tampered | (no subject)

(no subject)

When: July 12th
Rating: PG-13 for language probably
Characters: Richard [

browning_baby]
Summary: Richard and Anita meet up after he arrives.
Log:

Richard sat on the white carousel horse as the machine turned around and around, showing the same scene he had seen since he sat down on it. He tried to tell himself that this was St. Louis, that one more trip around and he would be able to see the arch, smell the familiar smells, and it would all be normal again. Or as normal as his life ever was. Junior High science teacher by day, werewolf by night.

Of course, he had only chosen to become the teacher, the werewolf... well god damn all werewolf vaccines was all he had to say about that. Still, he didn't know if he would take it back if he could. The pack needed him, if not for him Marcus would have free reign and who knows where that would lead them. Plus, he never would have met Anita if it weren't for his lycanthropy. It was hard to hate a condition that brought him someone like her.

Still, Richard hated his beast, hated what it made him want to do and hated that it made him like those things. But he was stronger than his beast, he wasn't going to let it get the best of him. Richard would control it like he had always done.

Sighing as he swung off the horse he easily leaped off of the platform of the carousel and landed gracefully on the ground. It wasn't until his feet touched the ground that he snarled a curse at his own stupidity. He should have had Anita bring him some clothes.

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Anita wasted little time in gathering her Browning, but she didn't bother with a holster. She'd learned in the city that sometimes, they just got in the way and slowed you down. Besides, it made it hell to shift if she needed to; not that she thought she'd need to.

At least, she hoped she wouldn't.

The carousel loomed in her sight after just a few minutes of walking, and as she approached, the familiar figure appeared; hopping down off of one of the painted ponies. She felt that lurch in her stomach she always got when she saw him.

Him being shirtless didn't help much, either.

There were so many things between them... she wasn't sure how to start. In her brain, she went over all the ways she could greet him after so long...

"Hey," won out.

Smooth.

"Hey back," Richard said, his face breaking out in a warm smile at her approach. It faltered a bit as he caught a whiff of her scent. It was definitely different, and not just because he was associated with her. Jean-Claude's three marks were evident to anyone sensitive to that sort of thing and to Richard more so, being familiar with Anita. He refused to let the thought of them to hurt him though, he trusted Anita and knew she would never do anything without a good reason.

He forced his eyes to not look for the marks, instead letting them find other things to focus on. Fortunately, with Anita, there was a lot for him to focus on. Richard had to force down the low growl that began to form in his chest at the site of her and the feelings it elicited in him.

There was something about her now that... was just different. It was almost in the way she walked and smelled and just... a million tiny different things that weren't there on the Anita he had seen earlier in the day. It all served to remind him that this Anita was from his future. Despite whatever change had happened though she was still Anita and he had to resist the urge to wrap his arms around her.

The werewolf didn't though, because he didn't know exactly how much she had changed. She said she was his Lupa but... without knowing all the details he didn't want to assume anything. And he wouldn't press her about the marks or the change, she would tell him about that when she was ready.

"I'm glad to see you," he offered, running a hand through his long brown hair in a bit of a nervous gesture. Even if I did see you just this morning.

She knew the gesture well. It meant his nerves were high, and her own enhanced senses heard the slightly rapid heartbeat from him. The wolf in her slid under her skin at the scent of another so very close.

Truth be told, she was just as nervous as he was. She just hoped he didn't notice it on hr part. The shoe scuffing along the concrete where she stood shouldn't show it. Not at all.

Even though it was the Richard from her past, she was so happy to see him. It was so hard to keep from hugging him and laying her head on his chest, just to know he was close.

It was the Richard she'd been in love with...

"Sorry... I didn't know we were going for such casual dress." Her voice was light and warm, as was her smile.

The hackles on the back of Richard's neck rose suddenly, goosebumps pebbling along his flesh. He knew the sensation, his beast was reacting to the presence of another. To the presence of Anita.

No... not her, it can't be, she would never...

There was no use denying it though, Anita was a werewolf. Or at least some form of it. Maybe not the kind that Richard was, but close enough that he could feel it, that he was reacting to it.

That must have been what she meant when she said that she was his Lupa now in more than just word. She was a werewolf now. For some reason, it felt like a betrayal. Anita knew how much he hated this... how much he didn't want this life and yet she was one now.

His first instinct was to go find whoever had done this to her, but that quickly passed. Anita would have either killed whoever did this to her herself or she allowed it to happen. All the same, how could she do this?

"Well, they wanted me to put on a tie before they were going to let me in," he quipped, deciding to ignore her lycanthropy for now, trusting her to tell him when she wanted. "We settled on pants though."

"Damn shame about the pants." Yes, she was teasing him a little, but it felt good to have him there to tease.

She hadn't missed the rush of his power and for a moment, she was hardpressed to keep the wolf inside. It wanted out to meet what it thought a new threat, but she was too strong to let it free. There would be time for that some other time.

Without thinking, she held her hand out to him.

"I don't live too far from here. If you want... you can stay with me."

Richard arched an eyebrow at the offered hand but he didn't hesitate for a moment to take it. The goosebumps returned at skin made contact with skin, but it was for an entirely different reason than before.

Her hands were just as he remembered them and a million memories that involved those hands came rushing back to him. To Richard, it had just been earlier that day he had seen her, but that did nothing to dull the thrill he felt at being with her.

"Thanks Anita, I appreciate that," he said, hating how lame it sounded in his own ears. He knew how independent Anita was at what a sacrifice it was for her to offer. "I'd like that a lot, really. I don't suppose I can borrow some cash for clothes though? I don't think anything you have is going to fit me."

Her fingers twitched in his, but it was that mostly good twitch. With a nod in the direction of a series of shops, she started to walk. "No need for cash. The city's neat as hell for that. You don't need currency, really. You can use whatever you got. I bought ammo today for a few rocks I found on the way..." She wasn't sure why she'd offered her own space to him, but it just felt... right for now.

More than likely, they'd go their seperate ways once he got settled.

"No money, you can buy things with rocks?" he asked, looking at her incredulously. How could a society function like that? The entire economy would collapse. Why work when you can just grab a handful of pebbles to buy what you needed. But where did they get food if no one would farm it?

"I'll go buy grab some rocks and buy some clothes later then," Richard added, looking over at her askance to see if she would burst out laughing at him. She didn't though, and he would have been able to smell if she was lying so it must have been the truth.

"Anything else about this place that I need to know?"

You know, like the fact that you're a werewolf?

"You can generally find what you need around the area here. There's food of all kinds and clothing and a bookstore just around that corner..." As she talked, her free hand pointed in each direction she was mentioning. "Undergound is good hunting grounds, too, not to mention the clubs. Good for boozing and dancing..."

His last question took her a little back, but she shrugged a little.

"There's always lots of things to learn, Richard..."

She stopped walking after a moment of silence.

"You haven't asked and I know you can feel it, or at least smell it on me."

Best to meet something head on.

Richard was still trying to wrap his head around the economic system of the City and how it could possibly support itself when he caught the change in her tone when she talked about things that you could learn.

Part of him wished that she had not said anything just yet, that for just a bit longer they could pretend like nothing was out of the ordinary other than the fact that he had been transported to this bubble in time and space. They both knew that veil of normalcy would have been a lie though, so perhaps this was best dealt with here and now.

"I figured you would tell me when you're ready," he said, giving a small shrug. "I'm not going to demand any explanation, not for any of it Anita. The marks or this new form of lycanthropy... as you said, you're a big girl. I'm not the boss of you and you certainly don't have to get my approval for something like that."

Despite his words, Richard was hurt. It was all the truth, she didn't need to consult with him on anything, especially since she had been by herself for several months... but that didn't make it easier. She knew how much he hated the beast. Anita did not need access to those kinds of instincts and feelings with all of her anger. That, and it was once less way they were normal, one more obstacle that he knew would get in the way of them being together.

With a frown, she yanked his arm to get her attention. If he had been a normal human, the shoulder wouldn't be in joint anymore. "I got bit trying to help a friend. He almost chewed my hand off. He was there for my first shift and kept me from doing anything stupid then."

Really, it was foolish to hope things could be different between them here in the city.

"Look. I'm glad you're here, alright. Don't start this shit. Not now."

"I'm not starting anything Anita," Richard growled. Why did she always have to take things in the worst possible way? If he had fussed over her should would have been pissed that he was babying her. Sometimes with Anita you just couldn't win.

"I know you don't do anything without a good reason," he said. Richard suddenly realized that it was highly likely that Anita would be able to smell if he was lying, much the same way he could. There would be no need to elaborate on statements like that. He supposed it was a decent silver lining.

"And I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you with your first shift. And I'm glad we're together still... again... whatever..."

There was something nagging at her senses, but she ignored it, choosing to be just a human in that instant. "It's alright. I didn't do anything too bad. Broke a few windows... scared half the city. Nothing too bad." She'd seen how bad a shift gone wrong could be, and counted herself lucky.

"I really am happy to see you. I hope you know that..."

Richard winced slightly at hearing how the shift went. It certainly wasn't as bad as it could have been, but he couldn't help but feel if he was there he could have done more. Plus, his beast was thrilled at the idea of a shifted Anita. He was suddenly taken by an overwhelming desire to run with her, to experience those inhuman sensations from her.

Just as quickly though, he shut them down and pushed them aside. He was not his beast, he was in control of himself. Richard refused to believe he had to give in to those mindless moments.

"I can tell you are," Richard answered her. "And, that makes me happy to hear that. I... I don't know what happens to us in your future but you know I really care for you and want to be with you, right?"

"A lot of things happen, but that's not an issue here." Her fingers tightened on his as a slight smile creased her face. Few would know it if they saw it, but she thought he'd be able to spot it.

"Next time she wants out, I'll be sure to let you know..."

Richard couldn't help but squeeze her hand back, his own grin broad in comparison to her tiny one. But the small smile from her was worth a lot to him it was so seldom seen. It made him feel like he was doing something right.

He didn't miss the side stepping of his question either, but let it pass. Anita was not someone that you pushed, especially on things like that.

"I'd... like that," he said hesitantly. The catch in his voice was not because hesitant about it, but was that it was hard for him to admit that he did like that sort of thing, that part of him liked to indulge his beast.

"Would be nice to go for a run."

"She likes it too much, I think. It's... an amazing feeling, once you get past the first shift. Kinda... violent, you know... "

From her own time with him and other weres, she knew that the involuntary changes were rough at best, and quite painful at worst.

"Yes, I know," Richard said flatly. It wasn't a conversation he was particularly excited to have, but he knew the need to talk about it to someone, especially someone who could understand.

"The primal nature of it is very... seductive," he continued. "I think it has something to do with the lack of conscience. You have instinct and you have action. There's no guilt for your actions really."

Of course, that wasn't all that was amazing about it. With a half smile he glanced down at her.

"The raw, physical power of it is amazing too, knowing you can do more than you ever could before."

With a quiet sigh, she loosened her grip and dropped his hand. She'd forgotten the topic was pretty much off limits most of the time, and she'd inadvertently crossed that line without thinking.

"I think I just like that I finally got a fur coat. Never had one in my life."

Just like her, to answer an uncomfortable situation with gruff humor or a drawn gun.

Richard reached out and took Anita's hand again, not letting her give up so easily. He risked her reacting perhaps violently, but he wanted to let her know that he wasn't going to run away from this if she needed him. True, it bothered him that she seemed so free with how much she liked the wolf nature but she was hardly alone in that aspect.

"Fleas are a bitch though," Richard said, not trying to push the conversation away from her attempt at levity. "I'm serious, you'd think changing back would get rid of them handily, but it doesn't."

"Fuck that. No fleas for me. I'll spend my time in the water." Her gaze was locked on their joined hands. Few people took the chance on grabbing her unless they knew her well. It was a show of her trust that she didn't yank her hand away.

"... getting to be nightfall soon. Still wanna go back to my place, or did you wanna try and find something else to wear first?"

Richard wondered if he should tell Anita that you couldn't get rid of fleas just by soaking in water, but decided not to. She could find that little tidbit out on her on. She was her own woman after all.

At the mention of clothing Richard glanced down, just now recalling that he was in his pajama pants and no shirt. He pursed his lips in thought and then shook his head. The werewolf had had a busy enough day as it was, the idea of clothes shopping didn't exactly thrill him.

"We'll just head over to your place if that's okay," he said. "I'll be fine in the morning, unless you're scandalized to be seen with me like this."

Without a misstep, her direction changed to head to the third building in sight. "I think you look pretty good like that." She was looking away from him as she murmured it, knowing he could hear it quite clearly. No matter what had happened between them at any time, just the sight of him made her pulse speed a little.

Another small smile quirked at the corner of Richard's mouth at her comment. He thought about ribbing her further about it but decided to not press his luck. Retaking her hand was about as dangerous as he was going to get right now. He was just thankful he still had it.

"Well, maybe tomorrow I'll pick up some more outfits like this," he finally said. "Mix it up perhaps with some silk pajama pants instead of just flannel."

"Nah. You're more of a flannel kind of guy."

The smile was evident in her voice now as she led him, hand in hand, to her building.

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