itp: complete werewolfy gratuity

[itaito]

[he knew, when he came to the city to pursue his singing career, that he'd be away from his pack. he'd thought, at the time, that it would be okay. he was the omega wolf in any case, and he'd been looking forward to the freedom.

(his own proclivities notwithstanding. that was a separate thing, somehow elusively different. he could ask to be beaten or bound, and find someone to oblige him. he'd never asked to be the omega.)

but it was lonelier than he'd expected, being the only wolf he knew here. being out from under the hierarchical bullying of his own pack was nice; the lack of anyone to run with or howl with or just curl up with in a furry heap on lazy nights was rather less so.

the ceaseless busyness of writing, recording, performing, and interviewing is enough to put it from his mind, sometimes. but sometimes not. and especially not during lulls in activity, when he has days free to himself, wide open and lonely.

he sits slumped on a park bench, disconsolately flipping pebbles into a fountain.]

Comments

[itaito]

They're not so bad. Granted, I don't miss the bullying, but--

Wait. Your pack? I... I thought you were a vampire?

[was_no_monster]

[making a bit of a face at the mention of bullying. maybe he doesn't get the whole omega thing because he's not a real wolf of any sort... but then again, he'd never understood why siblings were supposed to bully each other, either.

grinning again at Kaito's obvious surprise, though]

I am. However, I'm also something of a caretaker for a pack of grey wolves living near the mountains.

[itaito]

Really! I didn't think a true wolf pack would be that welcoming. They're awfully shy...

[was_no_monster]

They were. It took me a long time and a lot of work to get them to warm up to me at all. ...Of course, it helped that it was winter and I was bringing them enough food for everyone.

[itaito]

Heh heh! That'll do it, for sure. I'm not sure how the wildlife reintroduction people would feel about you spoiling the wolf pack like that, though.

[was_no_monster]

[snickering] Trust me, they don't object much. I do have to dodge capture traps on occasion, but I'm not going to blame them for doing their jobs.

...I'm not spoiling them, though. I only do enough for them to make up for what I take, unless they really need it. I don't want any of them to learn to rely on me so much that they can't take care of themselves.

[itaito]

Capture traps?

[gears are turning... gears are turning...]

Hang on. Are you saying you can turn into a wolf, too?

[was_no_monster]

[...slow blink]

Of course. ...You didn't know about that?

[itaito]

No! Can all vampires do that? I knew you could turn into bats, but...

[was_no_monster]

[looking somewhat chagrinned]

Well, that's what I get for assuming, I suppose... Anyway, yes, although it depends on experience, as far as I can tell. We're supposed to be able to change into a bat, a wolf, or mist, but my attempts at bat tend to be somewhat hit or miss, and I can't do the mist at all.

[itaito]

Maybe you just identify with the wolf more? I know with my kind, we have trouble regulating our changes if we identify more strongly with one side or the other.

[was_no_monster]

[flushing a very light pink]

Ah... I-I already know that that's definitely part of it.

[he's not stupid, after all. it hadn't taken him long to notice that the only times he could take the bat's shape properly were when he was going to use it to cuddle up to someone. the bat craved closeness the same way the wolf wanted to run, but tapping into that mindset when he didn't want it (or didn't want to admit he wanted it) was much more difficult.]

[itaito]

I guess it's a little of both, then.

... Hey, um... if it's not too presumptuous, could I ask you a favor?

[was_no_monster]

Ah, of course!

[...why am I still jumping all over him at any chance to help— oh, God, I'm turning into my father]

[itaito]

Um... I know you said you hunt closer to the mountains, but... would you be willing to run with me, when I hunt?

/2

[was_no_monster]

[blinks, startled by his request... and then beams]

Aah, I'd like that.

[was_no_monster]

[abruptly, his smile turns rather wicked]

As long as you don't mind your meat dry.

[itaito]

If I want it bloody, I can always take a solo trip.

Aah, this'll be great! It's been so long!

[was_no_monster]

[chuckling, kind of stupidly pleased about Kaito not batting an eye about him acting predatory]

Mmm... I don't suppose you'd have the time for it within the next few days? I should eat soon, and this way I can kill two birds with one stone.

[itaito]

I have tomorrow off, and the rest of tonight. Which works better for you?

[was_no_monster]

[hopefully] ...Tonight? If it isn't too soon, I mean...

[itaito]

That's fine for me. Where should we meet?

[was_no_monster]

[humming thoughtfully as he goes through his pockets for something to write with]

Mmm... There's another park nearby my father's house that borders on the same woods. Father and I both go there in wolf shape fairly often, so the people there are used to seeing large dogs.

[itaito]

Ah, that sounds like the perfect place!

Oh - here, I have a pen... [hands it over. and a small notepad]

[was_no_monster]

Ah, thanks—

[scribbling down the address for the park—and then, after a thought, his phone number—before offering both the pen and pad back]

Here's the address. I'll be there by around sundown.