=============
A water stained and muddy scrap of page stuck into the journal.
=============
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, either before it was mustered or more typically in the field, or an elected magistrate assigned duties that varied depending on the historical period. Its literal translation is "one who goes before, precedes, who leads the way".
=============
I don't know what ta write about this. I guess i'll just start with ta facts as I know em. Her Ladyship called me in and I could see from her eyes she was well pleased at somethin. Asked me if my ears had been burnin. Well, if they hadn't before, they sure were now I told her. She let me dangle a moment and asked if she should tell me. I suggested I could be as annoyin as tha worlds biggest five year old, so she was merciful and told me. She had taken tha council of her two nearest and dearest, Poncho and Denny. About me. About me in tha Institute. She had decided ta promote me. This kinda floored me. I only been a card caryin member fer a little while, and it weren't just that long ago Her Ladyship granted me tha boon of Scholarship.
Made me remember back when Her Ladyship and me had talked about how things ran when I was in Tha Pack, as Hunter then Scout Leader. She said i'd lead again one day, which I thought was nice of Her at tha time, I never had aspirations of grandure or nothin. I knew when I stepped through them doors fer tha last time as a packless Outcast, by my own paw or no, I knew i'd have ta fight ta prove myself ta tha high thinkers and sharp tongues of tha Institute. I never gave any thought ta more than bein welcome, ta belong and ta be useful.
Her Ladyship was gonna promote me, said I was a natural leader, said I could keep my head when tha waste hit tha spinnin blades, said I was reliable, and said I was on their side. Well, let me tell ya. That I am, that I am. We got all kinds in tha Institute. Angels, Demons, Fangers, Shifters and Witches. That spread doesn't push us apart, it gives us inisights inta things. Its somethin i'm proud of. Somethin i'd be proud ta serve. Proud ta help lead. Her Ladyship promoted me. Asked me if i'd be a Praetor for Her. Like I said I was floored. Still am. I don't wanna bite off more than I can swallow. I asked Her what I needed ta do, when she finished layin out what Her expetations, I said my paws were Her paws. I never expected ta lead again, but now I will, I can't imagine wantin ta lead anywhere else.
When My-She found out, she was over tha Moon. I don't use tha term lightly, neither. So excited she took me out shoppin to tha mainland fer a present. Bought me a fine rugged kilt fer me. I'm gonna wear it when Tha Goddess hides Her face and plays her prank. Goes funny with my tail, and i'll be damned if I take a knife ta it ta cut a hole fer me. Its special, it was fer ME, from My-She. She is special. Both of them are special. Fates musta smiled on me fer all tha good stuf thats been comin my way, or just balancin tha score
I went wanderin in tha South, found an old book in one of tha ruins. Encyclopedia . All neglected in a puddle, under debris. Got it out, flipped through it, found what i was lookin fer. So i pasted it in. Means a lot ta me. considerin who and what i am.
One who goes before.
Sums me right up, nose ta tail.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Grr: soldier, healer, cocktail-maker. Pt2 OOC (not in the book)
His nose for magic manifested in several ways, he could draw on the spirits of a place to help him track or guide, to hide or obfuscate him or his fellows, and to heal casualties, slowing blood flow, binding wounds, reducing pain. It also kept him and his Snarl-mates out of magical ambushes, which in later actions became alarmingly more frequent.
Grr flowed easily to Goddess worship, a manifest belief that life, nature and its cycles were Her, that the Moon was a visual reminder of that. He took what aspects from established religions he felt matched what he knew was true and filled in the rest with the direct logic of the Wild. That may have been the time Grr first started questioning the rightness of the 7RAR-L, its mission and his part in it. Hunting and killing were natural and right. Defending and taking new territory is the same. What they had been doing was far beyond that. Humans were not normal prey. Rabbit, deer, goat, sheep these were normal. It suddenly seemed amazing that his Snarl-mates were only too happy to feed on that which they were part of. More so because so many of them were Fleshie-born themselves.
One way Grr looked to deal with this was to learn to cook. Field rations being what they where he often didn't have much to work with, but fast hands and deep pockets kept him supplied him with the little extras that made combined rations, and any prey or local flora handy into not only decent, but fairly tasty meals. There were always those who made a show of not caring and eating raw carrion, freshly killed prisoner or whatever, but it seemed to Grr that this was taking for granted the subtle heritage that being on the edge of Humanity gave them all, and overcompensating trying to be “more bestial” than nature needed. Fruits, root vegetables, shoots, insects, rodents, livestock and crops all made it into the bellies of the Snarls who either went into the field or stayed in camp with Grr. Their pelts were healthier, and their eyes clearer than those how took the other path. Grr was taking the first steps as Shaman, tending his Kin, offering wholesomeness in the midst of carnage and decay.
This took a more practical sense after the incident with the 90mm shell. Spending a lot of time traumatised, strapped and caged as he recovered his higher functions, then bed-ridden thinking of healing, his purpose and his nature. Calling on the deep instinctive feelings of connection to the flow of life, he was first able to sense deep within himself to "see" the damage that was holding him back from healing fully. He looked to the other casualties, some in better shape than him, some worse. He reached out to them and found he could heal some of their hurts. When he told the medics, they ran some tests and confirmed he did indeed have "The Touch". Field medics were rare in the 7RAR-L, few Lycans had the feel for healing, more interested in dealing out the damage than mending it. Perhaps for this or maybe because of it, the regenerative nature of most Lycans made first aid generally unnecessary. Yet modern warfare brought many dangers even famed Lycanthropic healing couldn't quickly cope with. Shrapnel, phosphorous, napalm, DPU spall and explosive dismemberment would all took their toll. So when Grr requested Combat Medic training over Advanced Firearms, the brass allowed it, always mindful of keeping the 7RAR-L as self sufficient as possible: a self supporting, self feeding, self healing killing machine, just like the individuals that made it up.
When Grr was returned to the field, a new leader had been brought in, from the rifle company that formed part of the Al Muthanna Task Group in southern Iraq. The feel of the unit had been changed. More "training" was carried out, on prisoner or to discipline Snarls themselves. This was exactly the behaviour that Wulf brought to The Pack during the "Alpha Struggles" when Pack Leadership was as changeable as the moon in Toxia. Grr waited, endured, and watched. He tended the fallen, as best he could, healing them, easing their passage or helping them recover. He never shirked his duties, but on more than one occasion, was reprimanded for un-warranted displays of mercy to non-combative targets. It was only his feral savagery to opposing forces, and field-craft that stopped his Officers demoting him, in favour of younger, more unilaterally brutal Snarls. When it was obvious that the corruption of the Unit had degraded it so far that they began to turn on each other, he acted. Only officers were ever issued the generally Lycan-toxic silver ammunition, but his time in the field and in the recovery hospital taught Grr how to kill his own kind convincingly without it.
White Phosphorous incendiary grenades. Several of them. After that it was only the hardly trivial matter of eluding capture by motivated and dedicated, military trained Lycans, and finding lasting freedom. His keen senses, stealth, insurance and counter-insurance training and natural way with those he encountered along the way made that possible. Not a complex plan, just a deep set drive to be free, wild and part of something that felt right. Sneaking in to a regular Fleshie RAR base at a port town was only too easy, as was re-stocking on kit. It was just a matter of putting a word on his buddy in logistics to know which crates held gear ear-marked for the 7RAR-L, skimming off one set of what he needed, being a creature of habit, the only gear he had ever known was either standard issue kit, whatever they could get from the PX, or looting. When “off duty” Grr had taken to wearing shirts with slogans that meshed with his particular brand of humour. About as dry as a paper towel in a monsoon. Fleshie morals, and qualms amused Grr, taking delight in flaunting his feral nature at times, in the face of tradition, whilst at the same time, being quite shy about his own, and rigorously following them; Pack Hierarchy, Territory Protection, Matriarchal Mating Rites, Protection of the Young. Often Grr felt the need to educate his Snarl-mates on the ways of their Four-Legged Kin. In this, Grr was also acting as Shaman to what he considered his Pack.
It was also in these “off duty” times he took after that other grand old Australian tradition. Drinking. Beer never really appealed to Grr, to biter and bloating, but he revelled in the fruity combinations of fresh fruit and strong spirits. With whatever contraband or looted booze they could supply him with, Grr made drinks for his Snarl-mates, a battered Cocktail Guide made its way into his personal effects and Grr realised another aspect of his nature, He could combine scout and healer, cook and soldier, combine them and make them more than their parts. When he stood or crouched beside the makeshift bar in their Den, his fellows would sip at his creations, and start to talk to him, voicing their grievances, giving opinions they might not ever dare give otherwise. It was as if the Rank vanished, the Unit vanished, and all that was left were two beings, one with woes and trials, the other with open ears, and given the trust to judge and advise. Grr learnt his potions well, mixed his drinks, and tended the needs of his fellows. His bartop confessions never passed up the chain of command, save as general recommendations to his Alpha, when he thought the situation needed to be known, for the good of his Kin. In this way too, Grr took on the aspect of Shaman, as Bartender.
Grr flowed easily to Goddess worship, a manifest belief that life, nature and its cycles were Her, that the Moon was a visual reminder of that. He took what aspects from established religions he felt matched what he knew was true and filled in the rest with the direct logic of the Wild. That may have been the time Grr first started questioning the rightness of the 7RAR-L, its mission and his part in it. Hunting and killing were natural and right. Defending and taking new territory is the same. What they had been doing was far beyond that. Humans were not normal prey. Rabbit, deer, goat, sheep these were normal. It suddenly seemed amazing that his Snarl-mates were only too happy to feed on that which they were part of. More so because so many of them were Fleshie-born themselves.
One way Grr looked to deal with this was to learn to cook. Field rations being what they where he often didn't have much to work with, but fast hands and deep pockets kept him supplied him with the little extras that made combined rations, and any prey or local flora handy into not only decent, but fairly tasty meals. There were always those who made a show of not caring and eating raw carrion, freshly killed prisoner or whatever, but it seemed to Grr that this was taking for granted the subtle heritage that being on the edge of Humanity gave them all, and overcompensating trying to be “more bestial” than nature needed. Fruits, root vegetables, shoots, insects, rodents, livestock and crops all made it into the bellies of the Snarls who either went into the field or stayed in camp with Grr. Their pelts were healthier, and their eyes clearer than those how took the other path. Grr was taking the first steps as Shaman, tending his Kin, offering wholesomeness in the midst of carnage and decay.
This took a more practical sense after the incident with the 90mm shell. Spending a lot of time traumatised, strapped and caged as he recovered his higher functions, then bed-ridden thinking of healing, his purpose and his nature. Calling on the deep instinctive feelings of connection to the flow of life, he was first able to sense deep within himself to "see" the damage that was holding him back from healing fully. He looked to the other casualties, some in better shape than him, some worse. He reached out to them and found he could heal some of their hurts. When he told the medics, they ran some tests and confirmed he did indeed have "The Touch". Field medics were rare in the 7RAR-L, few Lycans had the feel for healing, more interested in dealing out the damage than mending it. Perhaps for this or maybe because of it, the regenerative nature of most Lycans made first aid generally unnecessary. Yet modern warfare brought many dangers even famed Lycanthropic healing couldn't quickly cope with. Shrapnel, phosphorous, napalm, DPU spall and explosive dismemberment would all took their toll. So when Grr requested Combat Medic training over Advanced Firearms, the brass allowed it, always mindful of keeping the 7RAR-L as self sufficient as possible: a self supporting, self feeding, self healing killing machine, just like the individuals that made it up.
When Grr was returned to the field, a new leader had been brought in, from the rifle company that formed part of the Al Muthanna Task Group in southern Iraq. The feel of the unit had been changed. More "training" was carried out, on prisoner or to discipline Snarls themselves. This was exactly the behaviour that Wulf brought to The Pack during the "Alpha Struggles" when Pack Leadership was as changeable as the moon in Toxia. Grr waited, endured, and watched. He tended the fallen, as best he could, healing them, easing their passage or helping them recover. He never shirked his duties, but on more than one occasion, was reprimanded for un-warranted displays of mercy to non-combative targets. It was only his feral savagery to opposing forces, and field-craft that stopped his Officers demoting him, in favour of younger, more unilaterally brutal Snarls. When it was obvious that the corruption of the Unit had degraded it so far that they began to turn on each other, he acted. Only officers were ever issued the generally Lycan-toxic silver ammunition, but his time in the field and in the recovery hospital taught Grr how to kill his own kind convincingly without it.
White Phosphorous incendiary grenades. Several of them. After that it was only the hardly trivial matter of eluding capture by motivated and dedicated, military trained Lycans, and finding lasting freedom. His keen senses, stealth, insurance and counter-insurance training and natural way with those he encountered along the way made that possible. Not a complex plan, just a deep set drive to be free, wild and part of something that felt right. Sneaking in to a regular Fleshie RAR base at a port town was only too easy, as was re-stocking on kit. It was just a matter of putting a word on his buddy in logistics to know which crates held gear ear-marked for the 7RAR-L, skimming off one set of what he needed, being a creature of habit, the only gear he had ever known was either standard issue kit, whatever they could get from the PX, or looting. When “off duty” Grr had taken to wearing shirts with slogans that meshed with his particular brand of humour. About as dry as a paper towel in a monsoon. Fleshie morals, and qualms amused Grr, taking delight in flaunting his feral nature at times, in the face of tradition, whilst at the same time, being quite shy about his own, and rigorously following them; Pack Hierarchy, Territory Protection, Matriarchal Mating Rites, Protection of the Young. Often Grr felt the need to educate his Snarl-mates on the ways of their Four-Legged Kin. In this, Grr was also acting as Shaman to what he considered his Pack.
It was also in these “off duty” times he took after that other grand old Australian tradition. Drinking. Beer never really appealed to Grr, to biter and bloating, but he revelled in the fruity combinations of fresh fruit and strong spirits. With whatever contraband or looted booze they could supply him with, Grr made drinks for his Snarl-mates, a battered Cocktail Guide made its way into his personal effects and Grr realised another aspect of his nature, He could combine scout and healer, cook and soldier, combine them and make them more than their parts. When he stood or crouched beside the makeshift bar in their Den, his fellows would sip at his creations, and start to talk to him, voicing their grievances, giving opinions they might not ever dare give otherwise. It was as if the Rank vanished, the Unit vanished, and all that was left were two beings, one with woes and trials, the other with open ears, and given the trust to judge and advise. Grr learnt his potions well, mixed his drinks, and tended the needs of his fellows. His bartop confessions never passed up the chain of command, save as general recommendations to his Alpha, when he thought the situation needed to be known, for the good of his Kin. In this way too, Grr took on the aspect of Shaman, as Bartender.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
the other job
==================================
pencil note, smudged with eyeliner and what may be lipstick, dated 26-4-08
==================================
job well done, Me: 6, Them: nil
well rewarded, Goddess, i love bein where i am in Life.
pencil note, smudged with eyeliner and what may be lipstick, dated 26-4-08
==================================
job well done, Me: 6, Them: nil
well rewarded, Goddess, i love bein where i am in Life.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
ANZAC day
=================
a pencil note, left pinned to the fireplace in the Library, eventually re-pasted into notebook, dated 25-04-08
=================
The Final Inspection
The Soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, my Lord, I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a dollar,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the Saints had often trod.
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
(edit 9/6/2022 Author - Sgt Joshua Helterbran, US Army)
Sgt Joshua Helterbran, US Army
Sgt Joshua Helterbran, US Army
Sgt Joshua Helterbran, US Army
Folks, i have ta go make a Pilgrimage, ta honour tha Fallen. I'll be back in a coupla days
Lest We Ferget
=====================
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Guarding tha Roast Beef
so, i was help, err, clean up after tha Fanger Ball, great do, great foods, when all fo a sudden, this guy pops up and takes my picture. lucky i was full, well, mostly full, and in someones eleses house . . .
he was, err, kind enough ta give me tha pic, and here it is
Haven Incident Report
The following is a report written on a Toxian General Hospital Incident Reporting Form, it is, creased and stained, as if it had been found in a semi-ruined filing cabinet, it is written in careful, but messy pencil. It looks like it has been folded, posted, filed, and returned. It is pasted into the journal.
==============================
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION + REMEDIAL ACTION
==============================
16-04-08
I got a note i picked up in a dead-letter drop-spot, a report of an incident at Haven, involving suspicious behavior of someone I know to be both a threat and capable of performing acts either in mischief or malice.
The note spoke of the marking of all common contact surfaces in the Haven by an individual matching the Shadow, Kishi, who, when asked by a witness was quoted as saying "just something to make people crazy". Given her Faction and relations in it, and the recent events of the anti-Lycan and Feline bio-weapon, the Drooling Disease, which lead to hyper-rabid behavior in its victims, as spread by infected body fluid contact, I thought it was a serious threat.
I treated a number of victims of this disease, and witnessed its spread both by the victims, and by “hosts” as a weapon. I believe I was targeted myself, I found a tear in my MOPS suit that smelt of Quiet's drool, after coming in contact with her during the epidemic.
Arriving in The Library, I met with Her Ladyship, and coincidentally she invited me to join her at Haven for a drink. I balked, which was jokingly mistaken as my fear of being turned into a couch, (actually I worry about ending my days as a rug) but instead I warned her that there was a problem, passed her over the note, and told her I'd “have her six” Her Ladyship read the note, brow furrowing and instructed me to go upstairs and grab the blue canisters, with the assurance that together we would sort the situation out.
We arrived in the Haven doorway. I held Her “six”, close behind, with a canister and a sprayer. I surveyed the current patrons, and recognized Benway, Dracken, Gabriele, and Hippi several other unknown patrons were also present.
Her Ladyship greeted the patrons, and asked them to remain where they were. She told them had been notified that the Haven may have been contaminated and that just to be on the safe side we were going to disinfect.
Dracken, Gabriele and Benway all asked what kind of contamination might have occurred, I suggested that it was the “nasty kind” Her Ladyship told them that I was going to spray the area. Hippi mentioned he has felt something unusual after sitting, and Draken took off his pants. Her Ladyship then told them there was nothing to worry about, that it was purely a precaution.
Gabriele asked what is in the spray, I had no idea, never having been told, but I was fairly sure that it was the combined antidote I had heard had been developed. I was also not in the mood for interrupting questions, so gave an answer of “ground unicorns and the cure to cancer, and that it was blue” hoping to stop further interruptions.
Benway demanded an explanation, and suggested he might take action, referring to his flamethrower, as means of removing the problem himself. HE was agitated but did not move to act. I continued my assessment of the area.
Mirah arrived at Haven, dressed in ceremonial clothes closed her eyes and whispered an incantation.
Jadienne approached Her Ladyship, she was distressed and spoke to Her asking if she could speak with Her. Her Ladyship greeted her kindly, but informed her of that we were dealing with a situation, and asked her patience.
Gabriele asked Benway if this was a new thing, he agreed. Dracken commented that iot was strange and he could not remember any contaminants being loosed in the Haven, before , jokingly adding “apart from the alcohol” Gabriele and Jadiene began reacting to the tension from the others. I could smell their fear response. Benway informed Gabriel of the recent Plagues, to which she replied that plague does not worry her. Benway then further added that as he put it the “crazy lycan, Jason Rockpup was dosing people with something that threw them into homicidal rages”
Being reminded of this set my teeth on edge, but I tried to keep my composure as I had a job to do, not a bone to chew and I tried to explain that it wasn't a plague, that it might have been a bioweapon, and that they should stay calm, as it was about to be neutralized. Her Ladyship affirmed that it was just a precaution, to remain calm and that we would be out of their hair in just a moment.
Seeing Mirah was in place, I asked her if she would start the Cleansing she had let me know she would work in parallel to our decontamination, with her starting, I commenced decontamination.
Again, Gabriele asked if the process would harm them, Mirah replied that no harm will come to those who mean no harm to the Haven. Her Ladyship reaffirmed this, adding that were there to help, not to harm. Benway then asked if we knew who might have put it here and how we knew about it to which She replied “We are the Omega Institute, it is our business to know these things.” Benway shrugged and countered that the “Talamasca” said something similar, to which Gabriele laughed and commented that they were a bunch of fakes. Hippi made a series of odd comments regarding his hair.
Mirah McGuire walked through the door of Haven, carrying a stone bowl from which came a cleansing, wafted by the feathers in her other hand, swirls throughout the bar, it seemed to touch and caress each and every surface. I began spraying in tandem with her Works.
Gabriele then asked who the Omega Institute were and Benway looked at Gabriele supprised at her comment on "the Talamasca?" Her Ladyship smiled at Gabriele and suggested she was new in town. Gabriele looked at her with a sideways glance and said nothing, and I catch her eye and simply pointed at Her Ladyship, not feeling the need to explain. Benway spoke up again, stating that Gabriele was indeed new and if Her Ladyship cared to answer her question, to which She simply said She'd like to ensure everyone's safety first if that was all right with him.
To keep him quiet and to take the edge his building frustration, which I could smell I told him we look after lost puppies, and keep the Library books from going missing, he seemed content with that quip.
Mirah continued through the bar, chanting a purification ritual, followed by words of protection, the smoke carried her words, her message, her invocations, upwards and returns with cleansing white light. I could feel the Working, smell its tang in the air.
Jadienne entered and stood looking for a moment until she spotted me and called out to me as I sprayed surfaces. Benway was confused as to who was doing what, and why. One of the unknown patrons began to pray, adding to the Power in the room. Another commented that the combined effects actually felt quite good. Gabriele was still uneasy, and a note of disquiet still rose from her.
Mirah spread the smoke which curled around the chairs, tables, candles. It traced the bar, slides softly over each seat, swirls around and in each tip jar, every bottle, every glass, each container, cup, mug, and goblet. The smoke touched all the cabinets, inside and out, the knobs, levers, the coffeemaker, teapot, blender, sink, lights, shades, fixtures, cleaning cloths, fountains, fridges and everything inside them. The sweet sage smoke caressed everything, every crevice, purifying it.
“ better be safe than sorry” commented Hippi, to which I heartily agreed as I started spraying near him. Dracken: sighed and said he might as well put his pants back on. Benway joked he always thought 'blowing smoke up your ass' was just an expression, which cheered me up as I worked, and replied “no no, pants are bad” and told him he would get double doses, just to be sure.
Gabriele finally smellt the thick cloying smoke, and relieved, commented it was just incense, and I told her that it was ALSO my blue spray. Mirah, still in her Working, told her it was sage and would case no harm The purifying smoke and the words of Mirah's ritual flowed through Haven, wafting over the pool table, balls and cue sticks, chalk, the windows, posters and pictures, floor, ceiling.
Hippi complained that he wouldn't breathe anything that was not air, Benway suggested he just refrain from breathing, Gabriele relaxed and commented laughing, that it was just like the holy men. I told Hippi he was a long way from pure air in Tox, and Dracken hoped aloud that it wasn't not red fire sage he said he was allergic to. Hippi said he liked the Toxian air, preferring it to strange chemicals that strangers were spraying around. I tild him it was too late now, having already sprayed him before he commented and that i wasn't a stranger, i worked in the Haven, and I wanted it to be a safe place to work.
Mirah continued her Work, wafting smoke over the dance stage, cleansing the floor, poles, and tip jars, each and every stool, chair, couch, and loveseat. The smoke rolls over and through the dj booth and all it's equipment, before smiling and moving up the stairs to the second floor, the smoke cleansing the stairway, its walls of rough brick touched by the wisps of sage.
Hippi blurted out with a comment about his trusty gasmask which he had been wearing since I had mentioned the spray, I reassured him that it should be ok, as long as he didn't touch anything in there before he put it on, to which he quipped “or anyone, since i don't have a long stick with me”
Mirah McGuire continues to chant her invocation, fanning the smoke with the feathers. Smoke swirls around the walls, floor, ceiling, the paintings, booths, tables and seats upstairs. Each candle.. each lapdance chair is touched and cleansed by the smoke and the Power being called down.
I kept spraying long and wide upstairs, covering each area after Mirha. From downstairs I heard Her Ladyship tell Draken he should be fine to go now and to have a pleasant evening. She thanked everyone for their cooperation,
Mirah moved back down the stairs.. the smoke flowing everywhere.. the words of her ancient chant filling the space, making my tail tingle, she moved into the back room, tending every cloth, seat, light, mirror, locker and countertop is cleansed as well as all the stored cases of alcohol and people's belongings.
I met Her Ladyship at the door, where she stood speaking to Jadienne, thanking her for waiting, asking her if she would like to talk there, or in The Library. Jadienne said The Library because the incense was getting to her. I padded up to Her Ladyship and handed Herself a swab, capped, in a biohazard bag, telling her it was from before we started. With that we should be able to tell if there really was a contamination or if it was all a sick joke to drive us nuts.
The smoke cleansed the inside and the outside of the Haven, from foundation to roof
Mirah walked to the door of the Haven, whispering "purify and cleanse this place, Sweet Mother, Blessed Father.. return the poison three times three times three from whence it came." I could sense the strain to Mirah so gave her something to lean on, me.
Mirah raised her arms, looked upward, her eyes glowing .. "thus have i prayed in Perfect Love and in Perfect Trust, Sweet Mother. So Mote It Be!" to which I added my own Call to the Mother. Her Ladyship, before leaving with Jadienne, turned to Mirah and thanked her too.
Mirah lowerd her arms, closed her eyes, deeply fatigued, and releases the Power back to the Universe, with a soft word of thanks. The air lost its tang. Mirah stumbled against in her fatigue. Pix arrived and greeted both Mirah and me as we readied to wander over The Library and asks whats going on. I told her we had just decontaminated Haven, Mirah, exhausted, replied "we think Kishi might have poisoned the Haven last night, we just cleansed it..."
Pix raised a brow and asked a bunch of questions. "Kishi did what?, Was that when she was behind the bar? is the whiskey ok?" This raised some eyes and ears in the Haven, and Benway asked me directly who did it and to try to defuse the situation I tell him "the Green Demoness" counting on him not to know who i meant. It works, but he went on to ask me if anywhere else might be affected. I made motions to escort Mirah out, avoiding any more speculation about who did it or why. Pix had already been set off though, but had axes enough of her own to grind, so I didn't need to contain much. I took Mirah over The Library, she wanted to thank Her Ladyship and I wanted to get her off the streets. For several reasons, retaliation not the least.
==============================
FINAL SUMMARY OF EVENT
==============================
Tipoff that Kishi of the Shadows may have been lacing the Haven with poison and/or bioweapon.
Collected sample for assesment of actual threat.
Took precautionary decontamination action both conventional and themeturgical
SPECIAL NOTE: only hours later, personally observed Kishi repeating the reported actions, glibly in full sight of both Mirah and me.
==============================
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INCIDENT DESCRIPTION + REMEDIAL ACTION
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16-04-08
I got a note i picked up in a dead-letter drop-spot, a report of an incident at Haven, involving suspicious behavior of someone I know to be both a threat and capable of performing acts either in mischief or malice.
The note spoke of the marking of all common contact surfaces in the Haven by an individual matching the Shadow, Kishi, who, when asked by a witness was quoted as saying "just something to make people crazy". Given her Faction and relations in it, and the recent events of the anti-Lycan and Feline bio-weapon, the Drooling Disease, which lead to hyper-rabid behavior in its victims, as spread by infected body fluid contact, I thought it was a serious threat.
I treated a number of victims of this disease, and witnessed its spread both by the victims, and by “hosts” as a weapon. I believe I was targeted myself, I found a tear in my MOPS suit that smelt of Quiet's drool, after coming in contact with her during the epidemic.
Arriving in The Library, I met with Her Ladyship, and coincidentally she invited me to join her at Haven for a drink. I balked, which was jokingly mistaken as my fear of being turned into a couch, (actually I worry about ending my days as a rug) but instead I warned her that there was a problem, passed her over the note, and told her I'd “have her six” Her Ladyship read the note, brow furrowing and instructed me to go upstairs and grab the blue canisters, with the assurance that together we would sort the situation out.
We arrived in the Haven doorway. I held Her “six”, close behind, with a canister and a sprayer. I surveyed the current patrons, and recognized Benway, Dracken, Gabriele, and Hippi several other unknown patrons were also present.
Her Ladyship greeted the patrons, and asked them to remain where they were. She told them had been notified that the Haven may have been contaminated and that just to be on the safe side we were going to disinfect.
Dracken, Gabriele and Benway all asked what kind of contamination might have occurred, I suggested that it was the “nasty kind” Her Ladyship told them that I was going to spray the area. Hippi mentioned he has felt something unusual after sitting, and Draken took off his pants. Her Ladyship then told them there was nothing to worry about, that it was purely a precaution.
Gabriele asked what is in the spray, I had no idea, never having been told, but I was fairly sure that it was the combined antidote I had heard had been developed. I was also not in the mood for interrupting questions, so gave an answer of “ground unicorns and the cure to cancer, and that it was blue” hoping to stop further interruptions.
Benway demanded an explanation, and suggested he might take action, referring to his flamethrower, as means of removing the problem himself. HE was agitated but did not move to act. I continued my assessment of the area.
Mirah arrived at Haven, dressed in ceremonial clothes closed her eyes and whispered an incantation.
Jadienne approached Her Ladyship, she was distressed and spoke to Her asking if she could speak with Her. Her Ladyship greeted her kindly, but informed her of that we were dealing with a situation, and asked her patience.
Gabriele asked Benway if this was a new thing, he agreed. Dracken commented that iot was strange and he could not remember any contaminants being loosed in the Haven, before , jokingly adding “apart from the alcohol” Gabriele and Jadiene began reacting to the tension from the others. I could smell their fear response. Benway informed Gabriel of the recent Plagues, to which she replied that plague does not worry her. Benway then further added that as he put it the “crazy lycan, Jason Rockpup was dosing people with something that threw them into homicidal rages”
Being reminded of this set my teeth on edge, but I tried to keep my composure as I had a job to do, not a bone to chew and I tried to explain that it wasn't a plague, that it might have been a bioweapon, and that they should stay calm, as it was about to be neutralized. Her Ladyship affirmed that it was just a precaution, to remain calm and that we would be out of their hair in just a moment.
Seeing Mirah was in place, I asked her if she would start the Cleansing she had let me know she would work in parallel to our decontamination, with her starting, I commenced decontamination.
Again, Gabriele asked if the process would harm them, Mirah replied that no harm will come to those who mean no harm to the Haven. Her Ladyship reaffirmed this, adding that were there to help, not to harm. Benway then asked if we knew who might have put it here and how we knew about it to which She replied “We are the Omega Institute, it is our business to know these things.” Benway shrugged and countered that the “Talamasca” said something similar, to which Gabriele laughed and commented that they were a bunch of fakes. Hippi made a series of odd comments regarding his hair.
Mirah McGuire walked through the door of Haven, carrying a stone bowl from which came a cleansing, wafted by the feathers in her other hand, swirls throughout the bar, it seemed to touch and caress each and every surface. I began spraying in tandem with her Works.
Gabriele then asked who the Omega Institute were and Benway looked at Gabriele supprised at her comment on "the Talamasca?" Her Ladyship smiled at Gabriele and suggested she was new in town. Gabriele looked at her with a sideways glance and said nothing, and I catch her eye and simply pointed at Her Ladyship, not feeling the need to explain. Benway spoke up again, stating that Gabriele was indeed new and if Her Ladyship cared to answer her question, to which She simply said She'd like to ensure everyone's safety first if that was all right with him.
To keep him quiet and to take the edge his building frustration, which I could smell I told him we look after lost puppies, and keep the Library books from going missing, he seemed content with that quip.
Mirah continued through the bar, chanting a purification ritual, followed by words of protection, the smoke carried her words, her message, her invocations, upwards and returns with cleansing white light. I could feel the Working, smell its tang in the air.
Jadienne entered and stood looking for a moment until she spotted me and called out to me as I sprayed surfaces. Benway was confused as to who was doing what, and why. One of the unknown patrons began to pray, adding to the Power in the room. Another commented that the combined effects actually felt quite good. Gabriele was still uneasy, and a note of disquiet still rose from her.
Mirah spread the smoke which curled around the chairs, tables, candles. It traced the bar, slides softly over each seat, swirls around and in each tip jar, every bottle, every glass, each container, cup, mug, and goblet. The smoke touched all the cabinets, inside and out, the knobs, levers, the coffeemaker, teapot, blender, sink, lights, shades, fixtures, cleaning cloths, fountains, fridges and everything inside them. The sweet sage smoke caressed everything, every crevice, purifying it.
“ better be safe than sorry” commented Hippi, to which I heartily agreed as I started spraying near him. Dracken: sighed and said he might as well put his pants back on. Benway joked he always thought 'blowing smoke up your ass' was just an expression, which cheered me up as I worked, and replied “no no, pants are bad” and told him he would get double doses, just to be sure.
Gabriele finally smellt the thick cloying smoke, and relieved, commented it was just incense, and I told her that it was ALSO my blue spray. Mirah, still in her Working, told her it was sage and would case no harm The purifying smoke and the words of Mirah's ritual flowed through Haven, wafting over the pool table, balls and cue sticks, chalk, the windows, posters and pictures, floor, ceiling.
Hippi complained that he wouldn't breathe anything that was not air, Benway suggested he just refrain from breathing, Gabriele relaxed and commented laughing, that it was just like the holy men. I told Hippi he was a long way from pure air in Tox, and Dracken hoped aloud that it wasn't not red fire sage he said he was allergic to. Hippi said he liked the Toxian air, preferring it to strange chemicals that strangers were spraying around. I tild him it was too late now, having already sprayed him before he commented and that i wasn't a stranger, i worked in the Haven, and I wanted it to be a safe place to work.
Mirah continued her Work, wafting smoke over the dance stage, cleansing the floor, poles, and tip jars, each and every stool, chair, couch, and loveseat. The smoke rolls over and through the dj booth and all it's equipment, before smiling and moving up the stairs to the second floor, the smoke cleansing the stairway, its walls of rough brick touched by the wisps of sage.
Hippi blurted out with a comment about his trusty gasmask which he had been wearing since I had mentioned the spray, I reassured him that it should be ok, as long as he didn't touch anything in there before he put it on, to which he quipped “or anyone, since i don't have a long stick with me”
Mirah McGuire continues to chant her invocation, fanning the smoke with the feathers. Smoke swirls around the walls, floor, ceiling, the paintings, booths, tables and seats upstairs. Each candle.. each lapdance chair is touched and cleansed by the smoke and the Power being called down.
I kept spraying long and wide upstairs, covering each area after Mirha. From downstairs I heard Her Ladyship tell Draken he should be fine to go now and to have a pleasant evening. She thanked everyone for their cooperation,
Mirah moved back down the stairs.. the smoke flowing everywhere.. the words of her ancient chant filling the space, making my tail tingle, she moved into the back room, tending every cloth, seat, light, mirror, locker and countertop is cleansed as well as all the stored cases of alcohol and people's belongings.
I met Her Ladyship at the door, where she stood speaking to Jadienne, thanking her for waiting, asking her if she would like to talk there, or in The Library. Jadienne said The Library because the incense was getting to her. I padded up to Her Ladyship and handed Herself a swab, capped, in a biohazard bag, telling her it was from before we started. With that we should be able to tell if there really was a contamination or if it was all a sick joke to drive us nuts.
The smoke cleansed the inside and the outside of the Haven, from foundation to roof
Mirah walked to the door of the Haven, whispering "purify and cleanse this place, Sweet Mother, Blessed Father.. return the poison three times three times three from whence it came." I could sense the strain to Mirah so gave her something to lean on, me.
Mirah raised her arms, looked upward, her eyes glowing .. "thus have i prayed in Perfect Love and in Perfect Trust, Sweet Mother. So Mote It Be!" to which I added my own Call to the Mother. Her Ladyship, before leaving with Jadienne, turned to Mirah and thanked her too.
Mirah lowerd her arms, closed her eyes, deeply fatigued, and releases the Power back to the Universe, with a soft word of thanks. The air lost its tang. Mirah stumbled against in her fatigue. Pix arrived and greeted both Mirah and me as we readied to wander over The Library and asks whats going on. I told her we had just decontaminated Haven, Mirah, exhausted, replied "we think Kishi might have poisoned the Haven last night, we just cleansed it..."
Pix raised a brow and asked a bunch of questions. "Kishi did what?, Was that when she was behind the bar? is the whiskey ok?" This raised some eyes and ears in the Haven, and Benway asked me directly who did it and to try to defuse the situation I tell him "the Green Demoness" counting on him not to know who i meant. It works, but he went on to ask me if anywhere else might be affected. I made motions to escort Mirah out, avoiding any more speculation about who did it or why. Pix had already been set off though, but had axes enough of her own to grind, so I didn't need to contain much. I took Mirah over The Library, she wanted to thank Her Ladyship and I wanted to get her off the streets. For several reasons, retaliation not the least.
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FINAL SUMMARY OF EVENT
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Tipoff that Kishi of the Shadows may have been lacing the Haven with poison and/or bioweapon.
Collected sample for assesment of actual threat.
Took precautionary decontamination action both conventional and themeturgical
SPECIAL NOTE: only hours later, personally observed Kishi repeating the reported actions, glibly in full sight of both Mirah and me.
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Monday, April 21, 2008
Ryders, brains and angels.
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Pencil entry dated 20/4/08 a suspicious gray smear stains one page
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So, I been tryin ta chase down Jadienne tha ex-Righteous Ryder, she was lookin ta talk ta me, Fleshie ta Bartender like, fer some bar-top confessional. Last I seen of her she pulled me up and told me she needed ta chat, and that she could trust me. I guess I got one of them faces, like they say, that folks can trust. Even had tha Green Demoness believe that' I think, I hope. She had asked me about what i'd feel if I couldn't trust one of my Family. So I knew it was important ta her.
Anyway, I found her screamin her way outta Haven, with Noelle upstairs. They were tradin shots about respect, and trust. I guessed i'd worked out who she was pissed at. I tried ta get her ta talk but she brushed me off. I guess she was passed carin. Some slapper Kit comes up ta us, plastered and tries ta get me ta scram. Looked like she was plannen ta scrump Jadienne, and figured I was competition. Me and Jadienne basically flipped her off, but she wouldn't leave off. I didn't need it, so humped it, half time over ta tha ballroom in time ta catch Her Ladyship and Pontifex in their slow dance, and get an idea how deep still water flows.
They were too caught up in their tagetherness ta much mind me, so I had a little sway and paw tap ta their floatin and flittin, before headin back out. Not everyone likes witnesses ta their matin rites. I head back out in time ta catch Philipa(3465 Kharg) tha slapper Kit from before layin Jadienne out and puttin tha boot in. Now, usually I'd be jumpin in about then, but I noticed all tha Ryders standin by, Noelle as well, so I figured they had it on hand. They did, when Philipa tha Slapper looked ta smear Jadienne, Noelle stepped up, like a good beta and made ta stop her packmate get killed. Dead troopers don't learn tha lesson a thrashin gives.
Jadienne don't want a bar of it, spittin and bawlin Noelle out, even as she was bein rescued. Things went south from there. I took some stray rounds in tha ensuin firefight, some fucktards never check their fields of fire in crowds. You got it, tha slapper. Had tha ass ta get upset when I came up shovin her skanky ass about and ballin her out fer bein a fucktard. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't inconvenienced by her pathetic 45's, but if I hadn't awready killed my dress shirt she woulda ruined it. And that woulda upset My-She.
I shoved off again, with Jadienne and Philipa and Noelle screamin at one another, and Philipa pummilin, blastin at and cuttin on Jadienne. Its a good thing tha Slapped was an amateur, or she mighta killed Jadienne instead of incapacitatin her again and again. I mean, really, doesn't anybody realise ya can’t beat respect inta someone, only fear and resentment.
So I took ta wanderin again, no news, got some more leftovers from tha ball. I ate a LOT. Good thing too, I needed it soon afta. I passed tha Garage ta see Jadienne comin out, fair bumps through me, shove and all. I see tha Slapper wearin Ryder Colours now. I figure that’s ta punish Jadienne. So catch her draw one of her mini-Uzis, draws one and take one tender look at tha bunch of them before going around to the side of the garage. "woah woah" I mutter and duck around tha other way, in case she was getting ready ta double back and hose them from tha far door. That’s what I woulda done.
She ain't there. Tha other option comes ta me, and I double-time back ta tha alley she went inta. She's there, starin at tha wall, girly-uzi up in tha air, limp like. "Grr, go away. " she says ta me. "well, yer tha one with tha gun, guess i better listen, hey . . " I say ta her, but don't move a muscle. No sudden movements ta startle tha prey. She wipes tears away from her eyes with her sleeve, "Grr, step away now." I aint gunna, so I give her a line from tha Battle of Thermopylle "see, i got this cramp, in my leg, can't seem to walk too good" its a good line, I wonder if its wasted. I hear Duard tha Ryder come up behind me. He's no real threat, and I only got eyes on tha prey right then. "problems puppy?" tha fella is as thick as two short planks. He thinks I’m tha problem. Hearin Jadienne's words but not their meanin. Seein me, tha big scary Shifter "meanicin" his packmate with tha drawn weapon. I'll give him that, he went ta her aid, "can i help you? " he puts in, but Jadienne butts in.
"Then crawl, I don't give a damn." I don't move but ta avoid getting capped by this guy, I say "no problem mate, just sittin, workin off this cramp . . . " and start making stretching motions. Duard tells Jadienne ta holster her weapon. Big mistake. Ya NEVER order a head-case ta give up their symbol of power. She is backed inta a mental corner now so she points the mini-Uzi to her temple, "Get away, both of you." I try ta ease her down. "now, see, we got a Irish standoff now . . if i move, i might scare ya, and make ya slip, i'm a scary fella" I try ta disarm her mood. Let her know she's in control. Block-head doesn't get it "holster your Uzi Jad, now. Great, perfect. Stupid bloody biker punk. "I said get away Duard." she flicks the safety off and presses her finger tightly on the trigger.
Finally he gets it "did he attack you, Jad?" he asks, takin tha preasure off her a touch. She comes out with a corker "No, Grr's an angel." Least he ain't gonna club me from behind now. So I take a chance "now, mate, perhaps ya wanna back off a touch, ya might get mess on ya" lettin Jadienne mull over an image of what would happen. Seems her mind's made up though "I'm the one who needs to leave here: Permanently. " Duard Klamath turns to me. Again I try ta reach her. "well, no need fer name-callin . . . i'm just sittin, talkin ta my matey here, mate" even as i say it i see her puttin slight pressure to the trigger, and closes her eyes. I see its gonna have ta be soon.
I keep watchin Jadienne close, not making eye contact, being VERY relaxed. Tha blockhead now realises its not good at all . . . and tries ta talk her down "well . . . . please Jad . . . " but she just sighs, and says "I'm sorry it had to be this way." and looks ta make her move, trigger pressure bein what it is, i knew i had ta move fast and light, so i LUNGE to slap away the Uzi, upwards, with a long swipe of my long arms, folks get shocked how tall iam, another good reason ta crouch, not just comfortable, makes them underestimate me.
and i yell "no fuckin cappin yerself, that'd ruin my day, totally, and its been a swell day" she shrieks as the Uzi falls out of her hand and she collapses on the ground. She kicks at me tryin ta get away and reaches for it, and puts in her mouth. I jammed a finger in the breach, and reached to re-safety it in the same motion but: she manages to get pressure once more to the trigger and pulls it as i try ta wrestle the gun away without exerting my full strength and breaking her arm, or tearing it off. "SOME. HELP. MATE" I was too late, and her head explodes, blood bones and brains splattering the side of the wall, and all over me. The gunshot seems to reverberate through the night.
Duard just stood there "you are insane Jad, let him . . " not comprehending, i'm not so pleasantly oblivious, wearin a bunch of the insides of Jadiennes head as i am "RRRAARR FUCK!!" is all i remember sayin as i grabed tha Uzi, and smashed the cast-metal body of it with one paw and threw it at the wall. Just a moment too late . . . Jadienne slumps forward her breathin stoped, her heart beat whisperin its last pulses as blood slops into my lap and over my fur. Blood and brains, and shards of bone and her hair. This ain't new fer me, not even someone blowin their brains out all over me. I had Timmos do that just outa horror at tha sight of us bustin in on em. This time it was someone i wanted ta stop. Fer good reasons. I draged Jadienne's body forward, craddling her head in my lap, and cupping it, started muttering a prayer, before callin out "SOME HELP HERE" Duard tha blockhead just stares, yammerin "dam lady" I keep at the Workin, the energies crackle around me and Jadienne's fallen body, i feel my fur standin on end, she lays, body still technically alive, the massive trauma being combated by my healin. I take tha chance ta call out again "SOMEBODY HELP"
I know tha Ryders are just on tha other side of tha wall, i can hear em movin about, smell em in there, but they wont come ta tha aid of one of their own. So i keep chanting, cradeling Jadienne's broken open head and calling down who knows what. All of a sudden A Feline Ryder pokes his head around the corner, and i catch his eye "you, Ryder, get help" i startle him, he hasnlt seen what i'm holdin yet. "whop, me?" is all he can say as I cradle Jadiennes broken head, pressing the brains back in, then keeps at my chantin and wouldn't ya know it, I begin to glow, and all my fur standing on end, like i'm a Goddess damned poodle or somethin. Tha little Feline fella swallows hard a couple of times and puts his hand over his face. He's seen her leakin now and he wobbles a bit, befer leanin around the corner and calling ino the Garage "uhh.. we need some help round the corner here. I finally hear them get involved. I hear Dracken call out "ok lead the way" Tha Feline comes back, looking like he's ready to throw up, looks away and just points. Dracke looked down at Jadienne turned to one of the other Ryders and said "i think we got a problem auntie" then turned back to me "Grr can you carryer her to the hosptial? I don't answer, busy but they keep talkin, tryin ta put two and two tagether, as I keep at tha chantin, holding Jadienne's popped skull together with my paws and magics they see tha spray of blood and brain on the wall next to my left, and tha smashed Uzi on the ground next ta me.
I keep chanting, fur standing on end, crackling wih energy as i pray and hold her head in my lap, still bleedin
and all of a sudden all tha Ryders take a step back or so. Her body begins a transformation and her skull and facial features reform themselves and from her back begin to sprout what seems to be wings. Madness i tell ya. I seen all kinds of regens, and all kinds of Shifts, but this is new ta me. All of a sudden, her light green eyes flutter and open and stares up at me, a peaceful expression on em, "Who are you...?" One of tha Ryders, Dracken's Aunt it seems finally speaks up ": ....she ..she is talking..!!...look brother " And i start, as she asks me who i am, I just bark out "Grr"
So, long story short, she finally gets a crowd of helpers, some more helpful than others, she's lost her memory, but i'm guessin that had somethin ta do with tha pawful of brains i was holdin, and tha rest i was wearin or decoratin tha wall of tha Garage. She fully sprouted wings, and started talkin about tha White Light, and God and i knew she had crossed over and get sent back. She said""I don't remember anything, except a white light, and someone telling me to return here." Well, tjhat was me. I maded an Angel taday. I got covered in blood and brains ta do it, and called on SOMETHIN out there ta manage it, but, yeah, like i told My-She "not bad fer a critter from tha Zoo, huh?"
One other thing, when i showed My-She tha pawful of brains and pointed at the smashed Uzi and told her "i'd been there, done that, and i fixed her . . .uhh, kinda" My-She came back with "kinda.....
Mirah McGuire: and she gets wings.. i've always liked wings, but um.. dont "fix" me so i get wings ok? "Ha, never even pictured tha, but what DID come ta mind, was what i told her . . ." you got it Sweetness, i was thinkin little bitty scales, all different colours, like a rainbow, like dragons have"
We watch tha new, Angel Jadienne spar with Krismorel, and take a poundin and all i could think ,as we wandered off was "thats messed up . . . serious, messed up"
I made an Angel, taday. A good days work, really . . .
Pencil entry dated 20/4/08 a suspicious gray smear stains one page
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So, I been tryin ta chase down Jadienne tha ex-Righteous Ryder, she was lookin ta talk ta me, Fleshie ta Bartender like, fer some bar-top confessional. Last I seen of her she pulled me up and told me she needed ta chat, and that she could trust me. I guess I got one of them faces, like they say, that folks can trust. Even had tha Green Demoness believe that' I think, I hope. She had asked me about what i'd feel if I couldn't trust one of my Family. So I knew it was important ta her.
Anyway, I found her screamin her way outta Haven, with Noelle upstairs. They were tradin shots about respect, and trust. I guessed i'd worked out who she was pissed at. I tried ta get her ta talk but she brushed me off. I guess she was passed carin. Some slapper Kit comes up ta us, plastered and tries ta get me ta scram. Looked like she was plannen ta scrump Jadienne, and figured I was competition. Me and Jadienne basically flipped her off, but she wouldn't leave off. I didn't need it, so humped it, half time over ta tha ballroom in time ta catch Her Ladyship and Pontifex in their slow dance, and get an idea how deep still water flows.
They were too caught up in their tagetherness ta much mind me, so I had a little sway and paw tap ta their floatin and flittin, before headin back out. Not everyone likes witnesses ta their matin rites. I head back out in time ta catch Philipa(3465 Kharg) tha slapper Kit from before layin Jadienne out and puttin tha boot in. Now, usually I'd be jumpin in about then, but I noticed all tha Ryders standin by, Noelle as well, so I figured they had it on hand. They did, when Philipa tha Slapper looked ta smear Jadienne, Noelle stepped up, like a good beta and made ta stop her packmate get killed. Dead troopers don't learn tha lesson a thrashin gives.
Jadienne don't want a bar of it, spittin and bawlin Noelle out, even as she was bein rescued. Things went south from there. I took some stray rounds in tha ensuin firefight, some fucktards never check their fields of fire in crowds. You got it, tha slapper. Had tha ass ta get upset when I came up shovin her skanky ass about and ballin her out fer bein a fucktard. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't inconvenienced by her pathetic 45's, but if I hadn't awready killed my dress shirt she woulda ruined it. And that woulda upset My-She.
I shoved off again, with Jadienne and Philipa and Noelle screamin at one another, and Philipa pummilin, blastin at and cuttin on Jadienne. Its a good thing tha Slapped was an amateur, or she mighta killed Jadienne instead of incapacitatin her again and again. I mean, really, doesn't anybody realise ya can’t beat respect inta someone, only fear and resentment.
So I took ta wanderin again, no news, got some more leftovers from tha ball. I ate a LOT. Good thing too, I needed it soon afta. I passed tha Garage ta see Jadienne comin out, fair bumps through me, shove and all. I see tha Slapper wearin Ryder Colours now. I figure that’s ta punish Jadienne. So catch her draw one of her mini-Uzis, draws one and take one tender look at tha bunch of them before going around to the side of the garage. "woah woah" I mutter and duck around tha other way, in case she was getting ready ta double back and hose them from tha far door. That’s what I woulda done.
She ain't there. Tha other option comes ta me, and I double-time back ta tha alley she went inta. She's there, starin at tha wall, girly-uzi up in tha air, limp like. "Grr, go away. " she says ta me. "well, yer tha one with tha gun, guess i better listen, hey . . " I say ta her, but don't move a muscle. No sudden movements ta startle tha prey. She wipes tears away from her eyes with her sleeve, "Grr, step away now." I aint gunna, so I give her a line from tha Battle of Thermopylle "see, i got this cramp, in my leg, can't seem to walk too good" its a good line, I wonder if its wasted. I hear Duard tha Ryder come up behind me. He's no real threat, and I only got eyes on tha prey right then. "problems puppy?" tha fella is as thick as two short planks. He thinks I’m tha problem. Hearin Jadienne's words but not their meanin. Seein me, tha big scary Shifter "meanicin" his packmate with tha drawn weapon. I'll give him that, he went ta her aid, "can i help you? " he puts in, but Jadienne butts in.
"Then crawl, I don't give a damn." I don't move but ta avoid getting capped by this guy, I say "no problem mate, just sittin, workin off this cramp . . . " and start making stretching motions. Duard tells Jadienne ta holster her weapon. Big mistake. Ya NEVER order a head-case ta give up their symbol of power. She is backed inta a mental corner now so she points the mini-Uzi to her temple, "Get away, both of you." I try ta ease her down. "now, see, we got a Irish standoff now . . if i move, i might scare ya, and make ya slip, i'm a scary fella" I try ta disarm her mood. Let her know she's in control. Block-head doesn't get it "holster your Uzi Jad, now. Great, perfect. Stupid bloody biker punk. "I said get away Duard." she flicks the safety off and presses her finger tightly on the trigger.
Finally he gets it "did he attack you, Jad?" he asks, takin tha preasure off her a touch. She comes out with a corker "No, Grr's an angel." Least he ain't gonna club me from behind now. So I take a chance "now, mate, perhaps ya wanna back off a touch, ya might get mess on ya" lettin Jadienne mull over an image of what would happen. Seems her mind's made up though "I'm the one who needs to leave here: Permanently. " Duard Klamath turns to me. Again I try ta reach her. "well, no need fer name-callin . . . i'm just sittin, talkin ta my matey here, mate" even as i say it i see her puttin slight pressure to the trigger, and closes her eyes. I see its gonna have ta be soon.
I keep watchin Jadienne close, not making eye contact, being VERY relaxed. Tha blockhead now realises its not good at all . . . and tries ta talk her down "well . . . . please Jad . . . " but she just sighs, and says "I'm sorry it had to be this way." and looks ta make her move, trigger pressure bein what it is, i knew i had ta move fast and light, so i LUNGE to slap away the Uzi, upwards, with a long swipe of my long arms, folks get shocked how tall iam, another good reason ta crouch, not just comfortable, makes them underestimate me.
and i yell "no fuckin cappin yerself, that'd ruin my day, totally, and its been a swell day" she shrieks as the Uzi falls out of her hand and she collapses on the ground. She kicks at me tryin ta get away and reaches for it, and puts in her mouth. I jammed a finger in the breach, and reached to re-safety it in the same motion but: she manages to get pressure once more to the trigger and pulls it as i try ta wrestle the gun away without exerting my full strength and breaking her arm, or tearing it off. "SOME. HELP. MATE" I was too late, and her head explodes, blood bones and brains splattering the side of the wall, and all over me. The gunshot seems to reverberate through the night.
Duard just stood there "you are insane Jad, let him . . " not comprehending, i'm not so pleasantly oblivious, wearin a bunch of the insides of Jadiennes head as i am "RRRAARR FUCK!!" is all i remember sayin as i grabed tha Uzi, and smashed the cast-metal body of it with one paw and threw it at the wall. Just a moment too late . . . Jadienne slumps forward her breathin stoped, her heart beat whisperin its last pulses as blood slops into my lap and over my fur. Blood and brains, and shards of bone and her hair. This ain't new fer me, not even someone blowin their brains out all over me. I had Timmos do that just outa horror at tha sight of us bustin in on em. This time it was someone i wanted ta stop. Fer good reasons. I draged Jadienne's body forward, craddling her head in my lap, and cupping it, started muttering a prayer, before callin out "SOME HELP HERE" Duard tha blockhead just stares, yammerin "dam lady" I keep at the Workin, the energies crackle around me and Jadienne's fallen body, i feel my fur standin on end, she lays, body still technically alive, the massive trauma being combated by my healin. I take tha chance ta call out again "SOMEBODY HELP"
I know tha Ryders are just on tha other side of tha wall, i can hear em movin about, smell em in there, but they wont come ta tha aid of one of their own. So i keep chanting, cradeling Jadienne's broken open head and calling down who knows what. All of a sudden A Feline Ryder pokes his head around the corner, and i catch his eye "you, Ryder, get help" i startle him, he hasnlt seen what i'm holdin yet. "whop, me?" is all he can say as I cradle Jadiennes broken head, pressing the brains back in, then keeps at my chantin and wouldn't ya know it, I begin to glow, and all my fur standing on end, like i'm a Goddess damned poodle or somethin. Tha little Feline fella swallows hard a couple of times and puts his hand over his face. He's seen her leakin now and he wobbles a bit, befer leanin around the corner and calling ino the Garage "uhh.. we need some help round the corner here. I finally hear them get involved. I hear Dracken call out "ok lead the way" Tha Feline comes back, looking like he's ready to throw up, looks away and just points. Dracke looked down at Jadienne turned to one of the other Ryders and said "i think we got a problem auntie" then turned back to me "Grr can you carryer her to the hosptial? I don't answer, busy but they keep talkin, tryin ta put two and two tagether, as I keep at tha chantin, holding Jadienne's popped skull together with my paws and magics they see tha spray of blood and brain on the wall next to my left, and tha smashed Uzi on the ground next ta me.
I keep chanting, fur standing on end, crackling wih energy as i pray and hold her head in my lap, still bleedin
and all of a sudden all tha Ryders take a step back or so. Her body begins a transformation and her skull and facial features reform themselves and from her back begin to sprout what seems to be wings. Madness i tell ya. I seen all kinds of regens, and all kinds of Shifts, but this is new ta me. All of a sudden, her light green eyes flutter and open and stares up at me, a peaceful expression on em, "Who are you...?" One of tha Ryders, Dracken's Aunt it seems finally speaks up ": ....she ..she is talking..!!...look brother " And i start, as she asks me who i am, I just bark out "Grr"
So, long story short, she finally gets a crowd of helpers, some more helpful than others, she's lost her memory, but i'm guessin that had somethin ta do with tha pawful of brains i was holdin, and tha rest i was wearin or decoratin tha wall of tha Garage. She fully sprouted wings, and started talkin about tha White Light, and God and i knew she had crossed over and get sent back. She said""I don't remember anything, except a white light, and someone telling me to return here." Well, tjhat was me. I maded an Angel taday. I got covered in blood and brains ta do it, and called on SOMETHIN out there ta manage it, but, yeah, like i told My-She "not bad fer a critter from tha Zoo, huh?"
One other thing, when i showed My-She tha pawful of brains and pointed at the smashed Uzi and told her "i'd been there, done that, and i fixed her . . .uhh, kinda" My-She came back with "kinda.....
Mirah McGuire: and she gets wings.. i've always liked wings, but um.. dont "fix" me so i get wings ok? "Ha, never even pictured tha, but what DID come ta mind, was what i told her . . ." you got it Sweetness, i was thinkin little bitty scales, all different colours, like a rainbow, like dragons have"
We watch tha new, Angel Jadienne spar with Krismorel, and take a poundin and all i could think ,as we wandered off was "thats messed up . . . serious, messed up"
I made an Angel, taday. A good days work, really . . .
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