Daniel Broken Hammer

[Fabienne Bartelle] *The Brotherhood of Thieves. A rather interesting idea, but one Fabienne didn't find herself entirely in agreement with. Too many kin unattended, mingling with Garou as though they were common room mates. There were issues of wardership and possession for good reasons, not simply tradition refusing to "modernize" with the times. Wolves, were by nature territorial creatures. "Neutral" territory was a rather foreign concept. Humans as well, were territorial. Fabienne's society ladies would look rather askance at a thuggish gangbanger sitting at their table and eating shrimp scampi with them uninvited, just as a East Harlem Kripp would have nothing but ill intention for the Manhattan socialite wandering in his neighborhood. In a nation divided by tribe, history, and ideology, it seemed to Fabienne that putting together various wolves and their cherished kinfolk all under one wolf - with a mundane mortal establishment below no less - was folly in the highest degree. As such, the silverfang kinfolk is ill at ease. Eager to be out of the common room and in the hallway, knuckles rapping quietly on the door said to belong to Broken Hammer. She glances over her shoulder as though expecting an altercation at any moment. Canvas bag swung nervously in her hand.*

[Fabienne Bartelle] ]]all under one ROOF! ahem.[[

[Broken Hammer] No one answers the door. After a time, however, Fabienne detects a presence behind her. Turn, and there he is, lean and dour as ever, staring directly at her with the sort of unflinching, unwavering regard of a wolf discovering a stranger in his territory.

Which is, in fact, exactly what he is.

After a moment, though, Broken Hammer steps forward. His footfalls are soft, nearly silent. He has a bag in his hand, laundry perhaps, which he lowers to the floor at his door. Without speaking he unlocks the door and opens it, stepping aside to allow the Fang kin entrance to the room he shares with two packmates. As one might expect, it's crowded and messy. There are closets, dressers, three desks and three beds: two normal twinsized beds and the third a bunk that looks sturdily custom-lofted.

Of three desks and beds, one is exceedingly messy, one is unmade but at least not piled with clothes, and the last, the bunk, is rigidly neat, the blankets folded at the head of the bed and the pillow stacked atop, the sheets beneath without a wrinkle. Guess while one is Daniel's.

"Welcome to my den, kinswoman," he says, quiet and rather formal. "I have reported the incident the other day to your elder. She was pleased with your behavior."

[Fabienne Bartelle] *A few minutes of waiting was enough to cause the kin to grow warm. Over-warm. Finally uncomfortable enough in the staleness of the empty hallway, surrounded by the warbled din of friday night activity to remove her coat and seriously consider leaving the Fenrir's crude bludgeoning instrument with the proprietors of this establishment. She stands restless in a light blue silk blouse and a pair of expertly tailored khaki dress slacks. Diamond pendant at her throat fingered idly. That hand going flat, suddenly tense as Broken Hammer's gaze finally begins to burn into her back. She snaps her head to him, perhaps expecting to see some half nude denzien of the flophouse gawking. A quirk of lips, Fang kin saying little as she moves into the room at his behest. Its only once he has spoken that Fabienne does so as well. Crisp and polite.*

Thank you, Broken Hammer rhya. That my elder was pleased in turn pleases me.

*Humor? Hard to tell, gaze passing over the room in all its shoddy entirity. She ducks her head and takes a seat in a chair at the desk nearest the bed she assumes - from its rigid tidiness and lack of creative flair - to be Daniel's. Hand fold in her lap as she continues, looking to the werewolf proper, every inch a royal or diplomat.*

I have brought you a gift of sorts.

[Broken Hammer] The Forseti's eyes skate quickly over the kinswoman as a gift is mentioned, just as quickly thereafter returning to her face. "That is not necessary," he says, an assumption immediately reached. "You could hardly help being where you were that day, and it is the duty of a Garou to protect the kin of his people if he can. Besides, you were no trouble."

[Fabienne Bartelle] Mm.

*A quiet noise of amusement. Lips purse together to prevent a smile, her eyebrows raising as she listens to Broken Hammer's assumptions without correcting him. It was quiet impolite to smirk, and when she feels she might do so, she instead brings a hand to her mouth and clears her throat. A wrinkle smoothed from the coat now draped across her lap. A strange air of formality and presentation in the stuffy little dorm room, as the statuesque blonde pulls a crowbar from the designer bag and offers it with a muted smile.*

Of course. However it is not much of a gift, as it is in fact yours, I believe.

[Broken Hammer] Something rare, then: a flash of chagrined humor before Broken Hammer reaches out his lean hand and takes the crowbar.

Which promptly loses all definition, running up his arm like a wisp of smoke to lodge firmly under the skin of his bicep, nothing more than a black mark now like a tattoo. "Thank you, kinswoman," he says. "This held a piece of my spirit in it. It is good to be whole again."

A pause; then quite without warning: "What does the diamond at your throat signify?"

[Fabienne Bartelle] *The question is considered as the slender silverfang kin allows herself to rest more comfortably in the sturdy little chair provided. Fingers seek the pendant of their own accord, rubbing rounded edges between slender fingers as she weighs subterfuge with simplicity. As it usually does, simplicity wins the day.*

A tradition of fine craftsmanship, excellence, and outstanding skill by the gemsmiths at Cartier in New York. Several thousand dollars, and a former Fiance with poor attendance but exquisite taste.

*She looks to Broken Hammer for his reaction, dove grey eyes careful not to hold his overlong. Instead tight skin and tensing facial muscles are taken in mildly, gaze skating over the slope of a long nose, the upturn or down curl of lips, her own eyebrow rising in question.*

[Broken Hammer] Fabienne knows etiquette and the strictures of polite behavior perfectly; it's actual charisma she lacks. Daniel, unfortunately, has neither. "A former not-mate, presumably fled into ignominy. And yet you still wear it. Why?"

[Fabienne Bartelle] In truth, I don't rightly know. Its a fine piece of jewelry, and while the Gentleman who gave it to me was something of a cad, it doesn't make sense to let sentimentality ruin a perfectly lovely pendant.

*While the Forseti's line of questioning catches her rather off guard, she answers as concisely as she can. Drawing the trinket away from her throat to survey it in the light.*

[Broken Hammer] "Hm." It's a sort of noncommittal sound. Broken Hammer looks about, and then he sits on the edge of his bed. With the bunk over his head, he's cast into shadow when he leans back, his black eyes glimmering from the dimness. His shoulders press to the wall. His body is slung easy and graceful, stretched crosswise on the mattress.

"Another question? How did you lose your hearing?" It seems like an interrogation. Likely it's his idea of conversation. Curiosity, at least.

[Fabienne Bartelle] *Eerie. A wolf peering at her from the shadows of his den. The fine line of her jaw tenses, whether at his question or his posture - difficult to tell. Her hearing. Fabienne crosses her legs and phrases her answer very carefully.*

I suffered a head injury whilst in Vienna. My left eardrum was severely perforated.

[Broken Hammer] Hard to tell -- might be a frown on his face in response. "But a kin so purebred as yourself, and no one to heal you?" A pause; he puzzles over this for a moment. "A Garou struck you, is this so? A Garou with a claim to you."

[Fabienne Bartelle] As I respect your right to inquire of me what you would like, I bid you extend me the right to privacy on this particular matter, as elaboration would cause no small embarrassment to someone I hold dear. Please rest assured in knowing that it was not without reason that I suffered, nor provoked injury.

*Formal, her posture shifting to something more upright, a hand slipping through blonde curls as she purses her lips and speaks a crisp request. Not charming, but well spoken. Not coy, but unwilling to give up her secrets so readily, Fabienne chooses not to disrespect the halfmoon with a lie, when a polite refusal might serve as well.*

[Izzy Montoya] Friday. Or whatever it was that Daniel called it, berating her for not knowing another language, or her history, or.. whatever. She's become accustomed to it, truth be told. Either way - it's Friday and she arrives at the brotherhood, sometime after dinner, sometime after her shift, sometime... after.

But well before midnight. Rebellious, yes. Stupid, no.

When she doesn't see him in the restaurant proper, she takes a breath and makes her way to the kitchen, and the stairs beyond. She waits to ensure no one will join her in the stairwell, and takes them to at a time until she appears in the commons, finding it empty as well. Voices, however. There are voices down the hallway from the direction of cellblock room 8. She grits her teeth, briefly, and then makes her way down the hallway.

There's a light knock on the door frame, as she looks into the room. "Daniel, I don't want to interrupt, just to let you know I'm here. I'll wait downstairs, if that's alright."

[Broken Hammer] This brings the Forseti sitting up, a slow smooth controlled rise, all his strength within his body. His face comes into the light; his hands wrap around some unseen support slat on the underside of the top bunk. He studies the Fang kin for a moment, then nods: a small inclination of his chin.

"Very well. Even if it were unjust," he adds, "that is the business of your Tribe."

The door to the room is ajar. Izzy appears, and instantly the Forseti's eyes cast her way, alert and sharp. He listens; then, when she turns to go, he interrupts: "Stay. Come in. Have you met Fabienne of the Silver Fangs? Fabienne, this is my kinswoman, given into my care by the Jarl."

[Fabienne Bartelle] A pleasure to meet you again Ms. - Montoya was it?

*Fabienne rises, glad for the distraction and change of topic. A slender hand extended once more to Izzy, and once taken or refused, she settles gracefully back into her seat. Eyes skating to Broken Hammer.*

Your kin and myself have met previously, we both attended a kinfolk coalition meeting a few short weeks ago.

[Izzy Montoya] Shit.

The tension slings through her, instantly. Even while forced, she rarely entered the room - having to take time to prepare and steady herself. And then he compounds it with his choice of words, and her jaw tenses, her eyes closing briefly as she slides her hands into her pockets, hiding them away to clench at will.

But she steps into the room, standing so that the door remains open as she forces herself to breath deeply. Easy, Izzy. Breathe.

"Evening, Ms. Bartelle." To the Fang. She takes her hand briefly, and then returns her own to her pocket afterward.

[Broken Hammer] "Kinfolk coalition?" is all Daniel says, blank.

[Fabienne Bartelle] *Katherine Bellamonte's newest kin blinks. Grey eyes slowly sliiiide to Izzy. Were it not that Fabienne herself had been the one to ask where warders and garou involvement factored into their foolish little coalition, she'd perhaps have forgotten the stipulations for being involved in it. That the wolves. Must. Know. This was awkward. Its with graceful efficiency of motion that the blonde raises to her feet and folds her coat over her arm.*

Mm. I should perhaps leave you to discuss such matters.

[Izzy Montoya] She meets Fabienne's gaze without flinching, arching a brow slightly at the way she chooses to address it, making it awkward. But her explanation is for Daniel.

"Wyrmbreaker's mate has begun setting up an system for kinfolk to support one another, offering support, training and information subsections, in hopes of streamlining a coalition that will be of aid, through sharing our strengths. I've attended the meetings, but have yet to decide the extent of my involvement."

[Broken Hammer] Broken Hammer's attention is rather fixed on Izzy now. "How long have you been attending these meetings?"

[Izzy Montoya] "There have only been two."

[Fabienne Bartelle] *Fabienne is stuck in a rather uncomfortable position. While she bears the Detective no ill will for secrets kept - however inappropriate- she still doesn't want to be caught in the middle of such an..unpleasant situation. Yet, she hasn't been dismissed, and to simply blurt out uncomfortable truths and leave without being told to seemed very uncouth. Stuck in limbo, she simply folds her hands, ducks her head, and waits quietly.*

[Broken Hammer] "That was not what I asked. I asked how long. There was a pact between us, kinswoman."

[Broken Hammer] [sorry so slow! had to type lots for other scene]

[Izzy Montoya] "The first was before this." A gesture between them.

"The second... a couple weeks ago, I think. Like I said, I hadn't decided on my actual involvement. Had I decided to become fully immersed in it, I would have brought it to you - I didn't think it would break the pact between us to wait to make my decision first."

[Fabienne Bartelle] *Fabienne has her head turned, just slightly, so as to hear Broken Hammer more clearly. Silent as she raises a hand to press against a diamond pendant. Eyes drifting from Izzy to the Garou in the room. Her voice lifts more audibly.*

Broken hammer - ryha. This visit has been most pleasant, save for recent developments, if you would prefer , I will leave you to conduct Fenrir matters in privacy.

*Subtle, but a request and a reminder all in one breath.*

[Broken Hammer] Daniel's eyes are dark, black with anger, and they snap instantly to Fabienne as she interrupts. For an instant he doesn't seem to understand her words, or even that they are words. He doesn't seem to recognize her at all.

Then he lifts his chin a faint degree, standing.

"Goodnight, kinswoman." His tone is flat with control, with deliberate courtesy. "Thank you for returning my belongings."

When Fabienne has departed, Broken Hammer presses again: "Before or after you were given leave to attend functions outside of work, kinswoman?"

[Fabienne Bartelle] *Something unpleasant clenches in her stomach. Fought back against and quelled as Broken Hammer's eyes rivet on her with all the gleaming focus of an animal. A shiver has her rolling her shoulders and making for the door. Tense, polite smile vaguely apologetic as she passes Izzy, and slips out with coat in hand, canvas bag forgotten.*

[Izzy Montoya] "After." She's certain of that much. Rebellious and angry, but most certainly not stupid. She puses back her hair, damp from her earlier walk with the Jarl in the snow, and then digs in her pocket for her phone, flipping through to her calendar until she finds the date of the meeting - proof.

"The Meeting was on the12th. You released my days to me on the 5th." She turns the phone around to show him the two dates, marked, as well as her release to her home as of las Friday, the 19th. "I did not break our agreement, Daniel. You would have caught any lie during our nightly int...meetings at that time."

And she completely ignores Fabienne as she moves past her.

[Broken Hammer] Daniel draws a long breath, releases it slowly. Pushes anger back, back.

"Fine," he utters at last, low. "Still, this sounds important. Fenris knows with the atittudes of kin in this city, it sounds like something that could quickly get out of hand. That you chose not to tell me until you were exposed does not give me any more faith in your proceedings.

"Why did you not tell me?"

[Fabienne Bartelle] *She's in the hallway when she realizes she's without one of her items. Tenseness rolling off her frame, she squares her shoulders and looks back at the closed door of room 8. No. She had returned the Fenrir's property. He could surely do the same for her. What if he finds the house? He would surely go through Katherine. What if he doesn't? Regardless, there are many locks on the door, and one couldn't keep the penthouse a secret forever. Only as long as possible. Its with a sharp frown at herself that she takes a deep breath, and proceeds through the hall to the exit. Sans bag.*

[Izzy Montoya] She remains in the open doorway, the hallway at her back, some measure of comfort that open space is a few feet away, though the tension still weaves about her, tight, tight along her spine, as she shoves the phone back into her pocket.

"Because the last time I told you anything willingly, you told me I was wrong and stupid, and that my ideals couldn't possibly have any merit. When I tried to explain something to you just last week, you accused me of thinking that would lead me to the wyrm. Until I was certain that I wished to be involved in this kin thing, I did not want to be berated for even giving it thought. I didn't break our agreement, and I would have told you once I had been certain of my decision, once I knew more of what they intend to do. Right now? They don't even know for certain what they want to achieve."

A beat, and softly. "You do not make it easy to talk to you, Daniel."

[Broken Hammer] "Excuses!" he shouts, the crack of his voice sudden, splitting the air. "Tell me now. Tell me about this kin coalition. What are its goals? What is its aim? Who is a member? Is that ridiculous kinswoman Leyna a part of it?"

[Izzy Montoya] She flinches and takes a step back. She expects him to hit her. She expects him to do worse. It's clear in her face. It's clear in the way she trembles - as once again he proves exactly what she just said. She grinds her teeth, her jaw tenses. She is in the open doorway now, though it makes no difference. Her eyes close briefly, and she forces herself to breathe.

Just breathe.
[inhale,exhale]

"The first meeting held some 20-25 people. Leyna was at that one. She did not attend the second one - only about eight of us did. It is currently lead by Danicka, until a leader is elected. Moira heads the support, along with Gina. Ethan Yates heads the training section. Danicka the information. The stated purpose is" and here it's clear this is a direct quote. "to increase a sense of community among us, but to make sure that necessary information about threats and opportunities is disseminated clearly and quickly to everyone, potentially saving lives. To be prepared to aid and serve ourselves beyond mating, parenting, and cleanup."

Breathe. Just breathe. "Currently, it is a fragmented idea at best."

[Broken Hammer] Daniel listens, glowering, and when Izzy is finished his jaw works once -- clench and release.

"That sounds like a reasonable goal," he acknowledges at last, low, "and perhaps something that has been missing amongst the kinfolk of this city. But Thornton? Is he a part of this organization?"

[Izzy Montoya] She doesn't step closer. She doesn't move. She waits for the other shoe to drop. THIS is why she told Kemp she did not want to share anything with Daniel - and knowing that meeting is coming is not setting well with her at all. Her hands are clenched tightly in the pockets of her coat, nails digging into her palms, seconds from drawing blood.

"He attended the first meeting. He did not attend the second."

[Broken Hammer] Broken Hammer utters an exclamation; something like a curse.

"Bring this news to the Jarl. Inform him of what this organization is, and that both kin have shown interest. Tell him it's my opinion that neither of them can be trusted in such an organization; the potential for them leading all other kin down some wrongheaded path is too great.

"Regardless of what Truth in Frenzy-rhya thinks of Thornton and Stidolph's involvement, you are to ensure that they do not lead their fellow kin astray. Thornton, despite his monumental error, may yet have some worth. Stidolph -- if she is a part of that organization, you are not to be. It is one or the other. If she reappears and you cannot convince her to leave in peace, you will do so yourself."

[Izzy Montoya] "John has plenty of worth!" It's out before she can stop it, and she actively flinches back the second her mouth snaps shut again. He knows how she feels about him - has seen it himself. He can't be surprised at the outburst.

Then, just a nod.

[breathe, Izzy. breathe.]

Then "I saw the Jarl today. And a couple days ago. He" she doesn't want this, doesntwantthisnonononono "wants to arrange a meeting between us."

[Broken Hammer] "Who. You and I and he?"

[Izzy Montoya] "Yes."

[Broken Hammer] "Very well. I will tell him myself, then." He draws a breath; then, without warning: "Kinswoman, have you obeyed all orders I have given you in your life and actions this past week?"

[Izzy Montoya] He doesn't ask why - part of her hoped he would. Maybe they could discuss it privately, not with... but no. He doesn't care to know anything of her - of why. He has proved, again, tonight, everything she has said is true. There's that flicker of hurt in her eyes again, briefly sliding across her face, though she isn't looking directly at him.

Quietly, almost inaudible. "Yes."

[Broken Hammer] "Good."

Broken Hammer sits again on the edge of his bunk, exhaling slowly, bringing his hands up to scrub at his face for a moment. Then he lowers them.

"Another month, kinswoman, and we'll be done with these tedious sessions. And I dearly hope we will both be able to return to some level of normality in our lives without danger of relapse."

[Izzy Montoya] She's still trembling, though she tries to hold it back. This room, the rage, the constant. refusal of seeing her, stripping more from her every single time...

He finds it tedious. She finds it unbearable. Nails break skin in her palm, unnoticed but for the wetness against her fingers when she forces them to relax, the joints aching as she does so, even as she keeps them in her pocket.

"I've chosen John." Without preamble. Then. "May I go."

[Broken Hammer] Broken Hammer nods. "We will have to defend that to the Jarl. But you're dismissed, kinswoman. Goodnight."

[Izzy Montoya] "I already told him."

She doesn't say goodnight, she just turns to go.

[Broken Hammer] [thanks for the RP! apologies for sleep dep and slowness!]