Difference between revisions of "Coyote: The Packmind/Chapter 5"

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[Wellspring] Carson was just about to lead the group to the so called place where the coyotes are reborn, calling it the Wellspring. RosaSoul was sent back to the bus, and Taggart, Sparhawk, Kale, Delu'meril, and REDACTED were following Carson and Harry, the oddly named partially transformed German Shepherd girl.

[Otherworld] In the Otherworld, after an aspect of Coyote opened up some strange -door- to the Dreamer, REDACTED tripped after having lost massive amounts of blood bringing both herself and Sorien with them into it, while Apostasy, Cilan and the native River are stunned.

[Wellspring] Kale asks Carson "So if our friends minds still exist isn't there a way we can bring them back?"

[Otherworld] Apostasy looks at the Coyote aspect. "Just how much danger are they in?"

[Wellspring] Carson shrugs, "Ya ask like I know." His gruff response sounds heartless, but he really seems to not have an answer. Harry lags behind a bit and whispers to Kale, "Don't mind the old dog, he's in over his head here. I know he'll figure out something to do about your friends." She tries hard to not let Carson hear her.

[Otherworld] Cilan blinks in surprise as her two friends disappear, her eyes soon becoming wide as she calls out, "What the hell just happened to them?!"

[Otherworld] The coyote man thinks for a moment, and then a giant black inky tentacle shoots out of the doorway, wrapping around his neck, and another strikes toward river, and another toward Cilan and Apostasy.

[Wellspring] Kale nods solemnly "I ... hope so." Kale does hir best to keep up carrying hir supplies, and Apo's gun..

[Wellspring] Sparhawk trots along attentively, thinking about many things. Not least of which is said out loud: "Before I leave the state on heroic rescues, I really, really need to get a shortwave radio for long-distance talk to people who need it."

[Otherworld] Apostasy dives out of the way of the tentacle striking towards him, and pulls River out of the way of the one attacking her, trusting Cilan to be able to protect herself.

[Otherworld] Cilan quickly rolls out of the way of the attacking tentacle, returning to her feet, she returns to a readied stance, waiting to see if she is in further danger from the doorway.

[Otherworld] The shadows begin to bleed out of the ground as more tentacles come out. Two more wrap around the coyote aspect and pull him inside. More look ready to strike out at any moment.

[Otherworld] Apostasy steps back from the tentacles, trying to keep himself between them and River. "This is.... not a great situation."

[Wellspring] REDACTED stares around, the terrain is actually quite beautiful, the woodscape having it's own unique feel in this area of the country. She looks aggitated, knowing that they are about to face the creatures that stole her love from her at their very heart and core and she's prepared to do what it takes to stop it from hurting anyone else.

[Otherworld] Cilan continues attempting to dodge out of the way of the attacking tentacles, while at the same time looking for a weapon to defend herself, and the rest of her allies with, -and- a way to get to it. [Otherworld] River says, "I... I think we should run." Backing away from the shadowy ground.

[Otherworld] Apostasy nods. "I agree with that. Cil! Try to grab one of the torches and let's make tracks out of here!"

[Wellspring] Harry says, "The wellspring is not too far into the forest, but if I might ask, how 'did' you all find this place? That Sorien fellow made it sound like you were all really far south." Despite her meek form, she actually sounds a little suspicious and appears to be trying to interrogate, even if she's a bit bashful about it.

[Otherworld] Cilan looks to Apostasy and gives him a quick, and understanding thumbs-up before turning her vision to the tentacles, quickly dodging out of the way soon after as she makes her way to one of the torches, and soon after, back to the other two.

[Otherworld] The shadow biting on their heels, the three run out from the cave, the entrance feels miles away and the shadow spreading quickly. There's a small dot of light that peeks to the maw of the cave entrance but it seems forever away.

[Wellspring] Meril fiddles with her weapon, checking the sights and adjusting a few levers and slides with angry metallic clicks. A soft whoosh of nylon sings from a buckle as she adjusts its sling to sit high and at the ready, right hand keeping it steady while the left checks the grenades hooked to her webbing before dipping to let its agile fingers slide open casings and swap out fresh batteries on some odd-looking hardware. Her breathing is measured, but it comes in tense and gently raspy. "Was a bit of a trip," she answers with strained humor, forcing a smile.

[Otherworld] Apostasy shouts "Remember how this place works! Focus on being at the cave mouth!"

[Wellspring] Kale says "We were guided here by a lost friend."

[Otherworld] Along the way, Cilan believes to herself, that the entrance is only coming closer as she sprints forward, using her torch to light the way, and keep any possible footfalls illuminated.

[Dream] The room spins around before coming into focus. There's a candle lighting a small bed with a sheepskin cloth covering a rather frail looking young girl. She is sound asleep and candlelight makes patterns in the shadow across her as it flickers. The outer edges of the room sift off into darkness, and the place feels empty and alone. Sorien finally remembers -who- she is, and sees her mate nearby her on the ground unconscious.

[Wellspring] Sparhawk is more talkative in general. "Dunno how Sorien found it, but we followed her trail here. And also other lost friends, yes. You saw my dancing bottle? It was pointing here until we got here." Shi glances down at it, still held in hir left hand, for any change in behavior.

[Dream] Sorien shakes her head, then checks to see what shape REDACTED is in; she does NOT try to wake her mate, as its obvious something is very wrong with her... Or in her.

[Otherworld] The dot grows nearer, but the shadows only seem to increase in speed behind them. River groans out of breath but pushes herself onward following the other two. "If I don't make it, you must save the dreamer, don't let them kill him!"

[Wellspring] Carson holds up a hand to the group behind, and growls out, "You, 'yotes. Show yourselves, I know ya are following us." And then he says something that speaks to everyone's very soul, "NOW" he commands.

[Otherworld] Apostasy glances over his shoulder as he runs, noticing the shadows gaining on them. "You're going to make it just fine, River! Keep focusing on the exit!"

[Dream] REDACTED doesn't appear to be breathing, but she doesn't feel or look dead. Sorien then notices -she's- not breathing either.

[Otherworld] Cilan looks back as she hears River groan out, prompting the torch bearer to slow down slightly so she can use her own body to support River, using teamwork to make sure at least these three can make it out, during which she says, "Damnit, River, don't give up on us now, we -will- all make it out of here, and we -WILL- save the dreamer!"

[Dream] Sori sighs, then checks the sleeping child.

[Wellspring] Meril tenses, rifle lifting to ready as she whips around.

[Wellspring] Sparhawk is in the process of trying to subtly find a bigger, heavier container to stuff the vial of blood into, when shi freezes at the command. The dragon decides keeping watch the directions everyone else isn't looking is the best.

[Otherworld] Apostasy, Cilan and River stagger out of the coyote's maw, just as inky black tentacles rip out like a searching tongue. They pause, before them a pure coyote is sitting, staring at them with a confused look on it's face. It looks totally nondescript.

[Wellspring] Kale's eyes dart around as shi freezes in place.

[Wellspring] Multiple coyotes walk out into view, they stare up harmlessly at Carson. Harry sits behind looking up expectantly at him, her tail wagging.

[Otherworld] Apostasy stands bent over, hands on knees, panting for breath. "Whew... that was... close..." He sees the coyote, and raises an eyebrow. "Huh. First actual coyote I've seen here, despite all the pelts."

[Wellspring] REDACTED' hand is by her blade, she looks around cautiously waiting for something to happen.

[Dream] The little girl isn't breathing, but she moves away flinching as Sorien steps between her and the light.

[Dream] Sorien stops and inhales. "I'm sorry, I don't mean harm." She steps so that she's not between the light and the girl.

[Wellspring] Lips thinning to a silent snarl, the RSX agent backs towards the others, lines up a shot - and waits. "The fuck," she grates, an adrenaline tremble running a split second tour of her body before her posture steels.

[Otherworld] Believing she no longer has a use for the torch, Cilan heaves it back into the tunnel, seeing just how the tentacles react when hit by the light source, finished she turns her gaze back to the regular coyote and watches it, making sure to defend herself in case it turns out to be like one of the coyotes that had initially infected her.

[Otherworld] River walks up to the coyote, bending over and pets it on the head. "Another lost child of the dreamer." She says sadly.

[Wellspring] Sparhawk bunches up a little like a cat, ready to twist and jump anywhere important, but looking off to where Carson was leading the group. "Would this be a good time to ask what happens at the well, and what is going to happen?"

[Wellspring] Carson commands, "Where IS she. Out here, NOW Raven." His voice again enthralls. Afterward, he turns to Sparhawk and says simply. "I, have no clue. Honest ta god."

[Otherworld] Apostasy keeps an eye on the coyote, not willing to let his guard down in case this one ends up reacting the way the first one, way back at the gas station, did.

[Dream] The girl murmurs in her sleep. Her eyes flickering and the shadows on the wall dance. In fact watching them Sorien can almost see stories being told in the flickering. She sees figures running, and what looks like an ocean wave crashing down on them.

[Otherworld] The Coyote peers at trio who stumble out of the maw, looking quite befuddled. He sniffs the air, peering curiously at the three. It growls a bit at the mention of pelts, its hackles raising momentarily. It keeps a close watch on the largest of the three, still sitting in place.

[Wellspring] As if in answer to Carson's call, a bright eyed coyote steps into view, away from the others. A small voice says, "You called, I answer." Although she seems spiteful in that ritualistic response.

[Dream] Sori sits on the bed, not touching the child but trying to see the stories more clearly. She isn't sure what to do- if she wakes the child, and she's the dreamer, will everything simply vanish?

[Wellspring] Kale Stares at Carson and the Coyote with rapt fascination.

[Otherworld] Cilan's guard is only raised further as the coyote growls, and raises its hackles, the woman seeming like she'd be ready to attack at any moment.

[Wellspring] Delu'meril relaxes in a "Oh-I'm-NOT-about-to-buy-it" sort of way, but she keeps her posture alert and her submachine gun raised to the ready.

[Otherworld] Apostasy grins at the coyote's reaction to mention of pelts. "Oh, so you understand me, do you?"

[Wellspring] Sparhawk turns to face the source of dialog, the complicated movement ending up with Spar behind Carson, nearer to Harry. The better to keep them all under watch, while people who know each other fail to make introductions.

[Wellspring] Taggart blinks rapidly and seems to come out of a blank hazy daze, emerald eyes alert and looking around at the situation quickly while trying to gather his bearings.

[Wellspring] Carson speaks, carefully. "YOU." pointing at the coyote he called, "Are ya responsible for feeding on innocent humans? What has gotten into the pack. I never told ya to hunt freely from intelligent creatures, what makes ya think YOU have the right ta do so?"

[Otherworld] The Coyote nods, barking in response to Apostasy. It glances over to Cilan, still quite tense, peering warily at her as it remains motionless, not quite sure of the strangers in front of it.

[Otherworld] River says carefully, "I think we're running out of time, that darkness it spreading quickly." She points up to the edge of the horizon over the mountains, and no longer is the usual red peak of a sun behind it showing, but darkness has crept up over the edge. "I've no idea what we should do. We woke Coyote, but he's gone now." She frowns.

[Dream] Sorien sees more stories told, watching a big giant being slain by a small figure, the shadow monster being struck in the eye and falling forward on top of the smaller figure. She sees two figures strangling one another until they both die. She quickly realizes these aren't dreams, they are nightmares. The child is struggling.

[Otherworld] Cilan stares over to Apostasy, noting the both the fact that he has remained at ease, and the fact that the coyote has yet to attack, she drops her guard and says, "Sorry.." to the coyote, looking next to River she waits in silence, waiting for her next request.

[Otherworld] Apostasy grins again. "I'll take that as a yes? So... what bring an intelligent coyote here, then?"

[Dream] Sori gently strokes the child's head. Quietly she says, "Your dreams are yours to control. you can make the bad go away, if you like."

[Wellspring] The small female coyote whimpers and puts her head to the ground, "I only followed to watch. The dreamer chose to explore. It was curious about the great one." She nods her head in Taggart's direction, "It got greedy, so we decided to have some fun since it was going to anyway."

[Wellspring] Sparhawk sidles over to Taggart and whispers, "Did we get the name of Sorien's driver?"

[Dream] As Sorien touches the girl, she see's flashes of darkness, as well as images. She feels her head spinning, like she has when she's entered bodies in the past and then the world focuses. She looks up to a very strange sight around her. She sees a strange native american man, talking to a coyote, she -recognizes- that coyote's voice. The raven haired girl. Her brain immediately focuses on her.

[Otherworld] The Coyote rolls its eyes, giving a small woof in response to Apostasy. It looks over to Cilan nods. It seems to focus for a moment, and shortly after its tail drags a few times across the ground. It glances back at this gesture, and then peers at the trio, seemingly satisfied with this effort.

[Otherworld] The cave's maw begins to vomit more darkness, bleeding into the ground and spreading outward. The world appears to be decaying, quicker now.

[Otherworld] Cilan looks to what the coyote had done with its tail, examining the disturbed ground.

[Otherworld] Apostasy shrugs. "Well, we really don't have time to sit here and play with this coyote. I suggest we get back to the village and see if the elder can tell us anything, before this whole place decays into shadows."

[Wellspring] Taggart frowns gently as the coyote speaks, unsure of the indication to himself, nor of who she was speaking about. The wolf nods gently, mumbling a quietly, "Wallace..." to the dragon at his side and shoulder while his green eyes continue to watch the small female coyote with slightly confused but perked interest.

[Wellspring] Kale asks Harry "What is going on?"

[Dream] Sori watches the scene, glancing about briefly to take in the scope of where she is, before focusing on Raven-the-Coyote.

[Otherworld] The Coyote glances towards the maw, growling slightly. It springs to its feet, glancing up at those before it. It peers anxiously at them before tilting its head and barking as if it were a question.

[Wellspring] REDACTED' ears perk at the talking coyote girl. Her anger flares. "I would think killing my mate would be more than a game to you." She growls at them.

[Wellspring] Carson says, "And why should I believe that, little one. You've been up to mischief before. Harry in the back whispers to Kale, "He's calling on one of the aspects in the pack, to try to get some answers. There are a few of them living inside ever since he created the dream, and a few of them have found ways -out- here."

[Wellspring] Sparhawk sidles back, apparently satisfied. Shi circles around to...watch. Preparedness is imperative.

[Otherworld] River panics, seeing the erupting darkness and just starts to bolt.

[Otherworld] Apostasy chases after the panicing girl. "River! Don't run off alone!"

[Otherworld] The girl isn't exactly smart and keeps running, not really with a direction of reason, she's just terrified of the void.

[Otherworld] Cilan makes a beckoning motion to the coyote as she dashes off towards River, in an attempt to assist Apostasy in catching her.

[Wellspring] The coyote girl speaks meeky, head still set toward the ground, "I would not lie to you, for you are wise and I am not." She practically is bowing down now before Carson.

[Wellspring] Sorien says, "She's lying."

[Otherworld] The Coyote dashes off after the trio, kicking up a cloud of dirt as it springs after Cilan, eventually slowing down and falling into pace next to her for the time being.

[Wellspring] REDACTED' head whips to the sound of her mate's vocal inflections, distinct regardless of the voice box. "Sorien?!" She shouts. Harry points out the coyote that just spoke.

[Otherworld] Apostasy puts on a burst of speed, and catches up to River, sweeping her up into his arms. "River, calm down. I'm not going to let something hurt you. We need to get back to the camp, ok?"

[Otherworld] River seems to just be wanting to -be anywhere but here- and when the trio following her look back, they are stunned to find themselves in a desert rather than a grassland. The bright sun is in the sky above them, and they don't see any darkness, but the blinding light makes it difficult to focus on anything.

[Wellspring] Taggart frowns gently at the sound of Sorien's voice coming from the small coyote, head tilting to the side just a bit. "Wut reason's she got fer lyin', then, Sorien?"

[Wellspring] Sorien grins, then goes serious again. "She's lying. She subverted the pack from within, without the other separate personalities knowing what she did. I believe she either was taken by the Shadow, or is serving it." She for the moment doesn't respond to REDACTED, though an ear turns in that direction.

[Wellspring] Carson says carefully to the new voice, "And you know this HOW exactly?" He doesn't' seem surprised by the new voice, merely irritated at this point that -someone- is lying to him.

[Wellspring] The large wolfman growls then, rumbling his broad chest as he starts to grow slightly annoyed. "You believe? Or ya know? Big diff'rence thar, Sorien. I'd t'ink tha fella here..." He raises a paw and indicates the older native american. "Would know if tha Shadow was werkin' in this pack, wit' as much control over'em as'e seems ta have."

[Wellspring] A hand to the side of her helm and Meril's combat visor retracts upward, letting her bare blue eyes blink out at the coyote with Sorien's voice. "You're alive?!" She cracks, then swallows and clears her throat as she lowers her weapon a notch. "I mean, you're alive!"

[Wellspring] Kale turns to regard Sorien "Sorien where are Apo and Cil?" Kale asks in a hurried voice hope in hir eyes.

[Wellspring] REDACTED doesn't really seem to care about anything, but spotting her mate speaking she bolts past everyone, even past the circled coyotes to embrace the body her mate is residing. She seems too stunned to even talk and just begins to weep.

[Wellspring] "My name is Sorien. I'm in... or WAS in, the pack. I thought my mate, REDACTED, was in there with me, but now I'm not sure as she seems to be here. Also within are Apostasy and Cilan, but they're separate from me. An aspect of Coyote showed us a pillar of light, and REDACTED tripped and we fell into it- the shadow was in her." (she eeps and starts when REDACTED hugs her!)

[Otherworld] Apostasy covers his eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. "Well... I suppose we're clear of the shadow for a while, at any rate. What now?"

[Wellspring] Kale sighs in relief "So there is hope..."

[Otherworld] River looks in awe at the sun. She looks as if she's never even -seen- a sun before.

[Wellspring] "The shadow's in there, Tag. Trust me. And I love you too, REDACTED. (she nuzzles REDACTED) I'm just not sure who is who or what right now."

[Otherworld] The Coyote seems to have no problem keeping pace with the runners, bounding over to Apostasy as he speeds up before grinding to a halt, sand spraying into the air as it notices the halt in running. It looks up at the sky for a moment before looking at the others curiously.

[Wellspring] The coyote girl, Raven snarls in response to the accusations, "I have certainly not taken control. My mate and I were just having fun with them. It's not like we could tell the pack what do to if we even WANTED to." She snaps the last comment out.

[Wellspring] Taggart chews his lower lip and looks quietly to the side as REDACTED embraces the coyote, moving over to Carson with a small scowl. "Time fer ya to come straight wit'us. Wut tha bloody'ell is goin'on?"

[Wellspring] Sorien's hackles go up. "You. Fucking. Tore me apart. That is NOT play. That is NOT fun."

[Wellspring] Carson holds his hand to his face and wipes the sweat off his brow. "I aughta just be rid of ya all for this headache you're giving me." Taggart's accusations following close afterward he turns back to the wolf and snaps, "STAY" the command is overpowering and fierce.

[Otherworld] The wind howls over what appear to be dunes in the distance, the occasional blast of sand in the wind strings bare flesh. The ever present heat is almost as bad.

[Otherworld] Apostasy turns River to face him. "As nice as this desert is and all, we need to be out of here. We need to get back to the elder and Shelley and the others."

[Wellspring] REDACTED carefully says, "What do you mean there's... another me in there?" Lowly in her mate's ear.

[Otherworld] River still seems mystified by the sun, offering no help.

[Wellspring] Kale studies carson carefully

[Otherworld] Cilan suggests, "Uh.. do you think it'd be possible to imagine the village nearing, and taking River with us? After all, I don't think any of us aside from River imagined going to a desert, and yet here we are.."

[Wellspring] Taggart feels the command strike his tailbone, large and bushy eyebrow twitching and another little growl erupting in his chest. "You... better be real careful wit' that shite, mate... I ain't no dog ta be told to sit and fetch."

[Wellspring] Sorien nods. "It... It seemed to be you. She acted like you. I think it was the shadow pretending to BE you. Can you feel its touch on you still?"

[Otherworld] The Coyote begins panting in the desert heat. It barks in agreement to the suggestion Apostasy presents. It glances over to Cilan, and woofs, sitting down on the sand and cocking its head.

[Otherworld] Apostasy nods as he takes River's hand. "Worth a shot. Come on. Let's start walking, and focusing on getting to that village." He starts walking in a random direction, picturing the village and it's curroundings in his mind.

[Wellspring] REDACTED shakes her head, "I've been... angry love, but no more than one would expect considering I thought you were dead and lost to me."

[Wellspring] Meril sets her jaw, murderous eyes fixing icily upon Raven. She takes stock of the rest of the group with a slow sidelong glance.

[Wellspring] Carson gruffly says, "Son, you are more like a dog than you think, and a stubborn sunofabitch ta boot. This is not the time to play games. I have to decide the fate of many lives and I'm getting a headache from all this arguin." He turns back to Sorien first and says, "You, you mentioned a shadow, what da ya MEAN by that. That's a very... loose term and I dunna like hearin it thrown around."

[Otherworld] The trio and the coyote walk over their first dune, and below they see what appears to be the buildings of the encampment, but the sand has eroded the protective rocks that had surrounded it, and the structures appear sand blasted from the wind.

[Wellspring] Sparhawk has a generic frown at the proceedings. Without novel information or anything but the basest plans for Magic Detector in hir head, shi keeps anything from leaking out to distract from important tasks.

[Wellspring] Sorien says, "It was called Midnight Shadow in the stories. It was imprisoned long ago where the sun didn't touch it, but it was loosed about the time the Nanite Plague was released, maybe before or soon after. It possessed my mate here, and we drove it off but never fully removed its taint. I think it attached itself to the coyote pack and decided to use it to expand its power, and to strike back at its enemies.

[Dream] Just as Sorien sees Carson reacting to her story she begins to choke, not being able to breath.

[Otherworld] The Coyote peers over the dune at the sandblasted village. It glances up to the others, sniffing the air before it decides to descend towards the location, uttering a small ‘arf' as it glances back at them.

[Wellspring] Sorien gags, looking like she's gasping for air. "Protect the dreamer!" She manages to gasp out.

[Wellspring] Delu'meril squints anew at the mysterious Carson, slowly lowering her weapon back across her chest. "Damn," she mutters cryptically, and watches the Native American--looking man for a moment longer before turning her eyes back on the group around them. Sor, REDACTED and Raven get plenty of the woman's attention, in turn.

[Wellspring] At the mention of -that- name, Carson's face grows somber and dark. He looks lost in thought.

[Wellspring] Raven grins as Sorien gags. She watches the form Sorien's inhabiting begin to bleed from it's nostrils and the form dies quickly. REDACTED is trying to holy the dying coyote's form together and cries out, "No... no, come back to me." She's freaking out.

[Otherworld] Cilan blinks in surprise as she nears the sand blasted village, and promptly shakes her head in disbelief, "No.. this cant be the village we were at.. we.. we have to try again, just this time picture grass.. life!"

[Dream] Sorien pulls back into the body and the face of REDACTED is above her, holding her by the neck, choking the life out of her. The grin she has on her face is truly disturbing, and her iris' are pure black. It cruely says, "I win." with an icy chill.

[Dream] Sorien boxes faux-REDACTED' ears!

[Wellspring] Sparhawk glances at the choking Sorien and pads over to put a paw on REDACTED's shoulder. "You know this story. You remember who we are fighting. Remember the weapons we give you against it. We go to her, next."

[Wellspring] Sparhawk doesn't get any LESS cryptic when a dragon!

[Dream] The head collapses, the face warping and shifting as the creature on her begins nothing but shadow, that still seems to be grinning. The choking hands nothing but solid darkness. The sleeping form of the child underneath Sorien begins to struggle in the bed, and call out.

[Wellspring] Meril looks shocked at Sorien's sudden death, then sickened, eyes watering before steeling again with a cold fury. "Your little... wards are monsters now," she grates at Carson. "I think it's time we all did what you hoped you wouldn't have to."

[Otherworld] River says somberly, "They are gone. We are all gone. The dreamer is dying and us with him."

[Dream] Sorien drags the still-solid arms and herself away from the bed, fighting the thing as best she can. She bounces HARD on the bed, trying to wake the child- if the dream ends, maybe she can stop the shadow!

[Wellspring] Carson sighs, "Ya had to go and bring -IT- here, didn't you?" Looking straight at the prone form of REDACTED that's still trying to put her mate's body back together. "This complicates things greatly. If I kill them all, I just feed it." He shakes his head and ponders.

[Otherworld] Cilan shakes her head, letting out a mournful, "No.." sighing soon after she continues, "Is.. is there a way to reverse this?.. Please, there has to be a way.. I.. I cannot let it end like this.. knowing that I just stood around, waiting for the end!"

[Wellspring] Kale looks to Carson "Is it possible to bring them back in line or sedate them instead?"

[Dream] The child cries out as she's struck accidentally by one of Sorien's flailing limbs. She chokes and her eyes flutter. The shadow creature pulls Sorien away from the bed toward the dark edge of the room.

[Otherworld] The ground begins to quake, and the sky shimmer, the sand opens up below the four, and they are falling.

[Wellspring] Meril glares daggers at the amused-looking Raven. "How about just *that* one."

[Dream] Sori tries hard to speak, kicking the bed hard as she's pulled from it- if she can, she shouts, "WAKE UP" with whatever breath she has!

[Wellspring] The Raven haired girl shivers, and coyotes all around begin to quiver and some collapse to the ground. She tries to speak, but nothing comes from her mouth. Again she tries to yell, and all that comes out is "Help..."

[Otherworld] Cilan quickly reaches out in an attempt to fall towards the wall, and as such, grab at it.

[Otherworld] The Coyote looks back to the others, noticing that it hasn’t been followed. It walks back up the hill to the others and nuzzles Cilan’s hand before barking defiantly. It jumps around the trio, pawing at the ground and kicking up sand before running in circles chasing its tail a few times. After the little ‘show’ it sits down and stares at them, happily panting away, and then later yelping in surprise as the ground collapses and they all begin to fall.

[Dream] And the girl... wakes, her eyes opening wide.

[Void] And... the falling ends, but Cilan, Apostasy, and the coyote once known as Loki find themselves in the void of nothingness. No air, no life, nothing but cold and silence and dark.

[Wellspring] Delu'meril draws a half-step back, looking both helplessly sickened and slightly vindicated. "That's... Satisfying." she murmurs quietly. "But bad." Comes quickly, with a sidelong glance at Carson as she remembers his earlier musing. "Very bad."

[Void] Apostasy groans as he finds himself in the void again. "Well shit." Having no other ideas, he closes his eyes and starts to focus on the image of his mate.

[Wellspring] Coyotes all over begin to melt into the earth, dying as their coherence is lost. Carson immediately breaks into a run, heading for the Wellspring. Harry behind him shouts, "Old dog, stop, don't let that thing trick you."

[Wellspring] Sparhawk shakes REDACTED a little. "Come on, we have to go where she IS, not play in her footprints." If she doesn't stand, Spar will--with difficulty--haul her up and carry her in Carson's wake.

[Void] Cilan's attempt to rescue herself comes up short and she finds herself in the void once more, a slow, sad sigh passing her lips as she gives up.

[Wellspring] Taggart growls softly as the pack suddenly disappears, glancing at Carson before his eyes go wide and he watches the native american suddenly bolt. He springs into action... and decides more sedation is required. The large wolf bounds forward, breaking into a run after him, "Oi! Ya bloody Fool!"

[Dream] The girl stares around, and looks at the shadow creature pulling Sorien into it. She smiles and waves innocently at the departing Sorien as she's -pulled inside- and then the girl... winks? Sorien doesn't have time to respond.

[Wellspring] Kale follows after at a steady pace

[Wellspring] REDACTED finally pulls herself together with Spar's help, and begins to run after Carson. She pulls Spar with her and bolts to catch up, she eventually lets go of Spar and starts running on all fours.

[Wellspring] Meril glances between the quickly departing group and the pair on the ground near where Sorien's body used to be, then double-takes the same look and takes off after the running three at a measured gait. "Damn it!"

[Void] The coyote blinks as he is pulled into the void. He sighs, finding this situation greatly unpleasant. He had plans! So many things to do! So much needed to be done! He wouldn’t accept this fate if he could help it! He would never yield to oblivion, even if it was perceived!

[Wellspring] Carson is running through the wood, coyotes have passed all over, and their blood patches are seeping into the ground. He drops his shotgun to the side.

[Wellspring] Harry just sits on the ground, waiting patiently and hopeful that Carson won't do anything too stupid.

[Wellspring] Taggart growls and leans forward, hating it, but using his long arms to pull himself further along the ground as his wolfen instincts start to take over. A small growl of frustration rumbles in his chest, occasionally ignoring going around small bushes and trees and crashing straight through them. The momentum, weight, and sheer near-invulnerability of his body seems to turn most things to puffs of leaves or splinters of wood as he starts to gain on the sprinting native american ahead of him.

Sparhawk is made of zoom, occasionally splashing through an ex-coyote. "Is this a Turkey Feather? Get fooled by a thing that can barely outwit a ten-year-old girl and you'll never live it down!"

Delu'meril starts off after the rest of the group with her rifle just below sighted, ready to try and pick off anything that threatens the rest of them. But that doesn't get her far - everyone's running *really fucking fast*! Dropping the gun back into its sling and just holding it steady, she books it after the others, straining and puffing as she weaves a trail through the roughly Taggart-shaped holes in the foliage.

[Wellspring] The clearing, the so called wellspring is a hotspring, the craggy rocks jutting out of the earth, but the pool below it is bubbling deep crimson. Carson sheds his shirt, and then his skin, as he jumps into the pool. Those close enough see him for a moment in his true form, his lustrous coyote fur gleaming despite the morning sunlight hidden by the tree canopy, and then... he's gone.

[Wellspring] REDACTED' jaw drops and she practically trips over her front handpaws, not used to quadrupedal running. She stares at the area, the rotten smell of the place and the overall dead feeling seems recent and chilling.

[Wellspring] The momentum the large wolfman has is hard to control, however, and Taggart stumbles into the clearing before nearly bowling into REDACTED. Forepaw... hand... thing slips to the side and he rolls, losing his grip... and into the water he goes.

[Wellspring] Sparhawk is heard to be laughing, full of endorphins and shouting, "Angels rush in where fools fear to tread!" The most obvious thing in the world is to dive into the pool after the C-man, a long arch that ends in the pool.

[Sorien] Sorien finds herself not in the void, but in the shadow creature's grasp. She helped Midnight Shadow survive in the world, and it -ate- an aspect of coyote. He thanks her for her cooperation, and offers her a deal. He'll let REDACTED go, if she submit before she dies. He leaves no question that he intends to kill her.

[Sorien] Sorien knows that it won't keep its word; it's all lies to start with. Instead, she tries to find that bit of coyote in it and take it back. She's IN the shadow. She'll die otherwise, so she has little to lose by trying.

[Wellspring] REDACTED reaches out and grabs Taggart as he slips forward into the pool, holding his leg tight as he slides, his arm going numb as he comes into contact with the blood, but he grinds to a halt from REDACTED' iron grip.

[Wellspring] Meril makes it into the clearing just in time to catch Taggart's splash, and to see Sparhawk dive in after them. She stumbles up short, backing away from the apparent lake of blood. "Oh HELL no."

[Sorien] The creature laughs at Sorien's pointless struggling, it says to her, "You already lost, why do you fight?" It seems almost curious.

[Sorien] Sorien responds, "Because... I haven't lost. I still live. I still think. You can't win against hope. I'll NEVER give in! I WILL NOT fail! (And she once again reaches for the coyote-remnant power)"

[Sorien] It asks, “what is hope? You humans always talk like it's some mighty force but when you face overwhelming odds, it never saves you. “ (Sorien is slowly pulling at an aspect of it, she feels -something- familiar but she's not really able to understand what she's doing).

[Sorien] Sorien shouts, "Hope is belief. Love. Understanding. Something you lack, and can never have. Hope is irrational, magical. It cannot be taken, broken or changed. And I'm STILL here. STILL fighting! (and she draws on that power she's found again)"

[Wellspring] And a clawed hand reaches out of the blood pool to the edge of the rocky side, and grips hard, beginning to pull. It's dripping in that gooey thick blood.

[Wellspring] Meril retreats several more steps from the water's edge, bringing her rifle up to ready and slapping the side of her helm to drop her combat visor. "OH *HELL* NO!" She repeats, but this time it's almost like a battle cry.

[Wellspring] Taggart scrambles for stable ground, one foot held in REDACTED's grasp as the other presses and scrambles for leverage against the rock ledge behind him. His arms flail about to the side, swinging his body around until he's grasping tight to the rock, right next to the bloody arm. Emerald eyes go slightly wide at the sight of it, but his main focus is trying to get back to stability.

[Wellspring] The arm pulls, and the blood covered visage of a coyote pulls free, it gasps for air and continues to pull itself outward.

[Wellspring] Kale jumps back but takes on a defiant stance, the dragoness attempting to be brave in these moments, as long as it means helping her two loves, during which she lurches the giant gatling cannon forward and holds it.

[Wellspring] Pulling itself up onto the shore, it pushes a little blood covered form that gasps for air as it brings it's chest up. It groans, and then Carson's voice says, "Get the child up, away, NOW." He commands to no one specific.

[Wellspring] Taggart hefts himself back up to stable ground, glancing about while catching sight of Meril aiming her rifle at the bloody coyote pulling free of the spring. The large wolf immediately steps between the barrel of said rifle and the crimson colored dog, turning about to catch sight of Carson and the child. He crouches down and hefts the small form of the girl into his arms, lifeblood smearing his fur as he back around.

Meril lowers her weapon again and backs off a bit further. Yes; the more distance between her and a massive pool of blood, the better.

Kale tries to make sense of everything shi is seeing

The girl chokes, spitting up blood and wiping it out of her eyes. Her vision focuses and she looks stunned at the world around her, as if seeing it for the first time. Carson, now clearly in his true form pulls himself further to shore, struggling to pull against something. He reaches forward and pulls, and a black shadowy tentacle is wrapped around his leg, trying to pull him back in.

REDACTED holds her hands out to Taggart offering to take the girl from him. She drops her robes off to keep them from being smeared with blood.

Kale wraps hir tail around Carson and using all hir claws tries to help pull him ashore.

Finally seeing a nail for her hammer, Meril turns a forty-five degree angle toward Carson and brings her weapon to bear, elbow braced to her hip and breathing even. Subdued flashes leap from the tip of a suddenly-smoking barrel as sharp reports echo into the morning air, a couple slugs whizzing over the blood-soaked Coyote's head and towards the tentacle holding him.

Carson gruffly says, "Help... Me..." and grabs onto Kale. Shi pulls at him but she seems to be losing ground, he slides a bit back in. Meril's bullets then strike the wispy black tentacles and a few of them wisp into the air like smoke, the rest still holding him tight. Kale stops falling forward but shi doesn't seem to be making any progress pulling him either.

After handing the girl off to REDACTED, he turns back about to face Carson and then winces and ducks down, his wolven ears flattening against his skull as the slugs nearly turn his shoulder to mush. He growls and glances back over that shoulder at Meril, while his hands reach out to clasp onto Carson's arm, "Oi!" The annoyance passes as he realizes Kale is being pulled in as well. He grips tight around them and leans back, the wolf's massive weight adding to the struggle the tentacle would be having trying to pull them back in.

Kale refuses to let go and flaps hir wings trying to get even a little bit more force behind hir pulling.

Kale and Taggart struggle with all their might, pulling and -tear- at the tentacles ripping them free of the blood pool, pulling Carson in his new form with them. The tentacles turn into wisps of smoke and he groans on top of the two of them, trying to sort himself out.

REDACTED gently strokes the child's face, wiping more blood off of the child staining her white fur red. She whispers gently a lullaby in hindi to the child, not really sure where she came from but she does not care at this point.

Keeping her standing posture to get an angle that makes it easy to hit the tentacles and miss Carson, Meril keeps loosing shots until the group of them fend off enough of the hellish things for him to pull free. "Damn," she murmurs. "Haven't seen anything like that since... Well, since Point Zero Fairhaven."

Kale gasps in exhaustion and does some breathing exercises

Carson, now Coyote shakes himself like a dog, spraying blood everywhere and groans again pulling himself up off the other two. Strangely not thanking either of them, he immediately looks up for the girl and narrows his eyes when he sees REDACTED holding it. "I thought I told you to keep that thing you woke away." He growls.

REDACTED looks up and offers the girl immediately. Worried that she may have done something wrong.

Kale is used to not being thanked in the triage and shrugs it off. Kale slowly stands up and thanks Taggart "I was scared there for a second, thanks Tag."

The girl speaks, for the first time. "What happened to all my friends?" She asks innocently.

Taggart nods gently at the thanks Kale gives him, rolling over and picking himself up, trying not to slip in slick, warm blood. He gives a little smile, though, as the young girl asks about her friends, unable to keep from enjoying the sight of the small girl, even covered in blood as she was.

Kale smiles as gently as a dragon can to the girl and says gently "Hello there I am Kale. Whats your name? What do your friends look like?"

Coyote takes the girl from REDACTED, eying her carefully. "It's not in you anymore is it?" He asks.

The girl says, "My name is Dream." She grins, "My daddy left me in bed, but came back to take me home, but he forgot my friends he left me to keep me company."

Meril frowns thoughtfully as she hears the child's words, but she lets her attention return to their surroundings as the others' attention is on the girl.

REDACTED shakes her head, "I don't know, I honestly don't." She looks sad, "I've lost her haven't I? Sorien, my mate is gone."

Coyote grins looking down at the girl, "I left you too long on your own didn't I? You were having nightmares, and it took me too long to wake you." He sighs, "You won't be happy without them will you?"

Kale says sternly to REDACTED "Don't lose hope REDACTED! SHe may be gone but we will bring her back. We just saw bloody black tentacles come out of a lake. If that can happen then we sure as hell can find your mate and mine."

Dream nods at Coyote emphatically and then tucks her hands under her arms, giving the sternest look a child could possibly give.

Coyote sighs, and then looks back to the blood pool. He hands the girl to Taggart and then moves back toward it, and rips a tooth out of his own maw. He tosses it into the pool, and then returns.

The blood begins to boil, and then forms begin to emerge, one coyote after another crawls outward.

A large coyote drags itself up out of the pool and shakes itself when it's fully out. It looks around curiously at the crowd. Once it spots Kale, it's tail wagging as it barks happily and runs up to hir, jumping up to lick hir.

Taggart blinks gently as the girl is passed off to him, but he smiles to her and then lifts her up and over his head, setting her on his shoulders with legs dangling on either side. His hands rest gently on her thighs, keeping her from toppling over as he feels her own hands gripping to his pointed wolven ears.

Without warning another form slowly claws its way out of the pool, emerging as a non-anthro coyote, a low, tired growl passing its lips as it makes its way out, spotting Kale, it joins the other coyote in surrounding the dragoness, though it remains silent, simply wagging its tail happily.

One of many coyotes comes out singing, howling a somewhat off-key version of the Hallelujah Chorus and blowing a bloody mess across the verge of the pool.

Kale yelps in surprise as Shi is licked. "Oh my!" Kale giggles and looks at the licking coyote carefully "Apo is that you?" Kale looks to the other one "And that one must be Cil." Kale wraps the other coyote in hir tail and brings it close.

The girl, dream begins to clap happily as she sees each of them coming out. Raven, Atse, Shelley, River, the unnamed Wise man, each of them in turn.

Another Coyote leaps from the pool, landing on the grass, almost slipping. It peers around and barks, rapidly running around like a spaz before rolling around in the grass.

The Apo coyote barks happily as Kale correctly identifies hir, licking hir more.

REDACTED carefully tests, "Sorien?" She calls, hoping... hoping her mate is here.

Meril turns quickly from her self-assigned perimeter duty at the splashing, ready to send another monster back into the bloody depths - but what she sees instead gives her pause, a tired smile coming to her lips as broader ones come to the others'.

Cilan continues wagging, even when grabbed in Kale's long tail, a low yip passing her lips as she licks Kale a few times before murring softly next to her love.

Kale hugs APo close and brings Cil in on the hug and rolls around happily with them. "I knew you two were okay I knew it!"

Silence responds to REDACTED, she turns to Coyote and begins to shout, "Where is she!? Where is my mate? You've brought the rest back, why not her!?"

The one that was 'singing' trots over to the edge Coyote is standing by and gives a bow, one foreleg stretched forward and the other tucked under, then dashes off to the other side for a thorough shaking where most of it won't get on people.

Apostasy yips happily as Kale hugs hir, hir tail wagging furiously as shi nuzzles and licks hir mate.

Coyote looks a little sad at the creature looking desparate for her loved one, "She was lost to the Shadow, I'm afraid there's not much I can do."

Taggart's smile slowly fades as he watches most of the coyotes returning to their loved ones, also noting with concern the lack of a Sorien. The wolf lifts Dream from his shoulders and sets her down, watching the girl scamper over to her friends while watching Coyote and REDACTED with a sad emerald gaze. He swallows and turns about, walking to the edge of the clearing, where he turns back around and sets his back to a large tree, sitting down on the soft, cool earth.

Tears well up in Kale's eys as shi continues to hug and play with hir loves not yet noticing REDACTED's plight

The RSX agent's growing smile deadens as she hears REDACTED, her gaze moving expectantly towards the water and then returning to Coyote. Her face falls, and she just looks tired. Dead tired.

The Coyote on the edge continues rolling, cleaning himself of blood. He hoists himself into a sitting position after finishing, looking at the others. He sighs, turning to Coyote, giving an odd glance at the mention of 'no Sorien'.

REDACTED cries openly and begins to punch Coyote on the chest, she cries out, "No, it can't be..." She falls to her knees in front of him.

Cilan nuzzles Kale happily as she is brought in on the hug, the coyote closing her eyes as it almost seems like a smile pulls at her lips, a few barks are soon made as if in an attempt to reply to Kale's earlier statement.

The blood ripples again, something breaking the surface at first feebly, then with a bit more strength. A clawed hand grips the edge of the gory morass, soon followed by a vaguely humanoid form; it hauls itself out of the pool, something clenched against its chest; something that seems to move. Once out, it lays on its side, panting.

Apostasy licks earnestly at Kale's face, and nuzzles hir happily. Shi barks in affirmation of Kale's earlier statement as well.

Coyote looks startled, and then suspiciously calls out to the new creature, "Who, and WHAT, are you? I did not create -you-"

The coyote without spaz or hugs barks sharply at the next thing out of the pool, standing like a pointer dog!

REDACTED is startled out of her weeping by another form emerging, she looks confused at Coyote's response to it, and her ears perk up.

The creature shudders, then pushes itself up to look at Coyote. "I... Think I have something here for you."

The creature holds a hand out, in which is held a beating heart.

Meril turns her weary gaze on the newcomer, peering at its grisly token and then making a face.

Coyote looks genuinely baffled, suspicious. "What... how?"

The creature says, "I just... took it. "

REDACTED recognizes her mate's voice again, but instead of moving she just collapses to the ground crying openly. Her tears are joyous and from tension relieved.

Coyote timidly steps forward to take the heart. He looks it over, it's still beating but pumping nothing. He says, "Well then, you impress me little one. You not only managed to free yourself from the Shadow, using a part of me, but returned with it?"

Sorien grins a little, though the gore on her seems to be making her want to gag. "You can't fight something you can't understand. It couldn't understand hope. Or believe that it could lose."

Meril eyes the new Sorien over long and hard, as if to make sure she's really there, and that tired smile returns.

Coyote inspects the form Sorien has taken, eying it carefully. He says, "And it seems a bit of me has rubbed off on you, has it not?" He grins.

With the pointer phase over, the peripheral coyote trots around to give the conversation over a heart a proper head-tilting.

Sorien brushes futilely at the blood. "Gods, gross."

Taggart watches quietly from his tree.

Apostasy pauses in hir licking and nuzzling to look over at Sorien. Shi tilts hir head and barks quizzically before returning hir attention to Kale.

Loki sighs, now staring at the heart. He barks in response to Sorien's latest statement.

"Well then, I think I owe you for this, at the very least I will return some of the humanity to your friends." While he's doing this, Dream wanders over to Taggart and taps the wolf. She says, "Why are you so sad?"

Sorien says, "I don't think it's dead though. That'd be too easy. (She gets up and goes over to REDACTED) "I'm sorry, sweetie, if I scared you...""

Coyote begins to laugh, and while doing so, all the coyotes in the area begin to shift and change, growing more human.

(Specifically, Apostasy and Sparhawk become Aassahke males. Cilan and Loki become Aassahke females. Sorien was an Aassahke female when she crawled out of the pool.)

Cilan stretches languidly as she changes, "Ungh.. that.. is a hell of a lot better.." looking down at herself she notes, "Could use some clothing though.." a grin pulling at her lips as she looks back to Kale to give her a proper kiss on the lips, "Now.. as I said before.. I promised Id come back, and I would never go back on a promise I made to you, my love.."

Coyote grins watching the shifting coyotes. River, and all the others are stumbling around, trying to get used to the changes as they shift as well.

Taggart glances up to Dream as she crosses to him, a sad, but fond smile creeping to his muzzle as she askes him the question. "I've lost sumone very close ta me, lass." He gives a slightly larger smile and reaches up, using his thumb to wipe a bit of the slowly drying blood from the little girl's cheek.

Dream asks, "Why?"

Apostasy stands and stretches awkwardly, and then notices something. "Hey! Why am I flat chested! Aww maaaaan...."

Loki stretches out. "Thanks... Mr...? Coyote? I think that's you. I went lookin for you.. the last thing I knew... Ended up in some strange area.. A coyote head shaped cave or whatsit." he mumbles, scratching his head.

"Although being a full Coyote was quite interesting." he notes, snickering at Apostasy. "Because despite your appearance, you have no feminine side!"

Taggart gives a chuckle at the child-like question, shaking his head. "I don't rightly know, lass... I don't rightly know."

Kale giggles and hugs both of hir loves close. "Don't worry about it love I am sure the lab boys can give you massive tits if you ask nicely."

Apostasy giggles and kisses Kale. "I hope so. Otherwise what will you use as a pillow?"

Kale attractively says, "Cil I know I believed you."

Dream kisses the wolf on the muzzle and says, "You'll find her, or Daddy will help."

Apostasy murrs softly as shi cuddles against Kale. "I told you I'd find my way back somehow, love. Sorry to have worried you."

Sparhawk yawns and stretches, which results in immediately falling over backwards onto hir tail, which causes another yelp and a scramble for a seated position. And then hir jaw works a bit. "Words words words! Excellent. Now I just need to remember how to stand on two legs."

Delu'meril glances back towards the woods, and then lets her gaze wander among the chaos of reunions by the wellspring as her wan smile lingers.

Coyote looks around, "and for the rest of you, who have been loitering on my grounds, killing my people, and desecrating my form!"

Cilan lustily hisses, "Erm.. yeah.. s-sorry for doing that to you.. during my time in the Otherworld, I could only think on how my selfish thought probably hurt you further.."

(Delu'meril, Taggart, REDACTED and Kale change into Aassahke females here, tho REDACTED only temporarily.)

Kale attractively says, "As long as you two come back I don't care what you two do. Though buying some icecream when we get back might help me forgive you two faster."

Kale Yips in surprise!

Cilan giggles and nods, pressing her lips against Kale's once more and replies, "Ill make it a double scoop of whatever you want love!"

Loki yawns widely, looking at the rest "Well.. that was quite the trip wasn't it?" he states, abruptly glancing to Kale as she yips. He glances up over to Delu'meril. "Hey... I didn't think I would see you here!" he says, giving a friendly wave, before frowning at his complete lack of clothing "Cant wait till I get back in the nanite bubble..."

Loki growls softly, "Having trouble there Sparhawk? I always wondered why you chose a tauric form over.. a biped."

Kale sticks hir tongue out at Coyote

Coyote leans forward to Sorien and whispers in her ear. "I've left you and your mate with a gift for the gift you gave me." And then swallows the heart in his palm.

Taggart jerks and groans as he's suddenly shifted about, his body shifting and changing until he controls himself and takes a look. The used-to-be-male-wolf stands up and growls ferociously over Dream's head at Coyote, rage swimming up and replacing the sorrow that had previously filled him. "Oi! Wut tha bloody'ell ya daft git!?"

Sorien blinks at the act. "You seem to get into trouble with eating; was that wise?"

Sparhawk perks an ear at Loki, then notices hir naked. "Um. I don't suppose anyone knows, offhand, where my own personal clothing went? This will be...problematic on the next phase of heroics."

REDACTED shifts into the form, coyote's magic overtaking whatever curse had put her in the old form. There's a shining pulse around her, as her form seems to shift back and forth between coyote's new form and her old. It gives a headache to anyone watching.

Apostasy nuzzles Kale with a happy giggle. "I'll get you as much ice cream as you want, my love."

Sorien says, "REDACTED?"

Coyote's eyes narrow at Taggart's angry reaction. "You should learn when to be grateful."

Delu'meril stares at the naked Loki, and then bursts into laughter. The mirth rouses her from her drained daze - if only, perhaps, briefly. "Ha! I didn't think I'd see *you* here, ya pinko spaz." She stares down, apparently only just realizing what's happened to her. "Fur?!" She cries, hopping around and trying to pull her new digitigrade feet out of her combat boots. "Not again!"

Taggart growls again, "Grateful!? GRATEFUL!?" The new female bounds over Dream and charges at Coyote, her body, though changed, still muscular and dense for it all.

Coyote again -commands- Taggart, "Stay. I will have none of that now. So, you don't appreciate the gifts I give you then?" The ire in his voice raising.

Kale attractively says, "Well this is different"

Sorien, watching REDACTED, still sees the charge of Taggart at Coyote. She winces, knowing she can't stop it, and just rubs her head with one hand. "Ah, geez..."

Loki crosses his arms and huffs in response to Delu "What? What made you think I WOULDN'T be here?" he says defensively. "I did say I try to help others!", snickering at Delu's reaction to her current state. "Yes, that's what its called! Fur!.. Need some help with the boots?" he inquires, knowing how much of a pain it can be. "And Spar, I got no idea where your clothes are." he sighs.

REDACTED' form finally shift -back- to her normal kitsune form, burning off even Coyote's magic.

Taggart feels the tug at the base of her spine again, and falters a bit, his charge slowing but he doesn't stay as commanded. The wolf in his heart keeps bowling forward, teeth baring as he leans forward into that four-legged charge from previous.

Sparhawk has only two eyes, two legs, two arms, randomly teeth. Taking stock in the absence of hir accustomed array of sensory organs is all-engrossing.

Coyote snarls at Taggart charging him, and -kicks- the new coyote.

Delu'meril yanks a boot off and then gets to the other, continuing to bounce around. "Fuck you!" She answers Loki cheerfully through the discomfort.

Kale walks around awkwardly as shi adjusts to the form.

When Coyote kicks Taggart, he kicks his -skin off-, his form sliding back into male and with it, his fur, and all things that represent Coyote. "Well then, you lose my blessing. You don't like not being in control? Well then, I shall have to take that -out of your hands-."

Dream says, "Daddy, don't hurt him. He's just sad."

Taggart yelps like a wounded dog at the kick, his body flying to the side and morphing mid-air before he lands in a crumpled heap at the base of a tree. He groans, his voice all-too human as he tries to stir, shaking his head. Human Taggart... yeah... not much to compare to that imposing, seven feet of wolf that he once was.

Sorien says, "As REDACTED seems preoccupied with her shifting form, Sori is equally preoccupied with the bloody goo covering her. Every once in a while a little choking sound is heard from her, as she gags from the gruesome mess and the stink of copper."

Apostasy winces as Coyote kicks Taggart's skin clean off, and then again when the now-human Tag slams into a tree. "Ouch...."

Coyote turns to dream, his snarl melting. "He needs to learn a lesson of respect, and learn how to let go. I won't hurt him dear, but I -will- make him learn." He turns back to Taggart, "You are now cursed. What that is, you will only find out with time, but you will need to learn to live with that unknown, until you grow to realize what your lack of respect has cost you."

Loki chuckles. "Ouch.. I think such harsh language was uncalled for! I was only trying to help!" he says, Giving Delu'Meril a push as she bounces around.

Taggart groans again and slowly pulls himself into a sitting position, a hand cupping a bruised rib. He glares up at Coyote and spits blood at the dirt between them, emerald eyes still full of anger and upset.

Sparhawk has flopped out on the awful bank, staring up at the sky and gripping at the earth. Shi does give an absent thumbs-up in the direction of the short fight, with the specific target difficult to determine.

Coyote says, "You all may -leave- now, I will take my family somewhere safe. He waves Dream over to himself, and she runs up into his arms. "Take that upstart with you when you leave. And, enjoy the gift Sorien."

Sorien says "...Thank you?""

Delu'meril sprawls as Loki shoves her over, glaring daggers all the way down. "Fuck you," she repeats, post-thud.

Coyote finally notices the fighting coyotes and grins. On his way past he snaps his finger.

Sorien say, "I want... More than all but one thing... A bath. A shower. GOD I want to be clean."

(Delu'meril gets changed to a Aassahke male here)

Loki sighs and offers a hand to help Delu'Meril up. "Er.. Sorry bout that.. I didn't mean to tip you over." he sighs, and nods in agreement with Sorien. "Yeah... I know what you mean... Exactly how long is it going to take till were back to some form of civilization?"

Apostasy looks nervously at Coyote. "Umm... Mr Coyote... sir... could... I have my breasts back?"

Sparhawk sits up as Coyote walks past. "Sir? Might I humbly request permission to visit occasionally? Or is sneaking in preferable?"

Coyote shrugs to the questions as he leaves, but it isn't angry. Harry comes running into the clearing and bounds over to follow Coyote as they leave for parts unknown.

Delu'meril yelps as she's suddenly... bulkier! And flat-chested! Grinning maniacally, she pulls Loki down instead of letting him help her up, and - discarding her rifle with her boots - sets about trying to roll herself atop the other coyote.

Apostasy sighs as hir question is ignored. "Damn. I suppose it was a longshot."

Cilan remains by Kale's side, happily nuzzling, and showing the dragoness quite a bit of affection, though she makes little conversation with coyote, preferring to spend her current waking moments with her love.

Taggart growls a very human growl and pulls himself to his feet, wincing before he turns and walks away from the happiness and rejoicing behind him. The now human appears to be heading back in the direction of the bus.

REDACTED embraces her mate, she doesn't care about anything beyond Sorien being all right.

Sorien say, "C'mon, REDACTED, lets go. But... (grin) I don't think you wanna touch me yet. I feel nasty. Ugh."

Sorien hugs back, as REDACTED isn't bothered by the gore.

Apostasy snuggles against Kale and nuzzles hir one last time before climbing to hir feet. "Come on you two, back to the bus with us."

Loki blinks in surprise, the shift in Delu's form barely registering before he is pulled down. He frowns a little as he realizes Delu is now flat as she climbs on top of him. "Er.. what are... you doing? he mutters, a little to stunned to move at the moment.

Kale stays close to hir loves and follows Apostasy

Apostasy looks at Glaurung where he lies on the ground. "Ugh. Gonna be fun trying to get -you- back to the bus."

Sparhawk grins toothily. "Earthquake pills it is, then!" Shi sighs, then looks to the horizon. An experimental glow follows, and there is a dragon sprawled on the bloody dirt instead. "Oh siderials, sing the music of the spheres!"

Sorien says, "Spar, you're weird. (giggle)"

Apostasy giggles at Spar. "Nutter."

Cilan nods affirmatively and gives Kale one last peck on the cheek before moving up to Apostasy and asking, "Hey, sis, want a hand with that?" a warm smile pulling at her lips as she finishes.

Apostasy grins at Cil. "If you don't mind, sis. I'm not quite as big as I normally am, for some reason."

Delu'meril straddles Loki, sitting back to balance herself atop him. Laughing brightly, she leans down and slaps him lightly in the face. And then mirrors the gesture with the other hand. Back. And Forth.

Apostasy checks to make sure Glaurung is rendered safe by disconnecting the ammo feed and disengaging power to the motor before shi hefts one end. "Grab the other end, sis?"

Cilan nods again, and moves to one side of the cannon, and waits for the go-ahead from Apostasy to lift, "Alright.. so, are we going to do this on three?"

Sparhawk rolls upright, smiling with the proper set of teeth and standing on the proper number of limbs. "You really have no idea. Someone best make me a map, because someone needs to teach these bloody gits what music is!" Shi is careful not to drag a tail in the pool again while shi walks away, however. And stops next to the cannon, offering hir back for cargo purposes.

Sorien says, "Okay... Lets go home, shall we? Or at least to somewhere we can bathe."

REDACTED follows her mate back to the bus, caught up entirely in the joy of knowing her mate came back to her.

Apostasy smiles hir thanks at Spar. "You sure yo don't mind carting this thing around on your back? I'm fairly sure you have expressed rather a lot of distaste for it."

Taggart sheds a good deal of his oversized clothing as he walks back through the woods, remaining in baggy cargo pants, rolled up and a long tank-top which he was apparently using as an undershirt. He fills out neither one. He arrives back at the bus before anyone else, stepping up and slipping behind the drivers seat while still looking pained and sour.

Loki frowns at the mock slapping. "Ok.. So.. is there a method to this madness?" he questions, looking at the others beginning to head back to the bus. He blinks before growling lightly as he hoists himself into a sitting position, trying to pin Delu's arms to her sides.

Sparhawk wiggles hir eyebrows at Apostasy. "Sorien just defeated evil with the power of hope and love. What can make me happier than Being Right? Besides, I don't think you are using it as quite the crutch you were."

Click here to continue to the downtime between Chapters 5 and 6.