December 21, 2002.12.21.02. - .....yuff? [rune-dire-imogen][north jersey, condo]
(james)
the weather is hovering around freezing
the light sprinkling of rain has turned into a light sprinkling of snow
adding to the various levels and mounds of white that re-shape the Rolling Hills landscapes
ah, the haphazardry which wreaks havoc on manicured lawns
that for which the rich pay their monthly rent
now suddenly lost and forgotten beneath the blank slate white of winterhe can't. help. the smile.
no, really.
he can't.and so into the falling snowflakes he exhales a moist, warm breath
a sheild of fog against the battering snow
or something like that
oddly relaxed, even beneath the cloud-hidden pregnant moon
(oh, the Rage is there, allright, still plump and seething)
it's cigarette smoke as much as it is breath
camel dangling between fingers attached to wrist resting across one raised knee
boot planted firmly on frosted step
the other is stretched out, perched a few notches down
and he's half-sitting, half-reclining against the railingfor some reason
he's sitting outside, now
instead of inside where it's warm
letting the snow catch and melt on jungle-vine dreads
letting the tails of mended trench soak up the rain/snow that's falling around him
deep umber eyes lifted to the sky above
as if holding some personal conversation with Luna herself
and it required his undivided attention(dire)
*The dark blue Jetta with the ground effects pulls into the complex. Going slower ofver the speed bumps this time (HE LEARNS) the car pulls into a parking space. Poers down and the door opens. Stepping out Dire streches.Dressed as normal. Steel toed boots, jeans, green flannel again, Leather jacket two sizes too large. His blond hair and icy blue eyes bespeek his heritage. If he were any whiter he'd be translucent.
He leans back into the car and grabs out a couple of pizzas and kicks the door shut with a heel. He starts up the stairs to the condo and sees James. He pauses and nods his head* Drums Yuf. *He offers the pizza mutely*
(rune)
The door sweeps open, the narrow strip of weatherizing (or whatever it is) sweeps over a thin coating of snow only at the extremes of the front door's range, for the space immediately in front of the door is protected by a narrow overhang.Into the chill night, she goes, from within the warm womb of the well-appointed interior. There are, no doubt, only a few things that would drag Rune voluntarily from luxury to such straightened circumstances (the cold and the damn. snow. do not agree with her. when her family left Minnesota, she swore she'd never go back to such a place ever again for the rest of the fucking life thank you very much. It's a good thing the universe does not take the vows of pre-teen girls seriously, or Rune would have entered a period of cosmically enforced celebacy subsequent to breaking the vow and moving to cold, drab, ugly Jersey.) other than a good fight, but tonight there are two: the cigarette in her hand, and the creature half-leaning against the porch railing, watching the snow as it falls.
Clogs left by the door for just such moments (only going out for a minute, only going out for a smoke) crunch on salt scattered to melt away the ice, and then on the first layer of new snow. She makes an impatient gesture, and lights her cigarette before slipping her free hand into the relative warmth of the sleeve of her lush cableknit sweater. Dark eyes sweep over Dire, but she remains silent for a moment, concentrating on sucking the nicotine out of the cancer stick in her hand as fast as she can.
(imogen)
The light sprinkling of rain has graudated to a light sprinkling of snow, leaving the rain buried beneath the thin blanket of white to freeze, causing treacherous black ice to hide invisible against the road. It's none so bad, yes, but the weather alternating between brutally cold and pleasantly warm promises that this winter will be an icey one. The roads are slick, but not deadly. Drive a little slower, and you're fine. For the good doctor, that meant driving the speed limit and taking the turns at something a little more along the lines of a decent speed.Admittedly, however at this time of night few are out on the road. Just a medical examiner returning from home and a slightly defective gobling hunting Fenrir.
Thankfully, she drove in after Dire. Into her parking spot, by either the empty spot of Rune's beemer or beside the Walker's baby, the engine cutting off, and the headlights dying. The door opens, the interior light flicking on briefly as she pulls herself from within, stepping out into the fluttering snow, flakes entangling in the chaos of red hair. One hand lifts, grabbing the collar of her jacket as she flicks it up with a careless movement, closing the door of the silver SUV with a hand, a half after thought.
She steps out onto the walkway, beginning to walk down the slippery path, one hand shoving into her pocket. The paths branch between her Condo and Rune's, and with Dire's back to her, James is the only one to see her. Dark blue eyes flicker to the expansive back of the pizza-toting galliard, before passing over to the Gnawer, giving him a faint smirk that likely passed for a silent greeting as she begins down her own walk way to her own stairs, eyes drifting up toward the sky, giving an impression of falling clouds as the snow drifts down, and it's full moon, glowing through the cloudcover.
(james)
as full as the moon is
he seems so relaxed
a brow slowly lifting to watch the Jetta pull up
(that's not a car I recognize from the residents....)
then to watch.... Dire? step out
(Dire behind the wheel???)the other brow lifts to join its mate as the Skald speaks
it's the suffix that surprised him
an inhale speaks of the delights hidden in the box
meat.... and double cheeeeze
there's something in the Gnawer that can't help -that- smile, eitherthat dangling hand gestures towards the steps beside him
the other unfolding from it's supporting role against the step behind him
reaching for the box
nodding up at the car
nodding up at Imogen, too"New ride?"
he doesn't need to look back to know she's there
he doesn't need to turn around for her to know he knows
pack just don't need to speak out loud, sometimes
and his greeting is heard enough
some soft sound at the back of her mind(dire)
*He offers it to James and nods turning to look back at the tricked out Jetta he's "Aquired"*
Yeah. Didn't figure 60 mils walk would be good for the pup in and out of town. So I got a car.
Still figuring out what all the buttons do. I rarly hit anything though. * He smiles and nods to Imogen and looks up nodding to rune* Rhya.(rune)
Sound bleeds from the half-open door behind her, a sheer wall of visceral noise, though turned down to an acceptable level. It disturbs the night, and Rune reaches to shove the door all the way closed with an irritated gesture: her clothed elbow against the door, burning cigarette held briefly between pursed and painted lips."Imogen," Rune murmurs, catching a sliver of Imogen's smirk, and returning it as she lifts the cigarette from her lips and reaches to flip ashes into the plantings below. Her arm falls negligently to her side, then, the cigarette lilting precariously from between fore and middle fingers. There's a polite nod to accompany her uncharacteristically reserved responses. "Dire."
Rune does not greet James aloud. She responds to the soft sound in her mind with another one, just as soft, that is in no way betrayed by her casual body language on her hard little smirk. Then, half-a-moment later.
When'd you start smoking?
(imogen)
The scenario would almost be peaceful. Snow has a habit of muffling the world, burying sound beneath air and whiteness. It's nearly christmas, not even a week away, and in some ways, the falling snow would be peaceful.Even as she walks up the steps seperated by six feet or more, she can feel the Garou's rage, combined and burning, a pulse that raises the hair on the back of her neck. If she had been feeling any peace, returning from her morbid work as she must be, it is unlikely she felt any peace now. Dire smiles and nods at her, and she pulls her hand from her pocket, raising her hand slightly in response. Rune returned her smirk, and so very little other greeting is offered.
Keys jangle as she opens her door, shoving the brief case inside, and pulling the door shut again, the locks clicking as she closes it behind her, still outside on the ice of the porch. Her eyes are a dark night blue and they run across the balcony, gauging the iciness of the surface.
Icy enough. She turns, beginning to walk down the steps again, her hand, likely cold in this weather, particularly with no glove, trailing lightly on the railing.
(james)
his head tilts
something of a furrow developing on his brow"Pup?"
something the Gnawer hasn't yet discovered, obviously
of course, he isn't one to openly inquire to the others about the Skald"And driving's something of an.... acquired taste. You'll figure out the buttons in time."
while he questions Dire's sanity
he has no doubts that he's smart
just..... different.
and he hasn't drive more than a handful of times himself
so he can't knock the Get's effort and accomplishment in avoiding crash and burn so farthere's a breif glance down to the cigarette in his hand
as if deciding to finish it or not
or to figure out to smoke then eat or eat and smoke or....
When I ran out of things to do with my hands when you were on the phone.
he didn't feel like tempting the PS2 tonight
(or his Rage at it, just in case)
but while she was making her calls, he had little else to do
so went on a short walk
and, apparently, bought cigarettes
he doubts he'll finish more than one
but he didn't want to invade her space
the conversations were important and none of his business
she'll also find there's a 12-pack now chilling in the fridgeand he doesn't mean to be rude, just sitting here on the porch with the pizza
but while he considers the place home
it isn't his
and it isn't his place to invite others inside
especially with the Fostern right behind him
a bit of that grin widening for the Kin"Dire brought us pizza, want some?"
he always includes Imogen
he always simply considers her a part of the pack
even if she's Decker's mate, and not even of any of their tribes
it's just his way, there's a fine line between Gnawers and Kin
even if he'd never say it out loud - just because it would probably never come up
if they eat, and she's there, she eats(dire)
*He nods up to Rune.* The information your uncle gave was correct Rhya... Decker and I captalized on the information. * he nods* Thank you. * Turning and watching Imo decend the steps again he assumes, she's heading their way and hops up to perch on the rail. Squatting. His Steel toed boots and natural suppleness, amazing dexterity and all letting him do so with out falling off. Well yet any way* Decker was not perminatly ingured Imogen. He found well and with honor. We ended the threat to the children.
*His head turns. the Icy blue eyes holding no malice. No judgement in them. He nods to James* Carmen. Get kin. She's about 4 and a half. Mother died.(imogen)
As assumed, she crosses the space between the two condos, beginning to climb the steps as James speaks.A faint lift of her lips at James as he includes her in the offer for food, eyes flickering toward the pizza and taking a glance, "No," she decides, shaking her head, "Ate on the way home," drive throughs are likely one of her favourite benefits of living in a large city, "May I bum a smoke, though?" a half gesture toward the Gnawer, palm up.
Dire speaks, and she glances at him, Decker wasn't... what? Somewhere the lines didn't connect, because she had no idea what on earth information Rune's uncle had. An eyebrow lifts slightly hand still absently held out to James, unless the Gnawer decided to keep all the cigarettes to himself.
Her attention is side tracked, though her eyebrow remains raised, this time in a more solid query, "What happened to the mother?"
(dire)
*Watching Imogen he tilts his head and sniffs the air. Looking out into the darknes he mutters very softly to himself "cat." and then looks back to her* Self extermination... I forget the english word. * He looks to James and Rune and speaks in high tongue "Suicide" and srugs looking back to Imo* The pup found me on the street. Quite spirited. Smart as well. Took me back to the house and I found her in a car in the garage. car running. I bused the window and took her into the house. She was dead. Nothing I could do for her.(rune)
"His information is usually correct," Rune shrugs, eyes narrowing into focus on Dire. Her attention shifts from the Get to Imogen, lingering as she waits for Imogen's response to the offer of pizza. The no cinches it, and Rune remains where she is for the moment, certainly making no move to invite anyone in, though she well may after staying out in the cold for much longer.It's a childish gesture, but she shrugs one arm from within her sleeve and drags it across her abdomen, beneath the thick weave of her cable-knit sweater, in some attempt to contain and conserve her warmth. Thus, her body looks oddly misshapen beneath the thick winter sweater, with the shape of her arm distending the knit across her abdomen.
"Suicide." Rune clarifies to Imogen for Dire. "That's what happened to the mother. That's what he means."
(james)
malice?
why would there be malice?
why would there be judgement?
they're supposed to be 'good' right?"You doing allright with her?"
he just never pictured the Skald with a pup
(though oddly it doesn't suprise him)
and he knows they're not easy to raise
though where his concern is placed in the question remains to be questioned
his question, though, seems to become internal againone hand is filled with the smoke
the other with the steaming pizza box
and, well, the Camel pack is in his pocket
so the smoke goes into his mouth to free up one hand
head tilting as he's still getting the hang of that not getting smoke in your eyes thing
and the pack is withdrawn to hand over to Imogen
in that s'all yours sort of way(dire)
*he nods to Rune* Thank you Rhya. * he smiles to Imogen* Suicide. My english came after High tongue and after french. Sometimes getting the correct word is hardShe'd killed herself via Suicide. The fumes from the car. * he snorts* Almost as bad as the ones from the place Decker and I hit the other night. She was luke warm by the time I got there. I took the pup out of there. Was going to bring her to you, Imogen, to be honest but she kinda got hooked on me. Then I found she was kin and she likes me. so... * he srugs gently* I went back and handeled the body so noone will come looking.
*He looks over to James and smiles nodding*
Oh yes. We get along fine. She loves me. I feed her 3 times a day and dress her warm and I'm teaching her things. She's very bright for a human pup... not that I have any experiance to judge but she understands things. I've taught her how to find game animals, follow game trails, stay down wind. I'm teaching her snares. She helps me with human things sometimes.
*He smiles and the skald actually blushes* i've gotten her christmas presents and actually we have a christmas tree.(imogen)
Dire speaks in High Tongue, and the titian haired woman stares at the Fenrir, either fanscinated or deeply disturbed. Rune begins to speak, clarifying, and her head turns, receiving the translation, "Ah.""Ta," she murmers quietly, taking the cigarette package from him, while rummaging around with her free hand in her pocket, in the vain hope that she might still have her lighter. One pocket. Two. She opens the jacket a few buttons and slides her hand into some inner pocket, coming up with a cheap orange bic lighter finally.
She taps a cigarette out of the package, and slides it between her lips, stepping up and around Dire, so whatever faint breeze there is will catch the fumes of the smoke and blow it, hopefully, away from the Garou. The fact that two out of three of them are already smoking is beside the point.
Her thumb runs across the wheel of the lighter and fire flares, and she glances at Dire again, "You broke a window and handled the body?" quietly inquired as the woman, with the blood of heroes, narrows her eyes, "So what was a suicide now apparently has an accomplice."
(rune)
That's a muffled snort of something that Rune manages to mostly swallow: amusement is the most likely candidate, but the expression could be scorn or disgust or any of a number of other ones usually expressed by half-swallowed wordless exclamations.The Glass Walker finishes her first cigarette and lights another one from the tip of the first, then sends the butt falling end over end into the old coffee can that passes for an ashtray just beside the front door. Dark eyes stray, roaming over the three. She doesn't have much of a response to Dire's embarassed revelations about the child and his relationship with her (or the revelation that he was going to bring the kid to Imogen) beyond that little snort and she certainly cannot - in present company - leave her post in front of the door and join James on the steps. And so she remains where she is, sending smoke spiraling from her red red mouth to the nuclear orange nightsky, watching the drifting snowfall as it changes the carefully ordered world of the complex's manicured and controlled grounds.
(dire)
*He smiles softly* I broke the car window with a fist. Leaving no human prints.
* he wiggles his fingers as he crouches on the rail*
Not that my human prints would be on record with my face anyway. Few metis submit for fthat ink thing.
* he makes a face*
I've seen it on TV a few times.*He looks to Rune and James* Little to do in northern canada winters.
* he srugs*
Drug her out of the garage so the pup in my arms didn't die from the fumes and so I didn't loose it. Got her into the kitchen. Checked. She was dead.
* he srugs*
I didn't help her there.
And then I went back later and took the body out. It was quite cold and such. I didn't want to do it with the pup present. For clear reasons. Took it out into the pine barrens. Buried it.
(james)
his head tilts
actually just... looking at the Skald for a moment
and there's approval in his eyes"Sounds like you're doing just fine, Dire."
like the Skald or not - sounds like he's doing allright with the kid
and the cigarette roach is somewhat uncoordinately flicked out onto the snowy grass
landing with the faintest of sizzles
and since they're not going inside, yet
he just flips open the box
but not taking a piece quite yet
body twists and he presents the pizza to Rune
(r.h.i.p.)(dire)
*he smiles from his perch* Thank you Yuf... I... * he looks at his hands* I can't hve children of my own due to my parents dishonor. The Get... they treat their metis as they treat anyone. Prove your worth and they don't give you shit.. but I still can't have pups. Mayby if I take care of this one a little while... I'll some how offset that which is lacking in me. That which Gaia has deemed punishment for my parents. I cannot continue the line of my ansestors but if I train the pup right mayby she can continue the line of hers. * he looks up to them.*(rune)
Rune's eyes flicker to James - and the open pizza box - and her mouth spreads into a faint (and so. very. brief.) smile."Might as well head inside if we're gonna eat." she says, flicking her recently lit but already half-smoked cigarette into the container by the door. "Probably better than discussing the details of Dire in the open." The Glass Walker turns and pulls the door open, then walks inside, kicking off her clogs by the door as she does so, and sliding her arm back into the sleeve of the sweater. "I'm not sure burying the body in the Barrens was the best choice, Dire. Someone might find it, and folks there certainly don't need any unwanted human attention. Too late for that now, I guess. It's not something I would do in the future, though."
(dire)
*he nods to Imogen* Perhaps. I did get the food from the cubbord. What little their was. Still I'll never go to jail. Garou cannot. Metis especially. If and when I die, my body will revert to it's birth form.
Garou go to great extent to retreive our bodies to keep the veil. IF ever the mortal authorites catch me. * he chuckels* not an easy task. * A smile* I'll simply escape and evade.
It's not like our lifestyle is a real law abiding one to start with. being a mass murderer by the time your 14 has certin disadvantages.*he nods to Rune* I made sure she was over 50 miles from any human settelment. And I put her deep. Digging in Hispo is fun. The dirt just piles up.
The Barrens are large. Thing is, she really did kill herself. If she is ever found, *he srugs* What could they tell other than she died and somone buried her there?I'll take your advice and avoid it from now on Rhya. Perhaps I'll let Imogen handel it? * He raises his brows and looks to her*
(james)
a brow lifts, slightly, his head tilting to look at the Skald"Or maybe you were supposed to have this pup to raise, and not any other."
that's about when he gets up and follows Rune inside
(closing the lid, of course)
stamping the snow off his boots
setting the open box on the lacquered coffee table
then moving to the fridge to retrieve the beer(dire)
*He follows after James and nods* Perhaps Yuf. One can hope. I just hope I don't break her. She's tough and all. Smart. * he smiles softly* But I don't have much skill in raising humans. I'm just doing the best I can with the advice of those around me. * He nods to rune* She really likes the make up you gave her. Carries it with her everywhere with her. I thank you.(Imogen)
Her eyebrow arches at Dire, as he speaks, but silence ensues as Rune speaks, and continues as she enters the condo, behind the other three.It holds as Dire glances at her, one hand dragging through her hair, a faint nod, perhaps, eyes straifing to Rune, not likely saying 'I should do this', so much 'if necessary, I will do this'.
(rune)
"It's not being law abiding, Dire." Rune comments, as she pads quietly across the plush carpet in the foyer and turning to walk into the living room. James sets the pizza box down on the lacquered coffee table, and Rune glances back toward Imogen and Dire - " - have a seat - " offered to them as an aside, with a vague gesture toward the leather couch. The first blast of sound could be close to overwhelming, but she pauses by a control panel and dials the volume waaaaaaaaaaay down, to a level suitable for conversation. "It's about being smart about those you break, and when, and where. If they get your picture, or even a sketch of your face, on some big-ass wanted list, or one of those fucking television shows, it'll shut you down, at least from acting in any sort of effective capacity in and among people."Slender hands, capable fingers splayed wide for leverage, seek purchase on the breakfast bar, and Rune lifts herself up to her second favorite perch, long leatherclad legs swinging down below her. When James returns with the beer, she holds out a hand for one thoughtlessly and blindly, just knowing he's there behind or beside her.
"It's better not to make a mess in the first place, for Imogen to clean up. One incident too many, and she may lose her job, and then we would be much worse off." Rune shakes her head and draws one leg up to rest her foot on the tiled bar, hugging her knee to her chest as the other leg continues to dangle aimlessly. "I'm glad the girl likes the lipstick, but you don't need to thank me for it, Dire - " - the curl of a self-mocking grin - " - it's hardly some great sacrifice, one tube of lipstick."
And then, inside her packmate's head, (inside her lover's mind), her voice comes soft. Yuf. Rhya. Pizza. No mailbox bashing. Deference. And so on. He really wants into the pack. The words thus shared are not reflected in her faintly impassive gaze, nor is their presence betrayed by so much as a shifting glance to the side.
(dire)
*(He nods to her words* Yes... I try and be careful in the world of humans. I.. * he sits when told and seems to think* I'd just found the pup and I wasn't sure the mother was actually dead. I couldn't just leave here there.
Once I found out I did what I thought best to continue her survival. She doesn't have anyone other than me. All I have right now is her. We're kinda a team now. * he looks up to them.* I'm glad she's kin..(james)
the cold glass settles firm against Rune's hand
bottle already hissing from the cap taken off
the living room is crossed
the other two open bottles offered to Imogen and Dire
(eating or not she's getting a damned beer)
then the Gnawer makes himself comfortable on the lazy boyBeta chose the breakfast counter
so that means he can dig into the pizza
silent as mouth stays closed when he chews
(momma didn't raise an unmannered mutt)
openly relishing the doublestackedmeatloversooooooozingcheeze slice
the silent reply soft, and short
mmhm.
as it tickles through the Walker's mind(dire)
*he takes it with a nod. Even a smile. Sniffs then sips. Smiles. Withall querys addressed he waits for rune and James to get a piece if they so choose then takes a slice himself*(imogen)
The beer is taken with a faint smile (eating or not, she will always take a beer), cracking it open with a twist of her wrist, "I can get rid of the finger prints, so he isn't on file," speaking to Rune, "and just... deal with th'body when it's found. Stall the investigation, whatever." Her shoulders shrug.Rune's right. She might lose her job for this. She might have lost her job for the crack house a few days ago. There are days when it seems like she does nothing but cover the tracks of Garou, or try and make sure she gets the cases where she can cover the tracks of Garou.
No cigarette anymore. She must have put it out when the other three entered. Tossed over the balcony. Something. She raises the bottle to her lips taking a healthy pull of the amber liquid.
(rune)
"That would be why you attack mailboxes," dryly spoken, accompanied by a dry little smirk that disappears soon, as the Glass Walker lifts her beer to her mouth, and drinks long and hard. "Right?"The faintest flicker of a shifting glance: Dire on the couch. James on the lazyboy.
And?
(dire)
I seriously doupt anyone would find the body. * his words soft* I was digging in hispo. There was no cent of humans for miles from where the body is and it's not in a place easily accessable by human. * he wiggles his fingers* legs. Access. * he nods* The Pine barrens are truly deep and bizzar the farther you go from human settelment. There are parts out there were I'd wadger a guess no human eye has ever seen.
With her gone from the house. The pup with me and them having just arrived. Could there be reason for the investiation? * He tilts his head. Not being bellerigent. He's honestly asking.**He blinks and looks to Rune and her smack of his disability. He's been told by more than one that there "ARE NO DAMN GOBLINS" but he sees them. He shakes his head and sips his beer* No rhya... I saw a goblin in the mailbox. * his words almost quiet. This is where the belittle him for a flaw in his mind due to a mistake his parents, not he, made. He's used to it.*
(james)
the Gnawer?
inhales
the pizzahe was raised fighting and scrapping for every bite he ate
he was forced to learn gifts so he wouldn't starve
and old habits die very hard
it's only a matter of minutes and he's on his fourth slice
(does he really chew?)extra large pizza
sixteen slices
that's four each if Imogen was eating
and because she's not, makes it five
but he stops at fourfinally taking the time to wash it all down with the beer
It is Erik's decision.
not to default her an answer
that is just the way he knows it is
he's now just sipping the beer
and carefully, silently, watching
he will not say anything of the disability
while he knows it is not the metis' fault
he also knows it isn't his place to correct him
not when there's a Fostern around(imogen)
"Something just needs to happen. Bodies have been dug up that I'm sure nobody thought would ever be dug up. There are flukes," she answers mildly, speaking in plain fact, as she rolls the beer bottle between her hands."They just moved in, so they may not have any friends. But you don't know that. They may not have any family. Human or kinfolk. But you don't know that. Eventually, someone is going to notice that no one is there. Or that the bills aren't being paid. Or something. And then someone is going to get into that garage and find a broken window, and a house that shows no signs of actual concious leaving. The fact there was a child will likely be the spur of it all. Parents do not tend to just leave their children's things and disappear. children need their clothing. Food. Toys. Or parents think they do."
She raises the bottle to her lips once more, taking a pull from it, swallowing slowly as she continues, "They'll come in and check fingerprints. I'm not concerned too much about anything, unless they find the body before they find the house, or someone sees and recognizes the little girl and thinks to wonder where Mother Dearest is." It would seem, for all her lack of maternal extincts (yeah, call child services), at the very least, the thought of a mother abandoning her child causes that small edge of sarcasm. "I'm mostly concerned about your finger prints. You may never have been finger prints, but I bet you've killed and left your fingerprints somewhere." She rests the bottle of beer, half empty, on her bent knee, "And I bet you'll do it again. And suddenly a drug killing becomes a hit because ironically, two finger sets of finger prints match. It might not be a problem today, or tomorrow, but it might be another time. A complication you don't need. The fact is, you leave marks of yourself, and eventually someone might connect the dots. They find out about you. They might figure out what you are. Or someone else could. Just because the Nation does not want you in jail does not mean th'humans will not try." Everything spoken carefully in her slow and easy accent, smooth cornish tones.
She shrugs again, "Get me the address, and I'll print you. I'll destroy the prints in the house, and I'll destroy the ones you give me." Tacked on. A promise that even if she had them, she won't have them for long.
(rune)
"That's all well and good Dire," Rune responds quietly, "...but I don't understand why you can't control yourself when you see the damn goblins. People remember a crazy six foot tall man with a tattoo like that and a crowbar attacking a mailbox, and not in a good way."The beer bottle settles against the bartop with a distinctive clinking sound, glass on tile, but her hand does not leave the cool glass. "In fact, it could be more dangerous than that. If, for example, the pack were on a mission requiring stealth and you chose to chase your goblins, or if you saw the goblins in or around someone important, or even the girl in your care, how do we know what you would do?"
There's a flicker across her face then, narrowing eyes and curving mouth falling into the faintest tracey of a frown.
Erik's decision whether he is to join the pack. Your decision whether or not you stay in the pack if he does.
(dire)
*He takes a breath and looks to Imogen. Smiles softly* I was not going to leave the pup there with her dead mother or out on the streets in the middle of winter.
I went to find the mother.
I found her dead.
I took the pup. I took her clothing and such. There wasn't much Imogen. They were very poor. They were on the run from something as best I can tell. hince they were hiding.
If they were hiding they wern't going to tell others whom they really were. Or make attachments.
They were still in the process of moving in their meger possessions. I took the girls with me. She has her things. They are in the cabin we're sharing.
I went back. I took care of the body. If somone manages to even get to the point fifty foot miles from civilisation and some how digs down the 8 feet or so I dug, Finds the body, then I guess the body would be found.
I'm not a master of human activity but as strange as they are I rarly see them meandering around that deep in the wilderness digging holes for no apperent reason.
*He nods* I could have doesn'e something else with her but I don't know what could have been a better corce of action.
The girl is Kin. Therefore the mother is kin. Garou law supseceeds mortal law.
The house was rented about two weeks ago. It's my understanding that they are rented on a lunar cycle... roughly a month.
I'll go back and make sure I wipe things down to prevent my human prints from being anywehre. If you prefer I can go in umbrally, shift over and burn the house down but I think that might cause more attention. WHen I go to wipe down the house I can take and dispose of the car as well so the broken window on a 20 year old falling apart automobile doesn't raise suspisions. She was a poor lady, probly on the run from a mate that frightened her after some fashion. Our inner rage make us had to live with sometimes.
She took her own life.
This is not a crime I can be charged with. As I honestly didn't do it.
I did take the pup. she is Kin. That means she's one of us. Not just a casual human to be lost on the streets to freeze or die randomly. She might be a Get one day. If so, it's our duty to protect and train her.
*he nods gently to Imogen. Turning to rune*I do the best I can Rhya... * he looks at his hands and back to her* When I'm focused on things... caring for the Pup.... on the hunt and all I don't normally see them. It's only when my mind is idle that they popup. As for controling my reaction.... * he srugs gently* it's akin to contolling our inner rage when we see the wyrm or evidence there of. I can try and I often truly do. But instinct seems to take over and I just want them dead. * his vloce does drop quiet* I know others don't normally see them. I've been told many times it's just my birthblood acting up... but _I_ see them and I react.
You can Ask Decker as to my disipline on a hunt and with others. We went umbral and my plan and both his and my prowlness killed the spider monster. * he nods* I am first a garou. A Get of Fenris, Warrior of Gaia... my... * he gently runs a hand though his hair* My ... mind... the goblins.. are secondary.
(james)
this is about when the Gnawer looks down
breifly studying the bottled in his hands
I will make that decision after Erik makes his.
he tries to keep his voice flat across Eagle's feathers
but it doesn't exactly work
probably more emotion got through than he wanteddeep umber gaze clicks back up
watching the Skald
does he buy all this sudden respect?
not really.
but his focus drops again
he can't help the soft ache at hearing(imogen)
Her shoulders shrug, "Get me an address. I'll print you and destroy the prints that are there. Then we won't have to worry about it." Quiet, without a flicker of disapproval or approval, as she watches the amber fluid slosh in the dark brown bottle. She is not, apparently, in the mood, or perhaps in the place to criticize Dire for his actions.(dire)
I would rather clean um my own. * he nods* I dind't touch much there. I'll get some of that foul smelling stuff... bleach. Put it on a cloth and wipe down everything I could have possiably touched. I'd rather not my human prints be on file. * he srugs* Just in case.
Thank you for the offer though Imogen. * he nods* Very kind of you.
*He eats some more pizza feeling rather like he's being grilled by Philodox for some reason. he shits a bit on the couch and a finger comes up to rub at the get tattoo over his left brow*(rune)
Rune makes a faint, irritated gesture with her free hand, which ends as she drags long fingers through her inky locks. Fine strands of dark hair shift and sway beneath the attention, but settle back as they were as soon as her hand falls to her side again."Imogen's telling you that she wouldn't keep your damn prints, Dire," Rune responds, eyes narrowing faintly in further irritation. "She said that, precisely, she would use them to make sure you prints don't get on file. It's doubtful that you can remember everything you touched when you were in there, since memory doesn't work like that. It pulls little driblets of experience that we remember, and leaves the half-noticed automatic things to the proverbial dustbin of fucking proverbial fucking history."
Another pause, and a short one this time, with a brief, streaking glance toward James - all right - before her eyes drift back to Dire. "What if you're there when the landlord comes back? What if bleach all over everything is more inexplicable than a few lost fingerprints?"
(imogen)
A faint exhalation of breath through her nose that might have been a snort as he thanks her, dismissing the politeness."If somebody's actually doing some investigation, bleach is going to be another sign someone's hiding something. You're just going to draw more attention to it all." She says, supplementing what Rune has just said.
(dire)
I am garou. I can smell people. *he nods* My sences are more acute due to my reliance on them in the wild more than some.
* he takes another slice of pizza.*
If the land lord comes in I'll simply hide or go back umbral.
*he srugs*
I would not put Imogen at risk for an apperent mistake I caused. If The bleach causes questions.
*he srugs*
that they have no answers to, what's the problem?
*He doesn't point out the redundancy of "Proverbial dustbin of fucking proverbial fucking history". He's not looking for an arguement*Honestly.
* he srugs*
if teh prints are gone, the bleach might be concidered simple cleaning a damn near empty house before moving in or out.
*He frowns now. Yes Imogen said she wouldn't keep the damn prints but pardon him for being a touch mistrustful of humans. What have they ever done for him other than annowy and hurt and bitch and moan and the like. What if she chose to get mad at him and dislike him They could be used as a weapon.*
Again we're back to the lack of reason to call for an investigation. The woman was already on the run form something. Why would they look for me when there is clearly something she was already running from? If I clean up the fingerprints, why would it matter that they are cleaned up.Even if I'm stupid and can't remember what I touched with my fingers.
* he smiles a littls softly*
We born not of human birth are a bit more conscience of such things, not to mention I can shift to lupus. and check the house for my scent on things. The lupine nose is millions of times more sensitive than homid eyes, THEN go though and clean up. There shouldn't be any missed.Even if there ARE, and they get my prints, I'm not on file to match a face to.
They would have to capture me. Restrain me in a fashion I cannot escape. and then get me to a station to photo and print me.
Only then could they match my human prints to some they may or may not have collected eariler.
I dare say the weakest Shadow lord pup could easily escape mortal capture by mundane means. ANd if pressed, leave no witnesses.With out concreate prints gathered from me with direct * he waves a hand gently* Proof? Accountability?
My princts would simply be those of an unknown.
*he nods to Imogen.* then looks to Rune* How would the two of you handel it if you were to.. * he gestres to the door* Walk to your cars in the morning and a little 4 year old kinfolk girl walked up to you. You found her home and her dead mother?
Now, remember. She's kin. We can't just throw her away because she might be garou when she grows up..... what would you do? * He leans forward. STILL his tone is low and nice.* I do not mock. I would honestly like to know so that if the situation repeats itself I'll have your added wisdom and will be able to avoid this interrigation based on a number of possiabilitys that may or may not happen in the future.(james)
he stays quiet
damn. quiet.
yep, drink that beer, James.and the empty bottle is set on the table
he's up off the lazy boy
moving towards the fridge to grab another(rune)
"If you're interested in my added wisdom, Dire, you would do well not to discount it when I give you advice on how to help clean up the situation so that it's all nice and quiet and easy." Rune replies, dark eyes flickering away from him to some point on the wall above the dull flat gray of the lifeless plasma television screen. "And all that bleach, of course, would do wonders for your fucking lupus of sense of smell. And of course, the neighbors looking in the fucking windows and seeing a fucking wolf in the house?"Charming. You're not willing to put Imogen at risk to fix a problem she can easily fix, but you're willing to put the whole fucking Garou nation at risk because you wanna get into a showdown with the cops, or whatever." Rune continues, deliberately conflating the scenarios and his words. "That's just lovely, Dire. Really lovely. You know what? Why don't you stick to whatever it is that the countryfolk do, and leave the city work to the fucking urrah, who know how to handle themselves among and around people? And, Imogen might be kin, but she's a fucking expert in her field and knows a helluva lot more about what will trigger an investigation and who will be concerned than a goddamned Get of Fenris Metis who didn't even fucking know what pot was, for god's sake."
(Imogen)
She drains the last of her beer placing the empty bottle on the table beside James's, as Dire speaks.Eyes jerk toward him as he mentions keeping her 'out of danger' and a smirk that is more than a little mirthless pulls at her lips, as she shakes her head, just a slight movement that causes the dark red curls of her hair to ripple.
Rune speaks, and she is quiet now, either having given up on the possibility of explaining things to Dire, and stepping aside for the more verbose Glass Walker to do her thing.
(James)
hearing the empty thunk on the table
when he pulls out of the fridge there are two bottles
both cracked open
the caps tossed into the trashone finds it's way over to Imogen
the other stays in his hand as he returns to lean a hip againt the end of the breakfast counter
he will stand beside his packmate
even if he's not saying anything
out of respect for his Beta's words
and out of respect for Dire, tooand also for the fact if he opened his mouth right now
the full moon would be guiding the Ahroun's tongue
and they're supposed to be 'good' - right?
so he shouldn't let his blood and temper get the best of him - right?
Hoods are supposed to give chances to learn and improve - right?
(rune)
"You're being fucking idiotic, Dire, with your fucking stubbornness. You know what? I would not fucking fault you for whatever mistakes you made in there. I've left prints behind in investigations or fights, without a fucking second thought. The problem isn't making little errors like that," her hands spread wide, and her beer bottle narrowly misses collision with James' head before she pulls her arms back close to her body and takes a long drink of her beer, and runs her hand through her hair once more. It's a physical tic, some mannerism that crops up when she's thinking, or when she's irritated: shift through the strands of dyed black hair, allow them to fall back against her pale cheek, fine and dark. "It can't be a fucking Get thing, since Erik and Decker are perfectly fucking willing to let Imogen do her job."As for it being a Dire thing, it's not your best quality. It doesn't matter if people aren't supposed to look in windows. They do sometimes. Fucking hell. You understand that this is a choice between giving a fucking honorable and responsible kinfolk your goddamned fingerprints so that she can make sure they're destroyed, and some ridiculous stunt with shifting and darkness and bleach and fucking, whatever, wandering around in some strange home certain that you have everything covered, that you don't fucking need anyone else to help you out. And you don't even know that goddamned bleach would destroy the fingerprints. How fucking hard is it for you to suck it up and accept some goddamned help, anyway?"
Throughout the long speech, it seems that she barely takes a breath. She just... sits there, legs swinging, dark eyes flat on the wall, slim hands clenching at her sides, red nails digging into white skin.
(dire)
*He listens to her. watches her flailing. Seems to mull it over and looks to Imogen. She wasn't his mate. She wasn't his tribe. He knew very little of her actually.
He seems to ponder.
They can see the wheels turning in his head. Not slow grinding ones but high pitched fast ones.
She was Deckers Mate. He trusted Decker. Decker trusted her.
Dire slowly nods*
Ok.(imogen)
As James offers her the beer, the kinfolk takes it, giving him a glance and a minute lift of her lips that is meant for thanks. The conversation between Dire and Rune washes over her, silent for much the same reasons as James, though perhaps if Rune was incorrect, or her opinion was sought she would have spoken up.Dire stares at her, and after a moment, the red hair woman stares back, dark blue eyes meeting his eyes evenly, because she knows no other way. She is (un)lucky enough to be easy on the eyes with her fine delicate features, augmented by the burn of her blood that promises strength and leadership, a candeflame in the darkness of a dying world. A vague sense of hope, because blood lines such as her's still exist. For now.
And she waits him out, as his wheels turn, nodding faintly, a tilt of her head as he agrees to it, finally raising the bottle of beer to her lips. "I'll need the address. I'll go out early in the morning."
(james)
during this little speech
he?
is recovering from ducking out of the way of that bottlewhere's Eliza's gift, now?
he can feel his packmate's Rage swelling
and in turn, it's tugging his with it
there's a careful consideration of the Skald
wondering how wise he is being
provoking the one that actually has a say in whether or not he gets into the pack(rune)
Well now...Rune forgets her wall-staring strategy and openly stares at Dire for at least three and a half seconds, before allowing her dark gave to snap back to the wall. Something like a frustrated sigh whistles through flaring nostrils as Rune - at last - releases the bottle in an attempt to get a grip on her rage.
The Get's admission now is a Phyrrhic victory in that it removes the cause of her growing Rage without doing anything to deflate it. It would've, perhaps, been easier or at least more viscerally satisfying to following the rising-tide swell of her irritation until it bloomed into full, ugly, terrible anger.
"Good choice, Dire." Rune says in a tight voice that betrays neither contempt nor praise, but speaks volumes about the slow bubbling stew of temper within her long, lean frame. "I'm gonna go have a fucking cigarette."
And so she twists around and jumps off the breakfast bar into the kitchen, landing with a resounding thump before padding back toward the back balcony, pausing only to grab her cigarettes and lighter on her way out the door.
(dire)
*he nods* I always bow to the greater knowledge if my betters. Even if I'm hard headed. * he looks down showing proper submission. Even if in the back of his mind he doesn't like it* Thank you for your wisdom Rhya.(dire)
*he notices the narrowd eyed look from Imogen and he raises the platinum blond brows. The get tattoo over his left brow squinched a touch when he does. Seeming to wonder "What?"*(james)
there's a bit of a nod
he's sure the Get didn't like bowing down
but it sure saved a blowup, didn't it?
as the Gnawer begins to move
his hands slide across the counter to grab the Beemer's keys"We have to go pick something up soon.... thanks for dinner, Dire... lock up on your way out, hm? Night Imogen."
as the Gnawer passes the door, he grabs Rune's coat
surely, in the discussion, she must have forgotten it, right?
the call of nicoteine to sooth tempers, and allhe holds the coat out, as he passes her
only a bare glance
then boots are crunching in the snow in a path towards the Z3(imogen)
"Greater knowledge of your betters?" she echoes as she raises the bottle to her lips, taking a swallow before starting to stand as James makes his exit, following Rune. "I'm going home." Turning her head to glance at James, and his farewell. "G'night."(dire)
*He nods and smiles softly.* Yes Yuff. Your welcome.
*He nods to her* The greater knowledge that my betters possess. It's an understood. That those with rank are better than those under. * he srugs* I'm not a glasswalker. She is. She is also Fostern. I'm Claith. It's natural for me to submit to her knowledge.(rune)
It's been only a few minutes since she stalked out, but Rune is already half-way finished with her first cigarette. As James walks by, she grabs her coat automatically, then blinks, watching him as he continues down the stairs and heads toward the Beemer. It's only when he's actually turning right to head toward the parking space (rather than left to head out and down the sidewalk) that she recovers some more of her temper-scattered wits and straightens and follows him.Her clogs (out of fashion at the end of last summer, but useful in that they are easy to slip into and protect her bare feet from the cold concrete when she heads outside to smoke) clatter dully as she descends, the sound muted by the fine layer of snow that has accumulated in the last hour. By the time she reaches the Beemer, she has shrugged her way into her coat and holds out her hands for the keys.
Abruptly, she withdraws her hand and shoves it back into her coat pocket as she puts out the cigarette, which hisses in the snow.
Can you drive? I'd be a little too aggressive. Wouldn't want to risk it on the icy roads.
(imogen)
She holds the beer bottle in one hand as she begins to button up her coat, an eyebrow lifting slightly at Dire, "I'm just shocked it took you a half an hour before doing what was 'natural.'" She says, after discarding a few other choice comments.Instead of walking immediately toward the door, she picks up the assorted three beer bottles from the table, and grabs the other one by the counter, and walking to the sink. Placing her half full one on the side, she rinses out the rest, and places them, hopefully, somewhere where there are other beer bottles. That failing, they go beside the fridge. Her beer is picked up again, assumedly because she intends to take it with her.
(dire)
*He stands and rotates hs shoulder and rubs his forarms. THe hair there was growing back and was itchy*
Natural doesn't always equate to easy or liked. * he smiles softly* Above all things I'm Get and I have my own mind. I submitt to my betters, when they deserve it. *he nods* When they make sence. If my superior tells me to shoot myself in the head, well.. * he srugs* Ain't gonna happen.
I had to work though it in my own mind. I don't... THink like you all do. My thought proicesses are just as capable. They are just different. The way we process information is different. * He nods and opens the door. Locking it and holding it open for Imogen*(james)
there's a glance across the sculpted convertible top
chin dropping in a slow nod
Get in.
he never intended on handing the keys over to her anyway
the car started to idle and warm
it takes a moment to adjust the seat to his height
(James? don't forget the mirrors)
it takes a moment to figure out the right button to get the wipers to dust the snow awayfew silent minutes pass
and the Gnawer (driving a BEEMER!) carefully backs out
the heat turned up to blasting furnace
navigating his way onto the now empty night streets
right now? the drive is aimless
a corner turned here, another there
winding through the sleeping city(imogen)
"Why thank you for that look into the Garou psyche," muttered softly as she shoves her feet into her boots, and steps out into winter, picking her way across the icy balcony and begins down the stairs.It felt odd doing that, instead of taking the hop across the distance, but with the ice, and the snow, and not wanting to break her neck... she took the long way.
(dire)
Your welcome Imogen. * the sarcasim either missed or ignored. His words were ment in truth. He's used to people being asine all the god damned time but wonders if it gets tiring after awhile to be insenstantly bitchy with out a break. Even he's nice to carmen. Sheesh.He closes the door and makes sure it's locked. Noddinghe clomps down the steps after her* Have a nice night Imogen. * he waves and heads for his Jetta*
(imogen)
He heads toward his jetta, and she heads toward her condo, glancing over her shoulder as he passes on his farewell, "night," she says, more out of habit than anything else as she climbs the steps to her own home. Keys jangle as she slides her key into the lock, unlocking the deadbolt, before fitting a key into the knob and turning it, pushing open the door with her hip, with the beer bottle in her other hand. The door shuts behind her with a click of the lock.(dire)
Posted by james at December 21, 2002 12:00 AM
*He departs back twords the barrens*
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