The world was a blur again as Zack's eyes slowly fluttered open. A bad dream, maybe? A quick inspection of his surroundings showed him exactly what he as hoping to see: he was laying down in his bed back in Nate and Cullen's apartment. A box fan had been placed in the window, blowing down on him, and the door had been left slightly ajar. A dream. That's all it was, he kept telling himself. 'It's just a dream. You were here all night, bored after everybody left. You got drunk, you watched some movies, and you crawled to bed. That's all. Now, you're gonna get up, and-'
His thoughts were interrupted by a scream of pain as he did his best to prop himself out of bed, the burning sensation in his right shoulder being more than happy to let him know that it was all real. He managed to scoot himself back slightly, propping himself up against the wall as his thought started to slide back into place. Everything from last night was becoming clear again. Zack had left the house, bored out of his mind after Nate and Cullen ran out unexpectedly. He wasn't quite sure why then...but he thought he had a pretty damn good idea of it now. Next was...come on, think. That's right, he went to the park as part of his walk. It really seemed like it was going to turn out to be a really good night: he met Taran and Steven after Taran had busted his ass climbing up a tree. Joseph was there, too. The vision in his head began to blur again, like it was trying to block the memory of it out. 'Damn it, let me think! What was it...'
The wolf. Waves of pain ran through his arm at the mere thought of it. 'Stupid, Zack. It was the full fucking moon, and you had been thinking about it ever since your first day in town when you first met Nate. Stupid.' He tried to get out of the way, but wasn't quite fast enough. The beast landed a nasty bite on his shoulder, sending him to the ground in pain. A quick glance from Zack showed him the wicked truth of it: his shoulder had been all bandaged up, with little blood spots where the teeth had sunk in. Disgusted, he turned his head away. The young man didn't like the sight of blood to begin with, let along when it was pouring out of him. Maybe if he didn't look at it, it wouldn't hurt as bad. So, after the hit...Joseph picked him up and started running. There was a pretty spectacular display of magic as Astrid and Lori made their entrance, tossing the wolf about as Steven also got in on the action. The Hookah bar! They had ran him there, using the counter as a makeshift first aid table. Somewhere in the process, he had blacked out. They all must have brought him back here once the coast was clear. Did Nate or Cullen know? Surely they heard him screaming just a minute ago if they were at the house.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Zack slowly slid back down into the bed. He was going to be fine. Sure, the wound felt a little funny. He didn't quite think it was supposed to feel warm as well as hurt, especially with how much he was shivering from blood loss last night. But hell, he was here now! He started to crack a smile at the thought. He had beaten the damn wolf. Somehow he had...gotten away from the...Werewolf.
Zackary's eyes went wide, his jaw dropping open stupidly. The mind that oh-so-loved to play games with him was now completely blank, save for one word, searing into his brain like a lone neon sign on an otherwise dark street.
Infection.
No. No, no, no. Not like this. Not when his life was finally starting to right itself out. He had to remind himself to breathe, the result becoming more of a silent laughter as he stared blankly at the ceiling. Zack didn't even try to stop the tears beginning to swell around his eyes. It was to much: the final backbreaking straw of it all. He closed his eyes, tears starting to roll down his face as he tried to talk himself back to sleep. “No...fuck, no...”
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Sunday 20th of March 2011 06:07:37 PM
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Sunday 20th of March 2011 09:20:36 PM
Okay, perhaps they should have told Zack where they were going. Unfortunately the moon's pull was stronger than common sense at the point when Cullen and Nathaniel just had to shift to their beasts or be caught unawares. After a night of hunting down a stag, their greedy gullets chock full of fresh meat, Nathaniel returned to his bedroom after shifting back into his human form, and collapsed, exhausted to the four poster bed. He must have slept hours, if not the entire day before he awoke to the sound of screaming.
All of them were supposed to be heading to Lake Ponchartrain that day, for some male bonding and fishing. Everyone including Zack, Cullen and Owen that is. But something didn't seem right about the scream, so Nathaniel padded through the apartment, pausing at the bedroom doors of Cullen and Zack. His sensitive ears detected sleep from Cullen's room. That left Zack, so Nate knocked upon his door rather than barging right in. Hell if Zack was beating off or something--well Nate didn't really WANT to know.
"Zack, are you all right?" he asked through the wooden door, Nathaniel was barely awake himself, but this was nagging him. There was a strong ...aura of trouble around the human's room so he let himself in. Zack was laying there in his bed, shivering and shaking. Nathaniel picked up metallic tang of human blood in the air, which seemed to be emanating from the bandaged shoulder. "What...happened...to...you...Zack?" Nathaniel leaned over the bed and touched his roomies forehead. He was burning up.
"Oh shit! Cullen!" he yelled to his other roomie in the next room, but he was unable to be roused. Knowing that he needed help, because it appeared from Nathaniel's perspective that Zack was very ill, he made a cell phone call on his cell to Owen, who was a doctor. He got the kind Doctor's voice mail instead, and left an abrupt message that was almost near panic. "Owen if you are there, please BE there for fucks sakes. Once you get this call, come to the apartment. Zack is sick, he has a high fever, and I think he's been infected!"
How did Nathaniel know this? Judging from the sour arorma that went along with Zack's injured shoulder, he could tell it was some kind of lycan. He once helped his friend Venus when she got infected with wolf lycanthropy, and he had to pick her feverish body off the floor she had fallen onto, and take care of her until Harmon, the Ulfric of the London pack, arrived. Then he remembered his own bout of sickness just after he had been infected by Anton in Spain. He was in a fetal position for three days, throwing up, as cramps his body as it began to metamorphose into a wolf. A few days after that, he began to smell things and see in the dark as if were daylight. Then a shadow of a wolf on the metaphysical level appeared and has been with him since that time. Changes...changes.
Then the first moon rise over the horizon. Nathaniel's collapsing to the ground, clawing at the dirt in agony as his wolf ripped and tore out of his human form, his bones breaking and reforming, Leaving clear goo behind where his human once stood, he was now a proud wolf. Lukoi forever. It appeared that Zack had also come across a rogue wolf because the scent signature it left behind on his body, reminded him of a wolf he and Cullen had met only one time at Jackson Square's smoke shop, when he had hit a she-wolf in the face, and got away with it. "Looks like a long three days, Zack." he sighed as he went to fetch a bucket, and a cool washcloth for his forehead, until Owen arrived at the apartment, or Cullen awoke.
-- Edited by NATHANIEL ROSHAN on Sunday 20th of March 2011 09:47:45 PM
When Lori and Astrid said they were going to patch him, up, he had expected it to go as smooth as something like that could go. Sure, he thought that his arm was going to be messed up for a good while, but that he would otherwise be alright. This, though...this was so far beyond that. All Zack wanted to do right then was to try and sleep off whatever was affecting him, but it was all to much. His whole body shook with pain and what felt like fever to him. It seemed like one at least: he was burning up, but wasn't sweating. Several times, he had felt like he was throwing up. His stomach had been empty since last night, so it simply resulted in him rolling over as far as he could and dry heaving.
Shortly after one of these spells, Zack was rolling over onto his back again as Nate worked his way into the room. He simply lay there as Nathaniel checked his forehead and made a call to the Owen fellow he had met at the Seven Sins grand opening, trying to keep his breathing steady. Him and Cullen had to be wolves themselves, it was the only explanation for their behavior. What was this, then? Some kind of initiation, maybe? A nice 'Welcome to the family' type of thing? “Was it...you?” Zack strained to ask as Nate hung up the phone. “Was it you, you bas-” He was cut short as he tried to lift himself out of bed again, only to fall back again with another scream of pain. Feeling quite defeated, he simply lay there, his scream becoming a near constant whimpering. Stupid. It wouldn't have been them...could it? Those two had been nothing but kind to him since his arrival. Surely that had enough control in that state. Right?
The tears began to trickle down Zack's face again. The pain was worse than anything he'd ever felt before in his life. Maybe he actually was dying. At the moment, death felt preferable to what he was going through now. He watched as Nate started back towards the door. “...Nate...” Zack weakly labored to speak again. “...What's happening to me?” Of course, Zack already knew the answer perfectly well, having figured that part out on his own. Truth of the matter was that he didn't want Nate to leave him by himself. There was no way he wanted to be alone in this. He felt weak, thinking like that. Nate had practically picked him up off the street, however, and seemed more than willing to help. That, and maybe he really was just sick? It was a hell of a stretch, but it was worth it to ask.
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Sunday 20th of March 2011 11:15:20 PM
A sound of an alarm clock rang through the room all day, the white drape curtains along the balcony window swayed to and fro as the wind of the spring air picked up a little. The young leopard aka Owen Connors was asleep, until the damn thing woke him the hell up. A left arm shielded his eyes from the halo of the bright light of sunrays, half naked with nothing but his Johnny Quest and Dr. Benton Quest black briefs. A soft groan escaped the mouth of a cunning man that seems to remember the night before. His African Leopard was even slacking off he knew, good. Better for the kitten since he's been giving it too much freedom to begin with.
As if on cue, he fluttered his eyelashes surreptitiously until minutes later he was hearing a combining noise that immediately jolted him awake. The taste of metallic in his mouth was almost as if he was in another warp universe at the time, he touched the edge of his tongue wondering what took place the night before? As soon as he shifted from leopard to human, he crashed for hours and hours. Dark brown orbs shifted to the clock checking to see the time on it's face.
Oh! It was morning. There was enough time to get breakfast but the message on his black, t-mobile phone was listened to even with such a keen sensitivity to hear sounding like a familiar voice. Was it Nathaniel's? He swung his bare legs around to the edge of the bed, the phone face down on it's charger and it was fully recharged as he noticed the light was green. Disconnecting his phone from the charger, he pressed a button to listen to any voicemails. Whatever he heard, the tone didn't sound as if he was jumping for joy, it was the voice of panic that he wasn't an idiot to have not notice.
He cursed through clenched teeth. "Shit!"So, he wasn't hallucinating. It was an emergency and no seconds later did he forget to shower, eat a full hearty breakfast, nor did he spend the other morning hours of his routine. Didn't care what shirt he put on, he just putted it on without even bothering to be more choosey at a time like this. It was a partially cotton shirt with some linen, there was a picture of 24's Jack. Looking around, he found a pair of faded blue jeans hanging over the chair next to the bed table on the left side of his unmade bed. He put that on, slipped in some white Air Nikes and in a flash like he wasn't really seeing he zipped right past the people in the lobby that to them it was a mere blur. Fuck them, he's got a friend or friends to take care of. Remote of his keys pressed, he slipped into the driver's seat of his silver Volvo, started the car and before you knew it he was backing out of the parking lot of the hotel he was staying in then sped the vehicle as if he was a cop chasing some morons in front of him except he didn't have any sirens at the top of his car.
Right foot pressed down on the gas pedal, he stopped at a red light not really in the mood to be stopped by policeman or end up having a car wreck was not on his options so was careful. Soon as the red turned to a pretty green he kept the pace up until he was there in front of the house the boys was staying in. His nostrils flared smelling their scents from here to the front door. His nose told him how long they been here, all scents was male and he didn't need an address since he held their scents in his olfactory glands of his nose that was very easy. Believe it or not, the address pretty much wasn't necessary. He carried a duffle bag over his left shoulder, feet carrying from the car to the front door. He knocked waiting for someone to get it.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Monday 21st of March 2011 12:45:35 PM
Nathaniel arrived with the bucket and the cool compress for Zack's forehead just in time. His friend and employee was just wracked with pain, and had just dry heaved off the side of the bed where Nathaniel rested the bucket down on the floor. "Shhh," he cooed, "It's going to be all right. Owen's on his way." Or so Nathaniel hoped. He also knew the wereleopard has shifted the night before, and he was a young'un. Chances were he had fallen out in a comatose state, which was why he hadn't answered the damned cell phone.
Nathaniel had sat on the edge of Zack's bed and had been bathing the heated brow of Zack's with the cool compress, when he heard Zack's lucid speech. He hadn't realized that Zack was aware of what he truly was, and a look of shock came to his eyes. He felt the pressure against his hand, as Zack tried to force himself up on the bed, as if to come after him. "My G-d, Zack. No it wasn't me." He ignored the dig at himself, and pushed him back down on the bed, trying to tend to him and keep him calm. "You've been bitten by a werewolf. Your body is now becoming one with the beast. The infection has set in, and at the next full moon, you will shift into a werewolf..." he let his voice trail off for a moment, before continuing.
"Like Cullen and I." His admission was cut off by a knock at the door. Zack screamed in pain, and Nathaniel was so torn between leaving his friend and answering the knock. From the scent he picked up on, it was Owen Connors. He would know what to do. This was his area after all. "I won't leave you for long Zack, I just have to answer the door for Owen. He'll take a look at your wounds. He knows what he's doing, because he's a doctor." Nate told Zack reassuringly. The Israeli lifted up from the side of Zack, and hurried to the door, stubbing his bare toe against the side of a table in the hall. "Ow. fuck!" There was no time for him to even rub the throbbing pain away.
Stumbling to the door, he let Owen inside. "Oh Owen! What a relief! Come in. Cullen doesn't know yet what happened. But I think he's infected with the virus. Looks like he has a wound on his shoulder thats been bandaged up somewhere else. Follow me." He led Owen through their apartment, this time avoiding the table in the hall with his toe. The Israeli came back to Zack's bedroom, where the human was contorted in agony, drifting in and out of consciousness. "Here you go, Owen." He turned to the doctor for his help.
Well, that's just great. Zack's fleeting hope that he really was just getting very, very ill was tossed out the window, along with any strength he had left after his outburst at Nate. So he resigned himself to just laying there, trying to listen to Nate's every word. Despite his weakness, Zack was still trying to apologize to Nate in between labored breaths and whimpers of pain. However, the Israeli wolf kept him quiet as he continued to explain what was going to happen to the young man.
His mind kept drifting away and back, like it was trying to escape what was happening. Very basic needs kept drilling away at him like never before, constantly bringing his mind back. He was hungry. He was thirsty. And he really, really needed to pee, which surprised him. At least he felt a little proud of himself for not evacuating his bowels during the attack. But he doubted he could have kept anything else down with him constantly dry heaving, so eating or drinking anything seemed pointless right now.
One with the beast? What was that supposed to mean? Of course, Zack couldn't get a single word in edge-wise in his condition, so he just hoped that Nate would explain it to him. As Nate was speaking, Zack was rolling over on his left side, bringing his knees up to his chest and letting his arms hang limply off his sides. God, he must have looked so pathetic right then. At least when Owen got there, he'd see that Astrid and Lori did a good job of patching him up, cleaning the bite before stitching and bandaging it up. It still looked like a train wreck that did a good job of explaining his current position, but at least it was well taken care of.
Nate's explanation was interrupted by knock on the door, apparently. Zack couldn't hear it from where he was. So Owen was a doctor? His mind snapped back to his current situation as Nathaniel started to walk away. They were gonna try to save him? His brain flooded with the worst thoughts: going through this pain for god knows how long. The gradual shift into what Nate and Cullen were. And finally, possibly doing this same thing to someone else, if not killing outright. Right now, death was seeming more and more like a reasonable alternative to his current state.
“Nate...” Zack tried to call out and lift his hand out to reach him, but his voice was hardly a whisper and the hand only raised about an inch off the ground. “I don't...want this...” The effort sent waves of intense pain through his body, but he didn't care. He had to say something. Anything to keep him close. “I...don't...”
It was to much. Zack's eyes fell closed as he slipped out of consciousness.
He was lead inside by Nathaniel towards the location where he saw Zack curled up like an armadillo. Rushing over to his side the minute he saw the poor fellow going through this like some insane patient in rehab. "Zack! I heard what happened. Can you turn onto your back so I can do some work on you please? It'll take a second, but trust me. I really can't do my work in this way." Yes, Owen knew what he was doing or he'd never got his license to begin with. The first time he remembers being infected was when his ex-girlfriend, Harper, leapt in her leopard form at him, leaving him wounded on the lawn. She called the next day, but he was completely afraid of her when he saw what she had become back there.
For the first time, he connected with Zack since he was still brand new to this world just as he was. It'll be best if he stuck around for a lot longer till he shifted. Probably convince Nathaniel and Cullen to allow him to stay, what other choices do they have? It's kind of like a five year old having a playmate, made things lot easier. He sullen up a bit, there was a dread running through every fiber of him seeing him crumbled up in this position. There was a distinct sound of a heartbeat coming from deep within his chest, sensing it was already speeding like more than one train on a railroad track.
He scooted a chair over so that he can use it to prompt his duffle bag, got out a stethoscope, though doubt he'll need it seeing he has sensitive hearing to listen to everything going inside that body of Zack's. The smell of vomit mixed with everything else smoothed upward into his nasal cavity, it told him a lot more what happened around here. "He threw up did he? This will not be easy, I am going to have to ask that you cooperate with me here Zack. I do want to help you as much as I can, that is a promise. "Owen learned to smile even at a time like this, though, deep down he worried for the man cause he was a nice fellow who was once oblivious to their world.
Soon as he can get his attention he would have a long conversation with him about what is happening around him as it was his job both as a healer and counselor. Long time ago, he took counseling classes that added to his field in medicine. Most Physicians learn to counsel their patients as it was very useful so that they can understand the procedure.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Monday 21st of March 2011 07:00:52 PM
The chill night air rushed around Zack as he fell backwards. He was at the park again, just as things started to turn sour. He was put off balance by seeing the tattoos on Steven's arm move, which gave the beast the perfect opportunity to strike. The young man thought he could hear people shouting around him, but it was all in slow motion. He could only hope that his fall was fast enough...which it certainty wasn't. A scream of pain filled the night air as the wolf's teeth sank into his shoulder...
...And Zack's eyes shot open yet again. Every time he managed to get any sleep, it was the same thing: reliving those few seconds over and over again. He tried to bring his knees and arms closer to his chest, the act causing whimpers of pain to escape him. Would this nightmare ever end?
The man moved his head weakly to look at the door as Owen was lead inside by Nate. The Israeli left the two shortly after...to give them space, Zack supposed? It did seem rather odd. He did his best to nod at Owen's instructions. Oh hell, he was going to have to move again. After a few labored breaths he rolled over on his back, with more whimpering and groaning from the action. He was shirtless, allowing the doctor to see the bandaged wound easily. Owen seemed to know what he was doing...was it possible he's seen this before? Maybe he was a lycan himself? It was hard to tell, and Zack didn't care much in his current state.
Zack hung on every word the doctor said, and tried his best to smile when Owen did, which turned into more of a wince. He really wanted to crack a joke, like he usually would. Maybe do a bad Bugs-Bunny impersonation and give him the old 'what's up, doc?' Hell, asking for a second opinion sounded pretty funny right now, too. Talking seemed nearly impossible now, but he managed another very weak nod, whispering back to the doctor. “...Okay...” Whatever was coming next, Zack had the feeling that it wasn't going to be fun at all.
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Monday 21st of March 2011 08:23:42 PM
+ As he drove towards the address that Nathaniel had given him Geller tried to piece together the information that he had obtained from both Nathaniel and Silents mysterious female caller (since of course he had still not met Lorissa officially). What he could put together succinctly was that Lorissa had been at Nate's shop and they had some kind of conflict over Lori knowing Silent. That part seemed a bit odd and hardly a reason for destruction of property or Nathaniels rage, but then again Geller rarely understood the things that seemed to make most people so upset. In any event it didn't really matter to him because it was the second part of the puzzle that was far more interesting. At some point after the initial conflict Lorissa had seen what she assumed was a werewolf attack a human named Zach who Nathaniel apparently had at his home undergoing supervised treatment from a doctor named Owen.+
+Nate had told him that Owen was there looking after the man, but since Geller had no idea who Owen was that was filed away with the original fight in a brain file marked: "Things not important now". He would assumably figure out who Owen was soon enough. Based on the presense of a doctor it could be assumed that the assault Lorissa witnessed had in fact occured, but still no one seemed to have discovered who the attacker was. So that was, in his mind at least, the most important question currently. The large Cadillac convertible pulled up in front of the house in the Garden District and Geller put the land yacht in park hearing the radio go silent and the sounds of the quiet street filter in as he stepped out of the car and made his way up towards the house.+
+It was situations like these that made him wonder what the vast population of the human world really thought about what was going on around them. Sure, people probably always wondered about their neighbors and from time to time the news would be alive with the story of some serial killer or other who hd hidden bodies under the house unbeknownst to their neighbors and loved ones. Geller doubted very much however that anyone on this street would guess that a bondage loving sometimes gay werewolf was living on their street with a sick possibly infected human laid up in a bed inside. The mind reeled at the possibilities. Finding the door unlocked he gave a perfunctory knock, but assumed that Nate already knew he was coming so he began to slowly open the door.+
"Nate, it's Geller man...."
+Not wanting to get shot on accident and add to the pool of growing miscommunications already littering this situation like beads after Mardi Gras he made sure to enter the house slowly. He could already feel those inside and was able to tell that there was indeed a human, Nathaniel, and a were-leopard on the premises. One and one make two, so he was guessing that the were-leopard was the mysterious Owen that he had been told about over the phone. Following those scents to the bedroom where the leopard and human were he pushed through the door quietly and gave a nod to Owen. Nathaniel was perhaps still dealing with Cullen’s departure or possibly taking care of the arrangements that had arrived for Zach, Geller wasn’t really sure at the moment.+
“I’m a friend of Nathaniel’s.” +He spoke in a low voice to the were-leopard, letting the man know who he was so there was no need to worry.+ “How long has it been since the attack?”
+As far as Geller could tell from the messages sent to him and from the man still resting on the bed the attack had been somewhat recent, not long enough to be determined completely yet. Though, of course, some people might not know that. +
“You know he has a window of time where the syrum can still chase out the infection. It’s risky, but if the disease hasn’t set then this man still has options.”
+Geller’s black and silver whorled eyes looked from the leopard to the human on the bed who was in a half-dazed state still and wondered if anyone had bothered to give him that option. The chance to choose for yourself the life you wanted to live was something basic that everyone should have. There hadn’t been such a choice when he had been infected over twenty years ago, but medical technology had come a long way.+
“It’s Zach right? Can you understand me Zach?” +Geller moved towards the bed and got down on one knee so that the man wouldn’t have to strain to look up at him. Not a handsome man Geller looked every inch like a hairy, broad forehead having, large nosed, member of Homo-Neanderthalis if ever there was one, but the expression on his features was calm and kind.+ “If you want, the doctor here can let the infection run its course and you will change at the next full moon into what Nathaniel is, a werewolf. If you think even a little bit that you might not want that then there are other options. There’s a lycanthropy syrum they can inject you with that could chase the infection out of you. But, there are risks. If the infection from your attack hasn’t taken hold then the disease in the syrum will and you may still become a lycanthrope, just not a wolf. But you are the only one that can make that choice.”
+Regardless of the choice that Zach made Geller had a second purpose in coming here, and that was to find out who had committed this act of violence. As he was knelt beside the bed he let his eyes bleed to silver, the wolf peering out from within him at the injured prey upon the bed. Nostrils flared and Geller breathed in the scent of those in the room, and deeper still he picked up the smell of the wound. Using senses as primal as nature itself he searched for the scent of the attacker, funneling that knowledge deep within himself and storing it in the piece of his active mammalian brain that could filter such knowledge. Nate had not attached this man, the attack had been committed by someone that Geller had never met, and yet….there was something familiar about the smell.+
The shop still was in total disorder from Lorissa's tirade at Nathaniel's grand opening, mainly because he hadn't left Zack's side since he heard the first scream of pain coming from his room. Having been through this with Venus, he hoped that he was going to be of some help to Zack.
The only time he had stepped away, was to take the phone call from Geller, and to break out a clove cigarette, which he was puffing away on near the elevator to the second floor apartment. He really needed the smoke to take the edge off. Knowing Geller the way he did, the man probably assumed the worst.
For instance, the situation with Lori. He had asked her to leave, not because she knew Silent, it was the way she carried herself in answering him with her hands on her hips. It reminded him of his mother, Miriam Roshan, and the times she belittled him for his choices in life. The moon was coming closer to full, and Nathaniel could feel it. That's what set him off. Nathaniel paid a dear price for it, with the damages.
He had called Prudential Insurance, and they would send out an adjuster in a few days to assess the destruction in his shop. Nathaniel would not rest easy knowing he was losing money for every day the shop wasn't open for business. He lit a second cigarette. Blowing smoke rings over his head like broken halos, the elevator crept to life, bringing Geller with it to the apartment.
"Shalom, Geller." He was sure that Geller would want to talk to him, but for now, he put out his cig, and led Geller inside his and now Zack's dwelling place. Nathaniel was clad in just a pair of sweat pants, no shirt and bare feet as he padded towards the closed door of Zack, and opening it to let Geller inside. "Geller, this is Dr. Owen Connors. Owen, meet Charles Geller." Nate said, making introductions.
Nathaniel took his place on the side of Zack, making sure the bucket he'd been dry heaving into was empty, and if it wasn't he would leave the room and clean it out while Geller spoke to the feverish and shivering human and the kind doctor, that was also his friend. He returned with the bucket, just as Geller was talking about the cure, which wasn't always something that worked. It didn't work for his friend Venus.
But it was still an option, and Zack needed to have every option open and available to him. Nate sat at the side of the bed, and placed a cool compress to Zack's forehead. He said, "I found him around 9 am this morning, screaming and fevered. I am not sure how long he's been infected because I went hunting. Cullen's not here. He left." he sighed. "Whatever it was, has an odor that is familiar to me. It smells bad, and I only recall meeting that wolf once. He punched a she-wolf in her face, and there was a confrontation between Cullen and him."
Nathaniel remembered the rotten teeth in the fellow's face, and the horrible stench he carried along with him like a blanket. "He drove a broken piece of shit pick-up. Don't know his name, or the female's. We just happened to be in the smoke shop. A tiger was also there, named Hades. But I haven't heard from him in a while." As most of the questions were being directed towards the doctor and Zack, Nathaniel quieted down.
Man, he was becoming popular fast! Zack might have appreciated the new friends a little more under a different set of circumstances. Owen was fetching equipment from a bag he had brought along, so Zack's attention was focused on the newcomer. He thought he heard Nate call him Geller, but he wasn't to clear on it, so he kept silent, trying to breathe steadily as Geller explained the situation.
A cure?!? Zack would have jumped for joy at the words, if he could. Finally, some good news to this! Not that he had anything against Nate or any other Lycan he might have had the chance to meet: except the one asshole that attacked the group in the park. It just wasn't a change he wanted to make at all, not only for himself, but also for the safety of others. What if he went off track, and started attacking people? Or, was that the norm in the first place? There was so much about that world that he didn't know, and that he really didn't want to know.
Nate returned after Geller finished explaining Zachary's options and the two men started to talk between each other, giving Zack what felt like an eternity to think. This was reality now. The creatures and powers he had thought existed only in fiction and the supermarket tabloids were quite real. More than that, he was living with them! And besides the obvious problems in front of everyone, Zack's life was in better shape than it had been in years: a steady job, a place to call home, and actual friends.
The problem was that he was vulnerable. He thought back to the attack at the park, with Joseph showing off amazing strength while Lori, Astrid and Steven put on an impressive display of what Zack could only call magic. He and Taran...what could they have done? Nothing at all, and that's exactly what happened: they were prime targets. Dog chow. Even when he was surrounded by these 'paranormals', Zack was still easy pickings. Sure, he was taken off guard. But what if he was just a little faster in his reaction, or if he could have heard or seen the attack coming sooner?
Zack gritted his teeth through the pain, taking deep breaths as he tried to speak. He got the feeling that Geller was somewhat important, or at least a little higher in the food chain. There was information that they needed to know, and Zack had to give it. “Yah...” His voice sounded like it had regained some strength and resolve. Which, of course, took it to just barely above a whisper. “...The smell. It was...rotten eggs. Dead things...it tipped us off before anything...actually happened. Shou...shoulda seen it coming.” The poor man closed his eyes, fighting through the pain, taking labored breaths between every couple words.
“It was around 11...last night. Got bored when Nate...Nate and Cullen left. It was the park close to here...by the hookah bar.” There was no way in hell he'd ever get the chance to go back there. It would feel like a bad war flashback. “It was me, Joseph, and Lori...three others I didn't know. Steven...Astrid, and Taran...” A wave of pain shot through his body, his chest starting to cramp up. He fought through it, and kept going. “They carried me to the bar...after they fought the thing off. Patched me up, and I woke up...her-” He stopped, the cramping in his chest becoming to much for him to handle.
Once his chest decided to let up, his mind returned to what Geller had said earlier. There was just no way he could stay like this: fragile, vulnerable, relying on others for protection. The attack last night showed him that even with others, he had to be able to rely on himself. In this new world he had found, that didn't seem possible as he was. He had to become...something more than human. As much as he didn't like it, the beast he would become would at least be a means to that end. It was like there wasn't much of a choice in the matter: it was simply a matter of survival.
After a few minutes of hard thought, Zack finally spoke up again. “Thanks for the offer...but I think I'll just take my licks.” The cramps were starting to return, so he wanted to keep it short. “I'll wait...and turn.” He turned his head as he spoke, managing a weak smile towards Nate. Zack needed him now, and wasn't afraid to admit it. Owen, too...maybe even Geller? He seemed like he had a pretty decent support group right now, that could show him everything he needed to know about his new lot in life. He wondered if Nate was happy with his decision. The Israeli was certainly hurt by Cullen's departure...another wolf in the house might just be the answer to that.
+ Oh, if only Geller could actually read minds then he'd have a field day with both Nathaniel and Zach. Alas, he couldn't. Equally if Nate could read his mind then the man might realize that though he claimed to be Geller's friend he clearly didn't know him at all. Geller had no such assumptions about who had caused what to who, in fact he had written off the difficulties between Lorissa and Nate as unimportant in light of the current and more dire situation, but since no one here was a mind reader Nate could just continue on his path of morally degrading thoughts for someone he called a friend.+
"Oh, you'll take your licks alright." +His eyes stayed focused on Zach for a moment longer before giving a shake of his head.+ "There's good and bad no matter what you are, but don't get confused about what lycanthropy will change for you. You'll be at the bottom of a hierarchical system for years until you claw your way up and believe me it can be....daunting. Just give yourself the next few days to think about it and if you change your mind the Doc here will be able to get a shot for you."
+Pushing his palms against the edge of the bed he tried to make sure that he didn't jostle the patient as he rose to his feet and nodded for Nathaniel and Owen to follow him out into the hallway when they could. Geller didn't expect them both to fall over themselves to get to them, but he wanted to discuss some things with them that Zach was probably not well enough or undazed enough to hear at the moment. Stepping out of the bedroom he took a lean against one of the walls and pulled out his cellphone to send off a quick text message to Silent.+
"Whatever happened between Lori and Nate is their business. People are allowed to not like people for whatever stupid reasons they choose. I would advise not investing pack energy in a clearly personal matter. The human is most likely infected, I have asked him to consider injection with the syrum but I don't think he's likely to choose that option. I have to contact Ash about the attacker, I think I have an idea about who it is. I will tell you more when I know something."
+Letting Nate and Owen take their time with the patient before joining him gave him time to send off messages to those who might need them. Venus, Maya, and Trent recieved something similar, he even sent the message to Dee though she was more likely to do the looking after rather than needing to be looked in on. He was suddenly very glad Dee had moved in to help the others who were not as familiar with their beasts and the ways of wolves.+
"Stay together if you can, if you need help call Silent, I have to take care of some things. Will fill you in when I can."
+Then he sent a message to Nike who he still had unsettled matters with.+
"I know that you and I are hanging on an indecision at the moment, but there is something I have to take care of at the moment and I need your help. Please try to keep an eye on Zoe, Maya, Venus, Trent, and the others when you can. I'm not sure yet whats going on, but I want to make sure they are out of harms way. Please Nike. Love you. Shaggy Knight."
+Finally and regrettably he sent the last of the text messages whirring through his mind. Geller really hoped that he was wrong because this just wasn't the sort of thing you wanted to be right about. Pulling up Ashes name in his phone he sent a message off to the man.+
"I'm at the house of a wolf I know who is taking care of the possibly infected human. The smell of the wound reminded me of someone and Nate said it was the werewolf he'd seen punch a girl a few weeks ago. I met with you and Alex just after her brother had hit her.....two and two makes four. Have your phone on you. I'll be calling soon."
+Pieces had dropped into place as Nathaniel had told the story and Geller used his sense of smell, Nate's story, memories of the night he'd seen Ash, and deductive reasoning to come to the only logical conclusion that he could find. The reason he wasn't happy with that conclusion is because he knew exactly what Ash would do with it, and Geller didn't like being the cause of someone losing their brother.+
+When Nate and Owen joined him in the hall he slipped his phone into the back pocket of his jeans and moved away from the wall to face them both and talk. Where to begin.......his hands lifted and pushed back through the limp black strands of his hair. Really, he just didn't like that this kind of stuff even occured, but life was often cruel no matter what your race or culture. Biting at his lower lip he figured it was probably best to address the issue that he thought might make Nathaniel the most on edge, get it out of the way, and then they could get down to brass tacks.+
"Nate, you realize that with a pack here in New Orleans it's unlikely that they will just step aside and let a newly turned wolf be trained by one wolf on his own. I'm not saying it's right and I'm not saying it's absolute, I am just preparing you for the possibility that other wolves will try to intervene in this. If you want what's best for Zach....for his growth as a lycan and his safety....not to mention the general safety of people in the city...then you may want to consider working with someone instead of trying to take this on by yourself. IF that's even what you were thinking of doing."
+Geller wasn't telling Nate what he could or couldn't do. All he was trying to do was bring up the possible opposition that might occur in the event that Nate tried to be Zach's one man training machine. That idea would be dangerous and none too recommended since Zach would essentially be an uncontrollable force of nature for the first few months without someone who could call and contain his beast on hand. Better that Nate start thinking about options now rather than later.+
"Just think about it, okay. But, in the meantime, there's a rogue wolf on the loose who apparently doesn't mind infecting and possibly killing innocents on the streets of the city. I think we can all agree that that is our biggest problem here."
+Looking back and forth between Nathaniel and Owen he waited to see if they agreed that though Zach was important, his condition was momentarily stable, while his attacker was out there doing god knows what.+
"What I want to know is whether you want to help with that or not. If you do I have a plan, if you don't then I'll set out on my own."
+Ok, admittedly the one he could use help from was Nathaniel. Owen was really doing the most help by looking after Zach and maintaining a contact at the house.+
"It's possible that whoever this wolf is will try to come back and fetch his pup. That wouldn't be an uncommon thing. I think it would be a really good idea for Owen to stay with Zach and let me send another guard over as well just to make sure he won't be taken easily. I have another wereleopard in mind actually, her name's Jessie, she's a doctor as well so the two of you would provide strength both in numbers and in medical knowledge.
Geller's speech was met with a slightly dazed stare. The man was speaking like there really was a choice in the matter. If there was, then Zack wasn't seeing it. What was he going to do, be the boy, the weakling that everyone has to keep looking after? There was no way he wanted to live the rest of his life like that. He needed to be able to take care of himself, and this would do it. If he had to suffer through some initial pain, then so be it. His mind was pretty well set. With Nate around, it seemed like anything was possible.
Shortly after Geller was done speaking, the three of them left the room, leaving Zack to himself. This had him a little confused: what was so important that he didn't need to be hearing about it? Maybe it was just them being courteous , or it didn't really concern him in the first place. But he couldn't help but feel like something was wrong.
The feeling grew the longer Nathaniel, Owen and Geller were outside. The hell's going on out there? The pain in his chest hadn't quite subsided, but it was down to the point where he thought he could speak again. It wasn't going to be very loud, but they never had a problem hearing him before. Lycans were supossed to have superhuman hearing anyway, right? There was concern in his voice as he spoke: “Hey Nate. Owen...what's going on out there?”
Owen tried to recollect himself, catching up with everything that has gone on since he got here. First off, Zack has been telling all of them about the situation about some kind of attack from a werewolf that did this to him. The scent coming off of him wasn't sitting with him so he had taken precautions of what could actually take place in the future assuming he understands the principles of the whole ordeal. As Gellar took he and Nathaniel aside, he wanted to know where was he in all of this considering all he worried the most was seeing to Zack and his problems just as Gellar.
Rather or not he is wolf didn't matter, he gritted his teeth as the image of Zack's body going through so much must be killing him right now. Being a cub himself, it would ease the man in that room so that his presence would do him some good to try to talk his way into doing Zack a huge favor. He's been constantly standing there listening to Gellar, his brown pools turned to Nathaniel simultaneously. "I know of her, Otis told me she helped lycanthropes. I am glad to have gotten to know her a little. "He admitted to being comfortable whenever she came around.
The first, second times or more he's seen her the more his own cub felt at ease as if she was a second mother from his late mother who took care of him before her unexpected demise. Looking at Gellar, he then nodded knowing this guy knows what he's doing. He was more experienced than he so it was obvious he rather let him deal with all this. Still, as a doctor in the abode here he did feel like he wanted to help, if he had Jessica's contact information he'd have let her know what is going on with Zack.
Hearing Zack in the next room calling his and Nate's name, he rushed in the room being there for him. "I'm here for you Zack. Shh. I'll do what I can. Just, hang in there a minute longer. "He ran a hand through Zack's locks, it was the best way to soothe a panicked patient like this one before he began to finish where he started when he got here and before Gellar entered. A stethoscope hung around his neck, then sat in another seat so that he can work in this angle. "I'll first need to check your heart rate, respiratory rate, and then we can go to the next step. "He took the scope, pressing it to the exposed chest then over his lungs so that he can record the rates of these on a pad he also took out of the bag along with a pen. Soon after he was done with each rate he jotted it on paper before doing anything else.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Wednesday 23rd of March 2011 12:46:47 PM
Silent was almost confused by the text for a moment....After a moment she would return the text.
"ur right. thats y i had u deal with it. give me the adress...im coming."
It wasnt the leader in her that screamed out to get there. It was the part of her that to many people couldnt survive the change...Or the intial infection.
"Call Jess"
Would be the next text as she headed out the hookah doors and towards the motor cycle Lou had made her.Momma wolf in full mode.
His mind searched for something, anything at all to get away from his current predicament. The cramps, heat, and general surges of pain through Zack's body had been played out in his mind more than enough, having been beaten to death many times over like a proverbial horse. It actually managed to wander onto something else for a brief moment: the white walls of the room, while they looked nice, were quite bare. It made Zack think back to his old apartment in Mississippi, where he had covered his whole room from top to bottom in posters, and how he had just started to stretch the collection out to the living room before his move to New Orleans. Hell, why not try to do it here? It'd take him a while to build it back up, but it sure as hell looked nice.
Of course, his body wasn't quite ready to let his young mind wander around on its own, and a stinging sensation from his arm brought it crashing back down to reality. God damn, was there some sort of painkiller for this? At least Owen had come back into the room, in quite the hurry. Zack didn't think he had spoken that loud, but he wasn't about to complain.
Zack couldn't quite figure out why, but Owen's touch was very soothing, making him feel about as relaxed as he could feel at this point. It was the same logic as putting a hand on someones shoulder, he supposed. Some people were just sensitive to touch. The doctor's words sent his head on another short trip: of all the things he noticed, his heart rate wasn't one of them. He knew his breathing was a total mess, managing mostly short, quick breaths while having to labor for enough breath to speak. Now that he actually thought about it, he felt as Owen listened. Sure enough, his heart was going about a mile a minute, like he had just got done running a marathon. It hadn't gotten the chance to slow down since Zack woke up, and the young man didn't think that could be a good thing.
A thought came to Zack's mind once Owen was done checking on him and had gone to writing on his pad. The doctor was pretty damn calm for the situation at hand. Owen had said that he heard what happened, but it seemed like he knew what he was doing. Maybe he had plenty of experience with this sort of thing? A small bit of strength had returned to Zack, his newfound resolve letting him fight through the pain a little. He braced himself for the pains in his chest as he did his best to speak. “You...look like you know what...you're doin', doc. Seen this before?” He winced as his chest tightened up, but he didn't care. Hearing the voices of others was enough to put him at ease right now. He simply couldn't stand the silence.
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Wednesday 23rd of March 2011 08:12:08 PM
When she received the text, she was in the middle of unpacking her things in newly refurbished room. She replied instantly:
"Don't worry boss. I got everything under control :)"
She dug into one of her weaponry metal cases, and pulled out the gun that would probably scare the shit out of everyone in the house, though they knew she would never dare shoot it. Not at them, anyways. She stormed into the living room, holding the Valtro PM5 in the air as if she was Al Pacino in Scarface, and yelled, letting her voice echo throughout the entire abode.
"Alright listen up! I'm in charge! Geller is out tending to a possibly new wolf and made me the boss! So one of you vermins get me a beer!"
Laughter vibrated from her slender throat. Oh she loved being in charge.
He looked over the pad he had written, sensing that Zack was in agony, the pain he was experiencing upon this infection could be nasty until he shapeshifts into the animal that attacked him. The scent he smelt when he first came in the room to check on him was not a very pleasant odor and judging from the source it was a canine that much his own leopard picked from memory.
Putting the pad and pen away back in the side compartment to the left, pulling out a medium sized clear cup that had numbers and lines written upon it. As for Zack's inquiry rather he seen this before, let's just say, not seen more like been through it is the correct definition" Actually Zack, I may look completely human to you. But, I'll get it off my chest and tell you right now. I'm a wereleopard." His Physician was a large feline with sharp claws aye? Not sure how his patient was taking this new knowledge, but he would understand if he becomes afraid thinking he may shift, pounce, and maul him like most cunning felines. Doubt it.
He was pretty young, a mere cub just getting by nothing else. The next thing he wanted was urine from Zack who may or may not find it uncomfortable. A devilish grin curled his lips, as if the cat ate the canary or kitty humor mind you? Waving the cup in his left hand, he requested a tiny favor from the victim" Okay, do you have to use the bathroom?" He said, in a sing song voice.
If he had panicked, then the job of a doctor will never finish and as it is the reason for his calm demeanor may have something to do with the fact, panicking doesn't get anywhere. It is what he believes most of the time.
Oh, before the test he thought the fellow could use one of his pain nullifiers. He is still human so that lycanthropy will eventually set in later than sooner making the insulin acceptable for the blood. He removed a syringe and then a white liquid he created that numbs the part of the brain that senses pain, but it was only temporary.
He'll leave the stuff with Zack until he gets better" Hold still, this is a pain nullifier. It'll last up for some hours so that's a long time" Absorbing the liquid through the bottle, he then pushed the top of it, allowing some of it to squirt in the room before sticking on his right, upper arm. It'll take a few seconds for the liquid to go through his bloodstream. "That should settle any pain you have, but only for three hours. Take it every six hours." He instructed him, hoping he heard everything so he doesn't mess the whole thing up.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Thursday 24th of March 2011 11:06:42 PM
The cup, was that...oh, hell yes! Zack didn't think that tiny little cup would be enough to hold what he was going to give, but it was a start! In his condition, though, he wasn't quite sure how it was going to work. Maybe Owen was going to hold it for him? The thought brought another half wince, half smile to the young man's face.
Oh...right. Painkillers! All through school, Zack was terrified of needles. Getting kicked out of the house and moving state to state had him selling blood every once in a while to pay the bills, so he got over that pretty quickly. The doctor wasn't kidding: within just a few seconds, the waves of pain emanating from his arm had almost completely subsided. He still felt hot enough to have a fever, but at least it didn't hurt as much. “Well...holy shit, Owen. This is a lot better. Thanks!” It was amazing what one little shot could do. The pain wasn't causing him to struggle with breathing anymore, so he thought of trying his luck with moving. Sure enough, he could sit upright with just a little chest cramp, though he still felt a little weak, so it took some effort.
“You know...oddly enough, that doesn't really bother me.” Zack was a little surprised at himself for saying it, but he meant every word. “Hell, I've seen, heard, and felt stranger things the past couple days...good to know I have a little bit of experience on my side.” Damn, he felt good! He probably would have jumped straight out of bed and tried to go for a run if Owen would have allowed it. The poor guy had been stuck in bed for what felt like an eternity. Whatever the hell was in that needle, it did wonders for his mind as well as his body.
“So...I don't think that little cup's gonna be enough.” With the first wide smile he'd managed all day, Zack took the piss cup from Owen's hand, swinging his legs out from under the blanket that had been covering him from the waist down and revealing gray sweatpants. He stopped and looked down at himself for a moment, thinking out loud: “...Who the hell changed me?” With a shrug, he finished turning around so his legs were over the side of the bed, facing away from Owen. The smile still on his face, Zack slid the pants off his waist and went to town with the cup. To hell with being shy! The good doctor had probably seen enough of this sort of thing anyway.
The young man half turned towards Owen, holding the cup which had been filled to the top line in one hand and shifting his pants back around his waist with the other. “Fast, easy delivery for ya, Doc.” While he was turned towards Owen, his baby blue eyes shifted over towards the door. Nate and Geller still hadn't come back inside. “So, Owen...what the hell's so damn important that they're still out there?”
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Friday 25th of March 2011 02:03:31 AM
Soon as the man finished his trip, returned and extended the full cup of warm, yellow liquid, he put a lid a little tight, but not too tight. Placing it into the large, gray duffle bag, Owen smiled softly hearing Zack inquire of him about what was going on out there since they have been out there for awhile. If or if he should explain what will take place the minute he begins his first shift. Somehow, in his gut there is a chance that he will be taken without notice. "Zack? I am not really sure if I should tell you right now, it's a little too soon." Looking down, trying not to make eye contact with someone whose been through so much and yet, he wasn't sure how the fellow can handle another burden weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Biting his lower lip, trying not to expose the truth that it has only just begun. This man was starting to grow on him as a friend, someone he only met a few times and now here he is helping him get back on track. It scared him a bit, but the calmness may have shielded what he was really feeling. Owen is skilled in doing just that, keeping everything bottled inside until it was time to unleash it. "I am going to stick around. It's for the best if you be aware of your surroundings alright. "Is all he said, tips are always good and he thought he needed to get it off his chest. "I would need to take blood, saliva, and also check retina and ear canal. It's something I need so that you'll understand as to why I am doing all this. I also need to replace that bandage, clean it so you'll heal faster "Perhaps, sooner than later.
He thought to himself, then got out the blood collector, cotton swab, and a pen light for eyes and ears.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Friday 25th of March 2011 04:44:57 AM
Steven made his way to the Seven Sins BDSM parlor in the morning sun. It was almost noon. He had slipped out of Lori's room, not being able to sleep well on the hard, tiny couch. He had thought of leaving her a note, but figured he'd just drop by soon in person. After going to his condo, he took a shower, and changed into some baggy jeans, a green shirt with the recycle logo on it, and ran a comb through his hair. He found the shop again, soon enough, and rang the buzzer.
When a reply would come, he would speak in his gravelly voice. "It's Steven Terrafor. I was at the grand opening, and was with Zack last night. Came to check on him." He puffed on a cigarette, and was ready to snuff it beneath his heel as soon as the buzzer allowed him in. Once allowed in, he would make his way up the stairs he had seen the Star Wars boxers-clad man come down from.
He pushed into the room where he had heard voices. "Shit. He looks like hell ran him over. But then again, that's pretty much what seemed to happen last night." He looked around the room at the other visitors. There was a man with a stethoscope around his neck. "Hey, doc, did that girl Astrid do a good job? I was a little too tired to check her work last night, though she seemed to be capable. He gonna make it?"
“Well Owen, you can stick around as long as you damn well please.” Zack slowly shifted himself to the middle of the bed again, still sitting up but ready to whatever Owen's next requests were. The smile had started to fade a little, that sinking feeling building itself up in his gut again. “Come on, man...don't do that to me.” Zack's eyes tried to meet Owens. “If it's that important, just let me know. I think I can handle it. And if I can't...well, that's what you and Nate are here for, right?”
After a moment, the young man started looking around the room for his jacket. Sure, the thing had been torn to hell and soaked in his own blood, but his cigarettes were still there! He had another pack somewhere in the room, but he wasn't sure if his legs would support his weight yet. Damnit to hell, the jacket was nowhere to be found. Somebody probably did the smart thing and threw it out...he really liked that jacket, too. “Say, doc...think it's alright for me to have a smoke sometime soon?” The answer would have to wait, as someone was trying to ring themselves in the front door. He couldn't hear who, though. “Door's op-oww, fuck!” Zack made the mistake of trying to yell, but the painkillers hadn't numbed that much of him yet, his chest cramps starting to kick in again. “Alright...” His voice was softer this time, directed towards the people standing outside the bedroom door. “...Someone out there tell him the door's open.”
Either Geller or Nate (not that Nate was there anymore, but Zack didn't know it) said something, or Steven figured it out on his own. Regardless of which, the man who helped save his life showed up in the doorway just a few seconds later. “Steven!” The bad feeling at Owen's words earlier got pushed back down at the sight of one of his rescuers. “I'd get up and hug you right now if I could! But, uhh...you'll just have to settle for a 'thanks' 'till I'm a little better. Did anyone grab the plate numbers on that damn truck that ran my ass over last night or what?” His smile was ear to ear again, joking around like he had last night. Oh, the wonders of modern medicine!
Done. All finished, he thought as he put everything back in the bag and replaced the new bandage on his shoulder after he got through cleaning it with some medicine that killed the germs. He was going to look over Zack like Geller said, better than nothing right? He listened to the sound of a chime, someone else was here?
As for Nathaniel or Cullen, doubt neither was available as their scent indicated that both skidaddled away from here, leaving this poor man all alone and abandoned. Frowning lightly, cussing under his breath at such bad timing. He smelt a familiar fragrance, knew it or so his mind could not place the figure of a man who stood there in the room facing them. Zack did look like shit, for now. The shit hits the fan the moment he shifts, now that is not going to sit with anyone.
Standing on his feet, he crossed the room so that he can pull Steven to the side. "I need a favor. He looks a little better now, gave him a painkiller to numb for about three hours. But, there is a problem. He's not safe. Geller is here, he thinks it's best that me and Jessica stays with him" He gritted his teeth, not surprising that whoever attacked Zack may fetch him if he is not supervised.
He realizes that Steven may get upset, better that than what will go down the chute or he could lie and say, everything will be alright to Zack. Give him some imagination, but it'll do no good. Astrid, who in the world is Astrid? "Whose Astrid?" Doubt, he has met her before. Nope. "I heard what happened. I was called in by Nathaniel to patch him up. He's doing okay now" As for that last request from Zack about a smoke, he didn't see why not so nodded in approval. "Hey? You're up for some lunch? Think you should eat something. I'm going to cook. "He waited for Zack's answer.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Friday 25th of March 2011 02:39:14 PM
Steven smirked, and walked over to Zack's side. Pulling a smoke out of his own pack, he brought it to his lips and let his lighter's flame lick the end. When the tip glowed brightly, he exhaled, and stuck the tobacco product in Zack's mouth. "Here ya go, bud. Enjoy it while you can before they take em away from ya."
A frown pulled at his features when Owen pulled him aside, and spoke of the beast coming back. "Look, I don't know who this Geller chap is, or Jessie for that matter. I know I saw you at the grand opening, and you've done what you can to patch my pal up, so I trust you. What needs to be done? I'll do my best to help." He had put his hands on the doctor's arms, and was gripping them quite hard. He let go, and ran his hand through his hair.
"Astrid's a girl I've only seen twice. She was at the grand opening, with the girl the owner yelled at. And then she was there last night. I can only say she did her best to help Zack out. And stitched him up afterwards, too." He wouldn't tell anyone how the girl had helped, since it was too close to his own secret. And if the roles were reversed, he'd like the privelege of sharing his secret at his discretion.
"What exactly does Zack remember about the attack? It was all quite a blur for me. First we were in the park, and the next thing I know, Zack's bleeding, and this huge beast is hauling ass into the woods."
The smoke flowing through his lungs was like a breath of fresh air to Zack, taking a nice long drag on the first cigarette he had since the attack. He wasn't sure how healthy it was for him in his current condition, but if the doctor said it was alright, then it was good enough for him. “Thanks, Steven. I'll try.” The painkillers were just a little to good at their job, making Zack have to take the cigarette out of his mouth to keep it from falling.
So many people were coming to see him, it seemed! Sure, Geller looked like it was more of a business thing, but Owen and Steven managed to stop by (though Owen, as the doctor, was sort of obliged to show up), and Joseph and Lori had sent gifts and 'get well soon' cards. What getting 'well' meant to them was beyond Zack, but the thoughts behind the gifts were doing wonders for his mental state. That, and the drugs Owen was pumping him full of were doing a pretty damn good job, too.
“Oh hell, food sounds amazing right now, Owen. I'll eat whatever you put in front of me. Water, too. Lots of water.” Those basic needs were starting to nag at Zack again now that he could actually move around. He shifted himself back to the edge of the bed now that Owen was done with his doctor stuff, though he didn't want to try standing just yet. Something told him his legs would give out and send him flat on his face if he tried.
Zachary was starting to get rather annoyed at the secrecy in the room. First Owen tried to play off the conversation outside as nothing, then he pulls Steven off to the side. He was sure that whatever it was, it concerned him. “Come on, guys, don't do this shit to me.” Zack paused, taking another long inhale from the cigarette Steven had given him. “What's the big secret? What the hell's going on around here?”
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Saturday 26th of March 2011 03:31:29 AM
If only he had been more human, the squeeze from Steven may have actually hurt badly. As it was, his ability to take such move was like being pinned down by three feather pillows. He watched the man with an odd scent to him, the other was human, but the smell coming from this one here was off, like he knew it somewhere but didn't. "I am ..just, scared okay. I never actually been this scared before. I usually can handle all kinds of things" He too smoothed a right hand over his dark, chestnut locks before he moved over to Zack who demanded to know something their hiding from him.
If Geller will be okay with explaining it then he didn't think it'll be too bad, better to share information than simply let him be the target. Thinking about Nathaniel made him almost grab a pistol in the next room. Maybe, he left some kind of weapon behind when he abandoned them. "I'll be right back Zack...Steven" The young leopard doctor exit the room, then pulled out his cellular phone to make a delivery. "Take out please" He wasn't sure what Zack liked, but he chose for tonight some Chinese. Lots of Chinese. "Thanks" He closed the small door of his T-mobile phone, slipped it in right side of his waste where a clip for it kept it in place.
Returning to the room, he sat down in the same seat where he had treated Zack when he first arrived. "I am not sure if you like it, but ordered some Chinese. "Leaving at that, he then took a deep breath figuring this was the time to tell him as much as he needed to know. "Zack? During that attack from what I learned, whoever bit you is going to come back for you. But, we're all going to make sure that doesn't happen" That was a vow from his lips, he was sure there was something Zack can use for self-defense in case he must use it. Ugh, nothing in here.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Saturday 26th of March 2011 02:38:20 PM
“You know...whatever. Go.” Zack shook his head with irritation, smoke blowing out his nose like an angry cartoon character as Owen stepped out again, leaving him alone with Steven. He trusted Owen enough to explain things to him eventually, but the waiting was bugging him beyond belief.
His attention turned to Steven again, overhearing just a little of the conversation between Owen and him. “I remember...almost everything. More than I want to.” Zack's legs kicked back and forth off the bed, the young man trying to stretch himself out a little. “I don't know what the hell you did the other night, or what Astrid or Lori pulled off...but thanks. Really, thank you. Shit, man, I'd be dead if you guys weren't there.” The smile started to spread across his face again, the cigarette Steven had given him clenched between his teeth.
The smile got even wider when Owen returned, mentioning Chinese take-out. “Hell yah, Owen! I'm starving over here! Who doesn't like Chinese, anyway?” He wasn't kidding, either: after the shot had taken effect, hunger had been a thought overtaking almost everything else. It was crazy how bad it was. Even though it had been maybe 16 hours since eating anything, he felt like he hadn't eaten in days.
Zack was about to try to slide off the bed when Owen finally told him what was going on, and why Geller had shown up and was probably bring more people over. He simply froze on the edge of the bed, no motion except for his breathing, the smile on his face gone once again. “...Right.” His voice reverting to the whisper it was before the painkillers set in, he took the cigarette out of his mouth, letting lose a slow exhale of smoke. “...That's just fucking dandy. You know what? It figures. It'd just be my luck that as soon as I start to pick myself up after somethin', somebody's gotta come and push me back in my fuckin' hole. Wonderful.”
“But...” Zack's blue eyes were cast to the ground, far off in thought. “...Why would it come back for me? Am I considered the thing's kid...well, pup now? Or just to finish the job?” Not even bothering with another hit, he snuffed the cigarette out in the ashtray sitting beside his bed. “I guess it doesn't really matter. I mean, you guys are here, and Geller and Nate are outside...somewhere. Wherever the hell they are. Regardless, we've got the odds in our favor...right?”
It was mid-afternoon, the wereleopard looked at Steven then thought rather he too may want Chinese cause there is plenty. He was part human and other half was the animal, there was a deep smell of the food coming from downstairs even before the delivery guy got to the door. It's amazing how he can eat it all in one sitting without worrying too much about gaining any weight, that'll probably happen to Zack here whose beast will eventually come to the surface in a matter of time.
Racing past the gentleman, the young leopard jump three steps cause he was an athletic, dare devil type of guy. Got to love his flexibility. Feet stopped, door swung open. A short, stocky man stood outside holding three sacks. Each with yummy goodness, alright! He thought. His African kitten was jumpy today and it had just awoken from it's long, morning sleep. The Chinese man with his fez on, is that what you call those small, red hats? The one Abu from Aladdin has on? Anyway, hunger won the war so the objects in the man's hands was now taken from him. "That'll be $12.50" He said with a Chinese accent. Owen sat the bags down, pulled out his leather black wallet, slipped a few bills and some change then paid him up front. "Thanks." He smiled warmly, watching the man walk to his car then shut the door, locking it.
Not sure if locking it will do any good seeing there were also windows. A shrug of his shoulders, he picked up the plastic bags then hurried up the stairs, entering the room, closing the door with the left of his shoulder. "Chinese for everyone. Teriyaki chicken and rice, as well as some others. Choose what you want from the pile. "He directed it to Zack and if Steven wanted some he was not forgotten. Picking the rice and chicken, most had meat in them, but there was so many choices that it could be hard to decide. Sitting down, he opened a carton and picked a chicken, it was gooey as well as juicy flavoring hitting his tongue. Mmm. "Hey! Steven.."He said, half mouth full. "You have got to try this! Oh.."He swallowed what was left, then thought what he wanted to discuss. "So? I propose we come up with some ideas so this thing won't come snatch the poor man here. What do you think we should do? "He asked Steven, poking his chopsticks in the rice and chicken, eating it while waiting for a reply from the elemental. His aura certainly did not feel very human, his beast picked up something else.
Human smelled human, this guy here had an aura that was a little too far off to suggest that he was other than ordinary. His young leopard felt some power, it's spine vibrated each time the kitten was around him for some odd reason. Owen did not say or spoken out anything. If only he had Jessica's phone, he may tell her about Zack and his situation. Geller recommended it. He hasn't seen that girl in almost a long time. He felt someone watching him whenever he was around her, almost like she was a mother sheltering her child from harm.
His kitten felt safe, protecting, a soft cover surrounding him. He'll figure out something. For now, the steps to being here for their friend Zack here was the main focus. It's what the real deal here was after all. There must be tons of questions, lots of them from Zack who may want to know about his situation. What is there to hide? Nothing." I know you must have lot to ask Zack. Actually, I know what you're going through. This thing wants you cause you are it's child sort of, a pup now that he created you. " I should know. He thought to himself, remembering his ex-girlfriend's words who been wanting to collect her kitten.
The one she made when they started dating back in West Virginia, his and her homeland. Harper was crazy, her leopard dangerous, it was powerful so she could come to New Orleans at anytime if she wanted to. He was her prize, she calls him but he knows better than to answer.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 02:57:00 PM
Steven felt bad for the young man on the bed. He was hurt, and now he was confused. "Listen, Zack, I don't pretend to know all the details, but apparently, you are going to go through some changes. Worse, even, than puberty. You will start to crave meat, your senses will get sharper, and from what I understand, it's not all pleasant. Also, they think this wolf who attacked you will come back. I don't know which form he'll come back in. You just trust me, and I'll do my best to protect you. I'll figure out who this bastard was. And if I can, I may save him for you."
The doctor offered some Chinese food, and went downstairs to pick up the delivery. "I thought he said he was going to cook?" With a shrug of his shoulders, he looked at Zack. "Hey, man, you want some food? You can't eat laying down, so I'll help you a bit." He grabbed a cushion off the couch, and easing Zack to a sitting position, anchored it behind his back. He let Zack lay back against it somewhat, finally him sitting inclined, so he could eat. Steven couldn't resist quoting one of his favorite movies with this situation. "Hey! Hey, he's awake! He wants some food! Bring some food!" He chuckled and headed into the kitchen to find a travel mug. Once he had rummaged enough to find one, he filled it with water, and a couple of ice cubes to make it cold. He brought it back in just as Owen was coming in with the plastic bags.
"Ah, none for me just yet, doc. I'll let the patient have his fill." He grabbed some of the containers and brought them over to Zack with a fork. He didn't want to see the man fumbling with chopsticks in his state. "Just eat as much as you want, dude. Soon, you'll be up and stronger than ever." He set the cup of water within reach of Zack, and pulled a chair over, turning it so he could see Zack and Owen both. "Look, I don't know why this thing picked Zack, but it may be that he knows where this place is. We should probably move you somewhere we can set up a better defense. Doc, is there anywhere in the town where others like Zack is turning into gather? I think it'd be best. And I could always fortify the place a bit." He winked at Zack, and his tattoos swirled playfully.
“Yeah, I know, Steven. I know.” Zachary shook his head, his voice still low, though it sounded slightly irritated now. Maybe they should have kept that little tidbit about the wolf coming back for him to themselves, because it was doing a number on Zacks already weak mental state. “It's something I gotta go through, you know? I can't be like this now. I'm not gonna be the weakling that everyone's trying to protect the rest of my life. This bullshit here will be over eventually, then I'll be able to take care of myself. And if I see that wolf again, then hell, I'll be able to take care of it myself.” His voice was shaky at best, as he wasn't quite sure if he believed it himself. It was all a lot to take in.
After his little speech, Zack managed a smile at Steven. “Thanks, though. You've already done so much for me, you ain't gotta keep this up. I owe you to much as it is...” His voice trailed off as he sniffed the air. You didn't have to be a supernatural recognize that smell: every human being probably had the scent of Chinese food genetically carved into their brains at birth. “I don't care if he cooked or not, that works for me!”
Even though Zack wasn't strong enough to physically resist Steven, he wasn't about to let the man help him out without a verbal fight. “No, no no no. I can do this myself...” Zack let himself hang limply in Steven's arms as he tried to prop the young man up against the cushion. “...God damnit, Steven, when I stop feeling like total shit, you're done. You hear me? Well...” Finally, Zack was sitting up rather comfortably, with his back leaning against the couch cushion. “...Thanks again, I guess.” He raised his arms up in a weak shrug.
The smile returned to Zack's face when Owen returned with the heap of food. His mouth opened slightly, and saliva could be seen drooling down. “Oh, hell yeah...” They said that he would start to crave meat, but it didn't seem like it had taken that long. He was starving! “Come on, come on, come on! Thank you so much, Owen. Good lord...” Zack barely had time to register that the particular box he picked was General Tso's chicken, let alone taste it. It was gone within a couple minutes. “Oh, don't worry about it, Steven. Help yourself, man.” It might have been rice in the next box. Maybe it was noodles? It didn't matter to much, as that was gone quickly as well. He only stopped to cough, some of the food heading down the wrong hatch for a moment.
“Holy hell, guys...I don't think I've been this hungry in my life.” Zack said, catching his breath as he reached over for yet another box. More chicken. Great. “You all seem to be taking it pretty easily that this thing's probably gonna come back for me...” He slowed himself down for this one, giving himself time to talk in between chunks of chicken. “...Maybe that's what it wants? For us to stick our necks out, and it'll hit when we're vulnerable? I don't know, but maybe we should hole up here? Wall off the ramp, throw turrets in the mineral line, that sort of thing.” The terrible reference served only to show off Zack's inexperience in the matter. He didn't really know where to go with this at all, except to keep eating for now.
-- Edited by ZACHARY SULLIVAN on Wednesday 30th of March 2011 01:04:24 AM
He was actually listening and playing with the half-empty carton box, sticking the edge of the chopsticks in, out, and around, his opened laptop he brought along with him in the duffle bag was hooked up to a socket. The doc had recently been tracking Jessica down so he could locate an address, the beautiful thing about technology is this, it sent you appropriate information through a signal, wires. Licking around plush lips, his brown eyes mostly on the noodles in the box that is until he thought of something decent to say. Just like Zack he was pretty new at this lycanthropy thingamajig, second, he understood it enough to be there for his patient here in case he needed any updates, tips, he'll be properly train, but what he really needs is an expert werewolf who knew the ropes. The only thing is he also felt his presence was needed the most only because the two of them had a little in common. They were both young and this guy was soon going to be experiencing lycan symptoms before or after his change. He put some more noodles in his mouth, before setting it down on the bed table.
He smiled at Zack's sincere gratitude just now. "You know? I am happy to be of service Zack. I mean that. "It was something he been meaning to get off of his chest. As for Steven's suggestion about forming a defensive wall, that didn't actually seem bad, not one little bit. Checking on the alarm clock on the side, it was 4:02 p.m. Damn, how time just slips on by just as you was having a brilliant time. His leopard liked Zack and it was no secret that Zack was becoming like some old buddy from the old days, but he only started to know him. Once the beast liked something, it pretty much stuck to it like glue. Besides separation between them will be like something was missing. Almost considered calling the three of them right now as My Three Sons except, they wasn't the old hit sitcom back in the days, somehow, they can keep in touch if anything should really go down. Still, even if Zack expressed he can take care of himself, knowing perhaps so. Part of him was not going to leave him without some kind of defensive mechanism in case he needs it.
As for the gathering, he wasn't quite sure where that place is but he'll think of something. The full moon will be around again in the next month which will also be Zack's first shift. "I sent word to Jessica in a letter. I'll have something for you so that we will know what to do with him until then. Right now, we should take our time with this. "He might be a doctor, but he chose to use patience in times like this one, that is unless there was a crucial moment when another person's expertise was needed such as Geller's. Geller will be standing by, he trusted the man in fulfilling his part. As for the other werewolves, he was pretty sure Geller was working on his end as Owen was doing the same to care for his infected patient.
Aye? He canted his head to Zack's odd form of plans, doubt it's going to do any good. A werewolf is not some little thing, their smart and so the best thing to do is think outside the box. He may not be a wolf, but he at least understood a predator. A predator is known to lurk somewhere until it got what it wants, Zack was it. Standing on his feet, he crossed the room to the window, parting the left curtain looking downward as he watched pedestrians walk across the sidewalk. If only things can be this carefree. Why does shit like this have to happen? His own ex-girlfriend, Harper, was crazy but the way this werewolf was described was even crazier. What Steven said, about a place they can put him so they'll have a more defense wall. He only have to pray Jessica picks up that note in time before things got right down and ugly, literally.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Wednesday 30th of March 2011 03:24:39 AM
Steven finally grabbed a box of shrimp Lo-mein. He liked the way the greasy noodles tasted, and he slowly enjoyed them, bite by bite. He stopped with a few noodles hanging out of his mouth when Zack mentioned some fortification ideas. The man coughed a little, swallowed, and finally chuckled. "What'd you give him doc? He thinks he's in a video game. Sorry Zack, but your space marines would be no help here. The grounds too soft for them. Fortunately, I do have a drop zone not far away, to call in some reinforcements. I can get them here in three days."
He wasn't talking about fiction, now. He actually did have a plan for some reinforcements, though they would never be known for what they were. He had to call an old contact, someone he trusted with his life. It had been too long since he talked to his uncle anyways. He slipped out his palm pilot, and brought the contacts up. He pushed the send button, and waited while his uncle's service provider spat Lynard Skynard into his ear. The line clicked, and a rough voice spoke. "Hey, Uncle Bal! How are you? Good, look, you know you're my favorite uncle right? Okay, you got me. I need my soldiers sent to somewhere. I'll send you the address in a minute. Get them ready, and I'll send some funds. Thanks, Unc. Love ya, man. And you should come visit sometime. There's some cool people here. Yeah, there's a woman I kinda like, but we're just friends right now...I need them to protect a friend of mine. Wolf bite. Alright, thanks again!" Click.
"Well, Zack, you're in luck. The man I just talked to can have your soldiers sent in a mere 36 hours. But the process will take a few more to get them entrenched." He was talking to Zack, knowing the man was high, but he wasn't lying. The reinforcements would come, and Steven could take care of some other business while they guarded his buddy. The man resumed eating his Lo-mein, and finished it off.
The young patient could only smile at Steven's jab at him, his mouth full of chicken. Three boxes in, and he was still hungry! Not that Zack was going to complain, as Owen had brought plenty. “It's not...the drugs, Steve.” He started to respond, finally swallowing down the latest mouthful. “It's withdrawal. I used to be a beast at those games, and I was gonna use my first paycheck here to get myself a half decent computer. Since I've managed a total of 9 hours of work before this shit, I might be able to get a screen, maybe?” He had plenty of other things to worry about now, but being able to vent some of his frustration by 6-pooling some poor Protoss might have done him some good.
While Steven pulled out his phone, Zack turned his attention to Owen, letting the elementalist make his phone call. “Say...here's a question for you.” Since his mind was on the changes he would be going through anyway, he might as well start getting himself accustomed to the new way of life. Since everyone else had pretty much disappeared, Owen was the closest thing to a mentor he had for the moment. “Why's everyone trying to get me in with the wolves? Yeah, I know, I got bit by one, but ain't it pretty much the same deal no matter what you're infected by?” His inexperience was a little embarrassing to him, but hell, how else is someone going to learn? “Like...couldn't a cat, or leopard, or whatever teach me about the same as a wolf could?” He kept his smile, bracing himself for a belittling.
Regardless of who was able to teach him anything, he was just happy that there was at least somebody there to help him out. It felt like Owen, Zack, and Steven were more just sitting around chilling out than discussing the various ways to keep Zack from dying or getting kidnapped. The two being around went a long way to putting him at ease in his predicament, and he hoped that he'd be able to stick around them for a while longer.
Setting his third empty box to the side, he held off reaching for a forth as Steven explained what was going on with his phone call. His head tilted to the side slightly, his face one of confusion. “...Soldiers? The hell kind of backup are you trying to get, Steven?”
While still at the window staring out, trying to release some of the fears and paranoia of his new friend sitting over there, he heard just about a lot of the things they were saying from where he stood. A bit of sunshine will wake some part of Zack whose constant thinking of the bad can turn to horrors so thought to find some way to keep their minds off the big bad wolf who'll come bar their house or building in before long. Since he wasn't here now, better to let those bad thoughts slip than what can take place. He waited longer for Jessica, but still she hasn't answered his letter he sent to her address. Guess, she was pretty busy, he'll take Zack in if no one else is going to do it then he'll act like the wolf to Mowgli except he wasn't a wolf.
He walked over to the infected man, leaned his forehead to his so they'd touch, his eyes stared directly into his. Pretty soon, the need to be close and touch will be something Zack will be introduced to as the young wereleopard was now. His own young cat did not smell pard or leopard, only human but there was a faint aura of human except the wound was fresh, made by the teeth of the wolf. If it want, the leopard's body could so easily rub against the left or right leg of this person then mark him, just cause they felt like orphans right now. Neither had anyone to watch or care for them as everyone else went about their own ways. He remembered a story about two teenaged boys walking on a railroad track, each carrying bags over their shoulder, home was behind them as far as either was concerned.
Zack said something about a leopard teaching a wolf some tricks, if someone didn't step to help out that is what he'll try to do. If wolves can raise a lost human in the wild, so can a leopard do the same with a newly wolf. "I'll do my best Zack."Then release the closeness between them, Zack's not up to par with the close contact yet, but he'll understand since it's animalistic connections. As for Steven's phone call to someone he didn't even know, he pretended not to have picked up any conversations on the other end which is quite possible with his type, but none of it was any of his business so he kept whatever Steven and his colleagues were up to. Soon as he hung up, a brow rose following Zack's inquiry about the soldiers. "Yeah Steven. Will they be able to take on something like that thing on without making any mistakes or messing up? I am not doubting your expertise, it's just that I care what happens to people is all. This wolf is fast, make sure they're up for something that can bulldoze them. Know thy enemy. "He was starting to be quite protective of Zack, leopard or not, it was the beast in him that became to be more at his side than the human form of himself. His claws may not be sharp enough to do much damage to that damn wolf he heard about, but if he has to then he'll come up with something. Even the weak can do better than those that were twice as strong. Owen often did use his brainpower rather than muscle mass to begin with.
Now, back to Zack who needed an alternative. What was happening to Owen didn't sound like him at all. His three year old leopard felt alone in the world, there was a part of him that wish he had a more experienced leopard to take him in under his wings, give him a place to call home, but none of that even exist. Kind of like a happily ever after in fairytales combined with reality. Sometimes, he would have wished it was fantasy land. Think of something positive. "Think happy thoughts. "Funny all of a sudden? His leopard no needed to raise a protective front but it was sitting on his haunches unless he had to step in. As for now, Owen was happy for his inner friend when he needed him the most in times of trouble and hardships.
There was one of the things he's been meaning to get off his chest, tell him a little story about something similar to the wolf being taught by something that is not wolf, it still be better if he had training by one. "I can teach you what I know, that's really far I can go. But, I can be there for you cause I'm not exactly that experienced either, I am young and I don't know what I maybe capable of when I shift, I do know that as far as my beast teaching yours, it'll sound like that story about a goose who hung out with too many hens in a barn one day. See, he too thought he could live among chickens and still be able to fly. One day, a flock of geese flew overhead, the gander started running real fast, then started flapping his wings. Nothing happened, he kept flapping then falling, the same result was that since he lived with chickens that also means he was one himself, chickens cannot fly too well so from that day on the gander decided to remain inside the coop. "Yep, the story will go somewhere in his head want it? That was something his mother told him on some nights when he was seven and eight when he couldn't sleep.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Friday 1st of April 2011 07:36:17 PM
Steven's eyes moved to meet both of the other men in the room. He watched the feline affection, and stopped for a moment. "Well, you see, it's a surprise. And I can guarantee that they'll be able to fight the wolf, and as for being bulldozed, it wouldn't matter. I could buy some more. just trust me on this one." He walked back into the kitchen, and grabbed whatever cola was available. He pulled the tab up in anticipation of the satisfying hiss of carbonation. He took a long swig, before pulling it from his lips with a pleasant, "Ahhhh. Now, the question is, do you want to stay here, Zack, or do you want to move to a possibly better location? You would probably be safe with a pack around you, but if you don't want to be with them, what's to stop you from staying with someone you know?"
He knew nothing of wolfpack politics, but if someone chose not to join them, surely they wouldn't view him as an enemy, right? He would have to do some research on the subject, and figure out what Zack could do from there. Other than that, Steven really didn't know what to say. "You got any good movies, Zack? How about, American Werewolf in Paris?" He tried to keep a straight face, but after mere seconds, he burst out laughing. He gasped out his next few words between chuckles. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry. I just thought I'd break some tension. What do you have?"
As much as Zack liked the bonding time between the three, he was starting to get anxious. If he couldn't get out of the house, then at least he wanted to move out to the living room. Maybe a detour to the bathroom first, both for personal relief and to take the longest shower of his life. He just couldn't shake off that he felt dirty, for some reason.
That would have to wait, however, as Owen decided that the two of them needed to get closer, quite literally. Zack leaned back as far as he could without falling over, but Owen just kept getting closer until the two had touched heads. As the leopard stared into his eyes, the young patient's own blue orbs nervously shifted around the room, searching for some sort of escape. The breaking point came when Owen spoke up, saying he'd do his best. Zack pushed forward with what strength he had, trying to get a little distance between them. “Christ, cut it out!” He exclaimed, finally remembering to breathe again. “...That's good to know. I'm sorry, but...what the fuck, man?” His thoughts were much less romantic than Owens. The poor guy was still trying to figure out if he could survive in this new world.
A shake of his head cleared the thought away. He was sure Owen would explain himself in due time. Zack first listened to Owen echo his thoughts on the 'soldiers' Steven had called in, and then to the elementalists explanation. “If you say so. I figure if they're good enough for you, then they're good enough for me.”
The young man continued to hear out Steven, the strange spell caster bringing up a pretty real dilemma. Nate and Cullen were nowhere to be found, and Geller had made himself scarce, too. Staying here probably wouldn't be the best idea. “It's a good point about the pack, but...I don't know hardly any of them. I trust you two more than anyone else out there right now.” Zack glanced between the two, his mind racing through the options available to him. Sadly, it wasn't much. “I mean, besides you two, Nate and Cullen, there arn't many people here in the city that I know. I knew Lori a bit before the attack, but I don't know what she could do. There's Joseph, he's a pretty cool guy, but something about him just kind of...I don't know. Bugs me, I guess. There was this one wolf, though. Dee. Don't know if that's her real name or not, but that's what everyone called her. Saw her my first night in town, and she was with Cullen when I moved in here. Pretty nice lady. Don't know if there's anything she could do...but it's an option.”
“Staying with one of you guys is out there, too, if you wouldn't mind that much.” He smiled a bit, hearing Owen tell a children's story of a goose that thought it was a chicken. “...Good enough point. Maybe staying with one of the wolves would be for the best...” Zack didn't particularly know or care for any of them, but if he was going to learn anything and survive here, it'd have to be from another wolf.
The look on Zack's face was one in a million when Steven asked for a movie. It twisted into a half surprised, half disgusted look of 'are-you-fucking-serious'. After hearing Steven's laugh, though, he couldn't help but join in. Might as well joke about it while he can. “I haven't dug through that much, though I found pretty much every Adam Sandler movie ever made out there. I do know they have The Lost Boys, 'cause I was gonna watch it last night when I got home.” The irony of the situation wasn't lost on Zack, but he really did want to see that movie. Real vampires didn't sparkle in the sunlight, they were murdering sociopaths played by Jack Fucking Bauer.
A slight growl seeped from his lips, just as the other man tried pushing him a little distant. His kitten felt a little threat, but eased up when it was all over. Owen blinked, feeling odd that he just made a noise as if the cat inside of him became motivated, he remembered that this person was named Zack, sitting nearby was a magic human, the magic was felt as the scent was enough to make his beast aware of the character in the room. His faded, felidae amber pools watched as the elementalist, he smelt and felt it as if the animal can taste the power that draped from deep within.
It was not dumb enough to start any riot, the large feline was still just a cat without someone to teach it, love it, and put their security blanket around it. He felt abandoned, acheness for another leopard to tell the young cat that everything will be okay, that it'll be fine. Not a single individual in this room recognized the lone heart the leopard thrived off, that was probably one of the reasons his beast slightly rosed to the surface, the man on that bed was a companion he liked, it wanted to be near him and around him.
Once the cat liked something, it simply brushed it soft fur against the leg or around the ankle, tail coiling around the object or person for only a minute but the young male did not do that. He was all quiet, his underbelly meeting the ground watching the entire room within that place, the place where it'll be released from it's sanctuary to run free, eat bloody meat, but it needed a teacher to help it hunt properly and better. Owen's eyes was lit of pure amber, cat-colored eyes was only seen in cats not any other animal not even in canines.
A right elbow rose up, shielded his eyes from anyone seeing it. He felt the beast's heart, the beast's need for a friend that it never had, and these people were those new allies that it became to know and the more the creature was around it the more he did not wish to leave. There was still that missing set of spots, the adults never came to the child when he needed it. In a world where there was no one to look after it, in a world where he was forced to raise some part of himself, that was one other reason he was a little up there messing with his other half's mind, the two shared something similar but Owen simply tried his best to belong somewhere, where exactly did it fit in where the supernatural co-exist to help one another in times of need.
Zack, he felt he will be there, trusted him if anything went wrong as well as Steven, this man was a good fellow but understood to not get on his bad side based on the vibration he kept getting from him. He finally left the room, he stood at the door first, turning his head to the left to face them. "I..I..need a drink. I'll be back. I apologize Zack. "His tone was a little faded, but it couldn't be helped. He knew Zack will eventually want the same once his spirit wolf came to the surface, his friend that understood him unless Zack first tame his feral nature like Owen's was except the leopard's world was his world too, he felt everything he felt as if they were in sync with one another.
As for the movies, he looked to Steven thinking that was a good idea, almost kicking himself for being some other person instead of himself, being a lycanthrope and being a human was like being at two places at the same time. It can be sweet or it can be a son of a bitch! He took a deep breath, then said something professional, more like he was happy they was surrounded where they can all share stories, talk, and get to know each other. He does want to get to know those two, but if he asked the right questions, minding his "P's" and "Q's" he may actually know what each was about. Who was Zack aside from a new friend he's made, Steven was an acquaintance but he also wanted to try connecting with him too with a little effort who knows, besides he felt he already made that gap between them a little now that he was being there for Zack, that also helped in connecting the males into possible friendships in the future.
He wanted to be more of a doctor to Steven, that kitten was calm than ever before because Owen needed that connection, Zack and Steven was close to it because they was here. "Movies sound great! Oh, I like Keanu Reeves, Keifer Sutherland, and any Will Smith movies. So, pop in that Lost Boys, I'm in. What you really need right now Zack is some cheering up, but if you can walk I feel fresh air can do you some good instead of sitting on that bed. "Yep, he was being Mr. Righteous for whatever reason, sounded like a fairytale boy who has just been told that he found favor or had something going for him. He then opened the door, then into the kitchen to open the fridge where his nose scented that soda, grape was his favorite so he got that out opening the tap at the top. He tilting his head some, guzzling half of the contents then released a small belch, nicely too.
Carbonated drinks always made you burp, but he was just glad to be here of all things. The refrigerator was kept ajar for a little longer knowing that if he kept it opened too long the electrical bill will no doubt skyrocket and this wasn't even his abode to begin with. A right elbow softly perched on top of the fridge door's top edge but was careful that he has inhuman strength, one mishap and this door can go immediately off it's hinges. He could move this entire fridge like it was nothing if he wanted to, that was making him think about the man in the other room who was about to embark a road he has never known, never even dreamed of, he'll be able to move that bed with no problem or pick Steven up over his head like a cave man, without his club that is.
Steven was surrounded by things that was like he was Noah outside his ark. Speaking of Noah's ark, he leaned back then shut the door of the refrigerator. He didn't go back into that room yet, restlessness was part of lycanthropy. Zack was no doubt going to lean on him for support, that and Steven, but he does need to be there for him according to what he was getting at cause he knew enough to help him get through in this world or he might as well have already been there as a doorknob had he not been taught by his former Nimi-Raj who was thinking perhaps he will send down a wereleopard who was experienced, teach Owen everything he knows(or she), if no one in the city could take an orphan feline in before he can get too dangerous except he knew Owen can handle his own since he has had no problem so far, but he may have or not.
A kitten was not so much an angel without a mentor to raise him in the way he should be trained daily. Biting his lower lip, he reached into his right pocket, took out his black T-mobile then opened the small door to scroll over some names he knew back home, that home was in Elk Gardens, West Virginia. He wanted to call home, he suddenly was missing his family, he highlighted the name of his father. Maxmillian Connors, once a General in the military in the past before Owen was born and continued to work into Law Enforcement making quite a sums of money.
He put the phone in his ear, the phone rung five to six times then someone picked up. What do you know? Eleanor, his oldest sister and the eldest spoke with a surprise in her voice, probably doing her toenails while she was talking he knew her best. "Owen! What on earth? I mean we missed you so much! "The bitch of the east and west was missing him, of course she moved in for the kill when her brother was in danger, not to mention he was her only brother cause the rest was three other sisters, he was the middle child in the cast of five. The only son of his widowed father. "Hi to you too. How is everyone? "Family, that was the word you knew too well, he felt for those whose families were a bunch of sorry good for nothing, his has always been there for him even though, at times, half of them do fight every once in awhile. Eleanor gasped, then the sound of someone in the next room was shouting at something.
His sensitive ears could hear everything and anything so the voices was clear as if he was listening in on a speaker phone. Can't tell her what he heard, but he did managed to loop around it a little bit. "Is that my baby sister? "He smiled, there made it simple. She fell for it too, she let his baby sister have the phone for only a second. "Hi Owen! "She said with much excitement as her sister. Owen laughed. "Hi Shop-a-holic, feisty sis."Yep, that was her nickname and don't word it out. If shopping became a sport, that girl was never far away. "Perhaps, we will come down to see you Dr. Connors. I like the fact we actually have a professional Physician in the Connors family. "He knew he did not have not much time so made a quick departure. "Hey, tell pops I love him, I miss him, and that I say hello. "Eleanor was given the phone back a little later then she spoke with a smile in her tone. "I will. Love you Dr. Owen! "That left a smile on his face, there was a sweetness in him that made him entirely human. "Later sis. "Kisses, then hung the phone up, returning to the room with the posse, yep, the three amigos they have become since this afternoon. He plopped down in the seat, picked up his half empty carton, scoop the rest of the noodles in his opened mouth finishing the last of it.
Then, drunk the remaining soda as if his world was a beautiful neighborhood, Mr. Rogers probably should stay over aye? Nah, the man was dead and it will be just as if his ghost made a cameo. Owen's leopard suddenly was in motion, there was no protectiveness nor any of the beast like it had been. It was plain Owen in the flesh, all human and for a second it can be contagious. Maybe, if he can get Zack to feel like that he and Steven just might be able to do it. Though, he really think Zack does need that shower or bath whichever is available. His sensitive nose scrunched. He did not speak, other than spoke something out there. "If you want, you can get up and move around. I need to make sure that your balance and vision is right there. First, test it out. "He switched to doctor mode, literally as he laid the empty aluminum can on the table on the right of the lamp of the bedside table. His laptop still opened on the chair, showing a picture of Macgyver and his name written behind.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Monday 4th of April 2011 02:10:04 AM
It had taken Geller forever to text her the address...And..Well it being Nate's place made it a bigger bonus. After all,,,Silent did enjoy the strange wolf's company...The first night's upset...Aside of course. Even Lori's little tiff with him...Didn't change her feelings at all.She honestly hoped to win him over and bring him into the folds of the pack she was trying to form. Making one left after the other till she pulled that beautiful bike infront of Nate's home. Geller's scent still hung heavy in the air.
Pushing of the bike she would follow her nose. Those tri colored rainbow hues adjusting to the dimly lit halls.The heavy heel of her boot making a soft thud as she walked.The place reaked. Not only of wolf...And leopard. But sickness. Bringing back the night she had mistakenly attacked Sirus. Here...In the big sleezy. Or even more recently...Nyx. Both of their lives...Along with several others..Changed at her hands. Sure she was proud of them,,,,,The fact that they had lived...When so many of the ones Geoff made died.
Knocking softly on the door. "hello?" She would nudge open the door with her foot. "Anyone here?" Dumb question,yes...But up to this point she was trying to play human. Not anyone who was the least bit sensitive couldn't feel that she was anything but. Making her way in she would contiue towards the room where Zach, owen and a man that smelled not only of Lori...But her home. Her predatory gaze would stay on him...What was her pixie up to while they were away for the moon's call....Maybe it was time to have a talk with her. Especially with Lori being in the heart of a wolve's den.
"Is this the one?" As if it could of been anyother. Between the sickness of the low tones they were speaking...Well..."You know you still have a choice." This was said half heartedly.Sil's nose would wrinkle at the smell of all the medication. What's the point? Nyx had no medication...Actually...The small prison cell they had shared had nothing..It had been primitive. Which is why Silent believed Nyx was the strongest of all the pups created at her own hands.
Picking up the chinesse carton she would sniff at it...Heh. Letting her gaze fall over zach..."How ya feeling suga?"
After his apology, Zack remained silent, even as Owen uttered his growl. If only he could read the leopards mind! The two really would have been as close as the doctor's mind was trying to suggest. Two lost souls, searching for a home. However, the silence between them would have to do for the moment.
“No problem, Owen. Go on ahead.” His eyes seemed far off again, the man losing himself in thought. What other option was there, other than letting the wolves take him in? Steven and Owen would only be able to show Zack so much, and he'd end up in a worse spot than Owen or Nate had found themselves. Survival was his main motivation for this, so it didn't make any sense to not take advantage of the resources that were available.
But...these two were his friends. Nate and Cullen had taken him in when he was didn't have a home, but Owen and Steven had saved his life. Steven quite literally in the park, and Owen for being the wonderful doctor that he was. Zack hadn't known either of them for that long, but be felt close to them from his experience with them. If this Geller fellow did take him in, he didn't want to give up contact with his new friends. Who would they be to say who he could talk to, anyway?
Zack's eyes brightened up again when Owen returned, going right back into doctor mode and suggesting he try moving around. “You ain't gotta tell me twice. One second.” He was a little concerned with himself as he eased his legs over the bed again, keeping most of his weight on his arms the held onto the side. He felt strong enough to walk around, but the patient didn't want to jump right in and risk falling on his ass, or worse. Slowly, he let more and more of his weight onto his legs, propping himself up into a standing position. Once he was confident he could stay up just fine, Zack threw caution to the wind and launched himself the rest of the way up, standing on his own perfectly fine. A couple steps forward confirmed his health. “I think I'll be just fine, Owen!”
A new person slowly inched her way into the room, as if his declaration was her cue to enter. Zack didn't mind the newfound popularity, but the new faces were starting weird him out a little. Rather than show it, he kept up his usual joking nature. “No, I got into a fight with a corgie last night. The guy you want is in the bathroom.” The man cracked a small grin at her. If Geller or Nate had let her in, or at least given her the address, then she was alright in his book.
“I'm alright. Been better, but the doc and Steven here have been taking real good care of me.” His smile faded a little when she mentioned that he still had a choice. Man, he was getting real sick of hearing about it. “I know, I know. And I ain't changin' my mind on it. I'm gonna stick with this, no matter what you got to say..” Zack shouldn't have taken his irritation out on her, but it was the truth.
'if you think a corgi bite is bad you should try a pugs"
Silent would grin...She couldnt help but to think that this kid was a mirror image of owen, A baby tiger she once knew. She wasntn takening aback by his snappy answer.
"Good. You might make it after all. unless you think what youll become is a curse instead of a gift."
He heard the name of Jessica, his head snapped up at the woman's presence. Owen stood, the cub was respectful in her presence. A nod to the woman, thanking the heavens at least a werewolf has been found. He hoped that the pack can take care of him, afterall, this man here was a friend to him aside from the elemental sitting over there who has become silent. "No. She has not. I have been called in cause Nathaniel knew me. "No, Nate did not know Jessica so he was called in her place. A smile curled, Zach was doing good as it is. His heart pounded when he realize how far away he will be gone. "I sent her a letter when Geller spoken her name, so I been expecting a word from her soon. I hope she is okay. "He's already met with her with the other wereleopards one time, that was it.
Looking at Zach, he remembered he need to run by the lab sometime tomorrow to do some research. Silent was here, best to start introductions. "I am Dr. Owen Connors, this here is Steven. "He smiled at the other man who did not speak, but thought it best to make use of it now than later. He reported the incident prior to this morning. Now, Zach will learn and grow properly with other werewolves, there was a reluctance deep within as soon as Zach leaves there will be a reminder how much time these three men came together, met, and got to talk.
Jessica will probably take it over from here since he did work on Zach this morning, he should be doing great. He already was happy to see he was walking of all things. "I am happy that your balance and vision is going remarkably well. I'll still try to get in touch with Jessica. "His inner kitten smelt the scent of the she-wolf, knew her and remembered her through his olfactories. It had much to learn, knowing he is going to need an experienced wereleopard to grow as Zach needed the pack to do just that. As for the Corgi, he shook his head thinking maybe the stuff he put in Zach's system must be getting to him indeed. Yep.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Monday 4th of April 2011 06:55:17 PM
“I wish I could joke around with that a little more. That thing was fuckin' huge.” As the exchange went on, Zack was feeling a little more at ease with this new woman. He sure as hell couldn't tell anything was off with her, but Owen was acting like he knew what was up. Maybe this was somebody important? He figured he'd find out sooner or later.
“No, not a curse.” The young man shook his head, his baby blue eyes staring into hers. “I've got to do this. If I don't then what? As much as I like Owen and Steven here, I really don't want to be cowering behind them as long as I'm here.” He broke eye contact, shooting a smirk at the doctor and elementalist. He heard something about Jessica before, but nothing solid. Another doctor on the premise? Well, it couldn't hurt.
With the introductions being made, Zack remembered his manners. He extended his hand towards the woman. “Name's Zack. Zachary Sullivan.”
Steven's eyes widened into saucer plates. This woman, looking like some white voodoo witch, came slinking through the door, and began sniffing food. When she spoke, she seemed to be aware of the situation at hand. The other two seemed to joke with her, but he had seen the look she gave him. "Uh, excuse me, but who the hell are you?"
Steven had already started turning the ammolite stone off of his necklace, and into his hand. His posture had him ready to jump in front of Zack if it was necessary. He couldn't understand why Owen and Zack weren't concerned. "Listen, we've got things covered here, unless you are going to work some crazy voodoo bullshit to heal my friend." Too bad Steven wasn't a shifter, because then he would be able to smell that this woman owned the bar where he had just slept.
Those colorful tri colored hues moved over Owen. Not sizing him up...but taking him in...After all a person that looked after newly turned had to be ok...Right? Pulling out her cell she would push in Jess's number and hand the phone over to the feline.
"She should answer....If Milo doesn't have her tied up''
A smirk would move over her lips a moment. Before her attention was given to Zack. She liked him. moving closer to the kid she would point to the bandanges. Even as she did so that small black swamp wolf brushed against the feline on the more fuzzier plane. In thanks. But as for the man who smelled of her pixie? For the moment he was background noise...Like a tv....After all...He was..Almost..Human.
"Mind if I take a look Suga?..And you tell me a bit more about what happened?..Oh and if you get a hold of Jess...Doc...Ask her to bring some of that...Stuff..She'll know what I mean'
Yes Silent had still neglected to tell her name...Or who and what she was. And was about to when mr tresspass in a wolf's den got snappy. A small growl rumbled in her throat as she rolled her eyes. Turning before she could get a good look at the bite.
'' At this point Sir...You have no business asking who...I am. But Im sure if you looked around...MY..Home...That you stayed in...You would know. As for the voodoo...That aint gonna help this kid"
It was true. It was left in this kid's hands...Three things could happen. His body could reject the infection..If the wolf who attacked him wasn't as strong or didn't get a good bite in. Which was why Sil had wanted to inspect the bite or mark...Whatever. Two..His body would fight the virus would drive him insane and weaken him and eventually kill him. Or three..And this was the outcome Silent hoped for. More wolves in the world is a beautiful thing. Not to mention Sil was pretty sure that having a puppy around would be the best distraction for herself Lou and Nyx. But the third was he would run free with the moon each full moon.
Returning her attention to Owne and Zach.
'Name's Silent...Mind if I look at that wound?...Ive been around this a few times..My daughter was changed not that long ago actually'
Zack slowly put his hand back down, nodding his head towards the woman. “Silent...alright. Yeah, just one second.” The young man was pretty surprised at the defensive position Steven was trying to put himself in. What's the big deal? Sure, the lady looked funny, but she was nice about everything, and Owen was being alright with it.
The drugs Owen had him on were doing some funny things to Zack's head, though. It wasn't so much sending him into an incoherent state, but rather just making him feel more at ease with everything. The devil himself could have walked through the doorway in all his winged terror and glory, but as long as he mentioned that everything was cool and he just wanted some leftover rice, Zack would have been just fine with it. Whatever the hell he was on, he was very, very happy that Owen gave it to him.
“Hey...Steve. It's alright, man. Chill.” As he spoke, Zack reached over to Steven, lightly brushing his shoulder. He was going to continue, but Silent decided to make her position on Steven perfectly clear. It wouldn't do any of them good if the situation turned into a fight, so Zack tried to play the part of a mediator. “Come on, guys.” He lifted his arms up in a shrug. “We can all be friends here, right? I don't think anyone's gonna do anything stupid.”
“Now, for the business at hand...” As he spoke, Zack reached over to his right arm and started to unwind the bandage that Owen had put on. He felt a little bad ruining that part of the doctor's work, but he thought the product underneath was the real work of art. The wound had been cleaned of blood and potential germ infection, and the holes were beautifully stitched. Silent would be able to tell that he was hit hard, though. Two rows of tooth marks, on the top and side of his shoulder. It was a small miracle that the bite hadn't hit bone, though it had come pretty damn close.
He'd hold the bandage in his hand, letting Silent look as long as she wanted before he would wrap the wound again. “I'm not sure what else I could tell you that you probably don't already know. I went to the park, met a few people, including Steven here. Wolf jumped us, got a good bite on me. Steven here kept the thing back, as well as two others that showed up after.” He wasn't sure if he wanted to give any more names than was necessary. Silent probably knew who was all involved to begin with. “Closest place we could hide from the thing was at the Hookah, so they took me there, worked with the bite as best they could. I passed out, and woke up here.” Zack looked between the three, letting out a deep sigh before finishing. “...Hell of a way to end my first week in New Orleans.”
He's been on the phone that Silent had given him, the phone kept ringing and ringing. Where are you girl? Answer. He thought to himself as the woman has not been heard from since their full moon run as a single leopard group but that all was awhile back. Owen left a message on her answering machine so that the other Physician whose been missing in action can get this. "Jess? Call me back. It's urgent. Got an infected human over here. I sent you a letter at the post office, by the way, Silent says bring her that stuff. "He added that part, the one about his recent trip to the office while Zack was still entertaining their guest, Steven?
As for the stuff, he was clueless but he'll soon find out won't he? Owen smiled, then handed the phone over to Silent just as she was investigating the wound. Zack didn't have to worry about him fighting a she-wolf of all people. Besides, he knew from experience about hierarchy in every lycanthrope species even if he wasn't a werewolf, it did not mean he was completely ignorant.
Owen was much experienced than his infected friend here, been three years since his first infection so he was at least up there in the world where he can be of some support to those new to the world of the shapeshifting community. His former Raj has sheltered him back home where his family still resides, he has not spoken to him since he trained him in some part of his new life as a feline. He moved in the grace of a cat, the young male sat in his current position, his eyes watching the room with a deep interest.
As for the sudden outburst coming from Steven, he did not say anything except he knew that Silent can take care of herself. She was of no threat, he would have known if she was, his inner cub was aware of everything in this room. It is why he was alright with her, and besides that he doubts he can put up a fight with someone tens times stronger than his lower scale of power. Like a child to any grown up, there is some principle to follow.
That same goes for the shifter world, but it is much more different than that. He did not interrupt the woman, Silent, as he lowered his elegant frame in the seat while putting his laptop away in the duffle bag he brought with him. "As Geller said Zack, I will be here as will Jessica, I am quite certain that our medical expertise will do some good. I am sure she will like meeting you. "He smiled with a warmth, his brown hues looked at Steven then to the other two in the room. Looking down his wristwatch, knowing it was dark out now so there was time for any nocturnal creatures to also be out too.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Tuesday 5th of April 2011 05:12:01 PM
The woman came into a place with an injured man, unannounced, and wanted to get peevish with them? And then it hit him as subtle as a piano being dropped on his head. "You're the owner of the Hookah, aren't you? Lori's rommmate? Shit, don't come in here all sneaking and about giving me a coronary." He offered out his hand, and his limestone on granit voice issued forth to introduce himself. "It's a pleasure, Silent, I'm Steven. I met Lori at the shop downstairs, but barely got to interact. I'll give you the lowdown of the attack, since Zack is leaving out a few small details." He sat back down, and combed his hair away from his face with his fingers.
"We were in the park, that is, Me, Lori, Zack, some Aussie guy, and a French man. I know it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, and Zack has the punchline in his shoulder. Well, we were there, talking, and hanging out, when all of a sudden this awful smell came about. It was kind of like pine-sol, mixed with some kind of smoky smell, and a coppery death like smell. It was strong. We didn't know what was happening, and then all of a sudden it was on Zack here. I tried to help, but the damn thing all of a sudden was stuck in the air, and just as quickly flew the opposite direction. When it landed, this girl, Astrid I think her name was, did some strange chanting, and the ground swallowed the frickin' wolf. But sure as shit, he clawed his way out, so I did what I could by throwing some rocks at it. I must have gotten lucky, because it high-tailed outta there. The French pale dude, picked Zack up like he was a pillow, and when Lori said we could work on him at your bar, we all hauled ass. After we got there, I was about to pass out, so Lori said I could stay the night. I'm sorry if it was any inconvenience, but that was about the gist of it all. Hope I could clear things up."
He kicked his feet up, and took another drink of the soda he had pulled from the fridge. He looked between the other three in the room, hoping his story satisfied everyone's questions.
Once more steven was met with a fustrated growl...When he first opened his mouth. And Sil began to occupy herself with Zachs wound....Intresting how beautiful it was...The bite. Even in the bloodiest messes...Steven kept talking but he slowly faded into darkness...She could hear zach's drugged heart beat...the small black swamp beast stirred. Wounded pray. The more primal side of her singing finnish it. Dark lashes would fall against pale freckled cheeks.
''Doc...When will you have the results from the test?"
Her voice was lower huskier.The moons hold was still to strong.Her tongue darting across her lips. Where the hell were Geller and Nate? Another wolf would do them all some good. Tri colored hues moved to zach.
''Yes. They will be. As for jess...Shes close to my heart...Best damn Doc New Orleans was ever graced with. Saved my ass a time or two...And trust me....Ive had some dosies.Sorry I wasnt with yall sooner. Lori called...But wih moons call so strong...When she called that is...I kinda had some others to look after."
Glancing back at Steven.
"Make sure that Geller is told your side too. I want Ash to know everything."
Even his name and the memory of Vengence...And that was who she saw the night in the club. The dark brooding king of her dreams. Was enough to take her breath away a moment. Especially at the thought of him hunting. And there was a scent...Still clinging to the man...Under the soap...The medical shit...Everything...That Silent knew...But was going crazy placing.
“Wait, so you own the Hookah?” It was a small world, wasn't it? Zack hoped that the connection through Lori would ease the tension between Silent and Steven. “Uhh...sorry about any mess that I left.” He tried to smile at the woman, but something seemed a little off to him. The way she just sort of stared at the bite like nothing else mattered just weirded the young man out. He didn't really even notice himself moving, taking a couple small steps backwards, moving closer to Owen and Steven.
This other doctor seemed like a pretty hard person to get a hold of. It seemed like Nate had just put the phone down when Owen showed up at the door, and this woman was nowhere to be found. Must have been something important...probably. “I guess we'll find out when she gets here, if you can manage to get a hold of her.”
Was a second doctor really necessary? Owen had him pretty well taken care of, and between him, Steven, and Silent being here, Zack had all the protection he could possibly need, especially with the 'soldiers' Steven had coming. Not to mention Geller and Nate, who must have still been outside trying to set the Guinness world record for longest phone calls ever. “If she doesn't get here, though,” Zack turned his head, speaking towards Owen, “you've done a damn good job of it so far. Not sure if we'll need another doctor with you here, buddy.” Maybe this 'stuff' that Silent was talking about was necessary for something. As far as Zack cared, though, he'd have been just fine if Owen was the only doctor around.
His attention turned to Steven, who had taken it upon himself to fill in the gaps that Zack had left in the story. Truth be told, he wasn't sure how much he should have revealed in the first place. That, and most of everything after the bite was pretty blurry, something that the drugs Owen had pumped him full of wasn't helping much. Oddly, Silent didn't seem to interested in what Steven had to say...wasn't this sort of important? “I know, I know, there were holes in the story as big as the ones in my shoulder. Sorry. By the way, where's mine?” Zack grinned, motioning to the soda in Steven's hand.
So...this was it now? Geller and Nate were presumably out and about, and these three had stepped in to take their places. Were they just going to stand around, or was something going to come about it? When the hell were the other two going to be back, anyway? For some odd reason, the test results that Silent had asked about had him a little worried, too. Looking between the three, Zack finally spoke up, his voice surprisingly soft. “...So now what?”
He sighed, watching Zach as he flat out asked Steven about his soda pop that was missing from the three boys, there was more connection between these three so if something did go down they did have it from here. Silent mentioned about the several tests he collected from his current patient here, he will always be his patient as he was the first to arrive on the scene, Jessica's presence was empty so relying on her to get things done really wasn't necessary when another Physician was here to do what needs to be done. Yes, he had mailed her then sent a phone message to her too. He stood up from the chair, his ass felt like lead having sat in the cushion far too long so standing seems appropriate, his kitten was pacing, being restless wasn't easy for the male african cat to sit in one place.
Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall that was a little close to the doorway of the kitchen. "It'll take sometime Silent, I just collected samples so when it is prepared I will see what I can tell you from there. The reports takes time."Calmly, Owen gave a response to the she-wolf, his slender frame leaned upward, hearing the positive compliment from his buddy there, that really did made him smile to let it out there how well his professionalism in the field was just as great as Jessica was. It could not hurt to have more than of the same position every once in awhile, relying on one thing did not exactly get anything done except the fact it stalled for time, one forgets how time can be just as evil for any wounded, sick, or the above.
For many, many long years Mr. Connors studied medicine at an early stage. During the years he was in college in the health department, he trained under trauma and burns where the team was lead by their head Physician, Mr. Thomas Malov. No one other than Geller, as well as this fellow here who was going through metamorphosis stages has seen what he can do, trusted in his abilities that it really made a slighter difference who was behind you. Almost meaning to hug Zack, but he kept his hands to himself after what had happened when he made close contact with him earlier. From what he can assess here, the young man wasn't near the stages of development of transformation, he had moved away from Silent when she spooked him in a way that had him in a protective mode just incase.
Owen was a doctor he trusted, not many realizes the patient often accepts most Physicians their more comfortable with, this is something he knew when he took classes. If Jessica is going to be assisting with Zack, he needed to discuss over that he really wanted to continue being in Zack's care until he changes that is so he did not have to fear too much of a complete stranger taking care of this man who was practically new to everything around him. Why does he feel in relation to Zack here? Cub communicates with a possible new werewolf, if he is infected then he'll know from test results, the deep wound itself was an answer that the guy was infected for the most part. Double-checks was always a good idea. "I appreciate that you picked me and all Zack. "He meant it, his eyes casted on Silent having met her for the very first time tonight. Having gotten to know her just now, his human half was being cautious but the cub simply stayed put as a good little male kitty he was.
-- Edited by OWEN CONNORS on Saturday 9th of April 2011 11:53:24 PM
