2018.07.01:PendragonPetsChapter2

Pendragon Pets (Chapter Two)
There's some funny business going on in part of the forest.
IC Date	July 01, 2018
IC Time	Daytime
Players	Sergei, Cenn, Halona, Johanna, Phillipe
Location	Northern Forest
Spheres	Garou, Kinfolk, Fera,

There's an old Fury Gnostic kinfolk in the Sept of Enduring Spirit. She's a kindly soul. A little... /odd/, but ultimately harmless. Every day she gets up with the dawn and goes on her rounds through the forest, checking on the packs of lupine kin and helping them where she can. There's a pack in the northern part of the woods that share kinship with the Children of Gaia. Their female was late into heat this spring and only whelped last week. It's her first litter, so the old kin has been helping. Except this morning, she woke with a wheezing and a shortness of breath so that she couldn't make it past the bawn. That's how Sergei and Johanna got snagged - a soft-spoken request from a kind-hearted old woman that they go to this part of the woods and check on them for her, make sure the pups are nursing alright and that the new momma isn't showing signs of whelping sickness.

Cenn's life is a little less full of cute old women. Well. In this particular arena, anyway. Prophetic Dreams, they are a bitch. This one was... odd, though. This was centered around his own rescued lupine kin, lost and running desperately through Umbral forests. Upon waking, there is news that the youngest female (barely more than an adolescent) has slipped past the poor homid Swara kin bringing breakfast (he looks so sorry when he informs Cenn and Phillipe of what happened - on the verge of tears, poor new kid) and made a mad dash into the forest. Further investigation (chatting up her packmates) reveals that she'd been anxious since before the dawn, whining about cubs in trouble (though she didn't know how or why) and generally restless.

The nice thing is that she's been more concerned about speed than not leaving a trail behind her. So that's something at least, even if this part of the woods isn't terribly friendly.

Oh for the love of... At least a Garou is, on average, faster than the average wolf. Cenn is intent in his search, tearing through the underbrush in lupus. Pale fur is easily spotted in the underbrush, matching that of his kin. Lupus is so much better for tracking, and he is familiar enough with the scents of his small pack of kin. That does mean, however, that the Theurge is rather tunnel visioned. That /always/ ends well. Surely.

Howling-Wind is wolf born and more comfortable dealing with wolf things in general so he's all together okay with going on a four footed jog out to check on whomever needs checking on. He does remain vigilant on the way though, just because this isn't hostile territory is no reason to get sloppy.

Starchaser got the word to join in on this request, as she arrived this morning for routine patrols. She follows along with Howling-Wind in lupus form, as it is so much easier to sniff things out, and she needs this time to train. She keeps up with his jog, while on alert. This is important to check on, and she is glad to help with a welfare check.

Phillipe is not quite so tunnel-visioned as Cenn in this regard, but he is also distracted from following along about half-way along the trail as another scent diverts him. There is a low huffing grunt to alert Cenn to the fact that he's going a different direction (and if Cenn gets mind-to-mind nosy he explains he'll be back once he finds out what smells so rotten over here) but there is little more than that.

The route to the wolf pack's den and the trail of concerned Stargazer cross in a dip just on the leeward side of a grassy knoll. Cenn's journey meant he left the Reserve's territory behind a fair bit ago, and there are other wolf-scents here, too, but the paths of the three Garou mean they will run into each other before either group quite makes it to their goal.

There's a soft huff in answer to Phillipe departing, acknowledgement and approval, but little more. Cenn trusts Phillipe's judgement. Continuing to trot through the woods, he slows as he approaches more wolf smells. Trying to parse through the different markers and individuals to find the one he seeks, it causes him to pause, sniffing intently. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised by finding another pack out here, but he wasn't sure that his kin had been on to anything so much as too deep into her dreams the previous night.

Howling-Wind sniffs at the air, finding other garou scent not being that unusual but it not being recognizable is a little unsettling. He begins to move a little more cautiously.

Starchaser sniffs there is someone else approaching, and stays in line with Howling-Wind. She does not recognize it, but she is new around here. Keeping pace, she follows Howling-Wind's lead on how he wants to handle this.

It's not smell that catches Cenn's attention first. No, there's too much of that around. What gets the Theurge to pay attention is sound - It's a subtle thing, rustling in the brush, but he is /looking/ for a wolf and well, that sounds like wolf approach. Looking over, Cenn trots in the direction of the sound. This... Is not the wolf he was looking for. Even still, he recognizes one of these wolves, and the other has all the marks of family. <<You two haven't happened to see a Stargazer kin come through here, have you?>> He asks, still more intent on his task than a proper 'hello.'

Howling-Wind shakes his head at Cenn >>No but we were asked to make a run out this direction to check on one of the kin packs. There is a new mother and her pups that need looking in on. If there's anyone different in the territory they'd likely know though.<<

Starchaser stops next to Howling-Wind and looks over Cenn. She does not know him, but could be family. >>We are on our way. You say there is a Stargazer kin that is lost as well? I did not realize there were other Stargazers around here still.<< She has a bit of excitement at the idea of that, but still intent to their mission.

<<Understood.>> A nod and huff of acknowledgement, and Cenn turns back toward the smells. <<My kin slipped out of our territory this morning, speaking of cubs in distress. It's possible she may have been shown something in her dreams by one of the omen spirits that tend to hang around me.>> Intent on his task, he's nevertheless willing to answer - That's the benefit of lupine speech, really, it allows for a great amount of multitasking. <<Dreams-of-Stars, Metis born Theurge of the Stargazers, Adren. It's nice to meet you.>>

Howling-Wind huffs and nods as well as he moves to continue along to the territory as he introduces himself >>We have met I think. The spore Fomori? It took days to get that smell out of my nose. I've made Adren since then as well.<<

Starchaser replies, >>Starchaser, homid born Half Moon of the Stargazers, Cliath. It is an honor to meet you, Dreams-of-Stars'rhya.<< She looks between them, noting the connection. >>Perhaps we our searching can help out each other?<<

There's a slight change in the wind's direction, bringing with it the smells of motor oil, metal and sterilizing chemicals. The breeze is a stiff one, but it seems to be coming from over the hill.

<<Yes, I believe we have. Howling-Wind, yes?>> Cenn says, glancing back as the other two continue along as well. <<Congratulations. That was, I believe, the final encounter that earned me my rank, come to think of it.>> To Starchaser, he gives a small wag of his tail. << It is good to have family around. There was another... Winds-of-Change, but I think he may have moved on. I have not heard from him in some time. >> Catching the new scent in the wind, Cenn sneezes, bringing a paw up to rub at muzzle. <<What in Gaia's green Earth...>> If wolves could mutter, this low, displeased sound would be it. There's a glance up the hill, and Cenn crouches, moving to slowly approach the top of the hill.

Howling-Wind wrinkles his nose as he catches the shift in the wind >>That...should not be here. Are either of you particularly gifted in stealth?<<

Starchaser looks hopeful to Cenn, >>I heard of him from Defiant-Storm'rhya. I will keep an eye out for him.<< With the change in the wind, and the questions asked, she shakes her head a bit, >>I'm not particularly stealthy, but can try.<< Her eyes look around, as she stays low, on alert, and begins to move to see if she can find out more about what this could be as well.

It's a fairly lush part of the forest (what with all this unseasonal rain we've been having lately) but the underbrush's life makes it soft whispers against fur, not sharp crackles. Cenn's not quite so great at this part, despite being the one who lives with cats, but luckily the people on the other side of the hill aren't /terribly/ perceptive.

From the top of the hill looking down, the little valley where the wolves have made their den is something of a mess. Like a scene from a television show, there are two cars, two vans and a truck parked in a semi-circle around the widest part of the valley. Lights have been set up like it's a crime scene or an experiment - turning the pleasantly warm glow of a midday forest valley into a harsh and unpleasant glare. Humans in what look like hazmat suits are scurrying back and forth - some with equipment and others with the loops-on-sticks that are the favorite tool of dog catchers and gator wranglers everywhere. There's a fair amount of ruckus coming from the back of one of the vans (which, like all the vehicles, is labeled Pendragon Pets Inc. along the side) complete with much metallic clinking, but the real source of the conniption is at the other end of the valley - at the mouth of the wolf kin's den. Lupus ears can pick up the high pitched whimpering of very small pups still inside, but there's no sign of the adult wolves. All that's left between these humans and those sounds is the missing Stargazer kin - white fur bloodied and one hind leg held up off the ground in obvious pain. She is small, she is scared, and she has no hope of warding off these humans forever, but damn it, she's going to /try/.

Coming up to the top of the hill, Cenn crouches low to the ground. There's a low, subvocal growl deep in his throat. <<That's her>> He indicates, <<And I know that mark,>> His nose points toward the logo on the vehicles, <<They steal kin. Sterilize them. Sell them as pets.>> Rolling his shoulders back, Cenn stretches and shifts into Hispo. This has always been his preferred combat form. With a deep breath, there's a touch of Gnosis on the air. He doesn't lead the charge, not yet, looking over to Howling-Wind as the Ahroun present.

Howling-Wind listens to Cenn's explanation and snarls, hunkering down as he swells into his hispo shape and begins shimmer with silver light >>Then they die. Pack-sister, circle around and harry their flanks from the left. Starchaser, take the right. Dreams-of-Stars, follow me in. As Adren we claim the vanguard.<< Then he turns to get in to position >>You will know when its time, I'm obvious.<<

Like the wind heard Sergei over the pack link and she responded. En route. Coming, bro. Stealth mode. Engage. Like the Wind just sort of melts back against the background of trees and rocks and things as she makes her way out and circles as she's ordered. Once there, for now, she just waits, edging in closer and closer and closer so that when she DOES pop out of fucking nowhere, she can strike hot and hard. >>Ready, Brother.<<

Starchaser listen to the directions given to her, and as she sneaksneaks off (not as good as Windy, but still!) to the right, she shifts to hispo, and activates her resistance to pain that she knows could be coming.

With a crunch of bones and stretch of muscles, fur flies and wind swirls. Starchaser becomes a dire wolf

Howling-Wind comes hurtling over the hill down towards the suited figures kidnapping pups. Howling loudly >>WENDIIIIGGGOOOOOOOOOO!<< as he tears the first one to pieces. That must be the obvious signal he mentioned.

Taking the center is well and fine with Cenn. Tearing off after Howling-Wind, the Stargazer is officially DoneTM with these humans. You don't touch kinfolk - But you /especially/ do not touch kinfolk that are under his protection. Nope. The fight begins, and Cenn joins the fray. Jumping up at one of the humans approaching the den, he puts his paws into the human's back and his teeth find the back of the person's neck. They are dead before they hit the ground, the crack/crunch of a broken spine an unmistakable sound. Putting his own body between his wounded kinfolk and any others that might appear, Cenn crouches low and snarls, ready for whatever in the world is coming next. This was too easy for it to be /it./

Starchaser comes around the side, and sniffs out the van. She shifts to Crinos as she knows something is really rotten in the state of this van. She lifts her claws and opens the door. What she sees makes her blink, and make a retreat - keeping between the kinfolk, the pups, whatever she can protect while the others take out the humans behind this. She communicates in lupine to them all, >>BAD THINGS IN THAT VAN!! It smells really rotten, and looks like someone ripped through the Gauntlet - and it isn't closing! Something is galloping and is going to break through!! I cannot see what it is - too dark still - but it is coming! BE READY!<<

Like the wind sneaks her way, more or less invisibly, right in behind Human C. As Howling makes his move, she opens her mouth and SNAP! Have you ever ACTUALLY seen somoene bite someone else's head off? It's a pretty close thing.

It is a galloping sound and no mistake, one that gets loud enough to be heard even outside the van as Starchaser backs away. It's a disconcerting sound, and one that is followed by a shaking of the ground under their feet that is... not quite right for an earthquake, but too intense to be the result of simple hooves. It starts from one side of the valley and trails off beyond the other side - moving, for Cenn's benefit, in the same direction Phillipe had turned off to investigate earlier. There is, as though to confirm that possibility, a scream on the air that is every inch a /pissed off/ wild cat of unrealistic proportions, but there isn't much time to think about that before the other door on the back of the van is /knocked off its hinges/ by the small herd of rampaging... well, at least /some/ of the Garou here would have a name for them. There are six of them. They are big enough that a human could ride one. They are rotting while alive and deeply unpleasant facsimile of dire-boar.

These, ladies and gentlemen, are Skull Pigs, and they are /angry/.

Oh.. What... what the fuck is that? When all this... shit starts to happen, Halona pauses briefly and then launches herself at the nearest piggy. Still in hispo, her massive teeth clamp down on a snout and she BITES, then SHAKES, managing, somehow, to fend off not one, but TWO attacks.

Starchaser stays to protect the kinfolk, as the Adrens take on the piggies. She sees an opportunity and she summons up some paper butterflies - all colorful and SUPER DISTRACTING! She sends flock after flock of them after the piggies, helping the others so they can kill, kiilllll, KKKKIIILLLLL!!!!

Howling-Wind sees the pigs come running out and hurtles after them in hispo form, a rapid flurry of bites to shredd one. Then he flickers in the space between heart beats and is in crinos form with his fang dagger in hand. He raises the blade, made from the tusk of one of the skull pigs russian cousins, and fells a second pig in two blows as he takes advantage of the provided distractions.

Well fuck this. Fuck this all to hell. Skull pigs are the worst. With Johanna come to help protect the den, Cenn rushes forward to engage with the skull pigs head on. One gets bitten. One Cenn claws at just the right place behind its head, and it falls to the ground, helpless and twitching. Another, Cenn attempts the same tactic, but just misses. Snarling, he rounds to take stock of the field and what all remains to be dealt with.

These pigs are no easy prey. Large, angry, vicious and foul, the first two fall in quick succession - one has its spinal cord smacked in just the right place to send it down, though not out. Three more still fight on, though the one tangling with Halona is in /real/ bad shape.

The ground rumbles and shakes under them again, moving in the opposite direction. A bolt of lightning comes down, seemingly apropos of nothing, to strike an empty patch of grass. There is a pause a little less than a heartbeat long, and then that rumbling shake goes back the other way. No more cat-screams, though. That's... probably a good sign, right?

Like the wind takes a tusk to the ribs. She snarls and lashes out, teeth finally sinking into the slightly thinner flesh against the neck. She chomps down and gives a mighty twist and a shake, planting her feet ad ripping out the throat of the thing and then skipping backwards a little, head still shaking violently

With the last of the threats neutralized, Cenn shakes his fur out and looks around. <<Like The Wind,>> He says once he's sure things are quiet for the moment, << I can heal you, if you'll let me. >> There's a soft, high sound for his kinfolk as well, beckoning her over so he may help her too.

Starchaser makes with the paper butterflies one last time, but they are less this time, as she sends them after another charging piggie. As they all fall, she sees the opportunity to jump in and at least get the satisfaction of RRRRRIIIIPPPPPPIIIIINNNNGGGG into one of them, putting an end to his miserable stinky life. She looks back after to be sure the kinfolk and cubs are alright.

Howling-Wind fells one more of the distracted pigs with a mighty blow before he moves to dispatching one of the paralyzed ones. When the last foe is down he looks around, vigilant for more threats.

Like the wind snarls as there's another growl, spinning around toward Dreams of Stars, but then her ears droop and her tail flops downward. <<Sorry. Yes, please,>> she says, her adrenaline spent, and she looks around one more time to be sure before she limps in Dreams of Star's direction

That soft, high sound is returned, but the young lupine kin is still little more than a trembling floof crouched in front of the den. She's not hostile, not to Cenn's familiar voice, but she doesn't dare move away. Or possibly it's that she can't.

The valley is a scene of carnage, there's no question about it. There are two - no, three lightning strikes off in the distance, but they're not close enough to startle anyone. The vehicles are mostly silent. The one with the rended Gauntlet is hauntingly quiet, though the other van still has some soft sounds coming from inside stacks of metal cages.

Cenn doesn't seem to mind being growled at. Trotting over to Like The Wing, he wills Gnosis to her wounds before he turns to approach the den. Head held low his approach slow, paired with concerned whining until he's close enough to heal his kin too. The noises, he will help investigate those after this has been seen to.

Howling-Wind is still in his warform but he pads over to the van, concerned for the cubs as he opens the back doors carefully.

Starchaser thinks it best for Dreams-of-Stars to check on his kinfolk, and she heads toward the van as well with Howling-Wind. She is ready to see about anything now.

When Cenn comes closer, the young kin whines high in the back of her throat and tips her muzzle upward to lick at the underside of his jaw. The first wash of his magic lets her put her hind leg back on the ground, but there are still burns around her paws and muzzle that stand out from white fur.

The back of the van has no pups - those little wrigglies are tucked safe in their den under-and-behind Cenn's kin. What is in the back are the adult members of the pack, some relatively unharmed, some with little burns around their muzzle similar to the Stargazer's. They're terribly happy to see Garou faces. There are thumping tails and soft yips of greeting, but the sheer number of empty cages in there with them gives an idea about the /usual/ size of this particular operation.

The other van is still, silent. The air around it is definitely charged with the remnants of some kind of magic, but which kind is hard to tell from what scraps have been left behind.

Howling-Wind is not concerned with preserving the vehicle or the cages, only the comfort and safety of the kinfolk he's releasing. He sets to work opening the occupied cages, with massive amounts of muscle power if nessecary.

That his magic only does so much doesn't surprise Cenn and neither does it discourage him. Nuzzling at the kinfolk once, he takes a deep breath and tries again. So far, the others seem to have the freeing of the other kin well in hand.

That does the trick. The last of her burns disappear beneath healthy white fur and there is a little bounce and spin from the young kinfolk as yips and whines and gruff little woofs tell Cenn /all about/ her adventure today. Nevermind that he's been here for half of it. It's all very exciting.

The grown kin are much more subdued (it's been a Bad DayTM) but offer gratitude in little licks and wagging tails as they are freed from cages and hop out of this van to dash over toward the den and the young ones making a terrible ruckus down in their little hidey-hole.

There is a soft rustle from the undergrowth, but it is what happens when a dire-leopard emerges and shifts up to homid. Attention isn't really paid to the other wolves (though it probably should be) only in getting over to Cenn. There are nasty chemical burns from his right hand all the way up to his shoulder, but aside from some streaks of blood (presumably originating in smaller scratches already healed away) this seems to be the extent of his injuries.

That other van is still quiet, but the air around it is getting a touch colder.

Starchaser looks to the others, >>We should check out the last van.<< She walks over towards it and readies to open it up. She is paying close attention to it, wondering what will be behind door number 3! Another bad guy? Another captive? Who knows? But the question must be solved!

Howling-Wind gives some gentle scritches as he gets the adults free. The dire leopard gets blinked at but is not on the threat list. Nodding at Starchaser, the other vehicles are turned towards and another set of doors opened.

Cenn answers the young kin with his own indulgent sounds. When that rustle comes though, he quiets her and perks up. Before the leopard even shifts, Cenn is already trotting to meet him halfway. Another high whine is in the back of his throat, and Phillipe, too, gets Gnosis willed in his direction. But the others are moving to open the other van, and so as soon as the Gift has been called, Cenn is turning to pay attention for any other nastiness that may be lurking therein.

Gentle scritches are quite alright so far as the CoG kin are concerned. There's a momentary scuffle as excited woofs are reunited - both with their new young friend as well as their young. Who are all very happy to see their mother again.

The wash of Gnosis is a blissful relief, and Phillipe flexes his hand as the burns disappear and hale skin is left in their place. Cenn gets a soft rubbing of ears in gratitude, but he follows the Stargazer's line of sight toward that van. "That smell from before," he offers softly. (Just because he can't understand woof doesn't mean they can't understand English.) "Someone had laid out a bait pit to lure a Thunderwyrm." There is a small pause and his hand flexes again. "It worked."

No new van to open, just the one from which the Skull Pigs had burst. The tear in the Gauntlet is still there, made bigger by the passage of the beasts. It's quiet on the other side - no imminent threat - but that cold air sense is getting stronger and the hole doesn't seem to be knitting itself back up.

Sergei frowns at mention of a thunder wyrm and he relaxes back into Glabro so he can speak human words "I can put a block on this but the ice won't last long with it being summer on this side. Does anyone else have a solution or should I send for assistance?" Dreams-of-Stars gains one Magical Essence

Starchaser isn't sure what they should do next. >>I have no clue how to close this? It is above my knowledge base here.<< She is concerned a lot for this. Especially at the words from Phillipe about a Thunderwyrm. That can NOT be good.

There's a low growl at the word 'Thunderwyrm.' That growl comes along with a roll of his shoulder and Cenn reverts to his Breed form. "Dead?" He asks Phillipe, trying to keep his voice as even as possible with the inherent growl in all language in Crinos. Then, however, he moves toward the van. Looking inside, he sniffs at the air and hums. "I may be able to reverse it..." He says, "I know how to open doors, I should be able to close them... I think..." The Theurge is going to Theurge at it.

"Very dead," Phillipe assures Cenn quietly, though there's a glance back down at his arm as though to make sure he hadn't dreamed up the healing. When Cenn steps forward, Phillipe follows, though he hangs back at a reasonable distance. Cenn's the only face he knows here, after all, and he's not looking for another fight. He trusts the Theurge to know what he's doing and turns to the other Stargazer-esque (he thinks, he doesn't know wolves as well as other shifters) Crinos. "I've expended a good amount of my own energy, but someone should check the other cars. Would you mind coming with me to do that?"

Cenn's Gnosis encounters some token resistance - and there is /definitely/ a feeling of oily corruption involved that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth, but the tear does slowly re-seal itself. There's a small scar there, for those who can see the Umbra, but it will hold.

Starchaser nods, and goes with Phillipe. She doesn't shift yet, since there may still be danger. She will check it out with him. and does her best, even in that monster form to communicate her willingness to assist.

If Phillipe is bothered by the monster-form of Crinos, it does not show. Indeed, there is a small smile up toward Jo before he turns to head toward the other cars. Strange, perhaps. Then again, when one has a metis for a mate... He points to the truck with its covered bed. "If you can rip through that canvas and see what's in the back of that truck, I'll see if anyone left documentation in the glove boxes of the cars." Terribly polite, even if he is terribly French. That accent is also super weird.

Howling-Wind stays watching Cenn's back while Starchaser reinforces Phillipe. Nodding when the Rift is closed >>What now?<<

Starchaser nods her furry head to Phillipe, and rips right through the canvas to reveal what is back there. She moves the canvas off as easily as knives through butter.

Pulling the rift closed, Cenn sighs. "Someone should probably cleanse that. And this place." A beat, "And us." Shaking his head, he turns away from the van and the Umbral scar inside. "I've used all of my Gnosis, though."

Knife through butter is a good analogy, which is probably why there's a startled (though muffled) scream from underneath. When the canvas is pulled back and away, there's a teenage girl bound with bungee cords and kept quiet with a strip of duct tape over her mouth. She goes quiet and much calmer when she sees the Crinos form more clearly, and a decent look over her shows enough Uktena pure breed to be noticeable, but she lacks the Rage of a trueborn.

With Johanna's help, the young Uktena-kin is freed and gotten down from the truck. She seems shaken but ultimately unhurt. She sticks to the Philodox like a small shadow, looking around her warily like she expects more bad guys to jump out of the shadows. She lives a couple hours north of Prospect, she says, and her family are all Kin, except one sister who had her First Change last year. Come down here for a school trip and some weirdo with a little plunger hooked into his cell phone was 'scanning' her for something. Next thing she knew, she was in the back of their van. She'll tell any of them who ask anything she can, but she doesn't know much beyond that.

She's helpful with the Rite of Cleansing, at least, bringing branches and pulling a bottle of water from her school backpack to offer out toward Johanna. She's seen this done before, evidently. The area and the people in it (two-legged and four-) are successfully cleansed.

Phillipe comes back from his search with a small stack of papers and a tight frown. "It's the /exact/ same company we hit in April, Cenn. They're /already/ back up and running." The werecat does /not/ seem happy about this in the least. "Though it looks like they were called in specifically to deal with the wolf pack. Someone else had a bigger objective here. All I've got is a Client ID. No company name, no contact person. You think Auberon might make sense of it?" It's information he's willing to hand over and let the others see, but he is keen to collect it back at the end. This is a hunt his pride has been on for several months, now. He offers nods of respectful acknowledgment to the unfamiliar Garou. "If you can get your kinfolk home safely, we can make sure the cars are disposed of." And all the nonsense that goes with them. "Whoever sent these guys will probably come looking for their stuff. I say we don't let them have it back."

And so long as no one has objections, that's exactly how that goes down. It's not the most /satisfying/ end to a day, but it was productive - and a lot of lives were saved in the process.