Welcome to Wonderland

[colleen]

Welcome to Wonderland, Alice.

Wonderland: a place or land of wonderful things; a textbook description. For most, Wonderland is a place where you wildest dreams and real, and your worst nightmares thrive. This city, once an active and bustling metropolis now was reduced to a barren wasteland. It had become a Wonderland for all of its older inhabitants. Many could remember a time where lands such as this one, were splashed across television screens and video games. It was world that humans were exempt from creating. They considered themselves too intelligent, too important, too filled to the brim with morals and ethics to ever have considered this as a possible outcome.

Humans were foolish.

The city had been destroyed, along with the rest of the waking world and now the survivors were left to fend for themselves. The remaining government, forced to admit their mistakes regained power and controlled what crumbling buildings and decayed rooftops were left. They lived in luxury, whilst the rest scavenged the rubble for anything of use. Although, using the term 'the rest' would be incorrect, those that searched the bodies and the buildings were those only from the appointed squads, Scouts generally, unless of course you managed to slip away unnoticed.

Sidney of course, needed not to 'slip away’; no he was clever and bold. He simply walked out of the complex and into the putrid haze of the upper world. Of course, he was only able to do this because of the changing of the guard, and a few packets of tobacco hidden in the correct locker for the correct guard. Once knee deep in the wreckage, few care to see if you actually have the proper documentation to be above ground. Most keep their heads in the sand, so to speak, and desperately try to hoard precious supplies for themselves. And with that, Sidney was a free man, free to duck into buildings, sit on the few sturdy benches and forage for items left from a world past.

He sauntered down an alley connecting what once were Third Street and Parkview Avenue, whistling a tune. He seemed in jolly spirits, despite the recent shortage of decent and profitable goods. Sid had watched as a building heaved its last breath and toppled into it, chalking up a cloud of dust and a mountain of exposed rebar and metals. It was salvageable goods, something always in demand, needed for basic expansion for any of the underground groups. But it was too much work, with little pay off for Sidney. Everyone and their seconds cousins would be after what they could pull from the concrete, leaving everything else, like the shops clear for merchants needing new product.

His first stop, an abandoned coffee shop. A place he used to frequent as a teenager, in better times. Sometimes for a moment, he could still smell the pretentious bullshit that filled the air of the coffee shop. As he approached he noted the collapsed building a few block ahead of him, faintly he could make out shapes of people further up the street. There was no need for him to get involved. He passed through the door, hearing a small 'ting' of a bell in his head, of course someone had already looted the bell, it provided such a use.

Sid cracked a smile and leaned on the counter, forcibly ignoring the scent of decay from the body below. "Say, love you wouldn't mind fixing me a Americano, now would you?" His voice echoed, the place once filled with such sound and delight, mourned in silence.

[Melinda]

Ally~ In wolf form

The street ahead seemed empty and bare, the only sound coming from it was the sound of approaching rain drops. The smell of it was in the air around her, it clung to her fur making her shiver and move on. Glancing for a somewhat safe building, Ally darted into some type of old coffee shop, with her backpack hanging from her mouth. The smell that came from the place was musty, but there was also something else, a smell she had always welcomed. Moving through the littered floor, Ally bypassed an old body and went behind the counter. Before reaching the item there was a loud noise outside, sounding like a building Ally ignored it. Though she couldn't help think if it was done by the government. Noising through the open cupboards, Ally pawed through rubbish until she found a plastic bag of sugar. This would be a treat, but would keeping it be the best thing? Her pack could use it, but the amount of supplies she could get from it was better.

Once Ally had finished searching the small coffee shop, she nuzzled the sugar in her backpack. Moving on to the next store she hoped to find more food. A book store sat beside the shop which could be in handy, but she needed food or medical supplies at the moment. Slowly moving down the street and passed shops, Ally could smell something near by and paused. Her ears perked and her body held still for a moment or two, before letting a soft growling noise escape her throat. She never did like vampires, they always caused to much trouble and stunk to bad. Choosing to ignore the smell, the she wolf slipped into a general store and disappeared.

[Zachey]

For ten years, the stench of abandonment filled the air. It made everything reek with who knows what kind of odor. Nikolai had to fight the miasma that was filling his strong lungs in order to keep going forward even though his nose felt as if it was on the brink of exploding. That was his duty as a scout: scavenge the grounds above to see if something useful could be found hidden within the barren wasteland.

For ten years, nothing had been found. Well, something extremely useful that is. Something that could ensure his people of surviving the next decade to come. Only small nothings that only the pups could take interest in had been found. The thought made Nikolai scoff.

"Pointless," he heard himself whisper as he walked down the debris-filled streets that used to be that of a city. There were still a few lampposts and buildings standing up, but they were on the verge of crumbling down at any given moment.

As if on cue, one building had given out. The base of it collapsed bringing it's higher stories down with force, sending debris in all directions.

"Shit!" he said unknowingly as he ran towards a car that was flipped onto it's side, to shield himself from the clutches of the rubble. He held his breath as another wave filled the air. Nikolai could feel a whimper growing deep in his throat, but he'd be damned if he'd let that escape him. What kind of a grown man, or wolf for that matter, would let a damned whimper out?

Once the detritus settled, he attempted to take in a deep breath only to have it cut off from the intolerable stench. Having only coughed to clear his lungs of it, he went on to continue his duty.[/size]

[Melinda]

Shifting out of the crippled general store, Ally glanced down the bare and empty street littered with garbadge. Kinda sad to look at these days. Moving back the way she came, the brown she wolf kept her eyes open. She needed to be on the alert for anything, these days you never knew what could happen. Sniffing the musty air around her Ally picked up on a few people, the streets seemed to be to busy. It was never a good sign to see to many people in one place, it attracted the wrong kind of people. That's all she needed today, the government would set her free, but it would be a waste of her time. Ally stopped moving, she realized that Nikolai was still in the city some where. She should find him and scout together, it would be a little safer that way. She should at least stay close, encase the government decided to show up. Taking a step forward again Ally picked up a scent, though it wasn't the one she was looking for it perked her curiosity. This could be an easy meal, or at least something interesting to play with. Crouching low to the ground, Ally approached the small coffee shop once again. Her mouth tried to lift her backpack high off the ground, though it drug slightly across the ground. The scent got stronger the closer she got to the shop, if she guessed correctly it was human.

[colleen]

"Christ, you've really let the place go."
"I'll just tidy things up, you don't mind if I relieve you of some of your material goods?
"Nah, of course you fucking don't. I'll just take this, right here."

He fumbled with the drawers and cabinets, the shelves and the floorboards, anything could be hidden anywhere. It was like an easter egg hunt for him, with hints and clues hidden in his memories. Sidney tried to imagine the place prior to its destruction, the relaxing atmosphere. Stained shelves, display cases filled with pastries and sandwiches, long gone. Underneath a mess of concrete, ceiling tiles and dust was the first worthy find of the day.

It was a book, which to some mean nothing, and to others the world. The dust jacket long gone, and the hard cover beat up with the wear and tear of lounging on the floor for a decade. Sid leaned against the counter, and flipped open the navy covers. "Introduction to Human Biology … 1964 … utterly fucking fascinating." He muttered to himself, and tossed it lightly down the counter.

It would appeal to someone, even Sid himself if he chose to read it. He quickly returned to his task of scavenging, taking notice of the animal out on the street. Dogs were often mutated into wretched killing machines, or outright extinct depending on your area. This however was not mutated or grotesque, although it might as well have been. It was was Jabari, a ruthless, ignorant creature. Violence is the first and only answer for most of them. Excellent entrepreneurs however, they drove a hard bargain. This one however, was smaller than the average, obviously female or a young pup, most likely a scout. Sid didn't see the threat, although he was prepared if the need be.

[Zachey]

Hours have passed by and yet nothing could be found. Of course. What did he expect? A table with everything he searched for set out in obvious sight? Medicines and food galore? He let out a fairly loud sigh, as he continued to rummage through cabinets that were inside a small shop.

Once he was done excavating, he stepped out and even though it was hidden behind thick gray clouds, the sun was clearly three-quarters west, meaning sunset would hit sooner than later. Which insinuated that these streets would be even worse than they were now; scattered with hungry Cold Bloods looking for something fresh to quench their thirst.

Nikolai picked up on a couple of the other members scents, and knew that most were working in pairs, if not in teams. He also knew that he had a lone-wolf in his pack this time. Who else, other than the infamous Ally? He could not begin to fathom why she preferred working by herself. He was 6 years her senior, and yet he sometimes felt uneasy working alone. It was anything but safe to be so out of the Jabari territory.

He remembered the different sections that he had assigned every team. While some foraged closer to the refuge, he assigned two teams and Ally to rummage deeper into the city. This only stated that she could not be too far from where he stood. raising his nose, he took in a deep breath, and picked up her scent. She was to his left, possibly inside a store due to the faintness of her scent.

Walking towards it, he just as easily took in another smell. It was a distinct one, but not that of a Cold Blood. Human. In any case, he did not let his guard down, and walked closer to the abandoned coffee shop where both of their scents intertwined.

[Melinda]

Picking up a male voice from inside stopped Ally from moving forward, though she didn't run away either. She would stand her ground, she wanted to see what the human was up to. A few drawers could be heard opening and closing again, she took this time to move ahead and glance through the door glass. The she wolf slowly sat down and watched, this human was persistent in his search that's for sure. Watching as the man pulled up a book, Ally couldn't help but wonder if it was worth anything. He was just a human after all, easy to dispose of if need be. Dropping her backpack from her mouth, Ally noticed she was also being watched by the human now. Should she enter the building, this could turn out to be amusing. That or she was getting herself in way over her head, but what else was new. Slowly standing up the she wolf bent down, picking up the backpack in her mouth she moved toward the door. She just hoped he didn't shoot at her, or worse he could be part of the government. It was now to late to back out, she was now entering the Coffee shop. Keeping an eye on the human Ally sniffed the air for any other humans, but found known which satisfied her a bit.

[colleen]

"One, two, three!"
Mumbling to himself, Sidney heaved the rotting flesh to one side. He had to be thorough, there was no sense searching the same place twice. The mass crumbled to his touch, bits of flesh and bone tumbling onto the floor. Sid scowled and cursed, kicking the remaining bits and pieces out of his way. He crouched down behind the counter, running his hands over the dust. Childishly he spelt out his name with his finger, smiling to himself.

He coughed, the dust was aggravating his lungs, or maybe it was the chemical haze that floated throughout the upper world. Regardless, he lowered himself to the ground, stretching his legs out in front of him occupying what little room he head, to finish his coughing fit. Glancing at the shelves, he realized that unfortunately, moving that decayed mess wasn't worth the trouble. The shelves were barren, save for a few unused Styrofoam cups. Maybe he would have been better off hauling rebar and concrete.

Stumbling to his feet, Sidney placed a hand on the counter for support. He glanced in the direction of the Jabari, and then his vision spotted. The black crept up from the corners of his vision and over took whatever image he could see. Sidney reached out for the counter, pressing hard into the wood. He stared at his fingertips, blinking. "Silly vertigo … stood up too fast." He looked at the wolf, "This is obviously a sign, that I need to retire."

Chuckling, Sid maneuvered himself around the other side of the counter and leaned against it. He tilted his head quizzically, sizing up this Jabari. "Well aren't you just a whelp. Where's your pack little whelp? Jabari don't usually fly solo." He stretched his arms along the ridge of the counter, drumming his fingers on the top.

[Melinda]

Watching this human move over to the dead body Ally set her backpack down, she perked her ears as he lifted the body on it's side. The body had a stench to it, but moving it made it even worse then before. With a small shake of her head the she wolf sneezed, now this was just gross. What was left of the skin fell off the dead body, even the bones fell as they turned to ash. For a moment, Ally wondered if the man was sober. He seemed to almost fall over, but caught himself so maybe not. Sniffing the air in front of her, Ally couldn't pick up any liquor in the air. If he even had a glass she would pick up on it, though maybe she had to get closer. The next things out of his mouth stopped her from moving, for a second she thought about killing him. But she wasn't in the mood at the moment, unless he tried to run that is. He seemed relaxed and calm, his arm's spread out on the counter. So he didn't show any fear, maybe this would be fun after all. With a slight yawn in the mans direction, the she wolf stood up and stretched before shifting back into her human self. Lifting a hand through her hair, Ally then dusted off her pants before making eye contact. " I'm not a fucking Whelp, but you can call me Ally." She picked up her backpack and put it over one shoulder, the thing had a few valuables and this human wouldn't be getting them. "So your brave for a human aren't you? All alone up here above ground, it's strange to see you not hiding for once." She disliked people who hid underground.

[colleen]

He had to admit as much as he disliked the Jabari; Sid was fascinated by the species. He had yet to see one morph in a peaceful situation. The body became fluid like putty or play-doh, shooting upwards fitting the mold of her frame. Then the features hardened, a nose, some eye sockets, and then the hair growing from the head. It was an interesting process, but it wasn't something he needed to focus on at the moment. She was speaking; he needed to focus on her voice, not the physical make up of her.

Ally. Jabari. Hostile, but non-threatening.

Part of him was thankful, violence was a part of his job description but it wasn't his first response. Most situations could be cleverly talked through, or escaped from if needed. There was no need to jump the gun, in such a literal manner. Such a thing has permanent and life-changing results.

Standing there, he held a position of focus, of power. But it was all perception. Initiate the conversation first; show the opposition does not intimidate you. Occupy a large space, command the room, and command the attention. Vary your voice, emphasis words, and whisper others, people will strain to hear what you have to say. It was all learned behaviors from his young adulthood, perhaps the only benefit of straying to the wrong side of the tracks.

"Humans as a species are typically brave. However the innate response of self-preservation makes cowards of us all." He scratched at his chin, stealing a glance at the windows. In his experience with the Jabari, they travelled in a minimum of pairs; there was another one close by that maybe Ally wasn't aware of. Clearing his throat, Sid turned his attention back to Ally.

"But of course, I suppose even cowards have a purpose."

He shifted focus. "The name's Sidney, but I'll let you call me Sid, love. There's no need be concerned," He gestured to her satchel. "Your trinkets and knick knacks are yours to keep, besides you and I have different goals of being in this wasteland." It was like the unwritten code of merchants, don't take what you don't need and don't steal what you can't or are not known for selling. Few actually followed such a rule, but Sid was man of principle, of tradition, besides stealing her goods would conflict with his natural non-violent approach to life.

He mimicked her, mocked her, taunted her, he asserted his minimal dominance. He need to see where she would stand, he wasn't exactly in the market for friendship this was merely idle conversation.
"But let's get serious, aren't you a brave little thing. What's a Jabari like you doing out like here all alone?"

[Zachey]

His thick eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement as he tried to make some sense of the odd situation. Everything seemed calmed and undisturbed; unsettlingly calmed and undisturbed. Usually, between the encounter of a human and a wolf, there would have been silver bullets running a muck by now, flying around at the speed of light in an attempt of embedding themselves near or in the heart of a wolf, while a wolf made an effort to escape or aimed straight for the being's jugular. Instead, there was nothing. Nothing that was alarming at least.

Nikolai sensed her in there. Inside the small and petty coffee shop that was pathetically wedged in the midst of two other deteriorating buildings. The scent was there, her scent, but from one moment to another, he could virtually feel the sudden shift and twist of it in the pit of his stomach. Which could have only meant one thing, and one thing alone. She morphed herself into her human form.

When a member of a pack is in their wolf form, their scent is right on the brink of being visible, if not tangible, due to the strength of it. Every wolf has their own distinct aroma that could easily be detected from hundreds of yards away, which only makes them that much easier to detect. However, when a wolf decides to change into their human form, that scent contorts itself into a much more bitter-like smell, whereas that of a wolf's would smell sweeter than normal. Or that's how he sees it at least. Either way, the fact that she had morphed back to her human state, was making him curious. Did she not see the human as a potential threat of any kind? Why was she making herself more vulnerable?

He could hear the small talk that was now going on between them, although only faintly. The feeling of a low rumble was vibrating deep within him. A growl he forced himself to fight back. What was the human playing at with the taunts and the false dominance?

There was no competition between them. Nikolai knew that she had the upper hand and the advantage over the foolish human; she didn't even need her wolf form to accomplish that either. Jabari wolves are trained to master their own will power and strength to handle whatever situation. She was able to prove herself once when she was able to join the ranks of a scout, which was more than enough to gain respect in their pack.

He made sure not to misstep as he inched closer to the shop. If there truly was nothing going on that was of potential harm towards Ally, then he did not want to be the one to cause something to happen. In the other hand, if the situation were to turn sour in a matter of seconds, he'd be able to help her within a blink of an eye, and he was almost positive that she could take in his scent from where he stood, and reassure herself that she had the back up if need be.

[Melinda]

The male before her seemed to know what he was talking about, though Ally had put up with a lot of bullshit in her life and could see through it. He was human and needed some kind of defense, so maybe this mini speech is suppose to what? Impress her? Catch her off guard? With a slight smirk Ally ignored his first comments, moving toward a tipped over table Ally lifted it up right. The top was slightly covered in dust, and had cracks though out the whole thing but it would do. Setting her backpack down and unzipping the top zipper, Ally started going through it. Making sure not to let him see anything, she hoped to maybe trade with this human. Glancing over Sidney.... or Sid, she looked over his features and clothes again. She defiantly saw him before, but where? On a government mission? No, that wasn't it, but there was one other place. " Why should I answer a whelp like you Sid? You should be answering my questions, seeing as I have the advantage over you." Looking back into her backpack she pulled out a water bottle, though it was warm it didn't matter to her. Taking the light blue cap off, Ally took a drink before continuing. "I've seen you before, and there is only one place I could think of were I seen you." She wasn't sure if this was the right subject, but earning another person to trade with is normally a good thing. "Ever take a walk to the current market yet?" She smiled before tossing him the water bottle, she had plenty of water and enough to share. Hopefully if she was right, he had been to the black market before.

[colleen]

Sidney watched her evade his questions, sidestepping the conversation entirely. It was impolite of her and arrogant. She seemed to think that she didn't need such idle conversation. It wasn't like Sid needed such conversation or anything; he just thought perhaps it would have been a change of pace. He was used to snippy lines and wit-filled prose, produced my clients and consumers thinking they know better than him, trying to get a better deal.

She tossed him a bottle of water, which he fumbled with and set on the counter. "Watch it there, love. I am you senior." He nodded at her in thanks, smiling. The smile quickly faded when Ally changed the subject. The marketplace, of course he had heard of it. Much like a modern day prostitute, everyone knew of its existence and everyone used and abused it willingly, few admitted to it. Her face was not a familiar face, meaning she was probably a customer of his once up a time. She could have been a seller, but it wouldn't have been on the main strip. There was a hodge-podge of a misfits and vagrants who sold what they found daily, but most of them were con artists or drifters, who may or may have not urinated in their clothes prior to acquiring this vast treasure. Mind you the sellers on the main strip were con artists and thieves, but it was all business with them, that and they were protected. Returning to the prostitute metaphor, many good officials of the government visit the lovely ladies of the night, it was the same with the market. They knew about it, and no one spoke, sure a raid would happen every now and then, but without the corruption, the small push back at the government the society would feel even more oppressed than it already was.

Sid was a member of the main strip; he had mingled and bartered his way to the top, as many hoped to do. He had been raided, beaten and interrogated by his friends, his competition and the government. It was all a part of the game, kill or be killed, nothing different from his teenage years. He stared at her, his eyes narrowed, his posture changed. Sid moved his arms, leaning against the counter. He wrapped his one arm around his hip, and the other balanced on the opposite forearm reaching up so he could tap his chin, a nervous tick. His voice turned cold as he tapped at his mandible, what did she want from him?

"What do you want to know about it, Ally?"

[Zachey]

Nikolai could feel his jaw tightening and his teeth wanting to begin to grind themselves down to the very gum. The market was supposed to be closed for any and every member of the pack. Although times were rough, they could not and should not fall on others, meaning other species or packs, for whatever means necessary. Members should feel as if they could ask others for help; that's what the whole goddamn thing was about. Wasn't it? Was that not the fundamental idea of what packs are?

Either way, he had to make sure to constrain his legs to his current spot, since if he had let them be otherwise, they would lead him into the shop and his hands would go in and strike at them both. The boy for simply being a son of a bitch, and Ally for thinking she could run along and do her own thing thinking that there would be no consequences.

He would give them three more minutes until he went in there and, if need be, throw him around once or twice, and force her out and back into Jabari. There was no way he was going to let them conduct business. Two minutes and fifty-eight seconds.

"To hell with that," he heard himself say as he entered the shop with a forceful entry, he was sure he just about broke the fragile door. He saw the boy leaning against the counter, while Ally was sitting at a nearby table with her pack on the surface. Not even minding the boy, however keeping his hounding gaze on him, he said, "Leaving. Now." At this point, there was no room for and if or but. They were leaving. End of story.

He did not give a damn if he had to drag her out. If anything, he was more than glad to do so, but instead thought that she may as well keep some of her dignity, as she made her exit.

[colleen]

Well wasn't he a rude brute of a human being.
Oh wait.
Jabari.
Nothing new, move along.

If one were being truthful, Sid would have to admit that the sudden appearance of the Jabari male had startled him. The air was tense, what with Ally mulling him over, and he having loosely implied the illegality of his activities. His only saving grace was that Sidney happened to veer his gaze briefly to the door when this brute forced his way into the shop. The atmosphere of mystery and intrigue was shattered and replaced with what Sid would have described as 'soap opera drama'.

"Who the hell are you? This doesn't concern you, Jabari." Sidney stepped forward, letting his arms fall to his sides, sizing up the man. He acted like a father figure to this girl, or maybe like an overprotective sibling shielding the younger sibling from harm. Sidney knew he was neither; this was a pack mate, a fellow wolf, and a man of tradition. His gaze was hard, accusing, raking over Sid's body; what did he think was happening?

He pursed his lips, running his gaze over the gargantuan creature before him. "You're a tall mother fucker aren't you? What's your secret? Spinach?" Sidney laughed. Laughing aggravated his throat, which in turn aggravated his lungs. He doubled over, covering his mouth and holding his ribs. When his fit was finished, although it wasn't as long as Sidney thought it had been. He looked at the pair, a smile creeping across his face. He resumed his previous position, leaning against the counter and waved a hand through the air.

"Besides Big Brother, we were doing just peachy-keen with you listening at the door. Why'd you have to go and spoil the fun?"