Post by Admin on Sept 23, 2009 21:32:10 GMT -5
Rian:
Rian had picked a room with a view for himself. The hotel wasn't that tall but Rian had picked a room on the top floor. It had a lot of open space so that he could practice morphing in here and the only draw back was the mirror on the ceiling and the fact that the bed was heart shaped. Apparently this was the honeymoon suite.
He ignored these details and looked out the window at the Vegas strip.
They hadn't been here long but already he had seven members if he included Cecily who was currently undergoing her three day waiting period. And having so many new members made him a little nervous about what would happen if anything happened to him so it was time to chose his second.
Drake, Diana and Cecily were new so they wouldn't be good choices right now though maybe they would show leadership potential later. That just left Luce, Ray and Ember, all three of which were experienced members. Luce had actually been an animorph longer than Rian himself but she wasn't the leadership type. In fact she seemed to do the best work when she was on her own and there was no one else to get in the way.
So that left Ember and Ray which is why he had asked them to meet him here.
Ray:
Ray was about halfway through counting up his money and he was definintly in the positives. It had been a good week at the tables and he was wondering if he should move to higher stakes, or enjoy what he had. He pushed the thoughts aside because there were more important tasks at hand, which was being summoned by Rian. After pocketing the wallet, which was now nearly impossible to close, he left his room and took the elevator up. He put in for the floor second to the top and then held the "open door" button and pressed for the top floor. Like magic, it dropped him off at the top destination first. Grinning at the little bit of flaw in the technology he was a little down when he thought about how he'd probably never use that in an elevator full of people.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. He actually had never seen Rian's room before, or even the top floor. He walked through the only open door, which was indeed Rian's room. He viewed it and tried to hold back a chuckle at the bed. For a moment he pictured Rian as some big-time gang lord and that was why he had the room which didn't help suppress the laughs at all. "Present" he said, not exactly sure how to introduce himself at this particular situation.
Rian:
Ember had been on the roof. Finding a pool there had been just about the most fantastic thing that could have happened, but it was still only a minor recovery point for the Den which had more flaws than a pock-marked blockbuster employee. The elevator consistantly stopped on the wrong floors, or didn't work AT ALL, the ballroom smelled distinctly of rotted cabbage or on wednesdays like cat urine for some unfathomable reason, and the bloody carpet had so many snags Ember couldn't walk a straight line from her bed to the bathroom. But the pool... oh the pool...
There was even a little chair that reclined next to the deep end that she could swivel to get the best light for her tan. Sometimes she spent more time up there than she did in her own room. It was how, in the middle of everything, she found a bit of the world for herself.
But now she was in the lovers suit standing in a bathrobe, waiting on Rian to give out orders. Ray was there when she came in from the hall and he looked as though he'd just come in from his home-away-from-home, the Bellagio. What he did there... well it probably wasn't tanning. Rian on the other hand looked like the captian of the debate team, staring down his opponant. It threw her, for a second, when he looked over and sized them both up. What on earth was going on?
Maybe she should have dressed better.
Rian:
Rian stood in a parade rest. At least that's what he thought it was. He had never gone to military school or anything of the sort he just felt most comfortable standing with his feet shoulder width apart and his hands behind his back. He had seen some military movie, Annapolis if he remembered correctly, and ever since he had always noticed that his pose resembled the military one. He wondered if that said anything about him and had even considered trying to stand another way but this felt most comfortable and it would be stupid to change just because he was afraid of what people would think of him.
He stood looking at his two faction mates, trying to decide where to start. He was also holding onto the moment for a bit of cinematic effect, the vanity of a film buff. "So maybe you both have guessed why you're here or maybe you haven't. I want to talk to both of you about the leadership of the faction. We already have three new members and maybe we'll get more so I figured I should chose some leaders before things got out of hand."
He looked from one to the other. "You are both the most experienced members in the group and you both have morphs that can fight so that makes both of you the best candidates. Traditionally factions have one leader and one second. I was Matt's second and Matt was Raven's so it is almost expected that if you become a second you will take over a faction of your own one day. God knows we are starved for leaders in this war and numbers in general."
He sighed and relaxed slightly which involved dropping his hands for behind his back and crossing his arms in front of his chest instead. "So I say no reason to limit my choice. I want you both to serve as my seconds in the faction. I think it will give our faction more manuverabilty if we can split into smaller groups easily," Rian was thinking of the sewer mission and how useful it had been to be able to split the group in three, "and it will give you both leadership experience so that you can take over your own factions sooner." Even as he said it he despaired a bit. Becoming a faction leader would mean that they would leave. He was starting to understand how Matt must have felt. And Raven.
"So, what do you both think? Do you want the job?"
Raymond:
Ray was stunned at the question. He wanted to instantly say yes, but remained silent for a time, taking the time to evaluate himself. He did have a little bit of a crazy streak in him that could potentially get someone killed. His loose cannon attitude would have to be toned down a bit. He did have some good ideas as a tactician, but this had only started becoming a habit of his. He hadn't yet tested whether he could execute his plans as he went. People's lives depended on having someone who could lead.
Ray brought himself to nod yes before replying "Yeah, I can do it." The words were sure, because quite frankly, no matter his ability, tested or not, they needed someone. He figured it would be best to give it a shot and see where it ended up. Hopefully, he wouldn't get anyone killed. It was only a matter of time before he would find out.
Ember:
Ember's jaw dropped. She didn't bother to pick it up since a second later it was clenched so tight her teeth ground. The next thing she did was shoot Rian and Ray a very piercing look that involved the extreme raising of one eyebrow.
She stood there, hands on her hips in a loose fitting bathrobe and hotel slippers, staring them both down.
When she'd been sent here along with Rian she'd though it had been obvious. She thought he had trusted her, that Cassie had picked her especially, that... that... Well that she was to be second dammit! The one and ONLY! It wasn't like she had anything against Ray, but she knew Rian more! And she knew the area! And- and- well... Her stare withered and she let her arms collapse, her eyes laying unfocused on the floor. But this was her job... she'd felt important and special and mostly she really, honest to goodness, felt needed when she automatically assumed she would be his second. Not that she wanted to run off and start her own faction. God knows how that disaster would end, but...
"Yeah. That's fine. I don't care." She looked up at Rian, "Whatever!" As though he'd said something to imply she was lying, though he blatantly had not. "That just sounds terrific...." The last bit came out muttered as she turned on her heel and headed toward the door. Only stopping for a moment, to dare him, to see if just maybe he'd test her, "Anything else?"
Rian:
"Yes. You stay." He had a bit of an idea about how she was feeling but only slightly. He was no Matt, but he knew that having Ember feeling badly about this wouldn't do anyone, especially the faction, any good so it best be resolved. The friend in him wanted her to forgive him, or at least not be angry since he hadn't done anything that required forgiveness, but the faction leader in him just saw a problem waiting to happen. Either way the answer would be to talk, not something he was particularly looking forward to.
But first he had something more important to do. He turned to his bed side table and opened the side drawer. He took out a small box and opened it, revealing two necklaces that were inside. The charms were made of wood and he had carved both of them himself. The first necklace was of a cardinal in flight. The letters LV were expertly carved into the back of it along with a star to indicate rank.
He took out the second.
He held out the necklace for Ray to inspect. The charm this time was a crow, a pied crow by the looks of it. The head, wings and back were more thickly scarred, making them look darker than the chest to imply the white and black coloring of Ray's bird morph. On the back was the same carving that could be found on Ember's necklace.
"As animorphs I can't give you special uniforms or metals to indicate your promotion. We have to be able to move and morph whenever necessary so I made this." He pulled out his own necklace that had a fox for its carved charm. His first morph and his favorite second only to his wolf. "I know from experience that these can morph so this is what I offer."
Ray:
Ray took the necklace and examined it. He was impressed and even a little touched that Rian would go through the trouble to make something like this. He hadn't known the guy for more than a week and already was able to trust him. Rian had good leadership written all over him from what Ray could tell. In war, and basically human nature in general, symbols ment a lot.
Ray accepted the necklace by putting and continued to gaze at the charm. Personally, he could never hope to make something like this. Art just wasn't his forte. The symbol ment a lot and although it was ment to show leadership, Ray also equally took it as a symbol of friendship that Rian was extending. He wasn't quick to say much because he could feel the tension in the room. Part of it was from the signifigance of being promoted, but most of it was from Ember and Rian. He did, however, let out some graditude. "Thanks Rian. I'm not sure what else to say." Ray said giving him an almost sheepish-looking grin.
Ray glanced over to see how Ember was reacting to all of this.
Ember:
Ray was having all of Ember's imagined reactions, and she herself felt stuck with the bitter left-overs. Why was Rian doing this to her? They all knew every faction only needed one second. Just like the presidency, and his vice president, because when something happened to the leader, the other would take over without hesitation. With two of them around it would lead to conflict... which meant that only one of them was the real second, and the other was just being played.
Ember knew which one she was.
In the time she'd made her decision, she'd gone back across the room and halfway reached for the charm he'd carved for her. It was a symbol. Something that was meant to instill power and confidence. But to her it felt like a trinket to keep her happy. And she couldn't bring herself to touch it.
She'd left LA for this. She'd believed in something bigger than herself... and left behind a kid who she'd thought of as family, for this. She'd followed Rian blindly back to a place that held nothing but nightmares and disappointment.... all... for this? He'd ordered her to stay, so she'd stayed. But all she wanted to do was run. "I- No. No, this isn't... I lied, this isn't fine. I'm not fine. You're placating me and you don't have to. I get it, you chose Ray." She took a few steps back, not looking at either of them. "I'm immature, and I pick fights, and no one is going to do anything I say- you're right. So I'm just going to go, and let you talk." It was impossible to keep her feelings out of it, she knew. But she wasn't going to have a temper tantrum be the real reason she was 'respected' and 'admired'. She bottled up what she wanted to scream or moan, and bit it back along with her tongue.
Then she turned and left, and if they said anything to call her back she couldn't hear it. Even if they begged on hands and knees, she wouldn't believe it wasn't just to console her. She felt like an idiot, because from now on she could never be sure whether they actually trusted her or... were just giving her something to get out of the way.
Rian:
Rian watched Ember leave with a troubled expression. But whatever he was feeling would have to wait. He wouldn't be the one to ruin this moment for Ray. He had a similar moment with Matt once, when Matt had asked him to go to LA with him. Now it was Ray's turn.
"Nothing really to say. How 'bout you're first assignment?" He turned and pulled out the morphing cube from under his bed. He had gotten it earlier from its hiding space just for this. "Cecily has been with us for three days so it's time she got her morphs. As you know the fridge with the DNA is in the ballroom." He also handed Ray a piece of paper with the combination that would open the fridge. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to go talk to Ember and explain to her that I mean what I said. I want you two to work together so maybe you can meet up with her later."
He smiled at Ray and then took the other necklace out of the box and walked out after Ember.
Rian found her on the roof next to the pool sitting in one of the tanning chairs and looking at the stars and moon that were just becoming visible in the night sky. The sun had just set and there was still a golden red glow on the western horizon, but everywhere else their was a deep shade of purple that melded into dark blue in the eastern sky. The small lights of stars were starting to come out from behind the veil that the sun had cast over the sky and a crescent moon was rising. It reminded him of the night they had met.
The air was dry and clear except for the slight moisture coming from the pool which was steaming, vapor rising from the surface in small curves and curls. Rian knew from experience that the water, haven warmed all day in the desert sun, was now warm and perfect for nighttime swimming.
He walked around the pool since Ember was on the opposite side, her form becoming clearer as the vapor cleared away.
"When will you learn to trust what I say? I have no reason to lie to you Ember. If I didn't think you'd make a good leader I'd tell you so. If I tell you I want you as my second then I'm telling you the truth."
Ray:
Ray took the piece of paper and morphing cube and exited after Rian. Ray had been entrusted with a lot and dearly did not want to fail. Not only did he not want to let Rian or anyone else down, he'd now be playing with more lives than just his own. Ray regarded other people's lives higher than he did his own, and would try his best not to take the risks that he wouldn't think twice about making by himself. On the other hand, he also couldn't be a McClellen either. (If anyone recognizes the reference, serious kudos to you.)
Making his way to the hallway where Cecily was being kept, took out the paper and studied the numbers. After making a little diddy with the numbers, he shreded the paper down to tiny bits and scattered them in a nearby trash can. Ray figured the association he'd made with the numbers was a little too off-the-wall to forget.
Ray wondered about what he was about to do. Sure it was better than having her become a yeerk, but being an animoph was kind of a lifetime contract in which there really wasn't any outs. It was a war he was handing her, just like he'd been handed. Either way, it was going to be interesting to see what she brought to the battlefield.
Arriving at the holding room he opened the door and shot her a smile that told her she was good to go. Well, after he asked her of she wanted to join them first...
Ember:
"This is ridiculous." Ember spoke, not to Rian in particular since she'd turned her face firmly away and was covering the side he could see with her hand, but up to the sky. "A minute ago I could have sworn it was daylight. Then, whoop! Sun goes down, pitch black... thousands of little stars to ruin it." Her mumbling voice didn't do much to help determine what she was talking about, but her shoulders were so tight against herself that you could bounce a dime off the muscle. Even her legs had curled up to her chest, making her seem very small... in such a large chair. A few minutes ago she could have sworn she was happy. Which was absurd since she hadn't slept the whole night before, and through the days she'd been standing on her feet, running around the Grand.
But... it had made her happy. To finally do something and not screw it up. And now... Now she was confused. No, more than confused. Upset.
"Trust you? Trust YOU?" She suddenly burst out, still not looking but instead shouting at a innocent corner of the pool. Her fists clenched on her knees momentarily, "I- ! You know, I get it now. You're really jerking me around... Saying to trust you, that you want me as your second. Ha... Cassie, told Matt that we were going, together, to Vegas. I maybe got a slim choice of saying no, but think about it, if i had... No one would have thought of me the same way. So, you know what?" Her voice shuddered slightly, "I did." Her ribs expanded as she took in a deep breath to continue. "i did because, you guessed it, I trusted you. But I forgot- I forgot that Cassie was the one who sent me here, not you. You, you- you got stuck. Between Ray, Me, and Luce. I'm-" Another breath, "I'm surprised you.. didn't have her in there too."
"But i bet she already knows your game. She's smart like that." She finished bitterly, still turned away. It was idiocy, it was foolish, and worst of all it was childish and completely irrational... but... she would never let him see her cry.
Rian:
"You're right. I didn't chose you. Cassie did. And you're right, I offered you an out knowing that you wouldn't take it. What's your point exactly? Are you listening to yourself? I knew you wouldn't take that out because it's not in you to quit when people need you. But I wanted you to know that and you should know that about yourself by now. Furthermore, you should trust that you aren't the only one who sees it. Matt saw it. Do you think Cassie made that choice on her own? And more importantly, I see it. I see the leader you can be. So guess what, you don't get to say no now either because that is what duty means, it means you can't say no. People who don't have a sense of duty, who don't feel its call, they look at people like us and think that we're heroes for making the right choice. They don't understand that there is no choice at all. We do what we have to and we go where we're needed because we can't do anything else. We do what's right, always. And when we mess up the one's we blame most are ourselves. I see that quality in you, in me, in Matt and I saw it in Ray and it was the right thing to give him a chance to see it too and I always do the right thing right? Even if that means that you'll have your own faction one day, even if that means that you'll leave, that you might die and I won't be around to stand by you. You think I'm doing the easy thing by making you my second? Trust me, I would rather you weren't."
His voice had stayed pretty calm throughout the whole speech, though anyone would be able to hear the passion in it. But when he got to the part about what making her his second would really mean his voice just sounded tired, and sad. Why was she being so selfish. Didn't she know that this hurt him too.
Ember:
Ember ducked her head, rubbing her cheeks furiously against the backs of her hands. Drawing on the air like it would suddenly stop having oxygen, she listened, and scrubbed, and didn't look at him. He'd told her what she already knew. But hearing him say it seemed to make something change. And.. she couldn't think of anything to say back. She'd tried to run, but he'd followed her here. She'd tried to force him away, but he'd refused to leave. In the end, he'd beaten her into a corner and now she didn't have anything to say or do. So she sat, and tried to wipe off her ruined mascara without him noticing.
Then, absurdly, she let out a noise that sounded weirdly like laughter. It was abrupt, and cut off, but there.
Ember turned back, facing Rian with puffy eyes and terribly smudged make-up. "I... I wouldn't have left anyway." she gave another snort of laughter, coughing half way through and biting her lip to keep it from trembling. "Even if i'd had to be your second forever, I don't think I'd ever want to leave. Not to try and start my own faction. I couldn't... I couldn't stand it. I don't want to be alone anymore." Her smile flashed for a second before faltering, "Ray was actually a really smart choice. He's already out there making his own path, bringing in new recruits... I just- just cling to what I have."
Cecily:
Cecily was sitting twiddling her thumbs because there really wasn't much else that she could do. The past three days had been boredom punctuated by more boredom and the occasional cameo from some of the people at this "Den." Her expert twiddling was interrupted by a knock on her door. It swung open to reveal Ray.
"Hey Mr. Bird," she said.
There was really no question about her joining up. She'd had three days with nothing to do but think; she wanted action. But it was more than that. She'd been running because that was all she could do, and now that she had a chance to fight, she was going to take it. It wasn't about patriotism, and it wasn't necessarily about her faith in humanity. It was just that there were a few people whom she cared about, and she wanted to make sure they survived. She tried not to think about the fact that they probably wouldn't.
She stood up and stretched, ready to follow Ray's instructions.
Ray:
"Hey Cecily" Ray replied keeping his smile and trying to keep the energy high. It was a big moment for her and he was all about letting her live this moment up to its fullest. He remembered Raven's ability to keep spirits and moral high and was currently trying to mirror her in this situation, just as she did to him when he got the power. He motioned for her to follow him and led on back down into the hallway.
"It's time to make your decision, although I'm sorry to say it's not much one. Thats the way it goes sometimes..." He winced slightly and trailed off remembering a specific instance where he "technically" had a choice, but couldn't do anything, but choose the way fate wanted him to. He thought a lot about this issue and it constantly irked him.
Ray resumed however as they entered the ballroom. "Still, out of respect for you're freedrom to choose..." Ray motioned to the door out and then walked over to her, morphing cube still in hand, offered her the opportunity to touch it.
Rian:
He stood and looked at her. It was obvious that she had been crying but he didn't know what to do about it. Emotions weren't his game. He didn't know how to deal with his own and he certainly didn't know how to deal with other people's. So he stuck to what he did know.
"I don't know what is going on in your head to have made you react the way you did. I don't know what you're feeling or assuming about my intentions. I can't read your mind Ember. I'm afraid I'm just going to have to tell you the truth and hope you accept it." He took her hand and pressed the necklace into it. "You are my second. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. You are the person I trust the most in this faction and I trust you not only as a friend but as a fighter. I trust you to do the right thing, for you and for the faction. I need you. The faction needs and the war needs you so you will rise to the challenge." He smiled as he stood up, leaving her with the necklace. "You always do."
Now Ember had a choice to make and he thought it best that she be left alone to make it. He turned and walked away, not a doubt in his mind what she would chose.
Ember:
Well now she just felt silly.
But warm... and- and he'd said he trusted her. AGH! Ember shook her head, tossing her hair to feel it fall comfortingly upon her shoulders. Rian probably hadn't understood half of what she had been trying to get across, especially since he'd turned the conversation into a pep-talk immediately upon seeing her distress. Although... He'd said... OK, so she wasn't going to not accept, even though before in the room she'd made up her mind not to trust anything they said because it would all sound false. She sucked in another shuddering breath and backed off the emotional edge she'd been teetering on. This was dumb. Why did she so over dramatize such a little thing? So she wasn't Rian's only choice... that- that didn't really matter.
He'd taken her by the hand, looked her dead in the eye and told her without any hint of deception that she was the person he trusted most.
It wasn't fate, or Cassie, or the limited amount of long term fighters. It was her, and now she was sure of it. Mostly... Her stomach flopped, guilty at how she'd let it all build up like that. Ever since she'd found her way into the Animorphs she'd- she'd felt like a different person. Someone better than who she really was. And if anyone ever started doubting that... she was afraid that they'd be right... she'd revert to a shallow, bossy, soul less teenager who spent way too much time with her daddy's credit card. And she didn't want to be that way anymore. She wanted to fight for her friends, and help save the world, and prove... prove herself to Ri- to everyone. Her mouth quirked into a frown.
This was all too exhausting. She'd let it build up and now look what had happened. Her face was all splotchy and her thoughts kept contradicting. When she'd first met Matt and Jules this whole thing had seemed like a game, and now suddenly it had turned into her life! And everything just felt heavier, and a lot harder to deal with. It was a shame they couldn't recruit a therapist... But of course there was always the next best thing. Ember dragged her aching self off the chair and padded around the edge of the still steaming pool, silently regretting that she hadn't taken better advantage of Rian's attention on such a beautiful night. Right now though, she needed some alone time, and if the universe was merciful this whole episode would be forgotten by next morning.
Cecily:
Ray was right about one thing, at least: she didn't really have a choice. She could go back to wandering around trying not to get caught, or she could actually stand up and do something about it. She wasn't a fighter, necessarily. Oh, she liked to think that she was, but really she was just a girl who was good at kickball. Real fighting? That was something else entirely. She was too young to be in a war.
The thought nearly startled a nervous laugh out of her, but she suppressed it. This was supposed to be serious situation.
"Thanks for the whole freedom thing," she said. She said it as a throw-away comment, but she really meant it. She figured Ray would understand. These days, freedom mattered more than ever. "I'm going to do it, of course."
She held her hand half-way toward the box, then stopped. "What, exactly, am I supposed to be doing here?"
Ray:
Ray grinned sheepishly for assuming she already knew when he hadn't explained a thing. "Touch the box and get a tingling feeling." Ray said. "Once you've felt it then viola, you can morph. Nice and simple. After that, we proceed to get you some morphs. Fun stuff really. After you get the power, you can morph anything you can get your hands on long enough to 'aquire' it. There's some rules such as not being able to wear loose clothing and that you can't stay in morph for more than two hours at a time. Loose clothing will tear and staying in morph for more than two hours means you're trapped in that morph forever. Simple, simple, simple."
Ray silently thought about how once she touched the box , she was basically going to be an indentured soldier in this war until the day she died. He felt a pang of regret, but knew that in war, sacrifices had to be made to win it and maybe if there were enough sacrifices, no one would ever have to endure this again. Ray guessed it wasn't so simple after all...
Cecily:
Simple, Cecily thought. Right. She wiped her hand on her jeans even though it wasn't actually sweating. It was just a nervous habit she'd picked up somewhere along the way. "Okay," she said. No more stalling, she added silently, and put her hand on the cube.
Ray's description had been accurate. It did tingle, but that was it. She drew her hand back, expecting to feel something different. This was a big thing she was doing, after all. It seemed like it should matter a little more, but obviously not. "Oh," she said. "Well." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked up at Ray. "So where do we get the morphs from?"
Ray:
"You get the morphs from the majestic morphing fridge" Ray replied with a grin. No point in being totally serious anyway. There would be time for seriousness in battle. Ray went over to the fridge motioning to it as he approached. He hoped he remembered...yes he did. The lock popped off and he opened it up. "Choice time again. There's precious few so you get to choose two." he said and this time she actually DID have a few choices.
"You can aquire more after this, but it's hard to do since the yeerks did away with zoos." Ray explained. "You might get lucky and find something though. I got my moose and crow morphs out in a forrest in Vancouver." Ray looked forward to seeing what Cecily would bring to the battlefield.
Cecily:
Cecily nodded. It was why she had asked in the first place--animals were hard to come by, these days. Animals, and everything else. "A moose?" she said, in response to the other bit of information Ray had given her. "That's pretty cool." And it was. She'd done a report about moose in third grade. Her best friend had done one about lemmings. That had pretty much cemented how cool moose were for her.
She peered into the refrigerator, trying to figure out what would be useful. Something to fight with, of course, but what she really wanted was things to blend in. Sneaking around was what she was best at, at this point. As time went on, she could do more with brute force. "What about a dog?" she said, only half-directing the question at Ray. She liked the idea of a dog - it would be useful for biting things as well as mobility. "And some sort of bird would be good...pigeon, I suppose. There are still some of those so it won't be completely out of place."
She glanced at Ray to see what he thought.
Ray:
Ray chuckled. He couldn't help it. It was more out of suprise than anything. "Those were the two morphs I myself started with." Ray explained. "The dog's ears and sense of smell will work great for ground recon and it can move decently. I'm not sure what breed of dog that blood is, but hopefully it's something good. The one I got was a rott/shepherd mix. Big enough to take on coyotes and other animals, but not big enough that it's size slows it down."
"As for the pigeon, I'd definently recommend it and would probably pick it again if given the opportunity." Ray continued with an explaination for the bird. "Air recon is vital to our success and there really is nothing more thrilling than the experience of flight." Ray caught himself. With a nervous laugh he said "Sorry for the tangent, but those are both good starting morph choices. Very practical and the pigeon is flat out fun. To aquire, just open the vial and pour some into your hand and focus on it"
Cecily:
Cecily smiled. "Great minds, eh?" The details he'd given about the two morphs were generally ones she'd thought of, too. He'd put them pretty succinctly, though. She considered feeling nervous about acquiring the actual morphs, but really she was just excited. This was undeniably cool. "I don't suppose you know a whole lot about the science behind this?" she asked hopefully. She'd be happy trying to figure that out... Of course, that was not what she was here for.
Without waiting for an answer, she opened the first vial. She'd once gone to a science fair where she'd gotten to extract the DNA from a shark. This was probably the same sort of process. Once again, undeniably cool. She poured a little from the first vial - the pigeon (might as well start small, in case she screwed up) - into the palm of her hand. The liquid was cool against her skin. Pigeon, she thought. Hopefully that was what she was supposed to be doing. Maybe cement the image a little? She let her eyes flutter closed pictured a pigeon (she'd seen them enough on the street) with its mottled grey color and its creepy red eyes.
Eventually, she blinked her eyes open and looked back to Ray. "So," she said. "I assume that worked?"
Ray:
"It should have." Ray replied. "There's really only one way to find out...You can morph that now, or wait until you've tried aquiring the dog too before going on. Your choice again." He figured that when she morphed he'd probably morph with her. Putting her on the spot to do something wouldn't be a nice thing to do.
He thought fondly of how often he'd used these two morphs and smiled inside at her selections. They were awfully useful and you really couldn't go wrong with them. "As far as the science, we're not entirely sure ourselves on how this works." He continued. "The time to complete a morph is about two to three minutes, but apparently you can get better if you practice. I've been doing so and am on the verge of starting a regular training program for everyone. It sounds boring, but it gets results."
Cecily:
Cecily nodded, deciding to try the morph later. She was putting it off, but she figured she should at least start with familiar territory. If acquiring a morph could even be considered familiar at this moment. "Training sounds good," she said, in response to the further information that Ray had given her. Cecily was no stranger to practice, and in this case she definitely wanted some. Life or death? Yeah, a trial run would be good with that.
Cecily re-focused on the other vial. She unscrewed the cap and dribbled some of the contents on her hand. This time, she was ready for the feel of the liquid. She still felt like she was breaking lab protocol, dripping chemicals all over her skin. Going to ignore that little detail, she thought and closed her eyes. It seemed that she took less time acquiring the dog, but she couldn't tell for sure. She had a better idea of what to focus on, at least, which helped. When she was finished, she replaced the two vials in the refrigerator. "So...now I try it, huh?"
Rian had picked a room with a view for himself. The hotel wasn't that tall but Rian had picked a room on the top floor. It had a lot of open space so that he could practice morphing in here and the only draw back was the mirror on the ceiling and the fact that the bed was heart shaped. Apparently this was the honeymoon suite.
He ignored these details and looked out the window at the Vegas strip.
They hadn't been here long but already he had seven members if he included Cecily who was currently undergoing her three day waiting period. And having so many new members made him a little nervous about what would happen if anything happened to him so it was time to chose his second.
Drake, Diana and Cecily were new so they wouldn't be good choices right now though maybe they would show leadership potential later. That just left Luce, Ray and Ember, all three of which were experienced members. Luce had actually been an animorph longer than Rian himself but she wasn't the leadership type. In fact she seemed to do the best work when she was on her own and there was no one else to get in the way.
So that left Ember and Ray which is why he had asked them to meet him here.
Ray:
Ray was about halfway through counting up his money and he was definintly in the positives. It had been a good week at the tables and he was wondering if he should move to higher stakes, or enjoy what he had. He pushed the thoughts aside because there were more important tasks at hand, which was being summoned by Rian. After pocketing the wallet, which was now nearly impossible to close, he left his room and took the elevator up. He put in for the floor second to the top and then held the "open door" button and pressed for the top floor. Like magic, it dropped him off at the top destination first. Grinning at the little bit of flaw in the technology he was a little down when he thought about how he'd probably never use that in an elevator full of people.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. He actually had never seen Rian's room before, or even the top floor. He walked through the only open door, which was indeed Rian's room. He viewed it and tried to hold back a chuckle at the bed. For a moment he pictured Rian as some big-time gang lord and that was why he had the room which didn't help suppress the laughs at all. "Present" he said, not exactly sure how to introduce himself at this particular situation.
Rian:
Ember had been on the roof. Finding a pool there had been just about the most fantastic thing that could have happened, but it was still only a minor recovery point for the Den which had more flaws than a pock-marked blockbuster employee. The elevator consistantly stopped on the wrong floors, or didn't work AT ALL, the ballroom smelled distinctly of rotted cabbage or on wednesdays like cat urine for some unfathomable reason, and the bloody carpet had so many snags Ember couldn't walk a straight line from her bed to the bathroom. But the pool... oh the pool...
There was even a little chair that reclined next to the deep end that she could swivel to get the best light for her tan. Sometimes she spent more time up there than she did in her own room. It was how, in the middle of everything, she found a bit of the world for herself.
But now she was in the lovers suit standing in a bathrobe, waiting on Rian to give out orders. Ray was there when she came in from the hall and he looked as though he'd just come in from his home-away-from-home, the Bellagio. What he did there... well it probably wasn't tanning. Rian on the other hand looked like the captian of the debate team, staring down his opponant. It threw her, for a second, when he looked over and sized them both up. What on earth was going on?
Maybe she should have dressed better.
Rian:
Rian stood in a parade rest. At least that's what he thought it was. He had never gone to military school or anything of the sort he just felt most comfortable standing with his feet shoulder width apart and his hands behind his back. He had seen some military movie, Annapolis if he remembered correctly, and ever since he had always noticed that his pose resembled the military one. He wondered if that said anything about him and had even considered trying to stand another way but this felt most comfortable and it would be stupid to change just because he was afraid of what people would think of him.
He stood looking at his two faction mates, trying to decide where to start. He was also holding onto the moment for a bit of cinematic effect, the vanity of a film buff. "So maybe you both have guessed why you're here or maybe you haven't. I want to talk to both of you about the leadership of the faction. We already have three new members and maybe we'll get more so I figured I should chose some leaders before things got out of hand."
He looked from one to the other. "You are both the most experienced members in the group and you both have morphs that can fight so that makes both of you the best candidates. Traditionally factions have one leader and one second. I was Matt's second and Matt was Raven's so it is almost expected that if you become a second you will take over a faction of your own one day. God knows we are starved for leaders in this war and numbers in general."
He sighed and relaxed slightly which involved dropping his hands for behind his back and crossing his arms in front of his chest instead. "So I say no reason to limit my choice. I want you both to serve as my seconds in the faction. I think it will give our faction more manuverabilty if we can split into smaller groups easily," Rian was thinking of the sewer mission and how useful it had been to be able to split the group in three, "and it will give you both leadership experience so that you can take over your own factions sooner." Even as he said it he despaired a bit. Becoming a faction leader would mean that they would leave. He was starting to understand how Matt must have felt. And Raven.
"So, what do you both think? Do you want the job?"
Raymond:
Ray was stunned at the question. He wanted to instantly say yes, but remained silent for a time, taking the time to evaluate himself. He did have a little bit of a crazy streak in him that could potentially get someone killed. His loose cannon attitude would have to be toned down a bit. He did have some good ideas as a tactician, but this had only started becoming a habit of his. He hadn't yet tested whether he could execute his plans as he went. People's lives depended on having someone who could lead.
Ray brought himself to nod yes before replying "Yeah, I can do it." The words were sure, because quite frankly, no matter his ability, tested or not, they needed someone. He figured it would be best to give it a shot and see where it ended up. Hopefully, he wouldn't get anyone killed. It was only a matter of time before he would find out.
Ember:
Ember's jaw dropped. She didn't bother to pick it up since a second later it was clenched so tight her teeth ground. The next thing she did was shoot Rian and Ray a very piercing look that involved the extreme raising of one eyebrow.
She stood there, hands on her hips in a loose fitting bathrobe and hotel slippers, staring them both down.
When she'd been sent here along with Rian she'd though it had been obvious. She thought he had trusted her, that Cassie had picked her especially, that... that... Well that she was to be second dammit! The one and ONLY! It wasn't like she had anything against Ray, but she knew Rian more! And she knew the area! And- and- well... Her stare withered and she let her arms collapse, her eyes laying unfocused on the floor. But this was her job... she'd felt important and special and mostly she really, honest to goodness, felt needed when she automatically assumed she would be his second. Not that she wanted to run off and start her own faction. God knows how that disaster would end, but...
"Yeah. That's fine. I don't care." She looked up at Rian, "Whatever!" As though he'd said something to imply she was lying, though he blatantly had not. "That just sounds terrific...." The last bit came out muttered as she turned on her heel and headed toward the door. Only stopping for a moment, to dare him, to see if just maybe he'd test her, "Anything else?"
Rian:
"Yes. You stay." He had a bit of an idea about how she was feeling but only slightly. He was no Matt, but he knew that having Ember feeling badly about this wouldn't do anyone, especially the faction, any good so it best be resolved. The friend in him wanted her to forgive him, or at least not be angry since he hadn't done anything that required forgiveness, but the faction leader in him just saw a problem waiting to happen. Either way the answer would be to talk, not something he was particularly looking forward to.
But first he had something more important to do. He turned to his bed side table and opened the side drawer. He took out a small box and opened it, revealing two necklaces that were inside. The charms were made of wood and he had carved both of them himself. The first necklace was of a cardinal in flight. The letters LV were expertly carved into the back of it along with a star to indicate rank.
He took out the second.
He held out the necklace for Ray to inspect. The charm this time was a crow, a pied crow by the looks of it. The head, wings and back were more thickly scarred, making them look darker than the chest to imply the white and black coloring of Ray's bird morph. On the back was the same carving that could be found on Ember's necklace.
"As animorphs I can't give you special uniforms or metals to indicate your promotion. We have to be able to move and morph whenever necessary so I made this." He pulled out his own necklace that had a fox for its carved charm. His first morph and his favorite second only to his wolf. "I know from experience that these can morph so this is what I offer."
Ray:
Ray took the necklace and examined it. He was impressed and even a little touched that Rian would go through the trouble to make something like this. He hadn't known the guy for more than a week and already was able to trust him. Rian had good leadership written all over him from what Ray could tell. In war, and basically human nature in general, symbols ment a lot.
Ray accepted the necklace by putting and continued to gaze at the charm. Personally, he could never hope to make something like this. Art just wasn't his forte. The symbol ment a lot and although it was ment to show leadership, Ray also equally took it as a symbol of friendship that Rian was extending. He wasn't quick to say much because he could feel the tension in the room. Part of it was from the signifigance of being promoted, but most of it was from Ember and Rian. He did, however, let out some graditude. "Thanks Rian. I'm not sure what else to say." Ray said giving him an almost sheepish-looking grin.
Ray glanced over to see how Ember was reacting to all of this.
Ember:
Ray was having all of Ember's imagined reactions, and she herself felt stuck with the bitter left-overs. Why was Rian doing this to her? They all knew every faction only needed one second. Just like the presidency, and his vice president, because when something happened to the leader, the other would take over without hesitation. With two of them around it would lead to conflict... which meant that only one of them was the real second, and the other was just being played.
Ember knew which one she was.
In the time she'd made her decision, she'd gone back across the room and halfway reached for the charm he'd carved for her. It was a symbol. Something that was meant to instill power and confidence. But to her it felt like a trinket to keep her happy. And she couldn't bring herself to touch it.
She'd left LA for this. She'd believed in something bigger than herself... and left behind a kid who she'd thought of as family, for this. She'd followed Rian blindly back to a place that held nothing but nightmares and disappointment.... all... for this? He'd ordered her to stay, so she'd stayed. But all she wanted to do was run. "I- No. No, this isn't... I lied, this isn't fine. I'm not fine. You're placating me and you don't have to. I get it, you chose Ray." She took a few steps back, not looking at either of them. "I'm immature, and I pick fights, and no one is going to do anything I say- you're right. So I'm just going to go, and let you talk." It was impossible to keep her feelings out of it, she knew. But she wasn't going to have a temper tantrum be the real reason she was 'respected' and 'admired'. She bottled up what she wanted to scream or moan, and bit it back along with her tongue.
Then she turned and left, and if they said anything to call her back she couldn't hear it. Even if they begged on hands and knees, she wouldn't believe it wasn't just to console her. She felt like an idiot, because from now on she could never be sure whether they actually trusted her or... were just giving her something to get out of the way.
Rian:
Rian watched Ember leave with a troubled expression. But whatever he was feeling would have to wait. He wouldn't be the one to ruin this moment for Ray. He had a similar moment with Matt once, when Matt had asked him to go to LA with him. Now it was Ray's turn.
"Nothing really to say. How 'bout you're first assignment?" He turned and pulled out the morphing cube from under his bed. He had gotten it earlier from its hiding space just for this. "Cecily has been with us for three days so it's time she got her morphs. As you know the fridge with the DNA is in the ballroom." He also handed Ray a piece of paper with the combination that would open the fridge. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to go talk to Ember and explain to her that I mean what I said. I want you two to work together so maybe you can meet up with her later."
He smiled at Ray and then took the other necklace out of the box and walked out after Ember.
Rian found her on the roof next to the pool sitting in one of the tanning chairs and looking at the stars and moon that were just becoming visible in the night sky. The sun had just set and there was still a golden red glow on the western horizon, but everywhere else their was a deep shade of purple that melded into dark blue in the eastern sky. The small lights of stars were starting to come out from behind the veil that the sun had cast over the sky and a crescent moon was rising. It reminded him of the night they had met.
The air was dry and clear except for the slight moisture coming from the pool which was steaming, vapor rising from the surface in small curves and curls. Rian knew from experience that the water, haven warmed all day in the desert sun, was now warm and perfect for nighttime swimming.
He walked around the pool since Ember was on the opposite side, her form becoming clearer as the vapor cleared away.
"When will you learn to trust what I say? I have no reason to lie to you Ember. If I didn't think you'd make a good leader I'd tell you so. If I tell you I want you as my second then I'm telling you the truth."
Ray:
Ray took the piece of paper and morphing cube and exited after Rian. Ray had been entrusted with a lot and dearly did not want to fail. Not only did he not want to let Rian or anyone else down, he'd now be playing with more lives than just his own. Ray regarded other people's lives higher than he did his own, and would try his best not to take the risks that he wouldn't think twice about making by himself. On the other hand, he also couldn't be a McClellen either. (If anyone recognizes the reference, serious kudos to you.)
Making his way to the hallway where Cecily was being kept, took out the paper and studied the numbers. After making a little diddy with the numbers, he shreded the paper down to tiny bits and scattered them in a nearby trash can. Ray figured the association he'd made with the numbers was a little too off-the-wall to forget.
Ray wondered about what he was about to do. Sure it was better than having her become a yeerk, but being an animoph was kind of a lifetime contract in which there really wasn't any outs. It was a war he was handing her, just like he'd been handed. Either way, it was going to be interesting to see what she brought to the battlefield.
Arriving at the holding room he opened the door and shot her a smile that told her she was good to go. Well, after he asked her of she wanted to join them first...
Ember:
"This is ridiculous." Ember spoke, not to Rian in particular since she'd turned her face firmly away and was covering the side he could see with her hand, but up to the sky. "A minute ago I could have sworn it was daylight. Then, whoop! Sun goes down, pitch black... thousands of little stars to ruin it." Her mumbling voice didn't do much to help determine what she was talking about, but her shoulders were so tight against herself that you could bounce a dime off the muscle. Even her legs had curled up to her chest, making her seem very small... in such a large chair. A few minutes ago she could have sworn she was happy. Which was absurd since she hadn't slept the whole night before, and through the days she'd been standing on her feet, running around the Grand.
But... it had made her happy. To finally do something and not screw it up. And now... Now she was confused. No, more than confused. Upset.
"Trust you? Trust YOU?" She suddenly burst out, still not looking but instead shouting at a innocent corner of the pool. Her fists clenched on her knees momentarily, "I- ! You know, I get it now. You're really jerking me around... Saying to trust you, that you want me as your second. Ha... Cassie, told Matt that we were going, together, to Vegas. I maybe got a slim choice of saying no, but think about it, if i had... No one would have thought of me the same way. So, you know what?" Her voice shuddered slightly, "I did." Her ribs expanded as she took in a deep breath to continue. "i did because, you guessed it, I trusted you. But I forgot- I forgot that Cassie was the one who sent me here, not you. You, you- you got stuck. Between Ray, Me, and Luce. I'm-" Another breath, "I'm surprised you.. didn't have her in there too."
"But i bet she already knows your game. She's smart like that." She finished bitterly, still turned away. It was idiocy, it was foolish, and worst of all it was childish and completely irrational... but... she would never let him see her cry.
Rian:
"You're right. I didn't chose you. Cassie did. And you're right, I offered you an out knowing that you wouldn't take it. What's your point exactly? Are you listening to yourself? I knew you wouldn't take that out because it's not in you to quit when people need you. But I wanted you to know that and you should know that about yourself by now. Furthermore, you should trust that you aren't the only one who sees it. Matt saw it. Do you think Cassie made that choice on her own? And more importantly, I see it. I see the leader you can be. So guess what, you don't get to say no now either because that is what duty means, it means you can't say no. People who don't have a sense of duty, who don't feel its call, they look at people like us and think that we're heroes for making the right choice. They don't understand that there is no choice at all. We do what we have to and we go where we're needed because we can't do anything else. We do what's right, always. And when we mess up the one's we blame most are ourselves. I see that quality in you, in me, in Matt and I saw it in Ray and it was the right thing to give him a chance to see it too and I always do the right thing right? Even if that means that you'll have your own faction one day, even if that means that you'll leave, that you might die and I won't be around to stand by you. You think I'm doing the easy thing by making you my second? Trust me, I would rather you weren't."
His voice had stayed pretty calm throughout the whole speech, though anyone would be able to hear the passion in it. But when he got to the part about what making her his second would really mean his voice just sounded tired, and sad. Why was she being so selfish. Didn't she know that this hurt him too.
Ember:
Ember ducked her head, rubbing her cheeks furiously against the backs of her hands. Drawing on the air like it would suddenly stop having oxygen, she listened, and scrubbed, and didn't look at him. He'd told her what she already knew. But hearing him say it seemed to make something change. And.. she couldn't think of anything to say back. She'd tried to run, but he'd followed her here. She'd tried to force him away, but he'd refused to leave. In the end, he'd beaten her into a corner and now she didn't have anything to say or do. So she sat, and tried to wipe off her ruined mascara without him noticing.
Then, absurdly, she let out a noise that sounded weirdly like laughter. It was abrupt, and cut off, but there.
Ember turned back, facing Rian with puffy eyes and terribly smudged make-up. "I... I wouldn't have left anyway." she gave another snort of laughter, coughing half way through and biting her lip to keep it from trembling. "Even if i'd had to be your second forever, I don't think I'd ever want to leave. Not to try and start my own faction. I couldn't... I couldn't stand it. I don't want to be alone anymore." Her smile flashed for a second before faltering, "Ray was actually a really smart choice. He's already out there making his own path, bringing in new recruits... I just- just cling to what I have."
Cecily:
Cecily was sitting twiddling her thumbs because there really wasn't much else that she could do. The past three days had been boredom punctuated by more boredom and the occasional cameo from some of the people at this "Den." Her expert twiddling was interrupted by a knock on her door. It swung open to reveal Ray.
"Hey Mr. Bird," she said.
There was really no question about her joining up. She'd had three days with nothing to do but think; she wanted action. But it was more than that. She'd been running because that was all she could do, and now that she had a chance to fight, she was going to take it. It wasn't about patriotism, and it wasn't necessarily about her faith in humanity. It was just that there were a few people whom she cared about, and she wanted to make sure they survived. She tried not to think about the fact that they probably wouldn't.
She stood up and stretched, ready to follow Ray's instructions.
Ray:
"Hey Cecily" Ray replied keeping his smile and trying to keep the energy high. It was a big moment for her and he was all about letting her live this moment up to its fullest. He remembered Raven's ability to keep spirits and moral high and was currently trying to mirror her in this situation, just as she did to him when he got the power. He motioned for her to follow him and led on back down into the hallway.
"It's time to make your decision, although I'm sorry to say it's not much one. Thats the way it goes sometimes..." He winced slightly and trailed off remembering a specific instance where he "technically" had a choice, but couldn't do anything, but choose the way fate wanted him to. He thought a lot about this issue and it constantly irked him.
Ray resumed however as they entered the ballroom. "Still, out of respect for you're freedrom to choose..." Ray motioned to the door out and then walked over to her, morphing cube still in hand, offered her the opportunity to touch it.
Rian:
He stood and looked at her. It was obvious that she had been crying but he didn't know what to do about it. Emotions weren't his game. He didn't know how to deal with his own and he certainly didn't know how to deal with other people's. So he stuck to what he did know.
"I don't know what is going on in your head to have made you react the way you did. I don't know what you're feeling or assuming about my intentions. I can't read your mind Ember. I'm afraid I'm just going to have to tell you the truth and hope you accept it." He took her hand and pressed the necklace into it. "You are my second. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. You are the person I trust the most in this faction and I trust you not only as a friend but as a fighter. I trust you to do the right thing, for you and for the faction. I need you. The faction needs and the war needs you so you will rise to the challenge." He smiled as he stood up, leaving her with the necklace. "You always do."
Now Ember had a choice to make and he thought it best that she be left alone to make it. He turned and walked away, not a doubt in his mind what she would chose.
Ember:
Well now she just felt silly.
But warm... and- and he'd said he trusted her. AGH! Ember shook her head, tossing her hair to feel it fall comfortingly upon her shoulders. Rian probably hadn't understood half of what she had been trying to get across, especially since he'd turned the conversation into a pep-talk immediately upon seeing her distress. Although... He'd said... OK, so she wasn't going to not accept, even though before in the room she'd made up her mind not to trust anything they said because it would all sound false. She sucked in another shuddering breath and backed off the emotional edge she'd been teetering on. This was dumb. Why did she so over dramatize such a little thing? So she wasn't Rian's only choice... that- that didn't really matter.
He'd taken her by the hand, looked her dead in the eye and told her without any hint of deception that she was the person he trusted most.
It wasn't fate, or Cassie, or the limited amount of long term fighters. It was her, and now she was sure of it. Mostly... Her stomach flopped, guilty at how she'd let it all build up like that. Ever since she'd found her way into the Animorphs she'd- she'd felt like a different person. Someone better than who she really was. And if anyone ever started doubting that... she was afraid that they'd be right... she'd revert to a shallow, bossy, soul less teenager who spent way too much time with her daddy's credit card. And she didn't want to be that way anymore. She wanted to fight for her friends, and help save the world, and prove... prove herself to Ri- to everyone. Her mouth quirked into a frown.
This was all too exhausting. She'd let it build up and now look what had happened. Her face was all splotchy and her thoughts kept contradicting. When she'd first met Matt and Jules this whole thing had seemed like a game, and now suddenly it had turned into her life! And everything just felt heavier, and a lot harder to deal with. It was a shame they couldn't recruit a therapist... But of course there was always the next best thing. Ember dragged her aching self off the chair and padded around the edge of the still steaming pool, silently regretting that she hadn't taken better advantage of Rian's attention on such a beautiful night. Right now though, she needed some alone time, and if the universe was merciful this whole episode would be forgotten by next morning.
Cecily:
Ray was right about one thing, at least: she didn't really have a choice. She could go back to wandering around trying not to get caught, or she could actually stand up and do something about it. She wasn't a fighter, necessarily. Oh, she liked to think that she was, but really she was just a girl who was good at kickball. Real fighting? That was something else entirely. She was too young to be in a war.
The thought nearly startled a nervous laugh out of her, but she suppressed it. This was supposed to be serious situation.
"Thanks for the whole freedom thing," she said. She said it as a throw-away comment, but she really meant it. She figured Ray would understand. These days, freedom mattered more than ever. "I'm going to do it, of course."
She held her hand half-way toward the box, then stopped. "What, exactly, am I supposed to be doing here?"
Ray:
Ray grinned sheepishly for assuming she already knew when he hadn't explained a thing. "Touch the box and get a tingling feeling." Ray said. "Once you've felt it then viola, you can morph. Nice and simple. After that, we proceed to get you some morphs. Fun stuff really. After you get the power, you can morph anything you can get your hands on long enough to 'aquire' it. There's some rules such as not being able to wear loose clothing and that you can't stay in morph for more than two hours at a time. Loose clothing will tear and staying in morph for more than two hours means you're trapped in that morph forever. Simple, simple, simple."
Ray silently thought about how once she touched the box , she was basically going to be an indentured soldier in this war until the day she died. He felt a pang of regret, but knew that in war, sacrifices had to be made to win it and maybe if there were enough sacrifices, no one would ever have to endure this again. Ray guessed it wasn't so simple after all...
Cecily:
Simple, Cecily thought. Right. She wiped her hand on her jeans even though it wasn't actually sweating. It was just a nervous habit she'd picked up somewhere along the way. "Okay," she said. No more stalling, she added silently, and put her hand on the cube.
Ray's description had been accurate. It did tingle, but that was it. She drew her hand back, expecting to feel something different. This was a big thing she was doing, after all. It seemed like it should matter a little more, but obviously not. "Oh," she said. "Well." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked up at Ray. "So where do we get the morphs from?"
Ray:
"You get the morphs from the majestic morphing fridge" Ray replied with a grin. No point in being totally serious anyway. There would be time for seriousness in battle. Ray went over to the fridge motioning to it as he approached. He hoped he remembered...yes he did. The lock popped off and he opened it up. "Choice time again. There's precious few so you get to choose two." he said and this time she actually DID have a few choices.
"You can aquire more after this, but it's hard to do since the yeerks did away with zoos." Ray explained. "You might get lucky and find something though. I got my moose and crow morphs out in a forrest in Vancouver." Ray looked forward to seeing what Cecily would bring to the battlefield.
Cecily:
Cecily nodded. It was why she had asked in the first place--animals were hard to come by, these days. Animals, and everything else. "A moose?" she said, in response to the other bit of information Ray had given her. "That's pretty cool." And it was. She'd done a report about moose in third grade. Her best friend had done one about lemmings. That had pretty much cemented how cool moose were for her.
She peered into the refrigerator, trying to figure out what would be useful. Something to fight with, of course, but what she really wanted was things to blend in. Sneaking around was what she was best at, at this point. As time went on, she could do more with brute force. "What about a dog?" she said, only half-directing the question at Ray. She liked the idea of a dog - it would be useful for biting things as well as mobility. "And some sort of bird would be good...pigeon, I suppose. There are still some of those so it won't be completely out of place."
She glanced at Ray to see what he thought.
Ray:
Ray chuckled. He couldn't help it. It was more out of suprise than anything. "Those were the two morphs I myself started with." Ray explained. "The dog's ears and sense of smell will work great for ground recon and it can move decently. I'm not sure what breed of dog that blood is, but hopefully it's something good. The one I got was a rott/shepherd mix. Big enough to take on coyotes and other animals, but not big enough that it's size slows it down."
"As for the pigeon, I'd definently recommend it and would probably pick it again if given the opportunity." Ray continued with an explaination for the bird. "Air recon is vital to our success and there really is nothing more thrilling than the experience of flight." Ray caught himself. With a nervous laugh he said "Sorry for the tangent, but those are both good starting morph choices. Very practical and the pigeon is flat out fun. To aquire, just open the vial and pour some into your hand and focus on it"
Cecily:
Cecily smiled. "Great minds, eh?" The details he'd given about the two morphs were generally ones she'd thought of, too. He'd put them pretty succinctly, though. She considered feeling nervous about acquiring the actual morphs, but really she was just excited. This was undeniably cool. "I don't suppose you know a whole lot about the science behind this?" she asked hopefully. She'd be happy trying to figure that out... Of course, that was not what she was here for.
Without waiting for an answer, she opened the first vial. She'd once gone to a science fair where she'd gotten to extract the DNA from a shark. This was probably the same sort of process. Once again, undeniably cool. She poured a little from the first vial - the pigeon (might as well start small, in case she screwed up) - into the palm of her hand. The liquid was cool against her skin. Pigeon, she thought. Hopefully that was what she was supposed to be doing. Maybe cement the image a little? She let her eyes flutter closed pictured a pigeon (she'd seen them enough on the street) with its mottled grey color and its creepy red eyes.
Eventually, she blinked her eyes open and looked back to Ray. "So," she said. "I assume that worked?"
Ray:
"It should have." Ray replied. "There's really only one way to find out...You can morph that now, or wait until you've tried aquiring the dog too before going on. Your choice again." He figured that when she morphed he'd probably morph with her. Putting her on the spot to do something wouldn't be a nice thing to do.
He thought fondly of how often he'd used these two morphs and smiled inside at her selections. They were awfully useful and you really couldn't go wrong with them. "As far as the science, we're not entirely sure ourselves on how this works." He continued. "The time to complete a morph is about two to three minutes, but apparently you can get better if you practice. I've been doing so and am on the verge of starting a regular training program for everyone. It sounds boring, but it gets results."
Cecily:
Cecily nodded, deciding to try the morph later. She was putting it off, but she figured she should at least start with familiar territory. If acquiring a morph could even be considered familiar at this moment. "Training sounds good," she said, in response to the further information that Ray had given her. Cecily was no stranger to practice, and in this case she definitely wanted some. Life or death? Yeah, a trial run would be good with that.
Cecily re-focused on the other vial. She unscrewed the cap and dribbled some of the contents on her hand. This time, she was ready for the feel of the liquid. She still felt like she was breaking lab protocol, dripping chemicals all over her skin. Going to ignore that little detail, she thought and closed her eyes. It seemed that she took less time acquiring the dog, but she couldn't tell for sure. She had a better idea of what to focus on, at least, which helped. When she was finished, she replaced the two vials in the refrigerator. "So...now I try it, huh?"