as written by Dashmiel
Several hours later
The skies over Lutetia appeared dark to the casual observer, and only those with a keen eye could barely discern the gradually growing shift in the grays at the boundary of heaven and earth. The awakening of a new dawn was upon the city, still a bit over an hour away but inexorably coming nonetheless. Perhaps in more ways than one, thought the massive figure leading the pack of monsters through the streets.
The pack's run had been a success, Ragenard thought. As the night progressed, he felt the wild aggression of the heated challenge they had all been exposed to settle into a more ordered rhythm. It wasn't anything any of them had to think about, it just happened. Their primal instincts had been awakened during the night, and given an outlet to order themselves in.
As Ragenard led them riotously through their territory in Lupaix, he made no effort to curb their enthusiasm, allowing the packs energy to ripple freely through them. The result had been a mild sort of rampage through town, as the pack roared, barked, ran, and howled freely. Those fastest on four legs weaved in between buildings and light-posts, and innocently startled the rare late bystander. Those fastest on two ran over low roofs and awnings, and many a window was suddenly shuttered at their passing.
To them it was a fun good time, to Ragenard it was a show of force to the people. Regardless of what anyone might have heard, or whatever the rumors flying might be, one thing was clear. The Bloodstone pack still was. And with every powerful howl he sent up, he dared the night to question if the pack was still strong.
As their progress gave way through Lupaix and shifted into the Phantom Quarter, Ragenard's hunger began to ripple through him again, and he led them all ever faster. In the no mans land that was the Phantom Quarter, he began to more carefully direct them. A bark here, a yip there, and with an occasional rough push, he got the pack together in an rough sort of formation. His movements were careful and constrained, weaving among them when needed, leaping over at times, but never straying from his position at the front for more than a minute.
Then they had reached the forests, and then began the hunt. Over several hours they had a chance to sate both their stomachs and their primal instincts. Rather than take over and decimate the prey population, Ragenard made sure to keep his place in order in the hunt, working along with the pack as it's leader should.
By the time they made it back to the Medical Center, Ragenard got the distinct impression that a more cohesive and less stressed group had returned than at first had set away, and he was pleased.
He sniffed the air of the approaching morning a few times and gave a final howl to the dying night before triggering his change back with a pop. In mere moments, he stood back on his human form, and his features while no less grim looking, seemed to have love some roughness around the edges.
"Alright folks," he shouted while giving his newly reconfigured muscles a few stretches "we had a good time, and I hope you guys remember it. But we'll be getting back to the shit storm in no time I'm sure. So take a few to decompress, we'll be facing a new day soon. Don't do anything too crazy and watch each others backs, stay in contact in case another call to gather has to go out."
"Bast! I'll need you to sort out whoever needs alibis for the events at the Den and send them to me so I can be sure they got their stories straight before we disperse for the day. And make sure whoever you think needs a reminder that the Med Center is not a clubhouse and that their lips need to be shut about it gets it!," he said before starting to head inside.
"After that you can hang out for a bit, don't go nowhere, I got something to talk to you about. But first I need to see I left enough of Des' head still working for him to be useful."
Several hours later
The skies over Lutetia appeared dark to the casual observer, and only those with a keen eye could barely discern the gradually growing shift in the grays at the boundary of heaven and earth. The awakening of a new dawn was upon the city, still a bit over an hour away but inexorably coming nonetheless. Perhaps in more ways than one, thought the massive figure leading the pack of monsters through the streets.
The pack's run had been a success, Ragenard thought. As the night progressed, he felt the wild aggression of the heated challenge they had all been exposed to settle into a more ordered rhythm. It wasn't anything any of them had to think about, it just happened. Their primal instincts had been awakened during the night, and given an outlet to order themselves in.
As Ragenard led them riotously through their territory in Lupaix, he made no effort to curb their enthusiasm, allowing the packs energy to ripple freely through them. The result had been a mild sort of rampage through town, as the pack roared, barked, ran, and howled freely. Those fastest on four legs weaved in between buildings and light-posts, and innocently startled the rare late bystander. Those fastest on two ran over low roofs and awnings, and many a window was suddenly shuttered at their passing.
To them it was a fun good time, to Ragenard it was a show of force to the people. Regardless of what anyone might have heard, or whatever the rumors flying might be, one thing was clear. The Bloodstone pack still was. And with every powerful howl he sent up, he dared the night to question if the pack was still strong.
As their progress gave way through Lupaix and shifted into the Phantom Quarter, Ragenard's hunger began to ripple through him again, and he led them all ever faster. In the no mans land that was the Phantom Quarter, he began to more carefully direct them. A bark here, a yip there, and with an occasional rough push, he got the pack together in an rough sort of formation. His movements were careful and constrained, weaving among them when needed, leaping over at times, but never straying from his position at the front for more than a minute.
Then they had reached the forests, and then began the hunt. Over several hours they had a chance to sate both their stomachs and their primal instincts. Rather than take over and decimate the prey population, Ragenard made sure to keep his place in order in the hunt, working along with the pack as it's leader should.
By the time they made it back to the Medical Center, Ragenard got the distinct impression that a more cohesive and less stressed group had returned than at first had set away, and he was pleased.
He sniffed the air of the approaching morning a few times and gave a final howl to the dying night before triggering his change back with a pop. In mere moments, he stood back on his human form, and his features while no less grim looking, seemed to have love some roughness around the edges.
"Alright folks," he shouted while giving his newly reconfigured muscles a few stretches "we had a good time, and I hope you guys remember it. But we'll be getting back to the shit storm in no time I'm sure. So take a few to decompress, we'll be facing a new day soon. Don't do anything too crazy and watch each others backs, stay in contact in case another call to gather has to go out."
"Bast! I'll need you to sort out whoever needs alibis for the events at the Den and send them to me so I can be sure they got their stories straight before we disperse for the day. And make sure whoever you think needs a reminder that the Med Center is not a clubhouse and that their lips need to be shut about it gets it!," he said before starting to head inside.
"After that you can hang out for a bit, don't go nowhere, I got something to talk to you about. But first I need to see I left enough of Des' head still working for him to be useful."
