BRIGHT lights.

[Acez]

ANIKO[/b]
I'm not the same as yesterday

Bright lights, big city.
The words had entered Aniko's mind, and never had words been so true. Broadway, expensive restaurants. A place built on concrete, where fake flowers crowded the work offices. Where you buy real flowers from the florist. Her father had traveled here, long time ago. On some business trip. That was the year Forest had died. Her breath caught on her throat, causing Aniko to stop. A few people muttered as they avoided crashing into her and she once more continued on her way, having a more slower pace. Green eyes looked around, bright with some curiosity. This was the place of dreams? Or was that New York? Either New York or Disneyland. Aniko had little intention of going to neither of the places, and even she wanted to, she wouldn't have the pay.

The best she could come up with, in her growing piles of pockets, was a couple of coins which she had shoved straight back in her pockets to jingle as she walked. If Aniko wanted to, she could try to use Shadewell's credit card, the one she 'borrowed'.. don't deny it Niko. You stole it, and there's no chance of you giving it back. The brunette thought, head turning back to ground.

She was hungry, but a different type of hungry. Not food wise, she had managed to grab some food, barely tasting it. No, she was hungry for the power she felt when she changed into her form, the bear, brown bear. But you wouldn't find a bear on the streets of L.A. You found stray cats and police dogs and trash. The only bears you would see was the ones in the zoo, that is if L.A had a zoo.

Aniko felt the inside of her trench-coat, before talking out her hands to pull on her ponytail. She probably should feel self-conscious, what with the scars on her face, inflicted by Nolan, to the scars on her arms and hand. Someone would mistake her as a hospital escapee, probably suicidal.

After that was done, and her hands were back in her pockets, safe from view, she looked around, frowning. I bet I could find an alley or something. She thought to herself, before ducking onto another street. They were certainly everywhere, some leading to some fancy restaurants and their dumpsters, others already taken. Oh, Come on. She muttered to herself, still searching for a quiet place.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- Under his jacket, Ash was sweltering in the heat. The land he often stuck to often was cold and bearable - whatever degrees the foreign continent deemed comfortable as defined by the people around him, was certainly abnormal. In his defense, taking off his long-sleeved jacket, black and made of fine leather wouldn't be in his best interest so he decided not to complain, instead flicking the brim of his hat slightly upward to get a better view of the side walk.

The convention had been grand, calling him across the world to share his medical practices but it had convened early today, allowing for him to explore before having to get back to business. He trekked down the path, half gasping for air and the other just wishing for a spot away from the sun to shed a few layers without endangering himself. The albino man turned on the sturdy sole of his work shoes, ducking for one of the near by alleyways as the buildings createe a deep, musty shade between them and both factors complemented his needs greatly.

Between two small shops, one he noticed was for ice cream (which sounded heavenly at such a moment) the other some shady tattoo parlor, he turned into the alleyway, following through the narrow space until it opened up to the back of the buildings. In the small lot it was vacant, the only noticeable ways out being equally narrow passages between the circle of shops. Sitting down on a over turned crate and adjusting his glasses, Ash shrugged off his jacket, laying it neatly across his knees.

_{OOC; Lame lame lame but I havn't really used Ash yet, so. <3}

[Acez]

ANIKO
It's hard to explain how things have changed

Her pace was growing, and then she broke out into a run. Her Docs, bulky and black, oh how she loved them, slapped against the pavement, running for some sort of place. She didn't know where, but she wanted someplace to go. In her mind, she kept tabs on the alleys, knowing she may have to sleep in one later tonight. But now, she just wanted a break, as her dark outfit gathered on the sun, cooking her like a turkey in the oven. Just like mamma used to make.

Finally, she ducked into one, not really looking for any contents, just looking outside on the walk way. She was ready to shift, to be the mighty bear, power flowing through her limbs. Aniko let out a sigh, exhaling softly. She then turned before jumping, hand on her heart. Jesus man! You enjoy sneaking up on people? She snapped, hand falling from her heart to her side, balling up into fists. She wasn't ready for company, (when was she ever) but she didn't want anyone now.

Cooling down, she shrugged her shoulders, getting a better look at the person who dared sneak up on her. He was an albino, and a part of her went out to Forest, who wouldv'e been an albino if had lived. She frowned, arms crossing over her chest. Well? You talk or do you get paid to sit around and look pretty? She snapped once more, patience growing thin, not even giving the older man a chance to speak.[/size]

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- He'd closed his eyes to just rest as the heat began to roll away from him, cooled by his own bodily functions. The slap, slap, slap of feet awoke him too quickly for his tastes, and Ash opened sky blue eyes just in time to 'sneak' up on the girl. He adjusted his glasses again, removing his hat and placing it to his chest.

"I'm sorry, was just trying to cool down," the doctor apologized calmly, squaring his feet for better support as he rested his elbows upon his knees. He craned his neck up at her, withering still in the shade. It didn't take much for him to notice the depressions beside her eye, trained and keen to such things in his profession. Continuing on with his rough English, Ash straightened himself out once more, leaning against the grimy building now. "I'm a doctor. A specialty doctor."

Although such conversations were less probing when the other was giving equal information, like swapping professions and interests, prior experience with patients told him he wasn't likely to receive anything in return from the angered female. He tried carefully to remain stoic, feeling a polite smile wouldn't most likely have a wanted affect.

_OOC;

[Acez]

ANIKO
But I'm not the same as before

She raised an eyebrow, her left, so her scars stretched her skin. Scars, she didn't know if she should hate them or love them. They were painful to get, and the memories were awful, if you allowed the memories to get to your head but Aniko felt pride with each one, she had survived betrayal and family war. She had survived war in general, crimes too.

Specialty? She asked, still snappish. It explained his nice clothes, making her look faded and a bit of out date next to him. She knew how conversation went. You give something and they did back. rinse and repeat.

Still eyeing the doctor steadily she mare her way to a crate, feeling her jacket knife in her coat. She rarely used it, Aniko was old fashioned, a fist, tooth, claw kind of girl. But when another pulls out a knife, or a gun, she knew when to draw the weapon. She tilted her head, still looking. Doctor, he had that whole doctor aura, clean, presice. She wasn't a fan of doctors, not really a fan of anything. Docs were nothing but bad news. Them and police. She let her hands rest on her knees, still tight fists. What do you mean a specialty doctor? She asked coolly, eyes flying to the roof-tops. She almost expect SWAT or something to drop down from the rooftops. Idiot. Anikoe cursed herself, eyes on the doctor. Neither had given names and that's the way she wanted it to stay. Name swere nothing but trouble. Once you knew a person's name, they were a person. A family man or a boyfriend/girlfriend. You felt some guilt if you hurt and/or killed them.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- Her watched her move around, feeling some need to observe the habits of the touchy woman. Apparently, specialty held some alternative meaning around here...? Or, most likely, he assumed, something registered with in her alone that caused such a inquiry. Ash gave his head a small, confused shake, clutching his hat and jacket closely as the albino man hadn't failed to notice the fabric of her jacket clenching, but he made no motion to bring it up verbally. Carefully, he prepared to drop the make-it or break-it line.

"I come from the UK... I'm a doctor with a specialty in helping those of the morphers breed," the bespectacled man responded casually, aware of the usual danger such words would bring. Where he lived those with the ability to transform into animals was rarer than in populations as in the United States, but he knew the term and it's associated air of bad publicity still held the same meanings.

_OOC;

[Acez]

ANIKO
And I know there's some much more ahead

Biting her tongue, she stopped a growl from coming up her throat and out into the air. Zen, had asked her to be more patient, but having only spent 2 days with the homeless shape-shifter Aniko was still angry.

So, are you normal, or are you.. you know, like me? She asked, the tone still hot with anger but not so snappish and impatient. Her family had been the only ones with any shifting signifgance, and as brown bear shifter, she was to be feared.

She looked at the doctor, head tilting to her right. Was he one of those normals that liked shape-shifters? She had heard of them, but never dreamed of meeting on of them. If he was a doctor, that meant he was accepted into society, so he could be a hidden shape-shifter. Aniko had heard of that too, shapeshifters that kept their identity hidden so they could peacefully with others.

UK.. United Kingdom, that was in England right? So he was an accepted member of society and if he was here in L.A, that meant he had money to burn. She wondered if he was rolling in the dough, wondering if he was a shifter like herself.

His words were casual, calm. Something pricked her neck and she narrowed her dark green eyes, biting her lip in thought. If you are shifter, like me, then what animal are you? She asked, eyebrow raised. Did he have a small form, easy to roam around the city with, or was he in danger of his form, like herself. Zen had been an alligator, and the jokester liked to poke out of the sewers every now and then. That had been how Aniko had met Zen. Whatever animal he was, it would have to be white too, albino in color.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- "I am," he responded instantly, pushing away from the box to stand on his own feet, still protectively in the shadows. He threw his jacket over his shoulder, keeping hands in view to show he hand nothing to hide. Ash's hat remained on the crate, discarded for the moment with it's feathers and pins. He watched her curiosity for the moment, the way her head moved as she thought, and her over all anger she had yet to shed.

"Lynx Rufus - a bobcat," the doctor confirmed, blue eyes twinkling for no notion other than mentioning a animal. He found his interest sliding quickly in the green-eyed girl, and his lips drew a little tighter, "but to gain information, one must also give, no?" It wasn't snappy, just curious himself as to what morals the girl was working on in such a situation.

_OOC;

[Acez]

ANIKO
I can barely believe that I'm here

She snorted, eyes narrowed. I hate when people have a point. She snarled in her mind. There, of course, was nothing to stop her from getting up and leaving. She stood, rather abruptly, fists at the side of her grey coat. Still buckled up to her neck, the heat intrapped her, knowing it was herself in general, not the heat, that made her so irritable.

Brown bear, got a little Eurasian in me as well.. She answered, sitting back down on the crate. Aniko didn't relax, didn't until night came, so her knuckles were chalk-white as they gripped the edge of the crate. Anything else you'd care to know Doc? Aniko asked, her voice still hot like magma, rolling off her voice, angry waves.

Unfortunately, he was polite. Aniko hadn't decided if it was good polite, simply manners that had been influenced on him since birth or perhaps that politeness that sounded different, something selfish, stuck-up people used. I'll answer anything, just don't give me your name. She thought, the words awkward in her own mind. As much as Aniko loved her mother, Alice was far to polite. She liked her last name, Aniko. Niko or Iko, worked as well. She had gone by both for awhile before sticking to her last name.

Such thoughts guided her to her brother, Nolan. It was curious to know how he was fairing, but in such a situation where the two would be united, instead of a family reunion, something happy, Aniko was sure she'd kill him. But now, back to Doc. She waited, impatiently, for his answer.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- "Ah," he stopped himself from adding 'it suits you', tempted by his knowledge of the grizzled creatures. Ash pulled his glasses from his face, examining then up to the light before attacking the offending particles that had made home on the lenses. His rubbed his shirt in small circles across the surface, focusing on that rather than the girl's question for a moment.

The heat was getting better, without his layers now, making his muscles loose and comfortable. Wiggling a finger as he replaced his glasses to his face, the albino doctor took in a humid breath. "That's a silly question," he stated, "for I could think of many personal questions I often ask in day's time." The twin teased lightly, realizing by taking his time prior he'd most likely only irritated her more.

The girl was starting to remind him of Amber - the time between middle school and career when she was actually around, the source of his knowledge for dealing with the unpleasant.

_OOC;

[Acez]

ANIKO
But I won't surrender quietly, step up and watch me go

Dark green eyes narrowed into slits, hands grasping the edge that she was sure that she would break the crate. A part of Aniko wondered why she was still here, talking. But Aniko was also relieved, for it would be certain that if a large crowd had gathered, she would've gone.

In her mind, she counted the questions, she had asked, 4, 5. She grimaced before taking a foot, hidden in ebony leather and tucked under her. She did so with the other leg, sitting on her knees. So, why don't you give me your top 5 and then I'll answer 'em. She answered gruffly, hands still locked in fists. She wondered what they would be, would he ask them all at once or one at a time, making sure Aniko had answered them all.

She watched him, like a creature watching something unknown to it. Indeed, he was, the nameless doctor who had stumbled into her alleyway. There was nothing familiar in the way he moved, but simply the very idea that being a doctor, reminded her of her childhood, dim days in which were only awakened in memories or easily forgotten dreams. Doctors, clean and precisely, hovering over her ill brother, Forest. As much as Aniko had hated him, each of the small children had felt an over-whelming desire to protect their younger brother. They had attacked the doctors, two small bear cubs and a smaller zebra. The thought raised an internal smile before it disappeared, leaving Aniko still frowning at Doc.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- Ash laughed heartily, not rude in some degradation of her character, just purely amused. He considered it a do able response, feeling fully she wouldn't be scowling any less at the first five that came to mind - more likely he'd be left behind in a bloody pulp. He commended her mentally, at least having the respect to be open to an exchange of information. The doctor would choke on his own spit if his own sister did that without bribe, for how awful they'd been getting along as of late.

"Let's start simple then," the man's fingers curled against his pants leg, "do you live around here or are you on visitation like me?" It was a simple question, easily answered with as much information as the person wished to give. In all honesty, weather she said yes or no he'd still have no clue of her home unless it was inside England's four walls. Geography wasn't a favorite of his.

Ash's blue eyes moved to the small strip of sky above them, watching the wispy clouds amongst the sunny rays, trying his best to not seem like any threat to the fellow shifter as her unease seemed to ooze with every word he let fall from his chapping lips.

_{OOC; This is such a odd post. ._.}

[Acez]

ANIKO
Break down, ya really want it?

Nostrils flared as the Doc gave out a hearty laugh. She knew she wasn't mocking him, merely amused. So either she did something stupid, funny or both. Since Aniko was a serious person, more or less stupid on the battle-field, this sort of ticked her off. Yet she was relieved, and surprised when the question he asked her was not her name, but location. Again, relief flooded over Aniko, but there was 4 more to go.

Huh, Visit I suppose. Too solid and city like for me. Not like I could afford to go anywhere else. She thought, eyes narrowed. Mostly, she had been traveling as a bear, which had caused some problems with a few weirdos. As soon as she had heard the gun shots, she was all over them. Problem solved.

Her nose twitched. Dun like it here. Feels- Brief pause. Aniko had been born and raised in a semi-large town, yet there was the same rush-hour traffic there and here. But something else reminded her of home. strange. She muttered. Zen had muttered something about animal instincts, a sixth sense for shape-shifters that allowed you to tell when something was weird. She waited, eyebrows raised, for question number 4.

[W h e l p z i e]

.A APPLE A DAY![/color]

---- He let an amused note escape his lips, nodding in agreement to her statement. Ash slid back into a position on the crate, fondling his hat as he searched for another question. The doctor really did agree with her, but he felt as if it was all the people constantly being around more than whatever she was categorizing as 'strange'. His job entitled him to quiet places, something he wasn't finding too common in his travels. "Fair enough," Ash chimed, adjusting his glasses again as the shadows over the alley fluctuated with the clouds.

He ticked through their conversation mentally and made a little 'ah!' sound before he drew out the next question. "Occupation?" the albino asked, prepared to give a sound of disbelief no matter what she would say. In all reality he couldn't see this woman doing anything social or that deemed patience, but to be wandering around with no source of income didn't seem too smart to him either.

_OOC;

[Acez]

ANIKO
Wanna make a scene? Show me what you mean

Ignorance is bliss. That was what Aniko kept repeating. She was trying hard not to land in punch, hearing that satisfying crunch as his nose broke. He was a doctor, he could heal himself.

Theivery. She answered smoothly. Was it to be considered theivery? Probably. She relied on the money of others for bus fares, groceries and anything else. Not that she didn't like hunting but she was sick of eating old cats and stupid squirrels. And human food was terrible.

Again, she wondered if this was really worth it. Probably not. But so far, two questions, location, occupation nothing about her past or name. It would come up sooner or later.

The grip on the crate relaxed before she tensed once more, crossing her arms over her chest, eyes narrowed in waiting. get it over with doc. She snapped inside, along with a snarl. She felt her lip twitch, knowing she would bare her teeth at her. More bear than human She thought with some amusement, as she let out a few calm breaths. 2 days, that was all. Perhaps she shouldv'e stayed longer, maybe not. Zen had been different from Nolan but Nolan had tried to take her eye out. And her ear. Revenge was needed to set her so-called brother in place. She raised an eyebrow, awaiting the third question.