Werewolf Chapter 2: Tennesse Waltz
- rhoenix
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#51
Despite all that had been said, Sees-Faces-In-Stars did not reply, move, or even react to the comments of the other Alpha. The winds seemed to caress his fur, rustling the star-like coat with gentle breezes.
The two Alphas of his new pack had made their points - now, all they could do was wait.
The two Alphas of his new pack had made their points - now, all they could do was wait.
"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes."
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#52
Sophie found that she agreed with Alexander. Again. This was a state of affairs that scared the hell out of her.
"We don't have time for this," said Sophie, "by the time we finish with this challenge of yours, the thing could be in Cleveland. We've already chased it across two states. Whatever this thing is, very bad people want it for something. People that are tied up with wyrmshine runners and bane spirits, and who made a beeline right for your town after conjuring up a sludge monster."
Sophie spread her arms wide. "With or without your permission, we're going to go looking for this thing. How do you think it's going to look to the elders if we can't find it, and whoever's got it uses it to do something unpleasant because you guys decided to stand on principle instead of helping us? Do you really think the elders are going to care who got their fur tied in a knot? Or are they gonna care more about the nuclear meltdown these guys caused, or the nerve toxin they dumped in a reservoir?"
She folded her arms again and took a step forward, lowering her voice so as to try to sound reasonable.
"The guys we fought back in Kentucky had bane spirits protecting them, and had shotguns pre-loaded with silver buck. Whatever the hell this thing is, they're not screwing around trying to get it. I really don't see why we are still standing here talking about this."
"We don't have time for this," said Sophie, "by the time we finish with this challenge of yours, the thing could be in Cleveland. We've already chased it across two states. Whatever this thing is, very bad people want it for something. People that are tied up with wyrmshine runners and bane spirits, and who made a beeline right for your town after conjuring up a sludge monster."
Sophie spread her arms wide. "With or without your permission, we're going to go looking for this thing. How do you think it's going to look to the elders if we can't find it, and whoever's got it uses it to do something unpleasant because you guys decided to stand on principle instead of helping us? Do you really think the elders are going to care who got their fur tied in a knot? Or are they gonna care more about the nuclear meltdown these guys caused, or the nerve toxin they dumped in a reservoir?"
She folded her arms again and took a step forward, lowering her voice so as to try to sound reasonable.
"The guys we fought back in Kentucky had bane spirits protecting them, and had shotguns pre-loaded with silver buck. Whatever the hell this thing is, they're not screwing around trying to get it. I really don't see why we are still standing here talking about this."
Gaze upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
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#53
Megan looked over to Sophie and listened quietly to her talk. Even the other Patchwork Quilt members listened carefully. When Sophie finished, BackAlley and the two unnamed Garou spoke softly, while 'Free' simply looked to Megan.
"So... Bane-worshipping whiskey runners with silver shot, making a beeline for Knoxville," Megan said quietly. It was clear she didn't quiet want to believe this.
BackAlley slunk forward, shoulders slumped. "Can I ask 'em if it's Blackfire Whiskey?"
"So... Bane-worshipping whiskey runners with silver shot, making a beeline for Knoxville," Megan said quietly. It was clear she didn't quiet want to believe this.
BackAlley slunk forward, shoulders slumped. "Can I ask 'em if it's Blackfire Whiskey?"
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#54
"It is," said Alexander. "Look, we were inclined to look out for your interests while getting the job done and we're still willing to go down that road. We can cause or not cause all the collateral damage you want to the right persons but getting this fetish is the job and we've already been through a lot to get it."
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
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#55
Megan looked to Alex, then back to Sophie, frowning slightly. BackAlley was nodding hard. "That shit's bad... the guys that drink it turn nasty. They got a shipment tonight."
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#56
"We've taken action to negatively impact production," said Alex with a slight grin.
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#57
Though he was getting better, Sees-Faces-In-Stars still wasn't very good with homid phrases for things. Why have so many ways to say the same thing, all of which take up more time? It seemed so silly to the young Stargazer, until he realized that his people did so with spirits all the time.
The nuances of language were wondrous. However, listening to the others speak was still a challenge; hearing Alex mention "negatively impacting production" while grinning made Sees-Faces-In-Stars' wolfish eyebrows narrow for a moment, until he realized what Alex meant. It immediately brought to mind something on the glowing rock Galileo had shown him a while back, something called "Beverly Hillbillies."
"They were like Beverly Hillbillies, but with bane spirits not banjos," he barked to agree with Alex.
The nuances of language were wondrous. However, listening to the others speak was still a challenge; hearing Alex mention "negatively impacting production" while grinning made Sees-Faces-In-Stars' wolfish eyebrows narrow for a moment, until he realized what Alex meant. It immediately brought to mind something on the glowing rock Galileo had shown him a while back, something called "Beverly Hillbillies."
"They were like Beverly Hillbillies, but with bane spirits not banjos," he barked to agree with Alex.
"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes."
- William Gibson
- William Gibson
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#58
One elegant eyebrow was raised, as Megan looked up from Back Alley to Alexander, then on to Sees-Faces. "Your pack took them out? Then how did the shipment make it tonight?" she asked simply, not a challenge, merely a question.
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#59
"We took them out earlier tonight," said Alexander. "Unless there's another branch of the family in business somewhere else, the shipment came with the guy who left just ahead of us with the fetish. So we're very interested in what you can tell us about the delivery."
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
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#60
"You drive straight from a fight to here?" BackAlley exclaimed excitedly, before Free casually Gibbs-slapped him. The mild whap to the back of his head shut the BoneGnawer up before more was said.
Megan, crossed an arm under her bosum, the other arm resting on it as she bite her thumbnail thoughtfully. Her eyes once again looked over the ragged cub-pack in front of her, weighing them again with this new information, her eyes lingering on their wounds -- mostly healed by the Elders, but some, like Alex's face, would still show for a time yet.
Finally her arms dropped. "BackAlley, can you lead us to where they sell this whiskey?" BackAlley's head nodded so hard it nearly fell off. Free started to grin, realizing what was coming next, as Megan turned to look at Alex and Arianne. "Think you can follow us?"
Megan, crossed an arm under her bosum, the other arm resting on it as she bite her thumbnail thoughtfully. Her eyes once again looked over the ragged cub-pack in front of her, weighing them again with this new information, her eyes lingering on their wounds -- mostly healed by the Elders, but some, like Alex's face, would still show for a time yet.
Finally her arms dropped. "BackAlley, can you lead us to where they sell this whiskey?" BackAlley's head nodded so hard it nearly fell off. Free started to grin, realizing what was coming next, as Megan turned to look at Alex and Arianne. "Think you can follow us?"
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#61
"We'll do our best to keep up," said Alexander. Thank Thunder they were finally getting somewhere.
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
#62
Breathes sighed heavily, mostly he was just waiting for them to get somewhere that he could get out of this car. From under cover it felt horribly awkward to join in the conversation that had been happening, even though he could hear what was being said by both sides perfectly. It sounded like they were about to move out again though, that was good.
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#63
For a second, Sophie couldn't help but picture herself kicking the door down of some speakeasy with a shotgun in hand, like one of Elliot Ness' untouchables in the 30s. She smiled a bit at the thought. This was definitely not what she had seen herself doing when the Windy City elders sent her down here. Not that she had a problem with some urban work, but it was just a little strange.
"If we're going to go hunting Wyrmshiners," she said, "does anyone know where I can get some 12-gauge shells?" She was fair certain that some of these new wolves had to be Glasswalkers, who would not start lecturing her on the "impurity" of firearms or some such crap. And given that her shotgun was presently loaded with silver, it was probably a good idea to switch out the ammo loads. No use making the new pack nervous.
"If we're going to go hunting Wyrmshiners," she said, "does anyone know where I can get some 12-gauge shells?" She was fair certain that some of these new wolves had to be Glasswalkers, who would not start lecturing her on the "impurity" of firearms or some such crap. And given that her shotgun was presently loaded with silver, it was probably a good idea to switch out the ammo loads. No use making the new pack nervous.
Gaze upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
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#64
Free looked over a Sophie, then grinned. "I got some in the back." He looked towards Alex and Arianne. "If you want to come to the truck, I'll give you a box."
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#65
Arianne nodded, secretly thankful that Sophie'd pulled their asses out of the fire, so to speak.
"Excellent," was all she said, but the tone spoke volumes. Hopefully the other pack would read the relief in her voice for going after the fetish, not because she was afraid of getting her ass kicked.
She was glad they were finally going to get somewhere, but she knew she wouldn't be a top performance if it came to a fight with Megan. She was tired, having gone through a fight then driving hours to get to Lexington, and her mind would have been on the fetish, not the fight.
It was a good thing.
"Excellent," was all she said, but the tone spoke volumes. Hopefully the other pack would read the relief in her voice for going after the fetish, not because she was afraid of getting her ass kicked.
She was glad they were finally going to get somewhere, but she knew she wouldn't be a top performance if it came to a fight with Megan. She was tired, having gone through a fight then driving hours to get to Lexington, and her mind would have been on the fetish, not the fight.
It was a good thing.
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#66
"Ok, let's load up, share what we have," Megan said, looking to Arianne and Alex. "I would like to know what you know about this fetish," she admitted, "After we find this Blackfire whiskey and take care of it."
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#67
Arianne sighs, "I'm half-hoping we'll find both at the same time," she answered. "This Blackfire whiskey is nasty stuff. We just dealt with a were who'd gotten hooked on the stuff. It wasn't pretty. Breaks your heart to see a were in that state."
"As for the bone - we're not even sure it's a fetish. That's why Galileo wants it - so it can be studied. You want one of us to ride with you so we can catch you up to speed in advance, just in case?"
"As for the bone - we're not even sure it's a fetish. That's why Galileo wants it - so it can be studied. You want one of us to ride with you so we can catch you up to speed in advance, just in case?"
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#68
Alexander headed back to the Jeep. The alliance was still fragile, best to let it settle.
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
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#70
"I'll go with them," said Sophie. She wasn't thrilled at the idea of riding with a completely unknown pack of Garou, but then this pack here had been completely unknown only a few days ago. Besides, at least some of these people were either Glasswalkers or Bonegnawers. The former was her people, her own tribe, and it was only natural to feel slightly more at ease among them. As for the Bonegnawers, the two tribes had a lengthy history, and Sophie had known quite a few of the strays from Chicago. Even if they didn't think the same way, they at least spoke a similar language.
And she needed to get the shells anyway.
She retrieved her laptop from the car, as well as the shotgun, though she unloaded it before walking back over to the other Garou. They were expecting her to have a street broom, she had asked for shells after all, but they probably weren't expecting her to turn up with silver shells by surprise. No use giving them the wrong impression. The others could carry the silver rounds for the moment. It wasn't like she was going to be able to fight off the entire Knoxville pack by herself anyway, with or without shells.
If she ever managed to get back to Chicago, she reminded herself to ask the elders to make sure her next assignment was not in the South.
And she needed to get the shells anyway.
She retrieved her laptop from the car, as well as the shotgun, though she unloaded it before walking back over to the other Garou. They were expecting her to have a street broom, she had asked for shells after all, but they probably weren't expecting her to turn up with silver shells by surprise. No use giving them the wrong impression. The others could carry the silver rounds for the moment. It wasn't like she was going to be able to fight off the entire Knoxville pack by herself anyway, with or without shells.
If she ever managed to get back to Chicago, she reminded herself to ask the elders to make sure her next assignment was not in the South.
Gaze upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
Havoc: "So basically if you side against him, he summons Cthulu."
Hotfoot: "Yes, which is reasonable."
#71
Arianne nods briefly. "If that is acceptable."
She didn't want to insult Meghan by assigning Sophie to her. Some Alphas were touchy that way; they don't want to deal with anyone but other Alphas, which meant either herself or Alex.
She didn't care which of them went with Meghan, as long as she got the information she needed.
She didn't want to insult Meghan by assigning Sophie to her. Some Alphas were touchy that way; they don't want to deal with anyone but other Alphas, which meant either herself or Alex.
She didn't care which of them went with Meghan, as long as she got the information she needed.
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#72
"Then let's get on the road," Megan said, turning for the truck. The other two pack members were already in their SUV, while Backalley followed Megan. Free had just pulled a small square box out of a locked tool box in the back of the pickup, which he handed to Sophie as she followed Megan.
"Here. I don't have any slugs, or I'd give you a box of those as well," he told her as he waved BackAlley towards the passenger side of the pickup. "Serena will drive the SUV so you and Megan can talk."
Megan seemed to have expected this, walking to the passenger side of the SUV and motioning Sophie to get in the back with her. They would have much to discuss.
"Here. I don't have any slugs, or I'd give you a box of those as well," he told her as he waved BackAlley towards the passenger side of the pickup. "Serena will drive the SUV so you and Megan can talk."
Megan seemed to have expected this, walking to the passenger side of the SUV and motioning Sophie to get in the back with her. They would have much to discuss.
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#73
Watching as Sophie climbed into the farting metal thing - "truck," he reminded himself - with the other pack, Sees-Faces felt apprehensive, and almost went with her, but for the necessity of their pack's eyes into other places. Sophie could see with eyes the others could not, but so could he - it was best if at least one of the otherworld seers stayed.
For the moment, he remained still and silent, ready for their own farting metal...truck to awaken so they could go as well.
"See well, Sophie!" he barked once, hoping she would catch all its intended blessings.
For the moment, he remained still and silent, ready for their own farting metal...truck to awaken so they could go as well.
"See well, Sophie!" he barked once, hoping she would catch all its intended blessings.
"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes."
- William Gibson
- William Gibson
Josh wrote:What? There's nothing weird about having a pet housefly. He smuggles cigarettes for me.
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#74
As the SUVs lead the Jeep and the make-shift pack towards town, Megan and Sophie discover they share a Tribe, and start getting down to the business of information exchange.
Megan listened intently as Sophie detailed the day's adventures, the Professor's thoughts on the Bone, the hunt for Crier, the Bledsons, the Banes in the pond, and then Sophie mentioned Smoky Mountain Futures.
Megan stiffened, leaning forward. "Are you sure of that name?"
"Absolutely," responded Sophie, with no hesitation at all. She patted her laptop confidently. "My spirits had a lot to say on his account."
Sophie shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But I think it's got a better chance of being there than any other specific place."
Megan looked down, deep in thought for a moment, before grimacing. "I've been trying to get the financials on his business for months. Far as I can tell, he's keeping them on paper." She gave Sophie a hard look. "IF he has this bone it would be in his office, and so would his ledger. Would your Alpha be up to an exchange of favors?"
"I can ask, certainly," Sophie replied after her own moment of thought, deciding now was not the time to get into who was Alpha. She pulled out her cellphone and made the call.
Alex's cellphone rang.
Megan listened intently as Sophie detailed the day's adventures, the Professor's thoughts on the Bone, the hunt for Crier, the Bledsons, the Banes in the pond, and then Sophie mentioned Smoky Mountain Futures.
Megan stiffened, leaning forward. "Are you sure of that name?"
"Absolutely," responded Sophie, with no hesitation at all. She patted her laptop confidently. "My spirits had a lot to say on his account."
Sophie shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But I think it's got a better chance of being there than any other specific place."
Megan looked down, deep in thought for a moment, before grimacing. "I've been trying to get the financials on his business for months. Far as I can tell, he's keeping them on paper." She gave Sophie a hard look. "IF he has this bone it would be in his office, and so would his ledger. Would your Alpha be up to an exchange of favors?"
"I can ask, certainly," Sophie replied after her own moment of thought, deciding now was not the time to get into who was Alpha. She pulled out her cellphone and made the call.
Alex's cellphone rang.
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#75
Breathes was still cramped in the jeep, trying not to grumble at his predicament when a phone went off. The Garou shifted some to poke his head out the front to get a better look at what was going on.
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