9 Breakfast

"Breakfast is gonna have to wait," Ava replies as she drags him into a side cave where Rodko is surveying a map.

"Rodko, do you mind explaining what's going on?" She asks him, "First I was told Ludmilla was dead, then next morning she shows up with this guy, then I'm told he's just a human but he then starts growing claws not long after I meet him. Now he's telling me he talked to Yfen and has come in contact with the Wyrm,"

"You know just as much as I do, Ava, I plan on talking to Yfen later tonight to get some answers myself," He responds in a calm tone, but his gaze towards John is a hostile one.

"So why are we letting him stay here?"

"Because apparently Yfen gave him his blessing, in a way...Yfen hasn't guarded this caern making poor decision. As much as I disagree, I have to respect his choice of having this man here in our caern,"

"If you two are just gonna keep talking about me like I'm not here, I'm gonna go find something to eat," John comments before he starts walking out. He looks around trying to figure out where he is then heads back to the cave with the computers to see if Ludmilla is still there.

As he's heading there he passes by the barracks and spots Ludmilla sitting in a chair and looking at a photo. Her eyes are filled with worry.

"Hey uh, is now a bad time to ask where I can get something to eat?" John asks as he walks up to her.

"Hm? Oh, uh, I already sent Aedanna to go fetch you some food," She answers in a tired voice, "I gotta say I'm quite surprised that wasn't the first thing you asked getting here," She gives a light chuckle.

"I was a bit preoccupied," He scratches the back of his neck. Just mentioning food has awoken his insatiable hunger, and it's pissed that he ignored it for so long, "Is that a picture of Cahal?" He asks.

"Oh, yeah," She lifts up the photo and turns it so he can see it. It's a picture of her and a bald man with a thick beard. They look very happy together. It looks like the photo was taken in this very room. Seeing his face causes a memory to flash in his mind. It's hazy, but he can make out a figure. They shout something he can't understand before turning into something much larger.

"I still can't believe he just, left…" She turns the photo back to herself, causing the image to disappear from John's mind, "...I'm gonna go get him back," She states before putting the photo down and standing up.

"What?"

Before Ludmilla can respond aedanna comes with a box, it's filled with various foods like berries, jerky, cheese, and crackers.

"Food's here," Aedanna states as she puts the box down. John stares at the box, wanting to just rip it open and dig in, but he resists the urge and just stands there, trying to focus on Ludmilla.

"You're more than welcome to eat John," Ludmilla states as she reaches in and grabs some berries.

"...Thanks," He responds before grabbing some jerky, trying not to just take all of it and just shove it in his mouth.

"I'm gonna go find aunt Ava, she was suppose to help me with learning some more coding today,"

"Alright, have fun sweety," Ludmilla replies as Aedanna heads off, leaving the two of them alone once more. John glances over at Aedanna, making sure she's out of earshot before turning back to Ludmilla.

"You are not going after him," He states before taking a bite of his jerky.

"What?"

"That, Endron company or whatever they're called have giant mechs with saw blades tearing through the forest, and I don't you're a good enough shot to take them out. Not to mention, you have no way of tracking him,"

"I'll have someone join me, they can follow his scent,"

"That's too dangerous. From what I've seen, you're not a fighter, plus I don't how capable these werewolves are at keeping a low profile. Cahal's a werewolf too, right?"

"Yes, he's a garou,"

"Garou, werewolf, same thing," John shrugs, "He'll be able to smell you and anyone else here from a mile away. You guys don't exactly give off the most pleasant odor,"

"What do you mean by that?"

"To be frank, you smell like dog, always have. And now I know why,"

"I don't smell like dog. If I did I'm sure one of my many coworkers back at the oiling station would have told me. They're very strict about things like body odor. I made sure to use fresh clothes and shower before going every time,"

"Maybe you were such a good worker they didn't want to hurt your feelings. If you're really so determined on getting your husband back, I'll just go find him myself,"

"How are you going to find him?"

"Well if he smells anything like you it won't be hard, not to mention he won't know my scent. If he's anything like Rodko and that other, were-, garou, and thinks I might be an Endron employee, he'll come to me,"

"How are you so sure?"

"Well uh, rather than going to the mine, Yfen decided to have a nice chat with me, and I wound up on the frontlines of the little counterattack Rodko and his pals were doing,"

"You did what?!" She stands up.

"Don't worry, I only kill a few dozen Endron soldiers. Nothing I haven't done before,"

"John, what exactly did you before being winding up in that jail cell?"

"Guess you could say I was a bit of a hitman for the military. Look, I'll go find your husband and bring him back by tomorrow morning, alright? Don't uh, be surprised if I carry him back unconscious though," He turns around and starts leaving the cave, but Ludmilla stops him.

"You are not going out there to find him alone," She states.

"I admire your courage, but you better stay out of my way," He says in a much more serious tone, the look in his eyes suddenly shifting from friendly to threatening, "You're staying here with your daughter where it's safe, and I'm going alone because I don't work well with others,"

He walks around her and heads for the cave where Rodko and Ava were, leaving Ludmilla is utter shock as she turns and watches him walk away. This can't be the same John from the cell...What the hell happened when she was knocked out? There's only one way to find out...