"Devil hides with the Angels."

Yeah. That sounded good. Wise even. The bird fluffs up a little.

Then, hopping from one foot to the other, it leaps a little closer with a flutter of wings before settling.

"I can be your eyes."

"What will you be for me?"

RedTail is almost completely befuddled by this crow's opening line, does she mean the healers that feed the birds?  His four legged mind quickly chooses to store it away for later contemplation.

Could this crow be offering to accompany him?  This is far from unwelcome if that be the case.

"Eyes and wisdom I can use, Tooth and Claw I can offer, a good nose as well.  Will you seek with me sky rider?"

RedTail is pleased at the prospect of company, hoping he hasn't presumed too much he awaits the crows reply.  His mind flicks again to the eight legs the crows have warned are still stalking him, he quells his worry by channeling his gnosis through his senses to be certain if anything is approaching.

< spends 1 gnosis to activate heightened senses, relevant difficulties are at a cumulative -4 (-2 heightened senses, -2 lupus form). >

2009-02-02 19:01:02 RedTail rolls 5 dice to Perception+Alertness (Diff 2) 3,7,7,6,7 (5 successes)  

--Last edited by RedTail on 2009-02-12 23:35:40 --

 Most of the other crows begin speaking amongst themselves, thinking better then step on her toes. They are still loud, but are just gossiping amongst themselves now.

"Roach, he is still amongst them,"

"You are flying north in winter idiot,"

"The rooks are infested? With what?"

"That one is he said,"

"It is a sign, the wolf knows,"

"I want a garden of healers, they just feed me,"

"I met a healer once, he had fur and it was the color of french fries,"

"French fries, where?"

"At the glowing arches, they grow there,"

"They have seeds on the biscuits there too,"

"The apes eat there, they are careless though,"

"Did you see a hawk?"

At once the flock looks toward the skies, but seems to quickly forget what they were looking for and goes immediately back to chattering nonsensically.

"I will."

"I have eyes for all."

Really trying not to get excited, the bird lifts a twitchy wing and preened some feather momentarily. Maybe the bird had an itch.

Confident it wasn't going to be bitten by the wolf it takes a quick look around, craning its short neck this way and that, and checks the area.

"Don't need wisdom to know it's time to go."  

RedTail stands and wags his tail in a pleased motion, what good fortune his blunder has turned to with an ally to aid in his search!

addressing the murder,

"My thanks again for your wisdom Wise ones, your kin shall have my tribute for a moon's span as promised."

Turning his nose to the large crow,

"I am Finds-the-Thorn's-in-Father's-Path, son of 'Bites-the-Snake' of the Hidden Glade.  Lead the way Sky Rider."

He knows not if this spirit is powerful enough to leave the Umbra, but surely her vantage and his nose will keep them clear of danger.

<ready action: Follow Lilah>  

--Last edited by RedTail on 2009-02-12 23:37:39 --

2009-02-02 20:16:16 Lilah Rove rolls 9 dice to Per + Alertness 5,8,4,6,9, 10,2,10,1 (4 successes)

[Per + Alert + 4 Corvid bonus.]

Without so much as another word the bird takes flight. It keeps itself in the wolf's sight, stays close enough to be a lead and far enough to keep an eye out. Weaving obstacles its flight is almost lazy considering it has a slow follower. Dodging webs and spiders is the aim of the game and the bird knows the area well enough. The Umbra is just as (maybe more) important than the real world, and her kind are well versed in such plains. [Background: Umbral Maps 2]

The bird finally lands down on the ground when its led the wolf out of trouble and somewhere safe to cross over. There are plenty little nooks and crannies in a city for the shape-changers to cross from one world into another. She found one of them, where he won't get stuck on his way through this time (hopefully).

Settling its feathers the bird peered closely at the wolf as Finds-The-Thorn's-in-Father's-Path catches up.

RedTail chases after the great bird, it's artful flying reminding him of sacred dances of his kin amongst the Mvskoke.  He wonders, could this be a Father Crow?  It's size surely suggests it.

Strange webbing and calcified objects are glimpsed in his periphery by his gnosis enhanced vision, but he keeps a steady eye on the crow.  His tribe has much respect for the wisdom of these beings and their cousins the Raven, so he trusts the spirit will guide him true.

2009-02-02 20:43:33 RedTail rolls 5 dice to Perception+Alertness (Diff 3) 7,5,3,1,9 (3 successes) [with the assumption that heightened senses is still active]

As he reaches the crows perch, he sits on his rump and lets his panting subside, that was quite a run.  Calmer after a moment, he looks to the large crow, flicks his tail and cocks his head to the side.

"Your flight is graceful winged one, and swift!  Where are we now?"

The bird is a Raven, not a Crow, perhaps something that should have been mentioned earlier (sorry about that). A distinct difference that doesn't have a place anymore now then it did before. Ravens are better anyway. Crows are for Lords and spies, or so they think. Ravens are way better. Just ask Raven.

But this isn't Raven. This is Rove. Close enough and if you tell her that she'll love you forever. Maybe. Might. If Thorn even gets that far. He might. Raven's can't help but caw, even if its about nothing. They also like tricks. Like, blending in with Crows and leading wolves astray.

"You can cross here."

"If you tell me what to look for. I can find it for you."

"But this is no place for a Wolf as you, Spider-bait."

The raven does a little dance, a little hop from one foot to the other, vaguely amused.

RedTail sees now that he was mistaken, this is clearly a Raven.  The distraction of the many crows speaking their jumble of information must have muddled that detail.  Yips of wolf laughter erupts from his maw at being called spider-bate.

"Yes, Sister Raven, I have much to learn of the blisters and their unfamiliar Shadow."

2009-02-02 21:20:56 RedTail rolls 5 dice to Stamina+Primal Urge 6,5,6,6,4 (3 successes) [shift to homid]

His form undulates as most of his hair retreats beneath his skin, his bones and muscles rearranging themselves into the visage of a feral looking native american man, dressed in deer skin leggings and loin cloth.  You spy a dart of reddish black fur remaining on his lumbar as he lifts himself onto two legs.

"I seek a Caern, or other of my kin.  Shall you be crossing with me?  What would you have me call you?"  

--Last edited by RedTail on 2009-02-12 23:39:37 --

"They hide well." The Raven says of his need for Caern and Kin and those that remain in this city. "I said I shall help you and I will." How much will be help and how much will be hindrance is anyone's guess. But either way it should be entertaining. Wolves and Ravens go well together and they have worked hand in hand for stories that span back more then decades.

He has shifted forms and the bird notes, with such keen eyes, the various jewels he wore. They weren't sparkling silvers or pretty golds, or not even gems, but they were crudely crafted with love and care and sometimes that is more appealing then any platinum ring.

"I will come with you."

"Where do you come from?"

"Where do you stay?"

"You can call me Rove, if it pleases you."

The ravens head bobbed and it bounced on its sharp clawed feet, with barely contained energy that speaks volumes of its young age.

A wise Raven can be a good ally says his tribe, but patience is necessary with them - especially for a curious wolf.  RedTail stretches in his two legged form, orienting himself once again to the higher vantage.

"It is a blessing of Gaia to meet you Rove.  I come from the hidden glade, it is far south of here and is looked over by my Father's pack.  I stay wherever smells the safest when I am tired, my last rest was under a great oak that brought me dreams of the hunt and of revelry."

He prepares his mind and body to cross the gauntlet, his attention turning to the often forgotten sensations of the body;  the tingle of umbral breezes against his flesh, the weight of his body on his feet, the stretching of the skin across his chest as it expands with his breath...

"I shall see you on the other side."

he says as he steps sideways...

2009-02-02 22:22:38 RedTail rolls 3 dice to Gnosis[step sideways] 8,7,10 (3 successes)

2009-02-02 22:25:55 Lilah Rove rolls 6 dice to Gnosis [stepping sideways 4,6,7,7,7, 8 (5 successes)

The Raven absorbs such information, sucking it into her black feathers to stow away and use later. Maybe she'd stretch her wings and take advantage of them on a long flight to this hidden glade where wolves roam. She could use a good fly if the weather permits.

She's lost in the possibilities of adventure and Spider-Bait had already began to cross over. With a little ruffle of feathers and in the blink of an eye the bird that was once sitting on the ground in the Umbra was now standing on the pavement in the shadows of the other, watching the wolf come through to the harsh reality.

At least he got through the webs this time.

[Continued in The Cullen Sculpture Garden: The Raven and the Wolf]