Crash Landing on the Welcome Mat

[Deleted]

Francois rode into Dallas his destination already in mind. He'd scouted the lay of the land as best as he could and finally gave up hope of running afoul of any local Rodere.

That hurdle firmly stepped around there was only one thing to do. As there was seemingly no rodere he would be exposed as the singular Rodere soon enough. As such according to the many unspoken laws of lycanthrope society he would be meat for the gnoshing.

He was no ones meat. If he were to do business here he would need to have backing of some sort. If he were to have any standing that meant he could not go find any of the other Clans. It would seem too much like groveling. That he would not do either.

His choices limited that left one recourse. It was a far less time consuming one as well. Lycanthropes were by and large hard to sniff out. THey hid well and kept their ears to the ground so you finally were really only able to approach if they chose to allow you.

But Vampires were greedy little beings. It was in the nature of them to acquire things. Business, people, blood you name it they tended to be collectors of a sort. As such finding and getting in touch with the Kiss was a relatively easy affair. the approach however that would require some work. He had no gift on hand that would mark him as worthy of any sort of alliance. He was no bootlicker. But He was sure that he could broker a mutually beneficial arrangement, somehow.

Moving into the club he marked off the preternatural by scent and sight. he would watch a moment longer before deciding whom to approach.

[blackbetty]

After collecting up her things from the balcony, she went back inside her room. She left the blanket draping over the back of a chair as she moved to her suitcase which she hadn't unpacked yet. She'd been living out of a suitcase for the past month... It was getting a little old...

This would, however, mark the first time she had a reason to wear something that wasn't a work suit. She had begun to think it had been pointless to bring casual clothes... now she was glad she had.

She dug through her large suitcase until she came out with a bundle of clothes and her make up bag. She laid out the blouse and jeans she'd picked out on her bed before disappearing into the bathroom with her make up bag.

Her hair was still slightly damp from the shower but had already begun drying in her natural curls. Normally she straightened her hair for work, it was more professional, but tonight she decided she'd let the waves stay. After applying a small amount of mousse to her hair, she gave it a fast blow dry just to give it a bit of volume.

She wasn't a big make up person. She applied a small amount of smokey eyeshadow and kohl eyeliner, with mascara on her upper lashes only. She 86'd the blush, choosing rather to just pinch her cheeks for a bit of color. She topped it off with a soft glean of mauve/clear lip gloss.

The clothes she'd picked for the evening dressy enough for a night out, but casual enough to be comfortable. She slid into a pair of white lace/satin combination panties, which she then slid a pair of black hip-hugger jeans over top of.

The top she'd chosen was a satin hunter-green smocked-halter. The neckline wrapped around her throat like a choker and there was a peek-a-boo slit down the center from the neckline to the swell of her breasts. The back of the halter draped low, down to the small of her back, leaving the creamy smooth expanse of her back bare, hence, she'd decided against a bra. The shirt really did not allow for one.

She pulled the ensemble together with a pair of strappy black sandals and a black leather jacket.

She gave herself a once over in the bathroom mirror before she grabbed her wallet and cell phone which she placed in the pockets of her jacket.

After she made her way downstairs she asked one of the bellman to call her a taxi. She knew the wine she'd already drunken hadn't really affected her at all, but it was better safe than sorry. What example would she be as a Police Detective if she got pulled for a DUI?

The time it had taken her to get dressed and wait for a cab, then drive to the club/bar, she was about five minutes past the hour mark. She handed the driver the money for the fare then slid out of the cab. She looked up at the building she'd heard so much about.

It was called Moonlight... Did anyone else find that a little ominous? Probably not... Cause not everyone had a big 'hairy' secret they were keeping from the world. The line to get in was rather long... fuck... She tried to find Francois in the line, but no such luck... He was either not here yet, or already inside... She'd bet the latter...

She took a deep breath and, ignoring the long line, approached the bouncer directly where she flashed him her sultriest smile. “Hey there, big boy. ‘dja mind lettin’ me in? I’m meetin’ a friend inside...”

The bouncer shared her smile giving her a once over. She grinned to herself. Her “Strawberry-Tart” routine, as she called it, usually worked like a charm... Usually... if not she had other things she could ‘flash’ at him... Like her badge... Looked like she wouldn’t have to break out the badge though, because after he was done looking her over he lifted the security rope to let her through.

She grinned brightly at him and flirtatiously brushed against him as she passed. Hey... He let her through... She could give him a bit of a thrill, even if she’d never see it through, he didn’t need to know that! Little did she know that the reason he let her through was because 'someone' had told the bouncer to expect a woman of her near exact description, even the accent...

She stepped through the door and was immediately overwhelmed by the loud rhythmic pulse of the music and the smell of... well to be honest it smelled almost like sex... Hundreds of bodies bumping and grinding on each other could do that. The entire club felt alive, the deep beat of the music like its heartbeat. It made her skin tingle. Ten to one a majority of the occupants were Weres or Vampires. The mingling power in the air was almost intoxicating. She’d have to be extra careful with her guards in here, else she might accidentally let something slip.

She took several steps in and looked around, trying to spot her quarry... It was big club, and there were a lot of bodies, and she wasn’t that tall...

[Deleted]

Francois stood to his full height as he watched Melanie enter from his position by the bar he coul see the entire cub. She was dressed for play that was for sure. From the crown of her head to the soles of her feet she looked like a vision. He looked down at his booted feet, dark blue jeaned legs, up to his black cotton shirt and lather blazer. Yes he was sorely under-dressed. It wasn't the first time he thought off-handedly.

Moving from the bar he headed to her side a smile emblazoned on his lip. As he sclosed the distance he called to her, "Hey there doll."

[blackbetty]

Her attention was drawn to him as he approached and she smiled brightly. Those who knew her, would know that she didn’t smile that often, so when she did it was almost magical. Her thousand watt smile could light up the darkest room.

“Hey there yerself, han’some.” After the month she’s had it was nice to see a familiar and friendly face. Especially one she hadn’t seen in so long. Melanie wasn’t a hug-ey type person, so she surprised even herself when she instinctively leaned into him to share a friendly embrace. She unwittingly inhaled his scent through her nose and her nostrils flared. He smelled amazing. It was a musky combination of nature, cologne and that scent that was distinctly him... it was hard to describe... It was also sexy as hell. She had to stop there and mentally berate herself to keep from going down that complicated road.

She reluctantly pulled away and smiled softly up at him. She met his gaze and was for a moment entrapped within it. He had an aura of weariness about him like one who has seen a lot of turmoil and strife, in not so much time. It made her wonder what could have happened, and if it was the reason he was in Dallas. Despite all of that he still looked as amazing as he did the first time she met him. Although, now it was under far better and less stressful circumstances. “Ye look great, by the way.”

[Deleted]

Francois watched he r gaze brighten as he closed. As she hugged him he couldn't help but smile. He had not seen her in a very long time as things go. Yet, seeing her now was indeed a sight for sore eyes.

Slipping out of the embrace before his pleasure at seeing her became too obvious he teased, "Hopefully you're still a whiskey girl despite the champagne attire."

Leaning back in he whispered," You really look great. Its good to see you. Have you come out to anyone here?"

[blackbetty]

She smiled at his compliment, though she didn't quite fully understand it. She guessed he might be saying she was sophisticated and classy by comparing her outift to champagne? At least that's what she took from it.

Her eyes widened a fraction at his question. She'd almost forgotten that Francois knew all about her furry secret. Other Weres could always smell other lycanthropes, no matter the species. They might not be able to tell just exactly how much power one might have, but they know what you are. It was how she'd known he was a Rodere when they'd first met.

She worried her bottom lip before shaking her head in the negative. She lowered her voice to just above a whisper as she responded, "I've tried gettin' in contact with David Meeks, the local Ulfric. Ya know, jus' ta let 'im know I'm only here on business and I'm not tryin' ta interfere with his pack... But 'e's a hard one ta get a hold of." She shrugged softly. "It's understandable though. From what I've been able to find out, a right bit o' drama seems to have fallen in the laps of most of the supernaturals in this city. I expect the Dallas Star pack leader might just 'ave his hands full."

She followed him back to the bar where she sat in the seat next to him. When the tender came over, she ordered a double of Jameson and a pint of “the Black Stuff” which was a slang term for Guinness.

It was a bit toasty in here so she decided to take off her jacket which she hung on the corner of her chair, leaving her arms and most of her back bare. She turned towards him slightly and crossed her legs. “So... Enough with all this 'are you out yet' bollocks!” She nodded her thanks to the tender and handed him the ten dollar bill she’d slyly fished from her wallet a moment ago.

Turning back to Francois she finished her statement. “I want to know more about what sort o' things Francois has been up to... For instance... What would bring 'im to Dallas of all places?" She took a slow drink from her beer, licking the bit of foam from her upper lip afterward.

[Deleted]

Francois watched as Melanie slipped back into her relaxed actual speaking accent. He was glad to catch a bit of her brogue that meant that she was in fact relaxed around him again. The more things change the more they remain he thought as he watched her order.

"Yeah Dallas is a far stretch form the big Onion. But not nearly as far as the Rotten apple, " he shrugged.

" As for what brings me well I'm on a mission to find someone. I hope he's here or else I'll have to move on to the next locale. But you're right enough about our troubles its good to see you it really is lets have a time and drop a little paint along the way. " He said raising his glass.

[blackbetty]

She grinned at that and picked up the double of whiskey she'd ordered with her beer and raised it to his. She clinked her glass against his then shot back the contents in a few large swallows.

"Well, I hope ya find whomever it is yer lookin' for. It'd be nice to see ya'round a bit while I'm 'ere. It's goin' on near a month now since I seen a familiar face." The same amount of time she'd been without the closeness of a pack. Though she usually declared her presence to the Ulfric of every city she had been to in the past three weeks, that had just been a formality. Most packs didn't rightly trust newcomers, especially cops.

It had been a rather lonely three weeks, and lord knows she was starting to feel it. Especially with the full moon looming less than a week away. "Though, I'm glad its yer face I get ta see." Oh god did she really just say that? Could she be any more lame? She smiled sheepishly before picking up her remaining glass of beer and downed a little more than half of it in a few large gulps.

[Deleted]

It just occurred to him that Melanie had said that she wasn't able to raise the local wolves. That meant one of two things. Either the wolves were busy and wrapped in their own issues, or they'd not found her to be the sort they would associate with. Either way if any lycanthropes happened across them they could by all intents have them with no fear of reprisal. Smiling bitterly at the thought his eyes scanned the crowd.

He attempted to not alert Melanie to his dark thoughts.

"A month what are you on a road tour of the states or are your higher ups trying to keep you out of the city for awhile." He said with a laugh.

[blackbetty]

Melanie could sense his darker thoughts. She knew how dangerous it could be to go out in a town where you're not a recognized Were. Usually she had a way around those types of things. Most often she just had to flash her badge and demand to be taken before the Ulfric. Surprising how many 'legitimate' lycanthropes were afraid of the repercussions from hurting a cop.

She sensed his unease so she placed her hand on his shoulder then smiled reassuringly. The NY1 loaded with a magazine of silver bullets that was tucked in an inner-pants holster on the inside waist of her pants was the only security she needed.

"Actually, the National Preternatural Crimes Division is instatin' some new procedures and shite." She shrugged softly, "Seein' as how many o' these 'changes' were based upon some o' my own ideas, they 'asked' me to be their head girl." She exaggerated the word asked trying to imply that they really didn't ask he rto do it as much as forced her to. "My multi-regional tour is over next week and based on my reports and how well a few ideas've been received by the departments, they're even thinkin' o' startin' a new faction that may open a lot of doors for lycanthropes. I'm not permitted ta say exactly how, though."

He still seemed a bit uptight like he expected them to be jumped any moment. She put her hand on his face. "Will ye relax, love. This may be a Werewolf owned club, but that don' mean they're gonna jump out an' eat us." She slid out of her seat and grabbed her jacket from the chair. She also took his from him. She leaned back and downed the rest of her beer then turned her face and gave him a soft peck on the cheek. "I'll be right back. Dun' go away."

She disappeared for a short moment heading towards the entrance where she remembered passing a coat check. She gave the woman behind the counter both their jackets and tucked the ticket in her pocket. She returned to his side a moment later and took both of his hands in hers.

She pulled on them slightly and spoke softly, "C'mon, Sparky. Dance with me. Show me ya still know how ta move." She teased as she tried pulling him with her towards the dance floor.

[Deleted]

He allowed Mlanie in unwittingly she picked up on his internal reveries. He paused watching her wondering what he was doing. Yes he wanted to be a better person in truth but did that mean transparency. He wasn't sure but he did enjoy her company.
her hand on him made certain thoughts leap to the fore of his mind.

"So where do think you'll settle after all this?"
Watching her dance away he attempted to keep his gaze platonic he failed but at least she was moving away so it wasn't to obvious of a leer. He did manage to work in another glance about them. He wasn't the only one noticing her move.

As she returned Francois stood allowing her to move them onto the dance floor. He allowed the beat to move through him taking Mel into his arms and moving to the rhythm.

[blackbetty]

Where would she settle after all of this? That was an interesting question... She figured she would just return to St. Louis. Carry on life like she always had. Being here however, even for the very small amount of time that she had, hearing the rumours, knowing what kinds of turmoil the city was going through... She had already begun toying with the idea of putting in for a transfer. The department seemed like it could use an extra hand, especially one as experienced as hers... But would the city welcome her? Would she welcome herself? It was a lot to consider... She'd have to appeal to the local pack, that much was certain. Even if she could mask her power level from other preternatural creatures, that didn't mean she could hide what she was... She would need to find a place among the pack... The department wouldn't be that difficult. She had already met Hayden, and Dolph would have no doubts put in a word for her to Mckenzie...

She'd only been here for a day and these were the thoughts going through her mind...

She didn't want to think about it much... At all... So she let herself get lost in the music... It was a heady rhythm of base and trance... She could feel all of the different eyes on her, but at the moment she focused all her attention on Francois... She let him wrap his arms around her... To pull her close as they moved together with the music...

She hadn't been dancing in ages... She never realized how much she could miss the contact... The freedom the movement brought... It was dangerous... Being here... Like this... With gods know how many other lycanthropes watching them move... Watching her... So wild, wanton, and free... Totally unaware of just how much pheremone she might be putting out...

Suddenly she stopped... She was facing Francois, pressed so tightly against him, breathing heavily as her chest rose and fell against his... She could bet her eyes were dilated... She looked up into his face and she was speechless... She wasn't the only one affected apparently... She could feel how much he was affected and there was no shame on his face... That thought thrilled her immensely and she swallowed hard... She hadn't allowed her wolf so close to the surface without a full moon involved in... A very long time... Many sets of eyes were watching her

She pressed her hands to his shoulders and pulled him down slightly as she leaned up to whisper closely in his ear, "Let's get out of here..." The invitation was clear in her tone, even though her voice sounded slightly different, altered some from the closeness of her animal... She leaned back and glanced around once more before adding with a bit of desperation in her tone, "Like now..."

[Deleted]

Francois could feel the call of... the wild. He felt in the sway of her hips as they twirled and frolicked across the the dance floor. He heard it in her voice. He smelled it on her skin. Yes Melanie was lost to the rhythm of the wild places beating just beneath her skin.

The choice was a foregone conclusion. damn the consequences to hell and back. Taking her hand in his he lead her across the dance floor to the coat check. It looked as if he might have to put of moving his hotels down in eden another time.

[blackbetty]

She held tight to his hand as he pulled her from the crowded dance floor. She fished the coat check ticket from her pocket and handed it to him and waited until he handed her her coat. She continued to let him pull her from the club and to his truck.

"I'm stayin' at the Anatole. It's only about ten minutes away. Five if ya manage ta catch greens along the way, and if ya put a little led in your boot."

Oh god... What was she doing? She really didn't know what had come over her. Melanie O'Connell was ever the model for control and discipline. She did not have moments of instability and loss of self control, even minor ones, in the middle of public places or anywhere for that matter. It just didn't happen.

She tried attributing it to stress... Homesickness... Loneliness... all of the above... The fact that she didn't have to hide herself from the rat-king because he already knew who and what she was... Because he looked and smelled so good and felt even better... And it had been so, so, so... So very long...

Oh Gods! What was she doing? As strong as the yearning she felt for him was, there was an underlying feeling of nervousness... Yes... She was nervous... Another old and unfamiliar feeling...

She could see her hotel now. They were maybe a couple minutes away... Her excitement grew slightly, but so did her nervousness...

"Just pull into the valet there... They'll park your truck..." She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and fished in her jacket pocket to make sure she had her room key...

(Hey Francois darlin'... Gonna move this to the "Hilton Anatole" forum... Finish the topic there )