Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 4:10:59 GMT
(Continued from The Dining Room)
"Well, it's like this," Heidi told her fellow Beta as they entered her office. It was just another hotel room, but the standard furniture had been removed to make way for bookcases, desk, computer, and filing cabinets crammed with papers. She moved around the desk and sat down.
"A rather recently-bitten werewolf -- about a year ago, I believe she said -- got into some trouble with the law. She was assaulted in a bar, defended herself, and the witnesses lied and said she started it. Cole made the arrangements for Marion to defend her, and she's free now, but because of her situation Cole's planning to bring her into the pack, or at least offer." She went on giving him the rest of the details of Marion's visit, excepting only the remarks about the assistant Andrew; she thought she'd keep that a little secret, at least for the moment.
"...and so, that's where we are," she concluded. "What do you think?"
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 22, 2006 4:15:09 GMT
He was quiet as he listened, arms crossed over his chest. A new werewolf . . . So Cole wanted to bring this new one into the pack? It seemed plausible, at the very least. It would probably be best for the young wolf, to have someone around to keep an eye on her . . . "She could probably use someone to watch out for her."
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 4:19:01 GMT
Heidi nodded. "That's what I think too. For her own safety, and the safety of others -- with the full moon approaching, the last thing we want is a rogue running around the city streets. Marion says she's a black belt martial artist. She's a professional photographer, too, so Cole wants to attend her gallery opening soon. Be a good chance to approach her."
She was twisting a pen in her fingers absently. "Her name is Mara. Guess Sissy and Cass will be getting a new friend -- well, they're good at making people feel welcome."
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 22, 2006 4:24:07 GMT
He nodded lightly in response, his gaze somewhat far-off as he thought it over. It would definitely be safer for everyone involved if they could get her into the pack before the moon, so she could be supervised. The full moon was always hard for young wolves, Steven knew, so it would only make things better if they could help her with it, particularly after the legal troubles she already seemed to have.
At the last bit he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing a little. Sure, he liked both of the younger females well enough, but they had never exactly struck him as the type to introduce a new pack member to, right off the bat. "You sure about that? Sissy maybe, but I've never thought of Cassidy as exactly welcoming . . . "
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 4:29:03 GMT
"Well...yes, you make a point. I guess I was thinking of how quickly they bonded with each other," Heidi acknowledged. "But if she's as good a fighter as Marion made it sound -- and a black belt would certainly have to be excellent -- she should fit in well with Kyle and Mileena, at the very least. What did Marion say....if we can convince her to join the pack, we'll find her loyalty to be absolute. Or something to that effect. Never a bad trait to have in one of our own."
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 22, 2006 4:37:03 GMT
He nodded again, still thinking it over. He was still a bit iffy on certain aspects, particularly how Heidi was looking at the benefits of having this new wolf in the pack, and not at what it would take to bring her in. After a long moment he sighed, looking off. "If we can get her to join. That's where the hard part will be, I think."
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 4:39:36 GMT
"Well, Cole intends to handle that part himself. He's best qualified for it, I think." She gave him an impish grin. "But if you want to offer to apply some of your extensive charm and wit to the cause of luring her into the pack, I'm sure he'd appreciate the help."
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 22, 2006 4:43:01 GMT
He quirked an eyebrow at that, giving her a curious look. Where had THAT come from? Wasn't she the one who had been pissed off at him, just a short while ago? Well, now, this is DEFINITELY a turnabout . . . But hey, at least this way I don't have to try and figure out what I did to make her mad in the first place.
He grinned lightly after a moment. "Oh, but don't you think that might be overdoing it?"
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 4:52:49 GMT
"Well, if it were a male wolf, I'd offer to apply my extensive charm and wit, but as she's female, the odds are strong that she'd be more interested in yours." For the life of her, she didn't know why she'd said what she had, but now she had to try and pretend it was more normal than it was. She picked up a few papers and shuffled them into a tidy pile.
"I expect Cole's filling in Dia on the details, but it's possible the whole pack will go to the gallery opening. Or at least a sizeable number of us. I hope I get to go....I don't have enough excuses to dress up." Who are you and what have you done with my brain?
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 22, 2006 22:52:54 GMT
He was still a bit curious at (and amused by) her comment; it really wasn't something he had come to expect from his fellow Beta. At the explanation he nodded faintly. Now THAT sounded more like the Heidi he knew - logical and methodical. Now that's more normal. However, the next bit had him surprised again.
"Since when do you like to dress up?"
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 22, 2006 23:29:00 GMT
"Just because I don't do it very often doesn't mean I don't enjoy it," she returned, a touch of irritation in her voice. "I just prefer to have a reason for it."
She looked down at her notes from the library. "This is going to be a project...at least the commission looks promising." She glanced back up. "Sorry. That was all, so...I guess we'd just better be ready for an outing when Cole wants to go."
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Steven
Beta Werewolf
Cole's Pack
Posts: 141
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Post by Steven on Jan 23, 2006 3:28:18 GMT
Steven heard the irritation in her voice and realized he'd made yet another tactical error in the ever-going unspoken battle between himself and Heidi. Smooth move, idiot. Now he needed to figure out how to fix THAT damage, too . . . Shaking it off for now, he shrugged. "Hey, I was just being honest. I didn't remember you ever mentioning actually liking to dress up." He knew he was probably sounding defensive, but he couldn't help feeling it, at least a little bit.
At the dismissal he frowned faintly to himself, but chose not to call it. No use causing even more of a problem with her . . . "Alright. Thanks for filling me in." With that, he turned to go.
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Post by alise on Jan 23, 2006 3:42:38 GMT
The Beta male managed to get just through the doorway before he was caught around the arm by Alise, one of the younger females of the pack. She always loved flirting with Steven . . . He was one of her favorites to play with, and she was rather certain he knew it. Smilling sweetly, she cast a quick glance inside the room before giving her full attention to Steven. "Hi . . ."
Steven, still a bit unhappy from the previous discussion, cast a disarming smile at Alise, deciding to play along, just like always. It was always a bit of a fun distraction, flirting with Alise . . . It wasn't as if she took it seriously, either, which he was glad of. "Hello to you, too . . . Did you need something? Or want something?"
She grinned slightly suggestively, though mostly for effect. "Oh, maybe . . . . How about a little company? I get a little lonely sometimes . . ." Her voice turned slightly teasing, her smile widening a little.
Steven smirked softly, nodding. He knew they probably shouldn't be talking RIGHT in the doorway of Heidi's office, but, at the moment he was feeling a little vindictive. "Hmm . . . I think I could handle that . . . "
Alise's smile only grew at that, bordering on an all-out leer. "Glad to hear it."
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Heidi
Rogue Werewolf
Departed
One step at a time; one hope, then another.
Posts: 300
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Post by Heidi on Jan 23, 2006 3:59:03 GMT
For an instant, all Heidi could hear was a rather vicious snarling. Then she realized it was her wolf; the wolf had been awakened by Alise's flirtations, and Steven's responses, and was growling loudly.
Down, she ordered the offended beast. Who cares what they do? We have no stake in the situation. You're acting ridiculous.
The wolf quieted, but was no less annoyed. And if Heidi were honest with herself -- which, at that moment, she chose not to be -- she would have to concede that she was deeply annoyed too. She wasn't jealous; if someone had suggested that she were, she would have laughed and said, "Jealous of what??" No, of course not. But she was annoyed.
"If you two don't mind," she said in what she hoped sounded like a bored, unconcerned tone, "there's a whole big hotel in which you can do that. I'd rather you not do it here."
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Post by alise on Jan 23, 2006 4:12:05 GMT
At the 'interruption', Alise shot a slightly annoyed look in the direction of the Beta female, but wisely held her tongue. She knew better than to go running her mouth, at least . . . Shaking her head slightly, she gave Steven another sweet smile, turning her back to the doorway, almost as if snubbing Heidi. "Well, why don't we go keep each other company elsewhere? It's a little crowded here . . ."
Steven frowned faintly at the comment, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the blatantly hostile actions of the younger female. Carefully, he muttered under his breath to her, "Watch it, kid . . . You're pushing a little too far."
Slightly resentful at being called kid, the younger female pouted a little, giving him a look as if to say, 'Sorry . . . Forgive me?'
Sighing to himself, he let her lead him away, though he wasn't exactly in the mood to flirt any longer with the girl. She was tiring, after a while . . . .
Continued in The Hallway with Steven
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