POV
Alex/ human
Alex adjusted their hood as they walked out of Able Sisters. Pulling out their list of 'not-chores,' they begin to look over it. Okay, what is something easier for this afternoon? They could start to feel the burn from their morning workout in their arms and shoulders. Plus, their leg was starting to ache again. Catching bugs looks easy. Pulling out their net, they started to head off.
It turned out that it was easy. Once they got the hang of it, it wasn't that hard. The difficult part was that there weren't that many bugs in the village area. Alex knew that they needed to go farther into the woods to find more. They noticed that there was a slight path cutting through the woods to the north, so that seemed as good a place as any to start.
'Woods' was a very loose description for the area they were walking in. The trees were scattered about and provided amble shade, but Alex had no fear of getting lost among them. They could plainly see another clearing through the trees up ahead. Alex meandered along, net hanging over their shoulder. They reached the edge of the smaller clearing and stopped.
It was a meadow. The tall grass competed with native flowers. Roses! Alex thought excitedly. They had never really been that much of a gardener, but they could at least recognize the pretty blooms. Wild roses! Alex smiled at the red, white and yellow flowers scattered among the tall grass. Alex took a few steps in, and a movement caught their eye among the flowers. Alex smiled and readied their net.
It wasn't long before Alex had quite a small collection growing. The number of insects in the meadow severely lowered, Alex headed through the meadow onto the continuing path. They hoped that it would lead them to more flowers and insects.
It wasn't long before they came to a fork in the path. One side looked like it was heading deeper into woods. Alex wasn't worried about being lost in the woods, but they remembered Mr. Nook's warning about wandering too far away from the village. I'll check the other side, just to get an idea of where it is headed.
Unfortunately, it led straight to a wide stream. The water was not fast moving, but Alex didn't think that they could just jump across. They fingered the vaulting pole hooked onto their belt. Blathers said to practice…But after the morning workout, they decided that they didn't want try anything else too physical. With a sigh, Alex headed back down the path, back toward the village.
Catching a few more insects along the way, they now headed in the direction of the beach. They followed the path back to the campsite, and walked along the shore. Alex checked their hood, careful to keep a respectful distance from the water. They did not want to invite trouble.
As Alex walked along the beach, they gathered any seashells that they could see. There are a lot out here. Sand dollars, giant clams, conch shells, and many others that they didn't even know the names for were scatted along the beach. Alex enjoyed the quite crunch and squeak of the sand as they walked. With the sound of crashing and ebbing waves, the ocean sounded like it was breathing. Alex took a deep breath of the salty air; goodness, they loved the ocean. They missed being out on the waves.
Alex walked around the bend in the shore, and came upon a cluster of palm trees. Unfortunately, Fauna happened to be sitting under them, eyes closed, leaning back against the tree. Alex swallowed nervously. They didn't want to disturbed her. It would be best if they gave her a wide berth. She didn't seem that comfortable around them yet, and they didn't want to scare her more then she already was of them. Alex scooted cautiously around her, counting on the waves to mask their sound.
It seemed that they had underestimated a deer's ability to hear however. As Alex was passing closest to her, her ears suddenly snapped in their direction and her eyes blinked open. Alex froze awkwardly. Fauna eyed them suspiciously. "What are you doing here?" She asked quietly.
"Gathering shells," Alex held one up as proof.
"No, what are you doing here. On the island." Fauna clarified. "They said that they wouldn't hurt us anymore. As long as we stayed on the island, and didn't cause any trouble, they would leave us alone. That was part of the Rules. So why are you here?"
"I'm not with Redd co., Fauna." Alex insisted. "I'm stuck here, same as you."
Fauna shook her head. "You are not the same as the rest of us." Even though Alex knew what she meant, it still hurt.
"Fauna? Fauna, are you okay?" Alex looked up as the cat hybrid from yesterday walked up to them. He glanced over at Alex. "Did they hurt you?" Alex felt a little miffed that he would assume that they had done something to hurt Fauna.
"No," Fauna sniffed. "They haven't." She looked up at him tearfully. "I haven't done anything, Raymond. I don't want to go back. I can't…just can't…"
He came up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Shhh, it's going to be okay, Fauna. No one is going to take you away. No one is going back." He shot Alex a pointed look. "No one is going back there. Ever." He turned back to Fauna. "Lucky was by the pond. He was asking about you. Why don't you go talk to him. He was worried."
"Hmmm, okay." Fauna wiped at her eyes. "See you later." She didn't look at Alex as she left.
"For the record, she started the conversation with me first," Alex said once she was far enough way. "I didn't do anything."
"Yet," Raymond added with a nod. Alex felt themselves getting annoyed again. They understood why the hybrids of the island were suspicious of them, but the comment still stung. They couldn't change the fact that they were human, any more than the hybrids could change the fact of what they were.
Well, apparently, Alex could change and not just be human, but Alex didn't want to.
"So, have you met everyone in our little village yet?" Raymond asked, apparently deciding to drop the topic.
"I think so," Alex started to count them off on their fingers. "Tom Nook, Isabelle, Blathers, Timmy, Tommy, Mabel, Sable, Lucky, Reneigh, Fauna, and Zucker. Is that everyone?"
"You're forgetting someone important…" Raymond said smugly, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Well, of course, you; Raymond." Alex gave a quick smile. Ha, heard Fauna call you that. Raymond must have seen what they were thinking, because he rolled his eyes. "Okay, now that is everyone."
"Close. Technically, they live outside of the village proper, but it's close enough." He started to walk along the beach. "Come on; I'll introduce you to our pilots."
He nonchalantly walked along the shore. Alex noticed with a small amount of envy that he walked with a causal, easy grace. Also, they couldn't see it yesterday, but the glass on the left side of his glasses was broken. Why hasn't he fixed it? Alex wondered. As they walked along in silence, Alex continued to gather the shells and bits of coral on the beach.
"You going to pick up each one?" Raymond asked after they had picked up their third sand dollar.
"Yup, probably," Alex replied. "I like them. Besides, the twins said that they buy almost anything."
"That they do," Raymond agreed. He continued to walk on. "I was just checking to see if I need to adjust how long it will take us to get there."
Alex rolled their eyes, but picked up the pace.
Once they rounded a bend, Alex caught sight of a wooden structure over the water, with a green sea plane close by. Raymond led the way confidently out onto the dock area and inside.
Alex had not been in that many airports, but the inside of this one was about what Alex expected. The white walls gave it a clean feeling, which helped to hide the dreary office feeling of the waiting area. There were eight chairs in the waiting area, with a scattering of plants in the corners. Towards the back of the room was a gate that blocked off the back of the building, with a large desk to the right of it. Sitting at the desk was a young man reading a magazine, but he looked up when Raymond and Alex stepped inside.
"Hey, hey, hey! I thought you had forgotten about us!" The young man put his magazine away. He was skinny, but it was party hidden under his white button-down shirt and red tie. He had an easygoing nature about him, as his eager smile showed. He had bright blue hair and eyebrows, with a bandage across his nose. What stood out about him though, was that he had white wings on his back. They didn't look large enough to be used in flight however. He flicked a switch on the microphone attached to his headset. "Hey, Wilbur. Get out here, They're here!" He leaned forward on his arms, swiveling slightly back and forth in his chair. "I'm Orville, by the way. So. You owned a sailboat, huh? That had to be something."
"It was." Alex smiled back at him, coming up to the desk. Raymond leaned an elbow on the desk, and pulling a pencil from the cup on the counter, begin to spin it through his fingers. "I hope I get it back. Eventually."
"Well…" Wilbur looked slightly embarrassed; his large, open gray eyes revealing how much stock he put in that hope. "You never know. You might. Someday." Alex heard the sound of footsteps in the hallway. "Hey," Orville said, and Alex could hear the gratitude in his tone. "This is my bro, Wilbur."
Alex turned to look at him, and their mouth almost dropped in shock. While Orville was skinny almost to the point of scrawny, Wilbur was buff. Not even his matching uniform could hide that fact. He looked more of the rugged, adventuring type; the type of person you would want with you if, for example, you got stranded on a desert island. His adventurer look was enhanced by large, dark glasses that concealed his eyes, and a blue light stubble beard that matched his hair color. The only thing that slightly ruined the whole gritty, masculine look was the matching pair of white wings that stood out over his shoulders. Except while Orville's made him look like the world's most awkward cupid, Wilbur looked like some kind of avenging angel. "Sup," he said simply, in a deep voice, leaning against the doorframe, hands in pockets.
"Hi. I'm Alex." Alex tried to recover quickly. Don't stare, don't stare, don't stare. "So you two are the pilots?"
Wilbur gave a snort of amusement, and Orville gave a slightly embarrassed smile. "No, Wilbur is the main pilot. I can fly," but he said it with such little confidence that it made Alex question if he really could, "but I handle air traffic control. And customer service."
"He can always fly more if he wants too," Wilbur injected. "Just saying."
Orville turned to him, and Alex got the picture that this was a repeated conversation. "We only have one plane. What if I crash it?"
"You're not going to crash it."
"You're right, I won't. As long as I don't fly it." Orville turned back around with the air of someone who has won the argument. Alex didn't have to see Wilbur's eyes to know that he was rolling them under those glasses.
"So…" Alex started awkwardly. "Don't answer if this is rude..." They saw Raymond turn and raise an eyebrow at them. "But if you can fly away, what makes you come back? It seems like you would want to stay away from here."
A more somber attitude came into Orville's eyes and posture. "Where would we go?" He asked simply. "Every island in the area is just as deserted as this one. At least here, we have our friends."
"Besides, our supply of gasoline is closely monitored," Wilbur added. "We simply can't fly too far without the risk of running out. It's hard enough convincing…Them…that we need replacement parts." No one had to ask who he was referring too.
"Why do They even let you have a plane then?"
"Why do they let us live at all?" Wilbur retorted. "I think they want to see how we live and act. They aren't finished with us yet."
Orville tuned back to him. "Mr. Nook said that he has checked the whole island; there's no cameras watching us. And Blathers checked us, we don't have trackers."
Wilbur shrugged. "None that they have found," he simply said ominously.
Alex didn't like the oppressed feeling that seemed to hang in the air now. It left like a guillotine or an ax waiting to fall. "So," Alex forced a more chirper tone into their voice, "do you two offer getaway tours or something?"
"Sorta," Orville smiled again. "We are your gateway to the skies. Although mainly our excursions are used to gather resources from neighboring islands. Mr. Nook is a little worried about drying up the natural resources of the island, and Blathers was going on at one point about over-burdening the local ecosystems. So we can take you up to some of the surrounding islands to gather supplies. Just clear it with Mr. Nook first. Like he said," he jerked his head at Wilbur. "Our supply of fuel is limited."
"Great. I'll be sure to do that."
"Sure thing. Whenever you need to travel just think, 'what would dodos' do?'"
Alex blinked in surprise. "You are a dodo? Like the bird?"
"Yep, sure are." He leaned forward on the desk, showing off more of his wings.
"But aren't those extinct? How is that even possible?" Alex sputtered in protest.
"Redd co." Orville said it in a manner that suggested that that was explanation enough. "Who knows where they got ahold of dodo DNA."
"Where do they get ahold of half the stuff they do?" Raymond muttered from where he leaned against the counter. Orville just shrugged.
"So what have you been up to?" Orville asked.
Alex shrugged. "You probably know the drill. Catching bees and chopping tress; living the island dream." Alex heard Wilbur snort in amusement from the doorway. "Speaking of, I guess I should bring the bugs I caught to Blathers."
Raymond paused slightly in the act of spinning the pencil, and glanced up at them. "You turned in any bugs to Blathers yet?" He asked a bit too causally.
"No." Alex narrowed their eyes at him. "Why?"
"No reason," he said innocently.
"Hmmm, well, I guess I will be going then," Alex shot another look at Raymond. "Bye Orville, Wilbur. I'll be seeing you."
"See you later!"
"Don't be a stranger."
I'm going to swing by Nook's Cranny to drop off my shells. And I'll ask Timmy what the deal it with Blathers and bugs. Alex headed back up the beach in the direction of the village.
"Hey, Welcome to Nook's Cranny, Alex," greeted Timmy. Tommy turned and smiled at them. "What brings you in today?"
"Selling seashells from the sea shore. You buying?"
"Sure." Timmy retorted, and Tommy gave a short snort. "Which ones and how many?" Alex handed them over. "Wow, you have a lot. But that is to be expected from the storm the other day. I guess you never made it out there yesterday to gather them up?" He directed the last question to Tommy, who shook his head and shrugged. "Oh, well, finders keepers. I can offer 1,970 bells for all these."
"You got a deal." Alex pocketed their bells. They pointed to the conch. "That type is my favorite."
"Why?"
"They are the secret keepers of the ocean. And if you hold them up to your ear, you can hear the ocean trying to whisper its secrets to you," Alex said mysteriously.
"That's not the real reason why you can hear the ocean in the shells," Timmy giggled. Tommy snickered too, but he picked up one of the shells and held it up to one of his tanuki ears.
"Oh really? Okay, Smarty Pants, what's the real reason?" Alex teased playfully.
"I don't know, but I can ask Blathers. He would know." Timmy said confidently.
"I'm sure he would." Alex agreed. "But that reminds me, is there something I should know about Blathers and bugs?"
"Not really, except that he is terrified of them. He has… en…en-something." He turned and looked at Tommy.
An intense look of concentration came into Tommy's eyes. "Ent…a…mo…fo…be…a," he mangled out.
Timmy nodded. "You're right. It's entomophobia."
"But why?"
"Don't know." Tommy held out the shell to him, so he placed it against his own ear. He giggled. "The ocean is speaking to me."
"What's it saying?" Alex leaned against the counter.
"It says that while Blathers appreciates the bugs, you should be fishing instead. Particularly with someone who knows the best fishing spots…" Timmy intoned ominously.
Alex fought the smile and nodded seriously. "The ocean has great wisdom. But where would I find such a person?"
"Hmmm, shhhh, I'm trying to listen." Timmy closed his eyes. "It says that you should find them easily, if you look beyond the end of your nose."
Alex smiled at them. "Aww, I would love to go fishing with you both some time. Do you want to go later today?"
Timmy and Tommy both shook their head. "No, we don't have time today. Maybe tomorrow?" They both looked at up at Alex hopefully.
"Sure thing. Sounds like fun" Alex thrummed their hands against the counter in a rhythm. "Well, I'm off to see Blathers. See you tomorrow, if I don't see you anymore day."
"Thanks for stopping by!"
"…Bye!" Tommy echoed his brother. Alex waved their goodbye and headed out.
They looked around the museum as they entered. They hadn't really paid attention the last two times they were here. The lobby area was bright and open, with what looked like four separate entrances to the main wings to the museum. The only one Alex had been down so far was the one on the left that lead to the Bugs Exhibit. But judging by the plagues above the other three doors, it looked like fish and fossils and…art? Alex wasn't sure what that last one was. Leaning against the railing was Blathers, fast asleep standing up. He was balanced on his feet, leaning back against the rail, arms crossed and head bent to his chest. Wow, wish I could do that. Alex observed as they got closer, footsteps echoing in the open space. I would wake up with the worst neck cramp if I tried that.
Alex observed him as they got closer. Because he was asleep, Alex was less afraid of being caught. They could see the feathers sticking out faintly from the cuffs of his sleeves and the small ones embedded in his hairline and around his ears. Stepping cautiously around, Alex leaned over the rail, and haft-turned to look at his back. He doesn't have wings, but the dodo brothers did. I wonder why. Alex leaned back and stepped back around. He has a bandage on his nose same as them though. Is it a bird thing or a wearing-glasses thing? Alex rubbed at their lip as they thought. They decided that they probably shouldn't be caught just standing around in the lobby. They hesitantly reached out, and poked Blathers in the shoulder. "Um, Blathers? I have something for you."
"Whooo….WHO!" Alex jumped almost as much as Blathers did when he finally woke up.
"Sorry!" Alex hurriedly apologized. "Should I have let you sleep and come back later?"
"No, no, I'm the one too apologize." Blathers coughed embarrassedly and straightened his bowtie. "I always wake up with a little bit of a start. Anyway, what brings yoou to the museum?" His glance flickered down to their leg.
"No, no, it's fine." Alex answered the unasked question. "Actually, I have a few donations for the museum."
"Really?" Blather's eyes lit up behind his spectacles. "Splendid. It is refreshing to see tooday's youth taking an interest in nature. What have yoou brought in too show me?"
"Ummm," Alex wasn't sure how to bring it up. "This." Alex simply pulled out the first bug that they got ahold of from their pockets and held it out to him.
"Marvelous! Thank yoou," he took it from them and opened the lid—
And instantly shut it again. His eyes had grown as big as saucers behind the lens. He swallowed visibility. "For this…delightful…creature," he managed to say, finishing his sentence.
"Blathers, are you alright?" Alex asked in alarm.
"Yes, yes, I am," he cleared his throat and pulled at his bow tie. "Alas, I feel obliged too ask, would you like to learn more about this specimen?"
"You don't have to, Blathers," Alex said hurriedly.
"No, no," Blathers shook his head. "Can't let personal feelings get in the way of a young scholar's pursuit of knowledge." He adjusted his spectacles. "So do you want too learn more about it?"
Alex could see that Blathers was clearly torn. He obviously didn't like the specimen he was holding, but it was clear that he enjoyed at least sharing information about nature.
"Um, sure," Alex said finally.
Blathers sighed. "Ah, okay. Well, most assume that moths are nocturnal, that they only come out at night…" Alex listened as Blathers carried on. He really does live up to his name. As much as he apparently hates bugs, he sure does have a lot to say about them. Blather's finished his lecture with a shudder. "They give me goosebumps. And I'm no goose," he added as an afterthought.
Alex perked up at that. "Say Blathers, I had a question about that. Why don't you have wings like the dodo brothers?"
Rather than being insulted, Blathers just nodded and looked thoughtful. "An insightful query, young Alex. I'm afraid the answer is an unsatisfactory and unoriginal, 'I don't know.' The Serum unravels our DNA too be yielded too a different organism's DNA, but how it in particular bonds together?" He shook his head. "It does vary from person too person, and the doctors (and I have a hard time calling someone with such a haphazard approach too science a doctor, mind you) employed by Redd co. seem too believe firmly in Thomas Edison's philosophy of 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." He handed the moth back to Alex. "Did yoou have anything else too donate?"
"Yes, quite a lot actually."
"Wonderful. Um, would yoou mind helping me bring them too the back too get them labeled?"
"Sure thing." Alex helped him carry them to the laboratory section of the Bug's Exhibit. As Blathers chatted on, Alex looked around the Lab. Previously, they had always been slightly preoccupied when they had come in here before. Once thing in particular that stood out was a photo sitting on display on one of the shelves. They picked it up so they could look at it closer.
The man in the photo had to be Blathers. He didn't have the owl features in the photo and he looked several years younger, but they could still tell it was him. He was wearing doctoral graduation robes, and he was proudly holding a diploma. What caught their attention though, was the young lady in the photo. She had her arms proudly wrapped around Blather's waist, a delighted smile on her face. You could tell she was beaming with pride and adoration in the photo. She was smiling enthusiastically for the camera.
"That's from when I got my P.H.D. in paleontology." Blathers said behind them.
"Congratulations," Alex smiled over their shoulder at him.
He shrugged and rolled his eyes slightly. "I guess it really doesn't matter now. It seemed so important back then." He sighed. "I should have been more focused on the more important things in life," he said quietly, looking at the photo with a sad longing.
Alex turned back to the photo. "Who's the girl?"
"Celeste; my little sister. She was so proud for me."
Alex looked again at her. You could see the pride and happiness in her dark, deep brown eyes. She was wearing a red sweater in the photo with a pink and white diamond pattern down the front. She had a large, pink bow tied back in her brown hair. "She is very pretty."
"Yes, she was—I mean is," Blathers corrected himself.
Alex felt a deep sadness swell up within them. Alex was so caught up in what was happing to them, that they had forgotten that everyone had lived before coming here. Alex was like them in that. They had lives; hopes, dreams, ambitions, friends, family. And they had been ripped right out of that life and had lost it all, in addition to being changed. But Mr. Nook was right; at least I know I am still me.
Alex respectfully put the photo back. "You can tell she loves you a lot."
"Yes," Blather's voice was slightly choked, "She did." He took off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. He cleared his throat. "So, about the specimens yoou gave me, I will have them in a proper exhibit in no time. I will do my best to give each one the best care."
"Sure thing, Blathers. Thank you."
"No, dear Alex, thank yoou."
POV
Raymond/ cat
Raymond watched the human walk out of the airport, absently spinning the pencil in his fingers. He finally turned to put it away, and noticed that both Wilbur and Orville were staring at him. "What?"
"Okay, what was that about?" Elbow on the desk, Orville asked, cupping his face in his palm.
"What do you mean?"
"You barely said anything during the conversation. And the way you keep looking at them; it's like you expected them to suddenly attack or something."
Raymond shrugged moodily. "I just like to watch and observe newcomers, is all."
"There is watching and then there is scrutinizing." Orville put in. "You are almost hostile to them in your mannerism. What about them bothers you?"
"Nothing, they are just different."
"No, they are normal; we are different," Wilbur corrected. Raymond saw a skeptical blue eyebrow rise above his sunglasses. "That wouldn't be the reason you don't like them, is it? The fact that they are…pure…human, and you're not."
Raymond felt the fur on this shoulders rise in response to his anger. "No," he spat. "That's not it. I just don't think we should be ready to trust the first 'pure' human that has ever come to this island with open arms. Why are they here? Why now? Apparently, I am the only one who finds this suspicious."
Wilbur shrugged. "Well, if they are telling the truth—and I don't see a good reason why they would lie about it—then there is not much they can do about it. They just as stuck as we are. And it seems like they are trying to adjust to fit in."
Raymond rolled his eyes. "They'll never fit in. Not while they are like that."
Orville frowned at Raymond. "They are trying though. They are doing the best they can. What do you want them to do, just turn themselves in to Redd co?" When Raymond didn't answer right away, Orville glared at him. "Raymond, you know what would happen to them. Do you really want that?"
Raymond sighed and leaned back against the counter. "No. I'm not cruel. It's just…the island isn't that small. Why do they have to live here…with us?"
Wilbur shrugged again. "Not my decision." He stood up. "Well, I got things to do. Catch you Lima Alfa Tango Echo Romeo." He headed back to work on the plane.
Raymond pushed off the counter. "Guess I better go too."
"Don't be a stranger. And, Raymond," Orville gave a soft smile, "do be patient. They really are trying. They can't help that they are only human."
Raymond snorted and headed out. He headed in the direction of the pond. Maybe Lucky will listen. He and Reneigh both have sense.
Lucky was still by the pond, with Fauna and Reneigh keeping him company. Zucker had joined them now though. He sat by the edge of the pond, legs spread out in front of him.
"Hello, Ray, how's it going?" Lucky called as soon as he was close enough.
Raymond sat down, keeping a safe distance form Zucker. "Can't complain. So," he glanced around at all of them. "What do you think of the new…friend," he said the word with distaste.
"I like them," Zucker laid down in the grass, arms out to either side. "They are nice." He smiled dreamily up at the sky.
Coming from you, that's not saying too much. Raymond turned back to Lucky, "Well?"
Lucky shrugged, trying not to dislodge his leg too much. "Seems nice enough. They are serious about trying to pay off the debt. You can tell they are curious about us, but they don't pry. Overall, they seem pretty relaxed." Reneigh nodded in agreement, but Fauna was silent, knees pulled up to her chin, thinking.
"So you are all okay with them being here in the village with us?"
Lucky shifted his cast. "Not really much of a choice. Nook is already building a house for them, and you know how he gets about redoing construction. Besides, they seem harmless enough, Raymond."
"'Seeming harmless' and 'being harmless' are two different things," Raymond muttered.
Reneigh sat up a little straighter. "What's got your dander up about them? They haven't done anything to you."
"So, we just supposed to wait around until they do something?" Raymond crossed his arms and shook his head.
"What exactly do you think that they are going to do?"
"I don't know, spy on us, or something."
Lucky shook his head, in disagreement. "We are on an island; an island that is not that big. That's what Gulliver and the other robots are for. What good would a regular human do for that?"
"I don't know, get up close and personal with us."
"That's why the Redd co. hybrids are sent here. They interact with us, and you know they go back and report on us." Lucky shook his head. "There isn't a good reason for Redd co. to send just a normal human here."
"So that's it?" Raymond made eye contact with each of them. "You are all okay with just sitting around, waiting for the human to do something?"
"Ya, pretty much," Lucky agreed. "I think you are jumping at shadows. I would expect something like that from Fauna (no offense), but you have been here long enough that I don't know why you are so uneasy about them."
"Fine, then," Raymond snapped and stomped off, ignoring their protests. No one gets it. They are content to just wait and see comes what may. He sat in the shade of a tree, moodily picking at the grass. Humans are dangerous.
He head someone come up beside him, but he only looked up when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. It was Fauna kneeling next to him. "I think you are right," she said timidly. "They shouldn't be here."
Raymond nodded in agreement. "So come on then." He stood up and brushed off.
"Where are we going?" She hurriedly followed after him.
"We are going to go talk to Nook." Nook might not listen to just me, but if it is both of us, he might listen then.
()-()
Isabelle sat at her desk, making notes in her log. She was trying to focus, but her mind kept wandering. I wonder how Alex is doing? I hope they are doing alright. Isabelle looked up as Raymond and Fauna entered Resident Services. "Hello, you two. What's up?"
Fauna glanced over at Raymond and he jerked his head in a quick nod. She drew herself up to her full height, a determined look in her eyes. "We have a complaint about a villager." Fauna said formally.
Isabell had a sinking feeling that she knew where this was going, but kept her tone civil. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Who is it about?" She asked, coming over to the counter.
"Alex." Isabelle head Mr. Nook stop typing at his computer. She folded her hands on the counter. "Really? What about?"
"We don't want them staying in the village."
"Well, that is a shame, because their house is almost complete," Mr. Nook said mildly from where he sat. He turned and faced them. "Do you plan on paying the moving fees?"
"Come on, To—Mr. Nook, you could just send them away." Raymond said. "You have done that before."
Mr. Nook nodded. "Yes, yes. You're right. But I won't." He said it quietly, but firmly.
"Do…do they have to stay in the village?" Fauna asked meekly.
Isabelle stiffened, but Mr. Nook answered before she could say anything. "Have they hurt or threatened harm to you or someone else in the village?"
"Well, no, but—"
"Then, they haven't caused any trouble, Fauna. You know better than that; we don't turn people away just because we don't like their species. Each individual is judged by their own character, not by stereotypes of their kind."
"But they are human! They could be working with Them!"
"Is their species the only reason you are suspicious of them? Would you be just as accusatory if they were say a dog, or a cat, or a deer?" Fauna looked down. "Hm, I thought so. They have just as much right to be here as you do, Fauna. If they turn out to be working with Redd co., we will deal with it then."
"Besides," Isabelle added, "They are just a human, Fauna. They can't hurt you. They don't have claws or teeth or talons. They aren't predators after all."
"Yes," Raymond said darkly. "They are. Humans are the apex predators."
Isabelle glanced worriedly at Raymond. She knew how much he had suffered at the hands of humans. She remembered how he was when he first came to them; a bundle of frazzled nerves, scared to death of everyone and everything. "Not all humans are like that, Raymond. You should know that; you were human."
"Yes, once upon a time," Raymond said bitterly. "Let me ask this, how many good humans have you met in all the time you have been on this island?"
Isabelle sighed. "Raymond, that's not fair—"
Raymond gave a harsh laugh. "Life's not fair. We," he gestured to himself, "are living examples of that fact."
"Alright, Raymond, I have a proposition for you," Mr. Nook said seriously from where he sat. "If you are so sure that they are up to something, you keep an eye on them. Follow them, watch them, observe them. If you see something that warrants suspicion—and I do mean something that is actual proof—then I will deal with them." Isabelle turned to him, ready to protest, but Mr. Nook held up a hand, stopping her. "However, if you don't find anything, you are going to have to keep your suspicions to yourself. Agreed?"
Raymond narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I'll watch them alright. If they are up to something, you can bet I'll find out."
Isabelle watched Raymond storm out, with Fauna trailing after. "Well, that was expected at least." Tom muttered as he stretched. "It went as well as I could have hoped for."
"Do you think that was a good idea, Tom?" Isabelle gnawed at her lip nervously. "About Raymond keeping an eye on them?"
"Yes, why?"
"Do…do you think he would…hurt them?"
"Raymond? Absolutely not." Tom said firmly. "Raymond may be sulky and moody at times, but he does have a level head on his shoulders. Unlike some I can name. I would trust him around them. Plus," he said with a shrug, "this is good for Alex as well."
A slow smile spread over Isabelle's face. "You wanted Raymond to watch them. You are worried about them."
"Of course." Tom shot a look at her, "With Alex's physical disadvantages, it makes me nervous to see them running out and about. But with Raymond by their side, he won't let anything bad happen to them. If Alex runs into trouble, Raymond has a good chance of defending them. And I do think he will. He has kind heart, however deep it is buried under all that cynicism and sarcasm." He frowned. "Raymond is right about one thing. How often do we find good humans? This might be the only one we have for a very, very long time."
Isabelle hesitated, feeling guilty for even asking the question. "And...and what if they turn out be working with…Them?"
Tom became very still. "Then," and Isabelle did not like the look in his eyes, "they will deal with me."
POV
Raymond/ cat
A little under a year ago
Raymond glanced up in the mirror of the bathroom as he dried his hands. He looked tired. Dang, he felt tired. He had spent every spare minute at work over the past few weeks digging through the records, trying to find out exactly what the Project was. None of it made any sense. The only thing he knew for sure was that it was some type of medical, genetic-testing thing.
Oh, and it was illegal. Anything buried under that much data and encryption had to be. He shook his head. I should go to the police about this. Or the press. Not just the board of directors anymore. He slid his fingers under his glasses and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. I'll organize all of the information I have, and then I'll turn it in. Get it together so that they can—
"Raymond!" The door to the bathroom slammed open, revealing Mr. Hawkins standing there, looking slightly frazzled. "What did you do?!"
Raymond gave him a puzzled frown. "Um, did my business. Do you always ask people what they do in the bathroom?"
"No!" He went over and grabbed his arm. "Did you dig into…that thing…after I told you not to?" He hissed.
"Ummmm…."
"Raymond! Security is looking for you. The black guards."
Raymond went stiff. There was the regular security with their white and blue uniforms, who would yell about having your I.D. at all times, but that was about it. Then there were the security from the deeper, medical side of the company. Because Raymond was in the finance department, he didn't see them too often. He knew that they meant businesses though. He wasn't sure entirely what went down in the medical side, but they looked intense. He could tell that they were wearing protection under their security uniforms, and they always kept their faces covered by face masks.
"Here," Mr. Hawkins snapped off Raymond's I.D. from his shirt. "Take my I.D.," Mr. Hawkins slipped his into Raymond's hand. "Use mine. I don't know if yours will unlock the doors anymore."
"But we don't look anything alike!"
"Walk like you have someplace to be right now. Don't stop and don't look scared. Carry the I.D. in your hand like you are in a hurry, but don't run. Get out of the building and don't come back."
"But you were right, the Project is—"
"I don't want to know!" Mr. Hawkins exploded. "I told you to stay out of it. Now you are in trouble with the Company. I like you, Raymond; you are a good kid, always have been. But you have pushed it too far. I am giving you a chance to get out, so take it." Mr. Hawkins shoved him toward the door. "Go now. Don't go back to your cubicle. They are waiting there."
"But," Raymond paused, and turned to look back at him. "Thank you, Sir. You were right; there is something wrong with this company." And with that, Raymond headed out.
He walked with purpose, his eyes looking straight ahead like he knew where he was going. He resisted the urge to look around; it would seem suspicious. He passed all the neat rows of cubicles, heading for the elevators to bring him down to the lobby. He was much more aware though of all the cameras in the rooms and hallways though. Maybe I should take the stairs? But he was on the eighth floor and no one took the stairs from this level.
There was a separate set of stairs that went to down the payroll level though. He could get down a few flights that way, and then cut over. He turned sharply and headed in that direction. He slid the I.D. into door keypad, and with a click it unlocked. For the first time, it occurred to Raymond that Mr. Hawkins might get in trouble for this. I did use his password. And this is his I.D. Raymond didn't like how his team leader was turning a blind eye on the whole situation, but he didn't want him to get into the same trouble as he was in. I guess he could always claim I stole them without his knowledge. He turned a corner—
And without missing a beat, turned back around and headed the other direction. There were two black guards heading his way. "Hey, you, stop!" one of them called. Raymond pretended to not hear and kept his purposeful stride. Maybe I should pull the fire alarm? But that would slow me down too, and with the all the cameras, I think it would make it easier to find me in the crowded hallways.
"I said 'stop'!" He could hear them running up behind him.
He kept walking to the door at the end of the hallway, resisting the urge to run. He felt a gloved hand grab his shoulder. He turned and glared at the guard. "What is it, gentlemen? I don't have time for this," he growled.
"We are looking for—"
Raymond flashed the I.D., careful to keep his fingers over the photo of Mr. Hawkins. "Mr. Hawkins. Auditor. Level 4 clearance. And about to be late to a conference. So if you excuse me…" Raymond tried to jerk his shoulder away.
The second guard pulled out a scanner. "Hand it over. Sir."
Raymond was starting to panic internally, but he gave a long-suffering sigh and slapped the I.D. in the other's palm facedown. The guard inserted it into the scanner, and with a quiet beep, Raymond saw the little light at the top flash green. The guard pulled it out and held it out to him. "My apologies, Mr. Hawkins, I…"
Raymond knew exactly why the other was pausing. The guard was finally noticing that the photo on the I.D. and the man standing in front of him did not remotely resemble one another. Raymond snatched the badge and, with a hard jerk, twisted his should free. He bolted down the hallway.
The two guards were hard on his heels, but adrenaline is a wonderful friend to have in an emergency. He needed to get far enough ahead to have time to scan the badge in the door however.
Suddenly, he was slammed into from a side corridor. The black guard tackled him to the ground. Raymond tried to buck and twist himself free, but the guard was dedicated. And after a few seconds his buddies had caught up and it was all over.
Some of the other Redd co. employees stuck their heads out of their doors at the commotion, but as soon as they saw the black guards they returned to whatever business they decided they needed to be doing instead. No one interfered as Raymond was dragged through the doors, and down the back hallways. Instead of going down and out, he was dragged to the top level.
Where the head offices were located. Where Mr. Redd's office was located.
The guards marched him in and thrust him in the chair facing the desk. Raymond glared at them as the guards exited the room, leaving him alone. He turned back around and noticed that the large, leather chair behind the desk was facing away from him, towards the large windows. With an almost dramatic spin, the chair slowly spun around to reveal Mr. Redd, President and CEO of Redd Company and Corporation.
"My apologies, Raymond—may I use your first name?" He continued before Raymond could give his answer. "My apologies for the unpleasant nature of our meeting like this. It has come to my attention that you have been looking into matters that you do not have the proper clearance for." He raised an eyebrow, "Do you know what that kind of behavior is called?"
"I don't know, 'being proactive'?" Raymond snapped back. In his experience, the best defense was a good offensive.
Mr. Redd chuckled lightly. "'Sneaking around' is much more common but in this case you aren't wrong." He gave a deep sigh. "It seems you weren't the only one operating without the proper clearance. It appears someone has been using my name to approve certain actions. How else would it appear on documents without my knowledge?"
Okay, I did not see this coming. Raymond's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you trying to tell me that someone has been using your authority and authorization without your consent?"
Mr. Redd shrugged, and Raymond could see the sadness in his eyes. "Betrayal is an action that can only be accomplished by a friend. But I am going to get to the bottom of this. You have been looking into what is called the 'Project' right? Tell me what you know."
Raymond opened his mouth to answer, but then he hesitated. There were warning bells going off in his head, telling him to not trust Mr. Redd. Sure, he seemed sincere enough, but something about this situation was not sitting well with him. "Not that much, Sir," Raymond said instead. "It looks like it is a secret medical-testing operation. I was just looking into where the money was going, not so much what they were doing."
"And what are they doing?" Mr. Redd leaned forward, fingers laced together.
Raymond shrugged, trying to buy time to think. "I'm not really sure, Sir. Again, I was following the money trail. By my calculations, the company has lost several million dollars to it."
"And why do you think that is?" Mr. Redd asked again. "What could they possibly be using it for?"
That gave Raymond a pause. He doesn't care about the money. He wants to know what I know. "I think they are just using it as a front," Raymond lied.
"Hhmmmmm," Mr. Redd placed his head in his hand. "So you think the whole Project is just a fake? That there is no actual place or people involved; it is just made up facts and figures?"
"Of course, Sir." Raymond nodded with conviction. "I think all the data is faked. There is no way that information is real. It's too bizarre. I think they are using it to steal from the company. It would have to be someone like your assistant, Mr. Lyle." Raymond was making this up as he went. It is best to shift the blame; give him someone else to go after. "Unless you have multiple people who have access to your authority like this. He is the person who could oversee something like this the easiest."
"Interesting theory," Mr. Redd said conversationally. "Have you told anyone else about this?"
Raymond's mind flashed to Mr. Hawkins. "No, Sir. I wanted to be sure before I spread company secrets."
Mr. Redd nodded. "Your discretion is appreciated." He chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair, and even though he looked relaxed, Raymond had the distinct impression that he was about to pounce. Raymond tried to ignore the cold sweat that was starting to break out on his skin. "I have worked with people a long time, Raymond. Even when the Company was just a dream, my business was people. Understanding them, trying to find what makes them tick, how to get them to buy or sale—that was what I did on a daily basis. After you do that for a while, you can start to read people really well.
"So I can tell you are lying to me." He held up a hand to stop Raymond's protest, "Oh, you might not know everything, but you know more then you are telling me. You know enough." He looked over Raymond's head to behind him. "You know what to do."
Before Raymond could react, a moist rag was pressed over his mouth and nose, while an arm secured his shoulders. Raymond jerked in the chair, but he couldn't get the leverage he needed to get free. The thick, sickly sweet smell begin to cloud his senses, and the last thing he saw before he passed out was Mr. Redd smiling at him.
Raymond woke up groggily. He tried to move, but something was holding him down. He opened his eyes to see that the world was blurry. He couldn't feel his glasses, so that wasn't a surprise. He glanced down to see what was restraining him, and saw that he was practically naked. Sucker devices and other sensors were attached to various sections of his chest and head. He noticed that he was strapped down in what felt like a dentist's chair. I never liked the dentist, the thought woozily entered his head. He heard two, maybe three, voices talking around him. Some type of medical personal in a white lab coat came into Raymond's blurry field of vision to lean over him to check something, and he happened to glance up at his face. The medic's eyes widened. "Oh, you woke up." He removed the surgical mask from the lower part of his face. "Hey, Dr. Shrunk," he called to someone behind Raymond. "He woke up!"
"Well, that's a bummer," someone responded, "for him." Another person—Dr. Shrunk, apparently—rolled his chair over to look at Raymond. Raymond couldn't make out a lot of the blurry details, but he could tell that he had crazy red hair. "We are behind schedule as it is. We don't' have time to knock him out again." He glanced behind Raymond to someone he couldn't see. "Go find a clean rag or something. I don't want him to break his teeth."
The first medic opened a chart. "Mr. Redd specifically requested that his mind stay intact..."
Dr. Shrunk rolled his shoulders. "He won't be awake long." He gave Raymond a sad smile. "The human mind has an automatic shut off feature when the pain gets too intense." He patted Raymond's cheek. "I know it will feel much longer to you, but it will only last two minutes or less. You won't have brain damage from something that short. Probably." He glanced at the other medic. "Did you finish prepping him?"
"Just finished."
"Wait, hang on." Raymond struggled with his bonds, now that he was becoming more awake. "What's happening? What's going to happen?"
"They always get so vocal when they wake up." Dr. Shrunk sighed. "It really is a shame you woke up." He said, addressing Raymond. "I don't have time to explain it all to you, and I don't really want to anyway." He shot a glare at the medic. "Where is Joe? How hard is it to find some type of gag?"
"Whoa, I didn't sign up for this! This is illegal! You can't do this!" Panic was starting to creep into Raymond's voice.
"Found it, Sir." The missing medic's voice chimed in behind Raymond's head.
"About time. Hold it in his mouth." He turned away to get something off the counter to the side.
"Wait, please—" Raymond's protests were cut off as the twisted rag was pulled between his teeth, with the second medic holding the edges firmly to keep him from spitting it out.
Dr. Shrunk turned back around and flicked on an overhead light. He glanced at the medic that came up on the other side. "Did you get everything ready?" He asked as he pulled on some latex gloves.
"Yes, Sir." He flipped open a chart. "I have the Felis catus DNA solution already in stasis and it's ready to go."
"Good, let's get this over with then." He pulled on his surgical mask and picked up a syringe filled with a pale blue liquid. He pushed Raymond's head up and to the right, exposing his jugular vein. He paused though, syringe at the ready. "For the record, I am sorry," he said softy, as Raymond stared at him in terror. "I will speak to Mr. Lyle about making sure victims stay unconscious. At least the gag will muffle your screams." And with that, he emptied the contents into Raymond.
The medic holding the gag chuckled. "Ten bucks says he'll start screaming before a minute passes."
"Please," the medic holding the chart rolled his eyes. "He's a number cruncher. Bet he doesn't make it past 30 seconds."
Raymond jerked hard against the restraints as the solution burned through his veins straight toward his heart. His heart pumped it first to his lunges and then pumped its burning tendrils to every part of his body. Like some kind of poisonous tree, he could feel it sending painful roots down and spreading up through his chest. Turned out the second medic would get his ten dollars. Thankfully, Dr. Shrunk was also right, but Raymond didn't make it close to the two minute mark.
()-()
Bob whistled as he walked toward Raymond's cubicle. He glanced around as he walked. Everyone seemed more subdued then normal; more somber. Everyone always seemed tense, but it felt more so today. Did something happen today? Raymond will know. He enjoyed chatting with Raymond. It really broke up the monotony of his day. It was one reason he dreamed of eventually becoming a detective. It seemed much more exciting.
"Hey, how's it going?" He asked before coming around to the desk. His voice trailed off however, when he saw it was empty. He shrugged. I guess he went to the bathroom. I'll wait. He set his food on the desk and plopped into the chair. He glanced around the desk. Huh, it's cleaner than normal. Where is all of his junk that he always has lying around? Did he actually clean up his work space? He smiled. Another thing to tease him about.
"He's gone," a voice broke into his thoughts.
Bob pushed the rolling chair out into the aisle. No one was around. He noticed that Mr. Hawkins was sitting at this desk, but he was completely still. "Who's gone?"
"Raymond," Mr. Hawkins said sadly. "They came and took him away."
With a growing sense of dread, Bob got up and went to stand by Mr. Hawkins. "What do you mean 'they took him'? Where did they take him?"
"They were looking for him by name. They took him away, to where anyone who asks too many questions go. Then they came back and cleaned out his cubicle."
"Hey, we need to go to the police or something," Bob said in growing alarm.
"With what evidence?" Mr. Hawkins finally looked at him, and Bob could see his eyes were red. "They cleaned out his desk and computer."
"We have to do something!"
Mr. Hawkins shook his head. "I just don't understand how he did it. I told him to stop; how was he able to keep going?"
It felt like a slap to Bob, when it finally clicked what had happened. Raymond got in trouble because of what I had helped him do. He whirled back around to the cubicle and sat down at the desk. He flipped on the computer and waited for it to boot up. He glanced around the desk again. Anything that could have belonged to Raymond specifically, and not just any office personal, was gone. The sticky-notes with random quotes, the small calendar, the poster of his favorite rapper—everything was gone. The computer finally booted up and Bob shoved his flash drive into it.
The computer had already been factory reset. Whoever had cleaned out the cubicle knew to completely wipe the drive. Bob felt anger and sadness building up in his chest. He went back to Mr. Hawkins.
"Hey, so what am I supposed to do?"
Mr. Hawkins sighed. "Forget him. Forget all of this. Your friend is gone."
Bob shook his head, "No. No way."
"You have to. If you get involved, they will take you away too. Get out of this place, and never come back. I have to get back to work."
Bob started to back away. He couldn't forget Raymond; he was his friend. It unsettled him, how Mr. Hawkins could keep staying here—working here—when he knew something was wrong. Bob knew he couldn't stay in this place another minute.
He turned and ran to the elevator. He would never deliver for this company again. He would find Raymond—he had too. It was partly his fault—Raymond wouldn't have gotten any further without his help.
Someone was in the elevator as he dashed in, almost knocking over the neatly stacked crates and boxes. "Whoa, watch out!" The college kid said, as he slammed his hand down on the top boxes when they started to fall. "Where's the fire?"
Bob ignored him, and hit the floor level a half-dozen times to make sure it was going. I'll find Raymond. He told me enough to get started. I had always wanted to be a detective. Now it is the time to get serious. He ignored the muttering of the kid behind him. When they neared the ground level, he finally glanced at the kid behind him. "Listen, something is wrong with this company. Get out while you can, and never come back."
The kid's brown eyes widened. "Um, I don't really work here." He pushed his barista visor farther up into his bronze-colored hair. "I just make the coffee and pastries to bring every Tuesday and Thursday…"
"Doesn't matter. It's dangerous here. Tell your boss you can't come back." As the elevator doors slid open, Bob glanced down at the kid's visitor badge. "Don't come back, Marshal." Leaving behind a very confused and slightly frightened barista, Bob bolted through the lobby past the angry lobby attendants and out the doors.
Author's note!
Well, this was supposed to be posted about two months ago. Life is crazy like that. But hey, better late than never, right?
This concludes what I have been calling the 'introduction arc' of the story. All of the villagers have been introduced, and much of the island life has been established. Now I get to move on to the more exciting part of the story! The next major arc will be about the loyal Redd co. hybrids trying to find and identify the human trespasser. The next chapter will feature Leif.
Thanks for hanging in there for me! I appreciate any and all reviews, favorites and follows. I would love to know what you think about this story so far, or any questions you have.
Response to Smoreyofhyrule: Thanks for the awesome review! Without giving away too much of the plot, I will try to answer your questions as best I can. First, at this point in the story, the villagers are so beaten and broken down, they don't want to even try to escape. A certain little human is going to have to help them in that area first, if they are going to have a chance to make it out in one piece later on. Second, Mr. Redd is not part animal. Remember, the island is filled with the 'rejects,' so he has no desire to try it out on himself right now. As for the future...who knows?
Credit to where credit is due!
Wilbur and Orville are based on flirtyplebbles's depictions of them, with a couple of minor variations They are absolutely adorable; I love them! Please check them out on Instagram.