Party at the Medicine Shop

[hazlogs]

It is currently 13:26 Pacific Time on Thu Jan 9 2003.

Currently in Saint Claire, it's a sunny day. The temperature is 41 degrees
Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). The wind is calm today. The barometric
pressure reading is 30.06 and falling, and the relative humidity is 86
percent. The dewpoint is 37 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius.)

Currently the moon is in the waxing Half Moon phase (43% full).

Yellow River Medicine Shop(#2887RJV)

After months, a white sign with black letters rests in the windiw. OPEN.
By the right of the door is a large crate filled with sacks of rice- to
the left, a rack of postcards. There are three aisles, the center one
bordered by waist high shelves. The other two aisles have grocery-high
shelves stacked with dried eel, processed seaweed, jars of tiger balm,
essential oils, dried herbs,Tylenol, lip balm, and other items found in a
grocery pharmacy. The walls of the store are covered in Vietnamese or
Chinese calendar-posters. There is an entire portion of shelves that carry
Asian candies, like Pocky.

	Clearly visible from the door is the counter, straight down the
center aisle and a bit on the left. Gum is stacked in front of the
counter, next to magazines, including some Hong Kong newspapers about a
week and half old. On the counter itself is a cash register, and a service
bell. A large clock and a painting of a yellow dragon hang on the wall
behind the counter. There's a small portion of the counter that's mirrors
and glass shelves, accessible only from the back. In it are various, very
expensive items- prescription drugs, jade charms. At any given time of the
store's hours, which are 9 AM to 6 PM, Mon-Fri, 10-4 on Saturdays, there
can be one or two customers, dawdling and taking their time in selecting
items for purchase. There's usually a stern-looking Asian woman behind the
counter, or, on rare occasions, a younger half-Chinese girl.

	From the right of the counter, in the corner of the store, is a
storage closet. Near the opposite corner is a flight of stairs going up to
the apartment, covered by a white curtain with blue Chinese script.

Aiyana hmms. "Rainbow pandas. Never seen any of those. And Hello Kitty is
kinda freaky. I mean, if she doesn't have a mouth, how the hell does she
talk to all her other little friends, huh? Is she telepathic, evil,
magic...what?"

"Problem is, Miss Lyra, that a lotta goth girls like Hello Kitty, 'cuz
she's evil," Ebony explains to the Gnawer pair. "If y'want somethin', as I
guess, 'fer Jer, y'want somethin' like...Care Bears. Ain't ever been
cool." Handing the stickers back, he adds, "An' sure, Aleve's good."

Lyra nearly swells up with indignation, even as she hands the Aleve to
Ebony. "I love the Care Bears!" she announces with God's wrath. "They were
absolutely adorable." Mind you, they're talking to a girl wearing a hoodie
that has bunny ears on it. There should be no surprise. "The Care Bears
and Rainbow Brite were my childhood heroes."

Aiyana backs away from Lyra. "Woah. Down, girl. Don't think he was dissin'
your bears or anythin'. Man, I feel a little left outta this conversation
now. Don't hardly remember any of the shows from when I was little. I was
too busy gettin' into trouble to watch TV."

The bell above the shop door ding-a-lings merrily to announce a new
arrival... said arrival looking just about the opposite of merry as one
can get without being green and having a name that ends in 'rinch'. Salem
slips off the black mirrored sunglasses as he enters the shop, tucking
them away into an inside pocket of his long black coat.

Seeking some way to dodge Lyra's holy wrath, Ebony adds, "But y'think
Jer's ever liked 'em? What're you two up to, anyhow?" And, at the
'ding-a-ling', the roachkin peers back and spies Salem, the amusement
reflected in his black eyes dying a swift death.

The three, cub, cliath, and Kin are standing in front of the corner,
stickers and Aleve in their hands. Percy, who is standing at Lyra's heels,
barks loudly and starts trotting down the aisle with a distrustful look in
his doggie eyes. He doesn't quite come close to Salem, but he does get in
the Philodox's way if he intends to reach the counter. Lyra wriggles her
nose in annoyance, whistling for the dog to come back. "He's our puppy,"
she tells the Walker cliath. "One of the church hounds."

Aiyana starts to answer Ebony, but whatever reply she had is caught in her
throat. Her hands tighten their grip on the stickers, and she looks like
she wants to leap behind the counter and use it as a shield to protect her
from whatever wrath Salem might have today.

A large black beast of a dog- part Dane, from his color and body, part
wolfhound from his curly coat, and part German shepherd from the shaggy
hide and intelligent eyes. There's a blue collar around his neck, and
jingling dog tags. He's playful and friendly to those he knows or is told
to know. But his ears are always pricked, always alert, because he is a
Guard Dog.

Salem casts a swift, cold look down at the mongrel, one canine predator to
another and there's no question which one's the nastier of the two. Then
he simply pushes past the dog, disregarding it. Ebony and Aiyana both get
a glance as he approaches the counter, the former receiving a nod along
with that, but Lyra gets the jackpot. Lyra gets an actual smile, faint
though it is. "Afternoon. I hear that congratulations are in order."

Clearing his throat slightly, Ebony offers a polite, if cold, "Elder," in
greeting to Salem, before looking down at the box in his hand, and reading
Aleve's instructions. Handy distraction, that.

Percy growls, slinking off and weaving around aisles to get behind the
counter, where he lies down. Lyra smiles brightly and sticks her hands in
her pockets, a little embarrassed. "Words goes about awfully fast, doesn't
it? Still, nobody's allowed to call me Lyra-rhya." She grins impishly.
"Doesn't it sound terrible?"

Aiyana looks at the door, wondering how fast she can get out of the
building without anyone noticing. She can apologize to Lyra and Ebony
later for being rude. The stickers in hand are placed back onto the
counter as the cub moves away from Salem's general area.

"An unfortunate coincidence of rhyme, yes," Salem agrees dryly. Then,
offhandedly, he remarks, "By the way, will you tell your cub over there
that I generally don't throat people on someone else's territory, so she
can stop twitching?" The dark eye flicks over toward Aiyana, somewhat less
than warm.

Restraining the urge to comment - rather an act of will on Ebby's part,
the roachkin remains quiet, merely glancing over towards Aiyana somewhat
sympatheticly.

Lyra blinks. "My cub?" she echoes softly, glancing over at Aiyana.
Sympathy in her eyes, but a quirked grin on her face, she says, with great
seriousness, "Aiyana, Salem-rhya generally does not throat people on
someone else's territory, and certainly not in the shop because I'd make
him clean it up."

"Exactly," says the Walker Philodox, his tone desert-dry. "Besides, it'd
be rude."

Aiyana frowns before she can even stop herself. "I ain't her cub," she
replies. "Last time I checked, the only person who I belonged to was
Jeremy." Oh yeah, she's feeling a bit cocky today. Lyra's comment does get
a smile from the Ahroun, however. "Yes, Lyrhy. But just 'cause you asked
so nicely."

Ebony glances over to Lyra, then Salem, before offering eventually to
Aiyana, "I'ma head back to the flat after I've got these... " here he
shakes the box of Aleve, "Need a lift?"

Salem arches an eyebrow, the dry amusement withering as he focusses more
firmly on Aiyana. Whatever he was about to reply, though, is forestalled
as Ebony speaks up.

Lyra bites her lower lip, hazel eyes asking Aiyana please, please don't
provoke him. She drifts behind the counter. "That's $2.59, Mister Ebony,"
she says softly, nudging the miffed Percy with her foot. She smiles as
Ebony offers the Ahroun cub a ride. "Do you have to head back now? Aiyana
and I were planning a surprise for brother Jeremy." Salem gets the same
sunny smile, tinged with sly intent. "We're going to...er...redecorate a
bit in Jer's house."

Aiyana grins at Ebony, but shakes her head. "Naw. Think I'm gonna hang
here for a bit. But thanks for the offer. I'm sure I'll wander over later
at some point." The cub tries her best not to laugh at Lyra's comment,
"Yeah. The poor guy really needs a color infusion into his wardrobe..."

The door to the shop opens up to reveal the Gaian as she makes her way in,
grinning faintly to herself. She is singing softly, a pair of ear buds
playing music from a shiny lil iPod on her belt.

Ebony tugs out his wallet and fishes out a five, handing it over to Lyra,
before pocketing the Aleve. "Ta. This'll make my work afternoon muuuuuch
more bearable." "An'...eh. I wanna go back before work starts again, but
that ain't for another hour.

Salem arches an eyebrow, glancing at Lyra again. "_Are_ you now." He eyes
her a moment, then shakes his head slightly. "No, don't tell me. I want
full deniability."

Kaching, swish, clink. Lyra drops Ebony's change into his hand,
mock-pouting at Salem. "Oh yes, full deniability, but you know you want to
be there when he opens his closet." She closes the register, glancing
around the Kin to catch a glimpse of Alicia. "Alicia-rhya!!" she exclaims,
beaming brightly. "Did you get married yet?"

Aiyana glances towards the door, curious as to who's dropping by now. As
Alicia enters she's given a wave in greeting by the cub, who then turns
and smiles at Ebony. "Then stay here, plot and hang with us bro. I mean,
what's better? Lyra and me, or work? C'mon. We're so much more fun."

Alicia pops the buds out of her ears and heads over to the group, casting
a look over her shoulder. Geez, Asian's got small feet. Hurry up Yi. As
Lyra goes about shouting, she nearly jumps out of her knee high boots.
"Woah." She says with a laugh. Holding up her hand, she flashes the
diamond on her finger. "I sure did. I'm now Mrs. Alicia Jackson
Henderson." She pauses. "An what is this I hear about my favorite Gnawer
becoming a Cliath?"

Ebony grins faintly at Aiyana, leaning over to murmur to the cub
conspiritorially. Sekrit Kinsman.

Salem clears his throat. "Lyra," the Walker Philodox says, only mildly
chiding, "She's not 'rhya' to you anymore. And you really don't _have_ to
use the suffixes all the time in any case. Particularly not in the city."
He leans an elbow against the counter, nodding to his packmate as she
enters.

Aiyana raises a brow at Alicia's announcement. "Married? Man, I've missed
way too much..." she mutters softly, rubbing the back of her neck with one
hand. Ebony's little comment causes her to smile as she whispers back,
getting this devilish look on her face.

Lyra claps, as pleased for Alicia as if it had been her own wedding.
"Congratulations! Oh," she blushes under the Gaian's words. She's perched
on a stool behind the counter, with a large black mutt at her feet; only
his tail is visible though. "Yes, 'Nee Rited me. Makes-the-Choice." She
glances to Salem, cheeks tinging red again as she smiles sheepishly. "Oh,
well, I guess I don't, do I?"

Alicia giggles softly and nods her head to Lyra. "Makes-The-Choice Yuf.
That sounds pretty damn cool." With a wink, she leans across the counter
some, then dips her head over to Salem. "Hey, I was dragging
Fortune-Cookie with me, but I think her eyes caught something shiny in the
store over. I talked to her about becoming family, if by chance thats
possible."

Salem lifts an eyebrow, regarding Alicia quizzically. "'Fortune-Cookie'?"
he echoes.

Well, it seems that someone has let themselves in upstaires. Judging by
the sound of footsteps.

Ebony holds a finger up, at Aiyana, then Lyra. "On one condition," he
agrees, mock-severely shaking that finger at the cub. "You both leave /my/
room, stuff and wardrobe /alone/. Deal?"

"That's Three-Blades," Yi calls in from the fire escape. The telltale
jiggle of plastic follows the Gnawer ragabash's ascent and entrance. She
pauses only to see who's in the apartment. Quite crowded, isn't it? The
newmoon nods to all in greeting, and holds up the bag in hand. "Food.
Can't visit without bringing congratulatory gift."

Alicia blinks and glances over to Ebony, raising up a brow, then shrugs.
"OH. Yi. You know." Chuckling, she casts a look over her shoulder to
perhaps her oldest Garou friend. "There she is."

Aiyana smiles innocently. "A'ight, it's a deal. Wanna shake on it or what,
bro?" She holds out a hand, using the other one to wave to the entering
Yi. "Hey! Haven't seen you in a while," she greets. "What is this,
GnawerCon or somethin'?"

Growling, Percy shoves to his paws and trots to the stairs, giving Lyra a
whine before pushing past the Gnawer coming down, as he goes up into the
apartment. Too many people, too little petting.

"Ah," Salem says, in understanding. He turns an eye over toward Yi,
regarding her thoughtfully. "You want to join Synthesis?"

Renee comes down the staires from the apartment and just stands there for
a moment, stunned by the number of people crowded into the shop.

Lyra glances over at Ebony, rolling her eyes. "Yes, fine, very well. You
don't seem to abhor color, so you pass inspection." She lights up when Yi
appears, slipping off her stool and running to the ragabash to hug her
about the middle. "(Elder sister!)"

Yi blinks as Percy pushes past, stopping the guardian for a moment to give
him a treat. Shuffling the plastic bag from one hand to the other, she's
enveloped into a hug from the new cliath. "(Happy New Year it is, isn't
it?)" she says, giving Lyra the bag. And at Salem's eyeing, she looks up.
"Alicia has asked me about it, yes."

Renee gives her head a bit of a shake, sliding closer to Yi. "Hey," she
rumbles.

Alicia heads over to stand at Salem's side, arms crossing over her chest.
She will listen between the two for the moment. Renee's appearance gets a
dip of her head.

Salem glances over at Renee, nodding absently to the Gnawer Elder before
turning his attention back to Yi. "You were with Sepdet's pack before,
weren't you? Shame about it dissolving." He shifts his weight against the
counter and folds his arms across his chest. "So. Why us?"

"Happy New Year," Lyra echoes happily, releasing Yi so she can converse
with the other cliaths without the newbie hanging on to her. She heads
back to the counter, setting the bag down. "I'm going to head up and keep
Percy company for a bit, poor thing hates being ignored," she says, sort
of telling anyone who hears. "Thank you all for stopping by, and Aiyana,
take all the stickers you like!" Then the Gnawer halfmoon slips upstairs,
to tend to her Kin-dog.

Aiyana spins around in place for a moment, studying everyone in the room.
"Geez..." The entering Renee is waved to, as the Gnawer cub looks for a
less crowded spot to stand at. Or, at the least, a way to grab some more
Pocky without gaining Lyra's attention. "Will do, sis!" she calls to the
exiting Lyra, now feeling a bit out of place without her friend in the
room.

Ebony drifts over towards Renee, after depositing his change in the
charity box. "I took yer advice, by the by," he comments by way of
greeting, as he gets close enough to talk without shouting over everyone
else.

"Salmon's Leap did well when it was called upon," Yi notes as she nods to
Renee as well. The galliard is sent a short smile as she sees her returned
to the city. "Why Synthesis? That is what I ask myself as well." Alicia
gets a brief glance, as the Gnawer no-moon slips her freed hand into her
pocket and pulls out a plastic cockroach. "I was hoping to speak to you
about it, though this is not the place for it."

Renee smiles at Eb, face a little drawn and tired. This talk of packs
snatches her attention away, gaze focusing on Yi.

Salem casts a look over the shop. "Mm. Yes." He straightens up. "I'm free
for the rest of the day, as it happens, so if there's someplace else where
you'd like to talk, lead on."

Renee looks around the room again, then lightly shakes her head. "Think
I'll be going." Turning around, the Galliard heads back upstairs into the
apartment. Well, that was a short visit.

Yi's focus gets loose a moment, as if something chimed in her head. Then
she shakes off the odd feeling, glancing after Renee. Things go quickly
don't they. Looking back to the Walker, Yi nods. "Sometime later. I have a
few errands to do beforehand, but I wanted to make this quick stop."

Salem grunts. "Fine. Give me a call when you're ready to talk."

Aiyana glances around once more before tossing up a hand in a wave. Then,
placing both hands in her pockets, the cub makes her way for the shop's
exit, whistling softly to herself.

Yi answers with a silent nod, before waving to both cub and Walkerkin and
making her exit out of the front door of the shop. Glancing back to
Alicia, she offers a half-smile. "I think you should discuss with Salem as
well, before considering me. I'll see you in a little bit."

Alicia watches Yi leave, then rolls her shoulders over, peering towards
Salem. She shifts some on her feet, boots scuffing at the ground.

Salem nods to the departing CantoGnawer pleasantly enough, then turns his
attention to Alicia. One eyebrow lifts. "So. Why her?"

Alicia rolls her shoulders. "She is smart, probably 'the' Ragabash that
you can snag full time. She can fight like Jackie Chan. She knows the city
in and out. She also has been apart of every revel that we've had. She
kicked a lot of ass during the Caern takeover. Did you know she came out
/untouched/ during her fight with the huge bane in the Umbra that nearly
killed the Theurge pack? She has connections over seas, and, she'll be
more loyal then anyone else you'd find. She is always willing to step up
an take on any challenge. She has a /great/ Rep in the Sept. She ran with
-Sepdet-. That should say something right?"

"She was also the first Garou I ever met, who helped me through the change
and calmed me down some." A wry grin touches the Gaian's lips. "She is in
more then one way a sister to me. When I first Rited, she was first on my
mind to join a pack that I wanted to form." She adds. "But I ended up with
Pathfinders instead. I hold her higher then most I've ever met."

Salem considers this with thinned lips. He leans against the counter
again, scratching his bearded chin absently with one fingernail. "Hm. John
held her in some regard too, if I remember correctly." Though not brimming
over with enthusiasm -- when's the last time he's been excited about
_anything_? -- he doesn't seem wholly set against the idea.

Alicia nods her head at that, faintly smiling. "So did Roger actually. He
liked the lil bugger I believe. You know, he was there when I changed
also. He pulled a gun on me." Chuckling, she shifts her shoulders some.
"She an I have scoured the city more then once, searching out drug dealers
and what not, taking 'em down, or protecting women on the streets who get
attacked. This was before she joined the Leap tho'. She helped me hone
some of my fighting skills. I also know she has a shit load of Raggie
gifts. As many as a Cliath can get I believe."

"Hmm." Salem purses his lips. "It's a thought, then. I'll want to talk to
her myself, of course, and we arrange for an outing or two, see how we
work together. Perhaps team up for the revel this month."

Alicia nods her head. "That'd be a great idea. Speaking of which. We ready
to storm that place an take it on? I'm ganna be handing out an getting
ideas from the moot tonight. So, hopefully by then we'll have ourselves a
plan."

Salem's expression darkens considerably. "Heopfully. But, as far as I
know, Ouroboros and Reforged are leading that particular attack. Still,
both packs contain members of your tribe, so..." He trails off and gives
the Galliard a thin smile. "Let me know what's thrown out tonight, hm?"

There's the patter of socked feet coming down the stairs, and Lyra peeks
her head in, smiling at the remaining two cliaths. She slips behind the
counter, taking her seat again.

Alicia nods her head, tapping her skull. "I'm all over it boss. You and I
are ganna be going in there with 'em, right?"

Salem snorts. "Of course. It'd look damned peculiar if we weren't."
Noticing Lyra's arrival, he glances over and gives the younger Philodox a
nod.

Alicia chuckes and also says. "What about the rest of the pack? Leala,
Tatt? They coming in with us also? I haven't spoken to those two in quite
some time. Everything alright?"

Lyra rests her chin in her palms, smiling up at the Coggie and the Walker.
"Don't mind me," she chirps softly, taking out a stick of Pocky and
crunching on it thoughtfully. Pack. Gaia's Own. Note to self...

Salem looks back at his packmate, and his expression cools considerably.
"Leala's... busy. Helping Lianne, I think. She's still in town, but..." He
shrugs. "Tatt. Mnh. I'm not sure. Last I knew, she'd decided to play
Guardian the same month I was, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of her
since November."

Alicia rubs her neck and nods her head, peering over to Lyra. "Hey
Mini-Yi." She says with a grin. "So, how does it feel being one of the big
dogs now?"

Salem's cellphone rings aberuptly. The Walker grimaces faintly, then
excuses himself to go answer it.