eyes pulled forward and it came to her, the name, the cat-people, the promise, and yes- him. She blushed a bit remembering, some things seemed so out of character now, but it wasn't then. She remembered how crazy things were and made her act, feel. She recalled being strong, and was embarrassed she had whined about being in with the others. Wherever she was, she remembered being content.
She smiled at last, her ears pulling back to give a rather tender display of emotion, as if thanking him. She then averted her attention to the group behind her. She knew at last who she was, and where she belonged. She took a deep breath and yawned again, stretching and walking over to the edge of the cell. She suddenly felt content to be as close to her captives as possible, or maybe just one. She laid out on the floor, lying on her arm. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep a bit, but after some moments, she opened one eye a bit in curiosity to what Max was doing.
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