Give Me A Break (Open)

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kokia leaned back in her chair as the late movie played on the large screen in front of her. Idly she picked around in her popcorn bucket, chucking around random stale ones as she munched on the not-so-stale pieces. Finally, she gave up and just set the bucket down on the floor under her chair and sipped on her soda, completely bored with the flick that was showing for the evening. Not a lot of people were around this late and Kia allowed her eyes to zoom in on the couple near the front making out, not even watching the film.

She rolled her eyes and sipped on her drink once more as she propped her combat boot-clad feet onto the chair in front of her. -Who can blame them?- she thought boredly; tossing a bit of her raven hair from her face while glaring at the screen. -This movie is complete bullsh*t. What idiot believes this farce?- Her nares cautiously inhaled the area and a quiet groan escaped Kokia Luxin's lips. -Oh right...I'm surrounded by humans...-

Deciding that she'd had enough of this garbage called "Underworld," Kia got up in the middle of the movie and exited the theatre. Once out in the fresh air, she stretched her limbs and sighed, eying the crescent moon above her while shoving her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket. Kia's black and white striped belly shirt and black denim flares accentuated her lightly tanned skin.

Pulling her hair into a low ponytail, she was suddenly rammed in to from behind and she stumbled forward a bit but quickly caught her balance. As she turned to glare at the rude individual, Kia caught the smell of booze and death on this person's body. "Well hello gorgeous! Nice to see that there are some b*tches out there in the world who carry decent looks rather than fleas, heh."

Kia's brow twitched as she balled her hands into fists inside of her pockets. "What...was that?" she snarled, feeling the blood rushing to her head as her bones seemed to crackle with strength; nails slowly growing within the concealment of her jacket pocket.

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[Katra Maguire]

Katra Shade slowly walked down the path of the Hollywood streets. The lights flickered slightly from the light drizzle of rain and she chuckled. She had on her coat and that made it all right with her. She could abrely feel the rain as it lightly pattered against the material of her black coat. And she wasnt cold one bit. Damn hot blooded. She was only in a pair of shorts and a tank top. The humans that passed her gave her a curious glance but didnt respond.

She was glad for her privacy. She didnt like humans meddling with her. She would much rather kick their ass then deal with a slobering male that was looking to get laid. She wasnt that kind of girl but something drew the humans to her. Was it the looks? Nah. She thought it was more then that. She knew she wasnt the only good looking one. Because all non-humans were gorgeous. And they drew in people like flies to honey.

She was lightly thinking to herself as she walked down the street and turned a corner. She could smell the alcohol already and she wronkled her nose in disgust. If there was alcohol that meant there was a drunk human somewhere. And that meant they acted stupid. Even if she hated humans at times she protected them from the greater dangers. Vampires.

So instead of turning away from the smell she turned towards it. She even passed a movie theatre along her way. Underworld was the hit movie playing at the time and she had gone to see it. She liked looking at the humans views on things. She didnt like it at all. The werewolves had been monsters while the vampire lead had been nothing but good.

But Katra looked up as she heard something. It wast vampire and it smelt like a werewolf. She walked slightly faster and saw a drunk man there hitting on a girl that was just like her. She growled in her throat and then she came up behind the human and pushed his shoulder down and shoved him on to his back. She placed her foot on his chest and sighed. "You stupid males never learn. Dont mess with things you cant handle." She let him go and watched him run off. She then turned her tawny gaze to the girl.

[* Kokia Luxin]

She was just about ready to rip this guy a new one when suddenly a new female joined in on the fray. It was strange, but Kia felt her nose flare at the scent of another of her kind. Strange how she was slowly growing accustomed to this modern world where there were truly others like herself out there. In fact, it out right baffled her.

She came out of her semi-trance state as the female interjected just as Kia was poised to attack. When the "Vampire" shuffled off into the darkness, Kokia didn't know whether to give chase or to start a fight with the female who had decided to take it upon herself to get involved. It wasn't like she'd asked the woman for her help.

As she turned her tawny gaze at Kia, Kia's own deep cerulean eyes peered back. A few moments of deafening silence reigned until Kia pulled her hand out of her pocket to run a hand through her jet hair. Torn between actually saying something along the lines of "thanks" or just leaving the female there, Kia sighed as a light puff of smoke left her lips.

"Thanks." Kokia stated as she rolled back on her heels a bit before letting her boots plant themselves firmly back on the ground. "Not a fan of those kind I take it?" she asked casually, waiting to see if the other she-werewolf would answer in a way that Kia would ultimately like or tolerate.

[Katra Maguire]

Katra was being careful. She could sense the other female debating weather to thank her or rip her to shreds. She would much rather skip a fight. And she knew she had just but in, but that was her style and she did that a lot. She liked to get rid of the vampires herself. She hated them with a passion and even now, just the scent made her cringe. She would burn her shoes possibly when she got back home.

But Katra was on a mission. She had traveled from Paris and was on her way to New York. She had some business to settle there. But along the way her flight had been canceled so she was stuck here for the night and half the day tomorrow. Which wasnt a bad thing. She was very good at finding her way around things. She never got lost.

Those were some of the thoughts that jogged through her mind as the silence wore on and then finally it was broken when the other female spoke up and said her thanks. Then she ran her fingers through her hair and asked her about how she felt with vampires. She sighed herself and didnt know what to say at first. She was all act and not think. That was her biggest problem. And she had a hard time starting conversations.

But she scrambled for something to say that wouldnt offend her. She could tell her that she out right hated them but what if this other she-wolf liked vampires? There went a friendship. But she couldnt lie either. She would be able to tell and that wouldnt be good for a start off as well. So she stuck with the truth. "Im not really a big fan. I dont like them all."

She shuffled her foot slightly and let out a heavy sigh. The air puffed up and was visable as it drifted away and she watched it slightly. "Im Katra by the way. And sorry about intruding. Im all act and no brains." She chuckled as she joked around.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kokia watched Katra studying her just as she studied this other she-wolf before her. So, the two had something in common already. They were quite cautious and wary of not only their surroundings, but those around them...regardless of whether they were of the same race or not. No one could be too careful these days.

According to the grapevine, Kia heard a rumor about a war starting soon between the Kindred and the Werewolves. In truth, Kia could care less about the bloody d*mn war. It had nothing to do with her since she grew up in Athens, Greece and away from most civilization in regards to the modern world. Sure, her lessons involved learning about them, but Kia knew also of the nastiness within her own race: The Bane. Then there were, of course, the lovely humans who understood nothing about what either races entailed minus what they read in stupid books or watched in films such as the one she just walked out of.

It was all rubbish...and Kia didn't want to have anything to do with this war in the least. Treaty or no treaty, it wouldn't stop the evil ones from being born nor would it increase the good ones in their ranks either. This war was, in a sense, a waste of time to Kokia Luxin.

As the female spoke of what her thoughts were on Vampires, Kia only smirked and shrugged. Well, she didn't say that she outright hated the creatures. If she didn't like them, Kia knew that this she-wolf didn't like them for her own reasons; good ones she hoped, but Kia would not judge. Her mother, Faina, taught her better.

Kia quirked a brow as she heard the other female say her name. -Katra, huh? Well, that's an interesting name.- Kokia said, leaning more onto her right leg as a light breeze brushed up against her side. -She doesn't seem so bad, I guess...but only time will tell.-

At the mention of butting in, Kia only shook her head; a miniature curtain of her black hair covering her right, blue eye. "Nah, forget about it. I think it would be a good idea not to have all these hu--er--people around watching me tearing some idiot to ribbons." With that, Kia smirked and shook her hair from her view. "I'm Kokia, but friends call me Kia."

Her eyes wandered back toward the sky and she frowned as a bit of cloud covered the crescent moon from her vision. A few seconds longer, she realized that the clouds were going to continue to get in the way of such a beautiful sight and she sighed resolutely before turning to look back at Katra. "So what brings you out here this late at night? I haven't smelled your scent here locally...though I can't really talk. I just moved here recently myself."

[Katra Maguire]

Katra continued to watch her. She was interested by this other werewolf. She seemed to not give a care about things. But she was sure that she had heard about the war. It was going around real quick and soon humans would start to get involved. Thats when people wouldnt be able to stop the fast pace of the war. More and more fights were breaking out.

She kept her hands in her pockets now and she let the cool breeze blow her hair all over the place. Even messy it would look fine. So was the gift of being a werewolf. Always beautiful. It was a curse and a gift she didnt want to be slobbered on by humans and other things but it happened. And she just dealt with it.

Katra wasnt surprised to see her shrug when she mentioned her view on vampires. She was finding that lots of werewolves didnt hate them either. But there were just as many werewolves that did hate them. She hated them...but she had a good reason. If things would have been different, then maybe her view would be different. It also was about where you were brought up.

Patrick had found her after the vampire slaughtered her family. He took her in and raised her until she was 16 and then changed her. She had been a werewolf looking for revenge ever since then. She hoped that the vampires just died out one by one. She knew the rest of her pack felt the same way. But she wouldnt trouble this other she-wolf with that.

When Kia mentioned about her being around here she shook her head and smiled. "Im not from around here. I came from Paris actually. I was headed towards New York but my plane got canceled so im stuck here for tonight until I can get on a flight tomorrow." She said and then shrugged. Then the other question. "And im out here because im used to taking walks at night. And just looking out for things."

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kokia knew that others of the werewolf and vampire races had their reasons for participating in the war. Some hated each other...some wanted peace for their races...some just didn't give a damn (like her). But it wasn't all for naught and she couldn't help but feel slightly confused about it all.

Having grown up in a close-knit society of all females (with splashes of males every now and again, but that was for obvious reasons), Kia didn't understand the concept of "blood feuds" or "war." Otrera's Warriors trained Kia to be a fighter, but merely for protection and to keep her fit. Battle readiness was carved into her being, but it was anything but a necessity. Kokia was also taught to be able to adjust and live her life in any society if the time deemed it appropriate.

Inwardly, the she-wolf Amazon sighed in relief at Katra not mentioning anything along the lines of "alliances" or "packs." In truth, with such a newly budding friendship occurring, Kia was almost 100% certain that just the utterance of such phrases would have forced her to simply walk away from Katra right at that moment.

Neutrality...another thing her fellow Amazon sisters taught her.

Kia quietly listened to Katra's explanation as to where she was from and why she was in California. Her plan was to travel to New York, but her flight was canceled and she would not be able to continue her journey until the morning came. Curiosity nearly caused Kia to ask why she was going to New York in the first place, but she resigned herself to keeping quiet for the time being.

Katra's words continued and Kia chuckled lightly. "Strange, don't you think?" she stated nonchalantly as she side-stepped another inebriated individual. There were a lot out tonight, wasn't there? "I find it amusing how our kind feel the most comfortable when cloaked in darkness. Night walkers, in a sense...like the Kindred. Even stranger still is that we should be more fearful of the evening times if we are not mindful to our lunar calenders, no?"

[Katra Maguire]

Katra could see she was mindful about her. She wondered where her views on the war were. But she had enough sense to keep her mouth shut. She could sense the delicate balance of their growing friendship. If it was a friendship. She sure hoped so. She liked making new friends outside of her usual people she communicated with.

Sure the pack was wonderful but she liked seeing others. It was a new thing. So she followed Kia slowly, watching all the humans out tonight. It was rather odd to see so many out. Didnt they have the sense to stay away from dark alleys? The vampires were always just lurking around. Waiting to snatch someone by surprise.

She felt a slight pang of guilt at that though. Her mother had taught her not to judge. But wasnt that what she was doing now? But she had a damn good reason to hate them. And so she shoved that guilt away. It wasnt hard to do. She had done it all the time. And she did it again.

Katra chuckled though at Kia's mention of the night. How they should fear it. She did fear it. But she also loved it. The night was her time. The time to show off her strength and speed and grace and to show she could protect people. She was very careful of the moon though.

Thats why she loved Paris. It had a large forest and so it was easy to get away from people when she changed. Lots of her friends and pack members went there for the full moon. It was just what kept humans safe. "Your right. We should fear it. But I both fear and love it. The moon is my savior and my beater." She chuckled.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kokia smiled softly at the response in which Katra had given her. It was true. The night was both a savior and a curse; the night a blessing and an enemy. Why were they so entranced with the evening light?

Kia had been traveling around California after having finally decided to stay there to live. Wandering around the various countries after leaving Greece, the she-wolf knew that she couldn't stay within the confines of her homeland forever. But on the flip side to that, Kia knew that she honestly didn't know how to go about dealing with her transformation once the full moon was in the sky and touched her skin.

Would she go back to Greece where the stone circle and shackles were her only means of protecting herself and everyone else around her? Or would she make herself deal with the feral state her mind would be in once the transformation ensued?

After accessing various information networks, Kia knew that there were wooded areas in France that could provide enough cover for her from the ever-watchful eyes of the outside world... Given that this fact was, indeed, true, then Kia knew that she would not be the only one out there during the phase of the full moon in the sky. Kokia had never encountered another werewolf when both were transformed in that monstrous state.

She feared a blood bath.

"I see," was all Kia could respond with as she gestured for Katra to walk with her along the way toward a more secluded area of the streets lest they encounter another ignorant Vampire or, Gaia forbid, Werewolf. As the two walked silently side by side for a bit, Kokia shoved her hands into her jacket pockets once more. "So Katra? I'm sure you've heard rumors about this war going on...apparently there's a vampire and werewolf who claim to be lovers and this being the tip of the iceberg. Since you seem to dislike vampires, is it safe to assume that you, too, are involved in this war between the species?"

[Katra Maguire]

Katra walked along beside her as she gestured for her to do so. She was enjoying the company and she didnt mind that at any moment she could say something that the other she-wolf didnt like and find herself in a fight. But then again, she could have just made a friend with her. And she as happy.

The night was still dark and she breathed in a deep breath. It was lovely and she couldnt help but feel at home somewhat. Paris was always like this. Dark in the alley ways and you had to be careful. But London was more dangerous then Paris. They hardly had any lights and all the vampires seemed to love that area.

She would travel and venture there every now and then to make sure that the population was behaving itself. But then again, she never gave them a chance to argue. She killed them before a word was uttered. In a way that wasnt fair but she knew every vampire had killed at least one human and that was enough reason to kill them.

But she was stopped in her tracks slightly when Kia asked her about the war. And her part in it. What could she say to that? Would she upset the werewolf? She really didnt want to do that but she couldnt find another way around it. The truth would just have to be blurted out.

She ran her fingers through her long tawny hair and then nodded. "Im part of the war. I have been for a while. And so has my friends...." She said and glanced at Kia, checking to see if she angered her.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Sigh.

Was it so much to ask for one of her own kind outside of her tribe to be neutral like herself? Was it? Kia didn't think it was. However, what could she expect having been sheltered within the village back in Athens?

Perhaps it was too much to ask for.

Kia paused in her steps to turn around and look at Katra as she spoke. So, she was involved in the war as well. Ignoring the lookers who passed by them (as well as flipping off a perverted old man), Kia ran a hand through her jet black hair and shrugged her shoulders lightly.

"Katra...I know you have your reasons, as well as your friends..." she said, taking a few steps toward her fellow werewolf. "But honestly, what makes our kind any better than theirs? Just because one did you wrong, you feel the need to damn their whole race?"

Wow...her mother would be quite impressed with those words of wisdom. But it was true, was it not? Unlike most werewolves who were bitten by some crazed stray during the full moon or were raised by one and turned, Kia was taught to understand that throughout all races, there was evil and good dwelling within each of them. Not all werewolves were to be trusted and not all vampires were to be doubted. The same could be said of humans.

Kia spun on her heels slowly before allowing both of her hands to rest at her sides. "What makes you think that there aren't sadistic monsters within our own folds, hmm? To me...I think this whole war is pointless and an excuse to continue the feud for someone's enjoyment. Be it our side or theirs."

[Katra Maguire]

Katra knew her response would start something. She just hadnt know what. She was glad there wasnt that anger she had been fearing present. She had a feeling that if she had gotten into a fight with Kia, it would be a tough match. They would be very well equaled.

She stuck her hands in her pockets and continued to follow her down the alley, slightly chuckling as she flipped an old man off that had been staring. Sometimes she didnt get humans. Even the elders looked for something hot to look at. But she normally ended up punching young guys that did that.

She was stalling slightly. She didnt know how to answer her. She really didnt. Now that Kia mentioned it she was damning the whole race just because of one vampire. But they were all cold blooded when you got to know them. They killed for fun. She didnt find that ammusing.

She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair and looked at the ground as they both stopped. She collected her thoughts and then looked at Kia once again. "I dont know how to justify what I do. And I know that not all vampires are bad. I dont kill ones I think are good. If they are good. Most of the time...they cant." She shook her head.

She was starting to hate this topic. "How about we change topics? We both dont like this topic and there are happier things to talk about then the war. I know there is." She said and looked up at the moon.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Well damn...there she went again, shooting off her mouth without completely thinking things through. That was what Kia had a problem with the most. Growing up around a bunch of brash, brazen, and "leap before you look" tribe full of women had a bit of an effect on someone like Kia.

She had always been taught to speak her mind and to never allow outside influences cloud her judgment; especially in her cause to practice justice in the world. A crime is a crime and should be punished, be it verbal or physical to those being oppressed around you. Kick everyone's ass equally, no matter who or what they are. A motto she swore by since stepping out into the world.

The doubt in Katra's voice was, however, enough insight for Kokia to know that not even Katra was a 100% certain in everything that she did in regards to this topic of discussion. Harboring such doubts when in the midst of a war you, yourself, were involved in would only get not only one self, but those around them killed as well. There was no room for regret or doubt while in battle...Kia knew this all too well.

After all, that came with the package of being raised like an Amazon.

Suddenly sorry for saying it the way that she had, Kia's ears perked up at the discomfort in Katra's voice when requesting that the topic be changed. Sighing resolutely, Kia complied by nodding as they continued their walk. "Well, I don't know if this will only lead to further heart wrenching discussions, but may I ask why it is you're traveling to New York from Paris? Is there family waiting for you there...a lover, perhaps?" she stated, turning her head to wiggle her eyebrows mischievously at Katra in her hopes of lightening the heavy mood.

[Katra Maguire]

Katra watched silently as Kia just thought things through. She could tell she was because of her blue eyes. She was good at reading people by looking into their eyes and just figuring out what was running through their mind. She could tell Kia was thinking.

What she was thinking about she couldnt tell you but it must be something to do with her response because she looked at her for a brief few moments before asking something different of her. She figured the thinking had to be of Katra's sudden doubt.

She knew with her heart and soul she had no room for doubt so as they walked again she shoved it aside and went back to her kill vampires mode. It was better for everyone if she did that anyway. She wouldnt have to worry about killing someone who might or might not have diserved it.

She laughed though at Kia's suggestion of a lover. She shook her head and shuffled her feet slightly in embarrassment. "Nope. No lovers for Kat. Im to serious. And no family either. All dead. Vampire killed them." She told her.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Ah, so it finally came to light why Katra hated vampires so much. Her family must have been slaughtered by one. Sad, really. One group was killing another group's loved ones and vice versa. She'd heard the stories.

...too bad they were getting just a bit on the boring side.

"Well then, I guess I should count my lucky stars eh?" Kia stated as she dodged another person nearly running into her. "My family is still alive...even though it's just my mother. I don't really know who my father is." Her reply was casual; almost nonchalant. It wasn't like she didn't wonder who her father was...but she never knew him so why bother caring?

The conversation was all well and good, but Katra still didn't tell her why she was traveling to New York in the first place. If it wasn't for love or family, then it had to be for business unless there was something else in a personal sense beyond that. Her cerulean orbs gazed at Katra in her attempt to get another answer to her question.

"So if those are not your reasons, again I ask why it is you seek to travel to New York? That's Night Walker heaven, or at least one of many so I've heard." Kia shrugged and smirked once more. "You plan on going on a killing spree then?"