Chapter 4 Stories in the Shadows

Chapter 4 Blurb, Pagan 8/19/2014

The pounding in my skull was only a dull pulse now. By morning my face and neck should feel normal, I hope at least. I was resting with Cade and Caro. Well honestly I didn't blame Caro for passing out. It was kind of amazing that she was conscious at all before dawn. I mean with the change and everything. Auntie had help me eat with one arm pinned under Caro, not that I'm complaining at all. I'd tried to waive her out of the room once they were sleeping, but Auntie just gave me that smile that I know better than to argue against. She's right I guess, healing takes fuel, so I need to eat. She checked my injuries before she left. Most of the lesser injuries are a memory now. I heal quickly even for our kind, it's next to impossible for me to scar. I know she's not trying to hurt me but her fingers seem to dig into the sorest part of my neck. She frowns for a moment and digs her thumb into my spine. I can't help the flinch and twitch. Something pops and I wonder if it's good or bad. Some pressure I didn't even realize was there relaxed and the pain is a lot less. Yeah, Caro doesn't need to know I broke my neck a little.

Auntie checks my face, and after making my bad eye watery as hell, seems content that the bones in my face are healing as they should. I'm happy about that. If they weren't healing right I would have to have someone re-break my face, and that sucked bad enough the first time. I feel my face go warm with anger. That damn asshole completely got the jump on me. All my training and the the first one I meet plants my face into a metal guard rail. Not only did I take a beating, but I left Cade and Caro unprotected while they ran back to safety. Some mighty warrior I make. I sigh quietly in the dark. Well, Cade and Caro are safe. I can't even think gloomy for long; it's not my taco. Though no one seemed to know what was going on except for that woman.

The crazy lady in the biker jacket was defiantly one of us. I didn't get a good look at her. She was efficient, but none too gentle. I got the impression that she knew more about what was going on than the boss guy here. I knew she was injured, at least I'm pretty sure that was her blood running down her side and not mine. I tried to remember if she smelled like Caro discribed, but gave up. My nose had been broken while she carried me, so I had no idea what she smelled like. Yeah, everything smelled like metal for a while there. I was going to have to fight smarter. Getting hurt was definitely not helping Caro adjust. Cade had been pretty freaked by it too. I was just going to have to do better, that was all there was to it. I settled in against my new friend with a hand touching my brother. Cade lazed an eye open, looking at me. I smiled and settled in to sleep. Healing did leave me a little drained. Tomorrow we'd get some answers. Cade would probably figure out a plan. I suck at planning. We'd figure it out. We'd keep Caro safe. I drifted off to sleep with a promise on my mind. Tomorrow would be better.

~Kar

Pagan
June 15, 2013
(Please note not sure if Chapter 4 is starting at wake up or breakfast, but definatly before story time) will post this at start of chap 4 list after blurb.)

The boys turn their back and you get dressed, doing your best not to look at yourself. Part of your brain knows if you see this mark it means everything is true and you're different somehow. If you don't see if maybe you can deal with it. Maybe. You search for something to run through your hair and you notice a small hand mirror, a brush and a small baggie of hair ties and clips. A small post it not on the bag simply reads: Thought you might want some ~Donna. You pull your hair back and realize both Kar and Cade are two steps closer to the door. They both turn and Kar grins, Cade smirks. "So," Kar looks at you and looks at the door. "Can we eat now, I'm starving." That's when it occurs to you, there's not a mark on his face. He must read part of your reaction and chuckles. "Come on," and they lead you into the other room.

Piles of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and orange juice, it is in fact fresh squeezed, wait on the desk with a few chair. You all lay into it, not even bothering to speak for a few minutes. If one of you wants something you nod at it an someone else passes, there is no room for words between breaths. This is how the boys manage to eat so much. You probably ate more than you did in the entirety of yesterday than you did today. "Mamma has a plan," Cade is the first one to speak between mouthfuls. "So the mystery shadow came in and gave her report to Chuck, he's busy running the Sanctuary. Mamma got strings pulled so the shadow is going to be teaching the story of our origin to some kids. This way you get the story and after we get some time to ask her questions before she disappears again." Cade checks his watch, "We can finish eating before we head down to her room."

Kar frowns as he chews another mouthful of eggs. "How badly was she hurt?" Cade shrugs as he inhales an entire piece of buttered toast. Kar continues to frown and chew thoughtfully, "I was pretty out of it by the time she started dragging me back, I'm not sure but I though maybe she was messed up too, but if she stayed out all night... I'm not sure."

Shaeyde
June 15, 2013

-- Once I found the small care package from Donna, it was a quick thing to tie my hair back in some semblance of presentable order. By the time I turned back to them, a minute or two later, I couldn't help when my jaw dropped wide enough to catch a veritable nation of flies. It seemed he had literally finished healing in a matter of moments. The lucky little brat had the audacity to look cheeky, not that there was much I could do about it as I stepped forward and took each of their hands so that the three of us stepped out together.

I did obviously join them for breakfast, the food tasting amazing, though that may have just been because of how hungry I was. It was a good thing that there was so much as the two of them ate like food was going out of style. Or like this was their last meal before some great adventure. Then again, I wasn't sure that it wasn't. I mean I was more sure than ever that the two of them were these Heirus, or whatever they were called and likely knew more than I did, but still they'd seemed as out of the loop about some things as I was. We'd obviously been attacked over something but not knowing the why left us as vulnerable as we were prior. The only saving grace was getting to ask questions of this woman, whoever she may be. Hopefully any awkwardness on my end could be avoided this time as Cade and Kar would be there as well.

It was easy enough to let the two of them talk, keeping my mouth filled seeming to be a more than acceptable option. I was not by any means feeling left out of the conversation, but bringing forkful after forkful to my mouth gave me ample time to try to process everything they were discussing. Whoever this woman was, I obviously owed her, both for getting Cade and I out and for making sure Kar got back, relatively in one piece. While she may have made me more than uncomfortable, the fact that she had gotten hurt was kind of on us, or me, or whoever you wanted to name it. At the very least I owed her a thank you, and at the very least she owed me some answers. I didn't know that just going up and saying as much was going to get me very far, but maybe I would luck out and she'd be someone that appreciated bluntness, especially now that I was in the know on things. Scraping my chair back rather suddenly, plate, cup, and utensils all placed neatly atop each other, I stood up and dug around my jeans for my pack of smokes, realizing that thy were likely anywhere but here. --

"We should probably get going if we want to catch her first. By the by, if either one of you has a cigarette and fire, there's quite a few things I just might do for one right now."

Pagan
June 15, 2013

They boys take you deeper into a complex, which you realize has to be completely underground, no windows. They pass an actual underground forge and you get to smoke by one of the exhaust vents. Much happier after your nic fix, the boys walk you down several hallways. You end up going the same route as a group of kids led by one that must be 12. They giggle around you and keep pulling you along with. Kar and Cade, smile and move with the kids. Friendly hands and smiles move you with a group of 5 children ranging from 8 to 12 being ushered through the veiled doorway. Past the nearly opaque gauzy red material is a room of stone. To say it was carved implies that it was cut, but realistically it's as if the room was lived in until it was warn smooth. Red, grey and black rugs of varying styles cover the floor. A futon draped with a black frame, also draped in red takes up a corner. Already the older children are putting the back up, throwing the pillows on the ground and the younger ones are taking those. The opposite wall from the door has a simple wooden wardrobe, and the rest of the wall is covered in blades and weapons from throwing stars to long curving scimitar, and yes that is in fact a gun rack. Across the room from the bed is what looks like a beat up recliner, in a random shade of brown. It didn't match and was so out of place that it was as if someone had grabbed it off a street corner and just set it here. A random piece in an otherwise matching room, spartan in finishing, but coordinated. The girl with the midnight black hair is sitting in it in a robe, if you didn't know better you'd say red silk, most likely Donna's touch. She's moving stiffly and arguing quietly with Mamma M, but just loud enough you can hear it past the laughter of the children. " I realize that I have to rest, but would you explain to me why there are people flooding into my room?" Her smile as she looks at Mamma has a bit of a frustrated twitch, and though her color is good, you can see a few tiny beads of sweat starting to form on her forehead.
"Very simple Simona, if you insist you don't need to stay in the infirmary, and since your injured and we had to retrieve you from the streets, you should be able to handle light duity. They need to hear the some history and you're one of the few who grew up hearing our origins." Mamma looks like she may have stated this to the one she called Simona several times. She's still wearing her bright Mamma smile, but her eyes are sharp. That's when you notice one of Mamma's first aid bags sitting next to the chair. Maybe the shadow was hurt after all. "Besides Simona, you're one of the few who's available tonight."
Simona broke eye contact, and turned her head away from mother, from frustration or disrespect you're not sure. "Ah, cause I can't do my duty, I'm a convient distraction for the, sssh" What ever Simona was going to say was cut off in a hiss as Mamma stomped down on the lever of the chair and the footrest sprung out as the entire seat shifted to reclining. It's always an impressive sight to see someone with a golden skin tone pale till the skin is nearly grey. Her chest heaves as she gulps air down keep from screaming out in the sudden pain.
"Simona, you will heal, and you will be back in the shadows before you know it, but for now rest. Take it as the elders see all your skills not just your obvious ones." Mamma reached out a hand to pat Simona on the shoulder, but stopped before she actually tapped the shoulder and opted to pat the young woman on her head instead. "You'll do fine." Mamma turned and walked towards the door. "Oh and Caro would you be a sweet heart and check on Simona before you leave. She squeezes your shoulder affectionately.
"Love you too Mamma," Simona hissed out between her clenched teeth, more from the pain than actual anger, maybe a touch of frustration. Mamma blows her a kiss as she walks out of the room. Simona took a few deep breaths, her cobalt green eyes surveying the room. The children quieted down. She gives you an almost unperceptive nod as you appear to be the only adult in the room. "All right you lot, I'm Simona, I am a Shadow." her voice was like smoke, when she was hiding the strain of speaking, a sensual purr that promised warmth in the dark. "I'm a little laid up at the moment so I'm gonna tell you the story of the beginning. It's important, so listen up the best you can."

Pagan
June 9 2013
In The Beginning

Simona begins to tell the tale and it's as if her voice has blended into the shadows of the room, making them more thick more fluid. They move independently from object and person, and after a few minutes even from the walls themselves as if you were watching some ancient version of shadow puppets.



"In the beginning, the very beginning there was darkness, but we're going to skip forward many years. God had already created paradise and the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, betrayed God's one law and had been exiled from Paradise. They had two sons, Kane and Able. Here is where the story begins to differ from the traditonal Bible. God created wives for Kane and Able and for years they lived in peace and harmony. One large family in the pure and wild world. Kane had five children. The eldest was a son he named Gavriel, which means God is my strength. Gavriel lived up to his name and was a fine hunter and a strong steady warrior. His second child he named Nava, which means beautiful. His daughter Nava was indeed beautiful, and loved to create beautiful things to share with her family. Next was Binya, a second girl, her name meaning wisdom, she was keen of mind. Kane's 3rd daughter and 4th child was named Meira, meaning Light, for her smile and laughter seemed to bring light to the darkest shadow of the night. Kane named his youngest Ehud, which means beloved, for Ehud was the most beloved of Kane's children.



Now it came that Able also was blessed with five children. Able's eldest was also a boy, who he named Gidon, meaning mighty warrior. Gidon and Gavriel were close friends the two were near inseperable. Able's second son was named Ezra, who took delight in assisting and helping tend any wounds that may have been incurred. Able's 3rd son was named Tzadok, for he was fair of judgement and slow to anger. Ables last two children were both girls. Shira who's voice they say could bring the angels to tears and Devorah who had a gift with words that she could make any news sound lighter and fair. As it was for many years, the families grew. Each year on the day the son was longest in the sky each member of the family sacraficed something precious to God.



One year Kane sacraficed the seconds of his harvest as his firsts had gone to his children who were growing strong and beautiful. Kane and Able set their alters next to each other as they had done every year since they had begun. When Kane's sacrafice was denied and the smoke fell to the ground while the rest fo the familie's sacraficial smoke rose to the heavens. It was harder to tell who was more concerned Kane or Able. The children dismissed from the Alters left the two brothers to speak in hushed tones. They feared that Kane had inadvertently angered God, and the first man and woman had taught the brothers above all else to fear God's wrath.



Now here is where we are left to speculate, for what happened between the two brothers is a secret between the two of them, lost in time and guarded by ancient silence. What we know is what Kane said happened. Kane came down from the alters with Able's body in his hands and covered in Able's blood. He confessed that he had slain his Brother, the one he loved most in the world, and sacraficed him to God in an attempt at redemption for the disgraced sacrafice. God was now truely angry and Banished Kane from his own tribe. An angel apeared and took Ables body back to Paradise and laid him there to rest under a weeping willow. Kane left his family, only to be followed by his wife and children as the first man and woman cast them out as well. Their presence was too painful a reminder.



So it came to pass that Kane and his family wandered for 10 years in repentance. His children also repented begging God to forgive their father and his desperate act, and also praying for the peace of Ables's soul. Eventually their plees must have been heard as they found a wonderful lush valley and settled. Thus Kane's family came to know peace. So time was peaceful and Kane's family met with a new tribe of people, made by God and Kane settled to rule the lush valley. Every year he and his still sacraficed to God, but Kane would stay late and light a lamp in the dark for his brother Able. Thus the years passed and Kane's tribe multiplied and was prosperous.



Ables children also one day left the care of Adam and Eve and wandered. They too met with a new tribe God had created for them. They married and settled in a verdent forest. They multiplied and flurished. Gidon, Ables eldest son settled in to rule, took several wives and ruled fairly. Unfortunately no loving touch of friend or family could remove the icy chill in his heart. For Able's children had loved him as a child loves a good and caring father, and they still felt cheated by his absence. As the years passed Gidon and Able's other children grew to hate Kane. Thus is came to pass, when Gidon's eldest was old enough to lead, Gidon gathered Ezra, Tzadok, Sirah and Devorah. His brothers and sisters had the same dark cold consuming them from the inside out. Thus they departed to lay the old transgression to rest.



***To be continued***

Intermission Dance

***Welcome back to your regularly scheduled program***



Thus the sons and daughters of Able watched from the shadows once they found Kane's people. The were outraged when they saw that Kane's kin fared just as well as their kin. Saddly the outrage did not last for when they learned Kane still lived and ruled the tribe, icy hatred solidified the horrid thoughts crawling around their skulls into lurid planning and preditory patience. Thus Ables children watched from the shadows and planned.



Soon the morning of the longest day of the year arrived and before dawn the entire tribe was hurrying to preperations before the sun rose. In the predawn dawn light Gavriel went out to hunt a lion for his sacrafice. Once he was out from the he happened upon Devorah. Gavriel was supprised to run into Devorah, but was happy to see her. As they walked they spoke and Devorah used her honeyed words to paint a picture in Gavriel's mind. How their line was tainted but perhaps his blood would remedy the situation. No one forgot what his father did. Surely if he sacraficed himself, both remaining tribes would be spared. Before the sun was high Devorah had Gavriel in a deep disparing depression. She tasted his sorrow like wine. When Gavriel found trace of the lion, he cast asside his spear and ran to embrace his end at the beast's long fangs and razor claws. Devorah watched from behind a rock and smiled at Gavriel's demise.



While Devorah was off with Gavriel. Shira, Ezra and Gidon were off by the river where they had found that Mierna, Binya and Nava liked to bathe at start of the day. Sure enough as the sun crested, the three women came with their handmaids. Upon their approach Gidon and Ezra hid in the reeds and Shira came out to greet them. She said she had missed her dear cousins and wished to speak with them alone. So filled with joy at the unexpected apearance of their dear cousin. The three sisters agreed and sent off their handmades to deal with preperations while they spoke with Shira. Shira bade them to not mention her arrival yet, it was to be a suprise at the meal after the sacrafices were offered.

Once Shira was alone with the three daughters of Kane, Gidon and Ezra sprang forth from the reeds. Gidon was strong and with the aid of Ezra and Shira, the Daughters of Kane were swiftly bound and gaged with bearly a peep.



Gidon wanted to end it quickly for all three but Shira wanted to personally deal with Nava. Nava was the eldest Daughter of Kane and was the most beautiful of all Kane and Able's children. "Today is the day of sacrafice," Shira stated, "and I believe that Nava's beauty would make an excellent sacrafice this year." Gidon and Ezra helped Shira hang Nava from a tree in a secluded grove. Shira kept Nava gagged and began the slow process of tortourously disfiguring beautiful Nava, quietly singing to herself all day long.



Gidon and Ezra took Mierna and Binya to a cave they had been staying in. Gidon tired of the affair, bashed in the skulls of both women. They did not suffer long. Unfortunately the childrden of Able were running low on supplies. They had traveled many days to reach the Tribe of Kane and had spent more time waiting and watching from the shadows. Gidon was complaining about a lack of food when Ezera made the offer to cook both the bodies. Gidon was too hungry to argue and so Ezra set to work and began to butcher the remains of Mierna and Binya. Ezra cut the choicest meat for his eldest brother, and while he was cooking it he chewed some of the smaller bones and sucked the marrow. Thus the children of Able slaughtered all but one of Kane's children.



As the day wore on and the sun grew high, Kane began to wonder after his missing children. There was no sign of Gavriel, and he could not find any of his daughters. They set to searching and the sun was waning when Nava's handmaiden revealed to Kane that she had seen Shira, but they had not been seen since. Kane knew at that moment that evil had befallen his children and rushed to his youngest son's home. Kane found his son Ehud, whose name means Beloved, bound in his chambers. Tzadok standing over him, a dagger naked in Tzadok's hand. Kane, at that moment fell to his knees and beseeched Tzadok to spare Ehud and offered his own life in his son's place. Tzadok was known for his judgement, and though his perseptions had been blinded by hate, Kane's offer apealed to Tzadok's sence of justice. So it was that Tzadok abandoned the bound Ehud and walked over to Kane. As Tzadok plumged his dagger into Kane's heart, his other hand gripped the back of Kane's neck. Tzadok wanted to watch the light die in Kane's eyes and thus was so close to Kane's face that as Kane sighed out his last breath Tzadok swollowed it, just as the last rays of the sun faded from the sky.



As soon as darkness completed the transformation of the world to night. Five blazing lights decended from the sky. It was 5 angels sent to each of Able's children. Theirs was the first act of vengence, theirs was true premeditated cruelty, and thus God cursed them. As their sins all took place on the same day he banished them from the light to live in darkness, to be plagued by their bloodlusts until the end of days. Thus the Children of Able disapeared into the night, as the first cries of morning rose from Kane's tribe.



Time passed and Ehud grew to be a wise and powerful ruler. Kane's tribe continued to multiply and flurish. Time also passed for the Children of Able, who slowly grew more twisted and wicked with each passing year of night. There are many theories as to how Able's children began to learn powers. Some say it was the spirits of the night realm who taught them arcane or tainted secrets. Others will tell you each made a pact with the serpent who was also cast from Paradise all those years ago for power. But in the end how they achieved strength is irrevalent, the fact is that they did. Still twisted by rage and hate, they began to hunt Kane's tribe. It is at this time God sent another angel, this one to Ehud. The angel granted Ehud the strength to stand up to the Children of Able and their offspring. The angel granted Ehud the ability to speak to spirits and animals, placing nature under Ehud and his children's domain. Thus the Heirus was created and thus we exist to this day to protect Humanity from the Ultio.

Pagan
June 15, 2013

As the story began to close, the shadows that had been so solid, so real began to loose some of their thickness and vigor. It was Simona's sultry voice that slowly let the shadows fall and brought everyone's attention back to the smooth stone chamber. "And that, is all there is for today," Simona slowly opens her eyes as if she may have had the closed for a majority of the story. The children began to moan and ask questions in rapid fire secession. Simona merely clicked her tongue," Ah, ah, ah little ones. One story at a time, there are many more and I'm sure you have other lessons today. Now be good little Heirus and run along. I won't give you nightmares about vampires, and I won't confuse you with which gifts you may or may not have." The collective groans and they start to shuffle out. A little boy with shaggy blond hair and hazel green eyes chews his lip and waits till the other 4 children are gone, he's maybe 8 years old.

Simona looks at him under long lashes. He chews his lip nervously. "Yes? Did you need something?" Her voice is soft, the constant aggression has for a moment left her features. He takes a few tentative steps forward, balling his fists around his shirt. He stops right in front of Simona and lifts his shirt up. On his small tummy is a mark. At a glance you would say a tattoo, but after the initial impression you can see it's a silvery blue under the skin, almost like the blood veins are colored differently. The design is a single eye looking out from a cloud of smoke. It's almost as big as the palm on your hand. "I see, so, you're going to be a shadow too." The kid lowers his shirt in a quick jerky motion that children have and nods emphatically. "Are you happy about that?" The kid thinks for a moment, and then nods again. He's started to look at his toes like he might be embarrassed, or is just one of those kids that's a little shy. "Then I'm sure you'll be a great shadow."

That get's the boy to look back up at her. "Really? he asks from behind his bangs. Simona nods, and the boy giggles and darts off. He stops half way out the curtain and turns back and waives, "thanks for the story, S'mona." She waived back and like that he's off. Simona sighs deeply, the sheen of sweat on her forehead hasn't gone away. She slowly settles back into the recliner and fixes her eyes on you three.

She eyes you suspiciously for a moment and then chuckles, "You brought company, and I thought you weren't interested." She chuckles and her voice looses some of the heated alto and seemes a little more horse, "Sorry couldn't help it, I do probably owe you an apology for the bathroom, it was the only way I could think to get away from you. No offence hun if you just came into this you are not looking at my side. Though I don't think Mamma actually sent you here to change my bandage."

June 15, 2013

-- The nicotine hit did help. Some. Nowhere near enough to erase the nervous shake that was beginning to ride through me. It wasn't bad enough to be noticeable yet, that was as long as neither one of them tried touching me, not even something so small as taking my hand or brushing one of theirs against my shoulder. I just wasn't skilled enough yet to hide things like that. I wasn't sure that I was comfortable with the idea of ever becoming so. While I was not usually an over emotional sort, I didn't believe in hiding what you thought. Something told me though, some niggling feeling that if things continued progressing the way they were, I might not have such a choice in the matter.

When we came into that new room, my eyes were quick to try to take in every detail, the young children that had come with us getting the same welcoming greetings as they had given me. At least best as I could. Even working at the club had yet to make me truly comfortable around large crushes of people, so I was more or less quiet, hoping that it could be brushed off as a newcomer simply trying to absorb their surroundings. Which was by no means a lie. It was not difficult to tell where my main attention was focused when we came into that room, the sole chunk of it bouncing between the glorious array of weaponry and the woman who was talking to Mamma M. Able to catch at least a fair portion of their conversation, I was glad my hair was already coming free of it's bindings as it always seemed to. It was an easy mask to hide behind as we finally took our own places and fell victim to the intensity of her story.

Our people's story. --

*****

-- I released a slow breath when finally the spell she had woven us came to it's end for this session of story time, the typical reaction of the children drawing the faintest of smiles to my lips. Shifting with an undeniable itch to go smoke myself through at least a pack of cigarettes, back to back, I watched the byplay between her and the young boy. Vaguely surprised by her sudden personality shift with the young one, I wondered for a moment if that was what she might have been like at his age. Then again I wasn't certain she had ever been that innocent. It was not a judgement meant to be harsh, nor one that might be fair for me to make. Maybe with time it would change, but for now, such was how it was. So I waited until he was gone as well, leaving it just the guys, her and I in the room.

I half expected some snarky comment to come from her lips, even with them here, so my features barely rippled at her comment about our first run in with one another. Not even daring to look at the guys for their reaction, I stepped forward and with a surprising amount of dignity and grace climbed atop her in the chair. Careful to spread my legs far enough to the arms of the chair that I wasn't hitting her injury if at all possible, I leaned down and began rooting through Mamma M's first-aid kit. Pulling out what I was fairly certain I would need, I set it on an arm of the chair. Giving her a very droll stare, I attempted to keep my voice as neutral as possible. --

"You're beautiful, in a very I'm going to bite your head off and spit it back out fashion. Whether I'm interested or not, this isn't the time or place for it. If you're still obviously in this much pain, you were obviously hurt something fierce in protecting us and I thank you for that. I don't think I would have ever forgiven myself if something had happened to Kar, which it would have if you weren't there. For that I owe you a thank you. Even if it wasn't her intention, she knows me, and that I would. I'm more used to patching up wounded animals, not humans, but then again, many humans and animals have similar needs, thus are not all so much different as most people assume. You can either let me help you while you try to answer some questions we obviously have, or I can ask one of the guys to go get Mamma M again and have her do it. The ball is in your court. Besides, you cooperate and you won't owe me an apology. It's not your fault you got stuck alone with the most inexperienced female this side of...Well this side of somewhere."

Pagan
June 15, 2013

Her gaze is steady, but it has definitely narrowed down to you, as if the boys, who have stayed back leaning on the wall aren't even a threat. As your first knee lands on the armrest you feel the tiniest shift of her weight, realizing she tensed, not from fear but the involuntary tense that people have when they know the needle is coming for a vein. She looks up at you with a curious expression, her lips ever slightly parted. You deliver your ultimatum and there are about 10 seconds where you stare at each other. Your eyes pick up the dark smudges under her eyes, the tiny red veins creeping into the white, the slightly pallid shade of her skin, and the faintest wheezing whistle from deep in her chest as she breaths. She seems to read something in your eyes or your face and lets out a slightly deeper exhale, not quite a sigh.

"Alright Level? First, thanks for the compliment. Second the f.u.b.a.r. that happened last night was not your fault. Third, I will let you look at the wound but you're not doing much with it. And let me tell you why before you go screaming for that "Mamma" person. Yes the wound was very sever. Is it going to kill me? No. Would it have killed a regular human? Definitively. Large Caliber bullet, hollow point, if i had to guess. I think it grazed my right lung, actually I'm sure it did. Most of the wound is healed but shrapnel remains inside. That is pain. Now, ah, ah ah, not looking so serious now please. Is not permanent damage, not at all. I have two options. First is let a doctor or who ever they have for a medic cut me open, go digging and hope they find all the little jagged pieces while hoping anesthetic keeps me asleep. It doesn't always with us. Not a very good option. Second option is I sit and wait for my body to finish pushing the pieces out. Yes, like little metal slivers it will itch and hurt, but once to the surface, it can be pulled out with tweezers. You may look if you like, but it's not very nice site now. You have had a lot to process today, yesterday, you know what I mean. Are you sure you want to see. It's still needs bandages and is not pretty?"

She hasn't broken eye contact, hell your not even sure she blinked. There is the slightest tremor occasionally that runs up her back.

Shaeyde
June 23, 2013

-- Okay so maybe my stare wasn't quite as bad ass as hers, but I was trying pretty darned hard which is what mattered, right ? I kept my eyes on her own the entire time she spoke, or at least as much as possible, an attempt if you will to show her that she didn't scare me. Which maybe that wasn't what she was trying to do, but it sure came across that way. While she was right, there had been a lot I'd had to try to process in a very short time, it didn't mean that it gave me leeway to be a coward. I'd have to start seeing the bad side of things sooner or later and rather than coddle myself now, I felt better trying to prepare myself for the inevitability of when it happened to someone I cared about. Besides, it wasn't like I had no clue that it was probably pretty bad, if the way her eyes looked and her breathing had anything to say about it. --

"If we had somewhere I knew was sterile, I'd say once I cleaned it best as I could that you should lay with it to the open air for a bit. Though sterility is probably less of a concern for you...Well our kind. After your explanation, I won't call Mamma back, though honestly you could be fibbing to me and I'd never know. It's not so much that I want to see it, I don't think as I need to. The blinders have been taken off, Sims and I have to be able to handle it if it happens sometime when I don't have the option of these walls around me as shelter, or the more skilled hands of one of the...Well one of the elders. Unless of course you're just too vain to let me see that pretty hide of yours all thrashed up. Which is totally understandable if you'd prefer pride over comfort. The guys and I can always go find something else to do, I mean I'm sure there is more of the nickel and dime tour they have yet to give me."

-- Okay so that was a flat out lie. I had no clue whatsoever if there was anymore to show me, much less anymore they were allowed to show me. Also while I hated dragging the two of them into this, it made for a very believable logic as something told me she'd believe it a lot less if I just said I was going to go wander myself. Which was sad because I was actually just as likely to wander off to explore myself. Well would be if those two scoundrels weren't there leaning against the wall, trying to be all nonchalant like they weren't waiting to pick someone's pockets dry, lint and all. --

Pagan
June 23, 2013

She starts to chuckle, a dry sound that if it had anything to do with humor, it was a dark humor, only to have it cut off by a few dry coughs. Her eyelids close in a long blink that probably has more to do with fatigue than anything else. The small smirk across her lips, "Good, good a strong will, that will serve you well." Any pretense of aggression has once again dropped from her face and her shoulders. When it happened with the kid, it was clearly from some sort of affection, but now it leaks away, like air out a small leak in a balloon. "As for you need to see it, you know your mind better than I. You should know when to push your limits and when to respect them. Also, correct we rarely get infections, also we rarely get sick. Anyway, I just need you coherent for a while, I have some serious intel to lay on your shoulders, stuff that will help you survive. No breaking your brain when you need to wrap it around things. So please save your nickles and dimes to explore and get in trouble for a later time, no?" She gives the slightest nodding of her head to the side. "My pack is behind the chair. Is a file, you need to see."

Assuming, you get off the chair to pick up the bag.

There is a bag behind the chair. A beat up leather dufflebag that probably started off a uniform black. The edges and some random scuffing are a snowy grey. Draped over the bag is a brown leather holster of some kind. Looking at it, the holster clearly is meant to go around the torso. (not sure if you have firearms or melee, so merely describing the knife and gun, pics in photo section.) The spiked handle of a trench knife protrudes from it's sheath. A 50 cal desert eagle, with silencer protrudes from the gun sheath. both are made of a non-reflecting black metal, but the panels on the butt of the gun look as if they were wrapped like a Japanese Katana handle, the outer wrap black, the inner wrap the same acid green as the flames on her jacket. One of the straps on the holster, the one opposite the gun sheath, is darkly stained and nearly shredded. "Hey, how you feeling," there's a brief pause, "Kar was it?"

"Better, thanks by the way." Kar still sounds like he's across the room.

"Good, good. Remind me to get you a gun. Do you know how to shoot?" You hear some shaking of fabric, Kar shakes his head. " No? How bout you?" She looks at Cade who also shakes his head. " Well fuck! How about you Chickadee, do you know how to shoot?"

Shaeyde
June 23, 2013

-- It was easy enough to swing up and off of her lap as you might say I was a bit of a dexterous sort. Keeping any of my weight from abrading her as I moved, I executed a neat tumble and roll to my feet. While I had not given up on cleaning and redressing her wound, regardless of how bad it looked, I would take her advice and see what information she felt needed to be shared first. It would be a bit awkward if she was right and I ended up crumpling like a leaf after seeing her wound. Not that I thought I would mind you, but at the moment it was better to play it safe than sorry. Besides you might say my insatiable curiosity was getting the better for me. Stuff that would help me survive ? How bad could could it really be ? --

"Point the end that explodes at the person you want to bleed. Try not to get bowled over by the kick, or the knock back, or whatever the heck that stuff is called. I really don't think the few video games I've played count as experience or training. Before you even ask about pig stickers, I know about the same with those. Well that you point the sharp end in the person you wanting hurting that is. All basic stuff. I'm a little bit better when it comes to hand to hand though. I may have taken a self defense class or two at Pappa's insistence with as much time as I spend by myself, whether it be walking to my car after work, or when I'm out jogging by myself. It helped keep me in shape though so I can't really complain."

-- Moving around to the back of her chair, I did notice what must be the bag she had mentioned. Crouching to pick it up, I took a moment to explore what I could see of it without having to open anything. I may be curious as a cat, but I didn't need to broach her privacy as she was already going to tell me, well us information. So instead I finally shifted to my feet, the pack carefully cradled in my arms. Walking back around the recliner so that I was standing beside her, I extended it, trying to figure out just how to hand it over as not to have the action hurting her more. --

Pagan
June 24, 2013

For a moment she looks around, and sighs deeply. She holds out her hand on her uninjured side, and takes the hefty bag from you like it weights nothing. “Close, you don’t want the gun to explode, trust me that sucks. You point it at the person you want to kill… until you get some target practice in. I'd like to test your skills, all of you, tomorrow, mehap I can give some pointers. ” Since Mamma was so kind to recline the chair, she balances it on her knees, and opens it. Only the slightest tightening around her eyes relay if the movement hurts or not. She moves some wadded up clothes and pulls out what looks like a small leather brief case, with a combination lock. A few quick clicks, her hands placed carefully to cover the numbers she turns it to and the latch pops open. She flicks a few different file tabs until she finally reaches one she seems content with. Holding the file, she closes the briefcase with one hand. “Here would be the lovely reasons why you need guns.”

She hands you file, The profiles are in this order, Kostya, Baptiste, Dush, Lucivia. There are more pictures of each attached to the files, starting of copies of ancient sketches, dated centuries ago and ranging from aging black and whites up to modern. None of them posed, some of them off center. Some of them blurred so it’s difficult to verify it’s the same people. Dust’s face is only a sketch. Other than that the photos are of a hooded or cloaked male figure. Locations also seem to vary. Cade and Kar approach and she hands them files as well, if you peek, it's the same as yours. “These aren’t the original files, those are huge, it’s what we like to call a field profile. Easier for those of us who don’t have a week to dedicate to reading. I should be getting a more through analysis in a few days. Take a few look over it and I'll try to stay awake enough to answer any more questions.”

Pagan

June 24, 2013

For a moment she looks around, and sighs deeply. She holds out her hand on her uninjured side, and takes the hefty bag from you like it weights nothing. “Close, you don’t want the gun to explode, trust me that sucks. You point it at the person you want to kill… until you get some target practice in. I'd like to test your skills, all of you, tomorrow, mehap I can give some pointers. ” Since Mamma was so kind to recline the chair, she balances it on her knees, and opens it. Only the slightest tightening around her eyes relay if the movement hurts or not. She moves some wadded up clothes and pulls out what looks like a small leather brief case, with a combination lock. A few quick clicks, her hands placed carefully to cover the numbers she turns it to and the latch pops open. She flicks a few different file tabs until she finally reaches one she seems content with. Holding the file, she closes the briefcase with one hand. “Here would be the lovely reasons why you need guns.”

She hands you file, The profiles are in this order, Kostya, Baptiste, Dush, Lucivia. There are more pictures of each attached to the files, starting of copies of ancient sketches, dated centuries ago and ranging from aging black and whites up to modern. None of them posed, some of them off center. Some of them blurred so it’s difficult to verify it’s the same people. Dust’s face is only a sketch. Other than that the photos are of a hooded or cloaked male figure. Locations also seem to vary. Cade and Kar approach and she hands them files as well, if you peek, it's the same as yours. “These aren’t the original files, those are huge, it’s what we like to call a field profile. Easier for those of us who don’t have a week to dedicate to reading. I should be getting a more through analysis in a few days. Take a few look over it and I'll try to stay awake enough to answer any more questions.”

First File:

Volkov, Kostya

Ultio file # Green2001, Classification J, Approved Bag and Tag

Name: Kostya Volkov

Bloodline: Telum

Human Death: 2001

Nationality: Russian

Affiliation: The Green Conglomerate

Classification: Juvenile





Preferred Prey: Insufficient Data

Reports indicate both genders

(Possible preference to Female)

Varying ages

Varying ethnicity

Varying health







Profile: Kostya Volkov, was born 1975. Applied for Russian Military several times, all denied. Reason: Unverified. Illegally migrated to Germany, France, Spain in the late 1990’s, and eventually to the US in early 2000. No traceable work record or criminal prior to Change. Changed by Baptiste Moore in 2001. Volkov is a master marks man, handles anything from a hand gun to a sniper rifle. Strength indicator if generous puts him at a 2. Also note, Volkov seems to have some stunt driving, if attempting to pursue via automobile, extremely likelihood of local law enforcement intervention.Both Volkov and Moore are extremely connected to the Green Conglomerate. If possible Volkov is approved for capture, interrogation, and extermination.





See files: Lucivia Green, Baptiste Moore, Dust

the 2nd File

Moore, Baptiste

Ultio file #Green1840/1842 Classification: M, Extermination Order

Name: Baptiste Moore

Bloodline: Telum

Human Death: mid 1800

Nationality: German

Affiliation: The Green Conglomerate

Classification: Mature Vampire





Preferred Prey:

Gender: Male

Strong men,

good health.

Typically medium coloration



Won’t feed on Women

(considers them the weaker sex and cannot provide the strength needed to fuel him)





Profile: Baptiste was a member of the German military in between 1830 to 1838, when he was dishonorably discharged. Though it doesn’t say, we suspect sexual preference. Changed by Adolf Venderheim (Terminated 1902) between 1840 and 1842. Has an extensive use of tatics, prefers to use melee weapons if not just his fists. Physical strength indication from known encounters is rated at minimum of a 4 on scale of 1 to five.  Errand boy/Hired muscle for Master Lucivia Green. Not projected to reach Master status till at least 2200. Elder status predicted for 2050 based on reports current as of 2005. Ritual information: Kills a man, used to salt and dry the meat so it lasted for several years. Refrigeration lengthened the process. Current theory is he’s freeze drying his ritual components. One body can last him over a decade. (unless we missed a link last time he acquired a ritual piece, unlikely but possible)  In 2001, Changed Kostya Volkov, has been protective of his offspring. Both have affiliations to the Green conglomeration. **Under no circumstances attempt to hold anywhere near a Sactuary, Strength related containment issues! ***

The 3rd File,
(note: this one looks a little worn, like maybe she's had it longer than the others)

Dust

Ultio File # Green1750, Classification: E,

EXTERMINATION ORDER PRIORITY 1, NON RESTRICTIVE, EXTREME CAUTION

Name: Dust (Real name unknown)

Bloodline: Mordio

Human Death: Unknown

Note: first notated 1750, India

Nationality: Unknown

Affiliation: The Green Conglomerate

Classification: Elder?

Prey Preference:

Gender indifference

Age: 4 and 7

*Kidnaps a child,

Raises the child as a pet.

Feeds off the kids blood

Victim turns 18

Ritualistically kills

Spends a little over a decade chewing the bones

Repeats*





Note: EXTERMINATION ORDER PRIORITY 1, NON RESTRICTIVE





Profile: What little we have on the bastard. Goes by Dust. Sewer dweller and an intelligence fiend. Strange ability, communes with rats? Multiple reports from operatives he uses them to flush targets out and for tracking. (Possibility he can turn into rats, Intel was from unstable source.)





**Note!!!**: Following Dust into the sewers is suicide. Any Shadow or Hand that has followed was KIA or has returned severely compromised. No child taken by Dust has ever been recovered alive.





Affiliations: The Green Conglomerate, one of Green’s thugs. Please see file Lucivia Green.

Scribbled on the back of Dusk's file:

Scribbled on the back of the paper in red ink, someone wrote, "girl w/ blue hair???" and circled it several times. beneath it are a half a dozen names, each name marked as either Hand, Shadow, or Angel. followed by a date, the most recent was in 2010, the oldest is 2003.

Final File
Green, Lucivia

Ultio File#Green1600*, Classification: Master, Bag and Tag Restrictive Access



Name: Lucivia Green

Bloodline: Magnus

Human Death: early 1600’s

Nationality: British

Affiliation: The Green Conglomerate

Classification: Master Vampire

Preferred Prey:

Females: age 16 to 23,

dark hair,

green eyes

Males : Ages 18 to 25,

light hair,

blue eyes



Particular of prey: Extremely

Notes: Prefers prey to have a pedigree so to speak, but not absolute, if prey meets specified standards for physical appearance and age, consider him/her a target.





Profile: Lucivia is extremely narcissistic. She manages as a socialite, and the current president of The Greene Conglomerate, a multibillion investment and banking firm. Through the Green Conglomerate, and it’s several dozen subsidiary companies. Lucivia acquires and accumulates anything form real-estate to industry. The Green Conglomerate even assists in some medical advancement grants at very specific hospitals. (North America: New York, New York, Corpus Cristi, Texas, Cancun Mexico, Los Angeles, California,) Lucivia has been on the Heirus hit list for over 2 centuries and anyone affiliated with her has also made the list. While her own hands never seem to get dirty she accumulates the worst of the Ultio to work under her. Please take special note if you encounter Baptiste Moore of the Telum, Kostia Volkov of the Telum, or the Mordio known as Dust, they tend to work as a unit on a project for Lucivia. They will be armed. They will be financed. They will kill you if you get in their way

Shaeyde
June 24, 2013

-- Whether she covered the combination she entered in or not, I was already politely averting my gaze until I heard the rustling of what was presumably files being perused till the sought for papers were found. Shifting to return my gaze to her as the files were indeed offered out, I took mine as well as the guys, closing the distance to each of them with theirs so that she wouldn't have to move much, if at all. Just because our first meeting had started out poorly didn't change the fact that I at least tried to be a nice person even if it was just in small things like this. It also gave me more than a valid excuse to briefly, admittedly subtly brush my fingers against both Kar's and Cade's as I mouthed to each of them "talk later" when my back was to her.

When I finally took to a perch on the edge of the futon, bare feet rubbing subconsciously against the stone floor, I settled my full focus on the file. Rather files as it seemed to be comprised of what she had called Intel on more than one person. Thing.

The first two were skimmed, then read again for a more through inspection, likely picking up things I had missed the first time. Setting them beside me for a further read, third time being the charm and all, I paled minutely when I got to the one marked as Dust. While I never planned to have children of my own, at least had never put heavy thought to it, I could only imagine what would happen if someone were to steal away one of my furred babies and use them like that. A hand tightened briefly into a fist, the low growl turning into a quickly stifled yelp as I skimmed Lucivia's. Quickly closing my eyes, even blinking a few times, the information enclosed still was the same. The scribbled writing in the back only had my chest tightening further as I dropped my head between my knees trying to cut off the sudden feeling of nausea. --

"I think I've met her."

-- It was mumbled quietly enough that they might not catch it all, or they might think it to be something else entirely. I also didn't bother stating the obvious, giving credence enough to the level of intelligence I hoped the three possessed. Obvious in my head being that I was exactly, to a frickin T her preferred prey. Well of the female variety at least. --

Pagan
June 24, 2013

Kar and Cade simultaneously wrap an arm around you, encircling you in a wonderful blanket of security, comfort, warm tanned flesh and their unique yet complimentary scents. Kar resting his chin on the back of your head and Cade nuzzling his cheek next to your ear. You hear paper rustling in Cade's other hand.(ooc, he's flashing one of Lucivia's pics at Simona) "You think you met her?" he mummers in your ear, a question, no accusation, but definitely concerned.

Fabric rustles, and a few squeaky coils in the recliner protest and the reclining rest retracts. Simona curses under her breath in a musical yet musky language, though it's hard to tell from pain or surprise. She sits forward on the chair, doubled over, (That, that could not have felt good.) digging through the bag, producing a small pocket note book and a pen. "This is important DeVayne! This is important! I need you to tell me when, where and everything you remember about seeing her last!" She's not yelling, she hasn't even raised her voice, but the undertone of urgency overrides the strained tone of her voice.

Shaeyde
June 25, 2013

"It was when I was first transitioning. When Cade was running with me to try to get us...Wherever. Here I guess it must have been. He had hid us behind a Dumpster and I could hear the Creeper or whoever it was on the other side. We were maybe a few feet away and they just seemed to loose us. I'm not sure how or why, though when I looked up, there was someone there. A woman with blue hair that told me to be quiet. I think. I'm pretty sure the only reason I remembered it was that it was so weird. I thought at the time that she was maybe someone with you. Though you don't look like the type that would really work with someone else. I also remembered it because it was like some little secret that just the two of us were in on. I thought I saw fangs, but then I blinked and she was gone. It was the fire escape for the third floor. I could show you when you've had some sleep, but you're not going anywhere right now."

-- It was all said in a rather quick rush, as if I didn't spill it all in one fell swoop, I'd forget something drastically important. My head was a tumult of thoughts. ideas. Perhaps even a scheme or two as I drew up from between my legs to curl in against the two guys. While we weren't joined at the hip by any means, one of my ideas involved finding a way to shake them for a few hours so I could...Well the less I thought about it, the better. While I was a Master at the art of fibbery, I'd been told my actual poker face needed some drastic work to be at it's A game, and I refused to have anything show across my face. I honestly couldn't think of anything else at all about the brief encounter much less anything important so my only other comment to her was this. --

"If she's really this old as dirt chick, she's obviously powerful. Which means you try going out there now and run into her or her goon squad, you're toast. Or compromised. Or worse, which does none of us any good. So sit the heck back down and relax."

Pagan
June 25, 2013

She takes notes patiently and actually leans back and closes her eyes while you're telling her she's not to go after the bad guys. "I have no intention of moving much more today. Cade, which one of them was chasing you, or was it someone else?"

"Kostya, but that makes no sense. This says he's a master marks man, how did he miss? " Cade gives you an apologetic glance. "I missed the blue chick though, I didn't look up." He sheepishly looks at his shoes.

"An excellent question," Simona muses tapping her chin thoughtfully, her eyes snap back to the collective of you, "but I have some good news. The girl with blue hair, or Blue, isn't Lucivia. As much as I hate to admit it, we have no idea who she is. She's popped up a handful of times in the last decade or so. Keeps the same M.O. at least from what I've heard. First, it's usually several Hierus trying to escape several of Lucivia's goonies. Not always this particular group of thugs and monsters, but I know this is at least the second time she's popped up when Dust has been involved."

Simona shakes her head, as if trying to forget something unpleasant, and then returns to the matter at hand. "Second, something about the escape doesn't add up. Kostya is a master marks man. How did he miss you running with her in your arms? You hid behind a dumpster in an alley, and he didn't check behind it? He should have at least been able to hear your hearts pounding or smell either of you. At least notice a dumpster gives cover and check around it when he looses sight of you. From his file, Kostya doesn't strike me as an idiot who makes amateur mistakes. Somehow, he did not see, hear or smell you. Unless you have a gift you're not telling me about Cade?" She quirks an eyebrow at him. Cade continues to look at his shoes and shake his head. Kar reaches around and squeezes Cade's shoulder once, but Cade doesn't respond.

Simona shoots him a concerned look, but continues, "Third and final, her appearance. Everyone describes a young girl 18 to 25 in eccentric blue clothes, white, almost powder white, pale skin, and her blue hair. We think she's an Ultio but if she is we have no idea who she is or what blood line she comes from. If she's not traveling with them she's at least stalking them. They noted her on Lucivia's paper until we can get enough Intel to put together an extermination file for her. Last I heard Lucivia is in New York." Simona's eyes are half closed as she smirks a small grin that has nothing nice behind it. "Bitch is trying to get her team of accountants and lawyers to prevent Mutual of Omaha from a hostile takeover of one of their Medical R&D companies. If she had actually showed up here, no offense, but I'd suggest calling in as many fucking Mythos as we could get our hands on. No, I'm staying here till tomorrow morning at least. I'm not suicidal and I'm partial to my sanity, what little I have left."

Shaeyde
July 2, 2013

"Why not call her here ?"

Something was obviously bothering Cade, and with that simple touch from Kar not seeming to phase him at all, I was growing slightly worried. Okay, a lot worried. I was damned if I wouldn't take some of the lime light off of him, at least until Kar had a chance to talk to him and see what was going on. Then there was also the side thought that if this woman was really so dangerous and a threat to everything we were, why not do something to try to take her out ? I wasn't trying to fancy myself a Martyr or something but I liked to think from what I'd been given to read on her, I could afford a few solid points.

Shrugging up to my feet, I began pacing, the whole half hiding thing not helping my sudden uneasiness any. Flipping through the files again as I walked, I took a second to try to brace the points I was going to make. I knew I'd likely get shot down in a New York minute, but I wasn't a child. I wanted my thoughts heard even if they were laughed off into the next millennium. Heck I was no strategist and better minds had likely brought them up before, but maybe my utterly fresh viewpoint might voice something new, even if it was minuscule. Not that I hadn't listened to everything she said, including the mention of as many Mythos as we could call to fore. It would likely mean a lot of deaths on our side, but wouldn't it be worth it in the grand scheme of things ? And it wasn't like I'd have to get my parents permission as well...Like I'd already thought over I wasn't a minor anymore. Hadn't been for a while. Giving a vague, wide spread sweep to my arms,

"I could do it you know. I fit her exact profile and I'm barely through transition, if through at all. I'd have to be a prime candidate. And with the fact that I barely know anything, it wouldn't be like I couldn't play off being naive to the whole situation, right ? I mean I get that there would be an extraordinary risk, but in my eyes, it's worth it. If you kill her, or even manage to capture her, it would also either draw the net in on the rest of her people, or they'd go rogue, right ? If it protects even one of our people, to me it would be worth a shot. Heck, we obviously had an unexpected ally to saving our butts last night, who knows, there might even be others out there who would be as happy with her seeing an end as we would, right ? Maybe they've just never had a reason to come any further from the woodwork before. Lets give them one. Maybe instead of thinking inside the lines, you need to shatter the box."

By the time I was done talking, I actually felt oddly confident. I was standing at the door, hand going to lift the gauze, the last part of my words having been spoken over my shoulder to them. I was half expecting sounds of disbelieve and instantaneous outrage. Heck, I was honestly surprised Sim hadn't been up and out of the recliner to shake the Hell out of me already, regardless of her injury. I'd read enough and seen enough movies to wonder if she wasn't going to try something tricky just to prove how unready for my idea I was, so instead of trying to tense and prepare for it, I shoved it from my mind. That was one of the reasons I'd be good for it to. I wasn't rained. I didn't move like it, couldn't really. Thus I was believable.

"I'm going for a smoke. Since I'm out, anyone want to come tell me how crazy stupid I am while lending one of theirs ?"

Pagan
July 2, 2013

Kar watches you pace and listens. He doesn’t look pleased about using you as bait, but seems willing to go with your plan. Cade looks up occasionally, to watch you explain your plan, and is still looking at his shoes off and on. Simona watches you curiously from the chair. “I’d have to make a few calls, see if anyone’s tried something like that on her before. It’s likely we’ve used a bait and lure at least once. My big doubt is if we can get her out here. She sent her lackeys. Is there something she wants here, not just a snack? She has food in New York, it must be something bigger to draw her in here. The problem we run into is she seldom goes out herself. She plays the spider in a web, pulling the strings but never venturing far from center. As for using Ultio to hunt Ultio, be careful who you say that to until we get support for the concept. I think it falls under so crazy it might just work, others might be slightly hostile about the idea.” She sighs deep and exhausted, “go, smoke, I need sleep.” She flicks open a cell phone, “I will find you guns and more information tonight. Come find me after dark?”

Cade and Kar nod as they get up to follow you. “Hey wonder twins!” Simona calls from behind the gauzy curtain. Kar and Cade stop and look back at her. Simona smirks from her chair “Ya did good.” Kar chuckles, but Cade looks dubious as they let the curtain fall back and start walking.

“Ha, wonder twins,” Kar chuckles. “I wonder which one of us is the girl?” He playfully elbows at Cade.

You know you shouldn’t be able to hear this, you’re a good 20 feet from the doorway to Simona’s room, but you’re sure you hear Simona chuckle and murmmer under her breath, “That would be you Kar, that would be you.”

Kar doesn’t seem to hear it, but Cade looks back out of the corner of his eye. “Come on,” Kar hasn’t even broken stride as he flicks a cig at you. “Let’s smoke on the roof.” If you allow, you follow them through some halls, up some stairs. “This is the way I was taught, but there are supposedly others.” It looks like it ends in a brick wall, but the closer you look the bricks almost look like they’re made out of glass. “I know it’s weird the first time, but just walk through.” Kar gives you a shit eating grin and walks through backwards.

Cade holds out a hand, offering to let you go first. “It tingles, but it’s not too bad.” He offers you a weak grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Shaeyde
July 2, 2013

"Then we don't bring her here. We go to her. Sane doesn't work in the story books with stuff like this. It's the people who take the initiative and go out of bounds and beyond orders that work. Granted...People get lost and there aren't always the happy endings you expect, but life isn't about happy endings. It's about protecting those of your people that you can, no matter what you have to do."

I was scared out of my wits, not just of the idea I'd proposed, but also about the information she'd given us about Mutual of Omaha. Pappa's bank. Well at least the bank he'd been a part of for as long as I can remember. While it may have me mentally wide eyed and shaking, I was still serious, more serious then I'd ever been about anything in my life I think. I'd never really connected before outside of my animals and now I knew why. I'd just been waiting to find my family. MY people, and I'd be darned if I wouldn't do everything in my power, small as it may be to protect them. I may not have enough physical training or prowess to stand toe to toe with the least of them, but that could be changed. Besides, maybe I wouldn't come out as one of the.

No. Not right now. That could come later. Subconsciously my free hand moved to rub from my hip down my thigh before grabbing the gauze curtain and slipping out even as the twins rose from the futon. I needed air. Actual fresh air suddenly so I was thankful when they came through not much after me. Trying to hold back my surprise at just how acute my hearing seemed to be now, I might have blinked just a bit, my eyes reopening just in time to see that Cade and I were the only two to have heard. Speaking of one of my two champions, he was still seeming off kilter about something which left me thinking I might not wait for Kar to have the conversation with him. Catching the offered cigarette deftly between two fingers as if I'd been doing so for years,

"The roof is a good idea. We need to talk."

The words were quietly uttered as I followed them through part of what could very easily be a labyrinth to get lost in if one was not careful. Or being lead by someone who knew the way. Giving nods at what seemed the appropriate times to the few scattered comments, I paused in front of this would be wall of glass bricks. Nodding absentmindedly at Kar, I finally merely rolled my eyes at him before muttering something about showoff as he left Cade and I there by ourselves.

I was slipping up beside Cade as he extended that hand when a sudden bolt of inspiration hit me. Reaching out suddenly and rather than letting it just be a gentlemanly gesture, I wrapped my fingers around his. Leaning in just enough so that I knew only he and I would hear my words, I more or less breathed them against his ear.

"I'm scared. Come with me."

The words were very vague and they could be about the wall, or about the crazy idea that was running through my head which I had yet to tell them of. They could be about the whole situation or something else entirely. And while there was no direct usage of the word please, the connotation was more than apparent in my tone. Pulling back just enough that I could look up at his eyes, my next move may or may not be considered as making his choice for him. Unless he resisted, I reached up that bare inch or two of height difference to press my lips gently to his, softly fusing them the same way our fingers were before tugging him through with me, trusting that if I were going to stumble going through, he would catch me on the other side as he had last night. Or maybe it would be him stumbling from sheer surprise and I would have the opportunity to catch him this time around.