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Brit the Photographer

Stepping out into the lobby of the airport the young echidna would stretch himself out, puffing up his chest as he took a deep breath in. Uncaring of what others thought he would let out an exaggerated groan as he felt the muscles in his whole body stretching and tensing up, the male lifting himself onto his toes and reaching out with his arms before finally slumping back down onto his feet with a loud sigh and hands by his sides. The flight had been a long one and even being sat in first class the whole way from his home in Australia to Los Angeles did not make him feel any less cramped and cooped up on the plane. He had tried to sleep for most of it in an attempt to make the time pass a little quicker, but despite how much sleep he had he still felt rather groggy and tired.

Standing by a set of conveyors that were filled with the luggage from the flight he would watch as crowds of people around him walked forth and picked out their bags as the cycled by while keeping an eye out for his own luggage. Eventually he would spot a familiar sight, a fairly large and expensive looking crate with an excessive amount of 'fragile' and 'handle with care' stickers taped all over it. As he watched it move closer and closer to him on the conveyor he would idly fiddle with the bracelet adorning his left wrist, an ivory bracelet made of interlocking scallop shells, shifting it to be more comfortable before stepping forward casually and reaching out to grasp the bag he identified as his own.

With a low grunt muttered under his breath the echidna would lift the crate and the bag next to it off of the conveyor onto the floor, making sure to set it down delicately. Once placed on the floor he would grasp the tags on them and ensure they were definitely his own and as he had guessed both bags were tagged with the name "Brit" and the details of his flight. Satisfied that he had all his luggage Brit would lift up the large rucksack he had and and strap it to his back before lifting the crate by the handle and walking back out into the less crowded areas of the airport lobby.

Brit had not walked far before he set his luggage down on a spare empty bench he had found. Rather recklessly he would drop the backpack on the bench, knowing it was only full of clothing and the other bare essentials he required and would sit himself down next to it. With his focus on the labelled crate he would set it down in front of him and work on opening it, his hands working over the black crate to open it up. Even the container itself looked like it was expensive, made of high quality steel and similar metal work to ensure its contents safety. The interior of it would be full of foam and as he opened it up Brit was greeted with the familiar scent of stale fabric glue that held the foam sheets together. With a deep breath the echidna smiled to himself, it was perhaps silly to enjoy such a mundane and odd smell so much, but to him it reeked of nostalgia and memories of adventures long past, while at the same time smelling of promise, luring him to a world of images still to be captured and immortalised.

Meticulously and carefully the male would pick out each separate component for his camera to ensure that it was all as it should be. He would set one of the foam trays down on the bench besides him, using it as a safe surface to place the checked components on. Picking out a large bulky camera he would point the lens around the lobby of the airport, focusing on nothing specific as he clicked away, the sound of the shutter flickering another comforting sound to him. Without any memory storage currently in the camera itself he would waste no valuable data space as he checked each of his lenses, carefully twisting off ones he had checked and replacing them with others, peering through the camera to make sure that it was focusing correctly and the shutters worked. Gradually he would work through testing all the lenses, having started with the smaller ones and finishing by testing some arguably over sized lenses that perhaps cost far more than he would care to admit to most people. Not that he cared, he just did not like to brag about his personal fortune.

The camera equipment had all been bought many years ago and carried a large sentimental value to the echidna as well as a substantial price tag. He had purchased it with the money his family had inherited and used it to kick-start his own career in wildlife photography. From there he had earned quite a name for himself and quite a salary too. Enthusiasts of a number of wildlife documentaries and magazines would know his work well and his apparent natural talent for picture taking had landed him several potential contracts and deals with a number of large companies. How ever he preferred to remain freelance, eager to travel the world of his own accord, recording his travels as he goes and selling his images to the highest bidders who would have them along the way.

His travels had eventually brought him here to California, mainly under the pretence of meeting a couple of friends he knew online. He had met them online through various chat sites, forums and other locations and they had often half joked that he should go to visit and hang out. Being a creature of impulse and whim it did not take much convincing for Brit to hop on the next available flight out with camera packed. Admittedly he did want to see his friends, he had grown quite fond of them over the months, playing games and chatting when he had the time but more than that it was an excuse for a new scene and setting. California was a place he had never been, to him an undiscovered land just aching to be captured in the immortality of a photo and added to his ever growing portfolio of travels.

So fixated on attending to his camera, ensuring that it was put back into the container exactly as it was, the echidna did not even notice a rather buff looking wolf approaching. The male was tall and wearing a very formal attire all black, leather shoes, pressed trousers, button shirt and leather jacket over the top with a white tie around his neck to contrast it all, blending well with his smoke grey fur and deep set eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. If he did not know better Brit would assume he was part of some sort of private security, perhaps even Mafia. Though he shrugged that off as perhaps too imaginative.

"That's some pretty nice equipment you got there boyo!" The wolf would bark out with a deep gruff voice. "You a professional?" he would snap with an aura of dominance, clearly after something and quick to get to the point.

"I guess you could say that mate, this stuff does not just pay for it's self" Brit would jest in return, his Australian accent rather heavy as a cheeky grin spread across his face. Slowly he finished closing up his box of camera parts and lent back on his chair, looking up at the wolf who had a stern look fixed upon him.

A low snarl would pass the canines lips as he stepped a little closer"Don't kid around with me, got any examples of your work? Pictures to show?" he asked while tapping his foot anxiously. Briefly the wolf's focus would shift away from Brit as he looked around before fixing his gaze back on the echidna. "Well!? I don't have all day!" the wolf would snap again, his lack of patience clear from his tone of voice, but he was clearly trying to keep that tone civil at the same time, with limited success.

Brit was taken back by the males attitude, but his curiosity allowed the canines impatience go unopposed as he reached into a side compartment of his camera case and pulled out a small folder containing a selection of his best works and handed it to him. Practically snatching it the wolf would flick through the folder, focused on the images before him, humming to himself in contemplation. Leaning forward Brit would just watch with silent interest, resting his elbows on his slender legs, bracing his arms there as he clasped his hands together to form a resting place for his chin. So close to the muscled and broadly shouldered canine he could not help but feel a little bit intimidated. His own thinner body and lean frame made him seem much smaller, though he was not skinny by any means. Brit sported a more athletic style build his body nicely toned with a thin waist and shoulders.

"You take pictures of more than just animals and pretty landscapes?" Grunted the wolf, flicking through the images still, his hostility somewhat dulled by what Brit assumed was a growing interest in his work.

"Oh yea, photographed a few parties and private barbecues! Even did all the photography for me sisters weddin." He stated with a very clear sense of pride. "Though most of the work I get paid for ends up in them wildlife magazines, its what I prefer to do. Gives me an excuse to see the world." Brit finished off, seeing the look on the canines face brighten up a little as he it clearly seemed to be just what the guy was looking for.

Closing up the portfolio the canine would hand it back to Brit, with much more delicacy and care than he had demonstrated before "Well..." the male started, giving a brief look around, seemingly to check no one was paying too much attention to them. "I have some potential work for you. You seem like the kind of guy who would be open minded to such things, expand your horizons and such?" The wolf asked with a small grin spreading across his muzzle, tail swaying behind him as he asked the rhetorical question. "You see, I'm here to pick up two photographers for a private venue for a very important client of mine and it appears that one of them has not shown, missed his flight or something." he continued as he stepped forwards. Taking a seat next to Brit the wolf would look at him, that smirk still plastered across his face though it seemed more out of relief that Brit could save him with this apparent problem of his. "I guarantee you it will pay well, but at the same time it is a very private venue" the male stated, putting a worryingly large amount of emphasis on the word 'private'.

Watching the canine intently the whole time, Brit would finally draw his gaze away from him and just stare at the camera case set before him in contemplation. He could feel the wolf's stare boring into him as he thought over this unusual proposition, wanting to ask for more details about this apparent venue but had a strong suspicion that he would not get any more information out of the male unless he agreed. Eventually that sly smirk would return to Brit's lips as he chuckled to himself, his whole life had been focused on exploration, taking the chances and opportunities life threw at him, why should this be any different. Money was not of any interest to him right now, but the allure of being invited to some apparently super private party for some wealthy, nameless client was definitely appealing to him.

Taking a deep breath in Brit would sit up and turn to face the male, who's name he still did not even know "Heh sure, why the hell not!" he exclaimed, reaching out with his right hand stretched across his chest in offer of a handshake to seal the deal. "I'll come take your pictures, just need to let my friends know that I missed my flight and that ill be on the next one over" he would state with a soft chuckle at the poor excuse he was already planning to use to explain his absence to his friends.

Gripping the echidna's hand tightly the wolf would shaft his hand with a firm tight grasp. Brit could feel the strength behind that paw holding his, knowing full well that this was one person not to mess with. "Glad to hear it! I'm Scott by the way, Scott Yarndale, yourself?" the canine would boast out, his voice distinctly less drab and weary now, his spirits clearly lifted by this apparent turn of events.

With a warm smile Brit would lift himself to his feet, breaking the firm hand shake to lift his rucksack up onto his shoulder. "Nice to meet ya Scott! I'm Brit" he would respond in a similarly friendly manner, watching as Scott similarly brought himself up onto his feet with a soft grunt.

"Excellent, My car is just out the front. We need to head off now otherwise we risk being late and trust me, my client will not like that" Scott stated, his stern and serious tone of voice returning almost as quick as it had left.

Turning around the canine began to walk off towards the exit, only briefly looking behind him to watch Brit fumble about with his luggage and step in line behind him. Confident the echidna was following the wolf walked at a brisk pace towards the exit. Scott seemed to pay little heed to Brits struggle to keep up the pace while carrying a rather hefty amount of luggage.

Panting and heaving just a little Brit had to jog lightly just to keep up, he considered calling for the wolf to slow down, but he saw Scott looking over his shoulder every few seconds to keep an eye on him. It was clear he knew that Brit was having troubles with the fast walking pace, but the canines impatience was once again made apparent.

Eventually they would step outside the airport, where Brit was greeted by a gust of fresh Californian air which he happily breathed in deeply. In his brief moment of distraction the echidna almost lost sight of the canine, but quickly spotted him walking towards a black Mercedes parked up near by with its boot open wide. It was then he spotted a similarly dressed black raven stood nonchalantly by the car, leant up against it smoking a cigarette with his jacked slung over one shoulder, his tie loosened up a little. The two exchanged a few words that Brit could not hear and watched as the avian casually discarded his cigarette and stomped it out on the ground, calmly exhaling a puff of smoke as he placed his jacket in the boot of the car and made his way towards Brit. As he slowly approached the echidna was becoming increasingly aware that he was staring at the raven, having not seen one before he was rather fixated and resisting the urge to fish out his camera to get evidence that such avian folk existed..

As the raven stepped closer it was obvious he stood about a half foot shorter than the echidna. "Your bags please" He would state in a calm and controlled fashion, a heavy accent was present but Brit had a hard time guessing where from.

Without questioning Brit would place the camera box down in front of him and allowed the bird to take it. He was oddly fixated with the avian, the males feathers oddly sleek and shiny, giving the impression that the bird had a bigger presence than his height and size suggested a normal person would. The echidna was struggling not to think about the male as a potential wildlife subject, his feathers were groomed to a pristine perfection that suggested that the male took pride in his appearance and visual representation. Though the ever present stink of tobacco and other rancid cigarette chemicals emitting from the smoker was a strong reminder of the avians civilized nature.

A man of few words the avian would take the box and carry it towards the car where the wolf was sat in the drivers seat, door wide open with his feet out on the pavement. In one paw he held a phone up to his ear, his other paw blocking his unused ear as he focused on the conversation at hand. The sight reminded Brit of his own call he needed to make and would fish out his phone from his pocket and begin thumbing across the touch screen of the smart phone to call the desired number.

After a few rings the call was answered by a familiar voice and Brit quickly got to explaining his 'unfortunate' situation, using the excuse that he had missed his flight and would have to get the next one instead. Due to time differences he had not let them know he was already on a plane over so they would not question that fact. It was perhaps an unnecessary lie, but it was quicker and easier than explaining his random impulses and decisions to wander off to random job offers on a whim.

While on the phone he dropped off his rucksack in the back of the car as well, noticing that there was already a set of boxes similar to his own that almost certainly contained photography equipment much like his own. Assuming that they belonged to the avian he gave him a brief smile and watched as the boot was slammed down shut.

The silence between the three males was a little more than awkward for Brit, who was a more used to being around talkative types. They had all climbed into the car with less than a few words uttered between them. Scott sat in the front in the drivers seat while the Avian and Brit took their seats in the back on either side of the car.

Closing the car doors and fastening his seatbelt, Brit was taken back at just how new the car felt. From the outside it looked immaculate but he mostly assumed that was down to the owner taking prideful care of the vehicle. The inside was equally attended to and the rich aroma of leather filled the hot air, masking even the smell of cigarettes from the other passenger. Considering the heat of the Californian weather, the interior of the car was also not too unpleasant, though Brit hardly noticed as he was used to being in a hot climate. It was a little stuffy and the air tasted stale, but as the wolf pulled out and they drove on the windows let in a fresh breeze which replaced the stagnation that filled the car before hand.

Brit was unable to last more than a few minutes in the quiet, with only the sound of passing traffic and buildings to occupy him. Sure the sights and sounds of the city scape they passed was enthralling and interesting, and he would gaze out of his window with a dream like stare, eyes darting back and forth over the details of the buildings. How ever the echidna was a creature of stimulation and needed more than just the passing sights to keep him occupied.

"The names Brit by the way! And who might you be?" he would ask in his rather usual loud tone of voice as he dragged his gaze away from the window to face the raven sat across from him, being so bold as to reach out with his hand as an offer of a handshake.

The avian was busy starting out of his window, though clearly not focusing on anything particular, it seemed as though he was simply avoiding conversation. The bird's reluctance for interaction was made much clearer as he turned enough to simply glare at the echidna over a cold shoulder, though would let out a softly breathed sigh.

"My name is Reginald, only my friends may call me by other names" he stated bluntly as he ignored the offer of the handshake, directing his gaze forwards, not paying the echidna much more attention than he needed to give.

Despite the obvious rejection and mild hostility from who he assumed was a fellow photographer, Brits spirits remained high, the excitement of the whole ordeal too much to let the ravens melancholy attitude bring him down. Sitting back in his seat Brit would lean his head back and rest his arms behind his head.

"So... can you tell me more about this VIP party thing ill be photographing?" he asked as he took a deep breath in, tilting his head down just enough to flick his eyes between the wolf and raven, seeing if either would react to his question. The other two remained silent for a while but Scott seemed to reach out to something in the foot well of the passenger seat.

Sitting up slowly Brit would watch curiously as a small folder was handed to the raven. "My client hosts some of the biggest and expensive parties for a large number of his business associates..." Scott began to explain as Reginald began to open the folder and pulled out what looked like a set of forms. "...the sort of parties where business secrets are discussed and traded." he continued "and after all is said and done these associates have a chance to relax and have fun in ways that they would rather keep private." the wolf explained as he was handed a set of papers and a pen.

"These forms basically state that you agree to not speak of anything you see or hear during the event to anyone." The raven would snap with a cold, blunt tone of voice, coming across rather threateningly, though the hostilities still seemed to have no effect on the echidna who still had a cheery smirk plastered on his face. "You sign them and we can talk more, or we pull over and you get out now. If you sign and you break the agreement, it will land you in a world of trouble that you really want to avoid."

Once again the car fell silent, and Brit could feel the tension rising in the air. Briefly he would browse over the document, having seen many similar ones before. It seemed like a pretty standard non disclosure agreement that was common among big businesses and knew that a lot of the threatening legal jargon embedded throughout it was mostly to over emphasise its importance. Having absolutely no plans to back out now, the echidna would sign with little hesitance and hand it back.

"Pretty much imagine what you would think would happen in a party full of rich wealthy business men and throw in a heavy mix of alcohol, drugs and sex" Scott continue, watching them briefly in the rear view mirror, though still remaining focused on his task of driving. "I need you two because many of these associates like to have plenty of photographic evidence of their escapades to keep in their private collection, someone to record the more lively and entertaining parts of the event to help advertise future ones" the wolf continued to elaborate and Brit could see in the mirror that the canine had a growing toothy smirk on his face. "In particular many of the attendees love seeing the pictures of the sluts they get to fuck..." he finished, emphasising that last word as his gaze met the echidnas in the mirror, clearly wanting to see his reaction.

Taken back by the comment just a little it took a while for it to sink in that he was just told that he would be photographing porn. His eyes were widened with surprise and a mix of shock and excitement. "Wow, sounds awesome!" he exclaimed with a heavy chuckle.

The canine seemed to join in with the soft laughter, but it sounded like he was laughing at some other joke that no one had told. "Don't get too excited. You would be surprised just how depraved and filthy some of these guys get. Chances are you will be seeing a lot more dick than you're going to see tits. So if that is something you will be uncomfortable with, this is your last chance to back out now."

Silence once again fell in the car, the raven once again expressing his dis-interest for the new comer while the wolf patiently awaited an answer. Brit simply contemplated his position for a while, his mind racing over all the possible depraved things he might see. Thankfully his sexuality was as open as his lifestyle, so he had no problems what so ever with who he might end up taking pictures of. This unknown fear just added to the excitement and it sounded more and more like a perfect adventure to him. It was an excuse to explore aspects of his life he had not yet considered, perhaps take his career in a new direction and at the very least something unusual and interesting to keep him occupied. "So... how long until we get there?" he would ask, returning his gaze to the outside as he watched the buildings pass by.

The journey took a few hours, in which Brit managed to wrestle a conversation or two out of the raven sat next to him, though Scott was definitely more talkative and it was not long before the two of them were laughing and joking like long lost friends finally reunited. As they laughed, joked and got to know each other Brit kept an eye on the surrounding buildings that passed by, mostly the lack of them. Gradually they left the dense urban jungle that was the city and entered into a sparse, industrial style area. Finally they reached what looked to be some form of security checkpoint into a closed off industrial estate and Brit went quiet while Scott spoke to the guards.

Hardly able to hear what was being said the echidna focused his attentions on spotting where this apparent party was and was becoming increasingly uneasy. Admittedly the male had no idea what to expect, but from all the talk of 'esteemed clients' along with expensive cars and suits he was hoping for more than the run down warehouses they were now driving towards.

"I thought you said this was a party for wealthy business associates... I dunno what you yanks consider 'wealthy' but I've seen dingo's livin in fancier places than this!" Brit spoke out as the car descended down a ramp into a car park that was concealed under the warehouse.

"Don't you listen boy?" Scott would ask with a hearty chuckle "They also want to keep these sort of events quiet, with the paparazzi sniffing about around all the big clubs, hotels, and even estates, its near impossible to keep anything hidden from them. Who would suspect such a run down place like this to be hosting some of the best, drug filled and over sexed private parties in the country?" He would ask rhetorically as he finally pulled into a parking space and cut the engine, the sudden absence of its rumbling making Brit realise just how loud the car actually was. "Besides, it is much nicer on the inside, come and see" Scott continued with a degree of enthusiasm and excitement as he climbed out the car and helped the two photographers unload their stuff.

Walking through the car park it was filled with even more elaborate cars of different sizes and styles, each though looking as new and pristine as the last. Many were adorned with over the top rims, lights, hood ornaments and anything else that could be used to show off the wealth of the drivers. How ever the car park itself betrayed the affluent feel of the cars, it smelt damp and unkempt, the walls a matt grey of concrete stained with mould and wet patches from leaky piping and other unknown sources. Even the ground was uneven and rough, loose gravel all over the place along side small pot holes.

Eventually they would climb up a large set of stairs and through a pair of large double doors that opened up into a corridor. The loud thumping of music could be heard and it was almost as if that doorway had taken them to somewhere entirely different, the décor of the corridor resembled that of a mansion of some kind, large paintings hung from the walls, mounted in what Brit assumed to be hand crafted, gold painted frames. Though Brit did not have much of an eye for painted art, even he could tell that these images would not have been cheap, even if they were not the originals.

Now with the dank smell of the car park gone the air was filled with a heavy mix of aroma, which only grew stronger and stronger as they drew closer to the source of the music, the bass deep enough to make the floor shake now. They finally come up to a counter where Reggie and Brit were given keys to a pair of rooms and a set of lanyards to indicate their roles as photographers for the evening. It was explained to them that it was there that they would be doing most their work and would have to take any potential clients back there. Scott suggested they go get set up before heading through into the party and left them to get themselves sorted.

Brit would watch as the wolf walked off through the doors next to the counter, the deafening music and flashing lights from within almost overwhelming in the brief moment the door was open, especially when combined with the musty smell of the party wafting through, a thick mix of alcohol, tobacco, sweat and other substances he sure were going to get him spaced out just by standing outside. Eager to join in the excitement Brit rushed off to the room to get his equipment set up.

The room it's self was incredibly large and almost immaculate and to Brit it seemed like it was part of some five star hotel. As he entered the room there was a small toilet and shower facility to his left, complete with heated towel rack and cream tiled walls. Even the towels and shower curtains held a level of affluence to them, definitely high quality and gold trimmed. How ever almost everything in the room was dwarfed by the huge bed in the middle, which must have been a queen size, if not bigger. It was draped in red silken, or perhaps even satin sheets with a mountain of pillows piled at the head of the bed. Out of curiosity Brit dived onto the bed to see if it was as comfortable as it looked and was pleasantly surprised when he sunk down into the softness of the mattress.

Sitting up he would quickly begin to unpack his camera bag, still eager to join in on this party, wanting to see what it was like. Assuming the bed was going to be the focus point of his work for the evening he would set up his larger camera and tripod to face it and would then work on setting up some of his own lights and light filters to get the desired effect. Knowing he could not really set it up too well without some subjects to focus on he loosely positioned the equipment and would make his way back down to the party.