Behind The Veil

[Ben Harrow]

There was a bird, singing. The melody sounded rather harmonic, and a great deal of people would probably have enjoyed it. Ben was not one of those people; no he was one of those people who wanted to shoot the bird. That was if he could find the darn winged rat to begin with. Ben was raised and grew up in the city, in other words he was a city boy through and through. In other words he didn’t really care much for the great outdoors. Granted he didn’t mind spending a few hours in the wild but a whole weekend? He’d rather have his nails forcefully removed with a set of rusty and decaying pliers. He did travel from one seaboard to the other, although that was mostly via the interstate and other densely populate areas, not to mention the guy with whom he was with was more than worth it. However even his deceased teacher could not convince him to camp-out, quite frankly there wasn’t a force in the world that could accomplish that.

All of that of course begged the question why was Ben waltzing around a forest. Well technically it was a Park, a rather large and never ending park that spread for miles without end, outside of Los Angeles. The reason why he was wondering about the forest which he intensely disliked? James Masterson or rather a variation thereof to which he affectionately referred to as TJ. Now he wasn’t looking for the man, quite the opposite he was looking for somebody who was supposed to be around here, according to TJ. Now granted he didn’t really know TJ, he had met him not two weeks ago and slept him, and while he was sure that he took his role as local leader and guide of the Mages seriously he couldn’t quite throw off the nagging feeling that James was having him on. Yeah send the new guy to wonder around the woods for a day or two, it would be a great laugh. Naturally Ben would have his own laugh after he strangled the simulacrum.

On the other side he really had no reason to doubt James.

That thought was cold comfort as he smacked a mosquito away. He really hated the outdoors. However in James’s defense the man did give him direction and a compass that was to lead to him his objective – who ironically happened yet to be another man. Being a mystic of the highest order TJ was able to easily divine the next step in dealing with the Nephandi, or rather what the next was that Ben was about to take. Time Magic, it often confounded things. The enchanted compass was still pointing south, the needle showing Ben where he needed to go rather where the Earths poles were. Something that was starting to annoy Ben, yes the compass was a great thing of magic, but it only showed the direction in which he needed to go rather where it exactly was. For all he knew he might still be walking for several days yet to come. And the fact that he had only taken one bottle of water, which he drank an hour ago, wasn’t that encouraging.

Neither was the sun that was starting to set. Granted it was nowhere near dark yet, but with the high trees obscuring the sky, it looked as if the sun was setting. Annoyed Ben continued to walk, his jeans stained due to the dirt road he was walking about and his shirt had seen better days too. Now there was also the fact that his sneakers were starting to look as if they were something that he stole from a mining shaft. Oh yeas he was going to strangle James. Then the compass needle started to spin. Was he there yet? He looked up.

In front of him was a small clearing, with a nice comfortable fire, and a blue tent standing upright behind it. Was that it? Well there was only one way to find out, with a shrug he walked towards it.

[Noah Autumnchild]

It all started with a reddish egret. Noah held out the fish he'd caught as reward for the story it had brought him. There was someone approaching his camp. Next came song birds of all distinctions, seed and feed buying him more information. The man was a man not a predator, and he seemed weird. The Galliard's work with the local birds was starting to pay off. He headed back to see who this stranger was.

The Child of Gaia had come out to the woods to commune with Nature and to continue building his reputation as a food giver with the local avians and vermin. He'd dressed for the occasion in green pants from the army surplus, their camouflaged pockets having served well for carrying all the food for his furry and feathered friends. His shirt was a plain brown affair that he'd rescued from a church charity bin, it had a number of noticeable holes, but since they hinted at his well defined stomach and not his scarred back Noah didn't mind. The ever present white cowboy hat hid his dirty blonde hair, but clashed terribly with the black boots, however both were functional which was all he cared about.

Ever cautious the Garou approached the camp slowly trying to get a view of the intruder before the man saw him. He didn't mind what he saw. The guy was decent looking, didn't have a weapon and he managed to look lost and like he knew where he was going at the same time. Very interesting.

Stepping out from behind the trees Noah entered the clearing like he owned the place, his erect posture emphasizing his considerable size and muscular girth. He kept his hands to his sides so the man would know he was welcome. “Howdy stranger? You look lost. What brings you to this neck of the woods?” he asked affecting a helpful smile that showed off his white teeth and went all the way up to his soft blue eyes. He sat down on a long near the fire, offering the opposite long with a gesture of his hands. The best stories were always told around a camp fire.

[Ben Harrow]

Having grown up on the east coast, and traveled across the states by sticking to mostly northern routes, and having currently somewhat settled in California – Ben was moderately surprised to have heard a Texan drawl lacing the voice of the man that was greeting him. The drawl was accompanied by a matching appearance as the walking talking picture of a cowboy popped from behind some bushes. The man even had a cowboy hat to boot. However his choice of attire wasn’t what drew Ben’s attention; it was the pearly white teeth coupled with the amazingly blue eyes that drew his attention first and foremost. Secondly it was the fact that the cowboy seemed to have biceps of steel.

At any other time of day he wouldn’t have minded to stumble across, what seemed to be, a regular corn fed farm boy from Texas. But today he had other priorities. “You’re right I guess I got a tad bit turned around” he said in a friendly voice. Perhaps he could persuade the cowboy to give him water or even quite possibly a ride back to the main road? He did slump down across from the man once he was offered a place to sit. He hadn’t even noticed how painful his feet felt until he managed to lift them up. “I have been looking for…somebody and I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way” he explained “Thanks” he added as he stretched out his legs. His expression changed from drained and tired to one of minor bliss as he kicked off his shoes to give his feet room to breathe. Quite frankly in that particular moment Ben couldn’t recall any sensation that might have felt better.

“Sorry for just dropping in as it were” he said after a moment as his bare feet moved through the grass. “Nice tent” he commented, not really knowing what to say to the man across from the small camp fire. The sun had begun to set early, or rather the tree’s made it appear so, as their long shadows seemed to cast the entire clearing in gloom like state. Perhaps there was something about this whole nature and camping shtick? Another mosquito buzzed pass Ben’s ear. He swatted it away. And perhaps there wasn’t. “Oh I almost forgot, Ben Harrow” he introduced himself. As he did he briefly glanced at the enchanted compass to see if it was still pointing in the same direction. To his surprise, Ben found the needle to be rather rapidly spinning. The enchantment was supposed to let him know when he found his destination by doing exactly that; did it mean that he had found for whom he was looking for. Or did the spell that was fueling the compass simply break down? He certainly hoped for the prior.

“Any chance you have some water that you could spare?” he asked as he considered what to do next.

[Noah Autumnchild]

Noah chuckled at Ben's request, handing the bottle over eagerly. “Of course you can have some water. You can even have some food if you can spare the time for me to cook it.” he said doing his best to provide a welcoming smile while he fussed about the camp.

Suddenly he stopped and extended his hand to be shaken. “Oh here I am forgettin my manners. My name's Noah Autumnchild. Welcome to my fire.” He was more then happy to have a handsome stranger arrive out of the woods if that's what Fate had steered his way. Who knew what interesting stories this man might know.

“So you said you were looking for somebody. Who might that be? The deep woods seems a strange place to meet someone don't yah think?” he asked politely intrigued. It was odd that someone would run into him all the way out here and Noah was never one to let a mystery go unexplored. Especially a mystery which included such good looking company.

While Noah did his best to charm his new guest, the birds in the Galliard's employ did their best to complete their tasks. The avians had been asked to look for things which the Child of Gaia wanted to know about. One of the birds had just discovered one of the things on the Garou's list and was on it's way back with news.

[Ben Harrow]

Ben popped the cap of the water bottle as it was handed to him, eagerly swallowing the first few gulps as the water burned his throat. That felt good, Ben was a great deal many of things a great outdoors man wasn’t one of them. A moment later he wiped his chin from the water trail that had spilled. A handshake latter Ben couldn’t help himself but to stare into the man’s baby blue eyes and friendly face, perhaps all cowboys were simply this friendly? “Thank you Noah” he said after a moment as he gulped more of the water down.

“Well that is…a rather complicated and long story” he said with a chuckle. For starters where was he supposed to begin? Aside the credibility of his story, and the chance that Noah might bash his head in with an axe if he believed that Ben was insane, he still would have to explain about the fact that there wasn’t one but rather half a dozen secret societies crawling across Los Angeles. Something that would send most people for a tailspin. This certainly wasn’t a good thing when one was stuck in the forest and relying on the help of strangers. Yet there was the issue of compass as well – was Noah the guy he had been looking for? And if so how was he going to react? Rory certainly didn’t seem thrilled. “I should warn you though my cooking skills are atrocious”

“Hey it is your fire and I don’t mind telling” he said with a smile, Noah’s seemed to be infectious. Maybe it was the fact that Noah seemed to trying to charm him…but Ben seemed to be falling for that. He simply couldn’t help himself but to meet the cowboy’s openness, charm and smile with his own. The sound of birds seemed to be echoing throughout the forest perhaps they were simply singing themselves to sleep as the once blue sky seemed to be bather in amber and orange colors. The sun was indeed setting, and sooner rather then later as the massive trees enveloped them into shadows if not outright darkness. If not for the fire in front of them chances were that Ben would be stumbling over his own two feet.

He leaned slightly forward as if he was going to whisper the man some great secret “But before I do that, tell me Noah, do you believe in magic?”

[Noah Autumnchild]

Noah listened to the birds tale while trying to keep Ben entertained. He could smile, nod, and listen at the same time. The birds informed him that their weren't any other campsites in their brief range. The survivalist in Noah just assumed that Ben had made a wrong turn early. Oddly enough only a small number of the birds he'd sent out had come back. Maybe they weren't hungry. He threw some scraps and seeds as reward for those who had returned.

“Then why don't you talk and I'll cook.” he said as he admired Ben's good looks not for the first time. The setting sun cast the other man's features in an excellent light, making him even more appealing then he had already been. Being a Galliard Noah let himself be entranced by the vision. One day it might prove inspiration for a painting, song or story. He covered his attentions with prepping the rabbit he'd caught earlier, taking extra care to cover up the teeth marks. No sense having to kill Ben for finding out secrets.

Speaking of secrets...”I do believe in magic. The world is a mysterious place. I'm sure there's more to it then meets the eye.” he said adopting a familiar persona. Noah the Camper joined with Noah the Wiccan. The lies would give him the wiggle room he'd need in case he stumbled across something complex.

He didn't know anything about Ben but this tale was already getting weird and Noah's curiousity was peeked. His head filled with questions. Who is this man?....and why does he keep looking at me like that?

[Ben Harrow]

Noah liked him. As a Cultist he had an affinity for lust, thus he could easily recognize it, and seemed the type who appreciated a good looking man. Ben himself wasn’t conceited but he was aware of his own physical appearance and that he did draw looks from other men and women. Looks he mostly enjoyed. However at the moment he had the unenviable position of explaining himself to a good looking mountain man, cowboy who he may or may not have liked. It was mostly due to the exertion, caused by his blundering throughout the freaking wilderness, but he chose business before pleasure.

“I’d appreciate it” he said cordially as Noah offered to make some food “Well you see here is the thing I not only believe in magic I am magic…well some of the time” he said smiling at Noah as he did so “And I’m not flirting, not that I have something against flirting and don’t get me wrong…I don’t discriminate based on gender” he added with a mischievous smirk. He certainly didn’t discriminate based on gender; both men and women were more then welcome to share his bed. Or to sit next to it or whatever did work for them. However he did put it most people generally didn’t believe him, about the magic not his love life, until they got some proof at least “Being me I was wondering the lovely great outdoors while looking for something or rather somebody” he explained “With this little trinket guiding me”

He offered the enchanted compass to Noah to inspect. The enchantment placed upon on the compass showed the way to what the person wanted to find the most, or in some cases what the person needed to find the most. It was really on a case by case that the magic decided, deciding which was more prevalent; need or want, in other words it really was a psychological thing. Chances were that Noah would be telling him that the compass was broken and or that he was crazy. That’s why he came up with a plan B – his magic, tapping into the sphere of life he channeled the magic through his pendent, with which he was toying with. The spell was a simplistic one; it would allow him to inspect Noah on a biological level, allowing him to see if he was sick and if he had any physical defects.

His eyes widened as he realized with whom he was dealing with, or rather what. He recognized the particular pattern he sensed inside Noah’s flesh. “But I really don’t need to convince you do I?” he asked “You’re not human either…well at least not one hundred percent” he added a grin tugging on his lips.

[Noah Autumnchild]

Well that takes care of the sleeping arrangements. Noah thought to himself. In this case the setting seemed to be writing it's own story. Ben was lost miles from any other campsites. Noah was only prepared for himself. However would they share the sleeping bag? Then the handsome stranger decided to keep talking and the moment was rather spoiled.

The Galliard accepted the compass without comment. He moved it about and soon came to the inescapable conclusion that it was pointed at him. The plot took an immediate detour from the Romance novel section and into Fantasy/Mystery. Noah thanked Gaia with a chuckle for the small miracle of this day so far, although perhaps he should have thanked Coyote more specifically. The tale had his raunchy paw prints all over it. Noah was delighted, if only Ben hadn't kept talking...

But talk he did and hoping to remain a Garou in good standing Noah would have to do something about what was being said. It wasn't that he was overly xenophobic, the Child of Gaia had no particular reason to dislike magic people or to wish Ben harm. In fact he wanted to see where this tale would take him, but the Veil required that Ben's curiosity be brought to heel first.

“Ahh....well you weren't supposed to see any of that now were you? How brave of you to be so open when you're in the deep dark woods, at sunset, miles from any human authority or aid.” he complimented pausing to let the implied threat sink in. He didn't want to have to kill Ben, but the other man deserved to know that that prospect was on the table. Hoping to spare them both the inconvenience he turned on Persuasion to lend weight to his next words.

“That being said, I'm pretty keen on this compass and the tale behind it. It'd be a shame if we didn't get to see it through. So before you starting putting unfortunate words to the things about me that you didn't just see, let me tell you what you need to know. I'm a Wiccan. Just a Wiccan. That's what you saw and that's what people are going to be told. After all we Wiccans are private people that just hate to be outed. You feel me?” he explained leaning towards Ben, his smile adopting the kind of feral charm that werewolves were famous for. As Garou attempted to look both sexy and fearsome, a force approached the light of their fire. Unknowable to Noah, another mystic influence was sending it's awareness to observe the camp.

[Ben Harrow]

“How... very kind of you to point that out to me” Ben said with a somewhat wry look on his face. Granted he really wasn’t considering the fact that he was in the middle of nowhere when he had decided to be that forward with Noah - caution certainly did meet the wind, or at least that how the old saying went. Perhaps a nightly liaison would have set Noah’s mood to be more receptive towards Ben’s more intellectual pursuits? Well it certainly seemed to be a tad bit late to follow that avenue now. “You know you remind me of an acquaintance of mine” Ben mused somewhat absentmindedly as Noah moved forward.

He didn’t know if it was because of the dim camp-fire, the woods, or simply an expression that Noah had practiced into existence but…the man’s features suddenly got a predatory quality to them. The mage wasn’t sure if he liked that or was supposed to be slightly disturbed by it, but at any rate they certainly were in tandem with his observations of Rory – and if he was right then it would mean that there were two, of whatever these two men were, and that would certainly imply a community of some sorts. It would definitely explain as to why both Noah and Rory seemed to be so highly protective about their ‘second nature’.

“Did anybody ever tell you that you have a charming smile?” Ben deflected when he heard the wiccan speech. So Noah too wanted to avoid giving him any direct answers, fine by him, he would simply have to tickle it of the man. Now it was Ben’s turn to dictate the terms of their little engagement, mirroring Noah’s movement he too leaned forward leaving only a few inches to separate them from touching. Ben’s blue eyes keeping contact with Noah’s “I can tell my people whatever it is that you like, it is not them you are dealing with, it’s just me” he explained, however the implication that that might be worse was left out there “If it makes you feel better I can even say that you are a magical squirrel living in tree tops, personally I couldn’t care less”

“The bottom line being I have questions, I’m sure you do too, and I like having mine answered” his voice, so hard and reasonable was so unlike his usual one, the one with which he liked to flirt “So we can either try to bash each brains in or alternatively we can have a civilized conversation, so which do you prefer?” he inquired as he felt a distant chill crawl across his back

[Noah Autumnchild]

Noah let out a deep masculine chuckle, then leaned in and quick like a bunny gave Ben a quick peck on the top of the nose. “Has anyone told you that you're pretty cute when you're trying to be civilized.” he complimented by way of agreement. Noah was all too happy to be a magical squirrel.

He moved away to fill a pot of water to be boiled on the fire. “I think I like your brains where they are, but I am curious as to why you have a compass that points directly to me.” he said motioning to the needle which followed him around the camp. “Make no mistake I'm complimented, I'm just also confused. If you were after a little Broke Back, I can think of much easier ways.” he said with a wink.

“Perhaps you can ask your questions while you let me know a little of why you might be here? I'll answer you as best I can. Together I'm sure we'll figure this out.” he asked, going back to the food. His sharp knife made quick work of the carrots in front of him. While Noah worked the Scrying Mage examined the scene. The Mage had attached his Correspondence senses to the wind so as they breathed in and out he let his magickal senses invade the bodies of those present to reveal their secrets. It was not impressed.

[Ben Harrow]

The deep chuckle thing took him slightly by surprise. Usually men didn’t laugh when he was trying to be intimidating, not that he was usually trying to be that, but still he had expected at the very least a tad bit awe if nothing else. However he could take a compliment when it was handed to him, he could definitely take the peck on the nose. Now that was outright confusing, was it meant as a romantic gesture or just a tease? Men, at least the ones that he knew, weren’t the kissing types. Well they were the kissing types, but they usually reserved that particular activity towards members of the opposite sex. “Thanks, you should see me when I’m trying to be cute” he said still somewhat taken aback by the whole thing.

“Yes I like my brains where they are too” he said with a moderate amount of amusement in his voice. They certainly seemed to be much more laid back then he had been a few minutes ago? And here Ben thought that he had gotten this guys number. “The compass is enchanted” he said again “As such the enchantment guides whoever is holding towards whatever he or she is looking for” he summed up the explanation that he had been given. Naturally there was still the whole application of the sphere’s of time, mind and correspondence, not to mention the mage that actually created the artifact. But Noah didn’t need to know all of that. It would only confuse the issue. “Long story short I’m looking for answers and the compass was supposed to guide towards those, or at least somebody that knew them, and…” he gestured towards Noah “…voila”

“So Noah what is your story?” he asked as he leaned back eyeing the man that was busy boiling the water. “You’re well aware that I’m a tad bit more then human, as are you, as I’ve previously established” he said with his usual brand of bluntness mixed with a tad bit of sarcasm. “So my question is what are you exactly? You see I’ve already encountered a man that was like you, he was strong enough to rip off a…well he was really strong and could conjure up lights” he summarized that particular experience “He had the whole silent, brooding thing going on, not really big on the sharing of information either”

The sun light was completely gone now, a few stray lights still managed to shine across the orange tinted sky as Ben looked up. Yup it was certain he was staying the night, there was no way that he was going home tonight, he had barely found his way towards this clearing during the day. At night, chances were that he was going to break his own neck while tripping over a root or something.

[Noah Autumnchild]

Oh no little Willworker, I've heard stories of your people. I'm not gonna let you kill yourself with curiosity. Especially not when I'm damned sure I can negotiate me a green light on that fine ass of yours. Lol. Noah let out a rough chuckle from deep with in his throat. He was always telling himself an amusing story, now it was time to share with the world.

“I just can't tell you a damned thing about me, no matter how nice you ask me. There are rules about this sort of thing and if I told you the truth they'd know. Now before you go and get all curious, all you need to know about who 'they' are is that 'they' will fucking kill 'us'.” he said all laughter gone momentarily from his face.

He let the act stretch out for just a second. Then burst once more into a happy grin. He loved positive reinforcement and telling tales. To reward and entertain made him feel giddy with cheer. “But I can tell you a story about some magick squirrels. Let's call them the Ratatoskians.” he said, starting his story without asking permission.

“Our tale begins in the days before the Ratatoskians, when the Mother was harmonious and the Trinity still divine. In the first days Mother bore forth three brothers from the womb of her compassion, these were Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The beginning, the middle, and the end.” he said adding a silent thanks to a Hindu waitress for taking the time to tell him a story of creation from which he might borrow.

“For time untold the Heavenly Family lived in auspicious balance, but then Vishnu had a question. 'Why?' He asked of the World, and she answered him 'BECAUSE YOU ARE'. Vishnu, the Middle Brother, Bringer of Order, asked again and again, but there was no other answer. Heretics might whisper that Brahma, the Youngest Brother, Bringer of Chaos, whispered the question to his Middle Brother, but none can be sure. Although it might explain what happened next.” he paused for effect. Making sure to renew contact with Ben's lovely eyes, before continuing.

“Vishnu went Mad! In his insanity he wove a net made of rules and tried to trap his Youngest Brother, but failed for Brahma could not feel the touch of boundaries. Tormented with existential frustration Vishu tossed his net upon Shiva, the Eldest Brother, Bringer of Destruction, who was bound. We think perhaps this is the moment when Vampires began, but who knows.” he said gesturing and ruminating wildly.

“But what we do know is that from that day forward Shiva and often times Vishnu have tried to kill the Mother. In order to defend Herself, The Mother, She-Who-Is-The-Seasons, forged the Ratatoskians from the souls of Man and Beasts so they would have the forms and gifts of both. They are holy warriors who fight in secret to keep the world going and restore balance to Creation.” he concluded with a satisfied grin. To his mind the story contained a great deal of information about 'why the Garou are' while being light enough on the details of 'what the Garou are'.

Happy with his story, the handsome Galliard hoped to go back to flirting, maybe try to get his shirt off or Ben's, but it wasn't meant to be. Noah had just enough time to dawn a slightly lecherous smirk before a pine cone bounced off his charming face. They were under attack.

...

Far across town upon the surface of a rusty black pool of human blood an image danced. It had been the image which Pavan had breathed into existence, and Jala had transferred to the pool so all could see. None were pleased with the progress the two had made. Agni had sworn they would fight, but Agni was always swearing such things. No, instead the two seemed to bond and this pleased Vyom not.

The Old Hag had give them a handful of beads with which to capture the foolish infidels. They began with three Green Jade beads. Dropping into the pool one for each tree who's life they would take over. Bound together by Pavan's breath, Pavan, Jala, and Agni each took control of an animated tree.

As the spell was carried on her breath, Pavan moved first, growing and raining down a torrent of pine cones which sent the blonde bounding backwards. Regrettably Jala and Agni would arrive more slowly, giving the men time to prepare. Jala planned to use her magick to sharpen the needles and then spray them forth, but this required lengthy adjustment to the host tree. Meanwhile Agni who held no power with plants, planned to strike first at the small man then the large one, using the thick branches of the spruce he was operating.