Cat and Mouse [Maus Impact]

[Reanna]

It was a night like any other night.

She loathed to leave her husband, now that he had finally returned, but she hadn’t much of a choice. She needed to feed and she had received word that her sister needed weapon parts. “I will return shortly,” she called over her shoulder as she pulled her braid from her jacket, though she was only met with silence as the man stared straight ahead with that dazed look in his eyes. He hadn’t quite been the same since he left the realm, but could she blame him? She’d been the same wreck. Pushing the thoughts aside before the infiltrated his mind, the Russian shut and locked her apartment door and headed for the elevator. She wasn’t sure where she would begin. Eat first, then the sword parts?

Couldn’t Nishaa had needed something from the sewers?

Before the doors could slide shut, two men weaseled their way in and stood in front of her, their voices loud and obnoxious as they spoke. Had they no respect? She shook her head as she chose to write them off as nuisances, their conversation becoming nothing but a blur as she listened to the soft vibration of the cart as it lowered them down. The second the ding sounded, she grabbed her bag and moved to push her way through, but bits of the conversation intruded on her thoughts and drew her up short.

"Have you heard? Some reporter has gone missing after letting it out that she had information that could 'change our lives.'"

"******* government, man. Always shutting **** down before we get the real scoop."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

It was minimal information, something that any normal person wouldn’t care for – but she wasn’t exactly normal. Any breath, any whisper that something could out her kind – her family and she took it to heart. With a quick groan, the Russian curled her fingers around the strap of her bag and dropped it to the floor so she could pull out her tome. “This is not good,” she whispered to herself as the book warmed. The world around her shifted and she was thankful for the fact that she had been invisible to the men to begin with as her feet touched the floor of the treehouse.

Dropping her pack to the ground, she pulled out her cell and brought up Ty’s member list, fingers working quickly to send out the mass text.

We have an issue. Report to Eyrie immediately. There has been a potential leak of evidence – but the reporter is missing.

Hitting send as she stepped onto the elevator, she rode it to the second floor before summoning her wraith to her and dialing up Nishaa and Jesse on a conference call. She knew they would respond to her text, but she also knew she had to get them there immediately. As she waited for them to answer, she settled back against the wall, one hand rubbing her face in agitation.

She had no idea how they were going to handle this – but she knew they had to try.

No good would come of this.

[Nishaa]

One Blade, Two Blade, Three Blade, Four.

Nishaa was in the Castle. She was trying to stay out of the way of the other vampires that seemed to reside here. She only wanted the parts that were hanging around on the floor. They seemed to have a really bad litter problem around these parts. She needed these parts really, so she could get to the making of some pretty kick *** blades. She weaved and meandered through the damn vampires picking things up. Until one of them saw her – the big, rather built vampire began to make his way over to the Necromancer. She could do nothing but smile at him as she began to head in the opposite direction to the brute escaping the Castle with a bag full of shiny parts, and some old blades she had strapped to her back for safe keeping.

They’d do, for now. It was all to help the faction. They needed some shiny new blades. She had elected herself for the task. Her thief days were behind her for now. She could feel her phone buzzing in her back pocket. It didn’t buzz continually which only meant it was a text. Someone wanted her attention. She shook her head for a moment her black hair shook free from the bobble hat she had been wearing in the castle. She wore a black Nirvana vest top, and her casual black leggings. They weren’t too confining like jeans are, especially when you are trying to steal things from a gang of vampires locked up in a castle. Her white sneakers adorned her feet – easy to run, when she needed too.

Her phone buzzed again in her back pocket but this time it was continuous, which meant it was a phone call. Dropping her bag of goodies to her feet she bent backwards to fish for the cellular device and pulled out her Iphone, she noticed the phone call – was a conference call. The main caller was Reanna, her sister. She clicked the green answer button and put the phone to her ear.

“Reanna?” She questioned. She hadn’t seen the text yet. She hadn’t been expecting a call from the woman. Unless she wanted to ask about what kind of blade parts she needed. She wouldn’t have been surprised. “What’s wrong?” She asked as she picked up the bag from her feet, slung it over her shoulder and began heading to the Eyrie – she took a casual walk, instead of toming. She liked how the night felt tonight.

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse had started to wonder whether he should stop doing things for Grey.

For example; he’d already given her an engagement ring, and some pretty jewellery at Christmas time. On New Years, he took her up to the rooftop where he’d set up music and dozens of candles, and they’d set off their own fireworks. And later on, he’d tattooed a key on the skin of her thumb, to match the lock he had tattooed to his own. Too much too soon, maybe.

But tonight is their one year anniversary. An event that he had posted to the requisite Crownet forums because he’s feeling something that he’s not too used to feeling. He’s feeling mushy. And romantic. And like he wants to scream his love for his fiancé from the rooftops. Never has he felt like he’s got this warm and explosive thing in his chest that he can’t contain. And he hasn’t planned anything. And he hasn’t bought her anything. It’s not really an anniversary because they’re not married yet. But he does feel like the night they met is something to celebrate.

So he’s staying inside with her. The fire is burning in the fireplace; it’s the only light in the apartment. They’re sprawled out in front of it, upon the thick, soft polar bear pelt. He is content. He is happy. He has Grey resting against his chest and he’s got his hand upon her hip and they don’t have to be doing anything. They don’t have to be talking. All the anxiety about what to do for Grey has kind of just slipped away. He’s never made it to a year with anyone before. Ever. In his entire life. Not like this. Not exclusively. Not feeling the way he does. And he has no idea what the **** anyone does for anniversaries. What’s the norm? What’s expected? But he realises that Grey probably doesn’t expect anything. And this? Just being together. It’s enough. It’s all he wants.

The phone is still beside them, up on the glass coffee table. It’s only there in reach and in view because he’d been posting to the Crow earlier. When it buzzed to indicate a text, he ignored it. Because if someone’s texting him, it can’t be all that important. It’s only as the buzzing begins so incessantly that the phone vibrates off the table that he groans and reaches over to pick it up.

It’s Reanna. And Nishaa? Some kind of weird call. He shrugs his shoulders, swipes the screen, and answers:

”Tonight is my one year anniversary with my fiancé so this had better be important,” he says, his voice slow and almost lazy with its baritone husk.

[Roderic]

I was finishing a project for a repeat customer for the night when my phone went off. I didn't go to it right away because time was of the essence and I was elbow deep in the carcass of a wolf that would be something magnificent. What, I wasn't sure of, but I had free reign to make it into something the customer would love.

Once the insides were cleared out, I moved to the utility sink in my shop and scrubbed up. More than what was needed, but I didn't want to take any chances on ruining the product. I grab a stack of paper towels and dry my hands and fingers off. Then I move to the phone that was next to me and read the message.

Leak of evidence? Reporter?
I'm not sure I'm getting the whole picture painted for me, but I pocket my phone with a shrug and grab my coat from the chair in the living room, then pocket a small dagger in my boot. Before I put the coat on, I put on the black, leather sheath I own, place my sword in it and then my leather coat. I was sure someone needed to get stabbed tonight. I never answer Reanna, but I doubt she expects a reply until we're face to face. I'm a man of a few words for a few reasons.

I move to the secret compartment in my apartment. One I know Skylar doesn't know about. Or anyone for that matter. I drop my hand in between the floorboards and pull out the tome to the Eyrie. I glance over the words, and soon I'm there. I'm not sure where we're meeting at, but I go with my gut instinct. I go to where I always see people no matter the time of night.

"Reanna?" I say as the elevator doors slide open.

[Doc]

Doc’s cell vibrated as he received a text. It was from Reanna.

We have an issue. Report to Eyrie immediately. There has been a potential leak of evidence – but the reporter is missing.

He was at the computer station, where he liked to hang out. Mostly he liked it because Ariadne was there and he enjoyed her company. But it was also useful because he could log into the computer system and work remotely. A lot of the work he could accomplish was approval of reports his staff had compiled. Payroll was another big one. That was what he had been deep in, when his cell went off.

Reading the text, he immediately straightened in his seat. Potential leak.. that involved a reporter? What the ****?! This could be the start of another ******* holocaust. It was a huge leap, he knew this. But it was better to think worst case scenario, than best in this situation. Worst case scenario meant, a vampire would have mere minutes possibly to get things locked down before they went into hiding.


His stomach fell. He was not even remotely ready to go into hiding. There was too many loose ends. ****! The words ‘reporter is missing’, immediately told him that there was .. the possibility of the reporter being in the hands of the government, and spilling their guts to them. What would that look like if that were happening? How many of them were compromised? Were any of his spawn compromised?

Doc’s fingers were set to reply when Reanna arrived at Eyrie that he shoved the phone in his pocket and moved toward her. He would have spoken to her, but her phone rang about the same time, so he merely caught her eye and nodded. He would wait until she was off the phone to get more details.

[Dulce Periculum]

We have an issue. Report to Eyrie immediately. There has been a potential leak of evidence – but the reporter is missing.

The text was sitting on the screen of the cell that was currently wrapped in long cool fingers of the tall and lethal allurist. Dulce was eyeing the message from Reanna as Sada went on in the background about having to spend her time in the catacombs instead of the restaurant. Her soft voice was instantly drown out for two reasons.

The message was from Reanna whom never had text her before. That said it was serious as well as the content itself. Second, the fact the woman was calling her to act now meant it couldn't wait. That was another red flag. Dulce stood up and closed down her computer screen and pushed her chair as she made her way around the heavy wood executive desk in her office.

"Are you getting what I am saying, Blondie?" Sada puffed out a sigh of relief.

Surely Dulce standing up and clearing her desk meant she was finally going to accept the plea for her case in not having to hang out down in the dark catacombs with little light and a lot more fangs that were less than friendly.

"Loud and clear." The pale fingers slid the cell in the black leather jacket that licked the back of her thighs as she moved past the petite Japanese female dressed to impress in a tight fitting linen suit. "Check the restaurant inventory. Make sure all is stocked as needed, check in with Hantu as you are expected and then..." The leggy blonde paused and pinned her icy blues down at those warm almond shaped eyes. "Back to the catacombs. You know what is amazing?" Her fingers reached out and stroked the fine linen lapel of the significantly smaller female in front of her. "Is that you think you have a choice at all."

Dulce had to give Sada credit. She was nearly adorable as she blinked her eyes staring up at the woman. There had been progress in their arrangement if you would call it that. Sada was no longer sending her infamous emails telling her and Hantu off. She was no longer coming back looking like a super size bag of Skittles had blown up in her hands. That meant she was not pissing off Zodiac of a few others that she had in the past. Yes, things were improving. Did that mean Dulce was going to give in because she was cute when she begged to be excused from something asked of her. Hardly.

"I have to go. Something is up. Get what I need and then you get to shop." Now the woman was going to be predictable as bees to honey. Dulce looked at her watch and timed the reaction.

The door flung open and Sada was a blur of linen as the office was left with only one standing. Dulce shook her head. Sada was so easy to read. If one should rely on one to be fully bewitched with her it would be Sada. With a last check for her supplies of ammo, weapons and back holster for concealment, Dulce was in the Eyrie and exiting the elevator. She stepped out and spotted Reanna. She was more than ready to hear what was up now.

[Reanna]

She hadn't expected them to respond so quickly.

One moment, she was pacing back and forth in the middle of the room, and the next, all eyes were on her. Holding up a finger, she stalled any questions that might come from the group as she placed the phone between her head and shoulder the moment her sister and Jesse's voice crossed the line. "Oh, pity for you, Jesse. We have issue to handle. I require you to get your wraiths ready for a very important hunt. Get here, quickly." She didn't wait for a response before she put the phone on speaker, gloved hand setting the device aside so they could hear the rest as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Her English left much to be desired, and she could feel the panic and frustration blossoming in her chest as she ran a tongue over a single fang. This was her faction, her family in a sense. They knew her by now, they understood how she operated, and she knew some understood how she spoke. As her green eyes moved from each person, she realized the silence had stretched between them, her mind working to put the pieces of the puzzle together. "I was in elevator when two men stepped in. They said that there was a reporter who had information. Information that would hurt. I did not get much more than that, by I dug around on my way here. There was a breach of sorts involving Mausoleum. She has information on it - more than not, information of what - and who - is there. She has since gone missing." As she spoke, she watched each of their faces, their expressions and their eyes. There was always subtle tells in each little thing. It wasn't out of mistrust. It was out of concern.

Who would be sane enough to handle the situation? To do what needed to be done?

"We cannot let more information get free. We must find her, and we must take care of it. What she has is a danger to us all. First thought is to have wraiths search for rumors and words on where she lived. We will start there. Thoughts for after?"

[Nishaa]

Nishaa wasn’t one for worrying about other people she knew they were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Tytonidae were her family, Andras they were her family. She looked out for them. Reanna was the type of person to be always so sure of herself, so headstrong. Nishaa was the same way, with the added quality of sarcasm. The woman was silent, then there was a dial tone on the other end of the phone. She removed the phone from her ear to look at the screen.

Conference Call?

Nishaa put the phone back to her ear and listened until she heard Jesse’s voice – followed by his complaining about it being important. Nishaa’s laughed echoed over the conference call and was soon silenced. Her sister could be so sarcastic at times. It showed that they truly were sisters. She heard the command for getting the wraiths ready and she mumbled down the phone ‘ok’. She could hear the muffled noises of those around Reanna at the Eyrie and fished around in her pocket for her tome.

It seemed that her casual stroll back to the Eyrie would have to happen on another night. She unravelled the tome and began to read the words out loud and then the world around disappeared and she was within the basement of the Eyrie. Karina was resting at the altar, like always. She threw a wave at Helena then headed for the Elevator. She pushed the arrow, and waited. Foot tapping on the ground through impatience. The people were still talking over the phone. Closing her eyes, she called her trusty wraith to her whilst she waited. The metal box dinged to attention and inside she slipped. The wraith following suit. The woman regarded the floating being with a curious look.

“You are needed for a hunt.” She said as she punched in the ‘Floor 2’ button. The wraith was always eager for a hunt; he liked to track and often stood there as the faction killed their target. It fascinated the being and Nishaa let his curiosities grow with each kill he witnessed. A moment later the doors to the Eyrie’s main floor flew open and she was greeted with the sight of her fellow faction members, her phone still in hand she clicked end and meandered over to Reanna’s side. Pinching her in a playful manner, the wraith hovering close at her side. Regarding the group with curious eyes.

“Well. This sounds like fun.” The woman meant well, as she let the corners of her lips turn up in a cruel smile. “We should find her, and then kill her.” That was Nishaa for you. She showed no remorse for murder – especially humans, killed the reporter and be done with it.

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse had to wonder about Reanna.

The woman seemed to have a knack for leading. Whether she wanted to, or whether she just fell into the position, Jesse doesn’t know. It doesn’t bother him, but the tone isn’t quite welcome. Normally he might laugh and join them without complaint – but he’d not bought anything for Grey. He’d assuaged the guilt by telling himself he’d just stay with her. He’d spend the night with her and he would not stray. He should have left his phone where he would not see or hear it.

I require you, Reanna had said. He wants to ask her who died and made her leader. Why the **** should he do as she says? He trusts her, yes. He respects her as a person. But there’s a way to ask for things, rather than demanding them.

It takes a second for Jesse to groan and roll from his position by the fire with Grey. There are issues, and Reanna’s probably right. They need to be dealt with, and quickly. He and Grey have eternity, and the anniversary that he has wanted to celebrate is a small one, in the grand scheme of things. There are priorities, and he knows Grey will understand.

“I don’t have a wraith anymore, Reanna,” he says sharply, after she’d finished explaining the situation. “Apparently Ichabod doesn’t like it when I enthral people – I have Bradley now. Flesh and Blood human. If he’s of use to you, I’ll summon him,” Jesse says. “I have to get dressed. I’ll be there soon,” he adds. Clearly disgruntled – where Nishaa had seemed perky about the idea of a hunt, Jesse doesn’t like the possible consequences if they don’t get there in time. He doesn’t like that he’s being pulled away from Grey. He doesn’t like the way Reanna is demanding things, even though he’s aware that it’s just the way she is. In the matter of a few moments, his night had turned to ****, and he doesn’t like it.

But he has a duty to perform, and so he dresses in his jeans and his hooded shirt; his dark jacket that hides his weaponry and his boots. His body is languid and relaxed, and it’s hard to motivate it, but he does it anyway. He reaches for his tome, and after kissing Grey goodbye, he vanishes to the Eyrie.

[Roderic]

When I didn't get an answer, I realize that I went to the wrong floor. An easy fix. I called the elevator to me with a push of a button, then progressed downwards, until I heard voices. Luckily, I only had to go down one floor, so not too much time was wasted.

I come in to hear most of what Reanna is saying, then to what Nishaa says. I have to agree with her, but there's one small problem. I pipe up. "So we're just going to go around killing any ch-female that may or may not be a reporter? Or does this reporter have a name?" I say quietly after Jesse's said his piece. I look at him and then Reanna. Weren't they both sort of in charge or something? Why was she telling everyone what to do? I guess everyone had their roles to play, but it seemed like not a lot of thought was given to this plan yet. It seemed we were in the middle of formulating one.

I don't call Daegal to my side yet. Not until I know what we're going to be doing precisely. I can catch him up to speed after the plan is revealed. He didn't like being called away from his post. The wraith liked to skim the outskirts of the city for whatever reason instead of being in the city. Though, I wasn't sure if I blamed him or not. "Does anyone know what is going on down there? Or what has been going on down there? What's changed? It's always been a breach of sorts. But what's drawn the attention to it now?" I pull out my pack of reds from my coat pocket, and a custom made lighter, and light the thing as I wait. As we all wait.