Lines in the Sand

[Matthew Kelly]

Matt followed Alison towards the food table and stacked up a plate with some wings before moving towards the bar. Part of him thought he was back in Ithaca, a night out with the frat brothers or the debaters or some random friends, something out of a dream. Beer and wings and the good friends. Except, well besides Alison he didn't know if she could call anyone here truly a friend, maybe comrades in arms, maybe potential friends, but in the end they were mostly strangers. It was unfair and he knew, a generous part of his soul reminded him that he didn't really mean that and it was the truth. For some reason everyone felt like a stranger to Matt these days.

He munches on the wings, accepts a beer with a warm thanks to Sally, who he considered among the potential friends, and smiled a few times in greeting to the others. But the smile is not the same one worn by the carefree young Elodoth when he first arrived in town.

[Firebringer]

And even before she's finished speaking another figure slips through the door before it can close. Female, Romani of descent, and completely unremarkable in appearance. She doesn't spare the room a second glance, as if she already knows everything of importance about it. Despite that, the smile she gave the Shadow Seeker's alpha was warm and genuine. "Matthew, it's been too long."

The woman's presence doesn't register at all with Matthew until she addresses him. Then he glances toward her with a start, memories flicking through his mind. A white wolf greeting him on a rooftop. A challange, knife and short sword tearing through his flesh. Months spent fighting, those same blades finding their mark in the common enemy.

He nods briefly. "It has, Julia. The Anshega haven't given you too much trouble, I hope?"

[Lesingnon]

Chantay

Chantay's eyes light up slightly at the mention of a drink. Not that she was an alcoholic by any means...but it had been a long day. "Ooh...I could use one. But something with a bit more kick than wine, I think," not that it really made much of a difference given the Uratha metabolism, "Gin Martini?"

Her head turns slightly from her position at the bar, as she hears the doors swing open and closed behind her, noting the miniature torrent of wolves entering so soon after she did. And another smile is spared for her packmates.

Though she wished that Starflower had showered before showing up.

Julia

"No more than usual, maybe even less. At least the magath seem to be good for keeping them occupied too." At the mention of Tony she gives Sally an apologetic smile, "He's not coming," though it's not quite as though she sounds like she's sorry about it, "He sent me to speak for the Justicars." Her eyes settle on a wine of Mediterranean vintage behind the bar, which she indicates with a subtle motion of her hand. "Could I get a glass of that, Dear?"

[MethodofDestruction]

"Atleast i dont smell like the herd. Bullshit chemicals they rub through their hair, worried that someone might think somethings wrong with 'em" he says to Digger. Who has time for bathing? A deer can smell that shampoo coming a mile away, and the Anshega...they can smell anything i can. Best to not give them more to work with. He looks to both the alcohol and the food, and decides against both. He didnt catch this food, didnt know where it came from, and didnt see the life drain from the animals eyes as he hunted it. Perhaps Ill get a drink after that blunt wears off. "Slick or 'Seeker tell you whats going on?"

[Forn Clakes]

As the diner begins to get busier, Vinny keeps the smile on his face apparent and moves aside, letting the wolves grow accustomed to each other.

The moment Sally gets a free minute, Vinny slides up beside her, iPhone in hand. "I'm sorry Gwen isn't here yet, she knows all about tonight, I'll send her a text. In the meanwhile, could I get a Bud Light please, when you're not too swamped?"

[Christian Linch]

Starseeker was running just the tiniest bit late, but only because he had taken the time to shower and shave and fit himself into a suit (which, if he had to shift tonight, would make him unbelievably pissed fr the evening because it was a) un-dedicated, and b) new) so he would look nice in front of all the packs. Also, he took the long route so he could get a good look at the territory in case the ACB ever went up against the Seekers for some reason (not that he expected that to happen any time soon).

He came into the restaurant just in time to hear Sally ask if Chantay was representing the pack. "Hey, I'm here, I'm here. I couldn't find my nice shoes..." His nose sniffs, and he slowly turns his head to look at his Omega. The look he gives the kid says very clearly without words "Did you think it was appropriate to show up at a serious meeting of a bunch of People with hair trigger tempers with super smelling powers smelling like that?"

Thankfully, he was prepared. He held out his car keys to him while speaking. "Starflower, there's some clean clothing in the back of my car and some body spray. Go use them."

Oh Luna. He sounded like Bull Rush.

[MethodofDestruction]

Fuck. Whyd he use my real name. Shit shit shit. he starts thinking quickly, standing up off his barstool. Feeling even more, now, the weight of not only Diggers glare, but of Sally's and his own Alpha, the boss dog, he couldnt stop the submission. Might as well make him look good while im at it. He stands straight, and gives a crisp nod to Starseeker. "Yes, boss, sorry, boss. Be back in a minute, boss." he says, taking the keys and making quickly outside the restaurant.

The clean clothes weren't anything interesting, some clean denim jeans and a black polo shirt, but they didnt smell like shit, so that was a plus. Starflower used an old rag he kept in the back pocket of his dedicated clothes to wipe down his face, hands, and pits, before looking at the body spray. Fucking chemicals. That shit is 20% water, 20% alcohol, and who fucking knows what else. flows through his head. I smell fine, now. Better than i did. He shuts the door and turns back to the restaurant, changing clothes in public, in record time, like he was starting to get used to since his Change. Two minutes after going outside, he comes back in, looking completely different (read: not covered in grime and oil stains) and mildly less potent.

[Matt]

Brent orders a large glass of water from Sally before heading over to Matt.

"Hey. Thanks for the christimas present. Sorry I had to get you to collect it. I had no idea of where to send it."