Mistaken Identity Der Kojote/xx0mittens0xx

[MittyMittens]

Aoife waits outside of their old meeting spot, the pizza parlor in the middle of town. She couldn't help but smile, reminiscing on their days after school here. This place still had the best pizzas in her mind. She had been gone for 4 years, away at college getting her degree in environmental studies. She of course kept in touch over facebook and the occasional phone call but working a job and taking summer courses, she didn't get the chance to come back home. But at nabbing a job as park ranger of the forest at the edge of town, she was back and happy to be in her hometown. Most people did everything they could to leave where they were raised but not her. Her town was perfect, not too large to be overly crowded and chaotic, just big enough to have enough things to do for it not to be considered a "small" or "sleepy" town. It had everything from night clubs to a large farm, all within 30 miles of each other.


She pushes her blonde hair back behind her ear as she waits, not knowing why she was a bit nervous about it. Perhaps because she had changed, quite a bit, in those 4 years. Though it wasn't like they didn't keep in touch, there was something different about in person. She had been cursed about 3 years ago and for some reason felt as if it would be written across her forehead. She was comfortable with it but it wasn't like she had any intention going around flaunting it any time soon, besides, she'd sound like a crazy person. The curse had changed her, though she blamed it on college, but deep down she knew the truth. She wasn't the shy polite gangly girl who blushed anytime someone sad a dirty word anymore. She had no problem cursing and was now a confident, speak her mind, short-tempered woman. Not to mention she had a couple tattoos and piercings that no one would have guessed in a million years she would have. She dressed more provocatively too, not obscenely so, but compared to her barely any skin showing teenage years.

 

[Der Kojote]

Andrew balked at the thought. 4 years…had it really been that long? Aofie had gone to college. He’d stayed here, she’d gone Sure they had talked a bit…but in his mind, from the way things used to be in high school, it wasn’t nearly enough. Things had fallen off. She’d been busy…work college, she was making her way up in the world doing good for herself. He on the other hand, was on one hell of a wild goose chase; most would consider him paranoid or simply “nuts” for pursuing.


It had been hours of training. He had exhausting days that seemed to go on with no end in sight. He’d undergone rigorous exercises to strengthen the mind and the body. He could bench press far more than he used to be able to, he could run a mile like a marathon runner, his tolerance of pain was much higher now. Why? To fight for his country, no. Nor to fight in any televised sport, no, he was not training to fight man; he trained for 4 years to fight beasts.


What was he fighting? Well werewolves specifically.


The insanity of it all, training to fight myths…but they were not myths, he had heard stories from those who trained them, he’d seen pictures…he’d seen the carnage they caused. He pushed the images from his mind. No that was business for another time. Right now, he needed to focus on the important thing right now, reconnecting with an old friend.


He could smell the familiar smell of pizza from down the street; it was the old meeting spot. Probably the best meeting spot that anyone could have. They had great pizza, it was a great area, but best of all… it had spawned great memories. He didn't know how she would react. He wasn't exactly the skinny nerdy kid anymore. It even surprised him now…muscle…he had it. It wasn't bulging or anything, more bruce lee than Arnold...but still, he looked different. As he approached, he looked over at his old friend. His jaw dropped a bit, yeah she'd changed as well.


"Aoife, never thought I'd see you in something like that...a lot different from high-school. Nice to have you back in town."

 

[MittyMittens]

She turns her attention to Andrew tilting her head a bit at the sight of him, not really sure if it was him until he spoke. He definitely changed and apparently it did him good. "Andrew!" She gives him a big hug and soon lets him go, stepping back and replying to his comment. "I feel different than from highschool. But I had to out grow that stuff at some point. But it's still me I promise." She gives a reassuring smile "And it's good to be back in town. But look at you! I can tell you've been staying busy. You look good. Now come on so I can ruin all your hard work with a greasy pizza" She grins and heads inside and slides in to their old booth from highschool when the whole gang would come hang out. It was a bit bittersweet being here after losing touch with most of them but at least she could catch up with Andrew. Once he was seated she orders a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and a pair of cokes before turning her attention towards him. "So! Tell me everything. What have you been doing while I've been gone? Other than getting completely in shape" She pokes at his arm teasingly.

 

[Der Kojote]

He couldn’t help but laugh at the pizza comment, “I’ll work it off later, a few slices aren’t going to kill me.” He followed her to the usual booth. He looked around, a lot emptier than usual; no Tommy making stupid jokes, Sammie had moved on, gang had shrunk to just them. He was lost in thought on the past. Aoife spoke and he snapped back to reality, “What I’ve been up to?” He tapped on the table in thought. Besides the whole were-wolf hunting thing what had he done?


“To be entirely honest, not much. You went off to go college, I stayed here. Been working at the hardware store…can’t say it had been a particularly interesting 4 years for me. Sure took up some hobbies to pass the time. Especially after most of the old gang moved on.” He leaned back into the booth, looking up to the ceiling. “Tommy’s still in college…7 year program…who would have thought that joker would have be able to get it together…last I heard he was making the dean’s list. Sammie… she moved out of town about a year ago, something about her and Jake. God the times really have changed.” He stared over at his friend, “So my end, nothing much to me, but witnessing the everyone split off. But you? From the looks of it, you must have run into a lot of interesting events at college, How'd your 4 years go?”

 

[MittyMittens]

"That's good for Tommy and Sammy. I'm glad they seem happy but yeah that's a big surprise about Tommy" She chuckles with the shake of her head. "My 4 years. Interesting to say the least. But overall it was a pretty average college experience I suppose, studying, partying, sleeping too little. I just had a roommate who made her "project" and wouldn't let me dress in my old ways and made me do things which was annoying at first but at the end I suppose I have to thank her. It's a lot more fun being out going than shy" She says which wasn't true about the roommate part, she never really saw much of her roommate, but it was good enough for now.


She looks over as their drinks and the pizza is delivered, pulling a slice onto a separate plate. "But I'm home for good. At least for a long while. I got a job with the state at Maple Woods and I got myself an apartment not too far from it downtown if you haven't already heard. My parents want me to move back with them but no... I don't think so." She states with a shake of her head. "I'm dreading unpacking though. I don't mind packing but unpacking is the worst. "I didn't realize I had so much junk" She laughs and takes a bite of her pizza.

 

[Der Kojote]

Andrew couldn't help but joining the laughter, “Junk, you don’t realize you have way too much until it’s too late.” After biting into his own slice of pizza he looked at her, “You do realize you have a friend right, one who probably can help you unpack…not going to give away the name but he’s sitting somewhere near you, and enjoys the same brand of pizza from way back when. Also one who when it comes to heavy furniture, probably would have an easy time comparatively.”


He found it slightly odd Aofie wasn't moving back in with her parents, but then again, maybe she was working on being more independent. Maybe it was just a massive 180 from the shy girl he once knew he honestly couldn't complain. He’d changed, she’d changed, both probably for the better. It was useless to dream back to those high school days for some sense of stability, he needed to focus on the present.


“So are you going to ask this friend for help? Or do you have everything under control when it comes to unpacking?”

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife smiles at his offering to help. "You're the best I'd love some help unpacking. God knows it'll take forever for me to get it done on my own. At least you being around will give me some motivation. I won't put you up to it tonight, I have some stuff to get straight with work and some errands to run anyways but if you wanna come over around noon that'll be great. I'm at The Terrace in apartment 3B. I'll take you out for drinks afterwards as a thank you if you'd like" She grabs another slice after washing the first one down with some coke.


"So tell me. Do you have any girls chasing you around? You gotta have some kind of social life going on or have you just been work work work? And if so I'm definitely making sure you get out" She states with a grin before taking a bite of her second slice.

 

[Der Kojote]

Social life…those words sounded unfamiliar. He realized for 4 years he had nothing akin to a social life, it was weight training, combat training, work, sleep. Hell he couldn’t even remember the last movie he went to. Wait he did and, it was back in high school. Hell the closest thing he had to social activity was comparing targets at the range with those that were training him.


“Sorry if I sound like a bore, but apparently while you’ve been having a blast at college, it’s been work, work, work, for me. Also on the girls, no dice.” He gave what sounded like a halfhearted laugh, “I’ve been too busy, The hardware store has had me at odd hours; though now that you mention it…getting out and about would be rather nice.” He was half finished with his first slice; when he noticed Aoife starting on her second, “Voracious are we? Or did I just turn into a slow eater?”

 

[MittyMittens]

"I haven't had this pizza in 4 years. I'm sorry if I'm a little enthusiastic about it. Though it's still just as good, just as I remember it. The pizza there just couldn't compete. " She slows her eating down a bit as she leans back a little in the booth. "Then I'll definitely make sure I get you out tomorrow. You can't just work your life away." She shakes her head in mock pity. "I leave and you hide yourself away because you're so distraught" She teases. "But don't worry I'll fix that" She smiles.


Everything seemed like it was changing, it was almost chaotic. Between graduation, moving, and getting a job, it felt good just to sit at a pizza joint with an old friend. At least that still felt the same, for the most part. Andrew may have changed a bit in appearance but it was still him. She had that at least to keep her in reality, these past three years had felt like a dream, going from a shy average girl to a werewolf in disguise not afraid to speak her mind. She finishes her second slice of pizza, easily able to eat a third but decided against it.

 

[Der Kojote]

He nodded in agreement about the pizza comment, "Yeah things change but this pizza stays the same." He finished his first slice and began eagerly on his second slice. "God high-school seems so long ago..." Though on her other comment he couldn't help but unleash a laugh and in the most melodramitc voice cried. "Ahh yes, of course for without you I am a lost soul to be set adrift in the wilds of this american wasteland. How could you leave me?"


Ahh now this was like old times, no job, no werewolves, no problems. It was comforting, it was a shred of normalcy he used to enjoy. He looked over, "So, what about you? you asked if i had any girls chasing me, how about you? Do you have any male suitors chasing after you?"

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife laughs at his response to her comment about being without her and just shakes her head. "I know I'm such a terrible person" She grins before taking a drink of her coke. "And as for suitors as you call them. Mr. old fashioned." She chuckles. No. I had a guy my freshman year in college and he ended up being....interesting to say the least, but he got a little obsessive and weird for my taste so I called it quits and I never really got into a serious relationship after that. Which is fine, it's been good to have "me" time. I don't mind being on my own that much anyways. The whole dating, does he like me or not, thing is just a big headache in my opinion. So I'm fine being young and living it up" She laughs. "Even if living it up is living the life of an underpaid park ranger. But I get to be outside rather than stuck inside a cubicle so I suppose I can't really complain, not to mention the big perk of not having to deal with the public on a regular basis"

 

[Der Kojote]

"At least your job is going to be halfway interesting! I mean, the forest and it's wildlife, birds, deer, always something to look at. My job, all before me is the wonderful land of power tools, construction materials, and everything under the sun to either a. put a hole in the wall, or B. fix said hole in the wall." He leaned back into the booth, "as for the public, again you luck out. Sometimes the customers can just be awful. Or just irresponsible." He looked over at her. "Why does a mother let her 5 year old wander around in a store, and when the child ends up getting in trouble, they blame the store?" He shook his head. "Or customer complaints at the checkout line...it's amazing what a fit they will throw for loosing out on a dime in savings....Christ, worse if it's a couple...like idiot in stereo."

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife laughs. "I worked retail for a year, never again" She shakes her head. "So I feel your pain but yes I have to say I lucked out in a job. It might suck on really hot or really cold days but it still beats dealing with people, especially children." She chuckles. After a while of reminiscing and catching up she glances at the time. "Jeez it's later than I thought. I'm should get going." She slides out of the booth looking at the one or two slices left. "Feel free to take those home. I'm not much on left overs. And I'll see you tomorrow around noon then? For an amazing day of unpacking" She laughs. "And afterwards drinks, so bring something nice to change into"

 

[Der Kojote]

Andrew nodded, "Yeah it is getting fairly late. thank you for letting me take the slices." That pizza was great reheated, he had no idea what Aoife was talking about. at her noon comment he gave a thumbs up, "Yup, a fun day of unpacking box after box after box! You can't have accumulated that much from just 4 years of college, you got to be overestimating." He slid out of the booth then, and with a laugh said "Looking forward to the after unpacking drinks, though at this rate, it seems you are trying to sabotage my progress in bulking up."

 

[MittyMittens]

"Well some of it is from my parents house but not it's not a terrible amount. It's just the whole finding a place for everything that's the most time consuming. Though maybe it'll make me get rid of some junk finally." She chuckles before rolling her eyes teasingly at his sabotaging comment. "I highly doubt one night will turn you into a flabby mess and from the sounds of it you need a night out more than I do. So I'm glad you're looking forward to it because I will not take no as an answer." She gives him a hug. "It's really good seeing you. And feel free to give me a call if you get lost tomorrow but it's pretty easy to find so I highly doubt you'll have any trouble"

 

[Der Kojote]

He returned the hug, "Nice seeing you too, really good to have you back in town, don't worry I may have had a terrible sense of direction in high-school, but I've gotten a lot better, you probably won't have me calling on the phone...90% sure." The last part was delivered with a laugh. Though he probably knew what he was going to do as soon as he got home...weight training, running through combat stances, yeah, another dull night. Yet on the plus side, he finally had something to look forward to for once. He was going to be out and about again.

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife laughs as well. "Well that's good, I have to say my sense of time is still pretty terrible" She states with another chuckle before bidding him a goodnight and makes her way back to her apartment after stopping to pick up a few groceries so she had at least coffee and something for breakfast in the morning. She was tempted to go for a run in the forest but decided against it until she had a good idea of it's make-up, she remembered some of it from when she was younger but wasn't completely confident and didn't want to be running out into someone's backyard as a wolf. She decided on watching some late night TV before ending up falling asleep to it on her couch.

 

[Der Kojote]

It was late when he got back home, he slid into his bed. He flipped through a few pages of a book on his nightstand, Varieties of lycanthrope... He paused during his reading, "No...not tonight, no business for tomorrow." He put the book back down, and stared at the ceiling, had he really been this dedicated to Lycanthrope hunting? He'd never gotten any sighting, no confirmation of the blood thirsty menace that stalked the night, talking with Aoife he realized just HOW much he'd missed out on in the 4 years. She'd gotten a college degree, he'd gotten a job chasing rare beasts...she'd been living it up...he'd been working two jobs, a public one, and training for the other one.


He rolled over staring at the wall, now was not the time for that. No now was the time for sleep. Business could wait for as long as there was no reports, right now, he just needed to relax, and most importantly get some rest. Closing his eyes his dreams went from chasing wolves, to hanging out with friends so long ago. The grainy film of nostalgia overshadowed his future as a slayer of beasts. The sounds of training were drowned out by the laughs of a group of friends. The smell of sweat and blood was submersed by the wonderful smell of pizza. The usual gritting of his own teeth were replaced by a friend's happy smile.


For once sleep came naturally, not listening for the baying of hounds...but with a pleasant feeling, one he hadn't felt in so long.


It was nice to have someone back, but it was even better it was her.

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife wakes up to some infomercial on TV looking around before realizing she fell asleep on the couch. She gets off the couch and shuffles into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee before making her way to the bathroom to shower and brush her teeth after spending a half hour finding the box with all her bathroom things. She changes into a pair of yoga pants and a simple T-shirt figuring there was no need to dress up or wear uncomfortable clothing to spend the afternoon unpacking. She turns off the TV and digs out her bluetooth speakers and opens pandora on her phone. She makes herself a breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee, drinking at least two cups before deciding to get a start on the unpacking. She starts moving the boxes to at least their designated areas while waiting for Andrew to arrive, deciding she wished she labeled the boxes more specifically. She starts digging through one labeled miscellaneous. "Ah-ha I finally found your bowl!" She states to the blue betta she had swimming around in a pot, having moved with him inside a Styrofoam coffee cup and put in a pot so he wasn't stuck in a small cup until she could find his bowl. A fish was the only pet she could keep at college and the only pet that didn't growl or freak out about being near her.

 

[Der Kojote]

Andrew stumbled out of bed; the alarm was ringing loudly, 9:00 in the morning. He stumbled to the kitchen and threw some eggs in a pan, and bacon on a grill. He figured he’d hold off on the usual workout today, moving boxes was going to be enough of a work out as is, besides, he only was intending on bringing on change of clothes, he didn’t need to change into another set. After eating, he waited a bit before finally heading off to Aoife’s apartment; He had his extra set of clothes in his backpack, currently all he had was sneakers, gym shorts and a tee-shirt. He arrived at the address provided and walked up to the door and knocked.

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife puts a few pellets of food in the bowl after transferring the fish and looks over at the door at hearing the knock and smiles, glad Andrew didn't bail on helping her unpack. She couldn't necessarily blame him if he didn't but she appreciated the help and was looking forward to unwinding later tonight. She makes her way to the door and opens it. "Good you showed up! Not that I was expecting you to bail you've always been good on your word." She moves out of the doorway so he could come in. "There's coffee if you want some and I've started a little bit, I've at least organized the boxes to the areas they most likely will go in." She looks around at the maze of boxes, it wasn't a terrible amount but at least a few hours of work between sorting and putting things away.

 

[Der Kojote]

Andrew smiled as he was let in though the smile quickly faded into a whistle “Alright then, ok you were not kidding Aoife. Wow.” He looked around the apartment, there were quite a few boxes alright, and indeed this was going to be a few hours at least. He cracked his knuckles as he moved to a pile of boxes with a smile on his face, “Let’s get started then shall we? Faster we get this done, the faster we can head out and relax. for the rest of the evening. So where we putting this? As well as everything else?” Yeah this was not going to take the whole day, but at the same time, this was not going to be a quick job, sorting everything out.

 

[MittyMittens]

Aoife gives an apologetic smile when Andrew mentions she wasn't kidding about the boxes. "Hence why I figured I'd owe you more than just lunch" She states with a chuckle. "Well I've sorted the boxes in the areas they go in. I'm not really picky where things go. Just dvds in the stand under the tv, dishes in the cabinets, books on the bookcase, the obvious things. If you're not sure just ask or set it aside and I'll get to it" She states going through the more miscellaneous boxes. She orders some chinese food for them to eat for lunch since she hadn't had a chance to go on a full grocery shopping trip, not having much other than coffee and eggs in her kitchen. Once mostly everything was unpacked and it was just things she hadn't quite figured a place for left she decided to call it quits. "Thank you again for helping me. It would've taken me much longer mostly because I'd avoid doing it at all costs. You being here forced me to get it done"

 

[Der Kojote]

“Happy I could help.” Andrew said with a smile. The he laughed in response to the comment about him forcing Aoife to do so, “I’m even more happy about that, I don’t think you could have lived in here with that amount of boxes lying about. Think the land lord would probably say something akin to ‘this is an apartment complex not a storage locker.’ Though I wouldn’t consider me “forcing” you, I would see it more as…friendly nudging.” He stretched after putting the last box he had been working on away, “Alright then, that’s done, let’s get to your other project. The one where you get a friend out socializing after 4 years of working with barely any activity outside that.”

 

[MittyMittens]

"Yes the landlord probably wouldn't be exactly thrilled but hey I could've made like a fort or something out of the boxes" She says with a laugh. "And yes forcing probably wasn't the best terminology but I'm glad either way it got done" She breaks down the last empty box putting it on a pile with the others. She hands him the remote to the TV. "I fear calling it a project may be taking it too lightly" She teases. "I'm sure you'll be fine, I'll make sure of it. I'm going to get a shower you're welcome to watch TV, I shouldn't be too long and you're of course more than welcome to use it if you need to when I'm through" She makes her way into the bathroom and after a bit makes her way out carrying her hair dryer, not wanting to hold up the bathroom when she could dry her hair in her room. "It's all your's if you want it. Hot water turn right cold water turn left" She heads into her room closing the door behind her.