Mister Misfortune [Laurent]

[venvolkov]

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[atrb=background,http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/AxeMar_Equals_Me/Ventablebot.jpg] Ven had risen shortly after dawn. The task had been more difficult than the Russian had anticipated. Though he hadn't slept---the thoughts on his mind weighed far too heavily for that--the tide of nostalgia had swept him up in its grasp. He'd lain awake the night before, lulled by the soft, steady sounds of Adam's breathing. He'd fallen asleep with his fingers entwined with Ven's own, and Ven, in turn, had brought their closed hands to his mouth, kissing each smaller knuckle belonging to his slumbering lover, and then the back of his hand, pressing it against his lips for the longest time, until the skies began to lighten. The warmth of the sheets-- as inviting and familiar in their warmth as the outline of the shorter man twisted in them at his side--made him reluctant to get up at all. The past several weeks had been ones of rediscovery--and however dangerous he knew it was, he was finding it easier and easier to slip back into the quiet, secure life he shared with Adam. Except...except there were still mornings where he'd wake confused, blinking the sleep from his eyes in a dazed sort of manner as his gaze settled on the ceiling above him, desperately trying to figure out why he could see the ceiling at all. Why the tiny curls of hair that fell against the nape of the neck he kissed awake in the morning weren't blond. And how much longer he could hide the fact that every minute he was apart from Dmitri ate away at the hole in his heart, widening it a little more with the passing hours. When those thoughts struck him, he'd usually quietly get out of bed, to stand at the window with his arms wrapped around himself, staring blankly across the landscape of rooftops. Adam thought it was because of nightmares, and Ven let him think it, in spite of the fact that he hadn't had nightmares sense before he'd left for the Carna. Living a double life was taking a toll on Ven, however he struggled to keep that fact free from showing. That morning, however, he'd slipped quietly out of bed, planting a quick kiss against Adam's temple. He knew the man wouldn't stir until well into the afternoon--a fact that made him smile softly. Some things never changed. In this case, he was glad--it made it easier to slip away to the Carna for a few hours to make his report, and return to slip back under the sheets long before Adam even realized he was gone. The only real trouble was Ankh, the puppy Adam had given to Ven as as gift. The second Ven moved for any reason, the puppy was immediately on top of him, stumbling over to him on stubby legs, tail wagging furiously as he squeaked out his own morning greetings, marching around Ven's legs in a frantic dance to be let out. He'd taken to tying the puppy outside in Ira's garden until he returned--hoping against hope that the puppy wouldn't be utterly delighted in his discovery of strangely shaped chew toys. But he'd managed to make his way back to the tunnels in a timely fashion all the same. Not that he had much to report. It was taking longer than he'd hoped to find any promising documentation, and so he'd had to settle for simple observances that may be useful. He was never there long--and the hardest thing was resisting the impulse to seek out Dmitri while he was there. It wouldn't be fair to either of them, and it would only make his repeated leavings harder. That, and he hadn't entirely forgotten the man's last words to time, two days before his departure for the Fulsi. It may have been petty, but they still stung slightly. It was well into late morning as Ven began to cross the park, his steps quick and purposeful as he made his way back into Fulsi territory. He had to get back in time to retrieve his puppy and slip back into bed--before anyone noticed that he was gone--or that Ira's garden was destroyed. Ooc: Here it is, Noxx. Not exactly good, but. u.u Funtimes, yes?

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[Laurent Reynard]

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[atrb=background,http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/tamaspet/laurenttable2c.png] Laurent felt strange patrolling the Fulsi territory again. Everything looked just as he left it, but it felt so different. Life had gone about as usual here, even after he had disappeared, and routines still didn’t change even when he returned. On the contrary, even, Laurent hadn’t gotten much of a welcome back. Almost everyone he’d known before was gone too, and so the current Fulsi treated him as any other newbie. Laurent held his tongue as they gave him a tour around the territory his first day back, even assigned him the rank of tenderfoot. Anyone else might have spoken up, but Laurent didn’t want to cause trouble with his new…old? New Ring. The Fulsi was definitely not the Ring he had remembered. It wasn’t a bad thing, but Laurent still felt so out-of-place. Now that he had earned his title of Medic back, he decided to go re-introduce himself to the territory without any scouts. Laurent let out a soft sigh as he watched the sun begin to rise higher into the sky. Morning was always his favorite time of day. It was still quiet around the Fulsi Territory, as the dawn patrol had already returned, but the later patrols were still a while away. He’d sometimes see someone walking around, but that was usually back towards the Gospel Complex. Out here by the border, it felt like a deserted wasteland. It was a nice place to be alone with his thoughts, except maybe around the Carna border. If any place had changed the most, that was it. When he’d approached it, he was overwhelmed by the stench of rotting flesh and had nearly vomited. Gruesome, mangled bodies hung from the warehouses, and warnings against trespassers were scrawled on the walls in blood. Laurent definitely hadn’t remembered all that being there. After leaving the Carna border in a hurry, Laurent had finally found the peaceful border of no-mans land. Much better, he thought, as he strolled along near the park. A sudden flash of movement caught his eye and Laurent froze. Who was that..? The mongoose shifter squinted, grey eyes focusing on the form moving up ahead, until he realized that he had seen him around the Fulsi territory. Oh, another Fulsi! Laurent smiled and ran over towards him, excited that he might be able to make friends with one of these new Fulsi. “Bonjour!” Laurent called as he finally reached the blonde, coming to a halt next to him. Strange, he thought, that this other Fulsi should be out here alone so early in the morning. “I am Laurent,” He introduced himself, holding out his hand for a handshake. “I have seen you around here, yes? What are you doing out here so early?” Laurent was just curious really and didn’t mean to be nosy, but if this other Fulsi liked to go out for walks in the morning, perhaps the French shifter could tag along with him! A sudden, vaguely familiar scent caught his attention and his brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to place it. “…Were you visiting the Carna, Monsieur?” Laurent again, was just curious. He had nothing personally against the Carna, and the last time he’d been in the Fulsi, they hadn’t been sworn enemies. Perhaps this other Fulsi was just visiting some friends? ooc: oooh, Laurent. >.>

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[venvolkov]

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[atrb=background,http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/AxeMar_Equals_Me/Ventablebot.jpg] The silence of the late morning was shattered by an abrupt, unexpected greeting. Ven froze mid-step, his muscles tensing beneath his shirt. His gaze swept across the park, suddenly wary--a vague feeling of unease racing along his spine. His gaze settled on Laurent a moment later, who was quickly making his way over to him. Ven's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, and for a moment he simply eyed the man's outstretched hand with a look of blank indifference. Lifting his eyes to Laurent's, he arched a brow. "Laurent," he repeatedly flatly. "What are you--?" He trailed off, relaxing somewhat at the man's explanation. For a moment he felt foolish, and took the Frenchman's hand at last, giving it a quick, firm shake before letting their hands drop. "Oh." There was an audible note of relief in his voice. No doubt the man had merely grown accustomed to seeing Ven in and around the Fulsi borders, and had mistaken him for a fellow ring mate. "You probably have," he agreed with a shrug. It was admittedly noncommittal, but he didn't see the point in giving too much away. That, and he'd never been fond of idle chitchat. "I was just..." he shrugged once again, gesturing to their surroundings vaguely. "I couldn't sleep," he finished lamely. "So I came out here. I...do that sometimes." It wasn't exactly a lie--Ven had often had difficulty with sleeping through the night--and he did often come through the park when returning from his reports. He tilted his head curiously then. "What about you? What brings you out here?" But it was Laurent's next words that made a chill run through him. His thoughts raced. He could deny it, of course, but there was the slight matter of his smelling quite strongly of the aforementioned ring. Which lead him to one rather grim conclusion about the Frenchman in front of him. He had clearly been sent to spy on him. Adam had been ludicrously protective of him in recent days--perhaps he'd misread his behavior. Perhaps it more closely resembled suspicion. "What of it?" he said, struggling to keep his tones even. "It's not exactly any of your business." A plan had begun to form in Ven's mind. If he could just keep the man talking long enough to keep him distracted, he could take him out, quietly and efficiently, and then dispose of the body long before any of the Fulsi even realized he was missing.

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[Laurent Reynard]

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[atrb=background,http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/tamaspet/laurenttable2c.png] Laurent retained his bright smile as the other man answered him. Progress! Yes, this was definitely progress. Some of the other Fulsi had just waved him off, apparently too busy to make friends. What had happened to the family environment that a ring was supposed to provide? The Fulsi had become much more impersonal since he’d left it. Perhaps Laurent would have to work to bring the sense of camaraderie back, then! One friend at a time, he told himself. Starting with this one! “Ah, yes,” Laurent nodded as Ven explained that he sometimes came out here when he couldn’t sleep. Laurent knew the feeling. In recent days he’d found himself lying away thinking about Royale, especially after seeing places that they’d once been at together. The jail had brought up particularly strong memories, and Laurent was sure that he could never guard a prisoner there again. It was too much to imagine, especially when he’d let his last prisoner out and had tried to run away with her. He’d also been thinking about Pavak and Kavi. They’d all gotten here together, but Laurent hadn’t seen them when he’d last been in the Fulsi… Were they even still alive? No, this wasn’t the time to think about that! This was a happy time, and Laurent was making a new friend. He’d see his old ones again some day. “I like to walk around the territory in the mornings. It is so peaceful, no?” Laurent sighed, taking a moment to look around them again. The park was so beautiful at this time of day. Perhaps if he wasn’t tagging along with a patrol later, he’d come back here to think. Laurent looked back to Ven when he spoke again, brows furrowing in confusion. “I..I was only..wondering,” He replied shakily, flashing the other Fulsi a nervous smile. He honestly had no idea that his ring would look down upon friendships with the Carna. The events of the Raid were unknown to him still, and the last he’d been here, they were even allies! That was ages ago, though people had still been upset by it then, but Laurent had seen the alliance as an opportunity for peace, which seemed so essential in a place like this. “You do not have to hide it now. I know! You can tell me,” Laurent offered, having no idea what a sensitive situation he was meddling in.

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[venvolkov]

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[atrb=background,http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/AxeMar_Equals_Me/Ventablebot.jpg] Ven wasn't entirely sure what to make of the Frenchman's cheerful babbling. The man seemed utterly oblivious to the fact that anything was amiss--though it was likely a ruse, designed to distract Ven from his earlier blunt remark. Ordinarily, Ven would have been content to let the other man lead the conversation, letting the other man grow comfortable with the idea that he'd successfully mislead him. That he was toying with him. But the blonde was far too alert now to properly follow the conversation, much less respond in unassuming ways. Still, he pulled himself together long enough to make the effort. Even if, privately, he'd begun to wonder what it was about French Fulsi, and their demanding to know his secrets. "It is," he agreed. "There's something about the place that just..." he shrugged, pausing for effect. What would be the most likely hook? He eyed Laurent for a moment, before continuing. "Feels like home," he finished. In Ven's case, however, the sentiment had more to do with the park's close proximity to Carna borders than because of the Fulsi. It was then that Laurent stumbled, and Ven tensed inwardly. "...So you're out here often." There was a flatness to his words, a low, unreadable undertone that made it anything but a question. However unwittingly, the man before him was only digging himself a deeper grave. He shifted, pretending to only be checking the location of the sun, as if to judge the time. In reality, he was taking quick stock of their surroundings, ensuring they were alone. He would need to act quickly, and it was likely that if Laurent was a spy, he hadn't come alone. That would complicate things. Ven didn't need witnesses. His gaze snapped back to Laurent a second later, and for a second, his lips parted in a voiceless protest. Only to close again with a quiet air of indifference. "Do you?" he arched a brow. "Well, that's a pity." He'd scarcely finished speaking the words before he'd shifted, pale, soft pink eyes fixing the man with a look that was entirely predatory in nature. "In Russia, we have a saying. 'Mertvyĭ Don T govoritʹ.'" Had he still been in human form, he would have smirked. As it was, his eyes glowed with a quiet, unnerving excitement. "The dead don't talk." And with that, he sprung.

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[Laurent Reynard]

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[atrb=background,http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/tamaspet/laurenttable2c.png] Laurent was pleased with how everything was going so far. He was a little confused at Ven’s responses, but that was normal as he didn’t always completely understand English. Still, overall be felt he was making good progress! That was, until Ven shifted. Grey eyes widened in alarm as he took in the sight of the albino cheetah. His mind immediately flashed back to over a year before, and his dear Royale. She had a similar shift, he remembered, an albino lioness that was as beautiful as it was deadly. Laurent had encountered it the first time they’d met, when the Fallen girl had tried to kill him. He’d survived the attack, and eventually fell in love with Royale, but their first meeting had always left him with a fear of big cats, albino ones especially. Laurent felt his chest tighten as anxiety gripped him, and Ven’s cold words didn’t help it any. The dead don’t talk. Though Laurent didn’t always grasp the entire meaning behind sayings in English, that phrase seemed crystal clear. This cheetah didn’t want to be friends at all. Laurent stumbled back a few steps, holding up his hands defensively. “M-monsieur I swear, I—!” The cheetah suddenly sprang at him and Laurent let out a gasp as it knocked him to the ground. As quickly as he could, he shifted into his smaller, faster mongoose form and scrambled to his paws. Laurent dashed away from Ven, faster than he’d ever run before, even when fighting vipers, all while letting out little squeaks of distress. “P-please, Monsieur! I did not mean to upset you! HELP!” He cried, glancing over his shoulder to see the vicious cheetah behind him. Oh, how he hated those cats! The more frantic he became, the worse Laurent’s English came out, until he was squeaking only in French, begging for his life as he ran back towards the heart of the Fulsi territory. He glanced around to look for help, but it was still so early that no one else was around yet. Laurent felt his heart sink as he realized that there was no way to simply out run a cheetah. If he didn’t want to die again, Laurent realized he would have to figure his own way out of this. As he ran, Laurent scouted for possible places to hide. His eyes fell on an old dumpster that still looked pretty sturdy, so the lithe little mongoose sharply changed course and squeezed himself between the small space between the dumpster and the wall. His tiny heart pounded in his chest, and Laurent only prayed that the cheetah wouldn’t be able to reach him here. "Why does this always happen to me?" Ooc: Oh Laurent. XD He’s gonna have a heart attack before Ven gets to him. </3

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[venvolkov]

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[atrb=background,http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/AxeMar_Equals_Me/Ventablebot.jpg] Ven was deaf to Laurent's stammered, nearly incoherent protestations of innocence. The moment the other had shifted, Ven's mind had switched, focusing only on the target. The sleek body of the mongoose was little more than a tawny blur. But although Laurent may have been faster in his shift, he was simply no match for the longer, more powerful legs of Ven's own form. A curse of frustration left him as he realized too late the spy's destination. He had driven him straight into the heart of enemy territory, and if Laurent were to reach Adam before Ven himself, it would only compound things; making an already delicate situation far more so. It was precisely this thought that caused the hunter's mouth to harden into a grim and purposeful line, lengthening his strides. Ven, who had largely ignored the man's incessant babbling in French, finally acknowledged his blind panic. "Die maintenant ou mourir plus tard, monsieur!" Ven called after him, the words oddly cheerful. His own French was pitiless and mocking. When Laurent at last sought cover beneath an old and rusted dumpster, Ven very nearly rushed past him. As it was, he came to an abrupt and graceless halt, jaws parted as he exhaled in harsh, rapid pants. For several moments, he merely paced restlessly along the edges of the dumpster, only the long, pale flashes of his legs visible. He hissed, every so often raking the steel sides of the dumpster with his claws, resulting in a shrill of protest from the aging metal. He could not reach the other Fulsi, short of shifting himself and attempting to seize the small rodent while resting on his stomach. Perhaps most aggravating of all was the fact that Laurent knew that he couldn't reach him, lending insult to injury. Ven's paw flashed through the dark, swiping dangerously close to to the huddled, dark shape at the back of the dumpster. "Who else knows?" he growled. Who else have you told?" OOC: Angry Ven is angry. >> Also, just for you non-French fluent peeps: Ven basically said 'Die now or die later, sir.' Cheerful lad, isn't he?

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[Laurent Reynard]

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[atrb=background,http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/tamaspet/laurenttable2c.png] Laurent’s mongoose body shook in sheer terror as the cheetah approached his hiding place. Every time Ven clawed the sides of the dumpster, he let out a distressed squeak and tried to curl himself more tightly into a ball. There was no way out of here! Laurent wondered how long the cheetah would wait before giving up. He wondered if perhaps he could hide until then, though the prospect seemed dim. The ancient dumpster might not hold up long enough for that, especially with the cheetah abusing it. What if he finally got it to move? As Laurent thought about his options, the cheetah’s claws swept by in a blur, right in front of his nose. “Please, Monsieur!” He cried, his voice higher in this form as he pleaded for his life. “How could I have told someone? You only just told me now!” Laurent gasped, frantically looking for a way out. He knew he couldn’t stay in here forever. It was just a matter of time before Ven got to him and tore him to pieces. His only other option was clear: Laurent was going to have to make a run for it. After a short moment of silence to prepare himself, the mongoose darted out from under the dumpster and past the cheetah, hoping to startle him at least with his bold move. Laurent bounded away as fast as his legs would take him, and he glanced back to check on the cheetah’s location. At that moment, his paw caught a rock and the mongoose was suddenly sent tumbling across the pavement, and Laurent shifted back involuntarily. He groaned, finding himself sprawled out on his back, body scraped up from the asphalt and rocks. “Je vous jure!” I swear to you! Laurent pleaded as he struggled to get to his feet again. “I didn’t know! If you want it to be a secret, I will not say anything!” It was clear he still had no idea about the alliances, or that telling someone would get Ven in serious trouble. All he wanted was to get away from the man with his life. Ooc: Laurentfail. XD

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[venvolkov]

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[atrb=background,http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/AxeMar_Equals_Me/Ventablebot.jpg] The high pitch of the metal beneath his claws made it difficult for Ven to make sense of the words that poured from Laurent's mouth with a desperation so thick he could nearly taste it on the air. For a moment, his claws caught on a jagged edge of steel, discolored with the tears of rust. There was a muted, rasping sound as his nails dragged across the corroded surface, a shower of pale orange and dull red flakes drifting to the cracked pavement below. He stilled, his head tilted mildly in wordless consideration. He had no reason to believe this man. Laurent would hardly be the first to garble stammering excuses, wild promises, if only to delay the inevitable a little longer. He snorted quietly, lowering his head further still. His chin came to rest on the concrete below, and for a tense moment, pale pink eyes stared into the terrified glint of the Mongoose's own. "But I can't take the risk that it may not stay that way," he said then, his tones matter-of-fact. There was something polite, almost reasonable, in his tone--as if he was attempting to coerce an agreement from a particularly stubborn and inconsolable child. He hadn't anticipated Laurent bolting. He simply hadn't thought that the nervous Frenchman possessed enough mental composure to think of it. And so, when the rodent suddenly took to its feet and darted from beneath the dumpster, Ven was forced to step aside, to better orient himself to give chase. As he turned, however, it was to witness the man's rather unfortunate end to his abbreviated flight. Flicking his tail in a subtle twitch of amusement, he slowly advanced on the prone man, shifting back himself as he did so. Crouching down beside Laurent, he lifted a finger, absently tracing the man's throat with the point of a claw that rested on his finger. "Really?" he inquired lazily. "Do you swear on your life?" there was a glint of genuine curiosity in his eyes. His next words, however, gave him pause, and for a moment, he looked at Laurent--really looked at him. Heaving a sigh, he removed his hand from the other man's throat, sitting back on his heels. He had, he realized, just terrorized a man innocent of what he'd seen. Getting to his feet, he reached out a hand, intending to pull Laurent to his, as well. "...Sorry about that," he muttered, averting his gaze. "But yes. I'd like it if you'd keep what you saw to yourself."

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