Disco Chimera

[hazlogs]

Date: 9/4/2002

Center of the Caern

This area of the clearing is about 30 meters wide and is a mixture of dark soil and clay throughout. The ground is muddied, as if supersaturated not long ago. Near the center of the clearing, lies what remains of the large white boulder of stone and quartz. Gravel litters the area around the once beautiful boulder, which has been pulverized to pieces no bigger than a softball. Bits of it have been thrown about the caern and discarded like forgotten toys.

Around you, twenty yards in every direction, stretches the caern. To the southeast, a waterfall plummets over the edge of the chasm into a small pool in the caern; nearby, to the southwest, steam comes from cracks in the ground, perhaps some of the same water. Northwest, a rocky spar juts out of the ground at a low angle, showing a sloping but smooth top. The chasm walls narrow a bit to the northeast, causing some of the mist to swirl in that area.


Nightfire sits near the center of the caern, by the spot where the crystal stone once stood.

Apocalypse scrambles her way down into the caern on all fours, both naked tails a-waving cheerily, ear up and perky. Spotting Nightfire, she offers the lupus a huff of greeting and good will.

Nightfire tenses just slightly, as he always does when coming across one so obviously deformed. He quickly overcomes his reaction, however, and offers a pleasant greeting in return. How does this morning find you?

Apocalypse must be used to the reaction by now, else she's in too good a mood to care, and in any case her manner toward Nightfire is not only respectful, but admiring. She stretches briefly into a play-bow, then sprawls out on her belly. The morning finds me good! Good, well, and happy. Mother smiles, that's what _I_ think.

Nightfire hopes that is the case. We could do with Her light for a time, after such a long darkness.

Apocalypse lolls her tongue. We have the ~Lady of Mirrors~ with us, don't we? Mirrors _intensify_ light. One gleam becomes many, many, many.

Nightfire's ears splay in amusement. You are pleased with the arrival of the Many-Faced-One?

If she were in human form, Apocalypse would be grinning like a loon. Of course! She is wise and noble and _pretty_. Humans worship her, too, or they did, and not long ago! They made spheres of shining reflecting glass and hung them on the ceiling and made them spin slowly. They shone lights on the spheres and played music and danced.

Nightfire cocks his head curiously. Truly? One has never heard such as this. Do they recognize her for what she is?

Apocalypse's tongue flicks out and swipes at her pink nose. Sometimes. Not always. But then, humans do many things without realizing the greater truths. The ritual of dancing and joy continues, though they do not use the ~mirrored~ spheres as much. But there are still lights and music and illusions, and much stretching of the mind and perceptions, yes-yes. I have been to some of these, and there are few things better.

Nightfire looks pleased to know that humans haven't lost all contact with the spirits. He licks his nose. My pack will soon journey to Dream, to seek an item of power of the Many-Faced-One.

Apocalypse's single ear perks; she sits up alertly, all excited and, if anything, even more admiring. Really? That is _wonderful_! You must be very excited!

Nightfire admits that he is. We hope to return with something that will help ward this place.

Apocalypse's tails beat the ground behind her, out of synch with each other. Good, good, good. She's obviously in no doubt that Reforged with accomplish the task.

Nightfire seems to suddenly realize something. You are a moon-dancer. I would ask you to spread the news of something while we are away.

Apocalypse's ear splays. I _am_ a moon-dancer, yes. What news do you need me to spread, Strength of the Horned Healer?

Nightfire pauses, a bit taken aback by the title. Blinking his eyes several times, he pushes on. Many were here when the Many-Faced-One came to us when we last gathered, but few know why that is. I wish it by all that she came at my request.

Apocalypse's pale eyes go wide. She _did_?

Nightfire's manner slowly eases back into amusement. She did. Tempered-Blade had Drinks-Deeply summon one of her children, to aid her in her storytelling as part of her challenge to Ever-Grinning. When she answered, I told her that there would soon be a call made from here, and that this place was in need of a guide. That, if she was interesetd in such, that she should come, and that I would champion her.

Apocalypse takes this in, her eyes still wide. Then her tongue lolls out in a pleased expression. And she _was_ interested! Although, I hear that the Ice-Hearted One wasn't too happy.

Nightfire confirms that rumor. It came as well, but felt that we were not yet ready for its guidance, and so it departed. Nightfire doesn't look especially disappointed in the final results.

Apocalypse scratches at her side with a hind paw. In a rare moment of thoughtfulness, the Fang opines that it's probably for the best. Ice-Heart is strong and brave, but he is not very forgiving, and he intimidates the city tribes.

Nightfire does not believe he would have been good for us, or we for him. I prefer the one we have. The silver wolf looks at Apocalypse. Will you spread this news while my pack is away?

Apocalypse does something which, to lupus eyes at least, is strange. She sits up on her hind legs and waves a forepaw up near her head in a kind of salute. Then she drops back down to a normal sitting position and agrees in a more conventional way. I will tell every Garou of the Sept that I meet!

Nightfire's head takes on a curious cant, but he doesn't press his luck. I thank you.

Apocalypse beats her tails against the ground. Spreading news, gathering tales, howling defiance at the Wyrm, that's my job! No thanks needed. When do your pack leave?

Nightfire hopes to leave this night or the next. As soon as Drinks-Deeply can perform the rite to send us.

Apocalypse scratches at her side again. I've never been to Dream, but those I know who have say it is a very tricky place.

Nightfire expects it to be so. I suspect we will have a difficult time of it.

Apocalypse gets up and shakes herself. I have _no_ doubt you will return successfully. And you have Rides-the-Wave-of-Fire, yes? A Stargazer!

Nightfire affirms. We do. And Shadow-of-Blood, a spirit-speaker. We are not completely without hope.

Apocalypse's tongue lolls. Exactly! Is there any other news you need this humble talesinger to spread?

Nightfire has none at present. Again, you have my thanks.