Allen nodded, it was fair for Saaleha to play her cards close to the vest. Even though they’d become friendly with each other rather quickly (something he had a feeling was mostly helped along with her fascination with Elias’ specific brand of weirdness), there was always a reason for distrust in more serious matters. It wasn’t something he took personally, it was just being smart with all the freaks of nature in the shadows, freaks that didn’t have to worry about mundane things like home addresses, next-of-kins, and arrest warrants. It did make him feel a little more confident that she wouldn’t just go and blab all her secret knowhow about him and his packmate. He set the thoroughly-licked mug in the sink.

“It doesn’t have to be too specific really. Just if someone’s got some big plans that might cause huge issues far as like…human casualties, or anything that might piss off spirits or ghosts or whatever. And I don’t mean like…humans have to be dying or anything, like it could just be something that affects the overall feeling of safety, ecological, cultural, or financial what have yous in the area. People tryin’ to summon demons or other assorted bullshit that’s preferably kept where it belongs. Human rights violations. Freak accidents or murders that someone’s covering up. Someone digging up a burial mound to lay out a new parking lot or condos, or bulldozing a local forest or neighborhood. Shit like that. It’s more difficult to find that sort of crap out about local vamps or other spooks than digging around in public records or newspapers about Joe Moneybags’ ‘charity’ when he’s got an election coming up or he did someone dirty.” He looked at Elias, motioning towards the door.

“Shoes on, we’re headin’ out.” As his packmate shifted back to human form and wrangled his laces, Allen took the opportunity to pull his own boots on, hip leaning against the counter for balance.

“I mean, Eli might find something out tonight, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Spirits are flaky fucks that don’t exactly like us in the best of circumstances. Shit’s vague as it is, so honestly I’m just throwin’ nets where I can so me and Eli have a grasp of what’s going on, and find out if we need backup to stop it or just deal with the aftermath. So uh…no pressure if you don’t find anything.”

Allen frowned as Elias made an annoyed growling noise behind him, his tongue too short to reach the bottom of the mug, and a moment later, a wolf was licking frantically at the mug, nudging it around on the tabletop with each swipe.

“I mean, probably. Just seemed like you knew somethin’ about ‘em. I only know one…kind of vampire around here I could ask but uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck as the sound of the mug scooting around in the background distracted him a little.

“Just curious if you knew somethin’. Eli’s…things don’t really get into specifics and it’s often symbolic with riddles and shit. He just knows something big is happening here sometime soon, but not exactly what. Just narrowing down the list of suspects, basically.” Allen jumped when the clatter of the mug tipping over startled him, turning around with a sigh to pick up the mug and take it away.

“I’m cuttin’ you off, Fluffy.” he grumbled. Elias licked his chops, still soaked with a bit of cocoa.

Allen glanced back at Elias, getting a stare and a small shrug in response before the wolf returned to licking his mug.

“We came down here because a lot of spirits are gathering here for some reason. That and Elias kinda…sees things sometimes.” But now he had questions of his own. Kindred. That wasn’t a normal human term for ‘weird stuff’.

Just how many supernatural freaks of nature was Saal making friends with?

“You uh…seem a bit familiar with kindred…anything big happen with ‘em recently?” Knowing how early Elias had caught a potential problem would be of help. If there was still time to call in the other Forsaken and split before the packs could pick up their trail, it would be better off for all involved. Both for himself and Elias, and for any unfortunate humans or what have you at risk. Two Uratha versus an unknowable, powerful force capable of upsetting whatever the hell set off Elias’ weird dreams wasn’t exactly a matchup he’d bet on.

Looking up meteorological and geographical stuff only took you so far. If vampires were involved, having a sneak peek into their inane squabbling could be of use.

Assuming they had anything to do with it. Given their usual antics, it was a long shot.

That little setback aside, Brielle pulled up the bus schedule to triple-check she had it right. This needed to go well; she couldn’t really afford to upset what seemed like a rather affluent and powerful lick. Saaleha was friendly, but that could also be a cover for less sincere motives.

While she did that, checking periodically the ghoul was in tow, Brielle settled into a familiar pattern of small talk. “This is your first time in Seattle, right? Or first time in a long time?”

Elias started licking what he could reach inside of his mug, determined to get every last bit of sweetness out of it as his packmate got up from the couch. Now that damage control was handled and Saaleha’s carpet was left unstained, the alpha felt compelled to help her out in whatever ways he could.

“Never did try cocoa with candy canes, so I s’pose there’s a first time for everything.” Allen didn’t catch the brief disconnect, but the pair of silver eyes in the living room did, mouth smeared with melted marshmallow.

“Usually this ritual’s pretty short, but with the weird shit that brought us here, it might be longer. Or shorter. I never really know with spirit shit, there’s a reason Eli handles that shit instead of me.” Elias started a little at the mention of his name, but when it seemed he wasn’t asked for directly, he went back to licking every inch of mug his tongue could reach clean.

Allen grinned.

“Anything you ain’t gonna be able to finish before it goes bad we can take. Hate to see good food go to waste, and I know Fluffy didn’t try a whole helluva lot.” Elias grumbled, nudging his packmate in the ribs begrudgingly for a demonstration with the mug. The alpha picked it up, looking over Saaleha’s handiwork and…fuck, how long had it been since he’d had homemade anything?

“Hey, at least you’re prepared for broken down transportation or an ailing diabetic.” Allen tapped Eli’s hand, getting his attention before showing him how to drink from the mug without turning the carpet into a spotted mess, slurping a little to get the idea across before handing it back. Elias eagerly sucked down the hot chocolate once it was returned.

“And yeah. I don’t think it’s gonna take Eli long to finish off the…” Allen licked his lips, actually registering the flavor now that he was thinking of it.

“Damn, that’s actually really good cocoa…”

The moment he heard someone speak out a let out a short shriek, dropping the shovel immediately to spin around and face whoever had caught him. Freezing up he could only stare in horror at the woman… creature that he recalled. Something was wrong, very wrong with her. But that was the least of his problem. Starting to sweat profusely, his body shook, taking a step back. She had seen him, no one had seen him before. He had made sure, it was the same routine he’s had for so long. It played in his mind over and over. What had he done wrong? Nails dug into his own skin, trying to think desperately in the panicked state. Kamilah? Should he mention her? She didn’t know. Did she? No she couldn’t. I he mentioned her… But he couldn’t lie. Could he? Like a deer in headlights, his eyes darted, voice stammering as it tried to get words out. Anything. “ Work… I work… I work with it… That’s why… Worked overtime… Overtime? ” What was the question? What had she asked again? He took another step back, only too lose his balance and fall back to the ground, landing on his butt with a squeak. Desperation taking over in his voice. “ I don’t… know… You… You shouldn’t… You shouldn’t be here… Why are you here… ”

Elias studied Saal’s mouth as she drank. Despite having seen humans drinking dozens, maybe hundreds of times, he never really paid much attention to how they were doing it. It seemed simple enough…

While Saaleha busied herself in the other room, the wolf looked at his cup with intense focus before picking it up. Wait…where had Saal put her teeth? He fidgeted, unsure now, but he had to try. It looked a lot quicker than lapping at the surface with his human tongue, too short to be of much use in drinking.

Maybe it was like pouring?

Allen came in from his smoke break, looking much calmer until he saw his packmate trying to…something not good. He darted across the room, dead silent over the floor and catching Elias’ mug before he could make too much more of a mess than he already had, hot chocolate dripping from his chin and thankfully caught by the front of his hoodie. But none on the rug. Thank fuck.

“Not too bad for your first time, huh?” he muttered, barely audible as he glanced over the table and grabbed one of the pumpkin napkins, swiping over his packmate’s face and throat, getting a scowl in response.

“Not pup.” he growled. Allen rolled his eyes, announcing his presence by setting the mug down on the table loud enough for Saaleha to hear.

“Hell, if I’d known chocolate was the way into your heart, I’d’ve stuffed you full of Hersey bars years ago.”