Santiago
Sat 01:44AM EST
BLAM.
Gunshot. 4 blocks away from Cuckoo's nest. Southwest. Boardwalk tourists start. Look around nervously. People pull out cellphones. Call the cops. Sirens in the distance.
(silence.)
A few minutes later, a man walks out of an alley, one block from Cuckoo's nest. North. He must have buttoned his shirt wrong because he's redoing it, clean, worn white cotton closing over swarthy skin. He walks without hurry. Seemingly without particular care for his surroundings. He stops under a streetlight and fishes in his pockets, not for cigarettes but for a pack of gum. A police cruiser whips by, lights flashing, and he looks up with the curiosity of any passerby, watching it pass.
Blister
Sat 01:45AM EST
There’s a mock growl and that swing is underhanded instead of normal. Didn’t knee him in the forehead, but slapped the back of his head instead. Even if there’s laughter behind it. So, out of the warehouse, arms sliding into oversized shapeless coat, baseball cap grabbed and set atop spiky mullet to help ward off the rain. Low slung thuggish walk, hands tucked into pockets, and they head toward the boardwalk and food..
Burgerwrapper
Sat 01:53AM EST
He hears the gunshot as they exit the nest. Frowns and pauses his head tilts and he chitters. Nods Chitters.
"Garou... came out of the umbra... questioned some guy... Then shot the fucker.... That way"
He points.
"Son of a bitch...."
Blister
Sat 01:56AM EST
There’s a snap of head upwards at the gunshot, waiting until Burger does his thing, before nodding, and steps head that way automatically. “In the nest?” The jokes, and even heartfelt confessions gone – tucked away. All business now.
Burgerwrapper
Sat 01:59AM EST
He nods "Yeah.. fuckers heading this way. The glass spirts I set up are keeping an..... well they don't have eyes buyt you get the drift. Come on. "
The Baron
Sat 02:01AM EST
~The tall black man heads down the street in Cuckoo's part of the boardwalk. He moves with a stride that says he doesn't care, or don't fuck with him. Its hard to tell. He stands at 6'0", and if you could guess his age, it seems to be well over 30, but he looks like a street denizen, so its hard to tell. He has a lithe frame, if you could tell that from his clothes. He wears an old button up shirt, some jeans that look ready to stand on their own. His shoes are well worn, and his jacket is a bright yellow, with a faded "Hertz" Logo on the back. He pauses in the rain as he hears the hub bub and commotion of the police, gun shots~ Shit, fuckers act as if they never heard a gun before......~He bends down to find one of his many packs of cigarettes on his body and pulls one out, lighting it, regardless of the rain. His hair is matted, and looks as if it defiantly hasn't been washed in some time. Not exactly homeless looking, but not on the up and up either, thats for sure~ MOTHER FUCKERS.......~He screams at no one in particular, as he moves into the borders of the packs territory~
Blister
Sat 02:03AM EST
There’s a nod, fingers patting down pockets, finding pack and lighter, as direction adjusts toward where Burger’s spirits tell them the man is headed for an intercept course. “I’m comin, I’m coming. Now – he mighta had a reason, let’s not castrate him right off.” Smirked, even as shoulders roll, body reacting toward the sudden shot of adrenalin. Long strides eat the ground, though for all the world, the Ahroun looks to be relaxed, comfortable, at ease.
Santiago
Sat 02:05AM EST
Another distant siren. Another police cruiser screaming past, lights and sound, sound and fury. Santiago pops a stick of gum in his mouth and begins to walk - toward Burger and Blister, for those keeping track. His gait is slow and easy, smooth and fluid. It's raining tonight, but not hard, and he is not the only one without an umbrella.
A family of four cuts across his path, the giggling children dashing for a cotton candy vendor. He stops completely, easily, and without stumbling. Lets them pass, chuckling, a lean hand coming out to tousle the hair of one of the tykes before nodding cordially to the parents. They move past; Santiago continues his way.
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:06AM EST
He mutters "FUcker's in the way of me gettin' my grub on. Don't make me all keen and fluffy round the edges ya know?" He walks and keeps an eye out.
Hishead tilted to the side as the spirits give sit reps to McGyver and MdGyver gives them to him. Nodding after a bit
"That's 'm"
The Baron
Sat 02:08AM EST
~The Baron looks around as he is walking, as if he knows what he is looking for. Perhaps he does, perhaps he doesn't. He gets sight of Burgerwrapper, Blister, and Santiago meeting, and leans up against a building, across the street from them. He watches them with intent, muttering under his breath as he takes another drag of his smoke~
Blister
Sat 02:12AM EST
“Like ya ain’t been snackin all day.” Smirked, as half a step puts the lean form a bit ahead of burger. Sometimes, the Ahroun takes the lead. This seems to be one of those times – maybe Blister drew the short straw tonight, and Burger will take the lead tomorrow. No matter.
The mullet-headed Gnawer doesn’t hesitate as they draw closer to Santiago. A nod for McGyver’s information, and then there’s a flicker of recognition, and flutter of feathers. ~ seen him around a while back – but not in the Nest.~
There ain’t nuthin that could be called fine about the Gnawer. Nothing gender defining either. And the metis mutant seems perfectly comfortable with that. A stop in front of Santiago, and dryly muttered “evening.”
Santiago
Sat 02:15AM EST
A screen of people, colorful, noisy, cheerful. When they pass Santiago's black eyes are already locked on Burger and Blister like he knew they'd be there, knew they were coming to see him. As Blister slows to a stop, so does he.
Roman-cut black hair, cropped short, brushed forward close to the skull. A neat goatee. Lean and hard of face and body, his eyes are black beneath thick straight brows, and they do not seem to reflect the slight smile of greeting parting his beard. He nods to the apparent higher-ranking one. "Evening."
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:18AM EST
He keeps walking and then stops. Having fanned out a bit to Blisters left he hooks his fingers in his pants. Pulls them up then thrusts out a bony hip all strikin' a pose like and gives Santa the once over. Burger is in jump boots, Baggy cargo pants, a teeshirt that reads "MARY WAS A WHORE" under the urban cammo surplss jacket. On his forhead are a pair of WWII flight goggles. Hair is darkblue and mussed.
Blister
Sat 02:22AM EST
Like he knew they’d be comin. Course, that ain’t too hard a deal as the territory is clearly marked – enough a blind fuckin Garou would know they’d come runnin should shit go down. Or even when it ain’t goin done, just to make their presence known. They’re the friendly type, after all.
Hand shoves into pocket of jeans, the other occupied with keeping a steady inhalation of poison into lungs that’ll never show the effects of such abuse. Shapeless army jacket hides the rest of equally shapeless form as eyes lazily look over Santiago. “Busy night out there, it’d seem. I’m sure ya already know that, however. Also know where ya are, hm?”
Santiago
Sat 02:25AM EST
People passing behind. To either side. Sometimes between. Santiago steps aside for each, weaving between the flux without ever looking away from the Garou before him, nor where he steps.
A small nod. "And who you must be." A tilt of his head toward the Baron, though his eyes don't slant that way. "He's watching us. Should he be? Let's speak somewhere else."
Eyes like a nighthawk.
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:31AM EST
He grunts looking over to the Baron. Looked kinda like their sort of people and he looks back to Sata and nods his head to an alley. Seems the guy liked them after all
"After you Bubbaluga."
Blister
Sat 02:33AM EST
Eyes slide toward the Baron, and narrow slightly. A jerk of chin toward him for Burger. Flutter of feathers follows. ~Watch him – I’ll take him into the alley – stayin close., just going a bit down… Keep the line open.~ out loud, there’s only a.. “Maybe he should, maybe he shouldn’t. And walk with me.” A gesture toward the alley, where the clouds don’t hang.This time a night, no one wants to head to the poorly lighted areas, and they’re headed for dinner, gambling, and hotels to get some rest before doing the same tomorrow. A pause until Santiago takes that first step, and the Ahroun falls into step with him.
Santiago
Sat 02:35AM EST
"Santiago," says the lean stranger - a name, one supposes - and then he turns and heads for the alley.
Inside, he leans back against the wall, spits his gum out discreetly into the palm of his hand, and sticks it to the wall. A last glance toward the Baron. Then he looks at the freak of an Ahroun, waiting to see what she(he?) wanted of him.
Blister
Sat 02:39AM EST
“Blister.” A name for a name, though the lean freak doesn’t take position against a wall, rather stands ground in the middle of the alley relaxed slouch of thuggish style. He waits. The Gnawer waits. Before finally. “Just Santiago, or you go better manners then that since we’re outa earshot of the others.”
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:40AM EST
He walks to the opening of the alley and leans aginst the wall watcing across the street. Patting down his pockets he comes out with a box. There is a delighted sound that escapes him. A pair of SLIDERS!! WOOT!
Popping the box open he pulls the first one out and munches.
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:41AM EST
Seeing the dude meander back out of thier territory he ducks into the alley and tosses Blister the other slider. Always about the pack.
Santiago
Sat 02:43AM EST
The beard parts for his smile, and then the smile becomes a grin. Santiago laughs, revealing straight white teeth. His black eyes dance - or rather, they glint. Gleam like coins. But surely that's a trick of the dim light.
"Santiago Eyes-Like-Flint, Blister. Cliath Forseti of Great Fenris. And you?"
Blister
Sat 02:47AM EST
Burger ducks back in, and hand slides from pocket to catch the tossed slider, vivid gaze watching Santiago with a slight smirk. A bite taken, chewed, swallowed, before there’s an answer, however, and then. “Blister, Cliath Arhoun Gnawer of the Cuckoo’s Clutch.” A nod to Burger to add his introduction as well – even as he continues to keep half an eye on the mouth of the alley. “And yur in the Cuckoo’s Nest. And we’re told you’ve got something to do with the cops flocking down south a ways… we don’t want no shit going down in our Nest… I’m sure you understand.”
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:49AM EST
"Burgerwrapper, Clith BoneGnawer, Theurge of Cuckoos Clutch, Card totin' member of The Swarm Baby." He nods and blows santa a kiss.
Santiago
Sat 02:52AM EST
Incline of chin. Even leaning against the wall he somehow holds himself straight, head high, proud as an eagle. "Understandable. But there was already shit in your nest." Break away - nod to Burgerwrapper without a falter in speech. "I got rid of him for you."
Blister
Sat 02:55AM EST
There’s a slow smirk, and lift of pierced brow, as the rest of the slider is eaten, before fingers are wiped on denim, hand returns to pocket. “Really. Do tell. Course, bein as the shot was just south of the Nest, yet you took refuge in it after, you can see why I’m concerned. We like t’take out our own trash, after all, and seems ya took away some of our fun. How bout some details.”
Burgerwrapper
Sat 02:58AM EST
He grunts and finishes off what he conciders, and would fight dules over, one of the best foods on the planet. Let the Fangies keep their wine and SCONES, Give him a bag of sliders and some grape soda and he's a pup in heaven. At the moment he's eyeing Santigo. If nothing else he knew the guy was garou and few would claim to be Get that wern't I mean. fuck. If I was going to lie I'd pick something with half a brain and a bigger dick.
He watches, as he watches Blisters back. he's graceful for a lanky smuck and his movments seem almost timed to Blisters. Concert. Synergy man.
PACK
Santiago
Sat 03:02AM EST
"The prey was mine," simply, crisply. "I have been watching him for a long time, since before he hid in your land. And now he is dead." He reaches into his pockets and deftly removes a neatly-folded square of newsprint. Holds it out to Blister.
Yaddayaddayadda...rape/homicide...yaddablah...plea bargain, manslaughter, 5 years, chance of parole in 2.
"That man was guilty," Santiago informs Blister as s/he reads. "Gaia's own truth tells me so. He deserved more than what the human courts gave him." A shrug of lean shoulders. "He received his just dues."
Blister
Sat 03:09AM EST
Pierced brow lifts a bit farther, and the paper taken and read. Not exactly quickly, or completely, but enough to get the general gist of the crimes committed. The word Rape gets a tightening around thick lips, but that’s the only reaction, before passing the newsprint on to Burger without looking – just knowing where he is. Pack, baybee. There’s a nod, then, and a slight smirk. “So it would seem. Well then.” A pause as final drag is taken, and butt falls to wet alley floor, fitzing out, and stomped on for good measure. Second hand tucks into pocket as well. “Something of a Vigilante, are ya? I kin respect that. Long as ya keep yur nose clean in my Nest. Ain’t gonna begrudge ya yur prey – that’s yur business. But the Cuckoo’s is my business. ‘preicate yur takin him outside the boundries – ‘preciate ya doin that for any others, as well. Don’t need no cops poking around here – no uppity elders neither.”
Burgerwrapper
Sat 03:14AM EST
Burger reads the article. PDQ too. A growl escapes him. He starts to tremble. And twitch. Varied color fur sprouts on his forarms and then shrinks back in. THe growel deepening as he finishes out the page. Stiffly his arm extends to Santa and he snarls
"A RAPIST, in OUR turf is MY PREY."
in a voice that even a mother would find hard to love. Still. he doesn't frenzy. That's something.
Santiago
Sat 03:16AM EST
"Something like that," agrees(?) Santiago. Simple nod to the rest. "I'll try," and midway through that, the black eyes slip to Burger. Eyebrow rises. A lean hand snaps the newspaper back, folds it neatly, puts it back in his pocket. "Then kill him before I do next time," replies the desertborn, "and all our problems are solved."
Blister
Sat 03:21AM EST
Gaze snaps to Burger, and narrows there, putting it together quickly and only nodding when he doesn’t frenzy. Ruffled feathers ~Easy there, big guy. Just a meeting of the minds, remember? Damage already done.~ before gaze returns almost lazily to Santiago. “Ain’t got a problem man – just a bit of respect expected and given. We ain’t hard t’find. In fact – if ya voice yur looking for us, we’ll find you, if there seems to be a problem getting someone outside the boundries, or ya need back up. We don’t mind people passin through, long as they keep their nose clean, same as any other pack would expect – same as ya would yourself, I’d imagine.”
Burgerwrapper
Sat 03:24AM EST
He leans aginst the wall and mutters. Looking in the little box that the sliders came in he rips it fully open and licks a bit of cheese from the inside and sucks at the greese. Rapists make him freak out then it's just a bad night for everyone.
He nods.
Santiago
Sat 03:27AM EST
An unreadable blackeyed look. A beat.
"I don't have a pack at the moment. But the point is taken and the offer is appreciated." Nods all around. "I'm done here. My car is parked a block that way." Nod toward the direction he'd been heading in before the sidetracking. "You can find me in the Pine Barrens if you need to. I rent a cabin from the Child of Gaian couple near Batsto."
Blister
Sat 03:32AM EST
There’s a nod, and the Ahroun takes a moment to light another cigarette, dragging deep before scratching just above an ear, then resituating ball cap on spiky hair. “Have a good evening, then, Santiago.” No nice ta meetcha or other happy blowin smoke up the ass bullshit, just a simple goodbye as a step back is taken, givin him plenty of room between the two Gnawers. As vivid gaze turns and rests on burger. ~y’ll’right?~
Burgerwrapper
Sat 03:35AM EST
He gurns and nods reaching out to caress Momma Cuckoos feathers back.
"Yeah I'll be alright. If anything I'm just pissed the guy got out so easy. I'd have played with him in "The Pit" For a week or two."
Blister knows he means the Abattoir under the werewhouse.
Santiago
Sat 03:36AM EST
Another beat. Then Santiago pushes off the wall and walks out of the alley, footsteps as quiet as snowfall. They see him backlit for a moment at the mouth of the alley, looking back the way he came, lean and sure of motion - and then he turns and slips out of their frame of vision.
Out of sight, out of mind.
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