Coyote: The Packmind

As an introduction, the thematics of this plot are intended to give the visceral and strangely literal feel of Native American mythology, and involve multiple ongoing storylines and an infection mode created in another plot. Anything inconsistent with the world is a mistake of the author, and does not reflect upon the canon of Flexible Survival, however it is written with the intent of fitting in.

Prologue:

Wallace and Sorien are on the road just outside of Fairhaven heading north on Highway 101 heading toward an are just south of the Redwood National Park. There's a gas station that was scouted as having a really large haul, particularly enough to be worth sending a semi out. Wallace sits behind the wheel concentrating carefully on avoiding abandoned vehicles that still haven't been cleared off the highway this far north of Fairhaven.

Sorien watches out as they go. "I should have checked the cars for stuff too, but oh well. The gas'll be plenty. I doubt we can haul it all back.

Wallace has ear-buds in, rather than listening to the lack of radio. He hears Sorien's voice and pulls one out, "hmmm?" he asks.

Sorien grins. "I said I should have checked the cars out, that's all."

"Miss Sorien, I'm sure we'll find enough at the station, the cars will come with time and not require a trailer." He grins stupidly as any kid could, still mostly human and quite young.

Sorien says, "Well, yeah. True."

Sorien goes back to watching their drive, letting Wallace listen to his music. Obviously she's an incurable rubbernecker, making mental notes about things to check out later.

The target is not a long drive, and hardly boring considering the wasteland highways have become since Pday. The many of the drivers simply having abandoned their cards mid motion, which in itself provokes a good question about the inhabitants. Highway driving for long distances is always a hazard and leads to potential problems, thankfully Zephyr has scouted most of the highways outside of Fairhaven for serious problems and this highway is marked as clear on the official maps.

Sorien mutters, "Used car salesman's paradise.."

Sorien spots a pack of feral anthro deer fleeing from a normal coyote out of the corner of her eye at one point. She also sees how the majesty of nature has already started to creep back over the abandoned human paradise.

Sorien winces a little, wondering if the deer were once human, or deer that were altered...

Wallace hums to himself in a grating way the track he's hearing on his place, but he's off-key and the tune unrecognizable, concentrating on the drive. It shouldn't be long now before they arrive.

Sorien makes a mental note to pick a semi with a stereo next time, and to bring some CDs.

Up ahead Sorien spots the Gas Station, an old Valero station, still showing signs for PURE gasoline. It's been abandoned since P-day, and remains remarkably intact. Some vines have overgrown the building and the parking lot is sprouting weeds, however the gasoline's toxicity has kept most of nature at bay.

Sorien nudges Wallace, then indicates where to pull up. "I dipped the tanks when I found the place; the regular is at about two-thirds full, the diesel nearly to the top and the premium is about the same. They must have had a delivery just before everything went to hell."

Wallace brings the cab up to a stop right near the access pits for the gas tanks. The station has four large underground tanks, being the only gas station for miles it gets filled less often and therefore has greater supply in tact.

Wallace immediately grabs his rifle and pistol out of the small crawl space behind the two, and pops open the door, "I'll make sure it's safe first miss." He says before hopping out onto the concrete.

Sorien says, "Okay. Not that I'm all that delicate. (giggle)"

Wallace does a quick search around the cab, and his human senses don't detect anything out of the ordinary so he moves to open Sorien's door and offers her his hand and help getting down.

Sorien hops out, looking around and sniffing for anything around that might be a threat. Not detecting anything, she grins at Wallace and starts dismounting the hoses they'll use to drain the tanks, and hooking up the pump they've brought.

The stench of gasoline bleeds out anything else in the surrounding area. It's honestly a wonder it doesn't go to any transformee with a good olfactory sense's head and cause them to pass out. The old gasoline spills on the ground have eaten into the concrete that has not seen any sealants or repairs in the last year, and the ground is mildly difficult to walk on with the crumbling concrete surface.

Sorien says, "Yick. Its breaking down a lot faster than I'd have expected. Maybe its a damn good idea to get this stuff out of here regardless."

The first thing out of the ordinary Sorien notices is at the edge of her hearing, she notices another breath, Behind the two of them is a runtish looking coyote, staring at them quietly less than four yards behind. It cocks it's head watching the two of them when Sorien spots it.

Sorien says, "Hmm... We got company..."

Sorien starts watching carefully for whether there are more coyotes, and getting ready, just in case.

Wallace is startled, having not heard the thing himself he immediately whips out his pistol and stares at the coyote. It's strangely close for a natural creature, most, even coyotes that are hungry wouldn't just stand this close.

It head-quirks again at Wallace's action, but takes a step closer to the two, still silent. It's eyes are golden and it's fur a mixture of ruddy browns, oranges tans and blondes, it's ears are perked but it's tail isn't wagging.

Sorien says, "Okay. Now one thing I know is coyotes are NOT known for approaching people... "

He pinches the trigger, sending a shot firing in the ground in front of the approaching coyote, Wallace panicking at the approach. He's not sure what's wrong with this coyote but it's not acting natural.

The coyote stops, and then raises it's head up into a long, mournful howl, and then turns to run off.

Sorien says, "Save your shots til we need them. (Sori starts looking for other targets; a coyote as bold as this one, even if its running now, is either ill or with a large pack able to consider people as prey- either way, bad news.)"

Suddenly out from under the tank itself, two dozen coyote flood out, one biting into Wallace's ankle and dragging him off his feet as it runs by. Sorien hears yips and barking behind her, and a very distinct growling as a larger coyote than the rest comes around to look right in her eyes. There's a definite spark of intelligence in them, unlike the one before. Wallace yelps as he slams into the ground dropping his pistol, and falls into the rifle strapped to his back.

Sorien says,"Crap! (She grabs at Wallace, dragging him loose of the animals with main strength; She gets set for the unavoidable fight!)"

Three coyote leap at Sorien while she tries to pull at Wallace. Pulling his leg free from his accosting animal he pulls himself upright and pulls the rifle out, a bit peeved to be using it instead of the pistol. He fires at the one that had his ankle and hits it right in the head. The coyote takes the bullet right in the head and falls to the ground.

Sorien says, "Jesus Christ! (She starts wading in to less-permanently deal with the creatures, not wanting there to be more deaths.)"

Wallace turns away from Sorien to fire at another, this time hitting one in the flank. It yelps and runs away until it falls to it's side in agony.

Sorien says, "Get in the truck, get it started!"

One of the coyotes nearby leaps onto Wallace, it's jaw going for his trigger hand, latching it's jaws around it.

Sorien is being flanked from all sides, the tide of coyotes unusually thick, and the intelligent one has the most disturbing grin on it's face. Sorien spots another one simply watching her, off to the side, much smaller and probably female.

Sorien simply strikes any creature that gets too close, definitely causing hurt, but not striking to kill... Yet. She shifts closer to Wallace again, and tries to drive the creatures off of the young man. "Get to the damn truck; that asshole there is the leader I think!" her eyes track to the grinning coyote, and she prepares to go for him as soon as Wallace is able to get to the cab.

Wallace screams as it bites down. He pulls a lose piece of concrete with his left hand and smashes it down on the coyote's head, forcing it to let go. And immediately follow's Sorien's suggestion, leaping into the open passenger's side, and trying to turn the keys. He screams out to her that she needs to detach the pump.

Sorien nods quickly moves to do so. "Worst case just fucking drive- we're more important than the damn gas!"

Some of the coyote pack follow the younger man, his hand torn open and bleeding as he tries to turn the key with his left hand. One of the coyote's follows him leaping up onto the passenger's side seat. Wallace turns and kicks the coyote in the face.

Sorien blinks... Then realizes what to do- instead of cutting off the flow of gas, she just detaches it so that the foul-smelling fluid spews out onto the oncoming foes, and she goes for the top of the trailer!

A few of the coyotes are wounded by the pressurized flow of the foul smelling liquid. Sorien loses track of the two intelligent coyotes in the commotion.

Sorien screams "DRIVEDRIVEDRIVE!" And holds her high-ground position!

Wallace screams out as the engine turns over and the semi's cab begins to roar. Another coyote takes a swipe at Wallace but he pulls the door shut, smashing the door into the coyote's head.

The tractor jerks into motion, the initial gearing too high, and the engine stalls, unbalancing and distracting Sorien. She manages to keep still but her attention is taken on not falling off.

Sorien shifts stance on the narrow catwalk atop the tank, getting ready for the motion of the vehicle. She watches carefully for the coyotes, knowing at least a few are smart enough to think to come after her, despite the nausea the majority are likely experiencing now.

The smaller of the intelligent Coyote's slams into Sorien's back, it's full body weight thrown into her at an angle meant to push her off the side of the trailer.

From below Wallace is screaming, "Get in the fucking truck!" to Sorien. The passenger's cab still open and another Coyote attempts to leap in to accost the driver.

Sorien falls forward, grabbing the catwalk as she does and kicks back, aiming for the jaw of her attacker! "Just drive! There's no damn time!"

The motion of the truck and the weight of the coyote are almost enough to push Sorien off to the ground but she holds on despite. Wallace tries to get the engine started again, and the trailer once again hums into life. He drives forward this time, heading for the grass field-way ahead, hoping to shake some of the coyote's off.

Sorien glances around, seeing if she lost her attacker or not, and tries to keep ready for other attacks while keeping a grip on the catwalk.

Sorien hears growling up above her and looks. The big mighty intelligent coyote is looking down at her growling. It bends down and bite's into her hand.

Sori feels a bit dizzy as she's bitten, the feeling is odd to explain, like a sudden rush of blood to the head.

Sorien yelps, swears, then handstands; as she topples back over towards the attacker, she lets loose with her traditional skunk attack! She tries to not fall off the truck in the process, and swallows hard against the dizziness.

The blast of foul musk in the big coyote's face is too much for it, it collapses off the truck, and Sorien manages to land, but the wave of dizziness continues and she falls as the truck hits the grass and jostles the truck.

Sorien rolls clear of the truck, not wanting to be field-pizza, then just stands and runs after the truck; she knows that she's not faster than the coyotes, but she's MUCH faster than an average human; she'll leap for the ladder on the back of the trailer when she can, knowing that in the field the truck can't get anywhere near highway speeds. She bites her cheek to get some focus back into her head, and hauls.

As Sorien is running she notices her blood streaming from her damaged hand has begun to drip up into the air, this seems really unnatural to her. She looks down at the hand and looks dumbfounded, it looks like a giant paw, a coyote's paw, but she waggles her fingers and shakes the weird imagery out of her head, focusing on trying to catch up. The large swarm of coyotes, including the intelligent female are pursuing her close behind.

A coyote inside Wallace's cab has him distracted and the vehicle is swerving, and speeding up, hitting the uneven ground bouncing the vehicle around.

Sorien suddenly has an overpowering urge to -stay-.

Sorien says, "Oh, you fuckers. I do NOT think so!" (She draws on her Ki, focusing her mind and body to sprint for the truck, timing her charge for a swerve and goes for the open passenger door, to at least try to get the coyote off of Wallace!"

Sorien weaves her way toward the passenger's side of the cab, but a coyote comes flinging out ejected by Wallace straight at her, slamming her to the ground with it's weight. The tractor finally hitting roadway and reaching a higher speed.

The coyote landing on Sorien is clearly dead, and it begins to -melt- on top of her, flowing into crimson blood and then into the ground.

Sorien says, "Crap! (She rolls with the creature, then away from it. She knows she has to get away, but the odds of her getting to the truck are almost nil now- she realizes she has to do something she's not practiced- shifting on the run to a flying form. She sprints, and starts to shift to Wyvern!)"

Sorien trying to activates the nanites only speeds her new infection on, she screams as her arms begin shifting into coyote's paws, and that urge to stay grows even stronger in her head. She feels someone calling her name in the back of her mind.

The pack having caught up behind her, circles around the flailing and changing skunk.

Sorien yells, "Fuck YOU!" and simply runs, knowing that she is well and truly screwed. She turns and faces her tormentors. "Fine. I am SO gonna trash every goddamned one of you!" And she commences to do so, til the inevitable.

Her hips begin to crack next, causing her to lose her balance. Most of the coyotes simply standing there waiting, rather than attacking Sorien, only growling when she comes close to strike.

Sorien fights until the last, resisting the changes within and without with everything she has.

Sorien manages to take out more than half the coyotes, and the big intelligent one she doesn't see again until just before she blacks out entirely. The overpowering urge to stay is shrugged off right up until the end as well. At first she only hears voices, but it becomes harder and harder to concentrate on her form as it changes. She feels like she's floating in her own head and then screams one last time before everything goes dark.

In the blackness Sorien feels nothing. She feels like she's floating in space, and screams out into the void.

She then begins to feel like she's drowning, bit by bit choking on water she can not see or feel.

Sorien fights the sensations, focusing on self, fighting it all to keep her self, herself! She says only one thing: "I'm fucking ME."

What comes out as she chokes can't be heard, and her head feels like it's going to explode as she suffocates. She once again blacks out.

Sorien comes too with her face on the dirt, it's wet, as if it recently rained, and she feels terrible. Hair is flowing over her face, and she brushes hair out of her face with very feminine human hands.

Sorien blinks!

Sorien pushes herself up and looks herself over.

Dizzy as hell, she tries to get up and look around but collapses back, she shivers in the cold air, and her feet are resting in water of some kind. She is completely naked, and fur-less. The sky above is in twilight, and the moon is high in the sky, the indigo purple sky is almost unnaturally colored, and there is some pink in the distance.

Sorien says, "I... Am so... Gonna beat the hell out of whomever did this... (She slows her breathing, once again digging deep into her Ki to energize herself.)"

Sorien's skin is an odd color, darker than she ever was, the reddish brown tint is distinct, and the hair flowing over her face is raven black.

Sorien gasps as she feels complete disconnect with all her power. Her nanite control, her masteries, every source of energy she is used to is stripped. She feels alone, naked and cold as the wind whips across the stream and open field surrounding her. Grass waist high surrounds the edge of the river bank she is laying on.

Sorien curls up, kneeling, to get herself warm enough to move again; holding body heat in and getting herself fully out of the water.

Sorien's concentration is broken by the raspy sound of an old voice. It speaks in an ancient tongue she's never heard, yet she immediately understands what he's saying. "You are cold." It says matter of factly. Looking around she finally sees the source. In the grass nearby a native american man is standing his eyes are deep blue however, and his hair has grown grey in patches around his head. He is covered with coyote skins and is carrying another, he holds it out in the air for Sorien and says, "For you."

Sorien, not being stupid, takes it. "Who are you, and why am I here?"

"Time will talk" He says, above him the moon is an odd shade, part of it red, and what look like wisps of black, almost like tendrils are just beginning to touch it. He says "Follow", and starts off away from the girl.

Sorien fights to keep her expression neutral, but she's not happy as she follows the strange man.

The walk is long, and all sense of time is broken without any passing change in the sky or surroundings.

---

Chapter 1:

Cilan rests her back against the wall near the entry way into the building, one foot resting on the wall, while the other is pushed outwards at an angle, in one hand is a flask that she occasionally nurses back, and in the other is a seemingly well maintained handgun.

The air is peaceful and quiet until the sound of a tractor trailer blaring on it's horn interrupts the courtyard of Zephyr. A big semi with a tank hitched is barreling down the road straight toward the main entrance way of Zephyr Tower. It starts to break, but it's going too fast and slams into the glass entrance way, a few of the steel columns taking the brunt of the impact and spraying glass into the lobby.

Kale emerges from the buildings entrance, just coming off duty from the triage. Shi heads out to meet Cilan and walks up beside her.

Sparhawk has been doing research! So the loud crash is muffled by busily trying to breathe underwater.

Loki dozes quietly, a book on his face. He jumps up at the crash, and the sudden blizzard of glass. He grasps for his book, finally managing to catch it. He glances around the room, casting a lazy glance at the carnage wreaked upon the building before taking a sip from his mug, frowning at the general lack of coffee. He pads over to the coffee machine, giving a lazy wave to Cilan and Kale.

Kale shields hir face and then looks to see that Cilan is alright.

Cilan grins as she notices Kale walk next her, prompting the small lizard woman to nuzzle hir contentedly, her attention completely on hir, until of course a loud crash is heard, prompting her to jump in surprise, her eyes going wide in surprise.

The cab itself is crushed, and the driver's door broken open,the truck driver falling out of the cab, onto the ground, he's covered in blood, and something looks -really- off about him.

RosaSoul lets out a yelp dropping her food and darts to the side less she get smashed by the runaway semi "what the hell!?" and then grumbles over her lost food, so hard to come by these days, then again, she does suppose that right now it is the least of her worries "anyone hurt?"

Kale springs into action and grabs hir medkit and head over to the driver motioning for Cilan to follow. "Sir can you speak? Are you alright?" Kale asks calmly despite the look of tremendous worry on hir face. The truck driver is on the ground and cries out in agony, his hands and feet are twisted into paws, and he doesn't look as if he can stand, bleeding from multiple locations. His face is partially muzzled.

Kale takes a closer look at the driver to asses his injuries as shi pulls out various medical supplies to treat the man.

Taggart is approaching the Zephyr lobby from the south, head down and fists stuffed into the pockets of his cargoes. Collar of his pea-coat is flipped up and hat is low on his brow, as if fighting off a cold chill, though it -is- California and decently warm. The loud crashing of the truck pulls his attention up, emerald gaze taking in the sight of the wreckage before he gives a soft sigh and shakes his head. He picks up the pace, but only slightly so, moving into a light jog to close the distance.

Cilan nods affirmatively at Kale as she runs over to hir, and the driver, her own medkit being pulled out as she follows the dragoness' instructions to the tee, hypos, and bandages scattered around her.

Crys is startled, but recognizes the voice of the cries, and the truck. She leaps to look inside the passenger cab to try to find someone.

The driver is young, and while part of him was human, he looks to be shifting into some kind of canine like thing, the fur markings a mixture of blondes, browns, reds and blacks.

To note, his paws look decidedly non-anthro.

Loki fills his mug, mumbling about much more noise than usual is in the room. He turns around, taking another sip of coffee. His eyes grow wide as he drops his mug, the clatter drowned out by the commotion as the situation finally dawns on him. He bounds over towards the truck, leaping upon the hood of the truck, gazing in. HE tries his best to identify the mutations of the driver.

RosaSoul moves over and kneels near him but out of the way for now, she didn't have any medi-packs on her so she wouldn't be much help in this particular case, and just waits for some way she could help, for the time being at least, she decides to check inside the tower, pulling away rubble to make sure no one inside had gotten crushed "if he managed to speak, ask what his name is"

Cilan grabs one of the hypo's and sticks it to the man's neck, the medicine seeming to dull the pain as her skills with the nanites, and with medicine slowly close up what wounds the man may be suffering from, "Its gonna be alright, sir.. y-you're gonna be fine!" is called out to him in the attempt to reassure him while she works.

Crys rips open the passenger's door and calls out Sorien's name, discarding the heavy door like tissue paper. Her tails are flickering in agitation and worry.

Taggart starts to hang back as he sees the crash victim apparently tended to rather well by the small crowd. The large wolf remains quiet, watching with somber green eyes before he notices Crystala starting to tear apart the truck in search of her mate. A slightly pained expression, then stiffening and an aggravated groan before he moves closer.

Kale starts to treat the shifting mans wounds while Cilan tries to calm him down the current shifting making it very difficult."

The driver weakly manages to say "Wallace." before groaning and staring off into the distance as he's injected with more nanite. Almost in response, his hips pop further and a tail bursts through his pants.

Crys shouts out in almost a growl, "Where -is- she!"

Loki glances down at the driver. "Fascinating.... This man.. infected with coyote... a strain usually not infectious.. closest identical strain... Painted wolf." he mumbles, drawing a device out of his coat. "Perhaps a sample while its still fresh, if you two don't mind." he asks, glancing down at Cilan and Kale. "It may stabilize.. or shift in the time.. best get it now to be sure... and if its diluted."

Kale says calmly in a clear well practiced medical personnel voice "Okay Wallace you are going to be fine. Please tell us what happened."

RosaSoul blinks and spins around towards Crys "Crystala? there only seems to be one person in the truck, come to the drivers side?" the only thing Rosa had heard so far, was the drivers Crys, as far as she knew Sorien wasn't in the cab, but she had a distinct worry that she was missing something important

Kale glares at Loki "No 'samples' until we know he is stable."

Loki frowns, scowling slightly. "Yes.. stable.. he should be quite fine I would think.. and he could be infectious... Cyote has not proven to be infectious before." he states, quickly taking a sample before lowering a hand to help mend the wounded individual.

Wallace groans his eyes going blank for a minute, and he growls at Kale and Cilan around him.

Taggart slips his hand into a pocket, flipping the switch on an odd device. Immediately, a non-visible bubble around him pops into place, making anyone within a five foot radius of him feel extremely uncomfortable. In addition, anyone in that distance minds it difficult to control their nanites as the wolf moves up to the crowd gathered about Wallace.

Kale looks to Cilan panic in hir eyes "Cilan restrain the patient!"

Cilan nods affirmatively and moves to where his head is located and leans over him, gripping both his arms, keeping him on the ground should he suddenly go feral and attack.

Crys joins the group surrounding Wallace and she shouts again at the driver asking where Sorien is, but is pushed back by Cilan and Kale.

Kale continues to treat the shifting form as best shi can "Loki you are better with nanites then me see if you can bring his mind back out>"

RosaSoul waves a paw slightly "and then he goes feral, this isnt going to be fun is it?" stepping away from taggart she moves towards Crystala instead "Sorien doesn't seem to be here Crys, why do you think she is" wrapping an arm around her trying to calm her down, more interested in her than the now feral driver

Cilan successfully retains the flailing driver, and he barks at her. Once Taggart is in range he stops struggling as the field emitted by his device covers him.

Cilan lustily hisses, "Crystala, when he comes to, we can question him all we want, but right now he'd be no good if he were to pass on.. I can assure you that we will find Sorien if anything bad had happened.."

Crys says very carefully, "This is Sorien's partner, they went out on an exploratory mission to retrieve a haul of Gasoline. He was her bodyguard and the driver since she can't drive a semi." She frowns at the shifting driver.

Loki nods. "Yes.. I will try to do so.. but this field of.." he glances over his shoulder. "Taggarts... Is interfearing with anything I can do." he grumbles, glancing down to the man. "Might have to wait for some results and see what I can bring up on his brain chemistry."

Kale finds it much easier to treat the more docile being, Kale quickly finishes up all shi can do for him here.

Kale slumps back mentally, emotionally, and physically taxed.

Wallace chokes at the air, his eyes returning to him and he looks around at the people holding him down. He screams seeing his body shaped so oddly.

RosaSoul tenses and nods after a moment before turning towards Taggart "Taggart may apparently be the only one whom can help with what we need, healing him isn't going to stop the nanites from turning him feral, Taggart seems to be slowing them or disorienting the nanites from what i felt near him, let him do his part, we need the driver sane" she releases Crys after a moment then and jumps up into the remains of the cab, since Crys hadn't found Sorien in there, her focus is instead on searching for any sign if she was ever in the cab, asking as she goes "which station did they go to by chance Crys? we should check there next?"

Taggart leans over everyone and very suddenly cracks Wallace expertly in the temple.

Kale suddenly tenses up "Did you just kill my patient?!"

Cilan blinks in surprise at Taggart, apparently his method of 'sedating' patients is not something new to her.

Taggart snorts and looks up at Kale, "Why would I just kill him? Bloody knocked him out... let's take'im ta triage an' dope'im up so he dun' freak out every five seconds while he's awake."

Cilan lustily hisses, "Seriously, Taggart?!.. Erin, and now Wallace?.. What the hell is wrong with you?"

The strong odor of gasoline fills the room, perhaps the tanker truck is leaking?

Kale is too stunned at having Taggart punching out hir restrained patient to notice the smell.

Loki grimaces at Taggart's roughness, frowning as he looks up at him. "I don't think that was really necessary." he grumbles, taking out a pager. He glances towards the truck, sniffing the air. "Well.. this could get a whole lot worse..." he mumbles.

Wallace is slapped by Taggart and it shakes him out of his screaming long enough to focus. "What happened? He asks nobody in particular."

RosaSoul given her proximity to the truck, doesn't have a hard time catching a whiff of the gas "good news" she comments with a tone of dry sarcasm "they got the gas, we should move back now"

Crys is too concerned about finding out from Wallace where her mate is to care about leaking gasoline, but she does tap Taggart on the shoulder and whisper into his ear.

Taggart blinks and looks at Cilan, raising a thick eyebrow. He just shakes his head and slips his hand into his pocket, pulling out a palm sized device... looks kind of like a PDA. He hands it to Cilan, "Take that wit' ya... wit'im... down to Triage. I'm gonna clean this up."

Taggart smiles grimly and nods to Crystala's whisper, "Workin' on it, lass."

Loki stands up. "I do think this sample should be studied as well." he says, handing a vial to Cilan. "Could you make sure this makes its way to Sil? Shi may be able to help."

Taggart very suddenly turns and glares at Loki. "Shut up about yer damned sample fer a minute... and get this dying man down to triage..."

Kale motions to Cilan to help hir get Wallace downstairs.

Wallace looks around him in confusion, like he's not sure where he is or what's happening.

Cilan nods to both Loki, and Taggart, promptly grabbing both the vial, and device as she hoists the driver up with the assistance of Kale, quickly taking the man to Triage where further care can be administered.

[Triage] RosaSoul eye-twitches and moves far away from the truck, figuring she might as well head downstairs and while Wallace seemed sane asks "YO, Wallace, do you know where Sorien is?" glad in part that at least they seemed to be moving away from the leaking truck

[Lobby] Crys stays behind and begins crawling through the cab trying to find evidence of what happened. She is rather unconcerned by the increasingly strong smell of gasoline.

[Triage] Kale gets a prepared gurney for the man and washes hir hands.

[Lobby] Loki blinks at Taggart. "Well.. people are much harder to kill... he may be worse off from that smack to the head." he grumbles, glancing around the scene, trying to decide between the triage and the lobby. He huffs before turning to the triage, following after the others.

[Triage] Wallace is hefted and bumped and around and finally asks, "Why, are, my, hands, paws?" He pauses between each word, trying to make sense out of this.

[Lobby] The wolf turns as they haul Wallace away, and starts to inspect the tanker part of the truck, looking for holes and leaks while pulling off his pea-coat and shirt, tearing the shirt into a few strips with which he can plug said holes. He know it won't stop the leakage, but it may buy them time and save -some- of the precious gasoline. "Start talkin', Crystala."

[Triage] RosaSoul this turns around walking back out to the lobby and states simply "Wallace has no memory, he can be treated maybe but i doubt he will be of much help finding Sorien..." at this point she really doesn't care about him, more worried about her friends, given she doesn't exactly have many of them pointing behind the truck she comments "we could more than likely find more information as to what happened, by backtracking to where the truck came from

[Lobby] The wolf doesn't see any holes, but the gasoline smell is extremely strong around the attachment for the pump collecting gasoline. Crystala calls from inside the cab, "I have no idea Tag, Sorien told me this wouldn't be a dangerous mission, they were only going a few hours north to collect gasoline from where she scouted a few weeks ago.

[Triage] Calmly says to the man as shi drys hir hands. "You have been infected with nanites sir they have changed your hands. Do you remember what happened?"

[Triage] Cilan assists Kale in placing the man on the gurney, next looking him in the eyes as she answers his question, "Its the nanites inside of us, sir.. they just.. made us different, but, in no way any less human!" her own proof showing that she's a complete lizard covered in albino white scales.

[Triage] Pads into the Triage, glancing around. "Well... you two need any help here?" he offers, glancing around, looking down at the man. "Cilan.. if you wouldn't mind.. I would like that sample back if your going to help here... otherwise... if you have no medical experience, would you kindly deliver it for me?". He sighs, looking at the man. "So.. can you remember anything at all Wallace?.. was it?"

[Triage] Wallace looks distant for a moment and then realizes what happened. "That fucker -bit my hand-, he almost growls. He collects himself enough to say, we... we got attacked by a big pack of coyotes. They were acting -very weird, and I wasn't able to get Miss Sorien out."

[Triage] Kale starts taking the standard samples required by the triage. "Where did you get attacked?"

[Triage] "At the a Valero gas station about an hour and a half north of the city. I was assigned to guard and drive for Miss Sorien. I guess this means I failed, doesn't it?" He looks a little bit sad at that thought.

[Lobby] Crys shouts from inside the truck. She throws out a lumpy chunk of furry flesh that was stuck to something, it flinging from the cab onto the ground. "This is gross." But she continues anyway, trying to find something that shows exactly where her mate had been.

[Triage] Cilan looks over to Loki and passes him the vial, obviously caring more about the man's life than she is the sample. Speaking next into her com in an attempt at speaking to those tending to the truck outside, "Wallace told us where Sorien is, Valero gas station, hour and a half north of the city."

[Triage] Kale finishes taking the samples "Maybe sir, maybe not. Did you see Sorien get bitten?" Kale whispers to Loki "Do you think his mind will make it?" Kale heads over to the locked cabinet and pulls out a precious vial of the vaccine they give all zephyr employees to protect their minds.

[Lobby] Taggart growls gently and does his best to wrap the cloth around the leak, at least trying to keep the coupling from gushing everywhere. "How far nort', Crystala. It ain't safe up there. It ain't bloody safe anywhere. Wut tha HELL she doin' goin' off wit' only one ot'er person?"

The muscular man growls and grumbles to himself, moving up to the truck cab to start looking for a toolkit that he could use to possibly fix or patch the leak properly.

[Lobby] RosaSoul prods the lump of flesh with just one toe and makes a face "that is very gross indeed... but wouldn't it be better to go to where they where? she wasn't in the truck was she? we could likely learn more at the gas station, signs of the fight, a clue which way they went if they took Sorien with?"

[Lobby] The radio in Crys' pocket hums with Cilan's voice. She calls out "It appears Wallace remembers, about an hour and a half north apparently.

[Triage] Loki remains rather grim as he receives the sample, He nods to Kale "Yes.. his mind could well make it.... But it relies on a combination of his will, the vaccine, and getting a good deal of information on these nanites... It may also help us combat whatever is out there." he states, handing the vial to a technician and instructing him to deliver it to Sil.

[Lobby] Loki grimaces. "These nanites.. seem to be actively ignoring the vaccine... This could be bad."

[Lobby] Crys calls out of the cab one last time, "I'm going to find a ride, I would suggest telling someone at Zephyr to get this thing dealt with this leaking truck." She says to Rosa, "I'm going to find her. I hope I can figure out how to drive though." She frowns.

[Lobby] (RosaSoul) "Crys dear, I can drive, I'm sure some of these fellows can to" she does neglect to mention she never actually got her license before hell broke out, and would kick the tank of the truck "We can siphon this sucker for the gas to, anyone got a hose?"

[Lobby] Taggart pulls a walkie from his back pocket, speaking gruffly into it and the Zephyr security team, requesting assistance with the cleanup and to block off the area for safety reasons. "Ya dun't 'zactly'ave a motor vehicle, Crys..."

[Lobby] Crys shoulders past Rosa almost rudely, she appears to be heading off toward the main parking area for Zephyr.

[Triage] Wallace passes out after a while sleeping off his injuries while still in the field.

[Triage] Kale places the gurney's restraints on the passed out Wallace and puts him in an isolation room "BEtter safe then sorry." Kale sighs sadly.

[Triage] Kale starts to fill out the necessary paperwork.

[Lobby] RosaSoul sidesteps not exactly intending to get in the way, mainly because she agrees with this current plan, but also cause cry could kick her ass if she tried "I'm coming with cry, you two are friends, I'll do whatever i can to help" turning as she speaks and chases after her less she leave without hir

[Triage] Kale heads back upstairs to see if anyone else needs help.

[Triage] Cilan sets the small device Taggart had given her by Wallace's gurney, before heading back up the stairs, heading to the main group.

[Lobby] Apostasy comes in through the doors, just returned from a hunt. "What the hell happened here? Why is there a truck sticking out of the side of the building? What's going on?"

[Lobby] The large wolf can only sigh as Crystala stomps off toward the garage, shaking his head and moving after her.

[Triage] glances up, and heads to the Lobby, hurrying after the others. "I miss anything?" he asks, glancing around. "Also.. bad news. The infection seems to bypass the inoculation. Be careful."

[Lobby] Walks up stairs , "Love calm down!" Kale hisses "Small accident, injured man is safely downstairs, and Sorien is missing. Problem is all current recovery teams are busy."

[Parking Lot] Crys is busy looking for a specific vehicle, searching among the abandoned and parked vehicles that employees own. She finally spots something and heads over to a small beat up car. She opens one of the doors with keys from her hip pouch and searches through the car for something before pulling out a siphon rig.

[Lobby] Kale glimpses Crys leaving and follows motioning to Cilan and Apostasy as shi does so. "Come on before Crys get hurt."

[Lobby] RosaSoul claps her paws together "that's one problem solved, how many of these are still running? need to conserve gas but it might be a good idea to bring as many as we can with as possible, to few and we will only make things worse by going"

[Lobby] Apostasy double-takes. "Sorien is missing? The hell with a recovery team. We can do this." shi states firmly, following hir after Crys.

[Lobby] Cilan nods affirmatively as she follows after Kale, "Alright, but lets see if we can find a flatbed truck to follow her with.." is called out as the dragoness makes hir way into the garage.

[Parking Lot] Crys sighs, "I doubt Sor's car will make it that far and I can barely drive, and my weight would probably crush the tires. We'll need to find something else." She says to Rosa. "I came to get this." Referring to the siphoning kit in her hands.

Sparhawk runs around like crazy in Zephyr's basement, recoiling from Triage like some people recoil from skunk blasts. A long robot with smooth curves makes loud stomping noises that stop upon seeing the feral truck crashed into the lobby. "So, what the crap?"

[Parking Lot] Emerges into the parking lot and looks for the others, spotting Crystala Kale approaches slowly waiting for Apostasy and Cilan to catch up.

[Lobby] Loki pads over to Crystala, glancing at the car. "Sorien missing? Well.. if you need another hand.. I don't think I can sit Idly by while a friend is in danger." he nods. "I don't think that will be enough."

[Parking Lot] RosaSoul nods there's a truck south of here, its been humped by gryphons before so a little messy, or a bus, those are designed for the weight, and i have already said i can drive, there may be others able as well" first though we should get the gas before it all leaks onto the ground and becomes useless"

[Parking Lot] Crys pulls out her radio and her voice hums over it, a bit staticy but level headed. "I don't know how many of you will be coming, but I am going to requisition a bus, it'll be the thing largest enough to carry my weight. I need at least one person to drive and will accept anyone willing to help me get my mate back, no questions asked." Her voice is cold, anger seething in it under the surface.

[Parking Lot] Apostasy follows Kale out into the parking garage. "So what are we after out... oh, nevermind" shi starts to say, trailing off as shi sees the siphoning kit Crys has gotten. Shi nods firmly when Crys asks for help. "I'm in. I can't drive, not like this, but I'm with you all the way."

[Parking Lot] RosaSoul waves a paw "so im a two inch tall fairy, i still think i can drive!"

[Parking Lot] Looks at Cilan and Apostasy and says softly "I will help."

[Parking Lot] Cilan follows into the parking lot after Kale as the three dash over to the bus, "I.. uh.. have my regular license, but I dont think a bus counts with the class 5 license.."

[Parking Lot] Kale looks at Cilan and Apostasy and says softly "I will help."

[Parking Lot] Loki leaps on top of the bus, perching above it. "I'm coming too. I may end up flying though. An Aerial view may be useful." he says with a nod.

[Parking Lot]"Well sis, since nobody else appears to have any license... barring the two-inch tall fairy... it looks like you might be learning on the job." Apostasy says, looking at Cilan with a grin.

[Parking Lot] Sparhawk hums the Transformers theme as shi clomps out to the parking lot, peering around for the alleged bus. "So, apparently heroes are needed. That is my job description. Must be a heck of a thing if Taggart is up here and the Anathema is in the basement. Any actual drivers yet?"

[Parking Lot] RosaSoul huffs "i can push the gas with my cock and turn the wheel by walking to the side, like a hamster wheel, its not my fault i cant control my shape"

[Parking Lot] Cilan nearly pales as she gulps at the aspect of driving something that requires the class 2 license.

[Parking Lot] Sparhawk eyes the tiny fairy. "If you can't control your form, I can. Is there something human-shaped you are familiar with?"

[Parking Lot] Apostasy pats Cilan on the shoulder. "You got this, sis. No problem." Shi grins at Rosa. "I don't think 12 inches is gonna reach from the steering wheel of a bus to the gas pedal, short stuff."

[Parking Lot] RosaSoul blinks and nods after a moment "Shadow vixen actually, i spent quite a while in that form i came to like it, just couldn't train on them any more"

[Parking Lot] Sparhawk shrinks dramatically to a small dark foxtaur, then scrounges up makeshift wire and magnets from a bag. Shi blows into it, and the fairy reaches toward the ground as (nearly) everything goes vulpine.

[Parking Lot] RosaSoul shakes out her fur and stands up, after a moment she glances down at her tattered miniature cloths, pretty much naked now "well that was to be expected, but hey, I can drive now after all, I assume this might be safer outside of the bubble?"

Crystala forces the keys from a zephyr employee to one of the companies buses. The team siphon out gasoline from the tanker including extra supplies if they should need to travel far further. Most of the group is able to fit into the bus with the exception of the largest, whom either fly above or are riding on top of the bus. The buses frame creaks in the load but it manages to drive.

[Sky] Apostasy grins. "Looks like I've got over-watch for a while." Shi takes off, and starts circling over the bus, keeping an eye out for anything that might be a threat.

[Sky] Kale rides on top of the back of the bus.

[Bus] RosaSoul slips into the bus and looks around "so did we decide who was going to drive?"

[Sky] Sparhawk leaps into the air following the foxhacking, heading east at all speed. Shi returns, in fifteen minutes, a golden ribbon of dragon appearing in the southern parking lot. If the party has left by then there will be a chase, probably of the other flying dragon.

[Sky] Kale sitting on top of the bus watches Apostasy fly around and prays briefly for Apostasy's safety before flying up to join hir.

[Sky] Apostasy wobbles a little bit as shi feels a surge rush through hir body, and then turns, spotting Kale. Shi grins. "Thanks love!"

[Bus] RosaSoul takes a seat wherever required and begins singing "its five o'clock somewhere" to pass the time

[Sky] Loki's coat bursts into a shimmering cloud of nanites as he snaps his wings and takes to the air, the cloud following him on his way up as he gains a fairly decent amount of altitude before re-absorbing into his body.

[Sky] Kale flies behind and above Apostasy before saying "Lets just get Sorien back safely. We still have to visit their place after all."

[Bus] Cilan suddenly feels.. different, an uncomfortable look pressing at her features as the bus continues on, her breathing becoming weathered as she looks on, watching the road in silence.

[Sky] Sparhawk soars around overhead with Apostasy, one of many dragons flying cover. It should be reasonably easy to keep pace given the condition of roads. Over at least Crystala's radio comes Spar's voice, "Anyone else got communications devices?"

The group passes out of the city, the bubble gradually weakening as they leave. It feels like a lost limb for those not in tune with the nanites, for the adepts the feeling is even worse. The journey northward is relatively quiet, beyond having to navigate abandoned vehicles on the highway starting about a half an hour north of the city.

[Sky] Apostasy looks back to Kale and flashes a grin and a thumbs up before pulling out hir comm-unit and speaking into it. "I've got my Zephyr comm-unit, seems to be picking up your signal fine."

[Bus] Crystala's tails flick in agitation as she watches the scenery around. She looks very worried about her mate, and while she doesn't snap, it's easy to tell how furious she is at the world, or whatever has done this. She doesn't seem to be phased by the loss of the nanites, and anyone that knows her well enough would know she isn't even remotely in tune with them, or affected by them at all in fact.

[Bus] RosaSoul cuts off her terrible singing and places a paw over her chest coughing sharply and looking pained for a moment before commenting in a strained tone "what the hell was that..." never having been out of the bubble beore, and does not have a com device of any sort, nor any idea what 'the room' is

[Sky] Kale looks to the other fliers "Ugh what was that feeling just now? I feel like... like something inside me just flickered off."

[Bus] Cilan suddenly feels.. different, an uncomfortable look pressing at her features as the bus continues on, her breathing becoming weathered as she looks on, watching the road in silence, the lizard almost seeming like she'd break out in a cold sweat within moments.

[Bus] Taggart stands up from the back of the bus and makes his way to the front, suddenly, and heavily sitting down next to Crystala. The wolf remains quiet, emerald eyes thoughtful and not really focused upon anything in particular. The hulking mass of muscle also doesn't seem to mind the lack of nanites, though he is more in-tune than most might believe. He almost breathes easier.

Around the coastline can be seen off to the west on occasion, and to the east fields and empty towns they pass. There's the occasional wildlife, and the bus has to avoid a heard of anthro deer at one point but passes onward north.

[Sky] Apostasy's flight becomes unstable for a while as the group passes out of the bubble. "Ugh... son of a..." Shi breathes heavily, trying to adjust to the strange sensation of dullness.

[Sky] Sparhawk flaps rather a lot more after leaving Fairhaven city limits, but doesn't appear bothered and sounds just as warm over the radio. "So out here, most things are less explosive than we are used to. Also we will heal less well, so regard even regular claws as dangerous. If you need assistance, make sure to call because we all may find things unfamiliar."

[Sky] Apostasy pulls hir comm-unit up to hir lips as Spar talks. "Copy that Spar. I presume my bullets should still work fine, though?"

[Bus] RosaSoul given that she doesn't have a com unit, is unaware of these warnings, this could come back to bite rosa in the ass, potentially literally

The bus arrives without being accosted and pulls to a stop just south of the Valero station.

[Sky] Shivers in flight, bothered by the emptiness he feels as he leaves the bubble. "It.. kind of feels like dying in a sense." he mutters to the others, not noticing his pants meld back into his flesh, leaving him quite bare.

[Bus] When the bus comes to a stop Crystala leaps out, and slides open the bus doors manually, popping them off the hinge in impatience. She runs ahead, trying to use her sense of smell to detect her mate.

[Bus] Taggart very suddenly turns and looks at Crystala, seriously, before they depart the bus. "Crys... you dun' lose yer'ead out'ere, ya'nderstand? I know this is rough... trust me, do I know... an' I know it sounds odd comin' from me wit'wut I been doin' ta meself. But there's a big diff'rence batween what I been doin' an..." He growls gently as Crystala suddenly bounds over him and out.

[Bus] RosaSoul does her best to follow after Crys "hold on, we should go together really, whatever attacked overwhelmed sorien and the guard, It would be a really bad idea to go off alone, if you get attacked alone the situation can only get worse, because then we will be trying to save two people, with less help"

[Gas Station] Apostasy lands rather less than gracefully as shi's still trying to adjust to the disconnect within hir after leaving the bubble. Shi looks around carefully, keeping watch for anything dangerous, or any clues as to Sorien's whereabouts.

[Gas Station] Kale banks and glides downwards landing near Apostasy.

Anyone exiting the bus or entering anywhere near the gas station is going to almost vomit from the stench of gasoline. In the two hours since the truck left the pump emptied the tank it was siphoning all over the ground.

[Gas Station] The wolf pulls himself up and heads outside, picking up his pace to catch up with Crystala, soft growl in his throat. "Crystala! You bloody git! Git back'ere 'afore I do sumtin' not nice!"

[Gas Station] RosaSoul promptly stumbles and claps a paw between her legs "OF ALL THE TIMES?!!!" given that she JUST went into heat

[Gas Station] Crys almost collapses as she takes in the scents, the smell is overpowering and it hit her in a way she wasn't expecting.

[Gas Station] Shi rummages around hir medkit coughing "Ugh that smell!" Kale shoves a bunch of cotton balls into hir nostrils, then offers some to Apostasy.

[Gas Station] Cilan slowly makes her way out of the bus and into the gas station, pulling her handguns out their respective holsters as she takes up the tail end of the gathered group, the look of uncomfortableness still evident on her face as she moves.

[Sky] Sparhawk soars around overhead in hir habitual post of watching-from-above, enjoying the thermal plume much more than the people enjoying the aromatic hydrocarbons hundred feet down.

[Gas Station] Apostasy snorts at the overwhelming stench of gasoline. Shi clamps hir jaw shut, muttering "This would be a -very- bad time for someone to see if they can still breathe fire."

[Gas Station] Taggart wrinkles his nose at the smell, though, he's a bit more used to it than most. He -does- make it himself, after all. Coming up behind Crystala, the wolf offers a hand as she reels from the stench, leaning in to whisper harshly.

[Gas Station] RosaSoul coughs and trys to ignore the start of that blasted heat cycle, approaching crys slowly and rests a paw on her shoulder "rushing off will make this harder, you want to save your mate? let us help, we need to stick together Crys" and while she speaks, she takes out a cloths pin for her nose

The field just south of the Gas station is the obvious scene of something nasty, the field is dug up and tire tracks have run holes into the ground when it was escaping.

[Gas Station] Crys takes Taggart's hand when she finally recovers enough to notice and accent's Taggart's offer. She listens to his whisper but seems preoccupied.

[Gas Station] Pulls on Apostasy's arm and motions to the field. "We should check that out."

[Gas Station] Loki lands atop the bus, sliding across the roof before stabilizing himself in an odd sort of crouching perch. He glances at the others. "So what are we looking for here?" he wonders, his ears swiveling as he listens for potential disturbances, his eyes scanning the horizon. He shifts uncomfortably a bit, as he finally realizes his general lack of garb. "Well.. this is embarrassing... and a little uncomfortable."

[Gas Station] RosaSoul sticks clothespin on Crys' nose to get her attention

[Gas Station] Kale Pulls on Apostasy's arm and motions to the field. "We should check that out."

[Gas Station] Apostasy looks in the direction Kale gestures. "Definitely. Hey, people! We should probably check out that field!" is called out to the group as shi head towards it.

[Gas Station] Taggart straightens up, shaking his head. "You ain't gunna listen, then yer only gunna do more harm." The wolf sighs gently and glances around the station, letting up on Crystala's hand to move to the gas pump, turning it off so that it didn't -add- to the already incredibly dangerous situation.

Off in the distance the trees rustle. The wind is calm so this stands out. The field itself is open, and from a distance some dark red stains can be seen on the concrete, although the gasoline has stripped most of the area.

[Gas Station] Crys winces in pain when Rosa sticks something on her nose, and she swats it off, rubbing her snout. "I don't have time for this!" She growls, she begins trying to look through the field, at the tire tracks.

[Gas Station] RosaSoul doesn't wait for Crys reaction to the cloths pin on her nose and points towards the rustling trees "a clue?" while attempting to grab one of Crys' tails before she goes to run off again "Crys, how much time do you think we would lose if say... someone ran off and got attacked, captured, and had to be saved before we could go after Sorien?" at which point she turns and looks over the gas pump

[Field] Kale looks over the field and examines the blood, blanching at the sight.

Sparhawk's voice comes over the radio, "Something that lives moves in the trees. Be wary, we do not know who it is." The sound of wing-flapping is audible over the field, which is less warm and Spar has to work harder.

Most of the blood Kale sees has seeped into the ground, but she notices one particular area that is stained heavily. She bumps into a shoulder pouch laying among it.

[Bus] Keeps his perch on the bus, scanning around the field. He glances over to Kale, and over to the station, ready to assist wherever trouble springs from first, or if he is needed.

[Field] Kale shakily picks up the shoulder pouch and shouts "I Found something!"

[Pumps] RosaSoul prods one of the buttons curiously "how did they get these to work after so long anyways? it much have been years since these where last used..." she turns away again though and watches kale for now, keeping an eye out for anything of potential importance

[Field] Kale slowly opens the pouch and looks inside

[Field] Crys looks up from inspecting the route of the truck up to spot Kale holding up Sorien's bag.

[Field] Apostasy keeps a careful eye on the treeline as Kale inspects the area, looking carefully for a sign of the creature Sparhawk mentioned. When Kale yells, shi looks over hir shoulder. "That's Sorien's bag!"

Rosa sees that there's a hose sticking out of the area where the underground tanks where being drained into the tanker truck. The hose and pump lay still, having exhausted the supply from the tank.

In the bag there is a standard Zephyr radio, a wallet with freecreds and Sorien's identity card, various brushes and combs, various bric-a-brac and weirdly enough a set of polyhedral dice. On the strap is her name-tag.

[Pumps] RosaSoul makes note of this and kicks the gas pump "well that answers that doesn't it..." walking over to the hose/pump "Hey..." she turns, moving over to the group and murmurs "I bet i know what attracted them, that pump must be very loud"

[Bus] Taggart moves away from either scene, returning to the bus, whereupon he leans against the front and crosses his muscular arms over his chest, watching the various peoples running about doing various things. He doesn't seem to be in a particularly good mood, nor does it look like it would be wise to bother him.

[Pumps] Close enough to the forested area on the other side of the road, anyone near the pumps can see a lone coyote standing in the bushes observing the group.

[Field] Apostasy returns hir attention to the treeline, but calls out "Anything that might give us a clue in there?"

[Field] Kale looks grim and shouts "Yea confirm its Sorien's all right!" Kale slings the bag over hir

shoulder for now and looks for any other signs in the nearby field for what may have happened.

[Field] Kale shakes hir head "No not that I can see love."

[Field] Crys moves forward, whispers something to kale and holds the pack for a moment, sticking her muzzle into her mate's pack and breathing deeply.

[Field] Cilan makes her way out of the bus and over to Kale and Apostasy, once there she asks, "Erm.. anything.. anything I can help with?"

[Field] RosaSoul pauses and turns after a moment narrowing her eyes "We are being watched, I can hear someone else around"

[Field] A crease forms on Crys' face. "It smells of -their- stink." She says referencing the coyotes scent she's been smelling a lot recently.

[Field] Kale smiles softly at Cilan "You are a much better tracker then me Cil, any signs of where Sorien went?"

[Bus] Loki stands up, peering at the coyote. He takes out his pager, and sends a hushed message to those in the vicinity. "there's what looks to be a coyote watching us... Just watching.. I would advice against sudden moves, but be prepared."

Sorien's medkit is also with the shoulder-bag

Cilan nods affirmatively, her look still showing disorientation, obviously having been hit quite hard without the feeling she had grown comfortable with.

[Field] Apostasy moves over to Kale, Cilan and Crys. Shi sniffs the air. "You're right. There was a lot of coyotes here." Shi grins as Loki's voice comes over the radio. "And it looks like there's one still here."

[Sky] Sparhawk continues soaring, observing a straggler or scout or diplomat. "Be a good time to have a Promethean with diplomatic skills," follows Loki's warning on the radio.

The tracks around the field start to tell a story to those who are looking. The tractor trailer drove in a hurry over the ground, and there are some impact marks where creatures fell off of it. The area around Sorien's pack appears to have foot prints recognizable from the coyotes, but it doesn't seem to have an exit path. Either she was carried, or ended up like Wallace.

The impact marks around her pack show that there was a pretty large carnage and fight going on before Sorien surrendered. Many coyotes limping off from the scene, and blood stain remnants.

[Field] RosaSoul glances towards the watching coyote nearby and murmurs "I wonder, why is it just watching and nothing else?" before turning, and whether or not she is followed, starts approaching it, slowly, to see how it reacts, and keeping her paws out so as not to look threatening

[Field] Apostasy looks slowly at the scene. "Well, Sorien sure as hell didn't go quietly. Good for her. Now we need to figure out which tracks to follow."

[Field] Kale follows behind Rosa cautiously.

The Coyote still stares at the approaching figures, quietly, until they reach within 10 yards. It quirks it's head, looking up at those coming close.

[Field] Kale folds hir wings and bends down trying to look as friendly and and non combative as possible for a dragon.

[Bus] Loki whispers into the comm-unit "I would advise caution when dealing with this... potential feral. Don't do anything rash." he advises, peering at the treeline as well, trying to observe any potential lurkers.

RosaSoul is continually reminded of her heat, and wonders for a moment if this was a really bad idea, but comes as close as the coyote allows before she speaks "can you talk? or understand me at all? i certainly hope so..."

[Field] Apostasy returns to watching the treeline, though shi glances over to Rosa and hir mate frequently to keep tabs on them.

[Field] Kale slowly and clearly speaks "We come meaning no harm nor do we wish to infringe on your territory."

[Field] Crys eyes those approaching the coyote with caution.

The Coyote leaps forward toward Kale, with no warning, going for her throat.

[Field] Cilan quickly fires off a round from her handgun, aiming towards the attacking coyote

Kale falls flat on hir back panic clear on hir face!

[Field] Kale tries to cover hirself protectively

[Bus] Loki perks up as the shot is fired. He takes to the air, circling above the group, scanning the trees as he passes by.

[Field] Apostasy whirls round at the sound of the gunshot, bracing hirself to fire, the motor on Glaurung spinning up.

Cilan's bullet hit's the coyote just above the eye, taking the top of it's skull off. The coyote falls to the ground next to kale, twitching, before it could bite her.

RosaSoul flinches and takes a step back surprised before she could even respond to the attack "well... that was impressive, and I guess that means we wont be getting any information from it"

[Field] Apostasy quickly moves up to Kale and Rosa. Shi helps Kale back to hir feet. "Are you alright love? That thing didn't harm you, did it?"

Sparhawk is not faster than bullet! The start of hir dive flattens quickly, sending the dragon and its shadow over the forest at only 60 feet up, close enough to get assaulted by a territorial squirrel in the top branches.

Next to Kale the twitching body begins to melt, the flesh turning to crimson blood and it melts into the ground in a puddle next to her.

[Field] Kale opens hir eyes and breathes a sigh of relief. Kale stands up and turns hir back to where the coyote was and smiles at Cilan with a look full of thanks and love.

[Field] Kale stares at the body... "That is not normal... even for ferals."

RosaSoul kicks dirt on the dissolving body "normal is debatable, just think of it as a goo-yote" and turns to stalk away from it back towards Kale, nodding her thanks to Cil, though clearly irritated that it had attacked and they where unable to ask anything of it "I want a gun" she adds with a huff

[Field] Blows away the faint trail of smoke emanating from her handgun before holstering it once more, once she does that she moves back to Kale and nods, "Of course, love.. Id rather die than let -anything- attack you.." a look of concern evident on her eyes now, "Now then, are you alright?"

Kale smiles at Apostasy "I am fine love. It didn't touch me."

[Field] Apostasy smiles. "Glad to hear it." Shi starts to scan for any more coyotes, determined to prevent any from getting that close again if shi can prevent it.

Cilan moves to the patch where the coyote had once laid, a look of curiosity crossing her features as she attempts to remember something.

Sparhawk swoops back, encountering no rabid squirrels in this chunk of America, landing with a series of thumps in the field. The puddle gets some attention. "That was either a heck of a gun, or these critters are stranger than they first appear."

[Field] Kale rubs at hir leg before looking up at Sparhawk.

RosaSoul comments "I have a sword, I want a gun now, Where can i get a blueprint for a gun"

[Woods] Crys enters the treeline where the Coyote was and sniffs the ground. The coyote scent is strong, they frequently have been marking their territory. She says, "I wonder if these were the same ones that attacked me when I was out bio-mapping the forests. It's hard to tell since they all have the same -stink-.

[Field] Apostasy chuckles as shi hears Rosa. "Talk with a dragon called Shido and he might make you one. Or somehow get into Chandler Hospital and buy one of those crazies."

RosaSoul [woods] follows crys just in case and comments "It would be hard to tell, but considering you and Sorien are both far stronger than i am a least, I would be more worried about the fact they overpowered Sorien at all... perhaps we are missing some important detail"

[Woods] Crys' ears twitch, the smell is strong. "There are more of them, be on your guard." She shouts.

[Field] Apostasy notices Kale rubbing hir leg. "Something the matter, love?" Shi looks more closely, and looks worried. "Is that.... did that thing scratch you?"

[Field] Loki continues to circle around the fields, frowning at the lack of a body. He lands next to Cilan, Kale and the others, about to ask a question before he turns his attention to the woods at Crystala's shout. He crouches down in preparation for taking to the air again, his wings spread wide.

[Field] Kale ignores Apostasy "It is nothing love... we shouldn't leave the group." Kale follows after Crys.

[Field] Sparhawk sniffs at the puddle a little, but gets dragged away by Crystala running on ahead. "Subduing at least one for study would be grand, o adventurers! For one thing, goo-people should not survive out here unaided."

[Woods] RosaSoul perks her long ears and lowers down close to the ground, making herself a smaller target and ensuring she could move quickly if she needed to, none to keep on the thought of more of those things approaching "Gather together, It would not do well if we where cut off from each other"

A howling call can be heard in the distance to the north. It's long and mournful but a different pitch than a wolves'

[Woods] RosaSoul says “I don't think they will be happy we killed one of their pack..."

[Field] Apostasy frowns, but follows after, and stands next to Crys. "I'm not the only one who heard that howl, right? Should we wait and see what happens here, move towards it, or move back into clear ground? Your call Crys."

[Woods] Cilan makes her way into the woods, one hand is used to pull a handgun out of one holster, and a trench-knife out of the other, the lizard preparing for both ranged, and melee combat depending on the situation.

[Woods] RosaSoul draws her one and only weapon... a chain sword, this girl has not been keeping up on the equipment of today

[Woods] Crys looks very dark and says, "I'm not much one to wait, I will tear them apart til they give my mate back to me."

[Woods] Apostasy chuckles. "So lets take the fight to them, then, shall we?"

[Woods] Kale shakes a little and hides behind Apostasy "Careful love I saw no emotion of any sort in the last one's eyes."

Sparhawk fishes out a laser pistol that looks tiny in hir forepaw. "Set lasers on atomize!" Shi trots toward the woods line to join the war-party but makes sure not to get anywhere within Apostasy's front facing.

RosaSoul readies her long raking claws and growls softly still waiting for whatever was coming next "should we continue? Crys?"

[Woods] Apostasy fiddles a little with a switch on the side of hir gatling cannon. "Burst limiter set down to 5 round bursts. Gotta conserve ammo, after all."

[Field] Loki springs into the air, Circling around the field, attempting to spot any coyotes that may lurk within the grass.

RosaSoul huffs and starts creeping forward, she wasn't so much taking the lead, as just getting tired of waiting, impatient as always

Crys suddenly slams her hand to her eyes and groans. "Don't... don't kill them! One of these could be Sorien! Cilan, you could have killed Sori!" She shouts out.

Sparhawk points at Apostasy with the explosive bullet gun. "If you could kindly stay on the left flank with me while less ranged people advance in the middle, your firing line will be more likely to be empty of people I have to fix. And...that, yes." Shi starts moving toward the howls on the far left side of the group.

Cilan muses to herself as she continues through the woods, her voice easily heard by those close by, easily noted that it sounds disturbed, ".. Could.. could it be.. Oregon again?.. no.. it.. it cant be.."

"I'm all for taking the fight to them. Be nice to have some support on that." Apostasy says flatly, as shi starts advancing. Shi stops as Crys speaks. "Well. That changes things. Glaurung is kind of an all-or-nothing weapon... doesn't really do non-lethal."

Kale rubs at hir leg again as shi stays between Apostasy and Cilan. "What happened in Oregon?"

RosaSoul jumps in surprise at the shout and turns "Crys! relax... Do you think Sorien would have been so quick to try and kill Kale? It wasn't her"

Crys snaps at Rosa "How would you know what this infection does to the mind? Did you see the way Wallace was acting, for all we know she could be one of them now!"

RosaSoul nods after a moment before she replies in a softer tone "You're right, but would it be Sorien if her mind is gone?, i think we all agree to try not to kill them for your sake, but what choice was there? it would have ripped out her throat if it had not been shot, Sorien will be ok, we will find her, promise" smiling slightly and really, really hopes that she isn't lying

Apostasy moves over to the flank as indicated by Sparhawk, but keeps an eye on Crys. "If we're going non-lethal on this, life just got -much- harder."

Loki circles around the field, spotting nothing of particular interest. He darts back into the woods, taking to the treetops, trying to move from branch to branch stealthily, and gain a better vantage point. He smiles as he overhears Apostasy. Non Lethal combat is his specialty.

Sparhawk lightens the woods in hir passing, commenting occasionally on some passing bird, or a mulberry tree that has somehow overshadowed the local oaks. This does not distract completely from staring everwhichway.

Kale turns to Crystala "We have to believe that Sorien is okay, Even if Sorien became infected who is to say she couldn't resist the effects." Kale rubs at hir leg again idly.

Cilan shakes her head, clearing her mind as shes spoken to, turning to Kale she answers, "Just that coyote had shown signs of another race of dangerous wolves we had found in Oregon.. it had shown characteristics, especially in its death, how it decayed like that..the flesh is hard to kill.. it'd always get re-absorbed into the stronger creatures, it.. it was almost like they had a hive-mind.. and hive-body too.."

RosaSoul frowns darkly at Cilan's words "that is not good, If that's so then they will get stronger any time we killed one anyways, sounds like Non-lethal might actually be a REALLY good idea, since it would keep them weak"

Crys stiffens hearing Cilan talk about the infection. "If that thing -absorbed- Sorien into itself I... I have no idea what to do."

While everyone is talking the woods shuffling grows louder, their conversation has attracted attention, and their time idling given a chance for the pack to spread out around them.

RosaSoul murmurs "Crys... Don't think of that, we can deal with it when the time comes, right now, we are searching for Sorien, and that's all" she rolls her eyes at the realization they where not surrounded "well... say your prayers, this is about to get interesting"

Loki smiles in his perch in the trees. "Fascinating... these things will prove quite entertaining to study... hive mind... perhaps a true one..."

"Crys, it's crunch time. Are we staying non-lethal, or not? Need an answer -real- fast here." Apostasy says, twisting at the waist to cover a larger section of the woods with hir firing arc.

RosaSoul comments to Apo "non, if we kill them there's a chance they get stronger instead, and then we really will be overwhelmed, disable them any way you can, don't kill"

Kale whimpers and looks around rapidly. "This isn't good."

Crys grimaces, not sure what to do. She's pissed as hell at these things for taking her mate, but she is really worried about hurting her mate in the process of getting her back. She screams out, "I don't know." And charges toward a coyote just emerging from the bushes in front of her.

Sparhawk curls up a bit, forepaws hanging in an imitation of taurishness. "Nonlethal. Need to rescue, might be infected. Also, killing one makes the rest more awesome, and that is no good."

Coyotes all around begin to pop into view. Four of them charging straight for Cilan, one with a spark of intelligence and ANGER in it's eyes.

Having been prepared for this, Cilan lashes at her attacker with a quick swipe of the trench knife.

Kale seeing the coyotes head for Cilan takes a deep breathe and rushes over and help roaring as best shi can "Stay away from her you bastards!"

The slender, smaller intelligent looking female, stops right as the others charge for Cilan, letting them take the knife. Cilan slashes into two of them but the third lands it's mouth down on Cilan's wrist.

Apostasy grimaces. "Fuck!" Shi drops Glaurung to the ground, and crouches into a fighting stance, claws at the ready, hir tail lashing about. Shi drops any that come close with quick slashes of hir claws, trying hir utmost to incapacitate without killing.

Kale grimaces as shi isn't fast enough to reach Cilan to stop the attack.

RosaSoul launches forward raising an arm and twisting aiming to slam the entire aim into said coyotes head, intent on knocking it to the side and away from the others intending to keep at least one of the number away from the rest, she knows she isn't the strongest and thus intends to at least try and take them on one at a time

Sparhawk drops a gleaming mirror shield between Cilan's hand and the teeth, recoiling the damage onto the coyote's own person. Then shi turns to face the incoming mob, the mirror used up for this phase of fight, and probably not lingering long enough for another attacker to be foolish.

Crys leaps onto two coyote, taking her arms around two necks, and begins to squeeze, holding her arms around both necks.

Loki drops out of a tree, attempting to leap upon the one actually showing sentience. He bristles with bio-electricity, crackling lightly as he descends on the ground. A faint prickling can be felt in the air near him, but it otherwise seems harmless.

The female coyote intent on seeing Cilan down, does not notice Rosa until it gets kicked in the stomach and yelps flying away. The two that Cilan knifed lay bleeding, their necks leaking lifeblood. The third's teeth shatter against the force of Spar's mirrored effect.

Kale reaches Cilan and checks her over eyes glistening "Are you alright?"

Loki's flesh begins to electrocute the coyote below him, and it howls out in pain. A bigger Coyote tackles him from behind, looking very pissed.

More coyotes charge out of the woods, a few going for Apo one of the larger targets, and a few others again for Cilan.

Cilan recoils as she notices the coyote's blocked attack, noting the flash coming from Loki, her other hand, the one holding the handgun points towards his attacker, promptly squeezing off a few shots, the adrenaline pumping too hard to for her to notice Kale's question.

RosaSoul grins and is actually suddenly pleased that she doesn't seem to appear as a threat to the damn coyotes, aiming a hard kick at the downed females skull in the hopes of knocking it out this time to ensure it stays down, her long ears perking then and swiveling trying to detect how many are around them, and where the nearest group of them where, uncoiling her long tail to sweep it across the bushes in an attempt to strike a few at once (scythe sweep) :3

Apostasy stays in motion, never standing till for long, claws lashing out at hir attackers, using hir tail as a lash and a bludgeon as required to keep them back. Shi does hir best to prevent any from getting past hir to the rest of the group.

Sparhawk tries to coordinate fisticuffs with Apostasy, weaving nimbly to expose the backsides of coyotes attacking hir flanks as well as pounding the back of anything that favors the flailing dragoness.

Kale protects Cilan's back, striking with claw and tail at any coyote that tries to attack Cilan's rear with an intense ferocity.

The largest of the coyotes takes two bullets to the flank, but continues it's motion toward Loki, landing on top of him and begins to go for his throat. One of the coyotes attacking Apo makes it past hir defenses and goes for hir ankle in an attempt to trip them, but Spar manages to smack it off before it can. The coyotes Crys is choking begin to slow, but another jumps on top of her, going for her throat as well.

The four coordinate around trying to flank Cilan and Kale from multiple angles.

Loki attempts to maintain his grip on the smaller coyote, grimacing as he is tackled. He releases a larger burst of electricity, attempting to stun the attacker, and the one he has grabbed. He aims for the smaller one's head, attempting to mess with its thoughts. He does his best to kick the larger in the gut and send it over.

Apostasy nods a quick thanks to Spar as shi fights, kicking out at a leaping coyote and catching it in the gut. "This would be SO much easier if I could us my goddamned GUN!"

RosaSoul lets out an almost wild laugh as she kicks forward again, towards the next group, this time bringing both arms out and attempting to hook as many as she can and slam them into each other with all her might, the wild swing hopefully knocking a few more of them out "Anyone happen to have a count on how many there are? lets try not to get killed"

Kale desperately tries to protect hirself and Cilan, but hir lack of combat training really shows. Kale tries to make up for it in sheer desperation and ferocity.

Cilan attempts to use Kale's attacks to both of their advantage, her handgun continuing to squeeze off rounds, an arm held out to nudge Kale to move in certain directions, the two almost becoming an army of two, one incapacitating, the other finishing.

Sensing weakness the four coyotes around Cilan and Kale feint going for Cilan and then all go for Kale. One going for her throat, two for her legs and the other just tries to tackle into both Cilan and Kale. Rosa watches as more emerge from the wood cover looking directly at them, three sets of golden eyes making vicious snarls. The one on Crys bites down into her neck and she cries out in pain. Loki manages to throw the 'yote off on top of him while trying to knock the coyote out below him. Spar and Apo become the center of focus as another dozen Coyotes emerge from cover, going specifically for the two of them.

RosaSoul turns hearing Crys cry out and immediately abandons her own fight to go after the one on her, grabbing it by the scruff, her long claws digging into the skin and twists trying to cause as much agony to the beast as she can to force it to let go of her neck, before throwing it hard at a try, hoping that would break its back, quickly kneeling by Crystala and should she be bleeding, presses a paw against the wound applying pressure to slow it "which of you had the medipack and knows how to use it? help her, I'll keep them off you while you do" looking worried now

"Is there no end to these things?!" Apostasy yells as the pair of dragons is rushed by even more coyotes. Shi's too focused on the fight at hand to really be aware of what anyone else besides Sparhawk is doing, and so has no idea of the danger hir mate is in.

Kale roars in surprise and anger and thrashes violently. "GRaaaawr!"

Sparhawk laughs joyously as shi fights, more careful to leave non-fatal wounds than incapacitate. "Our cause is just! Our vengeance is proportionate! Right makes Might!" Being draped in multiple layers of armor and being annoyingly nimble for such a large target might cause some foolhardiness in defense.

Cilan does everything in her power to protect Kale, if it means she'd get bitten, she'd live with it, mutation, and mind change without a second thought, pushing herself to squeeze off round, once the need to reload is opened, she switches to attacking with the trench knife, her arm still held out to nudge Kale in certain directions, using tactical maneuvers to keep hir behind the lizard girl body shield.

Loki continues to clutch the coyote, creating a much strong burst of electricity as he takes to the air, and attempting perching in a tree. He tries to observe any effects the electricity may have upon the intelligent looking coyote.

The three that were going for move for Cilan and Kale. Cilan's first shot hits the one trying to tackle her and she brains it, but it's weight still impacts her throwing her off balance. Spar and Apo each manages to take out part of the dozen going for them, but they are quickly flanked by the remaining four that got past their defenses. Loki watches as the intelligent coyote stops breathing and begins to melt into the ground, dead like the others. The coyote recovers and heads for Rosa and Crys. Cilan manages to take out two of the coyotes going for Kale after recovering from being knocked down but a third puts it's mouth into her leg biting in and begins to drag her into the wood.

Crys pushes herself off the ground, her neck bleeding and anger glaring in her eyes, her entire eyes have turned a dark pool of black, and her Khanda are in her hands. She screams in furious rage and charges at the wolf with her blade out in front of her, "Give me her BACK" coming out as little more than a growl.

Apostasy growls and leaps up, powering the jump with hir wings, evading the coyotes that have gotten under hir guard. Shi lands a few feet away, coming down feet first on the back of another coyote, and snarls at the ones shi just evaded. "Come get some!"

RosaSoul just grabs a rock off the ground and with a sharp twist throws it much like a baseball at the nearest coyotes skull, waiting for that sickening crack, "this is getting to be QUITE enough" at this point she to is getting to be irritated, angry, and with another glance to make sure Crystala was alright despite her bite she goes back to her own fight, kicking sharply at another in an attempt to connect her foot with one of their chins

Kale's eyes narrow and shi pounces at the coyote grabbing Cilan and tears into it with incredible violence. Kale roars "You bastards I said stay away!" Tears run down Kale's eyes as shi fights.

Loki frowns as the coyote melts into the ground. He glances around, trying to spot another 'intelligent' coyote like the first, ready to throw any feral that may pass by him. He glances over his shoulder in the melee, trying to glean the exact state of the others.

Having been grabbed and pulled, Cilan reaches in a vain attempt to pull the third firearm from around her shoulder, this being the Tac-50, if the movement is available, she points it to her attacker and pulls the trigger, caring little about the recoil the rifle would have with only a single arm holding it.

Sparhawk growls, "Shit, moral emergency." There is a another rush of wings as the as-fast-as-transhumanly-possible dragon charges at Crystala's target, intending to trample it underneath in ways less deadly than the sharpest of swords. Given time shi will return to Apo's new post, barreling back into the least wary one of the mob.

Kale manages to unseat the one dragging Cilan, knocking it to the ground but four of the six surrounding jump on top of her.  Rosa's rock takes out one of the remaining two, and the last turns toward Spar and Crys.  Spar manages to push the big one out of the path of Crys' blade.  Two emerge from the wood behind Rosa, and the four attacking Apostasy and Spar turn toward where Apo leaped, and charge hir. 

RosaSoul hears the two coming out behind her and just smirks flicking her tail low to sweep their feet out from under them before they even get a chance, and spins around to strike them each across the sides of their skulls to take care of those two, suddenly very pleased she had decided to master the long ears

Apostasy roars in fury as shi sees Kale pounced by four from hir new position, and bull-rushes through the four charging hir, charging towards Kale and clearing the coyotes off hir with great sweeps of hir claws. "STAY! AWAY! FROM MY! MATE!"

Cilan rises from her attacker with the assistance of Kale, and finally gives into her innate mutant powers, slapping the attackers on top of Kale away with a firm lash with her long lizard tail.

Sparhawk pauses a long enough moment to meet the black rage of Crystala's eyes and say, "Death is the enemy. Remember who you are fighting." Then shi is off again, trusting Crystala to do things that are both right and effective, pouncing upon the four scattered in Apostasy's wake and administering an immobilizing mass of silk to any yote who is so wary as to be adjacent to hir hindquarters.

Loki leaps down into the fray, one again crackling with electricity, a little more intense than usual, but not enough to cause pain to the normals. He heads towards Apostasy and the others, where the fighting is the thickest. He unleashes a rather large burst of energy, attempting to mess with their nanites as much as possible without being lethal.

Kale in a fit of rage gives in to hir feral instincts and rends and tears any coyote shi can get hir hands onto.

One of the four that was attacking Apo catches hir off-guard as she leaps to save Kale. Shi manages to grab hold of two of them on top of kale and snaps their necks, but she looks down at her bloodied hip in pain. Cilan knocks the rest off with her tail. One of Rosa's slams into a tree and the loud resounding crack is followed by the usual death signs. Loki manages to snag two of the ones attacking Apostasy with his lightning, pushing each quickly unconscious with a singe on their fur. Spar snags two of the remaining coyote's with some silk webbing.

Taggart slowly enters the edge of the forested area, his pace stoic and steady. His face is somber, almost sad, and the large wolf raises his head and lets out a howl of challenge. It rings out through the trees, echoing across the wind before he drops his head and pulls off his hat and pea-coat, cracking knuckles and rolling his shoulders.

RosaSoul turns on the spot since only one seems to have gone down and aims her bare fist for the remaining coyotes skull intending to make it fall back against the tree to, she did not intend to kill any of course, but the tree could be effective in finishing the job of knocking it unconscious "hey guys here's a thought, if Sorien was one o the intelligent ones, would she attack us? I think we can safely assume we can slaughter the smart ones whom attack right?" grasping a rock and turning towards that remaining intelligent one "OR we can tie it up while its out and learn from it"

Apostasy stays in a low fighting stance by Kale, snarling almost ferally, looking around for any coyotes still capable of posing a threat, tail lashing about and claws twitching. Shi barely seems to notice the bloody wound on hir hip.

Loki glances over to Crystala looming over another similar looking coyote. He rushes out towards her, unleashing another burst of electricity in an attempt to knock out the others, landing beside Crystala. He appears ready to intervene should she try anything lethal to the apparent 'commander' of the coyotes.

Kale sniffles, Tears still in hir eyes looks over Cilan and Apostasy "No...noooo , why couldn't I don anything to protect you two..." Kale automatically goes for hir medkit and inspects their wounds.

Crys growls in fury at Sparhawk taking her kill, but her friend's words snap her out for a moment, and puts one of her swords back. She looks around for a moment, and then feels really light headed, before passing out. Blood has been streaming down her back and apparently adrenaline was keeping her up.

Cilan lets out a tired, and obviously weak chuckle as she falls to her ass, "D-dont.. dont worry about it.. love.. now.. before I change and become a threat to you.. leave me in peace with my flask.." resting her back against one of the trees she reaches over to the said flask and takes a large gulp from it, passing it next to Apostasy.

Sparhawk growls again, "That was too far the other way." Shi curls up a moment, examines one of the two active coyotes around hir to verify it is a male, then lashes out with a vicious kick upon those parts of males that hang helpless. Then shi turns to dash at Crystala's smartyote, leaving the regular one behind hir with a long scaly tail making a loop.

Not sure if it's Taggart's frightening howl, or if for some reason the coyotes are simply going to wait for something to happen, no more emerge, in fact some can be heard running off. The only remaining conscious coyote is the big male,

which loki and Spar are dealing with.

Kale glares at Cilan " NO Cilan we promised that we would stay with each other always. I will restrain you if I must but I am not leaving you here."

Apostasy pulls Kale into a tight embrace, and then holds hir out at arm's length, looking hir over carefully. "Thank the gods, you're unharmed." Shi pulls Kale back into the embrace and nuzzles hir. "I promised you I'd -always- come back to you. That hasn't changed." Shi looks over at Cilan. "As for you, sis.. you think I'm going to let you give in that easily? Back on your feet, soldier! You're not done yet!"

Taggart waits for a moment, but sensitive ears catch the fleeing off the other forms in the trees around him. The large wolf just nods a bit and picks up his coat and hat, pulling them back on as he moves further in the direction of the screams and fighting.

Kale begins to use hir medical skills to disinfect and wrap Cilan and Apo's wounds, Kale puts on a stern face and holds back further tears. "You two are going to recover or I will never forgive you."

Loki gives a worried glance to Crystala, staring at the wound on her neck. He stares at Crystala, frowning. Even if he could attempt to control nanites out here, he wouldn't be able to help her, and he lacks any sort of medical equipment. He glances downwards to the male, holding it to the ground, studying it intently.

Sparhawk herds the last hapless canine for a tasering courtesy of Loki, paying more attention to watching Crystala lay flat on the dirt. By the time shi's done with that the bite wound has been identified and the old medkit begun to be dug out of the bottom of the bag where it was stuffed months ago, gauze and antiseptics and regular old medical supplies. "I may have to start charging for my services, if it keeps being this frequent!"

Cilan lets out another chuckle, replying to both Kale and Apostasy with, "Fine, fine.. but.. if I go all bitey, Ill leave whatever happens next up to both of you.." finished she rises to her feet, and gives the two of them a peck on the cheek.

(Cilan and Apostasy both feel -really- sickeningly dizzy, as a wave of nausea overcomes them.

Grins at Kale and snaps off a salute. "Ma'am yes ma'am!" And then staggers, a hand going to hir head as a wave of nausea washes over hir. "Ugh... that's not a good thing..."

Cilan drops again, this time to a single knee as she clenches at her stomach with one hand and her head with the other, shaking her head and blinking rapidly as she notes, "Ugh.. I think that whiskey isnt sitting too well with me.. damn.."

The large, male wolf steps slowly into the clearing where everyone is gathered, catching Cilan's comment. "That's cuz yer drinkin' tha wrong sort." He seems as stoic and unfriendly as before, emerald eyes moving slowly around the group to take count of injury and such. Gaze landing upon the ripped and torn Crystala, Taggart can only shake his head, moving over to the group of her, Loki, Sparhawk, and the coyote.

Kale hides hir concern behind a well practiced nurses smile "Its going to be alright, both of you lay down and just focus on your breathing. In and out, just keep focusing on that. The nausea and dizziness should pass. Tell me if you feel anything else."

Loki gives a worried glance as he hears the chatter between Cilan and co. His gaze drops down to the coyote. He hesitates for a moment. He glances up to Taggart as he heads over and gives a small nod. "Hey. This one seems smarter than the others. I would think restraining this one and attempting to communicate could be useful."

Sparhawk medicinizes upon the bleeding neck wound to make Crystala less leaky. "We are, of course, going to pursue them because they will be keeping whatever they want us to not have in their lair. And it will be even more their turf than these woods. In other news, I need to get a portable microwave."

Kale stands up and looks at the others " We need to get to a better position, I say we move back to the bus. We our sitting ducks in the woods. Plus the Gas might mask our scent."

Apostasy slowly sinks to the ground, shaking hir head and trying to clear it. Shi murmurs "We need to... clear out of here.... regroup.... at the bus. Don't forget to take.... Glaurung...." as shi lies back, eyes closing as shi tries to fight back the nausea.

Kale leans down "Quiet loves you need your rest. I will make sure everything is all right." Kale says with total determination

Loki glances down at the coyote. "Anybody want to give me a hand dragging this one back with us?" he asks, looking up to the others.

Taggart pointedly seems to ignore the small scene of Kale, Apostasy, and Cilan, wincing slightly as he looks at the coyote. He promptly leans over and swings his fist to the things temple... his usual method of restraint. He peers at the thing to make sure it's properly unconscious and nods, moving over to pick up Crystala from in front of Sparhawk, not really waiting for the okay or not. After this, he turns about and starts walking back to the bus.

Sparhawk shuffles around and eyes Taggart. "I need your help. If you would be so kind as to carry our super-dense leader, I will transport the pair of people who are suffering progressive infection." And then Taggart does it anyway, yay!

Loki sighs at the wolf's brutality, and hoists the coyote on to his back, carrying it to the others. "Hey.. Cilan.. Apo.. Kale.. you three alright? Seemed like you guys had quite the scuffle there."

Kale looks up at Sparhawk and gestures to Apostasy "Help hir to the bus, but be gentle." Kale hoists up Cilan carefully and cradles her in hir arms.

Sparhawk can drape one whole entire Apostasy down hir back, holding hir up with wings that get a few red marks on their gleaming surface. "You got Cilan there? I think we are prepared to decamp."

Kale points to Apo's gun "Pick that up as well Apo will need it."

Kale Kale begins to carry Cilan to the bus

Cilan offers little resistance to being hoisted up into Kale's arms, occasionally letting loose a groan as her nausea and dizziness hit her.

Sparhawk regards the gun with distaste, but straddles it and picks it up between two pair of midlegs. This gives Apo a much more lumpy transit than if all four pair were on the ground, and hir spine is bent up in the middle.

Kale reaches the bus and lays Cilan gently down nearby and reinspects the wounds shi wrapped.

Loki glances to the others. "So.. where the heck should we put this thing?" he asks, gesturing to the coyote he is carrying.

Taggart moves up into the bus and sets Crystala onto one of the long benches inside before coming back outside. "Stick it underneat'... luggage space."

Kale rummages through hir supplies in desperation looking for anything to stop the infection even though shi knows nothing like that is in hir kit.

Loki gives a nod to Taggart. "Sure, that should work for now... May have to end up moving him sometime though." he mumbles, shoving the coyote in the compartment and closing it.

Sparhawk tote tote carry, kneeling near the bus for someone to take the dragon off te dragon's back. "Presumably someone knows where this giant gun goes, yes?"

Kale says quietly "Set it near me Sparhawk."

Loki glances at the lethal weapon Sparhawk is carrying. "Well, I would say it should preferably be smelted down into something less lethal.. preferably something not intended for killing at all, but its Apo's so.. well, next to her I would think.

Cilan lustily hisses, "Ungh.. t-try.. to find something.. to bind us with.. if we change.. I want to make sure we don't hurt anyone in these.. tight quarters.."

Taggart glances about with emerald gaze, making sure the area looks secure enough before heading back up into the bus to sit across the aisle. His gaze flits to her on occasion, making sure she isn't bleeding out, then turns and looks outside, unfocused and staring at nothing.

Sparhawk notes the yote being stuffed into cargo, and examines Cilan and Apostasy. "Can do. Make sure you are in a comfortable position, though." There will be heavy silk applied once they indicate preparedness, or unconsciousness.

Crys groans, her eyes fluttering open. She looks around at the bus, wondering how she got there.

Kale props up Cilan and Apo's heads and makes them as comfortable as possible.

Loki clambers into the bus, making his way over to Apostasy and Cilan. He peers over the edge of the seat, staring intently. "You two ok? Feel anything abnormal? Odd? You don't look so well." he says, rapidly firing off questions, looking quite concerned.

Apostasy seductively says, "Nnngh... ready... to be silked.... whenever you are... Spar."

Kale smiles at Cilan "Sorry I don't have your Triage bed for you."

Taggart glances to the side as he hears Crystala groan, then looks back outside. His voice is fairly monotone, if a bit accusing. "I'm bettin' ya went and did sumtin' stupid."

The wounds on Apo and Cilan have mostly closed up. Which is unusual in itself due to the lack of nanite driven accelerated healing out beyond the bubble.

Kale grimaces after checking the wounds and whispers "No don't heal like that i-if they are healing then... no their fine.... its fine the nanites just must be working better then I thought."

Crys' ears perk at Taggart's voice and she says, "Wuh?" slurring a bit in her speech.

Apostasy curls hir tail around Kale's waist. Shi murmurs "Don't worry... love.... I promised I'd always come back...."

Taggart remains quiet and staring outside at the trees.

Kale fights back tears and nods "You did... you both did. I am holding both of you to that promise."

Apostasy smiles. "I won't... be breaking it.... any time... soon. Come hell or... high water..."

Cilan lets loose a small, weak chuckle as she tries to lighten the mood with a bad joke, "Heh.. love.. dont you know.. even death itself couldnt tear me away from you.. trust me.. it tried, only left with a gunshot wound to the skull.."

Taggart twitches slightly at Apostasy's, Cilan's and Kale's words, standing and moving outside. The bus tilts slightly to one side as the large wolf climbs the side of it and thunks about on the roof before it passes.

Kale can't help but giggle at Cilan's bad joke

Crys finally becomes fully conscious, and looks around a little more coherently. She doesn't look as dizzy as Apostasy or Cilan, and she notes Taggart's leaving and tries to say something before he leaves but fails. She tries standing up, and manages to get her balance but has to use Sparhawk as support.

Loki nods, staring grimly at Cilan and Kale. He remains silent, his questions ignored. He slumps against the edge of the bus, closing his eyes in thought. He frowns, his tail twitching.

Kale breaks into a smile and deeply kisses both of them "Rest now you two you will need your strength when we attack."

Cilan leans her head back, her eyes slowly closing as she takes Kale's advice and rests.

Apostasy smiles back at Kale. "I just... wanna try one thing... after Spar restrains me..." Shi looks at Sparhawk. "Spar.... silk me up.... please..."

Crys begins to stagger her way out to the front of the bus to try to get to Taggart. She's a bit wobbly, but about as much to be expected from losing the amount of blood she did.

Taggart is on the roof of the bus.

Spar moves to restrain apostasy, wrapping hir up with sticky, strong silk strands. Taking special care not to prevent hir breathing, but enough to try to prevent escape should body mass change.

Loki glances up at Kale. "I'll keep an eye on em... I may not know you as well as I know the two.. but.. well, I consider em both friends... well, maybe Cilan more of a friend, and Apostasy as an abusive older sister.. but hey..." he says, trying to lighten the mood a little, and flashing a cheesey smile and 'thumbs up'.

Apostasy smiles hir thanks to Sparhawk. "Wonder if... I can.... get in tune... with the nanites... gonna... try." Shi closes hir eyes, hir breathing slowing as shi focuses on the new infection.

Crys pulls herself out of the bus, looking up for where he went. She doesn't seem to be able to pull herself up but says, "No, no I wasn't stupid. At least thanks to Spar. I tried to stop the coyotes without killing, but one got to me when I was distracted." She calls up.

Kale nods to Loki "Thanks but for now I would like to sit here and watch over them if you don't mind."

Loki nods to Kale. "Well.. I'm just not sure what else I can do.. Kinda.. lost everything as we left the field." he says, gesturing to his bare form. "Gotta make a note not to rely on nanites so much... still.. this should prove an interesting thing to learn from should I make it out of here alive." he sighs, looking a tad stressed at not being able to help more.

Apostasy gasps and looks at hir hand, wriggling the fingers, hir eyes looking strangely unfocused. Shi lets out a long, loud scream.

Kale inspects Apostasy "Whats wrong!?" Kale hisses in panic trying to follow Apostasy's gaze.

The gruff wolf's voice. "Go rest, Crystala."

Bones can be heard popping, as Apostasy's mass shrinks, hir hips and groin adjusting to quadruped stance, and hir long dragon tail, falls off.

Kale pounds on the ground and shouts "Love talk to me damn it, I don't care about your body, if your mind is okay."

Sparhawk inspects Apostasy as much as shi can, without the benefit of extra-tiny senses; neither the local field nor a nanite infection itself should spread like this, and Spar's not set to interfere meaningfully.

Cilan is abruptly awoken by the loud scream, another surge of adrenaline attacking the lizard as she reflexively uses what little she can do from her lying position on the bench, that being her own nanite abilities!

Apostasy shudders and shakes as the changes rip through hir body, shaking hir head in denial as shi looks at hirself, eyes still strangely unfocused, still screaming.

Loki stares at Apostasy, giving her a worried glance. He waits, and observes what may happen.

Kale leans down to Apostasy Ear "Concentrate love, remember when you asked me to be your mate. Remember all the fun we had that night." Kale switches tactics "Precious I order you stay with me. Don't lose yourself to this!"

A soft, resigned sigh between the screams of change from the roof of the bus.

More bones crack and apostasy's feet shift into digit-grade coyote paws, fur sprouting where once there were scales.

Crys staggers back into the bus to see what's going on.

Apostasy's eyes close and hir jaw snaps shut as shi thrashes about, as if trying to escape something. Shi's straining to raise hir head, as if trying to keep it above something.

Cilan calls over to Apostasy as she lies on the bench, unable to do anything to help hir, "Hang on, sis.. if you die here, and now, how am I going to raze malls, and convenience stores with?"

Loki glances over to Crystala. "Looks like Apo is shifting into a coyote... possibly." he notes, before glancing back to her.

Kale continues to whisper and say various things in Apostasy's ear, Kale is clearly trying everything shi can think of.

Kale glares at Loki projecting hir frustration unfairly at him "Damn it aren't you supposed to be some sort of genius nanite researcher can't you do anything you bird brain?!"

A loud thump against the roof of the bus, sounds like a fist banging once to keep the shouting down.

Apostasy's arms twist, while the fur covers hir shoulders heading up for hir rapidly changing muzzle

Apostasy whimpers out "I... love you.... Kale... always. I'll.... find my.... way.... back... somehow..."

Loki sighs, and looks at Kale pitifully. "No tools. Cant. Dissolved upon exiting the bubble... Could if I would. I feel just as useless as you do now... The coyotes... well... if I was to give Apo a jolt, she might melt like the others. Didn't take much at all." he sighs, looking rather frustrated at his inability to do anything.

Kale sobs into Apostasy's chest

Sparhawk says mildly, "I am reasonably certain there are more than nanites at work here." Shi watches, not taking any action while the bonds hold and the obviously painful changes continue.

Kale chokes out "You will come back or I will drag you back."

Loki glances over to Sparhawk. "Really? What gives you such a hypothesis?" he mumbles.

Cilan struggles at the silk webbing keeping her down, the soldier attempting to tear her way out to move to Apostasy's side, occasionally screams of anger, pain, and hate is heard as she goes on.

Apostasy's muzzle finishes transforming, and then shi begins to cough up blood. It spilling all over her as shi writhes in the webbing. The final changes happen to hir body as it shifts fully, and then shi begins melting the way the coyotes have in the past.

Kale looks desperately at the melting pile and then turns to Cilan hearing hir screams of anguish checking to see if shi is 'changing' as well.

Sparhawk tilts hir head to regard Loki with an ear-hole. "Because your nanites cannot dance, and--what the crap." A vial is swiftly ejected from hir collector, and a chunk of currently-coyote is attempted to capture, and hir nose dents into the melty pile as shi tries to sort out an Apostasy-scent from a generalized coyote background.

Thus far, the adrenaline has caused Cilan to shake off her dizziness, and she exhibits no physical changes.

Noticing the fact that Kale had moved to her side, and the sounds coming from Apostasy, Cilan can only fear the worst before hir struggling finally comes to an end, a whispered, ".. No.." is said as she looks pleadingly to Kale, "What.. what happened?.."

Loki perks up, looking quite worried as Apostasy begins coughing up blood. He jumps up, peering over the edge of the seat. "That's not.. good at all... Very bad.." he murmurs. "Well Sparhawk.. I would REALLY love to hear your hypothesis now... I'll be damned if we can actually bring her back... As far as I know... her mind may be quite warped.." he continues, glancing at Sparhawk as he tries to sort Apostasy's nanites. "I don't think.. a mind can be replicated... she may be able to be duplicated physically though.. but.. well, I hope I'm wrong here."

Kale puts on a brave face and looks at Cilan. "Shi..... is ...gone." Kale then just stares blankly at a bus seat for a little while.

Cilan blinks, a blank stare as she realizes, a nod is made before she lets out a sigh, and again she turns her vision to Kale, a righteous vigor in her voice as she says, "Love.. I promise.. I promise that there is not a single force in heaven, hell, or anywhere the fuck else that wont make me bring hir back to us.. just hold on.. please.. hold on!" her hyped up mind doing the only thing that comes to it, she closes her eyes and begins to focus on the infection coursing through her body, attempting to follow Apostasy's path, and find hir wherever she may be.

Sparhawk watches until events stop happening, then says, "Tell you in a minute." Shi goes to check on the continued existence of the coyote in the cargo compartment, then will return to say, "Not gone. No more gone than the individual fingers of the greater coyote organism that we put holes in. My current theory is they are a single large creature, with the smarter-looking ones being human minds it has subsumed. As such, rescue is possible." Spar exudes confidence, which none of the assembled except possibly Crystala can penetrate, trusting that no one else knows what is going on any more than shi does and applying Weaponized Hope to the problem.

Loki grins, giving Sparhawk a nod. He walks over to Cilan and gives her a kick. "Hey! Don't bail on us! We need you here! The shiny dragon over here says that we can rip her out of something, before his look changes to one of horror. "Wait.. a cluster of minds... did that mean.. how many.." he says, his legs wobbling slowly. "Did I just... kill.. how many.."

Cilan's paws shift first, twisting painfully, although if she feels it she doesn't show it. Her nails turning into thick canine claws and her feet growing small and digit-grade.

Cilan opens her mouth, and clenches her eyes shut, making it seem as though she were attempting to scream, but no voice leaves her, aside from that, little can be seen as her body has been tied firmly to the bench she rested on.

Kale stares into Cil's eyes "God damn it Cil! Not you too!"

Sparhawk applies science to Cilan, squeezing her hand for texture while it changes and while it melts, sniffing noisily the entire while. At one point shi mutters, "Really, anyone with a Promethean psychologist friend can speak up any time now."

The shifting continues up her legs to her hips as she sprouts a coyote tail. Cil's thrashing though does

not match her body's changes.

Cilan speaks, its voice wracked with pain as she looks firmly to Kale, "Don't.. watch.. please.. I don't want.. to see you like that.. I.. I promise Ill be back, just.. hold on.. please!" and finishing, her body is wracked with obscene pain, obviously seen by the horrible thrashing seen underneath the webbing.

A rough, gravely voice from on top of the bus. "Yer tha one bringin'er tha pain. Accept that, fer yer selfishness, gurl."

Kale puts on hir best fake smile and closes hir eyes "Okay Cilan ... but I am going to kick both yours and Apo's ass when you get back for putting me through this."

Kale doesn't even hear tag talk

Loki grumbles. "What about Zephyr? I don't think the prometheans can solve everything as they claim they can." He slumps down, putting a hand on Kale's shoulder. "Easy.. I'm sure.. we can bring em back.. Hell, I would venture into hell itself if it means I can save them.. and whoever else probably met this fate..." he mumbles, glancing over to Sparhawk. "Hey! Dragon! You think... are the memories and minds really tied to one individual? Or.. are they mutable like this?... Simply absorbing into the next... if its like that...."

Loki continues "what I mean is... If you kill a "Brain"... do they transfer knowledge to another? Or.. is that the end?"

Kale begins to mutter every little poem, charm, and prayer for safe return shi know. "O eternal one, who alone watches us, and rules the tides and storms, be compassionate to your children, preserve us from the perils that plague, that we may be a safeguard for others."

Sparhawk does not glance away from Cilan. "My study on souls is incomplete. I can neither confirm nor deny their existence. I know nanites can dissolve brains and preserve their contents though, with goo girls as the base example."

Cilan's body shift, it reaching up to her chest, her arms beginning to shift into paws.

Kale whispers "Your bed will be waiting in the triage like always Cilan."

Looking at something that isn't there, Cilan wears a small grin, letting loose a pained chuckle, "I.. suggest a new.. option.. one that involves PUTTING A FUCKING BULLET IN YOUR SKULL!"

Another gravely sigh from above.

Kale clearly realizing that Cilan's words were meant for somebody only she sees, continues to do all shi can which amounts to little more then muttering words of protection. "Oh spirits of the world, send your gaze to my loved ones with benevolence, watch over them and protect them from peril."

Sparhawk does glance at the thing that isn't there, and frowns back at the subject. "Earthquake pills. Much more effective and longer-lasting."

Cilan's body begins to finalize it's shifting, the coyote infection overtaking her face.

RosaSoul sighs sadly not entirely sure right now what was going on, taking a seat near by and rests her head in her paws, though now worried that Crystala's bite might have consequences too.

Cilan's eyes remain firmly set on whatever it is she's seeing, speaking one final time, her voice sounding like its being said with a lack of air to say it, "Ill.. hold you to that.. promise love!"

Cilan's body also passes, it's breathing and heart stopping, and it slowly begins to decompose as well. The pools of blood disappearing into the metal of the bus itself.

Kale quietly gets up and lays down in the back of the bus facing away from the others

Sparhawk says tensely, "Please confirm lack of normal nanite activity if you can, Loki. Or anyone else." Another sample gets bottled, assuming it doesn't evaporate inside the vial itself.

The blood remains in the vials.

RosaSoul murmurs softly "How is Crystala doing? She cant be fairing too well with this..."

Crys looks pained, wondering if this is what happened to her mate. She looks sick, but not dizzy like the others were. She appears to be recovering although her wound, unlike the others has not healed.

Sparhawk slumps tiredly in the middle of the bus' aisle, passing the vials of ex-adventurer back to be filed in the proper bag. "Run out of cheery, gonna pretend to nap now."

Kale mutters "We need a plan of action..."

Loki continues to slump in his spot, his eyes closed, deep in thought.

Otherworld -

Walking with distinct stride and perhaps a slight limp, the elder man is heading somewhere with intent in his motions. He's covered by Coyote furs, beads and painted bone jewelry. His graying hair is patchy, and despite his darker red skin, his eyes shine blue.

Sorien follows, trying to not be annoyed enough to do anything stupid. She inventories what she has left, which is a short list that includes a body (not hers but nice), a coyote skin (Warm, but creepy), and her skills. She's less than happy at the moment, but continues to follow the apparently-older man.

Walking barefoot over the dirt and waist high grass is harder than one would think, the elder man having not provided shoes. He remains silent and stoic, and the journey takes what could be hours, although the sense of time is very distorted from the lack of a night and day cycle.

Sorien gives an annoyed sigh, but knows better than to push matters; she wants to know what exactly the hell is going on, and pissing off her one possible information source isn't going to help matters. She continues on, wishing that she were still in her proper form.

The elderly man pauses for a moment to stop at a brook and bends forward, bringing his face down to the water. He says nothing, and splashes some of the water across his skin. He does not acknowledge Sorien, nor instruct her, but returns to his feet, and continues onward, silently.

Sorien stifles a growl, but imitates the man's action, attempting to be respectful and continuing to follow.

The elder softly chuckles, but continues onward ahead without looking back. In the distance Sorien can see a fire burning and smoke rising into the night sky. The moon itself remains the same brilliant gold mixed with a bubble of more reddish orange. There are some dark patches on the sky that might be clouds, but it's hard to tell.

Sorien decides to take the chance. "Are we going anyplace in particular, or are we walking until I start asking questions? I'm not meaning to be disrespectful..."

The man simply nods, although he doesn't say what exactly he's responding to in her question. Nearing in on the fire there are more obvious structures, wooden with stretched skins. There are a few fires in fact, and smoke coming out from the top of many of the buildings.

Sorien shakes her head, and continues to follow the man. She knows no answers are forthcoming until he gets where he wants them to be, so she shrugs the coyote hide a bit tighter around her, letting him lead on without another question.

Some figures can be seen in the area ahead, it looks like the gathering is populated, one is huddling by a big fire in the center are. There are stones breaking from the ground around parts of the area, offering perhaps a wind barrier, the structures creating large black shadows from the firelight across their surface.

The elder holds up a hand, and begins to hobble forward in his odd gait. He makes a soft call of an animal Sorien doesn't recognize, into the air and it gets returned with a sharp whistle by a figure not seen. He then turns back to look at Sorien and waves her forward.

If she could, Sori'd be laying her ears back; she's not comfortable being essentially naked (in the undefended sense) in front of a bunch of total strangers. She's not comfortable, and trusting this situation, given how she got here, is not in the cards. When the man waves her forward she hesitates, quickly scanning visually for who (and what) is around her and where before moving forward.

Sorien can barely make out figures in the twilight and firelight among the shadows with her now human eyesight, she counts what looks like at least six among the area, the one by the fire, two sitting on the stairs to one of the larger structures, and three in different areas around. One of them leans on a long tall spear, but Sorien doesn't see any other obvious weapons.

The elder says, "Don't be silly child, you are welcome here." His tones are far softer than anything he's said previously, and his voice while still raspy has a warmth she hasn't heard yet.

Sorien says, "You'll pardon my skepticism, given I just got assaulted by a swarm of coyotes. I can't and don't trust this situation. No offense intended."

The man raises an eyebrow but remains silent at the comment, he finally shrugs and moves on ahead, leaving her behind.

You softly churr, "I'd be more inclined to trust if I knew what was going on."

The elder has left earshot by the time Sorien manages her reply, it's clear he doesn't care what she thinks. He's gone over to the huddled figure by the fire, the brightness of it making them black silhouettes. The figure is female, and she appears to be rubbing her eyes as the elder looks down at her and he places a hand on her shoulder.

Sorien approaches the fire warily, not saying more; she thinks that she may have offended. Not that she hasn't done that before.

Eyes follow Sorien as she moves in, she makes out a large imposing male figure and a smaller female next to him sitting on the stairs, watching. The one resting on his spear is a much less imposing male, and he looks a bit haggard and exhausted, but watches Sorien with suspicion.

Sorien takes a spot by the fire, and sits; warmth is a bit higher on her list of desires at the moment. She tries to sit where she can see the others around her, and is hoping that someone says something to her.

After some time the elder finishes talking to the girl, she appears younger than the others in the community, although is definitely not a child. He approaches Sorien and sits down next to her. He sits quiet for a while staring at the sky, saying nothing to Sorien.

Sorien fights the overpowering urge to fidget or ask stupid questions.

After some time he says, "You are now of the People, child of many.", as if this means something to Sorien. He continues, "You will teach, and bring more."

Sorien says, "Um... No."

"Not a Choice." He chuckles, gruffly, his voice sharp in the twilight air. The fire in front despite it's size isn't making the usual crackling pop, and despite the time it's been burning, no wood has been fed onto it.

Sorien says,"I was assaulted, my companion hurt and you want me to join you? Sorry, bullshit." the anger she'd been fighting is definitely boiling up.

He smiles, "You are here." He indicates the space around, although he's vague as to what he's referring to. If he knows what Sorien's talking about in terms of coyotes he has not indicated.

Sorien frowns. "Try an explanation, sparky. I'm no longer real inclined to politeness. You took me from my MATE. I'll not forgive that.

The elder, raises to his feet, and places a hand on Sorien's shoulder, pressing firmly but not aggressively. He looks at her and says simply, "The People did not take from you, you gave to us." He smiles and says, "Mate will join."

Sorien shrugs the hand off. "I really don't advise you EVER touch me again. Not if you want to retain that hand." SHe glares, stands and moves away from the fire, partly dropping into a casual fighting stance. "I'm not staying. I don't know how to leave, but I'll find my way one way or another."

The elder chuckles and waves to Sorien, returning to stare into the fire. Not one even bothers to resist Sorien leaving.

Sorien glares at the people around the fire. "Anyone here willing to give answers? Or are you happy just sitting around doing not a damned thing?" If she doesn't get an answer, she snorts and heads towards the mountains.

Silence is returned.

Sorien says, "Fine. (And she heads off.)"

Sorien strikes off toward what look like mountains in the distance. Their peaks are cherry red in the dim light, as if the sun is hiding behind. Sorien walks for hours, them not appearing to get any closer. Up in the sky the moon sits lonely, the dark wisps of clouds around it moving in their own dance. She crosses endless fields of grass and the occasional creek, before she finds herself at a larger stream, and she sees a depression in the muddy dirt, clearly the place she woke up in.

Sorien bends down and looks as the ground where she'd lain, trying to see if she dropped in there, or crawled out of the stream.

Sorien can't make any sense how she appeared there, it's as if she grew -out- of the stream.

Sorien looks around, seeing the odd pattern on the ground as if she'd grown out of the stream; she dips a toe in the water, just to see if there's an effect.

Sorien notices the water in the creek appears still, it's not flowing and yet it looks nothing like stagnant water should. There are her original footprints along with the elders heading off, as well as her footprints on the opposite side where she came from.

Sorien tries stepping into the stream.

The water is cold, and wind blows her hair in front of her face, she looks off into the sky and feels incredibly alone, the emptiness of it is terrifying. There are no stars, and the only movement in it has been the dark shadow-like clouds.

Sorien grrs to herself and takes another step forward.

The water flows around her feet as she walks along the bank, the sandy water bed envelop her feet gently as she steps along it.

Sorien looks around, then tries to 'feel' her old form; she isn't sure if she's conscious or not, and is trying to determine that- She wants to reach her own body- this stream seems to be some kind of border to her, so if there's a way back it might be here. She concentrates, using the focus she'd learned in her martial arts training and tries to reach out in a nonphysical sense.

The sky shimmers a bit, and Sorien has a hard time breathing, but she keeps focused and the sky above her ripples like the surface of a pond. She hears the sound of a single drop of water hitting the surface. She has a hard time focusing and her eyes roll up into her head feeling dizzy.

Sorien grits her teeth, squatting into a more balanced posture before she mentally PUSHES to reach her own form! She thinks the dizziness may be a hint that she's on to something, given that it was how she felt when she was bitten; worst case, she WILL be herself, here!

Sorien is overwhelmed by the sudden feeling of nausea as she sees through hundreds of eyes, the images moving so fast she can't grasp onto any single one, many sounds, and images and tastes, she tastes the fresh feel of blood in her mouth. Suddenly she feels herself toppling forward as she falls into the water, and into something else. The images and senses begin to clarify. She sees in front of her mouth a neck. The sweet taste of blood on her mouth is unfathomable to describe. She can't help but savor the taste as her jaws compress on it. The images start to clarify, she can hear the sounds of screaming and fighting, and languages she doesn't understand. Below her the creature has two coyote under it's arms, and it's screaming in pain. Sorien's brain finally recognizes the image, and the scents, her mate, she's killing her mate.

Sorien rips herself free of that, forcing the BODY doing the attack away! If she can, she forces it to run, trying to resume control!

The jaw releases, but the muscles do not cooperate, she sits there stunned for a moment until RosaSoul approaches her, grabbing her by the scruff of the neck and throwing her against a tree. The agony of the impact shatters her completely and she feels her body dying. The sound of shattering and she tries to scream but feels nothing but water surrounding her. She realizes she's drowning again.

Sorien pulls her head out of the water, gasping.

She's back in her human body, the cold water of the stream is around her, and air fills her lungs again. The eerie twilight has not changed, but there is a black spot in the center of the moon. It's small, and circular, and makes the moon almost look like a contracted pupil.

Sorien looks up at the dot. "If you're someone, and you're behind this, I will fucking kill you."

There's no answer in the silence, beyond the twisting wind and the rustling of the grass.

She rests a bit, then focuses again... Slowing her breathing, she tries to reshape herself where she is, into what she sees her 'self' as now- her mostly-skunk form.

Nothing happens, she feels no connection to her old body, her weak form she sees now is the only connection she feels. She can still taste her mate's blood in her mouth though, and the pain of the coyote's death she experienced was incredibly real.

Sorien gets out of the water, picking up the coyote hide again. She goes back to the fireside, looking at the people there once again.

When Sorien returns to the encampment, the man with the spear watches her closely, he's not overly large in his frame and his dark brown hair matches his almond eyes. He waves to her as she passes, and she sees no sign of the elder she had been speaking with. The younger girl remains, in the firelight her eyes appear amber, almost yellowish orange, the light flickering off her paler than Sorien's own skin. Seeing the anger in Sorien's eyes she leaves the fire, heading for a cabin. Sorien suddenly hears a sharp laugh from the steps to the largest building, the female who had been with a male earlier was sitting there with cold anger glaring in her eyes as deeply colored as the wine dark sea. Long raven black hair runs down toward her waist. A female in the far back of the encampment is hard to make out beyond her profile.

Sorien walks to the woman who laughed. "Something funny?"

Sorien's posture is bordering hostile, but not yet indicating violence being likely.

The woman with raven hair smiles and says, "You come back for answers, when you already know the truth. So much posturing that we've done something to you, and yet your kind kill without mercy or thought." Her lip curls slightly as if she's trying to bare her flat human teeth in a threat. She snarls, "Soon there will be no reason to keep struggling, for you have already helped us bring more to The People, even as you try to fight us."

Sorien says, "Bullshit. I just saw your freak coyotes nearly kill my mate. This is a false reality, as monstrous as anything you think humanity's done. What I know is that you fuckers are doing EXACTLY what you claim is wrong with mankind: forcing your will on others."

Sorien says, "I'll get myself out, and there isn't a damned thing you can do to stop me."

"There is no out." She says waving her hands about, "This is all there is, and you made your choice. You are one of us because you chose to be." She cups her lithe chest with her arms and crosses them.

Sorien says, "Wow. I chose to be gnawed on by some mangy mutt? I ran from a PACK of mangy mutts to protect someone else to CHOOSE to be with a bunch of self-important, egotistical assholes? Somehow I thing you have that wrong. And on my FIRST try I nearly got out. You think I'm stuck here? Wanna place any bets on that? Either I'll get out, or I'll take over and get out THAT way. "

She starts to laugh, deep from her chest when Sorien mentions getting out, she laughs hard enough she falls to the ground. The irritating sound of her laugh strikes a nerve in Sorien.

Sorien doesn't hear the elder approach from behind until he places a hand on her shoulder again.

Sorien is angry enough that she reacts without thinking; the moment the hand touches her, she spins, grabs and throws the man over and down, ending the martial arts move kneeling on the man's chest, arm drawn back for a palm-strike!

The raven haired girl leaps to her feet and shoves Sorien toward the fire. The impact is surprising and throws her into the air.

Sorien catches herself, grimacing. "Oh, bitch wants a dance? FINE." She drops into stance and advances in full-mantis, ready and perhaps looking forward to the release of combat!

The girl screams and charges, carrying Sorien in the air with her as she jumps -into the fire- with Sorien in her arms.

Sorien sidesteps, and 'assists' the girl along in her charge.

The girl disappears into the fire like the surface of the ocean, sinking in with a strange ripple.

Sorien blinks, coming out of the anger a bit. "Well... That's not something you see every day..."

The elder has returned to his feet, and is looking somber at the young woman in front of him, Sorien's confusion evident on her face.

Sorien steps back, less angry now but still in defensive stance. "I'm not here cos I want to be. Not a chance," she says, keeping an eye on the fire as well as the older man. She doesn't trust that the psychotic woman won't pop back out.

Above them, the sky ripples again, and the circular black dot on the moon has grown larger. Sorien hears screaming, in a language she can't understand, but she recognizes the voice as Apostasy's.

Sorien says,"No. No, you FUCKERS!" She spins, shoving the man away and charges to wherever she thinks the screams are coming from!"

The voice is coming from everywhere around. Sorien feels dizzy and sick again, stumbling on the ground. She feels as if she's drowning as well.

Sorien focuses and shouts, "NO!" and tries to shove the false reality AWAY!

Blood begins to drip from Sorien's nose, she feels it's odd cool flow coming from her, and then it begins to float up, into the air.

Sorien doesn't understand what's happening, and just... SHOVES mentally at the images around her.

Sorien hears Apostasy's final words shuddering in the air around her. She can feel hir choking and the words cross the barrier of language, "I... love you.... Kale... always. I'll.... find my.... way.... back... somehow...", she hears. The sadness and the pain. And suddenly the feeling as explosive and overpowering as an orgasm fills Sorien, and everyone around her.

Sorien huffs a few breaths out, finally standing up once more. She opens her eyes and looks around. "I hope you know... What you just did... I am going to kill you for hurting her." There is ZERO mercy left in her eyes.

The raven haired girl's voice emanates from the sky itself "What we did? You mean what you did." And then that -laugh-, the horrible laugh.

Sorien says, "Come out, bitch. Come on out. I'm real tired of puzzles and cowards."

And the fire this time the ground quakes. Throwing Sorien off balance, the ground appears to ripply like the sky has.

Sorien turns in a circle, staggering as she does from the distortions. "BRING IT THE FUCK ON! NOBODY TOUCHES MY FRIENDS!"

Cilan's voice is recognizable but the words make no sense. The ground quaking again.

Sorien looks for the old man, who seems to be the core of all this.

The man has moved away toward the fire, he looks on dispassionately.

Cilan's pain fills the air raw, Sorien is overcome by a wave of nausea so strong it's debilitating.

Sorien heads right for him. "Explain. NOW!" The nausea staggers her, driving her to one knee before she reaches him, but she forces herself up, gasping, and continues forward, now with tears of pain in her eyes for her friends.

Sorien hears quite clearly Cilan's words, "I.. suggest a new.. option.. one that involves PUTTING A FUCKING BULLET IN YOUR SKULL!", and still overcome by nausea Sorien is not able to resist as the man grabs Sorien by the hair and throws her into the fire.

Chapter 2:

Sorien comes to, her face on the ground again. Her eyes come into focus and she looks up, and there's the mouth of a cave, shaped like the muzzle of a coyote, maw wide, as if to make a snack out of her.

Apostasy comes conscious to the sudden feeling of falling, the air flowing over their face and the sickening drop is all they feel at first. It takes a moment for them to make sense out of what's happening and they try to stretch their wings, but nothing happens. They notice finally that they have very masculine human arms flailing in front of them. Purples and greys spin around them and doesn't stay still to make any sense.

[Sorien] The air hums, and a sudden swift wind picks up almost knocking the rising Sorien off the ground the gust is so powerful.

Sorien crouches to resist the force, using an arm to protect her eyes so that she can perhaps see what's coming.

Apo can't even hear their screaming over the sickening spinning and rushing air, but suddenly they feel slammed by a force that hits them hard like a rock. Air gusting underneath them and amazingly slowing their fall just before they crash to the earth below.

[Sorien] Sorien hears an odd noise and behind in the distance she sees something falling, and hitting the ground. It looks like a body.

Apostasy screams out in pain at the sudden, jolting stop, blacking out momentarily from the pain before coming to and looking about.

Sorien heads for the form carefully, not knowing who or what it is; she's still shaking-mad and frustrated, and not at all trusting of her surroundings.

The twilight sky above, and grass fields surround, waist high into the distance. There's the full moon in the sky, red and yellow, with a black dot in the center.

[Sorien] Sorien hears a scream of pain as the body collides with the ground, definitely alive. Or at least used to be.

Apostasy climbs to hir feet slowly, grunting with pain as shi does.

"That.... is gonna leave a mark..." Shi stops and stares at the bizarre looking moon. "What the hell..? Where am I?"

[Sorien] Sorien sees the figure get up, and a deep masculine voice talks, "That.... is gonna leave a mark..." and then a moment later "What the hell..? Where am I?" He appears deep red skinned, and completely nude, his genitalia hanging out in the cold air marking him as clearly male. He's very tall, bordering on seven feet, and muscular.

Apo sees someone female approaching them. She has dark black hair running down to her shoulders, and she's covered by a coyote fur, enough to cover her modesty. She's bare foot, and has clear Amerind features.

Sorien slows down, realizing that the person isn't dead, or even crippled. She becomes a lot more wary as she continues to approach.

Apostasy blinks at the sound of hir own voice. "Wha..." Shi looks down at hirself, and almost falls backwards in shock. "What the hell? What's going on? Where's my body? Why am I a -man-?"

The wind howls in the air above the two strangers, and the grass at their knees sways with it.

Sorien stops a distance away, at least two body-lengths, and waits for the person to react to her.

Apostasy finally realizes shi's not alone, and looks at the other person. Hir eyes narrow and shi fires off several questions, not even leaving enough time for replies between each. "Who are you? What is this place? Why am I here? Why have I got this body instead of my own? What the hell is going on?!"

Sorien blinks. "Um... My name is Sorien, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know and I don't know, but I think we've been absorbed into some kind of group mind thing?

Apostasy blinks. "S-Sorien? Sorien! You're alright! Well, sort of. It's... uh... me, Apo. Though I obviously amn't myself right now, in terms of body..."

Sorien says, "No... No I'm not alright. Not really. I wanna go home, I hate this place, the others here talk in fucking riddles, and I am SO gonna beat the living hell out of them on principle. (She sits down where she is with a sigh, tears in her eyes.) "

Another earthquake rumbles beneath, the ground shifting like waves of water, behind where Sorien came from, the cave entrance slopes upward, rocks begin to fall down the hillside as the earth rumbles in anger.

Sorien turns and looks at the cave. "Oh shut the FUCK up."

Apostasy moves over to Sorien awkwardly, completely unused to moving around without a tail and wings, and sits beside Sorien, putting an arm around her shoulders. "We'll find a way out of here. I made a promise to Kale, one I have no intention of breaking. And we have to get you back to Crys. She's near out of her mind with worry." She looks over at the cave curiously, but shrugs... it can be investigated later.

The cave itself looks like a coyote's maw, hungry and slavering. Rocks settle around near the entrance, giant bolders and smaller rubble a like.

Sorien sort of hugs herself. "I... I don't wanna be touched right now... We'll get out, over the dead body of whatever son of a bitch did this if necessary."

Apostasy takes hir arm off Sorien, and nods. "Sorry, sorry..." Shi chuckles and nods affirmatively. "Damn straight we will. you mentioned other people were here?"

[Cilan] Cilan wakes in darkness. Oppressive weight on top of her is overwhelming and she can't breath, choking on dirt. She feels as if she's been buried alive, and her instincts kick in.

Sorien says, "Not... Friends. " and then "Not that I can tell.

Apostasy seductively says, "What do you mean?"

Sorien says, "One old bastard who only talks in riddles if he talks at all, one psychotic woman, one warrior-wannabe with a spear who didn't say a thing, and some others. All totally acceptant of this being 'right' and none sympathetic at all."

Cilan wakes up in a strange area, and her first instinct is to let out a few dry heaving coughs, choking as she attempts to find the needed air, finished she slowly rises to her feet and groans, "Ugh.. where the fuck am I?.." anger at her vision attacker obviously still there

Apostasy sighs. "I guess all of them gave in."

Sorien says, “They're distinct personae. I don't think that's it precisely."

Apostasy shrugs. "I suppose I might as well gie talking with them a try. Where are they?"

Sorien says, "I was about to go all Bruce Lee on them and the old guy threw me into the bonfire, and I landed here. I dunno."

[Cilan] She sees no light around her obvious, in the darkness she shivers, not sure of where she is, she spins around trying to find something her eyes can make sense out of, until she finally sees a soft light in the distance.

Apostasy can't help but giggles. "I presume you attempted diplomacy first?"

Sorien says, "Yeah. Getting laughed at after everything else didn't exactly improve my mood."

Cilan blinks her eyes, rapidly, seeing nothing around her but blackness, "H-Hello?!.. Anyone there!" is called out in the attempt to find another voice in.. wherever the hell this is, noticing the light her eyes go wide, and she runs to it, hoping to find a way out.

Apostasy seductively says, "No, I can't imagine it would have. Still... maybe I'll have a bit more luck? Assuming you knwo how to get us back to them."

Sorien says, "No idea. And that stupid cave is just screaming 'bad idea' at me."

[Cilan] Cilan notices first her stride seems off, although it comes naturally to her, it's not right at all. The light begins to grow in size, and before long she realizes she's in some kind of tunnel, and the outside world is growing in size. Dim glowing twilight can be seen ahead.

Apostasy looks at the cave again. "Yeah, kinda does. After all, it was a Coyote's mouth that got me into this mess in the first place, and I'm guessing the same for you."

Sorien says, "Yeah... But a took down half the pack before the bastards got me."

Apostasy chuckles. "We had a hell of a brawl. Lost count of how many I took down before one manged to wing me when I was getting them off Kale. Still, shi's safe as far as I know, so at least there's that."

Cilan pays little attention to her stride, having been through many forms, she's gotten used to each style of running, and it continues until finally the sky shows itself, prompting the soldier to push herself even more to find out just where she is.

[Cilan] As she emerges into the light, she gets the creeps as she looks up above at the cave entrance, a large rock coyote's maw looks as if it's about to swallow her again.

Cilan turns to look at the maw and without thinking, attempts to jump away, diving to move out of its path.

Cilan lands with her head in tall grass. Behind her the stone maw looks down on her, hungry but unmoving. To the side of it rocks and boulders have slid down and are piled. The sky above is deep indigo tinged with purple, and red tipped mountains that rise up high beyond the cave look at if they are hiding a dormant sun just behind. And above the full red-yellow moon is bright and shimmering like a reflection on a water surface.

"Ooof!.." is called out as Cilan lands, finding her vision marred by tall grass, she rises to her feet once more and looks to the sky, still remaining silent she gives the entrance one last look, scoffing at it, before she moves next to scan her surroundings, attempting to find a familiar face, or at least scene.

Cilan looking around sees nothing but grass behind her, but scanning closely she spots two figures in the dim light sitting in the grass, one's head significantly taller than the other.

Cilan moves close to the figures she had seen, but rather than dashing frantically to them, she sneaks, attempting to make as little noise as possible just incase the figures are another of the coyotes she had fought earlier.

Apostasy sighs and looks up at the strange moon again. "I hope Kale and Cil are alright... the others better be taking care of them..."

Cilan notices as she's moving through that she's most certainly human, and she's quite naked, the waist high grass is actually quite bothersome because of that. Her skin is a lighter shade of soft red and brown hues, but the twilight hides some of that. Sorien says, "I've been trying to snap loose of this... Fake place. I actually got kinda loose, only to see me attacking Crys as a coyote! God, I hope that wasn't real... I KNOW I can control things here. I know it... I just have to figure out how."

Cilan notices her skin as she creeps up on the figures, giving the sight a surprised look, blinking, but shortly shaking her head of the matter, figuring that she'd figure out what happened after seeing who those two were.

Cilan reaches just into hearing range without being noticed, having to get fairly close with her weak human ears. So far her presence has gone unnoticed.

Apostasy seductively says, "You'll have to tell me how you did that... if we can manage that, and actually take control of the coyotes we end up in... we can still help them from here."

Cilan sees two human figures, although she stays low in the grass to hide herself incase one looks her way.

Cilan kneels down, watching the two figures intently now that she had entered earshot, and listens, watching them intently, figuring out whether the two are friend, or foe.

Sorien says, "I want my OWN body back. I'll be damned if I let... Whomever... Win."

Apostasy seductively says, "First we need to get back into the real world. Once we do that, getting our own bodies back will probably be a bit easier than trying it from here."

Sorien says, "Sweetie... Our bodies are IN the real world. THis, (she gestures) is fake. A construct. THat much I've figured out. Our real bodies are coyotes now. "

Sorien says, "Only way back is to take them back."

"The real world?.. so.. where the hell am I?" is whispered as Cilan muses to herself, continuing to watch, and learn more about her situation.

Sorien says, Or to take over here. At least as far as I can tell."

Sorien says,, "I'll try again... Just to see."

Sorien closes her eyes, and tries once again to force her way back to her own body. She breathes slow and long, focussing on her 'self' and her body, knowing there's SOME connection on some deep level, and PUSHES to try to reach it!

Apostasy watches Sorien carefully.

Sorien feels dizzy and sick, and visions spin of many eyes and ears, but she feels a resistance, almost like a feedback.

Sorien suddenly passes out, falling to the ground.

Apostasy seductively says, "Sorien? Sorien!"

Sorien feels really odd as she slips into something. She wakes up, in a hut, and looks at her hands, still female, but they're -very- different hands than a few moments before. She realizes that she's in the Raven haired girl's body.

Her head spins as she tries to make sense of who she is and what's going on and realization dawns on her. "Hah! Hehehehehehehehe! She cries out and looks around, sees what she can, and writes in the dirt on the floor: "Bitch, Guess what- I can GET IN YOU." Then she feels a sucking sensation and is punted back into her own body.

Cilan continues watching, blinking in surprise as Sorien collapses and further surprise is added as she hears Apostasy call her name, "S-Sorien?" is called out, easily heard as she rises from her kneeling position, and promptly rushing to the two.

Apostasy blinks as another human woman runs up to them. Shi looks at her curiously for a moment and says "Who are you?" before returning hir attention to Sorien, concern clear on hir face.

Sorien sits up slow, and is actually giggling! "Hah. Gotcha."

Apostasy pokes Sorien in the side. "You... you! GAH! That was just mean." Shi tries to look annoyed, but can't stop a smile from tugging at hir lips.

Cilan rushes to Sorien's side, only then does she answer, "Names Cilan.. don't know who you are, but right now Sori--.. huh?" blinking as she rises back into a seated position, "Ugh.. you just had to make me fear the worst, didn't you.." her palm covering her face and she shakes her head as she says that.

Sorien says, "Sorry..." and "I didn't get you, I got someone else."

Sorien says, "I'd not do that, sweetie."

Chapter 3:

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, Crystala.. oh, and she's Sorien.."

Apostasy blinks as realization dawns. "Crys...?" 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.

Crys 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 Crys, 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 Crystala 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 Crys for the moment.

Apostasy says, "Shadow... Shadow.... Crys. 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?"

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

Sorien hugs Crys, 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 Crys 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 Crys 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.."

Crys 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 Crys 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.

Crys 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 Crystala.

[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, Crys 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."

Crys 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.."

Crys 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 Crys. "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 Crys 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.

Crys 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?"

Crys 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."

Crys 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.

Chapter 4:

The bus is still parked out on the field by the old Valero station where Sorien first went missing. The group encountered some nasty aggressive coyotes and in the aftermath of defending them found three of them bitten and two rapidly changed and lost, leaving many simply stunned. One coyote as been kept locked below in the luggage compartment, while Sparhawk managed to save blood samples from the decaying Apostasy and Cilan. Crys has been bitten, but thus far has not shown outward signs of any change, although she was knocked unconscious in the fight from lack of blood, and has slowly recovered.

RosaSoul for now is just sitting in the back of the bus being silent and watching Crystala, she doesn't really know anyone else on the trip after all, only worried about the one she considers a friend, some of the others just make her nervous, maybe the long distance headshot of a critter standing right beside her had something to do with that

Kale is doing hir best to get some sleep. Every once in a while faint sobbing can be heard from hir before shi returns to restless dreams.

Taggart is sitting quietly on top of the bus, keeping an eye out. He occasionally hops down to check inside the bus, making sure that everyone had tried to bed down and glaring quietly at anyone who wasn't at least trying. His emerald eyes watch Kale's sobbing form for a moment, but he doesn't offer any words of comfort before clambering back up on top of the bus.

Crys is still a bit woozy from recovering from the loss of blood, but once she realizes just how tragic the loss of Kale's two lovers was for her, she moves to comfort Kale when she hears her whimpering in her sleep, offering her silent sympathies and a gentle embrace.

RosaSoul does, of course, glare back. she does watch kale when Crys moves to her, but does she offer any words, really there isn't much Rosa can think to say

Kale seems to sleep a little easier after Crys's embrace.

Later in the night Crys wakes up to a pounding and throbbing headache, her entire jaw, and teeth hurt and the back of her neck sore. She removes herself from Kale, and a wave of nausea overtakes her. She moves toward the exit to get some fresh air, and stumbles out to throw up nothing but bile. The wave of dizziness is strong and she had a hard time focusing on her hands. She stifles a whimper as the pain becomes overwhelming.

Kale wakes shortly after Crys drags hirself away. Kale heads to the exit and looks at Crys. Kale rummages through hir medkit "Are you alright?" Kale asks wide eyed clear concern on hir face.

RosaSoul stands at this slipping out after her and places a paw on her back rubbing gently before she kneels and whispers in the hopes of not waking anyone still sleeping "it's affecting you to isn't it Crys..." she glances to kale and murmurs "are there any painkillers in that kit? she looks like shes hurting..."

A supersonic 'crack!' rings out from the distant road, followed by another three in quick succession. The sound dies into silence, but hardly a minute later another disjointed cacophony of staccato bursts lances through the night air - closer than the last. Soon the random reports of rifle fire join the man made lightning of muzzle flashes on the horizon, punctuated now and again with a startled feral yip or cry. There's a few minutes' silence, then, before hurried, muffled footsteps announce Meril's new proximity. Well-adjusted eyes could now even make out her shadowed form beating a half-crouched hustle through the brush along the highway.

Crys tries to talk but her tongue is tied and comes out in a slur, it feels like her entire face is on fire. She holds her muzzle in her hands and feels pops as her neck and facial bones shift, her normally vulpine muzzle shifting ever so slightly into the wider and less pointed Coyote. When she finally can control her mouth she says, "Oh... oh fuck." Realizing what is happening.

Kale shrieks "Ahhh!" in surprise before regaining hir composure and gives Crys an injection for pain. "I am s-sorry there is n-nothing else I can do." Kale looks at concern at the rifle cracks and climbs on top of the bus.

RosaSoul nods "pain killer?" knowing they couldn't really stop it from happening she looks sad, there's not much else she can think to say or do right now all she could do was wait and stay till it was over "there must be some way to fix this and all that has happened... and keep it from happening again?"

RosaSoul is ignoring the rifle for now, as far as she can tell most infected dont use guns

In the deep of night, it is not safe for man or beast in the world gone mad. Crys growls, the deep rumbling sound coming from her throat, although not clear on it's direction until she says, "I... I will not give up. Even if I am lost, if this is unrecoverable I would not want to live without my mate, but that doesn't mean I will just give up. Wake up everyone up, we need to decide what to do." She almost barks the orders out, her voice having gone a little hoarse with the change to her face. She finally spots Delu approaching, her sensitive ears having heard the approach.

Kale wakes up Taggart and pounds on the bus's roof to rouse the others

RosaSoul snags a rock and tosses it at the side of the buss to add to the racket from the guns before letting the bang of it against the metal side do the waking to get the attention of whomever is still sleeping, however they sleep through gunfire "your in the lead Crys Just tell us what to do?"

"It won't last long if the others are any judge, you'll need to find someone else to make calls when I... go." She grimaces, "I'm going to go grab our prisoner from the compartment and maybe we can figure out what to do with it." She moves to unlock the luggage compartment.

The human's silhouette drops to a knee, sinking into the shadowy brush as Kale's hazy outline stands out against the night sky atop the bus. Her weapon raises and - swiftly, almost sheepishly - lowers as a flash of muted color spills across the RSX agent's combat visor. "It's you." Comes her subdued voice, the hush of the night infecting her tone with a conspiratorial air. "Tell me you've seen Sor," she asks plaintively, turning to get a quick visual sweep through the dark behind her.

Kale spots the human and gestures "No but we found his bag! Quickly get over here we have a situation."

Delu'meril nods quickly and paces slowly back until she bumps the bus with a dull metallic thud, then reaches her left hand back to rap on the doors while her right points the hot barrel of her weapon off into the darkness.

Kale attractively says, "Were you followed?"

Kale attractively says, "Or injured?"

Crys realizes the lock is sticking, so she rips the lock off, and carefully lifts up the compartment lid, sliding it up while peaking inside into the darkness, her adjusted vision she can see the form of the large coyote still drugged and looking limp. She watches it's breathing carefully before opening further, trying to get a sense if perhaps the thing is faking, but she sighs and lifts it up all the way sliding it forward and reaches in to drag the large 'yote out by the scruff of it's neck.

Delu'meril shakes her head. "No injuries," she calls up with a quiet tension, keeping her weapon aimed out across the road. "Don't *see* anything following me."

RosaSoul walks over and gestures towards the anyone nearby "question, got a scalpel? it could be...effective to interrogate?" feigning her most innocent smile like she wasn't planning to torture the beast

Kale tosses a scalpel to Rosasoul "Sure with my claws I don't use one in this form anyway."

Crys holds up the sharp claws of her hand and shrugs at Rosa, dragging the big heavy Coyote with no intent to be careful to it, slamming it's head against the bust step as she drags it up inside.

Kale offers plenty of medical wrap to Crys to use to tie the beast down.

RosaSoul catches and pockets the scalpel, keeping it just in case "careful crys, not for its sake, but its hard to get information if its skull is cracked, always avoid harming the head, you muddle their thoughts if you do~" she stays back for now, taking a seat across from wherever crys drops it "whats it drugged with anyways?"

Kale shrugs "I didn't drug it."

Kale stays on the roof but peers in through a window

Crys drags her claws along the creature's throat and growls into it's ear, "I know you're still in there somewhere. Wake the fuck up you lazy asshole." Nobody has -ever- heard Crys swear, or this... angry before. The other times she's been angry it's been sudden and deadly rather than this intense thick hatred she practically bleeds out her pores. She pauses in pain as her shoulders shift, the muscles and bones contorting preparing her for a quadrupedal stance. She shrugs it off and continues to try to wake the 'yote.

Kale hands Crys a hypo full of stimulants "Here this should wake it."

Kale looks calm if emotionally drained

Crys nods and injects it into the coyote's neck having to carefully contort to let her hands maneuver properly.

RosaSoul holds out a scalpel to Crys "if you intend to force it to talk, assuming it doesn't talk on its own, start with the hands, small cuts, then deeper, if that's not enough, given that its small, start dragging it over its arms.. just progressively worse, make sure its arms are crippled before your done with that, then you go for its legs... oooh yes and make sure it knows you don't plan to kill it since they are hive minds, oh no no no... if it doesn't give us what we want, we cripple it and leave it somewhere its own cant reach it... and if that's not enough well... then you go for the balls, or the labia if its female, cuts and deeper cuts till eventually you just... cut one off" shes watching the coyote as she speaks wondering if any of that would work on it, making it up as she goes really, but still, worth a shot

Sparhawk shuffles around from hir stargazing, hearing thumping and swearing from inside the bus. "Danger internalized is the most dangerous," shi mutters as the long dragon tilts up to peer in the windows.

Kale frowns "As a medical professional I don't approve of torture...no matter how much I would enjoy watching one of these things suffer." Kale says in a quiet deadpan voice

Delu'meril stares around the bus, looking grim. The looks on everyone's faces, the words leaving their mouths - and no small amount of blood - lets her know quickly that things are bad. She surveys the scene for a long moment and then merely nods to the others, getting silently to work. Reaching for her webbing, the human pulls free a small ball-headed clamp and fastens it to the bottom of one open window, setting about converting it to a gun port.

The 'yote opens it's eyes finally, rolling upward before finally settling it's vision coming into focus on the humans around it. It begins to growl, and Crys forcefully growls back grabbing it by the scruff and forcing it to look into her eyes, her teeth bared full at it, she says, "Give /Me/ /Her/ /BACK/." She growls out, each word louder than the one before.

RosaSoul lets Crys do her thing first, she would keep the scalpel just in case though, shes sadistic like that when people fuck with her few friends The big coyote's ears go down submissively, at the fierceness in Crys' voice, and the press of her claws against it's throat, it yelps in response, and then stammers out in a rather awkward human voice, "You can not hurt me." It says, although the confidence in it's voice leaves plenty of room for doubt.

Sparhawk observes things easily deemed unwise and unjust and goes around to the door, trying to enter quietly but finding the door squeaky from general disuse. "I don't know, seems to have some special magical talents at revenge. I wouldn't push it," shi says as shi wends down the aisle.

RosaSoul LAUGHS "you feel pain don't you? we don't even have to kill you, hell cut the right spot and well... heh, I could leave you in agony for the rest of your unnatural life" wiggling the scalpel in her fingers to make sure the yote saw, torture is just as much intimidation as it was actual infliction :'3

The 'yote laughs at Rosa's threat, much less worried about the threats of physical pain. The sound is unnerving coming from a fully feral coyote body. The big coyote grins and tail wags until it's eyes focus back on Crys.

Kale says quietly "Look Mr coyote just tell us what we want and we will let you go."

Kale attractively says, "What would be the harm in telling us if we pose no threat to you or your kind."

"And what would that -be- exactly little girl. The 'yote asks, almost playfully." It doesn't appear to really care enough to take the question seriously.

Kale attractively says, "Where is Crys's mate Sorien, and what happened to our two melted companions?"

The 'yote gives kale a look like she's stupid. "Dead, Dead, and oh yes, Dead." It laughs, and says, "And so shall you all be when my mate comes for you."

RosaSoul sighs and waits for a moment before adding "you know canine noses are really sensitive, really stings when you cut it, even a shallow cut, course i imagine a deep one is a hell of a lot worse, haven't felt it myself, maybe you can tell me yote~ I am so curious..."

Kale attractively says, "Well then if that's true where is Sorien's final resting place?"

Delu'meril reaches for a fresh magazine, swapping the one she entered the bus with for a fresh one and then pulling the bolt with that famous, ominous 'ka-CHIK.' Her attention stays on the outside of the bus while the others focus on their prisoner inside.

Sparhawk interrupting dragon, walks between Rosa and the subject of inquiry. "I am curious how long it has been since you were alone. No one listening to you, beyond the reach of any rescue. Farther away than the moon. Alone."

"In the blood, it dreams of her." It says, quite matter-of-factly. "I've answered your silly questions, now let me go." It demands, it's confidence growing.

Kale attractively says, "One final question from me."

The 'yote suddenly shivers at Sparhawk's question. "What... what do you mean?" The fear in it's eyes returning.

Crys falls back in pain as her hands begin to twist into paws, her fingers shrinking in and her sharp claws blunting a bit. Her arms slowly shifting thinner. She leans back letting the rest deal with the coyote while she tries to deal with the pain.

RosaSoul blinks thoughtfully and after a moment asks "do we have any lead? lead blocks signals, if this is nanites, then wouldn't blocking the signal between them and the hive mind cut them off? maybe even slow or stop the changes?"

Kale remembers a story Crys showed hir and goes for broke. "The dreamer is it midnight shadow?"

Sparhawk says mildly, "Deep space, where the light of the noon sun is a pinprick. Where none but I know the way, and I may choose to leave you there. Alone. Not even a way to kill yourself, because there is only emptiness. Alone. I can ask you questions here, where grass grows and rabbits run, or I can take you there and ask."

The coyote stares blankly at Kale's question, clearly having no clue as to what her question means, but when Spar begins to speak it's hackles raise, recognizing very quickly what Sparhawk is suggesting, "No, no, anything but that. Let me go, let me go." It struggles now against it's restraints and it's tail tucks under it's legs. A single howl can be heard in the distance.

Crys holds her now paws to her face, the pain having faded but her fate becoming more obvious by the minute.

Taggart rouses himself from a nap after having takin' night watch, uncurling from on top of the bus. Hearing struggling beneath him and the restrained coyote giving noises of protest, a loud thump resounds through the metal ceiling, a heavy fist slamming warningly against it. His ears perk at the howl though, and a little growl forms in his chest, lip upturning into a small snarl of frustration. "Bloody'ell... I jus' wokeup."

Kale whispers to Crys "Well if they are a hive mind of some sort can you detect and track them Crys? I mean you are transforming into one I assume maybe we can use that to find their lair?

Sparhawk walks slowly until there is a circle of dragon around the hapless yote. "The cost of your release is paid in truth. What actually happens to those whom you bite? Who is the dreamer?"

Crys shakes her head, "I... don't know what I feel. I felt dizzy at first, but that cleared and now I just feel the physical pain. I keep listening for something or flashes or vision or anything like what the others felt but nothing so far."

It whimpers, "I... I told you that already, they died, entered the void and were recovered in dream. They are of the People now, having chosen that over the void. Your friend over there will join them soon enough."

Kale attractively says, "Who is your mate?"

Delu'meril tips her head to keep her eyes on the dark field beyond the barrel of her mounted rifle while tilting an ear towards the interrogation. Her lips thin with a deep grimace, expression darkening with the news.

Almost in answer a howl can be heard again, closer to the bus this time. It's ears perk, and it tries to answer the call.

Sparhawk frowns and places a paw over the captive's muzzle, to prevent return howling. "I accept this answer, but demand another. Who is the dreamer?"

Sparhawk removes restraint after a moment too. >.>

RosaSoul growls softly "another question maybe, how does one get out of the people and back to themselves? the loss of just three would be better than the loss of all of them, wouldn't it yote?"

Taggart growls gently to himself as he strains to hear the conversation beneath him, but catches the next howl with high perked wolven ears. So, he responds as well. Standing up and throwing his head back, he howls loud and long, wolf head to the sky as the lonesome sound echoes across the forest nearby.

The 'yote struggles under Spar's grip, and whimpers for a moment, "This, us, the blood. We are all a dream, and it sustains us. Coyote himself made this true."

Taggart's howl is particularly chilling, and it goes unanswered. No howl returns.

Crys shivers as bones snap in her chest as her ribcage alters, and the changes spread down to her hips. She looks prepared for her fate.

Sparhawk tilts hir head around sinuously to watch all the scurrying about of preparations. "Is Coyote the dreamer? Remember your choices."

"He's too busy resting at his seat, at our birthplace, to waste his time with us." The 'yote continues.

Crys bends over as the pain in her hips continues and her hips adjust her posture, her tails twitching in pain at the response.

Sparhawk paces around the circle, which is possibly disorienting. "Then unless anyone else has any intelligent questions to add, I am preparing to release you. Without violence, because it is useless and futile. But remember who I am, and what I know. May our next meeting go as well."

Crys appears too busy caught up in her changes to protest.

RosaSoul points at Crys "you took her mate from her, how would you feel should we take yours from you? keep that in mind, because if she doesnt get her mate back, and is not allowed to stay herself... if we dont get her back and her mate and their mates... I will make sure we take yours from you, in the most irevocable way we can, so... I'd suggest telling how we can get our own back"

Delu'meril doesn't take her eyes from the window. "You're just going to let it go?" She half-growls.

Kale attractively says, "Last time I tried talking to a yote it went for my throat."

Crys' growls reach an inhuman level as she struggles with her body, and just as her hind-paws reach a coyote-like state, a bright white flash emits from her, blinding anyone who's been staring at her. She screams rather humanly, and the light pulses, cracks and flashes as she shifts harshly back to her familiar yet strange form. A moment of clarity enters her as her eyes stare into the distance and then she groans as her body returns having burned off the infection.

Sparhawk points at Rosa in turn. "There's one. What is the difference when you are dreamed out with us and when you are in--" The flash is very distracting, and gets Spar all turned about with fangs and claws pointed at the noise while shi examines the leftovers of the event.

In the group mind, Sorien appears to be a Native American woman in her mid-twenties, standing about five-foot-eight inches tall, with an above-average bust, athletic build and long, jet-black hair that falls to her mid-back. Her eyes are chocolate brown, and she seems strangely self-conscious in her nudity; a distinct change from her usual attitudes towards clothing.

Delu'meril turns towards Crystala's scream and then immediately away, blinking her eyes shut and raising an arm instinctively over her visored gaze as she tries to make out the haze of that dark field again. Once the light stops flickering against the walls of the bus, she looks back towards Crystala's form and breathes an audible sigh of relief before slowly returning to guarding the bus - or at least playing the part while her eyes adjust again.

Kale notices the flash from inside the bus and shouts "What happened?"

Crys groans, sick of feeling like a marionette, so many things toying with her body out of her control. She flicks her tails, realizing she's back in her old body. She growls lightly, "It took it long enough to kick in didn't it. That thing cheats me even out of dying with my mate." She frowns, looking up to Spar who is still hovered over the coyote.

RosaSoul stops trying to make sense of things and just rolls with it this time

Delu'meril calls up out of the window. "Crys is... back!" She clarifies after a pause to try and find a word for what just took place.

Sparhawk bites hir lip and murmurs something about separated pieces, but turns back to the yote who seems just as stunned as everyone else. "Tell me. How do you reach out here when the dreamer has a separate place?"

"Easy, I just force my will on it and wrestle control of one of it's parts from the dreamer. If you kill this one, I'll just return and take another. Now when are you going to let me go?.” The coyote asks.

Crys tries to prop herself up, sick of looking weak she just forces herself to her feet and says, "Did you get what you needed?" To sparhawk, "If so, get rid of that... thing." She bears her teeth, holding the coyote with contempt. "We must find their heart so I can rip it out through their throat."

Sparhawk smiles in a way not at all reassuring, but unwinds hir hindparts and exposes the aisle to the door. "Hear that? Wrestle something away from Coyote's leftovers! Think you can handle that, Our Lady of Righteous Anger?"

RosaSoul yawns slightly and stands eyeing her scalpel for a moment before saying "I'm almost disapointed" before she pockets it anyways and turns to cry crossing her arms and waiting, shi was curious what the next thing to do was, she still feels shes missing something right now at least

Crys moves to rip the bindings off the coyote while holding her steel vice like grip around it's mouth, and she lifts the thing into her arms while still keeping it muzzled. She whispers something really softly into the coyote's ear as she leaves the bus, and the creature whimpers.

[Bus] Sparhawk murmurs, "Suffering harms the one who inflicts it as much as the one who takes it," while rummaging through a clinking bag. And then some more, muttering less charitable things at the disarray of that bag. Eventually shi'll just take off the saddlebag and look in directly, coming out with one of two vials of blood. "This points at where Apostasy went. Let us follow."

[Bus] RosaSoul shrugs and shakes her head "suffering is part of life, I inflict it when i must, if it is to help a friend or someone i care about I would do whatever is required, I'm mearly disapointed I wasnt of much use this time"

[Bus] Taggart has settled back down on top of the bus after the short howling match, emerald eyes keeping close watch on the area surrounding. The large wolfman is otherwise quiet and somber, obviously thinking to himself as he keeps guard.

[Otherworld] The strange scenery of the completely blackened moon in the sky and the indigo purple that makes up the rest gives way to the four woman carrying an unconscious native american man through the tall empty grassland. The wind is sporadic, and the journey back to the cave seems much longer than it was away from it. The man begins to grumble and wake after a few timeless hours walking with no changes in scenery beyond the encampment behind them having long ago faded.

[Otherworld] Sorien asks, “You okay, Apo?”

[Otherworld] Apostasy slowly rouses himself fully. "Ugh... remind me not to try that again? Two uncontrolled free-falls is -more- than enough for me, thank you very much."

[Bus] Crys very loudly this time says, "You get -out- of here or I will feed you to him." And she points up at Taggart, tossing the coyote from her hands. She returns inside to find Sparhawk holding a vial in his hands and looks a little confused.

[Otherworld] Crys whispers something into Sorien's ear as they walk. She asks, "Are you not my sun and stars, the light of my life? Guide me here in this place for I feel lost."

[Otherworld] Sorien says, "I'm sorry that happened, sweetie. I didn't think that would happen."

[Bus] Delu'meril nods, detaching her submachine gun from its impromptu mount on the bus window and unscrewing the clamp to pack it away. She turns to Sparhawk and nods grimly, lowering her weapon in one hand to let the other pat across her armored body and check her kit to move out. "Anything that gets us closer to Sor," she agrees.

[Bus] Kale says, “So where do we go now?:

[Otherworld] Sori gently nuzzles Crys, and whispers a reply. "Love you, sweetie. I'm lost too- this place doesn't follow any real physical laws that I can tell."

[Otherworld] Apostasy chuckles. "Hey, not your fault Sor. I should have known better than to jump blindly into the magical teleportation fire thing." He climbs to his feet and looks around. "Still no sign of that weird cave?"

[Otherworld] Cilan chuckles happily as she notices Apostasy's awakening, "Yeah.. well, at least you're safe, and that's pretty much what matters here, isn't it?"

[Otherworld] Apostasy grins. "I suppose that's true, sis."

[Otherworld] Sori says, "I think I'm doing this... WE'RE doing this wrong. We should just decide to be there, and we will be. I mean, we're traveling now, but going nowhere. So... (and she decides that they're approaching the cave)

[Otherworld] River carefully says, "You must -want- to find things here or they will forever be out of your reach."

[Bus] Sparhawk looks out at the dark forest, waving the vial from side to side to optimistically try and find if the target has visible parallax, so it would be close enough to see from the windows. "If you were feeling cryptic, you could say the principle of Sympathy draws the blood to its owner. I, however, would say it's a magical compass pointing right where we need to go. So we should go!"

[Otherworld] Apostasy laughs. "Hey, don't blame me, I only just woke up."

[Otherworld] And the distance fuzzes as the cave mouth appears off in the distance, it's horrid snarled toothy grin inviting food into it's maw.

[Bus] RosaSoul comments with a raised eyebrow "And i would say you have lost your mind, but we don't really have any better leads right now do we? What does Cry's think?"

[Otherworld] Cilan closes her eyes briefly and attempts to picture in her mind the cave that she had woken up in, the entrance that looks like a coyote's head, and opens her eyes again.

[Otherworld] Sori grins! "Hah!" Figgered it out right before you told me, River!"

[Bus] Crys looks exasperated and shrugs, "I know the only thing I felt when I was changing was that I was far away from where I needed to be. I think spar might be on the right track, like I was being called somewhere."

[Otherworld] Apostasy prods Sorien gently. "Be nice. She's the only one of them bothered to actually help us in some way."

[Bus] Kale grabs hir medical supplies and is ready to leave with the group

[Bus] Delu'meril shrugs and lifts her rifle to a casual position slung over her hips. "Worth a try."

[Otherworld] Sori blinks? "Huh? No... If it sounded wrong, I didn't mean offense. I'm just glad I'm getting a grip on things. I didn't mean to offend if I did, River. And thank you again."

[Bus] RosaSoul nods "then i guess we should go, lead the way Spar"

[Bus] Kale attempts to carry Glaurang not sure is shi can carry it.

[Bus] Sparhawk holds out the vial half-full of ex-Apostasy for skeptics to examine. "Given that it is now pushed up against the side of the glass, something is going on. But it...yes, far away. Gonna need to drive, which is complicated."

[Otherworld] River says, "You seem to understand the dream better than most who have joined." She says to Sorien.

[Bus] Kale manages to carry Glaurang by focusing all hir pent up emotions at hir lost loves.

[Bus] RosaSoul well I could drive If no one else can, I Just suggest... well I guess buses don't have seat belts, nevermind, I can still drive though!"

[Otherworld] Sori shakes her head. "No... I'm just over the panic and anger phase and I'm starting to think again." She gestures at the cave. "Lets go in. Deep enough that there's no light, but we all hold hands and go carefully."

[Bus] Crys calls up to Taggart, "Can you drive? We need to drive apparently. I'm useless in this department."

[Otherworld] Apostasy grins and walks forwards to the entrance of the cave. He looks back and offers a hand. "Shall we go, then?"

[Bus] Kale lumbers into the bus With Apo's gun and sits in the back

[Bus] Meril grins. "Oh, this is gonna be *fun*."

[Otherworld] Cilan nods affirmatively as she follows Apostasy's lead further into the cave, a light shiver crossing her features as she remembers waking up in the pitch black area.

[Otherworld] Sori grins, then kisses Crys. She takes her lover's hand. "Of course, sweetie." She waits til hands are all linked, and the group starts in.

[Bus] Sparhawk sticks hir head out a window and raps on the wall once. "If you're not going to drive, can we at least get you inside rather than tied to the roof like a new mattress?"

[Otherworld] Apostasy joins hands with Sorien and Cilan as the group heads deeper into the cave.

[Bus] Taggart nods and hops down from the top of the bus, a heavy thud and small impact crater from the weight of the huge wolf. He stays quiet and stoic, stepping up and into the bus and sitting uncomfortably down into the small driver's seat, cranking up the engine.

[Bus] Sparhawk occupies the seats behind the driver, holding the vial up and ready to shout directions as needed.

[Bus] The bus heads vaguely northward continuing up the same highway, always hovering a bit to the east of the direction of the highway. It's a few hours of uncomfortable travel, when they see the border for orgeon and the compass finally begins to shift more eastward along with the road.

[Bus] RosaSoul sits behind the drivers seat and debates back seat driving just to pass the time, but likes her muzzle in one peice for now

[Otherworld] Sori leads the way down into the dark of the cave, staying near one wall so she can feel her way with one hand- she taps ahead with one foot as well, making sure of no 'surprises' in the pitch black.

[Bus] Meril stares grimly out at the road as they go, brooding as her fingers flick the safety on her rifle on and off, on and off.

[Otherworld] The cave's darkness is ever-present and engulfing and it feels like walking into a giant's stomach, the moisture in the air increasing with the depth. The cave walls aren't hard to follow, occasionally narrowing but the place doesn't follow any real logical path for a cave, rather heading just vaguely straight.

[Otherworld] Sori mumbles something about geological oddness.

[Otherworld] Crys holds Sorien's hand tightly, not wanting to get lost and shivering in fear of the dark unknown.

[Otherworld] Once there is NO light left to see, Sori finally speaks. "Okay... I think we can talk freely now."

[Bus] Sparhawk the fourteen-foot-long dragon rather occupies both left and right sides of the front rows of seats, keeping anyone else from annoying the driver. There is a lot of time to look out the windows and brood.

[Bus] Crystala flickers her tails and broods, her anger having not left her, rather reaching a point of boil and has now stabilized at that point. She grumbles a bunch to herself during the drive north. Any comforting note on her part has long since passed.

[Bus] Kale touches hir armband and stares at hir medkit as the bus moves along

[Otherworld] Apostasy looks blindly in the direction of Sorien's voice. "So, why exactly are we here, Sorien?"

[Otherworld] River quietly says, "And your intent in coming to this sacred place was what exactly?"

[Otherworld] Sorien says, "Okay. Remember the Shadow? Well... It was imprisoned in the ground where the sun couldn't touch it. The reason being... A shadow can only exist if there is light AND dark. Here, there is no light. We can speak of it without it hearing us."

[Bus] RosaSoul risks her hide and tosses a pebble at crystala to get her attention

[Otherworld] Crys says carefully, "But love, you're here, there cannot be no light." and she squeezes Sori's hand.

[Otherworld] Cilan nods slowly, affirmatively as her arms move across her chest, "Mm.. well, you guys can talk all you want.. I on the other hand dont know a single word that could be said, aside from fuck shadow, and fuck the coyotes under its lead.."

[Bus] Taggart is quietly and calmly driving the bus.

[Otherworld] Apostasy's voice comes out of the darkness. "That seems reasonable enough. Though I'd sooner chase down that black haired girl and make her talk."

[Bus] Delu'meril sighs pensively, looking down from the window for a moment. Shaking off that melancholy daze, she reaches to her belt and pops something into her mouth.

[Bus] RosaSoul makes a note to disturb the peace with pebbles for Taggart, when she is out of his immediate reach

[Otherworld] Sori nods, not that anyone can see it. "I think the shadow found Coyote's pack and took it, or part of it. River, I don't know what of this you can confirm, but the girl who seemed particularly angry with me, I think she was touched by the shadow, and may be the touchstone of the Shadow. I could be VERY wrong there, but I don't think so. Crys... My love here, was touched by the shadow as well; when it controlled her, anger was the manifest emotion. The coyote pack is attacking people without provocation, drawing them into the pack. This isn't right. What wisdom can you share here?"

[Otherworld] River looks nervously about realizing she can't -see- anything. She sighs, uncomfortably, not really sure why she has followed these outsiders, but they seem to really be trying to stop whatever darkness has come. She speaks, "I... I guess I can tell you the tale my ancestors have passed down for generations. You've mentioned Midnight Shadow, and he indeed does star in a tale told since ancient times when the people were one. Coyote taught man to defeat it and stole his power leaving him sleeping. However as we all know, sleep does not last forever and he has come to retake his power from Coyote."

[Otherworld] Sori shifts closer to Crys. "So Shadow still has a touch of himself on Coyote?

[Otherworld] Apostasy grins. "Taught man how to defeat it, eh? I think that would be rather useful knowledge to have, if you'd be so good as to share."

[Otherworld] River softly speaks, "Raven is young, stupid and in love. She is not hearing whispers of the old one. I am afraid it is not her that has been spoken to but the dreamer itself. Coyote's child will be consumed and used to bait Coyote himself, unless he outsmarts it."

[Otherworld] Cilan speaks up again, "Is there anything we can do to tip the scales in coyote's favor?"

[Bus] The road forks, with signs showing the way toward Crater Lake national park, and Sparhawk nudges Taggart to follow in that direction.

[Otherworld] Apostasy chimes in again. "Who, or what, exactly, is the dreamer?"

[Otherworld] Sori grimaces. "Same questions as my friends have just asked, and... I should probably ask WHY this place is sacred to you. I should have asked earlier, as we might have been trespassing wrongly."

[Otherworld] River says, "I'm afraid my ancestors leave me with little clues. I can tell you the story I've been told, but I cannot think how that will help us here."

[Otherworld] Sori says, "Anything at all may help. We're... Pardon the pun, all in the dark here."

[Otherworld] "This is where coyote spoke to the dreamer and taught him to dream us all, pulling us from the void and giving us a chance at life once again. Coyote gave some of himself to make us, and woke the others." River squeaks feeling something brush up against her, but realizes it's just one of the others hands.

[Otherworld] Crys snuggles up tight to Sorien, having nothing to offer her, here mind at a blank for understanding this place.

[Otherworld] Sori asks, "Who exactly is the dreamer? Coyote or someone else? And is he here?"

[Bus] Kale says "Does anyone know anything about this area?"

[Bus] Taggart remains quiet and follows the directions given.

[Otherworld] Apostasy sits quietly in the darkness, waiting for River to continue.

[Bus] Meril shakes her head. "Seen photos before. S'beautiful. Or it used to be. We'll see."

[Otherworld] "The dreamer creates us all and we are a part of him. You've stolen from him before, as have Raven, and Atse, and that woman you met Shelley. I've never so I'm not even sure what it's like, and can only speak from what they've told me about it." River shifts a bit more and then says, "If you must know, Coyote was approached by a great hero, known to us as Quiet Whisper. It was through Coyote's great knowledge that Quiet Whisper learned to uncover Midnight Shadow's weaknesses, and Quiet Whisper was able to trick him to sleep. Coyote however made sure his slumber was permanent, by burying him deep inside his home, and sacrificing a part of himself to bind him."

[Otherworld] With nothing to say on her mind, Cilan quietly joins Apostasy, and sits next to him, waiting for something the woman could do.

[Bus] Oregon itself is full of deep forests, the air shows the sign of imminent rain, with a heavy mist overtaking nearly everything. The road that they are following is no longer a highway, rather a road cutting into the heart of the state forest to bring tourists deep into Crater Lake. Sparhawk is fairly certain that is their destination now.

[Otherworld] Sori sniffs, then realizes that her nose is human now.

[Otherworld] Apostasy puts his arm around Cil's shoulder, hugging her against him in the darkness. "Sorry to interrupt.... but what do you mean, we've stolen from the dreamer?"

[Bus] The signs for a campground and eventually the lake itself show them drawing near. The blood in Sparhawk's vial has begin to rhythmically vibrate, growing closer to the source of where it's being pulled.

[Bus] Sparhawk hums in turn, one of many weird habits shi has. Among other tasks shi tries to match the pitch on the vial, closing hir eyes.

[Bus] Kale whistles the theme to X-files

[Otherworld] Cilan releases a small sigh as she rests her head against Apostasy's shoulder, soon she muses to herself, "I.. I wonder how Kale is doing.."

[Otherworld] "Taking parts from him, that are his, for yourself." River says very matter-of-factly. "I only know that the Shadow's weakness is it's pride. It's so sure of it's power over us that it's prone to mistakenly undervaluing our worth."

[Otherworld] Apostasy squeezes Cilan gently. "I'm sure shi's alright. The others will keep hir safe."

[Bus] The bus nears the shore of the lake just as dawn begins to crack over the horizon. The dim light shimmering off the lake's surface. An island sits out a few hundred feet from the shore, and the area around the edge is ragged in a way that is very unusual for a normal lake.

[Otherworld] Sori thinks on that. "I don't know that I took anything, per se... But given we're aware... Did we take his awareness? Is that it? The sleeper is asleep because we're awake?"

[Bus] Crys scratches her an itch on her neck, her flesh unscarred but phantom pangs of her transformation still eat at her senses, and she feels strangely out of body at times, her brain still trying to catch up on her strange reaction to that infection.

[Bus] Sparhawk perks up suddenly as light comes off the lake. "Hey! I bet we could get a really great snowball fight up here!" Then shi goes back to humming, keeping the narrow end of the vial pointed where it wants to go.

[Bus] Meril narrows her eyes as they approach what looks like it has to be their stop before the lake. "Damn," she murmurs. "We'da never found anything the old-fashioned way."

[Bus] Taggart pulls the bus to a stop near the shore of the lake, glancing back over his shoulder at Sparhawk. "Need ta go any furt'er?"

[Otherworld] River says, "I'm afraid I don't have the words to be able to explain it to you." She softly sighs, "I would avoid calling Coyote into this world, or letting him be called, but you might be able to awake the part he left behind."

[Bus] The vial is practically jerking in movement, the compass-like effect ruined by proximity. Whatever it's trying to get to is close by.

[Otherworld] Sori says, "I think we have to. What do we do? What I did back at the camp?"

[Otherworld] River says, "Rather than trying to bring him here, try to wake him. So far we've been unable despite trying, so I'm not sure I'll be much more help."

[Bus] Sparhawk gets out a red hankie and ties it to the vial, turning it from a compass to a dowsing rod. "Not by bus, I don't think. Time to pick up what you want to carry for an hour and search."

[Otherworld] "Okay. Lets. I'm guessing... Deeper down?"

[Otherworld] Apostasy says, "What would we need to do to wake him?"

[Bus] The large wolf looks down at the vial and notices it's erratic behavior. Taggart gives a little shrug and nods, opening the bus doors and clambering down to look around, nose raising slightly to sniff heavily at the air around the lake.

[Bus] Kale hefts the gun and hir medkit straining under the weight but managing to handle it for now. "I hope i don't have to use this."

[Bus] A man emerges from the forest nearby with a shotgun. He's tall and looks well weathered, his features looking mostly human but there's -something- else to him that also gives the feeling they are something more. He hollers over, "Heyyyyyy, hey you, go away before you get yourselves killed!"

[Bus] Meril rises just in time to watch the human-looking man strolling out of the woods. "Well I'll be damned," she muses to herself, filing up to disembark with the others.

[Otherworld] River says, "I've never been farther in this cave, so I have no idea."

[Bus] Sparhawk regards the mountain man intently, with a vial of blood shimmying on a red knot. "I do hope that was a warning and not a threat, sir."

[Otherworld] Sori gives a gentle tug to the others. "Then lets see what there is to see; its a nice straightish path at least."

[Bus] Taggart catches sight of the man with the shotgun frowning gently as his hands set to his hips. "Mebbe's'wut we're lookin' ta do. Who're you? Wutcha donere?"

[Bus] "Do I look like I'um threatening you?" He shrugs, pulling the shotgun away, "I don't want the 'yotes to go feeding on anyone else. I've got enough of a mess to clean up as it is."

[Otherworld] Cilan finally rises to her feet and shrugs, adding, "Alright, not much else to do.."

[Otherworld] Apostasy stands with Cilan. "Sounds good to me."

[Otherworld] Sori starts leading the way deeper into the cave, still following the wall.

[Otherworld] Crys says, "Remember love, you need to believe you're going to find what you're looking for here, or we'll just walk this endlessly."

[Bus] Meril cants her head faintly. "And how is it you're not *part* of that mess, then?"

[Otherworld] Sorien says, "Its just ahead. We'll be there soon." (And she believes that.)

[Otherworld] Apostasy nods firmly. "Damn right it is."

[Bus] Sparhawk meanders around the edge of the lake where the bus is parked, assuming other people will handle the native life while shi plays with blood and string.

[Bus] He thrusts the gun in front of him, "And who's business is that, but mine?"

[Bus] Taggart strides forward, looking at the end of the shotgun with a bit of an amused smirk. "Ours, now. Tha coyotes've taken our friends. You know sumtin'bout t'at?" The Irishman's smirk slowly turns sour, scowling downturning his bushy eyebrows as his arms cross over broad chest.

[Otherworld] Bright lights begin to flame into existence, torches in sconces along the cave wall, illuminating a small central round area. There is a giant bearskin rug covering the center area and little white things, that once inspected are teeth scattered all over the place.

[Otherworld]Apostasy covers his eyes, blinking rapidly as the sudden light blinds him temporarily. When his vision clears, he looks around. "Well now. This is interesting."

[Otherworld] "Ah. This looks promising." Sori walks forward into the area, looking around for their possibly-sleeping host.

[Bus] "Oh you folk always having to pry. I know that there's sum people that have been taken of course. Harry told me, she's said they've been up to taking people down south. I've no idea what's gotten into them as they haven't really roamed far outta this area until now." He shifts to another foot and shrugs, turning to walk away, since the people clearly aren't listening.

[Otherworld] Crys shivers, shifting back a little bit into the darkness and trying to let her eyes clear. She quietly searches around at the edges of the light.

[Otherworld] Cilan blocks the glare of the light with an outstretched forearm until her eyes readjust to the light, "Uh.. isnt light a dangerous thing in this cave?" is asked, remembering the warnings said before.

[Bus] Kale gets out of the bus. "Um sir are you or anyone else injured. If so I am a trained nurse I could help."

[Bus] Meril scowls silently at the departing man's back and then turns her attention suspiciously to the treeline.

[Bus] The man before the gathered rescuers stands a good six feet tall. He's of obvious native american extraction and in middle age, with careworn lines in his heathered face and hands callused from long hours of physical labor. His hair is long, gathered back into a single ponytail, and grey is shot through it. His expression is of a man used to hard times and of doing what HE thinks is right... Though there is a glint of something more in his dark eyes.

[Otherworld] Apostasy smiles at Cilan. "I think it's allowed now." He takes another look around the room. "Well, at a guess, I'd say that breaskin rug was the bed... but it looks like the dreamer has gone wandering."

[Bus] Taggart frowns gently as the man turns about, emerald eyes weighing the other carefully. He obviously sees something of himself and takes off after the native american, "Oi! You live out'ere, then? Dangerous wit' as many coyotes about as we seen."

[Otherworld] There are bones along with the teeth, They look like canine teeth. There's a jawbone, some ribs, and what looks like a tailbone.

[Bus] Kale follows Taggart awkwardly , not used to the heavy gun. "Taggart don't run off without everyone else."

[Otherworld] "Heh." Sori grins, then starts gathering bones. "Anatomy 101. We get to put him together."

[Bus] "They'a harmless to a big old sap like me, but don't expect tha same treatment. Ya've been warned." He chuckles under his breath heading for a clearing past the wooded area.

[Otherworld] Apostasy laughs. "Jigsaw puzzle. Alrighty then, let's start gathering up the pieces." He hunts around the cave, looking for more bones, gathering them up as he finds them.

[Otherworld] River says, "It will take more than just bones to wake him." But she helps, finding a small little piece and handing it to Sorien.

[Bus] RosaSoul blindly follows the group, and tosses a single pebble at taggart now that shi's not in easy reach

[Otherworld] Sori takes the piece, and starts arranging the bits. "I know. But this is the first step. When we get that far, we'll figure it out."

[Otherworld] Cilan nods again, her mind set on a current task as she kneels infront of the various bones, her hands plucking at each bone that Apostasy drops infront of her, and organizes them, making sure that itd be easier to build if everything is neat, instead of forcing everyone to simply search for the needed part.

[Bus] Sparhawk comes around the far side of the bus and does a bit of hollering, "Anyone ask who Lady Harry is?"

[Bus] Taggart frowns at the reply, momentarily ignoring Kale's warning. "Oi! That ain't'ow it works, fella." The pebble tossed at his shoulder ricochets at a speed almost faster than which it was thrown, the large, muscular wolf not even noticing. "Yer diff'rent. How come? Wut you done?"

[Bus] Kale pants as shi continues to follow, "Haah.... I can't believe Apo can carry this around all day." Kale mutters to hirself

[Otherworld] Having gathered up all the bones he can find and given them to Cil, Apostasy moves out of the way to let her and Sorien put the skeleton together. He looks over at River "It might not be the only thing needed, but it's probably a good first step."

[Bus] A coyote suddenly leaps out at the man, not even flustered, he grabs it by the scruff and clocks it on the head with the butt of his shotgun. He glares angrily at the thing. "Mayhaps it's time I put them down, after I figure out what to do with your companions." He sighs, and throws the coyote in their direction as it's bleeding head begins to affect the rest of it's body decaying and returning to the earth quickly. He mutters to himself out of earshot.

[Bus] Kale gasps in surprise at both the sudden attack and the mans swift dealing with it. "That was amazing!"

[Bus] Kale gasps in surprise at both the sudden attack and the mans swift dealing with it. "That was amazing!"

[Bus] Meril's rifle sits halfway to ready as she follows along on the group's flank, scowling off both at the stubborn local yokel and the wilderness. She jumps when the coyote suddenly attacks, lifting her weapon to sight at the beast - but the man's even faster, and soon she's curiously watching the mutant bleed back into the earth.

[Otherworld] The bones collected aren't complete, but they do begin to pain the picture of something roughly humanoid, but also very much of a canine nature.

[Bus] RosaSoul "I think i like this guy"

[Otherworld] Sori looks for the missing pieces, even under the rug and on the periphery of the room.

[Bus] Taggart catches up with the older man, his voice falling quiet as he closes the distance. "Speak, fool... yer bein' more mysterious than the situation calls fer. We're worried about our friends."

[Lake] Kale follows less then 10 feet behind Taggart doing hir best to keep up. "Push through the burn." Kale whispers to hirself.

[Otherworld] Crys says, "I think love, that simply believing will be enough. But there's something else missing as River said. She moves forward and grabs a sharp rock from the ground and cuts into her wrist swiftly, letting blood drip onto the bones."

[Lake] Crys shakes her head at the man's attitude, but follows quietly, hoping he might have some answers.

[Bus] "You have every right ta be worried, your friends are dead. I'm sorry, but they are." The clearing ahead has a small encampment with a tent set up and a fire. The man sticks two fingers into his mouth and whistles sharply.

[Otherworld] Sori follows Crys' lead, and adds her own blood. "Time to wake; you're needed..."

[Lake] RosaSoul growls softly "their bodys maybe, but their minds are still somewhere right? could they not be brought back?"

[Otherworld] Crys' blood flows red initially, and then black like ink.

[Otherworld] Apostasy follows the lead of the other two and adds his blood to the bones. "Time to wake up."

[Otherworld] :blinks, then tries to prevent the shadow-blood from hitting the bones!

[Otherworld] Seeing the shadow pouring from her mate, Sori cups her uncut hand underneath the flow and shoves Crys back from the bones!

[Lake] The worn man chuckles, "It doesn't matter now does it? Either way they are lost to you."

[Lake] Taggart frowns softly, then nods a bit. "Well, I'd be believin' ya in most cases... 'cept that big dragon t'ing be'ind me's got some dousin' rod a'some sort... and it tends ta be tellin' us sumtin' else."

[Lake] Kale shouts emotionally at the man "How can you know that? I mean I have seen many weird things they could still be alive in the coyotes lair!"

[Lake] Kale says quieter "They promised they would be okay."

[Lake] RosaSoul replies simply "I refuse to believe that anyways, Not untill all possible paths have been taken, and all possibilitys tried, They are friends, I cant really just give up without trying"

[Otherworld] As Crys is knocked back and the black blood splattering off away from the bones, there is a rumble and smoke fills the room. Heat and fire erupt in quick bursts and when the smoke fades an Anthro Coyote is sitting there looking quite amused, the grin on his face is evident as he looks over.

[Otherworld] Crys tackled by Sorien doesn't struggle, she looks scared, and terrified by what was coming out of her.

[Otherworld] Apostasy looks at the anthro coyote. "Well now. That's new. You would be the dreamer, then? Or are you Coyote himself?"

[Lake] Sparhawk wanders over in a curving path, then nods politely to the shotguneer. "And with all that said, we are heroes. When things need saving, that is what we do. We could trade stories all day, but the lil' bit of my friend here wants to go join the rest of hir."

[Otherworld] Sori wipes the shadow-blood off on the floor of the cavern. "I'm sorry, sweetie... And I apologize that we nearly harmed you, sir."

[Lake] "I never said their minds weren't there. In fact, I'll let you meet Harry, she'll be able to tell you about the friend of yours she... met." There's a slight grin on his face at that comment. He whistles again, sharper and louder this time, and a quadrupedal partially transformed woman comes charging from the forest. She's covered with German Shepherd markings and her long tongue is lolling from her face as she pants.

[Otherworld] Cilan looks to where Apostasy had glanced and notices the new figure, prompting the woman to take on a curious gaze, but says nothing, leaving it to her companions to ask the questions.

[Otherworld] "I am neither, and both." The coyote-man says coyly in response to Apostasy's question.

[Otherworld] "You're part of Coyote, correct? We need your help."

[Otherworld] Apostasy groans. "Lovely. We're gonna play that kind of game. Well, even if you're part of Coyote, we need your help to get back to our friends."

[Lake] "Good." Meril murmurs simply, a hint of the cloud lifting from her grim expression as she watches the newcomer with measured interest.

[Lake] Kale stares at the woman "She is harry?"

[Lake] Crys quirks an eye at the incoming half transformed woman, wondering what the hell is going on.

[Lake] Sparhawk grins wider than strictly necessary. "Been a lot of good stories today, I hope this one is easier on the ears than the last one. Need t'trade some jerky for it?"

[Lake] Taggart can only chuckle gently. "I'magine, she weren't always a she."

[Otherworld] "And -why- should I help people who pollute the dream and steal from the dreamer? Have you come to take Coyote's strength from him, or help the shadows?" The coyote man questions carefully.

[Otherworld] Apostasy sighs. "Because we never wanted to come here, or steal anything from this dreamer. We were attacked by a pack of feral coyotes, and ended up here against our will. But I can assure you we are definitely no friends of the shadow."

[Lake] The man pulls out a piece of Jerky from his pocket and says, "Ya can have it, and tha story she'll tell if sha wants ta." "Harry" returning to the man and hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry I didn't hear your call, I was busy trying to track down what you asked me to." She finally notices the group of people staring at her, and blushes, the first time she's actually felt naked in ages.

[Otherworld] Crys continues to bleed out, trying to close her wrist, her blood turning back from solid black to red again.

[Otherworld] "I... Well... Most of the polluters are gone. Horrors were unleashed upon the world, and things aren't as they once were. On top of that, the mythic world has awakened as well- I would offer my own strength to you if you will help... THough it will break my heart to lose my love in the doing." (She hugs Crys tight.) "The world is more important. We need your help, and we, (she nods at her friends), are less important than stopping the shadow once again.

[Otherworld] The coyote man quirks his head to the side at the woman offering herself so freely. "That's entirely unneccessary, but I'm not sure what we can do in here to stop it. You've already brought it with you, and it's infecting the dreamer. Soon we'll all be, as we are a part of him, and through me, eventually Coyote himself."

[Otherworld] Sori nods, putting her hand on Crys' wound and applying pressure to stop the bleeding if she can. "Could you eject it, and us?"

[Otherworld] Cilan asks carefully, "Coyote, is there any way to stop this corruption? A way to stop the infection, or perhaps even reverse what we had done?"

[Otherworld] Sori continues after a pause. "I mean... Dump us into pack bodies, preferably our own?"

[Otherworld] "There must be something we can do! I won't leave Kale like that. I can't. I promised hir I'd always come back." Apostasy looks at the coyote with pleading eyes. "There has to be something you can do!"

[Lake] Sparhawk achs, and rummages for a minute. Shi apparently doesn't find what shi was looking for and turns back to Harry. "Madam, I would like to hear this story of yours. Stories have proved important thus far."

[Lake] Kale focuses on the woman's face "Um sorry to bother you... Harry was it? But we were hoping you could tell us 'tha story' ."

[Lake] RosaSoul seems to have lost any and all focus when the german shepard lady showed up, she would be drooling if her maw was any wider, her thoughts are fairly blank, cause all her blood is elsewhere, cause there are more character weaknesses than the flaws you buy... german shepards :Q

[Otherworld] "I cannot do anything outside the dream as that will need Coyote's magic, but I might be able to wake the dreamer at the cost of all of us. If we kill or wake it, we will be lost but the shadow along with us. Or, you can try to get Coyote to end it, and us. We are but figments so in truth we aren't sacrificing anything." He grins again, almost like he's having fun with it.

[Otherworld] Sori blanches. "We have to. Damn it, we have to. I'm in. Crys? We'll at least be together." She leans into her mate.

[Otherworld] Apostasy fidgets, looking torn, before he finally sighs. "Do it. Try to wake the dreamer. If the shadow escapes then Kale is in danger as well."

[Lake] Taggart stares very pointedly at the naked german shepard's female body parts, frowning gently, then turns his gaze away and looks back to the native american. The large wolf suckles on his canine tooth for a moment, head tilting to the side and his pointed ears flickering a bit as he listens to everyone settle and catch up to them around the fire.

[Otherworld] Cilan blinks at the options in front of the group, but noticing the other's choice, she breathes a deep sigh, and nods, "Alright.. Im with everyone.. while it means I will not make a promise that I had made to someone I care deeply about.. if it also means she will be safe, I will gladdly go with the plan.."

[Lake] She continues to blush and looks up to the man and he nods to her, and she says, "I... I was dealing with my heat when I found the coyote that was fixing it suddenly being driven. I thought it was one of the usual crowd but he said his name was Sorien, and mentioned that the pack has been up to some very naughty things."

[Lake] Sparhawk is somewhat stunned at the first statement, but sufficiently scientific to let the story run along without making incoherent interjections.

[Lake] "I told Carson, and he's been trying to drag one of them out to explain themselves but so far they haven't been exactly listening. He asked me to see if I could spot one of them." Harry says.

[Otherworld] Crys nods, embracing her mate quietly.

[Otherworld] Apostasy nods. "That's all of us in agreement then. Do what you have to do to try to wake the Dreamer."

[Otherworld] "Well I can force everyone here out, temporarily while I deal with the dreamer, or we can try to wake him from here. I will leave that up to you." The coyote man says, pointing at Sorien.

[Lake] Kale attractively says, "Any luck finding one?"

[Otherworld] Cilan looks to Sorien expectantly, waiting to hear her decision.

[Otherworld] Apostasy looks over to Sorien. "I'm fine with whatever choice you make, Sorien."

[Lake] Harry shakes her head, her long tongue still hanging out while she pants. "I've been looking for days. The packs been kind of agitated lately, and I've seen more than usual springing back out of the wellspring lately. You all wouldn't happened to have been, killing them would you?"

[Otherworld] Sorien says, "Wake him, I think. That's more important."

[Lake] RosaSoul has started to slowly approach the sheppy lady with wide eyes O_O

[Lake] Kale says "Well yes but I tried to talk to one and it lunged right for my throat then a whole pack came down on us."

[Lake] Sparhawk eyes nearby people. "Some of them. Some are glued to the floor way down south. And..." One of Spar's midlegs grabs Rosa's ankle in an immobilizing way. "Perhaps you know where the wellspring is, exactly?"

[Lake] Carson pulls his shotgun placing it directly pointing at Rosa, "I'd back off there miss." He says, quite clearly not taking no for an answer.

[Lake] RosaSoul doesn't seem to notice Carson but is caught anyways, wiggling against the constricting leg and whimpers softly "sheppy..."

[Lake] Taggart sighs and lets out an audible and warning growl at Rosa, standing up while his fists clench. "Rosa... it'd be wise iffun ya calmed down an'ad a seat... oterwise, you'll be forcin' me ta be doin' sumtin' unpleasant-like."

[Lake] Kale grabs Rosa's hand and stares deeply into hir eyes deeper and deeper. Kale concentrates and tries to bring Rosa's libido way down.

[Otherworld] The coyote man nods at the response, and then opens up what looks like a vent in the ground in front of him. Light and darkness streaming out of it in unison. The beam itself is blindingly bright, and bone chillingly dark and it writhes and twists in the air.

[Otherworld] Sorien braces herself, still holding Crys tight to her.

[Otherworld] Apostasy covers his eyes as the light sears his vision, and hugs Cil tightly.

[Lake] Carson says, "I'd be willing to show you were the wellspring is. I may need to be ending their time anyway since things have gotten so out of hand. However I'd be pleased if you would leave -that- one behind, pointing at Rosa.

[Lake] Meril frowns. "Seems clear enough, anyway. If they won't come out, us merry heroes should probably go *in* and see what the bastards are up to."

[Otherworld] Having watched the coyote again, Cilan quickly blocks the blinding light with her forearm again, her eyes squinting as she attempts to continue watching, her other arm meanwhile wraps around Apostasy, and holds him close to her, waiting in solemn peace, seeming stoic even in her final moments.

[Lake] RosaSoul blinks at kale and slumps if it works blinking again and looks at the leg around her "Oh... um..." she shakes her head "sorry?" and glances towards Carson with a frown "are there more sheppys inside? if so then perhaps i should..."

[Otherworld] The coyote man says, "Come closer but don't touch."

[Lake] Sparhawk has a reasonably firm grip and is looking at Rosa when her vision clears. "I think you should perhaps keep watch on the bus to make sure no one runs off with our ride. Yes?"

[Otherworld] Sorien does so, going where the being indicates.

[Otherworld] Apostasy nods and moves where indicated.

[Otherworld] Cilan follows suit with the rest of her group mates and steps toward the light.

[Lake] RosaSoul nods and folds her ears back "sorry... I really like german sheppards" she pushes at the leg "I'll just... watch the bus before i make a bigger fool of myself..."

[Otherworld] Crys follows quietly behind but trips forward pulling Sorien with her.

[Otherworld] Sori tries to prevent them from touching the light, shifting the fall-direction to the side if possible!

[Otherworld] Sori isn't able to shift in time, both her and Crys coming into contact with the beam, and then disappear. The coyote man raises an eyebrow and says, "That wasn't... good."

[Lake] Sparhawk fiddles with hir horn-mounted radio and makes sure Rosa's got one that is tuned to the same channel. "We might be going...out of range, but we can chat until then!"

[Otherworld] "Wasn't good? How not good is what just happened???" Apostasy shouts.

[Otherworld] The coyote man shrugs.

Chapter 5:

[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 Crystala 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, Crys 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] pose 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] Crys 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.

<OOC> Apostasy says, "Hehe... nice timing on my shuffle... To Glory is playing right now :3"

[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 Crys 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] Crys 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] Crys' 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] Stares at Carson and the Coyote with rapt fascination.

[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] Crys' 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] Crys' 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 Crys, 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] Crys 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, Crystala, 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 Crys tripped and we fell into it- the shadow was in her." (she eeps and starts when Crys 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, Crys. (she nuzzles Crys) 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 Crystala 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] Crys 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] Crys 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, Crys 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. Crys 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 Crys 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-Crys' ears!

[Wellspring] Sparhawk glances at the choking Sorien and pads over to put a paw on Crystala'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 Crystala 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 Crystala 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] Crys 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] Crys' 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 Crystala. 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 Crys 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] Crys 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 Crys' 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 Crystala'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.

Crys 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 Crystala, 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.

Crys 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 Crys holding it. "I thought I told you to keep that thing you woke away." He growls.

Crys 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 Crys, 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.

Crys 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 Crys "Don't lose hope Crys! 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.

Crys 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 Crys, 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 Crystala 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 Crys's plight

The RSX agent's growing smile deadens as she hears Crys, 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'.

Crys 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!

Crys 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. "

Crys 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 Crys) "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.

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.."

Del, Tag Crys and Kale change here, tho Crys 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."

Crys 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, "Crys?"

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 Crys, 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.

Crys' 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 Crys 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."

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.

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

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

Sorien hugs back, as Crys 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."

Crys 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.

Sorien has to get ready for work herself. See you all soon, and not ripply and indistinct anymore!

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."