Loup Hood's Story

The morning air was brisk and cool as it passed into her lungs in quiet rhythm. Her legs carried her across the beach as they did nearly every start of the day. There was something exotic and thrilling about running. Each morning she set out on the same trail, and every evening she would slip away from town to her secret water hole in the woods. She couldn't risk going into the ocean. Something told her that if she went there, something, or someone, would take her away. The hidden lake was still on her mind when her pocket buzzed to life. Large blue eyes glance down to her shorts. A text from Mrs. Net indicated it was time to deliver the first order of the day.

In short time she was showered and dressed for the day and straddling over her bike to deliver the bouquet of roses and lilies to the Hood's house. Was that Ruby leaving the drive? She couldn't tell from so far away. Focusing on the road again, she continued her way up the hill with her delivery- a hum on her lips. Just three knocks upon the door, as always, and then she let herself inside. The routine was a familiar one. Flowers for the dinning room, kitchen and living room. "Upon one summer's morning, I carefully did stray..." She sang quietly to herself as she carried the flowers to each designated room, keeping her eyes down to her task.

She stopped singing only once the last flower was situated. Something creaked in the corner, but she didn't seem overly alarmed. "Mr. Hood?" She waits quietly for a moment, looking around and yet not seeing anyone. "Good morning!" She smiles, unaware if he could even see her or not. "It's a lovely morning today. There was this little crab on the beach, he was quite..." She stops short, about to say 'rude', but how could she explain how she had conversed with the little vulgar creature? "Cute. I think I saw Ruby earlier... She must have just left.... I hope you like the flowers. I know you normally get roses, but I convinced Mrs. Net to put in some lilies this time. Roses are a common symbol of love and romance. Did you know?"

She peers curiously at one of the bookshelves in the living room, seemingly unaware that her idle chatter and standing around in a customer's house was a little odd and not entirely proper. "Have you read all of these?" Slender fingers reach out to touch, but draw back at the last minute from the book spines. "I'm still learning. Reading is... hard." She laughs a little and turns around, looking at the empty room. "I've heard there are some new people in town! Did you hear? Isn't it splendid? It's like we're getting bigger and bigger every day!" She was, unfortunately, almost always this chipper. "Mr. Hood.... Do you suppose we could have another festival soon? I think a festival would be lovely. Summer's almost over, after all... What do you think?"

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"Jack there's something I'd like for you to get. Here I have drawn it for you." Loup handed Jack a torn crinkled piece of leather. From the looks of it, it would seem that the drawing as been drawn for a lot longer than just now. He must have kept it by his side for ages in order for it to look so old and have an odd smell.

Before taking it from Loup, he gave a questioning look towards him. "You want me to find this because?"

Loup looked at Jack for an offload of a long time. His wolf like yellow eyes narrowed behind the hairiness of his eyelids. He almost looked like he would die right there of depression. Jack felt disgusted, not by how he was getting the sad look, but at how easily it made him want to give up and just say yes, he couldn't help but show it on his face. It was horrifying.

Jack gave out a long dramatic sigh as he used his staff to get up to stand on the window ledge. "Just so you know, I might not be getting a reason as to why I have to look for this thing, but at least tell me where it last was or was seen. It might help. To top it off, how old is this thing?! It's probably older than your daughter isn't it? If it's been gone that long, I will frost bite what manhood you have left Dog. Do you have any idea how long I'd be looking for this? You better have a damn good reason when I get back. Tsk" He was so pissed that his staff lit up in a pale white-blue color and ended up freezing the whole window.

Loup handed Jack an old pure silver key. That had a wolf with wings in the background. The whole design was so like him. Though, it was questioning how he wanted me to get this thing and not his own flesh and blood. 'Dose he does not trust her enough with it? Maybe it's something he doesn't want her to see?...'

Taking the leather and key, he looked at the drawing, a drawing that made his face go pale and answered his question about not wanting Ruby near it.

"It's a lot to ask for. I know, especially when you know so little. But you will bring it here for me. I will be needing it."

"Like hell! I'm never going to get this! Not in your lifetime! Are you insane? This is suicide!" Jack slammed his hand down on the bedside desk, leaving the key and leather there. "We might be close, but we aren't that close. Get someone else to do that! I've already had to deal with this once, I won't do it again!" He was so pissed that he wasn't even going to bother to control himself. The whole side of the room that he was standing in had frost everywhere. It even started to snow a bit in the room. "You've crossed the line this time. What would Ruby think..." He threw those last words in Loup's face, taking his leave.

---

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It's been three nights since then and Jack hasn't come by. Loup couldn't really remember the last time his house was so quiet at night. Lately, though, Loup hasn't got much sleep. That morning he had let his daughter come in and do her normal morning go bouts. Giving him food and saying a few words before taking off. As much as he loved his dear child, sometimes he'd wish she would move on from him and live her own life. Instead of being stuck here taking care of a miserable old man, such as himself.

This time, he had spoken just before she stepped out. "Maybe it's now time you find piece and give me grandchildren." He was unsure if she heard him because seconds later she closed the door and left the room, saying her last words about Belle, their new live-in helper. Maybe Caretaker would fit her role.

The house went quiet once again after Ruby took off. He had gone downstairs and into their home library. It was small, but at least they had one. The books kept him from being too bored. Even though it was a bit hard to read them at times, so he'd only get half the story. Taking the book, he sat in his normal seating, behind some curtains near the balcony, unseen and out of the way. The sound of his name was being spoken by a soft and familiar voice. Ariel. The girl who'd come, talk to him about random things and bring flowers to him. It was nice to hear about the little things she'd speak of from the outside world. She at times would have a wild imagination.

"Yes, I knew. They are quite miserable as well to be around. The lilies are a nice scent change." The room became silent for a bit, he could here she was still there, looking around. So he opened his book, glancing about it, only to hear her speak again. "Only the ones that look extremely old. The newer ones, I have not." He couldn't read them, not anymore like he use to. He didn't answer he new question about a lot more people coming to town. He wasn't too fond of it. More people meant more unwanted problems. And with Jack not around, it was hard to handle.

"Festival? You'd have to ask Ruby. I don't take part in those things." His claws dug into the book as he kept his voice calm, trying to control himself. He was more upset about how he couldn't be apart of anything, including missing out on his own daughters life. Unsure of saying anything more, he didn't. He had spoken enough.

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▐ ▓ The sound of Belle's voice caused Loup's ear to twitch, like a dog whenever his master was calling him. He tried to ignore it but...

"Oh hi there. I didn't know you were here... I thought I heard you talking with someone... Is Mr. Hood here as well?" The sound of her feet against the floor, the scent that came linger in after it is what did it.

Getting up from his chair, his claws gripped onto the drapes that hid him. He wanted so badly to rip them off and see the woman's face, to know what she looks like, but he couldn't help but stare at his hand. Covered in fur and claws, he was like a real life nightmare. His eyes narrowed as his hand slipped from the drapes, letting himself sit back down.

"I will leave you to be and I bid you ladies a fair day." His low voice spoke softly as he made his escape through the balcony after sliding the drapes over to not be seen and managed to get himself into his room from a little wall climbing.

He had done this many times and each time he does, he sees nothing different in the mirror that hung in his room. A monster that he used to be over the human he is trying to be all mixed in one. It was a nightmare trying to take over a dream. A man who wants to be a man over a beast, but a beast who can't let go of the man. And eyes that looked tortured. This was it for him, this had to be it. If he'd let the wolf take over, the only one he fears it might get is his daughter. It's the only part of him that he has no control over, on who that wolf kills. It's a...monster.

Angry he broke the mirror with his fist causing it to slide down the wall and cause a loud ruckus. Glass flying everywhere it could reach and now all he could see was himself in all directions, it truly was a nightmare. He almost felt dizzy and sick from the sight of it, trying to breathe he grabbed his head, panting as hard as he could, he couldn't take it. His eyes turned yellow once again and he let out a crying howl. It echoed through the house and traveled through to the outside. The town could probably hear it. Loup, on the other hand, didn't care who heard it. They should all know the monster that he's become.

---

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▓▐ Normally Frost would come into town during the day in his almost human form, but today he came into town as his night self. It's already been three nights since he hasn't changed back and because of this result, Jack has become a bit, well he has become Night Jack. He was covered in leather from head to toe and his chest had a guard over it. To top it all off, he had come in on a motorbike. Making no effort of moving his now parked bike right in front of the dinner's window. In which led to a result of the sides of the frame frosting over, but he did that on purpose. With a smirk, he walked right in as if he owned the place. Looking around, he noticed is favorite Fairy. He wasted no time making his way towards her. And just to give Ruby a noticed that he was here, to make her really notice, he sent a friendly cold chill down her back, without making it notable that it was him who did it. His smirk became more known when he stood before Trix.

"Did ya miss me?" He opened his arms a bit and wiggled his fingers as if to give me a hug now or never.

Anyone who knew or seen Jack before would know that this side of him wasn't normal to see during the day. Either there was something wrong or he had something to prove. None of which anyone would know.

"Listen girly." He whispered into her ear. "I've only come by for a short time and then I have to go again. I only came to give you this." He put it around her neck and there it hung. A necklace full of frosted glowing blue pixie dust. "It will thaw soon, don't worry. I thought you'd like it and let me tell you. That wasn't easy to find. Oh right, then there was this." He reached into the inside of his coat and pulled out a small wand. "Now this was given to me to give to you. I can't really say who I got it from, but they said when the time comes, you'll need it. It was odd, but whatever. I didn't bother asking anything because the person left before I could." It too was covered in frost.

But everything stopped once he heard Loup's howl. It was loud and almost painful to listen to. Frost shook his head and made a slight glance over to Ruby. Patting Trix's head he excused himself and softly placed his hand on Ruby's shoulder as if to say he'd take care of it himself. Leaving the diner just as fast as he came in. "Later Trixster!" A nickname he calls Trixie once in a while, it's like saying Trickster.

Elsa held lightly to her tea cup as the other ladies in the apartment began to come to life. "Good morning Elsa." The blonde is rewarded with a small smile from behind a cup. As she had mentioned the beach, Rapunzel seemed to brighten. "Really! I've never been to a real beach before." I've only been a few times myself, since coming here," Esla softly confessed.

"An afternoon swim sounds pretty good. Right Rapunzel?""Yes I could use some sun." She had to smile. It was good to see the two getting along, almost like sisters. "Good, then we will go later." She stood with the finality of it and crossed the apartment to put away her cup and rinse it out as she awaited Amelia's answer. It was quick to come."Yeah, sure boss!" Relieved, Elsa glanced up from the sink to give her a thankful smile. "Thank you. I won't be long, I hope. I'm sure you'll manage, hm?" Her tone rose slightly, edging on playful.

She crossed over to the door and stooped down to pull her shoes on as she heard Rapunzel's voice from the bar."Elsa I wanted to thank you again for allowing us to share your house with you. You're a very generous person." The sincerity and kindness gave her pause. She looked up from putting on her boots and gave the girl with impossibly long golden hair a shy smile. "If you want to see a change in the world, you have to be the change.... I heard that somewhere, once... Probably in a book." Deflecting, as usual. "I won't be gone long... enjoy breakfast. If the freezer gives you any trouble, just kick it."

A confident nod and smile, then she slipped from the apartment, down the long stairs into the shop and out the front door. The sun was already warming the pavement, but it didn't stop the air from cooling a few degrees in her direct vicinity. Across the sidewalk there stood a couple chatting-- one exotic looking female and one very lost looking male. The tiger at the girl's side drew Elsa's stare for a moment, but she didn't make to cross the street and introduce herself. What would she say, anyway? It wasn't like she was the town welcoming comity.

Keeping to herself, she continued through town to the edge, then further still into the woods. She had only just gotten deep enough to lose sight of most of the town when a howl echoed through the woods. She stopped short, glancing behind her.

What was that?

Ariel jumped a little when his voice suddenly sounded from behind the curtain. She hadn't been entirely sure just where he was, but she had figured he was somewhere near. "Yes, I knew. They are quite miserable as well to be around. The lilies are a nice scent change." He was being quite sour. "I'll tell Mrs. Net you like them," she promises, undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm. "Only the ones that look extremely old. The newer ones, I have not." "Oh." "Festival? You'd have to ask Ruby. I don't take part in those things." "Don't take part? But... aren't you the mayor? Isn't it your--"

She's cut off as a feminine voice rounds the corner, greeting her. "Oh hi there. I didn't know you were here... I thought I heard you talking with someone... Is Mr. Hood here as well? How are you today?" Caught off guard, Ariel stood there awkwardly gawking at the girl. She'd seen her around before, but hadn't expected her to catch her pestering her boss' customer. In her stretch of silence and staring, Mr. Hood spoke from behind the curtain. "I will leave you to be and I bid you ladies a fair day."

Had she said something wrong? Large blue eyes shifted from the girl to the curtains, where the now open window left them to the wind. Slowly she turned back to the girl across from her, nervously running her palms over her shorts. "I, ah... I deliver flowers. For Mrs. Nets. I... I was just leaving. Um. Sorry? Sorry." Awkward She winced at the exchange, feeling embarrassed at being caught diddling around on the job. She made move to turn and leave, just as a crash came from upstairs. She stopped short, eyes darting to the ceiling as though she could see through it and find out what happened. "Did you hear-- what was that?" Frowning, she looked to Belle, as though the girl could actually see through the ceiling and tell the little fish what had happened. Curious blues rested upon the other female, patiently waiting for her to either move to investigate the sound or to explain the occurrence. Was it normal? A dog, maybe?

A dog. The confusion left her face for an instant, replaced with a blank look of remembering a memory long forgotten. A dog. A big, slobbering, floppy dog. It made her heart all warm and fuzzy... but why? Snapping back to reality, she cleared her throat. "I'll, um.... see myself out." She didn't exactly want to be in trouble with Mrs. Nets if she found out that she had stood around so long. Awkward feet shuffle toward the door.

Once back on her bike, she cast a look over her shoulder at the house. The howl that had come as she exited the building had put a little pep into her step. It was creepy. Sharks she could handle. Strange land creatures? Not so much. She wanted to put distance between her and whatever that noise had come from! Directing her bike forward, she headed back toward town.

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▓▐ When Jack arrived at the Hood's house, it didn't take him long before he felt like something bad was about to happen. He doesn't get this feeling too often, but whenever he does, he tries to listen to it before all else. This time, the feeling almost made him sick. Touching his stomach as he parked the bike, went around the side a bit and he glanced up at Loup's window.

"You know Mr. Wolf, you are going to get me into deep shit one day and you'd have no one to blame but yourself." Jack said as he made his way up the window. He would have used his powers, but for some reason, he's been feeling a bit drained. No, he knew the reason, just didn't want to say it or think it.

There was broken mirror everywhere, but he didn't bother with it. "I'm so not cleaning that up. If only the Evil queen saw this, she'd probably poison you with an apple." He joked as he sat down at the balcony. Least his bad feeling wasn't too bad...

---

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▐ ▓ Hood would have turned around to see Jack, but the sound of his door started to open. At first he thought it was Ruby, but the scent overwhelmed him and he found himself frozen knowing now who it really was. Everything ounce of his body twitched, shifting his weight to watch this woman pick up the broken mirror shards. She smelt like sweet honey to him with a hint of leather and the pages of books. His hand lifted without his control and he wanted so badly to touch her.

Once she looked up at him, he saw fear in her eyes. Her perfect skin had turned pale and her words were trembling. With that moment he understood. Narrowing his eyes, he pulled his hand back at the same moment Jack caught onto it and Ruby rushed into the room. Hood no longer cared anymore as he left jack tug him away, along with Ruby shooing him off.

"Come on Belle, don't worry about the glass, I'll take care of it. I need to speak to my father anyway, in private. Go ahead and take your break." Ruby spoke to Belle.

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▓▐ And there went that bad feeling Jack thought was a mistake. Belle's hand rushed into the sound of danger yet again. Who runs to the sound of a howling animal and glass breaking? He could only assume she hand done that. It would be the only reason she'd rush into an unknown room. To think he had it in for him whenever he looked over Ariel, but at least she wasn't as bad as Belle when it came to things like this.

"Whoa Whoa Whoa! How about be not go into unknown rooms unattended, Belle. You should know the Hood family cherishes Wolves. It's only natural that they owned a few or a pack." Jack shrugged as he pulled Hood away laughing. "Now now, Mister Wolfiepooooo~, no need to look so down, you just startled her is all." He patted Hood's head like a good doggie.

Hood looked over at Jack in an 'are you kidding me?!' way. Jack had paused for a moment and then busted out in a hard laughter. Jack couldn't help it. It was a too good of a chance to pass up, treating Hood like a dog. Hood leaned over and snapped at Jack as Jack pulled back quicker and jumped over into the balcony as he kept laughing.

He watched as Ruby got Belle out of the room safely. Did she have such little faith in her father? He wasn't such a bad guy, just always in a cranky mood, but being a wolf would do that to anyone. With a long sigh he leaned himself against the frame of the balcony, arms crossed and head rested against the frame as well.

"You should make sure she doesn't come into unknown rooms. Especially here. Look Ruby, I know we don't now each other, but Belles she's like my sister, it'd suck if something happened to her." His eyes had become serious as he lifted his head to look at her properly.

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▐ ▓ Hood interrupted. "We might need a better door for this room. Maybe a metal one." Getting up he looked over at Ruby. "Sorry for that my love. She surprised me by coming in here."

He glanced over at Jack. "What's are you here for anyway and in that form, it's daytime."

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▓▐Jack shooed off the question and shook his head. "Yeah, how about another time." As Jack turned he felt a sudden rush of dizziness. Catching himself on the railing of the balcony, he started to see the ground spin. Then suddenly he stopped. For a moment there he thought he heard someone in his head. When he looked at his hands, they were covered in frost, just like the spot he was gripping onto. "Well,... It looks like it's time for me to head out." He said that, but he wasn't so sure he could make it out the window at this rate. Instead he sat down, pressing his face against the cooled stone.