Getting to know you....(chapter 1.2 Night shift)

[LadyJallyn]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:50 pm -Akira

The young Japanese woman had slid into one of the arm chairs once she had finished her apple and Krickett had started her round in DDR.

The soft  supple leather felt delightful and cool as the Department was air conditioned. The days heat slowly began to leave her body and Akira realized just how tired she really was.

Akira slipped off her blazer letting it rest on the edge of the arm chair and fished in the inner pocket of it to pull out a hair tie. She bound her waist length hair in a pony tail, before her jade green eyes slowly began to close and she listened to the merriment around her.

[Darkflame]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:47 pm - Darien

"Actually, I am quite interested to see what I am up against."  Darien told the werewolf.  "After you."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:47 pm -Nicky Dingo

A sly grin slid across the werewolf's face.  "You got it."  He slipped of his ever present trench coat to reveal a threadbare long sleeve summer weight sweater.  He ran his fingers through his frazzled blond hair and twisted his head to each side, cracking the vertebrae in his neck.  His knuckles followed.  Sensing that the rest of the room was getting tired of his posturing, he kicked off his shoes and stepped onto the platform.

"Gimme Get Up'N Move,"  Nicky said to Kyoko, who pulled up the requested song.  His movements were not as fluid as Crickett's but his focus was equally tight.  His responses were fast but not inhumanly so.  He was light on his feet for a man who spent most of his time leaning, slouching or lounging around.  Perhaps it was the amount of time he spent in larger heavier forms that gave him such a light touch with human feet.  He finished the song with all of his life bar intact.  He nodded, seeming satisfied.

"Maybe give him Boom Boom Dollar," Nicky suggested, when Darien stepped forward.  "It's a beginner song but not so easy that it would be an insult."

[Darkflame]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:50 pm -  Darien

"Ah, well, the consideration is appreciated."  Darien said as he stepped foreward, trying to prep.  Even watching two people before him, he had little idea what he was doing. 

He was certainly not the most graceful of participants, his brows furrowed in concentration as he attempted to both keep track of the arrows and his feet.  Alternately, he was also not completely horrible, although honestly Nicky won hands down in the contest as Darien knew he would.  Strangely enough, however, he actually found the challenge refreshing.  This.. was so much more pleasant than vampire politics.  "Well, that.. was interesting.  I daresay if I breathed I would be winded by that, woe is me.  You may commence the 'smack talk' now if you like."  Darien smirked a bit lopsidedly.

[Grimoire]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:50 pm -  Kyoko Chyuu

"Hah! Damn good job for a first try sir." Kyoko said with a grin putting her hands together in a quick clap. "I fell clean off the mat my first try..." She said distantly. "But yes one must declare Nicky the victor. Here you go." And the were-fox held out a piece of tinfoil bent and twisted into the shape of tiny chalice, or in this case, trophy. A amused smirk turning up the corners of her full lips. "For pwnage of noobs, keep it forever."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:51 pm -  Nicky Dingo

Nicky took the trophy with a mock bow.  He clapped Darien on the shoulder, perhaps a little harder than he needed to.  "He impressed me by actually stepping up," the Australian said.  "Stuffy old blood suckahs don't like making fools of themselves.  At least this one has a sense of humour hidden inside his Armani."  He winked at Darien.  "Next thing you need to do to be one of us is wait until Akira falls asleep and then hand Crickett a Sharpie."

[LadyJallyn]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception - 10:52 pm -  Akira

"I heard that." Akira mumbled her eyes still closed. "Do so at your peril."

[Salamanth]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception � 10:46 - 10:52 pm - Krickett

Vesper�s applause caught Krickett�s attention and she moved to the new face in the crowd so to speak.  She cast a sideways glance towards Nicky as he started his posturing and then swung her bright curious gaze back on Vesper.

�Thank you I am glad you thought I was good. Are you one of the noobs? I�m Krickett and I have lived here longer then anybody else.� She told the young man in a conspiratorial whisper.  She went and got a �juice box� and returned to Vesper but waved to Michael as she flitted by the �bogeyman�

Once more standing next to the young Bone Gnawer Krickett turned her attention to the game watching Nicky strut his stuff. She was clapping when he finished and smiled �You did good Nicky!� and then smiled encouragingly at �Mr Armani� as he made his way to the mat.

She danced along with Darien, hoping she could give him some good mojo, so as he would not be facing a trouncing by Nicky. When he stepped off the mat with just over half a life bar left she gave a cheer, �Give it a few sessions and you will be up there with rest of us� she said encouragingly.

Krickett then turned her attention back towards Vesper and smiled only to look at Nicky as she overheard the sharpie comment and Akira�s reply.

�If I write on the walls I will have my markers taken away Nicky so something tells me that writing on a person is even worse! Don�t worry Babadora I shan�t do that even if I got permission like you did with Darkheart to do those experiments that got Toronto�s panties in a bunch!�

With this reassurance to the tinier but mentally older vampire she took a breath and turned back to Vesper. �Have you done this before, DDR I mean and please try if you have not � She smiled at the young man as she said this and then whispered. �And go before Kyoko or Babs otherwise you might feel well that you could never compete�

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception 10:52 pm - Paul

"You might want to add me to that list," Paul said, leaning over to talk to Crickett.  "I pwn at this game.  I have mad skills."  The young woman clearly had issues but that didn't mean they couldn't be friends.  Vesper looked a little strung out but he'd learned not to judge a book by its cover, except maybe for the Bogeyman in the corner.  He was just too damned creepy.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception 10:51 pm - Samuel Keme

He noted as he approached the room where everyone was gathered that there were a multitude of new scents, tastes and sounds and a tiny minority of them came from humans. There seemed to be a small army, of what had to be vampires given the distinctive nature of their scent/taste, which was dead and very odd, a human he didn't recognize by smell but sounded like skater boy, dingy he recognized, something that was distinctly feminine and was something yet again altogether different from all the rest and finally Akira.

He padded his way silently and cautiously to the edge of the door and peered in just as dingy was being presented with is trophy for pounding the new guy at the dance game. He was shocked at the number of vampires. It was like an entire nest of the them in here and they were all a bit different. He was storing faces with scents when his eyes fell across the vampire that looked like something out of a bad horror movie. This, he thought, was definitely, a new experience. He wondered what the hell would do that to a vampire and why he hadn't done something to heal it.

He blinked twice and continued around the room noting Akira trying to doze in the seat, the skater kid, he was the unknown human, he wondered briefly about the vampire that looked like a child and how she had come to be what and where she was and finally couldn't resist any longer and looked at the other completely new scent. She was a lovely looking, not human....something.

Talk about intriguing new experiences. He hadn't even been here twelve hours yet and he'd already been exposed to a much larger world than he knew existed and learned how frighteningly easy it would be to have the great secret of his peoples existence exposed for anyone to see. Exciting times, indeed, he thought to himself.

He moved silently into the room and curled up unobtrusively out of the way to watch the proceedings.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception 10:51 pm - Michael Redding

Michael watched the great cat enter with avid interest.  Perhaps it was a pet or mascot or perhaps even a trained animal that was used by the department but any of these was an unlikely conclusion, based on the fact it was A: entering a room full of vampires and shapeshifters voluntarily without any wariness and B: the department obviously employed any number of shapeshifters.  Why not a great cat?  There were legends from all over the world regarding them, almost as many as could be found regarding werewolves.  The big question was, why wasn't it in human form?  Perhaps it was more comfortable as an animal or perhaps, like humans that could become cats, it was a cat that could become human.  If that was the case, it would certainly have an alien perspective on just about everything, from technology to morality.  If it was a catwere, rather than a werecat, if a conversation could be had it would be an interesting one.

[Sonovaditch]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:47-10:52 - Vesper Novak

"Noobs? Hm, I suppose I am," he replied to the child-like woman with a smile, "Krickett is a good name. Crickets chirp like charming little chorus singers at night, and hop around like acrobats. Talented bugs - I like them. Your performance tells me you have some of that talent." He spoke of everything as facts rather than mere compliments or matters of opinion. Nothing that came from his mouth was filtered for those around him, though - he was completely honest, for better or for worse.

Vesper applauded Nicky as his dance came to a close, taken by his skill - he was less fluid than Krickett, sure, but captivating in his own charming way.

Next up was Darien. Vesper was a little surprised Darien was a first timer. He was rougher than Krickett and Nicky had been, but the man's hand-eye coordination was clearly well developed for someone dressed like a business man. Krickett wasn't lying when she said he'd be up-to-speed with a few sessions.

Ves grinned as the Irish Asain called Kyoko awarded Nicky his tinfoil trophy. He looked to Krickett as she asked about the game. "I haven't," he replied in a smaller voice (something trying to be but failing at being a whisper), "And I think I would thoroughly enjoy that."

He eyed the boy who had leaned over to talk to them. He was really... young. Vesper smiled. "You should go after me, boy with mad skills and general pwnage. If I wait until after you, I will probably look worse than I am at games."

With that, Vesper made his way to the front where Nicky still stood, noticing a rather large wild cat had joined them. "May I challenge your title?" he asked his fellow Bonegnawer, a wry smile touching his lips.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:52 - Nicky Dingo

Nicky grinned, a real live, honest to God grin.  "Stepping up to challenge, eh?  I suppose I'll let you challenge for my trophy and newb killah title.  Alright, brother.  Let's see what you've got.  Kyoko, I'll take 'Smoke' on basic.  Pick something for him that a newb can handle."

Nicky took control of the pad again and once more completed the Smoke on the Water remix with proficiency.  If he was expecting to do as well against Vesper as he had against Darien, he was sadly mistaken.  Although hesitant and unsure at first, the younger werewolf caught on quickly and proceeded to kick Nicky's proverbial ass.

The older werewolf shook his head and stepped back from the platform.  "You may have youth and speed but I still have experience and treachery," he said.  "I'll hold onto your trophy for now but I fully expect you to keep it."



OOC:  This is the DDR song list I'm using...  http://www.ddrfreak.com/versions/songlist.php?mix=44

OOC: Two successes for Nicky but three (two of them tens for Vesper.

[Darkflame]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:52 - Darien

Darien found himself a bit surprised at the compliments, but pleased none the less, and the general pleasantry of the werewolf Nicky towards him was actually rather pleasing as well.  This was certainly a strange situation to be in but not one that he could not learn to live with.  He laughs softly at akira's comment.  "yes, I do believe it would be at my greatest peril.  Ah well...."  he watched the other young man beat Nicky quite soundly.  "Ah if he is as new to this as I am, then I find myself at a loss.  I will have to practice quite intensely I think."  He sighed, seating himself so that he might have a good view of the proceedings.

[Salamanth]

Department 7 Headquarters - Destiny's Room - 10:33 pm - Destiny Jacobson

Destiny's footsteps echoed down the hallway as she made her way slowly trying to figure out where she was. A breeze brushed by and her fingers sought the small silk bag a deep breath being taken and she started praying softly.A brush against her cheek had the medium touching her cheek wonderingly and then she saw something with a soft blue white glow and then what appeared to be a butterfly  floated or more accurately drifted down the hall way ahead of her.

 With a shake of her head Destiny again began walking down the hallway but now despite her grip on the bag the light seemed to becoming dimmer, the breeze she thought she had felt earlier raising the wisps of hair that had escaped her braid throughout the day.She stopped and spun in a circle as invisible fingers tugged at her clothing traced along her spine causing goose flesh to rise up.

The light in the hallway became tunnel like and she followed it her heart starting to pound a trickle of sweat running between her shoulderblades. Her feet kept moving down the hallway that now seemed to stretch before her to eternity. With a nervous lick of her lips Destiny followed the growing number of glowing butterflies that flitted ahead of her, unsure to what she was walking into but unable not to keep going.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:56 - Heinrich Faust

The door to the common room opened and for those with a keen sense of smell, the air was rich with new scents.  "Good evening, all," Heinrich said, holding the door and allowing the two people with him to enter.  "I'd like to introduce Tabitha Monroe, one of our new recruits and major Lawrence Talbot.  He's one of our instructors.  They've been assigned to this branch.  I hope you all give them a warm Hamilton welcome."

Nicky did double take.  He wasn't sure if he liked Talbot but Tabitha certainly caught his eye.  "Welcome to the pack," he said, the words slipping off his tongue in a lazy Australian drawl. 

[LadyJallyn]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:56 - Babadora

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Babdora." The young raven haired vampire replied as she gave a small curtsy. Her storm cloud colored eyes roaming over the new recruits as she digested their aura coloration's for more information.

[Grimoire]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:56 - Kyoko Chyuu

Kyoko looked up from her spot on the floor by the couch, craning her neck to look at the two new people, she gave a smile and a wave of the hand.
"Good evenin' to yeh. And welcome to the frey, we're playin DDR, resistance is futile." She said standing herself up and nudging the, now slightly melted tub of ice and drinks into a more visable positon. "Grab yourself a drink and a spot! The names Kyoko Chyuu."
She wasn't terribly concerned about how either of the two viewed her, in a tank top and Pink Floyd boxers and knee socks, truth be told she'd forgotten entirely that she wasn't truly dressed for company. Several more strands had escaped the ponytail that bounced merrily as she stood. As for the other two she'd long ago learned not to judge a book by it's cover...Text...epilogue...or anything really. As long as they didn't plan on burning down headquarters as some had in the past, they were good in her book.

[Darkflame]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:56 - Darien

Darien turned toward the door as the newcomers entered, wondering about them.. especially after what nicky said.  'welcome to the pack' hmm?  Was he to suppose that the new recruit was another werewolf?  This group was getting more and more interesting.

[Goosekat]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:57 p.m.  - -  Tabitha  - -

Tabby took in all the new faces in one quick look around the room.  She was surprised at the rather formal welcome she got from one of the pale looking woman who introduced herself as Babadora.  The other woman who welcomed her was relaxing on the floor and pushed a container of cold drinks in their direction as she spoke.  But it was the Australian that really caught her attention.  Her smile broadened into a grin as she gave him a quick once over.  "It's a pleasure to be here," she replied to his welcome.  She grabbed a Coke out of the tub and leaned against the wall next to the couch.  Tabby hadn't played DDR for at least a good three years and was feeling rather rusty. 

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:58 - Lawrence Talbot

The tall man nodded in greeting, although he didn't seem impressed by the assembled crowd.  The reaction was most noticeable when his eyes fell on the Nosferatu.  His features tightened and his hands curled into fists but he didn't actually make the attack he so clearly wanted to make.  For his part Michael didn't move a muscle.  He wasn't much of a fighter and didn't want to provoke the new arrival into any sudden moves.

"Dude, chill,"  Paul said, looking at Talbot.  "He's one of the good guys."

[Grimoire]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:58 - Kyoko Chyuu

"If yeh're gonna make an enemy of one of us, yeh'll be makin one of all of us. Friendly pokin we don't mind however. Beggin yer pardon though sir, I'm sure you were just caught off gaurd. This is Michael, I assure you we don't just let beasties not on our side waltz in and watch the DDR tourneys." Kyoko said her brown almond shaped eyes sending an intense and appraising look at their new instructor...In her experience it was always the superiors who seemed to turn out evil. She hoped most sincerely he'd prove her wrong and she wouldn't have to get between the two. Because she had no problems in doing so, even if both of the parties were new.

[Salamanth]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 10:59 - Krickett

Krickett had stopped mirror dancing behind the last DDR contestant and turned towards the door when the newcomers had entered, watching reactions, her eyes peering shyly at first, weighing people up.

She suddenly sprung over the back of the couch and then slithered onto the floor crawling towards Tabitha and Talbot inches above the floor sniffing at legs and ankles like a pup might. Sniff, sniff, sniff! then she bounced up onto the balls of her feet and giggled merrily.

�I think we have our next contestants KyKy !  You want to be all combative and defensive and judgmental then prove your worth on the DDR mat. You can dance for the fun of it oh Nicky type girl!� she stated to Tabitha.

Then without further words Krickett dropped to her knees and started to tug on Talbot�s footwear. �But as the rules go absolutely no shoes, slippers, flip flops, sandals, boots, moccasins, clogs or crocs permitted on the mat! That's the rules! Resistance is futile! All must obey!�

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Reception - 11:00 - Talbot

Talbot looked down at the young woman tugging at his shoes.  "Mr Faust, with your permission, I'd like to retire for the evening."

Heinrich slowly shook his head.  "No, I'm afraid not, major," he said.  "I know you're tired but this will only take a few moments.  You'll find that you've got a better chance of winning their respect if they see you're willing to join them and make a fool of yourself.  In a month how well you perform will be forgotten, I suspect but if you walk away, that will be remembered forever.  Sometimes we need to sacrifice a little dignity to gain a little of something less definable but equally important."

Talbot looked hard at the director of department 7.  "I take it you will be participating?"

Heinrich smiled.  "Of course, major but I believe Krickett has chosen you to go next.  I fully intend to kick your ass, so try to  turn that competitive streak of yours into an asset and show us what you've got."

Talbot hesitated, clearly torn.  "If you're going to try to pull my shoes off, at least undo the laces," he said finally, lifting one foot off the ground so Krickett could successfully remove his shoes.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters -Reception 10:51 pm - Samuel Keme

He had dropped the bundle he had brought into the room, after he'd curled up and used it as a pillow while he watched the proceedings unobtrusively. He had to admit that the game was kind of catchy and entertaining. He hadn't played anything like this since he was a kid and was surprised to find that he was interested in trying it after watching the others.

Just as he was about to shift he looked up curious as he caught some new scents. He recognized one but the other two were brand new and holy shit if one wasn't yet another wolf. One of them smelled like Crocodile Dundee and his newfound buddy but the other one was different. A moment later El Jefe came into the room leading a woman and a man. The man was imposing and looked a bit out of his element with the relaxed gathering. The woman seemed very curious and perhaps excited and nervous about being presented to everyone.

As he watched the bizarre and frankly, entertaining, behavior of the vampire the man offered up his shoes to be taken off, he thought Well, he thought, it might as well be now. He was still uneasy about shifting so openly among non-bastet but he knew he had to get used to it. As he shifted back to his human form he caught his breechclout in his hands as he rose and was donning them almost before he'd finished the shift with a smooth practiced motion.