Thus passes a Star from Heaven

06[20:26] * Honey the swollen kin steps from her tent, making her way to the fire as she glances to Mama Nica. She smiles warmly, making her way to the matriarch, though not intruding.
06[20:26] * Tanith looks to Naze, rubbing his hand over his heart.
06[20:26] * SNB grows somber in his observation of the moment.
01[20:26] <@IS-ST> She pats the carpet beside her and speaks as if they were not the center of attention in this strange moment.  "When I was a girl, I could do two things well.  Dance, and tell fortunes.  I took many men to bed, swooning with passion from both of them.  We should never be ashamed of the gifts the mother gives us."  She opens the box to reveal a silk wrapped set of ancient cards.  "Hello, Honey, please have a seat and relax, little mother."
06[20:28] * Honey moves herself to sit, leaning back on her arms as she sat cross legged, glancing towards Valrun and then the cards.
06[20:28] * Valrun kneels down beside Mama Nica
06[20:28] * Tanith turns his attention back to Nica to watch her closely.
06[20:28] * Naze nods slowly to Tanith. And makes a space for Honey to be comfortably seated between them.
06[20:28] * Draka nods hello to Honey, then looks back to Nica
06[20:28] * Alyah bows her head slightly keeping her eyes focused on Nica, keeping her voice silent as she mouthed small words of prayer.
01[20:29] <@IS-ST> So, Valrun, will you help me, please.  I know we use different signs, but I think together we may do something special.  She slowly unwraps the cards and spreads them out.  (Those with 3 or more Dots of Occult will recognize the set of Visconti-Sforza cards a set from the 1460's  http://prntscr.com/lorus2)
06[20:30] * Sophie[BF2] comes out and heads for the chuckwagon
06[20:30] * Valrun nods and opens the small pouch "I am happy to assist you"
06[20:35] * Honey moves to place a hand softly on Naze’s thigh before moving to lay her head on Tanith’s shoulder.
01[20:36] <@IS-ST> She smiles and takes the cards back up, placing them under her bag of runes and holding them together.  As she sits there the moon comes out from behind some clouds and bathes the carpent in its silver light.  In the light, with the embers from the fire and dust from the world around them the form of a third woman appears, just an outline, a suggestion of someone there.
06[20:37] * Sophie[BF2] comes back and sits by Draka
06[20:37] * Virgil_Kane turns his head slightly, trying to focus on the faint figure until his eyes water.
01[20:40] <@IS-ST> The outline of the woman reaches into Val's pouch and starts to draw out a set of runes, placing them on the carpet before her until a complex patern of them emerges.  She then takes the cards and shuffles them, kissing them once before handing them back to Mama Nica and fading away.
06[20:41] * Draka nods to Sophie, watching the goings on attentively
06[20:41] * Naze looks at the cards and at the old woman and Val as her assistant. She pats Honey's shoulder softly in return.. She then Gasps and her eyes water looking to Mama NiKa.
06[20:46] * SNB takes in the details, as much as possible.
06[20:47] * Valrun watches the reading, she looks very focused
03[20:47] * Virgil_Kane (Xian_Fei@qncz07-657-177-110.range57-157.btcentralplus.com) has left #IS.Bawn
01[20:48] <@IS-ST> The old woman looks at Val and smiles.  "Can you see it, daughter?"
06[20:49] * Valrun nods giving Mama Nica a small smile "yes, I see it"
01[20:49] <@IS-ST> You'll tell them later, yes?
[20:50] <Valrun> Yes Mama, I will tell them
06[20:50] * Sophie[BF2] mutters to Draka
06[20:51] * Honey lifts a brow briefly, letting out a small sound.
06[20:53] * Tanith chokes out a small sob then covers his face with his hands to hold it back.
06[20:53] * Draka murmurs back to Sophie
02[20:54] * Draka (Draka@jlr-60u77d48.dyn.optonline.net) Quit (Quit: 'Guy killed me Mal. He killed me with a sword... how weird is that?' -Mr. Universe)
01[20:58] <@IS-ST> Then Mama takes up the cards and looks around at those around her, smiling.  With a praticed flick of her wrist, she starts to deal the ancient cards, one card landing before each of the people around the carpet.  When she is done, the last card landing at Malachi's feet.  She smiles and suddenly her strength leaves her and she collapses.  The alpha, living up to his legend as the fastest garou in the nation is by her side before she can hit the carpet.  He enfolds her in his arms and frowns.  Her whisper is soft, yet clear to everyone around the camp.  "Please, Malachi...I want to go to Khem before I die."  He nods and picks her up, slowly walking towards the north, his pack falling in with him, the Kumpania following them, moving to encourage the garou to join them.
06[20:59] * SNB follows, offering an arm as support.
06[21:00] * Katherine looks ready to cry, but stands up, moving to walk with them
06[21:00] * Sophie[BF2] watches quietly
06[21:00] * Sophie[BF2] keeps her distance
06[21:02] * Alyah held reservations about it, but she too followed behind the others keeping a respectful distance from the main group.
06[21:02] * Viktor goes to walk with Valrun.
06[21:03] * Valrun stays where she is a moment, then stands and follows with Viktor
06[21:03] * Tanith rubs his eyes with his arm then rises to follow
06[21:05] * Moondancer walks off with the rest, singing something to herself as she goes. "Fear and shame now in the past // Pain and sorrow gone at last // Circle renewed, peace we will be found // Beyond the night on sacred ground // River flows, led by the wind // First new breath, my journey begins..."
06[21:06] * Naze dabs at her watering eyes with the tips of her fingers. She cries out and makes to move to catch the failing matriarch before the Alpha catches her. She is on her feet though and she nods to the Kumpania and makes to follow, but she glances to the card in front her her before following the procession.
06[21:09] * Katherine carries her card with her, not really looking at it as she walks with the Kumpania
[21:10] <Honey> “<q> What...? No no no no...no.” She looks to Malachi and then the rest “This is not supposed to happen.” Her small brows furrow as she moves to push up from the ground.
01[21:10] <@IS-ST> The procession moves to the North, a few of the Bastet coming out to join them as they pass, staying silent even as they do so.  At the edge of the Caern they are joined by another procession, Rashid and Elders of the Ahadi council having gathered at some unseen call.  They fall in behind Malachi as his clothes shift and become the white priestly robes he wears.  He makes no move to place his mask, that leather sheild, on his face.  They come to the edge of the water of the Nile, the boundry that seperates them from their home and suddenly they are surrounded by a cloud of Blue Morpho butterflies that collese into the short stranger that visited the camp a few days ago.  Standing beside the lean and slender form of the Alpha, they might be family, father and son, they look so similar.  The old man nods to him and the pair of the walk across the water into the land denied their tribe.
[21:14] <Moondancer> "Does she not deserve her rest, Honey? Of course this is supposed to happen. Be happy for her, she has lived a full life and will pass with more grace than most us will know."
06[21:15] * Katherine stops at the water's edge, watching as she cries silently for the woman that adopted her
06[21:16] * Honey just shoots moon a glance “that’s not what I meant. Not at all.” She runs her arms around her large self, doing her best to not tear up, though that in itself was fleeting.
[21:16] <Moondancer> "I think I follow you...." She nods and keeps walking.
06[21:17] * Naze helps Honey to her feet and nods to Tanith to help support her in their short journey to the Nile. She gives another soft involuntary gasp as she sees the Strider man appear in the haze of beautiful blue butterflies and his uncanny resemblance to the alpha, seeing them side by side now. She steps forward on the banks of the nile, watching..
06[21:18] * Viktor stands quiet and still next to Valrun.
06[21:18] * Tanith wraps his arm around Honey to help support her when they stop on the edge of the water.
06[21:19] * Valrun watches, dry eyed. She keeps her expression neutral, though she doesn't seem at all surprised about Mama Nica
06[21:19] * Honey holds onto Tanith tightly in her silence. She was mad. She was mad and he could feel it as she grips onto his clothes. Watching everything unfold as she just stayed quiet in her stage of grief.
06[21:20] * Alyah remains silent, not a single emotion across her face. Stoic and silent, she watched as Malachi took Nica across the water. Uttering soft words of prayer in her native tongue.
06[21:22] * SNB furroughs his brow as he notices that Malachi is stepping accross the river, too...
01[21:23] <@IS-ST> The water ripples angerly before them and as they touch foot on the far shore, the earth errupts into a a dark flood of shining scarab beetles.  The sight of them makes you ill and queezy.  The make to swarm the pair when the shorter man holds out his hand and they stop, forming a perfect circle around the small trio.  Though some trick of the wind, Mama's voice carries back across the nile.  "The stars...Oh...I never knew they would be so lovely."  And with that, the woman known as Mama Nica leaves her family for the last time, journying where all Strider Ancestors go.  The short man sighs and whispers to Malachi before her holds up his hands, a scale in them.  On one plate is a golden feather.  He steps forward and fades away.  Malachi turns and start to head back, even as the beetles swarm forward, tearing into his legs and up onto his torso.  He refuses to rush this moment for her sake and instead walks carefully across the nile.  Rashide looks to one of his warriors.  "Bring a torch." he orders.  Dark Dreams shifts to his homid form and meets Malachi at the edge of the water and takes the body of the old woman gently away from him.  Stepping back to the gathering as the warrior comes forward and sets the Alpha alight.  The fire burning off the Beetles and killing them.
06[21:31] * Tanith watches quietly, though his grief is clearly only barely contained when he sees the man return with the old woman's body.
06[21:42] * Naze looks to Tanith at some unheard inquiry and nods to him, Staying with the others and making sure Honey stays up, waiting for the Elder to stop immolating.
06[21:42] * Honey stays up, she’s a sturdy tree.
[21:42] <Alyah>  /me would watch as the insects were burned away. There was nothing she could say.
06[21:43] * Katherine walks over to DD and gently kisses Mama Nica's forehead and whispers a soft goodbye
01[21:44] <@IS-ST> Dark Dreams turns and starts to head back to the Camp.  Malachi pats the water out, his legs and stomach torn up and bleeding.  He sighs heavily and another strider, a large scarred man wearing furs and and an eyepatch over one eye, picks him up.  Rashid gestures them to a nearby building and with the the procession slowly comes to an end, people breaking up in small groups to head back the way they came.
06[21:46] * Honey would return back with Tanith and Naze.
06[21:47] * Alyah would return to camp as well, keeping to the back of the group.
06[21:48] * Tanith takes a little breath then lets it go as he takes his hand off of Honey and turns away from the group once they have returned to camp. He pockets the card he was given then heads into the shadows outside of camp.
06[21:50] * Honey watches Tanith go. She frowns softly, wrapping her arms around herself once more before sitting alone.
06[21:50] * Katherine goes to sit with Honey
06[21:50] * SNB takes a seat on the other side of Honey from Katherine.
06[21:51] * Honey her eyes shift to Katherine briefly before turning and looking to SNB. She let out a small huff of air as she looks to the fire.
06[21:52] * Katherine rests her head on Honey's shoulder
03[21:53] * IS-ST is now known as Drake
06[21:53] * Valrun moves to pick up her runes and the card left for her, carefully tucking both in the little leather pouch
06[21:53] * SNB looks over to Valrun, giving her a respectful nod.
06[21:55] * Honey she quickly wipes the couple tears that fell from her eyes, not letting anyone really see, or at least attempting, she gave a small scoff before tilting her head some and pressing it against Katherine’s.
06[21:56] * Viktor scoops up the card left for him and otherwise stays with Valrun.
06[21:58] * Naze comes back and picks up the Card for her. After a moment she also picks up the Alpha's card. Seeking to return it to him when he returns in the morning.
06[21:59] * Alyah moves to sit by the others near the firepit, keeping her eyes cast low out of respect for the events that had taken place.
[22:00] <Katherine> She'll be missed
06[22:01] * Sophie[BF2] bows her head, watching from her well back spot
06[22:02] * Naze closes her eyes and moves to sink next to the fire.
[22:02] <SNB> Her impact will never be far.
[22:02] <SNB> Never be far away.
[22:03] <Honey> “<q> Yup.” The sound of bitterness there, the kins jaw clenching softly as she closes her eyes.
[22:04] <Alyah> "Missed she shall be." She said simply, in her normal flat tone.
06[22:11] * Naze takes a moment and looks around to the passing kin of the Kumpania and then glances to Katherine <G> "Did she ever name her successor?" she asks softly
06[22:13] * Katherine shakes her head
[22:13] <Katherine> I haven't heard.
06[22:16] * Sophie[BF2] watches and listens
06[22:19] * Honey her eyes just flick up towards Naze for a long moment before looking back to the fire.
06[22:20] * Naze frowns at that <G> "She was the glue.. I hope though that the momentum of the Ahadi keeps them all striving towards their dream, and not.." She sighs
06[22:20] * Katherine nods
06[22:24] * Valrun nods a little, listening
06[22:28] * Alyah would draw her flute from her pack, slowly beginning to play a somber tune. One of mourning. If one cared not for it she could of course simply leave at request.
06[22:28] * Sophie[BF2] looks down at the ground, listening still
02[22:28] * Katherine (Lost@tkh79652g1vf6p4-gh48969l4ap0j2.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com) Quit (Quit: Have you ever shaved a mokole?)
06[22:29] * Naze closes her eyes again <G> "It would be very easy for things to break down right now back into houses and families.. the people are passionate, tensions are high, we all know the boys fight with knives occasionally already.. " She opens her eyes and stands <G> "Right." she nods
06[22:33] * Honey moves to stand again, squeezing SNB’s shoulder before letting go.
[22:33] <Moondancer> "Valrun, what did she want you to tell us.... if it was us she meant?"
06[22:34] * SNB stands to help Honey up.
06[22:36] * Naze pauses to look back to Moon and to Valrun and offering Honey a hand up too seeing as she's already standing
06[22:39] * Honey took a small breath. She gave a nod to both SNB and Naze. “thanks. I should probably make myself useful.”
02[22:39] * Valrun (Valrun@33-400-99-141.cable.teksavvy.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 246 seconds)
[22:40] <Naze> <G> "What are you looking to do?" she asks
03[22:41] * Retrieving #IS.Bawn modes...
06[22:42] * Honey glances to Naze “I haven’t the slightest clue.”
03[22:43] * Aidan (Valrun@33-400-99-141.cable.teksavvy.com) has joined #IS.Bawn
03[22:45] * Aidan is now known as Valrun
06[22:47] * Naze chuckles a little in a sad way and nods <G> " You and I are a little in the same boat then, my bright idea for 'helping' the kumpania right now is to find my three suitors and have them draw lots for the order of dates once we've committed Mama Nica to her final rest, Help move on with life."
06[22:47] * Valrun looks to Moondancer "The past, the present and the future"
[22:49] <Valrun> Could we discuss it tomorrow?  Tonight we should let people mourn I think
06[22:51] * Viktor Vikor continues to stand with Valrun , his normal quiet self.
[22:51] <Moondancer> "Very well...."
06[22:55] * Valrun nods and heads off to the Kumpania
06[22:55] * Honey gave a small nod to Naze “I suppose so.”
[22:55] <Viktor> I will be along shortly.
06[22:56] * Honey moves a hand to rub the back of her neck and her lower back. “Good night...”
06[22:56] * Moondancer grunts and nods. "Indeed."
06[22:59] * Viktor watches those remaining for a moment.
06[23:00] * Moondancer heads off to the Norarder, where she decides to play some music to match the mood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLFzyqRXhx8
[23:00] <Viktor> Moon.
06[23:00] * Sophie[BF2] sits alone, head down
06[23:02] * Moondancer sticks her head out the door. "Viktor?"
[23:02] <Viktor> Are you going to be alright?
06[23:04] * Alyah exhales slightly under her monotone breath, rising and heading down to the river for the time being.
[23:05] <Moondancer> "Viktor... *I* am going to be fine. Mama Nika had a good life, a good run. I celebrate her death, not because I'm glad she passed, but because she did her duty to the end of her days. Wolves bowed to her. She had the greatest power of all, respect. Any sadness I feel... that's selfishness. A great woman came and went before I could really know her.
[23:05] <Moondancer>  I mourn only for myself, that I missed seeing her light. I do not think she would want tears for her. I've known wise women before, they would laugh that we would mourn. She is with Gaia know. That's to be celebrated."
[23:06] <Moondancer> (( know = NOW
06[23:07] * Viktor nods, "Very well."
[23:07] <Viktor> You will let me know if you need something.
06[23:08] * Viktor sounds more like a statment than an offr.
[23:08] <Viktor> *offer
06[23:09] * Moondancer nods, and looks at Viktor. "Do YOU need something, Viktor? Would hearing the troubles of antother distract you from your own?"
06[23:09] * Viktor looks thoughtful for a moment.
[23:10] <Viktor> No, death occurs and comes for all of us at some point. It is the natural order after all.
03[23:10] * Alyah is now known as Kifel
06[23:11] * Naze inclines her head good evening to Valrun and Moondancer before she shrugs to Honey <G> "Its frustrating to me, they do so much for us.. but when a tragedy befalls them I cant even think of a good way to repay their kindness."
[23:12] <Viktor> She lived a long life and her passing does not need to be revenged, and all is as it should be.
[23:13] <SNB> I wonder if they want anything special that we can get.  We can go hunting, provide them with... something.
[23:13] <Honey> “Natural order as is life and yet she left before new life could be born for us.” She furrows her brows some and looks to Naze “It will come to you...” she moves to walk off, away from the tents and towards the desert.
06[23:14] * Viktor goes and steps next to Sophie, "I was an ass to you. You did not deserve it. You are due an apology as an equal and I offer you my apology. We got off on the wrong foot, and I will strive to make amneds."
06[23:14] * Viktor leaves it at that and looks to Seriously as he speaks.
06[23:15] * Sophie[BF2] looks to Viktor \accepted. I wasn't kind back...I should apologize too.'
[23:16] <Viktor> None necessary. Welcome to the Sept of Iron Secrets Clarity.
[23:16] <Sophie[BF2]> Thanks Viktor.
06[23:16] * Sophie[BF2] offers him her hand
[23:17] <Moondancer> "Naze, real acts of kindness only expect one kind of payment; that you do the same for others when you have the power to." Moon pauses, as if trying to recall something.
06[23:17] * Viktor takes it gently and then slips his hand down to her forearm, gripping and shaking it.
06[23:17] * SNB pauses and glances over at Moondancer... nodding at the truth of that.
06[23:18] * Viktor nods to Honey, "Yes, it is a shame that she could not be here when your child is born."
[23:18] <Moondancer> "She would say this.... Life is it's own answer. Accept it and enjoy it, day by day. Live as well as possible. Expect no more. Destroy nothing. Humble nothing. Look for fault in nothing. Leave unsullied and untouched all that is beautiful. Hold that which lives in all reverence. For life is given by the sovereign of our universe: given to be savore
[23:18] <Moondancer> d, to be luxuriated in, to be respected."
06[23:20] * Viktor nods to Moon before turning back to Sophie again, "Should you ever find yourself in need of protection, you only need to ask. Skol sister."
[23:21] <Moondancer> "Well... it's a beautiful sentiment, if not always a practical one. But wise women like her often see the world more as it should be than it is. Not the worst thing in the world to follow that vision."
[23:22] <Sophie[BF2]> Likewise. I'm a damn good sniper
06[23:22] * Viktor smiles just a little, breaking his usual stoicism, "Then I expect you will cover me on the battlefield."
06[23:23] * Viktor lets her hand her arm back.
06[23:23] * Moondancer takes out a cigar from her jacket and points it at Viktor and Sophie. "She would be pleased to see peace made on the sept."
06[23:24] * Viktor looks around at everyone, "Now then, to chase away ugly emotions, I find it is best to play very loud music. If any mind, I will fetch my eletric. If you do...then you will probably just hear it muted from my tent."
06[23:24] * Viktor nods to Moondancer.
[23:25] <Viktor> (If no one minds...)
[23:26] <Sophie[BF2]> I like music...I wish I could carry a tune.
[23:26] <Moondancer> "I was going to play loud music anyway...." She waves a hand. "Go go... maybe I'll sing along."
06[23:31] * Naze nods to Honey and Moondancer and nods her approval of seeing a kind of peace made there. She nods to the music makers as she moves to have a seat, bring out her card for a moment to contemplate it briefly.
02[23:32] * Dealgan (Dealgan@fq7-68-338-420-17.compute-1.amazonaws.com) Quit (Quit: The Lounge - https://thelounge.github.io)
06[23:35] * SNB will spend the rest of the night in the calm pursuit of hearing tales of Mama Nica, her life, her accomplishments, her wisdom, etc.
[23:36] <Viktor> Its fine Sophie you don't have to carry a tune...its loud music.
06[23:36] * Viktor heads off to the Fenrir tent.
06[23:36] * Sophie[BF2] chuckles
02[23:37] * SNB (SNB@228-645-259-103.mtco.com) Quit
06[23:46] * Viktor comes back with his eletric and a small amp like device.
06[23:46] * Viktor its looks much like a bluetooth speaker...but modified. After a moment of setting it up he looks to everyone.
06[23:46] * Kifel would exit the walker tent with his gear slung over his shoulder, rifle as well, nodding to those as he passed. Still holding the small of his back with a hand. "I'll be outside if I'm needed."
[23:47] <Viktor> Any requestes?
06[23:47] * Viktor nods to Kifel, "No, please, come and stay."
[23:47] <Moondancer> "Agreed... nothing's going to happen tonight."
06[23:51] * Sophie[BF2] looks to Kifel
[23:51] <Sophie[BF2]> Stay my ... friend?
[23:52] <Kifel> His back audibly popped as he paused in place, turning back towards Viktor and Sophie for a time. Brushing his hair back he returned to the camp, setting his rifle and ammo bag down in a chair.
06[23:56] * Moondancer leaned back, wetting the cigar between her lips, watching Sophie, perhaps taking note of how much calmer she seemed to be today. Perhaps her own experiences, or maybe something gleaned from the passing of Mama Nika. Either way, seeing the Black Fury making peace and friends was a welcome site. She struck a match to light up the cigar.