Difference between revisions of "Coyote: The Packmind/Chapter 3"

Latest revision as of 05:45, 22 May 2013

Click here to return to the index.

Click here to return to Chapter 2.

The three lost souls are sitting around in strange unfamiliar bodies, trying to make sense of their surroundings. A dark cave with a strange coyote shaped mouth is nearby. The mountains behind it seem to go on forever, hiding a sun never seen. The moon overhead still looks strange, the black shadow in the center has grown gradually and is quite noticeable.

Sorien slowly sits up. "That... Was weird. And I shouldn't have done that, but still... Who are you?" (she's looking at Cilan)

Cilan removes her palm from her face and grins, after a small chuckle she answers with, "Names Cilan, Cilan Averith.. one of the people sent here to rescue you.. but.. well, I suppose that plan has hit a small snag, huh?"

Sorien says, "Just a little one. "

Sorien says, "I just wish... I knew what the hell to do. I'm stabbing in the dark for the most part."

Cilan nods affirmatively and replies, "Yeah.. seems all we can do here and now.. but you never know, we might find some answers in an area I had found myself in.. a long tunnel that had an entrance that looked like one of the coyote's, I'd've searched it further, but it was pitch black inside.."

The ground underneath periodically rumbles still, almost as if it's angry at something. The wind is still as chaotic as ever, gentle breezes changing into strong gusts without reason or pattern.

Apostasy blinks. "Cil? You're here too? Oh come on, you saw what happened when I tried to use my adept abilities on that weird coyote infection... and you copied me?"

Sorien says, "What exactly happened to you two? I got knocked out before... Well, waking up here."

Apostasy says, "I got bitten by a coyote, and started feeling all... nauseous and dizzy. I tried using my adept abilities on the infection, and... well.. it was probably not the smartest idea. I had this... vision... and then drowned... and woke up here.""

Suddenly coming to realize the second form was Apostasy, Cilan takes on an almost bashful expression as she stammers out, "E-erm.. uh.. well, sorry.. I just thought that if I had followed you I could assist in bringing you ba--.. huh?" finished abruptly, she turns to Sorien and asks again, "Huh? oh, one of the guys that acted as your bodyguard returned to Zephyr, and told us where you were.. after following we found some coyotes, we killed them, but in the meantime we got bitten, and well.. here we are.."

Sorien says, "Yeah. About the same here. I tried to get the hell away by going wyvern, but... "

Sorien says, "Kinda wonder how to get back to the bonfire though... Neither of you saw that?"

Cilan says, "Huh? seen what?"

It should still be easy to determine the relative directions based on the moon, although it appears... closer, here than it did earlier for Sorien.

Sorien says, "A bonfire, with people around it and some huts, or cabins."

Apostasy says, "I've seen nothing but this limitless field."

Sorien says, "(sigh) At least... I'm feeling calmer."

Cilan rises to her feet and presses her hands into her lower back, cracking it as she lets out a small grunt, "Well.. seems we're not getting much done sitting here.. so.. I suggest we set out and try to find that village, maybe there we can find more answers.."

Apostasy stands as well. "Well, I've no better ideas, so sound goods to me."

To the "east" are the cave and the mountains, behind it, while the north, south, and west appear to just go off into the distance in pure grassland.

Cilan says, "but first.. Id like to check out that cave again.. just seemed strange that the entrance looked like a coyote.. might also have some leads.."

Sorien says, "Yeah... Lets try West I guess. I'm not willing to try the cave; first, it screams 'ominous' and second, we don't have lights."

Apostasy says, "I'm with Sorien... don't really feel like walking into that cave without light, weapons... anything."

Cilan nods affirmatively and answers, "Alright, well you guys do make good points so.. Ill just go with the popular vote.."

After some arguments over direction, the trio head east, with intent of trying to find answers and the encampment. The timeless nature of the place is once again the most difficult part, but after a short while the cave appears far behind. The group stumbles over some smaller brooks, which the water is always still and not flowing but appears as fresh as any moving water. The night air is chilly, especially for the two that aren't clothed. Before long, the firelight of the encampment can be seen ahead, but strangely, the wind barrier rocks appear on the far side, as when Sorien had approached the encampment from the opposite direction.

Sorien says, "Man, this place gives me a headache."

The air begins to vibrate around the trio as they approach the encampment, as if it were a string being plucked. Along with it, comes a loud plinking sound, like a hollow piece of metal being hit.

Apostasy rubs has hir arms crossed, rubbing hir hands up and down trying to keep warm. "Damn. Been a long time since I've actually felt cold." Shi takes a look at the encampment. "Well. Looks like we found the place. What the hell is that weird sound?"

Sorien hands the coyote hide to Apo. "Here, sweetie."

Sorien says, "No idea. never heard it before..."

Apostasy looks at Sorien. "Uh, don't you need that?"

Sorien says, "I'll be fine."

Cilan folds her arms around her chest, as she walks, little noise is made from her direction until she notices the metallic sound, prompting her to say, "Huh?.. is someone there?"

Apostasy shrugs, and wraps the hide around hir waist like a crude loincloth.

The vibrating hum fades into the background noise of the world itself, eventually fading into silence beyond the rustling grass and wind.

Sorien looks around, trying to spot the people she'd seen before, and where they are.

Apostasy follows Sorien, looking about curiously.

Cilan moves to some of the various huts, peering inside, looking for any life signs, or even anything that could be useful to the three, clothing, weapons, food, or a light source.

In the encampment many more figures appear around than before. There seems to be activity, movement rather than the somber motionlessness of before. Sorien recognizes the elder, and the young girl who was by the fire, and the spear-holder, as well as quite a few new faces. They appear to all be sitting around the fire.

Apostasy says, "Well. It looks like we found some people. Quite a lot of people, in fact."

Sorien says, "Something's different..."

Cilan sneaks in without them noticing and enters one of the larger cabins

Cilan sees many Coyote furs that can be used as clothing hung up on the walls, and along the floors, but sees no specific weapons but one could possibly be created or improvised. She sees no food, but there are some wooden tools like a shovel that could be lit on fire.

Apostasy shrugs. "I've never been here before, so I'll take your word for it. I'm guessing that old guy is the one that... chucked you into the bonfire, before?"

Sorien says, "Yeah. And that one (she points) is Psycho Girl."

One member appears to be speaking to the others, she looks animated, her hand motions far more anglicized than anything Amerind in nature. What she's talking about is hard to make out from outside the encampment though.

Apostasy follows the direction of Sorien's pointing finger. "Psycho Girl? Sounds like a lovely person."

Sorien had pointed out a girl with dark hair that reaches down to her waist. She is lithe and looks dangerous.

Sorien says, "Lets see what's going on..."

Cilan notices the furs and grabs one or two pieces, enough to clothe herself comfortably and she leaves, leaving the shovel, making sure to not take more than is needed, finished she promptly returns to the other two and stands near them, waiting for anything she can do.

Apostasy shrugs. "Sure, might as well. Might get some clues as to what this place is."

Sorien leans against Apo for a moment, then strides forward.

Apostasy follows close behind Sorien, hir gaze moving from face to face as shi tries to note the ones that might be threats if things go bad.

Cilan watches Sorien carefully, watching for anything that would put her at risk, shortly after she follows suit with Apostasy and moves closer

When they move in range the group appears to be listening to the woman talk, they don't acknowledge the three at first, and rather are enraptured by her. "I don't care that you think this was a choice for us, it wasn't and now there are more of us and you still won't listen. What the hell is wrong with you? I've been trying to tell you this since I woke up here, and now you finally start to think there's a connection once you've stripped others of their freedom too? Why, oh god why, do you not see what you're letting us do this to more people? You can stop it, I know you can!" She speaks in a very distinct American accent, in fact you'd swear you've heard it plenty of times in Fairhaven. She looks Amerind in her skin tones and hair, but her motions scream something else entirely.

Sorien walks over to the talking woman. "Hi... We're like you. These... (she gestures at the staring throng) Don't get that we're no here willingly. I don't think they CAN get it."

And the air hums again, the same metal plinking nose is louder this time. It doesn't seem to interrupt the animated conversation though.

Apostasy looks around for the source of the sound, but still can't find one. Shi returns hir attention to the talking woman, and follows Sorien over. "I guess you didn't choose to give in either, then."

The girl looks up at Sorien and says, "I'm not sure there's any point to trying to get them to understand. I've tried many times, and tried even harder to win my freedom back but I /keep/ /getting/ /pulled/ /back/ /in/." She pauses to emphasize each word. The elder looks on impassive, but is clearly listening.

Cilan simply stands there, a few paces away from Sorien, with her arms held firmly across her chest, but rather remains silent, watching the exchange, and waiting for any opening she can enter.

Sorien says, "I was able to see out of the eyes of the coyotes... And some other things... But yeah, still stuck here. I'm Sorien. This (she points) is Apostasy, and this is Cilan. "

Apostasy nods in greeting, half hir attention still on the rest of the people present.

Cilan slowly inclines her head as her name is spoken, prompting the woman to break her silence with, "Hello.."

She nods to Apostasy, "I'm pretty sure I made that clear. In fact most of us aren't here by choice. Just ask around, only the four wackos don't. I have no idea where the hell -they- come from. She says indicating the elder, the raven haired girl, and another very Amerind looking woman, a bit older to the side of the elder.

The other unnamed girl that she indicated speaks up, her eyes a deep amber yellow tone that looks almost canine. She says, with a softness to her voice, "If you did not chose this fate, then why does this place dream of you?"

Sorien says, "You might wanna ask the place. I've no idea. I want to go back to my life, and my mate."

Apostasy says, "I haven't a clue. I just want to get out of here, get back to my mate, my friends, my life."

Sorien says, "Just because this place 'dreams' of us doesn't mean we EVER wanted to be here."

The original girl says, "I told you, they just don't make any god damned sense. By the way, my name is Shelley, nice to meet you. Or well, I'm sorry to meet you would probably be more appropriate here."

Sorien says, "Nice works. We'll get out. The three of us work with Zephyr in Fairhaven. You?"

Cilan says, "All I know is my body was suddenly morphed to a coyote shortly after I was bit by a coyote that had attacked me, and then everything went black, and when I woke up I was here.."

Apostasy chuckles. "Well... are associated with Zepyr, might be a better term for it."

The mention of Zephyr causes Shelley to quirk her eyebrow, "You work for those motherfuckers too? I'm surprised they haven't put a whole army in here by now trying to figure out how to profit off this god damned strain."

Sorien says, "What do you mean, 'too'? You with Z, or are there others from Zephyr here?"

A third plinking noise interrupts the conversation. This time it's nearly deafening, and the vibration shakes teeth, even the stoic natives reacting to it this time.

Sorien starts, and looks around.

Apostasy curses and looks around again. "Will -someone- please explain what the hell that is?"

"I'm here, as well as that quiet one over there." She points out indicating a nondescript female sitting with her arms crossed, looking somber and distant, in a very masculine pose. "Don't worry about Ryan, he's kind of zonked out these days."

Sorien says, "Zonked out?"

Sorien glances at Apo. "No clue. Prolly the tolling of doomsday or something."

Shelley shrugs, but the elder interrupts and says, "Unsure, seeking to welcome another to The People, problems."

Sorien says, "Dude, you are SO not in a position to say anything. You don't even know what is actually going on!"

Shelley says, "He's, never been quite the same since he was pulled out of the wolves. I'm not sure he's even whole right now. Sometimes he has vivid memories of his old life, and at other times he sits here unresponsive."

Apostasy says, "I'm guessing it's something to do with being female here, since the name Ryan suggests a man in the... real world, I guess. Or maybe it's just something in this place."

Sorien says, "Wolves? Wait. Wasn't that one... Dammit, I wish I'd done more than scanned that report. Portland wasn't it, or just outside?"

Cilan says, "Logcabin.. or something.."

The elder holds up a finger and says, "Should ask Coyote for help, he will know the answers for he is crafty and wise.

Apostasy shrugs. "I read the report, but can't really remember the details right now."

Sorien says, "... Oh, you're kidding."

Apostasy raises an eyebrow as shi gives the elder a look. "Ask Coyote? Seriously?"

Sorien says, "But you're not, are you. Great. How do we do that then?"

Cilan says, "Huh? I think I met him.. probably didnt really leave a good first impression though.."

Apostasy chuckles. "If it's the same thing that's controlling the pack of coyotes that infected us, he's not gonna be very willing to talk with us, I think."

He grins, "He sleeps, has not answered his children. He knows many things."

Sorien says, "I have a headache."

Sorien sits down and rubs her head.

Apostasy says, "So you're telling us to talk to this... Coyote... even though he won't answer? What the hell use is that to us?"

The fourth plink is so loud that it causes the air and space around to shatter, like a mirror, reality breaking revealing darkness and emptiness. Each of the three is alone in that darkness, emptiness. Calling out they can't even hear their own voice.

Sorien looks around, trying to see, or feel, her companions!

Void, nothingness. It's terrifying.

Apostasy casts about in the void, trying to see, hear, feel anything!

Cilan blinks in surprise as everything goes black, her face full of fear as she calls out, attempting to feel out for anyone, or anything.

Sorien tries to focus, visualizing solid terrain.

And that plink repeats, and time almost reverses, the mirror rewinding back together, and depositing everyone onto the ground. Many of the people around the fire are floundering on the ground screaming.

Apostasy climbs to hir feet slowly. "Well.... that was... different. Could probably do without having that happen again."

Sorien just sits and breathes for a moment, then goes to see if there's anything she ca do to help the floundering people.

And the fire bursts, growing into a huge plume, and a hand sticks out, the depression of a face on it's edges.

Her eyes still wide with surprise, she looks around again, "What the hell was that?!.." is called out, turning to the fire again her face turning to one of curiosity, "Coyote, I'm guessing?"

A voice can be heard in the space itself, a grunt of pain and anguish, and a voice. Sorien immediately recognizes her mate's cries and shivers.

Apostasy jumps back from the fire, and the suddenly appearing hand. "What the -fuck-?"

Sorien looks up in shock!

Sorien, heart in her throat, closes her eyes and tries to take her mates pain onto herself; she doesn't think she can prevent her from being dragged in, but maybe... She can make it hurt less.

Just as everyone around the fire begins to recover, another explosion and a body is ejected from the flames, still burning. It's writhing in pain trying to put itself out.

Apostasy runs over to the person that has been ejected from the flames, pulling the coyote pelt from hir waist and using it to smother the flames as best shi can.

Cilan blinks in surprise, and pulls one of the furs from around her shoulders and joins in Apostasy, smothering the flames as best as she can

Sorien hears the roar and impact, and opens her eyes- she immediately joins her friends in trying to help!

The fires are beaten off, the person still screaming, but her flesh appears unburnt, and her hair's intact. She has green eyes, otherwise Amerind skin tones as with the lot. She is too stunned to respond or think.

Apostasy tries to calm the woman down, taking hir by the shoulders. "Hey. Hey! You're alright! You're safe now!"

Sorien looks around to see what's happening now that the woman seems... Safe, if not quite alright.

The woman looks down at her hands and then up to the naked tall native American man in front of her and freaks the fuck out. Reaching to her side for something that isn't there, and backing up on her heels and palms.

Shelley appears to be the first recovering from the void, most are still shivering and frightened, many just outright crying. The elder looks to be praying.

Apostasy moves back from the woman and wraps the scorched pelt back around hir waist before raising hir hands to show shi means no harm. "Hey, hey, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you."

Sorien goes over to the elder and gives him a light shove, just enough to break his concentration. When he looks at her, she says, "NOW tell me that this is 'WILLING!' Did THAT look willing?

She says, "Who are you? Where the hell am I? Oh... oh... oh no. Am I dead?" She asks.

"She chose here, not darkness." The elder says, but even he seems flustered after the void.

Apostasy says, "I'm Apostasy, no idea - the woman over there claims we're being dreamed, whatever that means. As for whether we're alive or dead.... I wish I could tell you. Haven't a clue myself."

Sorien says, "You know what? For an 'elder' you're awful stupid. (She turns her back on him and goes towards the woman, moving to her without threat.)"

She shakes her head, and then leaps to her feet to hug the much taller man, "Oh my god, it means you're all right!" She says ecstatically.

Apostasy is taken completely by surprise, but returns the hug. "Ummm... for a given value of alright, I gues..."

She stops... "Sorien, Sori must be here, where is she?!" She looks around at all the strange faces with expectancy.

Sorien bites her lip, looks rather sheepish, and says, "Hi sweetie."

Cilan points to Sorien, "Heh.. welcome to ourside of the world, REDACTED.. oh, and she's Sorien.."

Apostasy blinks as realization dawns. "REDACTED...?" Shi quickly looks around, and spots Sorien by the elder. "Right there."

Up above, the dark spot in the moon grows wider, nearing the edges of the moon, leaving but a small ring visible.

REDACTED races forward to embrace her mate, "I... I knew you couldn't be gone. I knew it!"

Apostasy looks at the moon as it changes. "Well... that's probably.... not good?"

Sorien says, "No... I don't think it is. (She hugs REDACTED, and starts crying- partly in relief, partly in stress-reaction)"

The elder says, "The void comes for all." Looking up at the moon. His wrinkled and creased face and patchy gray hair show his age and he looks tired.

Cilan turns from REDACTED to look at the elder once more and she asks, "The void? what is that.. that black thing we were in earlier?"

Apostasy says, "The void comes? Pretty sure it just came and went."

"Coyote would know, stop Shadow." He looks distant.

Sorien just holds onto REDACTED for the moment.

Apostasy says, "Shadow... Shadow.... REDACTED. That legend. The one that had to do with the demon... spirit... thing. Weren't coyote and Shadow a pair of major players in that?"

The raven haired girl up til now has been silent but says, "This is your fault." And points at Sorien with hatred.

Apostasy moves hirself between Sorien and the raven haired girl. "Control yourself, girl."

Sorien looks up at the accusation. "How so?"

REDACTED looks dumbfounded for a moment and then nods, "I do think they called it Midnight Shadow."

The raven haired girl huffs and says, "You brought it with you. You called out to the void and told it where to find us."

When REDACTED mentions that name, the other native girl, who spoke once earlier shivers visibly. She's heard it's name before.

Sorien hugs REDACTED, then steps towards Psycho Girl. "You know... You're an idiot. You need someone to blame, and because I didn't kiss your ass and knuckle under, I'm elected. You got more than that? Do you have proof? If not, kindly shut the HELL up.

The raven haired girl points at REDACTED and says nothing. As if pointing at Sorien's mate proves her point.

Sorien says, "... Uh-huh. "

Apostasy laughs. "Yep. That's some real fine explaining you did there. Kindly shut the hell up, now." Shi looks over at the other girl. "You. You recognized that name, didn't you?"

Sorien says, "No... I think I see what she's driving at. Unfortunately, she's STILL a moron; I didn't bring REDACTED here. The pack attacked you guys, and THAT brought her here. And yeah, her connection to... Well."

The girl nods, her yellow eyes somber. "It's a tale that's been told many times. One of the People's greatest foes.

The elder snaps, "River, not wise, do not talk of it."

Apostasy shrugs as shi looks at Sorien. "I guess. But it's not your fault she's here. That's on whoever or whatever controls that pack." Shi looks back over to the yellow-eyed girl. "Tell us."

Sorien says, "If you don't talk about it, how can you fight it? "

"Tale speaks of how it lost, shadow here, listening."

Sorien says, "Can you call Coyote? "

The elder shakes his head, "Sleep after woke us. Then went walking."

Apostasy says, "Woke you? Woke you from what?"

Sorien says, "Fine. I'll try then. Worst case I end up looking stupid. (she steps clear of the group, closes her eyes and concentrates. After a bit, she opens her eyes and takes a deep breath to yell)"

"From nothing." The elder says, as if that explains something.

Apostasy rolls hir eyes. "Nope, back to useless again. And you were so close to actually being helpful."

Cilan says, "Probably means that blackness from before, after all, there /was/ pretty much nothing, no voice, no feeling.. just black.."

REDACTED looks with concern on her mate, watching her carefully wondering what she's planning.

Apostasy shrugs at Cilan. "Maybe."

After a moment, Sorien shouts, "Coyote! First Scolder! Old Man! Trickster, Teacher, Dog-Of-God! Hear me! Come to me, we need your presence! Your People suffer, and the innocent have bled! Fire-Bringer, come to me!"

Sorien feels dizzy, immediately after calling the last of the words. She topples and REDACTED catches her as she fells over passed out cold.

Cilan blinks in surprise as she runs to Sorien's side, "Sori? are you alright?!.. What's wrong?"

Apostasy runs over to Sorien as well. "She didn't shout -that- loud. I'm guessing Coyote showed up after all."

[Outside] Sorien suddenly feels an overwhelming but familiar series of images and sensations surrounding her, until it begins to clarify on a single point. A very odd images comes into clarity and she finds herself in a coyote's body once again. This time it's male, she can feel her cock thick and her knot protruding, and she realizes she is methodically humping forward into... something? At first she thinks it's another coyote, but as the eyes and ears of the body begin to become her own, you she hears a very human-like moaning.

REDACTED is busy trying to comfort her mate's fallen body, looking panicked and calling Sorien's name, over and over again.

[Outside] Sorien takes a scent in deeply, and what she recognizes is not coyote at all. Her new-found body urges her to bite down on the scruff of the neck in front of her, and it lets her see the back of their partner's head. You see the fur of what appears to be a german shepherd, but she's got many human qualities to her as well, including her husky voice, her moans still very human sounding.

[Outside] She really start getting into it, and eventually she starts moaning as well, the coyote's vocals shift from natural to her own voice. The shepherd female below her stops, suddenly recognizing the change. The shepherd says, "Which one of you decided this would be funny today?" And the shepherd pulls forward and throws Sorien off her back.

[Outside] The shepherd gets up on her feet, and growls at Sorien. "Which of you is it? I told you not to invade my privacy how many times now, but you never listen do you?"

[Outside] Sorien gets REALLY embarrassed. "Um... Uh... (ears go back) I'm Sorien... And ogeezI'msorry... I was trying to reach Coyote. Uh..." (She earheats and sits down, covering her... HIS obvious erection.)

[Outside] The german shepherd's partially transformed ears perk at the name. "A new one? Which pack did you come from? I haven't seen the 'yotes pick up anyone new since they destroyed the wolves a few months back.

[Outside] "They attacked several people. They... Took me, nearly killed my driver, then attacked and hurt my friends, three of whom were dragged in too. The idiots we met inside think we WANTED this." to REDACTED.

[Outside] "Wait what? Since when did the 'yotes start picking up humans? Why where you up here anyway?", The german shepherd girl indicates the area around them. Deep forest, but it looks nothing like the area Sorien was attacked.

[Outside] Sorien says, "We're NOT... Not here. We're outside of Fairhaven, in California. Where is this?"

[Outside] Sorien looks incredibly embarrassed still, especially since canids don't lose the erection til done, or a VERY long time. His ears stay down, and its almost a submissive posture.

[Outside] "Wait what? How in the hell?" She looks really confused now. "We're way up here in Oregon, how in the hell did you get attacked by the 'yotes?" She looks genuinely agitated, her tail is flicking back and forth. "You must be shitting me. Old Carson's going to be pissed."

[Outside] Sorien's ears come up, and her attitude comes back some. "Why the hell would I lie?"

[Outside] Sorien suddenly stops. "Wait. You said 'you guys'... Some of the coyotes are sapient? Not the ones WE met. There are minds inside the pack, but not... Not in the animals that attacked us."

[Outside] "I didn't say you were lying... but, this is going to be a probl..." Her comment is cut off by Sorien's canid body suddenly shaking as she is ejected back out of it.

Sorien begins to groan, REDACTED cradling her prone form.

Sorien says, "Nnnngh..."

Apostasy sighs in relief. "And she's back with us again. I swear, she needs to stop with the suddenly passing out thing."

Sorien says, "Mmmn... Help me sit up, sweetie?"

The raven haired girl just scoffs, "She acts overly dramatic about something a baby could do."

REDACTED carefully helps Sorien into a sitting position, taking care with her and is very, very gentle.

Apostasy says, "So, Sorien. What did Coyote have to say to you?"

Cilan looks to the raven haired girl and quickly flips her the bird before turning her attention to Sorien, "Yeah.. what happened in there.."

REDACTED says, "I just want to know if you're all right first, love."

Sorien directs her comments to the girl. "Really? Coyote has a companion who is a german shepherd female. He doesn't know that a part of the pack is down in California. Coyotes are NOT supposed to be grabbing people, yet they are. She was in Oregon, and girl, you don't know SHIT."

Sorien then kisses REDACTED. "With you, I'm always okay."

Apostasy says, "So the pack we fought... they weren't even meant to be there, let alone attacking us? Lovely. Coyote can't even control his people."

Cilan says, "So.. that's why those coyotes reminded me so much of the wolves in Oregon, huh?.. heh.."

The girl shrugs at Sorien, "It does what it wants."

Sorien says, "It disobeys. And I suspect I begin to see why." and then "Replace 'it' with 'you' and I think we know what's going on."

Apostasy says, "The angry little girl has taken control of part of the pack, has she?"

The ring that is the moon above flickers, as the shadow entirely engulfs it, leaving but a black hole in the twilight sky.

Sorien says, "Yeah, I kinda think that's about right."

The girl growls, and jumps into the fire.

Sorien says, "And her disobedience called the shadow to her weakness."

Cilan says, "So.. what do we do?.. get rid of the rebellious leader and hope the rest go back to coyote?"

Sorien says, "Shit."

Apostasy says, "Too late. Girly made her escape into the fire."

The fire shimmers looking like a splash of water rippling.

Sorien says, "Apo, if you think you can get her, go!"

Apostasy looks at Sorien. "Fuck it. Might as well." Shi turns and dives into the fire after the girl.

Sorien gets up, gently pulling REDACTED up with her and goes over to the Elder. "You need to take the control of the pack."

[Freefall] The air rippling around him, gusts barely slowing his fall as he tumbles through the air. He catches glimses of the fire lit encampment in his vision as he falls.

River begins to pray quietly, and the sky cracks open and the sky fills with rain. The torrential downpour soaking everything but not putting a dent in the fire.

[Freefall] Apostasy straightens out, trying to control hir fall, casting about trying to spot the raven-haired girl.

[Freefall] To add more pain, he feels pelted by down pouring rain as he spins. The ground getting closer he catches sight below that he's falling into what looks like a growing pool of water.

[Freefall] "Fuuuuck!" Apo yells as shi desperately tries to gain control of hir fall before shi hits the water.

[Freefall] He slams into the water, the expected splash sounding like a mirror cracking instead of water and he blacks out, not from pain but from the visions in his head. They are overwhelming, the sheer number of sights and sounds and his mind can't take it and shuts down.

"Your friend will need help." River says calmly.

Sorien charges to get to Apo out of the water.

Cilan rushes over to the pool where Apostasy had fallen promptly diving in, and clinging the body, and using Sorien to assist with bringing hir out, and back to safety.

Sorien starts checking Apo out, seeing if there are broken bones or other injuries, and making sure he's breathing.

REDACTED follows too, showing concern for her mate's friend and the person who supported her through past tragedy, but she avoids getting in the water, rather assisting once he's brought out by Sorien and Cilan.

No bruises, no injuries, he breathes, but isn't conscious. It's as if his brain shut down.

Sorien sighs. "He's... Just out. As far as I can tell."

Cilan nods understandingly, breathing a small sigh of relief as she drapes the fur she had used to smother the flames over Apostasy's form, and sits back, hoping that she will be okay in a few moments.

The rain does not let up. It almost looks like it might flood the place, but outside of this particular pool of water, the rain doesn't appear to be collecting anywhere specific.

Sorien says, "Lets get him back to the others."

Cilan nods again, and lifts Apostasy, holding an arm underneath his own pair, behind his back, and another underneath his knees and she promptly lifts, holding his unconscious form with ease as she moves closer to the fire, setting him down once at the destination of choice.

Sorien and Cilan return to the group by the fire, carrying Apo. "Okay... Elder, Can you tell where she went?"

"To find mate." The elder says gruffly. He looks tired, his features looking sad in the rain.

Sorien says, "Where is her mate? WHO is her mate? I'm betting I can guess..."

"Atse Hackee, been out for some time." He responds.

Cilan says, "Out? Out where?.. Somewhere in the forest? or.. somewhere else?"

Sorien blinks. "Huh. Guess I can't. Can we call her back?"

REDACTED fidgets, looking over at River. "You mentioned knowing of Midnight Shadow?" She asks again, hoping this time she might be able to prod more information.

"Comes and goes." He shrugs, he may know more but clearly isn't explaining further. Shelley says, "The two of them are always off in coyote bodies having fun."

Cilan says, "Huh.. off in coyote bodies?.. Like in the physical world? or this one?"

Sorien says, "I bet its more than that, Shelley. That (she points at the darkness on the moon) I think is infecting the pack; and I think her and her mate may be how it actually got in. It was just a dot when I got here, and its been getting bigger. She and her mate, or maybe her mate, probably ran into shadow and got suckered."

River shakes her head, "I'm not sure it would be wise for me to pass on our ancestors secrets when he is listening."

Sorien gets a grin. "Maybe now is the time for the cave."

REDACTED says, "But telling it might get Coyote's attention, perhaps?" still trying to nudge some information out of River.

Cilan says, "Heh.. I think you're right.." and with that she looks to River and asks, "Hey.. do you have any light sources? A torch or something we can use?.. Maybe a weapon too so if we need to protect ourselves?""

Sorien says, "No, Cil. No lights."

The girl looks a little dumbfounded. "You make what you need. It just happens." She shrugs confused by the question.

Sorien says, "Oh? OOooh. (She closes her eyes, visualizing herself in tennis shoes, blue jeans and a light blue blouse)"

And a coyote skin appears, it just is, it looks as if it was always there too.

Sorien says, "Ahhh.... SHoot."

Sorien says, "River, can you come with us to the cave, please? And no lights, Cil. I'm serious."

River nods. "I will come."

Almost seeming hurt, Cilan adds, "Alright, fine, fine, no lights.. dunno why though.. couldn't even see my hand in front of my face.." and with that she begins to mutter discontentedly.

Click here to continue to Chapter 4.