Roman Kingsley's Story

{ Location: Pack House (1), Woods, Town, City streets near Party || Interacting With: Willow, Roman, Serena, Lillian || Mentioned: Lisa, Levi }

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"Roman! Sit down,” Lillian finally snapped, and for a moment Markus felt her gaze focus sharply on both Willow and Roman (and by extension himself, further back) – he returned the look in unblinking challenge, but noted out of the corner of his eyes, his friend rolling his eyes but obliging his Alpha’s command to sit back down in his chair, but wisely scooting further away from Willow’s reach.

"I suggest you and your so-called Alpha leave our territory,” A warning growl rumbled deep within Markus’ chest at Lillian’s comment, though no snarl graced his frowned lips yet. An Alpha of Alpha-bloodlines, while Willow was hardly perfect (except in being a pain in the ass, he could – and would willingly – attest to that), was still far better than an inferior runt, that had to fight for any position in the pack – let alone the elders that had gone to her pack, choosing her for the Alpha position out of all those eligible, seemed rather silly, if not sad. Thank you very much.

Lillian continued, in a growl echoing his own, turning her full attention to Willow – telling them to leave (as if they had planned on staying anyway?). Willow in response had her remarks in turn sharp, well organized, and subtly pointed in the way she dished them out as well. Certainty the plan was working brilliantly to undermine Lillian in front of her own pack’s hierarchy, ruffling feathers and raising hackles galore; but the advice Will was giving out was genuine, whether or not the younger female took note of it and saved wolf lives – fei.

It wasn’t long before the conversation winded to an abrupt halt, as Willow made her exit around Markus into the entry hall and towards the door, and only then did he move off the wall, with his watchful eyes flick away from Lillian and Serena, and dutifully followed. Taking good care to make sure the door slammed shut tight, and loud, on his way out.

After some stretch of silence, Willow broke it first as she slowed her commanding pace and due back beside him, "Who would have thought the day would come where they'd be the one throwing out the threats?” Markus snorted in mild laughter at her chuckled comments and the ‘innocent’ shoulder shrugging, and responded in drawling exaggeration in turn, “Uh-huh, and you’re sure it isn’t your sparkling reputation with the male population being a little topsy-turvy?” He finished, rolling his eyes. She’d certainly turned over a new leaf, between her encounter with her ‘Phantom’ to Roman.

“Ok well threatening first... I simply gave advice and then all hell broke loose." Markus looked thoughtful at that, and his next words, answers and responses, were honest without joking, as he continued, “We’re getting somewhere, I suppose. Or they’re getting smart enough to buff threats back at simple feather ruffling?” He paused, snorting. Right. We’re they getting smarter, or was it just Willow’s topsy-turvy sparkling reputation with the boy’s? Huh? “Eventually, Lillian will crack under the pressure and make a mistake – wolves may be unfortunately lost, or we may gain a few to our ranks once they see the reason too… Either way, we still crashed the party fashionably late, and have ruined the rest of the night (if not frazzling their Alpha). Not awful time spent…”

Even though the pack house was out located in the woods, away from the town to keep away from humans readily finding it, it didn’t take long to get back to town either (when you knew the right path to take). But on the streets of Cherry Blossom, far too close to the house party – still going strong, with its obscenely loud music – Markus froze, reaching out his hand to grasp Willow’s elbow in a gentle but solid grip, more as an attention-grabber than of protectiveness, as he rolled his forward momentum to a stop. The already disgustingly fresh scent of a bloodsucker passing by was obvious enough, but more alarmingly one of their own pack – Lisa’s scent – was intertwined within a brief encounter.

Dammit Lisa. He remembered specifically not telling her anything about going after the vampire, even if it was an annoying predicament to just ‘let one go’. She had no proper back-up, hadn’t had to ever encounter one on her own, and hell bell’s it was dangerous period. Markus teeth clicked in annoyance, as he glanced down to Willow and released his grip (assuming she’d had a chance for herself, to recognize the scents and situation at hand) - his eyes frustratedly worried, even though well hidden by his general exasperation with the world.

“We’ll need to go find her, and make sure she didn’t get injured.” Markus stated, reasonably. After that? It was up to Will, but he wouldn’t mind some much needed hunting to be fitted in before the night grew late – especially if the bloodsucker had managed to hurt Lisa, even if she had been being an idiot.




{ Location: Nathaniel's Hotel Room || Interacting With: Elisabeth Hill || Mentioned: Arthur Madden }

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“Good evening.” Came the female’s response, as she took the seat in the other office chair, and Nathaniel took the time to observe her further in like-minded interest while she gathered her own thoughts and the questions to ask him. She wasn’t much older than him physically he could readily tell, between the ages of 18-20 he could only assume. Her immortal age, however, was much harder to gauge – especially when every young monster eventually got to the point of having old souls reflected in their eyes, period. Otherwise she seemed to be a calm, cool-headed, and collected individual, quite unlike the stories he’d heard thus far on the road about her coven leader

“My name is Elisabeth. I’m part of Arthur’s coven as I’m sure you have surmised… May I ask what has brought you to Cherry Blossom?”

Nathaniel blinked. The soft smile had already been disarming in itself, even if it was only meant as a kind if curious gesture he noted. Like that quote that could explain it so well, oh – Most species bare their teeth as a threat, a display of aggression, of leadership. It is a reminder that these clenched jaws can and will open your yielding throat. I want you to remember this the next time I smile. Or something of that sort? Either way, super naturals weren’t much different in that regards, even a flat-toothed grin could hold another meaning (not that that he figured this meeting would go sour in such a way, but cautious thoughts always got the better of him in new locations and on different turf – you couldn’t quite blame him either about it).

But now, the lack of small talk and jumping straight to the point without beating about the bush, was another amusing turn of hand. Well, he could have even called it a blessing, after far too many other times joining in covens and their lengthy processes. Huh, how refreshing.

Nathaniel smiled gently, and with the echo of laughter on his breath, he mused in response, “If I’m allowed to be so frank, it is a pleasure, Elisabeth, and my name is Searus, Nathaniel.” He paused briefly then, looking thoughtful momentarily for a response to her next statement. It didn’t take long to create a short answer, for a long story of having seen action against werewolves and witches at one point or another in his lifetime, but having probably killed more of his own kind that had broken the codes than he’d ever cared to admit. “I’m here in Cherry Blossom looking to join Arthur’s coven. One that I hope won’t be needing or looking to use my Revenant abilities anytime soon.” It was the honest, if ugly truth. Nathaniel had grown tired of hurting, and perhaps a coven with one so ‘wild’ as Arthur leading them would hide him from having other covens come asking for him to finish up their dirty work for a time. He could hope anyway?

Nathaniel continued, smile still intact though the brief surge of amusement had faded, “I already have acquired a job as a Junior Medical Staff at the small Hospital here in Cherry Blossom, and these accommodations have already been paid out for this week. Thus, as the codes permit, I will not poach and will leave if that is ultimately Arthur’s or his seconds’ decision(s).” They were simple statements, that were by in large sweet, to the point, and naked without the small talk ‘hiding’ them per say; but they were better said than not, he figured, as he was expanding slightly without being asked from her original, partially blunt-ended question. “Is there anything else you’d want to know?”