A huge grey wolf is sprawled on his back in the deepest shade to be found around here, tongue lolling out, paws stretched out. The animal dozes, half-open eyes nevertheless watchful of its environment. This is as far from a wolf's preferred climate as one can get, thankyouverymuch, its eyes said. Suffering this weather without very good reason just wouldn't happen. The latter is with the other noisy two-legs. Hopefully the business would be concluded soon...<br/><br/>Irina sits on the ground, cross-legged, almost discarding all decency. She seems somewhat under-equipped for the occasion, having only a simple yellow knee-length summer dress and a folder knife hanging by a silver chain from her neck. She doesn't seem perturbed by lack of footwear, nor the Sun hammering down onto her. On the contrary, she seems to flaunt her nonchalance by cleaning her toenails with the tip of her knife, and it's anyone's guess whether anything mentioned here actually made it to her consciousness.<br/><br/>At least, until she ventures to add to the budding conversation. Thoughtful of her thick Slavic accent, she forms the words carefully so everyone can understand her. The names of the other people here as she pronounces them sound like "Aleks", "Cheni", "Karlos" and "Sofroniya".<br/><br/>"My name is Irina. I am just another spare backup contingency. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." Hey, a little formality never hurt. It's like dogs sniffing under eachother's tails. This thought, and Nyarly's categorization of people in this small group, make her grin.  "I'm from a moonlit little town in the middle of nowhere - so excuse my small-town backwater ways." the grin on her lips widens. Her eyeteeth seem a bit long. The glint in her eyes, downright bestial.<br/><br/>"What kind of chance do we have against city destroying monsters?" Pause. "Are those our own kind, or are we something entirely different? It's so hard to get any useful news these days. You guys are from big places, so you might know more. Are there others like us? Other, let's call them,<em>teams</em>, assembling on ley line crossings?"<br/><br/>Still sitting cross-legged, she feels the ground in front of her with her palm, and sniffs, as if trying to sense something. The dress she wears is two or three sizes too large for her athletic frame.<br/><br/>"Is there some other significance to this place, Alex? I don't imagine the most irritating boss in the universe has a stash of weapons and goodies hidden here...? Or at least some sort of meeting place, command centre or somesuch? Yes, it's a bit much to hope for, but the old guy seems like a fellow with forethought and an acute sense of sarcasm. Even if you called him the Peacemaker. For the record, I am all for enlightened self-interest and co-operation. My little family needs all the help, and this does look like a step in the right direction. Also... what the Hell is the Department of Public Works? Or are they the same organization?"