Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:12 pm

Deseree

Bianca looked over her menu with enthusiasm, she was by no means a picky eater and knew even the humblest restaurants could provide worthwhile meals.

"I'm gonna go with the seasoned turkey - oh! And ehm," she glanced at Zander for a split second, "the turkey bacon mega burger. I mean, I'll need a to go box but I can't risk not trying it." she laughed, then placed her menu down and rested her eyes on the girls at the other side of the table. "This is great! Thanks for having us along Jenn. And Tammy, thanks for letting us invade on your dinner." she added the last sentence a bit sheepishly.

---

Like a terrible but short lived storm, the work was done, and Logan had no time to act - instead she was left to gaze on the aftermath, then in the direction Sabrina and Jackie had gone. There was little time to ponder on the events now, for shortly after the battle was ended, they were on their way. So she took up a place at the rear of the pack and followed at a slow pace.

---

Silas might be content to internally laugh at how quickly the group of ruffians was disarmed and subdued, if only he didn't have to consider how he could just as easily writhing on the ground with him, and how his pack mate was now following the source of their agony.

"Wait - Diane - Diane, what are you doing?" he asked in a hushed tone. "Level with me - what is going through your head at this exact moment? Wasn't good enough to escape bullets or being mugged? Do you have to have another near death experience tonight?" his eyes moved from the woman to the pack members.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:12 pm

Mae

"Dear, dear Acteon," Diane said, not bothering to whisper, for her voice was easily enough concealed by the rustling of the wind and straw. "You possess remarkable erudition, but you will yet see just how unaffected the Svalnaglas are in the world that those men know."

With that, Diane merely tossed her hair and flashed a smile at Silas in a way that might have subtly been more dangerous than mischievous, and she followed behind the Calagathorm pack just as she had prior, trailing in their wake through the standing straw.

-----

Alfred Nickers had been complaining about his pain since the moment he was struck down, and much of the noise heard that evening was caused by him. But now that the werewolves were gone, there was no need for Alfred to restrain his complaints any longer and openly began to protest.

Mary Berg, conditioned in the militia, was recovering with sedate dignity, but she found fault with Alfred's whining and rebuked him harshly for impropriety. Once her own pain was manageable, she went to the aid of her comrades without a second word.

Harvey Bolt was on his feet before Mary had recovered, but he stood for a long time leaning on the side of the truck without moving. His wrath was boiling beneath his brow, but otherwise it was a controlled malice, one that brooded in silence and undetected by eye or ear.

"Get out from under the truck, Hal." Harvey ordered while Mary fitted his arm to a make-shift sling.

Hal wriggled his way out from behind the truck wheel (where he had cowered away from the Alpha) and was still clutching at his bruises when he came out on his hands and knees.

Jon was the very first to get to his feet, but it was rather on account of adrenaline, for his head was bleeding badly where it hit the ground. Mary would have tended to him first, if he had allowed her to do so, but his immediate concern was for Bevis, and that caused him to reject any help for himself until he saw to her.

Poor Bevis was in no way injured. Jon found her bent down under the dashboard in the cabin of the truck. She hadn't seen the werewolves leave, but she had heard the noise and met Jon with concern.
"Jon! What are you thinking!" Bevis exclaimed the very moment she saw Jon's face! She jumped out of the truck without the least hesitation and overruled Jon's concerns with a snap, "Mary, get his head looked at!"

Mary was clearly annoyed by Bevis' tone, so she finished her work on Harvey before moving to Jon.

Harvey watched his fellow hunters keenly. His jaw was off-set to one side as he glanced from Hal to Alfred, and then to the others.
"Hal, go check on Calerry and Miles." He said after a moment. Hal's thin face and wide eyes were still filled with self-obliging fear and concern, and he would have liked to convince Harvey of his own side. But the dangerous look in Harvey's unsympathetic eyes would not be argued with, and Hal indignantly scurried away.

"I'm going to need your keys, Alfred." Harvey said afterward, causing his friend to quit his muttering. Alfred knew Harvey well enough not to wonder what for, and he complied willingly, though another string of curses issued from his mouth as he did so.

"Douglas and Mercy were supposed to be watchin' our backs. Where are they?" Mary asked when she had finished with Jon. Mary put her back up against the truck and folded her arms to look out at the field, tossing her hair to one side as she did so.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:12 pm

Indy

For the first few seconds, all Melinda could hear was the hammering of her own heart. Neither she nor the beast in front of her so much as twitched… that is until the thing drew closer yet and she could feel it’s breath, fast but deep, billowing on her face. Yet after a minute passed, and it became clear the monster’s immediate intentions were not to harm her, the racket in her chest slowed to a dull thud.

Melinda was very good at reading people. Giant wolf-monsters, on the other hand, were trickier. She had to be careful not to look at it directly in the eyes, as she might a person, in fear it would be construed as a challenge. The body-language was strange. It was obviously injured, yet it didn’t cower or show the kind of fear she’d expect from an injured creature. Instead it simply stood less than a foot away, breathing deeply with it's eyes closed, undoubtedly catching a good wiff of her scent. The beast dipped its head down and retreated a few steps, yet showed no signs of leaving.

The creature was thinking, she realized. What it was thinking, and whether it was human or beast thoughts that lingered its mind, Melinda could not say. It didn’t know what to do with her, no more than she knew what to do with it.

“Jackie,” she spoke, her voice low and calm,”Are you there?”.

The creature gave her no answer. She hadn’t expected it to. But Melinda kept talking as though it had. Talking was the only thing she could think to do.

“I think you know why I’m here,” she mumbled, nervously toying with the ends of her sleeves,”And I think you’ll notice it’s just me. What happens next is up to you”.

Just as Melinda finished speaking, a noise reverberated in the air the air. It sounded something like the squeal of tires on pavement, but also like a low moan. At first Melinda, unknowing the source of the sound, tensed in dread. Until she realized it’s source came from the creature in front of her-- it was a low, prolonged whine. And it wasn’t dread that it filled her with so much as it was a certain solemnity that lingered well after the sound had faded.

Melinda averted her gaze and rubbed her eyes.

“It’s your choice,” Melinda said after silence had settled,”Make it a good one”

The thing retreated a few more yards away. It’s head pointed briefly towards the forest, considering… before it’s gaze flickered briefly to meet her own again. And then like a shadow in the night, it disappeared altogether. She could hear the fading sound of its steps running down the long stretch of road towards the town.

“Running away again?” Melinda sighed. ”Just like old times.” Except it wasn’t like old times, was it? This was a whole new animal that had just made a break for civilization.

The woman grimaced. She was going to need help if this was not to end poorly.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:12 pm

Mae

Lightening flashed above the clouds and thunder rolled through the sky. In the distance the lights of Reknab Bend could be seen like a gathering of alighted orange stars on the field.

Jackie was on her way to town and only time would dictate what happened next.

The wind was blowing hard over the grass and straw. The cold passing made the emptiness between earth and sky more apparent to bare skin, and awakened the mind to a lively reality. Anyone who had ever stood out in a field under a storm at night would know the feeling.

Surrounded by natural causes for trepidation such as the noise and movements of the wind in the straw, the darkness, the solitude, and the openness of the field under the power of a looming giant - there could be no fault in Melinda for not perceiving how another presence waited behind her.

At first unrecognizable and unseen, but then as if suddenly there he was - a huge hunched figure crouched amid the wheat, the thick fur on his neck following the sway of the wind. While all others of his features were veiled in a black silhouette, two yellow eyes were seen to glint, and they held fast to Melinda's small form.
But he was not alone, all too quickly after seeing the first figure, others were soon and suddenly apparent; Two steely eyes, and then four - six, then ten and twelve all shadowed amid the grass brought the dawning realization of a new and terrifying reality.

The first and largest of the figures was unmoving for a time, and then - how dreadful the sight! - he parted the straw and strode forward. The mere size of his hands as they took to the pavement would have frozen the heart to behold had there been light, but evenso the footfalls of the beast could not be heard.
"You and I have met before." A powerful but subdued voice said as the beast came slowly toward Melinda. "I have been meaning to speak with you."

When he came fully out into the open, the creature stopped his approach and turned his large head slightly to the figure on his immediate right, speaking a command in a language of his own.
"Sabrina, find Jackie. Hamilton and Ulric will go with you." The Alpha instructed, but his gaze never left Melinda.

****
Fortunately for Zander, Jenn was not of the mind to fret over the eating habits of a person just met, nonetheless her kind and outgoing nature brought about a very swift reply.
"Maybe you can take something to go then, I'm sure you'll be hungry later. It's on me, and I can't let you miss out on LoboHambriento's just visiting." Jenn said, "I'll get you one of those Turkey and Bacon Mega-Burgers too - it's the best thing here - and you can eat it at the hotel."
There was no point or opportunity to object, for the order was placed as soon as said and Jenn briskly turned to Bianca. "Uh-huh, my pleasure!" she replied with a smile, "I love meeting new faces and Tammy and I do this all the time. Plus, you guys look like you deserve it. Isn't that right, Tammy?"

Tammy did not more than nod in agreement, and wore a smile that was somewhat reticent and reserved.

"So where are you both staying in town, if you don't mind me asking? I personally think there's only one decent place around and that's the place on Stone Avenue, but there are some local ranchers that like boarding visitors - like the Chandlers did years back."

While Jenn carried on the conversation, Tammy looked again to those pages earlier handed to her and tried to feel less uncomfortable than she was by having them in her possession. More thunder rumbled outside and Jenn looked towards the window they were seated next to comment, "I wonder where this storm came from, we've had nothing but clear skies for days."

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:12 pm

Cat

Toby lifted his head and looked about at all the surrounding buildings, each very familiar to him. He had been inside each one at some point or another; unless someone had sold their shop or done some redecorating in the few months he'd been away, he should know his way around blindfolded. Toby was pretty confident he could find a nice place for them to eat... But then Theo announced the amount of money he had on hand, and in Toby's mind, all the restaurants closed their doors with a slam.

Err.. Grandmama's. Toby said, though his tone was not very confident. He was sure his grandma would feed them for four dollars, but he was not as sure she would let them in after hours. Grandma Buttermilk had been known to make him sleep on the bench across the street for missing his curfew. At times, she was nice enough to provide a blanket... Other times, her kindness was limited to a note for Officer Clerk: This boy is being punished for missing curfew. Please hold his valuables at your office until morning, so he doesn't get mugged. Thank you.

Toby shuddered a bit. Depends on what you want to eat actually.. You can get a big burger and a drink for four dollars, or two small burgers and no drink, over there. He said, pointing with the best of his ability to an old restaurant just off the corner.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pm

Kaqurei

Sabrina slunk from the tall grass behind the Alpha. Like a lioness on the prowl, her body was low to the ground and her bright green eyes were intensely fixed upon Melinda. She paused there on the edge of the grass, waiting for his command. When it came, the only hesitation was a quick headcheck to ascertain the others had heard him as well. Then she was off like a shot, her slender white form gliding soundless over the asphalt.

Jackie was sweaty, tired, and injured. Her scent was picked up easily. But a certain foreboding swept over Sabrina's heart as she discovered another scent trailing hers: Timothy's. She had not seen the boy for some time--but he'd come by the reputation for being unpredictable and dangerous. He'd had several close calls with Jackie before this. With the sleepy town of Reknab Bend as their backdrop....

...It was a recipe for disaster.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pm

Mae

Although Ulric had his own reasons to hesitate, he did not, and went immediately as he was told. There was perhaps the slightest glance at Diane however, and Ulric saw with some wariness that she intended to remain rather than to follow him. But he had no time to consider it, and went swiftly.

Sabrina would gain some ground ahead of him, for Ulric dare not take his secondary form as yet, his arm still wounded and not forgotten, for to run on three legs rather than two seemed to have very little profit in it. Nonetheless, Ulric had good stamina and could prove an asset if Sabrina managed to catch up with Jackie.

*****
Running, running... Where the fields stood waving under the wind there was also the wilds, though man might call it his, beneath the wheat and rye was a place nature could still roam undetected.

Timothy was passing out of territory he knew, but drawn alongside another running rampant from his pack, there was no timidity in his pace.

The first landmark of the human world, haunting in its appearance, was a dim orange streetlight standing on the side of a forsaken road. Here, the fields came to an abrupt end, and the sidewalks began, leading into a small neighborhood on the edge of town.
There were fences here, separating the fields from the homes of men, and while the small yards were bathed in the warm light of windows, voices could be heard from within.
How false a sense of security these fences were to the inhabitants they stood to protect; how easily these fences could be infiltrated. Tall as they were, the wooden posts and slabs would not prove the slightest hindrance to a greater threat.

If these people but knew of the danger that had lived as their neighbor for years, they would perhaps have guarded themselves with better care.

Through the curtains people were seen gathered around a table to eat their evening meal, and their windows were left open for the storm's wind to carry out the smells therein, yet Timothy was not tempted. There were other boundaries aside from petty fences that were present, and though they were unseen, the presence of those boundaries were known to both man and beast.

Timothy chose instead a path under darkened windows by which to travel by, and whether or not he was distracted from his pursuit, or was somehow aware of Jackie's movements though he charted his course differently, he did not stay directly in her wake but maneuvered further into town.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pm

Indy

Melinda became painfully aware something was amiss. She felt suddenly self-conscious and unsettled, but through the heavy beat of the rain and crackle of thunder, she could not make out the source of her dread in spite of it’s closing distance. In fact the woman had just about to duck into the safe warmth of her car to dry off when she heard something shift. As she twisted around, in place of the empty darkness she anticipated she saw a dozen glinting fireflies stare back at her. She was not alone.

She watched as the most massive of the creatures stepped from behind. She could not see the others clearly, yet she knew without seeing them that this was the largest and most impressive monster the forest had to offer. His dark form was barely visible in the headlights of her car and every step suggested a power hundreds of times more than what was seen. If she hadn’t seen this beast once before and been prepared for the terror and awe it evoked, Melinda might not have regained her composure so quickly.

The creature spoke. It’s voice was deep and rumbling, blending in to the sound of raindrops but not losing meaning if she listened carefully. By the time the beast had finished speaking, her composure was gone and her heartbeat flared. She was just a soaked woman in business clothes trying to reason with a giant wolf and praying it would not eat her.

But no, that wasn’t accurate was it? This beast may be many things, but she’d never seen him attack unprovoked. There was intelligence in those eyes and it articulated itself clearly. It was a rational creature, unlike Jackie’s wolf. Melinda took a deep breath in and released until her heart beat steadied.

“Fine,” Melinda sighed. It would be impossible to avoid this encounter entirely if she planned to stay in town. However…“But not here, and not now. I am a single defenseless woman soaked to the bone and surrounded by your hungry pack of wolves. We are on uneven terms and that is not appropriate for our first business meeting. If you wish to talk, then you must meet me in town,” she eyed the massive form for a moment, before stressing her final point,”dressed appropriately and prepared for a civil discourse”

“I’m in the small inn, room 35B. I request you please call ahead so I may accommodate your arrival”.

The woman grimaced as sudden torrent of liquid found itself into a new fold in the stiff polyester of her jacket. Melinda moved her hand slowly towards the handle of her door.

“At the moment, however, I have business to attend in town. I will be leaving,” her voice clipped tersely just as she saw the shift of several forms, presumably racing after their escaped pack member,”As I assume you must as well”.

And with that, Melinda ducked into the warm alcove of her car.

---
She was running! The road pressed against the pads of not two, but four feet. Trees fell away as fast as they came into view. Though rain had long ago soaked her pelt, now they simply whisked away like droplets on a car windshield. She was Speed, a harmony of muscle and senses converging towards the common point off in the horizon. As long as she ran, she was at peace.

Soon the forest fell beyond her and new sights sped past her. She could see fences, some stretching for miles and others just a few yards. Dimly lit dwellings glittered. She could even hear the noises of the Things inside, their vocalizations indecipherable but nonetheless a point of intrigue. The creature had slowed to a simple trot, tilting her head to better hear the shouts of small-ones, the subdued tones of the large-ones and the clatter of objects.

It would be easy to find the lit dwelling and peer through a window, to glance at the scene inside. But to do such a thing would mean she must stop entirely, and such was not a sacrifice she could make. So the wolf merely continued on her way, pushing further into the densely packed dwellings.
---
“I, ahh… thank you,” Zander cried out a second too late to Jen’s offer.

Zander frowned at the ends of his fingers and sighed. He hated to be in the habit of relying on another’s kindness, but it seemed only fair he reciprocate by being pleasant company.

“I think that’s the place,” he replied to Jen,”At least for me. ‘Dunno if Bianca has a room yet.”

Zander glanced down once more at Jen’s final statement, his eyes momentarily catching the glint of the light.

“The Chandler residence? What do you know of it?”

---
Theo was enjoying the sights of the city well enough that his friend’s uneasiness went unnoticed. The smell of grease, the coming and going of people at odd hours. Even the rain did little to damper his mood. The boy turned his head sharply to better see the road where they’d come.

“Oh that sounds fine” Theo smiled pleasantly and motioned ahead for Toby to lead, but didn’t immediately follow.

He’d seen something funny when he turned his head to look down the road. It was hard to place, really. With the heavy rain, subtle scents had been all but washed out in the form he was now. Even so, he could have sworn to have seen a flash of movement that looked an awful lot like… well something. He squinted again into the darkness, but saw something more.

“Prolly just a trick of the rain,” he mumbled to the air.

Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pm

Cat

Toby didn't go anywhere, despite Theo's motioning him to lead the way. He was pretty miserable about now. His pain medications had worn off by now, he was wet, cold, and still in his pajamas. He did feel rather hungry, but not for burgers; for a nice, warm, no-chew chicken soup... Or something that would rest easy in his hurt tummy.

Also, the idea of going into that restaurant in his pajamas was utterly unappealing! Toby couldn't help but worry about the questions that might arise should he come in half naked, soaking, and clearly very injured. The people in there knew him, for goodness sake! What if they chocked his appearance up to belated rebellion? Or ill-manners? What if they saw his ear and thought he had gotten a piercing?! Oh the horror!

Besides, ever since the night he'd been shot, he hadn't gone to town. He didn't think anyone would ask for him, but if they did, he'd made plans with Granny to say he'd gone back to school.

He'd finished school, taken more than a few years of collage, and even graduated with glowing grades, degrees and scholarships of all kinds.. But, he always went back. It was like he was addicted to study. Thinking about it, Toby didn't know why he was so obsessed with learning. It was fun for him in a way; a source of entertainment, he guessed. Strangely, he realized he no longer felt the drive to go to school as often since joining the pack.. Now, there were other things to think about. New things to learn; and this time, his wolf was the subject. That had certainly never been the case before.

Glancing at Theo, he noticed his friend seemed tense. Toby followed his friend's gaze and peered at the darkness, hoping to see what his friend was so interested in. What? He asked.