The electricity spirit hovers near her face, it’s currents casting an inhuman and blue light over her sharp and defined features. A finger of blue-white light lashes in front of her eyes – and the static of it makes chaos of her long and straight hair.
A measure of her spirit strength leaves her in a light of its own. Sucked from her body in a flow of blue light ephemereal and unreal, the greedy spirits sucks it up like candy. Then it leaves her with a reminding shock its power, leaving the fine and blonde hairs on her arms singed and smelling of burnt ozone.
It goes to find an Eagle and bring them back. Blood Debt is lucky – the spirit has enough sense of memory to remember it’s task, though when it has to pass the message on – speaking in a strange pigdin of spirit speech and english, it is rambling and long winded, when it finally gains someone’s attention in an Eagle packhouse, likely to the detriment or at least the abuse of some electrical device.
[Silence] There goes the microwave.
Some ten or fifteen minutes later, the two remaining Modi of the Eagle pack darken the border. They had come on foot, through the umbra, trailing small spirits of rage and pain that shadow their steps in hope of — well. Rage, or pain.
“Blood-Debt-yuf.” He recognizes her from the Sept of the Storm Hammer; he’d wondered, briefly, who would draw the figurative short straw. Now he knew. “This’s Ruhiger, my packmate.”
[AnneMarie Hoch] She had followed without sound, obviously. Through the umbra, within the spirits that shadow their steps, half a step behind her Alpha. This is not an altogether unexpected visit after all.
When introduced, she lifts her chin in hello, but shows respect to the one who so clearly outranks her. She has, after all, done nothing to diminish that which her rank demands. She does not meet her gaze other then that brief moment of hello, but keeps pale eyes respectfully lowered a bit.
Hands remain in the pockets of her jacket, flipping around her calves in the Umbral air. Even here, she looks much as she does real side. Steadfast. Calm – as her deedname suggests. In silence, with Silence, she waits.
[Blood Debt] The woman is tall – though still shorter than Silence, she comes close to matching his height, and carved from oak, strong and hard. In the umbra, she is left with only her dedicated apparal. The black wife beater, worn grey with a hundred washes, and jeans torn and stained with blood here and there, from a hundred battles or more. She wears a knife at her side, the holster, stained and well worn, curves over her mid section.
The spirit had ranged ahead of them, hurrying to reach the Forseti, it’s voice a sing song of “gimme [HUNGER] gimme[WANT] gimme [NEED] gimme [OWED]” as its electrical lines spread out, touching the ground here, and then the half-moon’s skin, there, leaving a small pockmark of char on her arm. The Fenrir turns her head toward the spirit first, her brow creasing in effort – the blue-blue hues of gnosis slowly flowing from her to the spirit. Gnosis is of the mind – and of the mind it leaves – the energy leaving Blood Debt’s body through her eyes and mouth, her nose. It tastes like pure water – and leaves her feeling sharp edged, as the balance of gnosis and rage is upset, and the fire of it seems to burn hotter by comparison.
The spirit leaves, it’s language a garble of spirit speech that no one present can understand.
“Silence-yuf.” Her accent is American, though this woman is like no American, now, no human. She could not walk down the street without being stared at – it is not just the blood and her way of dressing, it’s something in the way she stands. She is not human and she does not even try.
So, she stands in the umbra, amidst the weaver and the wyrm, the bare hints of the wyld fighting (and losing) beneath it, her hair still crackling with the remnant of the spirit’s current. Her eyes, pale blue, flick to Ruhiger, though the Metis, with respect, does not meet the woman’s gaze.
“Ruhiger,” it’s a greeting, that follows with a question. “You’re the one who killed him?”
[AnneMarie Hoch] There is no doubt who the Philodox has come to pass judgment on, nor for which incident. Though her claws have felled many, it is only one dishonorable Garou of Gaia that has felt their bite to the death.
She is here about Agony-Thane. And thus, the question asked of her gets a simple answer – the Truth. Another nod.
[Blood Debt] (my “r” key is broke. :( *fixing it, then will post.*)
[Blood Debt] (gives up)
[AnneMarie Hoch] (*LOL*)
[Blood Debt] “The Council of Maelstrom will have you repair the damage you have done by the following:” she doesn’t waste words. She doesn’t remonstrate. It doesn’t take much for Anne Marie to realize that she is wrong: Blood Debt isn’t passing judgement, not the official sort, anyway. She is passing a message; her time for balance is passed, and now she is simply getting it over with.
“You’ll learn of Agony Thane. Of his glory, of his honour, of his wisdom, and tell a story of each at the next moot. You’ll share the burden of his loss with his pack and mate. However they choose to share it. That’s for the next three moons.”
Her head cants, a tilt to the side. Animal. “Got it?”
[AnneMarie Hoch] A slim brow arches, slightly. Lips start to curl into a fleeting smirk, but she does not allow it to even get that far, before expression is brought fully into control once again.
She has an expressive face, when she allows it. The nuances of thought can be told in her pale gaze, in the all too brief flash of expression – a tightening of a muscle here, a lift of a brow, a fleeting grin hard and cold. For now, however, there is no defiance in her countenance, nor in her stance. She remains as she has since the moment she stopped.
Though she cannot deny the amusement deep in her gaze of the possibilities of telling a tale in sign language that none of the Sept could understand, that none can translate. In the end, of course, it’s a simple lift of her chin. Got it? Of course. She is Mute – not stupid, after all.
[Silence] Two words from the other Modi, who has thus far stood silent, and a little off to the side.
“Whose moot?”
[Blood Debt] “Theirs.” Blood Debt’s eyes flick toward her equal, even-gazed.
Her attention returns to Ruhiger. “I’ll remain until your punishment is complete.” Three more moons in this city. If they hear her resignment, it is likely not their imagination.
[Silence] “No.”
[Blood Debt] She turns her head to look at the Modi again, eyes narrowed. “Winter’s Tooth does not care about the death of a Shadow Lord – it is not our punishment. Tell it to them, so they can hear it.”
[Silence] The Modi flares: “EAGLE don’t care ’bout tha death’a some Shadow Lord who stepped up ‘n got smacked down. They wanna hear tha story so bad, they kin come out ta us. We ain’t goin’ back in disgrace jus’ ta kiss they’s asses. Tha next time we set foot in Maelstrom’s bawn, we claim it. You kin tell that ta Balance-without-Fault.”
A pause.
“What tha hell is you doin’ here anyways, Blood Debt. Yer war ain’t down here. What’s Winter’s Tooth want with Chicago, if it ain’t ’bout tha death’a some Shadow Lord?”
[AnneMarie Hoch] Sometimes, enforced silence is a blessing. She listens. That’s all.
[Blood Debt] In response to the Modi’s flare, Blood Debt is frightfully calm. Her rage burns beneath the surface, but in the face of his much hotter burn, it is but a candle to bonfire.
“The Shadow Lord stepped up, got smacked down, challenged and was challenged to the death. The presiding Master of Challenge refused you that right, and you and your pack left. Then, you entered the territory of another Garou pack, and attacked the one who had maligned your honour. Your packmate attacked and killed him, and he never raised a claw.
“If you remain in this territory, Silence-yuf,” the suffix is stressed, “and you insist on killing the members of the Sept, you will pay their price. It is small enough.” She snorts disdain. “His packmates wanted her death, but lacked the courage to try.
“I’m here to gauge the sentencing of a Fenrir – not the death of a Lord.”
[Silence] (WHAT THE FUCK? the page just refreshed and I lost my post! *GRRR*)
[Blood Debt] (Ack.)
[Silence] “He made the challenge. We made good on it. He coulda surrendered ‘r he coulda fought. He chose ta argue ‘n block ‘n play with Gifts. Then he chose ta stand there ‘n die. We don’t know why ‘n we don’t fuckin’ care. But we’ll honor him as a worthy foe, in honor’a the courage he showed at the end. We’ll give an edda to his totems, Thunder ‘n Astraea, ‘n we’ll recite it in tha Umbra fer his spirit ta hear.
“That’s more’n enough. The rest is jus’ a show fer tha Sept, ‘n we ain’t gonna be made tha star attraction.”
[Blood Debt] A brief smirk. “It is not a negotiation.
“The Council has said as I have repeated. Tell a story of his honour, wisdom and glory, share the weight that his death left with his packmates and mate, as they want to share it. Tell an edda, and they may see that as enough for the first, but not the second.”
She steps away, a single step back toward the edge of Eagles’ territory, her shoulders moving in a negligent shrug, “Choose to do as you want. It’s your name.” Dismissive.
[AnneMarie Hoch] There is a brief tightening along her shoulders at some point, at some memory of the fight or beyond – who can tell. It is gone as fast as it arrives, and she remains watching.
[Silence] (GRRRR.)
[Silence] It is not a negotiation.
“‘n I ain’t negotiatin’ with ya. ‘m tellin’ ya, so you kin tell Balance-yuf. Whether ya do ‘r not ain’t my concern. ‘s our name.”
As she begins to move away, so too does he — though he pauses. “What’s the ‘pinion’a the Winter’s Tooth on tha sentencin’, then?”
[Hyde] *Though the umbral night came another of Eagles brood. This one in his not often seen lupine form, a massive gun metal gray wolf with strange paws. little currents of lightning flickering across his fur. Droplets of pure water falling from dry hair tips. The scent of earth and fire both accompanying him as he neared his packmates. Scenting the umbral wind. Hyde came closer*
[Blood Debt] His question stops her, and so she pauses, adjusting the sit of her knife on the her hip.
Her lip curls in distaste. “I am here telling you what Maelstrom said. Not back at home with my pack. That should tell you enough of what they think.”
“Do it. Whether the death was deserved or not, a half moon of Rank told you ‘no’, and you violated the territory of another.”
Her mouth twists, “That is my judgement.”
[Silence] Decker just grunts, lifting his chin at the Forseti. “‘ll see ya ’round, Blood-yuf.”
[AnneMarie Hoch] AnneMarie lifts her chin again, as Blood Dept turns away. It serves as farewell, the same as it did for greeting just a while ago.
The feeling of another come near has her turn her head toward the direction Hyde would be nearing from. A glance, nothing more, and she looks to Silence, then to watch BloodDebt again.
[Hyde] *Hyde pads on up. Sniffs the air as Blood Debt turns and then looks up at his packmates*
[Silence] As Hyde joins them, Decker is still watching Blood Debt go. “This’s what Balance-without-Fault wants: that we tell stories’a Baaku’s glory, honor ‘n wisdom at their next three moots, ‘n carry Baaku’s burden in his place with his pack ‘n kin fer tha next three moons.”
He turns to look at the two metis. “Wanna hear yer thoughts.”
[Blood Debt] She huffs a wash of air, the way an animal might chuff. “I’ll remain for until the next moot, at least.”
The pale and muscled woman glances at Hyde, but says nothing, as she departs.
[Silence] (whoops. rewrite: )
As Hyde joins them, Decker is still watching Blood Debt go. “This’s what Balance-without-Fault wants: that we tell stories’a Baaku’s glory, honor ‘n wisdom at their next three moots, ‘n carry Baaku’s burden in his place with his pack ‘n kin fer tha next three moons. Blood Debt-yuf outta tha Storm Hammer Sept thinks this’s fair ’nuff.”
He turns to look at the two metis. “Wanna hear yer thoughts.”
[Hyde] *Hyde seemed to think about that, his ears flattening back a little in what would be a wolfish frown. Then resuming normal stance. He thought about it a few moments more.* ~WS~ Even if we wanted to, how would we go about such? We’re not allowed there…. seems our ‘punishement’ is one they know we can’t accomplish with out waltzing back in and overthrowing the leadership…
[Silence] “Yeah. ‘xactly.” Silence’s face darkens. “Tha edda is fair ‘nough. But they’s demandin’ we go back to tha Sept, ‘least fer that moot. ‘n that means beggin’ Maelstrom ‘n Balance’s pardon.”
[Silence] (sorry. three stories, at one moot.)
[Hyde] *hyde’s ears fold back* ~WS~ Ain’t got anything aginst the Maelstrom…. we raised that caern… but I follow YOU Silence. Balance has shown himself unworthy, many times, since we saved his life and he hid behind the walls as we fought the monster he roused in his rank challenge. I don’t see myself begging his pardon for anydamn thing… he still owes us his ass.
[AnneMarie Hoch] She glances at Silence – as there is a we there, that should be her, which almost surprises her. Of course, someone would have to translate anyway, should said punishment be carried out. She relaxes, once Blood Debt has gone, the careful control of her face fading at last into a brief smirk that slashes across her lips before it disappears.
Then Hyde speaks, and she lifts a chin, slightly. To go back, should we go back, is to take over and lead. That, Silence, is more then they deserve. And more then you wish. A shoulder lifts in negligent shrug. I would go alone to do so if you’d rather. It is my punishment, for he was felled by my tooth and claw. Though I will not relish kissing his ass either. The edda is fair. The rest… A smirk. She apparently finds that amusing at some level, that the Hounds would accept such.
[Hyde] *Hyde listens to that and sits. He eyes AM and then looks to Silence. Says nothing but it’s clear he doesn’t think AM should go alone.*
[Silence] By now Blood Debt is a shadow at the end of the barren umbral block. Silence remains where he has stood, folding his arms across his chest, frowning.
I would go alone–
“Naw,” offhanded, even absently, but without hesitation.
“Send Balance a message by spirit ‘r talen. Tell ‘im we’ll sing Baaku’s praises to his totems ‘n spirit. See that he’s honored ‘n that his stories spread. There ain’t no reason fer us ta do it at a Maelstrom moot, ‘cept ta stand on display fer his flock’a fools.” The Modi spits, “Like fuckin’ barbarians in Rome ‘r somethin’.”
[Hyde] *For a long moment he’d thought Silence ment for AM to do it, then it filtered though that that might be double tough, being mute and then trying to pantimime spirit speach. So he chuffed and raised his head indicating he understood and would pass the word.*
[Hyde] *Standing he shook out his fur and gave a chin up nod to his packmates… and then headed on off into the umbral night to find a spirit to ferry the message*
[AnneMarie Hoch] She nods, slightly. And then even the slightest hint of a smirk as Hyde figures out that she’d need him to do it for her. She lifts a chin in thanks.
She has nothing more to add. There will have to be thought placed into the edda, to get to things worth praising through her personal opinion.
[Silence] Christians would call it a sin of pride. Good thing ain’t none of them true believers here, then.
Hyde’s on his way out. It’s like some sort of signal. Decker starts off in a different direction; likely AM in a third. Decker’s a half-block away when the totemlink opens again.
’bout tha rest’a the punishment. ‘ll be goin’ over ta Hound lands ta offer ta stand in Baaku’s place as Alpha. If they agree, they’ll follow us ‘n we’ll protect ’em fer three months. If they don’t, that’s their problem ‘n we ain’t got no responsibility in that shit. Any ‘bjections?
[Hyde] *Hyde tripped and damn near fell, even walking on 4 feet in Lupus. He looked back over his shoulder and perhaps it’s good there’s a half block between them, as the look on his face is clearly “THE FUCK!@?!?!” but then he thinks it out. Chances of them agreeing are Slim, nil and fuck off. So he nods*
Sounds good.
Helpin’ Danny learn a rite, she’s not an Eagle but she’s done right by us… and she asked.
[AnneMarie Hoch] She turns, and does indeed take that third direction. There are, as always, patrols to do.
Then, there’s a flash of bemusement. That should go over well. No objection. Though should they accept, I will not be berated by them, any more then I would by Hyde. And last time he smarted off I beat his ass.
[Hyde] *Hyde blinked, not remembering getting his ass beat for smarting off. Though he chuffed* Yeah that lil plaid wearin’ bitch got about ONE time to throw a “MULE” my way and I’ll rip out her tongue….
[Silence] Decker snorts aloud, though neither of them will hear it. Quit breakin’ yer eggs ‘fore they hatch. ‘r somethin’.
[Hyde] *Hyde turns to return to patrol. Mmmmmmm Eggs….. with bacon and cheese and yes… good idea.. that’s why Decker was the Alpha*
[AnneMarie Hoch] Counting. The correction, though it’s clearly tinged with amusement this time. She was, after all, more teasing Hyde, then threatening the Hounds.
[Hyde] (( later guys. *Waves*))
to AnneMarie Hoch, Blood Debt, Silence
[Silence] Kiss my ass, comes the lazy reply.
[AnneMarie Hoch] (char+rituals+desperation wp)
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 (Success x 2 at target 9) [WP]
[AnneMarie Hoch] (heh. whew.)
[Mei] witnessed!
[Mei] (flees again)