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"Built in mics," Roch said, tapping the motorcycle helmet he was wearing. "Yeah, both good and bad, not gonna lie," he said with a laugh. "Either things work out great, or it all falls t'hell in a handbasket." The town loomed in the distance, coming up quickly. "Well, let's just hope this doesn't," he added as they got to the town and he headed for the shadier part of it. That in itself wasn't a surprise, Roch practically LIVED in the shadier part of town--in fact, he probably would live in it once he graduated.

But he turned down a street that he didn't usually bother to go down. "Here's their territory, far as I can tell," he said as he pulled to a stop beneath a street lamp and turned off his bike.

Roch got off--then, shockingly, summoned his guitar. Then he slipped the strap over his shoulders, slinging the guitar over his back, as if it wasn't a weapon. His eyes traced over the shadows, catching one--two--three questionable ones as he headed for the corner.

"What song should we do?" he asked the grue. It seemed to be coming out of left field, this approach, but he would rather they come to them (in this pathetic amount of street light) than he and Nahm going into the dark--although both of them were equipped for that.

This wasn't war. This was negotiations.

"Shoot to Thrill is out, too," Roch drawled. "How about Have a Drink on Me?" he offered, starting the old school guitar riff. It seemed a better choice than "shake a leg" when dealing with werewolves.

The shadows got closer, stepping right to the edge of the light, one large one in particular at the forefront. But at least they weren't being mobbed.

Talon stepped into the light, looking huge and shaggy even though he was in his humanoid form. "So," he said when the song was finished. "Come t'pay back what Fang owes me?"

"Actually," Roch said, letting his guitar dissipate. "We came to find out why he was kicked out of the pack. Somethin' t'keep him from coming after me when he gets out of prison."

Talon hesitated. "So he's finally got caught, huh? I think you two need to come with me," he said, turning and heading into the shadows. The other figures followed, or waited for Roch and Nahm to move forward.

"Welp... looks like we're getting our talk," Roch said as he started forward.

They were led through the alleys to a seedy looking restaurant. Roch kept track of the turns, noting with a bit of surprise that he'd never been in this part of town. There was a sign over the door of the hole in the wall place that said "Lucky's" in faded letters and was falling off of the chains that held it. Talon led the way inside, heading for a table at the back, where a massive man sat eating a gigantic, and very raw, steak.

"Alpha," Talon said, shoving Roch forward. "This is the kid I told you about--the friend of Fang."

Alpha's head shifted to full wolf and the steak disappeared between his jaws before he changed back and let out a sigh. "Fine. Let's hear your story," he said.

"Actually... I wanted to hear yours," Roch said. You could have heard a pin drop.

"I see," the big were said, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. "Fang's a mad dog. He's not a wolf, not anymore. We don't appreciate the ones that go behind our backs, isn't that right, boils?"

There were growls and curses from behind them and Roch once again realized just how deep they were. He... probably shouldn't have brought Nahm, he realized a bit belatedly.

"Yeah," he said. "But is there anything I can use t--t'blackmail him if he gets loose?"

"Why don't you tell me how you got involved with him, then I'll tell you if there's a thing like that," Alpha said.

"Well... I was six," Roch said as two chairs were pulled out from the table. Roch hesitated, glanced at Nahm, and sat down. "And he offered me candy."

"Probably has something to do with his family traits," Alpha said. "I'm not surprised to see a Scythe pup walking straight into my den... but a DeVarr pup... now that's a different topic entirely," he said, his eyes landing on the grue with dangerous curiosity. "Your granddad won't be happy," he added.

"Crap--y'mean your granddad's gonna kill you over this?" Roch asked Nahm. "Man, I'm sorry--seriously sorry--wait, how did you know who we were?"

"You look EXACTLY like your old man did at that age," Alpha told him. "Well, other than the hair and the metal riveting. And grues--well sooner or later you find out they're ALL related in one way or another. And I keep an eye on Amity. But you should have gone to your granddads first--you would have found out that the problem was already taken care of."

"Not really," Alpha said. "But this isn't actually solved by your alphas. Bruno just happens to be my little brother," he said, grinning a toothy grin. "Your Granddad hired him--he pays well, and its good to have an ear in places like that, so to say. As my nephews' pupsitter, though, I'd say I HAVE to give you my backing. As long as you keep up the good work, I'll make sure the word gets out about your problem."

Roch stared at him. "Bruno?"

"Yeah, Bruno. He likes you. I trust his instincts, even if I don't trust yours, considering. I'd like to hope you're past the candy stage."

Roch gave him a sheepish smile. "I was hungry," he said shamelessly. "But thanks. We can go now, right?"

"Sure," Alpha said, waving them off.