Playing Hooky from Life (OPEN)

Night was the time Hale came even more alive. It had been his time since he was a child. He would sneak out of his parents’ home find a field or a beach and watch the night sky in motion. It was always worth the beating he’d get the few times he was caught. The night made his sense tingle his synapses fire quicker made him feel more ground and yet free floating. He liked the night even knowing that the night often held monsters. He was a weird child as unlike most he kept the light off and yet imagined there were monsters in his closet. He also imagined that the monsters were scared of him. That they were hiding just behind the closet door in whatever place it opened to when no one was around cowering. Because they knew he was there in the night waiting on them.

His magic time was ending he could feel the sun coming. He knew that night was lapsing and yet he remained on the beach. He grabbed his bottle of Louis the sixteenth and began walking the surf. He was mourning the coming day and simply taking a moment to himself. It was a tickle at the back of his throat. Some pereternatural being was near at hand. It wasn’t a member of either streak so he initially paid it no mind. But as he realized he was growing closer to the source he stopped looking about him. He spotted the cottage that lead down to the beach. Curious now as the flavor wafting to him was a rare touch he made his way closer. Dropping his shields he moved alongside the cottage circling it inhaling in the scent that usually meant trouble.

There was a school if that’s what they called themselves of such men that occasionally tangled with the Liéren Yú Hei'án Wáng. Mostly pirating but occasionally with some actual purpose. The last time he’d basked in the scent he was just out of high school. He could remember how three of the men aboard the ship had acted as if the air was bathed in catnip that targeted them specifically. He hadn’t gotten a good look at their enemies that day but he had studied what he could. His aura flared at his curiosity even more as there was decidedly a feminine feel to the energy emanating from the cottage. Now he had to know. Ringing the bell he knocked on the window as well. Bracing himself for the worst and hoping for enlightenment.

Naida had realized not long after she had gotten back into the water that she was hungry and could probably do with something to eat. She looked out at the water, realizing that hunting was the last thing on her mind, and began to walk back up to the house. She had to stop for a moment just to look at the beautiful little cottage she had been so lucky to get. Shaking her head, she ran up the steps and into the cottage, closing and locking the door behind her. Moving into the kitchen, she opened the fridge and began to pull things out to place on the counter for breakfast and possibly lunch. She could always pack a cooler for later to bury in the sand while she was swimming. Or to take with her as she floated out to sea. She hadn't done that in a while and it might be fun to at least try to do it again before she had to make her way back to shore later on tonight.

She pulled all the vegetables together, chopping and tossing them into a pan to cook while going through the house to find something besides the blue green bikini to wear while she finished cooking. She pulled on a robe in the same color as the bikini and went back into the kitchen to finish tossing the vegetables with some seasoning. She put it all in a bowl and went out the back door to eat, looking at the city behind her. She knew that most people who owned a beach house would eat looking at the ocean, but she had never been like that. The ocean was her first home, the place she had been born, but the city? The city had been where she had realized she could be just like everyone else, if she could hide who she was. She didn't mind though. The world wasn't really ready to learn about her kind just yet.

Finishing up her meal, she went back inside, washing the dishes before looking at the clock and realizing that, if she left soon, she would miss the influx of people crowding the beach so they wouldn't be able to see her as she dove into the water and never came up. She had realized on accident before that that was never a good thing for the humans to see. Tended to freak them out. She threw the cooler idea out the door, figuring it might be good to go hunting like when she was younger, and was heading toward the door when the doorbell rang. She froze in her tracks and threw her aura out, touching another with preternatural ability before pulling it back into herself. Panic moved through her when she realized that flavor of the preternatural on the other side of the door. Tiger. The last group she had run into had treated her like walking food. She couldn't let that be why she stood there like a deer in the headlights.

She looked down at the open robe over the bikini and shook her head. It was her house, she had been planning to go swimming, she could wear whatever she wanted to answer the door. She double checked to make sure that no scales were showing before walking and opening the front door, stopping in her tracks at the man in front of her. He was tall enough that she had to look up at little to look into his face. She tried not to frown at the Alpha aura surrounding him, instead giving him a small smile. ”Aloha. Can I help you with something?” There. Be polite and maybe he won't give her any trouble. She doubted it, but it was worth a try.

Hale was rarely at a loss for what to do. He was rarely struck off guard by anything or anyone yet the sight of the blonde very nearly did what nothing else had. A smile gracing his face he replied, ”Yes. I believe you can. Would you like a drink?” Hale ran his fingers through his hair straightening some as the door opened. Extending the bottle in his mitts towards the blonde who smelled of the ocean and dark places. She was prey but the sort that would poison her predator and drag him down with her.

The thought made Hale smile brighter. He always had to be the best maybe not the first but definitely the best. His slightly liquor addled mind swam back to Maddie. Her red hair belying the fire in her. He knew he shouldn’t think of her in anyway but as the enemy. That which needed mastering and yet here he was slightly well past drunk and sniffing around someone who was obviously not from around here.

He didn’t realize he’d reeled until he was well past her threshold and nearly on top of her. ‘Come on Hale get it together he thought angrily at himself.’ He said catching his balance looking back at where he came from. “Uh sorry about that. Place nice you got here haole. So drink yes don’t mind if I do.” He said tipping his bottle towards his lips.

Naida looked at the tiger in front of her and sighed when she realized that he was drunk. He wasn't here to cause her any problems, per say, but he was causing them just by having his drunk presence here. If he didn't get away from her home, there was always the chance that he could shift and hurt her. Or even worse, announce to the world that she wasn't human, therefore making her lose her job and her livelihood and her new home. And she really liked it here so far. She didn't want to leave because some drunk had come to her home and harassed her. At the same time, she couldn't let a drunk tiger roam the streets this morning without it causing her some worry.

Sighing, she grabbed his wrist as he moved to take the bottle to his lips. ”No, sugar, let's just not do that any more right now, okay?” She gently pulled him into the house, closing the door behind him and leading him to the couch by the door. ”Sit here and let me get you some coffee before you do something you'll regret.” She took the bottle from him and walked into the kitchen, setting it on the counter and putting some coffee on, watching him from across the room. What was she going to do with a drunk male? Seriously, She had never been all that great with dealing with the inebriated.

Sighing, she poured a cup of coffee and grabbed some sugar and cream, setting them on a tray and carrying them into the living room. She set them on the table in front of him and gestured for him to drink. ”Drink some of that and sober up a little so that you can tell me exactly what you want from me. I don't want to have to do with the cops, but if you're here to harass me, I will call them.” She wouldn't call the cops, rather dealing this this herself, but at the same time, the only way she knew to deal with someone was to run from them, and she was honestly tired of running. ”What's your name? How about we start there?”

Hale looked at her intruding hand as if it were something that he would chop off. He didn’t though it was tempting. He didn’t take orders from women let alone some strange one to which he only was curious about. Yet he sat contemplating on just how badly he wanted to know her in any way. Her sticking to her guns was admirable in its own way. So instead of expressing his consternation Hale smiled taking the offered cup of coffee.

Sipping the coffee he thought of being stood up. He had never been stood up. Hell he had never been told no before either. It was a weird state for him and not one he could say he enjoyed in the least. He didn’t even enjoy the challenge of it. No not at all. ”Xaviers as good a name as any what about you?” Running his hand through his hair he glanced at his watch. He had four hours until he needed to have his day begun. That would give him more than enough time to enjoy his inebriation a few moments longer. ”I don’t regret my actions. What would be the point in that? Either do better or worse but do so purposefully. And for the record I am as sober as I need to be right now, thank you very much.” He smiled to soften what he’d just said. Perhaps he was a bit more in the bottle than he’d planned to be.

Darren had a long night at the hospital, he'd had three emergency births and a woman allergic to shellfish and its derivatives have a reaction because her lover used some sort of ink made from lobster shell dust on her for a photoshoot. That last one had been weird the words had been inflamed and hed had to tilt his head just so to see them. The big goof was a bit tired but wanted to see if he could find his buddy and through carefully sniffed air and some well placed questions he had tracked him to this place.

Hearing the tail end of a conversation and stepping in despite it being a private residence it was unlocked and he heard his friend throat clearing." Aloha bra you a hard brada to fine, lucky you cannot hide from da Dr"

Smirking with those dimples and that short shorn blue hair, the people at the hospital just thought it was a fashion statement he wore mascara over his lashes to hide the blue there at least for work. Turning that goofy roguish grin to the woman" how you pretty lady? Im sorry dis here drunk botherin you ya, if you like I take him home "

Hale smirked as he felt the big man coming. Unlike the others of the streak Darren was his own sort of thinker. He didn’t toe the line because he was cowed he toed the line because he honestly felt it was the right thing to do. Hale tolerated him because he liked the man’s ability to live in the world but not let it creep into his soul. It was always good to have someone who was a veritable innocent at hand. His muscle was even more mental than his body would belie.

As he swiveled in his seat towards the door he spread his arms by way of greeting." We don’t hide we stalk and are you stalking me? The ohana maika'I cousin?" He wasn’t needed for another few hours which gave him enough time to sober and be fully in his right mind. Yet if Darren was here that meant something was afoot or so his slightly booze soaked brain deduced. He was respected but he wasn’t loved. He was curious and sobering by the second.

He was there mostly to hang out but there was also the matter of the mate thing they had coming up. It was like a dance where the women chose men to try and be impregnated by and it was a big deal and Hale was top runner for females near every year. He seemed to hate all the attention hence the bender and sneaking off. While the big man seemed to have a rough time, the women told him he was good looking and he was of a good line but the fact he was there one major dr for the births it was a worry hed be distracted if he had a female to worry over.

If either of them should be morose or despondent it should be him." yea I'm stalkin bra but only cause you know what's coming ya? girls dont want dunk sailors on board if you get me"

Since the woman seemed stunned to silence he shrugged and sat his considerable size on the seat next to Hale and poked him in the arm" theres talk even da queen vamp might show up yanno to give her blessing and intervene if we get crashed again like two year ago"

Hale raised a brow at Darren’s assertions. He was right and he had every reason to be worried. Hale had no intention to pick a mate. He knew he would find a reason in enough time. However his having called a few of the women made it a good deal more difficult. There were two very important reasons why he was not looking forward to ‘The Choosing’. If he let anyone get too close his dual nature would need to be addressed. There was also Madeline. He in his inebriated state could honestly face the fact that he found her worthy of being his mate. Not simply for the political reasons but because she was cherubic and difficult and worth the time it would take to break her to his way of thinking.

Looking up and down the bigger man he sighed." Maddie wouldn’t let the peace be broken." Taking a sip of his coffee he stood assuring himself that he was on pace to be fully sober in time. He was tough he’d planned to wallow a while longer. Pointing at the blonde Merrow he smiled. “Pleasure was all ours. I’ll be back another time.” While it was a promise and not a threat he knew she might take it that way and make herself scarce. If she did it would make tracking her down even more pleasurable. Stalking her down might help clear his head of the Scarlett tressed tigress.

Smiling his brightest toothiest grin he turned to Darren " Come on kaina; we have to get moving."

He heard the name and it took every thing in him to not roll his expressive eyes, he put to much stock in the little crimson headed female. The clans had been at war for so long no one even really remembered what started it but the peace between them was tenuous at best. They still took pot shots at each other occasionally.

Sighing he waved to fish woman and followed hale out. " yeah Im in a real hurry to go get ignored again and have to hear Papu and Umi tell me how I deserve to be picked but women are stubborn and that they dont recognize a good thing"

He had mimicked them and it was strange because with everyone else he kept a smile no matter what but his buddy he could be straight with no judgement. He still couldnt figure out what it was about the red tiger that had his boy so tripped up in the head. 

Hale nodded sobering up with each step. He was tempted to soak his brain a little while longer but knew it was for the best. The Merrow was a problem that needed to be dealt with. Eventually. They rarely from what he knew were alone and if they had a foothold set that would change things. It needed to be addressed sooner than later.

Matching Darren’s sigh Hale remembered he’d left his bottle. He’d get it another time. "They do recognize a good thing kaina but they are waiting for a great thing. Everybody wants to be the Queen and think I’m the doorway. But I don’t want a princess that wants to be queen. Hell I am sorry I even put out this last call. Bunch of starry-eyed kittens instead of a queen with eyes like the waves."

Darren of all the Streak would make the best Khan. He believed in the old ways but kept his eyes on the future and unlike Hale was a pure-blooded blue. Sadly Darren while having the drive didn’t seem to want any of the headaches that came with overseeing the ohana. He was perfectly suited to attempt to look after Hale but that seemed to be as far as he would go to take on other headaches. Hale appreciated that more than he would ever let on. “We too late for a ferry over to Maui for breakfast?”

Darren knew in his heart that if he ever had to he'd take the gig but for now he knew it was the only thing keeping Hale who he hated to admit he cared something over from tripping off the deep end it was that minute bit of responsibility he held that kept him hanging on and if he ever truly stopped caring the man would be lost. So he played dutiful friend and babysitter but they both benefited from each other honestly.

Breakfast? Sounded good his belly growled in agreement and he got a goofy grin" nah we got loads of time man I could use some hotcakes and spam hash or the special  least get looked over on a full belly yanno"

He winked and walked them both toward the landing spot for the last evening ferry it would be a few hours if they hadn't caught this one before the first morning ferry came for commuters. Leaning on a dock pilon and watching the large double decker style boat ease toward them.

Hale moved with Dare onto the launch his eyes were on the little cottage but his mind was on breakfast or more specifically the tigress he was sure to see there. Turning to Dare he started to speak stopping himself. He was still the Khan and while he liked Dare he was for the first time unsure of his steps. He knew he was contemplating a move that was sure to cause an uproar. He knew that he should choose not to but he rarely did what anyone expected and it always worked out. Fortune favored the bold, but was he being bold or plebeian. Was he placing his wants over the needs of the Streak. He wasn’t sure so he knew it would be better if he kept his thoughts to himself just yet. It was one of the many reasons being the head of any group was such a heavy responsibility.

He needed someone to speak with but no one had ever been in the position he was placing himself. As they neared the dock he smiled. “Alright Nijeni’s then we’ll head to the office I have a change of clothes there and we can go over a few things. I know you are busy with your practice but I know you would make a great Rishi. Especially as even amongst those we have now I don’t trust anyone more than you.”