Looking for the Bawn. 27/08/2017 (Tess and Col)

Ten am Tess rolled up bumping the curb and mildly startling some people walking along she revved the buell needlessly for effect and rolled slowly up alongside the bench Caleb was sitting on.

Sliding effortlessly off the bike she removed her lid leaving her aviators on, Tess shook her hair out, it was still damp from the shower the smell of jasmine enveloped her. She knelt down and locked the bike to the bench behind Caleb in one deft movement she swiped the half eaten hot dog from Calebs Jaws.
Grinning she made her way round the bench to Caleb.
Morning Irish so dinner desert now breakfast what a lucky girl I am. You want another hot dog?

Tess grinned and made her way over to the hot dog stand ordering and paying for the several dogs each and a couple of bottles of water Tess set about loading hers up with chill mustard and onions. Only when she was happy with the mountain of junk food did she look up at the mildly disgruntled Caleb.
So I'm guessing you finished washing up late the other night then?
Smiling she removed her sun gigs and made brief eye contact.
so what's the plan?

Tess laughed a warm deep sound, adding more mustard to one of her hot dogs she looked up eyes alight with good humour and mischief. She listened to Caleb ignoring his mildly lecherous look she shoveled food into her mouth as if she hadn't eaten for weeks, rather than the few hours since breakfast.

After almost inhaling her last hot dog and downing the water Tess realised Caleb had asked her a question. Well Irish we could take a look, that's for sure, maybe we just stay around the park today, like tourists? Speaking of which you were really light on cash the other day? Maybe because you dropped your wallet? Tess hands Caleb a man's wallet containing a wad of cash If I'm gonna be an English girl in New York we gotta stick together, especially in the absence of kin or tribes. she almost laughed as she held out her arm for Caleb to take. Come on then Irish you said you were good at other things the other night, let's see if tour guide is one on the list.

Tess tensed slightly she wasn't ready to chat about her, why she left how she got here she didn't overly trust Caleb, she didn't overly trust anyone but the tribe and some of them didn't trust her because of what she was formally. The fact was some people viewed her as a defector she had given up her birth tribe. No she wasn't getting into that now.
Gees Irish what are you the police? You don't need to figure out my tribe you could just ask? I may not answer though I'm Tess the ragabash we can leave it at that Tess realised too late she sounded sharp she could feel tension crawling through her.

Tess relaxed a little, pleased that Caleb wasn't going to pry. She watched on alert if they were this close surely they bawn Guardians should have picked them up. She waited watching.. Nothing.
Tess was one of the least good at mystical work,her skills were kicking A**. Taking names and pissing people off. More recently since she had been adopted she had been honing her skills at stealing wyrmish items. The camp of raiders had made her feel most welcome and she hoped to eventually be excellent at taking things from the enemy and using them against their previous owners.

Stepping slowly around the area Caleb had indicated Tess felt the slight prickles rush over her skin as the faintest magical energy touched her, nope this was not how it was supposed to be.
Where did everyone go? Who is keeping the bawn intact? her question hung in the air as she looked up at Caleb for the first time talking in his size and bulk.

Tess nodded
Go on then Irish howl it out. with a final check around Tess shifts to crinos and waited to join the howl of announcements. She knew she wasn't a huge garou standing just over 6 ft in her war form her glossy fur shone in the gathering twilight the hours they had spent walking and looking round central park now evident as the sun started its lazy descent. Tess knew in this form there was no hiding what she had been her blood had been pure which made her accepting the Uktena as her tribe more unbearable to her old pack.

Caleb howls, and Tess joins him. As the last echo fades a silence falls across the bawn. Birds stop singing, as if to listen for a reply. Even the feint traffic sounds seem further away.

 Then, just when it seems like normality was about to resume another howl errupts.

It announces Dream Dancer, caern keeper, last survivor ... and it offers welcome.

Tess felt the immense bulk of Caleb as he let his howl flow, joy and passion rang through central park, Tess hoped the other garou Caleb had mentioned would show. She smiled internally at the complement knowing a smile wouldn't translate in her current form. Relief and apprehension began to gnaw at her as the other garou identified herself and declared she was the last survivor, last survivor of what?
Tess looked up at the bulk that was Caleb taking in the scars and marks that made him what he was she had little doubt he was an Ahroune, he has the unusual quality in homid of not looking as big as he was.
Tess shifts to homid her dedicated clothes returned to cover her body.
Well it's rude to keep a lady waiting, lead on Irish

As the pair near the centre of the park, they feel drawn to the caern. The feeling takes them to Bethesda fountain, on the southern edge of the lake. There's lots of people around, but as they approach one stands out.

She appears to be Japanese, with a heart shaped face, long dark hair with severe bangs, and a dancer's body. She's sitting on the edge of the fountain, facing the terrace. She's wearing slacks, and a black jacket over a silky red top. She's sipping a coffee, and her eyes look straight to you as you approach under the terrace.



"Hi," she says, as you walk up. "I'm Mei."

Col didnt know what time it was, nor did it matter to him. The last few days had been fun in the city. And he was just about to take a seat among the bums at the entrance to the underground when an old lady. A lady he knows as Grace walks up to him and tells him that Caleb wanted to meet. Yes she smelled of cats and peppermint, but dispite that people always avoided her. Including her family, so Col always looked out for her and her likewise for him. Upon hearing this Col took to his heels and made for the park.

Several minutes later he had joined another old man begging against the wall exterior of the park. It was then he heard it. Two garou howls followed by a third. 'More 'he said to himself. 'Including one from my old sept. I thought the caern had died...."

Making his way into the park he found a secluded spot and shifts to Crinos. His form reflected himself more naturally. Chunks of fur missing from his skin. Grey, brown and mottled. Turns his snout to the sky "Speaks-to-shadows is here" his howl introducing his presence. "Dream dancer I know you I think?"

With that he turns back into his human form. Finds his cane that had launched itself among the bushes nearby and proceeded to venture towards the howls.

Before long he looked down upon the fountain, his old fountain. Amongst the plethora of people he see three people who have gripped his old eyes. Caleb, a new friend who he felt would help him remember hunting once more. A young lass, clearly a biker next to him, the second howl maybe? And Mei. And old face. Memories of stargazing with Mei are instantly brought back.

With that Col ambles his was towards the group.

Mei nods to Caleb and Tess.

"Well met, both of you. And yes, just across the bridge from here is the Rambles. Nothing with sense leaves the path there. It's mostly safe territory."

She looks past them, and a puzzled look crosses her face. If they turn, she's looking at the approaching Col. Something about the man seems familiar to her, but it's only when he gets really close, and she can see his features beneath the grime and hair that she smiles.

"Col! I thought you'd died! Where have you been all these years!"

Tess watching the greetings reminded herself to be still and listen be present in this moment. She took a moment exhaling slowly, relaxing was still not an option for now. She noted how the old man and the Mei appeared to know each other and wondered momentarily what had happened. She pulled a huge wrapped sandwich from inside her jacket and began eating.
Stepping back slightly she nodded her agreement.
To the Rambles then.

Mei smiles, and actually gives Col a quick hug.

"It's good to see you, too. Let's head to the Ramble, where we can talk more freely."

She leads them from the fountain, over a bridge across the lake, into the Ramble, an area of the park that's as close to forest as a city can get, and the sept' traditional revel location. Few people stray off the path in the Ramble.

Mei does, however, leading them deep into the trees, to a small clearing ringed by logs for seating, a fire pit in the centre. She sits on a log, kicking her feet out.

Caleb followed the little Asian woman into the Ramble. He noticed that Tess was being very pensive and cautious. Not the jovial ragabash he met the other day in the dinner. He would have to remember that and possibly ask her at some point.

Part of him was saddened as Col embraced Mei and a small piece of the story of the Caern was revealed.

Mei had led them to the clearing with all the logs, this was more like it. Though he did wonder how the old Sept had defended it. Again he noticed Tess pacing round the edge of the camp, as if she was waiting for someone or thing to attack.

He took a seat on a tree stump, lit a smoke and pulled a bottle in a brown paper bag out from his jacket pocket.