eferhilda 09-01-2008 10:43 PM<br/>Shey smiled and shook her head as she watched him disappear; she knew he had been something more then just another wolf when he first joined the pack. Just by that little demonstration of his ability to so fully comprehend the First Tongue was enough to show him to be someone who would only grow stronger the longer he lived. There was a certain amount of pride and respect that she had always felt for him, which was now growing as she watched him be the concerned leader of his people. Being an alpha was a thankless job most of the time, long hours spent thinking and planning the lives and well beings of several dozen members of the pack. Having to settle small squabbles and differences to maintain the peace and tranquility in the pack. She began running into the forest, slow at first then faster and faster; finally she leaps a fallen log and when she lands she is on all fours. Her lupine body sleek and moved like liquid lightening as she moved through the trees her nose and ears telling her that the rest of the pack was already moving toward the central clearing where they held their meetings. The pure and simple joy of running brings forth a joyful howl, which reaches high into the trees carrying down into the city even. Her heart leapt with joy as she heard her pack answering the howl, sharing in her enjoyment and excitement. As long as she had them at her side there was nothing that she feared to face.<br/><br/>Coming into the clearing they all lowered their heads in respect as she passed, some of them in their wolf form, others in their human one. She changes as she nears the large stone that had been brought there years ago for the alphas to use while conducting gatherings. She passed her second in command Uriel, a large burly man of Russian decent who was as tough as nails to those he deemed deserving. He was completely loyal to his alpha who he thought was the a lot better then the last alpha they had, her devotion to the pack was enough to make him willingly give his life for her. She patted his shoulder as she passed then took the stone and began explaining to her pack that times were about to change. There was some bickering and some heated arguments that almost came to blows, but Shey used her power and dominance to keep everyone under check. It was about two hours later she was trotting to her private den now, wanting to be alone for a bit with her own thoughts. Her mind and heart were in turmoil worrying about whether or not she had just condemned her pack to a major double crossing by the vampires or if this as indeed going to save them all from this larger threat. Sighing she curled into a tight ball tucking her nose under her tail to keep it warm as closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep waiting to see if Brian was going to come through with his end of the deal.<br/><br/>Scambo 09-01-2008 11:26 PM<br/>The figure inched closer to the children, raising a hand towards the boy. Jack was about to loose a strong blast of Force when he noticed a closet door, on the right wall. Flames licked from beneath it, and he assumed there was no window to add additional air. Whoever the dark other was, they were close to the huddled kids, hand only inches from the boy's throat. Jack coughed and the other hesitated for a moment. Jack delved into pure mana, felt its ecstasy and exhilaration as he chipped a hole in the closet door with Force. There was a thunderous roar as the backdraft blew the wood-plastic door to splinters and flames leapt forward, the blast of hot air slamming the would-be murderer against the opposite wall. Bounding over the fallen vampire, for he could see it clearly now, Jack snatched up the kids, one under each arm and bolted back towards the hall. Out of his peripheral vision he noticed someone emerging from a room. Not wanting to discover a partner of whomever was attacking the kids, he skidded to a halt and sprinted the other direction. The hall ended abruptly, a blank wall and a window punctuating the monotony. Several rotes entered his mind, but could he risk using them? Heavy footsteps echoing towards him answered that.<br/><br/>"Kids, close your eyes and hold on to me tightly." He couldn't see if they did as he asked, but he felt them cling harder. He again felt the rush of pure mana as he loosed a small spell to shatter the window, and again as he leapt from the window. To a normal person, a fall from that height would have broken most bones in their legs if they lived. But as he fell, Jack wove a spell about his legs and the children. When they struck the ground, the spell transferred the powerful shock of landing from his legs, to the ground around him. Where he landed the ground was depressed and cracks ran for several feet in three directions. Peering around, he saw that he had landed in the adjacent alleyway, away from the crowd of people. A breath of fresh air mingling with smoke met his mouth and he coughed, realizing that not only the hat he had worn but also the dust mask had fallen off during his flight. His sunglasses however had remained in place, a fact he was very grateful for. Swearing over his lost disguise pieces, he carried the kids several feet, near where the alley met the street before setting them down.<br/>"You alright? No cuts or burns or anything?" They nodded.<br/><br/>"Good. Now, who was that man who was in the apartment with you? Did you know him?" Before he could get his answer, the crowd surged to the alley, the mother rushing towards her kids as a voice in the crowd called: "Thats him! I saw him jump from the second floor and walk away just fine! It must be an angel!" The mother looked up at him through bloodshot eyes, sobbing and trying to thank him at the same time. Jack couldn't believe how the situation had turned on him. Hopefully, using his own mana and only several people seeing him using magic would keep Paradox at bay. Hopefully. As the crowd started clapping he held his hands up, palms outward.<br/><br/>"No no no, I just saw these kids standing here. Some guy dropped them off." Again, that same voice from earlier called out.<br/>"No! It was you! Don't be so modest!" There was a large squealing of wheels and the roar of sirens as cars stopped nearby. A news crew rounded the corner, a woman with a microphone and a man with a camera adding to the din. The crowd was distracted by their arrival and Jack took that time to go, slipping away and into an empty lot.<br/><br/>Aviose 09-02-2008 11:12 PM<br/>Deep in the darkest part of Solace, surrounded by the most filthy and foul humans, lay the vampire's den. It consumed three whole blocks, and unlike it's surrounding area the streets were clean and orderly. Most humans believed that it was one of the last bastion of civility left in the decaying city, but those in the supernatural community knew better.<br/><br/>In this foreboding area was the most powerful vampire the city had seen in over 75 years was pouring over paperwork, a grim look upon his face. The war was beginning to take a toll on his forces, especially since the new supernatural hunting human's arrived. Yesterday they exterminated a small force discovered while they slept, a few of them were elites. Wringing his hands in frustration, he finally gave up on the painfully dull work and stepped out into the dark night. Gazing out to the streets below the frustration he had been harboring came out in a vicious shriek that echoed down the street.<br/><br/>"What news do you have." Aviose said a second later, speaking to his scout that appeared behind him. Hearing the report of the human's attacking the werewolves did bring a smirk to his face, plans formulating in his head. He was slightly disappointed that they destroyed the ghost in the abandoned warehouse. He enjoyed the carnage that particular spirit caused. Once the briefing was done, Aviose sighed. "Ok, call back the scouts. If the humans are attacking the werewolves and ghosts we won't stop them. We'll go into hiding, no more hunting unless I personally authorize it." He said, turning back to the room and gliding back to his chair. "I've seen my share of supernatural hunting humans, but this new breed worries me."