Post by Victor Adelai on Mar 16, 2011 22:26:59 GMT -8
The night was cold for March. Rain drizzled down through the trees. Overhead a slowly swelling moon boasted a Galliard's face. Soon the rage would come. Thought would be obliterated in its oppressive fire.
The large Ahroun sighs softly and begins dancing in a slow circle around the mystically burning fire. The rain comes and spatters in the flames. Water drips through the warrior, matting hair and fur with equal ease. Beads and shells are tied decoratively in his hair. Weapons are freshly polished. Lengths of fresh leather woven around handles.
The dance stretches on. First for an hour, then for a second. Colors start swirling around the moccasined feet of the native. Unearthly light peaks through the branches. The fire grows... chilled. The rain pauses, or rather is blocked by the growing form of a spiritual apparition.
Lightbringer stops the dance, looking up at the massive Bear looking down at him over the flames. Huge eyes of brown peer through a furred mask, revealing a keen intelligence embraced with sadness. A wicked, terrible sadness.
"Thank you for coming, great Bear," he says, bowing slightly and dropping a fresh salmon wrapped in newspaper. "There are things we should discuss."
The spiritual figure nods slowly, "The scent of death is heavy upon you, murderer." It tilts his head before continuing in a deep rumbling tone.
The Ahroun nods slowly. Not the best start. "I have been waging a war, great Bear. I swore on my honor that I would call you to make reparations once the Hive assaulting us was destroyed."
"You murder allies while war is raged? Is that how Gaia has taught you to win, murderer?"
"Maya was not murdered. She fell in a challenge," he retorts.
"A challenge you goaded her into, murderer."
He nods, conceding the point. "She and I had disagreed in the past. She desired to move beyond this without fear that I would slay her in her sleep." The bear snorts a bitter laugh, but the Ahroun continues regardless. "I had something she desired, I told her to challenge me for it. It is the way of the Garou."
"What could you have that she would possibly desire, murderer?"
"My forgiveness," he answers coldly. "Which she did. Then drew silver and struck from ambush. Twice. Her death was unfortunate, but justified."
The bear is silent for a moment considering the creature before it. "Then why am I here, murderer? Unless it is to apologize?"
"No," the Ahroun answers coldly.
"Then why?" the Bear asks curiously.
Lightbringer lofts a brow, "I told you. I swore on my honor that I would summon you to make reparations after the Hive was destroyed."
"I see... but not for the death of Maya?"
Lightbringer shakes his head, "No."
"Then why?"
"Because I swore to," he says, cold as the rain.
"If you feel you have done no wrong, you cannot apologize."
"Correct."
"And you don't mourn the death of her, so you feel no guilt for her demise?"
"Correct."
"And you will obstinately stay with the argument you have done no wrong..."
"Correct."
The Bear slowly settles on its haunches. "I have come across blind and stupid Garou in my time, murderer, but you might have the prize. You have killed one of my children. She died in hot blood at your hand in a duel where death was forbade. You feel no guilt or remorse, but you wish to make reparations because you swore to. So what are you making reparations for, murderer?"
The Ahroun ponders a moment. "I genuinely didn't mean to cause offense to you, Great Bear."
The Bear just blinks at them slowly. "That is... absurd."
Lightbringer shrugs, "Blind, stupid and absurd. Your labels are irrelevant. State a penance; I am honor-bound to fulfill it."
"Very well. For your crimes against my people and the hubris of summoning me personally to oversee a punishment you clearly care nothing for, I decree you swim in the silver lake," if a spirit could look smug, she would be.
"As you wish, Great Bear. Go in peace," the Ahroun says softly. The bear looks surprised. But it straightens and inclines her head with a modicum of respect. Then turns to amble off.
The warrior sighs, looking up at the sky, rain splattering on his face once more. Now arrangements had to be made.
"Marks," he says both vocally and mentally. "We have a trip to plan."