2018.09.19: Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad
Field Trip to New Mexico
IC Date	Wednesday, September 19th, 2018
IC Time	Evening
Players	BrantonST, Jake Miller, Johanna, Natalie H., Skully
Location	Black Stag Forge, New Mexico
Spheres	Garou Gaian Fera Bastet

Jake, Natalie and Skully are all talking in the Forge in a very friendly fashion. Natalie's drinking a Dr. Pepper while Skully is sitting on a stool, cleaning a tool. Jake nods to Natalie and sighs slightly. "Yeah, I do miss the old crew. From what I've heard they're all fine." He raises a brow at Skully. "You've never been to New Mexico? NEVER?" He grins widely and considers something a moment. "Well, I think we need to do something about that."

Natalie takes another drink as her eyebrows lift, "Like, now?" she asks after swallowing the drink. She turns her gaze to Skully, and asks, "Interested in making a little trip?"

"Never left the great state'a California 'cept to step sideways, sir," Skully replies to the Shadow Lord with a shrug, pulling his chisel from the grinding wheel and giving it a once-over. He puffs a breath on the end, whisking away little flinders, and sets the tool aside to pick up a knife and set that to the grindstone next. His foot just keeps pushing that pedal, the wheel spinning and striking a few sparks where it meets metal and smoothes out rough patches.

"Travel was just never in the cards. I had my farm an' my chores an' all. No good to be brought to the Sept by my goin' all wandery."

Branton comes on into the forge with a canvas tote bag laden with something heavy "Hey there all. Got some armor plates Billy'd commissioned a while back, the titanium order I was waiting for finally came in."

Johanna comes by the Forge this evening because she had never been there before, and figured she would check in with Skully to see what if anything he found out about the squirrelpocalypse. She waves to each of them, "Evening!" As she approaches a bow of the head to Jake, "Defiant-Storm'rhya, nice to see you." She does not know Natalie, but at least she knows the rest of them. "Weathers-the-Storm, what are you crafting tonight? Any more squirrel issues today?"

Jake nods to Natalie, a mischievous look in his eye. "Hey, why not? No reason to put off a nice visit. Besides, I need to check on my old pack house anyway." Jake regards Skully. "Well, you were never dealt the right cards then. I think it's time you had your first out of state trip. Might want to grab a bottle of water out of the fridge. It tends to get a little warm there." But then Branton show up and Jake looks incredibly pleased. "Branton! That's great. Billy's gonna be stoked. Thanks for bringing them over." Whoa! Johanna gets a welcoming smile as well. "Hey! Come on in and join us. I don't think you know my good friend Natalie. We go back a long time. Met in New Mexico. As a matter of fact, we were getting ready to go there right now and show Pridemore what it's like." He gestures to Branton and Johanna. "Want to tag along? It's really beautiful. Won't take long either."

Natalie raises her eyebrows again at Jake. Then she grins. "Why not?" She then turns her gaze to Branton and Johanna. Branton gets a brief lift of her hand in a wave, "Hey there." she says, and then her gaze turns to Johanna, "Nice to meet you."

"Hey, Starchaser!" Skully replies with a sunny grin when Johanna arrives, looking up from his work to give her a wave. With a knife. He's slow, give him a break. The big oaf puts the blade back to the grindstone and replies, "Jus' takin' care of the tools today, ma'am. Had somewhat needed chips worked out 'em, an' this knife I made what needs an edge to it. Nuthin' too complex."

On the matter of squirrels, however, Skully is decidedly less chipper, giving a grimace. "Them damn squirrels. I went lookin' for 'em, an' even made a big ol' machete to chop up their hidin' places, but no luck. I'm'a get 'em, though. They got it comin'." The huge ogre gives Branton a friendly nod, but puts his eye back on his work, making sure a good job is done /always/.

But then Jake's got that /look/ in his eyes, and Skully stops his work, paying attention to the Shadow Lord. "You wanna go to New Mexico? /Now/?" The huge galoot looks around, scratching his head, but simply shrugs and says, "Okay."

Branton nods and grins at Jake "I do know Natalie, I made one of my sorcerer's rings for Hunter. Sure, I'll come with...anything in particular you think I should pack along? I don't have my most recent project ready for field testing yet."

Johanna hmms and shrugs, "I had no other plans tonight aside from finding Weathers-the-Storm, so two birds?" She smiles to Natalie, "We have not met. It is good to meet you, Natalie. I am Johanna Cooper, rite named Starchaser, Fostern Philodox of the Stargazers." She's not quite sure what she is, but figures she must be safe here. "I've never been to New Mexico either. An adventure tonight sounds great."

Jake winks at Natalie and Skully. "Indeed. Why not?" He then raises his right hand and gesture towards the corner of the room. Immediately, the air begins to ripple and light rays shoot forth into the room like laser beams and grow in circumference until the beautiful moon bridge tunnel is fully formed.

Jake looks over at Branton. "Nah, we won't be spending the night or anything. It's just a quick little trip to check on my old pack house. I haven't been there in a few weeks." He holds out his hand to Natalie. "Nat, hold my hand. Pridemore, hold Natalie's hand. Pridemore, hold Johanna's hand. Johanna...Branton. We'll walk slowly and do -not- let go until we're through."

Jake then heads for the moon bridge, steps inside and...

WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAA!

IT'S SO FREAKIN' COOL! Moving though a moon bridge is always a total rush. It's just beautiful and totally awe inspiring. There's also a light pulse that seems to mirror a heartbeat.

Natalie inclines her head to Johanna, "I'm Natalie Matthews, of the Bastet. I've known Jake for years and years." She then nods and sets her bottle down so that she can hold the hands of Jake and Skully. She follows Jake with quite a show of trust.

Branton has his fancy walking stick and some other bits and bobs so he just sets his tote bag for Billy aside and takes Johanna's hand and waits his turn to go through the portal.

Skully follows along and does friendship-hands exactly as instructed, right hand to Natalie and left to Johanna. To Jo, he comments in a buzzing murmur, "She's a big gray cheetah!", obviously just /delighted/ at this fact and super-enthusiastic to be taking the Moon Bridge again.

Johanna nods to Jake, and takes Skully's enormous hand, her other hand holding Branton's already. "Bastet? I've helped out Phillipe once. It is a pleasure to meet you." A smile to Skully, "Oh? I have not seen that before. Cool." What fun to be going on this trip for fun and not a mission.

The entire journey only takes about a minute but...WHAT A MINUTE! Definitely cooler than any theme park ride. It's also worth pointing out that the texture of the floor inside is slightly spongy and glows brighter as it's stepped upon.

After stepping out everyone is hit with dry heat. Very dry heat. VERY dry. There's a light breeze whipping through the air too and the moon above illuminates the scene...

Open Scrubland - Southwest of Albuquerque(#3777RAJ)

The dirt road leads a few hundred yards to a clearing in the scrub. The terrain is relatively flat save for an arroyo just beyond the clearing. A small stream runs though the arroyo depending on the weather -- sometimes bone dry and other times with a rapid flow. With the Conancito Indian Reservation to the west and Albuquerque about twenty miles to the northeast, there aren't any other buildings in sight. Empty flat brushland meets the eye in nearly every direction save back toward Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains magestic backdrop to the city.

In the center of the clearing is a two story adobe house, though the second story doesn't spread over the entire first floor. It seems to be constructed in the traditional style of the region, with the adobe matching the natural color of the surrounding terrain. The windows offer a splash of color, having been painted a bright turquoise. There is the beginnings of a wall around the house as well, constructed in a similar manner -- hand-made bricks covered with adobe clay.

Elsewhere on the property is a large fire pit with several logs and camping chairs scattered about its perimeter. On the rear of the house is a well system connected to a raised reservoir of a fifty gallon drum to feed the house with water pressure. Overall the house is rustic but crafted with care and fits the landscape naturally.

+views available (type '+view here') Obvious exits: Adobe House <AH> Out <O>

As the group step out onto the dirt road the moon bridge suddenly closes behind them with an audible *THUNK!*

Jake turns to the group and smiles. "Welcome to New Mexico."

Skully steps off the moon bridge, still holding hands like a kindergarten field trip, and looks around at the unfamiliar surroundings. He has a broad, open smile on his face, and everywhere he looks is something completely /new/. "Furthest from home yet," he murmurs to himself, taking a step forward and accidentally tugging Natalie and Johanna with him unless they have the foresight to let go.

Natalie clears the gate and, once the rest are clear, let's go of Skully's hand and Jake's hand. She moves out of the way and turns to gaze at the familiar house, a smile tugging at her lips. She says quietly to Jake, "It's like I remember. I had the best time coming out here, sitting on a cooler and giving you advice on how to build the house." She laughs softly as she says that, "It was awesome to be eighteen and have enough knowledge to be able to give advice on /something/ instead of just take it from others."

Johanna is tugged! Which tugs Branton until she can let go of his hand. "Weathers, you are quite excitable, aren't you?" Her peaceful smile brightens as she sees this new place as well. "We sure are not in Prospect anymore." What a lovely place, really. Her eyes soaking it in. "This will be quite a story to tell Khol."

Branton drops the held hand and takes a couple of breaths as he gets his bearings, glancing behind him at where the portal was "Oh that never gets old." Then he looks over at the cabin and its surroundings "Furthest I've been since I got out of jail. It's really nice out here."

Jake smiles at Skully. "Oh, it's just the first of many trips you'll be taking." He nods to Natalie. "Yeah, I totally remember. Lots of memories here. Of course, it certainly was rustic living. Bill preferred that. I was more of a city guy but it worked out okay." He turns to the others. "This is my old pack house and territory. Our pack name was Rolling Thunder. It was just two of us. Me and Bill Greene. Wendigo. Unfortunately, he was killed a few years ago." A light sigh. "He died a hero's death though. Protecting his home Sept. He was missing for a while and, although it's a very long story, searching for him is what brought me to Prospect." He nods to Johanna and Branton. "Yeah, it really is lovely out here. The desert has a special beauty that is pretty unique."

"Oh... umm, sorry, ma'am," Skully says sheepishly as he lets go of Johanna's hand, blushing a little and giving a chagrined grimace. He rubs the back of his neck, but keeps looking around, kneeling down to look at the sandy ground. "It's like a beach with no water."

The oversized child pokes a big finger into the earth, drawing concentric circles, then looks up in surprise and says, "Oh, look, Starchaser! It's a big ol' black scorpion! I ain't ever seen one before!"

Branton nods somberly as Jake tells Bill's story as he looks over at the scorpion and then peers back the way the Scorpion is coming from "Hey Jake, does anyone live out here now? that looks new." Branton points over at some disturbed dirt around the corner of the house.

Johanna grins, her delicate hand lightly pats Skully's arm. "It's alright, friend." She has to agree, "I would concur, there is a lot of sand, and I keep looking for water. It is a nice place to visit, but not sure how one lives in the dryness."

Looking down where Skully draws in the sand, her motherly instinct takes over, and tugs on Skully, "Careful with that. Look with your eyes, not your hands. That scorpion may end up defensive and sting."

Jake looks at Branton. "Well, not really. Jac--...I mean...nobody /lives/ here. Nobody's lived here for over two years. I check on it from time to time and...I don't know what's going on over there. Looks like someone's been digging or something. If they're looking for gold they're shit outta luck." He nods to Johanna. "Oh, it's not easy. The worst is not having a really hot shower." Jake regards the scorpion. "Actually I'm surprised to see them out at night. They're usually sleeping." He looks back at Branton.

The over-enthusiastic brute lets Johanna draw him back from the scorpion, protesting lamely, "I wasn't gonna touch 'im," but... he probably would have, let's be real. He stands up-up-UP to that ridiculous height, turning his eye to Jake and bowing his head. "He's the one as you told me of, right? Bill Greene. I didn't know you, brother, but you're with Gaia now. We will remember." He puts a big hand to his heart before waving it meaningfully over the ground and looking off into the distance.

"I's got people 'round here, somewheres. Never met 'em, but I know of 'em. I'll bet they's in air conditionin' about now, though." The gargantuan Ahroun reaches into his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief and blowing his nose with a loud *HONK* and replacing it where it belongs. "It's dusty. Heat ain't so bad, but... dusty. Oh, a snake!" Lesson learned, Skully looks with his eye, not his hands, but he is definitely interested in that snake. Nope; that's a stick.

When Skully blows his nose there's a sound from the opposite side of the cabin like something wooden got knocked over and a squawk of distress that sounds possibly avian. Branton frowns and reaches under his jacket and gets one of those police snap batons out and open "Might just be an animal?"

Johanna shakes her head, a look of amusement at the Cliath. "At least it wasn't a squirrel." She blinks a moment with Jake's reply. "No hot shower? Well, at least there was a shower?" With that sound from the cabin that is supposed to be empty, her eyes shift to alert, and studies the cabin for any movement.

Natalie looks back toward Johanna and she smiles, "When you're raised in desert, the sheer amount of water an ocean offers takes adjustment to become normal. This..." she sweeps her hand to indicate the desert, "Is home to me. I love Prospect and have no plans to leave there, but this is always where my roots take me back to." she then follows the attention toward the disturbed ground. She frowns a little bit, "Jake... that's... strange." And her natural curiosity tugs her that direction. She doesn't seem particularly troubled with a scorpion being out. Aware of it yes, but not concerned, "I sometimes saw the big ones out at night hunting night creatures." she comments.

Jake nods to Skully. "Thanks. Wish you could have met him. Wish you all could have met him. Bill was...an exceptional warrior." His tone is tinged with sadness. "I'm sure you'll be meeting more of your people soon. The more you travel the better chance you have of that." Jake regards the others, listening to them in turn before glancing back to the squawk. "Yes, it is strange. And that sound is even stranger. It's sort of like...a corax but...not quite. Hopefully nothing's hurt behind the cabin. Let's go check."

"Okay, that sounded like a big ol' bird," Skully states in a quiet rumble, looking to Jake for his opinion. The huge Metis isn't tense -- not yet -- but his posture definitely has the slight tightening of alertness, as if he could dart straight at the cabin at any moment. Straight /through/ it, probably, with his bulk. At the assent from the Shadow Lord the huge Wendigo is off, loping purposefully toward the cabin with ground-eating steps. He's muttering something to himself as he goes, thick fingers twitching and making tiny motions that may be nerves or may have some meaning known only to the jolly dim giant.

Branton frowns and remains vigilant but does /not/ take point or charge off, there are Shifters around to go do that. Going first into danger is what they're for.

Johanna will follow behind with Skully, a few steps behind. More than a few since he is much bigger and faster than her in this form. She isn't having him go alone. She moves with a swift grace, unlike the big guy, slowed a bit by the terrain.

Jake listens closer and -blinks-. "Holy shit. Well, correction...not a bird exactly. It's...well, whatever it is...it has eight legs. No idea just how large it is though." He casts a concerned look at the group. "This isn't a natural creature and I have no idea what it's doing here. We need to check it out but, everyone, be careful. Anything with that many legs tends to be poisonous." But then Skully and Johanna are heading for the unseen creature and Jake turns to Branton and Natalie. "Stay behind me." He then heads off with the others.

Natalie pauses, mid-step and is quite still for a moment. Sprouting from her fingertips are wicked cat claws, and once she starts moving again, she makes /no/ sound. Completely silent as she starts toward the back of the house. She's quite equipped for at least checking out what it might be, perhaps. Besides, she's curious!

Branton frowns as the description goes out and he reaches down to touch his belt buckle and it flashes with blue light that light expands around him in a flickering flame like aura as he moves to follow Jake's directions and stays behind him.

"This thing has as many legs as I think it does, Starchaser, then I'm'a go right at it an' you find a weak spot an' shout it on out, okay?" Skully rumble-whispers over his shoulder, leaning forward in a ready crouch as he approaches the cabin en route to the whatever-the-Devil-hath-wrought on the other side. The big brute looks around once, twice, thrice, and seeing no one he ducks to the lee of the cabin and /flows/ into his birth form, all eleven-foot-GODDAMN of it, and reaches out to rake his claws across a stone with a slow shriek.

<< Here, kitty kitty kitty, >> the primal nightmare growls in an infernal thunder, already set to draw the attention of whatever horror awaits on the other side of the cabin. Weathers-the-Storm is /always/ first to sacrifice. /Always/.

Natalie creeps to the corner of the house on silent feet and looks around it to catch a look at what is there, fingers flexing a little bit, so claws are curved for maximum damage if need be. Her appearance doesn't change, but her skin hardens too, good to have those passive protections sometimes!

Jake puts a hand to his forehead and concentrates a minute then frowns deeper and calls out to Skully and Johanna. "I sense Wyrm! Not just what's behind the cabin either. That scorpion was tainted as well. Goddammit." He then begins his shift to Crinos and as soon as he's transformed stops just long enough to sharpen his claws on a rock. Sparks fly!

Defiant-Storm transforms into a twelve-foot-tall furry death machine. DELIRIUM IN EFFECT. (+rules The Delirium)

Johanna hears Wyrm, and shifts right then and there. Crinos is the shift of choice for this enemy, especially with the tension in the air.

A cry breaks out that turns into a howl, and Johanna before you grows larger until suddenly you see a monster!

Branton whirls around to face the little scorpion (which is still like, five inches long) which turns to square off with him when Jake calls it out. It makes a high pitched hiss of alarm and something greenish splatters from its mandibles and burns the ground "Shit."

A large scorpion creatures appears from the back of the cabin and makes a beeline towards Defiant-Storm, who is shielding Natalie and Branton. The Ahroun growls and hunkers down as the creature speeds at him but at the last minute dodges it easily, almost blurring. Defiant-Storm then pivots, his speed rather jaw-dropping and rakes his sharpened claws into the beast. RIIIIIIIIIIIIIP! Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!

When the scorpionstrosity leaps on the roof and fires its poison spray, Weathers-the-Storm wisely closes his eye and lashes out with his claws, striking upward at the horrid beast. His natural weapons do not penetrate the creature's carapace... at first. He jerks them free with an angry snarl, leaving his Crinos hands bare as the stinging claws work their way into the exoskeleton, harrying the abomination endlessly while Starchaser searches for a weakness.

Branton has a scorpion the size of a cereal bowl rather than one the size of a go kart to face but he's still taking it seriously. A bit anyway. He thwaps it with his baton to no apparent effect but it fares no better in its attempt to sting him. His armor and magic keep him safe.

Defiant-Storm concentrates for a moment and suddenly the Shadow Lord tribal glyph on his right shoulder starts to glow a startling blue and electricity suddenly pours from the scar over his huge arms and claws. The electricity swirls and arcs and the smell of ozone fills the air.

When the furious radscorpion attacks, Weathers-the-Storm leaps back, snarling in defiance. His claws glow back, shining silver and burning like the eternal fires of perdition on the ends of his fingers. He howls furiously, brandishing claws at his foe, the war cry of << HOKA-HEY! >> pealing through the desert.

Starchaser sees this enormous radscorpion come jumping down from the roof. She takes her full height, waits for it, and swipes right up the belly of the beast! RRRRRRIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!! She takes it to this thing and does some damage to it! Taking another swipe after it lands, sadly it just hits a spot too tough for her claws to make it through.

The second scorpion-monster begins to circle Defiant-Storm again, its tail raising and quickly striking the Ahroun square in the chest. Defiant-Storm *ROARS*, reaches up, yanks it out and seems to take the damage in stride. Then: another blur as he moves forward, raking his claws over the creature and sending forth a blinding assault of lightning which seems to electrocute it on the spot. The creature shudders in agony as it's fried from the inside out simply falls over, a smoking husk.

Weathers-the-Storm turns to see Branton bashing the hell out of the smaller scorpion, which is definitely well past dead. He sniffs, growling low in his throat, and blows out through his muzzle. << All dead, >> he announces before sliding back into Homid, kicking the nearest scorpion with the toe of a boot. "Wonder what they's doin' here?"

Starchaser shifts back as she sees the things are dead. "That was .. different. It is inspiring to fight alongside you, Defiant-Storm'rhya." She watches Skully, agreeing as she questions as well. "Scorpions are not uncommon here, but this?"

Once he's sure that all the creatures are dead, Defiant-Storm leads the others in a cleansing ritual, gets rid of the bodies and opens another moon bridge to take the group back to the Forge. Talk about an exciting field trip! Yeah, it's never dull in Prospect!