[center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/w8LZRYg.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/r6aI2yV.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img] [h3]and[/h3] [h1] Arcadian Jones [/h1][/center] [sub](( [@VATROU] [@Shard] [@AbandonedIntel]))[/sub] [hr] There was a throbbing pain, as the wound swelled to stop the bleeding the warmth leaving his body through the gaping wound on his back. He would heal that was certain although what mortal side the wolf had in him was terrified, desperate even stealing from his boss seemed such a good idea at the time, fool proof even. There were stories floating about Barron, violent ones. Arcadian Jones didn't heed the warning signs, like a blasted idiot he believed he could make away scott free with Barron's money; that just put a target on his back from one end of the states to the other. Fatigued; no rest, no food his mind whitered away starved and psychology tormented from the unrelenting hunters. The beast within had nothing left to cage it, no mortal mind left save a base identity. The Wolf's claws clipped asphalt heavy panting filled the air as the hunter was hot on his heels. [color=aba000]”Even wounded, he manages impressive speed.”[/color] Raziel commented on the chase, his words directed at the werewolf they were getting closer to. Even in human form, werewolves had a few interesting perks putting them above the mundane, but this chase could only end one way. The wolf was bleeding, the pain echoing through his frame with each step. Fatigue would claim him sooner rather than later, something the undead were quite immune to. Revealing the fluid movements of a highly trained assassin of the old world, Casper moved like a wind across the streets, easily leaping over the obstacles in his path with a deadest focus on his target. Almost there, the vampire was catching up with the wolf, just about to end this chapter. Had this werewolf not involved others, innocents, in his mischief, Casper would never have been involved. Whatever happens within the confines of their packs, or whatever organization they roam around is far below Casper’s or the Agency’s interests. Underestimating your opponent is however a fool’s demise, no matter the high ground beneath your feet. The puppy was smart enough to run into traffic, several cars passing him by. One, two and three cars were avoided by Casper’s agility as he leaped over them and gracefully moved around the rapidly moving vehicle but a fourth incoming car would sing a different tune. With his eyes locked on the target, the world would disappear around Casper, his focus on catching the wolf who was now an arm’s reach away, a mistake. [hr] A minute ago, and a few miles down the street, drove an innocuous black Jeep Cherokee, headlights on and driving fast with the rest of the traffic heading out from the NYC suburb districts, heading up north back to Hudson Tactical HQ, which was situated up north in the Hudson Valley. Carmen and Hakeem recently completed a small contract, which was to intimidate two corrupt NYPD detectives to stop extorting local store owners, with or without violence. Carmen and Hakeem went the violent route as the officers never took the two seriously. Just one of those odds and ends you gotta do. And now they were heading back to HQ to turn in a contract and write a report, so they are properly paid and could keep one for the records. Bass blasted through the interior of the vehicle as Carmen sat driver side and Hakeem riding shotgun. Her stereo was on and playing [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpDmZVYC8KU]a song that complemented with the drive[/url] in some weird way. However, while she was thoroughly enjoying it, Hakeem was using it as background noise for his thoughts. [color=39b54a][b]"I saw what happened in there just now. You never cease to amaze me."[/b][/color] Hakeem said. [color=39b54a][b]"You beat someone up with a fucking cookbook. A [i]cookbook.[/i]" Hakeem looked quite bewildered about it. "... H-how?"[/b][/color] Carmen shrugged. [color=00aeef][b]"Simple, used reflex mode and used the book as a weapon. It was hardcovered and heavy so it kinda helped." She said simply. "And don't take any credit away from yourself... I wasn't too careful in there. Had you not disarmed Blondie I probably would've gotten shot."[/b][/color] [color=39b54a][b] "Well... gotta protect your... uh... [i]homies[/i], you know?"[/b][/color]Hakeem said awkwardly. Carmen gave him a soft smile. [color=00aeef][b]"You don't have to talk like that. Besides, your powers are awesome anyway, you just never had enough time to train them because the countries you lived in are filled with persecuting assholes."[/b][/color] Hakeem sighed. [color=39b54a][b]"Yeah, I know..."[/b][/color] [color=00aeef][b]"So stop comparing yourself to me, okay? I had plenty of time getting used to my powers and I had plenty opportunities to train. That's unfair for you, hermano. Don't be too hard on yourself, okay? I'll help you out."[/b][/color] Hakeem gave a little bit of a hopeful smile. [color=39b54a][b]"Thanks."[/b][/color] He said. [color=00aeef][b]"No problem, buddy. Just don't mention that we had this talk, Victor's already on my ass for [i]going soft.[/i]"[/b][/color] Carmen sighed. [color=00aeef][b]"Oh well."[/b][/color] Hakeem gave a soft trolling grin. [color=39b54a][b]"Maybe you have gone soft."[/b][/color] He chuckled before using his bassy boom telekinetic burst power to fling a coin at Carmen's face. The quarter bounced off of her. [color=00aeef][b]"Ow!"[/b][/color] She flinched. [color=00aeef][b]"Pendejo!"[/b][/color] She lightly punched him in the shoulder, which Hakeem laughed at. [color=39b54a][b]"Hahaha! Victor's right, you are a little bitch! Hahahaha!"[/b][/color] Hakeem laughed. [color=00aeef][b]"Not funny!"[/b][/color] Carmen objected. [color=00aeef][b]"Well... maybe it is a little funny, but still..."[/b][/color] [color=39b54a][b]"I still would rather not challenge you to a rap battle though, you always kill the shit out of those-"[/b][/color] [color=00aeef][b]"[i]SHIT!![/i]"[/b][/color] Carmen then interrupted the both of them as the headlights of the Cherokee revealed a smaller figure dressed up in a dark outfit right in front of them. Carmen, entering reflex mode, immediately braked and turned, the Cherokee skidding to a stop, but she felt and heard the [i][b]*THUMP!*[/b][/i] of someone getting it, something she was all too familiar with when fighting in the hood and in Syria. Once the Jeep came to a stop, Carmen immediately looked to Hakeem before unbuckling her seatbelt and rushing out to see what happened, running to the front of the Jeep while Hakeem ran on the other side. [color=aba000]"Casper!"[/color] Raziel’s voice echoed through the vampire’s ringing head, the full collision with a moving vehicle having thrown him off his feet.[color=aba000]“Casper, are you well?”[/color] The voice continued, Raziel’s concern mellowing out once he was certain that the swordsman was still able to move. [color=ed1c24]"Shit..."[/color] Casper clenched his teeth, turning his large red eyes towards the car which had collided with him. [color=ed1c24]“Yeah, I’m fine…”[/color] He responded, wiping the blood from his forehead, his wound now healed due to his vampiric nature. Not another moment would pass however, before his attention jumped back to the wolf he had been chasing. [color=ed1c24]“Damn, I lost sight of him.”[/color] Ascending to his feet, Casper dusted himself off, the sword vanishing from his hands as a response to the accident. [color=aba000]“That looked painful.”[/color] Raziel shot back, a soft chuckle escaping him. [color=ed1c24]“Only to my pride.”[/color]The vampire finished with a soft sigh, shifting his focus to the individuals who had ran into him. Stopping the car, they left their seats to check on the result of their carelessness. A man and a woman, whereas the male appeared to hail from a similar ethnicity to Casper himself, or rather, Asad, as was his true name.[color=ed1c24]“Great driving, there…” [/color] Casper frowned softly, his healthy frame and annoyed rather than terrified nature hinting at something quite obviously supernatural, given the collision. Carmen stepped towards him. [color=00aeef][b]"Shit, I am so sorry about that... are you hurt?"[/b][/color] She asked, stepping towards him while Hakeem observed the damage on the Cherokee. Hakeem looked up to Carmen, giving a thumbs up do indicate that there was no damage done to the vehicle and this doesn't have to be spoken of. Carmen nodded to Hakeem before turning back to the vampire.[color=00aeef][b] "Listen, I'm sorry, but you shouldn't be running across streets like that... there's no crosswalk here... and you dressed in black in the middle of the night didn't help things either." Carmen sighed. "So if you're gonna file a lawsuit, you got another thing comin'."[/b][/color] [color=aba000]“Casper, the wolf.”[/color] Raziel reminded, forcing the vampire’s focus back to where it should have remained. [color=ed1c24]“Oh shit, gotta’ go.”[/color] Picking up his pace, Casper darted away at an impossibly fast pace, something akin to the velocity of a speeding car. Celerity, they called it, a vampire’s ability to dart from one location to the other at blinding speed. As it was, Celerity and Vigor, the ability to command supernatural strength, were the two vampiric feats available to a Lamia, but what they lacked in vampiric tricks they made up for in a lack of weaknesses. Casper had lost sight of his quarry and it could mean disastrous outcomes. A rabid wolf like that would snack at whoever he came across in an attempt to regenerate the wound Casper had left on him. A starved wolf was a dead wolf. [color=ed1c24]”That puppy isn’t gettin’ away…” [/color] Carmen and Hakeem looked at each other. [color=39b54a][b]"What the fuck was that!?"[/b][/color] Hakeem shouted, throwing his arm out in the direction Casper ran. Carmen shook her head. [color=00aeef][b]"I don't know, but I do know a potential contract when I see one. C'mon, we're gonna track him down and see what's going on. Get in the jeep."[/b][/color] Hakeem put his hands up. [color=39b54a][b]"Alrighty Phoenix. You're the boss."[/b][/color] He said begrudgingly. He had no clue what was going on and he kind of wanted to go back to the safehouse and try out the new hot tub Laurent got him as a housewarming gift. When you have mad mercenary money, hot tubs are considered housewarming gifts. Climbing into the passenger side of the Cherokee, he closed the door and buckled up. Carmen got inside as well, buckling up on the driver's side and starting it up.[color=00aeef][b]"If this leads us nowhere, I'll take all of the blame."[/b][/color] Hakeem looked to Carmen. [color=39b54a][b]"You're the founder and CEO of Hudson Tactical. Who's gonna be yelling at you for following a dead end?"[/b][/color] Carmen thought for a moment. [color=00aeef][b]"Yeah... good point. Been used to having a commanding officer since Syria."[/b][/color] She chuckled. [color=00aeef][b]"Now that I'm in command of this outfit, I say Wagons Ho, hermano!"[/b][/color] She grinned, shifting the Cherokee into gear and driving off in the direction that Casper went. [hr] Ben wasn't quite ready to deal with his step-mother. His figure leaned heavily against the wall he was hidden behind when his pocket started to vibrate, the movement drew his attention and he reached in for his cell phone. His thumb immediately swiped upward to reveal a single name: Lorrie (the Harlot) Hart. He mentally groaned. His thumb slammed in frustration against the touch screen then turned it off, shoving it into his pocket one more. Ben felt his space again being invaded while he turned down the hall and went deeper into the restaurant's staff area. Several workers, mostly waitresses and waiters, casually gave him a look only to return to minding their own business. He slipped into the kitchens. Almost instantly his eyes spotted the sights of popping grease, sizzling chunks of meat, and more being prepared for the evening’s charity event. The kitchen was an overactive place with several chefs of different variety shifting between stations or fulfilling their tasks with great determination, bring Ben’s lip into a wicked smile at being somewhere he wasn’t suppose to be. It wasn’t going to last as he knew his step-mother was hot on his trail and would likely drag him back to the party. Wasting little time, Ben darted through the moving bodies. One or two paused to shout at him but he didn’t pay it any mind, instead he moved deeper and found an exit. His arm pushed across the bar into the cold night air. It washed over him causing the boy to gasp softly in surprise and happy to be free finally, his eyes adjusting to the sudden change in lighting. Sounds of cars blared in the busy street several meters away, their horns rang out in the background and was more accepted than the idle conversation back in the building. The side door clicked shut behind Ben causing him to turn and check it. It jiggled but didn’t come open. He pressed harder and still it held fast to its position, making him realize it was locked. [color=chocolate]“Fuck.”[/color] Ben mutter low. He gave up shortly after the second try and stepped back into the flickering lamplight, the only light source within the alleyway he was strayed in. His eyes shifted down the alley. He spotted the main street just a small stroll from his location, the flickering lights and moving car shape blurs. Naturally, he started to move that direction in hopes to get back into the building without Lorrie noticing his absence. He didn’t want to give her an excuse to force him to stay within her eyesight or promptly call the cops over his disappearance. Unfortunately when he drew near, Ben noticed something that was about to give him serious issues. A large, wrought iron gate. It was taller than him and stretched from one building to the other, creating a barrier designed likely to prevent any hobo or thief from treading down here. Either way, it obstructed his way back to the front much to his irritation. The sounds of a car screeching was all the beast heard not bothering to look back at it's pursuers it charged forward looking for that needed meal. For but a moment sweet smells filled the night air, grease coming from some nearby building. And it followed that scent, back through the alleyways and with it's exceptional eyesight there was someone, a boy on the way to a larger meal. He was covered in that sweet scent and before the boy could react the wolf charged over the iron fence and was prepared to pounce on him. Ben's feet came to a stop when something dark and furry rushed over the iron fence. His eyes shifted to see it ahead of him and looking menacing, white teeth glistening in the flickering yellow light and clearly was the biggest dog he had ever seen. He froze. His heart thumping in his chest and rattling his ribs while his mind tried to rationalize what exactly happened, including the most logical way to handle this unpleasant surprise. Benjamin's left foot took a step back, followed by his right before jerking to run retreat back to the staff door. Any intelligent thinking was tossed away in favor of a flight behavior thanks to his fear, his figure stopping just at the metal door and pounded with all his might. [color=chocolate] "HEY, SOMEONE. HELP! LET ME IN. THERE'S A RABID DOG OUT HERE! HELP!"[/color] Excitement ran through the wolf's blood, a chase. His prey flailed away at a door and his claws extended outward in a leap so inhuman few could escape pinning the boy underneath. Teeth tore down into his right shoulder tasting the meat; the blood rich in iron before tossing him against the wall standing looming over the boy with an out streched paw. Claws popping one by one. His size was far beyond any creature found in the wild save a Bear and there was a primal hunger glimmering in those golden eyes. The boy crawled backward along the wall. And for a moment the Wolf let him; toying with his prey before grabbing his leg and tossing him against the iron gate. Saliva dripped from his jaw as his massive mouth filled with rows upon rows of teeth moved in for the kill. Benjamin screamed when the white teeth bite into his shoulder. His suit, flesh and muscle tore under the jaw causing his fist to whip out at the wolf’s head. He didn’t manage to hit the muzzle as it let go, flinging him across the alleyway. The breath was knocked out of him for several moments but his body kept moving, scrambling to get away. It didn’t work. Now the beast was breathing down his face, his body pinned against the iron biting into his back and looked ready to rip it apart. Benjamin’s head tilted away and braced for the end to come, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. The seconds lost from being hit by that car could have led to an end no one wanted to consider, but luck was on Casper’s side for the moment, or rather, Ben’s side. Accelerating his full dash, Casper sped forth and grabbed hold of the iron gate. Pulling himself up, the vampire placed his foot on the cold iron, vaulting over the gate to land between Ben and the rabid wolf. [color=ed1c24]“Gonna’ stop ya’ there, pup…”[/color] The swordsman spoke, Raziel’s lethal edge appearing in his hand. As rabid as the werewolf was at this point, speaking would do little. He was too far gone, and the boy had already been bit. The least Casper could do now was to allow the kid his life. There was no coming back from the curse which was about to claim him, but his life was still his own. Raising his blade, Casper sped forth with an attack towards the wolf’s stomach. [color=aba000]"Remember, Casper. His strength is beyond yours. Don’t try to win with brute force.”[/color] Raziel commented, offering his advice as he always did. [color=ed1c24]“Yeah, weres are up there…” [/color] Taking advantage of the fact he was in a tight alleyway right next to the iron gate the wolf in a feat of agility he flipped up and clawed at his pursuer before jumping off the walls and leaped a significant distance, perfect for the Wolf these narrow walls allowed it to bounce around surprisingly well for it's size. Sliding beneath the clawed attack, Casper would find himself in front of the bleeding boy, just where he wanted to be. Given the tight space, a werewolf could easily use their strength to dart around the walls, and Casper wouldn’t get anywhere if he was going to chase after the wolf. Rather, Casper would need to wait for his prey to come to him while barring the path between Ben and the rabid werewolf. Raising his blade once more, the vampire narrowed his eyes on his enemy, his grip around Raziel’s hilt tightening. [color=ed1c24]“Kid,stay behind me.”[/color] Benjamin, still in shock, managed a faint nod. His back pressed against the bars, trapping him, as he pressed his now redden hand against his shoulder. His heart thumping pounded against his chest and seemed to threatened to burst right out of it. He didn't seem to notice the fact the wound was burning unnaturally, his attention focused on the battle for his life. his figured moved closer to Casper but not enough to hurt the man's (his thoughts still unclear if that was true) mobility and get them both killed. Coming from a nearby alleyway, the small SUV made its way into the area and screeched to a halt, drifting for a second before stopping in a large clearing between multiple buildings. After the vehicle was put in park, Carmen took to keys out and both her and Hakeem immediately hopped out from the vehicle, closing the doors behind them and running towards the scene. Once they arrived at the other side of the the iron gate, Carmen and Hakeem could barely believe their eyes.[color=00aeef][b] "Holy [i]shit![/i]"[/b][/color]Carmen's eyes opened wide. Staring at the back of a werewolf, a hostile looking on at that, at the other side of the iron gate, Carmen entered reflex mode to assess the situation carefully before acting. She saw the aggressive stance of the werewolf, with its claws out. Her eyes darted towards Casper, the emo kid that she hit with the Cherokee by accident. She looked towards Ben, the wounded boy that was laying against the wall... she knew what was up. While she didn't exactly believe werewolves existed, she saw one with her own two eyes... one that appeared to be hostile, with intent to kill. She had to act, and act [i]fast.[/i] [color=00aeef][b] "Magnum! Take cover behind the truck!"[/b][/color] Carmen shouted, pointing to the truck behind her as she drew her .45 pistol, aiming the RMR sight down up on the wolf's head. Almost immediately, her gun jumped back with a loud [i][b]*POW!!!*[/b][/i] and a bullet would've hit the werewolf square in the back of the head, either wounding him, impairing his brain until it healed, or whatever... either way, Carmen was unaware of how werewolves worked, and was hoping that her FNX-45 Tactical would end the threat as quickly as it could. The bullet slammed into the Wolf's skull cracking it in the process, it's head recoiled back but due both to the immense strength the Wolf innately possessed it's arms dug even deeper into the walls surrounding it as the Wolf was hit with the force he looked back at the shooter with annoyance as the bullet was swiped away from it's resting place on it's forehead bits of compressed lead hitting the ground. It leaped forward jumping from the walls to reach the sword wielding hunter across the chest if he could get it to connect. The bullet had dazed the wolf for but a moment, though it disoriented the beast enough for Casper to calculate his next move. As the creature leaped from one area to the other in a path towards Casper, the vampire raised his blade, analyzing every move the werewolf was making. Skill would meet brute force. Instead of dodging to the sides or jumping back, Casper moved forward and accepted part of the blow, the wolf’s claws traveling across his chest to leave a gaping wound. The pain was nearly unbearable, but it gave him the opening he needed, allowing his blade to penetrate the werewolf’s abdomen and consume the blood within. Again the blade warrior slashes at the beast and again it reels back in pain. For but a moment it stares back into the Hunter's eyes with primal rage before it's survival instincts took over causing the beast to flee by bounding off the walls looking to make it's escape and find an easier meal. Blood leaving a trail for those who should follow, however with an impressive speed the beast will soon vanish from sight. Carmen and Hakeem stood there for just a few moments, blinking. They couldn't even believe their eyes. That werewolf motherfucker survived a shot. To the head. By a supersonic .45 ACP lead bullet. A bullet known for stopping a human in one to two shots. And even though he took the hit, he shrugged it off like a smug asshole getting a ticket on his Corvette. And apparently werewolves exist now, and they only thing that seems to hurt them are these weird fucking swords. Man... things just got a whole lot more difficult. [color=00aeef][b]"What the fuck was that!?"[/b][/color] Carmen looked around, bewildered and shocked, holstering her pistol. [color=00aeef][b]"Uh... guy? Emo kid? Could you explain what the fuck just happened here?"[/b][/color] She asked. With the blade vanishing from his hands, Casper fell down to his knees, clenching his teeth at the pain. The wounds across his chest were beginning to heal, though the battle had taken a lot out of him. Werewolves were always trouble. [color=ed1c24]“A werewolf…”[/color] The vampire responded, struggling back to his feet as he continued towards the now unconscious Ben and picked him up, careful not to hurt the poor boy more than he already had been wounded. [color=ed1c24]“We’re in a hurry, get in your car. We can talk on the way.”[/color]