The time was drawing near. He could feel it beginning to burn in his blood. The dark brown wolf was becoming anxious and restless. It was time. Time to feed. Time to hunt. Nothing could be done to stop it. Nobody was strong enough to do that. There was only one option. Find a safe place and allow the wolf to run free.
Cullen drove to a large stretch of swampland Nate had been using. It wasn't the most prime hunting ground, but it would do. Cullen to detect the presence of deer, rabbit, some other rodent he wasn't familiar with, and several gators. The gators could be fun. They actually fought back. The very thought brought a hungry growl to his throat. His beast was close to the surface if he was reacting that strongly to the idea.
His time in New Orleans had been eventful so far to say the least, but a thought had been lingering in his mind for a few days now. It was hard to tell whether it was residual effects from whatever was done to him during the ball or if he was just finally losing the last shred of sanity he had left. Efforts were being made to organize the wolves, but as far as he knew, things were still in the process of getting figured out. At least, he knew of no organized meeting place for the monthly hunt. Announcing his true presence was never something he really wanted to do. Cullen always preferred to fly under the radar and just surprise people. It made his life easier at least.
In preparation for the impending change, Cullen stripped out of his clothing before folding everything neatly inside of a backpack. The backpack was placed under the roots of a nearby tree so it wouldn't be found easily after marking the tree with his knife. He walks around in a circle anxiously, considering what he was about to do. It had been a very long time since he did anything so aggressive. The lifestyle of a rogue made such actions akin to suicide. But something had to be done. There could be a young one out there. What if they didn't know where to go? What if they didn't have anybody to turn to? Something like that could make trouble for all of them.
His breathing was becoming heavier from his reservations about when he was planning to do. A voice inside his head kept telling him "You're not that guy anymore, Cullen. Leave it to somebody else. It's not your responsibility anymore." But he just couldn't let it go. Not anymore. Not after the ball. The wolves may not need him anymore, but he needed them. Nobody was strong enough to stand on their own. Cullen was foolish for ever thinking he was.
Throwing his head back toward the sky, a primal cry rips from his throat as he does something he hasn't done since leaving London. He didn't simply lower his shield. Cullen dropped it completely. The massive, dark brown wolf sprang to his feet with all the majestic grace of the apex predator that he is. The supernatural energy flowed from Cullen until he was shining like a beacon in a world of darkness. The wolf threw his head back and that primal cry turned into a melodious howl. The message was clear to any wolf within New Orleans.
"The time to hunt is now! Run free! Run true! Run TOGETHER!"
The energy flowing from him would allow anybody with the ability to find his hunting ground deep in the swamp. The message wasn't a command. There was no force behind it compelling anyone to follow the order. Cullen was announcing his presence to the city. He was here for them. As a friend. As a protector. Those with nowhere to hunt now had somewhere to go. Those fearing the impending change alone now have someone to turn to.
Lou knew all about the best hunting grounds around New Orleans since she'd been here so long. Not that she ever planned on hunting when the moon was full, the plan was just to run, to take on fur and just run beneath the silver caress of the moon. That's what she told herself anyway, Raven used to laugh whenever she told him that because they both knew better. Inner wolf was going to do what she wanted and what she wanted was fresh blood after a chase.
Seeing Silent again had given her the faint hope that this month she wouldn't be running alone. Not that she minded being a long wolf, she was used to it, circumstances had left her that way and she would survive another month on her own. But it would be nice to run with others, to romp and play and chase... but she hadn't heard from Silent, not since that too brief meeting. And after the ball, well...
So she was surprised at the invitation that echoed in the night air when she got out to her favorite place in the swamp, the lonesome howl that made her shiver. The welcoming descant had the inner wolf sitting up and taking notice, more then taking notice she was pressing outwards, pushing for precedence. It didn't take long for her to shimmy out of her clothes, setting them into the saddlebag of her bike before russet fur overtook creamy skin. Two legs to four and Lou was the voice inside the head of the Red Wolf. Legs were stretched, eating up the ground after her own howl laced through the night air. 'Coming!' was the simplest of translations. No matter what Lou wanted the Red Wolf wanted company, racing over the ground to see just who else was about to play with.
The days found Nathaniel busy, and with the opening of his shop, heralded the moon's crest over the horizon the next night. He had been itching for a hunt with Cullen and the other wolves since he had met the superior wolf on the streets of New Orleans a few weeks past. Tonight was the night, and he was free to be what he was. Lukoi.
He came prepared. Dressed in loose fitting sweatpants and a baggy shirt, he shed them for the comforts of la luna against his golden skin. His clothing was placed into the back pack he carried on the rear of his Harley. Hearing the wolf's loud howl, made his hair stand on end. It was close by. Having traveled all the way here, it wasn't the prime hunting ground he preferred. Lots of rattlers, water mocassins and copperhead snakes about, as well as gators.
He remembered soon after arriving here how angry he had been a few weeks back at Caspian and the way they had split, he had come here and shifted into half-wolf/half-man, and tore into one of the gators, having himself a good meal while dispelling some of his anger. But that was long since past.
He felt the cramping sensation begin, in his hard muscles of his extremities and his belly as he crouched on all fours. There was the cracking of bone as he felt himself change from a standing human, to a quadriped. Along his back, the skin split apart, grayish-red fur appearing in its place. His face was lengthened out, no longer human.
There was a gush of clear goo all around him now, but his fur was dry. His muzzle and nose picked up the fresh scent of wolf and prey alike. His eyes were golden, ringed by blue-green. Teeth sharp, ready for tearing into fresh meat, the young wolf charged off into the bayou with a long howl, calling others to join them in the hunt.
-- Edited by NATHANIEL ROSHAN on Saturday 19th of March 2011 07:34:19 PM
Tendrils of power born from twilight had pushed into his skin like nails through the span of the entire day - he'd felt it in the same way as they all had physically for there was not one second that his skin hadn't been marked in beads of sweat, Sirus wore the glistening diamonds like an army of individual badges of honor. There was no shame in hiding what he was, and for once in many years, he had decided to escape the dullness of human society and cast his lot with his wolven brethren as the Moon shut the Sun out, the call made.
As the Moon agonizingly raked across the sky he could no longer defeat its call, he felt the change beginning to consume him already and in a moment of unity that frankly left him stunned, he moved closer to the invitation on the wind determined to follow it to it's source. He could not sit idly by as the night unfurled a banquet of flesh before a new found family of wolves, he needed to feel that closeness again, he needed to feel the air resisting his powdered fur and like a beacon shining in the night in front of his depraved eyes, he broke from his home to find who'd made it.
It wasn't long before the bogs of Louisiana heralded his advance and the wildlife silenced itself in reverence to the predators that roamed the land. They were unlike the humans that stripped their proud home of it's resources, they were not so clumsy or narrow minded to viciously reap everything they saw as valuable without thinking of the consequences. And because of that, there was nothing to be said. Silence had stolen the words from the hem of their tongues and rightfully so.
Every part of his body felt Luna's presence in tremors, it was like the world itself rattled under her fist crushing reason and ignorance in one fell swoop, all that remained was her children and the lust for the hunt. As he approached the three already gathered around, Sirus liberated himself from his clothing to give himself freely to the haunting figure that oversaw their transformation and much like Cullen, Nate, and Lou, Sirus found himself caught in the terrible threshold of pain that preceded the coming of the wolf.
After a blinding session of white hot pain, the white wanderer confidently padded its way to the others with only one thing in mind: hunt.
-- Edited by SIRUS ARRINGTON on Saturday 19th of March 2011 09:33:40 PM
+Since her arrival in New Orleans Geller hadn't seen much of Cypress. That didn't surprise him since she was fairly elusive in general, but with the full moon coming closer her wanted to reach out to her and invite her to come hunting with them. Then perhaps she might reconsider his offer of a place to stay. Lord knows they could definitely use more experienced female lycans around. His message was simple+ "Hey Snow White, if you're looking for a place to howl tomorrow night come meet us at The Hookah in the French Quarter we're leaving from there at about ----o'clock to head out to a spot. I hope I get to see ya."
+ The day of the full moon could be exceedingly difficult on some shifters and Geller tried to keep those who were close to him nearby. For the day of the moon and the night before he let all other work and social aspects of his life fall to the wayside. It was a managing technique that he'd long ago mastered. He, Maya, Dee and Venus had agreed to join Silent in her pack and would be hunting with the she-wolf in the swamps. As the day of the full moon came he let down the shields that helped him to pass as human in normal circumstances and used his ability to comfort and contain the flowing energy that might tempt the younger lycans. Training with Maya, Dee, Venus, and Trent they did yoga and meditation to get in touch with the control of their inner beasts, teaching the young ones how to find bliss rather than chaos in the pull of the moons call. By mid-afternoon they were packing up some bags in the car and waiting for other arrivals who would be going out to the swamps with them. +
+They would be meeting Ash and his people and Silent would no doubt be accompanied by the blonde haired wolf Nyx. All in all they made up a fairly large group and there was not only a sense of expectation at the coming hunt, but also of the coming together of a new pack. Ruffling Venus's blonde hair as they packed up the car he told her not to worry about Vincent, that they'd be back soon. That was when the call came from another wolf. It was a call meant to entice the young, but not anything that tugged at the soul. His eyes met Venus and he shrugged. There would always be those who called, it was a tale as old as times for the wolves. Luckily they already had somewhere to be, but at least those who didn't answer Silent's wolf song would possibly find whoever this person was. Once the car was packed he stuck his head in the door of the house and called out to anyone else who was coming.+
"Come on Regulators, let's ride."
+They were meeting at the Hookah and moving on from there into the hunting grounds set up for the pack. A place safe from detection or any accidents that might occur. Geller said quick good bye's to Zoe and James, telling the man witch to bid his mistress a good bye from him when she awoke for the night. Then the group piled into the car and headed off to meet the others for a night of howling at the moon and drinking in the fear of their prey. All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.+
-- Edited by CHARLES GELLER on Monday 21st of March 2011 02:27:15 PM
-Trent was almost mournful as he stuck a few unimportant items into a backpack, shirts he didn't mind having ripped and some old gym shorts. The comic books that he'd recently bought were left behind on the bed in his new room. With a sigh that would have made you think someone had killed his mother he hefted the backpack onto one shoulder to carry it downstairs as he heard Geller's voice shouting up to them. -
-He'd only arrived in New Orleans recently. Somewhere along the way he'd lost his companion Dory and had been searching for her to no avail. That loss accompanied by the anxiety of the full moon had made him only too grateful to encounter other wolves who were willing to take him in like part of the family. The day spent with the wolves in the house learning to calmly accept and embrace their beasts was unlike anything he'd experienced before. Most wolves he'd met just let her rip as it were with no finesse or understanding of what was happening. Though this was a new experience he could already tell that he was going to enjoy it, and felt eager to understand and learn more.-
-Coming downstairs he kept out of the way of the others trying to pack up and made little eye contact with them. Everyone was still so new and he felt nervous of the encounters yet at the same time eager to be around his own kind. One day he hoped to be more in control of this thing that had happened to him so that he could live his life as he had before. Now though it was still too new, too weak, and he couldn't do much about it.-
-When the call of another wolf came he tipped his head to one side as if listening to a radio transmission set at a wavelength too high for human understanding. Looking to Geller he saw the man shrug and guessed that it was not a call they needed to worry about. If Geller hadn't been there Trent might have been helpless to answer that call since he had no one else in the city he knew, but so close to someone with a stronger ability he felt little heed to take notice. Tossing his backpack into the trunk he waited for the others to climb into the car and then squeezed himself into an empty spot. Good thing there was lots of room.-
"So, are we going to be hunting alligators? I mean, what do you hunt in a swamp?"
-He wasn't doubtful that there was plenty of life in the swamps for hunting. It was just that he was getting this heinous image in his head of a giant cartoon alligator being torn apart by a pack of looney tune style wolves and it was making him laugh nervously. Jesus, he needed music. Putting one earbud connected to his iPhone into one ear he kept the volume low so that he could hear conversation and tunes as they headed towards the Hookah to meet up with the other wolves he hadn't met yet.-
Silent had been restless...Much like she always was around this time of the month. Her mind going millions of miles a hour. Butterflies turned in her stomach...It would be their first official run. As Each one of her own...And yes she was considering Geller hers...Maya hers...And especially Venus...Was her.And not in that your mine im the dominate wolf kind of way...No...More like these are mine. My family...My pack...I live. I die...I breath them. Silent had let out that soothing mist in a way of welcomingin them...showing her excitement...In the end..Love.
Even Nyx paced. Waiting. excited...Still in pain. Smiling softly Silent would let that thick swamp mist wrap around the younger wolves...Even the older ones...
"Were goin to Milo's. Theres enough land to hunt and be safe."
This was said once everyone had gathered...of course with each that had arrived two important ones were missing. Lou and Sirus...And while yes Silent didnt expect...Sirus...Lou's absence was a shock. Moving towards the doors those tri colored hues would turn to Geller....Woundering if he too felt the pull...A weak one at that. Nothing compared to the one she had felt from her Ulfrics of the past.
Lifting her head she would let that sad song of the swamps fill the air..howling...Calling to any who answered...Letting that thick mist spread out and search for the missing wolves...Leading them towards the swamplands that would be hunted on this night..Her heart skipping a beat or two at the idea of running with Ash again. In her mind she could still see the nights they ran. Where they ruled the night...
Tonight would be no different. And now with Geller at her side...she hoped to speak with him to him about her plans on making him her second in this. After all...He had been supportive of her since the start,
-- Edited by WICKED MODS on Monday 21st of March 2011 03:47:37 PM
Confusion crossed his primal thoughts - Cullen had made the call, of that there was no dispute. The lure was tempting and the scent that rode the winds pulled his aching stomach through his throat. It was that nostalgic feeling that would never bare the scars of time, even now it brought everything good about Salem back to him in waves. Uneasiness throttled his will to hunt for he was ultimately torn between his mentor and this relatively unknown pack of wolves... Sirus turned to Lou for silent council though he already knew the answer to the question he dare not ask himself.
There had been a lot going on since the night of the Masquerade Ball and it seemed like there had barely been an opportunity to process everything before the full moon arrived. Apparently Silent and the other wolves would be coming to the land near Milo and Marcus's house in the swamps so at least that meant that Ash wasn't required to travel far in order to hunt. However, that still didn't mean that he was entirely thrilled about spending a full moon surrounded by a growing pack. It had been years since he'd run with other wolves, let alone a large group, and though his dominant and controlling beast was near ecstacy at the idea the man himself wondered how to stay uninvolved.
"Laney, you will not need the gun. Leave it here."
Ash spoke to his protegee as he walked down the hall outside her bedroom. He didn't even need to look inside to know what she was up to. She had been doing the same thing for hours the whole week since he'd taken her to buy her first gun. Luckily he'd had the forethought to keep the bullets away from her for now, at least until they had plenty of time in the gun range for her to practice, and until she was actually legally allowed to carry the gun outside of their home. His cell phone was pressed to his ear and he listened as it rang up Lexi, trying to reach out to her albeit at the last minute. When her voicemail answered Ash found himself leaning against the back of the couch and watching the activity going on in the house around him.
"Lexi, it's Ash. I meant to convey an invitation to you sooner, but things got a bit frenzied after the ball...." He actually had no idea where she had ended up since he had been en route to a police station at the time to try to find Llidya. "Some of the wolves, rats, and others here in New Orleans are getting together for a full moon hunt. I know you're probably the only fox in town, and your beast is used to some of ours so if you'd like to join us just come on out."
He gave her directions to the land that was owned by Milo and Marcus and then hung up the phone without a trace of goodbye. So far he'd let Milo know about the plans and apparently that meant there would be four rats and a leopard joining the wolves so one fox would merely be a small change in the menagerie. Ash himself had Laney, Alex, and Llidya with him which was a whole other reason to be on edge. This was the first time that Silent, Ash, and Llidya would be in the same place at the same time in years, and as of yet he hadn't had a chance to speak in depth to either of them.
Setting his phone on the counter in the kitchen he rubbed his hands down against the smooth fabric of his black basketball shorts that would be removed before shifting. His pale bare chest was heated as it always was on the day of the full moon and he felt his power pulsing against the sheer magnitude of those silver lined shields. Ash was given aid by his own strength and that of the Master Vampire he was tied to so much that the full moon varied his emotions little. He was as ever the cold clear headed killer that he had always been. He did however use that power to wrap around the subcutaneous forms of the wolves in the house, keeping them comforted and basking in his beasts will, making the moon an easier thing for them to handle just as he always had in the past.
"Laney...Alex...Llidya!" He shouted to the wolves, but not to the rats (or leopard) because he assumed that as usual Milo would do things in his own time. "Let's take one of the boats over so we can meet people when they get here. No use letting them get lost in the swamps."
No use indeed. When Ash heard that faint shimmer of Cullens call he knew what it was, but found it unimpressive at best. He wasn't even sure that the wolves out here would be able to understand what was going on. As they climbed into one of the boats and took it across the swamp and towards the land where people would be arriving and parking he told the wolves with him what was going on.
"It would seem that another wolf is imploring those in New Orleans to come to him. Most likely attempting to gather the weak for shepherding. It's necessary sometimes in a city where no stronger wolves reside, however I think he's missed the mark here....either that or he simply isn't powerful enough to realize that those stronger than him are around. Any new wolf will feel the gathering of the pack and be drawn to it with or without a formal call. It is the way of things."
Ash didn't say it as though it made him happy. In fact, to the contrary, he couldn't be less happy about the fact that soon there would be too many here to change their minds about anything. But, Silent was a mother in her heart, she had always been so. Of all the wolves that Ash had known she had the truest knack for caring in a world that could often be consumed by mindless violence and depravity. It was why they had balanced one another so well for so long. He was the dark lethal killer, and she the protective mother goddess. As he thought about that his lightning kissed eyes sought Llidya's in the nearing dark and watched her for a moment. He didn't regret the past, he only wished he understood things better.
-If she had to hear one more period joke from any of these yokels then she was going to start kicking some ass. She might be tiny but she was not weak. They could all go fuck themselves. Maya would catch herself thinking these thoughts and feel the irritation of the beast rise. Then she would feel the cool calming affect of Geller's power close by and remember her breathing techniques and she would find that a lot of the unnatural anger was swept away. The beast could feel good when you didn't let it just completely obliterate you.-
-Before they left the house she snuck up to Nike and James's apartment and knelt on the ground beside Nike's coffin placing a small hand on the top. Her hot pink polished nails tapped lightly on the lid and she just hoped that James wouldn't catch her. Leaning her head against the lid of the coffin she had her ear pressed to it to see if she could catch any sound.-
"Nike, I don't know if you can hear me." -Hey! James talked to the vampire through her coffin sometimes, so why not Maya.- "Don't be mad at him Nike. He's just a man. We love you."
-It was all she could think to say and besides she could hear Geller shouting that it was time to go. Grabbing up the bag she'd set beside her she scrambled out of the apartment and towards the front door. Nearly bowling James over in the process she stopped just long enough to press a hard sweet kiss to the old mans cheek.- "See you soon honey bunch."
-Then she was riding towards the Hookah along with everyone else alternating between texting Zoe about what was going on and teasing the very nervous new wolf Trent. It seemed like they waited for an eternity at the Hookah. Silent might be thinking all kinds of nonsense about who was hers but had she asked Maya she would have given the woman a great big fuck you and one to grow on. Yes, Maya was there, and yes she was loyal to Geller and through that connection to Silent, but she did not belong to anybody. She was a free citizen of the USA and wolf or not she wasn't anyone's property so suck on that one for awhile. Snuggling up next to Trent in the back seat she waited for them to get their show on the road.-
"VENUS!!! Did you bring any snacks?"
-Smiling sweetly she batted her eyelashes in Venus's direction and tickled at her with tiny hands trying to get her to laugh some. By the time they actually did reach the swamps and were let out to meet the others Maya was practically bouncing in her seat. Then she saw the people they were there to meet and her jaw about hit the ground. Ash was an eyeful but the rats, leopards, and who knew what else were also part of the hot damn factor. Leaning close to Dee Dee she whispered.-
"Did you order tall dark and deadly? Cause I could definitely go for some of that."
"Otis grab Frik N Frak and stuff em in the trunk if you have to. Bring 'em out to the swamps and make sure they don't shift along the way. We're going hunting tonight with some old friends. After that we can all knock our heads against the wall and figure out what to do about the kid."
-It was a lengthy text message to be sure especially from him, but he wanted to make sure that they were together for this first full moon to cement that bond between their beasts. Ash and his wolves were going about their business, but Milo spent most of the day naked and chasing Jessie around the house. Though admittedly now and then Alex or Llidya or Laney were the victims of the unintentional site of Milo's trouser snake. But when God gave you a gift there was no use hiding it, and on the day of the full moon he abhorred clothes.-
"Hold up Ash, we're coming with you."
-Greedy hands grabbed Jessie around the waist and he held her in his arms in a firemans carry as he dragged her off towards the front door. Wolves and leopards had hunted together in Salem so he wasn't affronted at the idea of wolves being included in that mix. Milo knew he was strong enough to keep his subjects safe if needed, but it wouldn't be necessary because Ash and some of the others were also strong enough to keep anything from going down.-
"Ok Jessie how many gators are you gonna kill for big daddy? I wanna know what kind of skills you've been learning while Ash had you all kidnapped up North."
-Teasing Jessie he had no need for shields, he never messed with them. Milo had been a rat bastard long before he'd been a rat. He and the beast were just simply one and the same. His beast could feel Otis and Frik N Frak out there in the wild world and just chittered to them in a slow rythmic language to urge them on. Like the anticipation before a rock concert he was building excitement in his boys and tickling the cuddly sweet leopard in his arms.-
-When they reached the other shore Milo carried Jessie off the boat and finally set her sweet feet down on the semi-dry land. His six foot ten inch tattoo covered body bared to the setting sun as he saw cars beginning to pull in. One of his lanky arms stayed draped over Jessie's shoulder in a not so subtle sign that she was his, or as the beast liked to say MINE MINE MINE MINE! A warning any predator understood that this was his woman, and if any body parts of theirs came near hers then Milo would be removing said offending part in short order. There was just something about the giant rat that made it easy to believe that he would do it too. Hearing the wolf Mayas whisper he grinned at Ash.-
"Who you thinks tall dark and deadly man? You or me?"
-Ego? You betcha. He was pretty sure the young wolf was referring to Ash but he winked at her just the same. Moving with Jessica towards Geller he gave the other man a huge naked embrace that didn't bother Milo at all. It felt good to have so many shifters close. Their animals might be different but the power was refreshing. Milo was used to being the toughest sonofabitch in a room, but with Ash and Geller here as well as the strength of Silent, Jessica, and Otis he was feeling all revved up on the nearby energy pool. It was enlivening, and between them they created a nexus of supernatural force that would outshine almost the moon itself on this glorious night.-
-Milo was just a big old bundle of energy, like Tigger but much uglier. His thin lips gave that sneering grin often accompanied by the shooting of a stream of cigarette smoke from his nostrils. He had hugs for those he knew and those he didn't and often against their will he would lift people off their feet in a tight embrace that could almost be painful since he had very little sensoring in his brain between loving and brutality. All the same his greetings were meant affectionately to welcome those new to he and his former lovers land for hunting. The only one he didn't immediately hug was Venus and that was because he just had to stare at her and shake his head.-
"I thought maybe it was just the lights at the strip club but I swear to fucking christ woman, you are the spitting image of my ex wife. It's the wierdest damn thing I've ever seen."
-Nyx was leaning against the outside of the Hookah smoking a cigarette. Her blue jeans were old and had more holes in them than actual fabric these days. Pale smooth skin showed through the holes in the fabric and she occasionally scratched at it as she felt the decadence of the full moon dancing along her skin like fire. Silent made it feel better, and the appearance of Geller made it better also, but she was just waiting to transform and have it all better like a supernatural band-aid. At her bare feet there was a semi-circle of discarded cigarette butts from where she'd been chain smoking for awhile.-
-The call from Cullen was given an eye roll of her own only because she knew the kind of mess that occured when lycans in an area began to compete. It could be a fucking headache and she just wasn't looking forward to it. Some of the others arrived and she waved to Maya, Venus, and Geller as they pulled to the curb in their car. It hadn't been too long since their visit to the Hookah where she'd met them. Then her violet eyes fell on Trent and she smiled at him ferally for a second. He was adorable, it kind of made her want to mess him all up. It looked like they were ready to go so before leaving she poked her head back into the Hookah to call to her friend
"Lori! I think we're taking off now. Don't let those lunatics in the kitchen burn the whole damn place down before we get back."
-Kissing the tips of two fingers she blew a kiss and a peace sign in the direction of the other woman. Then she made her way out to the cars and hopped in wherever there was room. She didn't know Dee or some of the others there, but she never shied away from strangers. Probably why she'd been infected in the first place. Finding herself seated next to a stranger she leaned in and brushed her cheek to that of the unknown woman (Cypress? Dee Dee? You tell me lol.).-
"Name's Nyx. Who are you?"
-Small talk was good for the short drive time and she just stretched out and relaxed as best she could in the car until they got to their destination where she scrambled out along with the others. Her blonde dreadlocks swung low at her back and she listened to the bits and pieces of conversation, but mainly her violet eyes kept flicking back and forth between Ash and Llidya with an all too serious look on her face. Oh yes, she was her mothers daughter, and she knew the back story here. She was concentrating so hard that when Milo lifted her off her feet in a giant bear hug she almost peed her damn pants.-
"Hey-A! What the hell." -But he was bouncing her around so much and letting her go so abruptly that she almost stumbled over backwards and couldn't help but laugh.- "Holy cow."
-She looked at Silent with wide eyes.- "You've been holding out on me." -Nyx chuckled.- "You so owe me information later."
-Information that Nyx was determined to collect. Staying close to the others she watched as the swamp clearing was soon to be filled with lycanthropes of all kinds. Normally they probably would have all burst their skin by now, but they were being calmed and fed by the energy of the stronger powers around them. It was intense. Silent had never done this before on her own so Nyx had to assume it was caused by some of the others influence. She wasn't sure she cared one way or the other but it was interesting nonetheless and at least gave them the opportunity to get to know one another some before the hunt.-
"I bet twenty bucks that the giant naked guy there brings down the first kill!"
-She piped up with that as she pulled off her band shirt and tossed it onto the ground leaving her pin thin frame naked as a jaybird from the waist up. Not that it was too impressive since she had the breasts of someone just entering puberty, but she was perfectly content with herself. Her smile split from ear to ear as she waited to see if anyone else would take her up on her bet.-
It wasn't about who was weak, or who was a more dominant force in the food chain. Pissing contests aside, they were all wolves called by one unifying thing besides Cullen's powerful howl. Regardless to any others afoot, it was Lupanar, the time to bask in La Luna's glow and just be..wolves. Doing what comes naturally to their beasts. That was the basic instinct to kill, rip and tear into prey that had been culled off.
Nathaniel caught the scent of others in the air, they were close but they did not follow for whatever reason. Except for one, Lou. He didn't know the she-wolf, but paused to check her out, ears perked, dark nose sniffing her. Nuzzling against her fur. Lou seemed eager to hunt, so his red wolf turned and continued to wind itself through the thick roots of the bayou, leaping over rocks and downed trees until he met Cullen there. His golden eyes balefully studying the hunting ground before them. He sensed prey, his wolf laying low.
When Cullen gave the signal, Nate would spring into action. A stag deer was in Nathaniel's sights. But he would let the more superior wolf lead the hunt. Lou had arrived almost as soon as he did, eager to begin, yet remaining downwind of the deer, so their miasma of scents would not spook it. His tongue lolled out of his maw, full of sharpened teeth. Eagerly waiting for what was to come. The night would bring blood with it, and success at a good hunt.
Alex felt like he'd come out of his skin any second now, heart already pounding at feeling Milo from afar was not helpful at all. His leg bounced like he might be trying to detatch it. He didn't see why he and Theo couldn't just go somewhere else, far away from everyone. They'd done it before, they could handle themselves. He wrung his hands and fuck he could still smell the leopard that had been in the shop earlier, the one he'd pierced. His head buzzed and he had no idea if it was the lack of drugs or the moon or Milo or something else not at all related. He slumped in the back seat, cussing up a storm about child locks. Alex didn't want to be around wolves, or cats, or anything else thanks to a handful of bad experiences.
Theo glanced in the rear-view mirror, frowning some. Alex felt like he might fall apart any second and it made him nervous in return. Otis hadn't had to throw them anywhere - Theo could drive them out to wherever they were going so they'd just follow the bigger rat. His own stomach turned with uneasy anticipation, for any number of reasons. He figured everyone would be too distracted by the impending moon for now, but as soon as the moon set and Milo slept the night off, Theo assumed he and Alex were next on the agenda. He didn't like the idea of being on an agenda, anyone's agenda, especially a guy he'd only met once before.
"Yeah, we have to do this," he answered quietly, shifting so he could reach back with his right hand. He managed to wrestle one of Alex's hands free, holding it tightly when his brother's fingers clamped down on his. Felt like Alex might try to break his hand, but somehow Theo was sure he'd survive it. "It's gonna be fine... I won't let anyone mess with you. You know that." He met his brother's gaze in the mirror. He'd keep that promise, even if there wasn't a chance in hell he'd ever win a fight with the rat king or even Otis.
"Breathe," he reminded Alex.
"I am fucking breathing."
"Breathe slower."
Alex scowled and pulled his hand free to cover his face. He felt really bad, just... terrible. Afraid, nervous, high, and horny as fuck all bundled into one and he wasn't sure how to handle it. "I fucking hate this."
"I know."
Alex hated changing, he hated the out-of-control feeling that went ripping through his body. It was worse than being on coke or anything else, at least then he was doing it to himself. He felt fine once he was there in his fur and he got used to it all over again but the physical change.. he hated it. He hated being able to remember it now.
They stopped when Otis did and Theo let Alex out of the back, grabbing his brother's hand to keep him from bolting like an idiot. Theo didn't think he would... but he might and he didn't want to risk it. He could feel Alex's pulse thudding at an uncomfortable pace. Theo could feel stronger lycans and it pulled at him, jaw set stubbornly. They all had something coming if they thought they could boss him around. Milo was one thing, he'd even give exception to Otis but he'd be fucked if he take orders from anyone else. Maybe he wasn't at the level of the rat king or his guy Friday, but he also hadn't been pathologically ignoring his rat side for the last eight years like Alex had. He'd learned plenty. It didn't help that for the last four of those eight years Alex had been on any number of illicit substances, usually combining them.
"Shit, Theo. I'm gonna fucking pass out." Alex had the exact opposite reaction to the feel of others, dragging behind his brother. Sure, he had a set of balls on him when it came to telling off a lone wolf or even a vampire, but shit he didn't like the idea of just walking into the proverbial lion's den. There was a good chance the presence of his brother, Milo, and Otis were the only damn things keeping him in his skin at the moment. He felt too hot and eventually he pressed against Theo's back just to be close to someone as they joined the gathering group. Fuck. Goddamnit. "Kill me," he muttered against Theo's shoulder. All these people, and him without anything to take off the edge. He didn't know if it was withdrawl that had him feeling like such shit or the anxiety.
Theo glanced at the naked she-wolf that bounded by, betting that Milo would take down the first kill. "Whatever," he growled, not about to make a bet on that. He shrugged off Alex enough to strip off his shirt. Pale and unmarked, other than the tribal looking rat tattoo on the back of his neck. He hadn't bothered wearing shoes; Alex stood barefoot too but there was a good chance his brother would just fuck up his clothes rather than getting naked in front of this many watching eyes. He let Alex hide behind him for now.
-- Edited by ALEX BLACK on Monday 21st of March 2011 04:14:12 PM
Oh holy jeebuz. Alex had ended up on the back porch as much of the day as she possibly could. Staring out into the bayou, and staying out of the way of the rampaging Milo. Having come inside at one point for a drink, and been almost run over by the large naked rat, she'd ended up on her ass laughing as he disapeared down the hall. "Damn it Milo!!"
a pair of aincent jeans, and a tanktop that had seen better days covered the little blond wolf. Her eye was finally open again, but the bruising around it had turned that nice sickly shade of yellowish green, with the purple and blues and reds still mixed in. Spending so many nights with other shifters around her had been helping her heal quicker then she normally would, and tonight would take care of the rest of it. Fucking Xavier. Alex half hoped the flea infested bastard would try something tonight, give her an excuse to pay him back for the hit.
The other thing that had been bothering Alex alot that day, had been Llydia...Alex knew damn well the woman hadn't started as a wolf when she'd met her. And she remembered what happend that day too. Did Llydia remembeR? Did Ash know? And if he didn't, was he going to skin her when he found out?
She'd kept her distance from both of them since Ash came back with her after the masquerade ball, and being on edge was just makeing Alex more fidgety.
Hearing that call to go with everyone else to meet those comming on the shore, she let out a little sigh, and put out her ciggarette, following Ash, Laney, and Llydia out to the boat, Only to hear Milo calling to wait up. Oh yay! Fuck this night couldn't get over with fast enough. Maybe then everybody would calm down, and she'd stop being so twitchy.
Once across, she'd felt that call comming from some unknown source and had blinked, looking at Ash questioningly. This was new, and not something she'd experianced before. The thoughts were soon pushed from her mind, as people started showing up. Silent and Geller, along with three little females she didn't know. One curly haired and blond. Another dark hair, and the third like a little version of Silent, and not quite so colorful.
Milo was running around, hugging people, and generally just being well...Milo. Moving to Silent, she'd nuzzled the colorful swamp wolf, and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Heya momma" giving a smile. Silent always made her feel better. Didn't matter what was goin on. She just made her feel more comfortable. Glancing to the blond with dreadlocks, she gave a little smile, hair hiding the bruised side of her face. Not sure if she'd been talking to her, but...Hey she'd answer anyway, yeah?
"m'Alex...nice to meet you Nyx."
Glancing at the others, she fidgeted. Watching as three more rats joined the party. Her wolf was damn near vibrating in place. She wasn't sure she'd ever been around this much power all at one time. Not just because of Ash, Silent, Geller and Milo, as well as the new Rat, Otis, but just all the others as well. Their pack was forming again. Wether intentionally or not, it made Alex smile. This was what she'd been missing...
Time...time it was almost time...shec ould feel it!!
There was hesitation on Cullen's part, and Nathaniel looked confused. Suddenly the wolf darted through the trees and was gone, leaving himself and Lou to fend for themselves. Nathaniel froze. The scent of prey was stronger, and his beast wanted it--so he went for it, in a wild chase through the bayou.
Nathaniel managed to sink his teeth into the rear flank of the stag. He wondered if Lou had kept up or he had lost her too, as he ripped a gobbet of flesh from the stag who wasn't mortally wounded, and was putting up a good fight. Trying to avoid getting rammed with a sharp rack of horns, Nathaniel growled, showing crimson stained teeth, as his hackles rose. He circled around, searching for an opening.
Without a pack, it was harder to hunt bigger game. The stag came at him, head down in an angry charge. Nathaniel snarled and leapt in the opposite direction, as the horns came crashing into the roots of a tree, for a few moments trapping the buck. Nathaniel took advantage of the window of opportunity, and sank his fangs into the deer's throat, his grip tightening around the buck's trachea, essentially squeezing the life out of his prey.
The buck kicked and his legs slowly began to buckle. His dark eyes staring off into space as Nathaniel downed his prey. Not every opportunity was as good as this one. Most of the time he wasn't as fortunate hunting prey alone. But time has a way of doing things, and so does desperation. The big buck finally let go of the living coil, and sank into death. Not wasting any time, Nathaniel became the predator that he had to be.
Eating from the corpse of the buck, until he could hardly stand. He left the remainder for Lou to devour should she choose to.
-- Edited by NATHANIEL ROSHAN on Monday 21st of March 2011 07:31:56 PM
Even before she began to pack her things, she heard Cullen's call that pulled at her beast to go to him. It was her primal instinct to answer his call, and her friendship to him to be there at his side. Yet, when Geller said that they were all going to meet up at the Hookah and run with other wolves that would be part of Silent's pack that she agreed to join, she felt being torn between her long-time friend Cullen, and her best friend Geller. These entwined feelings of guilt and fear and the moon calling to her wolf to be ripped out of her skin, made her not want to go. At all. And go somewhere by herself to hunt. The colorful timber wolf was scratching at the surface, whining and pleading to be released tonight, so she made her decision based on her wolf, her primal, animal instinct; hunt with the pack.
The look upon her face was nothing more than aggravation and sadness. Aggravated because she didn't want to be torn between two of her friends where one decided not to join a pack, and the other wanted to, and sadness because she was denying her friend's call. Without saying much a word to the others, she threw her back pack over a shoulder and climbed into the car. Everyone was talking, singing to the music playing, but Dee was cornered to herself with her iPod to calm her down. She heard what Maya said and she gave a little huff laugh, but kept to herself for most of the ride. She was sure she would get interrogated later, especially by Hair Gel, but that would have to come after the hunt.
When they arrived at the Hookah, Dee greeted everyone with a smile and a wave, and waited patiently for the next orders of where to go. She didn't want small talk, she didn't want big talk, she just wanted to get the hell out of her fleshy cage and go kill something. Perhaps that would help with the entwined feelings, and she would be back to her normal, cheery, badass self again. She could meet everyone officially later. When the woman with long, blond dreads came up to her to brush her cheek, Dee mimicked the same, and smiled. "Hey Nyx. I'm Dee." Little did Dee know that Nyx was the one that suggested her to crash at the Hookah when she was completely high off her ass.
-- Edited by EURIDACEE on Monday 21st of March 2011 07:04:59 PM
All night she suffered insomnia over what this full-moon experience would be like. First moon was atrociously wrong, second was alone with Charles who gave her more one on one teachings. What would this one be like with so many others like herself attending? Inner beast yearned for them but her human side felt a tad intimidated to be around more powerful wolves –legends in their own social circles. Venus remained silent at her open bedroom window looking at the sunrise. When a breeze came through she felt the curtain material blow past her cheek as if it was a caressing finger. Trying to reassure her to take everything today with baby-steps? If you have questions anyone will guide you. Taking in a deep breath she held it in upon hearing a knock on her door from Charles. It was time to start her very first phase -- that was yoga. How neat this will bring good karma to her inner beast.
Coming downstairs she viewed Maya. Venus couldn’t resist giving that invigorating girl a sweet kiss on the brow. Charles was given a rub against his left cheek with her right. Showing him that she-wolf affection this morning day before she stopped dead in her tracks to see the new male-wolf Trent, a new family member? Did Charles or Maya create him? Venus thought while giving him a polite and friendly welcome smile. He seemed very skittish around new people. Can’t say she blamed him. That morning she listened to her mentor/teacher/friend guide them through meditation until it was time bring all their aftermath clothing into the vehicle they’d be taking. Charles taunting to her hair she playfully went to bite at his wrist. Charles was kind to recognize that Venus was frustrated over her human fiancé. They’ve done everything together so far and for the first time since finding him alive. They had to deal with a great barrier he couldn’t follow.
“Thanks Charles” she said with a wink letting him know how hard it was on her being away from Vincent. While shoving her back pack into the vehicle Cullen’s call of the wild that washed all over her in confusion. Was that someone in trouble? Naïve to these ways she glanced at Charles to ask was Cullen in trouble? Charles eyes showed no indication to worry. That it was a polite invitation to join him. However, they had already made pre-plans to be with others in different hunting grounds. Trent’s comment about hunting alligators made her giggle a bit. Venus picked a spot letting Maya sit in the middle of them so she could snuggle with the new guy. Maya’s question made Venus turn lustfully lips into a naughty smile. Instantly she ravaged Maya’s neckline assaulting it with gnawing and licks. Venus mouth heated with pretend passions said against her she-wolf sister. “ Only snacks I prefer are you my dear.” Pinching her friends nearest ass cheek relentlessly until she pleaded her to stop –poor new guy must have been smooshed against Maya who was trying to escape from her attacks. Also trying to protect herself from the tickles she was receiving back. Yes, she did smile greatly.
Driving to the Hookah was exciting because Venus would get a glimpse again at Silent, sirus, Nyxs and others whom she met weeks ago. They were all magnificent individuals with their own historical backgrounds that amazed her. Here she was rewarded to be amongst them. Enjoy learning from their methods, personality, interactions for one another. Now she was becoming all the more eager to get to the grounds. Many of them she recognized that she waved to them. Giving them that warm-hearted personality they liked and enjoyed being around. Dee was given a small pampering kiss on her lower lip to show how personable she was to Venus. Ash and his entourage of people were given a nod out of respects. How amazing to hunt with them all. Her beast was anxious to share in the bountiful hunt they’d gather together.
Then there was that guy Milo from the strip club that approached her as if it was either very difficult or confusing to him. His hesitation made her a bit leery that she’d done something wrong to offend him at the strip club. Those unique sea-green eyes looked at his taller self trying to understand. Then he gave her the reason why. She also had a dark secret why she looked this way and reluctantly justified why. Only person who knew was Charles. Venus friendly embrace to his figure was foreign. No doubt this form made him feel the memories of the body he use to have emotions for his ex-wife. Truly she was sorry for this disposition for Milo.
“..I can’t believe I look like her either. I guess it’s a sign. Good or bad. I don’t know you tell me?” she asked politely. Perfect white teeth bit down on that voluptuous lower lip a moment while she nervously squirmed at their odd predicament.
Nothing like confusing the little red wolf right? She'd gone to the first stirrings of the hunt she'd felt, that first howl. This was her first hunt with others in years, having spent all this time as a lone wolf. She'd greeted the ghost wolf with a soft yip and easing towards him, comforted by the familiarity of his presense. Now power was buidling.... and building.... and building in another section of the swamp, and then there was a cry she knew, ears perking at the howling cry. The ghost wolf darted off and she was torn, the others gathering, the power there was intimidating especially to one that had not hunted in a pack for long years. The other red wolf nuzzled her and she returned the caress though she was distracted by those other cries. It was with an almost apologetic whine that she broke off of his hunting path, turning back to follow the ghost wolf's path and Silent's cry.
Racing through the swamp the small wolf moved nimbly through the undergrowth, leaping over the wetter areas and sliding through portions of mud, racing to where the others were gathering. The closer she got though the more she slowed, hints of panic as she felt the numbers ahead of her, the power of what waited. She crept closer, hesitant to come closer, staying in the shadows at the edges of where they gathered.
If it felt like a new moon, it's because it was! Sirus had already changed before the moon overcame his human flesh and through that his common sense was defeated with every waking moment spent under Luna's intoxicating presence. Compounded by the fact that Silent's call hadn't come to him in years the boundless energy that gave a spring to every rush of his paws he felt them closely now. The swamps were not too spread apart and with the strength that was gifted to him, running into old friends a few miles away seemed like a trivial exercise in the park and so when their images grew larger as he ran towards them Sirus took aim at Ash without a moment to spare. Leaping into the air with all of its might the white wanderer's claws inadvertently raked Ash's back, but it was not born of deep seeded hatred, it was the fact that they had not seen each others faces since the events of Salem urged him to see the world without the tremendous weight that came with it. Furiously licking the back of his ears and nuzzling the nape of his neck to near death, Sirus caught wind of another face that he hadn't seen since his departure.
Milo.
The big furry warrior disengaged from what was doubtless a bewildered Ash to howl its acknowledgment in respect of the rat king. Unlike Ash Sirus cautiously approached him when it became clear that Milo had his possessive stare on display for the rest of the congregation - and with his permission jumped aboard the inked tower of power to give him his own brand of welcoming through a series of licks to the face coupled with hyperactive nuzzles befitting the sometimes ADDness only the wolf in Sirus could possess. He looked expectantly at Llydia, Ash, Milo, hell everyone who had not succumb to the beguiling mists of the moon and sat on his furry white duff and barked impatiently. What were they waiting for? An invitation? His bushy tail patted the earth around its body in disjointed patterns while simultaneously investigating each person in question. It wanted to hunt with those it knew so well and sure... Leaving Cullens call might have seemed painful at the time but seeing Ash and Milo repaired those frayed thoughts instantaneously.
-- Edited by SIRUS ARRINGTON on Monday 21st of March 2011 09:11:40 PM
The text message had him laughing, not what it was but that Milo sent it. Somehow the picture of Milo typing out that long message had him laughing his ass off. His response was a lot less complicated.
"No shit, already on my way."
Not that he didn't have respect for his King but if he didn't give Milo shit then the lanky bastard would get downright pissy. Milo needed a Second not a fuckin' kiss ass and the only asses Otis kissed were a hell of a lot softer then Milo's. The other thing was, he'd actually given Frik & Frak a heads up that hunting was going to be at Milo's so they were ready for him. He'd taken the chopper to their house, rousted them from the house and got them into their car and on their way to the swamp. Alex looked like death warmed over and Theo looked like he was either going to throw up or throw down.
It didn't take long for them to get where they were going, leaving the vehicles behind and moving to the gathering of others. Otis stayed close to the boys, relaxing his own shields but keeping his focus on Frik & Frak. "Too many fuckin' dogs around here." It was almost a snarl, keeping an eye on all the wolves that were gathering. Ash he knew, Rainbow Brite he knew but some of these others.... not so much.
He rested a hand on the back of Alex's neck as Theo started to strip, fingers kneading softly as the big ol' grey rat nudged at the Alex's rat, keeping close to the younger. Milo was doing his Tigger thing and Oits was surprised the fucker hadn't gone furry already. "Don't worry Frak, we're stickin close. You'll get to see some crazy shit now." Crazy shit is right. Milo in furry and in action with some of these others.... shit, it was good thing they were in New Orleans and not back in New York. There was no where close to the city for a group like this to hunt unless they wanted to clean out all the Projects. Which would have been bad but might have reduced the crime rate.
Otis shrugged out of the jacket he was wearing, chest bared, then boots stripped off, followed by his jeans. Nothing like a little skin on the night of the moon. Oddly enough, hat stayed in place, that would be the last to go. His skin was starting to itch, wanting to get started but holding his place, eyes on Milo as he kept close to the boys. The rats may be few but they were going to take down more then their share of the hunt tonight. "What do you think? Feel like takin' on a gator?" He grinned, practically rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
The day had been spent playing slap and tickle with Milo. OK, let's get it right, DAYS had been spent playing slap and tickle with Milo. Damn rat bastard had been making up for lost time and had barely let her out of the bedroom, never mind the house. Today was the worst, or best, depending on how you look at it. Milo + clothes on the day of the moon? Hell no! This was a known fact so she was expecting him to be running around naked as the day he was born. Jessica's concession was a loose sundress that barely reached midthigh. The light cotton was enough to make her forget the cloth was there most of the time, easing skin too sensitive because of the rising moon. Hair was left loose, a heavy mane flowing over her shoulders and feline eyes seemed all the brighter today.
"Dammit Milo!" Laughing protest as she was swung upwards into this arms when she would follow him and Ash out to the boat. "I can walk dammit! Milo!!! I am going to chase your ass up the nearest tree and trap you there!" Chasing Milo and being chased by him was part of every hunt they'd shared. It wasn't just prey they chased, pitting her Other Self against his Rat was something that was just entirely too much fun. "Ash hasn't taught me anything.... much!" Once on short she was set on her feet and nestled against his side a moment. He wasn't the only possessive one, letting her arm wrap around his waist and staring down the eyes of anyone that took too much time admiring that six foot ten inch frame. She slipped from his side as hugs were exchanged, he going to Geller and she moved to Silent, giving her a warm hug and nuzzling caress. The only leopard in the mix, at the moment, she allowed her own power to swirl with the others, her Other Self pacing restlessly before letting loose a rasping cough that seemed to echo on that metaphysical plane. She felt them, hints of the others she'd met on the edges of the swamp, Dakota and Trevor, Owen and Nula. "Dammit.." the words murmured to herself. Phone was inside and it was probably too late for a phone call to work anyway. Hopefully, they'd feel the surge of power here from all the others gathered close and sense the thread that was her and come to join them.
Milo's words to Venus drew her back down to the physical, eyes narrowing slightly as she swatted Milo's bare-ass. "She's not her. Get over it." She wasn't really angry but the little bit of tension might make things a bit more interesting. A quick smile flashed his way before she sashayed over to where Otis stood with Theo and Alex. "Otis..." a nod given to the big rat before she smiled at Alex, hand lifting to lightly brush her fingers over his cheek. "Don't worry. At least you're not alone. I'm the only cat here right now, you'd think I was the prey with all the wolves around. You know, dogs.... cats..." She smiled warmly, trying to put him at ease, letting some of the power she held curl around him. With all this power around, even if none of it was leopard, she felt like she'd be able to heal a football team, nevermind one nervous young rat.
Alex shook his head some - he didn't know how much crazy shit he wanted to see with a pack of wolves involved. With Milo working them up in his ratty way, he felt like he did right before a show, right before he flung himself on stage. Excited, fucking terrified, but weirdly good. That sort of distracted him for a moment, though he nearly fell over when Jess was suddenly right there with him and Theo.
"Kind of used to going off alone," he said with a nervous kind of laugh. Yeah he'd sort of been one of the ones staring at Milo a minute ago so Jess had probably included him in her possessive glaring. Or maybe she hadn't noticed him because he didn't have a pair of tits, and was hiding behind his brother, and therefore did not count as competition. He glanced over at Otis, eyes getting wide.
"A gator??" He was kidding, right? Alex had never actually hunted anything that could kill him back.
Theo drew away a little, forcing Alex to stand on his own while Jess said her hellos. He remembered her from the strip club, and he knew what she was to Milo, sort of, so he wouldn't try to keep her from his brother. Besides, from all the talk he heard she might be the one to help Alex through the hell on his horizon if and when he did actually kick some of his nastier habits. After a moment of hesitating he stripped the rest of the way down. Probably one of the palest people there but what the hell ever, Alex was no better, even if his brother was still completely dressed. It didn't bother him that there were only a few rats compared to the pack showing up - if the wolves felt like fucking around they could just bring it on.
"You'll be okay," he assured Alex. Theo would stay with him through the night to make sure he came out on the other side in one piece. "You're gonna fuck up your clothes though."
"I'll survive," he muttered. "I left stuff in the car." He was not stripping down in front of all these people without some damn good incentive, and apparently splitting his skin was not good enough. He glanced up at the sky, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. Feeling Jessica's power was just weird... at least Milo's felt familiar. Alex just wasn't used to having a cat try to mother him or whatever. "Let's get this over with," he mumbled, ready to just go.
It was true, Laney at the moment was trying to figure out a way to bring the shiny new gun with her. She was posed before the floor length mirror that she'd happened to move into the bedroom she'd claimed as her own. Why did she move it into her room? Well.... It was just you know, with Ash helping her to buy a gun, and finally somewhat relenting on the teaching her how to use it, (though he hadn't admitted it yet, she was sure it was a step in the direction towards teaching her how to be an executioner like he was) the little wolf had actually gained a habit for staring into the mirror to see what she would look like if she ever had to pull the trigger. So far the poses had been akin to something of a cross between Dirty Harry and Miss Congeniality. When not looking at herself in the mirror and making threatening to funny poses she had been studying the way it worked. How everything pieced together just right.
Hearing Ash's voice in the hallway that she would not need the gun had a frown tugging at her lips and her brows drawing together in a line of worry. "How do you know I won't need it?" She mumbled under her breath, still trying to figure out a way she could keep the gun with her like a treasured comforting blanket. Maybe she could work out a way to tie it to a string around her foot? Already she could feel her beast stirring within her, thankfully with her mentor's calming influence, she hadn't shifted early or anything like that. It was weird, this would be her first shift not in captivity of vampires. Also her first shift running with other wolves. Ash and Alex she was getting used to, even Jessica and the rats that had taken up residence with them. Llidya was a new concept since the ball, and someone she had been trying to get used to another new face being around her but the young wolf had heard that there would be even more people coming to this shindig. Something that left her damn near panicky in feeling. Milo running around through the house naked throughout the day hadn't helped much either.
When Ash's voice raised in a call to get her ass in gear with the rest of the wolves, Laney frowned, "Damnit! Looks like I'll have to leave you behind after all," she said talking to the gun before putting it away in her dresser drawer. She ran down stairs in a pair of thread-bare jogging shorts and a ratty t-shirt, not because she could afford to loose the clothing if it were ripped to shreds, but more because that was how most of her clothing looked. Tattered wasn't a fashion statement when you didn't have much money. Skidding to a stop she looked up at her accidental savior as he talked about taking a boat to meet up with people in the swamps. "So, how many people are we talking about, exactly?"
The sound of another wolf's call had her hazel eyes widening and her mouth falling open in puzzlement. "What was that? Sounded like some kind of invite to a picnic?" She listened as Ash explained what the call was, and nodded solemnly before giving a shrug of her shoulders. If she'd been alone, the young wolf might have followed the call, but she wasn't alone. That didn't stop her from being curious about it though, but now was not really the time to go running off either. Even if the anxiety at meeting so many new people was starting to get the better of her. The boat ride through the swamps had her keeping quiet in thought, not knowing what to expect or how to really deal with what was coming.
When the group left the boats, she saw the cars pulling up, the amount of people getting out, and her courage fled. Her hands fidgeted uneasily at her side as she moved closer to Ash, grabbing hold of his hand. There were some people she recognized, Otis and the other rat boys, and she gave them a nod. Geller was also there, the guy she had met once and told to track down Jessie with, which had led her to playing dead in a strip club where she'd ended up also meeting Silent. But there were so many other faces, people she didn't know, that it made her inch even closer to Ash and slightly behind him, the only thought in her head at the second being that she really wished she'd brought her gun. Hey! Come on, It was a security thing, not like she would have actually used it.
Yowling roar echoed through the swamp from the black leopardess as she raced through the trees, bounding from fallen logs, and leaping over streams as they went. Ace following closely behind her. Jessica had called to them. That coughing Roar had been enough for them to know where she was, and that she wanted them near her. As they got closer, Dakota started to slow. So much power in so little a space....all cluster fucked together, it made the little leopard slightly nervous. But Jess was there. She could smell her now, along with a shit load of wolves and....Rats!
The pair raced into the clearing. One black as midnight with even darker rosettes, the other golden as sunlight and blacker spots gleaming against the gold. Skidding to a stop, Dakota almost crashed into the group of wolves, stumbling, rolling and crashing into the legs of Ash and Laney, most likely sending both tumbling to the ground, before she was up, and scrambling around them, and headed towards Jess where she stood next to...Oh so THAT was Milo?? Yup...Otis had been right! She'd know him when she saw him!
Ace trotted to a stop beside Jessica, and Kota bumped against the woman's legs. Head comming up against her hand so it would have to rub along her head and back as she passed once, twice, three times. circling around her. Amber eye's in that black face shifted as new scents filled her nose, and three very familar ones had a deep rumbling purr echoing from her chest, as large paws carried her towards the two brothers and Otis. Twining around first the big rat, then Theo, then Alex, and back again. nuzzling each in greeting. It was a "Oh hai! your friends!" type thing, and she soon stopped bumping against them, comming close to knocking Theo over at one point, and flopped onto the ground between them, and Jessica. Ace not far away, sitting patiently with tail lashing.
Ever since waking up naked in bed with a guy whose name she didn't even know after going to the masquerade ball, Lexi had been waiting for the full moon. It wasn't that she was embarrassed, just that she was upset she couldn't remember how she'd gotten there. Everything was hazy and her dress had looked like she'd ripped it off. Rather than waiting for the guy to wake up, she'd grabbed a shirt out of his closet to put over her dress to hide its ripped state. She didn't think he'd miss one shirt and she wasn't going out without being sufficiently covered. Then she'd just gone home. Since then, she'd been trying to remember what had gone on that night. So far, she was only getting blurred images. It felt rather like those first couple of years as a lycanthrope, unable to remember what went on during the full moon.
At any rate, the vixen was rummaging through her clothes to find the old, frayed jean shorts and the t-shirt full of holes that had been brought down just for the full moon. That was when the phone made noise. She glanced at it a moment, then finished putting on her old clothes to go answer it. It better be important or she was just going to pretend she hadn't gotten the message. But, it was Ash with an invitation to go play in the swamp with others. It sounded better than going off by herself. Besides, she liked hunting with the wolves. She didn't bother using the phone to answer him, instead grabbing her keys and heading out.
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It looked like a bloody convention or something when she pulled up behind the cars already there. Emerald greens had been allowed to bleed to a golden yellow on the way over and she took a moment to look over the people here. Finally, she threw the keys, her wallet and phone into the glove box and shoved the door open. While there, she shimmied out of her shorts and pulled off her shirt, folding them and leaving them on the seat. She hadn't bothered to wear shoes, so it was a bare foot that gave the door a push to close it.
The vixen had absolutely no problem walking around naked, even in front of people she didn't know. Well, outside of the full moon she might have had a problem with it, but everyone here was a lycanthrope. That first crushing feeling of being completely alone descended as she approached the group, noting that she was, indeed, the only fox here. It didn't surprise her, but she tried to keep it from showing or affecting anyone else. A kiss was blown to Ash, then Silent, and her fingers wiggled in a wave to others she knew.
Now she waited, whispering to her counterpart that it would only be a little while longer.
His hand touched the brim of his hat when Jessica walked over to say hello to the Frik & Frak, giving her a grin before shifting back to his constant scan of the area. He was keeping close to the young rats while Milo did his Tigger thing, running around, flapping in the wind and getting hugged and greeted. The sight of the racing leopards heading their way had him frowning slightly, moving to keep himself between the racing forms and his charges when suddenly he grinned again.
"Watch out Frik, here comes Kitty Kat.. Whoaaa!" words evolved into a bark of laughter as the dark cat when tumbling into the legs of Ash and his protege. "damn Kitty, watch where you're goin'." He waited whlle she greeted Jessica, letting his hands rub over the coarse fur when she wound around him. He crouched, fingers brushing over the broad head and ears, leaning close to nuzzle his cheek to hers. Yeah, he was naked, yeah he only had two legs at the moment while she had four but so the fuck what?
"Hey Kitty Kat, nice of you to join us." He hadn't really expected to see her here but was glad she'd come by. It meant more people for him to keep an eye on but what the fuck? It was nice to hunt with friends.
"Milo! We getting this fuckin' show on the road or what?" He was ready to shift but he had to wait on his King.
When the vans of people showed up on the hunting grounds, everyone seemed to climb out like animals escaping a severe weather storm that was about to hit. This storm, however, had nothing to do with weather; it was the sole energy and power from the moon that pulled and tugged at everyone's inner beast, ready to be torn from their fleshy cage.
The folks that were already on the hunting grounds were Sirus and Lou. When they appeared next to the vans, they would see the swarm of the most oddest looking encounters they had ever seen in their lives because each person had their own, unique style of fashion and attitude. Each person grouped to their most familiars, but it really looked like different schools going on a field trip to the Wetlands, wearing colored shirts that showed which school they came from. These groups were scattered, and when the leader of said group would change, the rest would follow.
Dee was standing in a circle with Venus, Maya, Trent, Hair Gel, Silent, Nyx, and Sirus. She unlaced her black military boots, stepped out of her black jeans, and slipped the army green cami up and over her head. The moon's bright rays beamed down on her naked body, highlighting every luscious curve and muscle, and allowing those long, obsidian locks shine with every sway the wind danced in the night. She closed her eyes, opened her arms to welcome the pull at her beast, and waited until Hair Gel changed first to lead his fellow wolves.
Cypress had tried to drown out all the calls she had heard. It started with Ash. She had felt his wolf close to her own; His call like a lure in the night. She wanted to gather her skirts and chase him to whatever ends of the earth that he dared to roam. She hadn’t been prepared for him to be there in New Orleans. She had slammed down her shields to keep him out. It was the most difficult thing she had ever done. Tears streamed down her face like two black rivers.
Why was he there? Why couldn’t she just forget him? Leave the memories of him in Salem, the betrayal in Hawaii? Her mind pulled the memory of his Highland smell. How rich the wooden smell was. The musty scent of the high growing evergreen trees. The soil fresh from a rain. Within the walls that her rusty red wolf was held, it called out. Cypress buried her face in her hands. Quiet was the world around her. Only the sounds of the dead whispering along her skin. Their sing-song voices trying to sooth the weeping snow white princess in their mists.
Hours had passed that night before Cypress had the strength in her to gather her belongings from the cemetery where she had been doing some grave-rubbings.
Weeks pasted from when she had felt Ash. The next call came from an unknown source. The moon hung full and fat in the sky. She knew there was a battle for dominance this full moon. She knew one other was trying to be Ulfric, and she guessed so was Silent. Cypress guessed Silent would return to New Orleans, the place where she had been raised as a wolf. The woman was an alpha, and perhaps strong enough to run a pack. Though, it was not till she listened to Geller’s message was she completely sure that it was Silent trying to gather a new pack together. What would it be like to run under her rule? Closing her cell phone she gathered what little she needed to meet Geller at the Hookah.
Silent could never get lost in the swamps.She knew these muddy banks better then she knew the french quarter. and sure she could of used Tino's old land they once ran wild on...Or even the Capts bit of property outside of Baton Rogue.Like Nyx and herself had done over the last few months since their arrival in the fair sleezy. But tonight she choose Milo's. There was a energy there. Silent had felt it the night she had stayed at the place.
So when they arrived. Everyone getting out of their cars...She could feel it already. The sweet burn of the change...The excitment...The pain. Of those around her...It was a vertial powerhouse. God if the concil Geller wanted to form would feel like....God...They could change things forever.
Or maybe it was the excitement of the night....Tri colored hues would move to the shadows where Llydia stood near Ash.Nodding a bit as she soothed her own beast demand to fight the woman...She would quickly be wrapped up in a naked Milo...Laughing some she was more then happy to be released into Jess's care. Nuzzeling against the woman she couldn't help how big that grin was getting. She was sure she was looking more and more like Jack Nicolson's joker. Moving to rub against Nyx's shoulder.
"I gotta lot to tell you chicka"
Laughing some til those colorful hues fell on Cypress. The dark doll was always a sight to behold. And yes they had their....Well views...But...She was pack. The original pack. Moving she would hug the woman...Dispite the fact that it well...not be welcomed.
"Welcome home''
Turning to the rest..
"So lets get this show on the road....Before the ol girl eats me''
That said Silent was stripping and heading towards the darkness...The changing coming quick..She loved it. It wasn't as painful as it had once been. It was a pleasure...the twisting and popping of bones. The tearing of flesh. The transformation from girl to wolf.Once the change was complete the small swamp wolf threw back its head singing its song...Calling the others to join..to hunt...to be free of their human worries...At least for tonight. Padding up to Ash it would whine some its muzzle brushing against his leg.
When lou and Sirus appeared the tag would wag so much that Silent looked more like a over excited puppy instead of werewolf.Moving off she would brush against Nyx....Kinda like a commooooonnnnnn sign...Before pouncing on the red wolf laying on top of it for a moment licking its face.
Alyanna would follow the rest of her small group to the others which had called to them. Being that she was still young she hadn't been able to fight the moons call. So that golden and black spotted cat would sliding into the clearing. She was familiar with Jessica since she had met the women within the park back in New York. So at least she knew someone.
Slowly making her way over toward Jessica to rub against her leg lightly before sitting on her hunches looking up at her with them big golden eyes. Before looking at the rest of the group that had gather for the night.
The young cub was the last one in the group of wereleopards, his speed met with theirs as the blur of spots collided with the others. A beige leopard with more darker spots was not too hard to find, his faded ambers illuminated in the pitch of night, that shiny fur reflected in the florescent moon as his massive paws moved, his only passion was for the kill and thus, the mind of his beast was impatient for what was in store.
His nose took in the scents of rats, wolves, and other shapeshifters as the small group entered the swamp. Ears rotated surreptitiously as the young male picked up sounds, his curiosity rose at the gathering. His pelt brushed against Jessica's own, purring then sat on the other side of her while watching the rest of them with interest.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Monday 4th of April 2011 07:59:16 PM
