Xander's Cross, Oregon: a small town ringed with forbidding mountains and misty forest. The sky may be gray, but the townspeople are welcoming to people of all kinds...and things that are not quite human as well. Here the native shifters, aliens, werewolves, and witches live in peace. They have yet to find out the new business owners encroaching on the land are also vampires.
The peace has been broken by murder, however, and things in Xander's Cross are about to become quite a bit darker.
Welcome to your new home.
is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?
August 20, 2020
The mayor, Rowan Starkwood, was found dead less than a mile from his home. Rumors say his body was mutilated, but the state of the body has not yet been released to the public.
Yes, he would like to know. He just wasn't going to verbally say so right now, considering he was trying to be a good doctor at the moment.
Her reply, however, had him pausing to acknowledge her in slight curiosity. It sounded both conceited and yet...sad. Cal wouldn't say anything on it nor give her any pity because, well, guess what- he was in the same boat. Shannon's words were about to rush back at him, yelling at him that he was a piece of shit, that he didn't deserve anything, that he had abandoned...her, their child. He had to blink, had to shove it away before it could cloud him and he was focusing his gaze back on Paige to ground himself.
"You'll be fine," he assured her. She should really be trying for two weeks, but one would be better than nothing at this point. "Come back in a week and we'll have another look just to be sure, yeah?" And hopefully he could give her the news she wanted to hear then so she could go off on her sexcapades...or whatever it was she did.
'I know the feeling.' Hunt had noted how quiet she had gotten again but didn't think much on it, maybe because he was feeling the same way, or he was just vibing off of her own reactions and emotions. "Right...so, don't make it harder on yourself." Oh yes, now he felt like he was getting preachy and wished he wasn't. It was her life, her body, she could do whatever the hell she damn well pleased. As a doctor, though, he didn't want her to hurt herself any further. As a fellow wolf and soldier, he also didn't want her having to deal with the residual pain that could linger.
When she requested help, he slowly turned back to her with a slow grin beginning to crease his lips again. Cal didn't know why he found it amusing, maybe because he didn't often dress someone else. Or maybe it was because he didn't feel strange anymore, like he had already known this woman for awhile. It was the wolfish kinship, he knew, but it was sort of nice to allow himself this moment of not being a loner.
Cal drew the strap over her shoulder and clasped it for her before ocher eyes shifted sidelong to her face, his jaw clenching slightly. "Five...six years?" He was trying to remember. It had been good experience, but it had also been some of the worst years of his life. And yet, he'd do it all over again if it would help him forget Brianna and the pain that still haunted him. "I served as an army Ranger. Medic, of course." He didn't mean to, but he sighed lightly before he turned away from her to go back to her file to jot down a few more notes so he wouldn't forget. "What made you want to be a Marine?" As he was slipping the pen from his ear again, he glanced over to her briefly before he began to write.
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 20, 2020 12:14:45 GMT -5
He had a nice smile she decided. When he decided to use it, it was almost contagious. Her own small smile of amusement filtered across her face while she watched his face. The strap was back up over her shoulder and she caught the slight clench of his jaw. So nearly as long as she had been in. Ranger? That certainly got her attention. The fact he was a medic was not surprising since he was Doc. She watched him walk away to write more stuff down, catching him pull that pen from behind his ear. Those very cute adorable ears, she was quickly realizing. Finding it rather amusing they were even shaped like wolf ears. Between his ears and last name, he was a walking pun for their kind wasn’t he?
Cute.
She sighed, a sheepish grin appearing on her face while she grabbed the sling. “Does this stay on too?” She asked, waving it at him. Depending on his answer she’d start either putting it back on her set it in her lap. “No hidden talents, and not knowing what I wanted to do. Thought I’d give it a few years, and then decide, but uh-” Ah, there was the self-deprecating thoughts again. She reached up to scratch the side of her cheek. Tank. Tank had happened. A fond smile crossed her face as she thought about that mangy Shepard. “Couldn’t pull myself away.” She whispered. She looked down to fiddle with her fingers, her legs lightly began to kick out again. If she was being honest, which was something that had a 50/50 chance of her actually admitting, Paige might have gone off to be a dancer after school. Which was strange as no one knew that about her. Lessons with Daneiris had always been private and she’d never competed, but damn if she hadn’t enjoyed it. It had crossed her mind more times than not, but dancing didn’t put money on the table. At least not that dancing.
“After my first set of injuries in my third tour I switched branches to the Army. They put me in field artillery.” And thus the bullet holes. It wasn’t often a woman got that job, but she’d earned it, and proved it more times then she liked to count.
“And two years later here we are.” She sighed. A faint smile appearing on her face as she looked back up. She remembered then what one of Doc’s in Iraq had told her, and she averted her eyes again. Her body growing a bit tense. “The doc in Iraq said they were gonna prescribe some meds, but would need a doc stateside to give approval. Is that you or do I gotta talk to the pharmacist?” She asked slowly. Her eyes flicked back up to look at him. Hoping she wouldn’t have to say what type of meds they were and what they were treating. Mostly she didn’t want him asking questions about how they’d found out. Not even her family knew about the anti-depressants.
Unfortunately (or maybe it was fortunate), Ms. Anderson hadn't seen anything yet. And if she was lucky, this would be the only kind of smile she'd ever witness from the doctor. Despite his little comments here and there, Cal was being a professional, because yes he was capable of such things. It was just different when he was around his own kind- it was like this natural kinship emerged, and he was more himself. Even if it was just a hint of his real self right now.
Gaze flickered back to her and the sling. "Only if you feel like you need it, but I'd start using that arm again. Slowly using it," he advised. Babying it too much wouldn't help, but shifting and using it too much would certainly not help either. It was a delicate balancing act but she'd figure it out, he had no doubt. His brow furrowed gently again as she used that self-deprecating tone once more. Wow, he thought he was bad. A corner of his mouth curled up into the barest of grins, though, and he nodded slightly in understanding. Although she whispered, he of course heard her loud and clear. "Yeah...I get that," he said just as quietly.
"Artillery?" Did he sound too impressed by that? Well, by the way both eyebrows shot up, yeah, he probably did. Well, it was a compliment regardless, and the grin curled up just a little bit more as he had to force himself to look back down to her file, double-checking everything. If he let himself, he'd probably talk about this for hours but figured this appointment had gone on long enough and she most likely wanted to be on her way. "And here you are..." he echoed lightly, mainly to himself. "You thinking about going back?" What happened to not furthering this discussion?
Blinking again, he shook his head as if to dismiss it. It was her following words that brought him to another quiet pause, brown eyes finding her face and immediately knowing what she was saying (or, well, not saying). There was only a moment where he stopped to remember what he had read in her file, what the other doctor had suggested and what they would prescribe. Wolf or not, she was dealing with what many servicemen did, and his features softened. Cal had struggled with PTSD, wanting to believe it had been getting better until the death of his daughter made him spiral all over again. It was just one of many reasons why he had to get away. It was calmer out here in Xander's Cross. It helped.
Hunt didn't answer her. Instead, he drew out a pad and quickly jotted down the prescription she'd need before bringing it over to her. Although he held it out for her to take, he didn't let go of the paper right away, looking her in the eye. "Y'know, if you ever need...someone to talk to-" He wasn't a therapist and he probably shouldn't be offering it, but...who the fuck cared? "I'm a pretty good listener." And it was by the tone of his voice and how quiet it still seemed to be, that she'd know he meant that he would listen, because he could relate. That he understood, at least to an extent. Fingers finally let go of the script and he forced the solemn expression away, replacing it with that wry smirk. "You know where to find me."
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 20, 2020 22:36:05 GMT -5
A small smile appeared on Paige’s face while she shrugged her good shoulder. “Boy’s aren’t the only ones that like rocket launchers and cannons.” She said. going a bit sheepish at seeing that grin of his curl up a bit more. The sight of those pearly whites was suddenly her undoing, as she felt her heart began to hammer hard in her chest. Warn a girl before you send her into the wolf’s den Ma! She thought in annoyance at her mother. A face like that though? Had to be seeing someone. Even if he’d asked her about a boyfriend or girlfriend earlier. He was just doing his job. Still...That didn’t mean she couldn’t look.
“Eh, I dunno. If I do I might see about another Transfer. See how I like the Navy or something.” She said. She didn’t think she could handle going back into the Army with a chance of running into Greg again. Was she running? Maybe. Paige didn’t like confronting her problems. She’d switched branches after losing Tank, and with the blow Greg gave her she was real hesitant at being back there. Besides...Less of a chance of getting blown or shot at on a naval vessel. But...it would be just her luck to hit the third times the charm on a boat and finally meet her maker.
Those bluish greens of her’s met those browns from across the small exam room as she waited patiently. Watching him take out a prescription pad and scribble on it before he was walking over to her, and holding it out. She reached out to take it, her eyes flicking up to his when he didn’t let go right away and she tensed again. Was he?......No. No he couldn’t be. But the look in his eyes and that quiet voice he used told her something she didn’t want to accept. Which was that he probably knew a heck of a lot of what she was going through that she didn’t want to admit. Army Ranger. He probably had more gruesome stories then she did.
She stared at him long after he told her where to find him, and that wry smile appeared on his face. That wolf kinship to take care of their own must have been showing itself, as well as that kinship of meeting a fellow soldier. She had a mix of feelings, but one thing was for certain now. He’d practically set up himself now for her to be a thorn in his side, and there was no take backsies. “Took the words right out of my mouth Doc.” She said quietly, her eyes narrowing slightly. Paige wasn’t much of a talker about her own problems, but she was also one that was a good listener. "Seriously dude, what's up with you taking away all my fun." She arched an eyebrow slowly at him, as she reached up to tuck the prescription in the front pocket of her overalls. Implying with the look she gave him, she was pretty sure he had stuff he wouldn’t mind talking about too, and the offer would go both ways.
She hopped off the exam table holding the sling now with her hurt arm, and craned her head back to look up at him now that she stood directly in front of him. “We done here Doc?” She asked. Waiting for a response with an expectant look. If he said they were, a coy smile would suddenly appear on her face. “Good, since we’re no longer Doctor Patient now because my appointment is over…” The coy smile of hers just grew into a mischievous one. “Diner, tomorrow, 7 o’clock. Don’t be late or I'll track you down, I always find what I'm looking for.” She reached up and patted the side of his arm, before she sidestepped around him, and started towards the door.
There came a soft laugh, one that reverberated deep within his chest. "Must be this small, quiet town messing with my head," he joked, that pen wielding hand make the circular "crazy" gesture by his temple. "I normally like to be the cause of fun, but...y'know." He shrugged. No, she didn't know that he had fallen down deep, and was overly grateful for Blake for wanting to start this clinic with him. Cal honestly didn't know what he would have done otherwise. Perhaps more bar fights, because that was about the path he was headed down.
He was a "fucking piece of shit", after all. Something along those lines.
Still, he meant what he said about the offer. Some people did better just talking to those that could actually relate as opposed to a therapist who would sit there for an hour and just nod, most likely just doodling in their notebook instead of taking notes. Cal probably wouldn't have offered this to just anyone (especially his patients), so her being a non-aggressive wolf (from what he could tell) was definitely one of the reasons. Being a fellow soldier was another. And, of course, she was cute. Minor detail, that one.
"Uh, yeah...think so," he answered her question, moving so that he could casually lean against the counter again. "Just be wary of that arm, don't exert yourself, and look into some physical therapy. We might be able to hook you up here, if you wanted."Alright, you can stop talking now. Move on. And strangely, he was almost ready to stop her. It had been awhile since he spoke with his own kind in this sort of fashion, and the fool was very close to just blurting that fact out. However, Paige was already a step ahead.
An eyebrow rose at the sight of that coy smile and he sensed the mischief before it appeared across her face. His lips pursed in thought, turning so that his gaze could trail her while she went to the door. The diner? Was this to take him up on his offer or something else? It didn't matter, because color him intrigued. His movements were slow to follow her where he would lean within the doorway once she opened it, and tilt half his body out to blatantly watch her leave. "And are ya lookin' for something now?" he dared to call out quietly, knowing that he could have whispered it and she'd have heard him. She could take his words however she wished, he was only implying a little bit. Mostly.
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 21, 2020 1:30:50 GMT -5
What are you doing Paige? She was suddenly asking herself. Doing the same thing I did with Corinne, only this time it was with a hot werewolf doc. It was the diner. It was safe, there would be no problem. Yeah, except everyone in fucking town ate at the diner. Oh well.
He hadn’t outright refused so she was already considering herself lucky. Maybe he did want to go, just to see what she wanted. And what she wanted, was to give him a glimpse into what not being alone anymore felt like. Pack. He needed a Pack and she was going to give him one. Whether he wanted to or not. There was a reason he hadn’t been adopted yet in the supposed year he’d been here. For whatever reason, whether he was avoiding the other wolves because he was afraid of getting close or something else. Well...Paige Anderson was back in town and she wasn’t going to have any of it. Someone needed help, she was going to help.
She walked through the open door way and she could hear him coming up behind her, leaning out of the doorway. She could tell he was watching her as it sent the hair at the back of her neck standing up on end with his gaze. His soft call had her smirking and she slowly turned around, walking slowly backwards. “Mmmm I think the jury is still out on that Hunt.” She told him thoughtfully. She smirked, before turning back around, but not before she threw him a wink. Was she searching for something? She didn’t know. It depended on what the something was. There were some things she didn’t want to go looking for. Not again, that pain was still there. A wound that hadn’t been healed yet, if it ever even would. But she could at least take one day at a time. She pushed the door open and left Haven. A million thoughts coursing through her mind, and most of them revolved around that very interesting Doctor, and what she was going to do with him.
Post by Blake Carson on Aug 21, 2020 1:38:13 GMT -5
Blake had been done with the old lady within fifteen minutes of talking to her and prescribed some antibiotics for the sinus infection she had. The nurse had finally gotten to the clinic and was getting the kid with Poison oak all prepped for him while he was at the front desk, doing his write up on the old woman when he heard Hunt’s voice call out quietly. He couldn’t make out the words, but he did turn his head to see the woman Hunt had taken back say something about a jury still being out. She was turning back around from walking backward, and he saw that wink and the small smirk that was on her lips before she headed out of the clinic.
Now he was intrigued, and there was that spark of small jealously once again that Cal got all the fun cases. And the girls apparently when they came in. They seriously were going to have to start doing rock paper scissors...
Blake scrambled out of the chair and whirled around the corner. The jealousy was clear on his face, and he crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall. His dark blues gave an expectant look at Cal, pursing his lips before he looked over his shoulder at where Ms. Anderson had left before his head slowly rolled back around to look at his best friend. “Did you get her number?” He held a hand out and pointed behind him before his eyebrows arched, and he started wagging his other finger at him. “You got something, but because I saw that wink.” He started walking towards Cal, nudging him in his shoulder. “No. Fair.” He chuckled. “Now spill! What's the jury still out on?” He gasped in clear glee suddenly. "Did she deny the infamous Callum Hunt her number?" He asked in awe. Clearly teasing him, but he was certainly curious.
His head tilted a bit more, watching as she turned around and began to walk backwards. The amused smirk never left his face, arms crossing over his chest once again. What was he doing? Was this flirtation or him reaching out to another wolf because he missed the feeling of a pack? Sometimes, they were one in the same with him, but not always. Cal didn't want a pack, he was just too blinded at the moment to remember that. He had Blake and that was it, and not even his friend knew what he was or what he had gone through, despite Cal knowing his deep, dark secret. Was that selfish? Was that stupid?
But Paige Anderson really shouldn't get involved. There was more to that smirking face, something dark and sad underneath it all, and she clearly had her own problems to worry about.
Eyes squinted playfully, lips pursing again thoughtfully as she replied and threw that wink. And instead of commenting again, he let the she-wolf go, eyes still trailing her...until Blake's form was blocking the way. He grimaced slightly. Cal saw the look on the man's face and knew what was coming, that jealousy just oozing off of him. It was enough to keep him smirking again, though. "No," he answered his question, slipping back into the room temporarily to retrieve Paige's file. When he re-emerged as Blake was rambling on and demanding answers, he wasn't saying anything until his full name was used. He cringed a little again. "You my mother now, full namin' me?" Oh no, he was going to wipe that glee right off Blake's face.
Coming fully out from the room, he paused right in front of the human as his sly grin ever so slowly returned. Like he was taunting him now. "I'm meeting her at the diner tomorrow." Cal would make it sound like a date, just to rub it in Blake's face, but he knew better. It was something else...he just couldn't figure out what exactly that something was. And there was only one way to find out.
Post by Blake Carson on Aug 21, 2020 12:00:33 GMT -5
Blake laughed, crossing his arms and sticking his hands up under his armpits. “No, I’m just your wife remember? I gotta scope out all your mistress’s for my stamp of approval.” He retorted grinning widely. Cal had thought it was pretty funny to call Blake his work wife, but honestly the way the two went at it sometimes they sounded like an old married couple. How any work got done around here was a miracle, and how the nurse hadn’t murdered them both was an even bigger one. When it came down to it though, Cal was family. Blake’s only family, and aside from Carlos, he was the only other man Blake had considered a brother.
Blake blinked then, tilting his head to the side, to stick his pinky in his ear and look like he was cleaning it out. “I’m sorry what? I think I miss heard you,” He said a bit taken aback. “You’re meeting her at the diner?” He asked clarifying. The grin certainly had gotten wiped off his face as Blake looked at him in full shock. Cal didn’t go on dates with girls. They’d been there a year, and Blake hadn’t seen him interested in anyone for more than a few days tops. Blake stepped forward, pressing the back of his hand to Cal’s forehead. “Feeling okay dude, any dizziness, shortness of breath? How many fingers am I holding up?” He held up his middle finger right in front of his face. He pushed the hand that was on his forehead more against his head lightly pushing his head back a bit before he removed it. “Seriously Man? Well I want the details with that too.” said pointing a finger at him, before he was turning to head down the hall. “I’m instilling a new clinic rule too by the way! Effective immediately!” He called. Stopping in the hallway to point at him. “Rock paper scissors from here on out for any of the fun cases, and cute faces.” Blake waved his hand at him, with a shake of his head. “I can’t even look at ya! A date?! Man…” There was a small disgusted noise, but it was all in good fun. “Proud of you hubby!” He called. In all seriousness, Blake was actually happy Cal was going out and doing something like this. Out of the two of them to start settling down and getting life, Blake thought it should be Cal. The man deserved it whether he wanted to admit it, and Blake had far too much baggage with his own issues to want to try a relationship again. So, he was going to keep his fingers crossed all went well with Cal, and bribe him with a cheesecake later for all the details.
Cal chuckled at the wife comment. He couldn't really remember when that had all started, but "work wifey" became a thing, especially since Blake was a very good cook and often brought in tons of leftovers. He also just took care of Cal, sometimes without even knowing it. In truth, the man was his very best friend despite how they teased and nagged on each other during work hours, and the wolf wasn't sure what he would have done without him. Blake offered him a chance for a new start, and that didn't happen every day. "Your stamp of approval?" he echoed in humor before rolling his eyes. Maybe he should just let the guy know it wasn't a date...but he also couldn't help but like seeing how jealous it made him. But Cal would be the first one to say that Blake deserved a good woman in his life. Perhaps he'd find the right one when the time came.
Although he was still amused, he let out a gentle sigh. Yeah, maybe he should tell Blake this wasn't as big of a deal as it appeared. He really had no idea what it was but it had seemed a little impossible to tell Paige no. He outright laughed at his friend's antics, swatting that middle finger away as the smile spread wide across his face. "It's not like that. She's a fellow serviceman, alright?" Maybe that would placate him, let him think they were just going to trade war stories over some burgers. Hell, perhaps that was what would happen, and he wasn't so sure he wanted to go down that road again. However, he had promised to be there to listen should she need it.
What the hell was he getting himself into already?
Blake still managed to keep the amusement on his face. "It's not a date," he called to him to clarify, again, before he was rolling his eyes as he turned away. No, Cal didn't do dates. He didn't date anymore. He didn't do any of that because it always led to heartache, one way or another. He wasn't interested in that again, and he didn't want to inconvenience any woman with it either. "Also!" Cal yelled down the hall to him. "I kick your ass in that game every time! Stop choosing scissors!"Maybe you shouldn't be yelling out curses in the clinic, doctor.