RP:Pawning Favors

Part of the Lunar Tides and Silver Linings Arc

Synopsis: Tiber gets more information on why Lanara was not going to return to Lithrydel. Lanara pawns her bracelet from Nick to pay the apartment fine they keep getting from her night terrors. The couple encounters Skitch and forces him to owe them a favor to meet Alastor Ambers, the man who experiments on teens at the orphanage in Venturil.

Cenril: Tiber's Loft and then the Alley

(1/2) The apartment had its ups and downs after the night of Yule ended with the tale of Belgemine Fleck—part uno, of course. The rest of Yule night was enveloped in a sea of rage that tipped Tiberius Lowell overboard, but the coos and tightness of grips from Lanara Banks helped him back to a neutral zone on the external. So neutral the two got tattoos from Meri. Was Tiber still seeing the sea of red to realize that he had let the wolf put ink on him? He barely remembered that day, really. That moment where the needle pricked his skin with the symbol of… eternity. Time. The man’s relationship as a cycle with the girl who had him wrapped around her pinkie. And like the moon, a phase came and went in the next day after that ink rest on the back of his ear.

(2/2) Tiber was quiet. Quiet more than the usual brooding man that he appeared to be the past couple days. The dawn was early, and while the witch tossed, turned, and spoke of wretched memories in slumber, Tiber was up in the corner at his desk with a journal open. One of Nadine’s old journals from when they were young adults and moved forth from the orphanage. There had to be something. Another clue. Another hint on where he can find this said-brother of the man who Lanara killed. Tiber had to have some sort of plan, right? If only Lanara would have kept the man alive and brought him back home with her from Kelvar. Though with the shrill of panics from the night, would have Leopold Ambers survived anyway? If only Tiberius could have had the last gasp from Leopold’s breath vibrate through his hand. Tiber was not himself. Not by any means.

Lanara knew that something was greatly wrong with Tiberius Lowell, a triangle of troubles are visible in his amber gaze and the witch feels wholly responsible. The past that continues to haunt him, with a link that she served to him on a silver platter with a side of vengeance. The present where she’s struggling to open up and facing the inevitable, all because of some bad choices she made in her homeland. The future, which poses more questions than answers, and contains two broken souls. Should she have kept the news of Leopold Ambers to herself? Why did Tiber faint during his tattoo and hold her at arm’s length the past two days? Was he –that- terrified of commitment? Lanara is an intelligent witch, and she’s slowly putting the pieces together that she’s the one common denominator in all of the lycan’s woes, so once she finally awakens she remains silent. Sleepy brown eyes are drawn to Tiber’s back, as he fixates on a journal, and she can practically feel the tension radiating from his form. Did he want her to move out of the apartment? With a sigh, Lana sits up and stretches her arms over her head, doing her best to stifle a yawn from a night of barely getting any sleep. “Morning… Sorry about last night, I, um, had another bad dream…” The witch is clad in a white tank top and pair of pink polka dot shorts as she slips from the bed and walks barefoot from the room, in search of some much needed coffee. On the way, she steps on another notice which had been slipped beneath the door, and its contents are stronger than a triple shot of caffeine. “Third Warning… Fine of one thousand gold coins, due by nightfall.” Lana visibly flinches from the sting of the warning, as she doesn’t have that kind of gold in her possession, “Frack my life.” A few minutes into sipping a steaming mug of coffee, Lanara retreats to the bedroom to place a chaste kiss to Tiber’s cheek, “What are you reading, Sweetie?” Pause. “There was another fine swept under our door, for disturbing the peace.” Longer pause. “Hey, Ty? Can we talk…?”

Tiber intently runs his gaze across Nadine’s scribbles. Each day. Each month. There was nothing. Nothing about any fellow friends from the orphanage to give him a lead on anyone. As Lanara shifts, the lycan does not budge from that hunched, focused position. Her words fill the air. Ones of apology and he shakes his head, but he does not look at her. “No problem.” What was with him? Normally Tiber would ask what the dream had been about even if he did receive vague details. She slips by him anyway, and he still remains stiff as stone. Then, she is back in what feels like his blink, but much time had passed. The kiss on his cheek makes him blink, but he does not quite look at her yet. “Uh, Nadine’s journal. I’m trying to see if there is any lead on someone who might have been at the orphanage too. An old friend. A connection. Anything.” At the mention of a notice, he finally turns his head. Honey eyes look at her and there is a long moment before his lips part. “If you want to talk about the fines, you know it’s probably that guy who told us to ‘shut up’ on Yule, right? Babe, I’ll take care of that a-hole today, and he won’t open is yap any longer. I promise you that, and problem solved.” Pause. The man then turns to look at the pages again. “You don’t have to worry.”

The witch frowns as Tiber hardly notices her presence and remains focused on the book, because she had gone on grand adventures with even less tracks to follow, and all had turned out exactly as planned. “Well… We know that there is a scientist, somewhere in Venturil, and that he likely has the same last name as Leopold. I think we should start there… Ask questions to those that run beneath the radar.” For a heartbeat she considers reaching out to the woman she knows as Fox, or perhaps have Meri do some snooping around, but she doesn’t want to get anyone else involved in Tiber’s affairs. The Catalian isn’t exactly forthcoming with his plans for vengeance, and she is his live in girlfriend! “I think we should contact Skitch. He owes us a favor, plus if we throw some coin his way he will keep his mouth shut.” At last, the lycan turns to look into her eyes, and literally acts like it’s no big deal that his witch is falling apart at the seams, and that she could potentially be the reason he may end up homeless. “I –do- have to worry, Tiberius.” Her tone is stern, bordering on rude, as he quickly dismisses her worries. “And… I’m not just referring to this apartment.” Swallowing hard, the witch runs her hands through her tousled locks, and glances at the unmade bed. “I don’t think we are okay…” Her voice is just above a whisper now, as she sighs and begins to make the bed, fold the sheets, and fluff the pillows. Having something to do makes it easier to speak and she glances at the male to make sure he’s paying attention, “I wonder if I shouldn’t have told you about Leopold… Or, maybe I shouldn’t have returned? I just feel like your life has been upside down since I’ve been back… From our living arrangements, to the link from your past, to the tattoo on your neck.” The final pillow is hugged to her chest, as her sad eyes lock with Tiber’s, “I feel that the more I let you into my world, the more I get pushed from yours… And… I just feel like I keep messing up.” She refuses to cry, but it’s obvious she’s on the verge of tears by her expression, so she turns away from Tiber and opens the doors to the closet, “I’m going to get dressed, head to the bank, and pay the fine… It’s my fault, and we are lucky that they are letting us keep the cats as they have a no pet policy.” She’d stop at the pawn shop first, because if she made enough gold she wouldn’t have to take out another loan.

Tiber inhales at her start suggestion. “So we just knock on everyone’s doors in Venturil…?” It was sarcasm, and perhaps the man had been too much on edge lately. As the woman mentions Skitch, he closes the journal for a moment and looks at her. “You want to exchange that favor now,” the wolf contemplates, but he begins nodding his head. “As much as I hate to say it, I think… that might be a good option. That scumbag has dirt on everyone.” The journal is opened again and then he is on her and her rude tone comes into way. Tiber blinks before his nose sort of scrunches into that frown of his. Wrinkles furrow on his brow-line. “What do you mean you don’t think –we- are okay?” The lycan turns in his chair now as he leaves the journal to sit. As she makes the bed, he watches closely at her every move, every reflection in her facial features, and her tone. “Well maybe you should stop trying to read my mind all the time.” His tone was even and eventually he stands when she hugs the pillow to her chest. “You think I’m pushing you away, or are –you- pushing me away? Because now you’re blaming yourself for trying to read my mind, Lana.” Beat. “Okay, yes. I was stressed when you told me the link from my past. Yes I’m angry because I couldn’t kill the god damn idiot for myself, or get any other clue from the prick. Am I not allowed to be upset? Now we have to take the Skitch route. The one who I still feel like would want to pawn you off again if he got the chance.” The man sighs, but his tone is still even and not rising. He did not seem angry, but only… defeated. “The living arrangements? I wanted you to live here. With me. Yes, there are bumps we have to get through, but don’t you understand that I want you here? I –got- the tattoo for you. To show you how much I care, Lana. So please, stop pushing –me- away.” Amber eyes loosen before he tilts his head when she walks to the closet. She was leaving. She was leaving this conversation on a spiraling note and trying to walk out the door. “Don’t pay the fine. Lana. I know what I signed up for.” Well, not exactly, but he knew they could get over the barrier. “You know I’d do anything for you. I mean, well, I thought, but clearly you don’t think so anymore. So what? You want to leave me now? I don’t understand, Lanara.”

The witch scowls as Tiber starts to give her a dose of her own medicine, matching her attitude and each one of her worries, word for word. The diary has been placed down and the lycan is turning the tables, casting blame that it’s –her- doing the pushing away. The witch steps further into the closet to fetch a small box of valuables, most of which were presents from loved ones over the years, along with a particular gold bracelet that she had been given last year. The bracelet from the Backstreet Bard that Tiberius had loathed with a passion is now being latched onto Lanara’s wrist, because she’s certain that she will fetch a decent amount of coin in exchange. Not wanting to look desperate, as she would gain a lower price, she plucks one of her better dresses from a hanger, and a matching pair of strappy heels that add a few inches of height. Lanara listens to every word that Tiber is saying, despite the fact that she manages to appear preoccupied, those his last few lines have her spinning around so fast that she has to blink away dizziness. The dress and shoes drop to the carpet as the witch sways in place and holds onto the wall for support, concentrates on her breathing, and begs the room to stop spinning. Each day she’s getting sicker, each moment wasted is one taking her closer to the grave and Lana is trying her best to hold it all together. Finally, the nausea and dizziness subsides and the witch retrieves her garments from the floor and answers her lycan, “I don’t want to leave you, Ty… I’m just saying that maybe you didn’t know what you signed up for with me… The extent of it all.” Her mouth is suddenly dry, and she licks her lips and takes a seat on the edge of the bed, “I –want- to pay the fine. I want it to be my gold, or Nick’s gold, when I pawn this bracelet. And… What exactly did you expect me to do with Leopold? Let him just sail back from Kelvar so he could assist his brother in future barbaric experiments? Should I have had sex with him that night, Tiber? Returned at his side, all as a ploy to bring him to you for questioning?” Lana shakes her head, “I would do anything for you, and that is why he had to die. Because… I wasn’t going to ever come back here! The next part of my tale will explain everything, but long story short… Someone with the gift of Sight told me what I had to do, because soon after? I was taken captive. That bastard’s brother hurt you and he deserved the death that I gave to him. He can never hurt –you- or any other little boys, again. I found out the little he was willing to share and by the grace of the Goddess I made it back to you… I’m sorry the tip isn’t good enough. But, I think it’s a great lead and that we are both smart enough to figure out the next step.”

The man waits for her and does not follow her into the closet. He stays near his desk. One hand placed on the back of the oak chair as he stands staring into space with a tense what-the-hell-is-happening look in his gaze. The man hears a pair of shoes drop and a long pause, but he figures she is mad, so he does not dare step beyond the threshold of the garments in the closet. Her sickness was oblivious to him. Right now, all he was thinking was his insecurities. What would Tiberius Lowell have to be insecure about? Well, he was sort of an a-hole, but then why was she with him? His skin feels hot on his neck for a moment, and that same neck is flushed with red. Agitation. The man bites his tongue for a moment. Do not explode, Tiber. Do not. His tone stays even because the fact of making her blow even more was not something he wanted to do. Tread lightly, Tiberius. “I think you’re reading into too much of yourself and making up excuses.” His tone is slow, mild, easy than the usual venom he spewed from his mouth. As she makes her way to the bed, amber eyes land on her wrist. The gold bracelet. Nick’s gift from Yule. Teeth begin to grind, but he holds it. Just hold it. Tick. Tick. And she says she is pawning it. Thank Sven. Shoulders would ease, but then she asks what she should have done instead. “You’re being absolutely ridiculous!” The man finally breaks the hold, and now, he is exasperated. The thought of Lanara even touching Leopold throws the man over board. Palms reach his face and he slides them against his face. She explains the vagueness of the other half of her story. “So you were never going to come back? And you decided that –before- you were held captive?” Maybe he was getting it wrong. He had only hoped. At this point, his voice was not raised still, but he was clearly upset. “Gods Lana, all I wanted is for you to come home, and I am thankful you did. Completely. I’m glad you’re not dead. Alive. With me. Taking each day as they come. I’m glad you’re in my home. That I’m able to keep you safe and out of hands that are tainted with cruelty even if I can’t from the dreams that haunt you. Lanara, you have completely skewered my words. Does it really sound like I wanted you to do a man that was tied to my screwed up past? Oh –yeah-. That’s –exactly- what I meant, Lanara. I –really- wanted you to be all over that guy,” his tone was laced with thick sarcasm and it was clear he was in pain by her statement because his face was... broken. He did not want her touching some stranger for Tiber’s bidding. What was happening this morning? “I’m glad you gave me a clue. Yes, we are smart enough, but let me feel my feelings Lanara like I let you feel yours. Let me feel anger that it didn’t go a different way because you don’t know what it was like for me back then like I don’t understand your pain right now. And maybe perhaps think about that maybe that anger isn’t directed at you. Also, I want you to know that it makes me feel great that you think so highly of me. Thinking I would actually use you as some sort of toy pawn for men. That hurts, Lanara. It cuts.” Well, this was going south fast. The man then turns and walks out of the bedroom to the kitchen where Salem stands. The lycan then scoops the cat up underneath the underbelly and holds him between his arm-pit while he makes coffee. Maybe the lycan did like Salem. Emotional therapy.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara can hear the hurt in the male’s voice, and that’s all it takes for her to come completely undone and for the first tear to trickle down her cheek. “No-no… I always intended to come back here… It’s just that I had gotten news that I would never be able to return because the plague wasn’t really a plague… Well, it was a sickness; it just wasn’t caused by natural means…” She’s rambling, and the only way he will understand is if she truly opens up, but instead he carries on and it’s his next words that turn her expression of despair into one of anger, “I never said that, Tiber! I just feel like no matter what I say or do, it’s just not good enough. That –I- am not good enough… I open up little by little, because I have lots of baggage. I can’t just rip off the bandage and spill my guts. I am broken! You… You cannot fix me. I am not strong enough to repair the damage that I have caused to myself. So… I would rather just focus on loving you, on helping you get vengeance, on making you happy until the day I die… But, this isn’t easy because you don’t really communicate with me about your feelings, even a little. If you could just bend a tiny bit, and then maybe I wouldn’t feel like it’s –me- that you’re unhappy about? I just want to help you heal.” There isn’t a point that the witch can see in working on her issues, as time is ticking, and why bother healing someone with a death sentence? The lycan exits the room and it’s a good thing, because her next words are crusted with ice, “Whatever. At least Leopold showed me he desired me and wasn’t afraid to make a freaking move…” Tiberius very well could hear her muttering, as he has enhanced senses, but Lana is past keeping secrets. It’s a sore spot for the woman, as she had never had a boyfriend that didn’t want to go beyond hugging and kissing, and she wonders if it will always be this way. “Another area I’ve failed in…” The witch dries her tears and busies herself with getting dressed, while Tiber is having a cup of coffee and giving Salem some affection in the kitchen.

(Post 2 of 2) The clicking of her sandals is heard long before the witch enters the room and she stands there until the lycan turns to acknowledge her presence, “I couldn’t leave Kelvar because Natianara went missing the day before I killed Leopold… I didn’t know where she was and I panicked and arranged search parties, and I had to try to care for a village of dying people while my daughter was missing, Tiber… A few had reported to me that Nat had been acting out in various ways and they were greatly concerned about her well-being. People were dropping like flies, I couldn’t cure them, and these were –my- people from –my- homeland. I had a responsibility! I couldn’t let the virus spread and Leopold was a flight risk, plus, I already have the information I needed. After his death and about a week of Nat missing… I consulted with Teoria. She came all the way from Twister Island to see if she could assist us, and her powers have proven to be invaluable.” Lanara is opening up about more of her tale, and here is where the story begins to take a nosedive into darkness, “Teoria has the gift of Sight, being able to see the Past and the Future, and she told me that Natianara was the one who cut out Belgemine’s tongue, that she also was responsible for the death of my Aunt Sharna, and that it was my –daughter- my flesh and blood that had cast a terrible curse on the residents of Kelvar to make it look like a plague. She did all of this so that she could bring me to Kelvar, she lied in her letter, and she intended to make me suffer.” The witch is shaking as she looks at Tiber, but it’s obvious that her mind is back in Kelvar, reliving the horrors, “I knew that my next step would ensure that I could never return to Lithrydel, I knew that it came at a very heavy price, but that it would rid my people of their pain and suffering. I made a sacrifice, and if I knew now what I knew then, I would do it the same way all over again.” She pauses, not daring to speak of the sacrifice, at least not at this point or in this manner, “I assumed things would go back to normal after I worked my magic and made everyone all better, but I was wrong.” Hands lift to swipe at her tear streaked face as she returns to the present, “The minute I stepped back into Kelvar, had me believing that I would never return to you, Tiber. It wasn’t a choice that –I- could make, but that fate decided for me. So yeah, maybe I misspoke back in the bedroom, but it wasn’t for lack of trying and praying that I would be at your side again… I’m sorry that I’ve upset you.” Lana closes the distance between them and pulls the lycan and the cat into a somewhat forced embrace, “Can we please just rewind this morning and start over? I think we should pawn this bracelet, whether it’s for the fine or whatever, and then we can go interrogate Skitch and work out a plan. I have some ideas that I think can really work, too! And maybe you can show me some of that notebook you were reading?” Her tone is hopeful, her eyes are filled with love, and she runs her fingertips up and down Tiber’s biceps in soothing manner, “Come on Mr. Smith… Don’t you want to help your lady squeeze out every last coin from the pawn shop?”

(1/2) Tiber’s gears turn internally on Lanara’s retort. All he wanted to scream was that he was not trying to fix her, he was trying to help their relationship grow, but then the silence falls over him. Especially when she says that he needs to heal too. The good old silent treatment. When her icy comment is muttered from the back room, the man begins to fume internally on the thought of this Leopold character. “Glad you were fulfilled,” he grumbles even though she cannot hear his response. Fingers drum against the counter now and Salem is lowered. Afraid to make a move? Well, she was not wrong. Though, what was he supposed to say to her to help her feel better? His thought process went as followed: ‘Lanara, you told me you are broken. You flinch without warning with contact. You scream at night. I don’t want to hurt you, scar you, or for you to have a full blown panic attack in bed.’ Yeah, that would totally go over well if he spoke his truth. He keeps his thoughts to himself and dumps two sugar cubes and a crap ton of cream out of spite. Take it out on the coffee, Tiberius. The man does not acknowledge her when she clicks in. He can hear her loud and clear, but he refuses to look up from his stirring. He takes his sweet time just for her. Just to be a pain in her ass. Then, after a minute or two, he lifts the mug up to his lips and then hard eyes land on her. The witch goes on about Kelvar and her duties, and he feels mild guilt from blaming her for being there. Though as he spoke about the sketchiness of Natianara and how the witch’s daughter was insane with wickedness, he chokes his coffee back. “What the hell even got into Natianara? Why the hell would she turn against her own mother?” He looks confused, and as the woman talks about her sacrifice for the people of Kelvar. The fact that she knew she had to take a higher role and never return to Lithrydel. It was placing missing pieces in his mind, and he was able to understand why Lanara took the actions she did.

(2/2) As much as Tiberius Lowell hated to admit it, like always, he was wrong to bite at her. The lycan sighs and looks to the side for a moment. Salem was perched on the dining table and the man claps his hands to get the cat off. The woman is now apologizing, and he looks back at her with a gaze that had softened. A gaze of guilt. Always that guilt. Her story had been complicated, and he was only receiving fragments. “I’m sorry, Lana. It’s just so hard with these pieces. I just we just have a lot to work on and learn about one another.” Mocha arms wrap around him, and slowly he places a hand on the small of her back. His face presses into her hair. “Let’s get one thing straight, you’re not a burden.” It was true. Her being back felt like he was breathing for the first time again, even if she was struggling. He pulls back to gaze at her lovey chocolate gaze. “Skitch seems to be our best bet. The journal is no help.” Her hands then run over his skin and with that coo of ‘Mr. Smith’, he leans in to kiss her. “I’m okay if Nick pays our fine. Work your magic, Mrs. Smith,” he grins. Thank god they were saying goodbye to that god-forsaken bracelet.

Although she’s held in his arms and Tiberius is assuring her that they just have a lot to work on as a couple and that things will take time, the witch still feels as though there is some sort of disconnect. She cannot be patient, because time is something that is in short supply, but of course she doesn’t tell her love that she’s dying. “I know you don’t think I’m a burden… But I can’t help but feel that I –am- in the way.” Lana nuzzles her cheek against his chest as she allows herself to give and receive comfort, “I’m sorry that I upset you, babe… I just love you so much and sometimes my worries get the best of me. We’ve lost each other quite a few times, already.” It’s the third time she said she loved him, and she doesn’t expect to hear it back, so she focuses on returning Tiber’s kiss and deepening it for several moments. It’s Cinder that breaks their moment of tenderness, as she pads into the kitchen and instantly hisses at the kissing couple, “And here I thought you were –finally- coming to your senses and ditching this loser!” Ever the comedian, the feisty feline shoulder bumps Salem out of the way, so that she can lap up some food and water for breakfast. “Okay, let’s head to the pawn shop down the block… Maybe we’ll have enough to pay the fine and grab some lunch at your favorite kebob place?” Lana smirks as Tiber tells her to work her ‘magic’ and she teasingly leans in, “As you wish, Mr. Smith… Maybe while I’m pawning this, you can work some magic of your own and snag me a new bracelet.” She knows that the rogue enjoys finding five finger discounts, plus it would replace the jewelry around her wrist that had come from the Backstreet Bard. After grabbing her things, the pair exits the apartment and proceeds to the pawn shop, and along the way, Lanara brings up how they should speak to Skitch, “I’m thinking that one of us wants to do business with Ambers… Maybe, I’m looking for a job? Seeing as he works around animals and I’m an empath that can keep them calm… Maybe it won’t arouse much suspicion. Or perhaps you are looking for a security position? Obviously, Amber would pay well to keep a wrap on things and to keep his plans secret. We can tell Skitch that he owes us and that word on the street led us to Ambers?” The couple arrives at the pawn shop and the bells that hand on the handle jingle to alert the shopkeep of their arrival. A sleazy male with slicked back hair stands behind the counter and offers them a toothy grin and they are invited to gaze upon his wares. Lowering her voice, Lanara speaks to her lycan as she fumbles with the clasp on the bracelet, “We need to work on getting you a talisman so that you can go near Ambers and remain undetected, too.”

When the three words slip her mouth, he cannot help but ease himself into that deepened kiss. One that was full of lust before Cinder hisses. His vision snaps towards the thing. “Honestly, one cat is enough let alone that thing.” The lycan can feel the hatred wafting off Cinder. “You couldn’t have gotten a dog?” A dog. Tiber likes dogs? Maybe a dog would balance out his world. Then again, Salem grew on him even if he would not admit it. “Kebobs and coin. My two favorite things.” The man then adds quickly, “And you’re number one, of course. So… three.” The blonde then smirks at her comment on a new bracelet. “I may be able to pull a few strings. What you didn’t like my necklace I snagged you from Auntie Rose?” Who was really not Auntie Rose. She was some beehive-headed aunt that he could not recall. The man then holds up a finger, “Keep talking,” while she talks, he is in the back room changing into his minimalist garb. This time just one of his only sweaters and a pair of slacks and loafers. That was one thing Lanara may have noticed. Although Tiberius loved wealth, he also was a minimalist. Only a few outfits in the closet. The apartment bare. White and grey with a few wooden tables: coffee table, dining table, end table. Clean. Maybe a plant for a pop of color. Not screaming “home”. Briskly, he is back out and following her out the door. The two walk and he listens to her. “You think Skitch would use my name if I wanted to be some ‘security buff’? Maybe it’d make more sense with you. It’d be a first to hear about a Lanara, if that were the case, and I think your empathic abilities might come in more useful. Knowing that Ambers has been at this for a while, he probably has a whole team behind him.” The man opens the door for her to slip through first. Amber eyes stare at the black haired man with the wicked, sleazy grin. Tiber scrutinizes him before turning to reach down and brush fingers against the woman’s wrist to unclasp the bracelet. His golden eyes look at her with that charming little gaze, “The hoodoo magical woohoo, huh,” he smirks, “Not a bad idea. I’d rather them not kick my ass at first glance. Can you make that or…? I mean, I guess you have your sister too.” He then leans into her ear and whispers, "Have I told you your magic is a turn on?" The man smirks before leaning back and eyes look at the sleazeball across the counter. "Aye." Is all that Tiber could say because... he did not like this guy.

Lanara is all smiles as she discovers that she’s Tiber’s favorite thing, and the thought is still in her mind as the bracelet is slipped from her wrist. “I love the necklace from Auntie Rose, and I still have the beautiful necklace and earrings you bought for me last Yule, before we had dinner with Franz.” The pawn broker clears his throat and accepts the dainty bracelet from Tiberius, turning it this way and that, and admiring the glimmer that bounces off of the chocolate diamonds as the light hits them at each angle. “You sure you want to part with this? Looks like genuine chocolate diamonds to me…” A sinister grin is given to the lycan, “Lemme guess? You are one of those possessive guys that won’t let his girl have anything pretty on her that he didn’t purchase? Typical!” A nasally laugh follows, before the male points to the opposite side of the room, “I gotta see if it’s solid gold and check that the diamonds are real before I give you an offer. You two make yourselves at home.” He pauses and points to Tiber, “The third showcase on the right has some engagement rings if you’re interested, I can give you a sweet deal.” Lanara sighs as things seem to be taking a strange turn, but she knows better than to snap at the sleazy jerk too much, because she does want to get a good price on the bracelet. “It’s –my- bracelet to sell and has nothing to do with anyone’s views on it, aside from my own. I am not a fan of brown gems.” It’s a lie. What woman doesn’t like diamonds, in any color?! “And…” She glances at Tiber, thinking she’s rushing to his aide, “He doesn’t plan on proposing, so just do your job and give me a fair price, or we’re out of here.” The lycan enjoyed her company, and had finally given her the ‘girlfriend’ label, but she knew that he would never consider marriage. At least, before they were a couple, he flat out told her that ‘love’ wasn’t something he sought in his future. The thought makes Lana sad, so as her chin drops she tries to change the subject and admires some unique coins in one of the cases, “I have a hound dog… His name is Ranger. He’s the cutest thing, all white, tan, and black, with impossibly long ears! He was only a few weeks old when I left the lands, and he’s currently in Venin’s care at the sanctuary… But, I figured it’s best to leave him there for now, since we have enough issues with your landlord.” Also, because she knows she won’t be around much longer, and she doesn’t have the heart to allow the animal to get attached only to be torn from his life. “I still have Aspen, too, the polar bear cub?” She smiles as she thinks of the needy little bugger. “And… I don’t think you ever met Rude-Off, but we can, uh, postpone that for as long as possible.” If he thought the shadow cat was a menace, wait until he meets the ill-mannered reindeer! Once Lanara is certain the shopkeep is out of earshot, she presses her form against Tiber and pins him against one of the sturdy showcases, “I can handle making you a detection device, but we will need to gather some difficult to find items. I’m sure Taly would be willing to help, too! And… Maybe I can introduce you to some of the refugees from Kelvar? They are like family to me… And I want you to meet them.” Huge. Step. The witch is in deep with the lycan, and she doesn’t even care if it’s that obvious, to him or to anyone else. However, right now she’s not thinking about love, but with lust, as she delivers a sultry stare and in a husky tone replies, “Baby… Magic isn’t the only thing I can do to turn you on… You –have- to know by now that I want you to-” Lanara is about to lean in for a kiss, as her fingertips lightly dance upon each side of Tiber’s neck, when the shopkeep loudly clears his throat, “Um… Perhaps I misspoke? I said make yourselves at home. I –should- have said… Behave as you would in a public place?” His eyes narrow dangerously on Tiber, “Yo. Sugar Daddy. Quit pressing up against the glass cases!” He then points an accusing finger at Lana, “You with the nice ass! I thought you were here to make some coin selling your bracelet, but maybe you’re here to sell something else?” The witch glares at him, appalled for being called a prostitute, when she was only leaning in for a single steamy kiss! “You know what… Just give me the fracking bracelet. I’m done here. I will get a better deal somewhere else, anyway!” The man smirks, delighted that he got under the woman’s skin, “I’m still looking it over, you aren’t getting it back until I’m done.” Upon hearing his words, another greasy looking guy, obviously the muscle of the shop, exits the back room to stand beside his boss. Lanara looks at Tiber and frowns, “I… I can’t use my magic, as I’m still recovering from all the magic I had to use to heal everyone back home. I’m sorry… Can you handle this?” Perhaps seeing the jealous lycan go ballistic and defend her honor is a secret turn on for the witch, too?!

Tiber (1/2):: Tiber watches the pawn broker with a feigned smile, and a glint of tartness resting in his eyes. The nasally laugh from the pawn man creates the image of a weasel in Tiberius’ mind. The slicked back hair, the lanky frame, and the nosiness of the man’s demeanor, it is very unappealing, and Tiber knows just the type who he is dealing with. The correctness of possessive is one word for it, and there is no insecurity. Tiberius wanted what he wanted, and there is nothing given to the broker except for stank in his eye and a twitching lip. That feigned smile still shows, but it is truly straining. “Uh-huh,” is the only thing that the lycan can really say to the man going to check the diamonds. Tiber’s forced smile fades at Lanara’s interference. He lets the witch take control, and two, the smile fades once she mentions that he does not plan on proposing. So she was observing him. Why did it irk him so much that she was not fighting him on engagements? That was not the typical witch he knew. The lycan thought that she would at least be a little more dramatic about it. There was a squinted look at her when she was not looking at him. The Catalian was scrutinizing her for any expression he could find. Did proposals truly not bug her? She was engaged before, right? Once she looks his way, he quickly lets that look vanish before clearing his throats and looking at what was behind the counter idly. “Ranger? Hm. Maybe we can go visit sometime,” it was just a suggestion. As for the polar bear and Rude-Off, he crinkles his nose. “Yeah, you’re right, we don’t need a whole petting zoo.” And then, she is pressing her form against him, and my-oh-my, that grin of his grows wide and sly as a hand rests on the back of that shelf he is pushed against. And sort of a sheepish look in his eye is given because the last time he was hit on like this… Well, maybe he should cut that memory out of his male brain because this was going to be better than that. No shame. Tiberius Lowell approved, and he felt the tingling heat between them. “Yeah…?” He wanted more of her talk because he loved games. He loved what was pouring from her full, plump lips. A hand easily slips down to grope the back side of her derriere before the moment is ruined by the greasy pawn man.

Tiber (2/2):: Tiber rolls his eyes before he pushes Lanara gently back away from him. ‘Yo. Sugar Daddy.’ The blonde wolf turns around and cants his head to the side. “I’m sorry that your glass case is the only thing that physically pleases you at night,” the man flatly says with an edge of venom in his tone. Then, as the vulgarity is thrown out at the witch, his head lazily rolls to gaze at Lanara. “You don’t have to worry,” he gives her this look of… a wicked smile and what looked like aggression. Without a beat, Tiber whips around, spits on the glass case. A hand swipes across it to smudge the exterior before using that same hand to jump over to the back of the counter—in the midst of attempting to kick the man in the chest as he hops over the side. As for the other man, well, he would take it as he came. But really, Tiber was not afraid of throwing aggressive punches or head-butting a guy, or whatever he needed to do. Most would end in a solid punch being thrown Tiber’s way because Tiber always took a good throw in return. If he succeeded in a good punch throwing, and knocked that guy away, he would turn to the greasy man before attempting to grab him by the back of the collar and the greasy black hair. “Now,” he would attempt to turn the pawn man around as if he were a puppet. He would face him towards Lanara. “Give the nice, beautiful lady her bracelet back, and I won’t have to slam your face against the glass.”

Lanara cannot catch a break when it comes to flirting with Tiberius, as they are always interrupted, end up in a fight, or they find each other difficult to read at a given moment. However, this interruption can prove fatal, as both the witch and the lycan are insulted by some greasy shopkeep and his meathead lackey. The moment she’s gently cast aside from Tiber’s embrace, Lana turns her icy gaze on the muscular male that stands at his employers side, as though she were sizing him up. She’s barely hitting the marker on 5’4” and she weighs about a hundred and ten pounds, if that, given her recent weight loss. The hulking male looks double her height and triple her weight, as he cracks his knuckles and has the audacity to wink at the witch upon noticing her glare. Everything happens in a matter of a split second, as Tiberius jumps into action and literally spits on the case, kicks the hired help in the chest, and narrowly misses a sucker punch that is thrown his way. It’s a mistake, as the lycan is lean and swift, and the punch he delivers in return feels as though it’s packed with lead due to his enhanced strength. Lanara is practically swooning now, as she beams at her lycan with pride, amused at how he single-handedly took down the ‘bad’ guy and was toying with the pawn broker as though he were a puppet. A dainty hand is extended as she clears her throat and waits for her bracelet to be pressed into her palm, a ‘hmph’ passing during the exchange, before she gives a slow not to Tiber. Now that they had their property returned, she could visit the other pawn shop down the block, and likely fetch a higher price than this jerk planned on offering. She waits for Tiber to finish taunting the men, before she holds the door ajar and waits for him to step back into the bustling city, “Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Smith…” Chocolate hues dance with mischief, “Or should I call you, Sugar Daddy?”

Tiber may have had to give the man another nudge to give Lanara the bracelet. Once the exchange is given, Tiber does, in fact, pull back on the guy’s hair before slamming his face down on the glass where Tiber had spat. How lovely. “Might need some glass-cleaner to let ‘er shine like. A. Diamond.” The blonde then pushes back before stepping over the burly man. The man reaches for Lanara’s hand as she opens the door to the city. “Sugar Daddy? Oh, Mrs. Smith don’t point me out as one of those slime-balls,” he snarls, but he smiles all-the-same. “You know, sad part was, that guy wasn’t wrong,” about her ‘nice ass’ is what he wanted to say. Tiber grins and checks her out. “Nope. He was right. I’m possessive, and you have a nice back-end. I think he may have been smart afterall. Shame,” he was teasing of course with his own bit of mischief in his eyes. This time, as they walk down the bustling city, they find the next pawn shop down. “Time to get in, and then out. We got bills to pay and people to persuade, Mrs. Smith. We don’t have all day,” he smirks before letting her enter first and him following behind.

Lanara gives Tiber’s hand a squeeze, giggling at his reaction to being referred to as a ‘Sugar ‘Daddy’ and she cannot blame him. It was a derogatory term… Even if the male did pay for just about everything when they were together in the past, and the fact that he’s –still- footing most of the bills for them both, the witch isn’t one to take advantage of his generous nature. Also… It’s not as though it’s quid pro quo as Tiber had yet to cash in on anything of a more risqué nature. Lana wonders if perhaps Penelope’s guess was right on target, that perhaps the lycan is a virgin and wishes to take things at a snails pace. Her gaze flits to Tiber’s face as he quips about her legendary derriere and she rolls her eyes, though the faint flush in her cheeks and accompanied laughter show that she’s enjoying the attention and not offended in the least. “Thank you, Mr. Smith. Its home grown. But, it’s –your- butt that was polishing those display cases, if my memory recalls.” As she enters the next pawn shop, she makes certain to add a little more sway to her step, knowing that the view from behind is appreciated. Lana glances over her shoulder and winks at Tiber, though she drops the act of playing coy once a woman appears from behind the counter and they discuss business. A few moments later, an offer of five thousand gold is accepted, and the kind shopkeep sends them on their way. It’s a much more favorable experience! Lanara and Tiber slip back into the city and as they are heading towards a dark alley near the northern sector of the city, the witch sidles closer to the lycan, “Now we can pay the fine… And we have some extra, in case I have any more nighttime outbursts.” She pauses, and if he were to glance her way, he’d find that the witch is gazing up at his face, “I have three favorite ‘parts’ of you… I would say first would be your eyes, because duh, they are dreamy. Second? Definitely that jaw, it’s perfect for kissing and nibbling on… And third is a tie between your lean yet muscular arms, and your lips, also good for kissing.” Lana glances around the shadowy area behind the much larger businesses in the area, and she thinks back to that fateful day when their paths first crossed. It had cost Tiber a hundred thousand gold to bail her out of that one, and here they were, back for more. “Skitch better prove useful today… Okay. So we need him to arrange a meeting with Ambers, so that I can apply for a job, right?”

Tiber smirks. “Maybe he was talking to me after all since I was pressed against the glass. Who has the better booty?” The man lets out a laugh before watching her sway into the pawn shop. His eyes are glued to the way her hips move, the way her hair sways, the way her aura shines with confidence. Even if it was only just for the moment. He follows in ogle, for he was like a literal dog today. Were hormones acting high since this morning? Since she mentioned the idea of being touched? Was she even ready for the next phase or was she going to go south once crossing that boundary? Or was she just flirting? Should he take it easy still? These questions pass his thought process as she sells the bracelet. Thank you, Nick. They move on as they head the direction towards a dark alley. “Like I said, Lana, it’s covered. You worry too much.” Though, the thought did cross his mind of a new place, but did he want to offend her? As she talks about her three favorite parts of him, he purses his lips and gives a squint that looks almost like he is holding in a smirk. Why had he been so sheepish when –she- talked about his qualities? Normally he would be waving women off, or just being too overly confident about it. “My jaw. That’s a new one,” he then lets out that smirk he had been holding in. “I’d say, your eyes. Your hips and back-side, and also those lips,” he grins before trying to lean in for a kiss, but the alley becomes darker. Time for business. The cutesy stuff is cut from his language, and his voice gets stern rather than playful. Skitch was another subject, and there was no way they would be able to play games. The man looks over her head and sighs. “You’re applying for a job. He’s probably going to wonder why I’m there with you. I’ll make it clear. He owes us a favor, and I’m also not going to leave your sight. We can’t risk him trying to pawn you off again.” Amber eyes then look down to stare into hers. “You create the demeanor of deals only. He owes us a –favor-. Don’t let him suade us into anything else besides him owing the favor. Stand your ground. That man loves manipulation, and weakness."

Lanara puts on her ‘game’ face and pulls a cigarette out of her purse, pausing in the dark alley to light the tip, before she takes a long drag and blows the smoke over her right shoulder. Was a smoke needed to aide in the badass persona, or did the woman truly need something to calm her nerves? Tiberius may pick up on the fact that it’s not mere tobacco or some of those strange psychedelic flowers that the witch is inhaling, but a combination of sage, mint, cinnamon, and some other herbs that aren’t as easily recognizable. It’s not possible to become addicted to this ‘blend’ of cigarette, but he’d notice that she tends to light up before a meal, or during a situation that causes anxiety. Lanara cannot help but smile upon hearing Tiber’s favorite parts of her, physically, and she leans in at the same time, to deliver a quick peck to his lips before they stand before they ascend the steps that lead to the office that Skitch and his cronies occupy. The witch doesn’t bother to knock, instead she firmly kicks the door at its center and strolls into the room as though she owns the place. Tiber had said not to show any weakness, and to come demanding a favor, right? Was she overplaying her role a tad? The witch feels empowered as she takes another puff from her cigarette and locks eyes with crime lord, who sits wide eyed behind a large desk, “What the hell are you doing?! You can’t just waltz in here, Knife Ear! And…” Skitch squints as he takes in the sight of Tiber entering the room behind the woman, disbelief in his expression, “Oh. This is just –great- that you two numbskulls managed to shack up and pay me a visit!” The man shakes his head, knowing he’s outnumbered as his ‘partners’ were all off on some shady dealings, and so he sarcastically waves a hand in the air, “Make yourselves comfortable… Not like I have much choice in the matter.” Growling can be heard from beneath the desk and Lanara laughs, “He’s not much of a guard dog, eh, Skitch?” The balding middle-aged male glares at the witch, “You worked your voodoo on him, didn’t you? Otherwise, you and your guard dog over there would be lying in a puddle of blood.” Lana isn’t bothered by his words, however, she makes a clicking sound and within seconds a black and tan shepherd darts from beneath the desk and all but throws himself into the waiting arms of the woman. “You owe us a favor, Skitch. Or did you think we would just forget about what you pulled a few years ago?!” Had it been three years, or four? “We’re here to collect, and you will deliver, if you know what’s good for you.” The dog licks Lana’s face and whines softly as she speaks, his tail swishing from side to side, as the elf continuously scratches him behind the ears. The cigarette is passed to Tiber, so that she doesn’t set Skitch’s dog ablaze during their meeting.

Tiber :: As Lanara lights the cigarette, he notices the smell this time. He had been so entranced the past few times that she was actually smoking that he did not focus on the scent. Smoke was… smoke, but at least there was no tobacco within the mixture which made the man kind of at ease, but not really. Between the screams and the smoking when there had been activity where emotions can heighten, he had been nervous about today. About her in general. His eyes squint, but she is on her way to knock down Skitch’s door. “Lana—“ Tiber was almost about to face-palm. Well, she did come in demanding, did she not? The lycan grinds his teeth momentarily, but then goes with it. It was kind of impressive how the woman looked. He does not show weakness, as he stands tall only slightly behind her. Tiberius rolls his eyes at Skitch’s comment of Lanara and Tiber ‘shacking up’ and lets Lanara do the talking. As the shepard begins to growl, Tiber’s fists grow into balls, but then the clicking sound plays and the dog is bolting into Lanara’s arms. Internally, Tiber is thinking “what the hell is going on”, but his expression remains flat and grim. “Lady’s right. Don’t think we forgot about the game you played that made you owe us big time. Did you think that we forgot?” Tiber then smiles. Only to get under Skitch’s skin. The cigarette is handed off, and out of curiosity, Tiber takes a drag. It was sweet. Cooling. He blows the smoke to the side. “So she’s gotta request, and it’s your job to just shut-the-hell up and listen.”

Lanara gently pushes the menacing shepherd off of her frame, and he obediently sits at her side, adoringly glancing up at her every now and then. Besides the fact that the witch has the big ‘bad’ guard dog on her side and that she had totally looked like a badass as she kicked down the door in a pair of heels, she cannot help but be smug over the fact that Tiber chimes in that Skitch has to listen to her demands. The bastard would be eating out of their palms before this is over, so she thinks, as she silently steadies her focus on the male for a long moment, ensuring that she has his attention and that his nerves are a tad frazzled. Skitch glances from Tiber to Lanara, and eventually shrugs, “Alright. What do you want?” Lana smirks, “I need an introduction to Dr. Ambers… I’m in the market for a new job, and word on the street is that he is working on some pretty underground business, and a lass like myself could really come in hand.” If Skitch had any doubts before, the way his shepherd is behaving is proof that Lanara radiates empathic abilities towards animals. The crime lord pales slightly and shakes his head, “No way! You have –no- idea what you’re getting yourself into by even speaking that name. If I introduce you to him, and he doesn’t like you!? I will be six foot under for initiating contact, your pretty boyfriend’s head will be on a spike, and you will sprout rabbit ears and a fluffy tail from his little experiments!” A shudder runs through the male, as he pours himself a shot of whiskey, and again shakes his head, “You want someone offed? I got you. Need personal protection for a few months? It can be arranged. Looking for some coin? I can call in some favors and get you a sizeable loan. Hell, want to take the damned dog? He’s yours!” The amber liquid is drained and the glass clings against the desk, “But you want me to just arrange a little meet and green with Dr. Alastor Ambers?! I could care less what happens to you two, but I’m not risking my hide, and you can’t convince me.” A lot of things happen when someone doesn’t have much left to lose, and perhaps that’s why a deadly look is on Lanara’s face, as she stalks towards the table and lifts the glass. “Hm. I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Skitchy Old Boy. You see this glass? It may be fragile, tiny, and insignificant on the surface. However, it holds some strong life, right?” She nods to the bottle of whiskey. “Enough life to pack a punch hard enough to land you on your ass, make you sick, perhaps, enough to lead to a fatal mistake.” The tumbler is hurled against the wall, where it smashes into a thousand tiny shards, and as silence fills the room, the witch makes her move. Leaning in, she grabs Skitch by the collar, “It’s when the broken learn to fight back that you need to be afraid, and you should be –very- afraid right now. Because if you deny me this job interview with Ambers? The things you’re so scared of happening with Ambers will be –nothing- compared to what Tiber will do to your body, to what your pretty pooch will do to your corpse, and to the destruction that I will bring to all of those you hold dear.” As if on cue, the shepherd resumes growling and pads nearer to Skitch, as Lana glances over her shoulder to lock eyes with Tiber. Helping to take down Amber, regardless of how truly terrifying the man may be, is the final gift she will give to her beloved lycan.

Tiber keeps a steady eye on the man behind the desk. The man had his arms folded while he watched Skitch like prey. Any false move, and the lycan would move quicker than Skitch would have ever hoped. The lycan remains cool, but alert enough to not even blink. He lets the two exchange words, and when Skitch fumbles on what appeared to be the full name of Alastor Ambers, Tiber’s lips twitch. The note was made. The lycan would know, and the hunt would begin. The thought of Tiber’s head being on a spike is offered a sneer of doubt. Though the thought of Lanara having bunny ears on considering the flirtatious day they had was not a bad idea. Throw some scandalous clothing on and they got a fantasy, everyone. Tiber still does not blink, but he shoos the thought away from his mind. The worst part was they would be permanent ears, so maybe not. That helps the thought go away. The unnerving part of it all is that Skitch is shuddering. Skitch. Of all people. ‘You can’t convince me’ is echoed through the room, and when Tiber is about to step forward, Lanara’s face flushes into something unholy. Dark. Tiber’s gaze reflects the same emotion as Lanara threatens the man before them. The witch was another person in this moment. Was Tiber tainting her by bringing her into –his- world? The lycan is not sure, but all he knows is that he is smiling at the thought of roughing of Skitch enough where death would be knocking on the man’s door. “The games we’d play before death knocks.” Oh, if only Lanara Banks knew what sort of deeds Tiberius has done for work. Skitch would know. Skitch would know well through the grapevines of higher-ups and ins that he had with the ritzy mobs on the seaside. “Looks like she’s not playing. You’re not on her good list, Skitch. And if you’re not on her good list, well, you know I only have to intervene. Tell Ambers that you have someone interested in the line of work, and we will not ask for another favor from you again. Capiche? Or I’ll cut ever goddamn finger off of your hand. Maybe I’ll cut lots of parts. You can keep score, if you’d like?” Pause. The man takes one step towards Skitch’s desk where Lanara remains before leaning down eye level to glare the sketchy man. Hands press against the desk as Tiberius talks slowly. “So… what will it be? Do we have a deal?”

Lanara loosens her grip on Skitch, only because he’s beginning to sweat and she doesn’t want her palms baked in the con man’s bodily fluids. She still maintains the no-nonsense glare and puts her hands at on her hips, as the shepherd continues to growl and bare his teeth, and Tiber steps in to deliver some threats of his own. The way that her lycan is talking is a major turn on, because the witch never had an equal, or a male that would back her in every way imaginable. And truth be told, it’s the first time that Lanara is willing to risk her life for a man, so perhaps they are on more of an even playing field than either will admit. The couple glares at Skitch until he finally holds his hands up in surrender, “Alright. Fine, fine. There need not be any hexing or dicing of my body parts! If Lanara wants an interview with Ambers, I’ll try to make it happen, but I need a few days to prepare…” Skitch scratches his chin and thinks for a few moments, “I know security is tight on his base, so he won’t be meeting you in Venturil. I can try to arrange for either Kelay or Xalious area, someplace neutral, and its best that you two arrive separately. If he thinks this is some type of ambush, or that your overly protective boyfriend is also applying for a job, it won’t look well.” Lanara doesn’t want to run this gig solo, and she exchanges a look with Tiber, having the sinking suspicion that Skitch is likely going to tailor this to his version of perfection. The bastard better not set her up. Again. “Fine. Tiber isn’t applying for a job anyway. All you have to do is have Ambers meet me at a neutral place, tell him I’m eager to work with someone of his caliber, and that I’m excellent with animals. Make sure you emphasize that I have empathic abilities… If you fudge this up Skitch, I won’t give you a second chance to make things right…” Skitch rolls his eyes and focuses on Tiber solely, “Your girlfriend needs to trust me, because I’m the only one that can make this happen. But, I have to warn you! Ambers is very wealthy, handsome, and successful… However… Perhaps, if things head south, you can always hit me up for another service that I offer.” Skitch is imaginging the dollar signs that would result if he were to kill off Ambers, because the wealthy jealous boyfriend would surely give his last coin to make sure the man suffered. The shepherd barks so that Skitch is forced back to the present, and the man scowls, “Worthless dog. I don’t get it! He killed two of my best men last week, without warning! And you two just storm in here and he takes –your- side and turns on me?!” Skitch shakes his head, but at the look from the witch, he knows that harming the dog won’t bode well, “Fine. We have a deal! I will leave a letter with Robicke at some point tomorrow, and that will have all the details.” Tiberius would know of Robicke, as he’s a well-known messenger regarding sketchy dealings.

Tiber raises his hands and claps them together in a success sort of motion. He points at Skitch. “That’s what I thought. That what I really thought,” there was an aggression. He then shakes his head and paces around behind Lanara again. “But thing is Skitch, you won’t –try-, you’ll do it.” And that was the final answer. As the man scratches his chin, Tiber keeps steady on him, and at the mention of separately, Tiber automatically speaks, “Done. Separate.” He ignores Lanara’s exchange because inside he knows that he will not let the woman be alone. He remains stern, and Lanara would not be able to see a thought. Just a conclusion that she would be going alone. Amber eyes pierce through Skitch’s. “Trust? Trust you? No. You need to trust –us-. We aren’t the one who sold –you- for profit, were we?” Tiber is glad to remind Skitch where he stands. “So trust us that we have your word even if we don’t exactly trust you.” As the shepherd barks, Tiber smiles with ease and sort of wiggles his brows at Skitch. “He’ll calm when we’re gone.” Pause. There was then a nod. “I’ll be waiting for Robicke’s word.” Then Tiberius turns to the witch. “Hey,” his chin gestures them to move. “Let’s go.”

Lanara isn’t sure if Tiber will truly allow her to face Ambers alone or if he plans on hiding somewhere nearby, for their initial meeting. How dangerous could the guy truly be? He worked in the shadows, his lab was underground way out in Venturil, and he rarely made any public experiences. Plus, he tended to prey on the weak, such as orphans or those that no one would report missing if they were to vanish. Lanara feels that she won’t be in –that- much danger, especially at a job interview, but after all the abuse she sustained from back home it leaves her a tad unsettled. Her face remains emotionless as Skitch pulls forth a trio of glass tumblers, as though he were preparing a drink that they could all toast to some twisted partnership. Tiber tilts his head and lets her know it’s time to leave, and she follows suit, not desiring any handshakes or clinked glasses with Skitch. As she steps over the threshold and is about to close the door, the shepherd barks and looks up at her with pleading eyes, making it hard for Lana to just leave. Kneeling, she pets the dog and whispers in his velvety ears, “We’ll be back, I promise. And when this is all over, I will make sure you find a proper home with a warm bed and lots of treats, okay?” Only the dog and the lycan can hear her whisper, and Skitch is left glowering from behind his desk, thinking that the witch is casting some sort of spell on his guard dog. After saying her goodbyes to the dog, Lana takes Tiber’s hand and they walk back most of the way they had come, only to stop at the kebob cart and order themselves some lunch. “That went well!” Deep down, the woman is beyond proud of herself for showing some grit, as confidence is something she has been lacking lately. After they order their lunch, the pair heads back home, to go over their plans for the upcoming interview with Ambers and to spend some quality time together. The day had begun with lots of debris in their path, but hopefully, things would be smooth sailing for the rest of the week.