More Than I Appear

Name: Blake Swift Species: Weredeer DOB: 04/17/88 Location: Pickens, SC

[elizabrandt-deactivated20140417]

Another Day // Eliza & Blake

Tired of the phone tag that she and her mother had been playing, Eliza tossed her phone, wincing regretfully as it bounced off of the passenger seat and onto the floor of her car. Leaning over, the blonde picked it up and placed it in the cup holder. Buckling her seatbelt, Eliza reversed out of the parking lot of her apartment complex and drove in the direction of particular- at least, until she set eyes on the Rookery. Turning into the lot, Eliza realized what a good decision it had been just as her stomach began growling.

Putting her car in park, Eliza stepped out of her car and walked towards the establishment. The blonde had only ever been to the Rookery a few times, but each time she had opted out for a cup of coffee. Now, Eliza was hoping to get one of the sandwiches they so often displayed on the blackboard outside. Walking inside, Eliza’s green eyes traveled over the few, select people that stood in line, and the few people who were scattered amongst the booths. Standing in line behind a gangly man, Eliza crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for the line to get moving.

[rpblakeswift]

It was surprisingly a lazy day today. Bianca didn't have physical therapy and Blake didn't have work so they had decided on some lunch from the Rookery would be nice. Today was the special on the Spinach and Tomato panini and Blake had an itch for some caffeine. So, leaving Bianca to do her stretches and home he went to get their lunch and his coffee fix. The lines though, of course had to be moving slow.

Sighing Blake ran a hand through his hair before pulling out his phone to tell Bianca that he was going to be later than planned. “Seems everyone and their third cousins is here,” he muttered as he looked around from his place in the back of the line and he heard someone move behind him. He turned a bit to look at her and smiled. “Looks like its going to be a bit. Hope you weren't too hungry or anything.” 

[beware-the-ides]

Buck Betta Have My Money || Blake, Titus

x

Titus had woken up the morning after the encounter with David naked and curled up on his mattress, having lasted just long enough to see the rat leave before he gave in to the push of his rabbit and shifted that same night.  Perhaps to save what was left of his head.  The Cottontail was used to the apartment because Titus rarely left it for full moons and after a feverish fit of hopping about in a release of pent up energy and his humanity’s own fear it came across the cut veggies.  It made short work of putting a decent dent in the celery and carrots before burrowing under the messy sheets of the unmade bed and eventually succumbing to slumber through exhaustion.

The next afternoon a buzzing, rattling sound slowly started to pierce through what had been a pitch black sleep; the first time in a very long while he slept so heavily at all, not counting the usual post-shift blackouts.  It steadily drilled its way into his consciousness, waking his body and mind up though he would need time to recollect himself.  Tori’s death had settled a great weight of grief on the rabbit’s shoulders and the information David had come to him with only piled on, so much so that his body seemed to physically ache from it all.  As the relentless noise continued, Titus pulled his face from the corner of his pillow it was mashed against to try and spot where it was coming from  His phone was ringing in his pants some distance away but all the young man did was roll over and groan into the palms covering his face.

His old boss at BestBuy left a voicemail for him in his special brand of nail-and-chalkboard tone, his usual fondness for the lazy rabbit apparent in every harsh syllable as he instructed him to come get his last check before they burned it.  He himself would be out doing bossly things, but he could get it from the nerds at the GeekSquad counter at any point that day.  That day.  There was a lot of emphasis on it being that day and given the amount of ‘secret forts’ and ‘sign corrections’ Titus had like to make around the store when he was bored it was more a certainty than a joke that they would burn his check if he didn’t show for it.

Titus finally grabbed himself a shower first thing once he was on his feet, gnawing mindlessly at a handful of cherry tomatoes while waiting as the water ran to scalding.  Even the red-hot shower failed to wake him up completely, however, and he made sure to guzzle his last can of energy drink before leaving.  It wouldn’t help, but he could say he tried. Besides, there was all the caffeine he needed at work.  The thought of the Rookery brought Titus right back to the rat and the things he had said, the things he had known.  Reliving the night put a definite scowl on his face, one he wore as he pedaled the Mongoose along towards the mall while hip-hop pulsed softly into his skull through his headphones.  It wasn’t a good enough distraction, though, and while Titus kept his eyes shielded with a cheap pair of sunglasses it was more than apparent by the time he was wheeling his bike through the store towards the tech help counter that he was lucky to even be dressed, awake, and actually showing up for the wages they owed him.

Titus stretched his arms across the counter, smacking at whatever he could reach to make noise and let people know he was waiting because that seemed easier than speaking, which he surprisingly didn’t feel like doing that day.  In circles or otherwise.

[rpblakeswift]

It was one of those days that made him really, really regret trying to give up smoking. Really regret. Oh how nice it would be to just take five-ten minutes to go outside and light one up and take in that wonderful nicotine that would take the bite of the day away. Ten minutes of peace and simple enjoyment. He had checked his pocket more than once that day for a pack but the memory of throwing away the last always depressed him some and he would return to the work at hand.

He had checked the time a few times in the past two hours because simply his shift was over. However, because Blake had proven himself to be “responsible” and “trustworthy” he was stuck waiting for an ex-employee to sign some paper work and pick up his last check. The 'deer had to roll his eyes at the thought of his boss's words. In other words, he wanted to cut out early and needed someone to do his work for him. Blake should have just told the other no but he could have barely gotten a word in before the boss took off, leaving him with half filled out paperwork and an envelope containing said check for the employee.

He had text Bianca to let her know that he wouldn't be able to come and pick her up from her therapy appointment and that he would make it up to her. Blake was worried about his sister though. The nightmares had started again, as they had with her attack at university however this time around, Bianca rarely ran to Blake. In fact more often than not Blake would wake up to hearing her crying and sniffling or just sitting out in the living room wrapped up in a thick blanket watching infomercials after her nightmare. She didn't call out for him or didn't come into his room like she had. Blake had meant to question her on it but also didn't want to make her upset. Still it was beginning to wear on him which only add to the stress of everything else that had been going on.

Sitting near the counter, he was tapping away on one of the new computer models just to familiarize himself with it, when he heard the most obnoxious noise in the world. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

It nearly made Blake flinch at the offensiveness of the noise and he turned an irritated look to the counter to see the male waiting there behind the desk and the obvious cause of the noise. Was this the employee? He both hoped and dreaded it. Though the slight familiarity of seeing the other here and there did strike him and he knew this was him. Still confirmation was needed.

Closing the laptop he put it down and stood up to walk over the counter. “Can I help you?” This close there was scent that came from the other that was unmistakeable. He raised a brow a bit in surprise. There had been a Lycan working here just under his noise? Blake then wiped the look from his face. “Titus, I'm guessing?” 

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[marisa-walker]

I had a friend back in college who tried to quit. His girlfriend hated the way he smelled. I guess it’s because they’re shaped the same?

Ah, so that’s why you’re trying to quit. I can imagine I’d hate my clothes smelling like smoke. You can also get those  patch things.

[rpblakeswift]

Yeah. I think you're right. Still it just seems so unfair that something that was so easy to start is so hard to break out of. 

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[elizabrandt-deactivated20140417]

A little bit, yeah. Have you tried an e-cigarette or something?

[rpblakeswift]

That would require me to go out and get it wouldn't it? Then I have to think on which brand and look into which off brand would be cheaper and give me the same results. 

I think some research is needed.

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[marisa-walker]

No, I don’t think it would be. I’ve never smoked so I don’t really know what it’s like but I’ve heard chewing on cinnamon sticks is helpful.

[rpblakeswift]

Cinnamon Stick? Can't say I've heard of that kind of substitute. 

...But my sister wouldn't complain that I chew on cinnamon sticks because that won't stink up her or my clothes. Maybe that is something I'll have to try. 

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[elizabrandt-deactivated20140417]

You can usually find substitutes pretty easily. Gum, patches. Though, I guess it really depends on how much you want it.

[rpblakeswift]

Pretty bad. I mean, I'm eyeing a guy across from me who just lit one up and debating if I should strike up a random conversation just to get a whiff...I think that might be a little creepy on my part though...

Reason is telling me to stay away.

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[b-khan-deactivated20140502]

  Naw, there’s always hope, I’m just saying it’s the furthest thing from easy. Folks that don’t smoke or haven’t smoked don’t usually get that. It takes some serious hard-ass commitment.

Bubblegum, drinkin’ straws and tooth picks are pretty good substitutes for smokes.

[rpblakeswift]

Sounds better then what I've been doing. 

I'm surprised that I have fingernails left anymore. I might have to try what you suggested. Its just good to know someone else knows what its like and shares my pain. Sometimes it just feels I'm on my own with this.  

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

[b-khan-deactivated20140502]

  Dude, I have the worst oral fixations. I’ve been tryin’ to kick smokin’ since last year but it’s literally goin’ nowhere. This town is just too fuckin’ stressful or something.

[rpblakeswift]

So basically you're saying that I have no hope? I was afraid someone was going to tell me that. Perhaps you can explain that to my sister then? Hearing it from someone else might make her understand just how hard it really is. 

[rpblakeswift]

Need One So Bad...

Its really hard to give up smoking...especially with everything going on. I feel like pulling my hair out but I don't think that would be an adequate or acceptable substitute. 

[rpblakeswift]

Smoke Free Zone // Blake & Maera

[whitemaera-deactivated20140418]

  Her head was spinning slightly, disoriented from having gotten use to running around for a long time in her other form. She knew she probably shouldn’t have gone so long, but it had really only been a week or so. Maera doubted she had anything to worry about other than the dizziness that she was facing at the moment. “Sorry, again! I know I can kinda be…a handful for some people.” Maera laughed loudly, a cheerful laugh despite the bad times that seemed to have come around Pickens, something Maera still wasn’t even sure about. At least now she could probably ask Blake what was going on.

She looked at Blake’s hand for a moment, remembering that it was meant for a handshake before she took his hand and gave it a shake. “And the same goes to you! Thanks for the food, by the way. I was starving after running around for so long. Not many people are willing to feed a random dog and when I tried to get back into my apartment, I got kicked out by the landlord… Don’t think he was too happy that have a dog there. Guess I can’t have any pets!” Maera laughed, pressing her hand to her lips to try and muffle it. The brunette leaned against the counter, her expression changing as she remembered something. “What’s going on with everyone? People seem so upset and It’s making me sad.”

[rpblakeswift]

The 'deer was unable to help himself from smiling at Maera's obvious energetic personality. It was almost like having a puppy around. Really it was rather endearing and Blake had to hold himself back from petting the other again. He wasn't sure how she would react to him touching her like she was still in her dog form and didn't want to step on her toes, so he just pushed the urge back. “Your welcome. Really if you hadn't eaten it, it might have gone back. Just sorry that is all I had at hand at the moment without breaking out some pots.” He has pastas and rices he could make as well as plenty of greens and other veggies. Shaking his head he laughed a bit at Maera at her reference to probably not being allowed to have pets. “Yes, that is probably a good indication. Most rental places around here don't allow pets unless you are able to put down a lot of money for one in case it causes a mess in your home.”

The smile from Blake's face faded a bit when the other asked what was going on. “You haven't been here very long, have you?” He asked before sighing and he thought a bit on how the break the news that Pickens was going down hill and very quickly. “...This place isn't exactly safe as some of us had first believed. First off...this place is run by predators. 'wolves, 'bears, 'foxes. Not exactly safe if you are of the prey variety,” he said as he moved to sit down on the love seat that sat in the living room. He moved his hand next to him and patted the seat next to him. Should Maera come and sit next to him, he was ready to turn more so he could look at her fully. “Not that it should be a problem for you I don't think...I never heard of a 'dog before so I'm a bit unsure as to where you fall...though your scent tells me you are a predator.” He tapped his nose a little bit before continuing.

“But its not just predator here but hunters as well.” Blake had a very low opinion of hunters. He couldn't wrap his mind around it really. It wasn't Lycans asked to be the way they were. “Its not the fact that hunters and predators are here that has got everyone on edge as of late.” Reaching into his pocket he took out his cellphone and brought up the messages from the unknown sender. “We've been getting strange messages for a while and just recently there has been a monster going around ripping people up. My sister was one of them. She survived luckily and will hopefully make a full recovery...” However thinking about Bianca's condition wasn't what he wanted to do right now. Especially when he had a guest. 

"Where are you from Maera? As I said it doesn't seem like you have been here very long. Do you have someone you want me to get a hold of for you?" He wasn't sure if she had a roommate that she wanted him to get a hold of for her or not. 

[rpblakeswift]

Don't worry. I'm Here. // Blake & Bianca

[bianca-swift]

  "Well according to the doc, I kind have to talk about it" she began sarcastically, more for her benefit than Blake’s. "Look, I want you know what happened, so hopefully you won’t be an idiot and get yourself torn up like me" she said struggling against her bandages to reach for him again. "Whatever attacked me out there, it’s not anything ‘normal’. There was no way it was a bear of mountain lion or something like that. This…creature is huge and strong and it smells all wrong" she wrinkled her nose at the memory. Sometimes she still imagined she could smell it’s scent mixed with that of her own blood. Bianca swallowed the bile threatening to climb up her throat. "It’s strong and fast and there’s just the two of us Blake. In this whole damn town we are the only ones of our kind. We need protection. This monster is knocking people down like dominos and the next person might not be as lucky as I was." Bianca closed her eyes, tired from the effort of talking, and of trying to keep her memories at bay. If it weren’t for Tori she wouldn’t have the luxury of lying here in this hospital bed with her brother by her side. 

"You can scream now if you want, or threaten to call mom and dad or something" she said a moment later, not wanting any awkward silences to form between them. "Also, I better be getting this best chocolate cake you can find and a huge bowl of pasta when I get out of here. I’m barley surviving on what their giving me here" she frowned thinking of the cod porridge that had been served for breakfast. 

[rpblakeswift]

Blake wasn't sure if he wanted to hear about it and really didn't like the idea of Bianca living through it again as she told him. However if the doctor said this was good for her...who was he to argue? So he nodded a bit as he sat their and listened and as he did he did not like at all what he was listening too. 'deer were the fastest of their kind on land. So far no one had been able to catch them unless they had been in a group like a pack of 'wolves or laid in wait like a 'cat. But to hear that a single monster was able to catch Bianca and do this to her made Blake extremely upset. He swallowed as a lump in his throat grew thick. Just what had he brought Bianca in when he brought her here? This wasn't supposed to turn out like this at all. Was there really no place where they could be safe?

Bring a hand to his face, Blake rubbed his brow a bit and shook his head. “I could tell you how stupid it was for you be out on your own, especially with all the weird shit going on around here,” he said, his voice edging with the harshness of anger. “You should have been with someone, Bianca. One of your friends when I'm not around, just anyone!” Blake took in a breath to calm himself down. He shouldn't blame Bianca, not entirely for what happened. This monster...whatever it was, was as Bianca said taking people down like dominoes.

“What is your standing with the 'bears?” He asked the other as he looked up at her. He didn't agree with it when she had first sought the alliance with them. But as Bianca said, it sounded like they did need protection. He would have to stop by the Hallow or the Outlaw to see if there was any the word was on the things going around in Pickens but if Bianca was still in alliance with the 'bears, perhaps a visit to them was needed as well. 

[rubysatoshi-deactivated20140611]

Firewall || Blake & Ruby

Ruby’s was still as she stood before the counter, fingers linked over her laptop as she waited for the next available tech expert to free up. Her eyes were lowered to fix on the desk and her face was relaxed; all in complete opposite to the heat Ruby was feeling boil beneath her skin.The latest rash of messages that had made it past her computer’s firewall and security measures had frayed her last nerve.

The last fifteen years had seen drastic changes in one’s right to privacy and government access, most of which Ruby could rationalize. These recent messages being sent out, however, were completely illegal and spoke more towards a government official abusing their power than the whole government having gone off the deep end. Not that Ruby felt especially fond of the American government right then. These messages had her thinking about the last time she had done government work and had been openly deceived. Whatever this particular situation was, Ruby wanted to be left out of it. 

In a small town like Pickens, Ruby’s options for tech support were limited. She doubted that the guys who worked behind the counter here would be particularly helpful, but it was either this, or take a long drive up to DC and track down the friend that had put together her PC to begin with.

[rpblakeswift]

When Bianca had first come home, Blake had promised himself that he would not leave his sister's side for anything. Not until she had fully recovered physically and mentally; he would not leave her unprotected again. However it was a hallow promise since with Bianca not returning to work just yet (something Blake was rather adamant about until his sister felt she was ready) he had to go to work so that their bills were taken care off and his vacation days were few. However he had made sure that he always go off to ensure he could pick up his sister from her physical therapy in the late afternoon, both for his own assurance and Bianca's. He would not leave her again.

And as he did a lot now as he was at work, he was always gazing at the clock for the time and his phone to see if Bianca would message him. The computer he was working on currently was just having a virus scan run through it so he really had nothing much else to do until he felt an arm his his own. Looking over to his co-worker he pointed to the counter that was outside the room where they were working in the back and he saw someone there at the counter. Blake sighed as he got up and went out the door and made his way over to the counter.

“Welcome to Geek Squad,” he said a forced smile on his face. God how he hated the greeting. “My name's Blake, how can I help you?” Well at least it isn't some middle aged woman going to be asking him why her computer won't turn on or how to get to her saved pictures. His eyes drifted from Ruby's face to the laptop in her possession. It looked expensive. Definitely not going to be the routine questions. He hoped. 

[rainyseptember]

Deer by Ashwini Paithankar | via Tumblr em We Heart It.

[rpblakeswift]

Text @ Blake

Bianca: No, I'm literally on my way out the door

Bianca: I'll be home soon

Blake: Okay. Well then I shall see you when you get here. See you soon, Bibi!

[rpblakeswift]

Text @ Blake

Bianca: I'm sure you won't :p

Bianca: I don't want to bother her, she has work.

Blake: You better believe it. I'm all in overbearing big brother mode now. You better get used to it.

Blake: Yeah. Still I would feel better if you weren't with a stranger. Should I come and get you?

[rpblakeswift]

Smoke Free Zone // Blake & Maera

[whitemaera-deactivated20140418]

  Maera peeked her head up at Blake, watching him as he opened the bedroom door that belonged to Bianca. Moving into the room, the dog gave the room a quick sniff around before going back to the door and look back at the ‘deer with a tilted head. When the door was closed, Maera looked around before she let the shift come over her, careful she wasn’t in the way of anything as she felt her body change from the dog form and back into her human form. Much like always, she felt the darkness come over her and she fainted. It happened every time she shifted, but Maera had learned that she was never out for longer than a handful of minutes. Waking up a little disoriented, she looked around cautiously before standing up and tip-toeing her way over to the closet.

Her body was tight from having not been in human form for as long as she had been and she wasn’t even aware of the added time from when she wasn’t human or dog. Maera picked through the clothes till she found a full outfit to wear that would fit her, making sure that she was careful in putting the clothes on. Maera didn’t want to rip something and she hoped she didn’t get a stain on anything either. She’d hate for Bianca to get upset with her and she hadn’t even met the girl yet.

Coming out from the bedroom, Maera walked back through the little apartment, a bounce in her step and a smile on her lips. She made it into the little kitchen and rushed toward Blake, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, thank you! You helped me, you’re so kind!” Maera’s eyes grew a little wide and she backed away, biting her lip. “Oh, sorry! Was that a little too much? I’m Maera, by the way!” She was back to her normal self, excited as always and forgetful of personal space.

[rpblakeswift]

As Maera shifted, Blake finished up his cleaning and was nibbling at his salad when his sister's bedroom door opened. He wasn't sure who he was expecting to walk about of the room or what they would look like, but Maera he had to admit was cute. Much like her dog form. And much like her dog form she seemed terribly excited especially when she came over and hugged him so tightly that he momentarily lost his breath. To be honest it was a bit much but he couldn't find it in himself to be put off by it completely. When was the last time someone was this excited to see him, after all?

He chuckled a bit when the other pulled back and apologized and he shook his head. “Not what I was expecting but someohow I feel I should have expected it from you,” he said as he smiled at her. He offered his hand to her when she introduced herself. “I'm Blake. Its good to finally learn your name, Maera.” And too actually talk with her. Blake had thought on what he would say to her, ask her. First he would like some basic info since this was the first time he had seen Maera. Like where she was from, were there other 'dogs out there? Why had she just been wondering around like she was? All reasonable questions he assumed.

[rpblakeswift]

Don't worry. I'm Here. // Blake & Bianca

[bianca-swift]

  It was nice feelings Blake’s hand cover her own so protectively, it made her feel more at ease. Is she couldn’t see her parents, at least she had him around. “You’re such a dork” she laughed at this little jokes, trying not to laugh too hard so as not to jostle her torso too much. Her ribs still hurt despite being healed and breathing was still a little difficult. The doctors had told her that shifting during the full moon had sped up her recovery almost tenfold. However her body still needed time to rest and regain its strength and her muscles were still quite sore.  ”Maybe if you shouldn’t be such a cheapskate. Personally, I would have preferred chocolate to what they call food here” she said dryly. Really she had only eaten the yoghurt and the jello.

Looking at her brother, Bianca began biting her lip nervously. She knew this conversation couldn’t be avoided any longer. ”Soooo….” she began slowly, “Are we gonna talk about this?” She gestured to her body with her free hand which was still bandaged after being bitten. “I mean I’m sure you have questions. Actually I’m surprised you haven’t bitten my head off about all…of…this”. 

[rpblakeswift]

Blake gave a soft laugh as his sister regarded the hospital food. Really hospital's didn't make him feel very comfortable. All sanitized and clean that it burned his nose, not the mention the ill people. He really couldn't wait for Bianca to come home and he was sure that the other felt the same way. “Well when you get home we'll have your favorite food how about that?”

When the other brought up what had been hanging over them since Blake arrived, the older male sighed. He had been trying to avoid it but it was inevitable. “...I have a bunch of questions,” he said as he gave Bianca's hand a squeeze. “Believe me. I want to know every detail you remember. And I have a whole speech prepared on how you shouldn't be alone when you knew how vulnerable you are...” He held up his other hand a bit and took in a breath. “All those things though can wait...until you better or until you feel like talking about it. I don't think me yelling at you will help your recovery and will just make both of us upset.” Oh but how he wanted to rant and rave. If he could he would ground Bianca. Yes. Grounded until....she was thirty! Yes! “...Do you want to talk about this now? Or wait?” He asked, holding mixed feelings on either way she would decide.