Alexander Wiseman's Story

Alexander spent his time while travelling giving his cover story a once over, technically he was one of the least likely people to need a cover story since the majority of his interactions would be with cryptids and the times he was not dealing with them would be spent in the safe house giving his information over to the others. He wondered if that was all that they would use him for since he was technically a field cleared operative. Being that they were potentially dealing with a werewolf cult meant the vampires on the mission could be valuable for the ability to sense the high body heat of the wolves

Feeling the decent Alexander, prepared himself. He had given instructions for his luggage to be taken straight to the safe house, he would only take a cane he brought with him and leave straight on business. The cane was actually one of his swords. The black cane furnished with gold bands round the handle gave it a every elegant look and was very good at hiding his sword. Plus there was no silver to upset the wolves.

After touching down Alexander was greeted by a car waiting for him, sitting himself in the back he sat calmly, waiting. Though he did not have wait long as soon he spotted Kora approaching. Leaning over from his position he opened the door for his colleague " I appreciate your company my dear.." he said waiting for her to get into the vehicle before signalling to the driver to set them about their journey " ..I pulled some strings and got us a chauffeur from the local vampires for today... not exactly pleased that i am using it to get to a meeting with the wolves though" he said trying to gauge the drivers reaction before speaking again " Now... how much do you know about the local wolves?... i value your input more than my own sources upon this matter"

Oren had already been prepared well in advance at that point, and had been preparing a workspace to examine any samples without any risk of contamination.

For that reason the smell of blood hanging in the hallway was met with far more distaste than concern, especially as her vampiric sense of smell told her exactly who the culprit was and gave her cause to speak up as she swept past the room.

"Longbow clean the fuck up after yourself. If I find your DNA tracked into the clean room then whatever you're bleeding of is going to be the least of your problems." the vampress muttered something under her breath in irritable magyar before she appeared in the doorway facing the others.

"Oren's been here the whole time." she remarked, pinning on her photo ID.
"All the pre-preparation is done. We'll be expected there shortly. You should not have to do any of the talking but if asked you are part of the team deployed by the coroner and in interest of the investigation you cannot talk in any detail about the case. I hope everyone is clear on that."

---

Kora was walking along with her, or at least Anja Torresson's supposed luggage in a backpack when she spotted the car, and shortly afterwards, the vampire.
"Of course you got a car." she chuckled wryly and she dropped into the seat, the pack (which in truth had some of her field kit stashed inside) sat across her lap.
"Flash bastard."

The young woman leaned against the side, watching out of the window at the moors speeding past, considering how best to answer the man's question.

"From what I know there's about one major born-wolf family in the general area. Fenns. Not a very old bloodline, but they do alright. Originally lived further south but ended up moving south as the Exsanguis vampires encroached on southern england and targetted wolves. Anyway supposedly, if the talk amoung the old bloods is that some wolf went on a rampage on the moors about twenty years back and attacked a whole bunch of people round here, turned maybe, twenty. Obviously you can't have all those people running around not...managing their condition. The White Rose was all for...taking care of the problem the way that clans do.." she drew her hand across her throat in a fairly decisive indication of this.
"But the born family stepped in and ended up organizing to take these new wolves in an attempt to keep them from causing problems. And from what I've heard, there have been mixed results. From what I know they live out at an old farm out on the yorkshire moors and mostly keep to themselves. The old bloods aren't overly impressed with the idea of borns and turneds mixing together, but whatever makes them happy I suppose."

She shrugged, demonstrating little opinion either way. Kora certainly had, in herself, some sense of superiority, but she also hadn't the inclination to try and get too involved in the businesses of others. Unless work required her to, of course.

" Normally i would ask you to estimate the relative strength of the fenns... but for what i have planned it would probably be better that i do not know" he said drumming his fingers across the cane that sat across his lap, his eyes drifting out the window. " There is a reason why i wanted you along for this.... you are to act as reconciliation today"

Running one of his black gloved hands across his shoulder to brush off some unseen dirt he carried on with his plan " Normally i would feed in these kind of meetings unsettle the other party making it harder to lie... i can't this time so i am going to use their predisposed hatred towards me instead.... anyone who is still friendly towards me when i am finished will certainly be hiding something"

He brought his gaze back on to Kora " Your job is to make sure SCION still has a working relationship with the wolves... and i still keep my head... but i am sure you wont feel too pressured in the last one" he said as his attention was brought upon the driver when he heard that they were close upon the meeting grounds. " Oh and don't tell the others about this.... they will probably think i have gone senile"

Kora gave a grin, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Sorry, it's just this might be the first time anyone's ever asked me to try and prevent a fight. Haven't you heard about the time in Rekjavik? I must be losing my touch. Really though, it's not too much of an ask. From what I know about them they're not exactly a fan of leeches, but they're aware that compared to some of the clans out there, White Rose and others are practically cuddly." she explained, twisting her mjolnir round her finger.

"Still. I'll talk to them. My name's got enough worth to keep you safe. Unless you start picking fights.Then you'd kiiinda just be asking for it."

---

Oren already had everything packed up, so the trip over wasn't a long one. In fact the group had almost reached the hospital when the woman's phone began to chirp. She drew it from her pocket and took a look at the screen, and almost immediately, he expression changed.

"Baromarcú faszfej!" she exclaimed suddenly, before turning her gaze to the others in the team.
"That useless moronic fuck Alihambra has blown his cover. Montana is dealing with it, apparently. I don't think I need to remind you all that if you see that idiot not to make any indication you know him, but I don't know, maybe the idiocy is contagious."

The morgue building itself sat moderately separate from the main building of the hospital, having its own entranceway as well as a corridor connecting it to the more central areas. The kind of corridor most people travelling it only tended to have a one way trip on.

It made things a little simpler, meant that fewer people were likely to encounter them on the way through, and avoided the regular hospital. Hospitals were often a magnet for vampires pursuing legitimate careers. Night shifts, a plentiful supply of blood, and staff busy enough that they didn't keep too close an eye on the supply levels to notice bags going astray from time to time.

They didn't need to run into any cryptids for this. It was altogether easier to avoid.

The downside however, came when someone had blown your cover and was hovering round outside. Idiot.

As they stepped out into the carpark, Oren grimaced as the sun on her face, before casting a momentary glance back at the others.
"Just keep walking, alright? They're expecting us, so we shouldn't be stopped. Let's put some security guards between us and them, hm?"

And with that she set into a brisk walk up to the door, ID in hand and gaze making not attempt to waver over towards where Montana and Alihambra stood talking to two strangers.

---

Meanwhile, in an office somewhere in York, a phone started to ring. A figure picked it up slowly and deliberately, lifting it up to its ear and listening in silence for a long minute. The word 'SCION' was spoken several times. Along with 'investigation' and 'murders'.

Slowly a grin spread across the listener's features, more like the carnivorous grimace of the hyena than any expression of genuine warmth. Then it spoke.
"Good. Go along with the next step."

Arching a brow towards Kora he listened to her musings making sure not to let a smirk creep onto his face, more in preparations for the meetings than anything else " Don't worry... there will be plenty of time to gain your reputation back later.... they may speak more of you in York than in Rekjavik by the time we leave." The conversation was cut short when the vehicle came to a stop. Looking out of his window he couldn't see much apart from the moors stretching out towards a tree line. He was hoping the wolves would of gave him directions to some form of building to keep the light off of him, but it seemed the wolves wanted grounds away from their properties somewhere they knew but still felt neutral. Alexander would probably bet that they were not too far from the farm.

Stepping out of the vehicle after the driver opened the door for him, he regretted not bringing any form of eye protection or hat with him, it just meant his meeting would have to be brief. The little dirt road they had taken up towards the meeting spot ran parallel to a tree line on the passengers side (Kora's side), Alexander knew the wolves were lurking in there, and swiftly stepped round to that side of the vehicle with driver as he let kora out of the vehicle. " Can we be done with this swiftly... i'd rather not be standing out here longer than i have to.... Honestly can't even get invited in for a cup of tea these days"

" I thought you fangs preferred a different drink" came the voice as three wolves stepped out from the tree line, the one in the center was a young looking male, but like all wolves was an imposing figure. The other two on either side were not so impressive looking. Alexander instantly locked his eyes on the center wolf who he guessed was the born wolf. " They send me a pup?... What are you the Alpha's boy or something?" before the man could speak Alex stabbed his cane into the ground and interuppted him" It doesn't matter...let me be direct with you as to why i am here... i want the wolves to limit their activities in and around York...We would rather you didn't get accidently involved in our work... it would be bothersome for everyone involved" the look on the wolfs face was sinking slowly into the look of anger, there was not effort involved to hide that fact as Alexander was basically demanding compliance so far." Also my colleague would like very much to speak with you.. routine questions and all" He motioned with his cane towards Kora before bowing his head towards the three " A pleasure to meet you all... now please excuse me" he said studying their reactions before turning to head back to the vehicle where he could sit out of the sun in comfort.

Issac'a weapon traded targets as the double doors bounced open, and was instantly lowered upon seeing Rafael , Montana....Toby and Spire. Why where those two here? Were they the ones Rafael had blown their cover on? Figures...

" You both were told to stop freelancing after that botched raid on that vampire group I had been watching." He said leering at Spire, who he guessed had been the 'brains' of that operation. It had been a rogue group of vampires involved in human trafficking, Issac was watching him to hopefully learn who they had been working for but Toby and Spire and managed to get involved, Issac involved him self since he hadn't wanted the young men to die, he hadn't known they were sups until after the fact.

He didn't want these two to get anymore involved then they already were... Who knows who they had come in contact with in the last few years. He smiled a bit before he spoke. " At least the gang is all here now." It was a lie that Montana and even Rafael should be able to catch with tweezers. Issac didn't want Spire or Toby to know that the group was larger than it was until it was too late, what ever was going to happen, they'd at least have to be taken for questioning to see how much Rafael had leaked to them... Issac distantly wondered who's side Rafael was on...

A itch formed between Issac's shoulder blades, worse than the sweat and dust caught between his near-skin-tight-body armor. It was the feeling you'd get when someone held a knife to your back... As for who held that knife Issac had little idea.

He turned his back to the double doors and re-aimed his weapon on the creature. " So, what are we gonna do?" He said to Oren, half glancing to where Toby and Spire was, to convey he wasn't talking about the creature. Lovette would deal with that... after we move it that is.

Issac wondered how the other groups had been doing... hopefully better than them.

"Without wanting to sound uncooperative, I'm here to do research, not bail everyone else out. We can tell them we need to take the body for soe further tests and have cleared it with the coroner...the trouble is the attention we've already attracted." she cast a glance sideways regarding the brothers rather pointedly.
"Though some of that attention could have been from a couple of junkies trying to break it to steal opiates from the hospital and threatening us with a gun, depending on how much we want to tell people about this."

She held her gaze on them for another moment or so just to make her threat clear, before looking back toward the creature that was cowering in the corner. Well, it appeared to be scared of them, so that was something. Now hopefully it was intelligent enough to make threats credible.

The vampress stepped over to the table a little distance away and took hold of the bodybag she suspected the kind came in in the first place, waht with the remnants of congealed greenish stuff stuck to the inside. She then walked up and cast it through the barrier, causing the creature to flinch as it landed in front of it.

"You." Oren called, pointing towards the thing.
"Get in. If you don't want to get shot again."

----

Kora was a little taken aback by being asked to do some actual questioning. She had been standing over to one side and had very much assumed that that was all she really needed to do. Jst provide a wolfy presence so the locals didn't try to kick the old man's teeth in.

She had not really thought she was going to have to chat with them.

Still, if needs must. The norwegian woman unfolded her arms and strode over to the men, who took a short moment to look her over before realizing who this was. There weren't that many six-and-a-half foot tall ginger-haired norwegian werewolves about, and the mjolnir pendant was enough to seal her identity.

"Do your parents know you work with leeches?" the man who appeared to be the leader there questioned, seeming mildly amused to see them together.

"Well I haven't talked to my mother in about twenty years and my father's dead....but my aunt basically wants to puke every time I mention it." she replied with a wry grin.
"So. You guys aren't the ones doing this crap are you? You got more class than that, right?"

The three were talking for about ten minutes, some of the laughing from the three indicating that at a least some of it was joking round. After that had passed the woman broke away from the group and walked back over to Alexander.

"Alright, they're cool. They said they'll stay up at the farm if I pay for pizza and beer for them...think Leo'll let me put that on expenses? Anyway, they don't know what's going on and say they've had the White Rose hassling them too. Making them a bit twitchy, but they're alright. One suggested a contact for us, said if anyone is going to see stuff, this cryptid will. Might make Fel happy too. Apparently some Fallen lives up at the Minster."

Alexander watched Kora converse with the wolves with mild disinterest, he wanted to know when she finished speaking to them but something was bugging him. The nature of the cult seemed to be on the fore front of his mind. If the cult was old and generally practicing possible roman or pre-roman worship then surely evidence of them would exisit previous to this incident. If it was a revival cult then they were dealing with zealous lunatics. If however this was a play for power then the question was... who stands to gain the most?.

Bringing his attention back from his own thoughts he nodded slightly Kora " Good... I'll make sure Leo lets you claim it back... having the wolves out of the way is a considerable help" he said as he tapped his cane lightly on the seat of the car " Thank you my dear... i think its best we head back..... I believe having information from Dr Kovalenko will help... send message to team two that they can aggressively questions any wolves they see in York" he said working through in his mind the most ideal course of action to take would be the one that would lead to more information and the biggest unknown was that corpse, turning his gaze to their driver he smirked, the kind of smile that would make most killers feel a chill if they saw it. " I trust you will report back to the clan.... make sure you tell them i will get round to seeing them as well....understood?" the driver had seemed a bit shaken up but seemed to compose him self shortly and give a curt nod.

The cryptid who had been huddled against the wall, trembling and staring wide-eyes at the team, seemed moderately pacified by Christina's promise that they were going to help fit it, and had, with some difficulty, pulled its broken body over to the bag. That was until hearing Isaac speak up and suddenly shot back clumsily, colliding with the forcefield on the door once again before hunching up with its knees drawn up to its open chest, eyes held shut and tears starting to stream down its cheeks.

"Nice going, hero. You're casually going to execute an currently crippled cryptid that we don't have any proof has even committed any kind of crime?" Oren remarked, regarding Isaac with utter contempt in her dark grey eyes.
"While we're at it do you want to wipe out some of the staff members? If that's how we're going to conduct business I'd quit right here on the spot."

Her gaze then turned to Christina. Generally speaking Oren had little to do with magic. Not because she had a problem with its use, she just disliked having much to do with things she had not satisfying scientific explanation for. As much as she'd attempted to write up a proper unified theory on magic use, she'd as of yet not been able to do so, and as such she preferred not to count on it.

With all that was going on here... well hopefully the sorceress knew what she was doing. Otherwise they were not in a good place at all. If the place was quarantined then they'd all be looked at by doctors. Even if Isaac did break all ethical codes and killed the cryptid and by some miracle nobody got arrested for that, then someone was still going to find out, in the course of quarantine, that Oren herself had a pulse about half the speed it should be, and a body temperature usually reserved for dead things.

Essentially, it would be bad.

Of course the supernatural world had its own methods for keeping the facade of normality more or less constant, but how they dealt with it was not pretty.

----

"Yup, I'm ready to go, hope the rest have something to report." Kora replied as she went to hop back in the car.
"Damn, all this talk about pizza has made me want some. Really should not just hop off to a mission right after a transformation. I'm always freakin' starving for days after."

Unless wolfy was stuck outside, in which case she'd usually wake up the morning after cuddling up to one half of a dead stag or surrounded by blood and chicken feathers. She'd once coughed up half a pink collar and nametag. Being hungry afterwards was kind of preferable.

As they started back to town Kora started firing off texts to those assigned to investigate the town. Stride, Crystal, Fel, Arcturus, Liam and Jonah.
'Hey losers. Just made a deal with the local wolves. They're staying out of the city. Start questioning any other wolves you see about stuff. Also does anyone want pizza?
-K'

Jonah and Liam went to visit one of the Elders in town, the one known as Granny. As one might expect to be in an old child's book, Granny ran a bakery that specialized in sweets. She was also extremely old, extremely influential, and knew nearly everything that went on in this city. Fact is, she probably knew where each and every SCION operative in the city was, as well as their safehouses, phonenumbers, and even their favorite types of treats. Jonah was convinced magic was involved for her to know this, but Liam was not so sure...he figured she might just have a great intelligence network.

As they approached, Jonah checked his Magilator. It was an enchanted calculated that measured the magical excess/residue in the air. The stronger it was, the more magic was being used in the area. It was not above the normal levels though, which already disqualified any mass magical event....at least, one that went on for long periods of time. It might just be short spikes.

As they entered, their favorite sweets were already waiting on the counter with Granny waiting for them. "Glad to see you remembered to visit".

"Hey Granny" Jonah and Liam mentioned. "Nice to see you again".

"Nice to see you two, dearies" she said...and Jonah cringed because he hated being called that...as they sat down. "So what do you need to know?"

Jonah laid out some questions, and Granny answered them. They did not get much information, but whatever it was none of the local groups seemed to know anything. Whoever this was was keeping it super secretive, because if Granny did not know about it, it was almost certainly nothing done by an organized group....or done by a group that is really good at keeping hidden. Additionally, the blood was not having any terrifyingly negative side affects, not like that holy water that made people's heads explode, though it apparently made any vampire sick that drank it.

"If I hear anything more, I will let you know though" Granny told them, as she gave them some treats for the road. "Now excuse me, I have business to take care of".

As Jonah and Liam left, they got Kora's text. Liam texted back.
"Pepperoni and Sausage with extra cheese, unless you all think you can't handle...."

He was then interrupted by sirens of police and ambulances heading towards where Oren's group was. The police seemed to be making a perimeter, and not going past it themselves. Jonah took out his phone. "Guys, why are the police setting up Biohazard alert Checkpoints. Even if SCION did not deal with this, the local Cryptid population should have. Could they be here for something else, or what? Also, I second the pizza. #Multitask. Sorry, I just missed breakfast is all".

Unnecessary? To Montana's eyes, yes, unnecessary. Messy kills, for the sight of blood, and perhaps an audience. Fel was in the crowd and the curtain was drawn on the reason for her ailment. Montana didn't respond to Arc immediately, he moved to Fel's side, checking her pulse first, and the wounds on her body after. The gnawing worry that had tried to climb into his organs to begin the tremors dissipated. She was alive. Wounded, and unresponsive, but alive.

She was in bad shape. Lacerations and gashes laced her body, overlapped the burn scars in some places. Montana could work on these wounds, but he'd need space, and time. Both of these reserves had been depleted by many of the choices and subsequent actions today.

"You and I are going to talk." Montana's voice was a viper, cold, reptilian, waiting for the right moment to strike. "Later. I've got to remove these bodies coated your DNA before we leave." We being himself and Fel, who he had lifted onto the chair, and secured via extendable straps, which he hid under the folds of her jacket. No time for emotion. Not yet. "As for following a lead, coated in crimson to subtly following a member of the White Rose, will surely lead to more trouble then this."

Pictures had to be taken, the camera was silent, each photograph was a quiet affair, documenting the scene he had found on arrival.

"Headless corpses are a national news story, I suggest you clean yourself before you choose to do anything, but either way, bring no heat to the house."

Only the tip of the iceberg, but for now, he had work to do. "There's going to be smoke." Montana's hand vanished into his hoodie, withdrawn were four glass vials. Making their debut, Christina's offensive charms. A irreplaceable part of Montana's load-out. The application of a tool was only limited by the user. Like Carpentry. The first glass vial was popped, and flame so softly licked the edges of the vial before moving to the pile of cadavers and their former heads. Their hair smelled the worst, filling the room with a vile stench far worse then the burning meat of their skin. He watched as the skin went from red flesh, to blackened char, their lips and eyes were gone, and their hands had curled into withered claws. Not a sight for most to see.

Next came the frost, which misted from the vial in gentle streams, but who's effect was more immediately drastic then the flame. On contact frost began to form on the bodies, penetrated beyond flesh to freeze bone. Within moments each body, and head, had been flash frozen, charred flesh and bone were now brittle, waiting to be,

crushed.

Teeth first, dental records obliterated, fingers, hands, wallets, any form of identification. Everything was ground and smashed down into dust. Montana's work was thorough, making good on the promise made in the Christian bible. Ashes to Ashes. Dust, to Dust. The last charm was opened, and the howling wind was summoned, to carrying the ash on its final journey.

The Lords work was done. His was not.

A nearby cleaning closet was opened, and his gloved hands grabbed what he needed, a broom, bleach, and a floor cleaning product of indiscriminate make, each poured on the floor where blood had settled. Quick work, just to make things harder for whomever tried to scrounge for evidence. Maybe it would look like this was planned, which would be a bonus.

Minutes later, Montana was finished. "Heed my advice." Montana's hood was still up, leaving his face obscured in shadows of varying shades. It cast an unintentional severity on his few visible features, but it was severity that mirrored his feelings. He took firm hold of Fel's wheelchair, and ascended the staircase, wheeled her out of the maintenance door, and moved out onto the street.

The alleyways and side streets through old parts of the city were their cover. His clothes were again replaced, now less the chav, and more hard night out on the town. Strange no matter how you looked at it, but he was a master at being unassuming. Unspectacular. The less attention the better. At the end of their tense escape, Montana saw the horizon of the residential area, and the welcoming sight of the safe house. Sirens blared in the York City background, but not here.

Ever careful, Montana checked for signs of past entry, boot marks, scuffs on the threshold, things displaced on the inside, but found nothing. It seemed all clear. Once Fel was inside he unstrapped her limp body from the chair, and carried her into the spare bedroom. With tender care he laid her down on the bed and went to gather what he needed. Clean linen, hot water, a basin, and a first aid kit. Once he was clean himself he went to work. Her cloak was removed with special care, but the clothes underneath were cut for quick access to her wounds. Each was meticulously cleaned, and stitched. Standard knowledge for anyone who went into battle with a small team. Something he had a knack for regardless. Each stitch was done with assiduity, and perhaps the tenderness of love.

Once this was done, gauze and bandage was applied where needed, and finally, a sheet used as a makeshift gown.

"Never again." Montana leaned forward and left a gentle kiss on her forehead.

He wished he could stay,

but he couldn't.

He needed a change of clothes himself, and make up remover.

A mass text message was sent out to those on festival duty, excluding Arc. "Fel's at safe house, wounded, more expected, requesting one operative on sight." The plus one was the Cryptid, Montana had no idea that a third would be coming.

After they got there he'd try to get into contact with the team he had left at the morgue. Once he was relived he'd acquire a vehicle, and if he could, get them here as well.

What a day.

Alexander raised an eye brow at Kora hearing her comments about her earlier transformations. In all honesty Alexander had been so engrossed in the mission he had almost completely forgot about the majority of the earlier events that transpired at HQ. "Just make sure there is enough for everyone.....You can eat a fair amount after a transformation " Alexander like most vampires was well versed with hunger and how it could drive creatures, he did not however understand the attraction of certain dishes. Pizza was something that has never passed his lips and often this leaves him wondering its appeal to most of team.

" Hopefully we can get the first round of reports done over food.." he eyes gazed over to Kora's phone as he watched the responses come in to her original message".. As it seems the others are hungry as well" Alexander did technically have a company mobile himself, but he rarely ever used the thing preferring to let a colleague use theirs instead. It wasn't the fact that he couldn't use a mobile phone it was more the fact he just simply the fact he disliked the contraptions. He had once cracked a phone within his grip in annoyance.

Feeling something Buzz in his pocket he pulled his own phone out and after a moment or so managed to open up the message from Montana. Glancing over to Kora noticed her phone go off as well " Same message?...... Let him know we are close and en route... looks like it won't be a simple start to the mission" he said wondering now more on what he had missed while speaking with the wolves.

Lulu's gaze was well met, and her searching mirrored Montana's own, somewhat younger gaze. Her baby blues were guarded, but intent. Even with the painkillers that ran through her veins her eyes held the focus needed to study who she was talking to. "Not a Wolf, no. My humanity is an issue I only debate with myself." A small joke, but one that held a small amount of truth behind it. Something to set the mood between them. 'Your mind is in good company with mine' Not in the sense that she struggled with the same things, but that one intelligence wouldn't find anything amiss in the other. That implied a lot.

"My associates simply helped you because you needed it, I imagine. I saw a person wounded in a way that didn't exceed my knowledge, so I did the same."


Stifled honesty might be best at work here, in his opinion. Crystal inadvertently said as much when she brought up the murders There was nothing to gain from outright lies. They had taken the woman to their safe house, she had seen their faces and knew the diagram of their blood. She could be a well placed spy of the White Rose, or even the Cult they were looking for. The options, were endless. One of those options was that she was a wounded vampire that meant them no ill intent, and was attacked for reasons native to herself. If they needed to wipe her mind, Derrick had his well polished loafers on ground. A memory wipe was that mans bread and butter.

"Our help has no strings attached, but if you could tell us who attacked you, it could shed some light on our situation." Our was the word he used in particular, for very good reason. Our meant, we have involved ourselves in an attempted slaying, or warning of some kind, and I'd appreciate knowing a little of what we've gotten ourselves into. He didn't expect her life story, or what she might have done before that influenced the situation. Just a what. The rest would come later.

"I can go into that in detail in a short while." He replied to Stride. "It's a bit of a long story." Loosely translated, I'd rather not talk about it in front of the vampire in case she's not receptive to who we might be.

He'd send out the message now, and quickly, pocket texting as he always did. One message. "Advise caution. Arcturus, followed White Rose member alone" He set it on a minute timer, to all standing SCION operatives.

Alexander seemed to follow a string of people into the safe house, Though he was not as loud as Kora entering nor as silent as the two new ones. Taking his black leather gloves off he tucked them inside his inner coat pocket. Catching the tail end of a conversation he arched a brow as he addressed the new blood " Biggest in town?....Don't let Her hear that.. it will only go to her head" he said. He has dealt with the one called Granny before, it wasn't a meeting he was prepared to recall so readily though.

Seemingly intent on not stopping he placed his cane against one of the chairs before slipping out of coat and throwing it over the chair. It would become clear Alexander had a taste for the color black the shirt that was hidden before under the closed coat was also black, the only difference being the waist coat he wore was a shade of grey. All of it seemed of very high quality though. " My day has been thankfully uneventful so far... Now excuse me" he said seeming to head off in the direction of the medical area. Stopping briefly he turned to glance at the little group " Oh and keep that food away from my coat" he said before carrying on walking.

Soon he found himself in the make-shift medical area where he found Montana and a female form upon a bed to which he had no knowledge who she was.He spoke softly towards Montana as to not worry the woman " Forgive me for intruding....When you have a moment i wouldn't mind hearing the short version of what you know has transpired today" he said as regarded the female once again, it did not take him long to figure she was a vampire. " Am i going to have to put a request back to HQ for an extra allocation of packs" he said subtly asking Montana whether or not this a simple recovery job or whether she was useful or not.

The “Lady” bit of her name had been intended as an echo of what Stride called her, but Lulu chuckled dryly at the man’s adaptation of the title. “I doubt she’s ‘’live f’she’s around them any….” Her speech was interrupted, again, by a yawn. “… anymore. Couldn’t smell her on the wolves’ who got me. But… may’ve been the smell’f wet dog.”

After the words had already left her mouth, she cast a guilty look toward the girl-wolf who had helped in rescuing her. 



She’d have to be more careful of her tongue. 



“Not um… Sorry, ‘bout that. You smell… You smell fine,” she fumbled, though she only half meant it. 

As far as her overly sharpened senses were concerned, a recently shifted wolf stunk like an animal. The girl didn’t smell at the moment, but there was no doubt that the stink of her kind would be stuck in her hair the morning after the full moon.

The former direction of where Lulu had been heading with her speech was lost. She tried to backtrack her thoughts, but the loose ends unraveled and were whisked away by the sounds of more people entering the building. 

“Stride?” Lulu asked curiously as Stride turned, but the masked woman had already headed out of the room. She was promptly replaced by another visitor, this one just as cold, but distinctly vampiric in odor. The investigator stared at him for a long moment, her eyes sharp in their scrutiny despite the lack of focus. 

Very wealthy, by his dress. And not young, by the way he carried himself.

The failure of everyone else around to offer a name had not slipped her notice; another reminder that she wasn’t on the side of the desk to ask questions. Or, apparently, be given consideration in conversation.



“Wolf attack,” she interjected as the vampire posed his question to the man, a not-so-subtle reminder that she may have been down, but she could still speak for herself, “Two’ve your people found me. Lulu Botrelle, by th’way,” she continued, and offered a tired hand to shake, “Private Investigator.”

A reply had been lifting from the tip of his tongue when Lulu had interjected. Instead of interrupting, he waited until she was finished to respond to Alexander's query. Ms.Botrelle had certainly taken the steps to assert herself. Which was important, and impressive, considering she was doing so from the venerable position she was in. "Yes, in regards to our new house mate, we will need another shipment of blood packs." Montana appreciated his fellow operatives subtly with a short nod. "And more, possibly for Mr.Longbow."

The smile that pulled at Montana's cheeks wasn't indicative of mirth. It was a grim thing, that spoke of a sordid affair he couldn't share in current company. When his head moved back, the smile evaporated, leaving a more natural look of contentment in its place. "I plan on sharing my findings during our conclave, but if you'd like to be prepped before, I can facilitate you in a short while." Montana understood wanting to be informed. This pseudo clairvoyance on meeting matter could lend a more measured response then if the information is new. Or it just sated curiosity.

"If you couldn't smell her on them she could very well be gone." "If you are able, I'd like to prematurely extend the invitation to join our interrogation, if only to identify the wolves who took part in the attack, this is a lot to task, given how recent their attack was, but I fear if we don't act soon our window of opportunity may be shut by Madam Fate."

He rested his elbow on the railing of her bed, and his chin on his thumb, leaving the index finger to trail up toward his cheekbone. "Of course my fellows might not be to keen on the idea, as you are relatively unknown, and I'd have to take my own precautions of course, but I view it as my favourite option right now."

If the Moors Pack had a hand in this young woman's death or disappearance, he'd see someone answered to it. That went for any organization that was aiding whomever was working in the shadows. It was 2015, there were plenty of ways to flay a foe in this modern age.

<Test>

Alexander found the voice that answered him initially strange, unfamiliar meaning it could only be the vampiress of the bed. She at least answered the questions surrounding her. Taking the hand that was offered towards him he turned it so he could bow his head and lightly kiss her knuckles. It was probably not what she was expecting but it was quite a courteous display from Alexander. " Ms Botrelle... A pleasure under any other circumstance... I am Mr. Wiseman"

Unlike the other operatives Alexander could offer his name out more often. The effectiveness of his job relied on his status and being trusted so he only ever used an alias for non supernaturals. Watching Montana carefully he let out a sigh " I will wait for confirmation about Mr. Longbow before putting the requisition order through. " he said as did not enjoy the signals he was reading from Montana's demeanor and expression. " The Commander is not going to be happy when he gets the first reports in.... i am glad i am not the lead on this one"

Adjusting his sleeves he walked to stand beside Montana to make it easier for lulu to see him " If you have any questions or requests Ms. Bortelle please do speak up..... it may not be viable for us to comply with some of them but while your with us you should at least be comfortable" he said finding there to be many things he wished to ask himself, but the present company restricted his curiosity and helped focus his mind.

Lulu’s bright green gaze bounced between the two men like a tennis ball as she followed the course of speech. Whoever “Longbow” was, considering whatever had transpired to warrant a shipment of blood, she almost pitied him. 



Before she could fully process the weight of the conversation, her attention was jarred by Alexander’s introduction and old-fashioned gesture. Her pupils dilated and she drew a silent gasp in surprise. Whatever she had been expecting him to do, it certainly wasn’t that. “And they’ll say chivalry’s dead. The pleasure’s mine, Mr. Wiseman,” she quipped back with an easy smile, before turning back to her initial questioner. 

Who still had yet to offer so much as an alias.

“You’re extending me an invitation?” she asked, an incredulous laugh coloring the tail end of her question. “Listen, Mac,” she said in an amused, if not slightly irked voice, the shadows of her accent coming to the forefront of her already sloppily slurred tone, “I’m mighty grateful to you’nd yours for helping me out, but last I checked, this’s my case. F’anyone’s gonna be giving those boys the once over, it’s gonna be me. F’you think Ioughtta take a back seat to some bulls working for god knows who, talkin’ over m’head like I’m too fried to notice…”


The way she wanted to finish the sentence was, ‘You can promptly take back your help and shove it up your ass,’ but she bit her tongue and shook her head in distaste. 
 

Despite the confidence of her impaired speech, the vampire was well aware that she was, indeed, too “fried” to catch a vast majority of the conversation and did not trust herself with speaking the full extent of what was on her mind.

Either the people helping her had a loose definition for the term “mild sedative,” or her small size and blood loss were causing her to feel the drug’s impact more heavily.



She took a deep breath, hoping to ground her thinking. When she spoke next, her flippant tone was replaced by something more focused as she channeled all of her energy into a farce of lucidity. “That being said,” she said, accent reverting to a neutral American, “I’m not opposed to a collaboration, considering your help. But I’m not playing second fiddle to anyone. I finish what I start.”

Montana was completely unruffled by Lulu's response. It was warranted, despite her perspective on the meaning behind his words. Truthfully, the pendulum could swing either way and he'd find a way to benefit. He offered a pleasant quarter smile, indicative that he understood where she was coming from. "Of course Lady Lulu." He held a comfortable tone, one that let his words float out evenly.

"You're free to continue your investigation alone as you have started. You've been forthright with what you did know, and helpful in shedding light on situations we've dealt with recently. The nature of my organization keeps me from explaining its details without permission, but I can assure you, we will be hands off, and out of your hair when you choose to carry out your own interrogation of the York Moors Pack, the ones who attacked you in particular I expect."

He collected himself from the rail and leaned back in his seat. "I'll be removing the stitches from your lighter wounds soon, and then from the heavier ones as they show signs of being healed. If you're uncomfortable with any amount of people in here when I do so, I'll have them leave until I am finished."