A Walk in the Park

[Wendy Berber]

*Oz Park. A whismical sort of place at the worst of time, even with the gloom of clouds and grey sky. Its chill today, Wendy stooping to pick up a leaf here an there, wrapped in a sweater against the chill, a knit cap shoved over her ears to guard against the cold. Cheeks slightly pink as she wanders near the statue of the cowardly lion, enjoying a lazy sunday. Trees rattle their brightly colored leaves, snippits of orange and red and yellow fluttering to the ground here and their, collecting in thick piles at the base of statues and tree trunks.*

[Boy]

This park was as good as a home. He knew it intimately by now, and often walked the paths that weren't actually paths, through trees and over mounds, always getting to where he wanted to be. The courts were in this direction. The lion statue, in that direction. It was his territory as much as anything around here was. He wasn't dressed for the cold though. The same jeans and t-shirt that he usually wore. A denim jacket that had gone through several owners before being rescued from the Salvation Army racks and taken to the La Familia packhouse. It worked, somehow. it wouldn't work against the cold that was yet to come, the type that cut straight through to the bone. But for an autumn chill and the nearly constant breeze for which Chicago was known, it worked. Boy had one hand stuffed in his jacket pocket, the other hanging awkwardly at his side, held low and slightly curled. He smiles as he approaches the lion statue. Smiles at the statue, and then at his skinny mate as she wanders by as well. "Hey." He says quietly. He doesn't say much else.

[Wendy Berber]

*She stands up, face brightening as though the park just became a far better place to be than it had been a few minutes ago. She adjusts her cap over her head, and waves a spindly hand.* Hey. *The leaves she'd collected flutter from her grip. An embarrassing childhood activity, but one she'd been indulging in regardless. Leaves were pretty. And while she didn't own many of them, Wendy Berber appreciated pretty things. The sweater and long skirt she's dressed herself in certainly aren't pretty. Sweater over large. too long. Ugly olive color. Her skirt thick and featureless, dull grey. * Boy? Aren't you cold?

[Boy]

His face turns to an awkward smile as he seems to think about it. Am I cold? Ultimately he just shrugs, shaking his head. "I was just out for a walk anyway. Been so long since we've just gone out to walk around." His eyes cast down to her handful of leaves. "What you got there?" The obvious answer was 'leaves' but that's probably not what he meant.

[Marrick]

[[how is she doing today...]]

[Marrick]

Marrick Fisher is, at times, a paragon of willpower and resolve. The moon is fast approaching full and now was one of those times where her resolve needed to be strongest. She was as those who once knew her remembered. Strong, fierce, confident and competent. A predator, and so much more than that. A woman, a female, a scholar, and athlete. Today, she felt as though she was the complete package. Today, she felt as though she knew what she was doing, as though she had a purpose and that it was sound and secure. She was running again. Hard, fast, inhaling and exhaling and moving as though this was what she was built for. Marrick was a creature of endurance, and she was pushing her limits. But running for the sake of it. It's been a long time since she'd done that.

[Wendy Berber]

Oh.. um.. *She moves to shyly solicit the hand hanging by his side, curling cold spindly fingers with the Uktenas. He's right. They don't walk together much lately. Things have been different. Busy. She offers her other palm to him, showing him the leaves.* sometimes.. I like to keep them. Make Prints and things. I like the ones with the thick veins, they make a better impression. I was.. just kinda goofing off. I guess I - *Marrick's hard running form rapidly approaching causes the kin to stiffen, hand clutching tight on her mates in alarm. *

[Boy]

Boy stops her. His body shifts suddenly and the hanging hand turns away from Wendy. Strangely, Boy looks down at it, frowning. Then, he bends slightly, hefting air into his arms and standing with both arms holding nothing to his chest. Boy smiles weakly at his own shoulder. One arm cradles air, the other reaches for Wendy's hand. And then comes Marrick. Wendy' squeezes his hand, stiffening, and Boy reacts by rubbing her hand, and for some odd reason, bouncing slightly at the knees. "Shhhh-sh-sh-sh-sh-shhhh. Its okay. Its okay."

[Marrick]

She hauls ass, but when she sees Boy and endy she stops- Abruptly. It is immediate, and one would think that the momentum alone would stop her, would make her topple head over heels and fall apart at the seams. She looks at Boy and Wendy, cocking her head to the side and smiling something too bright, too sharp, and too pleased. "It's freezin' out here," she said. As though this pleased her immensely.

[Wendy Berber]

*Wendy blinks in confusion. What was - Oh. Wendy quirks her mouth sideways, searching the air Boy holds precious. A pinch of her features a she considers the implications quietly. Her hand relaxes some as Marrick comments on the weather.* Um.. Yeah.. Not too bad. Uh.. why are you running? *Wendy only runs to get away from things, after all. She rubs the back of her neck, casting another worried glance at Boy and his invisible charge.*

[Boy]

Boy smiles back, though not half as brightly. Still he bounced a bit, making sure he moved the weight that wasn't sitting in the crook of his elbow. It was the most natural thing in the world. "Yeah, I saw my breath the other night. I think its a little early to be this cold but...I dunno. Maybe Chicago's different?"

[Marrick]

"Moon's almost full, got a good night's sleep, so... well.. why not?" Now that was a statement. She got a full night's sleep. A good night's sleep at that, and it's been awhile since she could say that. She shoved her hands into her hoodie pockets. She had an interest bit of atire on. Shorts, and a sweatshirt. Comfortable, to say the least. "Yeah, I heard that it gets pretty cold up here. Might hit the single digits, we're gonna need coats or somethin'. Hit up Goodwill."

[Wendy Berber]

I can do that. *Wendy nods. shifting her hand from Boy's own to set it against his back. he could tend his invisible charge better with a hand free. Or perhaps she's jus saving herself the trouble of having her hand shaken away from his in advance. A wan smile.* Um.. Does anyone know if Miss Callie is staying? Will she need a coat as well?

[Boy]

"I dunno." Boy says tenuously, as if he wasn't at all too comfortable with this subject. The now free hand goes to supporting the other. "I uh...don't think she'll cut it, honestly. What do you think, Marrick?"

[Marrick]

"She's still got time. Follows orders well, which is a good departure from... well... me, so tha's good," she said with a slight grin. Then? There is silence, and she is slightly more somber. "I dunno what she's gonna do, but she's tryin', I know that much. Jus' need to figure out her strengths. I know she can fight, 'cus we all got teeth, but I gotta know if she's got a head on her shoulders an' not just a placeholder."

[Wendy Berber]

hmm. *Pack matters best left to those with claws and teeth, the thin kin shifts uncomfortably, before blinking and blurting.* I bought Doodle some rats.

[Boy]

He nods at that, shifting the invisible weight slightly, turning to Wendy. "Rats? Why uh? Wait...you bought rats?"

[Wendy Berber]

Yeah.. *She ducks her head.* I'm sorry. I should have um, checked first. But he's been so sad.. and he likes rats.. *A spindly finger rubs beneath her glasses, before she looks to Boy and his invisible charge.* I thought it might.. cheer him up.

[Boy]

"Uhhmm..." He's still staring at her incredulously. "Okay. If you think he'll like them. But...rats? Really? In our house?"

[Marrick]

"Bring rats into th' house, you bring 'em into the spirit world too. An'... well... they're good t'have.. we're in a city, who'll be able to help us out better than a rat?" The Fury nodded, and she may not have been the most spiritual creature, but the blonde did think about these things. She had been thoughtful while the pair talked. And, well, she gave what she could.

[Wendy Berber]

Just two.. *She's shrinking under his stare, bringing her hand away from him to pinch at the fingertip of her opposite hand.* Maybe.. it wasn't a good idea. I'm S-sorry. I r-rat proofed his um, His room. I th-thought - *Her lips twitch into a from. This had been a badly thought out gesture. Her eyes shut behind thick glasses a moment, before opening again.* I should m-maybe go. I've got l-laundry in..

[Boy]

"Hey." Boy says, sudden but quiet. His hand reached for hers, taking it in his own. "No its fine. Just...surprising, that's all. Rats are...fine. Their fine. Like Marrick said. Its a good thing."

[Marrick]

"That's freakin' awesome, an' really sweet, Wendy," she said this with something that sounded like a reassuring tone. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we like to call Marrick Fisher trying to be supportive housemate. She wasn't very good at it. normally, when she interacted with Wendy, she blushed or looked around awkwardly or found something interesting to look at instead. Like her shoes or her shirt. "An' really freakin' appropriate, too. Gnawers an' rats are like peanut butter an' jelly. 'sides, laundry'll be there later, you work too hard."

[Imogen]

Oz Park is Familia territory. Perhaps she's even seen the palm-prints, subtly hidden on a concrete wall of one of the assembly halls, on the basketball court. If she has, it does not show in her manner. She walks through another pack's territory in a way that a Garou never would - which is to say with utter apparent disregard for it. Whether this matters or not is up to the individual or the pack. In either case: Oz park. Here she is, walking through the pathways, her heels clicking quietly on the pavement. She adjusts the fall of her autumn coat over her body, a cream wool jacket tailored to her slight body, open over a brown silk blouse, a pair of dark-washed jeans. For her, this is casual: Sunday wear. Her hair is bright amidst the dying of Autumn, the browning leaves, the paler grass. The dark sky. Colour of flames and brightness, contrasting sharply with pale skin, dark eyes. She sees the familiar bodies of Marrick, Boy and Wendy, and feels the twitch of Rage on her skin. Had she not known any better, she might have glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see someone following her.

[Wendy Berber]

*Wendy's caught, told to stay, hand held by Boy. A shy smile to Marrick and Boy in turn.* Um.. thanks. I'm just maybe.. going to make sure the door to his room is closed. I've been out here awhile... heh. *She rubs at her pink cheeks and shifts awkwardly from foot to foot.* I'll make soup? For when you three come in?

[Boy]

He frowns slightly, but lets her hand go and moves to support the invisible weight once again. Boy nods his head, eyes darting to the ground. "Alright. Sure."

[Callie]

to Boy, Marrick, Wendy Berber ((d'you want me to duck out until we finish the scene in the forums?))

[Boy]

to Callie, Marrick, Wendy Berber ((Nah, come on in. We'll deal with it.))

[Callie]

to Boy, Marrick, Wendy Berber ((ok, but I'd like to get that forums scene finished as soon as possible))

[Wendy Berber]

Ok. um.. Bye! *Both hands find the sleeve of his denim jacket, tugging down on the fabric as she moves to press a tentative and hasty kiss to his cheekbone. Trying hard not to interfere with the physical space not occupied by a little girl, but hers none the less. Wendy delivers her shy peck and is off, long stork legs carrying her away and out of the park as her cheeks pink against more than the autumn chill.*

[Callie]

*Callie's meandering in her usual fashion, tracing a seemingly random path back from one part of the city or another to her current place of residence. It's cold enough that her sleeves are allowed to hang down over her fingers and the hood is up, hiding that copper hair and shadowing her features. Wherever she's been, damp has soaked into the ragged hems of her jeans rendering them almost black and her backpack sags wetly off one shoulder*

[Boy]

The smile that Wendy's kiss leaves on his face transforms gradually into a frown as Boy's Skinny mate makes her way out of Oz Park and on home. Boy's arms, which for some reason had been held just at his ribs in a cradling posture, relent, even as he steps back to sit among the fallen leaves surrounding the cowardly lion statue. "That one was my fault." he says, looking up to Marrick tersely. "That was...that was the wrong reaction." He seems to position himself awkwardly, making a seat out of his lap and closing his arms around soemthing that wasn't there. "You look good though. You look strong. You've been feeling better lately?"

[Imogen]

Wendy leaves, and Imogen watches the stork-like Kinfolk hurry off in the opposite direction. Callie comes from another direction. The red-haired once-Fianna kinfolk slows to look at the Fianna Garou, an eyebrow arching slightly. "You're dripping," observes the reticent kinfolk mildly.

[Callie]

*As she crosses the park, there are Boy and Marrick up ahead . . and Imogen, instantly recognisable even from a distance just from posture and body language. She heads in that direction, some conscious decision now rather than an aimless wander. Replying to the kin she shrugs her pack off and gives it a shake, scattering dirty water across the space between them* there was a bus . . and a puddle . .

[Marrick]

That was the wrong reaction. "Y'live, y'learn. Don't make mistakes an' you won't get anywhere... and... yeah. I'm feelin', well, purposeful. Slept real good last night," she tells him, "been awhile." She looked at Callie for a second, looking over her body language and her posture and- And Marrick was peeling off her hoodie in a second. It was discarded soon enough, and the blonde offered it to Callie with raised brow and an unspoken offer.

[Boy]

"The shirt off her back." Boy said quietly, and with quite a smile thrown in as well. He looks down pleasantly at the empty space in his lap. "You see that?" He didn't seem to be addressing any of them.

[Imogen]

"Hm." The sound imparts little in the way of sympathy or reaction to the carelessness of the bus driver, the unfairness of the world where walking down a sidewalk is riddled with such dangers as spraying water. A tilt of her head indicates Marrick. "Looks like yeh've got an offer." A glance of greeting touches Boy and Marrick, before Imogen steps around Callie and continues in her intended direction.

[Callie]

cheers . . *she says, not a long thanks but full of feeling. Dumping the soaking bag on the ground she slips off her own sweatshirt, peeling it away from her body at the back, and wriggles into Marrick's. Kneeling, she stuffs the discarded top into her pack, an impressive feat give the size of the bag and the voluminous quantity of sodden fabric* I'll wash it for you

[Marrick]

"S'no big, it's seen a lot of abuse," she said with a nod, "'sides, you know where I live." She folded her arms across her chest, standing in a tee shirt that proclaimed, screen printed with pride, that she had gone to state for track. That it was a recent endeavor; Marrick was one of the few ahrouns that could boast a high school diploma. In her own mind, it was one of the hardest things she had ever done. Imogen gets a glance, a smile, and an upward nod. The look is pleased. She's equal parts teenager and monster. There are very few differences between the two, only a teen's voracious appetite does not typically include the decimation of her enemies.

[Boy]

Boy gave Imogen the same sort of reverse-nod-chin-lift. Only his was much slower, and there seemed to be a pleasant look on his face, despite the cold. Eventually he stands again, brushing off the dead leaves from the seat of his jeans. One hand gets placed into the pockets of a faded denim jacket, the other hangs low at his side with slightly curled fingers. He walks slowly. Strolls really, even over the short distance it takes to approach Callie and Marrick. "I gotta take Gabby home. Getting a bit too cold for her, I think. I'll see you guys later?"

[Imogen]

(thanks for the scene, guys!)

[Callie]

*As he approaches, Callie gets to her feet again, slinging the bag back up onto her shoulder. Gabby? . . she wonders but she doesn't ask, just nods*

[Marrick]

She looked down again at... nothing. Something about her stomach turned, something made her feel suddenly cold. She inhaled and nodded, and the Fury was... out of sorts for a second. "I'll see ya, Boy, take care of your sister. Too cold for little ones."

[Boy]

His face softens at Marrick, something very close to a smile, which he turns to Callie as well. And without another word he strolls off in the direction of home.