Difference between revisions of "Logs:Unring the Dinner Bell"
(Created page with "{{ Log | cast = Finn, Healani, Lili, Noah, and Yohko. Loa as GM. NPCs: Aswang | summary = Aswangs are thwarted for their dinner plans | gamedate =...") |
m |
||
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ Log | {{ Log | ||
− | | cast = [[Finn]], [[Healani]], [[Lili]], [[Noah]], | + | | cast = [[Finn]], [[Healani]], [[Lili]], and [[Noah]], ([[Yohko]], very briefly). [[Loa]] as GM. NPCs: [[Aswang]] |
| summary = Aswangs are thwarted for their dinner plans | | summary = Aswangs are thwarted for their dinner plans | ||
| gamedate = 2008.09.13 | | gamedate = 2008.09.13 | ||
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
| categories = Changeling, Emissary of Power, Scion | | categories = Changeling, Emissary of Power, Scion | ||
| log = | | log = | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
As the afternoon grows longer and the sun dips toward the horizon, sunset is looming not far away. It's still warm, beautiful, and serene with the light breeze coming down from the mountain. Every so often the bell sounds as people come to the Valley to pay their respects to the dead. | As the afternoon grows longer and the sun dips toward the horizon, sunset is looming not far away. It's still warm, beautiful, and serene with the light breeze coming down from the mountain. Every so often the bell sounds as people come to the Valley to pay their respects to the dead. | ||
Line 38: | Line 35: | ||
− | From within the deeper, winding pathways of the Valley of the Temples, two women walk calmly along. As they passed near enough to where Yohko and Healani were sitting, they simply nodded to the women. Both of them looked to be distinctly asian, with long black hair, of some muddled decent, though, as their faces were too narrow to be classically Japanese, and too wide to be Chinese or Laotian. Perhaps | + | From within the deeper, winding pathways of the Valley of the Temples, two women walk calmly along. As they passed near enough to where Yohko and Healani were sitting, they simply nodded to the women. Both of them looked to be distinctly asian, with long black hair, of some muddled decent, though, as their faces were too narrow to be classically Japanese, and too wide to be Chinese or Laotian. Perhaps Filipino or even Tongan, with their deeply set almond-shaped eyes and dark irises. As they passed within a few feet of the conversing women, they looked at each of them, giving small smiles and proper head nods, then offering quiet "Alohas." to them both. They could have been sisters, one only slightly taller than the other, and both wearing simple, functional, sundresses, one in yellow and the other in pale lavender. |
Line 52: | Line 49: | ||
− | + | Noah offered a pleasant smile as he brought his hand to his brow to tip a non-existent hat. "Aloha ladies," he greet the four ladies. He breathed out a laugh as he looked to Finn, "It's not in it for the bell to chase you down. Best I can tell ya is to be aware of where the loud noises are going to be before they happen, like flag poles on post." Noah happily took Lili's hand and was tugged along by the woman and taking a seat. "No burial at sea? We're surrounded by a big ol' ocean. 'Sides, I can't imagine you wanting anything aside from cremation, Lee." | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | Noah offered a pleasant smile as he brought his | ||
Line 82: | Line 73: | ||
− | Noah unlatched the waist strap on his rucksack, glancing to Lili leaning on his shoulder. "You may still outlive us all, Lee, blessing of the gods and all. I suppose you'll get more fanfare than a peaceful slipping from this world. Like the rapture with more fireworks and rockets." He chuckled as he looked over the valley with its fading light, smiling happily. A chuckle slipped out as he glanced at Finn, "Cellphones are the devil anyway, they just tether to places you purposely chose not be. That's why they invented email anyway." | + | Noah unlatched the waist strap on his rucksack, glancing to Lili leaning on his shoulder. "You may still outlive us all, Lee, blessing of the gods and all. I suppose you'll get more fanfare than a peaceful slipping from this world. Like the rapture with more fireworks and rockets." He chuckled as he looked over the valley with its fading light, smiling happily. A chuckle slipped out as he glanced at Finn, "Cellphones are the devil anyway, they just tether you to places you purposely chose not be. That's why they invented email anyway." |
Line 103: | Line 94: | ||
− | Noah gestured to Healani, "She gets it," as he looked to Finn. "I dumped mine at the first opportunity, but that is mostly fearing a race of | + | Noah gestured to Healani, "She gets it," as he looked to Finn. "I dumped mine at the first opportunity, but that is mostly fearing a race of humans unable to communicate their wants and desires in a face-to-face conversation. Encouraging otherwise is the downfall of humanity." He kept his smile as he leaned onto Lili, glancing at the woman making for the trees. Sighing out a breath, he glanced at Lili, then back to Healani and Yohko. "I don't mind admitting to ignorance in the way of customs and ritual. I just don't recall anyone going skyclad when conversing with their ancestors. Would anyone care to enlighten me?" He nudged Lili gently with his elbow. "I promise to execute the display as you dictate, but I suspect I'll fall apart first." |
Line 112: | Line 103: | ||
− | Finn scrubs his hand along the bridge of his nose, winces, and then | + | Finn scrubs his hand along the bridge of his nose, winces, and then stubs out his cigarette in the dirt then shuts the butt into a steel case produced from his pocket. "Okay. This is going to sound insane. But who's pregnant?" He looks around at everyone still nearby, even Noah, because dude, sometimes you just don't know. "I realize it's probably rude, and sounds completely crazy, but I need to know who's pregnant here. It's important." |
Line 121: | Line 112: | ||
− | Noah thumbed to the woman that headed towards the woods by way of explanation to Healani. "The two women that just passed, one in the yellow dress, the other in purple." He turned his head to peer towards the woods once more in the direction they disappeared in. His mouth curved into a smirk when Finn asked his question, "Well, the | + | Noah thumbed to the woman that headed towards the woods by way of explanation to Healani. "The two women that just passed, one in the yellow dress, the other in purple." He turned his head to peer towards the woods once more in the direction they disappeared in. His mouth curved into a smirk when Finn asked his question, "Well, the announcement was supposed to be a surprise, and you went and ruined it." He stroked his own belly to farther the joke. Being reminded of where he was, he squeezed Lili's hand in return as he looked to the gaslights coming on. "I'll glad we could get here in time to see them, Lee. They're pretty damn neat." |
Line 127: | Line 118: | ||
− | Finn gives Lili an oddly approving nod at her pronouncement, and gives Noah a hearty thump on the shoulder. "Hey, congratulations, man. You're positively glowing." But he's distracted. He scratches his thumb along the scruff on his jaw, and follows Healani's gaze after the two women. "Well, this crowd is already on board with the night marchers stories, so I guess I can throw my hat in the ring. I was...uh...well-acquainted with an incredibly hot," he gestures expansively to show the breadth of hotness, "like, super-incredibly hot | + | Finn gives Lili an oddly approving nod at her pronouncement, and gives Noah a hearty thump on the shoulder. "Hey, congratulations, man. You're positively glowing." But he's distracted. He scratches his thumb along the scruff on his jaw, and follows Healani's gaze after the two women. "Well, this crowd is already on board with the night marchers stories, so I guess I can throw my hat in the ring. I was...uh...well-acquainted with an incredibly hot," he gestures expansively to show the breadth of hotness, "like, super-incredibly hot Filipino woman. She always kept a broom upside down in her house...okay rambling. The point is, turns out that she was a couple of months pregnant when I knew her. And she kept seeing her reflection upside down, like, everywhere. And she said that means the baby needs protection. And I just saw myself upside down in that woman's eyes." He gestures after the pair of sisters. |
Line 138: | Line 129: | ||
Lili smiled softly and nodded to Noah. "Me too, this was good." Lili leaned forward a little, and rubbed her nose against Noah's, inhaling softly and giving him a dreamy sort of expression before she spoke, "Aloha ka hanu, for all the things you'll remember when you breath again." She blinked then, realizing there were still people there, because well, moments. Turning her head, Lili looked at Healani and grinned, glancing to the forest. "Huh, well.. I mean.. If they're screwing around back there, someone will catch them, right?" | Lili smiled softly and nodded to Noah. "Me too, this was good." Lili leaned forward a little, and rubbed her nose against Noah's, inhaling softly and giving him a dreamy sort of expression before she spoke, "Aloha ka hanu, for all the things you'll remember when you breath again." She blinked then, realizing there were still people there, because well, moments. Turning her head, Lili looked at Healani and grinned, glancing to the forest. "Huh, well.. I mean.. If they're screwing around back there, someone will catch them, right?" | ||
− | And then of course Finn spoke up, and Lili turned a gaze to him with a wide set of eyes that looked remarkably dark in the firelight. "Wait.. I mean that's awesome, and good for you, and her, I hope her baby's healthy. But... you just said she was worried about her baby, right? And you saw yourself upside down in that woman's eyes?" Lili shuddered slightly and looked at the woods with far more trepidation. "Oh man, I hope NO ONE finds them fucking around back there, because... I mean, if it's what it sounds like you're talking about, they're these creepy ladies, and they eat unborn babies right out of their mother's womb. As... something. Aswang, yeah. They're the ones the | + | And then of course Finn spoke up, and Lili turned a gaze to him with a wide set of eyes that looked remarkably dark in the firelight. "Wait.. I mean that's awesome, and good for you, and her, I hope her baby's healthy. But... you just said she was worried about her baby, right? And you saw yourself upside down in that woman's eyes?" Lili shuddered slightly and looked at the woods with far more trepidation. "Oh man, I hope NO ONE finds them fucking around back there, because... I mean, if it's what it sounds like you're talking about, they're these creepy ladies, and they eat unborn babies right out of their mother's womb. As... something. Aswang, yeah. They're the ones the Filipinos brought over with them when they came to our Islands." Lili rubbed her free hand on her flat, toned abdomen in a protective way, even though there wasn't a little bean in there to feed any hungry baby eater. |
− | Noah nodded in reply to Healani, "That's the one's dress on a tree. I couldn't tell you if the other one's dress is still on or not." Pushing the shoulder straps off, he sighed as he stood up as he listened to Finn and Lee. "Not to sound like a killjoy, but they seemed polite as they passed by. Now maybe that's a feeding tactic or whatnot." Rubbing his hands together before opening his ruck to get out a combat knife. "I'm sure you have something better as do I. But it seems like deterrence is the way to be, especially when no one is pregnant." | + | Noah nodded in reply to Healani, "That's the one's dress on a tree. I couldn't tell you if the other one's dress is still on or not." Pushing the shoulder straps off, he sighed as he stood up as he listened to Finn and Lee. "Not to sound like a killjoy, but they seemed polite as they passed by. Now maybe that's a feeding tactic or whatnot." Rubbing his hands together before opening his ruck to get out a combat knife. "I'm sure you have something better to do, as do I. But it seems like deterrence is the way to be, especially when no one is pregnant." |
− | "I have heard about them. My grandmother loved the lore of our land. She said that they would appear as woman and then they would separate their torso's from their bodies to go hunting unborn children. The broom is supposed to confuse, well their tongues! The reason for this is because their tongues from moving there the birth | + | "I have heard about them. My grandmother loved the lore of our land. She said that they would appear as woman and then they would separate their torso's from their bodies to go hunting unborn children. The broom is supposed to confuse, well their tongues! The reason for this is because their tongues from moving there the birth canal and up into the uterus. They get caught in the broom and they will never get a chance to eat the baby." Healani states. "Did I mention that my grandmother was a writer. Her life work was collecting the lore of the islands." She shrugs her shoulder. "She said that the torso or the head is the best way." |
Line 156: | Line 147: | ||
− | Lili stood up a moment or two after Noah did, rolling her own shoulders out of her backpack so the bright orange bag slid down her back, then rested onto the little stone retaining wall she'd been sitting on. Reaching up, she tied her two, long, braids together behind her back, so they looked like a retooled bun, and were completely out of her way. "Hey, it sounds like it's a good idea to go in there and at least.. I dunno, look? See if they're leaving halves of themselves laying around so we don't have to keep worried about them showing up if one of us, uh, ever does become pregnant?" Worry knit her | + | Lili stood up a moment or two after Noah did, rolling her own shoulders out of her backpack so the bright orange bag slid down her back, then rested onto the little stone retaining wall she'd been sitting on. Reaching up, she tied her two, long, braids together behind her back, so they looked like a retooled bun, and were completely out of her way. "Hey, it sounds like it's a good idea to go in there and at least.. I dunno, look? See if they're leaving halves of themselves laying around so we don't have to keep worried about them showing up if one of us, uh, ever does become pregnant?" Worry knit her dark brows together, but she looked at Healani and grinned. "I bet her books were great, especially if you know all of that from your kupunawahine." She nodded to Healani gratefully, then looked between Noah and Finn, before motioning to the woods. "Shall we?" Yup, that lithe, obvious dancer wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, tank top, and hiking boots seemed pretty damn ready to walk into the woods after possible immortal beings. Hooray for the immortality of youth? |
− | Noah smiled as he affixed the knife scabbard to his belt, "Baby | + | Noah smiled as he affixed the knife scabbard to his belt, "Baby eating women? I grew up with one of those, so I don't judge when someone mentions it in conversation." Setting up on the seat, Noah took a long scan of the area for anyone that may be pregnant, thereby presenting a juicy target. He nodded to Lili, "Yeah, just give me a second to see if anyone in the area is looking round..." Making a slow turn as he scanned the place, he stopped looking in the direction of the temple as a woman headed inside. "I think we're going to have to skip the walk in the woods. Let's just hope she's into Burger King." With a deep breath, he stepped off the bench and headed towards to temple proper. |
Line 165: | Line 156: | ||
− | Finn briefly checks his phone then | + | Finn briefly checks his phone then re-pockets it, an old coin seemingly coming out of his pocket in its place. He rolls his neck to get the kinks out and similarly rolls the coin effortlessly across his knuckles. Starting off after the pair, he declares, "The good news is, no matter what happens...we're leaving with Burger King." He whistles a jaunty tune, something sea shanty-like and probably has words best accompanied with beer. Flipping the coin high into the air, he smacks his palm down on top of it on the back of his other hand. "Heads," he says with a sideways grin. "For good luck." |
Line 180: | Line 171: | ||
− | + | Lili grinned slyly and looked over at Noah, winking to him. "Don't worry, No'ah'uh, I won't be blind in there either. But I certainly won't complain for your better eyeballs and your presence." She looked over at Finn and smiled. "Not that I'm doubting yours, of course. Nice to meet you and know your name, Finn? In case I have to scream for you or something. I'm Lili, like I said, and this is No'ah'uh.. or Noah for you haoles." Amusement lit Lili's eyes for a moment, until she hit the edge of the woods, almost literally, as she almost didn't remember to look back the way she was walking before she was greeted with a tree branch. Pushing the leafy, wooden arm away from her, Lili moved past it, taking a slow breath, and shaking her head. "Ok so.. definitely need a little help here with the eyes." Lifting her hand, heat started rising from it softly in waves that distorted the air, and then small sparks started to fly as Lili rubbed the pad of her thumb across her other fingertips, until a ball of fire floated in front of her, bouncing in the air. "Mmmm, fiery little witch light." She cooed at the Fire, then began walking again, as the fire moved ahead of her by at least 5 paces or so, lighting the way. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | Lili grinned slyly and looked over at Noah, winking to him. "Don't worry, No'ah'uh, I won't be blind in there either. But I certainly won't complain for your better eyeballs and your presence." She looked over at Finn and smiled. "Not that I'm doubting yours, of course. Nice to meet you and know your name, Finn? In case I have to scream for you or something. I'm Lili, like I said, and this is No'ah'uh.. or Noah for you haoles." Amusement lit Lili's eyes for a moment, until she hit the edge of the woods, almost literally, as she almost didn't remember to look back the way she was walking before she was greeted with a | ||
− | Noah unsnapped the strap on his knife as they walked towards the woods. "I seems to me that they may want their lower half in one piece. Makes you wonder if they have a sense of what is happening to them when they're away, supernatural version of phantom limb syndrome." He grinned at Lili, looking back to Finn, "The natives declared 'H' a vowel. I thought about changing my business card to reflect the | + | Noah unsnapped the strap on his knife as they walked towards the woods. "I seems to me that they may want their lower half in one piece. Makes you wonder if they have a sense of what is happening to them when they're away, supernatural version of phantom limb syndrome." He grinned at Lili, looking back to Finn, "The natives declared 'H' a vowel. I thought about changing my business card to reflect the pronunciation." Stepping along side Lili, he held the branch for her. "Maybe I'll take point here, play all Smokey the Bear." He chuckled as he stepped, and being farther from the gaslight or Lili's spark did nothing to impede the man as he walked. "And there's the second dress on the ground." |
− | The woods are dark as all hell, not even the starlight breaks through the canopy much when so many trees are so close together, especially not when they had their full | + | The woods are dark as all hell, not even the starlight breaks through the canopy much when so many trees are so close together, especially not when they had their full accoutrements of leaves and hadn't started to lose any for the fall and winter months. The light from Lili's fire only illuminates up to about 10 feet in a circle around it, enough to allow people to watch where they were walking, but not enough to allow anyone to see deeply into the forest. Besides, the light can't go /through/ tree trunks. Everything is fairly quiet here, no animals making noises at this point, and only the sound of the footfalls from those walking and the soft swishing of trees in a gentle breeze make themselves known. |
− | Finn chuckles as the coin falls to his hand for a third time. "Tails it is. Good calls, all around. That bodes well. Never hurts to have luck on your side. Glad to know you, Noah, uh, and Lili. I would definitely never think it's a good idea to head into the woods with strangers, but we aren't strangers now, are we?" He brushes back a low-hanging bough. "That's a handy trick, Lili. Bet you're a hit on camping trips, too." This next bough he doesn't catch in time. "Pfft, motherffffff...wait, where do you see the second dress, Noah?" Finn squints into the dark woods, now cast in shadow beyond Lili's light. "Oh man, I don't know too many traditions that call for getting naked on sacred ground. Plus, aren't they worried about | + | Finn chuckles as the coin falls to his hand for a third time. "Tails it is. Good calls, all around. That bodes well. Never hurts to have luck on your side. Glad to know you, Noah, uh, and Lili. I would definitely never think it's a good idea to head into the woods with strangers, but we aren't strangers now, are we?" He brushes back a low-hanging bough. "That's a handy trick, Lili. Bet you're a hit on camping trips, too." This next bough he doesn't catch in time. "Pfft, motherffffff...wait, where do you see the second dress, Noah?" Finn squints into the dark woods, now cast in shadow beyond Lili's light. "Oh man, I don't know too many traditions that call for getting naked on sacred ground. Plus, aren't they worried about mosquitoes? Insect bites suck, insect bites suck worse in tender places." He shudders, and begins rolling his coin over his knuckles again. |
Line 201: | Line 186: | ||
− | Noah pointed out towards the yellow dress on the ground. "The natives back home swore by animal fats to keep mosquitoes and lice off you. I preferred cancer-causing DEET myself, or whatever the more | + | Noah pointed out towards the yellow dress on the ground. "The natives back home swore by animal fats to keep mosquitoes and lice off you. I preferred cancer-causing DEET myself, or whatever the more eco-friendly version is." The man chuckled as he looked around, angling towards the west. "And we have hair... It's either from someone's head or someone is keeping with the 70s." He walked forward, his fingers gripping the handle of the knife. "You ladies just enjoying the night air in the most free way imaginable?" |
− | Finn shakes his head and squints into the darkness just outside the little perimeter of light, and clenches his jaw in mild irritation. "Man, on top of being baby-eaters, these monsters have to be inconsiderate bitches and make us track them through all this nature. I've had just about enough fun playing Blair Witch Project, let's see if I can move this along. If you guys see anything weird, you didn't see it, right?" With that jaunty whistle on his lips, Finn flicks his coin up into the air, where it hovers and disperses into pale silvery moonlight, swirling and spiraling like smoke in the faintest suggestion of the coin's shape. "Braig, gimbatul uvano," the redhead commands the smoke as his eyes gleam bright gold, and he hurls the phantom coin into the darkness. The silvery shape explodes into the outlines of phantom hounds, noses to the ground and hot on the trail of something in roughly the direction Noah was heading. "C'mon, we should follow them. The nose knows, and all that." He grins and sticks one hand in his pocket, the other holding onto threads of moonlight connecting to the | + | Finn shakes his head and squints into the darkness just outside the little perimeter of light, and clenches his jaw in mild irritation. "Man, on top of being baby-eaters, these monsters have to be inconsiderate bitches and make us track them through all this nature. I've had just about enough fun playing Blair Witch Project, let's see if I can move this along. If you guys see anything weird, you didn't see it, right?" With that jaunty whistle on his lips, Finn flicks his coin up into the air, where it hovers and disperses into pale silvery moonlight, swirling and spiraling like smoke in the faintest suggestion of the coin's shape. "Braig, gimbatul uvano," the redhead commands the smoke as his eyes gleam bright gold, and he hurls the phantom coin into the darkness. The silvery shape explodes into the outlines of phantom hounds, noses to the ground and hot on the trail of something in roughly the direction Noah was heading. "C'mon, we should follow them. The nose knows, and all that." He grins and sticks one hand in his pocket, the other holding onto threads of moonlight connecting to the evanescent forms of the sniffing hounds. He follows them to a large clump of low scrub brush, and then he jogs after the forms to wind around a couple of trees, and eventually another group of bushes. "Good news," Finn growls with narrowed pupils and a wolfish grin, "They're as confused about where they're going as we are." |
− | Lili let out a thoughtful sound. "So... the idea of phantom limb, that might be something to be careful of, I agree with you, Noah." She looked ponderous, as she kept walking, following behind Noah, and then also now behind Finn, so she didn't get in his way or mess up his tracking. Lili didn't grumble about keeping up the rear, though, she just kept moving. "Since lower bodies have no ear bits, I wonder if we should try to be quiet, since they probably can't hear? But maybe.. just be really careful until we're ready in case they can feel? But that's all moot if they can sense proximity or something, like a car alarm. One of those freaky viper ones that doesn't actually have the hologram snake but would be WAY cooler if it did, instead of that stupid red blinky light." Lili's mouth obviously was set to 'Open' frequency, as she seemed to be delivering a stream of consciousness direct from the boombox in her brain. When she spotted the ghostly dogs, Lili let out a happy sound. " | + | Lili let out a thoughtful sound. "So... the idea of phantom limb, that might be something to be careful of, I agree with you, Noah." She looked ponderous, as she kept walking, following behind Noah, and then also now behind Finn, so she didn't get in his way or mess up his tracking. Lili didn't grumble about keeping up the rear, though, she just kept moving. "Since lower bodies have no ear bits, I wonder if we should try to be quiet, since they probably can't hear? But maybe.. just be really careful until we're ready in case they can feel? But that's all moot if they can sense proximity or something, like a car alarm. One of those freaky viper ones that doesn't actually have the hologram snake but would be WAY cooler if it did, instead of that stupid red blinky light." Lili's mouth obviously was set to 'Open' frequency, as she seemed to be delivering a stream of consciousness direct from the boombox in her brain. When she spotted the ghostly dogs, Lili let out a happy sound. "Oooooh! cool dogs, Finn! That's AWESOME." And she started moving with a happier sort of bounce to her step, almost skipping, like she was suddenly having a merry time indeed, following tracking 'hounds' through the black woods. To hunt half women. |
− | Noah shrugged a shoulder, "I'll take trees over sand and pebbles | + | Noah shrugged a shoulder, "I'll take trees over sand and pebbles any day of the week. This is the good kind of nature save for the dead zones. When you set a perimeter, you turn to drop a deuce in the blind spots so someone thinks twice about using the tree for cover." When the phantom dogs appeared, Noah blinked his eyes before looking back to Finn and Lili, "And here I thought I was being all fancy by bringing a knife." The man shook his head as he neared the hair, pulling his knife to pick it off the tree. "Watch it be just boar hair..." He exhaled a laugh, "Between the ball of flame, glowing dogs, boots, shouting... I think the element of surprise is out of the question, Lee. My thought is we were trying to make the noise to keep them off the pregnant women." |
Line 224: | Line 209: | ||
− | Lili chuckled and shrugged a bit. "I don't know if I have to go at this point, keiki, but if I do, I'll be sure to find a convenient tree to stop people from using it as cover, neh?" She grinned at Noah as she spoke. "And you're right, we're already screwed if they can hear us, but hey, it was a good thought none the less. Something to roll over the brain a little. And if that brings them here instead of toward some poor, pregnant wahine? Well yeah, then this is the place to be loud. And bothersome." She nodded surely, then flashed a wide grin over at Finn. "What's an off day? I mean, I sleep... you know, so I'm off sometimes. I think. And I feel better with No'ah'uh having the knife, too, but that's just the security blanket loving side of me. It's like knowing everything's gonna be alright." Lili looked down at herself and sighed. "Damn, I shoulda brought a sash or something, just so I could hand it to No'ah'uh and have him tie it on his head, that woulda been freakin' cool. But I guess I couldn't have planned for us going hunting out in the middle of the woods tonight, unless it was for a | + | Lili chuckled and shrugged a bit. "I don't know if I have to go at this point, keiki, but if I do, I'll be sure to find a convenient tree to stop people from using it as cover, neh?" She grinned at Noah as she spoke. "And you're right, we're already screwed if they can hear us, but hey, it was a good thought none the less. Something to roll over the brain a little. And if that brings them here instead of toward some poor, pregnant wahine? Well yeah, then this is the place to be loud. And bothersome." She nodded surely, then flashed a wide grin over at Finn. "What's an off day? I mean, I sleep... you know, so I'm off sometimes. I think. And I feel better with No'ah'uh having the knife, too, but that's just the security blanket loving side of me. It's like knowing everything's gonna be alright." Lili looked down at herself and sighed. "Damn, I shoulda brought a sash or something, just so I could hand it to No'ah'uh and have him tie it on his head, that woulda been freakin' cool. But I guess I couldn't have planned for us going hunting out in the middle of the woods tonight, unless it was for a camp sight or something, you know?" Babbling... Well not babbling. Chatting. Yeah, Chatting. "Mmmm, it smells nice out here." |
Line 251: | Line 236: | ||
− | From Noah's expression, this may not have been the first time he's pulled on a pair of legs without a torso attached to them. When the legs were clear on the bushes, he pulled the ankles together. "I can't imagine there are too many women that will let you move around their bottom half without noticing it." He nodded to Finn, "That's what she said, but I can't imagine it'll please the top side too much." Watching Lili, Noah gave a slight shake of his head, "You | + | From Noah's expression, this may not have been the first time he's pulled on a pair of legs without a torso attached to them. When the legs were clear on the bushes, he pulled the ankles together. "I can't imagine there are too many women that will let you move around their bottom half without noticing it." He nodded to Finn, "That's what she said, but I can't imagine it'll please the top side too much." Watching Lili, Noah gave a slight shake of his head, "You alright? You can head back with Finn if you need to. The smell of burning human is the last thing you want in your nostrils." |
− | A horrific, screeching sound cuts its way through the air, high above. The sound itself is decidedly coming from the direction of the temple, and seemed to be mimicked a moment later by a second, ragged screaming voice giving way to pure, rage-filled noise. The forest deadened the | + | A horrific, screeching sound cuts its way through the air, high above. The sound itself is decidedly coming from the direction of the temple, and seemed to be mimicked a moment later by a second, ragged screaming voice giving way to pure, rage-filled noise. The forest deadened the cacophony a little, but it was loud enough where Lili, Finn, and Noah were that it wasn't slight in it's obvious intent. |
Line 262: | Line 247: | ||
Lili accepted Finn's hand, and used it to pull herself up, letting the legs drop to the ground. "Mahalo, Finn." She cleared her throat and nodded to him, then squeezed his hand solidly before she let go. Looking to Noah, Lili lifted her chin a little and shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving you here alone with those things coming, and having to burn this. You aren't carrying any accelerant on you, I'd know it if you were." Lili grabbed the legs she'd fallen with, and dragged them over to lay on top of the other ones. Peering up at the trees, she hooked the ankles together on both legs and dragged them a little further away from the leaves she might set on fire. "You guys... back up a bit, neh?" | Lili accepted Finn's hand, and used it to pull herself up, letting the legs drop to the ground. "Mahalo, Finn." She cleared her throat and nodded to him, then squeezed his hand solidly before she let go. Looking to Noah, Lili lifted her chin a little and shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving you here alone with those things coming, and having to burn this. You aren't carrying any accelerant on you, I'd know it if you were." Lili grabbed the legs she'd fallen with, and dragged them over to lay on top of the other ones. Peering up at the trees, she hooked the ankles together on both legs and dragged them a little further away from the leaves she might set on fire. "You guys... back up a bit, neh?" | ||
− | Lili took two steps back, and lifted her hands. Rubbing her thumbs against her forefingers, heat started to move in heavy waves from her hands up into the air, and sparks started to randomly fly away from her. The brand on the back of her right shoulder suddenly burst into flame, dancing with orange and red and white behind her back. Her eyes took on the sheen of flame, then slowly melted into being nothing but rolling orbs of fire that danced up into the sky from her eye sockets. "Whoosh." She said the word, and her hands started glowing as they filled with fire. Which she promptly threw onto the legs, where it spilled and spread, moving like it was flaming gel, almost liquid. The scent of burning skin and pubic hair was almost immediate, and the flames were intensely hot, like being near a | + | Lili took two steps back, and lifted her hands. Rubbing her thumbs against her forefingers, heat started to move in heavy waves from her hands up into the air, and sparks started to randomly fly away from her. The brand on the back of her right shoulder suddenly burst into flame, dancing with orange and red and white behind her back. Her eyes took on the sheen of flame, then slowly melted into being nothing but rolling orbs of fire that danced up into the sky from her eye sockets. "Whoosh." She said the word, and her hands started glowing as they filled with fire. Which she promptly threw onto the legs, where it spilled and spread, moving like it was flaming gel, almost liquid. The scent of burning skin and pubic hair was almost immediate, and the flames were intensely hot, like being near a foundry basin while it was being poured full of molten metal. The smile on Lili's face grew broad as the fire danced higher, and she stayed near it, soaking in the heat. |
− | Noah listened to the screeching as his eyes went to the trees, "Alright, Lee, you just do your thing with fire." He moved around the two of them to himself in the direct line between the other two and the screeching. "It sounds like they're coming in high, so duck out or use a tree for cover if you need to." The man shook his head, "G-ddamn flying half people..." | + | Noah listened to the screeching as his eyes went to the trees, "Alright, Lee, you just do your thing with fire." He moved around the two of them to put himself in the direct line between the other two and the screeching. "It sounds like they're coming in high, so duck out or use a tree for cover if you need to." The man shook his head, "G-ddamn flying half people..." |
Line 280: | Line 265: | ||
− | Noah let out a groan as he was hit twice, stumbling to keep his feet. Blackened veins darkened through his skin, radiating from the bite and claws marks and down through his arm as he turned to dash at the one bound in place. "Let's see how long you stay in the air." Noah straight up slapped the bitch in the face, but as his hand left her, black inking tendrils stuck to her skin before getting ripped away | + | Noah let out a groan as he was hit twice, stumbling to keep his feet. Blackened veins darkened through his skin, radiating from the bite and claws marks and down through his arm as he turned to dash at the one bound in place. "Let's see how long you stay in the air." Noah straight up slapped the bitch in the face, but as his hand left her, black, inking, tendrils stuck to her skin before getting ripped away and falling to the ground like strains of tar. "What?" Noah risked a glance to Finn, "Uhh.... Sure, why the fuck not?" |
Line 288: | Line 273: | ||
The two Aswangs seemed to have lost their taste for Noah, or maybe it was that he just wasn't the first one they noticed. Pale skin and bright red hair drew the attention of both women. | The two Aswangs seemed to have lost their taste for Noah, or maybe it was that he just wasn't the first one they noticed. Pale skin and bright red hair drew the attention of both women. | ||
− | Ah'lara, with the massive jaws of doom, launched herself at the man with legs that looked like they came from a spider punching their way through the sides of her body. It was disturbing, as they were immediately useful, and not | + | Ah'lara, with the massive jaws of doom, launched herself at the man with legs that looked like they came from a spider punching their way through the sides of her body. It was disturbing, as they were immediately useful, and not withered in the slightest. Apparently, though, Finn was perfectly adept at dodging bouncing spiders and he managed to avoid being caught on her wicked teeth. |
Kealina, the second Aswang, manged to scuttle in under his defenses on her own, arachnid legs, and moved just soon enough after the other aswang that she caught him off guard. her laws ripped into his abdominal muscles, causing blood to drip down his suit shirt and his pants. | Kealina, the second Aswang, manged to scuttle in under his defenses on her own, arachnid legs, and moved just soon enough after the other aswang that she caught him off guard. her laws ripped into his abdominal muscles, causing blood to drip down his suit shirt and his pants. | ||
Line 296: | Line 281: | ||
− | The veil came over Noah, who wasn't used to such things at all. This would include avoiding fast movement. The black ink drowned out the whites of his eyes as he grabbed Ah'lara by the throat. The blackened veins on his skin reached over the skin to skin contact. "You aren't the one here that eats life, bitch..." Noah ripped his hand away from her, the blackened | + | The veil came over Noah, who wasn't used to such things at all. This would include avoiding fast movement. The black ink drowned out the whites of his eyes as he grabbed Ah'lara by the throat. The blackened veins on his skin reached over the skin to skin contact. "You aren't the only one here that eats life, bitch..." Noah ripped his hand away from her, the blackened veins remaining on her skin this time as she choked and gasped for breath as her life force started to wane. "Lee! Burn this, bitch!" He ducked and rolled to clear her line of fire to the aswang. |
Line 307: | Line 292: | ||
− | Finn looks between the black-veined Noah and the white-hot inferno that is Lili as the veil is shattered around them. "Fuuuuuu- remind me not to piss you guys off, okay?" Another wave of his hand raises a veil to hide them from the the remaining aswang's sight. "I smell | + | Finn looks between the black-veined Noah and the white-hot inferno that is Lili as the veil is shattered around them. "Fuuuuuu- remind me not to piss you guys off, okay?" Another wave of his hand raises a veil to hide them from the the remaining aswang's sight. "I smell barbecue," he mutters as the veil goes up. |
− | Noah guarded his eyes as Lili torched the first one who took flight. He tossed his combat knife in hand to catch the blade, "Yeah, that's not happening..." When Lili was struck, Noah's aim moved to the other Aswang as he slung the combat knife at | + | Noah guarded his eyes as Lili torched the first one who took flight. He tossed his combat knife in hand to catch the blade, "Yeah, that's not happening..." When Lili was struck, Noah's aim moved to the other Aswang as he slung the combat knife at her. It whipped through the air, and handle of it striking the flying torso's shoulder causing a snarl of annoyance. Noah pressed back to his feet, "Back off of her, bitch!" |
Line 329: | Line 314: | ||
The second aswang, Kealina, attempted to get up off the ground, and try to escape much as the other did. She managed to get up there, hoisting her own weight, and started flying up through the canopy, intent on survival. | The second aswang, Kealina, attempted to get up off the ground, and try to escape much as the other did. She managed to get up there, hoisting her own weight, and started flying up through the canopy, intent on survival. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
Line 337: | Line 319: | ||
− | When the second aswang when down, Noah moved to stomp out the licks of flame that were spreading from the legs and from various Aswang torching. The black ectoplasmic nothingness dripped from his clenched fingers, hissing when it dipped in the fire, and browning the leaves in spots it touched. He cast his eyes to Lili, "I already know, yes, you don't have to say it. Far be it for me to think some ancestor will be pissed if the temple gets lit on fire." The man didn't so much as cough as stamped out the last of them. "Finn... And shit, Lee? I think I have some bandages in my bag. A shirt at least." Taking a breath, he jogged off back towards the temple proper uninhibited by the darkness. | + | When the second aswang when down, Noah moved to stomp out the licks of flame that were spreading from the legs and from various Aswang torching. The black ectoplasmic nothingness dripped from his clenched fingers, hissing when it dipped in the fire, and browning the leaves in spots it touched. He cast his eyes to Lili, "I already know, yes, you don't have to say it. Far be it for me to think some ancestor will be pissed if the temple gets lit on fire." The man didn't so much as cough as he stamped out the last of them. "Finn... And shit, Lee? I think I have some bandages in my bag. A shirt at least." Taking a breath, he jogged off back towards the temple proper, uninhibited by the darkness. |
− | Lili's eyes were still glowing, her body still put out enough heat that she could have dried out someone's entire load of wash just standing near the basket. She turned her face to look at Finn, then gave him a wide, dangerously twisted smile. "Good job, man, I think your pups liked their | + | Lili's eyes were still glowing, her body still put out enough heat that she could have dried out someone's entire load of wash just standing near the basket. She turned her face to look at Finn, then gave him a wide, dangerously twisted smile. "Good job, man, I think your pups liked their barbecue." She wasn't so much feeling anything for the longest time as she glanced over at the smoldering pile of Aswang legs. "Sure, ke keiki aloha. I'll be here." That said to Noah in a hollow sort of voice before Lili snarled softly. "Those aren't done enough. I'm going to make sure she can't come back and get them." As Noah ran to get the gear to help her arm, Lili walked over to the Aswang legs, held her hand over them, and wriggled her fingers. "Stay back, Finn." She warned the man as she stayed back a bit herself... before the legs literally just exploded violently into searing, still burning chunks that vaporized into nothing but raining ash as they flew through the air. When Lili turned back to Finn, it was with the gray specks falling from the air, dusting her skin, as her eyes slowly started to fade back to their normal, dark, dark blue. She smiled to him, then fell to her ass like her legs couldn't hold her up a moment longer, the long limbs splayed out at odd angles. The light burning like an inferno behind her back dimmed to nothing, leaving her with just the smooth, shiny brand of a small flame on her shoulder, and the heat that had been wavering the air around her hands just turned off, like a switch had been flipped. |
− | Finn indulges in a long groan as he pushes up to his feet. "Hey, your barbecue was one of Biblical proportions. If they didn't see it from space, it's because they aren't looking. Fuuuuuucking hell. When the adrenaline starts wearing off, you really feel all the nicks and cuts, don't you?" He flicks his coin into the air and forces his eyes to focus as he issues a much less forceful command of "Evinyanta Nin." The | + | Finn indulges in a long groan as he pushes up to his feet. "Hey, your barbecue was one of Biblical proportions. If they didn't see it from space, it's because they aren't looking. Fuuuuuucking hell. When the adrenaline starts wearing off, you really feel all the nicks and cuts, don't you?" He flicks his coin into the air and forces his eyes to focus as he issues a much less forceful command of "Evinyanta Nin." The rent flesh of his abdomen crudely knits itself together, but it's enough to staunch the bleeding. "Good enough. Here. Want me to take a crack at your arm? I think I have some juice left. Or maybe that's blood. Close enough." He grins lopsidedly. |
Line 349: | Line 331: | ||
− | Noah didn't hit a single branch on his way back through the woods, navigating the darkness without a problem with his ruck this time. "And back..." He let out a breathy chuckle | + | Noah didn't hit a single branch on his way back through the woods, navigating the darkness without a problem with his ruck this time. "And back..." He let out a breathy chuckle at the ash cloud as he dug in his bag of a rolled up t-shirt and combat bandage. "Booze? Sorry man, Lee here has taught me to keep flammable materials and liquids off me at all times." Walking over to Lili, Noah knelt beside her to take a look at her arm. "We're probably going to have to go to the hospital for this." Ripping it out of its package, he dressed the wound carefully with the same sort of bandage the army has used since World War 1. "Am I carrying you out of here?" He smiled at the woman as he wound it around her arm several times and tied it off. |
Line 358: | Line 340: | ||
− | Noah exhaled a quiet laugh, "That's why they're called pressure bandages, babe. It's to keep that red stuff inside so your heart has something to kick around." He gave a nod to Finn, "I owe you a drink or twelve. Just try to keep it to mid and bottom shelf." When the magic went off, he chuckled, "Or you could do that..." Standing up, he went off to grab his knife to slide it into the case on his belt, then he throw his rucksack on his back. Finally, he knelt, stretching Lili's good arm over his shoulder to stand her up. "Comon, we' | + | Noah exhaled a quiet laugh, "That's why they're called pressure bandages, babe. It's to keep that red stuff inside so your heart has something to kick around." He gave a nod to Finn, "I owe you a drink or twelve. Just try to keep it to mid and bottom shelf." When the magic went off, he chuckled, "Or you could do that..." Standing up, he went off to grab his knife to slide it into the case on his belt, then he throw his rucksack on his back. Finally, he knelt, stretching Lili's good arm over his shoulder to stand her up. "Comon, we're gonna walk back to the truck so you don't confuse the forest as your bed." He gave her hand a squeeze, and smiled, "You did good, Lee." |
}} | }} |
Latest revision as of 22:06, 30 December 2017
Unring the Dinner Bell | |
---|---|
Sometimes following the danger is seriously dangerous. | |
Dramatis Personae
Finn, Healani, Lili, and Noah, (Yohko, very briefly). Loa as GM. NPCs: Aswang |
13 September, 2008 Aswangs are thwarted for their dinner plans |
Location
Valley of the Temples, Windward Coast |
Plot(s) |
As the afternoon grows longer and the sun dips toward the horizon, sunset is looming not far away. It's still warm, beautiful, and serene with the light breeze coming down from the mountain. Every so often the bell sounds as people come to the Valley to pay their respects to the dead.
Dressed for the hike up, Lili had worn a set of blue jean shorts, cut off to the point that they left pretty much her entire leg bare, the lithe limb then ending in feet covered in a set of grey and green hiking boots and bright, pink socks poking over the high tops. For a shirt, just a simple, pale yellow tank top that fit her close enough to avoid getting it caught on scrub and twigs, the hemline stopping a good 2-3 inches above the waistband of her hip-riding shorts. Her dark, thick, waist length, hair had been separated into two French braids going down the sides of her head and resting head of her shoulders, tied off with bright pink hair ties. On her shoulders, Lili wore a riotously bright orange backpack that didn't seem too overly laden with items, and moved easily on her when she jostled it.
Turning her head to Healani and Yohko, Lili nodded and gave them both a bright, wide smile that could contend with the sun for warmth and brilliance. "Aloha ahiahi, and yes. Both reasons I love this place and have been visiting my entire life. It's a good place to remember calm, and an even better place to remember beauty happens even after we're buried." She, likewise, gave nods and smiles to the two women as they passed by, greeting them with a cheerful, "Aloha!" To Finn, Lili looked over and gave him a shake of her head, still grinning. "That bell's the most peaceful thing here, if you know what it's for. Maybe you should ring it, too, to give the spirits a chance to welcome you to the Temple?" She motioned to the bell with her free hand.
He catches Healani's words his way with a low "huh?" before realizing his phone is still in his hand. "Oh, that. Yeah, for sure, the place is...picturesque. Hasn't gotten to creepy yet, but I could see the potential," he adds quietly, looking over his shoulder at the lengthening shadows. Yohko's firm chide gets a raised eyebrow. "Hey, I'm with you. I'm not the one who picked this place to meet, but apparently there's something here I need to see. I'm not here to step on anybody's ancestors or anything."
The two women looked up at Finn, though the one in lavender gave him a smile in response for his question. "Aloha, sir. And yes, just the two of us, a beautiful night for visiting those that have been taken from the living. Enjoy your time here." The one in pale yellow looked as though she wasn't quite sold on the redhead speaking to them, but she did manage to give him a polite smile and a nod of her head as they passed by, then continued on toward the thick, heavy trees of the surrounding forest. The woman in purple looked back over her shoulder and grinned at Finn, giving him a little wave goodbye and a lopsided smile.
Turning to look back at Finn, Lili grinned broadly. "Yeah, I know it pretty well. When you grow up on Oahu, you tend to explore anywhere and everywhere you can get to, and this place was one of those. It's good you rang the bell. It means you value the spirits, and they can be alright with that. They like it." Lili winked to the man before she looked over at Healani and Yohko, nodding to them in agreement for their statements, then let her attention be entirely devoted to watching the sunset, her eyes gleaming with the reflection of the slowly burning horizon.
He's regained most of his cocksure composure when he laughs at Noah's truism. "Damn straight, you're looking at a hardened survivor of yet another meeting that could have been an email. Believe me, I tried to handle this the civilized way, where we could both have whiskey in our morning coffee, but the client insisted, and well...doing it for heaps of money goes along way towards easing the sting." He nods to Healani, "Sure. I mean, even newbies to the island know better than to piss off the spirits." But even as he talks to the dark-haired Hawaiian woman, he keeps casting pensive gazes after the two women, his brow knitting.
The woman in purple giggled softly, covering her mouth, as she and the other woman slipped off of a path and truly did head into the thick woods on the border of the Valley. Not at all moving toward civilization, but deeper into the massive forest that covered the Windward Coast of Oahu.
Lili looked at Healani and smiled wider for the burst of laughter, dark eyes shimmering slightly. Especially as she heard Finn's statement. "Oh man, I hate it when they want to talk on the phone instead of just sending us an email. It means they want to change something, or make 'minor' adjustments to some serious thing that really does alter the entirety of what they wanted in the first place. Or, they want to talk getting something done for less money than they agreed to when they signed their contract." Lili shook her head and glanced at Noah, grumbling softly under her breath. "Least favorite calls, ever."
And then of course Finn spoke up, and Lili turned a gaze to him with a wide set of eyes that looked remarkably dark in the firelight. "Wait.. I mean that's awesome, and good for you, and her, I hope her baby's healthy. But... you just said she was worried about her baby, right? And you saw yourself upside down in that woman's eyes?" Lili shuddered slightly and looked at the woods with far more trepidation. "Oh man, I hope NO ONE finds them fucking around back there, because... I mean, if it's what it sounds like you're talking about, they're these creepy ladies, and they eat unborn babies right out of their mother's womb. As... something. Aswang, yeah. They're the ones the Filipinos brought over with them when they came to our Islands." Lili rubbed her free hand on her flat, toned abdomen in a protective way, even though there wasn't a little bean in there to feed any hungry baby eater.
Flowers started opening for the night, bathing the air in sweet scents that carried on the breeze, filling the world with a succulent sort of aroma that covered up most everything else, and clung to the back of the throat.
Lili took two steps back, and lifted her hands. Rubbing her thumbs against her forefingers, heat started to move in heavy waves from her hands up into the air, and sparks started to randomly fly away from her. The brand on the back of her right shoulder suddenly burst into flame, dancing with orange and red and white behind her back. Her eyes took on the sheen of flame, then slowly melted into being nothing but rolling orbs of fire that danced up into the sky from her eye sockets. "Whoosh." She said the word, and her hands started glowing as they filled with fire. Which she promptly threw onto the legs, where it spilled and spread, moving like it was flaming gel, almost liquid. The scent of burning skin and pubic hair was almost immediate, and the flames were intensely hot, like being near a foundry basin while it was being poured full of molten metal. The smile on Lili's face grew broad as the fire danced higher, and she stayed near it, soaking in the heat.
The first attacked with her teeth, driving in at Noah with a gaping maw filled with vicious, long teeth that required her jaw to open far further than a human's would. It bit at his shoulder, though it had obviously been attempting to possibly remove his head as a first instinct. She kept flying forward, then hit into the ground with a scrambling of her arms. The second Aswang dashed down from the sky not a moment after the first and lashed out at Noah with a long arm, and a hand filled with filthy, elongated claws. The claws raked over his chest, ripping his shirt a bit, but that Aswang, too, had created so much momentum coming down that she soared straight to the ground, rolling, then coming to a stop. Both Aswangs then stared in horror as their legs cooked in front of them, screaming at the top of their lungs in fury and pain.
Ah'lara, with the massive jaws of doom, launched herself at the man with legs that looked like they came from a spider punching their way through the sides of her body. It was disturbing, as they were immediately useful, and not withered in the slightest. Apparently, though, Finn was perfectly adept at dodging bouncing spiders and he managed to avoid being caught on her wicked teeth. Kealina, the second Aswang, manged to scuttle in under his defenses on her own, arachnid legs, and moved just soon enough after the other aswang that she caught him off guard. her laws ripped into his abdominal muscles, causing blood to drip down his suit shirt and his pants.
Still on the ground, the second Aswang shrieked more in rage than fear at Lili as she threw around phosphorous white. Leaping in at Lili, despite the shield of broiling hot flames that came up, the Aswang managed to slash her long, filthy claws against Lili's arm from her shoulder in a line down to her elbow, knicking her forearm.
|