Werewolves (RP15) The Waking Dawn
Quote from Mae on July 18, 2022, 6:52 pmUlric listened with a downcast gaze, wincing slightly as the tones were exchanged. He watched Jackie kick up the dirt behind her heels as she went ahead and he took her place walking beside Logan.
He walked silently for a few moments, unsure what to say. In the last three nights he came to know more about Jackie than ever before. As the pieces came to light, in fact, it seemed he knew Jackie's story better than he knew Logan's.
Logan spoke of her history in intervals. She spoke more about her village than her family. Mostly, though, she spoke of her frustrations learning a new language and a new culture. Ulric never learned exactly where she called home. He supposed she was a slavic immigrant, but he could never bring himself to pry. He knew her father, but he didn't know her story. There never seemed to be a 'right time and place' to talk about it.
Jackie, it seemed, was more straightforward. Until she got a mysterious visitor at the hospital.
Jackie and Logan. The two shared some history, even if six months didn't really qualify as history. They met on March 23rd, the same night Ulric moved from Pinerich to Phantom Mountain. Then in May, they ran off to Middlecrest together. It was supposed to be a fun fling, but it ended in tragedy. Bianca's friend Kimberly was killed in the literal crossfire between the police and the pack that night. Later in the same month, the werewolf hunters came. Ulric and Jackie both were captured. That was the night Jackie's unrelated sister appeared out of nowhere. Ulric never heard the details about her visit, or what it all meant. But it changed Jackie...
A few night ago, Ulric learned that Jackie never knew her father - or rather her real father - Jackie made an interesting distinction between the two.
"It's funny to think we spent the whole summer together and still don't know each other very well," Ulric mumbled to himself. Then he lifted his voice a little louder and called ahead. "Jackie, where did you learn French?"
Ulric listened with a downcast gaze, wincing slightly as the tones were exchanged. He watched Jackie kick up the dirt behind her heels as she went ahead and he took her place walking beside Logan.
He walked silently for a few moments, unsure what to say. In the last three nights he came to know more about Jackie than ever before. As the pieces came to light, in fact, it seemed he knew Jackie's story better than he knew Logan's.
Logan spoke of her history in intervals. She spoke more about her village than her family. Mostly, though, she spoke of her frustrations learning a new language and a new culture. Ulric never learned exactly where she called home. He supposed she was a slavic immigrant, but he could never bring himself to pry. He knew her father, but he didn't know her story. There never seemed to be a 'right time and place' to talk about it.
Jackie, it seemed, was more straightforward. Until she got a mysterious visitor at the hospital.
Jackie and Logan. The two shared some history, even if six months didn't really qualify as history. They met on March 23rd, the same night Ulric moved from Pinerich to Phantom Mountain. Then in May, they ran off to Middlecrest together. It was supposed to be a fun fling, but it ended in tragedy. Bianca's friend Kimberly was killed in the literal crossfire between the police and the pack that night. Later in the same month, the werewolf hunters came. Ulric and Jackie both were captured. That was the night Jackie's unrelated sister appeared out of nowhere. Ulric never heard the details about her visit, or what it all meant. But it changed Jackie...
A few night ago, Ulric learned that Jackie never knew her father - or rather her real father - Jackie made an interesting distinction between the two.
"It's funny to think we spent the whole summer together and still don't know each other very well," Ulric mumbled to himself. Then he lifted his voice a little louder and called ahead. "Jackie, where did you learn French?"
Quote from Adriana on July 18, 2022, 8:10 pmA summer, a lifetime. Logan might've liked to say something poetic, like how the mountains could sit shoulder to shoulder a lifetime and know nothing about each other. Or she might've liked to drop Jackie into a pit. It was hard to say. Her unflinching mauve gaze never stopped being fixed on the back of Jackie's neck, and Ulric's words might have well been a mosquito she just as easily flicked off.
"You cannot run from everything. You cannot run from what is inside you. This you KNOW. Then what do you run and hide from, AH? You are like a fox in a snare, you chew your own leg to escape something I do not SEE." Logan's fists tensed.
"STOP and tell me - what do you FEAR, then I can fight FOR you? EVERYONE is fighting something but I do not know what."
Everyone, being Timothy and Jackie, for certain.
A summer, a lifetime. Logan might've liked to say something poetic, like how the mountains could sit shoulder to shoulder a lifetime and know nothing about each other. Or she might've liked to drop Jackie into a pit. It was hard to say. Her unflinching mauve gaze never stopped being fixed on the back of Jackie's neck, and Ulric's words might have well been a mosquito she just as easily flicked off.
"You cannot run from everything. You cannot run from what is inside you. This you KNOW. Then what do you run and hide from, AH? You are like a fox in a snare, you chew your own leg to escape something I do not SEE." Logan's fists tensed.
"STOP and tell me - what do you FEAR, then I can fight FOR you? EVERYONE is fighting something but I do not know what."
Everyone, being Timothy and Jackie, for certain.
Quote from Adriana on July 18, 2022, 8:31 pmBianca, too, was alerted to Timothy's presence. And more-so, that he was lingering in the hall- likely due to the new person present. She hadn't come to understand Timothy, and there were things that made her hesitant to approach, but in this case, she probably knew his visiting wasn't in Saber's best interest.
This prompted her to stand up from the bed and walk to the door, exiting to the room after confirming Timothy was in the hall.
"Oh, hi. Did you like the pancakes?" she asked, loudly enough for the others to hear but in a sweet tone. She was self aware that she had alerted the others to his position, but hoped he wouldn't take it badly. "Were you going to ask if he wanted any breakfast?"
Bianca, too, was alerted to Timothy's presence. And more-so, that he was lingering in the hall- likely due to the new person present. She hadn't come to understand Timothy, and there were things that made her hesitant to approach, but in this case, she probably knew his visiting wasn't in Saber's best interest.
This prompted her to stand up from the bed and walk to the door, exiting to the room after confirming Timothy was in the hall.
"Oh, hi. Did you like the pancakes?" she asked, loudly enough for the others to hear but in a sweet tone. She was self aware that she had alerted the others to his position, but hoped he wouldn't take it badly. "Were you going to ask if he wanted any breakfast?"
Quote from Mae on July 18, 2022, 10:12 pmTimothy did not like being caught by surprise. He knew Bianca was there. Strange, then, that she could even surprise him.
"I don't need you to look out for me." Timothy said straightaway, and he left the hall.
****
Ulric stiffened at the outburst, but gave no indication of emotion on his face. Why was Logan so agitated?
"She's not running, Logan..." He reminded her gently.
Timothy did not like being caught by surprise. He knew Bianca was there. Strange, then, that she could even surprise him.
"I don't need you to look out for me." Timothy said straightaway, and he left the hall.
****
Ulric stiffened at the outburst, but gave no indication of emotion on his face. Why was Logan so agitated?
"She's not running, Logan..." He reminded her gently.
Quote from Indy on July 18, 2022, 10:34 pmThe silence yawned outwards, save the crunch of her boots on dirt, and for her part Jackie would not break it first. She tried to focus on the songs of the songbirds she had come to know on the mountains during their time in the mountains, or looking for foot trails of small creatures - yet her mind would not be satiated with the simple distractions. Hers was a nature of a coiled cobra, looking only for the exposed bit of skin to sink her fangs into.
Ulric’s question was considered and then ignored.
Logan’s statement was acknowledged and promptly embroiled alive in oil. If only she opened her mouth, it would all come tumbling out like an oil slick to kerosene. Instead, she held it inside of her, turning and growing.
“I learned it at the same time I did English from my mother and aunt,” she replied stiffly - Ulric’s query had suddenly acquired new urgency, “I grew up in Normandy until I was 10”.
She turned to Logan, her emotions a peak too hazardous to be reachable. Even the color of her eyes had seemed to tinge with grey.
“You want to know the truth, Logan? You really want to know? I run from my family, and I run towards them too. I run the same rat race over and over again - and so help me if I don’t do it again. So help me if I don’t run for the same trap. I’d set myself on fire and dance in the ashes if it meant my sister is safe”.
She spun on her heel - the unreachable mountain peak thawed, now the cobra was out for the strike, “I don’t WANT your help, I didn’t ASK for your judgement, so maybe you can fight for someone who wants it - how about that? That should make things easier for you!”.
The silence yawned outwards, save the crunch of her boots on dirt, and for her part Jackie would not break it first. She tried to focus on the songs of the songbirds she had come to know on the mountains during their time in the mountains, or looking for foot trails of small creatures - yet her mind would not be satiated with the simple distractions. Hers was a nature of a coiled cobra, looking only for the exposed bit of skin to sink her fangs into.
Ulric’s question was considered and then ignored.
Logan’s statement was acknowledged and promptly embroiled alive in oil. If only she opened her mouth, it would all come tumbling out like an oil slick to kerosene. Instead, she held it inside of her, turning and growing.
“I learned it at the same time I did English from my mother and aunt,” she replied stiffly - Ulric’s query had suddenly acquired new urgency, “I grew up in Normandy until I was 10”.
She turned to Logan, her emotions a peak too hazardous to be reachable. Even the color of her eyes had seemed to tinge with grey.
“You want to know the truth, Logan? You really want to know? I run from my family, and I run towards them too. I run the same rat race over and over again - and so help me if I don’t do it again. So help me if I don’t run for the same trap. I’d set myself on fire and dance in the ashes if it meant my sister is safe”.
She spun on her heel - the unreachable mountain peak thawed, now the cobra was out for the strike, “I don’t WANT your help, I didn’t ASK for your judgement, so maybe you can fight for someone who wants it - how about that? That should make things easier for you!”.
Quote from Adriana on July 19, 2022, 12:08 pmThe anger had come on like a great swell in the ocean. Just as high as it had risen, ready to swallow everything-it slowed and crashed against the shore in a quiet, solemn motion.
Life here was complicated and chaotic-a tangled web of confusion, intersecting thoughts, beliefs, and past lives.
Logan’s own past life was one of simple hardship. She woke up, was told-or knew-what to do and where to go. Problems were solved with fists, not words, and then at the end of the day, everyone-friend and enemy alike-could sit around a bonfire and tell stories of their lives before Blackridge.
Much like here, you hunted to put food on the table, and the worst that happened was a poor yield at the turn of the season or a spreading illness. It was a predictable kind of fear, that drove everyone to work more closely together, to communicate, and to collaborate.
Logan enjoyed it. She missed it-even if she was unable or unwilling to convey that. Her previous life wasn’t without emotion or logic, but by its nature, it was simpler. Everyone shared a common history, and while most kept to themselves, you knew who they were and where they came from. There were no secrets-they were impossible to keep. Everything was both nobodies business, and everyones, all at once.
There were no mafias, no monsters (outside of werewolves), and most everyone, wore their scars on their skin, where you could see them. You lived, you had a family, you grew old, and you died. It wasn’t about who you were-it was about what you could do. In fact, it wasn’t about you at all-it was always about everyone around you.
Belonging is hard. You can tell someone where to go, but you can’t tell them how to belong.
Since coming to Reknab Bend, Logan had seen mafias, and hunters, and innocent lives at stake, and strange people in the mountains. She watched people hide and hurt in secret, keeping their fears shielded behind rash actions that made no sense. Any attempts to understand were met with more mystery and depth than she could comprehend. People came and went like the wind.
Action was the best way Logan knew to help. You didn’t think, you acted. Inaction was considered laziness or complacency, and was frowned upon. You accomplished something, or you didn’t eat. Letting someone suffer, was the same as hurting them yourself. It was a world of constant, but linear motion.
Here, it seemed, wanted her to act, nobody asked for her help, nobody pointed her to a task. She felt unengaged, useless, and helpless. Sometimes they asked about her-Ulric, primarily-, but she didn’t have anything to say about herself. Only about what she did. Day in and day out, she occupied herself with shallow, menial tasks. The summer in the woods offered the most engagement, and she was ready to go back. The pain was an afterthought.
So she didn’t respond-she didn’t know how to say all of the things she wanted to say. She walked past Jackie and set her mind on her mission. If she couldn’t belong to someone, or something, she would belong to a somewhere, other than the pack.
The anger had come on like a great swell in the ocean. Just as high as it had risen, ready to swallow everything-it slowed and crashed against the shore in a quiet, solemn motion.
Life here was complicated and chaotic-a tangled web of confusion, intersecting thoughts, beliefs, and past lives.
Logan’s own past life was one of simple hardship. She woke up, was told-or knew-what to do and where to go. Problems were solved with fists, not words, and then at the end of the day, everyone-friend and enemy alike-could sit around a bonfire and tell stories of their lives before Blackridge.
Much like here, you hunted to put food on the table, and the worst that happened was a poor yield at the turn of the season or a spreading illness. It was a predictable kind of fear, that drove everyone to work more closely together, to communicate, and to collaborate.
Logan enjoyed it. She missed it-even if she was unable or unwilling to convey that. Her previous life wasn’t without emotion or logic, but by its nature, it was simpler. Everyone shared a common history, and while most kept to themselves, you knew who they were and where they came from. There were no secrets-they were impossible to keep. Everything was both nobodies business, and everyones, all at once.
There were no mafias, no monsters (outside of werewolves), and most everyone, wore their scars on their skin, where you could see them. You lived, you had a family, you grew old, and you died. It wasn’t about who you were-it was about what you could do. In fact, it wasn’t about you at all-it was always about everyone around you.
Belonging is hard. You can tell someone where to go, but you can’t tell them how to belong.
Since coming to Reknab Bend, Logan had seen mafias, and hunters, and innocent lives at stake, and strange people in the mountains. She watched people hide and hurt in secret, keeping their fears shielded behind rash actions that made no sense. Any attempts to understand were met with more mystery and depth than she could comprehend. People came and went like the wind.
Action was the best way Logan knew to help. You didn’t think, you acted. Inaction was considered laziness or complacency, and was frowned upon. You accomplished something, or you didn’t eat. Letting someone suffer, was the same as hurting them yourself. It was a world of constant, but linear motion.
Here, it seemed, wanted her to act, nobody asked for her help, nobody pointed her to a task. She felt unengaged, useless, and helpless. Sometimes they asked about her-Ulric, primarily-, but she didn’t have anything to say about herself. Only about what she did. Day in and day out, she occupied herself with shallow, menial tasks. The summer in the woods offered the most engagement, and she was ready to go back. The pain was an afterthought.
So she didn’t respond-she didn’t know how to say all of the things she wanted to say. She walked past Jackie and set her mind on her mission. If she couldn’t belong to someone, or something, she would belong to a somewhere, other than the pack.
Quote from Adriana on July 19, 2022, 4:36 pm“Someone has to.” Bianca responded, quietly but audibly, as she watched Timothy walk away.
Then she turned around, went back into her room, and found a pen. She ripped a blank page from her journal, and sat down to write.
Once finished, she began to fold the paper in half and paused. After a few tenative taps to her mouth, she left the room and returned to the hall, standing near Saber’s doorframe. She gave a couple of light knocks and stepped in, “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, “Here,” she handed the folded paper to Saber and quickly dodged back out. “Sorry-carry on!” She said, almost down the steps already.
“Someone has to.” Bianca responded, quietly but audibly, as she watched Timothy walk away.
Then she turned around, went back into her room, and found a pen. She ripped a blank page from her journal, and sat down to write.
Once finished, she began to fold the paper in half and paused. After a few tenative taps to her mouth, she left the room and returned to the hall, standing near Saber’s doorframe. She gave a couple of light knocks and stepped in, “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, “Here,” she handed the folded paper to Saber and quickly dodged back out. “Sorry-carry on!” She said, almost down the steps already.
Quote from Kaqurei on July 19, 2022, 7:33 pmSabrina listened to everything and made the slightest pretense that she'd been surprised to hear Bianca's warning and Timothy's retreat. She was about to ask Saber further about his past, when Bianca stepped in and hurriedly passed a note to Saber, then left.
She wondered if it was a note telling him to run before it was too late.
But that was silly.
It was already too late to run.
So maybe it was a warning about Timothy. Timothy, the wild animal in a boy's skin. The one who taught her, thoroughly, that there are wounds too deep to heal. The one who finally killed the hope that she could save the one person she ever really cared about. She should thank him. Such a hope never really deserved to live.
It was amusing, in a way, that she was the reason Kratos kept the adder under his shirt, shielding it from the cold close to his heart. At least, she liked to think she was the reason. It had been her mewling plea that softened the others into allowing him back with them to the pack, anyway.
"After," she repeated Saber's answer to her question. "Interesting. What did you do?"
Sabrina listened to everything and made the slightest pretense that she'd been surprised to hear Bianca's warning and Timothy's retreat. She was about to ask Saber further about his past, when Bianca stepped in and hurriedly passed a note to Saber, then left.
She wondered if it was a note telling him to run before it was too late.
But that was silly.
It was already too late to run.
So maybe it was a warning about Timothy. Timothy, the wild animal in a boy's skin. The one who taught her, thoroughly, that there are wounds too deep to heal. The one who finally killed the hope that she could save the one person she ever really cared about. She should thank him. Such a hope never really deserved to live.
It was amusing, in a way, that she was the reason Kratos kept the adder under his shirt, shielding it from the cold close to his heart. At least, she liked to think she was the reason. It had been her mewling plea that softened the others into allowing him back with them to the pack, anyway.
"After," she repeated Saber's answer to her question. "Interesting. What did you do?"
Quote from Deleted user on July 19, 2022, 10:42 pmSaber may of not had much to move at the moment to indicate his mood, but what he did have, (which was just his face) made it very clear what he was feeling. The sound in the hallway of Bianca politely shooing Timothy away recieved a glare, that despite fatigue, came through crystal clear. He wore it when Bianca a moment later continued the interruption, and placed a note next to his hand and ran off.
Then came Sabrina's question and his face stayed in that glare, with a half roll of the eyes. " I didn't do anything," he retorted.
He tried to grab for Bianca's note, but felt pain shoot through his muscles as he moved. That stopped him for only a moment, his face in a grimace now, before he gritted his teeth and grabbed the paper anyways. He moved his other hand and more pain burned on that arm as well. He groaned angerily.
" ...Do you have any painkillers here that you could give me?" He asked angerily. A moment later he managed to open the folded note in his hands, despite the movement causing more pain.
Saber may of not had much to move at the moment to indicate his mood, but what he did have, (which was just his face) made it very clear what he was feeling. The sound in the hallway of Bianca politely shooing Timothy away recieved a glare, that despite fatigue, came through crystal clear. He wore it when Bianca a moment later continued the interruption, and placed a note next to his hand and ran off.
Then came Sabrina's question and his face stayed in that glare, with a half roll of the eyes. " I didn't do anything," he retorted.
He tried to grab for Bianca's note, but felt pain shoot through his muscles as he moved. That stopped him for only a moment, his face in a grimace now, before he gritted his teeth and grabbed the paper anyways. He moved his other hand and more pain burned on that arm as well. He groaned angerily.
" ...Do you have any painkillers here that you could give me?" He asked angerily. A moment later he managed to open the folded note in his hands, despite the movement causing more pain.
Quote from Adriana on July 20, 2022, 11:22 amThe note only read, "I'm sorry-hope you'll let me give it another shot someday". Bianca had already walked downstairs and into the living room, taking a seat on the couch and staring idly out the window.
Wellp. I'm good. I'm just going to sit here and contemplate every life choice leading up to the last few days. If anyone needs me, I'll be stewing in my own self pity. Apparently, nobody needs me. So, that's nice. Maybe I should get a job waitressing or something, to feel useful. Help pay rent. Does Kratos pay rent? How did he afford these cabins? Did he... nah. He wouldn't. Would he be offended if I asked? He doesn't have a job.. Well, anyway. I could at least afford more groceries on the regular. I'll get a mountain bike, it's good exercise. I miss my Moped - why'd I sell it? Probably because I, am an idiot. We do need more groceries, it looks like a hobo's kitchen. We can't live off of pancakes. After all, glorified cook, that's what I am. I'm so glad I came here for a new life experience. Is it too early for a mid life crisis? Quarter life crisis? You know-I'll chalk it up to midlife crisis, because another summer in those mountains will probably do us in. I miss highschool. I miss my Grandparents. I miss my mom.. nope, not going down that trail of thought. I wonder how my sisters are doing.
She flung her head over the back of the couch, her long blonde hair draping behind it, her bright blue eyes and knit brows staring up at the ceiling.
Wonder what Theo and Levi are talking about. Hope they don't stop because I'm sitting here. Maybe I should move. Except, I don't want to. My rear is not moving until there's a sizeable indent on this sofa. And then, I'll lay down and go to sleep and wake up in like... I don't know, a few years, and hope things make sense then.
The note only read, "I'm sorry-hope you'll let me give it another shot someday". Bianca had already walked downstairs and into the living room, taking a seat on the couch and staring idly out the window.
Wellp. I'm good. I'm just going to sit here and contemplate every life choice leading up to the last few days. If anyone needs me, I'll be stewing in my own self pity. Apparently, nobody needs me. So, that's nice. Maybe I should get a job waitressing or something, to feel useful. Help pay rent. Does Kratos pay rent? How did he afford these cabins? Did he... nah. He wouldn't. Would he be offended if I asked? He doesn't have a job.. Well, anyway. I could at least afford more groceries on the regular. I'll get a mountain bike, it's good exercise. I miss my Moped - why'd I sell it? Probably because I, am an idiot. We do need more groceries, it looks like a hobo's kitchen. We can't live off of pancakes. After all, glorified cook, that's what I am. I'm so glad I came here for a new life experience. Is it too early for a mid life crisis? Quarter life crisis? You know-I'll chalk it up to midlife crisis, because another summer in those mountains will probably do us in. I miss highschool. I miss my Grandparents. I miss my mom.. nope, not going down that trail of thought. I wonder how my sisters are doing.
She flung her head over the back of the couch, her long blonde hair draping behind it, her bright blue eyes and knit brows staring up at the ceiling.
Wonder what Theo and Levi are talking about. Hope they don't stop because I'm sitting here. Maybe I should move. Except, I don't want to. My rear is not moving until there's a sizeable indent on this sofa. And then, I'll lay down and go to sleep and wake up in like... I don't know, a few years, and hope things make sense then.
