Finding Your Place

Aric Chase

*the training tonight was tough, every muscle in his body ached. He took a long, hot shower and was just starting to relax when his phone chimed an incoming text. He quickly scanned the message and grimaced. It was from Tegan, requesting his presence. He quickly gained his feet and, with a groan of protesting muscles, made his way to the office. He takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.*

• 
  

  Tegan GenOne *Finishing the last of tonight's paperwork, he barked a response of approval. Having to deal with more JUSTIS bullshit, had left him in a less than pleasant mood. With luck, whomever was on the other side would bring pleasant news*

  
  
• Aric Chase *he cringes at the bark of entry from Tegan. The warrior was glowering at the stack of papers in front of him.*Good evenin' Sir.* Tegan had been one of the original warriors of the order when it had begun, almost a thousand years ago. He had seen things, done things, that Aric could only imagine. But he made no bones about his dislike of the endless paperwork that JUSTIS was forever requiring of the Order. He took a seat on the far side of the desk.*I imagine you would prefer to go back to the times before JUSTIS and their rules, laws, and paperwork. Huh Sir?

  
  
• Tegan GenOne *He smirked, a humorless tilt of his lips.* I never thought I'd see the day I'd be behind a desk. I always left the pen to Gideon. *Shaking his head and stroking his jaw, he glanced idly at the corner of the room, where the majority of his weapons lay, though he had a few on his person* Times are changing, son. The Breed I am today, is different from who I was "yesterday". Remember that as you move on in life. Everything changes

  
  
• 
  

  Aric Chase Yes Sir. *he shifted in the hard wooden chair, trying to ease his sore muscles.* Is there something I can do for you Sir?

  
  
• 
  

  Tegan GenOne *He nodded, returning to the topic at hand* A few weeks ago, we had a discussion about your place in the Order...Can you tell me about where your head is right now? I need to know what you're thinking in order to better gauge where you might fit

  
  
• 
  

  Aric Chase *he pauses to gather his thoughts. Where his head is? He was raised in the folds of the Order. His father had been a warrior for the Order longer than Aric had been alive.* Well Sir, for as long as I can remember being a full fledged warrior of the Order has been both a goal and a dream of mine. I wish to follow in my father's footsteps, helping to protect humans. To be counted among my brethren. I have been assigned patrol with a number of different warriors, trying to learn all I can from each of them. All to become as valuable a member as any of the others.* he stops suddenly, realizing he is blabbering with his nervousness. He takes a deep breath and begins again* It would be an honor, Sir, to become a warrior. * he snaps his mouth shut, meeting Tegans eye*

  
  
• 
  

  Tegan GenOne *He nodded, his eyes accessing the soon to be warrior in front of him - his comrade's son. Micah, his own son had gone through a similar assessment. Time had definitely passed* I've been following your training closely, and I must say I am quite impressed

  
  
• 
  

  Aric Chase Thank you Sir. Nathan is an incredible leader. He, Rafe and Elijah have pushed me. Found my limits and destroyed them. There are still thing, plenty of things, that I feel I could improve upon. But each day I train. Both in the field and in the lab, learning everything I can. My greatest fear is letting a fellow warrior down.*again he snaps his mouth closed with an audible click. Why? Why can't he get over this insane nervousness? He had been training under Tegan for years, and yet...*

  
  
• 
  

  Tegan GenOne *He nodded, jotting down a few more notes in Aric's file. As of a few years ago, after First Dawn when the Order split, they had been required to keep files on all members for remote access.* Of course, you realize you won't be in Boston...

  
  
• 
  

  Aric Chase Wait, what? Not in Boston, Sir?*his thoughts jump to his family. Leave Carys? His twin and he were tighter than tight. She was the one person who had always had his back no matter what. Could he? He straightened his spine and squared his sore shoulders* I understand Sir. Wherever I could be the most use, wherever you chose to send me, is fine with me Sir.

  
  
• 
  

  Tegan GenOne Sterling is the Boston District chief. For a variety of reasons, you understand, there is a conflict of interest. We'd rather not have new recruits thinking you have partial treatment. As for your sister, the Order will work something out

  
  
• 
  

  Aric Chase Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.*he stands and reaches out his hand* I appreciate your confidence in me. I will do my best to serve you, the order, and *smirks a little* JUSTIS, to the best of my abilities. Thank you Sir.*They shake hands and he turns to leave. Stopping at the door, he turns* Thank you again Tegan, I can only hope that one day I will be as strong a warrior as you, Sir.

  
  
• 
  

  Tegan GenOne *He grinned now, flashing his teeth at the compliment. Aric would do fine wherever he went*

{Making Amends} The Opera

Mira Nicholas-Archer

*As we step out of the Opera house, I can't help but reflect on how immaculate everyone was dressed tonight. Even Lazaro and Kellan were dressed to the nines, a rare occurrence for my mate who was always more comfortable in jeans.* I couldn't ask for better looking dates. *I say as I link my arms in both of theirs* I have to say, I am very fortunate to have mated into such an attractive gene pool.

Unlike

• 
  

  Lazaro Archer <Laughing deeply at Mira's remark> I do believe it is the Archer's who are fortunate to have such a beautiful and talented breedmate to help carry on the Archer name. <Patting her arm linked in mine>

  2 hrs · Like · 4
• 
  

  Kellan Archer *I try unsuccessfully to suppress a smile as I confirm just how easily Mira had charmed my Grandad... He was almost as wrapped around her little finger as I was. Lazaro Archer; the tough Gen One warrior, was completely besotted by his new "granddaughter". We reached the limo and I open the door for my mate, winking at her conspiratorially. When we all get inside the limo, the driver addresses Granddad* Signore Archer, there has been an accident in our usual route. Would you like me to get an alternate route? * When Granddad nods his consent, the limo starts smoothly on its way.*

  2 hrs · Like · 4
• 
  

  Mira Nicholas-Archer *Pulling Kellan's hand into my lap, I leaned my head against the leather seats and looked out the window at all of the buildings that we passed. It was a smooth ride, considering the narrow streets and the amount of sharp turns the driver had to make to get us through this section of Rome.* I'm really surprised by all of the graffiti. *Each building had been tagged in some way, except for one which seemed relatively spotless...that is except for the one disturbingly familiar drawing that marred the tan stone of the building to my right.* Stop the car!

  2 hrs · Like · 3
• 
  

  Lazaro Archer <I became instantly alert at Mira's exclamation, and when she opened the door before the limo had come to a complete stop on the side of the street, I thought for a second that Kellan was going to explode.> What is it? What happened? <All three of us were out of the limo now, Kellan and I completely oblivious to what caused the breedmate to jump out of the car so quickly.>

  2 hrs · Like · 3
• 
  

  Kellan Archer Mira! What's wrong? *I grab her arm, scanning our surroundings trying to identify the threat. As I look around, I freeze when I finally lay eyes on what Mira has seen... * What the fucking hell...?

  2 hrs · Like · 3
• 
  

  Mira Nicholas-Archer *Ignoring the protestation of the two breeds, I make a beeline to the side of the building where I saw the graffit. It was unlike anything else on the buildings surrounding us, the lone drawing on the building, as though any thing near it would constitute some kind of punishment to the drawer* That symbol. *I pointed at it as Kellan and Lazaro stood on either side of me* it was on the UV weapons confiscated by the Order. *I rubbed the breedmate mark on my temple as I stared at the symbol* The crescent moon inside a sun. We have to send this intel to Gid.

  2 hrs · Like · 2
• 
  

  Lazaro Archer I've never seen this symbol, but it does look like some kind of warning or declaration of some kind. <rubbing my chin> If it's the latter, we're probably being watched. <I tugged at Mira's arm, indicating that it was definitely time to go...we were in no condition to fight, though it wouldn't surprise me if she had a few daggers hidden in her dress>

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Kellan Archer *Unlike Granddad, I had seen that symbol before... As Mira said, it was in the UV weapons confiscated by the Order. I had a chilling premonition that this finding would be a game changer. Taking out my cellphone, I snap several pics of it and send them via our encrypted feed over to the compound.* Granddad is right...we should get out of here, pronto. Dare and Jenna have been studying some ancient symbols and artifacts, we should be able to have more information very soon.
  

  
  

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Mira Nicholas-Archer *Scowling at the two breeds; I was more than capable in handling myself against whomever might be waiting in the wings. But however much the warrior inside me wanted to ignore them, they did have a point...even if I did have knives strapped to my thighs.* Fun suckers, both of you. *I sigh and lead them both into the car, taking my seat in a huff.* That symbol must have something to do with either Atlanteans or Opus Nostrum...

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Lazaro Archer <My lips twitched into a small smile at the annoyance Mira so obviously displayed at our decision. As my driver pulled away from the curb, I became momentarily lost as I watched Kellan and his mate interact. They continued to speak about the symbol etched on the side of the building, their love, companionship and friendship was evident in everything they did - and it gave me a pang of my love for Ellie. If I hadn't been thinking of my deceased mate, I would have noticed the black SUV that followed us a few cars behind> Don't be alarmed, but we're being followed.

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Kellan Archer *All my senses go into high alert as GrandDad stated we were being followed. I looked briefly at Mira and then shared a long look with him.* I suppose we are not leading them back to the villa, right? * I burn with the desire to kick some butt but at the same time I'm worried for Mira. She is not attired for a confrontation and her long gown might impair her while fighting*

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Mira Nicholas-Archer *Rolling my eyes at the two now on edge breeds* Are we just going to sit here and twiddle our thumbs while they follow us, or are we going to freaking do something? *I hike up my long gown and pull out the gun that had been strapped to my thigh*

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Lazaro Archer <Smirking at Mira's tenacity> Relax, children. Dimitri is perfectly capable in maneuvering us out of reach. <I press a button on the side panel, deploying some of the defense mechanisms that Gideon had installed on the car before it was sent to Italy> That should keep them at bay.

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Kellan Archer *I keep watch on Dimitri's evasive maneuvers, ready to take his place if necessary. Fortunately, he is a very good driver, obviously trained in this kind of situation. Soon enough, we lose our tail and drive uneventfully into the villa's grounds. I jump out of the limo, my eyes scanning the surroundings before I allow Mira to get out. From the other side of the limo, GrandDad does the same. Ignoring Mira's exasperated looks, I take her hand to let her out only after we both deem it safe.* Yes, I know you are a warrior but you are my mate, too. It is my duty to safeguard you at all times, my heart... Don't expect me to do less. You'll engage in combat only if it's absolutely necessary. *Winking at GrandDad, who is watching us with affection and amusement* Besides; what do we have a big, bad Gen One Breed here for?

  2 hrs · Like · 2
• 
  

  Mira Nicholas-Archer *Growling in frustration at the two Breeds who have suddenly taken the role of neanderthals. I rip my hand out of Kellan's grasp and rake him and his grandfather with a furious scowl* Both of you need to quit this "Mira can't fight in a dress" crap. I am sick of it! I am perfectly capable in defending myself, whether I am in a full gown or not! *I look them both up and down, taking stock of their concealed weapons* I am more strapped then both of you put together so you can shove your "big bad breed" attitudes up your asses! *I storm off into the house, entirely certain that my mate would be following after me...he better grovel.*

  2 hrs · Like · 2
• 
  

  Lazaro Archer <Chuckling softly> Well, it looks like you've got your hands full with that one. <I slap him on the back as Mira's heals echo through the staircase as she stomps up to the second floor> Good luck...

  2 hrs · Like · 1
• 
  

  Kellan Archer Thank you GrandDad...I will surely need it. That female is pissed. *Starts climbing the stairs after his mate*