Having gone out and played nice with the neighbor kids on several occasions now, Amir figured he should introduce himself to Dad. Several evenings of waiting had the desired result, and eventually Pop took the bait and came out to greet him. Amir wasn't surprised. Aidan Xephier wasn't hard to gather information on, as a human or as a Werewolf, if you had the right sources. Amir made it a point to have the right sources.
Within three nights, pretty boy himself came flying over the back wall of the property these wolves had staked out for themselves. Amir waited with patience while Xephier sniffed, searched, and then discovered. He was an impressive specimen, and Amir had seen all kinds. These particular wolves, what did they call themselves again? Kadzait. They were huge. Xephier was no exception. Had he been a real animal, Amir might have been inclined to appreciate the full coat and rippling muscle.
As it was, he wasn't here to admire. He was here to do his job.
"Looking for me?" he asked, idly polishing his fingernails against the front of his shirt. "We can hardly chat like that, you know."
Clear as Mud (private)
((ooc: This thread takes place just outside the Pack territory but this is the most logical place for it.))
Xeph had reached the boundaries of the Long Run, the farthest corner of their property. Following Jesse's report he'd picked up the strange scent of the jackal from the Park and preserve, and he'd been appalled to find it led right up to the very base of the wall around the Long Run. It went no further, but obviously the creature had been here. Something as small as a jackal couldn't breach this wall, surely?
Very large wolves could at night, however, and Xeph did so in plain view of a surveillance camera. He wasn't stupid. While the guards wouldn't question his choice, he wasn't going to make it tough to find him if it turned out they really needed him. He leaped and scrabbled against the stone, reaching the top and launching himself over, hitting the ground on the other side with a grunt.
He loped some distance off before the scent of the stranger hit him again. It was musky and exotic, and yet there was a hint of civilization, things he recognized - soap, detergent, normal things. He'd run into hybrid wolf-dogs before, kept as pets by humans, who smelled similarly. Was that Jesse's jackal?
Xeph wheeled and put his nose down to the ground, the recent tang of the smell startling. Just as he coiled his muscles to spring off again, he heard the slightest rustle behind him. He turned once more, and nearly fell over.
A small man stood there. No, a boy, really. Maybe. The shadows from the trees under the waning moon shed very little light. It didn't matter. Xeph had seen this face before. It was sinister in its attractiveness; high arched cheekbones, dark glittering eyes, mouth curved into a slight smile, well-defined jaw. Xeph knew this beautiful face - no, Xeph didn't. Liam had known it. And Liam had feared it and hated it all at once.
He'd wanted to know about his inherited memories - well, here was an answer standing before him.
Amir
15 years ago
Xeph
15 years ago
The stranger spoke, and his voice sent the fur on Xeph's back to attention. It was a pleasant voice, he guessed, if one weren't experiencing what had to be decades of inherited memories, if not more. It was low, hypnotic, and silky. It was terrifying, and that really irritated him.
Almost unconsciously, he lifted his lips, baring fangs that were itching to bite, tear, and rip. What the hell? He had far more control over himself than this. He made an effort to control his features and sat, eyes narrowed, waiting. Xeph wasn't about to conform that easily.
Almost unconsciously, he lifted his lips, baring fangs that were itching to bite, tear, and rip. What the hell? He had far more control over himself than this. He made an effort to control his features and sat, eyes narrowed, waiting. Xeph wasn't about to conform that easily.
Amir
15 years ago
Well, if Xephier didn't want to talk that was fine with him. Amir could do plenty of talking for them both. Ignoring the fangs recklessly, he took several steps toward the wolf so he could continue to speak softly.
"You're very brave, violating a treaty that has been in place for thousands of years," he said. "You don't belong here."
He crouched slightly, putting his face level with Xephier's. "You think it's unfair, do you? You think you have rights, that you deserve to be here, is that it?"
Amir frowned at the wolf-man. "We had a bargain," he said, interjecting a note of hurt into his voice. His kind were the wounded party here, not Xephier's.
"You're very brave, violating a treaty that has been in place for thousands of years," he said. "You don't belong here."
He crouched slightly, putting his face level with Xephier's. "You think it's unfair, do you? You think you have rights, that you deserve to be here, is that it?"
Amir frowned at the wolf-man. "We had a bargain," he said, interjecting a note of hurt into his voice. His kind were the wounded party here, not Xephier's.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph was boggled. Who was this person? He was still waiting for Jesse's jackal to show up and instead he had what was obviously a very self-righteous vampire who, for some reason, he felt he should know more about. They were eye-to-eye and the silu's words were like venom to Xeph's ears. Fuck the so-called treaty. It had been long enough since they'd discovered it for any of the wolves, Vyusher or Kadzait, to respect it.
They had every right to live as they pleased. They weren't outcasts, not any more. They were strong, and they were every bit as entitled. Was this man some sort of fanatic? Some kind of strange vampiric aberration?
In a way, though, Xeph supposed he'd been expecting this. Their insinuation into Nachton had gone far too smoothly thus far, and no opposition at all had been like a little warning in the back of his mind. But one vampire? That wasn't so bad.
He growled low, under his breath, a dangerous sound. Xeph wasn't going to sit here and take this, and he had no intention of leaving the city with his tail between his legs.
They had every right to live as they pleased. They weren't outcasts, not any more. They were strong, and they were every bit as entitled. Was this man some sort of fanatic? Some kind of strange vampiric aberration?
In a way, though, Xeph supposed he'd been expecting this. Their insinuation into Nachton had gone far too smoothly thus far, and no opposition at all had been like a little warning in the back of his mind. But one vampire? That wasn't so bad.
He growled low, under his breath, a dangerous sound. Xeph wasn't going to sit here and take this, and he had no intention of leaving the city with his tail between his legs.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir's words failed to produce the desired result, and that annoyed him. He wanted Xephier off-balance. There was much too much to discuss. If the man wouldn't meet him on his terms, Amir would force his terms.
Playing with wolves required very little preparation, Amir had discovered. Just one thing, in particular. Slowly, he removed his hand from where it had been in his pocket.
"You're not playing nice," Amir said with a sigh. "Let's try it again."
He threw the object in his hand at Xephier, too close to miss.
"Fetch."
Sitting back on his heels, he watched his handiwork with appreciation.
Playing with wolves required very little preparation, Amir had discovered. Just one thing, in particular. Slowly, he removed his hand from where it had been in his pocket.
"You're not playing nice," Amir said with a sigh. "Let's try it again."
He threw the object in his hand at Xephier, too close to miss.
"Fetch."
Sitting back on his heels, he watched his handiwork with appreciation.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph had no time to react. He hadn't been expecting the stranger to toss a small, harmless-looking object at him. An attack he was ready for... this? He saw the little ball fly at him, instinctively opened his mouth and caught it even as his brain wrapped itself around the fact that it had flashed dully in the dim light.
Oh Xeph, you idiot.
He spat the little silver ball out but it was far too late. With a speed that popped joints and cracked bones he lost hold of his wolf form and was thrust painfully into his human frame, winding up crouched opposite the smaller man on the forest ground, cold wind licking at his skin.
"Who the hell are you?"
He moved to stand over the little silver ball so the vampire couldn't retrieve it without reaching right under him. He might have more, but Xeph wasn't about to let him get this one back.
Oh Xeph, you idiot.
He spat the little silver ball out but it was far too late. With a speed that popped joints and cracked bones he lost hold of his wolf form and was thrust painfully into his human frame, winding up crouched opposite the smaller man on the forest ground, cold wind licking at his skin.
"Who the hell are you?"
He moved to stand over the little silver ball so the vampire couldn't retrieve it without reaching right under him. He might have more, but Xeph wasn't about to let him get this one back.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir watched ambivalently as the wolf reacted on instinct and caught his toy. He had witnessed this on several occasions, although he had to admit Xephier handled it better than most. The question wasn't unexpected, either.
"Didn't your daddy ever mention me? We were very good friends," he goaded with a smile. He waited a moment and then tilted his head thoughtfully to the side. "Oh, that's right. I wouldn't let him."
Amir continued while Xephier was still silent. "I'm here to give you a choice," he said. "You have to understand, our races cannot possibly live side by side. Do you see? The treaty that once was written was put in place for a reason. We need large populations to live off of, and you - well, you can survive without humankind. That's why it was written as it was."
Subira would have been livid with him, but their methods had always differed a little. Amir liked to do it his way. So he fed the silently bristling Aidan Xephier as many half-truths as he could, curious to see how far he could get with him.
"Now we find you here, brazen, in our city, playing with our meals. Will you turn them, too? Of course. It's what you do." Amir sneered. "You render them unfit for consumption, you taint the stock. We did nothing to you, and you bring your pestilence here. You dishonor yourselves, and the treaty that was signed by your ancestors."
He let his voice drop lower. "We'll give you this choice, though. Take your Pack and leave of your own free will, never to return. Order your people back to the outskirts, back to the hills and the snows and the islands."
He raised his brows. "Or we will get rid of you. And I can promise you, or methods won't be so pleasant."
"Didn't your daddy ever mention me? We were very good friends," he goaded with a smile. He waited a moment and then tilted his head thoughtfully to the side. "Oh, that's right. I wouldn't let him."
Amir continued while Xephier was still silent. "I'm here to give you a choice," he said. "You have to understand, our races cannot possibly live side by side. Do you see? The treaty that once was written was put in place for a reason. We need large populations to live off of, and you - well, you can survive without humankind. That's why it was written as it was."
Subira would have been livid with him, but their methods had always differed a little. Amir liked to do it his way. So he fed the silently bristling Aidan Xephier as many half-truths as he could, curious to see how far he could get with him.
"Now we find you here, brazen, in our city, playing with our meals. Will you turn them, too? Of course. It's what you do." Amir sneered. "You render them unfit for consumption, you taint the stock. We did nothing to you, and you bring your pestilence here. You dishonor yourselves, and the treaty that was signed by your ancestors."
He let his voice drop lower. "We'll give you this choice, though. Take your Pack and leave of your own free will, never to return. Order your people back to the outskirts, back to the hills and the snows and the islands."
He raised his brows. "Or we will get rid of you. And I can promise you, or methods won't be so pleasant."
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph panted slightly at the pain of the forced changed, his ears just barely picking up the vampire's reference to his father. That wasn't a surprise; obviously they'd met or he'd not have inherited memories. Good friends though? That sarcasm was laughable. If this had been a laughing matter, anyhow.
He listened though, and he listened well. Xeph had always been fond of history, and if this vampire was really that old he was living history. He didn't believe, wouldn't believe, the words...
...and yet, they made sense. Was that really how vampires felt about it when wolves inhabited the same space? It made sense, he supposed. Was it really a simple matter of peaceful co-existence? That was all they wanted. Why should they have to leave Nachton to achieve it, though?
It was almost compelling. It was almost believable. Right up until the ultimatum.
"You can't remove us," he growled. "We're far too many, far too strong. We have every right to be here. We're staying."
He listened though, and he listened well. Xeph had always been fond of history, and if this vampire was really that old he was living history. He didn't believe, wouldn't believe, the words...
...and yet, they made sense. Was that really how vampires felt about it when wolves inhabited the same space? It made sense, he supposed. Was it really a simple matter of peaceful co-existence? That was all they wanted. Why should they have to leave Nachton to achieve it, though?
It was almost compelling. It was almost believable. Right up until the ultimatum.
"You can't remove us," he growled. "We're far too many, far too strong. We have every right to be here. We're staying."
Amir
15 years ago
Amir chuckled. "So, he speaks. I was afraid you were too used to reading your lines off teleprompters at charity events."
Shaking his head he added, "I was hoping you'd say that. That makes it ever so much more fun. There are so many ways to make you feel... compelled to see things our way. Your father, now, he was a stubborn one. But in the end even he tried to do what we wanted."
Shaking his head he added, "I was hoping you'd say that. That makes it ever so much more fun. There are so many ways to make you feel... compelled to see things our way. Your father, now, he was a stubborn one. But in the end even he tried to do what we wanted."
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph felt his lips lift once again into a snarl, as if his brain hadn't quite come to terms with his undesired change.
"What does my father have to do with this?"
The vampire sat smugly back, smiling broadly, and shrugged.
"What do you know?"
Xeph thought of the endless fights, the constant struggle, the way he'd nearly begged Liam to just try to see things his way. Just once. The pain of Challenge, knowing he was deposing his own father, knowing Liam's pride would be injured, their family damaged beyond repair.
"You bastard, what aren't you telling me?"
In a heartbeat, years of pain and emotion rising to the surface, Xeph leaped upon the sneering vampire, welcoming the rush of rage that returned him slowly to his furred body. He snapped his jaws at the silu even as it turned, threatening as he pinned him down with hands growing quickly to clawed paws.
"What does my father have to do with this?"
The vampire sat smugly back, smiling broadly, and shrugged.
"What do you know?"
Xeph thought of the endless fights, the constant struggle, the way he'd nearly begged Liam to just try to see things his way. Just once. The pain of Challenge, knowing he was deposing his own father, knowing Liam's pride would be injured, their family damaged beyond repair.
"You bastard, what aren't you telling me?"
In a heartbeat, years of pain and emotion rising to the surface, Xeph leaped upon the sneering vampire, welcoming the rush of rage that returned him slowly to his furred body. He snapped his jaws at the silu even as it turned, threatening as he pinned him down with hands growing quickly to clawed paws.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir was bowled over by Xephier's weight. Well, he hadn't entirely expected that. Still he laughed - maybe a little breathlessly since laughing required air and this rapidly-changing were on his chest was definitely making that difficult.
Oh well, job hazards.
"We do have some daddy issues, don't we?" he gasped with feigned cheer, turning his head slightly to avoid the sharp teeth and watch the wolf's mismatched eyes.
"There's plenty I'm not telling you. And right now, I'm hardly inclined to offer it up."
Amir tucked his legs under him and lunged, kicking Xephier off of him and regaining his feet.
Oh well, job hazards.
"We do have some daddy issues, don't we?" he gasped with feigned cheer, turning his head slightly to avoid the sharp teeth and watch the wolf's mismatched eyes.
"There's plenty I'm not telling you. And right now, I'm hardly inclined to offer it up."
Amir tucked his legs under him and lunged, kicking Xephier off of him and regaining his feet.
Xeph
15 years ago
The vampire didn't seem to be interested in regaining his little ball, nor did he immediately attempt to toss anything else Xeph's way, which was all for the best. Xeph was infuriated by the man's attitude and frustrated by his own inability to understand this situation completely.
What he really wanted to know was who this man was and what he had to do with Liam Xephier. The question of Liam's death had hung over their heads for over a year now and there was no resolution in sight. How dared this arrogant bastard come out of nowhere and make reference to secrets Liam had apparently never revealed to his own family?
Xeph lunged at the vampire, snapping furiously, aggrivated as his target sild easily out of his grasp. They danced around the forest for a few minutes, each one landing several blows on the other by claws, fist, foot, and in both cases, tooth.
They finally broke apart. Xeph lowered his head, snarling with impatience. The vampire stood there, moonlight making his inhuman fangs glisten as he smiled - smiled! - smugly.
What he really wanted to know was who this man was and what he had to do with Liam Xephier. The question of Liam's death had hung over their heads for over a year now and there was no resolution in sight. How dared this arrogant bastard come out of nowhere and make reference to secrets Liam had apparently never revealed to his own family?
Xeph lunged at the vampire, snapping furiously, aggrivated as his target sild easily out of his grasp. They danced around the forest for a few minutes, each one landing several blows on the other by claws, fist, foot, and in both cases, tooth.
They finally broke apart. Xeph lowered his head, snarling with impatience. The vampire stood there, moonlight making his inhuman fangs glisten as he smiled - smiled! - smugly.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir decided Xephier was a little on the unpredictable side, but he wasn't worried. Xephier needed him if he wanted his answers. He kept himself out of the way of the wolf's teeth as best he could, but Xephier was fast for such a large wolf and neither one of them came away unscathed.
Breaking apart, Amir couldn't help laughing just a little. He wiped a smear of blood from his cheek where Xephier's claws had scored a nice gash, already closing.
"You have a lot of nerve," he said with a grin. "Liam was very much the same when we started playing this game."
Addressing Xephier's father seemed to be the best way to get a rise out of him so Amir prodded some more and was rewarded, dubiously so, with another round of exchanged blows. It wasn't just peevishness on Amir's part though. He had been around the block a few times and he needed to know the extent of Xephier's capabilities. He remembered his run-ins with Liam, and he remembered the elite "bodyguards" these wolves had. They weren't to be fooled with.
Xephier, so far, was no slouch. He'd landed several blows already and Amir was sure he was restraining himself, as much as he wanted to rip into him. Fending off an enormous bloodthirsty wolf with your bare hands wasn't really his idea of fun however. The sooner they could get this over with, the better. He had to find an even better method, one that would really get Xephier to snap.
"In the end, daddy did what I told him to do," Amir said in a casual, offhanded tone. "I didn't have to push as hard. You're going to be a lot of fun." He dropped his voice down lower still.
"It was charming, how hard you tried to find me after you discovered your dead friends. I left so many clues, too." He sighed, and then seemed to perk up a little. "Thanks for bringing mom with you though. It's been a while since I saw her."
He narrowed his eyes. "Leave town, Xephier. You wouldn't want me to play with her too, would you? Although, she'd probably be a hell of a good sport."
Definitely the right card to play. The resulting explosion was almost worth the lacerations.
Breaking apart, Amir couldn't help laughing just a little. He wiped a smear of blood from his cheek where Xephier's claws had scored a nice gash, already closing.
"You have a lot of nerve," he said with a grin. "Liam was very much the same when we started playing this game."
Addressing Xephier's father seemed to be the best way to get a rise out of him so Amir prodded some more and was rewarded, dubiously so, with another round of exchanged blows. It wasn't just peevishness on Amir's part though. He had been around the block a few times and he needed to know the extent of Xephier's capabilities. He remembered his run-ins with Liam, and he remembered the elite "bodyguards" these wolves had. They weren't to be fooled with.
Xephier, so far, was no slouch. He'd landed several blows already and Amir was sure he was restraining himself, as much as he wanted to rip into him. Fending off an enormous bloodthirsty wolf with your bare hands wasn't really his idea of fun however. The sooner they could get this over with, the better. He had to find an even better method, one that would really get Xephier to snap.
"In the end, daddy did what I told him to do," Amir said in a casual, offhanded tone. "I didn't have to push as hard. You're going to be a lot of fun." He dropped his voice down lower still.
"It was charming, how hard you tried to find me after you discovered your dead friends. I left so many clues, too." He sighed, and then seemed to perk up a little. "Thanks for bringing mom with you though. It's been a while since I saw her."
He narrowed his eyes. "Leave town, Xephier. You wouldn't want me to play with her too, would you? Although, she'd probably be a hell of a good sport."
Definitely the right card to play. The resulting explosion was almost worth the lacerations.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph saw a haze of red. That was all. He didn't care what the consequences were; he wanted this vampire, this silu, in pain before him. But he was too quick, too slippery. Every time Xeph managed to grab him in his teeth he punched or twisted or did something unexpected and painful.
Not that Xeph was entirely unsuccessful; he tasted blood several times, felt bone against tooth, heard something crack, but the same went for him. And when he finally hesitated, the bastard struck like a mongoose. Quick, precise, and ridiculously accurate. Xeph found himself pinned to the forest floor on his side, only just able to twist and look up into the man's face.
It was frightening, what he saw. He cursed at himself for letting go. There was no fear in this man's eyes. Hardly even alarm. Xeph realized he'd given up more than he'd gained, for there was understanding in the man's too-young face. Not only did he know Xeph's capabilities, but he had a great idea of Xeph's weakness.
The silky voice floated down to him as he growled impotently. "Now then, let's lay down a few ground rules, shall we?"
The hypnotic voice seeped into him, over him, through him. He tried not to listen but it was almost impossible. He raged against the compulsion, but couldn't fight his way free, mentally or physically. Inside, he was screaming in rage.
Outside, he was finally standing alone, watching the vampire disappear behind a tree. A few moments later he shivered in the chill breeze as a small figure reappeared and loped away, a little unsteadily, but nowhere near as badly off as Xeph was.
At least now he knew why the jackal was dangerous. But there had to be a way out of this.
He wasn't his father.
((ooc: Xeph and Amir out))
Not that Xeph was entirely unsuccessful; he tasted blood several times, felt bone against tooth, heard something crack, but the same went for him. And when he finally hesitated, the bastard struck like a mongoose. Quick, precise, and ridiculously accurate. Xeph found himself pinned to the forest floor on his side, only just able to twist and look up into the man's face.
It was frightening, what he saw. He cursed at himself for letting go. There was no fear in this man's eyes. Hardly even alarm. Xeph realized he'd given up more than he'd gained, for there was understanding in the man's too-young face. Not only did he know Xeph's capabilities, but he had a great idea of Xeph's weakness.
The silky voice floated down to him as he growled impotently. "Now then, let's lay down a few ground rules, shall we?"
The hypnotic voice seeped into him, over him, through him. He tried not to listen but it was almost impossible. He raged against the compulsion, but couldn't fight his way free, mentally or physically. Inside, he was screaming in rage.
Outside, he was finally standing alone, watching the vampire disappear behind a tree. A few moments later he shivered in the chill breeze as a small figure reappeared and loped away, a little unsteadily, but nowhere near as badly off as Xeph was.
At least now he knew why the jackal was dangerous. But there had to be a way out of this.
He wasn't his father.
((ooc: Xeph and Amir out))