A recluse (Akira)

[Luthen Crath]

Dwelling in the sewers...he'd never really expected that, then again he'd never dreamt of many of many of the extraordinary events in his long life, but living in the sewers really took the biscuit. He'd had no other choice, few ventured down into these depths, not even sewer workers whose job entailed the upkeep of these dank and miserable sewers. They were, in theory, the perfect place to hide particularly as those with an acute sense of smell couldn't abide venturing down here.

He on the other hand had grown used to the stench, he'd had to. Travelling exceedingly light he had no real possessions like ordinary humans had, for he had no real need of them, all he needed was food and shelter for the night, oh and plenty of weapons to keep him safe. The number of sharp and dangerous implements concealed about his person was uncanny, he wasn't a showy man though, he weilded no large gun to deter aggressors, they just had to notice the gleam in his eye which showed plainly he knew how to handle himself in a fight.

Trudging through the waste of god alone knew what, he didn't really care to dwell upon what he lived in, Luthen Crath came to an abrupt seemingly ludicrous stop, everywhere looked precisely the same, the large expanse of near neverending tunnel network just continued onwards to both sides, but Luthen wasn't dimwitted; this was precisely in the centre of this long corridor of excrement and waste, so from here he could see and hear anyone long before they got close to him. Allowing the glimmer of a self-satisfied smile Luthen unshouldered his large rucksack, crouching beside it he delved inside, taking out a small tin of baked beans, it was times like these when he wished he could conjure a little fire; raw it was then. Laying back against the grimy wall, his lower half near submerged in muck he began munching upon his meagre supper; his sole meal for the day in fact, soon he'd be forced to go to the surface, just to find food, he might be able to heal but he couldn't live without food or clean water for that matter, both of which were never found in these murky depths, knowing the dead of night actually wouldn't be the best time to go wandering about up top, as Vampires would be about he instead decided upon going to forage at dawn; when the Vampires would be forced to flee the sunlight, and when he'd have enough light to see by, setting an alarm upon his old fashioned leather strapped watch he took his time finishing his beans then quite contentedly laid his head back, settling down for a long night of what he hoped would be nothingness...

[Akira Nakajima]

Akira was sitting in her own private section of the study at Malkavian HQ when she heard footsteps and then a small cough, it was not a real cough but one of those annoying little fake coughs that would only purposely used in attempt to polity disturb someone. Slowly looking up from her book and carefully removing her glasses, folding them up and placing them perfectly parallel to her mug of cold tea Akira eventually turned around.

“I am very sorry to disturb you Miss Nakajima but one of the younglings has…” the man stopped as he found it hard to look his leader in the eyes. “One of the younglings has sensed another…down in the sewers.”

After talking to the youngling in question Akira could not help but feel that this was not going to be an ordinary job, after all no one would take the city sewers unless they knew the problems their powers could posses and that people were after them. This would be a task that Akira would take herself; alone. She knew that the seers would be ordered to keep track on her, they always did when she went out on tasks and she could not help but smile.

The person had been located in the centre the sewer systems and although it would have been a lot easier (and much more pleasant) to enter right by him Akira knew it was always rude to drop in on someone without prior warning. Armed with her lighter, battery and gun Akira made her way through the waste.
As she proceeded she could feel the sewage seep in through her trousers, her long black coat trailed behind her making the going a little more harder then it already was. The stench was revolting, on many occasions the Malkavian saw things floating in the water that actually made her gag, she had seen many things in her time but there were certain things that even the most harden of people would find sickening.

Trying to breath through her mouth and not look at what had just floated past her left leg Akira looked down at the simple GPS system she had in her hand and saw she was getting close, they was in the connecting tunnel just a few meters away…that was if they had not moved.

[Luthen Crath]

Eyes flying open, not because he heard a sound, but because he felt a presence closing in, Luthen lept to his feet, speed was of the essence. He moved quickly and efficiently, seemingly without beign hasty, but really his mind raced with possibilities, a Malkavian was approaching and he had to get out, fast. Slipping his belongings back into his rucksack he slung it over his broad shoulder, bringing his fingers to his forehead he kneedled his brow, pinpointing where the presence was coming from, naturally he set off in the other direction.

Moving off as soundlessly as the squelching sounds of his boots upon the excrement and filth would allow, he tossed aside thoughts of exited quietly, it was impossible in this place, better to just run. As he fled Luthen's mind focused upon the presence, and he knew instantly it was a strong individual, their power radiated all about, his sense could pick her out in a crowd of people, and a rough face forumulated in his mind, he knew who was following him now. If he'd had any real connections with the Malkavians he would probably have given up running there and then, for few eluded their infamous leader, but he didn't know that, and stubbornness would have led him to fleeing anyway in all liklihood.

Yet a sinking feeling was affecting his decision to continually run, from intelligence he'd been able to successfully gather about the Malkavians they had plenty of 'unique' individuals with abilities like him, they would be able to find him no matter how far he ran, yet if that were the case why hadn't they found him already? Unless they needed him for something now? But what possible reason could they have for seeking him out?

Always questions, questions that needed answering, but whose answers always eluded him. Grumbling as he ran he darted down a side section, then another and another, he would lead them on a wild goose chase before he was caught, but was he just delaying the inevitable?

[Akira Nakajima]

It took Akira a few more minutes to wade down the sludge and waste to get to the point where the GPS system was flashing signalling that she had reached her destination, but she was the only person standing in the sewers. Doing a double take around her to make sure that no one else was around Akira gave a small groan and reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small mobile phone. It was nothing spectacular, no teenager would be seen dead with a phone like this now, maybe five or six years it most likely was considered and a top range phone but for what Akira needed it for was to make one phone call.

The dull dialling tone sounded out as she waited for them to pick up back at HQ, they seemed to be taking forever to answer and Akira was contemplating on giving up when a click broke the ring mid tone and it was soon followed by a very tentative hello.

“Connolly, its Akira…I need you to get Peterson…yes the seer…” the line went quiet as the man on the other end vanished to go and find one of the Malkavians master seers so all Akira could do was wait, knee deep in human excrement knowing that the person she was after was slowly getting away. Finally there was noise again, muffled voices before the deep voice of Peterson came down the phone. “Peterson I need you to locate…I did not lose him he moved…you’re the best we have just…please Peterson your wasting time.”

It was on occasions like this when Akira wished she could sense the presence of others, she was not a terribly proud woman and was willing to admit her faults but when she was being laughed at by her fellow kind she could not help but get slightly wound up. With the phone still pressed to her ear the Malkavian had to decipher what three different voices were saying to her as well as make sure she did not fall face first into sewage as she attempted to run.

Taking a sharp left turn Akira jogged down the long city sewers when she caught sight of something running into another tunnel further down. Knowing it had to be her target by the shouts from down the other end of the phone she did not even bother to show them any gratitude and ended the call, stuffing the phone in her pocket and pulled out her gun. She had no idea what she was dealing with so had to be prepared. The water seemed to get shallower allowing Akira to move faster and as she rounded another bend she caught sight of a relatively old man in rather dingy looking clothes.

“I would stop where you are if I was you.”

Coming to a stop Akira raised her gun and pointed it at the back of the man, it may have been a very rash move and she knew it would not give the most perfect first impression but then when someone is chasing you around a sewer system you were not going to start out best mates.

[Luthen Crath]

Darting down a side section of the sewers hadn't had the results Luthen had quite hoped for, the section was long and had no immediate exits, there was nowhere for him to escape in time; as footsteps pounded along behind him, unless that was the sound of his heart, he hadn't had his blood pumping like this since, ooh last week probably, true he wasn't a spring chicken but he was still fit and healthy, though no match for a young person...a young person who probably had a gun pointing his way. Nobody shouted orders like that unless they had the means to back them up, it didn't sound like she was bluffing, and in today's gun driven, violent society he expected she had several weapons on her; one for every occassion.

He'd known several men, they were often too fond of their weapons, who'd often have an entire arsenal on their person, each gun named and polished. The amount of time and diligence spent upon caring for their weapons had far exceeded their care for themselves in fact, that was some soldiers for you, and mercenaries were the worst he found. Himself he hated guns, it was true that he had a couple of fine silencers, but it was knives he prefered, back in the glory days he'd had a sword at his waist, he did miss the comforting feel of a strong blade, and he'd known how to wield a sword, better than a gun in fact, but it was no use if you were shot down before you reached combat, so he'd learnt a myriad of different ways to engage an enemy, and in this circumstance unfortunately his guns were in order...

Spinning on his heel Luthen drew a single long barreled silencer from a holster strapped about his chest, standing now stock still he stared down the barrel, his arm outstretched aimed perfectly for her eyes, once he adjusted for height,
"oh really, what have you got planned for me then?" He demanded eyes glinting even in the dim light. "What's with pointing a rather proficient looking weapon my way? Just to get my attention is it? Or do you know how to use it?" A thin smile passed across his lips, temporarily brightened his rugged features. He spoke calmly, his voice strong and unwavering, eyes fixed upon his chaser, and his possible assailant, she hadn't started shooting yet, but he didn't know how long it would be before she did. His eyes travelled up and down her body appraising his oppenant trying to find her weaknesses, and noticing particularly the strength of her steely gaze; a commanding officer if ever he saw one, she'd seen, and caused death that was for sure. It was whether she cared for the lives of others that mattered to him.

"What do you want of me?" He asked evenly, lowering his gun and expecting her to do the same, he just feared the reply, for if it was what he expected his life was about to change somewhat.

[Akira Nakajima]

Akira never liked killing, the whole point of the Malkavians entering this whole battle was to stop more death from happening yet here she was with a gun pointed at the back of an old man. However over the years she had learnt to lead by example and that the odd death here and there was merely a way of securing a safe future for the next generations of Malkavian.

Eventually the man spun around to face her and he too seemed to be prepared for meting such as this. There eyes met over the barrels of their guns and Akira could not help but feel the tiniest bit of respect for the man, he had seen a lot, his eyes showed it but they also glinted, even in the dim light she could see he was not joking but then neither was she. At his comment about knowing how to use the weapon Akira gave the man a weary smile before raising her free hand pulled back on the slide mechanism racking the gun so that it was loaded. As the click sounded out sewer tunnel the woman raised her eyebrows at the man almost tempting him to challenge her however he seemed more interested in looking her over.

She did not repay the compliment; her purple eyes were fixed upon the end of his gun as her finger hovered over the trigger ready to let off successive rounds into his chest. The man however did not seem to be looking for a fight and as he lowered his gun he asked what she wanted. For a while Akira kept her gun fixed upon him as she wondered if it was a trick but for some reason she could not help but doubt. With a small sigh her arm dropt to her side though the gun was still clasped tightly in it ready to strike if he did try anything.

“First things first sir I would like to know your name and then you can follow that by telling me what on earth you are doing in this god forsaken place.”

[Luthen Crath]

Luthen couldn't help but chuckle as the woman before he showed she meant business, handling her weapon with an ease only borne from excessive use, whether that was practice or the real thing he couldn't tell until she began shooting, and by then it would likely be too late.
"A man can hope can he not?" He answered her exasperated expression drily, "I'd prefer to thing that not every man, woman and even child knew how to use a weapon these days, especially in this pit of despair that some call a city." A slightly haggard expression overcame his features then, a darkness crept into his eyes as he muttered, "it just isn't right." The state of society sickened him to the core, and yet he wasn't moved to do anything about it, for what could one man do against the world, he'd tried that years back and received no fruit for his stubborn efforts.

Glad she lowered her weapon, he inclined his head ever so slightly to thank her, not that it meant much both could bring up their guns and let loose a devastating crescendo of roaring bullets within a heartbeat, whose reactions were quickest was anyone's guess, Luthen wouldn't like to place money upon that bet. He was a fair shot, but you never knew...

"I'll answer your questions if you answer some of mine?" He left the question hanging adding to strengthen his argument, "it's only fair." Shrewd eyes studying her for a moment, they narrowed as if he had decided upon something, for he had.
"My name is Luthen Crath and I'm forced to dwell in such places by people like you, and those worse who would have killed me instantly, clearly you too must have a use for me, or else I'd be dead already, am I right? You're following me for a reason, what is it?" His tone was fair, but a toughness was behind it, he'd have these questions answered or leave now, and he had ways of escaping, it all hung upon how she treated him, respectfully like an equal, or condescending like to a child, he hoped the former for her sake...

[Akira Nakajima]

It was clear that the man, Luthen did not know who she was and maybe that was a good thing. Akira was feed up with people treating her different just because of who she was, they would either try and make some ‘noble’ stand and think about the rewards they would get for bringing down the Malkavian Lord. This normally resulted in Akira letting off a whole magazine of bullets into their chest quickly followed by an extra helping of electric and fire.

As she listened to what he had to say this only confirmed her belief that he was just in the dark about his opposition as she was with him. Although he seemed to have a wise head upon his shoulders and at that Akira could not help but smile.

“Your right Luthen, I do not want to kill you as enough innocent blood has been spilt in this ludicrous war.”

Just to show her true intent to not shoot the man down where he stood Akira put the gun back in its holder before slowly walking towards him. There was no point shouting across the expanse of sewage, he had answered her question so it was her turn to return the favour. Raising her purple eyes so they looked straight into his deep brown eyes and in a slow and clam manor Akira spoke.

“I am Akira Nakajima; I came to this is rat infested place to look for you after one of the younglings sensed your…well your abilities.”

Her eyebrows raised at the mention of his abilities. The youngling might not have been able to tell her much about the man but the information she had shared was the reason Akira took this mission on alone. This man was old and yet he also had powers which could only mean that he…well Akira had always felt she could not be the oldest, folk tales always mentioned people like them with stories witches and sorceress throughout all of history. She needed to make sure.

“Forgive me for seeming rude but how old are you Luthen and do not try lying to me saying you are seventy." A coy smile spread across her features. "So just to make sure you are honest with me I will tell you that I am two hundred and fourteen.”

[Luthen Crath]

There seemed to always be a war going on, true he'd served in many of them, for King or Queen and country, yes he'd survived that long to serve under many Kings and Queens, but unike other soldiers he'd only fought when he'd believed in the cause, it hadn't been a job or career for him, rather a necessity that he had had to do, now even those times were behind him.

"Enough innocent blood has been spilt upon this earth to last all of eternity, war is pointless, cruel and barbaric. Politicians lie when claiming it is the easiest way of resolving an issue, they care not the blood that soaks their hands. I've seen many leaders, some good, some bad, they have to earn their troops respect." It seemed like he was talking near in riddles, but really he'd guessed that only the finest would be sent after him, a probable leader among their kind, it was whether they worked for the slowly corrupted government or not that mattered him.

His dark eyes watched her dubiously, always he was cautious, one could never be too careful, "my abilities eh? What would those be? Playing the violin?" He wasn't going to admit to anything, if necessary he would even try escaping without using his powers, but then something forstalled him; the deep purple of her eyes; that was by no means natural, and a deep flciker of a memory stirred, a memory long suppressed that melted away as soon as he tried to summon it up. His brow creased into a frown then as he looked down upon this Akira, especially with the words that came out of her mouth, and she'd guessed right away what his dry reply would have been, he carefully showed no emotion, except for a slight pursing of his lips when she revealed her age, he had a decision to make then; a vital one, pretend ignorance or reveal the truth?
"You don't look a day over twenty one," he commented drily, knowing that a little flattery couldn't hurt, "but no, I must confess I am still the elder here...for I am in fact twice your age, exactly as it happens." That appeared too much of a coincidence for his liking, he believed in fate, and this was a sure sign; they were meant to find each other.

"You must be part of some sort of organisation," he stated speaking aloud what he had deduced, "you spoke of a war, and probably know of my...background in that area, so you hope to enlist me?" Shaking his head he added, "well I'm afraid you've come a long way for nothing. For I am no mercenary to be bought, none shall exploit my abilty...of fine violin playing." He could have turned and walked away then, but he was giving her a chance, a slight chance to change his mind, though he was a little set in his ways a worthy cause would be enough to bring a brightness back into his eyes, and a spring into his step; perhaps this was precisely what he needed?

[Akira Nakajima]

He was four hundred and twenty eight, that was a long time to live and for Akira the mere prospect of living that long made the woman slightly disheartened. The mere prospect of living another lifetime without Chihiro would be too much for her to bare the guilt and regret for. That night in the forest Demetrius has been right, this war gave her purpose and when the time came Akira knew that to achieve the peace she sort for it would claim her life.

That however would be a hurdle she faced later on in life, it could be years even century’s till that day arrived but when it did she would be ready. For now though Akira knew she needed to get Luthen on her side, he was the oldest of the Malkavians (that they knew of) and to have him on their side would do great for moral, but also Akira could not help but see a possible colleague in Luthen, if only she knew his abilities.

“I know nothing of your background, other then what you have told me about being a master violin player.” Akira chuckled softly, she liked this man. He seemed to have a sense of humour that still prevailed in dark times such as this, that was a good quality in her books. “But I am not here to recruit you, whether you choose to fight it your choice, I am simply here to offer you shelter and provide protection from those who may want to have you killed.”

At this last statement all jovialness left Akira’s voice as this truly was no laughing matter, if the vampires of Lycans got hold of this man then it could not be good, his experience in war could be invaluable to the Malkavians. The leader was about to back her point up by mentioning the facilities that the Malkavian HQ could provide when she left a vibration in her pocket and it was soon followed by a dull monophonic version of Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony. With an apologetic glance Akira dug her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out the small phone.

“You best have a dam good re…What! Where?” There was a silence as Akira listened intently to what was being said to her down the phone. “Send in Brenton and Feldman. I am close by so I shall met them there soon.” Akira was about to snap the phone shut when she hesitate and spoke once more. “Tell them to be careful and to do nothing until I am there, it all sounds very dubious to me.”

The click and the dull tone meant that her colleague had hung up on the other end and slowly Akira ran the fact through her head, pocketing the phone and for the briefest of moments had quiet forgotten why she was standing in the sewers of the city.

[Luthen Crath]

"With 428 years upon this miserable planet it's safe to say I've managed to acquire a fair few talents," and he'd seen things he couldn't even begin to repeat; unspeakable horrors, a mansion ablaze, that cohort of troops mercilessly cut to ribbons, no he wouldn't dwell upon them, he wouldn't live in the past; for now he'd been found once more, it was time to give up the hermit's mantle again and take up his sword, now where exactly did he lose it last time?

"You already know something about me; that I'm unlikely to accept such charity when it isn't needed, not unless I can help you in return. That's only fair is it not?" He laughed drily, adding, "people have been trying to kill me all my life, I've never stopped glancing over my shoulder, so what makes you think I'll have got sloppy now and will get my throat slit in the night? Or are the Vampires and Lycans still at it? Yes I do know them, I wasn't born yesterday, as you well know." His manner was quite rough and ready, he didn't just accept her words but rather challenged and defied them, he'd never cowered in front of anyone, and only showed respect to those who truly deserved, a title meant nothing to him, he decided himself upon the person, with no previous prejudices, and he was satisfied thus far with Akira, there was a sound head on those shoulders, and she knew what she was doing, this was qualified on the response to her phonecall, thinly disguising his expression of interest the words, "what's the situation?" Had slipped naturally out and he shook his head on hearing them. He was getting too involved already, he should try quitting while he was ahead, running while he still could, but something that he could only describe as fate, coupled with his natural curiousity stopped him.

"You won't say no to my offer of assistance? I'd like to see how things work before I take you up on that fairly reasonable offer." He was back in the field, and as ready as ever.

[Akira Nakajima]

Akira’s purple eyes had glazed over for the moment as she tried to analyse the information she had just been given. The Malkavian scanners had picked up movement at the far end of the city and the seers had considered that they were indeed a group of young Lycan. ‘Moving before sunset, if they survived Demetrius would not be happy.’ A small smile appeared as she thought about this small fact, the look on the leader of the Lycans face even more so when he heard they had been cornered by Akira, this chance was too good to miss.

It was only when the sound of Luthen’s rough voice echoes around the sewer tunnel did Akira zone back in to the task at hand. The good thing was that the man seemed interested and was even enquiring about what was happening, however it was in situations such as this when Akira’s mind she always remind silent. She was one to think before she opened her mouth and with so many thoughts crammed into such a small space there was no time for idle words.

Wadding threw the sewage that surrounded her Akira wondered over towards one of the shafts of light that provided some amounts of natural light to the dank place. It was one of the drains that connected the city streets to the sewage system, had it been raining then torrents of water would be falling down however today she only needed to worry about the smokers trying to get rid of the phlegm in their throats. Luckily today that was not a problem and the Malkavian was able to pear up through the hole and the outside world and the occasional stream of cars that would pass, with a glance down at her watch she waited for the low rumble of the city busses.

Her patients paid off as less then a minute and a half had passed when the red and white 192 bus came hurtling past, they were by Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. With a satisfied nod Akira pulled out her GPS system once again and quickly her fingers dances over the small buttons, the LCD screen was flashing rapidly as it searched for their location and with a small beep a map appeared with three flashing dots. Moving over towards Luthen Akira presented him with the small bit of technology and carefully started to tell him the plan that she had been formulating.

“We are here just under Mosley Street.” She pointed to the flashing blue dot, “According to the guys back at HQ the Lycans are located around Ducie Street.” Her fingerer moved to the flashing red dot, “But the car and equipment are down the side of Sickle Street.” Her fingerer finally moved to the flashing green dot. “So we need to go back there first, if you are going to help you are going to need a bigger gun and I want my Phoenix not this bloody Glock.”

Her gaze flickered to the gun sitting in its holster at her hip; she hated using the Glock when fighting Lycans. It was heavy, slow and although it was powerful she did not have the strength to be able to stand firm and rattle off successive shots. The only reason she had it with her today was it looked much more threatening then her streamlined, blue polished Phoenix. With a small sigh Akira looked Luthen in the eyes and gave him a small smile.

“If you are up for the chase then you’re more then welcome to come along. I came in the Subaru anyway today so there is plenty of room for you and a few corpses.”

[Luthen Crath]

Luthen remained silent, idly watching Akira as she received a phone call, he knew when to keep quiet so stayed mute as she confirmed their position and decided upon a plan of action. She seemed to know what she was doing, at least one of them did, as his heart called out for action and adventure, to cease being idle, but his mind was countering with a persuasive argument; that he’d best steer well clear if he wanted to actually live, if he got embroiled in such dangerous action again he’d likely not survive. Luthen felt quite sure that he’d used up all his luck surviving this long, getting stuck in again just wasn’t a good idea. But what the hell was he doing right now? Nothing, his life was still fraught with danger yet he had nobody to back him up, no companionship and those who’d watch his back like the old days, what was the point in living if he didn’t live his life to the full?

So with his mind made up he smirked at Akira, “you know, I think I will tag along, see how you work things, though you know I won’t be able to resist inferring, I mean helping.”

Realising Akira would know the routes better he gestured for her to take the lead, “be my guest.” Returning to the offer of better guns as he began to follow Akira out of the sewers he offered up a countering argument, “I know how to use my guns, and besides I use something else to deal with Lycans,” gesturing back over his shoulder he moved aside his cloak and placed his weathered palm upon the hilt of his small sword, gripping the simple hilt tightly he withdrew the blade slightly, “it’s got the blood of a fair few enemies on it, got me out of many a tight spot.” He spoke with a gruff fondness as he slipped the dull blade back into its simple sheath. It would soon be time to use it once again, but first they had to find the buggers.