run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking.

Anselm de le Poer · 03-07-2010, 12:21 AM

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#words=344 No posting order right now. Setting: D'Neville Mansion

Construction had taken longer than anticipated but things were coming together nicely. The frame was complete with the sloped roof boarded, nailed, and otherwise fastened in place; similarly, the base was anchored firmly to the ground. With much effort he and Cassius had managed to finagle the stove into place--with keen interest and rapt attention, he'd watched how the coyote pieced the metal of the exhaust system together.

Anselm had always found the google-toting mechanic agreeable and over the duration of their efforts he began to think of the younger man as a friend. The book on heat-driven engines he'd found seemed like nothing new to the adept craftsman and the Optio was simply delighted one of their members possessed such a highly valuable and unique skill set. Otherwise, Alacrity's companionship was doing wonders for keeping his spirits high despite Inferni's sour situation.

Between Cass' know-how and Anselm's assistance, their day to day progress was always respectable. Inevitably, other duties would call them away and the project remained incomplete. Mother Nature always seemed to smile upon their efforts, though, and today was no different--the wind was calm and the weather fair. Anselm found himself gravitating toward the mansion and he conducted a quick mental check-list upon his arrival.

What was left to do? They still had to put the sheeting in place; after that the ground had to be tilled, firewood had to be collected for the stove... ideally, Cassius could rig up a fan ventilation system (as a separate entity from the exhaust chimney). From there, they'd only know which seeds to plant. With a slight shrug, the bipedal wolf strode over to the shed and disengaged the lock; inside were the remainder of his supplies and all of the tools he kept in Inferni.

Glancing to the empty windows of the building, he offered a quick, curious yowl: You around? While it may have been intended for Cassius the message itself wasn't very particular; regardless of who turned up, they would be put to good use. Today was the day.

Marik · 03-07-2010, 02:31 AM

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©table code and image to Alli; 535 words

He was supposed to have talked to Anselm sooner. But it seemed the other had been busy anyways. Besides, Marik had those traps to work on. The dangerous ones had taken some effort through trial and error to piece together. He’d managed it though he hadn’t come across Anselm to show them off. He wasn’t even certain if the other knew of the plans. After all they had been made with Gabriel and the leader had redirected him to Anselm once he was finished. He didn’t even know if the other knew that he was heading such a project. He hadn’t the time to speak with Anselm and didn’t know if the Aquila had bothered to inform him either. That would just have to be figured out in time. Like if Anselm ever happened to bring it up.

But along with the hazardous traps he was referred to help with the building of the greenhouse. The traps had taken a bit longer than expected to get to work right. Or well, to work with accuracy every time. And he didn’t really know anything about plants anyways so he doubted that he was missed. Especially since he hadn’t left a good taste in the other’s mouth the first time that they had met. So it was safe to say he wasn’t in a rush to seek out someone that most likely didn’t care for him. But that seemed to be the way of things in this clan. He didn’t have a single one that he would consider a friend. Not say that he was on severely bad terms with anyone either. He just felt well, not at home. Not that it helped that he had a bad run in with a wolf. That really made him feel out of place. He didn’t have a classic coyote look but had the smell of the clan upon him. That smell had him being hated when he hadn’t even done anything to hard the other. So yes, he was having quite the rough patch in trying to adjust.

Hearing the yowling he came out to see what was going on instead of remaining tucked away in the room he shared with his brother. When he went out he noticed the great progress that had been made with the greenhouse. Honestly he was a bit surprised with the amount that had been accomplished already. With measured steps he headed towards where Anselm was. He wasn’t exactly certain what sort of welcome he would get. Cotl had already warned him to behave and so he would. Besides, he wasn’t in the mood to make passes. Not since that run in with the wolf. He just hadn’t exactly been feeling himself lately. His steps were slow as he tried to figure out just what he was going to say. He had no idea. He wasn’t even sure how to begin but it wasn’t like he could continue to stall his steps. So he took the plunge once he got close enough. “The Aquila said you could use some help. I don’t exactly know what you are doing but I should be able to pick it up quick enough if you show me.”

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Alacrity · 03-08-2010, 06:34 PM

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@$%&Alacrity wasn’t too terribly far away when Anselm’s call cut through the stillness of the midmorning air. A chatty crow (who she could barely understand) had monopolized her attention a few hours ago with the assertion that an injured doe was nearby, and very near death. If she, strange, strong, intelligent creature would be oh so kind as to finish the animal off – an act of mercy, to be sure – then both of them would have a fine meal, yes? The crow, whose name she never did catch, would be happy to lead her to the hapless deer, if he and his were allowed scavenging rights to the corpse.

@$%& Initially skeptical, the Inferni woman decided she might as well go take a look. It would silence the bird if nothing else, and she might get a meal for the trouble. Besides, she had little else to occupy her time at the moment and nothing said she had to attack the deer if she thought the crow had underestimated the doe’s weakness. So off she went, following her unlikely companion into the forest to the east. Alacrity paused long enough to leave her jacket on a nearby bush to spare it the gore of a successful kill, and relied on the sweat of exertion to keep her warm.

@$%&As it turned out, the poor beast proved frighteningly easy to dispatch, barely able to rise to its feet before Alacrity felled it permanently. The harshness of winter and effects of injury meant that there was very little meat on the creature’s bones, but she managed a fine meal all the same. Anselm’s call came before she was quite finished eating, which was just as well – the crows gathering in nearby branches were growing uneasy at the volume of meat that was disappearing down her gullet.

@$%&So Alacrity abandoned the remainder of the corpse to the grateful avian flock, and with promises of more mutual hunts in the future, followed the sound of the coyote man’s voice. She paused long enough to wash and retrieve her garment, and then headed in the direction of the mansion. Another was already there when she arrived, and so she greeted Anslem with more restraint than she would have otherwise. "Busy day? she asked him, mid-nuzzle, before backing off. To the other, she nodded courteously, accepting his apparently odd appearance without thought. "My name is Alacrity. I do not believe we have met?" Her voice, while heavily accented, was understandable enough.

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Cassius Arphralos · 03-25-2010, 11:48 PM

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ooc- HAI GUYS

Napping in his semi-remote loft hidden above the garage, Cass rolled over on his black futon bed, scratching his face and he continued sleeping. It had been a while since he had some decent shut-eye since he and Anselm started building the greenhouse. They had gotten quite far too, but after a few days, Cassius decided to take a quick nap before he went back and completed the project, with or without extra help. Snoring lightly, the undisturbed coyote was seemingly sound asleep on the dusty bed. He had taken the time to drag the bed (plus other furniture) around the loft as he pleased, placing it where he flt it was most comfortable. Beside the bed, was a medium sized workbench, where miscellaneous little machinery and gadgets lay spread across it.

However, the nap wasn't to go on for much longer, as a howl woke poor Cassius up, startling the unsuspecting hybrid. He awoke suddenly, falling of the futon in the process. Groggily getting back on his feet, a shirtless (but not shortless) Cass rubbed his eyes whilst opening the shutters to let in the sunlight, fully waking him up. He left his greyscale flannel on the chair, slipping on his white t-shirt and his goggles on his head. His bright purple eyes still had dark rings under, a sign of lack of sleep, but he snuck down the ladder and outside towards the greenhouse.

Having already memorized the book Anselm gave him, Cassius entered the greenhouse only to be met by Anselm, of course, who was accompanied by Marik and a fourlegged dog-thing. Cassius immediately held his shirt down, as to not let Marik grab at his clothes again, and at the same time tilted a head to the multi-colored dog. "Howdy." He'd never seen anything like that before, but he turned to regard Anselm. "Could'ja be any louder?" he chuckled, "You done woke me up. I been nappin' 'til ya started yellin'."

Word Count: 300+

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Corona Lykoi · 03-30-2010, 03:27 PM

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Thanks for the patience, guys. I'll try not to get laggy on us again.

If it hadn’t been in her way, Corona may not have paid much attention to the call. Her return heralded a lot of nothing; she had mostly kept to herself since she had come back. Even in light of the war, the extent of her participation was and would have been on the side of medicine. She had no desire to fight, being so utterly disconnected from the clan on a whole. But whatever semblance of a Hippocratic oath stopped her from being entirely disconnected. It was as though the only ones she remotely cared about were family. They meant something, at least. Everyone else was expendable, or so it would have seemed.

From a distance, their shapes were indiscriminate against the dark background. Anselm wasn’t too hard to pick out, but she didn’t know the others. She had come back from who knew where, having long departed the mansion earlier in the day with a rucksack that now boasted unknown objects. It wasn’t hard to piece together that they were no doubt up to something with all that they had gathered over time and what had already been done, but she still retained some curiosity. It was that in which pulled her in the group, dwindling on the back edge of it for a moment as she observed.

“Finishing up?” she queried toward Anselm, paying no mind to the others for the time being. If he wanted another hand, she’d worry about getting acquainted then. Otherwise, she was content with going about her merry way if he didn’t.

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Anselm de le Poer · 04-04-2010, 02:34 PM

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The hybrid was riffling through his supplies as Marik approached; for a split second wishful thinking managed to convince him that the scent belonged to Cotl and not his outlandish brother. When the slight man finally spoke the illusion could persist no further and Anselm begrudgingly turned around to converse with the mad German. Gabriel had forewarned him that Marik might be seek him out--and the bronze hybrid had promised his cooperation for the sake of Inferni alone. His features were largely blank with a degree of scepticism... yet as the second ticked away, it became clear that Marik had taken his pills for the day (or something). There wasn't the barrage of weirdness he was expecting and, though he'd never forget his first impression, he was tempted to give his friend's sibling a second chance. "We're building a grow house for medicinal herbs; up to you what you want to do, but if you're good with metal 'n all that Cass might be able to direct you better than me," he explained.

It seemed as if he might speak again, but the words caught in his throat and his gaze became distant as he was distracted by Alacrity's appearance through the gate. He dipped his head and muttered a quick "Excuse me, a sec," before dropping to all fours to greet her. His tail swung merrily and he greeted her affectionately, clearly not concerned with what anyone else might think of the gesture. If anything, the painted woman's presence would only serve to put him in an even better mood. "Yeah; hopefully wrapping up construction so we can get some herbs growin'," he explained through an uncharacteristically goofy grin (well, uncharacteristic for being out in "public," anyway). He stepped aside as introductions were exchanged--by now Cassius had found his way outside.

Subconsciously he noticed the look their mechanic tossed Marik's way upon his entrance, although he wouldn't have been able to figure out the implications if he tried. And so, he simply offered a quick handshake and an apologetic flick of his ear. "My bad, man. I think this is it, though," he said, glancing around their motley assembly. They had a couple of natives, an African, and a German--between them they represented not just wolf and coyote blood, but far more exotic flavours of canine as well: the African wild dog and the New Guinea Singing dog. "We've certainly got enough man power here to get those first seeds into the ground," he clarified, though once again he was distracted by another face..

He'd been vaguely aware of her return from his patrols, but the cousins had not crossed paths directly in well over a year. "Corona!" he exclaimed, his tail swinging madly as he trotted over and pulled her into a quick, familial hug. "How's life been treatin' ya?" he wondered as he disengaged from the embrace, waving her over join the rest of the crew. "This is my cousin Corona," he addressed the small gang. "Corona, this is Cass, our mechanic, Marik, our resident trapper, 'n this is Alacrity," he said, his tone overwhelmingly affectionate on the final introduction... as if there was any doubt, he reached down with one hand and gently stroked the side of her neck.

By now a big merry grin had plastered itself upon his face--despite the dire circumstances, in the company of a comrade, a lover, a friend, and a family member it'd be hard to dampen his spirits. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we? Cass, I was hoping we could install a ventilation system yet.. you saw that Stirling engine, ya? I thought we could use one of those to rig up a fanned ventilation system. I got one and some wire over in the shed. Other 'n that, I'll need someone to steady the ladder as I put up the sheetin'... unless anyone else is fond of heights and would like to do that. We'll need firewood for the stove; the ground will have to be dug up for the seeds," he prattled on, shooting Alacrity a questioning gaze on the latter--without being able to shift, she'd have a rough time doing much else. "Then once we figure out what to plant 'n stick it in, we'll be set!" Here he peered at the other woman--hadn't Corona been trained in healing? Perhaps if she didn't have anything on her she would at least know where to look... so far all he really had were his opium seeds, which were a questionable contribution at best.

Hurray, second round. No posting order or post length required; post at your convenience but have it up by April 12th. (WC: 764)

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Corona Lykoi · 04-06-2010, 03:36 PM

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A smile crept out on her face for a moment when Anselm recognised her, and happily at that. It had been far too long since she had seen him, though they knew one another better as acquaintances than anything else. Still, family was family, no matter how awkwardly she returned the brief hug. Affection had been fleeting — always had been, really — and was nevertheless unusual for her to find. She followed him swiftly through the group, this time acknowledging those who he introduced her too. They were certainly a motley crew, all things considered with their muddied heritage and unique appearances. She lingered for a moment on Alacrity, finding something familiar about her just as she found a certain to keep her eye on her. Too many times had her family been crossed by those who captured favour in any way.

But up close, it was more than obvious from the speech that Anselm gave thereafter that they were building a greenhouse of some sort. It seemed reasonable to have, more than intelligent to do. It would no doubt give them more favour and ire both to have something that would want to be easily coveted. Her mind mulled over the various things that could have been planted there and more than in just the sense of medicinal herbs. It was a subtle drawback to her childhood, of Chimera, and the things that they had once done there. How very together everything and everyone was. But the thought faded away, and she met Anselm’s fiery gaze cooly. “I can hold the ladder for you,” she said, not having much use for carpentry or desire to dig.

It would be a chance for them to catch up, anyway.

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