val_corax. A Roadtrip, an ego boost, and thinking of trying something new. (Reply)

Well, the road trip to Mt. St. Helens finally happened. Salem, Mouse, and Nick headed up there in the RV and I trailed along behind them on my bike. After and entire day of riding on my motorcycle, I was kinda stiff and sore, but that went away as soon as I shifted. We all went over to the flipside and spoke with the lake spirit at the bottom of the mountain. Other then the Spirit half-drowning Mouse, everything went fairly well. Nothing tried to eat us and the Spirit agreed to let the wasps move in to her territory. Honestly, though, I felt kinda like a fifth wheel throughout the whole thing. Really wasn't much I could contribute to what was going on, aside from playing at being a feathered translator for Nicodemus.

Ended up talking some with Mouse that evening, after Nick had disappeared in to the RV for a bit. I guess I'm still a bit in the dumps, even after taking a few days off. All my conversations seem to be taking on a depressing tone these days. Mouse seemed to be rather peeved at Ky and while I'll admit that the guy probably didn't make the brightest of choices, I fond that I'm not angry with him at all. Mostly, I just feel guilty for not doing more to help with the whole Green Angels thing and pity. That kid is going to have one hell of a rough road in front of him. Hope that when he finishes walking that road, he still remembers how to laugh.

I'd asked Storm's-Shadow to keep and eye on Ky for me and he was obliging enough to do it, which is how I got wind of the Walkers doing a little house cleaning. Two Banes had set up shop in the Umbra; one of Despair and the other of Pain. Ky was there, along with Alexandra, Kavi, Lefty, and the Fox. He looks kinda like a Furry in his Crinos form. I'd expected him to be a bit more like one of the Werecoyotes. Not that I am going to say that to his face.

But, anyway, I actually got to be useful. As in directly useful. Thomas managed to get the Despair Bane to start moving down the building by throwing fire at it, but Alexandra used one of her Gifts to determine the things weaknesses. The Pain Bane was sensitive to healing Gifts, while the Despair Bane sensitive to things like joy and children's laughter. My original plan was just to throw some molotov cocktails at the thing, but I was able to be a hell of a lot more useful with that bit of information. I dropped off the top of the Walker Building like a little black bomb and used Mimic to torment the Despair Bane with the sounds of grade-school kids playing in a playground. It was great! I actually upset the thing enough that it fell off the building, Then, I made myself a huge nuisance, until the thing nearly managed to hit me. (Managed to avoid whatever mental crap it pulled on everyone else. Poor Lefty took the brunt of it.) Kinda scooted to the other Bane at that point, since it had started climbing down the building and Storms-Shadow had cried out a warming.

I managed to land on the things head/neck area and make use of my Healing Gift and I actually managed to hurt the thing! Side affect was that I had to scramble out of the way really fact and take a moment to catch my breath. Thomas closed in and hit the things while his hands were on fire - saw that trick while I was in Japan. Unfortunately the poor guy got tossed for his efforts an seemed a bit banged up after that. Bane went after Thomas, but got swarmed by the wolves. Landed on the Bane again, nailed it with my Gift and it dropped dead! I got in the killing blow on a BANE!!!

Unfortunately, as one of the Bane's went down, Kavi went and kicked the bucket, then he came back. Still, he wasn't moving all that much and I healed him up as best I could. Went to ask Thomas if he needed any healing. But he kinda flipped his shit after Storm's-Shadow gave the wolves a verbal pat on the back, then gave the Shadow Lords a little extra attention and mentioned that Ol' Thunder would be pleased with them. Figured he'd ask for healing if he needed it, so I focused on replenishing my Gnosis and called it a night.

Think I understand the wolves a bit better now. There is certainly a great feeling of satisfaction that comes with actually killing something that needs killing, instead of just telling someone about it. And well, it didn't do my Ego any harm. :)

I decided to drop in on Ex and have a talk with her. She was in a sour mood, which wasn't all that surprising, what with the moon as big as it was. Asked her what she thought about the Umbra and her reaction wasn't all that favourable I believe her exact words were 'Fuck it.' Riley showed up in there, but I didn't seem to be doing any good, so I wandered off.

Managed to catch up with Charley in the park near the Fountain, adding at least one penny in to the water. I'd been thinking about what he said when it comes to working too hard. He has a point... Even after popping out of the city for a few days, I was still being something of a grumpy guts. Know from experience that getting moody like that isn't good for me. I need to find some way to completely take my mind off things, even for a little while. Charley sounded like he enjoyed doing the clubbing thing, even if he drinks to much while doing it. That guy drinks too much in general.

Anyway. I'm willing to give anything a try once. So, I brought up the idea with Charley and he seemed okay with the idea. Less okay with the idea of helping me buy something appropriate. But he agreed, which will save us both a lot of embarrassment. I know me. Left to my own devices, even if I have done some spying, to see what folks are wearing, I'd probably pick something a bit too much on the sparkly side and end up sticking out like a sore thumb.

I'd ask someone else to give me a hand... But, I know lots of folks and get along just fine with a fair number of them, but I'm not friends with too many. Charley is starting to feel like a friend. Him, Nick'n, Riley. Not really certain what category I'd lump Ky in to. I like the kid and I worry about him enough, but... Eh.