How to trap a Wolf:101(invitation only)
Alfarinn parked the silver f430 in the nearby parking deck and got out of the car, waiting for Thaddeus to exit in order to lock and secure it. He left the sword and high powered taser in the small space behind the seats. There was no where to conceal anything other than a knife in this clothing and the public nature of the place made it unlikely that anything would happen here. He figured they would at least visit the car once more before chasing down the Wolf and that would give them a chance to retrieve weapons.
Of course the Wolf might lead them from public place to public place until dawn which would make it impossible to confront him tonight but Alfarinn hoped that wouldn't happen. If he were being honest with himself he'd like this over with, every day he worried that this man might find them first or might somehow manage to confront Thaddeus alone, though Alfarinn grinned inwardly at being true to the earlier image he gave his companion of following Thaddeus around like a lost puppy every where he went.
He smiled quietly at Thaddeus and took his hand as they headed towards the entrance to the House of Pain.
He hadn't talked to her about her conversation wtih Sorin yet. He wondered if that had anything to do with it. Inwardly he shrugged, she'd be on her way now with Hillman's information in hand.
He raked his fingers through his hair in a futile attempt to clear his spinning head, and ultimately decided that he would just have to have faith in Simon; he had believed the man when he said he needed to get to the traitors and didn't think their interactions in the limo had been an act. Moreover, he found himself believing Simon was a man of his word. Even so, Simon may not be in as much control of the situation as he would like, which put the Tacharan in about the same boat as the rest of them.
Cut off from further musings by Alfarinn's query, he turned to rest his chin on his companion's head, considering how to honestly answer the question. Alfarinn probably deserved more than an 'I'm fine' answer, but Thaddeus couldn't help wondering if it even mattered. Not being alright wasn't really an option, after all, and so he was fine, or at least he chose to be fine, which amounted to the same thing.
Deciding there was at least one truthful thing he could say, he sent:
[I'm glad you're with me, awful as that may sound under the circumstances. I imagine I would be a mess without you.]
A scowl of annoyance crossed his features at Ellis's mention of the ring's fit, but her next words seemed to be relenting and so he kept the desire to grit his own teeth in frustration in check and waited to hear what happened next.
He debated for a moment on whether to slip it on now or wait until he was out of sight, and decided that right now he could give a shit what the consequences might be. Even so, he thought it might be wise to finish up the job and get rid of the Tacharans who were quickly getting under his skin. He slipped the ring in his cloak pocket and picked up the pen.
"There is more. Are the Tacharans ready to hunt The Traitor?"Â? He turned the pen over to show the engraving on the side, revealing the name etched into the silver plating. He could track now and have a good idea of where the Traitor was currently spending his time. Normally he would offer to go with the Tacharans and lend a helping hand, as he enjoyed seeing the fruits of his labors, but other things would keep him busy tonight.
"There is more. Are the Tacharans ready to hunt The Traitor?"Â?
Simon looked at Ellis who sat with a simper. 'Are you ready?' He asked her. He'd make all the motions of him wanting to be by her side. He wouldnt put up that much of a fight, but knowing her, he wouldnt have to. She'd want to do this on her own.
He was more than happy to let her.
[I am having enough difficulties with you being here and in danger with me present. The idea of you being here alone... it does not bare thinking about. ]
He shook his head slightly and then laid it back down against his companion.
[Hmm, I've never seen you a mess, Thaddeus. I think that state doesn't exist. Its probably against some Grey family rule somewhere and I certainly hope so because I am rather happy you are made of such stern stuff... it bodes well for when I fall apart.]
Certainly a thing that had happened a time or two in his past and could happen again in his future, though Alfarinn had a hard time believing that such things would happen so long as Thaddeus was with him. His companion had been through so much in the brief time they had known each other, he had found the ring of his creator, fell in love, found the killer, found out the killer was his brother, and then had been told that it was likely that his elder was the one who plotted the whole thing. Thaddeus was stronger than anyone he'd ever met and Alfarinn was again amazed that this extraordinary man wanted to be with him.
[However should it come to that, I will be here for you no matter what state you are in.]
The conversation continued in the ear piece, it would seem Ellis gave the Wolf the ring. He wondered just what the Wolf meant by his question. Was the killer planning to help them track down the people the Tacharan were interested in? If so they would probably not see an end to this tonight. He sighed at the possibility of another complication.
'Are you ready?' Simon asked.
She hummed and grinned. 'Quite ready.' Looking back at the Wolf she said, 'Lykaios, dear boy, I do appreciate this. We'll have to chat later, discuss a bonus?'
Ellis almost laughed to herself. Sorin didn't have to know the Wolf wasn't really dead. Goodness, she was wicked she thought to herself. But she wouldnt have it any other way. This time she did giggle. She stood and reached for all the paperwork, minus the pen.
She'll just have to ask for him politely when she got to the compound.
((ooc - heading out, waiting on Wolf))
He gripped the pen in his hand for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. Though his eyes were open to his surroundings, he saw not the lights of the House of Pain, but an image edged in blue haze of a man leaving the premiere hotel in town. His tracking would not hold for long, but he watched The Traitor walk down the sidewalk, looking over his shoulder before shoving his hands in his pockets and strutting with false confidence down the street, toward the industrial district.
The tracking induced image faded slowly, and he to the Tacharans.
"The Traitor is on his way to the compound. A Wolf imagines he will receive a warm welcome."Â?
He tossed the pen to the Treoraàan Tà, as it held no further use to him, and added one last remark before she went on her way.
"Perhaps a Traitor would like his pen back before he dies."Â? He chuckled low at that thought, then turned to regard The Praetor as he pulled his hood over his head.
Simon started to slide out of the booth.
'No no,' she said, the smile dropping from her face. 'I go alone, but ready the Mercs and wait for my signal.' She had hoped Simon would've known better. Her hate for Hillman had become shameless, making her that much more unstable. Which always lead to her relying a little too much on her ability to with stand damage, but she could already feel the rise of her blood lust. That feeling, that sensation that started tingling in her mouth was undeniable. Simon stopped and put his hands on the table.
'Good boy,'...and then she was gone.
((ooc - Ellis out))
[Ah yes. 'Greys do not fall apart in the face of a crisis.' I nearly forgot; I suppose I shall have to continue to be a good influence and abide by the rules.]
Though he was very much focused on how the conversation was playing out, he was also remembering, in the back of his mind, that evening in the limo, ages ago it seemed, when he had told Alfarinn half a dozen faults that seemed somehow small on the face of it now but it had been so important that his companion understand. And Alfarinn had still wanted to be with him then, and now, when things were nearing their worst, his love wanted to be with him still. It was humbling in a way, that it was acceptable to be afraid and filled with doubt and still be loved.
He wondered, though, if the other part of himself, the part that had already put emotion aside and was now ready to do what must be done, would be understood. Thaddeus didn't even understand it, in truth; the thought that he was going to kill his brother, that tonight they would take a life, however twisted and horrible, evoked a feeling of grim determination so strong it was disturbing. He tried to be horrified at that, thinking that surely he would feel something other than this iron resolve, and was somewhat bothered by the fact that it simply wasn't in him.
Wondering not for the first time if he simply didn't have the capacity for that kind of basic compassion, he pulled Alfarinn tighter and tried to remember the things his love saw in him, that perhaps he himself simply could not see. He could not help but think that what they were about to do would be harder in some ways for Alfarinn than for himself; his companion seemed so much more connected with others, feeling their emotions and simply more in tune with people than Thaddeus was. It was a quality he loved in Alfarinn, and it saddened him that one of the very things that was so wonderful about his love was likely to cause pain.
[And I you. We'll be together.]
It seemed, from listening in on the conversation, that they were ready to part ways, or go off together; it was difficult to tell. They could hope that Simon might give some indication but it may not be safe for him to speak right now, even carefully. Still, it made sense to give at least a bit of time before coming out of the room, and they could certainly hope for a cue of some kind.
That was a matter for a later date, though; for now, The Wolf had his own grudges to resolve.
"Your Treoraàan Tàis an interesting sort for The Praetor. Willful."� He laughed. "Such females make great trouble, and yet a Praetor stays by her side."� He leaned forward and spoke in a confidential tone. "A Praetor is, perhaps, more patient than A Wolf."� Upon paying this high compliment, for The Wolf was indeed feeling complimentary, he stood to go. "And now A Wolf has other matters to attend to. A Praetor has done well."�
/ooc heading out, though if Simon wants to chat A Wolf is willing for a time (though I cannot imagine why he'd want to O_O)
How pleased he looked. The beast with his prize. He had no parting words for Lykaios. No little snipes at the ego as the Wolf had just done. Simon looked over the once man, now beast, and raised his eyebrows just a bit before he slid quietly out of the booth. He chose a path to the bar, but he just wanted to be away from the stench air of superiority that the booth seemed to emit after having both the psychotic Tacharan leader and her lone wolf killer. How ironic their fates seemed now.
Simon reached the bar and leaned on it. He let himself smile finally as he whispered, 'Two birds. One stone.'
((ooc - out))
He slinked off, once again skirting the edges of the crowd, and made his way to the elevators. Once inside, he waited, watching the numbers tick down.
He pushed the emergency stop at the 10th floor and reached into his cloak for the ring, finding himself unable to resist waiting any longer.
And this, he discovered, was The Bitch's last slight against him, the last little contest she could win.
The fucking thing didn't fit. He could just barely get it past the first knuckle of his littlest finger and there was no hope of sliding it over the second. He punched his fist into the metal wall of the elevator, denting it and cutting his knuckles in the process, but he didn't feel a thing in his rage.
He was not sure how long he stayed in the elevator before he was calm enough to see past the haze of wrath that had fallen over his eyes, but it was with an odd calm that he recovered himself and slipped the ring back into his pocket. He observed, as though from far away, that he had felt nothing when he put the ring on, and wondered if it had to be worn properly.
Such adjustments could be made. But oh, The Heir would suffer all the more for this.
He pulled out a single black leather glove from his backpack and studied it for a moment, thinking rather petulantly that the ring would likely fit The Heir well before staring fixedly ahead and focusing.
His laughter this time was genuine, even being as full of malice as it was.
They were in the club. How perfect.
He sent to his wolf, expecting him to be waiting in the sewers.
[The hunt begins.]
/ooc Wolfie outie
[Good because I need you.]
He figured that was something of an obvious truth but it did compel him to focus on what had to be done. Much as he disliked the idea of going anywhere near this guy with Thaddeus, they would not be safe until it was over. Until now it had sort of gone on without their control, or certainly less than he'd like but now they had to choose to get up and follow. It was something that he knew he'd blame himself for if Thaddeus got hurt in all of this but he also knew that his companion wouldn't stay somewhere safe any more than he would in a similar situation. Alfarinn also had to acknowledge that he needed Thaddeus there, despite being skilled with weapons and an ancient, he knew he was no match for the Wolf's killing talents that had been honed over time and enhanced with depravity. Together was the only way they stood a chance.
Alfarinn leaned in to kiss Thaddeus, running a hand down his companion's thigh until it came in contact with the pocket Thaddeus had kept the GPS unit in. Raising his eyebrows at his lover, he smiled and pulled out the little screen and turned it so they both could see where the Wolf was now.
"I suppose we should get our things from the car and then start this chase."
There was a long moment of quiet before Thaddeus heard Simon's voice through the wire. Their cue to go, then. He reached for the GPS device in his pocket, but too slowly; he found himself kissing Alfarinn rather fervently instead. He had meant to pull away as Alfarinn's hand moved down his side, knowing in some part of his mind that his will would not hold out indefinitely, but his hands moved to cup the back of Alfarinn's head and he gave up, for a moment, on making his body listen to him.
It seemed that Alfarinn was having slightly better luck with staying focused, and Thaddeus pulled himself together as they parted, the device in his companion's hand. Nodding his head, he stood, putting one hand on Alfarinn's shoulder.
He felt he ought to have something to say, but words seemed to be failing him once again. He didn't believe what he was currently thinking would go over very well, as it had a great deal to do with just what would happen to anyone or anything that did his love harm and that seemed like an unsettling thing to talk about. He found his mouth curving into a half smile, a bit to genuine to be a smirk, and he leaned forward to kiss Alfarinn once more on the top of his forehead.
"Quod incepimus conficiemus."Â?
With that, he took Alfarinn's hand and walked to the door.
/ooc "What we have begun we shall finish."Â?
"You know, its quite sexy hearing you speak Latin."
He tossed the key back to the VIP guard and weaved a path through the club. Ellis was still out here, interesting. He would have thought she would be on her way to kill the traitors by now. The white haired woman nearby was not someone he knew by name but her violent tendencies where seen from time to time in the club. Halting a moment he watched the scene wondering if Ellis might have made a deal with the Wolf just as they had Simon. Was it possible they were being set up as well? Could Ellis only be delaying around with some of her Tacharan until they went outside and then found themselves trapped between two maniacal killers?
It seemed unlikely that either would work together for a kill but counting on that kind of thing could be their downfall. Alfarinn continued on his way through to the exit and then paused again just outside the door with bouncers. They wouldn't be much protection should Ellis and others attack but hopefully some of the Evenhet in the club could be called on to balance out the odds. Was Ellis crazy enough to start a clan war if an ambush plan went wrong? Did a wild bear shit in the woods? Of course she was, from what he had seen of her, she hated to fail and in the heat of the moment if their deaths were on her mind then he doubted she'd be interested in the consequences.
[Ellis should have been gone by now. I don't like that but she hasn't shown up yet so perhaps its nothing. Lets wait a few minutes and see if she comes out.]
He did, however, notice Ellis in the crowd, and the sight gave Alfarinn pause as well. Quite glad to move on after the display her company seemed to be putting on, he continued to keep his eyes open as they made their way to the exit.
[You're right; I do wish we could be certain of why she came in the first place.]
He gave the GPS device a discreet look before slipping it back into his pocket for the moment, not wanting it to be discovered.
[The Wolf seems to be moving away from the club, though he hasn't left the sewers.]
Peering around the club, he sent with a frown.
[I'm also concerned that we haven't seen Simon. He's in a fair amount of danger too.]
[He doesn't appear to be in the club any more. I doubt he's in danger from Ellis and if the Wolf is chasing him down then we'll see him soon enough. Hopefully before any harm comes to him.]
Heading back to the car, Alfarinn pulled out the zweihander and strapped it on his back. It would be no good in the sewers but there was no garauntee that the Wolf was staying there. He picked up a short spear and a morning star mace. The spear would be decent for thrusting in the sewers and the mace was good for close combat, it was messy though and he hoped for the sake of his companion that he didn't have to use it. Bludgeoning someone to death with a spiked ball on a stick was far from civilized.
Hooking a projectile taser to his belt, Alfarinn dangled the mace upside down from the leather strap and closed the car door. He saw his reflection in the shiny silver metal and wondered at the odd mix of present and past. His savage hunter's roots showing overlaid on top of the nice sophisticated modern clothing. Though he had to admit, giving his legs a stretch before they headed back down into the sewers and into danger, that Thaddeus's choice of pants would suit the fight well. They were easy to move in and offered more protection that simple fabric.
[I think I really will let you pick my clothing out from now on. These were a excellent choice.]
He hoped his companion would still want to be with him despite whatever savagery ended up happening below. Arin would be left up here for a time and the man who was born before the Vikings were feared would take his place.
((OOC: out pending Thaddeus's response and into the sewers))
When he was at last adjusted, he looked over at Alfarinn, who was now carrying a sword nearly as tall as him along with some other rather impressive weaponry. He was rather suddenly aware of the fact that his companion was not someone you wanted to be on the wrong side of, and the thought that they wanted to kill The Wolf, not have him flee in terror, crossed his mind.
He found himself smiling at Alfarinn's remark, though it felt a bit more grim than usual, and he reached out to run his gloved hand over the suede covered hip.
[Well you -do- look drop dead sexy.]
Deciding that statement was probably in poor taste and blaming his nerves, he pulled out the GPS device once more.
[Still in the sewers. I suppose that is our destination.]
/ooc Thaddeus out with Alfarinn