As darkness falls, the kindred and their vassals have arrived. Storm clouds gather, the wind picks up an intense chill unusual for NOLA at any time of year, and lightning streaks across the sky. Despite week long efforts of planning an preparation, are they ready to face the Garou onslaught? Can they truly stand against the Nation? And who is this girl walking towards the defenders in what will soon be the middle of a bloody war zone?
[ST Jose] -SCENE- Above in the sky, cloud cover begins to roll in, it's gradual at first and eventually it grows dark and cold, perhaps unnaturally cold for New Orleans in November. The wind begins to pick up and while it isn't anything terrible it definitely carries a chill on it. Enough you may have wished you had a coat, because lets face it, no one here is prepared for cold weather in the middle of frickin NOLA! A peal of thunder rings out followed by a long staccato flash of lightning in the distance and fading out in a deep rumble as the clouds begin to black and grow, clearly rolling in from the coast, though for now there is no rain, just a bit of a chill.
[ST Jose] * Ujio arrives on the terrain in his armored vehicle and parks it nearby to Daniel and the ritual spot, clearly outside of the defensive circles but in that general area and from it step several men and a couple women many of them seem heavily armored and armed, and when I say heavily armored I mean they are all wearing what appears to be the following (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BihY14RIgAAWttf.jpg) they all fan out around the vehicle and take up positions and from the back of the vehicle is a turret that is set up, looking like a mounted gun of some kind. Ujio himself is clad in the combat clothing people have seen him in for quite some time now. While he has no weapons in his hands at the moment he has never appeared helpless and there is that countenance about him, one seldom seen. While he is always the picture of a sedate lion looking over his territory, he now seems to exude a sort of reserved, deadly calm, much like one might encounter at the eye of the storm, right before one is torn apart or the feeling one might have when they are being stalked by the lion in tall grass.
[ST Thea] -SCENE- As if on cue, five shadows would meld out of the darkness to flank Ujio on either side.. each one a massive, black fox with two tails and a third eye... they sat down in unison the perfect picture of control. Swish, swish.. went the tails as the rain pelted down upon their jet black fur and soaked them to the bone but they seemed not to care Waiting for some sort of signal before they moved.
[ST Thea] *Out Lily Stepped wearing sleek autumn colored armor crafted for her body even in it's current state. Appearing if one were to look closely like dragon scales, Bronzes and burn red, melted into golds..... she carried in her hand a three foot long staff covered in etched runes and took her place beside Ujio. The armor make not be what he wanted her to ware but by the looks of it, it was fae designed and more comfortable... in the other hand she hefted up the riot helmet he seemed so intent for her to ware and with a long suffering sigh slide it into her head and clipped the fashionable new item into place.
[ST Thea] * From behind Lily came Allen Greensworth... now formally called Jordan Pale...He was dressed similarly to Ujio in battle armor. Altho he sported an extra set of guns in their holsters and what looked like a sliver of metal latched to his arm. at his back the Gladius hilt peeked just over his shoulder. Different then the one he used before... this one let forth a wispy vapor that rolled down his back.
[ST Thea] *Behind Ujio's Car came the others,.. several armored vans out from which various vampires stepped. Raven in his war form unfurled from one. Standing 7 feet tall, with a long tail set with a stinger, an extra set of hands for grasping... and his Tscimisce rapier...behind him various creatures tumbling, crawled and rolled.. all differently shaped flesh creatures that resembled jungle plants and flowers... some large enough to swallow a garou whole to digest at it's leisure. He directed them toward the first ring of white vines gleaming with it's heavy coat of protective products and rain.
[ST Thea] *Lawrence stepped next with Cero, Robert falls and his ghouls.. and so on and so forth the Vampires came to share in the duty at hand.
* Maggie is nowhere to be seen, the tiny Gangrel apparently fled the fight!?
<RandiDavison> * For that matter, WTF is Randi doing? She can't be seen either!
<RandiDavison> * And.. crap, neither can the damn Corax. Sneaky bitches.
* Kiara was less than pleased about the weather but she would probably forget it in a moment given what trouble they would all be in. She looked over to Peyton, as if to check on her friend one last time...her eyes searching for Eddum as well before keying in on a few other people. Jordan was noted but it was the sight of Lawrence and Cero that caused her to smile now. Finally she looked over her little group here in the North and gave Gabriel one last wink before she moved in to position with her rifle and the wires that were at the ready, each pair marked with a designation so she knew which was which.
* Gabriel had taken his Crinos form, the Silver Fang's snow white fur speaking of his lineage and descendence from the First Wolf. Calling upon the strength of his ancestors and the blessings of Luna, the Ahroun had sheathed himself in the protection of the moon, the silver light having coalesced around him before fading to normal, any indication that he had invoked Luna's favor now gone from him. His claws raked across a stone in the ground, Gabriel sharpening them to have even deadlier effect than they already possessed upon their own. With his preparations made, he dug in, taking a position from which he could not be easily seen by his opponents, waiting for the first of their opponents to wade into the Northern sector. His charges had their orders, they knew their duties, and now, all that could happen now was to wait, defend the line, and take as many enemies out as he could.
* ::Silas arrived in his car with Jacob at his side; the Nosferatu was wearing a kevlar vest, a machete strapped to his back, and a pair of axes with chains at the handles. His expression was unusually solemn as he parks and steps out of the car, waiting for Jacob to get out::
* Raj Dutta arrived and parked his car far far away from the war zone. He doesnt want anything to happen to his precious. He is wearing a simple round neck t-shit, jeans, a light black cotton jacket and running shoes. He took the time to feed before coming for what might be his last meal
* Makayla gave a brief scan of the fae lines, looking for one particular face, but then returned to her quiet careful breathing, waiting for her own skills to be needed. She looked behind her to Daniel, sending up a silent prayer for his safety before once again turning her eyes to scan the crowd, waiting for hell to descend on them.
* Toby was there, but not on the front lines. She kept with the healers, her glamourous fruit and charms at the ready. Tally ho!*
* Peyton shot a wink and a grin towards Kiara when she caught her looking this way as she settled herself into her appointed position, she scanned the crowd curiously, noting a few faces here and there, but otherwise entirely focused on the task at hand.
* Raven would swoop down upon Ujios arrival, careful not to get too close to the hungry looking monstrosities. She didn't know if he needed to see her to form a contact with her mind, but she'd pause just long enough to bow and make eye contact before she was in the air again to scan for hidden infiltrators with her gift of enemy ways and her keen eyesite. Trusting Elder Tanaka to keep her mind in his as she activated her Talen for nightshade.
* Ryker was in his position with his riffle that was loaded with hallow point rounds. He was shifted into his warform as he waited for Kode and Kaelyn to join him. Once they did he would actiate his own Talen for nightshade and blend into the night without a word. But not before they both knew that he was there.
* Jacob had arrived with Silas and was wearing... well slacks and a sweater vest. He did have a small pistol with him, but he was a librarian. He'd give Silas a fond look, "I'll be as safe as I can be, I promise." If there is a spare vest, he will put one on before going to take his position near the central area. He was of a mind to stay low and safe.
* Ishkode was at the end of the vampire train of cars, though his car was just his normal get back and forth to work sedan. It served the purpose for travel and he stepped out to join the assembled defenses. Being one of the commanders, he managed to secure himself a Kevlar vest which he wore over his usual leather jacket matched with jblack jeans. He played an important role tonight after all. Kaelyn and Sandra likely arrived with him, but they knew their jobs tonight.
* Talyn arrived with Ujio, though with all those gathered around it was hard to say which car he stepped out of. He was dressed in something that looked like mottled charcoal/grey combats with his kevlar vest. Though he had his pistols holstered in sight, he also wore a set of samurai swords and carried a sniper rifle.
* Kegarri, was no where to be seen at the moment, but he had slunk off to take care of one last detail before the battle began.
* Matthew growls, the man shifting into his warform, clothing and kevlar shifting to accomodate his form. Matt is certainly a canid in this form, almost the height of a garou albeit much less bulky, his form long and wiry although that doesn't keep his rifle from looking comically small in his now massive hands, the trigger guard having been pre-emptively removed to accomdate this. He falls into position maybe fifteen feet down from Kiara. He takes a moment to scan the inner rings for Sandra but otherwise looks out into the darkened fields, glad for the moonlight to allow at least some sight. He loads a red taped magazine of hollow point ammunition into his rifle, pulling back the cocking lever to load the first round with some difficulty because of it's small size.
* Kaelyn arrived at Kode's side, dressed simply in her best fitting jeans and t-shirt for ease of movement, a kevlar vest over that. She gave Ryker a little smile before he vanished but the normally jovial ghoul was currently all business.
* Raj Dutta sees Gabriel and gives him a nod as he takes up his position. He also sees the Prince at a distance. He concentrates and shifts some blood to improve his fighting capabilities, soon his visage turns monstrous as he slowly shifts into what seems like a human sized wolf like creature..something between a crinos and a lupus. His fingers extend into 5" black claws and his eyes glow red as he attains nightvision.
* ::Isabelle stood ready with the healers, though her attention was currently focused on connecting telepathic links to about half of those gathered. Each person would receive a brief greeting:: <This is Isabelle Temple speaking - in the interest of speedy communication, if any of you should need news passed quickly to the leading Generals, focus your thoughts and news on me, and I will pick up on and convey them directly to the other leadership>
[ST Jose] -SCENE- With the storm, the sun, though it was setting and likely should be a problem for the vampires, simply wasn't. The red of the skies was being quickly blotted by the thick cloud cover and the storm was intensifying, while the rain was getting harder it still wasn't a huge problem but it was definitely getting colder and the storm was uncharactericly unseasonal. Every last person present can feel the overwhelming feeling of despair, it isn't going to do anything negative at this point, but it is a sensation of loss and agony, every person present can understand what they've lost before, a parent, loved one, child, your dog, what have you. Again, it is not overwhelming but it is incredibly present. Last but not least there is an real presence of shadows, you all have them, that is for sure, but it's like your shadows are all staring back at you.
* Makayla steadied her breathing, concentrating on that slow in and out that would at least keep her heart rate even and did her best to ignore that feeling. She had spent half her life feeling menaced by someone who was constantly looking over her shoulder, she would not let this shake her when her friends and family were in danger.
* Toby shivers, getting hunkered down against the wind. Maggie and Randi, and that damn bird Chatter still can't be seen*
* Nishadzak, Isabelle's shadow, was watching her. In fact she was standing behind her, looking at the mass of defenders gathered for this day.
* ::Sandra had indeed arrived with Kode and Kaelyn, dressed in a kevlar vest underneath an all black outfit - she felt like a character from a silly spy movie in it, but bright colors made for more obvious targets. She has a gun holstered at her side, and she sends Matt a smile briefly before following with Kaelyn::
* Peyton grumbled to herself, all trace of humour long gone now as she stuck on her business face and "oh fuck you." she muttered to the shadows and the feeling of despair and being watched, she'd been dealing with that sensation for the last few weeks and was not surrised to feel it trying to overwhelm her again.
*Faira took an involuntary step toward her sister, feeling a little colder somehow, despite the layers she was wearing, a kevlar vest worn over the topmost layer.
* Kaelyn glowered a little at that sensation, sticking to the plan as it had been outlined to her and taking up her appointed position. She scanned the area, looking for the possible source or any body or any thing trying to hide from sight, hoping her own keen eyees might see what others could not while trying not to shiver.
* Raven is silent in the night sky, trusting her skills and oiled feathers to keep her in the air. She will try to push back that feeling of loss to focus on her need to sight enemies and keep her friends safe.
* Ryker bites down with a growl. He will focus on his need to protect Kaelyn and Kode and he begins to stalk the shadows.HE lets his mind focus into an almost medatative state that he'd assume when training. His fur will keep him mostly warm. That plush northern Canadian Lynx fur a nice cozy little coat.
* Jacob is not a particulatly brave man, but Silas has given him a reason to try. He will do his best to keep his calm and draw on the fond memeories Silas has given him to do that. He will focus on the task at hand for now. Taking his place and trying to prepare.
* Matthew shrugs off the rain, revealing a maw of gleaming sharp teeth to Sandra, basically the best he can do right now really. He is rather glad he brought a jacket today, the cold likely having soaked to the bone if his fur was saturated with the rain water. Tearing his eyes from Sandra he looks back across the fields, long fingers wrapped entirely around the muzzle of his gun, squeezing down hard in anticipation
* Gabriel felt the pulse and calling of Harano moreso than the others present, due to his parentage. It was a weakness of his tribe that many did not know of, or if they did, they kept it to themselves. He reflected on what he had lost, on who he had left behind, and those that lie in a foreign land, buried beneath the sands, never to return home from the battlefield. The storm could continue to grow, for Gabriel had a weapon of his own to help direct the storm where it needed to go. Reaching back, as if to ensure it was still there, Gabriel softly touches Daniel's lightning staff, feeling the grooves and furrows in the wood that the glyphs and sigils made. Still, he waited with anticipation in the darkness, watching vigilantly, waiting for the first Garou to cross their lines, which would be the signal to unleash hell.
* ::Isabelle kept connecting her own share of the minds, and the pressure of it was keenly felt in the form of a building headache. Still, it was necessary. She suppressed a shiver, looking to Nisha who had chosen to step out of her shadow:: "What do you feel, Nisha?"
* Kiara shudders a little at the feeling settling in to her and figures it is nothing more than the normal sensation of dread that fits a setting like this but she has put aside the rifle for now and is watching the distance to pick out any forms there in case these little bombs will come to come use.
* Aiyana shifts in to her form of a large cougar, the end of her tail slowly lashing back and forth as she waits.
* Mercy is with Raven in Silas' group and settles down with the rifle to make ready for the fight...the feeling of loss and agony tries to settle in her but she mostly ignores it for the time. It is a familiar sensation that isn't worth nothing as far as she is concerned.
<Isabelle> ::Once she was done with her task, Isabelle reached out ot Ujio and waited for him to solidify a shared channel between them::
* Raj Dutta is simply walking around, his nerves are frosty
* ::Sandra settled down next to Kaelyn, not able to suppress a shiver herself. She felt horrible::
* Talyn felt the cold, but he suppressed any shiver denying the weakness of being alive. Loss? He knew loss. It was a weakness of humanity. Tonight he had a duty to fulfill, and duty came before personal feelings. The sensation of being watched just put him on edge.
* Ishkode felt the loss deeper, and the sense of being watched made him more on edge as his senses were tuned (though not heightened) for danger. Rain and cold were not much of a concern.
* Kegarri hated the cold, but he ran through the darkness as silent as a shadow himself. The black pelted panther didn't mind the rain, but his ears were pulled back flat on his head as he raced to join back up with the main force. Feeling uneasy, he'd trust in the gift of Enemy Ways to navigate safely.
* Nishadzak pulled her arms up as if in defense against the cold. She might not feel it, but it was in a shadow's nature to mimic the actions of those who cast it....and something told her Isabelle wanted to do just this. "Uneasy...." she hissed quietly.
[ST Thea] -SCENE- Night came crashing down.. . it had been dark when the storm rolled in but now as Helios disappeared below the horizon to give way to the Mother moon hidden behind the blanket of clouds it was nearly pitch black. The usual warm climate given away to a chill that came across the seas with the wind.... Enough to suck the marrow from the thickest of bones. The Fae all hunkered down in the various areas. altho some fidgeted with their nervousness. New to the battle field, or just new to this sort of life, while Gaia's children sat at the ready muscles bunched and senses open knowing that the enemy could come from any where.
[ST Thea] *Lily leaned against the White Wall of Vines and closed her eyes as she opened her senses to the area... listening.. waiting like an reed in the wind she bent with the moods but did not crumple... she stood over the healers.. prepared as the last line of defense after the enemy at the wound a safe harbor.
[ST Thea] *Eddum had disappeared into a shadow and sat waiting to spring like the predator he was.
[ST Thea] *Jordan stood near Ujio and reached up to pull the Gladius from it's sheath and it came with an ear piercing Shriek.. a wailing of the souls that were trapped with in the blade that looked like a polished mirror... weeping misty tears from the many eyes that peered out from the blade dribbling terror onto the ground. He snapped the other hand out and the Glade's mate unwhirled into the form of a shield on his arm before he let out a deep exhale. "I do so love a good slaughter." the ventrue murmured...
[ST Thea] * The Ritual began... not with a murmur, or a whisper.. but with a roar of fire as the two men that had knelt in meditation near the center of all this maelstorm began to move. Sliding into the elegant form of some sort of dance....up their lean muscular bodies slide grasping onto the chains that had sat at their feet below. Down their arms arched and the metal balls at the ends of the chains connected with the the plates set on the ground bursting into flame.. The elements back to sing for their art.. The Deep drum of the earth was met with the rushing whisper of the wind, the background taps of the rain and the singing crackle of the Fire as the balls connected with the basins of accelerate that lined the inner circle in which they stood. Each man possessing of a grace not human, and slide from one form to the next in time with Gaia's music. Daniel's voice raising in the dragons tongue to call to the mother.
[ST Jose] * With the beginning of the ritual there was a swirling feeling of power and it overcame everyone, it was, if only for a brief moment, enough to encourage and bolster everyone, even the kindred, with a sense of home, belonging, and purpose. It builds and almost seems to overwhelm you and you can feel a piece of yourselves being pulled into Daniel. Not of his own volition, but at the same time not unwelcome either. Each one of you, for better or worse that are present immediately gains a tear shaped brand just on the inside of your collarbone against your necks. It hurts and you feel the warm trickle of blood, even the kindred feel this sensation and the burning is perhaps frightening but it passes and again there is that sense of comfort and welcome, but then it is gone and you are all in the cold once more. -- The cold is made all the more intense from your brief respite in that warm feeling of home and hearth almost bone chillingly so. For those who breath you can now see your breath begin to fog up in front of you.
[ST Jose] * Ujio stepped forward and seemed unphased by the rain and he turned his head to look to Lily briefly it is one of those rare moments when he shares eye contact with someone and for a moment in the darkness of the cloud cover a flash of lightning might have fooled the eyes into thinking they might have seen a moment of softness in that stony gaze of the vampire elders gaze, but then it is gone and he gives a slight motion with his hand. The five foxes rush forward to join him and all six of them seem to fade away from view, those who are keeping their eyes on Ujio will be able to still see him until he moves like a whip crack out from the lines to cover ground and then is gone from sight, though his link with Isabelle is established and then as promised the link is cemented with each of the commanders and each of the sub-commanders assigned. The eyes in the sky are linked in and so a psychic web is created to funnel information back and forth to maintain logistics and the lines of communication, each commander hooked into the psychic web will be able to see at their desire the status of the others and what they can see, but for those not used to such things, for the first few minutes it will be exceptionally disorienting.
[ST Jose] * Erik made his arrival as promised and was setting up a weird little lean to and fussing over the fact that he was not prepared for a storm and removed his jacket to wrap up his books and supplies, leaving himself to be pelted by the rain and pushing his glasses up as he worked on the little tent so he could set up his junk and needed materials to work on his own brand of ritual that he'd been harassed into making, such terrible people forcing him to do work and things rather than study and research!
[ST Jose] * Mike was there kind of in the background, he had no part to play as he would not pick up a gun but he'd do what needed to be done for posterity, the thing that he could do the best for everyone involved. He would chronicle their battle so that no one could ever say they forgot and he moved about quietly, taking various photographs and recording audio from people or lending a hand with medical if needed.
* Makayla gave a little gasp at the feeling of the brand burning into her skin, a hand raising to touch it gently, but that sense of home, however brief, only added to what little courage she had. This *was* her home, and she would give her all to protect it and the people who would dwell there.
* Peyton winced at that feeling, but otherwise did nothing about it, she simply continued scanning the area, keeping a close eye out for trouble as she quietly grumbled to herself.
<RandiDavison> (Once again, only Toby can be seen, ready to lend her meager assistance. The others can be felt in the Web, perhaps, but are otherwise silent and invisible.)
* Talyn moved to take up position guarding the main camp, protecting the healers and the ritual itself. This was hardly a place of safety, but one hoped it would be further from the front lines. And so he found a place with a measure of cover and set up the rifle by the 'doorway' of Lily's vine covered protection. One of the healing support (npcs) who would not be busy at the immediate start of the battle, he asked to spot for him and warn him of anyone too close while he focused on picking off targets at a distance.
* Kegarri finally returned, and would race past Gabriel so the Garou knew he was back. Garri was mobile support and fell back to the 2nd line between north and the east so he could move to where he was needed. When in position, he shifted to his crinos form and crouched down, amber eyes glowing softly even in the lack of lighting. With the gift of Cat Sight, darkness gave him no trouble.
* Ishkode took a moment to adjust to the link. This kind of sensation was completely new to him, but the added knowledge it gave him would be invaluable to hold the defenses. He stepped before those in his quarter and offered a few words of inspiration. "We make a stand here. For our families. For our people. For our homes. And jsust as importantly, for ourselves. Those who stand beside you now are your brothers and sisters in this battle. Trust in them and their strengths as they will trust in you. Together we will fight back those who want to take everything from us. Together, we will show them what a people united can truly achieve." Then he too, took up position to lead his quarter.
* Raj Dutta growled a little at the brand burning through his skin. He rubbed his fingers on his collarbone the proceeded to patrol his area. keeping to the as much shadow as possible.
* Kaelyn was peering about cautiously, looking for the first signs of danger from both the obvious and less obvious means. She did not want anyone caught unawares if she could help it. She readied herself for the trouble she knew was coming as the ritual began, ignoring the pain of the brand for now as she steadied her hands and and tried not to let the chill over take her.
* Raven hadn't expected pain and her wings faltered for a moment as he dropped a few feet before she recovered and regained altitude. She coudn't spare a look to investigate the cause of the pain, but she hoped it was nothign serious and was then comforted by those warm feelings. This -was- her home and she would protect it. As the warmth faded and the chill set in, Raven was once again rocked in her flight and dropped from the air for a second time as he mind reeled with the sudden connection. The large bird gasping and dropping about 15 feet before she could recover. Then she was in flight again and refocesed on her task.
* Ryker, for the most part, was unphased by the branding, though he took that sublime feeling of home into his heart to cling to it when when despair returned. He hefted his riffle and waited now. They would come and he would be ready as she was cloaked in silence.
* Jacob nearly jumped out of his skin at the Wailing and turns to look at Jasin with wide eyes. Then he spots that sword, now that was fascinating! Terrifying, but fascinating... Perhaps if the chap was less bloodthirsty, Jacob would be interested in seeing the sword later, but for now... the noise and comment from the Elder was... thematically appropriate. As much as Jacob wanted to dart away in reflexive fear at the monsters he was with... they are our monsters and Jacob is relying on them to defend the realm from the other monsters that want them dead.His attention is drawn to the ritual and he loses his fear for a moment in silent wonder. The wonder of a scholar that is seeing something rare and arcane. He'd have to drag his eyes away though. He was not an observer in this and even his most minor contribution was needed.The brand elicited a gasp as Jacob clutched at his shoulder in surprised pain, but once it faded he was left to his work.
* ::Silas had proceeded to his own position, calling out to those that had been assigned to him; Raven the Tzimisce, his Constructs and Mercy, several of Jordan's Ghouls, a Fae and Kinain, one of Ryker's Kin, Cly and Peyton. His brow furrowed a little at the initial cold and feeling of loss, then looked astonished as the brief warmth arrived ... when it was taken away, it made the cold so much worse. He prepared himself with the hand-axes, steeling his mind against their seductive lure::
* Gabriel reaches up to feel the tear shaped brand burrow itself into his skin, beneath his fur. Seeing the crimson on his fingers, the Ahroun is confused, but as there seemed to be no detrimental effect further than the warmth and the moment of pain, the Garou simply chalks it up to the ritual. He was unfortunately unfamiliar with the true spiritual side of life, something that he would have to work on if he survived the evening. Gabriel had experienced the Mindspeech of a Galliard, and the link of a pack bound by a totem, but the current information web was more than either of those two previous experiences. He takes a moment to let it normalize, to allow himself to become oriented, lifting the lightning staff above his head to slip the leather strap off of his back. Before the enemy came within physical ambush range, he intended to soften them up with the storm that he suspected the opponent Garou had conjured. The chill of the storm pointed to a Wendigo ritual or rite, though it could also have been a Shadow Lord gift.
* ::Isabelle rubbed her forehead lightly as she learned to cope with the headache - she had never been so acutely aware of so many people before; thankfully her Magick enhanced her mind so it did not overwhelm her. She sighed softly at the warmth, and her expression looked briefly almost pained as it was replaced by even more chill::
* ::Fayad was waiting at his own position, as was Sandra!::
* Matthew will start pacing at as the warmth fades, plunging him back into the grim reality, walking back and forth along a fifteen foot stretch of the defenses, the nuwisha definitely not meant for these sorts of situations, although then again, who /is/ other than the garou? Nonetheless he goes through the reasons for why he fights, bolstering his determination to let no one past the second line. He stops as the mark burns into his hand, examining it only briefly before continuing his pacing to stave off the omnipresent anxiety of waiting for the hypothetical lightning that comes with the storm.
* Kiara did find herself momentarily bolstered, if a little pained by the mark and let out a long breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, her breath plumed out in front of her as she tried to watch through it...trying to keep her attention on Gabriel as well as Matthew and the others with her but also giving the rest of her attention to the distance, hoping to spot something that would give her an indication where to find trouble.
* Ji Hyo bowed to Kode and would do her duty to the best of her ability even if some in her own group might dislike her. Their dislike was not her concern, their survival was. Mercy and Aiyana both felt the touch of that mark as well.
* Faira remains where she is, watching silently and placing a hand on her sister's shoulder as a sign of solidarity.
[ST Thea] -SCENE- There was the brief pain.... and then.. there was something else. While the others might be confused or taking this moment with grim determination the Fae cried out in a sound of joy against the penetrating sorrow that was trying to eat everyone alive. THEY understood what it meant to be with out a home.. lost... and now to find one. To find a place that wanted them.... there was no greater feeling. Now they buzzed with in their places awaiting the enemy. Hummed with the bubbling emotions of the Fae folk that burned brighter then any candle. Voices rose to join in as chorus to the song of elements that were playing. Of Defiance to those that may try to tear them down they would not break in the darkness of the night and so they sang and added to the music that Gaia played as Daniel and Typpid danced.
[ST Thea] * Jordan disappeared in the opposite direction from Ujio taking up his position in the two quarters of their circle defense disappearing from the minds eye for now.
[ST Thea] * Eddum grinned faintly to the cry of the fae and shifted his grip on the sword as he went back to waiting and watching in the shadows that held him... The other vampires settled in hiding themselves if they could while others took up more mundane seconds.
[ST Thea] * Rayne took up her position near Mike with her gun in hand.
[ST Thea] * And Kyssa... dropped down in her Pithus form next to Erik and went about weaving a structure for him out of spider webs which he could do his ritual safe....
[ST Thea] * Isabelle's Coven of witches and Warlocks had begun their ritual and the group would be thusly blessed with a bonus to todays battle (+1 to damage, +1 to soak for everyone).
[ST Thea] * Near the opening to the Vine wall Lily glanced back to Ujio.. to touch in that moment with him.. memorizing his face as the rain poured over it and the wind ripped at her.... she lifted a hand and up the vines rose to weave a roof over the heads of the healers and the Hedge mages to protect them from the elements.
[ST Jose] * In the distance there is another flash of lightning and a humanoid form is seen walking across the grass towards the front lines of the fighters, the observant will see that this lone humanoid figure is small, perhaps a child, perhaps something else entirely, but it certainly seems humanoid in it's aspect and mode of travel, one foot in front of the other, slightly hunched over and arms hanging limply at it's side. A flash of lightning rips through the blackness of the night and illuminates the entire battlefield and those on it, but perhaps more importantly for those who are watching, the figure is a very thin human female, no taller than four feet in height with long stringy black hair and some bald patches in spots. There is a pregnant pause and then an almost physical wave of nausea washes over everyone and then pure silence, so disorienting that those flying in the air seem to lose where they are, those in the ground aren't sure if the world has blacked out or what has just happened and then it comes forward. The little girl lifts her head and looks to everyone and while you cannot hear the words with your ears, you feel it inside of you, not in your minds, but in your hearts, agony, utter agony is belched forward in a glass shattering scream as the girl unleashes sorrow the likes of which only perhaps a handful of you have ever experienced. The sorrow is the kind of thing that drives people to want to lay down and die, to give up and to feel the weight of the world and the hopelessness that surrounds them. Specifically, for GABRIEL he can feel every last one of his ancestors spitting upon his name, cursing his birth and every deed he has performed, relegating him not only to insignificance but also to uselessness. What is an Ahroun of the nation if their claws do not make the enemy of their people bleed?! For KODE he feels the weight of his people, how DARE he live on in immortality when the first nations people have all but been murdered and removed from the face of the earth?! HOW DARE HE HAVE A HOME WHEN THEIR'S HAVE ALL BEEN STOLEN! The scream of sorrow continues to ring out, washing over everyone and it does not cease as the small girl continues to wail in torment.
[ST Jose] * Ujio remains unseen through all of this for the time being though the connection to everyone wavers if only briefly but it continues to hold strong.
[ST Jose] * Erik is pretty darn grateful for the shelter that's been erected and hurries his books on inside to get to work on the ritual he needs to put in place
[ST Jose] * Mike takes a few more strong photos and and then hits record on the recorder when all goes silent, then drops to his knees holding his head as all the despair and pain of the past comes crashing in and he's reliving the terror all over again, rolling on the ground and screaming for it to stop, senseless ramblings and screams of a torterous nature as he flails about.
* Chatter, a black blip against a black sky, began a tailspin, trying to reorient herself as the world turned upside down. She had not known much sorrow, the love of her parents a sure thing, the ability to return to places she belonged a sure thing, but it was still something she understood deep in her bones. A silent cry of pain, her wings flapping wildly to keep to the air, she began to plummet for a few moments, barely keeping afloat.
* Makayla falters, falling to her knees as she clutches at her stomach, the agony of two dead children who would never even draw their first breath weighing down on her mind in that moment and she struggles to regain her sense of purpose here. She had to focus, she was needed, carefully she began to re-start that slow and careful meditative breathing.
* ::Silas stands frozen in place as old memories arise like howling wraiths inside him, tearing at him. The car-crash, his fiancee's lifeless body, the EMT's telling him gently that her neck was broken ... his fault; -he- had been behind the wheel, he had -killed- her. The months of walking about like a living dead person, until a Nosferatu found him and -made- him one of the living dead. The loss of his Pack. It all churned up inside him, and he desperately clung to the memory of Jacob as a light in the darkness::
* Toby, perhaps the most in danger of falling to Sorrow, gasps out loud, her hands reaching up in spasmic clawing motions at her heart. Would that she could rip out the passion with which she felt the aching pain of all that had been torn from her. She whispers, unheard "Ray.. ray.. Danu no... my love.."
* Gabriel watches the little girl with anticipation, his body tensing when he sees movement upon the battlefield, though he gives pause when he sees it is but a child. The crashing wave of the weight of despair washes over him, threatening to drag him down in the undercurrent of his own despair, the storm having already affected his mood, despite the tear shaped brand that had given him a sense of belonging. He could see the face of his grandfather, cursing the day he was born from beyond the grave. He could see the faces of his former pack, hear their voices rebuking him for his refusal to carry on with his service to the Nation. Gripping the lightning staff tighter, the Ahroun swallows down his depair as well as he can, choosing instead to channel the sorrow the little girl had evoked within him into anger, allowing his fury to dictate his next action. Not moving from his position, he concentrates upon the spirit within the lightning staff, willing the power of the fetish to calldown a bolt of lightning from the storm above to strike the girl where she stood.
*Faira clutches her sister's shoulder tight enough to bruise, using the grip as a lifeline, because if she hadn't, she would've curled up on the ground, weeping and remembering the day her fiancee had walked out on her.
* Maggie continues flying in the sky, faltering slightly at the topsyturvy motion of the world, but reorienting herself. Centuries of pain, of loss, of sorrow, had made her somewhat inured to it. She was only more determined to tear the annoying spirit limb from limb. Perhaps it was time to drop in and pay it a visit!
* Peyton only winced. "Oh fuck you twice." She grouched and grumbled. "I'm not gonna pull that shit again, I made a promise and I fucking intend to keep it...." She steadies her sights and waits for a signal from the folks leading if she should fire or not.
* Raj Dutta grinds his teeth kneels down for a moment. His family was murdered and he could do nothing. If only he could have saved them. Perhaps he should have use his new powers to slaughter everyone. He remembers the funeral of his family and as he gets up, he is filled with fury only fury.
* ::Isabelle once again felt her own shame and grief as she found out that the man she loved had never truly cared for her, had always sought to lead her into damnation. Her family's distrust and rejection. Isabelle ferociously attempted to thrust the memories away - she would not let that creature win! She helps support Faira however she can::
* ::Sandra buried her hands in her hair, a quiet hiccup catching in her throat as she attempts not to cry::
* Randi faltered, if only briefly, in her running. She paused in a shadow and hunched a bit, the suckerpunch of woe making her catch her breath. GOD she hated those fucking despair spirits! She took a precious moment, just one moment that she had, and focused inward, thought of her Daniel and her baby, fresh and warm, the smell of her, the love of her little awkward family. She would not be undone.
* Ishkode feels the weight upon him. He was an abomination. Outside of the natural order. A bane to all his beliefs. But he turned to face those who were behind him, looking to him for leadership. He had made his unlife filled with purpose, fueled by passions to make right the wrongs done to his people and to mother earth. In the eyes behind him he can see it was not just affecting him. "We are home. We stand with family, friends, and allies. Our purpose today is to defend what we hold dear. Our right to live!" He would reach out to touch the person closest to him. "Touch the person closest to you. Remember what we are fighting for!
* Talyn had his own doubts and fears and it took a moment for him to pull himself out of the depression. He glanced behind at Lily and where the other healers were. His duty was to protect them. His own feelings meant nothing here, and he focused on Honour, Duty, and Purpose. Nothing else mattered tonight.
* ::Fayad bares his teeth briefly in a silent snarl, his stubborn mind as always seeking to win over the despair. He was better than this::
* Raven glounders in the air again. Her sorrow, her loneliness, her pained memories - they all came back. The unseeing eyes of the kindred she had lead garou to, the pain and fear of being restrained and hunted. The cold lonely nights. She -could- fly from this place... live... survive... as any corax should do. What was she doing here? No one wanted her... Her black eyes focused on the child and she cried out her own sorrow in a ravens call. But she held her flight pattern. She'd keep her word. She would not run.
* Ryker gazed into the darkness with cat-like eyes, the riffle was loaded, the safety off, he was ready to launch the first volley of fire at the enemies as they assaulted the front lines- once they came. The voices around him did lift his spirits and he found himself feeling fiercely protective of what was -his-. His friends would -not- fall tonight. Or if they did, it wasn't without opposition. Ryker wasn't a sniper and his riffle wasn't built for that accuracy. He throws his head back with a wail of sorrow as the despair tries to replace his anger and resolution. What was he going to do in these odds. He -wasn't- a fighter. Not really.
* Jacob was thrice blessed to be out of the rain and hastily wiped the water from his glasses as he familiarized himself for the positioning of the medical supplies. He'd attended the first aid course offered at the speakeasy and he had been tasked with running for the healers. At least his eyars of study had prepared him to that task! He'd just have to pray his dearest friend was alive at the end of the night. Then it hits him, that shattering despair as he falls to his knees in helpless sorrow. They were all goig to die here tonight. They'd lose everything. He'd lose Silas... Silas... He bit his lip and focused on that pain and the thought of Silas. He would not die cowering in a ball... he stumbled to his feet again, fighting that crushing despair
* Gabriel raises up a hand, balled into a fist to those on the Northern front, a signal to hold their fire for now. He did not want them to give up their positions so readily, in the case that this was a trap. Or in fact, the fatalism that the spirit had brought from deep within him knew it was a trap.
* Garri...He should never have left home. That was selfish. He had abandoned his people, his home, his Gaia given duty. Even so, he had sworn to Daniel, to Typpid, to Raven, to so many others. He stood up to his full height and let out a great roar of defiance. Nothing was turning him away.
* Matthew falters in his contiuous pace as the urge to curl up and let go washes over him, the energy washing from him and making him feel weak, insignifigant.
* Kaelyn gasped audibly as that despair pressed down on her, her own parents had thought she was a freak show so why should this place be any fucking different? But then she heard Kode's voice and it helped to steady her. She obeyed Kode without a moments hesitation and reached out to place her hand gently against his arm, giving him a smile she hoped would help to bolster him as well as herself. They were each others family now and that what what she was fighting to protect. But the child ... dear god the child ... she was only a child ... this .. this .. was against everything Kaelyn believed in, no matter what might be happening she simply couldn't harm a child....just a girl...
* [ST Thea] -SCENE- As the words, and the full effect of the despair came crashing down on them the Fae's good cheer was washed away like words written on the sands at high tide. The fae who's emotions were so bright, felt things so deeply right down to the very bone of their beings and many of them crumpled to their knees. Only the most stead fast remained standing gritting their teeth as they struggled under the forces of thoughts that came washing over them some not just from this life time but many life times over and over and over again reaching back into the depths of ages gone by. These were good people.. the fae of the light and the darkness was felt so very keenly when they were made to see the things that hurt them most. Many fingers twisted on triggers, which would have sent barrels to temples and brought the first handful of deaths this evening but Kode's words washed over them and their souls cried out in answer their spirits stiffening..... the group rose it's self up back to it's feet together as one.
[ST Thea] * Rayne herself remained on her knees altho the gun lowered from her temple.... still caught in the terrible things in her life all so thick and vast she could hardly keep it at bay but his words reached her barely and kept her on the edge of life next to Mike.
[ST Thea] -SCENE- For some the despair washed over them with little effect. Eddum seemed as steelie as always, not even a twitch to his position.. while Lily shivered but held fast and stuck... The older vampires, the ones with the least humanity.... the darkest souls seemed completely unmoved by the sorrow thrown at them.. for what did it speak of that they had not done themselves.. so many times over to innocent people...
[ST Thea] *Jordan came a blur out of the side near the little girl and the sword Screamed as it cut through the air in a blinding speed, powered by the undead strength.. Maggie was compromised so he covered her section and through the link he commanded. -STIFFEN YOUR BACKS..... YOU leaders.. old and Wise... Now is not the time for weakness.. YOU OLD GANGREL ... by your wings you fail in your Quarter and leave it to the Ventrue to handle the enemy at your door! Shall I hold your hand while you Simper in your weakness as well?!~