Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 05:32PM CST
It took her all morning, but she got all the caked mud off the rusted old Ford pickup she drove into the city. Unfortunately, a truck she thought was all blue when she bought it, turned out to be orange, with blue touch up paint in large patches along the sides. The diesel engine has an exhausted sounding growl to it as she pulls to the curb, pebbles pop beneath the tires as she puts the truck in park. Glancing across the front seat at Cody, she gives him a wink and her customary wide grin before turning off the engine and tugging the keys from the ignition.
"Well, here we are Code, where's this fishin spot y'were talkin 'bout?"
In the box of the truck a pair of fishing poles sway back and forth over a tackle box. Ready to go with lures and all. In the cab of the truck she reaches across her cousin toward the glove box, extracting a John Deere mesh cap and tugging it on over her brow.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 05:48PM CST
There were two places Bella frequented in the Riverfront district... well three, but the outdoor ice rink wasn't in operation in the summertime for obvioous reason... but she'd spent the afternoon after her time with her tutor and ballet teacher, and ended up relaxing over a cup of fancy coffee at Crazy Wisdom. Their teashop [which served more then just tea as she'd found out] was a nice place to while away time.
Then the phonecall and she was happy wo hear of an invitation for...fishing... that was something she'd never done before, and told Billy so. It didn't stop her and thus, she walked the short distance from the shop to where he'd said to meet. She'd already been out in a sundress and hoped it wouldn't become a problem for this activity.
Cody McCann
Mon 05:48PM CST
Jo and Cody are less than a year apart in age. When they were young their Mamas would go shopping together and swore how they talked to each other in the stroler. When they got older their 'talking' consisted of Jo' eating alot of dirt when Cody pushed her down [Cuz no one wants to be SEEN playing with girls.] Its never really changed until high school, and testosterone coupled with the rather <.i>natural urges of a young garou to rip off the monkey edged face of some pissant mothafucker stupid enough to sniff around his family. [Because Fianna are ALL aboout family..] Time changes all things, but some things are older even than that. Genetic code, or something like it.
Either way the youth lifts a brow at the grinning girl, nostrils flaring briefly. "Try not t'smile so much jo. Y'gonna scare away th'fish."
Same ole' Cody.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 05:54PM CST
Cornflower blue eyes roll mirthfully as she laughs and pushes the drivers side door open with a rusty wail of hinges.
"If'n the pearly white glint'a my teeth don't scare'em off, then yer smell ought t'do th'trick."
Before swinging the door shut she reaches into the cab of the truck to roll up the window [no power locks for this country gal] a free hand tugging the cap from her head and the other scooping shoulder length dark blonde locks into a makeshift ponytail to be tugged through the back of the cap as she replaces it. Cowboy boots hit the asphalt with a clack as she steps aside and swings the truck door shut with another wail of hinges, then moves around to the box of the truck, bending forward and reaches out to snag the fishing poles.
"Make yerself useful and grab that there tackle box would ya."
Her plain white [stained in places] t-shirt is tugged back and tied into a knot at the small of her back, hitching it up and exposing her smooth midriff over the waist of worn cut off jeans.
Cody McCann
Mon 05:59PM CST
In reponse Cody blinks at her and lifts an arm and to a perfunctory sniff. Needlessly he lifts the other for a cursory inspection and for a few seconds manages to sit there quite befuddled before shouldersa drop and eyes narrow. Cody's right hand already pushing the door open, "Shoot. C'n make funna me all y'want. But t'ain't right to make funna man's deodarant." His head shakes in sympathy with his mock-hurt comments pulling the tacklebox from besides Ryan's sleeping form.
Wake him?
[...cody's foolish - not DUMB.]
Billy McCann
Mon 06:00PM CST
It ain't no more than a depression in the park, a place where the riverwalk opens outward like as if on a low delta island. The jogging trail that don't no one use because they's too many homeless and too many dangers riverside after dark still gets some activity of folks who can stand the smell of the river in summertime walking at lunchtime. The bowed out park has a few volleyball courts and other things that don't no one use too much because the city ain't got the cash to fix 'em up after the river rises sloshing up its banks ever spring. Someone cleaned off the benches, though. Probably convicts or somethin' like 'em. More than that, some McCann figured out that the back eddy stuck up afront of the manufactured flat is about as good a fishin' hole as anything in the whole dang city. Trees and shit, wild grasses, even cattails is growing on the verge of the pond, but the boys has tramped down a good place to set awhile with a cooler.
Billy's already got hisself a pair of chairs there, and a cooler, and two sets of gear, and his guitar stashed up down there but at the moment he's up near the road. Lifts a hand waving to Jodi Lynn and Cody as they come on by - warm day, nothing better than to set a spell and fish - but his attention swings up behind them, down the street aways. Hands hang loose at his side, body slouches too, but his attention don't slack none from the Silver Fang girl a'walking pretty as a picture in her sundress. Doesn't seem much like he's looking at the dress, though, the way he's watching her. Pale eyes, steady gaze unwavering. She comes up and he tips her a nod. "Glad you could come on out Miss Arabella. I wasn't sure you was gonna. Ever been fishin' before?" Waits until she's drawn up near beside him, then steps to her side. One large hand rises almost beneath her elbow, steering without quite touching. "Down the steps there. Then the sidewalk at the bottom, then we'll rough it about fifteen feet to the edge of the river."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 06:05PM CST
Jodi Lynn chews her lower lip for a moment as she peers into the box of the truck at Ryan, and then glances with raised brows toward Cody. She watches him make the same considerations as herself, and then rolls her shoulders in a shrug of agreement. Let sleeping dogs lie. However, she catches a glimpse of Billy, and then Arabella out of the corner of an eye and sets her index and pinky fingers into her mouth for a shrill whistle of greeting.
"Hey y'all!"
With her free hand she waves energetically toward the pair, and then smirks across the hood of the truck at Cody.
"That there's Ara-bella, Billy done gone and got hisself a crush."
Moving around the truck she joins Cody and starts toward the fishing spot the McCann boys have picked out. Cowboy boots scuffing over the ground as she goes. One hand carrying two fishing poles, the other with a thumb hooked through a belt loop on her shorts.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 06:09PM CST
She smiles, bright and cheery as the sun which occasionally deigned to peek from behind the random fluffy cloudbanks as she spotted Cody, a glimpse of Jodi telling ehr this was a group McCann clan outing. She tucked a curl behind one ear, sparkly hand beaded earrings dangling there today, a far cry from her diamonds or other such things. She rather liked them, a charming purchase at a local shop actually. But she drew up to Billy's place and stopped, glad she'd worn the flat sandals today instead of heels and that vivid green gaze fixed on him. "No I haven't, actually... I've gone hunting, but not fishing oddly enough, and we have a lake on our land..." She pondered why it was she'd never actually gone fishing. She'd certainly gone swimming before...
Jodi's whistle getting a wave back as she chuckled. "Jodi's certainly exuberant... and I wasn't busy anymore, so thought this might be fun. Help me relax from lessons." Its summer and the seventeen year old has lessons, every day of the week usually, filling morning and sometimes afternoon with subjects many and varied in context. Walking with him for the chosen spot she nodded as he explained the path. "i'm glad I chose my flats, though if I'd known sooner I might not have opted for a sundress." Thin quilted cotton with tiny sprigs of flowers in burghundy and navy and emerald.
Cody McCann
Mon 06:14PM CST
Pure.
BREED.
Can smell that kinda a breedin a mile in each direction. Its enough to make a man stand straighter, breathe deeper an appreciate. Eventually his eyes narrow onto the piece and recognition though slow-coming eventually flickers, "Hey thats the Piece of--" blink. His brow wrinkles briefly as a grin of PURE UNCONTAMINATED INNOCENCE swtrected across his oversized mouth. "Architecturual--" A blink to billy for help. "of the uh.. female form in flesh. Yeah." His head drops to his shoues whle the mitt of his left hand rubs against the sunburnt skin of neck.
Women.
Billy McCann
Mon 06:18PM CST
Billy shoots Jodi Lynn one of his flat stares. Expressionless except for where his mouth twitches up at the corner. Seems like not even the serious brother is immune to his cousin's infectious enthusiasm. He looks back over Arabella's shoulder. Doesn't hurt that looking back brings him closer to the willowy girl, gets him a whiff of her with her coffee still scenting in her hair and something finer beneath it that he can't name but that gets him hard in the gut. His hand brushes Arabella's elbow accidentally on purpose as he winks at Jodi Lynn. That's about as close to a yee-haw as Billy McCann ever does get, unless he's drunk. Hmmm. Maybe he's a little drunk. "Fishin' ain't too hard if you've done been hunting. An' if we ruin yer dress, well," he pauses two steps behind her. Only room really for one on the steps, and he needs to get himself a good look to frame the picture before he steps back to her side at the bottom of the stairs. Right arm almost around her, right hand almost cupping her right elbow, but he don't never touch her. Just guides her along. "I'm'a buy you a pretty new one. I'm glad you done wore it, though." If he is drunk, he ain't slurring his words. His voice is near bout the same as always, low and a little rough. His mouth near her ear. "Now I'm gon' tell you a secret about fishin that my daddy never did tell my ma."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 06:19PM CST
Jodi Lynn simply smirks at her cousins show of down home etiquette, a chuckles starting deep in her belly and welling up in her chest as she leans the fishing poles against one of the chairs Billy has sitting nearby.
"Hey Ara-bella, glad ya'll could make it out fishin. I got some nightcrawlers in the tackle box, sure t'have the fish a'bitin in no time a'tall."
Reaching up she tucks a stray strand of dark blonde beneath the green mesh of her John Deere cap, easing herself into one of Billy's chairs as she pulls a fishing rod into her lap and starts to untangle the line that got twisted up on the ride over. Cornflower blue eyes sweep the waters surface as though judging the best spot to drop a hook into.
"Where they bite at most Billy?"
Cliona Murran
Mon 06:24PM CST
It’s a walk from the Caern and hours spent in meditation that sends the Irish lass down the walkway that flows and ebbs in leisurely curves beside the river that does the same. A smaller lass then most would expect – given Will’s propensity for exaggeration about her prowess and the many times he’s saved her from her own folly – just barely topping a decent 5’4” – maybe 5’5” if she stretches a little, and slender – lean proportions and not an ounce of wasted flesh anywhere on her. When surrounded by rage machines that are often much, much bigger then she, it’s very easy to blend in, to not stand out.
Her hair, her breeding, her accent, however – these are things not so easily hidden. Jeans, tank top, well worn boots, and that battered backpack slung over her shoulder, hands are tucked into denim pockets, and a flick of her jaw sends two-toned hair back over her shoulders where it hangs freely. Natural red atop, a dark dark black that seems some fashion choice de jour, or a dye job grown out or simply gone wrong, it’s thick and lush, and frames a face her gram used to say was born of pixies. Pale blue gaze flicks lazily under red-toned lashes as she watches ahead of her, and simply wanders on.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 06:25PM CST
She glances Cody and Jodi's way, but simply smiles, friendly and open for the most part. Those things she never spoke of didn't impinge on the moment though, because there were something one bore alone or amongst family. Thank you Aurich for that lesson...
"I'm glad you like it. I do too... and its comfortable on warm days like today. I had ballet earlier so I hate wearing tight things afterwards. Those leotards are..." Her exagerated face for her studio attire was comical, still traced in charming that Bella does so well. She preceded him down the stairs as they headed for the fishing spot. It was his last whisper which had her slow down, and move so her own lips were near his ear. He could catch the scent of her time in the teashop, coffee, tea, and all her, as well as a light sandalwood touch. Crazy Wisdom was always burning incense... but regardless ot that she whispered back to him. "A secret? Oooohhh... you have my complete attention Billy." Her voice making even simple words sound refined.
Ryan McCann
Mon 06:31PM CST
Maybe he was drunk. Maybe he should've been drunk. Probably really was asleep in the back of the pickup, but that was hard to say. Ryan really doesn't sleep much, in fact the Eldest McCann seldom slept at night. He spent most of it hanging out with four best friends: Jack, Jim, Johnny, and Jose!
A loud snort issues from flaring nostrils, breathing in the air around him. Water, grass, fish, Cody's deoderant, and.. purebreed. Tongue rolls over to wet dry cracked lips, tasting the sweat just above his upper lip. He swallows a few times as his throat felt parched. One eyelid cracks up, pulling a large hand up to shade his eyes.
Perspiration runs in small sweat droplets along his brow, dampening dark hair along his forehead. Hard, chiseled features weathered by the sun and facial stubble, contort into a brooding mask.
grunt. snort. grunt. grunt... just like some ornery old boar woken up by piglets.
Barefeet bang against the metal of the truckbed as the eldest pulls himself up, stretching out muscular arms up behind his head. He blinks a few times, squinting his eyes away from the sun. Ryan looks around until his gaze fixes on his nylon bag. He reaches over, stuffing a hand inside to find his sunglasses. Tattered Oakleys whipped out to pull them over his face, a hand runs through his semi-long hair, letting it brush away from his cheeks. He locates his flipflops, pulls them on and stands up in the truckbed.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 06:32PM CST
A grin that spreads near ear to ear brightens her plainly pretty features as she sits waiting for Cody to hurry up with the tackle box. Bright blue eyes watch as Arabella leans into Billy to hear his 'secret' and she barely keeps herself from chuckling aloud. How many country girls have fallen for that old 'I've got a secret for you' trick. Her fishing hook pinched between thumb and forefinger, she leans back in the chair by the water, watching her cousins and Ms. Arabella approach with a lazy smile on her lips. Feels almost like home down here by the water, waiting for the McCann clan.
"Hey y'all, fish ain't gonna wait all day fer us t'get our hooks in th'water."
Loud and abbrasive, her voice has a country twang, though it isn't in the least bit malicious or aggresive. It's just a product of her raisin...farm life can get pretty loud sometimes.
Billy McCann
Mon 06:32PM CST
"This time a'day?" Billy flicks Jodi Lynn a glance as he and Arabella come through the high rough gross to the edge of near-still pool, protected by a lick of reclaimed land and surrounded by trees rippling with leaves until you near about can't tell that you's in the city. He doesn't take the Fang too close to the water, though, just stops where the ground starts leaking wet beneath their feet. "See up under that stand of trumpet vine and shit, just this side of the blackberry canes?" His eyes half-close, squinting against the glare of the sun on the near still water. "This time'a day, up under there. They's a little shade all afternoon, but I ain't too sure we's gon' get anything so late. Best would be early morning, when they ain't too damn overheated t'eat. Still, if anyone kin get herself a fish near bout afternoon in a hot pool, it'll be you Jodi Lynn." His chin falls lower again, listening to Arabella's whispered reply. Hard features near split into a smile again, just a little one, private-like. "Alright, 'cept you should know I'm breakin' a long-standin' pact of the McCann menfolk in even tellin' you this, Miss Arabella. I hope you is conscious of the clear honor I am doin' you." His hand brushes her shoulder, three fingers steadying. Lowers his voice. "Fishin's jest an excuse to git away from the house an' drank beer with yer brothers."
Cody McCann
Mon 06:37PM CST
Billy N'Arabella..
And then he's wanderin past towards the fishin hole his GOOD eye set on Jodi as if something might-could come up out of the water n' pull her down if he were to be lax on his guard (...dog..) duty. "Like yer shoutin's gonna make em jump outta th'water any faster?" Like heckle and Jeckle those two - only these days they didn't break off into blows. Not unless Cody wanted to get the snot beat out of him again - bu his BROTHERS, sheesh. NOT the girl, as if! Tongue slides over his teeth as a single hand settles onto one of the folding chairs to drag into backwards before a beer is swiped from the cooler. It was fairly obvious Cody wasn't much of a fisherman...
Mostly he came just in case.
[..tales are everywhere.]
Tucker Riley
Mon 06:39PM CST
The walk over is a slow trot. Tired from a full day of loading and unloading the crates, boxes, bags and other various cargos from the boats down on the docks. There's a light sheen of sweat over his form, darkening a bit on the collar of his t-shirt. That thin material sticking obtusely to his form rising and falling slowly with his breath.
It's not like he can't feel the purebreed in them, or the comparative lack of, in the case of himself and the sivler fang baroness. The young scion of house wyrm-foe, gutter trash fallen in a sea of his own addictions and personal demons [can you see it in my eyes.] Looks quietly on toward the group, thirty yard or so from the spot where he's standing next to the railing that aligns the walking path. [Waiting.]
"The hell is she doin'...?" Rage [not your place.] spills over him as he continues that slow trot away from his standing post [our spot.] toward the group.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 06:39PM CST
Bella was as far from 'country' as one might get, though the naivete that was similar lingered. She'd been raised under different standards of conduct and sheltered from many things of the boy/girl dynamic of socialization. Blame that on big brother being over protective. She was merely playing along with Billy's 'secret' game... his revelation getting an overly dramatic widening of the eyes at the -honor- and a chuckle. "I see... and thats what you and the Clan McCann will be doing today?" She was amused. These little gatherings, conversations, pinpoints in an otherwise busy and melancholy time were lightening. Hard to keep ahold of the sadness with these Fianna.
She stopped where Billy indicated, not close to the water, and making sure she wasn't going to get damp feet over the thin edges of her sandals as she watched the other's gather and prepare.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 06:40PM CST
"Well Yee Haw!"
Jodi Lynn rises out of the chair and sets the butt of her fishing pole against the spongey ground, waving back toward the pickup.
"It's dawn'a the livin dead up there."
She juts her cap bill toward Ryan as he stands in the bed of the truck, her ponytail swaying as she waves at the eldest of her cousins with an all american smile on her plainly pretty features. After the exhuberant greeting toward Ryan, who may or may not join them down by the water in his own good time, she glances down at Cody with an audible snort. Playful, familiar, she claps him on the shoulder with her free hand and nods toward the tackle box.
"How 'bout ya pull them worms out and slip a big'un on my hook while I grab a beer fer m'self."
Without awaiting his inevitable denial of the task, she thrust the fishing pole toward him and then crouches beside the cool to lift its lid.
Cliona Murran
Mon 06:41PM CST
It isn’t hard to hear the McCann clan doing what they seem to do best in the very short time she’s known them – having a good time, hootin and hollarin. All told, it makes a lass feel at home, it does, though the accents are different and the faces aren’t the same, the breeding is, and there’s a comraderie that she shares with her own lads.
She misses Aoife. She misses Bren. That boy was always good for a laugh, even if it near tore her right in half listening to him talk about her.
Steps slow slightly as she draws neared to the Truck, in time to see the bed give birth to what surely can only be another Brother. Good gaia, just how many o’them were there?
And then. Well, well well. Look around for weeks and weeks and here he is just trotting right up behind her. A shift of weight, easily, as she turns to watch Tucker trot closer, and reddish brow lifts toward reddish hair. Finally, deceptively mild. “Tucker. A word wit’ye?”
Ryan McCann
Mon 06:44PM CST
Loud and abbrasive, scarred shoulders rolled up as he flinches under the teen's voice. "Christ.." he exhumes in a gruff voice, under his breath. A swivel of his head and deep-set eyes, a muddy-brown color, locate where everyone else had wandered off to.
Billy with some pretty little thing, another flare of his nostrils [Fang...] Another grunt echoed in his throat, Ryan bends down to zip up the bag. He shuffles over to the edge, braced large hands on the side of the truck. Sinewy muscles coiled up along his bare arms and shoulders, legs pulled up as Ryan pivots his body, cleanly vaulting over the side of the pickup and landing on his feet.
He grunts again at Jodi's exuberant greeting, head swivels around to look at the young ones, before flicking his gaze off to Billy's wooing. He shakes his head, strolling off towards the edge of the water where Cody and Jodi sat.
Tucker Riley
Mon 06:45PM CST
"Make it quick, but yeah." Midwestern non-accent with that strange mix of a texas drawl and a jersey shorthand answer the Irishwoman. Turning on his heel to face her. [Always time for the rest later.]
"What's up, Rusty?" Seems like she's always got somthin' on her mind, but hell, he's gonna be tribal elder in a few moons so buisiness is somthing he know he'll need to learn.
Billy McCann
Mon 06:49PM CST
"Well, that's more or less so. Cept that was more so back when we was livin' at home, see." Billy's just standing beside her. He ain't making no move for one of his poles. Ain't grabbing his guitar, battered case propped against a young willow tree hungry for the water's edge but far enough away to keep the instrument dry. He just stands real close and watches his brothers and cousin with his unwavering gaze, with the serious face that hides the bone deep affection he has for the lot of 'em. "Here, it's more like, well - " Gaze slides from the others back to Arabella's face. Watching the subtle changes of expression that drift across her young features like clouds. " - look up an' around you. Don't even seem like you're in the city no more, does it? They's the sky an' it reflects itself in the river and back again, and they's bits of things what wanna grow, an' the trees is thick, ain't manicured, struggling for place. They eat up some of that ashy scent you get in your throat of the city. I know the river don't smell none too good but - " His hand slides from her shoulder to beneath her elbow. Directing her glance the otherway, to a stand of honeysuckle rioting with yellow and white blooms. " - they's other things to smell 'sides the river."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 06:49PM CST
Peering back toward the truck as she was, her cornflower blue eyes caught hold of Cliona and held for a time as she squinted against the sunlight.
"Hey Billy. Ain't that th'irish broad from th'pub last night?"
She motions toward the Fianna and her companion [Tucker] haphazardly as she pulls a bottle of Coors Light [picked that out herself] from the cooler and twists off the cap. Glancing toward Arabella, she tugs another Coors Light from the cooler [women's beer] and twists the cap off, jutting the bottle out toward Arabella with a grin.
"Somethin t'wet yer whistle with there Ara-bella. Ask any McCann brother'n they'll tell ya fishin is thirsty work."
She gives the Fang girl a wink and a smile, tipping her own bottle to her lips and taking a long swallow.
Cliona Murran
Mon 06:51PM CST
A very unladylike snort (Jodi Lynn, likely, would be proud). “I’ll b’takin all th’time I need, Tucker, and ye know it.” She lets the nickname slide, this time, as she moves across, one step, two, and settles slender hips that swell just enough to suggest good ‘breeding hips’ – always assuming Will’s quick save of breedin bits at Pyrell and the resultant healing got her all put back into one working piece again.
There’s a glance over her shoulder, before that gaze rests solely on Tucker. The world could be empty but for the two of them for all she cares at the moment. “been lookin t’talk to you for some time now. Th’be a wee rumor goin round that I need clarification on. And yerself, ye need t’take care o’before I do meself.”
Arms cross under swell of breasts, her gaze still steady, and it dinna take a genius to feel that crackle of Rage that suggests the mild-mannered Spirt Talker isn’t happy. At all.
Point blank. “What happened in NYC.”
Cody McCann
Mon 06:51PM CST
"Tch."
His nose wrinkles as she nudges his arm and exhaling that long-suffering sigh [Our poor St. Christopher himself must has had a lighter load.] he crouches over the tackle box opening up a small carton filled with a small dark handful of pasta that wiggled - that'd be the bait. If he wasn't sittin next to jody this would be PRIME invitation for a prank - and sometimes fate sees fit to answer such mischievous thoughts.
Cody's head lifts to take in the image of his eldest brother Ryan. [ Begin symphonic background music..] The Biggest, the oldest, the baddest, Ryan cpould take on aan ENTIRE pack of BSD with one hand and both eyes closed! WEll, yeah Ryan's kinda annoying that way -- but sometims you had to admit it was pretty cool.
Grin.
"You catchin' us some grub Ry?"
And the night crawler is speared on Jodi's hook.
Ryan McCann
Mon 06:55PM CST
He looks back over his shoulder, casting a dark look to the truck and the two occupants that showed up. None of them registered in his mind, he continues on over to the 'kids', pausing near Cody to eye his youngest sibling.
"Lil' late to be fishin' don'tcha think? Sun's way up high, might not catch shit," he looks at one of the untouched poles, leans down to grab one up and inspects it. He gives it a good look over, his head half-cocked to keep one eye on the two behind him. He turns a bit, just to keep Jodi in his sights as well.
"Cody, who's that over there." a casual nod of his head towards Cliona and Tucker.
Ryan McCann
Mon 06:56PM CST
to Cody McCann, Billy McCann: Totemphone: We got company.. somebody know who these yokels are?
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 06:57PM CST
Billy spoke truly, as she looked around. It really didn't look much like the city, with its perfectly manicured parks [courtesy of county beautificayion projects] and concrete jungle. She preferred some of the wilder stretched of Doenhoff but this was still nice. Peaceful... she might not be one for exploring far from civilization but some change was good. "Its lovely here, despite the little cons. [river smell mainly] How did you find it?"
She smiled a touch more for the honeysuckle and was distracted by Jodi, shaking ehr head at the offer of a beer. "No thank you, Jodi Lynn... despite last night, I really don't prefer to drink much, but thank you." Whatever happened to people asking first? She'd ended up with this entire pint last night which had nominally not been drained unlike the other McCanns. This is Bella afterall... who could imagine her sloshing through a beer anyways, pretty and elegant on the bank. Bella glanced where everyone seemed to be indicating, starting to wave some to Cliona and pausing... but yes, that was Tucker with the other. She completed the wave though and smiled more. He was so busy lately, with work and who knew what else. "Thats Tucker... he's a cousin of mine, you could say, and we're... well..." She blushes some. Being courted? "He's courting me." Finishes it off with a shy little smile.
Cody McCann
Mon 06:58PM CST
to Billy McCann, Ryan McCann: Totemphone: No clue on my end, Billy?
Cody McCann
Mon 07:01PM CST
Cody blinks up briefly past towards the two others, his shoulders rising fractionally even as his head lowers. Gaze flicks down to the nightcrawlers slid back into the carton before he looks up to Ryan again one brow raised.
"Wammie find out?"
Tucker Riley
Mon 07:02PM CST
"Aoife told ya then." And thank gaia he didn't see that fucker sniffin' on his girl.
But that was to be dealt with in a minute. Right now, all his attention is focused on the young woman in front of him. Younger than him, even. Even still, ten times younger by Garou standards.
"I killed 'im. He'd kidnapped Miriam, an' ya know as well as I do what the girl means t'me. So," He continues, calmly, almost to the point it's unlike him. "Ambrose an' I went t'get 'er. I walked, in gave 'im the chance to give me the girl an' let the Fianna here deal with 'im. He decided ta try an' kill me instead." He snarls now, not just in face but in his voice, a near explosion.
Lit fuse on a stick of dynamite that sound is.
"So, I killed the bastard, fer kidnappin' M an' fer what he did ta Aoife. That shit wasn't right!"
Gaze meets her eyes hard, challenging. "Is that gonna be a problem?" [What crawled up his ass and died?]
Billy McCann
Mon 07:03PM CST
to Cody McCann, Ryan McCann: The girl's Cliona Murran, the contact you was lookin' for. Guy's some Fang what's courting my Fang girl. Seems like Billy was gonna give the Fang a run for his money. Less someone else more interesting popped along in the meantime.
Ryan McCann
Mon 07:04PM CST
to Cody McCann, Billy McCann: Just...do me a favor. Where a condom..less ya wanna end up like me with a brood of kids. Beyond that, have fun with her. he snorts back over the link.
Billy McCann
Mon 07:07PM CST
Billy turns at Jodi's question. Ain't it a neat coincidence how once more he manages to keep close to the willowy Silver Fang. Corded body twists narrowly from the the waist as he turns, mouth near brushing against the girl's hair. "Yeah, that's the Irish girl." Arabella refuses the offer of a beer, so Billy takes it instead. Even if it is a girl's beer, Coors Light. Wipes the water dripping on the silver can off on his old jeans, turning the can round and round slow like so's not to shake it and fizz it up. Pauses, then, his eyes going far off as he hears something can't hardly anyone else sense. Draws his head back as he comes to so as to get a better look at Arabella's face. "Just wanderin' around. Don't take much, really. Just got to know where to look for the good thangs even in the middle of the bad. They's better places outside, but gas being what it is." Shrugs the thought off, flashes another brief, wide grin. Drops his mouth to her ear again, low-voiced and warm. "If'n he don't treat you right, you let me an' my brothers know. An' if'n you get tired a' his ways, well. You let me know."
Billy McCann
Mon 07:10PM CST
to Cody McCann, Ryan McCann: When've you ever had to worry about me 'n that. Anyway, bet the girl is loaded. If ever it gets that far, I'm sure her family kin keep the kid. Fer the moment, ain't no more'n an innocent flirtation. Billy had a thousand of 'em. One broke his heart. He broke the rest. That was the way of things.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 07:13PM CST
Bella had made ineresting friends of late. Black Furies and Glasswalker and Fianna galoreamong others, and it made for interesting moments, seeing how they reacted or treated each other and her. Even on the outskirts of this family unit it was warm, and rather welcoming, filled with zest she missed.
Eyes going from where Tucker talked back to Billy, she blushed more, delicate pink color to highlight the smooth complexion even more. "I will." She chuckles though, something in the tone indicating she didn't think it would become necessary. Only time could truly tell but Bella was possessed of a trusting nature and compassion that left her without the mistrust some others might hold at bay within... at least now anyways. At least after their last, explosive fight, where she'd stopped being prim proper Bella to vent her truer feelings.
"If you want, some day you should come out to the riding stable where I keep my horse. Its outside of the main sprawl of Chicago." She liked having someone to ride with, or talk to, moreso of late.
Cliona Murran
Mon 07:15PM CST
“Aoife is dead.” Snapped. Flat, but there’s no denying the emotion behind it. She aches with the loss of one of her friends, and she aches even more for her lad, Smilin Bren. “An her retribution wasna yers t’take. An’ make no mistake, Tucker, ye know damn well that I know it weren’t for Aoife ye did shite. Was f’ye girl M.” She has her own opinion on this little kidnapping, since Ambrose was so very careful to avoid her questions, but other then that, she simply nods as Tucker continues on.
There’s a long silence at the end. There’s th’snarl, there’s the growl, there’s the challenge as she meets that gaze dead on. His rage crackles and clashes with hers own, though her voice is still so very mild. deceptively bland. “I dinna know, Tucker. Tis yer own call roight here, right now.”
A pause. In some other life the Spirit Talker may have been a Gallaird. But in truth, it is simply the Irish way. The Fianna Way. They are all story tellers, though some are better then others, and there’s the inherent way speech rolls of the tongue that speaks of bards and long nights of drinking, dancing, storytelling and fucking. Not necessarily in that order, or one at a time, either.
“See, here’s th’thing, Tucker. Ye did this months ago. Ye havena told a soul about it near as I kin tell, let alone th’once who should be informed. Such as th’council. And that poses a right big problem f’meself and m’lads, because that...” oh just fill in the blank. With. “..woman, th’GeeDub, has decided tis me own lads th’did this deed. She hasna attacked yet, but from what me sources say, tis right around th’corner.”
Pause.
“Tis nae me mess now, Tucker. Tis yer own. And if’n she lifts one lil pinky in m’direction, or that o’me boys, it will be a problem, and nae a wee one neither. Ye understand me lad?” He may be older in years – even in Garou years, but when it comes to the quiet honesty, the intensity of one who always acts with honor, it is she who has the control to continue in that nice even tone. No snarls. No growls. Just that mild tone, and lilting Irish accent.
Cody McCann
Mon 07:17PM CST
Cody just grins liftin his chin a bit. See, thats the thing with havin more'an one galliard in the family. One's always tellin on the other. "Yeah, he's tryin t'top my deadly mojo, baby." Deadly mojo?! That's right. And if you haven't heard the story of how Cody's sex-appeal nearly killed a girl, then yuo've had your head burried up an ostrich's ass way too long.
And Cody even effect the [...somewhat gay looking - 'The garou that shagged me.'] Austin Powers arm-stance complete with bent wrists and a twitching shoulders. "He's aimin for shagadelic.."
Tucker Riley
Mon 07:23PM CST
And at this moment, every terrible thought he's had about Cliona in the back of his mind, ever.
Is absolutely validated. "Glad ta hear ya think so much a' me and a fuckin' oath I make ta protect yer kin." Words are softer in volume, ut the edge is sharp. Muscles in his arms visibly tense and release. "I did it cause he was a spiral, r'at least on 'is way there. He had her locked up, naked beaten and alone," the words scream with their true meaning. [My ex. my best- no, my one true friend. My M."] "I told Aoife, was gonna tell everybody else next week, at the full moon. To get everythin' out in the open before I have ta step up to the Council. Leaders shouldn't hide shit like that."
Head shakes and he begins to walk away before turning toward Cliona. "She comes after you, just send 'er my way. I did nothin'. Wrong. here."
Back turned now, heading toward the fishing party. "Later Red."
This conversation.
Is.
Over.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 07:24PM CST
Having moved toward the spot Billy pointed out earlier, Jodi Lynn has her hook and worm in the water, listening to the conversations going on over her shoulder. Cornflower blue eyes sliding over the smooth flowing surface of the water, watching for ripples. A beer in one hand, and fishing pole in the other. The beer she had opened for Arabella is set on the ground near her feet, having given Arabella a pleasant 'suit yerself' in reply to her denial of the drink. Now, she peers back over toward Cody and Ryan with a wry smile and a shake of her head.
"Yer deadly mojo. Shee-it Cody."
With a chuckly she shakes her head again and follows it with a long swallow from her beer, glancing back toward the pickup where Cliona and Tucker stand. Watching from beneath the bill of her John Deere green mesh hat as the fella strolls on down toward them.
"In comin."
Ryan McCann
Mon 07:25PM CST
Muddy-brown eyes roll up to the sky, "Mama help me... he'll be Elvis impression next." he cajoles at the baby of the family. The fishing pole in his hand set down by his foot, Ryan stands up, glancing over his shoulder again at Billy and the pretty Fang girl.
He feels the nightcrawler wiggling around in his closed fist, tilts his head down and looks at it. The grin widens even more. "Hey, Code," an arm shoots around to snare around the skinny shoulders of the boy, hauling him up to Ryan's scarred chest. "Feel up for a laugh?" his hand swings up, opening up his fist to show Cody the worm and jerks his head over at Billy, giving Cody a wiggle of his dark eyebrows.
If it was another thing about having five brothers, one of them was always doing something to the other to embaress them. Good thing they didn't have a ragabash in the family.
Billy McCann
Mon 07:26PM CST
Expressionless as near about always, Billy watches her. Sun's slanting longer now. Shadows are seeping deeper across the surface of the pool, but a shard of sunlight lights the pale sunfire blue of Billy's eyes and the deep brown skin around him. There ain't nothing soft about the look, there's a hard cord of flexible steel in the Fianna. It ain't never more clear than it is in his eyes. "I appreciate the invitation, Miss Arabella, 'cept I don't think I'd be a good'un t'have near horses. Maybe if'n you was t'ask Jodi Lynn t'go ridin' with you. Leastways she won't be scarin' th'horses." Folds his arms in front of him, looking at her sidelong now. Unreadable.
Cliona Murran
Mon 07:29PM CST
“Ye stoopid iijit. We dinna ask for ye oath – in fact, I asked for ye t’leave Aoife’s retribution to ‘er mate. And yeh dinna wait t’th’full moon. Ye tell th’ones who’s arse is on th’line. They come f’me and me lads and I’ll be coming f’yerself. when tis done and o’re with. Tis a promise.
Ye did wrong in nae admitting ye took care o’him when ye did to his Tribal Elder. Ye are still a child, Tucker Riley, a fookin child. Ye tell th’council. Or I will.”
A shake of her head, and a slow smirk as she returns her gaze to the now empty space before her. He declares it over. She declares the last word. A moment, and she too stands, and resumes her walk, with a wave toward Bella, and th’Clan McCann.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 07:30PM CST
"Oohh.. yeah." She blushes some to veen forget it, but really, Rage became like harsh whitenoise she was aware of and yet, somehow tuned out to a degree. It came of having five brothers of her own, and tagging along after the eldest [dear Aurich...] and his pack for years. "Aurich never could either... and I really just... well I forgot. Perhaps Jodi then." There went her idea to help liberate Billy and maybe some of his family from the concrete jungle for a few hours.
Pink really was a good color on her. It might be why her mother loved dressing her baby girl [her only girl] up in it for social events. Movement catches her eye and vivid green gaze leaves Billy to see Cliona's wave, which was returned, and Tucker's angry approach.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 07:32PM CST
Jodi Lynn catches the wave from Cliona and she half turns lifting an arm to return the wave with a holler.
"Hey Clee-ona, how y'all doin?"
Tipping her Coors light to her lips she takes a long swallow then shouts again.
"Y'all wanna come'n do a bit a fishin with us?"
Cody McCann
Mon 07:35PM CST
Love.
Love.
Love
--your eldest brother. See, thats the thing about big families rivalries happen with the siblings closest to you but by the time you get to be more than three years apart - it changes the relationship somehow. The thin [ by comparison..] shoulder forward and somehow that slippery black bait changes hands before cody shrugs the grip off. "Ey, man cool it. My mojo don't go-go that way--" A wagggle of the brows before he grabs up beer exxageratedly shaking his bony ass from beneath the oversized hand-me-down denims.
"Ey, jodi - you know how it go-goes."
Life's just a blast.
Its movin really fast.
Better stay on top...
And Cody's making his way to Arabella and Billy.
Billy McCann
Mon 07:37PM CST
Billy turns in about near time with Arabella's turn around. Pale eyes flicker up the bank and over the stormin' normin' Silver Fang. Studies up on him a minute, but they's somethin' else in the catch and timbre of the pretty girl's voice that catches his attention. Arms fall from the knot in front of him to swing loose at his side, and he leans down to Arabella again. She might not see it, but she can feel the weight of his attention. The close study of the curve of her cheek and the sweep of her lashes against her skin. The edge of green eyes, half-shadowed at the end of the day. "Aurich's the one you're missing." He don't say it like it's a question. He says it like its a fact. Like he knows the weight of sorrow, how it opens up in your throat and don't ever let go: that's the power of a Fianna Galliard. That much in a bare few words. By god if there isn't near about a catch in his voice, too, as he done says it. Nevermind that there's a Fang on the way in. Nevermind that they's two brothers and a cousin making mischief behind. Near enough that the world could stop and split apart: a moment of clear and clear-eyed understanding.
Cliona Murran
Mon 07:41PM CST
There’s a pause in her steps at Jodi’s holler, and she can’t help the chuckle. She lifts a hand then, and with a shrug, she follows the trail downwards so as not to have to holler the distance. “I dinna have much time right now, lass, but thank’ee for th’invite. Ye catchin anything?”
Gaze shifts slightly, watching Tucker’s barreling all but charge Billy and Arabella, she shifts a bit to note the places of everyone else, before crouching near by Jodi’s chair. “So these th’rest o’yer family is it?”
Kemp Oates
Mon 07:43PM CST
Flying through the streets with the wind tugging at clothing, snapping shirt back. Hair tangling where it stuck out from beneath the helmet. Honda roaring beneath him. Each lean of his body taking him around a car or truck. Nothing could compair to flying along as fast as he could, not even sex. Besides, the bike didn't keep score cards on his performance.
Tucker Riley
Mon 07:43PM CST
Now he's in full on, thug mode. And thank the young woman who's currently getting the finger while he walks away, back still turned. [You and yer boys...pffft. Come after me and what? Raid my liquor cabinet? Bitch.]
"Bella!" He calls down the bank trying not to sound to incredibly pissed.
Finally reaching the riverbank and looking at each of the Fianna around him. Unfortunatly enough it's one of those 'got a problem?' type looks, intentianlly or not. "Who're yer friends?"
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 07:43PM CST
Her attention is pretty averted from her fishing line in the water. Half turned toward the shore, she glances from Cliona to the approaching Fang with an expression of fleeting uncertainty. Her slender throat working in a swallow, before she glances at Cody with a mild chuckle. Her attention then goes to Billy and Arabella, Tucker's obvious target, smooth brow furrowing beneath the bill of her cap as she breaths a light sigh before swallowing down the rest of her beer. As Cliona joins her near the shore, Jodi smiles down at her and nods toward the open beer.
"Naw, not a nibble s'far, but we just started. Help yerself t'the beer there, was fer Ara-bella but she ain't much on drinkin."
Then she glances toward the three McCann brothers and grins.
"Most a thems here. But fer Morgan and Tommy, who ye met last night."
James Wagner
Mon 07:44PM CST
Once again James was roused from bed for some unknown reason, he later found himself on walkabout.
Ryan McCann
Mon 07:45PM CST
"BAH!" Ryan cuffs out a loud snort, his other hand shoots up to tousling the back of Cody's head as he shoves the boy away. He bends down to grab another nightcrawler, palming in his meaty hand and makes his way over to Jodi's chair to stoop over her.
He leans down to snatch up her bottle of beer, holding it up above her head to take a look at it. "What the fuck ya drinkin' this shit for, gal. Ain't nothin' but watered down snake piss," he's turning away as he speaks, his back to the others.
A quick slight of hand, too quick and that squished nightcrawler's getting slipped into Jodi's beer. Ryan pretends to take a drink from it, before handing back to Jodi. "here. Takes like shit." he growls out, moving away to the open cooler and grabbing himself a beer.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 07:48PM CST
"Aurich was my brother... its very recent..." His passing, his death, Bella does not elaborate, her voice dropped to a quiet murmur, laced in truest feelings. The past tense does seem to imply that whatever has happened, it was permanent and she was minus one beloved oldere brother. It was a degree of respect back she explains for Billy, when she's been pretty closed with details on whats been dragging carefree Bella into melancholy nearly daily.
But someday, she'd forget this pain.... [and thats the deepest sorrow]
But her eyes dart up at oncoming [storm?] Tucker and smiles a touch. "Hell Tucker. Meet the McCanns, some freinds I've made recently. This is Billy," And she begins gesturing as she rattles off what names she knew, which means Cody and Ryan went unaccounted for.
Cliona Murran
Mon 07:50PM CST
[Well show ya raidin, bitch.] The thought in return to the oh so eloquent finger from the thug. A snort, and when she feels James waking up, a quick whisper of Crow’s black feathers. ~Down by th’river, lad. Fishin with th’McCann Clan. Had meself a wee talk with Tucker, now he’s on th’warpath and Th’boys are in his way. Come join th’party.~
To Jodi, then she nods, and reaches into the cooler for a beer, just about the same time Ryan does. A nod, a smile. “Slainte, lad.” Don’t be offended – she calls all her boys Lad, though she is the youngest of them all. They’re Alpha too. Let’s here it for girl power!
Then back to Jodi. “Thank’ee. Ne’re was one t’turn down somethin t’wet th’whistle, even when heading t’patrol.”
Ryan McCann
Mon 07:51PM CST
Cliona and Tucker have now caught the eldest McCann's attention, leveling his eyes upon the new pair. He crouches over the open cooler like a predator, muddy-brown eyes sliding back and forth quickly, waiting for something to provoke his ire. Large hand slips into the watered down ice, pulling up a can. He slips it down to his side, dropping that hand behind his back as he stands up.
Ryan walks away from the cooler, shaking up the beer behind his back. Casually, he watches, giving Cliona a nod up of his chin in greeting, "Hey, name's Ryan the eldest, that's billy and Cody, he's the baby of the brood." all the while, when that can's good and shook up, he's heading towards Billy.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 07:51PM CST
Reaching up she takes the bottle back from Ryan with a good natured laugh, swishing the fluid around inside it.
"Y'wouldn't know a good beer if it done went and pours itself down yer gullet."
Heedless of the implications of -any- McCann touching your beverage without finishing it off, she takes a long swallow of the nightcrawler beer, the long wriggling mass of it able to avoid being swallowed in the first gulp, but not the second. Her brow furrows as the slick worm hits her tongue, and then her throat constricts as the worm tries to wiggle down her throat. With a gag and a sputter, she spits out the whole mess with a yelp.
"You lime shit Ryan!"
Watching the worm wiggle around on the ground at her feet in a foaming pool of beer she curses and looks at the near empty bottle in her hand.
"Shoulda known betta."
Her tongue works around in her mouth for a moment before she snorts and spits a wad of saliva into the water nearby.
"Don't think I won't get ya back fer that."
The frown she levels on Ryan is a good natured one as she sets down the beer bottle and begins to reel in her line. He's in for it... in about thirty seconds.
James Wagner
Mon 07:51PM CST
So swing a little more, the more the merry'o.. On the devil's dance floor. He found himself sauntering down the streets of the Riverfront, occasionally lifting a flask out from his back pocket to take a swig of the dark liquor. He got the message, through clouded thoughts of waking up earlier, that Cliona was fishing. Heh. So of course he showed up at their little watering hole, without a fishing rod. A musician had no use for one these days.
Cody McCann
Mon 07:53PM CST
Slip - Slip - sliiiiide.
[They say I was was born under a pregnant moon...
But it was only filled with trouble.]
Cody is the smallest of the brother McCann, the right edge of his mouth always twisted upward in some half-assed grin that might just be a tick from bitrth. [Was cody ever NOT smiling?] Maybe its the lack of girth that makes it so easy to slip another arm [..as if one's not enough.] over arabella shoulders waggling brows at the blue blood.
"Your highness, My name is Cody McCann,
Squire of the clann at Hand -- "
Speaking of Clans and Hands, something seems to disappear from Cody's down arabella's back. Whoops. Cody takes a step backward now high cheekbones round in a full grin.
"I'd love to cordially invite you to our humble ball -- pull up a seat and worry not at all."
Cody: All the style of his ELDER brothers and MORE.
Billy McCann
Mon 07:54PM CST
There's a nod for Arabella. It's quiet, accepting. He don't push her to say more and don't dwell in her sorrow. Might not even if they wasn't some thug-actin' Fang flipping off the Fianna tribal elder and snortin' and bellowing. Billy crosses his arms again as Tucker approaches. Nods when his name is said, and then casts Arabella another look. This one's searching, hard as any other look he's given her. Otherwise, though, he's lettin' Ryan and Cody handle the innerductions and whatnot.
Billy McCann
Mon 07:55PM CST
to Cody McCann, Ryan McCann, Tommy McCann: Totemphone: Fang was flippin' off a Fianna. That ain't right.
Cliona Murran
Mon 07:56PM CST
She can’t help but laugh at the antics, and nods to Ryan, standing again. Dwarfed by th’lot of them, of course. “Pleasure, lad. Th’baby is he?” Just grins and lifts her beer to her mouth, taking a good half of it easily enough, then, as free hand tucks into denim pocket. “Met Billy, Tommy and JodiLynn here last night at me pub... rowdy bunch, glad ye all moved on inteh town..”
Cody McCann
Mon 07:57PM CST
to Billy McCann, Ryan McCann, Tommy McCann: Totemphone: not unless the fianna got the balls to do somethin about it. I foer one woul;dn't stand fer that shit.
Naw, Cody just took his lumps on the regular.
James Wagner
Mon 07:59PM CST
Seemed like the entire McCann clan was here tonight. Three of them he knew, one he did not. A few others he thought he recognized, but wasn't sure. Its been too long. However... Yeah. Time for a bit o'th'rough an' tumble.
He sauntered up behind Cliona, and abruptly threw his arm around her neck and drew her down, giving her one serious noogie.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:00PM CST
Once she's got her line reeled in, Jodi Lynn turns and her cornflower blue gaze sweeps over the crowd thats gathering on the river shore, and she thinks better [though barely] of trying to wrestle Ryan into the water for slipping a worm into her beer. Her gaze comes to rest on Tucker, and it isn't hard to see that he's got his jockeys in a bunch about something, and it would just be best if Ryan weren't dripping wet, should something go down.
"Yer lucky there's so many folks around Ryan, jes r'member. I know where y'all sleep."
She sends a pointed gaze in Ryan's direction, with a meaning grin as she stoops to pick up her bottle, checking it once for worms, and then pressing it to her lips to finish it off.
Tucker Riley
Mon 08:01PM CST
"Billy." Low, harsh. A nod toward the Fianna sitting far to close to Arabella. Friend my ass.
The pressures ease up as he takes the introductions from the oldest. "Good ta meet ya."
Then the little one starts talking. "That's not funny." Followed by putting his arm around arabella. Bad move.
Try. Not. To. Snap.
"Heard about yer brother. I'm sorry 'Bella." Respect carried in his words, even through the seething anger.
Cliona Murran
Mon 08:04PM CST
She’s grabbed and there’s snorted laughter as she swats at James. “Now is that any way teh be treatin ye alpha, lad? I know where ye sleep!” mimicing Jodi without really realizing it. Even if it’s just as fond as Jodi’s comment is for her cousin.
She pulls away and nods toward Ryan. “That there’s th’eldest, Ryan. Th’one who asked f’th’meet an greet. There’s Cody, th’youngest. and ye met Billy and Jodi here last night. And o’course, Miss Arabella.”
Quick, the introductions, while underneath rage seethes, boils, burns.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:04PM CST
Spotting James, Jodi Lynn adjusts her shirt, damp with spit out beer, and tips the bill of her John Deere cap toward him with a girlish grin.
"Hey y'all, come down t'try yer hand at fishin?"
She nudges Ryan with the curve of a denim clad hip, then deposits her empty beer bottle into a stack beside the cooler, to be discarded later, while she fishes out another, along with a bottle of Guinness from Cody's stash.
"Here y'are James, somethin t'wet yer whistle."
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 08:04PM CST
Bella doesn't answer because about the time she might reply to Tucker, or question that look from Billy she's giving a gasp and squirming. Something distinctly slimy is on her back... inside her dress. Eyes an impossibly wide set and she shoots Cody a look that could freeze Hell over. There is a cooler arrogant edge hidden under the friendly mien. She was Silver Fang afterall.
Despite what could be viewed as comical, Bella has an innate grace of movement that makes her jumping steps more of a dance, trying not to step into the water or closer to muddy bank edges... as she tried to extricate whateevr it was from ehr dress. "There. is. something. in. my dress.... that... that..." She is not amused by any stretch of the imagination... she's not even blushing.
She's getting angry.
Cody McCann
Mon 08:05PM CST
Ladies and Gentleman: Watch the the slippery slithery nightcrawler into the hand of the youngest McCann vanish without a sound or spec, as he talk to the raging blueblood and the even MORE dangerous older brother. Watch the slow recoil from tthe girl as both hands retire into his backpocketest, and the choreograpghed sliiiide-step move as he positions himself out of reach. Do not try this at home: Pranking is an ART form.
And if Cody can't stop smiling?
"Whats not funny, blue?"
We'll say he's enjoying annoying the goddamned Fang, nothin worse'n them but Get.
Kemp Oates
Mon 08:07PM CST
The roar of the bike blending with the blare of horns and occassional yell as he wings around cars, weaving his way down the street. A shifting of gears and he was around the corner. Fading sunlight glinting off the helmet.
James Wagner
Mon 08:08PM CST
A wink for Jodi, a clap on the shoulder for Billy and Tommy, and a respecting nod to Ryan and an outstretched hand. "Evenin', lad. James Wagner's me name. 'Eard ye was lookin' fer th'Elder. Ye found 'im, lad."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:08PM CST
"Uh Oh..."
Jodi Lynn shakes her head as she looks toward the squirmin Arabella with a frown, setting down the two bottle before James can grab one, she marches toward the sundress clad girl, and without a thought shoves a tanned hand down the back of Arabella's dress. Strong fingers seek out the worm, and she tugs it free, without ever once revealing any parts of Arabella that shouldn't be revealed. With a shout she tosses the worm at Cody and settles her hands on her hips.
"That ain't funny Cody McCann, y'appologize t'the lady afore I black yer eyes out! Y'see she's wearin a nice dress an'all!"
Tommy McCann
Mon 08:09PM CST
The sound of another choppy engine coming up. The truck that pulls up probably hasn't had an oil change in a decade, and it was a wonder everything in there didn't just gunk up and solidify. The engine cuts and the door slams, and Tommy's heavy tread starts down the embankment. Biggest (but not oldest) of the brothers, slow and methodical in most his ways, Tommy surveys the setting and then sits on a crumbling piece of concrete, taking care to avoid the steel cables embedded within.
"Y'all done left me behind jus' 'cause I was takin' a nap," he grumbles to no one in particular. "Some family."
Clapped on one solid shoulder, Tommy nods to James, and then gets distracted by Jodi, Arabella and Cody. Maybe they'll all go a-mud-wrasslin'.
Tucker Riley
Mon 08:11PM CST
Funny thing is-
Erik always said he shoulda been Get.
"All that fake pompus ass shit. S'not the kinda guy I am kid." Still not quite making the connection between the new dance arabella's invented and the smirking jackass before him. Who, would no doubt hide behind the older ones at a moment's notice. Until of course Jodi clears it up for him.
Cody'll have to thank her for that later.
"The fuck did you put down'r dress?" Calm. Like a blizzard those steeley eyes meet the kid's directly making a play of dominance for the second time tonight. [And when the world won't leave you the hell be. You fight the world.] Voice could freeze hell like liquid nitrogen and at this very moment it's concentrating on the youngest McCann. "Apologize. Now." [The thug becomes the school yard bully, and right on cue-]
Cliona Murran
Mon 08:14PM CST
After the ultra quick whipsmack little Totem conversation, she nods, and then flashes Ryan an easy grin. “Got me patrols t’do lad. Ye tell Morgan and th’rest o yer family t’stop in on th’pub for drinks on meself some night again soon.”
Then she finishes off her beer, and with a chuckle toward the dancing Arabella and her suiters all, she turns and heads up toward the road again, passing Tommy on the way by with a little wave. “Slainte, lad.” before she’s moving right on by, and walking off to her Patrols.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:14PM CST
It's all fine and dandy for Jodi Lynn to curse and yell at her cousins, but when some stranger does it... its another story. Turning slowly on a worn cowboy boot heel, her hands already on her hips she peers at Tucker without the usual friendliness and all around hospitality she exhibits for most of mankind. Cornflower blue eyes glint and she cants her head to one side, pursing her lips.
"I think I already asked him t'appologize fella. Ya keep yer cussin t'yerself less y'offend the ladies present y'hear?"
Ryan McCann
Mon 08:15PM CST
"Leave Cody alone, Jodi, he ain't done nothing wrong. Just makin' the Princess feel at home is all." Ryan barks out over his shoulder, continuing to slink back towards the other two Fianna.
The amusement dies from his face as quickly as it had appeared, he focuses his attention on James now, extending a hand to grasp the Sandman's in a firm shake, which Ryan quickly pulls away. "Excuse me a moment." he says to James and Cliona.
The shaken beer can grasped in his hand as Ryan turns back around to stalk, literally stalk, right up behind Cody. Six feet and ornery as a Boar, he's glaring daggers at Tucker. "Chill out. Just a little fun is all." the heavy wash of a full moon's rage rolling off the eldest as he's just waiting for someone to prick his ill-temper. A little closer and more free with his anger than most.
Tommy McCann
Mon 08:15PM CST
Now. See.
There's something about the McCanns. You leave 'em alone and they're all at each other's throats half the time. Tumblin' around and ganging up on each other and fighting like puppies. But that's really how it is. Like puppies. Play-fighting.
And when outsiders intrude?
They lock ranks.
Tucker glaring at Tommy's little brother gets Tommy on his feet, right behind his big brother. Silent, he rather resembles a goddamn boulder lurking back there, an implicit threat clear in the folding of his arms across his chest.
James Wagner
Mon 08:17PM CST
"Glad t'ave ye in Chicago, lad," he said to Ryan but then nodded as he moved off, waving to Cliona's tight ass as she exited. He laughed at something unheard and nodded, but then turned to the gathering. Tucker was causing trouble again, but it looked like the McCanns could handle their own, so he folded his arms and looked around a moment.
Cody McCann
Mon 08:18PM CST
Cody blinks at Jodi.
"She was?!"
And then looks to the un-hopping [..unless you count mad..] Arabella a hand reaching up to scratch the skin against the back of his neck idly,"Oh yeah, uh--nice dress. Real-real pink y'know." --there is a fraction of contrition within dark colored eyes, a flickering fetus that dies stillborn under Tucker's bullying. Cody's jaw tightens...
--and then his brother comes up behind him. "Sheeit." Cody spits.. Still imagine the kinda complex you gotta have never gettin to fight fer yerself.
Jeez.
Billy McCann
Mon 08:20PM CST
The McCanns are locking ranks. Billy steps back from Arabella as Jodi Lynn takes care of the task better left to a girl anyway, and fixes the Silver Fang with a stare of his own when the kid starts threatin' his little brother. Then Ryan and Tommy are steppin' up to Tucker, and Billy glances at Arabella, near grabs her shoulder and pulls her 'round outta the way. Bending his head low to her ear as he does so, passing by Jodi Lynn and grabs her by the waist, too. Leads 'em through a narrow tangle of trees and shit. "Miss Arabella, I tole you we was rough ole boys, remember that? Well, that's jest Cody. You girls wanna go wait up by the truck 'til this all gets figured out? Wouldn't want no accidents, you know what I mean." Gives Jodi Lynn a look, flat as ever, and gestures a hard gesture away from the pond.
Tucker Riley
Mon 08:23PM CST
Than most. thna the guy in front of him. Not so much.
"Yer brother r'cousin r'what-the-fuck-ever s'got an apology t'make. And if he doesn't do it well..." He smiles a very, very nasty thing that describing as in fact, a smile would be ludicrous. Because it's fucking scary.
"I'd expect you ta back off an' let 'im take his lumps like the man he wants ta be."
Head cocks to the side. "Unless the two of you have a problem lettin him be a a gentleman?"
Then a quick look, over the shoulders of the other two, diminishing their importance by literally ignoring their existance for those few seconds. "Stay here baby. No reason to go anywhere."
The billy situation is one to be dealt with in a moment. [I one thought the old girlfreind started too much trouble? HA!]
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 08:26PM CST
She had that look of gratitude on her face for Jodi's assistance, the lack of slimey squirmy thing on her back a relief.
And then Hell began to break loose and her anger goes snuffed into other, less pleasant feelings. Watching the McCann's who she was getting friendly with form ranks against Tucker didn't help matters, nor the pranks [scorn] of Cody in it. She tried not to judge others simply by their Tribe... but too often she was judged by her own in the face of others.
She glanced at Billy as he pulled her back, wide eyed and wondering how to fix this mess. How had she caused this mess anyways? She was just trying to have a nice evening with Billy and Jodi... Pulling up short after a few feet from Billy. "No, Billy, I can't just go off there... I... maybe I shouldn't have come tonight. I don't think everyone likes seeing me as much as you or Jodi does." Eyes dart towards Tucker and she looks pained.
She wishes Aurich was here still...
James Wagner
Mon 08:26PM CST
He just rolled his eyes at Tucker, and went to see if he could give a hand to the ladies while the boys were handling their business.
Tommy McCann
Mon 08:26PM CST
Tommy pops his tongue in his cheek, somehow still deferring to his big brother despite towering over him. And just about everyone else. Then he raises his hands and deliberately pops his knuckles.
Sure. Yeah. They'll let Cody fight. Just not alone. Haven'tcha heard? The Fianna NEVER fight alone.
Ryan McCann
Mon 08:29PM CST
"Ain't his fault. I told'im to do it. Just makin' Princess feel at home. Just a little prank is all. No harm done except a traumatized bug by'er pink dress. How ya think it feels gettin' tossed down a dress. Probably need counselin' or something." Ryan wasn't backing down, glaring still at Tucker.
A flickerflash of Rage broiling in the Eldest's eyes. "Ya got a problem with the joke. Take it up with me. I'm at fault, the boy ain't."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:31PM CST
Jodi Lynn gets tugged away by Billy, though not without puttin up a bit of a fight. The heels of her cowboy boots dig into the spongey earth as color rises in her cheeks. She grips Billy's forearm, but doesn't pummel it like a child, instead she lets herself be begrudgingly tugged aside. Billy's right, this ain't no playfight about t'happen, and Arabella'll need company up by the truck, out of the way.
"I got a Tanya Tucker tape up in the truck Ara-bella, you'n me could go listen t'a few songs while th'boys sort things out."
She slings an arm over Arabella's shoulder and grins at the girl, though it is a bit tense, and not nearly as wide as usual.
"Lemme jes grab a brew. I'll meet y'on up there in two shakes of a lambs tail."
With a glance at Billy, which promises she'll stay clear of any tooth and claw action she turns toward the cooler and tugs out two beers, casting James a smile and a nod.
"Wanna join us there James? I reckin I could show ya that tattoo I was tellin y'all about last night."
Flirty, and friendly, she chuckles and saunters back to join Arabella, with a glance toward her cousins, and a glare toward Tucker.
James Wagner
Mon 08:33PM CST
"Ye lead, lass, I'll follow." And he proceeds to do just that, pulling out his flask again and taking a swig of the whiskey. Screwing the cap back on, he put it in his pocket again and followed the two women.
Cody McCann
Mon 08:33PM CST
Cody.
Moves forward and to the left effectively. Making a three sided triangle of the affair, instinct, intelligence - call it what you will. Tucker was in line for a good ole' fashioned beat down.
"Naw sucker--" Blink. Goddamn Galliards. " er.. Tucker, I chose t'do it. Didn't mean no harm but I ain't gonna kiss yer ass none, either."
In other words:
Make. Me.
Brows waggle.
[...no apologies, yet.]
Tucker Riley
Mon 08:34PM CST
"Fine. I got a problem with it." A nod. At least the Alpha, probably the oldest the way they all defer to him, has some sense. "It was n'bad taste. An' I jus think she deserves an apology is all." Voice becomes much more sensible, repectfull, though the bulging mass of muscle that's pbviously springloaded on the man's short but strong frame is an indication that fisticuffs is fine with him.
Pure breed adds to his natural intimidation as he stares straight back at the eldest McCann.
Your move.
Billy McCann
Mon 08:34PM CST
"Cody wouldna done that if'n he didn't like seein' you, Miss Arabella. 'an I guaran-dang-tee he would've apologized right nicely if'n your boy hain't a stepped in. Ain't his business, you know what I mean?" She has brothers. She knows what he means. Billy's voice is a low, harsh whisper now. There's a feeling of command to it, too. "It ain't walking off you're doin. It's being safe and practical. I'm sendin' Jodi Lynn an' you off because your fiancée ain't got the sense god gave a caved in watermelon. Somethin' goes wrong here, you ladies - " There's something back there, harder, but Billy swallows it down and narrows eyes again over Arabella's shoulder at Jodi. Lowers his voice still yet, and gives James a look that's mute but near grateful, near as expressive as anything the Fianna does can be. " - gotta be outta the way. Ain't tellin' what your boy might do." Ain't telling what one of them might do, neither. Straightens, shoulders squaring hard, and releases the Silver Fang, stepping up with his brothers.
Ryan McCann
Mon 08:37PM CST
to Cody McCann, Billy McCann, Tommy McCann: totemphone: ya boys think the Princess should get an apology?
Cody McCann
Mon 08:38PM CST
to Billy McCann, Ryan McCann, Tommy McCann: totemphone: Shoot, I'll 'pologize. Just not infronta' him. Sucker.
Tommy McCann
Mon 08:39PM CST
to Cody McCann, Billy McCann, Ryan McCann: Tommy spits from the gap between his front teeth. Or if he didn't have no gap, he'd spit from between his teeth anyhow. Yeah. But I say we kick the Fang's ass fer pokin' his nose where it don't rightly belong anyhow.
Billy McCann
Mon 08:42PM CST
to Cody McCann, Ryan McCann, Tommy McCann: Totemphone: Yep. Cept I feel 'bout it near about the way Cody does. Would've made Cody 'pologize my own damn self if buddy boy hadn't'a poked his ugly ass in'a'it. He ain't her nothin'. He flipped off the Alpha of the Fianna pack an' stomped down here like hell afire was on his ass. Probably ate some bad damn beans, fucknut.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 08:41PM CST
She reserved her own opinions on things. A bit of loose cussing here, a very blush worthy story there she can handle, the drinking and loud partying and all... but those little things which embarrassed her directly, pranks, no matter the intention... touched things beside her pride. She can remmeber someone who threw her favorite doll out of the tower window, or dunked her in the lake. She sighed, looking torn, not wanting to leave Tucker with them, and knowing she would hardly be of help even if she stayed.
Even though at the root, she's part of the cause....
She nods some, no words and heads up the path, but it doesn't appear its with Jodi and james or her destination is the truck. That cellphone comes out and she's hitting speeddial as she walks.
Go home and mourn.
What else is there left to do when her new friends are squaring off to fight her boyfriend?
Ryan McCann
Mon 08:41PM CST
"Ma'am," Ryan calls out to Arabella. "I'm real sorry about all this, but I'm 'fraid we're goin' have to arrange Sucker's face." he looks at back at Tucker, flipping the shaken beer can into the air from his hand, tossing it over his shoulder to land on the floor.
"That's a challenge, boy?" he asks Tucker.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:42PM CST
Jodi Lynn once more slings a friendly arm over Arabella's shoulder and tugs her toward the pickups parked up the riverbank.
"C'mon, let the boys have their fun. I'm sure Cody'll appologize once he's got his ego and yer fella's ego all sorted out in th'end."
Cowboy boot heels dig into the soil as she starts toward the trucks with Arabella in tow. Jodi Lynn is only a year older than Arabella... under different circumstances, these two girls could likely be the best of friends. Jodi casts a glance back over her shoulder at James, and gives him a cordial nod as they near the trucks, handing Arabella the two closed beers.
"Wanna hang on t'them fer me sweetie while I get the tunes goin. Thanks."
Giving Arabella a wink, she slips around to the drivers side of the truck and shoves a key into the ignition, and a few moments later country music is flowing from the open windows of the Ford.
"Yee haw! I love this track, makes me wanna dance. Y'dance t'all Ara-bella? Lets you an me shake it down huh? Wattaya say?"
Only... Arabella isn't where she left her, and the two beers are resting on the hood of the truck. She glances at James with raised blonde brows, and lifts the John Deere hat from atop her head as she wipes her brow, and looks for the Fang girl.
Ryan McCann
Mon 08:43PM CST
to Cody McCann, Billy McCann, Tommy McCann: How we doing this then?
James Wagner
Mon 08:44PM CST
He watched Arabella walk off. 'Course, there wasn't much the Fianna could do about it. He wasn't her poppa, so he couldn't tell her what to do. He leaned on the front panel of the truck near the driver-side and folded his arms. Looking to Jodi, he smiled and said, "Let 'er go, lass. She'll nae get inta any harm. She's a nice lass, from what I kin tell, but I guess she's needin' some time alone y'know? From what I hear, she's goin' through a lot right now."
Cody McCann
Mon 08:47PM CST
At which point Cody slides further left against the edge of Sucker [er.. Tucker's..] peripheral forcing to either stare doewn the ahroun and turn to engage taht shifty youngest brother.
Make your choice.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:48PM CST
Peering toward Arabella, Jodi Lynn's brow furrows, and she glances back at James with a slow nod.
"I reckin yer right. Too bad her fella had t'go and get all holier than thou on ol'Cody there."
Her lower lip catches between her teeth as she peers after Arabella again, a bit mournful that a day of good old fashion fishing turned bad so quickly. You never know with the McCann crew.
"Cain't let these beers go t'waste though."
She looks back toward James with a smile, and hands him one of the two beers. Cornflower blue eyes sparkling as she twists off the two caps. Pressing one cold bottle to James' bare arm playfully.
"Reckin Billy'll try an make it up t'her later on... ain't no harm done really. Don't think the worm slime wrecked her pretty dress none."
Tucker Riley
Mon 08:49PM CST
"Heh. Yer bitin' off a whole lot more than you can chew right now." Two-Hundred and fifty punds of muscle leans into him, regardless of what the younger brothers decide on. Arabella's walking away isn't helping, either. "She doesn't like shit like that. And her brother just disappeared. Now ya'd think....maybe that's a bad idea to fuck with her when the guy who's ring she's wearin's standin' right in front of ya?"
Not to mention when that guy can throw a car at you if he's pissed enough.
"S'me sayin' step off r' getcha ass cold cocked country boy. Call it what ya want, but if ya boys jump in, I wont even do ya the pleasure a holdin' back."
Absolutley serious. Nostrils flare only inches from the other mans face. "And one more goddamn person fucks up my name and heads roll. I'm an elder for fuck's sake!" The last screamed into the other's face.
Seems Cliona's little rant had repurcussions reaching far beyond the scope of PMS.
James Wagner
Mon 08:51PM CST
"Eh, th'Fangs us'lly are like that. All uptight. This lass 'ere's a bit looser." Hopping up on the tuck's hood, he opened the beer and took a swig. Tucker needed taking down a peg or sex. Maybe the McCann boys could do it. James wouldn't, mostly because it was a waste of time.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 08:53PM CST
Jodi's mood is not catching this time. Bella does an admirable job of being strong and all that jazz but there's a fragility she obscures which is stressed again inside. It wouldn't last forever, because her memory would haze and fade, but for the time being its a very real thing, events and reminders setting off small earthwuakes on that faultline within.
Whispered words and eyes which shine but not in zeal but repessed emotions best not revealed to the outside world. Go home to cold matron Genevieve who probably sought to make a real Silver Fang of her late Mate's baby sister and a empty condo.
Tucker knew how much that whiplash of pricked Rage bothered her.
Phone slid away and She waited up the street from Jodi and James for the car which would inevitably come, in minutes at most.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 08:58PM CST
Cornflower blue eyes flash toward the riverbank as Tucker's last rising shriek hits her ears, and she near spits a mouthful of beer in laughter. Doubling over, she presses a hand to her bare torso as she laughs and sputters on half swallowed beer.
"He's an elder?"
Jodi Lynn ain't spent a whole lota time around elders, but the last person she heard wail like that was her 10 year old little brother. As she stands up straight again, her eyes catch Arabella, and she feels almost instantly bad for the girl.
"Aww shee-it. I'll be right back cutie, don't ya go nowhere y'hear?"
With a hand she pats his knee and then saunters over to where Arabella stands, her head canted to one side as she peers sheepishly at the Fang girl.
"Heck, I'm sorry Ara-bella, that stuff got all messed up th'way it did. I know m'cousin din't really mean no harm by what he done, s'jes th'way old country boys can be sometimes is all. If'n y'look at it from a country girls point'a view, ya'd see it meant he kinda likes ya really."
She doesn't really have a way with words, uneducated as she is. But she genuine, and that has to count for something. She offers the Fang girl a slight smile before sipping her beer, and then hitching a thumb through her belt loop.
"If ya'd like... I was thinkin about doin some shopin fer city clothes one'a these days soon. I'd be much obliged if ya'd show me where ya bought that pretty dress yer wearin."
Billy McCann
Mon 08:59PM CST
Fianna. They're the talkers. The singers. The bards. The loretellers and the goddamned poet. Billy McCann don't talk much. He don't talk hardly at all, 'cept when he's got a pretty girl in his eye or about a six pack in his system. He stands there, arms crossed over his goddamned chest, which ain't near as built as the Silver Fangs, listening to the kid rant and scream. And real sudden like, the flat stare narrows and the hard mouth hardens.
"You are using Miss Arabella's grief to justify - " The romantic kicks in. There ain't no change in the Fianna's stance, ain't no change in his voice, but there's a spark behind his eyes that burns white and hot and electric. " - ain't seen you around, none. You ain't a man." Low and controlled, the announcement, or near about. It ain't announcing his next move, which is real quick. Step forward, draw fist back, and near about cold cock one Silver Fang mouth runnin' self-professed elder.
Tucker Riley
Mon 09:02PM CST
Eyes snap away from the older Fianna toward the one he's really, truly intersted in giving a bit of advice. "The fuck? You're dead."
And as he turns around he catches the blow to the chin.
He's fought with Decker. Fucking. Rohl.
"You punch like a woman."
And now it's on.
Ryan McCann
Mon 09:03PM CST
Ryan was not known for his patience. He rarely posessed an ounce of it, and his brothers all knew this. He was a fucking ahroun. A Berserker. He rode too close to that cyclone of Rage.
Tucker screams in his face... [i'm an elder for fuck's sake!] and Ryan just smirks, coldly. "Elder's don't whine out status like mulling lil'pups, Sucker." His eyes flick up, watching Billy step forward to throw the first punch. It's like a starting flag being waved in front of his face.
Nostrils flare out, hot breath cuffed in a snort and Boar's ferocity churns in the eldest McCann. He doesn't hold back either, fists drawn down and back to swing out at Tuck's back.
Arabella Eberstark
Mon 09:05PM CST
She's looking at the shiny LCD display of her phone where she stands, watching streetlight and city light reflect off it in silence. She couldn't help feeling somehow guilty... and wasn't sure why. Jodi's approach isn't remarked upon, but neither do eyes lift to find her with bright eyes dimmer. "Its probably not all that... I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't be trying to be out and about as if alls well in the world."
Her smile is more wry and ironic then happy and she glances at Jodi as her car came around the corner, drawing up to park and wait for her to enter. "If you like... I had offered to Billy to have one or some of you come out to the riding stables where my horse is... a bit outside the city proper, so nice and quiet there. Maybe you could come though. We could have them bring out one of the stable's horses for you if you like.."
If she was going to wait for Jodi's answer though, she doesn't. Billy already had her number and Jodi was staying with him. They'd find each other again at some point.
If she answered her phone...
Heading for the car, elegance ingrained in willowy form and still seemed to step more heavily as she climbed soundlessly into the black towncar, disappearing behind tinted windows and glossy metal door.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:09PM CST
"Alright... I'd like that."
She murmurs pretty much to herself as Arabella gets into the car. Lifting a hand in a lazy wave, she sips her beer before starting back toward her pickup where James sits watching the fight from above. Cornflower blue eyes peer down the riverbank, and she lifts a fist to the sky and hollers [redneck women are cheerleaders fer their men] toward the brawl.
"Y'all get that Sucker boys!"
With a wry grin toward James, she hops up onto the hood of the truck beside him and tips her bottle toward him with a wink.
"I got my money on Billy fer doin th'most damage t'the pretty boys face. How 'bout ya?"
James Wagner
Mon 09:11PM CST
He laughed softly and clinked bottles with Jodi, drawing one foot up to the hoot to press his knee against his chest. "I'm not fer knowin', darlin'. Never saw any of 'em fight. We'll just 'afta wait'n see, eh?"
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:15PM CST
With a grin and nod, she chuckles toward the riverbank, leaning a friendly shoulder into James' as she sways to the chords of Tanya Tucker from within the trucks cab.
"Did I mention yer song last night was mighty fine. Y'could start yerself up a band'r somthin if ya set yer mind t'it."
Sparkling blue eyes meet his for a brief moment [she is kin afterall, and he's the fianna elder] a blush rising in her creamy cheeks.
"Shoot... could nabbed up Billy's guit-ar from down there, and y'could play some tunes'a yer own fer me again."
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:23PM CST
*Black raven agint a black sky with partial clouds to keep out what starlight their might be, cloaked with the blur of milky eye. Fluttering though the air he flys over the city looking for something of intrest.*
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:26PM CST
Her grin is wide and beaming, less tense than it had been when Tucker was in close proximity. Her chuckle is hearty and robust, much like her voice. Infectious in its good humor. It is drown in a long swallow of beer a moment later before she sways into James' shoulder again. Flesh to flesh. A wink cast toward him as she sets her beer down on the hood of the truck behind her.
"Heck I'd love t'see yer club someday. Ain't n'ear been t'a big city club b'fore."
Jodi is a redneck woman, and she knows what country boys like. A city slick rocker like James is a different story though. She could turn a country boy on in two shakes of a lambs tail, but with James she's none to certain. Her femenine whiles ain't exactly up to big city par. A fingertip, light and tentative traces the celtic knotted Fianna glyph on his upper shoulder briefly as she smiles, and her hand falls away to grip her beer, and she returns her gaze to the rough and tumble fight at the bottom of the riverbank.
"Y'should put yer money on Ryan... he's th'fighter. Billy... he's the lover, though Cody there likes t'pretend at bein casa-shitin-nova."
James Wagner
Mon 09:34PM CST
James couldn't be considered wholly urrah; he could last in the wild. The question is, for how long? He smiled at her. "Aye, come down whenever ye want. It serves as pack 'ouse for me an' th'Crows." He pulled out a hairtie from his pocket and pulled back his long ebon locks into the hair tie, to keep it out of his face. "I'm fer puttin' my money on me. I win either way." Chuckling, he nudged Jodi in the side and took another swig of his drink. To tell the truth, all men are the same at core when it came to what turned them on. Just some were freakier than others. James, the Galliard, could be both the lover and the fighter, but moreso the lover. It's all a matter of what time of day it is.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:39PM CST
"I'll drag th'boys down one'a these nights fer few pints."
Her grin is genuine, and girlish. All American. You could envision her in toothpaste commercials. Another sip of her beer, and she kicks her heels to the Tanya Tucker tune filtering out from inside the truck.
"So y'were sayin last night that y'ad yerself some other tattoos..."
Her dark blonde brows raise on her smooth forehead as she glances sideways at James, distracted from the fight by a red blooded Fianna male who -wasn't- a blood relative for a change.
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:40PM CST
*Seeing James talking to the HOTTIE from last night he banks and heads down. Spirialing as he uncloaks, then lower and coming to a flutterintg hault on James' shoulder. A large black raven with a red woven band around his foot* "Nevermore!"
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:41PM CST
"Holy Shit!"
The startling arrival of the bird sends Jodi Lynn almost vaulting off the hood of the truck, her beer in hand, and not a drop spilled. Wide eyed she stares at the bird on James' shoulder, looking between it and the man with stunned eyes.
"What th'ell!?!"
".... Didja hear it talk?!?"
James Wagner
Mon 09:42PM CST
When Will lands on his shoulders, he chuckles. "Evenin', Will. Out for a lil' night-flyin'?"
Of course the bird on his shoulder could be none other than the Crows favorite Corax. Looking to Jodi, he winked. "Aye, I've more, but we're in public, darlin'." As Jodi lept off the hood of the truck, he started laughing. "This be Will, our flyin' friend. Dinna think she's used t'yer kind, lad."
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:43PM CST
*He grins, well they'd met just last night. He liked to think he gave a better impression than that. So like a gentelmanly raven he is, he offers her his foot to shake*
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:46PM CST
"Will?"
She sounds possitively confused, as she looks at the bird, and then at James, her lower lip caught between her teeth.
"From th'pub? Th'skinny fella wi'the dark hair?"
Blinking back startled confusion she reaches up to tug the John Deere mesh cap from her brow, tossing it into the open window of the truck as she drags her fingers through sweat damp dark blonde hair.
"I ain't n'ear met a fella what could make hisself int'a bird."
Canting her head to one side, she looks at the bird more closely, as though looking for hints that he's the same Will she met the other night. A hesitant chuckle sounding in her throat at it lifts a clawed foot to her. She glances at James, in a silent sort of 'is it alright to touch it' look as she lifts a hesitant hand. Beer bottle intact, as she extends a calloused finger toward the raven.
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:48PM CST
*He takes her finger in his foot and shakes it, pretty as you please. Even gives her finger a little slightly open beeked kiss as it were.
Letting go he stands tall on James' shoulder and peers at the fight.* Ohhhh...
James Wagner
Mon 09:48PM CST
He chuckled. "Aye, lass. One an'th'Same. Will 'ere's what we call a Corax. Wereraven." He grinned a little bit. Jodi's probably thinking Will isn't real and that he'll disappear if she touches him. "He's real, darlin'."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:50PM CST
"Well hell... what'll they think a next."
Wiping her brow she shakes her head, peering at the bird intently. As though the birds minor comment reminded her of her cousins little brawl she turns toward it, and peers down the riverbank.
"Shee-it, I hope Tommy don't get hisself messed up none. I bunk in his room and I don't wanna hear'im moanin in his sleep."
With a wry grin, she glances back at James and Will, shaking her head at the bird again in mild disbelief as she sips from her beer.
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:52PM CST
*He hops with a pretty dextous flutter over to Jodi's shoulder and rubs his feathered head aginst her cheek and pecks at the bottle.* Beer?
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 09:56PM CST
Still stunned by the talking bird, Jodi Lynn lifts the bottle without a second thought, tilting it so the liquid slides up the bottleneck, but doesn't quite spill.
"It likes beer too?"
She glances at James, not quite getting the concept that this bird is really a man... or, the other way around. Whatever the case may be.
Raven 3.0
Mon 09:58PM CST
*He sticks his beek in, scoops up some beer and tilts his head back to swallow. Takes two sips and bobs his head to her. Then blinks at being called an "it"*
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:00PM CST
*He bobs his head and looks around for some place to change that won't bring down the fires of heaven and hell*
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:00PM CST
"Heck naw... I b'lieve ya..."
Her smooth brow furrows slightly as she looks at the bird, then takes a swallow of her beer, uncaring that raven slobber might have made its way onto the bottle rim. Hell, she had a worm in her mouth not too long ago. Bird slobber can't be much worse.
"S'jes... hard t'swallow s'all."
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:03PM CST
*Here and William was betting money that Jodi didn't have a problem swallowing at all. Looking around he takes to wing. Soon dissapeared into the nights sky*
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:06PM CST
She might take offence to that thought... if she were a mind reader. She ain't, so she just watches the black bird take off and disappear into the night sky. Glancing over at James as she smiles wryly and rejoins him on the hood of the truck.
"Talkin birds and shit."
Her laughter is boisterous as she leans back, her head tilted toward the sky, tension draining out of her almost visibly.
"Hell, y'all city folk got some right swell friends."
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:11PM CST
*He's not the type to fly into an alley and walk out a human 2 seconds later. Taking his time he laps the block and enters the alley. Lands on a dumpster and takes a good long moment to make sure there was noone sleeping or peeking into the alley. Corax eyes miss little. Only after compleatly sure that it's safe does he snap shift to human and step off the dumpster. Floating down to the ground he lands on his toes and straightens his long flowing light weight black jacket.
Underneith is the shoulderholster for Ganieda under his right arm. Reaching in he caresses her* You ok Sweety? Yes. Maybe we'll get to shoot tucker like the mad dog he is.
*Giving the spiritually awakened pistol a little pat he smooths down the black teeshirt that has teny tiny white letters reading "Ain't afraid to be Chicken" on it and heads out of the alley. Looks before he crosses and then does. Strolling back towards the truck*
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:16PM CST
She isn't as surprised to spot Will coming toward the truck as they might think. She got it... she just didn't 'get' it. A grin, friendly and familiar is cast in his direction as she tips her beer toward him and takes a long swallow.
"Easier t'recognize when yer walkin, 'stead a flyin."
Her chuckles it filled with good humour and starts in the pit of her stomach to work its way up. Lifting a hand she tucks dark blonde strands of hair behind an ear, and glances toward the bed of the truck with a slight frown.
"'fraid all the beers down there."
She nods toward where the McCann boys are having a go at Tucker (and it sure would be nice to know how that was going) with a rueful smile.
"Don't reckin y'll wanna head down and grab the cooler with all the ruckus goin on."
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:19PM CST
*He grins as he walks up and leans on the truck all non-chalantly* Yeah, but flyin's everso much more fun. Ya know. Jus' nothing like it.
*The soft SoCal drawl different from her country girl one. Peeking down by the fight he shakes his head* I think I'll just exist on the sips you gave me. If I go down there Tucker might just accidently decapitate me or some shit.
How you liking the city Jodi?
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:24PM CST
"Heck, its swell Will. I ain't been able t'see too much a it, cause m'cousins had me workin all day."
They didn't really... she just felt the overwhelming femenine desire to clean up after them in the houseboat. It wasn't really work to Jodi Lynn though, who is more than used to her share of chores around the house.
"When we come down here fishin was the first time I left the boat all day, but fer when I washed up th'truck here."
She gives the old junker a kick with one heel of a cowboy boot, before casting a smile toward Will, bedazzled for a moment by his clear blue eyes.
"Bet it looks a hell'uva lot diff'ernt from up there huh?"
She nods toward the sky with a rueful look, then takes a long swallow of her beer, before giving James, who has fallen mysteriously silent a glance, and then peering back toward the fight.
[Tommy McCann
Mon 10:21PM CST
(OK. heh. nicely timed - we finished all the actions and combat is over. y'all write it up as you like. it goes like this:
Billy punches for 2 damage (all damage is after soak)
Cody grapples, but Tucker immediately escapes.
Ryan punches, hits, does no damage.
Tucker punches Billy for 2 damage.
Billy punches for 2 damage back (tucker is at 4 bashing now).
Ryan punches, hits, no damage.
Tucker punches, hits, no damage.
Billy punches, hits, no damage.
Ryan punches, hits, no damage.
Tucker punches Billy, hits hard, 4 damage. Billy is at 6 bashing now
Billy keeps trucking, hits, no damage.
Ryan punches Tucker out for 4 additional damage - taking him to 8 bashing, which converts one bashing to lethal. so tucker's final damage is 1 lethal, 6 bashing.
and since he never struck out at tommy, tommy must've just hit him repeatedly to no effect, or something.
sorry morgieporgie, no fightin' for you tonight *grins* back to the other room!)]
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:26PM CST
*He nods* I'll have to show you all the best places, maybe take you up for a flight some time. If your cousins won't try and pluck me that is. I know how protective your blood can be.
*A winning smile from the tall slender man and he looks back to the fight.*
Tommy McCann
Mon 10:27PM CST
So, a flurry of fists later...
Tommy's kinda red in the face, huffing and puffing, and managed to whale on Tucker multiple times and hit nothing but air every time.
Damn.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:29PM CST
The look she gives Will says that he must have lost most of his marbles while flying around in the smog laden air. Her brow furrowing as she looks doubtfully over him.
"Ain't no way y'all in yer little bird wings could carry me up there. 'sides... I'm 'fraid a heights anyhow."
Which.. isn't really exactly true.. but she might just acquire a fear of heights after an actual flight. She glances down toward the fist fight at the bottom of the riverbank, squinting cornflower blue eyes as she peers down at her cousins in the dark. Trying to determine who came out on top, and who got their teeth handed to them in another mans fist.
"Looks like things is windin down..."
Tucker Riley
Mon 10:31PM CST
It's a rough fight, especially with two of them in glabro, but at the very least bear's gift does not allow him to feel any of this. The young one doesn't get any shots in thankfully and the one trying to grab him, the oldest, doesn't get more than shoulder shots and things that well, don't really hurt the ahroun.
Knuckles crack against the one in front of him, the one with a mouth that just rivaled his own in opening at the wrong time. He gets his shots in too. The kid ain't bad, the Street-King thinks to himself.
And then, just when the Ahroun thinks he can count out the man behind him...
Slam!
Tuck's hit hard enough from behind to tkae the wind out of him, a rib cracks and the world goes balck for a moment before he falls.
At the very least, he doesn't feel it as he sputters some blood onto his bottom lip, coughing up a bit of his insides.
Ouch.
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:31PM CST
*A bit of a chuckel. No need explaining the rather uniquic and unfortunate mix of the corax crinos form. He didn't much like it either.* Hey ah'm talented ya know.
*Nods to her afraid of heights thing. He got over his pretty quick. Looking back at the fight he pulls out a small whisky container from inside the lightweight long coat. Shimmering with silver plate and unscrews the cap taking a sip* That was intresting.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:37PM CST
"Yee Haw!"
Her shout is heard from above as she slips off the hood of the truck and trots in cowboy boots toward the riverbank. Her dark blonde hair trailing out behind her.
"Let that be a lesson to ya boy!"
Redneck women... they cheer at the begining of a fight, and then at the end... well, the ones distracted by other men do in any case. Waving an arm toward her cousins she grins and makes her way down the bank of the river, careful not to tumble into the reeds at the bottom of the slope [she has had a few beers].
"Y'all done whooped his ass good!"
She makes her way around the ring of McCann's, clapping them on the backs, and planting wet kisses on each of their cheeks. Pausing near Billy to gauge his injuries with sparkling blue eyes. A fingertip brushing his swollen cheek lightly before she kisses it all better with a light peck.
"I done bet James y'ad lay the most hurt on the fella, and I was right."
Proudly she claps Billy on the rear before moving on to Tommy, and then Cody, and then Morgan, and finally Ryan.
Billy McCann
Mon 10:37PM CST
The fight: in the failing light its hardly more than a wild flailing of limbs. First there's Billy stepping up and punching Tucker. Then there's the near patented Garou blur of folks moving more quickly than the eye can near see or the mind near figure. Ain't like they's poets sitting around watching (heh!) or Gods in the stands t'see how some damn brawl turns up. The details are pretty near boring, really. Billy lands a couple of punches that Tucker just shrugs off (he really wanna say Billy punches like a girl?) but for a fine spray of blood from a split nose or lip or, hell, maybe from Billy's knuckles, broken on the hard-headed Fang's head. Tucker lands a couple of punches that Billy shrugs off, gets caught up by Cody and fights free, then - pissed the goddamned hell off - throws a motherfucking punch that sends the Fianna poet reeling background, spitting a stream of saliva and blood out the side of his mouth, cheekbone breaking beneath the impact. Staggering punch-drunk, the next two punches don't do a dang bit of difference, just land and slide off. Good thing Ryan's around to finish it.
Billy staggers back. Lifts the back of his hand to his mouth. It comes away bloody. Breathes in, breathes out a bubblesnot of bloody mucus, wipes that on the back of his broken knuckles and hunches forward, hands spread on this thighs, head bent. Clearing out his sinuses and his mind, both.
Ryan McCann
Mon 10:38PM CST
There is a reason he is called Barroom Hero. He's a brawler and a Berserker, guided by that hot-blooded Fianna passion for fighting, fucking, and drinking, which he does all the above quite well. Is this a boast? Ya betcha arse it is, laddie!!
And... he is the alpha of the Brothers McCann, follower of Boar. Too angry to pass up a challenge, to fierce to concede a fight, and too ornery to die with good grace.
Ding Ding. Fight ensues and its a dog pile. Ryan's on Tucker like white on rice, fists slamming and a shift to glabro when Tucker moves in that same direction, to add more stopping power to his blows. By the time its over with... however, the eldest McCann is back to his homid form, standing over Tucker with his fists up drawn up and clenched soo tightly the knuckles were white, and bleeding.
His entire body shook from the sheer ferocity of the adrenaline rushing through his veins. A low growl rumbles in Ryan's throat, ready to thrash Tucker some more if the so-called Street King moved. "Had enough?" he spits out in a low growl.
Morgan McCann
Mon 10:39PM CST
A flurry of fists later..
Somewhere between the truck (where he was too often found sleeping in the bed or the cab) and the river bed, is Morgan, standing firmly with his arms crossed over his chest. Through all the fighting he hasn't lifted a single goddamned finger. Hasn't even moved. Just stood there, watching, burning black death into Tucker through his red-hazel eyes. Tucker falls and Morgan smirks, and lets his work boots carry him the rest of the distance toward his brothers and the fallen fuck (er, fang) on the ground.
Billy McCann
Mon 10:39PM CST
Billy - who don't hardly ever smile or wink or nothing - well, he near about does as Jodi Lynn comes over to congratulate him. Winks to her as she pecks his bloody cheek before his battered face goes back near about as still as ever.
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:47PM CST
After passing Ryan, who is more occupied with making sure the Fang is down for the count, she slings an arm about Morgan's waist and grins at him with wink.
"Glad that's over n'done with. My beers about empty, and the rest is all down here."
With a chuckle, she slips past him toward the cooler, pulling out six brews and tucking them all under an arm. Making her way around the circle again and handing each McCann boy a nice cold Guinness in a bottle.
Cody McCann
Mon 10:50PM CST
Tucker's about to fall or has fallen [...face first mind, on the ground] Cody jumps atop the boy to get some equal height with the eldest brother. "T'ain't right. Its just not right." The accent is slipping and maybe baby-bro is a lil upset. "I don't never get a punch in." Yeah, he's gonna start whining about it. "Goddamn Fangs..." And already Cody's moving to pull Tucker's pants off -- "Somebody pass the rope..." He's grumbling.
Omega blues.
[sooo not fair.]
Raven 3.0
Mon 10:52PM CST
*Once he's sure Tuckers down he meanders own down that way. Leaning over at the hips* Is it dead?
*ALmost a hopeful tone. Big blue eyes widening as they seem to be........ he's not sure why the man is taking off Tuckers pants but he gets a few photos of that too*
Morgan McCann
Mon 10:52PM CST
Morgan snorts. "Shoulda come down anyway, Jodi.. I think you'd put up more fight than this boy. Probably got bigger balls too."
He takes the offered bear into one hand, and then watches Cody, laughing lowly to himself. "See.. Cody thinks you got bigger balls too.. I think he wants to check fer ye too. Maybe get himself a piece of ass while he's down there.. you know it gets awful lonesome in that boathouse some nights."
Jodi Lynn McCann
Mon 10:52PM CST
"What th'ell y'all doin Cody?"
Wide cornflower blue eyes peer down at the fallen Fang as his pants are undone. She doesn't look away... heck, and miss this? Still holding some beers in her arms, she glances around the McCann circle, shoving beers in all directions.
"Y'all really wanna see him bare assed up in here? C'mon y'all, he done learned his lessin."
She isn't really pleading that hard... in all truth, there is a smile in her eyes and laughter in her voice.
Billy McCann
Mon 10:54PM CST
Holds his hand out for a beer near about automatically. Pretty obvious what Jodi Lynn's comin' round with when she makes a second circuit of the brothers, and it don't matter how punch drunk Billy McCann is, he's still got enough sense to accept a beer when it's offer to him. Straightening, he holds the cold bottle to his cheek for a moment before spitting out another mouthful of blood. Shoots a glance at Cody, but don't say nothing outloud. Just lifts the bottle and walks off toward the edge of the river, where it gleams in the sprawl of citylights.
Tommy McCann
Mon 10:56PM CST
"Hell Cody, what the f--" darted glance at Jodi, "--falootin'. You some sorta faggot now?" Tommy's a little cross 'cause he ain't done nothing but HIT AIR. Grabbing the Guinness over just a tad too rough to be polite, Tommy thumps off too to hang out near Billy, grumping out at the city lights reflected on the water. Funny, at night, the river didn't look so skanky-grimy.
