Crushing Prison (Al)

[ajora]

the city looks so pretty, do you want to burn it with me

TILL THE SKIES BLEED ASHES ,

AND THE SKYLINE FUCKIN' CRASHES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [/font][/center]

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. But you can certainly abuse it until it learns, or dies.

~

"Damnit Lotus, where'd he go?"

The frustrated growl of a Lycan echoed between the tall, parallel trees of the forest. The scent of a Vampire looming overhead, teasing. Annoyed, the small group leader grabbed the arm of an older woman, shaking her as he shouted.

"He was right here. Right here. This is bullshit."

"We really should just go tell Al-"

"NO. We don't need him. It's one fucking Vampire, calm the fuck down."

"One Vampire who's been eluding us for hours. He's too fast, Lucas. It's over."

"You watch your tongue or I'll rip it from your throat, Lotus." This just wasn't his day. After a little dispute with the Alpha over what he only realized now was a very trivial problem, this was only making things worse. His mate, Lotus, had chosen to accompany him to ensure nothing terrible befell him when he was alone. Together, they were prowling about, chasing game and letting the rage empty itself into nature.

Until they smelled a Vampire.

For hours, the pair wasted no time trying to track the thing down. They knew just what they were supposed to do when a Vampire was in their territory (besides killing it, of course). Inform the Alpha. He needed to know when something like this happened. Why? Because he was the Alpha. Important decisions, all of them, are made by him. In order to make an informed decision, he must be informed. The logic pans out.

But pride barred this from happening, causing Lucas to have to prove himself. It was petty, it was childish, and incredibly stupid. And not going to change no matter what Lotus said.

"Hun, this is just stupid. I'm going back," the blond female sighed, turning her back upon her mate. In the blink of an eye, Lucas responded to this with force. Swining an arm around to collide with her back. The blow knocked her several feet away, her cry cut short by the breath being knocked from her chest. Bewildered, Lotus flipped upon her back, gasping for air.

"Lucas... What... The... Fuck..."

A branch snapped high above the treeline, drawing both of their attentions skyward. Nothing that heavy existed in these treetops.

"Ohshi-" The twang of an arrow came too late to react. The arrow was traveling too fast, too difficult to see under moonlight. It pierced the chest of the Werewolf entirely, passing right through until it struck wood. Lucas opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Eyelids began to droop. Consciousness fleeting, pinned in a standing position to the wood.

Crucified.

Lotus was still struggling with her breathing, but it did not stop her from rushing to the side of Lucas. She could only stare in animated horror at the large rod that had pinned her mate to the tree. Only when her fingertips began to curl around the shaft did she catch the sound of another twang, remembering that whoever had done this was still very much at large.

Rounding in time to view the arrow, Lotus too found herself penetrated by an arrow. Propped against her mate, consciousness began to fade away thanks to the wondrous properties of silver.

With all the energy he could muster, Lucas released a roar, a mighty one considering the condition of his chest. Echoing off the trees in all direction, reflecting back in surround sound. Everyone around would hear this.

~

Blood commanded the scent of the air. Filthy Werewolf blood. It smelled of hair, sweat and filth. Like a mut. Forcing the nose of Delacoix to wrinkle in silent disgust. For a reason he could never really understand, his hatred of these beings ran just as deep as that for his own kind. And that was something to be feared.

Long shadows of trees forked in every direction, illuminated by the crescent moon hovering above. Like the unearthly hands of the world, reaching out to strike down the unnatural existences that plagued its woods. Vampires. Werewolves. All required cleansing, in no particular order.

Cold, dead eyes fell upon his latest prey. An easy catch, to say the least. But the male had unfortunetly done something new - alerted his pack that he was in distress. Delacoix could only assume it would be moments before reinforcements arrived, ready to tear him apart. If he didn't have the upper hand prior, that was.

Things were about to get complicated.

His victims were not dead. At least not yet. The silver laced arrows would undoubtedly kill them inside of an hour, if not treated.

With another arrow drawn back, held only inches from the temple of the woman, Delacoix stood in mild anticipation of his new host. Black eyes watching the clearing before him rather than his mark, already hearing movement infront of him.

[/color]

[al]

A warning to the people
The good and the evil

This is War

Sounds of loud yells and a few growls here and there penatrated the walls of the cabin. One of the members of his pack owned this cabin and had a few of them working as lumberjacks to help pay for it. The cabin kind of became the unofficial base of Alvaro's pack. One of Al's older pack members, around his early thirties, was throwing a massive fit over what Al (and the rest of them, for that matter) could only assume was something loaded with BS. Locus had a temper and tended to go of on rants over the simplest thing. So what was throwing him into a frenzy this time? Simple; Al asked him to give up his bed for the youngest member of their pack, Eli.

Eli was barely reaching eighteen, and had only been a Lycan for about three years. Al changed him himself. It was Eli's first stay in the cabin, and Al wanted to make sure he wasn't treated like crap. Sure he and the Beta got the best room, but Lotus could just share a bed with Locus, they were mates, after all. Because Locus was a higher rank and position than the pup, Eli, he believed it was disrespectful to give up his bed. After a short fight broke out, resulting in Al practically throwing Locus through the bar, he left in a rage and Lotus followed.

In the minutes that followed Al was pacing the front room and the rest of the pack stood in silence, waiting for him to speak. Finally he sighed, rubbed his hands over his face, annoyed, and looked to Eli.
"Go make up yer bed a'fore Locus comes back."
"Really I--"
"Now!"
Al demanded loudly of the pup, who quickly ran up the stares not willing to further anger the Alpha. Al never liked being hard on Eli, he was practically the son he never had, but still, he had to keep order and couldn't let emotion conflict his decisions.

"Let's pr'pare fer tomorrow, ay?'
With out a word the rest of the pack silently began to clean up the cabin and make sure they had supplies for their little 'hunting trip' they were soon to go on.

-----

Al stood quickly from his spot, nearly knocking his chair over, his eyes wide and alert. Travis was quick at his side.
"Al, did you feel it too?"
Lotus and Locus had been incredibly distressed, and a short, cut off scream echoed through all of their minds. Al started to head towards the door.
"Somethin's wrong."
He muttered in a low growl.
"What's wrong?"
Eli questioned as he headed down the staires, dark brown eyes alert but confused.
"Eli, ye Blake an' Jordan stay 'ere."
The second he finished his sentence a painful roar echoed through the trees. The whole pack paused and a very human chill ran up their spines. Al just glanced at Travis who nodded and walked back towards Eli.
"C'mon we're going to a safer location."
Travis hearded the youngest of the pack away while the Alpha, Beta and the stronger, older hunters took off at full speed towards the origin of the call.

While their bodies were large and bulky, they made hardly a noise. Some transformed into their loup-garoux form, few, including Al, stayed in human form. Only when the scent of blood slammed into the shirtless Alpha did he pick up pace so much that tree branches snapped on contact with his body. Upon his silent order four of the pack split off in different directions, the Beta lead another group of about four towards the east, while another Lycan lead some to the west. Al continued North with five, and about six stayed behind. Whatever was hurting those two members of his pack would be completely surrounded in about three minutes.

Al skidded to a stop along with the group he had, all of them in full wolf form except him. The sight that first met his eyes made his stomach sink and his mind bolt to nearly centuries ago as he looked upon the bodies of Locus and Lotus. The breath stopped in his throat and he almost felt his heart freeze, the faces of his brothers and parents flying through his mind from that dreadful night so long ago.
He snapped back into attention as he finally looked towards the vampire, holding an arrow to Lotus, her last breaths of life desperatly clinging to her. Al's nose scrunched up, his brow lowered dangerously and his lips curled back as white fangs slid out, glimmering in the moonlight. His back hunched down slightly and he crouched, long claws beginning to form. The rest of the pack all lowered into hunting positions, letting out low threatening growls, backing up their Alpha.
"Ye better leave, ye fuckin' blood sucker!"
Al managed to growl out through clenched teeth.

[[OOC; -random- H.U. FTW! ]]

[ajora]

the city looks so pretty, do you want to burn it with me

TILL THE SKIES BLEED ASHES ,

AND THE SKYLINE FUCKIN' CRASHES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [/font][/center]

Threatening in numbers... Truly the mark of an unsophisticated beast. Without honor, without pride.

Six wolves now created a semi-circle around the lone Vampire. Five of which looked ready to mount an assault upon the Vampire at any moment. The last, the clear Alpha, decided to speak to gifth Delacoix with speech first. "Ye better leave, ye fuckin' blood sucker!"

Eloquent.

Regardless of being outnumbered, Delacoix remained firm. His back was straight, his cocky smile unfaultering, and his eyes upon his target. He had hoped for a little more rational of a discussion. The chance to exchange intellectual matter. Now Delacoix was mentally punishing himself for ever expecting such things of animals.

"Tell me, does such a demand ever work? And whatever happened to "Hello"? Your social greeting are beyond terrible, master wolf." Each word was spoken softly, and deliberatly. Hoping to strike a nerve among the wolves, if they even had any ability to pick up upon his insults. "You'd think that if someone was holding the fate of a family member in their hands, you'd at least tred with a little more tact than that. Or is the possibility of destroying a single Vampire more important than the lives of your people, master wolf?"

For a moment, his eyes lingered to those of the Alpha, followed by the treeline. Delacoix was more than preparred to have to flee this situation, much like he was already doing. Light and nimble, he could rebound between the trees, hidden amongst the dark of night. No Werewolf he knew possessed similar agility, nor the capability to keep up with him. Of course, they would definetly try. If any of them took another step, the first death would be the woman known as Lotus, and Delacoix had no doubt he'd be persued until the break of dawn.

"I'm here to talk, believe it or not. If you're willing to comply, perhaps I'll be able to leave just in time for you to save both their lives. It's really up to you. If you think you can manuevre this situation and tear my flesh from my bones before I can release this arrow, then proceed," Delacoix sighed, pressing the silver arrowhead so deep into the temple of the woman, blood could be seen, hugging her tanned skin as it pooled below her chin.

[/color]

[al]

A warning to the people
The good and the evil

This is War

Al's brow twitched slightly with every word the vampire spat in his direction. Alvaro had dealt with them before, vampires like this. He was trying to strike a nerver right now, make him angry and attack him or launch his entire pack out of organization. He'd almost done that once, and it nearly cost a life of the pack and he wouldn't do it again. Even though he wanted to just rip this blood sucking bastard's throat out he knew that the second he moved Lotus would be killed, and Locus didn't have long at all. He had to make a decision, and fast. But what the hell would he want with Al and his pack? Wait, he did have one of the largest packs of the loup-garoux species, so on second thought, he didn't want to know.

Al's throat tightened and his hear pounded up until Delacoix pressed the arrow into Lotus' temple. She whimpered like a wounded puppy, and that noise alone came louder than her telelathic plea for Al to attack, that she and Locus were gone already.
"Wait!"
He held up one hand, as if trying to telekinetically push the arrow away from Lotus. The pack hat was with him glanced up and paused in their threatening postures in confusion. Al slowly stood, his shoulders slouching down as he looked at Lotus with pain in his eyes.
"Wait...."
This time when he spoke the fight was gone though anger still lingered.

"Ay'll do whatever ye want, jus'...jus' lemme save them first!"
The pack looked to their leader, their morale lowering seeing their Alpha pleading with a single vampire. He heard the rest of the pack in the distance and silently told them to stay in their place, not to come any closer. He didn't want them to ambush the vampire and have Lotus and Locus killed, though if he didn't let Al to them now they'd be dead in minutes for sure.

[ajora]

the city looks so pretty, do you want to burn it with me

TILL THE SKIES BLEED ASHES ,

AND THE SKYLINE FUCKIN' CRASHES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [/font][/center]

After a short period of time where Delacoix was certain he was going to be attacked, the Alpha finally began to show signs of re-thinking his actions. Very good. Perhaps olds dogs could stand to learn a new trick or two, when pressed.

"Wait!" sounded the Alpha, though Delacoix heard something completely different. Something more along the lines of, "You win." The words only brought a sadistic smile to the Vampires face as they were repeated again. "Wait...." Was it fear? Despair? Hope? Perhaps duty? Fuck if Delacoix cared. This was progress.

"Ay'll do whatever ye want, jus'...jus' lemme save them first!" Delacoix didn't know exactly what to say to this. While he knew exactly how to establish control of the situation (and had done so effectively thus far), he also got the sense that this Alpha did care wholeheartedly for his kin. That he wasn't about to back down about their lives. So be it.

"With the weapon in my hand, and the life at stake one of your own, I believe the demands are mine to make." The other wolves didn't share Delacoix's view upon the matter. Their backs arched slightly, fingers flexing with anticipation. Rounding for a moment, with his weapon still digging into the female, he looked upon the male, the one he'd struck closer to the heart. "If you wave your pack back about ten feet or so, you can take him. For my own safety, I'll stay just as I am until my business is complete. And mind the arrow, the entire thing is of silver."

[/color]

[al]

A warning to the people
The good and the evil

This is War

Al's blood was boiling under his skin, both with the need to save his own and the want to rip this vampire to shreds. Even so, he remained in his place and kept his pack from attacking out of line.
"With the weapon in my hand, and the life at stake one of your own, I believe the demands are mine to make."
At this all the muscles in his arms tensed, the want to kill him increasing. He wasn't possibly going to make Al wait any longer to save them, was he? If he did they'd die anyways and then nothing would be in his favor. As much as the Alpha would hate to admit it, he figured this vampire was at least smart enough to plan it out where he had all the advantages.
"If you wave your pack back about ten feet or so, you can take him. For my own safety, I'll stay just as I am until my business is complete. And mind the arrow, the entire thing is of silver."

Alvaro paused for a moment, looking about at his pack he nodded, issuing the order. The pack was reluctant and grumbled in their throats slightly, discusted at having to take the orders of a vampire. Once they were separated, as ordered, Al looked towards the vampire and took a tiny motion forward. He was very cautious, making sure he could at least take Locus with out being killed himsef, he was never too careful of traps.

The thoughts of the rest of the pack that were spread farther apart came to him, and once again he had to wanr for them to keep their distance, not to make any sound that would alert the vampire. There were lives already at stake, he wouldn't endanger any more.

[ajora]

the city looks so pretty, do you want to burn it with me

TILL THE SKIES BLEED ASHES ,

AND THE SKYLINE FUCKIN' CRASHES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [/font][/center]

Muts certainly lost their intimidation when their tails were between their legs.

There was little hesitation in doing what was requested of him to receive one of the two captives. In all fairness, Delacoix didn't give a damn about the packs' proximity to himself. What this represented was that he had the control in the situation, indefinetly. That was the goal of his demand.

It was almost comical, watching such a powerful man being so cautious in his approach of Lucus. While it represented many things about the mans character, it all translated into this not being a trap for Delacoix, and thus, his confidence only swelled with his grin. "So while you're just taking your time with the lives of your people, I guess I'll begin elaborating as to why I've blessed you with my presence this evening." Modesty was tossed out the window. Now Delacoix was just enjoying the show before he needed to make his exit. What an exit that was going to be.

"So what it comes down to, is that my people, want your people, to help my people, attack some other people. Sounds easy enough, right? We give you a few days notice, tell you when and where. You guys show up, and tear some flesh, and that's about it." The stench of the womans blood was starting to really bother Delacoix. His nose was flaring repeatedly in vain, an attempt to banish the scent from his nose. Picking up the pace a little, he retained his soft and gentle voice as he continued. "This isn't a Vampire thing, the fact that it's me here is just a very bad judgement call of my superiors. No, I'm about the only one you won't be killing on that night. As for why you're doing this? Well look at it this way. ONE person from our organization, me, managed to do all this to you, alone. The kicker? There's hundreds of readily available combatants backing me. I'm only the messenger. I'd hate to see what a small group of us could do to you, let alone the entire organization..."

Always careful never to explicitely say he's from the Corporation. Nothing good ever came from saying that name. It had a terrible social stigma for some strange reason. "And while we're at it, we're also willing to pay you, in whatever manner you please, for contributing. Tell me what you'd like, besides my death of course, and I'll see if we can arrange it. Those are your options. Fight with us, or die by our hand. I suggest you answer quick," he said, nodding in the direction of his hostage. Her skin was turning blue. The sickness was spreading quickly in her.

[/color]

[al]

A warning to the people
The good and the evil

This is War

Al tore the bottom of his pant leg and wrapped the cloth around his hand. He didn't want to reveal everything about himself, especially his regeneration ability. Who knows, maybe he'd have this over the vampire if he ever underestimated him and thought a quick silver arrow would take him down. Holding Lucus with one arm he swiftly pulled the arrow out. The lycan was dwindling between conciousness so much he barely felt it. Two others of the pack approached as Al laid him down, only now registering that the vampire was even talking.

"So what it comes down to, is that my people, want your people, to help my people, attack some other people. Sounds easy enough, right? We give you a few days notice, tell you when and where. You guys show up, and tear some flesh, and that's about it."
Al let out a tiny huff of breath, he wasn't pleased with this at all, as a severe understatement, he wanted to rip the blood sucker's intestines out and strangle him with them until the sun came up. Al did as much as he could alone to help Lucus, only wishing that he could at least use his gift to heal others instead of just himself.

"This isn't a Vampire thing, the fact that it's me here is just a very bad judgement call of my superiors. No, I'm about the only one you won't be killing on that night. As for why you're doing this? Well look at it this way. ONE person from our organization, me, managed to do all this to you, alone. The kicker? There's hundreds of readily available combatants backing me. I'm only the messenger. I'd hate to see what a small group of us could do to you, let alone the entire organization..."
Oh Al had a real kicker in mind for him. He stood finally, eyeing the vampire as he monologued his plans, the arrow still pressed into Lotus' paling skin.
"And while we're at it, we're also willing to pay you, in whatever manner you please, for contributing. Tell me what you'd like, besides my death of course, and I'll see if we can arrange it. Those are your options. Fight with us, or die by our hand. I suggest you answer quick."
Al's eyes were narrowed dangerously, taking slight notice of the irritation in the vampire's face. Of course, Lycan blood was pretty podent, and the senses of a vampire really didn't like the blood of a loup-garoux. If there was any way to make him suffer, Al would find it.
"Ay said Ay'd do what ye wanted."
He reminded darkly, stepping towards Lotus he reached for the arrow that was pinning her to the tree. Everyone in the pack was on high alert. If the vampire let that arrow go before Al helped Lotus, the whole pack would rip him to shreds in an instant. Should he miraculousy escape this small group there were dozens more surrounding the place that wouldn't mind at all tearing their fangs and claws through this vampire. As Al quickly pulled the arrow from Lotus, who unfortunately had to endure that pain, he wanted to turn and stab it through Delacoix' eye. Once Lotus was in the hands of the pack, who was to say that Al wouldn't maul the vampire? Once she was out of the reach of the vampire and his weaponry, how could the vampire control what happened next? With the threat of his 'organization'?

Al had been threatened before, and it usually turned out to be a bunch of bullshit from a coward who thought he could frighten lycans into doing something for them.

[OOC: sorry it sucks, my muse is on low burner >XP OOC]

[ajora]

the city looks so pretty, do you want to burn it with me

TILL THE SKIES BLEED ASHES ,

AND THE SKYLINE FUCKIN' CRASHES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [/font][/center]

The Vampire had clearly over-stayed his welcome. The scent of Lycan was growing more foul by the minute, and the agitation of both Alpha and pack was growing paramount. He needed an escape plan. Dark eyes began sizing up the woman, still impaled upon the thick tree. She could be carried easily enough, but the ability to life her would not be enough. Carrying another would be too cumbersome, and he couldn't phase with her in hand.

"Ay said Ay'd do what ye wanted."
With a grim nod, the arrow threatening the life of Lotus was lowered. The arrow was still kept pointed forward, towards the pack however. A precautionary measure, in case any of the wolves decided to make a break for it now that Lotus wasn't directly threatened.

"Right then. Seems my work here is finished, and I think none of us would like me to linger about any longer. The Corporation sends its thanks for your cooperation." The bow was now collapsed, slipped inside the small pack upon the Vampires back. His hand were finally free for use, and he spared no time in doing so. About as swift as he could, Delacoix aimed a blow at the metallic rod pinning the female wolf to the tree. Her cry of agony echoed in throughout the trees, and instigated a riot among her people. But Delacoix wasn't about to double-check this. He only knew that he cut precious minutes from her lifespan, thus slimming the number of wolves able to follow him.

Using the now bent arrow as a spring board, the Vampire leaped up against the trunk of the tree, applying his powers of kinetic manipulation to modify his momentum. This way, the Vampire was free to spring between trees as if he were some video game character. With almost a hundred feet between himself and the forest floor, Delacoix began to take great strides in the direction of the forests edge. If he could make it back to civilization, there was little the Werewolves could do to stop him, without their precious Lycan form.

[/color]

[al]

A warning to the people
The good and the evil

This is War

Al sprang to his feet at the sudden cry coming from Lotus. Three of the pack instinctively surrounded their wounded comrad, and Al leapt towards Delacoix. At the sudden high distress signal, the groups of the large pack that had been holding back now charged forward, closing on on where they're prey was. The vampire was lucky and swift enough to dodge Al's claws and fangs by leaping into the trees. For a moment Al was stunned. He'd never seen a vampire move like that, not even some of the oldest of the Breseis. Then it dawned on him that this vampire must have been ex-gifted, like he was. Here he wanted his opponent to underestimate him and Al had been underestimated his opponent all along.
Still, at least the vampire didn't know what he could do.

Al turned to Lotus then looked to the groups that had just arrived. As the Alpha, he had to send the Beta to go after the immidiate threat. It was always a Beta's job to take the most danger, because the life of the Apha always seemed to be more important. Al liked being Alpha because it gave him the ability to protect his pack, but he hated how loup-garoux measured the value of life in a pack.
"Go! Follow 'im!"
Al ordered angrily. He turned back to Lotus and ordered the group that had her to take her back to the cabin and treat her immidiately as well as take Locus. As the seperate groups of his pack left Alvaro was left standing in the middle.

He ran his hand through his hair, his claws dissolving back into his fingers though his fangs didn't slid back between his lips. The face of that vampire was imprinted in his mind. Among all other vampires he'd remember that particular face. An Alpha never forgets the face, scent or eyes of anything that brought intentional harm to his pack. He invisioned those dark taunting eyes once more and the thought of the Corperation ordering him around. He should have known. The filthy Corperation never could do anything on it's own, they always had to hire stronger beings and use blackmail and threats even torture in some cases to get what they wanted. He'd refused them before and this is what they result to?

Al finally opened his jaws wide and lookd towards the moon, a very loud and vicious roar-like howl erupting from the Alpha.