2018.07.18: Introductions and Challenges
| Introductions and Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Dragomir brings Journey to meet Lleutrim - all goes well at first. Things really kick up /after/ the elder garou departs. | |
| IC Date | Wednesday Jul 18th |
| IC Time | 13:58:23 2018, PDT. |
| Players | Lleutrim, Faith, Dragomir, Halona, Sergei, Brooke, Journey |
| Location | Caves - Living Quarters |
| Spheres | Mortal, Mortal+, Shifter |
---
Caves - Living Quarters
This deep underground cave is built off the natural cavern. The walls are made of solid rock, and the entire area is lit by bioluminescent moss lights which grow naturally off the moisture and in the cracks in the wall. This main living area has some natural faces and rock groupings which have been arranged in furniture of some kind. What amounts to smooth rock couches and even a stone coffee table of a kind. Bookshelves have been carved into the walls and all the amenities you might expect in the perfect little underground cave home. A natural water source trickles down through the cracks in the wall into a stone basin which overflows into a drain groove carved in the floors and off and away it goes.
Some wooden furniture has also been arranged down here, including chairs and a table - some loose cabinetry and other amenities which make it look more like a natural living location. ---
When Sergei came back to the cave last night he was still in wolf form and in all likelyhood he remained that way all night. Waking up in the morning he takes his human form and taps the cub to be on the boot and says, in his Russian accent "Time to run." and gives Lleu a moment to get up and get boots on as Sergei straps on an odd looking bone handled knife and bow and arrow set. Then they go out for an off trail run and hunt for the day's meat. Sergei doesn't try and kill Lleu but he works him hard, for a couple of hours. By the time they get back to the cave with a couple of plump bunnies its about nine if Lleu has a watch and sunrise was just before six.
Lleutrim won't have slept well at all last night - nightmares are a problem right now. So he like hell come morning. Still, he'll keep to himself and be silent for the most part, doing whatever chores Halona gives him. Without complaint, glad to be doing something.
Sergei gets a nod out of him. Donnachaidh will ask about terrain then he will change into loose fitting khaki pants and boots rather than shorts and running shoes. Couple of hours of hard pushing is something Lleu can do. Still no complaining, no idle chatter. He can even be passably quiet in the woods and has a small amount of hunting experience. Those Georgia boys.
If Sergei isn't the overly hot tempered sort, Lleu provides a companionable silence and will push himself to keep up. He does answer questions when asked, may ask a rare few himself, and works hard to keep his anger in check. But it's a constant struggle.
Sergei has a task set by his Alpha and that makes all right with the world, his willpower is stronger than his Rage so he's even tempered for a Garou. English is Sergei's fourth language, but he's fluent enough to get by. Breakfast is served after they get back, porrige and some of the rabbit meat to start "One thing you may or may not have noticed. Hunger." Sergei offers as he scoops his portion of breakfast "What we do, what we are takes an enormous amount of energy. The wolf within you must be fed. That will help with the headaches some, the night mares though? The only remedy I have for those is to get you to tired to dream."
Donnachaidh will sit as they eat, tearing into what will actually be his second breakfast. A nod, "Aye. Packed some MRE's in my ruck. Never been so damn hungry." It also makes him cranky as hell if he's hungry. Grey eyes flick to watching Sergei at mention of headaches and bad dreams. Lleu isn't inclined to speak of them. Yet again, he tries to keep his mouth shut.
Overall? Donnachaidh is pretty fucking miserable. He gives Faith a glance now and then in passing but keeps his distance from her. He scrapes his bowl and eventually asks, "Do you all seriously live in a cave?"
Sergei nods at Lleu "Yes, though except for sleeping or using the training area down stairs we don't spend much time inside. The human born maintain other residences as well but the whole pack and those we protect could live in this network of caves for weeks at a time if nessecary. I'd get stir crazy before too long though."
That gets a grimace, "We used caves in Afghanistan. Not my living preference." Cautiously Lleu adds low, "Seemed an odd choice for ... wolfish sorts." Maybe, just maybe it's starting to sink in. He resumes his silence and works on his meal.
Sergei nods and shrugs "At least back in Siberia it made sense. Rock and earth make excellent insulation. Here it is warm enough to sleep out doors almost all year round. But part of what Gaia has made us is as much man as wolf so we dig and build as men do. Though with less harm to the living world and the All-mother's other creatures. We do not need great poison spewing machines when we can negotiate with the spirit of a rock face a change in its shape."
That gets a couple of blinks out of Lleu. He sets his bottle of water down. "Negotiate with the spirit of a rock to change its shape?" Donnachaidh eyes Sergei like he's been smoking something and would probably fail a drug test. "So ... you follow some kind of Earth-Mother Goddess?"
Sergei took Lleu out for a morning run and hunt, leaving at the crack of dawn and coming back about three hours later. Now breakfast and philosiphy over porrige and spit roasted rabbit. Sergei thinks through Lleu's question and nods "That is an accurate way to put it, though Gaia is more than just an Earth Goddess. She is the mother of all life and the source of all Creation. A Theurge would explain that part better. Our dealings with spirits are the source of much of our power."
Donnachaidh is seated at a table with Sergei. He is finishing a bowl of porridge and is eating greasy rabbit mea and licking his fingers off. "Spirits. You mean like ... Druidic concept of spirits rather than ghosts?" His baritone is kept quite low in volume. Lleu wipes his fingers off with a cloth, "You went through this .. First Change? All of you?" It's a quiet conversation without anger flaring - yet.
The approach of the kinswoman is quiet, but not so much so that they will not hear her coming. Especially true of the garou who knows every sensory feature of this cave system better than most humans know their own face. Faith has plaited her hair back from her face and twisted it into a fierce bun at the nape of her neck, and wears the boots, fatigues, and tanktop from her go-bag. All recently washed. She's carrying two baskets with her, one of freshly washed fabrics - without any chemical scents. The other has an abundance of fresh blackberries and some cleaned roots and mushrooms. She pauses on entering and bows her head in respectful silence, much as she did the night before. Sergei is acknowledged first, and more deeply than Lleu. But the cub is also greeted with a nod.
Sergei nods back at Faith, acknowledging that yes he's seen her and accepts her presence as not a threat, before he answers Lleu "Yes, Druidic spirits. Though Ancestor Spirits and other ghosts are also real. Except for the Silent Striders none of the Garou have much dealing with the Human dead." He nods at Lleu "I did, though my experience was from a different direction. A wolf with a man self waking within him."
That's right. There had been mention of three of the four having been 'born on four legs'. Lleutrim is silent once more, thinking. His grey eyes go to the movement as Faith arrives and his gaze lingers on her, watching how strangely she acts among these people. The barest hint of a frown. Something Sergei has said pulls Donnachaidh's attention back to the other male. "Human dead. You, Dragomir, the others .. are trying to convince me that you aren't human and that I am one of your kind." A flicker of that anger rouses, "My family seemed perfectly human to me, and so am I."
Faith enters once she's been acknowledged. The basket with berries and mushrooms is placed on the table, closer to Sergei than LLeutrim. In fact, as if they're for the younger man to share or not. The linens, blankets, and clothing are then carried to the various chambers to be placed where they belong. She does seem to at least be listening, as LLeutrim's assertion provokes a little smile.
Sergei nods at Lleu "They probably were. Garou can mate with Humans, or wolves, even if they are not kin. Not all are chosen and the strength can sleep in the blood for generations and be lost." Sergei's nostrils flare "Your blood is stronger than is usually lost but it is still possible. Perhaps one of your parents or grandparents were adopted young because of a family tragedy? It wouldn't be the first time."
If, -IF- any of this were true and not some Grim's fairy tale... Lleu shifts his jaw as he thinks about it, "I have no idea. My uncle, he's the odd one of the family. Reclusive, the angry man who I always was afraid of as a boy. He was around more than my father. Looked out for my mother and me, and the cabin, when we weren't there in the mountains. My father was Career USMC." Donnachaidh shakes his head and drinks more of his water ere he adds low, "My folks are deceased. My uncle though, he's still back East."
That in a few sentences is more he's spoken since he got here. Lleu goes quiet once more, his gaze to slip away and watch Faith's movements. Unconsciously his nostrils likewise flare, trying to pick up some trace of her scent that eludes him. She seems to distract him whenever she's near by.
The woman stands in the doorway of a room off the main chamber now. Her hands looped gently across herself, thumbs hooked into the belt loops of the fatigues. A slight frown picks at her lips as she notices LLeutrim's distraction from the conversation at the table. Hands disengage and slide down to her sides as she looks to Sergei, then the exit. She still doesn't speak up - the implied question assumed to be clear enough.
In the distance, word of a howl, through Merlin as well, who is usually silent on such things, whispers of 'Shaderunner' come in the flutter of wings. Cause of couse he spoke to the Merlin watching him.
Sergei nods for Faith to go ahead right before he hears the howl "Shaderunner-rhya is come to call, he is one of our Eldest. And likely come to meet our lost cub. You should stay in case he has questions." Sergei gives a silent come ahead through his link to Merlin to be passed along to Journey. Turning back to Lleu "Was this Uncle your mother's brother? Or your father's?"
Faith steps back from the door and stands aside with an acknowlegement of Sergei's words. She folds her hands together at the small of her back and waits quietly for Journey to arrive, while Sergei and the cub sit together at the table, discussing Lleutrim's known family members. She looks at the bowls of porridge and roasted rabbit they were eating, but doesn't move to clear the plates away as they seem to still be in use. There's two small baskets of blackberries and mushrooms also on the side of the table Sergei is seated at.
Dragomir directs Journey down behind the boulder and into the pack's den. The area is pretty distinctly their's, given the scents of the pack mates present - especially the Wendigo members of Terminal Velocity. Dragomir offers, "They are in here Shaderunner-rhya. We have taken the necessary precautions, Antonia and Howling Wind's mate and kinfolk are at the kinfolk house. For now, Faith is here as well - I want her to learn from the First Change so she can recognize the signs and help identify and watch others while she's in the city."
Journey walks in with Dragomir, looking around, "Oh, this is.." He turns ALL the way around, coming back to walking forward, "THIS is good, I like this, Dragomir." He says and walks in, looking to Lleutrim. He gives the man a once over, head to feet and nods, "Yeah, okay, it's a good start." He says to no one and walks up, clasping his hands in front of him with a calm, "Okay, what do they call you in generic polite conversation?"
Donnachaidh finishes off the water bottle and caps it before setting it aside. "My father's brother." Whether or not he catches the howl, the arrival of the others turns his head. Lleu gets up from the table, wary and watchful, particularly of Dragomir first. Then he takes the time to look Journey over in a like fashion, assessing the other male. Lleu's baritone answers with a faint Southern accent, "I prefer to be called Lleu."
Dragomir turns to look towards Lleutrim and growls at the casual response. "You are speaking to an Elder of the Garou Nation, Lleu. Remember what I told you. If you wish for him to respect you, then you give him a proper introduction. Without a name, you have no respect, without respect, you are nothing in the eyes of the Nation." Then he says to Journey, "The pack lives here.. we have a training area I will show you as well Shaderunner-rhya." emphasizing -his- use of the honorific as though to demonstrate for Lleutrim. Dragomir's body language is different with Journey as well, clearly respectful.
Faith remains quiet as she stands near one of the openings off the main room. She watches the introductions and greetings taking place, inclining her head with deep respect to both Journey and Dragomir, and will undoubtedly acknowledge Brooke's arrival with a similar silent incline. She's remaining watchful, attentive to every nuance of the conversation.
Brooke makes her way inside, dressed in nice loose fitting clothing. She knows things have been going on, and after her nap earlier, she hd to see this all for herself. Respectfully she gives a nod to each person here. "Shaderunner'rhya, welcome to our pack den." She starts with the Elder, before the rest of her pack, and others here. "Alpha, Howling-Wind, Like the Wind." She notes the others, "Faith, it is good to see you again." But she does not know the other man except from deducing from information shared via the pack link. She waits for whatever Dragomir is teaching him, before she would give her own introduction to the man.
Journey lifts a hand, motioning to Dragomir, hand open and fingers casual, a generic, 'It's okay' gesture and remains placid, "Some weird shit been going down, eh, Lleu? I take it you've been trying to get your brain around all this nonsense, trying to get the whole idea of 'Werewolves' and whatnot." He looks to Dragomir and nods, "I'd like that, thank you, though the Truthcatcher is very anxious to speak with you, and honestly I myself am interested in getting her take on the situation. I'm kind of curious how the Fera came to know about our cubs so specifically that a Rokea came to know about it. Stupid grandstanding nonsense aside." He looks to Brooke with a smile, "Thank you it's most impressive." He says, the looks back to Lleu.
Sergei nods to each of the new arrivals with an appropriate degree of respect and is relieved when the Elder takes over the lesson a bit.
Dragomir has a /gift/. Donnachaidh just knew that was coming and he tenses, bristling with anger. For a second it looks like Lleu's going to totally go after that Russian, right here and now. His weight and a boot shifts, his nostrils to flare and his grey eyes locked on the other man. It is an effort to check himself and arrest the almost lunge. The muscles of his jaw tighten as well as his fists as Lleu struggles to control that awful fury. A few seconds of breathing a little hard ere he can finally speak low and colly, "I was /specifically/ asked what 'generic' name I go by, Drago - " Donnachaidh stops himself, "Eyes-the-Storm-rhya."
Another deep breath. Get the heart rate to slowing. Lleutrim looks back to Journey, "I am Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh, Patrol Officer with the Prospect Police Department, former Captain in the United States Marine Corps. I have served in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and the southern Philippines." The barest pause to recall the other's name, "I intended no disrespect, Shaderunner-rhya."
Just a keen desire to pound in Dragomir's face, maybe.
Dragomir nods, relenting to Journey's words - likely trusting in the man's Wisdom and says, "I am going to meet with her now." Though perhaps the part that Lleutrim may not realize, is that it is a halfmoon right now. The time when Dragomir is at his most violent, and he turns back to growl slightly at the Marine's response. Instead of speaking though, he turns and walks out.
Faith's hand rises slowly to the back of her neck, the rise of frustration in the cub drawing some tension into her own form - a tension that builds with the disrespectful tone.. and abets with the willfull shift to a more culturally appropriate response. The kinswoman glances at the Silver Fang, then lowers her eyes and settles her hands again behind the small of her back.
Brooke senses the tension between them, and just steps back, hands settled on her belly.
Journey nods, "Marine." He focuses on this word and shakes his head, "Amazing, but now unheard of." He sighs, "Normally the whole, Boot Camp, Crucible thing triggers the change." He sighs, "At least one group of recruits and several Marines were needlessly killed in THAT one." He smiles to Lleu, "Aaaanyway..." He claps his hands AGAIN. Looks like he's trying to break the tension between Lleu and Dragomir, letting the man leave. "Sorry about your.. you know, life before, but consider it fucked, to be honest." He says simply, then blinks, "Oh well here, tell you what. I am Journey Farshi, Shaderunner of the Silent Striders. Elder Theurge of Homid birth, Alpha of the Zephyrs Hand pack, mated to Vesta Farshi of the Silent Strider Kinfolk, Father of Stephen Farshi, deednamed Baconcaller." He nods, "If you have questions about that, feel free to ask them."
Donnachaidh has cooled his shit somewhat. Still tense, he stands quietly and watches Dragomir depart without Lleu saying another word. He briefly looks Brooke over and for a second, he might even look embarrassed to have lost his temper just as she came in. The briefest glance to Faith and then Sergei ere his attention comes back fully to Journey. Lleu's mouth thins at 'life before' being totally fucked, now.
The 'Cub' thinks about it, "I do not know what half of that means, Shaderunner-rhya. Why the name 'Baconcaller?' What is a ... deedname?"
Sergei is eating more while the elder's doing the talking. Meat, porridge, and berries all in his face hole.
Faith is just continuing to watch quietly, from a safe distance.
Journey nods, "Well okay, Stephen was born and exposed to wolves, canids, four legged forms, whatever, since, literally before he was born. This means that as well as speaking he latched onto mimicing howls pretty early, the sounds mind you, language is still forming, but one of the sounds he learned was a howl of 'Bacon'. Well Our Truthcatcher is wolf-born and when she had her latest litter of pups, Stephen met them and, overtaken with the cute of these black pullies, he howled out at them. They took this as a battle cry of 'BACON!' and joined in enthusiasticly. They immediately started calling him 'Baconcaller.' As he had earned the name.
"A deedname is something that is given to you based on your actions. There is a formal Rite of Passage that Garou go through, accepting them into a Tribe and into Garou society, making them a proper Garou, as opposed to a simple Werewolf, being driven mad by their powers and destined to die in insanity and confusion.. if they're lucky. But in that Rite, Garou are given a Ritename, that's their official name in the Nations of the Garou people. I am Shaderunner. There is a story.."
He turns and gestures to the other Garou, then looks back, "There is ALWAYS a story, Lleu. Tales of things that happened that you can learn from if you pay attention. Wisdom to be taken from the words and teachings of others. Remember that."
Brooke nods, listening to Journey's wisdom. "We all have a story, and your introduction is just the tip of that iceberg. It is something you should share with pride, like a badge. It is yours and only yours." She figures it is as good a time as any to share who she is as well. "I am Brooke Farman, rited Hushed Blaze, Adren, Galliard Glass Walker of homid birth, Beta of Terminal Velocity, Children of Merlin, Master of the Howl for the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, married to Michael Farman of Glass Walker Kinfolk."
"Understood, Shaderunner-rhya. Not so different from the Norse Sagas, the poetic Beowulf, or the tales of Cu Chulainn." Lleu has an interest. His grey eyes shift to Brooke. Donnachaidh frowns a little, "I do not understand the meaning of many of your words, Brooke Farman-rhya. 'Adren'? 'Galliard', or ... " He glances back to Journey, "Most of what each of you say is confusing gibberish to my ears." He has managed to relax enough to hook his thumbs loosely into the front pockets of his pants. They all seem to be standing, except Sergei who has enough sense to be seated and carrying on with eating his supper.
Sergei may not be human but he's still a soldier, and a soldier grabs chow when he can. Never know when an officer will dream something else up for him to go stab.
Journey is in fact, standing, yes. He seems comfortable with this, hands clasped in front of him. "Well twell you what, let's start here. Do not use the Garou suffix with the Human name. it's a mistake and a bad habit to get into. In the wrong circles that can lead to you telling a knowledgeable set of ears who is Garou. Believe me, that happened to me, someone knew what I was without my knowledge from such a slip from someone." He nods, "So Journey, or Shaderunner-rhya. That's first.
"Moving on, the terminology depends on the word, really, there are three factors that one may consider, the Tribe, or family, lineage, the blood heritage of a Garou, the Breed, whether they were born of Human, Wolf or the unsanctioned union of two Garou, and the Auspice, or the moon that was in the sky when the Garou was born. These three things make up a Garou's identity. These three things are important to learn about, Tribe, Breed, and Auspice.
"Now once you have that idea firm, there is Rank, that's exactly what it sounds like, Garou graduate into Ranks, with the Rights and Responcibilities that come with it, and the power of a Garou largely comes from Rank, deeper secrets and powers to wield, after a fashion. It's not a simple matter of respect from your fellows."
Brooke nods silently along with Journey. Very well put. "It will take awhile to wrap your head around, of course. We are all here and happy to help continue to explain, and answer questions. You seem the type that may pick it up fast enough. I myself was not raised in the Nation, and it took me a bit to come around to it all. Do you know what moon you were born under?" This might help explain a few things for them all to know that.
Journey gets a faint nod out of Donnachaidh. "Noted, Shaderunner-rhya." He still frowns over various parts as it is a lot to take in. "I admit ... I have been doubting /my/ sanity in all of this." He shifts his weight uneasily, restless. Brooke's question makes Lleutrim frown, "Moon? I have no idea. I was born March 13th, 1984." Somebody could probably look that up. If you could get cell reception down deep in a cave.
Halona comes in from outside, dropping a pack to the side. "Galliard," she says, letting out a breath and starting to shrug her way out of her clothes over by the stream.
Brooke takes out her phone, which works here because she is just SUCH an AWESOME Glass Walker Tech Genius, and checks, "Yes, Like the Wind is right. Good job. Galliard. I could not be happier really. We will meet and talk, since I am the most active ranking Galliard at the moment in the Sept. We are the storytellers, the ones that help share with others the deeds others have done. There is so much I have learned, and I will take that time with you to share as well."
Journey looks at Lleu, shrugging and peers at him, moving around to the side, looking, STARING at the man, or at parts of him. "Mmm, Galliard?" He looks to Halona, then back, peering at Lleu more. "I'm not seeing a Kinfetch, so there's that."
He makes a 'Mm' sound and straightens, "Still, Lleu, the names and words for things are the easy part. the hard part is accepting that the world, as you knew it, what you fought for and trained for, is only the surface, and you've fallen out of that world and into the real one."
He nods to Brooke, "Good, that will help." He looks back to Lleu, "Stories, remember."
Dragomir comes out from behind a massive boulder.
Halona, then Brooke get quick looks, "Galliard?" Lleu's about to ask what that means but Brooke is explaining. Uncertain, he gives another faint nod. Then Journey begins to stalk around him, eyeing Donnachaidh up and down. That makes Lleutrim scowl and tense, watching the other man very closely in turn. Instinctively he tries to take in Shaderunner's scent but he still has the nose of a man. "What is a 'Kinfetch, Shaderunner-rhya?" Nope, the former Marine doesn't like people walking around behind him. Lleu shifts his position to keep an eye on Journey as the 'Elder' moves around him. It's agitating the Cop, making him angry for some reason. "Into the white rabbit's hole, aye."
Halona finishes strippig out of her clothes and plops into the stream with a little sigh. Yes, there are important things going on, but YES, Halona is also gross AF and she needs to clean off
Brooke hmms, "No Kinfetch, well, we really do have a lost cub." She takes in a breath, her hand rubs on her baby belly. Probably someone kicking her a bit. "A Kinfetch is a small Tribal spirit that is bound to a Garou child after he or she is born. It is there to alert your tribe when you near your first change."
The only APPROPRIATE cure for an aggitated pre-cub, is a Silver Fang Philodox on a halfmoon. Dragomir comes walking back into the cave, doubling the Rage in the room with a cherry of annoyance on top. He takes a moment to look around, looking for Lleutrim first, then noting the position and words of others as he does so.
Journey keeps looking at Lleu, frowning slightly as he looks the man over, shaking his head, "Yep. Parents might not have known, that could go any way or the Spirit might have left." He looks to Dragomir, and waves, then looks back, "So, if no one told you, were you adopted or something? Orphan? Something like that."
Lleu's getting agitated. Journey completely looks like he doesn't notice. Perhaps not care.
Sergei perks up and shakes his head at Journey "His father's brother sounds like the garou from the answer I got earlier. Someone should reach out to find out what happened. Perhaps your mate knows someone in that area Elder?"
Faith is still standing in the doorway of the other room, where she has been since before Dragomir arrived and left again. As he returns, she inclines her head solemnly, not making eye contact.. just acknowledging with due respect.
Oh shit. Dragomir returns and as soon as Lleu sees him, his gaze is snagged onto the Russian. Another slow, deep breath and Donnachaidh makes himself settle and let Journey pace around as he pleases. He licks his lips and glances back to Brooke, his brows to furrow a touch at her strange explanation. Back to Journey, Lleu says, "No, far as I know, I wasn't adopted. My parents passed away recently. I still have an Uncle." Belated he remembers to add, "Shaderunner-rhya."
Ehm, Halona or Wind in her Fur, whatever her name is ... is over there stripping naked and climbing into the stream. Now that's not distracting to Donnachaidh -at all-. Getting slapped with one Primal Urge after another, that's all he needs to be watching with Faith standing RIGHT OVER THERE watching.
Halona bathes. lalala
Brooke nods, "I'm sure we can help figure some more of it out. A piece at a time. I can start doing some research of my own." She nods to Dragomir again as he enters.
Journey looks at Sergei then Lleu, then gets into his satchel, "Okay getting somewhere." He pulls out a post-it note pad and pen and hands them to Lleu, "Write it down. Um your Uncles contact information, I mean." He nods to Sergei, "I'll get Vesta on it and get him on the horn or the hell out here if need be." He thinks, "Hopefully he's still alive." He looks at Lleu, I'm sorry for the loss, what happened to them?" Yeah Halonas naked. Something else Journey appears to not have noticed. Or cared about.
The kin glances from Lleutrim to Halona, simply because it's caught the man's attention. She turns her gaze then to Dragomir and lifts her left hand slightly, acknowledging the ban before it even needs to be spoken. There will be no naked Faith bathing in the cave on this, or any future foreseeable date.
Dragomir doesn't seem to mind the eye-balling he's getting from Lleutrim, the man's arms cross over his chest. One tattooed, one not - the perfect balance displayed as he stares back with those firm blue eyes of his. Staring right into Lleutrim's eyes quietly.
Brooke nods to Journey, and finds a place to go sit down out of the way now that Dragomir is here as well, and tensions are rising.
The Russian lost out in Lleu's attention as Halona frolics in the water over there. He manages to force his attention off of her. To Journey, Lleutrim replies, "I can write it down. He's an unsociable bastard. If you can find him I'll be impressed. He's kind of a mountain hermit. Vietnam vet." He steps over to the table to start writing out 'Brennen Athol Donnachaidh, then 'Jasper, Georgia' but no mailing address nor phone number. Lleu glances up, "He also doesn't take kindly to strangers." The slip of paper is offered to Journey and he shrugs, "My father grew old and my mother got cancer. That was two years ago."
Why the fuck is he telling them this shit? Maybe Donnachaidh is amused thinking about the warm welcome his Uncle will give to whoever shows up.
Journey takes his post-it notepad and pen back, looking at the writing, and nods, then looks at Lleu, and smiles. "Yeah. Strangers, mmhmm." Putting the notepad in his pocket, he looks over to Dragomir, then around to the others, "Hmm." He holds out his hand, to shake Lleus hand. "Put 'er there."
Faith has settled her hands back at her own pockets, and dropped her gaze again. She listens, and watches the interactions quietly.
Sergei nods and settles back down as things are well in hand, he doesn't seem to notice or care about the bathing activity either. He didn't have writing things handy so its good that the Elder did.
The hand is offered. Lleutrim is instantly on his guard. He stands there and looks over the other, smaller fella. His right hand reaches out to accept Journey's. Lleu's own long fingered hand is calloused with a few recently scraped knuckles. His grip firm and dry with direct eye contact. No attempt to try any crushing grip crap on Donnachaidh's part.
Brooke watches the handshake, and just has to wait to see what will happen next.
Journeys hand closes on Lleus, and.. well, Journey's a .. like a LOT stronger than he looks and then there's a heat traveling up Lleus arm, and flooding through his body, as the bruises fade and the skin seals, and regenerates, also the mans back pops, that twinge that he's had for the last week in the side from running into a locker, that's gone, a complete flooding of some sort of healing energy leaving the man likely in a state he has never been in in his adult life. Comepletely and totally healthy. It's a state most humans never REALLY exist in, there's always some bump or soreness. All gone.
Journey keeps his calm during this as if this were something he exactly were doing. Releasing the mans hand, he nods, "So, it's really going to be up to you, you know? If you keep yourself unmarked, at least till the change, then you're REALLY going to be dealing with violence. Not like the Marines, like.. Well, you've seen."
Sergei nods in endorsement of Journey's caution about violence "Even the most cautious of us are made for war. Each auspice contributes in their own way though. Galliards are blessed with gifts of communication, coordination, and inspiration."
Faith finally slides to something more of a crouch, settling her arms against her knees as she watches and listens to the lessons, her head cocked slightly to one side with keen interest in the events unfolding.
Brooke nods, "Anything you thought you have seen before that was hinky... just wait. But that is why we are here. To help you get ready for that."
It was a wall, actually, not a locker that fucked up his face. Lleu's eyes get wide and when Journey's unexpectedly strong grip lets go of his hand, the former Marine steps back suddenly. He sure as fuck felt /something/ and looks hyper alert, and startled. "Seen what? What's ... going to happen?" It comes out rather more a growl than a question. "What the hell did you do to me?"
Faith moves and catches his eye. Oh right. If /Lleu/ fucks up, she's is going to suffer. He looks back to Journey quickly and adds, "Shaderunner-rhya." A glance down at his hand shows no more busted knuckles. The same hand lifts to touch his nose that had been aching for days - but isn't now. Oh boy. Maybe he'll dare to resume his former seat and look at his hands again.
Dragomir walks over to the stone couch -- which is amazingly more comfortable to sit on than one would think looking at it, draped in blankets. He sits, motioning for Faith to come sit with him.
Journey lowers his head, eyebrows lifting, looking at Lleu as if the question were apparent. "Look at your hands. Your knuckles. You've been healed. I healed you." He lifts his hands, bringing them in front of his face, and spreads his fingers outward, wiggling fingers comicly, "Maaaagic. Take that in, there's a lot to unpack from it. You're going to be moving into a world that's only remotely like the one you thought was real. The world of every day things and life is only the backdrop to the real struggle for the cosmos and you just got called up into the real war." He spreads his hands, "And Boot Camp? Hasn't even started."
Dragomir grins a bit feral at that.
Faith rises at the gesture from Dragomir and moves across the room to join him at the couch. She stands there beside the Silver Fang, within easy reach, and settles her hands together once more behind her back as she lowers her eyes. The kinswoman then crouches down to be at his knee, leaning in a little closer after glancing over at Lleu and Journey.
Brooke giggles a little to herself, and listens.
Sergei is still sitting at the table eating as they talk about how weird the world is, except now he's about six inches taller and signifigantly more muscular. His brow ridge is thicker and body hair is more pronounced. Glabro form.
Lleutrim listens to Journey and looks up from his hands, "But how did you do it? What /is/ going to happen?"
Uh oh. There's Dragomir over there beckoning Faith to him and Donnachaidh gets right up out of that chair again, focused on the Russian. He doesn't even notice Sergei growing larger and into a fugly mother frakker across the table from him. Faith, even with all of her scars, is prettier than Sergei.
Without saying a word, Lleu watches Dragomir with Faith and has tensed up again, damn it.
Journey watches Lleu and walks up to his side, watching him in profile as he watches Drago and Faith, "What? What are you afraid of?" He asks, looking to Drago and Faith, then back to Lleu. He clasps his hands in front of him again, head cocked.
Brooke speaks softly, "There is a lot of things that will be difficult to grasp for awhile."
Dragomir simply watches Lleutrim, studying him as though daring the cub to make direct eye-contact with him. His hand reaches out, stroking his fingers through the back of Faith's hair as she kneels down beside him. He offers no words though, letting Journey have the floor it seems.
Faith doesn't raise her eyes too far from shoulder level as she looks up to Journey and LLeutrim. The kind touch from Dragomir draws her attention back to the halfmoon, who receives a warm, gentle smile from the kinswoman as the others speak.
Sergei looks up at Lleu's tension and keeps going at the porridge, spoon gripped in his meaty cro-magnon fist looking tiny and a little absurd.
Lleutrim certainly doesn't look afraid. Really, really focused on what's going on over there. Aye, he's met the Russian's eyes. Dragomir isn't hurting her though so Lleu hasn't moved a muscle. You'd think he was oblivious to everyone else in the chamber for all the reaction Brooke or Journey get out of him. After a long moment of silence, Lleu starts walking over closer.
Journey watches Lleu, and as he walks forward, Journey looks at the space where he was and breaks out into a bright grin. "Hm." He says, then looks at Lleus back, thoughtfully, "This should be good."
There's a very different tone now.. now Lleutrim is in Terminal Velocity's pack den, and approaching Dragomir - locked eye contact. There's a low snarl that comes from Dragomir as the Marine approaches and Dragomir moves to rise to a stand. There's a vibration of muscle tension that walks visibly over his skin, as those intense blue eyes fixate on Lleutrim now quite brutally. "In the Nation.. to lock eyes with another, is to challenge. You, are not worthy to challenge me. You, are barely worthy to stand at all. Kiss the ground Cub, or you'll spend your waiting time wishing you could walk across -my- floor."
Faith lowers her head and draws her hands into her lap as Dragomir stands to confront the cub. She glances askance to one side to measure the potential for a rapid escape, making sure that the direction she's preparing to dive is not anywhere near Brooke. It simply wouldn't do to put her in harms way.
Sergei is just going to eat his porridge, either the cub will learn or he won't
Halona gets out of the bath and comes around, pulling on clean clothes and she stops.. waits..
It's really not fair how urges are so getting overloaded. Anger moving towards rage, possessive, territorial, sexual desire, hunger, lack of sleep from bad dreams, his senses hyping up and then flaking back out on him. Lleu does stop, once Dragomir's risen and speaks. He watches that Russian, clamps his jaws on something he almost says in anger. He can't help the growl that comes out of his throat. "You do that intentionally to piss me off, don't you? Always touching her like that when I'm around." No, he doesn't know their rules well yet. "Leave her alone, Drago ... Eyes-The-Storm-rhya."
Journey looks around the room considering a darker corner of the room, but when Drago and Lleu speak he looks back to the conversation.
Dragomir's blue eyes never leave the Marine's - in fact, the longer that eye contact remains, the more pissed off Dragomir gets. "You dare challenge me, in my house cub? I told you Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh, territory is important in the Nation." The weight of the man's rage comes through his eyes, the predator and the Beast as he snarls more violently and steps TOWARDS Lleutrim now. "Put your face on the ground, or I'll do it for you!" Keeping eye contact with Dragomir seems to be a whole hell of a lot harder than with some normal man.
Sergei heads down to the training area.
Faith begins to crawl out of the direct range of the action, slowly backing around the end of the stone couch. Keeping low, slow, and seeking cover - it's the kinfolk's version of a strategic escape plan.
Halona makes the tiniest of gestures to Faith to get behind her. LIke, just.. c'mere kid
Brooke just remains out of the way, unless needed.
It's not quite like anything he's felt before, this blast of assertiveness. Lleu bares his teeth and maintains that eye contact, God damn him, and snarls as he digs in his heels. He holds his ground, buying seconds to try and think past the anger. The rage isn't overwhelming him yet. His hands make fists. Fight or flight, or submission? He's got to choose.
Donnachaidh stays put for several seconds and then makes his decision in the face of the powerful oppression that is smothering him. Breathing hard, Lleu steps back and fights himself hard NOT TO TURN tail and run like a fucking coward. He breaks the eye contact and takes a second step back, teeth gritted before he gets slowly down onto the floor like a man ordered to do 500 pushups by his DI. Not putting his face against the floor but he's staring at it. No doubt also wondering what the fuck is happening!
Journey watches Lleu submit as the staredown concludes, then nods to Dragomir, and speaks, voice completely conversational, manner still light, not holding any of the tension of the moment, "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm being called, I need to be off." He says to Dragomir. "You got this. Great place, really, I'll take you up on that tour later." He looks to Lleu and moves over, and bends down, and says, "We'll talk more later." He says and nods a few times, then straightens and waves, meaning to head out.
Faith is quick to obey, and appears behind Halona from the other end of the couch. She moves pretty damned fast for a human. She's nod her head respectfully to Journey as the Elder is taking his leave, from the place of safety.
Dragomir is overbearing, just a big ol brute... or, he's a highly trained pack Alpha that doesn't normally have to talk like this. He moves forward and snarls down at Lleutrim, pissed and violent and having to resist the urge to peel him apart like string cheese. It takes him a moment to regain his composure, and he growls. "In the Nation.. we accept an honorable surrender. We submit to those of higher station. We respect the territory of another. Do you respect that you are in Our Territory Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh?.. Do you recognize that I am of Higher Station?.. " he snarls lowly now, and asks the last question with a violent tone, "Do you surrender with honor?" the words spoken as though he's ready to heel stomp the man's head into the rock floor beneath if he says otherwise.
Halona widens her stance a little bit to keep Faith fully behind her, but other than that, she doesn't move.
Brooke doesn't move a muscle either during all this. Just here to witness right now.
By the look on his face, Lleu's both humiliated and confused. But he keeps his place and waits for some cue that he can get up. Certainly NOT while Dragomir's looming over him snarling and pissed! Donnachaidh grits his teeth and endures it, listening. A stiff necked nod, "Yes, I understand." This time it's loud and clear! Lleu swallows, the muscles of his arms and his toes keeping him in the lowered pushup position but still up off the floor. "Yes." No, he's not looked up yet. After a slight pause, he asks low, "What ... exactly does 'surrending with honor' mean ... to you?" Always good to know what you are agreeing to.
Faith cringes a little bit more behind Halona, she's not eager to watch what's about to happen. The young woman does, however, pay attention to the lesson being taught.
Halona briefly glances over her shoulder to Faith and shakes her head. It'll be all good, that look says.
Dragomir moves rather suddenly around the Marine and drives his knee down into the back of his spine to smash him against the floor. His hands lifts up, one snatching the back of the man's short hair in a tight grip, and the other reaches in to snatch him by the chin and nearly snaps his neck right there. Instead he twists to expose the man's throat and he lowers down over him - pressing his face into the cold rock beneath hard. He practically froths at the mouth, "Amongst wolves.. an honorable surrender means bearing your throat.. giving your life, accepting that if I have no use for you.. then I will rip out your fucking throat, and leave you for dead - because you are not worthy!" he presses harder, really grinding the man's face into the ground. "It means when you yield, it is because you know you are beaten. That you accept that you are inferior, that you have lost and will not challenge again. It means.." and he pulls Lleutrim's head back, and then smashes his head against the rock hard and snarls, "When I say kiss the FUCKING ground, I mean KISS IT." He's teetering on that edge of the Beast, riding that Rage and right on the cusp. This is him obviously teaching that harsh lesson, that Lleutrim will need in the Nation. "Do you surrender with honor, or do I need to beat you further, cub?!"
Brooke's eyes widen a bit at the treatment Dragomir is giving Lleutrim, but she says nothing. This is his show, not hers.
Faith's expression isn't even the slightest bit surprised. She's still tense, but the body guard before her seems to have significantly calmed any fears she might have had about being caught in the midst of a first change vs pissed off Alpha. She hasn't spoken a word since the sun rose this morning, and maintains that silence even now as she watches the beating. That silent little bit of joy that it's not HER turn again is being kept to herself.
Lleutrim has been pinned before. He's been choked out in combat practice or by asshole friends, who thought they were a bunch of fucking Navy SEALS. Shit, he's done it himself. Marines are like that. He tenses as the crushing weight pounds him hard in the spine but doesn't fight Dragomir, and he feels his head wrenched around and then pressed hard hard, hard into the floor of the cave. Donnachaidh bares his gritted teeth, needing to know what the fuck he's supposed to be agreeing to. Not an unreasonable question. He breathes a bit hard and the next thing he knows, Dragomir SLAMS his head against the stone floor!
"FUCK!" That comes out a snarl, "I already submitted, you God damn son of a bitch! Where's /YOUR/ honor, mother fucker?!" Lleu gets so fucking angry, he's thrashing to try and get Dragomir OFF OF HIM! But he is pinned in a hold. If his windpipe is also being leveraged, Lleu's going to be gasping for air while he still can. He snarls, finding this treatment going against the grain, hard! Nevermind if his face is bleeding, "Get the fuck off of me!"
He's so furious it's about to make him unable to even articulate speech!
Brooke stands up now. She isn't going to do more than that just yet, but be ready if she does need to do anything.
Dragomir snarls when the older cub refuses to truly yield. It was not like breaking a teenage boy, it would be much harder to teach humility to a grown man - much less one who has served his Country as a Marine and endured harsh punishment before. If Dragomir was to have an impact, he would have to escalate. Which is precisely what he does.
Dragomir rises up to his feet, and snatches Lleutrim by the back of the neck and starts to physically drag him towards the Training Area entrance. "You question MY Honor?! To you, Honor is nothing more than a fucking word.. a slogan you use in a recruiting pitch. You have no idea what Honor truly is you pathetic worm of a human-being. I have fought the Wyrm every day of my life, put myself in front of every threat, every danger. I have endured the deaths of so many, and still I am here." Yep, the Silver Fang is going all twisted heritage on him now.
"I descend from Honor older than you can fathom. My father is Nicholas Mihailovich, son of Michail Mihailovich known as the Front Night. Son of Nicholas Mikhailovich II, son of Michail Mikhailovich known as Falcon's Beak. Son of Nicholas Mikhailovich known as The Frozen Death. Son of Michael Nocolavich, son of Nicholas I, known as Zheleznaya Gora. I carry in my blood, eight generations of Honor."
He's literally dragging Lleutrim across the rock floor down the stairs and to the training area without mercy or remorse. "I am the Alpha of Terminal Velocity. I have taught dozens the very Litany we live and survive by in this War. I have helped prevent our Caern and the people we love and hold dear from being wiped out a half dozen times. I have shown restraint in the face of death many times. I have led dozens of assaults against our enemies. I have selected a mate, and I have given Warriors to the Nation. I have passed judgement on my own kind, and declared them Ikthya to be slain for their allegiance with the Wyrm. I have rescued Garou and Kinfolk from all over the world, including your Iraq. I have served my Sept, and tended its pains and needs, given to the Kinfolk of the Nation and countlessly put my life between them and harm. I stood before my own Twin Brother, and had to kill him in judgement for his betrayal. I have kept every promise I have ever made, given good advice, and arbitrated dozens of disputes for my people."
He stops, as though he could go on and on and on, but instead THROWS Lleutrim across the floor of the Training Area and snarls, "What have you done?! Nothing. Because you do not even fucking exist in the eyes of the Nation yet, you piece of shit. You want to compare to ME?!"
---
Caves - Training Grounds
A long natural stairway cuts some ways further down, which opens to the chamber below. The chamber is large, about the size of a football field and has been cleared out enough that the area can be used as a training grounds. Weapon racks on the walls, and numerous natural items that can be used for training and obstacles to serve as aids. A lot of bioluminescent moss grows along the walls here, providing a good natural lighting throughout the cavern.
The outer ring of the cavern is grooved, almost like a track field and the surface is loose fine grain dirt which is more comfortable for running. There are a couple of points where water runs down from the walls into natural basins which can be used for drinking or washing feasibly. On the far side of the cavern, the natural underground waterfall continues down into the deep darkness below.
---
Lleutrim is grabbed and yanked but not quite to his feet. He stumbles and is drug and slung around, trying to get purchase so he can get /at/ Dragomir himself. because he's totally pissed. There's no footing to be had on steps when you are being dragged ass over backwards down them. Donnachaidh bares his teeth and gets hurled across the floor! He flops and rolls, picking up bruises and scrapes all sorts of places.
He finds himself in the plank position, then forces himself to his feet. Dirt now soils his clothes in places, knees, elbows, chest, boots and more. "How the /HELL/ should I know what you have done, Dragomir?! I know what Honor is, don't /you/ tell me I don't. I live, breath, die for what I believe in, damn you. To serve and protect, to fight for my country!" The words are almost spat out, he's so angry. If Lleu were only a little closwer to the right moon phase, surely he's over the top furious enough now to have raged. "I am FUCKING TRYING to understand your God damn, fucked up world - not to mention what the FUCK IS HAPPENING TO ME, you son of a bitch!" Jesus, Lleu's never been so pissed in his whole life!
"I have done many things. I don't have to prove myself /to you/. If you -really- are trying to help me then FUCKING help me understand! And don't go fondling FAITH in front of my face while you are doing it." Donnachaidh trembles with his rage, ready to try and fucking kill Dragomir. Yeah, if only he could.
Brooke follows to the Training Grounds, keeping an eye on this situation for sure. She thinks back to if she was anything like this as a cub.
Faith follows after Halona into the training area, watching the Marine getting his ass handed to him without mercy. She doesn't seem to have a lot of sympathy for the cub, nor does she seem to be particularly enjoying the festivities. She stands off again to one side, watching in silence.
Dragomir is boiling, he seems so much angrier than before. His chest heaving, and violence in every semblance of his manner as he stalks after Lleutrim, like he really just wants to beat the living shit out of him. He growls lowly, and reaches out his hand in mid-air and clenches his fist tightly between them. "We.." he starts, trying to lock down his Rage as best he can and snarls, ".. we are given the blessing of Luna's strength.. the Rage.. so that we may fight for her.. die for her.. defend all those that are of her creation." The Russian is panting hard, and growls lowly, "But with it.. comes the price. It is the Curse.. that our hearts will never be at peace. That the anger will always be just beneath the surface, and during our phase of the moon.. like tonight, is the half moon my moon.." he snarls at the man again. "We struggle hardest to hold that anger in check."
And he takes a step back. Tipping his head down and growls, "You have handled yourself well. Done well. Learned well. You have much more to learn." He draws in a great deal of breath through flared nostrils as he regains his composure. "I cannot teach you, if you come to resent me. You are right Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh. You need a chance to learn, without distractions." And he turns and starts towards Faith directly, he reaches out a hand to snatch her by the back of the neck and he walks her through a strange shimmering, and they're.. gone. Like they were never even there, gone. (Moon-bridge)
Because she has taken it upon herself to protect Faith, she hangs back a little bit. Don't think for a second, though, that she isn't READY AS FUCK for whatever happens
Well, whoops! Halona doesn't flinch from Dragomir's reaching so closely, but she ALSO misses the moon bridge. She looks over her shoulder, then over at Lleutrim, then back to Dragomir and "Well, shit," she says, then looks back to Lleutrim to make sure that he's cool, at least a little.
Brooke blinks a moment as Dragomir and Faith bridge out. So much happening. Her eyes go to Halona and then to Lleutrim. "Well then."
Faith is snatched, and while there may have been a slight squawk of surprise, there was certainly no struggle. When 'the distraction' disappears with Dragomir, it's a willing exit.
There's blood on his face where his forehead is split, and dirt. Donnachaidh doesn't give a shit how battered he is or might get - like a man you have to break utterly or killl to make him submit - or simply earn his trust. Dragomir might have more luck beating Faith to make Lleu comply. Grey eyes blaze like silver in the dim light, adrenaline dumping into his blood and feeding his rage.
/Something/ about Dragomir's intent, trying so hard, does get through. Donnachaidh gets his breath, his own anger ebbing as he focuses on listening. Watching the other man closely. Get a grip on himself. He waits to hear Dragomir out, ready for an attack if reasoning is no good. The lower Dragomir's voice, the quieter Lleu gets, focused.
Up until the Russian Garou goes to Faith and grabs her. Lleu starts at once to run towards them, "NO!" It's a -ROAR- and he puts everything he's got into running at them to protect her! Only then - they simply VANISH!
Donnachaidh hits the fucking wall like a freight train, trying at the last second to stop himself. He rebounds and falls, makes himself roll and get back to his feet, crouched low. His grey eyes look all around, "No!"
Halona steps in front of Lleutrim. "She's fine. Dragomir will not harm her. She is safe." SHe motions over toward his bedroll. "Sleep now. I'll sit with you."
"Sleep!" Lleu is incredulous. He's hurting, angry and afraid for Faith. He will prowl around a while looking for them as much as the others will permit to let him, and when exhausted enough, finally throw himself down on his pallet to rest. But not sleep, alas.
