{A Little Chat IC} Run, Prey, Run. | Flashback

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

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A LITTLE CHAT BEFORE LEAVING.
~| The 'Rewiring' BSB | The 'Rewiring' IC | FLASHBACK | The 'Descending' IC | The 'Descending' BSB |~
~| THE MAIN OOC |~

| Ada | Bella | Conway | DeeDee |
| Euler | Jaycie | Keijo | Sabai |

| Agent 94 |

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​

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by Boo Boobie BooBoo :333}

~DeeDee~

<~<★>~>
​

The feather was exposed and the words 'Bird of Prey' dropped plainly, and rather coldly, from Shilo's mouth. Decker glanced around nervously and reflexively hunched her shoulders. She shuffled to her side to take refuge by leaning into Summer, the blood in her ears pounding away in time with strained breath. Both hands clutched at a strong arm of the Guinea Pig as the other Rodent spouted off her concerns and ramblings. Several times Dee nodded in agreement; she could just not help but feel the same things too.

Questions raised up from her speeding thoughts, fears both founded and irrational swirled from her heart and infected her mind. Tears swelled up from the corner of her eyes. Yes, all the Predators were fearsome in her mind, but something about the giant eyed, razor taloned, winged ones struck fear into her like none of the other aggressive meat eaters could. Maybe it was a rodent thing? The worst part was that they were being spied on by those that were supposed to protect them. But then that seed of doubt crept back up into her mind. The Predators, the Scars as they were commonly referred too, were supposed to protect all in the BLOCC, but really did that mean they should be trusted?

After a quick glance around the room her heart rate increased that much more; she had a good sense most others were on the verge of a panic. The mention of a Predator on the prowl and the mention of 'Home' and the 'Coast' only made the Bunny's dream of escape that much more real and yet that much more doubtful to ever reach. And so the biting fear that kept rearing its ugly head swam with more vigour and influence in her mind; Decker was going to be left behind.

Conway chimed in and surprisingly she felt her deepest fear allay itself temporarily. A small part of her had hope that the big bird was not spying on them but not only was it watching over them, but it was watching out for them. She felt even better when Shilo got them to gather in a circle with a united purpose to protect their fainted blue-headed friend. But what set her racing heartbeat to slow tenfold was the nod of agreement by the Sparrow.

Ada had that resolute look upon her face; her dark eyes dared anything to cross her and get at Jaycie. She was one of the smallest dexters here but she was also the most tenacious out of all the dexters here. Oh, but did Dee ever love and admire her for being that way.

At this point the Bunny graciously patted the arm of the Guinea Pig's and released her tight grip upon it. And finally she smiled and felt so much better when her pretty Year 3 friend, Bella, came on over and nuzzle up against her and placed a warm and reassuring hand upon her shoulder. Her own hand reached over and returned the warm and reassuring gesture in kind.

Panic mode should have set in once more when she saw Bella turn and head for the door, but Shilo had announce that they had decided to call in the Panther. Her silvery-blue eyes narrowed a bit; the seeds of suspicion had sunk in towards Agent 94 but that really was the best thing to do. She nodded and waved at the Ferret before turning her attention back to Shilo and his queries.

"For sure, oui, let's leave this horrible place, big bro!"

Another smile found its way onto her lips then her brow furrowed as she thought about his other question; what were the most important things she had she seen? What were the details? "Mmmmm... well, honestly it was dark up there. But it was big. Big, big wings and it was many, many times larger than Jaycie in Animal form. And that is all I remember."

A light shake of her head and a small shrug she offered up as a conclusion. But then suddenly her eyes popped open wide, "Oh! Oh, I do remember something else, Shilo!"

She looked around suspiciously, eyes darting this way and that, then her voice lowered to but a harsh whisper, "As it flew towards the wall, the metal door thingy in the wall opened up for it so that it could fly in. It did not open it on its own. I swear this happened, I do."

<~<★>~>


~Jaycie~

<~<★>~>
​

The Jay lay there, breathing deeply, eyes closed, head resting in Ada's lap. She could hear what was happening around her; she was not awake but she was still aware. The reason for screaming and the sense of dread seeped into her mind too. Not because she felt the same way too, but because she could feel them feel it. Dark blue eyes opened momentarily when she heard that voice call out once more. But the calling was not for her.

Several times she blinked then fell back into that... in between state. ~My gosh... I know where I am. I do... her thoughts turned back to memory. She was now in the BLOCC but in a time in the past. It was a time when Ada and Jaycie were plotting. And DeeDee was there too! They did not know it at the time, but Ada had them setting up for something... ~We were gunna' do something bad...! We got the Chinchillas back! Yaaay us~!

But that was not the importance of the memory. No the reason her mind dug this up was because... why? ~Why? Well, silly, it was because after that moment-- Had she forgotten this detail? Yes, the secret they held, the one between Ada and Jaycie, they kept from Dee only to preserve their friendship altogether; the Bunny was not awakened afterall. But what they never told Dee, anyone for that matter, was that Ada could transmit to Jayce thoughts, emotions and even what she heard when Ada was in Animal form. This was only one way but it was far and beyond the BCT ability. In fact, they swore it felt closer to the way it felt when the Panther reached out to them with her MindSpeak.

And the detail missing from the memory was that 'the voice' was there too. It told them similar things. Like not to fear the voice. That they were not what they were meant to be. That they had to leave here. And that they had to make it to the Coast. The message was not as clear, but it was similar to the one that was given to--

The Jay's eyes snapped open. She was ready to make another Connection. Towards the door she stared as Bella left them behind. Then over to the Hedgehog she glanced and waited till she caught his eye.

After making eye contact with Conway, 3 seconds later, she was in Fauna form; the distinguishing white and black feathers in her head and tail not apparent. He could see her eyes glinted with a very unfamiliar un-Jaycie-like glint, then her eyes once more returned to the closed door. For but the shortest of moments, the Hedgehog could see in full clarity through the sharp eyes of the Jay. Then he would receive a transmission. Again it was the shortest of moments, but he would not feel the familiar tapping of her BCT upon his temple for Jaycie was unable to transmit BCT. No, for some reason, he heard her in his mind. Just before Jaycie shifted back Sapient he would have heard it:

~~>'She-With-Golden-Eyes-And-Black-Heart.'<~~

<~<★>~>​

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originall by fish-writer}

Summer & Conway

<~★~>​

Shilo gathered them together, always the big brother, around Jaycie. Summer couldn't quite put her finger on why, but just the proximity of the other dexters around her warmed her chest, and some of the tightness that had settled in, a product of raw fear and desperate hope, began to ease, as did the tight grip Decker had on her arm. As the Bunny finally let go, Summer couldn't resist wrapping her now-free arm around the Bunny's shoulders, squeezing her quickly before letting go. The Red Panda took charge with an easy confidence, and Summer offered her best, most bracing smile when Bella laid a hand on her shoulder. No matter how little they'd interacted, the dexters around her were family now. They were gonna start a new life at the Coast, together. Summer would do absolutely everything in her power to make sure it happened.

The Red Panda, understandably, had a lot of questions. Decker was the first to answer, which gave Summer a little bit more time to collect herself, to take the images still burnt vibrant into her mind and attempt to wrestle them into words. However, the words of the Bunny chilled her more than she cared to admit. The wall opened up for the Predator? Her mind immediately began jumping to conclusions. If the wall opened up, that must mean that the BLOCC was allowing the big bird travel freely. If the BLOCC was enabling this, didn't that mean that the bird of prey was on the side of the Handlers? Her initial suspicion was, in her opinion, confirmed. The idea of staying in place, waiting for them to burst in and take everyone away, filled her lungs like mud, and Summer found herself gritting her teeth as she struggled to compose herself. Bella was on her way to the Panther, she reassured herself. Though Agent 94 was scary, Summer trusted her. She had said they'd be safe on this level of the Thrum room, and Summer was going to keep believing that.

Exhaling loudly, she recollected her thoughts and began to talk about the Coast, her words starting out rough but, as she continued to speak, becoming stronger as the vivid memory reignited her hope. "It was beautiful, and nothing like I'd ever seen before. I was on sand; I could feel how hot it was, and I smelled fish. There was sand, and then there was water, so much water. It went on and on forever, and it was so deep and dark that you couldn't see what was under it. Everything was pink and warm, and there were so many trees, and they were so green. I could hear so many different birds."

Her cheeks warmed, and frustration pulled her lips into a small scowl. It was impossible to convey what she'd seen. All the words weren't enough; she wished she could share the coarse give of the sand beneath her palms, the warmth on her face and the cool, salty breeze on her skin. "It felt like… It felt like I belonged there, like it really was home."

<~★~>​

Being in a tight circle did more to alleviate Conway's anxiety than could be put into words. He found himself kneeling shoulder-to-shoulder with Ada, and she had that steely, determined look in her eye that made her just as intimidating as any Scar in the BLOCC. His gaze dropped to Jaycie as Decker talked about the bird of prey, trying not to think too hard about it lest he finally panic and run. The Jay had opened her eyes, but she wasn't looking at any of them. Truly, she didn't seem to be looking at anything, and the vacancy in her gaze was reigniting his nerves.

His mind drifted back to the Thrum, to the voice that called to him, spoke to him in ways he'd never been spoken to before. The memory soothed him. Decker began to give Shilo more information about the bird she had seen, and then Summer chimed in to describe her vision of the Coast. The words ached in his chest as he listened, every fibre yearning towards home, that little word that Jaycie had whimpered earlier, the word that meant everything to them. Conway closed his eyes briefly, trying to picture it as Summer described it. We'll get there, he thought, with an unfamiliar confidence, looking around at the small group of gathered dexters.

The quills at the back of his neck seemed to prickle, that unmistakable feeling of eyes on him, and with a downward glance, Conway met Jaycie's intense stare. In the space of a full breath, she was suddenly a blue jay, an unusual look in her eye, and he startled visibly, questions building up behind his lips. But he didn't let them tumble out, knowing he would find out if he just stopped and listened. He watched her turn her gaze to the door, and in an explicable, reeling experience, he saw it, too. Just as the Jay was seeing it. Immediately Conway recognized what was happening, the sharp clarity of lines and colour breathtaking and impossible, but it was over almost as soon as it began, and he blinked furiously as the world blurred and faded into his usual vision.

~~>'She-With-Golden-Eyes-And-Black-Heart.'<~~

The voice in his head was Jaycie's, but it didn't feel like BCT. It was as though she spoke directly to his mind, and his thoughts raced with the possibilities. Conway found himself staring, wide-eyed and lips parted, at Jaycie as she returned to Sapient form. The attention of the group had seemed to turn wholly to Jaycie at her unexpected shift, a fact for which the Hedgehog was grateful, being in no state of mind to talk about his revelation with the Thrum. He wanted to ask Jaycie what she meant, with a curiosity so powerful he almost blurted it aloud before swallowing it back down. Instead, he reached for her hand, resisting the urge to grip it tightly, trying to hold her gaze.

"Bella is going to the Panther," he said quietly. "Are you okay to move? We need to get out of here." He glanced around at the others. "The Thrum… I can't explain it. But I think the Thrum showed the Year Ones the Coast. I think she wants us to be free."

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally posted by The Boo Girlie BoomBoom.}

~DeeDee~ and ~Jaycie~

<~<★>~>​

Decker circled around with the others, grey-blue eyes scanning about, mind focused solely on keeping it together. But of course she jumped once Summer snugged an arm around her shoulders. Upon realizing it was just the redhead, she smiled sheepishly and leaned into the other girl before the other girl could let go. And yet once again she felt that pang in her heart and the guilt flooded over her; there were so many others that she would never be able to warmly embrace ever again. They were going to leave them behind.

The teen's eyes lowered as the guilt bit into her and sunk her belly that much more. Summer was now spouting off about this mythical place that they had all dreamed of-- glimpsed even-- when they were all but Year 1's. They were going to go there and yet so many others would never go with them. It was a bitter pill to swallow but one she was resigned to no less. Pale hands wiped hastily at the salty tears of frustration and self-loathing. She fought them off valiantly but once Summer said the magic word out loud again, she lost the battle and sobbed heavily, the tears running down her cheeks in droves of hot, bitter streams.

"Home...?! Non. They... they are never... n-never going home--" was all she could manage before she shoved both hands to her mouth and let out a heart-breaking wail.

Ada reached up and firmly pulled her friend down to the ground and held her tight, stroking her head and trying to shush her by whispering softly into her ear. Dee's shoulders rose and fell in jagged heaves as she let it all out; fear, angst, pain and guilt. And as she did, neither she nor Ada noticed what was happening with Jaycie.

<~<★>~>​

The Blue Jay was now Sapient and had rolled to her feet, eyes wide and a dazed expression plastered upon her face. Slowly but surely her head swiveled to stare over at Conway, the dazed expression began to slide away. Something had happened between them... a Connection. Yes, that is what had happened. Just like what happened between she and Ada but... but it was still incomplete; there was more to do, but as to what exactly? Jacye had no idea.

Strangely enough, she did not smile, laugh and greet everyone as if nothing had happened. Normally, she would have made sure everyone's concern was smoothed over and she definitely would have gone over to tend to Decker. But not now. No, something was up with her. It was as if she was onto something but just did not want to admit as to what. It was as if she had something to hide.

Dark blue eyes caught the Hedgehog's eyes and stared levelly at them as she took his hand. "Yeah, I'm good, dex. And don't have to tell me twice! Let's get out of here cuz I don't know about that Thrum... It may have shown us-- wait. 'Way...? She. You said 'she.' How do you know the Thrum is a 'She'--" suddenly she released the reassuring grasp of the Hedgehog and looked over her shoulder. But not at the living, beating power source for the BLOCC. No, Jaycie stared straight at the door.

"Don't no one say nothing about this to her, 'kay? I mean it, dexies--"

The door slid open.

<~<★>~>

~Agent 94~

​

Bella was backpedalling her way into the Thrum Room, big dark eyes wide and staring up at the Scar as she strut her way in. The Panther was dressed up nicely, her 6 foot tall frame draped in a black, formfitting powersuit complete with red heels and red scarf. The Agent's jet black hair was down and freeflowing; it actually looked like she had someone style it for her. Upon first glance, it looked as if she were going to some fancy dinner, but the way she walked... it was as if she were on her way to murder someone.

And of course her tail twitched behind her, seeming to waver as if reflecting the decision making process in the Agent's mind as to who she was going to kill first.

The Ferret scampered over to where the others had circle round and nodded at Shilo, eyes wide, shining and filled with dread. Those that were sensitive enough could tell that there was some kind of BCT relaying between the Year 3's. Shilo nodded back and Bella promptly went over to Jaycie, patted her on the shoulder then immediately fell to her knees to aid Ada and Conway in calming down DeeDee.

The Panther stood there for a moment, motionless and slowly sipping in the air around her. Only those piercing blue eyes moved, darting this way and that, vertical pupils dilating as she took in the immediate surroundings.

The door slid close and that eerie golden light exploded from the Agent's eyes.

"Hello. Eh bien, now listen up, Prey..." she began as usual. The pleasantness in her voice that had broken through over time was not there. At all. Her voice was as intense and piercing as the hue of ancient light glowing from her eyes.

"You know that I am on your side, oui? Oui. Alors, does anyone care to tell me just what the hell is going on here?"

<~<★>~>​

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally posted by DeFier.}

SHILO

​

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Shilo was at a loss. What in the hell was happening here?

He had done his best to rally his 'sisses and bros' and it seemed to be working. Then Decker had lost it.

After mulling it over for some time, he was just about to comment on Summer's recollection and address the 'big bird' situation directly afterwards, but suddenly Decker wailed and began to tremble. Unable to react fast enough, he watched as she crumpled to the floor beside Ada and Conway, trying as hard as he could to refrain from showing displeasure upon his face. He glanced at the fallen Bunny as Ada began cooing into the other girl's ear and stroked her back. Calming phrases and sentences slid through his head but then Jaycie said something that chilled him to the bone. It was so skin-crawlingly surreal to hear it out of the mouth of a Year One and especially how the Jay said it. And this would be but merely the first time she would make his skin crawl.

"She-With-Golden-Eyes-And-Black-Heart..." he repeated the words with a hushed awe. That was not exactly the way he had heard it when he first was told about--

Shilo startled out of his train of thought. Because all of a sudden Jaycie shifted.

"No! Jayce!!" alarm, bright and red spread across both his face and voice as he leapt over to where the little Blue Jay stood. One second later he was in Animal form, body low to the ground, fuzzy body wound up and ready to pounce shoud the Jay take flight.

<<Little sis, no fly there withou-->>

A furious flying object smacked into the Panda's snout, sending his head snapping back. Twice his dark amber eyes attempted to blink away bright stars of shock and incredulity that blurred his vision. A third blink accompanied by several head shakes finally cleared his head and vision. A low growl emitted from his throat as he looked around for the assailant.

It was a small little reddish brown bird. Ada. The seventeen year old singer had flown into his face; she basically gave him the equivalent of a bold, defiant, open-handed, bitch slap.

The Sparrow's dark eyes glinted with that familiar and undeniable 'I dare you knock this chip on my shoulder and oh, by the way, go to hell too' look piercing his own gaze. Both wings splayed out; the little thing dared Shilo to get past her to Jaycie. No, this was not kosher. She was a Year Two and he a Year Three. There was no way he was going to back down, especially in front of all the other younger Subjects witnessing this slight.

The standoff was understood and the showdown was accepted. Shilo crouched, returning his pouncing pose. Ada lowered her wings, and began hopping left and right just like a tiny, feathered boxer. Then they both readied for their opening move, leaning back, tensing legs, paws, wings and beak.

An ancient glow flashed from just beyond their periphery vision. Both Sparrow and Red Panda froze mid-motion once they noticed the Jay begin to shift back. Eyes filled with concern, and bodies lax now, both dexes glanced at each other once Jaycie opened her mouth to address Conway and Conway alone. This was unreal. As far as Shilo knew Jaycie that Blueberry Dip absolutely loved the Lop-Eared Bunny to bits! Why the hell did she not go over to her best mate?!

She remained all non-chalant while speaking to the Hedgehog, then she broke off and questioned him about what he had said. Dark amber eyes popped wide. The fact that she somehow picked up on the little detail made his skin crawl for the second time. What she caught was something he would kick himself for missing altogether. Conway did say 'She' about the Thrum. How did Conway ever know that the Thrum was a She?

The showdown between he and Ada would have to wait. A second later, he shifted back Sapient to only have his skin crawl for the third time once the blue-headed dexter bird stared at the door, seemingly through it, and said for them to keep their revelations under wraps.

"Jaaaaayce... now hold on a bloomin' moment here... who exactly should we not tell--" Oh, he knew who exactly all right because that who was strutting right through that door. It was almost like watching frame-by-frame the exact walk of Agent 94 the day she found him in the Thrum room and shoved a gun into his mouth. Over time, the Panther warmed up to him and he warmed to her as well, but that day still cut very deep and the trauma still remained. Several steps he took back and held up a hand to the Agent. With his other hand he waved for all of them to get behind him. Regardless of his bulging roan eyes and perspiration forming on his brow and lip, he still subconciously still played the part of over-protective big brother.

---

Ada

​

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~>>Jayce... I know you hear me...<<~ The Sparrow was speaking to the Blue Jay on a level beyond that of BCT for this one was crystal clear and would convey more than mere words. This was that one level of Communication meant for only for the pair of Connected bird girls. ~>>...nod if you meant hide info about Thrum or shake head if you mean the spy bird, dex...!<<~

Jaycie did neither. "Don't say Thrum is 'She--'"

>>Listen up Dexies...<< Ada went Sapient and slid in behind the others, broadcasting BCT as quick as she could >> answer questions true but NOT say Thrum: 'She.' Summer n' Jayce, tell vision, that all. Conway, calm Decker (feed Bunny?) Dee! Calm. Need you calm. Shilo, keep head right, Tea Party, she question you first--<<

<<Thanks, Shamrocky, I keep all good. No fall apart...!>>

But it had most certainly fallen apart here, did it not? He was put in charge to oversee the little gathering and inform them about certain upcoming changes to the escape plan and how the Marked and Selected were suposed to fit in with all this, but now that had all gone all sideways to hell. And it seemed as if the moment Bella exited the door, she had returned before she even had a chance to seek out the Panther.

That meant 94 must have already been on her way. That must have meant she knew something was wrong. That must have meant someone told her. And not a little birdie either. But a big one.

Bella came rushing over and, via BCT, relayed most of what he had suspected but with a little more tidbits than he was expecting. Outside this room and in the corridor were Agents 121, 53, 02 and 16. The Polar Bear, The Rhino, The Harpie Eagle, and the de facto leader of the Scars, Agent 16, the White Tiger. Agent 94's boss. All these Agents would be considered the Brass' of the stationed Agents. And they were all dressed up nicely all 'party-attire wearing Arrows' as Bella had put it.

And as afraid of her as they were, both redheads had to fight back smirks when the Panther unabashedly said her meme-worthy opening line; "Listen up, Prey." But upon seeing her eyes glow that freakish golden light, the fight to hold back the smirks became bur mere afterthoughts. The smirks were never formed. In fact, Shilo's mouth dropped open and his knees literally began to knock together.

How in the hell were any of them supposed to lie to her once those eyes lit up like that? Those eyes pierced your mind and cut at your soul. If at any time before he harboured any doubts, he certainly held none now. All those time's Euler said those words exploded like fireworks in his mind. The Panther's had the eyes of Judgement, she had said, Golden eyes of Judgement.

<<She-With-Golden-Eyes...>> transmitted the Panda, <<...not always with Black Heart-->>

>>Enough. That is quite enough. I can hear your every transmission. Eh bien, now that that is out of the way, maybe we can be more open and civil, no? No BCT. No MindSpeak. No hiding, no lies. So please do tell me--

"-- just what the hell is going on? Shilo, you will be the first to speak. Maintenant. Now."

The weight of the silence crushed at them. Shilo licked his lips and lowered his gaze to the floor. Yet all the while, his eyes swam about as if he could find somewhere on the floor the perfect explanation to get out of this situation. A hand reached up to the back of head and scratched, hopefully jump starting his brain to find that explanation. A deep breath he took as the lie began to form and swell up in his mind. A long, windy exhale he let out, eyes closed, body trembling.

"Nope." Ada spoke up but, just like Shilo, her eyes were aimed at the cold metal floor. And when she looked up next, she had that familiar and undeniable 'I dare you knock this chip on my shoulder' 'look in her eyes. "You will tell us just what the hell is going on. You tell us why we gathered here in this exact place, Agent 94 ..."

Oh, and by the way?

"...Maintenant..."

Go to hell too.

---

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by BOO!!^^!!}

~Jaycie~

<~<★>~>​

Jaycie took a quick nerve-steeling breath as soon as the door slid open and Agent 94 strut on in. Her eyes had darted over to where her Sparrow friend was once she felt the Connection between them begin to swell up and swirl around in her head. When Ada was done her dexter version of MindSpeak to Jaycie, the Jay had whispered out an answer. Her feet then began moving as she was swayed by Shilo's motioning for all dexes to band together behind him.

Ada had barked out commands via BCT and Jaycie's dark blue eyes popped wide. Ada was getting a bit controlling. Too controlling. This was beyond the scope of telling Jaycie what to do because it was for her own good. No, Ada sounded annoyed. Ada sounded fed up but as usual was trying to keep 'the mask' up.

"Hey, Sug-- Summer," said the Jay to the Guinea Pig, "we got this. Together, right...?"

Jaycie was about to continue but Shilo had transmitted a strange message about the heart of She-With-Golden eyes, causing Jaycie to take pause and stare over at him. Then she felt it. She was sure they all did. And after all this time the Jay still startled when said golden eyes lit up and swallowed whole all the teens gathered within that soul rendering gaze. A noisy, shaky breath she let out, but still, that same sinking feeling Shilo felt persisted. Stick together and stick to a simple explanation, sure, but just how do you hold your story straight when those eyes are boring down on you?

And once more the Jay startled when the Panther was in her head. The MindSpeak voice was not one of doom but one of an irresistible command, slicing at mental hamstrings to make a Subject yield or surrender completely. Oh, but the sense of relief when the Agent switched over to speaking with them out loud.

And to be sure, she still felt like Shilo was such a douche, but she truly did feel bad for him when the Panther singled him out. There was no defying her will if your name was Shilo. But then again...

"Nope."

...if your name was Ada, there would be defiance.

Jaycie could hear it in her 'big sis's' voice even though that face remain made of serene steel. They were getting battered emotionally and pushed around psychologically. And Ada had had just about enough of being battered and pushed around.

But those words though...! Daaayyyamn...! Jaycie did not know if she was trembling in fear for her friend or trembling in utter awe of her. No one had ever seen, let alone heard of anyone fire back at the Panther like that! Especially with that French word at the end tacked on as a big middle finger to the Panther. Jaycie's head darted this way and that, dark eyes doing the same, taking in too much information but processing none at all. Something was happening now. Something big.

Much to most likely everyone's surprise, the ancient golden glow of the Panther's eyes ceased. And most likely to no one's surprise, they saw the Panther shift. Agent 94 was a huge Panther by modern standards as it was, but she seemed much, much larger right now. And those teeth and claws looked even bigger and much, much more deadly right now too.

<~<★>~>​

Upon looking back, the question was: did she stumble on purpose or did something else make her stumble?

The 'her' in question was the doe-eyed Bella. With all that was going on, she just could not help but rise and step away from Decker and Conway. Lips pursed together and eyebrows knit together in a scowl. But suddenly that expression was lost once the Ferret saw the gargantuan Panther with the gargantuan teeth and claws right here in the Thrum room. And in response, the brunette promptly tripped over nothing but air.

The teen fell into Ada, pushing the red head forward two steps towards the Panther. She reached out a hand to stabilize herself and Ada reached out and caught it but not before bumbling over to Shilo and stepping on his feet. Shilo in turn flailed backward, hands smacking into Conway. DeeDee had found the nerve to stand, most likely calmed by Conway, but only in time to be sent reeling by the dexie boy. The Bunny flew into Summer whose sturdy frame made it feel like she had hit a brick wall. But the force of impact was enough to send the Guinea Pig stumbling into Jaycie. The blueheaded dex was immediately bowled over and flew straight into Bella.

The menace and intensity of the Panther shrunk as did her form as she watched incredulously, confuzzled at the display of teens doing their best imitations of bowling pins and dodge balls.

Ada managed to regain her balance and caught the priceless expression and look in the Panther's yellow eyes. Her yellow but non-glowing eyes.

>>BCT good now!!<< transmitted Ada frantically; their window of plotting opportunity was going to close but fast, >>She no hear dex BCT with no glow eyes! Hey! What dexies think we do?!<<

In her excitement she vigorously shook her fists, not realizing that she was holding Shilo and Bella's hands and vigorously shaking them too. Actually, little did she realize that they were all in one big circle, holding hands, linked together by more than just physical contact and mere coincidence.

<~<★>~>​

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by DeFier and BOOOOOOOOOMER!!}

~DeeDee~ and ~Jaycie~

<~<★>~>​

DeeDee felt Ada tapping BCT then glance over at the giant midnight cat. Her silvery-blue eyes popped wide once she saw what the Sparrow saw. The Panther had the most precious and, no way would she say this aloud but, an adorable expression of rage, incredulity and amusement flashing across her normally fierce Predator face. The Bunny could not help but giggle.

Golden eyes narrowed, thunder rumbled from her chest and the precious expression vanished. A subtle chinbob the huge midnight cat tossed at the Sparrow and Ada's bravado dropped a notch; the redheaded Year 2 knew she would be dealt with at a later time. The Panther turn from Ada and the laser precise death stare bore into Decker.

The Bunny gasped then hopped back a step. Yet still she remained linked with both hands to her friends; Conway on one side and Summer on the other. A sharp inward gasp she gave before she tapped BCT to her lovely Jay friend for some help. <<Chou, she angry again. Calmes her... tell story. Good one, no?>>

Jaycie nodded and, to steel her mettle, inadvertently she squeezed the hands of those whom she held; Bella and Summer. "Ummmm... yeeeeah... Agent 94? I'll go first, 'kay?"

A deep breath she took and she could see the Panther's death stare turn skyward. A pleading eyeroll she donned the heavens above. If a Panther could only facepalm...

>>Sic her, Jay-girl!!<<

"Right. Soooooo me n' Dee were just sitting here, cuz it was just the two of us and then like we were hugging and telling each other that no one gets left behind cuz no one should right? Anyways, so it's all intense and emotional then like Conway busts in and is all like: "Hey sexy-dexies-- especially you Jaycie-- you ladies hungry cuz hopefully you are cuz guess what? From the garden, I just took--" dark blue eyes popped wide and sideway-glanced over quickly at Conway-- "ummm... I... I just took note that you must be hungry so you should eat later at the proper time and place cuz no one will steal food from the garden and feed it to other dexies cuz that is totally reprehensible and punishable by lost privileges and we already knew that." And just so we are clear, Agent, 'Way would never eeeeever steal food and give it to us. Not even for Euler... and I think we all know how special he treats her... amirite, dexies, amiriiiite? Bels, you have soooo gots to back me on this, girlie...! Awwww yeah! Ahem. Anyways... sooooo.. where was I? Oh right! So it's a good thing that he busted in 'cuz if not then I think Decker was juuuuuust about to lay a severe case of smoochie-smooch on my Jay-girl lips, ya' feel that? Yeah, it's a'ight... cuz that's what I would do if I was all alone with sexy-dexie lil' ol' Jay-girl in a little romanitcally lit-by-the-Thrum kinda place. Dee just could not help but--"

"Jaycie! What are you-- well, me, I would never! Non! Jamais et une mille fois jamais!! Hmmph...!"

"Dee! Okay, Dee! It's okay, okaaaay...? I didn't even get to the part where you and Conway set up Ada to get her smelly butt smacked...! " said the Jay in a not so successful attempt to sooth the Bunny. Then after an inflated pause, a coy smile, a sly wink, and a knowing nod she cast at Decker, "Besides... I won't tell if you won't, tell..." Several kissing sounds she rattled off whilst rapidly popping her eyebrows up several times.

"JAYCIE!!"

<~<★>~>

---

~Agent 94~

​

---

>> J'en ai assez!! Enough! Both of you! Et Mme. Lapin, calmes-toi. Cette oiseaux, elle est folle, elle. Et la bouche? Mon Dieu, celle-ci n'arrete pas...<<

"Ummmm... I don't know what the French you said but I heard you talking about me. 'Laboosh' right? Oh! Hey, whatever happened to you sayin' something about no MindSpeak...?"

>>Ugh. Jaycie. How am I supposed to speak while in this form--<<

"Heeeere we go again with the MindSpeak..."

The Panther unleashed a giant roar and every single Subject took a step back. Yet all hands still linked together; intact and still maintaining that one giant chain. Something about that chain made it easier for all Subjects to speed up their BCT communications. Most would not notice but just below them, the Thrum pulsed with every word transmitted to one another.

Agent 94 shifted then took a single, powerful, Sapient step towards Jaycie. "Here I am. And I am speaking to you now with my voice, no? Out loud. No MindSpeak. Alors, dare tell me that is not better for you?"

"All good now, Agent. All good..." Jaycie shrank back and averted direct eye contact.

"Eh bien, listen up, Prey. Anyone else not named Shilo that speaks to me will get an arm eaten off while the others watch. Understood? Now then, just what the hell happened here--" the death glare now shifted its weight onto the Year Three Red Panda and held like a sniper's scope on a target. She held that stare for a moment longer then spoke, a hint of a triumphant smile lifting the corners of her mouth, "--Shilo."

Two calming breaths he took, eyes directed at the floor, face skewed with dread. But his knees no longer knocked together. In the time the Panther received a Blue Jay exposition to the face, the rest of the dexters managed to come up with a plan of how to make sure Agent 94 never knew what all the lowly little Subjects knew about the Thrum.

Several more BCT taps he broadcasted towards his lil' bros and lil' sisses. Once he was ready, a curt nod he gave, another breath he took, and slowly his chin lifted. His posture straightened and, gripping Ada's hand on one side and Conway's on the other, he found the courage to initiate eye contact with Agent 94. Shilo cleared his throat then nodded respectfully before speaking.

A drawn out nod Agent 94 returned as she locked eyes with Shilo. Then golden eyes lit ablaze, piercing the auras of all Prey standing in front of her once more.

---

It was as Shilo said; the Agent was not always 'She-with-Golden-Eyes-And-Black-Heart.' No, when he was told that name, the Heart was not Black. Back then it was 'She-with-Golden-Eyes-And-Conflicted-Heart.'

The Agent did not mind that Shilo knew there was a change in her Awakened Name; some Year Three's were more gifted than others, she knew all too well. Then couple that with the fact that the Agent knew all Subjects were connected to the Thrum on some level and she would not suspect they were given more knowledge than they should possess. But what the Agent failed to realize was that the Thrum had spoken to them insofar as revealing that she was a 'She.'

That information was only reserved for the select few that deserved it. And the Panther was one of those select few. And now so selected were these few other Subjects. And even further than that, the Thrum wished to have this new tidbit of information hidden from the Panther. And while they were tapping BCT to each other while Jaycie distracted the Agent, the Thrum had made it clear that they should harbour this secret amongst themselves and not share with the Panther.

"Until that Heart is no longer burdened with Black must she never know, children. She does only seek to protect you, let that be known. But her knowing that I side with you just as I side with her; she will destroy us. Our bond. Our faith. Our future. Let her protect you as you protect her from the truth. The truth is that She-with-Golden-Eyes-and-Black-Heart will be our enemy if she believes her regime has ended. She is a Predator afterall..."

As cryptic as the message soon became, one thing was clear; the Prey desperately needed the aid and direction of Agent 94 and her Predator and Powerful herbivore brethren to even give them an iota of hope to escape from here. They needed to be stronger than they ever were before: strong for each other, strong for the Thrum, and now, strong for the Panther. They needed to realize, most of all, that they were only as strong as their weakest link.

---

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by fish-writer}

Summer

<~★~>​

Summer eyed Jaycie critically as things began to get chaotic. She didn't know all these dexes as well as some of them knew each other, but she'd seen Jaycie around enough to know that something was going on. At the girl's transformation, both Shilo and Ada also shifted, getting into some sort of altercation. This was the sort of thing Summer was pretty good for, in the BLOCC— breaking up fights. She was poised to step in, but when Jaycie shifted back to Sapient, the two combatants froze, their hackles settling down, and Summer let out a breath of relief.

"I hope y'all have some energy left to escape this place when you're done ruffling your feathers at each other," she remarked incredulously, crossing her arms as Shilo transformed back, but her precursor to a scolding was cut off as her focus shifted with everyone else's to the door as Agent 94 made her terrifying entrance. Summer found herself scooting behind Shilo, her hand resting on the small of his back, both offering her support and drawing comfort from his stubborn protection. She received so much BCT her teeth started to feel like they were rattling, but Jaycie's soft voice beside her drew her attention, and she grinned, bumping their hips playfully together.

But after Shilo's odd transmission and the Panther's cold interruption, she found the little spark of humour draining out, those glowing yellow eyes suffocating her with their intensity, and she cringed away, torn between trying to stay strong for the others and wanting very much not to get eaten.

One dex had no such reservations, at least not outwardly. Ada spoke up, all steel eyes and steel words, and just the sight of her facing down the Panther gave Summer some of her own steel back. It was needed to remain upright when Agent 94 transformed into the huge, hulking Panther of her nightmares. Breath stuck in her chest, Summer frantically began to look around for an escape route, or a distraction, or literally anything she could put between her friends and those giant, predator teeth. Her gaze managed to land on the Ferret at the exact moment Bella fell on Ada, and she felt her fear evaporating as the chain reaction of bumper cars began, stepping out of the way as Shilo staggered past her, knocking into Conway. By the time Decker attempted her accidental body slam, the Guinea Pig was almost laughing, and so she stumbled backwards as she grabbed at Decker's hand, her back colliding with another dex, and all was chaos for a moment until she was almost squished between Dee and Jaycie, hands linked with the two dexes, trying to repress the half-hysterical smile on her face.

Ada's BCT tapped into her head, but Summer was paying attention to Jaycie's wild monologue, Dee's reactions, and Agent 94's mercurial expressions. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, but as more tapping came to her, Summer tried to focus. The dexes were coming up with a plan. Unable to transmit, she listened raptly, jumping a little when the Panther roared her frustration but drawing strength from Jaycie and Decker beside her. When the Panther's eyes glowed yellow once more, she took a deep breath, steeling herself against the intensity of that gaze.

<~★~>

Conway

<~★~>​

Conway felt a shudder ripple down his spine when Jaycie asked how he knew the Thrum was a She, swallowing thickly at the weight of the answer in his chest and Jay's dark eyes on him. But her gaze slid off him, her hands releasing his, and when Conway turned to see what she was looking at, dread settled in his stomach at the sight of the door, just in time for him to watch it slide open.

Bella backed up through it first, miraculously not tripping as the Panther entered, as terrifying a figure as ever. It was more instinct that conscious thought that pushed him to cower behind Shilo at the Red Panda's gesture, and he tried to take deep breaths to calm his racing heart. BCT tapped into his head, instructions from Ada and information from Bella, and with a task to occupy him, Conway scooted himself closer to Decker, pulling the tearful Bunny into a tight hug, trying not to think about the Predators gathered outside. Smiling weakly, he murmured soft encouragements to Decker, but his eyes were on Agent 94.

It turned out, however, that his gaze was on the wrong person. His attention snapped to Ada as she stood up addressed Agent 94 with a strength that transcended her small body. Conway swallowed a whimper as the Panther shifted, the immense size of her feline form casting a chilling shadow onto all of them. His arms tightened around Decker, pulling her to her feet and wondering vaguely if she felt the same sudden urge to flee that he did. He made himself look the Bunny in the eye, took a deep breath, and tried to find something reassuring to whisper to her, but Shilo came seemingly out of nowhere, flailing into Conway. Caught completely off-guard, the Hedgehog over-balanced, crashing into Dee, grabbing for anything that might save him from the fall.

When he managed to stabilize himself, he looked up to see the incredulously perplexed expression in the Panther's non-glowing eyes. As he received Ada's transmission, he glanced down at his hands, seeing them linked with Decker and Shilo. Jaycie immediately began to chatter at the massive Scar. This was their chance.

>>Listen to Ada! Answer questions, no mention Thrum is 'SHE.' Shilo, ask about bird of prey. Dee scared, all of us scared,<< Conway transmitted, as quickly as he could, pressing as much urgency into his BCT as possible. As terrifying as she was, the Panther was supposed to be their protector, and maybe if there was an enemy in the collective minds of the dexes, she could be distracted from her interrogation of them. He squeezed Shilo's hand, meeting the Red Panda's gaze with bright intensity. >>Agents dressed up, going somewhere. Fill up time, like Jaycie?<< He glanced pointedly at the still-talking Jay.

They all flinched and stepped reflexively away when the Panther let out an echoing roar before returning to Sapient form. Conway had no problem at all believing she would eat any of them without remorse, especially once her eyes lit up, her suffocating gaze swallowing them up.

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by DeFier}

SHILO and DeeDee

---

He was just about to open his mouth and come clean regarding all that transpired here. The visions of the Year Ones and Year Threes. The terrifying yet mysterious bird of prey. The sudden anomalous actions of Subject: JC - Blueberry Dip. Their names being called all of a sudden. The voice of the Thrum speaking to them. And most of all; his failure to execute the directive given to him by the Panther.

Shilo was supposed to re-iterate the intel provided by Agent 94 and boost morale. But instead things had gone sideways and he was now resigned to confess to the Panther that he had lost control and all the Subjects here were more lost and shaken than when they all first walked in here. Because now not only were they lowered in morale but now they had to keep a secret from the one who was only trying to help them escape and protect them.

A small smile, apologetic and thankful, he sent towards Conway. The Hedgehog was right. They were scared. All of them were scared and it was all Shilo's fault. All he ever wanted was to be there for his little bro's and sisses. But Conway could only inadvertently point out the Year Three's failure to lead. Suddenly his eyebrows popped up wide with an idea also pointed out by Conway. >>...fill up time... like Jaycie...<<

Conway was right.. That's exactly what they were doing here. They were filling up time.

And being watched while they did so.

>>Bird of Prey fled when Dee spot it? I here first. Hidden on scaffolding. Did not notice once. But it fled and sudden Agent 94 here. The Agents watch us. And now we no say Thrum is SHE. That what Agents want to know. Agents want to know if Thrum/SHE plotting with us!! Listen! Let me--<<

>>Shilo!! Mon Grand, Panther stare at you! Eyes glowing!<<

And with that Shilo knew he had just given away the secret that they all were trying to keep from the Panther. The shame and embarrassment reflected in the tears welling up in his eyes. He could not stomach facing the Panther anymore. Shilo's chin hit his chest, eyes re-aimed at the metal floor once again. Failure complete..

>>Donc... Madame 94...? Vous ne pouvez pas nous ecouter...?<< Dee's eyes slowly widened, trembling with the terribly amazing realization, >>Mon Dieu, dexies... Panther no 'see' through us. Look at her...! I just BCT her, she no react...rien. Nothing at all...!<<

Suddenly Shilo's gaze shot up and stared directly into the awaiting glowing golden eyes of Judgement. The Panther popped her eyebrows up and then frowned. "Eh bien...? Go on. Speak, Prey... Your name is Shilo, n'est ce pas...?"

>>Well, bollocks to you, Agent 94...<< Shilo retorted via BCT and instantly cringed, expecting a lightning quick reaction from the Panther. Thoughts of eating a bullet or two intermingled in his thudding heartbeats. But nothing. Dee was right. Conway was right.

And so was the Thrum.

He squeezed the hands that he held, Ada's and Conway's. Then he looked around him at the others and finally realized that they were all linked together. Unified and Combined together in an unbroken chain. And with that realization, he made the breakthrough and the feeling of his BCT feeling easier to use became as easy as breathing. He could feel all their thoughts. And so he broadcast within their little protected circle with MindSpeak.

>>You scared the hell out of me when I first met you. You put a gun in my mouth and demanded me to tell you why I wanted to stay here. I only wanted to stay because I wanted to help my Bro's and Sisses here. But I would go if only I could protect them out there. And I still believe that. And SHE says I can't tell you, but I want to protect you too. I want to thank you for helping me. Helping us. I thought I was a failure here, but I was wrong. I figured it out. I am stronger now. Thanks to you, thanks to us. You may never know what we know and I get it now.

You think you are some kind of 'chosen one' by the Thrum. And that since you chose us, you must protect us. But that's not all of it, Agent 94.

It would kill you to know, but SHE chose us as well. Your pride is what keeps you strongest. You are such a bitch because of it. But that is why you will never accept defeat, especially since you feel so entitled and special because SHE chose you. But you are wrong, you're not the only special one, Agent, and that is the secret we will keep.

But we only do it to protect you.

But I thank you all the same. You are such a bitch, and yes, I am still scared of you, but you never gave up on us.

I'll never give up on you too, Agent 94...<<

DeeDee gave a single, emphatic nod, silvery-blue eyes misting up. A deep breath she took to steel herself from letting the flood of tears fall. The hands of those she held, she squeezed tight before broadcasting her piece.

>>You threatened to shoot me and then eat me when we were in the storage room. You say now you will not do such a thing, mais ce n'est pas la verite, nous savons... you still look at me sometimes like you do want to shoot me and then eat me. I have nightmares about it, Agent. But I told you I would only leave but I do not want any of my friends to get left behind. And you are making that happen. Merci. Merci beaucoup une mille fois. I do not know the pressure and stress you know, but you do it so that we may escape. I know I am weak and scared and you do not like me because of that, mais, you still choose to make me believe that I can go on. Just like all my friends here.

Thank you.

You protect me and I promise to protect you too. I will never give up on you too, Agent 94. Jamais...<<

The Panther''s expectant expression faltered a bit as she watched tears fall silently from the faces of Shilo and DeeDee. She folded her arms and her feet shifted uncomfortably. And for the first time ever, it was she that first broke her gaze away from a Prey's eyes.

---

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

{Originally by BOOOOOOOO!!^^!!

~Jaycie~

<~<★>~>​

'...Let her protect you as you protect her from the truth. The truth is that She-with-Golden-Eyes-and-Black-Heart will be our enemy if she believes her regime has ended...' the Thrum had spoken to them.

' ... you feel so entitled and special because SHE chose you. But you are wrong, you're not the only special one, Agent, and that is the secret we will keep...' Shilo had professed for all but the Panther to hear.

'...Panther no 'see' through us. Look at her...! I just BCT her, she no react...rien. Nothing at all...!' Decker had transmitted.

Not all of it added up to much in Jaycie's head, but she got the gist of it. All this time, she thought that the most important ones in this whole escape plan was the Predators and Powerful Herbivores. But it was actually the Subjects that were most important; even the Thrum believed that. It was little wonder to Jaycie who was helping them resist the glowy, golden-eyed piercing stare of the Panther.

Now she had no real clue as to why her friends were gushing with gratitude at this moment but it would be a lie to say that she did not feel the same as they. The Panther was putting it all on the line to get them all the hell out of here afterall. And the Jay did not know if she could use the MindSpeak like the others in this moment, but she would definitely give it a shot.

>>I... I uhhhh... I was just trying to protect Dee when I mouthed off to you that time in the post-Cutter recupe room. I was sooooo scared I almost peed. But then you left and when we meet next, i'm in the linen room and you have a gun to my head. And I told you I wanted to stay and you convinced me to go with my friends. Cuz we're a family. Like, I didn't get it why you had to be so rawr-aggressive back then, but I think I get it now. We proved we wouldn't crack like you thought we would right?

Okay. Agent 94. You'll never know just how much I appreciate you helping us out. You're a Scar and, like, we're just dexters. We're made up. And you're helping us out like we are real people. And you protect us too. And I swear, I'mma do the same for you. And I do believe in you too. I mean that. Thank you so much. When we get out of here, I want you to stay with us and live with us too okay? Please? Oh, and, Agent 94...? Like, we can't tell you that we're more important than you think we are. Buuuuuut... I can tell you--<<

"...Agents dressed up..." Conway's remark was recalled in her head.

That Jaycie glint in her dark blue eyes shone just as her dexters-only-MindSpeak ramblings closed and her mouth opened. "--you look nice. Like reeeeeally nice and reeeeeeally pretty, Agent 94."

A small smile she shone at the Panther, an even smaller, yet amiable, chinbob she tossed. "I never seen you in anything other than your tough Agent-warrior-guns-and-sharp-knives suit and black boots on before. I like this look too! And I like your hair too. It's like all shiny and black like your fur but all styled like when the Chinchillas get to wear the wigs and your face is even prettier lookin' just like when the Chinchillas get their faces done up too. Accents your 'symmetrical and properly proportionate eyes' and 'nicely formed facial bone structure.' That is sexy attractive, Agent! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! And like how my Handler, Ms. Cooperton says to Ada's Handler, Mr. Adler: "You are Smokin' hot! Like cigarettes...! I just want to put you to my lips and suck you all in...!!"

Like, I don't know exactly how comparing you to lighting dried plants and paper on fire and inhaling the smoke into your body is a good thing but that's a compliment that real human adults say to each other sooooooo yeah. You are soooo Smokin' Hot! Amirite, dexies?! Like, get in my lungs, Agent 94...!"

<~<★>~>​