If only the herd knew

**Chris Laurent** · Jul 19th, 2018 03:41 PM

To say that Chris doesn't have a job isn't wrong but its not technical correct. He gets paid through his family's company. Not that his company technically employs Chris. No its more like...go away money.

It's that go away money that sees Chris leave a suit shop after being fitted for a new suit. His last one is somewhere along a highway covered in blood and ripped to shreds. Can't exactly meet and greet some banker in that can you? Nope, so Chris bought a new suit with his go away money to keep getting the go away money.

Hopefully this doesn't turn into a Thing. ..It probably will though. Family is like that sometimes.

Jul 19th, 2018 09:04 PM

Felix had spent most of the day driving. His ownership in the contractor firm back 'home' gave him that freedom, even if it meant he got a little stir crazy sometimes. He had spent much of the day peeking at a few job sites here and there, but decided against offering his services.

Why would he? All of his needs are met, more or less, but he could go for a beer... Hence, his arrival, rumbling down the street in an old 1983 Chevy C20 Deluxe pickup, it's cream white paint dull with age and it's white grill guard a patchwork of peels and light rust. He pulled in just down the street, near a little hole-in-the-wall of a bar.

Getting out, the man seemed to fit the truck's purpose. Felix dressed in a manner that reflected his old profession. An old work jacket sat over an aged t-shirt, with a pair of old carpenter work pants and steel-toed boots completing the look.

Running a hand through his thinning hair, Felix stretched a moment before glancing around the street and back at his small toolbox in the in the bed of the truck. "You aren't in Simms anymore, dipshit." he thought.

THe wiry man then grabbed the toolbox, placing it under the passenger seat as well as he could. For the moment, he did not notice the well-dressed man down the road. If he'd been more vigilant, the man's scent on his nose might have alerted him, but for the moment Felix was in his own world, securing the tools of a life he no longer had.

**Chris Laurent** · Jul 20th, 2018 08:14 PM

An eyebrow raises as an old as hell truck rolls down the street. It's not covered in rust though so someone has been paying attention to it or is stupidly lucky. Without thinking Chris makes sure his sleeves are properly buttoned. Dress slacks, a button down, and good shoes. Today is not a day to scuff up the new digs.

Continuing down the sidewalk Chris sees the small bar as well. It is not the bar that stops Chris though, there are some microbrews that are calling the Irraka's name. No it's the smell. The Talon stops a good six feet from the older man and the white truck.

"Welcome to town or are you a local?" A weary grin spreads across Chris's face. Maybe Viola isn't a bad one to have around for new people.

Jul 20th, 2018 11:32 PM

Finally the man's smell announces his presence to Felix, slipping into Felix's nose as he approaches. Indeed, there is a visible pause in the old Hunter's movements as he slowly moves his gaze to meet that of the younger man-wolf. He doesn't return the greeting at first, looking over the well-dressed man who was now just outside of striking distance. Felix hadn't come to Sacramento to fight, of course, but he knew his kind's territorial nature. He straightened himself. Regardless of the man's intentions, Felix felt he needed to show he would not wilt.

"Local? Hell no." Felix finally said before breaking his gaze with the man to glance down the street. He saw a few of the Herd mulling around, but none appeared to be paying too much attention to the pair. This new Uratha seemed to be alone. For now. Felix returned his attention to the man before him, his gaze one of mindful wariness. "But let's say I'm hopeful this place can become home."

**Hector** · Jul 21st, 2018 05:57 PM

There is a noise from a nearby alley framed by shops: a growl and a bang and a clatter of wood. Its an ugly, ominous noise. Not helped as a large rat explodes from the alley and skitters away. The noisome scene only underlies the dark and hidden aspect of the alley - a place thick with refuse and remains. It does not bode well for the shop owners.

Especially when a homeless man dressed in a ragged Hawaiian shirt and stained shorts, voluminous, that limply dangle below his scabbed knees. The man himself is feral and wild eyed, like the Feral Kid of Mad Max fame grown to solid man. His mouth is agape; his tongue lolls; his eyes are wide and inhuman in their feverish intensity. He holds a broken piece of wood aloft like a club.

Snarling, he looks left and right with jerky movements while he looks for his prey.

The spectacle is enough to make the herd who are perilously present, jump. A plump woman, who was perhaps getting too close to Chris and Felix, drops her shopping bag in surprise. Horror and contempt play out on her face as she scrabbles for her purchases. She leaves a cabbage in her wake as she makes a dash for her car.

Hector doesn't care. Hector doesn't see it. Hector is busy scratching his head and wondering where the rat went. Then he is looking in abject surprise at the club in his hand.

The herd don't stand around to see the apparently mad man calm down with a few quick breathes. Nor do they see the flash of recognition as his gaze drops onto Chris.

**Chris Laurent** · Jul 23rd, 2018 11:28 AM

A grin cracks Chris's face as the old wolf swears. Eyes roam over the old wolf, scarcely looking to the herd that flow down the street. The Herd Must Not Know and if that means visiting some people late at night well Chris already had to get over the ugly of that. That had been one hell of an introduction. Also how fucking cold some Uratha can be.

"Always good to have a new home right?" The question is asked and Chris outwardly relaxes. Just two guys having a conversation on the sidewalk. Though the old wolf can surely tell that the younger isn't really relaxed. Then Hector makes his entrance...exit? from an alleyway. With a piece of wood...

"Maybe we should find somewhere.. quieter to keep talking?" A deep nod to his hopefully less zealous Alpha and then towards the dive bar. Can probably bribe a table there if need be.

Jul 23rd, 2018 05:02 PM

A smirk actually alighted Felix's lips as Chris began to comment about 'home', seemingly referencing Felix's own indication of new beginnings, but his eyes remained in a state of wariness and caution. These were the eyes of a hunter, after all. There was anticipation, but not much warmth for the moment, that was something Felix shared with those who knew him.

Felix nearly responded in kind to the young wolf when Hector entered the scene in a clamor of noise and violence. Felix watched the woman drop her bags on the pavement, later bearing witness to many of the Herd changing their routes to avoid the wildman's path... and offering Chris and him privacy as a result. Nonetheless, Hector's arrival caused a small sign of unease to crack into Felix's cold stoicism. The man smelled of sweat and detritus, but, as with Chris, the wind carried the heavy scent of the People with it.

Without a word, Felix positioned his back to his truck, allowing himself to view both of the local Uratha from his front. He secretly regretted not having his bowie knife on his hip, eye the half concealed sheath beneath the driver's seat. However, Felix was not actively seeking a fight and it was clear his motions were one of a cautious defense. Or at least he hope it was clear enough.

Chris' suggestion for the trio to enter the bar earned a grunt of acknowledgement from the balding wolf. He could not be a stranger in Sacramento forever and starting off on the right foot was certainly preferable to getting his ass handed to him by two of his kin before getting the boot and forced to hit the road. Again.

Felix was done roaming.

"Talking is preferable... you got my attention." Felix's words were more relaxed. He was all too aware of how cold he could come off as and wanted to show he could be reasoned with. With his own agreement on the arrangement voiced, he looked to Hector to see his response. However, for Felix the bar offered more than just a private setting to discuss the issues of the People with these two Uratha. Frankly, Felix wanted a beer.

**Hector** · Jul 25th, 2018 05:00 AM

Hector hurries over, discarding the wood and dry washing his hands.

"Hey... Chris! Good to see you! I was just trying to catch me some lunch."

He paused as Felix put himself into a more defensive position. First confusion flushed his face. Then, as a familiar scent teased him, Hector's countenance shifted to something more knowing; his easy smile faded into a serious line.

"And who is this? Sure. Bar. I don't mind a little parlay. If you are up for it."

The last was addressed squarely at Felix.

Hector smiled again - this time it had a little too much teeth to be easy going. "I'm Hector, a friend of Red Wolf. You may have heard of him? Shall we go? I can shout you a beer or something if that helps." He didn't bother to hide his name and spoke with the easy authority of an Alpha.

He didn't acknowledge the carnage his entrance had caused one bit.

**Chris Laurent** · Jul 25th, 2018 08:27 PM

"Hopefully another of the People has come to town." Chris responds to Hector with a small smile and a shrug. Surely no Pure would just gallivant into town..though where are those pricks. Shoulders roll back and fall down to relax as the Irraka looks back to the new guy. "Talking avoids messes. Especially out here." Though the rolling mass of emotion from Hector's entrance will surely attract some attention.

"Let's head into the bar then?" Only a question because the Alpha is here. With time its becoming more natural to go with the flow. Unless stopped Chris leads the way over to the bar. Slipping the barkeep a fifty to hopefully let Hector's appearance slide. After that Chris waits and lets Hector decide where to sit. All about limits.

Jul 25th, 2018 11:49 PM

Felix watched as the wildman's smile faded to a more serious line. Though Felix had no knowledge of Hector's status as alpha, the way the wild wolf portrayed himself painted him as a figure of at least some authority. After all, Chris seemed to defer to Hector even during this brief exchange, checking in with him to ensure the decision to go to the bar was a good one.

Though his face remained relatively stony, Felix's body visibly relaxed as Chris introduced him as one of the People and Hector mentioned the Red Wolf. He had heard the name and knew enough to know that such a Firstborn was not among those that gave patronage to the Pure. If that was the case, these men were Urdaga like him and, therefore, friends. For now. These things can be fickle and sour easily. Still. Hector had asked him a question hadn't he? Frankly, as the much of the Herd was removed from ear shot, so Felix didn't think sharing the knowledge was too dangerous. Nonetheless, it pays to be cautious and, as Felix spoke, his voice was scarcely above a whisper.

"I know the name, Hector, but my teacher is Black Wolf."

With that Felix turned his attention to Chris as he began to depart. In a show of trust, or perhaps respect for these Uratha and their tolerance of him as an outsider, Felix dropped much of his defensive posture. He casually slipped his hands into his jacket pockets and walked behind Chris. If they wanted to chat, Felix felt he owed it to them. Uratha were seldom known for their charity and, with the groups he used to roll with, Felix was simply happy that the pair hadn't chosen to resort to more violent methods to ensure he wasn't a member of their dear 'cousins' tribes.

Unless stopped, Felix will follow behind Chris to the bar and, upon noting Chris' repeated deference to Hector, he'd patiently wait for Hector to choose their table for parlay.

If only the herd knew

Similar Threads

Glimpse (Feeding on the Herd)

If only he knew....