[IC] Supernatural Dealings

[Heat]

A mysterious letter came to you a day before, it is from the Regiment, who contacted you before. You agreed to join their operations and the letter is the first you've heard from them in a couple of days since you agreed to join.:

You have decided to take a new opportunity, in joining, realize that your mind shall be opened to the new horrors and wonders you were never aware of before. But do not fear, there are many others who will help you along the way.

Your presence is requested in the small town of Eureka, in northern California, no later than 4:00 PM. In the middle of this town you will find a large, white church which towers above the other buildings. Past this church is a 50s style diner, you are to head down the alley directly to its left. A man shall be at the end of the alley, beside an SUV with tinted windows. The man will say the following sentence to you, "Say my name and I disappear."

You shall reply with, "Silence.". Then your journey into a new life shall begin. Make sure to come alone.

- V.

Carson leaned against the vehicle, a cigarette in his mouth, spouting smoke into the air. He removed it, clenching it between his fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the four new recruits who were supposed to come to him today. Two men, a woman with a pet wolf and a Native American woman. He brought the cigarette to his lips, inhaling the smoke. He opened his eyes, then dropped the cigarette, crushing it under his boot. He really needed to kick that filthy habit, but it was too damn good sometimes, especially when he was bored out of his mind like he was now.

He moved forward, adjusting his leather jacket and wiping down his jeans. He disliked having to dress so casually, but it didn't draw any unwanted attention. If he did draw any of that, then that was what he brought the pistol holstered to his hip for. He then leaned against the SUV once more, glancing at his watch, they would be here soon, he would ask them the stupid riddle as they came. He already knew what they all looked like, but you could never be too sure. The riddle helped, well according to Davies. He crossed his arms, waiting in total silence for the first recruit to come to him.

[Hydra]

It was noon and Ruri was about ready to leave her home when the mail man walked up to her and delivered a letter too her. "Sorry miss, I didn't even know this place existed. Your not on our route to it took us a while to find the place. Here ya go." He handed her the letter, she smiled and nodded to him and he left. She opened it, read the contents. Finally after a couple of days, contact was made. She turned back and went into her home, was she suppose to bring anything? It didn't say to so she left her weapons at home and only took her trusted knife. Looks like her walk was going to be longer then she taught, about a days walk to get there by 4pm tomorrow.

"Dranger, come." She called out to him and he ran to her side. She loved to walk, it gave her a sense of calm. She walked everywhere she went no matter how far it was. She knew when she would get some place and how to get there. Camping out doors was nothing new to her, something she was use to. As she made way thew town the towns folk would speak with her. They knew what she was, she didn't hide anything from them. It was a small town only about 150 people. So everyone knew everyone.

"Headed out Ruri?" One man yelled out. She stopped and smile at him, "Yes, not sure how long I till be gone so Dranger is coming with me." She turned and continued to walk. She had watched the people in this town from the time they were born to their deaths. She was a pillar in this small community. She helped build this town and when the kids go to school her history of when she came here is taught to them. So as they grow they are not shocked that she is still young and is not afraid of her. There has been some trouble in the past of other werewolves trying to push on the land she claimed and take her town from her. But she fought and won all of the battles. Other wolves know to stay away from her town.

She walked for about eight hours straight before she started to feel hungry, its not 8:23pm and she was coming up on a diner. In bold letters it read no pets allow, she looked down to Dranger. "You star here, and don't move." As she started to walk up the small stairs she turned to him again, "Don't cause any trouble either." She said in a stern voice and he whimpered and laid down on the ground looking sad. She knew him all to well, and he understood her. She don't know how he is able to understand that she is saying but she figures it has something to do with her being a wolf herself. She walked and took a seat at the bar. The waitrest walked over to her, "Her there cute thing, that can i ge'cha?"

She looked at the menu, "can I get your special and a raw deer meat if you have it." She looked her at, "You want the special raw too?" Ruri laughed, "Oh no, the deer meat is for my pet." She looked at her, "Right," She walked off and put her order in. As Ruri looked around and could not shake the smell of death in the air. It was not death of rotting flesh but living death. She looked around and a man was drinking his drink when he looked up at her, pale skin, light blue eyes. "Vampire," she said under her breath. She turned her head and wait for her food. 10mins later her received her food and about ready to walk out when a hand grabbed her shoulder. "Hey, can't you read? No pets allowed." She jerked her should forward and continued to walk towards the door.

"Hey bitch, I am talking to you. The name fits you right Wolf bitch." It was then she noticed that he was not the only vampire in there. How did she miss it? There was about three more just like him. Dranger stood up and was looking inside, she shook his head to him. She turned with a smile, "That type of language should not be used in public. Just leave me be, I am leaving." He started to advance on her then she growled a little. Her overwhelming murderous presences washed over him. She was powerful and he knew it. He has only been a vamp for 50 years or so. He took a step back, she smile and it was gone. She turned and left.

It was about three in the morning and she had made camp just off the road. She had been curled up with Dranger when he was woken by something moving near her. He looked around and waited to see if it moved again. Her eyes slowly open by his movements, but she laid perfectly still. She was baiting them, she knew it was the vamp from the diner. She knew they were following her, she could smell them. if not for the passing car carrying their scent she might not have noticed. She slowly placed her hand on her knife and waited. As one tried his best to stealth closer to her, she quickly rose to her feet and threw her knife hitting him in his chest. But she didn't aim for his heart. A small scream could be heard as he hit the ground and footsteps running away. She walked over to him and pulled the knife out of his chest.

"I let you live, I could have ended you but I am being nice. One so young, you should know your place." She leaned down and took a deep breath, "If I ever smell you again, the sun will be the last thing you see." She backed off him, he stood and ran off. The rest of her night was uneventful after that. The sun rose and she and Dranger ate the left overs and contunued their journey. She made it to the small town of Eureka. It was about 3:00PM, she spotted the church and the diner she went in for some food, fed Dranger and walked down the alley. She would see the man in question who was mention in the letter. Black SUV and all. She walked up to him.

"Say my name and I disappear."

Dranger barked, She looked down to him, "Yes, I remember what to say," She looked at him, "Silence."

[Heat]

"Silence." Carson muttered in reply to the first recruit to arrive, the one accompanied by a wolf. She herself was a werewolf, that was mentioned in the report. She was a sniper too, you could never have enough of those around. A good sniper helped immensely. He stepped off the SUV then extended a hand in a handshake motion.

"I'm Carson," He said, attempting to put a friendly smile on his face. "If you have any questions about where we are heading off to, now would be the time to ask. You and the other recruits will be briefed by the boss himself at the compound, but I was told to help clear any misunderstandings."

[Tatsua Aiisen]

Lupa's Territory
Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains

---

It was late afternoon in the deepest part of the wolf's forest, and she could feel the slight breeze coming down from the mountain. She sat atop a great tree, looking out over her territory with an expression of melancholy. No human had set foot in these woods for hundreds of years, she had made sure of it, but she knew that she could not stay here forever. It was time to leave, for good. She carefully holds something from her hand up into the light, smiling at the letter she had retrieved from town earlier. Contained within was an invitation, and a clever little riddle of sorts. Both of these things served one purpose, to guide her to California and give her access to the Regiment's operation. Still...what is this SUV thing the letter talks about? Some sort of code? I think I know what the Dinner is, but what's an alley? Hmm, no use fretting about it now, first I've got to find the town Eureka in California. This should be fun!

Lupa stands up and thrusts the letter into one of her clothing's pockets, silently saying her final farewell to the forest before she leaps from her tree and off into the wilderness. A new hunt stood before her, one greater than any other she had lead before. That is why, rather than a frown, the face she wore when leaving her woods for the last time was an excited smile. She was ready, this time. With these new allies, the cold-skins would never get the better of her again.

---

One day later...
Eureka, California

---

The time was just around three in the afternoon, and Lupa was feeling very satisfied with herself. In a day's time, she had tracked down the city of Eureka on foot, and found her way to its city limits without encountering any enemies. On the outside, it looked quite like many of the other human settlements she had seen on her way here, and smelled just as bad from afar. Still, it was a rather exciting experience. She had rarely ventured this far into the West, as it was the ancestral territory of a werewolf she once clashed with in her past. Now, she could find no signs of his presence, a fact that had saddened her greatly on the way here. As she made her way closer to her destination, however, her expression became one of contained excitement. She could smell one of her own kind, one far away from her own territory, much younger than herself. It was no hard feat tracking her from the outskirts of town, but Lupa felt inclined to take on her human form once she neared the settlement, so that she wouldn't draw to much attention.

After clothing herself, the ancient werewolf decided it was time to make her move. She walks lightly, making no sound as she casually traverses the boundaries of Eureka, entering the town with little trouble. She follows the largest street she could find, eyes tracking the many new experiences surging around her. Many things she recognized, like cars and neon lights, but some things were new to her as well. Soon, she found herself at the Dinner the letter had mentioned. Earlier in her journey, Lupa had found a human hiking near her territory, and she had promptly asked the man what SUV might mean. She had discovered, much to her surprise, that SUV's were a special kind of Car, and that tinted windows were a kind of windows that were hard to see through.

Now, armed with her new-found knowledge, Lupa had little difficulty looking to the Dinner's left and following the gap between it and the building next to it. Shortly after, she comes across the scene she had been looking for. A large, bulky-looking car of sorts, like many she had seen out on the street, with windows darkened to sunlight. Next to the car was a woman she didn't recognize, but there was no mistaking that it was the werewolf she had tracked from earlier, as she was accompanied by a large, white wolf. Smiling, Lupa steps forward from the shadows and approaches the SUV. She greets the werewolf in a calm, cheerful voice-

"I scented you on the way here, but who would have thought that we were actually heading to the same destination... how surprising!"

Without stopping her stride, the Native American woman fearlessly makes her way to the SUV's window and past the blonde werewolf. Raising her hand up into a human greeting gesture, she confirms the password with the man before finally turning back to face the other guests.

"Greetings, you two. My name is Lupa, what are yours?"

She holds out her hand in what she knew was a human gesture. In order to accept her greeting, the other werewolf would have to grasp Lupa's hand and shake it, signifying an agreement between the two of them. It was a complicated ritual to say the least, but having studied human gestures in great length, Lupa was quite confident that she had mastered it.

[Baconator]

David rode his kawasaki somewhat recklessly as he bobbed and weaved among the slower moving vehicles. The posted speed limit was 65mph and he was exceeding that limit by no small margin, his keen Vampire senses aiding him in his dangerous maneuvers. The bike was a flat black finish with red accents to match his helmet and jacket. Underneath he wore a simple black V-neck that fit snuggly onto his well muscled torso. He carried a single cross strap backpack containing nothing more than a spare set of clothes, a few knives, and two Glocks. A displeased driver stuck his hand out of the window and flipped David the bird as his bike roared past, bringing a slight grin to the Vampires lips.

As he rode, David recalled the letter that had been handed to him. The Regiment.. until recently he'd never heard of an organization titled Regiment before. Regiments were large military units consisting of many different Battalions and Companies. Could this group be so large? Or was it a poorly planned club name. David was going to find out. After all, who were these people that they could have discharge papers ready for him? His enlistment wasn't up for another two years but poof, there it was. Honorable discharge.. a document he'd seen several times and had concluded that it was genuine. David had packed up his small apartment outside of Camp Pendleton and moved his belongings into a storage unit. He figured if he actually needed any of his sentimental things he could just come back and get them.

He pulled his bike up alongside a minivan with kids and smiled as they climbed over each other to look at his bike. To reward them, he pulled his bike up into a wheely then lifted the back end for a manual. The children's faces lit up and they clapped. Satisfied, he gunned it and zoomed away towards the upcoming exit. The remainder of the ride to the smaller town was rather unexciting and David passed the time by wondering what kind of possibilities this would bring. He was a Vampire and he knew there were other Vampires.. and though he'd never seen a werewolf he was told of their existence. What else then could be lurking behind the scenes that he'd not discovered? The unknown excited him and he looked forward to finding out and rising to the challenge.

When he saw the sign 'Welcome to Eureka' David slowed considerably deciding it best to not disturb the small town with the roar of his motorcycle. The place looked ordinary enough he thought as the church came into view. A moment later he saw the Dinner. Fifties style indeed, it was the spitting image of the dinners that he'd eaten at back in those days. "Good times" he said to himself as he stopped across the street from the alley mentioned in the letter. Sure enough there was the SUV and who David could guess was the man that would ask him the brevity code. Two other figures were present, this he did not expect. Least of all for them to be attractive girls! "Now.. what sort of tom foolery is this.." David half whispered to himself as he sensed something about them. They were not human.. their blood did not smell of mortal so what then could they be?

"Well if anything i hope their friendly and this wasn't a huge mistake.." He said as he revved his bike and rode across the street to the mouth of the alley. The three turned to regard him as he took off his helmet and placed it on the handle bars. David removed his cigarettes and lighter from his jacket pocket and lit one up, placing the pack and lighter back in his pocket and puffing leisurely on the Marlboro red. He took note of the wolf that accompanied the blonde girl as he exhaled smoke.

"Say my name and i disappear" the man would say, the brevity challenge.
"Silence" David replied with the password. Then with another exhale of smoke and a sly grin he added. "Silence is golden but duct tape is silver yea?"

[Heat]

"Carson." He replied as the second recruit, the Native American female lycan appeared, in human form of course, looking like she was lost in this kind of environment. From the way she was dressed. he figured that she was one of those werewolves that spent all their time deep in the forests away from human civilization. He preferred those kinds of werewolves, they kept to their own business, they were no threat to humanity that way. Her and the first one to arrived greeted each other, they were both werewolves after all, territorial beings they were after all.

"We're still waiting on two more recruits, both men. It's strange that the numbers turned out this way for new recruits. Normally there are more men than women that get recruited by us." He stated, his cockney accent flairing up, even after years in America. As he turned his head away from the women, he noticed another person coming towards them, the third recruit, he recognized it as the vampire, David.

Carson said the riddle to the newcomer, who replied with the correct answer as Carson went around the SUV, to the driver's side. He opened the door, grabbing something from underneath the seat, as he came back around to the three recruits, holding a piece of paper.

"The fourth and final recruit is a human male, once he's here we can move to base. Now would be the time to ask any questions you have about me or the agency. The boss will probably give you a speech at the compound, but he'll probably leave out some information by accident." Carson stated, folding and placing the piece of paper into his jacket's pocket.

[Hydra]

Dranger sniffed Lupa and walked around her, Ruri looked at her and nodded. "I picked up your scent as well but not until you got closer to the town. The Wind blew in the my direction." Ruri looked at Dranger and peered at him, he quickly backed away from Lupa. She knew what Dranger was thinking, he was getting ready to start some trouble. Nothing bad but wolves being wolves she guessed. "My name is Ruri and this is Dranger." He barked and Ruri grabbed her hand and shook it, But Ruri pulled her in close, she got very close to her hair and smelled her. Then let go and stepped back and bowed to her. She recognized an the scent of an Alpha she was just as ancient as she was. Most werewolves don't love to be as old as the them. They get to cocky and think the world owes them something or just do bad thing to get hunted and killed. It was a hard life for werewolves nowa days but its the cycle.

Ruri smelled that smell of living death again, she got angry but calm down when she realized it was not the same smell as before. Then he arrived. The smoke was his cigarette made Ruri snarl. She hated all smoke, her body was pure and. She didn't need something smelling as awful like that going in her lungs. She turned to carson as he explained that they were now waiting for one more a human male. And Ruri did have some questions, "Two questions, First will Dranger be allowed on the grounds in my presence and two what will we be doing in this... "agency"?"

[Heat]

"Your wolf, Dranger? I don't think they'll let him roam around inside the compound, but you could always have him live in the forests that surround it. If you need him to live in the compound alongside you, then I'll bring it up to the boss and see if I can convince him." Carson said, glancing at the wolf while he spoke before looking back up at Ruri.

"What will you be doing? Well, you all have combat experience of some kind, I lead a task force that is typically assigned with investigating malevolent supernatural beings. Sometimes we are assigned to hunt down and eliminate those beings, other times we are simple negotiators who just are sent in to try to get them to change their ways."

[Dsnake1]

Mikael stepped off the bus, directly in front of the church in Eureka, California. Due to the heat, Mikael was wearing black jeans and a black cut-off V-neck. He had a military style suit case slung across his back holding his katana, some extra clothes, a copy of the letter he received from the Regiment, and a picture of his family. He had his pistol holstered across his stomach, under his shirt, and a plethora of knives tucked into various places such as his back pocket, two in each boot, and another couple in his pack.

Mikael looked around, and spotting the diner, started walking towards the alley. As he did, he began to slowly replay the last couple of days in his head. It all started when he had decided to join the Regiment over spending his life in jail. Then the man from the forest took him home, and before leaving, explained a couple things to him. The man told Mikael to expect to have to work with others, and not just that, but possibly werewolves. He also said something about vampires, but Mikael didn't care as much about them. He knew some of the vampires weaknesses from the books his father had collected, but had never seen one in real life. He was focused on the werewolves. The man told Mikael he would get the chance to slay some of the foul beasts, he may have to work with a few as well. Mikael was also informed that any attempt to kill a "coworker" would result in his prison sentence coming back. After the man left, Mikael received a letter in the mail, telling him to pack up and find a way to Eureka, California. He packed quickly and lightly, leaving specific instructions to his landlord to not open the chest in the middle of his apartment and to send it to the address Mikael would eventually call with. He wasn't about to leave his only belongings from his father across the country.

As Mikael rounded the corner, the hairs on his neck raised. He saw a wolf, two men, and two women. Undoubtedly, the women were werewolves. He couldn't mistake the smell, not after what he had gone through. Something about a wolf standing calmly with humans rattled him. He had read about wolves being companions of werewolves, and decided to be careful. He pulled a knife out of his boot, flipped it so the blade rested against his arm, and slowly made his way to the group of people. He stood a short distance away, took a deep breath, and walked up to the group, hearing something about a task force who hunts supernaturals. His blood began to pound.

He would wait for the man to speak his piece, then reply with "Silence". His heart pounded fiercely as the excitement grew within him.

[Heat]

Carson noticed the final recruit appear, walking down the alley, slowly but surely. This was the lone human in the group of recruits, the one that was falsely arrested and charged with the deaths of his family members. The Regiment got him out of that predicament.

"Say my name and I disappear."

"Silence." The newcomer replied.

"Then it is done, we have everyone here who is supposed to be here," Carson stated to the rest of the group, looking then over once more. "Now we will be heading to the compound, I'm taking the SUV, though it doesn't matter how you get there. You can carpool with me, or walk, or whatever. It's not that far from here, you'll find a dirt road far along in the road through the forest, the dirt road will have a restricted area sign, just ignore that and continue down it.

"I'm sure David can fit another person on his bike." Carson said glancing briefly at the vampire before heading over to the driver's side door once more, opening it and sliding inside. He placed the keys in the ignition, waiting for everyone else to decide how they were going to move out.

[Tatsua Aiisen]

Rendezvous
Eureka, California

---

Lupa mirrors Ruri's greeting, curiously taking in the other werewolf's scent through her sensitive nose. This smell...how interesting. The blonde werewolf pulls back and preforms a gesture of respect for Lupa's seniority, to which she responds with a respectful nod of the head and a casual smile. After hearing their names, Lupa lets out a cheerful laugh-

"Dranger and Ruri, is it? I have been the companion many wolves in the past, but never ones quite as white as the two of you. You make a good pai-"

Lupa stops speaking abruptly and angles her head towards the entrance to the alleyway. This scent...brought unrest to her heart. There was no mistaking it, or the feeling spreading quickly from within her very body...

Vampire.

It took everything in her mind to hold back her instinct to tear this man's heart from his body, but she knew that doing so would ruin her new-found alliance. The man approached the SUV and spoke the password, acting as confidently as his kind tended to act, even when they were walking right into enemy territory. Without having even traded a single word with this fiend, she already despised him. He smoked, for one thing, but beneath that he smelled like all others of his kind. Cold and dead, two smells that brought back old memories, memories of hunting, and of being hunted. A shiver runs down her body at the sight of her natural enemy, but she does not move from her spot. Instead, she stares intently at David, burning the memory of his appearance into her mind. Her expression was not fierce, and yet it seemed to radiate a primal, violent sort of anger, so much so that anybody nearby could probably feel it.

Then, as suddenly as it arrived, she seems to bring herself back under control and turns to face the alley again, this time in a more inquisitive fashion. A new man arrived, this time blatantly human. He seemed tense, and was eyeing the two of them cautiously. How curious, she thinks to herself in an attempt to bury her sudden outburst. There's more conversation that follows, but Lupa feels no need to join in, as this wasn't really her specialty. Apparently, they're to leave immediately for the Regiment's territory, a place where they could meet again and learn of their goals and missions. Carson mentioned something called Carpooling, which seemed to indicate driving judging by his tone and gestures. Without hesitation, Lupa shakes her head in another intuitive human gesture...

"I dislike those machines, they're unnatural. I will walk, and follow you to this "Compound" by foot."

With this, she begins walking off in the direction of the street, but turns back with a curious glance towards Ruri.

"If you'd like, Ruri, I would not mind if you accompanied me. It has been a long time since I last ran with another of my own, it would be quite refreshing after the smells of the city. Oh, and of course Dranger can come too!" Lupa adds the last part cheerily, with an accompanying smile towards the white wolf at Ruri's side. Her mind was distracted from the enemy in their ranks, so she might as well be content while the moment lasts.

[Hydra]

"As I don't dislike Machines, I do however dislike riding in one. I get sick easily." Lupa had started her walk when she turned and asked Ruri to join her. She nodded and started her walk towards her to take her place walking next to her and Dranger walked a little ways ahead of her. As she walked with Lupa compound She wanted to have a little walk with the alpha. She had never met anyone older then her the entire time she has been here in America. The Accent she once has was long gone.

"Lupa," She said. "Have you lived in this country your entire life?" She asked but before Lupa can answer she started to speak again. "I came over here from England, and i have watched this world grow to what it is today. Its strange cause the entire time I have been here this is the first time i have smelled you. And I have crossed this entire land to end up here. I can also tell that you look like you are from a tribe, you have pact? Also, do you think its wrong of me not liking to turn into a wolf?"

[Dsnake1]

"Well, I for one, don't want to walk. I'll ride with Silence."

Secretly, Mikael had some questions for this "Silence" character. Specifically, he wanted to ask about the two women who were walking. Why would someone call an SUV unnatural? The only reason that came to Mikael's mind was werewolf. His thinking may have been clouded by fear or anger, although he could not tell you which, and it would have been very, very possible for it to be a mix of both. He knew one of the girls' names was Ruri, that the wolf was named Dranger, and that the other woman was odd, to say the least.

The other man, David was his name, looked like someone Mikael could get along with. He looked like a man that gave in to his vices much too often and had a good time doing it. There was something about a man who could look his problems in the face and say, "So what" that Mikael could admire. While riding with him to the compound wouldn't have been terrible, it may have been awkward to fit two grown males on a bike, especially when an SUV was available. That, and Mikael really wanted to know if the two women were werewolves. He wasn't sure if he would make a plan to dispose of them, but he needed to know.

Mikael climbed into the passenger's side of the SUV, dumping his pack in the back seat. He looked at Silence, patiently waiting for the SUV to start before asking any questions.

[Baconator]

David took one last drag of his cigarette before dropping it to the ground and putting it out with a booted foot. He regarded the newcomer with mild interest. Human, he thought as he caught the scent of the mans blood. The Vampire was not adverse to working with a human though, as he himself was relatively young to the supernatural world and the most courageous soldiers he'd ever known were human. It also meant that David would have a male counterpart in the small unit. He doubted that the two pretties would be versed in the ways of men and David enjoyed having someone to talk to that would understand his views.

And then he felt eyes on him. David turned to the darker of the two females and met her gaze. Never before had he seen such hatred, such contempt, in a person. Instinctively his hand rested on the pistol that was holstered under his leather jacket though he made no move to draw it. This was going to be bad for business. A unit cannot fight and win if they don't trust each other. David gathered that this was going to be a huge problem in the near future and doubted that if his life was in danger that this 'ally' would come to his aid at all. She was the first to break the stare and he was glad of it.

"Yea, i can fit one more but if the gals are walking then i guess I'm riding solo." as he said that, the other guy climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV. "Its settled then. I'll follow you and when we get there maybe you can enlighten me as to what kind of supernatural baddies we'll be risking our lives against." He said as he placed his helmet back onto his head and started up his bike.

[Heat]

"The name's not silence. It's Carson. The boss always makes us give potential recruits a riddle to answer so we know they actually read the letter the whole way through," He paused for a moment, rolling down his window. "The name is Carson." He said to Mikael as he turned the car on, then began to reverse it so he could actually get out of the alley.

"Believe me, David. Your mind will be opened to all kinds of malevolent supernatural beings we might encounter in your new job." He said to the man on the motorcycle, then drove the vehicle forward, coming up alongside the two lycan females. "Make sure that you don't turn into werewolves while in the city, or where any civilians can see you. My suggestion is to walk into the forest, then change there and then move quickly towards the compound. The last thing we need is for a person to see you and then file a report about it to the cops or something." Carson said, then turned out of the alleyway, going down the road out of the town of Eureka.

[Dsnake1]

Mikael looked at the man who he now knew was named Carson. "I didn't know what else to call you, so I figured everyone would know who I was talking about if I called you Silence."

Mikael waited until they were out of earshot of the other three before diving into a few more questions. "Before we get to the compound, I have a few questions I need to ask you." Mikael reached for the radio, turned it on, and hoped the music would drown out their voices to anyone who was listening. "What are the other three? I am assuming the two women are werewolves by the way you talked about them, but I want to know if I'm right. Also, what's David? Is he human, vampire, werewolf, or something new?"

Mikael shook his head slowly. He knew he was bombarding Carson with questions, but he didn't assume there was a whole lot of time before they reached the compound, and he needed answers. At the very least, he had to find out what else he was dealing with.

"The werewolves, are they like the ones that killed my family? If they are, so help me God, I will not let them continue breathing. I know we are supposed to be a team, but I find it nothing but a sick joke that your 'organization' would pair the man who lost everything he had cared about, twice, to werewolves with a pair of werewolves. Honestly, unless you or your boss can convince me otherwise, I'm not sure I could ever work with them. I hope I don't sound too unreasonable, but if either of those women, or the man, whatever he is, has torn apart families like mine has been torn apart, I just can't do it."

With his last words, Mikael retreated into himself, pulling a knife from his boot and running the sharp edge of the blade along his thumb. He wasn't pushing enough to cut the skin, but there was enough pressure to help Mikael focus on something other than what he'd lost. After another couple of strokes, Mikael pulled a flask out of the space between his boot and inner calf, swallowed enough whiskey for a couple of shots, and replaced the flask. He continued slicing the exterior layers of skin on his thumb, waiting for Carson to answer.

[Heat]

Carson listened carefully to Mikael as he drove the SUV out of the alley and onto the street. He hit a red light and stopped behind another vehicle, waiting for the light to change. While he waited, Mikael asked questions. As he finished, the light changed to green and Carson drove the car forward, turning onto a road which led out of town and towards the massive redwood forests. Formulating a reply.

"The women are werewolves, quite old ones too. David is a vampire, he has a fascinating backstory, ask him about it sometime." Carson said.

"I understand your concern, but you have to realize that not all werewolves are evil, not like those beasts that murdered your family. Lupe and Ruri, those two are each hundreds of years old. They have total control over their forms, we've been observing them for months, they've shown nothing that makes them out to be monstrous man killers. You have no need to worry, trust me on that." Carson said, glancing at Mikael before turning the vehicle onto the dirt road which would lead them to the compound. The first restricted area sign appearing on their right as he drove.

"And honestly, it's quite the sight to watch a werewolf that's fighting alongside you tear apart an enemy, I have no words to describe it. They just are such an asset when they're on our side, which those two are." He added on as they continued further down the long dirt road.

[Tatsua Aiisen]

Journey to the Compound
Eureka, California

---

Lupa seems happy to have Ruri along for the walk, quite evident in how she smiles at Carson and Mikael when they drive past. Their guide gives them an unnecessary warning, to which she felt no particular need to respond, instead redirecting her attention to her walking companion. They cross the threshold of the alleyway and venture out into the streets, headed in the general direction of the SUV so that they would have an easier time tracking it once they left town. Meanwhile, Ruri seems to have a lot on her mind, as her questions seem to flow in a torrent, much to Lupa's amusement. Still, her expression seems to sadden when it comes time to respond, leading into a few moments of quiet from the elder werewolf. She doesn't ignore the younger werewolf's queries, but when she responds, she seems to have taken on an air tinged with melancholy...

"This land has been my home since long before it was first called a country. Long ago, I lead a large, powerful pack...but I am alone now. It has been this way for a long time, I have enjoyed a peaceful time of refuge, keeping to myself in my little territory on the mountains. I had not ventured from those woods for quite an age until recently, when I began to hunt my old prey."

Lupa's expression quickly changes to one of curiosity, causing her to once again look Ruri in the eyes-

"As for not liking your wolf form...I have never heard of one before yourself. Usually, our kind becomes used to their transformations quite quickly, regardless of how they may mourn, or fear. Hmm-"

She halts now, looking out over the street to spot the region they were now supposed to head for. After a stretch of featureless landscape, the settlement's outskirts gave way to wilderness, with a single road cutting off into the direction of the SUV. It was at this point that Lupa gestures in that general direction, giving an inquiring nod towards Ruri to confirm what they would be doing. If Ruri didn't wish to transform, they would likely end up breaking into a light jog, in order to reach the compound in good time. Otherwise, she would attempt to guide the two of them to a clear spot just outside of town, where she had transformed previously. Either way, Lupa didn't seem all that talkative herself, at least not yet.

[Heat]

The SUV containing Carson and Mikael traversved down the dirt road, finally reaching the end. The compound, surrounded by 12 foot tall electrical fences on each side came into view. The front gate, with a checkpoint right next to it was the what Carson pulled the car up to, stopping alongside it as and rolling down the window. The figure inside the checkpoint, a middle aged man in a white dress shirt with a tie turned towards the vehicle, smiling as he saw who was inside.

"Carson, welcome back again. How'd the recruitment go? They look like they're actually gonna last more than a week." The man asked, as Carson motioned his eyes towards the recruit in the passenger seat.

"Phil, this is Mikael, one of the recruits," Carson replied, flashing a rare smile as Phil nodded at Mikael. "The other three, a man on motorcycle and two female werewolves should be coming shortly. Just let them right in, you'll know them when you see them. I'm sure Vic spoke to you about the new blood. I'll be waiting by the front of the main building, see you later, Phil."

"I'll keep an eye out for them. You take it easy, Carson." Phil replied, then pressed the button to open the automatic gate to the compound. Carson drove the vehicle through, then over to in front of the garage, parking it. He turned the key, shutting if off, then turned to Mikael.

"Alright, we're here. The boss is expecting us, I'm gonna wait by the main building, you can do the same or look around. Just be sure to come back to me when the others have arrived." Carson said, then pushed open the door. He paused, tossing the car keys to one of the mechanics who approached him, then he walked to his destination, leaning against the wall next to the entrance.

[Baconator]

David followed a bit behind the SUV, giving ample room to stop if the SUV stopped so that he wouldn't go flying through their rear window. His was a street bike but it took the dirt road well. Once the SUV stopped at a sort of check point he'd guessed that this was the place. The tall fence, likely electrical, had something to do with it as well. David noticed Carson and the man at the check point speaking and through his keen Vampiric sense of sound, heard what they were saying.

"Carson, welcome back again. How'd the recruitment go? They look like they're actually gonna last more than a week." upon hearing the words David frowned under his hemet. Evidently they had a very short life expectancy.. lovely.

"Phil, this is Mikael, one of the recruits. The other three, a man on motorcycle and two female werewolves should be coming shortly. Just let them right in, you'll know them when you see them. I'm sure Vic spoke to you about the new blood. I'll be waiting by the front of the main building, see you later, Phil."

"I'll keep an eye out for them. You take it easy, Carson."

The gate opened and Carson drove the SUV forward and before the gate began to close, David zipped through on his bike and waved at Phil as he passed. He pulled up beside the parked SUV, taking care not to hit Carson who was now out of the drivers seat. He cut the engine and placed his helmet on the handle bars before tossing his own keys to the very same mechanic. "No scratches, eh? she's brand new." he said as he removed his cigarettes and lighter from his jacket pocket. With a flick of his wrist the zippo opened and lit. David lifted the open flame to the cigarette in his mouth and puffed until the marlboro red was lit and filling the air with its toxins. He took a long drag and held it before exhaling. "Oh yea. Thats the stuff. Classic Marlboro." He offered his hand to Mikael which contained his pack of reds, one was sticking out a bit more than the others. "Smoke?"