2019.01.30: Dragomir's Tale

Dragomir's Tale
Dragomir (Eye of the Storm) has returned and tells some of his tale at the Smoke'n Barley to a rapt audience.
IC Date	Wednesday, January 30th, 2019
Players	Lleutrim, Dragomir, Felicity, Paul, Ildar, Brooke, Journey
Spheres	Shifter Gaian Garou Kinfolk

Smoke and Barley - Private Dining(#9526RA)

Wood paneling shines in warm tones from the walls, the large stairway leading downwards into a large expanse. Glyphs are etched railing, giving texture as one's fingers graze over the wood. Full spectrum lighting brightens the room and keeps the plants that fill the corners lush and full.

In the center of the room is a large, round fireplace that burns merrily and bright. The flames leap high, and are tended regularly by staff. Thick oaken tables are laid around the fire pit for those that would enjoy the dance of the flames. The tables have large leather seats and are set for the barbecue feast to come, with a bucket that holds bottles of spicy sauces and piles of napkins.

Dark green walls add color to the lounge area, with a red throw rug in the middle of it, and a smattering of furniture including two couches, and four recliners, with occasional end tables for drinks about. The couches are both beige in color, and rather comfortable, while the recliners are green leather, and the end tables dark stained oak.

Opposite this wall is the bar, a rich and dark stained wood set low with red and beige colored chairs seated in front of it. Behind the bar are three large kegs on their sides each holding 4 taps. The reddish wood of the bar's counter is inlayed with glyphs, carved with care and polished to a shine.

---

Evening at SAB, and things are relatively quiet. The moon is thin, and the weather is stable as it always seems to be here in Prospect. The smells of BBQ in the air, are enough to bring patrons through the door - and down here in the private lounge there are only a slim handful to be found at the time.

One of which, is that old familiar face of Dragomir. Though he is not in some conflict, or stuffing his face full of meat, or anything you might even expect he would be doing. In fact, he is seated and reading a book. The man is dressed casually, t-shirt and pair of jeans. Pair of sneakers and a single strap backpack which rests next to him. In front of him is an ice water, and no food. Maybe he came here for the smells, or just can't afford to eat. Who knows - Silver Fangs are weird, and Dragomir more than most.

It's been a pretty busy day and night for a certain Galliard. Lleutrim comes down the stairs carrying his guitar case and looking a little tired himself. He's freshly showered and changed clothes, his short hair and his beard still a little damp but drying quickly. He goes right to the fire to set his guitar case down first, then pauses to eye the man with the book. The Fianna straightens up and offers softly in his baritone, "Good evening, Eye of the Storm'rhya. Been a long while, hasn't it?"

Paul comes out of the kitchen with paperwork in his hand, and munching on a cookie. He rakes a hand through his hair as he reads over the page, and mutters something under his breath. Sighing a bit he lifts his head and glances around the room, and a smile lights up his face when he notices Dragomir. He spot Lleutrim as well then, and gives both men a bow of his head, "Evening! How's it going?" He asks them both, but then looks at Dragomir and says, "It's sure good to see you, Sir."

Felicity comes from the back, talking to one of the cooks, a little frown on her face. "No," she tells him, shaking her head. "We'll take it off and substitute it for something else. If it's not bought through the Nation, we just won't have it. Go out right now and buy something out of the grocery store. Check the labels. Butylated hydroxytoluene can't be in our oils. We'll spend a little more and get it fresh." The guy just kind of stands there and opens his mouth to protest and Felicity, normally so quiet and reserved and just almost timid, holds up a finger. "Do not argue. We do not poison the Garou and kinfolk." Oh. Well then. The guy looks briefly like he might get huffy and Felicity's finger comes right back up. They lock eyes. Felicity is INTENSE. The guy finally looks away and nods. "Yes ma'am." Felicity smiles. "Very good. Get the card from Paul, go get enough to get us through the night. Take out an additional 20 for gas or food or whatever. Bring the card back to Paul and give him the receipt. THank you." She turns then and walks away, heading toward Dragomir, giving Lleutrim a nod of respect and smiling at Paul. "I think the new guy will be just fine."

Dragomir lifts his head from the book, indexing the edge of the page in a practiced motion to ear mark it. His blue eyes cast around the room to meet Lleutrim and he studies the Galliard for a long moment. A slow fond smile touches his expression and he says, "A very.. long time. You have done well for yourself in my absence though it seems."

The gaze turns at the arrival of Paul, and he nods his head with some recognition as though it takes him a moment to place the face. "Ahh, yes. Good to see you as well. I was told you were assisting here, thank you for that." Though his attention is unsurprisingly drawn by Felicity's managerial skills. This he watches for a moment with intrigue, and he quietly chuckles at how she handles the young man and her assessment afterwards. Perhaps they're manner of handling new people is more similar than he realized.

An up nod is offered to the kinfolk as they appear, "Paul, Felicity, good evening." Donnachaidh looks a bit different than he used to. Heavier with more muscle, a little longer hair, a thick beard. Maybe a little more lines around his eyes. A faint smile, "I've done all right. I'm still alive. I'm glad you are back. You've been missed."

The Galliard draws out a chair and takes a seat near to the fire. Lleu opens up his guitar case and settles the beautiful 12 string classical instrument in his lap, checking the tuning as quietly as he may. The pale wood is beautifully inset with darer Futhark runes around the sound hole, the tuning keys made of bone. His pale grey eyes watch the others as Lleu listens. He'll be patient about ordering a drink.

Paul grins as Felicity talks to the new guy, and hands him the card when he comes over. "Evenin' Miss Felicity. Yes Ma'am I think he'll do just fine. You sure are good with people." He moves to the small fridge under the bar, and pulls out a container of sweet tea and pours himself a glass. "Can I order anybody something?"

Felicity smiles at Paul and nods. "I have expectations." She gives Dragomir a faint little smile and touches his arm as she moves by him, then eases into her seat. "Are you hungry? Can I get you anything at all?" Lleutrim is looked to as he pulls out the guitar.

Dragomir beckons a half-gloved hand towards Lleutrim to come over and join him. Then he motions to slide the very modern looking paperback book to the side of the table and takes up his glass of water for a drink. "Have you gotten any better at giving a proper introduction.. maybe have a tale or two of your own you'd care to share?" the man asks with interest. His Russian accent is almost gone, and he annunciates his words very differently - sounds more educated than he did before really. There's also a patience to the man, a calmness that wasn't there before.

At the offer to order something, Dragomir almost responds, but instead shakes his head and offers, "Thank you anyway, I didn't hit the ATM on the way here." The irony of the statement doubtlessly lost on most. Though perhaps his sugar-momma would catch on. A glance to her and he considers, "Starving, this place smells better than I remember it." The book on the table, titled 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future'.

Felicity's brow lifts upward slightly and she nods. "I'll buy you something." She reaches out to flip over the little card on the table to green and motions to one of the waiters, who is just wandering around with sizzling prime rib, medium rare and she nods, reaching out with a small pair of tongs to take several slices onto a plate.

Lleutrim came to do some practice but no way is he going to interrupt or bother the others if they want to talk or read. He keeps to himself and when he's satisfied that he's got the tuning right, he bends over to draw out some sheet music - that's written out by hand in pencil. Lyrics are written out on another sheet, both of which get set out on the table with a pencil. Donnachaidh takes a long moment to start looking it over before he glances back to Paul, "May I have a pitcher of Murphy's Stout, Guinness, or Boddington's. Whatever dark like that you have tonight is fine."

A flicker of his pale grey eyes back to Dragomir. Lleutrim removes the guitar from his lap and stands, "I remember. I am Lleutrim Donnachaidh, rite named Battle Singer. Born on two legs beneath the Galliard's moon. Fostern about to depart for my Adren's challenge, Fianna of the Sept of Enduring Spirit. Mated to Faith Anne Donnachaidh, Get of Fenris Kinfolk, Sergeant with the Prospect Police Department." His baritone is not boasting, almost quiet. "I'd be pleased to join you, Eye of the Storm'rhya."

The guitar and papers are brought over and Lleu chooses another seat, this one at Dragomir's table. Then he sees the book. Lleu freezes, reading that title, then looks more carefully at Dragomir though he's not obvious about it.

Paul smiles as Felicity takes care of Dragomir. He moves to pull Lleutrim's pitcher of Stout, adding glasses with it on a tray to bring to the table. "We got some fresh chocolate cake and cookies in the kitchen too for dessert."

Dragomir nods towards Felicity when she serves him some food and offers, "Thank you, I appreciate it." A light smile is given, and then he turns his head to look back towards Lleutrim when he gives his introduction. Those blue eyes look over him, studying him without the same critical manner he used to - softer now, or perhaps more subdued, it's hard to tell. At the introduction he nods, and says, "Fostern. Brother, one of the Nation. It means you walk amongst us, stand amongst us, and carry the weight and burdens of her plan for us equally. It tells me that you have spilled blood for Gaia, and learned your place. That you have a role, and know your path in her eyes now. To be Adren, is to select a path. To solidify your destination and strive for achievements you have only begun to appreciate. It also means to find your place with a pack brother."

A light glance towards Paul at the mention of cookies and cake and he says, "Sadly my primal instincts still make it difficult for me to appreciate modern cuisines. Though I will fondly indulge in your selection of meats, without complaint." He smiles towards Paul at that. One half-gloved hand moves over to the Elon Musk book beside him, and shifts it around to the far side of the table and out of the way.

Felicity spends a long moment staring at Dragomir, then down at the book, then breaks away and lifts her card in the air. More food for Dragomir. This time spit roasted lamb and a couple of sausages. She goes quiet, thinking, reaching for her phone. "Check on the little ones," she says, more to herself, and she sends out a text message.

Brooke looks tired and makes her way down the steps and into the room. She pays little attention to who is here right now, as she appears a bit on auto pilot. She heads toward the bar to place an order.

Lleutrim is real quiet, studying Dragomir intently. He does glance at Paul when the pitcher of Stout is set on the table with glasses, "Thank you, Paul." His attention returns to his former mentor. Taking in details about the other man, changes even to Dragomir's clothing. It makes the skin between his brows to faintly furrow, his mouth a line. Concerned, perhaps, with the changes. His gaze flickers to Felicity and the Galliard watches her in turn, silent. The guitar in his lap Lleu doesn't play. Instead, he removes it and leans to set it into an unoccupied chair at the next table. His ballad he'd been about to work on is folded over and slipped through the strings of his instrument, unplayed.

The Fianna's full attention goes back to Dragomir then. Lleu says quietly, "All of that is so. I am about to depart with a few others, those who would be the core of my pack, to head to Scotland and meet with Calls Down the Rain. There's one or two others we'll work on having join us upon our return." Lleu reaches over to pour himself a dark glass of Stout, "But tell me ... about yourself. What has happened while you were gone away from us, Dragomir. I see many changes in you since we last met."

Paul nods his head to Dragomir, "Yes, Sir. We got a lotta new meats on the menu, but still have our main ones. Miss Felicity brought in some great new ideas 'n those I talked to really like the additions." He turns then to give them privacy, and heads back to the bar, but glances back to the table, his face just a bit confused by the differences in the man. But not his place to ask. Seeing Brooke he gives her a smile, "Evening, Miss Brooke, seems a night for familiar faces around here. How's it going? Bet that little 'uns growing like a weed."

Felicity sends off another quick text and sets her phone down.

Brooke nods to the person that takes her order and then she turns back toward the voices. Paul said her name and her eyes move to focus on him. "Oh, Hi Paul." She stops. A sigh. She sees the others. "Good Evening Battle Singer, Felicity." A pause. "Eye of the Storm." She takes in a breath and looks to Paul again. "Yes, Chase is thriving well. I think every time I come back from work in some respect he's bigger."

Dragomir moves to take a few bites of the steak. Fork and knife used, three pieces cut and the knife is placed down. He switches his knife hand for his fork, and proceeds to take each bite one at a time carefully. A napkin is slid from the surface of the table to his leg and he nods towards Felicity when she mentions checking on the little ones. His head turns slightly, listening to Lleutrim and his explanation. "Calls Down the Rain.. that name is familiar. Good to hear you are forming a pack. The Nation needs more strong packs, and this Sept will certainly benefit from another." The obvious being that he is now without.

At Lleutrim's inquiry, he seems about to answer but then turns his head to look towards Brooke and nods, gesturing lightly to welcome her to join. "Nice to see you Brooke." Rather informal for the Silver Fang, though perhaps he's just relaxed - Silver Fang's do that, right? He turns to look towards Paul and nods, "Well any scraps the chef needs someone to take care of, welcome to toss them my way. I forgot what real food tastes like."

The man turns his head, and those blue eyes of judgement towards Lleutrim once more though. "There's no easy way for me to summarize that Lleu. Most of it would seem nonsensical if I tried, distorted or that of fantasy. In actuality, I have spent the better part of my return trying to make sense of that very question. I believe, I have returned though - which is a good thing." He smiles lightly and takes another bite of the steak.

Journey comes out from the bathroom door, scratching the side of his head, and waving to people, "Hello."

Felicity turns the card on the table to red after she gets some food as well and sits quietly, glancing briefly at her phone, then toward the bathroom. Maybe she needs to potty

The Galliard glances at Felicity's phone but she's darkened the screen. Lleu studies her ring, then turns his head at the sound of Brooke's voice. Subtly, he blinks at her greeting him first ahead of Dragomir. "Good evening, Hush Blaze'rhya." The stout he poured Lleu then picks up and sets by Dragomir's plate - offering the first glass from the pitcher to the eldest ranking. Without saying anything else, he picks a second glass to pour one to keep for himself as he listens to the Athro Silver Fang, watching Dragomir eat.

A very faintly raised brow at Dragomir's informal greeting to the Glasswalker. Finally, the Galliard asks, "Is it good? I'd like to hear your tale anyway. I'm my job, as a Galliard. -If- and when you will tell it." Nope, he's not eating and thus far, Lleu hasn't tasted his beer either.

He does turn his head at Journey's arrival, "Shaderunner'rhya, good evening."

Paul blinks his eyes a bit at Dragomir's words and his eyes go to Felicity, a bit of concern in them now. But he simply answers the Silver Fang, "Yes, Sir, I'll do that." He looks to the others in the room and then sees Journey. He looks a bit relieved. He gives the man a nod of his head, "Evening, Sir, good to see you."

That used to be Brooke's job... to tell those stories. She was already tired from a long day. Now she is visibly a bit derailed. She looks to the door contemplating just leaving. This was not what she thought she would be seeing tonight. She turns back toward the bar for a moment saying something it appears to the person there. A hand raised up to her face a moment before it lowers and then she takes out her phone to do something...

Felicity has absolutely zero reaction to Dragomir's words. Shes just smiling pleasantly. SHe's REALLY good with the poker face. Her eyes tick over toward Brooke and she smiles, lifting a hand in greeting to the woman. She finishes her bite and rests her hands in her lap to conitnue listening quietly like a good kin. Her eyes track to Journey and she nods. "GOod evening, Shaderunner-rhya. Have you used our new card system yet?" She nods toward the red card there on the table in front of her plate.

Dragomir turns to nod his head towards Journey when he arrives, "Shaderunner-rhya, good evening." Though he doesn't stand or make any song or dance about it. A gesture is given towards the food, and he pushes the drink that Lleutrim gave him towards the edge of the table closest to Journey. "Welcome to join us. Lleu here is looking for me to fumble a tale." He smiles lightly, and then he turns to look back towards Lleutrim once more.

"Well, I doubt I can give it much justice. It began with me answering a call and heading home." He starts the tale simply and then he offers, with a gesture of a half-gloved hand. "My family was assembled as the Crescent Lodge, we were honoring the Fallen. We were ambushed, and many were slaughtered before we had a chance to react. The great pack was taken out first, and the ambushers scattered before we had a chance to regroup. Once we did, we united in Rage and I led what remained into the Umbra to chase."

He pauses to take a bite of food, as though he was telling a casual story. There's little emotion given in the telling at all actually. He chews and swallows, before he continues, "We chased. They led us far, and we were too angry.. " he pauses, "I was too angry, to see where we were going. I lost track of those that were following me. I was only focused on avenging my Family." He gestures with a half-gloved hand lightly and lifts his napkin to dab his chin and lips gently.

Journey stops, watching the people, taking in the situation, eyes never stopping, flicking here and there, then suddenly, starting and looks at Felicity, "Huh? Card?" He looks at the card on the table, "Oh!" His expression goes serious, "Oooooh, yeah, yeah I have."

He looks around suspiciously, and points at a waiter with an empty skewer, "You're doing a good job, but.." The waiter starts nodding like he's heard this, as he moves on and Journey nods, addressing his back, "Yeah, it's Winter, this is the off season." He calls to the back as the waiter returns to the land of meat, Journey calling after him, "Gotta get the system down pat before the Gurahl wake up!" He then takes a step back as the waiter is gone and turns to Felicity, and nods, "They're doing great." He gives a thumbs up, and nods "I've been busy, I have a lot of magic going on." He nods to Lleu, "Remember that rock from the Sept, that." Journey then walks over, pulls out a table and sits down looking at Dragomir, and listens.

Ildar walks in quietly, a wrap on his left arm as he'd make his way over to the bar, putting in two orders. Glancing at the others who are there, he pauses, looking over each person. "Huh.. busy tonight.."

Paul gets his plate of fish at the bar, and quietly begins to slice into the fish fillet, although he is ready to move to get anything that might be needed. He gives occassional glances over to the Garou at the table, but otherwise just eats and listens. Paul gives a bow of his head to Ildar, "Evening, Sir" and makes certain his orders are turned in.

Brooke gets her food, in a to go bag, and heads toward the door. She nods to Journey, "Shaderunner'rhya. I'll give a full report on the incident with Dapplegrim tomorrow." Her game of Candy Crush waiting for her to make the next move, but she looks ready to bolt from here - protocol demands she at least say something to the Elder. Her eyes give a glance to Ildar. "Honor's Keeper."

Felicity nods to Journey as he speaks. "I have a trainer coming in this weekend before the grand re-opening on the first of March," she says mildly, glancing briefly at her phone and then back to Dragomir to listen to his passionless tale. Her eyes track back slowly over to the elder, then wander around the others there. A man comes from the kitchen (the same one from earlier) and presents a bottle of oil to Felicity as if it was the finest of wines. He sets down a shot glass and pours just a tiny little bit into it. Felicity picks it up, and.. sips it? Weird. Then she nods and holds out her hand for the bottle. It's presented in the same fashion - as if it was the fiiiiiinest wine --- and Felicity rolls it over to read the back of the label. She nods to Ildar as he comes and then back to reading the label, and she nods. "Very well. Thank you." And then he's half-bowing and goes back to the kitchen to help catch up, taking the bottle with him

The Fianna listens closely to Dragomir's tale, giving a faint nod to the offering of the first glass of Stout to Journey when he comes up, now as Eldest ranking. Lleu places the second glass then by the Silver Fang Athro's plate and pours a third as the tale begins to be told. "Who was it that attacked your family, Eye of the Storm'rhya?" Oh aye, the Galliard wants to hear the tale.

Even so, Lleu turns his head and gives Journey an up nod, "Aye. Did it work, sir?" Yep, Felicity's ritual with the offered bottle of oil is observed but without comment or expression. Ildar gets an upnod from him and then his gaze follows Brooke on her way out. Odd, that.

Lleu finally gets to taste some of the beer and looks back to Dragomir, "You were separated from the others?"

Ildar flashes a smile to Brooke, bowing his head in greeting. He waves to the others, but not interrupting Dragomir's tale. When Paul takes the order, he smiles. "Three orders to go. I'm getting them to the kinfolk house." Leaning against the bar lightly, he too was curious but didn't want to intrude.

Dragomir reaches for his water, taking a sip to wash down the bite of food before setting it back down. He's dressed in a machine-stitched t-shirt and a pair of jeans, with a pair of sneakers on his feet - nothing fancy. He calmly draws in a breath and continues, "By the time I realized where I was, I found myself to be alone. In hind sight I imagine that I must have traveled along celestial ways or through something to get where I was, but I do not recall how I even came to be as Deep as I was. The further you travel from the Penumbra of Earth, the more distorted reality becomes. The very rules and laws that we have become adapted to, are different - quite different in fact. All constants become variables, and you are faced to learn the rules of your environment to survive."

It takes him a moment to realize that Lleu had asked him a question, his blue eyes diverted towards Brooke on her way back out. A light frown, and he says, "I never had a chance to return and find out who attacked us precisely, or to bury my family. I did not have the opportunity to howl for the departed or any of the honors that I would have preferred to have taken, unfortunately. It took some years to get over that anger, but I have come to terms with it since." He says to Brooke, "Brooke.. Do you have to leave so soon?" he questions, and gestures his hand. "I know things are weird.. but I would rather you hear my words at least before you go."

Journey nods, listening to Dragomir, and turns, to look at Lleu, taking a breath and looking around and looking back to Lleu, "Complicated." He looks to Dragomir, "That's all very accurate and explains a great many things. Brooke.." He looks to Brooke and nods, "S'okay, go ahead." He looks back to Dragomir, "You, have an appointment to have a nice long conversation with Brooke. If you didn't before? You do now. The End." He nods to Brooke, then looks back, "Yeah that's bad, the kind of thing that HAPPENS when you're dropped that far out unprepared. You weren't supposed to survive." He says to Dragomir. "I rather suspect you were listed as KIA along with everyone else."

Paul gets his card from the man with the oil before he slips into the kitchen, then looks back to Ildar. He gives him a smile, but it doesn't have his usual brightness at the moment. His voice is soft as he says, "It should't take too long. I'll ask 'em to double wrap it so it'll stay warmer for the trip." His eyes slip over to Dragomir again as he talks, and they widen. He has to shake himself to turn and tap speak through the bar window to someone in the kitchen about Idlar's orders.

Brooke holds still. Just nothing. A breath. Again. She is asked to stay. Her head swirls a bit, and Journey gives his order. She looks to her phone and then back up. "I'll stay for a few minutes. Hear your words." The darkness under her eyes grows just a bit, but she finds a place to sit at another table, and sits down her order of food there. A hard swallow, and she is quiet.

"Years?" Lleutrim asks, though aye, he knows time and space in the Umbra can be very different from here and now. He looks from Dragomir to Journey, then fingers his beer glass. Lleu's guitar is set into a chair at an empty table out of the way, sheet music folded over and tucked through the strings, unplayed. His guitar case is over by the fire, also set into a chair so no one would trip over it. Now the Fianna Galliard is quiet, his pale grey eyes having gone to watching Brooke, to observe her reaction to her former Alpha's words.

A glance back to Journey and a nod from Lleu. He doesn't say anything while Journey continues to speak, instead taking in what is said. Brooke gets a silent, sympathetic look from Lleutrim. He's otherwise gotten quiet.

Ildar smiles briefly to Paul and nods a little in thanks. He itches at that bandage, then stops, grabbing his elbow to help him stop the idle motion as he looks between the others. Watching them as they have that bit of interplay. He shifts on his feet lightly, leaning against the bar.

Paul glances over at Brooke, and pulls an insulated pad from under the bar. Silently he moves to her table, and wraps the to-go container in it. He gives her a silent smile, and moves back behind the bar.

Dragomir turns to nod towards Journey's words and responds, "Yes, of course. I am to come see her and the children.." he stops, and tenses his expression faintly, ".. her son." He smiles a bit tighter, before looking back to Brooke. "I am looking forward to seeing how big he's gotten." There's a bit of pain there, like a memory of some kind. He lifts up the fork and knife, and begins cutting his steak once more. Three bites cut, precise and evenly before the knife is once more placed down and the fork is taken in his right hand to take a bite to eat. "At least twenty." He responds to Lleutrim's question and motions his half-gloved fingers and offers, "Though it was a while before I found a means of keeping track of time in the Inventium Hills. You'd be surprised how many other cultures have invented a means of tracking dates and calendars before the one we use now. It is difficult to distort an exact comparison though. For you all, it was about six months. So I am back tracking, and trying to remember what was happening here before. Not to mention this isn't the first time I made it back, or even had this conversation." He chuckles a bit to himself. "Complicated indeed." He agrees with Journey.

Felicity is just sitting and listening. She gets a refill for her glass with a nod and she quietly turns her card over and gets more food, but she hasn't made a sound, her eyes almost constantly on Dragomir, though once in a while, things tick over to Journey and then back.

Journey thinks for a moment, and nods, sitting back in the chair, "You know, this isn't really impossible." He leans his head back lifting his hands, "X-Men. You got a Comic Book, you got a Movie, you got a Multiverse. That's the kick, the Multiverse. Realities on realities, one where Charles Xavier is a headmaster, one where he's Juggernaut. Subtle differences in the realities, and timelines." He reaches out and slaps the table, pointing to Dragomir. "Dragomir here has been Timeline hopping us. Side effect of Mirror realms. He's been take a tour of 'Coulda Beens'. Us. in different situations. Been doing it for years because temporal fuckery is a thing." He nods, then looks to Dragomir, "You're freaking people out, you know. Not used to the changes in you with what happened, in from your point of view resetting the world around you by years." He nods, "You've come back from the land of Possible Futures. Days of Future Past, you might say."

Felicity jerks a little at the slap, one little drop of her drink daring to spill over onto her hand. But otherwise, no reaction. She's still... waiting.. for something Brooke takes in a deeper breath when he said children. A pained look for a moment, but fades quickly. She knows some eyes may be on her, but she just listens, gaining the story as best as she can process right now. Journey's explanation makes sense to her though.

Much like Felicity, Lleu's gone silent. Not much movement except for his gaze to study Dragomir, then slip to Journey, around to others. He's barely touched his beer, not ordered any food. Yep, Journey's summed it up pretty well. Donnachaidh gets up from the table and reaches over to snag and carefully lift the guitar Faith asked her brothers to make for him after his First Change. "It ... will certainly take some getting used to. For all of us. Thank you for broadening our understanding, Eye of the Storm'rhya. If I may be excused, I have a patrol to lead in a few hours and I should get home to my mate."

Lleu goes to put his guitar in it's case and pack it up, making ready to depart. He watches the others as he does so, still listening.

Dragomir nods and listens to Journey, considering his words and thinks. The sudden noise, and strike of the table did not even startle him. "I think you are correct Shaderunner." He motions to place his fork down, and takes up his napkin to wipe his face. There is a bit of a smile given, as he turns and looks around the room slowly. "I apologize for whatever confusion or discomfort my return has brought to anyone. I do not know if I will ever be, who I was before I left, again. I am trying to be, for all your sakes." He nods then, mostly to himself and starts to get up from the table. "Perhaps best if I head home. Thank you for the meal and the conversation." He reaches out one of those half-gloved hands to pick up the crisp new paperback that looks like he's only about a quarter of the way through reading. 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future'. The book is cradled by his waist, like one might an item of importance or value.

He looks towards Lleutrim and says, "Please give Faith my warm wishes. I hope she is doing well."

Paul had seen the movies, but finds it hard to wrap his mind around the concept to totally understand it. But he's heard enough to understand 'freaky Umbral stuff'. He face shows a compassionate expression before he starts to slowly eat the rest of his food.

Felicity rises as Dragomir does, dropping her napkin onto her plate and making sure her card is on red. She laces her hands together. "We don't expect you to be the same as you were before. You've been through a lot. It's just new to all of us. And to you, I think." She motions around. "This." She's ready to follow Dragomir out the door.

Journey lifts a hand, "Hang on one second." He rises and moves to stand in front of Dragomir, "One moment." He lifts a hand, focusing himself.

Ildar looks between Felicity and Dragomir, frowns a second, then pushes off the bar. He walks closer to the group, slowing as Journey basically stops near where Ildar was going to go, so he hangs back. That arm that was wounded was casually hid behind his back, while his attention stayed steady on Dragomir, studying him thoughtfully. There'd be that small ding from the back, seems Ildar's order came ready about then too.

Brooke sniffs for some reason. "No. None of us are the same. Walking away from dealing with it is not the right thing either, as much as my own gut is telling me to do myself. We are Garou, we face it head on, with tactical planning." Paul turns and reaches through the window for Ildar's food but he wraps it then as he had Brooke's as he isn't sure the man is ready to leave just yet. He watches the group, trying not to show the feeling of anxiety and concern he has about a man that he obviously admired. Best to be cool. So, he goes back to the attempt at eating, but his eyes stick with the Garou.

Lleutrim has picked up his guitar case and gives Dragomir a nod, "I will." He doesn't quiet leave yet though, not when Journey steps out to block the Athro Silver Fang's path, barring it. The Fianna Galliard lingers a moment more to watch.

The words from Brooke bring a bit of a smile to Dragomir's lips, and he chuckles, "Sounds like something I might have said once." he nods and looks towards Journey at the check. He's been 'scanned' before, this isn't that alarming. A look is given towards Ildar in recognition and he smiles and nods, "What do you propose then Brooke?" he turns back to her and asks, perhaps inspired by her words on the subject.

Journey looks at his hand, and takes a breath, focusing, Any one with awareness, he's using sensory things on Dragomir. He's not even hiding it. He takes a moment, focused on.. whatever it is he's focused on and nods, "Mmm Kay thanks." He nods, and sighs, "For what it's worth, Dragomir, I do understand. What was weaponized against you was for me, my Elder Challenge. Out there, in the Deep. Making my own way back. But I was trained for it. The exact time was a surprise for me, but I had the background. I was fortunate and only landed on the other side of the world a month in the Past, after only another month in the Umbra. You made it back. That was impressive." He nods and moves out of Dragomirs way, deliberately, then turns and moves to sit and gesture to make an order of food. There's a forgotten glass of Stout somewhere. Felicity waits, her eyes slowly tracking from Journey to Dragomir and back again. Journey's lack of reaction doesn't... doesn't really HELP things much, but she looks up to Dragomir expectantly.

Ildar watches Journey scan Dragomir, then blinks as.. Dragomir.. smiles at him? He looks confused a moment, but masks that with a simple bow. "Eye-of-the-storm-Rhya. I'm glad you're back. I'd like to talk to you soon. When you can. I think we have a bit to discuss." Straightening up, he flashes a brief smile to Felicity, then steps back a step. As a look at Paul shows the order is ready, Ildar heads over to get it with a grin at Paul, then looks to the others. "May I go so I can deliver this? I don't want to deliver it cold.."

Lleutrim quietly slips out and heads up stairs to get on with the rest of his night.