2018.01.04: Honeymoon in Ireland - The Hellfire Adventure

Honeymoon in Ireland - The Hellfire Adventure
Brooke and Michael go on a hike and find danger
IC Date	January 4th, 2018
IC Time	Afternoon
Players	Brooke, Michael
Location	Mountain trails outside of Dublin, Ireland
Spheres	Gaian Garou

Brooke and Michael decided to take a hike while on their Honeymoon in Ireland. After checking out some information from the locals, the choose one known to be challenging. They reach the Hellfire peak, and making it to the old, abandoned stone building that served as the Hellfire Club. With an amazing view of the surroundings city, and surrounded by thick woods, the place evokes a sense of history and eeriness. Spirits dwell here, from an era long gone. And while they are not out and active at the moment, their presence is infused in every stone of the house, and hangs like a fog around the property. Even Michael - who is not particularly sensitive to such things - can sense it.

Brooke holds onto Michael's hand, and squeezes it tight. "This place is...creepy. Hellfire was certainly the right word for it." As they look around, she stops and closes her eyes trying to see what her other senses can pick up. "Maybe I should shift to get another look. A different set of eyes, so to speak."

Michael nods. "Maybe a good idea. I don't feel like we're in danger, but this place is... unusual." He looks around to make sure there are not any unawakened in close proximity.

Hushed Blaze pads around sniffing at things and spying what she can with her lupus eyes. She makes a full circle around and returns to Michael. She speaks in lupus, <<The Umbra is dangerous here. Some nasty spirits are trying to get through. We can look around, but we should be careful. I'm going to stay like this a little longer to be sure we are safe.>>

"Ok," Michael says in response. "Not sure if there is anything I can do to help. Let me know if there is."

Hushed Blaze explores some more and leads Michael around. She keeps checking things out and leads them into the building. <<Look around. This seems to be the center where the spirits dwell. Do not touch the walls. I think it is safe enough, but I do not want to chance anything.>> And once they are both inside, the door slams shut. Hushed Blaze jumps, and growls at the door.

Michael follows Hushed Blaze around the property, and finally into the dwelling itself. He spins to face the door when it slams, heart racing with the surge of adrenalin. "Now what?" he asks, ready to fight if need be, even if he's not sure what he is fighting, or how to fight it.

Hushed Blaze looks around, checking everything and says, <<Something does not want us here, or wants to trap us. I think I will need to go in the Umbra to deal with it. I cannot protect you while I'm in there. But I need a mirror to cross over.>>

"How big of a mirror?" Michael asks. "I have a small signaling mirror, but if you need something larger, that won't do. We did pass the pond on the way up. Would that work? The surface was pretty reflective."

<<A small mirror is more than enough. Sit it down, and I can cross over. You just be ready.>> Hushed Blaze transmits. <<Get the blanket out as well. I do not know what is coming, but perhaps if you have it as a shield in case something tainted comes through? This is new to me.>>

Michael digs through the pack and finds his small survival kit (never leave home without it). Inside is a small square of stainless steel polished to a mirror smooth surface. "Will the work?" he asks, setting the mirror down atop the blanket.

Hushed Blaze looks to the mirror and nods her furry head. <<All I have to do is side step. I'll be back ASAP. BE SAFE! AND THAT'S AN ORDER.>> She jumps up to place her paws on his shoulders, and licks his face. Then plops right back down, and side steps into the Umbra while looking into the mirror and disappears.

Michael is left in the shadowy room - the only light offered from the few open archways that serve as windows; the only sound from his own breathing.

Hushed Blaze enters the Umbra and shakes a bit at just how many spirits have been attracted. She looks toward the center of the room, and there she sees it. The thing that is attracting so many spirits. A Garou, held down by vines filled with the Wyrm. Only her ears and eyes are visible, although a low whimper can be heard. <<I'll get you out! What do I need to know to help get us both out of here?>>

<<Watch your step! The roots for the vines is down near my tail. Destroy that, and then you should be able to get the rest off of me. I could not reach the roots and it is keeping me here. I do not know where I am or what is going on, but I know that somehow. Help me, please! I miss my family!>> the trapped Garou says.

Michael wits, impatiently and nervous for what's going on with Brooke in the Umbra. He Looks through his pack in search of something that might be able to help, but with little success. Lots of good things for basic survival: A wire saw; wax-topped matches; flint and magnesium block for starting small fires; the mirror; but not much else. Deciding a little flame may be better than nothing, Michael checks the door to see if he can exit. If so, he will take a few minutes to collect some dry tinder and kindling, along with stick large enough to use as a sort of torch.

Hushed Blaze pads over carefully, one paw at a time as she nears the roots of the vines. She shifts then into Crinos form, and her massive talons come out as she snarls at the vegetation. She slashes and hacks and digs and bites at the roots, ripping them to shreds! A low whine can be hear, even outside the Umbra to some. Spirits all move about, and she destroys it. Finally she has the roots pulled out and in a million pieces and she carefully starts slicing the rest of the roots off of the Garou. She then lifts her up, and together they cross back over out of the Umbra. She carefully lays down the Garou, and shifts back to lupus form. She eyes Michael, hoping her monstrous form did not frighten him.

Michael has a very small fire burning quietly off to one side, away from the mirror and blanket. He looks up when Brooke and the other Garou cross back over. He's a little surprise, never having seen this form of Brooke before. But he offers her a smile, his love just as strong and true.

Hushed Blaze noses the Garou on the floor, and checks her out physically. <<Michael, get some water!>> She puts a paw on her, and because she still has the ring Vesta gave her, she closes her eyes and heals her. It is nothing one can see physically, but muscular damage was more apparent to Hushed Blaze. She whimpers a little to her, and noses the Garou. <<Water is coming. Drink it, and then talk to me.>>

Michael digs through the packs and finds a full bottle of water. He brings it over the Garou and helps her drink. "I wasn't sure if a fire was a good idea... but took a chance. I can make it larger if warmth is needed."

Hushed Blaze keeps an eye around at first. <<Stay with her. Put the blanket over her. I need to check something out.>> She pads over closer to the door and something is different. She swats at it, and uncovers a bane! She immediately shifts to Hispo, her preferred attack form, and BITES into it! She shakes it and paws at it talons out and crunches until it is no more. The door then creeks open a bit.

Michael wraps the Garou in the blanket, and hovers over her protectively as Brooke assaults the bane, rending it into oblivion with claws and teeth. "We should get out of here, I think? Get this one to safety."

Hushed Blaze pads over to them, and closes her eyes to speak to the Garou. <<I can get you out of here. Can you shift to Homid?>> The Garou moves her head slightly, and then you hear the shifting begin. The crunch of bones and snapping of muscles. Suddenly, under the blanket is a young woman with blonde hair. She is dirty and a mess, but in one piece. <<Michael, keep her in the blanket. Get the packs, and then get both of you on my back. I'll get us out of this area to a safe place.>> She is in Hispo form still and it will be more like riding a horse to get to safety..a big furry horse.

Michael takes orders well, especially when the one giving them has experience with the situation at hand. He gathers up their things, helps the Garou up on Brooke's back, and then climbs up on behind her, helping her keep steady in place. "We're all set," he lets Brooke know.

Hushed Blaze warns, <<Grab some fur - it will not hurt me. Hold tight - I'm going to run.>> She walks carefully to the door and noses it open. As it moves, she pushes through and out they go! She swiftly dashes away from the building and out to safety. She sticks close to the trees and out of view just in case anyone is around. She makes it a good long way as they approach closer to civilization. Once she no longer feels the presence of any Wyrm, she slows down. <<We should be safe here, but I do not want to go any further in this form.>>

Michael holds on tight, gathering up tight fistful of fur, and using his arms to pin the other Garou down some, though she seems to be able to hold on herself some, too. She also seems to be naked, under that blanket. But time to worry about that later. Michael finds himself enjoying their escape as Brooke leaps and bounds over the landscape. It's not too unlike flying in some ways.

Once she stops, she lets them get off her back by laying down. She then shifts to Homid, and checks on the girl. "Can you talk? What happened back there? How long were you trapped?"

Michael climbs off and helps the young woman down to her feet, making sure she keeps wrapped in the blanket. He'll keep watch a moment as Brooke tends to the other woman as needed.

The young woman takes a moment, getting used to being Homid again. "My name is Clara. I was hiking in the woods with a friend, and I'm not sure what happened. Something came at us." She rubs her head with her hand. "We were attacked. I was so scared and then I was a wolf. I heard it would happen someday, but did not know it would be like that. I do not know how long I've been there. Please, help me get home. Thank you for saving me."

"Where's home," Michael asks. "As you can probably tell by our accents, we're not really local to the area." He has his back to the women, since he's not sure if the blonde one is all naked still. Good thing they had that blanket.

Brooke pulls off her sweater and hands it to the woman to put on. She checks her bag, and finds a spare pair of shorts. She is prepared! Now the woman is decent at least. "Keep the blanket on, but now you at least have some clothing. How far away did you come from? You family knew you were Garou? Is one of them also? Or are they both kin?"

Michael continues to keep watch, a little more at ease now that the rescued woman is dressed. "We have phones, if you need to make a call? Or we can call a taxi and get you somewhere in the city?"

Clara clutches the blanket to her. "My home is on the opposite side of town. Please, just get me to the fountain in the main park. That is my favorite place to go and my family will be keeping watch there for me." She looks to Brooke, "My parents are both kin, but my brother is also Garou. Funny how that all happened. I knew it could come, but was not expecting this. My blood is too pure, the Wyrm was trying to keep me to lure others in. I never should have gone on the hike." She softly starts to cry.

Brooke pulls her into a tight hug. "It isn't your fault. You made a mistake, plain and simple. We can get you home." She looks over to Michael. "Let's get her out of here and home. How about you call a taxi or whatever they have here so she does not have to walk. We'll get her there and wait until her family shows up."

Michael places the call to the tax company. "They'll be here soon," he says once the call is done. "Anything else we need? I think we have some left over snacks. Are you hungry?"

Clara looks to Michael with hunger in her eyes, "YES, I am so hungry! Please. Anything." She turns back to Brooke, wiping her eyes. "I cannot thank you enough for saving me. You are one brave woman. What brings you to the emerald isle?"

Brooke smiles, "Michael and I are on our honeymoon actually. We got married on New Year's Eve in the states. We decided to take a hike around your lovely city, and I guess something drew us to the right place. I'm so glad we could help. This is going to be such a great story I can tell to my Sept. If you are ever over in Prospect, California, we are part of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit."

Michael takes out the rest of their food - some chips, a half of a sandwich, some apple slices, and trail mix. He hands it all over to the young woman and says, "Eat up. Rebuild your strength."

Clara eats like it has been years since she has had a bite. Before you know it, all the food is gone. She suddenly burps, and stifles a giggle. "Oops."

Brooke giggles herself and says, "Let's walk the rest of the way out to the street. Can you make it, or should I get my strong husband here to carry you?" She just loves the ring of that word still.

Clara says, "I can make it. Just let me hold your arm, ok? I'm still unsteady."

Michael will offer an arm, gentleman that he is, "Here you go, Miss. Let's get to the street. Taxi should be here, soon." He steals a glance at his wife on the other side of the young woman, and offers her a wink and a proud smile.

Brooke winks back to her husband, and they walk Clara on out of there. The taxi pulls up, and they all pile in, with Michael and Brooke on either side of the woman. Within a few minutes they arrive at the park, and climb out of the car. Brooke pays the taxi driver, while Michael walks to the woman to the fountain and sits her down on a bench. Brooke looks around, and lets out a sound only wolves could hear.

Clara hears it and looks up and around. Suddenly there is yelling, "Clara! Clara!! Is that you?" A taller blond haired man, muscular and probably a good 5 years older than the young woman comes running up. "Where have you been! We have been so worried about you!" He picks her up and swings her around. "Mom and Dad are beside themselves with worry! My pals have been out searching, and we had no leads yet."

Brooke smiles, and walks up to them. "I hate to interrupt your reunion, but I assume you are Clara's brother?"

Michael stands when Clara's brother arrives, but keeps out of the way of the reunion for now, moving to stand alongside Brooke as she speaks.

The blond haired man replies, "Yes. I am." He takes his sister, and they all sit down at the bench so they can speak softly together, although no one is around in the park at all. "I am Liam Kelly, rited Bull-in-the-Clovers, Fostern, Ahroun Fianna of Homid birth. Beta of Bog Masters, Children of the Great Stag, Sept of the Silver Tara. Did you find my sister? Where are you two from? How can I ever thank you!"

Brooke holds Michael's hand and smiles. "You arriving here is thanks enough." She then straightens up and gives her own introduction, "I am Brooke Farman, rited Hushed Blaze, Fostern, Galliard Glass Walker of Homid birth, Beta of Terminal Velocity, Children of Merlin, married to Michael Farman of Glass Walker Kinfolk."

Michael nods his head in greeting to the other Garou. "It was fate, I suppose," he says concerning how they found her. "We were just hiking in the mountains outside the city, and were drawn to Hellfire Club."

Clara holds her brother, "How long have I been gone? I will tell you all about how Brooke and Michael saved me and took care of me." She pauses and looks at him. "It happened. My first." Enough words so he could understand.

Liam nods, "I was afraid of that. We will help you with this and take care of whatever happened. Wait...you went near the Hellfire Club? Don't you remember that is off-limits to us!" He looks at her sternly, then softens and hugs her tight. "It is past time we dealt with that place. I will tell the Elders what happened." He turns to Brooke and Michael. "You have come a long way, and done us a great deed. You opened my eyes to a problem we have been avoiding, and I promise we will see to it that it is cleansed right away." He looks to Clara, "I need to get you home. Mom and Dad are so worried. You've been gone over a week now."

Brooke nods her head, "It was my honor to help out your sister, and defend Gaia. Please, let me know what happens." She reaches in the pack they have with them for her phone. "Here, put in your number and I'll text you my contact information."

Michael looks surprised by that length of time, but say nothing of it. He nods his head when thanks is given. "It was our Honor. It would have been a crime not to lend help where we could."

Information is entered, contacts are exchanged, hugs between them all, and then Liam sweeps up his sister, and takes her home with him. Brooke looks to Michael and leans back on the bench looking at the fountain, and at her love. "Well, that was an adventure. I do not know about you, but I'm ready for bed. And by that, I mean sleep." But then her stomach growls. "Or perhaps food first. And definitely a bath. What do you think?"

"Food, bath, sleep," Michael agrees. "IN that order." He ponders a moment, a sparkle shining in his eye. One more item might be on his mind. But his love just crossed into the umbra and rescued another of their kind. Maybe she needs a pass on other activities for this one night. "That was an adventure." He looks up at the starts and wonders aloud, "Was it fate that brought us here? Or just chance?"

Brooke shrugs. "I do not know. I'm sure others will say fate." She sees the sparkle in his eye. "Should we stop for food, or just get room service?"

"Room service is easier, I think." He pulls her into a hug, sitting there on that bench. "Our life together is going to be amazing. You. You are amazing." He gives her a loving, warm kiss.

Brooke blushes, "Really, I just did what had to be done." She kisses him back in a long loving way. "Now, let's get back to the hotel."

Michael calls up another taxi for themselves, and soon they are on their way back to the hotel. He calls in for food as they go, that way it will be there and ready when they arrive.

Brooke leans into Michael as they go in the taxi, and for the briefest moment, she may actually have zonked out.

Michael lets her sleep on the drive back to the Hotel, gently combing his fingers through her hair. When they get to the hotel, he will even carry her into the room, if she seems sleepy enough.

Brooke doesn't actually wake, and lets Michael carry her in. She is actually fairly limp right up until he lays her down inside. Thankfully, the concierge comes along and opens the door for him, and there is a knock on the door right as she opens her eyes.

"Room Service. We have your dinner ready for you. And there is a delivery for you as well."

Michael smiles as he sees his lover's eyes open. "You are wiped out," he says. "I'll get a tray. We can eat and bed. You need much rest." He leaves Brooke's side a moment to answer the door. "Thanks," he says, letting the staff bring the service cart inside to set out the food. "What's the package?"

"This just arrived. I do not know what it is. There is a note on top in the envelope. Enjoy your meal, and your stay and all charges have been taken care of by the person that sent the package." The staff person hands over a small flat white box. Another staffer wheels in a cart with their food, sits it all out, including a dessert, wine, and then wheels the cart back out. "Have a good evening."

Brooke sits up and says, "What is it Michael?" She gets up and joins him. "Did I hear right? Someone paid for everything?"

"Thanks," Michael says, tipping the staff generously, and then holding the package. "Yeah... that's... here. You open it. See what it is. Who it's from." He has his suspicions, of course, but still excited to see who gave them such a generous gift.

Brooke takes the package and opens the card up first.
     "To Brooke and Michael,
     We cannot thank you enough for finding our baby girl. She is the light of our life.
     Congratulations on your wedding, and we hope the rest of the Honeymoon is
     as rewarding as your saving our daughter. Please accept this as a token of our
     gratitude, and if we can ever be of service to you, please call on us. We've also
     taken care of your stay and charges here. May Gaia bless you with many
     warriors and princesses.
      Much love, Paul and Melissa Kelly."

Brooke she opens the package and inside find a family photo from the Kelly's. All 4 of them together. A note tucked inside the frame.
     "With love from your Irish cousins. Consider us part of your family now."

Brooke hands it to Michael, and then sits down. She starts to cry softly, overwhelmed by the experience.

Michael reads the note, appreciates the framed photo a moment, and then folds his wife up in his arms as she is overcome by emotion. When she starts to come off the peak of its intensity, he notes aloud, "Our family is much bigger than I ever realized. There is you and me. But there is also all these others. Back home and now here." He hugs her tight and says, "You were heroic today. Be proud."

Brooke calms down, and wipes her eyes. "Thank you, Michael. You were my support. I could not have done this without you." She leans in and kisses him passionately. "Now let's eat, so we can get a quick shower - and I'm serious about shower. Ok?"

Michael nods and agrees. "As you wish," he says with a smile. "I love you, Misses Farman. You are my home."

Brooke smiles, "And I love you, Mister Farman. Together, we are home."