The drive from Dallas to New Orleans was a long one, but remarkably refreshing at the same time. There was something supremely liberating about just quitting everything, jumping on the back of a custom chopper, and just taking off. The wind was blowing through his long, brown hair, causing it to whip wildly behind him. The black bandana was serving its purpose to keep his hair out of his face while a pair of sunglasses protected his eyes.
The last time Cullen took a trip to New Orleans, he ended up leaving with the dark companion now running beside him on the metaphysical plane. A small smile spread over his lips as he thought about it. Being a 20-year-old kid, it was one hell of a time. Now that he was pushing the ass-end of 30, he couldn't help but wonder if he would still find the place as exciting as they did before.
Pulling off the highway, he made his way into the city of New Orleans. His journey first took him into the French Quarter, having remembered the directions from the last time he drove down. There were a lot of things he still needed to do, but they would have to wait for a little while. His ass desperately needed a break, having been driving nonstop from Dallas. And his stomach was demanding caffeine and sugar coated pastry.
Cullen came to a stop in front of a local coffee shop, heading inside to get some refreshments and use the bathroom. A few moments later, he was walking out with a black coffee and a raspberry jelly doughnut. His muscular body eased itself up against the side of his bike, crossing his legs at the ankles. He would have looked like a typical American if he had still been living in London. But now? He blended right in. Dressed in a black leather jacket that was unzipped to reveal a Motley Crue concert T-shirt, his legs were covered in a pair of faded, boot-cut jeans and a pair of black cowboy boots. The look was undeniably Cullen.
His eyes shut briefly behind his sunglasses as he breathes the air deeply into his lungs, absorbing the scents of the old city. Opening his eyes, he smiles a bit to himself before speaking to the wolf laying at his feet on that other plane, "What do you say, old man? I think it's about time we rejoined the living."
The dark wolf responded happily to the idea, making Cullen nod his head. He and the wolf were one, and whenever able, he often took the beast's desires into consideration. They worked better when they were both happy with their decisions. Finishing his doughnut, he tosses the napkin into a nearby trashcan as he continues to sit against his motorcycle. A cigarette was placed between his lips, lighting it up and taking a slow drag. Yeah. It was time to stop hiding from the world.
-- Edited by CULLEN on Saturday 5th of March 2011 03:31:36 AM
Back in London she use to run all the time just to have some private time to think. New York was a bit harder to do such activity. Unless you utilize a club membership or take a bus across town to central park? With things little personal space in the Hotel room Venus decided to return to that best ol' habit. This also allowed her to meditate on that northern white wolf in that other plane. Teaching herself to be more intuitive to it's existences. The wolf seem happy to be noticed for once an not shoved into denial.
Walking down the Hotel corridor she was observed by guest alike the lovely woman dressed in gray jog pants, a cotton halter top, gym shoes. That silken blonde hair strands was pulled upwards off her neckline in a pony tail. An all she could do is give them a friendly nod as each party walked in their own directions. That direction for the endearing Venus was downstairs to were she waved at the new hostess. Passing the folks who were eating their hearty continental breakfast. A simple inhale told her the variety many of them were eating was the same ol' same ol'. Thankfully Charles wasn't tempted even look at what they served people he'd smack them all upside the head with a frying pan. This made the passionate woman laugh a bit.
Outside was a whole new world to gawk at during the day. Lately she'd been more receptive to the night time so being out in the day was truly a rare occasion. There was so much that she'd missed. Actually she was being reintroduced to a new state's sunrise. When the sun rays gleamed over the elaborate New Orleans buildings it really brought out the meaning of artistry. Venus just felt her artistic side fall in love. One day she'll have to dedicate some personal time to paint the landscape. True she could take a picture but that doesn't really do much. It doesn't give any personal connection to what you've seen like painting. Like your first kiss you have to do it yourself then relay on something artificial to express truth in life itself.
Vigorously that female body worked to maintain that sprint down the street. Obviously avoiding anyone that may cause a collision an stop that perfect heart-rate she aiming for. Though she was so lost in her surroundings she didn't notices her beautiful wolf altered itself ecstatically. Glancing down on either side of her, the realization said something was a miss. Venus stopped an turned around. Well wasn't life filled with surprises. Venus placed her arms over her head to help air flow through the passage of her chest. Slowly she walked towards casually towards that familiar motorcyclist.
"Well now I know who got my partner distracted" Viewing the wolves greet one another. Those sea-green eyes watched at the playfulness, carrying over a laugh from the show. Then she glanced at her other close friend was Cullen.
"..what does New Orleans owe your visit, or stay?" Venus stood still finally on the curb while he was leaning against his motorcycle.
It was the simple pleasures in life that people often overlooked. The rising and setting of the sun, The wind blowing through your hair, even a cup of coffee and a cigarette early in the morning. These were all things that Cullen once took for granted and now savors. It is often strange how age often makes one see these things as gifts, while youth often treat them as inconsequential.
These thoughts ran through his mind as he moves to throw his empty coffee cup into the trash. His body moved with the grace and power of one that once ran at the head of the pack, but whom had once lost his taste for the hunt. While the taste was a constantly wavering thing, the true nature of the man was undeniable. Nothing was unrevealed physically. To the straightness of his back and the broadness of his shoulders to the angle of his chin and quiet determination burning in his intense blue eyes. This was a man defied the odds and reveled in shaking the very pillars of heaven. He had embraced pain and suffering, allowing himself to be forged into the creation of living steel that was now standing today.
As he was about to mount his motorcycle to go in search of a temporary place to stay, he was stopped in his tracks by the familiar presence of another. While he stood there pondering his decision, his wolf had no such problems. His wolf was impressive and imposing, yet it often still had all the enthusiasm of a puppy. The beast barreled into the other wolf with all the excitement of such a puppy without the realization of its physical changes. The dark wolf rolled around on the ground with the female, pinning her down and proceeding to lick at her muzzle in a greeting of familiarity with a rapidly wagging tail.
A small smirk spread over Cullen's ruggedly handsome features at the antics of his wolf. Turning slowly, that small smirk turns into his trademark, rattlesnake smile as he regards the blonde now standing before him, "Well, would you look at that? Venus Amorti, as I live and breath. I never thought I would run into you here. Figured you were still living it up in New York."
His words were gentle and playful as he closes the remaining distance between them to embrace Venus in a friendly hug. The briefest of kisses was pressed to her cheek before he whispers to her, "I got a strange invitation in the mail about some sort of party. Something about the anniversary of supernaturals becoming citizens. No name on it. No return address."
"I thought that was strange, so I figured I'd come down here and check it out myself. You know I've always said I wanted to come back to New Orleans. Seems this is the perfect excuse," He grins to her wickedly as he steps away and lifts his voice to a more casual level. That grin on his face and the devilish twinkle in his eyes would remind Venus of the man she came to call friend during her time in London. It would also warn her that all hell was likely to break loose when he got that look in his eye.
Northern white wolf enjoyed the playful action with its friendship partner. How enjoyable it was to see it all now from Charles teachings to understand that connection with one's beast. Certainly those walking by were curious to what the two individuals were looking at. Maybe a lost quarter? Cullen's steps towards her assured their friendship never changed. They were always committed to have that strong bond. That feminine posture eased into his pose and in turn gave him that friendly hug to. Ah, the jerk gave her that cigarette yearning from the smell of it on his clothing. Pulling back just a tad to look into his cunning eyes.
"Don't hold out on me. Give me a cigarette jerk!" She slapped his left arm bicep playfully as she gave them adequate space to stand on the side-walk leisurely an catch up. Those sea-green eyes paid attention to were he went to grab the smokes. She on the other hand depended on the left leg to lean more on while the right foot crossed over at the ankle. Venus crossed her arms underneath the hefty chest region answering his questions. " No, Charles ...err. I mean Geller " correcting herself. Not knowing if Cullen even know Geller's first name. No need to confuse the poor guy --right? "Geller had some business up here. It seem perfect timing too when we received the same invitation. I haven't really looked much into it. Figure Geller would be more detail inclined when he finds out the real meaning behind it. You know how protective he is of us his family" It had some half-truths.
In truth it had been weeks since they had a family gathering to be caught up on everyone's life? To know were they stand. If they even were getting a new place for one another? Guess the new life, new surroundings, new folks has everyone just immersing in it all. A nod confirmed his sentiments. " well you seem to fit in New Orleans that's for sure." Reaching out to grab the cigarette he gave her. Daintily she placed it into those full-body lips. "Happen to have a lighter?" Speaking as the cigarette pounced with each word used to ask. When he did pull it out she leaned the end so it would light up the front. A inhale helped make the cherry hotter. Smiling a bit she glanced at that wicked motorcycle. Right hand came upwards an snagged the filter with both pointer and middle finger after she inhaled. Holding in was not permanent just minor to get that nice clear nicotine fit calmed. Breathing out she inquired about the beast.
"Alright who got the blow job for you to gain this bad boy." Not that she meant to change the subject. Just she was not sure herself about the invitation. She'd prefer maybe hauling Cullen over to the Hotel room one night an perhaps ask Geller if it was necessary? Have a poker game or something? Venus strolled closer to the bike checking out the nice accessories that made it all the more impressive. "I can tell there has been some major mortifications to this. Very nice. You should give me a ride. I want to see how fast your bitch can move?" Another drag was taking as she listen to Cullen's tale about his bike.
The large wolf was overly excited to be back in the presence of a friend, chasing the female around and pouncing on her before running away again. It was acting like animals that had been kept in a cage for far too long and was finally getting a taste of freedom. Its tail was wagging happily while it played with the female.
A smirk formed over his face when he heard the request for a cigarette. He should've known it was coming. For as long as they had known each other, they had always on the same brand of Camels. Cullen reaches into the inside pocket of his leather jacket to produce the kind of cancer sticks and offering one to her. A chrome zippo was produced at her request for a light before lighting a cigarette of his own. Putting everything back into his pocket, he takes a slow drag before exhaling smoke slowly.
He shakes his head slightly at her words, turning to look at her with gentle eyes. "Goddess, what am I going to do with you? You're a wolf now. You've survived the streets of both New York and London. I'm sure Geller is a great guy. Very capable of handling things. But I've been telling you for years. Nobody is going to take your best interests to heart as well as you will. Companionship is needed by all of us, but never place your survival in the hands of someone else."
Cullen was ever the teacher, unable to fully shake away the mantle of caretaker that was placed upon his shoulders so many years ago. Taking a cigarette from his lips, he wraps his arm around her shoulders and presses a kiss to her head to show that he simply cares about her. "Well, I'm glad to see you here. And I'm happy to hear everything seems to be going well for you and your family. I'm going to have to find myself a job and a place to stay since I'll be here a while."
His eyes sparkled when his bike caught her attention. It was a modified Springer Softtail that looked like something straight out of Easy Rider. The handlebars arched high up over the bike. The gas tank was fitted perfectly for the frame of the bike. It had been painted black with bluish-black ethereal wolves airbrushed on the sides to look like a pack of spirit wolves on the hunt. She knew his style well enough to recognize that the work had been done by his own hand, and if she counted the number of wolves, she would see it was the same number of his old London pack. The frame sloped downward elegantly into a stylishly designed, leather king-and-queen seat with an overblown sissy bar behind it. The bar itself was twisted battle with the silhouette of a wolf resting in its center.
"This old girl? I had to leave her here when I moved to London. I've had a lot of time on my hands lately, so I decided to turn her into the beautiful beast that she is. It was very therapeutic, " He grins to her wickedly before moving to swing his leg over the machine gracefully, jerking his head in her direction with that twinkle in his eyes. "Hop on. I'll take you for a ride."
