DATE: December 29, 2001 CAST: Basil, Opal and Willow Ant Island - Eastern Residential Wing You come to the eastern wing of the residential tunnels. This place is obviously meant for the colony members such as worker ants. The place is nice though, all the members of the colony are well housed. As Basil meanders his way down the residential tunnel, he's watched by a few of the local residents that reside within. Even though he's been home a couple of days, a few ants haven't been made aware of his arrival, with others, it's been word of mouth only. "Hey Basil, I'd heard that you were back! Good to see ya, pal!" Exclaims a fairly heavy set member of the colony. "Thanks, I am too." Is responded congenially. After passing a few more individuals, some whom give him a sympathetic look, he eyes ahead to the location of his old chamber, just ahead. Willow turns out to be one of the ants who find themselves in this section of the residential tunnels. Which might strike some as odd, considering that her chamber is located on the western end. Nonetheless, her footfalls have led her here, and she hardly seems aware of it. Her eyes are fixed on some entry in the notebook in her hands, which, judging by the verdancy of the leaves, was recently constructed to replace the old one. She manages to remain just enough aware of her surroundings to not run into anything or anyone, but distracted enough so as not to recognize Basil, or anyone else for that matter, just yet. Clop, step, clop, step, clop, step. Crutches might not be the most /comfortable/ means of getting around, but they *do* get a person around faster than without. Besides, the mild discomfort in the underarm area where the leaf pad is attached to the top of the crutches is far superior to the pain that would be felt if hobbling on an injured ankle. It would seem that a couple of personal belongings are unaccounted for, so Basil's planning to inquire of them to the resident of his old home. Basil is a little too preoccupied with getting used to the crutches to notice Willow's presence in the same tunnel either. He's mostly concerned with not colliding with anyone at the moment. Willow shuts the notebook after that brief review, and slides the affixed strap back on her shoulder so that it is out of the way. Now that she is able to be more attentive to her surroundings, she finally catches the sounds that don't quite match the typical gait of an ant -- at least an ant unassisted by crutches. And then she finally discovers the source. "Hello, Basil," the greeting is issued. "Getting used to those things yet?" Basil hears the rustling of a leaf, then the friendly, familiar voice of Willow. "Uh." He stops to gain a more comfortable pose before speaking. "Oh, hi Willow. Yeah. I think, *ow* I think so." States the slightly dinged but otherwise managing ant. "At least I haven't fallen over, bumped into anything, or anyone, or made a spectacle of myself today." He then adds a slight chuckle, showing that he's fairing much better than his sarcastic undertones. "How goes it with you?" "Fair enough," is Willow's response to the, ah, response. Her mouth quirks into a faint smile. "Usually the paradox of crutches is that by the time you finally get the hang of them, someone informs you that you don't need them anymore and takes them back." The tone used suggests she is speaking as the voice of experience on this particular matter. Shoulders lift in a shrug at Basil's question, nearly causing the notebook to fall off. "I'm okay," she states neutrally, just prior to saving the object from crashing to the tunnel floor. "Well, not only is this the first time, but I'm hoping the last time. I do appreciate my getting around, but, well..." He passes a look from Willow to the crutches and back, and attempts a shrug himself, all though rather half hearted, all things considered. "I'll be happy when I get good enough to be rid of them." A few more chuckles emanates, but stop cold as he fully understands why her response is spoken in such manner, and not wanting to dwell on such sad matters is then inquired. "So, what brings you to this part of the colony?" Willow nods in understanding. At this latest question, she casts her gaze about the area, as if she is only seeing the tunnel for the first time. "Beats me," she states, in all seriousness. "Haven't had anything to do for the past hour, so I just started wandering around to see how long it'd take before I either ran into someone or figured out something more constructive to do." "I understand, been there a few times myself. Of course, that being several months ago." Basil takes a look around the tunnel as if to take in the entire colony in whole. "It also feels kinda strange having been away for so long. It's all familiar, but by the same token, I, I dunno, just weird." He then makes a passing look to the doorway to his previous abode. "As a matter of fact, I'm actually trying to get my new place put together. Unfortunately, I'm missing a couple of things, and thought that maybe the owner of my old place might know something about it." "It... can be unnerving to be away from a colony environment," Willow concedes, adjusting the strap of her notebook as she absently glances off. "Especially since ants are rarely welcome anywhere else." There is the barest hint of a frown as this is said, which fades as the other subject is brought up. "Oh, okay. I hope you manage to find everything. I'd probably better not detain you any longer." With this, she appears poised to depart. Basil passes another look to the door, and back to the ant before him. "Uh..." He starts with a serious amount of anxiety. "... would you mind sticking around a bit? If a couple of things of mine *are* there, the owner might want me to take them now..." Boy, talk about a difficult situation. Basil would like to come right out and ask her for any assistance, but well, he's been self sufficient, and asking... oh, never mind. "It should only take a few minutes, at most. I hope." Dark blue orbs register confusion at the first syllable. As Basil elaborates, Willow ohs, and nods. "Sure. I don't mind at all." The tone injected into the response seems to genuinely support the words themselves. All appearance of preparing to leave is dropped; noticing Basil's glance toward the door, she remains standing in place instead, awaiting the opportunity to assist if it turns out to be needed. Basil gives a relief filled smile, and a quick nod. "Thanks Willow, I appreciate that." He then takes a couple of steps toward the door and gives it a few firm knocks with his right hand, while making the best effort to stay upright in the twig hewn crutches. Silence emanates for several seconds, then a soft, female voice calls from inside the chamber. "I'll be there in a sec." She calls out. 'Ah, good,' thinks Basil to himself, 'a gal.' Basil with most of his influence being female; his mom and sisters, he feels more comfortable discussing things with members of the opposite gender. The door soon swings aside and the occupants fills the doorway. Well, as best as she can, being rather narrow framed. Opal looks at the two ants whom are standing in front of her with a smile. "Oh, hi there, is there anything I can... do... for... you..." She seems to recall a certain familiarity in the beige ant to the right. She's seen Willow a number of times, but hasn't been able to meet her, just waved and said hi a couple of times. This is due to the fact that as busy as colonies get, not to mention her unfamiliarity with the strange sensation of living with so many ants. Then it finally hits here. "B-B-B-Basil?!?" Her hand goes up to her thorax, and she begins to feel a little dizzy, perhaps a bit of vertigo. "Is that really you?" She stammers dramatically. Willow's eyes do register some degree of recognition of the other female ant, even if they have never done more than exchange the most fleeting of salutations. This in itself doesn't catch her off guard so much as Opal's reaction to Basil. But then he's only been back a few days, and news doesn't always reach everyone. She casts a side glance toward Basil, before refocusing her gaze on Opal. Basil, in a likewise manner, gapes quite deeply at Opal. Okay, it's fair enough to say that his chin nearly strikes the floor of the tunnel. That is, once his recognition of her becomes coherent to him as well. "Opal?!?" The shock of seeing this individual again, and *here* of all places, causes him to nearly topple over, partially though due the precarious nature of the crutches holding him in a vertical position. "*How* in the *world* did you *get here*?" Opal, probably too happy in seeing Basil again or just a little nonobservant, only time will tell, practically lunges out of her chamber, attempting to grab Basil around the thorax to give him the most emotion filled hug of her entire life. "Oh great skies! I can't believe it's *actually* you!" She speaks amid emotion filled sobs, which send trembling waves throughout her form, tears pouring down her face unabatedly. Enter confusion. Basil's reaction earns a surprised look from Willow, which lasts until he looks about ready to topple over. She partially raises a hand on impulse, but immediately lowers it again when he manages to keep his balance. But there's still hardly any time for a coherently worded question to enter her head before she instinctively takes a step backward when Opal lunges for Basil, eyes widened at the emotional display that was rather -- unexpected, to say the least. Basil nearly topples over again as Opal embraces him tightly. Good thing it's his /ankle/ that's injured. The crutches fall to the ground even before he returns the embrace, although not as tightly, nor nearly as dramatically reciprocated. "I, uh. I'm glad to see you too." Basil then turns his head to look at Willow, and gives her a nod and a smile, mouthing the words: "She's from the plantation we, er um I escaped from." Erp. Didn't want to bring up Walter again. Shoot, too late. The sounds of the crashing crutches brings Opal back to a higher level of cognition. She quickly lets go, as she sees that Basil's foot is injured, fearing she might do him more harm. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you were injured." First bending over to pick up the crutches, then notices Willow again upon handing the temporary supporting devices, and clears her throat. "Oh, please forgive me, uh... let me think." She pauses to try to remember the other female ant's name. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess we haven't met, yet." Opal is becoming more emotionally steady now. Makes sense... it would explain why she started seeing Opal around only recently, but... dang it. There's that 'we' again, which, along with this emotional scene, does not fail to make Willow look out of sorts. /Feel/ out of sorts. She inhales deeply and averts her eyes, if only to buy a few seconds to help sustain her composure. Her gaze returns only after she realizes that Opal is addressing her. "Er... no, I... I guess not. I'm Willow." "Oh, it's quite alright, Opal. It's not like it's the most obvious injury." Is attempted to offer reassurances. Basil looks to Willow, whom indeed has shown expression of concern about her step brother's welfare once more. Though he bites back, however, this time chooses not to overreact as he did when he told Willow about his past. Basil quickly looks back to Opal, who by now is addressing Willow. He's sincerely hoping to get her attention (Opal's), and try to dissuade her to *not* say anything about Walter. Opal in the mean time offers her name in return. "I'm Opal." She grins at Basil, then noticing his expression of concern, mirrors a similar demeanor, even to the point of mouthing "What? What's wrong?" But makes no other inquiry. Whether it's female intuition, or long term experience from communicating privily amongst other slave ants, she gets the impression not to inquire more of personal information from Willow for the moment. "Oh, and in case you're wondering why I reacted so emotionally, which is quite out of place for me, it's because, well..." Tears begin to flood her eyes once more, and her voice becomes choked slightly with emotion. "Basil saved my life, of which I'm virtually certain of." Willow's expression becomes a mask of strained politeness, complete with a weak smile and a nod as Opal offers her name. As far as the silent interaction between her and Basil goes, she does not, or at least pretends not to take any note of it. But then finally, there's actual curiosity towards Opal's last statement. "Really? How?" Upon finally getting her attention, Basil mouths the words: "Don't ask about Walter!" hoping that she will get a clearer message. He then leans upon the left crutch for physical support. "Opal, it was the least I could do, I was the one who told you to not say anything about that little accident with the water." A slight shake of the head, and an upwardly pleading of his hands is followed by: "There was no way to know that Quill was looking for a little *action*. " Basil spits out that last word with a great deal of contempt, still having a bright recollection of the sheer cruelty that hopper showered down upon them. Opal manages, for the most part to recieve the message from Basil. She gives an almost imperceptible nod. "Well, like Basil is alluding to, I made the mistake of spilling some drinking water. He told me not to say anything about it, sure that no one would find out about it. He was right. But as it turns out, the slave owner blamed me for a cut strawberry, as we learned about later, was all a lie, and an attempt to find a little amusement." Opal recoils as she now seems to relive the terrifying experience. Her voice becomes softer in tone. "Basil intervened, and Quill gave him my punishment." She then turns a sad, sympathetic expression to the subject of her conversation. "I was so afraid you wouldn't survive that one." Willow was lucky enough to have only had brief encounters with slavers, and never really allowed herself to picture in great depth how horrific life must be for the slaves... since that's what Shine, Mazin, Tilly and herself nearly became. This description of Quill, a grasshopper just looking to amuse himself in such a manner, not only gives her a greater hint, but also extracts something of a knee-jerk reaction -- appalled and incensed all at once. "He what?" she exclaims. "Just... /looking/ for amusement?" Basil now too remembers the incident, with more recollection than he'd assume receive. But such as it is... "I had to do /something/," enunciates Basil. "I couldn't just let him make you do such an awful task." There is no response to Opal's statement about his survival, which many times was in question in his mind, during the incident. He then shakes his head solemnly before continuing. "I guess I must have adjusted to life as a slave more then I realized, but yeah, sometimes they would do that, *just for amusement*," states Basil in a slow, even, angered tone, then gives an expression that could melt the rocks comprising the wall before him if the energy could be harnessed in some manner. "Yes." Simply states Opal, also responding to Willow's inquiry of their discussed situation. "Oh, but Basil, it will probably be of comfort for you to know that the plantation has been liberated. The workers there now are employed, and working for a living, while the ants were taken back to their homes. A few, like me, came /here/ to live, since we didn't have a home to go to per se." Opal smiles a little brighter, but then her expression cascades downward into sorrow once more. "But then you two disappeared right before we were rescued, so all we could do is hope you escaped somewhere. I couldn't even imagine the worst, even though it was more than a distinct possibility." Opal actually goes noticeably paler from that last comment. Willow's eyes widen at this news, an expression that is coupled with a sharp inhalation. So if they had waited even in that horrible place, Basil *and* Walter both might have ended up here sooner. Two misses. One is enough. One. But two! The miserable irony of it all pushes Willow's gaze downward, one hand tightening into a fist as she fights down the impulse to cry out in frustration. Basil works a soft smile at the news of the liberation of the other ants, but when Opal mentions 'you two' he flashes a quick glance to Willow, whom he can plainly see the hurt she's experiencing. Then as the full truth recollects in his mind. Basil tosses a look down toward the ground and sincerely considers giving to his emotions, (i.e. sobbing) but before he gives into that thought, he jerks his head upward, and looks at the two female ants. "But we didn't, and couldn't have. So it makes little difference." He then leans over to within whisper shot of Opal and states, "Walter fled in fear from the city over two weeks ago, into the wilderness." A depressed sigh is emitted. Opal by now has seen the effects that this little conversation has had on Willow and Basil. She also knows that little can be done to solve the current situation, but inwardly feels a great deal of fear and concern for Walter, as well as regret for not keeping her stupid little ant mouth shut (something she's been known to say to herself many, many times) in saying anything about him. She must do something to stop this depressing route the conversation is headed. Now. "So, Basil. I'm glad you could stop by and see me." She steps forward and attempts to give him another hug, one much lighter than before. "But if I remember right, you came to my chamber for something. What about?" Willow is motionless for awhile, not unlike a statue that is totally oblivious to the world around it. Neither Basil nor Opal's words seem to reach her, or at least it can be presumed, since she offers practically no reaction. Finally she takes an almost imperceptible step back; the way she tosses a glance over her shoulder suggests that she is debating on whether or not she should leave, now, before all control is lost. However, Opal's change of the subject does not go unnoticed, and she chooses to remain. Basil clears his throat, and manages to pull a bit more out of the depression he's found himself in. "Well." He clears his throat a couple of times softly. "I've been in the process of trying to get my new living space put together." A broad smile finally emerges. "Someone else is living in my old home," he then passes a hand that points to the door of his old/Opal's new chamber, "and I was checking to see if a couple of my missing things might still be down here." A blank expression shows on Opal's face as she listens to Basil, then looks to Willow for a little, uh clarity? Once Basil points out the door, it finally occurs to her, the ironic situation placed before her. "This was /your/ chamber?" It doesn't take a response from Basil to answer her inquiry. "Ooooohhh. I'm so sorry. I had no idea." A rather squeaky voice ensues. "I mean, when I got here, I was simply directed to this chamber, and while it was essentially empty, I found a couple of old things remaining. No word was told about its previous occupant." Opal by now had her shoulders in a shrug, and her hands held upward in front of her, in a pleading gesture. Willow listens to the exchange blankly, trying to remain within the here and now, even to the point of attempting to think of something relevant to say. But in fact, all she can come up with is: "If you don't mind, I... just remembered something that needs to be done." What that thing is, exactly, she doesn't say; more likely it's just an excuse made up on the fly. "I'll see you later..." without even waiting for acknowledgment, she turns to leave. "It's okay, Opal. There was no way for you to know whom it belonged to." Basil then contemplates why the colony would be so quick to clean out his chamber, but no matter. "Well, I'm glad it was you then who wound up here." He pauses to hear Willow's intention of leaving to go run some kind of errand or something. Not wanting to keep her any longer than is necessary, he quickly continues, "But I'll tell you what, I'm not in a big hurry to pick them up. However, it'll probably be a few days, before I get back here. But I think I'll manage." Basil too is about to bid a simple farewell, but then remembers one tiny little detail. "Oh, what I'm looking for, was an old chair, and an abstract painting from my living room, do those sound familiar?" Opal yups. "Those were the things left behind. There was also this strange contraption of some sort. " She makes no further mention of its description or its owner. Except a soft muttering, including the name of Flik, and a roll of the eyes. "That's fine." She then thumb-points to behind her. "I can keep them here for the time being, until you get a chance to make it down here again." She then steps back toward the doorway, pushes the leaf aside and then proclaims. "Oh, it was nice to get to know you better Willow." She lifts a hand to give a simple wave, then a passing glance to Basil. "I'm glad..." She stops in mid sentence. "It's nice to see you again. See ya!" The door swings shut as she returns to her home. Willow has walked some distance during this interaction, tightly clutching at her notebook all the while. She manages to catch Opal's parting words to her, however; she barely turns in order to lift up a hand in an irresolute wave, and murmuring something in kind, before she resumes her pace. Even if she didn't have a particular errand in mind, she walks like one who does indeed have a mission of some kind. Basil waves to Opal then turns on his one good heel, and takes a few clip clop hobble steps before looking up to view the ever diminishing view of Willow make her speedy flight to where? He can't be sure. A thought then comes to his mind, a memory of an event that seems eerily similar to the one he had just over two weeks ago, one with her step brother. Normally, this kind of concern would be put to the back of his mind. However, this time he wants to make sure she won't be doing the same thing Walter did. "Willow, can I speak to you for a moment?" Inquires of Basil at a volume that will hopefully get her attention. Willow comes to a gradual stop as the question reaches her. She leans a hand against the wall of the tunnel, as if afraid she'll fall over otherwise. Casting a tentative glance over one shoulder, she answers the question with one of her own: "Why did you do that? I thought you'd want to get your things first." "I was concerned that the conversation might cause you more hurt than was necessary. My things can wait." Basil then attempts a few more steps before continuing. "Now, I've seen a few people go off when feeling hurt, /and/ I've seen some when they are determined to do something... drastic." Basil then takes a few more steps, all in hopes of closing the distance between himself and Willow. "And the one I just saw you do, well, it made me rather nervous." Basil then takes a great deal more effort in advancing, the strain of the fatigue begins to show rather dramatically in his facial features, however, this time he does not stop to say what is next on his mind. "You're not going to do something that justifies that concern, are you?" Willow's hand drops away from the wall as she slowly turns to regard Basil, dark blue optics blinking in momentary confusion. "I don't understand," she begins. "Do you mean..." then she finally seems to catch on. "If you mean running off and trying to find him, or something like that..." she shakes her head sadly. "There wouldn't be much point. It would be like throwing a stone in total darkness and hoping it finds the target." She folds her arms loosely, glancing down in defeat. "I'm sorry if I worried you. It just... I don't know." Basil finally stops and looks up toward Willow. "Please, don't apologize." A wearily held head manages to keep eye contact with the other member of the conversation. "It's just that with recent events, and with Holly having done what she did..." The thin beige ant begins to feel that hot flushed feeling of embarrassment. "I can only imagine how you feel." Is offered weakly. Basil would just assume leave the conversation where it is, but feels too awkward in doing so at this moment. "I just wanted to be sure my assumption of you was right, and that you have enough common sense *not* to make any rash judgement." A little breather is taken by slowly leaning up against the wall. "I guess this whole mess has me a bit out of touch with my common sense." "Common sense." Willow manages a rueful and nearly nonexistent smile, which fades immediately. "I don't believe there is such a thing anymore." Both shoulders lift in a shrug, reflecting bemusement at the concept. "But either way," she continues, "I'm surprised you've come out of the, well, mess as well as you did. Seems like the sort of thing that could leave some out of touch with far more than just common sense." Basil gives nearly the same expression back as received. "I didn't want you to be effected with concern, but I don't seem to show my emotions outwardly as much as others might." He then takes in a really deep heart-felt inhale. "My nights are riddled with nightmares. I get oh, I don't know, an hour or two of sleep. The rest of my day involves little aphid naps. (Something akin to cat naps) I sometimes get this feeling I'm being pursued. The other day, I could have sworn that Enzo was searching to find me. But he's still back in the city, and there is no way he could get in unnoticed." Basil then attempts the most sincere expression he can muster. "I feel, *so* responsible for everything I say, and how it effects people, right now, that I'm probably about as *far* from common sense as we are to the edge of the island. But maybe not showing it is my way of coping, too." Willow gazes at Basil intently as he describes just how much the aforesaid 'mess' has affected him. At times she glances away, visage housing a combination of both pity and a deepening hue of shame, for not fully realizing how this would affect just about anyone. She breathes out a sigh, before uttering the only words that come to mind. "I'm sorry..." "Thank you. For your concern, I mean. And, please, try not to feel guilty." Basil exhales once more, this time feeling more free to express exhaustion and anxiety. "I think this just takes one day at a time. But I'll be my own self again." I just wish..." He becomes unable to give the answer he would like to offer in an attempt to clear up all of this mess. Perhaps, none exists. "Willow, I think... I think I'd like to go outside, and get a breath of fresh air. One of the things I missed the most, was clean air, and the sun shine, as well." Okay, quite a number of things were missed, but he'd just assume experience them, rather than enumerate them. The classic one-worded question, 'what?', almost escapes Willow as Basil fails to complete his thought; but it's held back. At the latter statements, she inclines her head in an assenting nod. "And all those other things the city is stingy about," she replies. She moves away from the wall. "I'd go too, but there's someplace I kind of need to be right now." She darts a quick look and adds, just in case, "And no, I'm not making it up this time." Well, if there was any doubt before that the errand mentioned previously was made up, there can't be any now. Adjusting the strap of her notebook, she smiles forcedly. "Please take care." Basil gives a warm smile, and his genuine appreciation. "I will." He offers, then mounting his crutches once more, he calls out to Willow. "You too." Perhaps making his way to the outside world will give him the strength and the practice with the supports he uses in walking. "I'll be back inside in a couple of hours, if I don't fall asleep out there." With that, he make the same clop step as before in making his way to the outdoors. Willow nods simply, and heads in the opposite direction, gripping the spine of her notebook so that it is less inclined to move about too much on its vine. Her eyes focus ahead melancholically, as if she does not much look forward to going wherever it is she claims she to need to be at. [END LOG] Return to: Muted Identity logs.

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