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Tai Khöller

It's a big responsibility, but the party doesn't have to end...

0 · 1,110 views · located in Connorsford

a character in “Marked 2”, as played by shmband

Description

My Name is: Tai Khöller

I am the: Alpha female

I am age: 37

My mate is: Adrian Khöller

In human form I look like: Image

As a wolf i look like: Pale grey

Personality: Tai was originally an outsider (Link to her profile from previous RP) who came into the pack when she was 14, and always had a life-loving, tomboyish edge to her. She's always loved the outdoors, skateboarding, acrobatics, sports and music. Naturally when Adrian became the alpha, she had to start taking things a little more seriously, but she's never felt the need to let go of her fun loving side. She still plays her guitar and gives after school music lessons at the community school.

How you feel about the pack: Considering I was originally an outsider, it's a sweet twist that I'm now at the centre of the pack. I don't consider it a matter of prestige, I just love the feeling of community we share, and while Adrian protects our welfare, I'm all about relationships. I want to help people integrate the best they possibly can, especially others who come in from the outside.

So begins...

Tai Khöller's Story

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Character Portrait: Tai Khöller Character Portrait: Adrian Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Adrian lay with his eyes open, having been away for about twenty minutes. It was still very early. It was the time of morning when his father, back in the day, would have been pottering about in the sub-level workshop which had always doubled up as a secure 'panic room'. But now that Cid Khöller was retired and living on the outskirts of the town, the workshop was no longer, and had become more of a glory-hole type store area. Every once in a while Adrian would go down there to make sure it was clear enough to serve as a safe-room if the occassion ever called for it, and it had been a while since he'd done that.

Tai was already in the en suite taking a shower. She liked to get started on the household jobs early to leave plenty of time for the other things she liked to do. In particular today she wanted to prepare some music for the group after school, dearly hoping that more people would turn up this time! There were quite a few of the kids who had a flare for music in various ways, but as with all teenagers the problem was often punctuality and motivation!

Rolling out of bed, Adrian put on some jogging pants and a baggy t-shirt - just to suffice for the first hour of the day or so - and ambled down the stairs. He avoided running into any of the others; he preferred to give them peace and space first thing in the morning. He remembered what it was like; as soon as the alpha was around the young people tended to assume that some sort of protocol had to be observed. Which was rediculous in a way. Sometimes Adrian felt like he hadn't grown up at all...and actually missed just chilling out in the morning. His mind wandered back to those days, and the people he'd spent time in the house with. In particular his thoughts turned to his old friend Lux...perhaps it was time he called in on her again. It had been a while and she had a habit of keeping to herself these days. Not healthy for a pack wolf.

Managing not to run into anyone, he took the short flight of steps opposite the kitchen down to a plain wooden door, and walked in.

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

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Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Adrian pulled up the black SUV around the side of the community school. Tai drummed her fingertips happily on the dashboard in front of the passenger seat and turned to smile at him.

"Thanks honey." she said, "You off to meet Duncan for patrol now?"

"Nah I thought I'd take a day off." Adrian smirked.

"How come?"

"D said Calvin had volunteered to walk the route with him, so I figure hey, why be a fifth wheel?"

"Hah, right any chance to skive off an play video games." Tai teased him, getting out of the car and flashing him a wink. She pulled her guitar case out of the back of the car and used her key to enter the school through one of the side doors, making her way to the presentation hall where the music group took place. There were already a couple of over eager students there - one girl of ten and one boy of seven, both too young to have moved up to the pack house yet and so still lived with their parents, and both not yet having recieved their wolves of course.

"Hey guys," she chirped, setting herself up on stage and getting out a few pieces of sheet music, handing them out to the others. The young boy sat himself at the piano nearby, and Tai sat on the edge of the stage gently playing a folky fingerstyle song on her acoustic guitar while she waited for others to arrive.

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra was lost to the world in art class. Her mind was off somewhere else as charcoal struck the paper in an elegant display, Beethoven softly playing from her iPod. It was her favorite, the ironic title of Moonlight Sonata. This song, although she had mastered in piano, flute, and violin, was something she could never grow tired of. It was encouragement for what she was, and what she would one day be. Nothing could stand in her way.

"Lyra, Lyra, Lyra is a giiirl. She doesn't even have her wolf yet."

Lyra flinched, her sudden movement snapping the tip of her charcoal pen at the laughter of children's voices. Male children. She looked down absently to her drawing. It was of two wolves running in the woods, the full moon appearing it chase them. A male and female pair. She could not identify who the characters were, but strangely enough they both seemed familiar to her. The male was grey with a white underside, the female piercing black. They felt as recognizable as the taunting children from her past, from when she was six or seven.

"So what?" the young Lyra demanded, her hands poking into her sides in protest to the classmates around her. "I can do anything you can. What does it matter if I'm a girl?"

"Girls are boring," the ringmaster sneered. "Let's go play with James, he's more fun. My daddy says that he'll be the next alpha, too. Says that I should get in good with him now so I can get a good spot in the pack."

Lyra's mouthed opened in protests. Although the boys were her age, the excitement of her older brother was much more tantalizing to their young minds. However, Lyra was still naive at this young age. The only rivalry held in her heart was the possibility of James being more exciting than herself to her peers. "James is busy. And who says he's gonna be alpha? It could be me. Adrian is my father too!" she pouted.

The ringleader paused, surprise in his face. The others simply laughed. "But Lyra, you're a girl."

"So?" she demanded again.

The boys surrounded her, laughing in her face. "Girls can't be alpha! That's just stupid. We need someone strong, wise, quick. James is alpha for sure. And already has his wolf, he's gonna be great! I can't wait until James takes this pack over. We're gonna have so much fun. And you're just gonna make a nice, pretty mate for someone, that's what Daddy says anyway. He says that you just need to be tamed a bit and to stop dressing like a boy. Then you'll be perfect. He says maybe you'll even be mine! But I don't think I want you as a mate now, you're really stupid if you think that you can ever, ever be alpha. Besides, I have my wolf already," the boy proclaimed proudly. Being the eldest of the group and the first to receive it, he had instantly popular. "I know these things. I'm a man now."

Lyra dropped, her eyes open in horror. In sudden rage, she pounce on the boy, fist flying into his soft underbelly. "Take that back!" she cried, eyes nearing tears. "I can do anything James can. I can do anything you can even without my stupid wolf! Take that back!"

The boys stood around wide-eyed as Lyra pounded on the boy, her temper fierce until she was dragged away from the scene by the boy's father. Fatigued, she gave into his arms, her body shaking from tender sobs. He stood her up and looked into her eyes, serious and cruel. "Lyra, just because you are the alpha's daughter doesn't mean you can act like this," he scolded her.

"It's not my fault!" she whimpered, tears marking her cheeks. "He said I won't ever be alpha. It's not fair. Just because I don't have my wolf yet--"

"You can't." Lyra froze at the father's words. Her tears died up as her small mouth formed into an O.
From that day on, a seed of ambition was planted into her heart. And no one ever saw her cry again . After all, an alpha must be strong. If that's what they wanted, that's what they would get. She would make sure of it.

The last bell for class rang, leaving Lyra alone in the room with her unfinished sketch. Quickly she snapped herself out of the daydream, her hand cramping from the strength of her grip on the pencil. She gathered her supplies and hurried out to get her things. That was in the past. That was the day her carefree view of life was shattered, bringing into the realization that, if she ever wanted the title of alpha, she needed to work for it. Unlike James, the offer would not be handed to her on a silver platter.

She smiled to the others when she arrived to the music room. The young girl and boy were always anxious to begin and here early, but Anya was a pleasant surprise. And then, there was Tai. Lyra had no ill feelings for her mother, but also knew that their relationship was not nearly as strong as other females towards their mothers. And, Lyra knew, this was her own fault. As a tomboy in childhood, Lyra had favored her father's attention. As she aged and began to crave both equally in adolescence, she could not help but feel overshadowed by James. Even they, her own parents, expected the title of alpha to fall into his lap. Never once had they questioned if she wanted the role. This caused a rift between herself and her parents as she wondered what else she could do to be the favored child just once in her lifetime. Maybe, if she could prove herself to be the victor of alpha, then they would show her the same love that they showed James. Even with these thoughts bouncing in her mind, Lyra settled besides Anya and smiled to both the women in the room as she unpacked her flute and began to clean it carefully seeing the piano occupied and not wanting to drag the violin out of the closet. "Hello, Anya. . . Mother," she said with a nod of acknowledgment. "Who else is coming today?" She riffled through the music selections and nodded in approval at the choices. "I like the songs for today. Anything that I can do for you, Mother?" she asked, fitting her flute together in satisfaction and turning her hazel gaze onto Tai.

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Given the poor attendance in recent weeks, Tai had partially gotten used to simply using these times to let her mind wander and just play a little music to nobody in particular, offering encouragement as the few others to turn up did the same. A small part of her seemed to have been 'counting on' that happening again today, just because she enjoyed the time.

Instead, she was quite delighted to see Anya and Lyra turn up punctually and keenly. The younger wolves also seemed to light up to see some of their older counterparts joining in. In provided them with a glowing example of community involvement, in addition to giving Tai the support of other already very accomplished musicians.

At that though she cast a deliberate smile towards Lyra. It was a shame, she thought, that Lyra's interest in music hadn't provided more of a common ground between her daughter and herself. Still, Tai understood the reasons for it...probably better that Lyra realised. The dynamics in an alpha unit never were quite the same as a regular wolf family.

"Happy to see you here sweetheart." she said, "I don't think there's anything needs doing. We'll just give it a couple more minutes and then we'll have a run through...oh, hello?"

The side door which led outside the building and had been left partially ajar for ventilation was darkened by a figure; a willowy dark haired girl, about seventeen or eighteen, who seemed to have intended only to discreetly pop her head around without drawing attention to herself. As soon as she realised she'd been noticed, the girl stepped in completely and folded her arms in front of herself, smiling weakly.

"Oh hey..." she said quietly, "sorry I just heard music, thought maybe this was something else. Are you guys a club or a band or something?"

Setting

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra looked to the girl cautiously for a moment, her hazel eyes analyzing her face and features. Slowly, Lyra settled her flute back into its case and slid off the stage lip. Her feet silently struck the floor as her bells offered no sound, slowly taking a few steps to approach the newcomer. A surprising revelation crossed Lyra's mind. She was unfamiliar. And from the look on Tai's face, she also had no prior knowledge of who this girl was. Lyra knew, at least facially, everyone in the town. If one was not well liked and popular, then the chances of being alpha were crushed. And, seeing that this girl was about her age and probably in school, this was even more surprising. Lyra was the class president. With James's sketchy attendance patterns and Lyra's perfect attendance, this was one obstacle she had no issue winning over her brother.

Without her wolf, Lyra knew nothing more about this girl. However, human or wolf, Lyra would treat her the same. Any type of ally was still and ally. She smiled towards the newcomer, her hazel eyes dancing with warmth. "Hello. We aren't really a band, more like a group of people that enjoy music for what it is. Inspiration, hope, and passion. Unfortunately for us, not as many people in this town see music the same way we do." She offered the girl a smile, turning back to her. "Were you looking for someone or something? Maybe I could help. Oh, I'm Lyra by the way, Lyra Khöller," she said, holding out her hand in greeting. "I don't think I caught your name," Lyra suggested to the girl.

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
"I'm Tabby." the girl replied in a genial but quiet voice. The quietness seemed to be born more out of a physical and mental wearingess than any sort of shyness, and she took a few steps further in, smiling around at everyone in the room. "Mind if I join you guys for a little while? I've pretty much got no place else to be right now."

Tai continued playing her guitar without even thinking, and noticed how Tabby's eyes periodically darted to the instrument. Simple body language that made it easy to figure out what it was the newcomer played.

Tabby quickly relaxed at Lyra's welcoming manner and continued to look around curiously. "I actually came to to town looking for Finchworth Productions Studio, but it's starting to look like it doesn't actually exist. All kind of a disaster really."

Talking about her reasons for coming to town seemed to make her feel slightly uneasy and guarded, but it was difficult for anyone to tell for sure. More than anything, it was obvious that the girl hadn't slept well.

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra nodded to Tabby and stepped aside to allow the girl a better entrance into the room. "Sure, come on in. Music is always better with more people. You can't produce a symphony with just one instrument," she said softly. Lyra watched Tabby carefully, noticing the pure exhaustion that seeped from the girl's features. Something that she had said confused Lyra. She offered Tabby a seat and wished that she had something for the girl to drink and perhaps eat. It looked as if she didn't have a decent place to rest in a few days.

"You said that you were looking for Finchworth Productions Studio? I'm afraid that you may have been misinformed; I've never heard of them before. What about you Mother, Anya?" she questioned, looking to the other females in the room. Her eyes lingered on Anya for a moment, her gaze shimmering with approval as she mouthed the word Thanks.. Although she did not feel that Tabby was a threat, Lyra was grateful that Anya had taken precautions to protect the young ones in the room. Then again, with the fatigue leaking off Tabby, it would be easy to overpower her in any condition. Lyra, for some reason, liked this girl however and decided that she hoped it did not come to that. "Are you travelling through town with someone?" Lyra asked cautiously, trying to find out more about their guest. "Where are you staying? And if it's a production studio. . . Maybe Kiyoshi would know something? He's interested in acting," she offered, with a glance towards her mother for approval. "Tabby, who sent you up here for the studio?"

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Anya watched with caution, listening to the exchanged words without joining in. The young girl seemed pretty genuine, but one could never be sure. She relaxed her position a little more, propped up by her elbow on the piano. Absent-mindedly she tapped the lowest key, the loud sound echoing through the Hall. Now that they'd determined that there was little threat from this one (and besides Anya was pretty sure that they could take her with the three of them) her mind wandered slightly to the night ahead. She estimated that she could appear at Calvin's game, wearing her red dress for time to change was slim and then head off to party for Ray. She already had the present tucked in her top drawer. But would she make it on time? She didn't want to waste the dress. It was pretty damn amazing and out of everyone she'd tried on, it had simply looked the best. And it wasn't often that she got to dress up.

Snapping back to attention as Lyra asked her and Tai a question, Anya gave a small shrug. "I've never heard the name before. Not around these parts anyway." Wow she sounded like a country chick. She made a note to check her language before she opened her mouth next time. Meeting Lyra's eye, she nodded in acknowledgement. Thanks wasn't necessary. She'd just reacted the way that she believed to be best. Besides, there was no threat now. This Tabby seemed in a pretty bad way. Like she hadn't eaten in days nor slept for a while. Anya kind of felt sorry for her. It was clear that she'd been having a rough time. Pushing off the piano, she skipped back over to the stage, snatching up her little bag. Inside was a cereal bar that she'd saved from lunch. Tossing it to Tabby, she gave a little smile, reaching up to push her hair from her eyes.

"It looks like you could use it more than me. Besides, I need to fit into my killer dress." She grinned, fingering through her sheet music.

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller Character Portrait: Lance Benjamin
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#, as written by shmband
Tabby caught the cereal bar and chuckled awkwardly, looking across at Anya with a weak smile.

"Wow...I didn't think it was that obvious." she said, "It's been a pretty tough couple of days."

She didn't show any sign of surprise when Lyra indicated she'd not heard of the studio. It was something she'd long since come to terms with...she and Lance had been sent on a wild goose chase. But for what possible reason?

"It's a confusing story," Tabby began, "I'm still not quite understanding it my-"

"For crap's sake, there you are!" a male voice came from the doorway this time, before eyeballing everyone else in the room and adding with a laboured chuckle, "Would it kill you to give me the heads up before you just wander off?"

The new person was a man in his mid thirties, who sauntered in towards Tabby quite brassly, with the barest hint of an apologetic wave to Tai who he identified as the authority figure in the room. He too quickly clocked the musical involvement.

"Oh what's this then?" he said.

"Not the studio, Lance." Tabby replied. "But they said I could join in. We don't have to be anywhere do we?"

"I suppose not." Lance mumbled.

Tai, keenly aware that Lyra's questions had not been answered, stood up gently and said, "Hi there, I'm Tai. Are you two having a bit of trouble."

Lance laughed the question off nervously. "Just a misunderstanding I think. I'm Tabby's uncle, we were supposed to meet a producer in town but...well, there's obviously been a mistake but we'll figure it out."

Tabby rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Mmm sure. Anyway, if it's alright with you I'm gonna run back to the car to get my guitar." She held up the cereal bar and smiled at Anya, "Thanks for this...you were right, I do need it. I'll be back in like ten minutes OK?"

She walked out the door, leaving Lance standing with his hands in his jacket pockets. The man sighed, nodded, and looked around at everyone one last time. "Well, I guess I don't need to stick around. When Tabby comes back tell her to find me in Rico's diner at about six OK?"

Without excusing himself, he too walked out.

Tai sat back down on the stage, looking deep in thought.

Setting

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra watched passively as Tabby and Lance walked out of the room. Her firm gaze lingered upon the doorway moments after they had left, checking that they would be out of ear reach. Satisfied that they were gone, she turned back to the other females in the room and pushed her hair aside from her face. "That was. . . Unexpected," she sighed at last. Lyra wrinkled her nose slightly, recalling Lance's stench. Even without her wolf, it was obvious to her delicate nose. And repulsive.

She returned to the stage and picked up her flute, fingering the delicate instrument carefully. "What do you two think about them? I don't see anything wrong besides the fact that Lance was lying about being her uncle. I just get that feeling, though. I could be wrong." She shrugged slightly and blew into her flute, something troubling her mind. At last, she groaned slightly and looked to Tai, knowing that this request was completely out of character and frowned upon.

"Mother. . . Can't we invite them over for the night? We still have two days before the moon and Tabby looked like she's about ready to pass out from exhaustion. There will be plenty of food for them at the party, and, let's face it. They both need a shower. Tabby can stay in my room, at least before we can send them on their way to this studio or whatever they are looking for."

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Tai turned to Lyra, the corner of her mouth turning up wryly.

"Well you're bang on the mark about that Lance fellow," she said, "he was lying about being her uncle. You know why? Because she is a wolf, and he isn't. And I'm presuming he doesn't know about her being one...at least I hope so."

She strummed her guitar thoughtfully, picking out a piece of music to begin with. They were already off to a slow start and there wasn't any sense in waiting until tabby got back before they actually started playing. But when Lyra posited her next question, Tai looked up chewing her lip uncertainly.

"Hmm...it would make sense to. There's something strange about their situation, and if it's brought them to our territory then there's probably merit in finding out a little bit more about it. OK...yes, sure. But I think you two should ask Tabby about it. Give her an invite. See how that Lance guy reacts. That alright with you Anya?"

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Anya West Character Portrait: Tai Khöller Character Portrait: Lance Benjamin
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Anya tensed the moment that Lance walked in the room. Suddenly she felt on edge. And when he opened his mouth, well she knew he was blatantly lying, which only made her more anxious for him to leave. Clenching her hands into fists, she dug her fingernails into her palm. What was wrong with her? He'd given no reason that would make him appear to be a threat. But all of a sudden, her instincts had kicked in. She wasn't going to like this guy and her head told her so. Wait, instincts? Since when had they told her anything? Normally she just went with the flow and accepted things as she came across them, adjusting them to her liking. Now, every pore and muscle told her to be cautious of this one. Who knew why, but it probably wasn't something she should ignore. He'd already lied about who he was and why he was linked to this girl, who knew what else he was hiding.

When Lyra and Tai began discussing it, Anya listened, but didn't open her mouth until Tai had finished speaking. "It isn't my place," She said softly, with a little shrug. "The girl seems fine, she's no threat. But...I don't like the guy. I don't trust him. I guess we'll just have to see what happens." Gathering her things together, she swung her bag over her shoulder, brushing strands of hair from her eyes. "Sorry Tai, but I have to go. I'm not feeling very well and I...I just need to get out of here." The instinct thing had really disturbed her and she wanted some time alone. Although music calmed her, it was never as good when there was a class of people surrounding her. So quickly, before they could protest or stop her, Anya dashed for the door. She slipped out and through the corridor of the school, before she pushed out into the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, she secured her bag around her shoulders. Pulling her ballet shoes off, she grasped then in her hand before taking off at a run, golden hair shimmering behind her...

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra looked to her mother in surprise before glancing back towards the door where Tabby had fled. The girl was a wolf? Lyra appeared to remain casual at this news, but internally she was snarling at herself for not being able to realize this for herself. Without her wolf, she was useless. And yet, was she ready to receive it already? Was he?

Her thoughts of self-loathing and anger were banished when Anya excused herself from the room. She needed to pull herself together. Whatever happened within the next few days would happen. For once, Lyra was going to let nature take its course rather than trying to manipulate everything for her own benefit. She smiled to Tai and nodded. "All right, I'll go ask Tabby if she would like to come over. I'll stay for a little bit longer, Mother, but I was going to go out with Calvin and Duncan for a patrol in a little bit. If it's okay with you."

She remained in the room a moment longer before heading out to find Tabby, which wasn't very difficult. Only a few feet away, Lyra flicked her wrist to alert the tired girl of her presence with the bells. The last thing she needed was for Tabby to be as nervous as Ares and strike her head on the car roof as she was leaning over. "Need a hand?" Lyra offered, approaching the car. "Your uncle is. . . Interesting," Lyra commented, a smile on her lips. "He said for you to meet him at Rico's Diner at six, but. . . " Lyra paused and shrugged softly, her hazel eyes looking up to the girl. She was searching for any trace that made Tabby different than any human girl, disappointed that this was an impossible task without her wolf. "There's a party going on tonight at my house, one of the town girls is turning sixteen. This town in pretty close-knitted, so it's a community event. You're welcomed to come and spend the night if you're tired of a bed on wheels," she said with a chuckle, glancing over to the sleeping equipment piled up in the car. "There will be plenty of food to go around, that's one thing that's never a shortage around here."

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Tabby looked at Lyra with genuine interest, and tilted her head at the exlanation about the house.

"That's so strange..." she mused, before hastily adding, "...not the town or the house I mean! It's just that it's kind of the same back in my town. There's a community where a load of teens live with this sort of patriarch and his wife. I don't know a lot about it, they keep to themselves mostly. My friend Becky is one of the girls who lives there, but even she doesn't say much. I suppose maybe most towns have something like it then..."

She beamed widely and entered the building through the door Lyra held open.

Tai waved at the two of them as they entered. The younger students were already running through the first piece of music on piano and ukulele respectively, Tai strumming her guitar.

"Looks like an electric?" Tai called down from the stage, "There's a small combo amp just up here on stage Tabby. Feel free to plug in."

Excitedly, Tabby obliged, opening the case and producing her guitar, climbing onto stage and plugging it into the amp. Nimbly her fingers ran up the fretboard playing an effortless arpeggio at remarkable speed. Tai smiled to herself.

"You're not a beginner then." she said wryly.

"My mom made me go to this talent camp every month," Tabby replied, blushing slightly, "so I've been learning and performing since...since as long ago as I can remember!"

"Interesting," Tai said, looking over at Lyra, "why don't we try something then. We'll do this song and I'll play the rhythm with Paul and Kim, and why don't you two girls alternate improvising around the melody. I know it's kinda jumping in at the deep end, but you think you can do it?"

Tabby nodded unassumingly, smiling over at Lyra also. "I'll do my best."

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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Lyra blinked in surprise as Tabby mentioned that her old town worked similarly to Connorsford. How could this girl be living so close to her true identity and still remain clueless? she thought to herself, although she remained silent on the matter.

I suppose maybe most towns have something like it then...

Yeah, all werewolf towns, she scoffed inside her mind, although Lyra did not dare to speak her thoughts. Although she hated to admit it, her parents would be better judges on how to handle the situation that Tabby found herself in. She was like a wolf that didn't know how to hunt. And if she did happen to stumble upon her mate, the change would be more than the normal shock to the young female. The first change was the worst, or at least as Lyra had been told, but at this rate, Tabby would be going into it blind. That wouldn't be good for anyone. At the mentioning of the talent camp, Lyra's ears perked up. A monthly festival? Somehow that sounded far to convenient to be a coincident. Lyra's glance to Tai confirmed that the she-wolf shared her opinion in the matter. Something was definitely up at that monthly camp. What confused Lyra, however, was why Tabby's family would hide what, no who she was from herself. No good could ever come from that.

Lyra nodded to her mother's request and remained standing to increase the breath that she could take into her lungs. "Strings against wind, this will be interesting," Lyra teased, blowing into her mouth peace to create a few quick trills. She nodded in satisfaction and looked to Tai. "I'm ready for you, Mother." As trio began to play, Lyra jumped right in, effortlessly creating her own string of notes to complement the tune provided. As it ended, and Lyra was red in the face from blowing, she laughed and sat down, looking at the group. "That was awesome. It's the best we've played in awhile! Although, Paul, don't be afraid to hold out the notes a bit longer. You were rushing in the end." Lyra winked to the boy and smiled leaning back in the chair. "Those camps really paid off, Tabby. You're amazing. So, what were they? Held every third weekend or something? Monthly seems like a weird schedule," she pondered aloud, curious as to if her assumption was correct. Full moons, although occurring roughly every 29.5 days, did not fall evenly into a pattern that a normal camp would be held on. "Are you trying to get into the music business? Is that why you are trying to find the studio?"

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
Tai nodded in affirmation of Lyra’s remarks. In her role as ‘den mother’ she’d long since learned that the younger pups responded better to hearing constructive criticism from someone closer to their age than from one of the “old’uns”.

“Good job everyone, that was beautiful.” She said, shuffling through her sheet music to select another piece, and glancing up at Tabby who was grinning from ear to ear. She’d ably played off Lyra’s melodies, playing in a legato style that imitated the sound of the flute to some degree.

The girl hopped of the stage onto the hall floor, the cable from her guitar trailing back to the amp. “Thanks,” she said, “you were awesome too. Back home it’s like everyone wants to play guitar, so that was refreshing. The trills and stuff gave it kinda an Eastern feel, you play much oriental type music?”

She checked the tuning of her guitar again, and evidently felt relaxed and involved enough not to notice any prying motive in Lyra’s question.

“Yeah kinda like that,” she replied, the chuckled, “not always at the weekend though. The guy who funds it, some of the other parents call him ‘Rabbi’ as a joke just because the date moves around a bit like Jewish holidays. Actually he’s the same guy who heads up that community...but for some reason most of the kids who live with him don’t actually go to the camp. The whole thing’s a little contrived actually; doesn’t always feel like half the kids really wanna be there. Sometimes you can spend like a day coordinating people just to play one song together. I like what you have going on here better.”

Tai passed out copies of the next song to be played. As she handed one to Lyra, she said in a low voice, “I know you need to get away, just one more song and then you can go catch up with Duncan OK?”

Tabby scanned the piece she was given, getting a feel for it in her head before they played. “Yeah I’d love to do music professionally. Lance runs the music side of the talent camp, and there was this guy passing through said he had a studio here in Connorsford and he wanted to give me some studio time for whatever reason. So yesterday we drove here looking for it but it turns out nobody’s heard of it. I don’t know what’s going on with that.”

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller Character Portrait: Calvin Roseblade
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Lyra blushed at Tabby's mentioning of her trills sounding oriental and glanced away timidly. "Yeah, one of my friends was born in Japan. The move here was rough on him, so I tried comforting him with some songs that may have sounded familiar to him." Lyra chuckled to herself pleasantly. Although she began drifting towards Kiyoshi's culture to comfort to silent boy she had first met him as, it had grown on her in the past few years. The attraction was strong enough that she almost preferred the use of chopsticks to that of western utensils.

Lyra nodded to Tai when she passed the papers out and sent a quick text to Calvin. I'm almost done here. Are we still on for patrol? After hitting send, Lyra was drawn back into Tabby's story with equal portions of confusion and interest.

“Yeah I’d love to do music professionally. Lance runs the music side of the talent camp, and there was this guy passing through said he had a studio here in Connorsford and he wanted to give me some studio time for whatever reason. So yesterday we drove here looking for it but it turns out nobody’s heard of it. I don’t know what’s going on with that.”

"Someone directed you here purposely?" Lyra fidgeted uneasily in her seat, biting her tongue incase there was another slip. Something about this did not sit right with her. It almost felt like someone had purposely sent Tabby to Connorsford. Out of all the towns in the area, the secret werewolf just happened to be sent into a werewolf pack? Lyra shook herself out, trying to dissuade her mind that it was all a big set up. Coincidences did exist. But still. . . It was so close to the full moon.

"That is odd. I just hope you haven't wasted too much time with this wild goose chase. I hope you are able to find what you are looking for at the end. It would be a shame if nothing came out of this." Lyra sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "Things tend to have a weird way of working out in the end, so keep your hopes up. 'Kay?" Lyra smiled and picked up her flute, blowing once as a practice to make sure her lungs were ready before kicking off into the new song.

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
“That’s sweet.” Tabby smiled at Lyra’s mention of a Japanese friend. “Again it makes this sound like a much friendlier place than back home.”

She quickly fretted a few chords checking she had the basic sequence of the song memorised, and nodded slowly as she listened. “Hopefully. It’s not like we came across the entire country or anything. Probably only have ourselves to blame really, taking this guy’s word at face value.”

The whole time Tai remained close by, listening to every word. Every now and then a knowing glance would pass between her and Lyra, as the two of them shared the apprehension that while it seemed far less likely that Tabby herself was anything to worry about, something was definitely suspicious about the whole situation. And whether it was to do with that Lance guy or this mysterious person who’d directed them to Connorsford, or something else entirely, was too vague. Helping out Tabby by putting her up for the night wasn’t a big deal, and beyond that all that mattered was to determine whether any of it should be of concern to the Khöller pack.

“Hey guys,” Tai ventured, “since that last song went so well, let’s try this next one with the key change at the end. It’s tricky but we might as well push ourselves, right?”

Without waiting for any objections, she began the song.

The setting changes from Connorsford to Town Centre

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller Character Portrait: Duncan Reidon Character Portrait: Calvin Roseblade Character Portrait: Sahvanna Ironclaw
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Lyra chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully as Tabby spoke, her mind dancing on what the underlying causes anyone could have for sending this poor girl here. Unfortunately, she came up empty handed. As Tai lurched into another tune, Lyra joined in quickly. At first her toe tapped in rhythm to the beat, but she found herself easily distracted by how late it was getting. She did not want to miss patrol with Calvin and Duncan. . . Nor did she wish to sacrifice any time to prepare herself for the party tonight. Unusually, Lyra was not a girl of fashion; a skirt and top were enough for her. For tonight, however, she had purchased a new dress. If she had already gone that far, she might as well go all the way. Although make-up was not her thing. Perhaps she could ask Jac for advice, or use this as an excuse to meet Dante, or. . . Lyra breathed out impatiently, not knowing what she was going to do. This entire event stressed her out enough, including the fact that she had no idea why this mattered to her so much.

As the last note was played, Lyra stood up slowly and collected her belonging. "That was awesome guys. I'm going to head out so I don't hold up Calvin and Duncan, okay Mother?" she asked, turning to Tai for a moment. Lyra glaced to Tabby and smiled, scribbling down her address and phone number and handing it to the girl. "Here's where I live and my cell phone number if you need anything. It was nice meeting you, Tabby. I hope to see you tonight!" Lyra said cheerfully. With a soft wave, she headed out the door to the front preparing to send Calvin another text but saw him nearby and tucked her cell safely away in her bag's pocket.

With a gentle jog she went over to the guys, blinking in surprise to see a female sitting near the door that she hadn't used. She hurried her pace to find Calvin and Duncan, not wanting to keep them waiting anymore. "Hey guys, I'm here. Did you happen to see the girl near the music room?" Lyra asked cautiously. Whereas Tabby seemed innocent at the beginning, something about Sahvanna settled uneasily with Lyra. Once again came the frustration of what race the newcomer was. "Is she a. . . " Lyra cleared her throat softly, not wanting to finish the sentence in case Sahvanna was human.

The setting changes from Town Centre to Connorsford

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Character Portrait: Lyra Khöller Character Portrait: Tabitha Davio Character Portrait: Tai Khöller
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#, as written by shmband
It was clear on her face that Tabby couldn’t have been more comfortable an at home than when making music with other talented instrumentalists, and when then song came to an end it was as though she took a few moments to come down from some ‘happy place’ and back into the room. She smiled at Lyra and took the written details.

“Awesome,” she said, “I’ll definitely try and head up there. I guess I’d better go and see what Lance is up to. I don’t know what he’ll prefer to do, I scarcely want to bring some old dude to the party if it will make it weird for the others there.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Tai interjected with a laugh, “it’s a community event, there’ll be people of all ages coming and going.”

“Oh right,” Tabby said, “well in that case I’ll see what he wants to do. But...thanks so much again for the invite. I’ll see you all later. Have a good time with your friends.”

She packed up her guitar, thanked Tai for letting her join in and made her way off to look for Lance. What was it Lyra had said...Rico’s? She grumbled to herself about what a disappointing situation this was. Or at least, would have been if she hadn’t had an offer of company and a place to stay for tonight. She’d thought she could trust Lance...well, it wasn’t as though Lance had lied to her. Seemed like he’d been mislead as much as she had. But it just made things so much more awkward that it had all been for nothing. But she couldn’t go home with her tail between her legs. She had to find out exactly what had gone wrong first...