Back from Vacation

Christian · Brutus Strength

Back from Vacation

Toby Rebel · Rebel Leopard

The taxi ride was long, driven to a tiresome effect upon the leopard; scenes of paradise swiftly passed as deeper they drove into surburbia. Palm trees first were the extravagant display of beauty; how their leaves were long and dangling, telling a story of its journey through life. Next was the tropical forest, filled to the brim of unknown creatures and unidentified bugs; spiders as big as a cat's head to be precise had the leopard shiver with fear. Arachnaphobia was a hidden secret about the leopard that no one knew, and he would tend to keep it that way.

The taxi stopped in front of a house, enveloped in nature, secretly hidden in the back where the dirt road ended to a cement driveway. According to the directions from an employee at a bar, who was of lycan descent and knew of the pard, the house looked like what she described. Paying the driver, he stepped out from the taxi and stood in front of the establishment, amazed at the beauty and security their home beheld. With only his guitar, no bags, he approached the door, and knocked a few times, along with ringing the doorbell. He waited, waited for an answer, a rustle behind the door, anything that would tell this was not a deserted home.

-- Edited by Toby Rebel at 18:53, 2008-03-04

silentpaws · Shy Kitty

Valarie had been scarce, going to classes, spending a lot of time with Professor Clarendon or studying, since her date with Elijah and his departure from the islands. The shy leopard's self-esteem had taken a blow and she was nursing the wound, so to speak.

After a trip to the library to study, she returned to her little, black VW Beetle and headed toward the house. She sang along with the songs coming from the radio, thumbs tapping out the beat on her steering wheel as she maneuvered the car down the dirt road to park in her usual place on the far right of the driveway. The sight of an unknown male at the door roused her curiosity, and she took a moment to study him. Collecting her backpack and laptop, she stepped out of the car, closing it with a bump of her hip and hitting the little button that locked the doors.

Auburn waves were allowed to spill around her face, a curtain through which those chocolate brown orbs could be seen. Shifting the strap of her backpack onto her shoulder and hugging the laptop to her chest, she made her way up to the door and the unknown male.

"Um, hi. Can I help you?" The scent of leopard was something she couldn't mistake, so she concluded that he must be looking for Patsy or Valcrist.

With a shy smile offered to him, she moved up alongside him in order to get to the door, checking to see if it was locked. With Bruno home, she doubted it would be, but always checked just in case. Finding it was open, she swung it open and slipped inside, motioning with her fingers that he could come in behind her.

"Hey, I'm home! We've got company!" was called into the house as she waited for the visitor to step inside before she closed the door behind him. While Bruno sometimes gave her the heebie-jeebies, she smiled when he came into sight and offered to take her things to her room for her. So, she handed over her laptop and backpack while he informed her that Patsy was away on business and that Valcrist had returned from his vacation. It felt odd being waited on by the rather intimidating guy, but she thanked him and asked him to tell Valcrist that they'd be in the living room.

Attention returned to the visitor and the shy smile reappeared. "Come on in and take a load off." She curled up on the couch and peered at him. "I'm Val. Well, one of them, anyway. Valarie Anders." A hand was offered in his direction while she silently urged Valcrist to make a timely appearance and save her from trying to make an attempt at entertaining alone.

Christian · Brutus Strength

Just as Valcrist was about to head on out, in search of the guitar-strumming leopard. There was a knock at the door. Quickly closing the door to Patsy's bedroom, he made a beeline for the front door. Just as he got to the last step, Valarie had already beaten him to the punch, as she, herself was just coming home, with the very person he was looking for, in two. Quickly as that, Valcrists's disposition took took a turn for the better. As Valarie and Tobias headed for the living room, Valcrist was soon to follow. First, he made his way towards Valarie, scooping up the young woman into his arms, giving her a warm embrace and the traditional cheek-to-cheek rubbing. "Im glad you're home, Valarie, I...uhhh...well, I didnt know what to get you, but I still bought you some gifts, they are laid out across your bed...Bruno set them up for you" Of course, he was referring to the local-designed t-shirts sprawled across her bed in an orderly fashion. Then, there was Tobias. Val smiled as he stuck out his hand, while giving him the same traditional cheek-to-cheek rubbing. "Welcome, man, Welcome to our home. Im sure Patsy will be here eventually .....but...well....I got you something as well" In his hand was the Koa Wood guitar pick, with the image of the Hawaiian God who can transform into a boar at will. He opened tobias's hand, and quickly placed it within the man's outstretched hand. "Sort of a, welcome-to-the-family gift if Patsy says its okay" With that said, he disappeared into the kitchen, then returned a few minutes after, with a tray of drinks in hand. Nope, no alcohol for Valarie, as he last remembered blundering up that one, awhile back. Iced Tea, to be exact. "Why dont we all head out to the patio...Its definitely a nice day." Indeed it is, as it was very far and between when members of the pard would interact with each other. Valarie was often very busy as well. ANd, well, tobias had yet to be officially welcomed into the family, but valcrist hoped ot put in a good word with patsy, about him. Finally, they all moved the meeting, even with bruno, to the Patio. The best thing about this pard house, the place had its own private beach when you look over the poolside patio. Indeed, the pard and rodere were all living like kings now. MUCH better than the house back in salem, at least in valcrists opinion. "So Valarie, we never did get to talk much...how have things been? And how about you, Tobias?"

silentpaws · Shy Kitty

Valcrist's arrival behind them had her giving a silent sigh of relief. She was not very good at entertaining guests, although Tobias was not just a guest since he was also a leopard. A squeal escaped her as Val lifted her up in a warm embrace which she happily returned. His scent was taken in with the cheek rub, giving her a measure of comfort.

"Presents? Oh, thank you." The shy smile had been replaced with a bright grin. When Val set her back on her feet, she stood back and watched his interaction with the other leopard. The mention again of Patsy had her wishing that the leopard queen was home. Still, she had Valcrist and Tobias to keep her company.

The beverages were looked at for a moment when they were brought out, a slight grin when she noted there was iced tea for her. A wink was sent in Val's direction, acknowledging the memory of that small blunder with the alcohol.

"Good idea. To the patio, then." A glance toward Tobias before she headed out to the patio and one of the lounge chairs. Sandals were kicked off and set beside her along with her glass of tea.

"Things have been.. okay. Getting used to this place, making sure I don't get behind at school. You know, the usual." No, she was not going to mention anything more personal since they had Tobias with them. Besides, it wasn't important. What was important, was getting to know this new pard-brother.

Chocolate browns turned upon Tobias, awaiting his answer to Val's question so that, maybe, she could get to know him a little from his reply.

Toby Rebel · Rebel Leopard

"Hey cutie, I'm Tobias." A smooth, baritone chord purred from his lips as the other female leopard approached him, taking his hand in hers and planted a gentle kiss on her rounded, soft knuckles. When she opened the door, he stepped through; sandy brown flip flops padding against the floors, in rhythm to the jungle cat sway of his hips, his guitar, strapped over his shoulder, bobbing to the stroll through the house. "Nice place you got here." He inclined as multicolor hues of ember and chestnut scanned every inch of the house, noting how spacious and nature influential it really was. When Valcrist treaded towards him, Tobias grabbed his hand, knuckled together and swung him into a brotherly hug. "If you were wondering, I scored this address from a honey at a bar. Nah, she wouldn't just give out your queen's address to anyone, I had to sweet talk my way---" Before he could finish, Valcrist presented him a guitar pict; a Hawaiian God embedded into the hard material, so defined, etched to perfect artistic detail. Those hazel pools widened in astonishment; a present for him? He barely knew the guy and already received a present, a great and very usable present indeed. "Wow thanks man! This is awesome!" Again, Tobias would go in for a brotherly hug, except more indepth, more intune with his fellow leopard inside, curling about Valcrist's own beast. When they stepped out to the patio, his lanky, defined figure slid comfortably in a chair, across from Valarie, but parallel to Valcrist. A calloused hand gripped the beverage Valcrist prepared, and those thin, natural floral petals kissed the rim, allowing the liquid to beam down his throat. "Aaahhhhhh," he said, relaxing further into the plush cushion of the chair, extending long legs clad in ripped jeans, and crossed his feet over the other. "Things been good man, things been good. My concert is coming up in a few days, I would really like for you and beautiful over here come. If Patsy is around at that time, tell her she can come too. Its pretty much open for everyone. Its gonna be by the Hilton Hawaiian Village, like this huge ass stage set up right on the beach. Lots of fun man, lots of fun."