The Chase is Better Than the Catch

[Will Stanton]

It was late at night once again, and Will, for the umpteenth time this week, was in the woods.

She hadn't even slept in her new dorms yet, ever since Rob vanished--she found it more soothing out here, among the branches, as she pondered her next move...

[Samantha McManus]

Sam walks out into the woods. Once she feels she's out far enough, she looks left, then looks right. She neglects to look up but is apparently satisfied she's alone.

She strips off her jacket and ties it around her waist, standing there in short sleeves. She holds her hands out in front of her and takes a deep breath.

Then, she starts to shift her arms. It's a bit fitful at first, perhaps because she's actually thinking about it. Soon though her skin starts to ripple as muscle moves under it and her nails push forth into claws. Gray hair pushes forth, thickening into fur. It's rather similar to the form she'd tried on the mission, though she hasn't poured much mass into it since her arms are still attached to her otherwise human body.

[Will Stanton]

"That's a good look on you," Will noted from above. "Latest in Russian fashion."

[Samantha McManus]

Sam tenses, spinning about on her heels to face the voice, but relaxes when she realizes who it is.

"...about scared me half to death, Will."

"I'm ah... trying it on, I guess."

[Will Stanton]

"Don't let me stop you.

Liked our trip to Commieland, huh?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Well I guess some things... worked, aye?"

[Will Stanton]

"You said that, in the plane," she nodded.

[Samantha McManus]

"Right, right. I guess you know that already. Kind of repeating myself."

"Don't know if I have words for it othewise, aye?"

[Will Stanton]

"Words are overrated. You end up trying to get people to understand a FEELING, and it just never happens."

[Samantha McManus]

"...aye."

"Guess I don't have to explain too much just enjoying a form to you."

[Will Stanton]

"Not at all.

I mean, I'm not sure I get wolf-lady, but then, you never understood the joy of blankets, so we'll call it even."

[Samantha McManus]

Sam shrugs.

"Might've just liked feeling strong. It definitely worked for getting messy a bit."

[Will Stanton]

"I wish we had gotten things a little ~messier~.

Did you see how they just let everyone walk," she growled.

[Samantha McManus]

"What? I thought they were still in the cells."

[Will Stanton]

"No no no, they're free and clear.

I saw the whole thing. We just let them go, right back to the Ruskies."

[Samantha McManus]

"...damn it."

"Does... does Tereza know?"

[Will Stanton]

"I haven't told her, and I don't think ASHLIE will, unless there's some scientific mumbo-jumbo it helps her with."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well ah... you didn't hear this from me but Miss Kinney is planning something."

[Will Stanton]

"I'm in," she said, without hesitation.

[Samantha McManus]

"Me, too. We owe the bastards," she says, flexing a clawed hand.

[Will Stanton]

"And it will be so, so sweet to pay them back. With interest."

[Samantha McManus]

"Just want them to regret ever going after her, aye?"

[Will Stanton]

"Someone hurts our family, they need to know the price. It's the natural way the world works."

[Samantha McManus]

"...I guess she is kind of like family."

"We're a bloody sight better than her sister, at least."

[Will Stanton]

"I should have kept her there. We should have taken our chances."

[Samantha McManus]

"And what then? I don't want them to take you."

[Will Stanton]

"I'm surprisingly sneaky. No one could catch me."

[Samantha McManus]

"There'll be another shot at them, Will."

[Will Stanton]

Will nodded. "And we'll take it," she said, smiling down at Sam.

[Samantha McManus]

"It's why I want to be ready. I got lucky there was a form to pull, that time."

[Will Stanton]

"And now you have one in the bank."

[Samantha McManus]

"If I can bloody get used to it, aye?"

[Will Stanton]

"It acting up?" Will said, swinging down from the tree and landing in front of Sam.

[Samantha McManus]

"The beastie caught me flat-footed while I was shifting. Had to learn it while keeping my throat from getting torn out."

[Will Stanton]

"Ugh. Nothing like having to pick things up on the fly. No time to enjoy it."

[Samantha McManus]

"Hence the sneaking about. Figured if I looked like an idiot, no one would know."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, my lips are sealed."

[Samantha McManus]

"Probably should've grabbed my training suit, but it was kind of spur of the moment."

[Will Stanton]

Will shrugged. "Not sure why that would matter."

[Samantha McManus]

"Just means things will get a bit immodest, because the beastie was bloody huge."

Sam strips down quickly, a faint flush on her cheeks though that might just be the cold, right? She wastes little time before wrenching her form into a close approximation of what she'd pulled from the werewolf's mind.