[Mila Davis] Mila had found a spot on the couch at the common room of the Brotherhood. She’d stopped by for dinner a short while earlier – but, rumors of the one Garou she was looking for had pointed her upstairs. Marni hadn’t been found yet.. but, she did hear the showers on.
So, she figured she could simply wait to see if it was actually her in there. If not, well.. she needed some quality time in front of the TV anyway..
[Marni] She’s a gnawer, it’s true, but she does not like to stink. Well, she she doesn’t MIND stinking, and her definition is likely quite a bit smellier than you’re every day folks. Even so, the showers are running, and have been for some time.
But eventually, even she has to step out of the heated water sliding over her skin, and dries off. She pulls on a pair of boxers and tank top, grabs her pack, and heads to the laundry room. A glance into the common room, to see who’s there, and then she makes her way to switch over her laundry into a dryer, before she heads out to see what’s on tv.
[Mila Davis] The woman was spotted during her quick peek into the common room.. and Mila gave her a little smile as an acknowledgement. However, she would wait until she put in her laundry, before she spoke up (or, the plan was to go track her down at this point).
But, as luck would have it, Marni did return. Mila shifted slightly in her seat, one leg was tucked up under her. The young woman looked rather casual tonight. A pair of flip flops were wet.. and on the floor in front of her. She wore jeans and a White Sox’s t-shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a poney tail.
“Hi Marni. How are you doing?”
[Page from Bryce] Still alone
[Marni] Marni hasn’t been herself lately. Its understandable, of course, with the losses she’s suffered lately, but it’s still almost shocking to see the normally smiling, happy, teasing, playful raggie barely able to curl her lips into a greeting that might someday grow into a smile.
“Hey, Mila.”
Her curls are dripping over her shoulders, soaking her tank top, and she doesn’t seem to mind, or care, as she falls into a beanbag chair next to the couch with a whoosh.
She knows she didn’t answer the question. Seems she’s not gonna.
[Mila Davis] The silence was enough of an answer for her. Mila just kinda nodded to herself as she realized that the other young woman just wasn’t doing well. After a moment of just letting Marni be, she spoke up. Quietly though..
“What was your packmate’s name?”
[Marni] “Which one?” it’s out before she stops it… and she sighs. She drags her fingers through the wet mop of curls, and huffs out a breath.
“My alpha was Max. He disappeared, and we haven’t been able to locate him.” And then, softly… “Indira.” the other, and the loss she feels most keenly.
[Mila Davis] It was her fault for not clarifying. She knew better – she knew that she’d suffered more than one loss lately.
“Indira.” She quietly repeated the name.. trying to remember it, honor it perhaps. “Will you tell me of her? I would like to honor her.. with a story, or a song.. or something.. if that is alright with you..”
[Marni] She closes her eyes briefly, and takes a long, slow, deep breath. Then nods. Indira deserves to be honored in ways more plentiful than Marni can do on her own.
“She was a full moon. Going Down was her deedname, and she was well aware of the joke of it. It fit her though – she was all about throwing herself completely into anything she did. She was an artist, too. I’ve her sketchbooks in my pack. She liked basketball, and bettering the boys at anything she did. We were so in sync we’d often speak at the same time, say the same things…”
A soft sigh. “Its as if half my soul is missing…”
[Mila Davis] Mila listened intently. Though, there was a certain softness in her eyes as Marni told her tale of loss.. sadness and friendship.
Softly, “Is there a memory of a time with her that you remember most? Something that was special to you and your friendship with Indira?”
[Marni] “every moment..” her voice cracks, and she scrubs her face with her hands, hard. A shakey breath, and then a steadier one as she smiles sadly, softly.
“We would sneak into Ray’s condo, and go swimming in his pool. Then we’d leave him notes to find in his apartment, and be gone before he found them… drove him nuts, and made us laugh like loons, giggling like schoolgirls as we teased him…” a pause, and softly. “she was my best friend, my sister. She reminded me that there was more than the war… there was her and me and him and them and connections that could be made.”
[Mila Davis] Why in the world did.. she feel like hugging the girl.. she wasn’t really a huggy person..? Mila sighed quietly, hearing the emotion in her voice as she brought up the memories. Hopefully, this would help her to move on with the grieving process.
“She sounds like she was a very fun person and very important to you. Can you tell me how she died..?”
[Marni] She sniffs suddenly, and drags the back of her hand under her nose, and then wipes it on her shirt. Her jaw tightens, and she wipes the tears away, and steels herself a moment, and takes a breath.
“I wasn’t there. She died, and I wasn’t there. Maybe” a pause, before, brokenly, “because I wasn’t there.”
[Mila Davis] “Marni..” She spoke tenderly.. “Don’t think like that.. perhaps it might be true, but what good does it do? We cannot go back and change the past.” Mila stood, gathered the box of tissues and stepped over towards the woman. Beside her, she sat on the floor and offered out the box.
“All we can do is live in the now and hope for the future. We can honor those who went before us.. and know that we will see them again. I promise, if she is the sweet woman you described to me, that she holds no ill will..”
[Marni] She reaches for the tissues, and blows her nose, and leans back in the beanbag chair and stares at the ceiling. She sighs, softly. “I know that. But I can’t stop blaming myself for not getting to her faster, getting there in time to save her.”
Another, soft sigh, and she shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter. She was Ahroun. She fell as she lived – with her whole heart.”
[Mila Davis] “It sounds like you tried to get there.. and as her friend and her packmate, it’s all you could do. It’s ok to feel guilty.. in time, those feelings will pass. I understand them well enough..” She glanced down for a moment – obviously fighting back the long since problematic emotions surrounding her own losses..
And then.. she took a breath.. and continued on. “Did anyone tell you how it happened?”
[Marni] She shakes her head slightly. “A little. No real details. Just another face in this fucking city to be carved apart by the Wyrm.”
Bitter, Marni. Very bitter.
[Mila Davis] Mila didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead, she just reached a hand out and rested it atop hers.
“I lost three packmates in one fell swoop before we left Seattle. I loved them more than any people I’d ever met. They were more family to me.. than my actual family. So, I do understand the hurt you feel inside. The anger..”
[Marni] She turns her hand in Mila’s and gives it a grateful squeeze. “I know she’d hate me mourning her… but I just…”
She shakes her head, then sits up and scrubs her face with her hands again, before taking a breath, slow and deep. “Stupid fucking war.”
[Mila Davis] “It is a stupid.. fucking .. war. But, it’s one we need to fight. The stakes are just too high if we don’t. We can’t let them win. And we all know there are risks every day. We will win. That’s why we’re still here, fighting back..
It’s ok to mourn. Just don’t let it consume you. She wouldn’t want that. And even though I didn’t know her.. I can promise you that much is true.” A few stray tears even fell down the unusual Shadow Lord’s cheeks as she spoke. She offered a soft, sad smile after she finished and squeezed the hand in return.
[Marni] She nods, slightly. She knows. She knows it all, and knows it well, and just.. knows. She just wishes the hurt would stop. She still hears her at night, still hears her laugh, her cry, her screams of delight as they splashed in the pool, or played basketball, or just… sat together and giggled like schoolgirls. Indira was the closest thing to family she’d had since she moved to Chicago.
“I know.” A breath, and a slight curl of her lips, wry. “sorry to bring you down too.”
[Mila Davis] “Don’t be sorry.. sometimes it’s good to bring up some of the feelings you don’t always show.. around someone who you know who understands.” Mila finally took one of the tissues and dabbed at her eyes, wiping away the traces of the tears that almost no one ever saw. In fact, she hadn’t even thought about crying since she left Seattle.
“I will come up with some way to honor her. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do it at the moot. One last question though.. do you know someone who knows what happened that night?”
[Page from Bryce] strip club
[Marni] She nods, slightly. “Nate and Mama were with her. At least she died with Tribe at her side, if not her packmate.”
She vaguely remembers details being offered, but not being able to concentrate on anything other than the lifeless figure, of the pink hair saturated with blood, of her sister and the aching absence of her presence in her mind, the loss of the totem at the same time another nearly incapacitating blow…
but she nods, slightly. “They know. They were there.”
[Mila Davis] Quietly. “I will ask them.. so I can properly honor her. I may ask Lila to help me, if that’s alright with you.”
She knew Marni felt alone.. so alone in a community where one should never have to be alone. And, by the fact that she showered at the Brotherhood, that perhaps, she didn’t have anywhere to stay.. so.. she thought it appropriate to ask.. “Do you have somewher to stay?”
[Colt Montgomery] ~the cowboy walked into the brotherhood, his jeans were dark indigo, black tee shirt stretched across his chest, his boots thud on the floor~ “Anyone home”
[Marni] She nods, and offers a slight, sad smile. “Indira liked Lila. She’d like that.”
And then, she actually chuckles softly, when Mila asks about where she stays, if she has a place. She arches a brow, slightly, a little hint of the Marni that is waiting to come back out, the Marni she is when she’s at her full potential…
“I am a Gnawer, Mila. The whole city is mine to stay in…”
[Mila Davis] She smiled a bit brighter and finally took her hand back. “Ah.. yeah.. I forgot that part. Well, should you ever desire to stay somewhere warm and with it’s own shower and laundry.. I have a condo. You’re more than welcome to stop by whenever..”
[Marni] She nods, slightly, and offers the other woman a slight smile. “thanks.”
And then Colt is yelling out if anyone is home, and she calls downstairs for him. “COWBOY!” Because she intends to steal his hat.
Again.
[Colt Montgomery] ~he stepped inside, walking around, sniffing the air, he pulled the straw hat from his head and ran a hand through his dark hair, he chatted up one of the kin he’d talked to before, he was looking for a place to call his own, a pack house, he had the money, now all he needed was a little luck, and the luck usually went with the Irish, so here he was… this place reeked of Celts, he was all smiles…. and then he heard that voice, yep, he knew it, it bounced off the walls and down the staircase, music to his ears, he excused himself and ran up the stairs, taking two at a time, and burstin throughthe doorway with a silly grin~ “In da house”
[Mila Davis] “No problem. Just give me a call if you want to stop by.. and.. I will find you once we’re finished, since you said you didn’t have a phone.” Mila pushed herself off of where she had seated herself on the floor. She streched slightly.
Her gaze shifted towards the stairway. “Hey Cowboy..”
[Colt Montgomery] ~yep, there he was in the flesh, and why were these women into calling him the obvious, he had no problem with it, beat some of the other things he could be called~ “Marni, Mila, pleasant surprise” ~and before they could speak he swooped in and gave Marni a bear hug, spinning with her in his arms, setting her down, gazing at the SL, she wasn’t the type ya twirled with~ “Party?”
[Marni] She nods, and gives a wry grin. “Can’t get cable in my box either… some people have no imagination.”
Then she’s swooped up into a hug, and and twirled and she can’t help but laugh a little. She steals his hat in the process and when she is finally set on her feet again, she plops it on her head. “Mila was just.. talkin me through a rough spot.”
Shadows in her eyes, but the tears have stopped. For now.
[Mila Davis] She offered Colt a small smile after Marni’s explaination of what was going on. No, it wasn’t a party. Not by any means. “I’ll see ya soon, k? Take care, Marni.”
“You too Cowboy..”
[Colt Montgomery] ~Marni had a love affair with his hat, he didn’t seem to mind that she’d appeared before him, with it nestled on her head, in fact it fit well, must be all that hair the woman had. he ran his fingers through his hair, breaking up some of the curls as he did, lookin between the two women~ “Oh and I got a fix for no cable in yer box… do ya got a black box?” ~he wondered if he broke up the party, he waved at Mila~ “Glad ya got Mila to chat with, I’m fairly good in a rough spot too”
~Glances at Mila~ “You have a good evenin too Mila. Watch yerself” ~hazel eyes back to Marni, his fingers squeeze the soul patch~ “Been wondering about cha, even checked the trains” ~he was grinning~
[Marni] “Thanks Mila.” For everything, that looks says, as she falls back to her beanbag, and scoots her pack out of the way. Boxers and a tank top is all she wears, the rest of her clothing currently tumbling in the dryer in the laundry room. Well, that – and his hat. It suits her, somehow.
“Did ya? Convince your packmate to go surfin’ with ya yet?”
[Mila Davis] She offered a light smile before she headed down the stairs.. and out of the Brotherhood.
{Thanks for the scene!}
[Marni] (thank you!)
[Colt Montgomery] ~that beanbag looked comfy and there might not have been enough room for two really, but he didn’t mind if half his body rested on the cushion and the rest on the floor, he leaned up against Marni’s shoulder as he made the best of the seating arrangement~ “What kinda fun would it have been without cha” ~he did mention to Cara about the whole train surfin, but he’d let the expert teach Cara, he was eager to give it another whirl though~ “So I see yer doing some laundry, less you run around half nakid all the time” ~he touched her pack with his left hand~ “So is this yer life source?”
[Marni] Does she run around naked all the time? “Only in hotel rooms, with handsome cowboys.” She’s kidding. Maybe.
He touches her pack, the poor thing battered and clearly having seen better days, but heavy even without her clothing in it. She nods, and tucks her head against his chest comfortably. “everything I own is right there.” Including some things that belonged to her lost packmates. She probably could have kept the house for a while – but she just couldn’t… not without them. besides, it’s springtime, and the streets are always home.
[Colt Montgomery] ~he wrapped an arm around her as she rested her head against his chest, his fingers danced through her hair, well maybe they got tangled, they had that in common, unmanageable curly hair, he was due for a cut soon~ “I almost mentioned that I didn’t recognize ya with yer clothes on… but didn’t think the Lord would find it as amusing” ~was he a hater, not really, though you might think he was, maybe him and Mila had a few issues, he hadn’t met any of the other lords yet~
“Looks like yer packs seen many a things, good days and bad” ~she might really need a new one, thought this one might have some sentimental value to it~
“have ya done much surfin without me?” ~he’d totally pout if she had~ “I’m still lookin for a packhouse. Do ya got any friends ya can put me in touch with?” ~yeah that was smoothe~
[Marni] She’s a cuddlesome bundle, and always will be. And he makes her laugh as he mentions Mila might not understand it if he mentioned her lack of clothing. “She helped tonight… She’s… she’s going to work up something to honor Indira. Get some stories, and make sure she’s remembered.” It’s said softly, tinged with sadness as she touches her pack, then chuckles.
“It’s been with me a long time. Holds more than it looks like too… someday it’ll fall apart, I think.”
Then he changes tracks, and she chuckles softly. “Actually, yeah. A fuckbuddy of mine usually has the line on some good places – specially for us. Name’s Ray Ostermann… A Lord, but one of the funniest damn guys I’ve been with since NYC.”
[Marni] then, belatedly… she remembers the surfing question, and nudges him with a chuckle. “And nah, been waiting for you.”
[Colt Montgomery] ~his breathing was rhythmic and steady, his chest moving slowly up and down, he didn’t seem to be uncomfortable with her draped against him, he seemed to enjoy the closeness as well, him and his packmates had always been touchy feely, even if it seemed odd for a Fenrir, guess he wasn’t your typical wolf~ “I’m glad she’s going to help honor Indira…. Them singers are good at that, ya wouldn’t want me trying any of that… I mean.. have ya heard me carry a tune or for that matter seen me with a pencil?” ~he tried to keep it light~ “Most importantly… you have the memories of her” ~he poked at her heart~ “you carry those always, and you’ll make sure she lives on” ~that was as deep as he could take it, he wasn’t put on the earth to talk, just to fight~
“I’ll make sure ya get a new one before that happens” ~he grinned, a girl needed a good tote, even he knew that, he’d have to get her one like the ones they used back home on the ranch, made for saddles, best leather around~
“A fuck buddy… should i be jealous” ~he teased~ “you’re gonna have to introduce me to this Ray, does he got a sister named of Sunshine? ya could give her my number if ya think she’s the one” ~he gave her a lil squeeze round the shoulder~ “Serious though, I’d like to meet him, I wanna get a place, Im done with the hotel life”
~he was happy to hear that Marni was waitin on the train rides, he hadn’t had that much fun since he rode bronx~ “I’m game for another surfin trip, maybe a night ride”
[Marni] She nods, slightly, felt against his chest, even as she appreciates the way he tries to keep it light – and she does the same, rubbing her chest where he pokes her and makes a face. Then he mentions a new pack, and she chuckles, and hugs up close.
As for Ray. “Of him or all the others? And you totally should be – though it was you who fell asleep first last time, before you remembered to take advantage of me…” She chuckles and nods. “I’ll give ya his number. NIght rides are the BEST.. all flashing lights and loud noises…”
[Colt Montgomery] ~he had a full belly and a warm body next to him, that always made him sleepy, he chuckled, the girl seemed to have lots of friend with benefits, or so she claimed, he was playfully envious of it all, he slipped the hat from her head and placed it on it’s rightful head, pulled her into a headlock of softs and scratched her head.. yes noogie time~ “I sure had a crazy dream that night, you sure you weren’t takin advantage of me?” ~he winked, the noogie stopped and he kissed the top of her head~ “You know yer always welcome for sleepovers” ~he smiled mischeviously~
“Maybe I’d be setting the tone with Ray, if you actually introduced us.. I mean if he knows we’re friends, he might be willing to help me without taking the clothes from my back” ~he knew how SL’s worked.. they did nothing for free and always had a scheme going, he was sure that Ray was no different, he was willing to pay for what he wanted, but he didn’t like to owe anyone to much~
[Marni] She squeals as he noogies her, and wriggles away – which only serves to brign her closer instead, laughing. He kisses the top of her head, and then she nods.
“Well then – take me back to your room, cowboy, and I’ll take you to see Ray tomorrow.” Let him be jealous of the greeting the ShadowLord gets – and THEN see if he remembers them dreams…
Naughty, naughty Marni.
[Colt Montgomery] “Yee Haw, a date with you and Ray tomorrow” ~okay he was thrilled to be getting in touch with a connection, but even more so, he wanted to remember the dreams~
“Let’s go” ~he was quickly up on two feet, hands extended to entwine fingers with hers, lifting her up from the bean bag~ “Sweet dreams”
[Marni] “Do I get to get my clothes first?” She laughs as she reaches up to take his hands and be hauled to her feet. She sweeps down and grabs her pack, scoots to the dryer to grab her still warm clothing, slipping into a pair of jeans before slipping her shoes on…
…and then it’s off to see what he remembers…