Riding Bear Back (SP RP5/RP6)
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:26 pm---(~Indy~)---
Jackie had met Logan’s sudden apprehension of the river with a steely even gaze—neither arguing nor giving in to her ultimatum. Wordlessly she followed the river upstream and deeper into the woods, her gaze ever watchful on Logan’s position. The duo traveled for some time, past a small fork in the river and then some. In the distance, dogs bayed; they had caught the trail and the two women were running out of time.
“Alright that’s enough goofing around,” Jackie spoke aloud, but her voice was low and seemed more directed at herself than her companion, “It’s time to get serious about losing these stupid dogs”
Jackie moved like an adder. She had run through every scenario and the only way they would ever get out of it was if she acted now. Her arms came barreling towards Logan with every bit of strength the redhead could muster. There was enough force to send not only Logan into the stream, but Jackie as well.
That was the plan—the only way to erase their scent would be to take a little dip in the pool. Logan had made it clear she would have nothing to do with the river, but Jackie knew that it would only be a matter of time before the dogs caught up to them. Now they need only to keep breathing and direct themselves into the fork in the river they had passed earlier and travel far enough down it until they were well out of the “danger zone”.
Easier said than done.
---(~Indy~)---
Jackie had met Logan’s sudden apprehension of the river with a steely even gaze—neither arguing nor giving in to her ultimatum. Wordlessly she followed the river upstream and deeper into the woods, her gaze ever watchful on Logan’s position. The duo traveled for some time, past a small fork in the river and then some. In the distance, dogs bayed; they had caught the trail and the two women were running out of time.
“Alright that’s enough goofing around,” Jackie spoke aloud, but her voice was low and seemed more directed at herself than her companion, “It’s time to get serious about losing these stupid dogs”
Jackie moved like an adder. She had run through every scenario and the only way they would ever get out of it was if she acted now. Her arms came barreling towards Logan with every bit of strength the redhead could muster. There was enough force to send not only Logan into the stream, but Jackie as well.
That was the plan—the only way to erase their scent would be to take a little dip in the pool. Logan had made it clear she would have nothing to do with the river, but Jackie knew that it would only be a matter of time before the dogs caught up to them. Now they need only to keep breathing and direct themselves into the fork in the river they had passed earlier and travel far enough down it until they were well out of the “danger zone”.
Easier said than done.
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:27 pm---(~Addie~)---
Logan had walked along with Jackie, all too trustingly. Certainly she wouldn't do something crazy twice. Certainly she didn't have enough strength to do something as rash as shoving Logan into the river. And certainly it was this thinking that had Logan off guard at the moment Jackie decided to "attack".
So she toppled with the grace of a tipped bull into the river, Jackie coming in beside her. One reason Jackie may have been able to hurl them into the water so easily was because the point at which she did it was a small drop off, and the river below was about nine feet high at the edge.
The water hit Logan like an icy shock, and she managed only a gasp before her whole body was submerged. In the hazy of the last weak strips of light, she could make out Jackie's figure, and she reached out and grappled onto whatever portion of the body she could, pulling herself up and out of the water, and shoving Jackie under in the process!
Briefly above the water, she barked Jackie's name, before bobbing under. She could feel beneath her the stone and sand at the bottom of the river, and she used the earth below her to force her body back up again. "Jackie I cannot swim!" she growled quickly, feeling herself sinking again. Though she reached out for the woman or any sort of leverage for that matter, her hands met with nothing. She could feel the pressure of the water all around her body, pressing on her lungs, and Logan could do nothing more than muster a small bob to the surface before sinking back down again. Oh, when and if she got out of this, Jackie would see her wrath like never before!
Now she touched a stone, and realized it was the rocky wall of the ledge they had just been standing on. She found a small place to grip onto just barely out of the water, and so she pulled herself against the wall and hung onto it, her body completely still as she attempted to keep from being completely submerged into the river.
"NOW what? You are moron, Jackie! I have had it!" she snarled, dipping under briefly after, but quickly pulling herself back up.
---
Kimberly had found the trail, or rather Axel had. He followed it in much the same pattern it had been created, checking the tree, the grass, the bushes, following it to the river.
"What on earth happened? Agh, those stupid women, they shouldn't be running if they're hurt!"
Now it was that Axel found the torn piece of cloth by the river, and he gave a frustrated whine, pacing around the riverbed anxiously. You could tell, even for a simple creature, he was calculating the situation in his head.. something didn't add up, because he found no trail of theirs leading into the river at this point. And he turned back around, more or less in the direction that he had come from. "Axel, what are you doing..?" Kimberly was about to sigh in exasperation, perhaps wondering if the old dog had lost his sense of smell, or if the lakewater was simply drowning it out, but all of the sudden he took off another trail! Following parallel to the river, he tugged on the lead and led Kimberly forward with two barks!
Now it had been a few minutes, and had gotten darker, with only the last desperate strands of light clinging to the air.. Kimberly pulled a flashlight from her toolbelt and clicked it on, and while Axel led the way confidently, she found nothing and began to wonder if he had found a trail left by some animal, when...
KKASPLSSSHHHH!
It was still distant but she could hear it, the sound of a loud splash. Maybe it was a big fish that had surfaced and was spooked soon after, or a tree branch hitting the water, but she now had restored faith in the old dog, and her face lit up! She began at a sprint towards where Logan and Jackie had just fallen into the water.
"Hello?!" she called, but she could see nothing on the path ahead or in the water below her. If they were here, it was further up yet, and now she only hoped she would get to them before they slipped away again!
---(~Addie~)---
Logan had walked along with Jackie, all too trustingly. Certainly she wouldn't do something crazy twice. Certainly she didn't have enough strength to do something as rash as shoving Logan into the river. And certainly it was this thinking that had Logan off guard at the moment Jackie decided to "attack".
So she toppled with the grace of a tipped bull into the river, Jackie coming in beside her. One reason Jackie may have been able to hurl them into the water so easily was because the point at which she did it was a small drop off, and the river below was about nine feet high at the edge.
The water hit Logan like an icy shock, and she managed only a gasp before her whole body was submerged. In the hazy of the last weak strips of light, she could make out Jackie's figure, and she reached out and grappled onto whatever portion of the body she could, pulling herself up and out of the water, and shoving Jackie under in the process!
Briefly above the water, she barked Jackie's name, before bobbing under. She could feel beneath her the stone and sand at the bottom of the river, and she used the earth below her to force her body back up again. "Jackie I cannot swim!" she growled quickly, feeling herself sinking again. Though she reached out for the woman or any sort of leverage for that matter, her hands met with nothing. She could feel the pressure of the water all around her body, pressing on her lungs, and Logan could do nothing more than muster a small bob to the surface before sinking back down again. Oh, when and if she got out of this, Jackie would see her wrath like never before!
Now she touched a stone, and realized it was the rocky wall of the ledge they had just been standing on. She found a small place to grip onto just barely out of the water, and so she pulled herself against the wall and hung onto it, her body completely still as she attempted to keep from being completely submerged into the river.
"NOW what? You are moron, Jackie! I have had it!" she snarled, dipping under briefly after, but quickly pulling herself back up.
---
Kimberly had found the trail, or rather Axel had. He followed it in much the same pattern it had been created, checking the tree, the grass, the bushes, following it to the river.
"What on earth happened? Agh, those stupid women, they shouldn't be running if they're hurt!"
Now it was that Axel found the torn piece of cloth by the river, and he gave a frustrated whine, pacing around the riverbed anxiously. You could tell, even for a simple creature, he was calculating the situation in his head.. something didn't add up, because he found no trail of theirs leading into the river at this point. And he turned back around, more or less in the direction that he had come from. "Axel, what are you doing..?" Kimberly was about to sigh in exasperation, perhaps wondering if the old dog had lost his sense of smell, or if the lakewater was simply drowning it out, but all of the sudden he took off another trail! Following parallel to the river, he tugged on the lead and led Kimberly forward with two barks!
Now it had been a few minutes, and had gotten darker, with only the last desperate strands of light clinging to the air.. Kimberly pulled a flashlight from her toolbelt and clicked it on, and while Axel led the way confidently, she found nothing and began to wonder if he had found a trail left by some animal, when...
KKASPLSSSHHHH!
It was still distant but she could hear it, the sound of a loud splash. Maybe it was a big fish that had surfaced and was spooked soon after, or a tree branch hitting the water, but she now had restored faith in the old dog, and her face lit up! She began at a sprint towards where Logan and Jackie had just fallen into the water.
"Hello?!" she called, but she could see nothing on the path ahead or in the water below her. If they were here, it was further up yet, and now she only hoped she would get to them before they slipped away again!
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:27 pm---(~Indy~)---
The river might not have bothered Jackie if Logan hadn’t insisted on pushing her under it. She struggled for air, not having even the time to glare at her companion, before at last regaining her breath. She watched as Logan bobbed like some strange child’s toy, her expression a combination of amusement and weariness. The two continued their course down the river. Soon she saw the fork in the river rushing up ahead. Forcefully she shoved both Logan and herself to the left side, so they might continue on through the unknown wilderness.
Some time had passed. By which time Jackie had found a log to grip on to so she didn’t have to float. Her head was slumped on the wood and it seemed almost as if she had fallen asleep; in fact, she had even bothered to see if Logan was still bobbing in the river like a fishing lure or if she had taken hold of the thick log as well.
The current was growing faster. Just slightly, and had one not been paying mind to it, it would have been easy to miss. But Jackie was ever alert, though her eyes were slanted with half-sleep. She did not know if the speed in current was simply a passing thing, or if it indicated some roaring waterfall up ahead. She didn’t want to find out; they had traveled down the river long enough to loose the dogs and get a good five miles distance from any sign of civilization. There would be no harm getting out now.
Like a seal, she flopped onto the river bank and stumbled. Any grace she might have had in her movement was gone. Now she was just a shivering woman in a tattered soaking wet dress.
“Come on Logan, geddout, unless you want to become a fish”
---
Lyra wasn’t certain about Tyranny, but the Tyranny seemed very certain of Tyranny. She could only trust the dog’s judgement. He seemed very earnest he was on the right trail, so obliging to Kimberly’s instructions she let the dog go where he wanted into the forest. It was all Lyra could do to keep up; in no time at all she was breaking a sweat. She became aware that the trees they passed were streaked in red; half a thought formed in her head on the matter, but so many ideas were running through her head that it was no more than an afterthought. Soon she became aware Tyranny had stopped in front of the river. The young dog had picked up the same trail Axel had. He whined his head and sniffed uncertainly, vainly trying to pick up the trail again. Lyra stopped and investigated.
The trail had ended here, both the scent and the visual. The red streaks had stopped here; it must have been blood? It was hard to imagine why someone so injured would keep on running; certainly the possibility of arrest wasn’t as bad as dying in the middle of the woods. Her palm stretched over bank, seeking for some kind of clue—her hands settled on a small strip of cloth and Lyra’s heart felt cold in her chest.
This couldn’t be right, she thought. The women may have been injured, but they had enough sense not to fall into the river, didn’t they? The water was cold this time of year and many portions very deep; if you didn’t drown, you’d have hypothermia by nightfall.
Lyra shook her head. Surely these women had enough coordination not to fall in and enough sense not to dive in it on purpose.
As if on cue Tyranny offered a low whine, then an excited bark. He had picked up the trail again and the young dog was enthusiastic to continue the game. Lyra sighed, and soon she was running down the river bank. She could see Kimberly in the distance and she seemed to have found something interesting. Both Lyra and Tyranny increased their pace.
---
What the hostess of a local restaurant had seen was simple. A man and a woman had entered the restaurant, no doubt a couple out on a date. The man had smiled, and asked for a private table. He was so polite about it that he more than made up for his date’s icy stare; the hostess had no problem arranging a special table for the two of them by the window. The hostess had smiled as she left, amusing herself with ideas on what could force such a pleasant genial man with such an ice-queen of a woman.
What really happened was far less the simplicity it seemed.
As Melinda ordered her dinner, her mind was racing and her heart was racing. She couldn’t even remember what she had ordered after she had just ordered it; even when the food came she wasn’t aware she was eating it. Her features were blank, but inside her terror seemed to have its grip.
“Why Melinda,” IRS man paused from his meal,”Don’t look so nervous. We are just two coworkers out for dinner, I assure you nothing romantic will happen between the two of us”
The willowy man laughed and, as always, he was the only who did. Only the hostess seemed mildly interested in his goings and even she didn’t laugh.
“Although, I suppose we are technically allowed to date. We aren’t in the same division, I suppose. Or even the same area of the government,”
A brief pause. It seemed to be a lull in the conversation, but Melinda was not fooled. It was a purposefully placed silence, meant to make what he said next all the more important.
“Although it’s hard to say if we’re even coworkers at all! I suppose just about anything could happen tonight”
The IRS man smiled cheekily and continued on his meal. The comment might have been innocent enough had it been said by anyone else. But even as IRS man hummed, Melinda could see that this comment was not innocent. Every time he beamed, or told a stupid joke, or stumbled on his feet, there was a calculative quality to his actions. Nothing he said could be taken for the value that it was.
She knew what had seemed to be flirtation was almost certainly a warning. He knew she was not what she said to be, and it would only be a matter of time before he caught her. If she didn’t finish this job up fast –
“Well should I pay for the meal, or would you like to Dutch? Really I don’t mind, although if I do pay you will have to concede that this was in fact a date”
---(~Indy~)---
The river might not have bothered Jackie if Logan hadn’t insisted on pushing her under it. She struggled for air, not having even the time to glare at her companion, before at last regaining her breath. She watched as Logan bobbed like some strange child’s toy, her expression a combination of amusement and weariness. The two continued their course down the river. Soon she saw the fork in the river rushing up ahead. Forcefully she shoved both Logan and herself to the left side, so they might continue on through the unknown wilderness.
Some time had passed. By which time Jackie had found a log to grip on to so she didn’t have to float. Her head was slumped on the wood and it seemed almost as if she had fallen asleep; in fact, she had even bothered to see if Logan was still bobbing in the river like a fishing lure or if she had taken hold of the thick log as well.
The current was growing faster. Just slightly, and had one not been paying mind to it, it would have been easy to miss. But Jackie was ever alert, though her eyes were slanted with half-sleep. She did not know if the speed in current was simply a passing thing, or if it indicated some roaring waterfall up ahead. She didn’t want to find out; they had traveled down the river long enough to loose the dogs and get a good five miles distance from any sign of civilization. There would be no harm getting out now.
Like a seal, she flopped onto the river bank and stumbled. Any grace she might have had in her movement was gone. Now she was just a shivering woman in a tattered soaking wet dress.
“Come on Logan, geddout, unless you want to become a fish”
---
Lyra wasn’t certain about Tyranny, but the Tyranny seemed very certain of Tyranny. She could only trust the dog’s judgement. He seemed very earnest he was on the right trail, so obliging to Kimberly’s instructions she let the dog go where he wanted into the forest. It was all Lyra could do to keep up; in no time at all she was breaking a sweat. She became aware that the trees they passed were streaked in red; half a thought formed in her head on the matter, but so many ideas were running through her head that it was no more than an afterthought. Soon she became aware Tyranny had stopped in front of the river. The young dog had picked up the same trail Axel had. He whined his head and sniffed uncertainly, vainly trying to pick up the trail again. Lyra stopped and investigated.
The trail had ended here, both the scent and the visual. The red streaks had stopped here; it must have been blood? It was hard to imagine why someone so injured would keep on running; certainly the possibility of arrest wasn’t as bad as dying in the middle of the woods. Her palm stretched over bank, seeking for some kind of clue—her hands settled on a small strip of cloth and Lyra’s heart felt cold in her chest.
This couldn’t be right, she thought. The women may have been injured, but they had enough sense not to fall into the river, didn’t they? The water was cold this time of year and many portions very deep; if you didn’t drown, you’d have hypothermia by nightfall.
Lyra shook her head. Surely these women had enough coordination not to fall in and enough sense not to dive in it on purpose.
As if on cue Tyranny offered a low whine, then an excited bark. He had picked up the trail again and the young dog was enthusiastic to continue the game. Lyra sighed, and soon she was running down the river bank. She could see Kimberly in the distance and she seemed to have found something interesting. Both Lyra and Tyranny increased their pace.
---
What the hostess of a local restaurant had seen was simple. A man and a woman had entered the restaurant, no doubt a couple out on a date. The man had smiled, and asked for a private table. He was so polite about it that he more than made up for his date’s icy stare; the hostess had no problem arranging a special table for the two of them by the window. The hostess had smiled as she left, amusing herself with ideas on what could force such a pleasant genial man with such an ice-queen of a woman.
What really happened was far less the simplicity it seemed.
As Melinda ordered her dinner, her mind was racing and her heart was racing. She couldn’t even remember what she had ordered after she had just ordered it; even when the food came she wasn’t aware she was eating it. Her features were blank, but inside her terror seemed to have its grip.
“Why Melinda,” IRS man paused from his meal,”Don’t look so nervous. We are just two coworkers out for dinner, I assure you nothing romantic will happen between the two of us”
The willowy man laughed and, as always, he was the only who did. Only the hostess seemed mildly interested in his goings and even she didn’t laugh.
“Although, I suppose we are technically allowed to date. We aren’t in the same division, I suppose. Or even the same area of the government,”
A brief pause. It seemed to be a lull in the conversation, but Melinda was not fooled. It was a purposefully placed silence, meant to make what he said next all the more important.
“Although it’s hard to say if we’re even coworkers at all! I suppose just about anything could happen tonight”
The IRS man smiled cheekily and continued on his meal. The comment might have been innocent enough had it been said by anyone else. But even as IRS man hummed, Melinda could see that this comment was not innocent. Every time he beamed, or told a stupid joke, or stumbled on his feet, there was a calculative quality to his actions. Nothing he said could be taken for the value that it was.
She knew what had seemed to be flirtation was almost certainly a warning. He knew she was not what she said to be, and it would only be a matter of time before he caught her. If she didn’t finish this job up fast –
“Well should I pay for the meal, or would you like to Dutch? Really I don’t mind, although if I do pay you will have to concede that this was in fact a date”
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:28 pm---(~Addie~)---
"-unless you want to become a fish"
Logan's gaze shifted slowly. She had made her way to the log as soon as Jackie had glommed onto it, though her side seemed to dip lazily into the water and Logan found herself travelling more or less half drowned the whole time. And when Jackie spoke, it seemed she could barely muster the energy to make it to the river bank a short ways from Jackie, pulling herself up onto it with little help from her legs, which seemed content to act as nerveless noodles attached to her torso.
Now hate is a strong word, but right now Logan knew she hated two things: water, and the cold, and Jackie teetered somewhere on the edge of being hated and being tolerated..
After a few moments of shivering and gasping, she forced herself up. Slowly she began towards Jackie, her ink black hair draping heavily along either side of her face, the curls having long fallen out, and her violet eyes filled with rage and malicious intention. She stood over Jackie, and somehow, despite the tremor in her muscles, she mustered up the strength to pull Jackie up by the neck of her dress and clear off the ground, and her other arm pulled back, her fist tightening and then WHAM!
Simultaneously she slammed Jackie in the jaw and let loose of her, watching her fall to the ground. Then she set a foot on the torso of the woman, her mouth twisted into a snarl.
"Now we are going back to the dens, understand?! We will explain to the Alpha, a-and both of us will accept punishment for these! It will be better than f-floating in icy water, and being chased by officers! You are tired, yeah? And have much ache, ah? And I am the same! You will stop, or else I will make you! No more warnings, Jacqueline Ryder."
Now she lifted her foot off the other and offered the female a hand to help her up, but a firm look was still present on her face.
---(~Addie~)---
"-unless you want to become a fish"
Logan's gaze shifted slowly. She had made her way to the log as soon as Jackie had glommed onto it, though her side seemed to dip lazily into the water and Logan found herself travelling more or less half drowned the whole time. And when Jackie spoke, it seemed she could barely muster the energy to make it to the river bank a short ways from Jackie, pulling herself up onto it with little help from her legs, which seemed content to act as nerveless noodles attached to her torso.
Now hate is a strong word, but right now Logan knew she hated two things: water, and the cold, and Jackie teetered somewhere on the edge of being hated and being tolerated..
After a few moments of shivering and gasping, she forced herself up. Slowly she began towards Jackie, her ink black hair draping heavily along either side of her face, the curls having long fallen out, and her violet eyes filled with rage and malicious intention. She stood over Jackie, and somehow, despite the tremor in her muscles, she mustered up the strength to pull Jackie up by the neck of her dress and clear off the ground, and her other arm pulled back, her fist tightening and then WHAM!
Simultaneously she slammed Jackie in the jaw and let loose of her, watching her fall to the ground. Then she set a foot on the torso of the woman, her mouth twisted into a snarl.
"Now we are going back to the dens, understand?! We will explain to the Alpha, a-and both of us will accept punishment for these! It will be better than f-floating in icy water, and being chased by officers! You are tired, yeah? And have much ache, ah? And I am the same! You will stop, or else I will make you! No more warnings, Jacqueline Ryder."
Now she lifted her foot off the other and offered the female a hand to help her up, but a firm look was still present on her face.
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:30 pm---(~Mae~)---
"A foot behind, and a paw in front." Diane observed that was how the old saying went as she continued on. In all simplicity it had a dual meaning; It meant that sometimes it was better to follow behind before taking the lead, while another meaning was that any werewolf is better at tracking and being tracked when in their secondary form. So it was with Diane.
Diane had taken a longer route in order to obtain the desired angle, and from there she located the officers by stratagem. For one such as herself, she was at no disadvantage for having taking the longer way, it was actually to the contrary; By coming in from behind she could pinpoint the location of the policemen quite easily without being detected, and aside from that, Diane was a swift and calculated tracker.
Having been trained by the wisdom of many ancient mentors passing their achievements down through countless generations, Diane was well educated in her craft. Perhaps not as good as one whose sole skill was devoted as a tracker, but she was highly efficient regardless, and at any rate her first task was to know where any obstacles might be placed, which was simple enough.
Two police hounds, one well seasoned with experience on his side, the other young with all the advantages of youth, both cunning and quick made their way through the forest without delay. Diane knew that the K-9 troopers were a most reliable team when both officer and dog had together been well trained; they knew how to rely on each other, how to go swiftly and without question, and that every signal was a meaningful one. Indeed, if ever dog and man could be one without being werewolf, that was the seasoned K-9 trooper.
It was at the riverside when Diane saw them. She was on the opposite bank from the trooper and her faithful companion, but as Diane did not have the luxury of a trail to follow, she relied on the subtle cues and gestures of the dog to inform her of the direction she need go. So it was that Diane noticed the moment of doubt followed by greater enthusiasm on the part of both dog and trainer. Following that moment Diane knew which direction she was to go, and it was now time to cover ground.
While the evening light waned, Diane ran by the river. It would not be the first time she had followed an invisible werewolf trail, that was for certain, but the tracking procedure was always rather complicated regardless. Yet every once and awhile there would be just the slightest scent wafting over the water which informed her that she was not tracking someone who knew how to vanish.
It was at the moment Diane was about to backtrack when she heard it. There was a thrashing and paddling near the bank followed by the discernible sound of voices.
The sleek black werewolf came to a standstill among the bramble. The noise was not far away, and Diane wanted to be certain that they had not seen her first before proceeding. Thus after finding that they had not, Diane approached the sound. There were many low humps over the ground from which stood many a tree, but the bushes were thin and far between, so she took refuge behind the exposed roots of one such forestry giant.
Glancing beyond the small mound which kept her from the immediate sight of the other two women, Diane caught the moment in which the one cast the other unceremoniously to the ground! Then came those enraged words and Diane again concealed herself.
"Well, there they are... Shame I don't have any of the boys with me." Diane thought to herself. Subtly, and being careful not to make a sound or be seen, she stood up against tree and exchanged her form for a slight and far more appealing guise. She knew readily enough that it would not fool werewolves, but for the moment it would seem her fine.
Diane then stepped into plain view and made her presence suddenly known in the form of words. "Goodness me,” she said, “by the sound of it, you two aren't even friends, let alone packmates."
Diane was hesitant to follow her words with a smile, since these two werewolves were very clearly upset and she was the stranger on which both could focus their anger. Therefore, though the words were smug indeed, she followed it up with an expression of concern and curiosity
---(~Mae~)---
"A foot behind, and a paw in front." Diane observed that was how the old saying went as she continued on. In all simplicity it had a dual meaning; It meant that sometimes it was better to follow behind before taking the lead, while another meaning was that any werewolf is better at tracking and being tracked when in their secondary form. So it was with Diane.
Diane had taken a longer route in order to obtain the desired angle, and from there she located the officers by stratagem. For one such as herself, she was at no disadvantage for having taking the longer way, it was actually to the contrary; By coming in from behind she could pinpoint the location of the policemen quite easily without being detected, and aside from that, Diane was a swift and calculated tracker.
Having been trained by the wisdom of many ancient mentors passing their achievements down through countless generations, Diane was well educated in her craft. Perhaps not as good as one whose sole skill was devoted as a tracker, but she was highly efficient regardless, and at any rate her first task was to know where any obstacles might be placed, which was simple enough.
Two police hounds, one well seasoned with experience on his side, the other young with all the advantages of youth, both cunning and quick made their way through the forest without delay. Diane knew that the K-9 troopers were a most reliable team when both officer and dog had together been well trained; they knew how to rely on each other, how to go swiftly and without question, and that every signal was a meaningful one. Indeed, if ever dog and man could be one without being werewolf, that was the seasoned K-9 trooper.
It was at the riverside when Diane saw them. She was on the opposite bank from the trooper and her faithful companion, but as Diane did not have the luxury of a trail to follow, she relied on the subtle cues and gestures of the dog to inform her of the direction she need go. So it was that Diane noticed the moment of doubt followed by greater enthusiasm on the part of both dog and trainer. Following that moment Diane knew which direction she was to go, and it was now time to cover ground.
While the evening light waned, Diane ran by the river. It would not be the first time she had followed an invisible werewolf trail, that was for certain, but the tracking procedure was always rather complicated regardless. Yet every once and awhile there would be just the slightest scent wafting over the water which informed her that she was not tracking someone who knew how to vanish.
It was at the moment Diane was about to backtrack when she heard it. There was a thrashing and paddling near the bank followed by the discernible sound of voices.
The sleek black werewolf came to a standstill among the bramble. The noise was not far away, and Diane wanted to be certain that they had not seen her first before proceeding. Thus after finding that they had not, Diane approached the sound. There were many low humps over the ground from which stood many a tree, but the bushes were thin and far between, so she took refuge behind the exposed roots of one such forestry giant.
Glancing beyond the small mound which kept her from the immediate sight of the other two women, Diane caught the moment in which the one cast the other unceremoniously to the ground! Then came those enraged words and Diane again concealed herself.
"Well, there they are... Shame I don't have any of the boys with me." Diane thought to herself. Subtly, and being careful not to make a sound or be seen, she stood up against tree and exchanged her form for a slight and far more appealing guise. She knew readily enough that it would not fool werewolves, but for the moment it would seem her fine.
Diane then stepped into plain view and made her presence suddenly known in the form of words. "Goodness me,” she said, “by the sound of it, you two aren't even friends, let alone packmates."
Diane was hesitant to follow her words with a smile, since these two werewolves were very clearly upset and she was the stranger on which both could focus their anger. Therefore, though the words were smug indeed, she followed it up with an expression of concern and curiosity
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:35 pmCH 4: A RENDEZVOUS WITH LADY MYSTERY
---(~Indy~)--
Jackie did not seem surprised to find a fist in her jaw; although it did hurt and she could feel an ugly bruise forming just beneath the skin. As Logan spoke, she eyed the woman with something bordering on apathy and impudence. She continued to listen out of what might have been politeness or exhaustion, but it seemed clear little of Logan’s intent was getting through.
Logan finished and Jackie took her cue. Her arms swung up to grip Logan’s firmly. Then she head-rammed Logan in the head at the right angle so it would leave her attacker more dazed than it would leave her. Jackie’s eyes rolled towards the back of her skull, either because she was seeing stars, she meant to roll her eyes, or both.
The bushes rattled and out of nowhere a voice appeared. Jackie turned her head (slowly as her head was still pounding) and eyed the intruder. It was a woman, dressed to the nines, in the forest. Something was very wrong with this picture, she knew, and it was not just because of her appearance. It was her attitude; her voice seemed a little too sweet and her unwavering concern was just a little too smothering.
Jackie snorted, her eyes narrowing wildly on Diane.
“Yeah well good thing its none of your business. Move along!” Jackie snapped
---
Melinda couldn’t shake her tail. She had insisted she ought to return to work and IRS man had offered to come with her. She had explained she needed to pick up some groceries on the way and IRS man had said he would help. She said she needed to go home and IRS man had offered to walk her home since, “The darkness was no place for a lady to walk alone”.
Melinda had conceded to the first offer after much frustrated stuttering and stammering (to which a very nosy waitress seemed to think was a sign of a bashful date. She offered to bring out a candle for the “two lovebirds”). She presently found herself in IRS man’s Mercedes, starring dolefully out the window.
“Where to, Ms. Melinda? Back to the mall or…?”
“Yes please,” Melinda replied without argument.
She watched the road as it sped by and blending back into the darkness. Her eyes seemed ever wary, as though expecting some foe to jump out on the road to attack. Or perhaps more likely, the dangers were all in her mind, being analyzed and processed. IRS man seemed to notice something amiss about his “date”.
“Something troubling you?”
The man was far too insightful for Melinda’s comfort. Her expression stiffened, much like a cat when doused with water. The woman did not answer at first.
“Your name. You never did mention your name,” Melinda was half-terrified by her question and yet also half impressed by her daring. It had seemed like one of those things that was not meant to be asked because the answer might be something she wouldn’t want to hear. But no, that was silly, it was only a name, wasn’t it?
“No I did not,” the IRS man hummed cheerfully,”Would you like that I did?”
“Yes”
“That is interesting,” the willowy man replied. But he offered no further answer and his voice dropped into silence.
The lack of answer unsettled Melinda and she thought, perhaps, this is what her “date” had meant to do. What better way to set someone on edge than to shroud yourself in an air of mystery? He was clever, she had to admit. And given enough time, he would unravel everything there was to know about her by pulling at a few loose strings. She couldn’t afford to use any more time throwing him off the chase; like it or not he was here to stay!
“On second thought, let’s join the officers tracking these women in the forest,” Melinda shifted her gaze from the moving road,” Unless that isn’t in your job description, IRS man”
The willowy man didn’t miss a beat. “Certainly Melinda. This should prove a very interesting date”
CH 4: A RENDEZVOUS WITH LADY MYSTERY
---(~Indy~)--
Jackie did not seem surprised to find a fist in her jaw; although it did hurt and she could feel an ugly bruise forming just beneath the skin. As Logan spoke, she eyed the woman with something bordering on apathy and impudence. She continued to listen out of what might have been politeness or exhaustion, but it seemed clear little of Logan’s intent was getting through.
Logan finished and Jackie took her cue. Her arms swung up to grip Logan’s firmly. Then she head-rammed Logan in the head at the right angle so it would leave her attacker more dazed than it would leave her. Jackie’s eyes rolled towards the back of her skull, either because she was seeing stars, she meant to roll her eyes, or both.
The bushes rattled and out of nowhere a voice appeared. Jackie turned her head (slowly as her head was still pounding) and eyed the intruder. It was a woman, dressed to the nines, in the forest. Something was very wrong with this picture, she knew, and it was not just because of her appearance. It was her attitude; her voice seemed a little too sweet and her unwavering concern was just a little too smothering.
Jackie snorted, her eyes narrowing wildly on Diane.
“Yeah well good thing its none of your business. Move along!” Jackie snapped
---
Melinda couldn’t shake her tail. She had insisted she ought to return to work and IRS man had offered to come with her. She had explained she needed to pick up some groceries on the way and IRS man had said he would help. She said she needed to go home and IRS man had offered to walk her home since, “The darkness was no place for a lady to walk alone”.
Melinda had conceded to the first offer after much frustrated stuttering and stammering (to which a very nosy waitress seemed to think was a sign of a bashful date. She offered to bring out a candle for the “two lovebirds”). She presently found herself in IRS man’s Mercedes, starring dolefully out the window.
“Where to, Ms. Melinda? Back to the mall or…?”
“Yes please,” Melinda replied without argument.
She watched the road as it sped by and blending back into the darkness. Her eyes seemed ever wary, as though expecting some foe to jump out on the road to attack. Or perhaps more likely, the dangers were all in her mind, being analyzed and processed. IRS man seemed to notice something amiss about his “date”.
“Something troubling you?”
The man was far too insightful for Melinda’s comfort. Her expression stiffened, much like a cat when doused with water. The woman did not answer at first.
“Your name. You never did mention your name,” Melinda was half-terrified by her question and yet also half impressed by her daring. It had seemed like one of those things that was not meant to be asked because the answer might be something she wouldn’t want to hear. But no, that was silly, it was only a name, wasn’t it?
“No I did not,” the IRS man hummed cheerfully,”Would you like that I did?”
“Yes”
“That is interesting,” the willowy man replied. But he offered no further answer and his voice dropped into silence.
The lack of answer unsettled Melinda and she thought, perhaps, this is what her “date” had meant to do. What better way to set someone on edge than to shroud yourself in an air of mystery? He was clever, she had to admit. And given enough time, he would unravel everything there was to know about her by pulling at a few loose strings. She couldn’t afford to use any more time throwing him off the chase; like it or not he was here to stay!
“On second thought, let’s join the officers tracking these women in the forest,” Melinda shifted her gaze from the moving road,” Unless that isn’t in your job description, IRS man”
The willowy man didn’t miss a beat. “Certainly Melinda. This should prove a very interesting date”
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:35 pm---(~Addie~)--
THUNK
Logan fell back a couple of steps before steadying herself, but for the time being she couldn't see past the patches of black on her vision. Then a voice surfaced and her attention turned towards the figure, soon visible to Logan after having blinked away the dark blotches in her vision.
And then the stranger spoke, and Logan listened though her mind was mostly cast elsewhere. She did not mind the slight insult, and rather she was concerned with the sight of a young lady out during the evening hours, and following a couple of werewolves to boot. She did not look to be part of any law enforcement group, and to the untrained senses she was a stranger merely caught up in the events.
This was certainly not the case.
Her very demeanor told Logan that she knew full well what was going on around her, more so than the police force. No, compared to them, she stood out, like a red flag among a sea of white. It seemed that Logan had forgotten about her spat with Jackie, since word nor fist was getting through her skull, and now she devoted her attention to this new figure.
Exasperated as she was, she tried to summon some alertness to her mind, and she took a few steps towards the raven haired female.
"Please, I do not have the time for any pointless talk. Who are you?"
---(~Addie~)--
THUNK
Logan fell back a couple of steps before steadying herself, but for the time being she couldn't see past the patches of black on her vision. Then a voice surfaced and her attention turned towards the figure, soon visible to Logan after having blinked away the dark blotches in her vision.
And then the stranger spoke, and Logan listened though her mind was mostly cast elsewhere. She did not mind the slight insult, and rather she was concerned with the sight of a young lady out during the evening hours, and following a couple of werewolves to boot. She did not look to be part of any law enforcement group, and to the untrained senses she was a stranger merely caught up in the events.
This was certainly not the case.
Her very demeanor told Logan that she knew full well what was going on around her, more so than the police force. No, compared to them, she stood out, like a red flag among a sea of white. It seemed that Logan had forgotten about her spat with Jackie, since word nor fist was getting through her skull, and now she devoted her attention to this new figure.
Exasperated as she was, she tried to summon some alertness to her mind, and she took a few steps towards the raven haired female.
"Please, I do not have the time for any pointless talk. Who are you?"
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:37 pm--(~Mae~)---
The stranger winced and tactfully averted her gaze at sign of the present collision between skulls. Casually she looked at the surrounding foliage and pretended to be oblivious of the dispute until at last addressed, at which point she smiled daintily and stepped forward from the brush.
Subtly dismissing Jackie's unpleasant demand, the woman nearly extended her hand in greeting to Logan, but folded her fingers back and withdrew it before nearing enough the latter to be considered."I apologize, the shaking of hands isn't very customary among our kind is it?" Her tone was pleasant enough though she spoke with particular confidence. "Diane Betine. And you're not from around here."
Diane stopped her approach a short distance from Logan, and at this last word she made her visual scanning of Logan's stature and appearance quite blatant. Then she glanced down to do the same of Jackie before looking at Logan again.
In comparison to her acquaintances, Diane was not only very slender but also very small, and she need not stand near them for that to be readily noticeable. As it was, it could not be denied that she had to tilt her head up some to meet face with her present acquaintance.
"I would not impose myself upon you should I know that you were not in some sort of troubling respite." Diane said. "Or at any rate, if I knew I could afford you no sensible assistance out of your predicament. So, what have you, might I offer you my help?"
--(~Mae~)---
The stranger winced and tactfully averted her gaze at sign of the present collision between skulls. Casually she looked at the surrounding foliage and pretended to be oblivious of the dispute until at last addressed, at which point she smiled daintily and stepped forward from the brush.
Subtly dismissing Jackie's unpleasant demand, the woman nearly extended her hand in greeting to Logan, but folded her fingers back and withdrew it before nearing enough the latter to be considered."I apologize, the shaking of hands isn't very customary among our kind is it?" Her tone was pleasant enough though she spoke with particular confidence. "Diane Betine. And you're not from around here."
Diane stopped her approach a short distance from Logan, and at this last word she made her visual scanning of Logan's stature and appearance quite blatant. Then she glanced down to do the same of Jackie before looking at Logan again.
In comparison to her acquaintances, Diane was not only very slender but also very small, and she need not stand near them for that to be readily noticeable. As it was, it could not be denied that she had to tilt her head up some to meet face with her present acquaintance.
"I would not impose myself upon you should I know that you were not in some sort of troubling respite." Diane said. "Or at any rate, if I knew I could afford you no sensible assistance out of your predicament. So, what have you, might I offer you my help?"
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:41 pm---(~Addie~)--
Logan was quiet and considered Diane's every word and movement, every twitch of her small frame. Even as she held out her hand Logan did not move or speak, and the other had quickly retracted the gesture anyway. Disregarding the remark about not being from around here, she continued to listen with piqued interest.
Somewhere behind the violet eyes you could see Logan was calculating the situation, and pondering Diane's words carefully. And then without warning, she took a few large strides towards the female, setting herself directly in front of her, with her chin high in the air. "You are a werewolf.. but not one of ours.." the last sentence came slow, as though she made the statement at the same time as she made her discovery.
Then without another word, she twisted back around and over to Jackie, pulling the fiery haired woman a ways off before grabbing her by the shoulders and holding her firmly at arms length.
"At this point, you can do just as you want. Run off if you want! You can live as a sly and scared fox, hiding in shadow at night but free. I cannot, if ever I can see my grandfather again and.. not get dead, it will only be with the Alpha's help yeah?" she let loose of Jackie's shoulders but kept her distance. "And I think you need the pack though you hide it.. anyway, I will accept her help. Do as you want."
Now she turned from the other and again approached Diane, this time with a respectable distance.
"I accept your offer. Still," again her chin raised and her nose crinkled if only for a moment, "You are strange to me, and so you are not friend or enemy. Do not betray my trust, otherwise you will have a taste of where I come from."
---(~Addie~)--
Logan was quiet and considered Diane's every word and movement, every twitch of her small frame. Even as she held out her hand Logan did not move or speak, and the other had quickly retracted the gesture anyway. Disregarding the remark about not being from around here, she continued to listen with piqued interest.
Somewhere behind the violet eyes you could see Logan was calculating the situation, and pondering Diane's words carefully. And then without warning, she took a few large strides towards the female, setting herself directly in front of her, with her chin high in the air. "You are a werewolf.. but not one of ours.." the last sentence came slow, as though she made the statement at the same time as she made her discovery.
Then without another word, she twisted back around and over to Jackie, pulling the fiery haired woman a ways off before grabbing her by the shoulders and holding her firmly at arms length.
"At this point, you can do just as you want. Run off if you want! You can live as a sly and scared fox, hiding in shadow at night but free. I cannot, if ever I can see my grandfather again and.. not get dead, it will only be with the Alpha's help yeah?" she let loose of Jackie's shoulders but kept her distance. "And I think you need the pack though you hide it.. anyway, I will accept her help. Do as you want."
Now she turned from the other and again approached Diane, this time with a respectable distance.
"I accept your offer. Still," again her chin raised and her nose crinkled if only for a moment, "You are strange to me, and so you are not friend or enemy. Do not betray my trust, otherwise you will have a taste of where I come from."
Quote from Mae on January 4, 2019, 5:43 pm--(~Mae~)---
It was clear upon Logan's first and sudden approach that Diane was displeased with what she deemed an intimidation tactic, nevertheless she did not move and carefully watched between Logan and Jackie as the former spoke.
Then addressed for the second time, Diane met Logan's eyes again. "That," speaking slowly and with some poise, she referred to the betrayal of trust.
"That is not something I intend to do." She said, and there was no denying that once Diane had said it she meant it, because her whole tone and body language stated so. Then with a contented sigh she stepped lightly to the side and looked around as if admiring the scenery; she displayed an air of intent searching and yet nonchalant observing at the same moment. Her hands even clasped lightly behind her back as she leaned forward for a glimpse between the trees."So then," Diane spoke in a tone of casual commentary as she had her face turned and her gaze still scanning outward. "You two either possess a greater amount of restraint then you have previously demonstrated, or else you cannot call upon the change at will."
At this point Diane turned on her heel and looked at the two bedraggled women by the river again. "Otherwise, one of you would surely be dead." Her eyes narrowed, as though she were asking if her statement was not fact. "I'll assume for the latter. But that is just as well - where I am from we think of it like a gun; If one reaches for their weapon, they had better be intending to use it without hesitancy or regret."
"At any rate," Diane continued, now walking a slow step in the opposite direction she had previously faced and her hands coming undone behind her. "Your pursuers are not afar off, so I believe we should be heading in this direction."
--(~Mae~)---
It was clear upon Logan's first and sudden approach that Diane was displeased with what she deemed an intimidation tactic, nevertheless she did not move and carefully watched between Logan and Jackie as the former spoke.
Then addressed for the second time, Diane met Logan's eyes again. "That," speaking slowly and with some poise, she referred to the betrayal of trust.
"That is not something I intend to do." She said, and there was no denying that once Diane had said it she meant it, because her whole tone and body language stated so. Then with a contented sigh she stepped lightly to the side and looked around as if admiring the scenery; she displayed an air of intent searching and yet nonchalant observing at the same moment. Her hands even clasped lightly behind her back as she leaned forward for a glimpse between the trees.
"So then," Diane spoke in a tone of casual commentary as she had her face turned and her gaze still scanning outward. "You two either possess a greater amount of restraint then you have previously demonstrated, or else you cannot call upon the change at will."
At this point Diane turned on her heel and looked at the two bedraggled women by the river again. "Otherwise, one of you would surely be dead." Her eyes narrowed, as though she were asking if her statement was not fact. "I'll assume for the latter. But that is just as well - where I am from we think of it like a gun; If one reaches for their weapon, they had better be intending to use it without hesitancy or regret."
"At any rate," Diane continued, now walking a slow step in the opposite direction she had previously faced and her hands coming undone behind her. "Your pursuers are not afar off, so I believe we should be heading in this direction."
