Run, Wolf, Run

[sandywolf]

Who: Randolph Lyall and YOU
Broadcast: Yes, to the whole fleet
Action: Yes
When: The whole month of July



a. Wolf run [ACTION/BROADCAST]

[If you visit one of the natural islands during one of the evening/nights, you might run into a pair of wolves running.

Both of them are more slender than what you would expect a wolf to be. The bigger one has deep chocolate-colored fur with a shot of oxblood at the throat. The smaller one is sandy-colored with darker, almost black hair running along his back from his nose to the tip of his tail. He's so small you might confuse him for a fox and wonder why those two are walking or running companionably together.

If you're in human dwelling place, you might see them trotting around, looking everywhere and sniffing the air, with much more intelligence in their gold eyes than one would expect of a beast. If you leave the buildings behind to get into the forests or fields, then you'll see them taking off at extremely high speed. You might hear some howling as they finally get to stretch their legs and enjoy actual wind and air.

Don't try to hunt them, though. You might be in for a nasty surprise if you do.]



b. A night on the town [ACTION]

[Whether with Biffy or on his own, Lyall will only be seen roaming the streets at night. There is some shopping to be done, and of course, the theatre. Finally some place that is civilized and with a night life.

No matter the night you see him, Lyall will always be dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit in brownish tones, with a waistcoat of yellow or cream and a cravat in a suitable, muted color, plus a bowler hat.

When shopping, his preference goes to clothing, and also mechanical parts. You might have to pry him from exploring some second-hand shops with mechanisms and fascinating apparatus.

If you also go to the theatre, he might ask you what you thought of the play, and offer his own opinion.]



c. Mask Shopping [ACTION]

[Strange mists and a contraption that can help go through them and explore? Count Lyall in. Especially since the mist powers the technology here, and he is curious as to how it works. So off he goes to buy a good mask.]

Have you tried any of these? I'm looking for some recommendations.



d. Mist Exploring [ACTION]
[TW: threads may contain references to violence, torture and sexual assault]

[Lyall was certain he'd bought the best mask that he could afford, and that he'd used it properly. But it appears there may have been a small defect, and he's ended up breathing in some of it.

If you are nearby, you will see the mist coalescing into an enormous, black wolf, slowly padding out and towards Lyall. He doesn't move from where he is as the beast comes closer, refusing to back down, but he looks extremely small, even in human form, while facing this wolf.

If you are close enough, you might hear Lyall say something under his breath.]

You're dead. I made sure of it.

[If you would be so kind as to drag him away before the wolf gets any closer...

If you don't, the wolf will morph into a human shape and attack Lyall. He will attempt to dodge or minimize any 'damage', but he's not running away or really attacking back for some reason.

Help?]



e. Mask Tinkering [ACTION for SS BLAMELESS/BROADCAST]

[Following his misadventures in the Mist, Lyall is back on the Blameless and in the lab. He's taken off his jacket, which should tell you all you need to know about the fact that he is very focused on what he is doing right now.

Which happens to be consolidating the sides of the mask he bought, resoldering some parts, adding some leather in some places, or metallic bits. He is pretty absorbed, but will be willing to have a conversation if you come interrupt.]

Comments

a

[dandyofawolf]

[Needing to teleport to the various islands is mildly inconvenient but in the end it means that he and Lyall can run together. Really and truly run. There are plenty of times he keeps his werewolf ways in check but not right now. This is something they'd needed and it is so liberating.

Circling around the grass, he pads about before letting his more playful nature kick in. Suddenly he turns so he can tackle Lyall. Normally this would be so over the top in his eyes but right now he knows no one can see them. This is just them without any eyes to judge their antics.

And his instincts say it's time to play.]

[sandywolf]

[He should have expected this, really. Lyall only has himself to blame for not anticipating this.

He lets out a small yelps at being tackled, and twists his body to try and not end up stuck under Biffy. Or else the playing will end rather too soon.]

[dandyofawolf]

[The twisting results in them rolling and Biffy is back on his feet quickly. He lets out a little noise before running around Lyall and pouncing again.

Sometimes it can be easy for the energy to build up inside him. He's still very new to being an Alpha, after all. Not to mention that he's young for a wolf as well.]

[sandywolf]

[Oh no, not this time. Lyall quickly dodges, looking to run around Biffy and nip at his tail.

Maybe if he makes him run around in circles, Biffy will burn out some of that seemingly endless energy. They are both smart and agile, though, and they're not actually looking to hurt each other.]

[dandyofawolf]

[Bouncing away, he lets out another playful noise. Then he shifts around to actually jump over Lyall and knock into him. Normally he really isn't for these sort of werewolf games. He has dignity.

He supposes that perhaps he really has built up a lot of energy over the past months of being alone here. A part of him makes a mental note to properly thank Lyall for this later.

When they have mouths that can speak and clothes on.]

[sandywolf]

[Biffy's weight makes Lyall stumble slightly and he takes the time to get his bearings again... before he just takes off at high speed.

Maybe a bit of a chase will help first.]

[dandyofawolf]

[He watches him run and then looks around a bit before ducking off to the taller grasses. With them running and the shifting winds, he knows it hides him better while being able to keep track of Lyall.

After all, he can think very fast on his feet for an Alpha. Something he has to do just to make up for being so small.]

[sandywolf]

[Lyall is under no illusion that Biffy can't track him through scent. But with a bit of distance between them, and Lyall's own sharp nose, it's easier to predict where Biffy will be coming from, even with the way the wind seems to blow in every direction.

And he has a few hundred years of making up for being small on Biffy. He zigzags as he runs as fast as he can until he reaches some trees and slows down to a trot as he goes under them.]

[dandyofawolf]

[Realizing what Lyall is doing, he starts moving in more random patterns to spread his scent over a wider radius. To confuse Lyall's nose somewhat before he dips into the trees. These will help to hide his scent further since they'll block some of the breezes coming through.

And since he can currently see Lyall, he also takes advantage of being the darker wolf to use these shadows to his advantage. He's not the fondest of hunting which is why he doesn't really do it. However, this feels less like that and more a game with his mate. It somehow makes it more...civilized.

In a very wolf sort of fashion.

Slowly circling to get in front of Lyall, he waits to see if his trick worked at all.]

[sandywolf]

[Biffy is a powerful Alpha. Very powerful.

He is also about 400 years to young to escape Lyall's nose, but Lyall can give him credit for trying, and for being imaginative about it.

The smaller wolf disappears from view under some bushes. When he comes out again, it's behind Biffy, and this time he is the one who will pounce, taking advantage of his superior speed and agility.]

[dandyofawolf]

[That's the thing about keeping an eye on Lyall. Maybe his scent trick didn't work but he's not surprised when Lyall comes from behind. In fact, he's able to react quickly duck so that his mate flies over him before coming at him. One of them may be older with more experience as well as a smaller size to make speed easier but the other is still an Alpha. One that is more in tune with his Beta than any Alpha ever has been as far as records can tell.

For him this is like breathing the same as his lover. Their souls entwined to the point of him always being aware of where Lyall is if he pays attention.

So the scent trick didn't work in a way. But this has brought his mate closer to him which is all the Biffy really needs for his own pounce at him.]

[sandywolf]

[The tether of course makes things more complicated. Especially the fact that here, Lyall is the only one Biffy is tethered to, so of course, he'd be even more aware of him.

And so once again they are rolling around in the dirt, jaws snapping as Lyall tries to escape being pinned to the ground.

It doesn't take that long for him to finally roll over and show his belly. Even he knows that once Biffy has a hold of him, he won't be able to fight back unless he really tries to hurt him.]

[dandyofawolf]

[On all fours above him, he finally licks his face a few times and gives him a nuzzle before getting off. Trotting away a couple of steps, he starts to sniff around. What they had been doing was a game. No way is he going to push it beyond that.

After all, he knows Lyall isn't challenging him. Will never try to challenge him. Their balance works so well partially because they suit their roles as well as they do.

That and he loves his mate. He has no desire to bring him harm. Ever.]

[ c ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks, giving him an odd look. ]

In terms of what, precisely? Design?

[sandywolf]

Design, wearability, effectiveness... we have been told that the mist is dangerous, but there are people walking out with just a cloth on their mouth and nose, which does not strike me as extremely effective protection.

[But hey, if it looks good, that's a bonus.]

[dothelokimotion]

Treasure hunters, no doubt.

[ Weak protection from the mists in search of what the legends say. Loki unconsciously rotates the ring on his finger. ]

But the mist is dangerous to those who are not self-aware.

[sandywolf]

.... I beg your pardon?

['Those who are not self-aware'? Lyall is pretty sure that this is not how that works.]

I was under the impression that being affected was simply a biological process that happens when you have lungs and breathe in. I haven't heard that self-awareness played any part of it.

[dothelokimotion]

There is that, but you might end up believing in whatever the mists show you. Which are only figments. Weak-willed illusions.

[ Never mind that Loki bought it briefly. In his defense, it looked like Thor. ]

[sandywolf]

Hallucinogenics have powerful effects on the brain. I assume that once the effects dissipate, people should be fine again.

[Because that's how biology normally works. But then he hasn't yet been into the mist, or talked to people who have that he knows of.]

Have you heard of anyone falling prey to it?

[dothelokimotion]

I did. It was decidedly unpleasant.

[ Loki's never been a fan, despite his own ability to conjure and pull demons out of people's minds. ]

[sandywolf]

Ah. And would you call yourself 'not self-aware?'

[You know, since you just said. There might be a bit of dry sarcasm under there.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Smooth as silk. ]

I would say that it even caught me unawares. Which doesn't happen often.

[ Almost never. There's barely a handful of people in the universe who could. ]

[sandywolf]

May I inquire as to what it was you saw?

[If the effects are truly hallucinogenic, it may not help, as it would vary from individual to individual, but it's still information. Lyall likes having information.]

[dothelokimotion]

I'm not inclined to share it, but it takes on many forms. Some familiar, some more nebulous.

[sandywolf]

[Well, that's understandable. It could be pretty personal. Lyall won't pry.]

Are you shopping for one of those as well, then? To avoid further unwanted encounters?