[Adara Mires] It had been a really hot day and the weather was still very warm. She had contacted Lukas earlier and he had told her to meet him at Katherine's loft. She had made her way there in the evening, so they could talk about a few things.
She entered the Loft, looking around, knowing from her many previous visits that lucille will come and greet her. Today, the pretty oung woman wasdressed in mid thights long shirts, a tank top and running shoes. Her skin was darker than what Lukas wasused to see on her. She had been out a lot lately and for a lnog time every time the weather had been warm. She had now a nice tan. The tribal style tatoo covering her whole left arm, starting from should and ending in four points over the back of her hand, was competly exposed. Long dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail and a backpack was on her shoulder. Just in case she get to use the pool. She was seriously addicted to that pool.
Her emerald eyes found the older latina woman and her lips curled into a warm smile "Good evening Lucille, I"m here to see Lukas" The woman nodded and start ot lead the Fury to the location of the Shadow Lord Adren She walked in a very fluid way, with a grace dancers would actually kill for. Her eyes looked around as they reach Lukas, as always admiring the beautiful decor of the Silver Fang's loft.
[Lukas] This isn't his home, but it's slowly and surely gravitating into a pack hangout. No surprise there, really. There's a pool here. And a huge flatscreen tv. And video games. And a billiards table. And food in the kitchen. Half the pack, more or less, lives here more-often-than-not. The other half -- Lukas included -- still frequents it several times a week, and sometimes daily.
So when Adara comes in, Lucille directs her brusquely upstairs. Lukas is at the pool table, looking up from a tough ricochet shot as the Fury enters.
"Hey, Adara." He nods at her backpack. "Is that for the pool?"
[Adara Mires] She thanked lucille then grinned at him "Has Carter talked to you about my addiction?" She said with a tilt of her head. She moved closer ot the Shadow Lord "Good evening Lukas, how have you been?" She let her bag drop from her should and into her hand as she lean against the table, her hip against the wood.
"You seem to be pretty good at this game" She said, looking down at the balls, having noticed the shot he had lining up. She was relaxed tonight. She had business to discuss with him but even if it was important, it wasn't stressful. It was just soem suggestions, an approuval that she needed and oen or two lose ends that he might help her with.
She could easilly play some pool or lounge in the pool while they talk.
[Lukas] "I'm actually not," Lukas mutters, bending to the shot again. "I got pretty good when I ran around with Kate's brother, but I'm rusty now. And -- no, I just guessed, because when I show up with a bag it's because I'm going to go for a swim."
Cue cracks off ball; ball clock!s into another. Two thumps off the sides, and then -- the ball misses the pocket by an inch.
"See?" Lukas says. "Rusty. Anyway, what's on your mind?"
[Adara Mires] SHe smiled a little more at his words "Well I wish I could help you getting back into playing shape, but I'm an ok player at best"
She watched him take his shot "As ofr the pool, yeah, It's pretty forward of me to assuem I cna use the pool, but I thought that if theocacsion presents itself, I shall not be unprepared" She grin "Same philosophy I use in my every day life actually"
She turn her attention back to him "You remember that my first plan about the Brotherhood's evacuation and defense was met with some..strong reactions from a few non resident kin. After talknig with a few people, I decided to ask a few kin, resident and others for their opinions. Amongst them were Doctor Slaughter and Gladecu. So I canme up with a new one and I wanted your approval"
She tilt her head "I also spoke with Simon about a few things we ould change in the Brotherhood to make it harder to attack. And I have a question about the info you sent me related to what happened to me August and Quinn. Do you have time ofr all this?"
She ask with curiosity, not wanting to keep him away from other businesses.
[Katherine Bellamonte] The clinking of glasses heralds Katherine's arrival.
She's carrying two wine glasses by the stem and holding a bottle of red wine in the other; judging by the silvery webs clinging to the bottle's base its come from her wine cellar. Sensitive Garou noses can scent the dust, the grapes within now nothing but aged liquid. Given the warmer weather, the Half Moon had begun to interchange her wardrobe with skirts and pull the covers off her summer wardrobe.
Tonight, she's in a floating sleeveless button-down, two undone at the collar; the curved neck giving glimpse to more of Ms Bellamonte's creamy skin that most were accustomed to seeing in the cooler months. The soft blue of the material was scattered with tiny birds in flight. Her feet bare. "Oh," she says, setting down the glasses, turning them upward with care, "hello Adara, I thought I heard the door closing while I was in the cellar. I was about to test out one of our vintage reds."
She straightens; sliding a hand to the small of her back and arching it as if she were so delicately human as to have a crick in her spine.
[Lukas] "Adara's here on business," Lukas says, "but she was hoping to take a dip in the pool after."
He takes the bottle from Katherine without having to be asked, getting his keychain out with the other hand. Lukas is the sort of man to carry around a swiss army knife, and a fairly large one too; he flips the corkscrew attachment out and begins to uncork the bottle.
A bit of a grimace as Adara mentions non-resident kin complaints. "I thought the plan was fine as it was," he says. "But let's go ahead and hear it."
[Katherine Bellamonte] The Silver Fang's hand pushes the heaviness of her hair from her face then, blinking once in a slow, studied manner at the Fury's ambition regarding her pool as if she were less wolf and far more thoughtful feline. "I see," she notes as if she did see, some undercurrent not voiced; some deeper intent.
"Do be careful of the pool cleaner; it's humming away at present. I wager, sometimes," she continues lightly; accepting the bottle back from Lukas and setting it to air for a few moments before she pours, "that were it awakened it would spend all its time lamenting the loss of Sinclair's little spiritual friend."
Adara was here on business, though, and Honor's Compass motions her onward with whatever it is; taking herself to a lounger and sinking gracefully into it; one leg crossing over the other.
[Adara Mires] She nodded and smile to Katherine when the elegant Silver Fang stepped inside the room "Good evening Katherine, It's a pleasure seeing you again. How have you been?"
Lukas spoke of her desire to use the pool and her smile turned slightly sheepish. Bit she didn't look away. She was capable of assuming her addiction to that pool. Then she looked back at lukas and moves slightly away form the pool table to she was facing both of them, including Katherine in her conversation
"Well it was pointed out that the plan might need to be simplified as people might panic in case of attack. I know none of uswill, I assumed kin were made of sterner stuff but I decide to take that into consideration. Dr Slaughter suggested two rallying points where kin could gather and we could defend. The bathrooms upstairs and the basement. The plan, as it is would simply be that. In case of attack, kin gather at one of those location and we'll defend it. It's simple and no one should forget it if they panic"
She paused "In itself, it's really too basic but if we make some improvement to hte brotherhood, it makes is better"She said looking at both of them then at Lukas ot see if he wanted her to continue.
[Lukas] As Lukas listens, his brow furrows. He straightens up, foregoing his next shot, laying the cue down horizontally across the edge of the table.
"The entire purpose of the plan is as much evacuation as defense -- not to set up for heroic last stands. The Brotherhood is expendable and replaceable. We'll defend if we can, evacuate and burn bridges and set up elsewhere if we can't. So while a simple plan of 'gather here with weapons and sensitive information in hand and await orders' is fine, the locations Dr. Slaughter picked out are, frankly, unworkable. The bathroom is at the center of the building. Same thing with the basement. If the rest of the Brotherhood is overrun, anyone in either room will be surrounded with no chance of escape. They'll be massacred.
"If you want my opinion, set the rallying point in the kitchen. And make it clear that people are to retreat and escape if need be. It might be a good idea to stash some area-clearing firepower in the kitchen -- molotov cocktails or the sort, to clear a path of escape if it's time to fall back and bail out.
"As for the kinfolk's suggestions -- Dr. Slaughter's done a lot for the Nation and perhaps even more for the respectability of kin in this city, but ultimately she doesn't live at the Brotherhood. Barely even visits. Regarding the rest of the kin -- I'm going to take a wild guess and say Amunet was one of the complainers. Her issue wasn't with your plan; it was with imagined instances of the Garou oppressing her lot, or some such thing.
"The bottom line is that I put this in your hands, and I want it to stay there. If you're uncertain, Adamidas or I can both advise, but in the end this is your project. Don't structure your plan to appease the kin, or anyone else. Listen to suggestions, but in the end, take it with a grain of salt. You live there every day -- more than can be said of anyone else involved in this project. It's your responsibility, and your privilege, to make the call. Do what you think is best. I trust you."
[Adara Mires] She nodded to him "All right. There has been so many little thigs happening with kinfolks and the setting up of new positions to..I don't know, appease them, that I wasn't entirely sure how the complains about the plan shoudl be handled. Or anything related ot kin really. I have this feeling that every time you iwll tell them they're wrong they will start protesting and go on strike or something"
She shrugh slightly "I'll make sure there are weapons and various things stashed around the place so kin can defend themselves if something happens at the Brotherhood. As for the bathroom and basement. Taling with Simon, he suggested we could reinforce the walls and windows of the brotherhood and along those line I was thinking it would be good to do so for the bathroom. He also mentioned installing choke points in the halls that would force people to shift down to pass them, allowing us to shoot the enemy their homid form if they're dancers or slow wyrm creatures down as they would need ot break those points before coming closer. And use the window at the end of the hall near room five as a getaway, as previously considered.
As for the basement, I was thinking that having it connect with the sewer, allowing us to escape and have a rat spirit or another better suited to watch it. We could use human tech, but I think spirits would be better."
Her eyes move to look at one then the other "Renovations cost money and I don't have that kind of money. I think it would be good for the Brotherhood though, evne if we move the rallying points. The more defenses we have the better it would be. With the staff, the owners and 3 other kin residing there, it makes for many people ot defend. The more options we have, the better"
She look at Lukas, waiting for his verdict.
[Katherine Bellamonte] As the Fury speaks; Katherine is silent but for a smile beneath her fingertips; those pressed against her lips; in answer to Adara's query regarding how she has been. It spoke as much as any paltry answer would and Honor's Compass was nary a female to waste her time with tiny details if one could afford as much respect with a smile or simple cant of the head.
Dignity was born in her; as well as that particular sort of stature that when she sat just so in a chair, one arm along the length of the rest; the other against her face she did so resemble a Silver Fang of olde, seated in quiet contemplation upon their throne that you almost quirked a brow; almost envisioned the crown atop her head. She stirs when Lukas begins his reply; and rises to pour out two glasses of wine; the liquid settling in the large crystal ware.
Katherine twirled each a little; and held them to the light a moment; her pale eye scrutinizing the contents before lowering one and passing it to Lukas. "I would offer you one, Adara, but that swimming and alcohol do not tend to meld with any agreement outcome." A brief turn of her mouth, then: "Is Amunet still bristling away, then? That woman has more spikes than a Porcupine."
[Katherine Bellamonte] [agreeable outcome, bah, spelling. Humbug.]
[Lukas] "Make whatever renovations you think are appropriate, as long as they'll pass building code inspections. You probably saw that business about city inspections. I like the idea of multiple emergency exits, but have one rally point, and one backup rally point if the primary is overrun. Make sure both are close to emergency exits. That way we won't split up and get overwhelmed.
"I'd say stash the weapons Umbraside where a Garou can easily access them, too, but where inspectors won't find them. And -- I like the idea of choke points, but don't set too many. Just a few around the rally points. Our own people will have to squeeze through as well, so it's a double-edged sword.
"You shouldn't have to fund this yourself by any means. Put up a notice; ask for donations. I'll see what I can contribute, and I'm sure others will as well."
He takes the glass from Katherine, then, swirling the wine just beneath his nose for a moment, sipping. "Is this the stuff Ed brought over from your family's ancestral cellars in France?" he asks Kate, offhand, and then laughs under his breath. "I haven't actually heard about Amunet bristling lately, but that probably just means she's getting better at hiding her tracks.
"If the kin come at you with complaints again," he says to Adara, "tell them that you're in charge of BroHo defense, period. If they have a problem with it, they can go complain at a Liaison."
[Katherine Bellamonte] "Mm, yes. It is âgés de stock Bellamonte, très bonne." The Silver Fang sips from hers for a moment, then offers a raised eyebrow and murmured: "Poor dear Danicka," when her Alpha notes Kinfolk should go and complain to a liaison.
"How is she enjoying her new position, Lukas?"
[Katherine Bellamonte] A moment later; pale eyes turned on the Fury: "I can help out where it's needed. I believe I am aiding my Cousin Mr Press in some quarter or other to do with protecting the Brotherhood and Caern already," a slender shoulder is shrugged; off hand. "What is a little extra here and there."
[Adara Mires] She smiled softly to Katherine. "It's all right Kahterine. And I wouldn't be so bold as use your pool without one of the residents doing so. I jsut brought mythings in case. I didn't want to have to borrow someone's swimsuit"
She then looked at Lukas "I'm aware of the inspection and will find a kin who knows more about building safety and standards than me. Maybe one of you know of such a kin?" Katherine spoke of Ivan helping already and she nodded "I'll contact him then"
"As for weapons, I'll hide them with Adamidas's help and will make accessible ot kin tolls to make some quic ones, like those molotov cocktails you mentioned earlier. I will make sure the rally points are strong and secure and the emergency exits easilly accessible. And not too many choking points. Too many would be pointless, a few strategically placed ones will be fine as you stated.
Ihaven't heard anything about Amunet either, which worries me. But maybe she learned her lesson..we can always hope so."
She let Lukas answer Katherine's question about Danicka before saying
"Speaking of kinfolk, the man who's book was given to Danicka by Quinn was injured by a baby sized acid spweing vcreature. Quinn wanted to save him, I felt like letting him die was better. I idn't want ot argue with her in public nad broad daylight, but do you know if the Garou she called to help actually healed the man who'sl ink to a paranormal reasearch organisation or actually killed him?"
[Lukas] "I actually don't know of any kin who are deep in bureaucracy," Lukas says. "Plenty of policemen and lawyers, but nothing so unglamorous as red-tape dispenser. I'd go ahead and put that into your notice too. Wanted: funds for BroHo safety renovations, building code advisers, and contractors for the work.
"Generally," Lukas has another sip of wine, then sets it carefully on the pool table's edge and picks up the cue again, "I think she hasn't been too burdened by the position." He extends the cue butt-first toward Katherine, "Care to practice with me?"
To Adara, then, "Yeah, she brought the matter to my notice. It's hard to say what would have been worse -- killing someone connected to wannabe Mulders and Scullys, or not killing one after he's seen too much. I actually wanted you to follow up on that. We have his notebook, but he must have other information and links. It'll be good to know just how much they know, and whether or not they'll be a threat."
[Lukas] [drop a char in!]
to air
[air] [don't have any that know about the loft! I'm working on one though!]
to Lukas
[Katherine Bellamonte] Katherine smiles; setting her wine-glass down and reaching for the pool cue. "Why Mister Lukas, I fancied you'd never ask," there's a wink thrown the Fury's way and the Silver Fang drifts toward the table; all flowing silk and perfume. She takes a moment; Honor's Compass and tuts with her tongue about the location and set up.
Finds her desired point of impact and leans over, aiming with one eye closed; fair hair falling over the edge of the pool table. There is a satisfying crack as the shot makes its connection and sends the little colored billiards rolling in all directions. "What is it with the human condition, always chasing after that which they don't understand. It seems the more absurd the idea, the deeper they want to investigate it. Ghosts, Vampires," her eyes widen theatrically a spell. "Werewolves. I think if they knew quite how boring we are when we're not fighting for our lives and theirs, they'd be quite let down in their ambitions about us all."
[Adara Mires] She nodded to his words about hte notice "That was my intention. Write up the plan and then a note asking for help with funds and knowedge."
She listened to the packmates talk about the Shadow Lord's mate. Lukas offer the cue to Katherine so she took a few more steps away from the table to allow them to play.
"I think letting him die from his injuries would have been better. But since he's alive, I'll make the most of it. I'll find out what he knows, who are his contacts, who he spoke to then if he's a threat, I'll ask one of the Doctors ot get me enough drugs to kill him and make it look liek a suicide. Strong sleeping pills will do. The shock of surviving what hadhappened and what he thought he saw would be a good enough excuse for him to crack up and kill himself"
She smiled at Katherine "I think that nowadays the idea of supernatural beings has been so romanticized that they want ot be those being without realizing that we live in a very violent world and that like movie heroes..our odwn time is as regular as theirs. We jsut end up dying younger than most of them to. Also I think some hope to use us as weapons or use supernatural DNA to enhance soldiers...and that it really worrisome"
[Lukas] "Speak for yourself," Lukas says to Katherine, mock-archly, watching her break. She seems to have picked stripes, so he takes solids. "I live a life full of danger, romance, intrigue, and hot babes. Just because you curl up with a Jane Austen book at 10pm every night doesn't mean the rest of us aren't having fun."
He leans down to take his shot then, looking down the table for a moment before picking a shot. He plays like he knows how: bending low, strong fingers forming an open bridge, cue sliding smoothly. He wasn't lying about being rusty, though. Instead of knocking an easy shot into the pocket, he manages to divert it away, muttering under his breath as he straightens.
"If you do end up taking him out," Lukas says, "make sure it's necessary, and make sure his friends don't know where to pick up the threads he leaves behind. The last thing we want is to get a gaggle of angry, nosy humans poking around our business."
[Lukas] (*way belated* you can always just make something up! car broke down outside, etc!)
to air
[Katherine Bellamonte] She leans her weight on her pool cue; her expression one of expectant amusement. "Oh, indeed I forgot I was in the presence of the Shadow Lord version of James Bond," there's an eye roll and the Silver Fang straightens and moves around the table for her next shot.
Click!
One of her striped balls rolls neatly into a corner pocket and Katherine's mouth curls in triumph.
[Adara Mires] She grin at him "I'm sure Danicka would love to hear about those hot babes"She said, teasing. Even if it was true, she certainly wouldn't get mixed into that. After all who was she to get involved in an Adren's life? She just smiled a layful one, then watch them play some.
Lukas tell her to be careful "I will be careful. I have no intentions to have the Veil lifted or have humans mess with our businesses. I'll be discreet" The usually cheerful Fury was very serious about that part.
She moved her backpack up to her shoulder, as Katherine sank her ball, watching them some more.
[air] [maybe i'll play test - if i can decide on a tribe]
to Lukas
[Lukas] "The new, awesome James Bond is totally a Shadow Lord." He pauses a moment, watching crestfallen as Kate methodically starts cleaning up the table. "The old, foppish one was totally a Silver Fang, though," he adds magnanimously. Then he extends the cue toward Adara. "You want to play? I'm getting slaughtered here."
[Katherine Bellamonte] "Foppish?" The Half Moon's eyes narrow in playful outrage, she jabs her Alpha urgently in the ribs. "That was elegance, I will have you know.
Foppish." She sniffs again, and moves to collect her wine glass. "Whenever a Shadow Lord is being defeated, Adara, he will inevitably lay scorn at the door of the nearest Silver Fang. It is a life of injustice and misplaced blame for my own good tribe." Katherine sighs, quite impressively forlorn.
[Adara Mires] She watched them with an amusd smile and took the cue from Lukas "And I thought the Unbroken never gave up?" She said, teasing Lukas. She moved to take her shot "I do think the newest James Bond is the most interesting of them. Still, Sean Connery would kick his ass if he had been born later and had Craig's age right now."
She lined up an easy shot and sunk it. She wasn't a bad player. Living at the Brotherhood has allowed her to practice a lot. "And what would that make him? He had the elegance of a Silver Fang, the cunning charms of a Shadow Lord and the mean streak of a Fenrir...and he was a lover worthy of any Children of Gaia"
She moved to take another shot and the ball didn't angled properly and didn't sink in.
[Lukas] "Sadly," Lukas stage-whispers, "that's usually where the scorn belongs.
"And, with the accent and all, Sean Connery Bond was obviously a Fianna born to a Fianna and a Fenrir whose family used to be a Silver Fang. And then after earning his double-O status, he realized Shadow Lords were better, so he changed tribes. Bam."
[Katherine Bellamonte] "I heard that!" Katherine calls from across the room where she was topping her glass up a little and then doing a pretty little spin and about face to traipse back over. "Also there is absolutely no doubt he was originally a Silver Fang. One can almost sense the breeding emanating from him on screen."
Such is Katherine's belief, it's rather hard not to crack up laughing.
[Adara Mires] She chuckled at both their comments, putting the cue aside and leaned slighly against the table "Well either way, he was the best" She smiled softly
"I tihnk I"ve imposed my presence long enough on you two. I don't want to keep either of you from your business"
She picked her backpack again. Business was done and she was in good terms with both Unbroken but she didn't think either considered her a friend per se. So it might be better not to impose herself much longer. Both f them probably had things to do with their respective mates..wait..Katherine was mated right? She thought she had heard something about that once, but she wasn't sure.
[Lukas] "All right," Lukas says, taking the cue back. "Let me know what happens with the BroHo, all right? Or just post up the new plan when you come up with you. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Adara."
[Katherine Bellamonte] The Silver Fang takes another moment to shoot, and straightens; nodding at the Fury as she takes her leave. "You are welcome to return and swim in the pool when you like, Adara. Have a good evening, oui?" As the Cliath heads for the stair case, she can hear in her wake the pack-mates and Adren's continuing their bickering.
No matter the surface rivalry however, it seemed decidedly fond; like siblings squabbling over a TV remote.
"Lukas, you are in my space. I cannot line up my shot with your elbow so near. I fear you will cheat and use it to throw my aim off."
[Adara Mires] She nodded to him "I'll do that. I'll keep you posted about that lawyer too. Thank you for your time"
She smiled to Katherine "Thank you for your hospitality. It was a pleasure seeing you again. And I certainly will come back, not just for the pool" After all she got along wih every Unbroken she had met, so spending time in their company was always interesting.
She looked at both of them "Have a good night both of you"
She head out of the loft, wondering what to do. Maybe she should call Carter. It's been too long since she hanged with the grumpy kin. Or she could stop by the Chruch and hang with Rory. In the end..stopping by a bar seemed like a good idea.
[Katherine Bellamonte] [Thank you for the scene, guys! ]
[Adara Mires] (thanks for joining..i missed rping with you)
[Lukas] [thanks back!! i had a good time!]
celebration.
9 years ago