See No Evil (open)
It was hard to do one woman surveillance on someone who was protected by any number of wolves. Obviously Thérèse couldn't go poking around her place as a wolf, they would scent her and until she knew who exactly was protecting her that would be less than wise. Although, if it was the R'asa maybe she could find a way off this leash. It wouldn't be easy, it might not be possible, to explain herself for he held the leash that tight, but perhaps she could warn them. If it was the others though, they would most likely not take kindly to her stalking one of their own.
Thérèse found tracking the Sorensen woman annoying and frustrating. She kept such erratic hours and Thérèse could only really observer after she had finished for the day at The Arch. But she was managing. Tonight, for instance the woman and the dog were at the beach in the preserve. Personally Thérèse thought that was idiotic as it was freezing out, but both of them seemed to be having a good time.
Nervously she lay in the grass, well upwind of both of them and watched. She was not afraid of the woman or her dog but she was wary and watchful in case the stoat and the jackal should return. She doubted she'd made any friends that night. And certainly Thérèse had no desire to deal with any more of the mulo than she had to. Her one was more than enough.
As much as Reign appreciated Kem and the Pack both looking out for her, the previous break in and now the attempted home invasion were starting to tell on Reign's spirits. She wasn't seeing things around every corner, in fact she'd relaxed a bit since agreeing to become Kem's familiar. But she didn't feel perfectly safe. And she hated that. But by the same token she couldn't just go back to Chicago, that would be running from her problems. Besides, the housing market sucked and she couldn't afford to just leave her house here.
Reign whipped the Frisbee out for the mutt again and he happily charged after it. Catching it he started back to her, but about half way back the wind shifted and he froze for a second before dropping the toy and growling at something either in the high grass or maybe back as far as the trees. Seeing her dog start after, whatever it was Reign whistled and called sharply to him.
"Sirius! Get back here. Come on!"Â?
The big dog hesitated, still intent on something. He went forward a step or two and she called again. Finally, reluctantly he broke off and trotted back to her. When Reign didn't see anything she assumed it was just a wild animal and walked to where Sirius had dropped his Frisbee.
She turned her orders over in her mind. It would probably be possible to drive the dog off, perhaps catch him later. Or even drive the woman off. Of course, it was equally possible she'd wind up in a tussle with the dog and possibly hurt or even kill it. And he'd been very clear that she was not to kill the dog.
With a little chuff of relief she watched the animal, Sirius as he was called return to his mistress. Thérèse wondered momentarily if the dog was named after a character in children's literature or if he had been more properly named with Greek mythology in mind. Perhaps she should do some research on this Sorenson woman.
Keeping low and to the shadows she did move away from woman and dog so that the dog might not be distracted by her scent again. She did not want to be discovered, after all, it was highly unlikely she would be mistake for a stray dog by this pair.
Tossing the disk again he chased it and brought it back. Reign absently wandered down the beach and threw it again. This was half game, half walk and something she and the dog had done often. Tonight though, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched.
Reign paused and looked behind her. She saw something rustle behind her, probably heard it move but she never saw anything. It was disconcerting. Of course, the Doc was having some folks keep an eye on her, Reign knew that. But to the best of her knowledge they were just watching her place. Not stalking her.
It was stupid, reckless and dangerous, but she threw the Frisbee back behind her, toward where the rustling had been and Sirius obligingly went charging after it. He'd flush out whatever it was. Probably just a rabbit.
Thérèse moved as quickly as she could while staying as low as she could back into the trees. She could only hope the blond would have some sense can call the dog back. Thérèse refused to let one lone human and a -dog- flush her out.
Once back in the trees she moved swiftly melting into the shadows four feet barley touching the ground, moving with complete confidence. She put some distance between herself and the Sorensen woman. There really was no way to mask her scent. She didn't know how well the dog was trained but it would be able to follow her scent, any pup could.
Alone in her thoughts a sharp whistle pulled her from the gloom and she looked up. A dog was running back and forth along the cold sand apparently playing with someone. A part of her wanted to think this was odd, but then again here she was doing nearly the same. As she got closer she caught a glimps of the profile of the dogs owner and suddenly she recognized the dog.
"Oh goodie. Where are the vampires when you need them? Probably out stalking my house instead of here eating perfectly good human's and their pets."
Diane continued walking down the beach because it would be too obvious to make a bee line back now.
"Dork. You forgot the Frisbee, go get it."Â?
She watched as the dog ran back and got his Frisbee. Still nothing came running out. Maybe she wasn't being watched. Or maybe it was a wolf, she didn't think any of them would let Sirius chase them out of hiding if they didn't want to be chased out.
As he came trotting back tale wagging Reign caught sight of something/someone she really would rather have not. Maybe this Diane person wasn't all bad but Reign resented the woman all the same. No matter that she hadn't even thought of Bas in months, it was the principle of the thing. Reign couldn't shake the idea that the two of them had been seeing each other behind her back, after all Bas had gotten involved with this woman awfully fast by her standards and Reign loathed the idea of being cheated on.
Making half an effort not to be too rude she only nodded.
"Evening."Â?
She did, however, keep Sirius by her side rather than letting him either sniff Diane or run off again.
But she should get brownie points for not making a snide comment about being out alone.
"Hey Reign."
Diane thought quickly of something to say that wasn't mean or contrite.
"How's the pool stuff been."
It was lame but the last thing she wanted was to finally hear from Bastian and have him chastise her for previously being rude to Ms. Reign Sorensen. Then again if it came down to the fact that he had the time to talk to Reign while he was away and not her, that would be a different story. Maybe there was a bit of jealousy inside of her for the time and history the two had spent together. Why she was even the tiniest bit of jealous over things she wasn't even around for was beyond her. Maybe it would be easier if Bastian hated Reign.
Unfortunately he didn't.
Huh, she didn't look good. Reign wasn't gloating, just noting objectively. She had entered mangy wolf territory, but she was being civil. Eying Diane somewhere between suspiciously and sympathetically she found an answer.
"Not bad. Still winning. No tournaments until February though, circuit takes a break for the holiday."Â?
Awkwardly Reign shoved her hands in her pockets and searched for something not catty to say. It was weak but it was there.
"What about you? How is the vet biz?"Â?
Sirius nudged her hand. Reign wasn't sure if it was a request for attention or for the game. She went with attention and rubbed his head affectionately.
Something wasn't totally kosher about this little visit. Not the least was that Diane was actually speaking to her. But Reign couldn't imagine Bas would let her look so gaunt.
"That's good."
Diane didn't know much about pool and that left her a little loss for words. Pulling her hand out of the warm front pouch of the hoodie she rubbed her eye with a knuckle. She was tired as usual and also as usual that meant nothing; It wasn't like she could or would sleep tonight. Paranoia had a way of keeping people up at nights and well, the day time too.
Reign's question caught her off guard as she hadn't anticipated a pleasant answer let alone a return inquiry. Diane hadn't worked at the clinic in weeks except to stop in now and then to make sure everything was being taken care. The Pack had been more than willing to send some of it's members over to work for her while she "sorted things out". Things like night time visitors to her home and at the clinic who either threatened her or tried to get her to sit on silver saddles. One she knew for a fact was a vampire because he had said so the other she wasn't sure of but she knew he was a liar and that was enough to have her staying up permanently.
"Um, it's allright. I've recently taken a break from there but it's running well still."
How was that for an answer? Reign was being civil so she continued to extend the curtesy but she couldn't help but ask the question that was rolling around in her head.
"Why are you out here?" Unfortunately her question came out a little more blunt than she had anticipated.
"I mean alone, I mean I know you've got your dog but..."She paused. "There's like monsters and stuff out there."
It sounded ridiculous but Diane was well aware that Reign wasn't exactly a ditz living in lala land. Not that she really cared if Reign was eaten alive or sucked dry but then she'd have to pretend to be sad at a funeral and that would entail putting on something other than jeans and a sweatshirt. That would be a drag.
"A break? Really? Everything OK?"Â?
She was not going to ask after Bas specifically. But some how it didn't surprise her that he'd have disappeared again. If that was the case, well she might have a little bit of sympathy for Diane. No one deserved that.
The question was also odd. Ordinarily Reign might have gotten defensive, especially with Diane but knowing something else was up she just shrugged it off instead.
"Free country, and its a nice night."Â? Well maybe a little cold but she liked the cold. "It isn't a full moon and the beach is a great place for him to run."Â?
Aside from the rabbit or whatever it was the beach also gave her a nice clear view. It would be hard for some one to sneak up on her. So she didn't think she was being too reckless, maybe a little but not too much.
"Yeah, well, there's too many psycho's prowling around my house to spend much time thinking about work. A little shift in focus is all."
It was more of a territorial thing than a 'shift in focus' really. Diane had been spending more time furry and on four legs than not recently. For someone who had started out hating the wolf inside of her and fearing it, Diane had goten used to the perks and now perfered them.
Diane caught herself before she rolled her eyes at Reign's comment. Free country her ass. Free to be preyed upon was about it. She missed being so confident.
"Good thing we only need full moons." She said sarcastically.
Maybe that wasn't fair. Maybe Reign didn't know the more powerful a Were was the more times the were able to make the Change. Not that the Were's were out hunting people. Full moon or not the mulo's waited for such moments as these to snatch frail little humans up.
"Sorry. I just mean, there's scarier things out there but I suposse your right. Your in full view of whomever might be out here to hear you scream if you needed help. That's always a positive."
That had come out a little more not so nice as she had anticipated. Ah well, maybe Reign shoudl be more smart at night time. Unless she was coutning on her dog to save her.
What the hell kind of Pack did those two belong to? It sure didn't sound like they were looking out for their members. After all Reign wasn't a wolf but the Doc was still making sure she was looked out for. From what the Boy had said his family out in the middle of no where worked the same way. Hell for that matter her family, her human family, did a better job of taking care of their own.
Reign raised an eyebrow at the sarcasm. She wasn't sure if Diane was baiting her or not. The woman was coming off a bit... not right. Suddenly Reign was very aware she was probably a carrier and that she did not -want- to belong to this pack. Not in a million years. She'd go down fighting but she wasn't going over to them. She had a Pack.
She drew herself up, asserting herself, but not challenging. Just as a little cue that Diane should back off a bit, still she kept her tone casual not confrontational. They were just chatting after all, no point getting hostile and cranky.
"No one said it was perfectly safe, but I'm not going to lock myself indoors at sun down. I probably am more likely to be mugged than run into any four footed trouble."Â?
Not to mention her house had been broken into once and there had been an attempted breaking leading to four dead bodies. Home wasn't necessarily the safest place in the world. She wasn't about to go into the vampires though, not one word. She hadn't told any one in the Pack that she was Kem's familiar, she sure wasn't going to tell Diane.
It was a lot easier to sound nonchalant about it than to actually feel that way. In fact she had about half a dozen letter's she had written to Bastian sitting on the kitchen table right now. They were too pathetic to mail out so there they sat, a pile of plea's and fears waiting to be read by no one.
Diane wanted to ask Reign why in the world Were's would wait until sundown but she had to remember that Bastian hadn't been exactly open and informative about that part of him with her. How in the world had she been apart of their world for so long without real information to protect herself.
Looking up at the dark sky she thought for a minute, not missing the change in Reign's posture.
"I'm pretty sure you don't have much to worry about from anything on four legs but your right. Hiding wouldn't do any good against them if they wanted you badly enough."
The 'them' was subjective.
"Do you at least carry things to protect yourself? I don't know how much you are aware of and it seems little but you don't want to end up like us."
By us she had meant herself and Bastian who hadn't asked to become what they were but were forced into it by an attack. Sure she was happy now but it had taken years before that was possible. Diane realized with some discomfort she was actually somewhat, even if it was only a tiny bit, concerned for Reign's welfare. If anything is was because of Bastian.
"How long has he been gone? A month? Two? Have you at least heard from him?"Â?
Reign was irritated with her ex. She'd always thought he was better than this, but apparently she'd been wrong. It hurt a little. How could she have misjudged him so badly? All those years and their second chance and he just up and vanished again. God what if they'd had kids like he wanted. She could be a single mother right now.
Thank god she knew there were decent guys out there. She might not have one, but at least she knew they existed.
Poor Diane.
"Listen..."Â? She began awkwardly, hesitantly, "if you need anything... I mean..."Â?
Fortunately, Sirius trotted back and knocked her in the knees with his Frisbee. At least she didn't have to think about the rest right now. Reign took the toy from him and threw it again.
She grinned. Apparently they were both going to be awkward and polite tonight.
"If you mean like a gun or something... no, not so much. I don't like them."Â?
And she couldn't carry silver with her. Not when she never knew when she might wind up at The Den. That would be rude. Maybe she ought to think about it though, something at least when she was out and about on her own. She'd ask the Boy, and if she saw him the Doc. But he seemed a bit worried about Dr. Gounder, of course she was huge, Reign understood why.
Thérèse crept closer, silent as smoke trying to over hear what they were talking about. It wasn't easy. The steady sound of the waves covered pieces of the conversation. There was no way to truly combat that. She was more interested in remaining hidden at any rate.
It was interesting to watched how the Sorensen woman used body language to get her point across. If not a wolf herself, Thérèse suspected she had more than a passing acquaintance with them. Sorensen must know that male who's scent was everywhere and she must know what he was.
Thérèse was also starting to suspect the scraggly one was also a wolf. But who and what pack? The way he'd left his orders she would have to find out.
Thérèse growled. If only she could find away out of his clutches.
Instead all she did was learn was Sorensen didn't carry a weapon. Well he'd be pleased to hear that.
"Well I think it's getting close to a year total."
Had it really been that long? On the positive side of things if Reign didn't know Bastian was gone then at least he hadn't contacted her either.
"I did hear from him a bit in the first few months. Couple times he came home. This last couple months not so much. I don't want to bother him so I just wait. He'll come back when he's finished."
Diane didn't understand the sudden compassion from Reign and combined with the intial anger she wondered if Bastian's ex was familiar with this situation. She opened her mouth to ask her but was at loss for words. It was her turn for awkwardness.
"Oh, thanks. I'm pretty good at holding down the fort."
The silence stretched for a minute as it was obvious this was weird for both of them. When Reign mentioned not having a gun Diane thought the woman needed better weapon information.
"Not a gun, you should have some silver on you at least. Even if it's little you can at least jam it in an eye or some kind of open wound." This was basic stuff she should have already known, a gun wasn't going to do anything with normal old bullets.
"Hey if you know about us why hasn't someone told you how to defend yourself? You should know these things because there are worse things out there."
Diane didn't realize her slip as a low sound pulled her immediate attention off to the side of them. Snapping her head in the direction of where it came she listened silently.
"Did you hear that?" That was a obvious question. There was no way Reign heard as well as she did, she heard better than some wolves. Maybe she was just being paranoid again. Hearing things when they weren't there. She hadn't slept in a long time but still she could of swore she heard something low and deep. Hearing nothing else Diane shook herself and turned back to Reign.
"Don't mind me. I thought I heard something."
"Yeah... OK. But if you do need something let me know."Â?
She wasn't going to tell Diane to give up hope, to move on. Reign had no way of knowing what Diane's relationship with Bastian had been. Besides, that advice should come from a friend and it was rarely taken unless you were ready to hear it. Reign didn't think she qualified and was pretty sure Diane wasn't ready.
It was a close thing, but she didn't laugh, only smiled.
"Yeah I know this stuff. I just... well..."Â?
It would be really awkward if she were to accidentally leave that silver about where it could hurt someone and pretty rude to bring it with her to The Den or something. Reign only shrugged.
"It isn't bad advice. I'll think about it."Â?
Even with Kem and The Boy and whoever the Doc had watching her place, she wasn't protected all the time. No one could be with her every moment of every day. It might by her some time. And while it might be paranoid on Diane's part it wasn't bad advice.
She only shook her head. Nope, she hadn't heard a thing.
Right.... now what to say...
Again Sirius saved her, trotting up to her, but considerably slower than he had been earlier in the evening.
"I think I'm going to get him home. I don't feel like carrying him."Â?
Fishing about in her pocket she found a scrap of paper and wrote down her phone number. It was an odd and impulsive thing to do, but it was possible Diane needed some help.
"Give me a call... if you need... want... whatever."Â?
Reign smiled weakly and clipped Sirius' leash to his collar.
She was at least glad Reign knew something. Hell if more people knew basic stuff to protect themselves against regular people they'd all be better off. But most people learned like she did, the hard way.
Reign's dog was a good distraction for both of them and he broke up the weirdness that was now circling them.
"I should head back too, make sure they closed the clinic up right."
Diane couldn't hide the shocked look on her face as Reign handed her a scrap of paper with her phone number on it. If someone would have told her that one day she and Reign would have spoke civily and one of them let alone Reign would make an effort have an continued line of communication, Diane would have laughed in their face. Yet here they were.
"Sure, thanks." She was once again at loss for words.
"It's good to see you're well Reign. Take care."
Drawing up her hood over her head she stuffed her hands back into the front pouch and stepped back so Reign and her dog could pass by. She wanted to wait a few minutes to watch the woman go just to make sure she had somewhat of a safe passage.
"You too."Â?
For all her problems, Reign would guess Diane had more. Something was eating at the woman, that was her guess any way.
With a friendly little wave she walked back to the parking lot loaded the mutt in the back of her car and drove home.
((OOC... Reign out.))
The silence surounded her and for a change it was good. Replaying tonights run in with Reign over in her mind Diane made her way back to her car and headed home.
(ooc : out)