dhruvxmehta

[dhruvxmehta]

Option A: Dilan

To not be working felt strange. Protests and profanities fell on deaf ears as he was shoved out without care and it took blasphemous threats against his agrose gel for Dhruv to actually leave the room and building. The lab grew to be a place of great comfort these days and with an emptiness that still lingered from loss not properly processed, and everything else, research and experiments were the much needed balm to a haywire brain. The concept of taking a break would forever be unfamiliar, unwanted even, but he could spend twenty minutes outside to prove a point that he was normal. Maybe.

Dhruv wandered about the streets of Lunar Cove with Mar Ghosts Stories to Tell in the Dark playing through his headphones as he did. It wasn't his regular listening but when a co-worker played it, he quickly developed an interest. Minding his business didn't seem to factor as he was pushed to the side causing him to stumbe a little, "Oi! Wat—" Annoyance flashed and disappeared just as quick when he caught sight of who it was. "We gotta stop meeting like this, love." Removing his headphones to hang around his neck, he was instantly met with a screaming order that he simply had to comply with, "Huh? Okay okay!" Height came in handy to grab a pair that were out of her reach but it took a few seconds and a couple jumps later for brain to catch up and realise this was a foolish endeavour, "Hang on a tick, you can fly can't you?"

@lunarcovestarters

Option A: Dilan

Dilan had been frazzled between Leyla’s mysterious illness and all the weddings that she was planning for the summer. With her assistant out on leave from stress it left everything in her hands. “Out of the way!” She yelled as she pushed through the crowd with a dozen balloons in her hand. Feeling a sharp pain as someone elbowed her in the side and she released the balloons instinctively to grab her side. Realizing a split second later what she’d done and panic set in. “No! No! No!” She screeched as she tried to grab the balloons that were floating up to the sky. Managing to get a few, but the others were quickly out of reach. “Don’t just stand there help me.” Dilan told them as she jumped to try and grab the rest of the balloons.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Option B: Poppy

“Alright it’s closing time.” Poppy said with a sigh as she threw the rag over her shoulder and walked to the door. Ushering out the patrons who were finishing off their drinks, she watched the glasses collect on the bar as people stumbled out. Noting a person still sitting at one of the tables after everyone had left, she walked over to them. Sitting down across from them with a smile, she crossed one leg over the other. “So can you not follow directions or is this just a lame attempt to spend time with me?” She questioned curiously. “If it’s the second then I guess you got your wish cause I’m here and could use a beer.” Using her telekinesis to bring over the beer that she had been nursing most of the evening. “I would offer to refill you, but I’m off the clock now.” She teased playfully. “So help yourself, just nothing from the top shelf.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Option C: Safiye

���Do you want me to get that for you?” Safiye offered pointing to the empty coffee cup that was sitting on the table in front of the patron at Peggy’s Dinner. “I can refill it if you want or just take it away?” Offering both options up since she wasn’t sure which one they’d prefer. “But if you want my suggestion take the refill and get a piece of pie. We just cut the pie and refilled the coffee so it’s all

[dhruvxmehta]

Listening to her, he gave a slow nod, maybe there wasn't one way to deal with this, past experience had shown him that much at least. To be hit with another loss before he figured out a way to cope with the first felt far too devastating, it felt all encompassing and a great big weight on his heart, pressing down till he hardly remembered how to breath, how to live. It wasn't fair in any sense, that the world kept turning and the sun rose to signal in new days when life couldn't be returned, why couldn't it stop even for a second? Memories were all he had left now.

Silence settled around them for a while before he could speak, which came far too quietly than he had wanted but it was better than breaking down completely. "She's family. I'll have her with me in more ways than one."

Feeling he tense up, he wanted to apologise for the abruptness but as she relaxed a moment later, he did too. "I want to though, I'm grateful for this, truly, you're one the few that actually cared enough to check in. Means a lot." Though having just sat down, Dhruv got up soon enough at her question and wandered over, "Oh... uh..." he trailed off, scrathing the back of neck, needing to actually think and count. "A couple days ago, maybe? Haven't had an appetite." While he might have felt pangs of what could be hunger, being in his wolf form didn't really make him want to eat anything. "You're far too sweet, love, please let me help though. Would you care for some tea and biscuits?" Pausing not longer the words were out his mouth, he looked to her with a imperceptible twitch of lips upwards, "That's far too British of me, innit?"

"I'm sure," she replied out loud, her tone soft but her words sure all the same, "I feel like...most people think there is a certain way they should deal with loss, and somehow it never turns out to be the way they need. Grief...it's not a one size fits all sort of endeavor, you know?" Aysun was cautious about coming off too preachy. She never claimed to have the answers, and it was a touchy subject. Clearly Dhruv was already going through it, she really didn't want to make anything worse, even if by accident. But she was no stranger to death or loss or grief. Her job as a trauma nurse in the ER almost made it part of her job description. Still, she supposed it was different though, the loss of a patient versus the loss of a loved one.

When the voice in her head mentioned that his coat matched hers, Aysun's heart clenched, a little frown tugging at her lips. The funny thing about grief, while it sucked infinitely to go through it, it also sucked to watch someone you cared about go through it knowing there was nothing you could do to fix it. It was like a black hole, absorbing everything that was close enough. Words failed her for a moment, but she finally took a breath, offering a little nod and a fleeting smile. "I...understand. It...makes you feel connected to her..."

Following Dhruv inside, Aysun carefully set the basket on the table before pacing further into the home. Even without her enhanced senses, she could hear her fellow wolf in the other room, could hear the exertion of shifting back into human form. It was never a pleasant ordeal. When she heard footsteps approaching, she turned to face him, words on her lips, but they cut off abruptly as she was pulled into a hug. Out of instinct she tensed up, unused to the simple physical contact. She often reacted the same when family members sprung hugs on her in the ER, usually after she'd helped save a loved one. But Dhruv wasn't a stranger, he was a friend, and so she found herself relaxing a short moment later, her arms coming up to return the warm squeeze. "I- you don't have to thank me," she said as he pulled away, a light dusting of pink on her cheeks, "and I'm alright, I don't need anything. Why don't I make you a plate though? You must be starving if you've been shifted since yesterday. When did you last eat?"

[dhruvxmehta]

Still holding her close, a sense of relief came with her honesty. A simple no to being asked how someone was felt a bit rare these days, especially in this town where most tended to brush things off with fake nonchalance in order to avoid conversation or to seem put together — a side he understood given he was guilty of such, but this right now was preferred since to him out felt like she trusted him enough. Of course the predicament they found themselves in left no more for denial since it was far too obviousthat she was not okay.

"I don't who they are or what they say and do..." he replied, keeping his voice quiet as he gently wiped away at the tears that fell from her eyes, "... but I'm with you here and now. What you've just been through take a toll, Elif. Panic attack, loss, is not easy, I know it. I get it. Things are hard but don't let that defeat you." He took her trembling hand and willed his own one to not shake, to be steady even if he didn't feel it, even when the walls of the wardrobe seemed to be closing in. "You're not alone in this. Trust me?"

Accepting that might be the best answer he'd get, Dhruv pushed his own worries further back and the cool and collectedness of logic lull his mind as he thought on what the next step would look like. "If not need then what do you want, what would you like?" he asked, "Rest? Food? Aysun brought over things she made earlier in the day, we can tuck in to that. Do you have a comfort movie or something?"

Elif squeezed her eyes shut, her breath hitching as the thunder cracked overhead—loud, violent, too close. Her hands trembled as they clutched at the sides of the headphones Dhruv had gently placed over her ears. Her hands gripped onto them like it could anchor her to something steady. The storm outside howled, but all she could focus on was the storm inside- heart racing, ribs tightening, like her own body was trying to collapse in on itself.

She didn’t know how long she stayed that way. Minutes? A lifetime? Long enough for the worst of the storm to pass.

Only when the thunder finally faded did she dare open her eyes again. Blinking against the tears clinging to her lashes, she slowly lowered the headphones from her ears, resting them in her lap with hands that still hadn’t stopped shaking. A small sniffle escaped her, barely audible beneath the soft strum of acoustic guitar still humming from the speakers.

"I'm not," she whispered, voice hoarse and fragile as she leaned her head back slightly, still curled close to him.

"That's what they all say," she added, after a long, heavy pause. Her gaze stayed fixed somewhere in the middle distance, unfocused, like she was watching something no one else could see. "But they always do." Her voice cracked on the last word. Not loud. Not accusatory. Just... tired. As if it hurt too much to believe, and hurt more not to.

"I don't know what I need," She finally whispered out as the tears began to slip down her cheeks. I don't even know who I am anymore, she thought, but didn't dare say out loud.

[dhruvxmehta]

"Mmhm yeah, that is fortunate." Dhruv was glad for him though, that JC had the pack to lean into. Maybe it was his own fault, as most things seem to be, that he didn't reach out but there was uncertainty on the ramifications of it all. Abs he hardly had enough time to be a wolf with the pack once he joined anyway, with Song being kidnapped his head was thrown for another spin bringing with it a need to leave this place behind.

"I wasn't living here when Lorelei was around so I don't know much but the valentine's day massacres were because of her, right? If you suspect a similar thing to happen again, where the person is watching and walking among us, then no one, humankind or supernatural folk are safe. Whoever this is, is playing a dangerous game." He knew he couldn't be the one to question people here, wasn't even something he wanted to do but with a nod he aged to one thing, "I can keep an eye out sure."

He didn't know much about the wolf pack other than what he was told, "Better off talking with Nico about that one. He told me Damien was following Elif." Speculations could run wild if more thought went into it, but each time he tried to think back to that night all he saw was Kitty and how much she didn't have to caught in the crossfire. "A lot of things could've happened differently."

With a mirthless chuckle, Dhruv shook his head, "There's hardly such a thing as a failed experiment JC, not to scientists at least. Yes things can go wrong or yield unexpected results, but it's all a learning curve. You change the hypothesis or a variable and try again till the desired outcome is reached. Science is chock full with discoveries initially seen as failures. So no, even if all the humans left it still wouldn't be considered bad, they'll find other opportunities, we always do. Maybe there would've been more kidnappings and this serum be injected without choice or consent," he shrugged, "When giving up is not an option it gives rise to a lot of possibilities."

He shook his head again with the same empty smile taking over his features, "You can't promise that, not to say you won't try, but it's a thing no one can keep. I don't want to recklessly hurt you in the proces." But the sentiment of his words struck him still, it felt like care, like something actually giving a shit. Except it just felt a little late. "Why do you want to keep trying with me? I hurt your girlfriend, mate, that's not something I can undo even though I desperately wish to. I'm not turing you down, fuck knows I need it... but it's funny though innit?" Laugher did not follow, instead he further shrunk into himself, "That I might get a chance to feel that after all this time of chaining myself up... it's... been exhausting." Meeting his gaze, Dhruv attempted and failed as a small smile wavered and fell before it could take hold as a sudden pressure weighed him down bringing with it a realisation that this might not even end up happening, "I'm grateful... but I have to ask does your offer still stand even if I not part of the pack?"

"I was very fortunate," JC added, meeting Dhruv's eye. "I came home right after the incident. I've never had to...hide myself away outside of Lunar Cove." And he knew that much was true. Even now, there were surely wolves out there in the world just trying to survive. If they found there way here in earnest, he would take them in. But fewer and fewer of them seemed to want it. "Yeah. Luck." He thought they would require more than that to get anywhere with the family who ran this place, but he did not voice it now. Maybe there were suspiciously functional cameras in unhelpful places.

Júlio César allowed his own eyes to follow Dhruv's and let them linger there, contemplating what lay beyond the door. "I'm not trying to throw anyone under the bus or anything. We're all in this together, one way or another. But Lunar Cove isn't that big. I think we have this vision in our heads of someone operating underground, behind-the-scenes. But Lorelei Cavanaugh wasn't. She got up and went to work, shopped for groceries, all the shit everyday people do." He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think it is." This came perhaps more bluntly than he intended. "What I mean is, with all due respect to you and everyone here, if someone were stealing ice skates after business hours, I'd expect them to question all the coaches and the snack counter workers. That's all."

JC flashed an apologetic grimace. "It's a goddamn ridiculous thing to be dealing with. And look...hunters tried to cut my head off. It sucks. I just...again, you think of anything, you let me know, okay?" A weak shrug came. "I don't doubt it is. The wild card is that damn wolf pack. Where do they come in? An accident? Coincidence? I don't think so. They were able to get an upper hand only because we were all cut off from each other." He clicked his tongue. "And what would have happened if all the humans had left the aquarium? Their experiment would have failed before it even started. Is it...I mean, is it possible a human stayed behind on-purpose?" That felt like a conspiracy theory if there ever was one, but could someone have tried to ensure a healthy group of test subjects? And who?

"I know, man. I know." He met Dhruv's eye, speaking sincerely. "But I promise you I won't let you hurt anyone. If you tried, you'd have to go through me. And that's just not going to happen." He did not blame Dhruv for his actions under duress, nor did he blame him for his feelings. But really, more than anything, JC wished the guy would be able to experience the realization that the wolf was not an intruder. "How about this? Would you consider going for a trial with me before the full moon? Just the two of us, shifted, in some of the private runs? It'll be secure, guarded, and I promise I'll keep you and anyone else who might come by safe. I'd appreciate the company, and I can show you why I love being a wolf without all the stress of the moon and the pack and the newbies."

[dhruvxmehta]

With the explanation came that sinking feeling again, bringing with it a bubble of frustration and anger aimed at the man before him and in some part Elif too. It wasn't blame per say, Dhruv realised enough to know these two didn't have a direct hand in Damien building a pack or attacking, but they were the reason he came to town. Thoughts were not shared nor was eye contact maintained as Nico spoke, leaving it unsaid seemed the best move lest his thoughts spill out and given where they were Dhruv didn't want to cause trouble for the family.

An involuntary scoff did rise. "I just fucking lost Kitty, bruv, still haven't pulled myself out from being tortured or found a way to cope with my cousin dying, you think I have everything in hand? Fuck off." Something fell away within him, a quiet snap that verbalised in an unexpected sharp tone. Dampening it with a slow exhale to push everything down, Dhruv continued with a faint shake of his head, "I know shit's not been easy for you either and not just with this fight and loss but ...bloody hell you say stalled as if it's meant to be a great service when reality is you just wanted time for you and everyone else to feel better about yourselves." As if he was meant to say thank you and convey his gratitude. He scoffed again at that thought. "You won't be controlling, you're a good person." But good people didn't always make good leaders. "But asking or wanting people to stay isn't controlling. Don't worry," he added quickly, "I'm not expecting you to ask me that or anything really." His mind had been made up for a while now, the slivers of hesitation that threaded through was due to JC but it still did not change his decision.

"I know you said this pack isn't always about 'family' or 'bond' and I should look to it as an aide," he said thinking to their previous conversation, "And I tried. Took yours and JC's help on things, bundled down at the wayward house thinking that maybe being around others wolves might do the trick and I learn a thing or two but it didn't help." Other factors were considered too, especially control when it came to lone wolves, which would need a lot more effort than usually to maintain focus but he get there. "I think I'll always feel like an outsider," he said slumping into himself. "Don't think it's going to benefit you or anyone if I stick around." He shrugged a little, "I'll figure things out on my own like always."

·✥·

Nico sighed, internally. He didn't particularly like to explain other people's business for them, but in a way, it had also been a part of his own life. "Yeah. He's been trailing her since before I met her. She came to town over a decade ago running from him, and tried to steal weapons from the Alpha to protect herself. When that blew up, I left with her." His expression darkened. "We stayed ahead of him, for the most part. Until now. I told her to try and stay. To fight." The words were bitter, the blame unspoken.

He didn't bother to hide the roll of his eyes. "Yeah, alright." This posturing and ego was pointless, he wasn't sure how Dhruv expected from him to react to it. A pat on the back, for his self-reliance? It wasn't like he was going to hold it over the guy, he would've helped anyone, and was finding it hard to give much more energy to the conversation. The thanks scraped over his skin, causing him to bristle, but he just stayed silent with his back against the wall of the house, focused on the planks of fence opposite.

When Dhruv finally got to the point, or nearly did, Nico just looked at him, gaze hard. "And I was only in Saskia's pack because I was supposed to be. Then, I left. There's other ways to live. If you want out, then go. I stalled you to make sure you had what you needed to manage on your own, and you've got that well in hand now. I don't want anyone in my pack who doesn't want to be in it. I've seen enough controlling alphas in my life, and I won't be one of them."

He paused. "I won't tell you what to do. You could stick with it, maybe figure out if it's your turn to do for someone else what Kitty did for you. Be the reason someone stays, someone who could truly benefit from it." He met Dhruv's eyes without expectation. It wasn't that far from what held him here, the motivation to keep wearing this ill-fitting suit. There were people who could use what he offered, even if Dhruv wasn't one of them. "Or," he continued, "if the Pack's not what you want, full stop, then leave and find what you do want, for yourself. Simple as that."

[dhruvxmehta]

Frequent fleeting side glances now turned to holding gaze as Linden replied, while Dhruv knew the charm he held wasn't non-existent, it did show itself on a few occasions but not the way it was described right now. His charm wasn't just with words, but with ideas. Most definitely due to the alcohol doing, ideas of a different kind began to brew. Eyes slowly took in the other, own lips curling up to a smirk, "Seems like you're quite the expert. I prefer gratification without delays most of the time." Mid-sip, eyes widened momentarily as realisation hit, "Yes!" Dhruv said after quickly gulping down as name and face finally clicked with a broad smile. "Linden Ashe!" he exclaimed again, a chuckle bubbling through, "Oh my days. Yes! That's how I know you mate, you're the writer! Reed threw me off a little, but I'm a fan. Most do gore but they seem to hardly give a shit about details which makes me lose interest but your works have anatomical accuracy and I really like that."

Talking was easy, talking helped him focus. It was easier to drown the world out when he had something, or rather someone, to focus on. It was fun, trying to figure out where things would go, the next step in a dance - and the other man's slurring told the witch that this could become interesting. He could handle his liqour like the best of them, but it made other people unpredicable. "There's a certain charm to pateitence - anticipation, tension, longing." The witch replied, his cheeky smirk remaining in place. "I'm a writer - I've got some stuff published, been in some magazines." He shrugged, underplaying his acheivements, not liking to brag about his writing despite liking to brag about nearly anything else. He didn't mention that the magazines he had been published included the New Yorker, Paris Review and Ploughshares, or that he had made it onto the New York Times Best Seller List.

[dhruvxmehta]

"Yeah 'course," he replied quickly, "I'm not in any rush." At least he wasn't anymore. There had been a want to leave but looking around the place and the hives, the buzzing strangely settled as a calming this. And nothing could be done if the people were busy anyway, it was in his nature to rush others over such a thing. His mum just had to wait a bit longer too. The french didn't register as quickly, but he nodded despite it, "Bees are more important."

He bobbed his head from to side, waving his hand to match, "It is interesting but I never took the time and let myself be interested and invested, if that makes sense?I understand the importance and know insects play a big role in our environment but I don't know of the workings as well as I would like." He chuckled softly at that, "It's the flying and the stingers I think that scare people? Allergic reactions too probably are a point of worry, but yes, putting it like that we are much bigger and frightening."

Moving further in, Dhruv nodded at that, "Deal. Thank you." It seemed more than fair, he got to learn and try something new which felt far more valuable personally. "So, what are you actually do right now? Just upkeep or? I don't know the terminology."

Ignacio offered a small, apologetic smile. "If you do not mind waiting just a little, I will, of course, happily help you. You are the customer, and I am grateful for your patronage. But...no bees, no products. C'est compris, n'est-ce pas?" Seeing Dhruv's face shift, however, Ignacio allowed his own to momentarily do the same, genuine eagerness settling over him.

"Yes. Yes. Of course. Does this...uh, does all this interest you? The workings, I mean?" He used a hand to gesture back at the rows of hives. "Many people are frightened of bees. Or they...they find all insects unsettling. I do not understand that. We are so much larger than they. Think of how unsettling we must be to them.." He smiled.

"Come. We will get you suited up. You will be assistant for the next while, and in return, I will pay you with what you have come to buy. Does that sound a fair deal?" He used a hand to gesture for Dhruv to follow him into the barn.

[dhruvxmehta]

Alcohol made itself known in the way his thoughts and speech began to slur, it didn't feel good like he had hoped, didn't feel like he could sink to the bottom of the bottle and simply forget about everything that had happened, not when things still felt so raw. Though Linden might have been teasing and being cheeky about this whole thing, a laugh that reached the eyes felt rare these days causing him to smile at the sight. Dhruv gulped down his guilt at having a nice time with a long sip. "No games, mate, you said you'd make yourself memorable, gonna keep me waiting?" But he have him a look over regardless, nodding a couple times, "Yeah, you do give that impression. I'm sure I'd figure you out eventually but do you I strike you as someone with patience?"

"That's the one." He chuckled, slightly charmed by the other man not immediately knowing him as Poppy's brother - despite identifying himself as such. She was the Supreme, and though the thought of being in her position made gooseflesh creep up his arms, it meant he was often seen as her second fiddle. "Definitely." He grinned, laughter twinkling in his eyes at his own inside joke at his eidetic memory and knowing his tone made it seem like he was flirting - which he definitely was. He was a sucker for a good smile. "I suppose I will have to make myself memorable won't I?" He added, before taking a drink. "Do I give you that impression?" He asked, avoiding the question. "Some may say so - want to guess who I am? I don't think you'll get it."

[dhruvxmehta]

Dhruv couldn't help but wonder if it had been his personal fault or mistake that resulted in this pack not taking him in like they had for JC. A smile never formed as these thoughts took up space in his head. Of course, it wasn't thing he had expected right out of the gate, but was it his own doing somehow that he was met with scrutiny? He needed it, required it to an extent too yet the pack never felt like a home. "Yeah it's a heavy thing," he nodded slowly, posture slumping as thoughts wandered to times when he had to shift in secrecy out in the real world, "I'm glad you had them." The others expression was amusing at the mention of the family, but Dhruv simply shrugged, "Good luck."

He thought carefully about what was being said and being asked, the confusion likely showed on his features too, brows drawing together as he looked to the door to the room they were in as if almost assessing the people that moved about outside it. He knew most of them, while, yes, they were mostly left to their sections and research topics, camaraderie was still present in friendly nods and sharing of ideas. "Do I trust them?" he repeated out loud. He did, but shouldn't he now? "A handful knew where it was kept, this lab isn't solely mine. Supervisors knew too. I work with these people on a daily basis JC, I need to trust them. I can't say we're all friends and are chummy with each other, but as colleagues they have my respect. It's like how you wouldn't suspect a pack member without reasoning or evidence."

Caught off guard with how intently he was listening, a light chuckle broke through at the next question, "Whatever the hell an organ thief means? Pretty straightforward, mate." But regaining composure, Dhruv thought for a moment, "I'm not sure on that either. Morals and ethics are a big factor when it comes to that, to gauge an understanding whether or not they would cross such a line is something I'll have to think about." There shouldn't have been a worry about dragging him back to that time, it never left his mind even when other things occupied it, that month, his kidnapping remained at the forefront of everything. "It is connected if that's what you're trying to say. The kidnappings, organ harvesting, the loss and gain of abilities we've seen that night... there's a link to all of it," he sighed, "If someone here is a mole then we're all royally fucked." And he would need to work harder to figure out how this happened before there was another attack.

"To just be? Just give in?" he scoffed, "That's not easy. Giving in leads to me biting people. Giving the thing inside me permission to do whatever it pleases will lead to people being hurt. It already has. I can't do that again." Guilt and defeat dragged him into a still silence with the admission. If things had been different there would've been acceptance, there would've been proper control but it wasn't and no amount of wishing would change the matter. "There's no freedom for me. Not that I can see, not in a safe way at least. This form is a shackle."

At Dhruv's question, JC allowed a contemplative expression to roll over his features, but with it, he also offered a definitive nod. "Most days? Yeah, I do. Lunar Cove's pack was...well, it was a home for me when I needed it most. Out there in the real world, I'd just activated my wolf gene, and that's...that's a heavy thing for a guy to carry. But they took me in. So. I love this pack. I'm grateful for this pack. And being in that Council Room is the best way for me to fight for it." Listening, then, Júlio César could not help the frustrated crease that etched across his brow. "Yeah. They're...helpful." He rolled his shoulders. "We'll go through the formal channels." He figured the Song family would insist on as much.

JC sighed at that, turning back to meet Dhruv's eye. "Honestly? I don't think so. Or I don't think it should be expected. But that's the werewolf in me. Whole above the self," he muttered. "Do you know who else knew where they were kept? Besides you? Can you trust everyone here?"

A laugh came, low and somewhat wistful. "I get that. And now? It feels like there's even more we don't know. Christ. But that's...uh...that's an interesting point. I don't know a tactful way to ask this, Dhruv, so you can tell me to fuck off. But does anyone here...in these labs strike you as someone who might be...? I don't know. An organ thief? Whatever the hell that means." He crossed his arms, body tensing. "I'm not trying to drag you back to what went down when you were taken. But someone targeted you then. And someone's prowling around your work now. Do you think the mole could be a colleague?"

JC offered a soft smile. "I know. And look...I'm a big proponent of self-control in wolf form. It's damn important to learn. But we both know how strong those animal instincts are. Instead of fighting them, just...give in. Be. Exist. Follow a smell. Run. Jump. Howl. Give yourself permission to do whatever it is your mind and body are telling you to do. There's freedom in that, and I'll have your back."

[dhruvxmehta]

It had only meant to be a quick in and out errand for his mum. Ten minutes he gave it, fifteen tops if finding the item on his own proved difficult without seeking the shopkeepers assistance. Of course he should've know better than to hope for easy things, it always proved to be the opposite and now was no different. To find the place unattended was just his luck and for his mum to not believe him was the icing.

Conscious of time however, Dhruv eventually began heading out, until seeing a figure in his peripherals at the barns nearby made him pause. Thinking they might be able to help, he gave a wave back stepping in further. "Oh, I see. Was hoping the opposite," he said with slight dejection. "Suppose you're needed here more." And that really would've made him turn away had the other not posed the question. Eyes light up a little, "Can I?" Time was no longer served to be a factor anymore, not when there was a chance to do something different. "I haven't seen hives up close before."

Closed starter for @dhruvxmehta Location: Le Nectar des Dieux, the hives

Winter had been unkind to Lunar Cove, coating the town in snow, rattling it with fearsome winds and biting frost. But dedicated preparations the autumn prior had once again proven kind to Ignacio. He had done his duty, had given what was owed. Of course, the luck inherent to his nature helped. But the rest was, as always, up to the bees. And this year, more than the average amount of hives had survived. It was a warm day as he went about his first springtime inspections, a warm day in a series of warm days, the prime opportunity to remove insulation, to check the layers of the stacks, to make note of debris and decipher the stories it told, and to prepare for needed repairs beyond those the insects could take care of themselves. He could not move too quickly now, however. All things took their time and season.

Pulling down the netted veil of his protective ensemble to reveal his face, Ignacio made his way toward the apiary's edge, where he saw a figure lingering near the back entrance to one of the smaller storage barns. He smiled, giving a wave. "Ah, bonjour. The shop worker had to step out, and I am afraid I cannot step in today," he explained, turning back toward the hives. "They are coming out of the winter, so I am afraid you cannot get too close. Unless..." He gestured down at his suit. "I have another. Would you like to see?"

[dhruvxmehta]

With the heaviness of grief still cloaked around him, days dragged on without him registering the passage of time. He was aware in some respect, still moved, still got things done, but truly noticing had been restricted to the wait times in between starting a test and output of a result, the rest blurred together indiscernibly. Mind didn't allow for extra operations outside of work and in a way he was thankful, at least this was deemed a healthy distraction. If only to him.

There were times when his head wandered of course, a moment of stillness was enough for his heart to take charge and relive the painful moments if that night and days to come. That led to action too. Checking on people to see how they were going felt like the least he could do in the grand scheme of things. Especially when it came to Gia. After his head, and in turn, body, returned, she had been the first few he hurried to see only to be told she had visitors each time. To turn away had not been easy but the company, he knew with surety, would not take well to his presence. Nor was it expected really, never had he so desperately wished to be something, someone other than himself. Still, he hoped to see her, even if it meant waiting till after she had recovered.

The day finally arrived when he spotted her as he peeked his head inside the coffe shop, something of a habit almost as of late, one that had been unsuccessful till now. He was sure as he walked in, the entire shop felt his quiet sigh of relief upon seeing her. "Dr. Mehta? Why the formality, love?" He slipped into the seat with an easy smile, thankful and pleased to hear her voice again, "I've been thinking about you a lot too," he said taking her hand between his and giving a gentle squeeze, "I'm really glad to see you, Gia, I've been worried—" cutting himself off with a nod, Dhruv held back on what he wanted to say till after. "Yeah, 'course, what did you want to talk about?"

closed || @dhruvxmehta

In the aftermath of what was the worst month of her immortal life, Georgiana took refuge in her beloved crypt. Nestled in a corner, far in the back, yet aware through her keen ear of every person who walked in the door. Her mind, however, predominately occupied by a book bound in soft leather. Though not a book at all but a journal. The origin of its author the reader herself. A recount of her entire life held within the pages of it and others like it. From which she read for the reassurance of her weary mind. Its sanity tested during her weeks of hallucinations. A suffering she had yet to fully recover from, as life remained an extinguished light in her, typically, molten eyes.

There was a certain, unnerving ding, to the front door's bell that unsettled Gia in a way that she attributed entirely to the person who walked through it. It was unavoidable, she thought. They were bound to run into one another, somewhere in town, Gia just didn't consider that Dhruv might seek her out. At least, she assumed his visit was intentional. Blood infused coffee probably wasn't his usual.

"Dr. Mehta." A greeting that withheld from it the intensity of her thoughts. In large part due to a lack of energy. Her physical body still slow to catch up to its usual speed, as the less daunting but longer lasting effects of the wolf bite remained. "Please." With her eyes alone she gestured at the chair across from her. "Have a seat." Words that sounded more like a command than an offer. "I've been thinking about you." A flush of life returned to her eyes. Fueled not by passion but rage and a desire for revenge. Yet, she held out her hands for him. A gesture that appeared like a request for comfort. "There's a matter of which we must.." It would've been easier just to kill him, but Gia considered death a mercy that came at a cost she did not count the wolf worth. "..discuss."

[dhruvxmehta]

Dhruv instantly shook his head, "Don't be, it's alright. I wish I could help you more in that department, I really do." He found it to be terrifying to say the least that he couldn't remember. Non-existent chunks of time, legitimate blank spaces in his memory, such a thing was abhorrent and unheard of, yet, here he was living with it now. "I don't like to question my own mind but whatever they did to me has sowed seeds of self-doubt that I haven't been able to shake. The things I do remember, which again is not much, I can't even say with surety if it's real or not." He faced her with an apologetic look, "I'm sorry. I really am. But maybe we could try to figure out what's happening together? I made notes of what I could recall that I can share it if you'd like." He felt like he owed her that much at least.

"No no, you're fine, love, really. I understand I do. All cards on the table, I didn't expect anyone to find me. I held a hope that my family might look and Kitty too if she realised I was missing but other than that? I'm not anyone to waste time over and that was alright by me because I knew Meena was far more important." He knew it was because of her hat he was found too. "That's not putting myself down or nothing, it's just a fact. Heck, I was told to my face from a pack member even that I wasn't on their plan to find," he tacked on with a nonchalant shrug, "It is what it is. I know my worth." He gave a small nod when a smile fell away before it could even fully form, "I know what it's like to lose family, I'm glad you still have her." To not let the mood dampen too much, Dhruv gave her a light nudge, "It's alright, Gia, don't need to regret your actions it wasn't anything wrong. You didn't leave me there and that speaks a lot more on your character than wishing I had been someone else."

A dismissive wave ended the Darwin talk, as her full attention was directed at the change of conversation. It wasn't without remorse that Gia watched Dhruv answer her question. Yet, she was silent until the very end. The vampire allowed the wolf the peace to speak in a way she perceived as earnest. After, she sighed. A sound heavy with the weight of her thoughts.

Before she chose to speak, Gia gently placed her hand a top Dhruv's. A gesture of her returned candor. "I apologize that I had to ask you that." Her eyes momentarily fell before flickering up again. "I cannot imagine that it has been easy to cope, but I am glad you are managing. All things considered."

It was with an intuitive certainty that Gia decided Dhruv was telling the truth about his memory. A choice she allowed herself to make given that Meena also didn't seem to remember much. Another piece of the puzzle confirmed and added to the bigger picture that she still couldn't see yet. "I understand." She placed her free hand on her chest to convey her sincerity. "That's exactly why I had to ask you what you knew. I've been trying to figure it out since the two of you went missing." Gia's head shook. The look of frustration clear on her face "I still can't piece it together."

Several beats of silence passed as her frustration waned and was replaced by something softer. A continuance of her apology, but on a bit of a different subject. "In hindsight I realize how insensitive it was to scream at you when I first came through the tunnel. It was a regrettable action in a moment of duress. You see.." The break in her speech was so brief it was, almost, unnoticeable. "..Meena is my.. family. Of which I do not have much left, and I'd been looking, non-stop, for a month. I didn't mean it to seem like I wasn't glad to find you because I am.. glad that I did."

[dhruvxmehta]

Busy cooking? He asked hoping to the subject but unsuccessfully the things she said he was ignoring came rushing back to him. Death and grief were not new to him, Kitty was family as was Mason, and thinking about them in the past tense did not feel right. They were good people, kind and full of life, but life was snatched away for them in a blink. It didn't seem fair. No right or wrong, are you be sure about that? There seemed to be a correct way or at least one that others recognised as acceptable. He couldn’t be quiet and retreat into himself nor could he be open with his grief. Stuck in the middle was hellish but there wasn't much to do either other than move along with the days even if he didn't want to.

He looked down to his form, hers and mine coat colour match. I didn't want to let go. Despite knowing he couldn't stay like this forever, there was an unwillingness to do shift out. No one had, until now at least, cared to ask, it had just been him that had to explain his state first and hoped the explanation was sufficient for them to understand. In a way he hoped she'd understand that too, that this was his way of grieving, wrong or right, to him this was a tether to Kitty.

Pacing forward, Dhruv gave the door a slight nudge with his head to open it. Come in and headed inside the house himself too. I'd help with the basket but... it didn't need finishing. His form said it all. Make yourself comfortable. Had this been any earlier, there would be no chance of him to even entertain the idea of a shift back, even now an internal battle began to strike up at the possibility of it. Except now there wasn't a fear that held him back, just a want, and wants weren't anything concrete. As he looked to Aysun and the simplicity to her kindness, he began to see another tether too. A way back that didn't feel entirely terrible.

Leaving the main space towards his room, it took a while before he could turn. It was as if he couldn't remember how to shift, that inherent feeling, that way back seemed to have been fogged up by something till slowly, with much effort and thought, he sensed the path back. Having been through this ordeal for many a moons now it still did not get any easier. Catching his reflection mid-shift had the wolf and human in him swipe at the standing mirror to rid that grotesque image, shattering it in the process. Pained groans were masked with hard and heavy exhales till paws eventually turned to hands and shallow breaths turned into steadier ones. Leaning against the wall as he stood up on shaky feet, Dhruv felt his energy deplete at a rapid rate. Falling into bed was tempting but with company present, rest had to wait. So did clean up for the moment as he side stepped around the broken mirror pieces to throw on clothes.

He ran fingers through his undoubted mess of hair haphazardly and further futile attempts were made to not look dishevelled as he stepped out but he was certain he failed at that. Concerns on such a thing dissipated rather quickly though, seeing Aysun not in his wolf form had him pull her into a quick, light hug, done so without thought. "Thanks, love." And that encompassed a lot of more than he could verbalise. "Can I - uh, get you anything? It won't be as good as an entire basket of food.." he said falling onto the couch, exhausted from everything, "Thanks again for that."

At the question she nodded rapidly, lifting up the basket again as it to emphasize the point. It would've been way too much for the average person, but she'd come to learn the werewolf appetite was a big one. It was a good thing she almost exclusively cooked her meals, and grew some of her own stuff or she'd have gone broke since turning. When they lapsed into more silence, Aysun cleared her throat awkwardly, rocking back on her heels. She was an ER nurse, she wasn't a stranger to death, but somehow it never got easier to deal with. "I don't believe there is a correct answer to that," she said out loud at the question, pressing her lips together, "you should simply...be however you are, I suppose. There...is no right or wrong way to...grieve." Offering a faint smile, Aysun met his eyes, the deep sorrow evident even in his wolfy form. "I'm keeping busy," she said, which was true enough. The event and the...events after the event were still fresh on her mind, and between work and her near manic cooking, her mind and body were safely occupied. "Have you, um, been in your wolf form since...?"

[dhruvxmehta]

"You're alright," he reassured her again as she clung to him, "I'm not leaving." Dhruv simply shook his head at the whispered thanks. "No need for that." He wasn't doing this for anything in return, the aim really was to allow her enough space to feel safe and to make sure she wasn't alone. Taking the slow nod as a yes, he scrolled his playlists — a disorganised mess really — till some of a gentler acoustic kind caught his eye. With the volume low enough to not be jarring but loud enough to drown out the outside he hit play hoping it would be somewhat of a useful distraction away from things. To draw from own experiences couldn't be put into effect here, not when he had been completely alone in the times he succumbed to panic attacks, dragging himself out of the darkness exhaustingly alone. Offering a solid presence was all he could do and hoped if nothing else this at least would be accepted.

With an ear to the outside a sigh of relief sounded at the storm relenting, "I think it stopped," he told her attempting to peek outside and catch the state the state of this through the window. "We can still stay here though if it feels safer for you?" He didn't move completely, not yet, but did open up the doors of the cupboard a little more than before. Claustrophobic had been an unwanted discovery but whatever he had felt from this tiny space right now he did manage to push away. Concern flicked back to her, "You doing any better, love? Do you need anything?"

Elif’s entire body trembled against him, every sharp crack of thunder sending another jolt of fear through her veins. She clung to Dhruv as if letting go would send her spiraling into the storm itself, lost to the chaos and the howling winds that mirrored the tempest inside her. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think—everything was too much, too loud, too consuming.

But, then warm and steady hands reached out to ground her. His voice, low and gentle, broke through the static of her panic. She could barely process the words, but she felt them in the way he held her and in the way his presence didn't waver even when she was nothing but a shaking mess. Her fingers dug into his clothes as if anchoring herself to reality and she found herself not wanting to let go. She couldn't.

Another boom of thunder cracked through the air, shaking the earth beneath them, and a soft yelp tore from her lips just as he began to shift in place. Her hands clung desperately onto him. A silent plea for him not to leave her too. Only he didn't pull away. He instead placed headphones over her eyes.

The moment the headphones slipped over her ears, Elif’s breath hitched. Amber eyes widening as she looked up at him, not just meeting his gaze, but truly seeing him. It was as if time itself fractured, the storm and the chaos fading into the background, leaving only this—the space between them, charged yet fragile, something unspoken threading its way through the silence. Her chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, but for the first time since the panic took hold, she wasn’t drowning. He was practically a stranger. That’s what he was, wasn’t he? An acquaintance who had made some offhanded comments and semi bonded as they sat next to one another at a bar? He was someone she barely knew. And, yet, in one moment, he became a physical amalgamation of the calm within the storm. Not a fleeting shelter, but a solid anchor amidst the wreckage of her fear.

Her fingers curled against the headphones, as if testing the weight of this kindness, the sheer gentleness of it. A lump formed in her throat, but she couldn’t look away. Couldn’t break the moment, no matter how fleeting it might be. The thunder rumbled again, distant but still there, and she flinched—but this time, she didn’t fall apart. Not completely. Because he was still there, his presence unwavering.

Her bottom lip quivered, betraying the fragility still clinging to her as she gave him a small nod. Slow at first, then again, a shaky bob of her head that felt as if it took everything she had left. Her amber eyes were still tethered to his as her bottom lip parted. And then, just as it felt like there was no breath left in her lungs, no strength left to give, a whisper slipped from her lips, "Thank you."

[dhruvxmehta]

"Do you like doing it?" he asked genuinely, "I know and can see you care a lot, not questioning that, but does that stem from obligation or sincerity?" It wasn't a pry into motives just a curiosity to know if the man still cared outside of the advisor role. "We have key cards to enter the building, and some have further access to specialised rooms with equipment. Don't know about entry and exit logs though, you'll have to ask the supervisors or check with the Song family for details."

He nodded, "I do, mate, like I said I trust you." As JC spoke further, franticness dwindled as he listened on intently. Information was pieced together in a jigsaw of bits on what he gathered from others and JC's added to the puzzle, "I see. Blackmail, making promises, incentives, it's expected innit? Suspicion is already running free I'm afraid, they knew where I kept the vials and let me tell you it wasn't just out on the bench." Trying not to let vexation rise again Dhruv willed himself towards a calmer headspace.

"Discoveries is one way to put it. Experiments and research, JC, that's what we do here. Not just for wolves either. For all. To understand the how and why, it's fascinating mate, we're trying for something great here. For a while I thought my potential was wasted here but I have a new goal now." Had he not seen the way Song controlled the weather that night he likely would not have believed it, amidst chaos and mayhem, rain should have been soothing except it had only confused him to see the wielder, elation was felt too but there was no room for excitement that night and the days that followed. Humans gaining supernatural abilities had become a focus point, a shift away from sorrow and grief and he latched onto it like a lifeline. "It's unfortunate that someone else beat me to it...too many distractions," he clicked his tongue chiding himself, "I'll still figure it out." One way or another.

He looked to JC, "That's easier said than done. How do I leave it behind?"

"That's my job. I'm here to go between the the pack and the Alpha and the Council," JC said with a nod, and while he did not always agree with the others in that room, he himself did take that responsibility seriously. "Do you all have some sort of...key fob access or anything? Are there logs of entry and exit points?" Such things had proven somewhat helpful around the hospital break-ins, but he was also acutely aware they would once again be dealing with the same uncooperative family.

"I hope you know you can count on me." Júlio César offered this softly, but he noticed the change in Dhruv's demeanor and did not push the topic further. Instead, he continued to walk about the room, looking for anything that seemed out-of-place.

"Yeah, but not the only," he mumbled, wrinkling up his nose. "She was the mastermind behind a lot of what's happened here, but there's been times when...people were blackmailed. Or made promises. The mole could be any random Lunar Covian with something to lose or gain." He gave a low sigh. "Not to sow seeds of suspicion or anything."

He tucked his hands into his pockets. "If I find something, you'll know. Secret-keeping doesn't get us anywhere, and as far as I'm concerned, you're the very best feet to have on the ground here. I will absolutely make this whole thing a pack problem. Especially given..." He knit his brow. "The discoveries made about wolves here." Some part of him feared that if wolfhood could be given, maybe it could also be taken away if deconstructed from the right base. "Fair enough. You know yourself. Unsolicited advice? Let it out during the moon. Get it out all in one night, and leave it there in the woods."

[dhruvxmehta]

"Poppy..." he dragged out the name trying to match that a face, sounded familiar and a few seconds later it clicked. "She's the supreme, innit? I see it now." What he saw was speckledwith blurriness but that's something of his own doing and in no way did it effect the sly smile on of the other. "That right?" A brow rose along with a corner of his lips upwards to a smirk, "Shame that I seem to need a rejog of me own memory," Dhruv clicked his tongue and left his gaze rake over the other, "Ain't a bad face either mate..." But it began to grow a little annoying that he couldn't quite place it. "You ain't famous or anything are ya? Don't wanna be going men'al tryna figure you out if there's nothing to it."

He couldn't stop thinking about Song kind of controling his newfound powers. It wasn't perfect control by any means, far from it, but it hit him like a truck. He had had his powers for nearly his whole life, and even before that he had known he was going to have them. It was an inevitability, his natural state. Yet, aside from his telepathy, he couldn't control it properly.

In the aftermath he had tried, he'd sat in the town green trying to focus his telekinesis, the worst of his tormenters - aim it, focus it, even silence it. Anything, he just needed to do something with it. It wasn't enough that he could pick out voices in the caucophany of noise that damn near overwhelmed him when he allowed himself to be in a state where he could reach his magic - he wanted it to be useful. But no, it hadn't worked.

So he had slunk to a bar, a ranging headache pounding at his temples. No amount of aspirin would help him, only his usual prescription of alcohol and distraction. The cold beer seemed to help quickly, though he was sure it was more placebo than anything after one mouthful. He was pulled out of feeling sorry for himself by a man down the bar calling to him. "Ah, probably? I'm Poppy's twin." He explained, people knew Poppy, it was his easiest reference. "But I don't think we've met, I would definitely remember meeting you." He added quickly, flashing a cheeky smile at the man. "I'm Linden."

[dhruvxmehta]

Spotting a face he had recently encountered in his wolf form Dhruv called out for her attention as he crossed the street. "Hey! Oi...farm girl!" A name would certainly help here except he didn't know it and hoped she wouldn't mind too terribly on being called farm girl. "Hang on a tick..." Her need to leave was noted in the way she rushed to get to her truck but that caused his own pace to quicken to catch up. Only when he did, he caught the unmistakeable rattle of chains and with the knowledge that she was a wolf, a sound like that close to the full moon only pointed at one thing. Movements paused as he eyed the bag, thinking if he should or should ask about it. And he might have were he not made to park that for the time being and address what she said first.

"We both know that's not exactly true, love. Heard you talk quite a bit in English." She had done most of the actual talking now that he thought back to their previous unsuccessful attempt at a conversation. "Ain't feral anymore, not that I ever was. Isn't this—" he said, pointing between them and their human forms, "—preferred over charades? Pero no hay problema, sé suficiente español." No problem, I know enough Spanish.

With: @lunarcovestarters Where: Outside Luke's Hardware, a few hours before the full moon

The rattle of chains could be heard from the duffle bag on Lara's shoulder as she headed to the bed of her truck. Chains, some rope, a new lock for her recently built barn. The plan was to lock herself inside and hope for the best. The only time she'd turned without a pack was the first one, and that was not an experience she cared to recreate. Lara was an angry wolf, it seemed, all of that deep-seated resentment welling quickly to the surface when inhibitions were stripped away by animal instincts.

So, past experiences told her that she needed to take precautions, and she had every intention of doing so. She just needed to get back to get back to her new abode. Something that Lara was trying to do, even though she could hear someone trying to get her attention. She had no time for chitchat, even less than usual, and She didn't turn around as she threw the bag into the back, mumbling out, "No hablo inglés."