IT'S GOING DOWN I'M YELLING TIMBER (aka the one where Millicent dies)

[facethewolves]

i. Let's Make A Night You Won't Remember [closed to Jean-Claude]
a bar, earlier this week

Alex doesn't know who she's supposed to be meeting, just that somebody wants to meet her. She arrives twenty minutes early, makes notes of the exits, and orders herself a dry martini to blend in. It doesn't hurt to take a few extra precautions when apparently half the city knows that you're planning to murder a high-ranking official, which is why she also has her silver knife hidden in her pocket.

She doesn't touch the drink, just sits and glowers at the bar's main entrance, waiting for the person she's supposed to be meeting to show.



ii. I'll Be The One You Won't Forget [open to all]
Westminister, May 26

Millicent is leaving the Night Council building, and Alex plans to follow her. She's not going through with the hit for a couple more days, but she needs a better grasp of the vampire's schedule. So she's lurking about half a block away from the building, waiting.

To the untrained observer, she looks like a bored girl leaning against a wall eating a muffin. Someone paying closer attention, though, might notice how often she looks down the street, and the fact that she's been very slowly eating the same muffin for the past forty-five minutes.



iii. The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall [closed to Evie]
Islington, May 28, nighttime, before Millicent dies

For the past week, Alex has been sharpening her stakes, going over all the info she has on Millicent's usual habits and schedule, planning the hit. She's decided on a close-quarters kill. For once thing, she's not sure that a wood-tipped bullet, even if it hits right between her eyes, would actually kill Millicent. For another thing, and more importantly, she wants it to feel personal. She wants Millicent to know who's killing her and why.

She knows it'll be risky, but risk never stopped her doing anything before. On the night she's picked to do it, she makes her way stealthily into Islington territory, towards the place she expects Millicent to be. A few blocks away, she pauses in a doorway to double-check her weapons - three stakes and a gun with wood-tipped bullets - and to go over the plan, such as it is, one more time in her head.

Maybe she's just jumpy, but she thinks she sees something move out of the corner of her eye. She whirls around, but nothing's there. Frowning, she goes back to checking her gun.



iv. I'm Slicker Than An Oil Spill [open to first response]
Islington, May 28, nighttime, after Millicent is dead

One of the vampires saw her. Which is bad, really bad. She ditches her jacket on a bench as she hurries past it, hoping that changing up her look slightly will shake off any pursuit. If they're looking for a girl in a black jacket and they spot her... It's not much. It's barely anything, really. If they spot her they'll know who she is. She should have kept the jacket, it was a stupid idea to lose it.

If she does get stopped, she needs to not be carrying suspicious things like stakes and guns with wood-tipped bullets. So she finds a sewer grate under a broken streetlight and pulls out three stakes and her gun. It's not that she has any sentimental attachment to her weapons, but it's not always easy to get replacements. She drops two of the stakes down through the grate without hesitation, but decides to keep the third. She'll need to defend herself if she does get caught.

She catches a shadow moving out of the corner of her eye and turns towards it, keeping the third stake and the gun out of sight.

"Somebody there?"



v. End of the Night, It's Going Down [closed to Natasha]
Ealing, May 28, late night

Alex can't go home. One of the vampires saw her face. It won't take them long to figure out who she is and where she lives. She's ditched most of her gear and her jacket, but that won't throw them off the scent for long. She needs somewhere to lay low for a while. Maybe a long while.

She can't go to any of her known acquaintances, either. The vampires will look for her there, and she doesn't want to put anyone else in danger. She needs someone that nobody knows she knows, someone nobody would expect her to hide out with.

It takes her longer than she'd like to admit to think of Natasha. She'd cautioned Alex against killing Millicent, so it's entirely probable that she'll want nothing to do with the fallout, but it's worth a try. Alex makes her way to the Redbright Institute and sneaks around until she finds a familiar smell. Carefully, just in case this goes south fast, she pulls her stake out and keeps it down by her side as she quietly follows Natasha's scent.



vi. One More Shot, Another Round [closed to Kyle]
Kyle's secret new apartment, May 31, morning

For the past few days, Alex has been in hiding. She can't risk anyone finding out where she is, so she's been very careful about contacting people she knows. When she gets a note from Kyle telling her to meet him at an address she's never heard of, she briefly wonders whether it's really from him or a trap set by someone trying to catch her.

She decides to risk it. She puts on a pair of shades and, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, takes an extremely circuitous route to the address, hoping to shake anyone tailing her. Finally, she makes it. Instead of going through the front door, she climbs the fire escape and knocks on the window of what she hopes is the right apartment.




[If anyone wants their own prompt, hit me up at notverywool!]

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

Late on a Saturday night, Natasha's always out keeping an eye on the neighborhood, keeping an eye open for trouble. Especially this month, with everything that's been happening, all the turmoil in the air, who knows what people might do? Feeling insecure or like the situation is unstable, or alternatively as though there aren't consequences, could cause predators to take bolder steps which endangers both the students and the local human population.

She's only a few blocks from the school when she starts to suspect she's being followed. It could be paranoia, but there's not many people out at this hour if they can avoid it. The next alley Natasha passes, she dips in out of the street then ducks into the recess of a doorway. It puts her in a corner, but also out of casual sight. If whoever it is comes after her here, there's not doubt it's intentional.

And Natasha will be ready for it.

[facethewolves]

From about a block away, Alex sees Natasha disappear down an alley. She hurries to catch up, then pauses at the alley's mouth and peers slowly around the corner, not wanting to be framed in the entrance. She scowls when she realizes Natasha is nowhere to be seen, but the scent is still strong. She can probably follow it.

Carefully and quietly, she starts making her way down the alley, her eyes flicking to every nook and cranny as she passes them. Every sense is already on high alert, and it's close enough to the full moon that they're all sharper than normal. Still, she senses Natasha's presence before she sees or hears her and whirls to face her, raising the stake defensively.

i.

[baisant]

Of course, Jean-Claude is one of those people who is well aware of her plans to overthrow the current head of Islington nest. And being well over 600 years old, he is well aware of what a potential disastrous idea that is. Of course, as the saying goes -- if you cannot beat them, better to join them instead.

He wonders to himself just how foolish it is to get involved in such a plot, even as he makes his way into the bar and across to the appointed meeting place. Sliding gracefully into the seat beside her. He nods at the bartender as he glances over, a man he knows from working the circuit of bars and night clubs himself -- the usual, he indicates. Which he may or may not end up drinking. Food and drink is just not the same as it once was to him.

"A little bird has told me that you have big plans on the horizon," he says, glancing sideways at the girl, who he's sure must be the Alex he has heard rumor of. She is in the appointed meeting spot at the appointed time, after all. He takes in a subtle breath and smells it on her. Werewolf. Well, now this should make things interesting.

((ooc: let me know if i should change anything there? c: otherwise i'm super looking forward to how this thread will go!))

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha raises an eyebrow at the stake, her expression hiding her concern. She could die here—but she doesn't think so. Not today. She doesn't think that she's about to be killed. She's ready. She's fast. She's strong.

And Alex doesn't have a reason to hurt her.

Her being here, following Natasha can only mean one thing though. Natasha's lips tighten and she stands a little taller. While she's not a tall woman, she manages to project confidence.

"You went and did it."

It's not a question.

[facethewolves]

Alex smells the man as soon as he sits next to her and snarls, shifting away from him. If she'd known she was meeting a vampire, she wouldn't have bothered to show up. Maybe it's true that not all of them are happy with Millicent, maybe some of them really do want her dead, but Alex has no reason to trust anyone aligned with Islington Nest. As far as she's concerned, they're more likely to trick her than genuinely help.

She resists the urge to pull her knife out. This place is way too public and full of humans to risk starting a fight. She frowns straight ahead, not looking at him, and replies, "Yeah, I'm thinking about renovating my apartment. Might put in a skylight."

(ooc: This is great! I'm looking forward to it too! C:)

[facethewolves]

Alex has a couple inches on Natasha, but she doesn't feel very tall right now. And she feels a lot less confident than Natasha looks, though what she lacks in confidence she makes up for in defiance and an absolute refusal to back down, even when backing down would be the smart thing to do.

She takes half a step forward, her grip tightening on the stake as she braces herself for a possible attack.

"Yeah. I did it and one of them saw me," she blurts out. She's on edge, bad at asking for help at the best of times, and still isn't sure whether Natasha will help her or turn her over to Islington Nest, or just try to kill her right here. She barrels ahead in a breathless, angry, run-on sentence. "They know who I am and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go, and I know you told me not to do it but will you help me?"

vi

[akillersmile]

Kyle's waiting in the mostly dark apartment, hoping Alex can come. When a knock comes at the window, he startles and immediately scans the area, finding it hard to see anything outside. But, well, either it's Alex coming to meet him or it's someone who's here for a very clear reason which will probably involve breaking the window if he doesn't open it, so. He walks over and opens the window.

The sight of her floods him with relief and he quickly pulls her inside, closing the window again and wrapping his arms tightly around her. There's no furniture in the small apartment, other than the appliances in the kitchen. The layout stretches around to two bedrooms and a bathroom, humble but cozy.

"Hey." Kyle plays it cool for about five seconds before wrapping his arms around her and hugging her to him. He hates that she's in hiding without him. Hates that he has to work to pay the bills, that he can't disappear.

[facethewolves]

Alex immediately grins in relief when she sees Kyle, and hops through the window into the empty living room. She doesn't even pretend to play it cool, and wraps her arms tightly around his shoulders, clutching him as tight as she can. It's only been a few days, but she's missed him. Hiding out would be a lot better if she could do it with him.

"Hi," she says into his shoulder. After a few long moments, she pulls out of the hug and looks up at him curiously. "Where are we?"

[akillersmile]

Kyle looks down at her, thankful that she looks good in spite of everything. Not just hot, but healthy and reasonably well rested. He leans down to give her a quick kiss because he can, he wants to.

Then he dons his killer smile, the one he normally reserves for getting what he wants, and gestures widely at the wood flooring and white walls. "It's my new place. Couldn't you tell?"

[facethewolves]

Smiling, Alex returns the kiss, bringing one hand up to the side of his face. After spending the past few very stressful days apart, something about that simple physical contact feels good. It feels grounding, somehow.

She raises her eyebrows in response to the smile, and gazes around the apartment, impressed. It's hard to tell what the place will be like once it's furnished, but she already loves it.

"It's okay," she says, teasing, bringing her grin down to a tiny smirk.

[outstandingbalance]

That went from bad to worse in a hurry. Natasha finally acknowledges the stake, glancing from it to Alex's face pointedly. She didn't really mind having a weapon pulled on her, and she's still not afraid of Alex even if she's just killed a vampire far older and more powerful than herself; there's something funny about being held at the point of a stake while she's being asked for help, though.

Natasha crosses her arms, looking over Alex seriously.

"Are you being followed?" There was no reason for anyone in Islington to suspect a connection between Alex and Natasha, but that wouldn't do them any good if she has a tail.

[akillersmile]

"Did the vampires damage your eyesight? Are you blind? This place is incredible and, even better- Turns out the old man who runs the chocolate shop owns a few properties from his earlier real estate days. It's not cheap, but at least I can afford the damn thing."

He gives her another, more natural smile, then grabs her hand to pull her towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I brought food and some basics. I can cook us dinner or something."

[facethewolves]

Slowly, a little awkwardly, Alex starts to lower the stake. It doesn't seem like Natasha's going to attack her.

She shakes her head. "No. I was careful."

She's used every trick she knows to shake a possible tail. If anyone is following her, they'd have to be invisible, inaudible, and odorless. Which is probably possible, but unlikely.

[facethewolves]

Alex can't help it - the smirk turns into a grin again. She's genuinely happy for him. "Sounds like he likes you. Maybe if you play your cards right he'll leave you the chocolate shop when he retires."

She hurries after him into the kitchen. "I haven't had your cooking in a while. I think you have to make dinner so I can remember what it tastes like." In truth, she's really missed his cooking.

[outstandingbalance]

"All right," Natasha says, mostly to fill time before she answers. She turns the situation over in her head, considering what they can do and what she should do. It occurs to her that she should probably turn the girl over to someone. One of the people who passes for the law in their community. She never really considers doing that, though. She knows how that ends, and it's no good for Alex. Probably not that good for her, either. It would draw attention that Natasha doesn't welcome.

After a moment of silence, she frowns in surrender. "In that case, let's get you off the street before you get made. We'll take you to my place for now."

Even if anyone knew to look for Alex with Natasha, almost no one knows where she's staying anyway.

She takes a step closer, meeting her eyes, searching her face for argument. "We can figure out what to do with you after that once we're out of sight."

[facethewolves]

Alex stands very still, jaw clenched, knuckles turning white as she grips the stake harder, waiting nervously for any indication of what Natasha's going to do. Finally, she lets out a short, sharp breath of relief. Her hold on the stake loosens, and she lowers it all the way.

When Natasha steps forward, Alex doesn't back down. She meets Natasha's eyes, glowering but not arguing. Figuring out what to do with her sounds potentially ominous, but going back to Natasha's place is a good plan, and the best outcome she could have hoped for.

"Thank you," she says, softly but sincerely.

[outstandingbalance]

"You can thank me if you survive the night," Natasha says. It puts her back down a little that Alex thanks her, though. Makes her wonder what she did to deserve this—both Alex's trust and the trouble she was going to be put through.

"It's this way."

From there, Natasha starts back toward the street. Her place isn't all that far away. Walking distance, though not as quick as she'd like considering every vampire in London is or will be looking for Alex before long, but if they keep their heads down and walk with purpose, they'll probably make it without attracting attention.

Natasha doesn't try to talk on the trip.

[akillersmile]

Kyle shakes his head at her crazy idea. The owner is a good guy, but he's also strict as hell. The only reason Kyle's survived as long as he has is because of his military background. And he's pretty sure the only reason he's getting decent rent is that the owner probably has a military background too and understands how hard it is to acclimate to civilian life.

"What do you want?" He asks as he releases her hand, opening the fridge. "I got steaks, or we can do noodles with sausage, or eggs and potatoes. I went a little overboard. You want a beer?"

[facethewolves]

Alex slips the stake into the back of her pants and tugs her shirt over it. This way, it won't attract attention, and she can still grab it easily if she needs to.

Everything tonight has happened so fast. It's not the first time Alex has been on the run, but it is the first time she's been actively hunted, and it's all she can do to keep up with things as they unfold. For the moment, she has to trust Natasha. In another moment, that could change. It's enough to keep her anxious and on edge, but she tamps down all of that and focuses on the objective of the moment: get to Natasha's place without being noticed.

She follows Natasha in silence, waiting until they get there to ask, "What're you gonna do with me?"

[facethewolves]

"Steaks," Alex said without hesitation. She made a very serious face at him, almost daring him to turn it into a joke.

At his offer of a beer, she shook her head. "I don't drink."

iv

[emotioneater]

Ding dong, the witch is dead. The little ditty runs around in Cooper's head in a nonsensical fashion until it's just about ready to drive him crazy. He'd gotten a call from one of those posted higher-up in the nest than he was shortly after the act had been committed. By the time he arrived at the scene, it was in chaos. Their leader was dead, and without her, nobody seemed to know what to do.

Cooper surveys everything with a calm eye and then begins to act. He finds the vampire who had witnessed the tail end of the assassination and grills him for the description of the girl who had done it. Her scent still hangs in the air and the heavy musk that goes with it is unmistakable: werewolf. He's got enough clout to order a few underlings about. Two are dispatched to trace the most likely routes of escape. A human member of the nest is told to go to the East End Pack's territory and see if they can stir up any rumors about wolves with a vendetta.

Once that's done, Cooper begins to think. Suppose he was young, full of vinegar, and stupid enough to carry out an assassination attempt. Where would he go afterward? He's no tracker, but he rides his cycle enough to know how the streets in this town work. He turns down one and then another, trying to keep the faint scent from the scene in his mind. Maybe he's completely off here. All he's got are his instincts to go on. Then he sees her. A girl that fits the description of what he's looking for. Well, well. Luck was on his side tonight.

He steps out of the shadows, all traces of the usual devil-may-care teenager facade wiped away, leaving behind an incredibly old hunter (or was the better word monster?), his eyes dark as they watch Alex. He claps slowly, once, then twice. "Well done. For a kid, you did just fine."

[akillersmile]

"Do you want potatoes too, or should I just make you extra meat?" Innocent question or poking fun, you decide. Kyle gave a light smile with the question as he pulled out the steaks and set them on the counter, then a couple potatoes, just in case. He moved over to preheat the oven and pull out one of the two pans he brought, turning the heat to high and adding some oil. It was weird, starting from scratch in a place. He forgot to buy salt, so they didn't have any. Oh well.

He pulled a bottle of water and a beer from the fridge, handing her the water and then popping open his drink on the sharp edge of the counter. "So I've been thinking."

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha's apartment isn't much to look at. Clean and in good shape, but it's cheaper than she could afford, small even for the city, and sparsely furnished. Mostly, there's almost nothing to give it personality. No keepsakes or trinkets, not even photos. It feels more like a safe house than a home.

"That's a good question," she says, closing the door behind them and locking it. Not that it will keep anyone out if they're really determined, but the ritual is a small comfort.

"A better question might be what you're planning to do with yourself."

[facethewolves]

Alex isn't particularly surprised by the way Natasha lives. It's a more honest version of her apartment, sparsity in place of the carefully selected and arranged furniture and knickknacks that make her place appear normal.

"I don't know." She stands in the middle of the room, too awkward and tense to sit or even look around. "I needed a place to lay low. I-- I thought of you."

[facethewolves]

Alex leans against the counter, watching him closely as he works. It's almost jarring how domestic it feels, knowing that she can't even walk out the front door without risking capture and probably death.

"Potatoes," she responds dryly, tilting her head at him with a slight smile. She assumes he's teasing her.

"About what?"