Werewolves (RP 8): A Time for Questions and Answers (6/16-4/18)
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:47 pmDeseree
To anyone else, the mismatched duo may as well have been a joke; one shirtless lad, looking like an extra who had wandered too far off the set of an Indiana Jones film, and a small tomboyish girl who might as well have been a paperboy in 1920's New York City.
On the other hand, Robin was the last person in the world to judge someone by their looks alone. So when the two strangers entered the room, their countenance heavy, but those vaguely hopeful words uttered from the mouth of the girl, she didn't hesitate. She looked to Uno, telling him in a glance that it was alright, and taking a step back, nodded towards the young woman.
As hodgepodge as they were, they may as well have been angels, an answer to a prayer. The woman raised her eyes briefly, as though the ceiling had caught her attention, and in a passing breath a thank you was uttered.
Then without missing a beat, Robin made herself useful elsewhere. First she went upstairs to a dresser in which she had recalled locating a few plain white t-shirts in the earlier mayhem. Slipping out of the sullied tank top, she pulled the clean garment on and tucked it into her pants. Returning downstairs, she tossed the second t-shirt to Uno and moved over the window, not standing in front of it but peering out to see if their company would be joined by either hunter or pack member.
Only slightly comforted to see that they were not yet pursued, she lowered herself to the ground near the window and rested with her elbows draped over her knees. Her breaths were heavy, and she let her eyelids fall, though she remained at the ready.
Deseree
To anyone else, the mismatched duo may as well have been a joke; one shirtless lad, looking like an extra who had wandered too far off the set of an Indiana Jones film, and a small tomboyish girl who might as well have been a paperboy in 1920's New York City.
On the other hand, Robin was the last person in the world to judge someone by their looks alone. So when the two strangers entered the room, their countenance heavy, but those vaguely hopeful words uttered from the mouth of the girl, she didn't hesitate. She looked to Uno, telling him in a glance that it was alright, and taking a step back, nodded towards the young woman.
As hodgepodge as they were, they may as well have been angels, an answer to a prayer. The woman raised her eyes briefly, as though the ceiling had caught her attention, and in a passing breath a thank you was uttered.
Then without missing a beat, Robin made herself useful elsewhere. First she went upstairs to a dresser in which she had recalled locating a few plain white t-shirts in the earlier mayhem. Slipping out of the sullied tank top, she pulled the clean garment on and tucked it into her pants. Returning downstairs, she tossed the second t-shirt to Uno and moved over the window, not standing in front of it but peering out to see if their company would be joined by either hunter or pack member.
Only slightly comforted to see that they were not yet pursued, she lowered herself to the ground near the window and rested with her elbows draped over her knees. Her breaths were heavy, and she let her eyelids fall, though she remained at the ready.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:47 pmKaqurei
Sabrina stiffened at the appearance of the Alpha. Her gaze retreated from him. There was nothing said, not really, and no gesture made, but somehow the atmosphere about her seemed to express some sort of flippant sarcasm. "Oh yes," it seemed to say, "Now look what we've done."
****
Levi watched, still as stone. The only movement he dared was the flickering of his eyes as he snapped up every detail of the scene before him. Every movement. Every gesture. All said and unsaid. And he waited still.
****
Josh choked. Or groaned. In truth the noise he made sounded like both and neither, some strangled plea. His eyelids fluttered, only half-open, but unseeing, and did not close again. Diligently he continued to struggle to draw in the breath of life, to keep it. It was his, and not his, given to him and to all merely on loan. This morning perhaps he had taken it for granted, sure of his youth and strength that life perhaps seemed indefinite. Now it was slipping through his fingers like water.
Kaqurei
Sabrina stiffened at the appearance of the Alpha. Her gaze retreated from him. There was nothing said, not really, and no gesture made, but somehow the atmosphere about her seemed to express some sort of flippant sarcasm. "Oh yes," it seemed to say, "Now look what we've done."
****
Levi watched, still as stone. The only movement he dared was the flickering of his eyes as he snapped up every detail of the scene before him. Every movement. Every gesture. All said and unsaid. And he waited still.
****
Josh choked. Or groaned. In truth the noise he made sounded like both and neither, some strangled plea. His eyelids fluttered, only half-open, but unseeing, and did not close again. Diligently he continued to struggle to draw in the breath of life, to keep it. It was his, and not his, given to him and to all merely on loan. This morning perhaps he had taken it for granted, sure of his youth and strength that life perhaps seemed indefinite. Now it was slipping through his fingers like water.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmIndy
Every hair stood on the end of Uno’s nape when the strange duo made their presence known. He spun around on his heels, sizing up the new strangers like he was prepared for them to attack at any moment. The man and girl carried no scent and their appearance betrayed little of their alliance besides their preference in fashion. They did not appear to have any weapon, yet that told him little of what he wished to know.
He immediately disliked them. He did not like being snuck up on, and he did not like being deprived of information like scent. It was unsettling. With only a single eye to his name, such a loss of information felt most grievous indeed. Yet it was Robin’s ease at their arrival which settled his nerves. The hairs at the nape of his neck settled, and he regarded the two with a cool incline of his head.
As Robin busied herself upstairs, he motioned briefly towards Josh. He still did not trust the two, and yet their situation put them beyond trust and into the hands of faith. If Josh was to survive, it would not be by the meager tools they had brought with them. When Robin returned, he took the shirt she threw at him, but merely set it on one of the chairs. He glanced out the window, contemplating if they still had enough time to for a get-away and if Robin would even rouse herself for one.
Josh stirred. It was either a sign his strength was returning, or it was failing all at once. His sight broke hard from the window, and he was all at once assessing the state of Josh’s health. Their attempts to patch him were so very messy… he would need more than this. He said nothing, yet the pleading expression in his lantern-orange eyes said all.
Indy
Every hair stood on the end of Uno’s nape when the strange duo made their presence known. He spun around on his heels, sizing up the new strangers like he was prepared for them to attack at any moment. The man and girl carried no scent and their appearance betrayed little of their alliance besides their preference in fashion. They did not appear to have any weapon, yet that told him little of what he wished to know.
He immediately disliked them. He did not like being snuck up on, and he did not like being deprived of information like scent. It was unsettling. With only a single eye to his name, such a loss of information felt most grievous indeed. Yet it was Robin’s ease at their arrival which settled his nerves. The hairs at the nape of his neck settled, and he regarded the two with a cool incline of his head.
As Robin busied herself upstairs, he motioned briefly towards Josh. He still did not trust the two, and yet their situation put them beyond trust and into the hands of faith. If Josh was to survive, it would not be by the meager tools they had brought with them. When Robin returned, he took the shirt she threw at him, but merely set it on one of the chairs. He glanced out the window, contemplating if they still had enough time to for a get-away and if Robin would even rouse herself for one.
Josh stirred. It was either a sign his strength was returning, or it was failing all at once. His sight broke hard from the window, and he was all at once assessing the state of Josh’s health. Their attempts to patch him were so very messy… he would need more than this. He said nothing, yet the pleading expression in his lantern-orange eyes said all.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmMae
A more fitting description could not have been applied to the solemn pair, who followed Robin's withdrawal from the table with their own steps to it. The girl was without waste of moments in the time that followed. Who could guarantee that knowledge in healing could ensure life to one so badly wounded? Twas one reason to be so grave, for as skilled as a physician could be, none could make promises that were reserved by a higher power. As Tammy laid her hands on the boy's wet forehead, however, her heart took courage; she could feel the life that was in him and the strength of his flesh despite his weakened state.
"You're going to make it." Tammy whispered reassuringly, she knew that the werewolf's body was already working to mend itself, and she was relieved to find out that of a barrage of bullets, only three of them had pierced him. One bullet had entered the boy's leg and had exited, another had entered his shoulder, and the third had torn over his skull without touching bone. His lungs had been partially collapsed by trauma when wooden shrapnel had flown off the tree and had entered his side. Robin had already closed the wounds and Josh's body had clotted with the speed characteristic of his race. His shoulder wound lacked an exit point, but the body could mend around a bullet enough for it to be removed later. The most important matter for Tammy was to remove the wooden shrapnel and take pressure off the werewolf's lungs so he could breathe, so, that was what she did with ample skill.
****
There was a calm breeze which pushed its way through the trees on the mountain and over the field where stood the ominous old barn.
No different than it was before, the pale grey building with its gaping black doorway looked like someone whose dead mouth hung open to gasp the last unseen breaths of life.
The wind passing through the doorway was silent and invisible from without, but within it became a empty howling among the rafters. The darkness, which had appeared like an imperceptible void to day-travelers, was but a drear and less foreboding shadow inside. The outside realm was obscured by a blinding light."What is wrong?" This was the question which preoccupied all of Diane's internal faculties to answer.
Far from a restful sleep, Diane had been laid on the earthy floor upon a bed of straw. It was as comfortable a bed as any, though even her own bed many miles south would have made for an unpleasant abode at present. Diane shook with pain, but far from her to give a moment to it that might be utilized for more efficient things, thus she did not remain in that restless sleep long.
"Drake..." Diane breathed harshly as she spoke. "What happened to Actaeon?"
****The crowded atmosphere of the room predisposed the two women to become a sole object of interest; the main spectacle that engaged the attention of the wolves and kept it. Was it any surprise that Melinda retreated to the use of a language that would be understood only between the two of them? It was the only privacy afforded.
As the wolves watched, some eyes were hungry, others were confused, and yet others were calculating. There was no safer and more dangerous place than in this den of wolves for the woman outside the bonds of their loyalty, who had yet the respect of one of their number.
Melinda and Jackie took up in a language all their own, but it was not a language of words. Rather, the women spoke in a language of touch, a language of expression, a language of emotion. This was the language that Kratos understood. A traded glance, a gentle touch of the hands, a tone of voice... with each gesture, Kratos saw the words: "Trust." "Familiarity." "Refuge." Yet there was hardness too; an assertion met with no resistance, eyes full of tears, and hearts full of pain. "Anger." "Deception." "Betrayal."
These words caused something to betide within the Alpha's chest to awaken an ever deepening desire, tightening and empowering his heart. It was a desire to protect and to avenge, but against who and what? It would take but a single motion from him - he, who was acknowledged by every presence in the room as the master of this domain, - to arouse the entire pack to passion and fury. The pack must have sensed Jackie's distress, as did the Alpha, yet he knew whereas they did not that Melinda was not the cause of it. Thus, on whom would such an action befall if the pack became animated by the desire of the Alpha to protect Jackie?The Alpha did not move, nor did he sound the instrument of war which was concealed within him.
Timothy had become utterly silent as the small vial touched the ground, his gaze was on it as sharp as a knife.
Mae
A more fitting description could not have been applied to the solemn pair, who followed Robin's withdrawal from the table with their own steps to it. The girl was without waste of moments in the time that followed. Who could guarantee that knowledge in healing could ensure life to one so badly wounded? Twas one reason to be so grave, for as skilled as a physician could be, none could make promises that were reserved by a higher power. As Tammy laid her hands on the boy's wet forehead, however, her heart took courage; she could feel the life that was in him and the strength of his flesh despite his weakened state.
"You're going to make it." Tammy whispered reassuringly, she knew that the werewolf's body was already working to mend itself, and she was relieved to find out that of a barrage of bullets, only three of them had pierced him. One bullet had entered the boy's leg and had exited, another had entered his shoulder, and the third had torn over his skull without touching bone. His lungs had been partially collapsed by trauma when wooden shrapnel had flown off the tree and had entered his side. Robin had already closed the wounds and Josh's body had clotted with the speed characteristic of his race. His shoulder wound lacked an exit point, but the body could mend around a bullet enough for it to be removed later. The most important matter for Tammy was to remove the wooden shrapnel and take pressure off the werewolf's lungs so he could breathe, so, that was what she did with ample skill.
****
There was a calm breeze which pushed its way through the trees on the mountain and over the field where stood the ominous old barn.
No different than it was before, the pale grey building with its gaping black doorway looked like someone whose dead mouth hung open to gasp the last unseen breaths of life.
The wind passing through the doorway was silent and invisible from without, but within it became a empty howling among the rafters. The darkness, which had appeared like an imperceptible void to day-travelers, was but a drear and less foreboding shadow inside. The outside realm was obscured by a blinding light.
"What is wrong?" This was the question which preoccupied all of Diane's internal faculties to answer.
Far from a restful sleep, Diane had been laid on the earthy floor upon a bed of straw. It was as comfortable a bed as any, though even her own bed many miles south would have made for an unpleasant abode at present. Diane shook with pain, but far from her to give a moment to it that might be utilized for more efficient things, thus she did not remain in that restless sleep long.
"Drake..." Diane breathed harshly as she spoke. "What happened to Actaeon?"
****
The crowded atmosphere of the room predisposed the two women to become a sole object of interest; the main spectacle that engaged the attention of the wolves and kept it. Was it any surprise that Melinda retreated to the use of a language that would be understood only between the two of them? It was the only privacy afforded.
As the wolves watched, some eyes were hungry, others were confused, and yet others were calculating. There was no safer and more dangerous place than in this den of wolves for the woman outside the bonds of their loyalty, who had yet the respect of one of their number.
Melinda and Jackie took up in a language all their own, but it was not a language of words. Rather, the women spoke in a language of touch, a language of expression, a language of emotion. This was the language that Kratos understood. A traded glance, a gentle touch of the hands, a tone of voice... with each gesture, Kratos saw the words: "Trust." "Familiarity." "Refuge." Yet there was hardness too; an assertion met with no resistance, eyes full of tears, and hearts full of pain. "Anger." "Deception." "Betrayal."
These words caused something to betide within the Alpha's chest to awaken an ever deepening desire, tightening and empowering his heart. It was a desire to protect and to avenge, but against who and what? It would take but a single motion from him - he, who was acknowledged by every presence in the room as the master of this domain, - to arouse the entire pack to passion and fury. The pack must have sensed Jackie's distress, as did the Alpha, yet he knew whereas they did not that Melinda was not the cause of it. Thus, on whom would such an action befall if the pack became animated by the desire of the Alpha to protect Jackie?
The Alpha did not move, nor did he sound the instrument of war which was concealed within him.
Timothy had become utterly silent as the small vial touched the ground, his gaze was on it as sharp as a knife.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmKaqurei
Sabrina's eyes darted between Timothy and the vial. What was it about that object that transfixed his attention so? Calculating, certainly. The answer was there, just beyond the edge of her comprehension, as though it were an object hanging in the darkness that she reached for, could brush the very tips of her fingers against, but even stretching to full capacity was unable to grasp. Why can't you just tell me? her mind screamed as she looked at him. How she wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake him. Why can't you just be normal? Why can't I reach you?
****
Carefully, carefully now. Levi let his muscles run like water, an effortless, soundless movement. Then stone again. Closer. Closer. Then still.
****
Lights. Vibrations. Was it music? Were they voices? Flashes and shapes that dissolved like brightly coloured ink stirred in black water. Thunder. Whispers. Everywhere and nowhere at once. All the while his heart was pounding in his ears. Into consciousness. Out of it. In. Out. The pain. The pain. The pain... It was all too much. Too much.
"You're going to make it."
It was her voice, but there was another. It was a promise.
As Tammy's skillful hands worked, Josh's eyes remained half open, darting to the right every now and again, not so much as though in response to any particular movement, more like knee jerk reactions. His neck twitched, he jerked his head slightly. Then all at once his hand shot up and caught Tammy by wrist in a fiercely powerful grip! Every muscle in his arm bulged, tense, his knuckles white as he clung to her small wrist. Then, like an extinguished candle, he flickered out, dropping limp and shapeless.
The rescuers had done all that they could do. Now they could only wait and see.
Kaqurei
Sabrina's eyes darted between Timothy and the vial. What was it about that object that transfixed his attention so? Calculating, certainly. The answer was there, just beyond the edge of her comprehension, as though it were an object hanging in the darkness that she reached for, could brush the very tips of her fingers against, but even stretching to full capacity was unable to grasp. Why can't you just tell me? her mind screamed as she looked at him. How she wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake him. Why can't you just be normal? Why can't I reach you?
****
Carefully, carefully now. Levi let his muscles run like water, an effortless, soundless movement. Then stone again. Closer. Closer. Then still.
****
Lights. Vibrations. Was it music? Were they voices? Flashes and shapes that dissolved like brightly coloured ink stirred in black water. Thunder. Whispers. Everywhere and nowhere at once. All the while his heart was pounding in his ears. Into consciousness. Out of it. In. Out. The pain. The pain. The pain... It was all too much. Too much.
"You're going to make it."
It was her voice, but there was another. It was a promise.
As Tammy's skillful hands worked, Josh's eyes remained half open, darting to the right every now and again, not so much as though in response to any particular movement, more like knee jerk reactions. His neck twitched, he jerked his head slightly. Then all at once his hand shot up and caught Tammy by wrist in a fiercely powerful grip! Every muscle in his arm bulged, tense, his knuckles white as he clung to her small wrist. Then, like an extinguished candle, he flickered out, dropping limp and shapeless.
The rescuers had done all that they could do. Now they could only wait and see.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmDeseree
There was a ripple in the atmosphere, and Robin's eyes opened wide, giving her witness to the brief moment Josh was animated and clutching the girl's wrist in his massive hand. Before she could so much as rise completely, the event had passed, and she remained suspended between a sit and a stand. There was another cause for her alarm, although she would not yet, or perhaps ever know the cause of it. Ultimately, she gave up any idea of rest, feeling her comrades own unease, and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey," she began, looking back towards the strangers, her steps soon following her gaze. She lowered her chin slightly as she approached, and took a long look at Josh, brow pinched.
"I get the feeling you two don't belong here," a small, ironic smile tugged at the corner of her lip as she looked to their saviors-every single person in this room was a stranger on someone elses territory. Without removing her eyes from them, she nodded briefly towards her own comrade.
"My friend-Uno-can escort you back, for safety... not to undermine your own... hmm, abilities?" she gestured towards the bare chested lad, and afforded herself a glance over his strong torso, both impressive, and still a trifle in the eyes of a werewolf.
"I'll stay and watch him... and," she was hesitant, "You don't owe us, or them a thing, but there was someone else who might need your help." might, if he was still among the breathing. Robin considered Josh's own ally who had come to his aid amidst the chaos.
Then the front door came open, and Bianca-panting and only taking a brief glance across the room, spoke up. "We'll watch over him," she uttered as loudly as she could in spite of her breathlessness, and looked back to see if Ulric and Logan were behind her, before looking again to the strange company, her cheeks flushed.
Logan did indeed follow, and she entered into the house behind Bianca. She stood, fully, perhaps overly, confident in her new skin and her demeanor telling that she was there to protect her family.
Deseree
There was a ripple in the atmosphere, and Robin's eyes opened wide, giving her witness to the brief moment Josh was animated and clutching the girl's wrist in his massive hand. Before she could so much as rise completely, the event had passed, and she remained suspended between a sit and a stand. There was another cause for her alarm, although she would not yet, or perhaps ever know the cause of it. Ultimately, she gave up any idea of rest, feeling her comrades own unease, and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey," she began, looking back towards the strangers, her steps soon following her gaze. She lowered her chin slightly as she approached, and took a long look at Josh, brow pinched.
"I get the feeling you two don't belong here," a small, ironic smile tugged at the corner of her lip as she looked to their saviors-every single person in this room was a stranger on someone elses territory. Without removing her eyes from them, she nodded briefly towards her own comrade.
"My friend-Uno-can escort you back, for safety... not to undermine your own... hmm, abilities?" she gestured towards the bare chested lad, and afforded herself a glance over his strong torso, both impressive, and still a trifle in the eyes of a werewolf.
"I'll stay and watch him... and," she was hesitant, "You don't owe us, or them a thing, but there was someone else who might need your help." might, if he was still among the breathing. Robin considered Josh's own ally who had come to his aid amidst the chaos.
Then the front door came open, and Bianca-panting and only taking a brief glance across the room, spoke up. "We'll watch over him," she uttered as loudly as she could in spite of her breathlessness, and looked back to see if Ulric and Logan were behind her, before looking again to the strange company, her cheeks flushed.
Logan did indeed follow, and she entered into the house behind Bianca. She stood, fully, perhaps overly, confident in her new skin and her demeanor telling that she was there to protect her family.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmMae
"Reggy, take ol' Sam down the mountain." Mary said, returning Mr. Willows' ID card to him. "If we see his friend, we'll tell 'er where he's at."
Mary shouldered her rifle and directed the men to resume their hunt. Paul Reginald, meanwhile, beckoned to Jon Dugston and pointed Mr. Willows down the road.
*****
As immediate as Josh's hands took hold of Tammy's wrists another had raised his hands over Josh's head.
"No." Tammy barely spoke an audible word before Josh had collapsed and the tension dissolved. Her eyes met her cousin's briefly as Tammy breathed a sigh through her nose and Joshua lowered his fist. The girl then reached for her bag, intending to sift through it once more as if her work was not done, but Joshua forcefully moved her away from the injured werewolf and grabbed her bag off the table for her.
At that moment the Calagathorm werewolves arrived at the second cabin. Ulric entered behind Bianca and ahead of Logan, there he gave pause to observe the people in the room.
"We'll take no escort." The bare-chested young man replied to a former offer.
Tammy stepped forward and was halted by her cousin's broad forearm. "We can help." She said.
"You like dancing with death!" The young man said. Tammy did not reply.Ulric looked between the two, and then at the strange pair of werewolves in the den.
"We don't know you..." Ulric said, then he looked at Josh on the table and knew that there was a kindness to be repaid. "But we'll help you, if you need it."
Mae
"Reggy, take ol' Sam down the mountain." Mary said, returning Mr. Willows' ID card to him. "If we see his friend, we'll tell 'er where he's at."
Mary shouldered her rifle and directed the men to resume their hunt. Paul Reginald, meanwhile, beckoned to Jon Dugston and pointed Mr. Willows down the road.
*****
As immediate as Josh's hands took hold of Tammy's wrists another had raised his hands over Josh's head.
"No." Tammy barely spoke an audible word before Josh had collapsed and the tension dissolved. Her eyes met her cousin's briefly as Tammy breathed a sigh through her nose and Joshua lowered his fist. The girl then reached for her bag, intending to sift through it once more as if her work was not done, but Joshua forcefully moved her away from the injured werewolf and grabbed her bag off the table for her.
At that moment the Calagathorm werewolves arrived at the second cabin. Ulric entered behind Bianca and ahead of Logan, there he gave pause to observe the people in the room.
"We'll take no escort." The bare-chested young man replied to a former offer.
Tammy stepped forward and was halted by her cousin's broad forearm. "We can help." She said.
"You like dancing with death!" The young man said. Tammy did not reply.
Ulric looked between the two, and then at the strange pair of werewolves in the den.
"We don't know you..." Ulric said, then he looked at Josh on the table and knew that there was a kindness to be repaid. "But we'll help you, if you need it."
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:48 pmIndy
It was just as well the bare-chested cowboy rejected Robin’s offer. Half a protest had been growing in his throat, something akin to a soft whine in a werewolf’s register. He took a few steps forward until Robin’s hand fell. He wouldn’t allow his comrade to stay alone in a strange pack’s cabin; he didn’t care who she thought she was the boss of.
His ears flicked towards the entry way moments before the others entered. The fur at the nape of his neck rose slightly, but it quickly settled. He didn’t feel nearly so nervous with the arrival of the three new werewolves. At least these strangers had the courtesy to bring their scent with them. Nor did he find their purpose a mystery. They were the intruders in their lands, and their reactions would follow a certain harmony.
He was nonetheless surprised by what came next.
No threats came their way, only kindness. He glanced upon each stranger in the room, and saw no dishonesty in their intentions. It was moments like these the world seemed somehow both a kindly small place and one wrought on instability and chaos. How long could a truce of this nature last? It may very well be moments or years. Yet more concerning now was how heavily they must rely on a thing of transient nature.
His gaze broke to the shirt still lying on the table. Robin no doubt intended he shift back soon. He rolled the fabric gently between his claws, but showed no sign of heeding the advice.
“Safe passage, where possible,” he mumbled, absently, glancing out the window. He did not doubt the hunters still lurked outside, “And your table,” he motioned briefly toward Josh. He glanced towards Robin, knowing there was more to add and he was out of inclination to speak.
—
“Down the mountain?” Sam whistled, low and soft, “How far down you figure?”
He took a step forward to offer a kindly wave to Reggy, but suddenly his legs were jelly beneath him. He felt them collapse, yet it was with strange grace he met his fate with he ground. His vision stubbornly would not hold still.
“I don’t mean to disappoint you Reggy, m’boy,” he chuckled like somehow this was just a silly inconvenience, and not the result of a dart gun, “But I’m feeling a bit… mmm… sleepy"
Indy
It was just as well the bare-chested cowboy rejected Robin’s offer. Half a protest had been growing in his throat, something akin to a soft whine in a werewolf’s register. He took a few steps forward until Robin’s hand fell. He wouldn’t allow his comrade to stay alone in a strange pack’s cabin; he didn’t care who she thought she was the boss of.
His ears flicked towards the entry way moments before the others entered. The fur at the nape of his neck rose slightly, but it quickly settled. He didn’t feel nearly so nervous with the arrival of the three new werewolves. At least these strangers had the courtesy to bring their scent with them. Nor did he find their purpose a mystery. They were the intruders in their lands, and their reactions would follow a certain harmony.
He was nonetheless surprised by what came next.
No threats came their way, only kindness. He glanced upon each stranger in the room, and saw no dishonesty in their intentions. It was moments like these the world seemed somehow both a kindly small place and one wrought on instability and chaos. How long could a truce of this nature last? It may very well be moments or years. Yet more concerning now was how heavily they must rely on a thing of transient nature.
His gaze broke to the shirt still lying on the table. Robin no doubt intended he shift back soon. He rolled the fabric gently between his claws, but showed no sign of heeding the advice.
“Safe passage, where possible,” he mumbled, absently, glancing out the window. He did not doubt the hunters still lurked outside, “And your table,” he motioned briefly toward Josh. He glanced towards Robin, knowing there was more to add and he was out of inclination to speak.
—
“Down the mountain?” Sam whistled, low and soft, “How far down you figure?”
He took a step forward to offer a kindly wave to Reggy, but suddenly his legs were jelly beneath him. He felt them collapse, yet it was with strange grace he met his fate with he ground. His vision stubbornly would not hold still.
“I don’t mean to disappoint you Reggy, m’boy,” he chuckled like somehow this was just a silly inconvenience, and not the result of a dart gun, “But I’m feeling a bit… mmm… sleepy"
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:49 pmDeseree
"I'll stay with him." Robin reiterated as she nodded towards Josh, a firmness to her voice this time. She walked over to a chair and took a slow seat, holding a hand on her torso just above her hip. With the adrenaline gone, she realized now that her old shirt wasn't only sullied with Josh's blood-the crisp, new white t-shirt was wet with crimson beneath her hand.
"Anyway, I hate cleaning, up after other people and I'm not about to make you pick up my mess. There's a good chance those hunters are gonna show up at your doorstep..."
That being said, Logan looked over her shoulder, staring out the window behind her.
"Are they looking for you?" Bianca asked, her anxious blue gaze rested on Tammy. "They're people from the town, right? If you go back, will they stop hunting? Isn't there a way to work this out.."
Deseree
"I'll stay with him." Robin reiterated as she nodded towards Josh, a firmness to her voice this time. She walked over to a chair and took a slow seat, holding a hand on her torso just above her hip. With the adrenaline gone, she realized now that her old shirt wasn't only sullied with Josh's blood-the crisp, new white t-shirt was wet with crimson beneath her hand.
"Anyway, I hate cleaning, up after other people and I'm not about to make you pick up my mess. There's a good chance those hunters are gonna show up at your doorstep..."
That being said, Logan looked over her shoulder, staring out the window behind her.
"Are they looking for you?" Bianca asked, her anxious blue gaze rested on Tammy. "They're people from the town, right? If you go back, will they stop hunting? Isn't there a way to work this out.."
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:49 pmIndy
Were the tension a tangible thing, it would have filled the air like a thick vapor. Even Melinda took note of it, though she did not know the cause of it. Jackie, however, could not ignore the thickness that had taken the air. Her eyes flashed momentarily to each eye that starred back to her, waiting. She exhaled it outwards in a single breath. Her shoulders sagged. The surge of emotion had fled. Her fingers crawled over to the vial where it had fallen. She was drawn to the same focal point in the room everyone else was.
Melinda pursued her lips, drawing taut, “It’s poison”
Jackie jolted, dropping it immediately.
Melinda sighed, grabbing the vial in her palms once more. There was no doubt she was apprehensive of the company in the room, and yet she looked only at Jackie. Her gaze was wide and unflinching. She was waiting. In reply, Jackie offered the smallest of nods and Melinda sighed, as though she were disappointed.
“ You were never here by accident, never a misplaced person at the wrong time… it was your choice, and yet one fraught on lies”
Melinda paused, glancing now subtly amongst each person in the room. She did so as if they were objects, or perhaps very distant, as though she were observing without her observers seeing her in turn. It was easier that way, yet not without purpose; Jackie’s gaze followed her own, and looked upon her pack mates with a new perspective.
“Power. Strength. Speed. Intuition. You are a weapon, Jacqueline Anne-Marie Ryder, in the guise of a woman. But a weapon with a mind and a soul, and as fallible to your own desires as the one that directs it. Surely such a weapon could not fall into another’s hands… or under its own power".
“Weapons are made with fail safes, an emergency shut down”, Melinda took the small blue vial from the floor, twirling it in her fingers, a heaviness settling into her voice in spite of the coolness of her tone, “Integrated into the very fabric which made them”
Melinda clenched her palm around the small vial, “In small dosages, it assists with control and ease of change. Yet in larger dosages, it is addictive, causing the body to grow dependent upon it… and in the event he ever lost control, then it would take a single dose to shut the system down in moments”.
“Do you understand?”
Jackie shook her head. “No”.
Melinda’s jaw twitched, and her voice trembling faintly in the fervor which took it, “I am telling you to let the past go. You were lied to. You were used. You are a menschliches Wesen,” she shook her head, stiffly and exhaled heavily, “… a human being”
Jackie shook her head again, swallowing hard. Her face had grown flush, yet she would not allow the emotion free. Not again. Yet such an emotion could not be kept; in the absence of one outlet, it would find another. Her arms rose, reaching, grabbing Melinda by the shoulders. Melinda gasped sharply, a brief expression of panic upon her face. Jackie pulled inwards, her arms wrapped tightly though not uncomfortably around her torso, her forehead resting on her shoulder.
“No,” Jackie repeated, shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, “You are my sister”.
Indy
Were the tension a tangible thing, it would have filled the air like a thick vapor. Even Melinda took note of it, though she did not know the cause of it. Jackie, however, could not ignore the thickness that had taken the air. Her eyes flashed momentarily to each eye that starred back to her, waiting. She exhaled it outwards in a single breath. Her shoulders sagged. The surge of emotion had fled. Her fingers crawled over to the vial where it had fallen. She was drawn to the same focal point in the room everyone else was.
Melinda pursued her lips, drawing taut, “It’s poison”
Jackie jolted, dropping it immediately.
Melinda sighed, grabbing the vial in her palms once more. There was no doubt she was apprehensive of the company in the room, and yet she looked only at Jackie. Her gaze was wide and unflinching. She was waiting. In reply, Jackie offered the smallest of nods and Melinda sighed, as though she were disappointed.
“ You were never here by accident, never a misplaced person at the wrong time… it was your choice, and yet one fraught on lies”
Melinda paused, glancing now subtly amongst each person in the room. She did so as if they were objects, or perhaps very distant, as though she were observing without her observers seeing her in turn. It was easier that way, yet not without purpose; Jackie’s gaze followed her own, and looked upon her pack mates with a new perspective.
“Power. Strength. Speed. Intuition. You are a weapon, Jacqueline Anne-Marie Ryder, in the guise of a woman. But a weapon with a mind and a soul, and as fallible to your own desires as the one that directs it. Surely such a weapon could not fall into another’s hands… or under its own power".
“Weapons are made with fail safes, an emergency shut down”, Melinda took the small blue vial from the floor, twirling it in her fingers, a heaviness settling into her voice in spite of the coolness of her tone, “Integrated into the very fabric which made them”
Melinda clenched her palm around the small vial, “In small dosages, it assists with control and ease of change. Yet in larger dosages, it is addictive, causing the body to grow dependent upon it… and in the event he ever lost control, then it would take a single dose to shut the system down in moments”.
“Do you understand?”
Jackie shook her head. “No”.
Melinda’s jaw twitched, and her voice trembling faintly in the fervor which took it, “I am telling you to let the past go. You were lied to. You were used. You are a menschliches Wesen,” she shook her head, stiffly and exhaled heavily, “… a human being”
Jackie shook her head again, swallowing hard. Her face had grown flush, yet she would not allow the emotion free. Not again. Yet such an emotion could not be kept; in the absence of one outlet, it would find another. Her arms rose, reaching, grabbing Melinda by the shoulders. Melinda gasped sharply, a brief expression of panic upon her face. Jackie pulled inwards, her arms wrapped tightly though not uncomfortably around her torso, her forehead resting on her shoulder.
“No,” Jackie repeated, shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, “You are my sister”.
