Waiting on top of Bellamy’s bed was a small statue of a wolf made of silver and a notebook. Once Bellamy touched the wolf she’d get a memory that wasn’t quite hers. But mores like a homemade video where she could see Rhowan trying to keep a calm and neutral expression.
“Hey boss…” He said finally. “If you’re seeing this then it means that things went downhill and my plan didn’t work. But I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. So… This may be my… Resignation letter of sorts.” He scratched behind his neck for a moment and looked away from the ‘camera’ and then looked back. “Before you freak out, don’t worry. I didn’t leave you uncovered. The security system is up. And as I said I had a few ideas and I got a witch to work with me so a spell is highly unlikely to manage to put this system down. You’ll have a fair warning before any threat. It’s just sad that nor me or Wolf will be able to come to aid you.
“Look… I’m sorry I was so hard on you. Judged you. Was mean to you. I was really ungrateful after everything you’ve done to me. But still I should’ve known better. Should’ve kept my priorities straight. Seems like I’m about to fail you again. I’m screwing this up big time.
“I’ve heard about a werewolf around the town looking for a bodyguard job. You should give him a call. Just… You know… Just saying.
“I’ll see you around, Bellamy.”
And then the image seemed to fade and then stabilized again and Wolf was looking at her. His dark eyes said but determined. He missed her. He missed spending time with her. And he did got to see her one last time, but she was already asleep. Wolf would truly miss the one that had treated him nicely.
Waiting right on top of Iann Cardero’s desk, was a small box with a note where it only be read ‘Papi’. Iann would know who that note came from as well as the content inside of it. And the moment the human touched the black tag, Iann received a vision. A memory that wasn’t really his. But it almost felt like a homemade video, where he could see Rhowan sitting comfortably in a chair and smiling at a camera.
“Hey Papi.” The werewolf waved. “I feel stupid doing this.” he chuckled relaxed. “Just do it, Rhowan.” Said another voice that seemed to be laughing too. “Okay, okay… Well… If you’re seeing this then it means that I fought Ned’s boys and didn’t survive to tell the tale. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but Alec said he’s got this enchantment to make this appear to you… And other people…
“Point is…” His smile faded and he was back to his stoic expression. “I’ve been under a tyrant before. And I’m not going to let that happen again. And for once, this is a thing me and Wolf agree with. So… I’m leaving you my dogtags. They’re enchanted. And they have all my memories, from an outsider view. Maybe it’ll get all the pieces together finally. You’ll get to know everything about the Cahar family, my arranged marriage… My father disowning me… Everything.
“But I wanted you to know that it’s been… A pleasure. And a honor to know you. All our adventures… Conversations… Honestly, you’ve been of big help even though you didn’t know that. I don’t know how you felt about me, and honestly it’s a little too late to make speculations but… I’m just glad and very fortunate to be able to call you my friend.
“I guess I’ll see you around, Papi…” He finished with a nod and a smile.
And just like this the memory faded and Iann was left with a pair of dogtags.
Inside one of the drawer’s of Otto’s desk at the Academy, there was a rather large journal bound with leather stripes. Once Otto touched it, he’d see a memory that wasn’t quite his.
It was Rhowan… Looking forward. as if looking at Otto, rubbing his hands together, looking rather anxious.
“Otto…” He said finally, his voice heavy and his eyes dark with emotions. “If you’re seeing this…” He sighed. “Well… I think you’ll put two and two together.” He rubbed his neck. “A vampire once told me… that different from the vampires, wolves could die. And I already knew that. I get to meet these really old vampires and all they make me think is how ephemera my life could be if compared to theirs.
“Point is… If you’re seeing this… I no longer exist… And I’m sorry for that because the reason I’m no longer around is really selfish.” He sighed and looked away. “This… I know this wouldn’t be easy but… I didn’t know it would be this hard to say good bye…” He was blinking a little bit too much. Not wanting to admit nor acknowledge the tears that he could feel forming in the corner of his eyes.
“This is my journal. There’s a lot of entries here… Especially after I moved in Sumner. One particularly lame about a certain ball… And another about the day when I bought a certain music box. But I’m not lame.” He chuckled lightly.
“Maybe… Maybe next time things will be easier. Things will be simpler… Things will be better.” Another silence as Rhowan took a deep breath and tried to compose himself and get a smile on his face. “I… I’ll miss you, Otto.” He whispered.
“I love you…” Was Rhowan’s voice as his image faded into nothingness and Otto was left with the heavy journal in his hand.
Desperate times always proved to be the beginning of unlikely allegiances.
Before all this shit went down on Sumner, Rhowan had sought one of the many resident witches that happened to also be a teacher at the Academy. Alec Hoff. Following his paranoid instincts, and his need to know where he’s stepping on, Rhowan felt the need to search and find out about the witch that was demanding such high price for his help.
Alec wanted to know everything. Rhowan agreed as long as this arrangement went both ways. At first he was surprised when they started to work together in something to keep Wolf tame at the full moon since Rhowan had gave up on his chains after an old argument with Bellamy that still haunt him.
Both, werewolf and witch were unlikely to be so alike. But they worked and Rhowan was glad when he got more and more control over his inner wolf. Or maybe that was just Wolf deciding to play nice, for now. Either way, he was feeling confident.
At least until he saw the posters about werewolves and Alec saw the ones about witches. before Alayah had left town, Rhowan had managed to get his dogtags back. And Alec had bound part of Rhowan’s conscience to the dogtags. Alec was safe behind the walls of the academy, but Rhowan wasn’t. And he didn’t trust Wolf near Ned’s boys. And he did his best to do his job and avoid them. But all the concerns were starting to catch up with him. He was getting restless and he knew deep inside that his ‘halfling’ state would never be considered safe if compared to other werewolves. Even the wildest ones. Rhowan wanted to control Wolf but he didn’t trust the charms the Sheriff was talking about.
He found himself sharing his concerns with Alec. The witch had a wild idea and both got to work. Alec had a spell where he could save a sort of message into some sort of object. And Rhowan did just that.
Little did the wolf know that the cursed witch had decided to go with him pursue his suicidal plan. Of course there were things needed to be settle first. Like Bellamy’s security system that would be a mix between technology and magic, keeping it from jinx again if any powerful magic wave hit Sumner. They worked together to get that done and Rhowan got that installed. Even managing to write down instructions simple enough that anyone would understand and manage to get the system to work.
Alec had wrote down a few more things in his grimoire and charmed it so only one person in the whole city would be able to open it. Maybe even two. And he made sure that all his messages and Rhowan’s would be delivered at the right moment.
A loud howl crossed the air, announcing that there was a wolf running around. Even if it wasn’t full moon. But that didn’t stop the silver furred wolf to run freely. Nor the deputies chasing after the wolf. At some point the wolf stopped in the middle of a clearing. And shifted. But not back to his human form. But to an unexpected half form. Humanoid but wild as the lupine beast, with a long muzzle, sharp claws and teeth, silver and black fur covering every extension of skin. The beast knew its fate the moment he let out the first howl in the middle of the night.
But nothing could’ve prepared him for the explosion of energy that caught not only the beast but also the guards off guard.
“Thought you’d get to have all fun to yourself, Waning?” Said a voice concealed by a spell but it’s playful tone would be recognizable to anyone that knew the male.
“You shouldn’t be here, Lazuli.”The beast snarled at the other with a deep voice. But that argument should be postponed because right in that moment the deputies of the sheriff station seemed to recover from both shocks. Both the halfling beast and the witch hiding behind all sorts of illusions joining them.
They both knew they had not chance to survive that confront. They both knew they would fall. But the both also knew that they’d pretty much prefer to give up their lives instead of let another tyrant rule their decisions. They both had decided to take the reigns of their lives, even though that would be the last thing they’d ever do.
So, there they were. back to back, fighting and moving like they’ve been doing this their whole life. Like they were born to fight together. It was just sad that it would be their last fight. Waning was bleeding from wounds that haven’t healed yet, probably due to the damn mix of silver and wolfsbane people seemed so fond of using when fighting a werewolf, but Lazuli didn’t seem to be doing any better. His magic was floating around him restless and striking without aim. Artemis only knew how they had managed to hold their ground for so long considering their opponents.
One last shock wave, maybe the most powerful of the battle and the deputies fell back, stunned for maybe just a second. But it was all that Lazuli could achieve. His curse wouldn’t let him have plain and complete control over his magic, no matter how much he knew. And since the magic was already escaping through his fingers, he decided to dissipate all of his magical core at once, dissipating his physical body as well.
Waning felt the shock and fell to the ground, eyes up to the sky, looking at the waning moon. He had been too close to the origin of the shock wave. Even if he was completely healthy, he’d have to pay the price of such impact. His vision was already fading even before his body had hit the ground. But then... His last moments were spent thinking about four different faces. The lover... The friend... The one who could’ve been more than just his boss... And the ally. The one whose company he had now, as he departed from this world.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Might actually be where I need to go anyway. Lookin’ for something they might have.” Protection charms for Ephram’s home were on her shopping list. He’d warded the place and the land, but Ruby didn’t think a little extra help could hurt. “Guess so. Some people can’t even manage that. Should be grateful I ain’t one of them, hmm?”
Ruby nodded. “Same. Got word of what they were looking for. Turns out being bitten is something I like. So she gave me a job as a Blood Doll. Best thing that ever happened to me.”
Rhowan nodded and squeezed her shoulder lightly. “Yeah. You should.” He said softly. “Everyday is a new day. A new chance to start over. A new chance to make things right. But you must take the first step.”
He nodded slowly, he’d been bitten before, once, years ago. Even now he could remember the thrilling and the excitement he felt by then. But at the same time he felt his body numbing. If his inner wolf hadn’t took over that night he probably wouldn’t be there. “It’s an... interesting experience. To say the very least. Right?”
“Maybe I will. Seems like a popular place,” she nodded, taking the advice to heart. Most days when she wasn’t working, Ruby stayed home, watching tv or reading, sometimes going for a walk, like today. She really needed to get out more, meet more people. “Thanks. It’s hard sometimes though. Keeping the happy face. Or at least a neutral one.” Ruby smiled at him as he toasted, wishing she had something to dull her senses a bit. Maybe she should give Sloan a call. Maybe that store had something.
“How did you come to work for Bellamy?” she asked all of a sudden, needing a different train of thought.
“You sure won’t regret it.” He nodded. “Well, just for get up in the morning you already get brownie points. I mean... Not everyone manage to endure. Some simply cease to try to get up, to keep a happy face... Or even a neutral one.”
At her question he took another sip from his beer and shrugged. “I was just.. Looking for something. Anything. And I found her ad and gave it a try. We talked, reached an agreement and here I am. How about you?”
Isaiah frowned when he heard about the body guard job. He remembered that Bella had also a wolf body guard who lived next to her place. He wondered if the guy could be the same wolf. He took another sip of his beer, and observed the man. If he really was the same person, then maybe Rhowan knew him in some way? “Uh…Maybe it’s a little bit personal, but is your employer Bellamy Barnes? The tiny blonde vampire who owns the Erzsebet’s restaurant and the spa?” He paused, chuckling. “I know she has a pack of wolves security guards and a personal bodyguard too… I’m her boyfriend, by the way.” He added, unsure if he was talking too much. He felt like adding that she was his girlfriend was important, though - and he also loved to tell everybody that Bella and him were dating.
Rhowan’s lips curled upwards at the male’s description of Bellamy. Tiny, blonde vampire was accurate but he doubted Bellamy would like that description. “Yes. She’s my employer.” He said calmly and then nodded in understanding. “I figured so. I mean... We don’t talk much about personal things but... I knew your smell was familiar.” Bellamy once had joked about Isaiah being off limits and that memory amused him still even now that he was talking with Isaiah himself.
They had a landline in their store, which may have sort of old school, but Melissa liked it. It was nice having a steady way for people to reach the store that wasn’t either of their cell phones or email or something. But it never rang. So when the unfamiliar ring sounded in her ears, Melissa jumped up, searching around for the source of the sound before realizing.
Just as she was about to say a tag line for the store (something she had rehearsed when they first got the landline), the voice on the phone spoke first. Something about tiramisu. The voice was unfamiliar, but friendly. Someone Iann knew. Melissa made her way back to the stool, almost sighing in disappointment at the fact that it wasn’t someone calling about business, but held it in. “Pretty hungry,” Melissa said with a shrug. It was true. She hadn’t eaten breakfast that day. “Whatcha got for us, stranger?”
Rhowan lifted an eyebrow as he heard an unfamiliar feminine voice. “Mrs Cardero I presume?” He asked lightly eyeing the packages he had with him at her question. “I hope you enjoyed the spaghetti I sent through Iann the other day.” He said as he drove across the city towards the store. “Well, I’ve got a lasagna, cookies and cupcakes. Do you like blueberry? Vanilla? Strawberry?”
[TXT] have you ever heard of a thing called ‘glamping’? it’s a new word I learned the other day.
[TXT] so closed-mouthed all of a sudden. too busy being open-mouthed for Leitner eh, aajajajaja
[TXT] that was…now I can’t get a certain image out of my mind. I regret my own cheekiness
[TXT] sounds like a plan, big boy. see you then
In the meantime, Iann figured he might as well get prepared for the trek out to Alduin Mountain. He hoped - or rather, was banking on - Rhowan being an expert when it came to hiking, scrambling, mountaineering…whatever was required for this sort of thing. Because Iann wasn’t kidding about the piggy-back thing. Werewolves. So very useful.
[Cardero] Glamping? What is it? Where did you learn that?
[Cardero] The same place you learned textiola?
[Cardero] You brought this upon yourself. ;p
[Cardero] Besides, I’m a gentleman. I don’t kiss and tell.
Rhowan couldn’t help but laugh at that and shake his head. “Damn it, Cardero.” But he wasn’t lying. Iann had figured out all by himself who he had brought the music box for.
[TXT] no fucking way, I only camp out of necessity. ie: I try to avoid it at all costs. I do not make a happy camper, Cahar. I am a very high-maintenance camper
Unless of course, it meant camping out of his Westfalia, which in Iann’s opinions was different from sleeping out in a tent. But Iann had to admit that being with Melissa, his fidelity to her ran in rather specific if unconventional ways - one of which, was that any sleeping overnight in his Westfalia would only ever be done with his wife, and no one else.
[TXT] but we can stay out for as long as you like. let your apartment air out jajaja
[TXT] two fucking weeks? wtf Cahar. how’d you even manage to have that much supplies?? take some to the homeless shelter. a reputable fellow like you showing generosity during the lean months would be highly appreciated, I’d imagine
[TXT] my freezer is where it’d all end up. and I can make some room.
[TXT] blushing Rhowan. that reminds me: have you spoken to Otto Leitner? One half of Leets, I mean.
[TXT] gracias, hombre. I’ll swing by and we can drop it off at home before going to the mountain hm? whenever you’re ready.
[TXT] fucking sadness. fuck it. and other machoisms that us dudes share
[TXT] up to the peak of Alduin Mountain?
[TXT] I do all the cooking in our household and no I would not mind at all. I have a lot of work to catch up on, bring over whatever you want to feed us.
[TXT] such a generous and pragmatic thing you are. two things I look for in a man.
[TXT] in fact since you’re already doing me a favor lobocito, do me another one
[TXT] can you make a tiramisu for me on short notice? like for tomorrow? soaking in marsala I want like one bite enough to make a 125lb woman happily tipsy
[TXT] that came out creepy but I promise it’s for a very happy and consensual cause
[Cardero] Are we going camping? Please say yes. My apartment /reek/ of sadness.
[Cardero] You do the cooking? How precious. Lucky you then. There’s lasagna, spaghetti, and a big bunch of other things. If I’m being honest to myself you have two weeks of lunch and dinner...
[Cardero] Plus baked goodies.
[Cardero] How big is your fridge by the way?
[Cardero] Aw stop! You’re going to make me blush. And we can’t do nothing. You’re married.
[Cardero] What you and the lovely Mrs Cardero do in your private time is not of my business. But don’t worry. I’ll have it done.
[Cardero] To the point that I almost envied the people that seemed really angry. At least it would be a familiar emotion.
[Cardero] You won me at exercise. I spent the past week cooking. To keep me distracted.
[Cardero] But sure. Piggyback ride is in order. Where to?
[Cardero] Also... Do you think your wife would mind if I spared her of a whole week of cooking meals? I happen to have a lot more than I plan to consume.
“You’d think in this town someone would have invented it. Or maybe they have. Have you ever been in that little shop downtown. Mal O’jo? I bet they have something like that.” Ruby was ignorant of anything the store might actually sell, never having actually been inside. She nodded in agreement. “’S why I try and keep busy. With work, and other things. Feels like if I let all the bad stuff in, it’ll overwhelm me… and I’ll never be able to crawl back up.”
She smiled sadly. “Always when you least expect it.”
“I’m willing to bet that someone in this town invented it already. Or they’re at least on the way to get it right.” He smirked lightly and nodded. “I’ve been there a couple times. And never been disappointed in any of my visits. Maybe you should give it a try.” He suggested lightly. He hadn’t caught any hint about her that told him if she was from the supernatural world or not. So he kept things pretty vague. “That’s an honestly valid concern. You seem to be managing it pretty well.”
He nodded and lifted his beer to the sky as if offering a toast, agreeing with her.
Since the beginning of this weird outburst of sadness Rhowan had tried to distract himself as much as he could, with, pretty much anything he could think of. And he ended up turning to working out and baking. And again he was carried away ending up with a lot more than he would actually eat alone. And considering that he didn’t have many friends he decided to pack a generous amount of cookies, brownies and cupcakes and take them over to Mal Ojo, to Iann and Melissa.
On his way to the store he dialed the store and once he heard someone pick up he tried to keep any emotion from his voice. That much he could do. “Hey, Cardero, I went on another baking spree... I hope you’re hungry. I know I still owe you the tiramisu though.”
“Wot?”
He really wasn’t listening and that was entirely his fault, the Irishman’s mind was elsewhere but upon realizing he might have been spoken to Lance shifted, brows arched and lips drawn together before he shook his head and sighed. A hand went through his hair, nails dragging along his scalp to scratch it before he motioned to the other person that he’d identified as a possible person that had spoken to him.
“M’sorry— Did ye say somethin’? I wasn’t payin’ attention.”
There is a great possibility nothing was said to him and Lance is just hearing things, which happens sometimes– More often than not it’s when he has been drinking but that is not the case in this moment. Thoughts had over taken his mind, throwing him deep into the abyss of memories and dark intents. Clearing those thoughts long enough to be aware of his surroundings Lance cleared his throat, now averting his gaze from the person to glance around to assess how the scenery had changed around him. Had he really been sitting there for hours? The sky was different and he was sure that red car on the street hadn’t been there before when he’d sat down on the park bench.
His mission of figuring out the town on his own wasn’t going as planned, normally he’d have some connections by now, but in this place Lance wanted to be sure he was doing the right thing making connections, and with the right people. Then again how was he to know what these other supernaturals intents were? He guessed it was much like the human world, the underground and otherwise, he just had to find the right people to trust.
Rhowan knew happiness, and he knew anger. He usually was weary of the former, wondering when it would end, and concerned about the later, afraid of himself and his other half. But this... This... Sadness... He couldn’t remember ever feel before. He was so used to have a firm grip over his emotions that this outburst was completely foreign to him and along with memories he usually kept locked deep inside his brain mostly because of the guilty and self blame they’d trigger. But now there was only... sadness... For the lives that he had ended. Wolf had ended. He and Wolf had ended together.
He was too caught up in his own thoughts that it took him a bit longer to acknowledge that there was some other person around. And that he was speaking. “No, no... I was probably rambling...” He said shaking his head slowly. His senses told him that this male before him was a werewolf. It seemed that now he was getting to meet the other werewolves in town.
“That does sound a little familiar to me yes.” Otto spoke slowly after being released from the kiss. He made an amused humming noise and leaned back to get a better look at Rhowan. The look was followed by a click of his tongue and a sigh. “It seems I may have a type, or at least a weakness for being lured.” He smiled, with an edge to the expression, like he had made a joke at his own expense. He moved forward and kissed the werewolf again, a brush of open lips as pulled at Rhowan’s bottom lip. He broke the kiss with a contented sigh and pressed his body in closer, chest to chest, cheek to cheek, so he could whisper in the man’s ear.
“I am not so innocent, handsome if fine but innocent.” He made another amused noise in his throat. Otto tilted his head, again to deliver kisses to Rhowan’s neck. He felt like a teenager, slipping away and making out in some secluded spot. “I suppose we’re rather lucky, if I hadn’t been split it might have taken forever for this to happen.” He said between kisses, clearly amused at the thought, or more accurately at the thought of his double stuffy, lonely, and aghast at the idea of acting like a necking teen. “Though that’s more prim than innocent.”
Rhowan lifted an eyebrow in confusion at Otto’s comment and tilted his head slightly wondering if he should ask what he meant or if he should drop the topic altogether. “Oh forgive me, I was just trying to make a joke out of the ‘malice’ people relate to wolves...” He said with a light smile. But then his eyelids fell shut and there it was, that growl again, as his arms trapped the vampire closer to his chest and any comment he might have made died in his throat, replaced by another growl, louder this time when Otto kissed a spot right under his ear.
