Goin' on an adventure. Or something. [Royce]

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/2czvpsn.jpg] Today was a fine day. It was still Spring, the best time of the year. Although lately, Cordelia had taken a liking to Autumn. She had been in here for a few years now, and had learned to live with the harsh conditions, the other dangerous people, and hadn't really had too many mishaps. Recently, she had been promoted to hunter, and so actually had something to occupy herself with, which she did fervently. She grew bored quite easily, so this was a relief. Perhaps eventually, she would be raised again to a higher rank in the Fulsi, but she wasn't gonna hope for it. There were some who had been here longer than she, so they would certainly be before her in line. Not that she cared much. There was still plenty of time left in her life in this godforsaken place to accomplish anything she wanted to. One such other person was flying over head right now, and was the one who Cordelia had had the most interaction with, seeing him on a few different occasions. In at least one of them, he had been hurt. He was also one of the first people she had talked to since she came here, even if it hadn't been much of a conversation. Royce was a pretty shy person, and still seemed to be terrified of her, even though he should know by now that she wouldn't hurt him. At least he was comfortable enough around her now that he would actually turn his back, though. Which was pretty important, considering they were currently in the middle of a mission, or adventure, call it what you want. They were going to the Palisade Hospital to get some stuff, and since she didn't know the way there, the snow leopard shifter needed a scout to show her the way. And she had just happened to know one, even if he didn't want anything to do with her. The two had barely spoken since they had set out, leaving Cordelia wondering once more why he chose to be so unfamiliar with her any everyone else. For all that she had seen, Royce didn't socialize with anyone. And neither did she, regularly at least, but at least she was willing to give it a shot. The girl – well, snow leopard. She hadn't walked on two legs in a very long time. - looked up at the owl flying almost directly overhead. He had been up there for a very long time, longer than she thought might be necessary. Perhaps they had made a wrong turn and he was trying to figure out where they should be. "Oy Royce! Everything ok up there?" She called up loudly, thinking maybe he had fallen asleep or something. It kinda looked like it, even though that would probably be really stupid, falling asleep while in the air. But he hadn't even flapped his wings for a little while. The most likely reason was probably that he didn't want to be close to her. Sure, she was a giant cat, and he was a relatively small bird. But that didn't mean she was gonna eat him. That guy has problems. You would think that he would have grown some balls by being stuck in here that long, as he had been in here for a little while longer than she had, and she had sure as hell toughened up. But from what she saw of him, Royce hadn't changed very much at all since the first time she had seen him in the church. And if they saw any viruses once the arrived at their destination, Cordelia really hoped he would be able to stand up and fight. She had never actually seen the man in combat, but judging from the wounds she had seen on him, he probably wouldn't be much help in a fight.

[Royce Raider]

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[atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/ROYCETABLEBG.png] Ah, there was nothing quite like soaring through the air in the middle of a spring day. He was currently on a small mission to the hospital, a place that he had been countless times (but then again, he had been almost everywhere countless times). The barn owl high in the hair turned his head downward to look at the snow leopard walking below. Cordelia had been a 'friend' for a while, and even though Royce was almost terrified that she would eat him in one bite, she had never shown any reason to harm him in any way. Royce zoned in on the hospital in the distance. They were heading the right way. It was a simple path from point a to b now, and there was absolutely no way that they could get lost. He could fly back down to be with the Fulsi hunter now, but he honestly preferred soaring. He didn't even have to flap his wings. Plus, his tiny goggles prevented his eyes from being harmed by any high altitude breezes that were acting up. He was content with staying up in the air for the rest of the way to the hospital. But suddenly, he heard the snow leopard's voice. Oy Royce! Everything ok up there? The barn owl tilted his head down again to look at the cat who was looking up at him. Well, time to head back down. He banked one way to head down in a spiral. Not thinking about it, he gained speed as he flew down, the opposite of what he was supposed to do. Stupid increased speed ability. By the time he realized it, he was almost to the ground. Impact with the ground was not fun. Royce unconsciously shifted back into his human form about two feet above the ground, and he was flying quickly enough so that he couldn't catch himself on his feet. He tumbled down next to the snow leopard, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop. His sunglasses a few feet away from him, he scrambled back to his feet and grabbed them. "Uhh. . . I need to learn how to control that." he said, more to himself than to the snow leopard. Then, "Yeah, everything's fine. It's all just a straight path from here." He pointed ahead before grabbing his red sunglasses off of the ground and propping them on his face. Finding these sunglasses had to be one of the best things that had ever happened to him. He thought he would have gone blind soon if he didn't have something to protect his eyes from the light. The sunglasses were large, taking up most of his face, with red rims and dark lenses. He dusted himself off and smiled at Cordelia. He bet he looked pretty comical.

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/2czvpsn.jpg] The snow leopard watched for a reaction from the owl shifter above her, and was pleased when he showed one, beginning a descent after she spoke. But as Cordelia observed him, she thought to herself that it looked like he was going a little bit too fast if he planned to land properly. She stopped and got a puzzled expression on her face, and continued to watch as the bird came toward her. He seemed to be gaining even more speed the closer he got, which was definitely odd. Did Royce actually plan to land? And even if he didn't, why wasn't he slowing down, like he should have been? Once he was almost to the ground, there was suddenly a man in the spot which had been occupied by a barn owl only a moment before. The snow leopard made a noise of surprise and leapt out of the way quickly, landing a few feet away. And a few seconds later, Royce landed at her feet after tumbling a little ways, and losing his sunglasses in the process. She just looked down at him blankly, wondering how in the world he had managed to pull off a landing like that. He had been flying for a long time, you would think he knew how to land properly. It seemed like the pretty much one good thing he did well. But apparently he was ok, as he went quickly to retrieve his sunglasses. She hadn't seen him with those before, and she hadn't ever seen anyone with sunglasses. And it didn't look like something the keepers would give him. Maybe he just found them somewhere. Just because people had been running rampant in this place for years didn't mean that everything of use left behind had been found yet. She wished she had some, though. Cordelia wasn't too fond of the light. Obviously not as adverse to it as an owl, but still. It would be nice. Then again, a lot of things would be nice. But nice things were a rarity in the Menagerie, especially these days when everything had been cleared out and scavenged. He made a remark about his unusual flying, thought the snow leopard really didn't think it was directed to her. But he also said that they were right on course, and she nodded in response. Good. Because Cordelia didn't want to get lost in here. She knew that the viruses had moved in to the hospital, and had heard they were a nasty bunch. But luckily, she hadn't encountered one yet, and she didn't want to start today. With any luck, they would all be out terrorizing someone else at this time of day. As she thought about this, the building they were looking for started coming in to view. She gasped quietly as she got a look at it. It was actually still standing, and sturdy. Sure, it showed obvious signs of use and age, such as rust and a little bit of decay, but it actually looked sturdy. She hadn't seen a building outside the main city that wasn't at risk of collapsing. She had personally fallen through floors more than once because the termite infested wood just couldn't hold her weight. It was actually a little shocking that she hadn't come here earlier.

[Royce Raider]

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[atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/ROYCETABLEBG.png] Royce turned away awkwardly when the snow leopard didn't say anything, nor did she seem to think he was funny at all. Maybe this was why the barn owl shifter was so uneasy around Cordelia. She really didn't speak unless spoken to. And naturally, neither did Royce. So that made things kind of weird whenever they were together, as it was hard to start conversation. What the hell would they even talk about? Royce had an idea. He reached up with one of his hands to scratch awkwardly at the back of his head, shoving the other hand in the pocket of his dark denim jeans. "So, uh. . . How have you been? Are you surviving well?" That was the thing to ask. One really couldn't be that 'well' in the Menagerie. They could only be surviving. And if they were surviving, that meant they were good to go another day. Royce had been surviving for nearly five years. And it was a wonder, because of his condition. He was so thin and unhealthy, yet he had managed to keep himself alive all these years. He supposed he could go until he died of natural causes. He just hoped that he didn't die by a virus. The place that he and Cordelia were heading was virus infested, and all of the shifters knew it. Hardly anyone ever went there anymore. Which is why they needed to, to get some supplies that the Fulsi were missing, or had ran out of. Bandages, antibacterials, stuff that a hospital would have. Royce turned to the snow leopard again, determined to make some sort of good conversation. He trusted this shifter a little more now, and was going to try his hardest to be friendly. And a friendly Royce meant a talking Royce. "Have you had a run-in with the Keepers yet?" he asked, only because he had shown off his new ability moments earlier, when he completely wiped out on the ground. "I had another one just a week ago. They seem to like experimenting on me." And he was telling the truth. He'd been subject to sense enhancement injections and experiements with weird abilities four times. That was more than most creatures in the Menagerie. "This time they seemed to have enhanced my speed ability. As I so gracefully demonstrated when I tumbled all over the ground." A small laugh escaped him. When the hospital building came in sight, Royce mumbled a quick "Be right back. . ." and jumped into the air an owl, flying off at a high speed toward the building. He just wanted to do a bit of window shopping. He spiraled up the building, checking in each of the windows. Once he got to the top floor, he flew back to Cordelia, clumsily slowing himself down before dropping out of the air. He almost fell again, but managed to catch himself before he did so. He nodded. "Yeah, there are definitely some viruses in there. . . We'll have to be careful."

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/2czvpsn.jpg] Cordelia was genuinely astonished when Royce spoke to her, and not about something important. He was making small talk, which meant he was making a huge effort. From what little she knew and had seen of the owl shifter, he didn't make small talk like this. And she had to wonder why he was bothering. He never had before. But it seemed like he had gotten over the irrational fear that she was going to kill him, or eat him, or whatever it was, and was actually trying to make a friend. Which was ok with her. Anyone she had run in to that many times would already be considered her friend, if they had ever really talked. But besides Royce, she rarely saw anyone more than once. And perhaps a friend would be nice in this place. She had been doing well enough without one, but she did get lonely often. So she would make an effort as well to become as least somewhat friendly, like she used to be. She really had hardened up over the past few years. “I've been able to survive pretty well, yes. I find enough food, I don't get hurt much. And you?” He also mentioned something about the keepers. Although she hadn't seen them since they brought her here, the mention still kind of made Cordelia nervous. She considered herself lucky that the keepers hadn't picked on her yet, and with any luck, they wouldn't. She just stayed out of sight, and out of mind. Although that wasn't as easy now that she was a hunter for the Fulsi, she had still been managing. “No, I haven't had the misfortune." She responded to the man's next question, and listened to him as he went on to say that he had. And more than once. Poor guy, he was messed up enough before that. But it also explained his less than successful landing earlier. Enhanced speed actually seemed like an interesting and somewhat useful ability, once you knew how to control it. If he had been somewhere else, that failed descent might have resulted in injury. But apparently he thought he could do it better the next time, as he then shifted back and flew up to survey the building. She hoped he would come back with a positive report, maybe that the building was completely empty, and that there were plenty of supplies laying in plain sight, and this would be easy as cake. Speaking of cake, she really, really missed it. But they didn't have good food here. But that was beside the point. Of course, she hoped for this report, but didn't expect it. And didn't get it, either. She would have been ok with something like it had been completely looted out, and they would have to search a long while to find things they needed. But Royce came back and told her that there were viruses in there, and Cordelia almost stopped dead in her tracks. The idea of a virus frightened her, as one could very easily infect her or would her and effectively end her long history of staying out of trouble. But the good news was that at least the owl had managed a successful, if not graceful, landing next to her this time.. She nodded at him, but with a frown on her face. Well the news had been grim, but she wasn't going to let that interfere with her objective. If they got in a fight, she just prayed it was with a small virus, maybe something not deadly, and that Royce could handle himself well in a confrontation. But he was so small, and thin, and fragile looking. And she didn't want to have to watch his back, nor carry him out if he got hurt. And considering the place was either deserted save for a few, or packed with viruses, then there was an excellent chance they would run in to one. But Cordelia pushed on toward the building, slowing down when she approached it and turning to Royce. “Did you happen to see any in there, or have an idea of just how many there are?” She was a little apprehensive, and that showed in her voice.

[Royce Raider]

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[atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/ROYCETABLEBG.png] Well it was good that Cordelia seemed to be doing pretty well. Of course, everyone seemed to be doing better than Royce himself, as he seemed to have the worst luck of anyone in the Menagerie. Anyone that managed to stay alive, that is. At least he still had that. That was more than a lot of the people who had come into the Menagerie had. And Royce had to be thankful for that. He responded to Cordelia's return of his question. "Well, I've been surviving, if that gives you any idea. . ." he said, trailing off a bit at the end. Then, Cordelia expressed that she thought an encounter with the Keepers was a misfortune. Royce turned to her, wringing his hands in front of him. "Well, it's not exactly a misfortune. Always." he said, sounding kind of uneasy. "I mean, I have abilities that most of the other shifters and other creatures don't." And it was true. What was his first one? The agility. Being able to dodge and maneuver more easily. He was lighter on his feet. And more like his owl shift form. It was a wonder how his human and owl form were so alike. "Also, I got all of the other stuff I have from the Keepers, too." He began listing. "A new shirt, a nice winter jacket, these sunglasses," He reached up to push his sunglasses further up his nose, "New shoes, and goggles for my shift, to help with the speed and the vision thing. Really useful, those things." That was a lot. Royce must be a favorite with the Keepers. As they approached the hospital, Royce stopped when the snow leopard next to him did. Did you happen to see any in there, or have an idea of just how many there are? Royce thought for a second, bringing a hand to his lips to pick at some dead skin. "Well, I saw a bunch through the windows of the higher floors, but I didn't see any on the first three." he replied finally. He added quickly, "Doesn't mean there aren't any." They had to be extremely careful. Royce could come here by himself, because if anything, he could just drop whatever supplies he had to fly away quickly. And with his new speed ability, he could fly away very quickly. But now that he had a friend with him - a non-flying friend - he had to be careful not to draw anything. He didn't want to be the reason that his friend got hurt, or infected by a virus. Royce reached up with his right hand, opening the front door to the hospital entrance. "Ladies first." he said quietly, politely, as if he meant it. It was really only a sick reminder that manners didn't matter anymore. A nice gesture in bitter juxtaposition against their glass prison. Oh well. Royce hoped she appreciated it anyway. Walking down the hallway, Royce quickly scanned rooms on both sides for any signs of useable supplies. Most of the stuff was ruined, empty, or already ysed. In one room, Royce thought he spied a bottle of alcohol, and sidestepped to go in. He continued to loot out the room as he watched Cordelia out of the corner of his eye. She was always in her cat form. It made him a little uneasy. "Maybe it would help if you had some sort of saddle bags." He laughed lightly, a bubbly sound, and went back to collecting items. He'd better shut up. The last time he started saying stuff like that, he got beat up. By a girl. He didn't want to relive that experience.

[Royce Raider]

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/2czvpsn.jpg] Royce responded to Cordelia quite verbally. Honestly, it seemed like this was the most she had ever heard him say at one time. He didn't share her opinion that being tested on by the keepers was a bad thing, and she could see his point. But just because they seemed to favor him by giving him helpful things didn't mean that was the only thing they were capable of, and the snow leopard would rather just take her chances. She was doing just fine right now, there was no need to upset the balance she had created for herself. She had to admit that it was surprising how much they had given him, though. It was a little weird, if she was being honest. Getting new abilities was one thing, but getting more than one article of clothing or accessory, now that seemed a little odd. Maybe the keepers had gotten a little more generous since she had seen them when they dumped her in here. Perhaps it wouldn't the worst thing to run in to them. His answer to her question made Cordelia uneasy, though. If he had actually seen some, then that wasn't good. They could stay on the lower floors, but there was still probably a good chance that the viruses would hear the two rummaging around, considering there wasn't anything or anyone else in there to make noise. Royce didn't look quite as worried, though. And she was a bit confused as to why not. Wasn't he supposed to be the more skittish one of the two? The owl shifter was just full of surprises today, wasn't he? But despite her qualms, the snow leopard proceeded in to the building anyway as Royce held the door for her. Again, odd. But at least this time it was a pleasant surprise. The snow leopard managed an appreciative smile – something she had almost forgotten how to do – at the man as she walked past. She was unused to smiling, but didn't want him to think she was cold toward him. She really did want to be friendly, and apparently, so did he. Considering the shocking effort he had given so far. But hopefully, he would stop all the talk once they got in; she really didn't want to take any chances with being noticed by the new inhabitants of this place. As she stepped inside, she was torn between taking in this layout of the place for future reference, perhaps if they needed to make a speedy escape; and surveying for the supplies they had come for. Royce ducked in to a room on the side because he had seen something, and the snow leopard chose to go in to the room across the hall. She saw a small roll of bandages halfway strewn across the floor in a corner next to an open closet, apparently it had been missed. As she headed over the pick it up, Cordelia heard the remark from the other room about saddle bags. His little bit of laughter cut to a halt quickly, as if he was nervous that it would anger her. But it didn't. Instead, she let out a short laugh as well, followed by low chuckles that regrettably sounded like small snarls. Unfortunately, cats couldn't really laugh. But the idea of saddle bags really did seem like a good one at that moment, as she was faced with the dilemma of how to pick things up. Normally the snow leopard could use her mouth, but that was mostly for hunting and food, so that was ok. But these were medical supplies, things that should stay as clean as possible. So Cordelia sighed, shifting back in to her human form so that she could carry things effectively. Once on two legs again, the girl had to catch her balance before walking. It had been a very, very long time since she had walked on two legs. More than a few months, at the very least. She didn't really keep track, usually only using this form for fitting through smaller spaces and stealth when she wanted to step lightly. The girl stopped down and picked up the bandages, and walked awkwardly across the hall to find the man, smiling sheepishly at having to have to shift back. “Yeah, that would honestly be a good idea right about now. I don't know how I'm going to carry this stuff.” Cordelia really hoped that Royce would have a bag, or at least some way to carry the things they found. The girl was extremely uncoordinated in her human body, due to lack of use. Walking on two legs now felt like the unusual thing to do, instead of being on four. She didn't really know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She then turned around and began poking her head in to the doorways of other rooms along the hallway, scanning the floors and open closets for other passed over items. “I don't suppose you have a bag, or something?” She called back to wherever Royce was, looking for an excuse to shift back in to her cat form.