Amir had one card left and Xephier gave him the perfect opportunity to play it; he watched with vindictive satisfaction as the Kadzait Alpha writhed on the ground, again forced into his naked, vulnerable, human shape. Sadly, Amir wasn't in any condition to capitalize on it.
As they had stood there, he had been busy channeling his scant reserves into his left knee, knowing he'd have to get out of here somehow. His right ankle was a mess. He couldn't even begin to try and force regeneration there until he figured out what bone fragments were where. Unable to speak, he couldn't issue a single Command the Xephier would follow.
Mara, fortunately, solved the problem for him. He couldn't see what she had done, but clearly she held someone hostage. In short order a safe passage arrangement had been worked out.
Using the edge of his kilij as an improvised walking stick, Amir backed away from the wolves. Trusting Bao to watch his back he turned and heaved himself away from his child's supporting shoulder and followed Mara out, staggering now and then as his mauled ankle crackled and popped with the slightest weight.
Bad Moon Rising (PM for invite)
Mara took note of Dana's warbrobe change as they ran; she picked up the pace from a jog to a run once the younger vampire seemed content with the changes she'd made. The park wasn't far; already they were close to the grounds. A narrow strip of woodland spat them out across the baseball diamond; Mara ran across the turf without a thought and over the parking lot beyond. Amir wasn't here. He would be further in.
They crossed the second parking lot and Mara saw a familiar car pulling up. She skidded to a halt, waiting impatiently for Bao to emerge, dancing from foot to foot.
Amir
14 years ago
Mara
14 years ago
Mara had never believed a walk through the park could take so long. She held Nikhila firmly, traveling slowly enough to let Amir keep the pace although she fretted that he wasn't moving quickly enough. The night was fast fading, and she had no doubts that their "escorts" would be thrilled to see them dissolve into ash before their eyes.
Eventually though, they reached the parking lot. Mara studiously avoided looking at the small cloud of mist that tracked their movements. It was safer for Dana, and better for them all, if the wolves didn't know they had a fourth in their numbers. It could be useful in the future. Thanks to Dana's timely information, they would have a future.
Bao went for his car; Amir, stoic and stubborn, refused to head in any direction but his bike. Mara scowled as he gestured at her, still unable to speak. She wasn't about to get involved in a staring fight. She understood the reason for it although she still thought he should get his overly-proud ass in the car.
Still holding Nikhila in an iron-strong grip, Mara climbed onto the bike and fired it up. She waited for Bao to get into the car, accompanied by a small subtle cloud she was sure none of the wolves really noticed. Feeling Amir settle himself heavily against her back, Mara revved the bike and slowly drove, tugging Nikhila along with them. As they reached the exit she gunned it and let Nikhila fall away, tucking the kodachi into the saddlebag of the bike by thrusting it through the fabric and grabbing Amir's hands to help hold him in place.
Behind them, the wolves faded into the distance, gone but not forgotten.
((ooc: Vampires out - no permission given, it just kinda worked. Lemme know if you want it changed and I will!
))
Eventually though, they reached the parking lot. Mara studiously avoided looking at the small cloud of mist that tracked their movements. It was safer for Dana, and better for them all, if the wolves didn't know they had a fourth in their numbers. It could be useful in the future. Thanks to Dana's timely information, they would have a future.
Bao went for his car; Amir, stoic and stubborn, refused to head in any direction but his bike. Mara scowled as he gestured at her, still unable to speak. She wasn't about to get involved in a staring fight. She understood the reason for it although she still thought he should get his overly-proud ass in the car.
Still holding Nikhila in an iron-strong grip, Mara climbed onto the bike and fired it up. She waited for Bao to get into the car, accompanied by a small subtle cloud she was sure none of the wolves really noticed. Feeling Amir settle himself heavily against her back, Mara revved the bike and slowly drove, tugging Nikhila along with them. As they reached the exit she gunned it and let Nikhila fall away, tucking the kodachi into the saddlebag of the bike by thrusting it through the fabric and grabbing Amir's hands to help hold him in place.
Behind them, the wolves faded into the distance, gone but not forgotten.
((ooc: Vampires out - no permission given, it just kinda worked. Lemme know if you want it changed and I will!
))
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph focused on trying to breathe as the Pipers took off, following the vampires toward the front of the Park. Eventually he thought he might be able to move again, and he crawled on his stomach over to where Lily lay unmoving. Collapsing next to her seemed way more convenient than over there.
He looked around; LT had stayed behind and now stood watch, ears pricked toward the slowly moving Pipers.
It was no competition. If the female vampire harmed one hair on Nikhila's head, the Pack would take them all down.
It was the only consolation he had, feeling like he'd betrayed her.
((ooc: Lily and Xeph out))
He looked around; LT had stayed behind and now stood watch, ears pricked toward the slowly moving Pipers.
It was no competition. If the female vampire harmed one hair on Nikhila's head, the Pack would take them all down.
It was the only consolation he had, feeling like he'd betrayed her.
((ooc: Lily and Xeph out))
Nikhila
14 years ago
She didn't dare struggle, not at all. Nikhila was not at all convinced the vampires would honor their word and she'd gotten just half a look at an unguarded expression on Hoang's face. It didn't bode well. She took some small comfort from the fact that The Pipers and even the Vyusher were following. She hadn't been abandon at the very least.
As the bike started to move and she was still held Nikhila's blood ran cold. They weren't going to let her go, she would be dragged. Finally the vice like grip released her. Nikhila gratefully hit the pavement, rolling to lessen the impact and doing what she could to protect her stomach.
Stunned, disoriented Nikhila staggered to her feet only to have the moon reclaim her. Looking around she found two Pipers looking at her somewhat expectantly. She knew then she just wanted Aidan, she wanted to go home. They escorted her back to the sight of the fight. Quietly wagging her tail at LT who was keeping watch, Nikhila found Aidan and sofly nuzzled her mate, trying to offer some support. He'd fought so well done his best to protect them all, they all had. Tired and worried she curled up next to Aidan. This was half of what she needed right now.
((OCC... Nikhila out))
As the bike started to move and she was still held Nikhila's blood ran cold. They weren't going to let her go, she would be dragged. Finally the vice like grip released her. Nikhila gratefully hit the pavement, rolling to lessen the impact and doing what she could to protect her stomach.
Stunned, disoriented Nikhila staggered to her feet only to have the moon reclaim her. Looking around she found two Pipers looking at her somewhat expectantly. She knew then she just wanted Aidan, she wanted to go home. They escorted her back to the sight of the fight. Quietly wagging her tail at LT who was keeping watch, Nikhila found Aidan and sofly nuzzled her mate, trying to offer some support. He'd fought so well done his best to protect them all, they all had. Tired and worried she curled up next to Aidan. This was half of what she needed right now.
((OCC... Nikhila out))
The Pipers
14 years ago
LT and two Pipers secured transportation for the Alpha, his mate, and mother - all wounded physically as well as emotionally, then double timed it back to the Beta and Commander with their vehicles and clothing from the other side of the park. Then returned to wolf form and assumed their protective stance. By then the edge of the parking lot was teaming with angry, snarling wolves as the Beta maintained his hold on the Nakubili leader. That both teams had managed to work together without killing one another was impressive, even for the Beta, but then the Commander stood nearby, exerting his will on the rest of the wolves as well - and who could resist the two older, more experienced werewolves?
It was a mexican stand-off if Charlie had ever seen one. The moon began to retreat behind the trees as the night finally came to an end and first the Beta, then the Commander regained their ability to change back to human form and stay human. Minutes later the Nakubili leader Oringo did the same.
The Pipers stayed in wolf form, as did the Nakubili, and formed a semi-circle behind their leaders. The LT remained in wolf form, staring at Oringo with death filled eyes.
It was a mexican stand-off if Charlie had ever seen one. The moon began to retreat behind the trees as the night finally came to an end and first the Beta, then the Commander regained their ability to change back to human form and stay human. Minutes later the Nakubili leader Oringo did the same.
The Pipers stayed in wolf form, as did the Nakubili, and formed a semi-circle behind their leaders. The LT remained in wolf form, staring at Oringo with death filled eyes.
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer stared stoically as he slipped on a large flight suit from the Piper's vehicle, knowing full well that Ringo wouldn't try anything, not when both he and Brig were concentrating on their gestalt ability, forcing them, if only temporarily, to comply. Handing a suit to Brig, his cousin dressed slowly, his eyes on Ringo as well. They waited as he suffered through the last of the madness and was able to transform back to human shape. Glaring, both men stared at the black skin devil.
A Nakubili had died at the hand of the vampires, supposedly protecting their females. It was a female, and Hammer suspected he knew why. The death of the female was unfortunate but lucky - it helped the cohesiveness of the control Hammer exerted onto Ringo and his team. Finally after a few long minutes, Ringo finally spoke.
A Nakubili had died at the hand of the vampires, supposedly protecting their females. It was a female, and Hammer suspected he knew why. The death of the female was unfortunate but lucky - it helped the cohesiveness of the control Hammer exerted onto Ringo and his team. Finally after a few long minutes, Ringo finally spoke.
Oringo Ramsey
14 years ago
'Relinquish your hold. Now.'
Ringo fought against the Kadzait Beta's control, not surprised that with the CO they were able to temper their violent blood feud. The one-eyed giant spoke, smiling what Ringo knew to be a rare humorous expression.
'Now why would I do that?'
'Because you owe me.'
The Nakubili's snarls began to grow louder behind him.
Ringo fought against the Kadzait Beta's control, not surprised that with the CO they were able to temper their violent blood feud. The one-eyed giant spoke, smiling what Ringo knew to be a rare humorous expression.
'Now why would I do that?'
'Because you owe me.'
The Nakubili's snarls began to grow louder behind him.
Brig Jameson
14 years ago
'We owe you shit.'
Brig could barely hold onto his human form when Ringo finally spoke the inevitable insult. Standing next to his cousin, he reinforced his hold, bending Ringo's will and forcing the Nakubili to recede, but just barely. It was taking everything to exert this type of control and he could only guess his rage was fueling it.
Suddenly Hammer turned his head and looked at Brig with a side long glance. He did not have to speak the words, but it irritated him just the same. Slowly he eased his gestalt and ability to rally the troops, as it were, and conceded to his cousin's authority.
'Why did you side with us, besides the obvious weak wills,' Ringo's eyes narrowed and Brig smiled, 'what did the vampires do to warrant your actions? It wasn't your fight.'
'Their female,' Hammer replied.
Brig counted eleven Nakubili standing behind Ringo. A female had sacrificed herself to help their females.
'But that doesn't explain why they were there in the first place.'
Brig could barely hold onto his human form when Ringo finally spoke the inevitable insult. Standing next to his cousin, he reinforced his hold, bending Ringo's will and forcing the Nakubili to recede, but just barely. It was taking everything to exert this type of control and he could only guess his rage was fueling it.
Suddenly Hammer turned his head and looked at Brig with a side long glance. He did not have to speak the words, but it irritated him just the same. Slowly he eased his gestalt and ability to rally the troops, as it were, and conceded to his cousin's authority.
'Why did you side with us, besides the obvious weak wills,' Ringo's eyes narrowed and Brig smiled, 'what did the vampires do to warrant your actions? It wasn't your fight.'
'Their female,' Hammer replied.
Brig counted eleven Nakubili standing behind Ringo. A female had sacrificed herself to help their females.
'But that doesn't explain why they were there in the first place.'
Oringo Ramsey
14 years ago
Ringo felt the weight of their control tighten, enraging him even more, but did not permit him to break it. He glared at Jameson, at his gloating.
'There are more in the woods. More of ours, no doubt more of yours. The vampire was busy before finding your females to play with.' Ringo looked at Hammer then and smiled. 'And what pretty females they were.'
Ringo saw Hammer's reaction to the older female being wounded. Despite their gender, females could hold their own, but there was something different about their pack's reaction, especially from Hammer and the Alpha.
'They were...special.'
The Pipers advanced, their hackles rising and the Nakubili responded, refusing to give an inch.
Hammerthynn snorted halfheartedly. 'It's a matter of honor, Ringo. We protect our females...unlike you.'
Sisi had responded to something, something the other males did not detect. Ringo honestly did not have a clue, but he still came to the same conclusion.
'Regardless, one of mine died...for two of yours.'
'There are more in the woods. More of ours, no doubt more of yours. The vampire was busy before finding your females to play with.' Ringo looked at Hammer then and smiled. 'And what pretty females they were.'
Ringo saw Hammer's reaction to the older female being wounded. Despite their gender, females could hold their own, but there was something different about their pack's reaction, especially from Hammer and the Alpha.
'They were...special.'
The Pipers advanced, their hackles rising and the Nakubili responded, refusing to give an inch.
Hammerthynn snorted halfheartedly. 'It's a matter of honor, Ringo. We protect our females...unlike you.'
Sisi had responded to something, something the other males did not detect. Ringo honestly did not have a clue, but he still came to the same conclusion.
'Regardless, one of mine died...for two of yours.'
Brig Jameson
14 years ago
'That sounds familiar.'
Brig's voice was cold and just above a whisper. He felt LT come up beside him, electricity coming off his hackles, infuriating him even further. Ringo was talking about his youngest brother David and his wife, LT's parents. He knew he should not be heading down this path, but his rage was blindly forcing him into a corner. Brig caught Hammer's eye, silently he shrugged at his cousin.
So what if he's got one dead, his expression asked. Brig looked back at Ringo and glared down at him, his face disgusted.
Brig's voice was cold and just above a whisper. He felt LT come up beside him, electricity coming off his hackles, infuriating him even further. Ringo was talking about his youngest brother David and his wife, LT's parents. He knew he should not be heading down this path, but his rage was blindly forcing him into a corner. Brig caught Hammer's eye, silently he shrugged at his cousin.
So what if he's got one dead, his expression asked. Brig looked back at Ringo and glared down at him, his face disgusted.
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
The tension was increasing by the second and Hammer knew soon they would have an all out fight. Twelve Nakubili versus eight Pipers - granted Hammer and Brig could do a fair amount of damage on their own and had at least fifty years of experience on Ringo, he knew he'd lose at least one if not two more Pipers - LT more than likely included. He had to stop the battle before it escalated to a full out war.
Besides, they were still suspended and they had their Alpha, Nikhila, and his own mate to look after now.
He turned his head and held up his hand, leveling it in a subtle, horizontal motion. The Pipers immediately stopped their advance and tempered their snarls. LT had moved up in between him and Brig, but he resisted, continuing his advance. In a move that LT would definitely feel later back at the Den, Hammer clenched his jaw and spoke two words.
'Stand. Down.'
LT immediately broke off, but narrowed his eyes at RIngo.
'Take your men, your dead, and go, Ringo. I neither have the time nor the patience for your pious threats. If you start this...right now...I'll finish it by grounding you into the dirt, till there is nothing left. Not even your weak will.'
Ringo's eyes were on fire with hate. Hammer took one step closer and looked down at the man.
'But thank you for your assistance. You be sure to forward me an address so I can send you a thank you card.'
Besides, they were still suspended and they had their Alpha, Nikhila, and his own mate to look after now.
He turned his head and held up his hand, leveling it in a subtle, horizontal motion. The Pipers immediately stopped their advance and tempered their snarls. LT had moved up in between him and Brig, but he resisted, continuing his advance. In a move that LT would definitely feel later back at the Den, Hammer clenched his jaw and spoke two words.
'Stand. Down.'
LT immediately broke off, but narrowed his eyes at RIngo.
'Take your men, your dead, and go, Ringo. I neither have the time nor the patience for your pious threats. If you start this...right now...I'll finish it by grounding you into the dirt, till there is nothing left. Not even your weak will.'
Ringo's eyes were on fire with hate. Hammer took one step closer and looked down at the man.
'But thank you for your assistance. You be sure to forward me an address so I can send you a thank you card.'
Oringo Ramsey
14 years ago
Ringo's second came up beside him, snarling, ready to unleash the Nakubili onto the weakened Pipers, ignoring the threat of the Kadzait Beta and the Piper Commander. It was ill placed confidence, Ringo knew this. Despite almost having twice the amount of wolves, Ringo knew that the losses would be heavy and with the bitter Triad: Hammerthynn, Jameson, and their LT, he'd be torn apart first. It was his own skin he thought of in the bitter end and it just wasn't a price he was willing to pay.
Ringo turned his head and commanded the Nakubili to back off and retreat. 'Gather our dead,' he told his Second who's ears which were flat pushed forward in confusion. 'Now.'
The Nakubili stepped backwards, never turning their back on the Pipers and never quite leaving their Unkulunkulu until the Kadzait Beta done the same. Both the Pipers and the Nakubili disengaged from the head-to-head.
Ringo lifted his hands and gave them a brilliant, white tooth smiled. 'Let us part as friends then, Hammer, even in our retribution.'
For now, Ringo added silently to himself.
'I'll be seeing you.'
Ringo turned his head and commanded the Nakubili to back off and retreat. 'Gather our dead,' he told his Second who's ears which were flat pushed forward in confusion. 'Now.'
The Nakubili stepped backwards, never turning their back on the Pipers and never quite leaving their Unkulunkulu until the Kadzait Beta done the same. Both the Pipers and the Nakubili disengaged from the head-to-head.
Ringo lifted his hands and gave them a brilliant, white tooth smiled. 'Let us part as friends then, Hammer, even in our retribution.'
For now, Ringo added silently to himself.
'I'll be seeing you.'
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
'Of that I have no doubt.'
Hammer narrowed his eye at Ringo as he backed up and the finally turned toward the forest with the rest of his Nakubili. He returned to his wolf form and the twelve of them darted back into the forest.
'That was bullshit, Hammer.'
Brig stepped forward, confronting him and overstepping his authority. No doubt infuriated that they had not killed Ringo on the spot. Hammer reminded him of his place by grabbing the collar of his flight suit and snarling into his face.
'Keep it together, Brian.'
Hammer rarely used Brig's real name - in fact he hadn't called him Brian since they were young men. It was always in Brig to be the man he was, and even though he was older than Hammer, he wasn't the Beta. He let go of Brig's collar and his cousin took a step back, his face tight with fury.
'We gather our dead and go. We need to check on the Alpha and the others.' Hammer paused and thought about his reaction to Brig when he first entered the clearing and came near Lily. It was possessive and pretty damn obvious at Hammer's aggression. No point putting it off any further.
'Plus I need to talk to you privately.'
Brig straightened and ran a hand behind his head, along his neck. Nodding to LT, the Pipers ran off back into the woods, cautiously avoiding the Nakubili, and retreated several more bodies of Kadzait members who had met their fate with the vampire.
The need to return to the Den had grown exponentially. He'd want to check on Lily and Nikhila, make sure they were ok and attend to his own wounds. The slashes at his ribcage had closed but were still tender. He was surprised that he just now noticed the pain. The silver burns would have to be looked at as well, no doubt adding beautifully to the scars on his face.
With a resigned sigh, he turned to look back into the dark woods. The horizon beginning to light up the sky with reds and oranges, starting another day.
((OOC Hammer, Pipers, Brig, Ringo, Nakubili out))
Hammer narrowed his eye at Ringo as he backed up and the finally turned toward the forest with the rest of his Nakubili. He returned to his wolf form and the twelve of them darted back into the forest.
'That was bullshit, Hammer.'
Brig stepped forward, confronting him and overstepping his authority. No doubt infuriated that they had not killed Ringo on the spot. Hammer reminded him of his place by grabbing the collar of his flight suit and snarling into his face.
'Keep it together, Brian.'
Hammer rarely used Brig's real name - in fact he hadn't called him Brian since they were young men. It was always in Brig to be the man he was, and even though he was older than Hammer, he wasn't the Beta. He let go of Brig's collar and his cousin took a step back, his face tight with fury.
'We gather our dead and go. We need to check on the Alpha and the others.' Hammer paused and thought about his reaction to Brig when he first entered the clearing and came near Lily. It was possessive and pretty damn obvious at Hammer's aggression. No point putting it off any further.
'Plus I need to talk to you privately.'
Brig straightened and ran a hand behind his head, along his neck. Nodding to LT, the Pipers ran off back into the woods, cautiously avoiding the Nakubili, and retreated several more bodies of Kadzait members who had met their fate with the vampire.
The need to return to the Den had grown exponentially. He'd want to check on Lily and Nikhila, make sure they were ok and attend to his own wounds. The slashes at his ribcage had closed but were still tender. He was surprised that he just now noticed the pain. The silver burns would have to be looked at as well, no doubt adding beautifully to the scars on his face.
With a resigned sigh, he turned to look back into the dark woods. The horizon beginning to light up the sky with reds and oranges, starting another day.
((OOC Hammer, Pipers, Brig, Ringo, Nakubili out))