Stacey acted as GM for this totem quest. Also, Sky puppeted Kevin for several poses early on when I was called away. A big hand for 'em both.Kaz trails into the clearing, in her usual duds, singing "This is the moment" quietly. "This is the moment,/ This is the time,/ When the momentum and the moment/ Are in rhyme... This is the moment... this precious time..." She trails off as she looks around, a slight grin on her face.
If this is the moment, then Kevin appears to have been there since before the moment. He's sitting up against a tree, wearing his usual track-suit, waiting quietly and wearing a face that's pretty much a study in impassivity. "Hello, Kaz," he says quietly.
Already sitting against a tree in the clearing, Basil doesn't look up immediately at the other two. His head is bowed, and in his lap, he's playing with something or another. When Kevin speaks though, the item is quickly tucked into a back pocket, the Ahroun rising from his seat in a timely matter. "Everyone is there. Are you all well? Ready? Do you have all the things we're going to need?"
That grin turns into a smile, and Kaz inclines her head in Kevin's general direction. "Yeah, I'm A-OK." She jingles her pockets demonstratively, "Got some crystals, got some other shit that'll come in handy, maybe. Let's get this show in the road, huh?"
"Let's get this road on the show," Kevin agrees. "Where's our tame Viking? Or does he come along at the end of it all?"
"The Norseman is around here... Somewhere." Basil replies, glancing around the clearing for the Theurge. He walks towards the others, putting his hands in his other pockets to check for things. "I've got one of my knives, a shiv, and some spent shell casings and other stuff to offer to more fighty Totems. Kevin, you have the pure water? Bandages? Our pockets should all be loaded. Hopefully it'll all be enough.
Kevin pulls out a plastic bottle of water from one pocket, a packet of Band-Aids from another and finally several little baggies of mysterious green substances. "Hopefully these will go down well," he says. "Honestly, the sacrifices I make for my fellow garou. Carrying
substances around like some stoner."
Kaz snorts at Kevin. "You're a hoot," she mutters, and stuffs her hands in her pockets.
Basil's serious face cracks with a small smile, the one eyed Ahroun shaking his head. "I actually meant for you to collecting
healing herbs, but... I guess, herb will do." He glances at Kaz and smirks. "You should see him when he's feeling preachy. But I guess no family doesn't criticize each other, and he means well. Just before we go, I want to make something really clear. No one get more than twenty to thirty feet away from each other unless really needed. If something bad happens, I want us to cover each other, not get split apart."
Kevin shrugs, but there's a grin half-hidden as well. "If you meant
healing herbs, that's what you should have said."
Kaz says, "Hey, I criticize family when I gotta. I jus' don' think this means I gotta criticize him. An'-- yeah, check, I got you, Captain. No wanderin'."
Kevin nods, looking over his shoulder at Basil. "Sticking together. Yes, sir."
"Whenever possible, keep within claw range of each other. In the military books I read, they called it 'interlockin' fields of fire'." Basil smiles, giving each of them a light slap on the shoulder. "And it works real good."
Gunnar eventually makes his way into the clearing and beings the ritual after questioning each of the hopeful members. With smoke, he purifies them. By having them bleed into a bowl, he unites them. And when all is near completion, the various offerings are burned, as the Theurge calls upon the Spirits to bring one who would bind with these three for the Purposes of protecting the weak, healing, and the merciful destruction of enemies to the Mother. Once the prayer is finished, he beckons them to join him in the Umbra.
Kaz bares her teeth when being bled-- At Gunnar. She follows him over to the Umbra willingly, though, whatever her general opinion of the Get.
Kevin grimaces as his arm is cut, but he holds himself still for the duration. As the ritual comes to a close, he grins at his soon-to-be packmates and follows the Theurge into the Umbra.
Basil tries his best to keep a straight face when he's bled, though he winces in a restrained fashion. For a reflective surface, the boy removes a battered looking compact from his pants and follows the others slowly into the Umbra. Once inside, there is a near immediate shift into Glabro.
When the three reach the other side, Gunnar is no where to be seen. A few lunes flit about what moonlight there is, but otherwise all is still within the Caern's center. A hush greets the arrival of the three Garou, a sense of expectation, but of what is not yet revealed.
Kaz falls into crinos, and scans around with wary interest. ~We ain't got no spirit speakers, but that sometimes ain't a problem,~ she comments. -Hey Bear!- she calls hopefully, in the only-occasionally-useful Beast Speech.
Kevin shifts through the forms as far as hispo, and turns round to look thoughtfully at his own rear end, where one -- and only one -- tail curls bushily. When Kaz speaks in a strange growly tongue he turns to look at her instead, puzzled.
Basil glances at Kaz, then starts his shift up into Crinos as well, almost as an after thought. ~The spirit will hear our call in any language. We just need to shout it loud enough, and from our hearts.~ The Garou glances around the spiritual setting for the missing Gunnar, then at the others. ~Are we supposed to wait for Theurge instruction?~
As the three converse, the land around them changes, like a ripple starting at the center and flowing outward. Instead of the familiar Caern, they stand before five separate pathways. The first is a dirt pathway from which they can feel a strong breeze. A marker in the ground before it reads 'Wind'. From the second path, they feel heat and the ground on either side of it is charred. It reads 'Fire'. The third path is cobbled and borders a small stream. It's marker calls it 'Water'. The fourth, 'Earth', Has large boulders on either side, and its road is rocky and steep. The fifth and last, named 'Void', is covered in the petals of cherry blossoms and sits under a starry night sky.
Kaz says, before the change, ~Not necessarily.~ And then, it changes, and she slowly but carefully glances around, nostrils flaring. ~I'll take that as a no. And there ain't no Wyrm, in case you're wonderin'. OK, so.~ She does another turn, this time pacing around, looking at the labels.
Power-Up walks up to the markers, giving one of them a good sniff, then another, before ending up in front of 'Void'. ~I do not like the sound of this path,~ he growls.
~I have faith that they will.~ Kills-the-Cries replies before the shift. The changing world makes the already Umbrally paranoid Garou's hackles raise, but aside from a shift in his stance, he does his best to remain calm and look confident. Reading all the names, he can't help but murmur ~Go planet.~ mostly to himself. His gaze lingers for a while on each, and he quite obviously sniffs at the air in the direction of all. At Power-Up's words, he glances down the path of Void. ~Neither do I. Even if it does look beautiful.~
Kaz says, ~Lotta traditions, that's 'spirit'-- not really
emptiness, but... all elements at once.~ She flicks an ear, and adds, ~Ain't my favorite, though. Too much Zen shit required. I'm... gen'rally a fan of earth an' water.~
~Earth,~ repeats Power-Up. ~It is on earth that we dwell, and for the cleansing of the earth that we fight.~
~I was thinking the same, sister.~ Kills-the-Cries directs to Kaz, then folds his furry arms across his chest. Then he turns to the path of Earth, and walks to the opening of the trail. ~Stones have also been used for ages to protect cities. A stone is strong and unyielding, but dependable. If not Water, then this is the path we'll take. Agreed?~
Kaz glances around again, and then shrugs her now-massive shoulders. ~It's a crapshoot. But I associate Bear more with earth, too... so let's get goin'.~
Power-Up doesn't answer with words or even with body language, unless you count him starting to walk purposefully down the path labelled 'Earth' as an answer, since that's what he does.
Basil slaps Kevin on the shoulder lightly, and points up the path as he falls in behind him. ~Keep ten feet ahead. You're point. You've got an eye advantage over me. Kaz will cover the flank, about seven feet behind. Try to walk in the other's foot steps, we'll know that path is most stable.~ Kills-the-Cries directs, then turns his attention down the rugged path ahead.
As the three move forward, the path narrows, becoming more precarious as they climb. Rocks and roots clutter their way, making it harder for them to keep their balance, and the air thins as they near the top of the hill that the path leads toward. The clanging of metal and the shouts of numerous voices can be heard coming from farther ahead.
Power-Up remains at the front of the trio, padding quite silently for so huge a wolf as his hispo form is. He's sure-footed, but he slows down as he hears the sounds up ahead, as though hesitant to press ahead without explicit command.
Kaz, who's been sticking as rear guard, perks up her ears slightly at the sounds of battle. She makes a motion to Basil and flanks the other side of the path, slipping into glabro and sticking behind cover, trying to get a look at what's going on. She whispers, "Not Wyrmy, at least," back to Basil. "Can't get a good look at anything, though."
Kills-the-Cries pauses briefly when he hears the sounds of the metal, his large ears flickering and trying to tune in on the sounds. The wolf beast stays more or less on all fours, trying his best to to keep quiet, though he's not nearly as silent as the Ragabash. ~Fighting?~ He murmurs. ~In this terrain?~ He guesses, looking at Kaz, then looks to Power-Up. ~Keep moving, stay low. Stick to the dark where you can.~
Power-Up nods his huge head and moves forward once more, still trying to pad along silently, and walk along the edge of the path without slipping off it to a likely unpleasant fate.
Kaz falls back into hispo, and does, in fact, keep moving, sticking to the dark where she can.
The path of Earth leads to the top of a hill, which levels off into a wide, hilly plain, although trees and boulders still border the edge near the path. A few trees dot the landscape, as well as several white, stone boulders, but otherwise, it is open, practically devoid of cover. A thin mist hovers just above the ground, barely beginning to lift as the sun starts to warm the ground. The clashing noise of battle creates a cruel contrast to this otherwise peaceful scene, and the group can see two small forces locked in combat.
The larger force is gnarled and misshapen, looking as though they had crawled right out of a nightmare. Gray-brown scales cover their arms and legs, and deep ridges of bone circle their heads, while hard spikes run down the length of their spines. Red eyes glare fiercely as they battle against the smaller, weaker force, and as they snarl and growl, the flash of long, white fangs can be detected.
Those that are being pushed back, the smaller force, are creatures that have thick, orange manes, which have been tied back with strips of leather. Large blue, anime eyes peer out of oval faces, and their skin is a tan color with darker stripes, much like a tigers. They fight back against the nightmarish force before them, but are clearly weakening, outnumbered and outmatched, falling back with cries of pain and frustration.
Power-Up is first to see the battle, in point-position as he is, and he regards it with confusion. His body language suggests that he wants to spring forward and get involved, but he checks himself and speaks to the others in a low urgent manner. ~Quick, come, see. They fight. Which do we support?~ And then a thought comes to him. ~Or do we stay out and heal the injured?~
Kaz scrabbles over closer to the other two. Claws twitching, she's clearly itching to be down there. ~Protect the weak, heal the injured. Fight first, then heal?~
~They look like Fera, maybe.~ Kills-the-Cries states, eying the scene intently as he looks over it. ~Everyone shift to Lupus and run on the sides of the hills. We're going to come up on their side or back and attack there! Don't hold back for any fights that might be, fight for
this one!~ Kills-the-Cries orders in quick and excited, but quiet voice, and shifts to Lupus, then immediately darts out while trying to use the hilly terrain to cover his advance.
Power-Up shifts down to lupus and is about to run when he pauses. Which side? Which side? he asks the ahroun impatiently. The striped ones? The scaled ones?
Kaz grunts, ~Helping out the orange and tigery. Let's get to it.~ She shrinks into lupus and runs, limp occasionally showing, sticking to cover when she can.
Kills-the-Cries in the lead sort of awkwardly nods in a decidedly un-wolf like gesture while in mid run, looking for a moment as though he might stumble before he recovers himself and continues onward.
Power-Up waits barely long enough for that clarification before he's off, lickity-split, lollopy-lop, silent and shadowy, running from boulder to boulder, trying to keep in what little cover there is as he approaches the battle.
The battle continues as the three converse and start forward. There is still a good deal of the plain between the packmates and the fight. Several wounded and dead lay upon the ground, from both sides. Each fight fiercely; the more reptilian slash with long claws, splitting open the furred skin of the smaller species, yet the tiger-like creatures are no less bold. A couple of them team up against one of the scaled beings, jumping onto its back and stabbing it with rudimentary knives.
Kills-the-Cries continues to run as fast as his lupine form will carry him, though his stride is somewhat more awkward than the others. The alpha does his best to stick to the low points of the terrain and keep earth between him and the enemy, only glancing briefly at the wounded and dying when they go by.
Kaz and her limp stick right behind Basil, to the extent possible; her intent is clearly to attack as a pack, or at least as a group.
Power-Up's speed in lupus is as prominent as in homid, and even though he tries to moderate his pace he's in danger of getting ahead of the Bone Gnawers as he lopes onward. Cover is sparse: he keeps watching the combatants, hoping no doubt that they're too preoccupied with each other to spot the wolf getting nearer and nearer to them.
The wounded that Basil glance at clutch at their injuries, grimacing in pain as they watch his approach, too weak to call out. The tiger-like species are pushed yet further back, although they are managing to just barely stay alive against the greater numbers. Two more reptilians fall as spears are thrown by two of the littler race. The pack is just reaching attacking distance, and although the two forces are concentrating upon their fight, the Garou cannot remain unnoticed much longer.
Kills-the-Cries doesn't hesitate for a moment and continues to run towards the presumed enemy, though he turns slightly and tries to loop around the lizard men at a fast clip to get within a better striking position, hoping his stealth holds for just a little longer.
Kaz doggedly lopes after Basil, angling toward the specific lizard-types that the other Gnawer is targetting.
When Kills-the-Cries breaks towards the scaled ones, Power-Up too abandons any pretence of camouflage or cover. Unlike the Gnawers, he runs sideways as though aiming towards the very heart of the battle, barking, and trying to draw the attention of the lizardmen away from Kaz and Basil.
Two of the scaled creatures turn their attention to Power-Up as he barks, yet they do not rush forward to attack. Instead they watch his approach warily, claws and weapons at the ready. The rest continue to keep their focus on the battle, beating back the dwindling force of the orange striped species. Another of the tiger-men are slashed open by sharp claws, but remains standing, moving back, while one of his comrades, one that's wielding two long knives, manages to bring down a reptilian.
Kills-the-Cries doesn't waste any more time with stealth, bolting towards the enemy without any more attempts at stealth. The panting wolf shifts quickly and attacks from behind in the form of Crinos. He comes up behind the group where he can more closely strike two, and does just that, baring his teeth with his lips pulled back as his claws start slashing and pulling away at the flesh beside the back plates.
Kaz follows after Basil, falling into Crinos in the blink of an eye, with an evident desire to time it so that she can barrel into the one Basil's going after and send it tumbling. Hopefully. Claws are also evident in this picture.
Power-Up reverts to Hispo, flanking the attack while Kaz and Basil go in from the back. He lets rip with one or two enthusiastic howls just to further distract and dismay the targets.
There is no small amount of dismay as the Garou join in the battle. With rage-fueled speed, Kills-the-Cries strikes at the backs of two of the lizardmen, and they roar out in pain and anger as fresh blood flows out of their wounds. Kaz, too, strikes deeply as her and one of the reptiles tumble to the ground, her claws sinking into its side. While the scaled creatures shout their anger, half turning to face this new threat, the tiger-like race gives a battle cry of renewed spirit. And that's when things cease to be clear. With the rush of battle comes the confusing mixture of claws, weapons, growls, and fangs, and then gradually the images blur and fade, until the pack once more stand before the pathways. This time, though, only three remain: Fire, Water, and Void. The symbols on the markers shift, however, until they no longer present elements, but Totem symbols. Fire becomes the symbol for Rat, Water becomes Raccoon, and Void becomes Pegasus.
Kaz, still in a bit of a rage, takes a moment to breath heavily and stare around wildly. ~Well, fuck,~ she mutters. ~Guess stayin' outta th' damn fight mighta been best.~ She limps around the pathways, and glares. ~If this is 'go to all and be judged by all' then whatever. If this is 'get chosen by one'...~ She trails off. ~I'd rather Raccoon than the other two. Pegasus is all about women, and Rat ain't much for
healing, in the long term.~
Power-Up, still in hispo, licks a few drops of stray blood from the claws of his left front paw before walking over to the Rat marker and giving it a sniff. ~Child-Holder spoke of Pegasus,~ he points out. ~She knows spirits far better than I do. Or probably any of us.~
Kaz says, ~She would though. She's a Black Fury. And Children of Pegasus gotta help women. I don't mind helpin' women, I just also like helpin' men, too. And neuter people. And... You get my point.~
~Either way, things would have died. Would sitting on our hands really have been much better?~ Kills asks after a moment, as if talking to himself, after coming out of a short daze. He's still panting for air by the time it does come out of it. ~So these are the three left. I can't say I favor any. Raccoon or Rat seem better... Hm. Fighting will also be a part of this though. Will Racoon or Pegasus come to fight with us in Umbral battles?~
Kaz says, immediately, ~Yes. When I packed under Raccoon, 'Hood, our Totem spirit, was a damn big help. Raccoon's a cunning little guy, but press him, he'll fight back. An' he ain't afraid of it, neither. An' so'll Pegasus. There's a
reason why it's the Fury Totem, after all, and them Furies ain't nothin' to sneeze at.~
Power-Up's tail sways uncertainly, the dire-wolf equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders. ~Raccoon has teeth. So does Rat, but unless Rat is of unusual size... Pegasus will have hooves,~ he muses. ~You are to be our Alpha, Kills-the-Cries. The choice is yours to make.~
Kaz continues to pace restlessly. ~Raccoon's also real adaptable. City, woods, anywhere. Mind you, so's Rat. Pegasus ain't no friend of cities.~
Kills-the-Cries shifts back down to the form of man, and with a solemn expression on his face, he reaches into one of his pockets. "But Raccoon isn't the face I want for this pack. I want something the more traditional types can respect, or at least nod to. But I can see that he's also helpful. Each Totem has it's merits, and flaws. Come here and gather around me, we're going to let fate decide. There aren't any such things as three sided coins." He states, while pulling his hand out of his pocket, empty. "But there are three of us." Basil glances up at the sky, then back at the two of them, gesturing for them to come closer.
Power-Up stalks slowly in towards Kills-the-Cries, plainly curious as to what plan he has. ~I hope that Holds-the-Line and Defiant-Storm never learn that we have drawn lots for a crucial decision,~ he comments a little sardonically.
Kaz forces herself down into glabro, possibly to try and have less access to the rage, and heads over, restless energy still rumbling within her. ~/They/ ain't here. So screw 'em.~
Basil huffs out his chest, then glances between them and says in an exasperated voice. "I hope the Totems have a sense of humor, if they're watching." He shakes his fist, and holds it out between the three of them. "We're going to Rock Paper Scissor. Kaz, you're Raccoon. Kevin, you're Pegasus. I'm Rat. No arguments. Throw on three. Ok?" He then starts to count, and shake his fist, seeming dead serious about it all. If it's a joke, he's a good actor.
Power-Up shifts up to Crinos quickly, since hispo isn't the best form for this game, and on the count of three he holds out a flat palm.
Basil also ends up with a flat palm right beside Kevin's larger, clawed hand, and he stares rather blankly at it for a moment before turning to look at Kaz's hand.
Kaz's hand shoots out almost simultaneously with a snipping motion. ~Ha,~ she says, trying not to sound
too triumphant. ~Gotcha.~
Power-Up's hand drops back to his side. ~Raccoon,~ he says curtly.
"Raccoon it is." Basil replies simply, nodding his head. "Over the mountains and through the woods. Same formation as before." The alpha states, shifting his way back into Crinos before starting to walk towards the path.
As the trio move forward, the stream beside the Path of Water eventually ends in a small pool, with cattails growing along its banks. The road itself is well-traveled, even becoming cobbled as the Garou walk farther along it, and leads them right into the midst of what appears to be a bustling marketplace. Vendors with small red and gold carts line the streets, calling out to the passersby and carrying an assorted array of goods, from strange fruit to vibrantly colored clothes to small weapons to elaborate fans to precious jewelry. Up ahead, toward the center of the market, are more permanent fixtures, the upper class shops, perhaps. Red globe-like lanterns hang overhead, waiting until the darker hours to give off their dim light. The people are no less varied and interesting, wearing bright, often multi-colored tunics or robes. All in all, it's a loud, busy, chaotic place, but perhaps the most disconcerting detail is that the Garou cannot understand the language that is being spoken. Whether whispered, spoken, or yelled, it all sounds like babbling nonsense.
Power-Up moves to take point again as Basil instructs, still keeping to the edge of the path even when it becomes broad and well-trodden. When he detects the bustling market ahead, though, he pauses to shift up to homid, looking back for further instructions.
As soon as the first Garou, Power-Up, reaches the cobbled portion of the path, nearer to the market and shifts, the other two also revert back to their homid forms. All three are strangely unable to shift to another form, if such an attempt is made.
Kaz looks, it must be said, disturbed at this forced shift, but, the tilt of her eyebrow may seem to say, what can you do? She produces a silver lighter out of her pocket and occasionally flicks it open and shut, unobtrusively.
Basil seems rather perturbed when he shifts without wishing it, and gives a glance back at Kaz, then at Kevin, his brow furrowing. But he continues on to the market place, glancing between all the people and his would be pack mates. "So Kaz." Basil speaks, dropping back nearer to the Metis. "You've got 'Coon experience. What do you make of this?"
Kevin seems puzzled at Kaz and Basil's perturbation, the Walker having shifted of his own free will and being unaware of any difficulties on the part of his packmates. He walks a few paces back towards them. "What gives, guys?"
Kaz shakes her head. "My Totem Quest for 'Hood consisted of whupping a bane's butt in the Umbra, an' then givin' a raccoon a shiny." Aside, she adds, "They like shinies." After a moment, she adds, "They're into makin' sure you can adapt t'weird situations, and survive in whatever kinda environment you get presented with. So... let's cope. See if we can buy somethin', see if anyone has anythin' they want us t'do. Verbal talkin' ain't the only way of doin' shit."
Basil pulls his arms behind his head with a small sigh, but then smiles a little and closes his eye. "Bartering is one idea. But if we can't do that, Raccoon does wear a mask. Maybe another option is to steal. I'm not very good at slight o'hand though, this place is busy. Lets keep walking and nose around a little, get a feel for it before we do anythin'."
Kevin can't resist a sly smile. "Every pack should have a ragabash," he pronounces. "I'll go case the joint. You guys tell me if you want anything lifting, or if we're going to just do business the old fashioned way." He turns again and breaks into a jaunty saunter towards the marketplace.
Kaz explains to Kevin, before he saunters off, "I didn't shift on purpose, incidentally. 's why this is kinda weirdin' me out. But it ain't a big thing." She follows behind him and looks around-- for food vendors, anyone selling musical instruments, or possibly books.
Basil glances back at Kaz. "Me either. This doesn't look like a battle, but we should still look out." Basil glances from person to person as they continue on, trying to listen to any of the conversation he hears, even if he can't understand it. "You think our 'Man' thing works if people can't understand us? The Gifty thing."
There are plenty of food stalls, although nothing is sold that looks exactly like what the group is used to. Fruit and vegetables are sold all over, but there are a couple stalls that sell baked goods. No books, but there is a vendor that's selling scrolls, although they're unreadable. As they progress further into the market, Kaz does spot a stall with instruments. Flutes of an odd variety, it looks like.
Kevin strolls as casually as he can around the stalls, eyeing various products, though not moving in to draw attention to himself.
Kaz blinks at Basil. "Dunno. Can't hurt to try.
I sure the fuck don't have it, though, so y'all'll have to enjoy yourselves by y'self." (She sounds amused, not annoyed.) This brief conversation over, she ambles over to the flute vendor and looks several of the instruments over. She makes a 'may I?' gesture to the vendor, evidently wanting to try the tone out.
Basil walks over to one of the stalls with scrolls, or if none have any with customers, to one not too far from that pack that does. He stands off to the side with a pleasant expression and watches the deals take place from the corner of his eye, looking for any forms of currency, or other barter being exchanged while keeping enough space between them so he doesn't seem suspicious.
Kevin fetches up near a food stall where he comes to a halt quietly out of the way of other people, and takes a good sniff at the wares, trying to identify them by scent.
The man who stands beside the flute stall nods to Kaz, but watches the Gnawer warily, not letting her hands out of his sight. Basil is eyed by the vendor near the stall he stands by, but as long as he's just standing there, he's soon ignored. He's able from his vantage point to watch as a customer hands several shells over in exchange for one of the larger scrolls. It's Kevin, as he tries to figure out the food, which smells positively delicious, that first sees a funny little man wearing a multi-colored tunic that's almost put together like a patchwork quilt and brown trousers. He's standing to the side of the crowd, a passive observer in the sea of movement, but his gaze scans those who walk by, until he spots the three Garou. He smiles and then beckons the group over.
Kaz plays first one flute, then another; evidently, she likes the second flute better, as she's just about to start rummaging in her pack for things that might be appropriate to trade when she notices the patchwork man. At his beckoning, she makes an exaggerated, 'Me?' motion, and then, hands briefly lingering on the flute, ambles over to the man, eyebrow raising inquisitively.
Basil turns to get in line after some watching of the on going bartering, but when he catches the odd looking man's gesturing, he decides to mosey on over at a leisurely pace with his hands in his pockets. He keeps his eye on the man for the most part, though he does glance around for any other suspicious men and his packmates on occasion.
Kevin cocks his head on one side to the little fellow, then walks a few steps closer to him, one eyebrow raised in silent enquiry as he sees his packmates also summoned over.
The little man's smile widens as they head towards him. He nods enthusiastically to Kaz at her questioning motion, beckoning again. Once they are within speaking distance, he rattles off a few words in the strange language, sniffs the air three times, then bows.
Kaz, experimentally, sniffs back once, and then also bows, in the exact same manner as the man. "Are you, uh 'coon?" she asks, making little pointy ear-like motions with her fingers behind her head. (She seems none too sure of the likelihood of results.)
Basil mimics the man along with Kaz, sniffing at the air three times though, then bows in the same motion. "If you are him, I apologize, but none of us can speak in the tongue of spirits. And this isn't the place for Mother's Tongue."
Kaz mutters something to Basil.
Kevin bends down a fraction to bring him into eye level contact with the little man. "What they said," is all he adds, laconically.
The patchwork man grins up at Kaz, then turns to look from Basil to Kevin, then back again. He spreads his hands in a helpless gesture, then puts a hand to his forehead, standing on his tip-toes and looking around as though searching, all the while babbling.
Basil glances at Kaz for a minute, then shakes his head. "Not yet." He smiles a little, then turns back to the man and experimentally puts a hand on his own forehead. He follows as closely to his foot steps as he can, keeping an eye out for anything interesting, murmuring a quick. "When in Rome." To the packmates.
Kaz grins back, and then regards his searching. "D'you want us t'look f'somethin' for you?" (She accompanies this question with a jerked thumb toward herself, a questioning look, and then a demonstrative scan around.) "Or..." She trails off, and offers the man her lighter, again questioningly. "I mean... In case y'want it."
Kevin frowns a moment, then repeats the man's gestures in reverse, mimicking his movements. "Sorry, pal," he says as he does so, "we don't follow you. Don't --" he shakes his head -- "follow you." -- he taps his forehead and makes an exaggerated face of incomprehension.
The man stops and eyes the lighter appreciatively for a moment, then smiles patiently at the three before he nods, pointing toward them and mimicking Kaz's scanning gesture. He holds up a finger and thumb, indicating that it's small, no bigger than a golf ball, and then points to a bright red circular patch on his tunic.
Kaz makes an 'aha!' kind of motion, and then, briefly, concentrates on nothing in particular. She comes out of that quickly, and tells the other two, "We gotta find it for him. Small, red..." She asks the gentleman, "Can you throw it?", accompanying the question with a throwing motion, "Or is it like your patch?" (To which she gestures.)
"So he's looking for a.... Clown nose?" Basil guesses, glancing between the three of them. Basil points at the man, then points at the ground, and holds out two palms. Then points at himself and the others, and lifts a hand to his brow, as if scanning the horizon. "You stay here, while we look?" He suggests, then looks at Kaz again.
Kaz blinks at Basil. "Oh, that'd make sense." She makes a gesture of putting something on her nose, to the man, eyebrow raising questioningly again.
Kevin seems to be lagging behind the Gnawers in his comprehension of the situation. His eyes dart uncertainly between Basil and the man, and he touches his own nose uncertainly in the manner of a man who wishes to check it's still there.
The little man watches their gestures curiously, and looks a bit horrified when Kaz suggests throwing it, shaking his head. When she motions to the patch, he nods again, pointing to it with a grin. He glances at Basil, then points toward the ground, indicating that he will stay put. And they all get a rather odd look from him as they touch their noses.
Basil walks a few light steps closer to the man, then points at a red spot on his clothing, then makes the thumb and finger circle he made, and puts it around his nose, quirking his brow in a manner similar to Kaz.
Kaz looks abashed at his horror at the suggestion of throwing it brought. She cradles a nonexistent whatever-it-is in her hands, trying to indicate that she won't throw it; she starts to head off to look but pauses to wait to see if Basil's gestures will clear anything up.
"Simple Simon says, touch your nose," Kevin drawls for the benefit of the other garou. He still seems adrift of the conversation.
He tilts his head as he watches Basil, a brow raising. He mimics the thumb-finger circle and nods, but then he puts it to his nose and shakes his head. He points instead to what would usually be a ring finger and then raises his hands as though putting on a necklace. It's at about that moment that a flag from one of the vending stalls floats down, landing on Kaz.
Kaz looks quizzical. "I'd think he was talkin' about his mask, except he seems t'mean jewelry. Weird. Maybe it's a badge of office or somethin'."
"Maybe. But I have an idea." Basil states, bending over to snatch up a stray rock. He picks it up, then holds it up to display it. He then points to the pebble, then points at the red patch. "Maybe he wants a ruby."
"Well, I'm glad
you do," Kevin says tartly. "What do you think he wants, other than a Linguaphone course?"
Kaz quirks an eyebrow. "Mmmaybe. Ruby'd make sense if he's talkin' badge of office. I think I'll go with that, an' take a looksee around."
The man snaps his fingers and then points at Basil and the pebble, nodding.
Basil glances over at Kevin after the man does so. "It's a Totem of Cunning. God forbid he ask you to figure something out, eh? Anyways, we're looking for a ruby. Or I think we are. Ruby, red rock, something like that. Or jewelry with a ruby. Everyone split up and look. If you don't find it in five minutes, come back here." Basil glances around, then looks at the flag that fell on Kaz. "What the hell. Take that with you, Kaz. See if you can find the stall it belongs to while you're out. Maybe they have rubies, or something, you could trade for."
Kaz mutters, "Right. One of those
expensive things," and, snagging the banner, heads off toward the stalls, and, in fact, toward the stall the flag came from. "Ain't usually that straightforward," she mutters to no one in particular.
Kevin gives Basil a less than friendly look before turning on his heel and walking away huffily, checking stalls and shoppers in search of a suitable item.
From afar, to Basil and Kevin, Kaz flexes Find the Prize.Basil pages to the room: Oh yeah, I forgot. I have that too, don't I? I also turn that on.Basil sticks his hands in his pockets and turns on his heel, then starts to walk through the market place, seemingly in no particular direction with his eye peeled.
It might seem easy to find the stall the flag floated from again, but upon reaching them and looking up... it's hard to pick out just which one amidst all the color and variety. A girl runs past Basil pushing along a red Hula Hoop as she runs past the stalls toward Kaz's general direction. Kevin finds nothing, yet, that's red and small as he searches.
Kevin chews on his lip as he walks down a row of stalls in search of his goal. "Clown nose," he mutters to himself. "Clowns, the lot of them."
Even if Kaz is somewhat doubtful as to her logic regarding the pennant, she nonetheless at least attempts a method, trying to spot flags with the same pattern she's holding. As she passes stalls, she 'browses' their wares, just in case something small and ruby-ish should attract her attention.
Basil continues on his leisurely course through the market place, his posture having slumped somewhat since he initially set out. Though he glances at the Hula Hoop, he continues along his way, glancing into every stall he passes.
It might take her a bit, but soon Kaz does spot a banner up ahead that matches the red and gold one she holds in her hand. And the stall does appear to be missing one! From what she can see, it appears to be one of the pottery vendors. Basil and Kevin still have no luck in their directions, although they do see some interesting wares, and Kevin finds one vendor that's selling miniature statues of a saintly young woman.
Kevin looks at the statue with a jaundiced eye, as though it's neither what he's looking for or aesthetically pleasing to him, and walks on down the line of stalls.
Basil continues in the direction he's going in, sometimes wandering back and forth across the path in a zig zag fashion to better cover the stalls. The expression on his face is somewhere between neutrality and boredom, but he does glance around often, seeming somewhat interested in his surroundings.
Kaz drifts toward the pottery vendor, taking a look at his or her wares. And the back of the stall, and whups! She dropped something, so now she has to look underneath the stall. Such a pity.
From under the table a pair of grey-green eyes peer back at Kaz for just a moment. Then they blink, and their owner scrambles out from his hiding spot. A glint of red catches Kaz's eye from between the fingers of the small boy's hand as it hits the sunlight. The urchin boy takes off running.
Oh, that's likely; Kaz, keeping up with a small, lithe kid. She calls, "Yo! Over here!" and takes off after the youngster. Yes, faster packmates would be nice...
Kevin, hearing Kaz's shout, turns round to see the beefy galliard pursuing a much smaller street-kid, and he starts running himself, trying to put himself on an intercept course with the larrikin.
From afar, to the room, Kaz would too, but if Kev's gonna fall asleep on us, I can do, uh, sometime. Monday afternoon, probably.
Basil continues on his way through the market maze, then abruptly stops and runs a hand through his hair. "Wonder where-" When he hears Kaz, the Ahroun starts to quickly move his way through the crowd as quickly as he can without bowling people over.
Urchin runs through the streets, dodging under merchants' tables and between taller adults.
Kaz limps after him; one thing she most assuredly is is persistent. And, also, she can outlast just about anyone. As long as she can keep him in view...
The four running figures cause quite a stir as they pass through the market after the kid. Vendors stare after them, several shouting as the kid ducks under their tables, leaping up to protect their wares. And as much as the Garou might try, they can't avoid bumping into several of the shoppers, getting several looks and mutters.
Dodging people right and left, keeping his eyes fixed on the ragamuffin, Kevin keeps charging along, looking glad to finally be able to assist rather than stand around looking dopey.
Kaz tosses apologetic shrugs and comments as she galumphs along; while the specific words can't be understood, the intent certainly can be.
Basil just doesn't have time to apologize, nor does he try to make time. The boy sprints and dances through the crowd towards the direction of Kaz's call.
The Garou keep up with the boy fairly well, until he disappears behind a group of chattering women. Kevin is actually the last to spot the Urchin as he ditches down another alley within the market. The scrawny kid's running for all he's worth. Searching down that alley leads to few clues, as the urchin seems to have just disappeared. Yet with some persistence and with the help of Kevin's sharp eyes, they spot him further ahead, around a corner, and this time the kid's moving more casually, apparently believing he'd lost the three.
Kevin doesn't keep haring after the boy: with a negative hand gesture to Kaz and Basil, he slows to a walk and moves to the side of the alley, casually, carefully sidling along it trying to keep out of sight of the target.
Slightly winded, Kaz falls back and lets Kevin sneak. She mutters to Basil, "Kid doesn't know what you look like. Go git 'im." (She then gives a brief but to the point description.)
Basil stops when he spots at the boy, and his companions, panting a bit for breath and trying to steady his breathing. After composing himself, he starts to move around the side opposite to Kevin. "I got the idea." Basil states to Kaz, then flashes a brief smile before walking casually towards the kid.
Kaz loiters.
Urchin seems to think he's lost his tail, as he now meanders through the crowd, apparenly looking for something. He doesn't see Kevin or Basil in time to dodge them.
Kevin lets Basil catch up with him till they're walking side by side, overhauling the kid from behind. The Walker looks sideways at the Gnawer and a glance passes between them. Once they're within grabbing range, Basil on one side and Kevin on the other reach out almost in unison and... grab.
Kaz ambles up behind them, just to give backup, and helps chivvy him toward where they last saw the colorful gentleman.
The kid tries to scramble once the two Garou grab a hold of him, but their grim is strong enough that he doesn't slip away. He squirms a good deal, though, giving them all a hard time of dragging him down the street.
Kevin keeps a firm grip on his chosen shoulder as he ushers the kid along. He doesn't waste his breath saying anything.
Basil follows Kaz with a firm grip on the kid, choosing to keep his hands on his arm. He holds tightly, with both hands, on different places of the limb.
Kaz, in the back, occasionally 'trips' and steps on the kid's heel, thus dislodging his shoes slightly.
Eventually, gaining more than a few strange looks from passersby, they are able to drag him back to the general area they'd last seen the patchwork man. He's sitting on a barrel, arms crossed casually, and looks up with a raised brow as they approach. He stands and steps over to them, looking down at the even smaller boy and shakes his head in a reproving way before holding out his hand.
Kaz gives the patchwork man a brief grin, and then stands firmly behind the kid. She evidently suspects he'll /still/ try and get away.
The urchin wrinkles his nose, looking a bit stubborn before his shoulders slump and then he leans forward a bit. He hesitates, then spits out the ruby he'd hidden in his mouth.
"He has the thing?" He asks Kaz, then nods at the kid. "Then search'm. We'll keep hold. Just do it before his parents or something see us and barter us to death." Then as the kid spits out the stone, Basil hesitates. "Kaz, grab it please. Incase it's a fake."
Kevin lets out a quick, sardonic laugh at that development.
Kaz obligingly grabs it and hands it over to the multi-colored gentleman in question.
The little man takes the ruby as offered, cleaning it off on his clothes before he looks it over, then grins. "Excellent." The scene shifts, the market fading away, until they are back in the Caern's clearing where they had started. A large raccoon with a mischievous glint in his eyes stands before them, holding the ruby in his paws, and when he speaks, the three are able to understand his words. *I will accept you as my children.*
Kaz breaks into a grin. "Aw, rock
on. Thank you! An'--" She flicks out her lighter and offers it to him again. "Y'want it, long-term?"
The Ahroun falls to one knee slowly and bows his head to the Totem, then rises up again. "Thank you. I promise that I and my packmates you see here will serve loyally." Then after a brief pause, Basil asks with a wide grin of his own. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Patches, would it?"
Kevin seems a little uncertain of himself. He folds his arms across his chest as though trying to hide the scars he bears there, though they are concealed (at least to normal eyes) behind his clothing in this form. "You gonna go all bitey on us now?" he enquires.
Raccoon cocks his head to the side as the lighter is offered. Setting the Ruby down, he reaches to take the lighter, turning it in his paws. He polishes it on his fur, then grins as he offers it back. *I am honored by the offer, but this may yet serve you.* He turns to regard Basil. *That is my name. And no, the task is complete,* he adds, with a glance toward Kevin.
Kaz shrugs, and takes it back. "I'm just int' offerin' shinies," she explains, and then grins as the Totem is named. Aside to Kevin, she notes, "Not all Totems wanna maul you in new and interesting ways."
"He ain't Fenris, that's for sure," Kevin remarks, still displaying slightly uncertain body language.
Basil gestures to Kevin with his head and a roll of his shoulders. "He's got Fenrir in him. He can't help it." He explains to the Totem. "I just want to let you now, spirit, that within the next couple weeks to a month, there will be a large attack on a Wyrm place. We would greatly appreciate any assistance. Many more will die without it."
The Totem gives a more serious look at the mention of the attack. *Yes, you will have my help.* With that, he grabs up with ruby, gives them one last grin, and darts off into the Umbral woods.
Kaz gives the young Walker a sympathetic kind of look, and watches after the Totem. "Huh," she says, a vaguely suppressed grin on her face.
"Hot damn," Kevin says laconically as the raccoon skedaddles. "We did it... packmates."
