@Silent Observer

{Meanwhile with Tholo, a Last Minute Decision to travel to an Old Friend}
After a several hour anxiety filled flight, Tholo stood at the door of his destination. After his nap in the basement he made a decision of seeking advice from long time friend Bran, the head of all werewolves in North America, it was thanks to him they had come back so well after the events in Europe that had them nearly hanging by a thread to existence. It was Bran who had pretty much smacked the sense into him and made him stop pitying himself when he first came to America as well as after his second soulmate's death. The age gap was immense, Bran perhaps being the oldest werewolf in existence yet they shared similar life stories that not only were they friends but some could describe them like brothers if it wasn't the difference in appearance.

"Tholo! This is a surprise," said Bran who gestured for Tholo to enter.

"It was a last minute choice," Tholo answered.

"Well I guess this isn't just for a simple visit," Bran said leading them to the living area of the house ",Katarina is currently out on a business trip so you won't have to worry about being ribbed." Katarina was Bran's soulmate, a were like him but instead of a wolf she was a coyote. Due to her Indian heritage, Tholo was the one to joke that she had some connection to the old stories from Indians about the mischief maker Coyote and whenever he visited now she usually tried to do some form of trick on him.

"So what is it you need?" Bran asked sitting down.

"Advice as well as a request," Tholo said sitting across from his friend and began the tale of his current dilemma with Trixy and their run ins.

"I'm unsure if I'm ready and each time she pushes away it makes me more unsure," he finally finished ",I don't want the same fate to happen a third time."

"Tholo, you must stop living in the past," Bran said ",What you went through is painful, no less painful then what you describe she has gone through. You both have lost those that you loved but don't let the hinder what you could have. You both need to, I doubt they either of your soulmates would of wanted you to live lives if coldness and be alone forever. They'd want you to move on eventually." Tholo let Bran's words sink in. Maybe he did need to let go more, not fear the future and just live in the present.

"I need you to see if you can find anything on one of us," Tholo finally answered after awhile ",You know that after my past events I did some odd jobs for some sense of retribution. One was helping a vampire who I recently found out was killed after I had given some information to him for two packs."

"Hmm yes the French packs were very hostile during that time due to the trials. Stubborn, and easy to agitated and very territorial. Dangerous dealing with them, this vampire of yours was taking a risk but I assume he must of had his reasons," Bran said rubbing his temples and gave an audible sigh ",I'll see what I can do but you know that time as well as I do. We had no records of packs and even now I'm trying to help figure out what packs are left, which ones were wiped out entirely, and even those that had split for them in Europe. It isn't easy, with no records its all by word of mouth and finding wolves around over a few centuries old is not easy."

Tholo nodded."I know but just if you could try, it would help."

@Arkay

Scorn watched the bartender walk away the itch and pain subsiding again. To keep her thoughts from wandering to what was disturbing her she looked at the college students with slight annoyance. They weren't children anymore, they were becoming the impure adults she hated. Innocence they once had was gone and they were part of the grim truth the world revolved around. They way they looked at her made her assumptions true in her mind.

Matters didn't improve when one after several drinks tried to hit on her. The conversation ended poorly for the young man when he was on the ground on agony after she had broken his nose after one to many comments and rude remarks. Blood from his nose was on her hand and she licked it off and then gave the groaning man a smile that would of made many scared out of their wits."Maybe you tempt me now, I wonder what your heart would taste like. Younger is always much tastier then older."

He left her be after that and seemingly just returned to his friends, nursing his wounded nose as best he could before they would take him to a doctor to fix it. Scorn returned to waiting for Aria to return, knowing that perhaps what he was expecting wouldn't be what she was asking, and he probably be disappointed but at least that could be good, less likely chance of him hitting on her which would make her break his nose the same way she had done with the college student.

She looked at the name on her arm, focusing on trying to figure out what he was. Perhaps the rune between the first and last name could help her out. Only problem was she had no knowledge on runes and their meanings.

Béatrix stayed with her grandmother for a while, chatting about lost time and new travels. As conversations with Frida tended to these days, this one went to the subject of her future seat on the Council. Trixy understood her grandmother’s desire to ‘get her ducks in a row’ so to speak, but a position like that wasn’t something she was ready for. Sensing her discomfort, Frida chuckled “Well, I’m not dead yet.”

“Good. Valhalla doesn’t deserve you.” Trixy said half joking, half serious. Frida responded with a warm smile, “Aye, though I’d much rather end up in Fólkvangr with Freyja. Us women have to stick together.” The blonde said as she put her hand on top of Aislinn’s. It was a small gesture, but an overwhelmingly adorable and loving one. Her eyes became more thoughtful before speaking next. “That is, if the draugr are even welcome in the Great Halls…” she mused and then shook her head.

In time, they were hugging and saying their farewells. Frida told Trixy she needed to write her more. Trixy told Frida that it was the 21st century, and that she needed to embrace technology: cellphones, computers, anything after the pony express, really. Agreeing to disagree, but promising to keep in touch, Trixy departed to board another flight to Nantes, France.

Thankfully, these relatives were completely acclimated to the modern age, as it was the only age they’d ever known, so Trixy could call them to inform them of her visit. Camille and Lucas Delacroix, and their daughter Emma, were some of the only living relatives that Béatrix had. While Trixy’s parents were grieving their daughter’s death, they had conceived a son that continued their family name, Lucas is a lineal descendant of that son - Trixy's only sibling.

The flight was just a short hop in comparison to the previous one, but a great deal more expensive because of the short notice. Money wasn’t an issue though, it hadn’t been for a long time. Camille had informed Trixy that Lucas would just be getting out of work upon her arrival, but that she could pick her up from the airport.

“Cami!” Béatrix cooed as she met eyes with what she considered to be her sister-in-law; It was easier to think of Lucas like a brother because of how young she looked next to him. The women embraced before heading out the the Delacroix home. It was a modest abode set in a more rural area just outside of Nantes. Camille was a middle-school teacher and Lucas was a businessman who worked in the city and together they made enough to comfortably raise their child in their own home with two cars. Trixy remembered how nervous she’d been when she first arrived here. Supernaturals had only recently revealed themselves to the public at large, and there was still a lot of hate to go around. Lucky for Trixy, this little family was open-minded and supportive when meeting their long-thought-dead relative.

Lucas’ shiny silver car was parked in the driveway, meaning he had already gotten out of work and picked Emma up from after-school dance practice. One of her favorite parts about visiting with the Delacroix was that every word spoken was in French. Trixy had barely stepped in the door before the sound of tiny feet pitter-pattering along the hardwood greeted her. “Tata Twixxy!” squeaked a tutu-clad girl with chocolate brown hair pulled into a bun as she peeked around the corner. Emma launched into a full-blown 4-year-old sprint before latching around Trixy’s knees. The hug was enough to completely melt Béatrix’ heart. How could it not? Trixy looked up to see Camille greet her husband with an affectionate peck on the lips. It was then that it hit her: she wanted this.

Béatrix had never seen her vampirism as a curse like many others do. She was dying and the love of her life had saved her. Trixy was strong and would live forever, but... she could never have a child of her own. She grew up not only expecting to have a family, but wanting one. She had hoped for a family like the Delacroix’, not a just political marriage, but a loving one. And maybe, just maybe, she could have a shot a that? She might not be able to birth children, but gay couples were making great strides in being able to adopt, who’s to say the supernaturals couldn’t be next?

“Auntie, can I see your fangs yet?” Emma’s high-pitched voice squeaked. Béatrix chuckled after breaking away from her own thoughts. “Not yet. Maybe when you’re older.” Trixy said, bringing forth an adorable little pout.

@BlackPanther

Two days passed from when Manu and Jose arrived by plane in New York. It was nice, Jose took Manu around the city and showing all the impressive things. Manu completely forgot why they traveled there to begin with from all the excitement. Today was the day, Manu would have preferred to spend the day in the spa of the hotel they were, but Jose protested. It was irritating how often Jose grabbed Manu wrist to read the name over and over. While they spend the day out and checking the zoo.

Most of the day was gone and they were going for a dinner, and Manu rolled his eyes once more in the cab they both sat in. "Look we are in a different country, there is no way that chick gonna meet me, plus. Even if I meet them nothing will change. So relaxs. "

Jose sighed letting go of the arm. "..." Sensing that the other unrest, Manu nuzzled him, adding in a whisper. "They will just see me as a big disappointment. And no one wants a loser."

"You arent, but i dont mind them believing that.... Here will be good." The other part was directed at the driver, who stopped in front of a hot dog stand. They left the car and Manu stretched. The smell was really mount watering.

"Get youself one, I will be quick..." And off was Jose, meeting with the alfa of the region in a cafe, to inform him about them both. Manu eyed the hot dog stand and grinned, well he sure was hungry.

@TalijaKey
Abel finds himself waking in a chair in the library. Apparently he had fallen asleep while reading the snow leopard book. Disappointment flickered through his eyes as he realized that the meeting of the female souls mate was a dream. With a sad sigh he gets up and leaves the library pulling on his now dry shirt and replacing his hat as he does so.
He walks slowly inhaling somewhat. He smells the allure of hot dogs and with a shrug heads that way his blue eyes somewhat glazed over as his thoughts wander to a different place. Maybe he would go for a change after the hot dog...maybe a hunt.

@Argetlam350


Aria let out a sigh as the students settled up. He calmly shot an look at the one with the broken nose as he handed Aria his card. As he brought the piece of plastic back, he grabbed the young man by the collar and brought his ear to his lips. "Next time you talk to a woman like that, I'll make sure you leave here with more than just a broken nose. I'm running a business here and I don't need you scaring it off by thinking with your cock." Aria let the child go and grabbed himself a glass. Like the tipsy ducklings, they students followed each other out of Aria's bar, which left the place feeling rather desolate. Most of his employees got off at this time and began to clean and pack up. Aria took his now beer filled glass over to his possible new employer. Aria set his glass down on his side of the bar and smiled happily toward her. "I'm sorry. The young ones always try to make it with confidence alone. Wit doesn't appear to them as attractive until after they graduate. Anywho, I guess it's about time we got to business. So what do you need me to do. Please say hunting demons, because I could truly use a change in scenery for a week or so. You wouldn't believe how much of a rut you can get into running a bar. The same 5 people always buy the same 5 drinks. Your's was the first bloody mary I've served this era."

Aria soon noticed that the woman had been looking at her wrist before Aria interrupted her inner monologue. Under his present condition, he couldn't read the markings. His voice got low. "Or... am I tracking down your lover? I'll do my best to help, but I'm not sure I can do anything without a lead." He said before taking a large sip from his drink. She facial expression was that of great concern. He eyed her curiously waiting for her to respond.

@BlackPanther

"I want mustard, onions, cabbage and tomatoes on my hot dog. Thank you very much." Manu hummed as he payed the hot dog seller. He moved a few steps to the side to lean against the building and bite into it. He didnt got to enjoy the taste too much as a faint prickle passed over his written wrist.

He chewed and looked around, it couldnt be that they were in America? If he knew he would have stayed home. Probably it was just a mosquito. It got a bit stronger as Manu looked at his wrist. Such bad luck he had, well to be honest with himself Manu kinda looked at himself as a person who was friends with the bad luck. If his becoming a were wasnt a example of it. He looked after a girl who passed him in hurry going who knows where. Maybe he could just get it over with and the rest of the get away with Jose will be all about them. He smirked holding the hot dog in hand. Eyeing the passer byes for anyone looking at their wrist, or looking suspicious.

@TalijaKey
Abel makes it to the stand ignoring his wrist but his balled fist betrays him. He doesn't want to get hurt...he has to admit he's a bit scared of meeting whoever the name on his wrist belongs to. What if they are human...or a monster hunter...or allergic to felines. He shakes his head a bit and looks at the hot dog vendor. He has an odd way of eating hot dogs and he always gets looks when he does it, but he is hungry and doesn't care.
"4 hot dogs no buns...please" the vendor raises and eyebrow but gives the guy the hot dogs. Abel nods and pays for them. He then walks over to a tree across from Manu and eats the cooked mixed meat. It seemed like almost in a blink of the eye all four hot dogs vanished. Abel wipes his hands on the napkins he grabbed and tosses them in a trash can. His wrist now almost unbearable causing him to twitch it several times while looking around. He hopes he's fully awake and that his soulmate wouldn't vanish forever.

@Silent Observer

"So how are your sons?" Tholo asked Bran. Bran was one of the few wolves he knew who had children. His first son was rather old, coming from a previous soulmate match up. Unfortunately she passed away, though how Bran never said. From what Tholo knew, he was a doctor somewhere out on the west coast, bonded to a fae. His youngest was from the current marriage he held with his soulmate he had now, a rare miracle to see a birth from a were due to the complications and challenges it had.

"Ah well Charles is doing fine, he recently announced that his was going to have his first child within a years time," Bran said happily always happy to speak about family. His mood shifted however as he went from speaking about family to more serious matter

"Speaking of foreign wolves earlier, Adam is out helping the Boston pack track down one." Bran's youngest was known most as simply as the Enforcer. While they were perhaps now know to the world, old habits were hard to kick and sometimes it took one of their own to find another. While today most of the time they tried to cooperate with the law and hand over any troublemakers of their kind to the legal system, some needed to be dealt with swiftly and would just be a waste of time. Bran had to usually stay in Montana, running the packs around the country was a full time job as well as many other practical matters he had to attend to. His son Adam however had no qualms with tracking down rogues and distributing justice that was needed.

"From the information we have this rogue came in about two weeks ago into the Boston territory. The Boston Pack sent over a neutral party to ask what the loner was doing but never heard back. Found the corpse about a day or two afterwards with the rogue seemingly gone but he didn't leave the area until a week after arriving and in that time he attack two other wolves, one won't be able to see properly again through their left eye and the other died to their wounds. We have our witches trying to do tracking spells but this is a crafty wolf."

Witches and weres had become relatively close through the centuries, suffering during the early sixteenth century to trials and hunts, they had bonded over common problems and helped each other out, usually having one or two witches a pack under their protection while paying them for help when they needed it.

Tholo nodded in understanding, though his mind thought more on his original question then Bran's talk. Family, it was an odd word on his tongue. He hadn't known family besides Bran for centuries and he tended to be a loner enough that these visits weren't common. He had ancestors alive in the modern day but his first and only time contacting them had gone over poorly and he had stayed away ever since. They seemed to not want anything with him so he didn't bother with them again.

@Arkay

She looked up at Aria, giving only the faintest of smiles. She could at least appreciate that he seemed to be an adventurous soul, something that most adults seemed to lack."I'm afraid to disappoint you but I merely came in for a drink, no jobs though the mention of hunting is an exhilarating one. I haven't had a good hunt in a long time though I got in trouble for that one," She said then debated whether to tell him why he knew his name. She slightly began to laugh at the second portion of his question on why she was there.

"Well you wouldn't have to look exactly far to find my supposed lover-boy," she said after getting control of herself and showing her wrist to him ",Seems you are written all over me." She wondered how he would react to such news. Her mind went through as many possible scenarios that could happen, mostly the worst cases but he wasn't what she was expecting so perhaps it would go the other way and not be so bad.

"But I guess I can make one request for you Mr. Kelly and that is what is the meaning of this rune," she added pointing that the rune with her other hand that was between the first and last name that wrapped around her wrist. It seemed to be partially glowing as she had brought her wrist closer to him.

@Argetlam350


Aria's eyes seemed to dilate as he started to inspect the glowing rune on the woman's arm. His expression was that of confusion mingled with wonder. His nose began to bleed as he gently grabbed the wrist. His cross buzz had suddenly disappeared, his arm and insides began to feel as though they were burning. For a split second, before Aria's eyes rushed a thousand images all of which going too fast to for him to recognize. The only things Aria could pick up from the rushing images were bright neon flames, copious amounts of blood, and the gleam of steel. He soon was struck by the sudden realization that he couldn't breath. He let his supposed soulmate go and grabbing for his drink with a shaking hand, which quickly up ended to drink until the beverage was either inside of him or split over himself. The drink didn't do anything for him, as he could still feel himself burning up. He couldn't tell if he was shivering or shaking, but his eyes remained still and focused on the previous location of the rune, as if it was still there. Aria coughed, and coughed again and again, until he was in the middle of a fit. The strong smell of sulfur and iron filled his noses as he fell backward from the bar.

Aria landed in a sitting position under the rum, clutching his chest in great pain. Quickly opening the first three buttons of his shirt, he placed his hand over his heart in a feeble attempt to make the burning stop. As he looked down he was able to catch the three last maroon pulses of light emanating from his chest. With two final loud coughs, the final one escaped his lips along a puff of maroon and purple embers. With that, the pain that was so crippling disappeared, as it had been switched off. He sat there dazed for a second before looking up at his patron. With his breathing still haggard, Aria sighed. "I'm not exactly sure what I am miss. If you asked a Cambridge scholar, he would define me as Kin, though kin to what I do not know. My mother died giving birth to me about a hundred years ago. My father was human. That was the first time I saw my name in my mother's tongue, and I have to say it hurt like hell." He chuckled grabbing a random bottle from above him and taking a sip.

@BlackPanther

As Manu was looking around the wrist picked up in heat. Just great, the soulmate must been coming closer. And like he hadnt enough trouble with it all, a man, just his type in appearance,attractive male, leaned across of him against a tree.

It was so not fair from fate to distract him like that. After a few short seconds of staring and seeing the man inhale the food, Manu turned his head to watch a young woman pass down the street. Nothing. She didnt even blink when passing by him. On top the wrist was steadily burning.

It was a belated thought that catch up with him and he looked back up at the attractive man, then back at the hot dog vendor. Both of them were just standing, could one of them be his soulmate? He took a bait from his hotdog. Who would he prefer? No one.

Manu finished in a few more bites his fast food, and simple stared at the man leaning against the tree. Seeing how he twitched a few times, while the hotdog vendor didnt twitch even once. He licked his fingers moved from the wall he leaned on, crossed the walkway, his wrist burning as hell. Manu leaned on the side of the tree with his hands in the pockets. It was so hard not to scratch the burning wrist.

@TalijaKey
When Manu walks closer, Abel's wrist burns. The control abel had snaps leading him to softly growl at his wrist. The sound more animal then anything else. Catching himself he slowly lifts his head and looks at the man next to him with his piercing blue eyes, studying him. Emotions flood him all at once to the point where he feels like he is drowning. He shakes somewhat as he slowly raises a hand and taps Manu on the shoulder, lifting his wrist up with his clenched hand so that the name is visible. Hope floods his eyes as if he lost the ability to speak. Which in a way, he has. His eyes plead with him a bit, hoping that he isn't wrong, that this guy is the owner of the name on his wrist. That he wouldn't be left alone with dreams of meeting them, but rather actually meeting them. His nostrils flare out slightly as he inhales their scent...the most important scent to him. as his hand quivers, the one he had tapped Manu with goes back to the tree, where claws promptly dig into the bark as he attempts to calm himself. Claws that are clearly retractable and sharp.

@BlackPanther
He really planned to say it. All the things he silently planed over the course of the last year.
Bad luck, I am not into girls.
I already have a boyfriend.
It can never work between us.
And many others, he wanted to say them when he saw his name on the others wrist, well minus the girl one as his soulmate was a boy. He pulled his burning wrist out his pocket and showed it to the other. Abel. It was Abel blue eyes that silenced all the hostile words he wanted to say. Leaving Manu helplessly lost and feeling as if hurting Abel to get rid of him would be the same as kicking a kitten.

Manu watched as Abel moved away, Manu tried to make himself say the same words his own crush did. That it wouldnt work. Yet the response was crawled out of his mind just as easily, by Abel crawling at the tree with one hand. It was a strong enough surprise for Manu to speak and break the silent moment.

"You are a were too! Damn fate really thought about everything." Maybe he shouldnt have shouted as loudly. But he ruffled his own messy locks eyes big. "Okay, okay I am jumping the pray too early here. Do you swing for guys, as well as me?" Maybe Abel the owner of the name on his wrist liked girls and all this can be a funny story... Thougth he has such beautiful eyes...There was something in him, a small feeling that wanted to run after Abel. He ignored it for the moment.

@TalijaKey
Abel blinks, suddenly realizing that he is clawing the tree. He looks at Manu then the tree with his clawed hand dig into it then back to Manu before pulling out his claws and retract them. He stares at Manu for a long time and slowly lowers his arm, he tenses as he confesses his sexuality. Something that normally gets him laughed at...or worse...scorned. "I...uh..swing both ways" he rubs the back of his neck as he says that, his voice layered with his southern accent and nervousness. The first thing he says to his soulmate and he ruins it. He can't seem to look Manu in the eyes, avoiding the stare as if expecting rejection. At least he was a were too...that would have been a double hit. His whole body seems to be tensed as he waits for the answer...whether it be rejection or accepttion.

@Arkay

Scorn could only watch as Aria went through some form of fit. Part of her was concerned while the other was unsure what to make of what was going on, none off her scenarios was what she expected. Unsure how to help she just watched as he went through the process. When he opened a few buttons on his shirt, she could help but lick her lips, it was a habit, and she couldn't deny he wasn't bad looking as much as she wanted to deep down hate him for being an adult. Her other half wanted to pounce tear flesh from meat but she was use to that urge and subdued it with ease. Her eyes focused on his chest however when she noticed the maroon light that pulsed from it. Eventually it stopped and he had let out a final cough that let out maroon smoke and purple embers.

"So like Lovecraft right?" she replied looking over the bar at him for a second before hoping over it and sitting next to him. It wasn't like the place was busy, she hadn't noticed anyone else enter since the college students left. She sat cross-legged on the ground slightly away from but closer then they had been with a bar between them.

"Aren't parents a bitch like that," she mumbled unsure why she was explaining herself but she continued ",No idea on my parents. Left me for who knows why, and let me suffer." She remained silent for a second before shooting a smile and then shifted subjects. "

Since you let me in on your secret I'll let you in on mine. I'm what they call a wendigo," she added.

His soulmate spoke, in a English accent he couldnt pinpoint from where it came. He was not a native speaker but learn the language thanks to the internet mostly, so it was no wonder he deiced not to question how the words were said but what was said.
"Damn, a fit there as well..." Manu sighed, it was so much harder then he believed it would be. He wished Jose would return, then he would have a easier escape. As his eyes wandered back to Abel there was something again in him, a felling. For a brief moment his eyes changed color to a golden brown, as if reacting to the tense body in front of him. If Abel run he would run after him. Manu shock his head to clear the mind, still greatly unused to the were feelings.

"Well, I like guys. But two question I just have to ask you." Manu said reaching out and patting friendly Abels back.
"First what type of wolf do you turn into? I only ever meet a few of my friends pack and he is the same were as me."
Manu smiled, not sure what he himself was anymore trying to do. A little bit of friendly chit chat couldnt hurt anyone, right? On top it may cheer Abel up, and that would be nice.
" And second tell me honestly have you awaited to meet a girl? "

@BlackPanther

@TalijaKey
Abel's skin twitches underneath his shirt as Manu pats him. He noticed the eye color change and his feline side was more then tempted to try to start a chase. He squishes the idea in his mind as quickly as possible. He gives a small head tilt when he is asked what kind of wolf he is and breaks out in a relatively large smile. "Wolf no...Snow Leopard yes" That should give a rather interesting reaction. The word pack echo in his mind as he inhales scents around him...carefully, so as not to let his soul mate know what he is doing. The area smells heavily of scents, but he manages to pick out that his soulmate was with someone. That...hurt a bit, but he hides it hopefully before his soulmate catches it.
"As for if i was expecting a girl...I don't know, I didn't know what to expect." Fairly honest answer. Especially now that he knows Manu has a friend with him. He resists the urge to rub on Manu, and also resists the urge to barge in there and attack this other were. That last part was especially bad since he knows that there is a wolf pack who meets here. He could handle a few, but that many would end badly for him.

@BlackPanther

Manu,eyes grow a bit in surprise. Snow leopard? Its called werewolf? That alone raised a ton of confusing questions to him. He found himself planning on asking about that more another time. He stopped, it ddint mater he will simple ask Jose about it all. It wasnt like he will see Abel again. The chance they run into each other were close to zero, even more so once he return home to Brasil.
He refrain from questioning, completely missing out the careful sniffing his soulmate did, and heard Abel answer to his second question.
"Well, I didnt await to meet a hot guy as you, for sure." He nodded, not even noticing he slipped the word hot out. It didnt matter as a familiar smell came closer. Jose left the bar he was doing that werewolf informing them of their presence and was now standing across the street eyeing Manu and Abel.
"Well it was nice meeting you,man. I gotta go now. Tchau cat." Manu speed across the street and grabbed Joses hand in his own and pulled him after himself. Hoping the other wouldnt follow him, and would just be stunted by the quick take off.
It was over, he was free now from that silly fate. On obligation no worries. It was just perfect.

Several hours later

Manu was in a his animal form sniffing around the dark alleyways. He wanted to explore more than just the tourist sites. Plus it was a good training for the young were. The new smells, the feeling for orientation and the sneaking around and out the view of most humans. It was trilling. He noticed a black cat on a dumpster and he took a breath in.
He roar-barked at it and the cat run off with a heart attack.

Even so Manu was not pleased with him self his roar-bark just didnt sound quite right. Maybe not enough roar in his bark? Or maybe not enough bark in his roar. Jose and the others sounded more spine chilling than him, and Manu wanted to change that. But first things first. He was smelling pizza from that trash.

@TalijaKey
Abel saw the questions in Manu's eyes and can't help but get eager to answer them. A smile breaks out on his face when he hears Manu call him hot. He felt himself getting attached, feels that feline passiveness wash over him. This he does not stop, after all Manu's name is branded on his wrist. And then that all comes crashing down when he sees Manu run to some other were and take his hand. Abel feels....crushed, more then ever before. The hurt is clear in his eyes as his shoves his hands into his pockets, turns, and walks away. He fought the urge to slam a clawed hand into a tree, to yell and tear apart the other guy. It took everything he had to walk away, his head tilted down somewhat. His hope of love feeling like they got stolen from him, leaving him hollow.

Several Hours Later

Abel pads in his feline form through the streets. He hated this type of roaming, no open areas or any real prey. His form a silent white ghost only visible when he wants to be, having mastered the art of creeping through the shadows. He gracefully leaps into a fire escape in one of the alleyways, his blue eyes the only visible part of his large form. Snow leopards are the silentest of the large cats, not roaring but rather growling, leading him to be rather silent in everything. The cold from the metal on his paws contrast with his natural warmth, his coat meant for high snow covered mountains. He smells pizza in the dumpster below him, but does not go for it. Knowing that he has steaks at home.
His ears twitch when he hears the roar bark and he slowly goes into a crouch. He watches as Manu explores below him.

Adam

@TalijaKey
Adam nodded, respecting Danilo's privacy. Will, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. As Adam wandered around, and looked at the collection of theater recordings and musical discs, William thought.
"Why wouldn't he want us to go in there, Adam? Perhaps there's more to this dragon than you think."
"Hey, Will, could you do me a favour and just shut up for a minute? I'm trying to enjoy looking around at Dan's collections."
"Collections...hmmm.... You know, in legend dragons hoarded things. Like treasures. Or dead bodies!"
"SHUT UP WILL!
"No! You shut up and listen here! What if Danilo is dangerous? What if he's being elusive? Oh my god Adam, what if he has weird kinks?!"
"WILLIAM!" Adam shouted in his thoughts back at Will, while blushing slightly. "CAN YOU PLEASE STOP?!"
"Hmmmm....nah. But seriously. You should check it out."
Whilst Adam disliked the idea, he had to admit that sometimes William could be a little...helpful. What if he was right? What if there was more to Danilo than the cheerful cover he had on? Adam looked back to where Danilo had disappeared, making sure he wasn't paying attention to him.
"Last room on the left down that hallway," William said, reading his thoughts. Adam silently sighed to himself. He usually wasn't one to be nosy, but what if Will was right? Which was rare, but still.
Adam silently crept down the hallway towards, what he didn't know was, Danilo's bedroom. His palms were sweaty as he approached the door. His mind was racing with thoughts of what might be behind it.
Adam put his hand on the doorknob, turned it, and opened the door to look inside.

Béatrix sat and had coffee with the little family, her family, and caught up on lost time. Lucas spoke about his work briefly and how he would soon be traveling to Germany on business. Of course, Trixy offered her advice on where to go while he was there. In her 630 years, she had done quite a bit of traveling, especially after Francis died. It helped keep her mind busy, not happy, but busy. Camille talked about how her school was trying to incorporate learning about the history and culture of supernaturals into the classroom and that she was a frontrunning supporter of the cause, of course. France was one of the first countries to open their arms wide in acceptance of the sups; France, Sweden, Finland, and other similar countries. Progress was still slow, though, there was a lot of fear and hatred to plow through, and rightly so.

Emma also talked up a storm, and she stole the spotlight as 4-year-old’s are often known to do. Still wearing her sparkly tutu, she offered to perform the dance she had learned in rehearsal that night. Trixy insisted that, of course she wanted to see it! And so, little Emma did her thing, wobbling a little after a few quick spins and then curtsying.

“Bravo! Vous êtes une jolie ballerine!” Béatrix cheered and the little girl smiled with stars in her eyes. Trixy’s impromptu visit had set Emma’s dinner plans behind, so they just ordered in, she even mentioned a place that delivered blood if Trixy was looking to stay longer. “That is good to know. I will be in town for another day, but I think I will spend this night at home. It has been too long.” It was her turn to have stars in her eyes. For a moment, she had wondered what it was that ever convinced her to leave this place. “Thank you for hosting me. This time spent with you has done more for me than you can know.”

Camille stood up and hugged Béatrix tightly. Lucas was kind and loving, but it was Cami who treated Trixy more like family. ”We do hope you’ll be back soon.” Cami said as she looked lovingly towards her husband before subconsciously touching her hand to her stomach. Trixy noticed, of course, but the shocking thing was that she hadn’t noticed sooner. Just under Camille’s heartbeat, she could hear it, the gentle fluttering of a fetal heart. Trixy’s lips parted in awe, what a precious moment, and she was honored to be there to hear it. She wondered if Lucas knew yet, but then Cami spoke up “You’ll need to be here to meet Emma’s little brother.”

“A boy? You know?” Trixy asked enthusiastically and Camille chuckled. “Well, not officially. But a mother always knows.” Cami blushed a glowing pink.

“Congratulations! That is wonderful news. I promise to come home as you as you send word of his birth.” Trixy said as before hugging Camille again, and Lucas as well. ”And maybe next time, you won’t be coming alone.” Lucas spoke up. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he noticed, perceptiveness seemed to be a Delacroix trait. Trixy’s eyes flicked to her wrist and for the first time, she didn’t fear it. “Maybe.” was all she said in reply before saying goodbye to Emma at last. “I hope you send your Tata an invitation to your first recital.” Emma enthusiastically promised that she would and Trixy waved one final time before leaving.



Trixy awoke in the comfort of her feather bed in the small castle in the woods that she and Francis had stayed in for a time. It wasn’t the one he was murdered in, of course, but a small summer home that was equally as old. Trixy had paid a good sum of money to have it modernized and restored as the years went by, and it was the perfect little retreat for her. She stepped out onto the balcony wearing nothing but the gossamer nightgown she had slept in and took in the view of the morning sun kissing the tops of the trees that surrounded her. The air was so much cleaner than that of New York, and for once her mind was clear of cluttering thoughts, be it her own or others’ around her.

Béatrix stepped back inside and swiped up her cell phone before heading back onto the balcony and sitting in the chair that was out there. She stared at the phone in her lap and pictured the number as perfectly as she had seen it on the computer at work. She pondered what was the right thing to say… Was there even a right thing to say? Would it creep him out that she had his number? Would that even matter? After forcing out a deep exhale, Trixy decided on a taking a picture of the breathtaking sunrise peeking through the forest and sending it with the following caption:

“Wish you were here, Wolf.”

@Argetlam350