While the primary directive of the PR-MD was to keep celebrity newsmongers who care more about the scandal than the real news out of Animalia and it's colonies, it was also a way to keep track of new programs that were founded, whether involving the use of the Virus, or Animalia in general.
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Owen was in Claw Coliseum's Summer Health Program during the week until school started, but that didn't matter because Bunni and Rockwall would spend time with the Health and Wellness Programs, even if Bunni was already developing notoriety as being more modest than other uplifted rabbits. It was when Owen was being picked up after one of their workouts that the Twinlab representative managed to catch up with them with their new, fava bean-based protein powder. All three of them thought their meat muscle commercial was pretty funny, even if Owen wasn't old enough to know what the sausage was for. While Rockwall was quick to sign on, Bunni was going to wait until her education was complete before signing on.
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Meanwhile the Five Elements were getting ready for SAMAS with Jen and the other Dinotopians, who had just gotten back from their colony tour when a bus pulled up to Horizon Hospital's "back door". The Five elements were even more confused when a number of Chinese and Japanese girls, their bodies deformed in one way or another, went in to be registered.
"According to Jen," said the receiver for Project Phoenix, "these girls, whether suffering from cancer or bad relationships, are the 'dirty laundry' that Japanese don't "show" to tourists. I remember one time I was in Japan that there was a section in a bookstore that the locals didn't want me to go into, but that was a long time ago so I don't remember exactly. Anyway, some of these girls are going to be cats in the spirit of 'worship of all things cute', according to the translator, while a female senior citizen is going to be a white wolf Animalian for the Meat Market." At that, Muxing (at least) lost interest and resumed preparations for SAMAS.
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Meanwhile, at the Meat Market, Anabelle and Miss Vivian were brainstorming some ideas for performances at the Meat Market, mainly because the novelty of the Greek Erotica performances was starting to wear off.
"Jen says that one of her contacts, named Ami, who is also 75 and survivor of several cancers, not just breast and uterine cancer, wants to be a white wolf Animalian for the Meat Market." said Miss Vivian, after reading one applicant.
"Why that one?" asked Annabelle, "Not that the labs don't have DNA from leucitic wolves, why does she want to be a white wolf?"
"At least according to the videogame Okami, Amaterasu the goddess of light is depicted as a white wolf." Said Miss Vivian.
"What could she achieve with that combination?" asked Annabelle.
"Erotic arts aren't just limited to Greek Mythology." Replied Miss Vivian, "I do know that sake is involved in a lot of Japanese mythology tales, and that a sake tub turned upside down is used as a stage for the Japanese goddess of revelry and dawn (I didn't catch her name) to lure Amaterasu out of hiding."
"Oh, so the patrons are demanding to see that one." answered Annabelle, suddenly understanding.
"They're also demanding some superhero and supervillain performances." said Miss Vivian, "But I'll have to talk to you about that later, the official Bare-As-You-Dare tournament is about to begin."
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While Jeremy was a little worried about Polly when she wasn't with her adopted family when they got back from their colony tour, he quickly calmed down when he saw her at the Underwater Rhythmic Performance Showcase. He also met Polly's coach, Lydia during the break between performances and found her to be rather nice. He was also glad that Polly was getting about more, but still planned to show her the DVD tours from the colonies they visited while she was practicing, especially of Mieni Atoll's Luminous Reef, and Ahmose II's tomb, from New Zerzura.
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While Stanly was one of those who were registered as "in trouble with organized crime" for his reason for converting into a stag-moose as part of Project Pleistocene, there were a few others who were able to fit into that criteria. Case in point was Janet. A simple "lucky" streak at an illegal gaming house had her on the run from drug lords in Mexico. Fortunately she was born a US Citizen so her "flight" didn't get her into bureaucratic trouble while crossing the border. She was able to get into a new "Animalia Witness Protection Program" designed to help people like her and Stanley, and was sponsored by the FBI. She was able to be converted into a sabretooth tiger, not only to be a good "bondmate" for Diego (since they found they had a lot in common than originally thought), but also to be "Lady Luck" at the Worldmeet Glade Hotel and Casino while wearing a red dress that had a cleavage window that showed everything from cleavage to bellybutton. But there was one that was really confusing, at least at first.
Raj and Fran had to meet Kara, their newest member of their "family", but they were a little confused at seeing the FBI agent there.
"This peahen entered a liquor store in California and just wouldn't leave." said the Agent in explanation, "Animal Control managed to get her out, but not before she ended up destroying $500 worth of top-shelf alcohol."
"So what are we going to do about it?" asked Fran, having seen something similar on the news once.
"She's going to be uplifted, and be part of your new 'clan'. After she's completed her remedial lessons, she's going to work at a local liquor store in Lyre and Animalia. But she's not going to get a paycheck until she works off her $500 debt."
"Well," said Fran, "I guess we can help her with her new status."
"But apparently it was the inspiration for a new, bright blue Orangina Hard." said the Agent, rubbing his temple like people will when fighting off an annoyance-fueled headache.