Dakota hated hospitals. It wasn't anything against the hospital staff, or the people that needed to be there because of whatever illness. But after having delt with them so often while her mother was sick, and then her father? She didn't care to be in one again unless there was no other choice. Like this time, there really hadn't been much of a choice. Artemus needed more help then she could give him, and as it turned out, even more then Jess had really been able to.
So home now, back to the familar house, with it's familar sounds and scents. With Kota reluctantly crawling out of bed, and the comforting presense of having Art there again even though, she'd been doing the comforting last night. It was a new experiance. This role reversal that they'd been thrust into. He being the one that was broken, and she the one trying to help. But what killed her, was the fact, she really didn't know how to help him. And wasn't sure what to do to mend the wounds left on his psyche. She'd have to talk to jess about finding a councler for him.... Shuffling quietly into the kitchen, and starting breakfast. Other than the odd times that Theo got up earlier then she did, Kota was usually the first one up. So there was usually fresh coffee, and breakfast of some sort waiting for the boys when they got up.
Humming quietly to herself, as she worked, still dressed in her pjs from the night before. boy shorts, and a tanktop, both sporting little mogwai all over with Gizmo in shades on the top. The coffee was started, and soon the smell of freshly percolating coffee spread through the house. Up to Theo, into Artemus, and down into the nest where Alex was burrowed. Then game the scents of frying sausage and bacon. Breakfast fajitas, and homefries. One of Kota's favorite breakfasts. Cooking up the meats, and the peppers and onions. warming tortillas in the oven. A pan going with the home fries, that were seasoned with a mix of her own makeing.
Staring out the window of the kitchen into the tiny back yard, she toyed with a strand of hair that had come lose from the pony tail she wore raven locks in. Her other arm curled across her stomach. Her mind still turning over the events of the last few days. She'd never really expected Artemus to come back. Had told herself again and again, that he wasn't. After four years of waiting and wondering, how could she do anything but that? She'd finally started to move past that stage of her life, or so she'd thought. Settling in New Orleans. Makeing new friends. new family. Only to have this happen, and bring it all back.
She wasn't the scared little kitten now, that freaked out over every new person she met. Still shy, yes. But Dakota had always been shy. Painfully so. But she didn't tend to hide as much behind others now. And if there was something she disagreed with, she would let you know how she felt about it.
Shakeing herself from her thoughts, she flipped the potatos, and deemed them ready. Then before starting the eggs, she moved back to the bedroom, climbing up and nuzzling at Art's neck, murmmering softly against his ear. "Mi gato...up lazy Cat.....time for breakfast...you need to eat..."
A smile when she got an arm hooked around her waist, as he tried to keep her in bed, she pushed at him gently and kissed his nose. "Up, mi gato. We have things to do today..Then we can come back here. I promise." squirming free, she called up the steps to Theo. "Theo!! breakfast!" though knowing her friend, he was probably already up and moving at the scent of coffee. Heading back towards the kitchen had the door to the nest opening, so that the scent of coffee and food could waft down. She knew better then to try and wake Alex. Who knew what condition he'd come home in last night.
Back to the stove now, she started the eggs to cooking. Working quickly so they didn't scorch. That smile back on her face, and that tune being hummed once more.
-- Edited by DAKOTA SANCHEZ on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 08:38:51 PM
-- Edited by DAKOTA SANCHEZ on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 01:46:57 AM
-The call from Alex had come and Milo had left the shambled house in the swamps without waking the rest of the Rodere. He rode his Chopper into the city with nothing on but a pair of skin tight blac stretch jeans and his neon yellow high tops. The rest of him was just lanky naked tattooed flesh being cut by the harsh wind of the highway. Milo was bone tired, dog (or rat tired), and stomaching the revelation of Dade's death was making him have to swallow a lot of other heavy doses of truth. Some of which he didn't like in the slightest, some of which Dade had told him years before and he hadn't listened, but he was listening now.-
-The rumble of the Chopper was loud in the quiet neighborhood and echoed slightly as he cut the engine and uncoiled all six foot ten inches of himself from on top of the bike. The branded crown on his forearm stood out like a black beacon against his white skin as he made his way towards the front door of the Blacks house. One meathook of a hand reached out and pushed the door so hard it nearly popped off its hinges swinging open. There were breakfast smells inside and he ignored them and prayed no one inside the house was stupid enough to try to get in his way. The energy that rolled off of him packed a punch like a hurricane, enough to make most with sense back the fuck up on contact.-
"FRAK!!!"
-He yelled out for Theo in that voice like gravel rolling over stone, all deep intonations and heavy inflection. Not stopping in his course he moved like a juggernaut through the house and towards the door that led down to Alex's little basement. He could smell Theo close by, knew the rat could hear him and feel the power of his King.-
"Frak you run a fucking cold ass tub full'a water in your room. Have it ready pronto!"
-Milo was not a man used to being told no or having people disobey him whether they were his rats or not. He had once shaken a leopard to death for being a little shit and he would gladly do it again. Right now his one track mind had a goal and anything that got in the way of that goal was going to get steamrolled right over with no patience or explanation. Pushing open the door to the basement he clattered down the stairs taking them three at a time until he came to the bottom.-
-Following the scent of Alex he reached into the nestlike bedding where the boy was and grabbed him by whatever was handy be it the back of his shirt, back of his drawers, under an arm, just any old place would do. Milo hauled the boy roughly out of the covers and Alex would be airborn for a moment as Milo manhandled him and got a firm grip on the squirrely rat in his arms. Without a word he marched the young rat back upstairs out of the basement, across the hall towards Theo's room, and into the bathroom where Theo had better have that ice cold bath ready.-
"Out of the way Frak. In fact, just go in the kitchen and don't come back until I call you."
-Words were snarled as he hauled Alex over to the tub of freezing cold water and without ceremony Milo dropped the boy into the water with a large splash. Water slopped over the sides and washed across the floor and the faucet was still spraying a full stream of cold water into the tub. Reaching forward Milo's tattooed fingers closed around the shower controls and flipped them from tub to shower so the icy water sprayed Alex straight in the face and on the head. The boy looked terrified and confused from the drugs, Milo could feel his rat shivering and wanting to burst from his skin.-
"Oh no you don't shithead."
-Energy like the mind numbing heat of the desert slammed into the boy, refusing his beast the chance to shift. Milo was having a talk with the boy and letting him get furry right now was not an option. Bending over he gripped whatever clothes Alex was wearing in his hands and ripped them off the boys body, throwing them across the bathroom mindlessly where they made hard wet slaps against the wall and fell to the floor. Next Milo picked Alex up again by the throat this time and slammed his back into the tiled wall of the shower cubicle, stepping over the edge of the tub and into the freezing water so that he stood face to face with Alex.-
"You wanna die motherfucker? That what you're tryin' to do? You wanna die shithead I can make it happen a lot faster than that pissant shit you're playing with."
-Thin lips were set in a sneer, his silver facial piercing glinting as he roared his words into Alex's face. Milo was KING! His power screamed it, and dared the rat in his arms to defy him or struggle. SUBMIT YOU DIRTY RAT! His beast seemed to cry. Submit because you know you want to, submit because I am the only way. It was not a normal cry, not a leader asking nicely for someone to acknowledge their position. This was a full out order of dominance, a bid for complete control of Alex's body and mind. Submit or I will kill you myself.-
"You ARE MINE you little shit! You don't have the right to destroy yourself unless I will it so. You will keep your grubby little paws off alllll that shit, the drugs, the booze, all of it until I tell you different. You understand me?!"
-It was not a question really. It was not a sweet consoling voice, nor a psychological trip through rehab land, it was not warm baths in Jessie's arms. It was Milo telling him point blank that he had better fucking obey or he was going to meet death in a few seconds.-
-- Edited by MILO JONES on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 09:55:43 AM
Theo pretty much fucking fell out of bed when Milo rolled up from the force of the King's energy alone. He scrambled downstairs, more ungainly than he'd been in a while, and nearly ran into the opposite wall. Only to have Milo telling him to go run a bath of cold water. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. He spun and headed back to do that. Jesus.
Alex was sort of asleep when Milo hit the house like a hurricane. Hurricane Milo. He might've laughed about it if he hadn't been on the recieving end of some seriously fuck-you-mother-fucker energy. And he was pretty sure he ended up airborn for a second there. He kind of screamed, attempting to get loose until it suddenly hit him that, oh yeah, that was Milo. But the guy still felt like he was going to fucking kill him or something. Getting upstairs without falling was mostly Milo's doing, given the grip the king had on the back of his neck. "Jesus Christ," he gasped, slurring. "Holy fuck, Jesus-- Theo!"
But Theo definitely wasn't helpful. Alex couldn't help the choking, startled noise he made when he ended up dropped in a tub of cold water. Immediately he tried to get out, brain not quite functioning on anything except that instinctual level.
"It's fucking COLD!" But trying to get out wasn't working, because he ran straight the fuck into Milo, who was surprisingly solid for such a lanky fucker. Alex tensed, attempting to curl in on himself when his clothes started coming off and he shuddered when the rat started trying to get out. "No no no no no no no!" His distressed little rat might not have liked it, but Alex certainly felt better when Milo kept the shift from happening.
"Milo-- I'm gonna fuckin--" He wanted to say he was going to vomit or something, but the King's hand on his throat and the sheer force of will behind every move and word shut him the hell up and managed to keep his stomach from rolling too much. Slammed into the wall, there was nothing challenging about him. Head down as much as it could be, his body still trying to curl up whether it was because of the cold or the fact that he was fucking terrified of something very real and immediate it was hard to say. Either way he was stuck there, shivering and trying to breathe and trying not to freak the fuck out while Milo threatened to kill him.
"I don't," he managed to gasp out, hands pressed to the tile. If he didn't do that he'd be trying to peel Milo's fingers off his throat and he didn't think that'd go over well. "Holy shit-- I'm... I'm not - that's not what--" He wasn't trying to kill himself... he didn't want to die. If that was all it was, well fuck... There were easier ways than how he'd be going about it. "Please..."
Maybe he'd called Milo because he knew, out of everyone in his life, the King wouldn't let him out the easy way. Wouldn't coddle him or give him all those chances to relapse. Maybe Alex really was tired of what he was putting himself through, and he knew that if he was going to end it, it HAD to be the hard way. It had to be a sharp cut. No rehab. No consolation. No substitutes. It had to stop or he was going to end up dying, one way or another. And of all the things Alex Black wanted, that really wasn't one of them. This wasn't about trying to hurt himself... it was about trying to cope with this thing that had happened, this thing that had been part of him for the last ten years, that had taken control away from him once. It was about dealing with being a rat and all that it had meant.
"Help."
He was submitting in every way he could that didn't involve melting into a puddle right there into the tub.
Theo stood in the kitchen, throat tight and eyes fairly intense as he listened to it all... Milo was kind of yelling, so it was hard to miss. And Alex.. well. They'd always been close, he knew when his brother was distressed, in pain, afraid. Just like Alex knew the same for him. He exhaled slowly and made himself sit down, head in his hands. He hoped Milo wasn't going to eat Alex. Hoped that maybe, just fucking maybe, this meant his brother had enough of trying to drown out the rat inside him.
-The sight of Alex trying to curl his pale naked body up like a pill bug while hanging from his throat in Milo's hand might have softened some hearts, but not the giant man holding him up. Milo was ready to throttle him and all the people around him who had let this shit go on so long. That list included himself so it would be a very busy day of throttling indeed were he to go that route. Instead Alex said 'help' and Milo, were he a softer man, might have crumbled, cuddley-wuddled him, and promised to put a bandaid on it and make it all better. Yup they'd be shittin kitty cats and fartin rainbows in no time. Blah!-
-But he was not that sort of man so when Theo said 'help' Milo lifted a foot, the bottom of his shoe gripping at the wheel of the water controls and slid against it, rubber sole gripping the handle till it turned the water off. Still holding Alex by the neck Milo stepped over the rim of the tub again and carried the boy towards Theo's bedroom where he promptly sent him airborne again. Alex came crashing down onto the bed, nearly breaking a few springs in the process.-
"Me help? Motherfucker you help your fuckin' self by listening to me."
-Fingers gripped the top of his jeans, thumb snapping back the button and tearing down the zipper as he peeled out of the wet black denim and kicked out of his bananna yellow high tops. Shoes and pants went with wet splats onto the floor and Milo stalked towards the bed, just one big giant chaos creating motherfucker. A knee tucked onto the bed and then he was crawling over it towards Alex, the movements sending mixed signals of danger and sex to the brain of the one who watched.-
-Grabbing Alex by the ankles Milo twisted in a practiced move that had the young rat flipping over ass upwards on the bed. This wasn't about sex, not exactly, but it sure as hell was suggestive. Crawling over the boy his power beat down on the back of him with raw angry heat that issued forth from the dessert rat. His body covered the smaller mans, legs hanging way past where Alex's feet ended. Milos heavy cock was hard and pressed between them which was something that could probably offer as much pain as anything else. But Milo wasn't there for that.-
"You are MINE!"
-He said it again and his beast echoed the exclamation MINE MINE MINE! the black dessert rat chittered within as Milo lowered his head and planted teeth to Alex's neck hard. Those slightly yellowed teeth bit down and broke the skin, marking the boy beneath him. Alex might not understand, but the part of him that was rat would, the rat would understand and on some level that knowledge would transfer to the boy. Milo was marking him, topping him, denying him freedom or power or rank. Milo was leaving no room for any misinterpretations. He was claiming Alex as surely as if the boy were a prize at a carnival booth.-
"You are leaving here with me. You are staying with me. You will do what I tell you until I give you your freedom back."
-These were not options, they were gnarled words spoken around a mouthful of flesh still held dangerously between his teeth. The submitted beast would be comforted by the violence, because it's King was saying 'I want you. You are mine.' It wasn't like anything else that beating lick of power and the pain of ferocious teeth. It wasn't asking Alex to make a choice to get clean. It was telling him there was no choice and his beast believed it because his beast was in the thrall of a master more powerful than any drug.-
"I will train you myself. I will make you a man. And you will never resent your beast again."
The only good thing about getting out of the bathroom was the fact that the cold water had stopped and he was no longer quite as freezing as he had been. Landing on the bed wasn't exactly comfortable, and he kind of winced when he heard a few springs protest. Okay so maybe he was going to owe Theo a new mattress or something. Alex didn't have a lot of time to think about shit like that because Milo was still coming forward, on the bed, naked and still fucking terrifying as hell.
Alex thought, briefly, about trying to get off the bed and make it for the door but somehow he figured that would just make things worse. He couldn't help the mother fucking squeak that escaped when he got flipped and pinned in place. That's when the hyperventilating started, hands clutching the blankets tight because this was almost way too familiar and he shut his eyes like that was going to fucking help. Sorta did, sorta didn't. That whole remembering to breathe thing was key, and he swore the words felt like they were being tattooed into his skin or something until teeth took over, biting his neck.
The rat inside him understood everything a lot better than Alex did half the time, and so this was crystal clear. His rat was probably happier than it had been in a long, long time if only because SOMEONE that knew what they were doing was taking charge.
Eventually he started breathing easier and he even opened his eyes, staring at the opposite wall. He wanted to try and argue some of those points. He wondered if this meant he had to go live in the swamp, or that he wouldn't be able to see Theo, or the band. What about the band? Shit they were gonna be pissed at him if they had to go on hiatus for this. But... they were his friends. They'd understand. Sorta.
The sound of the chopper comming down the street had her briefly smiling. Otis was up fuckin early! But that smile fell away from her face as that roll of energy and power hit the house, and the front door was slammed open. Moving quickly to the living room, she stared wide eyed dat the large lanky rat that came in the house. The boys and Otis had said, she'd know Milo when she saw him. Well damn if she didn't know him. The man was already yelling for Theo to run water, and heading down into the basement. FUCK!!
She could hear the Rat king yelling at Alex as she darted into her bedroom, and quickly shut the door, Looking at Artemus who'd already sat up in bed, and was moving like he was going to do something. That wild, almost pure animal look in his eyes as he started to get up had her growling, and moving forward, pushing him back down on the bed and shakeing her head. "Artemus....No...No baby listen to me...."
Her beast threaded around his, nuzzling. Knowing the rat king wasn't angry at her or him, that this was something Alex needed to happen. Hearing Milo dragging Alex up the steps past her room, she closed her eyes, and sighed, then opened them, reaching up to grasp Art's face, make him look at her. "Baby....he's not hurting him....this HAS to happen...Alex has issues...Serious issues when it comes to Drugs and alcohol. It's an intervention of sorts...just...Milo Style..." How did Kota know this? Because she'd been hearing enough about the king for the last few months, she felt like she'd already met him and knew him.
What was going on upstairs, the anger and the yelling. The power rolling off the pissed off lycan, it would have had Dakota running for cover a few years ago. And now, she was doing her best to stay calm, and keep eye contact with Artemus. She felt bad for Leaving Theo alone out in the kitchen this way, but she had to keep Art from freaking out, and doing what she knew would be a natural instinct for him. "Please baby...just lay back down....try to relax..or come in the kitchen and we'll wait it out...this has to happen...Milo know's what he's doing...he's not gonna hurt anybody..."
She stayed holding onto him. He was hurt still, even after a night's rest sleeping next to her. She was stronger then she'd been when he left her. She had a feeling she could at least keep him in the room untill Milo calmed the fuck down some or left. As it was, she continued to sit with him, one hand strokeing his face, eye's on his, as she quickly grabbed her phone off the bedside table. Jess's number was pulled up, and she hit send.
When the sleepy leopard queen answered? "Jess, I don't know what's going on, but Milo just showed up, and is like....i don't know having an intervention with Alex or something....And right now, it's freaking Art out..." She sighed. "He's on high alert mode like there's a threat in the house...Help? Please?" Why did Kota have a feeng Jess could get Milo to calm the fuck down? Same reason she knew exactly why Artemus looked like eh was ready to race out the door to protect her.
-- Edited by DAKOTA SANCHEZ on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 06:29:31 PM
As the power and emotions washed through the house he slowly began to stir. The beast rising first, it's energies long restained now had an outlet. The source flows outward as a wave of cold wind, then water. Like standing at the edge of the ocean and trying to see the other side. It crept out from him and drew with it Art's own pent up anger. Unlike the majority, Artemus anger wasn't a fast explosion. It was a wall of cold. A stillness that settles into his bones as though he's made of stone.
Sitting he first looked to the clock, a time would be good for whatever came next. Barely rising he caught the scent of Dakota's racing footfalls coming up the stairs. Hearts pounding, he listened to what went on below. A male he didn't know was below, going after one of the other two whom lived here. All of this collected in a matter of seconds as the beast began to take root, expanding within him. Growling heavily he was barely aware of Dakota suddenly being there, trying to coax him back down. Trying to calm him. Eyes of the brightest green just look at her as though seeing through the leopard. One thing clear, Artemus wasn't completely home right then, she may have to leave a message with the Beast.
It was a measure of just how exhausted she was that she hadn't stirred when Milo slipped from the bed. Or it just might be that the damn rat was just that sneaky. Either way... it was the chiming of her own phone that woke her, having her fumble past the the other sleeping bodies in the bed to retrieve her phone. "Dr. McFarland..." Kota's voice had her blinking, suddenly awake and sitting up. "Hell..." She sighed softly, hand lifting pinch at the bridge of her nose. "Stay away from Milo and the boys, both of you just stay in your room."
She slid from the bed, grabbing a pair of jeans and one of Milo's tshirts, dressing quickly before stepping into a pair of Sketchers. Now the fun part.... she STILL didn't have a car so... she snarled softly to herself before giving Otis' leg a tug. "Get up... I need a ride into town." Words said quietly, trying to keep Knox and Tommy from being disturbed. When the Big Rat was ready they climbed on his bike and she directed him to the boys' house.
The sound of Otis' bike was familiar to the neighbors and to the others within the house. He'd barely parked before she'd leapt from the back, moving swiftly inside, feeling the throb of Milo's power from a block away. Her own power flared, Great Cat searching for her cats, carrying a comforting wamth as she circled them. She was moving in quickly, inside and up the stairs, barely a glance given to where Milo was with Alex. She knew he was there, no way not to know but her concern was for Kota and Art.
She paused at the door, knowing better then to burst in, focusing on the other cats a moment, Art was..... not home apparently. A soft growl escaped her before she drew in her own power, gathering it a moment before focusing on the snow leopard. Her power wrapped around the white cat, swaddling it as securely as a newborn, binding him from shifting even as she opened the door. "Its really too early in the morning for this." Her words soft as she moved to the bed and simply curled up next to Art, sandwiching him between her and Kota. "Don't you worry about the Big Bad Rat." She nuzzled Art softly, letting the soothing rumble of a purr wash over him even as her power kept him swaddled with comforting warmth.
The tug on his leg was all that Otis needed to wake him, sitting up and staring at Jess before nodding. No questions asked, the Lady needed a ride she fuckin' got one. A quick glance around was proof that Milo was MIA which might be why Jess was on fire to get moving but he wasn't about to ask any questions, still recovering mentally from the royal fucking ass-kicking he'd received from Knox and then Milo.
A pair of jeans, his boots, vest hat and shades and they were on the road , heading to Frk & Frak's. Once they neared the house and he felt the pulse of Milo's power he cursed, twisting the throttle just a bit more, cutting another 3 seconds off the time it took to get there. Milo was in rare form, about as pissed as he'd been when he'd come home to find Otis' insides spilling onto the carpet. "Fuck... "
Jessica had forgotten he was there it seemed and there was no fuckin' way he was going upstairs. But there was another rat in the house.... nose twitching before he followed the scent to the kitchen. He didn't say a word, simply moved to where Theo was and lifted him up like a kid, settling into the chair with the smaller rat in his lap. Yeah, probably looked weird but... contact was comfort and right now the kid was probably freaking out because his little brother was getting ramrodded into the facts of life by the Least Subtle Man on the Planet.
Theo was just kind of dazed. He didn't even fight when Otis came in and just picked him up. All he did was curl his legs up so they wouldn't knock into the table, then settled down in the bigger rat's lap.
"Holy shit," he mumbled, just kind of staring at the table because that was kind of the safest place to look right now, as far as he was concerned. "Jesus. Jesus Christ, man."
He didn't even know what to do, what to fucking say, about what was going on in his room.
"He's not gonna... hurt him, is he?" Shit. He wanted to go in there, wanted to break it up but he knew that wasn't how this could play out. First of all, Milo would break him in half. And secondly.... Alex needed it. Alex fucking needed it and obviously none of them could snap him out of this enough to make it work. So... Milo's turn to try. "Fuck," he whispered, leaning forward to plant his elbows on the table, fingers in his hair. Part of it was that Theo was still fucking reeling from the sheer amount of power Milo blew through the house with. He felt kind of dizzy, actually.
Kota didn't look up as Jess came in the room, her power wrapping around Art adn herself, and comforting the man infront of her. No he wasn't really at home. That white leopard was the one looking out, and while Kota knew this beast almost as well as her own, she hated seeing him like this. It was a total role reversal, save for the fact he was still trying to protect her. As he'd done from the start. When Jess crawled in on the other side of Art, Kota sighed, and nuzzled against his neck. Kissing softly and murmmering quietly to him.
Eye's meeting Jess's over Art's head, she spoke quietly, wincing at the sounds from upstairs. "....He's not gonna hurt him is he?" Alex was her friend, but while she knew this was something that needed to happen, there had to be another way to go about it. Maybe not. They'd all tried various ways to get through to Alex, and none of it seemed to be working. Giving a soft sigh, she closed her eyes, then blinked, crawled out of the bed quickly and darted into the kitchen. Flipping off the heat under the food on the stove. No need to set the kitchen on fire, nor burn the food that...well might eventually get eaten.
Hug was given to Theo as she passed, and a nuzzle to Otis in greeting, before she headed back in with Jess and Art, glancing up the steps, as things seemed to be getting quiet. climbing back on the other side of Artemus, she snuggled in once more, and wrapped arms around him. Closing her eye's she spoke to Jess without looking at her.
"Know any good therapists? Maybe we can all go. get a group rate. Family discount or some shit......"
Brows lifted slightly at Kota's question, "If he has too." Her response held the barest hint of a growl as she spoke. Milo was doing what he felt necessary for his rat and while Jessica probably wouldn't have done things the same way, she would never question Milo's decision or actions when it came to his Rodere. Milo was possessive, hell he was worse then a 3 year old only child. Once claimed it was a done deal, you were stuck with him whether you liked it or not.
Her arms tightened around Art when Kota slipped from the bed, nuzzling at him softly, her power a constant thrum around him. When Kota returned her lips quirked in a faint smile at the quip, shaking her head slightly, "No one I'd trust enough.... unless we decide to eat him after group."
He was still physically weak enough that both women had little difficulties keeping him in place, but his power still washed over the room in a chilled energy. The cat knew what took place beyond that inch and a half barrier of wood held little business for it; however, what lay out there was a potential threat. This is where the cat's mind wandered. Protect its own.
It continued to pace until the second spirit joined in; grudgingly it let them placate it and coax it to ease back. However, the large white cat still kept on edge, waiting with the tenseness of something used to these situations more than it would ever admit. With the thrum of Jessica’s power, he turned and looked at her. The look in his eyes read clearly, ‘I see what you did there’. As the beast settled, Artemus slowly came back to himself and looked from one woman to the other. “Why does the cat get all the damn fun?”
Laying back he clamped down on the fuse box and killed the power output. Like pulling a plug it all drained away back into him. Slowly licking his lips, Artemus looked at Dakota with a half smile. "So what did I miss?"
-- Edited by ARTEMUS KURGEN on Thursday 14th of July 2011 05:47:16 PM
At Jess's comment about eating the therapist, she snorted out a laugh. Glad they could laugh with Milo's power threatening to drown everybody in the damn house. When Art's beast seemed to settle down, her own nuzzled against it again, and rubbed her side against the bigger white males, purr rumbling from deep in her throat.
When Art seemed to flow back into himself, filling his eye's up once more, she chuckled softly, and nuzzled his neck. "You get plenty of damn fun, mi corizon." She smiled and kissed his cheek, and when the question came, of what did he miss, she gave a small roll of her eyes, trying to make light of the situation. "Seems Milo's takeing matters into his own hands, when it comes to Alex and his issues with drugs and shit. The rest of us have tried to help him. Specially Theo. Nothing seems to stick. So maybe this time it will."
Looking across to Jess, she tilted her head. "Think it's safe to go out in the kitchen? Milo dosn't seem to be yelling anymore...." In fact it was pretty quiet up there now. She kinda wanted to check and see how Theo was doing too. She might not be a rat, but he was still her friend. Not that Otis couldn't take care of him, but the way Theo had looked when she'd slipped into the kitchen to turn the heat off on their food? Well....
"I think the storm has passed..." Yeah...it seemed to have anyway. Who knows? Maybe they could all sit down and eat breakfast now or some shit. Oy. From pissed off Rat king rampaging through the house, to homefries and fajitas aftewards. The fuck was up with their lives?
-From the moment Alex said 'okay' and Milo felt both the boy and beast relax beneath him Milo stilled as well. Legs spread wider, knees bending out to take more of his weight on his own knees and thighs. He didn't get off of Alex but he did make it easier to breath, slowly releasing the boys neck from his teeths grasp. The bite of the Rat King would heal human slow and leave a marking for a long time, letting others know that Milo had marked Alex. Among lycans it was seen as an honor and a threat to anyone who came against Alex. Laying on top of the boy Milo's breath was hot agaist his throat, the larger mans bodied cuddled up to the smaller rat in a pile.-
"Sleep. Just an hour. Then we'll go."
-Later, when he blinked sleep out of his eyes Milo finally let Alex go so that he could stretch his long arms overhead and yawn. That yawn was deep and curved his lower back upwards. The rest of the house had been active no doubt during that time period while the two rats took their little nap. Milo was always aware of possible danger and having ascertained that nothing in the house was close to a threat he had simply ignored the fits and starts of energy going on around them, blanketting Alex in his own energy so that he would remain unaffected as well.-
-Thin lips smacked together as he rubbed fists against his eyes to rub the sleep away. For a moment, when he did that, he looked like a child. A very big heavily tattooed child but still. Lime green eyes were opened to slits and he tipped his chin down to look at Alex through the slits of his lime green eyes. Watching the boy a long moment they laid in silence just staring at each other, then Milo's thin lips pulled taut in a sneering smile.-
"Go through the house Frik. I want every bottle of booze thats yours, every ounce, every bag, every pipe, needle, cutter....whatever. Bring them to me in the backyard. And Alex....I got a good nose. You leave anything behind and I'll know."
-Pushing up from the bed Alex rolled off of him and Milo's meathook hands helped keep the boy on his feet as they both got out of bed. One of those hands smacked Alex's bare butt fondly as he sent the rat off to do his business. Stretching again with his whole body Milo's mouth opened in a large body shaking yawn.-
"OTIS! THEO!" -Shouts for the other two rats to come into the bedroom. As he waited for them Milo looked around the room and found his clothes. They were all wet as hell and he balled them up in his hands and tossed them to Theo when he came in the room.- "Stick those in the dryer for me Frak. We'll talk when you get back."
-Milo expcted that Theo would want to know what was going on and he wasn't intending to leave the boy in the dark. Standing buck ass naked, hands on his hips, he faced Otis without shame.-
"Two things big guy. One, we're moving Frik in with us at the swamps and then into whatever place Tommy finds for us in the city. So I need you to go jack us a truck or something. Steal it borrow it rent it, I don't give a shit but we're moving him today. Two, I have a special job for you, Knox, and Remi....wherever the fuck Pinkie is these days. Get in touch with them, have them meet us at the house soon."
-The Rodere had had long enough to settle in and play fun happy time games. It seemed Dade's death had affected Milo more than most would realize. He wanted more now. More use for what he was building. He was a bad man struggling to do something 'good'. It wasn't easy and it didn't come naturally. When Frak rejoined them Milo eyed him, looked him over for a moment and then nodded for him to sit down.-
"Look, I don't fault you or Jessie or that chick you boys been running trains on for the fact that your brother is drowning. But this shit has gone on long enough don't ya think? Might as well try a new tactic." -Milo scratched idly at his hanging balls as if he didn't mind at all that he was standing there, dick swinging, with two other men staring at him.- "From now on I'm taking over Frik's training and he's staying with us. With other rats. He needs to learn what that's about and he won't do it by hiding out in a basement. Now you're free to stay here with your cat house guests, can't blame you for that I got a weakness for them myself, or you can just come right along with your brother. But the choice is up to you."
Otis curled forwards when Theo did, keeping his back pressed to the younger rat, chin resting on his shoulder, doing what he could to shelter him from what was going on. "He do whatever the fuck he's got to do to straighten the little shit out." His voice rumbling softly against Theo's ear. Kota's little drive by got her a nuzzle and a light swap on the ass. Then it was simply time to wait.
When things quieted down upstairs, his head canted, nodding slowly before nudging Theo from his lap. "Time to smoke and get something to eat." Yes, Otis was hungry and the fact that the food was made just meant that he didn't have to wait any longer to eat. So.... yeah, Otis made himself a plate of the food that Kota had started earlier, filling another for Theo and planting it in front fo the younger rat. "Eat."
After eating he kicked back in his chair, fishing a cigar from his vest to light up, leaning back to savor the smoke. Things were quiet, enough that he was ready to doze once he finished his cigar but then he heard the bellow from upstairs. "that's us Frak." He was on the move, urging Theo with him to report to the King.
He nodded at Milo's words, hand lifting to touch his fingers to the brim of his hat in salute. "Fuckin' a... I'm on it." Phone was tugged from his pants pocket as he moved, fingers moving over the keys to send out some messages. Then he was out, bike roaring into life as he headed out.
It didn't take long before he was back, bike currently in the bed of an extended cab Chevy Silverado. The stickers had all been peeled from the windows of the black truck but it was obvious that he'd picked it up from a lot somewhere. He'd parked the truck and after climbing out retrieved his bike from the back, muscles flexing as he lifted the harley from the bed. Who the fuck needs a ramp? Now it was just time to pack the kid up and get him to the swamp.
Feeling Artemus relax finally had her easing the swaddling power she'd wrapped around him, cheshire smile playing at the corners of her mouth when he looked at her. "Nothing important." Her response to his questions laced with a hint of laughter. She reached out a hand to lightly caress Kota's cheek, nodding at her question. "I'm sure its safe." Not that she thought things weren't safe before, not with Milo but then again, she was biased.
She tipped her head to nuzzle lightly at Artemus before slipping from the bed, head tilted slightly, listening before she nodded to the other pair. "Why don't we go eat?" She moved from the room without waiting for a response and headed to the kitchen. A nod was given to Otis and Theo before she went in search of coffee, filling a cup for herself to sip from. She'd wait for the others to eat before she found something to nibble on.
Alex settled down and lay quietly once Milo did the same, still kind of dazed... but eventually he fell sound asleep. He didn't stir again until Milo started stretching and shit but eventually he rolled over, looking up at him from under his black hair. He was still kind of scared, a little dazed, but mostly just... uncertain. He didn't know what would happen, and it kind of sucked. But he nodded when Milo told him to get all his shit and get it in the back yard.
He got out of bed, then jumped when Milo smacked his ass. "Jesus... I swear to God every time someone grabs my ass or m yhair they're gonna have to start fuckin' paying me or something," he grumbled, hurrying out of the room.
Back down int he basement he got dressed, and started going through his cave of a room. He grabbed the little trash can and started putting stuff in it. Bottles of prescription bills, a baggie of cocaine, and any bottle he could find that still had anything in it - rum, tequila, and vodka for the most part. He brought it out to the back yard and sat on the porch for a cigarette. This was some serious shit. He stared at the trash can, biting his lip. It seemed like a lot now that it was all in one place and not squirreled away all over his room. He rubbed his face. Shit.
-- Edited by ALEX BLACK on Saturday 16th of July 2011 08:07:23 PM
Theo tried to relax and having Otis at his back kind of helped... but he worried. Alex had been just barely keeping it together for so long, and apparently he'd just completely fucking fall apart if Milo was involved now. He rubbed his forehead and tried to not think about it. He managed to eat some when Otis put the plate in front of him, but he definitely didn't finish it. He didn't even cuss Otis out for smoking in the house - usually everyone went outside.
He jumped when Milo bellowed, but he followed Otis upstairs to his room. He looked at Milo's face instead of his junk.
"Chick we've been what...? No, it's not like that." Theo frowned, kind of offended but it just... he wasn't screwing around with Kota. No one was, as far as he knew, but it wasn't his business anyway. He sighed and rubbed his face, not even sure what to make of all of this.
"He's never had training, as far as I know. I mean.. enough so that he doens't pop fur all the time but like... No one in Newark gave a shit."
The rodere they'd been in had been kind of big, and they were just the new guys at the bottom of the ladder. They managed to keep people from picking on them, from beating the shit out of them... but then Theo had left. Guilt wrenched his stomach and he tried not to think about it. Otis told him months ago not to blame himself for the way Alex was... but it was kind of his fault for leaving him behind, wasn't it?
He managed to nod though. "Yeah... okay. Good. He needs it." This was good for his brother, it was obvious nothing else had helped so far. Theo bit his lip. "Is it either or? I mean, can I stay here and come out and see him..? I mean, everyone." Theo wanted to be more a part of this rodere, he actually liked Milo even if he'd been a shit about it for a while. He was reluctant to give out this niche they'd carved for themself. He could probably ask Kota to take care of the house if he went out to the swamp... he was sure she would. That way they wouldn't have to move all of Alex's shit.
Artemus looked to the departing woman then Dakota curiously. "Well, I was enjoying myself. Guess I have to be social now..." He just sounded so distraught over having to get out of bed. Then again when you 'wake up' between two attractive women it's a little natural to wanna stay. "
That was my doc from last night isn't it." Not really a question, just a statement to help him piece everything together. THe previous night was mostly a blur in the events, but he'd get things figured out.
Slowly he sat up and rolled his shoulders to loosen the stiffness. Next came turning his head to work out the neck muscles. Head to toe he went, just streatching and loosening what he could before sitting on the edge of th bed. Elbows on knees, he closed his eyes and let his hearing flow out into the house. Picking up every creaking board, every turning knob. Even some scraping coming from what could be the kitchen as someone helped themslves. Retreating bike noted as he finally stood up.
"Better meet the neighbors..." he muttered quietly before looking at Dakota and offering her his hand. Fingers curling he let her lead the way downstairs to the real world.
The decliration from Jess that it was safe to head out into the kitchen had her nodding her head, and sitting up when Art did. Chuckling softly to his comment that he was comfy. "You'll survive, mi gato..." A stretch of her own, with arms reaching up towards the ceiling, and back arched, fingers reaching upwards then almost as if she deflated. Falling back to flat footed, she looked to him and smiled, takeing the hand that was offered. Her fingers laced with his, she lead him out into the living room, glancing upstairs to Theo's room where she could still hear the murmmer of voices. Then into the kitchen where Jessie was drinking her coffee.
Nudging Art towards the table, she scooped up Otis and Theo's plates. Leaving Theo's on the counter in case he wanted the rest, and placing Otis's in the dishwasher. Eye's flicked to the naked Alex as he moved back through and into the basement, giving a small frown. Then fixed up a plate for Artemus, setting it down infront of him, a cup of coffee as wel, with cream and sugar on the middle of the table so he could fix it the way he liked.
As she was starting to fix her own plate, she heard Alex comming back up, and onto the back porch, looking confused and a bit freaked out. Another frown tugging her lips, she nodded after the rat, with a look to Art. "Alex...Theo's still upstairs with Milo..." Kota blinked and looked at Jess. "Ya know.....I don't think I've actually ever met Milo when I wasn't shifted..." The realization surprised her. Cup of coffee was poured, and fixed the way she knew Alex liked, and she slipped onto the back porch, handing over the mug to him as she gave him a quick one armed hug and kissed the top of his head. "I know your probbably not hungry, but there's food in here if you are." The words were gentle, and she gave him a quick nuzzle before heading back in. A glance at the trash can, but she didn't say a word.
Once back inside, she heard the front door open and close, and glanced up as she sat down next to Art with her own food and a glass of V8 juice. Seeing Otis comming back inside, she gave a smile, then looked to Art, nodding in the big rats direction. "Otis...another one of the Rodere..." She figured everybody could actually MEET everybody else later after things had calmed down.
Probably a good thing his beast had calmed down since a big cat in a house full of rats just meant someone was going to get pounced. However, the big rat was still elsewhere in the house. Despite Kota filling in the gaps, Milo's power display bothered Artemus since for someone to just show up spitting power like a dragon farts fire could mean several things. Biggest among them mental instability. Artemus was no fool. He knew where he was right now in comparison.The house was the rats. That drew the line for him, however precautions never hurt. Nudging the beast he drew in that power and let it fill him to the brim, yet not leak out. A waterballon set to go off if tempers flared.
Settling in at the table, he just offered nods to the others and filed away the information for later. Emeralds glance about but the large cat took in more with his other senses. Smelling fear, anxiety, and a bit of lingering anger. The house smelled like Auschwitz with a side of Tex-Mex.
-- Edited by ARTEMUS KURGEN on Monday 18th of July 2011 05:04:00 PM
-- Edited by ARTEMUS KURGEN on Monday 18th of July 2011 05:09:07 PM
"Thanks Kota," Alex mumbled around his cigarette. He took it out of his mouth and accepted the mug, kind of curling around it. He felt really tired now, and still kind of dazed and just... weird. He felt weird and he wanted to crawl somewhere and sleep. But he figured maybe they'd do that when they got to the swamp or whatever. He kind of hoped Theo kept the house, or gave it to Kota or something, so he could keep his basement. He didn't want to move all of his shit. Some of it, sure, but not all of it.
He rubbed his forehead, didn't say anything about food or anything else, just waited to be alone again. He wasn't hungry, at all. Hell he was kind of scared at the moment ,but he didn't want to think too hard about any of it. He hoped, maybe, Milo would still let him out to play with the band. That shit was his life, and he didn't want to let everyone down. He shudered and tried to swallow the sudden rush of emotion down. He closed his eyes and leaned forward some, almost rocking as he drank his coffee, smoked his cigarettes, and tried not to think about all the shit sitting just a few feet away - the pills and bottles and coke. His fingers itched - all of him itched - and he closed his eyes again because somehow that helped.
-There was a lot happening at once and Milo was just eager to get going. Knowing that Otis would take care of business he let his partner in crime go do exactly that while he talked to Frak. Basically the message Milo delivered to the other man was that he could do what he wanted. Stay at this house, come to the rodere house, visit, whatever. Didn't matter. Frak wasn't the one under house arrest for the time being. Milo liked Frak he just didn't know yet where the boys loyalties lay. Both brothers had thus far dusted the edges of the Rodere without fully committing which was fine, but as time moved on they would have to make decisions about who they were.-
-Once that was done he moved out of the bedroom and went to find Jessie, pulling her aside in the hallway or some equally realistic place to say a quick.- "Babe, we gotta talk. Soon. Till then keep your felines out of my nest or I'm gonna be real unhappy soon."
-As though what had happened that morning was something less than real unhappy. Which for Milo it was. He was getting more than a little tired of the women babying Alex; tigers and leopards alike. The boy needed to drop from the vagina of the universe, let his stones fall with gravity and man the fuck up, and he was never gonna do that with every pussy on the block coddling him and treating him like their personal love child.-
-Heading out to where Alex waited he asked quickly,- "This all of it?" -Before dumping out a bottle of booze on the garbage can and using some matches to light the stash on fire. It would probably make a small fire, something the sprinklers would put out eventually. Maybe even leave a scorch mark in the grass.- "Up! Let's go."
-One thing about Milo, when he made up his mind to do something he by God did it. Otis was back with a truck and together the four rats would all haul Alex's shit, each and every fucking scrap not nailed down, and load it into the truck. Didn't take long. After all they could haul a lot of shit between them and Alex wasn't exactly balling. Otis was sitting behind the drivers side of the truck and Milo was getting ready to saddle his motorcycle with Alex in the bitch seat behind him. Milo tossed keys to the swamp house in Theo's direction.-
"Figure out what ya want Frak. When ya do let us know." -Gunning the engine on the Chopper he let Alex curl up against his back. Moving day. Shit was gonna change around here, but that was life.-
When everyone gathered little by little in the kitchen Jessica had taken some time to check on things at the clinic, normally she would have been there by then but with all that had gone on today... well, it was good to be the boss. She had just gotten off the phone with the clinich when Milo tugged her aside, to lay out his law. Her eyes narrowed slightly at his statement before giving him a nod. "Alright Milo, no felines in the nest. Not a problem."
Did she love the Rat King? Well, duh. Did she like him being all heavy handed in his orders about her Pard? Hell no. But... she'd give him a chance to explain before responding, no matter how much she wanted to snarl at the moment.
She waited for Milo and his rats to make their way to the swamp house, lips pursing slightly as she entered the kitchen. "Feeling better Artemus?" She moved to the male, brushing a hand lightly against his cheek, fingers trailing through his hair a moment. A faint smile touched her lips as she moved to Kota, bending to brush her cheek against the other woman's, breathing deeply of her scent.
"We have some things to discuss if you don't mind. One of which is the housing situation." Long ago she had perfected her shields, effortlessly concealing what she was to all by the most powerful. During the years after leaving Salem she'd refined her control, able to appear serene no matter what. Those skills served her well now, faint smile in place as she looked at the pair.
"Milo has banned felines from his nest so... Kota, please understand that you will not be able to visit Alex there. I think it would be best to wait for any invitations from them if you want to see him or Theo, even outside of the Nest." Basically, leave the rats alone for the time being. "That being said... I am not sure if Theo will be staying here or at the Nest. I will be looking for somewhere to stay in town so you and Artemus are welcome to join me if you like."
She would have to contact Mikhail, let him know she would be looking for a place in town as well and to get the word out to the others. So much to do suddenly.
Both man and Beast went extremely still at the touch. One eye sliding to look in the hand's direction before offering the barest rub of his cheek. The movement was out of respect as the woman had literally assisted in the prolonging of their lives. However, Artemus knew the rules and if Jess thought he was going to roll over like a puss in boots, then there'd be a throwdown.
He had not petitioned to join the pard and no one had asked him, yet. No, to him this wasn't about a pissing contest. It was about propriety. He was the new Tom-cat in town and had steeled himself in the short walk from Dakota's room to the kitchen table that he'd better prepare for trouble with this group of cats and rats. If they wanted him to join up, they'd ask or set down the terms.
"I'm fine...thank you.." all he said before turning back to finishing his food. Most of what Jess said about the housing and the rats nest was tuned out since he knew it had more bearing on Dakota. The woman could make friends in an addes den. He'd play nice but continue to wait for the other shoe to flat-tire.
Perhaps it was all in his head, but to the younger Kurgen, he was the new guy in town. Better to keep his ears open and fur bristled than run afoul of becoming something else' bitch before getting his strength back. Superman had been given a kryptonite bath.
Eyes shift to watch Dakota's behavior with the woman since that would give him the clues in how to act with where this little discussion could go. Once again Artemus was following Kota's lead rather than the other way around.
As the rats went about moving Alex's things out of the basement, and leaving it open and empty again, Kota and Art finished their food. Dakota continuing her comentary to Art as needed. So when Jess came back in, and said they needed to talk about a few things, she settled back now that her food was finished, and settled contently next to Art.
Her body tensed a little though, when Jess said she wasn't allowed to visit Alex or Theo, and to pretty much stay away from the rats for now. This didn't sit very well with the little kitten, but she nodded her head stiffly. "Whatever you say..." The comment though about staying away from them, even outside of the nest, and talking about not knowing if Theo was staying at the house or not she frowned and fought not to let it turn into a scowl.
".....I hope your not saying we need to move, because Theo's living here..." She sighed, and got up. PIcking up her plate, and Art's when he was finished. Moving to the dishwasher, and starting to clean up the breakfast dishes. Loading plates and cups into the dishwasher, and everything else was loaded into the sink, water ran, and soap added. She didn't want to have to freaking move again. She paid rent to Theo. Helped him with the bills, and damn it, she liked living with her friends. But if Milo didn't want cats around his rats...
A shake of her head, and she spoke quietly. "Don't worry about it.....I'll talk to Theo whenever he get's back. let him know we'll be out by the end of next week....would probably be better for Art and I to find our own place anyway."
Glancing back to her queen, she gave a little smile. "We haven't been alone together in 8 years....I think it's overdue." Glancing at Art, she gave him a bigger smile, and went back to washing up the dishes. Her hair falling from it's pony tail in whisps around her face.Once it was done, she moved back towards the table, and sinking into the chair next to him, she slid an arm around his waist, and head came down on his shoulder. feeling the tension in his body, she nuzzled at his neck. trying to ease it away.
-- Edited by DAKOTA SANCHEZ on Wednesday 20th of July 2011 07:35:27 PM
Artemus' reaction she understood, at least in part. He was new to the city, these were all new faces and he wasn't exactly 100% after his injuries. Dakota's reaction... well, that had Jess torn between sighing and snarling. "No Kota, I am not saying that you have to move. I am saying that it apparently Milo has decided that felines are personae non grata to his Rodere and rather then make things worse I am asking that you refrain from associating with any of them at this time. If you want to stay here you are more then welcome to do so. If you do not, that is up to you."
Her shields tightened around herself, drawing her power behind that rigid control. This situation was beyond frustrating but she was not about to take it out on Kota just because the other woman decided to get a little attitude. "Just be sure to let me know what you decide to do." She gave a nod to each of them before making her way to the door. She had to get to the hospital, check on things there and see about finding somewhere for herself to live.
Artemus looked from one woman to the other then actually let out a verbal groan hearing Dakota. "That's not what he said...no felines in his nest." Oh yes, this one had very acute hearing even among their kind. "If Theo and Alex are part of his rodere, then this house belongs to Milo. He's moved at least one out to help the kid get back his Man-bership card. The other has the option to stay go along. The pard is not welcome where Milo took Alex."
He just shook his head to try and snuff out this bit of drama. Slowly his power crept out like someone turned up the AC, condensation freezing on the glass in his hand as eyes crept from woman to woman. "I haven't seen this much cat drama since I ate Cologrio's heart."
Kota glanced at Art, and shook her head, covering a small smile with her hand. She hadn't ment to sound bitchy to Jess, she just didn't like thinking they were going to HAVE to move."Ok..i over reacted a little. m'sorry...i just like it here. Don't really want to have to move if we don't have to....and i figure Theo will probably be with the rodere most the time anyway..." Art letting his power leak out, she shivered a little and closed her eyes. letting the familar feel of it seep around her. When he mentioned Cologrio though, Kota growled, and pinched his side lightly. "Don't talk about that punta....glad you killed him...." Hell. If Artemus hadn't killed Cologrio, Cologrio would have killed Kota for something that wasn't her fault. So she personally was greatful. Pinching her mate though, she gave a playful growl. "Not drama. Just a mis communication." Glancing at Jessie as she started to leave, she blinked.
"Um....Jess? Before you go, shouldn't we probably talk about what Art needs to do if he wants to be part of the pard? Or what the rules are if he decides he dosn't?" While she figured Artemus would probably accept being a part of the pard, she didn't want to say for sure, and not know. Plus there was always the chance that he wouldn't want to, seeing what happend the last time. nibbling at her own bottom lip, she let her gaze flick between the two.
"Just a thought..." She ducked her head and blushed a little, darkly tanned skin getting darker at her cheeks from it, and she nuzzled against Art a bit more.
She froze for a moment when Artemus mentioned that name, eyes narrowing slightly as she fought the urge to snarl again. It stirred memories she wanted long forgotten. She shedthe memories with a slight shake of her head. That was long in the past and best forgotten. She'd been another women then.
"Kota, as I said, you should live where you want but I will not allow any issues with the Rodere." The cool brush of Artemus' power had her fixing her eyes on him. Kota's question regarding his status had a brow arched just slightly "If?" This was probably a bad time for this but since the question was asked. "I believe what I had said to the others applies now. There is no 'if'. There will be no rogues in this city." Yes, in another situation she might have been a bit more gentle but at the moment... well, she had a lot on her mind.
"Well that's one way to reveal the elephant in the room Madame Copperfield." Artemus' tone was calm, jovial even as he looked at the women one more time. "However, that leaves very little choice for me. Join a group of people where I only trust one..or leave town."
Sitting back in his chair, emeralds lit up a little at the game of roulette as an amused smile graced his lips. "Well then...Dr. Jess," toing a line, Artemus got up and and walked to stand in front of the other female. "First things first. What is your station with the Nola Pard?"
He waited on her answer before asking his second question. "Would you let down your shields?" His tone remained casual, friendly even while watching her. His body language at ease and completely calm despite the soft stroke of cold coming from him like standing at the oceans edge. Where his power licked came a soothing calm that just begged everyone around him to be at ease, to be themself. "Let me see the depth of your power."
Kota watched quietly, as Art got up to stand infront of Jess. This was something that Kota wasn't going to get involved in. She'd had her say, and that was good enough. Sitting back, she sipped at was left of her juice, and watched the two of them. When Artemus asked what Jessica's position was, she closed her eyes a moment. She knew she'd told him. but then agin maybe she hadn't. Who knew lately.
The second question made her open her eyes, and watch them again. This was something that made her curious. She hadn't really felt the full extent of Jessie's power. A few times when the other leopard had helped to calm her. When she called them all to her. And When she helped Artemus.
Had she expected Artemus' reaction? Probably in some part of her she did. She knew more about him then he realized, not just because of all the little pieces that Kota had said about him but also because of what she'd felt when healing or attempting to heal him. She hadn't wanted a confrontation, and, oddly enough for a shifter, she despised displays of dominance, but she understood the instincts involved.
"What position do I hold in the Pard?" That little smile that had been her mask for so long played over her lips, "Its simple, its MY Pard." Such a small word with so much emphasis, with so many layers meaning. She'd claimed them for herself, as a child claimed a toy, a mother claimed a child, a lover claimed a mate. Where Milo's surge of power that occampanied his claims of 'MINE' would rock walls and send less shifters hiding, her claim was more intimate, it was the warmth that went with returning home, to your true home, no matter who lived there. When her shields lowered it wasn't a earth shattering explosion, it was a feeling of depth and warmth that seemed to have no ending. Jessica had always been a healer, usually the healer of those that couldn't speak for themselves. As she'd grown she'd become even more so, not just a healer but a caretaker and her strength came from the unyielding conviction that she would not allow anyone to ever be abused in any way while she was around. Her power was quiet but no less strong then some of the others that ruled. She was not Mother but she was safety, security, and warmth for all she welcomed within her heart.
"Do I meet your approval?" Sarcasm was a delicate tool sometimes, and right now it was just a shimmer of intent over the husky purr of her words. She hadn't moved, her expression hadn't changed as she allowed him to see what she held behind her shields and yet in that moment she had become so much more. Her eyes gleamed a brighter gold as she met his, not demanding his obbedience but simply expecting it, it was her due.
"You're new at this aren't you?" His question was blunt and to the point. Artemus didn't fight her deceptive flow of power, he embraced it. Drew the ebb and flow in like a tide to weigh it. This wasn't a contest to him, it was establishing the scales. Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, the larger male spoke after a moments pause.
"I don't give a shit who's in charge, or who's dick is bigger. Still don't know if I'm going to stick around very long, and took over as Nimir-Raj in Detroit before the city went to hell. Now I'm here." Slowly he offered her his hand to shake as he continued. " I'll play by your rules and respect your station, but you put me in a corner again, I'll fight you tooth and claw." Then he turned his head to the side, exposing his neck. "This cat was raised by wolves. Respect for your station...and respecting you are two different topics."
Artemus really didn't care who ran the show, but he went from leader to loner and those colors weren't about to change just because she offered the possibility of safety. He'd been fighting on his own for too long. She'd have to work her ass off to earn his respect, if she even cared to. He knew other leaders didn't give two squirts if those in their charge respected them as long as they did what they were told. However for him, if your crew didn't respect you, they didn't listen. And respecting someone out of fear of how much they could hurt you was just the cowar's path. Respect out of fear is hollow and wasted energy.
Waiting, his power grew a touch, expanding throughout the house like a freak cold front. His beast was a creature of ice and snow, and that cold was every much a part of the man. In that space of breaths he let Jess know exactly what she was dealing with. A chaotic knight.
For an instant she considered answering that blunt question but then again, why should she? New or not didn't matter, what was.... was. She was Nimir Ra over the New Orleans Pard, it was just that simple. She had to chuckle softly at his words, admiring his bluntness, she much preferred things being laid out on the table then any subtle little games. "If I want you in a corner I'll put you there.... and I'll deal with the consequences of it." She stepped closer to him, leaning into to breathe deeply of his scent as he offered his neck, lips brushing lightly before she she nipped at his skin.
She chuckled again as she stepped back from him, brushing her cheek along his, "And I spent more time with a Rodere then I did a Pard. We're not just our beasts, we were humans first. I don't expect you to suddenly respect me. I expect you to respect what I am, Nimir Ra of the Pard, a doctor and a woman. I expect you to protect those that are not as strong as you and to listen to those that are stronger."
Her smile was a bit wry as she looked around, "Todays events not withstanding, we are allied with the Rodere. Soon I hope to be formally allied with the Pack as well. Just... stay out of trouble and help those that need it. At least for now." She was starting to understand more and more why Milo had Knox and Otis. To have someone completely loyal to rely on would be wonderful, perhaps once she and Mikhail got to know each other better things would be different.
"May have been human first, but the human side is the parasite that can't decide if it wants control or equilibrium. As for the rest, you just repeated everything I said in more words. "listen to those who are stronger"? Strength does not amount to wisdom." Once again, all laid out blunt.
"I don't follow orders blindly, if the math don't add up I'm calling bullshit." His tone courteous and forward, he was a dominant leopard. He'd listen to her and those she designated within the group, but outside of that? Well, he'd do what he could to 'stay out of trouble'. "Think we can get along on these grounds? You're the boss, but I'm not a drone. I've learned that power doesn't mean a great deal. It's like being a black belt in pick yer style. The color is meaningless, it's the artist that gives it meaning." Yet again the ring of truth and honesty in his words before offering a nod.
"We can discuss more later, you've seemed anxious a while now. Go do what you need to get done. I'm easily spotted." A dum ching. The smile he gave her was easy as the soft licks of power continued to ebb and flow around him as though a levy were doing its job.
