Randolph awkwardly flipped through the book, trying to grip the page but not so much as to rip it with his claws. The stench of decay and viscera permeates the air, fresh blood staining the already blood-stained room. The scene invites feelings of horror and disgust in most viewers, but the occupant prefers it this way. To him, it is as pleasant as fresh baked cookies. Freshly cut grass. A pristine rose. But the others don’t see it the same way. They hide in their hazmat suits, blind to the scent of an experience. They are stuck knowing only what they experience, while misunderstanding the experience of others through the clumsy method of communication. They see a corpse, but Randolph sees a life. One that he can experience himself. For when he feeds, he not only absorbs the body but the mind as well. They say three can keep a secret if two are dead, but that is insecure when concerning Randolph. He is a keeper of knowledge long forgotten. A collector of forbidden secrets. When the ways of old die, he resurrects the ancient traditions. 

But the others can’t experience, instead they must make do with words, spoken or written. Such an inefficient way to share knowledge, especially when the author is a joke. Randolph hoped to learn a little more about the Fianna, to try to gleam some nuggets of truth from the legends, but the author makes some bold claims that is clearly false from the little Randolph does know. He should have expected little, when he noticed the sources were a commentary of a translation of a translation. 

Finally, he decided the book was worthless, emphasized by the tearing of paper to help vent his frustration. He looked to the corpse in the corner and breathed in its scent. [color=blueviolet] “It’s been…. Three days, not quite long enough for it to settle. Do I dare sneak a bite?” [/color] Randolph considered, not keen on cracking open a cold one this early. [color=blueviolet] “…No, I think I’ll just get my muscles moving a little.” [/color] Randolph decided, looking at the door. He’d rather wait longer for it to be worth sampling, taking a walk through the long corridors would help ease his mind better than pacing in a room, even if he has to use those irritating chemicals before he is allowed out.

Several loud rhythmic thuds echoed down the hall as Randolph banged on his door. [color=blueviolet] “I want out.” [/color]

***

About twenty minutes later, Randolph waited at the door, his skin itching a little from having to decontaminate any affliction he might accidentally plague others with. An annoyance, but those that run this complex insisted heavily. Kind of hard to run experiments if half the inmates died from some exotic disease. Finally, after minutes of staring at the door, it made the familiar click and buzz as it opened, brighter lights shining through to diffuse the darkness of Randolph’s cell. Instinctively, he looked down, away from the light, attempting to shield himself from the brunt of the brightness while his vision adjusts. After a few moments, who looked up to glance at who drew the short straw this time and saw a new face. One trying hard not to gag from Randolph’s unique fragrance. [color=blueviolet] ‘New guy… guess they want me to break him in.’ [/color] Randolph thought to himself. The guards sometimes like to send the 'tough' new guys. Expecting Randolph to humble them, have a laugh, and save themselves from having their nose violated. Normally, with the hunched posture, Randolph is on the short side of quite a few people, but slowly standing upright, he easily towered over the guard. Testing his resolve. 

The guard kept his eyes locked on Randolph, refusing to submit in his body language. Randolph countered with his favored weapon, intimidation. [color=blueviolet] “So, you are the new guy huh?” [/color] Randolph boomed. [color=blueviolet] “About time as the last guy is starting to age nicely.” [/color] Randolph pointed to the corpse at the corner of his cell, [color=blueviolet] “Smell the rot settling in? means it’s almost ready to be served” [/color], Randolph left his mouth slightly open to emphasize the sentence. Drawing attention to his many sharp teeth, and a sinister smile. The guard maintained a calm demeaner, but was giving subtle indications to clue Randolph in on his growing fear. “uhhh, I’m supposed to be with you while you are out of your cell.” The guard said looking away, trying to mentally distance himself. “…So don’t do anything or I’ll have to use this!” The guard said looking at his taser, his voice raising a little to try and save face. While he was a little more confident, Randolph could tell that fear governed his thoughts. Randolph moved quickly to catch the guard off…guard. Randolph grabbed both sides of the guard, pinning the guard’s arms to his body and effortlessly lifted the guard above him. [color=blueviolet] “Go ahead…use it.” [/color] Randolph said, cackling like a hyena as the guard struggled without success.

 After a few minutes, the guard’s struggle slowed. [color=blueviolet] “Not going to make a move for it? Don’t worry, I’ll make a move for you” [/color] Randolph said as he opened his mouth wider, making his intention known. “Oh shit! D-don’t eat me!” the guard screamed, resigned on struggling. Randolph responded with laughter, slowly and gently putting the guard back on the ground. [color=blueviolet] “I’m just kidding, just a little hazing.” [/color] Randolph said, trying to hide his teeth to help calm the guard down. [color=blueviolet] “I do it to all the new guys they occasionally send my way, and don’t worry. Just about everyone else broke down and started begging too.” [/color] The guard began to calm down a little and let out a nervous laugh to hide his confusion and fear.

[color=blueviolet] “See that camera? There are a few of your coworkers watching and having a laugh at your expense, and I’m happy to oblige. It can get pretty boring around here, and around here excitement is dangerous. Besides, I’m more of a scholar than a fighter…” [/color] Randolph flexed his claws to juxtapose his statement. [color=blueviolet] “…Hard to believe, I know. But so long as you don’t irritate me, I will not harm you. That’s about the best you can expect here, some of the others will kill you just for wearing that uniform. Now stick with me, despite having near perfect behavior, they insist someone watches over me. Since I would get punished, I’ll drag you with me if I need to.” [/color] Randolph ended, turning to walk down the hall and resuming his normal hunched posture. He had no destination in mind, just do a few loops through the hall. Kill time till breakfast, despite not eating any of that so called ‘food’, he does like to lurk. Sometimes, something interesting happens. Where there is excitement, there is danger, and where there is danger there is opportunity.