Fresh Air (Tag any)(done)

Marcus had stepped out while Dillon was gone off at his job, or pride stuff. He wasn't sure as the place was empty when he woke up. The sun was shining in his face, and the warmth had woken him. It had been a long time since he had seen the sun, and it warmed him so deeply he was surprised how much he had missed it. Rolling out of bed he found he was still in the baggy clothes, and that his skin itched from the healing process. Grumbling a little, he went looking for clothes that fit him just a bit better, and once so he he had left.

Now he was in the hustle and bustle of the plaza. Feeling people brush against him because it was crowded and not because of sex, was foreign to him again. It made him a bit uncomfortable, but being outside felt great. His lion even felt giddy with in because of it. So he'd deal for a while yet. He hadn't combed his hair out, but it was fine. His hair was perfect for that bed hair look. It proved worth while as a nice looking girl smiled at him, and he couldn't help but smile back.

He came to a stall that was selling fresh pot pies, and he stopped to scout and see which he wanted as his stomach gave a low rumble. When was the last time he had a good meal? He couldn't remember, and this one was hot to boot. He asked a few questions of what was in them, and settled for a thick beef vegetable one. Paying for it, he started to look for a place to sit.

He had to admit there was a down side to slow days. Lack of work at the shop meant staring at the wall for hours on end slowly going insane with a lack of anything to do. After the second hour his clerk/front desk worker snapped on him and told him to get out of the shop or something heavy was going to go flying at his face. Deciding that getting a wrench of tool box tossed his way wasn't how he wanted to end this day Patrick had done the smart thing and gone out for lunch.


It didn't take him long to make it to Saint Marks plaza hands tugged into his jacket all his bracelets and rings hidden from sight at the moment. It was a nice day out, warm with a slight breeze to keep it from being too hot. The breeze also worked to bring the smell of food his way causing his stomach to start making noises. He nodded to himself grabbing a burger and soda from one of the stands before snagging a bench for himself. He had only taken his first bite when he noticed a young looking kid looking around with food in his hand.

That wasn't what had drawn his attention though. That kid was a shifter but what kind had him puzzled and frowning slightly. Shaking his head at himself he lifted a hand and waved getting the kids attention. He pointed to the seat next to him before swallowing and clearing his mouth. "You can sit with me if your looking for someone where to sit." Without waiting for an answer he took another bite of his burger shifting over to one side to leave plenty of room if the kid did decide to sit down.

Marcus spotted the waving hand, and heard the invitation. He hesitated as he recognized the kids reading as wolf, and the memory of last night came back. He bit his lower lip lightly before glancing around again and made his way over. No one would try anything in broad day light...right? He weaved his way through the crowd, and took the seat. He picked up the plastic silver wear, and took a bit of his pie in silence.

He peeked out of the corner of his eye as he looked the wolf over. He was nice on the eyes, but the scent of another was on him pretty well despite the time away from the other. He'd behave for now. "Hi..." he said after a moment, and placed his utensil down to offer him a hand, "I'm Marcus." He said introducing himself as that seemed to be the least he could do for the invitation.

"So...um...thanks," he said indicating the spot, "this place seems to get full around this time." He said giving a sheepish smile, "been a while since I've been here during this time of day." He said in explanation before he resumed eating his pot pie.

He noticed the hesitant look that was being shot his way before the kid glanced around. While he was busy doing that he reached out with his wolf drawing back before the kid would even notice that he was doing something much less what he was doing. His new found buddy was apparently Pride. Only lions had that smell. He gave the lion time to decided what he wanted to do looking down at his burger while he ate it.

He only glanced up when the other sat down next to him. When he heard the cat speak he wiped one hand off on a napkin and offered it to Marcus. "Nice to meet you. I'm Patrick." He glanced around as Marcus spoke to include the air. After taking another big bite he nodded slowly wondering where everyone had come from. It hadn't seemed that busy when he sat down but now it looked crowded.

"Actually kinda surprised. I came out cuz this is the normal slow time." He glanced around wondering if it was just a flood of tourist or something. He nodded at Marcus and glanced back over. "Are you more of a night person?" It would make sense. He really didn't get to do anything himself till night it seemed like because of his job more often than not.He blinked and took another bite of his sandwich watching the crowd move around.

He took note of the name and that his hand shake seemed pretty confident. His own lion was fairly calm at the moment, though didn't seem to think about hiding what he was. He watched the crowd move about, and took note that most of them were wearing American clothes. It definitely seemed like a tourist group to him as he had been in that spot a while ago.

He squirmed a bit on the question of his life style, "Mmm...you could say that I suppose. I just got out of a...bad situation as a night person." He said not really sure how much he should share with the wolf. After all he wasn't sure if the wolf from last night was a rogue or part of the pack. He took another bite of his food, enjoying the wash of flavor and heat on his tongue. He then looked over to him again before lowering his eyes as he normally acknowledged most anyone else as dominant to him.

"Perhaps next time you eat out you could try the pies, if you haven't tried 'em before," he said mixing the top of the crust into his stew, "pretty flavorful." He said not really sure what to talk about. He was so use to being the submissive Lion and talking how he was told to, that normal conversations almost seemed foreign to him.

He had to admit the answer to his question only seemed to make him have more questions but he wasn't the type of person to force an answer out of someone if they didn't want to say really. And it seemed like Marcus could be better off not saying. He kept his thoughts to himself for the moment taking another bite of the burger as he carefully watched Marcus from the corner of his eye. he seemed slightly unsure of himself. That made Patrick think he was an Omega at best.

He shifted slightly in his seat turning his attention back to Marcus. "I never thought about it honestly. It's usually a burger or pizza for me. I'm kind in a rut on the whole food thing." He picked at a pickle trying to make it's way off of his sandwich and popped it into his mouth. "I'll try it for sure though if you think it's good."

Eyes drifted around for a moment as he tried to think of something to talk about. A brief second later he turned to look back at Marcus. "Your local? I haven't seen you around lately." He studied the Lion for a moment wondering if this had more to do with the while night life thing that Marcus didn't seem to want to talk about.

Marcus nodded his head, "OH yes I definitely recommend it. Nice chunks of beef in it, and the seasonings..." He licks his lips a bit, "really good, but then I like flavor." He said smiling a bit. As it seemed more and more like the wolf didn't know him, the more he began to relax, and seem less guarded. With it his aura flowed a bit more evenly to reveal he was beta rank.

"Yeah I'm local you could say. I was born in the states," he said, "earned a scholarship to come to school here. Full ride. I couldn't reject it." He said smiling a bit and popped in a piece of beef again. When he mentioned that he hadn't been seen, he took another bite as he thought on how much to tell him. After a moment he swallowed, and decided to explain a little.

"Well...because of..." he looked around to make sure no one else was really around to over hear, "..the war and all...some shifters disappeared for a while in an underground BDSM business that's really dark. I..." he takes in a deep breath, "I've only just gotten out last night. My teacher finally found me...but I was under for a few years." He then quickly looked around again as if he were keeping an eye out for something, or someone, before his attention went back to the wolf.

He nodded working on his burger again even as Marcus spoke about him being local. At the mention of the war Patrick started eating slower and slower till he stopped . He didn't meant to stare dead on at Marcus but hearing about the fact he had been hidden underground got his full attention. At least the kid had someone that got him out of it. He had only heard bad things about those rings. He nodded and swallowed at last running his eyes up and down to see if he could see anything on Marcus. He looked in good health but that didn't mean anything really. " Are you.. alright?"

He figured he would have been if his teacher had gotten him out of a place like that but he didn't know what kind of teacher Marcus was talking about. He wanted to ask but bite his tongue against that urge knowing it wasn't really his business. He didn't even know if the Pack still had good ties with the Pride or not. He finishes his burger and wiped his hands off on his napkin once more.

He noticed the quick glance around and followed suit not even knowing what it was that Marcus was looking for. He didn't seem to find it if the look backwards himself was any sign. "Are you safe now? Or do you think you'd get dragged back in?" It was an honest question. Now that he sort of knew Marcus he was finding himself kind of liking the lion and he'd hate to see anything bad happen to him.

Marcus laughed a little weakly on that question and the quick look over the wolf gave him, "yeah...I'll be ok. Dillon got me out before anything serious would have happened with the last group. What I did is already itching like hell from healing." He said as he adjusted his shirt a bit, and he'd get a flash of scabbing on his chest, "Mentally...Dillon seems worried...don't know why." He admitted puzzled, not fully realizing that his training had left mental scars on him as well.

He thought a moment on the question of if he was safe or not, "Dillon put on a good show last night. All the alpha's had backed down when he came in...except the rat. She had to be taught a lesson..." he shuddered at the memory. Dillon had scared him for the first time last night and he never wanted that anger on him, "so I think so....but...until that circuit is shut down no one is really safe. Mostly the Omegas and betas. Easier to get." He said as he had rarely felt an Alpha down below that was being held.

He then quickly finished off his food and set the trash to his side a bit before turning to face the wolf in turn. "I just had to get out. I had been caged up so long I had forgotten what it was like to have the sun on me," he flushed a bit and lowered his eyes in guilt, "I was so eager to get out I think I forgot to leave a note." He then bit his lower lip a bit nervously.

He made a mental note of the name Dillon to look into later. Either this guy was a hero so something even darker was going on. No way for him to know now. He didn't even know why he really cared actually other than he could put a face to Marcus' name now. He tossed the balled up burger wrapper into the trash before turning his eyes back to Marcus.

He seemed to be making the poor kid a little uneasy with all of his staring so he focused on opening up the bottle of soda and taking a few small sips out of it. He paid more attention to the drink and his surrounds then Marcus for a moment before turning his eyes back to the lion. The comment about not leaving a note made the comment about this Dillon being worried about the Lion's mental health make alot more sense than it had a moment ago.

"So how long have you.. been out for?" He twisted the cap back onto his soda glancing Marcus way wondering a million things at once but only asking the one question for now. He didn't want to look to pushy but he was really curious about the lion. It had to be almost hell on earth to be trapped in a ring. It's no wonder those in the groups hung out at the safe houses. They were scared of getting taken by someone. Looked like it was a valid fear too.

He looked at a nearby clock, as he had lost his watch long ago. "Um...about 8 hours," he said looking back to Marcus, and then watched him a moment. He finally decided that he wasn't going to hurt him, or report in to any one about him. After all, if he was going to wouldn't he have left by now? "Sorry, just...random person being nice I was wondering why," he smiled sheepishly, a genuine smile, "I forgot that some people are nice." With that a visible show of relaxing completely was made, and he threw his trash away. His movements were fluid, showing that he was use to using his grace as a shifter.

He then grinned a little as he noticed that curiosity in his eyes, "you can ask any question if you like. If it's too much, or too personal I'll let you know." He assured him. He desperately wanted a friend. Maybe if they liked each other enough for friendship he could introduce him to Dillon...let him know he could be ok outside of the Pride.

He blinked at Marcus as his question was answered. Then had to blink again. Even as his eyes trailed to the clock that Marcus was looking at he still found himself having a hard time to believe that Marcus had just got out of a sex ring for shifters. If it had been him he would have been hard pressed to make himself be around other shifters.

He watched Marcus toss his trash away his shifter grace showing clearly though his movement.s It was no doubt to him and most likely any other shifter in the area that Marcus was in fact a shifter. He considered saying something but the open offer to be able to ask any question got his attention.

He paused for a moment trying to figure out what it was he wanted to ask the lion. He had a million questions crowding the front of his brain. " Is Dillon your... Master?" He guessed that was the term that would work best. Marcus seemed very submissive to him and as far as he knew subs like that needed someone to top them otherwise they'd go looking for it themselves and bad things happened when that was a route taken but a submissive.

He wasn't afraid to show what he was, but he did realize his mistake and reigned it in a bit as he knew some humans were still uneasy around their kind. He then smiled a bit on his question, "Oh no...but I wish. He'd be a good Master..." he said chuckling, "no he's the one that trained me when I was first infected, and he's been a good friend. He's the Rex's second...and I have a big crush on him." He said blushing lightly.

He then smiled a bit, "He went off to learn more for his degree. We never thought things would get so bad. He was gone when the Rex was killed...and..." sadness filled his eyes, "and that's why I was taken. Had he still been around I would have been fine..." He shakes his head a little, "sorry that was too much probably." He said sheepishly.

"What about you? Are you local?" he asked curious. He was sure he'd be a new friend, but he wanted to get to know him better first.

Patrick nodded leaning back against the bench as he listened to Marcus. He wasn't too into the Alpha- sub thing. What he did know was learned though other pack members. He was slowly learning he was a switch when it came to sex with another person. Or at the very least with Killian. Hearing that Marcus had a mentor that was looking after him made him nod again. It was good to hear that someone was looking after the kitten.

He nodded looking down at the ground as Marcus spoke about the war. He had been here for that. Had heard about the bad look that seemed to come over both the Wolves and the Lions. Only the leopards had manged to keep a hold of their Leader though he was thinking it was take quite a bit to make Jon leave. He glanced up and over into the distance before meeting Marcus' eyes once more. He nodded at the question.

"Born and raised here actually." He'd done some traveling after getting out of school but had always thought of Venice as home. He tilted his head to the side looking at Marcus once more. "I can tell your not from here cuz of the accent. Where are you from?

Marcus grinned a bit sheepishly, "that obvious huh...damn was hoping I'd been here long enough to pick up the accent." He said giving a light joke before leaning back himself, "I come from Idaho in the U.S. Small town...few people ever know where it's at." He said with a light wave of his hand. "I love it though...granted city life is good," he said chuckling lightly.

"So...how much has changed in the last few years? I mean with the preternatural community?" he asked. If there was one thing he had been good at other then being a submissive, was that he had always managed to know what was going on any where in the preternatural world. He felt like he was behind in the times. He also did not like the thought of what he would have to do to get back into school.

He grinned over unwrapping his arms look enough to wave at Marcus. Unlike the French people around here didn't have instant hate for anyone that came out of the states. Not alot of them anyhow, you still got your few true haters of everything of course but those were rare and few between. "I've heard an accent like yours before. Just can't remember where that person was from is all."

He nodded though he had no idea where that was. Outside of the major cities that everyone talked about he didn't know any of the American cities at all. "City life has its up and downs." He had grown up not to far from here in the one of the town on the outskirts of Venice so he had gotten to see both sides of the fence. He had to admit he liked the city life himself.

His arms went over his chest as he thought about Marcus' words. Alot had actually changed in the last couple of years. "The City has a new Master Vampire. Haven't heard much about him. The pack has a new Ulfric-Rebecca, Jon still leads the Pard and I'm guessing you already now about the new Rex." He shook his head. "The Rats and the Hyenas still have no leader though."

He was relieved to hear that the city had a new master. The old one had seriously frightened him, and after being taken under, he had gained no love for the creature to have allowed such an organization to exist. He was a bit surprised that the Rats and Hyena's were still leaderless, but more shocked that the new Ulfric was female.

"A female Ulfric? I thought they couldn't be Ulfric," he said confusion clearly showing in his voice and face. Granted he didn't know a whole lot about anything except when it came to pride, and even then at the moment that wasn't a whole lot. Upon hearing that Jon was still the pard leader made him feel a little happy that at least one shifter clan had remained some what untouched.

He then grinned a bit for the Rex comment, "well I know of him, but I don't know him. Dillon seems to not want me to meet him right away. Which I'm glad...I don't know if I could take another alpha's presence, other then Dillon, right now." He admitted a bit nervously.

He shook his head at the question. While he had heard about female Ulfric's before he hadn't actually seen on till Rebecca took over. Which he was fine with considering the last one wasn't a really nice kind of person anyhow. "If they beat the Ulfric fair and square a female can do it. I know some people who have female Geri's too thoguh not alot of them are out there." He glanced over at Marcus. "Do you remember the old one? How he kept pimping the wolves out to the Master of the City? I'm kind of glad we have Becca now. She's much better at taking care us of."

He nodded leaning forward on the bench his bracelets clinking together slightly as he settled his weight forward. " I haven't heard anything bad yet. Seems like he's spending most of his time running around trying to gather the pride back up. They scattered during the war. " He gave a shrug, "I know your the first lion I've seen in awhile honestly." Eyes drifted back over to Marcus wondering if he was a beta like himself.

He gave a slight nod as he had heard that. some of the wolves had even made it to the underground ring where he had been. "Well as long as she's doing her job right I guess that is what matters right?" he asked. He didn't think it mattered. With a Pride it was always the Rex with his Regina. The King with his mate. To him that was just how it should be with the pride.

"Yeah they scattered after the old one died...that's when I was taken...shortly after he was killed," he explained, "and...I don't know when Dillon came back. I don't think it was too long ago." He then looked up as he said he was the first lion he had met in a while.

"I'm not surprised if Alaric is gathering them again. He might want them all nearby until order is restored...and he can figure out who the rogues are and deal with them," he then tilted his head some, "so...with the war...I heard humans got caught in the cross fire in time. Is that true?" he asked worried.

"Some of the older Alpha's might heckle her about it but unless they can take her down no one is gonna make a move against her." He knew it was just fact of life, some guys thought that a man should always be in charge. Not something he thought, hell he didn't care if a rabbit lead the pack so long as it was a fair leader that protected instead of sent it's wolves to the shooting range as targets. He shook his head trying to get rid of that line of depressing thought.

He glanced side ways at Marcus letting him tell his story. Everyone had heard what the old Rex had been doing, but not till after he was dead and gone. Not that anyone outside of an Alpha lion could or would have done anything. It's just how the groups worked. They didn't stick their noses into each others business. When the topic moved to the humans Patrick could only shake his head. "I honestly don't know. We were so busy just trying to keep out of the main fight and alive that none of us really heard much."

He shuddered at just the thought of the possibility, "I hope not. I mean we're still a tender subject here...unlike the states where shifters and vamps are welcomed with open arms almost...." he said, wishing that their welcome was more opened like that here. Granted if the war had spilled out to the humans that was not going to be good. He then looked up again, relaxing once more so that he would get a better read off him. He was in deed a beta, and about average strength for one. Nothing too special or hinting he could be more.

"So is there anything new around here? Places to hang or relax?" He asked wondering if there were new locations that had sprung up lately he could visit once Dillon gave him the ok.

He leaned back against the bench kicking his legs out in front of himself and crossing his ankles as he relaxed and watched the people wandering back and forth. He doubted half of these people even knew where they were going. Eyes still a moment as he saw a flash of blonde hair and he traced a male who made his way to the corner and looked over his shoulder right at him before disappearing again. He gave himself a mental shake before swinging his eyes back to Marcus before tilting his head in thought.


He hadn't honestly given any real thought to the places that had popped up in the last two years. One hand went back to rub at the nape of his neck as he mussed out loud still deep in thought. "The Pack has a club and a couple other places now. Jon started up a PI business. The Theater has been reopened. Other than that everything is pretty much the same. Just.. more shifters now." he glanced over folding his arms over his chest. "Guess since everything settled down people are coming back. Which is nice since everyone needs to rebuild really."

Hearing that the theater was reopened brought a slight smile to his face. He rather liked plays...especially the comedies. Though he doubted that he'd be able to go to one right away. "Oh the theater is back? That's good I missed the stuff there. Once I can I should catch a play or something," he said as he half thought about it.

He then looked at the time again, and sighed a bit as he decided he should head back to the pride house. "Well it was nice meeting you Patrick...but...I should get back before Dillon gets home. He'll freak if I'm gone when he gets back," he said though his tone of voice held warmth speaking about the other lion.

He then offered him a hand, and a small smile. "It was nice meeting you...perhaps...when I'm better we'll run into each other again?" he asked hopefully.

"I haven't actually been yet but one of the wolves works there." He smiled briefly thinking of Killlian before shaking his head. " I here it's under new management though so who knows whats gonna happen." he made a mental note to visit the younger wolf at his work before giving his attention back to Marcus. He shook his head at himself mentally before offering his hand to Marcus as the lion got up and made noises about having to go home.

"Nice to meet you to Marcus. Stay outta trouble ok?" He offered a grin shaking his hand and pulling himself up to his feet. He waited till the lion had moved out of sight to shove his hands into his pockets and make his way back to the shop. He was pretty sure this could count as an extended lunch break. He was hoping work would be waiting for him but if that was the case he'd have gotten a text at the very least. He shook his head and made his way back deep in thought.

End thread.