InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "back, back, back it up"

tao_ (tao_) wrote,
@ 2010-09-15 16:55:00

Who: Riley and Tao
What: an unexpected visit
Where: Tao's office

Tao had not gotten a lot of sleep. Thankfully, he did not need a lot. He'd cleaned meticulously of course, then sat on the phone all night. His source did not like to have any suspicion on them that they even liked vampires let alone were indebted to one. So a late night phone call was pushing things. Unfortunately, he did not have a lot of time to placate her. After explaining the problem, and promising this was a final favor she had relented and headed out to the church in the morning. He had laid in bed, no not a coffin, and stared at the ceiling. Usually a good couple of hours in the room, even if it didn't last as long as he would like, were relaxing. He'd instead found he let his guard down more then he anticipated and the shifter had garnered more respect then he had previously expected to give. Worse yet, he wasn't all that sure the rule of keeping things in the room would stick, as they had finished out negotiations inside.

That was upsetting as well. He'd had no problem taking out tribute. He had purposefully given the new leader the information to see how he would deal with it. Seeing if he would reach for that small bit of power, or even more. It would be telling on his position as leader and give Tao some weak points to use. Still, he had planned on enjoying the negotiations. There was nothing like riling up a shifter. Even the idiot power hungry ones.

Deciding sleep wasn't coming he'd headed into work, checking over inventories, new information and new hires. The club was doing well, they had a steady stream of regulars as well as those coming for the thrill of seeing a vampire. He drew up the new treaty and even slipped in a clause regarding collars to see if it would be noticed. The phone call from his plant came early and she had information. Not that it was good, she promised to stay on it. He explained it wasn't necessary, but she felt obligated. If only to spare the pack and vampires more problems.

He accepted a glass of blood to drink, from a blood bank few knew he owned and sat back to rest. Riley should be calling soon so he could pass on the information. The phone call, Tao mused, would be short and to the point. The shifter did not seem to enjoy talking to him much. The thought made his mouth twitch and he almost chuckled to himself.

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amulius
2010-09-25 03:21 am UTC (link)

"You're not listening to me." Riley snapped back, clenching the arms of the chair with both hands. He rose slowly to his feet, his expression indignant. "I'm not just concerned about the Pack, I want these humans to learn their lesson. If you're just going to use me for security I see no reason why I should come to these fucking meetings." He let out a growl, "I didn't become pack leader because I'm stupid and rash. My plan could work, if you didn't underestimate me so much."

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tao_
2010-09-25 03:25 am UTC (link)

Adjusting his sleeves Tao kept his gaze anywhere but the shifter's face. "Agreed. I will not waste your time on the meeting then. If you would like I will send a report when I have finished." He knew Riley wasn't stupid, or rash, but he could be hot tempered and that would work to his advantage, in this instance at least. He headed for the door, "You can see yourself out?"

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amulius
2010-09-25 03:37 am UTC (link)

Riley felt like he had just been punched. "Yes." He replied, and thrust himself up and out of the chair. He bared his teeth at Tao as he passed by him through the doorway. He tossed his head as he walked down the hall, becoming more and more agitated until, finally, he leapt, shifting into the great golden wolf, and turned around, barreling towards Tao. He looked up at the vampire, a light growl in his throat.

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tao_
2010-09-25 03:47 am UTC (link)

Tao would have let out a relieved sigh, but had stopped even thinking of breathing. Heading down the hall he annex to be very careful driving, just in case Riley did something stupid like try to follow him. The shift did not surprise him, though the quick ripe of power hit him hard. As the wolf turned on him, Tao glanced past him to his head of house and raised a hand just enough to warn him against stopping Riley. He himself didn't move and looked back at the angry amber eyes of the wolf coming at him, eyes went soft, resigned.

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amulius
2010-09-25 03:55 am UTC (link)

Riley glared up and into the vampire's eyes, and then jerked his head around and slunk down the length of the hall once again, trampling over the tattered remains of his clothing. This time he did make good on his intentions and bounded past the humans to barrel out of the front door. He leaped off the front steps and disappeared in darkness of the woods. Once he was in the shadows, he stopped, and his coat shifted from brilliant gold to coal black. His eyes remained that same yellow as he slunk through the shadows, just watching the front door of the building. He knew that he couldn't prevent Tao from knowing that he was going to be followed, but he couldn't stand to be beside the vampire's side any longer.

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tao_
2010-09-25 04:04 am UTC (link)

Tao waited for the attack, if nothing else, to end up on the ground. It didn't come. Instead Stephen came over to rattle off his own worries about the shifter and remind him about feeding. Toa let the man ramble, requested the small tranq gun and headed out to the car. Behind the wheel he closed his eyes and felt for the shifter's power. It was becoming more familar to him. Not feeling it nearby he headed out, taking the western road in order to loop around a few times before reaching the corner down town.

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amulius
2010-09-25 02:33 pm UTC (link)

Riley followed along behind the car at a safe distance, sticking to the woods as long as he could until he realized that Tao was heading for the city. He growled a little and quickly shifted into the yellow Labrador. He trotted along the sidewalk, focused on the sound of one particular car among thousands. When he heard it stop, he ducked into an alley and shifted quickly into a small, black squirrel. He emerged into the sidewalk once again and quickly found the corner where Tao had stopped. He leaped up onto a brick wall and then from there to the top of a lamp post. From there, he could only wait and watch with tiny yellow eyes.

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tao_
2010-09-25 04:37 pm UTC (link)

Stepping from the car, he did a quick sweep of the are, frowning slightly at something just out of his reach. He should have eaten before he left. He walked to the opening of the alley but waited there until Marie came forward into the little light from the lamp post. She did look like her sister, other then the fact that she'd cut her hair severely short and her face had a hard look rather then a skittish one.

"Sir, where, is the other person?" She glanced around.

Tao shook his head, "He isn't coming, he was a shifter." He saw her glare and put a hand on her shoulder. "They aren't all the same, however he is quite, rash at times. So I will speak with him after. He had a good plan though. One I think we can use to get you in farther. Is the car safe to speak in?"

"Probably, I'm not entirely sure I wasn't followed. So. . . "

Tao smiled and grabbed her arm pulling her to the car. "Right then."

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amulius
2010-09-25 04:44 pm UTC (link)

Riley frowned from his perch, what was Tao playing at? Striking down his idea when he presented it, but telling the human female that they would be doing it now? His long black tail twitched and he scratched at his nose with one tiny black paw. He hopped down from the lamp post and skirted along the side of the road, his paws splashing in a mixture of water, gasoline, and assorted filth. He really couldn't hope to follow along the car in this form, and so he shifted quickly to an even smaller creature, a mouse, and hopped on top of the tailpipe.

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tao_
2010-09-25 04:54 pm UTC (link)

Opening the door he shoved Marie in and slid in after her to the driver's seat. "There, not a problem. Now, most likely they are looking for proof you are on their side correct? Would an attack or kill help in that? If I could orchestrate such a thing safely?"

Marie frowned but nodded, "I think the big selling point is that I have a tie to you. They know that you're in charge and figure I'll want you dead to rescue Jeanne."

Tao pulled the small gun from his pocket. "That's as I thought. Here, once we are sure you are being watched, use it, drive off, and head tot he safe house near the club. There's plenty set up there for me to 'disappear'."

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	amulius 2010-09-25 05:02 pm UTC (link)
	Riley let out a squeak. That idiot! He was doing it himself! He wanted to growl, but it was impossible with his tiny vocal chords. He hopped down from the tailpipe and skirted around and under the car. When he emerged from under the car again, he was the yellow lab. He propped himself up on his hind legs and struck his front paws against Tao's door. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tao_
2010-09-25 05:07 pm UTC (link)

Marie took the gun then glanced at him. Her other hand in her pocket, fooling with her cell. "Whatever works. You have everything set?"

Tao opened his mouth to answer then turned to look out his window. His eyes narrowed on the dogs, in obvious reprimand. "Always prepared." He muttered back to her. Damn it, he should have been more careful driving. He should have paid attention to the small wash of power he had thought he'd felt and dismissed. Pushing at the door handle, he opened the door an inch only to give him time to back up before he could open the door completely and get out.

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	amulius 2010-09-25 05:12 pm UTC (link)
	Once Tao had come out of the car, Riley turned and trotted into the alley, he ducked behind a garbage can and shifted back to his human form. He poked his head out from behind the can and glared at Tao, "What the fuck are you doing?" He hissed, "You gave that woman a gun!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tao_
2010-09-25 05:16 pm UTC (link)

Tao gave Marie a nod to stay and slammed the door behind him as he followed. Following a dog, just perfect. He refused to go into the alley and stood just at the entrance. "I thought we agreed that your services were not required this evening? I will send you a full report if you are so concerned." He growled. Marie did not like shifters, they had been no help to her and worse actually made things more difficult. Having one secretly show up was not going to help.

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	amulius 2010-09-25 05:36 pm UTC (link)
	Riley stood up straight and growled right back at Tao, "You can't keep me out of this, answer my questions!" He stayed back, not wanting to risk having a human spotting him, fully nude and skulking in the city. "I don't want a report, and I don't want you doing this with only a human for backup. It's fucking unacceptable, Tao!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tao_
2010-09-25 05:41 pm UTC (link)

Tao crossed his arms and put on a a soft smile, though his eyes had gone completely black. "I don't recall hearing a question to answer. As for the rest, I can, and will keep you out of this if I so choose. You are obviously hot headed and incapable of thinking in a calm or precise manner. Should you continue there is a high probability you will get yourself killed, leaving your precious pack even more vulnerable. That is unacceptable. Where as, should it become necessary, I have my affairs in order and my replacement chosen." He lifted his chin. "I am prepared for every eventuality where as you wish to simply jump into an issue and hope for the best."

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amulius
2010-09-25 05:55 pm UTC (link)

Riley clenched his hands into fists. "You think I'm completely incompetent!" He snapped slightly unnerved by the look in Tao's eyes but more enraged by the way that the vampire had dismissed him out of hand. "I have a right to do what needs to be done to protect my people, and you have no right to tell me otherwise." He bared his teeth at Tao, "Like it or not, you're going to have to accept that I'm going to be here. I have the human woman's scent, and you can't keep me from following her." His brow furrowed, "It shouldn't be you, it should be me. There's less risk if it's me, I'll heal as soon as I shift!"

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tao_
2010-09-25 06:04 pm UTC (link)

Tao was suddenly aware they were raising their voices and in an effort to stop them from full out yelling he lowered his arms and stepped farther into the shadows. "I said nothing about your competence." He hissed. "You are protecting your people, the problem was one too big for either of us to deal with on our own, we have now shared information and have enough to do something. To stop this. The best thing you can do for your people now is to keep them out of sight." He heard the car door, heard an engine and knew it wasn't his.

"Your right to protect what is yours does not supersede mine." He replied softly. "Now go, before you are seen."

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amulius
2010-09-25 06:27 pm UTC (link)

Riley remained silent, just bristling. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, "You son of a bitch." He growled, "Fuck you, if you think you can do it on your own, then fucking do it, I hope you don't get staked." He turned away from Tao, just staring into the darkness of the alley, and then back to the vampire. "Don't get staked." He repeated, his expression hard.

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tao_
2010-09-25 06:38 pm UTC (link)

Tao hated how the energy rose between them. It flickered over his skin and the last thing he wanted to do was keep his distance, but he refused to move. He kept himself from flinching at the growl. Better for him to hate again, easier for him to hate him. As long as he left. "Don't get caught." He retorted simply and turned heading back out.

Marie jumped from the car and licked her lips. "Shit shit shit! They are on their way, hurry it up!" As soon as she saw Tao come back towards the car she pulled the gun and shook her head, "What, needed a snack? No time." She added looking down the street at a van coming towards them. She winced an apology and shot twice.

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amulius
2010-09-25 06:48 pm UTC (link)

Riley watched Tao's back with baleful eyes as the vampire returned to the car. He heard the sound of wheels as the van rounded a curve and ducked back behind the garbage can when the shots rang out. He quickly shifted back into the Labrador and poked out his head from behind the can, watching with his eyes wide.

The van screeched to a halt at the intersection and two burly men in powder-blue ties barreled out of the sliding side door, followed by a slimmer man with too-white teeth who was smiling wide at the human woman.

"Marie, Darlin'!" Exclaimed Pastor Michael Dubois of the Holy Sun Church, "What do we have here?"

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tao_
2010-09-25 06:54 pm UTC (link)

Tao gave her a baleful look but didn't have time for a retort. Did she have to shoot for the stomach? He groaned and fell to his knees, reaching for the darts. He had to wait until they at least took some effect before pulling at them. A growl rumbled in his chest at the man addressing Marie. He didn't like him, immediately he hated him and knew he had to be more then just another human sucked into this.

Marie swallowed then lowered the gun, pocketing it. "It's him, the Master that has Jeanne. His car is back there. I'm going to find out where my sister is and then kill him." She bit off. As long as they believed that she could deal with it on her own and get them both out of there. She walked towards Tao and grabbed an arm to pull him towards the car.

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amulius
2010-09-25 07:08 pm UTC (link)

"Now, hold on just a minute there, darlin." Pastor Dubois was tall with a long face and the clearly defined jawline of a high school football star. He raised up a hand and gestured for his two goons to able towards Tao's prone form. "We can't let a lady like yourself alone with one of these abominations. Jerry?" One of the large men looked up, "Would you kindly escort Miss Marie to her destination? For protection, of course," He added. "We'll take the vampire."

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tao_
2010-09-25 07:10 pm UTC (link)

Marie didn't have to fake her anger, her outrage. "Look, I've been after him for years. I didn't have any help getting out of the last two territories I had to search, I can handle one fucking vamp! I want my sister, you want him, you can have him. After I get some answers." Her teeth were set on edge. "I have a place, can chain his ass up and get some answers."

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amulius
2010-09-25 07:15 pm UTC (link)

"Calm yourself, darlin." Dubois said in a warning tone, and the men continued to advance on Tao and on her. "I understand that you've been through a rough time, but this really is a unique opportunity. We've never captured a live one before, well-" He chuckled, "So to speak. We're all on the same side, Miss Marie, so I suggest you think about the will of God before you decide that you're hellbent on going your own way." He clucked his tongue. "Vamps are tough critters, you can't trust their pretty faces, this one could be as old as dirt and vicious as a bear. You understand that we need to be careful. You're a part of our family, Marie. You did say that was what you wanted, didn't you?"