[Mama Ankle-Biter] She squints, first both eyes, then the right opens, and the left stays closed. Then the left one squints and the right eye opens. It is rather comical, her expression. Lips purse together as she hums loudly under her throat, not seeming to buy Faith’s story. “Uh huh. Riiiiiiiiight, sure. Ya expect me to believe that after what ya done told me ya’d want to do to Mr. Sweetheart over there in the diner the other night.”
Her head turns, glancing up and down at Victor as she clucks her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she sets her hands on her hips, wrinkling up her nose. “And why are ya here, Vicki?”
[Victor Oseragighte] He blinks at the threat and winces at just the thought, but manages to laugh despite it, running both ands through his hair.
“She was like this when I got here. Karl called me to come over. Going to dedicate her clothing for her. Once it’s dry.” He had to wonder if she had known, but he did not think so; he suspected if Mama actually did know, her reaction would be very different than this. Still, his eyes follow the crowbar curiously, wondering what she was doing with it… maybe she did suspect after all? But in the end, there was nothing to suspect, and it would say so. The revelation that she’d told Mama something about him, though, was brand new and quite surprising.
[Faith Brooks] Her eyes go wide, and she blushes, clearing her throat. Then reaches out and opens the fridge door and points. “Eat woman. Raid it. And no… I don’t really expect you to believe me, but it’s the truth.” She hrmphs, getting out a plate, more silverware, and a glass “And besides, you coulda kept the girl talk part quiet. I didn’t say anything about what you were up to little miss cupid.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Waitaminute – ”
Mama blinks, several times. Her gaze slides across Faith, eyeballing her again, “Ya trying to drag Mr. Grumpy-Pants into ya web of sin, little one, as well?”
Her nose wrinkles up again, she doesn’t accept the invite of food which is surprising to say, as a Gnawer never rejects a free meal. She folds her arms across the small expansion of her chest, obviously making her pack mates believe that their kooky alpha has falling off her rocker. She was getting a little batshitcrazy. “And, what’s wrong with Mama trying to fix Vic up with a good woman. That Erika lady’s got good breeding, would’ve thrown some nice pups out.”
[Faith Brooks] She sighs, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Now that does make her laugh. “I told you why I’m running around in my underwear. All I have otherwise is work clothes. You remember what I said about them, right? Besides, what I said was nothing even close to going through with it. It was a thought, that’s it. Something us monkey born do sometimes.”
She looks to them both. “Be cozy, ok? I’m gonna just go in the other room and bury my head now” She turns and starts towards the living room, and the hallway beyond.
[Victor Oseragighte] He sighs and rises to circle around the table to stand before Mama, not actually touching her, because she does seem a trifle unstable this moment, but there, a solid presence before her.
“Karl has Moira. Nothing is going to happen here. And nothing can happen with me and Erika. She’s nice. Count her a friend. But her tribe would never allow it. You’re not going to find me somebody here. I know I am the outsider. I’m alright with that. I know that means I am not going to find somebody, because few of my tribe are even in this city. I’m alright with that also. Faith is keeping faith. We need to induct her, you know.”
[Marni] Waaaaaaait a minute. There’s the sense of another coming closer, and closer – then pausing. waylaid, of course, by something to eat, because Marni seems to be the embodiment of their Totem’s hunger, what with eating for two now, and getting lots of exercise.
Lots and lots and LOTS of exercise…
anyway, the sense of her getting closer finally culminates in a loud [b]*POP*[/i] right about where Mama had spilled through moments before, and into the living room appears another of the Moonrunners.
“Heeeeeey, Mama! Anyone got anything to eat around here?”
and off she goes searching for food her packmates.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] Her arms remain folded across her chest, head tilting up to meet Victor’s gaze. It is hard to imagine that this was the same woman that tore Karl a new asshole a few nights ago in the challenge for Alpha. She sucks in a deep breath, holding it for a spell as her cheeks bulge out, and then exhales in a long sigh. Faith makes her excuses to leave, and Mama just watches her go before turning back on Victor.
She raises an eyebrow at him, she looks her shoulder when Marni appears, the corners of her mouth tilting up in a crooked smile at the other Gnawer.
[Faith Brooks] ((REALLY really sorry guys. ~cries~ But I have a staff meeting in just under 4 hrs, and if I don’t lay down I’mma be in huge trouble since i have to drive for 3 hrs after the staff meeting. heh.))
to Mama Ankle-Biter, Marni, Victor Oseragighte
[Victor Oseragighte] “We do. Faith and I are human born. Human born, we can think of sex, talk of it, but the deed is the thing. And in the end, that won’t happen. We know our roles. We know our oaths. Given time, attraction becomes other things. Friendship. Brotherhood. Trust in us. And eat. I think there are more leftovers. She cooks good.”
He says his piece and only then smiles briefly to Marni, starting to turn back to the table and the rest of his hamburger, tossing over his shoulder. “Met Kyle.”
[Faith Brooks] There is a disembodied voice that calls from somewhere beyond all the assault of girlishness that is Faith’s apartment. “Food’s in the fridge and cabinets. And drinks. If you’re pack, make yourself at home, there’s a spare bedroom and a fold out couch”
[Victor Oseragighte] (( That’s cool. Go rest, we understand. We’ll raid her icebox. ))
to Faith Brooks, Mama Ankle-Biter, Marni
[Marni] OOOOOOOoh. She walked into a hornets nest, didn’t she? She chuckles.
“We talkin about sex? WHOOT! Hey, who’s that? Don’t need a place to stay, just starving – eatin for two, ya know!”
She gestures toward the back and whispers to Mama and Victor as she enters the kitchen. “Who’s that? where the heck are we, OH LEFTOVERS!” and she’s headfirst in the fridge….
[Faith Brooks] ((ok, going now! Faith will stay in her room rest of the night and at some point slip out to work and get her frustrations out constructively and in a way that won’t get her in trouble. haha. Food is packed full of random leftovers and fancy import beers, milk, bottled water, juice. Freezer has frozen meats. Looks like the girl was well stocked. There’s also half a package of raw ground beef sitting on the counter. For Marni: The apartment is a girly girl’s heaven. Pink, silver, glitter, butterflies, unicorns… EVERYWHERE.))
to Mama Ankle-Biter, Marni, Victor Oseragighte
[Mama Ankle-Biter] She points in the direction of Faith, “That’s Faith, she’s the newest recruit at the moment. Karl and Victor found her, though, I have no idea where…. not the brightest of theurges.”
She sniffs the air, wandering over to the table as she sets the crowbar down and takes off the garbage can lid that serves as a shield on her back, setting it down to lean it against the leg of the table. She plops down, watching them.
[Faith Brooks] ((thanks for the play! :D I die nao! ~slobbers all over and scoots~))
to Mama Ankle-Biter, Marni, Victor Oseragighte
[fly] ((So where are you guys?))
[Marni] (Faith’s apt)
[Victor Oseragighte] He watched Mama drop down into a chair as he took up his own and began to eat again. As he did so, he studied her, and finally murmured, “she’s pretty good, I think. When I took her up with me to see the high spirits.”
“Maybe you could teach her more, though. And me? I’d like to learn more. Appreciate it. Really.”
[Marni] She peeks up over at Mama, then in the direction of where Faith’s voice had come from, then back to the apartment. She whispers and arches her brows “she’s kinda a…girl, ain’t she?” because this place? was ALL kindsa girly girl shit.
She pulls out fixings for a sandwich, and goes to town, building herself quite the little snack. “Of course Mama can teach her – we all gotta learn shit, sometimes.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “She is a girly girl.” The Gnawer looks around at the decor, arching an eyebrow at the brightness of it all, she had always liked bright colors, but this… it was. Pink, Silver, glittery, filled with unicorns and butterflies… EVERYWHERE!!
She leans her arms on the table’s edge, palming one her left cheek into her left hand, “Ya sure she’s a Glass Walker, Faith I mean. Looks more like a Cog to me,” she gestures with a finger in the air to all the girly decor, “That’s a lot of pink.” She grins, chuckling under her breath.
[Victor Oseragighte] “Does have unicorns. Hit Karl with one.” He did not add that Karl deserved it, as that tended to go without saying to his mind. He finished off the rest of his hamburger and sat back, sipping milk.
“Met Kyle,” he noted again, since Marni had not responded the first time. It seemed a bit funny, really, them all here gathered around while Faith was doing her laundry. Very homey, though. And that thought makes him a little homesick, a sharp pang that is tangible to those there with him.
[Karl] There is a POP from the kitchen and Karl is there by the counter. He turns around to look at the gathered.
“See, that’s what I aid when I came here. Im a big and manly sort of guy, but this place is so Gay I am thinking there should be awards. There should be flaming prancing Children of Gaia making this a shrine to peace love and girly parts or some such.”
Yeps, the Fenrir has arrived.
“I see you all managed to invade while I was off working?”
[Marni] “Kyle? Who’s that?” She blinks at Victor, as he mentions it again.
She grins t Karl and tosses a pickle at him. “How do you know what’s gay? I mean really – this is GIRLY, and for a girl that’s normal. I think. I dunno – i’m never been that kinda girl…”
She wrinkles her nose, then goes back to making her sandwich.
[Marni] (I think he means Ray. *L*)
to Victor Oseragighte
[Victor Oseragighte] (( Er, insert name of Marni’s mate for Kyle. I think I got them mixed up, but I meant him! ))
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (Ray?)
[Victor Oseragighte] (( That’s it! ))
[Marni] In THAT case, when Victor mentions Ray, Marni… well. She smiles. And it’s not her normal mischief making smile, but something far… softer. Hell, the girl is practically glowing – from all that, you know, exercise she’s been getting lately.
“Did ya? How’d that go?” Oh so deceptively mild.
[Victor Oseragighte] “Didn’t talk much. Nice guy. Should bring him around. Didn’t even know our pack name,” he said with an amused chuckle and another swallow of his milk. He could see the glow about Marni and he certainly took that to heart, the same glow Karl got around Moira.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] Faith’s apartment was filling up rather quickly, Mama makes a head count of everyone that’s here and nods her head once. The corners of her mouth curling back into a satisfied grin. There was still that godawful aroma coming from the small blond, her clothes still damp from some clear, sticky substance that you didn’t want to know about. The battered round shield of a metal trashcan lid sits against the leg of the table next to her thigh, and a crowbar lay next to her elbow.
“Twitterpated.” She says with a soft snort.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Ya realize, Karl, the ahroun Mama’s gone drag down from upstate is a Cog, right?” she watches them all, blue eyes glimmering with mirth. She doesn’t seem to mind the smell that wafts from her, her right hand reaches up to pluck at the blond curls that fall into her eyes.
[Victor Oseragighte] His nose wrinkles and he rises from his seat.
“Mama, I think we need to do YOUR laundry next.” The smell had been easy to ignore when eating his burgers, but now he had just milk and it was ruining his appetite entirely.
[Marni] She ducks her head, and chuckles. “We.. uh.. haven’t had much time to talk yet. The question of our name didn’t quite come up yet.”
She pops a bite of cheese in mouth, and then sticks her tongue out at Mama. “I am not.”
She finally finishes off her sandwich making, and puts all the fixings away, before turning to hop up on the counter and takes a huge bite of the oh so messy sandwich she’s concocted tonight.
[Victor Oseragighte] “Ahroun?” News to him, and he was suddenly very intereted to hear more about this. Maybe Mama’s laundry could wait. Or they could get her a towel. Or something. That was good, right?
[Karl] ”Yeah, I bet… and what? What ahroun is that you are dragging down from upstate? Who you talking about Mama? And who the hell have you been beating up with a crowbar with a trashcan lid as a shield?”
He mutters and goes for the fridge. Faith had some very good beers in there and he would be damned if he let someone else get to them first. He grabs two bottles, opens both and starts drinking.
“Marni, you two have been going at it like bunnies. Im surprised you managed to slip away for this long, or can we be expecting Ray to come knocking to drag you off to Faith’s bedroom hmm?”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “And just where the hell is Mama suppose to bath? Ya gone expect me to sit in the sink and scrub down with the dish soap, Victor?” She had caught the Wendigo’s attention, smirking a little. A hand waves in the air, “Psssh…” she glances down at the crowbar, pulling it closer to her chest to hug it to her.
“A very nice fang-banger let me keep it after Mama as a souvenir,” she glances down at the trash can lid, and beams brightly, “It’s a shield! Couldn’t find anything better to use to deflect the goop!” She glances at Victor, rolling her shoulders back in a small shrug.
[Karl] ”focus Mama… the ahroun. Who is he and where did you find him?”
Karl mutters at the fostern, glancing to Victor for a moment.
[Marni] She snorts and sticks her tongue out at Karl. “Like you can talk. Sides, it’s been MONTHS. We had some… uh… reconnecting… to do.”
Yeah. Yup. That’s it. She takes another bite, and grins as she listens to the others.
[Victor Oseragighte] “She has a bathroom,” he points out with a sigh and a chuckle. He takes his milk with him to the far side of the kitchen, there to hear what she has to say about this Ahroun.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Riptide,” is all she says.
[Karl] ”Bless you. Details old woman! Details!”
Karls gaze Is on Mama, fixing her. Memory still quite fresh in him regarding mama’s latest descisions that had led them and a few others to the battleground. That had ben a nasty surprise for all involved. Karl wanted to avoid more of those.
“Or are you hiding something? This some lover of yours teaching you about monkey sex Mama? I heard what those coggies do behind closed doors.”
[Marni] She arches a brow slightly, watching Karl and Mama s they talk about this new Ahroun. She flicks a glance toward Victor, then back again. She’s missed quite a bit, it seems, during her time spent reconnecting with her (HER!) mate (MATE!).
“Wait – so. We’re inducting Faith, and there’s a new coggie too? Who the hell else haven’t I met?!”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “His name’s Riptide, ya goof,” she says with a quirked eyebrow at Karl, “He’s a coggie, a metis, and an ahroun. We done run together a year or so ago, when before ever set foot in Chicago, he’s from the West Coast, one of them surfing dogs.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] She clucks her tongue, laughing at Marni, “We ain’t inducting the new ahroun yet, he’s just someone Mama tagged with an interest for the pack since Wyrmbreaker done told me to get a fullmoon.”
She shrugs her shoulders, “Might do us some good, he’ll run with us for a bit when and if he gets here. Ain’t saying he’s joining up prompto.”
[Victor Oseragighte] A CoG metis. Interesting. He downed the rest of his milk and walked over to wash out the glass, not adding anything of his own yet. Lupus, metis, homid. Two Theurges, two Ragabash, himself, and now an Ahroun. All they were really missing was a moondancer.
[Marni] She narrows her gaze. “An’ since when do we let fuckin Lukas fuckin Wyrmbreaker dictate what the Moonrunners fuckin’ need?”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “We don’t.” She says with a firmness edging into her voice, her head lifts up, cheek pulled from her hand as she speaks. “It ain’t gone hurt us none to have one though, some of the full moons Mama’s seen around here are taken or have their heads shoved up their asses.”
[Marni] She studies Mama for another moment, before she nods, and takes another bite of her sandwich. “Good. I jus’ don’t want that dishonorable lyin’ fucktard thinkin he has anything to do with what works for us.”
Hold a grudge? Damn straight she does.
[Victor Oseragighte] (( Darn it, my post was lost. ))
“We need who we need. Not who we’re told,” he agreed quietly as he set his glass aside to dry and turned, leaning against the counter. Marni’s clear problem with Lukas, though, caught his attention.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (…)
[Marni] (hallo? heh.)
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (having connection issues with the site)
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (Mike can’t get back in)
[Marni] (that’s what she said.)
[Marni] (hee)
[Marni] She looks over at Victor when his attention is caught and she shrugs. “Ya got questions, ask’em.”
[Victor Oseragighte] He shrugged. “Think it’s obvious. You’re saying he’s honorless. Why?” He did not think he had to ask, but knew with some there was no other way.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] She sighs, pulling herself up out of the chair. The stench wafts around her as the gnawer moves from the table to the fridge, opening the door to peer inside. She squints at the harsh light, leaning in with her foot propping the door open as jars and bottles start to clink around.
[Karl] ”I would be glad for an ahroun, if he is sensible enough and knows how to direct in battle.”
Karl takes a long swig of one of the beers then looks to the others.
“Marni… You won. He can posture and beat his chest as much as he wants? But you won. You got Ray, and for what? He didn’t call you worse then what the Gnawers been called every day for centuries.”
That said, he takes another drink and continues.
“Of course, Wyrmbreaker does not dictate who or what runs with the moonrunners. We do. So yeah, bring him along, and we shall make sure he is a good guy. If he is, wont be a problem. Could use a real ahroun so I dont have to fake it.”
[Marni] She snorts and takes the last bite of her sandwich, dusts off her hands, and then braces them against the edge of the counter. She swings her legs, heels thumping lightly against the front of the cabinet below her.
“He lied. He swears he’s always truthful, he’s honorable beyond fault, yaddayaddabullshit. He lied to Ray. Then he laid the blame for it on me. He told Ray I refused to allow him to see the kid if he didn’t become my mate – an outright lie. He told Ray that I had hidden the reprecussions of his becoming Gnawer on purpose – neglecting the fact that I’d been forbidden to see Ray for 2 months, and thus couldn’t discuss anything with him. He touts his honor like it’s some kind of flag to keep us kneeling before his greatness, an’ he’s a fuckin lying asswipe who refuses t’admit his own failings. AND he ain’t got enough honor to do his duty an’ knock up his own fuckin’ mate.”
A shrug. “I ain’t perfect, but I ain’t the one out there flingin my honor in everyone’s face every other sentence.”
[Marni] She snaps a look at Karl. “Jus’ cause fuckers call us shit, don’t mean we are what they say or that we gotta sit still an’ take it like good lil fuckin bottom-dwellers. I won. He made sure that I knew it was RAYs doin, not mine, while still callin me fuckin names. So until YOUR honor is being dragged through th’fuckin mud by a lying dickwad? I’d appreciate ya fuckin standin by me, instead of telling me that it’s just the way we always been treated. Yeah. it is. But that ain’t make it fuckin’ right, now does it?”
She hops down off the counter, and turns to clean up the rest of her mess, angrily swiping the crumbs off the counter.
[Victor Oseragighte] Wow. Well, there was a lot of bitterness simmering there. He took in what Karl had to say and what Marni did, and thought he might have to look into this, poke about and see what others had to say. Marni was his packmate, but she was close to the matter and might be more angry than logical right now. But being angry did not make her beliefs invalid, either. So he’d verify.
Until then, he nodded and stroked his beard thoughtfully.
[Marni] .
to Marni
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Ya’re a Fenrir, Karl, don’t think ya can fake much of anything, except maybe one of ya monkey orgasms, but wouldn’t really know about that.” She peers around the edge of the door at the Rotagar, batting her eyelashes and smiling sweetly to him. “Ya want another beer?”
Marni goes off and she blinks, tilting her head as the other Gnawer snaps at Karl. She sighs, stepping away from it and bumps it shut with her hip. The corner of one eyebrow arching high as lines crease into her brow, features furrowing into a frown as she listens.
[Karl] ”Marni, aint saying he did right. Aint saying you weren’t wronged. All I am saying for all of it… You won. And if you find a way to drag Lukas out into the light to show the sept what he is like, then good for you. But you need to keep it cool. Strike from his blind spot. When he isn’t expecting it. IF you go around growling like this, he will see it coming. He will have a chance to twist it around.”
For sure it would be a fenrir ragabash to claim that there is no justification for giving a fair chance, that striking from the dark is better than from the front. Then again, Karl’s honor is not in his straight up fighting ways.
“And your talking to the Fenrir who willingly and happily packed with gnawers. You don’t have to tell me its wrong. But it is reality. We find ways to deal with it, work around it and fight on.”
[Marni] “I’m here with PACK. If I can’t talk fuckin’ free here, then..”
She throws her hands up, and then scrubs her face, before turning and stalking toward the living room, and door. “I need some fuckin’ air.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” her voice raises up, nose wrinkling up as she watches Marni throw her hands up in the air, stalking towards the living room. “No one says ya have to curb ya tongue with the rest of the pack, Marni.” already the small gnawer was quickly moving to the table, collecting up her crowbar and trash can shield to throw it over her head. It settles between her shoulder blades, sliding down to the middle of her back.
She shoots a look at Karl first, and then moves after Marni. She follows after the taller girl’s heels, grumbling under her breath. “Git back here.”
[Victor Oseragighte] “If you can’t talk freely here, you can’t anywhere,” he agreed quietly. But Marni was already storming off and he did not know her well enough yet, so he let Mama deal with her for the moment and looked to Karl instead.
“Lukas really all that she says? Never heard this all before.”
[Karl] ”Aww damn it Marni, you know thats not what im saying.”
He bites back at Marni when she throws her hands up.
Then Mama move sin and Victor speaks up.
“Seems like. He is good at keeping it on the down low tho. We would need to get Ray speaking up like Marni in order to prove it tho. Get them in front of the truthcatcher in order for it to mean a damn thing, and even then all it would likely do is get the unbroken on our backs, cause they are hooked so deeply in the sept it aint even funny.”
He mutters and finishes one of the beers, going for the second right away.
“I don’t like it, but right now, cant do a thing about it. Until I can, im not going to tip whatever hand I have in their favor at any rate.”
[Marni] “Why?! I ain’t a fuckin IDIOT. Don’t fuckin treat me like I’m STUPID.”
She’s not stupid, of course. What she is, though, is angry. And hurt. And hormonal. And poor Mama is there to be vented on… “I know what he done did! I know that I can’t fuckin storm up to him an’ call him on his shit. I can’t even fuckin’ challenge him for anything without him fuckin going straight for the baby I carry that he thinks shoulda been his! I can’t do SHIT an’ it’s fuckin driving me fuckin’ INSANE.”
She’s trembling. She’s furious. And she’s… hitting the wall next to the door – wishing it was Lukas instead.
[str+dex+totem=7d5 CUZ I’M MAD OK! AN THE DOOR CANT MOVE!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 5)
[Marni] (that was dex+brawl – rolled right, typed wrong. Damn I’m tired]
[Marni] [now – ouch? *L*]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “How the fuck ya gone get’im in front of a Truthcatcher when his own pack mate is the fucking Master of Challenge and the Philodox Elder! He’s run a damn monopoly on the council, nearly everyone he’s sucking dicks with is or was associated with his pack… ‘cept maybe Bai Chou, who don’t give a shit about anything.”
There is a bitter growl to her words, lips trembling as they peel back into a human impression of a snarl. She was there to be vented on, it was her duty and her job, not only as alpha, but as Marni’s tribe. She doesn’t flinch as the other Gnawer takes a swing at the wall next to the door, her tongue clucks against the roof of her mouth as she shakes her head.
“Marni, baby…” her voice softens, crooning to her, “We know this, we ain’t treating ya like ya is, baby.”
[Victor Oseragighte] “I think I need a lesson in politics around here. I don’t know nearly enough about the pack or position layout,” he declared after listening to all of this. Clearly things weren’t as nice and neat as they’d seemed at first, but then when were they ever? It was not as if he’d expected everybody to be dancing around singing kumbaya.
[Marni] Mama croons at her, and Marni flexes her hand, and then pulls it close with a grunt. She turns her back to the wall, and slides down to sit on the floor, resting her forehead against her knees to hide the flicker of emotions she can’t control, her injured fist trapped against her belly.
“I’m so…” She sighs, shakily. “I know I ain’t even been doin my duty with the pack – m’scared he’s gonna send me on some fucked up mission t’make me lose the baby. An’ I wasn’t there when ya fuckin’ took em t’battle an’ Karl frenzied. I wasn’t there when ya fought th’fuckin’ mask things.. I wasn’t there an’ I shoulda been an’ I ain’t like that he makes me scared.. I ain’t a fuckin’ pussy…”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] Shield and crowbar and gunnysack are immediately flung off to the ground as she squirms out of them. The Gnawer is immediately at Marni’s side, crouching down beside her, brushing up against her as she wraps her arms around Marni’s shoulders, pulling the other Gnawer to her and hugs her tightly. She croons in Marni’s ear, smoothing a hand over her curls. She looks down at her, and then away to focus a stare on Karl and Victor, scowling at them.
“That’s not true, Marni, that’s so not true.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (Mike asked me to let you all know he had to go afk to lay down to see if the pain dies down. He hurt himself somehow)
to Marni, Victor Oseragighte
[Victor Oseragighte] (( Ack! I hope he’s going to be alright! ))
to Mama Ankle-Biter, Marni
[Mama Ankle-Biter] (I don’t know. He felt a pop in the muscle under his ribs in his side. He’ll try to come back if it goes away)
to Marni, Victor Oseragighte
[Victor Oseragighte] He catches Mama’s eyes, sees Marni’s state. He’s not certain how she’ll welcome him, truly, but he walks over carefully and circles around to sit beside them, whispering, “we can’t all be 100% all of the time. That doesn’t make you useless. Never.”
A hand moves to take one of Marni’s and squeeze it. “Trust in your pack. Trust in us.”
[Marni] She folds herself easily into Mama’s embrace, burying her face against her shoulder, letting her alpha and friend feel the way she trembles, feel the way she struggles even now, trying to hold it together. The months long fight for Ray took more out of her than she’d ever admit, the way Lukas treated her still smarts, the fact that she’s sidelined so much of the time just because of the baby and her desire to see her born, and not ripped from her belly forcefully…
Sometimes, it’s just all too much.
She feels Victor come closer, and doesn’t shy away. When his hand reaches and takes hers, her fingers tighten around his hand, holding on, holding tight. Fortunately, it’s not the one she just smashed into the door.
murmuring… “I jus’ don’t want you to think I’m failin… I ain’t wanna fail another pack… I wasn’t there an’ I lost Indira…”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Marni…” she murmurs against her forehead, pressing a small kiss to her temple, “Ya ain’t forsaken ya duties, ya’ll be back to fighting condition soon enough. Ya’re doing a blessed thing, carrying this pup, baby. It’s honorable. It’s what Gaia has us do, just cuz we’s garou don’t exclude us none from doing something as precious as being a mother. Trust me, baby, done bore two litters worth of pups already, done my duty for the nation.”
She grins, glancing over the top of Marni’s head at Victor. “Being here with us, participating in talks, decisions, that’s still stuff ya doing with the pack. Ya can always halp out with little things that needs to be done, like halping Victor take care of samples for the totem, to halp the shrine grow… other things that won’t put the pup in harm’s way.”
She thinks for a moment, “Know some stuff ya can halp Mama with if’n ya feeling useless.”
[Victor Oseragighte] “Could use some help with my samples,” he agreed with a small nod, guessing this would pique Marni’s interest, given the cryptic nature of his comment. The truth was, though, he COULD use help gathering samples and nurturing them, not really something he knew much about.
[Marni] She sighs softly, before nodding. “I’ll help doin whatever… I feel so fuckin… yeah.” She sighs, and then peers at Victor, suspiciously. “…what… kinda… samples?”
And then – after a moment or two, she takes a breath in attempt to center herself, and then… “An worse? I’m gettin FAT, Mama…” It’s a wail, but one that’s far more playful than really upset. She even flips over to lay across Mama’s lap, and tugs up her tank top, and pushes the waistband of her shorts down a little bit, to show her belly – which is far from fat, and only just now starting to show the smallest swell… “LOOK. I’m GROTESQUE!”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “If’n Ray’s still fucking ya fat ass, then ya ain’t grotesque. Sheesh, Marni.” She laughs, reaching out to poke the other Gnawer right in her belly button, tickling her as Marni flopped into her lap. “Tell ya what, ya can halp me try to relocate the trash heap gaffling got under the overpass. Need to find a new scrap yard to dedicate to the Great Trash Heap after Mama done summoned him to halp out.”
[Victor Oseragighte] He coughed a bit as they started going into matters he could ignore, answering instead Marni’s question.
“Swore to Hummingbird extra tribute. Been collecting samples from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Cuttings. To grow here. Spread about. Make his children happy.”
[Marni] She swats mama’s hand away as she’s tickled, and chuckles. “Shush. wait…” She sits up. “TWO litters? Mama… you got stories!”
She runs her hands through her curls, and then scrubs her face, irritated to have being caught in a moment of weakness. She nods at Victor, and Mama both. “OK. Samples and a new scrap yard. I kin dig it.”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Sides, Karl’s the current meatshield, let the Fenrir get all the glory, we can get’cha nice and fat on honor and wisdom! Make ya the most wisest, honorable Gnawer Ragabash this side of the Mason-Dixon line.”
She chuckles, glancing over at Victor with a nod of approval.
[Victor Oseragighte] He says nothing much to this, just nodding and scratching briefly at his chin. Much to think on here. Everything kept getting more and more complex, and he was finding… that he liked it so. He’d do what he could for Marni, to make her feel needed, as she WAS. He smiled back to his Alpha.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] She pushes Marni off of her, tossing the Gnawer over to land on Victor if Marni lets herself be pushed that way. “Here go cry on him. Vic’s the pack’s denmother. He’s the cuddle master apparently from what all the girls say.”
[Marni] She’s pushed, and she lets herself fall against Victor – if only to see what he’ll do. “Someone’d better be the cuddle master… else I’ll jus’ have to go home to my mate…”
…said with a grin, as she curls up against Victor and bats her lashes up at him. Incorrigible, Marni.
[Victor Oseragighte] He laughs, quietly but freely, shaking his head as he slides an arm about Marni to comfort and hold simply, A shake of his head and he grins a little at Mama. “All of the girls? I did not know I was sucha topic of converastion.”
[Marni] Now Marni… she loves a cuddle more than anything in the world – except for what usually precedes a cuddle in her world. THAT she loves even more. She most certainly is a pleasant armful though, all curves in the right places, an easy smile and a comfort in her own skin – even if it’s growing and stretching by the day.
“All the girls. Quite a catch, our Victor..”
Murmured as she snuggles in, and breathes deeply of his scent, and relaxes slowly against him. Cuddlesome, indeed.
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Lesse here.” She starts to tick off the fingers of her left hand, “Erika, Faith, Adrian… ummm, who else?”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] “Mama’s heard Victor as being referred to as a sweetheart, a gentleman, he likes to play superman and take Garou women out flying.” She runs her hands across her chin, shaking her head as she looks at Marni and then to the Wendigo, “He’s a real Cassanova that boy is.”
[Victor Oseragighte] He flushes a little, though his complexion hides it well, and shakes his head, then looks up and blinks at Mama’s tally. “What? No. I think you… no. Just me. Nothing else.”
[Marni] She chuckles softly, and curls in close to Victor, hugging him tight, before she pulls away again. “Mama’s a hella matchmaker. Lookit me n’ Ray.”
She scrubs her face again, and then nods, before pushing to stand. “Speaking of, I gotta get back. Meet ya tomorrow to help with the samples an’ scout for a scrap yard/”
[Mama Ankle-Biter] She stretches out, “Think it’s time to be heading out as well.” She looks around, wondering where Faith had gotten off to, she stands up, moving away to pick up her makeshift battle gear and pulls it back on. She glances over her shoulder at Victor, shaking the curved end of the crowbar at him.
“No funny business with Faith ya hear.”
[Peek]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) [WP] Re-rolls: 1
[Peek] ((Nuuu wrong window))
[Victor Oseragighte] Victor offers a shake of his head. “Dedicating her clothing , then taking off.”
Another day he’d have to ask after the full hierarchy around here, how things truly stand. Very soon. Something he’d clearly need to know.
[Marni] She takes a breath, and stands, and then slides her hand over Mama’s shoulder,squeezing lightly, before she heads toward the door once more. This time calmer, this time in full control.
For now.
(bedtime for lessa! night!)
[Victor Oseragighte] (( ‘night! ))