basketball and the yankees.

[Gina McClaren] Day was edging onto night in Chicago, the sun fading behind skyscrapers and lighting the smog a fiery orange. In the slums, small time drug dealers began to get jumpy as the schools of night sharks in matching colors came out to prowl their territory, looking to deal curbstomp justice to those fools pandering on the wrong corner. Gina's neighborhood was quieter, her decrepit two-story flophouse to be situated in an area that still tried at decency. A basketball court up the road echoed with laughter and trashtalking, teenagers idling away the last shreds of crimson daylight within its rusted confines. Across the street and two houses down, a small Indian woman leaned on a newly erected fence, drinking a nestea with a hammer hooked in the hem of a too short jeanskirt. Legs crossed at the ankle as she listens to the neighborhood wind down.*

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Almost all at once the warmth of spring has come to Chicago. Days in the 80s; nights in the 70s. Humidity in the air. Clouds and rain in the sky. The promise of a long stifling midwestern summer, soon.

Bronzeville isn't Lukas's territory, nor one of his usual haunts. Maybe he's down this way looking for the Get gang and their young Alpha. Maybe he's just here to look, to see, to get a sense of the land and its threats.

Regardless, whatever business may have brought him down this way has ended. As the last color stains the sky, Lukas is on the basketball court across the way from Gina's. He's not playing with the teenagers, no -- they'd flee in terror or attack him with knives if he tried -- but he is on the asphalt, behind the chainlink fence. He'd found an old faded basketball somewhere, and he's shooting hoops by himself, one after another, pensively.

His clothes make him stand out. Light linen trousers and a woven buttondown in shades of grey are a world away from the oversized jeans and the baggy t-shirts or faded wifebeaters of the inner-city kids. The way he looks, you'd expect him to have grown up around sports like golf, polo, crew. If he ever played ball, you'd expect it to be in some brilliantly-lit indoor court, flawless hardwood floors and plexiglass backboards. He has a surprising familiarity with an sunbleached old basketball and a cracked-asphalt court, though; a battered old backboard and a hoop long since devoid of its net.

The basketball bounces, bounces -- a silence, a rattle off the backboard, bouncing back again. The Shadow Lord steps sideways, scoops the ball back with a deft swoop of his big hand, shoots again. No hurry; no flash. Ruminative. Meditative.

[Gina McClaren] *Teens, weathered by hard living and stress, begin to filter out of the basketball court. A few spectators at first, then the players themselves, deciding for one reason or another that they should take their game elsewhere. The rubbery bounce of a deflating basketball reverberating down the street as they sulk off. Gina frowns, wiping the condensation of her drink on her forehead, sticky with the stifling heat of the fading day. Sandals are slipped back on, bikini top adjusted for decency as she jingles across the street at a stalk. It was likely the local group of wanna-be gangbangers, intent on causing trouble. She'd sweet talked them away once before, here was trying for a second time. If that failed, well.. her house was across the street, and she had a hammer, and George Junior next door with a window open. *

OI! Wha's thes tha?

[Adamidas] Bronzeville has the best Stuff.

Not loot. Stuff. A rat told her once that there was a difference between stuff and loot. She was aware of this, now, and she was looking for Stuff. What she had with her, at that moment, was a little box. It was small, and well-cared for, and remarkably looked a little like an oversized box for an engagement right. Inside? There were butterfly wings.

What a theurge needs, sometimes, is not to be thought about. What she would do with them was irrelevant, because that butterfly attentin span was caught by the sound of a bouncing basket ball. It was starting to get hot, it was starting to smell like summer. [Summer is brought into the fray by a great hunt. She waits.]

She heard sound, and it was the sound of a very perculiar accent that caught her attention. The Fury headed that way. Attire was comfortable. Jean shorts, tee shirt, and a zip up hoodie. her shoes were boring, and bore no mention, but they didn't require her to wear socks, so it was fine.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] It soon becomes apparent, as Gina stalks across the streets like a pint-sized crusader for inner city peace, that it's not local wannabe gangbangers scaring the kids off. As the game breaks up and the spectators leave, Lukas winds up alone on the corner-lot basketball court. Four hoops, and he's the only one there.

It doesn't bother him. He's calm and collected, focused, shooting basket after basket after basket...

...except he's not, really. The sun's going down. The moon, when it rises, will be full. His moon. It's in his blood already, tugging at his rage; lighting him on fire. So he breathes steadily. And he dribbles methodically. And he shoots, and he steps forward, paws the ball back into his control, and rinses, and repeats.

"Gina McClaren," he says when he catches sight of her out the corner of his eye. "What are you doing here?"

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] [okay various bug-life, LOG IN AND PLAY]

[cricket] [YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME. *bursts into tears, runs away*]

[Gina McClaren] Wha am ah daen ere? Wha are ye daen ere? Ah live ere Peaches.

*It sounds like a challenge, as she tilts her head across the street to the house still missing siding, renovation junk littering the front yard. Were it not for the soothing softness of her voice coloring things teasing. Its alright. We're just having a laugh, aren't we? There's no hint of the bitterness that had crept into her tone when they'd last spoken. The shadowlord had threatened to beat her to death with prophylactics, and she'd been so shocked he remained unaware of Theron's relationship with her, she'd failed to note the humor. Tawny fingers curl through the rusted chain link, flimsy metal separating her from the predator, his rage, and his game of b-ball. That damndable voice is like honeyed tea to a sore throat, singsong trilling clearly across the distance.*

Carefy Mr. Perfection. yer throwin yer shoulder on yer rebound.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Lukas turns, amused. Even his amusement is lit with rage; makes his grin just a little sharper, the flash of teeth a little more unsettling.

"All right, Ms. Critical." He comes toward the fence, hand sure on the ball, dribbling it low at his side, quick between the scissoring of his legs and back again. He might be showing off. This is how Lukas shows off: carelessly, confidently, thoughtlessly. "Why don't you get in here and show me how it's done."

If she heads for the gate, he paces her on the other side of the fence. The ball is a sharp steady metronome. The Ahroun feels more like a beast tonight than any other night -- an animal in a cage, a savage in sheep's skin. When she rounds the corner at the gate he passes the ball to her, an easy two-handed push.

[Rory] She's done as she said she would since stepping aside so that Thoth could take over guardianship of Gina - she's stayed out of the way. She's also been busy with the bogeymen, and other such things, so now is the first she's had the chance to come around.

Tonight, the attire is simple. Jeans and a tank top that does little to hide the bulk of bandages underneath. The scent of blood clings to her, old but still there as she moves with the absent care of one used to being injured in some way or another. Her pack is on her back, despite the injury, and she holds something in her hands, messing with little gismos and widgets as she turns down the street toward Gina's place, absently humming under her breath.

[Adamidas] Siren's voice.

She follows the sound, and finds a look at a tiny pikey with the bikini top and-

Huh. Lukas with a basketball. Lukas with a basketball with a lot of rage and in very nice pants. She holds the little box in front of her, looks down to make sure that it's all well, and head forward. She heads over, "springtime."

She waves a little. A wiggle of the fingers.

"I'll bet she's got one Hell of a jumpshot, it's the little people that can really play basketball."

[Gina McClaren] Och.. ye've a bit o a height advantage on me, dinnae ye?

*Teases the pikey, well aware there is a predator keeping stride with her the way an agitated lion does with spectators at the circus. Her nervousness shows in the sweep of her hair behind her, the added sashay of her hips. She moves through the gate one hip at a time, catching the ball with a clatter of bangles. Adamidas speaks, and Gina's attention turns sharply in that direction. A stranger. Once upon a time the fury would have been met with a sunny grin and welcoming charm. Now only the fact that the theurge speaks with such familiarity saves her from a suspicious frown, Gina looking up... up up to Wyrmbreaker in question. Basketball palmed anxiously.*

Friend o yers loves?

[Theron Locke] Theron had spent the majority of the day here, helping with the renovations and also scouting the area umbrally to see what spirits were around. Gina had asked him to help out where he could and he wasn't treating the job lightly. He had put his tools down a little while ago though, body caked in dust from the work.

With it being warm lately, he had slipped off to take a quick shower, with him now exiting the Bronzeville premises. Slender fingers running through wet hair as he looked around for Gina. Body covered in a plain white tee and a pair of light cargo pants.

Eyes finding her moments later as she makes her way through the gate to the basketball court. Apparently talking to someone familiar to her, from this distance he couldn't make out the strangers details. But there was no mistaking the presence of his packmate. The corners of his mind tingling slightly with a known connection. Stepping forward as he heads in their direction.

[Rory] She's something of a joke among the bogeymen - as she doesn't really sneak well. It's a good thing she's not trying to now, as she actually runs into a lamppost, hissing a breath as her shoulder connects, and glaring at the metal as if it's the lights fault for jumping right into her way. It has nothing to do with the fact she's not watching where she's going either. not at all.

[Totally distracted - it's got levers and hinges and springs and STUFF.]

It does, however, serve to bring her gaze upwards, slightly, enough to pinpoint and decipher the sounds she's been hearing. Basketball, bangles, siren's voice, and...

There they are - across from Gina's. Her direction shifts to head toward the court, even as her eyes are drawn to her lil gizmo once more.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] "We'll play Horse," Lukas replies.

Then his attention is swinging around. He's swiveling around, head and shoulders, then the rest of him realigning to face the newcomer. It's Adamidas. Lukas's eyes are incandescent with the daylight, with the twilight, with rage. He cracks a crooked grin.

"Yeah, I'll bet," he replies. Then, gesturing at the small kinswoman, "Alethea, this is Gina McClaren, kin to the Silent Striders -- though my brother Theron may be challenging for her hand soon. Gina, this is Alethea of the Furies."

[Gina McClaren] Lo loves. Nice tae meet ye, reckon.

*So sings the pikey, a soft smile of relief both at the details of the introduction, and at the fact that Adamidas wasn't another strider or batshit bloody silverfang. The basketball is lobbed gently to the Black Fury, Gina's bangles clinking in percussive accompaniment to her voice. Speaking of percussion - a stark KAWUNG announces Rory's arrival on the scene, Gina noting her seconds before Theron. A shout encompassing both of them.*

OI!n O'er 'ere! Mind yer hoose!

[Adamidas] [manip+sub: Can't read myyyyyy, can't read myyyyy, no he can't read my poooooker faaaaace]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 4, 7 (Failure at target 6)

[Rory] She flushes, bright, as Gina yells her way, and she realizes she saw the little collision. With the blush though, is that same shy lil grin that tends to linger as she hides behind her curls. The moon is full, bright - Lukas' moon. Her moon. And the rage is thick, heavy in the air about her, in direct contradiction to the way she acts - no, the way she is. Shy, soft spoken, prone to hiding, prone to blushing... all things that are at complete odds to Rory in battle.

She's... unique.
Or something.

She closes the distance, peeking up at Lukas, over at Adam and Theron, before she smile shyly at Gina. "hi." Single words are easier, and this one is meant for all of them.

[Ray Ostermann] Bronzeville, it was an odd place for the suit wearing, money making shadowlord Kin to come, there was little money in Bronzeville, and even fewer people wearing suits. But the man did have one good reason to be down here. And that reason stood on a foundation less then twenty yards from where the garou and kin gathered.

Ray walked down the sidewalk casually, making his way to Gina's house at his own pace. He was in no hurry as it wasn't a particularly busy day at the office, he did have his secretary to keep ontop of things after all.

As he drew closer, the group became more and more apparent, and he looked about and recognized most of the people gathered there....including his Alpha, Lukas. The man seems to wait there for a few minutes, deciding on something.

[Adamidas] He calls her Alethea.

The Fury stops and looks at Lukas, brows raised and eyes wide for a second. Blinks one... twice, and tries to come up with words. It's that half second delay, the raise of her eyebrows, the way her eyes seem wider and her cheeks lighter for a moment.

It's that half second look at Lukas, then the look back at Gina. She smiles, like it took her a second to realize she needed to smile, and offers her hand, "It's great to meet you."

And there is a softspoken hi, and whatever was on her face was gone because she was talking to people. All rage and shyness, "hey, I'm Adam."

She smiles at Rory.

[Theron Locke] Theron had made his way through the gate and onto the court, a nod of greeting and a small smile as he notices Rory peeking at him. Having run with the Ahroun along side several of the cities Fenrir as they took down a pack of Spirals. While she seemed so shy now, he knew first hand just how fierce she could be in battle.

Standing by the sidelines as he just watches Lukas for a moment "Evenin brother, strange to see you in these parts." the statement not questioning per say, but the Theurge is curious. A wave and a nod of greeting is given to Adam when he catches her attention "Hey there."

A warm smile is then given to Gina "You going to give Lukas a run for his money?" and then a smile "Better watch out brother, she's full of all kinds of surprises." a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] [if lukas isn't supposed to know that name, pretend he introduced her as Adamidas!]

[Adamidas] [He would and does know the name! It's no big!]

[Gina McClaren] *Adam's hand is squeezed gently, before a pikey's eyes are widening at who she sees over the Fury's shoulder.*

Jaysus fookin christ, they 'avin a sale on hookers ah didnae kain aboot? Why en hell are ye aul crawlin oot the woodwork?! Flophouse esnae even open yet, an ye - ye chancer, are nae envited.

*Crows the diminutive kin to wanderers and mystics, A nod to Lukas in jest even as she pulls an incredulous face and raises her hand high to Ray in greeting. Basketball forgotten as she flounces towards the fence and has it rattling sharply as she grabs the chainlink and peers through at the Shadowlord theurge lingering out on the sidelines. Her nose wrinkles in mischief.*

Yer envited reckon. Ah suppose.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Rory's a bit of a contradiction. So shy, so retiring -- but Lukas remembers how fierce she was in the Park a few months ago, tearing into spider after spider that had poured out of Danicka's cute little sportster.

There's a genuine, albeit casual respect in the nod of hello he gives Rory. Then it's on to Theron.

"I was passing through. Found a basketball and a tarmac court." The tall Shadow Lord bends, scooping said basketball off the asphalt where it's rolling. "Reminded me of old times. We had a streetcorner court down the block where I grew up."

A fast, low bounce, one hand to the other and back. He takes a shot. The backboard rattles, the bolts coming loose. One of these days it'll come crashing down, probably give some poor kid a scalp laceration.

"That reminds me. Yankees are playing White Sox in August," he adds, that off-center grin tugging at his lips again. "I was thinking we can make it a pack outing." He tosses the ball to Theron, a fast, direct pass. "Maybe bring our mates too. Provided there's more than one by that time."

Which brings him back to, "You and Gina have a talk with her people yet?"

[Ray Ostermann] Ray is spotted by Gina, who waves to him in her friendly, open manner, the sort of manner that made men want her, and made garou and kin warm to her. He didn't advance immediately though, instead he looked at the house, looking it over as if to ascertain what had been done with the funds the man had allocated to her project. Making sure his investment was well spent.

Its another few minutes before Ray starts to make his way to the basketball court, taking his time in the fact, looking over the flop house thoroughly from the outside, before going to be social.

As he approached, he raised his hand in greeting, that friendly smile settling over his face, as he made his way to join the others. "Afternoon." He says as he draws closer, a wink given to Rory, before he turned his attention back to the others.

[Rory] Lukas nods, the others say hello, and then - then Ray winks at her. Rory? Blushes, then blushes redder still, the color creeping along her neck and shoulders, dipping under clothing and bandages as she hugs the little gizmo in her hands closer to her belly.

She tips her head, slightly, as Lukas mentions Theron courting Gina and talking to her people, and tries to catch the Pikey's gaze, her own filled with naked curiosity... seen just before she ducks her head again.

She steps closer to Gina, and murmurs softly.. "...Ok?" a single word question that encompasses everything.

[Adamidas] [afk, sorority people!]

[Theron Locke] Theron chuckles and gives Gina a wink "Glad you think so... if I wasn't I'd have to gate crash or go find another game to play". Moving past her as the ball comes hurtling towards him in fast pass. Only managing to catch the ball at the last moment.

Turning to face Lukas "Hmm sounds good... Sox home game or Yankees?" he questions briefly , Theron thoughtful for the moment "But sounds fun either way... pack outing sounds good. Yeah provided there's more than one" he says with a mysterious sort of smile.

"Not yet... heard Thoth was still in town so going to do him the honor of speaking to him first. Just wanted to wait for my Fostern challenge to be completed first. You know...deal with one thing at a time so I can give it a hundred per cent of my focus. Well that was my idea anyway... if you think it can't wait tho...?"

[Gina McClaren] *Alarmed as a ball whips towards Theron, Rory speaking to her, ray coming over, Basket-baseball-... something games in the works...? Confusion is written clearly on exotic features as the strider kin steps back, dark eyes casting up to the redhead beside her. Question held obvious within their chocolate depths. Ok? What was Ok? Then Theron's mincing words, and the pikey is pursing her lips into a frown.*

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Lukas looks absolutely aghast.

Too aghast to say hi to Ray. Too aghast to reply to the rest of what Theron's talking about. It's possible Theron could tell him he's dancing the Spiral tomorrow, and Lukas wouldn't look more appalled than he does now.

"Sox home game," he says, slowly, the way someone might reply blue if asked what color the sky is. "The New York Yankees, Theron. What the hell. Didn't you grow up in the City?"

[Rory] Her attention is on Gina, and when she looks at her, Rory drops her gaze to the Pikey's belly, than back up - to Theron and back to Gina, pointedly.

Gina's confused. Rory's even more so as she murmurs softly "bot nogeybaby?"

Disappointed.

[Adamidas] She had, for a moment, been distracted by something on the ground. And her attention was split. Ray was coming over, and at that moment she did look up. She cocked her head to the side, attention on him for a second as she went over his features. Traced the details and sought something. She inhales, deep and quiet, and he-

"I had a hot dog with you," she says surprised.

[Gina McClaren] *Ouch. Funny how things come back to hit a person like a boot in the gut. Narrow shoulders curve protective, Gina leaning against chainlink. Attempting not to sag as the Indian woman shakes her head dismally, disappointment warring with memory that has her ashen and grim. A more definite shake of her head now, as she sings quietly to Rory.*

Nae. Nae baby et aul.

[Ray Ostermann] Ray turned his gaze to Adam and seemed to come to the same conclusion, that winning smile flashes across his lips as he meets Adam's gaze. "That we did, how have you been...Adam." It takes him a moment to roll her face over in his mind and find her name, but there it is all the same.

"I'm a bit of a surprise no matter where I go, people just...never suspect."

[Adamidas] "It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it, Ray," she smiles. It's a genuine sort of thing, something that comes easily, too easily on a full moon. Shouldn't come as easily as it does. One could go into a maudlin monologue about all the things in Chicago that are grim and terrible, but we're talking about a girl who has a box of butterfly wings. Either she isn't aware or it doesn't bother her.

"You caught me offguard, that's for sure."

[Theron Locke] Theron shakes his head with a laugh "Of course I know who they are you doofus. I was born and raised in New York. I only asked because after my fostern challenge I sorta had a trip planned for Gina and I. Looking at going back to New York for a bit and catching up with each other's families and some other stuff that Gina doesn't know about yet."

"But I think we will be back in town for the game you mentioned." Attention now drifting towards Gina and Rory as he over hears their conversation, a pang of pain felt as Gina comments there was no baby at all. Probably good in a way... made things simpler at least.. but still it woulda been nice.

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] Gina and I, Theron says. Our families, he says. We.

"Well," Lukas replies, catching the Theurge's eye and holding it, "don't count your chickens before they hatch. One step at a time. Right?"

[probably taking off soon, guys! getting late, and more work for me tomorrow :P]

[Rory] "....oh." Her eyes widen, and she watches as Gina curls up protective, and tries not to sag against the fence. Impulsively, she reaches for Gina and hugs her close with one arm, ignoring the flare of pain as she does so, the little gizmo in her other hand digging into her belly. Now she's sad AND disappointed, but doesn't ask questions. She' never been the type to pry. Asking the question was hard enough.

She settles against the fence, though, with a bit of a rattle, and her attention is drawn once more to the newest Stuff in her hand, sneaking a little peek at Ray and the others as she does so.

[Ray Ostermann] Ray was smiling at Adam as well, and he had opened his mouth to reply, when the Iphone in his pocket began to vibrate and ring. The man pulled it out and looked at everyone gathered. "My apologies, It would seem I'm needed at the office. Excuse me."

He says as he went to put the phone to his ear, taking the call, he waves to everyone, and then winks one last time to Rory as he makes tracks out of the basketball court, and out of sight ((Sorry just too tired to keep going, take it easy folks thanks for the play))

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] [night man!]

[Gina McClaren] Och peaches.. yer hurt..

*Gina lullabies quietly to the redhead, drawing back once she registers bandages. One would assume she'd have gotten used to garou in their various states of mangling, but it never failed to concern her.*

[Rory] She grins shyly at Gina. "bot nad. Delmar helped."

They've come a long way, Rory and her Fenrir packmate, since the day she had to kick his ass to gain his respect. That he had come running to her aid is something she holds near and dear. "tetter bomorrow."

[Theron Locke] THeron nods simply and directly at Lukas "Don't intend too.... not in the habit of repeating the mistakes I've made. And yes one fight at a time."

A turn of his head towards Gina and Rory "Did someone say someone was hurt?... I could take a look at it if you want?" Even if the red-head had mentioned it would be better tomorrow.

[Gina McClaren] Good. Keep each ether safe. Fond o yer lot. Bloody Bogeymen.

*Rory is offered a smile drawn bittersweet, Pikey looking to Lukas and Theron as the theurge speaks.*

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] "I know."

Those two words, quietly and levelly spoken, are the only acknowledgment Theron has received to date. The only signal or indication that -- however silently and unremarkedly -- his alpha has been aware of his changes. His maturation, perhaps.

Then Theron's turning away, and someone might be hurt, and Lukas lets him see to it. The Ahroun steps back from the lot instead, nodding a hello-and-goodbye to Ray in one.

"I'm heading back," he says to the gathering at large. "Good seeing you all again."

[Rory] She blinks as Theron speaks, and offers to look at her wound, and she hides behind her curls, blushing brightly as teeth worry over her lower lip. "S'ok. Bot nad now."

And then she tips her head slightly, standing up fully, suddenly and completely alert - though not for anything here. She shoves her newly acquired whatsit into her pack, then offers that shy little grin for gina. "Edwin."

She's needed. And so she goes.

[Early day for me tomorrow. must sleep. Night! Thanks for letting me crash!]

[Adamidas] "See ya, Lukas," she says. She waves, and it's not a pageant wave. Its a raise of her hand, and an indication that she acknowledges him leaving and, yes, hopes to see him again. Box still in her other hand, and Rory is heading off.

She doesn't say anything. She just purses her lips, watches Rory go. She exhales, slow and almost sad.

[Gina McClaren] *Gina's motioned her goodbyes, bangles and charms sounding delicately as she waves. The sun has dipped beyond the horizon, casting everything in the orange light of the dying day. Pikey watching everyone leave, before turning back to Adam and Theron, a soft smile to the theurges, warmth reserved for the shadowlord who's hair she pushes gently back from his face. *

M' gintae make oos somethen tae eat, hansum Lord.

* A glance over her shoulder to the fury.*

Yer welcome tae stay fer food, effen ye'd like. M'jes across the street.

*Theron's cheeks are brushed in a by now familiar gesture of fondness, before the strider kin is swishing out of the basketball court, the scent of spices in her wake.*

[Adamidas] She looks at Gina, and she starts to perk up. She's welcome to stay for food if she would like, and the Fury, the brunette, the dark haired girl considers.

"Miss Gina, I think I'm going to have to take a rain check... I have to talk to someone today and I need to go put on... you know... clothes," she laughs a little, then smiles something smaller. More reserved. It stays to herself, though.

"It was nice to meet you though?"

[Lukas Wyrmbreaker] [ack! i'm out too! *got distracted by jet fighter-talk* night, thanks for the RP!]