"Well, I suppose I should be getting back to my studies." Mera said as she smiled to the others that had gathered in the lobby of Memorial that evening.
"Good idea. Take care Mera." Shad smiled warmly, "Oh yeah, I found a nice club."
"Oh?"
"It's phlupp races." Shad shot Mera a grin, "They race phlupps and rodents there."
"Well, take me there someday?" Mera returned the grin.
"Sure. It's cute and also the gamblers can be hilarious."
"Don't forget the kiss." Bliss said teasingly over her shoulder. She had overheard the conversation between Shad and Mera despite trying to figure out something that Penny, the red-skinned girl, was trying to tell her.
Penny was holding a picture and hugging it to her chest as she crouched beneath a table and looked as if she were about to cry, though such a thing wasn't physically possible for her.
Bliss frowned, unhappy that she didn't understand or was unable to answer the girl. "Elliot, where is the present location of Asche?"
"Unknown at this time. Mirandahh is not within the hospital grounds." Elliot's cheerful voice filtered from the overhead speakers. "Radiation level safety limits will be exceeded in approximately 69 minutes."
Penny watched Bliss, not understanding of course, and she edged out from beneath the table to crouch beside her.
"Well, I won't keep you from your studies any longer." Shad smiled to Mera.
"All right. Night Shad."
"Night, or make that morning."
Bliss heaved a dramatic sigh and looked back at Penny. "I'm never going to get him to kiss her."
"I heard that, Bliss." Shad chuckled. "Get some rest ... g'night anyway." He grinned to Mera.
Mera turned and made her way towards the stairs, smiling a greeting to Dr. Lowinn as Terra made a hurried entrance to the cafeteria.
"Ah, morning, Terra." Shad smiled to the doctor, despite the many bruises covering his body.
"Hello there, Shad. How are you?"
"Could be better. I got shot up protecting as a bodyguard. I'm okay though, 'sides the bruises."
"Oh? Protecting whom?"
"Tweal, owner of the Lace Oasis. Bliss connected me with the job."
Bliss signed just then, as if she had heard Shad's mention of her name. "Okay, Bliss?" Shad questioned.
Bliss nodded, "Yes, everything is fine."
Penny followed Bliss' expression, her own blood red gaze lowering to the doll she held. She then looked again up to Bliss, extending it toward her slowly. Bliss ruffled the doll's hair, then smiled at Penny who blinked and froze, holding the doll tightly. Unwilling to upset the red-skinned girl, Bliss lowered her hand slowly, her legs protesting their uncomfortable crouch position.
"Some punks stormed the place with SMGs and shotguns. A few assault rifles too." Shad continued.
Terra just shook her head with a drawn out sigh. "Why oh why must all resort to violence?"
"Me and the bouncers got most of them, I managed to personally save Tweal's life. Tis sad I know, Terra, but such is life. A business rival hired the punks."
"That is good, but you look terrible."
Shad chuckled slightly. "If you saw what I went through, you'd know why. "Oh, by the way how are the twins and Garth?"
"They are doing well. Garth is babysitting." Terra didn't bother to supress a grin.
"Heh, that ought to be a sight."
"So any problems? Anymore ... church members looking for strays?"
"The usual. Just trying to survive. Helping my sister take care of orphans, racing for a living, taking odd jobs. Plus training. How are you doing?"
"Racing? I would love to see it someday. Coping ... being a parent is harder then I thought."
Shad chuckled a bit, "It scares Mera half to death. Not to mention being the parents of twins."
"Really. Especially of Garth's! Though I am seeing some fascinating developments."
"Oye, that's a scary thought." He paused and asked, "Developments?"
"Well, yes. They do take after Garth."
"Wonder if it's like what I'm going through, being that my dad was genetically created."
"I am not sure. Everything is so different. One has to distinguish between the natural mutation, if there is one, from the radiation, or whether it was the inherited. They seem to not be rejecting themselves ... yet."
"Course they don't have dark oil coursing through them." Again he paused. "Something odd happened tonight." Shad grabbed a pair of 'gloves' from his coat and handed them to Terra. "I was handling that girl's gown when that happened. The dark oil covered my hands where I handled the gown. I think it's 'cause of the rad."
"Ah, which girl?"
Shad gestured to Penny, who appeared calm. Bliss creaked to a full stand, her hand pressing to the small of her back as she grinned down at the girl.
"Notice something." Shad gestured to a spot on his duster. "Look similar don't they? Like it's of the same substance."
"Penny." Terra approached slowly. Penny's bandages from her shoulder surgery of earlier were soaked in blood from so much moving around. Terra smiled and patted her own shoulder, then pointed to the girl. "I. Can. Help." The three words were said slow and clear in hopes that Penny wound understand. It always seemed to some people that if you spoke your language -- which someone of a different nationality or even species couldn't understand to begin with -- slowly and clearly enough that the words would get through. It wasn't the words, of course, it was the tone of voice, the body language.
Penny stopped in her tracks and lowered to her crouch to wait as Terra approached closer.
"Careful." Shad warned. "I think she trusts only Bliss and Asche mostly."
Terra extended her hand with a piece of jerky offered just for this occasion.
"If you intend to clean and re-bandage the wound, Terra, her rate of healing may be enough that her leather attire may be returned to her to control the radiation she is emitting." Elliot's voice wafted from the speakers helpfully.
Penny looked at Terra's hand and started to reach out, but then pulled back at the last moment. Terra continued to hold out her hand, a soft smile on her face clearly showing warmth and the intent to help the girl. "Go ahead."
"I think the gloves might be resistant to rad." Shad offered.
Penny watched Terra and finally reached for her hand, taking it carefully, clearly scared.
"I'd better get going myself. Think I might need some sleep as well. Let me know what you find about the gloves. Or should I say my skin." Shad chuckled slightly.
"Shad, take care." Terra said before she turned back to Penny and patted her shoulder again to show the dressing. "Penny, I want to help you."
"Night Shad, keep up the good work." Bliss said as she shrugged back into her shoulder holster and duster.
"Night." Shad pointed to the dark gloves before exiting quietly.
"Bliss? Think she will allow me to help?" Terra smiled to Penny and pointed to her own flat stomach. "Penny." She mouthed each word carefully and pointed to the girl. "Want ... to ... see ... my babies?"
"I have no idea, Terra. Think it's a good idea to have her near the kids while she is shooting out rads?" Bliss asked with concern.
Penny followed Terra's gesture, looking at the formerly enormously huge, rotund, planet sized stomach and back up at her, still allowing Terra to hold her hand. As Terra mouthed the words slowly, she pointed to her eyes and then made a rocking movement as if holding a baby. The gestures were meaningless to Penny. She looked over at Bliss and then back to Terra, clutching her doll to her chest along with Asche's picture and frame.
"Yes." Terra smiled and pointed to the doll, then to her tummy and somehow trying to relate the concept to the girl. Bliss joined in and smiled at Penny, pointing to her dolly then made the same rocking motion.
"I will ask Garth to bring the twins down." Terra said in a whisper. Penny looked to Terra, and then to Bliss as if she understood. The doll was extended toward Terra and a sad look appeared on Penny's face. Terra moved to Penny with the necessary things needed to change the old dressings on the girl's shoulder. She smiled. "Aww, thank you." The doll was hugged and then offered back to Penny.
"Aww, yeesh. She thought I wanted her to give you her doll." Bliss said, shaking her head.
Penny seemed surprised that the doll was given back to her. She had indeed thought that they had wanted her to give it back. Happily, she snatches the doll back and hugged it tightly, protectively. Still holding onto Penny's hand, Terra very slowly moved to an Elliot terminal. "Elliot, please contact Garth Lowinn and have him bring the twins to room 107."
"He will be paged now, Terra."
"Bliss, think we can take her to a private room? This way, I can treat her, Garth can bring in the babies, and perhaps she can feel a bit of love?"
"We can but try." Bliss started strolling towards room 107 hoping Penny would follow. Penny released Terra's and watched Bliss' departure, a darting lope to follow her as she knew Bliss always gives her good stuff. Terra smiled and followed closely behind Bliss and Penny, pausing only to pick up the necessary meds, Penny's leathers and a snack for her as well. As she walked towards the private room, she hoped that it would provide the serene atmosphere that would please the red skinned girl. Penny edged into the room after Bliss, giving it a slow look over, and Bliss plunked herself down on the edge of the bed.
"Nice little room," she observed.
The red skinned girl hopped up onto the bed, landing in a crouch, and looked back and forth between the two other women.
Terra approached Penny with caution, yet showed no fear. She motioned to Penny's shoulder and then pointed to her own. "You. Need. Help." Penny glanced to her own shoulder and then to Terra, she sank into a sitting position, not moving away at all and just watching Terra's lips move as she spoke without the slightest idea of what she was saying. Terra appraoched, ever so gently stroking her cheek. "It's ok. I will not hurt you ... f r i e nd." She laid the antibiotic ointment, gauze padding and the wrap out on the bed beside Penny and pointed to them, then to Penny's shoulder. Penny seemed to be used to the routine since the other nurses had dressed her wound many times. So, she just sat still, only glancing to Bliss now and then.
Ever so gently Terra went about removing the bloody dressing and with a gentle antiseptic sponge, she patted at the wound clean and applying ointment. Quickly the wound was covered with the thick padding and the wrap was put into place.
Bliss grinned at Penny and handed her another brightly colored candy. Penny reached out to start and take the treat with her bad arm then stopped, taking it instead with her good hand as the picture of Asche and doll fell to the bed. The candy disappeared into Penny's mouth and she chewed, occasionally glancing down at Terra's re-bandaging.
Terra smiled to Penny and pointed to the girl's shoulder, making an 'ow' look on her face. "You ... ow?"
Bliss slipped a small book from her pocket and started leafing through it. She lifted the book and turned it to show Penny a picture depicting various old time gods and goddesses. The pictures caught Penny's eye and she looked at them, fascinated. As Terra handed Penny some chewable medication she blinked, realizing what Bliss intended to do. Terra smiled slowly as she had not thought of it first. Penny snatched up the offered med, thinking it was candy, and popped it into her mouth. Her face scrunched up in distaste upon the realization of what the pills really were and she lolled out her tongue to let the med roll off it and onto the bed.
Terra sighed because she did not want to have to resort to using a needle to dispense the needed medication. Perhaps a liquid, she pondered as there was a knock at the door.
Garth walked in, a baby in each arm. "What do you want Terra?" He glared at Terra when he saw that Penny was there.
"Penny?" Terra touched the red skinned girl lightly on the arm, then stood up and moved slowly toward Garth and the babes.
Penny's gaze flitted between Terra and Bliss and noting the girl's confusion, Terra pointed to her stomach and made a gesture as if it were again big with her pregnancy. She then pointed to the babies.
Garth looked at Terra like she'd gone completely loopy. "Do you know what you're doing?"
Terra nodded, "Yes, let me have Hope." She lifted the wee one, a spitting image of Garth and sad down, simply holding her. Again she smiled to Penny and the baby cooed happily. Penny shrunk back and looked at the babies, her eyes wide. Slowly, she reached out for the baby with one clawed hand.
"Gentle ... B a b y." Terra said a shade too quickly.
Penny flinched, having no idea what Terra was trying to say. She pulled her hand back like it was bitten by a snake. She cowered at the head of the bed. Terra held the baby protectively and rocked a bit two and fro.
"Terra, she just wanted to ruffle her hair." Bliss, who had been watching the event unfold, smiled and reached out towards Penny slowly. Bliss' touch snapped Penny's fearful gaze to her. The baby in Terra's arms cooed again. Was that even a giggle as she saw Penny? Terra smiled and motioned for Penny to come closer.
Elliot's voice suddenly interrupted with it's usual cheerful tone, "Terra, radiation levels are nearing the limits of safety. I suggest either quarantining the girl or redressing her in the treated leather attire."
"Okay Elliot."
Bliss turned to Terra. "Did you bring her gear Terra?"
"Yes, I did."
Slowly, Terra moved back to Garth and handed him the baby. Garth was still looking at Terra as if she were out of her mind.
"Go ahead and take them back up, dear." Terra told him.
"I don't know about you, Terra. Come on kids. Let's go home." Garth turned to leave, the one baby still cooing towards Penny. As soon as Garth was safely out of the way, Terra produced Penny's leathers.
"Bliss does she need help with this?"
Penny's large, blood red eyes caught sight of her leathers and she beamed a large smile, her fear seemingly gone.
"Just hand it to her and we'll see. I can help her if she needs it." Bliss said and took the leathers, setting them down on the bed before Penny. Penny instantly grabbed the leathers up and started trying to wrap them around her legs, not having much luck as she obviously did not know how a buckle worked. She quickly became frustrated that they wouldn't stay attached and she thrust her legs at Bliss in a frantic request. Bliss laughed and assisted Penny in donning her usual attire. When they were finished, Penny was proud and it showed as she looked down over her slender, leather-clad body. She hopped excitedly, leaping off the bad and posed as if she were Superman.
"Looking good, Pen." Bliss chuckled.
Penny dropped into her customary crouch and looked at them all, one by one. Terra smiled.
"Radiation levels already dropping, Terra. Well done." Elliot chirped.
"Thank you, Elliot."
Penny seemed to be fairly brimming with energy. She picked up her doll and the picture of Asche and hugged them tightly. Rocking the two treasures back and forth, she crouched and looked to Terra, her crouch much more at ease now that she was in her tight leathers.
"Well, that went well, she looks quite happy." Bliss flashed a grin to Terra.
"She's all dressed, her stomach should be full and she has her dolly. Now all she needs is Asche."
"Asche? Well that I can't help with. What of her room?"
"You know Terra, we should fix up that containment room she stays in, make a bit more homey."
"I agree.. Perhaps if it had things she liked. I have my things in the storage room, perhaps I can find something for her." Terra remembered a small music box that would be a nice gift for the girl. "And I can check around and see if I can find some things a girl her age should have."
Bliss shook her head, "Like I'd know. Terra, if you were going to create something like Penny -- putting yourself in place of the church scientist that probably had a hand in her development -- why would you make it so she could neither speak nor hear?"
"Not sure. The perfect silent killing machine?"
"Now does that make any sense? The lack of speech I can see, she really doesn't need to be able to speak to kill, but deaf? How would they hope to give her orders or recall her when needed?"
"No, it doesn't make sense at all, but then perhaps in the recombination of the DNA they messed up as they did on Garth, perhaps, she isn't really that deaf ... or has selective hearing."
"Yeah, but why keep a failed experiment alive to use up resources? It's not logical."
Penny just looked between the two talking as if she were at a tennis match. She watched their lips move because that is what she always did.
"No, I would like to do a workup. Some tech disposed of her blood." Terra grumbled in annoyance.
"I'm sure they took new samples when she was injured, it's standard op."
"Yes, but they aren't making their way to me. I will just have to see what has become of them. Perhaps we should get her to the containment room?"
"Sure, but only if she wants to go."
"Bliss, you know as well as I that we can't let her roam. Let's take a walk that way and see if she follows."
"Good idea." Bliss nodded as she rose.
Before Terra began to move in the direction of the containment room, she paused to grab some pillows and a blanket from the closet with which to make the bed for Penny. She entered the containment room ahead of the other two and started tossing pillows about and fluffing the bed. Penny followed, loping along behind the two other women and looked into each room as they passed open doors along the hallway. Easing into the containment room, she watched Terra's nest making from a crouched position beside the bed.
"Perhaps if I bring some food in here?" Terra asked, a glance to Bliss.
"She knows this is her place, Terra, and she's eaten already."
"I guess." Terra smiled.
There was a pile of blankets dirty blankets on the floor beside the bed and atop them was the broken Elliot camera. Penny looked at it for a moment, then hobbled over to the bed and set the picture of Asche down. She looked at Terra and Bliss, still holding the doll tightly in her arms. Bliss dug into her pocket and procured a few candies. She set them next to the bed. "There now, she has a snack." She laughed.
Terra smiled warmly at Penny and made a motion to ask the girl if she were tired. Penny wasn't, but she appeared to think Terra wanted her to get into her normal bed. She did and kicked her clawed feet under the blankets, holding her doll right there with her. "Sleep well." Terra whispered the words, whether they fell on deaf ears or not, the thought remained.
"Night Pretty Penny." Bliss ruffled the girl's hair. Penny looked up at them, blankets covering her feet. Her small red face and the small red face of her doll were all that Bliss and Terra could see of her. It was quite adorable.
"I need to update her record." Terra waved to Penny as she walked, out heading to the terminal to have Elliot update the file.
"Night, lovey." Bliss smiled and rose to her feet, following behind Terra to leave the red skinned girl to sleep.