Werewolf Chapter 2: Tennesse Waltz

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:41 pm

Sophie had closed her laptop and was busy pumping the silver-buck shells into her new shotgun.

"I have an extremely bad feeling about this," she said.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:30 pm

"I'm not thrilled either," said Alex. "I'll be leaving my sword with you. I don't want any weapons on me if the DoE guys are jumpy for some reason. Hopefully she's just jerking my chain. If not, we'll have to deal with things as they come."

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:41 pm

The mountains rolled on, their tree-covered sides brushed by the gibbous moon. At their feet were houses and streetlights, like fireflies in the night. But as they got closer to their destination, a yellowish glow could be seen over the ridges in front of them, reflecting off the clouds.

As Arianne took the exit off the interstate and pulled onto Bethel Valley Road, the source of the glow came into view: an industrial complex that took up the valley and stretched for miles with buildings large and small. All were built as drab, depressing brick/concrete 1950's squares, and many looked thick enough to withstand a detonation. Green highway signs said all that was needed to know: Oak Ridge National Laboratories.

The meeting place was on the western end of the complex, and two vehicles were already parked there. The first was a Toyota Prius, while the second looked to be a SVU hybrid of some sort. Five people were standing around chatting, but as Arianne pulled in the five all turned to look at the Jeep, then silently moved behind a young woman dressed in very upscale business clothing.

They waited patiently for people to exit the Jeep.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:02 pm

Alexander stepped out, leaving his grand klaive inside. His body language was casual, as if meeting suspicious strangers at a place he didn't want to be at was something that he did routinely and was no big deal. The rest of the crew was backing up the woman in the suit like a pack falling in behind its alpha. He had seen that in other packs.

"Hello," he said in a friendly, guileless manner. He extended his hand. "I'm Alex. Nice to meet you folks."

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:28 pm

Sophie had no physical means of hiding the shotgun she was carrying, which was the only reason she didn't bring it along. She had considered doing so anyway, but if Alexander was willing to leave his sword behind, then she figured she should probably do the same with the street broom. It wasn't exactly subtle.

Still, there was no earthly way she was walking into this conversation completely unarmed. Her CZ-75 had done the trick so far, and hopefully would do the same again. She ensured that her holster was snapped closed (no need to spook these people), but she got out of the car still wearing it on her hip and walked over towards the others. She had left her laptop behind, but she still had her PDA, and they were close enough to Knoxville to get sattelite hookup regardless, should it come to some electronics work. She let Alexander say hello, Shadowlords were good for talking people's ears off no doubt, as she watched all five of the strangers and tried to look nonchalant.

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:48 pm

Breathes growled to himself and slowly unfolded out of the jeep, keeping his eyes more on his surroundings than on the people they were meeting. He didn't need any weapons, he was a weapon.

There wasn't any reason to worry these people by closing just yet though. Let them just know that a Garou was watching from behind the rest. Adahy leaned against jeep and folded his arms across his chest while the formalities were taken care of.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:37 pm

"Oh you HAVE to be kidding," Megan Alexander snapped as soon as Adahy rolled out of the back. "Do you know how many people drive by here!?" The other four frowned as well, shaking their heads at this possible breach of the Veil.

"At least we know they're Garou?" the smallest, smelliest, and dirtiest of the group piped up, then flinched back from the combined glares of his pack. "Well, we were wondering!" he protested, only to get a rap on the head from the imperious young man standing beside him.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:39 pm

"You chose the spot, against our objections," said Alexander mildly. "Breathes, mind going back inside so no one sees you and our new friends don't get too worked up?"

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:36 pm

Breathes looked from Alex to the group that they were meeting, snorted once, and then folded himself back up into the Jeep.

At least he'd gotten to stretch his legs.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:23 pm

After puzzling through the strap around his chest, "Joe-Smith" changed back into his much more familiar lupus form before he crawled out of the back of the Jeep, stretching as he did.

Listening to the others talk as he stretched, Sees-Faces-In-Stars listened to those that awaited them with his head slightly tilted to the side, looking thoughtful at the exchange. He spoke after a moment. "Both suspicious, but both wolves. Luna, Gaia bless us."

After speaking, he sat on his haunches, his grey star-like fur rustling softly in the breeze, but otherwise motionless.

(EDIT: changed action at Tev's request)

Devonie · Post by **Devonie** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:46 pm

Arianne climbed gracefully out of the Jeep and moved to just behind Alex, a wary look on her face. Just because Galileo had sent them to these people didn't mean they were friendly - or even that they would help.

She shifted her shoulders slightly, settling her shoulder-holster more comfortably. Sitting in a car for that long made the darn thing ride up. She saw the eyes of more than one of their new "friends" catch the motion and smiled briefly. Now they knew she was armed under the light jacket, just as she knew they carried weapons.

She didn't look at Alex or the woman. Most of her attention was on the young man who'd smacked the ragamuffin, but her eyes kept moving, keeping the entire group in focus.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:50 pm

"Let me guess," Megan replied, looking at Sees-Faces. "He's stuck in Lupus?" Her tone of voice said it all these pups are idjits. She turned and waved a hand to her pack. "Let's go."

Devonie · Post by **Devonie** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:07 pm

Arianne looked directly at Megan for the first time, though her words were directed at Alex.

"Well," she said quietly. "I guess Galileo was wrong - they're not able to help us out." She raised an eyebrow in irony, a challenge in her gaze. "I *guess* that when an elder sticks his neck out to reach out to another sept, it doesn't mean a thing. And I *guess* we'll just have to do this on our own."

Here she shrugged. "Too bad if we mess up something they've had in the works for months - even *years* - while we're doing this because we had no clue what progress they've made on dealing with this themselves."

She smirked at Megan, "I've seen it happen a million times on cop shows. I should write those things."

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:32 am

"I'm with you on that," said Alex with a grin. He addressed the other werewolves. "We'll try not to make too big of a mess, but mission first and all that."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:45 am

"But don't worry, with one of us stuck in Crinos, how bad could the mess get?" Came another voice from inside the Jeep.

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:44 pm

Sophie was not fond of the cold shoulder in the first place, and as the others seemed inclined to get sarcastic, she played right along.

"Well," she said, "I think it's probably for the best. I mean this town looks like it could really use some help from a werewolf pack, what with all the new development going on. Somebody ought to look after things around here. What do you say, guys? Think we ought to stay in town for a couple weeks? Make sure we stick our snouts into everything that's going on?"

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:33 pm

"Megan...?" The imperious-looking young man did not snarl, but he was looking ready to jump. Alex and Arianne both knew that feeling, as the gibbous Moon was turning to full, and emotions for the Ahrouns were running high.

"No, Free." Megan's calm simple words proved she was Alpha, as 'Free' turned his head slightly in surrender and took a step back. Megan half-turned towards the young pack. "I'm surprised Hattie let you out of the backwoods, with that attitude. I'm sure she'd love to hear how you're planning to tear the Veil and cause trouble. I might even go up the mountain to tell her myself."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:42 pm

"And maybe I'll tell Hattie about how you were willing to let an extremely old and powerful fetish slip through our fingers because you were busy being obstinate."

The tone was clear, Adahy wasn't in the mood for more bullshit and stalling just because these no-names had mis-givings about him. Why would they be this hard to deal with? Could they be in on the theft of the fetish? Adahy poked his head out from under cover, watching the other pack, but not as carefully as he watched his surroundings, waiting for the ambush.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:05 pm

"Look," said Alex, "if you want to fuck with us, you can fuck with us. As you can tell, we're not going to take it lying down and all that's going to do is make everyone's life difficult. That gets all of us nowhere. Alternatively, you can help us and rack one up in the favor bank with Galileo and Hattie instead of having the word spread around that favors from you are worthless and you're more interested in screwing with pups than serving Gaia. So either you get nothing but trouble or you get a solid. You're not stupid hicks. Make the smart choice and come out ahead."

Devonie · Post by **Devonie** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:32 am

Arianne said nothing. Alex had summed it up nicely. The other pack had nothing to gain and a lot of face to lose by not helping them.

Her eyes told the story as she watched Megan sort it out in her head. She knew what the answer would be. Not as much help as they'd hoped for, but not a total loss at that.

She'd take it.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:05 pm

The rest of the Patchwork Quilt Pack had started fidgetting when Adahy mentioned a lost fetish. It was clear at least one of them wanted to ask questions, but did not want to overstep their place with their Alpha.

Megan Alexander simply looked at the two Ahroun challenging her and shook her head. "I do more for Gaia than even Hattie herself knows. What makes you think a Challenge from two unknown pups fresh from their first kill worry me?" It was a very deliberate insult, not only to their ages but also to their lack of Renown and status. "But, if you want to play it this way ... as the Challenged, I get to set the Test."

The rest of the Patchwork Quilt, all looked to their Alpha in surprise, then the one called 'Free' started to grin. That grin was soon echoed by all the other pack members, as silent bets were starting to be made.

Megan turned and faced Alex and Arianne her dark eyes gleaming. "Still game for this, pups? I'll even allow you to bring the rest of your pack, if you need help."

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:12 pm

"You haven't been challenged," said Alexander. "I would have remembered issuing it and Arianne doesn't do subtle, so I sure as hell would have noticed if she had done it. You want to fight? Go kill some Wyrm. We have a mission to complete and don't have time for this shit."

"Let's go," he said to Arianne. "Unless you really want to take her up on the Challenge."

Devonie · Post by **Devonie** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:54 pm

Arianne laughed humorlessly. "Oh yes. I want to waste even more of our time tangling with a wolf who has *years* of experience on me, in her territory, on an unknown test."

She looked directly at Megan. "Look. This thing is an unknown. We're not even sure it is a fetish, but it's changed hands three times in less than 24 hours. We didn't have a choice in coming here straight from battle. We didn't even take time to get a good shower before heading this way, hoping for your help in stopping this thing before it gets into the wrong hands."

She waved a hand at Sees-Faces. "And Joe's not *stuck* in Lupus, he just prefers it. If you *insist* on giving us a test, can it at least wait until after we've got this stupid bone back?"

She straightened her back and tossed her flaming red hair over her shoulder, "Because if this thing *does* get away, and it ends up causing damage, I don't care *how* much you've done for Gaia, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. You know it, and I know it."

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:24 pm

"She might be smarter than she looks," Free snorted, causing Backalley to giggle. The other two simply exchanged looks, sharing a private silent conversation.

Megan, however, crossed her arms and tilted her head. "I'm listening..."

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:27 pm

Alex kept his mouth shut. Megan was listening when Arianne was speaking sense and getting her back up when it came from him. Saying something now might queer the deal and he as sure as hell wasn't going to do that after the Fianna had managed to penetrate the ferrous cranium of the other Garou.

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Werewolf Chapter 2: Tennesse Waltz

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