<em>Copied and pasted from IM between Dark Clown, Blitzy, and Black Howling</em><br/><br/>Dark Clown: Night's fallen on the Windy City, a bad time to be out wondering the streets.  It doesn't stop the city-goers from doing just that, however.  Taxis soak sidewalk passersby as they stop to pick up what they think will be big tippers, and the regular, run-of-the-mill night shift workers get to walk, trying in vain to cover their heads with open newspapers or the collars of their jackets.  Haven's been in town for less than a week, and is out now, wondering the streets.  But just what is she looking for?<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle drove down the windy streets with nothing but the radio to break his silence, a cursory drive just to keep his mustang fresh and running. He knew the old girl would start to sputter if not worked out properly, so he made sure to take her for a test drive every evening if he hadn't already gone out before that. He made note of the passerby's as they were soaked by the taxis, and couldn't help but shake his head at how things enver seemed to change in this city.<br/><br/>Despite his attentions being distracted, he wasn't off set from the road before him and pulled to a proper stop at the street corner when the red light came. He had a strange feeling this night, as he had every night since the change. It was a feeling of vulnerability, one he was not fond of in the least. He settled himself though, telling himself it was just the lack of senses he was growing use to, and reminding himself that he had it better then most of his kind. He turned his attentions to the sights around him, the passerby's and the like to distract himself while he awaited the light to change.<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's hands tucked deep in the pockets of her low-slung jeans, the weight of the movement threatening to have the jeans slip even further down her hips. The black tank top she wore left little to the imagination, thanks to the rain, though she didn't seem to care that much that she was in the middle of a downpour. Her head tilted back just a bit with a black baseball cap pressed down to help keep the rain from falling into her eyes.<br/><br/>The only thing she hated about the rain was that it left her sense of smell dulled. Many things blended together in the runoff of water, not many of them pleasant, and she grumbled under her breath. The good part was that people moved out of her way without her touching them. One look at her, meeting her gaze, and they would shift out of her way so that she could get past. It would be amusing, if she didn't know why they did it.<br/><br/>The water slid along her body, highlighting the toned flesh of her bare arms and stomach, making the tank top cling to her breasts where there was clearly no bra beneath the shirt. The jeans hugged her thighs, her hips, and her ass, while dragging in the water beneath the heels of her boots. Combat style, not stilletto.<br/><br/>As Haven walks down the street, wet as a drowned rat, not even the sound of the rain can drown out the faint sound of a howl echoing in the distance.  It barely rises over the din created by the rain and the car horns and the noise of car stereos with their sound too loud.  But it's there.  And then, as though fate had intervened in her night, a sleek black Mustang pulls up at a stop light next to her, it's wipers creating a faint monotone as they slowly move back and forth across the glass.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle was tapping his fingers over the steering wheel when his eyes met the sight of a strange woman. She was clearly not worried about the rain beating down on her head, which was something to wonder about altogether as she seemed very comfortable with it all. The next strange thing was how she seemed to pay no mind to her clothes being drenched, the slim tank top just clinging to her while the cargo pants seemed to grow heavy with enough weight to slip them down further. It was definitely a distraction for his eyes, but not one that caused his ears to miss the unmistakable sound that barely came in from over-top the radio's soft hum.<br/><br/>Kyle turned the radio off then, wanting to make sure he could hear it if it sounded out. He even cracked the window a bit to better let in sound from outside the car, wanting to be sure he heard it if it came again as doubtful as that was. "The hell is happening now?" He asked no one in particular, though since the window he cracked was the one near to the strange woman he had just ogled she may very well hear it. He relaxed back then, his eyes shifting back to the woman over and over again; keeping a watch on her as he awaited the light to change still. Chicago was always a bitch with traffic.<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's head turned slightly at the sound of the car engine idling near her, a slow blink of her eyes given. She shifted her stance just a bit more, pausing as she heard the unmistakable sound of a howl.<br/><br/>The hair along the back of her neck lifted and she felt her inner wolf beg for a reply. Her head tilted, instead, to the side slightly and she listened. Teeth catching her lower lip, toying idly with one of the snakebite piercings there, while she waited to see if she heard the faint sound again.<br/><br/>Instead she was interrupted by the guy in the car muttering to himself as he heard it. Her 'brows drew together in a slight furrow as she realized he'd heard the sound with the windows in his car up, the engine idling, and the rain going. That, more than anything, drew her attention towards the car and the man inside it.<br/><br/>She shifted just a bit more along the street, keeping the car in her field of vision, but her head still cocked slightly as she waited to see if she heard the sound again. It looked like she was waiting for the light to allow her to walk across the crosswalk to most passerbys.<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((Wits + Composure to scent Uratha, -1 for the city stink))<br/><br/>Black Howling: ((2 successes.))<br/><br/>Blitzy: (0 sux.)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: As Haven moves to cross the street, another howl is heard, much fainter this time.  It's one of pain, a short yelp followed by a groan, and it's almost impercetible in the distance.  However, Kyle, being a native, knows it's coming from the water front, down by Rainbow Park.  The area is approximately 10 blocks from your current location.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle's eyes dragged toward the woman a second time before he inhaled past the rain and stinky city air. He noticed something then, and inside him he felt a hunger boil up. Another Uratha? He couldn't help but think that as his eyes shifted back to her position, and he perked his eyebrow. It was strange to see one right after the howl, and he had to wonder if Luna was dropping a sign or if it was just more rotten luck with woman. Still he would let her cross the street, though that thought too was broken as he heard yet another howl that almost made his other side want to answer, and this one was a cry of pain.<br/><br/>It was somewhere in the distance, and his memory tracked it as he tried to discern the location. The waterfront, down by rainbow park he thought immediately. He risked yet another glance to what he now knew was a sister outside the car, and without another thought he waved a hand to catch her attention as he turned the corner. He then drove up only a few paces, pulling to the side near the walk as he rolled down the window the rest of the way. He then thought of the words, and tried to give the message as best he could.<br/><br/>"Hey sister, you hearing Luna's call tonight? I think we outta check it out together if you're interested."  Kyle called from the car, hoping she'd hear it and follow along. If she had heard the howl, he knew she might well go looking for it just as he planned to now. If that was the case, it was better he show her the way rather then her getting lost and in trouble. He'd only wait a bit though, before he pulled away himself. Because he wasn't sure what he might be getting into here, but werewolf howls of pain were never something good; and he aimed to find out what, if anything, was attacking.<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's heartbeat sped up, her eyes half-closing, as she listened to the sound of the new howl in the distance. The highly emphathic uratha winced at the sound of pain in the tone, before she whispered softly to herself, "Trap trap... could be a trap..."<br/><br/>She'd all but forgotten the guy in the muscle car until it pulled up beside her after she'd taken a couple steps off the sidewalk. There was a narrowing of her eyes then as she turned towards the car, intending upon making sure the guy knew she wasn't a prostitute turning tricks, but his words caught her attention as much as the howl had.<br/><br/>She shifted towards the car, leaning down towards the window, and strangely enough looking like the prostitute she'd been about to bitch at him for considering her. She glanced at his face, feeling for the knowledge that he may be lying, before she glanced past her shoulder in the direction of the howl. There was the faintest of curses before she reached for the doorhandle.<br/><br/>"A'ight. Let's go check it out." She climbed into the car, much as she had numerous times on the way to Chicago, though perhaps this time she wouldn't have to fuck n' suck to get her way.<br/><br/>"Name's Haven. You?"<br/><br/>Dark Clown: The Mustang cuts through traffic with all haste capable on the shitty, rain-slick streets.  The two Uratha made introductions along the way, and as the vehicle drew near the Rainbow Park, the park's many sports complexes came into view through the falling rain.  A large gym is bordered on all sides by basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer feilds.  It all leads out to Lake Michigan, and as lightning flashes overhead, a faint flicker of movement appears, silohuetted against the water.  The figure seems to stumble a few times, before falling to his knee and groaning loudly.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle nodded his head as he watched her move up, and snickered at her words. Just get in the fucking car, he thought at first; though it seemed almost as if to calm his nerves that she did just that. He heard her speak her name, and gave a nod before rolling the window back up to speed off, trying to make as much haste without wrecking as he could on these piss poor streets. "Name's Kyle, good to meet you." He said, more out of routine manners then actually meaning it. After all, he hadn't known her long enough for anything more.<br/><br/>As Kyle sped down the streets, cutting through traffic; Haven would now be able to see his garb. He was wearing a dark colored tank top under a black leather bomber jacket. His legs were clad with blue denim jeans, boot cut that ran down over black biker style boots. None of the clothing was all that loose, relaxed fit to play over his muscles very well. He brushed some of his long hair back behind his shoulders then, only ten blocks of traffic on the way so it didn't take them long. "How many Howls did you hear?" He asked plainly, though obviously at a bad time as he seen the flicker of movement against the waters.<br/><br/>"Shit." Kyle said then, aware this could be baited as a trap but if that was the case he'd definitely want to root out whatever was trapping his kind. He pulled swiftly into the park then, skidding to a stop as quickly as possible as he glanced to the woman in the passenger seat. "We need to see if that was wolf or human, for all we know there's a fresh changer ripping people up." He said, trying to notice if the figure was human or not as he opened the door, preparing to approach and find out for himself if he had to.<br/><br/>Blitzy: The Elodoth could hear that the guy next to her didn't really give a shit what her name was, or about introducing himself, and she couldn't help but find that amusing.. yet fitting, considering their circumstances. She just shrugged her shoulders and sat there in silence, quite content with that action, while she waited to see where they were going.<br/><br/>If she was uncomfortable in her wet clothing it didn't show, though she adjusted the ballcap atop her head so that her dreads were mostly contained beneath it. She hadn't bothered putting on her seatbelt when she'd climbed in the car, so his sudden turn had her vaguely off balance so she placed her hand on the dashboard while she murmured, "Two."<br/><br/>She let out a soft sigh and tugged open the door, her gaze flicking to him for a moment. "No, really? You think?" Her gaze lifted, judging the area they were in, to see what kind of cover there was. She drew a bit of a breath, Feet of Mist active and obscurring her scent, before she murmured to him, "Come here. Pretend to be a lover... out for a walk in the rain. Don't make it more than it has to be. Chamoflauge."<br/><br/>Dark Clown: As you draw nearer, the figure seems definately male, and naked from the waist up, only a tattered pair of slacks barely hanging onto his form.  There are thick scratches across his back, and the scent of blood is thick in the air.  As the car squeels to a stop, he turns, glancing sidelong at the pair of you, breathing heavily.  His left hand clutches a long, curved peice of metal.  ((Roll Wits + Survival, please))<br/><br/>Blitzy: (1 sux.)<br/><br/>Black Howling: (2 Successes)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: From your vantage point, you can see the ground has been ripped up, and that various sets of large foot prints mar the torn earth.  Much much larger than any normal man's should be.  They seem to circle near the kneeling figure, before leading north, before they fade from your view.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle frowned at Haven's initial response, her sarcastic attitude grating against him. He brushed it aside from now, his vision bringing his eyes to the form of the man with the bar and all the tracks dotted around him. The tattered slacks barely hanging on, and she thought they were actually gonna play it off like that. That was fine with him, they could sure try he thought as he slipped from inside the car to step out. He shut then door behind him then, waiting until she did the same before he walked calmly around to her as if he hadn't seen a thing.<br/><br/>He'd give it a try, he figured; activating his own feet of the mist as he stepped in tow with her, his arm wrapping around her waist as he pulled her in close to him and leaned down to her neck as if to kiss it. He almost wished that was actually what he was trying to do when the first waft of her scent flew up to him, and he stopped his fingers from drifting her hips. They stilled reflexively kneaded into them, as he walked like they were just on a casual stroll.<br/><br/>"You really think this is gonna work?" Kyle asked, his breath involuntarily sweeping hotly across her neck as he tried to dupe that they had no interest in weird howls that he was just out for a ride, and to walk in the rain with his attractive lover. He clicked the car locked with his keys, sliding them into his jacket pocket as he tried to make it look good. Her scent so close was alluring, and he did feel the other half of him tug to pull her closer, just as it did to find cover or confront the other that was close by. He kept it in check though, even if he couldn't stop himself from smelling her hair and neck.<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's scent was like fresh, clean soil and mingled with the heat of wood-burning fire. Smoky and clean, with no hint of perfumes or any kind of weird fruity shampoos. She smelled like she was born and raised in the wilderness, though if he leaned in a bit more and breathed even deeper, he'd catch the faintest hint of a seabreeze/salty scent that lingered below the wooded fragrances.<br/><br/>Beneath the black tank top her nipples hardened a bit more, reflexively, as his breath moved over her neck. Part of her disliked that he was now close enough to her throat to rip it out, but she could almost feel the change in tension in his body next to her. It wasn't aggression but a sexually charged moment and she couldn't help but smile faintly when she sensed it.<br/><br/>Her own arm curled around his waist, fingers digging into his hip and just below the waistband of his pants so she could touch bare skin. He felt the hint of her nails, sharp little claws, against his flesh almost as if in warning. But her body leaned into his, into his warmth, and she ducked her head slightly.<br/><br/>The bill of the hat kept her eyes from view, but she definitely was focused on the man in front of them. Assessing the wounds, checking for any kind of recognizable scar, even as she whispered under her breath, "Mmm.. dunno. Better than running into the fray."<br/><br/>Her steps were fast, making sure that Kyle kept up, though the movements were fluid and graceful so it could almost appear that they were walking slower than they were. She was breathing deep, trying to see if she could catch the scent from the guy before them.<br/><br/>Dark Clown: The figure's scent is definately Uratha, though Kyle catches nothing on the breeze.  As the figure turns to regard them, he too scents the air, seeming to study you both.  He breathes heavily still, and as he does, more blood seeps from his wounds.  He raises the curved metal in his hand, as though trying to motion to you with it, and then it drops from his grasp.  He looks at it, somewhat saddened, before raising his gaze to the two of you.  "Anshega..." he says, mumbling it so that you can barely hear him.  He waits for a response, then repeats the word, before falling face first into the muddy earth.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle breath deeply, perhaps it was him being more interested in Haven's scent that distracted him but he could not tell whether the man before him was werewolf or not. He kept his pace with her's though, steps in motion with only enough variation to make sure it seemed realistic. He was fast, and graceful too; so it was no problem to stay in step with the lovely while they approached closer to the man that laid before them. He was still somewhat wary of the situation.<br/><br/>The tickle to Kyle's ear from her words almost made him husk as he felt those nails drag along him, but he ignored those things for now just letting the tips of his own fingers knead into her hip with his palm pressing a little into her backside. It was about then that he heard the words come from the man just out of sight from the road. The man repeats the word, Ashenga and for the life of him Kyle cannot understand what it means. He wonders then if it's the first tongue, not that he would have any way to tell without knowing it.<br/><br/>Though after the repeat, the man fell; and Kyle frowned as he kept their pacing walk up. Once they moved from sight of anyone else, and nearby he let loose of her and asked his question. "Do you know first aid?" He asked, knowing they would clearly need it now as he leaned down over the form. The smell of blood was thick, and they couldn't be the only predators to catch onto it. He searched around there, his keen senses flying out a she tried to spot anything else in the area. Something had to have done this to him, and he needed to know what it was.<br/><br/>Blitzy: She let out a soft sound as she saw the man fall, keeping the pace up though there was an urgency she felt. A flash back, a similar scene played out in front of her as her father had once born nearly the same wounds, and she shuddered just a bit in rememberance.<br/><br/>Haven's gaze turned towards Kyle's as he asked if she knew first aid before she hissed out, "Why would I need to know first aid? I heal!" There was that edge of the unknown now, the moment of clarity in how new she was, as she'd never considered that she'd need to know first aid.<br/><br/>She knelt down near the body, though her foot gently nudged the blade away from her body as she did so. She definitely did not want the man to be able to grab it and turn it on her if he wasn't as injured as she thought he'd be.<br/><br/>Her hand reaching out, touching for his throat, to see if he still had a pulse. She at least knew how to do that, though she wasn't even sure if she was feeling in the right spot. Even as she did that with one hand, the other was quickly yanking at her shirt and tugging it over her head, so that she could press it towards the wounds to help staunch the bloodflow.<br/><br/>There was absolutely no shame in her to be half naked, sitting in the mud and dirt, as the scent of Uratha blood filled her senses.<br/><br/>Dark Clown: As you two draw near, coming to inspect the figure collapsed onto the grass, the hairs on the backs of your neck rise in alarm as the very fabric of the air around you seems to shimmer.  Four figures emerge, men of build and girth, emerging from the Hisil where they had been hiding, laying in wait to ambush the Uratha they could sense were near.  They all emerged in Dalu form, their stubbed claws flexing as they prepared themselves for battle.  ((Initiative rolls, please.))<br/><br/>Blitzy: (13, +2 Fast Reflexes. 15?)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((Yep.  BH?))<br/><br/>Black Howling: ((11, rolled a five)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((Okay.  Initiative order is Blitzy, the two at her back, then BH, and the two that emerge before him.  So you're up Blitzers.  The figures all have Defense 3))<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's breath caught as she saw the figures emerging while she knelt there in the grass, her shirt off and pressing upon the Uratha at her feet. She looked around, seeing how overwhelmed they were by the four, before glancing downwards at the Uratha at her feet.<br/><br/>"Please let us go. We just wanted to help him." (Persuaaaaasion, mebbe? >_> )<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((Manipulation + Persuasion, dear.))<br/><br/>Blitzy: (Can she add WP to it? >_> )<br/><br/>Dark Clown: (Yep))<br/><br/>Blitzy: ( >_> 5 sux. )<br/><br/>Dark Clown: The two figures behind Haven pause, turning to look at one another, as though confused by the empathic request from the waif of a girl before them.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle cursed inwardly when he seen them circling, their aggression pressing on his as he managed not to growl. They definitely seemed like they weren't much for wanting to talk, and if he had to guess he'd say they were pure. He didn't speak a word, especially when he heard Haven speak; her words seeming to stun them for a moment. He didn't think it'd work for long, it was little more then fast talk so he dug into his inner strength; summoning the power of essence to shift his form to Dalu in front of them as he rose up to his full height, eyes staring at them as he stepped just beside Haven, making himself the bigger target if her trick didn't work.<br/><br/>"Just leave us be, no one has to spill blood right now." He said through the growl, but his fingers too flexed as though he was ready to fight. And in truth he was, hoping they would all swarm him if they attacked and not the girl next to him. He was guarding himself with everything he had, hoping they'd stay confused and just let them go. But deep down he knew it was hubris. Still, he'd draw them to him for that mistake and dodge all their blows before cracking their skulls.<br/>((Using dodge action, seeing if her trick works and if not making whatever rolls I need to to have them rush me. Defense 6, 7 if my jacket counts as thick clothing)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: The two Dalu-form figures watch as Kyle shifts form, and they step forward, eying the Uratha.  One of them spits angrily at his feet, his eyes burning with hate.  "Step aside, pup..." he says, folding his arms over his muscled chest.  "You're trespassing on your turf, and interfering with something that doesn't concern you or the little girl you're with.  Back off, get out of our territory, and we might not tear your skin off."<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's head tilted up, her hackles rankling at the talk of her being alittle girl, but she gently stroked fingers down along the body at her feet. She drew herself up to her feet after a minute, standing straight and looking at the one who spoke.<br/><br/>"We did not mean to step into your territory... we heard pained cries. We only wanted to make sure help was not necessary. You will let us leave?"<br/><br/>Her words were meant to be soothing, calm, and focused. Her breathing was even, even her heartbeat was calm and steady, and she looked at the one who'd spoken without fully meeting his gaze. (Not sure if a roll is necessary.)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((No, it isn't))<br/><br/>Dark Clown: The Uratha at her back move around her, sensing that any threat has passed.  The figure that spoke remains silent, his eye studying Haven, and in a manner not entirely polite.  "Yeah, we will.  Get outta here." he said, narrowing his eyes.  "We catch you back on our turf uninvited, and things won't be so pleasant next time."<br/><br/>Dark Clown: ((Intelligence + Streetwise, if you'd like.))<br/><br/>Black Howling: (1 Success net me anything?)<br/><br/>Dark Clown: You vaguely recall hearing about the South Shore Stalkers, though you'd never heard precisely if they were a pack or a gang.  Given the evidence before you and your location, it seems that the rumors might be true.<br/><br/>Black Howling: The Words didn't phase Kyle in the least, or that's how it looked on the outside anyhow. He stood straight and calm, his composure showing as he looked right toward them. He would not balk down, though he understood he may have made a faux. As far as he could tell, they hadn't marked the territory either. He stayed calm though, hearing the now bare breasted Uratha stand up to start her own plight again. When the tension eased he felt it relaxing himself as they walked away.<br/><br/>Kyle was usually good at spotting danger, so he was surprised he hadn't noticed them. He wasn't sure how, probably a gift he figured. He glanced the way of Haven then. He pulled his jacket off, and gave it to her to cover herself with. It was obvious she didn't feel she needed it, but they would be picked up for indecent exposure if she didn't put it on. He nodded respectively to those who let them pass on the mistake, still cursing himself for not having heard for sure if they were an actual pack. He couldn't make so many mistakes like that.<br/><br/>Kyle let his form shift back to human then, and he looked toward Haven and back down to the one below his feet.<strong>"Trespasser and they didn't take kindly to it."</strong>He guessed aloud. Though he was thinking about how they almost became the same thing too. He didn't know if he should pick the guy up and pull him along or not, he was injured and it would be wrong not to try and aid. It was a risk though, they may not appreciate it and very well might go back on their offer to let them go. He decided he'd ldo such unless Haven stopped him. He'd give her that for getting them out of this.<br/><br/>Blitzy: She glanced up at the Uratha around them and over towards Kyle. There was a moment where he could see her thinking things over and then she turned to look back at the Uratha that had spoken before. Even with Kyle handing her his jacket, she didn't put it on yet, but instead spoke again. This time even as she said the question it seemed she knew the answer.<br/><br/>"Will you let us take him with us?"<br/><br/>Her gaze downwards now at the Uratha at their feet. She may be slender and young, but there was steel in her spine and in her manner. She wasn't backing down from the Pack(?) that surrounded them yet still she managed to show respect.<br/><br/>Dark Clown: "No." he answered simply.  "We've been hunting this traitor through the Hisil for three days.  Any more than that, you don't need to know.  Now go."  To further accentuate his point, the other three stepped forward, ready to remove the two trespassers by force if needs be.<br/><br/>Black Howling: Kyle Growled, and looked them over as he swore to figure this out later. He'd poke around some, and if they were a pack here and killed this one; he'd make sure they paid for breaking the oath of the moon. If they were pure, then he'd see about making sure they didn't have territory to protect. He wouldn't do anything for now, he'd give Haven her wish as he believed she had earned it with her skill. He rose then and took a step back as he motioned for her to come along. "Let's go then if we are gonna, cars not far."<br/><br/>Kyle let the words sound out, and turned to move away though making sure she would follow along before he strayed too far. When he was sure she would, he continued to the car; clicking it unlocked as he made his way there. He was normally very composed; but right now it was taking all he had not to run back there and rip their faces off. He got to the car, and opened it up. Waiting for her to get in first, while he kept his eyes traveling back to those from before; making sure they didn't decide to come after them for not moving fast enough. They'd get the knife if that was the case, for going back on their word.<br/><br/>Blitzy: Haven's head bowed once, her breath drawn in, and she drew her hands up away from her face and towards her mouth as she turned away from them. The jacket was on her now, placed there carefully, as her tongue swiped at the blood on her fingers. She wanted the scent of the wolf that had been at her feet, bloody and hurt. She knew there'd been no blood on her shirt, and the rain had washed away her scent, so she didn't worry about leaving it there with the Uratha.<br/><br/>She slid her other hand downwards, to the ground, and scooped up a handful of mud. Before she went to the passenger door of the car, she went to the license plate and pushed the mud against it. Obscuring the license plate so that it couldn't be remembered and traced. A glance back over her shoulder towards the group was given before she climbed into the car. She wiped the mud off her hand and onto the pant leg, damp still, and waited for Kyle to get in the car.<br/><br/>"Know anyone who can do the tracking by blood around here? I know that it can be done... I just don't know the ritual." She held out her hand to him, the one that didn't have the mud on it, and he could see blood on her fingers where she'd made sure it was carefully kept and preserved.