Post by ezeekial on May 12, 2010 4:58:43 GMT -5
(Continuation from Jared's Time at the Clinic woodbourne.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cities&thread=293&page=1 )
**
The Doctor worked quickly after that, hoisting him up onto the rig again and examining his leg, then pumping him full of the drugs that would keep him unconscious for several more hours, announcing it was time to get him into the copter and drop him off. Jared's body slowly shifted back to human under the drugs and they quickly put a pair of pants on him and shoved him into the back of the copter and took off, hovering just above the treetops of the woods outside of town and pushed him out.
Jared fell the branches of the trees catching him and scratching through his skin, he didn't feel when he hit the forest floor, only drifting in and out of consciousness.
**
Lanier Cerise was laying back on the couch in the Pride House. She sighed as she flipped her hair back over the arm of the couch. Lanier hopped up off the couch. She wasn't staying inside one more moment. Lanier knew she could sneak out the side door under the cover of the trees and head out into town. Lanier braided her hair back and she headed for the side door.
Rika had been lounging against a tree, having just arrived in town a few hours earlier. She had only just finished exploring the town when her attention was caught by the helicopter flying just above the tree tops. Lifting her hands to shield her face against the gusting grass around her, her eyes narrowed as she watched something fall from the side of it and down into the trees. Having thought that the object looked human in shape, Rika quickly pushed herself away from the tree and darted in the direction she assumed the thing had fallen, only slowing down when she got closer to the area, her natural instincts telling her telling her to go slow.
Lanier Cerise snuck along in the darkest shadows along the sides of buildings. She looked around the corner seeing the alleyway near the basketball court. "Almost there." She used shifter speed to race across the street and to disappear into the darkness of the alleyway
Ezeekial Jonstone wasn't conscious, but he wasn't fully unconscious either, his breathing was coming in deep falls of his chest, the quarter sized circles red and raw across it. His eyes were slitted open but not seeing anything and he was sprawled halfway on his back and side beside the root of the big tree at the edge of the woods. A patch of skin had been cut away from his arm, but it seemed to have days of human healing on it. His knee was worse, blood soaking into the fabric of the camo pants he wore, staining it black in the night.
Rika had darted from tree to tree after having located what she was looking for, it turning out to be a man. Making a wide circle to the edge of the tree that the man was closest to, she crept along the large roots of the tree before peeking over, her eyes easily identifying him in the dark. Sucking in a breath at his condition, she slipped back down out of sight against the root and looks around to see if his tumble from the air had caught anyone else's attention. Not seeing anyone through the trees, she easily jumped over the root and crouched next to the man, her head tilting slightly to the side as her hands moved out to touch him but instead hovered just inches above his skin. "Hey..." She whispers as she leaned in a little closer toward his face. "Mister..." She tries again to see if he would wake.
Lanier Cerise peeked around the corner again stopped as she looked around cautiously. She looked to the tops of the nearby buildings not spotting anything but of course she knew she wouldn't. Her eyes focused on the bar now. She really just wanted to drink a drink and partially relax. Lanier took a breath as she remembered the conversation with Tristan earlier. She hoped she was wrong. Lanier shook the thought out of her head as she dashed for the bar.
Aydryan Underwood danced for his own pleasure and perhaps Jeanette's. There were others (NPC) in Fang bangers, but they tended to keep to themselves. The humans were content to watch the vampires, mesmerized by the unreal beauty of them or the idea that they might...just might bite them. The vampires played the part and gladly seduced and toyed with whoever allowed them. For Aydryan, it was all background noise, the low buzz of human desire and vampiric hunger. The only clear things that Aydryan was paying attention to were Hikaru's thoughts within his head. Some small voice at the back of Aydryan's mind whispered that he should possibly be concerned with how quiet Wood Bourne had been lately, or more specifically, the shifters. But when it came to the shifters, Aydryan was very hard pressed to dredge up concern. So he ignored the little voice for now until something more blatant came to his attention.
Ezeekial Jonstone's eyes shifted behind his lips, taking a slightly deeper breath in response to the voice he barely heard. Muscles under his cool skin twitched then stilled again. He had deep circles under his eyes, three or four day growth of beard on his face. through the small slits of his eyes she might catch a flash of ice blue on his right eye, amber brown on is left.
Rika shifted her body as she heard him take in a breath, thinking at first that he had wakened. When he went still again, her eyes narrowed and she pulled her gaze away from his face to the circles of red flesh across his chest. Tentatively touching one of her hands down against his chest, she sucked in a breath as her beast inside her suddenly seemed more active under her skin. The wounds that were covering him looked nasty, but she knew that they weren't life threatening. Biting her lower lip slightly, she couldn't help but look around again before looking down at him again and leaning her face down close to his chest, her nose just barely touching his skin as she quietly look in his scent, trying to identify if the man was a shifter and if she was able to do that, what kind he was.
Ezeekial Jonstone didn't stir physically at the hand on his chest, his mind trying to claw it's way out of the drug induced sleep. He vaguely felt the warmth of a gentle hand on his chest, a breath against his skin that smelled distinctly and strongly of wolf. His breathing increased as his eyes shifted, the slits growing slightly wider. He blurringly saw the long pale hair hovering over him and loosely lifted his hand to brush fingers through her hair. He had to be dreaming, or having a nightmare, he wasn't sure which yet. "You okay Angel?" His voice, much too deep and rumbling for his smaller stature whispered. The first hints of the pain started in his leg, throbbing and beginning to spike as the drugs began fully wearing off and he groaned.
Rika felt her eyes widen slightly as she picked up the scent of wolf on the man and nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt his hand against her hair and he spoke. Being called an angel had her confused a moment before she leaned up slightly, her silvery eyes looking into his oddly colored eyes. "I am much better than you, sir, at the moment." She whispered, not really knowing why she was talking so quietly. "You're hurt... Do you live in this city?" She asked quietly just as he groaned and she flicked her eyes to look over his body again, her hand moving down to gently press her warm palm against his leg where the blood was thickest on his jeans. With her hand gently pressed against the wound, she looks up at his face again, her other hand down against the ground beside him holding her up at the moment. "Sir... Can you tell me who you are or what time it is?" She quietly asks.
Ezeekial Jonstone froze when she spoke, the voice definitely wasn't Serenity's and his hand fell back to the ground. He gave her an almost sheepish look, his eyes dilating as they started to focus on her fully. He started to answer her "If they dropped my ass in Wood Bourne yeah..." Then his voice strained, his face turned red, almost purple and the profanities that ushered forth would make a sailor blush. He rolled to his side, trying to get his leg away from her, only making it hurt worse. Nothing was directed at her really until that moment "Don't touch it.. fuck.. don't fucking touch it!" Almost shouting and batting at her hand with his own, the other tempted to grab at his knee but didn't, merely hovering over it instead, his whole body shaking. He felt his beast starting to rise along with the pain, his power cascading out from him in waves, uncontrolled and unshielded though still weak. "J.. Jared. Fucking a... I don't even know what month it is right now."
Rika's eyes went wide as he started screaming and trying to get away from her and she automatically jumped away from him, silently landing in the grass a few feet away, her eyes narrowed as a growling sound started to form in her throat as she felt his beast stirring around, the weight of it in the air was heavy. Pushing herself to her feet, she moves her hand up that was covered with the blood from his knee and uses the back of her hand to push some of her hair out of her face as she stood to her feet, her desire to help the man diminishing by the moment by each of the things that came out of his mouth and the feel of his beast rolling around. She wasn't a good judge of someone's strength, but she got the impression that this man could hurt her without even trying.
Ezeekial Jonstone shut his eyes tightly his hands hovering over his knee, not touching it and relearning to breathe for a moment, before he slowly turned back over, propping himself up with his hands and slowly inched his way to rest his back against the large root. He stayed there, not really moving other than the fine tremble and rise and fall of his chest for several more minutes. His head eventually turned slowly toward her and he swallowed, frowning. "What is your name?" He looked back down at his knee, knowing it was probably the worst injury he had ever been dealt yet, his voice had calmed, though his beast remained on guard.
Rika didn't move as she watched his every move only stepping closer slightly as he leaned against the root and finally spoke again. "Rika..." Was all she said as her head tilted to she side slightly. "Sorry about the leg, did not realize it was that bad at first." She says, her voice still quiet but just loud enough for him to hear her clearly. "Is there someone in the city that you want me to go get for you?" She asks, having chosen not to get close to him again for the moment.
Ezeekial Jonstone reached up and scrubbed at his face trying to push the pain aside, block it out. "Uhmm... do you have a cellphone?" He couldn't block the pain from his leg completely and bit the inside of his cheek to not make another pained sound. Starting to make a mental list in his head of what he needed. A knife, he sure as hell wasn't going to rip the pants away from his knee, phone so he could call Lanier, or he could shift. He shuddered at the idea of that, remembering what it had been like the last time.
Rika blinks at the request but reaches into a small patch she had made in the side of her skirt just for her phone and held it up to show it to him before tossing it in his direction. Taking a deep breath, she looks around again, the sounds of the crickets calming her down a little before she jumped up onto the root and crouched there, her eyes once again focused on Jared.
Ezeekial Jonstone caught the phone and winced at the abrupt motion then shook his head while he punched in Lanier's number. His eyes watched her as she jumped to the root, the way she crouched and while he listened to the phone ring he spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you.. it just really..." He stopped and started again, taking a deep breath that ached as much as it helped. "I'm sorry."
Lanier Cerise sighed, "Maybe I am since I haven't been able to find him since he's been avoiding me. I'm not going to wander aimlessly in public looking for an emo wolf. He-" She stopped as she heard her phone ringing. "Just a sec." Lanier pulled out her phone and looked at the number and her brows furrowed. "I don't know this number.." She answered it cautiously. "Hello?"
Rika felt her head tilt even more as her legs shifted under her as she seemed she couldn't stay still for long and had to always shift her weight. "It hurts, I know..." She says, finishing off his first sentence for him as she listened to the ringing sounds the phone was making even from where she was sitting. She creeps a little closer as she hears a female's voice on the other end and she remains silent, her curiosity on who it was getting the better of her.
Aydryan Underwood nodded to Lanier as she answered her phone and continued to sip at his glass. He would need to clarify what she meant exactly by....'maybe I am'....Either she was going to give him Eric or not. It was about time that he had an animal to call at his service.
Ezeekial Jonstone's voice was still strained as it carried over the phone "Lanier." He paused frowning and almost growled as he leaned his head back against the root. "I need you to get to the woods, the base of that big assed tree. I... Fuck.. You think you can get a splint or leg brace.. something?" He couldn't even really explain it other than truth and with Rika peering over his shoulder as she was, he wasn't about to blurt it out to Lanier either.
Lanier Cerise nearly dropped her beer bottle so she set it on the bar. Her face was in shock. "Jared?" Then she heard about his location and the split or leg brace. "Sure, I'll get a leg splint even if I have to swipe one. You hang in there and I'll get there as soon as I can." She closed her phone to end the call and shoved it back in her pocket. Lanier paid for the beer. "I have to get stuff for a leg splint. Jared is out in the forest and badly injured. I could tell." She looked to Aydryan. "Wanna join in on the fun or stay here?"
Aydryan Underwood lifted both brows, "Are you very sure that that was Jared? It was an unknown number, correct? Such a phone call would draw you out into the open......make you vulnerable." He slid one finger inside his glass and swiped a remnant of the liquid from inside. Watching Lanier, he slipped the finger between his lips.
Rika just idly sat there, shifting slightly as she listened to the woman's voice coming out of the phone. "She sounds like she care... That is good." She says as she holds out her hand for her phone. "I assume that that is the only person that you wanted to call?" She says, shifting slightly as her eyes flick toward the buildings off in the distance, trying to guess how long it would take the woman to get to them.
Ezeekial Jonstone stared at the phone when Lanier hung up on him for a minute, blinking. What the fuck was going on? He nodded lifting the phone above his head for her to take then scrubbed his face again. he knew he was putting her in danger and had fully expected her to question him further to be sure. "Yeah... unless you know the number for the Masters... uh." He paused glancing toward the moon. "Rika, what is today's date?" he had no doubt that Lanier would come through for him, though there was always the what if's in the back of his head.
Lanier Cerise furrowed her brow as she looked to Aydryan. "Aydryan, I've known Jared for years. I've lived with him on two separate occasions. I know his voice. It was his voice. Now, I know it could be a trap just as well. So, why don't you come along? If there is a battle to be had...I might a well share the fun."
Aydryan Underwood: "Are you asking for my help, Lanier?" He set the empty glass on the counter, sliding it toward Jeanette. Silently, he let Hikaru know what was happening. Of course, no one would know about that little conversation.
Rika took her phone and flicked it open and looked at the screen before hitting a few buttons and glancing at the number he had dialed. "For the Masters?" She idly asks before flicking the phone closed and slipping it back into the pocket on her skirt. "Is there a Master Vampire living in this city then?" She asks before looking up at the sky as he asked what day it was. "Uh, it's May 12th, why?"
Ezeekial Jonstone sighed, thumping his head back on the root a few times, the throbbing ache of that dulling the sharp one in his leg for a moment but not long. "Yeah... two of them... Dunno how that really works out though. But it's a bitch. One calls Lions, the other Wolves." He turned his head so he could glance back at her and blinked, not wanting to offend her by asking but still curious enough to do it anyway. "What kind of cat are you?" When he heard what day it was he groaned softly, going back to thumping his head lightly on the root while they waited. "Six days... six fucking days... damn it."
Lanier Cerise nodded to him. "Yes, I am. Aydryan. Will you please help me and Jared?"
Aydryan Underwood chuckled softly, "Jeanette...please...remember this moment. Lanier.....You owe me. Since I will be aiding you at this moment...then the return favor will be personal. Agreed?" Jeanette smiled at Aydryan and nodded. "If so, then perhaps we shouldn't linger here."
Rika winced slightly as she watched him hit his head against the tree only to slide down the side of the root and kneel next to him once again, still slightly out of his reach if he were to try and reach for her. "Two Masters... Interesting..." She says as she looks down at his leg again only to look up directly at his face as he asked what she was. She had thought she had managed to keep her beast hidden but she had thought wrong. "Leopard... Well, Snow Leopard to be exactomundo." She says as she turns her head and looks back toward the buildings, not yet seeing any movement heading in their direction.
Ezeekial Jonstone stopped and looked at her a moment then nodded. "Leopard... hmm.. Don't think i have seen any of your kind around town yet... unless you came with a pard?" he pointed off toward the southwest, assuming Lanier would be coming from the pride house. "She should be coming from that way." adding under his breath "She better be..." She was supposed to be in hiding, unless they had found and taken care of that Mr. browning person already though he doubted that. He was trying not to move his leg as much as possible, getting it into a brace or splint was going to be bad enough. With another sigh he leaned his head back against the root, waiting and growing impatient. "Well Rika the leopard... welcome to Wood Bourne."
Lanier Cerise sighed and nodded, "Like I said Aydryan. I'd do whatever it takes to protect the wolves...especially my leader. Now, can we get the tools to help him just in case this isn't a trap?"
Rika settled down from her crouch, folding her legs under her as she sat on the ground, her head shaking to his question as she looked over in the direction he had pointed. "Ok..." She said, seeming rather nervous about more people coming around. "My pard did not come with me... I thought I would look about trying to find a new place to live... Something different, ya know." She says as she looks back at him as he rested his head again. "Seeing you like this, makes me wonder if I picked the wrong city to stop. But thank you for the welcome non-the-less."
Aydryan Underwood looked to Jeanette, "Call our Doctor, Dear....tell him to meet me at the Pride house, bring materials for leg injuries. Thank you." Then he looked to Lanier, "I will carry him to the Pride house."
Ezeekial Jonstone half chuckled the sound ending in a groan. "Yeah well.. this place is definitely different..." He glanced to her before looking back southwest again, towards the pride house. "If you need a place to stay... No one is at the Pack house I don't think... It's straight north of here." He scrubbed his face again "Where the fuck is she?"
Lanier Cerise nodded as she hurried out of the bar and started to run for the bridge with her shifter speed at her disposal. Not an obstacle stopped her as she headed for the big oak tree. She saw the forms on the ground...only two. She stopped for a moment as she looked around trying to catch any other scents on the air or if she heard any other sounds. Hearing nothing, her focus turned on the one that was near Jared...a woman. She growled under her breath as she ran forward, "Jared. Sorry I'm late. But I brought a bit more help."
Rika followed Jared's gaze once again before nodding her head only to sits up suddenly as she heard someone coming through the grass behind her rather fast. Jumping to her feet, she jumped away to the side, making it so nobody was at her back and she could now see all that had just gotten there, her eyes scanning over each of them, taking in their scents as best she could from where she was standing.
Aydryan Underwood followed silently and swiftly behind Lanier, like a living shadow. When Lanier came to a halt beside the other two, Aydryan moved over the tree root to land softly on the other side of Jared. He had already assured himself that there were no other living threats nearby as they had moved through the woods. That singular gaze shifted to watch the pale haired female scurry to the side, then he looked down to where Jared lay.
Ezeekial Jonstone jerked his head as Rika jumped up and spotted Lanier running toward them full out. "More help...?" He started then stiffened immediately, his metaphysical hackles standing up. He suppressed the growl that threatened to leak out from his throat and chest, his head turning to follow the vampire as he walked around him. Not taking his eyes off Aydryan he wanted to turn and shout at Lanier, demand to know exactly what the fuck she was doing with the Master of the City, why she wasn't at the pride house. Instead he settled for "Freki... Explain." His rumbling voice held the anger and pain he was feeling, carefully trying to keep the fear from his voice.
Lanier Cerise knelt and bowed her head to him, "I'm sorry my Ulfric. I grew concerned for your absence as well as of the lionesses. Lately, all I've had to rely on was Tristan as Eric has seen fit to try and undermine me. I went to the Masters both for their aid because I had no one else to turn to. Forgive me my Ulfric."
Aydryan Underwood lifted a brow as he listened to Lanier speak, smiling slowly. "She wished for help in controlling Eric." His voice was low and soft, whispering around them all. "I came to make sure she was not falling into a trap. Now that it's clear that it is not.....Shall we get you to the Pride house? Our Doctor will be waiting there to help you." Again, his attention shifted to the unknown woman, "I will assume that you are the one who found him and had a phone" ?"
Chloe Saunders blinked as she snatched up her cell, squinting her eyes at the screen to see who was calling at such a late time. She fumbled with the buttons eventually pressing the green one and tugging the cell to her ear, “Dr. Saunders.” She spoke clearly and concisely, even though she had been in deep sleep moments before. When she heard the voice on the other end, Jeanette, she sat up quickly, pushing a hand through her hair before grabbing her glasses off of the bed side table then pushing them high up on her small, pointed nose. “Uh huh, Pride House, leg injury materials. Gotcha. I’ll be there in a flash.” Guess it was lucky that she lived right around the corner from that part of the residential area. The doctor yawned as she clicked her phone off, sliding out of bed to dress in simple black pants and a tank top, throwing her hair up into a ponytail. She rummaged around in medical bag to make sure everything she needed was there before leaving her house at a brisk walk, shivering only slightly from the cool air as she made her way up to the Pride House, knocking on the door. No answer. She supposed no one had arrived yet. Lovely.
Rika stood there, her body posed to leap away at the slightest movement as her eyes flicked from one person to the next until they settled on the man behind Jared. Her eyes focused on his chest as she promptly nodded her head at the question. "I did and I do." She says before looking down at Jared again, not really sure if she should leave him to the two and go on about her exploring or stick around and see what would happen.
Ezeekial Jonstone's lips curled into a silent snarl at her explanation and the Master's additional comment didn't help. "I am gone for five fucking days and the pack goes to shit.. is that it?" Shaking his head he reached back and started using the root to brace himself as he tried to stand, his teeth snapping shut noisily as he suppressed a whimper. "Fine.. whatever... did you guys find Serenity or Rhage yet?" That was his main concern, if they hadn't he was going to be one unhappy puppy.
Lanier Cerise stayed where she was on the ground. "I'm sorry my Ulfric. I've done all I could while trying to stay hidden." She braced herself for the worst part. "I am sorry my Ulfric. We because concerned for your lack of presence as well as the twin lionesses. However, through searching we did not find any of you until you had called me. I have no idea where either of them are."
Eric had been downtown, the frown still curling his brow as it had been for the last few days. There'd been no sign of them, and Lanier wasn't at the Pack house. Deciding to check again at the cottage, he started towards the forest, crossing the bridge before a few familiar scents hit him. It took a few moments for it to register, his eyes going wide as it dawned on him. Following the scent, he spotted a few people standing. At first, he only saw a woman he did not recognize, then one of the Masters. Finally making his way around the large tree, he spotted Lanier and Jared. Thank god he was alive! Eric let out a sigh of relief, making his way near them in silence for the moment.
Aydryan Underwood shifted smoothly from his stand and up beside Jared. Before the wolf could protest, Aydryan's arms easily scooped him up into a cradle hold, taking any strain off Jared's body. Speaking quietly, "I'd advise you to not struggle Ulfric. I am not a threat to you." The part of him that Hikaru knew well, that was compassionate, attempted to surround Jared with soothing energy that smelled of soothing wood and wild, decaying leaves and running water. He looked to the woman, "Madam...would you be so kind as to come with us. It would seem that the woods are not safe these days." Then he began moving in the direction of town, "Conversation can take place once we're in doors, safe."
Rika finally registered what the woman was calling Jared and her eyes shift over to look at him again as he started to pushing himself up against the root. Hearing some crunching of grass off to her side, she held in a growl as yet another person arrived and she took another small step back out of instinct before looking over at the Master again. She opened her mouth to protest that she was fine but closed her lips before anything could come out, her interest of the inhabitants of the city changing her mind for her. She gave him a slight nod and seemed to relax only slightly as she looked over at the new male again, sniffing at the air in his direction discreetly as she looked him over, memorizing his appearance.
Ezeekial Jonstone glanced down at Lanier and was about to respond when he was suddenly lifted, the movement sending shooting sharp pains up his leg and drawing a small yelp like cry from him along with a gasping "Son of a BITCH!". He stiffened when he realized who it was that held him a moment later what Aydryan had said registered and he bit back the snarl that would have come along with the retort that had been forming with the pain. The scent of the woods and home became stronger and all he could do was bite his tongue and cheek and try not to writhe too much when each step the vampire made barely moved him, but still the slightest movement still hurt. Idly to keep his mind off the pain he wondered what he would owe the Master for carrying him to the Pride House...
Lanier Cerise slowly rose from the ground and looked over her shoulder to the coming person and growled. She frowned seeing it was Eric. "You going to be helpful now?"
Rika hangs back slightly as she follows the crowd to the Pride House
Eric looked to Lanier, giving her a slow nod. His demeanor was more worried than anything, any hint of his usual cockiness seeming to be non-existent. He glanced back to the woman again, then back forward. He looked upon Jared, giving a sigh of shame that he;d not found him sooner...or done something, anything. He looked to Lanier again, the look upon his face showing apology, but even more than that, concern.
Aydryan Underwood ignored what Lanier said, concentrating on carrying Jared as painlessly as possible to the Pride house. His face was an unreadable mask during the walk. Eventually, he spoke to Jared...quietly, "I know that you do not like vampires, Ulfric....especially me for what I can do. However, you and I will have to speak ...soon." When he saw the house, he fell silent. He did not expect an answer from Jared at this moment. Spotting the Doctor, "Thank you Dr. Saunders...for coming." Then he looked to Lanier, "I cannot enter the house."
Chloe knew she should have grabbed a hoodie…but no…she had talked herself into not worrying about it. Stupidity, she was going to catch her death then Aydryan wouldn’t have to worry about changing her when she made her decision. The human doctor grumbled lightly as she noted the arrival of a sizable group, eyebrow raising as her clinical formed mind already shifted through the group to the man being held in the Master’s arms. She’d drop into a respectful bow to Aydryan, sending a polite yet friendly smile, “Good morning Master, it was no problem at all…” She’d wait to be allowed into the house, not even a vampire yet and she already waited for admittance into people’s homes, it was only polite.
Lanier Cerise moved up to the doors. She had caught Eric's looks but she wouldn't buy it till she saw it. Lanier opened the doors as she pushed them open so Aydryan could carrying Jared inside and so the doctor could move in before her to take care of Jared. She looked to Aydryan as she stepped inside then turned to face him. "Please come in."
Eric followed Lanier, though his eyes remained on Jared. He looked to the human Doctor, finally speaking up. "I have some degree of medical training... Just the basics that were taught in police academy... but I;m willing to do whatever I can to help..." He looked again to Jared. He knew, for now, that there was nothing productive for him to say, thus he merely awaited the reply of the doctor.
Ezeekial Jonstone gritted his teeth along the way, enamel grinding on enamel with each step. "I know." Spat out between his teeth. He remained silent, his usual snicker that would have been there at the Vampire not being able to enter nonexistent, sucked away with the pain.
Rika watched the group all move into the house and looked around as the door closed behind the last one to enter, leaving her in the dark of the night. Moving closer to the door, she leans in and sniffs at the frame before pressing her ear against the wood and then moving to the side of the building and spotting moving shadows on behind the curtains in the windows. Moving over to one, she peeks inside, getting as good a look on the inside room before turning around and stepping to the side so she coud lean up against the brick wall.
Lanier Cerise moved back to the door and opened it. She looked to the woman and motioned her inside. "Come on in. You helped him just as much as the others."
Aydryan Underwood flowed passed the threshold and into the next room. He regretted that he would have to set Jared on such a pristine couch, but he did. Then he backed away, "I leave you in Dr. Saunders care, Jared. You can contact me at any time. Jeanette will know how, when you're ready." Then he turned and paused before Lanier and the others, "I have other duties to attend, Lanier....Eric." As he moved to exit he turned back, "Dr. Saunders...your account will be credited payment for this...as usual." As he left, he noticed that the young still unknown female was not in the room. "Perhaps she wishes her peace, Lanier." Clever girl...keeping her distance. Then he melded with the shadows and was gone.
Rika looks over at a the woman came out again before smiling slightly and nodding her head and pushing herself away from the wall. "Thank you..." She says, her voice still as low as it had been when her and Jared had been alone in the forest.
Chloe moved into the house without a backwards glance, dragging her medical bag with her. When the male at the end of this duckling line spoke up the Doctor merely raised her eyebrow yet again, “Fascinating, but I assure you that medical wise I am quite competent and can do my job, otherwise the Master would not have had me come.” She smiled a very tight smile before moving to the couch and the man’s side, glancing at his bare chest and the obvious blood on his pants. “What you –can- do for me is get some warm water and a wash cloth, please and thanks.” Her voice held no room for argument. “Now Sir, I am not going to lie to you, this will hurt, a lot…and if you so much as make a movement to hurt me in anyway, I will not think twice about putting you down, got that?” She was a very no nonsense type woman, “Thank you Master, as always it is a pleasure.” She nodded to Aydryan before beginning to check the wounds on the man.
Ezeekial Jonstone went rigid when the vampire moved to set him down and all he could do was nod at him before he left in a flurry. His attention turned toward the Doctor and he was half tempted to growl at her. "You work on shifters before?" growled out rumbling from his chest, but that was just the way his voice was, strained. His eyes shifted to Lanier then narrowed. "Freki." His voice had hardened when he spoke to her.
Lanier Cerise looked to Jared and she moved forward and knelt by the couch. "Yes my Ulfric?"
Eric nodded to the Doctor, not even bothering to put up any sort of protest at her attitude towards his intention to help. he moved away, heading upstairs as he looked for some kind of basin to fill up. Finding a large plastic bowl, he turned on the faucet, looking down at his phone at the time. After it'd filled up, he stuffed a wash cloth into the bend of his elbow. He moved downstairs, moving as briskly as possible without splashing it around. He set it next to her, looking to the doctor again. "Anything else needed?"
Rika looks around the large room and picks a spot next to the wall where she could have an easy escape if things went bad and she could still see everyone. Her head turned to follow Eric as he went upstairs and then followed him again as he returned with what the doctor woman had asked for. Shifting silently on the ground, she just watches, studying those in the room.
Chloe frowned at the raw looking quarter sized marks dotting his chest like some absurd type of spots, “Of course I have, I’m the best, exactly why I am on call to the Masters twenty four seven…and why I told you not to hurt me, I have put a shifter down for kicking me while I reset his arm.” She spoke quickly as she worked, barely acknowledging as the other male set down the bowl of water with the cloth. “Nope, I’m good…maybe the room cleared a bit…I really don’t need everyone hovering around here.” She then proceeded to clean the quarter wounds on his chest, not bothering to put any ointment on them since he couldn’t catch anything. She loved working on shifters, so much easier.
Ezeekial Jonstone's gaze remained on Lanier for the moment while he gave his order. "Take Rika to the cottage and get her comfortable there. Then search the woods THROUGHLY for Serenity and Rhage. Only then can you go to bed yourself." He leaned his head back on the pillow gritting his teeth at the pain for a moment and the situation he was in. He had an inkling that this would never fully heal, or would give him problems later on. Not to mention the vampires. Fuck. He owed HIM now. His eyes snapped back to the doctor and he wished he had the strength to at least chuckle at that. "You.. put him down.... because he kicked you." It was said as both a statement and question. He didn't think he was up to kicking anyone tonight.
Lanier Cerise nodded as she bowed her head, "As you command Ulfric." She rose and moved over to the woman she presumed was Rika. "Please...follow me Rika." She headed to the front doors of the Pride House.
Rika shifted slightly as she heard Jared tell the woman to do something with her but didn't feel like fighting about it and simply nodded her head and stood as the woman approached her and she followed her out of the house.
Seeing as Jared had essentially cleared the room, Eric followed behind Lanier, clearing his throat as he spoke. "Freki... With your permission, I'd like to assist. It's the least I can do." He heard the conversation between Jared and the Doctor, sighing slightly, then looked back to Lanier."
Chloe tended to the shifter’s other more superficial wounds, the cuts on his hands, scratches and lacerations here and there, only managing to raise an eyebrow at what looked to be shackle marks from silver around his wrists and ankles. It wasn’t her job to question but to heal. “I told him not to, he didn’t listen, so I tranq’d him.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug as she eyed the rest of his body for anything else superficial she had missed. Slowly she frowned, turning to the knee and would gently but methodically begin to roll up his pants leg, giving him a warning glare as she began to check the wound, “Damn. They went straight through to the other side…this will never fully heal, even with shifting…you know that right hun?” Her expression softened somewhat, “I mean to say, it –will- heal but you will have some troubles...” She hated having to tell people things like this, he would walk…but there would be limping for the rest of his life….a pity, the man was in his Prime and an Ulfric to boot, she assumed this would not bode well for him.
Rika followed the woman over the river and through the woods (to grandmothers house we go) before smiling at the sight of the cottage that she was leading her too. Following her inside, she looked around before smiling at the woman and nodding her head to her.
Lanier Cerise lead Rika out to the cottage deep in the forest. She showed her to an empty room. "You can sleep here for the night Rika. Food is available in the kitchen if you need it. Pardon me for leaving you here alone but I have to tend to the job laid out before me by my Ulfric." She bowed to her before she turned to head for the door.
Rika nodded her head as her eyes gazed around the empty room. "It does not bother me, I at least have a roof over my head for the night, which I am thankful. Be safe out there." She says, her head turning to watch her leave.
Ezeekial Jonstone growled at Eric's offer and spoke up "No Eric. I need you here." his voice was growing lighter somehow. He wasn't feeling the smaller pains from his chest or hands, the burning sensation of his wrists and ankles. All of it was washed away with the sharp piercing pain in his knee that never seemed to end. When the Doctor began rolling up his pant leg he bit his bottom lip, the holes from where his piercings had been obvious. he reached his hands down to the cushion of the couch, gripping them while his leg shook beneath her gentle but sure touch. "Yeah... they did it with silver... I already shifted once." He Stared up at the ceiling, finding a spot and focusing on it. "I'm... slow at.. healing" He gasped out softly, not really wanting to admit it though it was true and he knew it. It took him twice the average shifter's time to heal the most basic wounds.
Lanier Cerise nodded as she stopped in the doorway, "thank you for staying with him while I was trying to make it to him..." Her face held an almost sad expression for a second before her face became hard again. She slid out the door way and headed out of the cottage and into the forest to start the long task of scouring every inch of the forest for any sign of Rhage or Serenity. Lanier knew this was going to take all night as well as some of the next morning.
Eric stopped in his tracks, turning around as he heard Jared call after him. He moved back into the room, looking to Jared. "Sorry... I didn't think..." He just shook his head. "Sorry... What do you need sir?" He spoke his words respectfully, he holding his hands behind his back.
Chloe could only assume that the man who had spoken about medical training earlier was the one Jared called Eric. “Like he said Eric, you are needed here….why don’t you go into the kitchen and cook this man three or four steaks, I’m sure there are some as it is a shifter household after all. While you are at it, add some veggies high in iron and vitamins, and a couple bottles of water.” She turned back to Jared, sympathizing with the look of pain on his face, “I’m sorry that this hurts you, and that some asshole did this to you…but I will give you something to help with the pain.” She rummaged around in her bag, tugging out a pre-filled needle filled with Codeine. “This should help immensely.” She’d shake her head at the army fatigues, tugging out a pair of scissors and promptly cutting the one leg off of him. “Oops, sorry, hope those weren’t your favorite pair.” She didn’t sound the least bit sorry. With that said the doctor would squirt the amber colored liquid into the hole, placing thick gauze on the other side so that it would not merely drip out…soon his knee should be numb completely, she’d given him enough to make an Elephant’s trunk numb in twenty seconds. Once he was feeling the effects the doctor would clean and bandage it up, placing a collapsible knee cast around his leg…it would keep the limb straight and minimize some pain.
Ezeekial Jonstone bit back a groan, his head tipping back. "I don't know Eric.. just.. come over here. I need the pack close..." He glanced to the Doctor for a second. "Besides.. gotta have something to hit besides the Doc here..." He was trying to joke at a time like this, with as much pain as he was in. He was cut off by her ordering Eric around and just sighed. "Eric.. just.. do what she says." Now that he thought about it, his stomach growled loudly. He just shook his head when she apologized for cutting his pants, wanting to make a comment but kept his mouth shut. He saw her pull out a large needle and tensed, readying himself to be knocked out "Hey... I didn't kick you...." But when she squirted it into his knee he began to relax, the pain slowly ebbing away. He expected it to hurt when she moved it around to put the cast on, his hands loosening and tightening on the white cushions, staining them with some of the blood from his hands. The majority of the pain washed away and he felt the other smaller pains, the main ache that ran all through him, every joint and muscle hurting from what he had been through. He wasn't going to tell her the worst part, no.. that would heal on it's own. A fine tremor began to wind it's way through him, his skin cooler than it should be to the touch.
Eric watched for a moment, then nodded to Jared as he moved closer, allowing his own lupine energy to flow freely from him, it seeming to be like a warm breeze after a desert rain. "How do you like your steak? Rare? Medium?" Eric happened to be a very good chef...or at least he was... He hadn't cooked for a while now.
Chloe snorted at the thought of the man hitting her, rolling her eyes with a soft laugh as she dug around in her bag for some extra pre-filled needles. “Don’t panic, I’m not knocking you out, in fact, since you were such a good boy I am giving you a treat. There are seven of these Codeine filled syringes, one a day only to the knee where the hole was drilled. They. Are. Not. Candy.” She shook the capped syringes threateningly at the man before setting them in a sealed pouch on the coffee table next to them. Her eyebrow raised at the other man’s question, shaking her head, “He’s a shifter…you are a shifter…how do you like your steaks? Pretty rare huh? Don’t ask stupid questions while the man is starving and in pain. Just cook.” She really didn’t have a tolerance for stupidity. She turned back to Jared, tilting her head as she grabbed a garish looking pink fleece blanket with a monogrammed S on it. Whoever’s it was would be sharing tonight. She draped the blanket over Jared, fitting it around him snugly…it was an interesting sight seeing a man wrapped in a pink blanket. “So, the laws. No moving unaided for the next week. Keep your leg propped up and elevated, “ She gently placed a pillow beneath that leg, “Eat plenty of protein and iron. Take a nice bath tomorrow, no shower, no standing for long periods of time. If for some reason the week is up and you need more shots, call me at any time, I’ll get them…and don’t worry about payment, the Masters have already handled that portion. “ Yes it was true, and she was paid –very- well for her flexibility. “Any questions before I go?” She stopped and waited patiently.
Ezeekial Jonstone couldn't help it, he tried stifling the chuckle at how the Doctor spoke to Eric, but failed, though it died out instantly when she grabbed Serenity's blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped him in it. Serenity's scent hitting him like a sledgehammer. The doctor's orders not exactly new to him and his mind was caught up in thought's of his mate, unable to hide the pain that was on his face. His voice choked when he spoke, his hand smoothing out the blanket half wanting to tear it off of himself and throw it aside, half wanting to curl up under it. His mind snapped back when she asked if there was anything else he needed. "I'll need a way to get around... tomorrow. I have to meet with the Bl-..." He gritted his teeth biting back his word. "Master..."
Chloe frowned at the man when his face screwed up in pain and he choked on his words, she idly wondered why but wasn’t going to ask…right now he should be virtually pain free, so she didn’t think it was physical. She nodded as she turned to jot down her cell number, leaving the piece of paper by the pack of syringes, “No problem, I’ll pick up a wheel chair tomorrow and a pair of crutches plus some more codeine, you may need it now that I think about it…but like I said before, do not let me find out that you have been spending a lot of time on that leg, I will hunt you down and put you in the hospital under bed rest and heavy guards.” Her smile was genuine, though she meant business. “Now get some rest, Eric should be about done with your food, and you need to eat it all.” She even went so far as to pat him on the head as if he were a small child in for a scraped knee, “I understand you need to speak with Aydryan, but if possible have him come here, if not, don’t be out too long.” She called over her shoulder, “You hear that Eric? Keep an eye on him, make sure he rests a lot…I don’t care how much he orders you around…when it comes to my patient you listen to me.” She grinned and waved to Jared without another word, picking up her medical bag then leaving the house and heading back to her apartment.
Eric moved out of the kitchen, snickering at the Dr as she left. he moved over to jared, plate of a rarely cooked steak in hand, as well as steamed broccoli and a spinach salad. he set it next to Jared on the couch, looking towards the door. "Feisty one, she..." he looked back to Jared, seeing the pain that was evident on his face. it didn't take long for Eric to understand what was up, especially with the familiar scent from the blanket wafting up to him with the motion of the blanket. "We'll find 'em Jared... We'll find 'em."
"Yeah... feisty...." He wasn't sure if he was talking about the doctor or Serenity. He smelled the food and his stomach growled but he made no move to reach for it. He pushed himself up to lean back against the back of the couch, pushing the blanket down to his waist. "I went after them to protect them. They let me go... but not after..." he stopped and scrubbed his face with his hands, burying his face in them. "They showed me what they were doing to her." His fingers pressed so tightly against his forehead they caused the skin around them to whiten before he scrubbed his face again, fighting the tears at the back of his throat, choosing the anger welling up inside. "I want them all dead Eric. Every fucking one of them." He looked down at his leg beneath the blanket and growled knowing he couldn't go out hunting them down.
Eric listened, feeling his own emotions well up and fight to tear loose, his wolf pulsating now with a feral savageness. He spoke in a low, determined voice. "I'll see to it, sir." He bit his lower lip, shaking his head before forcing his attention back onto the food. he reached down, slicing off a hunk of the meat and handing the fork to Jared. "Sir.. Try and eat... Please..."
Ezeekial Jonstone nodded and took the fork, not taking his eyes off the blanket until he saw his own hands and sighed. "Can you get me some gauze... the doc forgot to bandage my hands, don't want to get more blood on the couch... Ser would... kill me." He trailed off and took the piece of steak off the fork, chewing it for a moment before he reached over and picked up the plate, starting in on the meal.
Eric nodded, standing up. He looked to the hutch at the end of the room, figuring that was the location of everyone's "everything" drawer. he opened it up, pulling out a dinky little first aid kit, but it would do for what was needed. He moved back over to the couch, crouching down as he opened it up. he pulled out two small rolls of gauze, looking to Jared. "Alright...first hand, if you would please..." He unrolled part of it, holding it out before him.
Ezeekial Jonstone held out one of his hands to Eric and let him wrap it up. After the pain in his knee this was nothing. He kept eating while Eric wrapped, switching hands for him to do the other one too. He didn't speak, he didn't really need to. Once Eric was finished, and Jared had eaten the whole meal, he slid back down and settled himself along the couch. A dull ache was beginning in his knee and he knew the drugs were wearing off quickly. Sometimes he hated being a shifter. He would have to get a cellphone tomorrow, along with a few other things. A gun would be nice to replace the one they had taken. His eyes moved to his right hand, glancing at the white ring of skin around his middle finger where his father's Marine ring had sat. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to pull the covers up, assuring Eric he would be alright sleeping down here for the night. Serenity's scent overwhelmed his senses for a moment but he pushed that down, changing it into anger. Anger he could deal with, manage and focus on something specific. He didn't think he would be able to sleep, but it drug him down as fast as any drug they had used in that place, deep into dreams twisting to nightmares, reliving what he saw done to Serenity, and what had happened to himself. When he did wake it was only to sit up, halfway into the morning he did so and almost yelped, the pain in his knee excruciating again. He thought to use another shot of the codeine but stopped in the middle of reaching for it, digging himself deeper under the blanket and inhaling his mate's scent deeply then forcing himself to sleep through the pain.
**
The Doctor worked quickly after that, hoisting him up onto the rig again and examining his leg, then pumping him full of the drugs that would keep him unconscious for several more hours, announcing it was time to get him into the copter and drop him off. Jared's body slowly shifted back to human under the drugs and they quickly put a pair of pants on him and shoved him into the back of the copter and took off, hovering just above the treetops of the woods outside of town and pushed him out.
Jared fell the branches of the trees catching him and scratching through his skin, he didn't feel when he hit the forest floor, only drifting in and out of consciousness.
**
Lanier Cerise was laying back on the couch in the Pride House. She sighed as she flipped her hair back over the arm of the couch. Lanier hopped up off the couch. She wasn't staying inside one more moment. Lanier knew she could sneak out the side door under the cover of the trees and head out into town. Lanier braided her hair back and she headed for the side door.
Rika had been lounging against a tree, having just arrived in town a few hours earlier. She had only just finished exploring the town when her attention was caught by the helicopter flying just above the tree tops. Lifting her hands to shield her face against the gusting grass around her, her eyes narrowed as she watched something fall from the side of it and down into the trees. Having thought that the object looked human in shape, Rika quickly pushed herself away from the tree and darted in the direction she assumed the thing had fallen, only slowing down when she got closer to the area, her natural instincts telling her telling her to go slow.
Lanier Cerise snuck along in the darkest shadows along the sides of buildings. She looked around the corner seeing the alleyway near the basketball court. "Almost there." She used shifter speed to race across the street and to disappear into the darkness of the alleyway
Ezeekial Jonstone wasn't conscious, but he wasn't fully unconscious either, his breathing was coming in deep falls of his chest, the quarter sized circles red and raw across it. His eyes were slitted open but not seeing anything and he was sprawled halfway on his back and side beside the root of the big tree at the edge of the woods. A patch of skin had been cut away from his arm, but it seemed to have days of human healing on it. His knee was worse, blood soaking into the fabric of the camo pants he wore, staining it black in the night.
Rika had darted from tree to tree after having located what she was looking for, it turning out to be a man. Making a wide circle to the edge of the tree that the man was closest to, she crept along the large roots of the tree before peeking over, her eyes easily identifying him in the dark. Sucking in a breath at his condition, she slipped back down out of sight against the root and looks around to see if his tumble from the air had caught anyone else's attention. Not seeing anyone through the trees, she easily jumped over the root and crouched next to the man, her head tilting slightly to the side as her hands moved out to touch him but instead hovered just inches above his skin. "Hey..." She whispers as she leaned in a little closer toward his face. "Mister..." She tries again to see if he would wake.
Lanier Cerise peeked around the corner again stopped as she looked around cautiously. She looked to the tops of the nearby buildings not spotting anything but of course she knew she wouldn't. Her eyes focused on the bar now. She really just wanted to drink a drink and partially relax. Lanier took a breath as she remembered the conversation with Tristan earlier. She hoped she was wrong. Lanier shook the thought out of her head as she dashed for the bar.
Aydryan Underwood danced for his own pleasure and perhaps Jeanette's. There were others (NPC) in Fang bangers, but they tended to keep to themselves. The humans were content to watch the vampires, mesmerized by the unreal beauty of them or the idea that they might...just might bite them. The vampires played the part and gladly seduced and toyed with whoever allowed them. For Aydryan, it was all background noise, the low buzz of human desire and vampiric hunger. The only clear things that Aydryan was paying attention to were Hikaru's thoughts within his head. Some small voice at the back of Aydryan's mind whispered that he should possibly be concerned with how quiet Wood Bourne had been lately, or more specifically, the shifters. But when it came to the shifters, Aydryan was very hard pressed to dredge up concern. So he ignored the little voice for now until something more blatant came to his attention.
Ezeekial Jonstone's eyes shifted behind his lips, taking a slightly deeper breath in response to the voice he barely heard. Muscles under his cool skin twitched then stilled again. He had deep circles under his eyes, three or four day growth of beard on his face. through the small slits of his eyes she might catch a flash of ice blue on his right eye, amber brown on is left.
Rika shifted her body as she heard him take in a breath, thinking at first that he had wakened. When he went still again, her eyes narrowed and she pulled her gaze away from his face to the circles of red flesh across his chest. Tentatively touching one of her hands down against his chest, she sucked in a breath as her beast inside her suddenly seemed more active under her skin. The wounds that were covering him looked nasty, but she knew that they weren't life threatening. Biting her lower lip slightly, she couldn't help but look around again before looking down at him again and leaning her face down close to his chest, her nose just barely touching his skin as she quietly look in his scent, trying to identify if the man was a shifter and if she was able to do that, what kind he was.
Ezeekial Jonstone didn't stir physically at the hand on his chest, his mind trying to claw it's way out of the drug induced sleep. He vaguely felt the warmth of a gentle hand on his chest, a breath against his skin that smelled distinctly and strongly of wolf. His breathing increased as his eyes shifted, the slits growing slightly wider. He blurringly saw the long pale hair hovering over him and loosely lifted his hand to brush fingers through her hair. He had to be dreaming, or having a nightmare, he wasn't sure which yet. "You okay Angel?" His voice, much too deep and rumbling for his smaller stature whispered. The first hints of the pain started in his leg, throbbing and beginning to spike as the drugs began fully wearing off and he groaned.
Rika felt her eyes widen slightly as she picked up the scent of wolf on the man and nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt his hand against her hair and he spoke. Being called an angel had her confused a moment before she leaned up slightly, her silvery eyes looking into his oddly colored eyes. "I am much better than you, sir, at the moment." She whispered, not really knowing why she was talking so quietly. "You're hurt... Do you live in this city?" She asked quietly just as he groaned and she flicked her eyes to look over his body again, her hand moving down to gently press her warm palm against his leg where the blood was thickest on his jeans. With her hand gently pressed against the wound, she looks up at his face again, her other hand down against the ground beside him holding her up at the moment. "Sir... Can you tell me who you are or what time it is?" She quietly asks.
Ezeekial Jonstone froze when she spoke, the voice definitely wasn't Serenity's and his hand fell back to the ground. He gave her an almost sheepish look, his eyes dilating as they started to focus on her fully. He started to answer her "If they dropped my ass in Wood Bourne yeah..." Then his voice strained, his face turned red, almost purple and the profanities that ushered forth would make a sailor blush. He rolled to his side, trying to get his leg away from her, only making it hurt worse. Nothing was directed at her really until that moment "Don't touch it.. fuck.. don't fucking touch it!" Almost shouting and batting at her hand with his own, the other tempted to grab at his knee but didn't, merely hovering over it instead, his whole body shaking. He felt his beast starting to rise along with the pain, his power cascading out from him in waves, uncontrolled and unshielded though still weak. "J.. Jared. Fucking a... I don't even know what month it is right now."
Rika's eyes went wide as he started screaming and trying to get away from her and she automatically jumped away from him, silently landing in the grass a few feet away, her eyes narrowed as a growling sound started to form in her throat as she felt his beast stirring around, the weight of it in the air was heavy. Pushing herself to her feet, she moves her hand up that was covered with the blood from his knee and uses the back of her hand to push some of her hair out of her face as she stood to her feet, her desire to help the man diminishing by the moment by each of the things that came out of his mouth and the feel of his beast rolling around. She wasn't a good judge of someone's strength, but she got the impression that this man could hurt her without even trying.
Ezeekial Jonstone shut his eyes tightly his hands hovering over his knee, not touching it and relearning to breathe for a moment, before he slowly turned back over, propping himself up with his hands and slowly inched his way to rest his back against the large root. He stayed there, not really moving other than the fine tremble and rise and fall of his chest for several more minutes. His head eventually turned slowly toward her and he swallowed, frowning. "What is your name?" He looked back down at his knee, knowing it was probably the worst injury he had ever been dealt yet, his voice had calmed, though his beast remained on guard.
Rika didn't move as she watched his every move only stepping closer slightly as he leaned against the root and finally spoke again. "Rika..." Was all she said as her head tilted to she side slightly. "Sorry about the leg, did not realize it was that bad at first." She says, her voice still quiet but just loud enough for him to hear her clearly. "Is there someone in the city that you want me to go get for you?" She asks, having chosen not to get close to him again for the moment.
Ezeekial Jonstone reached up and scrubbed at his face trying to push the pain aside, block it out. "Uhmm... do you have a cellphone?" He couldn't block the pain from his leg completely and bit the inside of his cheek to not make another pained sound. Starting to make a mental list in his head of what he needed. A knife, he sure as hell wasn't going to rip the pants away from his knee, phone so he could call Lanier, or he could shift. He shuddered at the idea of that, remembering what it had been like the last time.
Rika blinks at the request but reaches into a small patch she had made in the side of her skirt just for her phone and held it up to show it to him before tossing it in his direction. Taking a deep breath, she looks around again, the sounds of the crickets calming her down a little before she jumped up onto the root and crouched there, her eyes once again focused on Jared.
Ezeekial Jonstone caught the phone and winced at the abrupt motion then shook his head while he punched in Lanier's number. His eyes watched her as she jumped to the root, the way she crouched and while he listened to the phone ring he spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you.. it just really..." He stopped and started again, taking a deep breath that ached as much as it helped. "I'm sorry."
Lanier Cerise sighed, "Maybe I am since I haven't been able to find him since he's been avoiding me. I'm not going to wander aimlessly in public looking for an emo wolf. He-" She stopped as she heard her phone ringing. "Just a sec." Lanier pulled out her phone and looked at the number and her brows furrowed. "I don't know this number.." She answered it cautiously. "Hello?"
Rika felt her head tilt even more as her legs shifted under her as she seemed she couldn't stay still for long and had to always shift her weight. "It hurts, I know..." She says, finishing off his first sentence for him as she listened to the ringing sounds the phone was making even from where she was sitting. She creeps a little closer as she hears a female's voice on the other end and she remains silent, her curiosity on who it was getting the better of her.
Aydryan Underwood nodded to Lanier as she answered her phone and continued to sip at his glass. He would need to clarify what she meant exactly by....'maybe I am'....Either she was going to give him Eric or not. It was about time that he had an animal to call at his service.
Ezeekial Jonstone's voice was still strained as it carried over the phone "Lanier." He paused frowning and almost growled as he leaned his head back against the root. "I need you to get to the woods, the base of that big assed tree. I... Fuck.. You think you can get a splint or leg brace.. something?" He couldn't even really explain it other than truth and with Rika peering over his shoulder as she was, he wasn't about to blurt it out to Lanier either.
Lanier Cerise nearly dropped her beer bottle so she set it on the bar. Her face was in shock. "Jared?" Then she heard about his location and the split or leg brace. "Sure, I'll get a leg splint even if I have to swipe one. You hang in there and I'll get there as soon as I can." She closed her phone to end the call and shoved it back in her pocket. Lanier paid for the beer. "I have to get stuff for a leg splint. Jared is out in the forest and badly injured. I could tell." She looked to Aydryan. "Wanna join in on the fun or stay here?"
Aydryan Underwood lifted both brows, "Are you very sure that that was Jared? It was an unknown number, correct? Such a phone call would draw you out into the open......make you vulnerable." He slid one finger inside his glass and swiped a remnant of the liquid from inside. Watching Lanier, he slipped the finger between his lips.
Rika just idly sat there, shifting slightly as she listened to the woman's voice coming out of the phone. "She sounds like she care... That is good." She says as she holds out her hand for her phone. "I assume that that is the only person that you wanted to call?" She says, shifting slightly as her eyes flick toward the buildings off in the distance, trying to guess how long it would take the woman to get to them.
Ezeekial Jonstone stared at the phone when Lanier hung up on him for a minute, blinking. What the fuck was going on? He nodded lifting the phone above his head for her to take then scrubbed his face again. he knew he was putting her in danger and had fully expected her to question him further to be sure. "Yeah... unless you know the number for the Masters... uh." He paused glancing toward the moon. "Rika, what is today's date?" he had no doubt that Lanier would come through for him, though there was always the what if's in the back of his head.
Lanier Cerise furrowed her brow as she looked to Aydryan. "Aydryan, I've known Jared for years. I've lived with him on two separate occasions. I know his voice. It was his voice. Now, I know it could be a trap just as well. So, why don't you come along? If there is a battle to be had...I might a well share the fun."
Aydryan Underwood: "Are you asking for my help, Lanier?" He set the empty glass on the counter, sliding it toward Jeanette. Silently, he let Hikaru know what was happening. Of course, no one would know about that little conversation.
Rika took her phone and flicked it open and looked at the screen before hitting a few buttons and glancing at the number he had dialed. "For the Masters?" She idly asks before flicking the phone closed and slipping it back into the pocket on her skirt. "Is there a Master Vampire living in this city then?" She asks before looking up at the sky as he asked what day it was. "Uh, it's May 12th, why?"
Ezeekial Jonstone sighed, thumping his head back on the root a few times, the throbbing ache of that dulling the sharp one in his leg for a moment but not long. "Yeah... two of them... Dunno how that really works out though. But it's a bitch. One calls Lions, the other Wolves." He turned his head so he could glance back at her and blinked, not wanting to offend her by asking but still curious enough to do it anyway. "What kind of cat are you?" When he heard what day it was he groaned softly, going back to thumping his head lightly on the root while they waited. "Six days... six fucking days... damn it."
Lanier Cerise nodded to him. "Yes, I am. Aydryan. Will you please help me and Jared?"
Aydryan Underwood chuckled softly, "Jeanette...please...remember this moment. Lanier.....You owe me. Since I will be aiding you at this moment...then the return favor will be personal. Agreed?" Jeanette smiled at Aydryan and nodded. "If so, then perhaps we shouldn't linger here."
Rika winced slightly as she watched him hit his head against the tree only to slide down the side of the root and kneel next to him once again, still slightly out of his reach if he were to try and reach for her. "Two Masters... Interesting..." She says as she looks down at his leg again only to look up directly at his face as he asked what she was. She had thought she had managed to keep her beast hidden but she had thought wrong. "Leopard... Well, Snow Leopard to be exactomundo." She says as she turns her head and looks back toward the buildings, not yet seeing any movement heading in their direction.
Ezeekial Jonstone stopped and looked at her a moment then nodded. "Leopard... hmm.. Don't think i have seen any of your kind around town yet... unless you came with a pard?" he pointed off toward the southwest, assuming Lanier would be coming from the pride house. "She should be coming from that way." adding under his breath "She better be..." She was supposed to be in hiding, unless they had found and taken care of that Mr. browning person already though he doubted that. He was trying not to move his leg as much as possible, getting it into a brace or splint was going to be bad enough. With another sigh he leaned his head back against the root, waiting and growing impatient. "Well Rika the leopard... welcome to Wood Bourne."
Lanier Cerise sighed and nodded, "Like I said Aydryan. I'd do whatever it takes to protect the wolves...especially my leader. Now, can we get the tools to help him just in case this isn't a trap?"
Rika settled down from her crouch, folding her legs under her as she sat on the ground, her head shaking to his question as she looked over in the direction he had pointed. "Ok..." She said, seeming rather nervous about more people coming around. "My pard did not come with me... I thought I would look about trying to find a new place to live... Something different, ya know." She says as she looks back at him as he rested his head again. "Seeing you like this, makes me wonder if I picked the wrong city to stop. But thank you for the welcome non-the-less."
Aydryan Underwood looked to Jeanette, "Call our Doctor, Dear....tell him to meet me at the Pride house, bring materials for leg injuries. Thank you." Then he looked to Lanier, "I will carry him to the Pride house."
Ezeekial Jonstone half chuckled the sound ending in a groan. "Yeah well.. this place is definitely different..." He glanced to her before looking back southwest again, towards the pride house. "If you need a place to stay... No one is at the Pack house I don't think... It's straight north of here." He scrubbed his face again "Where the fuck is she?"
Lanier Cerise nodded as she hurried out of the bar and started to run for the bridge with her shifter speed at her disposal. Not an obstacle stopped her as she headed for the big oak tree. She saw the forms on the ground...only two. She stopped for a moment as she looked around trying to catch any other scents on the air or if she heard any other sounds. Hearing nothing, her focus turned on the one that was near Jared...a woman. She growled under her breath as she ran forward, "Jared. Sorry I'm late. But I brought a bit more help."
Rika followed Jared's gaze once again before nodding her head only to sits up suddenly as she heard someone coming through the grass behind her rather fast. Jumping to her feet, she jumped away to the side, making it so nobody was at her back and she could now see all that had just gotten there, her eyes scanning over each of them, taking in their scents as best she could from where she was standing.
Aydryan Underwood followed silently and swiftly behind Lanier, like a living shadow. When Lanier came to a halt beside the other two, Aydryan moved over the tree root to land softly on the other side of Jared. He had already assured himself that there were no other living threats nearby as they had moved through the woods. That singular gaze shifted to watch the pale haired female scurry to the side, then he looked down to where Jared lay.
Ezeekial Jonstone jerked his head as Rika jumped up and spotted Lanier running toward them full out. "More help...?" He started then stiffened immediately, his metaphysical hackles standing up. He suppressed the growl that threatened to leak out from his throat and chest, his head turning to follow the vampire as he walked around him. Not taking his eyes off Aydryan he wanted to turn and shout at Lanier, demand to know exactly what the fuck she was doing with the Master of the City, why she wasn't at the pride house. Instead he settled for "Freki... Explain." His rumbling voice held the anger and pain he was feeling, carefully trying to keep the fear from his voice.
Lanier Cerise knelt and bowed her head to him, "I'm sorry my Ulfric. I grew concerned for your absence as well as of the lionesses. Lately, all I've had to rely on was Tristan as Eric has seen fit to try and undermine me. I went to the Masters both for their aid because I had no one else to turn to. Forgive me my Ulfric."
Aydryan Underwood lifted a brow as he listened to Lanier speak, smiling slowly. "She wished for help in controlling Eric." His voice was low and soft, whispering around them all. "I came to make sure she was not falling into a trap. Now that it's clear that it is not.....Shall we get you to the Pride house? Our Doctor will be waiting there to help you." Again, his attention shifted to the unknown woman, "I will assume that you are the one who found him and had a phone" ?"
Chloe Saunders blinked as she snatched up her cell, squinting her eyes at the screen to see who was calling at such a late time. She fumbled with the buttons eventually pressing the green one and tugging the cell to her ear, “Dr. Saunders.” She spoke clearly and concisely, even though she had been in deep sleep moments before. When she heard the voice on the other end, Jeanette, she sat up quickly, pushing a hand through her hair before grabbing her glasses off of the bed side table then pushing them high up on her small, pointed nose. “Uh huh, Pride House, leg injury materials. Gotcha. I’ll be there in a flash.” Guess it was lucky that she lived right around the corner from that part of the residential area. The doctor yawned as she clicked her phone off, sliding out of bed to dress in simple black pants and a tank top, throwing her hair up into a ponytail. She rummaged around in medical bag to make sure everything she needed was there before leaving her house at a brisk walk, shivering only slightly from the cool air as she made her way up to the Pride House, knocking on the door. No answer. She supposed no one had arrived yet. Lovely.
Rika stood there, her body posed to leap away at the slightest movement as her eyes flicked from one person to the next until they settled on the man behind Jared. Her eyes focused on his chest as she promptly nodded her head at the question. "I did and I do." She says before looking down at Jared again, not really sure if she should leave him to the two and go on about her exploring or stick around and see what would happen.
Ezeekial Jonstone's lips curled into a silent snarl at her explanation and the Master's additional comment didn't help. "I am gone for five fucking days and the pack goes to shit.. is that it?" Shaking his head he reached back and started using the root to brace himself as he tried to stand, his teeth snapping shut noisily as he suppressed a whimper. "Fine.. whatever... did you guys find Serenity or Rhage yet?" That was his main concern, if they hadn't he was going to be one unhappy puppy.
Lanier Cerise stayed where she was on the ground. "I'm sorry my Ulfric. I've done all I could while trying to stay hidden." She braced herself for the worst part. "I am sorry my Ulfric. We because concerned for your lack of presence as well as the twin lionesses. However, through searching we did not find any of you until you had called me. I have no idea where either of them are."
Eric had been downtown, the frown still curling his brow as it had been for the last few days. There'd been no sign of them, and Lanier wasn't at the Pack house. Deciding to check again at the cottage, he started towards the forest, crossing the bridge before a few familiar scents hit him. It took a few moments for it to register, his eyes going wide as it dawned on him. Following the scent, he spotted a few people standing. At first, he only saw a woman he did not recognize, then one of the Masters. Finally making his way around the large tree, he spotted Lanier and Jared. Thank god he was alive! Eric let out a sigh of relief, making his way near them in silence for the moment.
Aydryan Underwood shifted smoothly from his stand and up beside Jared. Before the wolf could protest, Aydryan's arms easily scooped him up into a cradle hold, taking any strain off Jared's body. Speaking quietly, "I'd advise you to not struggle Ulfric. I am not a threat to you." The part of him that Hikaru knew well, that was compassionate, attempted to surround Jared with soothing energy that smelled of soothing wood and wild, decaying leaves and running water. He looked to the woman, "Madam...would you be so kind as to come with us. It would seem that the woods are not safe these days." Then he began moving in the direction of town, "Conversation can take place once we're in doors, safe."
Rika finally registered what the woman was calling Jared and her eyes shift over to look at him again as he started to pushing himself up against the root. Hearing some crunching of grass off to her side, she held in a growl as yet another person arrived and she took another small step back out of instinct before looking over at the Master again. She opened her mouth to protest that she was fine but closed her lips before anything could come out, her interest of the inhabitants of the city changing her mind for her. She gave him a slight nod and seemed to relax only slightly as she looked over at the new male again, sniffing at the air in his direction discreetly as she looked him over, memorizing his appearance.
Ezeekial Jonstone glanced down at Lanier and was about to respond when he was suddenly lifted, the movement sending shooting sharp pains up his leg and drawing a small yelp like cry from him along with a gasping "Son of a BITCH!". He stiffened when he realized who it was that held him a moment later what Aydryan had said registered and he bit back the snarl that would have come along with the retort that had been forming with the pain. The scent of the woods and home became stronger and all he could do was bite his tongue and cheek and try not to writhe too much when each step the vampire made barely moved him, but still the slightest movement still hurt. Idly to keep his mind off the pain he wondered what he would owe the Master for carrying him to the Pride House...
Lanier Cerise slowly rose from the ground and looked over her shoulder to the coming person and growled. She frowned seeing it was Eric. "You going to be helpful now?"
Rika hangs back slightly as she follows the crowd to the Pride House
Eric looked to Lanier, giving her a slow nod. His demeanor was more worried than anything, any hint of his usual cockiness seeming to be non-existent. He glanced back to the woman again, then back forward. He looked upon Jared, giving a sigh of shame that he;d not found him sooner...or done something, anything. He looked to Lanier again, the look upon his face showing apology, but even more than that, concern.
Aydryan Underwood ignored what Lanier said, concentrating on carrying Jared as painlessly as possible to the Pride house. His face was an unreadable mask during the walk. Eventually, he spoke to Jared...quietly, "I know that you do not like vampires, Ulfric....especially me for what I can do. However, you and I will have to speak ...soon." When he saw the house, he fell silent. He did not expect an answer from Jared at this moment. Spotting the Doctor, "Thank you Dr. Saunders...for coming." Then he looked to Lanier, "I cannot enter the house."
Chloe knew she should have grabbed a hoodie…but no…she had talked herself into not worrying about it. Stupidity, she was going to catch her death then Aydryan wouldn’t have to worry about changing her when she made her decision. The human doctor grumbled lightly as she noted the arrival of a sizable group, eyebrow raising as her clinical formed mind already shifted through the group to the man being held in the Master’s arms. She’d drop into a respectful bow to Aydryan, sending a polite yet friendly smile, “Good morning Master, it was no problem at all…” She’d wait to be allowed into the house, not even a vampire yet and she already waited for admittance into people’s homes, it was only polite.
Lanier Cerise moved up to the doors. She had caught Eric's looks but she wouldn't buy it till she saw it. Lanier opened the doors as she pushed them open so Aydryan could carrying Jared inside and so the doctor could move in before her to take care of Jared. She looked to Aydryan as she stepped inside then turned to face him. "Please come in."
Eric followed Lanier, though his eyes remained on Jared. He looked to the human Doctor, finally speaking up. "I have some degree of medical training... Just the basics that were taught in police academy... but I;m willing to do whatever I can to help..." He looked again to Jared. He knew, for now, that there was nothing productive for him to say, thus he merely awaited the reply of the doctor.
Ezeekial Jonstone gritted his teeth along the way, enamel grinding on enamel with each step. "I know." Spat out between his teeth. He remained silent, his usual snicker that would have been there at the Vampire not being able to enter nonexistent, sucked away with the pain.
Rika watched the group all move into the house and looked around as the door closed behind the last one to enter, leaving her in the dark of the night. Moving closer to the door, she leans in and sniffs at the frame before pressing her ear against the wood and then moving to the side of the building and spotting moving shadows on behind the curtains in the windows. Moving over to one, she peeks inside, getting as good a look on the inside room before turning around and stepping to the side so she coud lean up against the brick wall.
Lanier Cerise moved back to the door and opened it. She looked to the woman and motioned her inside. "Come on in. You helped him just as much as the others."
Aydryan Underwood flowed passed the threshold and into the next room. He regretted that he would have to set Jared on such a pristine couch, but he did. Then he backed away, "I leave you in Dr. Saunders care, Jared. You can contact me at any time. Jeanette will know how, when you're ready." Then he turned and paused before Lanier and the others, "I have other duties to attend, Lanier....Eric." As he moved to exit he turned back, "Dr. Saunders...your account will be credited payment for this...as usual." As he left, he noticed that the young still unknown female was not in the room. "Perhaps she wishes her peace, Lanier." Clever girl...keeping her distance. Then he melded with the shadows and was gone.
Rika looks over at a the woman came out again before smiling slightly and nodding her head and pushing herself away from the wall. "Thank you..." She says, her voice still as low as it had been when her and Jared had been alone in the forest.
Chloe moved into the house without a backwards glance, dragging her medical bag with her. When the male at the end of this duckling line spoke up the Doctor merely raised her eyebrow yet again, “Fascinating, but I assure you that medical wise I am quite competent and can do my job, otherwise the Master would not have had me come.” She smiled a very tight smile before moving to the couch and the man’s side, glancing at his bare chest and the obvious blood on his pants. “What you –can- do for me is get some warm water and a wash cloth, please and thanks.” Her voice held no room for argument. “Now Sir, I am not going to lie to you, this will hurt, a lot…and if you so much as make a movement to hurt me in anyway, I will not think twice about putting you down, got that?” She was a very no nonsense type woman, “Thank you Master, as always it is a pleasure.” She nodded to Aydryan before beginning to check the wounds on the man.
Ezeekial Jonstone went rigid when the vampire moved to set him down and all he could do was nod at him before he left in a flurry. His attention turned toward the Doctor and he was half tempted to growl at her. "You work on shifters before?" growled out rumbling from his chest, but that was just the way his voice was, strained. His eyes shifted to Lanier then narrowed. "Freki." His voice had hardened when he spoke to her.
Lanier Cerise looked to Jared and she moved forward and knelt by the couch. "Yes my Ulfric?"
Eric nodded to the Doctor, not even bothering to put up any sort of protest at her attitude towards his intention to help. he moved away, heading upstairs as he looked for some kind of basin to fill up. Finding a large plastic bowl, he turned on the faucet, looking down at his phone at the time. After it'd filled up, he stuffed a wash cloth into the bend of his elbow. He moved downstairs, moving as briskly as possible without splashing it around. He set it next to her, looking to the doctor again. "Anything else needed?"
Rika looks around the large room and picks a spot next to the wall where she could have an easy escape if things went bad and she could still see everyone. Her head turned to follow Eric as he went upstairs and then followed him again as he returned with what the doctor woman had asked for. Shifting silently on the ground, she just watches, studying those in the room.
Chloe frowned at the raw looking quarter sized marks dotting his chest like some absurd type of spots, “Of course I have, I’m the best, exactly why I am on call to the Masters twenty four seven…and why I told you not to hurt me, I have put a shifter down for kicking me while I reset his arm.” She spoke quickly as she worked, barely acknowledging as the other male set down the bowl of water with the cloth. “Nope, I’m good…maybe the room cleared a bit…I really don’t need everyone hovering around here.” She then proceeded to clean the quarter wounds on his chest, not bothering to put any ointment on them since he couldn’t catch anything. She loved working on shifters, so much easier.
Ezeekial Jonstone's gaze remained on Lanier for the moment while he gave his order. "Take Rika to the cottage and get her comfortable there. Then search the woods THROUGHLY for Serenity and Rhage. Only then can you go to bed yourself." He leaned his head back on the pillow gritting his teeth at the pain for a moment and the situation he was in. He had an inkling that this would never fully heal, or would give him problems later on. Not to mention the vampires. Fuck. He owed HIM now. His eyes snapped back to the doctor and he wished he had the strength to at least chuckle at that. "You.. put him down.... because he kicked you." It was said as both a statement and question. He didn't think he was up to kicking anyone tonight.
Lanier Cerise nodded as she bowed her head, "As you command Ulfric." She rose and moved over to the woman she presumed was Rika. "Please...follow me Rika." She headed to the front doors of the Pride House.
Rika shifted slightly as she heard Jared tell the woman to do something with her but didn't feel like fighting about it and simply nodded her head and stood as the woman approached her and she followed her out of the house.
Seeing as Jared had essentially cleared the room, Eric followed behind Lanier, clearing his throat as he spoke. "Freki... With your permission, I'd like to assist. It's the least I can do." He heard the conversation between Jared and the Doctor, sighing slightly, then looked back to Lanier."
Chloe tended to the shifter’s other more superficial wounds, the cuts on his hands, scratches and lacerations here and there, only managing to raise an eyebrow at what looked to be shackle marks from silver around his wrists and ankles. It wasn’t her job to question but to heal. “I told him not to, he didn’t listen, so I tranq’d him.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug as she eyed the rest of his body for anything else superficial she had missed. Slowly she frowned, turning to the knee and would gently but methodically begin to roll up his pants leg, giving him a warning glare as she began to check the wound, “Damn. They went straight through to the other side…this will never fully heal, even with shifting…you know that right hun?” Her expression softened somewhat, “I mean to say, it –will- heal but you will have some troubles...” She hated having to tell people things like this, he would walk…but there would be limping for the rest of his life….a pity, the man was in his Prime and an Ulfric to boot, she assumed this would not bode well for him.
Rika followed the woman over the river and through the woods (to grandmothers house we go) before smiling at the sight of the cottage that she was leading her too. Following her inside, she looked around before smiling at the woman and nodding her head to her.
Lanier Cerise lead Rika out to the cottage deep in the forest. She showed her to an empty room. "You can sleep here for the night Rika. Food is available in the kitchen if you need it. Pardon me for leaving you here alone but I have to tend to the job laid out before me by my Ulfric." She bowed to her before she turned to head for the door.
Rika nodded her head as her eyes gazed around the empty room. "It does not bother me, I at least have a roof over my head for the night, which I am thankful. Be safe out there." She says, her head turning to watch her leave.
Ezeekial Jonstone growled at Eric's offer and spoke up "No Eric. I need you here." his voice was growing lighter somehow. He wasn't feeling the smaller pains from his chest or hands, the burning sensation of his wrists and ankles. All of it was washed away with the sharp piercing pain in his knee that never seemed to end. When the Doctor began rolling up his pant leg he bit his bottom lip, the holes from where his piercings had been obvious. he reached his hands down to the cushion of the couch, gripping them while his leg shook beneath her gentle but sure touch. "Yeah... they did it with silver... I already shifted once." He Stared up at the ceiling, finding a spot and focusing on it. "I'm... slow at.. healing" He gasped out softly, not really wanting to admit it though it was true and he knew it. It took him twice the average shifter's time to heal the most basic wounds.
Lanier Cerise nodded as she stopped in the doorway, "thank you for staying with him while I was trying to make it to him..." Her face held an almost sad expression for a second before her face became hard again. She slid out the door way and headed out of the cottage and into the forest to start the long task of scouring every inch of the forest for any sign of Rhage or Serenity. Lanier knew this was going to take all night as well as some of the next morning.
Eric stopped in his tracks, turning around as he heard Jared call after him. He moved back into the room, looking to Jared. "Sorry... I didn't think..." He just shook his head. "Sorry... What do you need sir?" He spoke his words respectfully, he holding his hands behind his back.
Chloe could only assume that the man who had spoken about medical training earlier was the one Jared called Eric. “Like he said Eric, you are needed here….why don’t you go into the kitchen and cook this man three or four steaks, I’m sure there are some as it is a shifter household after all. While you are at it, add some veggies high in iron and vitamins, and a couple bottles of water.” She turned back to Jared, sympathizing with the look of pain on his face, “I’m sorry that this hurts you, and that some asshole did this to you…but I will give you something to help with the pain.” She rummaged around in her bag, tugging out a pre-filled needle filled with Codeine. “This should help immensely.” She’d shake her head at the army fatigues, tugging out a pair of scissors and promptly cutting the one leg off of him. “Oops, sorry, hope those weren’t your favorite pair.” She didn’t sound the least bit sorry. With that said the doctor would squirt the amber colored liquid into the hole, placing thick gauze on the other side so that it would not merely drip out…soon his knee should be numb completely, she’d given him enough to make an Elephant’s trunk numb in twenty seconds. Once he was feeling the effects the doctor would clean and bandage it up, placing a collapsible knee cast around his leg…it would keep the limb straight and minimize some pain.
Ezeekial Jonstone bit back a groan, his head tipping back. "I don't know Eric.. just.. come over here. I need the pack close..." He glanced to the Doctor for a second. "Besides.. gotta have something to hit besides the Doc here..." He was trying to joke at a time like this, with as much pain as he was in. He was cut off by her ordering Eric around and just sighed. "Eric.. just.. do what she says." Now that he thought about it, his stomach growled loudly. He just shook his head when she apologized for cutting his pants, wanting to make a comment but kept his mouth shut. He saw her pull out a large needle and tensed, readying himself to be knocked out "Hey... I didn't kick you...." But when she squirted it into his knee he began to relax, the pain slowly ebbing away. He expected it to hurt when she moved it around to put the cast on, his hands loosening and tightening on the white cushions, staining them with some of the blood from his hands. The majority of the pain washed away and he felt the other smaller pains, the main ache that ran all through him, every joint and muscle hurting from what he had been through. He wasn't going to tell her the worst part, no.. that would heal on it's own. A fine tremor began to wind it's way through him, his skin cooler than it should be to the touch.
Eric watched for a moment, then nodded to Jared as he moved closer, allowing his own lupine energy to flow freely from him, it seeming to be like a warm breeze after a desert rain. "How do you like your steak? Rare? Medium?" Eric happened to be a very good chef...or at least he was... He hadn't cooked for a while now.
Chloe snorted at the thought of the man hitting her, rolling her eyes with a soft laugh as she dug around in her bag for some extra pre-filled needles. “Don’t panic, I’m not knocking you out, in fact, since you were such a good boy I am giving you a treat. There are seven of these Codeine filled syringes, one a day only to the knee where the hole was drilled. They. Are. Not. Candy.” She shook the capped syringes threateningly at the man before setting them in a sealed pouch on the coffee table next to them. Her eyebrow raised at the other man’s question, shaking her head, “He’s a shifter…you are a shifter…how do you like your steaks? Pretty rare huh? Don’t ask stupid questions while the man is starving and in pain. Just cook.” She really didn’t have a tolerance for stupidity. She turned back to Jared, tilting her head as she grabbed a garish looking pink fleece blanket with a monogrammed S on it. Whoever’s it was would be sharing tonight. She draped the blanket over Jared, fitting it around him snugly…it was an interesting sight seeing a man wrapped in a pink blanket. “So, the laws. No moving unaided for the next week. Keep your leg propped up and elevated, “ She gently placed a pillow beneath that leg, “Eat plenty of protein and iron. Take a nice bath tomorrow, no shower, no standing for long periods of time. If for some reason the week is up and you need more shots, call me at any time, I’ll get them…and don’t worry about payment, the Masters have already handled that portion. “ Yes it was true, and she was paid –very- well for her flexibility. “Any questions before I go?” She stopped and waited patiently.
Ezeekial Jonstone couldn't help it, he tried stifling the chuckle at how the Doctor spoke to Eric, but failed, though it died out instantly when she grabbed Serenity's blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped him in it. Serenity's scent hitting him like a sledgehammer. The doctor's orders not exactly new to him and his mind was caught up in thought's of his mate, unable to hide the pain that was on his face. His voice choked when he spoke, his hand smoothing out the blanket half wanting to tear it off of himself and throw it aside, half wanting to curl up under it. His mind snapped back when she asked if there was anything else he needed. "I'll need a way to get around... tomorrow. I have to meet with the Bl-..." He gritted his teeth biting back his word. "Master..."
Chloe frowned at the man when his face screwed up in pain and he choked on his words, she idly wondered why but wasn’t going to ask…right now he should be virtually pain free, so she didn’t think it was physical. She nodded as she turned to jot down her cell number, leaving the piece of paper by the pack of syringes, “No problem, I’ll pick up a wheel chair tomorrow and a pair of crutches plus some more codeine, you may need it now that I think about it…but like I said before, do not let me find out that you have been spending a lot of time on that leg, I will hunt you down and put you in the hospital under bed rest and heavy guards.” Her smile was genuine, though she meant business. “Now get some rest, Eric should be about done with your food, and you need to eat it all.” She even went so far as to pat him on the head as if he were a small child in for a scraped knee, “I understand you need to speak with Aydryan, but if possible have him come here, if not, don’t be out too long.” She called over her shoulder, “You hear that Eric? Keep an eye on him, make sure he rests a lot…I don’t care how much he orders you around…when it comes to my patient you listen to me.” She grinned and waved to Jared without another word, picking up her medical bag then leaving the house and heading back to her apartment.
Eric moved out of the kitchen, snickering at the Dr as she left. he moved over to jared, plate of a rarely cooked steak in hand, as well as steamed broccoli and a spinach salad. he set it next to Jared on the couch, looking towards the door. "Feisty one, she..." he looked back to Jared, seeing the pain that was evident on his face. it didn't take long for Eric to understand what was up, especially with the familiar scent from the blanket wafting up to him with the motion of the blanket. "We'll find 'em Jared... We'll find 'em."
"Yeah... feisty...." He wasn't sure if he was talking about the doctor or Serenity. He smelled the food and his stomach growled but he made no move to reach for it. He pushed himself up to lean back against the back of the couch, pushing the blanket down to his waist. "I went after them to protect them. They let me go... but not after..." he stopped and scrubbed his face with his hands, burying his face in them. "They showed me what they were doing to her." His fingers pressed so tightly against his forehead they caused the skin around them to whiten before he scrubbed his face again, fighting the tears at the back of his throat, choosing the anger welling up inside. "I want them all dead Eric. Every fucking one of them." He looked down at his leg beneath the blanket and growled knowing he couldn't go out hunting them down.
Eric listened, feeling his own emotions well up and fight to tear loose, his wolf pulsating now with a feral savageness. He spoke in a low, determined voice. "I'll see to it, sir." He bit his lower lip, shaking his head before forcing his attention back onto the food. he reached down, slicing off a hunk of the meat and handing the fork to Jared. "Sir.. Try and eat... Please..."
Ezeekial Jonstone nodded and took the fork, not taking his eyes off the blanket until he saw his own hands and sighed. "Can you get me some gauze... the doc forgot to bandage my hands, don't want to get more blood on the couch... Ser would... kill me." He trailed off and took the piece of steak off the fork, chewing it for a moment before he reached over and picked up the plate, starting in on the meal.
Eric nodded, standing up. He looked to the hutch at the end of the room, figuring that was the location of everyone's "everything" drawer. he opened it up, pulling out a dinky little first aid kit, but it would do for what was needed. He moved back over to the couch, crouching down as he opened it up. he pulled out two small rolls of gauze, looking to Jared. "Alright...first hand, if you would please..." He unrolled part of it, holding it out before him.
Ezeekial Jonstone held out one of his hands to Eric and let him wrap it up. After the pain in his knee this was nothing. He kept eating while Eric wrapped, switching hands for him to do the other one too. He didn't speak, he didn't really need to. Once Eric was finished, and Jared had eaten the whole meal, he slid back down and settled himself along the couch. A dull ache was beginning in his knee and he knew the drugs were wearing off quickly. Sometimes he hated being a shifter. He would have to get a cellphone tomorrow, along with a few other things. A gun would be nice to replace the one they had taken. His eyes moved to his right hand, glancing at the white ring of skin around his middle finger where his father's Marine ring had sat. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to pull the covers up, assuring Eric he would be alright sleeping down here for the night. Serenity's scent overwhelmed his senses for a moment but he pushed that down, changing it into anger. Anger he could deal with, manage and focus on something specific. He didn't think he would be able to sleep, but it drug him down as fast as any drug they had used in that place, deep into dreams twisting to nightmares, reliving what he saw done to Serenity, and what had happened to himself. When he did wake it was only to sit up, halfway into the morning he did so and almost yelped, the pain in his knee excruciating again. He thought to use another shot of the codeine but stopped in the middle of reaching for it, digging himself deeper under the blanket and inhaling his mate's scent deeply then forcing himself to sleep through the pain.