Post by Jerome on Mar 3, 2013 19:15:01 GMT -5
Jerome stared down the length of the littered street he moved down, the Haven outpost in sight. It was only a couple blocks away nestled between a pair of vine choked structures. Shattered windows and cracked concrete were the prime decoration peeking out between the vines, as the outpost stood strong and sturdy between them. It had taken time for those vines to expand, mostly the 10 years Strike had chosen to reserve for solitary travel for parts unknown. Now that he had returned, a firestorm of activity had started in the mall. Too many Lycan eyes had seen him that day, feral, raging, and damn near frothing at the mouth. He hadn’t recognized anyone, not even Oriana and the message had spread. The mall had officially been alerted to his return.
Most knew who he was. The mall had been there home long before Strike’s decade hiatus. Although, there were those that didn’t know him. The most they had heard of the man were stories from the older wolves. Many wanted to see him and were refused. Now wasn’t the time for such a folly. The Kragarian’s mind wasn’t his own and the beta wasn’t sure when it would be again, if ever.
He’d now spoken with Oriana for a time either but he knew she had gone to the prison to see him, to try and get through to him. Only just a few hours ago he’d received the message she was taking a break and had time to speak. He was making his way there now after settling business matters at the mall. Jerome neared the building and caught sight of guards peering suspiciously threw windows and others patrolling just inside the security fence. Most of the faces he knew; they had been in Haven when he was around helping get things started. Back then they had been rookies, simple raw recruits in need of some refinement. After years of working, they now had it.
They were alert, smart, cautious and part of the reason the Human stronghold had advanced to its power today. One of the soldiers however, he didn’t recognize. It was only a boy, probably around the age of eighteen, scratching a head of brown hair as he peered down an opposite street. It took him a moment for him to set eyes on Jerome walking towards the outpost. “That’s far enough, man!” He yelled, a finger rubbing the guard of his rifles trigger. “State your business!”
Before he could respond, one of the guards he recognized moved forward. He set a hand on the boys shoulder and mouthed a few words to him. Almost instantly, Jerome noticed the kid relax and move off to another part of the outpost. As he neared the entrance, the guard unlocked the small gate and popped it open. “Sorry about that, Jerome. He’s only a few months in. Still learning a few faces. Long time,” He said.
“Too long, Rigel. Any trouble?” Jerome asked, slipping passed the gate.
The guard shook his head, causing his red bangs to bounce over the green strap around his forehead. “This sector is quiet mostly. We get the occasional emaciated outsider, but even they’re becoming more of a rarity. Here for Oriana?”
Jerome nodded.
“Rooftop.”
“Thanks. I’ll be talking to you soon, Rigel.” The beta said before moving deeper into the small compound. He found his way inside the outpost building and ascended the steps with only a couple minutes wasted. Coming to the exit to the rooftop, he smoothly pushed it open only to see Oriana staring across the city. As quiet as Jerome preferred to be, the door didn’t quite agree with him. It complained loudly with a squealing wail of metal grinding against metal. The wolf winced at the sound.
Most knew who he was. The mall had been there home long before Strike’s decade hiatus. Although, there were those that didn’t know him. The most they had heard of the man were stories from the older wolves. Many wanted to see him and were refused. Now wasn’t the time for such a folly. The Kragarian’s mind wasn’t his own and the beta wasn’t sure when it would be again, if ever.
He’d now spoken with Oriana for a time either but he knew she had gone to the prison to see him, to try and get through to him. Only just a few hours ago he’d received the message she was taking a break and had time to speak. He was making his way there now after settling business matters at the mall. Jerome neared the building and caught sight of guards peering suspiciously threw windows and others patrolling just inside the security fence. Most of the faces he knew; they had been in Haven when he was around helping get things started. Back then they had been rookies, simple raw recruits in need of some refinement. After years of working, they now had it.
They were alert, smart, cautious and part of the reason the Human stronghold had advanced to its power today. One of the soldiers however, he didn’t recognize. It was only a boy, probably around the age of eighteen, scratching a head of brown hair as he peered down an opposite street. It took him a moment for him to set eyes on Jerome walking towards the outpost. “That’s far enough, man!” He yelled, a finger rubbing the guard of his rifles trigger. “State your business!”
Before he could respond, one of the guards he recognized moved forward. He set a hand on the boys shoulder and mouthed a few words to him. Almost instantly, Jerome noticed the kid relax and move off to another part of the outpost. As he neared the entrance, the guard unlocked the small gate and popped it open. “Sorry about that, Jerome. He’s only a few months in. Still learning a few faces. Long time,” He said.
“Too long, Rigel. Any trouble?” Jerome asked, slipping passed the gate.
The guard shook his head, causing his red bangs to bounce over the green strap around his forehead. “This sector is quiet mostly. We get the occasional emaciated outsider, but even they’re becoming more of a rarity. Here for Oriana?”
Jerome nodded.
“Rooftop.”
“Thanks. I’ll be talking to you soon, Rigel.” The beta said before moving deeper into the small compound. He found his way inside the outpost building and ascended the steps with only a couple minutes wasted. Coming to the exit to the rooftop, he smoothly pushed it open only to see Oriana staring across the city. As quiet as Jerome preferred to be, the door didn’t quite agree with him. It complained loudly with a squealing wail of metal grinding against metal. The wolf winced at the sound.