Closed [KRI] Iron Collars and Stone Walls (Artur)

[Abstract]

Spring 1st, 514 AV

It was a small room, maybe big enough for two people to sit comfortably. There were no furnishings, no chairs or tables or beds. Nothing. Nothing except the single, naked (for all but a collar), bear Kelvic who was the current inhabitant. The floor and walls were all hard, cold, stone, chilly to the touch. The only decoration was on one wall, where a small locked door sat. It was right next to a window as well, covered with a cheap but robust iron grating. There were a few scratch marks on its surface, but otherwise looked relatively new. On the other side, one could see a similar, but empty room.

Artur would be uncomfortable. He’d arrived at the KRI only a few days earlier, and had been quickly stripped and dumped into the small cell. No explanation, no nothing. He was simply halted from shifting with a rough and itchy iron collar. It would have begun to wear on his skin after the few days, but nothing too major.

Food and water had been brought a total of six times, twice a day, by a blank looking person in a lab coat. If the bear had tried to talk, he would have been flatly ignored. He was a research subject after all, not a person. They didn’t particularly need his mind. Otherwise… nothing. No visitors, no scientists, no other Kelvics. Just silence, and his own thoughts.

However, there was a change on the fourth day. About mid-morning (though it would be hard to tell, with no sun), there would be a visitor without a meal. Rather, two visitors. A burly man with thick arms and a grumpy expression, and a tall, thin, average-looking woman with a labcoat and clipboard. She wore her black hair tied back in a ponytail, and looked a little absent. The man didn’t look like he had more than a scrap of intelligence in his brain.

They walked by and pushed open the door, the larger one heading in first, and the smaller not even bothering to do much else but poke her head around the entrance. ”Pick him up,” she ordered blandly, apparently finding the information on her clipboard more interesting. The thug nodded vigorously, and dragged Artur by the arm up and over to the door. ”Come on,” was the second order, and the Kelvic would be led out of the miniature room, and into a long hallway…

[Artur]

How long was it? No… how long has it been would be more appropriate. Had Artur the ability to properly count then he would know for sure how much time he’d lost here, but none of that seemed to matter as the bear found himself lonely with not but his iron collar latched around his neck. It was a torture to wear and all the more a downer to the reality he lived in, where was this nightmare he’d come to be a part of now? Just how far away from Syliras did those slavers manage to pull him? With the Winter that passed to halt their movements they were left stranded in the wilderness for some time, and of course there was the fact much of the Wildlands kept them inside some cavern to reside in while they’d made their trip to Ravok. Although that was all an entire blur to Artur now, he hardly even remembered what had happened to him on that trip. Now of course he had to figure out just exactly what he was to do here, in this prison he’d longed to get out of since day one of his arrival.

He was stripped to nothing. Literally and figuratively did those words seem so potent in their form of meaning, somehow no matter how much he wanted to or even tried nothing he said would call the attention of those that fed him. Sure enough this place provided shelter, but when he was treated like a prisoner the moment he was handed over… Artur knew he’d despise this place by the very feeling in his bones. Now look at him. Ashamed to the degree where he no longer bore any confidence in himself, the pudgy man merely scratched at the base of the color as his neck repeatedly itched from the aggravation the warm metal brought on. Though mildly irritated at least his neck could remain a little warm from the metal, though that goes to show what poor hospitality he receives on the daily basis. Here he wasn’t anything to anyone, nothing more than some play thing for the strangely dressed people to come and feed.

No contact had been established between them either, every attempt had been futile until at last his spirit broke and gave in to the fact that he was nothing more than a tool. A means to an end. That’s what they had to see him as; otherwise they wouldn’t have kept to feeding him every day. He knew well enough they didn’t see him as a pet too, though the term was vague he knew “pets” were given better treatment than this. Today though something was different. As Artur’s nose picked up on the scent of the same white coats that usually came to his room he thought to himself, Another terrible meal with shoddy food. He longed to be in a kitchen again. To taste freedom with the boundless serenity he felt when at work, to enjoy the wonderful flavors and spices any food on the outside had compared to the bland shyke they served here. Of course being a hungry bear that’d managed to awaken from hibernation recently he couldn’t necessarily starve himself now could he?

No he had to eat. He had to replenish his fatty reserves lest he grow incredibly thin… All in good time though, his meal would soon arrive. But it didn’t. As Artur’s brown eyes flung from the table to the door he froze solid, petrified to find that not one but two of them delusional people had arrived in his cell. One large and burly man with a sour expression plastered on his face with no end, while the other smaller and more occupied with some flat object she clutched so dearly in her arms. Artur hadn’t the knowledge to know or understand what they were doing, or what they even were in terms of people or professions. He only knew that they acted different. Delusional as he would think of it, shut off like they were puppets of some grand scheme. Oriana, help me! He gulped in a loud manner upon hearing the order, movement of his adams apple a significant giveaway to the sudden fear he felt within the pit of his stomach.

He didn’t fight the larger one when his arm was grabbed, already too afraid to even utter a word he just followed them both. Upon being led out the tiny cell he stayed in he’d discovered the connection of the long hallway between his room and the further reaches of this place. Kelvic Research Facility, or KRF as what he heard the slavers go on about, was the name of this forsaken area. It had something to do with his kind, something that involved researching them for reasons beyond his understanding. For all he knew Artur was just an innocent little bear being escorted into another area of the facility, and for some reason his gut told him that he wasn’t going to like it.

"Where are you taking me?" He mumbled just barely enough so that the two would hear him, of course they gave no response to him the first time as the larger one dragged him further down the hall. "W-where are you taking me?!" His instinct took over and about halted his progress, yet even if his bare heels were planted into the hard cold stone that didn’t keep his body from budging. The larger one was strong, too strong to even stop yet alone resist. What was Artur to do other than panic and wish to be rid of this place.

[Abstract]

Remarkably, the woman responded to Artur's comment, glancing up absently. "Oh, a talker," she stated, almost to herself. "Physical examination." She tapped her clipboard as she said this, as if it explained everything. Her voice was dry, almost bored, and it didn't seem like this was too important to her. She had much better things to do, after all... but it was her job. The thug, after allowing the Kelvic some resistance, hauled him forward, carrying if necessary.

That explanation over, the walk continued in silence. There were more of the cells along the walls, some with residents, some without. Once, a pair of double doors was stuck into the wall, and another person in a white cloak stomped out, not even glancing at the trio. They went into another non-cell room right after that, this one quite nicely spaced. A table stood in the center, and the walls were covered in funny looking objects, medicines, and papers.

"Stay" the woman ordered like he was a puppy, pointing at the table with her free hand. Without another word she turned and left, leaving the larger man to stay in stony silence. Any attempts at conversation would be left at... nothing.

After a few awkward, silent, chimes, there would be a new arrival. Another lab-coat wearer, this one with scraggly brown hair turning white, paired with a plain face. The man was old, but not quite elderly... it seemed he was greying early. He too had a clipboard, as well as a bag that was quickly set on the ground. His expression was much friendlier than the woman's or the thug's, who'd just been shown out the door.

"Good morning," he said politely and carefully, as if Artur was a bit slow. "I am Doctor Murav. Before I begin, would you like to ask any questions?" It seemed he was already informed that Artur was a 'talker' as the woman had put it, asking questions. It was really quite strange for an examiner to be this friendly, but the Doctor had found it a good strategy. Nervous and worried Kelvics were always a pain to deal with, so keeping them calm was the best way to make his life easy. If the bear hadn't sat on the table as the woman had implied, the Doctor would politely request that now.

[Artur]

Examination? Just what the petch did they have planned for Oriana’s sake? For some reason now Artur felt as though being quiet would’ve been the best option, still his panic had already gotten the better of his tongue in that regard. So he apparently was a “talker” because he asked questions, but he failed to see how no other Kelvic in this place could resist NOT having something to say. This was so strange, unusual compared to the outside world he’d traversed not too long ago. Nothing. Not a damn thing made much of a difference for him at this point, and the more and more Artur saw of the cells they passed the more he started to realize that this wasn’t the first “examination” they were doing. With these other inhabitants that had to be somehow just like him, he knew right then and there that he wasn’t the only one who felt so isolated.

These Kelvics. All of them had to feel the same feeling he did, the trapped pressure of knowing you’ll never be free again. Literally a caged bird bound to forever fall silent as no song could leave your lips, this is what it meant to have your freedom taken from you while you still drew breath. Though he was no mere slave he still remained part of something his kind always somehow fell into, the next link in what seemed to be an endless chain to label him as property to KRF. Where did he go wrong? All he did was seek out a place to rest and hibernate, somewhere nice and secluded within the Cobalt Mountains just after summer had ended. Because of that he’d fallen to being a victim of slavers, and even lesser than that now that he was here. He didn’t understand any of this that was going on, all he knew was that everybody here treated him like an object. A utensil for some purpose he didn’t know about, only to be thrown away when they no longer needed him.

Upon entering the room beyond the doubled doors Artur’s expression withered into a more gloomy state as he looked around in dreaded curiosity, much of the peculiar objects decorated on the walls led him to wonder what this room was exactly. Medicines were clattered about here and there too but he didn’t know what those were, nor what purpose they were used for in that regard. He didn’t need to be told a second time to follow the woman’s orders, almost bound by a sort of obedience he found himself quickly compelled to listen. That could’ve been the effect from long days with nothing but silence, now that he’d finally been able to listen to people speak he couldn’t help but cherish the idea that he was understood. Maybe they did understand him? If so then why make him the black sheep that thought to be so alone? He probably was alone this whole time, even if these people intended to provide terrible food and shelter for him.

He didn’t try anything as far as communication went for the thug, he already knew his wishful thinking led him nowhere in this place. Time and time again he could imagine the door opening to reveal his mother, or someone like Lounel to come to his rescue and free him from this place. He even imagined that the thug himself would be the one to lead him out of this place, yet none of that was real compared to the enactment that truly happened. Who’s this then? What does he want? Questions. They always flooded his mind when it came to these situations, and such was to be expected from a naïve bear who knew so little about the world.

Upon being addressed in a bit more of a friendly manner, Artur raised his eyebrows as his hands gripped the edge of the table between his legs. He couldn’t help the nervous need to tap his heel on the stone floor repeated as he struggled to figure out where to begin, for some reason he couldn’t help but wonder if this man… was dumber than a mule. Perhaps it was because of how slow the man talked to him, then again he was old so maybe it just affected the rate of his speech too. Questions questions. The most basic one to start with that likely many others that were in his shoes came first, and of course the rest were just a follow up of what came to mind because of how anxious he felt. "When can I leave? After this ‘examination’ you do? It won’t hurt will it? I’ll be good if you let me out of here I promise!" His plight was the same as any other Kelvic by far. “Let me out please” and “I don’t want to be here” were likely the most common things all these… these freaks heard.

He held onto the table tightly as though gravity might revert on him, a bit of a rock back and forth to try and comfort himself followed as he waited to hear just what this man, this “Doctor Murav”, had to say.

[Abstract]

The Doctor was prepared for the barrage of questions, so took them one by one. However, he now knew that Artur's level of speech was easily equal to his own (probably with the exception of some vocabulary differences), and didn't have to be as careful with what he said.

He answered the third question first, stating kindly that "It won't hurt. It's just a check-up." The other few were a bit more awkward. He smiled a little at the Kelvic's insistence to be 'good', knowing that it was a hopeless question. "You wont be leaving any time soon, I'm sad to say. However, if you are good, you'll get lots of food, and maybe a bed!" He said it in a voice that implied that both things were wonderful gifts that would only be given to the best of children. It would be enough to put anyone off.

"Shall we get to business? You are a bear Kelvic, am I correct?" He left a moment for Artur to answer. "Good. And where are you from?" Another pause. He wrote down whatever the bear told on his clipboard, making notes. With that, the interrogation period was done. He didn't even ask the cook's name. Names weren't important. It followed the logic that if you named a pet, then it died or was sold, you would end up emotionally attached and depressed. Therefore subjects were not given names, and doctors put in every effort to avoid getting close to the Kelvics, let along bonding.

"Now... stand up." He motioned with a finger for Artur to move from the table. He would then walk around the room, examining the bear from every angle. As he did so, he asked questions. "Have you been injured recently? Have you ever been sick? Any health problems? Have you ever mated with another Kelvic or human?" Each question and answer would be noted down on the paper, and said with a tinge of gentleness, in case the Kelvic needed more calming.

[Artur]

Upon the third question being answered first Artur found himself a little relieved that this was just a check-up, although he still didn’t know for sure what procedures followed in the middle of check-ups as he never really participated in one before. His rocking came to a stop and the obsessive repetition of his heel taps seemed to lessen a little as he listened closely to the doctor, a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon even if he promised to be good. Not that he was going to change to begin with, he was already on his best behavior out of the fear this place brought on. KRF was a place much like a prison for his kind and Artur just wanted to be free, to no longer have to worry about what plans the kooks in white coats had planned for him.

Somehow though the doctor here seemed to be a bit nice in regards to conversation, it actually started to feel good to be talked to after being ignored for so long. Yet little did Artur know that such questions were brought with the idle thought to make him comfortable, and even if he somewhat enjoyed being asked a few personal questions about his identity he somehow knew it would only last for so long. It was fleeting. The idea, the belief, the entire scheme was hidden with an illusion that the doctor wanted to know him, yet somehow the questions asked weren’t the ones that would bring out any feelings of acceptance. Maybe they did, but just nowhere near noticeable for the bear to feel better about himself. "Yes, brown bear or so they say." He pointed out with a short smile of recognition, that of course faded as he watched the doctor merely jot down notes. Where did he come from? Well it was a long ways off now, far out of Artur’s reach now that he was trapped behind stone walls. "Alvadas, but I came to Syliras soon after." He would’ve gone into further detail, yet for some reason those yearnings were shut off somehow.

He could feel that deep down this man, though nice enough to bring comfort, didn’t take the time to learn anything about Artur. Deep down there was no connection to form between the two of them, which in turn led the bear’s spirit to sink as he held his tongue for the next question. It wasn’t fair. Why did those men, those cruel and heartless slavers, have to bring him all the way here. He stood up upon command as the natural inborn desire to follow guided his senses; it was as if he were instinctually bound to listen to the command of those around him. Why was that so? And why did he only notice it now? How come he never really questioned it before? He wondered what the doctor must’ve been noting when the physical part of the examination went on, by the look of things it appeared as though the doctor painted a mental image in his mind or something. Did he notice anything bad? Did Artur have any issues that should’ve been addressed? He wanted to know so much yet couldn’t formulate any words, only because he wasn’t sure about anything that ran across his mind anymore.

This place this… facility. It somehow changes people, it’d already changed Artur and he hadn’t been here long. More questions followed, these ones a bit interesting to hear as they seemed random to suddenly ask. "Only when those cruel people took me as their prisoner, punched me in the face right here." He pointed next to his right eye as he remembered well the pain that coursed all around it, it was bad enough to make the eye black when it happened but now not a trace of the injury remained. It was all thanks to the passing of the previous seasons as time practically washed the black eye away. "Not… recently. Only when I sail across a sea or something." This being relevant to the voyage over the Suvan from Alvadas, each day was a nightmare on the rocky boat as Artur never stopped losing his lunches… or breakfasts, or even dinners for that matter.

Funny how naïve the bear really was to all these questions, his grasp at the intent behind them still remained small compared to that of a regular human. Were it someone who knew the reasons behind these questions, they’d likely be able to give straightforward answers like “Yes” or “No” with some appropriate reason to follow. Artur however fell in a different case, a kind of clueless that could always lead to being in some kind of trouble big or small. "Um… well everything kind of appears blurry sometimes, other than that I’m perfectly fine everywhere else." This being related to the problem with his vision, not necessarily leading him to be blind but in need of seeing aid somehow. Likely due to the fact he was aging faster than a human would, so it was only fitting that he’d experience the changes other aging adults would.

The last question however brought Artur to pause and wonder. Mating. Had he ever? Now that was a strange thing to ask a man- err… Kelvic. "No… not in my whole lifetime." He’d never worried about such a thing, after all mating would happen when he found the time to settle down. He’d been too curious about the world to even ponder the subject, yet now that he was here in this place… all he could do was wonder about them. Just what could he expect if he did come to learn more about all these things? How would it change him if he learned more about everything he thought upon? He couldn’t answer that and knew it was futile to even try, even if he’d thought to do a little self discovery the timing couldn’t be far worse. "Why is it important to know these things?" He finally asked after he couldn’t contain himself anymore, it was unbearable to hold in all these wonders. Yet he couldn’t expect everything to be answered all at once, like the good old days spent in the kitchen one thing at a time was to come. This meaning that if he wanted to learn where this examination was headed, he had to try and understand everything with as few questions as possible and more observations on his environment.

[Abstract]

The Doctor only reacted to one of Artur's statements. "Blurry? Everything goes blurry sometimes? What do you mean? When? Why?" He was a bit harsh, and there was some worry in his voice. If there was a problem with the Kelvic's genetics, then... he was practically useless! All they could do would be to sell him off to the main city for a price, and invest in another subject. You didn't come by bear Kelvics very often, so this was an opportunity they didn't plan on missing.

After hearing the answer to that, and all his other questions, he came to Artur's own inquiry. "It's important to know what condition you are in. We don't want you dying on us, or passing on anything that might ruin genetic lines." He seemed quite content to answer any more questions, though didn't expect the bear to understand the last two words. Not many humans would, so why would a Kelvic? He probably wouldn't understand the implication that they were going to test the combinations of bear and other creatures. Usually that upset the newer ones.

OOCSorry for the short post! I have something planned for the next. He just can't continue unless he's SURE that you don't have some funny genetic disease that you'll pass down.

[Artur]

The doctor’s sudden interest in the mention of poor vision led Artur to raise an eyebrow out of curiosity, it was as though the very nature of such a small illness could ruin everything the doctor had in regards to… to whatever it is that they did here. Now that he thought about it Artur had to wonder more, for what purpose were there so many Kelvics here? What reason did they need to know that he was so healthy? It was clear that the changes in his vision were something to be taken into consideration, yet Artur had no thoughts in relation to the fact he might’ve acquired some sort of illness. It was honestly something he’d grown accustomed to by now, the slight blur between fine lines of detail just slightly made the world seem hazy at times. Yet detail in everything itself still remained so he couldn’t complain too much about the loss in his sight. "I-it’s just on occasion when everything seems blurry, sometimes it’s bad sometimes not so much really." He had to admit he was nervous about it now, unaware if having poor eye sight would lead him to be into trouble.

"It’s like right now I can see you," He softly pointed towards the doctor as he explained, "I can see you’re there and that your hair is colored, faded in some spots because, well, you’re getting old of course. But along spots like," he pointed to his chin and jaw line as he continued further, "I see the edge there and it just somehow starts to blur. I know that’s where the jaw is because I recognize it but detail… not so much." He felt odd being unable to thoroughly describe it, but then again he hardly knew much in regards to describing anything. He was naïve. Always had been. He couldn’t explain something he knew nothing about after all, only provide what little know how he knew from personal experiences. "As for when and why I can’t say for sure, I only know it started when I was about to turn seven…"

The question he asked before was answered then and he came to learn why they wanted to know about his condition, sure enough the fact they didn’t want him dying on them was pretty obvious but the second reason was something… different. Passing on something that might ruin genetic lines. What did he mean by that? What in Mizahar were genetics? Were they something Kelvics had? That he had? Were they bad to carry? Soon Artur came to be puzzled by the mere answer, unable to hold anything in anymore. "What are ‘genetics' exactly?" He reposed with a conflicted expression, evidently clear that he was in fact poorly educated in matters of science.

[Abstract]

The Doctor frowned in concentration as Artur spoke, then began nodding. He fully relaxed when it was explained that this began quite recently, judging from Kelvic ages, not at birth. It was easy to diagnose that this was basic bad vision, not something too common, but always a possibility. If it had been like such since birth, there might have been something that could be passed down. However, something so recent, in such a grown Kelvic... it was probably not genetic.

"That's alright then..." he muttered, noting down the results. He glanced up in time for Artur to ask his next question, and his brow creased a little. It would be much too complicated to explain it in even in basic terms, so he relied on the easiest way out. "Nothing too important. You don't need to know what they are." That done, he nodded in satisfaction and set down his clipboard. "You are now done the physical examination. Someone else will come around to give you tests, all right? Stay here." He left without another word, leaving the written notes behind. If Artur listened carefully, he would hear the door 'click' behind the man.

It took another few chimes for the absent looking woman to return. "He left you in here alone?" she demanded, but didn't wait for a response. Instead she scowled and strode over to the clipboard, giving it a go-over. "Eyesight problems? Apparently recent. Okay... brown bear... testing the... that thing again," she muttered quietly, barely loud enough for Artur to hear. Her expression was one of irritation, and she grumbled as if inconvenienced.

Finally she focused on the Kelvic, ordering "Up. Follow me." She turned, rumaged through the bag Doctor Murav had left. With something odd and shiny in hand, she led the way across the hall into another room. This one was about the same time, but divided into two sections. One was a heavily enclosed area, with a half-wall, and the rest made of the thick mesh of Artur's cell. The holes were wide enough for something to poke through them. For example... the long pointy stick hanging on the wall.

The enclosed area had a thick door to it, and the woman pointed to it now. "In." Once Artur had followed the order in whatever way necessary, she slipped in just behind, and told him to sit. Slowly and carefully, she removed his collar... then jabbed a painful needle in his arm. Quick as a cat she was out of the room and had locked the door, watching with yet another clipboard.

It would take a few moments to take effect, but soon, the poison injected would take effect. Artur would shift. Once, twice, switching to bear than human than back again. It continued, with a few tick intervals between each change, before about half a chime later, everything would go... black. While he was unconscious, the scientist would note down with obvious surprise that it had acted remarkably quickly, with few shifts in between injection and unconsciousness.

Artur would awaken back in his cell, remarkably calm after the surprising events. Before him was a plate of food, better quality than his usual meals, and with larger portions. The cattail bread was less stale, and the provided fish was a little warm, rather than chilly cold. Was it a reward for his good behavior? Possibly.

[Artur]

Frowns and nods presented themselves so Artur took that as a sign from the doctor, with the word that his loss was rather okay even after the concern. Make up your mind would you?! He couldn’t tell if there was anything absolutely wrong with him or if he was the one actually fine, everybody here that seemed to examine him or command him were all so… robotic. They worked like inanimate objects sprung to life with but one purpose, unable to care for the work they did with the Kelvics found here in the facility. Maybe… that was it. They weren’t able to understand their Kelvics, they needed to find some way to obtain that understanding. They wanted to learn more about them. Maybe they’ll let me go if I help them. He thought naively to himself as his question seemed to be eluded, although the doctor mentioned that he didn’t need to know what “genetics” were the bear couldn’t help but silently deny that. He was too curious now. He had to learn one way or the other.

Yet there was no time for any more questions, his physical was now done which meant he could likely return back to his cell. Although he preferred freedom he knew well enough to avoid complaining, he wasn’t in a position to argue much of anything in this place. More tests were to follow though, and upon hearing it Artur sighed. He was rather tired of all these tests. What purpose did they serve? Probably to reach that better understanding. But why test Kelvics when it was easier to talk with them, ask them things that led to knowing everything straight from the heart. Artur remained on the table once more as he pondered so much, his head literally started to ache from all the wonder he had being in this place. Would that wonder go away eventually? Would the tests they did to him wear him down to where he no longer felt human? No longer wished to be a bear? He enjoyed having these things, these qualities that made him special. Unique. Just because there were many other Kelvics in this facility doesn’t mean they were all the same, Artur knew for a fact that any Kelvic that could mimic a bear wasn’t the same as he was.

So why just test them? Why only seek answers in simple things when it was the heart and soul that truly mattered? Why shut all of them off like they were tools to be used and thrown aside for later purpose? As he rubbed the front of his forehead with his left hand the other lunatic returned, her attention fully set on the remaining notes left by Doctor Murav, several mutters escaped her lips as she seemed to repeat whatever he wrote down. What was on the parchment? Was it good? These questions were getting on his nerves. He hated being in the dark this entire time, being treated like he was just an object. That’s what everybody seemed to see him as, and deep down it hurt him inside each time he noticed. Orders. Orders to stand up and follow. By now though he’d thought this to be all part of the examinations he was to go through, he had no need to be afraid if there was no pain to be inflicted upon. Of course her rummaging for something led Artur feel curious again, the sick repetition of wonder sparked once more as he eyed the shiny object with intrigue. What is that? I’ve never seen anything like it before. When he was led into the hall and into another room he’d noticed how different, yet somehow alike, it was to the rest of the areas in the facility he’d been in.

Holes, pointy objects, mesh found from the same area Artur’s cell was in. This wasn’t where he stayed that’s for sure, not unless they were moving him to this place. But… no… Last he recalled he was still being tested. Was he being tested by obedience? Because if so he did a great job of listening to little miss bossy. He was in and now he sat, waiting for whatever orders she had to bark at him. Yet upon his wait he felt something loosen from his neck, the firm grasp of the metal color finally loosened as she removed it. Finally! He could swallow without feeling choked. Oh thank Or- OW! The moment his eyes closed to relax with relief they quickly popped wide open as he looked down at his arm. That… thing! She’d grabbed it from the bag in the other room earlier. But why?! Why did she prick him with it?! Just what was going on?!

He felt himself in a slight panic as she soon scurried out the door, the click of the lock loud as he stood up in utter confusion. What’s the petch is going on?! He felt a little odd now. Something was about to happen but he didn’t know what, all he knew was that his entire body felt funny as he stood there. Suddenly he found his answer. What the- His skin highlighted with the hues of light that enveloped when he would transform, embraced with the flashes and swirls that changed him over to his animal side immediately. He’d let out a short gruff roar as he stood on his hind legs, shocked to see that he’d shifted to his animal form without even a thought or intention. What did they do?! Why am I- Another shift. The fur outlined with traces of light before the flash enveloped him once more, he stumbled backwards out of reaction and fell onto his ass with tears formed in his eyes.

"What happened?! What did you do?! What did you-" Another shift into his form happened as the intervals passed on and on, each one wearing him down as he struggled to grasp at what was happening to him. He’d never panicked so much in his lifetime, never experienced this kind of issue before. This had to be the test they referred to. There was no maybe to it, they did this to him. They did something that would cause this; he knew that for fact because of the object that pricked his arm. Each shift happened about a few ticks each time and didn’t stop or slow down, not until everything started to finally darken around him. He didn’t know what had happened when he’d fallen unconscious but upon his last shift, the change over into human form, Artur had managed to lay over in the fetal position. Remnants of tears traced down his face from the shifting process, but Artur had fallen well into deep sleep from the sudden quick burst of exhaustion induced from his random transitions.

When he awoke he found himself on the floor of his cell, as if what he’d experienced were a practical nightmare. No… it was real. This place itself was a nightmare. Yet he didn’t feel anything now that he’d awoken, other than the same usual hunger he had when he’d shifted a little too often. When he leaned up to see the rest of his room, the plate that held his food rested not too far from reaching distance. He could smell the food so well now, were it a mile away he could’ve easily lost himself in the bliss that any food brought when he was starving to death. Unusual that it were in bigger portions compared to his usual meals but all the same welcome, the more he ate the better he would feel afterwards. Oblivious to everything else around him a tiny smirk cracked his lips as he started to chow down on the food, his mood thrown into content as his stomach rumbled appreciatively while contents of fish and bread soon filled its empty reaches.