How to trap a Wolf:101(invitation only)

Simon and Ellis exited the elevator and walked out into the loud, thumping music of the 20th floor. She walked, hips swaying, just in front of Simon. Casually looking at the dancers who parted like the red sea for her. She smiled, nodding her head here and there. Ellis could feel Simon directly behind her, his stare boring into the back of her head.

As they reached the edge of the dance floor, near the private booths, she stopped, turning to look at Simon.

'So we're here.' Simon nodded, not at her but around the club like he was searching. Ellis had decided against formal wear for her trip to the House of Pain tonight. She was wearing her black buckled boots and matching body suit with steel studs and rings along the arms, the belt and the sides of her legs. Her hair was back in a low ponytail and tied with a bit of black leather. Simon was acting odd, which wasn't unusual as of late, but he asked her to accompany him to a meeting with the Wolf. She had hoped it would be about Hillman, hence the hunting outfit.

It would be a busy night if the Wolf was giving them what she wanted. She made mental note to have Carol clean her boots when she was done. They were going to get quite dirty.

Alfarinn glanced at the booth and then around the place. Ellis would recognize him for certain but there was also nothing odd about him coming here. It was unfortunate that they had no idea how much Simon had told her. Simon didn't say anything about bringing his leader to this meeting so there was no telling what this meant or what they should expect.

[Yes, let's move on]

Spotting the private rooms, he grinned at Thaddeus and wrapped his arm around his companion's waist.

[Remember when you said you were curious about the back rooms? Now might be a good time to indulge that interest.]

Quite frankly he'd feel safer with Thaddeus out of sight of the Wolf. The worst possible thing he could imagine would be Ellis spotting him and asking them to come over and having the Wolf arrive to see his quarry right there in front of him.

[I don't think we should be out where we could be seen, do you?]

He took his lover's arm and wrapped around his own waist, placing Thaddeus's hand on his ass and giving it a little pat as they drew closer to the doors.

"I really like these pants. Don't you?" He grinned at his companion before looking up at the person watching over the VIP rooms.

Thaddeus took in Alfarinn's smile and had the fleeting thought that at least one of them was happy before he found his hand in a rather pleasant location. Uncertainty with this arrangement lasted only a moment before he caught on, and Thaddeus wondered if he and Alfarinn were simply that in tune with each other or if his mind was just in the gutter.

[It seems we are of the same mind.]

Well, close enough anyway, though the act wasn't something he anticipated. At least it wasn't particularly difficult; in fact, it could hardly be called acting at all though this wasn't something Thaddeus would typically do in public.

He returned the grin and trailed his gloved fingers up Alfarinn's thigh, leaving darker trails in the suede, up to the waistband, which he gave a playful tug. He spoke loudly enough to be heard by the bouncer, but quietly enough that he was not obviously trying to be heard by anyone other than his companion.

"I do. But I think I like them better -off-."Â?

He let his cheek brush against the fabric of Alfarinn's sleeve before turning his attention to the bouncer and faking a look of chagrin for the stranger's benefit, as though he had only just now noticed the bouncer's presence.

The Bouncer gave the couple in front of him a once over as though deciding if they were the sort who belonged in the VIP rooms, though he recognized Arin Bjorn easily enough; kind of hard to miss, that one. If he didn't feign some sort of judgment, though, where was the exclusive factor to being allowed in VIP?

Even so, he felt it best to end his scrutiny and grab a key for a private room with reasonable speed, as the little one he didn't know seemed content to feel his taller companion up just anywhere. Not that that was a problem in this club, but they seemed to be in need of a place to follow through.

He tossed the key to Mr. Bjorn with an impassive expression and told them the room number in a flat tone of voice that indicated he could care less what they got up to.

"Two B."Â?

The Wolf slipped along the edge of the crowd, drawing little in the way of notice save a shudder here and there. He approached the table right on time, not so much as pausing at the unexpected company though his curiosity was roused.

He wondered if he was walking into a trap or being played but there was no help for it and anyway it wouldn't be the first time. The Wolf was still walking about. Besides, he had no reason to be overly suspicious; it wasn't just the Praetor who was interested in the information he obtained and he had always been on good terms with the leader of Tacharan. He wondered if she had something to do with the ring he sought, and chuckled at what a bitter twist that would be. His ring seemed to have a way of falling into interesting hands.

He stopped in front of the booth and shrugged off one shoulder of his cloak to reach the bag underneath, giving his company a nearly imperceptible nod.

"Treoraí an Tí. A Wolf is delighted by such fine company."Â? His mouth curved into an ironic smile as he turned to the Tacharan XO. "Praetor."Â?

Regarding the Tacharans for a moment with a fixed stare, he removed the bag completely from his shoulder and shrugged the cloak back into place before sliding into the seat opposite the couple.

"The Treoraí an Tí is ready to hunt."Â? He chuckled low. "Let us begin."Â?

He opened the bag and pulled out the clawed glove, setting it on the table with a thump in a gesture that could be taken as a gesture of good will or as a threat; The Wolf did not much care which. Not interested in playing 'you first', 'no, you first,' he pulled out an envelope containing the photographs of the compound and the disk with more of the same and slid it across the table. He would let the Tacharans give the visuals a look before divulging more; just enough to see that he had come through, not enough to make them leave without giving him what he wanted.

"Now."Â? He let that word sit for a moment, relishing its immediacy. Not later, not sometime in the future, no more patience; he would have what was his. "A Praetor has what A Wolf seeks?"Â?

Simon felt the sneer before he realized he was doing it. The wolf's presence always had that affect on him. He looked at Ellis who grinned slowly for the wolf as he sat and unearthed his treasure of information for her. He had begun to reach out for the papers when Ellis instead put her hand on them possessively. He looked over at her and saw the look of complete satisfaction on her face. He smelled blood in the water tonight, he just hoped it was her's.

"Now. A Praetor has what A Wolf seeks?"Â?

Simon brought his hand to his chest and scratched the bit of metal that was taped to his skin. He hoped Alfarinn and Thaddeus could hear them clearly.

Simon reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small little ruby ring. He felt Ellis stop and look at the ring, probably recognizing it from before. She had told him about her curious talk with Mai in the sewers so many days ago. He held the little trinket with 2 long fingers and grinned at the Wolf.

'Indeed. I have what A Wolf seeks.'

Simon prayed that Alfarinn and Thaddeus were listening in. He saw them make their way to the private rooms and thankfully, well hopefully, Ellis had not seen them. He knew, the second the ring was in the Wolf's hands, the chase would be on.

Lykaios after Thaddeus and Ellis after Hillman. It was going to be a busy night.

The Wolf's eyebrows disappeared behind the shaggy mane of hair that hung around his face as he regarded the ring in The Praetor's hand. His ring. The world seemed to disappear at the sight of it, as though the ring displayed the mirror opposite of his own abilities, standing out above all else even amongst the distractions of the club. He simply stared for a moment, transfixed.

Shaking his head roughly in annoyance at his own thoughts made quite obvious, he pulled a second envelope out of the bag along with a leather CD case with a pocket in the front. Setting one on top of the other, he opened the pocket of the case and pulled out the pen he had found in the lab, setting that aside for the moment.

The second envelope contained the map, and it was a good one; The Wolf had marked it meticulously and had added a velum overlay outlining the main sewer tunnels in case the Tacharans wished to enter the compound from below. The CD case included the obvious disks that held the data from the strange machine, and the cryptographic key remained in the pocket.

Splaying his fingers over the top of the little stack he had made, he met The Praetor's eyes and pushed the items a few inches forward, reaching out to take the ring with his other hand.

"It seems we two have kept to our word."Â?

He would have been amused at the idea of two vampires being honorable if not for the fact that he was so close to what was his that he could taste it. At the moment he just wanted to take the ring and leave, but The Praetor had proved himself faithful and for some reason The Wolf felt compelled to finish what he had started with the Tacharan.

"It seems we two have kept to our word."Â?
'I...'

Simon had decided to fuck with Wolf a little and ask him a barrage of questions concerning the ring, but suddenly it was plucked out of his hands by a slender hand with blood red nails.

Ellis.

She was looking at the ring. He looked at her, his eyes slightly larger from her audacity but he should've known she'd do something like this. Simon sat back and waited for Ellis to have her fun.

Ellis turned the ring, letting the club's strobe lights twinkle off the bauble. She held it close to her, but more importantly, away from the Wolf.

'I gotta ask,' she started, not looking at either men, 'what's a crazy motherfucker like yourself wanting a little girly ring for, Lykaios?' She looked at the straggly haired man, her evil grin slowly forming. Ellis shrugged, 'Just seems a little odd that you'd want something so insignificant.'

Ellis batted her eyelashes.

The Wolf scowled as the Tacharan leader snatched up the ring from The Praetor's grasp. It took all of his restraint not to grab the Treoraí an Tí by the wrist and smash her hand to get his possession back. He could actually hear the bones snap in his brief but violent fantasy, but remembered himself before taking any action.

He forced a grunting laugh as he pulled back the envelope and case and appeared to consider the question for a moment before responding.

"It belongs to a Wolf. A Wolf would keep what is his."Â? Still somewhat annoyed and wondering just what game was being played here, he continued. "As Tacharan wishes to keep what is theirs."Â? He looked between the two Tacharans, frowning, before picking up the pen.

"A Wolf has worthless trinkets as well. Perhaps it is best to place such inconsequentials where they belong."Â?

"A Wolf has worthless trinkets as well. Perhaps it is best to place such inconsequentials where they belong."Â?

Ellis dangled the ring on her index finger and shook it at the Wolf. 'Now now, no need to get thy panties in a proverbial bunch.' She shrugged again. 'It's just curious, dont you think, Simon?'

Simon gave her another side glance and shrugged slightly.

Ellis took the ring and put it on her left hand's ring finger. 'Aw, nice fit.' She slowly looked up at the Wolf and then let the ring slip off her finger. 'I appreciate you looking into our thieving problem, Lykaios.' She tossed the ring with a flick of her hand and sent the ring across the table. 'If the ring is fitting payment for you, well then I'm ok with that.'

She sat back and placed her hands in her lap.

The Wolf fixed a glare on the Tacharan leader as she continued to admire the ring, apparently underestimating his own annoyance. He nearly missed her last comment, too transfixed by the sight of the dim light catching the stone in the ring before landing neatly in his outstretched hand. He pushed the envelope and CD case across the table absently as he regarded the ring, -his- ring, that he had waited so long to obtain.

He debated for a moment on whether to slip it on now or wait until he was out of sight, and decided that right now he could give a shit what the consequences might be. Even so, he thought it might be wise to finish up the job and get rid of the Tacharans who were quickly getting under his skin. He slipped the ring in his cloak pocket and picked up the pen.

"There is more. Are the Tacharans ready to hunt The Traitor?"Â? He turned the pen over to show the engraving on the side, revealing the name etched into the silver plating. He could track now and have a good idea of where the Traitor was currently spending his time. Normally he would offer to go with the Tacharans and lend a helping hand, as he enjoyed seeing the fruits of his labors, but other things would keep him busy tonight.

Simon watched the Wolf admire his new prize or was it an old love...either way it creeped him the fuck out.

"There is more. Are the Tacharans ready to hunt The Traitor?"Â?

Simon looked at Ellis who sat with a simper. 'Are you ready?' He asked her. He'd make all the motions of him wanting to be by her side. He wouldnt put up that much of a fight, but knowing her, he wouldnt have to. She'd want to do this on her own.

He was more than happy to let her.

Ellis was staring almost wistfully at The Wolf. Really not at him, but past him. She was taking a moment to make a mental to do list. She'd visit Hillman tonight, there was no doubt of that but not with the Mercs or with Simon. No. She'd go alone.

'Are you ready?' Simon asked.

She hummed and grinned. 'Quite ready.' Looking back at the Wolf she said, 'Lykaios, dear boy, I do appreciate this. We'll have to chat later, discuss a bonus?'

Ellis almost laughed to herself. Sorin didn't have to know the Wolf wasn't really dead. Goodness, she was wicked she thought to herself. But she wouldnt have it any other way. This time she did giggle. She stood and reached for all the paperwork, minus the pen.

She'll just have to ask for him politely when she got to the compound.

((ooc - heading out, waiting on Wolf))

The Wolf nodded his head at the Tacharan leader's confirmation and laughed low, amused, at the mention of a bonus. Little did -she- know that he had already received one tonight. It briefly occurred to him that perhaps he should try to glean more payment from these jobs, but he dismissed the thought as unimportant.

He gripped the pen in his hand for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. Though his eyes were open to his surroundings, he saw not the lights of the House of Pain, but an image edged in blue haze of a man leaving the premiere hotel in town. His tracking would not hold for long, but he watched The Traitor walk down the sidewalk, looking over his shoulder before shoving his hands in his pockets and strutting with false confidence down the street, toward the industrial district.

The tracking induced image faded slowly, and he to the Tacharans.

"The Traitor is on his way to the compound. A Wolf imagines he will receive a warm welcome."Â?

He tossed the pen to the Treoraí an Tí , as it held no further use to him, and added one last remark before she went on her way.

"Perhaps a Traitor would like his pen back before he dies."Â? He chuckled low at that thought, then turned to regard The Praetor as he pulled his hood over his head.

Ellis reached up and grabbed the pen mid air. She gave the Wolf a wink, 'Thanks, dear...you're a peach.'

Simon started to slide out of the booth.

'No no,' she said, the smile dropping from her face. 'I go alone, but ready the Mercs and wait for my signal.' She had hoped Simon would've known better. Her hate for Hillman had become shameless, making her that much more unstable. Which always lead to her relying a little too much on her ability to with stand damage, but she could already feel the rise of her blood lust. That feeling, that sensation that started tingling in her mouth was undeniable. Simon stopped and put his hands on the table.

'Good boy,'...and then she was gone.

((ooc - Ellis out))

The Wolf picked up his glove from where it had rested on the table, slipping it over his hand and clenching his fist. He gave The Praetor an almost curious look, wondering once again if this particular vampire might have a spark of the same sort of bitter resentment that he held for his own maker. If so, the Tacharan did not show it, though in The Wolf's mind it was only common sense to hate the one who made you the way you were.

That was a matter for a later date, though; for now, The Wolf had his own grudges to resolve.

"Your Treoraí an Tí is an interesting sort for The Praetor. Willful."Â? He laughed. "Such females make great trouble, and yet a Praetor stays by her side."Â? He leaned forward and spoke in a confidential tone. "A Praetor is, perhaps, more patient than A Wolf."Â? Upon paying this high compliment, for The Wolf was indeed feeling complimentary, he stood to go. "And now A Wolf has other matters to attend to. A Praetor has done well."Â?

/ooc heading out, though if Simon wants to chat A Wolf is willing for a time (though I cannot imagine why he'd want to O_O)

Simon tapped his fingers softly on the table top. He watched the crowd part as Ellis walked away on her mission. When she disappeared, he blinked once and looked at the Wolf.

How pleased he looked. The beast with his prize. He had no parting words for Lykaios. No little snipes at the ego as the Wolf had just done. Simon looked over the once man, now beast, and raised his eyebrows just a bit before he slid quietly out of the booth. He chose a path to the bar, but he just wanted to be away from the stench air of superiority that the booth seemed to emit after having both the psychotic Tacharan leader and her lone wolf killer. How ironic their fates seemed now.

Simon reached the bar and leaned on it. He let himself smile finally as he whispered, 'Two birds. One stone.'

((ooc - out))

The Wolf shrugged as The Praetor walked away, his face as always a mask. He did not waste much time wondering what the Tacharan might be thinking, caught up in his own mission.

He slinked off, once again skirting the edges of the crowd, and made his way to the elevators. Once inside, he waited, watching the numbers tick down.

He pushed the emergency stop at the 10th floor and reached into his cloak for the ring, finding himself unable to resist waiting any longer.

And this, he discovered, was The Bitch's last slight against him, the last little contest she could win.

The fucking thing didn't fit. He could just barely get it past the first knuckle of his littlest finger and there was no hope of sliding it over the second. He punched his fist into the metal wall of the elevator, denting it and cutting his knuckles in the process, but he didn't feel a thing in his rage.

He was not sure how long he stayed in the elevator before he was calm enough to see past the haze of wrath that had fallen over his eyes, but it was with an odd calm that he recovered himself and slipped the ring back into his pocket. He observed, as though from far away, that he had felt nothing when he put the ring on, and wondered if it had to be worn properly.

Such adjustments could be made. But oh, The Heir would suffer all the more for this.

He pulled out a single black leather glove from his backpack and studied it for a moment, thinking rather petulantly that the ring would likely fit The Heir well before staring fixedly ahead and focusing.

His laughter this time was genuine, even being as full of malice as it was.

They were in the club. How perfect.

He sent to his wolf, expecting him to be waiting in the sewers.

[The hunt begins.]

/ooc Wolfie outie

Alfarinn leaned up to look at Thaddeus and gave him a small smile.

[Good because I need you.]

He figured that was something of an obvious truth but it did compel him to focus on what had to be done. Much as he disliked the idea of going anywhere near this guy with Thaddeus, they would not be safe until it was over. Until now it had sort of gone on without their control, or certainly less than he'd like but now they had to choose to get up and follow. It was something that he knew he'd blame himself for if Thaddeus got hurt in all of this but he also knew that his companion wouldn't stay somewhere safe any more than he would in a similar situation. Alfarinn also had to acknowledge that he needed Thaddeus there, despite being skilled with weapons and an ancient, he knew he was no match for the Wolf's killing talents that had been honed over time and enhanced with depravity. Together was the only way they stood a chance.

Alfarinn leaned in to kiss Thaddeus, running a hand down his companion's thigh until it came in contact with the pocket Thaddeus had kept the GPS unit in. Raising his eyebrows at his lover, he smiled and pulled out the little screen and turned it so they both could see where the Wolf was now.

"I suppose we should get our things from the car and then start this chase."

Thaddeus blinked at Alfarinn's response, though he supposed he should probably know that by now. He wondered for a moment just how his companion had meant that particular statement, then decided it didn't matter; he would be there no matter how Alfarinn needed him, after all.

There was a long moment of quiet before Thaddeus heard Simon's voice through the wire. Their cue to go, then. He reached for the GPS device in his pocket, but too slowly; he found himself kissing Alfarinn rather fervently instead. He had meant to pull away as Alfarinn's hand moved down his side, knowing in some part of his mind that his will would not hold out indefinitely, but his hands moved to cup the back of Alfarinn's head and he gave up, for a moment, on making his body listen to him.

It seemed that Alfarinn was having slightly better luck with staying focused, and Thaddeus pulled himself together as they parted, the device in his companion's hand. Nodding his head, he stood, putting one hand on Alfarinn's shoulder.

He felt he ought to have something to say, but words seemed to be failing him once again. He didn't believe what he was currently thinking would go over very well, as it had a great deal to do with just what would happen to anyone or anything that did his love harm and that seemed like an unsettling thing to talk about. He found his mouth curving into a half smile, a bit to genuine to be a smirk, and he leaned forward to kiss Alfarinn once more on the top of his forehead.

"Quod incepimus conficiemus."Â?

With that, he took Alfarinn's hand and walked to the door.

/ooc "What we have begun we shall finish."Â?

Alfarinn paused and looked at his companion in surprised appreciation. Placing an arm around Thaddeus's waist as they headed back out into the club, he said

"You know, its quite sexy hearing you speak Latin."

He tossed the key back to the VIP guard and weaved a path through the club. Ellis was still out here, interesting. He would have thought she would be on her way to kill the traitors by now. The white haired woman nearby was not someone he knew by name but her violent tendencies where seen from time to time in the club. Halting a moment he watched the scene wondering if Ellis might have made a deal with the Wolf just as they had Simon. Was it possible they were being set up as well? Could Ellis only be delaying around with some of her Tacharan until they went outside and then found themselves trapped between two maniacal killers?

It seemed unlikely that either would work together for a kill but counting on that kind of thing could be their downfall. Alfarinn continued on his way through to the exit and then paused again just outside the door with bouncers. They wouldn't be much protection should Ellis and others attack but hopefully some of the Evenhet in the club could be called on to balance out the odds. Was Ellis crazy enough to start a clan war if an ambush plan went wrong? Did a wild bear shit in the woods? Of course she was, from what he had seen of her, she hated to fail and in the heat of the moment if their deaths were on her mind then he doubted she'd be interested in the consequences.

[Ellis should have been gone by now. I don't like that but she hasn't shown up yet so perhaps its nothing. Lets wait a few minutes and see if she comes out.]

Alfarinn pondered that a moment and decided that the Tacharan second in command would have to deal with his own troubles for the moment. He liked Simon and considered him a friend but they had something immediate to be concerned with and it wanted to see his lover dead. Priorities being what they were, Alfarinn quickly wished Simon the best of luck.

[He doesn't appear to be in the club any more. I doubt he's in danger from Ellis and if the Wolf is chasing him down then we'll see him soon enough. Hopefully before any harm comes to him.]

Heading back to the car, Alfarinn pulled out the zweihander and strapped it on his back. It would be no good in the sewers but there was no garauntee that the Wolf was staying there. He picked up a short spear and a morning star mace. The spear would be decent for thrusting in the sewers and the mace was good for close combat, it was messy though and he hoped for the sake of his companion that he didn't have to use it. Bludgeoning someone to death with a spiked ball on a stick was far from civilized.

Hooking a projectile taser to his belt, Alfarinn dangled the mace upside down from the leather strap and closed the car door. He saw his reflection in the shiny silver metal and wondered at the odd mix of present and past. His savage hunter's roots showing overlaid on top of the nice sophisticated modern clothing. Though he had to admit, giving his legs a stretch before they headed back down into the sewers and into danger, that Thaddeus's choice of pants would suit the fight well. They were easy to move in and offered more protection that simple fabric.

[I think I really will let you pick my clothing out from now on. These were a excellent choice.]

He hoped his companion would still want to be with him despite whatever savagery ended up happening below. Arin would be left up here for a time and the man who was born before the Vikings were feared would take his place.

((OOC: out pending Thaddeus's response and into the sewers))

Thaddeus nodded in agreement with Alfarinn's assessment and took the reminder that time was rather essential to heart, walking briskly at his companion's side through the sewers and up to the parking garage. While his love set about arming himself to the teeth, Thaddeus unbuckled the blade strapped to his calf and rolled up his sleeve, attaching the knife to his forearm and tightening the straps to fit. Via Veritas was worn between his shoulder blades; he had considered leaving it behind, but upon picking it up and feeling the weight of it in his hand, he found he felt better with this particular weapon within reach. The stunner he kept clipped to his hip.

When he was at last adjusted, he looked over at Alfarinn, who was now carrying a sword nearly as tall as him along with some other rather impressive weaponry. He was rather suddenly aware of the fact that his companion was not someone you wanted to be on the wrong side of, and the thought that they wanted to kill The Wolf, not have him flee in terror, crossed his mind.

He found himself smiling at Alfarinn's remark, though it felt a bit more grim than usual, and he reached out to run his gloved hand over the suede covered hip.

[Well you -do- look drop dead sexy.]

Deciding that statement was probably in poor taste and blaming his nerves, he pulled out the GPS device once more.

[Still in the sewers. I suppose that is our destination.]

/ooc Thaddeus out with Alfarinn