[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/9w1LgRm.gif [/img] [img] http://i.imgur.com/R0F95fE.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/JlXhsPa.png [/img] [img] http://i.imgur.com/6zhAtpg.png[/img] [/center] [indent]Location: Hudson Valley, New York Time: Afternoon (Present Day) [/indent] [hr] Shooting down the drive on a dark, starry night was our black innocuous Jeep Cherokee, carrying a driver and three passengers. Hakeem and Carmen sat in the front of the SUV while Angelo and Ben sat in the back, Carmen driving the durable machine through drives and roads and all of the sorts in the darkest of Upstate New York. After they had left the medical wing of the Agency’s New York division, Carmen and Hakeem picked up their contract, and picked up the necessary gear and munitions for their new job (and business, for analysis later). They even got their confiscated stuff back too, including their phones and weapons. In the back of the jeep was all kinds of silver ammunition, and a few new weapons, all in cases and draped over with a dark green tarp, all of it placed and concealed before Ben and Angelo got onboard the truck. Right now their destination was clear, they were all heading towards Ben’s estate. Ben huffed as he and his escorts left the medical hospital, the instruction he received was to remain calm. They took the jeep as the boy stared out of the window. His eyes were lost in the thoughtfulness of his own mind and considered if his stepmother would note his absence. His father never did so he doubted the man could honestly care. Ben's hand folded underneath his chin and bounced with the car’s rhythm. It was a most therapeutic in a sense because the ride tended to be more interesting than the destination. He had plenty of time to think about his future, his well thoughtful plans shattered, and the challenges that were head. He was a fool if he told himself it was going to be easy. Angelo made it clear if he fucked up, he would be gunned like a rabid in some back woodshed and that was putting it nicely. It seemed to Ben the laws concerning supernaturals associated to those of a wild nature were a bit twisted compared to Fey and others. Hakeem, on the other hand, was sitting up at the front, looking at his smartphone, catching up on the latest news on Facebook. [color=39b54a][b]“Hey, Phoenix, didya hear about what’s going on in Colombia?”[/b][/color] Carmen turned her head briefly to Hakeem before keeping her eyes back on the road. [color=00aeef][b]“Yeah. Hear about that shit all of the time. Same thing. President Obama condemns his actions and yet they do nothing but give him more and more weapons. Indirectly through Israel that is.”[/b][/color] Carmen sighed. [b][color=00aeef]“While I’m all for a transparent government, some of the shit they do is way too obvious. They clearly have some shit going on down there, but for now it’s none of our business.”[/color][/b] [color=39b54a][b]“Yeah, but… we can do what we did in Syria… fight alongside good guys… take down forces of true evil.”[/b][/color] Hakeem sighed. [color=39b54a][b]“Just a suggestion.”[/b][/color] Carmen thought for a moment. [color=00aeef][b]“Trust me, as much as I’d love to go down there and fight with the Loyalists and the International Freedom Brigades, we kind of have our hands full with new business opportunities and shit like that. Once we get that all sorted out, and after our contract with Cracker Jack’s over, we can go down to Colombia, topple a regime, and take all of their shit. Sound cool?”[/b][/color] Hakeem nodded. [color=39b54a][b]“Aye aye, Captain.”[/b][/color] The newly turned werewolf merely sat there thinking for the rest of the trip. Remaining in the backseat with Ben was Angelo, his relaxed demeanor shining through as he sat with crossed arms, leaning back against the seat. He didn’t much care or find any interest concerning the world’s less supernatural issues, like the ordeals taking place in Colombia. In truth, mutants could very well be involved but even so, Angelo’s responsibilities laid with Ben more so than anyone else. A glorified babysitter? That might be the case, but without this position, people could die. [color=00aeef]“Turn left here, loves.”[/color] Angelo instructed, giving the two directions as they drove. Turning his attention to Ben, Angelo understood fully why the kid was being grumpy. His life had been turned upside down and it was nothing one could blame him for. Leaving it for now, Angelo wasn’t going to pressure the boy. He needed some space and time to let this all settle. Soon enough, Carmen turned left onto a private drive, leading to Ben’s estate. A short drive through the woods that didn’t feel creepy at all, before arriving at the large mansion surrounded by fields, that was surrounded by forests. There was a large driveway/parking area in front of the estate, and there were no vehicles there as of now. Driving up to the area, Carmen turned the SUV into the driveway, and parked the jeep in front of the estate. Shifting the Cherokee into park and taking the keys out from the ignition, Carmen looked to the two via rearview mirror. [color=00aeef][b]“We’re here, amigos!”[/b][/color] She said with a soft smile. [color=00aeef][b]“Welcome home, Cracker Jack.”[/b][/color] She looked to the mansion. [color=00aeef][b]“Nice place, by the way.”[/b][/color] She said. Ben rolled his eyes then replied. [color=chocolate] “Will you stop calling me that. It’s Benjamin or Reeves if you can’t pronounce it!”[/color] Carmen rolled her eyes, forgetting that Ben was still in his generic white emo state as she took off her seat belt. The boy’s hand undid the door then pushed it out, exiting the jeep. His shoes crunched on the gravel while he slammed it behind him and adjusted the bag holding his ruined suit in his other hand. He paused on the way toward the house, his ears catching something directed at him. Hakeem turned to Ben and Angelo. [color=39b54a][b]“Any house rules before we head in?”[/b][/color] Hakeem asked. [color=39b54a][b]“Just asking out of respect, of course.”[/b][/color] [color=00aeef]“Take your shoes off.”[/color] Angelo spoke with a wink as he stepped out of the car, sliding his fingers through his hair to move the bangs from place. [color=chocolate] “Yeah, I don’t want Emma having to clean up more than she already does. Also, the space in the second floor is where we’ll be staying. There’s a second bedroom on the right with a bathroom for Angelo and a loft where you two can crash. I barely have anything in there as I tend to donate or get rid of anything I don’t use. “[/color] Ben explained. [color=00aeef]“That’s really sweet of you.”[/color] Angelo returned, turning to look at Ben for a moment with a sly wink. [color=00aeef]“Most kids your age tend to be glued to their stuff. You’re full of surprises.”[/color] He continued, starting towards the house before promptly halting and waited for the rest to catch up. He might have sounded condescending in the way he spoke, but in truth, Angelo was in fact surprised to know that Ben had a softer side to him. His files and his personality had not pointed in such a direction, so to see a fraction of kindness within that heart was a breath of fresh air. Considering what he had gone through, it all made sense though. Rich or not, he was about as loved as a tool brought out of the closet to shine his father’s shoes from time to time. It was no life for a kid, especially not one like Ben. Right now, he’d need all the understanding and closeness he could get, no matter how much he denied it. After all, things could never be easy, could they? [color=chocolate] “Most people my age are idiots. Personally, I find it pointless to keep it if I'm not going to use it.”[/color] Ben shrugged off Angelo’s wink the followed, his figure reaching the door shortly before Hakeem and the mouthy woman. Soon enough, Hakeem and Carmen climbed out from the jeep as well, Carmen taking the keys and locking the doors once she got out. Carmen walked around to meet Hakeem and follow the others, before Hakeem signalled to Angelo. [color=39b54a][b]“Hey, you guys go on ahead. We’ll catch up.”[/b][/color] Hakeem said, gesturing for the others to keep going. [color=00aeef]“Don’t go sightseeing for too long.”[/color] Angelo returned, placing his hand on the doorknob. Hakeem turned to Carmen and saw her confused look. [color=39b54a][b]“We gotta arm up, remember? Besides, I have a present for you.”[/b][/color] [color=00aeef][b]“Ah… right.”[/b][/color] Carmen nodded with a soft smirk on her face, walking up to the back of the Cherokee and opening up the back. Once she did, she pulled the tarp out from the vehicle, revealing a whole cache of gun cases and ammo boxes. [color=00aeef][b]“Damn, you loaded this thing up! No wonder why it felt so heavy!”[/b][/color] She chuckled. [color=39b54a][b]“Had to… uh… [i]borrow[/i] a few things from the Agency’s armory. Nothing that.. Uh… what’s his face… Angelo can’t replicate.”[/b][/color] Hakeem said. [color=39b54a]“But that’s not the best part… look what I got for you…”[/color] He said with an anticipated smile, pulling out a gun case from the back of the truck, bringing it up to the tailgate and unlocking the case. [color=39b54a]“Go ahead, open it up, hevale.”[/color] He winked. [color=00aeef][b]“Hevale? That’s Kurdish, not Arabic.”[/b][/color] Carmen chuckled before opening the gun case, revealing a [url=http://i.imgur.com/QZkP30i.jpg]Mosin Nagant[/url] [url=http://i.imgur.com/pyuPDdA.jpg]Carbine[/url], complete with [url=http://i.imgur.com/OMpMlWO.jpg]ammo pouches and a cleaning kit[/url]. It also came with a strap as well. [color=00aeef][b]“Wow… is this the same Nagant that I used in Syria?”[/b][/color] [color=39b54a][b]“I promised that I’ll give that back to you.”[/b][/color] Hakeem said with a knowing smile. Carmen looked to Hakeem and sighed. [color=00aeef][b]“Dude, you promised to return me the 1911, not the Nagant.”[/b][/color] Hakeem thought about that before stepping back. [color=39b54a][b]“Ahh, fuck! That’s right… dammit! So much for that!”[/b][/color] Carmen chuckled. [color=00aeef][b]“It’s all cool, hermano. I still appreciate the gift nonetheless. Damn good rifle.”[/b][/color] She smiled, picking up the rifle, and checking it. [color=39b54a][b]“The rifle’s chambered in both silver and normal rounds, first one normal and the next silver.”[/b][/color] Hakeem explained before taking out the ammo pouches. [color=39b54a][b]“Right silver, left normal. They come in stripper clips.”[/b][/color] He handed the ammo pouches to Carmen before pointing to the large ammo boxes at the back of the truck. [color=39b54a][b]“They are filled with the Com-Block ammunition that the gun fires, the green one normal and the grey one silver. The rest of the ammunition are .45 ACP and 5.56 NATO for our handguns, Kriss Vectors and the automatic rifles I picked up.”[/b][/color] Hakeem explained. Before Hakeem could speak anymore, Carmen gave Hakeem a hug. [color=00aeef][b]“Thanks Hermano, I really mean that.”[/b][/color] She said with a soft smile, blushing a little. Hakeem blushed just a little himself, but he accepted it. After the hug, she let go of him. [color=00aeef][b]“Never thought I’d see this thing again, really.”[/b][/color] She chuckled. [color=39b54a][b]“Yeah, me neither.”[/b][/color] Hakeem chuckled a little, just slightly sheepish. [color=39b54a][b]“Okay, let’s hurry up before they arm the house.”[/b][/color] He said, putting on his tactical vest, taking his slung [url=http://i.imgur.com/1cM6S3e.jpg]Kriss Vector[/url] and slinging it on his back. [color=39b54a][b]“Remember, that thing is loud, so don’t go off shooting that thing too much!”[/b][/color] [hr] Ben and Angelo were upstairs when Hakeem and Carmen joined them, the younger boy pointed to the wood finished door leading to the loft. [color=chocolate]“There’s your room. There’s a few things in there but you can move them to the gym or media room if you need to. We’ll move the futon in there afterwards.”[/color] Carmen and Hakeem nodded to Ben, having arrived, fully outfitted. At that point, they had duffle bags of stuff they could use for the stay, including electronics, ammo and some other important gear. Once they arrived at the loft, they settled in, putting their stuff underneath some chairs and by some couches. [color=39b54a][b]“Nice place.”[/b][/color] Hakeem noted before heading with Carmen to explore and make note of useful places. Ben patted his seat, indicating the futon he was plopped down on, then pulled out his suit to examine. His heart jumped into his throat to see the damage done. It ripped down to skin easily and if he didn't know better, he might've assumed he was sliced with one of Freddy Krueger's bladed hands. Moving towards the window, Angelo allowed his eyes to trail the backyard, his hands casually resting against his hips. An occupational hazard would have been a decent description but currently, it was reasonable enough to always keep his eyes out, even in the safety of Ben’s mansion. There was after all a werewolf out there with a taste for teenager. [color=00aeef]“All things considered…”[/color] Angelo began, his focus remaining on the exterior. [color=00aeef]“How are you holding up?”[/color] The Agent spoke, eventually turning to look at Ben who was examining the shredded suit he had been wearing before the attack. [color=chocolate] “Really? Obviously not great. It's about as bad as having cancer, which I rather have at this point, and being helpless to solve it.[/color] Ben jerked down his hands, shoving the suit down onto the floor. His hands curled into his hair as he felt like ripping it out. This emotional shit wasn't something he was used to because he tried to make himself numb to everything and now… He couldn't. [color=00aeef]“Hey…”[/color] Angelo spoke up again, approaching Ben before he leaned against the side of the futon. [color=00aeef]“The attitude aside, you’re a good kid. We’re here for you, alright? Don’t keep stuff inside if something happens. You’ve gone through some shit, and not to sound too corny, but fuckups will probably happen and that’s alright. Just tell me when it does.”[/color] Angelo finished, looking to the door before he started towards the hall. [color=00aeef]You probably want some alone time. Hit me up if you need anything.”[/color]“ He finished. [color=chocolate] “With Ms. Inquisitor in the loft? You're joking, right?”[/color] Benjamin stated as he propped up, bending down a moment to seize his stuff. [color=chocolate] “The odds of that happening are zilch. Though what type of pie do you want? I'm ordering pizza so Emma doesn't have to cook.”[/color] [color=00aeef]“I’m the one in charge here, Ben, not them. They won’t go doing anything rash, they’re professional enough to follow orders. Give them the benefit of a doubt.”[/color] Angelo returned, his voice casual rather than stern. [color=00aeef]“Oh? Heh, alright. I’ll have Hawaiian, normal crust.[/color]” The Agent finished, opening the door before turning to look at Ben again. [color=00aeef]“Anything else before I go and crash?”[/color] [color=00aeef][b]"Pepperoni for me, and a supreme for Magnum!"[/b][/color] Carmen called out from downstairs, having heard the conversation with her enhanced senses. [color=00aeef][b]"And Angelo's right, just holler if you need us, kay, Cracker Jack? Hehe!"[/b][/color] She chuckled before walking further down the halls. Ben jumped when Carmen shouted from practically behind him. His head jerked to glare at the Hispanic woman and watched the pair heading down stairs, their figures vanished from sight. His attention returned to Angelo when he heard the footsteps fade. [color=chocolate] “Nah, I figure while I wait for the order, I can figure out how to explain my recent absence since the party. Daniel won't notice I'm gone, he never does or really cares. Lorrie, however, is another story and will likely keep a tight leash on my activities in the future.”[/color] Ben stated with a sour tone, his expression displaying his hatred of the situation. [color=chocolate] “Through… don't get use to this you Hawiian freeloader.”[/color] [color=00aeef]“Promise not to.”[/color] Angelo winked, stepping out of the room. [color=00aeef]“But I don’t know, I’ve always liked mansions. They’re cozy.”[/color] He chuckled softly, shaking his head. [color=00aeef]“Seriously though, anytime you need anything, I’m just down the hall.”[/color] Back to the old, easy going person Angelo had displayed the first time they met, he offered Ben a playful wave before starting down the hall and opened the door into his own room. It was simple, and it worked well. One could clearly tell that it was a room based within a mansion, given its more elegant style, but it was obvious that people didn’t use this room often. A guest room? Yes, such was probably the case. Checking his gun and equipment as if a reflexive action, Angelo finally lowered his guard and dropped down on the bed with a deep yawn. [color=00aeef]“Here we go again. Hope this will slide by without complications.”[/color] He spoke to himself, rubbing his eyes.