Now what? (Nate!)

[Kaigen Korrick]

A light fell across his face, accompanied by a gruff voice. “Hey. Wake up. No hobos on the benches.” Story of his life. Kaigen’s eye opened, peering up at the rent-a-cop. Security had become more tight lately, on account of a violent increase of muggings over the last couple weeks. They didn’t know who they were looking for, and Kaigen was just another street person. He felt perfectly fine catching a few winks on the occasional bench, waiting for another late evening, and early morning passerby. Men, women, it didn’t matter. Men were more likely to carry cash, but women had nice jewelry too. Their Gucci purses sold for a nice penny on the back streets. No one had been killed…yet. This wasn’t his only source of income either, but it had been the easiest to get away with so far.

He had taken that $100 Jericho gave him, and went to a Chinese buffet. It was amazing they were still open after how much Kaigen had torn through there. It had been his first time really intentionally eating meats. He’d started easy, Orange Chicken. At least it had a fruit in the name, but it didn’t taste like no orange. Still, it wasn’t as bad as he’d been expecting, so he went around and around and around trying everything, until stopping at the coup-de-grace…the slab of meat on the cutting board where the man asked, “How do you want your steak sir?” “Medium-Rare…” he was feeling particularly brave. It had to of been the wolf in him, but he’d loved it. He even went back for another. The man eyed him then, he’d seen how much Kai had already been around the bar, plus the 8 oz slab of sirloin. He told Kaigen, “I know what you want.” And cut a whopping 15 oz steak, seared it on each side for not even a second just to warm it up, and slapped it on his plate. Kaigen just stared at it. Then grinned. It was the best meal he’d had in his life. He felt fuller than well, than he’d ever been. And it was all for almost $12.Thank God for buffets.

With the rest, he got some clothes, and a few items he would need if he were going to survive the streets. Some new clothes, a ski mask, and a dagger, which he kept on his belt. He hadn’t forgotten what went on in that lonely old derelict building so deep in the slums. That had been a crazy night and a very weird morning. He still couldn’t explain to himself why he’d felt so…good for once. As if nothing were wrong with the world at all, as if he were still curled up in his daddy’s arms with his baby sister in her momma’s lap. He’d even said thank you for once. But then once he’d stepped foot outside…reality struck him again like a massive weight crashing upon his head and he knew the time for warmth and childhood happiness was long over with. But he hadn’t forgotten. And as much as doing the things he did now made him despise himself all the more, it simply had to be done.

He still needed to find another werewolf, hopefully before the next moon. As much as he was starting to get a taste for meat, and as much as he didn’t have a problem with killing people, eating them was a whole other story. Then again, he wasn’t starving now, would it still be just as bad? He didn’t know. He didn’t know a lot of things about his new side, and this wasn’t his city anymore. He didn’t have friends to back him up. Sooner or later, the police would catch him doing something he knew he shouldn’t be, and there wouldn’t be Jericho around this time to say “I see a man, not an animal.” And he wouldn’t be going to jail either. He’d rather let them just kill him if they could. Or he’d kill every cop that came at him, either way.

So now, laying here sprawled on a bench, looking like he hadn’t had a bath in…months, hair all grown out, sporting a grizzly beard he didn’t bother cutting with his dagger, Kaigen looked like the hobo the wanna-be cop thought he was. He just grumbled at the man, picking himself up. “The homeless shelter in the slums, why don’t you go there? Hey…haven’t I told you this already? Buddy I’m about to take you in if you don’t get out of this park right now.” Kaigen grinned toothily at the cop before stuffing his hands in his pockets and taking his sweet ol time walking down the path.

[Nathaniel Devlin]

It was turning out to be a good day after all, Nate thought to himself as he paid for the bag of groceries. Who was he kidding? There really wasn’t any way he’d ever have a good day in Arc City. Maybe a boring day, but never a good one. There was nothing good about this god damn city. Maybe the money, Nate mused as the cashier gave him back his change. He thanked the woman before he picked up the brown bag of groceries and walked out of the store. Still, even the money here was hard to find—even if jobs were coming in left and right. People always tried to screw you over, no matter how well or how fast you did your jobs. Nate really didn’t understand why there were such pricks that dealt business like that. Was it really easier to have the man killed rather than pay him? Sure secrecy was a must, but then, why hire in the first place? Was it some idiotic reason such that people were expendable? Nate shook his head as he took a shortcut into an alleyway.

Of course he knew the answers to his questions—he wasn’t stupid. Still, he allowed these rants from time to time, otherwise he’d go insane from all the bullshit that came his way everyday. Already, he was feeling better as he reached the park—another shortcut. Arc City had never been a nice place, Nate knew, even before he had been turned. The only difference from before he was turned and after though was now he at least had a fighting chance against all the shit that came out of this god forsaken city. Maybe it was just his bad luck or god was having such a perversely fun time torturing him by the way the passed weeks had played out.

He began hearing voices then as a man in uniform approached a homeless guy sleeping on the bench. Even as far away Nate was, he could hear the whole conversation play out, though he didn’t really pay much attention to it. Something about loitering. Nate wasn’t surprised. Security had gotten tighter here due to some mugger. The young werewolf didn’t give a damn about it though. As long as the mugger didn’t attempt to mug him, he didn’t care whatever it was the mugger did.

The homeless guy got up then, a grin on his face as he walked away from the cop and towards Nate. Judging from the way he walked, it was obvious he was trying to provoke the guy. Looking for a fight, maybe Nate thought absently as the homeless man walked passed him.

Nate froze for a split second.

Even amidst the dirt, grime, and various other awful smells, the smell still struck Nate hard. He had smelled it before, so much so that it was forever printed into his brain. He couldn’t forget even if he tried. Of course he did. The man smelled wild, dangerous, animal-like and he smelled of death.

He smelled like a werewolf.

[Kaigen Korrick]

The security cop glared after Kaigen as he slowly made his way. He didn't like the look he'd been given. He also hadn't liked the way he'd been grinned at. He had told this man before about being out here. He also had a penchant for cruelty. As the man walked away from him, the security cop reached behind his back, hand grasping something. He made quick, long strides towards the retreating figure. His gaze fell on Nate as he approached, the look he gave the man was one of, 'stay out of it'. As he came upon Kaigen, the baton was whipped out, extended with a flick, and lifting to come down on Kaigen's head.

Kaigen took his sweet old time strolling along, like he could be anywhere in the world. He knew he was provoking the man, and obviously seemed to be enjoying himself. He could see the other man walking along the path with a bag, a few misshapen contents contorting its sides. How he wished he could be just a normal man walking home. He could hear the steps of the cop coming up swiftly behind him. He would glance into the eyes of the other man. He had not learned yet to rely on all of his senses. Most humans did not go about sniffing things, and as well, he hadn't met another werewolf since his change, he didn't really know what they smelled like.

His face had become neutral as he walked, but now a feral grin spread across his features. His amused eyes darkened suddenly, and a yellow flash came over them. Just as the cop was moving in for the strike, Kaigen moved. WIth the speed of someone clearly no longer purely human, his turned, one hand snapping upward to catch the wrist holding the baton, instantly crushing the cops fingers. His right hand had gone to his side in the turn, and a white flash caught under the beam of the overhead string of lights revealed a blade. Kaigen was decent with knives, he had learned enough from Shank. Shank never used a gun, and could kill men who did easily. The six inch dagger would be held properly for an upward movement, starting low around the groin area. Clearly, instead of just going for some stabs, Kaigen wanted to see blood, lots. And he certainly was not about to leave a witness alive.

[Nathaniel Devlin]

Shit fuck.

Why was this always happening to him? Nate watched, as the cop looked at him, the man’s eyes clearly telling Nate not to interfere. The young werewolf wanted to sigh. He wasn’t worried for the homeless guy; werewolves were sturdy little bastards. No, if Nate were going to be helping anyone, it’d be the cop though Nate didn’t really want to. The cop deserved what was coming to him. Even before the cop reached striking distance, Nate knew the cop would get a few broken bones for this little stunt. Oh well, it wasn’t of his concern. He walked passed the cop and was planning to leave the two alone when he smelled it.

Bloodlust.

It was kind of hard to not smell that particular scent. When it came to Nate’s job, the speed at which you identified the scent could save your life. Nate couldn’t help, but get involved now. The smell wasn’t coming from the cop, but rather the homeless werewolf.

With a quick movement, Nate moved faster than thought possible for any normal human being, the bag of groceries left plummeting down as he reached the two men. The young werewolf could already see that the cop’s hand was already broken as the homeless werewolf gripped it hard, crushing it. Nate didn’t really worry about that. What worried him though was the shiny six-inch dagger that was aimed right at the man’s crotch. There was something really sick about that, Nate thought as, with another burst of speed, he got in between the two men. With a quick movement, he grabbed both of the homeless werewolf’s wrists then, with force, he squeezed the arm that held the cops, forcing it to let go of its hold on the cop’s wrist. Nate then kicked the cop squarely on the stomach area with enough force to send him flying a few feet away—out of danger. The shock from the whole experience, not to mention the banging of his head as he fell onto the pavement, rendered the cop unconscious. It was a blessing, really.

Fucking shit. Nate thought as he heard the bag of groceries fall, the carton of eggs inside making a sickening splat as the eggs inside cracked open. He had just bought those.

“Okay, I know the guy deserved to be beat up,” Nate said, his tone strained as he stopped the homeless werewolf’s arms from moving, “But don’t you think stabbing his crotch is a bit of an overkill?”

Unlike the homeless guy, Nate’s eyes weren’t glowing like his was. No, Nate was more controlled than that. Still, the man was clearly strong. Maybe Nate would have to reconsider the whole control thing. It would prove to be a disadvantage tonight if he didn’t.

[Kaigen Korrick]

Instinctual, natural hatred of any police type, stemming from years of running from them, coupled with his new, as yet uncontrolled bestial nature flooding him with constant anger, had Kaigen in a really sour mood. His glowing yellow eyes flashed intently as he glared at the cop, his knife hand aiming low, just above the lower extremities and coming in with an upward motion. He wanted to tear this cop in fucking two and somewhere inside him, something was screaming for meat and blood.

When the figure of another suddenly materialized in front of him, gripping his hands and stopping his fun, Kaigen was at first startled, and let go of the man more out of shock then pain. His grip on the knife was not so easily broken, he had years of experience knowing to hang onto your weapon for dear life. If anything, he only gripped it tighter. He had no idea who this person was, or how he had been able to move so quickly, but his inner wolf knew something. Kaigen could feel a snarl building, from deep within the pits of his throat and growing louder. Who did this guy think he was? The wolf in him saw Nathaniel as a threat, and his proximity and grip on his wrists only furthered the notion.

Kaigen struggled, pulling hard against the grip that held fast his hands. He really had no beef with the guy; he just wanted to kill the cop but wasn’t being allowed to do so. He did not seem worried or alarmed at his presence, he had gotten used to meeting folk with strange gifts. He was barely concerned in the fringes of his consciousness, what the intent and purpose of the other one would be now, would they fight? He did not want to shift, but he could feel it coming. He glared at him, lifting a lip and just plain snarled in his face. “You had better release me now...” His voice was strained, rasping out in a guttural snarl that was hardly human. He almost feared the pain of the shift, it was truly awful.

With inhuman speed, Kaigen’s right knee thrust upward in the vicinity of Nathaniel’s stomach, his head then slamming forward toward the other man’s. He just wanted to be released, and get a chance to calm down, but he could not guarantee the wolf would settle for that. It wanted blood, and seeing the fallen cop not but a few feet behind the other werewolf was not helping. There was little doubt in Kaigen’s mind, that if he were to have his own way, that cop would be a scattered mess of parts in the next few minutes. His conscious mind was not sure what exactly he was facing, he had seen others displaying speed and strength such as this already, hell, Gideon had shown more than enough of his powers to have him concerned about what he might be facing. Either way, conflict had followed him his whole life, now was no different. He just had a few more gifts that he really needed to learn how to control….

[Nathaniel Devlin]

Nate wanted nothing more than to hit himself. What the hell was wrong with him? Did he have to go out of his way to stick his nose in everyobody’s business? He did, but then that involved a job—money—but this didn’t at all. There was nothing to take here, except maybe a beating or two. Judging by the homeless guy’s scent, what Nate had just done didn’t please him. Oops, Nate thought to himself, a small threatening to creep into his mouth, though he tried hard to stop it, making the smile look more like a twitch that was gone as fast as it had come. Still, despite Nate’s annoyance with himself at having stopped the man, he knew it was the right thing to do. If he hadn’t stopped the man’s attempt at murder, Nate was sure he wouldn’t get sleep later, the guilt eating him up inside. Yeah, this was a selfish act. Nate liked his sleep.

The man struggled a bit on Nate’s grip before he spoke, his voice coming out strained, probably because he seemed ready to pop; his eyes glowing gold as he stared at the young werewolf. “Sorry, can’t do that,” Nate said, a small grin appearing on his face, “I cant have you killing other people now can—“

Nate reacted quickly enough as he release the non-weapon wielding hand of the homeless guy, effectively blocking the man’s shin, though the man’s head butt had hit its mark. Luckily though, Nate had moved back out of instinct, thus softening the head butt’s blow. Still the fucker hurt.

“Ow,” Nate said as he as rubbed his head, “That hurt.” If it had been anyone, but he, they’d have a big ass bruise in the morning with that blow—maybe even a concussion. “Now, don’t be like that,” Nate said a grin appearing on his face again as he spoke, “I’m not your enemy, I’m just here to stop you from killing the police officer here,” Nate said as he gestured towards the unconscious man a few feet away from him. It was then that Nate smelled it as the homeless guy's eyes rested on the officer. Anger was prominent in the other man’s scent though Nate had caught something else—hunger. The kind of bestial hunger that was prominent in all newly formed werewolves.

Nate's grin disappeared then as he sighed, his face set in resignation. “But I’m guessing you won’t be stopping any time soon—no matter what I say” Nate spread his arms apart, his hands fanned out in a defensive like position as he stood straight, blocking the unconscious policeman from the other’s sight, “Fine. But you’ll have to go through me first.”

Fuck. This was what Nate was talking about; he just couldn’t let things go. Oh well, he was here now. There was nothing left to do than to go with it. Even as he stood there casually, Nate was ready to act on a moment's notice. People tended to let their guard done when it came to fighting Nate, especially since his thin frame gave the idea of fragility. The homeless guy may have an idea as to how strong Nate was, but what the eyes registered was always something hard to get away from. Nothing about Nate spoke strong, especially since his eyes weren't glowing golden like the other guy’s. Nate wanted it to come to that as a last resort. He didn’t want to ruin his clothes, especially since the coffee colored, hooded, leather jacket he wore was new—as much as things bought in thrift stores were new. The blue jeans though, that was fine to go; he had others. The shoes though…he liked his white sneakers, even if they were so dirty they were more likely gray than white. Nope, he didn’t want to transform and ruin his clothes.

Not again.

[Kaigen Korrick]

”Sorry, can’t do that, I can’t have you killing other people now can-“ Kai ignored him, throwing his knee up and head forward. His knee was blocked but the head butt wasn’t. His released hand was coming in for a swing when Nate had stepped back. Smart man. Kai let him back up, remaining in his spot as he glared past the stranger to stare at the security guard, the growl rising in threat and vicious thoughts in his head.

”I’m not your enemy...” At this Kai’s golden orbs slowly lifted from the fallen guard to the figure before him, narrowed slightly as he studied him, judging the intent and truthfulness of his words. He watched the man spread his arms and block his view, saying something about going through him first. The challenge was plain and clear and Kaigen really wanted to respond to it, attack or something but he just sniffed instead. The growl that had been bubbling in him slowly dried out and he took a deep breath. Cool your jets Kai he thought to himself. His weapon arm slowly lowered, giving the other wolf a level stare.

”Fine. Have it your way.” It seemed a great effort for him to shift his eyes down and to the opposite side of where the guard was, and a greater one for his hand to guide the knife back into its place.

Nate had not exactly given a direct order to stand down, but the effect of his actions and words were still the same. Kai’s wolf was tempered out in the presence of the other one. Running mostly on this new instinct lately was sometimes a good thing as he was avoiding a conflict this time. His eyes already softened back to their natural mud brown, moved back up to peer at Nate.

Now that the wolf was retreated, Kaigen folded his arms over his chest and just glared. ”So, I don’t suppose you’re one of those hunter types, so let me guess. Something tells me we’re in the same boat.” A slow smirk was drawing its way across his features. He was pleased, he hadn’t even tried and here was someone like him. The smirk died where it began and he too, sighed heavily. “I don’ ‘spose you would happen to know what the hell I’m supposed to do with this…thing.” That was the closest he would come for asking the fellow for some help.

[Nathaniel Devlin]

It wasn’t a challenge.

It wasn’t.

It really wasn’t!

Nate’s thoughts raced as he stood there, arms apart, like the idiot that he was. He was trying to deter the homeless man from attacking and yet, in doing so, he had spurred him on, judging from the man’s scent. He thought to himself, as he stifled a groan, Why were new ones always like this? It was annoying. So freaking annoying. Now he’d have to fight the guy. God dammit. Nate hoped he wouldn’t have to kill him though. He really did.


Nate set his legs a bit further apart, ready to subdue the homeless man before him when the guy sniffed. Nate blinked. The homeless werewolf took a deep breath then, his scent calming down. Oh thank god, Nate thought with a sigh as the man lowered his weapon.

The man spoke then; his yellow eyes staring into Nate’s brown ones. His voice was strained and he seemed to have a hard to as he lowered his weapon and hid it back to wherever he kept it. Nate didn’t want to know where that was and he didn’t really want to find out. “Thanks,” Nate said, lowering his arms back to his side, though he didn’t move an inch away from the guard. “I didn’t want to die today.”

The homeless werewolf straightened from his crouch and crossed his arms, his glare on the young werewolf before he spoke. From a guy who was just about to lose control, he was a bit arrogant isn't he? Nate thought, annoyed as the man smirked at him before he continued to speak, though it quickly disappeared with a sigh. It was a front. The man was obviously scared out of his mind. He was new, and judging from the way he had acted, he didn’t have a pack. It was odd how the man had run into someone who had the same situation before. No, it wasn’t odd. It was this goddamn city. Such an little shit fuck it was, playing around with Nate. How else would he end up face to face with this man? Chance? Nate didn’t believe it was.

“First, we aren’t on the same boat,” Nate said as he finally turned around and walked towards his fallen bag of groceries, “I don’t go around losing control and killing people like some psycho.”

“Second, no I don’t really know what to do with that thing of yours. It’s really up to you,” Nate picked up his groceries then, leaving the broken carton of eggs on the pavement, “You’re a werewolf now. Congratu-fucking-lations.” Nate turned towards the homeless man then, the bag of groceries cradled on one arm, “For that piece of information, you owe me a carton of eggs.”

Nate didn’t want to answer any of this guy’s questions. Already, he could see how this was going to go. The man would ask questions, Nate would answer, then he’d ask Nate for help. And Nate, being the kind, caring, guilt ridden person that he was, would oblige. Well, there was no way that shit was going to happen. Nope. Fuck that. He’d make the man buy him another carton of eggs, answer his questions along the way, then go straight home. Alone. He didn’t need another mouth to feed, he could barely feed himself as it was. If all else failed, maybe he’d send the man towards that fucking hell whole of a pack. Maybe they’d take him—or kill him.

Whatever.

[Kaigen Korrick]

A barely contained grunt of laughter escaped his lips at Nate's first words. If you only knew... He kept his features blank as Nathaniel continued. He kept his gaze on Nate even as he moved away, ignoring the downed cop completely. "...you owe me a carton of eggs." His eyebrows shot up, lips forming the classic, oooooh. His eyes rolled upwards slightly, head tilting to the side as his hands went tapping around all of his pockets. In his back pocket would be a small wad of twenties, hardly noticeable in his baggy jeans but he just patted around, a small frown growing upon his features before his gaze dropped back to Nate with a visible shrug. "Sorry mate, I'm flat ass broke."

He contemplated Nathaniel's words. His gaze became vacant, lifeless. Staring at nothing but the air. He could tell this would get nowhere very fast. And who was he trying to kid anyway? He knew better. Nothing in life was free. He did not even ask a good question, too open, too vague. Of course he got a dumb answer.

From some long dead, reminiscent and innocent part of him, he had hoped he could have met someone he would instantly connect with, who would have unraveled all of the secrets of the world for his eager mind to absorb. The cruel reality of it was simple. This man had means, he was walking home with a bag of food, dressed nice, clean cut. Not to mention had just moments before been prepared to fight, to protect someone he himself was about to hurt. And who was he? Nothing but a thug off the streets. What a fool he felt to have even tried to ask any kind of advice. ‘Hey man, I know I almost tried to kill that meat sack, but why don’t you answer a few questions of mine, show me the ropes, hey, let’s make a pack!’ He would never eat Chinese food again, some crazy shit in that orange chicken.

He started laughing then. An almost insane, maniacal chortle. “Call me a psycho eh, but I was a monster long before I had fangs and claws mate. I think I done figured out that werewolf bit, kind of hard to miss. I might not be able to read a book but I can read your eyes plain as fucking sunshine and something tells me you don’t give a damn about me and my problems. And I don’t blame you not one little bit, I wouldn’t give two shits for myself neither. I been thuggin and hustlin, dealin, pimpin, assassinatin, and runnin the streets of Chicago well over half my life. Made my first hunnerd stacks by the time I was 17. Had my ups and downs but I was King fuckin Kai man. But shit happens and now look at me.”

His arms sweep out, palms out and open, feet parted shoulder wide, head tilted just slightly. “Muggin old ladies for my lunch money.” His arms drop to his sides.

“The names change but the streets are the same. I don’t need your help. I’ll just start over, find a new crew to roll with. Got a whole new arsenal to play with. See what new hell I can create. Go home to your air conditioning and stocked pantry mate. Lock ya doors and thank your gods you ain’t ‘some psycho’ like me.”

With that, he turned away, starting to walk off. The knife was finally visible, tucked in its sheathe against the small of his back against the waist of his stolen, dirty jeans. The back of his once white, too tight shirt was tucked in only in the back making it easily accessed. The nice shoes he had been ‘given’ completed his ensemble, looking strangely out of place against the rest of his outfit.

With one last thing to say on his mind, his head would turn to glance back over his shoulder. "That info was free." It was also the most he had ever opened up before a complete stranger, and likely never would be repeated in so many words. Boredom, loneliness, or that first introduction you give at group therapy, 'Hello, my name is Kaigen, and I am thug.' Whatever you want to call it, it spoke volumes about his viewpoint on his current situation. He wasn't proud of who he was. It wasn't something you wanted to pass down to your kids. And even without actually admitting it, he was trying to change. He just didn't know what else to do.

[Nathaniel Devlin]

The homeless asshole was mocking him. Nate was annoyed as the guy patted around for some cash before he spoke with a shrug, claiming that he had no money on him. Lie Nate thought as he felt the familiar tug in his chest whenever someone did so towards him. For someone who was asking for help, the guy wasn’t trying too hard at it. The homeless man paused then, his eyes vacant as he stared off somewhere far away, as if he were lost in thought. Nate stood there, waiting as he contemplated whether he’d be able to sneak away if he were real quiet. The man seemed like he was out of it. High maybe? The man certainly looked the part with the way he looked. Plus this was Arc City, no place better to get high and forget your surroundings like this piece of crap of a place.

Nate was just about to sidestep away from the homeless werewolf when he started laughing. It wasn’t a pleasant laugh, Nate thought, suppressing a cringe as the laugh—almost cackle—grated on his too sensitive ears. Oh god, Nate thought in disdain as the man spoke, He’s telling me his life story. It was the same sort of story the young werewolf had grown to expect out of most people here in the god-forsaken city. It was a tirade towards the homeless man himself, Nate thought as the man enumerated the things he had done before he turned. Assassinatin? The young werewolf suppressed a smile. Well, at least he was entertaining in a way.

As if on queue, the man swept him hand out from him, palms out, the way an entertainer did before he would reveal something that would elicit oohs and aahs towards the audience—or an aww, depending on what he wanted. The reveal itself though didn’t elicit an ooh or an aah. Instead, Nate suppressed a snort of laughter. It was funny he had to admit. The circumstances the bastard had come from was, in a whole, funny. At least, Nate thought it was.

The homeless guy turned away from Nate then, walking away before he paused and glanced at the young werewolf before he spoke. Nate couldn’t help it anymore; he laughed. Out loud. The bag of groceries shook as he laughed, the bag crunching as his arm held it tighter, his stomach hurting in the process. Where did this guy come from? Oh right, Chicago. Were all people this funny there with their assasinatin and what not? Still, the guy was funny and oddly entertaining even though he didn’t really intend to be. Why not help him then? A little voice in the back of Nate’s mind spoke.

Ah fuck.

“Okay. Okay,” Nate said as he righted himself. “There no need to be all dramatic about it.” He said, a snort of laughter coming out of his mouth before he could stop it. “I’m sorry, it’s just so funny,” Nate explained as he tied to wipe the laughter off his face as he spoke, “I mean, here you are some ex-big shot in some far away city, claiming to have done all sorts of shit like assassinatin—“ He suppressed the laughter this time “—and how every street is the same everywhere you go so you’ll be just fine all by your own bad self. Don’t you get how funny that is?”

Nate paused briefly, his brown eyes on the homeless guy before he spoke again. “You don’t do you?” He asked, rhetorically, all vestiges of mirth gone. “This isnt like every-other-street. This is Arc City. People die here. Everyday. Many in the most awful ways you’d ever thought of—and some you haven’t. No, you won’t see those reported in the news. Why would you, when the media is controlled by the very same people performing those things? No this place isn’t like the place you were once King Kai. Here, kings like you are trash. Nothing but little ants to be used, disposed of, and cleaned off the road. I’m actually surprised your still alive until now. How long have you been here? A few weeks? A month? Be glad you lived that long. People like you tend to not last a week here. You think you’re dangerous? Please. You haven’t met people with the real meaning of the word.” He spoke the words evenly and calmly, though the cynicism was apparent.

He held up a finger then with his right hand, the left still cradling the bag of groceries, “My first advice for you—leave this fucking place if you can. Seriously, no one should live in this hellhole if they can. If you can’t, then follow me.” He turned then and started walking away. Ah mother of crap, The young werewolf thought, as he rubbed his temple with his free hand, I just made a damn speech.

Great. Awesome. Spectacular. He thought sarcastically. Something popped into his head then as he walked, more of an afterthought really. “Oh and no more of that posturing—I’ve got a bigger dick than you—shit, that’ll get you killed fairly quickly here.” Nate said loudly enough the man behind would hear. If the homeless guy didn’t follow, then that was good. Nate wouldn’t have to take care of him and his guilt wouldn’t annoy the hell out of him because he tried. If the man did follow…Nate sighed. The last time he helped someone out he ended up fucking her. Nate hoped he wouldn’t end up fucking this guy as well.

He didn’t want there to be a bad trend like that.

[Kaigen Korrick]

Kaigen just kept walking, taking even but slow steps, meandering waywardly as he went. The laughter echoed on behind him. He had not expected any less. It almost stung, but such was life and he bore many more mental scars than any physical ones that had ever healed. To be laughed at was nothing new. Besides. That the man was laughing was a good sign. He both knew what kind of person he was, and yet still laughed. Wait for it…

”Okay okay.”

Kaigen stopped walking, a wicked grin instantly on his features. He had been a good leader for a reason. It took talent to deal with a bunch of different kinds of people. Sometimes the best way to get someone to do something…was to pretend like you did not want them to. Gullible chap. Good to know.

He would clear his features before turning, a raised eyebrow and slightly surprised expression on his face, masking his satisfaction and smugness, as if he completely had not expected the change of heart. He would listen to the other werewolf, his words chaffing but he refused to react. So what if he was a bit in over his head? He was alive wasn’t he? That had to speak for something right? So what, he wasn’t dangerous anymore? What had that hunter said? “Get mean, get stronger, because the next time I see you, I’ll kill you?” Kaigen grunted quietly. Oh, he would get dangerous alright.

The invitation floated in the air like a beautiful song for two seconds before Kaigen was hot to trot right up to the man’s side, an arm thrown over his shoulders as the other hand pulled at the side of the bag.

”Wicked timing man, you know I was just getting hungry, hey, you got any peaches in there dog? I ain’t had no peaches in ages! Don’t think I caught your name either.”

(Shittiest short post ever I can think of a few things to hit on but they'd really just be character thoughts so whatever.)