Ysabel stared at LT, clutching Danny to her. As the man came closer she backed away quickly. "They're waiting for us?"
Was he really saying that? Did he really expect her to follow him toward them? Even suspecting, but not entirely believing, what they were, Ysabel was not inclined to do so. He must know what she was. He must suspect at least.
Ysabel shook her head as she backed slowly away. Her inclination was to go ethereal or levitate herself away. As it was, her feet left the ground and she lifted away slightly. She didn't think LT could fly; she could get away with Danny or at least levitate them out of his reach.
"No, no, no," she was murmuring softly. "Leave us alone, we didn't do anything to you."
Maybe a different 600-year-old vampire would have reacted differently. In truth, Ysabel wasn't necessarily afraid... but she was shocked and very wary of LT all of a sudden.
For those who suffer, and those who cry this night...(Ysabel - Secret Santa)
"Fuuuuucck."
LT looked down at his GPR (ground penetrating radar) and felt the cold seep into his trousers. He was knee deep in what he hoped was rain water about fifty feet from the surface manholes in downtown Nachton. His GPR was acting up again.
"Hang on a second," a voice chirped in his ear. "Lemme flash it again..."
"That's not going to work."
LT listened to Lewis, their COM Piper, work to fix the equipment used to map the underground sewer tunnels below the city. "Well it's better than you banging it against the tunnel walls."
Which it was, in fact, what LT was doing. He undid the straps that secured the GPR to his left forearm and knocked the equipment against the tunnel wall.
"Will you stop doing that!"
The bright blue display panel flickered and then died, leaving LT in the darkness. Lewis continued complaining about the abuse the equipment took from the Pipers out in the field when Charlie, his Sergeant, came on the line.
"You're 5 by 5, LT. Thirty meters east and you'll find another exit. Marko and Domingo are closer to you. They'll scoop you up."
"Thanks, Charlie." LT grinned as he wrapped up the GPR and tucked it into the compression pack located inside his field suit. Splashing through the water, LT easily navigated in the darkness to the exit manhole and climbed the ladder up into the street. With a slight push, he moved the three hundred pound manhole cover and peered out.
He was at the northern part of town in the older section of the city, where downtown began filtering into historic buildings, just on the edge of the commercial district. The streets were lined with bare trees casting shadows onto the street as the sun made its way behind the buildings. Pulling himself out, he replaced the cover and moved silently into the shadows between two of the historic buildings and stripped his field suit off. Underneath he wore his black diamond weave Therian weave with his boots. He turned the field suit inside out and stepped back into it. He wasn't concerned with the grime, but he at least looked clean enough to be on the streets without looking like a homeless person and attracting attention of the 'blue' variety.
Talking in a normal voice, he relayed his position back to Lewis.
"Yikes, they're stuck in traffic, LT. It'll be a few."
"That's fine. I'll start walking toward them."
"Aye, LT," Lewis said, signing off.
With a look around him, he stepped back onto the sidewalk and filtered into the throngs of people that always seemed to be milling around Nachton, despite the time of night.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
Shit, LT thought as she began to back away from him. No, she was floating. LT looked down at her feet or what she could see of them from her dress, but she was definitely beginning to float away. He held his hands up and stopped approaching her.
"Listen, listen. I know what you are and now you know what I am...but I promise you," LT said, emphasizing the promise, "we will not hurt you or the boy. It's not our way."
Another long howl unfortunately punctuated his statement, but then the following chorus of howls probably didn't help his argument.
"I didn't have to stay after we started running. I could have taken Danny to safety and left you, but I didn't. That has to say something."
Danny remained quiet during their discussion. LT looked at him, crushed toward Ysabel's chest, and his eyes were strangely curious, not scared at what they were talking about, but then he did only look about three or four years old.
LT kept his hands up, hoping Ysabel believed him.
"Listen, listen. I know what you are and now you know what I am...but I promise you," LT said, emphasizing the promise, "we will not hurt you or the boy. It's not our way."
Another long howl unfortunately punctuated his statement, but then the following chorus of howls probably didn't help his argument.
"I didn't have to stay after we started running. I could have taken Danny to safety and left you, but I didn't. That has to say something."
Danny remained quiet during their discussion. LT looked at him, crushed toward Ysabel's chest, and his eyes were strangely curious, not scared at what they were talking about, but then he did only look about three or four years old.
LT kept his hands up, hoping Ysabel believed him.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Between the howling in the background and LT's comforting gestures and words, Ysabel was torn. She raised her eyebrows at him though. Well. If need be she could get away. It was true that he'd protected the boy.
Slowly, Ysabel drifted back down to the ground. "Very well, sir," she said a little bit stiffly, "but let us remember, while we're on the subject of reminders, that one of us had a car thrown through her head in the interest of keeping some of the squishier members of our little trio safe."
It was said with a little curtsey, even as she held the surprisingly calm Danny. "If you say they won't harm the child then by all means let us go."
She gestured, indicating that LT should precede her. Oh, she could only imagine what Ambrose would do if he were here. She wasn't happy at all. She wasn't scared senseless, but she wasn't comfortable. Still there was nothing to be done. Ysabel was limited by carrying Danny with her.
Slowly, Ysabel drifted back down to the ground. "Very well, sir," she said a little bit stiffly, "but let us remember, while we're on the subject of reminders, that one of us had a car thrown through her head in the interest of keeping some of the squishier members of our little trio safe."
It was said with a little curtsey, even as she held the surprisingly calm Danny. "If you say they won't harm the child then by all means let us go."
She gestured, indicating that LT should precede her. Oh, she could only imagine what Ambrose would do if he were here. She wasn't happy at all. She wasn't scared senseless, but she wasn't comfortable. Still there was nothing to be done. Ysabel was limited by carrying Danny with her.
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
LT lowered his hands and half turned toward the howl but kept his eyes on Ysabel. Pointing up to the sky, he motioned toward the howls.
"I'm going to answer then," he said, taking a few steps away from her. When he put enough distance between them, LT turned away and unzipped his field suit. Stepping out of his clothes, he folded it back up and put it in the compression bag underneath his left armpit, above his kidney, letting it compress the suit flat against him. Then he pushed his wolf, letting the change overcome him as he fell forward, paws hitting the ground.
He shook out his fur as best he could with the Therian-weave on and turned back to Ysabel, looking at her with his bright blue eyes. Lifting his massive, reddish brown head, he howled back, joining the chorus of howling. The others stopped as LT finished his long howl and he tried shaking his fur out again.
LT stood on all fours, looking at Ysabel and Danny. The latter still remaining fairly calm considering he just watched LT change from man to wolf. He supposed kids were funny that way. Taking tentative steps toward Ysabel, he managed to get to about ten feet of her before he sat down on his haunches, flicking his ears forward at her.
"I'm going to answer then," he said, taking a few steps away from her. When he put enough distance between them, LT turned away and unzipped his field suit. Stepping out of his clothes, he folded it back up and put it in the compression bag underneath his left armpit, above his kidney, letting it compress the suit flat against him. Then he pushed his wolf, letting the change overcome him as he fell forward, paws hitting the ground.
He shook out his fur as best he could with the Therian-weave on and turned back to Ysabel, looking at her with his bright blue eyes. Lifting his massive, reddish brown head, he howled back, joining the chorus of howling. The others stopped as LT finished his long howl and he tried shaking his fur out again.
LT stood on all fours, looking at Ysabel and Danny. The latter still remaining fairly calm considering he just watched LT change from man to wolf. He supposed kids were funny that way. Taking tentative steps toward Ysabel, he managed to get to about ten feet of her before he sat down on his haunches, flicking his ears forward at her.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel was torn between horror and fascination as she watched LT's skin ripple. She wanted to, but could not, turn her eyes away as his bones seemed to crack and shift, elongating in some places, shortening in others. It was hideous and amazing at once.
When he was done, LT was an enormous wolf; far bigger than any wild wolf like Ambrose had speculated. He was a red-brown color, and just - immense. Ysabel had never seen the like and thought she might never again. As LT threw his head back and howled, Ysabel felt her skin stand up in prickles. The sounds was eerie and beautiful and terrifying, even more so than the transformation itself.
LT stopped a good distance away from her; Ysabel took a deep, unnecessary breath and stepped toward him. "Can you understand me?"
The wolf nodded. Ysabel winced. That was eerie too... it was different when the wolf was a vampire. Somehow.
"Will they come to us now?"
When he was done, LT was an enormous wolf; far bigger than any wild wolf like Ambrose had speculated. He was a red-brown color, and just - immense. Ysabel had never seen the like and thought she might never again. As LT threw his head back and howled, Ysabel felt her skin stand up in prickles. The sounds was eerie and beautiful and terrifying, even more so than the transformation itself.
LT stopped a good distance away from her; Ysabel took a deep, unnecessary breath and stepped toward him. "Can you understand me?"
The wolf nodded. Ysabel winced. That was eerie too... it was different when the wolf was a vampire. Somehow.
"Will they come to us now?"
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
LT squeezed his eyes shut and nodded again to her, but he didn't want to be standing out in the middle of the street. Sniffing the air, LT stood up and passed Ysabel and Danny; the boy was still quiet and nonplussed. Turning to get Ysabel's attention, he motioned toward the side of some commercial buildings and went to stand in the shadows of the alley separating them.
His ears twitched as he listened to the surrounding noises or lack thereof. The streets had deserted, even for looters, and there was no wind. Swinging his head left and then right, he sniffed into the alley and turned to watch Ysabel and Danny follow him when his ears picked up a high pitch noise. It came from his left, and the moment he turned toward the noise, something slammed into his chest, pushing him back against the brick wall of the alley with incredible force and intense pain.
Dazed, he slid down the wall when he heard clicking noises and he felt whatever hit him pierce his skin, causing him to emit such a loud and painful howl. The smell of silver engulfed his senses, making him gag and suddenly his chest was on fire, forcing his change back.
Changing back so soon and so quickly felt like being reborn, only backwards. His bones felt like they were crushing and then reassembling; his heart strained against the shift in size, damn near paralyzing him with pain. His paws shifted quickly back to hands and he reached up to tug the contraption off his chest and was rewarded with more burns.
"Oh...god...," he wailed to no one and anyone.
It was a metal spider with eight mechanical legs poking through his skin, piercing even the Therian-weave. His body crumpled against the wall, and as he struggled, he pushed his back against the wall. His elbows broke off chunks of brick as he twisted and turned, trying to push away from the machine and pull it off at the same time.
"Get it off, GET IT OFF!"
His ears twitched as he listened to the surrounding noises or lack thereof. The streets had deserted, even for looters, and there was no wind. Swinging his head left and then right, he sniffed into the alley and turned to watch Ysabel and Danny follow him when his ears picked up a high pitch noise. It came from his left, and the moment he turned toward the noise, something slammed into his chest, pushing him back against the brick wall of the alley with incredible force and intense pain.
Dazed, he slid down the wall when he heard clicking noises and he felt whatever hit him pierce his skin, causing him to emit such a loud and painful howl. The smell of silver engulfed his senses, making him gag and suddenly his chest was on fire, forcing his change back.
Changing back so soon and so quickly felt like being reborn, only backwards. His bones felt like they were crushing and then reassembling; his heart strained against the shift in size, damn near paralyzing him with pain. His paws shifted quickly back to hands and he reached up to tug the contraption off his chest and was rewarded with more burns.
"Oh...god...," he wailed to no one and anyone.
It was a metal spider with eight mechanical legs poking through his skin, piercing even the Therian-weave. His body crumpled against the wall, and as he struggled, he pushed his back against the wall. His elbows broke off chunks of brick as he twisted and turned, trying to push away from the machine and pull it off at the same time.
"Get it off, GET IT OFF!"
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel followed LT into the alley, conscious of the fact that she was willingly entering a dark enclosed space with a... werewolf. A real werewolf. She glanced up; if blocked in she could get out.
She heard the same high-pitched noise as he did but didn't understand wha was happening for a moment. One second LT was standing there, and the next he was up against the brick wall thrashing, howling, and changing back with what, to Ysabel's ears, sounded like painful speed.
His words galvanized her into action. Werewolf or not, she couldn't stand by and listen to someone beg for mercy when it was clear they were in such pain. Just because she didn't trust him didn't mean she was cruel. She set the oddly non-plussed Danny down. "Don't move," she said. He nodded at her.
"Hold still," she said to LT. In the interest of time she held him down with one small hand and gripped the metal spider in the other. No, she would pull chunks of LT out with it that way.
Readjusting, she placed one hand on either side of the contraption and with a heave, gathered it in. Four legs in each hand, she pulled them out from LT's body as carefully and quickly as she could. Bending the legs together so she could hold them she lifted the main thorax of the thing off of him and twisted it easily. She squeezed until it crumpled and then dropped it.
"LT," she said, using the nickname he'd given the boy to use, "are you all right?"
Clearly he was not all right. But Ysabel was asking him if he would be. Odd, this concern for... a werewolf. But he'd been a decent person thus far. On the ground, the silver spider thing twitched. Ysabel picked it up again and put it into the nearest trash can just to be on the safe side.
Moving to where LT leaned against he building Ysabel held her arm out to him to lean on if he needed the support. She knew nothing about his kind. Obviously the spider had caused him pain, and he was injured. She didn't know what to do for him but wait for his friends.
She heard the same high-pitched noise as he did but didn't understand wha was happening for a moment. One second LT was standing there, and the next he was up against the brick wall thrashing, howling, and changing back with what, to Ysabel's ears, sounded like painful speed.
His words galvanized her into action. Werewolf or not, she couldn't stand by and listen to someone beg for mercy when it was clear they were in such pain. Just because she didn't trust him didn't mean she was cruel. She set the oddly non-plussed Danny down. "Don't move," she said. He nodded at her.
"Hold still," she said to LT. In the interest of time she held him down with one small hand and gripped the metal spider in the other. No, she would pull chunks of LT out with it that way.
Readjusting, she placed one hand on either side of the contraption and with a heave, gathered it in. Four legs in each hand, she pulled them out from LT's body as carefully and quickly as she could. Bending the legs together so she could hold them she lifted the main thorax of the thing off of him and twisted it easily. She squeezed until it crumpled and then dropped it.
"LT," she said, using the nickname he'd given the boy to use, "are you all right?"
Clearly he was not all right. But Ysabel was asking him if he would be. Odd, this concern for... a werewolf. But he'd been a decent person thus far. On the ground, the silver spider thing twitched. Ysabel picked it up again and put it into the nearest trash can just to be on the safe side.
Moving to where LT leaned against he building Ysabel held her arm out to him to lean on if he needed the support. She knew nothing about his kind. Obviously the spider had caused him pain, and he was injured. She didn't know what to do for him but wait for his friends.
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
LT felt his chest was on fire. The eight needle pricks in his chest radiated with silver burns and the burst of the fine silver mist made breathing hard. He was completely incapacitated and struggling to stay conscious as Ysabel took care of whatever it was that attacked him.
He reached out to her arm, trying to find something to hold onto. Opening his eyes they felt like the surfaces had been scratched, and the most certainly had been from the mist, and he leaned against her, trying to stand. Peering out, he saw Ysabel's concern and strangely enough he was perplexed by it, considering she knew what he was.
"I don't know," he struggled to answer, his sinuses on fire. His body was trying to regenerate and that pain was beginning to overwrite the pain of the damage. LT fell against Ysabel and she held him easily. "Danny..." he said, wincing.
The little boy was standing just behind Ysabel and he peered around her. "Are you hurt, Empty?"
LT pushed a grin through his grimace. "A little, Danny. And it's LT."
The wind began to move around them, but it wasn't natural, at least he knew the whip of helicopter blades when he felt it. The wind circled around them, pushing the air down but he could not hear or see the helicopter.
"Uh oh," Danny said quietly, looking up.
LT followed his gaze and instinctively reached out to pull Danny closer to them.
He reached out to her arm, trying to find something to hold onto. Opening his eyes they felt like the surfaces had been scratched, and the most certainly had been from the mist, and he leaned against her, trying to stand. Peering out, he saw Ysabel's concern and strangely enough he was perplexed by it, considering she knew what he was.
"I don't know," he struggled to answer, his sinuses on fire. His body was trying to regenerate and that pain was beginning to overwrite the pain of the damage. LT fell against Ysabel and she held him easily. "Danny..." he said, wincing.
The little boy was standing just behind Ysabel and he peered around her. "Are you hurt, Empty?"
LT pushed a grin through his grimace. "A little, Danny. And it's LT."
The wind began to move around them, but it wasn't natural, at least he knew the whip of helicopter blades when he felt it. The wind circled around them, pushing the air down but he could not hear or see the helicopter.
"Uh oh," Danny said quietly, looking up.
LT followed his gaze and instinctively reached out to pull Danny closer to them.
Ysabel
14 years ago
LT was in far worse shape than she'd thought when she had a chance to look at him more closely. Ysabel slid her arm under his, pulled his arm around her neck, and held him upright. He was bigger than she was but only by half a foot or so; It wasn't as awkward as it could have been had she been shorter or he, taller.
"Easy," she said, her own voice sounding far off to her ears. She wasn't supposed to be concerned for him. She didn't really want to hold him close like this. What he was... it was strange and wrong. And yet she realized the irony of that thought emanating as it did from her own undead, vampiric mind and perhaps that was the reason for this odd, somewhat awkward feeling of kinship.
Either way she hushed LT and used her free arm to gather in the little boy, too, as the wind picked up around them. "I've got him," she reassured the werewolf.
She looked upward anxiously, more afraid of the unknown than the strange and uncomfortable truth of the man beside her. "What is that?"
There was still no sound but a few seconds later the sky overhead lit up in a silent display of colorful sparks, showering down over the alley in which they stood. Ysabel did her best to cover LT; Danny was shielded by her skirts, but there was no need. The sparks were just sparks, and dissipated into the air long before hitting the ground.
Danny, however, seemed very concerned by them. He looked up at Ysabel and then to LT and said, "I have to go now" in a very calm, un-childlike voice.
"Easy," she said, her own voice sounding far off to her ears. She wasn't supposed to be concerned for him. She didn't really want to hold him close like this. What he was... it was strange and wrong. And yet she realized the irony of that thought emanating as it did from her own undead, vampiric mind and perhaps that was the reason for this odd, somewhat awkward feeling of kinship.
Either way she hushed LT and used her free arm to gather in the little boy, too, as the wind picked up around them. "I've got him," she reassured the werewolf.
She looked upward anxiously, more afraid of the unknown than the strange and uncomfortable truth of the man beside her. "What is that?"
There was still no sound but a few seconds later the sky overhead lit up in a silent display of colorful sparks, showering down over the alley in which they stood. Ysabel did her best to cover LT; Danny was shielded by her skirts, but there was no need. The sparks were just sparks, and dissipated into the air long before hitting the ground.
Danny, however, seemed very concerned by them. He looked up at Ysabel and then to LT and said, "I have to go now" in a very calm, un-childlike voice.
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
LT looked up into the bright light in the sky and could not help but laugh. "Great, we're being abducted by aliens," he chuckled, despite his pain. It was silent, the wind still spinning around them, but he knew it wasn't the other-worldly kind - that was secret Ops if he ever saw it.
Danny turned and spoke in a clear, mature voice. Definitely not like a four year old. Holding his ribs, he pulled Ysabel away from Danny just a hair.
"It wasn't us...it was you they were after." LT shut his eyes, his lids scratching his cornea damage. "What was this?"
Danny turned and spoke in a clear, mature voice. Definitely not like a four year old. Holding his ribs, he pulled Ysabel away from Danny just a hair.
"It wasn't us...it was you they were after." LT shut his eyes, his lids scratching his cornea damage. "What was this?"
The Pipers
14 years ago
Red stayed behind, radioing into the Den with their progress and he kept up with them as fast as he could, which was still inhumanly fast as he weaved in between the abandoned cars and stray objects in the streets.
Charlie took point and they swiftly moved through the city toward LT's howl. They skirted around the turns, darted in and out of the dark shadows, and weaved through all the damage and cars. There was nothing but the wake of their speed stirring the streets when they LT's painful howl pierced their ears.
They came to a stop, absolutely terrified by the sound of their LT pain, but that was nothing compared to the bright light in the sky hovering over an alley further down the street, kicking up dirty and wind far enough for them to feel it in their fur. They watched as something black and shiny spun the wind like a helicopter but created no noise above a whisper.
Charlie took point and they swiftly moved through the city toward LT's howl. They skirted around the turns, darted in and out of the dark shadows, and weaved through all the damage and cars. There was nothing but the wake of their speed stirring the streets when they LT's painful howl pierced their ears.
They came to a stop, absolutely terrified by the sound of their LT pain, but that was nothing compared to the bright light in the sky hovering over an alley further down the street, kicking up dirty and wind far enough for them to feel it in their fur. They watched as something black and shiny spun the wind like a helicopter but created no noise above a whisper.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel glanced at LT and then up into the sky again. "I certainly hope not," she said wryly. "One revelation is enough for me for tonight."
She was willing to accept werewolves. But aliens weren't happening tonight. They could save the invasion for later, thank you very much.
Ysabel didn't resist when LT pulled her away from Danny. The little boy walked away from them a bit, turned, and gave L an answer of sorts. "It was fun."
He smiled and waved at them, his bear flopping around underneath one arm. "Thank you for playing with me."
Ysabel stared as the little boy walked off toward the end of the alley. She looked incredulously at LT, wondering if they should stop him.
She was willing to accept werewolves. But aliens weren't happening tonight. They could save the invasion for later, thank you very much.
Ysabel didn't resist when LT pulled her away from Danny. The little boy walked away from them a bit, turned, and gave L an answer of sorts. "It was fun."
He smiled and waved at them, his bear flopping around underneath one arm. "Thank you for playing with me."
Ysabel stared as the little boy walked off toward the end of the alley. She looked incredulously at LT, wondering if they should stop him.
The Pipers
14 years ago
Charlie was the first to snap out of the overwhelming and amazing sight. He broke out into a run toward the light, the clicking of nails suddenly thunderous behind him as the other Pipers snapped out of it as well. Once he got to fifty feet of the lights, there was an enormous roar and he and the Pipers were pushed back by what could only be a sonic wave. Their ears rang loudly, blinding them with pain and bright light...and then there was nothing.
Charlie sat up and looked down at himself. He had turned back into his human form, and twisting behind him he saw the others had as well.
"Oh my...fucking...head," Markos mumbled uncharacteristically colorful.
Red came running up behind them, quickly kneeling before each one, checking them. "What the fuck was that? What hit you?"
Charlie rubbed his head and staggered to his feet without answering. He immediately ran toward the alley, almost falling a couple times, but determined to find the LT. Turning the corner to the alley he saw LT and the female he said was with him.
Charlie went to the LT and helped him off the woman, taking her burden. "Where's the kid? What was that?"
Charlie sat up and looked down at himself. He had turned back into his human form, and twisting behind him he saw the others had as well.
"Oh my...fucking...head," Markos mumbled uncharacteristically colorful.
Red came running up behind them, quickly kneeling before each one, checking them. "What the fuck was that? What hit you?"
Charlie rubbed his head and staggered to his feet without answering. He immediately ran toward the alley, almost falling a couple times, but determined to find the LT. Turning the corner to the alley he saw LT and the female he said was with him.
Charlie went to the LT and helped him off the woman, taking her burden. "Where's the kid? What was that?"
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
LT felt like he should say something to Danny, but honestly he was at a loss for words as the little boy gave them a sweet smile and walked off toward the light. Ysabel seemed to think the same thing as they watched the boy leave. LT took a step back away from the kid with Ysabel still bracing him. It just didn't seem like a good idea to be close to Danny anymore, seeing how the kid didn't really need their help.
The wind that had picked up surged once and then died down. The pulse that followed pushed them both to the ground, his ears ringing loudly enough to rival even the pain in his chest. The light that had been centralized in front of them grew until that was all he could see till Charlie was there, pulling him off the ground and Ysabel. The other Pipers followed behind him; Marthinus, Markos, Domingo, and Red all worse for the wear, so to speak. Where was the kid, Charlie asked him.
"I...," LT started, looking at Ysabel as Markos stood forward and offered to help her off the ground. LT shrugged. "I have no clue."
His body was forcing the silver out, trying to regenerate, and curiously enough he started to feel better. Better enough to stand on his own two feet. Holding a hand out to Ysabel, he introduced her.
"Gentlemen...this is Ysabel. Ysabel, meet the Pipers."
There was a chorus of polite 'ma'ams' and nods.
The wind that had picked up surged once and then died down. The pulse that followed pushed them both to the ground, his ears ringing loudly enough to rival even the pain in his chest. The light that had been centralized in front of them grew until that was all he could see till Charlie was there, pulling him off the ground and Ysabel. The other Pipers followed behind him; Marthinus, Markos, Domingo, and Red all worse for the wear, so to speak. Where was the kid, Charlie asked him.
"I...," LT started, looking at Ysabel as Markos stood forward and offered to help her off the ground. LT shrugged. "I have no clue."
His body was forcing the silver out, trying to regenerate, and curiously enough he started to feel better. Better enough to stand on his own two feet. Holding a hand out to Ysabel, he introduced her.
"Gentlemen...this is Ysabel. Ysabel, meet the Pipers."
There was a chorus of polite 'ma'ams' and nods.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel had no idea what happened after Danny spoke to them. All she knew was the light, already far too bright for her sensitive eyes, grew to such burning strength that she couldn't bear it; even through her arm over her eyes and something bulky on top of her the pain was too much.
When she could think again she saw nothing but flashes and spots in front of her face. The something bulky on top of her was evidently LT, who was helped off by his friends. The Pipers, he called them.
Suddenly Ysabel realized she couldn't see and was surrounded, totally vulnerable, by werewolves. She sat where she was, holding one hand out and covering her still-sensitive eyes with the other even though it didn't help. She breathed deeply for a second trying to control her fear. Going ethereal might just make matters worse. If they did anything, it would be her first response. For now she tried to compose herself while she addressed the situation at hand.
"Pleased to meet you," she said softly, the response instinctive.
"LT," she said next, in response to his voice, her own sounding pathetically meek to her own ears, "I can't see anything."
He wasn't a friend, exactly, but she certainly wasn't about to go mewling off to a strange... wolf. What a night.
When she could think again she saw nothing but flashes and spots in front of her face. The something bulky on top of her was evidently LT, who was helped off by his friends. The Pipers, he called them.
Suddenly Ysabel realized she couldn't see and was surrounded, totally vulnerable, by werewolves. She sat where she was, holding one hand out and covering her still-sensitive eyes with the other even though it didn't help. She breathed deeply for a second trying to control her fear. Going ethereal might just make matters worse. If they did anything, it would be her first response. For now she tried to compose herself while she addressed the situation at hand.
"Pleased to meet you," she said softly, the response instinctive.
"LT," she said next, in response to his voice, her own sounding pathetically meek to her own ears, "I can't see anything."
He wasn't a friend, exactly, but she certainly wasn't about to go mewling off to a strange... wolf. What a night.
The Pipers
14 years ago
Markos moved toward Ysabel and reached out slowly to her. "Ma'am," he said softly and touched her hand. He took her small hand in his and pulled on her gently, lifting her off the ground as she covered her eyes.
"I'm Markos, Miss Ysabel. I got you."
Markos blushed slightly as he held onto Ysabel. She was blond and very pretty, almost like a porcelain doll.
"You ok there, big fella?" Red grinned at Markos, the other men noticing how awkward the bigger Piper was acting.
Markos turned and looked at them, glaring.
Red held his hands up innocently and moved toward the LT. "CO is on the way. Who is she?" The LT looked at him, peering through red eyes. Red knew the glare. Didn't matter who she was, they were helping her.
"Ma'am, is there somewhere we can take you?" Red said turning back to Ysabel.
"I'm Markos, Miss Ysabel. I got you."
Markos blushed slightly as he held onto Ysabel. She was blond and very pretty, almost like a porcelain doll.
"You ok there, big fella?" Red grinned at Markos, the other men noticing how awkward the bigger Piper was acting.
Markos turned and looked at them, glaring.
Red held his hands up innocently and moved toward the LT. "CO is on the way. Who is she?" The LT looked at him, peering through red eyes. Red knew the glare. Didn't matter who she was, they were helping her.
"Ma'am, is there somewhere we can take you?" Red said turning back to Ysabel.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel blinked her eyes quickly, trying to regain her vision faster than it wanted to return. The spots and flashes were still there but she could see an enormous shape above her and her hand was suddenly enclosed in a massive one. Ysabel was too off-balance to correct the title the man used. It wouldn't matter anyway. She didn't intend to see much of these Pipers in the future.
Upright and on her feet, Ysabel tried to smile at the giant. "Thank you, Markos."
When another voice addressed her she spun toward it, her eyes roaming for a few moments before locating the new shape. She thought quickly. Of course they couldn't go back to Heolfor. Nor could she ask them to take her home. She didn't want them to know where she lived, or about Marie. What she really wanted was for them to go on their way and leave her be; she didn't wanted to be surrounded by them no matter how pleasant they appeared. But LT hadn't given her identity away, not yet, so perhaps he meant for her to go peacefully.
Asking to be left alone would be too unusual. So she said instead, "I have a condo uptown a little. I would be grateful for your help in getting there."
The little apartment she and Dayle had been sharing was largely vacant now since her move into her own home but Ysabel never got rid of real estate. It would be safe to go there. She gave them the address and wondered exactly what method of conveyance they used. Did werewolves drive? Of course they did. Just like vampires.
Upright and on her feet, Ysabel tried to smile at the giant. "Thank you, Markos."
When another voice addressed her she spun toward it, her eyes roaming for a few moments before locating the new shape. She thought quickly. Of course they couldn't go back to Heolfor. Nor could she ask them to take her home. She didn't want them to know where she lived, or about Marie. What she really wanted was for them to go on their way and leave her be; she didn't wanted to be surrounded by them no matter how pleasant they appeared. But LT hadn't given her identity away, not yet, so perhaps he meant for her to go peacefully.
Asking to be left alone would be too unusual. So she said instead, "I have a condo uptown a little. I would be grateful for your help in getting there."
The little apartment she and Dayle had been sharing was largely vacant now since her move into her own home but Ysabel never got rid of real estate. It would be safe to go there. She gave them the address and wondered exactly what method of conveyance they used. Did werewolves drive? Of course they did. Just like vampires.
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
Charlie lifted LT's Therian-weave and looked at the damage. Red came up and whistled at the sight and took to the job. Red was their current field-medic and in his compression bag was various pleasantries like morphine, alcohol, sutures and the like. LT winced as Red touched up the eight little wounds.
"I think my ribs are broken," LT muttered through his teeth.
"Oh I'm sure they are," Red murmured, pulling out a long piece of cloth and wrapped it around LT's torso tightly. "You'll be fine in a little bit. No laughing or flexing your abs, please."
LT felt the sweat on his face as he glared at Red. Ysabel gave an address for them to take her to when a black SUV pulled up at the edge of the alley. Wincing, he lowered his shirt and approached the Commander as he stepped out of the vehicle.
"Three to ride, the rest can make it back on...their own," LT said with a nod to his uncle.
"I think my ribs are broken," LT muttered through his teeth.
"Oh I'm sure they are," Red murmured, pulling out a long piece of cloth and wrapped it around LT's torso tightly. "You'll be fine in a little bit. No laughing or flexing your abs, please."
LT felt the sweat on his face as he glared at Red. Ysabel gave an address for them to take her to when a black SUV pulled up at the edge of the alley. Wincing, he lowered his shirt and approached the Commander as he stepped out of the vehicle.
"Three to ride, the rest can make it back on...their own," LT said with a nod to his uncle.
Brig Jameson
14 years ago
Brig stepped out of the vehicle and took a look at his nephew. LT had his hands on his hips but was slightly bent over with marks in his Therian-weave. Whatever hit him, hit him hard. The Therian-Weave wasn't as strong as the new prototype, but it still had level 2 body armor and something pierced it like butter. He was wearing the same level of Therian-weave as well, only dark blue compared to the Piper's black.
"Ribs?" he asked.
LT nodded, his face pale and sweating from the pain.
Looking past his nephew, he saw the young lady standing with Markos. Slowly he walked up to her and smiled. "Miss Ysabel? Are you all right?"
"Her eyes, sir. The light blinded her." Markos answered for her as he held her hand, supporting her small frame.
"We have a car here, we're happy to take you wherever you'd like to go. I hope the LT was helpful?"
"Ribs?" he asked.
LT nodded, his face pale and sweating from the pain.
Looking past his nephew, he saw the young lady standing with Markos. Slowly he walked up to her and smiled. "Miss Ysabel? Are you all right?"
"Her eyes, sir. The light blinded her." Markos answered for her as he held her hand, supporting her small frame.
"We have a car here, we're happy to take you wherever you'd like to go. I hope the LT was helpful?"
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel looked at this newest imposing specimen. Were they all that large? She couldn't make out his features yet; her overtaxed eyes were still trying to catch up. As long as LT hadn't told them what she was she was fine for the moment.
"Yes, sir. He was more than helpful. I'm sure he saved my life. Is he all right?"
She fully intended to downplay her role in any of the night's events. Falling back into old habit, Ysabel played the role of the young, frightened ingenue. She swayed slightly on her feet as if weakened and leaned a little more heavily upon Markos' strong arm. She could certainly throw him over the SUV if she had to but she was once more incognito until danger reared its ugly head again.
"I would like to get home, please," she said softly, injecting the same thready quality as before into her voice. "I'm sure some peace and quiet are all I need."
Ambrose was hardly going to believe this, she thought as Markos helped her into the SUV. Had any vampire ever been escorted home like this? Maybe, maybe not. Friendly though they appeared to be Ysabel was on her guard.
"Yes, sir. He was more than helpful. I'm sure he saved my life. Is he all right?"
She fully intended to downplay her role in any of the night's events. Falling back into old habit, Ysabel played the role of the young, frightened ingenue. She swayed slightly on her feet as if weakened and leaned a little more heavily upon Markos' strong arm. She could certainly throw him over the SUV if she had to but she was once more incognito until danger reared its ugly head again.
"I would like to get home, please," she said softly, injecting the same thready quality as before into her voice. "I'm sure some peace and quiet are all I need."
Ambrose was hardly going to believe this, she thought as Markos helped her into the SUV. Had any vampire ever been escorted home like this? Maybe, maybe not. Friendly though they appeared to be Ysabel was on her guard.