outfit
~*~

Emily had a perfectly normal today. She'd been called for a consult on a case she was thinking about picking up and had gone to a cafe downtown to get coffee with her potential client. It was perfectly normal for her to meet her clients in such a public place as she didn't want them to be uncomfortable and she felt safer around more people. If they'd just met in her office, she might have worried a whole lot more about her dad finding her when she was out in the open.

Ever since moving in with Oliver, Emily had started to worry less about her dad finding her as time passed. Eventually she barely thought about it at all when she was at home, but whenever she left, she worried. Which was why she barely left home unless she really had to or if she was going to be with friends like Gale as she knew the vampire would be able to help her get out of a tricky situation. If nothing else, the pink haired vampire would be able to get her out of such a situation by simply carrying her and running away.

Once her meeting was done with, Emily felt calmer again. She forgot all about her worries for a moment until she stepped outside the cafe and right into her dad's arms as he grabbed her from behind. When she kicked and tried to get away, he was quick to put handcuffs on her, pulling out his damned marshal badge when someone tried to help her, making them back right off. She was fighting though, trying to get out of his hold, even if he'd made it harder by tying up her hands behind her back.

Against her will, Emily found herself guided to his car. She couldn't really do anything about it though and it wasn't until she was inside the car that she managed to break out of the cuffs with her gift. The car was moving and she used her gift not only to knock her dad out, but to disable the electrical system in the car. Getting out, she didn't even turn to look back as she ran as fast as humanly possible on high heels. She didn't stop running until she was in the woods, and even then she only stopped to remove her shoes. Emily didn't stop until she was out of breath and unable to really move further. Sinking down against a tree, she pulled her gun out of her purse and held it in shaking hands. When she heard something, she looked up and tried to steady her hands. "Don't come any closer," she said unsteadily.

Eric had been running out into the woods. He avoided most creatures like usual, the werewolves usually not liking him too close even after the battle. He couldn't really blame them though, he had been pretty vicious with tearing apart the enemies that day. He shook those thoughts though as he needed to focus while In his chimera form, he didn't need the animals inside taking control and actually hurting someone. The chimera started to track a rabbit, the beasts in him urging to be fed. He had snatched the small rodent up by its throat, the rodent a mere bite for the fact that Eric was the size of a horse. He used one of his paw-like hands to clear some of the blood off of his muzzle when he froze at the sound of a voice. He had been so focused on the hunt he hadn't heard someone running into the woods. He turned to look, pupil less eyes looking through stray strands of his mane. Hs body moved to turn entirely then, sitting down where he was considering a gun was pointed st him. He was scared yes, but something was wrong with this woman. He cleared his throat slightly, though it didn't change the fact that his voice was dual toned and distorted.
"Not here to hurt...you okay?"
Eric could sense that this woman was a superhuman, but it wasn't sure how she'd react to him talking. The animals in him werent happy that they had a gun pointed at them, but Eric was keeping them at bay inside as he wanted to help the woman.

Emily relaxed some when she realized it wasn't her dad that had hunted her down in the woods. She still couldn't lower her gun or keep her hands steady, especially not when she saw the creature she'd heard earlier. It was scary, and unlike anything she'd ever really seen before. How was she supposed to react to that? Werewolves she could handle, vampires too, but things she'd never come across before? That was a whole other story.

Despite the fact that the voice wasn't normal, it was almost a relief to hear some form of intelligent speech out of the creature and she finally lowered her gun, though she didn't let go of it. She was holding on to her weapon so tightly that her fingers were losing sensation, she hadn't even noticed the fact that the cuffs from earlier had only snapped at the chain and she still had the actual cuffs on her wrists. How had this even happened? What had changed to make him finally seek her out after all those months of not seeming to care at all?

"Just... just don't come any closer, I don't want to hurt anyone..." Finally loosening her grip on her gun as she realized this creature wouldn't actually hurt her, she placed it on the forest floor, right next to her while she massaged her fingers to try to get sensation back into her hands. It was clumsy and her panic returned again when she finally noticed she hadn't gotten rid of the cuffs like she'd thought she did. So she started to try to claw at them to get them away, but when it wasn't working, she was mumbling. "Get them off, gotta get them off. Get them off of me. Get them off of me!" Her voice was rising with her panic though and by the end, she was really loud. She didn't think straight, had she been calm, she would have gotten out of the same way she'd broken the chain to begin with.

Eric watched for a moment, his body shaking some as the animals in him were still unsteady. Nothing in him relaxed until she lowered the gun, its tail unable to lift and sway for a moment at the fact she was claiming down. He was aware the bullet would hurt, but he wasn't sure of her aim so he was rather weary. The chimera couldn't help to worry as she started to go back into a panic, eyes focusing on the cuffs that though had a broken chain, were still on her wrists. Slowly her walked over, his head hung low to the ground still as to show he was no threat.
"Let... I help you...no hurt."
He was starting to hate that he couldn't articulate correctly in his chimera form, his vocal chords just too distorted to make sounds correctly. He offered out one of his hands, the palm large and clearly canine and human mixed, but he was just trying to help.

Emily wasn't sure how smart it was to be raising her voice at a creature that made no sense to her. She couldn't help herself, though she was trying to control herself when he walked closer to help her. She didn't know how he could help, but hopefully he'd be able to get her out of the damned things. It was just another reminder of how close she'd gotten to being dragged back home and brought back into a lifestyle she didn't want. Plus, she still didn't want her dad to die and if he brought her home, he was sure not to survive very long.

Before, her father had been able to keep her away from the world outside because she hadn't known anything else, now she had friends that she was sure would come looking for her if they didn't hear from her. She wouldn't just go with a man who enjoyed hurting her just to make her submit to his will. So no, when the creature carefully offered one of its hands to try to help, she was doubtful for a moment before she reached out her left arm, the one on the gun side to show show she wasn't about to pick it up again as long as he didn't hurt her.

"Please just get them off," she whispered this time, before she bit her to try to keep calm again. She wouldn't be able to take it easier again until she was free of the remnant of her restrains. Maybe then she'd be able to just sit back and breathe. It didn't matter if she was relatively safe so far into the forest, she had to get moving again once her heart rate was back to normal. She had to get home, or someplace to hide. Someplace he wouldn't find her. For now, all she could do was wait for this scary looking, but actually rather kind creature to help her. So she did as she was told so she'd be able to get out of the metal sooner rather than later.

Eric could still pick up on the woman's stressed out panic. He wasn't trying to hurt or scare her, but when others panic he usually panics as well. He watched her offer out her hand, blank eyes looking at the cuff still attached to her wrist. He blinked for a moment before looking at her, the please not really needed. He gave a slow nod before reaching with both hands at the cuff. He managed to hook a few of his claws between the metal and the woman's arm before giving a slight pull. The metal cuff snapped into two pieces, that arm now free of the restraint. The chimera was careful to reach over towards the woman's other wrist, doing the same and snapping the cuff. He took a few steps away then, sitting a small distance so as to not appear hovering.
"No hurt...Me Eric...Me chimera."
He then pointed at his chest, his gestures just as simple as his mangled words.

It was unnerving to have someone she didn't know hook their claws between the metal and her hands and break the cuffs off, but once they were both off, she rubbed her wrists and smiled slightly. She was grateful that she didn't have to feel the metal around her wrists anymore. So it had a name? Chimera? Wasn't that some mythical kind of creature? It still made very little sense to her, but at least she wasn't scared of Eric anymore. He'd helped her, even when she'd been panicking and ready to electrocute him if he made a mistake.

"Emily," she simply offered, still rubbing her wrists. Since she figured she could trust that Eric wouldn't hurt her after helping her like that and having plenty of opportunity, she sighed softly. "I'm just going to put the safety back on and put it away," she said as she picked up her gun, very slowly, and did just that before putting it back in her purse. Now it was safe and he didn't have to worry about it anymore.

Though her fear of being found again wasn't gone, at least her panic was gone for the most part. "I'm not a criminal or anything, I was running from my dad. I can't stay here, he can't find me again..." Putting on her shoes again, Emily silently cursed herself for choosing that day of all days to put on heels. She didn't get up though, instead she stayed where she was, leaning against the tree as she was really too exhausted to move right away. A bright blue spark danced across her arm for a moment and she cringed at the feeling, she'd been doing that a lot lately when she freaked out, quite by accident of course. She didn't particularly enjoy electrocuting herself like that. Since she currently wasn't hunting, she didn't really get a real outlet anymore, which might be why it was happening more frequently than it had before.

Eric looked a little confused at the woman he now knew as Emily seemed unknowing of what he was or even who he was. He couldn't really blame though, he kept quiet about his role in the council more than the other members. He watched carefully, listening to her talk about getting away from her father. He made a sad sound at that, his head lowering further to the ground. He was going to walk up to her, using more dog-like methods of comforting when he watched blue electricity arc off her arm. He yelped and scrambled back on his feet. His body was trembling as he hid behind a tree for a moment, looking over at Emily again while his tail was nearly between his legs.
"Scary...that power? No hurt me..."
He had vague memories of being subjected to shock treatments, mostly wired into a collar so they could force him to speak. He shook those memories away before just staring Emily down in fear.

Emily might live in town, but she knew nothing about the town itself. Only reason they had even settled in in town to begin with was so she'd have some work to keep her busy when she wasn't going on assignments and because it was close enough to her mom and little sister that they could see them whenever. Besides, Noah might not be much of a family man, but he took care of his wife and youngest daughter. He'd gotten to spend more time with them when he had a place of residence so close to them.

She hadn't meant to frighten Eric, especially not after he'd been so kind and helped her earlier. "I'm not going to hurt you, right now it's just hurting me," she said with a sad smile and had to bite her lip as another arc danced across her skin. Deciding to do something about it rather than letting her worked up energy from all that panicking earlier get to her again, she got up and turned her back on Eric for a moment so she wouldn't scare him further. Focusing, she used her gift to create almost like a ball of electricity in her hand before she tossed it on the ground, quickly stomping out the fire it caused. She repeated the process a couple of times until she stopped hurting and turned back to Eric and smiled slightly. "All better, see?"

It seemed she was completely calm again now that she'd gotten that out of her system and she even went to pick up her purse and look for some lip balm and applied it. "You're safe from me, it's my dad I'm worried about. If he found us together, he'd most likely try to hurt you just for helping me. He's a hunter..."

Eric watched with timid eyes, looking ready to just take off for his home. He watched what she was doing, looking a little curious of what she was doing. He took a few steps closer to see exactly what she was going. At the sight of the ball of energy he stumbled back again, watching from behind the tree until Emily stopped. Eric moved around once more, looking a bit scared. The chimera nodded, not sure what to do about things until he heard that her father was a hunter. His blood couldn't help to run cold at the words, knowing what it felt like to run away from something that could be terrible. He lifted his head up some, starting to walk clos.
"Me take you place safe...ride back?"
He was standing a bit taller, though his head remained rather low still. He knew it would be easy for her to ride him like a horse, he just wasn't sure if she would be okay with something like that. His adopted dad of sorts kept a house on the edge of the woods for the two of them due to Eric's transformations. He was thankful for it in this situation if Emily agreed.

It really did feel a lot better to just get control of her powers again. She still couldn't believe she'd actually used them on her dad without getting hurt herself. It was the first time she'd ever laid a hand on the man without bruises to cover up the next day and she was terrified of what he'd do if he found her again, especially after both hurting him and disabling his car at the same time. He was a resourceful man after all, wasn't that why he was in law enforcement to begin with?

Eric's offer surprised her slightly, and she couldn't help but ask what was on her mind: "Are you sure we'll be safe? It won't be an inconvenience for you?" She stepped closer though, slowly as to not scare Eric. She had to pick up her purse though, and glancing around she picked up what was left of the cuffs as well to leave as little trace as possible in case someone was coming so far into the woods just for her. She'd already decided she'd go with Eric as she knew she'd be safer if she wasn't alone, and saner, as long as she didn't put him in danger after he'd been so kind.

"Just, don't go too fast?"

---
You can just say she climbed on or something, I dunno what would be more convenient

Eric noticed how she seemed confused and even a bit stunned. He wasn't sure what to make of it as he watched her pick up her things. He made a motion with his tail that it was alright to climb up on his back. He was more than big enough to carry her, and she didn't seem too heavy. Eric really didn't care though so long as he got Emily to safety.
"No trouble....I help em...Emily."
He felt her climb up, not letting his scars being touched freak him out too much as he started to move. He wasn't going too fast, but he wanted to move quick so as to not be followed. As he saw the house in his sights, he slowed down to walk into the back door. He had let Emily down before opening said door, managing to step in without much struggle. He knew that his adoptive dad was off at work on a project, but for now this was to himself. He looked back at Emily with near nervous eyes.
"I show I can...can be human..."
He then rounded a corner where his room was, quick to change form and dress. He didn't really care that his pant or sweater were a bit baggy. He stepped out looking at her with a timid expression, not sure what to do now.
"Not so scary, r-right? Talk is a b-bit hard in that form..."
He sounded normal now, no distortion or dual voices, but his frame did shake from his pain still.

It was a strange experience to be carried away in such a manner, especially for someone who had never even gone horse riding. The closest she'd ever gotten to a horse was the back of a motorcycle and one time was one time too many on such a vehicle for her. Still, she held on to the best of her ability without panicking again. That said, she was really glad when they reached they destination and she could stand in her own two feet again.

The redhead wasn't sure what to expect when Eric said he could be human too, but she waited while he stepped into another room. She was chewing slightly on her bottom lip by the time the chimera reappeared in his human form. She had to admit, he was actually kinda cute, which made putting on her tough girl act that much harder. Especially considering he'd probably just saved her from herself as we'll as given her someplace to stay for a little while at least.

"Most people would have just left me after I pointed a gun at then, especially if they knew how I used to make a living before coming to town and getting away from my dad, why did you stay?" She couldn't help herself, she was curious. She was also grateful though and she stepped closer to Eric and hugged him slightly before stepping back again. "What I'm trying to say is thank you. Thanks for not running off and for getting those wretched things off..."

Eric gave a bit of an uncomfortable looking smile, expressions a struggle at times after turning back into a human. He listened to her talk, blue-grey eyes blinking in confusion. It went back to his place on council, since being part of it he felt a stronger need to help out others like him and not run away like the coward he usually was. He was about to explain that, but he froze and went wide eyed at the hug, his frame looking to shake a bit more once she let him go. Instinctually he took a step back, but not too far as he explained.
"Sorry, N-not too fond of being t-touched. I'm a m-member of the council in t-t-town. I m-make sure people like y-you and me are heard. I c-c-couldn't leave you if someone Wh-was trying to hurt you."
Eric moved to close some doors, seeming to need to busy himself before moving to sit down on the sofa. He made a bit of a gesture for Emily to join him, not sure what to do about guests in his home. He could handle small animals better than he could people, and he normally ate small animals when he got his hands on them.
"Wh-want to tell me what ha-ha-happened to end up in the forest? B-been told it helps others to t-talk about things..."

Emily was confused now. There was a council for people like them? How come she'd never heard anything about it? "Wait, back up a bit... What council?" It had to be because she was new in town, or because she'd been raised to be a hunter. She hadn't really put down any roots in town yet, so that might be another reason why. Still, it irked her that she had no idea what the council even did or how they existed to begin with.

It was obvious that they were both out of place at the moment, but she still went to sit down at the sofa, a comfortable distance between them. She didn't really want to talk about what had happened, but he did have a point. There was no way she was going to run home and blab to Oliver, he'd probably kill her father for trying to take her away. Maybe the council could help somehow, without hurting him. "I was raised to be a hunter like my dad, but I only did what he wanted of me so I'd stop hurting all the time." It was important that Eric knew the whole story if they could be able to help her without killing her dad. After all, he was a good man, she'd seen how loving he could be with her sister and her mother, she'd hate to be the reason why they lost a man they only knew to be good.

When she continued to talk, Emily didn't look at Eric, she was just holding her purse tightly and looking at her hands. It wasn't easy for her to admit that she was scared of anything. "A few months ago, I met someone who took me in, despite what I was, and I've been safe with him for a long time. Until my dad decided to come looking for me again and tried to take me home. I know what freedom tastes like now, so I used my powers to get out of the car and I knew the only way I could keep being safe was to run as far away as possible. If he finds me now, I'll most likely end up causing a massive blackout of the town by accident." Biting her lip, she glanced up at Eric for a moment before she returned to watch her hands instead. It was easier not to look at him really.