2021.02.22 Destination Unknown Pt 1 - Word from Gaia's Hope

Destination Unknown Pt 1 - Word From Gaia's Hope
A runner from Gaia's Hope comes bearing word of the boy, Danny, and visions he has had.
IC Date	February 22, 2021
Players	BryanO, Branton, Nico, Theron, and Tawney as ST
Location	Caern
Prp/Tp	Offshoot of What Happens In Vegas
Theme Song	Woodkid 'Run Boy Run' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc21V-zBq0

Bryan had some Elder Shit to do. So he put on his Elderpants and went and did those things and now he comes back, raking his hand through his hair, glancing around for Tawney. HIS Tawney. Rawr.

"Nice to meet you, Nico'rhya." Tawney says,tucking the baggy of candy back in her pocket after poking a strawberry flavored piece in her mouth. Long form introductions are listened to with interest as everyone gets to know each other.

Nico lifts a brow to Branton, "Married to the Elder?" She nods slightly at that then continues, "Thank you for your welcome, Branton. I have been seeking one of my elders since I got here, they're obviously busy as elders are prone to be, but tradition needs be followed. If I give you my number, would you be willing to pass it on to your mate?"

Nico adds, "Thank you, Tawney, for the offer, but I tend to stay away from sweets."

Branton nods at Nico "I'll pass it along, though between being busy with Elder things our son is on the verge of his first change so things have been a bit hectic. You'd have better luck getting in touch with Alecto, I can get the number to both of them regardless."

THERE she is. Bryan heads over that way and idly sneaks in behind Tawney, giving her a quick snug. Then sighs as there are intros being flung around. "I am Bryan, Chases-the-Wind, born on two legs, rank of Elder and born under the Galliard moon to the tribe of Children of Gaia, son of Blazes-Trails, grandson of Walks-on-Water, great grandson of Carries-A-Big-Stick, follower of Pegasus, mated to my wife, Tawney Osborn, kin to the Shadow Lords."

Nico pulls the ruck sack off her shoulder and opens one of the small pockets to pull out a little note pad and pencil, though in her hands the pad looks even smaller. Writing down her name and number, the page is torn out and offered to Branton. "I thank you. Either elder is acceptable of course, I merely have had no luck in tracking one down. Congratulations to you and your son." She looks to Bryan and offers her hand, as she had everyone else. "An honor to meet you Chases-the-Wind'rhya. I am Nico Torrez, homid born under the Half Moon, daughter of Sings of Fury, Granddaughter of Travels with Spirits, rited Themis' Hand, Cliath of the Black Fury."

Tawney squeaks when snugged from behind, turning her head to see who it is before kissing his cheek, "Hey, you. I ran out of candy. You were right, I should have brought more." Quieting for the introductions, she leans into Bryan a bit with a slight wiggle. "Your kiddo is going to change soon? Let me know if you need anything, Branton. I can bring drop off some lasagna or some prepped meals in case things get stressy."

Not long behind Bryan is a runner that is covered in the reddish dust of the dessert. He looks tired and foot sore, likely to have come on four paws. Trotting up from the direction that Bryan just came from, the tall, dusky skinned man is a little out of breath. "Chases-the-Wind'rhya?"

"Nice to meet you," Bryan says, accepting the handshake and then wrapping himself around Tawney, giving her a quick smooch on the head. Then he looks up at the runner and winces a little. "Yup. What's up?" He straightens a little and .. doesn't sigh. Man, these Elderpants are just not sitting comfy today.

After having stepped away for a bit, Theron returns a smile on his face as he looks about. Seems maybe things are about the same as they have been, save for Bryan is about.

Branton sits up straight when someone comes in to see the Elder, not twitching yet but way ready to twitch if it comes to it.

Nico does silent, hands slipping into the pockets of her jacket as the elder is approached.

Tawney's hands give Bryan's a squeeze, the kin going quiet as well.

"I am Runs-Under-the-Stars, born on four feet under the New Moon of the Silent Striders, from Gaia's Hope. You may call me Kevin." He needs a moment. What he WANTS is to sit right down and rest, but what he does is stand a little taller, dipping his chin in greeting. "It's about the boy, Danny."

Gaia's Hope. FUCK. Bryan immediately lets go of Tawney and he also stands straight, glancing to Branton briefly, then back to the guy. "Sit down." He grabs a bottle of water, probably already opened, and hands it over to the guy. "Drink, then tell me." Then he glances around at those present, meaninfully, sizing each one of them up

Branton frowns and glances around at the others before turning back to the messenger and listens intently.

Nico looks to Bryan as she is sized up, "Should I leave, Chases-the-Wind'rhya?"

Theron glances to Nico but then just looks over to Bryan, he doesn't seem inclined to leave, he just sort of arches a brow wondering what is going on. Long distance to Bryan: Tawney nods. If they want. This is kind of an info dump, if it goes further, cool, but that's up to you guys :3 it'll be a longer plot like the Florida one

There's a light touch from Tawney to Bryan's hip, just a brief squeeze, and she's off to go and fetch some more water and something for the runner to eat.

Glad to be relieved of some of the formality, Runs-Under-the-Stars takes the offered water and hunkers down, then plops the last couple of inches to sit on his butt. Long, thin legs are folded under him to sit cross-legged. The first mouthful of water is used to swish the desert dirt off his teeth. Then the rest is gulped down quickly, the bottle set on the soft ground next to him. "First, the boy is well. He's making friends and adjusting to life away from the influence of the Wyrm's servants. He is mourning his brother's death, but each day is better." This is spoken as if reciting a message, rather than his own personal knowledge. "Something within him changed after the contact with the other, Branton, through the link on the night he was brought back to Gaia's Hope. The Elder's send word that his powers have become more controlled, but they have expanded threefold. Maybe further." The first part of the message delivered, he pauses.

Bryan shakes his head to Nico, looking back at the runner. He reaches out to give Tawney's hand a squeeze, then lets her go. He relaxes somewhat as the guy speaks and his eyes cut briefly to Branton and he nods, letting the guy continue when he's ready, even speaking to give him a little break. "That's all very good to hear. Jesus fuck, I'm glad to hear that. Go on when you're ready."

Nico just nods, then falls silent again, keeping as much to herself as she can given her size.

Theron seems confused, glances to Branton then to Bryan and the Strider, not a word said because this is none of his buisness, in fact he sort of tries to act like he isn't listening in.

Branton nods and considers carefully before theorizing "I have a totemic bond to the Mother of Spells and lady of the crossroads. When we merged to throw fire at the Spirals holding him captive its possibly Herself took an interest. A person of mortal powers in a time of transition and change...she is not a minor goddess to begin with. Of course its also possible she's acting as an intermediary for some other gaian spirit. Regardless, he had the spark on his own. He just needed someone to show him the way."

Returning with a plate that has some roasted meat and vegetables on it, and three more water bottle, Tawney passes the plate tot he messenger, then sets the water down near to hand before slipping into Bryan's shadow.

"The second message is that the boy, Danny, has began having powerful dreams. He dreams of his brother, Dancing the Spiral, of thousands of voices howling out as the madness takes him. He dreams of running in narrow tunnels shored up with old, rotten timbers. He dreams of the stink of chemicals and rotten flesh. And he wakes touched with the Taint. The dreams are leaving marks on him, quickly erased, but marks nonetheless. When questioned, he says the North star is ahead of him, and the ground is hard and red and untouched by life."

Bryan frowns as he listen to the runner and he nods. "Has a Theurge talked to him? I know they have a few pretty powerful ones out there, considering what the place is." He turns to the others. "Danny is a boy we rescued in a combat with some spirals. He was taken to Gaia's Hope, which is a .... protective, rehabilitation Sept a few hours North of here." It's a prison. "He was going to be relocated, but then he got nabbed by the same spirals we stole him from, so he's under lock down for his own protection right now." Writing reality out to disk. Please wait... Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.

Branton nods at Bryan's summation and remains quiet. Curious as to where this all is leading.

Nico offers a nod, accepting the explanation without asking questions.

"Sounds like there could be more trouble coming." Theron points out to Bryan, the obvious of course. "I'm not much of a theurge...well...I'm not at all, but even I can read those tea leaves."

"The Theurges have been more concerned with trying to find way to keep the dreams from tainting the boy. We suspect that he might be speaking of Death Valley, but no one's gone up there or done research into tunnels up that way. We're... not exactly equipped for that sort of adventure at Gaia's Hope." Runs-Under-The-Stars glances to the plate and begins to eat, making short work of the meal in a dozen bites that may not even seem to have been chewed. This is washed down by another bottle of the water, and the two extra are tucked into the small pack he has with him. "But there is concern that the dreams are prophetic, given that the boy wakes tainted after having them. That's all I know." Yup. The problem just got foisted off on Mister Fix-It and Mister Elderpants and whoever they recruit to help.

Bryan nods. "No, of course you aren't," he says, though to Theron or the runner about their capabilities is up for debate. "You hire out for that. From us." He takes a deep breath and lets it out very slowly. Elderpants. "Okay. So what's next? Do they need us to come there? Maybe hooking up with Branton can help some of that. You got any Furies working with him? That.. thing they do. Soothing the scars. That needs to be done."

The Get of Fenris seems to nod along with things, "If you need a sword let me know." Theron offers, "I dont know about protecting from dreams but..." he shrugs, Bryan gets the idea.

Branton nods in agreement with Bryan's diagnosis "That sounds about right. Between that rite and if they can find someone who can conjure the Flames of Hestia he should be alright."

"I am not privvy to the treatments. I'm a scout and a messenger, Chases-the-Wind'rhya. I wish I could offer more information. I'll relay word of your suggestion, though." Runs-Under-The-Stars pauses, thinking. "We cannot spare the bodies or resources, and they would like to call on the aid of the Sept in seeing if this place even exists, and what sort of thing might be there, if it can be found."

Nico takes one small step forward as she says, "If there is some way I can assist Chases-the-Wind'rhya, you have only to indicate and my claws are yours."

Bryan nods. "There's no need for anyone to do anything different. I'll come up there." He glances up at the moon and sighs quietly. "Maybe not tonight. I have... what's her name...I don't have my phone. But I have a couple of phone numbers for some people there. I'll call as soon as I get to town. Set something up. You've done well. Stay the night here, Runs-Under-the-Stars. I'll make sure that they know you passed the message." He nods to Niko. "You're a Black Fury. And a Philodox. You can come." He glances to Theron. "You ever been to a prison sept?" Then a smile to Branton. "And you're coming too, Beast."

"No. Can't say I have been." Theron admits with a shrug. "First time for everything?" he wonders with a slight smirk.

Branton nods and smirks at Bryan calling him beast "I'm bringing Tranquility if we're going anywhere near any more spirals though. For all that I can take a claw hit I'd rather not if I don't have to."

Nico nods just once, no words required. Her claws were needed and they would be ready. She steps back to where she had been and falls silent.

The runner inclines his head to Bryan's words. "Thank you, Chases-the-Wind'rhya, but I should get back. Danny is making things complicated with the warding and we need every hand we've got." He's apologetic, eyes down. "I will rest for a while, though." trying to compromise rather than potentially upset the Elder.

Bryan nods to the runner. "We'll get you a bridge back. Tell Thea to call me. That's her name. Thea. Thea the Theurge." He taps his temple. "That's how I remember it." He glances around briefly and literally snags a Cub by the shirt as he walks by. "Go get the Ritemistress."