undergrounds | I'm fairly local; I've been around (OPEN)

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I'm fairly local; I've been around (OPEN)

A. DAY:

[ creature of the night he may be, Derek's life is far from nocturnal. admittedly, this is partially because he sleeps less than he probably ought to, especially these days. however, it's also because even in London, there are places that aren't 24/7. yet. a bank. a decent mechanic. somewhere that sells smores flavoured pop tarts. combined with his own restlessness, and a sense that he still doesn't quite belong, Derek is unable to hang around at the den all day.

when he's out, he's watchful. even on the streets of the city centre, Derek has come to learn that he can't afford to overlook anything. perhaps it's an inhuman kind of scent that has his gaze catching, lingering, or perhaps a face he recognizes from the Redbright ball has him staring in heavy, curious scrutiny. maybe he simply has to squeeze past the same PETA collector on the street, muttering something about no goddamn escape. ]

B. NIGHT:

[ after the sun sets, Derek retreats to his own territory. generally speaking, he's not looking for a fight, and lurking around other areas of London at night is sometimes as much a provocation as is necessary. he keeps to the east end, hemming along every county line like a sentry, watching - waiting, maybe - for any suggestion that things are not as they should be on his turf. his. he'd never considered it in those terms when he'd been following Laura's lead, when there had been another alpha running things. aside from an inherent wolfish sense of territory, he'd felt little investment. now, his position has changed, but the disconnect here lingers. in the wake of his own hasty decision making, he still feels like he's standing in. that only makes him all the more tense.

and all the more eager to work. he covers a surprising amount of distance on foot, keeps his ear to the ground to keep track of what's going on. maybe it's quiet. maybe it's not. but he stays out late.

if, on his unofficial patrol, he comes across something or someone that seems like they shouldn't be here - well, Derek follows. ]

C. CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!

( catch all! feel free to tag in with your own starter - just give me a heads up if you're looking for anything in particular - or let me know if you'd like a specific heading! 8] )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, I was. [ And how little trouble he has admitting it, too, trying to work out just who this man is and what he might be after. After all, this territory belongs to--

But even then he can't be sure if he isn't just a regular human, having little skill for discerning the difference. ]

But I didn't have much trouble finding it and I'm on my way. Is that going to be an issue?

[ it might be to his credit that he doesn't seem intimidated, which is definitely the response that Derek is used to. and despite Derek's default assessment being idiot most of the time, there's a sharpness about him that contradicts the thought. there's no smell of alcohol either. Derek hates not knowing what he's dealing with. ]

That depends, [ for now, he sounds largely considerate, curious rather than threatening. ] On what it was you found, and whether or not that's going to be an issue.

What I found was information. About this place and about who actually has a hold here. [ Vague enough to cover his tracks but specific enough to hint at shared knowledge if this man is aware of the Underground. ]

The specifics beyond that are my own business.

... Are you going to attack me or something? You should know I don't have any money.

[ at the very least, Derek can appreciate that this guy is being fairly forthright, at least for now. while it could be a cover-up, there seems like little reason, and the words are simply honest.

not to mention that he's got an impressive deadpan.

that he's here for information is less comforting, and it keeps Derek rooted where he is.

he rolls his eyes. ]

Does it sound like I'm after your money? [ there was nothing there to outright state the information he'd been searching for pertained to the supernatural, but Derek is inclined to believe as much by default.

he's never been great at the whole secrecy thing, when he doesn't have to be, at least when it comes to what he is. ]

You said you were looking for information. That's always going to raise questions.

[ Oh good, someone as terrible at subtlety as he is. ]

... fair enough. I don't know much about the East End pack outside of what I would call wholly biased rumors. My intention was to come here and either speak with a member to get the truth myself, or -- if I couldn't find one without exercising discretion -- to listen to the people who live here and see what I could glean that way. I heard about one or two disappearances that I couldn't necessarily credit to the group and not much else.

Are you satisfied that I'm not your enemy? I'm not here for a fight.

[ How's that for forthright and deadpan. ]

[ ...well, that was unexpectedly painless. Derek stares at him in mild surprise for a few moments, because getting answers always feels like pulling teeth. although the words don’t make his suspicion dissolve - is anyone powerful enough for that? - he’s now intrigued, and partially because of the wholly biased bit. ]

Alright, [ he allows, looking every so slightly reproachful about it. ] So, what do you think the truth is?

[ It's a look that Sasuke is used to so his hands remain in his pockets, still just staring this other man down. Clearly he knows about the pack as had been assumed and he's glad for it; it makes the conversation both easier and potentially more fruitful. ]

Me? I think the truth is that none of you were responsible for the disappearances, firstly. I believe I can credit vampires or faes instead. Not only are you all more independent of a single agenda, you have less to gain from it. Secondly, I find your kind reasonable enough by word of mouth and only otherwise when you get too heated. Is that fair? [ y'all seem chill. ]

[ Derek, always waiting for aggression, is at something of a loss. he eases up a little, and while his eyes are still openly wary, his hackles are down. his arms fold; it's a gesture which says that, cautious as he is, he's not about to attack. ]

Sounds like it. I'm not used to that. [ was that an apology? no. but it's as close as he's getting. ]

[ And he almost questions if it is an apology but lets go of the idea quickly, merely nodding instead. ]

Sasuke. My name, that is. Do you prefer to shake hands, smell people, or just continue to stand there sullenly? [ He's open to all three, honestly. ]

[ Derek stares at him, unreadable, and then snorts and extends his hand to Sasuke. ]

Derek Hale.

I suppose I should've realized that you're smelling me anyway, with or without my permission.

[ HIs shake is firm and decisive, perhaps squeezing too hard for most people before he's willing to pull back. ] Why are you in London, Derek Hale?

[ Derek doesn't smile - of course - but the severe lines of his expression let up just a tad, perhaps hinting at amusement. he returns the handshake, noting with a lack of surprise that Sasuke is stronger than he looks.

he's not about to make it that easy, however. ]

I love British food.

You didn't even try to make that believable.

[ Derek shrugs. the response is not as prying as it could be, which grants him patience enough to be an ass. ]

Does it need to be?

I'd rather you just honestly told me to fuck off if you don't want to answer a question. I'm not easily offended by conventional rudeness and you're obviously a man burdened with a strong desire to keep a lid on things.

[ he snorts, the smile that curls his mouth something sharp. ]

Moving was a family decision.

[ Achievement Unlocked: Derek Hale smiled ]

You certainly chose a messy environment to move into. Territorial politics grow more irritating by the day. [ As little history as he has with them; the mere mention seems to threaten him with a headache. ]

We're territorial people, [ Derek comments nonchalantly, as though the idea doesn't stir up a headache of his own. he hates the levels of politics and bureaucracy here, but he's made himself a part of it. now there's no backing down. ]

Why involve yourself?

Because I don't have anything else to do during July.

...

At least, that's my revenge for your stupid answer about British food.

I have some questions I'm trying to answer about my own heritage and getting involved in this world seems like the best way to accomplish that. I've affiliated myself with Hillingdon first, though, so getting information about other groups in order to make trades is the only way I'm going to make much progress.

[ well, he probably earned that much. actually, the back and forth goes some way to putting him more at ease. the effect is somewhat dulled by the mention of Hillingdon, however. there are a lot of hunters out there, some that need to be taken out and some that can stay, and all of them need to be watched out for. ]

So what are you hoping to trade for, then? Hillingdon keeping tabs, I guess?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm fairly local; I've been around (OPEN)

those two icons look hilariously similar too

oh my god.

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is that a lens flare or are you holding a blowtorch, go to bed, Derek

it's a blowtorch you're welcome

stop tattooing kids, I got that far now

it's a rite of passage

should've gone for just grounding him for life

that'd just be a bigger pain in the ass

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