Before that chance meeting with the tigers at the pool hall, which would occur, later that night, he found himself amidst the very heart of Rome. The old-fashioned, spire-styled buildings that comprised of the Vatican stood before him, and he couldnt help but take it all in with  a bit of awe and amazement. The city of Rome had always been something of a fascination to the young wereleopard. Fingers strummed idly at the sides of his waist as those eyes, hidden beneath a pair of designer sunglasses, would take to roaming, much like himself, these days. Various tour groups filled the courtyard, families were busy taking pictures of themselves by the marvelous sculptures, and every once in awhile, he could spot a few of the clothed members of this magnificant Order scurrying about with whatever tasks they had to deal with for the day. Valcrist found himself standing in the middle of it all, which was a feeling he took to like a newborn fish takes to water.

What led the young wereleopard to Rome, exactly, was the search for any remnants of his old pard, back in Amsterdam. While he was there in Amsterdam, Valcrist had visited an old friend from back in those days, living with Valentina, Old Delvin. He was an aged Wereleopard, who seemed to have lived through three generations of that pard. He was old, now, extreamely old. Each wrinkle, within that thin and gaunt face, held years of wisdom and stories, that made the young wereleopard somewhat envious of him, for living such a storied life. Those bony hands gripped at the mahogany cane with dear life as the old man seated himself upon a bench next to the young wereleopard in some random park. The old cat, within, gave valcrist's own beast a nod of  recognition as the old, spotted leopard curled up in a ball beside valcrist's own. The man, himself, held something of a twinkle in his eyes when he looked over the young man, however, the smile basically said it all. It was a smile full of sadness, and he let out a long sigh to accompany the smile. A very tired, very worn-out sigh, really depicting the age of the old cat. "If it were a different time, young man, I believe a welcome home would have been in order, but..as time ebbs and flows" The old man would go on, before coming lost in thought once more, leaving valcrist to raise an eyebrow in queary before the old man would continue "So does various situations and circumstances. You enter a territory in which you are no longer allowed to enter,and you certainly take great risks, as well as I, being here today. As you know, your old Pard Queen had been killed, and the new Nimir-Raj, as well as the Master of the City, decreed that any member who has sided with Valentina, was to be put to execution, upon sight. I was spared, only for my knowledge and wisdom." The old man looked around nervously and worried before he leaned in close to valcrist. "While it is good to see you, I would recommend that you ceast and desist all that you are doing, around here....You see, not much gets past my old ears, and I, not only, hear about what goes on here, but I also hear various news throughout most of Europe......And believe me when I say this....you would do well, going to Rome, my young friend. From what I gather, there has been news of various new groups arriving from the Americas, heading straight for that place. The city itself, had acquired a new Master of the City, one who seems more tolerant to the groups, than our own. If what you seek is a place to be accepted,little one, you'd do well to go there....You must leave, now, because there are eyes and ears all over the place, if you catch my drift" Finally, the old man let out a long, exhasperated side as he looked over Valcrist with a smile as he leaned over to embrace the boy. "I'd go with you, but my place is here......Farewell, young friend, and be careful" With that said, the old man soon took to walking, albeit slowly, through the hustle and bustle of the crowd, leaving valcrist to do with what he would with the information given.


Fast forward to the courtyard of the Vatican. Valcrist thought long and hard, remembering what the old man had said. Whether he would see the old cat again, well, maybe in another time. Valcrist gathered his bag and approached the newly purchase sports bike as he slung the strap over his shoulders. Black helmet was firmly placed over his head as the engine roared to life with the simple turn of the key. Soon after,he sped off down the various old streets, into...well, whatever turn of events came to the young wereleopard. A new city, a new life, as it were. Perhaps what awaited the young wereleopard, here in rome, would be a world filled with strife, political intrigue, the occult. Or perhaps what awaited him would the old hunky-dory humdrums that he found himself most comfortable with in salem. Time would only tell, and his part in the workings of things, were only just beginning...or coming to an end...whatever comes first, really...



-- Edited by Valcrist on Friday 15th of May 2009 09:47:30 PM

-- Edited by Valcrist on Friday 15th of May 2009 11:06:51 PM