welcome home. [mason] [rf]

[maya]

It was odd being back in Converse, but Maya had definitely missed it. It was home now. A place where she had been accepted and welcomed without any trouble. Well, no trouble that she didn't cause. The forest was her favorite place to be, which a lot of people wouldn't expect due to how she presented herself in human form. A tall, leggy, beautiful blue-eyed brunette that dressed like a model? No one would expect that. The perks of being a werewolf. She loved it. Loved being a werewolf. It was who she was meant to be. It fit her so perfectly. She couldn't imagine being human. Even though she was walking around in human form, she didn't really feel like shifting. She wanted to enjoy the sinking sunlight on her skin, and the breeze through her wavy hair. It was relaxing. An excellent way to start back in Converse, she thought.

[Mason Smith]

Converse would never be considered hom for this renegade, but the forests outside could be. The smell of fresh air rustling leaves and his clothing was delicious. He could hear everything, from the squirrels scattering as he moved past. He stuck to the darker parts of the forest, remaining unseen as he followed a scent, so unfamiliar but so intriguing. Another werewolf, for sure, but one he hadn't yet encountered. In a button up tee with a leather jacket over top - old and worn - and jeans covering up his bow legs with boot protecting his feet, he moved swiftly through the forest before coming up on his prize.

He emerged out of the shadows, his bright green eyes blazing as he looked the woman over, standing alone in the forest. He leaned against a tree and stuck his hands in his jacket's pockets, looking casual.

"Beautiful women don't usually wander alone."

[maya]

Maya wasn't normally taken off guard, but when she's up wind from anything, she can't help it. So, when she heard footsteps from behind her, she immediately turned and saw what was coming her way. Her brow rose at what she saw. A quite handsome man was leaning against a tree in a button up shirt and a leather coat. Beautiful women don't usually wander alone. A small smirk found its way onto her lips. Confidence was one of Maya's strong points. No one could really make her feel embarrassed. Ah, but this beautiful woman can handle herself just fine, so she prefers wandering alone. Looks around as if looking for something. Plus... I don't really see any dangers. Eyes flash with amusement when they fall back on him, bright blue irises dancing in the sunset.

[Mason Smith]

Mason smiled. His smile, a brilliant white was amused and accompanied with a little laugh. With his shoulder, he pushed off the tree and stood up straight, approaching the woman but stopping a few feet away. Plenty of space to breathe, just what Mason needed.

"I never said there was anything dangerous. I can tell you can handle yourself." He quirked a brow and his smile grew a little wider. "It's just usually women like you have a man on their arm." He watched her look around, and his head gently cocked to the side, his eyes curious. She didn't see any dangers? Amusing. "Are you sure about that? You should always be on your guard - you never know what's creeping around the corner." Basically, you should fear me, but he's not going to outright tell her that and chase her off.

[maya]

Watches him as he comes closer, tilting her head back a bit so she can still keep eye contact. Laughs softly at his comment of having a man on her arm. It seems that men around here can't handle a woman like me. Which I'm perfectly okay with, because I prefer the independence. Statement followed with a nonchalant shrug. Intrigued by his comment about dangers. Brow arches high. He must be new around here. Everyone knows Maya's past. She came from a blood feud in Alaska where she had to fight every day to survive. She became a skilled warrior, in or out of wolf form. A very lethal werewolf at such a young age. Even has so much control, she can shift at will at any time. Impressive, for only being nineteen. Are you saying that there is something dangerous out here that I should be wary of? Wonders if he's speaking of himself. Get's that gut feeling that he is, but she still feels no fear. If he wants to hurt her, let him try.

[Mason Smith]

No one can handle her? Meow. Mason's eyebrows were both raised in obvious surprise. For such a femme fatale, she was feisty. He licked his lips and chuckled a little, rocking back onto his heels before standing flat footed once more. "That's strange. I was told this was a town full of werewolves. I must have been lied to - it's a town full of pups." Mason had no true patience for the immature and overconfident werewolves he'd run into.

As for her rough past, well surely he could match it. A boy who tried to kill his own father in an attempt to get what he thought he deserved, only to kill his own sister before killing his own pack. Being trained as a warrior and being practically mind controlled to become what his father wanted. Oh, and let's not forget the epic clash between father and son and the years of being on death row and the years of running from it all. But he still stood there smiling, unfazed by the memories that passed through his mind aside from the sudden clenching of his fists, invisible in his jacket pockets.

"Oh, no. Of course not. It's just advisable to be a little wary of your surroundings. You never know when you hit the wrong nerve and things can go a little horrible. But I'm sure you couldn't make anyone hate such a beautiful face as yours. It must be impossible."

[maya]

Maya chuckled at his comment about the town being full of pups. Don't underestimate. I'm confident for a reason. Maybe a tad bit cocky, but look at her? She has reasons to be. She turned and walked over to a fallen tree, stepping easily up onto it, her combat boots giving her enough grip so she wouldn't slip on the snow covered surface. The sun was almost completely sunken down over the horizon, and her eyes were adjusting quickly to the darkness. She could still make out the strangers figure from where she was. A hearty laugh left her throat. Oh, I have my fair share of people who dislike me around here. That's for sure. Enjoying the flattery though. Looks back at him. I've been awfully rude. My name is Maya. You? she questioned, hopping down off the branch, sliding her hands into the pockets of her own leather jacket, hers a little less worn than his. She tilted her head to side, slightly, ebony waves tumbling down over her slim shoulders, reaching her lower rib cage. Ah, beauty was certainly blessed upon her.

[Mason Smith]

"Oh, I'm sure you could take care of yourself." His eyes looked her up and down before he focused back on her face. She was confident, that was a fact, but so was he. Problem was, he didn't like to rip off his shirt and flash his muscles. But this beauty sure enjoyed to metaphorically show hers. It was attractive, but there was a tiny aggression that welled up in Mason's chest. A dame couldn't be stronger than him. But maybe that's just how old school he was - women were supposed to be delicate and taken care of. Just like how Mason had taken care of Jennifer. His muscles tensed slightly before relaxing.

"What's life without a little conflict? Everyone's got their enemies, even me, and I don't know anyone in this damned town. " But he did still have the police on his trail in another life and surely plenty more wolves on his ass from the years of misbehaving and causing havoc. "Ah. Well, miss Maya, I'm Mason." He did a very short bow, very informal but somewhat comical in his laziness. "It's very nice to meet you."

[maya]

Of course she did. She loved it. It made her feel like a woman. It made her feel strong, but she had the actual strength to back her up. It wasn't all talk. She knew it, most others didn't. Looks up through the trees to where the small sliver of moon is peeking from behind a cloud. Eyes lighten a bit to a more unnatural blue. More white than anything. Looks back at the stranger when he starts speaking again. I agree. Life would be boring if everyone was your friend. Completely serious with that statement. It would. If everyone loved her, Maya would probably hate more people than she does. People would just get on her nerves more easily, and there would never be just one person she could take out her hatred on. It just worked for her that way. Plus, with all the nuisance she's caused in Converse, a lot of the older folks don't particularly like her. She didn't care, though. She didn't need to impress everyone. A grin swept across her features at his small, sloppy bow. Likewise, Mason.

Can't sit still tonight. Is extremely antsy. Makes her way over to a tree, reaching up and grabbing onto one of the branches, pulling herself up so she's sitting astride on the more sturdy part of it. Leans back against the trunk of the tree, turning her eyes back on him. So, Mason, what are you doing out here, exactly? Just out of curiosity.

[Mason Smith]

Boring was very true. Mason didn't much care for people anymore to be able to deal with everyone liking him. Where he was seemed good enough - vaguely blended in with society enough to have his own house, his own job, and not really know anyone in town. It was comforting to be able to disappear and have no one looking after you and anyone caring if you left or not. No ties.

"What am I doing here? I guess you could say I prefer being outside a lot more than being inside. I was minding my own business until I caught your scent. Just doing my own wolf thing, I suppose." He rolled his shoulders in a shrug and finally pulled his hands out of his pockets as he crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. "And what about you, miss Maya? What brings you here by your lonesome?"

[maya]

Maya watched him while he spoke. He was a handsome thing, that's for sure. The old Maya would have been all over this in the past. This new Maya... She's more of a woman. Smarter, more clever, and even more of an attention grabber. She screamed passion. It felt good. It felt new, and she wanted to explore it. Smirks slightly at his comment about catching her scent. Just had to come see who was out here? Smirk grows into a grin. Enjoys picking on people. Only does it to a certain extent. Shrugs when he asks her. Swings her leg over the branch and hops down. I just got back from a three month long trip tracking down my brother. He disappeared from here, for some unknown reason, and I started to worry. So, a good friend of mine told me to go find him. So I did. I missed these woods. It feels good to be home, so I thought I'd come out here.

[Mason Smith]

"I do tend to like to satisfy my curiosity. I don't turn my back on new information that might interest me. Seems like it was worth my time." He shrugged once more and listened to her speak. Something about a lost brother and the woods she called home. How anyone could call this place home was beyond him - from what he observed he didn't like it much. But that's why he kept to the outskirts and tried to seem intimidating, so people would leave him alone. It was how he was selective with his crowd. Anyone he didn't want to talk to was hit with his brutish personality. And then Someone like this woman in front of him would get the nice treatment because Mason could use a little loving, to be quite honest.

"Since you're here alone, I'm assuming you didn't find him." He began to wish his sister had only gone missing and that she wasn't dead, but that wish was for another time when he was by himself and willing to break things to release his anger. He wasn't about to make a show in front of this woman. "I suppose when I'm hanging out at night I'll have to slip by here just to see your shining face again, wont I?" Maybe one day he'd ask her out for a drink, but he had the feeling that his playful flirting was enough. She probably wouldn't say yes to being with him in public - she did her own thing and he did his. Fair enough. "I don't blame you for wanting to be out here. It feels nice, but even for a wide open forest, two's a crowd. Being alone tends to make these kind of places a lot better." But yet, here he stood with company.

[maya]

Grins at him when he says it was worth his time. Good. Glad to know I wasn't a waste of it. Nods her head for him to follow her. Tired of standing in one spot, but doesn't want to leave his company. Likes it. He doesn't seem like too bad of a guy. Shakes her head. No, I found him. He just didn't want to come back. He's even more independent than I am. Probably because he is bisexual. He's a woman in a man's body. Misses him though. This is the longest they've ever been apart. Looks over her shoulder at him at the compliment. Guess you'll have to. Maybe nothin' will mess with little ol' me if I have a man out here with me. Winks, bringing up his previous comment. Laughs softly. Likes keeping the mood light. Is pretty good at it, too, when given the chance. Ducks under a low branch, her back rolling like it would be if she were walking on all fours. A predator, even in human form. Making sure to make as less noise as possible. Even her steps are silent. Stops at the tree-line to the lake, not yet going out into the open. Looks up at him. And yet here you stand with me. Guess I'm not too much of a crowd if you're sticking around. Offers him a soft smile.

[Mason Smith]

When she nodded, he gladly followed. When she mentioned her brother and his independence, he chuckled. It appeared he got some of the genes she had. He began to wonder about this man - was he as attractive or witty, would he make any girl swoon? He didn't quite know why he was thinking about it, but he quickly stopped himself when she spoke.

The fact that she enjoyed his company made him smile, and it got to this ego a little bit. Not exactly the best thing to do, but as long as it made him smile, it was probably good at least for the time being. "I'm sure you can handle yourself, sweetie, but I'll be your back up if you need me." Such an independent woman didn't need to be dominated and pushed aside. Mason would let her do her own thing while admiring it all. It was attractive, and made Mason want to sweep her away and run free with her, but they were both one-men wolfpacks, and that wouldn't go over too well. "You're amazing company, Maya. As much as I enjoy looking at the beauty of this forest by myself, it's always nice to have someone to enjoy it with me. Especially someone who adds to the beauty and makes the world pale in comparison." His tongue rolled over his lips and he chuckled silently. Good one, Mason. Good one.

[maya]

Maya was glad he followed. She was honestly starting to really enjoy the guy. He was witty, he was smart, and boy... was he handsome. Normally she'd find a guy sexy, or cute, or something like that. She found him genuinely handsome. It was nice. It made her feel good that a man would want to pay attention to her. It was a giddy feeling, and it made her feel good about herself. At his comment, she turned to face him, a grin on her face. That's awfully nice of you. Most strays aren't like that to each other. It's normally more... hostile. she said. It wasn't really to start a serious conversation to back away from the flirtiness, it was more to tease. She stood staring up at the. The feel of the moon's rays upon her skin felt fantastic. It was a cool, light sensation. Her hair stood on end, gooseflesh up and down her arms. It was a beautiful thing to fully embrace the wolf inside. To be one, instead of trying to be so... human.

At his next phrase, she turned her head to look at him. To actually fully soak in what he was saying. The words brought a smile to her face. Not a flirty, teasing kind of smile. A genuine smile that told him that his words really did mean something. Thank you, Mason. That was all she wanted to say. Not to be cheesy; cliche. It was a beautiful moment they were sharing, in all honesty. It felt somewhat like a movie. With that being said, Maya stepped out into the open. Even though small, the moonlight touched her skin. She was so in tune with her senses in that moment, it was like life was reborn into her at the simple touch of the moon's rays. Her eyes lightened to the blue, almost white hue they were when she was as a wolf. She turned to face him, a wolfish grin on her face. Lets run. she said simply, the grin never leaving her lips.