Continued from Toxic’s Swansong, Pt. 1

Here’s the aftermath of the battle which claimed Toxic’s life, including a lot of healing, mourning, and Rain Walker and Sepdet repairing the caern’s shredded wards.


Maury says, voice shaky but clear, “Theurges. The wards are broken; who can restore them?”
Michael Powers cups Toxic’s cheek gently, looks over at Celene, and holds out a hand. ~You loved her, too. Don’t sit alone.~
Rain Walker howls long and loud.
In the distance, Rain Walker can be heard to howl, ~~RiteMaster! Warder! To the caern!~~
Sepdet D’siaH turns away, eyes tired, scanning the broken caern and others that need tending.
Two-Stripe puts a clawed hand gently on Toxic’s arm.
On the northern curve, Therru looks back, then limps after Song Weaver.
On the northern curve, Therru turns to the north, and leaves past the rim of the Wheel.
Alexis moves next to Sepdet silently.
Celene just cries on Toxic.
Fire-Drums continues to rock the body, her own self oblivious to everyone else. She snarls as others come close to her.
Mouse is still way too stunned to do anything.
Maury says “Eligio, call Stormcrow-rhya?”
On the western curve, ShadowDancer slips his stilettos backinto their sheaths
Maury crouches down beside Toxic.
Rain Walker backs away from Toxic-rhya. ~No. Stormcrow-rhya isn’t here. He’s gone north.~
SteelFur throws back her head and howls. The sound is loud, long, and painful to hear. Her claws dig into the earth as if to rend it.
Michael Powers says, ~Star. How hurt are you?~
Celene takes one of Toxic’s hands and says something in a dark, harsh language.
Dylan picks himself up again, and looks around to see how he can be of use.
Jumps shakes her head, trying to clear a space for thought, and notices dimly that her arm is twisted kinda funny.
Huntress’s eyes, clouded with tears, manage to focus slightly on SteelFur, and her own soul demands that her voice add to that painful howl.
Rain Walker curses a howl in Yaqui. ~The wards. Alexis! Help me with this.~ His tone is insistent, demanding.
Maury says, down at Toxic but obviously to Rain Walker, “North?”
On the eastern curve, Adam makes his way out of the woods to the east.
SteelFur continues to howl her rage and pain, oblivious to everything else.
Two-Stripe sniffs. ~Toxic…city sister…..~
On the eastern curve, Adam says “Healer here.”
Alexis looks up. “Right away, Rain-Walker-rhya.”
On the eastern curve, Andrew makes his way out of the woods to the east.
Michael Powers lays his hands on Sepdet and chants, calling on the name of Aset.
Fire-Drums continues to rock the charred body, her own massive form over powering the small homid form. She doesn’t seem to feel her own charred fur as her howl joins Steelfur’s howl of rage and pain.
Mouse blinks again, and looks down at his ichor covered daggers. He wipes them off on the grass and sheathes them as if his arms and hands had a life of thier own.
Near the Pool, Jeremy’s eyes stop on his reflection in the pool.
On the eastern curve, Adam says “Anybody here need a healer?”
Two-Stripe adds his strong voice to the howl.
Sepdet D’siaH’s ribs look slightly crunched, and she’s cut up with filth from the foe mingling with her own blood. She shakes her head and brushes Michael off. ~Not yet…Time for later.~
Near the Pool, Jeremy gazes into the pool, and suddenly he vanishes.
Michael Powers says, ~We need you healed to help with the wards.~
SteelFur’s how is wordless, screaming, interspersed with the occasional ~Dammitdammitdammit~
Rain Walker calls ~We’ve got to restore the wards! Lend me your strength! All of you! Adia, Mouse!~
Maury whispers, low, “Toxic.” An invocation, a distress, a grieving.
Mouse shakes his head, as if to clear it, and stands. He looks very, very frightened.
SteelFur looks oblivious to Rain Walker.
Sepdet D’siaH doesn’t seem to be capable of understanding much. She walks doggedly towards Rain Walker.
Two-Stripe’s howl is in sorrow for the fallen friend.
Dylan walks over to Rain-walker, stands a short distance away.
Adam says “Dammit, Jim, I’m a healer, not a doctor.”
Mouse stumbles over to where Rain Walker is, and looks at her.
SteelFur collapses on the ground, her howl fading as she shifts back into homid. Tears streak her now-furless face.
Maury buries her face in her hands, kneeling still.
Rain Walker sets up a low and long howl, like Thorn’s when he opens the Caern during Moot. He calls upon the Triat, to lend their power to this place. His howl is encouraging, powerful in spite of everything.
Two-Stripe lowers his head and lets the tears roll.
Sepdet D’siaH tilts back her muzzle but finds herself utterly silent.
Michael Powers stands and watches, guarding those who repair the wards, using Toxic’s blade as the weapon of choice
Alexis joins in Rain Walker’s howl, having difficulty finding her voice, but trying nonetheless.
Huntress looks as tho things are slowly registering on her. She looks at Rain Walker with far away eyes. “If you can draw strenght from love… then add all of mine to yours… ~ she says quietly.
From afar, Dead Toxic blows you a kiss. You were wonderful, darling. *SNUG*
Mouse lifts up his muzzle and uncertainly raises a high pitched, almost keening howl.
Adam blinks and looks around at the noise.
Sepdet D’siaH whispers ~My knife…someone bring it, if it lives.~
On the western curve, Ali works her way free of the dense treeline to the west.
Huntress swallows hard, and takes a deep breath, throwing her head back almost defiantly, a low pitched howl of questioning anger voiced.
Near the Fire Pit, Rain Walker proceeds to the fire pit, maintaining the howl in its low tone. Keening for the lost.
Adia lies on the ground near Toxic’s body, weeping and occasionally cursing the universe in general and the Wyrm in particular.
Long distance to Dead Toxic: Sepdet D’siaH grins. Masterfully done. No one will forget you, ever.
Maury doesn’t stir; her only motion is the shaking of her shoulders.
Fire-Drums doesn’t register her sister’s request as she murmurs low to the body, as if a life was still within it. Ichor drips into her burns as she rocks it slowly.
On the western curve, Ali pads hastily in.
Michael Powers closes his eyes and focusses, then opens and points. ~Fire-Drums. Star needs her knife..and it should be there.~
Near the Fire Pit, Alexis follows Eligio, using the Howl to remove her mind from the present.
Two-Stripe pounds the ground with a furry fist.
Celene stands sighing. She heaves a few breaths, getting her emotions under control again.
Fire-Drums pages to Sepdet and Michael Powers: Dia doesn’t seem to hear you.
Michael Powers walks over to where he pointed and searches for a moment, then carries Sepdet’s knife to her and gently places it in her hand, helping her to take hold of it
Dylan returns to the center, and stoops, finding Sepdet’s knife.
Jumps is staring off into the middle distance.
Adia’s shoulders shake and she pounds the ground along with 2-stripe, weakly.
Adam says “Report, captain?”
Dylan realizes wearily that he is again too late, and stumbles back to the fire pit.
On the northern curve, Therru looks sideways at the shimmer of light.
On the western curve, Ali listens, ears back.
On the northern curve, Rain Walker begins to work his way forward around the wheel, invoking each in turn with the howl. The fire begins to blaze more strongly in the Fire Pit.
On the western curve, ShadowDancer stands guarding the West
Fire-Drums looks up, eyes glazed. Her face is streaked with a miz of the ichor and burn marks. She looks confused, and disoriented
Michael Powers says, ~All those who are unable to join the theurges, Guard and lend your strength.~
On the northern curve, Alexis makes her way forward along the Wheel, toward the earth mound.
Sepdet D’siaH reaches out her hand mutely, cradling the dull gray blade in her hands. She focusses on the eastern horizon below the black sky and darker trees, as the little fetish knife sparks to life. Her voice starts, catches and carries, as she joins Eligio’s howl.
Adia doesn’t appear to hear anything.
Adam says “Thank you. Tell the men to stay alert.”
Michael Powers says, ~Adam. Do you know who guards the Umbra?~
On the Earth Mound, On the Earth Mound, the howl becomes deep and low, still calling on the strength of the Triat. Still building in strength.
Two-Stripe gently puts a clawed hand on Adia’s shoulder.
Dylan stumbles over to Michael Powers.
Michael Powers turns and scans the circle appraisingly.
Adam salutes Powers. “Sir. Company Six is on guard.”
Mouse shakes her head at Mike. “They’re gone. It’s gone. I’ll know it if it comes back.”
Maury lifts her head, tear-streaked face smudged with dirt, to look up at Adam.
On the Earth Mound, Alexis follows the Wheel past the Earth Mound.
Celene shakes her head at Mike. “They’re gone. It’s gone. I’ll know it if it comes back.”
Adia glances up at Two-Stripe, her face wet and her eyes blank.
Michael Powers nods to Adam.
Michael Powers looks over Dylan.
Michael Powers says, ~Good. I’m counting on your eyes.~
Two-Stripe’s face is wet on the one side, the other not able to weep.
Dylan is still crying.
Adam nods. “Yes sir.” He drops his hand to his side.
On the western curve, Alexis follows the Wheel to the Windy Spot.
Huntress shakes faintly, standing alone, silent, eyes fixed on the heavens.
From afar, Dead Toxic hugs you softly. “Thanks. I’m sorry it had to happen.”
At the center, Adia lifts her face to the sky and screams, “FFFUUUCK!!”
At the center, Michael Powers points to the table stone and speaks to Dylan. ~You. Sit. If you’re needed before you’re done healing, you’ll be called.
At the center, Ali growls ever-so-softly, seeing the corpse; she averts her gaze and pads closer to Michael Powers, searching for /something/ to assist with.
From afar, to Sepdet and Michael Powers, Fire-Drums has got severe burns all over her body, BTW. She just doesn’t seem to notice them.
On the northern curve, Therru limps into the center.
At the center, Adam hops up on the table and searches his pockets.
At the center, Dylan shakes his head absently. ~Where’s…I should–~
At the center, Michael Powers says, ~Ali. Good. If you see an empty spot, watch it. Be ready to move to cover anyone who’s hurt.~
At the center, Jumps says, ~I can help, I’m not much good for anything else right now.~
From afar, Fire-Drums is reasoning that there is only so much a person can take, right?
At the center, Ali chuffs tersely: ~Cover against–what?~ even as her eyes scan for an empty spot as directed.
Rain Walker faulters then, trying to close the circle. His voice breaks and he struggles to maintain control, to pull his strength together in spite of the grievous claw marks on his thigh.
At the center, Dylan catches sight of Therru, and turns toward her.
the center, Adia eventually gets up to help with the guarding and stuff, but her face shows that there’s a wound deep on her spirit. (OOC, gotta go)
You paged Dead Toxic with ‘Me too, of course. But Tox would’ve gone out sooner or later, and went out with the fireworks she deserves..I heard a song playing tonight. WOman’s ragged voice “I’ve been dying for a long time. The shards are breaking now…” And a male authoritative voice in the background “You did this to yourself”. But the woman’s voice carrying over, defiant. It was painfully right.’.
At the center, Celene shakes her head and sighs.
At the center, Therru limps silently over to stand next to Dylan.
At the center, Two-Stripe stands up, determined look on his face. He heads north, giving Dia a touch on the shoulder before he goes.
At the center, Adam says “Anybody got a fag?”
At the center, Dylan says, ~Are you–~
Sepdet D’siaH sets her right hand on Rain Walker’s shoulder, as her spirit knife flashes blinding white one last time and goes cold and dark.  [[ The moon knife, (Ds = knife, iaH = moon) was a fetish from Sep's father, a gnosis battery. Here she sacrificed it to give its spirit to the caern wards.]]
At the center, Two-Stripe heads north, away from the center of the Wheel.
At the center, Michael Powers says, ~Banes and Dancers. The wards were torn. Guard against *anything* that’s not of this Sept, until the Theurges get the wards restored.~
On the northern curve, Two-Stripe turns to the north, and leaves past the rim of the Wheel.
At the center, Huntress growls faintly, pain evident in her voice. ~If anything so much as moves wrong ’round here, I’m tearing it to shreds…”
At the center, Ali growls assent.
At the center, Michael Powers nods to Huntress. ~Precisely. And that goes for the rest of you, too. If it’s not one of OUR people, kill it. On the spot.~
At the center, Therru sits down painfully, trying not to move too much.
At the center, Michael Powers is, indeed, as cold as liquid helium at the moment…..
At the center, Maury peers at Mike.
Rain Walker pours what strength he has into the howl, his dark eyes searching the faces of those in the centre to add their strength.
At the center, Maury says, quiet, “That’s a little drastic, particularly since not all of us know all the rest of us.” Her face is drawn with grief, but her voice is steady.
Sepdet D’siaH’s howling song, deep, resonant, bizarrely masculine, wavers and cracks as the knife blinks out. Then her voice firms in a burst of power as she meets Eligio’s eyes.
Rain Walker throws back his head and the howl turns from one of desperation to one of joy as the Wards finally join with a resounding rush like a running stream. He collapses to the ground by the pool.
At the center, Michael Powers says, ~Yes, it is drastic. However, those of this Sept will be marked by Buffalo and Magpie.~
At the center, Fire-Drums looks up, listening to Sepdet’s voice. Her glazed eyes seem confused, and full of pain as she tries to help what little strength she has to her heart sister.
At the center, Adam peers down and sees Rik. “Here, soldier. Get up.”
Alexis howls, a peircing and beautiful Soprano, walling upon the power of the Totems to help.
At the center, Therru looks around herself, trying to see the restored Wards.
You paged Rain Walker with ‘That’s 3 gnosis, and the knife is unbound. My spirit-knife is dead now.’.
At the center, Jumps nods and flexes the claws of the arm that is working.
Rain Walker pages: Sorry. :(
At the center, Michael Powers sees that the Wards are restored and moves to stand by the Table Stone.
At the center, Maury’s eyes slowly kindle into bubbles of gold. “And the cubs? Run them off, if you do not know them. If they insist, stop them. Kill if you must.”
At the center, Dylan walks over to Therru , sits down next to her, nosing her with concern.
At the center, Michael Powers nods. ~Wise move, Maury. You take charge of that.~
At the center, Therru lowers her muzzle, backing into the Table Stone.
From afar, Fire-Drums tries to lock eyes with you.
The wards are no longer visible, but there is a feeling of security about the caern again, on a subconscious level. Weak, but there nonetheless.
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “Shadow. Dreamer. Thought he was after you. Dreams. You. Dead.”
At the center, Michael Powers says, ~Adam. You have rank here, yes? Take it.~
At the center, Adam slides off the table. “Sir! Yes sir.”
At the center, Adam looks around the caern. “Who’s on recon?”
At the center, Dylan gazes up at Adam with a completely unreadable expression.
At the center, Celene sighs, still standing near Toxic’s body.
Sepdet D’siaH tosses the blackened moon knife into the pool with a sigh.
At the center, Maury shakes her head with a sigh. “Justice, I think. Earth-Child, and one other with him – Justice east, Earch-Child south. Hugin was west, I don’t know if he went or not. And I can’t remember who went north at all, only that I saw people going there. Nor Umbra, neither.”
At the center, Huntress glances at Adam. ~I will do this, if you need. Just tell me where to be.~
At the center, Therru looks over at Maury. Song WEaver and Jalal went North.
At the center, Ehni shimmers brightly.
At the center, Adam nods. “First, let’s get all these damn civilians out of here.”
At the center, Fire-Drums slowly shakes her head as she lowers the body of her alpha down to the ground. She stands resolutely, and says ~I’ll patrol…~ as she falters a bit as the ichor settles into her severe burns. She stands again, and says ~I’ll take north.
At the center, Adam points at Rik. “And does anyone know what unit he’s with?”
Alexis says “Sepdet, I would like to talk to you, sometime. When we’ve got the world sorted out again.”
At the center, Maury looks at Adam as though he were insane.
At the center, Maury says “We’re Garou; none of us are civilians.”
Sepdet D’siaH nods curtly at Alexis and trudges back to the center.
At the center, Jumps says, ~I can patrol also.~
You make your way to the northwest, back toward the center of the Wheel.
Therru pads over silently to stand next to Maury.
On the southern curve, Ali paces back and forth along the southern curve, her eyes searching the forest even as her nose does the wind.
Fire-Drums puts an arm out for Sepdet.
Sepdet D’siaH holds out her hands to Dia quietly.
Maury reaches down for Therru with a sigh.
Sepdet D’siaH ducks her eyes, not meeting her pack-sister’s.
Mouse looks down at his burnt fur, blinking in surprise.
Fire-Drums pulls Sepdet close, and hugs her tightly, her massive form overpowering her younger packmates.
Near the Pool, Alexis looks up to Eligio. “The Umbra, is it cleansed?”
Adam says “Look. I know I’m only the medic. I’d rather not be in charge, myself. But the captain left me in charge.”
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “Tox….she’s….and you…thought I’d lose you too…”
Therru bumps her muzzle against Maury, gently.
Fire-Drums clutches Sepdet tightly to her, wincing in the process.
You whisper “~I’m sorry. If I’d known she’d come out of hiding…I’m sorry. I /told/ you I wouldn’t die. Not yet.~” to Fire-Drums.
A prescence enters your mind and wimpers “Tox….”
Near the Pool, Alexis says “I’ll go see, then.”
Jumps looks at him, puzzling over his strange forms of address.
Maury keeps looking at Adam as though he were insane. “His name is Mike, and he’s not a captain, and we’re not in an army.”
From afar, Fire-Drums holds on to you as if for dear life.
Near the Pool, Alexis’s eyes stop on her reflection in the pool.
Near the Pool, Alexis gazes into the pool, and suddenly she vanishes.
Adam says “I thought you said all the civilians were clear.”
Fire-Drums looks about, and asks softly ~Maury. Who’s in Umbra.~
Maury answers Fire-Drums, “I can’t remember. I know some people did go that way, but I can’t remember who.”
Maury turns back to Adam. “We’re Garou. We’re not an army.”
Fire-Drums nods. ~Anyone else injured.~
Celene walks over to Adam, and sets a hand on his shoulder.
Sepdet D’siaH helplessly traces Dia’s wounds a hair’s breadth of air apart from the skin and ruin. ~You. Me. Secure th’ caern first…~
Adam turns and looks.
Maury says “We’re secure, Sepdet, I think.”
Maury says “Get yourself healed.”
Near the Pool, Rain Walker makes his way to the pool to check the damage in the umbra.
Sepdet D’siaH nods and folds herself up next to the tablestone.
Fire-Drums’ voice is curt as she clings to Sepdet. She looks about, and says ~Need ta know who’s inna umbra. Find out wha’s on there. Got people patrolling.~
Celene nods. “I’m relieving you of command, soldier.”
Adam purses his lips. “Yes sir.”
Maury eyes Celene sharply.
Near the Pool, Rain Walker says, ~Stay with us, Sepdet-yuf. Don’t be wandering off.~
Maury nods at Fire-Drums. “Eligio, would you do that, please?”
Celene gives Maury a meaningful look.
Fire-Drums asks “Maury. Can ya do that? We gotta find Elders. Someone call Echen. Arjun.~
Celene flicks her eyes at Adam and raises an eyebrow.
Dead Toxic pages: If there’s a funeral, I’d love a log of it, if you could mail it to me. Also whatever gets put on her epitaph and eventually in the ‘events’ thing in the OOC lounge, if they ever put anything up. Funny how much Tox has done and never got a mention. *Shrug*
Maury says “Rain Walker’s summoned Thorn and Adrian. I don’t know where Stormcrow is. North, someone said. Does anyone have a cellphone?”
Adam says “We still haven’t identified this soldier, sir. His unit’ll want to know about him.”
Near the Pool, Rain Walker strains to pull himself through into the Umbra.
Maury snaps at Adam, “Hush.”
Fire-Drums nods as Eli goes into the umbra. She looks about, still semi-dazed. She turns to Adam, and barks ~You. Sit. Now.~
Fire-Drums points to by the fire, meaninfully.
Celene nods. “I know. We have our men working on it.”
Adam nods in return.
Celene turns to maruy. “Rik has a phone on him.”
Sepdet D’siaH’s head jerks up briefly, but she doesn’t see Eligio and folds her cheek back onto the cool stone.
Fire-Drums says “Maury. Call Echen. Have him get in touch wi’ Arjun ‘n company.”
Near the Pool, Rain Walker finally slumps back in and moans in defeat. No gnosis. No umbra. No concentration.
Near the Pool, Therru limps over to the pool and puts her muzzle down to drink.
Near the Pool, Therru looks over at Rain Walker. Can you use mine?
Adam glances to the sky.
Fire-Drums looks about, and says “Adam. C’n ya go inta th’ caern? Report back?”
Maury says “Oh, mother. Therru, can you… No. We need several, if Eligio can’t do anything.”
Adam looks at Fire-Drums. “What?”
Near the Pool, Therru now looks at Maury. Can I do what?
Ali points pool-ward with her muzzle; ~Somethin’ I can help with?~
Fire-Drums barks, trying to sound commander like. ~Go inta th’ umbra, Report. Find out who’s there, what’s there, and any other pertenent info.~
Maury nods. “Adam, good idea. Go into the Umbra, scout around. See who’s there and how they’re doing.”
Near the Pool, Eligio Sacateca holds his head in his hands and shakes his head at Therru.
Maury looks at Fire-Drums as they speak together; she grins, wry.
Adam murmurs “Cross over? In front of…. everyone?”
Fire-Drums points ~Adam, take Dylan and her.~
Sepdet’s ribs stitch back together thread by thread, her cheek pillowed on her arms on the cold rock, eyes unseeing now. Apparently she was holding her brain together by spit, earlier.
On the western curve, Hugin works his way free of the dense treeline to the west.
On the western curve, Hugin heads into the center.
Hugin says, ~The west is clear.~
Maury snaps, “Do it, Adam.”
Celene looks at the sky. “Alexis, Kevin, Oaken, and Porthos, along with a few that I didn’t recognize.”
Adam snaps a salute. “Sir yes sir!”
Adam says “Squad assemble!”
Celene shrugs again and sits down.
Near the Pool, Dylan stands. and waits for Adam to approach.
Maury says “You _are_ the squad.”
Hugin is in perfect shape, having come in at the end of the struggle.
Ali chuffs acknowledgement, leaps over someone lying down, and heads over.
Near the Pool, Therru looks at Adam, curiously.
Mouse wanders around and sits down heavily. ~I… I’m burnt.~
Near the Pool, Ehni floats above the pool.
Near the Pool, Adam gazes into the pool, and suddenly he vanishes.
Fire-Drums looks about, and asks “Any other healers?”
Mouse says this with a certain amount of amazement, like he hasn’t noticed this before.
Hugin stands by the Tablestone, eye’s aware and looking for any potential threats.
Sepdet cringes at Mouse’s voice muttering weakly ~I’m. Duat. Sorry…Jess? Catherine? Catherine, you can..~
Mouse looks up. “I will be all right. Nothing that will not heal on it’s own time.”
Near the Pool, Adam appears in a glimmer of light.
Hugin says, ~What will stop the humans from coming, now? Our wards are nearly gone.~
From afar, Catherine waves.
Fire-Drums barks, “Star, na you..ya rest. Duat…if only I had m’gnosis…~ She sags, suddenly realizes burns cover her body, as well as bane ichor.
Near the Pool, Dylan heads into the center.
Near the Pool, Adam says “Reassemble.”
You paged Catherine with ‘Now would be a good time Scotty (whimper) I used all my Gnosis, and the wounded are still myriad.’.
Adam salutes.
Fire-Drums see’s Alexis, and asks “Lexi. c’n ya still heal?”
Alexis says “Yes. Who’s hurt?”
Maury eyes Hugin, says, firmly, “We Moot tomorrow. We will rebuild the wards. We’ll have to keep them away until then, ourselves. More subtly.”
Fire-Drums points to Sepdet and Dylan.
Adam says “Vengance squad reports umbra secure.”
Hugin says, ~If one meanders into the center, I will have no choice but to kill it.~
Near the Pool, Ali does likewise, eyes slightly averted from its ripples.
Celene walks over to the passed-out form of Rik. She rummages around his pockets untill she pulls out a cellular phone. She idlely tosses it to Maury.
Dylan shakes his head, meeting no one’s eyes, and heaads north, still silent.
Sepdet whispers ~The wards will hold, a little bit.~
Adam says “Also, Company Ell present.”
Maury catches the phone, fumbling with it and then tapping in a number sharply.
Alexis moves over to Sepdet, examining her wounds.
Ehni hangs in the air before Hugin.
Fire-Drums nods to Adam. She asks “Ya a Child o’ Gaia, ain’tcha? C’n ya heal? ~
Adam says “Sir! I am a fully trained medic.”
Hugin looks at Ehni, ~What?~
Maury says “Adam, take care of – Mouse?”
Adam says “Sir yes sir.”
Maury stops paying attention to Adam as the phone’s answered. She speaks, quietly, into it.
On the northern curve, Dylan looks back for a moment, watching Adam expressionlessly.
Sepdet is mostly well, from Michael’s gentle touch. The ichor still clings to her hands where you can see, and her jacket now obscures the gashes across ribs and chest… but they were healing, last anyone could see.
Near the Pool, Therru limps away from the pool.
Mouse shakes his head. “I do not need it. I’ll heal properly on my own. There are others to take care of.”
Adam says “Sorry, soldier. Orders are orders.”
Fire-Drums looks about, and asks “C’n someone bring me a bucket o’ water?”
Fire-Drums says, ~Mouse. Hush.~
Therru pauses in her slow walk and looks at Adam.
Hugin looks at the one, single, self-inflicted wound on his stomach.
Hugin says, ~Mine will heal by tomorrow.~
Ali eyes Fire-Drums. ~Have one? Will fill it.~
Mouse sighs, resignedly.
Sepdet murmurs ~Wood bowl. Pocket.~
Alexis places her hands uopn Sepdet’s chest. “You’re in enough pain. You don’t need wounds to add to it.” She begins her prayers for healing, and Gaia answers in short order.
Adam multipages all of you: Gottago. IC I’m still here, healing Mouse and Rik.
Fire-Drums shakes her head no. ~Anyone got a canteen? ” She nods to Sepdet, and rises slowly to get it. She gives it to Ali.
Ehni moves to hover over Sepdet.
Celene sits back down next to Toxic.
Ali takes the bowl, lightly, in her jaws.
You paged Fire-Drums with ‘It’s in one of Seppy’s pockets.’.
Therru limps wearily over to the fire pit.
Fire-Drums kisses her sister’s forehead softer, and lets her head rest down on the stone briefly.
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “We gotta get Thorn o’ whomever ta do th’ Rite of Passin’….”
On the eastern curve, Hugin heads east, back into the forest and away from the Wheel.
Near the Fire Pit, Therru contemplates the small fire from a safe distance (ten or fifteen feet).
Hugin meanders around, inspecting the area.
Near the Fire Pit, Therru turns her ear towards the center, surprised.
Near the Pool, Ali shifts all the way through, and fills the bowl with water.
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~I need new clothes…~
Near the Fire Pit, Therru indicates that she is well. She is lying, of course, but there are no more serious wounds on her.
Near the Pool, Eligio Sacateca stares blankly ahead, hardly noticing anything that goes on around him.
Huntress still shudders slightly, jumping a bit at every sound until her eyes recongnize it as no threat.
Maury swears faintly. “Damn. He’s not there, but I’ve left a message for him to come in as soon as possible. Anyone know Arjun-rhya’s number?”
Ali hands the filled bowl to Fire-Dancer. ~Can get another.~
Near the Pool, Eligio Sacateca pulls his head back. ~Huh? Oh…what?~
Near the Pool, Hugin sits down next to Eligio, ~You well?~
Fire-Drums takes the bowl, and dumps it on over her head. She emits a rude sound of pain as the water coursed over her deep burns, beginning to wash the ichor away. She hands the bowl back to Ali, and says “Please.”
Sepdet mutters Arj’s number, but gets it wrong.
Maury taps in the number, shakes her head after a little while. Gentle, she murmurs, “‘S wrong number, Sepdet.”
Ali jogs off to the pool. Brings it back. ~Can shower you,~ and this time dumps it herself over Fire-Drums.
Sepdet is quiet a long moment, then mutters ~Oh that’s Tox’s.~ She gets it right the second time.
Maury says “Do _any_ of you theurges have any energy left?”
Maury taps in the second number, listens.
Alexis finishes with Sepdet. “There you go.”
Fire-Drums says “Thanks Lexi.”
Sepdet whispers thanks.
Mouse looks at his daggers again. He pulls them out and scowls at them.
Fire-Drums seems to realize something of her is missing, and almost looks paniced. She moves slowly about, and finally find her pair of bone daggers.
Near the Pool, Su appears in a glimmer of light.
Long distance to Fire-Drums: Sepdet’s knife is dead. In the pool.
Fire-Drums puts her daggers back, and takes the second to the  basin to gently start washing the ichor off of her sister.
Near the Pool, Su looks around the Realmside Wheel, reorienting herself.
Near the Pool, Catherine appears in a glimmer of light.
Maury speaks into the phone, then taps the off button. “Damn, damn, damn. Anyone know if Thorn has a cellphone?” Almost facetious, behind the anger, frustration, and grief.
Near the Pool, Catherine heads into the center.
Near the Pool, Su heads into the center.
Mouse in a suden bout of fury he rears back and flings them into the woods. He shouts something at where they land in an arcane language.
l Tox
The corpse of a small young woman, small enough to be thought a child, her wiry muscles relaxed in death. She is badly burned over the entire surface of her body, balefire having eaten deep into her flesh, down to the bone in some places. A few locks of ragged, electric-blue hair cling to her scorched skull. Her back is broken, several limbs lie at impossible angles. The tatters of a scorched grey trenchcoat wrap her body, mostly covering the deep gouges from monstrous teeth which go clean through her torso and thighs.
Su trots along behind Catherine, tacitly offering her assistance.
Near the Pool, Hugin thinks a moment, ~I think I’ll be staying in the caern for a while.~
Fire-Drums starts, and arches her back slowly as Adam attempts to heal some of her burns.
On the southern curve, Ilya comes in from the woodland to the south.
Catherine says “Who is hurt?”
Ehni circles the wheel, then wavers, and dissapears.
Fire-Drums is obviously hurt.
Sepdet whispers ~Not leave Grounds caern, Lexi. Not alone.~
On the southern curve, Ilya pads in and looks around the Caern.
Jumps says, ~I am injured but slightly.~
Maury says “WHo isn’t? Besides me. I’m just bruised. Sepdet, Alexis, you’d both better stay.”
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~I’m fine.~
Fire-Drums nods emphatically. ~I’ll stay wi’ ya.~
Huntress growls faintly. ~No, no one leaves alone, too dangerous.~
Fire-Drums says, ~Think most everyone else’s been healed as much ‘s possible.~
Mouse looks with a certain sense of satisfaction at throwing his daggers away.
Near the Pool, Hugin says to Celene, ~Lightfeather…tell me…what happened?~
Near the Fire Pit, Therru backs a little further from the fire and lies down. Dylan left alone. Though he proabably did not go far.
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “ya been havin’ th; dreams too..haven’t ya. Who’s the straw hat mat?”
On the southern curve, Ilya heads into the center.
Ilya has arrived.
Maury turns; when she sees Ilya, her face brightens with relief. “Ilya. I don’t suppose you’re up to standing some pretty intense guard today? We’ve had our wards breached, and Toxic-rhya is dead, and we need everyone. I’ve called Echen and Arjun-rhya.”
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~I will be standing guard, til the moot.~
Dead Toxic pages: BTW, under the charred remnants of one of Tox’s gloves is the tooth of a bear. It radiates spirit-magic like nobody’s business. You’ll have to check with Stormcrow on it, but it is a talen.
Near the Pool, FireWyld appears in a glimmer of light.
Fire-Drums moves away from Sepdet briefly, and goes over to Therru.
Fire-Drums heads northeast to the fire pit.
Ilya looks around, taking in the corpse and insundry wounds, of course.
Ilya says, ~What attacked?~
Catherine’s eyes are unfocused as she looks around. “Are we needed?”
Near the Fire Pit, Therru looks up at Fire-Drums.
Jumps prods at her injured arm, wincing slightly.
You paged Fire-Drums with ‘I think Tox killed him.He’s not really a man. The Wheel burned, and the circle of birds breached. (image of birds flying spiral stair, Sepdet halfway up, the man at the foot turning into a shapeless bane-thing)’.
Alexis regards the body. “Let me take it to the mounds, out of sight.”
Maury says “Bane? I’m not sure. Something. Something powerful enough to breach the wards and appear in the center of the Wheel.”
Near the Fire Pit, Fire-Drums winces as she moves. She mutters under her breath as she asks “Ali, c’n I ahve another basin, please?”
Maury says “Someone go with Alexis if she goes.”
Celene Stands. “I’ll go.”
Su will.
Ali immediately bounds off to comply, once the basin is in her hands.
Ilya says, ~It seems there are no shortage of volunteers.~
Alexis contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Sepdet sighs. ~Keep her in caern til morning? I’ll send her away at dawn. Blanket over her.~
Maury says “Thank you, Su.”
Near the Fire Pit, Fire-Drums winces as she hear people taking her Alpha away. One hand gently on Therru, she asks quietly ~Careful, please..~
Su offers with a twitch of her head to guard the two if they carry the body.
Maury points out to Ilya, “Most of us aren’t Ahrouns.”
Porthos glances over the body of his friend, then looks away. His expression is carefully controlled.
Alexis nods to Sepdet. ~As you wish.~
Ali returns, with basin.
Near the Fire Pit, Therru loos up at Fire-Drums with her head cocked so she can see her from her one eye.
Ilya says, ~It appeared in the Caern? Did it come by moon bridge?~
On the northern curve, Song Weaver emerges from the thin treeline to the north.
Near the Pool, Eligio Sacateca drags himself over to the centre, limping badly.
Near the Pool, FireWyld avoids looking at the injured and dead garou, making her way through everyone in search of one particular one by scent.
On the northern curve, Two-Stripe emerges from the thin treeline to the north.
Maury rubs her eyes; the dirt on her face smudges more. “No. I don’t know what it did, though I saw it. Ask a Theurge, when they’re all thinking again. Eligio, do you know?”
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “I don’t know ’bout that. Gaia I hope so. It….showed me…Duat. I can’t talk about it now. Damn. I’m barely holding on ‘s is….”
Near the Pool, Hugin looks at Jeremy, then at Eligio, a questioning look on his face.
Near the Fire Pit, Therru will follow Fire-Drums.
Celene has left.
Alexis fetches a blanket from the supply chest, and covers Toxic reverantly.
On the northern curve, Fire-Drums limps over, walking with Therru.
On the northern curve, Two-Stripe says, ~Dia…~
Eligio Sacateca shakes his head. ~Thrust its way right through the wards. Stormcrow-rhya said they get their power from the caern. Two months since the last moot, they’ve never been weaker since the caern was reopened.~
FireWyld kneels down the unconscious Cujo.
Near the Pool, Hugin nods to Eligio, understanding.
Mouse sighs, feeling much better, now.
Two-Stripe moves over to Sepdet.
Song Weaver limps, favoring her right foreleg, but not badly.
Catherine kneels down by Jumps, looking at her wounds.
Two-Stripe whispers “~You okay?~”
A voice fills your mind. Fire-Drums remarks “<Before left> “m gonna try’n talk ta Therru….think she’s holding up ‘s poorly ‘s me….Duat. Star..Tox’s…..Tox’s….”
Catherine nods to Porthos.
FireWyld glances over at Porthos. “We can’t go to the Battleground with half our pack outta action.”
Maury’s expression continues to grow strained as she stands, looking around. Slowly, “Porthos. You’re Vengeance?”
Song Weaver snarls, as she looks for an elder.
Mouse sits down, laying back.
Ilya says, ~I assume people are watching the umbra?~
Porthos nods. ~I am Alpha of Vengeance, Maury.~
FireWyld says, ~The wards are back… weak, but back.~
Two-Stripe senses “Sepdet says she will be all right.”
Huntress growls. ~Does anyone patrol the Bawn?~
Maury continues to hold the cellphone in her left hand. “All right, Porthos. Spooner’n'Earth-Child are Gaia knows where. We need guards and that sort of thing.”
Ilya says, ~Earth-Child is patrolling the Bawn, I met him on the way in.~
Song Weaver has just returned from the north, and all is clear.
Porthos glances at Maury. ~Let us do our job, Maury.~
Maury nods, relieved again. “It’s just, I wanted to be sure. You’d talked about leaving, and all.”
Catherine touches Jumps’ arm gently, her entire body flairing bright gold and silver.
Porthos rumbles. ~It’s taken care of, Maury. Let it go.~
Fire-Drums pages to Dead, Sepdet, and Toxic: Gee…Katlyn just dropped by=) [[ An old Renaissance member]]
FireWyld looks up at Porth, then back at Cujo, briefly checking him over to see if he’s just unconscious or unconscious .and. hurt.
Jumps says, ~Thank you Catherine-rhya.~
Song Weaver looks to FireWyld. ~Summer Frost will return to the protection of the southern Bawn, and the southern reaches. If we are needed closer, we will return.~
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~Porthos, I will be on vigil til the moot.~
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~I haven’t anywhere to go, anyhow. I have no clothes.~
Catherine concentrates, the healing energy flowing into the wounded arm, hands moving deftly to set bone and shoulder quickly, the healing rendering it painless. Within minutes the burns are closing, the break fusing.
Song Weaver begins to head southward, but stops, and looks at Maury. ?
Dead Toxic pages: Aw. You’re lovely, even messed up a mourning, you’re lovely. *Sniffle*
Porthos nods. ~Thank you, Hugin. Echen-rhya has taken care of the preparations for guard while my pack Quests for Bull, but I’m sure you will be invaluable support to that effort.~
Catherine says “We are glad we were regaining our energies when we were told.”
Maury says “Didn’t you want an elder? We haven’t got any around, though I’ve called the ones I can get. Porthos is Vengeance, so he’s as close as we get, I think. For the safety of the Caern…”
Maury trails off, turning away to set her hands on the table stone; tears trickle down onto it, slow.
Near the Pool, Ilya looks back at the center, ~We need a Warder.~
Huntress snarls. ~m’sposed to still be Beta of Sneetches, if I can help at all, I will.~
Song Weaver snorts, and nods again to FireWyld before turning southward.
Song Weaver heads south, away from the center of the Wheel.
Near the Pool, Ilya gazes into the pool, and suddenly he vanishes.
Porthos nods. ~I think it best that all Garou who are not otherwise busy in support for the caern stand guard shifts until the wards are replenished to full strength. It is a full moon, but I’m sure there’s stiull the possibility of attack.~
Catherine takes her hands away, Jumps’ arm now healed. “Who else needs healing?”
You paged Dead Toxic with ‘So’s Tox. I had a crush on her, y’know! Take care of yourself, so long, fish, and that jazz. It’s been fun.’.
Eligio Sacateca looks at Ilya by the pool. Mumbles ~Stormcrow-rhya left me as Umbral Warder while he is away.~ Notices Ilya is gone. ~Damn.~
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~Umbra patrol’s too, Porthos.~
Alexis sits next to Sepdet quietly, not allowing her to be alone.
Near the Pool, Hugin says, ~Eligio, why doesn’t our pack take the umbra…we are more than capable.~
Dead Toxic pages: It has been fun. Take care of Mikey and the pack. Bug one of the galliards once in a while to tell a Toxic story…I’m going to dump my life history on Adia so she can do that. Goodbye, Little Star. Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful time.
Porthos nods to Hugin. ~That would be Vengeance’s area. Echen has assured me that he will take care of Vengeance’s absence.~
Maury nods at Porthos. “I’ll take…a watch. I’m supposed to be home, but I can get sick. They’re getting used to it.”
Porthos nods to Maury. ~Have you the Spirit Speech?~
Near the Pool, Hugin seems to crackle with unspent energy, especially at the thought of being useful, for once.
Eligio Sacateca nods to Porthos. ~Echen-rhya is most capable. If Porthos thinks its safe…~ He leaves the though unfinished.
Maury shakes her head. “No. Mundane guard only, I’m afraid..” Strained, helpless.
Jumps says “Catherine-rhya, the shy one was injured, I don’t know whether or not she was tended.”
Porthos nods to Hugin. ~Your pack would most definitely be welcome, Umbraside. Maury, you’re good at bossing people around. See what you can do in the Realm.~ He smiles slightly; jaggedly.
Catherine says “Shy one?”
Su looks up at Porthos, offering her silent aid though she isn’t of any pack.
Moon Otter wuffs. Therru-yuf?
Maury ducks her head, flinching slightly. “I’ve been trying. Are you going anyway?”
Jumps says “Yes, that is her name.”
Eligio Sacateca pages: That was…messier than I expected. If Loki ever offers to leave a MOTD for you about a plot you’re running, say ‘Thanks but no thanks.’