Machine Fur Project IC

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen smiled before walking back in, spotting Five with Four. She smiled wide, waving over at them. She couldn't believe it. Still, away from Nine, she felt her thoughts begin to cloud as emotions whirled through her. Tensions rise so high, and she couldn't hold it back. She hoped she could keep it together long enough.

[AJ Fawxe]

Nine let her down and nodded to her as she walked off back to the facility and stood around for a bit. Looking away from the facility he could see a bit of the fence off in the distance and stared at it longingly, his optics zooming in to look at it more closely. It seemed that there were fewer guards than he recalled. Could it be that most were being equipped to guard the lab where they would do work on the Persephonian? Looking back to the facility and walking in Nine cleared his mind and sat down next to Thirteen, his still placid thoughts hopefully washing back over her. Once he had numbers, even very rough figures, he could be much more at ease. Nodding to Four Nine considered asking something for a moment but then realised that not everyone at the table knew-or at least he didn't know who knew.


Turning to Thirteen he forced the thought with some amusement and hoped she could pick up on it.


"I wonder if I could snatch a pot of some of the Success food during our escape? Just as a little take that for them never letting me have any."

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen felt herself giggle, her cheeks growing hot and blushing through her fur. Why, if he'd only known her sooner, she would gladly sneak him some. She giggled again, her green eyes lighting up with amusement. Her tail flicked from side to side, her lips curled into a lovely smile. Her shoulders lowered, tension releasing bit by bit. She stood softly on her shoeless paws, lightly tapping her toes on the cool tile. She liked it. She glanced outside, then at the clock. Some tension returned. She didn't know how long it'd be. She kept close to Nine, but wanted to be close to everyone. She felt her eyes begin to water. She didn't want to lose her family. Not yet. Not ever. She wanted them safe. She wanted to feel them, her arms around them in a hug as she took time with everyone individually.

The cat looked at Nine, muttering. "I wouldn't be of use...if I stayed behind it'd be better." Now, Nine would know of her plans for martyr. Two gave her a stern scolding, yes, but what would Nine do..?

[AJ Fawxe]

Nine looked at Thirteen with an astonished look, and all precept of order and planning fell into the background. "What do you mean?" Alex's voice was a loud whisper. The hybrid wanted to shout his astonishment and concern to the high heavens but this close to operation time nothing could be risked. Alex looked around and sighed deeply looking her dead in the eyes and focusing his thoughts into clear concise words.


"You can't just stay behind they will torture you to know end. They will pry at you for information-they will use you in horrid ways-" Alex remembered a guard talking about lewd things they wanted to do and how upset they were they never saw any females in detention so they could 'supervise' them. Shaking his head furiously he focused again. "Listen, if you want to hold out till the last moment fine. I want to mine this place for whatever data I can. We can work together. I'll mine data from terminals and you check for stragglers. That's my only offer. If you stay behind you're either dead, or you'll be wishing you were dead.." Alex swallowed a hard lump in his throat as one thought slipped free as he turned partially away from her. "I can't let anything happen to you.." The words came with a dull ache in him and he turned and spotted One and walked over to her, leaving behind the harsh news from Thirteen for something that was at least pressing to him.

[Suzumibachii]

One had her mask removed and placed next to her plate, as was her custom she took meticulous detail to cleaning and wiping her fork and spoon each time she took a bite of food-which was incidentally pilled onto her plate much more generously than usual- each sip of juice she took she made sure to wipe the rim of the glass. Noticing Nine walking towards her she reached for her mask, "If you want to talk give me a minute." she mumbled before placing the thick heavy mask over her mouth and securing it. "What do you want Nine?" she said coldly.

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen shook, now alone with her, and everyone's thoughts. Images, colors and feelings flashed through her head, and she felt herself claw at the table. He didn't understand. She would be dead. She would take on the threat, and most likely end up like many scientists. She absentmindedly watched the room, hoping they'd all be safe.

[AJ Fawxe]

Alex felt his lips twitch at her cold attitude. The fynx had done nothing to deserve bitterness or hatred from the somewhat mysterious One. Still he had to take it from her, and he would because he felt that she had some of the greatest concern and therefore investment in Thirteen. Carefully quieting his thoughts, hoping they were lost in the sea of commotion Alex sat down next to One and leaned in. "Is.. god.. Is Thirteen involved with anyone?" Alex spat the words out and almost instantly regretted them, quickly adding to them, "Don't tell her I asked this!"

[Suzumibachii]

One felt her lips curl up under the mask, baring her teeth even though the gesture was lost underneath the pitch black mask covering it. Her tail tensed up and wanted to swing to the side to slam into what ever she could find but she needed to be in control now more than ever. Taking a deep breath she quieted her mind and her voice until it was a barely audible whisper muted by the mask "Short answer: Yes. Long Answer yes I know who it is and no I wont tell, for the sake of Thirteens safety and her happiness I promised to keep what I have seen to myself." Her eyes looked away before snapping back towards Nine. "Do anything to upset her or hurt her emotionally or physically and I will personally show you why they force me to wear this mask around other subjects." Her threat was very very real, despite everything and despite what she herself felt there were a small number subjects she would protect with her life, and Thirteen was at the top of that list. "Now if you will excuse yourself from my table I would like to finish breakfast before anything happens." Her hands went up and started fidgeting with her mask, it was a bothersome rule imposed on her, especially during the times they had to eat.

[AJ Fawxe]

Alex listened to her and sighed deeply hearing her words, honestly he should have figured. The hybrid just nodded mutely and bit his lip harshly till her feared he would break his own skin. Hearing her threat he looked up and spoke softly so that even One would have to truly listen to him to hear her. "Don't worry One.. I wouldn't hurt her to save my own hide. It's not something I think I could bring myself to do. I'm sorry One, I'll leave." Alex stood and turned from the table, not really knowing what to do. "Well actually.. One, I thought you should know that Thirteen plans to stay here while we escape."

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen froze, tears that had welled in her eyes has overflowed upon her cheeks. Her actions had hurt more than one person, people she cared about. She stifled her quiet sobs with a hand over her muzzle, attempting to look inconspicuous. Her gaze was straight ahead, but her mind was on the damage she had done. She messed up. She always messed up, she told herself. She always just caused trouble.

Why? Why must I keep doing these things?! She was sorry. Sorrier than she had ever been. She deserved to die, she kept telling herself. So her actions would be then rationalized and vindicated. She had a purpose. To get everyone out at the cost of herself. Lead everyone through the vents and over the wall. She would help the way she knew how, and most likely die trying.

[AJ Fawxe]

Alex looked to One and cleared his throat, "Just thought you'd like to know that is all." Alex made his way back to Thirteen and for all her attempts to be inconspicuous she still seemed incredibly distressed. Placing a paw quietly on her shoulder and smiled warmly and sincerely to her. "Thirteen, look, I know I wouldn't let you stay behind. I'd tie you to me if I had to. There is just no way I'd let you stay behind to be killed or worse.. I know there's got to be someone else who would do the same if not more, as well." Alex kept his thoughts vague, still under the assumption that through the cloud of anxiety his question and reaction had been unnoticed. "Don't do anything stupid, alright?"

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen shook under his paw, whispering through the gaps of her fingers. Her voice was shaky and soft, and she looked up at him. Her eyes seemed to quiver with all her attempts to keep calm. "But I...I messed up and...let you down..." The girl stood, her gaze on the floor as she excused herself as politely as she could. She almost sprinted down to the success rec room, and she took her place in front of a sparring bag.

She let out a weak jab. Then another. And another. One right after the other until she became more confident in her blows, each one a little stronger than the last. She had to prepare. To toughen up. To make it up to everyone and show them that she was useful.

[AJ Fawxe]

Alex blinked and cursed softly under his breath. Could she have picked up on what he found out? The hybrid opened his mouth to tell her he wasn't as torn up or destroyed as she made him out to be but she shrugged away from him and stalked off. Alex followed after her as best he could without giving reason for alarm and eventually wound up somewhere down the success area. "Thirteen? Please, it's not that bad, I promise. Just talk to me alright?"


Sighing deeply Alex turned and punched a wall in frustration. The sharp twinge of pain that shot up his knuckle not even registering at the moment. What a pain it was to comfort someone who was basically made to empathize and focus on the feelings of others.

[Lavender_Stripes]

Thirteen peeked her head out, trying to keep it together. She wanted to explain. She didn't know what she felt anymore. She wanted him to not be angry. She wanted to tell him what he wanted to hear and make everything okay. She timidly walked up behind him and hesitantly wrapped her arms around him. She wanted to just make everything okay. "This is why I'd be better off here...you deserve freedom, happiness...I don't..."

[AJ Fawxe]

Staring at the wall Alex hadn't even noticed Thirteen come up behind him. When he felt those arms wrap softly around him he sighed and spoke softly to avoid being overheard. "We all do, you more than others. You don't realise but the fact that you are such a good, pure person is what makes you so much more deserving to make it to the outside. We-screw us-the world needs people like you. If people like you were all over the world making everyone feel better about themselves and easing peoples burdens, why do you think the Administration made you the way you are? Obviously people like you are something rare. As for me, don't worry about me. I suspect you know what I was talking to One about.. and, it's alright. As long as we can at least be friends I don't care. We do need you though. All of us. Hell you need to get with us so you can have a chance out there to make yourself happy for once. I'll be damned if the last thing you do before you die is be tortured and just taking our escape as your victory. Okay?"