#starter;ryden

[cass-evans]

for: @wolfontheloose

location: bolt's

It was usually obvious from the way Cass entered the shop what level of shit Ryden was going to have to deal with that day. Even a happy, energetic Cass was more often than not an indicator that he'd engaged in some sort of problematic behaviour the night before. (He was honestly lucky that he was good at his job, and quick at it. If he thought about it too deeply, he should probably have been fired already.) In this case, a skulking Cass trying to wander in without being seen or interacted with by the boss indicated something up, as did the fact that he'd made it halfway to hiding behind a half wrecked Corsa before Ryden had even entered before he froze, caught in the act as he straightened up, right hand offering a wave, his left unavailable due to the sling holding it in place, much to his visible annoyance. "It's fine," he said quickly, before the other man could even make a comment about the situation. "Seriously, I can probably do everything one handed. And I'm right handed anyway," Cass lied, hoping Ryden had been unobservant enough to not notice which was his dominant hand.

[helenaaspencer]

for: @wolfontheloose

She didn't normally allow herself to become attached to people, particularly not people she slept with, but Helena had found herself making an exception for Ryden. For one thing, their little no strings attached arrangement had been easy, with no hard feelings when it ended, and that was something she could appreciate. And for another, she genuinely - as much as she might not want to admit it - did enjoy his company. So she found herself actually wanting to catch up, at times, and get a drink - although her attention was on the person behind Ryden rather than Ryden himself at this moment in time. "The girl behind you is staring at you," she said slowly, finding it more amusing than anything else. "I'd say about ten minutes before she comes and tries to give you her number."

[cass-evans]

for: @wolfontheloose

location: outside bolt's, early morning

"You changed the locks," was Cass' accusing announcement to Ryden from his position sat on the ground outside the building. Not a greeting, nor had he had the foresight to offer any kind of text announcing that he was back in Opulence (or even back in the country), or give a timescale at any point during the prior month for his absence from work. Instead of a message back during that time, what Ryden got was one very annoyed looking werewolf sat outside his shop. "Or maybe my key is just fucked up," he acknowledged after a second, before realising they were kind of looking at each other in an awkward silence at this point, and needing to joke around to lighten the mood, "hey, you miss seeing my pretty face around here? Enough to give me my job back?"

[cass-evans]

for: @wolfontheloose

location: cass' apartment, descray

Clearly, Ryden had found the spare key under the doormat, or at least Cass was assuming from the noise he heard that he had found his way into the apartment one way or another and was heading in the direction of the living room. The living room where Cass had been parked on the sofa for the entire day, laying almost upside down with his feet up on the back and his head practically grazing the floor, headphones only slightly askew to allow for him hearing the older wolf even if he didn't look up to note his presence, simply raising one arm to offer up a half hearted wave before dropping it back down again. "Did you bring a big mac? Be gentle," he warned before he allowed the alpha to respond, face screwing into a grimace, "I'm on like.... day three of this headache. These are noise cancelling," he added lest he seem like a hypocrite. "No Joy Division playing."

[cass-evans]

for: @wolfontheloose

location: bolt’s

Cass was late for work.

Contrary to however his chaotic demeanour made him seem, Cass was normally a punctual employee. If anything, he seemed to prefer being at work to being at home, arriving early and always offering to stay late, to do more, to take other people’s shifts. He disliked being stuck in his own mind, and so he liked to have things to do. But today, he arrived late, skulking in like a cat with its tail between its legs, ironic. His hair was askew, his clothing crumpled - he’d clearly not slept, or if he had it hadn’t been at home, more likely on a bench somewhere or not at all. He practically bumped into a Honda Civic as he came in, barely even noticing its presence and still confused as Ryden approached him and they made eye contact.

Cass’s pupils were so dilated that the blue of his irises was practically gone, a thin ring around the black depth barely visible to the naked eye. His hands shook, or his whole body trembled to match, teaming with unfortunate, anxious energy. Desperate energy, energy that it was obvious had come from more than simply his morning coffee or running to work. “Yooooo,” he dragged out the word, practically slurring the greeting as he did so, almost knocking the car again by even trying to wave. “What’s up?”

[helenaaspencer]

for: @wolfontheloose

location: helena's house

She hadn't really felt like going out. Sure, Helena perhaps wasn't quite as bothered as some about seeing herself so obviously inhuman, but there were still practicalities to consider - her increased hunger, for instance. - which made her feel that for the time being, until she fully understood her new limitations, staying in a safe environment where she had everything she needed close to hand was a safer choice. But that didn't mean she didn't want to have company, and being as Ryden had messaged to ask if she was okay, she figured she could check in on him just the same. "I made food," she offered quietly as he made his way inside. "I don't know if your appetite will be the same, though...."