Cole and Auggie discuss the New Fang in town.
Grotto
The woods part suddenly, here, amidst the quiet roar of falling water. A wide stream spills over the edge of a rocky face that is the western edge of a hill some thirty feet high. The stones are worn smooth with the passing of time, and are slick with moisture and soft mosses, but a climb up the drier rocks would not be impossible, and there is a sense of space behind the falls.
A wide pool has been carved into the earth by the rushing waters, and the tall trees have grown out around it, sheltering the grotto in a pleasantly-cool shade. Rocks, hewn from the cliff face and shouldered along the path of the stream, form a rough ring around the edge of the pool and guide the flow of water further westwards, again deeper into the woods. All manner of animal tracks are visible in the sandier areas of shore; the trees crouch close against the edge of the stream again as it passes further west, muting the dull thunder of the falls.
Faint trails, between the trees, lead off in all directions, while a determined climb eastwards would crest the rock face.
Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (29% full).
Currently in Saint Claire, it is clear outside. The temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 3 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.13 and steady, and the relative humidity is 71 percent. The dewpoint is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
Hope-Turner comes to the edge of the grotto this cold November evening, and like always, sends out a polite howl before entering.
Cole seems to be in residence, as that familiar voice rises in answer quickly enough. "Come on in, brother. Got some news to share with you, if you haven't already heard it." Cole's standing by the shore of the pool.
Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (29% full).
Currently in Saint Claire, it is clear outside. The temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 3 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.13 and steady, and the relative humidity is 71 percent. The dewpoint is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
The Gaian trots on in, and makes his away around the pool to where Cole is standing. He seems in relatively high spirits, judging by his posture and gait. Hope-Turner has news also. You first!
Cole turns to face Hope-Turner, smiling faintly at his packmate's mood. "One of Jana's relatives is coming to town. I got a call from some arrogant prick of a kinfolk about it." The Galliard shrugs. "Wants to know about her death."
Hope-Turner chuffs impatiently as Cole speaks. She's here! Hope-Turner met her! He shifts up to homid, before continuing. "S'creepy, she looks almost just like her. Seems a lot... cheerier though. I told her some stuff and told her to talk to you, cuz she had questions about how," and here his mood dampens somewhat, "Jana's body was recovered."
Cole clears his throat, looking away and at the ground. "Fuck," he intones with real feeling. "Just what I want. We never did get her, Auggie. By the time we were able to get the war party formed, she was completely gone, man." It looks as if this fact bothers him more than a little.
August' frowns. "Ah, shit, I didn't realize." He tenses, then shrugs a shoulder, releasing it. In a quieter tone, he says, "No matter. You and I know she went right home to Gaia, she found her way. S'just... maybe gonna be hard to explain to family."
Cole sucks a breath and nods. "Yeah, it may be. But they're gonna have to suck it up and like it. So, tell me about her. I gather her name is Zosia, and she's a Sulkowski too. Must mean she's fairly closely related."
"Cousin," August replies. "I thought she was her sister when I first saw her. But yeah. Seemed cheerful, polite, well-bred, fuckin' snooty, but - you know, Fang." He snorts and shakes his head. "I didn't get to talk to her that long."
"Y'ever notice how the Fangs have more kinfolk than the Fianna, but only half as many last names?" Cole gives an uncharitable snort, seemingly cranky. "But yeah, guess that'll be for a fun conversation. Probably Uncle Fuckin' Piyotr wanting to know. Waited long enough, though."
August' rolls his eyes. "I know, right?" He picks up on the Fianna's cranky mood, and cants his head sympathetically. "What's wrong, brother?"
Cole shakes his head quickly. "Bah, not much, really. Just, hearing about this new Fang coming to town's had me thinking about the past today. Combine that with teaching the cubs and all that, just feeling stressed, y'know? Could use another bar fight or somethin'."
August' sighs lightly. "You've got your share of cubs now, dontcha? Lemme know if you need help training any fat moon kids." He squats down to rest his bottom on a nearby boulder. His pursed lips show some disapproval about the bar fight, but he only mutters, "I know how you mean."
August' nods slowly. "Gareth, eh? We just got a new one ourselves. A no-moon." He frowns at Cole, trying to read his packmate. "You... sure you're okay? I can take over your patrol if you're tired!" He smiles earnestly, doing his best to be helpful.
Cole's smile grows a bit at his packmate's effort, become more sincere. "Busy times, I guess. It'll pass when I don't have what, five, six people looking for housing and not knowing what the hell they're doing. At least Ray's back. She's helping out alot, too. What's your guy called?" The offer to take over the patrol gets a thoughtful look. "I might actually ask you to do that. Haven't spent a night at home in a little bit, and Ellie and Meggy are probably gonna wonder where I got to.."
August' nods. "He's called Darius. Smart kid, I think he'll do fine." At Cole's acceptance of the offer, he nods. "Sure thing, man. But, on one condition. You take us out after this Zosia stuff gets dealt with, cuz I think I might /need/ a drink after that."
Cole laughs, and it's genuine. "You got a deal. It'll be my treat, and I won't even start a brawl this time. How about that?" He cuts a sly glance towards his packmate. "Besides, taking you out to drink is almost free. One drink, and you're leaning against the wall and slurring."
August' chuckles sheepishly. "Yep," he concedes. "I'm just a one-hit wonder." His hand goes down unconsciously to rest on the fabric his scar.
Cole shakes his head when he sees the gesture. "Maybe, but you got it for a good reason, man. Just ragging on you is all." He tugs his flask from his belt. "I'm gonna have a swig or two to protect against the cold. Care to join me?"
August' smiles. "Okay. It /is/ kinda chilly." He tugs on the flaps of his hat, gathering them around his face. "So... remember what I was tellin' you at the pool hall? About the wolf? Well, I kinda, accidentally, erm, kidnapped someone. But let them go. And it's all good now."
Cole's eyes widen for a moment at the confession, and his gaze is completely on his packmate. "Wha? C'mon man, more details than -that-!" He takes a belt of the swig, then passes the whiskey-laden container over.
August' takes a tiny swig, and passes back the flask. "So, that old wolf scent came through our territory again. I trailed it back to an old clearing, and it lead to a /bicycle/. So, I waited for the bicycle's owner to come back, and it was this kid, and he smelled like the wolf, so I figured he was Garou, like Dancer or Ronin or somethin'. So," here he looks down, "I beat him up and dragged him somewhere, and questioned him. But he didn't shift, and really the kid was scared shitless of me, and said he did research about wolves for someone named Dr. Meeko, and /then/," he he pauses, wrinkling his nose, "I found out it was his bag that smelled like wolf, and not him. So I let him go."
Cole frowns at that. "Dr. Meeko. That sounds strange. I wonder..." He takes another swig, then caps the flask and puts it back on his belt. "Okay, that's something I'll look into, see if I can find something about. Wonder if this wolf is something that came from the good doctor's handy work. A stupid, odd-smelling wolf. Y'think it could be Weaver-tainted?" There's a look of distaste on his face as he mentions it.
August' purses his lips. "Not sure. But this kid had silver on 'im, and that set off all my alarm bells. Name was Forrest Archer." He sighs. "Haven't smelled the wolf since, though, and I think that it happened... uh, Wednesday night?"
Cole nods, obviously making mental note of the name. "Okay, more stuff to check up on. Wednesday's still too close for comfort. I don't like strange wolves in our territory." He runs his hands back through his hair. "You told Blackriver about this?"
August answers with a negative grunt. "Haven't. Should." He cants his head. "Was thinking about asking the Walkers to check up on those names, also."
Cole nods emphatically, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "Yeah, makes sense. You do that, I'll see if anyone else I know might have heard of them. Can cover more ground like that, yeah?"
August nods slowly, his eyes going distant. "Yeah." He hugs his arms around his chest, and is silent a minute, before asking out of nowhere, "Do you know the Rite of Contrition?"
Cole blinks once, but then nods. "Yeah, sure," he responds cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
A slight smirk comes to August's face. "Silvertip was askin' me about it. I think he wanted me to teach it to him." Here, he surpresses a little chuckle, and his light expression slowly fades into a frown. "But, yeah, it got me thinkin'. There's things I've done... that might warrant it, had they been more recent? At my rate, I'll probably need it sometime."
Cole snorts. "You thinkin' about teachin' it to him if you did know it?" There's a slightly sharp edge to his words. There's obviously still no love lost between himself and the Wendigo. "I can teach you, sure."
August shrugs, posture becoming markedly submissive when the edge comes into Cole's voice. "If he asks me again, I won't say no. I can imagine why he wants it," the Gaian mutters. "But that's not why I'm askin' you."
Cole shakes his head quickly, obviously trying to rid himself of the fit of temper. "Sorry, man. That guy's always rubbed me the wrong way. Probably springs from the time when...no, wait, it's pretty much every damned moment of his life."
August comments very quietly, "I'm not sayin' he ain't a total dick. But he could wipe the floor with me. Like I said, if he asks me for somethin', I'ma give it to him." His posture slowly relaxes.
"Yeah, well, make sure you get a good price from him if you do," Cole responds, still grumpy. He kicks idly at a stray stone. "'s kinda funny. It's Reggie of the Uktena who taught it to me in exchange for...y'know, I can't quite recall what I taught him in exchange. It was just a bit after Jana...well, you know. I thought I needed to apologize for things, so I jumped at the chance."
August looks down, following the path of the stone as it tumbles down the rocky bank before landing in the turbulent water with a 'plunk.' "You... weren't the one who needed to apologize for things."
Cole shakes his head quickly. "Oh, no, not for that. Not for how she died. She took the point. Always had to be such a...such a Fang about thing. No, it was for missing the Gathering entirely. Reggie knew I had, so he played it out that I should probably apologize for missing it." He grunts. "Guy's smarter 'n anyone gives him credit for. Anyhow, the rite's probably worthwhile to have anyway."
August nods. "'Kay." His cheerful mood he came in with has been infected by the topics, and by Cole's own grumpiness. He hugs his arms around his chest tightly. "Well, I don't have much in return to offer you. Silence, I'd bet. Cuz you know Cleansing and Talisman Dedication, yeah?"
Cole perks at the mention of the last rite, turning his eyes on his packmate. "Actually, I don't know Dedication yet. Y'want to make that a trade?" He flashes a grin, looking up at last about something.
August raises his brow. "You don't?" He seems surprised, but does crack a small grin. "Okay, that works."
Cole shakes his head, ruefully. "Always keep meanin' to learn it. So far, I've had to have Aubrey dedicate everything I wear. Means I usually only wear the one outfit until it wears out, or something." He shrugs once more. "But no more!"
August lets out a mirthful snort. "Yeah, don't go crazy, Mr. Wardrobe. You can only dedicate as much as you have the spirit for." He lets out an amused breath and shakes his head, previous glumness almost forgotten.
Cole makes a playful (yet obscene) gesture in his friend's direction. "Oh, I know that. But at least I change change what I wear every once in a while without having to beg my local Theurge!" This truly seems to excite the Fianna.
August smirks. "Dude. Honestly? That's like the first Rite you're s'posed t'learn." He casts a mock-condescending glance at the Fianna. "Could show ya right now!" He gets up, managing not to stumble on the loose rocks of the Grotto's bottom.
Cole grunts, giving the Ahroun a playful shove as he rises. "Just show me, and can it with the editorial commentary. Punk." He sniffs as if offended, but it doesn't seem to dampen the grin.
August is able to keep his balance, and shove right back at the Fostern in turn. But he's quick to get to business, hand going into his pocket to produce a small-bladed knife. Since when did the hand-me-down kid get nice things? He flicks open the blade, and zips open his dufflebag. "Let's dedicate a sock to you. Unless you have somethin' else you'd like?"
Cole shakes his head, all signs of horseplay disappearing as he gets into student mode. "That works fine. 've seen the Fianna version of things a few times. Should be interesting to see how you Gaians do it."
August takes out a sock, a knitted wool-type thing, and it at least seems clean. "Nothin' fancy. You take some of your blood, sprinkle it on the object to be dedicated." He indicates for Cole to hold out his hand.
Cole makes a sound of mild surprise in his throat. "Huh." He extends his hand as indicated, seeming not too nervous about it at all. "Same thing for us, except we add the juice from a clover and a bit of spit too. Fire if you really want to be fancy to heat it all together."
"Yeah. Well, we Gaians could add Rowan berry juice and put fuckin' quartz crystals and prisms on top, but that's all pomp and circumstance, tryin' to appeal to the spirits." He grins. He takes Cole's hand and makes a cut no deeper than necessary, the sharp blade slicing him quickly. The Gaian wipes the blade on the sock, and gestures for Cole to hold his hand over it while he speaks a prayer.
Cole does as he's directed, wincing only momentarily as the blade slices. He turns the cut palm over the garment, eyes slipping shut as August intones the prayer. "Huh, good to know."
August nods. "You can practice that, and y'know, you've probably heard it done enough in your tribe, y'can direct it towards th' right spirits." He holds the sock out towards Cole. "'Gratulations, you have a sock."
Cole lets out a laugh at that last, slipping the sock onto his injured hand. Then he rises up into crinos, and the sock predictably expands around it. ~There. No cut, and now I've got a sock puppet.~ He shrinks back down, tugging the stained sock off his hand. "Thanks, man. I'll have to practice it, give it a shot. Y'want me to show you Contrition, now?"
August shakes his head. "Nah. You learn Talisman Dedication good first, then you can concentrate on teachin' me. 'Sides, I don't wanna spoil my good mood." At the very mention, a slight frown tugs on his features, though he shakes it off.
August also asks, of the puppet, "What's his name?"
Cole nods, flashing a lopsided smile. "Sure thing. Thanks. 'm sure once I got this down, I'll get lots of use out of it." He looks down at the puppet, contemplating for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe 'Stained'. Or 'Tide'? You gonna want this thing back, or something?"
The woods part suddenly, here, amidst the quiet roar of falling water. A wide stream spills over the edge of a rocky face that is the western edge of a hill some thirty feet high. The stones are worn smooth with the passing of time, and are slick with moisture and soft mosses, but a climb up the drier rocks would not be impossible, and there is a sense of space behind the falls.
A wide pool has been carved into the earth by the rushing waters, and the tall trees have grown out around it, sheltering the grotto in a pleasantly-cool shade. Rocks, hewn from the cliff face and shouldered along the path of the stream, form a rough ring around the edge of the pool and guide the flow of water further westwards, again deeper into the woods. All manner of animal tracks are visible in the sandier areas of shore; the trees crouch close against the edge of the stream again as it passes further west, muting the dull thunder of the falls.
Faint trails, between the trees, lead off in all directions, while a determined climb eastwards would crest the rock face.
Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (29% full).
Currently in Saint Claire, it is clear outside. The temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 3 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.13 and steady, and the relative humidity is 71 percent. The dewpoint is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
Hope-Turner comes to the edge of the grotto this cold November evening, and like always, sends out a polite howl before entering.
Cole seems to be in residence, as that familiar voice rises in answer quickly enough. "Come on in, brother. Got some news to share with you, if you haven't already heard it." Cole's standing by the shore of the pool.
Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (29% full).
Currently in Saint Claire, it is clear outside. The temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 3 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.13 and steady, and the relative humidity is 71 percent. The dewpoint is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
The Gaian trots on in, and makes his away around the pool to where Cole is standing. He seems in relatively high spirits, judging by his posture and gait. Hope-Turner has news also. You first!
Cole turns to face Hope-Turner, smiling faintly at his packmate's mood. "One of Jana's relatives is coming to town. I got a call from some arrogant prick of a kinfolk about it." The Galliard shrugs. "Wants to know about her death."
Hope-Turner chuffs impatiently as Cole speaks. She's here! Hope-Turner met her! He shifts up to homid, before continuing. "S'creepy, she looks almost just like her. Seems a lot... cheerier though. I told her some stuff and told her to talk to you, cuz she had questions about how," and here his mood dampens somewhat, "Jana's body was recovered."
Cole clears his throat, looking away and at the ground. "Fuck," he intones with real feeling. "Just what I want. We never did get her, Auggie. By the time we were able to get the war party formed, she was completely gone, man." It looks as if this fact bothers him more than a little.
August' frowns. "Ah, shit, I didn't realize." He tenses, then shrugs a shoulder, releasing it. In a quieter tone, he says, "No matter. You and I know she went right home to Gaia, she found her way. S'just... maybe gonna be hard to explain to family."
Cole sucks a breath and nods. "Yeah, it may be. But they're gonna have to suck it up and like it. So, tell me about her. I gather her name is Zosia, and she's a Sulkowski too. Must mean she's fairly closely related."
"Cousin," August replies. "I thought she was her sister when I first saw her. But yeah. Seemed cheerful, polite, well-bred, fuckin' snooty, but - you know, Fang." He snorts and shakes his head. "I didn't get to talk to her that long."
"Y'ever notice how the Fangs have more kinfolk than the Fianna, but only half as many last names?" Cole gives an uncharitable snort, seemingly cranky. "But yeah, guess that'll be for a fun conversation. Probably Uncle Fuckin' Piyotr wanting to know. Waited long enough, though."
August' rolls his eyes. "I know, right?" He picks up on the Fianna's cranky mood, and cants his head sympathetically. "What's wrong, brother?"
Cole shakes his head quickly. "Bah, not much, really. Just, hearing about this new Fang coming to town's had me thinking about the past today. Combine that with teaching the cubs and all that, just feeling stressed, y'know? Could use another bar fight or somethin'."
August' sighs lightly. "You've got your share of cubs now, dontcha? Lemme know if you need help training any fat moon kids." He squats down to rest his bottom on a nearby boulder. His pursed lips show some disapproval about the bar fight, but he only mutters, "I know how you mean."
August' nods slowly. "Gareth, eh? We just got a new one ourselves. A no-moon." He frowns at Cole, trying to read his packmate. "You... sure you're okay? I can take over your patrol if you're tired!" He smiles earnestly, doing his best to be helpful.
Cole's smile grows a bit at his packmate's effort, become more sincere. "Busy times, I guess. It'll pass when I don't have what, five, six people looking for housing and not knowing what the hell they're doing. At least Ray's back. She's helping out alot, too. What's your guy called?" The offer to take over the patrol gets a thoughtful look. "I might actually ask you to do that. Haven't spent a night at home in a little bit, and Ellie and Meggy are probably gonna wonder where I got to.."
August' nods. "He's called Darius. Smart kid, I think he'll do fine." At Cole's acceptance of the offer, he nods. "Sure thing, man. But, on one condition. You take us out after this Zosia stuff gets dealt with, cuz I think I might /need/ a drink after that."
Cole laughs, and it's genuine. "You got a deal. It'll be my treat, and I won't even start a brawl this time. How about that?" He cuts a sly glance towards his packmate. "Besides, taking you out to drink is almost free. One drink, and you're leaning against the wall and slurring."
August' chuckles sheepishly. "Yep," he concedes. "I'm just a one-hit wonder." His hand goes down unconsciously to rest on the fabric his scar.
Cole shakes his head when he sees the gesture. "Maybe, but you got it for a good reason, man. Just ragging on you is all." He tugs his flask from his belt. "I'm gonna have a swig or two to protect against the cold. Care to join me?"
August' smiles. "Okay. It /is/ kinda chilly." He tugs on the flaps of his hat, gathering them around his face. "So... remember what I was tellin' you at the pool hall? About the wolf? Well, I kinda, accidentally, erm, kidnapped someone. But let them go. And it's all good now."
Cole's eyes widen for a moment at the confession, and his gaze is completely on his packmate. "Wha? C'mon man, more details than -that-!" He takes a belt of the swig, then passes the whiskey-laden container over.
August' takes a tiny swig, and passes back the flask. "So, that old wolf scent came through our territory again. I trailed it back to an old clearing, and it lead to a /bicycle/. So, I waited for the bicycle's owner to come back, and it was this kid, and he smelled like the wolf, so I figured he was Garou, like Dancer or Ronin or somethin'. So," here he looks down, "I beat him up and dragged him somewhere, and questioned him. But he didn't shift, and really the kid was scared shitless of me, and said he did research about wolves for someone named Dr. Meeko, and /then/," he he pauses, wrinkling his nose, "I found out it was his bag that smelled like wolf, and not him. So I let him go."
Cole frowns at that. "Dr. Meeko. That sounds strange. I wonder..." He takes another swig, then caps the flask and puts it back on his belt. "Okay, that's something I'll look into, see if I can find something about. Wonder if this wolf is something that came from the good doctor's handy work. A stupid, odd-smelling wolf. Y'think it could be Weaver-tainted?" There's a look of distaste on his face as he mentions it.
August' purses his lips. "Not sure. But this kid had silver on 'im, and that set off all my alarm bells. Name was Forrest Archer." He sighs. "Haven't smelled the wolf since, though, and I think that it happened... uh, Wednesday night?"
Cole nods, obviously making mental note of the name. "Okay, more stuff to check up on. Wednesday's still too close for comfort. I don't like strange wolves in our territory." He runs his hands back through his hair. "You told Blackriver about this?"
August answers with a negative grunt. "Haven't. Should." He cants his head. "Was thinking about asking the Walkers to check up on those names, also."
Cole nods emphatically, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "Yeah, makes sense. You do that, I'll see if anyone else I know might have heard of them. Can cover more ground like that, yeah?"
August nods slowly, his eyes going distant. "Yeah." He hugs his arms around his chest, and is silent a minute, before asking out of nowhere, "Do you know the Rite of Contrition?"
Cole blinks once, but then nods. "Yeah, sure," he responds cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
A slight smirk comes to August's face. "Silvertip was askin' me about it. I think he wanted me to teach it to him." Here, he surpresses a little chuckle, and his light expression slowly fades into a frown. "But, yeah, it got me thinkin'. There's things I've done... that might warrant it, had they been more recent? At my rate, I'll probably need it sometime."
Cole snorts. "You thinkin' about teachin' it to him if you did know it?" There's a slightly sharp edge to his words. There's obviously still no love lost between himself and the Wendigo. "I can teach you, sure."
August shrugs, posture becoming markedly submissive when the edge comes into Cole's voice. "If he asks me again, I won't say no. I can imagine why he wants it," the Gaian mutters. "But that's not why I'm askin' you."
Cole shakes his head quickly, obviously trying to rid himself of the fit of temper. "Sorry, man. That guy's always rubbed me the wrong way. Probably springs from the time when...no, wait, it's pretty much every damned moment of his life."
August comments very quietly, "I'm not sayin' he ain't a total dick. But he could wipe the floor with me. Like I said, if he asks me for somethin', I'ma give it to him." His posture slowly relaxes.
"Yeah, well, make sure you get a good price from him if you do," Cole responds, still grumpy. He kicks idly at a stray stone. "'s kinda funny. It's Reggie of the Uktena who taught it to me in exchange for...y'know, I can't quite recall what I taught him in exchange. It was just a bit after Jana...well, you know. I thought I needed to apologize for things, so I jumped at the chance."
August looks down, following the path of the stone as it tumbles down the rocky bank before landing in the turbulent water with a 'plunk.' "You... weren't the one who needed to apologize for things."
Cole shakes his head quickly. "Oh, no, not for that. Not for how she died. She took the point. Always had to be such a...such a Fang about thing. No, it was for missing the Gathering entirely. Reggie knew I had, so he played it out that I should probably apologize for missing it." He grunts. "Guy's smarter 'n anyone gives him credit for. Anyhow, the rite's probably worthwhile to have anyway."
August nods. "'Kay." His cheerful mood he came in with has been infected by the topics, and by Cole's own grumpiness. He hugs his arms around his chest tightly. "Well, I don't have much in return to offer you. Silence, I'd bet. Cuz you know Cleansing and Talisman Dedication, yeah?"
Cole perks at the mention of the last rite, turning his eyes on his packmate. "Actually, I don't know Dedication yet. Y'want to make that a trade?" He flashes a grin, looking up at last about something.
August raises his brow. "You don't?" He seems surprised, but does crack a small grin. "Okay, that works."
Cole shakes his head, ruefully. "Always keep meanin' to learn it. So far, I've had to have Aubrey dedicate everything I wear. Means I usually only wear the one outfit until it wears out, or something." He shrugs once more. "But no more!"
August lets out a mirthful snort. "Yeah, don't go crazy, Mr. Wardrobe. You can only dedicate as much as you have the spirit for." He lets out an amused breath and shakes his head, previous glumness almost forgotten.
Cole makes a playful (yet obscene) gesture in his friend's direction. "Oh, I know that. But at least I change change what I wear every once in a while without having to beg my local Theurge!" This truly seems to excite the Fianna.
August smirks. "Dude. Honestly? That's like the first Rite you're s'posed t'learn." He casts a mock-condescending glance at the Fianna. "Could show ya right now!" He gets up, managing not to stumble on the loose rocks of the Grotto's bottom.
Cole grunts, giving the Ahroun a playful shove as he rises. "Just show me, and can it with the editorial commentary. Punk." He sniffs as if offended, but it doesn't seem to dampen the grin.
August is able to keep his balance, and shove right back at the Fostern in turn. But he's quick to get to business, hand going into his pocket to produce a small-bladed knife. Since when did the hand-me-down kid get nice things? He flicks open the blade, and zips open his dufflebag. "Let's dedicate a sock to you. Unless you have somethin' else you'd like?"
Cole shakes his head, all signs of horseplay disappearing as he gets into student mode. "That works fine. 've seen the Fianna version of things a few times. Should be interesting to see how you Gaians do it."
August takes out a sock, a knitted wool-type thing, and it at least seems clean. "Nothin' fancy. You take some of your blood, sprinkle it on the object to be dedicated." He indicates for Cole to hold out his hand.
Cole makes a sound of mild surprise in his throat. "Huh." He extends his hand as indicated, seeming not too nervous about it at all. "Same thing for us, except we add the juice from a clover and a bit of spit too. Fire if you really want to be fancy to heat it all together."
"Yeah. Well, we Gaians could add Rowan berry juice and put fuckin' quartz crystals and prisms on top, but that's all pomp and circumstance, tryin' to appeal to the spirits." He grins. He takes Cole's hand and makes a cut no deeper than necessary, the sharp blade slicing him quickly. The Gaian wipes the blade on the sock, and gestures for Cole to hold his hand over it while he speaks a prayer.
Cole does as he's directed, wincing only momentarily as the blade slices. He turns the cut palm over the garment, eyes slipping shut as August intones the prayer. "Huh, good to know."
August nods. "You can practice that, and y'know, you've probably heard it done enough in your tribe, y'can direct it towards th' right spirits." He holds the sock out towards Cole. "'Gratulations, you have a sock."
Cole lets out a laugh at that last, slipping the sock onto his injured hand. Then he rises up into crinos, and the sock predictably expands around it. ~There. No cut, and now I've got a sock puppet.~ He shrinks back down, tugging the stained sock off his hand. "Thanks, man. I'll have to practice it, give it a shot. Y'want me to show you Contrition, now?"
August shakes his head. "Nah. You learn Talisman Dedication good first, then you can concentrate on teachin' me. 'Sides, I don't wanna spoil my good mood." At the very mention, a slight frown tugs on his features, though he shakes it off.
August also asks, of the puppet, "What's his name?"
Cole nods, flashing a lopsided smile. "Sure thing. Thanks. 'm sure once I got this down, I'll get lots of use out of it." He looks down at the puppet, contemplating for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe 'Stained'. Or 'Tide'? You gonna want this thing back, or something?"