PC's: Nina, Scarecrow Location: Matrix, Belle Isle Park Summary: Nina(Mist) and Scarecrow(Stormcloud) discuss strictures of the magical group and then meet to get to know each other on a personal level. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 From: Nina Reynolds At: Fri Aug 23 00:47:23 2002 (Conn) Fldr : 0 Status: Read Subject: IC Email --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stormcloud; I will be spending some time in the trix where we first met. Would be interested in conversing about our like topic if you have the time. Mist --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 From: Stormcloud At: Fri Aug 23 00:50:25 2002 (Conn) Fldr : 0 Status: Unread To : Mist Subject: IC Email -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mist; Meet me within Atlantis - The Schwarzchild Radiance. I'll be seated at table 6. farthest away from the bar. I'll secure a location there. Stormcloud --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mist floats into this node in the form of a cloud of humidity. Soft virtual air currents move it as if a creeping fog across the floor. Within the farthest table from the bar in the area is a cloud of smoke that lingers of a table. Hard too make out pass the walls of seaweed that has been placed about Atlantis. It allows its shadow to linger over the table, onlt about a foot of space between the underside of the cloud and the tabletop. Mist shifts as if searching the node and then after a few mili-pulses it moves towards the smoke cloud and the distant table, the mist and fog slips across the floor shifting past and around, enveloping and then passing other icons. At the table the mist forms up into a humanoid shape and its featureless shifting watery face nods to the cloud, "Stormcloud?" Stormcloud speaks as the whisper in the wind and says,"Yeah. have a seat." The cloud shits to the opposite side of the table and lowers its bottom to just linger about and inch over the table. The puffy clounds of it's topside seeming to move gently as it says,"Where should we start?" The seaweed now forms a solid wall around the table's area. Mist slips, or rather flows into the place at the table, its head leaning forward and stretching to flow like a waterfall, the rest of its body moving behind it like a type of liquid slinky. The legs become arms, the arms become legs, its head becomes its ass and its ass becomes its head and it shifts and reforms to take on the proper forms, "I thought it would be good to continue on with discussing these.. Strictures I belive I discovered they are termed as." Stormcloud watches as Mist seems to change forms fluidly and says with a calm voice carried by the winds,"Yes, they are termed as strictures. I mentioned a few, Oath, Material Link and Exclusive Ritual. ...but.." Th cloud shifts and spreads out as it pauses,"I'm just concerned as to what most mean. I know that the one defined as Belief is out of the question, as our traditions are not that of the others. The the two shaman." Mist's watery shifting head nods, "I agree, though Worg seems adiment in the concept of a defined belief. I hope he decides against it when he discovers it won't work, but I feel he will desire to waste much time and effort to develop such within the group." Mist considers for a moment and then continues, "Oath I believe is a swearing in of loyalty and honor, much like the name suggests its a verbal proclimation of your intent and witnessed by the others in the group. It is a bonding stricture in that you are held accountable by your honor and your peers." Mist then offers additionally, "I like the idea of a material link, a material link can be used by the group with ritual magic to located a member of the group that way. If one of us is taken, harmed or captured the rest of the group could use that person's ritual sample to locate them and then plan a rescue... Oath and Material Link I both would like if we can." she then shifts the topic, "I've never done ritual magic myself.. but you've mentioned Exclusive Ritual.. does that mean you can only do ritual magic with the group? Or does it mean you can only conduct in a specific type of ritual magic? Ritual magic takes the assistance of others whom are magically active right? So.. like a group effort thing?" Stormcloud seems to float closer as Mist speaks. He takes a moment to pause and allows a silence to take place. Soon, his rotation begins as the wind calls out,"It allows only ritual magic within the group, as I understand my research. I have never conducted ritual magic myself, but brushed up on a few texts about some of the well know types of rituals, such as locating a person with a material link." The cloud takes on a face, almost featureless as he says,"What do you think of that one?.. Of the others that I have learned about, those three sound doable." The cloud lowers back as it begins to spread out ontop of the table as if a heavy fog just fell on the edge of a cliff. Mist nods its watery head, the surface seeming to form a small wave as if water held within a fishbowl, "That exclusive ritual sounds okay with me. I don't know of any occasion other than locating a person that i would want to use ritual magic for.. and if we had the material link it would be our group I would want to do this with anyway. So the two, in my mind, link well together for the same purpose... I like Oath, Material Link and Exclusive ritual... yes." Mist then inquires about other things she's heard about, "I've also been considering a few other concepts that have been discussed in the boards I've been researching.. Exclusive Membership is the concept where if you belong to our group.. you can not join another magical group. We can still bring in new members, but this provides a type of commitment which I think increases the level of dedication. By restricting members only to our own group they will find that if they seek some magical knowledge or improvement that they will put that energy into our own group and all will benefit by the effort, rather than them wandering off to another group for their needs." Mist then adds as an afterthought, "The last item I'm curious about is secrecy.. considering the questionable legality issue of some of our members with their extracuricular activities.. it might be wise to keep our affiliation as a group secret. In this way.. if one of us is discovered or in trouble.. the rest of us are not automatically associated with them by those who listens to these rumors on the street and within other circles. This protects the others in the group.. and also.. if the group is protected.. then the group would be free to assist the troubled member without the fear of everyone being fingered as a threat." Stormcloud lifts up as if just startled by something, but it was just a reaction to the mention of the term 'Secrecy'. He says in a soft tone that is aired into the audio,"Considering that the post was placed on the matrix, you are still very much anonymous. Only know to us. I would disagree with your comment before about not being able to use secrecy as no-one knows but us. And, its just a matter of changing your icon when it is done. As I will do, just as a precaution." The cloud lowers slowly from above as if calming down and says,"And I would also agree with Exclusive Membership, it adds to the trust in which I'm trying to find. I have to admit.. the shaman make me ... nervous for some reason." The voice dies away as it confesses it's fear. Mist nods in agreeing to add secrecy and Exclusive membership to the strictures and then speaks of the shaman, "Mouse is very quiet and I know nothing of her.. but Worg is a bit abrasive. His demeanor is annoying but I can look past his attitudes. It is his insitence to the belief stricture which I hold contest with. It is unfortunate though, for I fear he would rather leave and not join the group in order to hold onto his search. It is my nature to let people do what they want as long as it doesn't do damage to myself and my friends, I think that is why perhaps it annoys me that he insists on telling me what I do and do not belive in. It is a frustrating experience when someone insists that you belive in something. Belief, or lack thereof is one of the last and only things left in this world that you have control over yourself. When he comes at with me with trying to "make" me admit I belive in something.. its is an afront to my very core. As if he is trying to control my very being with his Will to make me into something I am not. And angers me." she sighs and then adds, "Still.. I am forgiving and will offer him another chance. Though I will not conform to his forcing me into believing." There are no unread postings on the Shadowland Board. Stormcloud hmms within the wind and says,"I stay true to what I believe in, thats fine by me. Just hope that its not a snag within these negotiations to find what would be right for us as a whole. And as for meeting. Attendance is another definition of a scipture. Meeting once a month or three months is common. I see that as another possiblility.." Mist nods and responds in the conversation, "If he can agree to disagree.. in that we won't maintain a common belief then I am fine with that. Or if our common belief is that we don't have a common belief." Mist chuckles and then goes on with the conversation, "I am aggreeable to a required meeting. I don't know the schedules of the others so that might determine the frequency, be it once a month, or every three months. It is something to consider and err perhaps in the side of a larger gap between meetings for I hear that if you break a stricture that it can damage the bond of the group and destabilize the magic within us as a whole." Stormcloud shifts as reforms rapidly as the chuckle is sounded. The voice in the wind sounds amused as he says,"That is the risk we take with all the scriptures. Those are the ones I would persue. Take that back to the shaman and see what they think." The puffy cloud of an icon seems to become trapped in a moving stillnes. The moving cloud one would see on a bright sunny day. Moving, slow enought that it looks still. Mist oozes a bit and almost looses cohesiveness to hold its humanoid shape and then it forms up again more solid like, "I will pass on this information to Worg.. he seems the deffinately dominate force between he and Mouse and I will assume he will approach mouse with these items once I tell him of them. There input I believe will be of one voice, Mouse agreeing to whatever it is that Worg decides." the shifting watery woman pauses a moment and then inquires, "Would you like to meet out in the meat world for some bonding time? Get to know each other a bit beyond something besides planning the group?" Stormcloud slowly lowers and says,"I think that would be a good idea.. need a break anyways. I , if you didn't know beore am more than a matrix poweruser. But, Its my need for the great outdoors that keeps me balanced. Lets meet ad the park, the nature reserve within the island." Mist nods its head as its faceless face forces a smile on its surface, "That would be very appealing.. the only thing better would be a day without rain," she chuckles and then sits back, "I shall log out now and head there to meet you." Stormcloud seems to de-rez into a fade as his voice calls out,"See you there..." The cloud blinks out of the scene, leaving behind the Atlantis setting. Mist turns into a puddle and oozes into the cracks of the floor. -----Change of Scene----- Nina Reynolds logs off the matrix and heads back to her apartment to get a few things. She then takes a taxi to the parking lot of the Belle Isle Park and then pays the cab and moves off into the island up a path. Belle Isle Park You are on a large heavily wooded island. This island is in the prime of natural condition, shielded from acid rain by some unknown force, the vegetation here is thriving as good or better than when the frist Europeans found their way to Michigan and stripped the land of all the trees for lumber to make their houses back in New England. Small dirt foot paths snake around this island, offering several routes of travel over the 1/4 km east to west wide by 1 km north to south long island. Any knowledge what so ever of the arts of shamanic magic will quickly inform someone looking over this island that it is a center for shamanic worship. Totems have been errected at various places on the island, circles of stones, wood carvings and bones marking off locations where meditating shamans sit cross legged. Animals thrive on this island like no other place near Detroit, there is an abdundence of Bear, wolf, deer, racoon, snake, raven, eagle, owl and other Michigan native creatures. Contents: Scarecrow Obvious exits: Path Parking Lot Nina Reynolds pauses in the shadows, unsure of the area and so is careful about things. Nina Reynolds says, "Sorcery 5, Spell Pool 3, Foci 3= 11 dice TN4 (Improved Invisibility)" Nina Reynolds rolls 11 dice against a TN 4: 1 1 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 5 7 (7 successes) Nina Reynolds says, "Willpower 6, Spell pool 2, Foci 2=10 dice TN3 (fetish for -1TN on drain)." Nina Reynolds rolls 10 dice against a TN 3: 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 8 10 10 (7 successes) Nina Reynolds says, "3M stun drain.. 7 successes no drain. To see Nina need 8 successes at TN3." Nina Reynolds fades from view, the shadow of her body on the dim and neary dark path already vanishes into nothingness as her forms melds into nothing and then she stalks up the path slowly, pausing often to listen and look around her, slipping her vision into the astral frequently. Scarecrow jacksout and makes his trip to get a cab within downtown. The cabbie is paid as he steps out into the area and walks south. Now within the park, within one of his most familair enviroments he licks his lips and looks around. Seeming to take in the scene, he allows the wind to pick up aorund him. The leaves in the trees rustle around as he sends out his feelers for what extactly is within the area. Trying to see what is living here and where... Scarecrow says, "Detect Life force 4. Extended Sense gives range of 120 meters. (Magic 4 x Force 4 x 10) Sorcery 4 + 4 spell pool +2 detection focus. vs. tn6 for unseen areas." Scarecrow rolls 10 dice against a TN 6: 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 8 9 10 (3 successes) Scarecrow says, "Willpower 6 + 1 SP + 2 Detection Focus vs. tn2 for Drain. (Detection Focus - Force 4, SP 5)" Scarecrow rolls 9 dice against a TN 2: 1 1 3 3 3 3 4 4 11 (7 successes) Nina Reynolds works up the path away from the parking lot until she finds a smaller path leading off the main and she follows it quietly. It isn't but a few meters until she comes to a small clearing where a bench sits in the rain dripping. Nina takes a seat on the bench, her umbrella closed and resting on her lap in her invisible field as she waits, her hair flattened against her head, soaked. The silver feather seeming to twirl within the wind as it hands off Scarecrow's wrist. He takes ina and seems to catalog all the life thats within his range. Taking in small woodland creatues into his mind and large bears. He know knows the safest path to walk within the area. Close enough to the exact location is enough for the Parahunter. But he is not here to hunt, but to meet with that one person that was on the bring of his range. He moves to that location and hopes that it is her. Nina Reynolds leans back in the bench and shifts her gaze strictly to that of the astral plane, a smiling coming to her invisible lips as she is bathed in the glow of life, the astral plane here on the island far more lively and pure than elsewhere in the city. Scarecrow seems to just waonder within the predetermeined path. He keeps his eyes within the astral aswell and feels his way around a but, but his natural lowlight vision doing most of the navigation. He appears by the bench as he looks over to check Nina's face. A brief moment of silence before le lowers down slowly at her side. He folds his hands within his lap and says,"So.. " THe lighting strikes as the rain falls hard. He is within the same large glossy black raincoat. "Raining again. it seems. you must love this.." Nina Reynolds speaks softly, shrouded in her spell of invisibility which is probably rather silly being on an island known for being mostly used by the magically active who can probably see her as plain as day in the astral plane, even though she's removed the signiture of the spell cast the shimmering fetish and the bright active Foci reveal her as far more than just an animal or a tree here in the clearing. Nina speaks softly to her friend whom has joined her on the bench, keeping the spell active as a precaution against intruders whom are not astrally searching, "I enjoy the rain for the most part.. I sleep wonderful in thunderstorms, its clean.. it washes away the filth of the street, clears the dust from the walls of the buildings. But my hair doesn't agree with it," she chuckles a bit at that, "But then.. if your not visible to the human eye.. why does it matter what kind of a hair day your having." she chuckles at this and then pokes Scarecrow in the side playfully, but lightly. Scarecrow doesn't seem to be wearing armor under the thin waterproof raincoat. He shifts as a small chuckle is felt on the tip of the finger as it pulls back. He has a dulled out German accent as he says,"Fraulien, that is so true. Its the ionized air before the storm that sends a tingle into me. THe rich scent in the air before the lighting flashes and the thunder rolls. Thats when the chill is in the wind, and the clouds are thier heaviest." Nina Reynolds smiles widely to herself and humor is heard in her voice as she speaks, "Perhaps a storm is when you and I are most similar.. kindred spirits at these times." she considers these things and how they link together and then changes the topic a bit, "How have you been lately? How do you spend your days other than meeting with women in the rain?" she grins. Scarecrow looks over, the first thing seen are tusks to his dark lips and then hazel eyes behid thick dreadlocks within the hood. He says with a calm voice as the pitter patter of water surrounds the area,"I looks for work, talk to associates and find information. Computer Programming... and to take a break, I go hunting at times for game. I play card games well. but, I think my Mathematical Super Processesing Unit takes the fun out of most games." Nina Reynolds listens to Stormcloud as he talks, intrigued at getting to know this man better, someone she is sure will become an important part of her life within the magical group and as a friend perhaps, "I spend a solid 40 hours a week working for the company, so its my after hours that I find myself trying to contact you, Worg and Mouse to work out the details of the group. I like to relax by jogging and spending time at the gym.. swimming mostly. And as much as I can muster I try to get down to Dearborn to spend time with my parents. Being single offers flexibility in my life.. strangely I haven't found "Mister right" yet.. and honestly I'm not in a rush for that. I figure he will come when the timing is right. I just need to try and deal with people like Worg that haven't learned to contain their hormones beyond the caveman status." she chuckles, "heck... three different guys at the Noir Days last night approached me like wagging and panting dogs." she laughs, "I threw that bottle of perfume in the garbage as soon as I got home." hee. Scarecrow gives a deep chuckle as his tusk framed maw rises to the sky. He settle down and lowers his head as he says,"Your funny." He stays silent for a bit and says,"My parents are back in Germany. I've been around the world. Seen alot of places, and alot of strange things. I do od jobs here and there to pay my bills." He looks over and says,"I tend to know what I'm looking for and try my hardest to grab up, using what I can to attain it with ease. That rings true to alot of aspects to my life. I'm not involved, I havn't founds a woman that can pin me anyplace... well." He gives a laugh to himself,".. I've been pinned down, orken women have a tendancy to do that." He smiles at the thought. "I study my craft, most of the time, and try to keep myself informed on the matter." Nina Reynolds listens closely and nods, unsure if Scarecrow can see her in the astral or not right now, she looks him over to see if she can tell if he's astrally perceiving her as they talk and then she speaks quietly there on the bench with him, "What made you decide on Detroit to hang your hat?" A raccoon enters the area and sniffs the air from the edge of the clearing where the bench rests. Scarecrow droppped his astral gaze a while back and just seems like some crazed ork that likes to laugh in the rain byhimself to any mundane passer-byer. He tilts his head towards Nina's direction and says,"I arrived during the Devil Rat infestation. made a good profit in help cleaning up the city. I was able to place traps within vital points along the old sewere systems aswell, theat halped cut down on the breeding. Then I met a few people and was able to snag a bit more work. It seems to be a steady flow of it. My trip to... Southeast Asia... was before I came here." He fades off a bit, his smiling now melting away as he mentions Southeast Asia. Nina Reynolds leans back and relaxes in the rain, the sound of the rain hitting her trenchcoat is probably being the best way of assuring she's sitting right beside the ork as she chats, "Parahunting eh? It takes a brave person to do that work... but.. tell me more about Asia if you wouldn't mind." Scarecrow shakes his head as it lowers. His words almost seem like mumblings as he says,"Not ...much." He straightens up and says,"Yeah. Parahuntaing can be a dangerous thing. I was lucky to make it back alive from Southeast Asia... but my team. most of my team. were not so lucky..." He lets out a calm breath as he glances to the area where Nina would be,"So.. I take it your a normal type. what company are you working form" His quick question seeming to have him dodge the previous subject. Nina Reynolds notices the topic dodge and respects Stormcloud enough not to press that route of conversation so she doesn't lead on any intention to return to it, "I work for Wolverine Security Services.. its a competitor to Lone Star and Knight Errant. It doesn't do patrols or public law enforcement, but specializes in mid to small sized corporate, business and residential securities." Scarecrow ahs as he says,"Sounds like a good gig." A small smile returns as he says,"What type of music do you like?.. I tend to fall to latin jazz myself. I kind of left the trash metal when I was young, for a more mellow tone." He gives a small humming laugh as he goes to the topic of music. Nina Reynolds laughs lightly with Stormcloud as if joining him in his humor, enjoying his company, "I never really paid attention to what I liked. I was always the person that just turned on the radio to listen to whatever was on. It was just a few weeks ago that I met this decker in the hallway outside my apartment and he asked me out on a date to the Noir Days.. it was real nice. I like how it relaxes me.. the jazz. I've bought a couple datachips so I can listen to it at home on my trid system around the house and I've been back to the Noir like three times since then.. its strange how music can take on such meaning in your life. In some way its a basic glue.. something within people that holds them together, a stable force." she grins and then adds, "I feel silly for not having paid more attention to that part of my life until so late in my life." Scarecrow oohs as he says,"THe noir Days, I hang out there myself at times. We should meet there next time. maybe the one spot that wqe can get out of the decker that you know. would you be able to arrange a meeting with him, .. it seems as programming is donw well when in teams." Nina Reynolds nods, "Sure.. you bet. His name is Kale.. his home phone number is 5633-73395 and he lives somewhere above the second floor in the Gateway Regency. When you give him a call.. tell him your a decker also and that your looking for a programing partner.. that Nina thought both of you could profit and gain by meeting with each other." she hmms, "I hope he doesn't get upset for me sharing the info with you.. I don't think he will.. but my loyalty lies in our bond and our group and you asked.. so I am helping." Scarecrow holds his hand out in order for Nina to shake it. He switches into the astral as his gaze finds her face. A small smile while speaking in a soft tone,"Thank you. I'll have to go soon. next time me meet, let it be at Noir. Hope we are able to work out this group thing soon." His fingers curl a but in patients as he keeps the hand out. Nina Reynolds sees Stormcloud's hand come towards her in greeting, the swirling aura around the hand and she extends her own to grasp it warmly, her umbrella resting on her lap as she shakes his hand, "The Noir then.. hopefully the table by the stage so we can tune out the other things there and concentrate on the music and the company.. I'd like that." Scarecrow gently slips his hand out of the grasp and rises to his feet. THe lighting strikes as he says,"I'll tell you about the Southeast Asia incedent,... in time. when I'm ready. See ya around" With that, he turns and walks down the muddy path on his way back to the city.