[Joss Lehrer] [123 not me! – aka, you start. :) ]
[Leyna Stidolph] (The hate…lol)
[Joss Lehrer] [MUHAHAHAHA]
[Leyna Stidolph] Leyna was hoping to find something cheap… but in this neighborhood she rather cut off her own ear and feed it to the starving children playing with heroine needles in the playgrounds. This place was disgusting and filled with weak willed individuals who have lost their way.
Leyna pitied them. However compared to the rest of those around her, she really looked no better. Though the dirt on her skin was clean, fresh from Gaia’s loving breasts. Not the filth from the city, the stench of the wyrm cleaning to the air. Even though she could not sense it, she knew it had to be there.
The littered and cold streets, Leyna’s hoodie was barely keeping her warm. Even though the several layers of clothing she had on underneath, it would not be enough now the sun was down. She would have to put on warmer gear, once she could find a place safe enough to do so.
[Joss Lehrer] The Green is not the best place in Chicago, which is why the Eagles have held territory here for so long. Not even the Gaians will cross the boundaries without asking first. Though their numbers are fluid, and there is only one original Eagle left here in the ‘Green, their reputation precedes them, and still stands, defended by the current Packmembers.
Even when they’re a little bit… odd.
They don’t come odder than Joss, and many many are of the opinion that she’s more than weird, she’s crazy. The Fenrir, however, would just smirk. She’s Godi, they say. What would you expect? Case in point – she’s not walking down the street with her ice cream in hand – she’s dancing, dreads swaying with her movement under the knit hat. She wears a sweater, warm and dark, and flowing skirts that hit her mid-calf that twirl about her legs as she moves to the beat only she can hear. Said beat comes from the earbud in one ear, the other hanging down around her neck, the ipod tucked into her pocket as she moves down the sidewalk…
And she’s waltzing.
And eating ice cream.
In the snow.
[Leyna Stidolph] Leyna took off her backpack setting on the ground and squatting down to rifle through it so she could get her winter coat on when something caught her attention. Through Leyna’s matted hair she saw this….person? Skipping and waltzing while eating ice…cream? Leyna felt she had just been tossed into the Land of Confusion.
She just stared in awe of this person, and here was Leyna worried she was going to have troubles fitting in in the outside world. Her mouth was agape just in complete disbelief, she knew staring was rude, but she couldn’t help herself.
[Trent] Colds nights and strange streets, or would be. Everything looks the same; the sidewalks are still dirty, the grime bleeds through the snow, and the buildings are packed with low income families that will sooner shank you in the back then lend a helping hand. But Trent still walks down the street, fingerless gloves in pockets, dark jacket bulky and head warmed by the knitted black wool of a store-bought beanie. The tread of his boots are careful across the slippery slopes from road to pavement, leaving the soft crunch of the past behind.
[Joss Lehrer] She hums a little under her breath with whatever is blaring through her ipod at the moment as she digs out another spoonful of chocolate peanutbutter goodness. She’s not completely unaware of her surroundings – it would be stupid to be so. As such, the movement of someone settling down to dig through their bag catches her eye and she glances that way.
And does a double take. Ah, the blood speaks clearly in that one, and she can practically taste the tales of heroes and warriors wafting from under Leyna’s skin into the cold air. She sucks the ice cream between her lips as she meets Leyna’s gaze evenly, a little smile tugging at her lips. She licks her spoon, and then adjusts her dance step to take her in that direction, pausing when she’s close enough to chat, pulling the earbud from her ear and reaching into her pocket to thumb the ipod off.
“Lovely weather we’ve been having, hm?”
When it comes to rage, Joss is no slouch – though there are many who’s inner fire clear the streets before them. Joss’ is a heat that thrums at the base of the skull, that raises the hair along the arms, that seems dangerous and completely at odds with the blue eyes that sparkle with mirth and good humor.
Foodsteps sound nearby, and she turns her head to watch Trent a few moments, before looking back to Leyna again.
[Leyna Stidolph] She stands up at Joss approaches her, pulling out her coat as she does so. She doesn’t seem to answer at first, not since her previous encounter with that Fang and Lord, she has been a bit wary. She slipped her coat on and zipped up her bag. “Yes, it is.” She finally answered as her thick German accent butchered the English language with a chainsaw. She was rough and gritty, even her voice atoned for it.
She looked over at Trent as he came near but eventually her eyes went back to Joss. “Leyna.” She gave an acknowledging nod to Joss.
[Trent] He glances across at the swirl of a skirt before it comes to a stop by the bending figure. Taking in both hairstyles, one just as matted as the other, he adjusts his walk to leave them room for when he passes, even though there’s a small distance to be walked yet. His gruff features, in dire need of a shave, are mostly hidden by the high collar of his jacket and the low pulled beanie he wears, but when he’s close enough or is spared a glance, he greets with a small nod of his head and an ever-so-slight upturn of his mouth. His hands stay firmly in his pockets.
[Joss Lehrer] She grins, and it’s an oddly content and happy smile, that seems to go against her very blood, or what people think she should be. She’s ever the one breaking stereotypes – by simply being batshitcrazy herself.
“I’m Joss. And I’m pretty sure we’re related.” Absolutely positive, of course, in that way that simply means they share a tribe – and she points at Trent with her spoon as she grins over at him. “Him too. But distantly. Right, dude?”
[Leyna Stidolph] She snorts at Joss looking at her with ever suspicious eyes, she looks over at Trent as he passes and then back at Joss, lifting the sleeve of her coat to show a brand in her arm. The mark of Fenris. It was not huge and blatantly out there, but it was obvious the Kin had branded herself.
She left it at that, she had no other reason to say anything. She lowered her sleeve and slung her backpack over her shoulder. She watched Trent… moving slightly so Joss would not be out of her view.
[Trent] Thank the Gods its a spoon. There’s something about Joss that sets his nerves a little more on edge, and when she’s pointing cutlery at her, even though its the blunt kind, he slows his step. Dark brows raise, curious at the tale end of her accusation.
“Could be, ma’am.” It’s best to keep it vague and agree, even if he has no idea what it is he’s agreeing to.
[Joss Lehrer] Leyna snorts, and that makes Joss chuckle, as she digs another spoonful of ice cream out of the container, and then offers said container to Leyna. “Want some?”
Her blue eyes sparkle with mirth as she looks over Trent, and then laughs in delight. “Ma’am? I don’t look THAT old do I?” Truth is, she doesn’t, for all the aging a Garou does far too quickly, she still has the look of a teenage girl, all soft and sweet and innocent, despite the piercings, the tattoo, the scars – most of which are hidden, currently. “Could be, sure – but matter of fact, is.”
She waves him over with her spoon, and points at Leyna, then herself. “That’s Leyna. I’m Joss. And you are…”
[Leyna Stidolph] She shakes her head Joss, “No thank you.” She was in no mood for ice cream, now a good bath, steak and beer… she would be all down for that. If she would just take a crow bar to her wallet and pay for something.
She slid her hands into her pockets, and just stayed silent for the moment. Which was odd for her, but it seemed Joss was one of her own and that made Leyna somewhat at ease.. and Trent.. well maybe he was Fenrir too.. which would make Leyna ecstatic.
[Trent] “Miss?” he tries again, this time with a more encouraging smile and a hint of mirth. It’s still slight, but there, and at her wave over, he does a quick glance down the street before he halts his progress and plants himself a respectful enough distance to show that he’s well versed in social etiquette.
A hand slides out his pocket, black gloved up until the starting knuckle of his fingers. The nails are wide, short trimmed and clean enough. “Trent,” he offers Joss first, Leyna second.
[Joss Lehrer] She shrugs as Leyna turns down her ice cream – some aren’t quite as accustomed to the cold as Joss is. She pops her spoon into her mouth though, as she reaches to take his hand – her own burning with a heat that radiates from her core.
“Just Joss is fine. No reason to be all formal out here, right?” Then she grasps her spoon again and goes about digging for another bite – offering the container to Trent as well.
“Well now that we’re all a little more than strangers – you two new in town? Oh…” She glances at Leyna, tips her head toward Trent and answers her unspoken question. “Fury.”
She glances around, and then spies the edge of a crate sticking from the alleyway, and moves to hop onto it, sitting and dangling her legs, swinging them lightly so that the heals of her flats tap the wood in an uneven beat.
[Leyna Stidolph] She grasps Trent’s hand firmly and shakes his firmly, before letting him go. She looked over to Joss then to Trent, Fury? Neat. She hasn’t met a Fury kin before… She has met plenty of Fury Garou, but not one of their Kin.. it was interesting seeing a male of their tribe.
Though the Fenrir Godi, was starting to make Leyna wonder where she had stepped into. She slipped her hand into her pocket and looked at Joss carefully as the garou swung her legs like a playful child. “I am new yes… Joss-ryha is there somewhere we can talk, so we are not in the open for the Jormangundr’s ears and eyes?”
[Trent] He shakes her hand lightly, but enough to feel the warmth bleed into his fingertips. “Nice to meet you, Joss.” He stood corrected and went with it, politely refusing the ice-cream with a small shake of his head.
Leyna’s hand was shook, without the need to squeeze in return. “Nice to meet you, Leyna.”
When she went on to acknowledge him as Fury to the other woman, his brows raised more then a touch, quick and fleeting, but definitely surprised. The frown he fought to keep from showing, a little unnerved that such knowledge can be plucked out of the very air. He still hadn’t got used to that, but it seemed every one of them had a clue of what he was, though the favor was rarely returned. At least now he had an idea of why Joss made him feel as though he should stand a little more upright.
“An honor, Joss,” adding, to include Leyna, “.. Miss.”
He stowed his hand back into his jean pockets, letting his elbows hang comfortably. Glancing from one to the other, the gray of his eyes were deeply coloured. He doesn’t speak, not until Leyna is finished, “Relatively new, Joss. Just over a week.”
[Joss Lehrer] She arches a brow slightly at the ‘Jormangundr’ – but nods, with a smile. “Of course.” She digs out the last bit of her ice cream, licks the spoon clean as she hopes back down from her crate. The empty carton is tossed into the nearby bin, as she pauses, looking around before she makes a decision.
“This way. Trent, come along – we can get more acquainted and I can give you the formal whositwhasit of my introduction. See the building there with the boarded windows? Safe enough for a quiet conversation. Come along.” And for all her youth and good humor, she clearly expects them to do exactly that.
She won’t take them to the packhouse – that’d just be stupid. At least, not yet. “A week, hm? Found a place to stay alright, then?”
[Leyna Stidolph] Leyna was put off slightly by Joss’ slight reaction to Jormangundr. She should be using the Fiana’s words? Perhaps. It would be easier on everyone else… but god damn. The constant translation was a pain in the ass.
She wasn’t much in the way for conversing at the moment, not until she was able to speak freely. She didn’t really belong in the outside world, but her she was anyways! She followed along, keeping her eyes open for what could come out of the corners and gutters of this place.
[Trent] Come along. He has to smile to himself, even if it’s an inward thing. Teenage girls bossing him around was something he’d never expected, but boy was he taught wrong and very quickly. He viewed everything with new eyes. Especially the fact that this teenager was far from a young girl.
He waits for Leyna to begin moving before following after the two, young women.
[Cassidy Malone] Winter. It was a season of brutal cold and wet, slushy inconvenience. At least, this was how some people chose to see things. Cassidy Malone was not one of those people. If there was magic to be found in something, she draped herself in it like a veil of glittering fairy-dust. Maybe that was why the delicate, elfin girl was currently dancing down the street in Cabrini Green during the middle of the night, as if somehow she simply lived in a world that nobody else could see.
A flurry of snow-particles danced around on the wind and caught up in her loose blond hair, while the tail end of a fluffy, lilac colored scarf swayed and rippled in her wake. This dance was hardly a practiced sort of thing, but there was a whimsical elegance to it nonetheless, like watching a child play when it didn’t think that anyone was around to see them.
As she hopped and spun, the heels of her knee-high boots made gentle clopping sounds on the icy pavement, and the sound of a sweet, humming voice could eventually be detected. As usual, she was dancing to her own tune. Then… she stopped. Quite suddenly, and turned pretty, blinking eyes on the gathered group nearby on the sidewalk.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, rather pleased. “Joss! You must introduce me to your friends!”
[Joss Lehrer] They both fall into step, of sorts, as she takes the lead toward the abandoned building. She still has a bounce to her step as she tucks her hands into the pockets of her skirts, looking for all the world like she might actually skip at any moment. Sometimes it’s hard to think she’s 18. Other times it’s hard to believe she’s only 18.
Then Cassidy calls for her, and her smile brightens as she turns toward her friend -she hasn’t seen her in ages, it seems. “Cassidy! I will! We’re going in there so we can talk privately.” She nods, all knowing, her eyes dancing with mirth like she suddenly holds a secret the kinfolk beside her couldn’t possibly know. She waves Cassidy over and links arms with her friend and leads the threesome become foursome to the abandoned building and inside through the crooked, broken door.
“This will do for now. Cassidy, this is Trent and Leyna.”
And then, since they are now off the street, she chuckles. “And I owe them a full introduction. I’m Joss Lehrer, called Gossamer Wing to the nation, Fostern Fenrir Godi and Theurge Elder of Chicago.” And damned if she doesn’t drop a playful curtsy, too. “At your service.”
[Leyna Stidolph] She raised a brow to Cassidy, these were some flighty Garou. However for now Leyna keeps her opinion to herself. She wasn’t going to spout off her judgmental attitude at the moment, she was new in this city.
Once inside the building, Leyna removed her hood. She was an attractive female herself. Though not like Joss or Cassidy. Her dark brown hair flowed down to her shoulders, unclean from the lack of hygiene, though there was no body odor that came from her…in fact Leyna really had no scent. The smell of the road was the only thing that seemed to cling to her. Her dark brown eyes were as cold as the mountains from where she was born. Her jaw chiseled and firm, such strong features from such an unblessed child of Gaia.
“Leyna Stidolph, Daughter of Modi She Who Beheads the Mountain, Sister of Godi Memoirs of Mortgarten. I hail from the Sept of The Howling Mountain.” She looked around, careful of her surroundings. Leyna felt like the oldest one here, at the age of 20. She more then likely was. While the other two women were playful and childlike.. Leyna was severe and intense. Finding no reason at the moment to drop her guard and be her normal self.
[Trent] More women, young and beautiful.
He finds himself following into the abandoned building, ducking through the door without a need and stepping slightly off to the side. Habit has him staying near the door, perhaps to escape or protect, either would suit him just fine.
Cassidy receives a smile at his introduction and a nod of his head.
The bits and pieces of Joss’s introduction are stored in the back of his mind, and he hopes they stay there for future reference. Screwing up a true-borns name is a good way to end up on the bad side of their claws – not that there’s really a good side to claws.
When it came to his turn, he offered: “Trent Brumby. . kinfolk to the Black Furies. Recently from Seattle.” Though he doesn’t have any particular accent to go by. He’s too much of a drifter.
[Cassidy Malone] And oh, didn’t they make such a perfect pair, these two? The Godi and the… whatever it was that Cassidy was. You’d think that they were sisters or the best of friends, judging by the delighted smiles they greeted each other with, and the easy manner in which the two 18-year-olds hooked arms and walked together. One would not imagine they’d only ever met once before now. (Certainly, one would not imagine that they were supposed to be mortal enemies.)
Joss led the group into an abandoned building, and Cassidy glanced between the two strangers briefly, taking them in with eyes that looked more like they belonged on some kind of faerie-creature than a regular person. At an even five feet, she was the shortest of the group, and probably by a noticeable margin, but for all that she appeared to be extremely fragile, she did not behave as though she believed this herself. She was dressed a little more practically than she had been upon Joss’ last encounter, but then, even a creature of whimsy needed to be a bit practical in the wintertime. Smart black leather boots, form-fitting jeans and a black wool peacoat (along with, of course, that scarf.)
She extracted her arm and leaned back against the wall briefly as introductions were made, and you could practically feel her filing the information away in her head somewhere, in some chaotic warehouse of a memory where old toys went to retire. She bit her lip and shot Joss a look that was all at once devilish and playful, before offering up her own name.
“Cassidy Malone. Recently from Wonderland.”
And that was all that anyone was likely to get out of her. (Unless, of course, they wanted a lie. Which she might be inclined to give.)
[Joss Lehrer] She smiles a Leyna, and nods. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I was born and raised in the Sept of Storm Hammer, myself. I moved here to join the Eagle pack about 9 months ago. I am now their Beta.” She tips her head slightly. “My Alpha, Silence, was Jarl before he left to quest for Athro. The current Jarl recently left to quest as well, so in the interim, you can come to me for anything you might need. ”
“As for you…” and here she turns to Trent with a sad smile. “You tribal elder was recently lost in battle. She was my best friend, and..” she trials off, her smile faltering. She misses Marrick every single day. Garou do not often have friends, and to lose one aches. She clears her throat, and nods. “There is another Fury, Delia. You can find her in a small shop called the Digital Eye on the Mag Mile. Rumor has it there is another pack of Furies around, but I’ve yet to meet them. Until you find your Tribe, you also can call on me for anything you might need.” Marrick would want it that way.
She takes a breath to clear away the sadness, and her smile returns, though it is slower to reach her eyes this time, helped by Cassidy’s playful introduction.
“So, what brings you to Chicago?” This, to Leyna.
[Leyna Stidolph] She gives a nod to Joss, the information was indeed appreciated. She almost let a smile go when Cassidy introduced herself, it wasn’t that hard to tell what tribe she hailed from and yet Leyna did not seem put off or agitated by Cassidy’s presence, but perhaps a bit more at ease which was strangely odd, but Leyna has come to find the Fiana entertaining and their stories were almost as good as the Skald’s from back home.
Her eyes switched from Trent and then to Joss, seeing the pain etching to the surface, this Fenrir has become to close to her frailties, but who was Leyna to judge such things? Sometimes the only way to be stronger is to embrace ones flaws instead of cutting them away.
When the question was asked, Leyna simply shrug her shoulders. “I do not know.” Her voice was like a choir of angels… being slaughtered with a hacksaw. The German accent wasn’t pretty. “Just trying to find a place where I belong.” Which was completely true, Leyna see no point in lying at the moment. “I could use a place to at least eat and clean up, I will pay whatever is needed and then be on my way, I would not want to be a burden.” She was prideful, ever so much.
[Trent] Wonderland. She looked it too.
Any sense of wonder and smile had faded when Joss had mentioned the loss of a Black Fury. It may have been the Tribal Elder, which was a great loss for sure, but the mention that it was a personal friend of the Garou before him had him speak up, though in a quieter and more somber tone; “I’m sorry for your loss, Gossamer Wing.”
Then, “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind,” when it came to calling for aid.
Delia. Digital Eye. Magnificent Mile. He’ll keep those around for easy reference.
[Cassidy Malone] Leyna looked at Cassidy and saw what experience told her to see. It wasn’t a bad guess, either, all things considered. Maybe she was even correct. Maybe not. There was no purity of breeding running through the petite blond’s veins to give hints of bloodline and pedigree, so one had to make assumptions based on other clues.
For the moment, she seemed pleased by the interaction, but that sweet smile fell away from her features when she heard Joss speak of a dead friend, and she tilted her head to one side in a very animalistic expression as she watched the hints of emotion pass across the Godi’s face. Some people believed that a solitary creature such as herself might not be capable of real empathy. They were wrong.
“Joss,” she crooned quietly, and Cassidy reached out to put a hand on the Fenrir’s shoulder. Sympathetic. Comforting. “I’m sorry.”
[Joss Lehrer] Her smile for Trent is warm as she tips her head. “Thank you. I’ll make sure you have my cell number before we part ways this evening – the both of you.”
She lifts a hand to take Cassidy’s briefly, where it lays warm on her shoulder. Joss has lost many friends recently, and it’s taken it’s toll on the jovial Godi. Her eyes register sadness more often, and a pain marked deep within her for each friend who has passed. “We’ve lost many over the recent months…” She sighs, and then squares her shoulders again with a deep breath. Steady as she goes, Godi.
Leyna requests a place to cleanup and sleep, and she nods. “That’s easily enough done. We’ve a place here in town called The Brotherhood – downstairs it’s a restaurant and bar, but the second floor is something of a dorm for kin and Garou who have no where else to stay. It’s run by Fianna, and they don’t like to take money for their lodging, but I usually slip cash under the register when I go for the food – Jenny makes AMAZING Roast Beef sandwiches – but it’s not necessary. That’s why they built it. I’ll show you the way when we’ve finished here.”
And she chuckles, softly. “And I never find Kinfolk to be a burden. Sometimes a pain in the ass – but well, considering who and what I am who can blame them? – but never a burden.”
This Godi was raised well.
[Leyna Stidolph] Leyna would not blatantly give such comfort to a Garou, especially not a Fenrir… if there was a need to give comfort for a grieving heart, Leyna would do it in privacy and with a good stout. Then again, Leyna was exposed to much outside of the Red Talons and Fenrir she grew up around.
She gave a nod to Joss, “I have no problems with the Fianna.” She stated clearly as though it was supposed to mean something, which in truth it did. Most Fenrir hated Fianna and vice versa. The two tribes have been rivals for centuries and yet it seemed like Leyna could care less.
She looks over at Cassidy and then back at Joss, “Is there anything you require from me, Joss-ryha?” She turns her glance back to Cassidy, “You may ask too Cassidy-ryha.. I have blacksmith hands… they require to work.”
[Joss Lehrer] Trent begs their pardon, and Joss steps to the side to pull out her cell phone, which is shockingly pink. and shiny. and exchanges numbers with the Fury kinfolk before letting him go, then she returns to Cassidy and Leyna.
Leyna says she has no problem with the Fianna, and Joss laughs, delighted. “Good, because two of my packmates are Fianna.” and then her eyes light up with delight. “A blacksmith! You HAVE to meet Curata! He’s the newest Eagle, and also a blacksmith. I’m sure if there is work to be had in your trade, he’ll know of it. And please – no need to be formal. Just Joss is fine.”
She pauses, a moment, and then smiles. “You might find a lot of things different here in Chicago, Leyna. We’re a small sept, and many of the tribal differences have to be set aside for the good of our Caern.” A beat, and a chuckle. “Granted, not all are able to do so, but we try.”
[Cassidy Malone] Joss let the matter rest. Now wasn’t the time to grieve. (When was it ever?) But Cassidy continued to watch her with gentle contemplation on her pretty features. Perhaps… another time.
And then Trent was begging his goodbye, and she watched he and Joss exchange numbers. Afterwards, Leyna started speaking again, and when the kinfolk addressed her as rhya, Cassidy practically glowed with delight.
“Oh, I rather like the sound if it, myself. But Cassidy works just as well in my case. I shall… remember that offer.” Likely Joss might shoot her a pointed look, at that point. At least, most Garou in her position would. (Then again, Joss wasn’t most garou.) Cassidy’s gaze shifted back to the Godi, and she raised one eyebrow curiously. “Indeed. And would you say that the sept is so open about all differences?”
[Leyna Stidolph] She nods to Joss, as she has seen from Caleb and Ezra. Caleb the Silverfang in shining armor.. she really wanted to hurl on his clean shoes.. and Ezra, the cowardly bully. One day, that over grown mutt would taste her blade. No one tried to force a Fenrir, he would pay for that, dearly. Just not right now. She had other things to worry about then placing her knife into that bastard’s chest. Like getting food, because well her skin was taunt and pale from starvation. She watched Trent and Joss exchange numbers and be cordial to one another… best to remain silent until their transaction was complete.
“Excuse me… I am just used to customs.” She said to Joss, “I do not mean to offend.” Yet anyways… this whole polite thing was making Leyna uncomfortable, she just wanted to be herself, but being herself seemed to get her in trouble… a lot. “Another blacksmith would be a comforting sight.” She explained. “In time I hope to meet him.”
Leyna was anxious… probably from all the niceties. She went silent as she watched the two Garou speak to each other, like a well behaved Kinfolk.. she stayed silent. Hands in her pocket she carefully watched the two interact…
[Joss Lehrer] She does give Cassidy that pointed look, but her eyes are sparkling with mischief and mirth, as she arches a brow at her friend – and yes, though they met the once, she would consider her friend. Their talk that lasted for hours surely cemented that in the young Fenrir’s heart. All girls need friends – even those that can rip the face off the enemy in the blink of an eye. Maybe especially those.
“Well, I can’t speak for the entirety of the Sept, as you well know – but I know that I judge people on their person and deeds rather then who their parents were. Don’t you think that’s a better way to be?” It’s as if they share a great secret, Cassidy and Joss, and delight in it.
She chuckles at Leyna, and nods. “No offense taken. I’m a fair bit more easy going than most expect of my Tribe. I was.. raise differently than a lot of us are.” Prepared, loved. “I’d much rather someone be themselves around me, then try to impress me with unfailing politeness. There are formal occasions where honorifics are needed, but out here?” she gestures toward the street with a smile. “It’s not necessary – unless I’m aiming to teach someone a lesson. And then there’s a lot less talking, and a lot more growling, of course.” It’ said with a grin, but there’s no doubt that there is Fenrir blood underneath it. Yet, Leyna was anxious, and she still tries to put her at ease.
[Cassidy Malone] For once, Cassidy’s expression was not particularly clear. She listened to Joss respond to her (admittedly difficult) question, and her eyes and face felt a bit… enigmatic. Perhaps guarded. (But we can forgive her this, after all. She had much reason to be.) Still, in the end she smiled, and the expression was as honest as any like her could be capable of. “I think, Gossamer Wing, that if all garou were like you, the world would be a much, much better place.”
And truly, coming from Cassidy… that meant something.
But it also meant she’d probably reached a certain quota for the evening, where admiring statements were concerned, so she turned her focus over to Leyna for a moment. The heels of her boots clicked gently as she paced across the floor, and she reached out to put a hand on the kinfolk’s arm. Whether Leyna in fact allowed the contact, though, was another matter. “You seem very… worn. Is there anything I can do?”
[Leyna Stidolph] Cassidy walked over and touched Leyna, at first she had no idea how to react to such tender kindness, it was almost alien to her… but instead of freaking out or worse Leyna just patted Cassidy’s hand. “You have no fucking idea…” She takes a deep breath and lets out a roaring laugh. “I don’t know how much longer I could keep that demeanor. My last two encounters with Garou in this city have been a mix review. One was ever so polite and tried to be the hero to this” She points to herself. “unfortunate soul. Please as if.” She rolled her eyes. “Not that I have a huge problem with Silverfangs… but I might have a slight problem with the French, especially after the last Caern I was kicked out of in France.” She jacked her thumb towards the east.
“Fuck the French.” She made a lewd gesture with her hand and smirked. “Then there was that Shadowlord fuck… He gave me the fucking creeps.. he needs to learn this thing about personal bubble.” She shuddered and then her whole body shook like it was covered in worms. “Caleb is a bit too… charming for my tastes and Ezra is a twunt.” Such language, but Leyna wasn’t a person who talked with sweet sugar coated words.
She settled down a bit and looked at the two with a mischievous grin, which set almost naturally for Leyna. “You two… a bit flighty and well I am waiting for Unicorn to ejaculate rainbows around you guys, but at least your decent folk… who sincerely care.” She smiles ever so widely. “Food drink… and sleep that’s all I need right now!” She chuckles.
[Joss Lehrer] That is a very big compliment from Cassidy, and Joss blushes clear to her dreads as she grins, and winks at her friend. “It’d be more fun, that’s for sure.”
And the Leyna lets her guard drop, and Joss is positively delighted by what comes from her mouth next – she even laughs as she relaxes enough to cuss. “I just met Ezra tonight – he danced with me, though I can certainly see how he’d give off the creepy vibe – he bears watching, but did not overstep the bounds of rank with me.” Yet. Of course she won’t hesitate to take care of it if he does.
Caleb… caleb… “Ah! He’s part of the Unbroken. And well, as far as Fangs go, he’s not bad, but he can be a bit much. As for Unicorn…” She laughs and tips her head. “Well, there was this one time I summoned little Lune spirits and they came so quickly and so many of them it near blinded Bai and Marrick… does that count?”
A pause, and then a decision. “And actually, I’ll bring you back to the packhouse. You won’t have to deal with the Unbroken, or the other packs at the Broho, and well, it’ll be nice to have another girl around, if only for a few nights, as I’m the only female Eagle currently. I can’t cook much, but we’ve plenty of takeout, hot showers and a guestroom you can call your own for as long as you like.”
[Cassidy Malone] Kindness she was capable of. Other, less seelie motivations as well. Cassidy was a rather mercurial creature that way, but generally, when lacking any reason to be otherwise, she leaned more towards pleasantry. (You catch more flies with honey.) Leyna patted her hand, and the younger girl smiled and withdrew the contact as easily as it had been given.
Her reaction to the sudden outbreak of vulgarity was rather similar to Joss’ own, so perhaps Cassidy was neither as young (most people mistook her for closer to 16) nor as innocent as she appeared to be at first glance. She laughed with wicked amusement, and the sound was bright and beautiful, like silver bells dancing on the wind. “I don’t know, I think I should like to see this spectacle. I always imagined Unicorn ejaculate to be made of rainbows.”
Had she bothered to ask the name of the man whom she’d thrown her drink at the other day, then she might have something rather less pleasant to add to the conversation, but as it was… none of the names mentioned held any meaning for her. Not yet, anyway.
[Leyna Stidolph] She looks at Joss and shakes her head with a laugh, “I don’t want any special treatment. Besides I am sure your pack would feel uneasy having the scentless wonder that is myself bunking with you all.” She chuckled, trying to be fair as possible. “Though on the other hand it might be safer considering…” She paused slightly and bit her lip in thought… “You know… Your the boss lady.” She said to Joss.. “I will do as you order… as lighthearted and carefree as we might be… protocol is still an issue.” She accepted orders just fine, when it was done with politeness or in a fashionable manner.. but when done rudely or abusively, Leyna lashed out.
“Cass…” Leyna said turning her head towards the assumed Fianna. “I am a firm believer Unicorn splooges rainbows. No one has yet to convince me otherwise.” She said with a firm nod.
Her attention went back to Joss, “I can cook.. sorta… meat and potatoes, nothing fancy…” She smirked.
[Joss Lehrer] She tips her head slightly. “Maybe I’ll ask him….” Unicorn, she means. Thought it might be painful. Of course, she’s Fenrir, that would be nothing new, and she’s asked a great deal other odd questions…
But that’s beside the point. “It won’t be any bother, really. You’re my kin, and that of my Alpha, and you are welcome there as long as you mind your p’s and q’s. Which I’m certain you will. Oh – just don’t go into the attic. It’s mine and the elementals in the lights get a little… touchy.”
And by touchy she means they tend to electrocute anyone who’s not asked Joss’s permission to enter.
And she mentions meat and potatoes. “If you could teach me to make roast beef like Jenny does? I’d love you forever… I’m hopeless! Gina taught me to make cookies, though while she stayed with us. We had a girls night that involved all the chocolate we could eat, mostly in cookie dough form.”
[Cassidy Malone] “I should learn to cook properly, once of these days,” Cassidy mused thoughtfully. “It seems like a valuable skill. But there are so many wonderful restaurants out there!” And Cassidy hated to have the same thing for dinner twice. Variety was the spice of life, after all. Of course, how on earth she managed to eat out every night when she had no official income was anyone’s guess. (Possibly this involved batting her eyelashes at unsuspecting businessmen, or maybe just good old fashioned theft.)
She looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully, as if this was going to give her any great insights into the culinary arts, and for a moment there, she looked like she was somewhere else. Somewhere other than in an abandoned building in Cabrini Green. Somewhere warm and lovely and completely contained within her own head. Eventually she snapped out of it though, and she smiled to Joss and Leyna.
“I think it’s time I danced off to someplace mysterious. Until next time, my lovely Valkyries.” And then she winked knowingly and executed an elegant, flourishing bow before turning on her heel and trotting back out into the cold.
[Leyna Stidolph] She chuckled, “I can even teach you how to make Borscht…. make friends with the Silverfangs.” She was being half serious and half funny.. the only part she was being serious about though was knowing how to make it.. Borscht to Leyna though was disgusting, probably because Sashenka force fed her it all the time.
She looked over at Cass and waved at her slightly. “Nice meeting you.” She said and looked back at Joss.. “Shall we? I need to shower badly.”
[Joss Lehrer] She smiles softly as Cassidy takes her leave. “G’night, Cass. Stay safe.”
There seems to be something more to the simple goodbye there, but she doesn’t explain – she leaves it be, and turns to Leyna and nods. “We shall. We’re not far from the borders of Eagle Territory. I’ll point them out to you as we go. Our borders are closed – we dont’ allow other packs in unless invited. There’s a good bit of Eagle history there, and it’s not quite as strenuous as it once was, but we still expect any Garou or Kin within our borders to respect it, and report to us any problems therein.”
She leads Leyna out of the abandoned building, and heads down the street toward the packhouse. “The packhouse is on the southeast corner of the territory, in an old office building that’s been refurbished. It’s not much, but it’s comfortable and it’s ours. James – one of the Fianna – he even keeps the bar stocked, a bar he built himself. Right now it’s just James, Curata and myself in the packhouse, and at times Andrew.” A pause, and then. “Watch for him. If you have any problems with him, you let me know immediately.”
[Leyna Stidolph] She followed along with Joss, letting her lead and giving the appropriate nods letting her know that Leyna understood and the young Kin had really no intentions of disrespecting anyone.
Though when Joss made mention of a certain person by the name of Andrew, she rose a curious brow. “Problems?” She asked Joss, unsure by what she meant. “So in other words if he pisses me off, you don’t want me shanking him?” Well in all honesty she hadn’t a clue.
[Joss Lehrer] She chuckles and shrugs. “I’d prefer you bring it to me first. He’s wolf-born, and well – let’s just leave it at that. If you have problems with him, bring it to me and I’ll take care of it.”
A beat, and a grin. “You wouldn’t be the first that’s wanted to shank him.”
[Leyna Stidolph] She chuckled, “Probably not.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders as she walked along with Joss, “But I do not back down from a fight either.” She explained. “However as my superior, I will do as you ask. This is your territory, I am only but a guest.” She might not like being all nice and polite, but she wasn’t down right rude and a level of decorum had to be followed at all times.
“I doubt the lupus will give me much grief. I am only human after all.” She gave a quirky smile.
[Joss Lehrer] “Of course you don’t back down. You’re Fenrir.” Simple as that, to her. Proper Fenrir do not raise their kin to be pliant weak submissive little things.
A for the last, she chuckles. “Perhaps not, but forewarned is forearmed. Curata and James – the most grief they’ll give you is of the flirting variety. They’re both utterly shameless, but I trust them with my life. James owns a club in town – he’s a musician – and splits his time between there and here. And Curata, as I mentioned, is a blacksmith. One of these days I’ll get him to make me a fancy weapon or something. I just can’t decide what I want.”
[Leyna Stidolph] She chuckles at Joss, “Fancy is not as good as practical.” She pulled out one of her bowie knives and handed it to Joss. The knife was made from a strong black steel, light weight and perfectly balanced. “You don’t want anything to bulky and pretty… it serves no real purpose. You cannot defeat your enemy with something that sparkles and shines unless you plan on blinding them in battle. However something simple and elegant… will be suffice and far more effective. Like this bowie knife… it is not fancy.. but the metal goes straight down to the hilt.. heated at just the right temperature where it is strong yet flexibly light. Perfectly balanced for easier use.”
She shrugs her shoulders, “Then again I am all about simple.”
[Joss Lehrer] She takes the knife, and hefts it in her hand, listening as Leyna explains it. She studies the craftsmanship, and smiles as she hands it back. “Can’t it be useful AND pretty?”
Sometimes Joss is SUCH a girl… (case in point, the earlier PINK and SPARKLY cell phone) “I get that though. I’ve never fought with a weapon other than the ones I possess naturally. I look forward to the challenge of learning, though.”
[Leyna Stidolph] She puts the knife away and chuckles at Joss, “Sure it can be useful and pretty.. though I don’t see a point in it.. just becomes a target for others to steal. The whole “it looks cool so it must be badass” clause. Retarded.” She rolled her eyes. “Ah well, Americans are not known for being practical.”
She smiles at Joss, “Well if yo uever need any help in learning, I am more then willing to give you a few pointers here and there.”
[Joss Lehrer] She laughs and shrugs. “I like pretty things.” While her dress is decidedly of the earth tones, that’s for a reason. It hides the blood better. Wait till Leyna sees Althea…
“I’d like that. Every advantage I can learn, I’ll learn.”
[Joss Lehrer] (and fade!)