homeless_pard | Ghosts of the Past

Entry tags:

jason au,
starter

Ghosts of the Past

Who: Beryl, Nat, a reporter?
When: Once she's back on the low level MMA circuit, before the looking at buying a place.
What: Being...traced?

She adjusted the tape along her hands and smiled loosening up a touch in her corner. It was good to be back honestly, she'd taken four out of five matches so far and things were doing okay. She was getting her rhythm back, and she could see Nat sitting in the stands, that delicate mix of apprehensive and delighted to watch her. She could get the mixed feelings honestly, they made sense...

...but she was belatedly glad her boy was tall yes. Else she couldn't have picked him out so easily with many of the 'fans' choosing to fill the bleachers near him. She blew him a cheerful kiss before sliding her bite guard back in and ignored the honest to gods flashes going off as she turned her back to eye her opponent. A lot of sports enthusiasts and writers actually went with real cameras instead of cellphones so it could get a little bulb happy out there.

Given where the majority of the crowd was, well, the photography had to be getting great shots of her opponent's form...and her ass. Great, Nat was going to scrapbook the shit out of any magazines she ended up in and it would be nicknamed the 'hot in spandex' book or something by Eric and Lani. It made her snort a laugh, which pissed off her opponent, making him swing just a touch wide so she could bend and lash her heel into his hip, then her knee to his chin ad he buckled. TKO.

She grinned, adrenaline singing through her as she turned to beam at Nat, and caught another faceful of flashbulbs. Bah. "Excuse me, Beryl? Are you Ms. Beryl?"

"Hey, yeah, but I'm busy," she snorted ducking under the ropes to go to Nat for a kiss before hitting the showers! She barely registered the unassuming man muttering an apology and just flashing a few more pics before she was happily padding to the showers. Charles was going to demand she try that move on him again in a few days as they practiced so she didn't bother trying to poke him now. Let him go home and grump about getting old to his teens, who'd reassure him and make him a protein shake before he got a beer. He was a good guy, just competitive as shit.

After Beryl was safely away the man wove carefully through the crowd to smile hesitantly at Nathaniel, "hey, can you spell her name for me? I want to be sure to get things right but she...I guess she doesn't do ringside interviews huh?"

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::Look at you...:: Beryl purred, even down as she was she could admit her Nat was glorious right now. He had many forms of glory, admittedly, but gods, he was breathtaking!

Dan just...looked quietly resigned. "Article is still going through," he admitted quietly. "I'm not an asshole, I'm just blackmailed with my daughter's life." IMPORTANT TO GET THAT OUT THERE SOONEST WITH WHATEVER THE FUCK WAS HOLDING HIM!

He gave her a worried look. "Are you ok?"

Nathaniel blinked at Dan's admission. He didn't want to understand a reason for this horrible thing he'd tried to do. But still, a father in front of him willing to do anything for his child...that hit him hard. "Who?" he growled, energy still crackling off of him with high emotion.

::Going to pass out,:: she admitted, spitting another glob of blood. Fucking bleeding cheeks! ::Soon probably, used resources I don't have fighting this...:: But he was here which meant it was okay!

:;Still sexiest man I know.:: Hundred percent. If she wasn't drugged she'd be petting that blood soaked fur!

"Don't know," he admitted simply. "Someone better than me. I can find anyone...except my daughter, I get pictures and no one ever saw them there by time I trace it."

He couldn't help but turn his attention to that glob of blood she'd spit out: she was hurt. He closed his eyes tight, trying to block out the sudden urge to lash out at the thing that hurt her...

"NOT HER!" he found himself snapping with a feral snarl. "Who was trying to take Beryl?!"

"I thought that was obvious," Dan admitted calmly, not flinching when he snarled. "Only one after her even with her background is her family." Simple as that really.

"Only one still alive anyway." He had his suspicions about the college boyfriend in his research.

"They can't have her." He felt those tremors starting again, but hopefully in his shifted form it would come across as threatening. "They can't."

He hadn't pushed for a lot of information, but she'd told him before what they wanted from her and he couldn't bear the thought of them having her under their control.

"I'm not letting you take her."

"I did pick up on that sentiment," he sighed slightly. "But they apparently have money so they will send others, or my leash holder will insist I try again." Just saying?

"You may want to ask her about options to shut them down."

Try again?

His hair raised along his spine as another hiss spat from his throat.

He was not going to let that happen. Not to his person. They could send whoever they wanted...but he wasn't going to make it easy for them to send someone who already knew so much about them.

He didn't react when he heard the air whoosh behind him, he was still so intent on the man who was a threat to his Beryl.

"Nathaniel." Asher's voice was cautiously commanding from the open van door. When Nathaniel didn't show any response, he repeated himself, just as commanding but with a softness to it that hadn't been there before. "Nathaniel, please; be still."

Nathaniel shook, his unblinking eyes not leaving Dan for a second. "No...I can't..."

Asher practically flowed into the van, gently reaching out a hand to brush Nathaniel's shoulder. "Yes you can. Let me help you."

Dan just...waited? Hands on his head still, there was almost an eerie calm in fact. Sure, he'd die, but there were dead drops to the rare professionals he trusted with all of his assets (barring one trust fund) listed for liquidation and used to find his daughter. Fair trade really.

Then there was a vampire.

Shit.

"I'm sorry, it's just the truth," he sighed. "That's why I suggested you discuss how to resolve her family once she's awake." They'd see where this went.

Nathaniel tried unsuccessfully to mask the shudder in his breath. "You don't understand," he cried out.

"I understand that this man is currently not a threat, but not without information. The other men, however, are dead, with a human witness outside and you standing in here in fur and covered in blood." Asher squeezed his shoulder a bit more firmly. "Pause and think."

Nathaniel's face crumpled, but he didn't answer: his shoulders just shook silently.

Asher coolly studied the human kneeling on the floor. "Take her away from here and make sure she is not injured. I will see to it that everything here is dealt with."

"I understand," Dan admitted quietly. "It's okay." Not that he expected HIS words to matter here but hey, two cents worth. Staying with a vampire, not exactly his favorite activity, but he'd manage!

The cabbie was VERY FIRMLY sitting in the cab and waiting yes. YUP. Just waiting!

Beryl was a warm weight against Nat's ankles, and the wind outside the van shifted, bringing with it the scent of ripening grain.

He still hesitated another moment, but at last he eased back and crouched next to Beryl, his eyes still locked on Dan. Despite his current form and temperament, he was surprisingly gentle as he scooped her limp form into his arms. Asher remained unwaveringly cool as he watched Nathaniel...somewhat back down. "Thank you, Nathaniel. Take her home and I will contact you tomorrow."

Dan was given one final glare and a silent hiss as Nathaniel ducked out of the van, clutching Beryl close to his chest. The moment he was out of the van, he felt the shaking grow stronger. Beryl was unconscious, her own blood still on her lips. And around them...oh god...those bodies; what had he done? He choked out a sob, and with that breath he sensed that ripening grain in the air. He paused, breathing it in deeply while pressing his cheek to Beryl's. "I'm so sorry," he sobbed under his breath.

Dan watched him, looking away would be a disservice, and only when the boy had made it out of the van did his gaze shift back to Asher's...shoulder. "They won't be missed. Disposable muscle, I ensure that." Since he had to work for terrible people.

* * *

"Shhhhh child it's alright," Gunnora whispered on the wind. "Come, rest a moment and you can tend to your injured warrior."

The Cabbie was looking around, feeling odd a moment, then felt safe enough to get out of the cab? He was standing by the hood in a moment or two, "need help kid?"

Asher smiled; it was hardly a comforting sight. "Wonderful. They will not be found, either." He bent forward with little concern for the human in front of him and picked up the gun from the floor. "As for yourself, I am certain you understand we have...quite a bit to discuss once I am not occupied with cleaning up this mess. You will excuse me?"

There was no question in his tone: he was not asking, not in any sense. He turned his attention to his phone, fingers deftly tapping out messages.

* * *

Nathaniel found himself breathing deeply despite the wracking sobs threatening just under the surface. "I won't let them take her," he whispered to Gunnora against Beryl's hair. "Even if they get me for...this. As long as they don't take her."

Nathaniel didn't realize he'd already made it to the cab. He should have been a terrifying sight with the blood beginning to dry in his fur. Should have been. Another deep breath of that warm scent wrapped around him and his form wavered, shifting him easily back into human form; it didn't make him feel any less monstrous, though. "Can you drive us home, please?" he rasped softly.

"Your cleaner or mine?" he offered simply. Yeah, vampire smiles were never reassuring but kind of normal to run into in his circles at times. Hence watching the shoulder instead. For his...peace of mind. Ah, but there he went.

Well, he was getting off his knees at least. No reason to make his joints hurt waiting. Off his knees and sitting crosslegged still in the van to wait. He was a very cooperative type at need.

* * *

Weird weather today yeah, he settled his hat better on his head, shook off the weird idea that a bloody tarmac at night smelled like a picnic spot and...prosaically went to pop his trunk open. "Towel?" he offered kindly. "I've a blanket back here too, stuff happens..." but he probably wanted the towel first and the blanket for his...

...oh hey, "stunner," he blinked. "You two match." Wow.

Asher scoffed at that. "Kind of you to offer, but there is hardly a need for that." He settled comfortably against the opening of the van door. "Do not worry, they will not keep us waiting long."

* * *

Nathaniel looked at the cabbie warily before carefully settling Beryl into the backseat and accepting the towel. He was...he was a mess. How he could shift and still have blood on him never made sense, but then very little about the whole act of shifting made sense. He made a face and tucked the soiled towel under his arm, reaching for the blanket. "Thank you," he murmured, barely audible. Still completely unselfconscious that he stood outside the cab completely nude, he leaned in and draped the blanket over the seat, leaving most of it free to wrap around Beryl once he could pull her back into his arms.

He shrugged, a limber, almost liquid motion ignoring the fact his hands were still on his head, "had to offer." Simple as that really. "New I didn't have enough info on all of this." Yeeeeah. Knew the boyfriend worked at the vamp club, not that a vamp claimed him.

Fucking hell.

* * *

"It's okay kid. Need a Gatorade or a slim jim? All I got but..." kid looked like he'd been through the wringer. "And you sure your girl doesn't need the hospital?" Just to make sure?

He'd kick himself later if he didn't ask!

Asher chuckled glumly. "Discretion is key to longevity. However you will find that being free with what knowledge you have a necessity should you wish to live longer than this night."

The rats would be on their way and Jean Claude had been informed. He'd have preferred to be checking on his pomme, but that was going to have to wait. He sighed and rolled his eyes towards his...oddly comfortable captive. "I do not suppose you smoke?"

* * *

Nathaniel shook his head, clinging desperately to Beryl. "I'm ok," he intoned without much thought. No, he was more concerned with monitoring every heartbeat and breath from Beryl's unconscious form. She was really under now, but her breathing was steady. As far as he could sense, she had no major injuries and he sent a silent thanks to Gunnora. Well...Ayunna if she could hear him, but if not he didn't think Gunnora would withhold his gratitude from her.

He should have been hungry, but he wasn't feeling very much at all. Not physically at least. He nuzzled his cheek against her hair. He wouldn't let them take her...

"By all means," he agreed easily. "I am well aware how such events like this work and do not have loyalty so much as a harsh leash." So info dumping was utterly within his intent.

Smoking? Heh. "No, but one of the muscle heads did, Ryan I think? Guy with the awful tshirt on, should have a pack in his pockets."

* * *

The cabbie eyed the boy who seemed, of all things, in the midst of a panic attack more than anything. He reached in to set the snack and gatorade in the cup holder by Nat's knee (just in case) before sliding back in to drive. "Alright kid, I assume we're headed for the first address I got tonight then?"

Asher cocked an eyebrow at that. "How fortunate for us both."

He scanned the bodies around them; honestly they all wore awful clothing in his opinion, but he caught the whiff of stale smoke coming from one of the nearby mangled bodies and leaned over to poke around in the...remains. Lycanthropes always left such a mess of their victims...there, he found a pack and lighter, and thankfully a couple of cigarettes remained intact and unsullied. He lit one and leaned back against the van, clearly enjoying it.

Vampires smoked? Apparently this one did.

* * *

"Yes please," Nathaniel murmured softly. He eyed the Gatorade from behind Beryl's hair but made no move to take it. After a long while, his soft, trembling voice asked, "Are you going to tell?"

"Body habit?" He was a curious sort, so, why not ask? He wasn't certain if the vampire biology as it were could be effected by nicotine so! Besides, it might be a while, and it was a bit more engaging to talk to a vamp than it was to run through various scenarios again in his head.

* * *

The cabbie snorted, easing them out of the airport weird zones as it were, "no kid. Far as I'm concerned this cab is a safe zone for anyone who needs it. Whether that's a runaway kid, a tweaker, or a kitty man needing to get his girlfriend." Period. Streets could get bad on night shifts, so always best to be safe to approach!

"Even got the tiny stickers on the window there saying so."

Asher chuckled, thinking back through the centuries in a moment. "No, simply an enjoyable action." He smiled wickedly. "Humans question far less when you are smoking together; it was an enjoyable tool."

He took another long, satisfied drag of the cigarette. "Should I be expecting others or was this your lot?"

* * *

Nathaniel pressed his nose deeper into Beryl's hair: he'd heard that before. Sometimes the ones who were the most well-meaning were the ones to be trusted the least in his experience. Besides, how many bodies could be torn apart in front of someone before they decide you're what people need to be safe from...

"Thank you," he mumbled.

He nodded, "same reason a lot of spooks and spies smoke. It's an easy mental hack with targets." He did similar with a different tactic though. He just never felt the risk of smoking was outweighed by the benefits in his line of work!

"I have thirty two hours to show up with target or report in on failure. After that I'm assumed dead or rogue."

* * *

As far as he was concerned several meat slabs had kidnapped a girl. Who the hell would be on their side? As long as the bodies weren't constant and not in his cab, well, some people out there just needed to die. "No thanks needed kid. You just focus on you and keeping your girl safe okay? And if you do decide she needs a hospital I'm on duty until dawn."

Asher raised his hand in a gesture as if to say, 'see, you know'. "Thirty-two hours is enough time for us. I do not suppose you had a specified location of her family for delivery?" It was clear he doubted that, but he had to ask. Anyone going to this much trouble would be wise enough to avoid meeting in person.

"You spoke of a leash: tell me more about them."

* * *

Nathaniel quietly processed that for a moment. "She's been drugged but I think that's her only real bad injury. I just want to get her home where it's safe."

Hell, the state she was in if he brought her to the hospital they might think he'd done it. And a background check into him would only confirm their suspicions.

The cabbie seemed...legit at least. He couldn't help but be wary, though. "How did you know who to call?"

Indeed, psychological shortcuts were every humanoid predator's friend! "Hand off to a shipping company to a drop point," he sighed. "Rare a mission like this leads to a direct handoff unless it's truly for something good." Bringing kidnapped toddlers home for example, those were public! Just rare people on the good side of things had the money for it.

"My 'employer'," he noted sourly, "has my child. Tortured my wife to death on my last mission out, took my child, I get outdated pictures and updates on her when I complete missions."

* * *

"Fucking cowards," he swore, "drugs are never, ever a good sign. They deserved everything they got." Obviously. Jackasses.

"A company called you a ride kid, I just asked dispatch for the number that called for you, assumed you might have people who could help there. I'd have done the same if your coworkers called you a cab because you worked a double shift at a gas station."

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