Kingdom of Ash

                        Her impatience was justified considering the rumors they had heard about the place and it matched his growing frustration that nothing had been discovered, in fact, August was surprised that his temper had held as long as it had; any day now. “Nothing.” a single word spoken through gritted teeth as his sister’s exasperation brought the hybrids anger to the surface slightly. “Vampires, wolves, few scattered shifters but nothing different. Nothing like us.” he voiced while leaning forwards to rest his hands upon the warn kitchen counter. “Been a few names mentioned though, founding families of this fucking place and there’s a pretty big wolf pack by the sounds of it.”

                          “Oh —- sorry.” the brunette offered the stranger, well, hybrid named Tully to be fair, as she noticed the expression the other was wearing. “I just completely bombarded you with my crap, didn’t I?”

                    “Apparently you need to be groped to feel at home, so you’re doing a pretty good job at that so far. Tully —- I’m Maddox.” a simple gesture of welcome as he extended his hand towards the female, something he never did or would ever do again for that matter. “Me? That’s simple; I’m the town freak, which we could blame on the tattoos but unfortunately those labels you get as a kid really stick with you.”

@hybrid-tully

he had just gone out for a jog, pent up frustration he needed to get out. he didn’t know this place very well. didn’t know which streets would lead him where. he sniffed around to try and find a scent he was familiar with. only two were in this place. blue hue looking around him, before he was pausing his steps to step inside of a small cafe. sweat was staining his shirt, before picking up a towel that was offered to him, thanking the other guy he was wiping his face before turning and almost bumping into someone. “shit, sorry.” he says, eyes taking in the girl before him a soft smirk appearing on his face. “hope i didn’t stand on your toes.” he says a light humor in his voice and hue.

                          “I don’t necessarily give a shit about what they think, its more not wanting to deal with the excessive bullshit and have things escalate. Picking my battles sort of thing. — That’s straight up sexual harassment, new girl. But, keep going, because you’re not wrong.” the newly triggered werewolf teased while purposely stretching out one of his long arms passed Tully to reach the pepper he certainly didn’t need. “A placebo drink?? I —- okay, yeah, I think we should do that and then laugh our asses off.”

                      “Good point.” Maddox pointed out while his bushy brows knotted together as though he hadn’t even considered that absurd possibility until she had hastily spoken those words. “I could argue that everything is stupid and made up until someone decided to make a class and hand out degrees but maybe its a bit too early in the conversation for that. Only the idiots, well, and the drunks and the douche-bags — feel welcomed yet?” 

                                        — ( @hybrid-tully )

                      “You know what this really needs though?” the vampire almost yelled at the other when her drink was brought to the table, which Kenzie was quick to grab from Tully and place far away from her sketch book that currently held the makings of her next design. “It needs something.” Kenzie stated flatly suddenly as her previously excited features now appeared scrunched upon her face. “Now, if I could just make something an actual something, I’d be good to go, right?”

                               ( @hybrid-tully )

                  “Look, don’t start knocking my creations before you’ve even tried them, new kid. Also —- don’t tell any of the guys I still drink milkshakes, because, you know; macho man stuff and all that.”

                      “I like the way you stated both of us while giving me that look of yours that’s screaming at me to be on my best behavior. But we both know you’re the dark horse, Tuls — think you can resist putting everyone in their place long enough for us to find what we’re looking for?” a nothing of a question as he allowed for the slow motion of the train slowing down to rock his frame gently into hers, his broad shoulder nudging Tully’s lightly while August gave her a smile that was only ever seen by his sister; they needed light moment like these, a reminder that no matter what was around the next corner, they could handle it as long as they had one another. “We need money, which means nothing jobs where we can keep an eye on the locals. Rock, paper, scissors for bartender and waiter? —- Probably but even that shit draws too much attention.” 

                               —- @hybrid-tully

    It wasn’t Maddox’ usual practice to say the least, because usually he would have had quite a different approach when it came to stalking his prey; prey for lack of a better word. Maddox had always done things differently, seen things through hazel eyes that weren’t quite understood by those around him and yet Remi saw what he did and even pushed him passed certain limits he had set for himself without even realizing as such —- and now he was playing the role that would ensure success and further their game with two creatures that until a few months ago seemed almost impossible, wishful thinking perhaps when it came to his own desires with wanting to be something that had never been achieved before; he was so close. Though the first meeting of the two could make what happened next an easy or difficult route, Maddox had learned from Remi well in certain areas that he lacked — charm was easily learned however and apparently his face wasn’t all that horrible to look at; who knew people liked the brooding type. So, here the necromancer was, pretending with great success that he held no interest in the hybrid other than a small bemused smirk that actually wasn’t forced when her words and a certain glare put a guy in his place that hadn’t quite heard her the first time when she practically growled ‘no’ and it wasn’t until that glare had lifted slightly from her features that Maddox deemed the moment perfect for him to begin their conversation that he and Remi had long since planned; unbeknownst to Tully. “You could teach a class on that glare alone, you know that?”

                    “So did your growing delusions.” the supposed older of the two lightly quipped while glancing at his sister for a moment, rather of her shoulder at a paid of eyes that seemed too good at not paying attention for a person who was definitely listening in on the already hushed conversation. “Our faces aren’t too bad —- until shit get’s serious.” he mumbled while alluding to their other faces, the only two in existence, well, that they were aware of and the reason they were in this fucking place. “We have to be smart.” he began even quieter than before, knowing only Tully would be able to hear him now. “Can’t exactly start asking questions and this ain’t like any other place. Keep our heads down and start sniffing around. Stay away from wolves if we find any; noses always get us in trouble. Any sign of shit, and we’re out.”

                     Once you started running, you never truly stopped, even when it seemed as though those that were chasing you had finally given up — but the pair knew better than that; something they had learned the hard way however. It was this mentality, this absolute constant in their immortal lives that had August trusting no one other than his own flesh and blood, the only one he trusted to have his back at all costs and the only person he would sacrifice everything for; no matter how difficult it got at times. “Since when you did become the wise one, huh?” a nothing of a question as she had always pulled him back from the edge, one he was a little too comfortable with; came with what they were. “I’m offended over here, monkey — are you insinuating that I cause the problems? Or flat out fucking stating it?”  

                   His silence was beginning to annoy August as another hour waned on — but to the male’s credit; he had good reason for remaining closed lipped. It wasn’t until the welcome sign came into view that the older Starr sibling actually shifted his weight slightly to get a better view, not that he needed to but appearing as human as, well, humanly possible was a top priority; that an ensuring her safety. “I already don’t like this place, Tuls.” August mumbled, his usual gruff tone unable to hide the obvious disdain for the place neither had heard of until those whispers began; until fate brought them here —– sure, lets call it fate.