[Kora] They wander away from fountain, away from the lights. Behind them, the show is starting, a great gout of water several stories high, all bright and amble, a plume like a geyser, though this one is wholly artificial - it is almost as reliable as Old Faithful. At least in summer weather. The path here is still well let, the plantings carefully tended, dotted with park benches. It hugs the curve of the lakeshore. From where they wander, they can look out and see the marina, the lights of Navy Pier, with its huge Ferris Wheel and other attractions jutting out into the water, the lights glittering brilliantly in the dark surface.
North, though, the lights huge the lakeshore, but the great expanse of the lake is dark. The wind is cooler now that the sun has fallen below the horizon, a welcome relief from the humidity. When they are far enough away from the fountain that the lights and the water run together, that the tourists are little more than shadows against them, Kora stops and leans back against the retaining wall overlooking the lake to concentrate on her impromptu meal of Italian sausage and Dr. Pepper. Her back is to the lake, the dark park and city spread out in front of them, her posture lean and careless.
Halfway through the sausage, she cuts Trent a sidelong look, chewing a mouthful, her lips closed but smiling around it, swallows the bite. "These are good," she says, when she's swallowed the bite. "Thanks for dinner."
[Kora] (Is totally open! Sorry: I was writing a post!)
to Cara, Colt Montgomery, Trent Brumby
[Colt Montgomery] ~He walked down the path, Exotic ostrich skin Nocona boots crush the small stones on the asphalt. low-rise, deep indigo rinsed jeans look expensive, finished with fading and whisking to enhance their appeal. the bleached white tee shirt fit snug across his chest, his body chiseled, the outlines of his well defined muscles visible.
He stands six foot three, dark curls hidden beneath the straw cowboy hat that sat low on his brow, an iced coffee in his hand~ "I was hoping that detective would give us some work"
[Cara] "Did you meet him yet?" she asked looking up as she walked beside her Alpha.
Their cowboy booted feet almost stepping in unison, she shoved her hands into her pockets and again glanced around. She was less tense tonight than she had been in quite a while. Seemed as if her nose was always a little curled at the stench of the city around them, the agitation of being within the metropolish showing in the way her muscles were nearly continuously tensed.
[Trent Brumby] Her book is still under his arm and he carries another soda in one hand and two sausages in the other. He's only planning to eat the one, certain that the Garou's stomach could always use more fuel. When they had come to a stop by the wall, Trent placed the soda down so he could switch a sausage bun from one hand into the other, elbow clutching tighter against his side to stop the book from slipping.
After taking a bite he glanced towards her, brows raised as she thanked him for dinner. There's a quiet huff in the back of his throat as he chews slowly, and he answers after he swallows. "This doesn't count as dinner. It's a bite to eat." They would have to agree to disagree on that. Trent would never consider pizza or burgers dinner, they were merely accompaniments to drinking with buddies.
His thumb wipes the corner of his mouth as he glances from her to the darkness of the lake beyond. He's only standing a foot or so away from her, not directly blocking her path, but standing slightly off to the side, facing towards her like she is the park. "I've got a question I want to ask, I'm not sure it's appropriate for here, but I think it's something we should discuss." The tone he uses is calm, not quite casual, but there's no anxiety or apprehension behind it. His gaze returns, direct on hers.
[Colt Montgomery] "Just once. I talked to both of them. They said they'd call me and give us the scoop. Thinkin our noses might pick up something theirs didn't" ~he shrugged~ "I guess they don't need us............ yet" ~he only waited a second to drop the yet. eventually they would come around. they had to or he'd have to find a new city to hang his hat, he was a warrior and had offered his services on a few occasions~ "What do you know?"
[Simon] This was not a world where things came in black and white it was a world of shades and subtle differences. Good and evil were concepts created to give reason to that which was broken and difficult to fathom. Even Simon himself was but a symptom of a disease that had cast itself like a shadow over this world. Desperation and hope were carried heavily upon the shoulders of this creature, barely an adult and already so much responsibility fell upon his shoulders.
Smile was charming, friendly, personable even and yet despite that fact people seemed to keep their distance from something far more insidious. It burned like a fire just under the surface, churning and swimming in a chaotic dance that left this poor creature on edge constantly. He was tall, just over six feet and powerfully chiseled. He appeared to tense with every step. Each and every motion was sleek like a predator on the hunt. His arms were painted, etched in a beautiful mural that helped set the man apart from any who might mistake him for one of their own. He wore a dark sleeveless shirt, and similarly dark jeans and a pair of boots rapped gently against the ground as he stepped. One shoulder carried the weight of his bat and the other the weight of his bag. It was hard to believe, though, that the man intended to play baseball at this hour. Still, so long as we wasn't causing any trouble there wasn't much reason to bother him was there?
Tonight Simon was headed out, it wasn't so much a patrol as a wanderlust. His bright eyes glanced about curiously, however dangerous he might be he was still young and excited. Still there was no mistaking the certainty in that step, the dark hair, the sleek features that screamed out to any who were aware of just what it felt like to stand in the presence of one of Thunder's own. He did not appear to follow a direction but simply made his way across the park in search of whatever might catch his fancy. There was always something interesting at the park.
[Cara] "It is more ghost bones here than the desert. I find old trails, signs that point to what was.." she shook her head a little, "I'm still learning the skins of this city..."
She seemed thoughtful a moment, lips pursing to worry as she walked along. Cut off jean shorts barely peeking out from beneath the huge dark blue hoodie that swallowed up her figure. Sleeves rolled up a little exposed a few trinkets of beads and turquoise bands. A sprig from a tree seemed to hold the mound of dark brown hair rolled upon her head in place. Pretty sure, but she was the shadow of her Alpha, easily blending behind his Rage and presence.
"Maybe we should go shake out our own trees..." added with a glance to the ones that loomed nearby in the urban park, "see what falls out..."
[Kora] "Whatever it is," Kora inserts as Trent denies that their street-fare constitutes dinner. Her voice low, the tone quietly ironic, tinged with the hint of self-awareness that is never approaches self-consciousness. There is a mild shrug of the creature's narrow shoulders. " - tastes good to me." The buns are soft from spending the day in the steamer, the onions and peppers just overcooked, but sausages are perfect, well-spiced, fatty, warm without being hot.
She sets her soda aside on the retaining wall between them, close enough to hand that she can reach it when she wants, leaving both hands free for the business of eating. Trent has a view of her profile, the curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw and throat, the heavy twist of her hair behind her head. Kora has a view of the park, and her dark eyes track away from him to touch on the others present, alert and watchful, tracking the couple walking together in a distance, touching the stranger entering from the west. When she turns back to him, it's a three-quarters profile, her eyes sparking in the darkness.
"Here's as good a place as any," her voice is quiet, rich. Out here in the darkness of the park, though, the weight of her intent gaze touches on him, then returns to the copse of trees, the wide concrete walking path, alive to their surroundings. Her mouth curves around the words, though. " - ask away." - and then she takes the last bite of her sausage, chewing it contentedly, pulling a napkin from her pocket to wipe away the grease on her mouth as she chews.
[Colt Montgomery] ~she saw the world so different from him. she looked in all the hidden places, he was more of an open book. it's why they worked so well together. he kept pounding the earth, deeper into the park. she was right maybe they had to make their own fun, own trouble. he kept his eyes up, seeing the people who dared come towards them, not many, the rage was great, and he was intimidating, even under the straw hat and brilliant hazel eyes~ "I don't mind a hunt, in fact.... I'm in the mood for" ~something passed his nostrils, he reared up, looking out along the park, a sweep of rage rolled along, someone was near~
[Simon] He didn't exactly come upon Colt and Cara but rather approached them cautiously. A scent in the wind? A feeling at the back of his neck, it drew him to them stalking cautiously closer. He wasn't exactly masking his presence, however, he could be seen and heard as he came upon them. Stopping and allowing the baseball bat on his shoulder to lower, the tip of the bat thunking into the ground before him. He takes the time to look them both over, slow and cautious, while at the same time revealing to them that he didn't mean any harm so long as they didn't. This was war, after all, and one could never be too cautious. Letting his guard down would only place him in further danger and he had to be certain that he was safe in the company of these two.
"I wouldn't go shaking too many trees around here they have a tendancy to bite. This place is all kinds of fucked up."He says to Cara. His smile lifting before turning his eyes in the direction of Colt."I'm sure if you're looking for blood it's already out there and it's coming. Still it's usually a little smarter to get the jump on your prey before they realize you are out there."His lips part and he seems about to say something but quickly changes his mind.
"Still not half as bad as Detroit was. Honestly it's kinda like a vacation now that I think about it. That doesn't mean it's the kinda place to let your guard down though. Never let your guard down..."He looks between them both before shrugging his shoulders."Simon..."He says trailing off and clucking his tongue as if waiting for them to follow suit.
[Trent Brumby] By the time that Kora has finished her sausage and is wiping his mouth, he's still got half of his own left and a full other one which he hands over to her. He didn't want it, the Black Fury born was struggling to eat the single one. It wasn't too his taste. He liked the spice and the meat, but he could taste the fat above it all, unpleasant and old with the grease that took flavour out of peppers that are better slow roasted. At least it gives him some ideas on what to add to his home menu for her.
"Are we having children?" Without any further preamble, he offered out what was on his mind, no longer looking at the lake but at the Garou woman by his side. They had been careful before now so that there wouldn't be any slip ups, and it wasn't his style to ask while they were about to head to bed. He wanted it to be a proper, thoughtful discussion that had concerns or fears laid out so that they could discuss them.
[Cara] There was no questioning his alertness, only reaction. A second's pause, a wide step to the left and her feet were again falling in sync with his. Now she walked close, just behind his left shoulder. Her hands slipped from the pockets to hang at her sides, the sleeves falling losely down to hide them. When he stopped, she stopped and...
Well she stood still, her brows rising high for a sharp moment as she stared at the man with the bat. The something with the bat in a park at night. But it was more his words than his presence that had her frowning just a little more. She felt her stomach tighten reflexively and her breath shallowed. It was only a little while longer she looked at him, then decided their surroundings were far more interesting than he. Or maybe it was simply paranoia that had her checking to see if there were Hiddens around.
Slowly, finally her hands tucked into the low front pocket of the hoodie. She took a more casual stance as her nose wiggled as if chasing off an invisible fly. For the moment, she held her tongue.
[Colt Montgomery] ~it was nice to see a face with the scent, though the bat... he wasn't so keen on it, he watched as the man lowered it, a breath was taken, he stood there, rocked onto his toes as he listened to the other rage filled one, he knew that Cara would be feeling the place out, stranger danger was just her speed. She was always lookin out for them, he was more likely the one to jump into some shit not knowing what it was. She was the brains or something like that.
when he finally spoke, there was a country twang~ "Howdy. Colt Montgomery" ~he didn't reach out to shake the mans hand, that would put him at a disadvantage if the guy decided to take a swing at him~ "I'm lookin for something with a bite, though I don't wanna be tangled in a mess of branches of a wayward tree"
[Kora] So: this is what happens. Kora finishes her sausage, pops the heel of the bun into her mouth, still sort of hungry, wishing she'd asked the vendor to dig out a bag of fritos from whereever he'd pack them away into his stainless steel cart. Hey, she says, quiet and calm and confident, her body language loose and alert, her dark eyes tracking away from Trent, lingering on the duo in the distance who have become a trio. She recognizes Colt even if he is still little more than a shadow with a shadow beside him and a cowboy hat perched on top of his head. She knows him because his blood speaks to her, because she is a Skald and she is called to remember.
And she is thinking that she should point them out to Trent. Say, - see them? Garou and expecting him to ask -
- not that. Kora goes utterly still, can feel her heart stop in her chest and swallows what remains of her bite whole. It goes down uncomfortable, seems lodged somewhere between her sternum and her heart. The look she gives Trent is absolutely stark, dark eyes wide, her fine mouth still.
She would not look more surprised if the ring of trees in front of them started singing and dancing a Rockettes style chorus-line.
"I wasn't expecting that question," she allows at last, holding his pale gaze fast for all that she wants to sheer away from the look. "I -
" - well." She swallows again, hoping to get the bite down; hoping to find a way back to the words that live under her skin, in her body. A deep breath follows. Another. She lets it out with a brief, rueful little laugh. "I really wasn't expecting that question."
[Cara] Something she found amusing had a sudden belt of laughter echoing out of her throat. A quick hand rose to cover her mouth, muffling and helping her swallow the rest of the laugh down into silence. What remained when her hand fell down to its warm pocket was the ghost of a smile.
Still she had not looked at Batman. The trees, the towers of lights and webs, the sound of water, the hint of breeze passing them by, the couple in the not so distance.... seemingly far more interesting.
[Simon] Feral wasn't a terribly common description applied to the homid born, and yet this man's nostrils flared outward as if scenting the air while keeping his eyes shifting over them. He wasn't watching their faces he was paying attention to their motions and the way they presented themselves. Reading the body rather than the face, letting their motions tell him all he needed to know.
Youth brought with it a certain fearlessness that glimmered in those eyes as his smile grew. He wasn't exactly worried by the strangers and in fact he felt pretty certain they were far from a threat. Still they were faces he did not recognize and for that reason he couldn't be entirely certain he was safe so he didn't move any closer. He didn't want to threaten or put himself so close that he was threatened himself.
Colt got most of his attention. The man was large and imposing and demanding of the full moon's attention."Like I said I'm sure it's out there but you gotta know where to look. You met Lukas? I'm sure he can help direct you if there is anything specific you two need... He's kinda the man to go to for that kinda thing. I'm just one of the errand boys for the most part."He nods his head and chuckles then slings his bat up over his shoulder.
His eyes shift to Cara and her muffled smile. He narrows those eyes for several heartbeats as if trying to determine what it was she found so amusing. When he found himself unable to determine what she found so funny he returned his eyes to Colt. "If there's anything more specific you needed then try to be more frank and open about it. They pay me to break shit and not to think too deeply about it... Puzzles and riddles are for those with more time on their hands."
[Trent Brumby] There's a moment where something else reflects in his eyes, not quite a pity but certainly a sympathy, he hadn't meant to throw her into such uncomfortable territory, but he is the responsible one. He was always quite responsible, except for that time that they had first met and he had been on his way to drunk and thought he made a fool of himself, at least by his own standards. His smile is small, the look in his eyes become warm and he reaches for her Dr. Pepper to pick it up from the wall to offer it out to her.
He doesn't apologize for asking the question, however flustered it makes her. "It's something we should discuss, don't you think? Before you keep that pinky-promise." It's not a matter of whether they were going to have children but also when. Its that discussion, which seems very natural for him to ask in the progression of their relationship.
[Colt Montgomery] ~he rocked back and forth, he'd settled himself though, he did glance sideways at the practical joker, wondering what was in her koolaid, then back to Simon~ "We've been here a couple months. a moot. a Fenris Moot. I've met a lot of us, but haven't actually talked much to man in charge. Unless you're talkin about Joe War hand" ~he smirked a bit~ "Quite the character that boy" ~still this man seemed in the know, something he wasn't~ "So who do you run with?"
[Kora] Kora takes a long, grateful swig from the Dr. Pepper he offers her, letting the wash of liquid clear her throat and her senses. Then, setting the can carefully aside, she reaches back, sets her palms flat on the retaining wall, and levers herself upward to perch there, her long legs dangling down the side of the wall, swinging in a haphazard rhythm, a subtle thump every third beat as her heels hit the wall. Her hands gripping the edge on either side of her thighs.
Trent earns the edge of a curving smile when he mentioned the pinky-promise. It breaks the edge of her surprise, lets her find her way back into her mind and her body. Her heart is still pounding, unaccountably, and there's a certain tension in her, suggested by the white knuckles, the strength of her grip over the edge of the retaining wall. She presses her mouth together in thought, breathes in through her nose, and turns back to him, shaking her pale head.
"No," she replies to him at last, still smiling but taut somehow, "you're right. It's something we should discuss before," for a slicing moment, the look she gives him is naked, and utterly intimate, animal and human all at once. He's hers. She's claimed him. Then her mouth curls up at the right corner, that familiar little look. Her voice is quieter then, still rich. She doesn't bother to hide the shifting threads of emotion underneath. "I keep that promise."
Kora looks down, then. It's brief, just long enough to compose herself. When she looks back up, she finds his gaze, and holds it, clear and direct. "We're having children," she tells him, quiet, stubborn, persistent underneath it even if some distinct, distinctly human part of her cannot believe what the rest of her knows in her bones. "It wouldn't be honorable for me to claim you, take your from your tribe, and interfere with - Her. Yeah? There's this part of me that cannot believe I'm saying this, right? But yeah. We're having kids."
The raw look returns, brief and whole. "It scares me to death."
[Simon] He smiles back to Colt and shakes his head."I don't know if Lukas is the man in charge but I do know he's the ranking Full Moon so he's kinda the man you wanna talk to if you are looking for direction as far as rooting out the bad guys."He approaches Colt calmly, his eyes shifting up and he presents an arm outward to the man extending it far enough for his forearm to be gripped it seemed to be the way folks greeted one another out here.
"I run with Dark Sky. How about you?"He asks Colt curiously, his eyes shifting sideways to glance towards Cara. His smile never leaving his face, friendly and charming and so very full of youth. Indeed his friendliness was enough to leave one questioning if he was in fact the tribe he seemed so strongly to belong to.
Cara was quiet and that had his attention it seemed. Curiosity was, unfortunately, among the many weaknesses associated with youth. She was quiet and reserved and that was unusual even among those he has met in this place.
"I don't usually get invited to the Fenrir gatherings. You know the whole honor-less coward thing doesn't sit too well with the Fenrir I guess."He says as his attention returns to Colt."I'm sure we'll bump into one another sooner or later but as of yet haven't met him... Sorry."
[Colt Montgomery] ~oh yes, he knew that Lukas was the ranking full moon, but as far as he knew the jarl was still Joe, no one informed him different, he watched the man moving in closer, he felt a rush of adrenaline, though he felt it dissolve almost as soon as it pumped through him, that tagged arm came out to greet him and soon he found himself in a familiar grip, the chicago feel em up, he participated only when gestured, his lips curling into a grin~ "This is my packmate" ~laughing hyena, he chuckled himself at the thought~ "Silent Night. We are Winds of Discord"
[Trent Brumby] While she's trying to deal with the unexpected question and situation, scrambling for thought and to still her heart into something more reasonable, he's put down her book beside where she's sitting, where both their drinks rest and the other sausage (if she hadn't ate it already). He had smiled at her look, his eyes shining in response to the possessive look and knowledge her gaze holds, and shifted closer to stand in front of her now. She's sitting high enough that she could look over his shoulder with ease, keeping an eye on the area if she felt need.
His hands touch her knees and slide up her thighs, his chest a hairs breath from leaning into them. Head tilted just enough so that he can look at her, he keeps his voice quiet, understanding. "I know it is," scaring her to death, "and I'm not going to pressure you into anything." He wouldn't do that. "But I do want children. I'm older then you," he thinks, they had never discussed their ages, "and I'll have a lifetime to raise them."
"I want to do that." There's a small huff then, sudden as he realizes how strange he might sound. "Odd, I know, coming from a man. But it's something I'm ready for, when you are, and really look forward to." Trent is full of surprises; she has to know that by now. Just when she thought she might understand him and he's offering more and more, in a short period of time.
[Cara] The moment Simon planted his foot to step forward, one of Cara's feet went back. Step for step was matched. She was still behind Colt's left shoulder, but now not so close. Distance given to her Alpha in case he needed room to move. The shadow's shadow indeed.
It was all reflexive and instinctive. If anything was more noticeable about her it was how in tuned she seemed to be with him and her wolf. She only glanced at Colt with the mention of her name, offering the man finally a full look. There was a huge depth of unburned energy inside, showing in the gleam of her brown eyes. Certainly her purebreed was nothing to speak on, though she did have it if it was only faint. In it laid that strangeness that her tribe seemed to harbor. That weirdness..creepiness...a hundred such names for it, but all a fingerprint of Uktena's children.
A twitch of her lips as if she were going to speak only led to taking a breath. She turned her head, looking away again though a tiny hint of a smirk curled one corner of her lips.
[Simon] He noted the apprehension of the other pack-mate and he found his head shifting slightly to the side in curiosity. Was he putting off the wrong messages, or was she simply that shy? He found himself puzzled by the strange woman, and his eyes showed this much, but he shrugged his shoulders and drew his attention back to Colt.
"She's very quiet I see where you get the deed name from."He says, peeking around the imposing fenrir back at the woman."It is an honor to meet you both. I am Bone-Grinder to the nation, full moon and Grandchild of Thunder."He flicks his eyes once more back up to Colt.
"Is there more of you or is this all there is?"He asks softly. Sometimes packs shrunk, or even lost members. So it wasn't unheard of to meet a pack so small, simply rare.
[Cara] There it was, the one name. Her twitch was hidden well enough by the way she rose her hand to scratch her nose. The bulky sleeve falling away once fingertips touched her skin, she glanced around before one sharp sniff, as if to clear her sinuses, was taken.
Or maybe it was the latter question. A deeper breath, she switched weight from one foot to the other. A large loss yes. A small pack but a pack still left. Tez would never be abandoned.
Her eyes peeled away from the couple and to Colt again. She wasn't beside him or close enough to reach out and touch his elbow or arm. There seemed a little need for comfort, a nose nuzzled and fur rubbed. But impossible right now, at least for physical touch. So instead she moved. He seemed lax enough that she took a few steps closer and moved to stand behind his right shoulder knowing he'd feel the shift her direction and understand her meaning.
[Colt Montgomery] "The two of us are all that is left of four..... we are hoping to rebuild our pack. New city. New people, Beginnings and looking forward to the journey" ~he was used to Cara's antics, she was good at what she did, no need to apologize for that, she was simply who she was, and that's how he liked it
he kept his eyes on Simon the entire time, grinning when he gave up the goods~ "I know two of your tribesman. Mila and (forgot name)." ~his breeding was evident, so he didn't offer up all the details~ "Culls the Beast" ~he felt and heard the soft steps of his beta, knew where she was, it was unremarkable the way they read each other~
[Simon] He nodded his head back to Colt."Well I don't even think I've met all of my pack in this city but then when you belong to a tribe of thieves and assholes it can take some time to track 'em all down."He says this with a grin before looking between the two of them curiously.
"I'm sorry to hear about your pack. I'm sure they died well though, they always do don't they?"He asks with a bit of a smile."Maybe at the next moot you can share the tale of their lives? That is if you would like. In the mean time make sure the two of you keep close, also there's something about kin..."He clucks his tongue and looks up at the sky before bringing his eyes back to Colt and then to Cara."Umm something about not claiming them cause Lukas is sleeping with them all or something. I don't know! That's just what I was told."He laughs to himself.
"Not that you'll find too many promising prospects. If you ask me the kin in this city all need to be bent over someones knee and spanked."He draws in a breath and sighs."Sadly that's not my job... So I'll have to make due with whatever is stupid enough to throw itself at me or happen to be in the way."He smiles curiously to Cara returning his eyes to her and simply watching cautiously as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
[Cara] She didn't return the eye. Instead, her own rolled to Colt, "Lukas the one in the cheerleading outfit?" asked in a soft tone void of an accent at present.
[Kora] He stands close, slides his hands over her thighs. She uncurls her fingers from the edge of the retaining wall and covers his hands with her own. Her attention is briefly distant, dark eyes drifting over his shoulder as she studies the park at his back, watches for anything that might threaten him. Them.
"They're going to be Fenrir," this is quiet, all quiet. She's still looking over his shoulder, distant, but then she lifts her chin, draws her gaze back and focuses on him, clear and direct, her eyes shining. "I'll get you the best translations of the Eddas to read to them, and you can teach them how to fight. I'll show you how to read my journals. I'll - " a brief, winsome look. She leans forward, tipping her pale head down toward his dark one, swallowing hard against the strange knot in her chest. "I'll give you my mother's number, yeah?"
Then, she slides off the retaining wall. Unfolds her hands from his, plants her palms on the ledge, and lifts herself down, off the wall and into his body. Her eyes are on his, somehow in all this her arms find their away around his body. She's watching him the whole time and her eyes spark and gleam with a sharp sort of sudden longing, bone deep. "If we wait until I'm ready," she says, the unfamiliar, sour edge of fear a sharp tang in the back of her mouth, this living thing that twists through her body. " - we'll wait too long. You know?
"Thomas is still off questing, and I don't want to leave Joe in a lurch. And even when he's back - they're my pack, you know? And I know it never changes, but we're at war, and I - I have no idea how - " This isn't a rush. It's a litany. It's a confession, a quiet one, quietly spoken, her eyes on his, her mouth close to his skin. The look she gives him is askance. They are just off dead center, so her dark irises cut to the right corner of her eyes, all shadow, the pupils large in the uncertain light of the park, devouring. The litany cuts off.
There are another dozen or more fears underneath, but she's spoken the sharpest of them, the most constant. The ones that will never go away. She cuts herself off, though, shifts her attention back to him, searching her pale gaze, her own taut and direct, this sort of living expectancy written underneath her pale skin. "You do want to raise them, don't you?"
[Kora] (pausing our portion of scene! night y'all! have fun! :) )
North, though, the lights huge the lakeshore, but the great expanse of the lake is dark. The wind is cooler now that the sun has fallen below the horizon, a welcome relief from the humidity. When they are far enough away from the fountain that the lights and the water run together, that the tourists are little more than shadows against them, Kora stops and leans back against the retaining wall overlooking the lake to concentrate on her impromptu meal of Italian sausage and Dr. Pepper. Her back is to the lake, the dark park and city spread out in front of them, her posture lean and careless.
Halfway through the sausage, she cuts Trent a sidelong look, chewing a mouthful, her lips closed but smiling around it, swallows the bite. "These are good," she says, when she's swallowed the bite. "Thanks for dinner."
[Kora] (Is totally open! Sorry: I was writing a post!)
to Cara, Colt Montgomery, Trent Brumby
[Colt Montgomery] ~He walked down the path, Exotic ostrich skin Nocona boots crush the small stones on the asphalt. low-rise, deep indigo rinsed jeans look expensive, finished with fading and whisking to enhance their appeal. the bleached white tee shirt fit snug across his chest, his body chiseled, the outlines of his well defined muscles visible.
He stands six foot three, dark curls hidden beneath the straw cowboy hat that sat low on his brow, an iced coffee in his hand~ "I was hoping that detective would give us some work"
[Cara] "Did you meet him yet?" she asked looking up as she walked beside her Alpha.
Their cowboy booted feet almost stepping in unison, she shoved her hands into her pockets and again glanced around. She was less tense tonight than she had been in quite a while. Seemed as if her nose was always a little curled at the stench of the city around them, the agitation of being within the metropolish showing in the way her muscles were nearly continuously tensed.
[Trent Brumby] Her book is still under his arm and he carries another soda in one hand and two sausages in the other. He's only planning to eat the one, certain that the Garou's stomach could always use more fuel. When they had come to a stop by the wall, Trent placed the soda down so he could switch a sausage bun from one hand into the other, elbow clutching tighter against his side to stop the book from slipping.
After taking a bite he glanced towards her, brows raised as she thanked him for dinner. There's a quiet huff in the back of his throat as he chews slowly, and he answers after he swallows. "This doesn't count as dinner. It's a bite to eat." They would have to agree to disagree on that. Trent would never consider pizza or burgers dinner, they were merely accompaniments to drinking with buddies.
His thumb wipes the corner of his mouth as he glances from her to the darkness of the lake beyond. He's only standing a foot or so away from her, not directly blocking her path, but standing slightly off to the side, facing towards her like she is the park. "I've got a question I want to ask, I'm not sure it's appropriate for here, but I think it's something we should discuss." The tone he uses is calm, not quite casual, but there's no anxiety or apprehension behind it. His gaze returns, direct on hers.
[Colt Montgomery] "Just once. I talked to both of them. They said they'd call me and give us the scoop. Thinkin our noses might pick up something theirs didn't" ~he shrugged~ "I guess they don't need us............ yet" ~he only waited a second to drop the yet. eventually they would come around. they had to or he'd have to find a new city to hang his hat, he was a warrior and had offered his services on a few occasions~ "What do you know?"
[Simon] This was not a world where things came in black and white it was a world of shades and subtle differences. Good and evil were concepts created to give reason to that which was broken and difficult to fathom. Even Simon himself was but a symptom of a disease that had cast itself like a shadow over this world. Desperation and hope were carried heavily upon the shoulders of this creature, barely an adult and already so much responsibility fell upon his shoulders.
Smile was charming, friendly, personable even and yet despite that fact people seemed to keep their distance from something far more insidious. It burned like a fire just under the surface, churning and swimming in a chaotic dance that left this poor creature on edge constantly. He was tall, just over six feet and powerfully chiseled. He appeared to tense with every step. Each and every motion was sleek like a predator on the hunt. His arms were painted, etched in a beautiful mural that helped set the man apart from any who might mistake him for one of their own. He wore a dark sleeveless shirt, and similarly dark jeans and a pair of boots rapped gently against the ground as he stepped. One shoulder carried the weight of his bat and the other the weight of his bag. It was hard to believe, though, that the man intended to play baseball at this hour. Still, so long as we wasn't causing any trouble there wasn't much reason to bother him was there?
Tonight Simon was headed out, it wasn't so much a patrol as a wanderlust. His bright eyes glanced about curiously, however dangerous he might be he was still young and excited. Still there was no mistaking the certainty in that step, the dark hair, the sleek features that screamed out to any who were aware of just what it felt like to stand in the presence of one of Thunder's own. He did not appear to follow a direction but simply made his way across the park in search of whatever might catch his fancy. There was always something interesting at the park.
[Cara] "It is more ghost bones here than the desert. I find old trails, signs that point to what was.." she shook her head a little, "I'm still learning the skins of this city..."
She seemed thoughtful a moment, lips pursing to worry as she walked along. Cut off jean shorts barely peeking out from beneath the huge dark blue hoodie that swallowed up her figure. Sleeves rolled up a little exposed a few trinkets of beads and turquoise bands. A sprig from a tree seemed to hold the mound of dark brown hair rolled upon her head in place. Pretty sure, but she was the shadow of her Alpha, easily blending behind his Rage and presence.
"Maybe we should go shake out our own trees..." added with a glance to the ones that loomed nearby in the urban park, "see what falls out..."
[Kora] "Whatever it is," Kora inserts as Trent denies that their street-fare constitutes dinner. Her voice low, the tone quietly ironic, tinged with the hint of self-awareness that is never approaches self-consciousness. There is a mild shrug of the creature's narrow shoulders. " - tastes good to me." The buns are soft from spending the day in the steamer, the onions and peppers just overcooked, but sausages are perfect, well-spiced, fatty, warm without being hot.
She sets her soda aside on the retaining wall between them, close enough to hand that she can reach it when she wants, leaving both hands free for the business of eating. Trent has a view of her profile, the curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw and throat, the heavy twist of her hair behind her head. Kora has a view of the park, and her dark eyes track away from him to touch on the others present, alert and watchful, tracking the couple walking together in a distance, touching the stranger entering from the west. When she turns back to him, it's a three-quarters profile, her eyes sparking in the darkness.
"Here's as good a place as any," her voice is quiet, rich. Out here in the darkness of the park, though, the weight of her intent gaze touches on him, then returns to the copse of trees, the wide concrete walking path, alive to their surroundings. Her mouth curves around the words, though. " - ask away." - and then she takes the last bite of her sausage, chewing it contentedly, pulling a napkin from her pocket to wipe away the grease on her mouth as she chews.
[Colt Montgomery] ~she saw the world so different from him. she looked in all the hidden places, he was more of an open book. it's why they worked so well together. he kept pounding the earth, deeper into the park. she was right maybe they had to make their own fun, own trouble. he kept his eyes up, seeing the people who dared come towards them, not many, the rage was great, and he was intimidating, even under the straw hat and brilliant hazel eyes~ "I don't mind a hunt, in fact.... I'm in the mood for" ~something passed his nostrils, he reared up, looking out along the park, a sweep of rage rolled along, someone was near~
[Simon] He didn't exactly come upon Colt and Cara but rather approached them cautiously. A scent in the wind? A feeling at the back of his neck, it drew him to them stalking cautiously closer. He wasn't exactly masking his presence, however, he could be seen and heard as he came upon them. Stopping and allowing the baseball bat on his shoulder to lower, the tip of the bat thunking into the ground before him. He takes the time to look them both over, slow and cautious, while at the same time revealing to them that he didn't mean any harm so long as they didn't. This was war, after all, and one could never be too cautious. Letting his guard down would only place him in further danger and he had to be certain that he was safe in the company of these two.
"I wouldn't go shaking too many trees around here they have a tendancy to bite. This place is all kinds of fucked up."He says to Cara. His smile lifting before turning his eyes in the direction of Colt."I'm sure if you're looking for blood it's already out there and it's coming. Still it's usually a little smarter to get the jump on your prey before they realize you are out there."His lips part and he seems about to say something but quickly changes his mind.
"Still not half as bad as Detroit was. Honestly it's kinda like a vacation now that I think about it. That doesn't mean it's the kinda place to let your guard down though. Never let your guard down..."He looks between them both before shrugging his shoulders."Simon..."He says trailing off and clucking his tongue as if waiting for them to follow suit.
[Trent Brumby] By the time that Kora has finished her sausage and is wiping his mouth, he's still got half of his own left and a full other one which he hands over to her. He didn't want it, the Black Fury born was struggling to eat the single one. It wasn't too his taste. He liked the spice and the meat, but he could taste the fat above it all, unpleasant and old with the grease that took flavour out of peppers that are better slow roasted. At least it gives him some ideas on what to add to his home menu for her.
"Are we having children?" Without any further preamble, he offered out what was on his mind, no longer looking at the lake but at the Garou woman by his side. They had been careful before now so that there wouldn't be any slip ups, and it wasn't his style to ask while they were about to head to bed. He wanted it to be a proper, thoughtful discussion that had concerns or fears laid out so that they could discuss them.
[Cara] There was no questioning his alertness, only reaction. A second's pause, a wide step to the left and her feet were again falling in sync with his. Now she walked close, just behind his left shoulder. Her hands slipped from the pockets to hang at her sides, the sleeves falling losely down to hide them. When he stopped, she stopped and...
Well she stood still, her brows rising high for a sharp moment as she stared at the man with the bat. The something with the bat in a park at night. But it was more his words than his presence that had her frowning just a little more. She felt her stomach tighten reflexively and her breath shallowed. It was only a little while longer she looked at him, then decided their surroundings were far more interesting than he. Or maybe it was simply paranoia that had her checking to see if there were Hiddens around.
Slowly, finally her hands tucked into the low front pocket of the hoodie. She took a more casual stance as her nose wiggled as if chasing off an invisible fly. For the moment, she held her tongue.
[Colt Montgomery] ~it was nice to see a face with the scent, though the bat... he wasn't so keen on it, he watched as the man lowered it, a breath was taken, he stood there, rocked onto his toes as he listened to the other rage filled one, he knew that Cara would be feeling the place out, stranger danger was just her speed. She was always lookin out for them, he was more likely the one to jump into some shit not knowing what it was. She was the brains or something like that.
when he finally spoke, there was a country twang~ "Howdy. Colt Montgomery" ~he didn't reach out to shake the mans hand, that would put him at a disadvantage if the guy decided to take a swing at him~ "I'm lookin for something with a bite, though I don't wanna be tangled in a mess of branches of a wayward tree"
[Kora] So: this is what happens. Kora finishes her sausage, pops the heel of the bun into her mouth, still sort of hungry, wishing she'd asked the vendor to dig out a bag of fritos from whereever he'd pack them away into his stainless steel cart. Hey, she says, quiet and calm and confident, her body language loose and alert, her dark eyes tracking away from Trent, lingering on the duo in the distance who have become a trio. She recognizes Colt even if he is still little more than a shadow with a shadow beside him and a cowboy hat perched on top of his head. She knows him because his blood speaks to her, because she is a Skald and she is called to remember.
And she is thinking that she should point them out to Trent. Say, - see them? Garou and expecting him to ask -
- not that. Kora goes utterly still, can feel her heart stop in her chest and swallows what remains of her bite whole. It goes down uncomfortable, seems lodged somewhere between her sternum and her heart. The look she gives Trent is absolutely stark, dark eyes wide, her fine mouth still.
She would not look more surprised if the ring of trees in front of them started singing and dancing a Rockettes style chorus-line.
"I wasn't expecting that question," she allows at last, holding his pale gaze fast for all that she wants to sheer away from the look. "I -
" - well." She swallows again, hoping to get the bite down; hoping to find a way back to the words that live under her skin, in her body. A deep breath follows. Another. She lets it out with a brief, rueful little laugh. "I really wasn't expecting that question."
[Cara] Something she found amusing had a sudden belt of laughter echoing out of her throat. A quick hand rose to cover her mouth, muffling and helping her swallow the rest of the laugh down into silence. What remained when her hand fell down to its warm pocket was the ghost of a smile.
Still she had not looked at Batman. The trees, the towers of lights and webs, the sound of water, the hint of breeze passing them by, the couple in the not so distance.... seemingly far more interesting.
[Simon] Feral wasn't a terribly common description applied to the homid born, and yet this man's nostrils flared outward as if scenting the air while keeping his eyes shifting over them. He wasn't watching their faces he was paying attention to their motions and the way they presented themselves. Reading the body rather than the face, letting their motions tell him all he needed to know.
Youth brought with it a certain fearlessness that glimmered in those eyes as his smile grew. He wasn't exactly worried by the strangers and in fact he felt pretty certain they were far from a threat. Still they were faces he did not recognize and for that reason he couldn't be entirely certain he was safe so he didn't move any closer. He didn't want to threaten or put himself so close that he was threatened himself.
Colt got most of his attention. The man was large and imposing and demanding of the full moon's attention."Like I said I'm sure it's out there but you gotta know where to look. You met Lukas? I'm sure he can help direct you if there is anything specific you two need... He's kinda the man to go to for that kinda thing. I'm just one of the errand boys for the most part."He nods his head and chuckles then slings his bat up over his shoulder.
His eyes shift to Cara and her muffled smile. He narrows those eyes for several heartbeats as if trying to determine what it was she found so amusing. When he found himself unable to determine what she found so funny he returned his eyes to Colt. "If there's anything more specific you needed then try to be more frank and open about it. They pay me to break shit and not to think too deeply about it... Puzzles and riddles are for those with more time on their hands."
[Trent Brumby] There's a moment where something else reflects in his eyes, not quite a pity but certainly a sympathy, he hadn't meant to throw her into such uncomfortable territory, but he is the responsible one. He was always quite responsible, except for that time that they had first met and he had been on his way to drunk and thought he made a fool of himself, at least by his own standards. His smile is small, the look in his eyes become warm and he reaches for her Dr. Pepper to pick it up from the wall to offer it out to her.
He doesn't apologize for asking the question, however flustered it makes her. "It's something we should discuss, don't you think? Before you keep that pinky-promise." It's not a matter of whether they were going to have children but also when. Its that discussion, which seems very natural for him to ask in the progression of their relationship.
[Colt Montgomery] ~he rocked back and forth, he'd settled himself though, he did glance sideways at the practical joker, wondering what was in her koolaid, then back to Simon~ "We've been here a couple months. a moot. a Fenris Moot. I've met a lot of us, but haven't actually talked much to man in charge. Unless you're talkin about Joe War hand" ~he smirked a bit~ "Quite the character that boy" ~still this man seemed in the know, something he wasn't~ "So who do you run with?"
[Kora] Kora takes a long, grateful swig from the Dr. Pepper he offers her, letting the wash of liquid clear her throat and her senses. Then, setting the can carefully aside, she reaches back, sets her palms flat on the retaining wall, and levers herself upward to perch there, her long legs dangling down the side of the wall, swinging in a haphazard rhythm, a subtle thump every third beat as her heels hit the wall. Her hands gripping the edge on either side of her thighs.
Trent earns the edge of a curving smile when he mentioned the pinky-promise. It breaks the edge of her surprise, lets her find her way back into her mind and her body. Her heart is still pounding, unaccountably, and there's a certain tension in her, suggested by the white knuckles, the strength of her grip over the edge of the retaining wall. She presses her mouth together in thought, breathes in through her nose, and turns back to him, shaking her pale head.
"No," she replies to him at last, still smiling but taut somehow, "you're right. It's something we should discuss before," for a slicing moment, the look she gives him is naked, and utterly intimate, animal and human all at once. He's hers. She's claimed him. Then her mouth curls up at the right corner, that familiar little look. Her voice is quieter then, still rich. She doesn't bother to hide the shifting threads of emotion underneath. "I keep that promise."
Kora looks down, then. It's brief, just long enough to compose herself. When she looks back up, she finds his gaze, and holds it, clear and direct. "We're having children," she tells him, quiet, stubborn, persistent underneath it even if some distinct, distinctly human part of her cannot believe what the rest of her knows in her bones. "It wouldn't be honorable for me to claim you, take your from your tribe, and interfere with - Her. Yeah? There's this part of me that cannot believe I'm saying this, right? But yeah. We're having kids."
The raw look returns, brief and whole. "It scares me to death."
[Simon] He smiles back to Colt and shakes his head."I don't know if Lukas is the man in charge but I do know he's the ranking Full Moon so he's kinda the man you wanna talk to if you are looking for direction as far as rooting out the bad guys."He approaches Colt calmly, his eyes shifting up and he presents an arm outward to the man extending it far enough for his forearm to be gripped it seemed to be the way folks greeted one another out here.
"I run with Dark Sky. How about you?"He asks Colt curiously, his eyes shifting sideways to glance towards Cara. His smile never leaving his face, friendly and charming and so very full of youth. Indeed his friendliness was enough to leave one questioning if he was in fact the tribe he seemed so strongly to belong to.
Cara was quiet and that had his attention it seemed. Curiosity was, unfortunately, among the many weaknesses associated with youth. She was quiet and reserved and that was unusual even among those he has met in this place.
"I don't usually get invited to the Fenrir gatherings. You know the whole honor-less coward thing doesn't sit too well with the Fenrir I guess."He says as his attention returns to Colt."I'm sure we'll bump into one another sooner or later but as of yet haven't met him... Sorry."
[Colt Montgomery] ~oh yes, he knew that Lukas was the ranking full moon, but as far as he knew the jarl was still Joe, no one informed him different, he watched the man moving in closer, he felt a rush of adrenaline, though he felt it dissolve almost as soon as it pumped through him, that tagged arm came out to greet him and soon he found himself in a familiar grip, the chicago feel em up, he participated only when gestured, his lips curling into a grin~ "This is my packmate" ~laughing hyena, he chuckled himself at the thought~ "Silent Night. We are Winds of Discord"
[Trent Brumby] While she's trying to deal with the unexpected question and situation, scrambling for thought and to still her heart into something more reasonable, he's put down her book beside where she's sitting, where both their drinks rest and the other sausage (if she hadn't ate it already). He had smiled at her look, his eyes shining in response to the possessive look and knowledge her gaze holds, and shifted closer to stand in front of her now. She's sitting high enough that she could look over his shoulder with ease, keeping an eye on the area if she felt need.
His hands touch her knees and slide up her thighs, his chest a hairs breath from leaning into them. Head tilted just enough so that he can look at her, he keeps his voice quiet, understanding. "I know it is," scaring her to death, "and I'm not going to pressure you into anything." He wouldn't do that. "But I do want children. I'm older then you," he thinks, they had never discussed their ages, "and I'll have a lifetime to raise them."
"I want to do that." There's a small huff then, sudden as he realizes how strange he might sound. "Odd, I know, coming from a man. But it's something I'm ready for, when you are, and really look forward to." Trent is full of surprises; she has to know that by now. Just when she thought she might understand him and he's offering more and more, in a short period of time.
[Cara] The moment Simon planted his foot to step forward, one of Cara's feet went back. Step for step was matched. She was still behind Colt's left shoulder, but now not so close. Distance given to her Alpha in case he needed room to move. The shadow's shadow indeed.
It was all reflexive and instinctive. If anything was more noticeable about her it was how in tuned she seemed to be with him and her wolf. She only glanced at Colt with the mention of her name, offering the man finally a full look. There was a huge depth of unburned energy inside, showing in the gleam of her brown eyes. Certainly her purebreed was nothing to speak on, though she did have it if it was only faint. In it laid that strangeness that her tribe seemed to harbor. That weirdness..creepiness...a hundred such names for it, but all a fingerprint of Uktena's children.
A twitch of her lips as if she were going to speak only led to taking a breath. She turned her head, looking away again though a tiny hint of a smirk curled one corner of her lips.
[Simon] He noted the apprehension of the other pack-mate and he found his head shifting slightly to the side in curiosity. Was he putting off the wrong messages, or was she simply that shy? He found himself puzzled by the strange woman, and his eyes showed this much, but he shrugged his shoulders and drew his attention back to Colt.
"She's very quiet I see where you get the deed name from."He says, peeking around the imposing fenrir back at the woman."It is an honor to meet you both. I am Bone-Grinder to the nation, full moon and Grandchild of Thunder."He flicks his eyes once more back up to Colt.
"Is there more of you or is this all there is?"He asks softly. Sometimes packs shrunk, or even lost members. So it wasn't unheard of to meet a pack so small, simply rare.
[Cara] There it was, the one name. Her twitch was hidden well enough by the way she rose her hand to scratch her nose. The bulky sleeve falling away once fingertips touched her skin, she glanced around before one sharp sniff, as if to clear her sinuses, was taken.
Or maybe it was the latter question. A deeper breath, she switched weight from one foot to the other. A large loss yes. A small pack but a pack still left. Tez would never be abandoned.
Her eyes peeled away from the couple and to Colt again. She wasn't beside him or close enough to reach out and touch his elbow or arm. There seemed a little need for comfort, a nose nuzzled and fur rubbed. But impossible right now, at least for physical touch. So instead she moved. He seemed lax enough that she took a few steps closer and moved to stand behind his right shoulder knowing he'd feel the shift her direction and understand her meaning.
[Colt Montgomery] "The two of us are all that is left of four..... we are hoping to rebuild our pack. New city. New people, Beginnings and looking forward to the journey" ~he was used to Cara's antics, she was good at what she did, no need to apologize for that, she was simply who she was, and that's how he liked it
he kept his eyes on Simon the entire time, grinning when he gave up the goods~ "I know two of your tribesman. Mila and (forgot name)." ~his breeding was evident, so he didn't offer up all the details~ "Culls the Beast" ~he felt and heard the soft steps of his beta, knew where she was, it was unremarkable the way they read each other~
[Simon] He nodded his head back to Colt."Well I don't even think I've met all of my pack in this city but then when you belong to a tribe of thieves and assholes it can take some time to track 'em all down."He says this with a grin before looking between the two of them curiously.
"I'm sorry to hear about your pack. I'm sure they died well though, they always do don't they?"He asks with a bit of a smile."Maybe at the next moot you can share the tale of their lives? That is if you would like. In the mean time make sure the two of you keep close, also there's something about kin..."He clucks his tongue and looks up at the sky before bringing his eyes back to Colt and then to Cara."Umm something about not claiming them cause Lukas is sleeping with them all or something. I don't know! That's just what I was told."He laughs to himself.
"Not that you'll find too many promising prospects. If you ask me the kin in this city all need to be bent over someones knee and spanked."He draws in a breath and sighs."Sadly that's not my job... So I'll have to make due with whatever is stupid enough to throw itself at me or happen to be in the way."He smiles curiously to Cara returning his eyes to her and simply watching cautiously as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
[Cara] She didn't return the eye. Instead, her own rolled to Colt, "Lukas the one in the cheerleading outfit?" asked in a soft tone void of an accent at present.
[Kora] He stands close, slides his hands over her thighs. She uncurls her fingers from the edge of the retaining wall and covers his hands with her own. Her attention is briefly distant, dark eyes drifting over his shoulder as she studies the park at his back, watches for anything that might threaten him. Them.
"They're going to be Fenrir," this is quiet, all quiet. She's still looking over his shoulder, distant, but then she lifts her chin, draws her gaze back and focuses on him, clear and direct, her eyes shining. "I'll get you the best translations of the Eddas to read to them, and you can teach them how to fight. I'll show you how to read my journals. I'll - " a brief, winsome look. She leans forward, tipping her pale head down toward his dark one, swallowing hard against the strange knot in her chest. "I'll give you my mother's number, yeah?"
Then, she slides off the retaining wall. Unfolds her hands from his, plants her palms on the ledge, and lifts herself down, off the wall and into his body. Her eyes are on his, somehow in all this her arms find their away around his body. She's watching him the whole time and her eyes spark and gleam with a sharp sort of sudden longing, bone deep. "If we wait until I'm ready," she says, the unfamiliar, sour edge of fear a sharp tang in the back of her mouth, this living thing that twists through her body. " - we'll wait too long. You know?
"Thomas is still off questing, and I don't want to leave Joe in a lurch. And even when he's back - they're my pack, you know? And I know it never changes, but we're at war, and I - I have no idea how - " This isn't a rush. It's a litany. It's a confession, a quiet one, quietly spoken, her eyes on his, her mouth close to his skin. The look she gives him is askance. They are just off dead center, so her dark irises cut to the right corner of her eyes, all shadow, the pupils large in the uncertain light of the park, devouring. The litany cuts off.
There are another dozen or more fears underneath, but she's spoken the sharpest of them, the most constant. The ones that will never go away. She cuts herself off, though, shifts her attention back to him, searching her pale gaze, her own taut and direct, this sort of living expectancy written underneath her pale skin. "You do want to raise them, don't you?"
[Kora] (pausing our portion of scene! night y'all! have fun! :) )
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