NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: We tried starting this in International Incidents, but it did not work out. We will be continuing here so if you wish to join just read the link provided and start RPing.Opening Posts (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10497197#post10497197)

Also, we do require different types of were creatures, not only wolves. Tigers, Pythons, Bears, etc. IF you are unsure of your animal just TG me.

Nicolette was about to answer the other female when a man stepped in and stood at ease by the door. "Go sit. I don't even want to know why your late." Fenris did not like having her authority undermined, and lateness in her books was disrepect. She turned back to the girl.

"No. I'm in charge of this," she waved her hand to encompass the room. "But I'm certainly not behind it. That's all the councils doing, but I'm probably the only one who actually got debriefed, right?"

Amara stared at the man as he walked in. Oh, this is an interesting character. She studied the uniform, it wasn't one she was familiar with and so she didn't know if the man was an officer or a private soldier or even if he was in the front line. Amara remembered a term Stephen and most soldiers used for men in the back, Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers or REMFs. Amara turned back to the female lycan.

"Eh, okay." Amara turned to the man, a slight grin on her face. "So, who are you handsome?"

a low growl emanating from his throat at the casual disrespect thrust at him by someone he didn't even know, Gregori was caught off guard by the flirty lycanthrope. Blinking a bit, before finally giving off a half hearted salute, he answered with, well, military precision, in his heavy Greek accent.

"I am Gregori Amango to my human peers, Black-Muzzle to my brethren. It is both an honor and a priveledge to be here as a representative of the United Socialist States of Ottawo." Lowering his salute, he presented his hand for a shake, a slight grin on his face as well.
"I won't bore you with rank or other such titles unless you wish me to indulge. But I must know, who are you madam kin?"

Fenris didn't respond to the male's growl, she merely gave him a once over with cold eyes and listened to what he had to say with a detached expression. She was keenly interested in who would be serving beneath her, but she did not want to seem unused to her post. When the man questioned Amara, Fenris gave the other female a friendly smile.

"Yes, I seem to have forgotten to ask you that." She gave a small nod of the head, that somewhat resembled at respectful nod. A tiny voice in the back of her head wondered if anyone else was going to step into the conversation.

OOC: We really could use some more people. Just remember that you're supposed to already be in the room.

Amara grinned and took Gregori's hand and shook it. She sat on her chair, leaning close to him, taking in his scent. It probably seemed strange to a normal person that a girl who look only nineteen was acting this way, but she had the mind of a fully grown adult. Amara had to admit, the guy had rugged handsomeness.

"Pleasure to meet you Gregori." She said with a seductive smile. She then turned to the other female. "Well, I am Amara Waggner from the Golden Simatar...the only Simatarian lycanthrope to date. Just a little note, no one knows I exist, spare for the President, heads of the VIB and IBI, along with my new parents. Now you all."

Amara continued to stare at the other female. "So, who are you?"

A cackle came from behind a couch; a soft, hissing kind of cackle. Then a small, serpentine form weaved its way out from its hidden spot behind the couch, growing in size as it approached the others until it was a creature several meters long. It slid behind Nicolette and around her, lifting its upper half upwards to look her in the face. The slit pupils of its eyes stared directly and deeply into the woman's, its forked tongue flicking through the intervening space between their two faces. "You're our...leader, then...yessss?" the serpent hissed softly. It swung its head around to look at the other two, "Perhapssss their romancccce on the team ssshould be kept in check." Another chuckle.

Its head swung back to Nicolette. "But...my apologiessss...for my lack of introduction. Apep." It dipped its triangular head to Fenris. "Apep Tok'maat. At your ssserviccce."

The large snake then unwound itself from around Nicolette, although it never actually touched her while it partially encircled her. "You were sssaying...about your name and our debriefing?"

"An honor, Apep. I'm pleased to see we have more then just wolves. I was...concerned." Nicolette nodded solemnly. "Yes, well I'll keep my eyes on them, but knowing how things go it won't be a problem." She addressed the whole room now. "I"m your Alpha, Nicolette Fenris. The first of you to make a Narnia joke will be in immense trouble. So none of you have heard of the Wolcott."

Apep had heard of the Wolcott, of course. Even children have - albeit the little ones only heard of the fantasy and myth surrounding the mysterious Wolcott, things that were little more than children's tales. Apep, however, was old. Very, very old. He had been alive at the height of the Wolcott, many ages ago. Still, not much was known about the Wolcott to those who were not a part of it, even during that period. Either way, that was many lifetimes ago, and Apep chose to stay quiet on the topic. No point in mentioning something so pointless, after all.

The snake slinked its way from side to side back to the couch, shrinking as it went until it could fit behind the furniture with ease. A few seconds later, the couch was pushed outwards, and a brown-skinned man stood up from behind it. He looked to be in his middle ages, if he were a normal human. His head was shaved, allowing the overhead lights in the room to bounce off of his scalp with ease, save for the very back of the head, where a lock of hair was pulled back and braided into a ponytail that reached to the bottom of his neck. He wore a brown, hooded robe that was made to be much more agile than it looked. For a brief moment, the pupils of the man's eyes were slitted, but a blink later, they were as round as any human's.

"Pardon my...interruption," Apep said as he took a seat on the couch he just appeared out from behind from. "Please continue."

Amara looked around when she first heard the cackle and jumped when she saw the snake. She watched it as it slithered towards the other female and as it seemed to start wrapping itself around her, Amara's fingernails lengthened as she readied to slice serpent in two, it was then it spoke.

Amara had seen many things normals would consider strange from vampires to dragon pups breaking out of their eggs. This ranked number one and made everything else look normal. She did catch the name, but everything else was just words as she was too astonished at the sight. Amara retracted her fingernails and sat a back down as the serpent moved past her to another couch were a Apep appeared in his human form.

Amara looked up at the female Alpha wolf named Nicolette. "I have never heard of the Wolcott. Some kind of top secret force that keeps the peace between species?"

Gregori grinned at Amara's sultry come on's, moving a tad bit closer and merely responding with:
"The pleasure is all mine Amara..." ending it with a quick grin.
Gregori merely grunted when he saw Apep, distracting him from going any further with that conversation.. Already he was showing a small amount of protectivism for Amara, as, subconciously, he moved to form a wall between her and it. As he realized what he was doing he grinned slightly. After all, he had never had a mate for too long, it wasn't his thing. But he was starting to like this Amara, and it was obvious from body language alone, as Apep graciously pointed out for him.

Fenris nodded. She was what girls in Japan would call a "Yankee". She wore a long black trench coat, jeans, and boots. Her top, at present, was nothing more then thriple wrapped bandages, resembling a tube top and around her neck hung a surgical mask. Her hair was white, not platinum blond, but white as untouched snow, and her eyes were piercing ice blue, though one was hidden completely under a curtain of hair. She rolled her shoulders, and looked like a kid in detention. She smiled at Amara's question, but it was an empty smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"In a way, yes. The basic job of the Wolcott is to keep the Zev a secret from mortals. We are in charge of making sure all Zev, globally, follow the councils laws and bringing newly change Zev to the Council for rehabilitation. Assurance that the younglings are properly educated is a subset. If an adult Zev does not make sure their children know the laws, we must....remove them. We also keep an eye on all the packs and groupings, to make sure they aren't doing anything dangerous. Most importantly, make sure that Zev, even children don't attack mortals. Attacking a mortal, if you didn't know, is punishable by death. Unless it's self-defence. Most mortals don't survive the change, they either die or go insane. " She paused for a moment, trying to think. A dark emotion passed for her face and she almost spat out the last part in disgust. "Oh yes, and we eliminate all Zev who commit felonies, outside the nation of Thrope. Any questions?"

Amara grinned back at Gregori as he moved to get between her and the snake form of Apep. He was a fine male werewolf and she felt her whole body quiver with him close to hers. She chuckled a bit when he noticed his body's wall and moved back to his regular position. She looked at Nicolette.

Amara nodded, it made sense and it seemed like a noble job to keep weres off the radars of mortals. The last setence gave Amara a jolt.

"I think I should say about eliminating Zevs outside of Thrope if you come to my country and try that...and screw up...well. Put it simply my nation is known for chasing down culprits, even if they work for another government till they are dead or captured. If you tell the government, since we Simatarians are a bit more open minded now to immortals, they would help. I do not mean any offense, I just thought you should know for future reference."

Amara paused. "That is all I have to say for now."

Apep's face was unreadable, for the most part. What Nicolette said was not too much of a surprise for his ears, nor was the disgust that she felt mutual - especially when he had seen and done enough horrible acts in his life to be almost immune to them. Not things he was particularly proud of doing, but things that had to be done. No wonder the council asked him to be here.

He listened as Amara spoke, then asked Fenris in a calm voice, "And shall we not bring any felons to the council for judgement, then?" He perked an eyebrow at her from his position on the sofa. "We shall be the judge, jury, and executioner, by any means necessary? Or do we bring them to the council if they are willing, and only eliminate them otherwise?"

Gregori noted the bombardment of questions, and seemed almost hesitant to add his own. While not afraid to defend himself, he knew too well the laws of polite behavior. Still, this was rather important, a life and death type question.

"Apologies, but in my home country, we... Zev, as you call us, are a well known group. Lupinites, our tribe, helped win wars in Ottawo in it's founding, and are now a majority in some of the country. While we are not widely known, most of the people in Ottawo know, and accept, that Zev walk among them. We have the werehunters occassionally... but they are few compared to some cases, and are punished like hitmen, worse in some cases. How would the council respond to that, that I have probably broken three laws punishable by death by you and your council, as have my entire tribe?"

"I'm not exactly sure how to answer your question. I do know, however, that if Zev, the traditional name for all were creatures, are a well known sub-culture in a nation, then my final statement doesn't effect it." She considered her words before continuing. "The prison ruling is simple, should the Council, or even the Wolcott decide the individual is innocent then they will be given protection, at least until they are proven guilty. I do not know the long term of this situation. However, any Zev in a nation that has yet to accept us, will be eliminated if they are guilty of the crime." She addressed Apep, "The Council has the final word, but there were some former members of the Wolcott who act without consulting the Alpha or Council. It was mostly about biting."

Her face looked pale as she said this, and her scent changed to that of fear. There was no controlling her body as the memories flooded in and she shuddered, before looking at the group with hard eyes.
"You WILL consult me before making any decision on younglings!" She growled. "That's an order." Though the scent of anger masked it slightly, the scent of fear was still radiating off of the lycan.

Gregori nods, satisfied with the diplomatic, yet realistic answer. Yet he still thought that she was hiding something, and the small but discernable scent of fear was good sign of this. But he kept to himself, letting her think, only polite after all.

Apep tilted his head briefly sideways to indicate he understood, a trait he picked up from his animal form, as a snake bobbing its head up and down meant something other than agreement.

Amara also picked up on the sweet smell of fear radiating from the female lycan. It was different somehow than her human victims before she feasted, yet it was fear none the less. She wondered what it was about, Nicolette had some mystery behind her. This could be dangerous for the group. With Nicolette explaining their purpose better, though Amara thought she didn't have to shout the last part, Amara was ready to agree to come. Then again, Gregori was more than enough reason to come. The last male lycan she had met was the one who turned her and she had blown his head off a few months later.

"Alright Alpha." Amara said casually. "What is first on the agenda?"

"Well, you will all be doing a gauntlet." Nicolette grinned as her emotions came under control. "Only the best will be chosen. A small team will make it easier to control." She then frowned. "I was hoping for more....diverse candidates to stand up. I would like to have at least one of each species on the team. It's hardly proper not to have a Tiger or bear of some such thing."

OOC: Could you all try and convince more people to join? I need at least six people.

Apep arched an eyebrow while taking in a quiet, deep breath. If this turned out to be some fraternity-esque hazing involving being smacked in the rear with paddles, then he had better things to do with his time. He was here of his own volition, after all. But then the council typically did not summon people and speak of reforming the Wolcott lightly, so he would give Nicolette the benefit of the doubt.

Standing up from the couch, the man said, "Very well, then. I presume that our illustrious leader will prove her mettle as alpha as well?" He offered her a half grin, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

Zack Perry arrived late. Very late actually. His damned government made him go through stacks of papers for the opportunity to leave for this meeting. Normally, they made him carry out the policing of the Zev. Ironically, they did not know he was one of them. After that thought, a grin apperaed on his face.

He barged into the doors, trying to look as smooth as possible. He ran his hand through his neatly hairsprayed hair and took a look around. There was guitar case in his left hand. The broad shouldered man said, "Uh, hello, my name is Zack Perry. I guess I'm a little late. Damn government made me sign a million places to get out of work. So, yea, I am a werebear, or whatever you want to call me. Shape shifter, fur-skinned, whatever. I am here to represent my species, well what is left of them anyways."

He reached into his pocket and removed a long cigar and a lighter with his right hand, while sitting into a chair and placing the guitar case on the ground. He sat the cigar into his mouth, but before lighting it, stopped and looked around. "Does this bother anyone?" It was obvious that this man wasn't high class.

Outside the Council Chamber
Amelia was not Zev, she was a member of The People, the Heyti. Standing at just over four and half feet tall, the female Heyti was actually tall for her race. To most outsiders, the Heyti were called the fox people, and they were often confused with the Zev outside their native lands.

But Amelia was here as the Assistant Secretary for Non-Human Affairs of the Federated Klatchian Coast. She was also the eldest daughter of Sir Ozy Llewylen, the Klatchian President. With more non-human races the Non-Human Affairs Office was primarily intrested in making sure that structures could hold a full grown Vrakian at 3000 or so pounds.

The reinstatement of the Wollcott however had brought serious worry to her boss. Both the Vrakian Secretary and his Assistant were well aware of earlier problems that had occured between the Nations of the Klatch and the Zev. With the Wollcott again in operation, there would likely be an increase in Zev, especially canine Zev, attempting to hide out in lands of the People, or deep in the jungles of the Klatch.

And the Wollcott had a bad reputation in Hubris where they had crossed swords with the Cult of Athena. Since the unification, the cult had grown in power. A return of the Wollcott could cause street battles to break out all over the United Duchies, and perhaps the entire Klatch.

Which was why Amelia was waiting outside the Council of the Zev's chamber. The Federated Klatchian Coast was willing to make agreements with the Zev, but the Council was not going to be allowed to operate its Wollcott within the Klatch unfettered by the Federal Government.

(Note A+H is a State in the Federated Klatchian Coast, with all the non-human races about, the FKC likely has some Zev.)

Amara turned as the door burst open and a guitar case carrying man came into the room. The lycan stared at the man, he was definatly different and seemed unsure of himself. She only grunted as he explained what kind of were he was. Bear...bah...bears are only good for meat nothing more. Before Amara could say anything, her nose wrinkled as she saw the cigar Zack brandished.

"It would bother me kid." Amara growled at him.

Looked on towards the opening door. While not the smartest tool in the shed, Gregori was able to hide his stupidity with a good wit and a lot of common sense. Currently, that common sense was telling him that he had some tough company in this guantlet that had been spoken about. The werebear, albeit seeming to not be a warrior but an artist, was a valuable ally and a deadly enemy, regardless of experience. He would have to be wary of this one... as well as find out what exactly this all implied...

"So what, madam alpha, does this... guantlet imply? I doubt it will be a short exercise, and while I'm not one to shrug off a challenge, I thought this was supposed to be a gathering of sorts?" Inquired Gregori casually, his lack of knowledge about the topic obvious in his frequent and honest questions.

After the remark from the young girl, Zack put his cigar away. He opens the guitar case, yet there is no guitar inside. He removes a laptop and a pistol. He smoothly removes the magazine from the semi-automatic pistol and sits it directly beside it. He does some typing on the computer.

"I have come here on the pretenses there is a growing problem among the Zev. It seems it is required that we police our own. Too many problems have occured, and there is not near enough supervision between Zev and humans. When I was young, my parents were murdered by a rogue member of the Wolcott. I had to grow up without parents. Keeping this secret to yourself is a very heavy burden." He typed on his computer a bit more, then looked back up. "I beleive it is time we reinstate the Wolcott, but only with a system of checks and balances. Therefore, we need to develop divisions to work with certain problems."

Nicolette was about to explain that she felt she earned her rank to Apep, when the bear entered. She was planning to be civil, but when he began stating his ideas about how the Wolcott should be run, she frowned darkly.

"I am well aware, Mr. Perry, of the problems with the former account." A shadow passed over her face. "Well aware." She took a deep breath and sighed. "Since you're late, but seem to know of the former workings of the Wolcott I only have four words for you at the moment; I. am. the. Alpha."

She returned her gaze to the rest of the group and her expression turned to a smile. "Thank you, Amara." She gave a curt nod, then addressed Gregori.

"Today, is a gathering. It's really just a meet and greet. Tonight we'll head to HQ and get everyone settled.The Gauntlet will begin tommorrow. It's rather simple. A few obstacle courses, an oral exam, and a field test on your skill with weapons and your own...natural abilities. The Council makes it, your exam will probably be the easiest part, though I must say I found it the hardest. Once it's complete I will choose officers, and the other members."

Finally she turned to Apep. "As I was about to say before the interuption, I believe I'm capable in my position. But to ensure everyone feels comfortable, everyone may ask me five questions a piece. I will do my best to answer in full. Feel free to ask anything at all, just remember you only have five questions."

She smiled and leaned back in her chair.
---------------
Outside the Council Chamber
A handsome Elf walked out to meet the woman waiting. He'd been asked to talk to all non-Zev who wished to speak to the Council.

"Good evening." He bowed regally and smiled at the woman. "May I help you?"

The fox (human? no...fox) stood and looked at the elf. "I am here to discuss the matter of the reactiviation of the Wolcott by the Council of the Zev. The Federated Klatchian Coast is quite concerned with this development, and would like to discuss the matter with the Council before events make polite discussion of the matter impossible."

Obviously the Council wishes to insult us by sending out an elf of all things! Amelia thought as she stood there. The Federation had a fairly long standing 'dark elf' problem. Thank God we didn't send Urmar, he'd have tusked the fellow in an instant

The elf smiled. "Would you prefer to speak with the Council, the Council head, or the Wolcott's new Alpha?" He honestly hoped his grin didn't offend the fox, but all he could think of was how amusing this might end up being.

Amara grunted at Zack as he started off on his suggestion list and smiled as Nicolette talked down to the bear. Not exactly the way to go fuzzy butt. She stared at the man's pistol, she would rip him wide open and feast upon his organs for a while before putting the creature down if he ever raised the gun to her.

She smiled as Nicolette opened the floor for questions. The Simatarian had plenty, but brought up the most important.

"What really has me wondering is why bring back this Wolcott? Is there an impending human-were war that we should know about?"

The elf smiled. "Would you prefer to speak with the Council, the Council head, or the Wolcott's new Alpha?" He honestly hoped his grin didn't offend the fox, but all he could think of was how amusing this might end up being.

"Either the Council or the Council's Leading Member. After all they are the overseeing body of the Wolcott as I understand."

Nicolette shook her head. "No wars. We just feel that Zev are acting out too much. I mean, we aren't supposed to meddle in mortal affairs. We aren't even really supposed to deal with other immortals." Nicolettes' cheeks rosed a bit and that comment. "However, there have been a lot of unwarranted attacks and no one to stop them. Normally if you attack without being aggravavted, then you are eliminated. Too much of a risk. You have three questions left."
----------------
"Well, that's a relief.", muttered the Elf before realizing what he'd said. "I mean, I'll go get the Council Head. Please wait here." He ran off behind the doors.

Amelia said nothing as the elf mentioned a releif. So he doesn't want me meeting the Alpha of the Wolcott? How wonderful...they must have a bloody lunatic incharge. The J. Edgar Hoover of the Zen....I wonder if they cross dress?

A few moments later the elf returned with a man dressed in a stylish suit. The man looked a tad bit annoyed and he kept shooting looks at the elf.

"Before we begin, I want to make sure what Braeden say is true. You don't wish to speak with the Alpha?"

Amelia closed her eyes for a second, then opened them. "As I understand things, based on the limited intelligence we have gathered from some Zev Klatchians, the Council of the Zev is the governening body of the Wolcott. You set the rules they inforce, and the limitations of their operations. The Alpha is the head of the Wolcott and operates it as required to fulfil the obligations and enforce the rules that the Council sets. Is this correct, or am I misinformed? For as the Assistant Secretary for Non-Human Affairs of the Federated Klatchian Coast, I am here to discuss the re-vitalization of the Wolcott with its governing body or individual."

"So you weren't lying, boy?" The man in the suit eyed the elf with a grin. "I thought you were playing hero again." The elf blushed. "Sit." The elf sat.

The Head of the Council then focused on the fox in front of him. "It is true that the Council decided on the re-establisment of the Wolcott, a decision we can not back down on now. We also make the governing rules..." The man paused. "However, the Alpha makes all the decisions once the rules are established. This means, that should there be a situation that needs taking care of, the Council must trust the Alpha to make the proper choice. Fenris is the Wolcott's brain, the Council is an outside body giving orders. In the end the decision can only be made by one. " He nodded, then met the fox's eyes.

"So what specifically do you wish to discuss?"

Amelia raised an eyebrow, she didn't understand the backstory at all. "The Klatchian Federation is some 76 billion(1) strong. Obviously with that many individuals, some are likely Zev. The Council beleives that it has the authority to oversee all Zev activity. The Federal Government has no problem with this claim. However, the enforcement of Council rules by the Wolcott in the Klatch is going to cause problems. The Klatch is fairly xenophopic. If we have a secret police squad running about responsible only to an extra-national group in a foreign land will go over as well as a Nazi themed bar mitzvah in an orthodox synagogue. The Wolcott's previous incarnation left a bad taste in some Klatchian States mouths."

Amelia paused to see if the Chairman, as she was calling him in her mind, was following. "It is enevitable that the Wolcott will operate in the Klatch. And if the Council and the Klatchian Federation do not come to a mutually benifical agreement, then Zev miscreants will use the divison between us to escape both Klatchian and Zev law. However, I am prepared to offer a mutually benifical arangement to the Council of the Zev that should allow the Wolcott to operate in the Klatch with minimal interference."

ooc: (1) the entire region is one nation, excluding Ilek-Vaad, so you have some adding to do.

The smell of cigars was not exactly a favorite for Apep. Plus, it clung to everything. But Amara spoke up, and all was well.

Apep found this Zack character interesting, though not in a favorable way. The lateness could be excused, and he did put the cigar away when asked, which bode well for him. But then he presumed to take authority where he had none - or, at the least, that was how his actions were interpreted. Apep did not know where this Zack Perry came from, but from where Apep came from, people simply did not do that. Unless they cared not about being rude, that was. Still, Apep was not one to hold people to first impressions. Zack still had time to prove himself otherwise.

"Very well," he said to Nicolette. "I shall keep your offer in mind."

The ability to ask whatever one wished of one's leader was a powerful thing, and he would not waste it needlessly. He simply stayed quiet and allowed the others to ask their own questions.

A quiet man slowly creeped into the council building.
"Well...at least there...energetic"?
The man knocked his fist on the door quietly but loud enough to draw a little attention.
"Forgive the intrustion. The representative of clan Centa has arrived"
The man flicked out a forked tongue for a minute.
"My name is Kea pleased to meet all of you"

OOC: Jihadian did your character walk into the Wolcott room, the Council room, or to where the Head is talking to Amara?

IC: Fenris grinned. "So you're saving up your questions, Apep? That's a lovely idea. Which reminds me, if you have a question but don't want to waste your free pass just tell me. I may very well give you your answer."
====================
The man nodded. "Very well. Would you like to continue our discussion here, or move somewhere else? Oh, and I've forgotten to introduce myself." The man stood and offered his hand. "I am Carlin O'Shea, Head of the Zev Council. This is Braedan, you'll find he's imparitive to your situation at present. He's the only one allowed into the Wolcott meeting room and headquarters other then the new recruit. So he'll be relaying your questions, and our decisions to Fenris. The boy has special permission."

The elf's blush returned and he looked away. He hoped Carlin wouldn't go into anymore detail on this issue, it was a bit embarrassing.

Gregori looked at Nicolette, and merely grinned.
"I believe I have spent enough of your time with questions already, but I too will keep that in mind."

Gregori turned to the door, another snake Zev walking in. Gregori growled to himself lightly. He wasn't real fond of snakes of any type, human or not, and the forked tongues seemed to be getting more prevalent. He silently thanked the Commissar that there wasn't any snake Zev's in Ottawo. To keep his mind off of both the inhabitants of the room and the times ahead, Gregori sat down next to Amara, grinning slightly as he did so, straigtening his uniform both out of neccesity, and a slight bit of pomp and pride.

Amelia looked at the elf. "Well, a runner's job is never done Mister O'Shea, as I am sure Braedan will discover" She took his hand in her paw, "Amelia Llewylen, at your service...I really do not have a problem discussing this in the foyer, but we may find it more comfortable to discuss this elsewhere."

A smile crossed Faolan's face. "Amelia, I believe we should accept talking on a first name basis." His eyes sparkled. "I honestly can't pronounce your last name. Please follow me." He led the fox and the elf to a lovely sitting room. "Would you like me to send Braedan to tell the Alpha that their meeting will be interrupted, or would you prefer if the boy just brought Fenris here?"
---------------------
Fenris grinned. "Thee wolves, two snakes, and a bear. That is just funny."

Outside the Council Chamber

A knock sounded from the door, where a man in his mid-30s, clad in a dark leather coat over a clean-cut, Three-piece suit stood. His eyes were deep brown, and despite being relatively young, his thick, medium-length hair was a grizzled brown, graying at the edges. He was tall, standing six foot six, and strongly built, with well-muscled body, thick arms and legs, strong hands, and a few days' growth of facial hair crowning his hard-edged features.

He stepped into the room, and bowed.

"I apologize greatly for my lateness," he said in a low, quiet voice. "I came as soon as I received the summons. I am Ulrich Freihardt, of the Grazhkjistani Bhermenchen. Though our numbers may dwindle, I have been sent to provide any aid I can to the Council."

OOC: Just for my own knowledge, as well as everyone elses, could everyone title in bold where they are before their first post?

Wolcott Room

Zack scratched at his scruffy black beard. "Nicolette," he asked, "Exactly what do you plan we do as far as international policing? Count by count basis? My country does not have many Zev. So would it be that someone such as I would head a regional office, then if it is a larger problem, I bring it here?"

He pondered for a moment, looked around, then looked back at Nicolette. "I would also like to say that I am sorry for my behavior earlier. Im not the authority type, but in your case, I think I can make an exception." So maybe he was flirting just a little. Notions that would most likely be shot down.

A smile crossed Faolan's face. "Amelia, I believe we should accept talking on a first name basis." His eyes sparkled. "I honestly can't pronounce your last name. Please follow me." He led the fox and the elf to a lovely sitting room. "Would you like me to send Braedan to tell the Alpha that their meeting will be interrupted, or would you prefer if the boy just brought Fenris here?"

Sitting Room
Amelia nodded, "Ah yes Welsh names are difficult...although you should try Var names...their incomprehencable at times." Amelia sat down and considered what Faolan had just said. "If you desire the Alpha in on this discussion, I see no problem at the moment. Nor do I see a reason for us to interupt the recruits training process. Perhaps if I made my inital proposal, we could discuss it and then present it to the Alpha?"

Sitting Room
"Very Well, I'll just send Braedan to tell Fenris that you are here. I'll just call him on his phone when I need them both back." He smiled wolfishly at the elf. "Doesn't that make you happy?"

The elf did his best not to glare. "Sir, could you please stop that." He then turned and left. Faolan laughed.

"Sorry about that. That boy is fun to tease when it comes to his situation." He cleared his throat. "Alright, first point then."
++++++++++++++++++++++
Council Chamber
"Come in Representitive Bhermenchen, happy you could join us." The room was split like a Senate with half the representitives on each side. At the front of the room was the Speakers Chair, and next to his the Account Clerk's Desk. It was the Account Clerk who spoke.

"Chairman O'Shea is dealing with some business at present, so the discussions will not begin for a while."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
"The Wolcott are like UN peacekeepers. No one is set up in their home nations, we are just deployed where needed. Basically, other then when you are granted leaves, you'll be living in HQ. But feel free to bring what you need to remain, comfortable."

Just as Zack made his little flirting comment their was a knock at the door and a male elf walked in. Fenris almost laughed at the irony of Braedan stepping in just then. She turned to him.

"Message from the Chairman, I'm guessing. Why else would you be here?"

"Cut it out Nikki, O'Shea has been badgering me all afternoon. You'd think the two of you just gave me this job to make my life hell."

The female lycan grinned. "Naw, I just figure if a non-Zev going to be distracting me, it might as well be you."

The elf blushed. "There is a non-Zev representitive discussing the Wolcott with Chairman O'Shea. Once they finish discussion, I will be called and the two of us will go talk to them. I'm supposed to tell you now to make sure nothing important gets interrupted."

Fenris nodded. "Team I'd like you to meet Braedan of the Dark Valley. He's my Life Mate. He'll be living in HQ. He's also our connection to the Council and the only non-Zev allowed in Wolcott functions." She smiled. "Sit down, they won't bite."

The Elf sighed and sat next to his wife.

The Sitting Room

Amelia really was getting tried of whatever was going on between the chairman and the elf, but decided to ignore it and press on.

"As I was saying earlier, the Federated Klatchian Coast would like to avoid any conflict with the Wolcott in its new incarnation. Nor do we desire to hinder the enforcement of Zev rules. The initial proposal that the Non-Human Ministry has come up with hopefully balances the Klatchian need to reduce outside interference with the need for the Wolcott to operate in the Klatch when it needs to."

She shifted and held up her paw, "First, the Federation would like to name an Envoy to the Council, purely as an advisor. This allows the Federal government to both be advised of what is occuring with the Zev, give advice when matters pertaining to the Klatch come up before the Council, and creates a pathway that any conflict between Klatchian and Council policy can be worked out to a mutually benifical conclusion before events get out of hand."

Amelia continued, "Second, the Federation is going to ask that the Wolcott follow certian proceedures within Klatchian Territory. They will inform the Klatchian Marshals, either the Territorial Office or the headquarters in Port Olympus, that they are working within the Klatch, and keep the appropriate Marshal updated on their activities. The Federation reserves the right to assign a Marshal to the Wolcott team to both facilitate these communications as well as advise the Wolcott team on the areas they are in and diffuse any inadvertant, secondary, conflicts between the Wolcott and State entities such as law enforcement."

Amelia continued, "Obviously putting a 'hanger on' to a Wolcott operation will likely seem to be hamstrining the group, until they become aware of the Klatchian Marshal's skill sets that is. But we will also allow a Wolcott team operating in the Klatch the right to request Klatchian Marshal support and services to assist them in their activities."

"I will begin with your second proposal. I would like to first explain that the team rarely goes all in. The Alpha will choose the best suited operative and send them in. I see no problem in keeping your government informed on the Wolcott's actions, since you are not a mortal Majority. Nor Do I see a problem in having marshall work with the operative. Now about your first suggestion," Chairman O'Shea paused and tried to find the best way to word his response."We allow any nation possessing Zev to have an envoy on the council, so long as they are Zev."

Amelia nodded, "So you desire a Zev to be our envoy? Hmm perhaps a bit problematic for us, I suppose there is one or two we could call upon. Unless there already is a Zev represenative from a Klatchian state? The Brungui are fairly new to the Federation and might have a signficant Zev population."

The Chairman shrugged his shoulders gently. "I do not know. I don't have all the lists. Perhaps you can use your connections to check."

The Chairman shrugged his shoulders gently. "I do not know. I don't have all the lists. Perhaps you can use your connections to check."

Ameila nodded, "I understand...it likely will be my next task to find an approprite canidate. I was just hoping that one might be here already. My connections to the Zev of the Klatch are through the Marshals back in Port Olympus. Is there anything futher we need to discuss on this matter? I'll have my office send a Letter of Understanding detailing our arangements for the Council to sign off on."

The Chairman nodded "This is fine. I'll explain the situation to Fenris in a moment. NO problems that I can see."

Amelia played with her shirt collar for a moment. "I think it would be prudent for me to remain for that. After all the Alpha may have some more technical questions about the Klatchian Marshals that I may be able to answer."

Wolcott Room
"Understood," Apep said with a slight sideways tilt of his head. "Then you may take all of my questions as normal ones until I say otherwise." He gave her a slight, almost mischievous smile.

He went back to casually watching the others in the room, and grinned inwardly as Nicolette introduced her husband. Perhaps the pheromones flying about could settle a little now. But the new arrival seemed a bit uneasy and uncertain, which Apep did not quite understand.

Outwardly, he lowered his head slightly and said to the elf, "Apep Tok'maat. Greetings."

Wolcott Room

Amara smiled as Gregori sat next to her, her hand came to rest on his knee. A handsome man in human form, she was curious on what he looked like in wolf form. She had seen multiple werewolf movies after settling down, all had different kinds of designs, one even had marsupial werewolves. She looked up as the newcomer came in, another snake.

Amara hated the things with a passion, but she understood that these Zevs were at least more than animal. As long as they didn't suprise her in snake form early in the morning or when she was exhausted, they were safe from her claws.

When the elf walked in, Amara smiled and gave a curt nod. She had seen elves in Tarlachia, but that was about it. She chuckled as Nicolette made her bite comment to her mate.

"I haven't had a rabbies shot yet Braedan, so be careful." Amara said in a very sarcastic voice.

Braedan returned Apep's nod. "Hullo."

As Amara made her comment, Nicolette growled at the other female. She wasn't aware of it, but the action seemed to relieve Braedan's nervousness. He brushed two fingers along her cheek. "Shh, you know she's just teasing ,pet. No need to get upset."

Nicolette's eyes widened and she blushed and turned away from the hand. "Not now."

Braedan chuckled. "So you're all her new team? Where are you from?"
==============
"Shall I call her now?"

Amara growled back at Nicolette, purely from instinct. She hadn't expected her comment to be taken like it had been by the Alpha. Since she had little experience with other weres or immortals outside of the Malone's, she guessed she would stumble a few times before finding firm footing. Amara looked at the elf as he popped the obvious question.

"I come from the Golden Simatar, a nation which up till about a century ago if you said you were a lycan or a vampire you would be taken as a Goth kid and pretty much ignored...unless you changed before their eyes and had them for dinner. I am the only Simatarian lycanthrope and as it is rather obvious, I had the misfortune of being bitten while a teenager. Really sucks you know? Being an immortal teenager, quite hard to get your hands on some booze or if you want to go partying at a club in your homeland."

Braedan laughed again. "You shouldn't growl at your leader. Nikki is just acting on instinct. Her senses are telling her you're a threat, no matter how much she knows it's probably not true." He paused pensively. "So, being one of the few immortals from Golden Simitar, I'm guessing you know the famous Stephen Malone?"

Fenris eyes the other female slowly. She didn't speak, but she looked immensely skeptical.

Immediatly Amara's whole body gave a violent jolt and her eyes nearly burst out of her her skull as the elf mentioned Stephen. She knew that Stephen had a small reputation in the vampire community of Emerald as the vampire who spent a thousand years as a human, turned, was trained by the ancient Skadi and his strength surpassed all those his age in vampire years. Amara didn't know he was that famous that some other immortals in a different country would have heard of him. Amara knew that Stephen's existance was known only to his wife Nicole, herself, some friends in Tarlachia and Assington, the Simatarian President, the heads of the VIB and IBI and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The lycan nodded slowly, she tried to speak, but her mouth was too dry. She licked her lips and tried again.

"Yes. After my biological parents were killed by the man who turned me...Stephen picked me up. He and his wife Nicole have become my new parents. I live with them." She shifted uneasily in her seat. "How do you know about him?"

"Hello Braedan, my name is Zack Perry. I am a full blood werebear, my parents were murdered. I am the only of my kind in The Last Anarchy Order. The Zev in my country are very much so underground. I have come here to allow myself to be in the community, and to serve justice where it is due."

Zack, reclined a bit in his chair. He is prepared for The Gauntlet, and for the opportunity that lays ahead of it.

"Her Majesty, Queen Xaria the First, considers Stephen one of her closests friends. Or at least that's the rumor. They met when the queen was in her twenties. Her Majesty will be 250 next weekend." Braedan smiled, until Zack spoke then he laughed.

"My, you talk alot."

Nicolette who'd been stunned by Amara's addmission was shocked by her husband's words. "Be nice. I'll lose their respect if you treat all my candidates like children."

Amara went limp in her seat, Braedan's words hitting her and sapping the strength from her. She stared at him, her mind trying to collect itself. Her mind went searching from everything Stephen had told her about himself from his army days to the Battle of Clarence that occured shortly before her turning. She escaped the real world for several minutes before finding what she wanted. Her eyes opened and she looked at Braedan.

"Yes...now it makes sense. Stephen did mention a woman named Xaria once. I didn't know that she was the Queen of this land. Queen Xaria has openly talked about Stephen?" Amara's last sentence had a obvious hint of nervousness to it.

"Nikki is the King's Cousin. The King knew Stephen since he was only a guard. It was acutally during Stephen's visit that the Queen and King made their relationship official. It was truly lovely, or so I hear. I'm only 28." Braedan looked nervous about his admission.

Nicolette grinned. "Yes, I'm the King's Cousin. Both of them mentioned Stephen to me when I was younger. They spoke about wanting to have him visit again, but the years passed and neither side had a real chance." Fenris shrugged. "He sounded quite impressive from what I'd heard. Would have bee nice to meet him."

Aneera leaned against the wall. She was dressed in her hunting clothes, the werepanther always ready for action, though she missed her weapons. Her suit was skin tight, her muscles slipping beneath, while her moderate cleavage was evident. Long of leg with raven black hair almost to her buttocks, she seemed perfectly calm as her dark green eyes shifted about the room, occasionly drifting to the woman who was the leader of this little get together. The black leather suit didn't gleam, however, as she thought a reflective suit in moonlight was a bit idiotic.

Toric leaned in close to his sister and whispered low enough for her to hear. At her shrug he leaned back. He was almost the opposite of her in body. She was slim, flexible and athletically muscled, while he was heavily muscled, so much he couldn't even reach his back and thickset because of it. He wore loose dark clothing, pants, shirt and jacket. More accustomed to brute force than skilled combat he was comfortable without his typical weapons and stood by his sister protectively. His hair dropped to the nape of his thick neck and shared his sisters color as did his eyes.

Freihardt approached the Account Clerk, and, leaning in close, whispered, "I also bring an apology from the leader of the Ulfmenchen - The Grazhkjistanian Werewolves - that they are unable to send a representative."

He went to his seat and sat, waiting for the debates to begin.

"Oh thank God."

Amara let out a massive sigh of relief as she learned apparently the Queen had not talked about Stephen outside of her family. She was a bit suprised by the fact that Nicolette was the cousin of the Queen, but figured that it was probably common place in some countries that relatives of the monarch get high positions.

She looked at Braedan and Nicolette. "Allow me to explain my sigh. Stephen has been painted as a murderer back in my country and is thought of like that by many. So, whenever a victim of a vampire...or lycan...pops up...Stephen Malone comes back to slaughter innocent humans. His face has been ciruclated more than once, so everyone knows him now."

Amara took a few seconds to get some breath back. "I am sure Stephen would like to meet your Queen and King again. He is a very nice man, spare for drinking blood, powers, and inability to go in sunlight...he is just like a human, same with his wife. I have just taken a few months vacation, so to my knowledge nothing has been happening in the Golden Simatar."

Amara looked over at the pair off a bit by themselves. The male whispered something to the female and Amara kept staring, wondering what he said. "So, who and what are you two?"

The Sitting Room
"Well it would seem that would be the best, unless you don't want me here when you advise her of our arangments."

Amara looked over at the pair off a bit by themselves. The male whispered something to the female and Amara kept staring, wondering what he said. "So, who and what are you two?"

The man suddenly looked at Amara and then at his sister, as though unsure what to say. She didn't from her spot, only ran a cold, hard eye over the woman in a lightning fast assessment.

"I'm Aneera", she sad, "this is my brother, Toric." As for what she decided the question related to thier were forms, "Werepanthers", she said simply, leaving what they were out of it. She hadn't decided how to introduce them just yet and assassins for hire just didn't seem a notable title, regardless of the fact that it called for skill and daring. Besides, she wondered if they ever had to go up against the military man at any point, or at least his people and thought it best not to announce the possibilities. She didn't much care who she fought against, just as long as the pay was on the table when all was said and done.

Wolcott Room

Gregori merely waited until everyone quieted down to answer Braedan's question himself.

"To answer your question Braedan, I'm from Ottawo. You've probably never heard of my homeland, as we have only recently been a true country. Commissar Nagamo just recently brought the many tribes of our island together. I am a Lupinite by birth, and an Ottowaon by fealty. There are many of us in Ottawo, all of us proud of our Lycanthropy, and use it to serve our Commissar as much as we use our intelligence and prowess in weaponry and survival. As for personal history... I don't have much to say on that. I was born to a tribal family, and when our elders pledged their fealty to a greater cause, I found my calling in the military. I led forces on every major battle in the founding wars of Ottawo, and with it, gained enough popularity, or goodwill with the Commissar to be sent here."

Gregori merely shrugged as he was finished, leaning closer to Amara as she seemed to be troubled, passing it off as an excuse to lean closer to Braedan.

Amara smiled at the werepanthers. "Nice to meet you both."

She didn't like the look of them, they seemed a bit shady and a bit anti-social. She didn't they they would cause any trouble, you would have three wolves, two snakes, a bear, and and elf verus two panthers; a rather uneven match. She would keep them under eye and wait for them to disclose information about themselves before making any decisions. Amara smiled at Gregori and leaned against the male and relaxed. Pack instincts and thoughts that had been long ignored and gone dormate in her were starting to wake and shake their legs. She moved her head so her eyes met his.

"What is your country like in terms of geography and wildlife? Anything unique?"

The Chairman nodded. He pressed a button that would make Braedan's phone ring for no reason. He hopped the boy was smart enough to come.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Braedan opened his mouth to respond when his phone rung. He picked it up but it said no call had been placed. He rolled his eyes.

"We have to go now."

Fenris sighed. "Fine. I'm leaving Apep and Amara in charge. I don't want any of you to cause problems. Braedan and I will return shortly." With that the Lycanthrope stood and took her husbands arm. They exited and closed the door.

"Nice group." Braedan commented in a monotone voice. "You got your work cut out on the team thing."

Nicolette nodded, but didn't speak. She walked quietly to the sitting room and knocked gently. The Chairman grinned as she entered.

"May I present Fenris."

Wolcott Room
Apep would have been embarassed for the married couple's public show of affection had he not cast aside the notion of personal embarassment a long time ago. Nonetheless, there were still things that belonged better in a more private locale. After all, it was only two hundred or so years ago that it was taboo for a Western woman to show anything beyond her wrists. Or perhaps Apep was just a little too old-fashioned and not adapting fast enough to the times. Perhaps he was just a little too old, period. A half grin appeared briefly at the edge of his lips.

He left that train of thought and focused back on the others. When Gregori spoke, Apep half expected the military man to say that his parents were murdered as well and that he was the only one of his kind from his homeland. Well, not really, but it was hard to miss the pattern. Apep looked over at the elf, whose eyes were going over the room for each person to answer. Hmm, perhaps he should tell the elf that his parents were killed and that he was the only one of his kind from where he grew up... Another smile of mischief grew on his face.

Before he could say anything, though, the couple left the room, leaving him and Amara in charge. Not that there was much to be in charge of. Apep was fairly certain nothing would happen anyway. One person had a laptop to busy themself, two were too enchanted with each other to care about much else, and the other two seemed content in hiding in their corner.

Apep was quite content in staying silent, but a questioned nagged at his mind. He figured he had a decent idea of why the two wolves and the bear were here, but what of the panthers? In all this time they were standing there, all that came out of the two were eight words. Maybe their parents were murdered and they were the only ones of their kind until they met each other...or something. He glanced in their general direction, "So, what brings you two to the Wolcott?"

(OOC: Jihadin, I haven't included you yet since I'm not sure if you're in the Wolcott room or somewhere else. By the way, Apep's a spitting cobra, in case you wanted our guys to be different.)

Aneera looked over at Apep as Toric stepped closer to his sister. "I heard there might be an opening in a new group, figured I'd check it out", she replied. "And you?"

Toric leaned in close to his sister again, whispering something. She glanced up at him, "Damned if I know", then looked about those gathered, "Anyone know where the little kitties room is?" she asked.

Amara was surprised when she heard she and Apep were left in charge of the group. Why me? Only real thing I have lead are my human prey to their deaths. Sighing, she just stayed reclined on Gregori, looking at the werepanthers. Aneera was in charge of the pair and Amara couldn't make much sense of what Toric was about as he had yet to speak openly. She shrugged and looked around as the location of the bathroom was brought up.

"Hell if I know. Find a cardboard box and fill it with some newspaper, worked in emergencies with my cat before he died."

The Sitting Room
Ameila stood and gave a short headbow, "I am honored to meet the new Alpha..." she stated dryly. Ameila waited for the chairman to actually introduce her also, as was appropriate.

"Fenris. This is Amelia. She wishes to discuss how the Wolcott should operate in her nation."

The lycan nodded respectfully. She did not like this, if only because it was unfair to the other nations. She did not want to have to concede to the requests of more then one. However, she knew her place and would accept this and hope the other woman would not bring the issue up with any other parties.

Gregori, leaning gently back into Amara, and grinning fiercely when not speaking, started to answer before Braedan left. He nodded silently as he did so, then continued with his train of thought, pausing politely when the others pressed to speak.

"My country? No... there isn't terribly unique anything in Ottawo. I suppose some would say it is unique in it's pristineness. We, unlike the surrounding areas, have quite an abundance of large forests and jungles in and around Ottawo Island, stretching from the few flat areas to the large peaks, only interrupted by the steadily growing, but still almost natural cityscape..." Gregori sighs, seeming to like thinking of home.

"Ah... apologies. I do not wish to come off as home sick, as this place is beautiful as well from what I've seen. Regardless, on wildlife... well, some would consider a native group of Zev to be quite unique. We have tens of thousands of lycanthropes in Ottawo, and those are only the professed ones. We're a minority, but a powerful one, as we have always supported our Commissar." He nods proudly at this.

"You might like it there really... it is a good place for our kind, and through our service we are widely accepted in my country." He smiles, ending the conversation with the same vibrant grin on which note it started.

Frehardt sat, shifting uncomfortably as he waited. He wondered how all the other races here dealt with their human neighbors... The Ulf- and Bhermenchen had withdrawn from human affairs centuries ago, deciding it the only way to avoid war. Contact with the humans was limited and sporadic at best, although a few of their number were in the government, mostly geared toward protection of their native forest and mountain homes.

He wondered if any of the other races had done anything similar...

He needed a moment to compose himself, to "put on his game face" as the monkeys often said.

He stood, excusing himself, and headed for a sitting room he'd walked past earlier. There had been a few people in there... maybe he could get to know a few of them.

The bear stayed quiet for quite sometime. After tapping away on his computer for sometime, he decided he needed to be much more social. He had noticed two werepanthers came into the room. Damn, he was getting very bored.

"Who else in here hates the way that Zev have been portrayed through the ages? At leas tin my country, they historically have been the antagonists in tales of violence. Yet still, wars kill more people in my country than a thousand Zev in a primal rage. Any thoughts on this?" Like usual, he reclined back into the chair. He was really craving a smoke, but restrained it.

Braedan and Nicolette spoke in unison. "Someone's coming."

The Chairman grinned. "You two have great senses. Why don't you talk to Amelia while I take care of it?"

Fenris nodded and sat across from the other woman. "So, what is your proposal."

Faolan went to the door. "Yes?"

Aneera shrugged and pushed away from the wall, tapping Toric on his broad chest.

"Come on, we'll see if we can find it", she said, heading back the way they had come, "if nothing else we'll find a corner for you, I'm sure this place has a janitor."

Toric grinned and followed his sister out of the room, glancing back for a moment as they left, as though making sure they weren't being followed.

The panthers left before Apep got a chance to reply, although he was quite used to that. It was not like he minded, though. It was often the case that the less one spoke about one's personal matters, the better things would be. He watched the two leave, trying to read them. Much was already evident about the two of them from what he had seen of the way they interacted thus far, but again, first impressions were hardly ever the most accurate.

Apep looked over at Zack with only a slight movement of his head. "Keep in mind that there is a world of difference between soldiers doing their duty to their nation and a lycanthrope unable to control themselves. The first is killing, the second is murder. While they both involve the death of people, the first typically involves that of people committed in one way or another to their cause, whereas the second always involve the deaths of innocents. It is not a matter of death toll, but a matter of the cause behind the deaths. If soldiers were to go rampaging through a city kill people indiscriminately, armed enemy soldiers and defenseless civilians alike, they too will be painted in a bad light. That is why the Wolcott was formed, to make sure no Zev will continue to do the things that would continue the cycle of fear generated by our kind."

Upon exiting the room the two werepanthers ended up in the Council's pit. A guard looked over the ledge at the two.

"May I help you?"

Aneera looked at the guard. "Yeah, my brother needs to find a bathroom. Could you point us in the right direction?" she asked.

Amelia really thought the Chairman should be discussing this with the Alpha not her. She gave a breif smile and then began again.

"As I was telling the Chairman, the Federated Klatchian Coast, with almost seventy six billion souls is likely to have some Zev it it. However, the Federation is quite xenophobic, and would likely react poorly to interference by the Wolcott. Espcially since some of the States previous history with other incarnation of the Wolcott have not been very productive."

Amelia paused, "The proposal the Federation has made is that any Wolcott team operating within the Federated Klatchian Coast will inform the Klatchian Marshals of their activity and keep them updated as to their activity. It will be the decision of the Senior Marshal of the territory or the Office in Port Olympus, to assign a Marshal to act as an advisor to the Wolcott team in the Klatch."

Amelia knew this was likely not going to sit well with the creature sitting across from her. "The Marshal will there to keep Port Olympus in the loop, act as a local guide, and also run interference between state law inforcement and the Wolcott, not a small thing considering some States have significant rescources in those areas. Futher, to demonstrate that the Federation has no problem with the Wolcott enforcing Zev law, teams operating in the Klatch may call on resources of the Klatchian Marshals to assist them. Our goal is not to hinder the Wolcott or the Council of the Zev, just reduce the chances of a counter-productive conflict between the Wolcott and State law enforcement. "

Ameila paused again, "The chairman did not seem to have a problem with this proposal. I mearly stayed to provide any information on the more practical details that you might have."

Fenris considered the proposal for a moment. "You wouldn't happen to have an Zev that are Marshalls, would you? That way I'd be able to ensure the connection you requested, and of course the group as a whole might be more comfortable in this regard."
==================
"When you get to the enterance hall go down the long corridor to your right. At the end you'll see two rooms. Enter the one on the left, and please don't go into the room on the right."

The guard was fairly certain that the sitting room was being used at present, but he couldn't be sure. If it was, he knew the people within would not want to be interrupted.

"Understand?"

"Yeah, got it", she replied and followed the directions. She decided to use it herself since she was there anyway and then returned to the others, thanking the guard on her way back.

They strode in, or more like prowled in and retook thier former positions.

Fenris considered the proposal for a moment. "You wouldn't happen to have an Zev that are Marshalls, would you? That way I'd be able to ensure the connection you requested, and of course the group as a whole might be more comfortable in this regard."


Amelia shrugged, "We may, it has not been something that the Marshall's have ever really cared about in terms of their recruitment. I should point out that the Marshalls prior incarnation....before the creation of the Federation...did work regularly with a group of powerful creatures who likely were Zev. Unfortunatly they started a war with the Vrakians that led to their downfall and scattering across the world. The Federal Government really has no problem with people of any particular species, with the new recruitment practices we might soon recruit a few more openly Zev individuals."

Amelia paused for a second, "The Wolcott already is being assisted by the non-Zev in some matters." she indicated the elf with a nod of her head, "Although we won't claim that you should trust us immediatly, realize we do this for both our benifits. The States of the Klatch are highly xenophobic, the moment a Wolcott team is found operating in the Klatch, their going to assume their there on the behalf of some enemy state. And their going to demand the Marshalls assist in running down these spys or sabatours. With this agreement, well the Marshalls can reliablity answer that the Wolcott members is on a law enforcement task and that the Marshalls know about the mission already, the Federation will not have to needlessly waste resources, and Zev misceants will not be able to use such divisions to escape justice."

Amelia cocked her head slightly, "I have assumed that some Zev do not trust non-Zev or is there some other concern that I've missed?"

"It's nothing that severe." Fenris shook her head. "Most people don't like outsiders controlling their actions, which is one way, it seems, what you are saying. The thing is I would like to have whoever you wish to work with the teams to train with them as well. That way, when the time comes to that we may need to deal with a concern in your nation, the team will have no trouble working with that individual. Also, I'd feel more comfortable with it."

The lycan paused for a moment. "The fact is the Wolcott by definition is not to be acknowledged by non-Zev. Discussions with the council are normal, discussions with the Alpha are rare. But for a non-Zev to be in charge in part of the Wolcott's actions.... It's thousands of years of tradition, we must follow them."

"I'd also like to add something that in my eyes is important. The only reason Braedan is allowed anywhere near my team is because he's my mate. If Chairman O'Shea and asked for a non-Zev to be on a connector between the Wolcott....." She paused a moment. "Well he wouldn't have done it. The fact is, the people of Thrope are all Xenophiles and we accept every race. I can't understand Xenophobes at all. The Zev Coucil, however, is exclusive to the species. I have no problem working with non-Zev. But I refuse, REFUSE, to have them interfer with the actions of my team. I will ammend to your suggestions, but you must conform to my circumstances."

Amara smiled as she heard of Gregori's homeland. It sounded like a nice place, then again she liked her own home quiet a bit. She looked into his eyes when he had finished.

"I think I would like to visit there someday, does seem very nice. In my country, lots of forests and some grasslands and our border is mostly a string of mountain ranges that leave only a few spots that are perfectly clear." She gave a sly grin. "Vast areas that a were can have fun in with plenty of fresh meat. Course, there is also a small dragon population, but they mostly keep to the mountains. Spare for the few that are my pets."

Amara looked up as the panthers reentered the room. Her curiosity about the pair was growing with each passing second. Well, curiosity never killed the wolf. Moving from Gregori, she walked over to the pair and smiled.

"As I hope you guess already I am Amara. Where do you two come from?"

Aneera looked at Amara as Toric looked at his sister. "I don't know were we were born. We were raised in Carthage and moved to Spain just before the second punic wars against the Roman Empire. My brother fought with Hannibal's forces. And you?"

Amelia was in thought for a moment, "The Wolcott exists, and the Federation knows of its existance. Even some of the non-Zev states know. Nor are we asking for a non-Zev to be in-charge of the Wolcott's actions. An advisor is there to give information that is pertiant, and reasoned analysis, to the leader of the group. They are not there to interfere or control. Of course if said advisor notes that a course of action the leader is about to take may cause severe secondary problems, a wise leader should listen."


Amelia shifted in her seat for a moment, switching the postion of her tail, "In most circustances I expect Zev-miscreants to go 'bush' into the unclaimed territories of the Klatch. I very much doubt any advisor will be added to a Wolcott team in that instance. However, the basic idea here is to keep State interfence in Wolcott operations and visa versa to a minimum.. I think we are on the same page of what the relationship between the Marshalls and the Wolcott should be during a Klachian operation; advsiors only when needed, and the Wolcott team keeps us in the loop if no advsior is assigned."

Amelia shitfed her head slightly, turning the last phrase into a question.

Frehardt knocked softly on the door of the sitting room. He hoped he wasn't interrupting anything...

Fenris nodded. "Alright, I can accept those terms. Is that all?"

The Chairman opened the door. "May I help you?"

Amara grunted at the given age of the panthers. She doubted they were centuries old and were probably trying to buff up their appearance. Amara thought of how to answer the question to her. She didn't trust the pair and up until this point the male had yet to say a word.

"I come from the Golden Simatar...a slightly paranoid country where if you say you are a were in a bad part...lets say it will not be pretty. Great tracs of wilderness, plenty of game to hunt. There are also ice dragons in the mountains, but they do inhabit some forests. The dragons are a protected speices, kill one...your ass is in jail with hundreds of thousands in debt to the government. My parents are vampires, but they are not my biological...they were murdered by the scumsucker who made me a lycan."

She looked at Toric then back at Aneera. "Can your brother speak or is he just bashful?"

Frehardt bowed his grizzled head to the Chairman.

"Pardon me, but is there room for another in here? I was hoping to find a place to rest and recover from my journey before deliberations began."

The Chairman nodded. "Are you here for the Council discussions?" He stepped aside to let the man in.

Aneera looked over at her brother who stoof for a moment looking back, as though something were being said between them without words. Finally he reached up and pulled his collar away from his throat, revealing a jagged scar.

"He can't speak at much more than a whisper. It happened before he was changed", she told her as her brother put the collar of his shirt back in place.

(OOC: If someone could be so kind as to tell me what kind of twins they would be I would be grateful. Siamese and Identical are the only two I know and they aren't either of those.)

OOC: Fraternal. It's when two eggs get fertilized with different sperm. Unlike the other types, this results in two completely different infants who are simply born at the same time.

(OOC: Thank you, very much Thrope :) )

Frehardt bowed again before stepping inside and shutting the door. He found a chair, and sat, letting out a cross between a sigh and a yawn that sounded like a bear growling. He was tired and sore from a journey of several thousand miles. Hell, he'd had to cross three mountain ranges just to leave Grazhkjistan!

Wolcott Room
The one named Aneera seemed to be suddenly rather free with information when all that was asked of her was where they were from. She probably just wanted to prove their worth, whether it be true or not. Either way, Apep found it prudent to not mention the fact that he served with the Numidians and was one of Prince Masinissa's tactical advisors during the Battle of Zama - as it came to be known today - as they joined forces with Scipio against Hannibal. He was not certain whether this Toric fellow made it all the way to this defining battle, or whether he was captured or otherwise left the Carthaginian army by that point, but better to be safe than sorry. Apep could not have cared less if the situation were reversed, but then he did not know if this man held millennia-old grudges. Plus, he had heard that some panthers were rather temperamental.

Meanwhile, Apep merely remained quiet and motionless, learning about the people with whom he may have to work with in the near future.

Amara blinked in some shock as she saw the nasty scar on Toric's throat. "Oh dear..."

Immortality was already a rough ordeal, but going through it without the full ablity to speak must be hell for the man. This was one of the reasons Amara hated warfare, she would fight to save her life and if it was for the good of people she cared for, but from she understood of wars back then they were fought for land, wealth, and not much else.

Amara composed herself. "Well uhh...that clears up a lot. So...what do you two do for a living? Just wander or you have a regular job?"

Gregori watched as Amara left to talk to the Were Panthers. He seemed, for a moment, dissapointed, yet his curiousity soon took hold, and he watched as they talked, as well as listened. He was shocked to see the scar on the male's throat. Normally such wounds do not bode well for an animal, and Gregori knew much of the tribal world, where only the fit were fit to rule. While saddened by his state, he knew little about him, except his apparent age, which although much longer then Gregori's mere one hundred some years, was not very shocking to him, as he'd heard of the immortality of most Zev creatures. After the chatting quelled down, Gregori merely sat, staring into space, wondering what would come next for him and the group.

Frehardt figured there was still some time before deliberations began, and decided the best way to prepare himself was with a short nap.

He nodded his head forward, and slipped into a light sleep.

OOC: Okay since Alcona and Hubris hasn't replied in a week I'm moving on without her. Oh and, Grazhkjistan your character is in the sitting room, the werepanthers are in the Wolcott Chambers. I.E. They are not in the same room.

IC: Fenris accepted the lack of response as permission and left. "Farewell." She then nodded the the Chairman and the new comer before she and Braedan left.

"This could cause problems for you," Braedan commented.

"Yes, well we'll deal with it in good time."

They then continuned on to the Wolcott room. Fenris was shocked to fine Amara in discussion with the werepanthers.

"Well, nice to know you are all talking now. So, Amara and Apep, I'd like to know about all the transpired while I was away. Then I will inform you all of a small problem we have run into. After that," the lycan paused for thought. "Yes, after I explain the situation that has arisen we will all go off to the compound to adjust."

((Sorry about that. Edited post.))

"Pardon me." Amara said to Aneera as she headed back to the Alpha wolf.

She stopped in front of her and shrugged. "Not much. The panthers are siblings...Aneera and Toric. Toric was injured in the throat before he was turned...so he really can't talk very high apparently."

Amara then turned and walked back to Gregori and sat next to him. She smiled at the man and leaned back up on him. She then focused on Fenris.

"So...what is the problem?"

Wolcott Room
"That fairly well sums it," said Apep, not having moved from his position on the couch. "Unless, of course, you desire more elaborate details."

"Very well, a woman from...." Fenris turned to her partner who whispered in her ear. "From the Federated Klatchian Coast, came to talk to the Council about the Wolcott. To paraphrase, Her government fears Wolcott involment in her nation due to possible disagreements between their police and us. Thus, she wants us to work with a Marshall when we are there. We will all have to report to one. I for one hope we never have to deal with issues in that nation. If only for the fact that it really does cause problems with your training." Nicolette shook her head. "Well, does anyone have any comments before we head out?"

"Can't blame them for being nervous if the Wolcott comes into operate." Amara commented. "Anyone in their right mind would be nervous if another law enforcment group comes into their turf."

Amara looked at the other weres in the room before turning back to Fenris. "I don't have any comments."

Aneera had shrugged to the question, "We solve problems", she replied, leaving it at that.

Toric leaned into his sister again and then back after a brief whispered word.

Aneera shrugged, "I hadn't noticed."

"We must find a way to make your voice carry." Nicolette wore a cool smile. "Aneera, what did you brother say?"

Frehardt sat up, rubbing his eyes with a short grunt. When the haze of sleep wore off, he noticed a few people had left, but (fortunately?) the Chairman was still in the room, and had graciously let him sleep.

He quietly sat for a moment, before he decided to voice the question that had been pinging through his mind since the moment he was summoned.

"Mr. Chairman, The Shapechangers in Grazhkjistan haven't had contact with almost any of the other Shapechangers in the world for some time. What must the Council discuss, that you would even summon us?"

"We have decided to recreate the Wolcott, and need to establish some global rules for all Zev." The Chairman explained simply.

Aneera elbowed her brother and glared at him as he blushed, then looked back again. "Nothing worh mentioning", she replied.

Frehardt was wide awake now.

"The Wolcott? How long has it been since they were needed?"

"I suppose about two hundred and forty years." Commented the Chairman.
=============================
"Very well then." Fenris moved to a door on the left side of the room and opened it. "Shall we go?"

Amara dragged herself up to her feet and walked towards the door. She curious on what Fenris had in store for them and if she would do well. If she didn't, she could go home with no worries if not, it didn't matter to her.

"So what are we gonna do now chief?"

Apep got up quietly and waited for the others to move so that he could bring up the rear.

Frehardt sat for a moment, taking in the fact. Nearly Two and a half Centuries... over two lifetimes to the Grazhkjistanian Werebears and Werewolves, who were blessed with long life... but were, sadly, bereft of the immortality given to so many other shapechangers.

He tried to come up with something intelligent to say, but in the end, decided to simply say what he was thinking.

"This is very bad, isn't it?"

"We're going to head to the compound you'll be living in. After training the compound is like the bunk house at a fire station, you are only there when you're on shift. I'll be there permenantly." Fenris started moving down the hall walking with Braedan directly next to her and one step back. It was a sign of respect that often changed depending on the event. The hall was long.

Aneera saw them leaving, still not quite sure what she or her brother were doing here. He looked at her and she shrugged, pushing away from the wall again and motioning him to follow.

When they moved, they seemed to move as one and yet seemed different. He was the lion, stalking forward, where she was the quiet huntress moving around her prey. He seemed to want to walk straight into the conflict, where she would circle, seeking the opportunity.

(OOC: I'll be gone for a week for spring break. Ciao.)

(ooc: I say we just take a break for the week then. I have a lot of work and stuff that needs to get done)

OOC: Okay we are starting up again.

IC: When the group finally got outside there was a long, black shuttle bus awaiting them. The back was being loaded with various things, such as most of the others bags. Fenris and Braedan quickly ran diagnostic on the vehicle.

"Alright", announced the Alpha. "We're ready to go. Before we leave I will again ask if anyone has a question they wish to ask, or if they need to go to the washroom. We are not stopping until we get to HQ."

"Yeah", Aneera replied, "Just what, exactly, is this all about?"

Apep walked with his hands clasped behind his back, listening in on what was going on around him. When Aneera made the question, he glanced sidelong in their leader's direction for her response.

Fenris sighed. "You were in the room when I explained all of this, so what precisely don't you understand about our mission?"

Gregori merely followed casually in silence after gathering his small assortment of things.

Amara shrugged as she climbed into the vehicle and relaxed into the seating. "I got nothing, carry on."


ooc: probably my last post here till about the 22nd or the 24th.

"What we're being trained for", she replied. We're not exactly peace keepers."

Fenris sighed. "In any nation that has in which the Zev aren't well known by the public, we do are best to keep them out of the publics eye. We educate the young ones, and make sure the pack leaders do the same. Should a Zev in one of these nation break their nations laws in a way that would result in them being in prison during the full moon, then we simply elminate the problem. This is not a problem in nations that know they have Zev. Now, In the case of them breaking Zez law they will be taken before the Council for trial. We will simply be delivering them. All other aspects have yet to be worked out. Do you understand now?"

Nicollette was a bit tired and wanted to take a nap.

Aneera nodded and looked at her brother. "Elimination sounds good, if we have have choice of departments that is", and headed onto the bus.

"They scare me", muttered Braedan as he rested an arm around his wife.

"Yes, I'll keep them under close watch." The two then climbed onto the bus sitting on a large couch type seat along the right side in the front. They others had to sit in normals bus seats.

"Well, is everyone prepared to leave?"

*Gregori simply nods a reply at first, then chimes in*
"Yes I'm ready when everyone else is."

Amara climbed aboard the bus and sat in a chair against a window and placed her head against the cool glass. It had been a while since she had eaten a human, the craving for human flesh was nibbling away at her. She wondered if she would be allowed to eat anyone they might kill, as long as they didn't too riddle them with bullets making the meat into Swiss cheese. No one would mind probably, the person would be an enemy and to the victor go the spoils. Amara fingered her old high school ring that she still kept around her finger as she stared off into space for a while.

The young lycan simply looked at Fenris and gave a nod.

Once it was confirmed that everyone was ready to go, Fenris signalled the driver to head out. The trip was not that long and soon they came to an old, stone castle. Despite the medieval feeling of the building, the grouds were surrounded by modern fencing and security devices. The property was broad and luscious. It looked like more like a restort then headquarters.

The bus stopped and Fenris got off with her husband, signalling for the rest to follow. The group stood in the enterance hall.

"Alright, I'll be giving you a tour later on, but for now we'll take care of some rules.
First, the North Wing of the Castle is totally off bounds to all of you. It is my private quarters.
Second, you will not enter the lower levels without me being present.
Third, we will be assigning rooms based on chance. So pick a straw."

The blond Lycan pointed to a vase on the table. "The longest straw gets the best room. Go."

OOC: Alright, the draw is more like whoever posts first. The first to post gets the long straw, etc. So hurry.

Apep looked around at the setting, taking in as much of the details as he could. Places like these always brought up a sort of nostalgia for him. He opened his mouth and took in the air. As a snake, he would flick his tongue out to sense the various smells of this place, but the others might be weirded out by it, despite being lycans themselves. With a slight grin and a shake of his head, he returned his attention to the Alpha.

The lower levels sound interesting, and he wondered what was there that they could not enter without her presence. Perhaps the training course?

With a shrug, Apep slowly made his way to the designated vase and grabbed a straw.

Nicolette grinned at the snakes long straw. "Congratulations, you've got the best room out of the team quarters. I'm sure you'll like it. So, who's next?"

OOC: If you really want your person in basic surroundings you can state you go the smallest or something. So post.

Amara stared up at the castle before her. She had only seen ruins in her homeland, some of them she used to trap her human prey when she hunted. The lycan smelled the air, nothing seemed off to her. There were at least no vampires as far as she could see and if one did show up the last thing the other weres would see is a cloud of dust as Amara ran for the nearest airport. Her vampire-phobia had never, and she doubted ever, would die.

She turned to the vase and smiled at Apep as he apparently got the best room. Amara fished out a medium sized straw. Whatever it meant, it meant a room. If she could survive a year in a college dorm, she could surivive whatever they had in store here.

Braedan had finally become calm with the group. He was young and he was far to confident. He lacked the wisdom and discipline to be shown any true respect from his immortal peers, whether fey or lycan. Still, he was calm enough and knew how to act properly in public. However, this was his home, even if he'd allowed parts of it to be used for Wolcott training. He decided to go take a nap. Leaning in he whispered something into his wife ear in a mixture of gaelic and the language of the ancients. He then kissed her gently on the cheek and left.

Nicolette was about to address Amara when her husband whispered in her ear. She wasn't sure if anyone else knew what he had said, but she was still blushing violently. In all her years she had never met anyone who did what Braedan did, she was sure it had something to do with being a from the dark valley but she never asked him. He was a riddle her husband. Shy one moment, and saying....that at others. Shaking her head she addressed Amara.

"Oh good, you're room is rather nice. It's...um....very comfy." She tried to grin despite the tinge of crimson along her cheek bones.

Amara arched her eyebrow and stared at the straw in her fingers. Her expression turned from slight confusion to almost immediate distrust of the other werewolf. Nicolette's words and her blushing put her off.

"Okay...what is going on? Is there anything wrong with the room?"

Nicolette shook her head adimentally, her blush finally calming. "Oh, there's nothing wrong with your room. It's a lovely country style suite like at a B&B i was just thinking of...." She stared in the direction her husband had left in with an odd look, "other things."

Apep arched an eyebrow just a bit, slightly amused by his lucky draw. He looked back to see the others, and saw the strange interaction between Braedan and Nicolette. But it was probably none of his concern, so he pretended not to have noticed the incident.

Looking back down at his straw, he tried to remember the last time he lived in any semblance of luxury. It was a looong time ago. Granted, the term "best" here was only relative; his room might only be slightly better than dungeon cells, but he assumed that this was not the case.

Despite everything, however, he figured that at least one of the other recruits would like to have the best room as well. So, holding the straw up, he said, "If anyone desires this room, I am not opposed to switching."

Living in luxury made one soft, anyway.

Gregori reaches in, and grabs a straw of almost the exact length of Amara's. He looked at it curiously for a moment, then looked up at Braedan and Nicolette, looking at them for a moment as well.

"ah... not to interrupt... but where can I find my room? I'm not terribly interested in how luxurious it is, I just would like to get to training before the rest of them, which means I need to unpack before the rest of them." He grins slightly, looking between blushing bride and her apparently shy husband...

"Gregori, the training room is in the lower levels." Fenris was completely over what Braedan had said and was smiling a devious smile. If you thought about her previous comment you'd might notice the undertone. She had no plan on taking to the lower levels that day. She turned to Apep.

"I'm afraid you can not trade rooms. The idea of the draw was so that everyone was assigned rooms without bias. Allowing you leave the room you drew would be the same as giving in to one who wanted a better room. Everyone must deal with their choices. I'm sorry." She bowed her gently.

"Now judging by Gregori's straw, the siblings will be together. Excellant. Now, would you like me all to direct you to your rooms so that you can settle before evening meal, or would you like to tour the grounds and I'll take to your rooms after we eat?"

Aneera had folded her arms, waiting for the nonsense to end. She and her brother had been in everything from five star luxury hotel suites to filth ridden ruins, not to mention two or three cells. The surroundings didn't matter to them and they both knew it. Neither did she have an opinion about what to do next, she was drawn here by the possibility of another life. One that didn't involve looking over one's shoulder constantly and possibly having others upon which she could rely. Her brother was a good man, to good for what he was and often hard on him. He did as she told him because he was both slow and shy, unable, or unwilling to make decisions for himself, but she had vowed to her long dead parents that she would watch out for him. Of course, that was before they had become immortals.

Amara declined Apep's offer to trade rooms. As long as her room was not a sqalid affair infested with rats she was perfectly content. The young lycan felt a grumbling in her stomach. She had not eaten much since the previous night.

"I vote for our rooms then food as the first order of business."

Apep grinned at Nicolette. "Oh, if I must sleep in the best guest room, I suppose I shall have to find some way to live with it," he joshed.

He looked back over at the large dwelling. "There will be plenty of time to tour this place in the morning," Apep said. "But should the rest of the group desire to explore, I am not opposed to it."

OOC: Okay, I'm going to skip to the next morning everyone cool?

(OOC - Sounds good to me.)

ooc: go for it.

Nicolette led everyone on the team toward the dining room. "Good run everyone." The whole group had gotten up before dawn to run the whole of the grounds, twice. Everyone was pretty much exhausted as they walked toward the breakfast the council authorized staff had laid out. The white haired lycan dabbed the towel that hung around her neck along her damp brow. She opened the door to let everyone in and found her husband lounging on the couch in the alcove next to enterance in nothing ,but a pair of button jeans with the top button undone. His hair was wet and slicked back, and he radiated with the unnatural beauty elves all seemed to have.

"What are you doing?!", gasped Fenris as her jaw dropped.

Braedan stretched his back and flexed each muscle of his body. Then smiled impishly at his wife. "It's my house. I can do as I please."

"Yes, but there are others here."

Braedan's black eyes flashed with challenge. Now that his initial nervousness wore off, the young elf exhibited brazeness and confidence that were unthinkable. "You don't mind do you, Collette?" He let the last word drip of his tongue like honey.

Fenris simply glared.

The young elf turned to Amara. "Do you mind that I do this in my home?"

Amara stared at the elf, she had to admit he did have a wonderful body unlike anything she had seen before in a man. But, her senses came back to her, he was married and Amara wipped her own towel on her forehead. She had not run like that in...years. She did jog of course around the farm with her pet dragon flying next to her, but she guessed all the travel made her uneasy.

She turned back to the elf as he spoke to her. Amara looked at him and shrugged. "I don't mind at all...its your house, do what you please."

Braedan smiled victoriously. "See, she agrees with me."

Fenris curled her lip and snarled before pushing past the laughing elf.

"So," smiled the young man. "How did you all enjoy your morning?"

Toric was leaning over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. Has massive physique was obviously more for brute force than endurance and he was trying to catch his breath.

Aneera seemed barely winded, her rangy quick muscled body built for endurance, the opposite of her massive brother.

Toric, still trying to catch his breath, gave her some kind of hand signal that made her grin.

"I don't know", she replied, "May be the morning ritual from here on out. Or. Maybe tomorrow it'll be four laps."

Toric seemed to deflate like a balloon at the idea and his sister grinned, slapping him good naturedly on the back. "Come on, suck it up. There's food waiting."

That seemed to bolster him and he stood up following Aneera who in turn followed Fenris, assuming she was heading to the breakfast table.

Fenris sat at the head of the table after serving herself from the buffet in the back of the room. She smiled at the two panthers. "Thank you for not encouraging Braedan. Did the night see you well?"

Amara noted Fenris seemed slightly ticked off that her husband was walking around half naked. Amara wipped herself off a bit more before getting herself a plate of bacon, sausage, ham and a glass of orange juice. Something she never liked about being a werewolf. She could only eat meat yet she could drink whatever she wanted. Amara had tried to eat some chocolate some time ago, but she had gotten sick for a few days. She didn't know if it was just her breed of werewolves or if it was all weres in general.

She sat at the table and stared at Braedan. "My morning has been fine. I haven't woken up this early since college."

Amara was silent for a bit, remembering her years as a human fondly before looking back at the elf. "How was your morning?"

Braedan grinned. "Oh I had a lovely morning. Slept until an hour ago then had a nice, hot, steamy shower."

Fenris shook her head. "Amara, have you ever heard the legend of the elves of the Dark Valley?"

Amara was eating a piece of bacon when Fenris spoke to her. She nibbled on the meat for a bit before swallowing and shaking her head as she sipped some orange juice.

"No I cannot say I have. I have only arrived in this nation a few days ago and the only elves I have met are one or two in Tarlachia. Why? What are the legends?"

"The dark valley is home of some of Thrope's greatest warriors. The elves that live there are unbelievably talented at many skill, especially fighting. However, their skills have always seemed unnatural. Legend has it that one of the ancients sold the soul of every male for future generations, so that they could all be great. As a result, the young elven boys must repay their debt by acting as incubus to all women, except their true loves."

The white haired lycan nibbled on a muffin, as her husband glared at her.

"That's a myth."

"No it's a legend, which means it has a grain of truth to it."

"Your welcome", Aneera replied in a tone that seemed to hold some knowledge of what Fenris was going through without being condesending. "The night past as well as could be expected."

Toric frowned at her from his place at the buffet table where he was heaping food onto his plate. Aneera sat at the table, not going to the buffet.

"You know I didn't mean anything by it", she replied to his frown. He set the plate down went back for two large glasses of juice. As he ate he pushed the choicest pieces to the side and ate heartily of the rest while Aneera ate little from the pieces he set aside for her. Niether really noticed what they were doing, it was something that had become second nature to them both.

"Aneera, your brother truly respects you, whether or not the two of you have noticed." The Alpha smiled sweetly and nodded at the two panthers.

Amara listend to Fenris as she talked about the dark valley elves. It sounded like the start of any legend she had read in some books at home. She drank some orange juice and rasied an eyebrow at the word incubus. Though she was somewhat familiar with supernatural creatures including vampires (which she was very much afraid of), lycans, angels, and various other creatures; she never heard of it before.

"What exactly is an incubus?"

Oi, his legs were gonna to be sore that night, no doubt about it. It had been a while since Apep ran so much. Heck, it had been a while since Apep ran even a fraction of that.

He was originally planning to go hunting for some gopher or other rodents in the field that morning rather than have a normal breakfast, but his legs were so weary and heavy that he decided to just sit down and move as little as possible instead.

The Braedan incident was not looked very highly upon by him, though. Call him old-fashioned, but that was not how a host acted toward his guests, not to mention the indecency of it all. Apep's view of the elf dropped dramatically, but he gave no indication of any of his feelings.

At the table, he ate quietly, listening in on the conversation at hand and occassionally massaging his legs to keep them from getting too sore.

"I swear to the heavens Nik, if you call me a demon." Braedan's eyes burned like black flames.

"An incubus is a male demon. They are unnaturally handsome. They seduce women, and after this the woment die."

"Yes, and a female of this kind of demon is known as a sucubus." Braedan stared angrily at his wife, placing intonation on the last word.

"Please ignore him, he's still very young. With impatient parents." She faced Apep. "So are you ready for training after breakfast?"

Amara didn't like the sound of an 'incubus', it sounded like some kind of minor demon to her. Braedan didn't seem at all like one, so she didn't think much of it. Still, it did freak her out a little bit. The young lycan finished her orange juice and got another glass. She faced Braedan.

"If you don't mind me asking, is there any evidence to show that the dark valley elves are or aren't incubus? I mean, I imagine that elves date and if it is like humans the first person you kiss might not be your true love."

"It depends on the type of training and how long after breakfast," Apep replied to Nicolette in all earnesty. "If it's physical training directly afterwards, I must decline." A partial smile appeared at the edge of his lips, "Some people think of us reptiles as lazy, always basking in the sun after a full meal. But us reptiles are the ones who truly understand the body, you see! Major physical activity after a meal is very unhealthy for you."

He dabbed his lips with his napkin. "Mental training, on the other hand? Any time is a good time for that...unless, of course, I should fall into a food-induced slumber," he grinned.

"But in all seriousness," Apep continued, "what did you have in mind?"

Nicolette was focused on Apep and had tuned out the other conversations. "We'll be touring the lower levels. I want to make sure that everyone knows those areas as well as possible. Just because I want to be down their when everyone else is, does not mean I want to play baby sitter." She smiled. "We're all adults."

Braedan frowned at Amara. He didn't mean to, but he didn't like the rumors and it was an insult that anyone believed them. "Incubi only kill after sexual relations. They have to go all the way to kill."

"Ah, a sight seeing tour," Apep nodded. "A stroll would be most delightful."

"Oh..." Amara said with obvious suprise to Braedan's explination. "I see..."

There was an awkward silence that followed, Amara took a bit of sausage and drank some orange juice. She was suprised by it but felt some relam of safety that the only victims to incubus and sucubus had to make love to them before being killed. She smiled at the elf and drank some more orange juice.

"So...well...if you don't mind me asking what do you do for a living?"

Braedan frowned. "I work for Nicollette. Well, presently at least. I'm the non-Zev representative that reports to the council about the Wolcott"

Amara nodded to Braedan. She was tempted to ask him how he and his wife met, but decided against it. Instead, she quickly finished her breakfast and had another two glasses of orange juice. She sat down again, feeling much better.

"So, what is on the schedual for today?"

Nicollette played with a chocolate chip muffin. "I'm giving you a full tour of the training room, we'll have lunch, then you're all training. I'm sure your warm up will have you somewhat prepared for this afternoon."

Toric smiled at the comment and Aneera glanced at him and nodded. "I do what I can", she replied and then began listening to the incubus conversation.

At the mention of training Toric glanced over at Nicolette eagerly. He was glad to be able to do some real training, instead of running his feet off.

(OOC - Sorry for long delays in response. No comp at home at the moment and it might be a little while before I get one. So I can only on briefly from work.)

Nicollette smiled softly at Toric's reaction to the mention of training. "You know, Toric, I do believe you're a cub who's never grown up, always wanting to play fight." Her face brightened in a perfect smile, a mixture of sweetness and wisdom that melted all harhness away from the lycan.

"When you say 'training', do you mean like transforming into our animal shapes and work or stay in human form?"

Amara asked Fenris. She noted the look of eagerness in Toric's face, he apparently loved it. Amara on the other hand, the only training she had done was work out in the weight room at home and learning of how to survive in the wilderness in case when she woke up one morning after a hunt to find herself miles from home she could get back safely. Thankfully that had only happened once and she didn't travel for long before her dragon found her and brought her home.

Amara's question may have seemed a bit strange, but for her transforming was not the smooth painless experiance like she had seen so many times on TV and in the movies. It was getting done faster as her age increased, but it was still very painful as her bones snapped and extended into position. It was why she turned only when she absolutly had to.

"And, if we're doing training...no need to change nor shower I guess."

Toric seemed lost for a moment in Nicollette's lovely smile until Aneera, noticing his stare, nudged him, "Yeah and with others here maybe you won't have to beat the crap out of me."

She looked at Nicollette, "He's a big teddy bear at heart, but he knows how to fight and he likes the competition."

Toric nudged her and signed to her. It wasn't a standard sign langauge, but rather something they had developed between them that Aneera referred to as battle sign.

She grinned and nodded, "Okay, your a big cat, not a bear."

OOC: Is it too late to introduce a new character into the story? And if it isn't, would a were-rat be a reasonable character?

Nicolette addressed Amara's concerns first. "Training today is mostly just an introduction the faciilties downstairs, which are for human training and such. Oh...and you should wait to shower. I for one will be having a nice long bubble bath, my back is killing me" Fenris rolled her back then addresed the cats.

"I'm sure he'll find some parts of training challenging and fun. But if he breaks the simulator then I'm making him do laps." Her smiled turned a bit devilish. "And not the easy stuff we did today."

OOC: No, it's not to late. But were-rat is unreasonable. The change in size is impossible, but if you have another animal....

Toric's eyes widened at the mention of the excersize today as easy and Aneera grinned. She looked at him, "Better take it light, Tor. But I'm sure they can find something to challenge you none the less."

Toric dropped his eyes, going back to his eating and carefully setting aside the choice meats for his sister.

The door opens and Gregori waddles through panting.

"Eh... sorry, I thought we... were doing a bit more then we apparently were. What did I miss?"

It was then that he noticed everyone eating, and quite nearly finished at that. He let out an overexaggerated sigh.

"Eh... breakfast... nice..."

Slumping down after grabbing a bit of different types of meats, his entrance is a bit less then graceful, and his sweat is a bit less then pleasant at the table. Still, he keeps a modicum of manners about him, trying not to act out more then he already has, though noticing that by now he was attracting a lot of interest as to exactly WHY he had done twice the amount of laps he should have. He smiled at least now they know what I can physically do, now I just need to prove that I'm smarter then I look.

Fenris frowned. "I was telling everyone how after breakfast I would put you all through the paces, but you appear to have tuckered yourself out." The white haired wolf smiled coldly. "I hope you'll be able to keep better track of the group while on missions." Her smile then brightened and she addressed teh rest of the group. "Did everyone have from pancakes? They are yummy!"

Braedan chuckled, leaning in to whisper to Amara. "Looks like I'm off the hook."

Amara smiled at Braedan and spoke loud enough for only him to hear. "Thank God for small miracles."

The young lycan turned and looked down at the smelly Gregori, obviously a lot of strength but possibly a bit oblivoius too. His current smell bothered her a bit though, yet she wouldn't say anything as everyone at the table also smelled to some degree. Amara looked up at Fenris.

"No I didn't try the pancakes or anything that isn't meat. One of the most depressing things about being a werewolf is I can only eat meat yet I can drink whatever I please...if I eat anything besides some kind of meat or flesh...I get fairly sick."

Fenris tilted her head. "Who else her is a turned? Can anyone else who's been turned eat normal food?"

Amara noticably shuddered at the mention of 'turned'. If someone asked her her opionion on her lycan father she would have turned dark and angry. She had liked the boy who bit her, Marcus Dante. He looked her age, was polite, gave a good laugh and had a brilliant mind. Then, she saw his darkside after her first transformation, his brutality towards humans, his coldness...he had killed her friends and family simply because they would not let him have her. She had felt some joy when she had blown his brains across her living room, yet the curse had not been lifted from her. It was there, an immortal eighteen year old. Her dreams, hopes and all were gone with just one bite. And slowly, immortality was gnawing away at her sweetness and slowly causing her to retreat from the world with some people.

Amara shook her head and drank some more orange juice as she looked around the table, wondering if she was the only one turned.

"Turned? I don't believe I catch your meaning sir... if you mean have I transformed... then yes, I have, all my people who live in our old tribal villages remain in our natural form when possible. I only become what I am right now when I wish to speak as I am right now, to other humans or lycans in my case..."

He then looks over the table once more, and with a grin adds,

"And elven, of course."

He then takes a bit of meat before remembering the other bit of the question.

"Oh! And yes, I can eat somethings that aren't meat. Chocolate though none of my people can eat... we tend to be like most canines in that regard, as chocolate is a toxin to us."

Amara looked at Gregori. "No...not turned as in natural forms."

Amara's body was noticably tense and there was some moisture in her eyes. She shuddered and her voice was cracked as she talked, her eyes thousands of miles away. "Bitten by a werewolf, living through the attack, going through weeks of tortuous pain as it rips your body from the inside...till the first moon and you hunt...kill a human...and when you wake, realize you have been cursed. Forever an eighteen year old...your dreams shattered forever."

Amara's eyes refocused and came spinning on Gregori. Though Amara had no problems with eating humans if they were criminals, she didn't want to kill an innocent. She also loved and hated her lycanism, it was something thrust upon her and since she never had contact with any immortals spare for her new parents who were vampires, boredom was eating away at her. Her voice was hard and sharp as she spoke her final sentence.

"That is what is meant by turned. Being bitten by a lycan and changing from human to a lycan. As you can see...I was bitten in my teen years."

"My poor dear girl, how horrid that must have been for you." Nicollette shook her head. "I'm sorry to make an example of you, my child, but you are the perfect example of what we are to protect the world from. A young girl of no more then eighteen having her world thrust upside down. It is truly a sin." She shook her head. "I hope you do not judge the rest of us by the actions of the one who has bitten you. I know you haven't had many encounters with other Zev."

Amara turned and looked at Fenris, some uncontrolled rage was still in the girl. "After Marcus? Damn fucking right I didn't want any encounters with any other weres...that fuck...that..."

Tears formed up in Amara's eys as the painful memories of the three month ordeal from when she was bit to where the Malone's took her in. The pain in her shoulder from the bite, the nightmares, constant sweating and mirgraines, the images...

"He murdered my friends and family...carved them up like they were nothing more than steak. My mother...her face was nearly gone with her throat...my friends...Twitch....."

Amara fell silent as she remembered Troy 'Twitch' Achenbach. Her best friend in the whole world, from the police reports that Stephen had obtained, he had been slowly ripped apart muscle group by muscle group and had still been alive up until his head was ripped off.

Tears fell from her eyes as she slouched back in her chair and stared at the glass of orange juice before her.

Nicollette rose and slid over to Amara. She smoothed the girls hair and embraced her. As impulsive and tough as the white haired lycan might be she had wonderful instincts, and a huge heart. Her voice was soft, sweet, and maternal.

"Mara, would you like to take a nap? I could call Stephen and you can talk to him, would that make you feel better?" She smiled comfortingly. "You are amazingly strong in spirit, most others could not have survived as well as you did. I've only known you a day, but I'm sure that if you're family and friends could see what a wonderful woman you've become, they'd be proud."

Apep simply continued eating, not showing any signs of what his thoughts were.

He agreed with Nicolette's comment about Gregori. Working in a team did not mean going off and doing one's own thing, whether intentionally or not. Plus, Gregori's inability to understand what running around the grounds twice meant did not speak highly of him in Apep's mind. Either that or Gregori took his sweet time in running those two laps. Whichever way you went, it was not a good impression the man made. Though, of course, Apep remained silent on the matter.

Then the topic of turning came up; a topic Apep did not care much for. Though he was born the way he was, he had done his share of turning others. That was ages ago, though, before the days of the Wolcott, and he would rather not dwell on his questionable past.

Amara's response surprised him a little, though. Did she not mention yesterday that she was a century or so old? And yet, to be so emotional about it, still. Such...weakness...

And Nicolette, to treat Amara so softly. Had Amara been one of Apep's soldiers, Apep would have responded very differently. A soldier needed discipline, not mothering. But then this was not an army, so things were different.

Mentally shaking his head, Apep pushed those thoughts out of his mind. He was getting too cynical in his old age, but then most people who lived as long as he had would be too. He just kept reminding himself to not let these initial impressions from coloring his view of these people too much.

And that he should keep quiet. Yes, more often than not, silence was the best thing.

So for Gregori seemed to agree with Apep on one thing... silence is golden.

He merely thought what it must have been like to actually be turned, and shuddered slightly at the thought... he didn't know which was worse in his mind, the idea that at one point he would have to not be a lycan to be turned, or to turn into a lycan like Amara did, having her whole world go upside down in front of her. Gregori merely looked at Amara calmly, using what little knowledge he had at calming people to do so. He stayed silent, looked calm as to not provoke undue stress, and listened intently, letting her dwell on Nicolette's words, who seemed much more able to calm Amara's well placed hysteria then he would be. There was one thing he learned from the experience however... he knew these next few weeks, nay, months would be filled with... interesting personality quirks. He smiled inwardly as he thought of this, and took his last piece of bacon.

Amara blinked and looked at Fenris and shook her head. "No...its alright. I'll be fine, really."

Those who first meet Amara would probably be surprised by the many moods she had. From a mature and thoughtful person, to a fragile youth and even to some a cold hearted bitch. She had yet to show the last one to the group. As with everyone's thoughts, immortality had picked up her life, shook it, flipped it and shot it like a rail gun round into a concrete wall. Inside, Amara's teenager had yet to fully die and was sometimes in competition with her mature self and others with the bitch that immoratality brought.

Amara felt stupid with her outburst, probably lost whatever respect she had here. At Fenris's mention of her family and friends, they would be proud of some parts and horrorfied at others. Amara composed herself.

"I'll be alright...sorry for the outbust."

Fenris nodded, and stood. "If you're all done we'll be going to the lower levels now." She made a mental note about Amara, and walked out of the room.

Apep wondered what was to be done with the dishes. Was there a servant whom he had not noticed? Or maybe the husband?

Before Nicolette could go too far out of the room, he picked his plate up and carried it over to the sink. It was the least he could do at the moment. If nothing else, he could come back to wash it later.

He then followed the alpha out the door she went through.

Aneera and Toric rose and followed the woman out, not having said anything during Amara's outburst, nor even seeming to take notice of it.

Gregori rose last having finished last, shaking out the aches that his extra running had caused him and followed the alpha down to the lower levels with the rest of them.

Braedan followed only until he could catch up with his wife. "I'm a jerk", he muttered before kissing her gently on the cheek and walking off. The white haired lycan grinned, Braedan really was an angel when he wasn't showing off.

They reached an elevator with a keypad next to it. The alpha tapped in a code and the doors opened. Once everyone was in, the elevator doors closed and they went down the the training room. After a moment, the door's opened again.

The bottom level of the building was filled with various items. There was a fully stocked armory, full stocked work out room, firing range, obstacle courses, simulators, mind puzzles, and other miscellanious items.

Nicollette offered the Reader's Digest version of all the possibilities the lower levels had to offer.

"Feel free to explore for the next few hours and do as you please, except Gregori." She turned to address the man she'd just mentioned, "Go into the battle sim, Start on level 10, I'll be raising the level every twenty minutes for the next two hours." She smiled darkly.

Amara had not spoken since her outburst, being a little embarassed; though at least now no one would ask her of how an eighteen year old girl became a werewolf. She stared at the equipment in the room and gave a shrug. The work out area and the firing range reminded her a little of home, yet this place didn't have pool.

She walked up to one of the firearm racks, her fingers tracing over the contors of the weapons. Amara knew how to properly shoot a firearm, very well as a matter of fact since Stephen had been ex-special forces. Amara continued to explore, looking at a few computers which seemed to be for some kind of mind game.

Amara put her hands on her hips. What to do...what to do...

Aneera went to work on the mind puzzles with her agile brain while Toric went over the weapons in the armory, practicing with one then another. While she worked through the puzzles he became familiar with the various weapons, never missing the target and rarely missing the bullseye except on the first one or two shots.

Apep was interested in the mind games, but he was more interested in what Gregori had to go through. Wondering if the other man's training in the battle sim room could be viewed, he followed behind Nicolette.

Amara jumped slightly from the first crack of a rifle as Toric began to run through the weapons. The young lycan decided it was time to brush up on firearms skills as it had been a few months since she had last handled a weapon. She smiled at him as she picked up a M16A2 and a magizine and box of bullets. She whistled as she calmly loaded the magizine and placed it in.

Amara adjusted the sights and charged the weapon. Her first shot hit just an inch right of the bullseye. Another adjustment, gunshot, half inch to the right, one more adjustment, a pull of the trigger, dead on. She smiled as she slowly and calmly squeezed off the rest of the magizine.

She gave Toric another grin as she removed the magizine, made sure the breech was clear and replaced the weapon. Next on her list, her nations primary assualt rifle, the Heckler and Koch G36.

Toric smiled in return at Amara’s approach and continued practicing. He gave a low whistle and nodded approvingly at her grin after she squeezed off the rest of the magazine and then reached for another weapon. He did the same, having emptied the magazine on his own rifle.

Nicolette smiled knowingly as Apep walked over.

"You know I think Greg is the only one who I won't be able to assign based on first impressions. Everyone else seems to continue to fit the roles I primarily chose. Even you Apep." Her smile grew.

"So you want to watch?"

"I shall take that as a compliment," Apep said with a slight grin.

With a nod, he said, "And yes, if you don't mind. Playing with puzzles, shooting bullets, and lifting weights are one thing; those usually don't fight back. This, I assume, does. The best way to defeat an enemy is by knowing the enemy. And I have a feeling that this battle sim would be one for all of us."

Amara smiled back at Toric, what she had seen so far of the panther she liked. Despite the fact he couldn't talk, he seemed like a great guy. Once she had finished with another weapon, her hands felt a tad on the tingle. It was the same kind of feeling she had when she used to mow the lawn, the constant motion suddenly going away but the feel still in the flesh.

Putting up the weapons she had used, Amara walked over to one of the mind game consoles and started to play. She decided to play a game or two before finding a vacant wrestling area to change and streach out her wolf.

Fenris nodded. "That you should, and yes. The simulator does pack quite a whallop. I tested it the other day and.... Well, Gregori will either quit, follow instruction better from now on, or we have a problem."

"Ah, so you are using the room as a form of punishment," Apep said. "At least, this time around."

"Those who are weak of mind or body must train, those who are emotional should be comforted then observed to ensure they will not be a problem, and those who cannot follow command must be taught to do so." Fenris stated simply. "Insubordination is not something I can easily forgive." She turned up the level on the machine. "Would you like to hear where I think everyone should be placed?"

Amara had left the mind games and had gone to the sparing room. Stripping of her sweat shirt, she wore a skintight black t-shirt with Warrenton University scrawled in white across the front. She walked up to a punching bag and slammed her fist hard into it, the bag swung slightly but didn't fly off the chains like she had expected. Smiling, she brought up her fists and positioned herself like Stephen had taught her.

Amara started to move around it and began with some punches and kicks to it.

Thump...Thump.....Thump.Thump

"Hmm," Apep nodded to Fenris' initial statement. Indeed, insubordination should not be tolerated at all. Nicolette was a lot more humane in her treatments, though. Ages ago, when Apep himself was in charge of a host of soldiers, his punishments were much less forgiving. But again, he tried not to dwell on those more questionable days of his past.

"I would be very interested to hear," he said in reply to her question.

"You would be second in command, Toric would be on weapons, his sister would be central control, Gregori would be an inforcer, and Amara will be the The Girl Friday. By that I mean, I plan to use Amara where and when she is needed. She seems to be a Jack of all trades." Fenris sighed and shook her head. "I really wish I had more people to work with."

ThumpThumpThumpThump.Thump..Thump...Thump......Thump

Amara slowed down to a stop with her attacks on the bag. She wiped her brow and gave the bag another kick. The young lycan looked back out the open door to the main area from the small room. She walked up to it and shut it and locked it. She stripped and neatly piled her clothes in the corner. She closed her eyes and began to growl.

Amara spasmed as she felt her bone snap, twist and grow, her hair began to shorten and turn to black, more black hair grew up around her head and down her back, her face began to quiver before her jaw and cheek bones began to stretch outward, her teeth began to lengthen into long dagger fangs, all within the span of less than ten seconds, she was finished.

Amara (http://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/images/underworld36.jpg) felt better after her transformation. She didn't like it...it was painful but needed as she wanted to stretch out her wolf muscles. Giving a low growl of content, she turned her focus back to the punching bag. She resisted slashing it, that would cause an unneeded mess. So, she would punch it for now, unless something better came along. Her tongue lashed across the teeth, it had been a while since she had sunk them into human flesh; hopefully she would be able to sometime.

Shaking her head, the lycan began to beat the sandbag again.

"If the year is good to your field so that your vineyard is bountiful and produces much fruit, then you can fill many bottles of wine. But if the year is harsh and the earth does not offer much to you, then you severely prune the vines so that what few fruits they do bear will create such quality of wine that they will be worth more than all those bottles combined from the good year," Apep said in response to Nicolette while continuing to watch Gregori's progress through the battle sim room. "Everyone here has potential, but we all also have a great many unfruitful branches. Prune us, and we will show that this Wolcott can do just as well as any other ones did despite our numbers."

His head swiveled to look at the alpha. "I'm curious at your choice to put me as second, though. That I'm aware of, I haven't shown any abilities to command the others..."

The corner of Nicollette's mouth tilted upwards. "Well, I do have a file on all of you. You have some nice character references." She shrugged. "Besides, the only individuals who have prior leadership experience are you and Gregori, and you seem better suited to the position. I'm going to check on the rest of the group, keep an eye on Gregori's progress please." The alpha began to walk away, then looked over her shoulder, "Nice analogy, by the way." She smiled, then walked over to where Toric was working with the weapons to observe him.

Toric had finished test firing the weapons and had begun taking them apart, cleaning them and oiling them. One he had set aside, left apart as he continued on with the others. At her approach Toric looked up at Nicollette. He stood up and gestured toward the one that he had left apart. Leaning in close to her he whispered, "Have you a work shop, I need to make a new firing pin for that one, it's broken."

He leaned back, looking at her, a strange mixture of innocence, dangerous skill and massive build. After a moment, before she could answer he leaned in again, "I have fashioned more effect bullets as well, if you like I could make them", then he leaned back again, looking at her.

****************

Aneera had worked through the puzzles rather easily and shifted toward the system in general. She began hacking through the system, bypassing security systems and seeking the core programming with an expert skill. She assumed the system was stand alone for the training area and not connected to the rest of the house. If it was it would be a foolish move and Nicollette didn't seem like a fool in any way.

A small pixie flew on the screen of the computer. She had a small book and opened it. "No hacking!",read the little pixie. "Now I have to stop you"...
===========
Nicolette smiled at Toric. "Of course, if you allow me to watch your progress. I was just saying to Apep that..." Suddenly, the all the lights and programs shut down. Ten seconds later, Red lights turned on, but nothing else. Nicolette growled.

"Alright who tried to access central programming for this level?"

At that moment, the pixie program appeared on all the monitors on the level. "System Mainframe shut down, System will reboot in two hours. Lifts will be operational in twenty minutes." The pixelated pixie curtsied and Nicolette's mouth disappeared into a thin line of anger.

Toric picked up one of the automatic rifles he had finished with and loaded it, stepping in front of Nicollette and looking around protectively.

"Alright who tried to access central programming for this level?"

He sighed once she said this and looked in Aneera's direction.

"Whoa", Aneera breathed out loud, "this is either one hell of a security system or I'm losing my touch."

She stood up looking around and spotted Nicollette, "HEY, who installed this security system, it ROCKS."

As soon as the lights went off, Amara halted, when the reds came on she was back in human form. She unlocked and opened the door, she had only put on her bra and underwear and was now bouncing into her pants.

"What the hell is going on? Are we being attacked?"

"Ah," came Apep. That would make sense. Though the nice character references bit somewhat surprised him. He had never seen the file the Council kept on him, of course, but to actually have some good comments in there... Perhaps the last two plus millennia of trying to make up for past misdeeds was finally starting to get the attention of the Council. The fact that Fenris would even consider him in a leadership position again despite his history was saying a lot about her character as well.

"Certainly," he said to Nicolette's request. He smiled and gave a slightly tilted nod to her compliment before going back to watching Gregori. But then the battle sim room shut down, along with everything else, and the emergency lights came on a short while later.

Apep froze, his senses on high alert when everything went black. Nothing seemed out of place, though, but one of his hands inched toward a dagger he had hidden in his clothes just in case. After Nicolette's question and Aneera's response, however, he relaxed.

"False alarm," he said to Amara. "It appears one of our members has attempted to access restricted information on the computer."

Nicolette turned to Amara. "We aren't under attack. It seems that, Aneera hacked the system. This in turn set off the guardian program I set up. The whole training level is shut off. The lifts are out for another twenty minutes." She turned to Aneera. "I'm impressed with your talent, but did you learn anything?"

"Oy..." Amara said as she slumped onto a couch. She didn't bother pulling up her pants all the way as the adrenline was drained from her blood. She closed her eyes, thinking of home, her pet ice dragon Tolkien, Stephen and Nicole...

Amara snapped herself from this thought as she thought about the hacking. Aneera would have been a hit with the technology club back in the university as they tried to hack into Microsoft and make it a better program for the 'heathens' of the school system who didn't use Lienux.

Amara opened her eyes and looked across the red colored room. "Reminds me at home when the sun is about to rise. Or when Tolkien gets at the electrics."

(OOC: TG, Thrope)

Apep had not noticed Amara's attire, for he was looking in the direction of the hacker when he spoke to her. Finally looking toward the young wolf, he arched an eyebrow, wondering what she could possibly be doing that she had to take her clothes off for.

Looking over at Nicolette, he said, "I assume there are stairwells that lead back upstairs?"

Nicolette shook her head. "No, the lift is the only way in or out. Short of flying or slything through the air ducts, which I would not recommend."

No exit other than through the non-functional lift. And the only other exits were not recommended. This place was starting to sound like a death trap.

"Is that not a fire hazard, then?"

She shook here head."There will be an exit that does into a walkway under the property that exits by the lake." Nicolette explained. "It's only at present, a third complete"

"That makes me feel a whole lot safer." Amara said with sarcasm. "When will the other two thirds be done?"

Nicolette made a face. "I'm sorry I mean it's two thirds complete. The other third should be complete by this time next week. I didn't think it was a concern because the lifts work is almost all situations." The Alpha breathed an exasperated sigh

OOC: Sorry I'm a bit out of it

Toric simply lowered his weapon and shook his head, casting glances at Amara furtively and shifting around a bit as though trying not to look.

Aneera, at Nicollette's question, nodded. "Non-standard defensive protocal setup, but pretty crafty. Seperate subroutine, not associated with the primary program. Nice touch, gives a nasty surprise to whoever tries to hack in. But complete shutdown? You don't have any defensive measures in place?" After a moment she answered her own question, "No .... no of course you wouldn't. You would play hell trying to give the system everyones bio readings so it doesn't blast everyone into oblivian."

Amara caught Toric's eyes. "Toric what are you...oh my...oh dear..."

Amara felt a draft of cool air across her mid section, she looked down and jumped in suprise. She finally noticed even after the rush she had neglected to pull her pants the rest of the way on and put her shirt back on. Her face blushing to the point of explosion, she pulled her pants on the rest of the way, ran back to the room she was in and threw on her University shirt before reappearing.

Her blush had faded...slightly.

"The lift, does it have an emergency hatch in the roof?" Apep asked. Most modern elevators did, and the interior of this place was quite modern, especially considering how parts of it was still under construction.

While they may not be in any immediate danger, Apep would feel better if there were more than just one (dysfunctional) exit from this place should they need it very soon. This place would be very poorly designed indeed if there were no emergency hatch in the elevator car that they could climb up into the shaft through to reach another level.

"Yeah, the system would completely overload. That's the main reason we didn't finish the exit yet. I tried to copy bio readings and test the system. Unfortunately it kept attacking the construction workers even when the defence system wasn't supposed to be operation. Then I tried a security override for the weapons systems, but I figured if anyone could hack as far as you did into the system, the codes that would have to be created to ensure the hacker couldn't turn the system against me....well that would be too complicated in an emergency situation."

At Apep's words Nicolette cringed. "Yes." She blushed with embarrassment at forgetting something so obvious. "The lift does have an escape hatch."

"By the gods, what are you so worried about? They're only going to be down for a few minutes." Aneera was quiet a moment. "Did you try setting up a subroutine for the bio screening program? That way you only have to delete or add the bios in the subroutine. It could still be hacked but bios take time to put in. More time than your typical intruder would either have or want to take. And since this is an isolated system from the main house they would have to hack two systems. The house to get on the ground and then here before they get caught. It wouldn't be impossible, but they would have to have a definite purpose, be damn determined and be damn good."

Toric, himself, flushed slightly as Amara realized what he was looking at and moved closer to his sister as she spoke to Nicollette. He obviously didn't understand what she was talking about, but he was to embarrassed to bother asking questions.

"alright. You and I will create the program this evening after supper while Toric is in the weapons shop." She smiled at the male panther. "There may be some council members visiting at nine, and I'd ask you all to be on your best behavior." She addressed the whole group then turned back to the brother and sister. "Shouldn't take more then three hours should it?"

Amara stared at Toric as he walked to his sister. She gave a smile and as she walked, she made sure to pass a few inches from him and whispered loud enough for only him to hear.

"You're a handsome man."

Amara didn't pause for a response as she kept walking, she cocked her head around and flashed him another grin before turning back around. The wolf sat down on another couch and waited for the lift to come. She looked at Nicolette as she told them of the visitors.

"I'll be a good little dog don't you worry."

Aneera considered a minute and nodded. "Three hours for the setup, yeah. Half an hour to an hour for voice recognition in the system. An algorithm for voice stress recognition is what'll be the bear, but it can be done. Then I'll want to pair the voice to the bio rhythm. That'll give you full voice command once it's done and everyone else general voice command like lights and such, but the basic system can be in place in about three and half hours or so."

Toric watched Amara as she moved to the seat, admiring her as she sat down.

Aneera noticed his eyes and gave a mischievous grin. "So I figure you can get that done easily enough", she said after nudging him.

He snapped his attention back and nodded agreeably, though he had no clue what he was agreeing to.

"Good", Aneera replied to his nod, "a mobile weapons platform would come in handy I think."

Toric swallowed, but nodded again, wondering just how he was going to manage that while Aneera gave Nicollette a grin and a wink.

Nicolette smiled. "Great."
OOC: okay now for a huge flash forward to 8:45 that evening. Oh and just so you can know; This Braedan (http://www.akunou.com/img/ga/lii-1.jpg) (but you have to inverse the colors. so the blue is tan and the white is black) and this is Nicolette (http://ewancient.lysator.liu.se/pic/fanq/j/o/jonasz/veela.jpg)
IC: Nicolette sat long blue dress She watched the rest for the rest of the group to enter the room before the guests arrived. Braedan lounged silently in a corner preparing to play host. This night was on Braedan's head, while Nicolette was still responsible for her team.

Going to a fancy dress party was not in Amara's mind when she started on her few month 'mind clearing' world tour. She had packed some nice clothes in case she met a nice guy to go out with for a night or two. But, that had yet to happen. Luckily for the group, Amara had not shown her bitch side yet.

She entered the room wearing a raven black blouse that matched her hair and seemed to shine in the light. It was by far the nicest thing she could wear next to some jeans and t-shirts.

Amara saw Braedan and gave a brief smile to him before going to Nicolette.

"Mind if I ask what the purpose of this little visit is...and...are they any vampires in this group?"

Aneera entered in a unitard while Toric was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt announcing that he was a fan of the older rock group heart. She entered the room on his left, cut in front of him and exited on his right as he stopped, looked at her in confusion, looked about the room and then jogged out behind her, tapping her on the shoulder and leaning in to whisper something.

"Yeah, I know", she replied to him, "I didn't expect a formal dress dinner either."

Later they returned with her in a cream colored dress, nice but not formal and rather revealingly cut, but it was the only dress she had brought with her. She had dug through his things and found a black pair of jeans, a white shirt and non-formal but passable suit jacket. He walked a bit awkwardly in the flat loafers as she glided in a pair of low heels.

"Sorry", she apologized to Nicollette.

Braedan choked on a laugh.

Nicolette sho him a look and addressed the girl. "This is a council event, so only Zev will be attending. I'm not sure who exactly. We have a few ancients and some other representitives. I think there are some Egyptian Ancients coming, which I'm hoping will go well."

"I have learned in my days never to rely solely on one exit from any room," Apep said to Aneera with a smile. "Twenty minutes could be a lifetime in a life or death situation." He then left them to their technical talk.

***

Apep appeared in the dining room with his robe on, as he was not expecting any formal events either and did not pack for it. His head, however, was freshly shaven save for the lock of hair in the back, which was tied into a small tail.

As he approached the table, he heard talk of some Egyptian Ancients, and arched an eyebrow. "Oh?" was all he sounded as he took a seat.

Amara sighed in relief that there would be no vampires. She was scared to death of them and whenever she was out at night always looking over her shoulder for one. She had imagined if one did show up being forced to smile and shake its hand...a thought which sent goosebumps across her back. Stephen and Nicole were the only vampires, probably for all of time, who she loved and was unafraid of.

Her attention was drawn to the two panthers as they entered. Amara kept in a chuckle as she watched Toric walk around akwardly and smiled at Aneera. "Nice dress."

She turned back to the alpha. "Ancients...how old is that? I know with vampires...at least the Assington breed...it is about a thousand years old. Is it the same with lycanthropes?"

"Five thousand..." Apep said in a quiet voice, staring off into the table right in front of him, where his plate would be once the dinner started.

He had a feeling he knew who would be among that group of Egyptian Ancients. Apep had hoped to avoid him while at the Council building, which was why he stayed in the Wolcott meeting room the whole time rather than wander about the halls. He had thought that upon arriving here, he could preclude the chance of running into the Council members. Apparently, that would not be the case.

The idea of excusing himself from the dinner due to not feeling well just briefly entered into his mind, but Apep quickly pushed that thought away. That was a coward's way out. He was surprised at himself for even thinking that. He must have grown soft over the centuries.

"Well", Aneera began as Toric pulled out a seat for her and she sat down, "by the late Gerzean period, around 3200 B.C. a dominant political force that was to become the consolidating element in the first united kingdom of ancient Egypt appeared. That could make them upwards of about 5000 years old."

Toric leaned over and whispered something to her, grinning, which seemed to earn him an elbow in the ribs. "Don't forget, your as old as I am, you fogey."

Leaning back, Toric pulled his lips in over his gums, making an old man face at his sister.

"Keep it up smart ass", she warned him, grinning. Then she tapped his suit pocket with a raised eyebrow. Blushing he stood up, removing a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handing it to Amara. It was a picture of her, expertly rendered, sitting on the bench she had been on earlier downstairs.

"He's quite good", Aneera told her with a touch of pride in her voice, "though I had to make him add the clothes", she went on with a wink.

Nicolette was about to address the group when Braedan stood up, and circled the two panters.

"Change their clothes, Nics. We'll both be fired if they show up at the dinner like this. We'll both get fired."

"Aww, you worry to much I'm sure they're..." Nicolette turned her attention to the panthers for the first time that eveing and cursed. "You two come with me. NOW!" She swished out of the room, as Braedan appraised Amara.

"You're lucky that you pulled off looking proper in non-formal garb. Nikky is probably going to chew out the twins."

He turned to Apep. "Do you know the ancients?" He was an ignorant and very young, young elf.
==========
Upstairs Nicollette ripped through a huge closet filled with clothes grabbing a few thing and thrusting them at Aneera before shoving her into a changing room while muttering about low cut dresses and old lechers. She turned and smiled sweetly at Toric. She whispered.

"How about we make you look dashing so that you impress the Council and a certain girl that's downstairs." She winked and gently led Toric to some men's clothing.

Aneera took the clothes that were handed to her and got changed in the room that Nicollette had put her in. 'Lechers', she thought, figures.

Toric smiled at Nicollette as she guided him toward the mens clothes and looked back toward where his sister had gone. He looked back and pulled at his clothes then shrugged, shaking his head. He was never one for fashion, not in any age in over 2000 years. His sister had a good eye for it, but just never really cared.