Alone at Midnight(Open)

[night]

Her breathing was slow as her gaze cast out across the dark waters. The moon was already high in the sky as a lone wolf sat on the beach. Her eyes dropped to the beach sand on which she sat and her claws began to rip up the sand beneath her paw. As she sat there calm in the night her flash backs once again returned. They haunted her every night reminding her of the burden she carried.

Never to be loved by anyone she didn't mind. She hated families, her experience had never been great, her father the drunk that she remembered him as. A growl erupted from her throat as his image swept across her vision. Suddenly she was thrown into full flashback.

Her father was leading her out to the car, being very careful, but still not looking at her. Evyon chanced a glance and he appeared to be in deep thought, but also very distressed at the same time. "I can't believe you would do this to me Evyon."
"Do what?"
"You let that thing get you."
"You're blaming me?"
The next thing that Evyon knew her head had hit the dashboard and blood was dripping from her right temple. Her eyes shot wide with fear as she looked over at her father who looked like he was going to kill her.
"Get out!" He snapped unlocking the door. "Get out of my sight and never come back."
Her breathing had gone shallow and now he was leaning towards her, arm outstretched. Before she took another breath she opened the door and slammed it behind her, backing up against a building wall and watching her father drive off without her.

Evyon took a deep breath and let it out her gaze cast up at the moon and was again at peace. Standing up she walked towards the water and stopped just at the edge. Looking down with her blue eyes she saw her reflection and splashed it drastically, the idea of it made her sick. She thought she looked terrible and jumped out into the water making her fur stick to her lean structure.

The water was freezing, but that didn't stop her. She loved the water no matter what. She felt at peace, very flowing, almost like she belonged. Why wasn't I born a fish? She thought to herself looking back towards the shore where she thought she saw a shadow, but blinked once and it was gone.

[ichabod]

Ichabod found the possibility of morphing back to be rather embarrassing. He was in an unfamiliar area of London and should he so choose to resume human form; he would be stark naked. He had yet to really think ahead before turning. He was far too ... spontaneous ... for his own good. He really must devise a way to carry his clothing. A pair of shorts, at the least.

Heaving a great sigh, athletic cinnamon haunches curved and he flopped on his already wide and ever-widening rear; it seemed he was always gaining weight as he aged. Soft, black tipped ears flicking heavenward as he surveyed his surroundings. A beach. Hmm, and how the hell did one find their way home from here? Sucking up a mosquito, Itchy sneezed, lips curling back over glimmering white canines as the violence of an attack hit him full force, stumbling as he tried frantically to dislodge the pesky insect from his nasal cavity. Hey, nobody ever accused him of being graceful.

Acute hearing caught the semblance of wake splashing a quarter mile down and he stilled suddenly, perking himself to his feet and meandering down the beach at a slow, soft pace until he could locate the noise, pausing to focus in pointer fashion, hind and fore legs extended mid-step. Keen dark eyes focused on the previously overlooked company at hand.. a young wolf, pelt smooth and obviously cared for. She couldn't be a day over her twenties. Oh wait... they ALL looked to be twenty. A quiet growling chuckle tore loose at his own reality check. Ichabod hefted himself forward once more, shaking sand violently off his hind end and meandering over with quiet grace, poised and wary. Shifting to pace downwind of her a few yards; he once again flopped his rear on the wet sand, glancing at his own reflection in the rippling water briefly - it didn't disturb him, he'd seen the same reflection every day for the last 94 years - and turned his gaze to the young fae once more; tongue lolling out of his head in simple, dog-like fashion. What was this now, eh?

[night]

A gentle sigh let loose from her wolf lips as she felt the water drench her fur. Unfortunately it became very heavy and she began dragging more weight than usual. Muscles rippled under her coat as she paddled hard through the water. She loved a challenge like this, because it involved one of her favorite things... water. Lifting her head towards the sky she let a ball of smoke disappear into the stars, before hearing a growl from the beach. Instantly she spun around and her gazed concentrated on the shore for any sign of movement. I need to get out of the water. I can swim, but I can't fight in the water. She thought to herself.

Taking a deep breath she plunged under water and swam towards what she thought might be the shore. She opened her eyes, only to see black all around her. It engulfed her, with its cold gentle embrace. Slowly she broke the surface of the water, ears flat against her head as she cast her gaze around again, her blue eyes glistening with curiosity. Lifting her nose out of the water she took another breath before disappearing once more into the dark depths. I wonder who is here... It better not be a vampire, they are so annoying. She thought to herself a scowl crossing her face.

The ground had reached her paws and she began to pad through the soft sand, slowly melting out of the dark water. Her breathing was slow, so that less fog appeared in front of her. Scanning the shore, she was unable to see anyone, until she had finally made it all the way out of the water. An older wolf, she assumed, was sitting on the sand watching her. A snarl let loose as she watched him. Although very curious, she was also very hesitant. Who is this? I never see anyone out here besides myself at night. She thought slightly confused as she watched him.

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[ichabod]

Ichabod watched her as she crept from the water lithely and gracefully, his gaze appreciative and demeanor quiet. Watching her approach, his large cinnamon ears flattened against his skull at her snarl. Instinctively, he snaked his neck out, head dropping in a sign of submission - the dog-like Don't worry, I won't hurt you body language. Although it would have been more effective, Ichabod refrained from rolling onto his back and displaying his belly -- he was indicating she should not be afraid of him, not offering himself up as a fillet o' wolf. Thick forelegs crept forward and he settled himself down on the sand in a lying position, centered gaze focused on the younger wolf quietly, allowing her to make her own mind.

His other alternative, of course, was to shift and simply talk to her about it; but that, too, was dangerous. As a human he had no better defenses than any other human - something this young wolf would no doubt know. And he'd be stark naked, which was, well, just embarrassing. He was comfortable in his fur coat, and so he would remain in it; although communication could be such a pain. If a fight ensued; he trusted his experience to give him a clear advantage.

Blinking as he stared back at her quietly, still lying on the wet sand, Ichabod remained unphased, unconcerned, and utterly at peace. Glancing away from her - a further show that she had absolutely nothing to be afraid of - he inspected the beach with an off-hand sort of curiosity, feigning interest in their surroundings.

[night]

Blinking her eyes confused she looked at him carefully. Submission? Why in the world... she couldn't explain it, but she was still a little wary. She took a few steps closer and sniffed the air carefully, making sure that he wasn't just distracting her from something else. As she looked closer at the wolf in front of her, it became more obvious that he was older than she was, and it made her wonder whether he would be more or less of a challenge, if something came up. Finally Evyon sat down in front of the older wolf, but still keeping her distance before following his gaze. She wasn't able to see anything and was getting slightly bored with the inability to talk.

Rising to her paws once more, she gave a gentle stretch, before turning and running towards the water. Taking a deep breath, she jumped into the water. Paddling hard, she got out far enough where she assumed that she couldn't touch in human form. Shaking her head and taking a deep breath, she disappeared under the water and began to become taller. When she resurfaced her blonde hair was sticking to her, while her blue eyes looked over at the older wolf. "Now I can talk, but you can't see me. Want to join?" She called out to him as she tread water. Casting her gaze up into the sky she saw that the moon was still high and she pulled her gaze away quickly, before she was pulled into her trance again.

Again she looked over to the other wolf and watched him. "Well, are you coming? Or am I just going to have to swim around by myself?" She called back disappearing under the water for a little while. When she came back up, she was much closer to the shore, to the point where she was kneeling, but her body was still underwater. "Come on, the water isn't cold at all. Besides, I would like to get to know someone. I don't have many friends. Although..." she said looking at him with slightly squinted eyes. "I would really like to know, what you are out here for. I come here almost every night and I have never seen anyone here." Being as young as she was, Evyon was extremely curious about most things, whether it was a good idea or not.

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[ichabod]

The wolfy version of his already mischievous and wolfish grin flicked across his face as he surveyed her shift - she was good, no screaming. It was a painful process, most werewolves - especially women - had a hard time controlling their voices on that one. Hefting to his feet; the large cinnamon wolf complied to her second prompting, wading into the water slowly. Despite the claim that the water wasn't cold; Ichabod sucked his breath in through his teeth, gasping slightly as it hit his chest. He dog paddled where his paws could hardly touch, head held high and ears flicked back. Taking a deep breath, he held it.

His shift was quick and explosive; as they always had been. Fur seemed to explode out from all areas, forming a halo in the water as his legs lengthened, nose shortened and torso elongated. The sound of bones cracking and forming was excruciating to hear and even more excruciating to endure; though he was careful to bite his tongue and avoid making a sound. His newly formed human feet touched the sandy bottom and he stood, still growing in height as he glanced down at the young wolf-now-human. Within a minute, it was over; he stood at his given height of six-foot-six; his lower half concealed in the water safely. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he stared down at Evyon quietly.

"Good evening, ma'am." Ichabod drawled in his odd valley dialect. Given his travels, he had a convoluted sort of lilt to his voice - part southern drawl, peppered with the growling tones found primarily in the Latin languages; eloquently spoken and directed with the grace and inflection of a European-born noble. His arms remained in place over his wide chest and his eyes, blue and very much amused, watched the young woman sedately. "I'm a bit new in town. I'm sorry to have intruded on your swim.. I was trying to find my way back to town."

Another smile; this one wide and apparent, flickered across his cheeks, extending one arm to offer a large hand to shake. Ichabod was a friendly individual; he made that much known in body language and otherwise. Not that he couldn't - or wouldn't - fight; he had scars proving that much - bite marks up his back and withers, down his arms. He was an attractive wolf but a rather intimidating man.. he had grown accustomed to that. "Ichabod Birmington. Pleasure to see you this evening."

[night]

Evyon chuckled softly as she watched him suck in his breath at the temperature of the water. My bad, she thought as a mischievous smile flickering across her face. Maybe it's because he is so old... She had heard that older people were not able to stand drastic changes in temperature as well as teenagers. Watching his change in amazement, it surprised her. Never before had she seen anything like it. Her transformation had always been so easy, although she normally only changed in the water at night, so most of her nerves were numb. When he finished he stood above her in the water. Lucky for him... he can stand. She thought rolling her eyes.

Pushing off from where she sat in the water, she swam into deeper water. "Let's make it a little more fair," she said finally being able to stand up, without exposing herself. As she listened and watched Ichabod she couldn't help but start laughing. "No one talks like that," she said, letting her teenager personality come out. "Name's Evyon," she replied her eyes dancing playfully in the moonlight. "You must be new. No one ever comes out here at night... well... besides me." Unable to resist she took a good look at Ichabod and finally decided to ask, "how old are you? You're wolf made you look... well older, naturally."

"Oh..." she thought suddenly. "Where are you from? Not many people just drift in here," she was curious about this strange figure. He seems too nice for this town, she thought inspecting him. Evyon wanted to try and figure him out, but he was a curious character. "Been in a lot of fights? You have the scars to make it seem like you have been." What confused her most is that he was actually talking to her. Does he not realize that I am not a real werewolf? she wondered to herself carefully. Is it possible that he's not a real one either? Her thoughts wouldn't let it go. "Well... going to answer any of my questions? Also, why do you talk so funny?"

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[ichabod]

Ichabod's laughter roared outward as he followed her into deeper water, his chest primarily secluded now though he was still comfortable standing. His arms he allowed to float before him; unconcerned by the weightlessness water presented. He quieted his barking laugh to a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly. Everyone talked like he did sixty years ago.. but of course Evyon wouldn't know that.

"I am indeed new, yes.. I've been in town for about two weeks, if that." Her gaze was not unnoticed and he stood, unabashed, waiting for the next inevitable set of questions. "I'm ninty-four. Yes, ancient, I know." He rolled his eyes dramatically, mocking her playfully with a chuckle. "That's the lovely part about being a werewolf.. you're eternally young." He crossed his floating arms beneath the water; a faint grin still curving his lips upright. She was amusing; this flittering young creature. A tad curious, but amusing.

"I'm from the States originally; but I've traveled all over the continents - I only briefly touched on Asia though; didn't find it to my liking." He failed to mention his wanton dislike of oriental food; be it person or the actual human food itself. Best not bring up the eating habits quite yet, they were both aware of their own menus. "Fights tend to come with the territory.. well, some territories I suppose. I've seen my fair share of arguments. And I suppose I talk so funny because I'm a sympathetic sort of person.. I inherit accents from anywhere I stay too long. I take it you haven't done much traveling? And I suppose you're fairly young?"

[night]

Evyon couldn't help but chuckle again when he exploded with laughter. "Wow," she replied shaking her head, making her giant earring jingle. For some reason she loved the sound of her earring, that's why she made sure it was big enough for her wolf form. Leaning backwards she dipped her blonde hair into the water, because she was getting annoyed with brushing it out of her face. Watching him swim over made her smile. Finally someone who doesn't think that I am entirely crazy. "How come you're fine with talking with me? No one ever talks to me... since I was changed." When she asked this she crossed one arm over her chest to prop up her other arm. She gently placed her hand on her face and watched him carefully.

"Oh... so you really are new and probably haven't figured out the ranks yet..." she said pursing her lips gently before sighing. "Well werewolves... like myself are hated... entirely." She twitched her nose as she smiled at him. Listening to his answers made her eyes shoot wide. "Well... you're old, but I have met older in this town, trust me." While explaining this she rolled her eyes, although the smile never left her face. "Well I can't wait to look like this for the next couple hundred years," she said with a sparkle of seductiveness in her smile this time. "You're so quiet..." she noticed. "I know you're old, but can't you just let go and have fun." Her blue eyes sparkled with joy, the only thing that she wanted was someone to talk to.

"You've seen everywhere," she replied with almost jealousy in her voice, as her smile faded. "I have lived here my entire life and this is as far as I will ever get too." She sighed looking down at the water only to see her reflection and she growled at it, before looking back up at Ichabod. "So can you do any accent or just the most recent one?" She asked rather interested. "Not many interesting people live around here... or at least that I know." She flashed him a large smile, full of teeth that were white and sharp. "Well... if you consider almost seventy years younger than you fairly young... then yes. I'm only twenty years old." After she said this, she bit her lip like a young teenager and looked straight into Ichabod's eyes.

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[ichabod]

Ichabod shook his head briefly; that compelling Protective feature sending a sudden adrenaline shot to his pulse-rate. She was a changeling. Her life had been stolen, in a sense. Her human side was over and she had been plunged into the life of a super with no reasoning or excuse. He blinked, knuckles white as he gripped his arm.

"Ranks mean nothing to me.. I see no reason a changeling is any less of a wolf than a born. We both howl; we both hunt; we both phase. How is it different? I've seen love between Human and Werewolf, Changling and Born, Werewolf and Vampire. Species - like age - is a technicality. We are all flesh and blood." He allowed her to continue her language; smirking slightly at the air of seduction she left floating about. She was a minx, most definitely. Sidling to sit back and partially float in the water, he fixated her with a solid stare, eyes boring back into hers. He had plenty of fun; but it wasn't fun he was overly comfortable partaking in with a twenty year old. It seemed mildly pedophilia-esque; despite that she was legal and he didn't look a day over a quarter century. Time would tell. Perhaps she didn't think him a creepy old man.

"Why are you confined here? Anyone can travel." A half pause, and he grinned, his tongue rolling and unrolling as he concentrated on translating his thoughts. "It depends on the dialect I'm speaking. Wanneer ik het Nederlands spreek -" the Dutch rolled off his tongue in perfect order, the rolling, stuttering language flawless " - or, when I speak Dutch; I tend to switch to a Netherlands accent. I can change tones and inflections with dialects and in a new area I mimic well; but I'm afraid this muddled sort of quirk is mine to keep no matter where I end up." He shrugged, watching her quietly.

"You are indeed fairly young. I would ordinarily say you should cherish that; we're only young once.. but I've been wearing this skin for nigh-on seventy years now, and save for a few more wrinkles, I'm otherwise as young as I was when I was your age." He kicked out, swimming a few yards off to dive beneath the surface; feet kicking out of the water before splashing back down in a somersault. Surfacing, he shook his head in dog-like fashion, blinking rapidly. "And with age comes experience." It was his turn to smirk somewhat seductively, a wry grin touching even his eyes.

[night]

((Sorry it took me so long to post, been a little out of it.))

Evyon's eyes grew curious as she watched him shake his head. "Is everything... alright?" She asked him carefully, hoping that she hadn't upset him. "Did I say something wrong?" Her gaze fell to his knuckles that had turned ivory from his grip and she swallowed as she imagined that grip around her throat. The thought threw her into a flashback of her attack as the werewolf gripped her tightly, ripping at her back before biting her and leaving her to die. As she came back to reality she gasped, faltering backwards and heaving.

After recovering she smiled at him, listening to his opinion on her position. "That may be... but I was still human to begin with and I still have a human's mind and beliefs. Besides... love is entirely different. You can't help who you fall in love with... it just happens." Sighing she let her arms drop and wrap around her gently, as if hugging herself. I will probably never find love in this place though. She decided watching as he leaned back in the water. Technically he may be old, but... he still looks young in my eyes. She was unable to let the thought go as she bit her lip childishly. "Now that's not fair... I can't lean back without exposing myself. Being a guy seems like so much more fun."

"Anyone can travel?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "That's not true... you have to have money to travel, you have to have a destination to go to, you have to... I just can't." Evyon finished with an annoyed huff. I don't even know of any place I would go if I got the chance. Not finishing school had done a number on her intelligence, not to mention her school didn't teach them anything about the world. It's like they were trying to keep us in. She concluded to herself. "I think that's a fun trick. I wish that I could do that." Shrugging she looked at him carefully. "Are you staying here? More importantly... why London? Aren't there nicer places to live?" Questions soared through her mind as she was unable to understand Ichabod.

"I am young, but I don't like it. People don't trust you, people don't understand you... they just don't get it." Rolling her eyes she felt a gentle wave of anger sweep over her, but she suppressed it. Control it. You don't have to live with bi-polarity. "Although I can't lie... I am going to appreciate being this good-looking for the rest of my life." As she said this, she dragged her fingers gently across her chest, before twirling her blonde hair. Evyon watched him swim around before reappearing and listened to what he said. Unfortunately this made her blush and she looked away to try and hide it. Although at the same time, she couldn't help but smile at what he said.

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[ichabod]

[ it's cool. I crashed my computer, just got it back. lol ]

He let her finish her protests, rolling his eyes slightly as he dunked himself again to swipe the hair out of his eyes - what little there was, he tended to keep his insolent hairdo closely cropped. Standing, he crossed his arms over his chest again, smirking at her slightly. "You don't need a destination to travel. Money is a technicality when you're a werewolf - you'll learn that."

A loud, raucous laugh rolled off his tongue, sitting back to chuckle loudly. "Well, being a guy can be fun yes; but don't let me stop you from having a good time." He swept his arm out in teasing permission, grinning at her mischievously. "I've seen it all before.. but if it'll make you feel better, I can turn around." He snickered, lowering himself into the water in shark-like fashion, his chin submerged. "Well.. London has it's charms. It's almost nice to be around people like me for a change." and I felt bad eating people so much.. though he failed to mention that part, considering the fact that it might perhaps upset her.. given her nature.

Her lack of faith in humanity - wolfmanity? vampmanity? - amused and saddened him considerably simultaneously. He desperately wanted to hug her - but they were naked, that would be uncomfortable for her, and then for him by proxy. Shrugging, he watched her quietly, the light of mirth dimming but not entirely extinguished. "Who has to know how old you are? You're a werewolf. You could be one-hundred-twenty and nobody would have a clue." He winked. "And be confident. It has a lot to do with how you're perceived. Hey, let's go find some clothing and get some dinner.. you game?"

He kicked off and swam toward shore - despite that he could easily stand - forcing phase as he went. As he swam, his legs and arms shortened and strengthened, fur grew and bones bent, nerves and muscle snapping and relocating to proper positions. Within seconds, his phase was complete: he doggy paddled to shore, padded up on the sand, and shook violently. Glancing back out to the water, he barked - a shrill sort of yip, pacing backward to flop on his furry rear.

[night]

((Sorry this isn't very good, I was having trouble thinking of anything.))

Even after listening to what he said about traveling she wasn't able to understand it. Money is a technicality? She shook her head. None of this made sense to her. "But I am a werewolf... you said so yourself... how come I don't get it?" Stopping for a while she thought of a place where she might want to go. Only once had she heard about it. What did they call it? Her face squinted up in concentration. "Oh Tokyo... I have heard of it before, it sounded like a lot of fun. I just have to find a way to get there. Have you been there? Do they speak a different language?" She asked curiously, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Well it sure does sound like being a guy is fun... if you have seen it all before. Although now that I think about it... it's probably even more fun to be a woman. The ability to drive men insane, make them crave you, tease them and watch them beg at your feet." As she said this she dipped lower into the water and walked towards him. Slowly she ran her hand down his chest, while looking deep into his eyes. "Oh well..." she said pulling away fast and walking a few paces away, a playful smile on her face.

"Yeah, I'm hungry," she said. Taking a deep breath she took one last look at the moon, before diving under the water. Her ears grew long, making her earring jingle. Bones cracked and reformed, as her tail elongated and her fur slicked across her back like a fish. Submerging from the water she gasped and shook her head, before walking out the rest of the way. Shaking her body free of clinging water, her fur stood on end and made her look poofy.

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[ichabod]

He was male; yes.. but after 80 plus years of thinking girls were something more than "icky" he'd learned to control himself. He merely smirked at her antics, inwardly as it were. Shoving his nose toward her insistently; his phase had rendered his senses wolf-like. The smells, once a big blotch of non-recognition, separated and wafted toward him as distinct fingertips, each a thumbprint of a smell he had stored in his locked wolf brain. His pointed ears flicked skyward and he padded off the beach, picking up a jog as they crossed city streets.

He had a place, yes; where they could be clothed again. Of course, he had nothing that would fit her save for maybe a t-shirt; but that would do for now he supposed. Musing to himself, his tail bobbed back and forth like a lure, the cinnamon coat sleeking against his body as it dried. He stuck to the shadows primarily now that they were in the exposed heart of the city, no need to draw attention to themselves - and let's face it, they weren't the only supers out at night. A quick glance over his shoulder told him she was still with him, and he periodically checked in to be sure she was keeping up. She was young and spry; there was no reason she couldn't match his pace anyway.

He picked up a lope as they entered wolf territory, stepping away from the shadows. It was safe here; no need to hide themselves. The door to his apartment complex was open and he loped inside, slowing to a walk as he mounted the stairs. Three stories up and half way in, he found his door; shut, locked, with a tie hanging from the door handle. His dark gaze turned to stare at her unabashedly and he crouched, grumbling slightly as he began to phase for the fourth time this evening. Keys were insufferable to manage when you lacked thumbs.

His nose shortened and his abdomen elongated and filled out, his legs stretching; everything crackling. It was a horrendous noise; sounding more painful than it truly was. A halo of hair lay on the carpet around him as the phase completed, his shift leaving him naked and crouched near the doormat, his legs strategically placed to avoid flashing her his goods. As it were, his rear end was exposed - but one could only do so much. He fished under the doormat and retrieved a key on a string, keying the lock open and standing abruptly to enter. He left the door open for Evyon; strolling through the sanctity of his dark apartment completely relaxed and at home with being nude. "Close the door behind you, love. A simple nudge will do it." He winked at the big female wolf, an over-the-shoulder gesture.

His first line of thought was to retrieve his pack of cigarettes and lighter. Thumbing one out of the pack, he flipped it into his mouth, cupping the end and flicking his little flame to life. Taking a long drag, he sighed and meandered down the hallway, retrieving his discarded jeans from earlier and tugging them on. Still shirtless, he pawed through his dresser to retrieve a long sleeved Rollins t-shirt - no doubt she'd probably never heard of him, he and his band were all long dead by the time she'd been born. Still, the man was a hero of his.. he spoke the truth and all without ever touching illicit substances. Hell, he didn't even drink.

"Here, you can wear this. I'll order in. And I won't look." He tossed the t-shirt on a chair, nodding to her before leaving the room again to give her some privacy, still puffing away on his cigarette.