Werewolves (RP 7): Where Phantoms Reside (10/15-9/16)
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pmMae
At some point it had begun to rain and all the while there was a degree of patience which dressed the dark face of the Alpha while he listened to Melinda. Her words were to him, lofty and without weight, for if the woman intended to appeal to the monster's humanity then she might have done less to insult him. As she had said herself, it was on uneven grounds upon which they met, and it could not have escaped her how fruitless a battle with him would prove.
But for all this the Alpha moved slowly, as if contemplative, until the definitive moment when his expression changed. It came in the same moment that Melinda announced her decided departure and made her assumption, inclining the Alpha to lay his ears back and breathe a heavy sigh into the night.
By now, it would come as a surprise to no one that as Melinda retreated into her vehicle, the door was halted before she could pull it shut.
A massive hand held the door open without any effort, and with it was the thick black forearm, dribbling with rainwater, that was but a short distance from Melinda. The heat that came from the monster's body felt immense on cold, bare hands and legs while his shadow shielded the interior of the car from the downpour.
"Forgive me, for not entertaining your terms," The creature's deep voice spoke over the roof of Melinda's small business car. "I have not been treated very civilly myself of late, and am in no better mood to have this meeting in the rain. However, where family is concerned, sacrifice of personal comfort makes it necessary. Yet I am not so unreasonable an animal as to think we cannot come to a new arrangement. That, would only be appropriate."
A low grumble that might have easily been mistaken for thunder seemed to rumble with that last word, and his tone changed from good-natured again to calm severity.
"If you will answer my questions now, you will not need to see me again after this night. But if you leave, you will see me again, and it will not be to your or my pleasure. So, I will ask, why does Jacqueline Ryder think you are her blood, when you are clearly not?"
Kratos breathed heavily into the vehicle, and his head lowered til his bright yellow eyes peered in.It was strange how the Alpha's presence and his hand on the car door seemed to make him more solid than rock, as if the vehicle would not be worth the defense of an empty tin can if Melinda tried to escape... but was that reality? or was it merely a bluff, an illusion caused by his imposing form over her small figure?
Whichever was the lesser gamble, it would be up to Melinda to decide.*****
"Oh?" Jen said, glad again to have caught the young stranger's interest, "The Chandler family have been boarding their farmhands for years, my dad always said they had a lantern lit on their porch welcoming strangers in. I'm pretty sure Mr Chandler ran the ranch all his life, and their family has been around for generations. I'm not sure exactly who runs the place now, I think last I heard it was a daughter, but I haven't heard anything about it in awhile - at least not since all the wolf sightings and such."
Jen noticed that Tammy's interest had also been roused by the turn of the conversation, and believing that she had at last found a tool whereby to lure Tammy out of her silence, taunted her friend by letting all earnest glances go unheeded.
"Every once in awhile someone will turn up at the clinic - In fact, there was actually a hunt organized in town recently to find the wolves that have been seen around those local ranches. My friend, Robbie Gelton, said he actually saw one, but at any rate when the hunters came back they said nobody had found anything - except on the mountain behind the Chandler Ranch --"
Jen was interrupted as Tammy shot to her feet!
At first Jen was alarmed, yet she found a moment to laugh thinking that it was perhaps her taunt which had caused such an exciting reaction, but then she noticed how Tammy was staring out the window into the rain.
"What is it, Tammy? What did you see?" Jen asked, sounding a bit more careful as she looked out the window to try and pinpoint her friend's concerns. When she spotted two people standing in the rain, Jenn thought she had guessed it - and what was more, she knew she recognized one of them, and thought she recognized the other - though she didn't know from where.
"Oh, is that Toby?" Jen said in surprise, and she didn't think twice about it before she had got up and left the restaurant."No, Jenn - wait!" Tammy called, but it was too late.
"Toby! Toby, is that you?" Jenn called, crossing the street in a hurry and shielding herself as if one hand held over her head might keep her dry under the torrent, nonetheless, she came forward with all friendliness, beckoning the boys out of the rain.
"My word, what happened to you, Toby? I haven't seen you in forever."
Mae
At some point it had begun to rain and all the while there was a degree of patience which dressed the dark face of the Alpha while he listened to Melinda. Her words were to him, lofty and without weight, for if the woman intended to appeal to the monster's humanity then she might have done less to insult him. As she had said herself, it was on uneven grounds upon which they met, and it could not have escaped her how fruitless a battle with him would prove.
But for all this the Alpha moved slowly, as if contemplative, until the definitive moment when his expression changed. It came in the same moment that Melinda announced her decided departure and made her assumption, inclining the Alpha to lay his ears back and breathe a heavy sigh into the night.
By now, it would come as a surprise to no one that as Melinda retreated into her vehicle, the door was halted before she could pull it shut.
A massive hand held the door open without any effort, and with it was the thick black forearm, dribbling with rainwater, that was but a short distance from Melinda. The heat that came from the monster's body felt immense on cold, bare hands and legs while his shadow shielded the interior of the car from the downpour.
"Forgive me, for not entertaining your terms," The creature's deep voice spoke over the roof of Melinda's small business car. "I have not been treated very civilly myself of late, and am in no better mood to have this meeting in the rain. However, where family is concerned, sacrifice of personal comfort makes it necessary. Yet I am not so unreasonable an animal as to think we cannot come to a new arrangement. That, would only be appropriate."
A low grumble that might have easily been mistaken for thunder seemed to rumble with that last word, and his tone changed from good-natured again to calm severity.
"If you will answer my questions now, you will not need to see me again after this night. But if you leave, you will see me again, and it will not be to your or my pleasure. So, I will ask, why does Jacqueline Ryder think you are her blood, when you are clearly not?"
Kratos breathed heavily into the vehicle, and his head lowered til his bright yellow eyes peered in.
It was strange how the Alpha's presence and his hand on the car door seemed to make him more solid than rock, as if the vehicle would not be worth the defense of an empty tin can if Melinda tried to escape... but was that reality? or was it merely a bluff, an illusion caused by his imposing form over her small figure?
Whichever was the lesser gamble, it would be up to Melinda to decide.
*****
"Oh?" Jen said, glad again to have caught the young stranger's interest, "The Chandler family have been boarding their farmhands for years, my dad always said they had a lantern lit on their porch welcoming strangers in. I'm pretty sure Mr Chandler ran the ranch all his life, and their family has been around for generations. I'm not sure exactly who runs the place now, I think last I heard it was a daughter, but I haven't heard anything about it in awhile - at least not since all the wolf sightings and such."
Jen noticed that Tammy's interest had also been roused by the turn of the conversation, and believing that she had at last found a tool whereby to lure Tammy out of her silence, taunted her friend by letting all earnest glances go unheeded.
"Every once in awhile someone will turn up at the clinic - In fact, there was actually a hunt organized in town recently to find the wolves that have been seen around those local ranches. My friend, Robbie Gelton, said he actually saw one, but at any rate when the hunters came back they said nobody had found anything - except on the mountain behind the Chandler Ranch --"
Jen was interrupted as Tammy shot to her feet!
At first Jen was alarmed, yet she found a moment to laugh thinking that it was perhaps her taunt which had caused such an exciting reaction, but then she noticed how Tammy was staring out the window into the rain.
"What is it, Tammy? What did you see?" Jen asked, sounding a bit more careful as she looked out the window to try and pinpoint her friend's concerns. When she spotted two people standing in the rain, Jenn thought she had guessed it - and what was more, she knew she recognized one of them, and thought she recognized the other - though she didn't know from where.
"Oh, is that Toby?" Jen said in surprise, and she didn't think twice about it before she had got up and left the restaurant.
"No, Jenn - wait!" Tammy called, but it was too late.
"Toby! Toby, is that you?" Jenn called, crossing the street in a hurry and shielding herself as if one hand held over her head might keep her dry under the torrent, nonetheless, she came forward with all friendliness, beckoning the boys out of the rain.
"My word, what happened to you, Toby? I haven't seen you in forever."
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:13 pmCat
The horror! Jenn. Jenn Peters. That pretty little red head who lived a few houses down from his own, had seen him in his pajamas. How could ever show his face in civilized society again? Disregarding the fact that Jenn was a woman, and a good looking one who Toby had always thought very highly of, it was no secret that she was also a motor-mouth. Why, the President of the United States would eventually hear of Toby's impropriety, and what would he think then? Worse yet? What would he do? He might have Toby's citizenship revoked, or send him to jail for being so under-dressed in the presence of a woman. The humiliation! THE HUMILIATION! The embarrassment was just too much for Toby. He wished he could just die-- Though, on second thought, that seemed a little excessive.. And if any wish was to come true just then, Toby wouldn't want to waste it wishing that. Rather, he changed his wish, and wished he had been dressed like a model gentleman.. Not in his pajamas!
...And in front of Jenn Peters! Oh, why? Why Theo why?!
Toby was too horrified to react. At all. To anything. He wanted to cry.
Cat
The horror! Jenn. Jenn Peters. That pretty little red head who lived a few houses down from his own, had seen him in his pajamas. How could ever show his face in civilized society again? Disregarding the fact that Jenn was a woman, and a good looking one who Toby had always thought very highly of, it was no secret that she was also a motor-mouth. Why, the President of the United States would eventually hear of Toby's impropriety, and what would he think then? Worse yet? What would he do? He might have Toby's citizenship revoked, or send him to jail for being so under-dressed in the presence of a woman. The humiliation! THE HUMILIATION! The embarrassment was just too much for Toby. He wished he could just die-- Though, on second thought, that seemed a little excessive.. And if any wish was to come true just then, Toby wouldn't want to waste it wishing that. Rather, he changed his wish, and wished he had been dressed like a model gentleman.. Not in his pajamas!
...And in front of Jenn Peters! Oh, why? Why Theo why?!
Toby was too horrified to react. At all. To anything. He wanted to cry.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:14 pmIndy
Melinda was a person of calculated risk. She knew when to push forward, when to bully, and when to ever-so-gracefully bow out until the situation favored her once again. Yet these were all finely honed tactics she’d used for humans alone… and it appeared did not carry over well to the alternatives.
Or maybe she wasn’t generally so terrified of humans as she was of a towering, massive, black monolith of a beast with glinting eyes and what she assumed were very long teeth.
Oh very clever beast, thought the small corner of her mind that was unoccupied by the pounding in her ears. Evidentially he knew how to play the same game. The sound of her racing heart would not have been difficult to hear even above the pelting raindrops. While these things might be masked easily by her human opponents, it would be all but impossible to disguise them from animal senses. Nor would it take much extrapolation to figure out how to use it against her.
The game had changed. But did that mean she automatically lost it? The rules were different, chaotic, and confusing and she had now to battle herself just as much as this beast.
And oh she was terrified, in spite of all the logic that told her this was a calculated move and not a lapse in control. She wanted nothing more to cave in to the creature’s demands. But his question was not a simple one and she had no doubt even her most concise answer would be followed by many more. Negotiations should never start with one party making all the demands and receiving all they asked for.
A compromise then?
“You’ll find most things are a matter of perspective,” she replied tersely,”And if you wish me to be more helpful, then you will remove your paw from the door”
“But that is not your immediate concern here, now is it? Jackie’s family dynamics are a rivoting tale but not one you have time to listen to nor to make use of. There’s a better question to ask – is this the first time she’s ever pulled something like this?”
“This answer I’ll tell for free – no. And do you want to take a guess who did the cleanup? Who resolved the mess you left back in Middlecrest?”
Indy
Melinda was a person of calculated risk. She knew when to push forward, when to bully, and when to ever-so-gracefully bow out until the situation favored her once again. Yet these were all finely honed tactics she’d used for humans alone… and it appeared did not carry over well to the alternatives.
Or maybe she wasn’t generally so terrified of humans as she was of a towering, massive, black monolith of a beast with glinting eyes and what she assumed were very long teeth.
Oh very clever beast, thought the small corner of her mind that was unoccupied by the pounding in her ears. Evidentially he knew how to play the same game. The sound of her racing heart would not have been difficult to hear even above the pelting raindrops. While these things might be masked easily by her human opponents, it would be all but impossible to disguise them from animal senses. Nor would it take much extrapolation to figure out how to use it against her.
The game had changed. But did that mean she automatically lost it? The rules were different, chaotic, and confusing and she had now to battle herself just as much as this beast.
And oh she was terrified, in spite of all the logic that told her this was a calculated move and not a lapse in control. She wanted nothing more to cave in to the creature’s demands. But his question was not a simple one and she had no doubt even her most concise answer would be followed by many more. Negotiations should never start with one party making all the demands and receiving all they asked for.
A compromise then?
“You’ll find most things are a matter of perspective,” she replied tersely,”And if you wish me to be more helpful, then you will remove your paw from the door”
“But that is not your immediate concern here, now is it? Jackie’s family dynamics are a rivoting tale but not one you have time to listen to nor to make use of. There’s a better question to ask – is this the first time she’s ever pulled something like this?”
“This answer I’ll tell for free – no. And do you want to take a guess who did the cleanup? Who resolved the mess you left back in Middlecrest?”
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:14 pmDeseree
For some time, Logan stood, still as stone with her chin raised and her eyes constantly set forward on Kratos and Melinda. Now she lowered herself and crouched, sitting on the heels of her feet and resting her arms on her knees. Her gaze shifted from one place to another slowly, yet her ears remained attentive on what she could draw from the conversation between the Alpha and the woman.
---
Staying in town? Right. Right... it was late, and storming. Somehow Bianca had it in her head that she was going to make a trip back to Middlecrest tonight. She must have been caught spacing out on that point for some time, and her mind was only brought back to the current conversation at the mention of the Chandler ranch. Or rather the second mention of it, for the first went unheeded. Then her blue eyes were set firmly on Jen as she spoke, and her interest only grew with every passing word.
Then suddenly, Tammy had jolted from her seat and Bianca mimicked the movement, being startled herself and following the girls gaze to the window. The hair on the back of her neck pricked as Tammy called after her friend, and she moved to say something to the other in that moment, but the words were withheld. Instead she turned and whispered to Zander, "Come with me." before she hurriedly ushered him out of the seat and went outside.
Moving beside Jen, and then a little closer to the boys still, Bianca observed them briefly, and gasped as she quickly realized something about their character. "You're-!" she clasped her hands over her mouth, and furrowed her brows. That was close. "-in your pajamas..." she mumbled, her mouth still covered, "And, soaked to the bones! Jen dear, you should let them get inside first!" Bianca laughed, poking the red head on the shoulder, before casting her gaze intently about the surrounding area.
---
"You're right, forgive me for challenging your unwavering authority and intellect.." Silas muttered in response to Diane, but would say nothing else for a great deal of time. His eyes were ever about the land, as much as he could make out in the darkness and downpour. There was a nagging feeling, he thought, that something had been overlooked or missed... so all the while he stayed near Diane, he did not let his guard down for the simple fact the hunters seemed to have been overwhelmed for the time.
Deseree
For some time, Logan stood, still as stone with her chin raised and her eyes constantly set forward on Kratos and Melinda. Now she lowered herself and crouched, sitting on the heels of her feet and resting her arms on her knees. Her gaze shifted from one place to another slowly, yet her ears remained attentive on what she could draw from the conversation between the Alpha and the woman.
---
Staying in town? Right. Right... it was late, and storming. Somehow Bianca had it in her head that she was going to make a trip back to Middlecrest tonight. She must have been caught spacing out on that point for some time, and her mind was only brought back to the current conversation at the mention of the Chandler ranch. Or rather the second mention of it, for the first went unheeded. Then her blue eyes were set firmly on Jen as she spoke, and her interest only grew with every passing word.
Then suddenly, Tammy had jolted from her seat and Bianca mimicked the movement, being startled herself and following the girls gaze to the window. The hair on the back of her neck pricked as Tammy called after her friend, and she moved to say something to the other in that moment, but the words were withheld. Instead she turned and whispered to Zander, "Come with me." before she hurriedly ushered him out of the seat and went outside.
Moving beside Jen, and then a little closer to the boys still, Bianca observed them briefly, and gasped as she quickly realized something about their character. "You're-!" she clasped her hands over her mouth, and furrowed her brows. That was close. "-in your pajamas..." she mumbled, her mouth still covered, "And, soaked to the bones! Jen dear, you should let them get inside first!" Bianca laughed, poking the red head on the shoulder, before casting her gaze intently about the surrounding area.
---
"You're right, forgive me for challenging your unwavering authority and intellect.." Silas muttered in response to Diane, but would say nothing else for a great deal of time. His eyes were ever about the land, as much as he could make out in the darkness and downpour. There was a nagging feeling, he thought, that something had been overlooked or missed... so all the while he stayed near Diane, he did not let his guard down for the simple fact the hunters seemed to have been overwhelmed for the time.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:14 pmIndy
Theo didn’t notice the spunky redhead come charging out of the restaurant doors. He’d been too busy peering further into the darkness, looking to confirm or deny the thing he’d seen. The darkness was as it should be, a void that either held nothing or something. Theo wasn’t a fan of the uncertainty. Was it something? Or nothing?
Had he seen something? Or nothing? He closed his eyes, straining his memory back to a minute ago. And still the same image kept coming back, though it couldn’t possibly be true.
Could it?
By that point Jenn had already come running up to Toby and the pitch of her voice shattered his thoughts. Theo didn’t know the woman – his time in town had been so fleeting after all – but it seemed clear that she and Toby were friends? But that didn’t make sense, because if they were friends then Toby should probably seem more excited about seeing her. His companion seemed more terrified than anything else.
“Oh uh… alright Miss,” Theo hated to see her run across the street and get wet, so he started to walk towards her so she wouldn’t have to go as far to greet them.
---
Zander was reluctant to leave the warmth of the diner, not the least of which was the cold drizzling rain and the dark skies. Still as Bianca asked for him to follow, he saw no reason to disagree. It would be unwise to let his host go outside in the dark rainy night alone to greet some person from across the road.
He walked out into the rain without flinching and tailed Bianca for most of the way. He stopped, however, just before crossing the street and took a good long look at those two strangers. This was hardly the first town he’d traveled to with ‘wolf sightings’. He’d become quick at picking out the unusual. Even in less than ideal conditions and some distance, he could tell something about the two boys was amiss.
It was unlikely they were loners as well, and less common yet for two loners to travel together. It seemed most plausible they were from the local pack. It was bad, bad news; he could already feel himself trembling. Bianca had been one thing – a loner like himself, and on top of that, an old friend. But two local pack members? They would not think fondly of his wanderings. They might even run back to the woods and get their big scary alpha to go chasing a little furball like him out before he had a chance to finish his research. If there was anything rational left in him, he’d go running back inside. Or better yet, running back to the warm room at the inn and wait till morning.
But Bianca was in just as much danger as he was. Maybe she hadn’t seen it yet, nor would she, given her relation to her grandfather. And on the topic of her grandfather, he owed that man many favors. Keeping his granddaughter safe, or at least supplying her backup, would be but a small exchange. He gritted his teeth and crossed the road, stopping a step or two behind Bianca.
Then something even Zander hadn’t expected occurred. A sound, low and unmistakable filtered through the rain.
---
Meanwhile…
Jackie’s wolf had run further into town. Remaining unseen had become more difficult, though not impossible. The endless shadows and heavy rain offered plenty of cover even for her lightly colored pelt. Soon she could hear the noise of many creatures, not just a scattered few, stirring from within their shelters. She slowed as she approached the heart of town to fully appreciate these sounds, though still did not stop altogether.Soon, however, she came upon a sight that she could not run past. Two forms stood in the rain instead of indoors. When she drew in air to smell, she caught a faint but familiar scent. Pack. Momentarily she circled, uncertain how to proceed. One even caught her eyes and she returned the gaze.
A rush of movement. More forms in the rain. Two women, a man. She drew in a draught of air and her hackles raised. Enemies. But too many for her to fight alone. At the risk of alerting her foe she threw back her neck and howled, low and soft.
Indy
Theo didn’t notice the spunky redhead come charging out of the restaurant doors. He’d been too busy peering further into the darkness, looking to confirm or deny the thing he’d seen. The darkness was as it should be, a void that either held nothing or something. Theo wasn’t a fan of the uncertainty. Was it something? Or nothing?
Had he seen something? Or nothing? He closed his eyes, straining his memory back to a minute ago. And still the same image kept coming back, though it couldn’t possibly be true.
Could it?
By that point Jenn had already come running up to Toby and the pitch of her voice shattered his thoughts. Theo didn’t know the woman – his time in town had been so fleeting after all – but it seemed clear that she and Toby were friends? But that didn’t make sense, because if they were friends then Toby should probably seem more excited about seeing her. His companion seemed more terrified than anything else.
“Oh uh… alright Miss,” Theo hated to see her run across the street and get wet, so he started to walk towards her so she wouldn’t have to go as far to greet them.
---
Zander was reluctant to leave the warmth of the diner, not the least of which was the cold drizzling rain and the dark skies. Still as Bianca asked for him to follow, he saw no reason to disagree. It would be unwise to let his host go outside in the dark rainy night alone to greet some person from across the road.
He walked out into the rain without flinching and tailed Bianca for most of the way. He stopped, however, just before crossing the street and took a good long look at those two strangers. This was hardly the first town he’d traveled to with ‘wolf sightings’. He’d become quick at picking out the unusual. Even in less than ideal conditions and some distance, he could tell something about the two boys was amiss.
It was unlikely they were loners as well, and less common yet for two loners to travel together. It seemed most plausible they were from the local pack. It was bad, bad news; he could already feel himself trembling. Bianca had been one thing – a loner like himself, and on top of that, an old friend. But two local pack members? They would not think fondly of his wanderings. They might even run back to the woods and get their big scary alpha to go chasing a little furball like him out before he had a chance to finish his research. If there was anything rational left in him, he’d go running back inside. Or better yet, running back to the warm room at the inn and wait till morning.
But Bianca was in just as much danger as he was. Maybe she hadn’t seen it yet, nor would she, given her relation to her grandfather. And on the topic of her grandfather, he owed that man many favors. Keeping his granddaughter safe, or at least supplying her backup, would be but a small exchange. He gritted his teeth and crossed the road, stopping a step or two behind Bianca.
Then something even Zander hadn’t expected occurred. A sound, low and unmistakable filtered through the rain.
---
Meanwhile…
Jackie’s wolf had run further into town. Remaining unseen had become more difficult, though not impossible. The endless shadows and heavy rain offered plenty of cover even for her lightly colored pelt. Soon she could hear the noise of many creatures, not just a scattered few, stirring from within their shelters. She slowed as she approached the heart of town to fully appreciate these sounds, though still did not stop altogether.
Soon, however, she came upon a sight that she could not run past. Two forms stood in the rain instead of indoors. When she drew in air to smell, she caught a faint but familiar scent. Pack. Momentarily she circled, uncertain how to proceed. One even caught her eyes and she returned the gaze.
A rush of movement. More forms in the rain. Two women, a man. She drew in a draught of air and her hackles raised. Enemies. But too many for her to fight alone. At the risk of alerting her foe she threw back her neck and howled, low and soft.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:14 pmCat
Toby could die.
The crowd gathering to gaze upon his personal blue striped PJs was growing; added upon by two complete strangers. Words could not describe the depths of Toby's utter embarrassment. This couldn't be worse if he'd gone running down main street in his underwear with his grandma's name tattooed on his chest-- Oh no! No tattoos! A piercing was bad enough. Now he had tattoos? Where would the madness end?! He was out of control. He needed to be locked up and given counselling. And his poor grandma! Everyone would think all sorts of bad things about him, and attribute them to her- His poor grandma who had done her best to raise him right. How he'd disgraced her! She'd raised him better than this. She really did.Cold, wet, embarrassed to the pits, and in terrible pain.. He couldn't even muster the words to reply to Jenn. The only thing that kept Toby from puking just then was the sudden sound of a wolf's howl rising above the patter of the rain. Instantly, Toby turned his head to focus on the sound.
It was close. Too close! Was it one of theirs? Or was it.... Oh please, don't let it be one of those frightening females from that other pack! He didn't want to run into them again; ESPECIALLY not now! Friends were bad, a childhood crush was worse, two strangers was unbearable, but if enemies saw him in his pajamas-- Oh, Toby couldn't even think about it and remain standing.
As it was, he stumbled slightly on his crutches while trying to turn around. The howl wasn't familiar to him, but that was no surprise, because Toby hadn't heard anyone but Kratos howl... Though, he might have heard Timothy at one point, and maybe someone else once. His list of howl-hearing wasn't extensive. So, instead of trying to figure this out for himself, Toby looked to Theo to see if Theo recognized it.
Cat
Toby could die.
The crowd gathering to gaze upon his personal blue striped PJs was growing; added upon by two complete strangers. Words could not describe the depths of Toby's utter embarrassment. This couldn't be worse if he'd gone running down main street in his underwear with his grandma's name tattooed on his chest-- Oh no! No tattoos! A piercing was bad enough. Now he had tattoos? Where would the madness end?! He was out of control. He needed to be locked up and given counselling. And his poor grandma! Everyone would think all sorts of bad things about him, and attribute them to her- His poor grandma who had done her best to raise him right. How he'd disgraced her! She'd raised him better than this. She really did.
Cold, wet, embarrassed to the pits, and in terrible pain.. He couldn't even muster the words to reply to Jenn. The only thing that kept Toby from puking just then was the sudden sound of a wolf's howl rising above the patter of the rain. Instantly, Toby turned his head to focus on the sound.
It was close. Too close! Was it one of theirs? Or was it.... Oh please, don't let it be one of those frightening females from that other pack! He didn't want to run into them again; ESPECIALLY not now! Friends were bad, a childhood crush was worse, two strangers was unbearable, but if enemies saw him in his pajamas-- Oh, Toby couldn't even think about it and remain standing.
As it was, he stumbled slightly on his crutches while trying to turn around. The howl wasn't familiar to him, but that was no surprise, because Toby hadn't heard anyone but Kratos howl... Though, he might have heard Timothy at one point, and maybe someone else once. His list of howl-hearing wasn't extensive. So, instead of trying to figure this out for himself, Toby looked to Theo to see if Theo recognized it.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:15 pmMae
There was only one word of significance spoken by Melinda to the Alpha's ear, "Jackie." The beast echoed, his voice sounded soft and yet it felt as if something momentous had just been defined. "Then, you are not her blood.. but, you and she both, hold that you are."
Kratos did release the door, but not because he was going to let Melinda leave. His hands took to the earth and his body withdrew behind the vehicle, then after a moment of uncertainty, a sound resonated within the cabin which witnessed loudly that the monster had left the wet gravel of the road. The structure of the vehicle strained under the weight of the Alpha, but so carefully was it distributed that the vehicle did not yet cave to the pressure he surmounted on it.
Ever so slowly now, the beast moved over the car until his shoulders rested on its roof and his presence seemed visually concealed.
"She was looking for you..." He said; that deep voice rumbled from the unseen beast just after lightening flashed across the sky. The tone was so hauntingly calm and the words seeming subdued with passivity. "She drew you out in the way she knew you would follow, but she could never have seen the outcome... It is dangerous for you to pursue so closely."Suddenly in a much louder voice, the Alpha spoke. "Levi. Logan. Escort Jackie's sister to the ranch." With that, the Alpha threw himself down on the hood of the car with a crash that was swallowed by the roar of thunder!
*****
Though she knew with all her heart that by following Jenn, Tammy was stepping into the gravest danger imaginable, she could not leave her friend to face the inevitable alone and went swiftly out the door. But oh, how Tammy's heart faltered as she saw Jenn greet two new werewolves and then be completely surrounded by them!
Jenn never had the intention of interrogating poor Toby in his pajamas, but some questions, no matter how unreasonable, could not be withheld in a moment of surprise. Still, Jenn, completely oblivious of the imminent danger, would not be put off by the awkwardness of the interaction; Toby's pitiful state was not the least that Jenn had encountered, and thus his present horror completely eluded her.
"Let's get out of the rain first thing. Do we need to get you to the clinic, Toby? You shouldn't be out of bed, much less taking a walk - I bet you didn't even know about the rain!" Jenn talked rapidly, ushering both boys quickly toward the restaurant. If given a breath of time, Jenn might have offered Toby a very generous ride in Tammy's truck to the location of his choosing, but either fortunately for Toby, or unfortunately for them all, a low voice from a dark place drew every attention.
Jenn could not see it at first and might have dismissed it by the way she looked up and around in all the wrong places, but Tammy had seen it even before it had spoken, and her heart was stilled when she met the glint of not one, but two pairs of eyes.
---
Jackie's howl for support did not go unanswered. Just then, another spoke confidently out of the darkness and revealed to all his impending presence. How eerily like a phantom he was, brought out of the shadows with such elegant contrast to his surroundings.Timothy lowered his head after having given a short, musical note in response to Jackie, and his eyes set upon the gathering with graceful focus. He had come out as if Jackie never had a need, as if this were her planned move and he was there to enforce her will. How his fur was the least wet of all remained a mystery, yet there he was, and he stepped out into the light and rain as soundless as a ghost.
As Timothy's eyes carefully passed each figure, Zander and Bianca were carefully considered, and then the two humans beside them.
Toby and Theo were in Timothy's mind unreliable allies, for he had already appealed to Theo once before, when Logan had joined the pack, and it went unheeded. And as for Toby, he was not only weak and injured, but was also the pack's omega...
---There was no describing the feelings that raced into Tammy's body at the sight of these creatures, and how sorry to say that all hope left her, but as her eyes peered past the rain, and the black face entered under a streetlight, so many dark and terrible things were poured out from the back of her mind and flooded over her heart.
Jenn was the last of all to set eyes on the two notable figures after both had spoken, and the moment she recognized them her heart took a leap.
"What is that?" Jenn asked in alarm, but she already knew - or thought she did.
---Timothy had made his position clear, and he moved in unison with Jackie as if her will were his own, all the while his intent was seen in his eyes, bent on the trespassers with calculative care...
Mae
There was only one word of significance spoken by Melinda to the Alpha's ear, "Jackie." The beast echoed, his voice sounded soft and yet it felt as if something momentous had just been defined. "Then, you are not her blood.. but, you and she both, hold that you are."
Kratos did release the door, but not because he was going to let Melinda leave. His hands took to the earth and his body withdrew behind the vehicle, then after a moment of uncertainty, a sound resonated within the cabin which witnessed loudly that the monster had left the wet gravel of the road. The structure of the vehicle strained under the weight of the Alpha, but so carefully was it distributed that the vehicle did not yet cave to the pressure he surmounted on it.
Ever so slowly now, the beast moved over the car until his shoulders rested on its roof and his presence seemed visually concealed.
"She was looking for you..." He said; that deep voice rumbled from the unseen beast just after lightening flashed across the sky. The tone was so hauntingly calm and the words seeming subdued with passivity. "She drew you out in the way she knew you would follow, but she could never have seen the outcome... It is dangerous for you to pursue so closely."
Suddenly in a much louder voice, the Alpha spoke. "Levi. Logan. Escort Jackie's sister to the ranch." With that, the Alpha threw himself down on the hood of the car with a crash that was swallowed by the roar of thunder!
*****
Though she knew with all her heart that by following Jenn, Tammy was stepping into the gravest danger imaginable, she could not leave her friend to face the inevitable alone and went swiftly out the door. But oh, how Tammy's heart faltered as she saw Jenn greet two new werewolves and then be completely surrounded by them!
Jenn never had the intention of interrogating poor Toby in his pajamas, but some questions, no matter how unreasonable, could not be withheld in a moment of surprise. Still, Jenn, completely oblivious of the imminent danger, would not be put off by the awkwardness of the interaction; Toby's pitiful state was not the least that Jenn had encountered, and thus his present horror completely eluded her.
"Let's get out of the rain first thing. Do we need to get you to the clinic, Toby? You shouldn't be out of bed, much less taking a walk - I bet you didn't even know about the rain!" Jenn talked rapidly, ushering both boys quickly toward the restaurant. If given a breath of time, Jenn might have offered Toby a very generous ride in Tammy's truck to the location of his choosing, but either fortunately for Toby, or unfortunately for them all, a low voice from a dark place drew every attention.
Jenn could not see it at first and might have dismissed it by the way she looked up and around in all the wrong places, but Tammy had seen it even before it had spoken, and her heart was stilled when she met the glint of not one, but two pairs of eyes.
---
Jackie's howl for support did not go unanswered. Just then, another spoke confidently out of the darkness and revealed to all his impending presence. How eerily like a phantom he was, brought out of the shadows with such elegant contrast to his surroundings.
Timothy lowered his head after having given a short, musical note in response to Jackie, and his eyes set upon the gathering with graceful focus. He had come out as if Jackie never had a need, as if this were her planned move and he was there to enforce her will. How his fur was the least wet of all remained a mystery, yet there he was, and he stepped out into the light and rain as soundless as a ghost.
As Timothy's eyes carefully passed each figure, Zander and Bianca were carefully considered, and then the two humans beside them.
Toby and Theo were in Timothy's mind unreliable allies, for he had already appealed to Theo once before, when Logan had joined the pack, and it went unheeded. And as for Toby, he was not only weak and injured, but was also the pack's omega...
---
There was no describing the feelings that raced into Tammy's body at the sight of these creatures, and how sorry to say that all hope left her, but as her eyes peered past the rain, and the black face entered under a streetlight, so many dark and terrible things were poured out from the back of her mind and flooded over her heart.
Jenn was the last of all to set eyes on the two notable figures after both had spoken, and the moment she recognized them her heart took a leap.
"What is that?" Jenn asked in alarm, but she already knew - or thought she did.
---
Timothy had made his position clear, and he moved in unison with Jackie as if her will were his own, all the while his intent was seen in his eyes, bent on the trespassers with calculative care...
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:15 pmKaqurei
His back pressed against the bark of a large tree, and rain running down his face and off the shoulders of his trench coat, Levi stiffened. He had no idea that the Alpha had known that he was even there, let alone how to respond to the order. Levi, after all, was not much in the business of taking orders from opposing pack leaders. He was here because Sabrina had told him to be. He only hesitated a moment, and soon made up his mind.
Melinda might have recognized the man who stepped out from behind the tree and into the road, as that European foreigner who had been "going to meet up with Mr. Bolt too" and so kindly directed her to turn her car around and go in the opposite direction. He smiled reassuringly and offered her a brief nod. Reaching into the inner fold of his coat, he produced an umbrella, and opened it with a click. "'Tis not far from here, Miss Channing," he said, "We may as well walk." His gait was confident and inviting as he approached the car. But, as if entirely unable to resist the temptation, his gaze rose from Melinda's face, and he tilted his umbrella a bit so that he might subtly look up at the Alpha just below its rim. The sight of him nearly withered Levi's heart within his chest. Even for the rain that soaked his fur, he held certain terrible majesty all the same. To gaze upon his incredible mass, that raw but still and silent power, through the eyes and stature of a man and not a wolf was more than awe-inspiring. Levi's eyes retreated quickly from him, and fixed upon Melinda again.
He offered his hand out to her, inviting her to come from the car.
****
Sabrina had not yet had a visual of Jackie, but she was closing in upon her when the howls were made. That was... not good. It was highly unlikely that townsfolk would miss those chilling songs so close. Her only hope was that, with the rain, they would all be indoors and not go to the windows to see what had made the noise. As she rounded the bend, she saw under the diner's sign light the hodgepodge of teens gathered in the streets. Toby and Theo's positions were marked and written off at once--they were in no real danger. The humans however were a problem. She was surprised also to scent the two loners. Quickly she spotted Jackie, and on the opposite side of the crowd from her, Timothy. He had answered to her aide. But what he thought he might be aiding her in, Sabrina certainly had no idea. What did Jackie think she was doing? By all rights, she should not be a wolf right now. It was as unprecedented a situation as Sabrina had ever faced in Timothy himself.
Technicalities aside, the situation had the capability of escalating quickly. Someone had to take control of it before then. But she was uncertain how Jackie's wolf would respond to her--she had been away from the pack for quite some time now, and she was not sure that they had ever really had a relationship to begin with. Timothy she was sure would be less than pleased at seeing her. Instead, she raised her head back at Ulric, directing him with a look that he should also reply, to alert Jackie and Timothy to their presence and confirm that they too had come to their aide.
Kaqurei
His back pressed against the bark of a large tree, and rain running down his face and off the shoulders of his trench coat, Levi stiffened. He had no idea that the Alpha had known that he was even there, let alone how to respond to the order. Levi, after all, was not much in the business of taking orders from opposing pack leaders. He was here because Sabrina had told him to be. He only hesitated a moment, and soon made up his mind.
Melinda might have recognized the man who stepped out from behind the tree and into the road, as that European foreigner who had been "going to meet up with Mr. Bolt too" and so kindly directed her to turn her car around and go in the opposite direction. He smiled reassuringly and offered her a brief nod. Reaching into the inner fold of his coat, he produced an umbrella, and opened it with a click. "'Tis not far from here, Miss Channing," he said, "We may as well walk." His gait was confident and inviting as he approached the car. But, as if entirely unable to resist the temptation, his gaze rose from Melinda's face, and he tilted his umbrella a bit so that he might subtly look up at the Alpha just below its rim. The sight of him nearly withered Levi's heart within his chest. Even for the rain that soaked his fur, he held certain terrible majesty all the same. To gaze upon his incredible mass, that raw but still and silent power, through the eyes and stature of a man and not a wolf was more than awe-inspiring. Levi's eyes retreated quickly from him, and fixed upon Melinda again.
He offered his hand out to her, inviting her to come from the car.
****
Sabrina had not yet had a visual of Jackie, but she was closing in upon her when the howls were made. That was... not good. It was highly unlikely that townsfolk would miss those chilling songs so close. Her only hope was that, with the rain, they would all be indoors and not go to the windows to see what had made the noise. As she rounded the bend, she saw under the diner's sign light the hodgepodge of teens gathered in the streets. Toby and Theo's positions were marked and written off at once--they were in no real danger. The humans however were a problem. She was surprised also to scent the two loners. Quickly she spotted Jackie, and on the opposite side of the crowd from her, Timothy. He had answered to her aide. But what he thought he might be aiding her in, Sabrina certainly had no idea. What did Jackie think she was doing? By all rights, she should not be a wolf right now. It was as unprecedented a situation as Sabrina had ever faced in Timothy himself.
Technicalities aside, the situation had the capability of escalating quickly. Someone had to take control of it before then. But she was uncertain how Jackie's wolf would respond to her--she had been away from the pack for quite some time now, and she was not sure that they had ever really had a relationship to begin with. Timothy she was sure would be less than pleased at seeing her. Instead, she raised her head back at Ulric, directing him with a look that he should also reply, to alert Jackie and Timothy to their presence and confirm that they too had come to their aide.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:16 pmKim
Almost at the moment Cherise had finally begun to feel the pull of sleep, her anxieties of meeting with a pack of werewolves in the morning vehemently pushed from her mind, a sound broke the silence of her cousin's bedroom. Though she lay there completely still, her heart pounded and her eyes opened in alert. She listened on bated breath when another of the same sound was heard, though not from the same source.
This was new. Something inside Cherise awoke. Her deep brown eyes took on the glow of a golden aura as she rose from her bed. Though no one was there to witness it, the once out-of-place awkward feeling young adult was not. The woman who sat upon the bed possessed an new level of maturity. But, there was something else. The air about her mixed with a majesty that commanded respect.
With little hesitation, Cherise left her bed, got dressed and headed out from the bedroom.
Kim
Almost at the moment Cherise had finally begun to feel the pull of sleep, her anxieties of meeting with a pack of werewolves in the morning vehemently pushed from her mind, a sound broke the silence of her cousin's bedroom. Though she lay there completely still, her heart pounded and her eyes opened in alert. She listened on bated breath when another of the same sound was heard, though not from the same source.
This was new. Something inside Cherise awoke. Her deep brown eyes took on the glow of a golden aura as she rose from her bed. Though no one was there to witness it, the once out-of-place awkward feeling young adult was not. The woman who sat upon the bed possessed an new level of maturity. But, there was something else. The air about her mixed with a majesty that commanded respect.
With little hesitation, Cherise left her bed, got dressed and headed out from the bedroom.
Quote from Adriana on August 24, 2018, 6:16 pmCat
BAM!
Granny Buttermilk, still clad in her silk nightdress, hurried from her bedroom as fast as her stubby little legs could carry her. Her long white hair, more often kept in a neat bun, was strewn about her shoulders in wavy locks. She'd left her tiny glasses on the nightstand in her hurry, but had just enough wits to throw on her fuzzy pink dressing gown before coming out. She seemed a little surprised to see Cherise standing in the hallway already, but gave her granddaughter only a brief glance before hobbling to the window.
"What are they doing here? They shouldn't be here." She said, sweeping the drapes aside and peering out. She was barely able to make out the shapes of people near the diner on the distant corner. That was enough for her. Turning, she went for the large pot filled with canes that resided beside her wicker chair and tea table, and grabbed from it a large black cane with silver wolf designs riding it's length. Using this to steady herself a little better, she motioned for Cherise to follow her.
Come on Cherise. I may need you. She said, making her way down the stairs.
The old woman did not even bother to turn on the lights as she entered the shop blow her home. Things were pretty blurry due to her Presbyopia, but she could still see in the dark. Moving swiftly as she could through the clutter of antiques, Granny unlocked the store and opened it wide, standing in the doorway and staring off toward the diner.Cherise, come here. Tell me, what do you see over there? She asked.
Cat
BAM!
Granny Buttermilk, still clad in her silk nightdress, hurried from her bedroom as fast as her stubby little legs could carry her. Her long white hair, more often kept in a neat bun, was strewn about her shoulders in wavy locks. She'd left her tiny glasses on the nightstand in her hurry, but had just enough wits to throw on her fuzzy pink dressing gown before coming out. She seemed a little surprised to see Cherise standing in the hallway already, but gave her granddaughter only a brief glance before hobbling to the window.
"What are they doing here? They shouldn't be here." She said, sweeping the drapes aside and peering out. She was barely able to make out the shapes of people near the diner on the distant corner. That was enough for her. Turning, she went for the large pot filled with canes that resided beside her wicker chair and tea table, and grabbed from it a large black cane with silver wolf designs riding it's length. Using this to steady herself a little better, she motioned for Cherise to follow her.
Come on Cherise. I may need you. She said, making her way down the stairs.
The old woman did not even bother to turn on the lights as she entered the shop blow her home. Things were pretty blurry due to her Presbyopia, but she could still see in the dark. Moving swiftly as she could through the clutter of antiques, Granny unlocked the store and opened it wide, standing in the doorway and staring off toward the diner.
Cherise, come here. Tell me, what do you see over there? She asked.
