Tempest [OPEN]

[sydelle]

Sydelle walked down the street, pretending. Pretending like she didn't want to run away from this place. Pretending like the sight of vampires didn't disgust her. Pretending like she actually cared about the humans she passed by. She remembered the world before. Where vampires and werewolves were just myths. Of course, she realized before the catastrophe that those "myths" were horrifyingly true. Well, at least the werewolf part.

The city was filled with scents. Food, garbage, humans, vampires, and a million other ones she couldn't name. Fortunately, she could push them aside. She wasn't new at being a werewolf. But she was new at finding a pack. She didn't know how to go about it. She hadn't come across a werewolf scent in days. Where were they?

She glanced in the shop windows, remembering what it was like before, and trying not to run into anyone. If she bumped a vampire and they got angry, then she'd get angry...it would turn into one big mess. Fortunately, there were very few vampires roaming the streets. That might have had something to do with the fact it was the middle of the afternoon. Still, she noticed a vampire walking at a brisk pace in her direction with grim determination. She sidestepped him, only to bump into someone else. Hard. She recovered with all the agility of her species, and looked at the victim.

"Sorry." She muttered, standing there akwardly. One whiff told her he was human. Well, it could have been worse. "Guess I wasn't paying attention." A lame excuse. But seeing as she was kind of preoccupied, she really didn't care.

[gunnar]

Gunnar was walking along the street wondering where the hell his son had gone this time. Last time he had caught Jakob at Lust with that vampire. What was her name? Adela? No, that didn't sound right to him. It didn't suit her. Amelin? Nope, not that either. Angel? Angelique? Yes, that was it. Angelique. He didn't get why his son liked the woman very much.

She owned a casino that was borderline on the scale of sex in public places. But on the other hand the woman seemed to genuinely take care of his son. But still the woman... "Umph!" He muttered as someone ran into him. He turned in time to see it was a woman. "Seems we both weren't. Sorry." He went to try to steady her with a hand on her back and one on her shoulder.

"I guess it's one of those nights, huh?" But he had seen how quickly she had steadied herself and took a step back. He wasn't supernatural at all but he knew the signs of someone not quite human. He assumed vampire. If so then perhaps she had seen in what direction his son had gone. Even with his son being a vampire... The boy was still only ten years old, dammit!

Wasn't there laws of telling your father where you go anymore? But then again Gunnar knew he wasn't very good with anybody anymore. He looked at the woman thoughtfully. No, he wouldn't ask her. "Perhaps I can get you something to drink or eat?" He lifted his shoulders. "I figure as an apology." Yeah, and cut your head off you bloodsucker. He shoved that thought down.

He had to be nice. His son depended on it. His son the vampire. Gunnar loved him nonetheless and would always. He didn't look at his son any differently than when Jakob had been a human but that was only because he loved his son and would never see him as an abomination. He had told him that night that Jakob wasn't an abomination and meant it even now.

[sydelle]

It had been a long time since anyone had touched her. Not since Chris, the god-forsaken son of a bitch that had forced her into this life. She took a step back, eager to keep space between them. She knew that was probably rude. This time it wasn't so much that she cared, as much as she didn't want to get in trouble for killing a human. Anyone and anything that reminded her vaguely of Chris was enough to push her off the edge. She thought she'd be able to get control of herself as the years passed, but she'd yet to do it. A werewolf thing apparently.

"Something like that." She replied with a grim smile. Another night alone. Another night searching. Another night trying not to kill every vampire she saw. She realized with morbid amusement that they had both taken a step back. As if they were squaring off. Amusing, because this man couldn't possibly hurt her. Morbid, because she could kill him quite easily.

He was asking her out as an apology after just meeting her. There was something more to the invitation. Her instinct (she refused to think of it as animal instinct) told her that this was probably not the best idea. But she'd had no luck tonight finding a pack. And the money she had she needed to stretch for as long as it took her to find one. Plus, she found to her chagrin, she was actually quite hungry. "It seems strange for you apologizing when we both were at fault." She said dryly, managing to keep the suspicion out of her voice. "However, if you're asking out of apologetic purposes, then I suppose I should accept for the same reason."

Going out to dinner just because they'd bumped each other? That only happened in those pre-catastrophe chick flicks. In which the couple would go on a spontaneous date and by the end of it be madly in love with each other. She'd hated those growing up. And things weren't much different now. But she didn't think this man had any romantic notions in mind. He looked old enough to be her father. Although she was probably older than him herself, it would still be strange for him to see a seemingly young woman and immediately think of asking her out. There's more to this guy than meets the eye. She thought.

[gunnar]

Gunnar watched as the woman took a step back and almost went to reach for his gun in his shoulder holster. He practically wore it non-stop. He pretty much slept with his gun close at hand. Just in case. But he kept his calm. Even if she were an abomination and her eyes shown with almost her hatred for humans. He knew she knew he was human. He knew most vampires thought of him as cattle but this human wouldn't go down without a fight. Man or woman wouldn't bring him down anytime soon. He may be old compared to most humans but he was quick and didn't hesitate at all.

He heard her words and saw the grim smile. Wait had he asked a drink or food in offering? She better keep her fangs to herself. He had been donating regularly for the vampire community to survive on. His taxes really. His son would be a different matter if his son needed to feed really. But just some vampire. Not on their lives. He would rather cut off his own finger than that. Wait... You are thinking as a rebel and not just a normal city human.

He was here to keep his son safe. His son needed him and so he was being nice. Better make nice with the bloodsuckers, right? Yeah, he better. Who knew what the fuck these shit heads would do or could do. One thing was for sure his son would be still with them even when Gunnar was dead and buried. He'd come back from Heaven or Hell to repay the favor if anything so happened badly to his son, too.

He lifted his shoulders in a shrug as she spoke of him apologizing when they both were at fault. "Yeah, call me a nice guy and paint me pink." Oh shit. He shouldn't have been so sarcastic. Eh... Whatever. "Sure am. I don't... Well, what I mean to say is it seems like the nice thing to do and I am still somewhat new to town... Or rather to the city." Make nice.

He stared at the woman and wondered how old she was truly. It pissed him off that most of these that had been turned were at one time young women. Some that he had taken down seventeen if not sixteen before they had been turned. Bastards the lot of them. He hoped better for his son. His face shown none of his thinking at all. He'd keep a close eye on her though.

He had his guns always ready and if those failed which was very rare since he had damn good aim then he would switch to his blades. He didn't give one rat's ass if this woman tried any of the vampire bullshit on him he'd kill her. End of story. He'd hang her out to dry in the bright sunlight. The only one that was close to him of any supernatural kind was his own son and he loved the boy. His own son was beyond guilt by association. Angelique though seemed pretty motherly to his son so she was on the iffy scale really. He'd see in time.

Word had it she was on the council. This Angelique and she seemed to be helping matters with Jakob. Some of those on the Council didn't want a child vampire running around but then again Angelique seemed okay. She didn't seem the type that would let anything happen to his son and they said she had plenty of strings to pull if she needed to. Some said she was pretty friendly with all the council members as well. Interesting really. But she was still a vampire no less.

[sydelle]

She'd heard it said that vampires could read minds. There were rumors that they could look into your soul. The more practical rumors, ones she was more likely to believe, was that vampires had a sort of 6th sense when it came to reading people. But she didn't have to have any extra senses to know this guy was something else. She was first and foremost a predator. She could recognizing when others wanted a fight. Her own body responded without her consciously thinking it. She could feel her pulse quickening, muscles tensing...but she couldn't do that. Not now. Not here. The parasites would frown on someone starting a fight in their precious city. At least, a fight they had nothing to do with.

She had to admit, for a human he was very brave. He obviously knew she was...different. And when humans in this city realized you were different, they had two reactions. The first being to cower. Mutter an apology, throw themselves at the supernatural being's feet begging for mercy, etc. The second was equally annoying. Kissing up. Humans here knew what it took to get ahead in this world. You couldn't stay human and go anywhere. So they would cozy up with whatever supernatural creature they could find until they were either shooed away or turned. Both responses equally annoyed her.

This human, she realized she still didn't know his name, was different. If it came down to fight or flee, she'd bet her bottom dollar he'd fight. You had to respect that in a human. It was the reason their race had lasted so long, feeble as they were. She thanked her lucky stars she'd been something more than human when the apocalypse hit. She doubted she would have survived it as a mortal with mere mortal strength.

Seeing as he wasn't too keen on introductions, she initiated it herself. "My name's Sydelle." Her name was weird, even for her own time. And she'd suffered through her fair share of nicknames. Syd being the least annoying, though still not a favorite. At least it wasn't as bad as "The Farmer in Ms. Dell". She'd blackened more than one eye in elementary school over that. Several more in middle school. Sometimes she wondered if her becoming a werewolf was inevitable. She certainly had the temper of one.

"Where did you have in mind?" She asked, more out of polite conversation than anything. She couldn't be sure, but she swore this was leading to something. Good or bad, she couldn't tell, though she was leaning towards the second. They were playing nice enough now, but they were out in public. On a street, surrounded by official-looking vampires who would intervene if anything was amiss. Once they went inside, there would be less people. Less of a commotion if things went haywire. And if the conversation got too heated.... No. She ordered herself. I am not going that far. Angry outburst she'd allow, but she would rather face off a vampire than hurt someone in her more animalistic form.

[gunnar]

Gunnar wasn't one to lay down and die. He didn't flee. He ran toward the problem head first with pure stubbornness and brute strength. Granted he was no vampire, werewolf, or the like. He was just a human. He had plenty of scars to attest to his near escapes of death. He didn't back down. He hadn't gotten to as far as he had from playing possum. He was just as much a predator as any of these supernaturals running around. He hunted their kind and survived to tell the tale.

He continued to stand there eying her calmly though. He didn't beg forgiveness. He didn't kiss ass either. The only time he would when it came to his son. He would always put his son before himself. But if they attacked his son then Hell would freeze over before he'd step back and allow it. He would fight no matter the cost. He just hoped that he'd take down enough of those sons of bitches that his son could get free.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sydelle." He tilted his head some still watching her. "Most call me..." Should he tell her Gunnar or Gun? Gun would leave her with less of a way of tracking him down. Yes, Gun it would be. "Gun. Like a loaded gun. Has been a long running joke." He lifted his shoulders. Where to eat? Hmm... "Not sure. I haven't been in town long." He had almost added that his son probably knew more places than he did.

If shit hit the fan this chick better be careful. He'd cut her in all the vital organs in alphabetical order before leaving her out in the sun. "But just so you know don't play me for a fool. Just because I'm new doesn't mean squat. Food means exactly that." He spoke challenging her to disagree with him.

[sydelle]

Gun? Well at least she wasn't the only one with a strange name. She was pretty sure it was just a nickname, but who could tell for sure? Back in her day she knew of parents who named their children things like Apple and Moon Unit. She wondered if he remembered the time before the apocalypse. How long ago had it been again? 40 years? He definitely wasn't young, but she couldn't tell if he was old enough to have lived before.

When she thought of her life before....it was like a different girl, living in a different world. Not a charmed life to be sure. In fact, things were way better now, material-wise. No wench of a mother, no homicidal boyfriends. No....anything, really. No friends...no personal enemies, although she still hated all vampires. She almost missed the old world sometimes. She wondered if Chris had been less of a jerk, less of.....well, less of a werewolf....what might've happened between them.

Oh shut up! She ordered herself. She couldn't dwell on what might've happened. All that mattered was Chris had been the worst sort of boyfriend, going far enough to bite her during the full moon. And just like that, he bailed. She'd sworn off the entire institution of dating. For a moment, she was glad Gun look as old as he did. Despite the fact that she must be at least a decade older than him, she still had that "he looks like he could be my father" feel when she looked at him.

"You must be dangerous to have such a name." She said, forcing a genuine smile when she really wanted to smirk. Like he would be of any danger to her. Unless he carried around loads of silver, she could easily beat him in a fight. When he admitted he was new to town, she felt less tense mentioning it herself. "You're not the only one." She wondered for a fleeting moment why he'd come to town. Refugee? Was he running from something? Or maybe he was just bored. Either way, it didn't really matter. She doubted they'd be exchanging life stories.

When he spoke next, it was an obvious challenge. The predator in her wanted to immediately respond. The girl in her was confused. She'd bumped into him, not tried to rip his throat out. "Darn." She said sarcastically. "And here I was just contemplating how delicious you looked." Fortunately for him, she'd gone out hunting earlier. Killing animals and eating them raw hardly bothered her anymore. She'd heard that some restaurants had gone to selling raw meat. She'd yet to come across one. Besides, the thrill of the hunt was half the fun.

[gunnar]

Gunnar knew that he'd use that nickname more often now. Most had called him that for the longest time do to mostly he had a good kick to him and he went off like a gun. He was practically unstoppable with his quick thinking and stubbornness. He had been close to death but didn't mean that he wouldn't come after you once he was healed. He figured you wanted someone dead you better make sure there was no coming back from it.

He didn't give one way or another he would be coming back to get even. If you messed with his son then you better hope that he never caught up to you. He was a loaded gun about ready to snap at any point. His son was the only one that didn't get that portion of him at all.

His lips twitched some. "You don't even know how dangerous I could be." He spoke honestly there. Who knew exactly what he carried and what he could do with it? New didn't mean he was without protection since none of the Council knew what to do with his son. Angelique with all Gunnar's annoyances towards her seemed to be trying to help him. But what did Angelique want in return? Angelique's name may mean angel but that didn't mean she was one.

His eyes glued to her and he didn't even smile at her response of him looking delicious. "Trust me I'm hard as nails and I'd end up eating you for breakfast or rather feeding you to someone that may or may not know you were of the living. Fair play." He didn't look as if he cared either way. He didn't become a top hunter in a rebel camp from being good and saintly. "But now that is out of the way, Sydelle was it? Where are we going to eat?"

[sydelle]

It was still laughable to think that a human could be dangerous to her. She knew it was slightly arrogance. But when your species was stronger than the leeches running the city, it was hard not to be. She knew if he had enough silver she would probably die. Which was the only thing that kept her cautious. But, all weapons put aside, he really wasn't a match for her. But she couldn't say that aloud, now could she? She probably could, but that should be saved for later. When things started going down hill. Well...farther downhill anyway.

Eating her for breakfast? Was this guy serious? It was becoming more and more clear how new he was. Not just in town, but new at being around supernatural beings at all. She guessed he'd come from one of those human camps. The ones that were supposedly rebelling against the vampires. While she was all for that, she didn't see how they had a chance. The vampires considered the camp a farm, at best. Keeping their food source alive and growing. At worst, they were zombie fodder. It kept the walking corpses away from the city at least.

There was something he said that bugged her. ...may or may not know you were of the living. What the hell was that about? She'd never known anyone to call a werewolf "undead". That was usually saved for the leeches running the city. Unless...no, he wasn't that stupid. She wasn't pale by any definition of the term and her fangs only came out when she was in the more animalistic form. He couldn't possible assume she was a vampire. "Do I look dead to you?" She snapped angrily. If he did think she was a blood sucker, this would end very badly...for him. Being called a vampire was the worst insult imaginable to a werewolf.

Where were they going to eat? Sydelle did what she did whenever she needed to find something. She followed her nose. It was awful having to track something with the vampire stench everywhere, but she managed. She'd remembered smelling food earlier. The place was tiny and mostly empty. Those kind of mom-and-pop stores that managed to stay afloat only because they had regular customers that came in every day. It was quiet, secluded...and, most importantly, run by humans. Perfect. She took a breath through her nose. Ah, there it was. Just barely discernable, but there. "Follow me." She said curtly, turning on her heel. Part of her was hoping he wouldn't follow. The other part was going to track him down if he didn't.