2021.02.24 - Destination Unknown Pt 2 - Interviewing Danny

Destination Unknown Pt 2 - Interviewing Danny
The crew go to interview Danny and learn more about his visions.
IC Date	2/24/21
Players	BryanO, Branton, Nico, Nathan, and Tawney as ST
Location	Gaia's Hope
Prp/Tp	Destination Unknown, offshoot of What Happens In Vegas
Theme Song	Woodkid 'Run Boy Run' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc21V-zBq0

Kinfolk house. Designated time - however that was all set up. There's a nice big van, plenty of snacks, a couple cases of water. There's a quick lunch for everyone and some time that people can gather their thoughts and Bryan can make arrangements with the lady named Thea to get everything all set up. Lunch had, snacks and water and a few things for Danny are loaded. The van has seats for everyone and plenty of room to stretch out legs. "Thank you guys for coming along. Nathan, I know I said it was the others of us who were going, but since you're here, you want to come along?"

Nico knows damn well there isn't enough leg room on the planet for her legs, but she'll make do. Enjoying lunch, selective about what she eats, she drinks a couple bottles of water and another couple go into her ruck sack.

Nathan shrugs, "Sure.. I said I would help however I was needed, so I'm in if you want me." He helps with loading any final supplies and taps out a quick text message on his phone, then nods, "Ok, all set."

Branton has a couple of duffel bags of spare gear. All sorts of random shit that a guy with five dots in resources would pack for an adventure (rope, grappling hook, knives, hammer, pitons, etc). Esentially if it can be bought at a camping or survival supply store Branton's stash has a sampling "I may have over packed but that's not new. Also? Fair warning so the shifters coming are aware, that wooden box with a pegasus burned into the lid has a silver sword in it."

Nathan slides that box to the _back_ of the van before sliding into one of the seats and settling in with a bottle of water.

Bryan grins at Branton. "Thea promised me we wouldn't have to scale the walls to get to the visitor's area." He leads the way to the van, talking as he goes, seeming more or less at ease - easy enough when you're an Elder. "You know, there's a story about this place. I've been there. Once, but has anyone heard of a kinfolk named Annie? She got escorted to this place. Let me tell you the story. It will give you an idea of the place." And so now everyone has to listen while the Galliard does his thing. It's a good story, though, and it passes the time on the drive. "

Branton nods and shrugs at Bryan "Yeah but I'm not sure where we're going from there. Or what might happen while we're there. Ever since a field trip to learn about nature spirits wound up with Iris and I in the Flux realm? I take nothing for granted. Fun fact, that was the field trip where my Sword got its name. Tranquility." Writing reality out to disk. Please wait... Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.

Nico folds herself into the back of the van, quite literally, and sets the ruck sack on her lap. She remains silent in the back, attempting not to block any mirrors but failing, and just listens to the story.

Nathan leans against the side of the van, angling to be able to watch Bryan as he tells his story. The young man raises a brow and comments quietly, "Wow, I've never even heard of anything even slightly like this place before."

Bryan nods to Branton. "I'm just giving you hell." To Nathan, he nods. "That's because there are VERY few of them. ANd we don't talk about it much because we don't want it slipping through the cracks. An assault on that place would be a VERY bad thing."

It's a bit of a jaunt by van from the Kinfolk House. Coming up on it, it looks like most any small, walled and gated community that's near a suburb. The difference is in the nature of the security guards. Umbrally, the place is teeming with wards and barriers, spirits zipping about and lighting it up with the presence of spirit-powered security systems. The Glasswalkers have been let loose, and this is part of their Theurges work.

Greeted at the gate, one of the women at the discreet guard post steps up towards the driver's door of the van.

Bryan of course called ahead less than 20 minutes out, noted the addition of Nathan and the removal of Theron. Just timing, it would seem. No big reason. As they pull up and the guard comes over, Bryan gives a neutrally-friendly wave and rolls down the window. "Afternoon. Bryan Osborn, Chases the Wind. And crew. Here to see Danny. Thea knows we're coming."

Branton is quiet and looking around at the scenery, which for him includs all the umbral shenanigans.

Nathan sits up and peers out the window at the compound and it's rather impressive security. "Very impressive, and this is only a little bit of it."

Nico remains quiet, which seems to be something she's good at, and shifts slightly to look out a window, which is something she's not good at... can't get the right angle without bending in ways that aren't humanly possible. She'll look later.

There's a pause, the woman likely using a mind-link or pack-link to verify, then a warm smile. "Ah, yes. Welcome to Gaia's Hope, Chases-the-Wind'rhya." Stepping back, she waves a hand to get the gates opened.

Within the compound, it looks like homes, with a central recreation building that serves as the main intake and guest area.

Bryan drives on through, very carefully following the instructions that he was given previously. He tdrives into a spot that is labelled 'Visitors' and slides out of the van. "Alright. We leave all equipment here, fetishes included. If you have something that is not removable, declare it now, please, so you can be scanned

Nico drops the ruck sack off her lap and onto the floor of the van. "I have nothing else."

Nathan shrugs and drops his cell phone on the seat as he stands up. "That's it for me. I'm not exactly a repository of magical toys."

Branton pats the smaller red duffle bag "I came prepared even though I feel super naked right now. Because I am. Almost always. Um... I'm part fire elemental but their umbral sentries can already see that."

There's already another of the casually dressed guards at the door, waiting. Fairly typical with a polo style shirt, some khaki's, a belt with some not-so-casual add-ons. All in all, though, pretty discreet. Around the compound, there's a few people moving around - some with escort, some without. The sound of children playing drifts along from behind a building the might serve as a school or daycare.

If you didn't know what Gaia's Hope was, the sort of people kept here, there's not much around to give it away.

Danny is there, trying to 'sneak' past the guard. The guard rolls his eyes and lets the twelve year old 'escape'. He's put on weight and looking pretty good. Could use a few more pounds and a haircut, but he's no longer an underfed, gangly, nervous kid. He's headed for the van with a huge smile on his face, despite the signs of sleepless nights under his eyes.

Bryan does bring along the unwrapped gifts for Danny. Some board games, cards, a styrofoam glider with all the pieces out of the bag -- stuff like that. These are offered to the guard before they ever get inside. THe board game is opened, checked over and then handed back and Bryan spots the kid almost immediately and gives a 'nervous' glance to the guard, sort of shuffling his feet and pretending to be real nervous about the whole situation. "Danny boy! Hurry! Before they catch you!"

Nathan follows wherever Bryan and Branton lead. He wasn't part of the original events that brought the kid here, so he's perfectly comfortable letting those more in the know set the tone of things. He does, despite all the security, keep checking around, making sure to stay alert and aware of his surroundings.

Nico unfolds herself from the back of the van, following the lead of the Elder but slowly looking around and letting her senses adjust. The sound of the children playing make's her smile, but other wise she seems stoic to a fault. As the boy approached, 'sneaking' past the guard, she looks him over like a mother would her child, without moving toward him or changing position.

Branton grins broadly at Danny "Glad to see you're doing well." And the guard gets a nod and otherwise Branton stays quiet until its time for him to do his thing.

Greeting Bryan with a tight hug after launching himself at the Elder. Letting go after a moment, he looks to the others, grinning at Branton, then looking the other two over.

"You got the message? About the dreams? They're getting worse." He's not under watch, so much as kept an eye on. He isn't here because he's a direct threat or he fucked up, he's here to keep him safe.

"Yeah, we did. That's why we're here." He gives Danny's head a ruffle. "Brought you some stuff. They wouldn't let me bring in the battle axe or the iPad. Jerks. You know Branton. This is Niko and Nathan. Niko's the tall one. I brought 'illegal' food too." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a candy bar, handing it over. That, of course, was cleared too. Danny just doesn't need to know that."

Nico offers Danny a nod, keeping back so as not to be imposing, "Nice to meet you Danny," she offers in her deep tone, though it is edged with softness.

Nathan nods and raises a hand in a wave when he's introduced, "Hey there, nice to meet you." After greeting the boy he continues to keep alert, as he has really nothing else to do in this situation, being mainly a warrior in the middle of a very secure location.

Branton nods at Danny "Any details that could help us figure out where we're going? Strange rock formations or whatever?"

The candy bar is taken and quickly unwrapped, the kid taking a great big bite and chewing. The questions win a simple answer. Danny turns and looks at the sky, then lifts an arm to point towards the north star. "That way. That way until the ground is rock hard and there's nothing alive on it. And then down. Away from the heat of the sun." He falters, looking towards Nico and Nathan, thinking. "I know my brother is dead, but I keep seeing him fall to the Spiral and dance in the madness." Dance is the pretty word for the thrashing and writhing as the mind breaks. "And then there's so many that howl, and I run. I know they're following. I can -feel- them, and they have to keep Cleansing me when I wake up."

"They're out there, to the north, where the sun burns the land and into the ground. I know it."

Bryan nods, letting Danny eat his candy bar while he moves over and takes a seat. "Yeah, not just dreams, huh? Sounds like the desert. Any idea how far north?" He glances up at Nico and Nathan. "This is a fact finding mission. You two, specifically, don't know much about this and that's why you're here. Fresh eyes. If you have questions, ask them."

Nico leans against the van, tucking her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "I am curious to know how soon after the second attempt to take the boy, that these dreams started and how long the dreams last. Are the a constant, all night, or a specific period of time in the night."

Nathan nods and simply asks, "Well, what are you looking for? Kind of sounds like he's telling you the location of a Hive, is that what we're after? Cause it sounds like he's aiming us at Death Vally and Nevada." His eyes narrow, and a growl comes into his voice, "Which is the same direction the scum that killed my teacher are in."

Branton nods at Bryan and listens to the questions, then he quirks an eyebrow at Nathan "Worth keeping an eye out though probably just a coincidence."

Danny shifts his look to Branton. "About a week and half? We thought maybe they were just bad dreams, until they smelled the taint and realized what was happening. The... I don't know? I go to bed, I dream the dream, I wake up in the morning. It could be a few moments, it could be hours." Danny stuffs the rest of the candy bar in his mouth, chewing, savoring the sweet treat. "I'm not sure how far to go. It feels like a long way."

Bryan nods, glancing at Nico and Nathan each in turn, then back to Danny. "Okay, Danno. Question. And 'I don't know, shut up you dumb stupid elder' is an acceptable answer here. Do you feel like you are ... " He thinks for a moment. "Do you feel like these dreams are like.. telling the future, prophetic...? Or do you feel like SOMEONE ELSE is causing these dreams?"

Nico offers a nod to Danny, then falls silent as she considers the information. This is not really a field of knowledge she has much information on, but Bryan's question also gets her attention.

Branton nods at Danny "I should be able to rig something up to let us know the closer we get. So as long as we have a vector we'll get there eventually." Then he looks to Bryan "Good question."

Nathan nods to Branton, then also waits to see what the answer to Bryan's question is.

"The Theurges said the wards and spirits here should keep anyone on the outside from making it happen. So they think it's from inside of me. But I've, there's..." He swallows the lump of candy bar. "I didn't used to be able to make fire, either. Before." Another of those looks towards Branton. "Before he helped me."

Bryan nods, reaching out to pat the kid lightly. "Right I know there are. But what do YOU think? Branton helped to awaken stuff in you that was probably repressed by things like hunger and abuse. I know you've been doing more and more and that's honestly fucking awesome, little dude. But what do you THINK? Just a gut check."

Nathan moves over to Branton and asks quietly, so as not to interrupt Bryan and Danny, "If there's no contact with the outside, where's the taint coming from?"

Branton comments quietly to Nathan "If its his power reaching forward to some other event he could be getting back splatter from it. It sounds like flashes of uncontrolled precog." Looking a bit bashfully he adds to Bryan and Danny "If it came from my precog it sounds like your reciever needs tuning. If people are interested we could try working together again to boost the signal and get more details working together. I'm pretty sure the wyrm radiation feedback could be shielded against in that case."

Nico remains by the van, not wanting to spook the kid, but she listens intently to the various speculations passing around among the three and the boy. "Is there no shielding of that type for this place?" She asks simply, adding on to Nathan's question. "Or is it only aimed at an external source attempting to enter, and not something riding a wave back?"

The boy loses some of his sunshine with Bryan's question, shifting in place. "My gut says it's bad. Real bad. And big. I don't think they're done looking for me. But that's..." Danny stops and takes a breath, letting it out slowly. "Not going to stop them from... something." There's a shudder from the kid and he visibly withdraws without moving an inch.

Danny glances towards Branton, hesitant, but nodding. Whatever the dreams bring him, he doesn't like it, but if they need to know, then...

Bryan nods to the kid and gives his shoulder a pat. "Alright, kiddo. Well, we're going to fix that. And you're safe in here. The Warder here would know if stuff was coming in." He glances over at Branton. "Pretty sure you'd have to get special permission. I don't think even Danny SHOULD be able to do what he's doing."

Nico frowns, left eye twitching slightly. The sight of this boy in pain, afraid, so worried and scared send a spike through her that makes her tingle for action, for revenge against who ever or what ever caused this. No child should know this level of agony, no matter their birth or blood. Taking a slow, deep breath she keeps her control, her face showing no other change save the twitch. "Untrained powers have a way of doing what they wish, rather than what you want them to. If this is the development of further abilities, he isn't consciously doing anything but in time can learn to gain control."

Nathan hmms, "I'll take your word for it, but if he's seeing the future, why is he seeing his brother? Seems like there might be more than one thing going on here. I don't know anything about those powers, but something just doesn't sound quite right." He shrugs, "Just an untrained opinion, but you wanted new eyes on it."

Branton nods at Nathan "That's a fair question. The thing to know is that when you're dealing with precog, or postcog for that matter, and you're seeing something outside your experience your mind will...flex a bit and fill in the details. Its why interpreting prophecy and oracle visions is such a right royal pain in the ass." Then he looks to Bryan and nods "Its a suggestion at least. If you think its worth asking we can ask, or we can try other stuff and see what we can get from it."

"The Theurges said that, too. They don't know why I'm still getting things, or doing things, when I ought to be warded up one side and down the others - in their words." Danny says. But then, he's twelve, understanding the finer workings of a lot of this is beyond the scope of his life so far. "Some of them think it's just bad dreams. Maybe something I saw and forgot. That's why they wanted to get some people to go look. Cause it might be nothing."

Bryan nods to the kiddo. "Well, that's us. We came here to see you and talk to you directly. And also bring you some cool shit. But we're going to go figure this stuff out. How dyou feel about the idea of hooking up with B-man over there again? If they say it's okay, are YOU okay with it?"

Nico continues to watch Danny as the conversation continues, but not precisely staring. She doesn't want to be an alarmist, but still says, "Usually, in situations like this, it is something, but that is why we are here, to find that something and end it."

Nathan nods at what Nico says, "Unfortunately, she's pretty much right.. always better to assume it is something. Is it's nothing, that can be a nice surprise." Writing reality out to disk. Please wait... Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.

Branton nods at Nico and Nathan "Like why I brought all the weapons and gear. Better to have and not need than need and not have." And then he looks to see what Danny says.

"If you think it would help." To be fair, the kid would do most anything for the people that saved him, twice, from the influence of the Spirals and the Wyrm. And while the circumstances weren't the best, he's old enough to recognize the need for some things. Edging over towards Branton, the kid offers his hand.

Bryan reaches out and ruffles the kid's hair and glances over to the bodyguard. Surely there must be an appropriate place to do this, or permission to be gotten or whatever. Bryan stands, ready to go ther and do just that

Nathan nods to Branton, "Preparation is always good." Other than that, he stays out of the way now that a decision has been made.

The guard nods, eyes growing a little distant - likely using a pack link or similar to communicate. "There's a space inside we can use. A side room usually used for intakes."

Nico continues to stay out of the way, waiting for the decision to be made of where this will happen.

Branton nods and follows along to where this is going to be set up as he works through possibilities in his head and he asks "If someone could bring the materials, the willow and spring water, for a cleansing ritual please. I can supplement our shields against any potential back blast with it." since he had to leave all his own tools and supplies in the van.

Once more the guard uses the link to make arrangements without having to leave the presence of the lad - who walks along, looking a little concerned, but he trusts these guys.

The room is sparse, a simple, platform with a thin pad on it, a few blankets, a table with seats built into it. The first real sign that not everything is as the surface seems.

Danny heads to go and sit on the edge of the bed with a nervous little plop that puts his butt on the edge. He remembers all too well that leaning into Branton's abilities is like finding yourself with a fucking tac-nuke in your hands. That more than anything else, is where the unease stems from.

Nico steps away from the van to follow the others inside. Branton loses one Willpower

Bryan hangs back a little, though he does give the kid a reassuring pat. "We don't have to Danny. I think it would help, but if you say no, then that's cool and we'll figure it out. You're pretty bad ass, but you're a KID and kids don't have to do this shit. You got me?" He reaches out to lightly take the boy's chin in one hand and tips his face up. "You hear me, kiddo? You don't have to."

Branton nods at what Bryan says as he starts preparing the shield. Usually he brute forces it with all his tools but now this time its about technique and calling on elemental energies. The pure spring water, wood for earth, breath for air, and fire...well fire's always been easiest for Branton to call. Once the shield is set it doesn't look like much but to magical beings like the garou they can probably feel a little tingle as any energy entering the room gets shifted to 'clean'. Looking to Danny then, Branton takes a seat and holds out a hand "Your call my man, more knowledge before we head out is going to help but you need to be sure. I'll be in it with you more directly this time, not a jury rigged link from a distance. Speaking of things that shouldn't work that way."

Nathan watches, but generally just stays out of the way, leaning against a wall. There's interest in what's going on, but he's not sticking his nose in and possibly messing up anything.

Danny shivers faintly when the shielding goes up, looking between the different faces. Nervous? Oh yeah. He rubs his hands on his jeans a couple o times, indecisive, then slaps his hand into Branton's, linking in with the far more powerful kinfolk.

Nico has never seen anything like this before, so finding a spot out of the way to lean, she watches with interest to see what happens.

Bryan is also hanging back now and he murmurs quietly to Nico and Nathan. "Branton's a fucking beast. I'd pick him first in a game of Red Rover for sure."

Branton takes Danny's hand and establishes the Gestalt, linking their powers and showing Danny carefully how to call the vision when he's awake. How to See on Purpose. But its up to Danny now, no one can make him Look.

Nathan chuckles quietly at Bryan's statement about Branton, but stays quiet otherwise and continues to watch the goings-on.

Nico chortles deeply, picturing that game for a moment, but knowing nothing about Branton as of yet... she stays quiet, hands in pockets, watching.

You paged Branton with 'When they link up and the synergy is -properly- formed, there's a sense of Hecate's Touch on the boy, an urging of -importance- that is quickly swept aside by the vision itself. It's far more clear and powerful than the fevered dreams the kid has been having. The landscape is a wasteland - Death Valley if he'd know it. They skim over the parched, dead land, circling an old Borax mining pit, one forced to shut down in 2005 when the laws on things changed for national parks. What SHOULD be lifeless and abandoned seems maintained and the sound of a factory at work churn through the images. NOT the sounds the place would make, but an implication through the sound. It is very much active. They swirl around the huge mine hole once more, then dive down, and near the bottom, they dip into old, abandoned mine shafts, the sounds of panting breath and skidding sneakers. Snarls, and yips, howls and warcries from human throats. So. Many. And at the nexus, where the tunnels come together, there's a green pulse an the vision fades, the taint of the contact with the heart of a Hive redirected and rendered impotent.'

Danny's body goes rigid, muscles tightening up as so much -everything- is suddenly at his fingertips. It last a few moments, half a minute, before Danny slumps back, suddenly sweat soaked and breathless, shaky.

Bryan watches his all very carefully. It isn't something he'll ever be able to do but that doesn't make it any less fucking FASCINATING He's also watching the boy too though, closely. Making sure he's okay. Or... as okay as he CAN be in this situation.

Branton holds his breath in the moment that Danny goes rigid and there's a whiff of ozone and woodsmoke in the air as the shield spell does its work. Once Danny relaxes, Branton does too and the hum goes out of the air "Got it. And it is a hive for sure. In an old abandoned borax pit mine in Death Valley."

Branton adds "Its going to take a lot more than just us to crack this nut."

Nico sniffs slightly at the air, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She takes a steady, slow breathing before letting it out just as slow. "How big of a hive are we talking about here? How many do you think will be needed?"

Nathan nods, "Yeah, the word Hive doesn't suggest 'just take a few people'. More like 'blow the horn and summon the Get horde'." He chuckles without humor, "That is, if we need to go do something about it. Can you fix the issue without a full assault?"

Bryan's brow knits and he nods, not taking his eyes off Danny. It's a LOT for the poor kid. "Branton, can you make his dreams stop? Is that something you can do? Soon as we get outside, I'll start rounding people up."

Danny rubs his face, trying to get back to the here and now and out of the vision. It's so much more intense with Branton's help. He listens, though, as the others start to make plans.

Branton shakes his head ruefully "Dream-magic is actually one of the kinds I don't have. What I can do is leave my notes for the shield spell I just used. That'll protect him from any taint or harm. That is if it hasn't resolved on its own now that he's seen the whole vision intact. Sometimes this sort of thing...once its seen clearly and straight on like this? Stops forcing a connection."

Nathan nods, "Ok, sounds like we're going. I assume we're shooting for scorched earth once we're done? No real point in not doing it fully if we're going to do it." He looks over at Bryan, "I definately want in on this, Spirals don't need to be left to continue whatever they're doing."

Nico straightens, "You already know that my claws are at your call Bryan, whatever may come. Spirals cannot be permitted continued existence when we have the means to remove them."

Still unsettled, shaky, Danny rises. "I need to go lay down. Unless you need me for something else?" He'll help, but man, Branton's raw strength when it comes to the mystical is like he got clobbered by a mack truck.