Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:27 am

Cat:

Toby was so thrilled at the prospect of hunting for danger along side his new friend, he almost dropped his crutches and would have caused himself a very painful transformation-- But all at once, this wild side vanished with the sound of a woman's voice. Instantly, Toby was aware of one of the female pack members emerging from the forest towards them and felt his face flush pink.

A girl was coming, and he was wearing nothing but a fur coat and his PJs! Thankfully he had the foresight to grab a hat to his wounded ear could not be seen, but oh! The humiliation of being caught in his bed-clothes!! As best as he could on a lame foot and with two crutches shoved up under his arms, Toby tried to wrap the hot coat around himself tightly so that his striped pajamas would not be immediately noticed.What would she think of him now? No! No, nevermind! He'd rather not know what she would think. How embarrassed the poor omega was! He couldn't even find it within himself to reply to Logan's question, let alone look her in the eye... How shameful and wretched he felt.

*

Mrs. Buttermilk was purposely hidden in the back of the store, shrouded in shadows and dusty artifacts on shelves. She had gone out of the sight of the two young people, nevertheless, her attention was fully on the young scamp with her granddaughter. One would not have thought that a little old lady, fat and friendly-looking as the elderly Mrs. Buttermilk was, could have a gaze so intent. Had Toby seen it just now, he would have been convinced that his grandmother was on the hunt; had spotted her prey, and was most assuredly going to kill it...

In truth of course, the old lady was only watching and waiting. She had many theories about these two young people that she wanted to test; starting with their senses.

Deseree:

Logan carefully watched and listened to Theo as he responded, ready and willing to accept his answer. And then he returned the question, and she was not prepared. Silence ensued. it was that sort of brief pause someone might have when they're thinking of a lie or cover up. And as she paused, she subconsciously touched the pocket where her photo resided now, and felt a wave of guilt wash over her. 

"... I do not think we should be exploring right now." she uttered after a moment, with a tone about her voice that almost carried some concern, even if she did not know the reason why. It didn't help her much that the affects of whatever substance Silas had used to render her unconscious, still lingered and left her senses fogged, and that alone was enough to bother her. For she should have known before running into Theo and Toby that they lurked about, and now she wondered what else she might be missing. 

Even as she spoke those words, she found herself moving closer to Toby and standing tall, not with the intention to make him feel smaller but rather more in a protective manner. "Toby," she began with a soft but firm tone, "Please, your coat." she held out her hand expectantly, though she did not look at him for a moment, for her gaze was cast about past him and on the area surrounding.

Cat:

Toby shrank as Logan began to approach him. He was embarrassed and wretched without having proper clothes on, but couldn't even erect himself properly because of his wounds-- Speaking of which, the poor omega had all of a sudden become keenly aware of the gunshot wound in his torso, due to his stomach lurching with every step the female took. Perhaps she wasn't trying to be a bold, intimidating wolf lady just now, but to Toby, even a regular woman who looked, dressed, and acted like Logan would be someone to avoid.

Then she made a demand. Such an unreasonable, unbelievable demand that Toby only stood there and stared at her for a full five minutes before his mind finally registered what she meant. When it clicked, Toby pulled a face: A mixture between being offended and horrified, and gripped his coat possessively: A gesture which his wounds violently protested and caused him horrible agony. Are you mad?! He gasped before he could help himself, having lost his senses in the unexpected pain. Then, given half a second to think about it, could have swallowed his own tongue and began to whimper. Uhhh! I mean-- Well, no. It's not-- That's not-- Uhm.. It-it-it-it-it uhm.. No, you're not-- I... She was going to kill him now, he was sure of it. How could he have said that? There were a million different ways for a man to politely deny a woman his coat when he wasn't dressed right. Whatever did she want it for anyway? It was too hot for her to actually need it-- Why, he was baking alive inside the thing. Had it been in the dead of winter, of course he would have been the gentleman and given her his coat-- Long before she'd even asked even! And it wouldn't have mattered so much then if he was in his pajamas, it would have been a life or death situation...

But as it was, in the dead of summer, surely he was the only one stupid enough to go wandering through the forest in a heavy fur coat and hat. At that moment, Toby was so torn between his emotional and physical pain, he almost bitterly wished the pack didn't have any females. Then this wouldn't be so terrible!

As it was, his tongue was so tied and he, in so much pain and humiliation, began to just weep.. And was all the worse for it, because now, he was crying in front of a girl as well as being rude and undressed..

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:27 am

Mae

Officer Clerk's smile brightened as he heard Bianca's name, and further, her relation to the notable Officer Chapman of Middlecrest. 

"Ah! Good to meet you Bianca," He said in his pleasant way. "Yeah, Chapman's got his name out around, even way over here he's known as quite a man on the force!"

Thomas stepped aside to speak with Bianca now, coming from an occupied stance to one that was willing with its time. 

"Reknab is a quiet little place, most of the time, but we do get a share of fun from time around. If you're interested in the history of it I can invite you to have a look at the library downtown, they often have exhibits displayed over there, really worth looking at if you have the chance."

********

Ulric looked around on the trees and brushed his hand over the back of his neck. "I thought it was just me." He said, feeling the odd foreboding linger in the air while his hand withdrew slightly wet. 

Before Ulric had thought to look at Jackie again, he heard a noise, and in an instant his eyes flashed in that direction. But there was nothing to be seen.. unless a dead stillness was something to observe.

Ulric felt confused, he was disconcerted and disoriented by his own senses, and now he was also beginning to experience another emotion that was far more powerful in effect. 

A second sound triggered Ulric's attention in the opposite direction, but he couldn't tell if it had been a branch snapping beneath the weight of a boot or simply a beetle taking to wing. When he looked he could not see anything beyond the bramble. 

Dawning with an ever quickening pace, limitation set in like a deadly snare upon Ulric's mind. He didn't understand what his senses were detecting, and though those senses were still very much aware, he failed to recognize it.

"What's happening?" Ulric barely dared to breathe the words, his eyes looked over and over again around on the forest about him.

I can't rely on anything, nothing's working the right way. Ulric tried in vain to slow his heartbeat and calm himself down, but fear with confusion caused rationalization to flee from grasp.

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:30 am

Indy:

Although detecting a scent was an impossibility, there was still enough information for Jackie to interpret. The air felt thick and almost nauseating. The trees were dead still, and yet danger seemed to lurk from the periphery of her vision. Though given no sensory input to suggest anything more than a quiet forest, the hair on her arms stood on end.

Jackie stiffened her posture and her eyes narrowed to deadly slits. There was danger here that did not want to be detected. But instead of allowing the fact to fill her with frantic fear, she grinned. This was not the first time she had been in such a situation.

"Calm down," Jackie instructed firmly to Ulric,"If there's an enemy, it wants to keep hidden right now. But it will reveal itself, just wait..."

---

If Theo had noticed Logan deflected his question, he didn't show it. Instead, he seemed more curious by Logan's attitude. What purpose Logan might have for Toby's coat was beyond him. Was she cold too? Did she think that it was dangerous somehow? The coat did give the impression that its wearer had been swallowed by a large fuzzy animal, but that wasn't enough to be dangerous. Then Toby started to cry.

"Toby its okay, there's more coats at home," Theo looked curiously at Logan's distant expression,"I'm sure Logan has a good reason for needing the coat"

Mae:

The confidence in Jackie's voice was more important than anyone could really know in that moment, for in it was provided a strength to Ulric beyond his own; in her tone he could find reliance, and a way to quell his fears. 

But try as he might, Ulric would not be able to regain control of his senses.

After Jackie had spoken, Ulric's whole body posture changed, he lowered his stance and drew his back nearer to Jackie while facing out from her. His auburn eyes searched the forest, but the more he tried, the less he could see... 

Ulric had never been without a werewolf's awareness, and he was now loosing every strength he knew; the trees became obstacles in his view, the bramble became a blindfold, and though the air was thick with smells he could not discern a single one. What was more, Ulric knew that there was a danger nearby, and that its focus was pointedly in their direction.

His own heartbeat was pulsing in his ears, and Ulric did not dare to speak again, but his mind continued to swim for answers and reason amid the chaos in his body. Then, while attempting to pinpoint the cause of his struggle, Ulric suddenly came to the only conclusion available - 

"The plants!" He whispered aloud with a gasp, feeling in that moment more stupid than he had ever been prior. 

Before any other word could be said however, or any action taken, two things happened: The first was that Ulric suddenly fell down, overcome by a surge that spread alarmingly throughout his body, and caused all his senses to blur together! 

The second thing that happened was that at that same moment a large dog burst through the bushes snarling and growling, racing without hesitation to lay its teeth upon Jackie!

Yet in a second indiscernible to human eye the assault was cut short with a form shooting up from the ground and catching the dog in a terrible collision!! The noises that then ensued were beyond the horror of any imaginary beast, as mingled with the vicious snarls and unceasing growls of a dog adamant in the fight, was a nearly human voice screaming and roaring in ferocious combat! The fur of either form could not be told one from the other!

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:31 am

Mae

This reply is a continuation of SP-RP6 "Blowing In The Wind".

****[Meanwhile]****

The soft brown soil spread out evenly under the fingers of two velvet paws, now gently put down on the earth. Nine black claws barely touched the wet surface as they steadily drew over the ground and nearer the thick tree roots. 

A deep earthen smell covered the area, while broken plant life bled a freshness upon it that revealed a recent passage. Someone had been here, two people in fact - if the turned soil was anything to go by. They had been here not moments before. But where did they come from, and where did they go from here?

A heavy musk covered much of the area, it had not grown here, but had been brought by one of the previous individuals, to mask him. The other presence had not come masked, and hers was a scent that was immediately familiar. 

However, scent was not the end of the story, as other signs whispered of what had transpired here; sounds from the wildlife hushed, disturbances left in the earth, and much more told the story of a cautious meeting, and a quick departure.

Stepping carefully among the bits of decaying branch and twig, there were sights of a light tread, and one far heavier and less careful. Of the two who had met, one had departed west, while the other was more calculated and left little to be seen of his going. 

This latter, most surely, was the stranger who also bore the deceptive scent and had caused a small portion of the quiet. 

There was reason enough, and all that remained was what followed; Turning from the area, the silent pursuer now went in the direction the stranger had gone, and came unfailingly to where all intimation on the ground became absent. Yet, as the trail by all signs and evidences ended, two liquid turquoise eyes turned upward upon the trees, and they looked onto a path that fled through the boughs... 

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:32 am

Kim

Cherise seemed to listen intently to every word Zander spoke, while on the inside, she herself was trying to find some way of escape. As quickly as Zander's plan was spoken however, a great sigh of relief flew from her lips with the words "Oh, yeah. That sounds good." coupled with a nervous chuckle. 

Gratefully she took the sticky note, holding it tightly between her thumps before looking towards her grandmother for approval. In that instant, something grabbed her attention. As she had turned her head in her grandmother's direction, a new smell that caught her senses and piqued her curiosity. What was it? This was not one of the antiques. 

Though her eyes glanced over the floor, her mind searched for the cause of this new smell. Very quietly, hoping not to bring attention to it, Cherise took a deep breath through her nose, as if to sigh. It was more discernible now. With this, her once soft chocolate brown eyes grew wide and sharpened. She knew this smell.. She did not move, no, she froze. Her body language moved to alert. For a brief moment she flashed a cautious glance at Zander.

Though only for a second in reality, Cherise' mind filled with a zillion thoughts at once. He is like me. Why is he here? Does he know about me? What should I do? Cherise used all she could to submerge her thoughts, forcing a smile she turned back to Zander and caught his eyes. "Um, Yeah.. I'll call you."

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:34 am

Indy

Jackie reacted swiftly to the arrival of the dog. Just as she saw a furry form from the corner of her eyes, she had already snatched a thick stick, brandishing it like a sword, and locked her knees into place. She heard Ulric cry out beside her and collapse to his knees. But the dog did not come-- instead, some unknown and possibly humanoid form had taken her place as its opponent. Jackie did not drop the stick, though did let it slack, as she watched the two fight with uncertainty. 

Her head was spinning -- none of this made any sense. With smell all but a myth, every branch of the forest seemed to be looming around her. What was it Ulric had cried out? The plants? She did a quick glance around the forest, looking for one plant that might seem out of place, but ultimately realized she knew too little about the forest to make any conclusions. Jackie shook her head -- she needed to retreat with Ulric to gather more information on what was going on.

She knelt down to the ground to where she had seen Ulric collapse... but he was gone! With bitterly slow and ice-cold realization, her eyes settled on the two fighting forms...

"Ulric you idiot," she growled. 

Something about this situation was not right. The dog was no coincidence, she was sure. The manner it had rushed out of the trees made her almost certain it had been looking for them. And given its ease at which it was able to attack Ulric, even in his alternate form, did not bode well. One thing was for certain: this was not a fair fight and she knew Ulric needed help. Jackie closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, willing her form to be a hulking mass of claw and fangs...

But nothing happened. The strange liquid quality that made her bones, muscle, and skin reknit themselves anew during the full moon wasn't here. Jackie cried sharply, refocusing her mind on one single image and one goal .. but stayed only a skinny human woman holding a stick. It wasn't fair -- the one time she truly needed that strength, not even to defend herself but to protect another, it was with held from her. Even Logan had a far easier time transforming earlier that afternoon, and that was only because she was annoyed at her. If only she wasn't so weak...

But she still had power. In a fraction of a moment, Jackie had remembered the lessons learned a few weeks ago in a dark forest. One human woman had saved the lives of many people that night. There was no reason she couldn't do the same with one. Now with renewed strength and tightening her grip on the stick, she charged into the two opponents with enough force and suddenness to hopefully knock the two aside and to beat back the tiny fury monster before it overwhelmed her.

---

"I, yes, excellent, great", Zander mumbled to no one in particular. 

In just that very moment he felt exposed, as though someone were studying him under an X-ray. He needed to get out! Though he could gather no direct clues from Mrs. Buttermilk on what he should do next, that old lady had a very unsettling look on her face. And as for Cherise; well Zander had about enough interactions with the opposite sex today.

He nodded faintly to Mrs. Buttermilk and began walking to the door with a quick pace, praying no one would intercept him on his way to freedom.

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:36 am

Dez:

Immediately once Toby protested, Logan cast her eyes on him with a somewhat stunned expression. She had seldom heard Toby speak, let alone sharp words with such a tone, that, if the circumstances were different, she might burst out laughing just then! However, it could be seen that she had certainly taken the little omega by surprise, for in the next few moments, he'd stumbled over his words than began to weep...

Logan withdrew her extended hand and placed it apologetically over her mouth, her brows lowering and her face tightening in a disheartened expression. Despite everything, this was the first she'd managed to make someone cry, and she felt awful about it.

Theo spoke and she looked to him briefly, before shaking her head. "I will not make him. If you remember the way you came, you should go back. Toby," she paused a moment, unsure of what to say.. "I am sorry."

Now she looked around for a plan B, when her eyes caught on a fir tree not far from them that seemed old and up to the task.. Making her way over to it, she jumped up and caught hold of the lowest branch, and easily hoisted herself up, and she began to maneuver up the tree slowly and steadily, until she reached a point where the limbs were too brittle for her weight, and still she could have a better view of the forest...

Cat:

Mrs. Buttermilk watched the scamp as he made his way toward the door, and only sneered at him in passing. She didn't like loners; much less clumsy loners who came poking about and breaking valuable pieces of ancient art... Nevertheless, she found humorous comfort in the spiteful idea that this intruder would no sooner leave this uncomfortable situation in her territory, to be caught by Kratos in the pack's territory soon enough. 

As soon as the young man had gone from the shop, Mrs. Buttermilk emerged from her hiding place and looked to her granddaughter. It's taken long enough for the young pup to catch on that she was talking to another of her kind, but she had indeed eventually become aware, and that was hopeful.

All finished over here. Come along up stairs Deary, and let's have ourselves a chat. She said becomingly, her aggressive nature all but hidden for the present.

Slowly, the fat old woman led the way up the attic stairway into her personal living quarters over the shop.

***********

Toby dried his tears on the sleeve of his furry coat amid suppressed sniffles. Seeing Theo's concern, he waved his hand dismissively. Yes, no. You're right-- It's not like I have an emotional attachment or anything, it's just-- Toby paused. He couldn't really explain why he'd just started crying, other than that everything had happened to suddenly and at once. In truth, he also felt disappointed. There would be no hunt today, and Theo probably thought him so wimpy and ridiculous, he'd never invite him out again... That was the truth of it, anyway.

Glancing up at Logan as she made her way up the tree, Toby felt very regretful. He'd ruined his own day by overreacting, and had probably managed to make her feel bad on top of it all. Well, he just couldn't have that. He didn't know her reasons, but he had no right to assume the worst of her either.

Biting his lower lip, Toby hobbled best he could to the trunk of the tree, and there struggled to get his coat off without loosing one of his crutches on the forest floor. When at last he had succeeded, he hung the furry thing on the nearest branch. It's here for you Logan! I am dreadfully sorry about that. He called up, then turned to Theo and flushed with even more embarrassment.

He couldn't find the words to say. He was standing in the middle of the forest in his pajamas, back toward the tree that a woman was in, and facing his could've-been friend who probably didn't want to be with him anymore... On the upside, however, with the removal of his fur coat, Toby was instantly cooler. All he needed was the courage to remove his matching hat, and he would have been able to more fully enjoy this beautiful day for all it was worth.

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:37 am

Deseree

Bianca laughed lightly and nodded, "Sounds like Grandpa.." she muttered, then listened to him speak about the town and a library and her eyes brightened a little. Well, in truth, she wanted to talk to some of the citizens of the town, but maybe today wasn't the best day for that, if the first couple of people she saw were any testimony to that. 

"Thank you, that sounds great." she smiled gently at the officer, before her gaze moved back to a little shop in which a boy just emerged out of, and she shifted her stance just slightly to get a better view. "Gee, he looks frazzled.." her voice trailed off, and she might have looked a little disappointed for a moment, before turning her attention back to Mr. Clerk. "Sorry! I guess I was just hoping to talk some of the people who lived here, but some folk seem.. a bit on the edge today... the library will be fantastic, thank you."

----

Only casting a brief glance of acknowledgement down towards Toby before again looking up over the treetops, she shielded her eyes and sought the reasons for her concern. Her eyes first went back to the direction in which she had come, as she thought that perhaps there was a movement, and now was left to wonder if the spy still lingered about.. then her attention was turned quickly in another direction, for she was certain she heard some cry of distress. And still it was too far and too faint to be sure of. Her brows furrowed and she remained still for some time, before at last finding nothing that seemed out of place. 

Logan worked her way back down the tree, dropping the last few feet and grabbing the coat. Her eyes moved back over to Toby and - was he in his pajamas? - then she looked at the coat in her hand and muttered a brief "Oh" before glancing away. She determined wouldn't need the coat right now, and still, she tied it around her waist by the arms in case the situation arose where it would come to be of use. 

"The camp is that way." she pointed her finger definitively towards the Calagathorm dwelling grounds. "Go back. I have already seen that there are dangers lurking in these forests.. is no place for an injured man." now she looked to Theo with a bit of disappointment, but more so, a firmness in her expression. Surely Toby didn't lead this expedition, and all may have been find if it were more than just the two of them.

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 4:38 am

Hour Glass

The beta had been kept away from business while talking to the werewolf couple, going in depth about the pack and how they lived out on her country home. Unfortunately, the couple had decided to head on, deciding the pack life wasn't for them right now, and from what Zeit could tell, they were too restless to settle just yet. They were young and needed to explore for a bit and spend time together before they could properly join a pack when one was a new wolf and the other seemed to be rouge.

With the talk now over, and the couple off her property, Zeit took a quick stretch before her mind went back to what needed to be done on the property and wandering what her packmates were doing, if they were helping out or wandering about and causing trouble. She huffed rolling her recently healed shoulder before going to the stables, deciding to get her horse saddled up and take a look around her property to check on her cattle and look for remnants of hunters and traps. The last thing she needed was a wolf to be hurt by some idiot thinking he could hunt wolves by themselves.

The beta was quick to get out her favored stead and began to gather her gear. After a quick brushing, and giving the gelding a couple of treats, she quickly went to strapped on the saddle and bridle, before grabbing herself her hat and rope incase an emergency was stumbled upon. With that she lead the horse out of the barn before mounting him, ready to begin her ride.