DATE: August 21- 25, 2001 CAST: Basil, Jazz, Terry, Sienna and Walter Terry's Apartment A small, inelegant room of cardboard. Although it's kept relatively clean, its previous occupants must have had less than good hygiene, judging from the various faded stains on the walls and floor. There's very little furniture in sight, apart from shelves made from wafer thin cardboard and a small, equally thin cardboard box for storage. Although the furnishings in Terry's apartment are quite Spartan, at least it provides shelter from the noise, the cold streets, and a certain antlion. The part of the floor that has been sectioned off for the guests is cushioned slightly with torn pieces of Kleenex. Walter has thoroughly wrapped himself up in his 'blanket,' and should look comfortable enough... but he stirs uneasily in his sleep. Finally, a good night's rest. Sound asleep also is Basil, not as tightly wrapped as Walter, but with just his antennae perking out from the tissue, is motionless at the moment. A steady breathing causes the 'covers' to move up and down slightly, but other than that, is essentially without movement. One might wonder how he can breathe so deeply tucked down inside, but he always manages to sleep that way. Closing out any light and sound that might enter the room. The stirring becomes more fitful. At length, Walter's upper body pops up without further warning. Panting slightly, eyes wide and fully awake, the ant whips his gaze about in alarm for about a split second. Then recognition flits through his expression, followed by weary relief as he flops back down into the Kleenex. Even with the covers pulled up to drown out sounds, Basil hears a rustling in another part of the room. He slowly stirs and pokes his head out to see what all of the commotion is about. Not entirely sure, but it looked like Walter was up, and then lied back down again. Unsure at this time to tell, since his vision is being rather blurry. But instead of lying down again, Basil takes a long awaiting glance at Walter to see if he's okay. Not wanting to awaken him yet, he lies back down again, glancing at the cardboard wall in front of him. There's the sound of small feet pattering across the cardboard floor nearby. Eventually, the source makes itself known. A small reddish ant steps out of the next room, brown eyes blinking tiredly. Walter remains still for quite awhile, largely wrapped up in a tissue-brand blanket like some mummified ant. His antennae twitch out the sound of the ant entering the room, however, and he abruptly rolls over to get a glimpse. Sounds seem to be emanating from around the room. Quiet sounds that have reached Basil's antennae, and in response, he sits up again. With his head buried deep beneath the tissue, it takes a little effort to pull them off of his face, at first looking like a pile with antenna on top. Finally freeing himself, Basil rubs the last of the blurriness from his deep blue eyes and sees the young ant whom has entered the room. A weak smile is shown, then a wearily raised hand is waved. Then a glance is turned toward Walter's movement. Sienna rubs the remaining sleep from his eyes, then perks right up. Flashing a grin, he tosses a hand out, a barely perceptible wave given. "Hi. Terry should be back soon, she's off doing some stuff right now. Something 'bout setting something straight with Gresham." With that, the kid moseys on over to the small box set off in the corner of the room, and pries the lid up. He retrieves a small grain. "If you want any, the food and stuff is all there." Walter slowly pushes himself up, heaving a sigh and rubbing his forehead distractedly. The ant offers no acknowledgement to Sienna's words, for the most part, until the kid mentions food. A quick glance is pointed at the box, eyes barely lit with interest, but overall remained pensively clouded. He nods heavily. "...thanks." A stronger smile is given as Sienna tells about Terry's errands, then the food in the container. "Yeah, thanks. I'm pretty hungry myself," is given and Basil soon works his way out of the tissue, finding himself more tangled than before. Finally releasing himself from the many layers of Kleenex, he manages his way slowly, but surely to the box, and open it to remove a grain, and begins to start munching on it. Strength quickly falters and Basil finds he has to sit down. Sienna leans against a wall nearby, munching on his own grain. He also watches the two ants curiously, but tries to be, well, discreet about it. Sure they're one of the few ants in the city aside from himself. Sure they look unhealthy and beat up... but that doesn't mean they need to be stared at, really. However, the kid has less tact on one point, and blurts out a question: "Did you really see an antlion last night?" Yeah... Walter really wanted to be reminded of that. He cringes visibly, and slowly rises, while turning about so that he faces a wall more or less opposite of Basil and Sienna, arms tightly folded, hands bunched up into fists. "Yeah, it-it-it was," trembles Basil as the terrifying reminder flashes in his mind. But then quickly changed the subject. "So, um Sienna, right? How long have you been in the city, and how did you come to live with Terry?" It was a rather personal question, but if Sienna was a typical kid, then he'd have little trouble in answering. Having had a nephew of his own, Basil was more accustomed to childlike behavior, albeit the nephew was several years younger. "Crud," Sienna exclaims, putting on a frown that is on the verge of a pout. "Now Terry probably won't let me out of this dumb complex without a babysitter or something." As Basil asks this question, the red ant shrugs his shoulders. "Don't know. Can't remember living anyplace else," he explains, almost nonchalantly. "Just here. Terry found me when I was really little, and couldn't find my folks or any other ants to take care of me, so..." Walter glances over his shoulder as he listens to Sienna's response, a questioning brow raised. Very slowly the ant turns away from the wall, arms gradually unfolding. "So she's raised you all this time?" he asks, unable to keep his surprise from coloring his question. "Wow, that's kinda rough," replies Basil as he has a hard time imagining a grasshopper caring enough to take in and provide for an ant. But then it worked in their favor, for had she not been there, who knows how bad the night would have turned out. Or if they would have survived at all. The grain in his hands is then munched on until it is consumed, awaiting for the answer to Walter's inquiry. "Yup, pretty much," Sienna replies, then downs the remainder of his grain. Then licks the crumbs off his fingers. To Basil's comment, he shrugs. "Nah, that's just the way it is." Walter nods slowly, surprise and yes, even skepticism battling for control of his expression. For awhile, he says nothing. Eventually, he plods over to where the box is, and plucks out a grain. Hunger takes precedence over questions. Suddenly an orange, yellow, and black butterfly comes crashing into the little cardboard stucture, you can hear the rain outside beginning to patter on the ground outside. "Je-sus" she pants. Looking around the cardboard room she sees several other insects. "Um...hello, I hope you don't mind if I use your shelter, I can't really get wet," she says as she shakes her beautiful muti-colored wings. Basil simply nods. Then as he finishes the grain, watches Walter retrieve one for himself. 'Another grain would be nice' is mused, but it's against his nature to impose. An uncomfortable expression makes itself known, and then the uncomfortable question is asked. "Do you think there would be enough if I had another one?" Perhaps from good or strict upbringing, depending on who you would ask, might explain the reluctancy, but then all things considered, probably all but the strictest parents would feel any inclination to deny more food, if available. Then is added, "Well, I'm glad she cares about ants, or we'd still be stuck in that alley." A butterfly swooping into the room from the outside was probably the last thing Sienna anticipated. He turns, brown eyes opening wide. He then blinks at the sight of the new bug there. "Uh, yeah, lady... I know the trailer's porch has leaky spots, but couldn't you've knocked or something?" he asks, a little too shocked at the moment to think about being more polite. And no more did Walter expect this sudden entrance. Instincts honed from having his life threatened time and again, he leaps back about a couple of inches (which is actually a good distance for an ant, if we speak of literal inches), emitting a slight yelp, arms going up in a defensive stance. When the butterfly speaks in what sounds like a non-threatening manner, only cautiously does Walter lower his arms, eyeing the colorful insect warily. Jazz blinks a bit at the ant's impoliteness. "I'm sorry, but the porch was a bit rickity and it was heavy with water an I was afraid it was going to fall," she says slighty, shaky on her legs, her wings shaking with every word and little drops of moisture fall from them. "I'm very sorry if I frightened you." The sight of the sudden butterfly's entrance takes Basil by surprise as well. Not too familiar with this species of bug, he's taken aback by her colorful appearance, but is mostly stunned by her sudden entrance. A weary expression is made, but a slight smile is given as he listens to the quick conversation between her and Sienna. Odd having something so attractive cause so much concern. But then things haven't been quite normal for this poor ant, anyway. Sienna, however, seems not so quick to accept a bug on friendly terms regardless if it's a pretty one or not. A frown is given, but finally he shrugs his shoulders, as if deciding this one really did get herself caught in a predicament, and means no harm. "Okay, ne'er mind. Not like we're gonna kick you out or anything." Jazz gives a sigh of relief at this, and sits on top of one of the tissues that was use by the ants. She watches them as they talk, she will know when the rain has stopped and will leave. "When the rain stops I will leave, if you would like, unless you want me to stay," she says happily, seeing the look on Basil's face she stares back, smiling. "Hello," she say calmly. Walter gradually calms down, arms fully lowered now as he regards the butterfly from askance. Not as quick to let his guard down as his two other companions. At length he finally sits down on the ground, eyeing the winged one carefully. It would seem that for the moment, the butterfly means no harm. Basil nods and smiles as her friendly greeting is made. Always interested in making peace with others, he decides to introduce himself. "Hi, my name is Basil. Nice to meet ya." Now that his guard is let down, the need to rest again overtakes him, and he quickly plops down to the floor of the room. "I hate to be so impolite, but with the lack of food or sleep lately, it's hard to keep my strength up." Jazz nods, "Yes...that can be a problem." she looks to the ant, nodding, "Hi, Basil." She says nicely, wanting to be polite so they don't kick her out. The dull thumping of footfalls becomes audible in the outer hall. Soon the door opens, and a sand-and-rust colored grasshopper steps inside the room. She is about to step in further as if this is all a routine, but can't miss the bright colors suddenly dominating the room. Mahogany eyes land questioningly on the butterfly, as well as Sienna. Jazz stares at the grasshopper, as the grasshopper looks at her, she cowers. "H-h-hello m-miss," she says shakily, wondering if all these ants are in here for her meal. She looks around at the othe insects, watching their expressions to see what they think of the grasshopper. Sienna becomes alert to the sounds outside, and his posture straightens. Great. As Terry steps through the door, he averts his gaze. But a few seconds after feeling her gaze on him, he finally looks back, eyes wide and innocent, and shrugs facially. He gestures toward the window and shrugs, as if to say that *he* didn't let the lady butterfly inside on purpose. Walter's own stance becomes more rigid as he hears the sounds outside, but for perhaps a different reason than Sienna's. Gray-green eyes focus on the door expectantly. A film of relief comes over his expression as he recognizes Terry, and waves weakly. The sudden commotion takes Basil by surprise, and upon Terry's entrance, he jumps a little, but recognition gives way, and a relief felt smile comes to his face. "Oh, hi Terry. Thanks for letting us stay, oh, and for the food as well." A little tremor in his voice can be heard, but not from anxiety of harm. The rest of the situation has rendered him basically mute for the moment, wondering how this will play itself out. Blink. Blink. Terry regards Sienna's mute response to her gaze. Eyes travel to the somewhat wet edges of the window, and the trail of moisture leading from it to the butterfly. "Um. Hello," she replies uncertainly, an eyeridge raised. "Came in from the rain?" It is shorly after this transaction that the rain ceases. It takes a little while for Terry to recover her tongue after the butterfly takes advantage of this opening to leave whence she came, but the grasshopper manages soon enough. Once Jazz has left, she turns to Sienna. "Did you let her in?" Sienna shrugs his shoulders innocently. "I couldn't help it," he insists. "She flew in. Without warning. Like a rocket," he adds, proudly sprinkling his dialogue with strange expressions picked up from other city bugs, who in turn likely picked it up from humans. "She didn't want to get wet, so I didn't want to kick her out or nothing." Walter nods vaguely in support of Sienna's response, although a perplexed expression does overcome his visage as the young ant compares the butterfly's entrance to that of a rocket. What's a rocket? This ant surely has no idea. "Yeah, she came in unannounced, like a what?" The word doesn't escape Basil's antennae either. A rock something. But rocks don't fly. He has no idea what the kid is talking about, but no matter. "Well, it was nice of him to let her stay, with the rain as bad as it is right now..." Then he stops short, not wanting to overstep his bounds since he is merely a guest of the home. Basil becomes somewhat reclusive in hopes he didn't offend Terry. "It's your home... " Basil mutters. He tends to overcompensate at times like these. Terry finally shrugs. "At least no harm came of it... this time." The grasshopper aims a harsh look at the red ant. "As I'm sure you've noticed," she informs the two other ants, "You can't trust everyone. I used to think about leaving the city, but there's no other place we know of. And who's to say the next community will be any better." Her eyes become shaded, as if thinking of something... and then they harden in recollection of something. "I overheard someone talking about you today." Sienna offers no further commentary of his own, other than to answer Basil's first question. "A rocket," he repeats. "That's a machine thing that flies really fast." "Yeah, we noticed," Walter says almost inaudibly, acknowledging Terry's remark. He lowers his eyes to the cardboard floor, absently scratching at the back of his neck, until he hears the grasshopper's last statement. He looks up sharply. Now the word, machine has popped up. Basil has no ideas what that is either, but seeing how this could turn into an in depth conversation on a number of things he has absolutely no knowledge of, he says. "Oh, I see, a rocket." And listens idly to Terry. "Who, what?" is muttered at the statement of someone *talking* about them. Basil turns and looks at Walter in a quick glance. "No one knows us here, well, accept for the pet shop owner and the katydid at the studio." A look of concern is shown as he refocuses his eyes on Terry. "What did they say?" "Apparently you're not giving yourselves enough credit," Terry replies, glancing from Basil, to Walter, and back again. Then she elaborates: "There's a small young grasshopper looking for two runaway slaves. I didn't hear anything more specific." Upper arms fold. "You two are the only ants I've seen around here lately, apart from Sienna." It doesn't take long for the significance of Terry's words to have effect on Sienna. His eyes fairly bulge out of his skull as he glances at the two other ants in the room. "You guys were *slaves*?" "Well, um, you see, that's not..." Walter's voice dies in his throat as he tries to explain away the situation. Although he tries very hard not to show it, his expression borders on terror. Sure, this grasshopper has saved them from a cat, given them food and shelter, but the idea of telling anyone about this recent component of their past is just... way too risky. Upon hearing the vocal commotion, Basil takes a slow, and /hopefully/ unassuming glance at Walter. 'Oh, we are dead!' is mouthed, then he looks back up to Terry, making every effort to control the horrible panic inside. "Are you sure he was talking about us? There may be other ants in the city?" A pause is made, then an idea comes to his mind. "I know of one who has been here recently, named Mazin. He stole from a pet shop, the same one I mentioned before. That's why we didn't get the job." The reactions of the two ants are observed with an expression that could be construed as passive. A slight flickering of an eyeridge betrays Terry's disbelief as she notes Walter trying unsuccessfully to conceal his horror, as well as the questioning tone in Basil's voice, which seems to aim to put her conclusion in doubt... rather than entirely deny what she believes to be the real situation. "Maybe Mazin is a runaway, maybe he isn't. All I can say for certain is that ants are a rarity, and they don't usually come here just for the heck of it." Sienna bobs his round head in agreement. "Yeah." That's it. The grasshopper isn't going to drop the subject, so obviously they are dead. Walter hangs his head for a moment, whilst scratching the area between his antennae worriedly. "Well," he finally replies, "We have no other place to go. My colony won't have me back." It takes just about all of his emotional control, as Walter gives his reply. So many details in such a short period of time, how does one come up with a good excuse that sounds plausible. Then it occurs to him to tell the truth, but maybe not all of it. "And I have no idea how to get back to mine. I wasn't able to observe the route I traveled, so I have no choice but to stay here either." Well, at least partial truth is easier to remember than a panic stricken group of scattered lies. Nope. It's clear the grasshopper isn't buying it. Seconds filled with silence elapse. And then Terry shakes her head slowly, almost wearily. "Fine. I can understand if you don't want to put your trust in what is normally a foe." She crosses the room in a rigid stride, heading towards the other room. Just before disappearing from view, she shoots a glance over her shoulder. "But if I meant to betray you, it wouldn't matter if you had been slaves or not. Slavers are not very particular about who they enslave." With that, she leaves. Sienna raises his eyeridges at the exchange, eyes wide with intrique. As Terry leaves the room, he decides the drama is more or less over, and takes this opportunity to swipe another snack from the little cardboard container. Walter watches the grasshopper as she leaves, mouth shifting into a troubled frown. And finally, an almost exasperated sigh. And then a slight widening of eyes as he reflects her words - 'if I meant to betray you.' Could it be that, despite all this, she intends to...? After watching Terry turn and leave the room, Basil lets out the tiniest, but still stress relieving sigh. His heart continues to beat seemingly twice its normal rhythm, which most likely won't be calming down any time soon. He then pulls up the cover on the grain container, and with a slightly trembling hand, pulls out the grain and attempts to nonchalantly nibble on the end of it. An action having been known to others who know him as a distinct sigh of stress. He then goes back down and plops into the tissue, hoping that Sienna will not follow the subject farther. The whole scenario has left Walter's mind in a vertiginous state, although now he wears an expression about as revealing as a blank sheet of paper. He turns a numb gaze in the direction the grasshopper went, and finally looks away. Instead of sitting back down or reaching for some grain, however, he begins to slowly walk in the opposite direction, towards the exit. Sienna, till then, was momentarily content to eye the ants in a placid state of curiosity and suspicion, perhaps formulating some kind of question, when Walter's movement catches his eye. Blinking, he calls out, "Hey... where're you going?" The actions of Walter does not miss the passing glance of Basil's vision, but at first is not entirely able to figure out what he is up to. Then as Sienna questions Walter's actions, this causes Basil to stand up about as quickly as his weakened sate allows, and heads toward the exit as well. "Uh, Walter. Are you okay?" Basil manages to make his way up along side and wonders what exactly is in the other ant's mind. "Since we don't have to work today, it would be best to get some rest." Walter surely must have heard their inquiries, but makes no sign of it. Other than quickening his pace, that is. Mouth set into a tight line, he refuses to acknowledge either ant with even a glance as he walks out into the apartment complex's hallway. Brown eyes blink twice, thrice as Walter leaves without so much as a departing remark. Sienna stares, scratching his head absently. "Huh. Wonder what his hurry is..." Basil takes a quick look at Sienna, revealing the confusion showing itself deeply. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out what's on his mind." As soon as he's finished, Basil increases his stride as best he can, and soon comes within arm's grasp of Walter, feeling the pains in his body which are giving him a bit of hindering. "Walter, where are you going?" is asked in a mix of concern, confusion an a little bit of frustration, caused by his injuries. Wingview Apartments - First Floor As you hit the landing, you notice the rather lack of maintenance done to this little hall. A few mushrooms grow out of a damp corner of the box, and a few scattered bits of paper litter the outside of one of the doors. Otherwise, there is little more to this area than the doors to the left, and the small sets of stairs directly ahead, leading up to the highest sets of apartment rooms. Other places: To (F)oyer, (S)econd (F)loor ... "Don't know, don't care," comes the response. Walter is already well outside of the room by now, making his way down the hallway with the quick, somewhat rigid gait of someone who suspects himself hunted. Heading down the hallway and onto the first floor, Basil is still in pursuit but finding his progress somewhat taxing, but no matter. The intention is to find out why, although Basil has an idea of why the sudden withdrawl from Terry's place. "Walter, I know you're under a lot of stress, so am I. But running off now is not a good idea, assuming that's what you're going to do." A weak spot in the cardboard flooring emits a creak as Basil's words suddenly bring Walter to a halt, shoulders stiffening. He glances back just enough to glimpse at the other ant through his peripheral vision. "Yeah? It's no worse than sticking around here, waiting to be picked off by a slave hunter, an antlion, a cat, or a human." "Where do you plan on going? Obviously not in the city." Basil's voice seems to echo throughout the area, as his voice carries with the tone of genuine concern. "Believe me, I to would love to get out of this *living nightmare*, but neither of us has the slightest idea where another ant colony is, and I've been in that situation. I was in the wilderness for more than two weeks, probably lucky to have survived the ordeal." The words emanating from Basil have now taken on much more vigor. "I feel for you, but it's virtual suicide to wander out there! Where there is little food, water, and who knows what else." A look of concern and fear is showing on this ants visage, along with widening eyes, and hands at a pleading gesture. "It's suicide here." Walter feebly tosses out an arm, gesturing at the small hallway, though the motion seems to include everything surrounding the apartment complex as well. "It's suicide out there. It's suicide everywhere. It's more of a matter of 'picking your poison'." With a defeated shake of his head, the ant slowly takes a few more steps away. A head shake is given and then feet follow in keeping up with Walter's progress. "Walter, would you please take a moment and think about our current situation. We have a place to stay for the moment. I know it's hard to trust a grasshopper, but I can't help but think that if she really did have it against ants, why would she take care of Sienna?" A loud exhale is made as deeper frustration is acquired, and it occurs to Basil that a physical confrontation is not without the realm of possibility, but he *will not* make the first move, will stand in his way, hold him by the arm, or such action as deemed necessary. A quick, impatient exhalation is given. Walter fixes what attempts to be a glare at Basil, but the expression of frustration also battles fear. "Look... I'm *not* going to risk being caught by whoever the heck is hunting us down. Do you have any idea what they'll do on the plantation when they find us?" His breath quickens, despite all measures taken to keep the terror down. "Have you *seen* what happens to runaways?!" "You told me about what happened to one of the runaway slaves, that he was beaten badly. I've had re-occurring nightmares about that the entire time we were there, and occasionally still do." The panic is steadily rising in Basil's voice as well, wanting to find its way to escape. "The only thing that *is* keeping me here is that there is a better chance of survival here then out in the wilderness. And who is to say that there aren't other bounty hunters out there looking for us as well?" A pause is made, and then is added; "At least we have a means of support here. I hate to think of how either of us would survive in the wilderness." "Badly? You don't know the half of it. The guy couldn't recover from it, became useless for labor. Then we don't know if he got sold, killed, abandoned or what, but we never saw him again." Although Walter attempts to keep the panic out of his voice, it surges underneath, finding occasional outlets. He pauses to catch his breath. "And as far as bounty hunters being out in the wilderness... look, of all the zillions of bugs around here, we're some of the only ants around. Sienna's the only other one *I've* seen. It can't take long before word gets around, and then..." The comments made by Walter only seem to cause more panic to ensue in Basil's mind. He had no idea how badly the runaway was treated. In all honesty, Basil would be more than happy to leave right then and there. "But without food, water, the danger of birds and snakes, there *still* is a better chance of survival here than out there." A finger is pointed out the door, and then from no where in particular. "We'll just have to lie low, and do what we can to be made inconspicuous. The bounty hunter won't look for us forever. Just give it a little time." Walter's mouth is immediately flung open to issue an objection, but... nothing. It's hard to argue with or overlook the logic of the first points, and as for the latter suggestions... his forehead drops into his hand, while uttering a shaky sigh. "Okay... fine," comes the reply, barely audible. "Fine. We'll do that." Although he finally acquiesces, there is reluctance in it. Perhaps he's just too tired to argue further. A deep heartfelt exhale is made as Walter finally decides to stay. "I'm glad to hear you say that," is about all that can be uttered as Basil turns around and awaits Walter to pass as they head back into Terry's apartment. Now all he has to do is get a degree of control on the panic that has ensued in him by the comments made. A face of confidence is barely pasted on his visage as the horror of the entire situation has found its paramount reality in Basil's mind. It is extremely unlikly they will survive if they are discovered, and sent back to the plantation. Nevertheless, the sense of staying in the city still remains with him. No response is made. Nor is any effort made to construct another expression to conceal one of hopelessness, defeat. Heaving another sigh, Walter plods back towards the apartment. Basil watches Walter pass and his eyes go wider and wider with fear. But now is not the time to show a lack of confidence in the decision to stay. He very well may have saved Walter's life, and has no intention of ruining that now. A sigh of great magnitude is suppressed, and Basil follows Walter back into the apartment. "But I still think it would be wise to keep this situation to ourselves, for the time being, so Terry doesn't worry about harboring two 'refugee' ants." It became ironic that he and Walter had become what Willow and her friends had escaped. If only he knew how they escaped. He never asked her, not thinking any of this would happen. [END LOG] Next Log: A Few Drinks Return to: Muted Identity logs.

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