Coffee Controversy [Kayla]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August listened to the clocks endless tick. She had already eaten half the sugar packets on the table. "What am i doing here?" A groan escaped her lips. She thought coming to a coffee shop would make her feel more grown up, but that had been a stupid idea. August got up to go, deciding she wasted enough time here. She grabbed the door handle, but froze. So you feel it, too? Frost finally piped up. August mumbled for Frost to be quiet so she could concentrate. It hadn't been so obvious before, but the feeling was growing. There was another talisman in this room.

August let go of the handle, and scanned the room. It didn't take her long to find the fellow talisman. She practically radiated that beastly feeling. August suddenly felt very self-conscious. This woman looked confident, beautiful, and there was something in her eye. In a sense, she was like a star: Beautiful yet Distant. Go on, talk to her. The closer August got, the stronger the feeling grew. She had to be new, her spirit was completely untamed.

She sat down at the same table, and stared into her eyes. No Doubt now, She's a Tasmanian Devil. The She-Devil's face and body language told her to back off, but August ignored it. August, be careful with her. August listened to Frost, but careful wasn't her style. "Have you made your first shift, or are you still stuck on dreams?" She watched Ms. Star closely, looking for any betraying emotion.

[kayla]

"Ah, just what I needed." Kayla's smile was satisfied as she sipped her coffee in the cafe. It was good, 'specially with the rum she'd added. Alcohol made everything better, that was the plain truth. The energy rush from the caffeine of her two other cups of coffee combined with the slight buzz from the rum to make Kayla quite satisfied. It clarified things, while at the same time making them just a bit fuzzy around the edges. It was wonderful.

She had a lot to think about, mainly her new talisman. Being a Tasmanian Devil was fun. They/she was so loud, uncaring, ferocious. That and the new found voice in her head was a great person to talk with. He was just as ruthless as she was, just as fun. But at the moment he was in control, telling her what to do. That needed fixing. "No it doesn't darling," he purred in the back of her mind. "Oh yes it does," came her retort. She frowned, not willing to argue mentally with him, not when she was feeling so happy.

Then a girl, 16 at the most, suddenly sat down at her table, staring Kayla straight in the eyes. Kayla smiled mockingly, wondering what the hell this girl wanted. "Not a very smart one is she?" the devil asked, smirking somehow. Then the girl spouted out questions that Kayla assumed pertained to her talisman. Kayla's grin grew slightly wider, as she stared the girl down. "Well you sure do get straight to the point, don't you?" she asked, her voice haughty and smooth, sarcastic. "I've shifted already girly, and I really don't think you want to mess with me." Her words contained a harshly conveyed warning, the pleasant buzz making her words sharper than they would normally be.

[/blockquote]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August excused the sarcasm, Way she was born, nothing she nor I can do anything to change it. It'd been awhile since August talked to strangers, and she missed her people-watching. She was a little rusty, but August noticed her haughty attitude. It was kinda hard to miss. Ms. Star underestimated almost everyone, but she was confident and gorgeous, which meant she got what she wanted. August, i don't like her. Frost's upper lip twitched. Knock her down a notch. August lifted an eyebrow. Frost was normally playful; this was new for her. You sure? Not gonna regret it afterwards? Frost had the bad habit of acting in the moment then hating herself for it after everything was said and done. August was the same way, but she never let people bug her. Certain.

A smile crossed August's face. "Wipe that smug smile off your face, Ma'am. You're, what, mid-twenties and you've only shifted now?" Frost relaxed, but only slightly. She still wasn't happy with Ms. Star's attitude. August shook her leg with excitement. Personally, She liked Ms. Star's pompous attitude. It was rare to see someone so.. full of pride. August unwrapped a piece of sweet bubblegum, and popped it in her mouth. She played with the wrapper, "Save your threats. You can't do anything in here. Nine Muses Cafe is the busiest cafe in the whole of Noatak." August smiled, She doesn't really think before she speaks.. Frost was pacing, suppressing growls That's because she and her stupid rat are too busy looking down at you.

[kayla]

Kayla noticed the girls silence. It was almost like she was having a conversation with herself, or her talisman. Kayla studied the girl, thinking how much like a fox she was. That was probably exactly what she was. Her devil's mouth twitched, a haughty expression. He didn't think much of foxes, lowly scavengers that depended on the leftovers of the real predators. Kayla listened to his thoughts with invisible amusement. If that's what he thought that this girl was nothing more that a bothersome child. Kayla hated bothersome children. So annoying.

Then the girl spoke and Kayla's sarcastic grin turned to one of indignation. "How dare she!" her devil protested, outraged by the words. "It's something I would do if I was in her place." Kayla thought back, though she wasn't giving that as an excuse. She glared at the girl, especially when she pulled out a piece of bubblegum. She hated the stuff, and it obviously conveyed the fact that this girl thought she was perfectly safe. Kayla's temper flared at the suggestion and her frown deepened slightly.

The girl then tells Kayla what she can't do and Kayla actually growls, well the devil inside does, seething in rage as he was. "Smack her! Right across the face!" he exclaimed, not caring who saw. "No! I am not going to let this girl win! She's just a girl!" came Kayla's response. Then she took a sip of her coffee, suddenly wishing there was more rum, all the while glaring at the girl. When she spoke her words were hard, laced with venom."I don't know who you are, and frankly I don't care. And you're right. I did just have my first shift, the other day in fact. The devil's still in control, and right now... he's not very happy. I'd go back to whatever hole you came from girly, before he gets his way." She drank the last of her coffee, before glaring at the girl at again. Her buzz was officially and completely ruined.

[/blockquote]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August chewed her gum thoughtfully. She ignored the venom. "I don't live in a hole." August stared off distantly. She was getting bored of the conversation. It was the same thing, over and over. Threats, Threats, Threats. Something was bugging August. He's still in control. "It isn't about control. You two share a body. This is about compromise." August wasn't about to start preaching on harmony and co-existence, but one can't function properly if their insides are fighting. "Must be hard having a Devil. They aren't the easiest to get along with." August laughed quietly, "But then again, neither are you." She was struggling to keep with the conversation. Her eyes and mind always wandering somewhere else. Frost was furious. Look at her! She's still staring at you like your filth. That pretentious idiot thinks you're some kind of stupid kid. She's shifted for the first time, while you and i have been together for years. August's interest in Pride was running dry. She thought someone so cut-and-dry would be interesting, since there was so few cut-and-dry folks. But August was wrong. Pride was selfish and predictable. She'd do what she wanted, without giving anyone a second thought. In that way, she truly was a child. Let her be ignorant. She hasn't asked, so i won't tell. If she underestimates me, that's her fault. She'll regret it, eventually. August blew a bubble and popped it, watching Pride closely out of the corner of her eye. If she's new, then an Innocent has probably already talked to her. They're normally on top of all of that. Frost growled. No. You aren't seriously considering that. I don't want her as a Hunter. August didn't need to consider it. Pride would fit in with the Hunters. An Innocent would think her moral code was disgusting. Neither do I, but it's better than letting an Innocent have her. Frost groaned and pleaded, but Frost's pleas fell on deaf ears. "You don't act like an Innocent. And Tasmanian Devils don't really tolerate Innocents well.."

Frost was beside herself, Devil's don't tolerate anyone! They're just vermin who can put on a show. They're all bark and no bite. Their spray stinks as bad as a skunks. They're disgusting little beasts, and they still think the world revolves around them. August let her rant. She was too busy watching Pride. "I bet the Innocent was pretty smooth. They're pretty skilled when it comes to persuasion." August thought back fondly to her Decision, and laughed aloud as she remembered Ant's gun. But no where near the same league as a Hunter.

((OOC: You know tasmanian devils are scavengers too? xD What's worse is, he's a nocturnal scavenger. He only goes out at night to eat up the trash left behind.))

[kayla]

((OOC- I know. Kayla just overlooks that part. She's a hypocrite. And what's wrong with a little night time adventure? He's not scared of the dark, that's all.))

Kayla sighed, wishing she had another coffee. But three was quite enough for one morning. Instead she had to sit here, with this... arrogant little bitch who was telling Kayla what to do! "Compromise?! Bah! We compromise. We are one and the same. We just... have less control overall. I mean we, Devils, aren't known for being the nicest animals out there." The devil scoffed. He kind of liked this girl, she was... brave. Most kids are scared of Kayla, with good reason. Not this one. It made him curious. Kayla just sighed as he conveyed this to her. She supposed he was right.

"We get along just fine, thankyou. He gives good advice." Kayla's smile was sarcastic, but there wasn't as much venom in her voice. In truth her words were true. The devil was very much like Kayla, and they were almost always on the same wave length. His temper was just a little bit easier to strike, a little more explosive. And that was how she lost control, going into a rage just like her animal counterpart. It was a miracle it hadn't happened just now, though she wasn't sure it wasn't going to happen today. Not if this girl was going to bug her for much longer.

Then the girl mentioned the Innocents, like she wasn't one. "So she's a Hunter then." the devil said. "I thought they were the tougher of the two. What is a girl doing with that bunch?" Kayla asked silently, her curiosity now outweighing her annoyance. In response the devil just did his equivalent of a shrug. "That's helpful dude." She sighed, figuring she'd have to figure out on her own. "But I'll still be here Kayla."

She looked at the girl thoughtfully, absently running her finger along the rim of her coffee cup. Her voice was smoother, quieter as she spoke, "I'm not an Innocent, neither am I a Hunter. Though I'm sure you knew the second part of that. I have no intentions of joining either faction. I prefer to work for only myself, for now." She paused, letting her words sink in. The girl could do what she wanted with that. It's not like Kayla would go anywhere, could go anywhere. There was only so many things to do in a town this small. And of course she had tonight off. "Party time later then?" the Devil asked, his tone excited. "Of course."

[/blockquote]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August laughed, but it was hollow. She remembered back to before she was a Hunter. Her life didn't have much meaning and she had never been apart of anything bigger than herself. She did what she wanted, but that never made her happy. "Don't stay alone too long. Our talismans are solitary creatures, but humans are social ones. We tend to go a little stir-crazy without human contact." Frost had settled down. Only because the venom in Pride's voice had subsided. The fox watched her wearily.

"For now? What's the point in working alone, if you'll eventually join a side? Something would have to change in you. If you don't want to decide, that won't change with time. Something has to change your mind." She tapped her head, making an emphasis. August hoped she was making sense. In her mind, it was crystal clear, but the thought didn't translate into words well. August glanced at Pride, to see if she understood. Her lips tugged downward, when she saw the question in her eyes. It's okay. She's just judging you on appearances. You belong with the Hunters. August wasn't convinced. She'd never admit it, especially not to Pride, but the doubt in her eyes stung. So she wasn't the toughest, biggest, strongest, baddest.. why was she a Hunter? Look at me. Trying to convince someone to join something when i'm not even sure i belong in the first place. Frost was indignant.Stop that! Some woman can't make you doubt who you are. ...We both know you wouldn't have gone with the Innocents, August. Frost was right. Sometimes she gave good advice too.

"Don't give me that look." August wasn't mad at Pride. It's not like she said it outloud, and sometimes, you just can't help but wonder. "I chose the Hunter's for a reason." August didn't feel like talking about the subject, because she didn't know what that reason was. That's why you don't fit in with the Innocents. You're not responsible. You dislike being tied down by obligations. You have no respect for rules, and you're not the greatest a paying attention. You act on what you feel is right, not what everyone tells you. August felt better, but worse.

Suddenly, August knew why she chose the Hunters. "I chose the Hunters because i was born one."

[kayla]

"Again with telling you what to do!" The devil's snarl echoed around in Kayla's head, making her chuckle slightly. "I mean it! She needs to be knocked down a few notches." he continued, his temper flaring again. It was hard for Kayla to ignore his feelings, to prevent them from becoming her own. Self control was the key here, not senseless anger. "Since when were you so... controlled?" the voice in her head asked, seething. Her mental reply was sharp. "Since I learned anger doesn't get you anywhere." Then she answered the girl. "I never said I was alone. I just said I haven't joined a side."

Then the girl spoke again, once again giving Kayla advice like she was the child. Kayla's upper lip pulled back slightly, a sneer suddenly on her face. "Eventually join a side? Are you going to force me?" her voice matched her sneer, the venom back. She'd had enough of this girls advice. Kayla didn't take advice from many, and certainly not from some arrogant child. "And I'll change when the time is right, not when some girl tells me to."

She watched the girl, watched the doubt suddenly appear in her eyes. The devil watched with her, sneering at her. "Foxes are weak, small. Obviously she's debating why or how she got in with the Hunters. Really they're were you should be. Innocent isn't a word most would apply to you." he thought, his tones rational. One word appeared in Kayla's head. Tristan He was her only friend in this place and she wasn't about to leave him. And besides, she didn't want to put up with this girl longer than she had to.

"I chose the Hunters because I was born one."

The words startled Kayla out of her thoughts and she looked at the girl again. Her voice was sure, filled with a sudden confidence. Kayla smirked, amused. "Were you now? Really? Prove it. Prove to me that you're tough enough to be a Hunter. And then maybe I'll stop thinking of you as some arrogant kid that can't let me drink my coffee and rum in peace." The devil was excited, hoping the girl was going to take the challenge. He'd been trying to get Kayla to shift into her animal again and now he saw an opportunity to do so.

[/blockquote]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August thought about it, but shook her head. "I'm not going to force you to do anything." She didn't need to be forced. The more you push Pride, the more aggravating she'll be. August laughed, but it was at Pride's expense. "Kid?? You do understand that in this world, you are a newborn, while i have years of experience? Here in Noatak, I'm the adult, and you're the arrogant child. It took a minute or two for August to calm down. Frost was enjoying this, but August didn't say it for her pleasure. She said it, because Pride needed to know her place. "I don't need to prove anything to you. If all things considered, you should be proving yourself to me. Being a Hunter, isn't just about fights. Any idiot can throw a punch. Being a Hunter, is about getting what you want without letting anything or anyone get in your way." If it did come to a fight, August and Frost would share, like they always did. But someone as new as Pride, would just let her talisman take over. An animal worked on instinct alone. No strategy, No clever trick. Just brute strength.

We can take her and her diseased vermin.

..I know. But i'm not in the mood to hurt a child.

[kayla]

As the girl spoke both Kayla and her devil became angry, very angry. Their tempers had flared and exploded. Kayla had had it with this one. "I'm the child?!" she thought angrily, her expression turning to one of pure hatred for the poor soul sitting across from her at the table. "Just wait till we get outside." the devil said, nervous about the other people around. He was going to wait till they were outside to make his appearance. "Just go outside Kayla, whether she follows or not isn't a big deal." He thought, glaring at the girl with just as much hate as Kayla was. To the girl Kayla said "I do get what I want. And right now... I want to go outside, to the forest. Follow if you will. But I wouldn't if I were you." her words were harsh, violent. She was done.

She pulled $20 out of her purse and placed it on the table, under her empty coffee cup. Then she got up, a scowl on her face. She was hoping the girl would follow, willing the girl to follow. A fox was no match for an animal that could take out a kangaroo. She walked out the door, her heels clicking ominously on the floor. Then she was outside, slamming the cafe door closed behind her. She headed for the forest, not looking to see if the girl was following. "Now when you get into the forest, let me take control. Follow my lead." the devil said, preparing himself for the transformation. Then she was in the forest, hidden behind some trees. She was seeing red, she was so angry.

The marsupial inside of her took control, changing her quickly. Soon the view was different, lower to the ground. Kayla was in control but she was a Tasmanian Devil, all 30 pounds of it. She made the characteristic yawn, the fierce cries traveling through the forest. Her teeth were bared, preparing for a fight. Then the most embarrassing thing happened. A strong smell came from... her. "Don't worry it's natural." the devil thought, dismissing her sudden discomfort. She let the devil have partial control, listening to the instincts of the animal. Soon she was ready and she started snarling again, preparing herself for a fight.

[/blockquote]

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

The door crashed closed, and August scowled. "This is exactly what i was trying to avoid." She got up, but instead of heading to the door, she walked over to the counter and asked for a to-go cup of water. August left the Cafe, keeping the cup out of sight. She walked the winding road down to the forest. Frost.. I don't think we'll be working together on this fight. There was a few moments of shocked silence before Frost exploded Why not?! August stopped walking. She was afraid to tell Frost the truth. I don't want you to get hurt.. My bones are thicker than yours. I can stand up to Pride far longer than you can. Frost hissed with frustration. I feel your pain. We are the same. Of course August knew this, but she didn't want to look back on the fight and remember Frost losing a limb, or breaking a leg. If she had to look back to the past, she'd prefer to see her own face in pain then Frost's. Don't worry. You won't be missing anything. August tapped the cup with her finger. Frost laughed like only a fox could laugh. That's dirty. Guilt hit August, but she pushed it aside. She was asking for it. She wants me to prove i'm a Hunter? This is how we Hunters play.

((OOC: Sorry, it's short. Let's start a new thread in the forest. I'll start. ;D))