Topic: Patrolling

Mihaela

Date: 2008-05-11 09:29 EST
The predator moved through the shadow on the isle. The sleek form of a panther moved from shadow to shadow. The beast prowled the island looking for those that would trespass on her territory.

Things were simpler in this form. Here she could forget about the pressures on her, about the lives in her hands. She could exist and not feel. It was easier that way, less trouble.

There were days she wanted to go back before her change. Life was simpler then too. At the time she wished her life was different. Be careful what you wish for, eh.

She found her way to a small hot spring hidden within the trees. She had found it on one of her prowls. She shifted her form and stepped into the inviting warmth. It was easier to close her eyes and forget...

Even for a little

Chas Dionyx

Date: 2008-05-11 09:41 EST
Some days it was better to not be in the workshop. Some days Chas took his work on the road, so to speak. A bottle of the latest, the fixings to go with it and a long walk to contemplate the last recipe. The fresh air often cleared his head and let him think better, concentrate and focus.

Lucas and Vanessa were still on his mind even if he tried not to think of the two. Somehow they were helping each other: gentle Lucas standing up for the meek Vanessa had been a surprise to be sure. Chas still wasn't sure about the pairing but his sister seemed so happy. How could he really object? He never really did in public. He kept his concerns mostly to himself. That's what he always did. Keep things to himself.

Lots of things had been happening lately. Damon had ended up hurt. That had shook a few people even if few people wanted to talk about it. Damon - the strong one, the enforcer, Mihaela's right hand man - prisoner and wounded, weak. It was a sobering thought that it could have been anyone and few would probably have weathered it as well.

Mihaela. She'd been moody lately. He hadn't seen or scented that canine around lately. Perhaps that was the cause of her moods. Perhaps there were other things bothering her. She did have a lot to deal with.

He paused and lifted his head, slowly inhaling to try to confirm the scent he'd thought he'd caught. He almost chuckled. She was probably out patrolling. Between her, Damon and Akiko they had never been so safe. Chas pressed on until he caught it again. Stronger. Fresher. He paused and changed course out of curiosity.

He wasn't as good at stealth as they were but he was surprisingly quiet for a man of his size. And he was coming from downwind, no scent to give him away. He paused and watched her in the pool for a moment. She looked like she could use some quiet and alone time. Chas made the decision to leave her be and took a step back, boot pressing against a twig on the ground without his realizing it until he heard the crack.

So much for stealth.

Mihaela

Date: 2008-05-11 09:46 EST
The sound of the crack had her whirling and tensing up in an instant. It was rare that she could let her guard down. Yet every time she did something reminded her not to.

Sharp eyes scanned the area where the sound had come from. It wasn't unfriendly, she had cleared that area already.

She visibly relaxed, though it was difficult, "Might as well come out."

Most of her pard has seen her in various states of dress. It felt natural to her. Another change that went along with the *change.*

Chas Dionyx

Date: 2008-05-11 09:56 EST
Chas sighed and dropped his head forward slightly. Her reaction had been the sort that he'd expected. A quick apology and departure would be better than just trying to sneak away. She'd find him eventually. His big hand pushed the branches aside so he could step through and into the clearing. The smaller vines and twigs clung to his long overcoat as he did, not letting go until he was all the way through.

"Didn't mean to disturb you, Mihaela." Chas offered a faint smile, shifting the backpack up over his shoulder better so it rested more comfortably. "You look like you are enjoying some much needed quiet alone time."

Mihaela

Date: 2008-05-11 10:25 EST
She smiled gently as Chas stepped out.

"Didn't mean to disturb you, Mihaela." Chas offered a faint smile, shifting the backpack up over his shoulder better so it rested more comfortably. "You look like you are enjoying some much needed quiet alone time."

She shook her head, "It's alright. Trying to soak away some troubles right about now."

She settled comfortably into the spring and closed her eyes. The warmth was good.

"You are welcome to stay if you wish."

Of them all, Chas was not an intrusion. She could understand his feelings about Vanessa and Lucas, just as she understand that they needed the chance to explore. She was not going to push a wedding immediately in case the feelings changed as they got to know each other.

There were things she did not want to think of. Damon's capture for one.

Chas Dionyx

Date: 2008-05-11 11:19 EST
"It's alright. Trying to soak away some troubles right about now." Chas watched her get a little more comfortable, settling back into the spring and closing her eyes. She looked like she was enjoying the warmth. "You are welcome to stay if you wish."

He wasn't of a mind to get wet but kneeling nearby wouldn't be objectionable. Chas moved away from the branches still trying to keep his coat captive, finally making them give up their prize. A few steps brought him closer to the spring where he knelt down, allowing his backpack to gently slide to the ground. His coat billowed around him, a glance moving from her to the water and then back. "You like soaking, don't you?"

Mihaela

Date: 2008-05-12 09:12 EST
"You like soaking, don't you?"

The warmth, the quiet. It was one of those things that she would indulge in before the change. It was easy to just forget about everything for a while.

She opened her eyes to regard Chas solemnly. "I do. I feel safe and warm. I did not ask for this power, these changes. I do things I never did before ..."

She turned her head away looking into the distance. Gregory's tortures had another victim. Only Damon and perhaps Vanessa knew the depravities that Gregory had heaped upon her. It amused him to have a cop broken at his feet.

She kept that pain inside. It didn't stop her from hurting Merrick, however inadvertently. Maybe it was for the best. She knew they would have never been accepted within the world of shifter politics. Species don't mingle and mate.

It didn't make her feel any better.

Now that he was healed, Damon was his old self. Distant and growly, she knew he hurt as much as the rest of them. He just hid it beneath the gruff exterior.

"I can't get used to this..."

Chas Dionyx

Date: 2008-05-12 10:19 EST
"I do. I feel safe and warm. I did not ask for this power, these changes. I do things I never did before ...I can't get used to this..."

He didn't know what to say. He wasn't a talker and certainly wasn't a counselor. But Chas had to say something. He looked down for a long moment before murmuring, "None of us asked for it. You've done well with it though, for what it's worth. I'm sure the rest appreciate you as much as I do. And respect. There's a lot of that."

He hadn't been privy to what happened with Mihaela and the canine she'd been getting close to, all Chas knew was that the scent had faded and not been renewed in some time. Although growly, Damon had seemed to be a little less growly than before the hunter incident.

"We probably don't say it enough but," he drew a breath then continued, "Thank you for everything you do."

Mihaela

Date: 2008-05-12 10:54 EST
"None of us asked for it. You've done well with it though, for what it's worth. I'm sure the rest appreciate you as much as I do. And respect. There's a lot of that. We probably don't say it enough but," he drew a breath then continued, "Thank you for everything you do."

Those haunted jade eye glittered softly at his words. Coming from Chas, she knew how dear those words were. He did not speak much, but when he did, she tended to listen.

"(vq) Thank you, Chas."

She loved her rag-tag family. Her cats, Viktor and their loves... They were her family. She gave of herself so thoroughly to protect, to comfort them. Perhaps more than she should, but then she also sought a level of comfort that she knew only they would understand.