[Sinclair] She has her baseball bat. Her baseball bat, not the Christmas gift a certain Fang kinswoman gave her. That has been shipped elsewhere. Sinclair’s just standing on the sidewalk with her packmates, bat slung over her shoulders, wrists hanging over it, looking into what is, what will become, Bellamonte Park.
“Dibs on patrolling,” she says.
[Kate] Oh what a difference a near month could make when you were a Bellamonte.
That being, one who could afford to channel degrees of wealth and long-standing connections to the financial and building sectors into a newly purchased parcel of land long neglected in a poorer locale of your city. What the gathered stood before was a chain-link fence with a hefty padlock on it through which they could see a partially completed park land in the process of being built.
The stone fountain base had been laid, and a grand gazebo erected in the centre of the lot, beyond it was a children’s play area; swing set, slide and sand pit not yet filled. Benches and tables had been neatly stacked in a corner ready to be nailed in place once the grass had been sowed. Katherine’s breath misted before her as she unlocked the fence and gently pushed it open.
“It will not be quite ready until the warmer months roll in, but that is, I believe, a blessing.”
Inside, a sign had been erected that established the land as being that of Bellamonte Park, in loving memory of Christopher Bellamonte.
[Lukas] “Bellamonte Park,” Lukas intones. The Shadow Lord is warmly dressed, imposing and dark. “Feeling charitable suddenly, or are we setting Gabriella up for a run for political office?”
[Joss Lehrer] Ever since Kate had told her about this little project, and asked for her help, Joss has been swinging by regularly to check on the progress, watching with no small amount of delight as it all started to come together.
And then, then? The swingset arrived, which is why Joss is currently standing at the fence, her hands wrapped through the links, looking at the delights that will be known as Bellamonte park. It’s almost written in a bubble above her head how close she is to just scaling the fence just to be the first to give that swingset a try.
Because the Godi? Is weird.
Voices pull her attention away toward the gate where the other’s have gathered, and she snatches her hands away from the fence like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
[Kate] Katherine’s expression shadows, grows more subdued than normal.
“Gabriella has left, Lukas. She does not wish to be an active member of the family at present,” Stiffly, she turned the lock over in her gloved palms. “So, no. This is not for her, this is for all of us.” Katherine starts forward, then turns as she notices another figure, peering in through the chain-link fence. The Silver Fang lifted a hand in salute to the Theurge Elder.
“You have wonderful timing, rhya, we are about to take a glimpse inside the park,” she calls, and gestures for Joss to join them.
[Sinclair] Sinclair turns her head and blinks at what Kate says, her eyebrows drawing together. “Wow,” is all she says, and frowns more deeply as she turns away.
A moment later she swings the bat down, whistling softly.
[Joss Lehrer] Caught for sure! She grins, looking not at ALL chagrined by the way she’d been spying, and tucks her hands into the pockets of her skirts. She is as she always is – her only concession to the cold being the tights under her her skirts, and a second layer under her sweater, a knit hat that keeps her dreads somewhat in control, and the gloves on her hands.
“It’s going to be amazing, Katherine.” said with a grin as she joins the group.
[Lukas] Lukas cocks an eyebrow at the news. Then he looks past the cool blonde to the eccentric Godi. The Shadow Lord’s expression softens with a smile, Joss’s excitement unmistakable.
“I think Kate was about to give us the grand tour. Join us, won’t you.”
[Theron Locke] Theron is the late arrival, slowly making his way from his car. Making his way into the park as he takes it all in. But was that Gossamer Wing …his Elder ..over on that swing .. nah.. not possible. Alas it was discovered that it was her, which left the Shadow Lord Theurge even more perplexed.
Finding the others he nods in greeting “Kate… you have done amazing things here.”
[Joss Lehrer] Sometimes, it’s very hard to remember that she’s a Fostern, that she’s more than any normal 18 year old girl. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that she’s just a girl, a teenage girl, with a healthy zest for life and a delight in the simple things – like ice cream, dancing in the streets, and swingsets. She also enjoys long walks on the beach, chick flicks, action movies and popcorn, and watching the moon rise over Maelstrom – but that’s neither here nor there.
“Of course! I’ve been considering scaling that fence to take a sneak peak. This is a much better plan.” Her grin is mischievous, and almost impossible to resist.
[Kate] Truth’s Meridian walks into the park, past the sign proclaiming its origins and purpose and heads up to the Gazebo, her boots crunching over snow and recently-turned over earth. The steps of the Gazebo resound as she climbs them, the wood freshly coated and the rich timber scent still strong. She moves around to offer the other Garou with her a view of their surroundings, and begins to point out the various attractions that either shall exist, or, in some manner, already do.
“In the far corner there shall be a pond filled with fish and water lilies, along the back wall you can see the playground already set,” she glances side-long at Gossamer Wing, her white teeth flashing in the moonlight a beat before she continues on. “There shall be a picnic corner over there with a grill, and another over there,” she turns and gestures to her left.
She then crosses and rests a palm on the wooden railing to her right. “And here shall be a fountain, already they have dug out and set the basin in for it.” The Half Moon’s expression is distant, thoughtful. “I have hopes that it shall be useful in some manner, that it might placate the spirits that were so unhappy with its former state.”
[Theron Locke] Theron makes a hurried entrance into the park, having arrived moments ago “Sorry I’m late all”. His eyes making their way around the park, as he takes in all the sites, “Kate… you are going to do amazing things here.”. And then he turns to the person not of his pack… A perplexed look as he sees that his Auspice Elder has joined them “Evening ryha.”
[Sinclair] The lot of them — that is, the Unbroken — are being rather quiet as they observe the park through the gate, waiting for Katherine to let them in. The tease. Sinclair is letting her baseball bat lightly sway beside her leg, staring inside. She’s dressed warmly, warm as someone unused to temperatures this low. Her jeans are straight-legged and held onto her body with a black belt with a copper-toned buckle. There’s that green hat yanked down over her head again, yellow hairs sticking out here and there. Lord knows how many layers she has on under her coat, which looks like it was picked up at an Army surplus store.
She kinda looks homeless.
“Openopenopenopenopen,” she says, and bumps into Kate with one shoulder.
[Sinclair] [Delete the following: “through the gate, waiting for Katherine to let them in. The tease.” and the line of dialogue, but not the bump.]
[Joss Lehrer] She laughs as Kate singles her out with that flash of smile, since she was the one that requested it. “Once the fountain is in place, I’d be happy to make sure the spirits are happy with it all.” Of course, that might just mean her playing IN the fountain, much as she does the giant ones in the park in the summer. But then again, she’s weird. And possibly crazy.
Theron gets a quick wink. “Theron.”
And then? With a flash of a grin she turns and makes a dash for the swing set. Someone has to be the first, after all – to… uh… make sure they’re safe. An Elder’s job is never done.
[Lukas] Lukas follows Kate into her new park, looking around dutifully at the locations of the future pond; the future picnic area; the future fountain. He laughs under his breath as Joss goes for the swingset.
Then he nods at Sinclair’s baseball bat. “Don’t suppose you actually have a hardball to go with that?”
[Sinclair] For a moment it seems like Sinclair hasn’t even heard Lukas. Her eyes are scanning the park thoughtfully but a bit distantly. Truth be told, her eyes often look a bit distant. It’s their coloring, as pristine blue as Lukas and Kate’s but so much paler that they’re nearly opaque, a bit unreal.
Then she turns her head and lifts an eyebrow at Lukas. In answer, she digs into one of the pockets of that big, bulky jacket and produces a stained baseball, the stitching starting to fray. “Hope you play better than you swim,” she quips, and tosses it to him.
[Lukas] Lukas catches the baseball. “I don’t,” he replies with a faint, crooked smile. Then he tosses it in Joss’s direction. “How about you, Joss? Want to take a few swings?”
[Theron Locke] Theron leaves his packmates to their discussions and makes his way over to the set of swings. Walking behind them as he extends his arms out and gives Joss a push the next time she is swinging in her backward arc “Hey.. figured someone needed to come give you a push. Can’t get airborn otherwise” he laughs a soft chuckle
“What brings you out here tonight rhya?”
[Joss Lehrer] Lukas calls her and she turns – just in time to catch the baseball. She laughs and lops it back. “No thanks! There’s SWINGS!”
And then she’s reached her destination, and takes the closest swing and settles into it, kicking off. When she swings backwards, she finds Theron there to push her, and if ever there could be said sunshine exists in a smile – it’s true of the Godi. Simple things – that’s all it takes. “It’s like flying…” Mused, softly. Amused, assuredly.
“Just Joss, Theron. Especially while you’re touching my behind.” Timed perfectly with his next push, of course. “I’ve been watching the progress – Kate asked my help at the beginning to cleans the area… the swings are my reward. And you?”
[Kate] Abruptly, Katherine’s lips twitch and she laughs softly, a light silvery sound. She is leaning her elbows on the railing of the Gazebo, looking down on her pack-mates and the Theurge elder, testing out the new swing-set. “I would be most grateful if you, and Theron, would watch over the spirits of the park, rhya. Make certain they are pleased with it. God knows the neighborhood has little else to recommend it.”
She raises a fair brow, and then glances between Lukas and Sinclair.
“Would it be worth mentioning that I have consulted on an extension to the Loft’s indoor pool?” She glances idly at her gloves, sliding one off to examine her nail-beds. “I am sure such a thing would not interest Warcry.”
[Sinclair] The ball goes from Sinclair to Lukas to Joss and back to Lukas. The Galliard is holding up her hand to catch it should the Lord toss her her way again when Kate idly mentions that she’s at least very seriously considering extending the pool in the Loft.
If the ball is coming at her, it misses solely because Sinclair isn’t there anymore. She’s letting out a shriek so girlish it might startle the packmates that most often see her blood-covered, and when she runs at the Fang, she’s clearly not going to just hug her.
The baseball bat, at least, is dropped.
[Dex + Athletics: Body tackle. No attack.]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1
[Kate] [Dex + Ath “ACK”]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 2, 5, 5, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Lukas] Lukas’s reaction isn’t quite so evident. Or rather — it’s not quite so quick. When Sinclair goes flying at Kate, he’s still staring in disbelief. A second later the words go through, click, make sense, and Lukas — grateful creature that he is —
throws the baseball at Kate. A good hard throw, too, that smacks off her side unless she miraculously catches it.
“You sly little shit! You were so damn noncommittal when I forwarded you those quotes! And that was two days ago!” He bursts into laughter.
[Kate] The noise Sinclair makes is enough to raise Katherine’s eyebrows hiiiigh above her hairline. She is already trembling with the effort of containing the laughter that threatens to bubble from her throat even as the Glass Walker charges at her and bodily tackles her. The Philodox lets loose a torrent of girlish laughter, and her arms come around her pack-mate to, if nothing more, steady herself.
“I do believe she’s pleased with the notion, non?” Katherine asks a touch breathlessly, eyes sparkling, then sticks out her tongue as Lukas lobs the baseball at her and it bounces off her jean-clad thigh.
[Sinclair] The fact that Sinclair keeps her balance and footing with little to no effort means two things: Katherine, were she not quick on the uptake and more than a bit graceful, likely would have been knocked to the ground by the sheer force of the tackle. Also, holding onto Sinclair is probably for the best, as she doesn’t so much as waver.
She’s shorter than Katherine, if only by a few inches, and clinging to her around the waist, shoulders hunched over and a bright grin cast past her breasts over at the Shadow Lord. “POOL!” is all she has to say, yelling it rather loudly.
[Theron Locke] Theron’s olive skinned faces receives some colour then from the faint blush that spreads out onto his face “I didn’t … I didn’t mean to” and the normally cocky, smart mouth Lord is at a loss for words. “but… Joss it is” he says finally.
“As for me… I’m just lending moral support to this project. Seeing I failed to come up with the correct answer that resulted in this undertaking. Figured the least I could do was to lend her a hand.”
[Joss Lehrer] She laughs, delighted to get such a rise out of him, as she leans into each swing, her skirts and dreads flying with the effort. “I was teasing Theron. How else would you push me?”
She listens to the rest, and when she’s at the highest part of her arc, leans back to look at him, before adjusting to the falling motion of the swing easily, so as not to hit him on the way down. “It’s going to be beautiful. I’m sure she appreciates your help. I’d love to hear the story of how it came to be, sometime..”
[Lukas] Lukas’s footsteps crunch through the light crust of snow. He bends to pick up the baseball where it’d rolled, dusting it off. “POOL,” he repeats, goodnaturedly mocking, “where you’ll teach me to swim faster so I don’t lose so embarrassingly all the time.
“I’d hang up a sign demanding swimwear at all times, though, Kate. You don’t want to know what Keith’s been doing in that pool.”
[Theron Locke] Just shakes his head, the embarassment gradually fading “Well yeah I guess so.”. Standing there as he listens to the various conversations around him, picking up tidbits .. something about a pool.
“That it is… it will be good to see some green after so much white. A story isn’t a story unless it’s shared, so yeah sometime I’d love to share it. Hopefully you’ve got one of your own, I’m sure they’d be fascinating.”
[Kate] Katherine, still adorned with a waist-high Glass Walker, cocks her head at her Alpha. “Oh, so? And what has my tribesman been doing in my pool that requires such notification, Lukas?”
[Sinclair] “God,” Sinclair says to Lukas, letting go of Katherine and plucking her ball out of the snow, “you are such a prude.”
[Joss Lehrer] She grins at him as she continues to swing, leaning back to let her dreads trail along the ground, watching the sky.
“Fascinating? I’m not so sure. Though there is the time I summoned Astraea. And of course, getting my ass kicked by Uktena at the moot – that was pretty awesome. But I don’t know about fascinating…”
She’s still teasing him, most likely – even if she did do those things, and more.
[Kate] Katherine, meanwhile moves to collect the baseball bat and grips it experimentally, swinging it back and forth somewhat awkwardly. It’s like watching a dog walk on its hind legs, honestly.
[Lukas] The ball is no longer in the snow; it’s in Lukas’s hand. Seeing her looking for it, Lukas tosses it back at the Galliard.
“Maybe I better not say,” he demurs, “let Kate have the bliss of ignorance and all.”
[folks i’m getting tired! i’m probably bowing out soon.]
[Sinclair] Sinclair catches the ball, which is no shock. There’s snow on her fingertips from going to grab it only to find it gone. She eyes Kate swinging the bat and laughs. “I think you might want to tell her when she’s not holding a large oak stick.”
[Kate] “Reveal your secrets, Shadow Lord!” She points the bat at Lukas, her lips curving to a grin, she lowers it after a moment’s thought and lifts her face to feel the kiss of snowflakes as they brush against her cheeks on their journey toward the hard packed earth.
“The snow begins again, perhaps it is time to head back to the Brotherhood?”
Then: Katherine gleams a little at Sinclair, and hefts her baseball bat onto a shoulder. “Does it not look well on me? I could adjust to it, I believe.” She begins to crunch her way over the snowy earth, back toward the Gazebo and beyond.
[Lukas] “Another time,” Lukas says, smiling, “when you’re not looking well with an oak stick in your hand.”
He looks over at Theron, then back to Sinclair and Kate. “Looks like Theron’s still wrapped up with his auspice elder. Come on.”
And on totemphone — Theron, we’re heading back to the BroHo. Catch up with us later.
[Theron Locke] “Well who are we to judge our own deeds, that’s best left to others to determine what they this is grand. interesting..fascinating ” and then he nods “Yes I remember Uktena.. I guess that was an easy lesson to learn from.”
“But still as I am a Theurge still learning so much. I’m sure you’ve got many things to be shared that I could benefit from. For a price of course… maybe another push of the swing” and then he breaks into a soft chuckle.
[Sinclair] [Sinclair’s just gonna follow Kate and Lukas. I’m going braindead. *L* Sorry, guys. Thank you for the RP!]
[Lukas] (on that note, i’m hitting the sack early. thanks for the RP, all!)
[Joss Lehrer] “I would summon Uktena again in a heartbeat – but only for something he deems worthy. He certainly took his pound of flesh for my impertinence.” Somehow, she doesn’t seem to mind that she got her ass kicked by a spirit. It wasn’t the first time, and won’t be the last.
“Ah, you’ve discovered my weak spot! That and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream.” She grins over at him, laughing with delight. And then she tips her head, slightly. “…Do you know how to Tango?”
A beat, as she lets her swing move on it’s own. “I’d be happy to teach you, Theron. Not only is it my duty, but it’s something I enjoy doing. I’m far from an expert, there’s so much for us to learn – and we learn best when we share our knowledge with each other.”
[Theron Locke] “I guess that’s one of the hardest decisions to make. that is.. is the reason I am summoning this being a good enough reason. Then be prepared to front up if it isn’t.”
“Well I’m a perceptive guy and I like to keep mental notes. Mmm man I haven’t had ice cream in ages….I’ve been telling myself it’s too cold.” and then he frowns and shakes his head “Alas I don’t. My father did insist on me learning some formal dancing though. For fundraising and benefit events.”
“Thanks for the offer it’s very much appreciated. I think I’ve been tied up lately in so many political issues that I have ignored my studies for too long. You are so right about that…I think as a cub my brain nearly melted from all the knowledge I had to absorb.”
A thoughtful look then “Perhaps we should have an irregular meetup then.. depending on where our other duties take us. Get together and share knowledge.”
[Joss Lehrer] “I tend to just take my chances. If the need is great enough, perhaps the will is strong enough. And Theron, that’s one thing you will HAVE to learn…”
A beat. And then there it is again, that joyous grin. “…it’s NEVER too cold for Ice Cream.” He doesn’t know how to tango though, and she sighs. “No one does, it seems. I can waltz alright, but I’d learn to love the Tango. Have you ever danced with the Spirits?” Odd question, though anyone who’s seen her more than once knows it’s to be expected.
She nods, chuckling. “I’d be happy to meet with you anytime. If you’ve a cell phone, I’ll be sure you have my number before we part ways tonight.”
[Theron Locke] “Yes I guess I will.”
A smile stays on his face the entire time he speaks with his Auspice Elder. It was hard to do anything else, her joy was infectious “Hmm I guess if I put it on a slab of hot applie pie it might be okay.” and then his brow knits together “Have I ever danced with the Spirits? no.. no I can’t say that I have.”
He then reaches into his jacket pocket and retrieves a small mobile “Yep got one right here.”
[Joss Lehrer] “They have an applepie flavored Ice Cream at CSC.” Nods, as she surely would know. “My favorite is Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie, though. In a waffle cone. Dipped in chocolate. And nuts.” Oh yes, she’s quite the authority on the chilly treat. “I’ll take you sometime.”
She drops her feet to skid against the ground, so that she can reach into her Godi bag and find her cell phone. It’s likely shocking, as she’s always seen dressed in earth tones – her phone is bright pink… and sparkly… shockingly girly. She rattles off her number for him, and then adds his in return to her phone, before tucking it away again. “There, now you can call anytime you need me.”
And then she sets the swing in motion again, though just idly moving it this time, little distance, just to keep her in motion. She has too much energy, Joss. “Some of our auspice find it disrespectful to play with the spirits, to dance with them, to take the time to give them joy – preferring to beat them into submission. I’ve learned they respond MUCH better to niceties than Rage. I’ve danced with the wind, played tag with lightening -that’s a shocking experience, lemme tell you! – and frolicked in fountains… there isn’t an elemental here in Chicago I haven’t worked to forge a relationship with. As a result, when I call? They come. Eagerly. But even better? It’s fun!”
[Theron Locke] “They have applepie flavoured…what ?” he just blinks repeatedly and then she describes her favourite “That…. sounds so..sickening sweet. I guess I’d get strange looks if I simply ordered a scoop of vanilla though hey?. Yeah I’d love to go sometime, sounds like an experience.”
He just chuckles as the pink cell phone is withdrawn. It seems this one was full of surprises that would never stop coming. “Thanks for the number”
And then he is listening with rapt attention as he is describing her experience . So different to his own… so different to the ways he had been tought. “And you said you had no fascinating stories to tell….that experience certainly sounds fascinating to me.”
[Joss Lehrer] “It is! They mix the flavors on a cold stone as you order it right in front of ya. Thus the name.”
She laughs softly, and leans against the chain links as she looks up at him. “I’ll take you to play some time. If you think you can..” she wrinkles her nose slightly, and studies him. “Do Shadow Lords know how to play?” As if it’s a foreign concept – sorta like a Fenrir Godi that smiles. Like as not, she’s teasing him again.
“It’s never a mistake to forge a relationship with the spirits where you live. The methods don’t really matter, the results do. Some call me crazy, but they can hardly argue the results.” That much is certainly true. Firsted at 13. Cliath by 14. Fostern by 17. And like as not she’ll achieve Adren before she turns 19. She’s certainly doing something right. Maybe it really is that simple…
[Theron Locke] “Okay then… can’t wait ” he smiles
“Hey everyone has to learn to crawl before they can walk right. So I’ll have to start somewhere.” there is a weird flicker of something across his face as she asks her next question “Yes and no…. our games tend to be aimed to stengthen your mind , body..and also your emotional response. Always a reason for it… never really just for fun.”
“I guess there is a truth in it… and I think that is the lesson I’ll take away from today. It was a pleasure and honor to meet you rh… Joss” he nods and smiles “You will be hearing from me soon.”
[Joss Lehrer] She smiles and pushes off to swing high as he talks, before carefully judging the distance, and at the highest point of her swing… jumps, and lands lightly on her feet, skirts and dreads flying and flaring about her as she settles gracefully.
“The pleasure was mine, Theron. Have a nice evening…” And she too takes her leave. She’s got patrols to do – and Althea is waiting nearby.