run with wolves | open post.

[thelittleone]

Characters

Asil, The Moor
A very, very old wolf and a member of the Marrok's pack.

Jang Eun
Previously of Carmel Valley, sent to Aspen Creek by her former Alpha.

Jesse Hauptman
Daughter of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin Pack

Joshua Brennan
Burden-bound. A Sin-Eater paired with the ghost of a long-dead soldier.

PREMISE

All the stories are true. Years ago, the Fae came out because technology was making it harder and harder for them to hide, and it's been a couple of years since the werewolves did the same. The world is changing day by day. Humans and the paranormal live side by side, but it's not easy nor is it simple. While the Marrok has taken great lengths and care to preserve the werewolves' PR front, everyone - wolf, fae, vampire and other - know that it's only a matter of time before the humans start thinking that perhaps the other stories meant to warn of the dark are true.

This is an open post set in the universe of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. The books are amazing and you should definitely check them out. More information via this Wiki link. The rules are simple: Drop a prompt, leave a tag, and let's play!

THREAD TRACKING

© tessisamess

Comments

[lastcall]

[His honesty earns him a laugh, but it is followed quickly by the draw of her arm across his waist. The twelve and offer to negotiate down to a seven is appreciated. But what touches her most is the affirmation that he knows how important it is to her to take care of herself when it comes to things like this.

She lifts her hand from his waist briefly to cup one cheek and then kiss the other.]

Thank you for understanding where I'm coming from and not offering to help that way. I recognize your restraint and I appreciate it. [Her hand drops to settle across his waist once more, and Eun lets her head rest against his lightly.] I'm willing to negotiate on a couple points. I don't think it's unreasonable in light of where we're at to let you act at a two, maybe three, and work up to a seven once I've had a chance to get my feet under me better and not feel like I would be a dependent in this relationship.

[It is a low number, but Eun isn't unreasonable and as far as she is concerned he is essentially in the role of her boyfriend now, even if the phrase seems wildly unfitting for what he is.]

But you can be at a reasonable eight when it comes to matters of safety and potential danger, since I know that I would be out of my depth with most things outside of a moon hunt.

[nosco]

[ He leans into her touches and makes no effort to hide that the physical reassurances do well to satisfy him and his wolf. And without saying it outright, her words inform him that it is a partnership that she seeks - which he can understand. ]

On the matter of caring and providing for yourself, Eun, a two or a three is fair.

[ He pauses, momentarily and considers her last words. ]

Where it concerns your safety and matters of danger, I will do my best. [ He will not lie to her. There is very little in their world that doesn't count as "potential danger", especially now. ] However, I think it prudent to tell you that should I overstep, you are well within your rights to let me know if I am behaving like an overbearing Alpha.

[lastcall]

[Eun does not stop. It may be that physical reassurance is helping, but also she does it because she wants to. Because she and her wolf feel the desire to touch and bond that way. His immediate agreement with her only intensifies that desire, because time and again he proves himself worthy.]

The way that I see it is this: When I was human I learned to handle a knife well enough to not cut myself and be a threat when necessary to protect myself or others. I'm a werewolf now, who in wolf form knows how to hunt and attack and protect in that way. But I am also aware that becoming a werewolf puts me as a little fish in a much larger pond of more dangerous sharks.

[Her eyes meet his as her voice grows soft. There isn't fear in her tone or her gaze, but she is quiet in hopes that her words do not ruffle his wolf any more than she has to.]

I'm aware of the current statistics of survival in wolves once they've made the Change. I picked eight because I have every intention of using that remaining two to learn to fight better and in more ways that I know now. In both forms. But I want to survive long enough to learn and hone those skills until they're instinctive. Since I think that in most cases we would do our best to both act in good faith with one another...I have no issues being guided or protected by you if you think it's the right call and can explain everything when the danger is passed. If I have questions, anyway.

[Or demands explanations.]

[nosco]

[ His gaze on her is steady, but he turns his hand palm up against hers. He's recalling a conversation overheard at Bran's, where Anna shared how she and Peggy had sat with Kara to talk about a why women learn to defend themselves and take precautions given prevailing attitudes that view women anywhere from helpless to prey. ]

I could teach you. [ He murmurs softly. ] Knifework, even swordplay, if you so wish.

[ They had taught Sarai once. His late mate had been handy in a fight, but she had also been receptive to picking his brain to expand her knowledge and experience. ]

[lastcall]

[Eun lets their fingers lace together once more as he turns his palm up, gentle. She does not squeeze, but his offer does earn him a smile, especially since he mentions swordplay.]

Absolutely. Knifework would probably be the more practical one to learn first but I don't think I'd be able to resist learning to use a sword. [She pauses a beat.] I think I ought to learn basic hand-to-hand as well. If not form you then from someone in the pack.

[Knifework and basic hand-to-hand are more likely to be of use to her as a basic foundation for any other fighting style...but she would be lying if she said she wasn't currently imagining herself wearing a sword on her belt.]

[nosco]

Speak with Bran, [ he returns her smile with one of his own. ] We are not like Adam's pack who routinely train. But the Marrok will be able to give you a list of who you can approach for training.

[ Canting his head at that. ] What other questions do you have about Aspen Creek or pack dynamics in general?

[lastcall]

[She nods with easy acceptance of his advice, and steals a kiss before getting up again.]

Let me think about that while I ice the cinnamon rolls. Have you eaten anything yet?

[This time, it is she who offers her left hand, not to help him up (though he's welcome to use it for that) but simply to offer it.]

[nosco]

Not yet. Just tea. [ He takes her hand, allows her to lead him to where food waits for them.

The feel of her lips over his lingers, and he rises, easy and relaxed despite the subject of their conversation. ]

I realized it has been on my mind, but it seemed too trivial to ask: you like sweet things?

[ Perhaps it is just that what meals they have shared are his only point of reference. But still: then, scones; today, cinnamon rolls. ]

[lastcall]

[Eun glances back at him as she reaches for the icing, already mixed, and uses one hand to lift the bowl and control the drizzle of icing over the rolls.]

Preferences aren't trivial. I do like sweet things, but I like most everything. I think most of what I bake tends to be on the sweeter side, pastries and desserts, but I do know some more savory recipes for some baked goods. [She nudges him gently with her hip.] I also liked my steak done rare even before I became a werewolf, don't enjoy wearing pastels except with rare, case-by-case exceptions, and...hm, to my parents' despair, I really dislike the texture of tofu.

What about you? Any preferences I might like to know about?

[nosco]

[ He settles at the island counter, elbows resting on the granite tile. ] You already know about my gardening. So I will tell you that I have a preference for music where they do not rely overmuch on electronics, which oftentimes feels there is little of in this decade.

[ He pauses, considering more. ] Documentaries interest me. But I seek out the fringe ones. More mainstream offerings tend to bore me. It can often feel like the same narratives are rehashed until they feel more like truth than truth itself, which I find dangerous.

I have been told that I have a taste for expensive cars, which is difficult for me to dispute given the vehicles I keep in my garage. I rarely read fiction - most of what I have are either loaned or gifted by others. But I enjoy essays that reveal the thought processes of their authors.

I appreciate the convenience of automation, but I do not like relying on it too much. Trial and error are useful tools for problem solving and I believe that we need enough of it lest we take the need for it for granted.

[lastcall]

[With both hands free, Eun takes better control of her bowl and continues to ice the rolls, clearly well-practiced with the process. She doesn't look at Asil, but her body language makes it clear that she is attentively listening.]

Would a reliance on electronics in music include electric guitars and keyboards? Or do you also enjoy that?

[nosco]

It depends on the setting. [ He smiles, amused. ] I suppose if there is a melody and lyrics I am amenable to trying.

Kara listens to an eclectic playlist. She says I tend to be conservative and share favorites akin to things her father says that his father used to listen to.

[lastcall]

[Eun's tastes are fairly varied, but she is not particularly passionate about it. However...]

Most of what I listen to veers more toward rock music and alternative rather than electronica, though there is some pop and R&B that I enjoy also. I like acoustic and I understand what you mean about needing melody and lyrics but...more often than not if I want to listen to music it's usually something with a heavy beat and good percussion with it.

[She sets the bowl down and uses a towel to turn the tray of rolls this way and that, to survey the icing distribution.]

I prefer documentaries about nature and history to more contemporary exposé types. Fiction and poetry to non-fiction, unless it's a particularly good memoir or travel book.

[She moves to the cupboards where, on second try, she finds small plates. Eun pulls down two and turns back.]

How many expensive cars do you have?

[nosco]

Three. [ The answer is placid and without discomfort. ] A Mercedes, a Subaru, and my Cayenne.

[ He can hardly hide his garage from her. And she has riddennin his SUV twice. ]

I only take the third out if I need to impress. More than often the Subaru is best for driving around these parts.

[lastcall]

[Icing complete, Eun lifts an eyebrow at the number he offers (which is not that many, actually) but also at his comment about the Cayenne. She swipes a finger through the icing and licks it off her finger, the picture of innocence.]

You don't need to impress me then?

[She gives him an intentionally wide-eyed look, having not even heard that he had the Cayenne until now.]

[nosco]

Would it? [ He counters sweetly, the words rolling off his tongue in a purr. ]

I might offer to take you on the night on the town, but I am not sure if the night life in Missoula offers as much as California.

[ He might drive her around just for the fun of it, however. ]

[lastcall]

[His response has Eun grinning, and she shakes her head, turning away again to get a spatula from nearby. The icing is set enough to serve the cinnamon rolls, she thinks. She plates one and slides it over to Asil before plating another for herself.]

I'd like a night on the town with you, and I don't care what car you drive as long as it won't break down on us. [Which she doubts they would.] And honestly, aside from hitting late night diners with friends after a shift, there isn't really anything from the night life in San Francisco I'd miss here. I danced but I don't love it, I can't get drunk, and I'm pretty sure I have no reason to be looking for hook-ups anymore.

[At this point, she meets his eyes again, and lifts the cinnamon roll to her mouth to take a healthy bite.]

I'd be happy with good food and maybe a pub or bar that has some good, live music.

[nosco]

I will keep that in mind. [ He turns his attention to the cinnamon roll and savors the first bite before turning his attention back to Eun.

There are places he could take her. His favorite restaurants, a café that he has accompanied Anna or Kara to. ]

[lastcall]

[Eun takes another bite, savoring the taste (they've turned out quite well, in her opinion) before turning her attention back to Asil.]

Good?

[nosco]

Excellent.

[ And because there is a bit of frosting at the corner of her mouth, he rises from his seat and crosses to her to steal a kiss; tongue flicking out teasingly just because. ]

[lastcall]

[She absolutely cannot fault him for joining her where she stands than simply pointing out that she has icing on her mouth. Her hand is still holding her roll which only leaves the other to wrap around behind his back as he kisses her. Teases.

Memories of last night are not that far away, but the demands of her stomach are loudest. With a flush to her cheeks and slightly darkened eyes, she leans against him...but the roll moves up between them. She offers him a bite of her own.]

If you tease me with your tongue again like that I'm going to forget all of my good intentions for this morning.

[nosco]

[ He laughs, and dips his head to take a bite from the roll. Chews. ]

We can indulge in both.

[ So very matter-of-fact. ] But I will behave. You had other questions?

[ About him. About Aspen Creek. About anything else under the bright sun above. ]

[lastcall]

[Eun continues to eat her cinnamon roll after he's had his bite, and pulls the tray closer to where he'd been sitting.

She did have other questions. Many of them. But a good half of them had to do with Him. His wolf. Them. Their relationship.

The nature of mating bonds.]

I do, but it would be premature to bring them up this morning, and I've probably put you on the spot enough last night. [Leaning up, she steals a kiss from him, no escalation of his previous one.] I think the others I have are more to do with general werewolf things and I may get those answers along the way the more time I spend here in Aspen Creek, talking with people.

[nosco]

That is true. [ But his curiosity is getting the better of him. And this morning, things are less emotionally charged in comparison to last night. ]

But ask me regardless? [ He settles back into his chair, a gesture that says yes, I will behave.

To set expectations however, he adds: ] As for questions about and directed to the pack. I think it is best that you know that beyond Charles, Anna, myself and Leah, the other wolves may elect to omit details for both your safety and theirs. At least, until they secure outright permission from Bran.

[lastcall]

[Eun follows him this time, taking the seat closest to him and dragging her plate with it. She finishes off her roll in another two bites, and pulls a second onto her plate. But after she licks her fingers free of icing, because the cinnamon rolls are in fact a messy business, and there is absolutely no reason to wipe good icing off on a napkin.]

I think anything else I might want to know about being a werewolf would at most fall into a category of "confidential to anyone not a werewolf" for the general things. And anything that falls outside of werewolf information I would likely bring to you, Anna, or Leah first anyway.

[She shifts a little on her seat, considering his invitation to ask him questions regardless. For a while, she is quiet, considering her questions and the possible path a conversation could take from each of them. It is clear that she is being cautious and careful.]

Last night you said you'd answer any questions I had about mating bonds. And that you would not rush things with us. Yes?