Despicable [open]

[° Rayna °]

It had been a long week. Delving through ancient files, whose dust clouded the air above one's head upon opening, traveling from location to location to ensure there were safe houses and the rest and now, finally, I had taken a moment to slow my pace. It was a second, the briefest of instances, to catch my breath. Why Vladamir? A place where different was absolutely intolerable? I was born in Russia. It was as much a part of me as my mutated genes and as despicable as those that meant us harm were I could not shun her. There were familiar sights and sounds, and everyone spoke a language that came as easily to me as breathing. It was the epitome of a vacation, save for the mild chance of being discovered. My vague inclination to revisit places that once had been an every day habit was in the process of being shunned. Not that I was too stressed on the idea of their being surveillance but there was always someone who was too interested in strangers...

The ebb and flow of Russia's swarthy crowds had become an obstacle course, and it had become my purpose to be as discreet in my presence as possible. Shifting just out of the way of others and the various parcels they clutched, I made my way towards the cathedral with no particular purpose in mind. The presence of a higher power was not a new concept to me, and somehow I found myself wanting of some sort of divine help. At this rate I would need something. At the steps, I paused, motion diminishing and stood there. The tip of my features tipped back and the crease of my brow ascended. Somehow the ideal seemed farfetched, and to find religion for the wrong reason was not to find it at all. My aperture creased with a smirk, the soft peach coloured lips tugged into an amused expression at my own foolishness. No, that was not it. I turned and moved back the way I had come, navigating the market street before a welcome sight came to my eyes, whose pupils were carefully disguised behind contact lenses.

The restaurant was modest and quaint, but pleasant enough. There was a patio where one might be seated to accomodate a view of the passersby and enjoy whatever it may be that one desired. Naturally, Russian quisine was a memory to me, it had been some time since I had enjoyed the food and now I found my stomach had no want for it. Ruined by America. I japed inwardly, shaking my head and tossing the ebony locks to and fro as I took the indicated seat outside. Ordering simply tea, it was far too early to break out any sort of liquor and finding myself in a stupor would be poor strategy in a place such as this. It was bold of me, revisiting the country of my exile. In fact I felt very much the dare-devil. Of course, I reasoned, I looked quite different than when I last found myself in Moscow...my hair was no longer a warm, creamy brown and my irises, once hazel were now the deep grey of pewter. No, I was a different creature altogether. And though my facial structure was exactly the same, my dressing habits had changed as well. I was far more leisurely with style, having moved away from suit pants and button up shirts to a pair of jeans, a tank top and a simple jacket. My foot wear was of little importance. If they recognized my shoes they deserved a good chase.

I mused to myself that the odds of me finding any others was slim, but truly...I was a hunter. If there was another victim here, in this place, stranded, I would have them safe despite the danger it brought upon myself. It was my final endeavor. No, I do not speak morbidly, but there was no walking away from ones own kind. And I had no desire to abandon them, as frustrating as the task may prove. I loved my sisters dearly, troublemakers that they were. And the child, Rowen, was a precious girl, who deserved this punishment no more than the rest of us. Craven was thrown into the mix as well...my dear Craven. And a character by the name of Jax whom I was less familiar with than I would like but that would be fixed in the near future. As well as Koyote, a strangely named lady, whose person I did not know well either. These two troubled me in that I did not know them. That would be fixed, I reassured myself. And finally Deonte. One who knew me far better than most. Simply because we had suffered the torture of turning together. And the anguish of discovering our uselessness and then finally the bitterness of betrayal. Yes, we were quite a clan..we cats. Shaking my head, I lifted the cup to my lips and sipped lightly at the steaming beverage, gaze perusing the crowd haphazardly...

Who would I find...
Who would find me...

Post: Finished; approx 850 words
Mood: Quixotic
Time: 14:00
Tunes: This Time - Johnathan Rhys Meyers

[daemonryker]

The cold air blew forward, carrying with it the sounds of the night. It was silent and dead on the street with no hopes for interaction. A few passing thoughts were no interest as Daemon walked on through the night. The chilled air was damp and had a dangerous mystery behind it. No stars shone over head which was strange for how clear the sky had been. Being in Russia was almost murder for most, but he felt his home land calling. Waiting for him to return from some refuge that he had been stuck in for quite sometime now. His own mind was his refuge, though governments had tried to force him to take theirs. Wandering was what he wanted, needed, to get away from the memories that he had never fore seen coming. His Russian roots showed in his face and were he to speak, the thickness of his accent was more than enough to Prove his heritage.

His family was long gone now however, thrown to the wolves to feed upon their flesh as if they were nothing but lowly, rejected human beings. His sister had been four when they began experimenting on her tiny body, poking and proding her with needles. The change rejected her however, making her body limp and the bright blue eyes she bore drain of color. He watched as her stiff, grey and blue skin was gently placed on a silver slab and a white sheet pulled up over her once bright and happy face. Change the children, save the world. Ha. More like change the world to save the children. How is it that these strange authorities have so much power, that they are allowed to experiment on babies, and change the way they think, feel and act. These genes that he bore, red and purple, how is it that they were able to change his entire soul and being with one twist. His urge for war sored through his body, but he was so passionate. He thought himself a King, but now just a Prince. 'Strange how such a cure can be such a disease.'

He had been born in Moscow, but frequented Vladamir quite ofter as a small child, but none mattered now. Russia, such a beautiful memory, was now cold and unwanting to him. He shivered at the thoughts of how happy he had been once upon a time, in his house that had looked like a castle. He deserved to be treated as he was before, like a Prince, on a high tower. Now he was just a lowly king, hiding from his true home, and identity. His narcissistic personality shot toward him when he had been created, a strange were cat being with no one to teach him, no one to care for him. How could some one care for him when he thought himself better that all being. His mind raced with thoughts of uncertainty. Panic now rushed through his veins, increasing his adrenaline level. He kept calm though his heart raced and his palms sweat. He breathed in the thick night air, but air he did not smell. Strangely enough, there was another of his kind ahead. His smooth lips curled into a mischievous grin as he quickened his pace.

[° Rayna °]

To one who considered herself a conquerer for the most part, though suffering weaknesses they were of little importance at present. Honestly, I had begun to step away, unable to harbor the insecure thoughts of Craven's leaving me and remain sane. When, I wonder, had sanity become important to me? Ah, yes. When I had begun to manage more than just my own life. I didn't care if I crashed and burned. Presently I was in such a state that I doubt anyone would miss me. But the others still had reason to go on. My reasons were in their graves, or above. Waiting for me. Why I had not joined them long ago I was not sure...foolishness I suppose.

Clearly I was to be happier dead than alive. I knew I was being pessimistic and whiney, but at least I carried this conversation on in my head and not out in the open. Unwittingly I had backed myself into a corner, one of dependence. I reeked of need and I despised myself for it. A snort of disdain embellished the atmos. Brows knit together though as my silent chastising of myself and all things...Ray...was interrupted. The scent of another broke in, another of my sort. Humans all smelled the same to me. Bland. Pewter oculus swung in an inquisitive fashion, inspecting the crowd with as much subtle cool as I could prompt on such short notice. After all, this was what I had hoped for. Someone who I deemed lost. A civilian werecat must have been to linger here in Russia.

That or under the disillusion they would be gratified with vengeance. There was no point to that. They already repented, that was why they hunted us. There he was. The man was about average in appearance, in my opinion, long dark locks the sole distinguishing trait though I wondered to myself if he even had to work at the immaculate position they seemed to fall into at each bouncing stride. There lay a fence between the sidewalk and myself, a short garden variety steel fence. Dropping the payment on the dainty table, I weighted it with my empty cup and leapt the fence containing me.

Having dropped in beside him, sterling oculus peered up into his features with an inquisitive expression. "What are you doing here?" I murmured unceremoniously, not bothering with introduction. That was far too conventional for my taste, and I prefered to know this soul's intent before divulging information. A private creature? Somewhat. Okay, completely. What was mine was my identity. Something that changed but never completely abandoned its post. It occured to me that this meeting was random, and the revelation made me all the more curious. He did not seem particularly old. No the almost arrogant note in his swagger made it seem as though he was far too pleased with himself...for breathing.

One would hope he was not conceited, but the possibility was always there. Even with women, there seemed to be a predatory agent to werecats that stuck out more than the originals. We were not tame, but far better at concealing our oddities. This new breed was probably mutating from their parents...or from a difference in the experimentation. That was a source of stress for me. What if they began to create creatures they could control without question? At this point, I did not place the Russian military in any box. They were out of control. It was comforting, the scent of another, as I always smelled myself - a variance in the crowd only to have another soul that smelled similar to me. I was not alone in type...just personally felt secluded. Well. didn't we all.

[daemonryker]

I strode along the street with a pride so large it almost hurt to be seen by any others. I had been imprisoned for so long with out any other human, let alone feline such as myself that I had only my thoughts and my own company to keep me somewhat sane. The Russian Government had locked me up, deeming me dangerous as I had fought and murdered more of them than there were of my own kind. The had been meaning to take my life, but for some reason, reasons unknown to myself, I was still alive, and healthy. They had let me loose into the world once again but was not expecting me to escape, and with such little effort as well. It felt almost as if I had been set up in a way, being meant to escape into this world unknown. The experiments I had gone through as a child, and the thousands I had killed ran through my mind. Perhaps they believed I would not live so long after letting me go. Perhaps I had no clue of what there master plan was. But perhaps I had not the slightest as what was going on in my rushed head.

I did not move, or flinch in the slightest as the female scent's body jumped in front of me. No introduction was asked for as she forced upon his the question that he had been trying to figure out so long. What exactly was he doing here? He could run any where, do anything, but he stayed in this cursed place. So many memories had been linked to this place, both good and bad. He needed a change, he needed to get away, but did he really want to? A slight grunt exited his throat and his husky Russian accent voiced what he thought his answer might be. "Fate brought me here, Princess, and you, what are you doing here?" He had not meant for the sentence to sound cocky, for that was not who he would play himself out to be, not yet. His narcissism hid at first meetings. He did not want to scare any one away so quickly. His life had been a lonely one, and he wished that he would no longer be secluded to his own company, but what did it really matter now anyways.

His modified genes had been so cruelly placed that he really could not seem to care for any one but himself as of late anyways. His mind at war with his passionate heart, and his crown placed high upon his own crown. How cruel a person to be to steal away some one's personality and twist it into something so dangerous, so unwanting. They believed that changing the children would save the world. Making them more than human, a demi-god in all truth. Now they would easily murder his kind on the spot, the despicable human race.

My eyes grew dark and mysteriously haunting as I thought about what was to come of us. My kind had chosen to fight back, as have I. Many groups had tried to recruit me, but I knew that i would be best off alone in my own solitude. With a small blink of my eyes, the hatred for the human race left the brown oculus and as they re-appeared, they were filled with, well, nothing. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be feeling at this point. I was unsure about the world, this person, but I was most unsure of myself, and quite frankly, still am.

[° Rayna °]

As quickly as I had leapt upon him one would think the response would be swift if not reprimanding, the domestic fashion to which he addressed my interloping presence was an immediate damper on my mood. This was no warrior, not at all, a house pet perhaps but nothing with any ferocity. There was no uncertain amount of disappointment. Brow beaten until he was like this, or so utterly flawed that he could not bring about the energy to format an aggressive behavioral pattern. Whatever the case was, I was truly saddened by the spectacle. The voice that responded to my swift, blunt inquiry was so obviously Russian that I frowned. One of our own that was not war-like. Now that truly was upsetting. However it hardly mattered the accent, it was his words that got him in trouble. Stepping around him in a single, extended stride that would doubtlessly collide with his lower leg, I waited until he tipped at an awkward angle to lash out and grasp the collar of his upper attire. Dragging him towards me, a snarl illustrated the soft rage that boiled in my gut.

”Rayna means queen, not princess. And I have come for you.” I murmured with a glare, dropping him from my grasp, I eyed him with shards of animosity. ”I come for the lost ones, and you sir are most certainly lost.” It was hissed softly, glancing about with a look of apprehension. ”Come, we may discuss business in a quieter setting.” Muttering in a tone that denoted urgency, articulations wrapped around his wrist as I practically dragged him with me. I had to think quickly…where we would go that was not monitored. Blinking slowly, I moved towards the cathedrals. Maybe not the best place for finding an escape plan, but definitely a good escape itself. Directing him through the traffic, slate oculus were hidden by contacts – blue ones. Naturally we had seen to it that our scientists had created a sort that did not obscure our vision. Only cost us a couple hundred grand. Tugging him in after me, I shut the doors as quietly as possible and eyed the sparse gathering. Slipping to a pew in the back, I shoved him down beside me and took a single solid breath.

Calm. Finally glancing at the source of my irritation, I silently willed all men to be as Craven. An odd desire but at least they would be entertaining, and loveable. Instead I got the arrogant, lazy pretty boy. Eurotrash. ”You’re coming back to the United States with me. Where they are less likely to rain on your parade. We’ll map out your responsibilities from there your highness.” The words were delivered in a hissed whisper, full of violent tendencies and a dominant personality. That was Rayna. That was the queen.

[daemonryker]

This Queen was fearless as I watched her grab the scruff of my neck. A smirk gracefully widened over the briskness of my face. Clearly she was annoyed that I had not, would not fight back. I had no reason to fight her, she was not my enemy, but my own kind. A harsh laughter exited my voice as I spoke with my calm accent. I could see rage and distain in her eyes. "Oh, my Queen, I most certainly not lost." Without even listening she began to drag me off to a small house.

When our bodies reached the inside, she began spewing nonsence of going to the United States with her. A cold smile burdened my face as I let out a soft, but eerie smile. "Again Miss, I am not lost, maybe slightly on the inside, but I know perfectly well where and who I am, and I refuse to go to the United States with you or any one else." I grabbed her arm and pulled her hard into me as my eyes turned as frigid as the war that had led us through this torture. "And don't you dare think that I am some little kitten. I have faced war upon war and am still here, so one little Queen kitty really doesn't scare me." I threw her arm away from my own and stepped away from her lightly.

Yes, i was Russian, but I was here for a reason. I was tracing the roots of my parents, they had died trying to save me from the horrid experiments. I needed to know if I had any family left. I was not here because I had never left, perhaps she thought I had been, but her anger towards me gave my body such a frustrated shake and I purged into my narcissistic behavior that tended to hide sometimes. "I am alone, and alone I want to be. I smell others of our kind on you, and have no intentions of meeting with them. I was created to be better, to feel better and to kill better. With that I am better."

It was true that his experiments were supposed to make him better than the last couple batches that the government had so solemly let loose on the world, but he was not better. He matched them in swiftness, and strength, but their mind experiments had twisted him into an evil being. One who cared for no one but him self, one that could not tell love from war, and one that was unsufficinly dangerous to all that surrounded him, including the body in which he inhabited. They had made him so that when the noble narcissist came out, his power grew ten fold. Only through anger was he more powerful than the others, but this Rayna character was different, she was strong with and without rage, he could feel it.

[° Rayna °]

The expressions he gave only served to entice the vengeful side of my character, though he followed without dragging his feet too much which was pleasant almost. The refusal as less than surprising. This boy had no idea what he was into, no idea what was coming or what they did with you once you were caught. I had known several cats who didn’t make it out of the projects. No matter…the sensation of his grip jerking me forward coaxed a snarl, and a force that pulled me in the opposite direction as my talons swept out to rake across the masculine, chiseled features. A millimeter deeper and it would have punctured his cheek. I don’t suppose holes are comfortable when you try to drink your tea, sire. ”That is the pleasure of what freedoms I offer, kitten, you may dare what you please. Here you are at one of two mercies, mine or theirs, and let me assure you this is nothing.” It was murmured as he released me, my pupils miniscule slits beneath their masks.

As I would certain he would be bleeding, I sat back and settled into what remained of his little speech. Muscles were still in preparation for the retribution he sought, reflexes prepared for the youthful antics. Wars? He was nineteen year old. He knew nothing. Literally. There was over a decade between us, and those years were not wasted. Frankly I didn’t care how twisted he was inside, what they made him think he was or what he had been before. Glowering at him, my nostrils flared as I eyed him. ”You’re coming back with me, child. Stop your babbling and come on. “ It was just as urgently murmured, not too long and they will have detected the scene that was unfolding. Naturally I would want to avoid further altercations, but if the need arose I would kidnap the whelp. Those were my terms. This life was unfair, and so was I. The difference was he would survive the injustice I dealt him; life was not often so kind.

Despite the fierce fashion to which he addressed me, I had faith that his skills could be otherwise directed. If I had been one to give up so easily this organization of our…kind…would not have come to be. I continued to wonder if he had been like this before they got a hold of him. And voiced the inquiry. ”Do you have any recollection whatsoever of what you used to be?” Leaning back in the pew, I allowed my stare to venture, tucking a stray ebony lock behind my lobe as I waited for some sort of response, passive or hostile. I was ready. Now step off.

[daemonryker]

Her small speech made my stomach curdle with disgust and my brown eyes became over taken with the yellow flicks of my feline embrace. I put my hand up to touch the small treckles of blood that had beaded across the tiny scratch she had just imposed upon my cheek. I felt distain towards her, the only female to ever come across my kingship, and severe my gentle, yet severely twisted face. I lowered my head as I curled my lips into a deformed grin."You, my leige, have no rights to bestow yourself upon me. Rayna may mean Queen, but you are no Queen. You force yourself and your ways upon others, without even knowing them. You are no better than the governments that have created our kind, and no better you will ever be. I refuse to join your stupidity." My blood raged from this feline's motives. Making people believe that they would find solitude with her. How could I find solitude with some one else, when I couldn't even find it within myself.

"I will not tell you again miss. I will not come with you. I am searching for some one here, and then I will leave Russia and go else where. You think I will stay here in this dim and dark place where memories of been crammed in a dark room, forced to keep my sanity with only myself. Had I not escaped when I had, I would have gone crazy, more than my mind is now. Do not think that you are above me Miss, I will not follow your ignorance, when I am caught in my own."

I turned and began heading towards the door when her next words made me stop. I turned to her, my eyes gentle and calm. How could I forget who I used to be. The innocence that I had embraced as a child with the mother and father I had once known. "As a child I was smart, friendly, and calm. I was loved as well as I loved and I had never thought this evil could have been me. When I was only five I was taken from my parents, who were murdered right in front of me. I was changed, stuck in what they called a hole until I was fifteen. They would send countless men in the hole and they would poke and prode and I would kill without a thought. A child. I can't recall how many I have killed my lady, nor do I want to." The experiments were meant to delete any images of the past, but I recalled each one as if it were yesterday. I would give up this awful power any day for the care that I had when I was but a tiny boy.

[° Rayna °]

Perhaps this soul was perpetually infected with stupid, a regrettable trait I admit but some were just inherently dumb. I offered no cage, and I held no key, no answers. My own life was scrambled up quite enough. This want I had, was not of evil intent, despite my temper, but urgent. I had been in the projects, I knew the horror that some faced. How could I preach to anyone without such knowledge? Surely he didn't think me some self righteous hypocrite. But obviously that was just the case. Frowning with indignance, I bit my tongue and cleared my skull. Screaming filling the space between my lobes, and the vague sound of a thick, syrupy liquid trickling down a table leg; blood. These were morbid thoughts, swimming in my skull and calming me to no uncertain end. My shoulders even seemed to slump and a peaceful smirk orchestrated a display of my refreshed demeanor. Therapy? Please, they wouldn't know what to do with this. To be frank at this point telling me what he wanted would be utterly useless, he should save his breath. I was bringing him back…whether he liked it or not. Did this constitute kidnap? Not in my opinion. I had no qualms with saving people from their own stupidity.

As he had moved off, I listened to the shuffle of his footsteps, preparing to rise to my feet as well and take this to somewhere more private where I could subdue him without disturbance. Dangerous? An understatement, it would seem. Ah, yes, he too recalled his demons. I had no illusions about some sort of age limit. The Russians had no idea what age even meant when it came to making sacrifices in the name of Mother Russia. Though it seemed those willing never did sacrifice anything. But he was looking for someone…I took note of that, despite myself. There were two things that the true Rayna wanted to do to this tomcat, one behead him for the impudence, and two save him from his worst enemy; himself. Though I was certain I was expected to show some sort of sympathy for the death of his parents, I did not flinch away from the brief recollection. Not at all. My wounds still burned, and frequently I woke having shredded the sheets, screaming my lungs out or suffocating with choked tears. I missed them. God how I missed them. They were fragments of sanity that I no longer desired to recall, but it was no longer up to me.

Quietly I reminded myself this wasn’t about me. Nor should it ever be. It was to make certain that this child did not end up so alone and broken. It was my calling. I was certain of it. ”It becomes less and less rare that we recall what happened before. They have gotten sloppy in their excitement. I was older, quite obviously, but I would not venture to say that my loss was less. We all lost something though, didn’t we Daemon? Who do you stay for? I never said that there would be no returning. I told you that it was time to go. We can equip you. Weapons, vehicles, funds. That is our purpose. Why fight the powers that be with a handicap?” I dragged my stare away from the Christ child long enough to stare at him, a vengeful expression glittering in my own stare. ”I ask for organization. Do you not think you will have better luck with aid? Someone to watch your back? I wish to preserve our lives, not cage you. Myself , my greatest desire is to strike fear into those that tore everything I had ever wanted away from me. My husband, my daughter…for the sake of research.” At this my voice was ragged with hate, almost a snarl but not quite discernibly feral.

It was a common mistake for them to assume I did not want the blood my oppressors had coming to them, quite the opposite actually. My want to kill them had once been so strong that I was dragged back, out of the country. The original three had been that way. Quick to look out for each other. It was much less intimate now, and each cat had its own agenda. This felt like politics, a fact I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. Were the Russian breed the only ones who felt hatred for those that mistreated us? Who destined us to a life of fear? I suppose it hits home more easily for us. As long as such things didn’t happen to them why would they care. What the foreign felines had not calculated was the likelihood of their capture. Myself, I kept tabs on the spies frequently, and fancied myself most high-tech for planting so many wires, and tagging so many men unaware. I did not speak further, but allowed my gaze to release him, though in my mind he was captured. A new soldier…or an old soldier with better coordinates. Whatever the case may be.

[daemonryker]

I shuddered at her words and ran them through thoroughly in my head. She was right. This Rayna character, despite her fierce injections upon him, was right. Perhaps it would be good to follow her out, see the world through her eyes, meet with other of their feline breed that had been through what I had, what we had. I nodded to her and let a dim smile come over my face. "I will go with you, but as for weaponry and a car, I have all that I need." He slightly pulled out one of his nine millimeter guns and placed it gently back into it's holster.

A violent shake struck my body with the last few words that exited her mouth. A husband and a child. I had never lost, nor felt love for neither a wife nor a child. Perhaps I had been wrong in my ignorance. Perhaps I myself were only a child longing for such affections as a mother to embrace me in warmth and comfort. Perhaps the true me longed to be surrounded by a family of sorts. Perhaps being with them might even change this Narcissus into the being that I used to be. I felt myself let out a long sigh as I ran my hand gracefully through my semi-long hair and felt a hard sigh exit my lungs. I thought once more of the things I was getting myself into but nodded and looked back to her.

I bowed my head slightly in a Princely fashion and warmed my smile as I looked up to her from my state. "I will join your little escapade, perhaps this will be for the best." I ended my bow and felt a slight blush of embarrassment cross over my face, a feeling I had not felt in a long while. I opened the door and ran my hand gently towards it. "Lead the way, my Queen."

OOC :: Sorry it's not very good, I was being rushed to get off the computer at the end lol!

[° Rayna °]

It was not often that I bothered with such a feat of intellect and logic, especially in the pursuit of saving someone who wanted nothing to do with my help and so this particular soul was a lucky one if nothing else. I knew a small victory when he did in fact acquiesce. At that point I was uncertain, to be frank, as to whether or not he would come of his own accord or if I would have to drag him kicking in screaming out of Russia. Disarming him would not truly prove a problem in my opinion; after all he was a kitten. The sentence that stated he would need no weaponry or vehicle coaxed an entertained glitter to encase my stare. Still doesn’t need help. He’s coming to help us. This boy was just too precious. Articulations mussed my ebony locks as I managed a solemn nod, though the outermost seams of my aperture ticked with an impish grin so unlike me I internally reprimanded myself. The indication of his weaponry coaxed a true laugh and I shook my head in a dismissive fashion. Whatever floated his boat. At the labeling of our cause as an “escapade” a light frown graced my labrums and a warning glower was directed to the blushing tyke. The address however melted the irritation and I shook my head at the either sarcastic or utterly sincere words.

Being in this soul’s company would certainly prove an exercise comparable to a roller coaster. Brows arched as I made my way past him, the moment we stepped onto the street my gaze started moving – checking each direction for certain exit or break in the crowd. Just to be certain there was no way we could be boxed in. Paranoia? Oh, baby, you have no idea. This was on top watch, being of the utmost care, listening to each conversation almost simultaneously while at the same time listening to my new companion’s every footfall and move. It was a lot to focus on, which explained my brief silence, pausing to get my bearings. ”We’re heading to the airport.” I supplied fundamental information to the male, glancing over at him with a quiet nod. ”Would you care to stay in Oregon for a time or would you like to be immediately placed?” Already I was beginning to think over where he would best fit. Though the regional guardians weren’t exactly organized as of yet. Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes irritably. ”Forget I said that. We’re going to Oregon.” A meager, half smile was cast towards him. On the up side we would be riding first class.

I enjoyed the seating, and the service was usually superb, unfortunately that didn’t cut down the flight time. It would take us thirty minutes to get through security after buying our tickets. That was fine. The airport was nearby, luckily. I could see the tower haling in the near distance…if that made sense. ”I assume you’ve been to America.” I murmured in broken Russian, glancing at him as I held the door open to the well ventilated airport, prepared to dish out a thousand dollars for this person I had just met. That is taking chances, child. You’re an investment of both time and money. Do not let me down.

[daemonryker]

I stared unseeingly at the woman before me. Had I really just given into the rule of some one other than myself? How strange an action it was for me, a king in my own mind, to let some one reprimand my order of things. I shook off the strange sensation of being thrown from my high tower, crown tossed to the ground. I had, after all, agreed to follow this odd stranger. Perhaps it would be good for me to join on with some one other than fighting this strange battle alone, words that I'm sure had come from her mouth. None the less, it was time for me to join a battalion. I grimaced the thought as she swiftly moved past me.

I followed, covering her light footsteps as we stepped into the street, deserted of our kind, but filled with incompetent humanity. I listened to her words not caring for the fact that she had given me a choice, but took it away just as quickly. I nodded, watching her toss her head from side to side. I knew then that she was feeling the strike of paranoia that had swept over me as well. I looked to a small group and their eyes met mine. I through them a slick grin and grabbed the wrist of Rayna dragging her down the street behind me. "They know that we are here, and I also suspect that they know I have joined your battalion." I spoke in a whisper to her as I led her far from the men dressed in the normal Russian army browns. We reached the airport not long after the tiny chase, they were human, they could not catch up.

As we crossed through the doors I answered her questions, but did not bother asking her the questions running through my mind. There would be plenty of time for that, after all. No need to rush. "Place me where you see fit, and yes, I know America quite well. I have a Condo in New York City. Lived there for almost three years now." I sighed a long breath and looked out from the airport to the streets of Russia. I would have to return soon, but for now, all I could do was wait. My head turned back to the queen before me and I gave her a small grin. I was now destined to actually have something to do with my own kind, and I would prove worthy not only to her, not only to my kind, but to myself as well, though it would take time.

[° Rayna °]

The shock that registered on his features at the realization that he had in fact succumbed to the one he obviously deemed some sort of self righteous fool was amusing to watch. You they don’t give fools such opportunities, and fools kill their own. I just kill Russians. Smirking lazily in his general direction as I rose and swept past him, listening to each and every footfall that meant he followed, a feeling of accomplishment shrouded me for several moments and I breathed a sigh. This would not have been a failed visit, not at all. Glancing at him over my shoulder, a brow quirked as if to ask if he was alright, but those were words I rarely spoke. This was mostly due to the fact that I had decided it was pointless; if someone asked me if I was alright the pedestrian response would slip out whether I was or not – yeah, fine. So if they were going to lie why bother asking? Exactly – don’t. As I was suddenly grabbed, a hiss bubbled in my throat but for the sake of safety I said nothing…

It would seem such an effort hardly mattered though, we had been discovered. The knowledge they may or may not have gained meant little to me, but I said nothing once again. My sarcasm was unnecessary at this point. What was most important and what he obviously had guessed was getting away from these hunting souls. Our tickets were quickly purchased - not too expensive but definitely not cheap. We flew coach for the sake of subtle habits and a deep sigh orchestrating my relief as we made our way through security. The fundamental facts he endowed me coaxed a faint smile. Though it did make me curious - why was he here. Looking for someone. I reminded myself reticently. Shaking my head in a dismissive fashon, a mild frown orchestrating my pensive mood. He was living in New York. Well perhaps he would end up there since he already had accomodations. "Where in New York?" I ventured, taking a seat and preparing for the short wait before we were boarded.

[daemonryker]

I watched as she shook thoughts from her head. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, and honestly I didn't really care to know either so I shrugged and stood by her. I looked to her and wondered if I should tell her but decided I might as well. "Just off of broadway in the Condo's there." We waited only a couple of minutes and then were boarded in the small plane.

I sat down beside her after lunging my things into the tight overhead compartments. A sigh grew from my lungs and came out in a small breath. I had reasons for coming back to this awful place, and of course, those reasons would have to wait again. Distractions were beginning to prove a bit of a pain but I would have to live with it and wait for the next opportunity. I hoped it wasn't too late.

"So what is this organization of yours called anyways?" I had no idea of why I even asked, I wasn't really in the mood to talk, but I figured it was a bit of time before they landed, might as well get the low down on the whole thing. It wasn't like I had been apart of anything like this before, I really didn't know what to expect. I needed to know before I got in too deep and couldn't dig myself out if need be.

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[° Rayna °]

The compliance that the arrogant Mr. Ryker showed me was noted but with the same disinterest that I noted all things these days. It was of course obvious to me that the narcissistic feline was too self absorbed to notice anything but the elegant sway of his own hair. That was perfectly within his own rights I supposed. Until it got in the way, and then it became a problem, my problem. But that’s okay Daemon, I’m sure you’d still love yourself with a shaved head. His disdain for leaving Russia was a point of concern – what was it he was looking for again? That was something that would take further investigation once he was settled in.

As he seated himself next to me after making sure all of his crap was carefully put in its place I smirked and leant back, staring out the small space provided for a window without really seeing the foreground. It was just space at this point. I wasn’t really interested in looking around. I knew my surroundings. Hell I even knew the names of the men on this shift at the airport – I monitored their backgrounds carefully. Some were disgusting rats while others lead almost impressive lives of integrity. That was unsurprising, but the variations were so vast that it lead me to believe that the agents were trying to work in some they would be able to corrupt.

Engineering a new plant as a means to an end no doubt. They would stop at nothing it would seem. Breathing a sigh, I pushed back the strain and worry of that notion for tomorrow when I might be able to handle such things without allowing Mr. Ryker to observe the play of emotions on my daintily constructed features. The inquiry struck me as funny. Do you think this is a club?! Slowly my pewter gaze meandered towards him in a thoughtful fashion, a brow ascending as I mulled over some sort of appropriate answer.

I supposed it was in good taste not to convey how stupid the inquiry sounded and so I answered frankly and with all the elaboration he would so doubtlessly want. ”It doesn’t have a name because it requires no distinction. In fact anonymity is ideal. There’s nothing like it and so a label would seem imprudent.” As the stewardess passed I paused long enough to track her motion with the sultry predatory gaze I only offered those of distrust. She had dated an agent. As danger seemed to have passed, I continued.

”We simply specialize in relocation and insuring the safety of those of us in need of such things.” Most of the information I endowed was implied. One would hope that the youth would catch on to such things but in the case that he needed a spelled out letter of intent he would have to wait for further information. Articulations ran through the dark locks , shaking them out in an absentminded manner. This promised to be a long flight.