[Joss] She has been sitting at the edge of Maelstrom, meditating, for some time now, longer than many others could imagine. Her eyes closed, her breathing steady, her center calm.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Over, and over. Setting her battered soul to rights, soothing her innermost soul, finding the center from which all strength wells in the midst of even the simplest of battle, of tooth and claw.
The wind plays about her dreads, her slender frame buffeted by the breeze, her skirts pulled and tugged and tightened around her. She feels nothing – not until the ritual has finished, not until the rite is done. There is the bulk of bandages about her torso, though she has resisted the pain for the purposes of full strength for the session she is about to particpate in. She is one with the spirits, she is one with the Totem of the Caern, she is one with Gaia herself.
She is Gaia’s very Breath.
(…inhale…..exhale…)
[Bai Chou] Bai himself was attending the grounds of the caern to see if he would note any old faces. So far though, he hadn’t seen a one. No Decker. No Andrew. No Hyde. Not even Danny. But then he vaguely remembered something about Danny leaving the city. He almost missed the Gnawer. But things changed when you’re gone for a long while. New faces, new problems. A new gathering area called the Brotherhood…a Glass Walker who could beat his ass…a kinfolk more mouthy then Blast on his worst days.
He would have likely just kept going but then he caught sight of someone sitting in sort of a lotus like meditation. He wasn’t really sure what he could call it…but he could tell that something was going on. So curiosity ensued, the curse of his tribe as the Uktena began to make his way over.
[Marrick Fisher] [[How is she today…]]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Joss] 11….12…13….
She takes another breath, slow and easy, yet somehow the different than all the others. A second, and her eyes open, dark depths glittering with something like contentment, something very nearly like joy.
Silence often wonders what it might be like to be content all the time, to know some measure of happiness in the midst of the War, the Nation. She can’t explain. She simply is.
She stretches her arms up over her head, arching her back, her face to the sky, the moon, before she returns her gaze to the whirlpool before her, and tips her head, slightly, in respect.
Ritual complete.
[Marrick Fisher] Marrick was making her way to the caern, messenger bag draped over one shoulder. The blonde woman made her way through the caern and trying to think through her purposes. Marrick’s thoughts were wandering. They were everywhere and nowhere.
The wind shifted.
She stopped, cocking her head to the side and she found herself looking around agian. blue eyes were intense and fixated. With that, she changed her direction. Footsteps were reverent.
This was a good place to be.
This was a sacred place.
[Bai Chou] Bai paused, watching the Godi for a moment. Then his head turns, the plastic frame of his glasses the first part of his face seen as the Asian man gazed at Marrick now. Two faces he didn’t know but he gave a nod to her, remaining quiet for the moment. This was a sacred place after all.
There was at least a reverence shared by most in that regards. Though the back of his mind told him it would be a good time for a smoke, he ignored it…remaining silent, almost in observance.
[Joss] She turns her head, finding Bai Chou watching instantly, almost as if she’d known he was there, watching. Because she did.
Her gaze lifts to see the familiar form of the Ahroun elder behind him, and she smiles, warmly. “Hi Marrick!” before her attention returns to Bai. “Cat got your tongue?”
She chuckles, softly. It’s nothing that one would expect by the breeding that runs through her veins. A Fenrir that Smiles. Heaven help us all.
[Marrick Fisher] “Hola Joss-” spent speaking in spanish, but with a hard J, like in English “- como estas meine lieblingsFenrir?”
Yes, Marrick just mixed german and spanish. She grinned a little and gave Bai Chou an upward nod. Marrick didn’t explore much, didn’t say much. She starts to sit herself down, and instead looks at her messenger bag to find something.
She takes out a knife. It looks dull.
[Bai Chou] “Trying not to interrupt.”
He reached up, fingers pushing the Clark Kent spectacles up the bridge of his nose. The hand also slid down to check the tie around his neck…he had the look of a pencil pusher or desk jockey with the suit and gray pea coat. Only serpentine tattoo along his hand indicates something other then that.
He glanced to Marrick, giving her a slight incline of his head before he spoke.
“Since I’m the stranger, my name is Bai Chou, known as Godslayer to the People. I am a shaman of the Uktena, a Cliath who has seen more then his share, and a recently returning member of Chicago’s older residents.”
[Joss] She pulls her godi bag from where it sits by her hip into her lap, and starts to dig around inside the depths of STUFF for her supplies tonight. The way she and Marrick settle and work together to gather things, it’s clear they’ve done this before.
The gathering to make the talens is almost a ritual in and of itself.
She watches Bai as he introduces himself, a candle and long matches, and a piece of wood in her hands, then set before her.
“I’m Joss Lehrer, Gossamer Wing. Fostern Godi, Eagle and Theurge Elder. It’s a pleasure to meet you – though a dare say we’ve all seen more than our share.”
[Marrick Fisher] “Marrick Fisher, Bones to Dust. Cliath, Black Fury, Full Moon… Ahroun elder for the sept of Maelstrom,” she tells him.
She smiles something pleased. She offers him a hand. She is pleased to say the least, and a surprisingly amiable creature. Intense, sharp and filled with quiet Fury, but pleased none the less.
“Y’came back in interestin’ times, Godslayer.”
[Bai Chou] He takes the handshake, nodding slightly before letting go, his expression deadpan but at least not frowning or other expressions of negativity.
“Its always ‘interesting times’ in Chicago. But its nice to meet a fellow shaman as well as a member of the Furies. I haven’t seen many in some time.”
He looks to the items being rummaged about before he spoke.
“…about to start on a rite? Could I be of some assistance?”
[Joss] “Godi.” she corrects, quickly, with an arched brow. Then she nods. “Talen making. Marrick and I often work side by side as we make them.”
She glances at Marrick, and the knife, and grins. “Looks like it’s Bloody Bandages for Marrick tonight. For me, Moon Signs, and possibly some Gaia’s breath. If you’d like to join us, you’re more than welcome to. I tend to help summoning – the Spirits here and I have a pretty good report.”
To say the least. They usually come running when she calls. Gleefully.
She lights her candle, and waits until the wax has pulled, so that she can pour them into the little quarter sized divots made on the board she set on the ground before her knees.
[Bai Chou] “Alright.”
He moves to slide his pea coat off, a few little trinkets hiding along the belt loops of his slacks…barely noticeable under the coat. He unhooked a small flask, then removed a hip satchel that was zipped closed. He cradled those into his lap, setting them down before himself as he waited.
[Joss] “Do you want to do your own summoning, or have me summon for you? If me, which do you need first.”
Matter of fact, as she continues to work, filling six of the holes with wax and setting the candle aside as she blows lightly on the wax to cool them faster. As they begin to harden, she etches the Full Moon glyph into each with a fingernail, nodding her satisfaction before she pulls out four small glass vials that look to have been used before and sets them aside.
[Marrick Fisher] Looks like bloody bandages tonight.
“If folks would quit gettin’ hurt so damned much,” she said with a grin.
A pause, then she looked at Joss for a second.
“Can you teach me t’summon stuff?”
[Bai Chou] “Ball’s in your court on this one. I never learned a summoning rite. I always had to track them. I assume proper chiminage already was gathered for this?”
He just asked, observing, thinking it might be a good way to learn as well if she demonstrated the ritual.
[Joss] She laughs softly, her hand reaching to scratch idly at her bandages. the wounds don’t hurt right now, as she’s resisted, but the scent of old blood hovers around her slender form. “Any word from our puppies, by the way?”
And then another nod. “I can, though not exactly the way I do it. My Spirit Drum makes my call louder, longer than most, but I can certainly teach you the mechanics of how to do a summoning on your own.”
She chuckles softly. “I offer chimiage on the fly, depending on the spirits. Often times I complete it after the binding is done – I’ve an attic filled of chimiage projects.” She turns and points to the glass mosaic that is near the edge of one side of Maelstrom. “That was for Glass spirits that helped me in battle – they willingly shattered so that the would free the Electric Spirits to obey my command. I promised them the moon reflected on the waters of Maelstrom.” She smiles, happily, at the shards of glass that reflect both moon and water, depending on where you look.
“The chimiage you choose to offer for your talens is up to you. Acceptance up to the Spirits.”
She smiles, and nods. “I’ll demonstrate first the way I do it. The drum is only part of it, you’ll hear the difference when I settle into the summoning itself. For these, I’ll be summoning Lune spirits.”
Bai may expect her to pull out a drum, but Marrick has seen her do this before. She rearranges her position, until she is kneeling, and then pulls her skirts up to bare her thighs. On each thigh, matching and deliberately made scars, claw marks deep and twisted and gnarled. She runs her fingers over the scars, almost lovingly, and then begins to tap a beat out on her Spriit Drum carved within her flesh…
(Spirit Drum: dex+performance diff. 5)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 5) Re-rolls: 2
[Bai Chou] Bai just watches, remaining quiet. Every Theurge worked their own methods. His minded chided him that he had not had a smoke before he went into his umbral form. He eyed the edges of the bawn for a moment before turning his attention back to Joss. He didn’t let his eyes linger long on the thighs…not that the scars offended him…but he didn’t want to be offensive in another method. He was still male…and the look could construed as something else altogether.
He would rather not deal with that sort of drama. He already had enough on his platter and he didn’t need second helpings.
[Marrick Fisher] “Nothing yet,” she tells Joss, “but they have paid some close interest to south side. I’m thinkin’ they’re on th’ trail of somethin’, jus’ gotta figure out what it is.”
She keeps her mouth shut, and for now, Marrick watches her work. They’re approximately the same age. They’re young and vibrant women. They’re passionate, they’re proven in battle time and time again. Though, admittedly, one was renowned for her wisdom and the other is infamous for hers.
She is silent, and instead listens to he sounds. she’s learning, and while she might not be the most intelligent woman she tries.
[Joss] The beat is steady and strong, and soon her whole body thrums with the effort, with the song, with the heartbeat of the drum that will soon be thrust outwards in a call.
She is strong.
She is wise.
She is honorable.
She is Godi.
She centers herself, and with a breath, sends forth the call to the Jagglings of Luna herself, the shimmering ribbons of light that she’ll bargain with for her Moon Sign talons….
She begins the Summon.
(Summoning: Wits+ Rituals+Spirit Drum=9 Difficulty 5 for Jagglings +wp)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 10 at target 5) [WP]
[Joss] Almost instantly, moonlight EXPLODES around the Godi – it comes from all areas, shimmering ribbons of light, undulating and twisting and dancing in the center of golden and blue auras, rushing to her call in a thrill to be asked, slipping through her dreads, tugging at her skirts, shimmering about her form as if a second skin.
They don’t just respond to her call – they come en masse, and willing, SO eager to help. She has taken the time to learn of the spirits of Chicago, to commune with them, to create a bond, and it shows. It shows in this simple summoning, in this rush to do the bidding of the Godi.
[Bai Chou] Bai squints in his eyes as they are almost blinded with the moonlight as the celestial brightness filled the area around them…it was like an encounter of the third kind as the luminous beings flittered around the leading Theurge. Even his deadpan expression gave way to awe for a moment, mouth hanging open in surprise before he quickly shut it.
[Marrick Fisher] She doesn’t hide it. She is in awe.
She doesn’t know how Joss does it, even if she has watched time and time again, even if she knew how skilled she was. Marrick knew how Joss worked, and she knew that the Godi knew what she was doing, or how she was doing it. Marrick was observant, yes, and Joss was a good teacher.
She was born for this.
She was ready.
She overcame.
[Joss] She smiles, her hands lifting from her thighs to let the Lune’s surround her hands, her arms, her fingers, caressing them as they slide about her, quivering eagerly. She slips into Spirit Speech without thought, addressing them in their own language.
“Thank you, my friends. I have a favor to ask of you and I thank you for coming. Often times I am called to battle, to protect this, your home. My rage is great, my Spirit is strong, but there are times I can’t use both sides of my strength at the same time. I would seek you’re aid, if you are willing – if you will give your time, your energy, and allow my binding within these seals, so that when they are broken they force the enemy into a lessor form, their animal form, to give me time to heal those of our own who have fallen injured, before attacking with considerable Rage once again.”
She pauses, to reach into her bag, and pull out a handful of glass prisms, as she continues to speak…
For your aid, I will show my thanks by giving you a part of myself, my essence, and surrounding my space with prisms to catch the light of the Moon, in which you can play, and shimmer, and dance in delight within the house of the Eagles Pack. All will be awed with your beauty – it shall rival that of the sun itself, and cause it to fall below the horizon in shame…”
She falls silent as they contemplate her offer, then present themselves for binding, one by one…
(Binding: roll WP (6-1=5) difficulty 5-1 (spent gnosis)=4.)
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 6, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 4)
[Joss] Five of the ribbons slide through her fingers, through her hair, surrounding the prisms, then dash to be the first to sink within the waxen seals, offering their services for her talens, to aid her in her battles.
“Thank you, my friends.”
She settles back, her smile nothing short of beautiful, as she takes a breath, and lets it out slowly. “These are Moon Sign Talens. when activated and tossed before an enemy that is attacking in war form, it will cost them considerable will not to revert to Lupus. It could buy the seconds needed for me to heal an ally, to give them the strength to fight again.”
[Bai Chou] Bai sits quietly once more. This much he did know at least. He hadn’t considered spirit drums but thinking about it, they were a boon to a summoning rite. But then that involved summoning, a rite he needed to master anyway. He shifted a little in the lotus squat he had taken. He wasn’t sure how his ancestors maintained sitting in such positions or how the Japanese could squat on their legs for so long.
[Marrick Fisher] “Does it work on things that, y’know, ain’t garou,” she asks.
It’s curiosity there. Her attention on Joss does not falter. The blonde holds the knife in hand and does not flinch or move or make any indication that she was doing anything but listening. One of them was known for her wsidom, as stated before, and it was not the blonde.
[Joss] The last of the Lune spirits flicker away, with one more winding caresse around the Godi, and she smiles as she watches it go. She prys the wax seals from the casting board, and finds a small felt bag to place them in from the depths of the larger one. There’s no telling what conglomeration of things she has inside that messenger bag. It’s probably better not t ask.
“It will work on Spirals – which was why I considered them. With the two we’ve lost both fallen to BSD packs, I thought it wise to give us an edge.” She falters, slightly. She should have saved Liam. She should have taken another blow, and healed him – but she did not. She died herself that night, yet made it back. Sometimes surviving is harder than dying.
She looks at Marrick, and nods. “If the puppies are trailing what we think they may be, these may come in handy.”
[Bai Chou] “Now for the next part?”
He finally speaks again, hands resting on his knees once more as the Uktena asks. The older timers wouldn’t recognize Bai as he once was….sure he still had a vicious tongue that could get him in trouble, but when it came to deference and the duties as a Theurge, he had become more of a team player. He had walked too long without a pack.
[Marrick Fisher] She inhales sharply, and her jaw is set. There is a frustration there, but there is something that comes with thought. One of the things that oculd be said about Marrick was that she shouldn’t think so much, because the ahroun did not have the edge necessary to make good with her notions.
Sheridan died. Fell to a spiral pack.
Liam died. Fell to a spiral pack.
Both were Galliards. She could call it coincidence, but the conspiratorial mind leaves nothing alone for long enough to be dealt with. They’re being attacked by whole packs, now.
She doesn’t say anything, though. She keeps her mouth shut and nods.
[Joss] She tuck the prism’s and the bag of Moon Signs away, and spreads out the little vials of water. She nods to them both. “I had in mind to make Gaia’s breath – healing talens. We can do that next, if you like. Bloody Bandages will be last, as I know what it requires of you, Marrick.” She smiles warmly at her friend, then back to Bai, speaking to them both, falling securely, easily into Teacher mod.
“You heard when I made the call, correct? When the rhythm of the drum changed, the air shifted – felt charged? That is the beginning of the summoning. For this rite, you must be centered, calm. The goal is to call the spirits, to have them respond favorably to your call. If they are angry – well. Angry Spirits are nothing to be laughed at, as you both well know. The weaker the spirit, the easier it is to call them – they cannot resist a powerful summon. No matter what you summon, you cannot go half heartedly. You must sacrifice you’re all – focus completely – to send the call, else they no respond favorably. The longer you spend summoning, the easier it is for them to find you. My drum negates the necessity for long calls, but it is entirely possible to do so without it – many Theurges do.”
A pause. “Any questions?”
[Bai Chou] Bai shook his head, just taking the information in. He would retain the information and write it down later into one of his journals. Some would say it was fool hardy to record such information onto records. He would then wish the fool luck into trying to break the ciphers he left inside his journal. If the man knew eight different languages, High Tongue, and could break the codes the Uktena used..he was deserving of such knowledge.
He waited once more, leaving it in the hands of the not so much older but definitely higher ranked Theurge.
[Marrick Fisher] She shook her head no and was paying attention.
“I understand,” she says. Affirms, and continues, “so… it’s like… with anything. Y’gotta give your all or else it don’t work. Right?”
She is like a kid in school. The nerdy kind, not the jock kind.
[Joss] She smiles at Marrick. “Exactly. All or nothing. And sometimes, your all isn’t enough. You haven’t lived until a Metal spirit has stomped you into the ground so hard you don’t wake up for two days… just because you woke him up.”
She says it with humor, amused, despite the painful memory. Sometimes, she seems so much older than she is, other times younger, and even occasionally her actual age. Firmly in her role as Fostern here, she seems older. Bai would likely choke if/when he finds her true age.
“This time, when you hear the shift into the summon, center yourself, see if you can follow the thread of the call, the voice that beckons the spirits, so that you know what it feels like when you try it on your own. Ready?”
And she once again bares her thighs, takes a breath, and settles into the rhythm of her drum…
(And take two: Spirit Drum Dex+Performance d5)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 5)
[Bai Chou] Bai listens, fingers bracing against his knees as he watches and takes in the sound of Joss’s call. The Uktena is generally silent for most of this encounter.
[Joshua Walker] (Can I wander in or private scene)
to Bai Chou, Joss, Marrick Fisher
[Joss] (Feel free to join! They’re umbral, near Maelstrom’s heart. Joss is teaching the Rite of Summoning. :) )
to Bai Chou, Joshua Walker, Marrick Fisher, snail
[Joss] Soon, as soon as she feels the right moment, she sends out the call. She starts slowly this time, letting the Summons grow and build to allow the others to follow the feel of the rite, so that they understand the mechanics of what is done before she allows them to try on their own.
For this, she sends the call to the water elementals, the friends she has made, has played with, has communed with often since coming to Chicago. The hours spent in the fountains, walking in the rain, cleansing the van – all these times aid in her communication When she puts forth her call.
the rhythm changes, she takes a breath, and sends forth her call…
(Summoning: wits+rituals+spirit Drum=10 – calling gafflings, difficulty 4.)
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 6 at target 4)
[Joshua Walker] It had been a bit of a trek with a few diversions along the way but he was finally back again. Before he got on with personal business he had to do his official duties to the sept he calls home. After getting the third degree from some of the local kin and garou who watch the area he quietly makes his way into the boat yard. Once out of sight he focuses on the polished blade he slips umbral side. The familiar churning of Maelstrom bringing a smile to his face. Walking towards Maelstrom he catches sight of the others and is curious as to what’s happening. Wandering over he stops at a distance and watches silently.
[Joss] They come.
They ALWAYS come.
They are just as excited to see her, though not quite as much as the Lune Spirits before them. They are still thrilled, and rush to answer her call.
She smiles softly, as the water elementals bubble from the very ground where they sit, pooling around her knees, then pulling forward, centering into a pool in the center of the Summoners, wavering into a shimmering form, faces in the water appearing to each of them, as the pool laps and slides and writhes over each other.
“Gooood…” she croons, softly, as she gathers her little vials of water, grabbing a few extra from her bag, opening each, before she begins to speak, falling into the language of Spirits as easily as she breathes.
“Thank you for coming to my call, little ones. I ask your aid in healing for those that are injured in our fight to protect you. I ask that those who are willing be bound within these waters, purified for your use, until such time as you can show you’re bravery and heal Gaia’s Warriors of their Battle wounds. Along with what I offer of myself, I will build a waterfall within the lands protected by the Eagles, that you may flow freely despite the Chicago cold that comes…”
(Binding: WP 6-1=5, diff healing talen gnosis 5-1(spent)=4)
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 5, 6, 7, 8, 8 (Success x 5 at target 4)
[Bai Chou] I actually gotta bounce folks. Bai will sit for the rest of the rites and such…but I need sleeps.
to Joshua Walker, Joss, Marrick Fisher
[Bai Chou] Bai sits quietly…eventually he leaves, after bidding goodbye to them both…but only after everything is done.
[Joss] The extras were needed – as the water surges from the pool, until the five vials she has before her are filled to the top. She smiles her thanks, and nods, sitting back so that she can put the lids on the little containers, one at a time, while the pool fades back into the earth. “Thank you, my friends.”
Then, she turns to Bai, to Marrick. “Did you find the thread of the call? Sometimes it takes practice.”
Then she lifts her head to Look at Joshua, and smiles. “Hello.”
[Marrick Fisher] She listens, but whatever words the water offers, she does not understand. She tries; she always tries, but it is a language that is passed so far over her head. Her brain, her heart works in nonverbal cues. She thinks this through, and she regards the whole event with almost… glee?
it’s wonder is what it is, and it’s easy to remember that she is a cliath. A young cliath at that.
A pause, and then back to Joss. Did she find the thread of the call.
“I… I think that this’ll take some practice.”
[Joshua Walker] Gives a nod to the group as he approaches slowly.
“Evening. Very impressive work there.”
Stopping near them he looks at each and nods slightly in greeting.
“Might I ask where you learnt that particular variant of summoning? It looks very impressive.”
[Joss] She laughs softly and nods. “It often does. Summoning does not come as easy for Ahrouns – your focus is different. But it can be done. I’ll work with you as often as it takes until you have it down.” There’s a bond between her and the Fury, that much is clear. Friendship, and more. Understanding. Respect. Honor.
Her laughter is easy, as she lifts her hands to stretch them above her head, her spine popping as she arches her back, taking a bit of time to relax before she summons what Marrick will need for her bandages in a bit.
“I learned from my Dad, a Godi of great renown in the Sept of my birth. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Joss Lehrer, Gossamer Wing, Fostern Godi, Eagle and Theurge Elder.” Odd. She smiles to easily to be Fenrir… Godi’s are weird, though. She would be the first to admit it.
[Joshua Walker] “It looks to be a variant of the Carpathian region but I’m guessing it’s had a few extra changes made over the generations.”
Gives a slight bow in greeting to them both.
“It has been a while since I was in the city. Joshua Walker. Known to the nation as Hunter~of~Truth~and~Answers. Philodox Fostern of the Silent Striders. Pleasure to meet you both.”
[Marrick Fisher] She pushes her sleeves up and regards the Strider.
There is some kind of tie between the girls. Friendship. Respect. Honor. It is a functional relationship as much as a professional one. But, it was back to the strider, and she smiles. She nods an upward thing.
“Marrick Fisher, Bones to Dust. Cliath, Fury, Ahroun. Elder ahroun for the Sept of Maelstrom and beta of La Familia.”
[Joss] “Pleasure to meet you, Joshua. We’ve one more set of Talens to make, these for Marrick. You’re welcome to join us if you like.”
She couldn’t be older than 18, if she’s a day, yet in this she carries herself with the wisdom of her rank, the calm of one much older. She had been prepared since birth, This is her birthright.
[Marrick Fisher] She is laying out the bandages from her pack, and they are laid out with meticulous care. Marrick observes them and is more than content to make sure that her supplies are well cared for. She does these things with reverence.
She is listening to what they’re saying, even when s tlooks down, and very carefully, very meticulously, drags a fairly dull knife from her elbow down. She has to apply more pressure than really should be necessary, but it needs to bleed deep. And she needs it to go quickly.
Blood loss comes naturally to ahrouns.
“You stayin’ in town?”
[Joss] She watches Marrick. This is her ritual, this is her talon making, this is that of a Full moon, and she is here to simply aid in the mechanics of it all.
The blood wells, and she watches as it begins to drip from her arms, Marrick simply letting it pool and fall. She begins to tap a rhythm on her thighs, soft and slow, as she knows it will take time to bleed enough before the summoning is done.
[Joss] ((Since we lost him)Joshua walks away, to watch from a distance, before he takes his leave.)
[Marrick Fisher] It takes a long… long time.
Marrick is used to this, or else she seems to be. It’s a time to be reverent and reflect. The blood pools on bandages, across her skin, causes a light tan to fade into solemn pallor. It would be easier if she were a different garou, but she is a resilient creature. She can take a beating. She’s lost more blood than this before, but she does not seem to be flinching or wanting to pull away.
Eventually, her eyes look distant and glassy. For a second, her mind wanders. There must be a more effective way to bleed out, she thinks. There must be an easier way to do this.
After what feels like an eternity, she clenches her fists, eyes droop slightly and she shakes her head.
She smiles, and she knows the teltale signs of her own fatigue.
“Almost ready.”
[Joss] She nods, slightly, and the beat picks up, and she falls into the rhythm of her drum, of the summon, readying herself to make the call. If it disturbs her to see her friend bleed, there is no sign. Marrick is Ahroun. Joss is Fenrir. They have both been here before.
Instead, she does her best to summon what her friend will need, by giving her all into the performance of her drum.
(And again: Spirit Drummin – 6diff 5)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 5) Re-rolls: 1
[Joss] She is tired, Summoning takes it’s toll even on a Godi of her renown, but she centers herself – and puts her all into the call for the Leeches that Marrick needs…
(Summoning: 6+2 (sd) diff 4)
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 5, 6, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 4) [WP]
[Marrick Fisher] She has things that she needs to say. Things that she wants to say to them. Her words are enough offering. She would give these spirits all the needed. The Fury’s focus was something strange, and it didn’t matter if she was garou, didn’t matter if she was an ahroun.
Fatigue was the same for all.
She offers them things, all her gifts and offerings given with reverence and promises made. “If I don’t need your aid by the new moon, I will release you,” she whispers. She promises. Her word is gold.
As true as the blood on the bandages and ground. As the honor she fought to preserve. As the wisdom she gained through failures.
“Your service is appreciated,” she offers.
[binding! diff 7 -2 (spending 2 gnosis)]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 5, 9, 9 (Success x 5 at target 5) [WP]
[Marrick Fisher] Once all is said and done, she smiles… she closes her eyes, and she drifts off for the time being. The blonde leans back and exhales quietly. She relaxes and fades off to unconsciousness.
[Joss] She smiles, and waits until it is done. Marrick smiles and drifts into unconsciousness, and after a beat or two, as she watches the leeches settle into the talens, once she is certain they are bound, she reaches to lay her hand across Marrick’s bloody arm.
And in one last effort tonight, she centers herself, and lets the touch of the Mother flow through her to heal her friend.
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 3, 4, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 4) [WP]
[Marrick Fisher] She comes back around. Her arm’s still bleeding, but it’ll stop in no time. She starts to bundle up her bandages, but then offers two of them to Joss. She looks at her with bright blue eyes, with a set expression.
“Release ’em b’fore the new moon,” she tells her, “I ‘ppreciate ya helpin’ me.”
[Joss] “Anytime, Marrick. It’s my pleasure!” She grins, and takes them with a nod. She hands her two of the Gaia’s Breath vials. “And here – for you and yours. If I’m not close enough to help, these will heal.
She wraps up the bloody bandages, and slips them into her Godi Bag, along with the 3 remaining healing talens, and the 5 moon sign seals.
It’s been a productive evening, certainly. “We’ll practice summoning again soon.”
[Marrick Fisher] She puts her things away, making sure that all her supplies and such were in order. Bags were packed and the girl smiled something content and infinitely pleased. This had gone well, that much was certain.
“Think that’d be cool. If I can figure this out, I c’n teach Boy, too, since… y’know… he ca talk to ’em an’ I can’t understand a word they’re sayin’.”
[Joss] She nods, laughing softly. “That’d certainly be helpful – the two of you would be quite a Talen team then, too.”
She stretches once more, than makes sure she’s placed all her supplies back in her bag again. It must weigh a ton. “I’d best head out for patrols. Let me know if you hear from our puppies, ok?”
[Joss] (an thassa wrap!)
[Joss] (Thanks for playin!)