"Wounds heal."
Jul. 26th, 2013 05:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
renferretMouse and Nick meet with Jacinta, this time on Mage and Garou terms.
Edgewood House: Meadow(#1390RJh)
A long, hard-packed dirt road winds almost a mile through the forest off Sunrise Road, eventually opening out into a small front yard, and coming to a stop in front of a large house, which may be the very definition of ramshackle. The house is not visible from the road, nor can one hear anything but perhaps a gunshot. Its foundation and general structure are solid, but its once crisp grey-and-white paint needs updating, and some of the trim is having trouble staying attached. A fixer upper, one might say. Off to the left, there's a former garage, long since converted into something of an in-law apartment. A connecting flyover attaches it to the second floor of the house.
There are no fences surrounding either the front or back yards. In the rear of the property, the yard (larger than in the front) eventually comes up against a well built garden, with the very beginnings of sprouts. Shaded and obscured by surrounding trees, there is a small (but deep) natural pond, with a chuckling brook leading out of it, into the woods. There's a rope swing hanging from one of the trees. The yard to the southeast of the property stretches on for a time, and then is eaten by woods, into which there may or may not be a path; it apparently fades away quickly. There's a certain looming feel to these woods.
Contents:
Nicodemus
Jacinta
Obvious exits:
Narrow Path Sunrise Road Front Door Barn/Garage
As the sun sets, and the heat of the day begins to dissipate, the Wendigo elder sits, cross legged, at the edge of the small pond. Her eyes are closed, though she doesn't appear to be sleepoing, and her hands, relaxed and open, rest on her knees.
The Glass Walker elder and Nick arrive via the latter's Porsche SUV. It pulls into the driveway, parks, and disgorges the pair of them. Nick stays close to Mouse, though whether he does so in order to assist her if needed or as protection--or both--is anyone's guess. He leaves the speaking to Mouse for the time being.
Mouse, for her part, is as slow as usual, but no more so. She heads toward the pond immediately, any reassurances or last minute advice having already been given on the drive over. She lifts a hand in greeting when she draws close, even though the Warder's eyes are closed.
Jacinta's eyes open as the pair approach and she lifts her chin as her gaze focuses on first Mouse and then her companion. "Waqaa," she calls out, her voice cool but calm. One hand lifts from her knee to gesture to the ground before her.
"Hey," Mouse replies. She's quiet, but any tension in her seems to be connected to her mobility issues rather than the situation. She sits very slowly, very carefully, but eventually manages the ground without stumbling.
Nicodemus seems to be following the Walker elder's lead. He offers a nod to the Wendigo and settles down onto the ground beside Mouse. Although his body language does communicate some tension, it's not overt. Perhaps calculatingly, he seems to be letting the Warder set the tone for the meeting.
Jacinta watches Mouse more than her kin as the metis struggles to sit, but once both are seated, she returns her focus to Nicodemus. For a moment more she is silent, simply watching, studying. When she speaks, her voice retains the cool, calm tones. "You are angalkuq," she says, a statement rather than a question.
This time, it's Mouse who lets Nick take the lead, though she's clearly watching both of them.
"Yes," Nick replies to Jacinta, then he adds to that statement. "And kin and ally to the Glass Walkers." Simple statements, but spoken with conviction.
"Ii-i," Jacinta answers, equally simple acceptance without shifting her gaze from the man. "You did not wish this to be known." Again, the words come without the intonation of question, though this time there is a lifting of one eyebrow, perhaps implying curiosity.
Mouse looks as though she's considering words, but in the end she remains silent once again, merely observing.
Nicodemus inhales deeply, then exhales the cool night air. "There are those among you who let their fear rule them, or let their xenophobic instincts guide them. It frequently leads to conflict." He emphasizes, "Unnecessary conflict." And then he continues. "I have found it easier to lend assistance to my tribe--and occasionally the sept--from the shadows."
Jacinta's nose wrinkles with the brief display of distaste at something in the mage's words. "Do you understand that by keeping your trust Three from Ashes has lost trust among her kind?" This time the question is clear both in word and in tone, but still the Wendigo does not look away from the kin.
Mouse's only reaction is the faintest twitch of a muscle around one eyebrow.
Nicodemus purses his lips slightly, looking sideways to Mouse, and then back to Jacinta. "That was obviously not my intention. However, that is also one of the reasons I am here tonight: to help her regain this lost trust." He inquires of the Warder, "Perhaps you have an idea as to how this might be accomplished?"
Jacinta offers only a noncommittal grunt, hands closing over her knees. "Wounds heal," she says after a moment. "But each leaves a scar. The flesh is never as it once was, and there is always a reminder of the injury done. If the healing is clean, the scar may be small, smooth, and go unnoticed for much of the time. As time passes, many scars will fade further. Still, what was done cannot be undone, and how this wound between us is between us, and how it heals will need to be between us, as well. That you care speaks to your worth."
Mouse nods very slightly at Jacinta's words.
"Wounds treated with salves or poultice tend to leave less of a scar," Nick says, elaborating upon the Wendigo's choice of metaphor. Nick says, careful to use the honorific, "I had asked Mouse-rhya to talk with you and Elliot earlier, after I had had a chance to meet both of as kin, to see if it might be possible to work more closely with the sept's leadership. Even though Mouse had not told you yet, we were certainly moving to do so."
The soft grunt of acknowledgement repeats, and Jacinta leans forward over her knees. "What is it you wish?" she asks with that same calm voice. "If errors had not occured and you had been able to make yourself known on your own terms, what would you wish?"
Mouse offers another nod as confirmation of Nick's words, but she seems entirely willing to remain in the background for this at the moment. Her attention shifts between the other two, but never fully leaves either.
Nicodemus begins peeling the black leather glove off his left hand, revealing an ordinary-looking hand as he speaks. "Sixteen years ago--and even before that--there were a handful of warpers residing within the city. The sept Alpha, a Child of Gaia named Andrea Moon-Laughs-Quiet, knew of many of us--including myself. Although I was too inept to lend assistance at the time, and my mentor insisted I stay hidden, these warpers worked with Andrea to help defeat a great threat to the caern: Saul ben Isaac and his demonic servents. These warpers either died or departed." He pauses here, removing his remaining glove and flexing his newly freed fingers. Pointedly, he says, "One of these warpers, who was known as an open ally to the sept, was killed by the garou--although I do not know the circumstances of her death." He belatedly adds, "Chloe could be rash and reckless and headstrong at times." Seemingly realizing that he's been sidetracked, Nick resumes the history lesson and request. "Relations have decayed. Andrea clearly did not communicate her knowledge of me to the rest of the sept--perhaps because her own mother was a warper as well, and she knew the dangers involved. And in my attempts at helping Mouse-rhya in recovering the caern from the wasps, I found my hands to be tied because of this secrecy." He places his discarded gloves to one side. "I believe it is time that we re-establish a working relationship that is mutually beneficial."
There is little enough reaction to judge Jacinta's thoughts on the man's words: a twitch of a finger, the brief narrowing of her eyes, the flaring of nostrils. It's clear that the name Saul ben Isaac is not new to her, but perhaps the prevalence of mages known to the sept is, as is the death of one of his kind. Her opinion on the latter two is much more difficult to read, perhaps conflicted, as opposed to the former, which receives the curl of her lip at the mention. "And my kin, Dana? Was she known to you?" The questions come after a moment of silence, offered instead of any direct response to his statements.
This time, Mouse /is/ a little more readable. She looks curiously toward Nicodemus at Jacinta's question.
Nicodemus lets out a small laugh as the Dreamspeaker's name is mentioned, then cuts himself off. A smile remains. "Dana and I were in a cabal--kind of like one of your packs--together. The Jedi Knights." Now that there seems to be some common ground established between himself and the Wendigo, he leans forward slightly. "I helped her to save her kin and some Children of Gaia who'd fallen to a tainted fetish." He gestures with a hand towards the ground. "Not here." He makes a subtle gesture northwards. "A small town much further north. An aspect of Eater-of-Souls had been bound into the recovered fetish, immobilizing it, but the fetish had slowly decayed over centuries and become unstable. We brought the fetish back here so that it could be destroyed. I was the one who gave it to Andrea--in exchange for Andrea's promise to teach Dana more of the spirit world." He leans back. "Dana? Dana would vouche for me. I even helped to teach her a little. Before she moved away and got married."
One brow rises as Jacinta listens to the story, and remains lifted even as it ends. "I will send word to her," she says, expression smoothing over, her voice slightly warmer than before. "She is not the only one of my kin to serve as angalkuq, but the only one I have known in my time, here. We spoke often of the spirits and of Grandmother's will." For the first time since the conversation began, Jacinta looks to Mouse, studies her for a long span before returning to the kin. "I do not like secrets," she says with the cool returning to her tone. "I do not like lies. I will not state untruths unless it can be shown to me that any other choice will do more harm to Grandmother and my own honor must be sacrificed. Do you understand this?"
Mouse looks to Jacinta in turn, though it's clear to the careful observer that the Walker elder is deferential, never fully looking Jacinta in the eye. Her expression remains mostly unchanged, though that curiosity remains as the conversation continues.
Nicodemus nods thrice, slowly, as Jacinta finishes speaking. "I understand." He then continues that thought. "The Veil, for instance, is a secret the garou keep from the humans, wrapping it in lies to protect that secret. And doing so protects both the garou and, by proxy, Gaia." The mage leans forward slightly, his right palm and fingers buried in the grass. "Although I've not told you the numerous things I have done in the past to help preserve the Veil and to aid the garou, I believe you have an idea of how valuable I have been to the sept--even if I took no credit for these actions. And how I could be of value in the future, particularly in light of KL's recent brush with what appears to be a warper who is hostile to the garou." He leans back slightly, though his right hand stays in contact with the ground. "There are those among you who would hunt and kill me if they knew what I am. For instance, the Red Talon that was killing entire families in the city half a year ago? I have no doubt, had she known about me, that she would have attempted to kill me." He then links these two things together. "Preserving my secrecy helps to protect the caern and the garou at this sept."
Jacinta leans forward in turn. "If the Kass'aqs had never come to this land, we would still have no need of the Veil." She straightens, letting out a sharp huff of breath. "If you have alliance with Alpha and Warder, as well as the elder of your tribe, you will be safe from harm from Garou of this Sept."
Mouse's lips purse faintly at something, but it's entirely unclear what. Her attention shifts back toward Nick.
Nicodemus looks to Mouse, then back to Jacinta. "An alliance was what Mouse-rhya was trying to establish the groundwork for, and to judge your and Elliot-rhya's receptiveness to such an alliance." After attempting to apply some salve to that wound, Nick moves on. "Obviously, I am seeking an alliance. I will offer my services to the sept--within limits of what I can do and what I believe is right to do. In exchange, there are two places of power in the wilderness. Those who were here before me drew power from them, and did so without the garou's knowledge or permission, but did so carefully so as to not damage them--as Saul ben Isaac did." He waits a moment for this information to be processed. "I would like permission to access these two places of power again. One-quarter of the energies I harvest I will store in reserve so that they may be used only for the sept's needs or defense. The remaining, I will use at my own discretion." He nods towards Mouse. "Likely to aid the Walkers or to further my own knowledge and abilities." He holds up a finger, as if making a point. "Neither of these sources of power is the caern. I doubt you would grant that kind of access, so I am not even going to ask for it."
"Qang'a," Jacinta says, and though the word is spoken along with the shake of her head, her tone is one of agreement. "That could not be allowed." She shifts from cross legged to her knees, sitting back on her heels, and her eyes narrow. "Where are these places that are not the caern?"
Mouse is watching Nicodemus intently now, and it's clear she has the same question. That lip pursing is gone, however, and now she's just back to looking deeply interested, if not involved, in the conversation.
In response to Jacinta's repositioning of her legs, Nick casually places his left palm upon the ground so that now both his left and right hands have full contact with the earth. "I know they exist, but I have never been to them, so I do not know where to tell you to look. I could sense them if I could go into the woods; but if that is not allowed, then that is not allowed." He keeps his voice very level and calm as he speaks.
Jacinta's eyes narrow again. Hands on her thighs, she leans forward, blue eyes once again sharp on the man. "To wander the bawn cannot be allowed. It is not safe, and you are not yet known to me. Perhaps in the future." Straightening again, she gestures out toward the forest. "But there is much of the woods that is not bawn. Some is claimed by packs, and to enter their territory you will need to reach agreements with them. I have no authority to grant permission nor to deny it. If you choose to wander the forests, beware; much of the woods remains heavy with Wyld, and dangerous even to garou unprepared."
"I can help with that," Mouse offers, the first actual thing she's spoken since they all sat down. "Pack territory, that is, so that you actually know if where you need to go is already claimed."
"If we are to have an alliance," Nick responds, leaning back a little and lifting his left hand off of the ground as Jacinta backs off. "Then I would go nowhere on the bawn that other human kin go. If you wish to impose further restrictions on me--permanently or temporarily--then I will abide by and respect your decision. You are, after all, Warder for the sept. After you come to know me better, then I would like to revisit this discussion of gaining access to these places of power. If you wish, you can even escort me as I look for them and make use of them." He looks to Mouse, then back to Jacinta. "Or appoint someone else you and I both trust. But that is likely a discussion for the future. One other thing I would like to see as part of this alliance," Nick says, lifting his right hand off of the earth as well, then folding both his hands in his lap. "On a few occassions, I have happened across recently changed cubs. Some warpers, in that situation, would merely use them as... parts." He leaves that up to the imagination, but it doesn't take much effort at all to see what kind of dire straits a cub in that situation would be in. "Obviously, I do not. In the past, I've used magic to steer these cubs to the garou--or vice versa. And I will continue to ensure that any cubs I find are brought, as unharmed as possible, to the garou. It seems only fair that, if the garou find any young mages in the area, that they be handed over you, and then from you to me for training rather than... parts." His hands lift and spread slightly in an open-palm gesture. "This seems both fair and mutually beneficial to us both, although there do seem to be far more garou than there are warpers." He says this as if indicating the garou might be getting the better end of this particular deal.
Something in the mage's words seems to not sit well with the Wendigo, and her eyes narrow once more, jaw setting as she listens. Silent for a span of seconds after Nick seems to be finished, she finally lets out a huff of breath. "I would not kill without need. That is not what Grandmother teaches. But you are Kass'aq, and I would not give an angalkuq of my tribe to you, anymore than I would give a cub of my tribe to Three from Ashes. If there are Kass'aq angalkuq, I will send them to you, but those of Elder Brother's kin and my own, we will find a teacher who understands our ways."
Mouse lifts her chin, and nods again, as if confirming that. "For damn good reasons, the Wendigo are very protective of their kin," she explains to Nick, "Theirs and Uktena's."
Nicodemus hmms thoughtfully after you've made your case for an exception. He briefly raises his left hand to brush fingers against his chin. Contrastingly, there's no tension or frustration or irritation. For now. He glances to Mouse, nods, and then looks back to Jacinta. "I hadn't thought of that, and I am certainly not trying to steal your kin away from you. If you find an angalkuq who is a Native American, then I think that certainly merits an exception." He then raises a finger. "However, just so you know, many of us do not have much--or any--knowledge or talent with spirits or the spirit world. Just because you find a mage who happens to be related to the Wendigo or Uktena does not necessarily mean they will be shamans with influence over spirits."
Jacinta's lips tug downward in a momentary display of discontent. "They will be angalkuq," she says firmly. "And they will be my kin. I would no more tell them what strengths to show than I would tell a ragabash to judge, or an ahroun to play the Fool. I am no less one of Grandmother's Chosen because I was not born under the crescent moon. Understanding Grandmother's Ways is what defines me as Wendigo, not the skills I bring to this task."
A corner of Mouse's mouth quirks, just a little, as she looks to Nicodemus.
Nicodemus gently waves his left hand. "We can deal with it when--or if--it happens. I'm pretty open-minded and flexible about things and the paths people choose. But if you start claiming every blond-haired, blue-eyed Scandanavian mage as Wendigo kin," he says, putting forth some imaginary scenario that's clearly intended to be humorous, "then we'll have a bit of a problem." He offers a wry smile. "Everyone I've heard talk about you has mentioned how honorable you are. I trust you on this."
The idea of Nordic Wendigo mages raises an eyebrow, but Jacinta's expression smooths over by the time Nick finishes and she tips her head to the side. "Assirtuq," she says. "As important as honesty, once given I live by my word." She pauses, holding a breath as she holds a thought. "I will not keep you secret. I will allow you time to seek the Alpha on your own, and I will not shout to the hills that you exist, but I will not lie, and I will tell those of my pack once you have had opportunity to speak with Shockwave."
Finally, Nick gets around to having the opportunity to narrow his own eyes. He's clearly not thrilled about Jacinta telling her pack about him. "I don't think telling your pack is wise, but I will respect your decision." He adds, "If you do not swear them to secrecy, word will continue to spread. Then I will have no choice but to place dangerous wards around my home to protect myself from those who would do me harm." A beat. "I /really/ do not want to do that. Someone will get hurt eventually." From his tone, 'hurt' might likely encompass 'killed.'
Jacinta draws in a breath and her spine straightens and chin lifts along with it. "A pack is not simply a friendship, is not simply a family." One hand lifts from her leg to touch her scarred temple, and then drops to tap the center of her chest. "A pack shares a spirit, shares a heart. To keep secrets within this bond is to sever the bond. If I should hold this back, they will know I am withholding something. It will not be a guess. It will not be a suspicion. It will be an awareness, just as much as if I wrenched their hands behind their back. They will feel it. I tell you this because you need to know. I will tell them that this is a confidence, and that I expect it goes no farther, but yes. Eventually others will know. I will grant you enough time to seek out the alpha, this is all I can do. He should hear it from you before he hears it from another."
"He should," Mouse agrees, though now she's all seriousness again, one eye a little narrower than the other. It's clear she's thinking.
Nicodemus sighs disappointedly, but doesn't argue with the Wendigo. He looks to Mouse. "Looks like you just got a new permament resident on the fifth floor: if you'll still have me." He looks to the moon, then back to Jacinta. "Give me until the new moon before you tell your pack?"
"Ii-i," agrees the Wendigo with a nod. "Should the alpha change. Should a new Warder supplant me while I still breathe, I will pass on this knowledge as I would expect it to be passed to me. Outside of these, I will not speak of it. I understand your fear, much as I understand the fear of the garou. I do not take it lightly, neither your fear nor the reason for it. Nor do I take lightly the responsibility this knoweldge carries. I wish you no ill, and that you stand with Three from Ashes speaks much. Perhaps some day you will come to understand what it is to be Warder and what it means to walk in Grandmother's Ways."
"Of /course/ I'll still have you," Mouse says, as if that were the silliest question he could have asked. "And anyone who learns about you is also going to learn you have my protection. I meant what I said earlier." She looks to Jacinta, and sits just a little straighter. "Thanks. I'm going to be talking to Shockwave as soon as possible."
Nicodemus looks, for a moment, like someone being preached at unwelcomely. The flash of emotion dissolves rapidly, then Nick eases back to his feet. To Mouse he says, "I figured the offer was still good. Looks like I'll be beefing up the Walker's security in the near future, too. And I'd like to go with you this time when you go to talk to Elliot." To the Wendigo, he says, "You know what? I wouldn't mind learning a bit more. And if you and Dana got along, I suspect you and I can /probably/ get along, too. Even if we don't see eye to eye on everything." He offers Jacinta his ungloved hand, in case a handshake might be kosher. "I'd make the effort if you promise do the same."
Jacinta rises as well, moving smoothly from her knees to her feet, far more spry than her boxy figure would suggest. "Ii-i," she says, looking to his outstretched hand before wrapping it in her own scarred fingers, blue eyes returning to his.
Mouse's mouth quirks faintly again. There's no smoothness in her standing--on the contrary, it appears to involve a whole lot of awkward, unpleasant rocking and painstakingly slow movement, but it's obvious she's had practice at this by now, and while the quirk to her mouth fades, the rest of her expression remains staunchly neutral.
Nicodemus gives Jacinta's hand a surprisingly firm shake (though not crushingly nor obviously intentionally hard) for someone as gangly as he is. He bends to collect his black gloves from the ground and slide them back on. "Thanks," he says to Jacinta, "For being surprisingly rational about this."
Jacinta's brow arches as the shake is released, but she chooses not to voice whatever thought accompanies the expression. "Ii-i," she says, instead, and turns her focus to Mouse. "We still have much work to do, and the scouts have not found the source of the Wyld. It is time for an elder moot, I think."
"I agree," Mouse replies, once she's on her feet (albeit, shakily so). "I'll speak with you soon."
Nicodemus takes a step back, allowing the two tribal elders to conduct their own business.
Jacinta gives the Glass Walker elder a quick bob of her brows and then turns, skirting the edge of the pond on her way to the faint path at the edge of the meadow.
Mouse turns as well, and finally she gives Nick a look of tired relief. "Well, I don't know about you...but I really feel like a burger. My treat?"
Nicodemus turns and falls in alongside the Walker elder. "I might require chocolate ice cream. Or a burger." The first item was likely mentioned as an attempt at humor. He exhales. "Probably ought to tell the Walkers after Elliot. That cat is
"Shakes," Mouse suggests. "I know a small place that's open late."
Edgewood House: Meadow(#1390RJh)
A long, hard-packed dirt road winds almost a mile through the forest off Sunrise Road, eventually opening out into a small front yard, and coming to a stop in front of a large house, which may be the very definition of ramshackle. The house is not visible from the road, nor can one hear anything but perhaps a gunshot. Its foundation and general structure are solid, but its once crisp grey-and-white paint needs updating, and some of the trim is having trouble staying attached. A fixer upper, one might say. Off to the left, there's a former garage, long since converted into something of an in-law apartment. A connecting flyover attaches it to the second floor of the house.
There are no fences surrounding either the front or back yards. In the rear of the property, the yard (larger than in the front) eventually comes up against a well built garden, with the very beginnings of sprouts. Shaded and obscured by surrounding trees, there is a small (but deep) natural pond, with a chuckling brook leading out of it, into the woods. There's a rope swing hanging from one of the trees. The yard to the southeast of the property stretches on for a time, and then is eaten by woods, into which there may or may not be a path; it apparently fades away quickly. There's a certain looming feel to these woods.
Contents:
Nicodemus
Jacinta
Obvious exits:
Narrow Path Sunrise Road Front Door Barn/Garage
As the sun sets, and the heat of the day begins to dissipate, the Wendigo elder sits, cross legged, at the edge of the small pond. Her eyes are closed, though she doesn't appear to be sleepoing, and her hands, relaxed and open, rest on her knees.
The Glass Walker elder and Nick arrive via the latter's Porsche SUV. It pulls into the driveway, parks, and disgorges the pair of them. Nick stays close to Mouse, though whether he does so in order to assist her if needed or as protection--or both--is anyone's guess. He leaves the speaking to Mouse for the time being.
Mouse, for her part, is as slow as usual, but no more so. She heads toward the pond immediately, any reassurances or last minute advice having already been given on the drive over. She lifts a hand in greeting when she draws close, even though the Warder's eyes are closed.
Jacinta's eyes open as the pair approach and she lifts her chin as her gaze focuses on first Mouse and then her companion. "Waqaa," she calls out, her voice cool but calm. One hand lifts from her knee to gesture to the ground before her.
"Hey," Mouse replies. She's quiet, but any tension in her seems to be connected to her mobility issues rather than the situation. She sits very slowly, very carefully, but eventually manages the ground without stumbling.
Nicodemus seems to be following the Walker elder's lead. He offers a nod to the Wendigo and settles down onto the ground beside Mouse. Although his body language does communicate some tension, it's not overt. Perhaps calculatingly, he seems to be letting the Warder set the tone for the meeting.
Jacinta watches Mouse more than her kin as the metis struggles to sit, but once both are seated, she returns her focus to Nicodemus. For a moment more she is silent, simply watching, studying. When she speaks, her voice retains the cool, calm tones. "You are angalkuq," she says, a statement rather than a question.
This time, it's Mouse who lets Nick take the lead, though she's clearly watching both of them.
"Yes," Nick replies to Jacinta, then he adds to that statement. "And kin and ally to the Glass Walkers." Simple statements, but spoken with conviction.
"Ii-i," Jacinta answers, equally simple acceptance without shifting her gaze from the man. "You did not wish this to be known." Again, the words come without the intonation of question, though this time there is a lifting of one eyebrow, perhaps implying curiosity.
Mouse looks as though she's considering words, but in the end she remains silent once again, merely observing.
Nicodemus inhales deeply, then exhales the cool night air. "There are those among you who let their fear rule them, or let their xenophobic instincts guide them. It frequently leads to conflict." He emphasizes, "Unnecessary conflict." And then he continues. "I have found it easier to lend assistance to my tribe--and occasionally the sept--from the shadows."
Jacinta's nose wrinkles with the brief display of distaste at something in the mage's words. "Do you understand that by keeping your trust Three from Ashes has lost trust among her kind?" This time the question is clear both in word and in tone, but still the Wendigo does not look away from the kin.
Mouse's only reaction is the faintest twitch of a muscle around one eyebrow.
Nicodemus purses his lips slightly, looking sideways to Mouse, and then back to Jacinta. "That was obviously not my intention. However, that is also one of the reasons I am here tonight: to help her regain this lost trust." He inquires of the Warder, "Perhaps you have an idea as to how this might be accomplished?"
Jacinta offers only a noncommittal grunt, hands closing over her knees. "Wounds heal," she says after a moment. "But each leaves a scar. The flesh is never as it once was, and there is always a reminder of the injury done. If the healing is clean, the scar may be small, smooth, and go unnoticed for much of the time. As time passes, many scars will fade further. Still, what was done cannot be undone, and how this wound between us is between us, and how it heals will need to be between us, as well. That you care speaks to your worth."
Mouse nods very slightly at Jacinta's words.
"Wounds treated with salves or poultice tend to leave less of a scar," Nick says, elaborating upon the Wendigo's choice of metaphor. Nick says, careful to use the honorific, "I had asked Mouse-rhya to talk with you and Elliot earlier, after I had had a chance to meet both of as kin, to see if it might be possible to work more closely with the sept's leadership. Even though Mouse had not told you yet, we were certainly moving to do so."
The soft grunt of acknowledgement repeats, and Jacinta leans forward over her knees. "What is it you wish?" she asks with that same calm voice. "If errors had not occured and you had been able to make yourself known on your own terms, what would you wish?"
Mouse offers another nod as confirmation of Nick's words, but she seems entirely willing to remain in the background for this at the moment. Her attention shifts between the other two, but never fully leaves either.
Nicodemus begins peeling the black leather glove off his left hand, revealing an ordinary-looking hand as he speaks. "Sixteen years ago--and even before that--there were a handful of warpers residing within the city. The sept Alpha, a Child of Gaia named Andrea Moon-Laughs-Quiet, knew of many of us--including myself. Although I was too inept to lend assistance at the time, and my mentor insisted I stay hidden, these warpers worked with Andrea to help defeat a great threat to the caern: Saul ben Isaac and his demonic servents. These warpers either died or departed." He pauses here, removing his remaining glove and flexing his newly freed fingers. Pointedly, he says, "One of these warpers, who was known as an open ally to the sept, was killed by the garou--although I do not know the circumstances of her death." He belatedly adds, "Chloe could be rash and reckless and headstrong at times." Seemingly realizing that he's been sidetracked, Nick resumes the history lesson and request. "Relations have decayed. Andrea clearly did not communicate her knowledge of me to the rest of the sept--perhaps because her own mother was a warper as well, and she knew the dangers involved. And in my attempts at helping Mouse-rhya in recovering the caern from the wasps, I found my hands to be tied because of this secrecy." He places his discarded gloves to one side. "I believe it is time that we re-establish a working relationship that is mutually beneficial."
There is little enough reaction to judge Jacinta's thoughts on the man's words: a twitch of a finger, the brief narrowing of her eyes, the flaring of nostrils. It's clear that the name Saul ben Isaac is not new to her, but perhaps the prevalence of mages known to the sept is, as is the death of one of his kind. Her opinion on the latter two is much more difficult to read, perhaps conflicted, as opposed to the former, which receives the curl of her lip at the mention. "And my kin, Dana? Was she known to you?" The questions come after a moment of silence, offered instead of any direct response to his statements.
This time, Mouse /is/ a little more readable. She looks curiously toward Nicodemus at Jacinta's question.
Nicodemus lets out a small laugh as the Dreamspeaker's name is mentioned, then cuts himself off. A smile remains. "Dana and I were in a cabal--kind of like one of your packs--together. The Jedi Knights." Now that there seems to be some common ground established between himself and the Wendigo, he leans forward slightly. "I helped her to save her kin and some Children of Gaia who'd fallen to a tainted fetish." He gestures with a hand towards the ground. "Not here." He makes a subtle gesture northwards. "A small town much further north. An aspect of Eater-of-Souls had been bound into the recovered fetish, immobilizing it, but the fetish had slowly decayed over centuries and become unstable. We brought the fetish back here so that it could be destroyed. I was the one who gave it to Andrea--in exchange for Andrea's promise to teach Dana more of the spirit world." He leans back. "Dana? Dana would vouche for me. I even helped to teach her a little. Before she moved away and got married."
One brow rises as Jacinta listens to the story, and remains lifted even as it ends. "I will send word to her," she says, expression smoothing over, her voice slightly warmer than before. "She is not the only one of my kin to serve as angalkuq, but the only one I have known in my time, here. We spoke often of the spirits and of Grandmother's will." For the first time since the conversation began, Jacinta looks to Mouse, studies her for a long span before returning to the kin. "I do not like secrets," she says with the cool returning to her tone. "I do not like lies. I will not state untruths unless it can be shown to me that any other choice will do more harm to Grandmother and my own honor must be sacrificed. Do you understand this?"
Mouse looks to Jacinta in turn, though it's clear to the careful observer that the Walker elder is deferential, never fully looking Jacinta in the eye. Her expression remains mostly unchanged, though that curiosity remains as the conversation continues.
Nicodemus nods thrice, slowly, as Jacinta finishes speaking. "I understand." He then continues that thought. "The Veil, for instance, is a secret the garou keep from the humans, wrapping it in lies to protect that secret. And doing so protects both the garou and, by proxy, Gaia." The mage leans forward slightly, his right palm and fingers buried in the grass. "Although I've not told you the numerous things I have done in the past to help preserve the Veil and to aid the garou, I believe you have an idea of how valuable I have been to the sept--even if I took no credit for these actions. And how I could be of value in the future, particularly in light of KL's recent brush with what appears to be a warper who is hostile to the garou." He leans back slightly, though his right hand stays in contact with the ground. "There are those among you who would hunt and kill me if they knew what I am. For instance, the Red Talon that was killing entire families in the city half a year ago? I have no doubt, had she known about me, that she would have attempted to kill me." He then links these two things together. "Preserving my secrecy helps to protect the caern and the garou at this sept."
Jacinta leans forward in turn. "If the Kass'aqs had never come to this land, we would still have no need of the Veil." She straightens, letting out a sharp huff of breath. "If you have alliance with Alpha and Warder, as well as the elder of your tribe, you will be safe from harm from Garou of this Sept."
Mouse's lips purse faintly at something, but it's entirely unclear what. Her attention shifts back toward Nick.
Nicodemus looks to Mouse, then back to Jacinta. "An alliance was what Mouse-rhya was trying to establish the groundwork for, and to judge your and Elliot-rhya's receptiveness to such an alliance." After attempting to apply some salve to that wound, Nick moves on. "Obviously, I am seeking an alliance. I will offer my services to the sept--within limits of what I can do and what I believe is right to do. In exchange, there are two places of power in the wilderness. Those who were here before me drew power from them, and did so without the garou's knowledge or permission, but did so carefully so as to not damage them--as Saul ben Isaac did." He waits a moment for this information to be processed. "I would like permission to access these two places of power again. One-quarter of the energies I harvest I will store in reserve so that they may be used only for the sept's needs or defense. The remaining, I will use at my own discretion." He nods towards Mouse. "Likely to aid the Walkers or to further my own knowledge and abilities." He holds up a finger, as if making a point. "Neither of these sources of power is the caern. I doubt you would grant that kind of access, so I am not even going to ask for it."
"Qang'a," Jacinta says, and though the word is spoken along with the shake of her head, her tone is one of agreement. "That could not be allowed." She shifts from cross legged to her knees, sitting back on her heels, and her eyes narrow. "Where are these places that are not the caern?"
Mouse is watching Nicodemus intently now, and it's clear she has the same question. That lip pursing is gone, however, and now she's just back to looking deeply interested, if not involved, in the conversation.
In response to Jacinta's repositioning of her legs, Nick casually places his left palm upon the ground so that now both his left and right hands have full contact with the earth. "I know they exist, but I have never been to them, so I do not know where to tell you to look. I could sense them if I could go into the woods; but if that is not allowed, then that is not allowed." He keeps his voice very level and calm as he speaks.
Jacinta's eyes narrow again. Hands on her thighs, she leans forward, blue eyes once again sharp on the man. "To wander the bawn cannot be allowed. It is not safe, and you are not yet known to me. Perhaps in the future." Straightening again, she gestures out toward the forest. "But there is much of the woods that is not bawn. Some is claimed by packs, and to enter their territory you will need to reach agreements with them. I have no authority to grant permission nor to deny it. If you choose to wander the forests, beware; much of the woods remains heavy with Wyld, and dangerous even to garou unprepared."
"I can help with that," Mouse offers, the first actual thing she's spoken since they all sat down. "Pack territory, that is, so that you actually know if where you need to go is already claimed."
"If we are to have an alliance," Nick responds, leaning back a little and lifting his left hand off of the ground as Jacinta backs off. "Then I would go nowhere on the bawn that other human kin go. If you wish to impose further restrictions on me--permanently or temporarily--then I will abide by and respect your decision. You are, after all, Warder for the sept. After you come to know me better, then I would like to revisit this discussion of gaining access to these places of power. If you wish, you can even escort me as I look for them and make use of them." He looks to Mouse, then back to Jacinta. "Or appoint someone else you and I both trust. But that is likely a discussion for the future. One other thing I would like to see as part of this alliance," Nick says, lifting his right hand off of the earth as well, then folding both his hands in his lap. "On a few occassions, I have happened across recently changed cubs. Some warpers, in that situation, would merely use them as... parts." He leaves that up to the imagination, but it doesn't take much effort at all to see what kind of dire straits a cub in that situation would be in. "Obviously, I do not. In the past, I've used magic to steer these cubs to the garou--or vice versa. And I will continue to ensure that any cubs I find are brought, as unharmed as possible, to the garou. It seems only fair that, if the garou find any young mages in the area, that they be handed over you, and then from you to me for training rather than... parts." His hands lift and spread slightly in an open-palm gesture. "This seems both fair and mutually beneficial to us both, although there do seem to be far more garou than there are warpers." He says this as if indicating the garou might be getting the better end of this particular deal.
Something in the mage's words seems to not sit well with the Wendigo, and her eyes narrow once more, jaw setting as she listens. Silent for a span of seconds after Nick seems to be finished, she finally lets out a huff of breath. "I would not kill without need. That is not what Grandmother teaches. But you are Kass'aq, and I would not give an angalkuq of my tribe to you, anymore than I would give a cub of my tribe to Three from Ashes. If there are Kass'aq angalkuq, I will send them to you, but those of Elder Brother's kin and my own, we will find a teacher who understands our ways."
Mouse lifts her chin, and nods again, as if confirming that. "For damn good reasons, the Wendigo are very protective of their kin," she explains to Nick, "Theirs and Uktena's."
Nicodemus hmms thoughtfully after you've made your case for an exception. He briefly raises his left hand to brush fingers against his chin. Contrastingly, there's no tension or frustration or irritation. For now. He glances to Mouse, nods, and then looks back to Jacinta. "I hadn't thought of that, and I am certainly not trying to steal your kin away from you. If you find an angalkuq who is a Native American, then I think that certainly merits an exception." He then raises a finger. "However, just so you know, many of us do not have much--or any--knowledge or talent with spirits or the spirit world. Just because you find a mage who happens to be related to the Wendigo or Uktena does not necessarily mean they will be shamans with influence over spirits."
Jacinta's lips tug downward in a momentary display of discontent. "They will be angalkuq," she says firmly. "And they will be my kin. I would no more tell them what strengths to show than I would tell a ragabash to judge, or an ahroun to play the Fool. I am no less one of Grandmother's Chosen because I was not born under the crescent moon. Understanding Grandmother's Ways is what defines me as Wendigo, not the skills I bring to this task."
A corner of Mouse's mouth quirks, just a little, as she looks to Nicodemus.
Nicodemus gently waves his left hand. "We can deal with it when--or if--it happens. I'm pretty open-minded and flexible about things and the paths people choose. But if you start claiming every blond-haired, blue-eyed Scandanavian mage as Wendigo kin," he says, putting forth some imaginary scenario that's clearly intended to be humorous, "then we'll have a bit of a problem." He offers a wry smile. "Everyone I've heard talk about you has mentioned how honorable you are. I trust you on this."
The idea of Nordic Wendigo mages raises an eyebrow, but Jacinta's expression smooths over by the time Nick finishes and she tips her head to the side. "Assirtuq," she says. "As important as honesty, once given I live by my word." She pauses, holding a breath as she holds a thought. "I will not keep you secret. I will allow you time to seek the Alpha on your own, and I will not shout to the hills that you exist, but I will not lie, and I will tell those of my pack once you have had opportunity to speak with Shockwave."
Finally, Nick gets around to having the opportunity to narrow his own eyes. He's clearly not thrilled about Jacinta telling her pack about him. "I don't think telling your pack is wise, but I will respect your decision." He adds, "If you do not swear them to secrecy, word will continue to spread. Then I will have no choice but to place dangerous wards around my home to protect myself from those who would do me harm." A beat. "I /really/ do not want to do that. Someone will get hurt eventually." From his tone, 'hurt' might likely encompass 'killed.'
Jacinta draws in a breath and her spine straightens and chin lifts along with it. "A pack is not simply a friendship, is not simply a family." One hand lifts from her leg to touch her scarred temple, and then drops to tap the center of her chest. "A pack shares a spirit, shares a heart. To keep secrets within this bond is to sever the bond. If I should hold this back, they will know I am withholding something. It will not be a guess. It will not be a suspicion. It will be an awareness, just as much as if I wrenched their hands behind their back. They will feel it. I tell you this because you need to know. I will tell them that this is a confidence, and that I expect it goes no farther, but yes. Eventually others will know. I will grant you enough time to seek out the alpha, this is all I can do. He should hear it from you before he hears it from another."
"He should," Mouse agrees, though now she's all seriousness again, one eye a little narrower than the other. It's clear she's thinking.
Nicodemus sighs disappointedly, but doesn't argue with the Wendigo. He looks to Mouse. "Looks like you just got a new permament resident on the fifth floor: if you'll still have me." He looks to the moon, then back to Jacinta. "Give me until the new moon before you tell your pack?"
"Ii-i," agrees the Wendigo with a nod. "Should the alpha change. Should a new Warder supplant me while I still breathe, I will pass on this knowledge as I would expect it to be passed to me. Outside of these, I will not speak of it. I understand your fear, much as I understand the fear of the garou. I do not take it lightly, neither your fear nor the reason for it. Nor do I take lightly the responsibility this knoweldge carries. I wish you no ill, and that you stand with Three from Ashes speaks much. Perhaps some day you will come to understand what it is to be Warder and what it means to walk in Grandmother's Ways."
"Of /course/ I'll still have you," Mouse says, as if that were the silliest question he could have asked. "And anyone who learns about you is also going to learn you have my protection. I meant what I said earlier." She looks to Jacinta, and sits just a little straighter. "Thanks. I'm going to be talking to Shockwave as soon as possible."
Nicodemus looks, for a moment, like someone being preached at unwelcomely. The flash of emotion dissolves rapidly, then Nick eases back to his feet. To Mouse he says, "I figured the offer was still good. Looks like I'll be beefing up the Walker's security in the near future, too. And I'd like to go with you this time when you go to talk to Elliot." To the Wendigo, he says, "You know what? I wouldn't mind learning a bit more. And if you and Dana got along, I suspect you and I can /probably/ get along, too. Even if we don't see eye to eye on everything." He offers Jacinta his ungloved hand, in case a handshake might be kosher. "I'd make the effort if you promise do the same."
Jacinta rises as well, moving smoothly from her knees to her feet, far more spry than her boxy figure would suggest. "Ii-i," she says, looking to his outstretched hand before wrapping it in her own scarred fingers, blue eyes returning to his.
Mouse's mouth quirks faintly again. There's no smoothness in her standing--on the contrary, it appears to involve a whole lot of awkward, unpleasant rocking and painstakingly slow movement, but it's obvious she's had practice at this by now, and while the quirk to her mouth fades, the rest of her expression remains staunchly neutral.
Nicodemus gives Jacinta's hand a surprisingly firm shake (though not crushingly nor obviously intentionally hard) for someone as gangly as he is. He bends to collect his black gloves from the ground and slide them back on. "Thanks," he says to Jacinta, "For being surprisingly rational about this."
Jacinta's brow arches as the shake is released, but she chooses not to voice whatever thought accompanies the expression. "Ii-i," she says, instead, and turns her focus to Mouse. "We still have much work to do, and the scouts have not found the source of the Wyld. It is time for an elder moot, I think."
"I agree," Mouse replies, once she's on her feet (albeit, shakily so). "I'll speak with you soon."
Nicodemus takes a step back, allowing the two tribal elders to conduct their own business.
Jacinta gives the Glass Walker elder a quick bob of her brows and then turns, skirting the edge of the pond on her way to the faint path at the edge of the meadow.
Mouse turns as well, and finally she gives Nick a look of tired relief. "Well, I don't know about you...but I really feel like a burger. My treat?"
Nicodemus turns and falls in alongside the Walker elder. "I might require chocolate ice cream. Or a burger." The first item was likely mentioned as an attempt at humor. He exhales. "Probably ought to tell the Walkers after Elliot. That cat is
"Shakes," Mouse suggests. "I know a small place that's open late."
