2019-01-31 LA Hunting

Aleksandr Brooke, Sigryd and Theron go to LA to look for Erik Evanson, the Hunter who took a potshot at Sigryd outside the smoke and barley....

In Brooke's SUV driving up to Prospect. The day is typical California sunshine, a bit cool, and lots of traffic on the roads. Once they're on the way Sigryd, in the back being the lower rank, speaks up. "I was thinking....when we get there. Drive by, see what we see, park a little way away and see if we can speak with any spirits...then maybe walk up? Or go in through the Umbra?"

Brooke taps on the steering wheel as she drives. "That can work. Let's wait and see exactly what we see Umbrally when we get there to make final decision. We do not want to risk crossing the gauntlet back over around a bunch of people. But it is a good choice to do that. I can get the lay of the land from a bit of a distance, as well as check cctv."

       Aleksandr hates cars, really, really hates them. Weaver death traps. "Going in through the Umbra is best. Scout it out, it tells a lot, plus if he is nothing more than what we think, he will never know of our approach or chance exposing ourselves." He glances at Brooke and then shrugs. "I can scout it alone, also. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and I can cross quite easily in the city. Besides, if he is expecting us from that side, that tells a lot, also."

"You guys scout the Umbra...I'll, stay in the SUV." Theron chimes in, amused because the comment is obvious. He's pointing it out for a reason it would seem but he goes back to being quiet. He has a sword in front of him, yes, the kinfolk brought a sword admist the things he packed. Fingers druming on it lightly.

"If you can cross easily, you can bring the rest of us along," Sigryd murmurs to Aleksandr. She nods, to herself, and leans back in the seat to watch the miles go by. She reaches over to grasp Theron's hand after a bit, the drumming fingers getting to her. "We might need you to talk to people. And it might be good to have someone guarding the car. We'll see when we get there I suppose."

Brooke just keeps driving, and tapping her fingers, listening to them all speak. "Then we have a plan. I have my own tricks, so let's see what we find."

       "Well, not quite how that works Dapplegrim, but as it turns out, I can. Even your mate here, if I was so inclined. Just happens to be something I picked up, but it's not something anyone can do." It's hard to say if Aleksandr is lecturing or just telling the facts. "But it seems like a good plan. City spirit side is dangerous though, and we should approach from a few blocks away. Perhaps, an alley or such? Then we move cautiously would be my suggestion."

Theron doesn't say a word at this point, he just nods quietly a bit as they have the conversation. The kin either know betters than to add something in, or just doesn't have anything to add at the moment.

The drive is boring. The traffic it's usual marginally uncooperative self. The address is for one of the southeastern suburbs of LA, middle middle class, modest houses on modest lots. it's about noon or so when they get there. This time of day the neighborhood is quiet, a few people out doing yardwork or watching kids, but most people are at work.

       Sigryd is looking out the window. She has the addrss memorized and nods toward the street. "There's the street," she says quietly. The house, as they drive past, looks empty, though there's a car in the driveway, it has the still look that says 'no one home right now.'

Brooke drives the car a few blocks away. A couple of turns, not a straight shot. Once she gets it parked. She turns it off. "Ok, let's get out and start our recon." She unlocks the doors and moves to the back to get out her go bag. Dedicated, of course.

       "Well night would have been better." But Aleksandr is just happy the car is stopping or slowing down. He studies the house, maybe just to get a sense of location and the like. When the car stops, he's even faster than Brooke to get out. Taking a deep breath and then turning up his nose. To him, the city stinks. He puts the backpack of his back on, and then looks around. Probably looking for somewhere discrete to cross.

"I'm waiting here?" The kinfolk asks, just making sure. It's atypical for a kin to be risked in the umbra and he's not only aware of it, but accepting of it. He climbs out anyway and goes to the back of the SUV and puts on his armor, an perfect blend of modern tactical gear and old viking leather. Ah, what a Get of Fenris. Even the kinfolk. Yeesh.

"I was warned by Shderunner rhya that the place is vampire infested," Sigryd says to Aleksandr. "That's why mid-day." She doesn't have a pack, and leaves her purse in the car. "The armor's sort of going to stand out," she tells Theron. "Maybe we should take you over with us."

Brooke shakes her head. "I do not like leaving him behind, but yet, he is kin and his place is not in the Umbra. One of us should stay with him, maybe be a decoy, while two of us go in the Umbra."

       Aleksandr doesn't speak on Theron coming or going, he didn't make that call in the first place. He leaves that one to Sigryd. He glances around the area at Sigryd's warning and then looks back. "How does?nevermind." He waves it off, probably realizing it's Journey here. He shrugs as the question is tabled for everyone. Looking to Sigryd. "He is your mate, your responsibility. You brought him. The Umbra is just as dangerous as here is, under the right circumstances. In many ways, he might be safer coming with us, since I am here. Especially if he is targeted now, also. We cannot assume this is not a trap."

"I can protect myself if necessary." Theron says confidently. "But I can lay low...just hang in the SUV." he suggests, "I dont want to put you guys at greater risk." he listens then to Aleksandr, "Whatever you guys decide..." he agrees finally.

Sigryd starts to object but then nods. "You know best, Hushed Blaze rhya," Sigryd agrees. "What if he and I walk up to the house while you and Lights the Dark rhya come in from the Umbra? A decoy for you and that way we're all together." She nods at what Aleksandr says. "I would have him with us one way or the other, but Hushed Blaze rhya has the rank. If Theron comes in the umbra with us I'll see to him. He is brave and more capable than most." She looks to Brooke, waiting to hear the decision.

Brooke shakes her head, "The Elders have told me that the Umbra is no place for Kin. Not without Garou with them. I think we need to do some recon before we approach as it is. A two sided assault is best, really. But unless we have a way to communicate between the groups, we will be at a disadvantage. I kept meaning to take time and learn that gift, but have not." She looks to the other Garou, "Unless you have a way to easily connect our minds, we stay together."

       "You would be like a batting a fly, if a Black Spiral Dancer appears." Aleskandr states to Theron. "And they travel in packs. Even a Vampire of sufficient age. I am sure you are well trained, the Get always are, but that is just fact." His lips thin a little at what Sigryd says and he sighs, but then eyes flicker over to Brooke curiously. His brow furrows. "And that is true, the Umbra is hardly a place for anyone without the proper guide and knowledge. But we would be with him Hushed Blaze-rhya." Not that he's very passionate in his argument, just that he's missing some logic there. He shakes his head about the ability, but pauses, cautioning. "It is the middle of the day, no matter what, we will not have Luna to guide us, or her cover. The Umbra, if this man is all he seems to be and only that, is the wisest choice, if you are asking my opinion and if you wish to stay together."

Sigryd starts to say something but stops when Aleksandr makes her point for her, that if Theron is with them in the umbra he'd be with garou. When he's finished Sigryd looks to Brooke. "Your decision Hushed Blaze rhya," she asks.

Brooke nods. "Then we stick together as it seems best for communication and protection. I must ask, Dapplegrim, what information led you or Shaderunner into thinking Vampires may be involved?"

       Aleksandr takes his time to stop, peer up and into the Umbra. "Safe enough here to enter." He says after a moment. He continues, it seems, to stare off into nothing for a few more moments and then turns back to the group, hefting his backpack up a little on his shoulders. "Taint towards Evanson's house, but also other places. Could be simple city taint, there is much." His curiousity then turns to Sigryd at Brooke's question, he never asked, but was wondering himself.

Sigryd shakes her head. "Nothing that they're involved with Evanson, just that there are a lot of them in LA. I don't know where the Elder got his information." She grins a little, "As a cliath I tend to take what an Edler or Athro says as solid truth unless they're obviously teasing or telling stories." She sobers, "But no, I don't have any informaation about vampires here other than what Shaderunner rhya told me." She looks back at Aleksandr, shrugs. "It was banes that attcked his family in Rakvag. Maybe there was some item or they followed him, or it was simple ill luck... I don't find it surprising that there's taint in that direction." She shifts her weight ."We're ready when you are," she tells both Brooke and Aleksandr.

Brooke aahs. "Well, sterotype or not, we shall be on the look out for anything fishy or well, Wyrmy. I would not count out anything, nor expect anything. Let's go. Lights-the-Darkness, you lead in the Umbra, as it is your field."

       "It is my understanding that there is many in any city scape. I did not realize Los Angeles was a specific hot spot." Aleksandr says to them aside, as his eyes gaze around the area, as if he might actually just spot a vampire in broad daylight. He turns back to Sigryd. "The Wyrm and its minions are more nefarious than this. If they hunt him, then maybe, but with what Evanson is like now, trying to kill you, there is a good chance they are attracted to him for that alone. Banes feed off such emotions. There is also the chance he is now tainted by the Wyrm. We cannot rule this out." He nods, and then motion for a nearby alleyway. "Follow."

Sigryd simply nods and follows after Aleksandr. "I wouldn't be surprised tht he's tainted," she agrees.

Brooke looks around a bit, locks the car, and she will take the rear up behind the couple. The Kinfolk needs to stay in the middle here.

       Once in the alley, Aleksandr akes a long moment to look around, movement in windows, movement on the street, all the like. Then the grabs Theron by the wrist. "I will elad him in, you follow, I suppose." Follow being an indirect idea, as they can all cross at the same time. He takes out a small, ahnd held mirror from his pocket and peers into it, bowing his head. "See you.." A glance at Theron to check he is ready and then back to the mirror. And they are simply gone.

Sigryd also has a mirror that she takes out of her purse to peer into and step sideways into the umbra. Sigryd too vanishes from this side, not the instant blink of Aleksandr and Theron but a brief fade through lasting half a minute or less.

Brooke takes out her small mirror in the pocket of her go bag, since she has had need for it before just for crossing over. She looks into it, ready to join the others as they cross.

       Aleksandr is there well before the others with Theron. There's no immediate danger. Patterns spiders ignore them so long as they stay back from the half built house, or the mostly built houses, the older in the suburb are marked that way. More built. Most of the spirits here stick to themselves, not bothering anyone not bothering them, such is the way of the spirits. And Aleksandr is very respectful of this, keeping Theron out of the way, and plotting a course through the Umbra while he waits, looking in the direction of Evanson's house. Once people arrive, he nods. "Follow me, stay close, and move quietly."

Sigryd simply nods, stepping up to Theron's side and following where Aleksandr leads. she doesn't talk and distract him or draw attention to the small group, just watches where she steps, careful to follow Aleksandr.

The small group passes quietly through the umbral suburb, a little noise but not enough to attract the attention of anything, the spirits here, like the people that live on the other side, content to stick within their own little spaces as long as no one intrudes. There's some taint, mostly the old grunge of an established city and suburb. Evanson's house, when they reach it looks little different from the others on the block. But there's a sickly green flicker from somewhere. Not strong taint, but new.

       Aleksandr stops at the house next door, barely built by the pattern spiders, on this side it looks like a remnant of times past. He crouches down a little once at the side, to peer at the taint sticking to Evanson's. He frowns slightly, brow furrowing. "Death, signs of death. I think he has killed, possibly here. Or he is dead."

Brooke nods with Aleksandr. "I'm sensing something very similar. Death. Not good. Not clean." She is not surprised, not at all.

Theron frowns deeply as he listens to the garou. The kinfolk stays close, now that they are in the umbra he draws his sword because...well, he may need to defend himself and he can't during into a whirling furbal of death.

Sigryd studies the house as well, stopping when Aleksandr stops. "something's there still," she says quietly, nodding at what Hushed Blaze and Lights the Dark say. "The source of the taint. I wonder if Evanson killed something or someone." she looks at Brooke and Aleksandr. "Go in and step sideways again?" It's asked deferentially.

       "No." Aleksandr moves again, quietly and discreetly, looking for an entrance to the house on this side. "Go in, and peek from here. We do not wish to cross without knowing what we are crossing into. I am still working under the assumption he is not something that can cross to the spirit. Let us hope that is so. Cautiously though. Could be a trap." He warns, still looking for a way into the house on this side, even if it's just moving past a pattern spider through a half built wall.

Brooke agrees, "Yes, let's stay this side. It will tell us more on many counts."

The house in the umbra is a part built outline of the mundane world, framing there and walls that can be seen through. Doors and widows are obvious, and large openings in the walls where the pattern spiders haven't yet filled in. Entry would be easy. There's no spirits watching over it, the spiders not in evidence.

Theron moves with the others, eyes sharp, swords at the ready but he doesn't add in the least to what is said.

       Aleksandr tries the door, or goes through a break in the wall, whatever is easiest, moving quietly still. Moving towards the fresh taint, specifically as he navigates the inside of the mirror house. Only then, when he is able to find that spot, does he look across, or try.

Brooke remains just behind Sigryd and Theron, keeping an eye out for them.

Sigryd nods at what Aleksandr says and moves up cautiously, slowly, looking around and through an opening in one of the walls while Aleksandr tries a door. she heads toward that flicker of taint, the better to get a look at it.

       getting to the spot, Aleksandr crouches as he stares across the Gauntlet. It's troublesome here with it so thick, but he tries again and succeeds, saying as he does so, "Two bodies. One is ripped apart., Destroyed too. Looks like a fight." He tilts his head. "Might be Evanson, the mutilated one, hard to say. But I am guessing he is being hunted, or this is quite the ploy."

Theron arches a brow, "Someone else got to Evanson first?" he asks curiously looking between the three as he lowers his sword just a fraction.

Brooke wishes there was a gift she knew or Rite to be able to tell her if this was the guy or not. "Is there anything left of it that Dapplegrim could attempt to id?"

Sigryd looks at Theron and at Brooke. "We need to go in and verify," she says. "Otherwise we can't really tell the Elders yae or nay. I can get a ..piece..." she says this with a little moue of distaste. "I can go ahead. if there's trouble, well, I should be able to hold my own long enough for you Hushed Blaze rhya and Lights the Dark rhya to have surprise."

       "Together or not at all.' Aleksandr notes, still looking around the room. "I don't see anyone present, but my vision is limited. We cross, we go together. There is a way to determine if it is him, mystically, also."

Theron just nods quietly, waiting for the garou to decide. "I'm ready." the kinfolk finally adds, sword at the ready. They could be going into an ambush for all he knows.

Sigryd nods at what Aleksandr says and prepares to step sideways "All together then," she mutters with a nod, just waiting for the go ahead from Brooke.

Brooke agrees, "Let's go. Keep your wits about you, and careful where you step." She is ready to move with them.

       Aleksandr stands again, taking Theron's shoulder and clapping it. Hand there, he starts to cross with Theron. It's slow process through the thick gauntlet, but eventually they emerge.

Sigryd waits for Aleksandr and Theron to start and then starts as well, the gauntlet is thick here and progress is slow. But progress is made and soon everyone is back in the mundane world.

       The room is pitch black, not the faintest gleam of light entering, and it reeks of blood and feces and death. The floor is sticky, the blood spread over everything not yet dried.

The Get of Fenris lets his breathing flow easy, the sword prepared but he moves slowly. Staying close to Sigryd as you may expect. His shoulders relax some as he is out of the spirit world, more comfortable here..even if perhaps about to walk into a fight.

Brooke follows each of the others. She blinks a bit, and then concentrates as she calls upon a gift, and when her eyes open, she can see it all. Bless Gaia for Nightvision!

       Darkness is not Aleksandr's friend in this norm. He glances around, his nose turning up, before his body literally ignites into what looks like a silver flame, like that of the moon's glow. Apt, considering he's A silver Fang." He points to the body. "Look like him?" Even as he does that, he's digging something out of his pocket.

Sigryd doesn't seem bothered by the blood. It does get a sigh though, at what it'll take to get it out of her clothes. She stoops down to collect a sample of the blood and a bit of skn from the body.

       As Sigryd's bending over the body, the other body's eyes pop open. The man, the vampire really, simply bares fangs and springs.

       Aleksandr is quick, always has been quick, not necessarily strong, but lightning fast. A dagger made of bone, spears in his hand quickly and then slashes even faster across the things torso. He doesn't know what this thing is, but he knows it means to do harm.

This is what Theron has trained for, not the ring, not the cage, this. Dainslief, the kinfolk's enchanted sword is hefted and spun in a perfect arc as he grunts out in effort and slashes across the vampire with a slight cut, not nearly what he would like, but the sword has tasted its first blood. The enchantment fortified in blood.

A swirl of dust and fur flies, a cry breaks out that turns into a howl, and the creature before you grows larger until suddenly you see a monster!

Dapplegrim snarls, the sound tearing trhough a human throat that becomes something bestial and more suited to the sound as Sigryd changes, taking the war form.

Hushed Blaze grabs a stake out of her go bag - always in there /just in case/ - since George taught her well. She shifts up to Crinos, and eyes the vampire for the right time to strike!

The 'man' plows into Dapplegrim , mouth gaping wide, fangs gleaming, and bites. Blood flies and Dapplegrim bellows in pain.

Hushed Blaze lets her rage take over, and lunges at the wyrmy vampire. She snarls and she goes right for the heart, and PLUNGES the stake right into it!

Dapplegrim whirls and staggers a little even in the war form as the vampire pushes off her to turn on someone else. She's already moving toward the window and teh drawn and taped down blinds. Dapplegrim reaches out with a clawed hand, grasps, and TEARS ripping the curtains, rod and all from the wall and letting in the noon-day sun and filling the room.

Hushed Blaze pulls out something else.. yellow?.. from her go bag. She activates it and it rises above them all. Shutting her eyes so it does not blind her, the thing goes off and suddenly the SUN ITSELF seems to be lighting up the room!

California sunlight streams into the room, and the Fetish still blazes over head though it's starting to dim and fade now. The room is still smeared with blood and the corpse, but the other 'body' is now just ash, burned to dust by sun and False Dawn. Dapplegrim leans against the wall and slowly shifts, returning to her breed form. She's bleeding profusely from the bite, her shoulder ripped at torn by the vampire's teeth.

Brooke shifts back to homid as well. The danger over. "Lights the Darkness - tend to Dapplegrim. I'm going to.. collect some evidence." She will go about to get some baggies out, and collect a pit of the ash, and then take some pictures, and collect samples from the ripped up body.

       Aleksandr is a healer by nature, it's his first and last duty in a lot of cases. He gives Dapplegrim a swift once over, maybe assessing the wound and the moves to lay a hand on her shoulder, over the wound. That might hurt, briefly, before he channels through himself, his hand a little warmer to the touch and then that spreads through her. The wound having fully closed over, the only sign, some blood on her and now on Alek's hand which he rubs off on his pants. He nods to Brooke, not that is was necessary for her to tell him.

Sigryd doesn't wince at the hand on her wound. SHe does however breathe much easier when he's done. "Thank you Lights the Dark rhya" she says quietly. Sigryd straightens and looks around the room. "do you need any help Hushed Blaze rhya? I feel somewhat guilty about this..."

Brooke finishes up with the pictures, taken on a tablet from her go bag. "I hate this part, but we do need to figure out who this guy was. I'll take some various samples, and hoping there is enough of a finger to get prints. If you want to help with that? And do not feel guilty. You did nothing wrong." <OOC> Aleksandr says, "Back" <OOC> Aleksandr says, "Gimme a sec"

       Aleksandr isn't the gentlest of souls at times, despite being a healer. It's not bedside manner he lacks, so much as social graces. "That is because you are guilty. He is here because of you, and perhaps, now, also dead because of you." He does bow his head to the thanks, but he is apparently not letting her off the hook, so easy. Removing a string that has a rock on the end from his pocket, he crouches then beside Brooke. "An easy way, perhaps, to figure out if this is him." He starts to spin the rock, concentrating on it.

Sigryd nods. "Feelings don't care about facts sometimes," is what she says, quietly. still, she bends down to check the man's hands. "Several fingers. Do you have a way to get an image or do we take the fingers?" Yep, she's Get of Fenris, not squeamish in the least. Aleksandr's pronouncement gets a glare but no further comment since now is not the time or place.

The rock stops spinning the way Aleksandr was spinning it, then spins the other way. Stops, spins the first way and spins and spins and spins.

Brooke is not a forensic analyst, but a Glass Walker with plenty of tech. "I've got a program for that." She opens up the app on her tablet. There is a square area that appears. "Here, place the finger on this square, and then the program will save it and do it's thing." She watches the Theurge do his thing.

Sigryd does as Brooke directs, with the fingers that are there. It doesn't take long to get images of the finger prints. That done she stands. "Anything else? I think we shouldn't linger here. Someone will notice the smell, and the police might be called."

       Aleksandr looks down at the stone, his brow furrowing a bit in frustration. "Results are inconclusive. He may be dead, but he may also be obscured from this, somehow. Not as helpful as I hoped, but I suspect, this is perhaps, not him." He lets the rock go on spinning a moment or two, before putting it away. Tucking it back in his pocket. He stands, and looks back at the other two. "I certainly do not intend to stay the night. But whatever I can do to hurry the process Hushed-Blaze-rhya."

Brooke pulls out another baggie, freezer type, and some longer q-tips and such and takes some blood samples. Sticking that all away, sealing it up she puts it back into her go bag. "I'm good. I think we should get out of here. But let's at least pour some clear water around a bit, cleanse it some more. If mortals are coming by, we do not want to tempt the Wyrm more with .. this." Sigryd nods agreement. "Lights the dark rhya, do you want to do the rite or shall I?" She's starting to get a little antsy, ready to leave.

       "Death is an everyday thing in the city. I do not think the water will do much. The vampire is already ash, and the body would need to be burned, so unless we wish to take it with us, or perform the rite, I do not think it poses much of a threat, the taint is very small here." He leans down to examine the corpse again. "This does also not lead to a Veil Breach. Perhaps it might be a breach to whatever Vampires have that keep them hidden, but not us. I think it might be best we just go. Unless we wish the rite. I do not hear sirens."

Brooke hmms, "Then I will stand watch, you two do the cleansing. I'm not willing to leave without purifying this... mess and leave a draw for the Wyrm."

Sigryd nods and starts the rite. Her version involves singing, which she does quietly, as she starts to slowly walk around the room, stepping carefully, and concentrating her efforts on what remains of the body.

       Two people can't perform the right, and while Alek's version is certainly different and requires howling, he joins in on the rite to assist instead, sprinkling water from the Caern inside here, and letting loose low calls in the Garou tongue.

Brooke keeps watch through the window. She takes out her tablet again, and does some checks to see if she can see if any emergency vehicles are on the way.

THe street outside remains quiet. It helps that like many suburban yards, this one is fenced with a privacy fence so the main view is the fence...but the sounds outside remain normal. No cars slowing, no sirens, just the normal sounds of suburbia.

       Sigryd winds down, stopping her circle and facing the body. She lets the last note of the song die off. she looks at Aleksandr to see if he's satisifed with the rite. "We should go, 'she adds, whatever Aleksandr may indicate. "

       Different methods, but Alek examines the area and even sniffs at the air. It seems acceptable and he bows his head, looking back to Brooke. "It is as clean as it is going to get, we should go, I agree." He glances at Brooke.

Brooke looks back now. "Good. Now let's get everyone out of here. Dapplegrim, stay close with Theron. Let's go back in the Umbra to get out of here, unseen by the mortals."