A close encounter of another kind

Daniel:
*Mist rolls over naked toes. Eyes searching the forest about him. It'd been damned near a year since he first came to this place. A fluke, or fate? Either way, he'd learned more about what he'd become. Not that he liked the fvckin' idea anymore than taking a bullet for an ungrateful politician. But it was life, and it had to be dealt with. Hands in pockets as he walks through the forest at a steady pace. Gun slung loosly in the bandolier around his shoulder and under his arm. Slowly breathing air into his lungs, scents that a year before would have never been known to him. The fientest hint of wildflowers that were more than a few miles away. Though, more than anything else, it's the lonliness that eats away at the soul of those like him. The creatures of the forest had long learned to avoid his kind, as well being what he is alienated him from most of human kind as well. The unpredictability of beasts nature made sure of that. Some say with age, and know how, comes control. But, it's an ability that has so far escaped him. With a sigh he takes note of the tavern on the hill beyond the forests edge. Eyes easilly seeing into one of the windows, noting more than one of the taverns prevelently frequent patrons. Laying hand on tree, he leans there for a while, and with a wistful longing, gazes at the moon.*

Venin:
* Bright flash of light can be seen at the edge of the woods, it fades away revealing in its wake the crouching figure of a woman, gun held ready before her....Her green gaze passes over the forest surrounding her before standing and holstering the weapon..one never could be too cautious.....she sighs as she looks down the path towards the tavern....why did she keep coming back? why here? this place was the start of her problems...and the cause...she starts down the path, her gaze ever watchful, taking in everything....she looks over by the lake, her green eyes pausing briefly on the spot where she had almost destroyed a friend? enemy? what was he?..it was all confusion, her enemies were friends, her allies..betrayers... were her friends her enemies as well?....or was she their enemy.. as her gaze continues its roaming path it passes over a figure at the forests edge...her hand reflexively reaches for her gun then stops, and she forces her hand back to her side..... not everyone was her enemy...she looks once more at the figure, then glances towards the tavern.....she wasn't ready to go in yet...she needed to think...for a bit anyhow...she alters her path and heads towards the lake....she seats herself at the base of a tree, and stares out at the reflection of the moon on the surface of the still lake waters*

*Noting the bright flash of light from the corner of his eye. He watches the woman as she makes her way towards the tavern. Noting her quick reaction as she reaches for the gun by her side when she gets wind of his presence. Though he makes no move to take cover, or even to differ from the path of the bullets were they to come. His own feral Emerald Green eyes fixed upon her. Subtly sniffing the air for a moment.... So, she was one of them. The UnNaturals. They seemed to flock to this place like bugs to a zapper light. Who the hell knew why. Then again it seemed as though a great many races flocked to this tavern. It just had that attraction he guessed. Watching her more closely as she makes her way to a tree not far away, eyes still fixed to her as she slides down into a sitting position by the tree near the lake. He notes her appreciation of the still water, and pale moonlight.* Mystifying, isn't it.... The moon I mean. So still, so peacful. Yet, with power over the tides on any world. And power over people...*Added as though it were an after thought.*.....and beasts as well. Perhaps even a bit of serene power over your kind?

*Her thoughts wander a bizarre path...jumping from distant past, to present, to recent past, to the future....she lets them wander aimlessly, hopeing that somewhere admist the confusion might lie an answer for her, one which can explain why and where her world went wrong...but nothing, nothing comes up....everything she once thought she knew, everything she once believed in...all of it was one big jumbled blur, nothing made any sense to her..not her hatred, not her fears, not even her loves or friends....confusion seemed to follow her everywhere., confusion and misery...which is why she avoided everyone she knew, everyone she ever cared for....Unshed tears moisten her eyes, threatening to fall, but she forces them back...no doubt they worried, but this was for the best...she could not endanger them...she didn't trust even herself anymore, so how could she entrust them in her care..she tenses as your voice suddenly breaks the almost serene silence, ready for almost anything....however she doesn't look over, her voice is almost dead of emotion as she speaks* It is serene....unencumbered, simplicity itself.

*He catches the /scent/ of the water in her eyes. Salty, and tender. Along with being able to sense the sorrow and confusion in her heart. It's a feeling he knows all to well. And, being a stranger, is sure she won't be speaking on those subjects which weight her heart so heavilly.* Mmm.... Yeah. It is simplicity at that. *He walks over and takes a seat on one of the trees sides facing the moon, putting her on his left.* I come here often at this time. When the moon is high, and huge, much like it is now.*Pointing his hand deftly towards the large orb, casting its light on the lakes waters.* Too bad our lives can't be as serene or simple eh? For us, everything is confusion and heartbreak.*He chuckles to himself. He's learned alot about his new lot in life. Though he doesn't like it anymore than the first day it was thrust upon him.* I stopped trying to make sense of it all some time ago... It'll drive ya crazy trying to make sense of non-sense.*He casts his gaze down towards his bare toes. Wiggling them a bit.* Ah.... The hell with it all. What's important is those that make life worth livin' for.*Though at the moment, he himself can't think of a single person that's been bettered for his lot in this sh|t.*

*As he moves closer she tenses, her hand ready to grab her gun, her muscles ready to jump to action.....but as you slide to the base of the tree, making no action against her she relaxes slightly..yet still remains prepared for instant action...she had learnt her lessons well, trust noone entirely...anyone can be an enemy, even those supposed to be your allies....* I used to frequent here *her tone lowers, almost as if talking to herself* I have no idea, why I've returned....*she hears something moving in the bush and turns her head to look, her gaze searches the bush for a while, then turns back to the lake, her senses remaining tuned for more noise* Unfortunately I thought life did make sense..or at least I thought that way once.....*She chuckles almost sadly and shakes her head* those who once were in my life must be avoided....it is the best I can do for them....now.

*He looks over his shoulder.* I know what you mean...*Though he offers up no explanation of how or why. A simple empathetic statement, but truth leadening the words.* A danger to those around us we once held dear....*The woman he almost married, she'd not heard from him in a year. Everything he owned was probably subject to abandonment laws and such. Either that or in a storage shed for the government. He exhales a great gout of air... Noting her reflexes.* Certainly are on edge for one of yer kind. Musta been through a heap o' sh|t of late.... Not that i'll pretend to understand the wars you people fight to any great length. Wars without heros, and victories. *He knew what they fought over, it'd been explained to him once. A shadow organization bent on evil deeds. But there were enough of those around now wern't there.* Perhaps you go to hard on those you call friends? Maybe we are over analyzing our situation. After all, they know the risks.... At least, yours should.*He could never tell those who loved him about what he was.* Not to pretend that I know your troubles or anything.... Just that your kind all seem to worry over the same things...*He gazes up at the moon once more. The huge silverish disk reflecting in his eyes.* Too fine a night to worry about such things. Too fine a night....

*she sighs* Unfortunatly, I think too many people do.....life has gotten too complicated. *she pulls out a smoke and lights it, taking a long drag before responding..taking time to think and gather her thoughts* My kind? *she raises an eybrow at that...she knows what 'kind' she is...but what does he mean?..the war reference is close...but these days everyone was fighting a war of some sort...it could just be coincidence...*She takes another long drag from the smoke then shakes her head* no, I don't think so...it is best this way.....for now...this way they aren't hurt as bad as they could..would be.

*He grins at the acknowledgement of his statement.* Yes... Your kind. UnNaturals. I know of you, have fought with you and against you. A tough lot.... I'm something....Different. It's a little harder for me to tell those that I love what I am. If they knew, they probably wouldn't believe me anyway. And, i'm more of a danger to them than anyone else. Anyone around me is in potential danger. Not that i'd up and attack someone. But, the beast is hard to handle....*He rubs the bridge of his nose slowly.* Very hard to handle..... Very powerful....*Shaking his head deftly. Would that he could rid himself of this beast... This rage that eats at the humanity he has left. Hate manifests the creature, rage feeds it. Both make it powerful, and nearly unstoppable....*

*she chuckles* It seems many know of us now, their efforts to keep us a secret seem to be failing miserably *she shakes her head* so, you've fought on both sides have you? *Which did he prefer? what side was he on?....what side was she on? She didn't know anymore...she didn't know what she believed in anymore...She takes a final drag off her smoke, then crushes it out* there are a lot of 'something differents' here, everyone/everything is different *...but then again what was 'normal'?did it exist?* As with me....*her eyes close briefly in remembered pain...she had only broken Alan's arm, but what if it was someone else.....he was well trained, knew how to react to the unexpected...but if it had been Jess, or Geoff, or even Zak....what then? would she have killed them?* everything is endangered....everything I care for is destroyed, and I don't want that to be everyone.

*He shakes his head.* No, not both sides. Only the side that wasn't trying to kill me at the time. Although I may not /like/ what I am. I've no wish to stop living. Too many interesting things to do and see. Freedom is a great thing after all.*His mind wanders to the days before the affliction, some say genetics, took hold in his life. How happy he'd been to do his job. And then, without knowing why, he just blurts it all out. Maybe it'd been coming for a while. Just so somone other than his kind, and he would know.* I'm a werewolf.... One of the deadliest of my kind. A warrior werewolf. In the ancient tounge, they called it ''Ahroun''. Born under the influence of the full moon... Hatred, and rage, make me powerful. Somtimes so much that I can't discern friend.....from foe....*And it'd happened one faithful night when he'd tried to return to his ''normal'' life. Killed a good friend of his own without even having meant too...* Woke up with blood al over my hands... Blood I knew had come from somone /I/ loved. So I came here... And here's where i've stayed. No one bothers me here.... Must seem like, running away from the problem... S'all I could think to do. Would have hoped I could do something good with the power i've been given. Save people, but the beast is too powerfully overwhelming...*He looks at her.* S'amazing what it feels like. All that strength, all its abilities. The quickening of its blood... Just like some sort of drug.

Sometimes I don't know *she shrugs* perhaps things are better on the other side of life, perhaps not *She shivers as memories rush back, her words comes out almost bitter* some don't know how great *She looks over at you for the first time as the words rush out, almost in a confession* werewolf? * the words not really a question...more of a statement...she had seen some bizarre things in her life, not much surprised her anymore.... something akin to sympathy?..or perhaps understanding?...or compassion? enters her eyes* I know *the statement simple, yet truthful....in more than one way.....she knew what it was like to not be in control of yourself or your destiny..to hurt those you care for...to fear you'd do more...she also knew what it was to run, to hide...what else could be done?* We are alike * she too once thought she could do good with her powers, knew what it was like to feel the strength, the power...yet she also knew the rage, the anger..the hatred...the only difference being that these were what fed him, while pain was her power*

*He sits for a moment in silent contemplation of her words. Eyes cast towards the ground. He believed her, believed that she knew the solidtude and the helplessness. Both harboured great power, and that power was what seemed to be destroying thier lives.* there, but for the grace of god, go I..... S'what dad used to say. Told me once that with great power came greater responsibility... All I can see of great power is that it brings unwanted trouble, and heartache. Maybe power such as ours was never meant to be harboured in a body of flesh. Who knows... Who knows anything...anymore.*Snatching up a stick from the ground in front of him. He swats at the ground lightly, after a few hits the stick snaps in two.* I see you, and I see myself looking back at me. Almost like we're seperate sides of the same coin. I've had to learn patience, it's a necessity of keeping the beast at bay. Sometimes I have a little control of it. But that never lasts for long once I become enraged in it's form. Some call it breathtaking to see.... Others run screaming into the night.... Either way, I guess it's a sight. I wouldn't usually remember things, they come to me in dreams, nightmares. If I could only learn to control it, maybe then I could /begin/ to make up for all the wrong i've done in its form. Till that day, this is where I stay. Where my home is...*Pointing around the landscape. A place he'd learned an awful lot about in his last year here.* Do your friends, worry about you?

Mine too used that line. *Her words filled with scorn* too bad he never listened to himself. *she shakes her head* least your kind can be considered natural, they have been around so long they have entered ancient history....but *she bites her lower lip and looks out at the lake* my kind was never meant to be...we are unnatural experiments...*Why was she telling him all this? who was this stranger at her side? She did not know him, did not need someone else involved in this mess....she cannot trust herself amoungst her own kind, her own friends and family...why was she making friends elsewhere?.....she chuckles slightly, the sound almost harsh* I also have seen both reactions for myself and others like me.....as for control? I have been forced to learn control since I was young *she flings her arms out, randomly indicating her life* and where has it gotten me?...*she stands up,yet still leans against the trunk of the tree* everything is denied me, everything I ever wanted I cannot have, everything I had is destroyed.... *a wickedly razor sharp claw extrudes from her finger, poison hanging on its tip....in one swift move she slices a wrist, revealing the bone beneath..she chuckles as a lightheadeness overcomes her then is replaced by the pain and the oncoming power surge, her laughter gains a scornful tinge as she watches herself heal* even death would be denied me...if that is what I desired. *She pushes off of the tree and walks closer to the lake* My friends? perhaps they do....but they will get over it soon enough..

*He watches her intently as she moves closer to the lake. Eyes better suited to the dark than most peoples, even better in other forms.* So, you're not on best terms with pops then... Guess that leaves my question of, ''do you have parents that worry over you'' out.*He, too, stands and leans next to the tree as she makes her trek towards the still waters. The talk of death ringing in his ears. Death, to him as well, would be denied. Unless the right conditiones were applied. Laughing to himself at the statement of the UnNaturals powers being a mistake of man.* When man makes a mistake its a ''catastrophy''. When nature, or god, makes one, It's a miracle.*Spreading his arms wide to present the world and all its ''glories''.* Who's made more mistakes has yet to be answered if you'd ask me. Take it from me, friends never get over anything. They take the blame for themselves first, then transfer it to a place where it can get them in even more trouble. The enemy.... S'hard to say which is the better, staying away from them because you think you bring them trouble. Or causing them trouble by staying away and making thier minds wonder about you. S'a vicious circle. Would that I could help you with your problems... Had I more control, you'd be in luck. 'fraid we'd turn from friends to enemies in the same engagement simply because of my lack of primordial control. *He flexes his jaw muscles a little. All this talk of things beyond his control fueling the rage that is, as always, hiding directly behind his eyes. Within his mind he can hear the tortured screams of the beasts howling. See it's face, smell its acrid breath. The animals frustration maifests in a gutteral growl that starts out like a mans, emitting from his throat. But soon turns into somthing a man couldn't possibly utter, other worldy and terrifying. Supernatural in origin. A slight redened glow takes to his eyes as he opens them, slamming his free hand against the trees trunk and splintering it slightly. Deep breaths heard taking to and from his lungs. He closes his eyes again, when they re-open the red glow gone.* See... Even when I simply talk about the complexity of life, it battles from inside me. Tearing me open until it has what it wants. *He opens his fist, blood flowing from wounds where his fingers dug into his hand.* Never have I known a more commited spirit of vengance...

*she bends down picking up a rock and almost visciously skipping it across the water* You could say that *something she would rather not discuss, she should have tried to kill him when she had the chance...maybe then things would be easier for her...if she had failed, then maybe she would be dead, if she suceeded then GUARD would be in chaos *She looks back at you briefly* I never called it a miracle, only natural *She turns back to the lake* no one can help me with my problems...especially my friends...I never know when I might turn on them *at the first hint of a growl she turns towards you watching silently, expressionlessly as the beast expresses himself* I see, but you at least, know the beast is there, and what it is *she shakes her head, almost sadly as she turns her gaze back to the moonlit lake* I do not *she turns back sharply her gaze hot and flaming with hatred and anger, yet still haunted by pain* committed vengeance? *deadly venom drips from her tone, this is almost a different person than the one moments before pure hatred directed at not an organization like it once had been, but more at specific people within it, primarily the one that calls himself her father* that is something I will, one day, soon, aquire...when I take him down.

*He watches this, this person she becomes. Super natural perception catching the mood swings within her. Her hatred and anger fueling his own as her emotions empart themselves upon him. Digging his finger in his hands to quell the rage growing, fueling the white hot fire behind his eyes. Soon, soon he will have no choice but to accept the change. It's been days since he last took the wolves form, and it was pissed. Enraged and being made to stay within its human cage for so very long. Already he can feel the hair all over his body lengthening slightly. And so he fights the beast for control of the body they both share. Said through gritted teeth as he addresses her. The beast within accentuating and enforcing his words with gutterally horrific growls.* Your enemy is the same as mine... The enemy within. We blame ourselves for out frends hardships, even though they'd have hardships were they not our friends.*If he'd actually stopped to hear his own advice, perhaps he'd profit from it. But the words are forgotten the moment they leave his mouth. Fighing the transformation taking all the willpower he posesses. But, in the end as it was always ment to be, he loses his battle with the beast. Its rage more powerful than his resolve to keep it at bay. Once closing his eyes, to have them re-open. A burning hatred that wasn't apparrent a moment before on their surface. Lupine and pure are they. Hyperventilating as the transformation, quick but painful, only serving to anger the beast more as its host is wracked by the stinging pain. Once small fingernails lengthening into grossly sharp weapons of mutilation. Limbs elongating along with it's body. Nose and mouth growing together until they are but one snout filled with razor like teeth. Once blonde hair bleaching, then becoming stark silver. The refine muscles of the man morphing into the grossly overmuscled body of the beast. Standing a full seven feet tall, eight hundred pounds of moving muscle. A killing machine that's been fabled since the earliest days of man. Yet, he still holds control over the mind for the moment... Though compelled as he raises the tooth filled maw towards the heavens. Letting loose the baying of the creature. A howl, inbred in most humans since the dawn of their time to cause fear. Otherworldly and deafening as it sends the creatures of the forest to the corners of the compass.*

*She turns angrily back towards the lake, fighting down her own anger* I am 'their' hardship directly and indirectly *her words forced through clenched teeth as she too fights down her anger, but unlike you, she can win...she has done so many times before, and will many times in the future...she pauses and turns back towards you as she hears something diferent in your tone.. she watches you, instantly recognizing an internal struggle, one much like she fought every day...but for you she could tell it was a losing battle...she watches in fascination as you transform...she had seen many transformations, had worked with many polymorphs, but this..this was unlike any transofrmation she had seen before...this was more grotesque...yet somehow right, more natural...the others merely transformed, their changing much like the molding of clay...yet this was as if one being was inhabiting/taking over another..She simply stands there, motionless, no sign of fear about her...in fact she feels nothing, no emotion at all, no true reaction to this monstorous beast before her except* I somehow think your struggle is a little stronger than mine *The words calm, matter of fact as she slowly looks you over an involuntary shiver runs down her back as you howl...the woods surrounding them falling instantly silent*

*Two beings fighing for the same mind stand before her. The werewolf within him contented simply to be out for the moment, allows the human to keep control of the form. It percieves no danger, and therefore doesn't attack. His voice having changed from the deepness of a mans, to a scratchy unnatural sound. A wolves mouth not made for these sounds. It takes alot to talk through the werewolves toothed maw.* Perhaps you are right... But, how best to serve them now. After all, loyalty shouldn't be betrayed by leaving. Would you re-pay them their friendship by leaving them? At least you can control your power, it's within you to help them. Unlike myself, my powers are a danger to those around me. All I can say to you is to get your thoughts straight. Take the time. Perhaps get some help....in any form you need to. Even in the form of a fight to knock the sense back into you...*The last statement said as though the creature within would gladly help her with that aspect. It looks to the tree it's standing next to, flexing its fingers. The claws of its hands shoot out of its fingers, elongating thier length until they are about eight inches long each. Swiping once at the tree, putting /deep/ gashes into the bark. The simple action subduing some of the rage. A scent catches the beasts nose. Deer.... Ohhhhhhh but how it longs for a hunt. Turning its tooth filled maw back to her.* I will not be abe to control this form much longer... Soon, the beast will come. It hungers...*With that, a shiver wracks its huge form, muscles growing taught beneath the fur and rippling.* Perhaps one day, we'll be in a position to help each other. *He closes his eyes... Sitting for a few minutes in silent contemplation. Then, the eyes re-open... No longer is the intelligence of a man behind them. But the feral nature of a beast. Though, there is a problem solving intelect to its eyes. The best of both worlds, perhaps the closest thing to a perfect killer. It sizes her up for a moment, gets the smell of the deer in its nostrils again. It swipes at the air in her direction once, perhaps a warning as though not to follow it. After all, even the wolf knows its other bodies friends before its mind is enraged with bloodlust. With speed, supernatural in origin, it turns in a blur. Bounding off into the forest... After a few miunutes of silence, a commotion is heard from a distance. A terrifying roar, and the scream of an unfortunate deer. Then all is silent, save for the occasional crunching and rending sound.*

*she half snarls her response* and loyalty should not be returned by striking them down either....*she shakes her head and turns her back on you...perhaps a danerous thing to do...perhaps not, she doesn't really care* I have had enough of fighting, I have fought more in my life than any person should have to*she looks you over carefully*..you seem able to control them...to a point.... perhaps you are missing something *She looks over as you slice the tree* well then let it hunt....perhaps that is all it desires...*she watches as the beast takes over the body.....appraising it as cooly as it appears to appraise her...predator to predator....after all, she was a hunter, trained almost from birth....and if it came to it she would fight...perhaps not with all her heart, perhaps with a desire to loose, but still she would fight....she could not, not fight..it was within her very nature...but she also would not initiate it, for that too was within her nature...her unnatural eye easily follows his motions as he turns and heads off into the woods.....she wraps her arms around herself and turns back to gaze out at the lake..her words falling softly on the deaf ears of the lake* if only we all could unleash the beast within, perhaps then things would be easier.