January 07, 2003.01.07.03. - know a good one? [decker-dire-aurora-erik-jonathan][north jersey]
(james)
it's.... just one of those days
not quite like a freight train
maybe a half-way respectable car crash
or something
whatever it isit's got his shoulders stiff as steel beneath the trench
it's got that easy walk a little more assertive
it's got dreads flipflopping down his back with each step
it's got his Rage coasting along before him like a streetsweeperjust walkin' along
minding his own business
really(aurora st james)
"Things were not so hospitable in the South and I made a promise to someone to go."Asshole. Oh there's a lot of aggression there. Be smart and hold that back, be a good kin? Hell no! Another hard look and she offers that taunting smile once more.
"If you'll excuse me, Jonathan. I've better company to keep."
No, self preservation means squat. She's definitely not happy, turning to go with Dire.
(frank)
Muscle contractions rack the midsection of the man, crumpling his once spread-eagle form inward and upward, like a blackened matchstick. The bum's yawning pupils pulled tight, pulled into focus. The sky shrunk back down to actual size, and Frank was suddenly aware of just where he was.The only reminder of the previous tremors registered as little more than the lingering static of tiny claws scratching, numberless and patient.
(jonathan)
~He nods~ Indeed I'm sure you do...~He looks to Dire and nods a moment~ Still, we are family.....and family doens't abandon one another....I'll be around, if you need me....~He doens't wait for a response, or anything, he returns to his seat, reading~(decker)
And then there were two.Out of some little sidestreet, out of some little alley comes comes another. A packmate, dropping into easy stride beside the first. There's no word of greeting, and there don't need to be no word of greeting. Hands in the back pockets of his oversized denims, cuffs scuffing the pavement, the Modi moves along beside the Gnawer.
Bad mood?
Don't say a thing. Don't need to say a thing.(michele tarrant)
Writing something down in the notebook, she looks up thoughtfully and chews on her pencil.(eleanor chambers)
The salt stained yellow taxi slices out of traffic and pulls up to the gum stained curve. The back door opens before it has even finished coming to its abrupt halt, a young woman spilling out with a marked haste. She scarcely has time to pluck a few handful of bills and toss them into the back seat before she slams shut the door. Stumbling a few steps back, she rescues her blobbish blue canvas rough sack from the broken concrete and shoulders it while turning to get moving. Well worn, well loved hiking boots are biten by broken glass and gravel. The young woman, black swathed in her dark wool overcoat, wears a thoughtful expression as she marks and murmers the names of establishments along the roadside.(dire)
*he turns to walk out with the gal on the crutches. Sniffs the air and turns. Seeing frick and frack appraching he nods. They probly felt that earthquake a half hour ago and were out patrolling their turf. Could be intresting to watch them handel the coggie.*(tristan)
Another day, another dollar. A room secured for tonight, at least, it's time to play for his supper once more. Backpack left in said room, finds him in jeans, sweater and warm overcoat, a knit cap trying to contain corkscrew curls that escape over brow and fall into his eyes reguardless.
In his hand, of course, the violin case - something he never leaves behind, anywhere, anytime.
A likely streetcrner found where tehre is some foot traffic, and he falls into easy crouch, opening the case on the ground, and takes off the full gloves, replacing them with the fingerless variety before he lovingly picks up the violin and bow.
He stands, and after a moment, and a quick check of tuning, strong chin is situated on the rest, lifted, and hair under the cap shoved back a bit, chin takes the rest once more and the bow is drawn across the strings.
Soft, and low, it begins, then swells and soon the song is weaving it way on the winds of winter from talented fingers.(james)
there's a glance
those eyes rich and dark as Gaia's pure earth slide over towards the Modi
that's when earth and sky meet - storm grey sky
maybe his chin lifts up in a nod
or maybe that's just the swing of his gaitUnexplainably
though with the sudden apparence of pack
shoulders relax a little beneath patchwork quilt that counts for a jacket
and maybe the pace changes
it doesn't slow, by any means
stride simply devouring the sidewalk
but it changes, just enough
just enough to know
(pack is good)
but whatever it is, the two walk on in silence(michele)
Just as her eyes catch on Decker and her eyebrows go up, she hears a violin being put to music. She perks up, and starts looking around, like a meercat, trying to find the source of the music.(aurora)
It was a lot colder here, that was for sure. But the cold is welcome, snapping at that heat in her, that makes her want to scream sometimes. Dire probably wondered about that, might have made the leap as to what Tribe she could nominally claim as blood, if she ever would. Outside a deep breath, steadying, and a sigh."Sorry Dire. Long story."
(dire)
*He nods* No prob. Wanna watch something funny?(aurora)
"I could use a good laugh right about now."He at least didn't grate her nerves raw.
(tristan)
As he plays, long lashes (girlylashes) slide lower, and he sways with the music he plays. Classical for now, with all the intricasies of the most difficult pieces flowing with ease from talented fingertips. as he moves with the music, toe tapping in time he is not completely ignorant of what goes on around him... of what he feels around him. Nods to those who stop, smiles at those who drop coinage into the case, and a wink for a pretty girl.
And still the music plays on.(dire)
*he nods* hang tight.*He waits till Decker and James near and he raises his chin in a greeting. Then nods to Decker. Apperently seeing them hoth as equals and Decker as his better* Decker, James. * he nods* Felt the tremor? * He waits a moment and looks though the window of O'Tollys* Got a coggie inside acting all big in your turf. Was gonna give you a call. But here ya are.
(frank)
Wake up. It says, with precidented singularity. A sudden, needful clarity. Frank eyes slid toward the light at the end of the tunnel--err, alleway and strained to adjust. He rolled from tailbone to feet on a crooked axis and listened hard.Diesel. The scent and sound of a city-owned truck rumbled at the far end of the alley, and the smeared echoes of exhaust pipe faded in their own turn.
(michele)
She jumps off her car and walks toward the music, glancing at Dire, Decker, James and Aurora as she passes them, recognizing the tattoo on Dire's brow. But there's too many of them. She smiles lsightly and continues on toward Tristan, to join the group of listeners.(eleanor)
Smokers mits protect her hands from the worst of the winter's cold, whose fingers pluck and hold a small scrap of paper. A small bit of writing, a scribble of blue ink scores the small leaflet and her eyes pass over unrecognizeable shapes trying to decipher the code written by a hand at three in AM. Turning it upside down does not help.An exhale of sharp breath, a mist trickles past her lips. She frowns, though thoughtfully and with only a small edge of frustration yet and absently adjusts the thick, blue cotton tuque that tucks her dark brown hair about her face. Her asian shaped eyes read the street numbers and names and yet still nothing seems familiar. Damnit. There's always the chance to ask for directions, she surmizes, finding herself admist the constant flow of occasional passersby and all of the chaos they create.
(aurora)
Just listens, almost smiling. The way Dire acted, thse could only be. . . yeah, obviously can't seem to avoid them. But Jonathan or Dire? Easy choice for her right now. Standing some, getting her crutches all arranged under her, she wondered what they would do. If it had been Les Mis things would be bloody at least.(dire)
*he smiles to the passing Michele. It's been a good 24 hours for him so far.*(decker)
It's his city shoes today, the skecher knock-offs. Scuffed and worn already, and only a month old at most. He's got a car but gasoline is expensive, and anyway Rune bought the damn car. Decker likes to think of himself as self-sufficient. A loner in a pack. Something like that.Eh? - a prompt for more information, as they cover ground: James and his tireless stride; Decker and his thug's sway. Their eyes move over their surrounding, one scoping the left, the other the right.
Perfect. Unplanned. Synchrony.
Packmates.It's probably unfortunate for Dire that Decker's got good ears. Real. Fuckin'. Good ears. A blondish eyebrow goes up. Gunmetal grey eyes bear down on the Skald, and then swing in to glance through the window. A grunt.
A growl, almost, as those eyes flick back to Dire. "'N this is funny ...how?"
You can take a girl like Aurora out of the South, but you can't take the South out of a boy like Decker. Mobile, Alabama is stamped deep into his words: a low contemptuous lazy slur.
(dire)
*he srugs* Sweatin' a kin. * he nods to Aurora* She's gonna help us look into that shit in the barrens. That guy bothers her fer some reason. * he srugs* Never seen him before m'self.
*He nods and looks to James* How you been man?(tristan)
Play on, play on, play on. The music shifts, slightly after a few moments to a slightly faster pace, just warming up though it is still calming - perhaps it sooths the savage beasts - of which there seems to be many, prickling feeling up his spine as rage thickens... down the way we have the Soft Core Porn King, with another girl - wonder if he used the same line on her? And further, the stalking skulking angry one with someone else. Their walk watched, disected, noticed, before he glances again to his listeners.
Michelles approch seen, he offers her a wink, and simply continues playing.(james)
maybe what was said to him the other day got to him
and it settled and seeded and grew over the past hours
finally blooming into a fairly nasty (especially for the mellow Gnawer) mood
maybe the trembler triggered it
they always said when the earth moves it makes animals uneasy
and maybe it got to the animal in him just beggin' to get out
he doesn't answer the mental query for more
now's not the time"Dire."
flat
but at least without hostility towards the Skald
finally pulling up to a stop then glancing just where it's indicated
that's about when the violin's sweet solo symphany reaches his ears
and oddly, that, too, seems to bring a change in his demeanor
music and the savage beast, and all
or maybe it's just appreciation for another street performer
but regardless, it's back to O'Tolley's his attention goes
not his call, but the Modi doesn't even need to be told what he thinks of it
that grin crawling over his features, well, not exactly the normal warm one"Just.... peachy."
(Michele)
Her body wants to dance to the violin music, but she can't. So used to heavy beats of techno, she's lost the grace of classical. But she still enjoys the music, just because it's music, and that is good.(aurora)
She preferred anonymous, really she did. Wanted nothing to do with Jonathan. Would rather be far from here. She'd even take samples, just for somewhere else to be. Face looking from Decker to James wary but not hostile. Just tired and sick. . leave her alone.(ra'gon)
Bundled against the extreme. His thickest blue jacket shielding him from the worse of the cold city breeze. His short dirty brown hair wisps in the wind, his nose red and chapped. Hands gloved in woolen mits. Scarf blowing against his neck threating to slip away into the wind. He steps besides the shorter chilled Eleanor. Sniffling once then twice before his teeth chatter. "Excuse me" His tongue rang in an off contienant way. "Im looking for....23rd Street? Can you point me the way?"(eleanor)
A chord of violin music lingers upon the air; just a hint, a thought, a memory stirred between the drone of cars and complaints. The merest thought of familiarity, that quiet hopefuly tangeant of some direction disappears as Eleanor is approached. At five foot one (the one grace of the soles of her boots), the small young woman glances back and to the left and finds herself staring at a lost Arctic Expedition. A delicate brow lifts as her eyes give him a brief glance over. She adjusts her roughsack before answering, her red tipped nose wrinkling. "No, I am sorry," she answers, forgetting to keep her pronounced Native accent in check. "I am a little lost myself right now," she says, peering again at her little scrap of illegible paper.(decker)
The Modi tips his chin up a notch. Dire's the taller of the two by a good two inches or three, but Decker had a way of looking down his nose at everyone and everything. It's the thug life. It's the trailertrash life. Playing the facade is half the game.A few moments tick by, and the silent grey stare goes on and on.
Finally: "Thanks fer the tip."
(sigh of relief--?)
"But quit tryin' to play me like yer attack dog. You got," glance at Aurora, "girl problems with him, you take care o' it yerself. Understand?"Another look for Aurora, longer, scrutinizing. Finally, "Sup." Then he glances at his packmate. Check it out?
(tristan)
Eyes settle on Michele for a moment, and sees the sway and the enjoyment, and perhaps even the wish to dance. but the music remains the same for now, the softer strains of purity that speaks of years of training - odd to find him here on a street corner, with lovingly cared for instrement and worn clothing.(erik)
Following senses that never err, a disheveled young man walks casually down the street. His eyes sway back and forth, taking in his surroundings with fevered intensity, and warding away the sheep the same. From blocks away the crowd can be seen to part around him...(frank)
There were a number of things wrong from his perspective--from the bottom to the top. The facts were each pricking at his brain, spread out with the time and inaccuracy of a drive-by-shooting. Things like......music. Frostbite. Anger primordial. The even clop of high heeled shoes. Smell of french fry grease...
But solutions were rare in Frank's line work, falling far behind the progress of antagonism and its ilk. Things like escape routes and lead pipes were always more appealing than pinpointing the linchpin source of what was going down in Northern Jersey.
(dire)
Ain't tryin to play you. Just thought it'd be intrestin' This is your turf and all. I ain't got problems with the guy at all.(james)
there's a slight lift of brows
his head tilting in thought
Would depend on how he's sweatin' the kin
he's still deceptively quiet
next comes a glance back down the street
the crowd parting like a living, breathing, bloody red sea
if nothing else, ever, James is attuned to his pack
.... incoming.(aurora)
"And whatever misguided thought you have, I am no one's girl."Heat, with those hard eyes. Contrasts contrasts. Quickly flowing back to just cold and wary though. Meeting his eyes as he looks to her. No fear in her, no instinct to fear garou. What hurt her? Whats new?
(ra'gon)
"Shit" He manages through another chatter and expulsion of fridged breath. "I have a map" Continuing with, while revealing with a tug of his hand from his bulky jacket pocket one of those cheap gas station illamination maps. "Maybe we can aid each other." Chuckles as he offers her the map he possessed. "You know what street we are on perhaps?" His eyes sqwinting around to steal a quick glance "I thought I was on...." Halting as his eyes focus on a nearby sign "I am so lost"(decker)
Steel grey irises around black pupils: barrels of a gun swinging back to Dire. A beat."Uh huh, whatever."
And then there were three: Erik, swimming through the parting crowd (lions through zebraflesh). Decker half-turns to watch the Alpha approach, and his mind reaches to James.
Ask 'er. Best you, not me. Obvious reasons. Decker's barbwire rage frightened and irritated by turns, but never soothed.
(dire)
*he srugs. Falls silent. His eyes looking around. Seeing the other approach a blond brow raises. He watches. *(erik)
Once he comes close enough to see the face behind his long, oily, black hair, a face that would make his mother blanch, if she was still alive. This guy's ugly. No, not ugly, but oogly. Damn. Twisted nose, broken several times, two scars marring his face. One of them, long and thin, begins on his forhead and runs down past his mouth, drawing it into a permanent sneer, and down further still, dissapearing underneath the shirt. The other, short and very thick, runs parallel to it, down the other side of his face. Whatever made it also took a piece of his cheekbone. What an ugly fuck. All that is made worse by his bright, too bright eyes. And he makes his way right for Decker and James, and whoever that is they're talking to.(james)
...fair enough"Okay Dire, details."
(jonathan)
~After paying his bill, Jonathan emerges on the street, out of O'Tolleys. He is dressed in black jeans, a forest green sweater, and his doc martins complete the outfit. He is still reading his New England Journal of medicine, as he adjusts the green book bag over his shoulder. He scratches the back of his head as he reads~(tristan)
And then... there were more.
The seas are parting up the way and there's a lift of a brow, seems the cousins were all congragating near tonight - and in quite the tizzy. The tension winds another knot at the base of his spine, but he just transfers that to the bow and strings. sweet sounds shift and weave and twist and quicken, fingers moving with syncronicity and limberness of daily practice over many years.(aurora)
He emerges and she stiffens. Not hard when one leg is already fairly stiff and injured. Does not look at him. No, she was not going there, not now. Her stomach hurt again dammit. Only orange juice in there and pills. . she could use that inside instead of revisting it.(eleanor)
Ra'gon's approach doesn't appear to be invited. It's very pronounced, her stepping away as he offers the map. Automation places a smile upon her lips, polite and dishonest. "No, thank you," says she, shoulders up in defense despite efforts to keep it from showing. The young woman turns her dark eyes down and away from the man, finding some solace in pretending to discover her direction. "I am going to be late. Best of luck!" she adds, her tone just a little too friendly to be anything but a dismissive lie.(michele)
Quarters are getting closer as more people stand to listen to Tristan. She allows them to stand close enough to brush shoulders, avoids eye contact with them. She keeps one eye on the group of large men, and another on the group of people she's in.(dire)
Best I can piece together The kin warned them of imminate danger to a sept. They didn't fuckin' listen to her and the sept fell. She's here now. And that dude is too. They didn't want her help when the shit hit the fan and she could have and they lost. Ths dude just showed up and wanted to wax poetic about old times and shit. Needless ta say she ain't too keen on that. * He srugs. That was the short and sweet of it* She's a ecologist and stuff. I asked and she agreed to help us to look into the shit in the Barrens so the same thing don't happen here.After getting treated like shit before. I thought that mighty nice of her
(ra'gon)
Recapturing her hastely retreating form with an expression of 'huh?'. Shakes his head with a chuckle and peers down once again to his map to resume those moments of bewilderment.(decker)
Erik made James and Decker look like prettyboys. Not that they were anything like pretty. Look at those hard high cheekbones, those solid jaws. Not to mention the heavy knuckles, perfect for smashing someone's jaw back to their brain. Soft little prettyboys, they were not.Mind touches mind. Erik gets all the details he needs, and an additional addendum after Decker hears the tale: Ain't soundin' worth our asskickin' time to me.
(ra'gon)
Recapturing her hastely retreating form with an expression of 'huh?'. Shakes his head with a chuckle and peers down once again to his map to resume those moments of bewilderment.(tristan)
Picked a hella time to come back north, didn't he? it's cold as fuck and hands are kept warm only by constant movement and the pure love of the music. However, even hear, quaters rain and people give and stand in the cold to listen to one lone man with a talent that surpasses his circumstances.
By choice - but they don't know that, do they?
Music swells to crecendo, and then the last note is held high and sweet for a long (everlasting) moment... before bow comes from strings and he takes a bow and grins at those around and at the smattering of applause. "thank you, thank you.."
Well worn boots kick a stray quarter that fell short of the case toward it with a smile, as he stretches hise neck, and fingers a moment before hair that has escaped is tucked back under knit cap, and he turns to Michele.. "Any request?" question for them all - but eyes rest on her....(erik)
Thirty feet... twenty... ten... and he is there, taking a position between Decker and James with a nod to both and no greeting to anyone else, though he does have something to say... "Well, Dire, sounds like she's all yours then."Yeah, we got better things to do.
(james)
he listens, taking all this in
there's a bit of a nod that takes dreads on a journey over shoulders
(he should really get them cut again)
dark eyes sweeping over to watch the kin
then Jonathan slipping onto the street"Mighty nice indeed." there's a bit of a shrug, next "Sounds like he's more just inconsiderate, and wouldn't it be an asshole of me to stick my nose in history where it doesn't belong. Most I could do is question why he's here and hasn't paid his respects to the guy that runs the ship." that would be the guy walking up on them, how convenient. "And I'm sure you're able to pass the message along, too, Dire."
yea, you want in this pack
bust your ass, Get boy
see if you can do good enough(dire)
Those were my thoughts too. 'Swhy I was exiting with her instead of sayin' anything myself. I was gonna look yall up to do that. And here you are. Lucky me.(michele)
She had been about to turn away, getting bored with the crowd, though not the music. But a question, directed at her. That causes her to pause, brush the blonde hair that creeps out from under her ski-hat from her face and meet the musician's eyes. Her brown eyes aren't normal, but it's hard to pinpoint what it is. Maybe just that they look hungry."I really don't know any songs you could play on that."
(joanathan)
~Jonathan puts the magazine away, and begins to ruffle in his book bag a moment, before securing it and heading off towards the direction fo the group, his eyes looking about the area~(decker)
Erik steps into the fray and Decker, no longer the ranking member of the ruling pack in the area with all them fuckin' responsibilities, shuts his mouth up again. Didn't like to talk much, Decker. Didn't do it unless he had to. He takes a step back from the little huddle, angry grey eyes scoping out the street once more, picking out the people out in the parking lots of the strip malls and the mass-produced pseudo-rich boutiques.North Jersey's an urban sprawl, planned and cultivated to the hilt. And right smack in the middle of it is Decker, born in the Alabama backwater trailer parks, livin' the street thug life these here days.
Fishes a joint out of his pocket. Happy meds or some such shit. Cups his hands over the tip, lights that fucker on up while he listens in.
(aurora)
Did not want a confrontation. God, thats all things ever ended up being with garou. She just wanted to get better, sit under the radar. And because the confrontation would Jonathan would not be pretty. Dire didn't know that story. . few did. She, Billy, and Jeff had kept that secret."Look, I don't want a big thing. I just wanted to go."
(michele)
She pauses, an evil little smirk on her face."Or maybe I do... But you might not... Do you know filk song called... Lycanthropy?"
(dire)
*He Nods to Erik. Srugs. Like he said. Personally he didn't have a prolem with the guy. Technically he wasn't pack yet. It was their territory. If they didn't care that was their biz.He nods to Aurora* It's cool. Lets go.
* He Nods Respectfully to Erik, Then decker. Gies James a wave and taps Aurora's bag aginst his leg and turns to go the way they were going
(james)
Alabama backwater
Albany slums
... and... wherever the hell Erik was from
weren't they just the tag team from hell
hooo lordy
they fit right in
Rune's probably the only one of them that looks like she belongs here
but she ain't here with them right now, is she
and from somewhere, he pulls an easy smile for Aurora"Doesn't look like it's going to be a big thing."
...yet.
here comes the devil himself, it seems"But thanks for the heads-up."
(tristan)
A laugh, low and rich, and he tips the bow at her.. "you, m'lady, would be surprised what I can wring out of this thing. You learn a little bit of everything when you travel as much as I do. You looked ike you needed something with a bigger beat, hm?"
A nod, a wink, and bow is drawn across strins agian.. Something warm, from down south, with just that added touch of down home do-se-doh that gives it a livelyness thats hard not to at least tap your foot along with.
A pause... and a grin as she speaks again... and that gets actual laughter.
"You know what - way down kentucky way, I happened across a guy who tought me that. Small world, and all..."
And with a wink, he starts to play a folksy tune that is oh so very fitting for the surroundings. Is it what she requested? or was simply the knowledge he knows what she sought.. either way, play on, play on, play on.(decker)
Decker's right in the middle of a jumbosized hit. A swallowed cough before his normally low southern tones come out a bit strained-like - "Later Dire."Then he holds the joint out to James and Erik. Not that Erik looked like the time to suck down a bong. To the Alpha, "He brought me by a bottle o' Johnny Walker Blue Label last night. Still got a quarter left in my truck. Y' want it?"
And on the deeper level of communication - Want me to go talk to Mr. Coggie, 'r want our PR man to go?
PR man would be James.
(dire)
* A nod to Decker. Clear he still wasn't being let in yet and he didn't wanna piss um off. Aurora wanted to go. No need getting into a thing and mayby fuckng up his chances so he walks with her*
to James: *He gives James a nod to his words to. Just didn't seem to fit in there ... * scraches head))(erik)
Slums. Yes, dispite the Alpha's familiarity with and comfort in the woods, he could never belong anywhere else than a slum. Born and raised deep in wyrm country... Inner City Detroit...Sniffs the air.
Turns his head slowly, dire and woman forgotten, to stare at Decker.
He sniffs again. Twice.
His silence stretches... Is the Modi about to get a lecture? 'Garou shouldn't do marijuana'? type thing?
Is he about to rant on and on about the poisons of the wyrm, both physical and metaphysical?
Uhh, no... "Damn, man, don't you bogart that shit from -me-"
(michele)
She grins and sings along with the folksy tune, the words depicting the humorous trials and tribulations of being the lover of a werewolf.(joanathan)
~He looks over to Michele and Tristan, and odd tune, none the less, and shakes his head a moment before continuing on towards where Erik, Decker, and James are gathered~(michele)
"Lycanthropy. My love suffers from lycanthropy. It's a rare disease. You can wake up with fleas when you lay down with a werewolf."(tristan)
She starts to sing, and he follows along, making sure he doesn't overplay her voice - which is very nice. emotion wrung from well loved violin with ease and devilish glee... perhaps they listen, perhaps they don't, perhaps only he and Michele, in their shared amusement get the joke.(aurota)
A nod for James. He'd smiled, she wasn't feeling up for that. But at least a nod. He was alive. A glance at the others. Erik was downright noteworthy. Then back to Dire, moving slowly. Its winter. She's on crutches. Not a fast walker at the moment."Thanks."
(dire)
*He nods to her as they walk. Him going slow for her. His predatory grace seeming somehow riened* No problem.(decker)
A smirk curls across the Modi's cruel mouth. The stretch of his arm shifts a notch, holding the joint out closer to Erik than James."This's Rune's shit," tacked on like some sort of quality stamp - which it was. "Y' want the fuckin' Blue 'r not?" 'Cause if he didn't, Decker was gonna get Imogen drunk as a fish and about as w...
...heh.
(michele)
"Lycanthropy, has made a bloody wreck of me. Pass my tablets please. Fur always makes me sneeze. That's what I get for living with a werewolf."(ra'gon)
The bundled bewildered and bemused stumbles away sorting through the mass confused. Arriving on another street, another corner, finding neither solace or comfort his eyes roam again to the left and to the right. There spotting Decker afar. His upper lips curls into a snarl. Stepping back and ducking his head low into the colar confines of his jacket he crosses the street away from the Fenrir's avenue of traffic.(james)
okay, that sounds familiar
and the tune catches his attention once more
a glance afforded the violinist and his accompanyist
but it's breif
bewteen the importance of pack
and the pull of dope
.... well.you can bet he's not passing up his turn
but Erik, always, gets first (r.h.i.p.)
he's staying silent until told to be otherwise
PR man... right.(aurora)
"Thats not why Jonathan and I don't see eye to eye Dire. iTs a bit more complex."Quiet, talking under her breath to him at her side as they walk. Her SUV isn't that far.
(dire)
*he nods and his brows rise* He try and claim you or somethin'? * He walks with her. His voice low too.*(tristan)
Dark eyes positively twinkle with the amusment deep within as he continues to play the perfect counter to her voice, his gaze flicking over the crowd, over to the motley crew down the way, and the glance seen, chuckle born rich once more as he returns his gaze to Michele.(michelle)
The song continues one more verse. something about looking cute in his BVDs and having to pay 15 bucks for a license.(eriK)
He takes the doob and inhales like a million others would. No special ragabash toke magic or anything, then passes it on to James."Yeah. Let the Kid do it, and keep the whiskey Deck. It's cool"
In the act of passing a doobie, he notices Jonathan approaching and shoots him the fanatic stare that always, always sends the sheep the other way.
(jonathan)
~Jonathan notices Erik, and meets his stare full on, not stopping to turn back, but continues towards them~(tristan)
He brings the song to a rolicking finish and lets the last note (s'what I get for living with a werewolllllllfffffff) hang for a long moment, before bow is pulled from strings and he nods with that boyish grin.. "Very nice - you've got a great voice. Doesn't she folks?" Glanced around as more coinage rains, and he kicks those that miss closer to the case.
A nod from her to the case - it's part her's now, share and share alike, she can take what she wants or needs.(aurora)
"Christ no!"That idea somehow so patently absurd to her she could almost laugh. Almost.
"No, I hated his mate, and he blames me for his lost child."
(dire)
Ahh.... Did ya do it? * no condemnation in his voice. Just curiosity*(james)
well, that takes care of that, doesn't it
he takes the joint, and his hit
and doesn't do anything to fuck up the rotation
sliding it on to Decker
sliding that gaze back to Jonathan
and somewhere, somehow, sliding a grin back onto his face
real easy grin, comfortable, all that"Evenin'."
let's hear it for Cyrano.
michele)
Smiling, she shakes her head."Got my own income."
(aurora)
"Kill a child? Do you think I'm sick?!"The secret. No one would likely have believed her, least of all Jonathan. He loved Eleanor. Billy had believed, as had Jeff.
"Eleanor shifted during a battle, to protect me and herself. She was posing as kin. She's not. She posed as my Tribe. I couldn't forgive it."
(tristan)
He tips his head, a nod of thanks and appreciation. Brow creeps upwards as he retucks that shock of curl back under his cap. "any more requests?"(decker)
Decker grunts, not much apparent glee at keeping his whiskey. Just takes the joint back, takes his hit, passes it on. Kinda freakish to stare at James holding a conversation, especially when Erik was doing just that, so he turns his attention the other way. Make sure nothing was creeping up or something. Musicians on the fuckin street. What the fuck was this, Greenwich Village?Some time later, he looks at Erik again. "You hear 'bout the shit in Batsto?"
(dire)
*He winces and nods* Heavy shit.
What tribe was she? * he sniffs the air as he walks and shakes his head*(michele)
"Nope, I'm good."Glancing over at the small crowd of 'thugs,' she nods in that direction.
"You might wanna move your station though. There could be a fight. And even if there's not, those guys'll scare away customers."
(aurora)
"Hell if I knew. Wasn't wolf, or if it was it was nothing I've ever heard of. She was adopted into Jonathan's tribe when they joined. But Billy wouldn't let me near her, because he was afraid she blamed me."A tragedy of errors, thats what her life was.
(dire)
*he nods* THat's a shame. We got a little fucker out in the barrens. Looks something like a coyote.(tristan)
He chuckles and shrugs, playing low and soft while they talk, just to keep that coinage rolling in " could be, could be.. but they scare away the customers and I'll just follow them of like a good little stalker - er, I mean entertainer." Chuckles, winks, and shrugs. He doesn't seem overly worried about them. A thugs a thug no matter where you go - and as long as they don't touch the violin, he's cool.(erik)
"Yup. Seen some shit was goin on out there..." continues the rotation as he watches Jonathan approach(aurora)
"But there's a very definite line between him and I about that. I'm at fault, in their eyes. Frankly, I just want nothing to do with it. I'm done. I said I'd try and figure out if something scientific is going on in the Barrens, becuase I would hate to see another bunhc of people hurt, but I'm not doing it for them anymore."That fierceness back. She may at least be nominally comfortable with Dire. He and she had similar humor at least, but she was not the Garou's pawn on the chessboard anymore.
(michele)
Glancing back at the crowd of thugs, she frowns."Hey, what is posh doctor-boy doing going over there? Must not be as smart as he looks."
She gives Tristan a wry smile.
(decker)
"James 'n Rune been askin' questions 'roundabout those parts." When the joint comes back to him, he ashes it. Half a joint split two or three ways don't last too long, and don't get him too high. Probably a good thing. "Dire too. They's the ones to ask 'bout it." A sniff: loud, long, before he turns to the side and spits. Another hit, and he passes the last of the joint on with a faint nod up - Finish it off."Think it's serious?"
(dire)
Well indipentantly it's a nice action. Mayby it'll get you a few turns on the karma wheel. * he grins a little as he walks and she swings along beside him*(aurora)
"Long before I knew about any of you, I was still very much into my work. I may not like that fact that I get to help everyone by doing it, but it'd be dumb to throw out that much work."Besides, maybe someone would listen this time.
(tristan)
Brow lifts and her comment draws his gaze thataway once more... catogorizing the doctorboy, who clearly isn't one of the thugs, and he chuckles. "maybe he's just the reserve medic..." or out of his mind, either way. Course, don't see Tristan running off scared either, do you? Nope, just a playing his song. Nod of thanks to a gentleman who parts with a fiver, and a smile for the little girl at his side who insisted...(erik)
He shrugs, declining the joint. "Blinded a kin, right? "(jonathan)
~Jonathan looks to James, and smiles~ Hullo....~He nods to Erik and Decker~(ra'gon)
Both mitted hands shoved tightly into the thick of his bulky blue jacket pockets he approach's the street vendor who seem to be breaking for the moment before their next trist and escapade.(dire)
That's the spirit. Fuck um if they can't take a joke... or the truth. * he smiles*(james)
"How long ya been in town?"right direct question for a stranger, isn't it?
and since he doesn't seem to be getting that sorta friendly with the good ol' doc
... well.
that may not be good.
but we're counting on that easy smile still being there, right?(jonathan)
~He tilts his head as if to think a moment~ Oh, not too long, I'd say less than a week.....(michelle)
Lapsing into a comfortable silence, she shoves her hands in her pockets (the better to not be tempted to steal anything), and leans against the wall, staring at the group of men by O'Tolley's.(erik)
Erik falls silent as Jonathan comes close enough to hear... Pack business and all that... So he turns his discomfitting attention to the newcommer. Staring right at his eyes. Into them, down, down and through. as if he sees everything that Jonathan is and couldn't care less...The stare of an Alpha
(erik)
"Yeah, something like that."Hazel eyes can't help but flicker back. Nice little gathering of wolves back there. Glad she wasn't in it. Made her hurt just thinking about it.
(aurora)
"Yeah, something like that."Hazel eyes can't help but flicker back. Nice little gathering of wolves back there. Glad she wasn't in it. Made her hurt just thinking about it.
(dire)
*He chuckels softly. Walks in silence a few steps and looks to her* We have a destination in mind or is this just a leasurly stroll?(tris)
He nods, and the music fades away once more. A smile, and he crouches to pick up the loose change and get it actually into the case and then its all gathered, rough count on how much without seeming to actually pay that much atention, and its tucked into coat pocket as he packs away the violin and bow, wiping down the first with a soft cloth before the case is closed nd he stands, picking it up. A smile for Michele. "Well, that's lunch money. Maybe I'll catcha again round dinner time." A boyish wink, and he turns, and heads off toward some diner.(aka - gotta run, back later. Thanks!)
(james)
he's all smiles, isn't he
this guy with the dreadlocks and patchwork coat
(can you read the glyphs so carefully hidden within?
can you feel that full blood rage just roiling beneath the surface?)
standing there next to Mr. Thug and Mr. Oogly
... with that stare, make it Mr. Intimidating
the Gnawer just as pleasent as he could be"Mmhmm." a nod, thoughtful at that "Not to be too incredibly forward, but my friends and I were sort of curious as to why... general interest and all that."
(aurora)
"I don't know. I was heading for my vehicle when you spoke earlier. Its just up the way."No idea. Not really the sort to invite mostly strange men back to her motel room.
(jonathan)
~He looks to Erk, and his hard stare, and then to Decker. Curious, and curiouser~ Indeed, I was looking for someone, and someone I've found, and that I thought my help could be used....if people cared to have another about.....(michele)
Nodding goodbye to Tristan, she glances at her watch. With a happy wave toward the group of thugs, for anyone who might actually notice, she turns and wanders down the street in the other direction.(dire)
*He nods and walks with her. That as good a place as any.* GOt a phone number I might be able to reach you at?(ra'gon)
Steps aside for Michele to pass unhindered he only offers a polite smile and swish of acknowledgement.(decker)
Decker finishes the joint off himself. No complaints there. When the cherry's all burnt out, the Modi drops the joint on the pavement and crushes it out underfoot.Like the Alpha, he keeps quiet. Somethin' like that. Some shit about some guy that some Garou bound into the earth ages 'n ages ago wakin' up again, too. A shrug of his own. Might be you oughta talk to James 'n Rune.
And the third set of eyes come to stop on Jonathan: grey as a thunderstorm. To James' friendliness, and to Erik's hard stare, Decker's is almost a careless thing, half-lazy.
(michele)
She shoots a bright smile at Ra'gon, and says "Morning!" even though it's clearly afternoon.(aurora)
"Yeah, I'll be there a few days at least. Its a motel. I'll jot it down when we get to my car."Phones could be safe. More private then addresses.
(ra'gon)
"Evening" He replies after her. "Perhaps I will catch your next show."(james)
"Yeh, heard about that."there's a bit of a chuckle
either that little bit of weed kicked in
or just having pack around has mellowed his mood back to resembling normal
brow lifting at Jonathan"And you are...?"
(dire)
*He nods and they walk soon getting to the SUV and he pauses. Watches her get in. Tilts his head. Letting her do it herself and then hands her the bag*(erik)
Erik's stare is much like Luna herself... If you think about it. Cold, hard, yet lit brilliantly. It is his eyes that tell the most about the Garou known as Blood Eagle... Fanatic to the core.
(michele)
"Maybe. You never know." She continues down the street, and disappears into a storefront.(aurora)
She takes her bag, slips a notebook from her backseat and a pen from the glovey and jots down the number. Neat legible penmanship, short message. Some metal kits sitting on the seat behind her. Field cases."There you go Dire. and thanks"
(ra'gon)
"Indeed" He mumbles from behind his placed smile as his eyes leave her and fall upon the group up aways from him. He settles himself back to lean against the wall.(jonathan)
~He pauses~ We doing formal introductions?(dire)
*he takes it and nods* No problem.
And if The coggie sweats you let me know. We don't need that shit round here. * he nods and turns to head back the way he came. The fluid graceful stroll of the predator returning as he goes. THe tall lanky SKald covered ground when he wants to*(aurora)
A nod, she closes her door, the vehicle starts. Automatics nice. Her left leg could just relax. Sitting there a few minutes while it warms and she settles her things over in the passenger seat. Watching Dire move swiftly away. Eventually, when this god forsaken leg healed, she could not move like she was 80. Finally pulling out into the street and driving off.(james)
hands come out of his pockets, now
waving absently to punctuate his speech"Well, always nice to know who's traipsing through your turf, yknow?"
subtle James, real subtle
but that's about when he takes his eyes off Jonathan
and glances over at his Alpha
that is so not his call right now
he was just supposed to talk to the guy
how official this gets on the street isn't his decision(erik)
Raises an eyebrow, but lets James continue to do the talking, and even moves his stare to point at the passers by. He (purposely doesn't see james look at him) continues to scan the crowd, effectively warning away the sheep from the gathering of wolves.(Jonathan)
~He nods~ I'm Jonathan....~He lowers his voice so that only the three can hear him~ I'm a Child of Gaia Theurge.....do alot of healing...(dire)
*Dire strolls back up. Keeps his tongue for once. Impressive for a Skald. Nods to those present and just stands beside decker. Hands pull out of the pockets of the too large leather coat. Dark gloves there now. He listens. Watches*(ra'gon)
Brows furrow from afar. Counting now silently, one..two..three Fenrir...and...well perhaps four with the fella he only briefly encountered that night they were all hovering over the carnage of the Builder's encampment. This fifth must be another. Another Urrah living GET. *growls*(dire)
*He sniffs the air and turns. Keen ears hearing a growl. Keyed to such sounds. The eyes, colored like that of a glaciers heart ice land on Ra'gon and a platinu blond brow rises. The one under the get of Fenris tattoo*(james)
"Jukebox. BeeGee fan of the Full Moon."he gives as much as he was given
no more, no less
(it shalt be three)
and that smile's still hanging around
as brilliant as is the fanatacism in his Alpha's eyes"These two," hooking a thumb over his shoulder, decidedly not at Dire "are my 'mates, and I think you've already met Dire." and if they want their names given they can to it themselves "Not like we're questioning your motives, or anything, but with all that's been going on, a new unintroduced face in our space, well... what are your motives?"
at least it wasn't "our territory, don't fuck up, grunt"
he's being rather nice and jovial
considering the earlier mood(erik)
Raises his head in a reverse nod, half challenge, half hello. "Erik."(jonathan)
~He nods~ I understand completely, as I said, I came looking for someone,a nd found them, now, well, I guess I'm looking to stay...and join up as it were.....(decker)
"Decker," the thug tosses in, a little belatedly. "Modi." His eyes follow the cant of Dire's across the street, fix briefly on Ra'gon. Recognition after a moment's thought: he's seen him in the Barrens twice.The stare's held, grey eyes under a half-frown. Hell's he lookin' at?
(ra'gon)
He mearly returns his own arching of a brow in response to Dire's gaze.(erik)
Focuses on Jonathan now, seemlessly taking over the conversation. "then you'd probably wanna look up Gabe, out in the Barrens."(dire)
*He frowns a bit and sniffs again*(jonthan)
~He nods~ Alright....who is he?(james)
and did he mention his pack makes Shakespear look tongue tied?
No? Good.
he seems to be done with whatever he was going to say just as Erik begins
seamless, synchronized, and they don't even look like they've practiced it
because they haven't
some things come naturalthat's when he tracks where his other packmate is looking
okay, some kid staring back
that really isn't that unusual today(erik)
"Fianna. Adren. Galliard. He'll help ya out, get ya set up... Where'd you say you was from?"(jonathan)
~He nods taking in teh information~ I've come from Birmingham......(ra'gon)
Crosses his mitted hands and bulky arms over his thick blue jacket covered chest and leans further into the wall while watching them all.(decker)
Another Garou. Fenris bless totemphones. The Modi shoots Erik a glance, pops his neck loosely. Gonna see the fuck he wants.The thug detaches himself from the crowd and heads toward Ra'gon.
(ra'gon)
His glance steals away from the troupe and crystalizes upon Decker. Eyes narrowing hard like that of an awaiting viper.(erik)
Erik doesn't acknowledge Decker's departutre in any way. Which means, of course, that he has no problem with it. His conversation with Jonathan just keeps on keepin on... "B-ham, huh? What's in b-ham?"(jonathan)
Was a large wyld caern outside of it......(dire)
*he Breaks off and goes with Decker. Not that he "Needed" Backup. More of just a habitual thing*(james)
okay, James?
is still just standing there
hands have found their way back into his pockets
breath steaming in the chilled air
listening, learning, all that jazz(decker)
Yeah. That? Just made Decker decide he doesn't like Ra'gon. Not that he really liked anyone, 'cept maybe pack and mate. And sometimes even that was debatable."Fuck you starin' at?" - as soon as he's close enough not to need to raise his voice. And when it's not raised, that voice is low, quiet, southern, slow. And contemptuous. Just like the storm-grey eyes.
(erik)
"Huh." Now that interests him. Not too many of those around anymore. Still, it beggs another question... "None of them here. So, then, you still sure you wanna hang about?"(jonathan)
~He nods~ Of course....just because there isn't one, doesn't mean tehre can't be one....and my services are much needed where I go.....(ra'gon)
Though his eyes never steal away from Decker, they do tale the tell of Dire's movements to shadow him."Allow me to blink then as to settle your ease, for the only reason I look to you is cause you approached me."
(dire)
*he remains silent for the moment. He'd heard the growl before they looked over. It's what caused him to look.*(decker)
The (young - something that's easily forgotten in the face of his Rage - ) Modi's eyes narrow in turn, glinting grey behind unexpectedly long lashes. "You been lookin' at us fer a while now," flatly. "You need somethin'?"(ra'gon)
"I thank you for your kind offer of assistance, but I must decline as I need none at this time" Curting his head only slightly to the side to peer past him and Dire, his eyes finding Jonathan, Erik and James this time.(erik)
"riiiight. healer, and all that..." Now he turns his attention over to Decker and the Strider, and Dire trying to look pack, with a raised eyebrow shot to James. The conversation continues with Jonathan still... "Well, the city is pretty much ours. Eagle Pack. No one minds you in it (yet), but if your planning a hunt you oughta let us in (or else). Clear?"(jonathan)
~He nods~ I will remember that.....I don't suppose there is alot of packs around?(dire)
*He moves a bit off to the right. Pauses. Watches. Listens. Sniffs.
His eyes casting about once before falling on the man again*(Eirk)
"Nope. Us and Coyote Howl. Guess us 'urrah' the only ones who remember those pack things and what they're for. Hey Kid, what's that all about? Deck just flexin, or is there buisness bein dealt?"(Decker)
"Yeah?" A long measuring stare. Decker had a good guess what Ra'gon was, what with his delivery for the Fianna and all. "Whatever." Here it comes. A nod over his shoulder at Erik. "See tall dark 'n ugly there? My 'boss'. North Jersey's our turf. So don't fuck around 'n enjoy yer fuckin' stay."Hell, look at that. He even grunts before turning to go, unless Ra'gon had something else to say.
(james)
he's been half paying attention to Erik
and half on his other packmate
it's a talent he seems to have
muscular shoulders roll in a shrug"Flexing, so far...."
(jonathan)
~He nods~ I don't suppose you need a theurge in your ranks?(erik)
Looks back over his shoulder at Jonathan, thinking he was done talking... "Actually, yes. Know a good one?"(jonathan)
~he stands a little taller~ Well, I've been first in a fight, not afraid to take a tumble, know my stuff without gifts for medifine, I'm your man....(ra'gon)
Say? No, nothing else slipped through his lips. He wasn't here for their amusement nor they his. Kindly inclining his head slightly abit he returns his gaze back upon the group and its dynamics.(dire)
*He sniffs Rag again. Remembers him from the Forest.
Paces around him once and then heads back for the others with Decker.
He was the little one that was either a nuwisha or some fucked up metis worse than him*(erik)
"Jonathan, right? Jonathan, you know what the single most important thing to look for in a packmate is?"(james)
this?
he pays right close attention to
so it's... maybe.... 1/4 and 3/4 now
or something like that(jonathan)
~He tilts his head~ I could think of a few things, but I'm sure its different for people...(erik)
"No. Its the same for everybody, 'cept of course some too stupid to figure it... Its trust, Jonathan. Trust. Earn that first, then we'll talk."(jonathan)
~He nods~ Alright....so then find the Gabe in the woods?(james)
there's a bit of a grin there, at that
glancing back towards Decker and Dire
friggen ping pong attention match(ra'gon)
His ear twitches abit after hearing that. Message? Delievery? He still silently leans and listens(eriK)
"Well, ya don't -have- to, but he's the elder 'round here. I'd show ya to him, but I think I got somethin to do over there." He nods towards Decker across the street. "You commin, Kid?"(decker)
Decker takes his time coming back to the crowd. When he gets there, he barely glances at them, and doesn't slow; his attention is caught on something or other down the street. A glance, a word, a stare, a glare: a man, a woman, a word...a fight? Something to check out. Something to look into. Maybe something to keep himself sharp over. Or whatever excuse it was he was using these days to pick a brawl.Those grey eyes drag away for a moment, flicker between James and Erik. Quietly, just a mutter beneath Erik's conversation, "Leavin'."
For Jonathan, just another look. For Dire, a hint of a nod up. Then the Modi brushes past, off to chase down whatever caught his unkind attention.
(dire)
*A reply nod up and he pauses beside James. Stays quiet for the moment. Sniffs the air and looks around*(james)
from a ping pong attention match
it's turned into a game of musical chairs
they're heading over towards Decker and Dire
and the others are heading back
somebody. make. the music. stop.he was gonna follow
but since they came up to them
...well.
he has his chair, allright.(erik)
He watches Decker walk away slently, shrugs at who knows what and gives everyone a community nod before he also takes his leave, walking away in the oposite direction that the Modi took.(james)
first there were four
now three
now two
and his gaze slipslides over towards Dire
and a hand digs into a pocket
(just how many of those pockets does that coat have?)
pulling out a little braceletjust some beads strung on elastic
real pretty and cute
child-sized
and he holds it out on his palm towards Dire"Meant to give this to Carmen the other day, in thanks for helping us out so much."
(ra'gon)
Eyes them depart from one another while taking out that elaminated street map and a greese pencil. Marking a spot on it he smiles coy to himself. Taking off right after the last has left.(dire)
*He looks down and takes it. Nods* Thank you yuf. I'll make sure she gets it. She's rather fond of you. Likes your hair. * he smiles*(james)
there's a soft laugh
at least she likes it, and doesn't want to cut it off like Mae
the bracelet isn't much
there might even be a bead or two that have fallen off
in the years since it was probably made
it's just Stuff
that probably doesn't mean much to anyone but a Gnawer
and maybe a little girl"You're welcome. She's a good kid, Dire. Seems you're doing right by her, raising her right. Keep it up." a hand reaches out, patting the Skald on the shoulder "You take good care of her, hm?"
that might even be a genuine smile afforded the Fenrir
but with that, the Gnawer makes his way off
he's got things to do, too(dire)
Posted by james at January 07, 2003 12:00 AM
*he nods* I will. And thanks James. * He nods and turns as the other walks off and he departs as well*
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