taxonomites | 052 [text | location: around the island] on the shore just long enough to leave our clothes there

Glitch is so very happy to be back on land where he's 100% less useless. Sure it's not the city (or home) but it's better than being on that miserable boat.

In the jungle (the mighty jungle) there is a large hamster idol carved from limestone. It sits up on its haunches and smiles a benevolent hamster smile, and atop its head is a floral headdress. More interestingly: its right paw is definitely a hatch touchpad, and it holds in its left paw the traditional hatch replicator box thing.

Glitch stares at it dubiously, then slaps his hand down and thinks desperately of toothpaste. The box produces a bottle of rum, which gets tucked into the satchel he's fashioned from the sleeves of his giant white pirate shirt. He tries again, this time thinking of ball-peen (...wait, who even came up with that name?) hammer and some nails. The hatch responds with directions for making a shelter with palm fronds and vines.

After some trial and error (and another bottle of rum and some paper umbrellas), the hatch does produce useful things like a length of insulated copper wire, a Hawaiian print shirt and some Bermuda shorts, a pair of pliers, and sunscreen.

"...well, it's a start," Glitch mutters, then hauls everything back to the shady spot he's claimed a little ways from the beach. There he lays the pliers and wire down beside the metal-containing ship debris that had washed up, and set about composing a text to everyone.

NOTES:
- Found a hatch, marked approx. location on map. Temperamental but will give useful stuff (!SUNSCREEN!) plus random items.
- The temple: have not explored, not sure if safe, be careful if you check it out. Do not go alone.
- Swear I heard drumming last night. Might be delusional.
TO DO:
- Work w/tablets. Have more tools & materials now. Power boost? Antenna? Help appreciated.
- Go back to ship for supplies: sailcloth, rope, anything useful. Build raft for this? Volunteers? (~~Not it!~~)
- Build hammock.

That done, he heads back into the jungle for his daily swim. The island is fortunately riddled with cenotes to provide drinking water and places to cool off without getting saltwater sticky. Glitch has found a favorite with a good mix of shade and sun, water crystal clear and deep enough for diving, and just secluded enough that he can get away with skinny dipping.

That last bit is likely inaccurate.

OOC: Oh hey it's another huge note! WELCOME TO THE ISLAND enjoy your naked headcase. He will be out there every day, so go bug him or join in and fret not about continuity. Or bump into him anywhere, godmoding of that nature is go. TABLET FOLKS: there is going to be so much handwaving with this plot I can't even tell you. To the point of "let's congratulate ourselves on how awesome our geniuses and electric lady are" and moving on with end results.

This post can also be used as a log post for non-Glitch related hijinks like setting up shelters, building rafts, and other mingling.
DETAILS ON THE TEMPLE: Think Temple of Doom meets Legends of the Hidden Temple meets The Mummy. There are 100% godmodey deathtraps, the nature and degree of dangerousness is totally up to you. There are also treasures...also godmodey, but a chest stuffed with toiletries is definitely in there somewhere.

DID GLITCH HEAR DRUMMING: Yes. Yes he did, and your folks may have too. ~Details to come~.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Positively insane," he said, opening his eyes and turning his head to look at her. His eyes were icy blue, almost colourless.

"No doubt," he agreed, leaning in closer. "Wrist?"

There is a brief, brief moment of hesitation before she offers up her wrist to him as she wonders what the hell she's doing. One of her best friends was enthralled by one of these creatures and it was all they could do to get her free from him.

Then again, nothing in Taxon is like anything at home or like anything should be at all. "I'm glad we're in agreement on the insanity part. Don't ever say I didn't warn you."

His fingers caressed the back of her hand as his fingers slid up to cup her wrist. Staring at her for a long moment, not saying a word before he whispered to her.

"I will do whatever I have to not to hurt you," he murmured, making the vow even as he fought not to strike. A moment later his teeth sank in to her wrist, eyes closing as he made a soft, strangled sound.

"I can take ca...."

Madelyne's breath leaves her in a rush as his teeth sink into her wrist. At first, it does hurt, though after just a few more moments, the pain fades. The sensation that replaces it is somewhat hard to describe, though pain is nowhere near the top of the list of words she would choose.

He keeps his gaze down, not looking up at her. The desire is there to drink until he didn't feel like what he was. Death warmed over. He wanted to keep drinking, find the mutant blood to be different and heady and he shuddered as it rolled over his tongue.

The sensation is something she could become addicted to - that thought is one she'll remember clearly later. This is better than drinking for feeling good without the total loss of control that typically comes from alcohol. Though, after a bit of time, it starts to shift toward a different sensation - the chill, though still giddy, feeling of blood loss.

"Josef...." Her hand reaches out to touch his face.

Fresh and hot and different than Bagoas. Not better or worse. Different. A much more oddly tinged blood. He suspected he'd be curious for more, were all the mutants the same, and...

And then he heard his name. It was almost distant but he pulled back, tongue swiping up the last of the blood.

"Thank you," he managed to whisper, tongue feeling heavy in his mouth.

"Welcome."

Madelyne leans over against the tree not too far from where Josef leans. She doesn't pull her wrist from his grasp. Pressing her lips together, there is an attempt to process what it was that just happened but it will have to come later on. Right now, she's still floating and doesn't want to come down just yet.

"Better now?"

His skin actually might feel cooler against her wrist, his body processing the blood helping to bring down his core temperature.

"Actually, yes," he said, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

"Good."

She closes her eyes as well, leaning her head against the tree. The pattern of the bark is going to leave odd marks on her face but she can't bring herself to care just right now. It is going to be relatively simple for her to slip off to sleep. She's going to be starving when she wakes up, not having had as much to eat as she should since getting on the boat.

"I'll be right here."

He felt cooler, better than he had. Pushing himself and trying not to hurt Bagoas or anyone else by taking too much, he was feeling worn and tired. Now though he felt relaxed.

"You should rest. I'll just lay here and make sure neither of us burst into flame when the sun shifts."

Reaching out, she pats his cheek before curling up into a more comfortable position - one that doesn't leave her with tree bark face when she wakes up. She'll have to remember to put on the shorts and the sun lotion when she wakes up.

“Get some rest, Madelyne,” he murmured softly, moving to settle her in near to him so she can rest. “And thank you,” he added in a soft voice.

He was finding himself doing a lot of things he never did before, including apologizing and showing gratitude.

052 [text | location: around the island] on the shore just long enough to leave our clothes there

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]

[In the jungle - Not too far in]