Three of the Garou choose to follow the questing stone to their quarry. And to the Wyrm. The other leaves with Alexis, escorting the kin back to safer ground.
They walk. Or they pile again into a car, perhaps. The stone pulls them northwest, and then north, into an industrial part of town. Low warehouses with trucks parked outside, nondescript signage here and there. Office parks that are all one-story, cookie cutter, where foot traffic doesn't matter and clients never visit. Nothing as high-class as the letterhead on the reimbursement form Morgan found might suggest.
The stone is pulling them towards one of those bland offices, the only one with a light on,
the only light on for a mile around.
Decal on the glass door says only: STE D3. There is a car parked just outside, a few spots to the left from being right in front of the door. Someone who drives a 2015 Audi TT with a paper tag in the rear windshield. This is the sort of place where you would normally run into sedans and trucks from the 90s. But who knows.
Stench of the Wyrm is thick here. But static, very still. It doesn't crawl up and down the spine; it just chills at the base.
RafaëlNew moon tonight. Dark face behind dark clouds. Wolves pacing the streets, following a spiritual scent across the city.
Wolf goes on foot. Doesn't have his car anyway; left it at Cold Crescent. Could call for his driver. Another Silver Fang would think of it. He doesn't. He walks, feet to the cement, hands in his pockets. Blowing into his cupped palms now and then to keep warm.
Now they're here. Standing outside an office building. No great architecture here. Just a bland concrete box. Three wolves standing outside staring up. Silvery-sylphlike one. Red-raging fiery one. And the hulking one, the dark one, the one with the heavy brow, dark coloring.
Doesn't look at his allies. Just stares at the building, the windows. Mutters out the corner of his mouth, "You got a preference how you wanna do this?"
FirebrandThey go on foot. Which, truth be told, the Ahroun doesn't mind. Her temper feels shorter than it ought to with the moon being what it is. By the time they arrive at the bland office buildings the Fianna's got pink in her cheeks from the chill and impatience stirring deep in her gut. There's a light burning in one of the offices and the stone is telling them there.
Right there. Wyrm.
They stand in a collection of breeding and rage and stare up for a minute until Rafael breaks into it. Asks how they wanna do it. Morgan's nose is cold, she sniffs; wipes at it. "Maybe Charlotte can take a peek, see what's going on the other side. We can check around, see if that - " She jerks her head at the door. "Is the only way in. Or - " She flicks a brief grin his way.
"Could just go for it. Make it known we're here. Shake 'em out."
integrationTwo cliaths and a fostern, but that fostern knows that when it comes to direct combat with the Wyrm, it is the full moons who lead -- even when lower in rank.
Most of the time, at least.
--
A light goes off inside Suite D3. Everything dark now.
RafaëlWolf's impatient. So is Firebrand. He can sense it, smell it, all but taste it. Shifts in his shoes, balance moving easy and smooth from one foot to the other. "Say we go for it. Just need one of them alive to tell us where the shit's coming from. Right?"
Wolf leans down. Picks up -- something, a brick, a rock, detritus from the gutter. Starts sharpening his claws.
Starts walking toward the house. Eyes fixed, stride low and loping.
[-1R for Razor Claws! -1R for City Running!]
FirebrandMorgan nods her assent. He wants to go for it. She wings him a smile that's full of teeth. I like that plan, it says. Her eyes are very clear in the moonlight. As Rafael starts to sharpen his claws, Morgan's own start to elongate too. Not into claws, but rapier thin barbs.
She closes ranks after him. The light goes out.
The Garou go in.
[-1R for Spur Claws, also activating Resist Toxin just in case because you never know with these Wyrmy things.]
integrationClaws grow.
Ahrouns growl.
The Theurge looks at them. Prepares herself, too, their rage a wall between her and what she knows is thick, viscous evil.
--
The door to the suite opens, and a woman comes out. She is of below average height, with straight shoulders and a nondescript form. Her hair is dark, but not raven, not jet, not a dark auburn. It's just brown. She is not ugly and she is not stunning. She could be quite pretty, is not trying to be, nor is she wearing shapeless clothes or failing to shower for lack of caring about her appearance and hygiene. She's wearing slacks and a turtleneck sweater and a peacoat. She looks very normal. The peacoat and sweater and slacks and shoes and earrings and her purse are all of very fine, high quality, but none of them are flashy. The car doesn't seem to jive with her appearance at all, but then: one mustn't pre-judge.
She looks up as soon as she walks out, seeing them coming near, one of them outright threatening, the other just as much so. Her eyes widen and she scrambles, grabbing at her pendant, which is a long, thin metal tu--
whistle. Which makes no sound. Not that they can hear, in this form.
Rafaël"Don't."
Sharp. Forceful. Not so much a shout as a bark, tight and taut, the instant before woman blows whistle.
Wolf doesn't stop. Wolf's getting closer with every long stride, dropping that brick now, nails ready to become the sharpest of claws with the next beat of his heart. Pulse of his rage. Shift of his skin.
"One of you leaves alive." Didn't discuss this ahead of time with his supposed allies. Maybe didn't even think of this until just now. "Tell me where the EnerJam's coming from, it could be you. Blow that whistle, call your buddies, it won't be you."
Now he's fifteen feet away.
Now he's ten.
integrationDon't, he says
but she does. It's at her lips, and then it's fumbling away, and her back is to the glass, the back of her head is to the glass. That whistle was sounded, but made no sound.
And she does not say a word to him.
FirebrandThe door opens and a woman emerges as they trek with determination toward it. She's so utterly normal, at least, by the standards the female Ahroun has clearly come to expect of a place that smells like Wyrm to her that she has to do a slight double take. The clothing, the purse -- the Fianna's narrow a touch when she reaches for the whistle.
There's no noise. Not that her human ears can detect but that's just fine -- the Fianna has no intentions of staying as such for long. Morgan is edgy, that much is more than easily read. She's close on the other Ahroun's heels, just slightly ahead of the Theurge. Keeping a modium of distance between the one capable of healing and imminent danger.
Or something along those lines. Don't, Rafael says and Morgan's mouth thins to a line. Her expression reads she's nearly sure she did. The woman's back is to the glass. Her whistle hanging there and Morgan stares at her for a moment longer and then -- crackle. Riiiip. Tear.
A wolf is what the redhead becomes and how she becomes it -- this fiery red thing there with eyes that are boring holes in that woman's direction as if to say -- you, it isn't.
RafaëlWolf's face darkens.
Then sprouts white fur. Fangs, yellow eyes, pointed ears. He goes for the throat.
integration[init!]
Rafaël[oh, last post should've had another -1R. rafa shall go crinos :D +8!]
Dice: 1 d10 TN6 (7) ( success x 1 )
Firebrand[+8 for Hispo! Morgan]
Dice: 1 d10 TN6 (5) ( fail )
integration[Melinda Brown +5]
Dice: 1 d10 TN6 (3) ( fail )
integration[Hekyll +7]
Dice: 1 d10 TN6 (5) ( fail )
integration[Jekyll +8]
Dice: 1 d10 TN6 (6) ( success x 1 )
integration[Rafael
Jekyll
Morgan
Hekyll
Melinda]
integration[Melinda:
1. Dodge]
integration[Hekyll:
1a. Close distance
1b. Rear attack on Morgan: claw
R1. Claw Morgan]
Firebrand[1a. Claw Hekyll and deposit some spur claws in him for keepsies.
1b. Bite Hekyll
R1. Rinse and repeat, bro.]
integration[Jekyll:
1a. Close distance
1b. Rear attack on Rafael: grapple
1c. THROW
R1. Claw Morgan]
Rafaël[-2R
1a. pin melinda!
b. EAT HER FUCKING FACE.
R1. SOME MORE. (may need to change this action to recovering from throw)
R2. AND SOME MORE.]
Rafaël[str+brawl -2 for split action]
Dice: 10 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10) ( success x 5 ) Re-rolls: 1
integration[Melinda: Dodge!]
Dice: 4 d10 TN6 (8, 9, 9, 10) ( success x 4 )
Rafaël[1b. NOMF. -3.]
Dice: 6 d10 TN5 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 9) ( success x 4 )
Rafaël[dam+3]
Dice: 12 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 8, 9, 9) ( success x 3 )
integration[Melinda cannot soak aggravated damage.]
Rafaël[*disgruntled grump* *sacrifices a goat*]
integration[Jekyll: 1b: Grapple. Str + Brawl -4 (split) / diff -2 for rear attack]
Dice: 5 d10 TN4 (2, 5, 7, 9, 9) ( success x 4 )
integration[Jekyll 1c: Throw. Dex + Brawl -5 (split) / -2 for immobilization]
Dice: 4 d10 TN4 (2, 2, 6, 7) ( success x 2 )
integration[Damage: Str + 2 (body slam rules) + Suxx -1] [B]
Dice: 8 d10 TN6 (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) ( success x 5 )
Rafaël[WHAT IS THIS THE WWF]6
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10) ( success x 2 )
integration[Rafael thrown a distance of approximately 4 yards. Will not need to take an action to close distance.]
Firebrand[1a. Claw Hekyll! -2 Split.]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (1, 3, 4, 4, 7, 9) ( success x 2 )
Firebrand[Damage + 1 + Spur Claws give a nice +2 Diff until pulled out :D ]
Dice: 9 d10 TN6 (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10) ( success x 5 )
integration[Hekyll: Soak!]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) ( success x 2 )
Firebrand[1b. Biting his face Rafa style to avenge him! -3 split]
Dice: 5 d10 TN5 (2, 4, 5, 7, 7) ( success x 3 )
Firebrand[Damage + 2]
Dice: 10 d10 TN6 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 8, 8, 9) ( success x 3 )
integration[Hekyll: Soak]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10) ( success x 5 )
integration[Hekyll: 1b. Claw Morgan. Dex + Brawl -3 (split) / +2 diff (spur claws)]
Dice: 5 d10 TN8 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) ( success x 3 )
integration[Damage: Str +1 + Suxx -1]
Dice: 8 d10 TN6 (1, 2, 4, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) ( success x 5 )
Firebrand[Soak, this isn't over you great big porcupine.]
Dice: 7 d10 TN6 (1, 3, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8) ( success x 5 )
Rafaël[R1! ... NOMF MISS BROWN AGAIN I DON'T EVEN CARE.]
Dice: 9 d10 TN5 (1, 2, 3, 3, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) ( success x 6 ) Re-rolls: 1
Rafaël[dam +5]
Dice: 13 d10 TN6 (1, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10) ( success x 9 )
integration[Melinda is dead.]
integration[Jekyll: R1 - Switching to claw Rafael. +1 diff]
Dice: 9 d10 TN7 (3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 9, 10, 10) ( success x 5 )
integration[Damage]
Dice: 10 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 3, 3, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) ( success x 5 )
Rafaël[NO FEAR!]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (2, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8) ( success x 4 )
Firebrand[R1. MORGAN, GIT IM. Bite Hekyll!]
Dice: 8 d10 TN5 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10) ( success x 6 )
Firebrand[Damage + 5]
Dice: 13 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9) ( success x 5 )
integration[Hekyll: Soak]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (1, 3, 5, 9, 9, 9) ( success x 3 )
integration[Hekyll: Clawing Morgan! + 2 diff (spur claws)]
Dice: 8 d10 TN8 (2, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7, 10, 10) ( success x 2 )
integration[Damage]
Dice: 7 d10 TN6 (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10) ( success x 4 )
Firebrand[Soak]
Dice: 7 d10 TN6 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10) ( success x 4 )
Rafaël[R2. okay -- let's actually do some clawing now. jekyll!]
Dice: 9 d10 TN5 (1, 1, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 8, 10, 10) ( success x 6 ) Re-rolls: 2
Rafaël[dam +2 (razor claws) +5]
Dice: 16 d10 TN6 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10) ( success x 10 )
integration[Jekyl: FML]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 2, 2, 6, 9) ( success x 2 )
integration[Jekyll is dead.]
integration[End Round One:
Melinda is dead.
Jekyll is dead.
Hekyll is rather seriously injured.
+1 Rage to Morgan.
+2 Rage to Rafael.]
integration[Rafael
Morgan
Hekyll]
integration[Hekyll: Bite Rafael!]
integrationThe woman known as Melinda Brown, who pays for the apartment where Sandy is staying -- or at least issues a reimbursement request to her employer for the apartment's rent -- dies quickly. Is pinned against glass, has a chunk of flesh taken out of her neck, and begins screaming. Blood chokes her; she is standing, and her eyes are rolling back from pain, but she is trying to scream.
From behind them, two creatures rush out of the darkness. Some other office. Some dumpster, perhaps. They move like gorillas. They were once men but their backs now slope, their arms heavy and almost as long as the rest of their bodies. Their limbs are like tree trunks. They move with shocking speed, and instead of simple human or even outsized-human hands, their heavy fingers bear claws of thick, sharp cartillage. Their mouths are malformed, holding fangs that sometimes pierce their cheeks, scrape their flattened tongues, cause them constant, bleeding pain. They have thick hides, wild screams, and their eyes are filled with terror.
And hatred.
Those emotions are brothers, after all.
--
They attack from behind. Or try to, at least: Morgan whips around to face them while Rafael tastes the woman's blood. She slams her claws into the meat of her assailant's body, ripping her paw away a second later. Huge claws stay sticking out of him, blood bubbling up around the spurs.
The larger of the two non-men throws his heavy arms around the white crinos from behind and just tosses him aside, several yards at least. Rafael hits asphalt, scrapes a few feet, but is up and charging again in seconds.
Not at the creature who threw him. He goes back to the woman who dared blow that silent whistle when he told her not to. And when he bites her upper torso, he tears her in half at the waist. Doesn't even mean to, but that is what happens to her body. Skin stretches and tears; whatever sound she made is lost in very sudden death, her spine and its cord snapped almost instantly. Pieces of her fall to the sidewalk. Morgan, tenacious as ever, bites at the weakened and flailing fomor, and Rafael turns to face the one that dared to throw him like that.
Bites.
Opens gut.
Intestines slide between his fangs. Organs, swollen and greenish, slip around and flump wetly to the asphalt. Whatever that thing was, it is no more. It is a shape with a hole in the middle and a puddle of gore, now.
The remaining fomor slams his fists on the parking lot. It screams, but its eyes roll. The screaming sounds like sobbing. Mad, wordless, animal sobbing.
Was a person once. Not anymore.
Firebrand[Aw, man. Can we just put it out out of its misery?
1a. Put the Formor down. (bite)
1b. Shh, no more screaming. Peace out. (again).]
Rafaël[fak's sake.
1. tear its head off! (claw)]
Rafaël[claw!]
Dice: 9 d10 TN5 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) ( success x 6 ) Re-rolls: 1
Rafaël[dam+5.]
Dice: 16 d10 TN6 (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) ( success x 8 )
integration[Hekyll: Soak?]
Dice: 6 d10 TN6 (3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10) ( success x 2 )
integration[Hekyll is decapitated. Also dead.]
RafaëlSo that wasn't how he envisioned it.
Can't say planned. Wasn't really a plan to begin with. Outlines of one maybe: woman would blab, they'd track the source down. Maybe woman would live, maybe someone else kills her. Wouldn't be wolf's problem at that point.
Not how it goes. Woman just has to go and blow that damn whistle. Just has to and then he can't even help himself. Tears into her. Tears her
literally
to pieces.
And then the one that tossed him like a sack of potatoes. And then the other one, the last one, shrieking like nothing human. Because it's not anymore. It's not human. But it used to be.
--
Wolf's got a misshapen head in his paw. Tore it clear off. Throws it down now, disgustedly. Bruises, scratches, road-rash closing on his body. All that'll be left by morning, the faint imprint of one of the creature's teeth.
White fur recedes. Dark hair, dark eyebrows, dark beard-stubble. Wolf wipes his hands on the seat of his pants. Stares at Morgan a minute. Grimaces.
"Any ideas?"
FirebrandIt's always a little too quiet in the aftermath.
All that Rage and all that bloodshed, it spills so easily you see and then when it's over and there's no more screams to be had, no more snarling or tearing things apart -- it's really the quiet after that's the hardest to live with. Especially after that first time. When the world turns red and you wake up, covered in someone (something) else's blood and that's it, isn't it.
You're in the club for life.
Morgan's got red on her mouth; it stays there as she shifts; rising up from her haunches with wild red hair and she's wiping it off; not hers anyway and looking at all that carnage with a grimace-smile. As if she's not too surprised that this is what happened. She does look around once - sharply, suddenly - during the mayhem she'd lost sight of the other Silver Fang and isn't sure where she went.
She's around though, Morgan is sure of that much.
Any ideas.
The Fianna stares back at him for a minute. Hands at her sides; then clears her throat. "Maybe we should check inside, see if there's anythin' worth takin' back. I know how to cleanse." She looks down, around. "We should report back."
A beat. Her voice echoes a little. "Where's the Theurge?"
Firebrand[Everyone ignore that last line. You never saw it. It wasn't here.]
Rafaël"Don't need both of us to report."
Wolf wipes his bloody mouth on the back of his hand. Shakes it off to the side -- flings a long ropey strand of half-coagulated muck away.
"We'll check inside. Doubt we'll find much. You can cleanse if you want. Or I can torch the place. Either way you can bring word back to the Sept."
integration[If they investigate the office send me some rolls in the forums and I'll describe things there.]
FirebrandDice: 4 d10 TN7 (3, 3, 4, 8) ( success x 1 )
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