Fight like the night (OTA)

[emotioneater]

A Day

If anyone is up on current popular forms of social media, they’ll have noticed a certain trending topic on Instagram. Several pictures of two men beaten up and lashed to a lamppost have been making the rounds. If not for various injuries, one could almost mistake it for a frat house initiation hijink. Those knowing the signs will recognize several of their injuries as vampire bite marks. What makes the pictures quite extraordinary is that the two men are hunters. In another photo, there’s a picture of an unconscious female hunter also beaten to a pulp. While whoever took the photos is nowhere to be found in frame, he’s left several taunting messages at the bottom of each one. “Hillingdon: 0. Me: 3.” reads one. “All hail the mighty Hillingdon hunters,” reads another.

Cooper’s busy looking them over for about the fiftieth time, snickering as he does so. He’s sitting out on a park bench, taking advantage of his temporary immunity from the sun in a T-shirt and shorts. Anyone who gets close to him will notice the dilated pupils and disheveled look he has. He can’t remember the last time he slept. Not that he needs to, hyped up like he is on the fae blood. He glances down at his phone, flipping to another picture, letting out a cackle as he does so.

B Evening

The restless energy he can’t seem to shake hasn’t left him by the time the sun starts to set. There’s only one thing to do. He pulls his little BSA M20 out of the garage and takes it out for a spin. Cooper speeds recklessly all over the city, letting his energy get left far behind as the wind whips past his motorcycle. There’s nothing that soothes his mind like riding around.

Maybe you’re scrambling to make your way across the street just as he comes to a noisy, screeching halt. Maybe he spots you on the other side of the street and recklessly pulls a U-turn so that he can pull up next to where you are. Maybe he’s idling at the curb, waiting for you to come out of a shop after catching your scent. Any way you look at it, there’s a vampire sitting on top of a motorcycle who’s taken quite the interest in you.

C Night

Long after the last light has faded from the sky, Cooper knows he needs to feed. The problem is that he’s not craving human blood tonight. After accidentally tasting Will’s blood, all he can think about is fae blood. He resists the urges as long as he can. Alas, eventually, his will crumbles. He takes to the streets, stalking his prey. What he wants most of all is going to be hard to find, but in his current strung-out state, he’ll take anything and everything he can get.

Skulking down alleyways and climbing over rooftops, he’s not the perfect silent predator he usually is. People that he’s following will feel a prickle on the back of their necks, some sixth sense warning them that somebody is watching them. If they aren’t careful, he’ll strike them down and feed without pity.

D Wildcard

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C

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji made his way across the city rooftops, healed from his last supernatural encounter but still on the alert. The foray into Bexley had gone well, but it hadn't been as though they were rousting another faction.

He smelt Cooper before anything else -- in his fox form, his senses were acute. His ears pricked at the sound of the approach...

[emotioneater]

He'd picked up the fox's scent about two blocks back. Cooper had run into him before without ever thinking of feeding off of him. Now, he had a craving bordering on an obsession with fae blood. He was going to get it, one way or another.

He landed on a rooftop right in front of the fox, hoping to cut off any route of escape. His pupils were dilated and he looked terrible, all disheveled and like he hadn't slept for days. The usual self-control that made up more of his nature than he realized was completely gone. He was staring at Heiji like a ravening beast. "Well, this is my lucky night."

[detectiveofthewest]

The fur on Heiji's back was standing on end; the deterioration in Cooper's appearance and behavior was hard to miss. He'd never actually met a vampire coked up on fae blood, of course, but the reek of it might as well have been seeping out of Cooper's pores. The thought of this creature, engorged like some overgrown tick on the lifeblood of another fae, repulsed him.

At the same time, Cooper looked terrible. Like really, honestly terrible. A cloud passed over the moon as Heiji regarded him. Fae blood was supposed to be poison to vampires, or so he'd heard. It was obviously having deleterious effects already. He felt a bit conflicted, but he needed to decide on his course of action sooner rather than later.

"You look like a dumpster," he said finally.

C

[stauncherhearted]

It's a feeling she's used to, the hairs standing up on the back of her neck. Someone's following her. But every time she turns around, they're not there. Finally, it's nearly too much for Nancy. She's got her witch amulet around her neck as always, to keep her safe from vampires' charms, but that doesn't mean she's always safe at night. No, she knows the risks, especially for a girl who does what she does, any way you slice it.

"I know you're there," she calls to the near-silence as soon as she finds herself presumably alone. "Come out, save us both the trouble."

[emotioneater]

Cooper stays silent in the shadows. Normally, he'd never even think of feeding off of Nancy without her permission. She and he had a strict understanding. Payment up front or no blood. More importantly, she was his friend. He didn't want to destroy that by doing something so careless. Of course, the key word here was normally.

Cooper is feeling anything but normal at the moment. The way he's viewing the world right now is through a pair of blood-tinted goggles. All he can think about right now is getting his next fix. Since there are no fae in sight, she's going to do. He deliberately knocks a bottle over, hoping Nancy will look in the wrong direction so that he can get the jump on her.

[stauncherhearted]

And true enough, she does, gasping slightly at the noise. With a flick of her wrist, she's got a small glowing orb in front of her, casting light in the dark alley. She turns to see the bottle and... nothing else.

"Hello?" she calls out again, unaware of Cooper's approach.

B

[rules_winter]

It did not take extra perception to notice someone on a motorcycle. The engine was noisy enough to warn other drivers of his presence, a saftey precaution that also made them annoyingly loud. Mab had been looking at a nearby clock when the sound of the rumbling engine is coupled with irate honking and some yelling as he turns across two lanes of traffic and stops next to where she is sitting on a pylon by the bridge waiting for a messenger to return. She slowly lowers the hand she'd been using to block out the sun and turns her head toward him.

Her senses don't focus on smell, thank goodness or she'd be overcome in the city quickly and the exhaust from the bike was obfuscating anything she might want to smell. She doesn't bother to say anything, it's not like he'd be able to hear it over that monster anyway. He looks young physically but something in his eyes belays that impression. Even though he looks impatient like a mortal his physical age might. People continue to walk by, though they've been avoiding her the entire time, giving wide berth to the wide concrete statue as though absently deciding it was better to go around the other way. Apparently the charm wasn't working on him.

[emotioneater]

He'd been letting the air rush over him when Cooper caught an unusual scent in the wind. Someone is about who most definitely isn't human. On a usual day, he'd note it as something interesting and move on. Not today, when his hungers are overriding every other instinct he has. He swerves through traffic with a recklessness only an immortal teenager can possess.

He screeches to a halt, shutting off the engine so he won't have to shout over its rumblings. He pushes the goggles up onto his forehead as he stares at Mab. "I can smell you." Not a normal way to start off a conversation, but then, neither of them were exactly normal.

[rules_winter]

The engine turned off which was a blessing to the ears and lifts the goggles so she can see his eyes. She smells like freshly fallen snow in general so it's not surprising it smells off to him. And perhaps magic also has a scent. She hasn't known a wolf to notice it before or at least they haven't mentioned it. And this one did not feel like wolf, he does feel like something familiar. Mab stared right back as she tried to decide what he might be. If his interest concerned her it certainly didn't show in her body language. She still relaxed against the concrete, letting her hand fall to her thigh, polished fingers spread near her knee.

"Can you now?" It sounds almost lazy, voice cool.

B

[constantprisoner]

For a guy who usually loves the spotlight, Sirius has been pretty good at keeping a low profile these days. Eventually he'll be able to move past this sneaking lifestyle but for now it serves. Never mind that it was nearly cut short by a maniac on a motorbike.

Although, Sirius is quick to forgive since he was one of those once upon a time. And he's always had an appreciation for motorcycles (one that was only heightened by the fact that his parents disproved heartily). He misses his own, and can only wonder where it ended up. Likely a scrap heap or somewhere.

"Nice bike," he says, throwing caution to the wind for the time being.

[emotioneater]

Cooper barely avoids the man, coming to a halt about six inches away from his shoes. He grins at the compliment "Thanks. She's my baby." He's had one of these bikes since they first came out in the 40s.

An irritable honk from a driver behind him as the light changes makes him whip his head around, yelling at them. "Go around me, ya fuckin' moron!" He turns back towards Sirius, looking apologetic. "Sorry. Some people have no manners." Whether he was referring to himself or the other driver was ambiguous.

[constantprisoner]

"No kidding, haven't seen one of these in years." Even if one ignores the time he spent in prison. And as far as Sirius is concerned, it's worth risking his foot for.

"My fault for starting the whole thing," he replies with a shrug. The middle of the street probably wasn't the best place, but he hadn't really been able to stop himself.

A ( r u d e )

[whatmatters]

Ringer approaches quietly. She never expected to run into him during the day and it takes her a few moments to confirm that the guy sitting on the bench is the one she thinks. If not for their first meeting and getting a good and long look at his face, she might not have known for certain. Instead, unfortunately, she does recognize him and feels compelled to go and say something. She leans forward onto the back of the bench, arms hanging lazily a couple feet over from him.

"Thanks for not killing me," she says simply. It might be sarcasm. Ringer's tone is always so dry that it's hard to tell. In this specific circumstance, she's actually being sincere. To his benefit, she's oblivious to the pictures, never having been one for social media.

She's still sore and bruised beneath her pants and long-sleeve shirt, her hair also serving to cover some of the claw marks on her neck. It was an awful fight and she absolutely begrudges Cooper for it and for not taking care of the newborn like he claimed he would. But he did leave her alive.

[emotioneater]

Cooper immediately switches the phone to a different screen once he realizes Ringer is looking over his shoulder. He's unsure if she's seen the pictures or not. There's a guilty expression on his face like she caught him looking at porn. He looks over, posture stiff and wary, trying to figure out if she's here to talk or to attack him again. He's tired, even with the fae blood giving him an extra energy boost. Dragging the newborn back to an Islington safe-house and making sure he wasn't going to escape after taking on three hunters had been an exhausting experience.

"Told you. I don't like killin'." If he had, all three hunters would've been corpses instead of social media mockery fodder.

[whatmatters]

Ringer catches only the briefest glimpse of the photos on his phone, not enough to make out any of their subjects or even general content. She notices the expression and wonders for a split second if he feels guilty before quickly dismissing the idea. It would be ridiculous to think vampires might feel badly about hurting humans. Cooper, in particular, seemed to be more than willing to beat the shit out of her without any remorse.

"Then why let the newborn continue killing?" She directs her attention out at the park, crossing her arms loosely on the bench's back. A casual conversation is the ideal here, though she's ready to fight if that's what he wants.

B

[falsify]

Ugh, vampires.

Eames stops when Cooper pulls up next to him. Eyebrow raised and arms crossed, almost daring. He's well attuned to this kind - spending as much time as he does in the mortal world, it's become something of a necessity to be able to identify vampires quickly. Not that that's doing a whole lot for him right now.

He's not afraid or even particularly worried, even with the knowledge that if things come to blows the odds aren't really in his favour. More than anything, he's annoyed by Copper pulling up and ruining a decent evening. Just his luck, isn't it? He looks down at the bike and then back up at Cooper's face, frowning. "Help you with anything?"

[emotioneater]

Cooper seems completely nonplussed at how he's clearly unwanted here. People are rarely happy to see vampires unless they're blood-bags who liked to be fed off of. He kills the motor so that they can talk without having to shout.

He grins at Eames, a smile that's all teeth even if he's not showing off his fangs. "Not unless you can turn back time or make regrets disappear."

[falsify]

"I'm afraid those aren't within my purview," Eames says shortly, not wanting to entertain this situation any longer than necessary. He frowns and gestures toward the street he was about to be walking down. "So if that's all you're after, I'll be on my way."

C

[damnyank]

Jackson undoes the top flap of his satchel and takes out a handkerchief to blot the blood off his face.

While he doesn't smell particularly special, being only a witch, Jackson may prove a temptation nonetheless. For he sports a split lip and bloody nose-- a gift from a testy Sergeant and his fist, following a comment Jackson made about how his incompetency as a copper must reflect in bed.

The blood dripping down his face is akin to a Styrofoam to-go container left open in a small room, the smell wafting into the air for Cooper and his exceptionally keen senses to enjoy. He should be more careful, given his history with vampires, but Jackson's gotten complacent since his arrival in London over a year ago.

The distant sounds of police sirens and the lively laughter of a rooftop party two blocks down provide the soundtrack for the night. The air gives off a false sense of stillness and calm, lulling him into a peaceful promenade, free from fear or anxiety.

When you're safe for too long, you can forget the precautions that must be taken to remain unscathed.

[emotioneater]

Jackson's blood is like a red flag being waved in front of a bull. Cooper zeroed in on his target from blocks away. Hopping from roof to roof, he kept an eye on the captain from a safe distance away. Like a good predator, he was watching and waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Just because he had fae blood in his system to make him reckless didn't mean he was going to stupid as well.

He waited until he was sure the man was alone and had his guard down. Then he struck. A blur clad in dark clothes, he jumped down from the rooftop he was on, landing less then a foot away from Jackson in a crouched position. Hmmm, Cooper was losing his touch. He'd meant to land right on his meal and stun him before he knew what was happening. No matter. He'd feed off of him regardless. Standing up, his fangs came out and he faced Jackson, looking both crazy and hungry.

[damnyank]

Rather than be the deer, Jackson refuses to cower, back-up, or reveal even the slightest jot of fear. He just wipes the blood off his face, keeps his feet planted firm, and stares Cooper straight in the eyes, all the while, bracing himself for this to get bloody. And it's not just posturing. Jackson's got a history with vampires, having made good friends of them once, and in turn, learned how to present himself in front of their kind. Jackson had grown accustomed to being amongst creatures that would call him dinner.

But that was in the past, before Jackson sold that nest out and got them all killed.

What's the chance that out of all the warm, wandering bodies of London with all that blood singing in their veins, this vampire would find him? What if it's too much of a coincidence? Paranoia connects disparate points of cause and effect, putting into his mind the idea that maybe this wasn't a random attack.

"You lookin' to make a reward out of me?" Jackson's voice is full of sharp, jagged edges. He spits a glob of blood on the asphalt. "Did he send you?"

Cooper though... he just seems ravenous and crazed, the only intent driving him being pure desire and instinct. An injured vampire, perhaps? Or a newborn?

"Be in your best interest to move along, pal. I'm more trouble than I'm worth."

Nevertheless, this witch is prepared to fight.

B

[acrookedchild]

Abby doesn't know who's driving the motorcycle. All she sees is something that doesn't look like it's going to stop, so she dives for the other side of the road... and doesn't stay on her feet. Her knee scrapes the curb. She does finish her scramble up onto the sidewalk, but she's hissing profanity under her breath as her knee aches. It's not anything serious, no. She's more shaken than actually injured. After all, that's the second near-miss with a vehicle in as many months.

It's probably too late. She hasn't realised that the motorcyclist stops. Which is why she shouts, assuming he's already too far to hear.

"Watch where the fuck you're going!"

[emotioneater]

Cooper slowly turns his head around, looking a little like an owl in his oversized goggles as he does so. He doesn't care who that is. Nobody yells at him when he's on his bike and gets away with it. There's fire in his eyes. "Excuse me?"

Then he realizes just who it is he's nearly run down. The look of anger on his face is quickly replaced by a sheepish look accompanied by his hand scratching the back of his head. It's one thing to run down a perfect stranger, another to nearly take out a friend. "Oops," he mumbles.

C hi hello I hope this is okay.

[veratrum]

It turns out, Cooper's not the only one hunting tonight. While Liam isn't near as hungry, he does need to scope out London. It's been a century since he was last here--and even if he's not sure how long he'll be staying, knowing the lay of the city is as important as finding out who the major players are.

It seems he's turned up a lead on both counts, here. He wanders, deliberately, purposely, into a secluded alley, where his too-bright eyes gleam in the darkness.

"Lookin' for a fare home? Or 'sit other needs that haunt ya?" His accent is as thick now as it was the day he left Belfast, and deliberately so--let him be seen as a fool and a useless fenian.

[emotioneater]

Cooper fixes his fellow Irishman with dilated pupils. He looks scruffy and rumpled like he hasn't been sleeping properly for days. All in all, a typical drugged out teenager. Usually, he has to go out and search out his food. Most of the time, they don't come to him. It looks like this is his lucky day. He gives Liam a smile just on this side of being ghastly.

"I'm lookin' for a fix." It's the truth, if not the whole truth. He moves closer, slowly and leisurely on the outside. Inside, his nerves are singing high, wanting him to sink his teeth into the kid and be done with it. Patience, he tells himself. All good things come in time.