The gig wasn't terrible. Kevin had to be honest about that.  The town seemed exactly like all the facts he could dig up on it:  quiet, peaceful, nothing out of place.  Only a few weeks had passed since Kevin had rattled into town in his rusty, white truck that was older than him.  A few beaten boxes held clothes and basic living supplies.  It hadn't been difficult to land the job as a bus boy at the restaurant, what was more invisible than the guy who gathered dishes?  Besides there was the unspoken promise of advancement to waiter, possibly bartender.  Anything else would pay better, it still vexed him his personal funds had been frozen in order he should be nothing out of the ordinary.  He'd literally have to work every hour he could to just keep the decrepit apartment he was renting.

Mexico was harder though.  He had to keep reminding himself of that.  They had been chasing rumors of a chupacabra, a kind of Mexican vampire monster.  The heat had been dreadful and nothing could be done for days due to... disruptions with the local authorities.

Kevin took the wet rag out of his apron and began wiping down the table so more customers could sit and eat.  Always, he kept the door in his peripheral, and knew who was behind his back.  Suspicion shouldn't be cast his way yet, but complacency could kill.  Mexico had taught him that.  This wasn't Mexico, he had to remember.  The weather was marvelous compared to the suffocating heat, and he had a bed, even a lumpy one was better than nothing.

Finishing with the table, Kevin took his tub of dishes into the kitchen, where another busboy was stuck on cleaning duty, he nodded to the teenager, "Hey, I'm going on break, I'll be back in a few."  He couldn't remember the kid's name, but he did know the kid had tried to bum some cigarettes from him.  Quiet town like this?  They would have flayed him alive.

Menthol cigarette pursed between his lips he lit it with a zippo, eyes darting around the alley, calculating, seeking.  He'd picked up smoking to have a reason to check the alleys near his new work establishment.  That and it was guaranteed break time.  The manager that hired him had the subtle yellowed-nails of an avid smoker, and he figured it'd be good to get in with the boss.

The only sound in the alley was the flicking of his zippo as he closed it and put it in his back pocket.  One foot on the cement wall behind him, he let his weight lean into the building, preferring something solid on his back and he thought about his situation.

Bri was glad to have work. He liked that he was cook for this place, but he had recently had a few days off. The laid back wolf could only handle his brother for so long during the summer, so him humming to himself proved he was happier than usual to be at work. He finished a few orders, the day slow for now. Bri managed to get everything sorted out for now in his kitchen, even with the one other guy in the area helping him yelling at him. The wolf just laughed at how he thought he couldn't hear with his headphones, but it was either that or suffer headaches from everything being so loud to his overly sensitive hearing.

"Go check and see what we need restocked, I'm headed for my break."
Bro then proceeded to the back door to the ally. He still had his headphones on, his mellow self humming to the low music he had playing now. As he pulled his box of cigarettes out along with his lighter, he noticed the new busser. He gave an easy going smile and a bit of of wave before lighting his cigarette. He leaned against the wall, taking a drag. He couldn't help to sigh as he stared up more towards the sky, seeming rather spacy. He was tapping his foot slightly to the ground, just seeming to calm and relax before going back in to deal with the other new guy. He did speak up though, still just staring up at what he could see of the sky.
"What brings you to a sleepy place like this?"

As the cook stepped out to join him in his break, Kevin gave the nod that is required of all smokers as another approaches.  It notes the unspoken acceptance that what they did was against society's norm, but they lived in a country where it didn't matter.  It was the one reason Kevin considered picking it up for real, the silent camaraderie that was one of the easiest ways to get to know another person.

Kevin noticed the headphones, the thin black cord that led to some pocket where a player or phone was hidden.  He hadn't planned on a conversation, but did not reject the invitation either.  A breath of smoky air escaped him, his eyes following the cook's skyward.  "Ever been to Denver?  It's no New York but the pace is similar.  Everyone has a place to be and wants to get there now.  Couldn't take it anymore; I wanted a change of scenery, so why not hop half a country away?" 

It was his story, full of half truths.  The best lies are never covers, never the stories that create fake facts and figures.  Kevin knew that all anyone is, is a pretty lie.  Which tales do you tell, which do you spin to work out better in your favor?  Fish never are as big as we remember.  His fellow hunters would make elaborate stories when they were sent ahead, full of big reasons why they were sent to the exact location, a sick aunt, an uncle left a house, but none of them could keep up with the tales they spun.  Kevin learned from their failures and decided as close to truth as possible was the best route to take, omitting the glaringly obvious that he planned on getting people killed.

"You from here?"  Kevin let his ashes fall to the ground as he flicked the cigarette before taking another drag.

Bri was still staring at the sky, eyes space as normal. He was listening to what the new guy was saying, hearing every word clearly as if he didn't have headphones and soft music playing. He took another drag from his cigarette, tapping some ashes off the end and to the ground afterwards. He didn't seem to pay much attention to the other, not until he was asked a question. He looked over, eyes looking rather mellow along with his expression.
"Nah. Grew up in Missouri and ran off here when I was...17-18? Dad was a dick so I got me and my brother out of there. Like this place though, its all quiet."
He really did like this town, it was as sleepy as he was at times. Well when he didn't work in having to handle this brother's short fuse and some of his packmates. Within this town though his packmates at least respected him and he wasn't forced to be the punching bag. He took another drag of smoke in, blowing the smoke out and watching it swirl some in the air.

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly, "At least you got out.  And you didn't leave your brother, good on you.  I've heard of people who leave their situations, and leave behind siblings."  He had no blood relatives that he could speak of, but you don't leave a brother at arms in a bad place.  It went against his nature to even consider leaving a person behind.  For Kevin, family wasn't only about blood, it was about who was there for you when you were down, who picked you up after you fell; a thing not all 'families' did for each other.

"Quiet this place may be, but what do you do for fun around here?  I haven't had much free time, but I'm looking to make a little noise in this place."  He wanted an insider's perspective on where the best haunts were, maybe there'd be the one bar people just don't go unless they wanted to become a corpse-sicle.  If only Kevin could be so lucky as to quickly find a supernatural.  He'd had no luck so far, and his failure ate away at him.  Though the Professor had reassured him it would take some time, Kevin was arrogant enough to feel the sting to his pride he wasn't doing better.  

Bri's eyes were drifting towards the wall, his brain making little patterns in the cracked brick as if it wasn't the strangest thing. His head was starting to tilt slightly, following these patterns. He didn't seem to be paying attention to much, not until he was asked a question again. He gave a chuckle, eyes closing for a moment as he took a drag from his dwindling cigarette.
"You talking to the wrong person. I like it quiet and calmly things like clubs and shit aren't my deal. My fun is normally had with lazy. Days in the park or local woods. Got a nice little lake for swimming there."
He knew better than to being up anything about the pack or his smoking of pot on occasion to keep his mellow mindset. He let the smoke leave his lips, the gray puff of sorts swirling and shifting through the air away from him. He looked over at the guy then, unable to help with bringing up one place.
"Could always go to the cemetery though. People like to throw parties there sometimes. Well at least try to."
Bri knew it was Casey that put the parties to an end and scared people off, but this guy was a stranger and didn't need to know such details. He started to fiddle with the cable he had connecting his headphones to his cell. He didn't mind tugging on it some, realizing then that he hadnt actually introduced himself.
" oh, I'm Bri by the way. People call me BB though."

One eyebrow raised suspiciously at the mention of cemeteries.  Only vikings and vampires had parties in cemeteries, and he had seen few Nordic remnants lying about the town.  Sure teenagers hung out for the 'cool' factor, an idea Kevin never really understood.  With a guy as mellow as Bri, pot didn't have to be mentioned, it was assumed.

Kevin held out his hand in greeting as he introduced himself, "Kevin, nice to meet you Bebe."  The name reminded him of an expensive store on of his ex's had worked at, he hadn't minded at all.  She typically wore the clothes of the store which involved a lot of spandex and short skirts.  "Interesting nickname, where's it come from?  Initials?"

Bri was focused enough to watch the man he now knew as Kevin offer out his hand in introduction. He shook the other's hand, his lazy smile on his face before laughing at the question asked of him. He was nearly done with his cigarette at this point, unable to help with staring at the wall again as he talked.
"Well when you have a name like Bri Belenus Conall, someone is bound to make up a name. My brother gave it to me since dad always called me by my first and middle name. Kinda just stuck."
He honestly liked the nickname. He had grown fond of it over the last few years. He could still smile a bit more in memory at Benji age four giving him the nickname. Even then he was just so odd, but he loved so no one's opinions mattered.

Kevin shook BB's hand in a firm grip without it being crushing, "I meant no offense by it.  The name is a bit of a mouthful."  The cigarette Kevin had been trying to nurse into lasting longer was at it's last drag, so unless he wanted to smoke filter it was time to head back into work.  He took the time to flick the cigarette hard enough the cherry fell off and he field stripped the cigarette rolling the previously burning end of it until the last bits of tobacco fell out.  Ever mindful of the environment, Kevin threw the butt of the cigarette into the dumpster rather than litter it on the ground.

"Well, nice meeting you BB, I'm sure I'll see you again after the dinner rush."  He flashed a pleasant smile before going back into the building.  Upon returning, Kevin took a detour to the restroom to scrub his hands, trying to get rid of the smell of the cigarette.  Meticulously, he cleaned around the nail beds, paranoid that his fingers were going to stain yellow because of his new found hobby.

Bri just smiled, knowing there was no malice coming from the guy. He always found his name to be rather long and strange, but part of him could guess he was suited for the strange name. He was an odd ball after all. He nodded at what Kevin said, staying settled against the wall for w moment longer after the guy left. Bri found Kevin to be nice enough, but the man reeked of being nothing but human. He knew humans stayed around here, there was enough of them, but this one seemed a bit quiet for town. He shrugged it off though as he finished his cigarette off. He saw the town as a place of santuary for everyone, not just wolves like him. He walked to the bathroom, cleaning his hands up before walking back to the kitchen with a hum. Back to dealing with the new guy still attempting to scream at him every two minutes.

Time flew by, Kevin's evening filled with plates and scraps, spilled drinks and upset customers.  He could feel the cranky ones staring at him as he cleaned the tables, their expressions showing their impatience.  Where others would be intimidated, scared to be fired as the customers scowled, Kevin didn't care.  He was told his job was to clean the tables, not do a poor job just because someone didn't like munching on peanuts at the bar.  Anytime he felt the angry eyes of a customer wishing he'd hurry up, he'd clean just a little bit slower, make certain every nook and cranny was clean.  What were they going to do?  Tell the shift manager that he did overly well at his job?

By the time Kevin got another smoke break his lower back felt stiff and he wished he'd brought along better shoes than an old beat up pair of sneakers.  He promised himself that the next paycheck would be getting a pair of comfy shoes so he could keep up with being on his feet all day.  Sure he could trek around the woods with a backpack of gear and his weapon ready, but it just took a different toll on his body to be leaning over tables, carrying the heavy tub of soapy water and dishes in front of him.  He'd rather have sixty pounds on his back than twenty-five in his arms.

Just as he had before, Kevin left through the kitchen glancing to see if BB was available, if he was there'd be the casual nod, no need for words or confirmation, if he wasn't he'd have a pleasant smoke break as he repeated phrases he caught from the patrons.  He didn't have a super-powered memory, but with training he was taught to remember phrases in a conversation, long after it had ended.  There'd been surprise quizzes with it often enough most of the students had at least a simple grasp of it.  Kevin was incredibly gifted with it, be he remembered people talking about their days, the idle chatter of tired, hungry people.  Someday soon he'd catch something worthwhile, when everyone else grew complacent, he would strike.

Outside the sun had already set and Kevin kept a better watch on the shadows than he had before.  Cigarette dangling from his lips he flicked his zippo open, lighting it at the same time.  The first inhale relaxed him, the familiarity and nicotine already sinking in.  A coy smile curled his lips as he tried to remember some study that had proven how long it takes to get a bad habit.  Something about seven days, or possibly that was to lose a habit.  Either way, Kevin kept his back to the building and the door to his side as he enjoyed his cancer stick.

Bri was enjoying his shift to the fullest once he was back in the kitchen. A larger crowd was starting to roll in, meaning less yelling of questions and more cooking being done. He could never help to grin or laugh like an idiot when the pickier orders came in. He always loved challenges when it came to food for some reason.

A bit of time passed, the wolf still with headphones in as he worked around the kitchen, a bit of pep still in his step somehow. It was times like this he lost track of having breaks or not. Today however, Kevin walking through the kitchen in order to get to the back ally reminded him he could use a smoke again. He gave a nod back, making sure the other cook would have it handled now that food orders were slowing down again.

He followed outside then, pulling his cigarettes and lighter out as he used his back to push the door open. He gave his lazy smile when he saw Kevin, finding a place on the wall once more. Due to it being later in the day he couldn't help to slowly pull his headphones off after lighting his cigarette. Bri always found the night to be quieter and much more manageable than the day. He'd need to put them back on though once he went back inside.

At first, Kevin said nothing to BB, the night was calming and he had nothing important to say.  When the headphones came out, Kevin couldn't help but have a sarcastic remark, "And he deigns us with his full attention.  Crazy shift?"  He'd never worked at a restaurant before, so he thought tonight, while mild to most seasoned professionals, was hectic and supremely busy.

The languid nature and lazy smiles BB made had Kevin wondering just what kind of drugs the guy was on.  In Kevin's fast paced world he couldn't comprehend a person that truly just enjoyed a slow and easy pace.  Surely, everyone had their need of a moment's rest, but it did not mean every moment loped along as if it had no where to go.  His only conclusion was drugs.  Lots of drugs.  Due to a lack of knowledge of them he could only assume it was a five-pointed leafy green variety associated with munchies and Jamaica.

Bri couldn't help to jump some when Kevin talked, thankful not to have dropped his cigarette. He looked over at him owl-like before relaxing again. He gave his smile again, chuckling at the comment once his brain really processed it.
"Nah, that was a pretty easy shift order number wise. Did have some picky vegetarians though, that made me happy."
He loved cooking the food he actually ate. He could handle cooking meat and all, but he had a strong love for his veggies. He couldn't help to chuckle at himself as he exhaled smoke. Some wolf he was.

Kevin raised one incredulous eyebrow, "You enjoy pleasing vegetarians?  I've never understood that concept.  Our bodies are built to devour anything, the prominent species.  Besides a good steak is the best thing in all the world."  While Kevin knew there were things that went bump in the night and feasted on people, he held true to the idea that humans were the dominant species.  Why else would the supernaturals choose to hide?  Just like a lion could best a man and kill him, so could a werewolf or vampire.  All supernaturals were just rabid animals.

He needed more information on the town, he needed solid evidence that something wasn't quite 'right'. Inhaling deeply, Kevin blew out some simple smoke rings, and tried to appear as harmless and goofy as possible.  "So, BB, is this town really as quiet as it seems?  I mean surely some things happen that wake people up.."  He was looking for a murder, a mystery, anything that could lead him to clues.  All he needed was one drop of blood or patch of fur and he could start his investigation in full glory.