endless night, P: for Hadrian and/or Catalina

[Allison]

She couldn't remain idle for long, weather she knew how this could be fixed or not, there were still progressive steps to be made. It was times like these in which uncertainty cold catalyze one's demise. Allison had never been the type to lay in wait and though she had changed many things about herself, that was one aspect that would not be altered. Timber Woods came in as her highest priority, and what she had set to out to do in the first month of her reign now seemed to be a pressing matter once more. The Hellions were gaining their numbers back and a loose agreement of alliance was what she intended to set out to forge. She'd spoken to Catalina only briefly the one time their paths had crossed, but she seemed to be the type who could understand and respect where Allison was coming from.

She wasn't looking to sign a true alliance, for she would never fight in the name of the Hellions - she had lived as a human for a good ten years and she had come to respect and appreciate their ways. All she wanted was to ensure that no Hellion target those of her pack. In return, she would offer her word that no member of Timber Woods would ever harass a Hellion. In short: if they stayed out of her way, she had every intention of staying out of theres.

She didn't know where the true location of the pack lands were, and she had been wandering alongside a black-watered river for a good hour now. She knew the river would eventually lead into the pack land, but she assumed it would be better not to breech their borders. Stopping where she stood, the tri-colored, slender female titled back her slender muzzle and belted out a sing-song call, beckoning the heads of the Hellions to grace her with their company.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian paced fretfully but (on the outside) he seemed somewhat calm. He was glad about two things in particular: one) he had fallen utterly in love with someone he never actually thought he'd even be friends with, and two) the Hellion Faction was growing in size and strength. It made him proud even if he had only been the leader for a few weeks. But even in that sort time he had begun to turn things around for the tight little troop. He had endeavored to clean up and make their living quarters more, well, endurable. Though he couldn't do much in a time like this - what could you do with no opposable thumbs? He did his best with whatever spirit was left in his slowly blossoming soul.

There wasn't much these days (there never was, really). Most of it was usually spent on trying to keep J.C. happy in the dark and dreary place. Well, everywhere else was getting drearier too. It was all the pollution. He didn't like it one bit - it made the terra seem all the more desolate.

But he kept his vigor up as he ambled aimlessly towards the blackened river. He thought back to a few days ago when he first met Ruedi here. He smiled thinly at the memory, his cloudy eyes sparkling a little as he stopped to let out an abrasive sigh. That's when he smelled it - what was it? A lost pack member possibly? He didn't recognize the scent as he growled tensely under his breath. Then he heard the call of a female wolf that raised his hackles and made the rest of his fur stand on end (not out of fear, just manly, sudden surprise :P). What was this wolf here for?

He didn't ponder it for long as he bounded his way fleetingly over to where the tri-colored she-wolf stood. He calmed himself immediately as he smiled somewhat openly at her. She had the air of command and presence that told him instantly that she wasn't just any wandering fool - she must be the commander of whatever pack she came from. He swore at himself for not getting more familiar with the other packs before his ascension to leader of the Faction. Though, now that he was enveloped in her scent he guessed quickly that it was Timber Woods...and that would mean, she was Allison? (He hadn't gotten quite through the files yet and his talks with Catalina were, let's say, brief at the most.) He sucked in a deep, powerful breath before greeting the leader.

"Welcome to the Hellion Faction," He said with the grace and underlying power of a king in his dreadful kingdom. "May I ask why you've graced us with your company?" His tone and eyes never strayed from anything but respectfulness and caution. He knew that there would be consequences if he did anything but what was expected. And besides, he liked her already. She didn't seem that threatening at all. If she wanted to wage war, wouldn't she have brought an army with her?

No, it must be something else. He couldn't wait to find out.

[Allison]

She presented herself with a reserved air of authority. She wasn't flaunting dominance, she simply had an impressive presence. Nerves were surprisingly settled as she waited, the sky seeming a more intense shade of black with the absence of the moon, which was blotted out by the thick, pollution-riddled cloud cover. It was disgusting really, made her just feel fifthly, especially standing next to a river which seemed as vile as the atmosphere. How the Hellions could live in such a desolate place without complaint was beyond her. Then again, she was used to the brilliant foliage and sights of Timber Woods, so it was no surprise.

It wasn't too long before the large black wolf strode forth, The Conductor, she assumed simply by the way he was carrying himself. Slowly as he came to a stop, she lowered her head a fraction, her own show of respect. She was indeed upon his territory, and there was no need for egotism in a time like this. "Why thank you.." she started, her voice firm, but smooth at the same time. Her composure was unshaken as her emerald gaze swept over the brute in an analyzing manner. "First, introductions are in order" she quipped, a small smirk upon her muzzle. "I am Commander Allison, of Timber Woods if you did not know so already." again she gave a small dip of her cranium, the smirk remaining. The business could wait, there was no sense in working to barter an armistice with a male she didn't even know the name of.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian smiled all the broadly as she stared at him, probably scrutinizing him as a leader. He hid it all beside his friendly facade as he breathed out another sigh. He couldn't help but evaluate her for himself as he waited for her to answer. There was nothing else to do - he sure as hell wasn't going to stare at the clouds or the river like she was. His smile twitched a little as he noticed her slightly disgusted state. She didn't like the scenery - well, that went for both of them. Why should he like it? He didn't even like to look into his blackened soul.

His smile twinged gleefully again as she took the supposed upperhand in the conversation. She was even smirking. By god, he liked her already. She probably didn't take anything from anybody. She was a take charge kind of girl. He couldn't stop his grin as he sat back on his black rump. "Of course," He replied with an amused little nod of his head. He kept his cool composure though as he did. He didn't want to drive her away like Donovan. "Pleasure to meet you Allison. I'm Hadrian, Conductor of these...wonderfully ruined and tarnished lands." He chuckled sparely as he answered.

"Now, since we've both introduced ourselves... Why don't we get down to business." He interjected whilst radiating charming delight. They could both play games, if they liked. "Why are you here?" He inquired once more, still looking entertained by her presence and style.

[Allison]

She could easily tell that he was rather amused by her presence but it didn't bother her. It was better than him openly laughing in her face. She was used to her position of authority being undermined by her gender from her years with her army, it was nothing to take the twisted smile of a Hellion. She had a hunch, anyhow, that his amusement was a good thing rather than a bad. She was sure a male like him could appreciate one like her self. She wasn't necessarily as marred of a soul as he was, but she had been known to be devilishly cold and merciless. She'd lived in a free-for-all war for years, it was to be expected of her.

At his introduction, she nodded her head slightly her smirk ever present. She could tell he had picked up at her displeasure of her surroundings, though she didn't think he could blame her. A light chuckle left her vocals as she found herself gazing around for a moment before turning back to him as he conceded to take charge of the conversation this go-around. "Ah, patience.." she said lowly, with an amplifying twitch twisting her already present smirk. She too took her her haunches as she gazed behind him, as if looking for another. "I assume Catalina is not around, A shame.. she seemed to have a somewhat decent head upon her shoulders."

She was stalling, but with the intent of drawing his interest in even further. "Then again, it seems, to the extent at which I can tell, you do as well..." her strong voice trailed off for a moment, before she took to her paws again. She paced slowly to the river, which was but a foot or so away. Looking down into the murky blackness, she contemplated her word choice for a moment before turning to face him. "I can trust that you will make the best decision. Timber Woods and my followers have never outwardly acted against this Faction.. and I aim to keep it this way. In such times, there is no need to be at war with ourselves." she paused here again, having taken slinking strides forward to bring herself directly opposite of him once more. "I do not ask for your protection, your alliance, nothing. I ask that we, for sake of things, remain natural in these times. In simple terms, we turn the other shoulder to whatever tactics it is your faction has and in return, no member of my pack is to be harmed, harassed or other wise assaulted by those who follow your reign." Her intense gaze was locked with his, her voice remain strong and purposeful as faded to a grim line of all seriousness. "Can I have your word, Hadrian?" she finished, the smirk daring to flit back across her expression.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian chuckled at her 'patience'. He had all the patience in the world when he wanted to. He just thought...that she might be wanting to get back to her much more comfortable lands. But as soon as she began to small-talk he knew that wasn't the case. So...he swung with it. He never left a chance untouched.

"Yes, she should be wandering around the lands somewhere..." He offered at her lament, figuring out that she must have met Catalina once. He wasn't surprised - that girl had some connections. He wasn't ashamed to admit that. She was a great asset to the Faction, especially now, when they'd need it the most. "Maybe she'll show up eventually and you can catch up." He insinuated with that same little tone she used. He smiled genuinely though - they were all...non-enemies here. He hoped to keep it that way.

" And, thanks. I'm not the only one, you seem to handle your words quite well," He complimented in a highly straightforward conversational voice. He meant it completely of course because he never lied. That was...the only rule of his that he hadn't seemed to have broken yet. Well... He mulled over while watching Allison pace across the river with a bemused look upon his dark face. It was the only one worth keeping.

Then, after she finally brought up 'business'. He listened attentively through her whole proposal, knowing full well that it was both safe and truly convenient for both packs. Why wouldn't he keep their 'tradition'? He paused for dramatic effect then he grinned suavely. "My dear Allison, He began, thinking instantly afterwords if that was a bit too...informal. "I think it would be in both our best interests to have this sort of...truce." He kneaded the ground a little as he dragged it on slightly longer. "So, yes. I think we have a deal." He agreed eventually while meeting Allison's look professionally. He knew when he shouldn't goof off.

[Allison]

Her smirk grew into a bit of a grin as she gave a heavy nod of her head. "Very well, very well." she mused. She wanted to know what they knew, if it be anything at all, and she also had a plan up her sleeve. Something that could prove to help both their packs if it was to succeed. She didn't want to sound a fool, and she knew between the two of them, it would take much careful consideration as well as planning. She had been pacing now, in silence for a moment, before she stopped directly in front of him sliding to her narrow backside.

"I have a plan." the statement came out sharply, her voice catching a deadly edge. She wasn't playing around, she knew what the Wolfiends had done. Any wolf who took too long to flee towards the pack-lands was captured. Something had to be done, but without the use of their human forms there was nothing they could do but sit and wait. Allison would not have this, not at all. She couldn't sit around while they were forced into hiding. She knew what they had, that the pack wolves needed: medication. The wolf-form suppressing drug that could be enough to help them fight back.


Getting it, was the problem. Her intense gaze had locked with his in a brief moment of silence as she drew in a deep breath. "We need to strike back." again, in the dead-pan voice she spoke, "We've been forced as far back in retreat as possible, and it won't be long before they push into the boundaries of our packs, the Wolfiends that is, and we can't just sit around and wait for them to do so." She'd rose to her paws again, pacing back and forth feverishly. She paused a moment here, shooting him a stony glance "Do you agree Hadrian?" she would not even go any further until she heard his take. She knew the Hellions were supposed to be reckless, brutal and the wolfiends greatest enemy - but was this new Conductor up to the challenge?

[Hadrian]

Hadrian nodded bemusedly back as he began to ponder suddenly. He took the whole meeting so far into his mind and analyzed it as fast as he could before Allison could 'reveal' anything else that she had in mind. His shifting gaze wandered across the cold and barren sky as he kneaded the icy ground below him thoroughly. He knew that she wasn't just here for some kind of truce - she wanted something from the Hellions. Why not? They were the rebels, the bitter outsiders that could be sent out and scattered across the wind like cracking autumn leaves. Okay, maybe he was sounding a little bit bittersweet but he couldn't think any other way at the moment.

His 'troops' were at low morale already. But he knew, as she came back to stare at her purposefully, that his wolves could take on any challenge and win. Even if they only had a handful of members, even if the odds were a thousand to one - they'd survive. He'd make them. He'd build them up and lead them like any proper leader should. He promised them that...

And Allison. As she brought up her plan.

"I was thinking along the same lines," He concurred with a resonant voice that signaled to any respecting wolf that he also meant business. He had been talking to his top men about such a plan against the wolfiends. "We were planning some sort of attack on the Wolfiends...but we don't have anything definite yet," His tone dropped a bit into reluctant embarrassment maybe?, as he thought about his brief meeting with Kaden. His eyes flickered with hidden intelligence as he met the fae's orbs directly. "Do you have anything?" He questioned before going on with anything else. He couldn't release too much information, not until he knew that they were thinking along the same lines.

ooc: sorry, faillll.

[Allison]

She watched him with blazing intensity, her gaze seemed as if it could bore holes through him as their gaze remained locked, his deep voice coming out lower as he contuined, causing her to lean in even closer to listen with obvious interest. The way they were hunching closer physically empahasised their caution with which they were beginning to plan. The conclusion she drew from his words was what she had expected. They had ideas but no set plan of action. Perfect, this was where she came in. Her own voice was lowered, as she spoke in a hushed and rushed manner.

"I Know... that I am one of the only wovles who probably managed to hold on to whatever firearms they may have had. I have but two smg's and a .357, thats it. I also know that for them to be any use to us whatsoever, we need to be able to at least, temporarily access our human forms." she stopped here to take a breath, and shoot a shady glance around their perimeter. "I also know, that the Wolfiends, within their HQ, have this medication that temporarily suppresses the true-side of us shifters. I say, if we can get a hold of some of that, we stand a chance at waging war with them. Without these pills, however, we will fall within minutes." The final words seemed to fall with weighted meaning from her muzzle as she gazed at him, with the same intense stare. "I Myself will be going, I'm not going to force my members to participate, and neither should you. Take those who are willing, for they will fight harder than twice as many who are not." She waited now, allowing him to get his words in.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian listened with tense caution as Allison explained her plan, which, he had to say was absolutely brilliant. He couldn't hide the excited, inspired glow that lit up his eyes and smile as he bounced expectantly on the hard ground. He inched closer to the edge of the river, glanced around for a moment, then he dived back into the conversation with eager vigor.

"I've also heard of such a medicine," He breathed out. "And I have a way to get it, potentially, of course," He paused in hopes that she would understand that none of what he was about to say was set in stone. "I have a spy, Kaden, who has hopefully infiltrated the Wolfiends. He has been ordered to bring us vital information..." Hadrian grinned victoriously as he added, "I don't see why he can't sneak out some of that medicine too." He nodded his head as thought his own words over, thinking that it could all work out. He trusted Kaden to do his job and do it well.

"And once we have obtained the needed medicine, we'll make our attack." He ended bravely while meeting the fae's intense eyes again.

[Allison]

Oh this was even better than she had hoped for. Her gaze seemed to brighten as as her smirk grew into a grin, his words quickly digested by her mind, which seemed to be whirring in over-drive at the moment. Nodding her head vigorously, she muttered under her breath a few names, thoughts coming to her mind quickly giving her reason to discard them from the troop she would be forming. "Perfect.." she grinned again, having took a slight step back.

"I shall be in touch Hadrian. Come a weeks time, I hope to hear you have arranged for the first phase to begin. My squad and I will be useless until we have our hands on such medicne. I pray you shall keep me informed the moment you have things figured out further with your spy?" She was obviously satisfied, even finding herself somewhat liking and respecting this male. They'd done good business here today, and made progress far beyond what she had expected. It was obvious though, that she was preparing to depart, she trusted him to handle the first phase.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian grinned in silent agreement as he watched the impressed female leader joyfully. This was perfect - he would actually be doing something, not like in years before when there was...just chaos. He could bring them all together for a single cause: their survival. His eyes sparkled at the thought. It was amazing.

"As soon as I get word from Kaden, I'll be sure to sent it off to you." He assured Tex with a determined nod of his black cranium. He could tell that they were both satisfied with their plans and agreement. He felt some pride swell inside him as he thought back to when he first met her moments ago - he liked her even then. He knew that this was the start of a promising business relationship.