Snippet #2027069

‘Meet at Alina’s workshop. Last minute briefing before we leave.’ The simple text blinked on the screen of June’s personal phone. In his efforts to separate his life as a student and a hunter, he owned two phones, and countless times, he had told Leanne to contact him only through the hunter number – apparently she realized that he would never get the message that way. Tch.

“She’s as eloquent as ever,” June mumbled through his piece of toast, held in his mouth to keep both hands free. Just what was so pressing an issue that he couldn’t wait until after breakfast to handle it? Well, his school policy stated that with the exception of some terribly incapacitating ailment, all absences were to be reported a day in advance… and with his attendance record, the explanation was going to be embellished and take a while to write. It wasn’t like he would have the time or leisure to write the masterpiece of an excuse that he was going to need in order to keep his absence off-record during the hunters’ little road trip… and he really, really didn’t want to repeat another year. He couldn’t exactly write the truth. ‘I’m skipping school in favor of raiding one exclusively for supernatural beings,’ wasn’t going to go over very well, after all. Everything would just be so much easier if his adoptive family actually cared about what he wanted to do. Too bad life wasn’t so simple.

In a few minutes, signatures were meticulously forged, the message was faxed, and he was well on his way to the workshop. Looking at the packet again, there were too many holes in this ‘plan’ to raid the school… not to mention way too many moral implications that the hunters were overlooking... He was thinking too much, as always. It was no wonder he was always so aggravated before a 'mission'.

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The weapon’s workshop was certainly one of the more unique establishments in the Hunter’s Paradise. Leanne was never sure what to make of the welcoming décor and coordinated designs. She supposed it suited its owner, for she could never completely figure out Alina either. Every time she visited, Leanne couldn’t quite adjust to the little gestures of welcome – such as a simple cup of tea. Quietly, she took it up and tried a sip. It was hot and surprisingly pleasant.

Well, unfamiliarity aside, it didn’t change the fact that the younger huntress was good at what she did. As always, Alina had outdone herself. Leanne listened to her words intently, looking over each of the newly modified weapons before her. They were just what the mission would need. Quickly she mentally checked for anything they else they could possibly need, and it was just at this time that another visitor arrived. “Kayla,” Leanne murmured in greeting, setting down her tea. Not missing a beat, she continued, “This is the equipment we’ll be using on this mission. Alina will explain how to use it once the others arrive.” At that, she glanced at her cell phone once more. If the rest didn’t come within the next ten minutes, she wasn’t going to be very pleased at all.

However, she needn’t have worried about one of the two. With impeccable last minute timing as always, June entered the workshop, giving a wave with one hand and holding one of his own phones in his other “Lee, I have two phones for a reason,” he said, sinking into one of the seats in the workshop. “Use the right one.” Well, perhaps she would have if he ever responded to his allotted phone for hunting. It wasn’t just once or twice that he’d kept them all waiting, and if there was one thing Leanne despised, it was waiting idle for others to arrive…

… which was apparently what was happening with Victor just then. Ignoring June’s inquiries on the purpose of each of the modified weapons, Leanne asked, “Alina, do you know what’s happened with that werewolf Victor’s decided to take in?” The last words came out a little wry. No matter what the intent, she didn’t approve of anyone ever dragging a supernatural creature into a plan. She knew from experience, it never ended well. Depending on his level of progress, she decided it might be easier just to give the cub a swift end before it complicated things… children always complicated things. “If he doesn’t come in the next three minutes, just tell us how these weapons work. We can relay information later,” she added with another impatient glance at her phone.