Do You Know Where The Wildthings Go?

Roxanne Henriks & Asa Nikus/Ares

Roxanne Henriks | There's a light in the distance waiting for me, I will wait for you.


Roxanne Henriks' had hit rock bottom months ago. That was the only explanation as she found herself getting ready for a job that she wouldn't of ever taken- unless she had no other choice. Her fall had started four months ago. The twenty-five year old had graduated college with no prospects. The literary arts field wasn't exactly hurting for jobs. It was a setback, but not the end of the world. Roxy had been staying with her boyfriend in his little apartment. He was a few years older than her and settled into his job at some headquarters for an energy drink company doing accounting. She was sure that the jobless slump would come to an end if she tried hard enough and they could both move into a nicer place. Oh, what a naive little thing she'd been. Last month, Roxanne had come home early from job searching, wanting to cook a nice dinner for her and her ex-beau.

She found him there already, entangled with some brunette from work. It had crushed her heart. Roxy left that night in a flurry of tears and anger; but she didn't really have a place to go. Thankfully, a friend from her college; Xanthippe, had offered Roxanne her couch. It was in a more rundown part of New York, Hell's Kitchen, but it was a place to sleep and Roxy was thankful. She'd been sleeping on the couch for the past two months with no luck securing a job. It was two weeks ago that Xan suggested that Roxanne try to get a job at the little club she worked at Himeros. Roxanne knew that Xan's work involved dancing. A gogo dancer Xan explained, and not a stripper. She'd been very clear on that part. And while the girl assured Roxy that the pay was pretty good- she wasn't interested. But over time struggling and with no successes, she'd been worn down. None of the place she applied called her back and she figured it would be better working with a friend, than working at a some convenience store.

Besides- working in a club that had security seemed safer than working at a convenience store. Xanthippe had assured she was basically hired- the woman in charge of the dancers was just picky about who she hired for the "team", and always required a face-to-face before an official hire. In just two weeks Xan had taught Roxy their dance routine, and it wasn't that hard to pick up. Landing the job hadn't been hard either. The woman was a few years older than her, but had been kind and understanding of her situation. She'd been hired, and that's what she'd been doing the past month. What she expected to be doing that night. But, one of the bartenders had called out sick and they were down a bartender. A club can't really run without one; and the woman in charge of the dancers, Diane, had asked if anyone wanted to bartend. During college, Roxy had a job as a bartender and she thought it'd be a nice change from dancing all night and being oogled by strangers. She had volunteered- and then put to work behind the bar.

And so far it had gone okay. The tips were great, and while there was the occasional creep, it wasn't terrible. Tonight the club was just as busy as it usually was, and the biggest problem Roxy found was keeping up with orders. But, what she couldn't make her co-worker and the other male behind the counter would get them out. Currently there weren't too many people at the bar; a couple college kids though her co-worker seemed to have their orders handled. Sitting towards the middle of the bar however, was a dark-haired male. There was... something about his presence that sort of commanded attention. The look on his face was apathetic and somewhat distant. In front of him was an empty glass of something, and quickly Roxy hurried over. People didn't exactly like it when they sat for long periods of time without service. "Hello sir, what are we drinking tonight?"

Roxy called over the music as she approached, and slowly, languidly eyes as dark as hickory and as rich as the earth’s soil rose to meet her gaze of forget-me-not's and the color of the sky after a storm. For a moment he said nothing, just a fleeting twitch of lips that may of been a smile. Unapologetic pools of dark-cinnamon flickered over Roxy's form though it was different than how the male patrons usually flickered over her. Rather than oogling it felt more like he was picking her apart beneath that gaze, oddly heavy for someone who appeared young. There was an amusement written ever so faintly on his lips as Roxanne squirmed, trying to figure out why the dark-haired male looked familiar. His gaze made her cheeks flush, a delicate rose staining pale cheeks. "Um... Well not we- do... Um do you need a refill?" Words felt clunky and heavy in her mouth as she tripped over them. Something about him made her a little unnerved. There was some intensity that she couldn't quite place and the girl suddenly felt out of depth, and there was an element about him that simply felt... Out of place here. But she tried to cover up her uneasiness with a smile, a note of friendliness trickling into her cerulean gaze.

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Oliver Moon | I am your's now. So now I don't ever have to leave.


Life was peaceful in Caister, Louisiana. It was the kind of town where you knew all your neighbors' and your neighbor's neighbors. It was the kind of town that felt safe. Where parents didn't worry about their children missing, or walking home from school. There was a sense of ease over the small Louisiana town. It had it's drawbacks of course. Everyone knew what you had for dinner. Secrets were a difficult thing to keep in Caister. And perhaps their best-kept secret? Oliver Moon's family. The moon family had all but built Caister- they helped build this town stone by stone. They helped cut away the edges of the bayou which surrounded the town to make it their own. Yes, the Moon family had been around since Caister was built, way back in the 1800's. And each generation of Moon led the town in some way. Whether by position of mayor, or other public office, by chief of police, or innovating business and helping Caister grow- the Moon family was always there. In the public they were a well-respected and loved family. Honest, wholesome, good. People looked up to them, what they said or did had a real sway over the small Louisiana town.

But in private, they were different people, and not all entirely human. No, the Moon's were something else. They were wolves who wore the faces of humans. The first Moon had been a wolf who watched humans long enough to wear the face of one. Or so family legend said. And for as long as there had been a Moon had been in town, there had been peace. Yes, Caister was undoubtedly Moon territory. Though it hadn't always been that way. In the first years of the town- Caister had been rife with a battle for domination. Another pack had set their eyes on moving in on the Moon turf- and the Moons did not respond kindly to it. The St. Claire pack had wreaked havoc for the Moon family. Attempting to goad them into shifting in front of the townsfolk, and the townsfolk back then had gotten caught in the crosshairs of the wolves' fight. It was a bloody chapter in Caister history, the animal attacks of 1820's, but in the end the Moon's triumphed. They drove their rivals out of the town and into the darkened, twisted depths of the Bayou- banished. Exiles, never allowed to return or show their faces around a Moon less they risk death.

And after that, the Moon pack lived on. They thrived. Centuries passed which brought us to the current alpha of the Moon Pack- Oliver. He was young for an alpha, but the sudden death of his father had thrust him into a leadership position; and with no siblings Oliver had accepted. But so far his reign had been dotted with trouble. There were reports from other packmembers that there was a lone wolf. She'd been scented around the borders before but something must of emboldened her. Perhaps it was the death of his father, but now there were reports of a dark-haired stranger around town- the lone wolf. Well, the pack assumed it was a lone wolf. If there was still a pack living out in the bayou; surely they would of known? Well, at any rate they left it to Oliver to take care of it. As the alpha it was his job to inform other wolves that this territory was spoken for. The people here were protected as was this town. It was sacred pack-land, and loners were not welcomed here. Not exactly the most exciting stuff. But it had to be done. That's why he was sitting at the local, and only, bar and grill in town. In front of him sat a half-touched glass of whiskey. All the reports his pack reported was of the stranger coming here.

So, he had set aside a perfectly good Saturday, which he could of been spending otherwise with his pack in the bayou in wolf form, waiting for a potential stranger to show up. He had passed the time alternating between sipping at his drink, or checking his phone for any alerts from his packmembers. Finally as the rosy sun sunk beneath the skyline, more patrons began pouring in, and night cast it's shadow over Caister- his target slunk into the grill. Well, slunk wasn't really... The right term. Oli could scent her from across the bar the moment the door opened, and she sauntered in. There was an air of confidence about her, and the same predatory grace that all werewolves carried. She carried herself with pride towards the bar, sitting a few stools down from him. Now was his chance to warn her off. Pocketing his phone the alpha motioned for two glasses of whiskey, using it as an excuse to move his seat so they were sitting next to one another. This close there was no mistaking it- she was a werewolf; a trespassing one. However the male kept an outwardly friendly smile while trying not to shred her ears for wasting his day. Once the drinks were set down in front of them and her gaze rolled to his; Oli offered a smile, though in a quiet voice he all but growled, "You're trespassing in Moon territory. Drink- then leave, and don't come back. This town is under protection, and we don't tolerate outsiders."

Asa smoothed down his shirt as he looked over the patrons in his club, pretty pleased with the turn out tonight, just like he was every night. He'd never really thought his club would become so successful since he'd come to the mortal realm to create a life for himself. He had to admit that he was having the time of his life down here and was very glad that he went through with the dare that his fellow god gave him. Well, to be quite honest, it wasn't much of a dare anyways, because they all knew how much Asa wanted to go down to the mortal realm and interact with them anyhow.

Not that long ago, the upper deities had refused any interaction with the mortals ever since they had stopped worshiping them. Asa thought that was just complete bull crap. Honestly he wanted answers, he wanted to see why they weren't worshiping them like they used to. He understood why now, though, since he was down here seeing the way they lived and how they acted. They had no time for worshiping a god of any kind at some temple at the top of a hill. They had more important things to worry about like partying and drinking, making money and falling in love. They didn't have to pray to a god to make any of that happen for them they realized, they just did that for themselves.

Asa walked over to the bar, sitting down with his already empty cup that he's been walking around with for about an hour now. He just kind of stared at it, twisting it around between his fingers as he succumbed to his thoughts. Every night was like the last, he'd come into the club, watch the people that came in to party, drink his life away and then go home to sleep. He used to get into some pretty big brawls when he first got here, thanks to his short fuse of a temper. But had to learn to control it and if he didn't then he'd most likely end up in this wonderful thing these mortals liked to call jail.

He looked up when someone asked if he, or they, needed a refill. He smirked just a little bit, tilting his head to the side. She was rather attractive, though he's never seen her working behind the bar before, but she did look familiar. Maybe she was one of the dancers. That still didn't explain why she was behind the bar. "I do believe I most certainly do need a refill, but you should hop of over that bar and join me with a drink yourself," he said with, patting the empty seat next to him.

---

Brynn swiped some hot red lipstick over her plump lips as she walked down the side walk, her heels clicking against the pavement. She was on her way to the bar and grill again tonight, like she had been doing at least every other night for the past two weeks. No one had said anything to her yet, even though she was trespassing. But as far as she was concerned, this was her land anyhow. This was rightfully hers.

Many years ago her family tried and what she understood, sucessfully won a battle of all battles here in this little town. Why they ended up in the far depths of the bayou she'll never understand. Although her family still coward back there, hiding and being fearful wolves, she wanted to see for herself what this Moon pack was all about. She heard that they had recently got a new alpha, a rather young one too, so she was most interested in seeing what that was all about.

Brynn slipped her lipstick back in her purse, letting out a small sigh as she fluffed up her hair. She was definitely a looker, that was for sure. She got any guy she she wanted, even if he was taken. She had curves in all the right places and she knew how to walk the walk to get their attention. She walked with her head held high with an air of confidence surrounding her, like most weres do. But hers was a bit stronger than others.

She was a rebel child as most people in her pack liked to call her. She never listened to what her daddy, the alpha of the pack, told her, or what rules he set for the pack in general. It was going to get her killed one day, but she didn't really care. She hated her pack, they were all cowards who didn't want to do anything with their lives but hide out and waste away.

Brynn walked into the bar, slipping into a bar stool. She felt his presence and it didn't take long before he was right beside her, two drinks being put infront of them. She smirked, biting her lower lip as she turned to him, listening to his words. "Oh, darlin', I'm no threat. I'm just here to have a little fun," she said, her thick southern accent coming through. She lifted her glass up to her lips, taking a sip.

Roxanne Henriks | There's a light in the distance waiting for me, I will wait for you.


"I do believe I most certainly do need a refill, but you should hop of over that bar and join me with a drink yourself," This wasn't a request she hadn't heard before, yet Roxy still felt a bit caught off guard. Sure men tried to get her to sit with them, to drink with them. But they weren't usually so bold. Half the time they were slurring their words, clumsy and most times vulgar and disrespectful. She hadn't really gotten that vibe with him. Nimble hands poured the requested alcohol, setting it down in front of him on the smooth black surface of the barkeep. ''Here you are sir.'' Glancing around she noted that the keep had cleared out. Most people had just gotten their drinks and flocked back to the floor for dancing. ''I can't really sit down when I'm supposed to be working, policy. I really don't want to get fired. Rent doesn't pay itself and this economy is not kind.'' Her voice is light, almost amused as she remains behind the bar. But she offers an apologetic smile and after setting his drink down notes a few customers. She makes a move to serve them but her co-worker behind the bar takes care of it which leaves her with the dark-eyed man with the wicked smile.

His earlier offer comes back to her and Roxanne and she shakes it off. With her luck one of her bosses would see her and that'd be the end of her only income. Which was unfortunate, her feet were sore and she could really use a drink to deal with the headache the music gave her. While Roxanne had personally never met the owner of the club, she had heard things about him. Plenty of things. He had a short temper, and was... intense. She'd heard stories from her co-workers about him getting into fights and honestly? That didn't sound like the kind of person she wanted to piss off. Xan had warned her against it on the first day of the job. But the line behind the bar had really thinned out, and it was part of her job to entertain customers. So, this male was no different. ''But- if you need anything I'm Roxanne.'' She offers a bright smile. She had learned in her first bartending job, the nicer you were to the customers it generally formed some base-level of respect. So when you had to cut someone off, they were less likely to blow up in your face.

About the club music reverberated, and since there was really no business back here, pretty soon it would be closing and Roxanne could finally get home and sleep before repeating tomorrow. Things are settling down and Roxanne glances at the watch on her wrist. Only about an hour of her shift left. Until the place closed and she could clean up behind here and go home. Forty-five minutes really. The next fifteen minutes people would be coming to order last drinks, settle tabs... The good stuff. And she was tired. Bartending was just as demanding as dancing but in different ways. Normally introverted she had to be extroverted for this job. Put up with strangers and creeps- and while she had to do that dancing she was on stage and could easily ignore it. Here, behind the bar she had to smile and giggle as if that kind of stuff amused her. Whatever made happy customers and gave tips right? There wasn't much action and finally the last fifteen minutes of her shift approached.

People had generally begun flock towards the exit and she was about to start wiping down the bar when she noted the patron from before was still calmly sitting at the bar, though his gaze was turned back towards the floor. As if he were more interested in observing what was going on, rather than partaking with the other customers. It wasn't her place to ask. If he just came here to drink- that was his choice and one she kind of understood. Normally, Roxy wasn't that concerned with a customer. But... There was some sort of iniquitous draw to him. Figuring it would do no harm to chat now, she approached him again. His glass was half-empty, and she cleared her throat. He didnt' seem that surprised to see her and Roxanne felt... small beneath those one sugar, one cream coffee colored eyes. ''So, not a dancer?'' She leans forward slightly quirking an eyebrow at him. If not she didn't really blame him. The only reason she tolerated the dancing here was because she wasn't in a crowd with stranger's bodies pressed up against her. The dance floor had always felt claustrophobic to her.

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Oliver Moon | I am your's now. So now I don't ever have to leave.


To his annoyance this wolf didn't seem even cowed by his presence. Most other loners at least had the decency to show some level of fear around an alpha. Oliver suddenly felt a little... daunted by this girl. She exuded her own aura of power and it made his wolf nervous. Raise it's hackles and bare it's teeth in weariness. Oliver wasn't stupid. She wasn't a normal loner. This was made apparent by her soft drawl, confident and he detected almost a... a challenge to it. "Oh, darlin', I'm no threat. I'm just here to have a little fun," There was a little purr beneath her words and Oliver's eyebrows scrunched together with his surprise. He hadn't ever seen a wolf trespassing on Moon territory act this way. Part of him was convinced he was so young. Oliver didn't think he looked terribly important. Before his father passed away there had been an air of grizzled dignity and nobility about him. You could tell- just by looking at him it would be a fools wish to cross him. Oliver? Not so much. Rather he bit back a rather frustrated sigh.

''I often find people say they're no threat- when they are. Wolf.'' Oliver growled, knocking back a sip of his drink. ''I'll tell you what. You finish your fun here tonight, don't come back- and that'll be the end of it. If you choose to stick around; the Moon pack will take action.'' Oli pauses for a moment. ''And I promise it won't be as pleasant as this conversation has been. But for now I'll just have to keep an eye on you. Make sure you leave the good folk of this town alone. Make sure your fun stays innocent and you don't... Become a threat.'' He keeps his tone low. Lower than the bartender can hear but loud enough that her sensitive hearing can pick it up. Oliver can't very well drag her out of here by the hair. Not without revealing what they were. What this town had been built and protected by. That was a secret his family had lived and died for to protect and keep. He wouldn't do something stupid.

But what he could do, was be a thorn in her fucking side the entirety of the time she wanted to stick around the bar and grill. At least until she left. His pack was in the area in case things went south and they would drive her out with force if need be. He scowls at his whiskey and throws the rest down his throat while signaling to the bartender for another one. It was hard for him to get drunk, so he wasn't worried about that. For a few minutes he sullenly nursed his drink. A few moments of silence passed between them and so far she seemed absolutely unfazed by his presence. ''What are you even doing in Caister? There's not that much here- there are better, unclaimed territories you know.'' Oliver tries again to sway this new wolf to leave. And it's true. New Orleans is only an hour drive. Things there were much more interesting. If Oliver didn't have any obligations to this town- New Orleans is where he'd want to be.

''You can't actually be interested in this town.'' He tries again, watching her with a hint of curiosity. Usually he didn't have the chance to talk to wolves before chasing them off. The ones that did come through only wanted to pass through. This one actually seemed interested in the place. Oliver couldn't imagine why. It was boring. And sure his family had helped build this place, and it was his legacy but most times it felt like.. well it just felt like he was caged here. And you never, ever cage a wolf. But these were winsome thoughts. It wasn't as if he could actually leave, nor would he. His heart did lie with this town. ''Alright, I'm Oliver. Can I at least get your name so I can stop calling you trespasser?'' So far she hadn't been aggressive and perhaps he was a bit too stern with her before. Perhaps they could have a nice conversation and Oli could send the beauty on her way.