Dustin woke up in a tank full of sea water. He was confused at first, when he realized he was breathing sea water, and not dying! In fact, he felt fairly comfortable-

[i]Hey, I'm not dead! They- they told the truth![/i]

He laughed as best he could as the water started to drain, but once he began to settle and support his own weight, he started to feel... Not quite pain, but more than mere discomfort. He hurt all over, and was feeling stiff, as if he'd been cramping all over, especially his feet and hands. He must have looked odd, grimacing and laughing at the same time, while coughing up sea water.

He could feel the difference inside his lungs, now, of breathing strictly gaseous atmosphere, and frankly, he wanted to get back in the water. [i]Dry- too dry[/i] he kept thinking to himself, [i]and I'm exposed, it's too bright out. Ugh, I just want to curl up under a blanket or and wait until it's dark or something..[/i]

The tank opened up, and he cautiously crept out. "Glad to see you up and about, Mr. waters." He jumped, turning to face the scientist, crying out briefly as he did, and throwing his arms out to his sides. He lowered his arms as he calmed down, and the scientist raised an eyebrow. "And that you... [i]Were[/i]... In better spirits, since undergoing the procedure. How do you feel?"

"Well, besides you damn near giving me a second heart attack- dick move, by the way- I'm glad to not be dead, but I kind of... Hurt all over, man.. Is that normal? Anybody else feeling like they're outgrowing their own skin?"

The scientist didn't respond, but took notes. "Hm. Could you be more specific?"

Rusty heaved a sigh, "Um... I have a feeling all over, like... like the soreness you feel, recovering from a really bad sunburn? All over, man." He gestured to his whole body. 

"Interesting... Anything else?"

"Yeah, my hands and feet hurt, like, I've been having really bad cramps or something."

"Hm... Well, I'm sure you'll be alright; this doesn't sound too serious, but, do let us know it it gets any worse, or new issues come up. We'll be keeping an eye on you, in any case. I'm sure you're feeling cold, we've got something warmer for you."

an assistant handed him the sweat suit, and he grimaced and groaned the whole time getting into it. Across his chest was "Subject #003".

He was getting more anxious as they stood there. "Can we... Can we get me somewhere not so wide open, already?"

Another curious look from the scientist, "Mr. Waters, do experience 'agorophobia'? something like that would have been useful to include in your psychological profile, beforehand-"

"-I don't need a shrink, just get me out of this room, ok!?"

The scientist smirked, and remarked sarcastically, "Oh, getting agitated? None of you have done [i]that[/i], yet." He gave a little laugh to himself, "Try to relax, Subject #003; my assistant will lead you to the common room, and your living quarters. No need to be..." He gave a grin, " 'Crabby'."

[i]What? Oh, right; they hadn't lied, after all- I'm part Blue Crab, now.[/i] "Ugh, screw you, man." With that, he followed the assistant to his room, first.

He had a look in a mirror, and heaved a sigh examining the side of his neck. [i]Yep. Still there.[/i] He was talking about the tattoo that had been involuntarily applied, to mark him as a prisoner that wasn't getting out. [i]Maybe I can ask them to remove it?[/i] He picked up a blanket from his cot, wrapping in it. He started to relax, feeling cozy, and glad the barcode was hidden, now. He decided to go spend some time in the common room, and maybe meet some of the others?

Upon entering the common room, though, he started to feel anxious again, and instead walked over to sit in a darker corner, takign a furniture cushion with him, more or less hiding under the blanket and sitting on the cushion. He spoke out, muffled, "... Hi, I'm #003, apparently, nice to meet you all... Call me Rusty, or don't. Whatever."