Fantasy The Order of Seven - accepting

[SirGrey]

Briar Jason Churrliaa.​

During the ongoing conversation at the crime scene, Jason kept quiet. Getting closer to the house, though not close enough to arouse the anger of a one the fair city's police men. It didn't matter anyway since it hadn't been that long since the murder and since the number of people killed, the emotions were easy to detect. He used his magic to try and sense what happened at this place. The ritual involved focusing one's own energy, letting them 'feel' out the emotions of the place. He felt the passion the killer had when taking some else's life. He also sensed his angry as well as oddly enough there worry. Opening his eyes with a dart he heard the call to get onto the coaches.

Jumping into the one with Mr Lohmeyer, Brair kept his eyes on the road, trying to shake the emotions he had just felt. He had felt the emotions of killers before, but it never really gets any easier, no matter how much Brair would like to it does. Looking through his bag, Brair made sure to check he had everything in case of well anything that might happen. Exorcisms, circles, runes anything that the Order might need. Looking over to Prenkus, Brair somehow deduced that he would be taking a much more forward approach. It's not that Jason is against such actions, hell he was even checking his own weapon on the way over. An old revolver that had seen enough use though not as much as over member of the Order. It just supports always where his expertise lay.

Once they arrived, Jason stayed with most of the other members of the Order by the carriages. He watched Thaddeus and Ion talk to Bradford. At first, he thought things were going well. Then he saw that other man rilling up the crowd. "All you need is one match to start the flame" he muttered as saw some of the other members of the Order spring into action. For now, Jason decided best to wait and see where he would most be needed. It didn't take long. Seeing Thaddeus being shot, Jason soon made up his mind about what he would do.

Bolting for the stage, bag and revolver in hand, Jason knelt down next to the wounded wolf man's side. Dropping his bag and frantically searching through it, Jason found a small medical bag. The Order medical equipment was better than most, plus with Jaosn's knowledge of herbs most wounds could heal up a lot faster. Not instantly of course but faster. "Well you've probably had better days than this haven't but well could have been worse could have been hit in the face now what a loss that would have been," Jason said talking at about a mile minute while opening the medical bag. Helping the wounded to his sit up Brair handed him a bandage with a faintly bluish tint to it. "Press this to your shoulder sir, it should help numb the pain for now, which should help us in getting moving as I doubt sitting around is going to do our continuing health a lot of favours".


Baconhands @Black Masquerade BloodThunder27 SirGrey GoldenAgeBoredom Yarrow The Gunrunner CNHart

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

Prenkus drags another crate into the set of obstacles, a makeshift and admittedly shoddy blockade. However, it would be good enough to slow down a mass movement. It was all he'd be able to do for the pathway without abandoning other exits. As he works, he runs through the case in his mind; there were aspects that just seemed... off, plain and simple. It was difficult to put his feelings into words however, as if his subconscious had made the connection his absence. His brows furrow, the words of Cheyne playing in his ears. Thaddeus' protest had been noted when it came, but only earned a roll of his eyes once his back was turned; he didn't have time to listen to such a protest - His reasoning was understandable, even if it was him who believed that. But beyond him, there was the far more important proceedings of the crowd. His suspicion grew inside him more and more, until it screamed out at him. His work slowed, and for a moment of curiosity bordering on revelation he looks back to the speaker... his eyes narrow... It could be nothing... but it could be the information he needs.

He'd turned just in time to see Irwin's reaction to the appeals to the crowd. He was certainly not keen on peace. Prenkus felt the air grow tense, and through the rain he thought he saw something - Something in the eyes. It was a look he came to know well. The shot rang out before he even saw the pistol, the quick-moving Thaddeus falling to the ground with a hole in the shoulder. Prenkus draws a breath through barred teeth, drawing one of the two revolvers and thumbing the hammer in one smooth, practiced motion. The crowd immediately turns to chaos, terrified of the gun and order in their attempts to escape him. They were coming fast, and the back of his mind speaks to him: The shotgun trap was still set. He grinds his teeth, begrudgingly dropping the aim of his pistol to turn and kick over the barrel. The alley was no longer a killzone, but the delay was more than enough for the man to escape into the crowd. He reaches into the hole of the barrel, wrenching the weapon free under the sound of cracking wood, and freeing the trigger of the twine.

He stands, stuffing the weapon into a back-holster. The civilians wanted to keep away from the order, certainly, but his spot constricted their best means of escape - He felt more than a few terrified shoulders bump against his, a few bodies collide against him. He stumbles back, shoving one man ahead to keep his barrings - He looks over their heads, scanning the direction; Irwin would, he reasoned, have to follow the crowd. The current was too strong, unless they would clear away from him. He wasn't able to see a clearing, however, thus he doubted that such a thing was the case. And the bloodlust... undeniable - Irwin was not fleeing, he was repositioning. Prenkus was sure of it, and to his luck knew enough of the proper movements. His mind plays the basics quickly; thick collateral blocking the targets, he would need to find higher ground. No trees, only buildings. Plenty of places to climb, but that would make him easy to see. No, he'd use a doorway or staircase. His eyes scan the upper levels of the relevant buildings, reaching a free hand into one of his pouches; encased in a thin layer of wood, interior given an final layer of metal. He wraps a string around the forefinger, drawing it quickly - "Move!" he yells, presenting his revolver to the sky. They would give him the space he needed, as he commands.

His eyes roll over the second stories and rooftops, scanning intently. There were many places, but none outside his focus. Irwin would have to show himself, and he would be ready... There. His eyes missed it for the smallest of seconds, a shape blending in with the dark, but something draws him back; a glint of light running along a tube of metal, slowly extending from inside the window. "There you are," he hisses, and he acts quickly; the string is spun quickly, something rough and round on its end no bigger than one's palm. The ball soon disappears into a blur, but even the circle the motion forms disappears quickly - He flicks his forearm and wrist forward, releasing it forward. The string follows the ball like a tail, flying straight for the window. He turns away from the window, covering his eyes with a hand though forgets himself in warning his comrades. What happens next is in the span of less than a second; the ball finds its target, the ceramic casing cracking against the side of the building just by the sil - The case turns to dust from the interior blast, as chemicals mix aggressively and erupt into a furious shine of bright white light. To those affected, their world is sucked away under that oppressive light and a ringing abuse to the eardrums. To those too far for its effects, the blast is softened *BOOM,* no louder than the crack of a rifle.

But to Prenkus, it was his edge. If luck is on his side, it would give him what he needs. He turns forward again, pushing, shoving, waving, and yelling away the crowd. He advances on the house with as much speed as the environment will allow him.

 

[SilverFlight]

Thaddeus clasped his shoulder, drawing in a sharp breath as the pain flared. He faintly heard Iona call out his name, heard the worry in her voice, and then suddenly there was a shadow beside him and a lighthearted voice in his ear as Jason prepared his healing kit.
Thaddeus blinked, for a moment he thought he'd misheard the man, but he hadn't and despite the bullet wound in his shoulder Thaddeus felt his face flush, he looked away to hide his smile, "better me than you."
Thaddeus did as he was told, pressing the herbs to his wound and nearly instantly he felt relief as his flesh began to numb.
"Get him to cover!" Iona called to Jason as she moved to follow the crowd.
Thaddeus scrabbled up, trying not to lean too much on his rescuer as he found shelter behind the wagon, noting which way Irwin had gone.

By the time the crowd had fled Iona had lost sight of their target. She cursed under her breath and looked back at her team. It was then she saw Prenkus had spotted him. He was prepping a flash bomb. As soon as he threw it she called to her team, "get down!"
Thaddeus and the others would know to protect their heads, including their eyes.
The flash went off in a brilliant burst of white light and there was a pained howl from within the building on their right, followed by a clattering of boots on stairs. Iona drew her sword in the silence that followed, she waited, one heartbeat...two...three...silence still reigned. She wondered if Irwin had fled after all, but the look she had seen in his eyes told her he was still there.
A sharp snarl split the air. The crowd had gone, the buildings surrounding them mostly warehouses and devoid of people. There was no one to hide from now...in a darkened corridor a shadow moved and Iona started as a pair of golden eyes lit up the inky black space.
A wolf, huge and growling stepped from the house. His fur was ash grey and his shoulders stood as high as she was, his expression was one of predatory excitement. Without warning the beats lunged, streaking straight for Prenkus, jaws flashing in a whirl of white and red.

BloodThunder27 SirGrey GoldenAgeBoredom The Gunrunner CNHart

 

[BloodThunder27]

As soon as Iona called for the team to get down, the first thing Luna did was duck, also covering her eyes with her arm, finding it to be an efficient way to deflect a flash bomb. As soon as everything returned to normal, she would hear a sharp snarl and the team was greeted by a big wolf. There was no time to show fear, she had to do something before her teammates were in harm's way. However, Luna started to sense doubt within herself, not feeling very confident about facing a werewolf. Everything was just happening so fast. From Prenkus using unusual weaponry, to Thaddeus sustaining a non-fatal injury to protect Iona.

What to do...What to do... was all Luna could think.

Finally, she regained her composure and got ready to fight. Sadly, neither her bow nor her armor was ready for her to use. It was meant to be an investigation, not a straight up fight! That Silver Dagger was her only weapon at the moment. If the timing was right, maybe she could take that monster down! Drawing her very short blade, she aimed for the creature's head. After briefly hesitating, Luna set her sights on the Wolf and threw her dagger at his head, hoping that it would strike true. However, she was at a bit of a distance, so she had to pray that she would make the shot.

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

Prenkus watches the clearing cautiously. The crowd had left - A good and bad thing; Irwin wouldn't be able to disappear into the crowd again, but the Order members no longer had the cover all those bodies provided. He'd find just how useful that cover was; a growl breaks the silence, halting Prenkus' advance on the house. A great shadow steps from the doorway, covered in fur and glaring with two bright golden eyes. "Damn it," he whispers. He slowly reaches into his coat with a free hand, feeling for a sawn-off shotgun. The beast lunges. His teeth and gums flare in a predatory charge, coming straight for him. The beast was fast, but this was Prenkus' job - One hand draws the sawn off, pulling back the hammers against his forearm. A dagger streaks across his vision, right for the werewolf.

His instincts fire to accompany the attack - His hands move quick, a mix of muscle memory, training, and mental planning; both barrels of the gun blast forward, showing the area forward of Prenkus in silver balls. The recoil is immense, knocking him into a heavy stumble, but his footing has him recover quickle. The shotgun drops to the ground, and the next step begins: The now-empty hand blurs against the hammer of his revolver, firing and cocking in rapid succession, sending as suppressive a barrage as a revolver can give. It clicks empty, and is replaced with his second before the first hits the ground, resuming the same barrage as before. When that click sounds, he takes the last firearm he has: The second sawn-off shotgun. But he digs his other hand into the pouch at his side, filling his palm with a heavy reflective powder.

 

[SirGrey]

"Well were aren't planning on just sitting here" Jason mutters as he puts Thaddeus's arm over his shoulder. "Also don't be so modest in the future after all you've been shot you could do with a compliment or two," Brair says as he starts to walk over to a nearby wagon with Thaddeus in tow. It seemed the others were getting closer to the werewolf who had started this violence in the first place.All this fills Jason with dread, the werewolves need all the help they could get with the murders, and the Order could give it, but this wouldn't help the two group relationships. He could understand why the werewolves would be angry, murders had happened and it looked like the Order had done nothing. He could understand the hostility, but this man seemed to have altered motives.

Sitting next to Thaddeus, Jason pulls out his revolver. "Pays to have insurance" I mutter. Then Jason hears the shout and gets back behind the wagon, covering in his eyes. Looking up, he could see the remains of a flash bomb. "Now where would he of that got that from, they don't exactly sell that along with the groceries," Jason says thinking aloud, "Starting to get the impression that man has just a bit more going on then righteous fighter, some sort of other party involvement is more likely,". Hearing the clatter of boots from the nearby building, Jason aims his gun. And soon that aimed to found a wolf of quiet gigantic size. Steadying his aim, Jason fires. Loaded with silver as most Order weapons were, Jason hopes his aim is true, his experience being more in magic then firearms.

 

[MrBossMan]

Jonathan Reys had been in London for a little over two months. The atmosphere of the city had been something that could only be described as murky. The sky seemed to always be grey and cloudy, the sun fighting in vain to push through. As Jonathan walked the streets alone he saw various types of people. Most of them had the stench and look of a commoner. Poverty bleeding off of their person. Others were more prestigious in both look and stature. Their heads held high with pride and their clothing a direct reflection of their wealth.

The streets they walked on were stone which was almost the same grey as the skys clouds. Jonathan simply walked amongst them as a normal man. Dressed in a brown overcoat that that basically made him look like a man with money, but not vast riches. His silver long sword was kept on his back, underneath his clothing so it could remain hidden. It was awkward to carry but throughout all his time as a member of the Order, Jon has never been caught with it. He did not expect this day to be any different.

For almost a month now Jonathan has been independently investigating a string of murders in the poor parts of London. Specifically this predator targets werewolves and has already slain three of them. Each was brutally mangled almost beyond recognition. It was a hard road to follow but Jon thought he'd do something abwherehousetead of just sit idly. He's heard stories of a werewolf brewing trouble in Scotland Yard. Apparently this creature was publicly announcing his displeasure of the Order. Even gaining a standard audience at times. He figured that'd be a good place to start.

Jonathan arrived on scene with Irwin just beginning his rant. A small crowd gathered around to hear the wolf speak. Instantly Jon could hear the anger in Irwin's voice. It was long after that when he saw the coach's pull up, each one with the symbol of the Order. Jonathan watched, hidden in the crowd, as a group of Order members stepped out.

Apparently they wanted an audience because an Order member stepped forth and addressed the crowd. However his words didn't help none, Irwin simply got worse, his anger now boiling within him. Jonathan has seen a werewolf turn a thousand times before and he knew it'd happen again soon. He made no contact with his fellow Order members. Instead he walked over to a nearby building and waited.

Maybe it was experience, maybe it was luck, but Jonathan just knew the werewolf wouldn't turn out in the open. Usually they like to turn somewhere safe, members of the Order, Jon included, would strike a wolf down before he even turned. Not allowing him the chance to turn full beast. Sure enough the creature came into his building just like he predicted. However he went straight to the second floor, Jon cursed aloud.

Now he drew his silver sword and waited, hearing the howling above him as the beast came forth. A part of Jon pitied the creature, he believed Irwin innocent of killing the three werewolf victims, but now Jon had to put him down. He was at the far end of the building when Irwin, now in wolf form, stood in front of the buildings entrance door. He saw the wolf lunge forward but to who he did not know.

Jon ran for the door, hearing gunshots and yelling, then waited in cover.

He saw a blonde woman who seemed to be giving the orders so he spoke to her first. "We need to put this beast down fast!" He screamed at her, fear of having local law enforcement try to intervene was on his mind.

SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

Irwin saw the shotgun and swerved, cutting off his attack in favour of a dodge, the near impossible strength changed his angle in a split second but he could not evade all of the shot. It buried itself into his hackles, some pellets finding flesh even as Luna's dagger grazed the underside of his neck. By the time Prenkus reloaded Irwin was moving, diving behind a stack of old crates. The werewolf threw himself against the stack, sending the wood flying in the direction of his enemies. Iona was forced to dive out of the way, she rolled and came up, her dress stained with mud and ash, but she was unhurt.
Irwin was clearly in pain, but his rage fueled him and he snarled as he dove again for cover, avoiding the silver bullets directed at him. His speed was near unbelievable.
Thaddeus swallowed against his own pain and gripped Jason's shoulder, trying to smile at Jason's friendly candor. "Had those compliments been made under better...circumstances...I could think of something clever to say in return."
They both eyed Prenkus and his unorthodox tools.
"Probably a wild lands hunter, out in the forest rather than working a city...not his territory. We should end this before he causes a scene."
Irwin paused just long enough for Jason to get a bead on him and lurched forward as he caught sight of the weapon. The bullet sang through the air, clipping his face. It was enough to make the wolf flinch. He stopped short just as he was about to collide with both Jason and Thaddeus. His raging yellow eyes met Thaddeus' and he wavered, only a moment. Then he was away again and into a large warehouse.

"Irwin's still in there." Thaddeus breathed, urgently grabbing Jason's arm. "He stopped when he saw me. We can't kill him!"

~

Iona was not having the best day. She didn't bother to straighten her skirts, there were more important things happening, like her cousin taking a bullet not two minutes after they arrived, and of course the giant grey beast running rings around them. This needed to end, and so, when a man she had never seen before marched up to her and yelled something to the same effect she (to her embarrassment later on) lost her temper:
"Well o'course ya daft idjit! We havnae jus' been standin' here wi' oor fingers up oor asses!" With her temper she had also lost her carefully controlled manner of speech, allowing the true strength of her nationality to pour into her scathing retort.

Just then the sheer lack of activity made Iona look around. There was no more gunfire, no more growling or stomping or rolling crates...The wolf had disappeared into one of the empty warehouses, and they would have to go in after him.

It was just then Thaddeus came out from under cover where he and Jason had been ducking.
"Irwin hasn't been completely lost!" He shouted urgently, "He had the chance to kill Jason and I, we were wide open, but he saw me, another werewolf and he stopped. He can be saved."

Thaddeus looked at them all pleadingly, he was a sight with his green coat torn, his generally well-groomed hair disheveled and his bandaged shoulder seeping blood, but the expression behind his eyes was one of raw determination. Iona knew that look. She breathed in.
"Well we need a way to contain him or I'll have to let Prenkus finish him off. We are on the clock then if we're to save him. The silver shot will be poisoning him slowly. It'll likely kill him anyway in a few hours if he's not seen to."

Iona looked around for things they could use. The splintered wood from the crates wouldn't be much use, she saw some thick-roped dock nets used to haul loads onto ships, as well as a small crane. There was also no small amount of rope, steel barrel rings, stacked wood beams, coal, and an anchor or two littering the pier.
"We need a plan."

Spoiler: Potential tools

((As well as anything else you would reasonably find around an 18th century dock, be creative XD))

BloodThunder27 SirGrey The Gunrunner CNHart MrBossMan

 

[MrBossMan]

When Jonathan reached the woman it was clear her mood was sour. He admitted what he said was rather unnecessary but it still needed to be said. This situation was delving into chaos very quickly and Jon feared time was thin. As much as he wanted to fire back at the woman he held his tongue. There were more pressing matters then to defend his pride.

It was then that a man walked up to him and the woman, being guided by another named Jason. By the way the two spoke to each other Jon assumed they knew one another. He quickly scanned the new man, coming to the conclusion he was tainted. Jon bit his tongue once again but even still he spoke. He couldn't let this slide any further.

"You can't be serious? Are you really suggesting we take the time, add to the danger, just to let this beast live? All for what, a tainted man saw something in his eyes? This beast needs to be put down before he hurts more people or gets away!" He then caught eyes with Thaddeus and could see the worry. Jon had to step back, his silver sword being held in his right hand. He scratched the back of his head with his left hand and spit on the ground.

"Fine," he muttered under his breath then spoke louder for the group to here. "I'm going inside the building, one other should come with me. We will flush out the beast and try to get him to come outside through the side door." Jonathan pointed at the door he was talking about. "That way we can contain him in the alley way. The second group should be ready with the net and focus on bringing him down. The third group should contain the alleyway and make sure no one comes in, for their own safety, and make sure Irwin can't flee."

He then pointed at Thaddeus and Jason, "if he really did spare you then it's best if you hold the net. You'll be much closer to the wolf and can probably settle him down. If not though, I will not hesitate to kill him."

Jon then walked forward towards the building. Silver sword in hand, he hoped he could scare Irwin through the side door by brandishing his silver sword. Maybe Irwin would back up from the blade, to afraid to be hurt by the touch of silver. He would need help though, Irwin was a big wolf, he just hoped someone would follow him into the building.

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

The hail hadn't finished the beast. Prenkus practically snarled at the beast once his assault met its conclusion. When the barrels came flying, he was lucky to not be hit - He swerved from their path, feeling the hurling wind against his arms as he just dodges the attack, before continuing. The wolf gets to good cover, though the silver bullets spray splinters of wood from the cover it chooses; pieces and chunks fly off under the assault, raining down against the hulking form. The eventual click of his second revolver is almost deafening with the silence, and evidentally reaches the ears of the werewolf as he goes on the move again. Prenkus draws the final firearm with a speed unlike for such an elder man, but not quite fast enough; the wolf charges to Jason and Thaddeus before he can even cock the hammers. What happens next barely registers through his mental state, firing a blind shot after the beast as he runs into the warehouse. A miss, clearly, with barely hope that it would even encourage the retreat.

He lowers the weapon, smoke pouring from the barrels, with fire in his eyes. He turns the latch and pops out the large brass shells - They tinker against the cobblestone ground. He collects his guns, reholstering them as he regroups with the others. Iona seems to be yelling. He shakes his head to bring himself back into the moment, the adrenaline gradually subsiding - "-e havnae jus' been standin' here wi' oor fingers up oor asses!" She hardly sounds happy. The scottish is becoming very clear in her speech. A mild grin pulls the side of his mouth. He reaches the others, idly loading fresh bullets into one of his revolvers. "Irwin hasn't been completely lost!" He shouted urgently, "He had the chance to kill Jason and I, we were wide open, but he saw me, another werewolf and he stopped. He can be saved." Prenkus gives a quiet sigh - His outward sign of irritation. His eyes were kept on Thaddeus at his protest, but for what reason he would keep to himself.

"Well we need a way to contain him or I'll have to let Prenkus finish him off. We are on the clock then if we're to save him. The silver shot will be poisoning him slowly. It'll likely kill him anyway in a few hours if he's not seen to... We need a plan." Prenkus holsters one revolver, retrieving the next - He removes its spent shells as he speaks, letting them fall to the ground. Jonathan is first, clearly in disagreement with Thaddeus' conclusion on Irwin's state. He waits for the man to say his piece, then begins his own: "Actually, I would prefer to take Irwin alive as well..." he looks back to their fellow wolf "Even if for different reasons." Eyes go back to Iona, nodding once before he looks at their surroundings. The last bullet is loaded into his revolver, which he snaps shut and slides back into its leather housing. On seeing what resources are at their disposal, he almost laughs - "This is nearly a child's riddle." He points as he speaks, first to the anchor - "Weight, for pulling the target into the air," to the crane "A higher platform, to hold the target up," then to the net, "The trap that will catch him. All we need is rope, and I doubt we'll have a famine of /that/ at a dock. Thaddeus will have to drag the anchor to the end of the dock, ready to push it over the side when - or if - we can lead Irwin into the net. Someone else will operate the crane, should the net need to be raised."

He turns on a heel, back to the others. He rolls his shoulders and adjusts his harness, no small amount of pride evident in the quick formulation of his plan - "Of course, he may break through the net, and we'll have to put an end to him. If he can be contained, however, then we'll have the benefit of a possibly invaluable interrogation. We can talk about that later though - Right now, I need everyone to take part in making the trap-" It's then that he notices Jonathan, just before he steps into the warehouse. He clears his throat, reiterating: "Everyone who isn't bait to help make the trap."

 

[BloodThunder27]

There was quite the commotion, but at least now, as far as Luna was concerned, there were no innocents in danger. Hopefully now it will be easier to take care of their little pet problem. The last thing she noted about Irwin, the wolf they were trying to contain, though at this point, Luna found it easier to just put him out of his misery. When more planning appeared, Luna wasn't exactly keen on it. Setting up a trap and baiting was just going to take up too much time. To Luna, the more time they took to contain the situation, the more likely innocents were going to get hurt. Sure, it was never easy to take a life, but risking hundreds of lives, if not thousands or hundreds of thousands, was not something that sat well with Luna. Not that she ever really made an effort to try and get along with the Tainted Members of the Order in her four years as a proud member.

As Irwin had fled, Luna sighed, irritated that he even escaped at all. Not that she was going to blame Prenkus or Jonathan. Firearms were still in their baby stages, so she couldn't really say they had poor marksmanship, but since guns have yet to be perfected, which she had also doubted would happen in her lifetime, the young ranger stayed faithful to the weapon that she was most proficient with; the bow. Sadly, there was no way for her to access it. Her dagger then shined when she turned towards it. While it did not attach itself to the mongrel, it stuck onto the side of a crate after grazing Irwin's neck. Chances were that cut wasn't deep enough. While the group was deciding on what to do next, she went to retrieve it, since there was no way she could take on a Tainted Enemy unarmed.

Deciding against Thaddeus' protests, she voiced her disapproval before going to help set up the trap, since that was the plan that the team had decided on. While she did not like it, she still went with it, but that wasn't going to stop her from voicing her opinion. "Honestly, I think this is time consuming. The longer we fool around, the more likely innocents are going to get hurt. Gambling with innocent lives to prevent one death is just repulsive. Why don't we just let Prenkus finish him off so we can move on? And if any innocents get hurt because of this, Thaddeus, its on you." She growled, being vocal about her disapproval. She wanted to say more, but decided to bite her tongue and reluctantly go partake in setting a trap. Since she didn't know how to operate the crane, she decided to let another team member do it while she went to go help set up the net. She wasn't exactly prepared to be bait and seeing what she said to Thaddeus, it would have been a bad idea anyway.
SilverFlight The Gunrunner MrBossMan

 

[SilverFlight]

"Irwin is innocent!" Thaddeus rounded on Luna, gold flashing into his eyes for a split second. As his anger was roped so the colour vanished, leaving his voice cold. He couldn't help but notice that Iona's hand had gone instinctively to her dagger.
"We failed this community when the order failed to take note of what was happening. Irwin is a victim and so are the other werewolves. We. Are. Saving. Him."
With that Thaddeus and Iona both nodded at Jonathan's plan.
"There's not a soul left in the place, we won't get much interference from civilians," Iona observed.
"And Irwin won't attack werewolves," Thaddeus added with a pointed look at Luna, "I'll need to shift in order to drag the net into place. A net as big as we need will be heavy."
They listened to Prenkus' ideas as he added to the plan.
"I'm not dumping him in the river," Thaddeus said with a frown when the anchor was mentioned.
"But Prenkus is right," Iona continued, "the anchor would be enough to act as a counter-weight for Irwin. If we set the net at the entrance of the warehouse, tie the anchor to the net with extra lengths of rope, then set it on the crane arm we can drop it when Irwin steps onto the net and sweep him up!"
"'Prenkus is right'? I'm not sure I like hearing that," Thaddeus mentioned in a good-natured jab.
Iona looked to Jason and then the others that remained. "If this doesn't work as Prenkus said, we will need to kill Irwin. Thaddeus, you'll be the closest, if Irwin breaks free promise me you'll get out of the way. Jason, Luna, I'd like you close to Thaddeus to do the job."
Thaddeus remained silent, obviously conflicted before quietly nodding, "fine."
As the teams moved off to fulfill their parts Thaddeus stepped to the nets on the dock. He gave a quick glance over his shoulder at Jason, suddenly conscious of the fact that the man's opinion of him might change with the transformation, he was surprised to realize that it bothered him.
Nevertheless he took a breath and pulled on the beast lurking inside him. The form took him over in a fluid motion: paws touched wood, green wool turned to grey fur and he grew, the once small man now overshadowing his peers. A great, grey wolf, as big as a horse, stood where Thaddeus had been, its gold eyes glinting in the noon-day sun.
Thaddeus wasted no time, he grabbed the net and dragged it to the doorway Jon had indicated, then he helped pull the cords over to fasten to the net and anchor. The anchor he picked up like a dog would a rather large stick and hung it gingerly on the hook of the crane arm. One lever would drop the hook, and the anchor-ballast and snap the net closed.
Iona managed to figure out the controls enough that she could raise the arm up and set their trap.

Irwin stood still. He didn't move, he hardly breathed. His coal-coloured pelt blended in perfectly with the inky shadows, off-set by the shards of sunlight that trickled through broken windows, illuminating the dust motes that swirled playfully in the light.
He heard one of the hunters step into the building and looked down to see the man. Irwin was on the second story, a metal railing the only thing separating him from the drop onto Jon's head. The bars bent like willow branches under Irwin's weight and the wolf dropped like a leopard, aiming to crush Jonathan under-paw.

BloodThunder27 SirGrey The Gunrunner MrBossMan PeanutLemur

 

[MrBossMan]

It seemed Jonathan would walk alone to the warehouse. Before he entered he dropped his jacket by the door that way he could move a bit more free. Both hands gripped his silver sword which was held at the ready. He was aware of both of his pistols, loaded with silver bullets, but knew he couldn't use them. This wolf would not die today and neither would Jonathan. The light of day was at his back and only darkness awaited inside the warehouse.

With a hard step forward Jonathan walked inside. As he did so he scanned the area as best he could however he couldn't see. The only light inside was coming from the sun as it pushed through small cracks of the warehouse and broken windows. There was also a more gentle light reflecting off of his blade. Broken glass and other filth littered the floor which made Jon believe this building had been abandoned. Before he stepped any further he turned around, back towards the main door he had just walked in from. Jonathan shut the door and bolted it down, it would hardly stop a werewolf but it was something. His job was to lure the werewolf through the side door, nothing else.

Letting out a sharp exhale Jonathan moved slowly forward. His senses were screaming danger. He could not hear the wolf nor see him which only frustrated the hunter. However this was not the first time Jonathan hunted. He moved with a sense of grace that was strange for a man his size. Then he sniffed the cold, dank air. He'll admit it's an awkward gesture but it never failed. The thing about werewolves is they smell like wet dogs, not something one can easily hide.

He could smell the creature's stench but that only told him he was close. Then, suddenly, he heard the railing above him screech. Instinctively Jon looked up and saw yellow eyes lunging towards him mid-flight. His body acted faster then he did and immediately Jon tucked himself into a roll. He heard the loud crash as the beast hit the stone floor. Forcing Jon's roll to be more of a fumble. He was now five feet away and staring deeply at the snarling face of a very large, angry, wolf.

The side door was directly behind Jonathan, maybe twenty five feet away. His plan now formulated in his mind. Slowly Jon began walking backwards towards the side door leading to the alleyway. The feeling of being alone with the wolf only just now hitting him the hardest. He readied his silver sword, the tip pointing towards Irwin. Jon looked at the wolf with stone cold eyes. He controlled his hatred and anger as best he could. Trying to harness it for the fight soon to come.

SilverFlight

 

[SirGrey]

Jason felt his heart leap into high gear as the werewolf caught sight of him, and reached even higher speeds as his bullet seemed to do as much as a weak breeze in terms of making him stop. Jason thanked as many God's as he could think of when the wolf stopped. He saw its eyes look into Thaddeus. "Oh bless our lucky stars," he mutters before saying "Yes I think you're right but I doubt the wolf will share your feelings,". "What he says is true I mean were alive so I think that proves it all" Jason shits with Thaddeus. Help Thaddeus to his feet, Jason accompanies him to the warehouse.

Seeing the argument between Thaddeus and Luna, Jason decides to step in. Jason had been quiet during the discussion, preferring to listen to the ideas, though he had come up with a strategy of his own which he might bring up. "Look, Thaddeus is right killing him won't solve anything if anything it will only make the werewolves even more distrustful of us," I say in a calmer measured manner than the other two. "Luna is also right, he is a danger and if we let him get away people will get hurt or worse," the American says with a deep sigh before finishing off his little speech by saying "If he is alive we will undoubtedly gain more information about this whole sorted situation which is probably the best outcome we can hope for," Jason said before turning to look at Iona as she describes everyone positions.

It seemed he would be with the wolf and the huntress. The two who were just arguing a moment ago. "Why do I feel I'll be acting as a counter weight here," he muttered. Reloading his revolver, Jason looks through his bag. A serious of various magical trinkets and objects need to complete certain rituals, such as chalk candles and few other nick nacks. Looking at these objects Jason begins to formulate a plan.

While listening to the others talk, Jason plan fully formulates. He might be able to bind the target in place, similar to what he does with a spirit. Binding physical beings can be a difficult, though being that the target is werewolf a being of magical nature, that might level things out. Still, it would take time, maybe enough to work as a backup plan. Going over to Ioan after every sets to work he says "I might be able to bind him, though it will take time, you could consider it a back up plan if you want to use it that is" Jason says wait for his superior's answer.

BloodThunder27 SirGrey The Gunrunner MrBossMan PeanutLemur

 

[SilverFlight]

Thaddeus nodded at Jason, unable to speak in his lupine form. The idea was a good one; bind Irwin just in case the ropes weren't enough. And keeping Irwin alive for questioning was also along his line of thinking. Thaddeus beginning to warm up to this American.
With the trap set Thaddeus (remaining a wolf) went to stand by the door just out of sight, ready to use his full strength to detain Irwin should it come to that. He made a mental note of where everyone was standing so he could react quickly if they needed him.
His shoulder throbbed and he felt the blood begin to mat in his fur, the wound was already closing however, the gift of fast healing being one of the few gifts a werewolf had.
Iona stood ready at the crane, a dagger in her free hand, ready to move.

Irwin snarled as Jon cleared his pounce, he watched the hunter carefully through gleaming yellow eyes, he was backing up and Irwin advanced confidently, clearly thinking he had the man outmatched. His world narrowed to the prey in front of him, all other sights dimming in his vision, all sounds drowned by the blood rage roaring in his ears. His lip curled revealing glistening white fangs the size of knives.
They walked slowly the pair of them, step for step, Irwin's larger stride taking him just a little closer with each one.
Then in a flash of teeth and claws Irwin lunged with all his strength. He was aiming to plow into Jon with such a great momentum that he would break bones with the sheer force of impact.

BloodThunder27 SirGrey The Gunrunner MrBossMan PeanutLemur

(( MrBossMan would you do the honours of writing Irwin into his trap?))

 

[MrBossMan]

Jonathan stood before the massive beast form of Irwin. He could see the complete lack of humanity in his eyes. He was showing his teeth and growling as a way to intimidate Jon. Being alone in the dark with Irwin would normally frighten most people. However Jon was a member of the Order and as such he acted like one. His breathing was controlled and steady. His foot steps backwards were made with expert precision. He even eyed the wolf in an effort to let him know he was not scared. Everything he now did was made easy due to years of practise and experience.

As Jon walked backwards Irwin came for him. The wolfs large stride slowly but surely closed the distance between them. Jon still had his silver sword pointed towards Irwin. In many ways that was Jon's only way to deter the beast from mauling him. The wolf got closer and closer as Jon heard the side door leading to the alleyway. He knew the others would be there, ready to spring the trap. He made a silent, bitter, prayer to God. Asking him to help them redeem the wolf, praying that Thaddeus did see a humanity left in Irwin that Jon himself could not see.

Finally Jon's left heel hit the end of the door, making a loud thud. His eyes still stayed on Irwin but he saw through his minds eye. The others were just outside and the trap was ready. Jon kicked the door twice again with his left foot. Sending a signal to the others that he was ready. Sadly for Jon he had nowhere else to go, his back now towards the door. A large wolf desperate to kill him was in front of him. Then, just like that, Jon gave the wolf a wink. It was a gentle gesture but it must have held weight.

Instantly Irwin lunged at Jon, letting out a loud, nasty, roar. Reflexes kicked in and Jon dove to his right side. Irwin proved faster however and clipped Jon's left ankle making him slam into the wall. Irwin though, was also going to fast and proved to much force for the door. The door slammed open and out sprang a gigantic black wolf who yelped in pain as he slammed into the door. Jon laid down on the trash littered floor, his side hurt from slamming into the brick wall.

Slowly he got up and readied himself for the others. Who by now should have a large wolf caught in a big net. Then maybe Jon could get some answers.

SilverFlight

 

[BloodThunder27]

They were all on the same team, so Luna didn't really say much when she was paired up with Thaddeus and Jason. Perhaps she allowed her prejudices to get the better of her, not that she felt bad about it. However, if she was the same way, Luna felt that this was endangering too many innocent lives, especially mortal lives. As they had argued, the American decided to intervene, and Luna was not exactly happy about it. "Not that it matters. The Tainted don't really trust us anyway. Let alone whenever one of their own becomes a member of the organization, things tend to get really heated really fast..." she muttered.

When the trap was ready to go, she stood ready at the crane. Luna herself watched, waiting for the right time to spring the trap. There was only one opportunity. She was now the one standing between Irwin and a Massacre, something that she had wanted to prevent. However, the logic of preventing one disaster by creating another did not exactly sit well with her, but at the urging of the team, she didn't really have a choice but to possibly use such logic. After Jon's role was finished, Luna played hers, by using the crane with the net to trap Irwin. "Well, the Children of the Moon are certainly on par with the Bloodsuckers. I'm beginning to wonder which one would provide me more of a challenge in a fight..." She said aloud. "Well, now that this is over-with, I'd like to go get my Bow...and my Armor. This Dress isn't exactly something to go into battle with."
SilverFlight MrBossMan

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

Prenkus remained certain in his conclusion, regardless of what Luna or Thaddeus would think - The former for agreeing Irwin should be taken in for questioning, and the latter for... well, who presented the idea. Thaddeus' comment to Iona's agreement gave him an expression of mild confusion, uncertain whether the jab was serious or not. However, he quickly shakes his head to clear away the thought - It didn't matter what some tainted thought of him, let alone one with so little control of his emotions.

As Jonathan goes alone into the warehouse, Prenkus watches over the others rather than setting up a specific part of the trap himself. He oversees the setting up of the net and its connection to the crane, how Iona has interpreted the controls, the distance of the anchor to the dock, and the placement of the net. In his scurrying from place-to-place, he has little to say in the observances - Merely nodding in approval if showing any gesture at all. Things were being set up as planned. In fact, better than that; he notes Thaddeus' amendment to the plan, even if the wolf wasn't aware it was such. He smacks a palm over his forehead, taking some small amount of shame in not seeing the alternative method. Indeed, the crane would be a better choice for the anchor's control. Again, he shakes his head clear of the thoughts - Besides, the sounds that have started in the warehouse signify it was time to be ready.

Jason's support for Thaddeus' belief comes in half-garbled, filtered into white noise as his mind readies for action. Two loud bangs sound out against the door. He draws one of his revolvers, controlling his breathing - The revolver's notched sights are leveled to the entrance of the warehouse, unsure what to expect from his american comrade. Well, he didn't see the man exit - Instead, he saw the wolf smash through the door. Hopefully, to tumble right into their trap.

 

[SilverFlight]

Thaddeus had told himself he was prepared. He stood by the door in the form of a wolf, dwarfing his companions, ready to spring at any moment. When Irwin did come through he did so with such a force and speed that the trap was nearly almost too late. But the snap of the chain going taught and the ropes shooting skyward engulfed the dark wolf and with an enraged howl he was dragged over and up and left hanging from the arm of the crane. Jon had done his work and now Irwin had been subdued. He kicked and snarled with such ferocity that Thaddeus was afraid he might just get lose, but the silver had done its work and the werewolf was weakening. It wasn't long before he lost consciousness.

Not long after that, when Thaddeus had returned to his former self and knelt next to an unconscious and very human Irwin, that more carriages from the order arrived. These held the mitigation crew and a handful of medics and healers. They took Irwin from them and, with the proper restraints loaded him onto one of the vehicles and took him on ahead to their headquarters.
"We'd best get back and report." Iona turned to them all, relieved that the ordeal was over and done, "Amberdale will likely want to know what happened, and we can question Irwin as soon as he wakes up."
Thaddeus tried to ignore Luna's less than subtle comment, from where he was standing she was being quite rude.
Iona didn't seem to notice however and before long she was leading the way to their own carriages and the promise of clean clothes, food and rest.

~~~

The London headquarters was in a place known by all, but only very few knew it existed there. Westminster Abbey, one of the oldest buildings in the city, old even when the large clock tower or the parliament houses had ever been thought of. The cathedral was made of weathered sandy stone its windows, dark from the outside produced a riot of colour within that danced and glittered across the ancient stones that covered the tombs of lords, nobles and poets. The pillars had been worn smooth even then with the touch of centuries of hands.
The order HQ was not in the cathedral properly, but rested in the structures adjacent to it. These were two-storied, made of the same worn stone but much less grandiose. The few entrances were very well cached, and even if the wayward traveler managed to bumble his or her way to them they would quickly find themselves turned around by a gentle-looking member of the clergy.

Within these secret walls the team was admitted with much politeness and little ceremony. Anything needed was given, those that had not brought their things with them already were given offers from the staff to fetch them from wherever their guest had been staying. There were private rooms here, a library, their own small chapel and the council room, filled with staggered rows of hand-carved mahogany chairs, arranged in a formation that was slightly reminiscent of the parliamentary chambers.
The garden was Iona's absolute favorite place to be. This was the central area of the HQ, ringed by the buildings that served the order practically this space was for the rest and relaxation of any who worked there. A fountain in the shape of a sitting lion spouted water into a basin, which then trickled into a stone-bedded stream that flowed diagonally through the rectangular green space. The flowers were in full bloom here now: Roses perfumed the air with their delicate and royal scent whilst vines of wisteria grown on arches of latticed wood dangled bunches of blue flowers over her and shielded eyes from the bright midday sun. Rosemary and rhododendron, apple, quince and pear, daisies, sunflowers forget-me-nots and sweet williams, there was an absolute plethora of different flowers and a symphony of colour.
Iona had chosen a small, ornate iron table, painted white with a pair of matching chairs in the blue shade of a wisteria vine. She had a fresh pot of tea brought from the kitchens and a plate of sandwiches and biscuits to accompany it. The invitation had been extended to any but Iona had expected Luna primarily.
She had changed her torn and muddy dress for a clean one, this a light blue with lace cuffs.
She sat at the table with a peaceful smile and waited, all the while taking in the secret little heaven that was the London Order gardens.

Thaddeus was not enjoying the gardens. He was just emerging from the medical center where his shoulder had been bandaged with thick white strips of cloth. Thanks to Jason's attention in the field there was little enough work for the medical staff to do. The bullet had only gone in shallowly and was not hard to remove, and already he could feel the familiar itch of an almost healed wound. He refrained from scratching it and instead shrugged on his shirt and buttoned it.
He had actually meant to thank Jason before this and felt a little guilty he hadn't done it. Slowly Thaddeus moved of in the direction of the library, hoping he might stumble across the man there.

BloodThunder27 SirGrey The Gunrunner MrBossMan PeanutLemur Voland

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

It's hard to delude otherwise; Prenkus was quite scared when the beast burst through the door. He was uncertain whether or not the trap would spring in time, and nearly fired a shot then and there for safety's sake. To his pleasant surprise however, the net set off just in time; when the rope pull the net taught, it wraps the beast up like a present. He wasn't done of course, but the damage of the silver was showing its effects reasonably quickly. Quite good too; a little more time and ferocity, and the net may have necessitated being an analogy to the saying 'fish in a barrel.'

He huffs a breath of relief, pushing the hammer forward and sliding the iron into its holster. Carriages of the Order rattle to the docks well in time for the aftermath, drawing Prenkus' attention for just a moment. He grunts, stepping over to his discarded clothing - He slips his arms into his jacket, pulling it over his equipment. Good and comfortable... relatively, anyway. He pats off his tophat, plotting it on his head. It seems the others were on the same page as far as 'wrapping up' was concerned. A chuckle is drawn from him at Luna's comment, though tries to suppress it when Thaddeus enters his vision again.
"We'd best get back and report. Amberdale will likely want to know what happened, and we can question Irwin as soon as he wakes up," states Iona. Prenkus nods in agreement, stepping aboard a vacant carriage to be transported to the Order HQ. He hears a sharp *crack* of the reigns as he sits himself down, and he feels the carriage rock in movement. He reaches into his coat, feeling for his pipe. It's then he shows a small sign of panic, frantically patting around before slapping his palm against the wood - "Gottverdammt!"




The Abbey towers over Prenkus as he steps out of the carriage, tilting back in an attempt to see to the top. He shields his eyes from the sun that peaks over the structure, squinting to the rooftop. The first time he saw it, the awe was quite lost on him. Impressive structures could wow him, but his expectations were higher considering his seeing of the cathedral in Cologne. As he considers whether his disappointment was from himself or a remnant of the state-bred nationalism, his attention is brought to one of the assistants who gesture to follow. Prenkus quickly nods, keeping a quick step with the man. Despite his feelings, Cologne doesn't have the significance to the Order that the Westminister Abbey has. He follows the man into the worn stone structure, to be greeted in the same manner as the rest of his comrades. He sends for a member of staff to buy him a new pipe and grab his equipment from his room, afterwards excusing himself from the others to find reprieve on his own.

The Abbey was fitted with a number of options for rest, whether they be the library or the gardens. However, Prenkus' somewhat specific idea of 'relaxation' needed some personal touches to set up correctly. There was a vacant private room he took as his own in a sort, setting a few makeshift targets and a practice dummy. As he brings his gloved fist back for another strike into the straw-stuffed burlap, there's most certainly a reader in the library frustratedly trying to focus on their book; to their dismay, the private room Prenkus happened to take was the closest to the library. If it isn't the sound of blunt hits against the dummy, then it's wood splintering to throwing axes and knives. One might just decide him inconsiderate, but as his breaks are taken to peak out to the silent readers and chuckle to himself... it's doubtful he's unaware.

Prenkus twirls another axe by the strap, deftly switching his grip to the handle and throwing it forward - The weapon spins in the air, until it bites into the board set on the wall. He rolls his shoulders, sweat soaking the neck and pits of his loose-fitting shirt, and steps back to the dummy. He slips his hand back into the leather gloves, tightening the strings. After some small stretching, turning to either side to liven the back, he raises his fists back into a typical stance. Short exhales sound out almost like broken hissing with each attack, mixing jabs and elbows with usage of the knees and head. He keeps a consistent pace of attack, a half-second between each hit. *Thud,* *thud,* *thud* reverberates against the walls of the private room.

 

[BloodThunder27]

After the trap was sprung, it was over. Their target was captured. But why save him? He's a menace to society! Or maybe Luna was being too harsh with her judgement. Yet she felt it was appropriate. One thing was for sure, she was loyal to her prejudices. But above all, she was loyal to the Order. Perhaps one day they can coexist, Tainted and Humanity. But that was going to be difficult since there is always that group of extremists that will ruin it for the rest of their respective races? Did Luna herself have such extreme beliefs? If so, she had no room to talk. Still, as far as she was concerned, protecting humanity was a priority. When the carriages finally arrived, Luna was quick to board, wanting to get off the London streets. Not to mention her dress was now soaked a little. This one was going to take some time to clean off.

Once they had arrived back at the Headquarters within the London Abbey, the young woman breathed a sigh of relief as she finally got to trade in her dirtied dress for a more comfortable one. She was going to request her bow another time. Rather then wearing her usual purple, she ended up wearing a black dress with sleeves that only went down to her elbows, or a little passed. It had been quite some time since she got to have tea with Iona, which she greatly enjoyed while neither woman was out hunting. After this last mission, some tea time sounded really nice. After washing her face and leaving her Weapons and Armor ready --In case they needed to be ready at a moment's notice--, Luna headed into the Garden. It was elegant, very lovely too. Luna could only dream of having one of her own. Another things he wondered was if any other members of London Order had the chance to come and enjoy the peace that she felt now. After a few minutes of looking around and touching the flowers, Luna eventually found her way to her friend, who was sitting at a table, with tea and snacks all ready for them. Luna smiled and grabbed one of the seats across from her. "Sorry I took so long, I had to make sure my Armor and Weapons were ready in case we get sent out again." She said before taking her seat.

Once Iona poured the first cups of tea, she slowly grabbed her cup before taking a bite out of one of the sandwiches before wiping her mouth. "So how are you doing?" she asked, starting the conversation between the two.
SilverFlight

 

[MrBossMan]

It's been some time since the encounter with Irwin. Jon was told to report to the infirmary to tend to his leg injury with the fight from Irwin. He insisted it was nothing but a bruise and as such he was let go. Now a free man to do as he pleased he decided to finish reading the reports of the string of murders. After that he wandered aimlessly around the Britain Order headquarters. He was told the gardens were a beauty in and of themselves. They seemed the an appropriate place to be by his lonesome.

He made sure to carry his silver longsword with him to the gardens. The American hunter had a habit of cleaning his blade after a fight. So Jonathan Reyes sat at a table alone in the gardens and began sharpening his blade. Running long strokes with a whetstone down the silver. The smell of flowers filled his nostrils and he couldn't help but look at them every so often. He was not one to be awed by pretty flowers but indeed this place did have a beauty to it, simple and peaceful.

He spent his time contemplating his day and the encounter with Irwin. Knowing that if he had been alone with Irwin the wolf would have been slain. He took it as a blessing he was not alone though. Irwin was innocent, his only crime his loss of self control. Jonathan himself has been guilty of that many times and yet he still breathes. Better people than him the tough decisions, Jon is a simple killer.

As he was lost in his thoughts he accidentally cut his thumb. Cursing aloud he sucked the blood from it. That's when he noticed the Scottish woman and the other Order member, Luna her name was. They sat at a table eating and drinking tea, damn Brits and their tea. He made no attempt to join them much preferring his time alone. A part of Jon was itching to get back out there, he hated sitting around. It all felt like a waste of time to him.

In his mind some good people were dead and the predator was still out there.

That ate away at Jon to his core.

 

[SilverFlight]

Iona's lips spread into a welcoming smile as her associate (and something Iona would like to call a friend) sat down in the chair opposite her.
"Yes, I intend to be much better prepared when we go out again as soon as we get the information out of the wolf in the infirmary."
She took the little porcelain creamer and added a bit of milk to her tea, stirring it absently.
"Thaddeus is back." It was the reply to how she was doing, and the emotion in her voice told Luna that she wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that.
"He's been away for so long I'd almost forgotten his face...now he's back and they've invited him to apply for the order. I thought I'd be happy to seem him again...but I'm not sure it's the same man as went away ten years before."
She looked at her friend as if wanting to be told what to think or do.
"At any rate, he seems more in control now." It wasn't exactly the truth. The truth was she was afraid when she saw him, afraid that they would repeat the night in the woods, only Thaddeus would be the crazed beast and Iona would have to be the hunter that put him down. She shook the thought from her mind. Best not dwell on it.
"But I don't want to talk about any of that. Not right now, in this lovely garden. They get the faeries to help with the flowers you know. How are you? I've been reading some of the reports coming out of the mainland but not many."

Iona noticed Jon sit down at a table apart from theirs. With his dark garb he looked as out of place in the lush garden as a crow in a royal aviary. She watched him trace the edge of the blade with the stone, expert and careful motions and smiled as even he took the time to admire the flowers.
Then his hand slipped and a bead of red blood bloomed on his finger.
Iona clicked her tongue in annoyed admonishment and rose.
"Don't play with knives if you kannae keep them out of your skin, daft sausage." The reproach was not unkind, almost playful, a light scolding as the woman who'd uttered it drew a small handkerchief from a pocket.
She held out her hand, gesturing that he offer his injured finger so she could bind it.
"Go in after a werewolf alone and don't get a scratch but ye draw blood sharpening your sword. Its a strange sort of luck you have."
She paused for a moment and then added, "Will you come sit with us then?" It was half request and half instruction, Iona did not strike one as the type to take refusals well.

BloodThunder27 MrBossMan

~~~

The sounds of weapon on wood drew Thaddeus from his course to the library. He stepped very lightly so as not to disturb the occupant of the room. One of the best things he had learned since becoming a werewolf was how to lighten his tread, the trade skill of a hunter.
He saw Prenkus, back turned lobbing axes with unsettling accuracy at a set of targets at the back of the room. The man intrigued Thaddeus, he did not strike him as the sort of man that was comfortable in the stifling clamour and confines of the smoggy, sooty sprawl that was London.
Thaddeus picked up a small throwing axe embedded in a block of wood not far from the door. He took aim and threw it, past Prenkus' head (giving it a very wide berth) to lodge wide of the bulls eye on the left-hand side. Prenkus if he hadn't know Thaddeus was there before, he did now.
"You don't like me." It was a statement, not a question. "Is it only because I'm a werewolf?" Thaddeus couldn't think of many more reasons, the two barely knew each other, but he wanted at least to dispel the assumptions of a closed-minded city-dweller, else publicly establish the dislike of his tainted form with the other man.

The Gunrunner

 

[PeanutLemur]

Norelle Haugen
London, England​

Old habits, Norelle mused, were the most difficult to break. The room beyond the chapel's doorway - a simple space marked by wood and stone and glass - called to her, its silence embroidered by whispers of the past and wordless promises of events to come. There were oak pews lining the floor, an aisle of stone bisecting them in half, and a small altar set beneath a color-stained window. It was humble, quaint - a holy space dedicated to practice rather than the guise of religion. Years ago, when her faith was assured and her future guided, the woman would have been seated within. Today, however, her feet froze at the door.

Perhaps, with time, she'd garner the courage to venture farther. The possibility was bleak, for forgiveness of self was not forthcoming in Norelle's nature, but there was something about hope that had a way of transforming even the most dismal of situations. It was one of the few things the brunette refused to give up - Lord knew she had no intent of beginning now.

Fingers tracing the worn beads of her rosary, Norelle released a pent-up sigh. Standing around like she was was accomplishing a grand total of nothing. She'd arrived at The Order's London headquarters a few short hours earlier, and the most she'd managed to do was psyche herself out before the chapel. It was unacceptable. She was made of better stuff than this; her demons could wait.

Mind made, the woman forced her feet to turn away from the door. She'd make for the library, maybe skim over a book or two, and pray that the heavy weight pressing against her shoulders vanished as the day wore on.

 

[The Gunrunner]

Prenkus Lohmeyer

(Collaborative post between me and SilverFlight)
Prenkus runs the back of his wrist under his nose, sniffing once. He feels to his waist, wrapping his fingers around the wooden shaft of another axe. As he pulls it from the hoop-sheath, one of the throwing weapons spins a short distance from his head - It smacks into the wood, off from the bullseye. He chuckles, loudly, taking a moment in his amusement before he remembers he wasn't the one who threw it. His expression slowly turns stiff on seeing it was Thaddeus. "You don't like me. Is it only because I'm a werewolf?" So it's that. Prenkus grunts in response, turning and stepping over to the targets - He grips one of the axes, a few twists up and down done to weaken the hold and wrench the blade free. He slides it into one of the hoops, then grabs Thaddeus' throw. "You're off. You should work on your throw." With the sound of splintering it comes free, and he sheathes that as well. Behind him, Thaddeus smiled - "I haven't thrown an axe in a long time, being what I am I have... more effective weapons now." Prenkus steps back to the punching dummy, responding to the question as he ties the leather gloves back to his hands: "It's because you're a specific type of tainted, Thaddeus. They all make me uncomfortable, for different reasons, but my reasoning for feeling the way I do about your kind specifically is... not the same." He rolls his shoulders, putting his fists up and beginning the hits - "Are you sure you want me to answer? Shouldn't you be afraid of the possibility I'm right to feel this way?"

Thaddeus removes his jacket and vest to roll up his sleeves and hold the dummy steady, allowing Prenkus more solid punches. There was some silence as the wolf's mental gears turned, but the Prussian ignored it as he waits for the answer. "You are right to feel the any way you do," he finally says, "Or, let's say you have a right. I want you to answer." The last sentence was said simply, with an aftertaste of silence to be prompt. Internally, Prenkus tried to relax himself - They always said that, but how they'd actually take the answer could be less 'understanding.' At least, that was how Prenkus saw it. "They're dangerous," he responds bluntly, sending his hits into the dummy. He spares no strength in the hits - Though not in a manner of hostility. He speaks between breaths, though as the exercise continues his breathing becomes heavier and more ragged. "Tainted make me uncomfortable. Faeries, because we learn to fear them in the wilds. Demons, because of their malevolence. But the cursed? Werewolves spend their whole lives resisting the beast inside, and I do not need to explain what happens if they lose control - We saw that today. The strongest will of a werewolf is shown in their ability to /not go rabid./ Hell, you were presented like some kind of impressive example - Nine years without incident, wasn't it? I've lasted fifty-three years without incident, because there's no 'incident' that can occur. I don't lose control of myself anywhere near how a wolf does, because I'm a human. I don't turn into something that can turn a city block or a town into a butcher's shop, and I don't lose so much of my mind that I can not stop myself." His tone grew gradually more vitriolic as he went on, though to who or what in particular wasn't clear; there was no point that he broke stride to look to Thaddeus, even to glare, despite the anger.

He takes a few moments of silence, focusing on his form as some way to calm himself down. "You can not believe 'empathy for empathy's sake' when you've seen how far that can go."
"I suppose you can't," Thaddeus says softly, "not with every case." He holds the dummy solidly while Prenkus punches. "Do you know what the worst cases are?" He asks at length, not waiting more than two seconds for the answer; the question had been rhetorical. "Children. No self control, no hope of it. You can't expect a boy of ten not to get upset when some other child punches him, or kicks dirt in his face. Can you really say you've done a good thing when he's lying dead at your feet all because of an accident he couldn't control, and power he never wanted?" Thaddeus pauses for a small moment, something that told Prenkus that the experience had perhaps been more personal than his tone had admitted. "We're dangerous, oh yes, but is it fair to hate us? We unlike others never asked for the taint, but we bear it, some better than others." Prenkus suppresses a sneer - He hated moral talks. "Good? Come on, Thaddeus. I used to be a soldier - There isn't a 'good' when your occupation is blades and powder..." he stops for a moment, leaning against the dummy as he pants. "Not for long... Don't ask that type of question around me." He grunts, shaking his head to clear away the thoughts and resuming - "And I don't know if I said I hate you or your kind. Maybe there isn't the right word for how I feel, but I know I don't like you. I also know this world would be safer without them." He finally stops, holding his side of the bag. He merely leans against it, looking over to Thaddeus - "It doesn't matter if I hate them or not - That's not the point. It doesn't matter if you like or hate Irwin, because /that's/ not the point. What should be done about them - That's what matters. I'm too old to listen to more..." he babbles faintly for a few minutes, looking around the room in an attempt to find the right words "rabbling barn's shit-pile about what was right, or wrong, or grey, or better, or worse. If it works and keeps people safe, then so be it. Being uncomfortable keeps me safe from something dangerous - Thus, so be it." The tone suggested the well-known stubborness of the Lohmeyers, or it would have if there was still a Lohmeyer family - It was final, blunt, and absolutely certain.

Thaddeus merely smiles, ruefully. He wasn't going to win any ground in Prenkus' mind today. As he listens, suddenly the man seems a lot more weathered than originally thought. "This world would be safer without a great many things." Thaddeus says, walking to the target and yanking an axe from the wood to replace it where he had found the first. "I suppose all I mean to say is that the wolves count among the people we are interested in saving. They aren't different, not really, and I don't believe they deserve less." Thaddeus pauses a moment and then adds, "are you hungry? I haven't had anything since breakfast." Prenkus watches Thaddeus, but he keeps his expression stiff - It hid how he felt regarding what the wolf would say, for whatever reason he had for doing so. He pushes himself back from the dummy, stepping over to the table where some of the throwing weapons are placed. By one of the legs lays a few bags, one of which he crouches beside and begins rummaging inside of. "I am not hungry, no - You would be best to leave me now and find something for yourself. I think Iona is having tea in the gardens." Thaddeus sighs behind him. "Very well," he says in a patient tone. "Good afternoon Mr Lohmeyer," and with that he took his jacket and left the man alone.

The wolf was clearly used to such treatment, and - though Thaddeus wouldn't see it - it causes Prenkus to pause. "Good afternoon, Mr. Grey." He looks over his shoulder after a few moments, realizing the man has gone. From the bag he retrieves a pipe, stuffing it with tobacco as he steps over to close the door to the room. His exercise was over - He was in no mood to continue... He leans against the table, lighting the pipe in his hand. A phantom thought, some pull of subconscious memory brings the hand to then feel a specific spot over the right breast - Against the fabric. There, where his iron cross used to be. A sigh of smoke escapes his lungs and clouds his features, the encounter having brought back memories he'd far more prefer never surfaced again.