Free Time is Required

[Ichabod]

Ichabod had a rough couple of days, he has been in some pain as of late and felt he needed a vacation. He put in a notice in at he Cemetery saying that he was taking a few days off for person reasons. They worked it out after weeks of arguments and disagreements but finally it was cleared, someone was able to fill in for him for 3 days but that was all they could allow. He thought it was better than nothing at all.

He has been busting ass for a long while and a good vacation would be the best way to get things back in order. But what he wanted most was a long, soothing, soak in the hot springs. It was getting late in the year and it would be hell getting a room on short notice. He managed to work out a visit before Winter.

He packed a light bag with clothes, money, and toiletries. He had to always bring his shampoo and conditioner with since they never carried enough of the brand he prefers. He locked the door to his home and headed off to the bus-stop. He knew how to get there by heart so it wasn't much a of hassle, the commute was something left to the imagination.

Ichabod hated cars and trucks, people go along fine without them for hundreds of years before now. It aggravated him just thinking about having to be so close to people he really didn't care to know. He waited patiently for the bus to arrive and would be thinking about nothing but the hot springs from here on out.

He flashed his renewable transit card and walked all the way to the back of the bus, making sure to put his bag down in the seat next to him. It was the only way for him to guarantee that he wouldn't have a neighbor. He scanned the bus and saw that it wasn't very full of people for being a Friday afternoon, "Must have been a slow day at the offices." he said to himself. It was mostly pimply face teens off to where ever they decided to go.

Ichabod had 2 stops to make before he was on the final bus to reach the Hot Springs. He eventually made it as the sun was just hitting the horizon on the way down. It was chillier than expected but nothing to worry to much about. He found the walk path to the front door of the Springs and opened it feeling a slight heat from the springs in the back. He went to the counter and went to check himself in, he was told to take a seat for a few minutes and someone will be around to assist him.

He pulled out his ipod and headphones and waited while listening to some classic 80's rock music.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

He had really no idea why he'd come here. Well, he did, he had the whole idea, but he still didn't fully understand why he forced himself to go. He'd won a weekend at the springs through a raffle at work, and when he was given them, wasn't quite sure what to do with them. He didn't go for spas or things like that, and fully considered giving them away to someone else who would actually use it- until it was set in stone with a reservation for him.

He was considering telling them he had no intention to go, but that would seem... too ungrateful to him. So he swallowed his ego and went... maybe a relaxing weekend would be nice... He walked into the establishment, looking nothing like the people who normally came here; he resembled a lumberjack more than yuppie middle class. He approached the counter and checked in, his reservation coming up on the screen. After affirming his identity and being told to wait while they readied his accommodations, he took his bag and sat down near a wiry man, who seemed a tad anti-social. Kveldulf sighed and sat back in the chair, comfortable though it was, he wanted to go to his bed more than anything... maybe he could sneak out and get some hunting in, he thought.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod noticed the large man walking through the door and heading to the desk. He looked to be a little shorter than himself, maybe 6'3 or so. He had the look of a well seasoned military platoon, he was muscular, they would probably classify him as such. He notice the man sit a few seats away from him, which was fine to him.

From what he had learned about humans is that if 2 males sit next to each other people would begin to assume there was a relationship between them. He really didn't care though, Ichabod was over 500 years old and had seen more than his far share of same sex relationship.

But just from looking at the guy, he looked like he preferred the company of a workout gym over anything or anyone else. Ichabod wasn't muscular but he was fit and due to his daily work and his occasional running around at night he had managed to be well defined.

He offered a conciliatory nod and went back to him music. He switched over to some 50's music. He had gotten it from the Bioshock soundtrack one of the students mentioned as they were walking around town. He looked into it and enjoyed he memories from day long ago. He closed his eyes in remembrance.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

He glanced over to the other man, and at his nod, gave a grimaced smile in return. If anything, the people seemed quaint enough. Finally the attendant came out, calling for him. "Mr. Argenlet if you'll follow me, we'll take you to your room and get you started immediately." She was all smiles and benevolent enough, but he was still a bit reluctant.

"Is there a chance maybe I could rest a bit longer in the room? I'm a bit tired, it's been a long day." He wasn't lying, though he stretched the truth a bit. She smiled and nodded.

"Of course. Right this way, please." She glanced to the other man, being courteous before addressing him. "We apologize for the wait, sir. We'll send someone out soon to get you started." She then lead Kveld towards his room, opening the door and giving him a copy of the key. "There's a phone in there, so when you're ready just pick up and let us know, and we'll send someone over right away."

[Ichabod]

Ichabod grimaced as he saw that the guy that got here after him already got himself a room. He simmered a little as he watched the same woman from before come back, sit down and make a phone call. He growled intentionally as he was caught by another younger female that was finally there to bring him to his room which was down the same hall the well-built man headed.

He stood, grabbed his bag and followed the girl to the room. She also apologized about the tardiness of the staff, there was a situation in the room prior to Ichabod showing up and they had to bring in an emergency clean up crew, last minute. "It is fine, accidents happen." He said a bit less frustrated. The girl curtsied and headed away stating that if there is anything he needed, to call the front desk and request her.

Ichabod nodded and waved as she left. "Finally, some rest." It was still fairly early in the night. He planned that he would take a nice quick nap, soak in the springs and and get some food. He might even go for a run before the night is over. He stripped his clothes and placed them in the corner and curled himself up on his bed.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

He laid down and rested a bit, looking up to the ceiling as he did some breathing exercises to relax himself. Who knows, maybe this could be a good experience, getting away from his usual setting and just letting other people comfort him for a little bit. And besides, it was only for the weekend. He considered picking up the phone, his hand lingering near it, but he dropped it. He got up, instead moving out the door, deciding to explore on his own rather than call the staff. Besides, he could do spa stuff tomorrow. Tonight he just wanted to romp in the woods. Besides, they probably didn't have the food he could eat anyways.... Health spa or no, most people had no idea what truly good, healthy food was.

He made his way down to the parking lot, luckily unnoticed by the spa workers and patrons. He moved to his truck, quietly slipping into it and grabbing his bow and quiver, before locking up his vehicle and moving off to the woods to start his hunt.

[Ichabod]

About an hour and a half passed while he slept, it was a good nap, he supposed. Ichabod will get an even better one later. He rolled out of bed and did a few leg and arm stretches. He saw the clock and it wasn't quite past 8pm, thinking about it he would be starting his nightly shift at the cemetery. He shivered lightly at the thought of work, it almost disgusted him.

Ichabod considered the time and decided that he will take his run now before ordering something to eat. Steak was jumping through his head, he hope there was some. He was lightly dressed since the cool temperature outside never really fazed him, he opened the window, glanced out and jumped. It wasn't a long drop out the window, he landed on his feet and began to shift into his direwolf form. It was a long and agonizing few minutes before he reached his full form. Stretching again for good measure, he leaped casually into the woods where he broke into an a fast run.

The cold air in his lunges, the trees wiping past him, and the sounds of natures beauty in his ears. Ichabod loved the countryside more than any other place in the world. He'd spent a considerable amount of time living in the woods, he can even remember the small now rundown homes he had built for himself when alone. 500 years is a long time to be alone. The hard work and meticulous detail he made those homes with, nothing could compare to the modern homes nowadays but still warm and cozy.

He stopped in place panting heavily, he scuffed the ground with his paws and howled to the dark night sky. He was having a blast compared to doing the same around the city. There was people around all the time, he couldn't shift and run around as freely. He finished his howl and turned to a tree, sniffed, scratched his fur on the bark to relieve and itch and pissed at the base of it. He stepped away in glee and continued on with his run, staying within sight of the hot springs.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

He lost track of time while hunting, but he found his quarry- a wild sow, grunting as she rooted around for mushrooms. The female wasn't a weakling though- she'd seen her fair share of battles, and she clearly felt no fear being alone in this environment. Kveld was some distance away, seeing her in the pale moonlight. He inched closer and she dug through the earth with her tusks, slowly removing an arrow and nocking it on the string.

He became closer still, when howling erupted nearby, startling his prey and sending her running through the brush. Kveld nearly cursed, but having head the howl, wondered what sort of creature unleashed it. Too deep to be a wolf, and too loud to be any other animal. Kveldulf would have to be more cautious with this beast out. Keeping track of his surroundings, he began to move towards the source, arrow ready as he treaded carefully along the forest floor. He'd hunted bear before, but there was something about this that disturbed him.... So much that he had to breath to keep fur from sprouting on his skin. Already he could feel his teeth sharpen and grow a bit, felt the tingling of his ears as the tips became pointed.

He made himself breath slowly, keeping his other self at bay... This was a hunt, not battle, and he wasn't going to lose to his inner beast over something that could possibly be a hoax. But his instincts knew better, so he remained cautious and moved forward silently. It wasn't too long before he saw the maker of the howl, and even he was a bit taken aback- he'd never seen a wolf that large, and he'd been in a lab that specialized in weaponized creatures. Keeping his fingers on the bowstring, he observed it for a moment, trying not to be discovered.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod was loping about the woods until he caught the scent of someone or was it something. Whatever it was, it was very dangerous. He stopped his jumping and calmly spun around to peer into the depths of the trees. Then there it was, HE was. It was a man, it was the man from earlier in the day.

He noticed the large bow and quiver with one of the arrows already nocked but the string was not pulled back. Ichabod growl quite loudly in response, he was a man not some beast that needs to be hunted. He barked loud enough to echo for miles but what worried Ichabod wasn't the bow, he would be able to dodge an arrow with ease but it was the immensely large man holding the bow. There was something about him that just radiated unstable and dangerous.

Ichabod growl louder than before and slowly backed away into the woods far enough to still see the man but close enough to not lose sight.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

At his discovery and the growls and barking, Kveldulf braced himself, trying to maintain breathing, but it was growing more difficult as his teeth started to crowd each other, and the hair on his skin bristled and stood on end as it thickened, his now pointed ears tufted. His eyes seemed to shine in the darkness, and his hand dropped the bow, twitching as they became hairier and the nails grew out to form rudimentary claws. The last point of his transformation was ramming at the door of his psyche, seeking to come loose and unleash its fury on the wolf, and the rest of the forest...

But Kveldulf had better control than that. He sniffed, the scent of the wolf seemed familiar..... Though still new. He spoke, though he had a grip on his anger, he still sounded aggressive. "Who.. are yoouuuuu?" He growled back, noting him begin to retreat. He sniffed again, allowing his mind to clear more before trying to decipher the scent....

The man from the spa. He grinned, showing horribly crowded sharp teeth, a terrifying mix of human and canid, his eye fangs scraping his lip and blood trickled a bit from it. He started to laugh, and as he laughed, the fur receded, his ears became normal, as he reverted to his normal form. He wiped the blood from his lip, picking up his dropped bow and arrow, putting the arrow away in its quiver. He regained his composure, still laughing a bit, though he seemed a bit more embarrassed. "My apologies sir. Your howling just scared my dinner away, so I assure you, there's no reason to fear." He glanced to the wolf/man, making sure he had no intention of attacking him once his back was turned... But he didn't sense that; only fear and self-preservation.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod watched intently as he saw the man transform from what looked like a wild bear beast. It was nothing like he had ever seen before. He cautiously moved forward closer to the man, as he drew closer he could see the hair from the man-beasts hands grow and then wither away like it never had been there before. There was certainly something beastly about this man, thought he could handle himself quite well against him Ichabod didn't want to take the risk.

The man spoke. It shocked him slightly as he the words seem to force there way would of his throat. Ichabod quickly shifted back to his human form clad in his jeans and shirt. He responded in kind, "You are like nothing I have ever seen before and living 500 years, I have seen quite a bit." He drew closer more as the man dropped his bow and quiver now in his normal state.

Ichabod laughed as he was told the he had scared off his meal. "I am very sorry about that. If you are willing, I could track it down for you." He pointed to his own nose. His senses may be dulled while in human form, he could track game for miles as a Direwolf. "Its the least I could do to make it up to you." Offering him a steady hand.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

He chuckled a bit at his statement. "And in my 100 I've never seen anything as large as your other side, there. And when you're built in a military lab, nobody on the civilian side will see you for at least 35 years." He smiled, though it wasn't completely in good humor. But he shrugged and put his hand out for a handshake. "I'm Kveldulf Argenlet, and if you don't mind, please don't mention this to anyone. The only one else in this area who knows about this is my boss Kinzoku."

He smiled a bit more warmly at the offer to help retrieve his lost dinner, and nodded. "I would appreciate it, but it seems a bit wrong to ask you to do all my work. Why don't we both go together? I wouldn't mind the company." He offered, since he did occasionally get lonely, though not in a physical sense.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod nodded in agreement, "I understand. Aurelian doesn't quite know about myself and what I am able to do. Your secret is safe with me." Kinzoku knows of his age and it personality but being a shifter is something that Ichabod has only told few people and Kveldulf is now one of those few. "My name is Ichabod Vestibule, pleasure to meet you." He eventually pulled his hand back not knowing if he would get the welcoming handshake.

"Tell you this, since I am partially the cause of you missing out on the capturing of your food. We hunt together, I'll track it and you kill it. Maybe we can find something more than just the wild pig you found." Ichabod thought it was reasonable enough, plus with the additional hunt and meat there would be more than enough to feed them both with some left over.

[Kveldulf Argenlet]

Seeing the man pull his hand away, he didn't take offense- after all, he did give the man quite a scare when he shifted. "Pleased to meet you Ichabod. Likewise." He acknowledged. Almost no one outside of the military higher ups knew of this form... Ichabod would be one of the few who would live in silence about it.

To the proposition, he nodded, smiling a bit. "Sounds good. It's been a while since I've done a hunt with companions. I'm pretty sure I saw a herd of elk a few miles east of here if you want to go for that." If they went back to his truck, he could probably get enough butcher paper to clean up the rest of the meat and the skin for later, and split the meat down the middle.

[Ichabod]

His eyes widened at the expectations of the hunt and the meat of elk, "I would say that elk would have to be the top 3 meat I truly enjoy." He smiled and grunted as he quickly shifted to his direwolf form, being closer to the man Ichabod would finally be able to show off his 5 foot tall stature. He was feeling cocky with the anticipation of the hunt. The chase was what he enjoyed when hunting, sure the food and nature played a big part of being a beast like him but the feeling of failing or the triumph of success was always something that got his heart racing.

"Gather your gear and I will find some trace of scent of your pig and then we go for the elk." He spoke but it wasn't through his throat. It was projected to the large mans mind. It wasn't a trait that he used very often but was a great way to manipulate humans at his leisure.