Weapons of Mass Destruction - Learning from the Master (Chapter 2 Night shift)

[Sonovaditch]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Danger Room  10:32 pm - Vesper Novak

Vesper walked along with the smaller Garou, leading her along the path outlined by the other agents in front of them. When the auburn-haired girl finally spoke up, he looked to her with an inquisitive stare. "I inherited my mother's eyes," he replied without hesitation. The smile had vanished from his face and was replaced by blank canvas, void of emotion, "I can understand. She made me nervous, too."

Though he said it with great certainty, it was difficult to know specifically what about the boy had made Demona nervous. But Vesper did have one thing right: he had most certainly inherited his mother's eyes. The same cold look, calculating and measuring, dominated Vesper's own gaze as it had his now-deceased mother's. And with the raven-haired male's smile absent and his eyes alight with the prospect of another strange yet familiar coworker to become acquainted with, they claimed supremacy over his countenance.

"I was wondering something as well, though," the Bonegnawer continued quite suddenly, "Why do you intrigue me?"

[Grimoire]

Department 7 Headquarters - Training Room  10:31 pm - Kyoko Chyuu

Kyoko let out another chuckle, this one a little more amused than the last as Samuel sent an eyebrow wag her way. The were-fox vollied with an eyelash flutter and a faux-southern belle swoon. She had long ago realized that her appearance and accent warranted a certain amount of intrigue and male attention, and though she'd come accustomed to it, it always amused and befuddled her. Samuel was of course attractive, languid in his movements and chizelled in feature, but despite that there was even something primal and delightful about his aura and it showed when she felt her cheeks flush inexplicably. Really? She looked away from the arch of his shoulder, and the group at large. She put a cool palm to her flushed face hoping no one took notice. Nicky would have a field day.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  10:33 pm - Nicky Dingo

Nicky held the door and let all the new agents and some of the older ones enter the common room before he abandoned his post and let the next person hold the door.  "Right," he said.  "Shapeshifters on the right, everyone else on the left.  I'm going to be dealing with the shapeshifters for obvious reasons, while Babadora briefs everyone else.  You might be disappointed to learn that your first venture into the field is going to take place right here on the base.  We won't be leaving the compound in the strictest sense but we will be going someplace I'm sure none of you have been.  Show of hands for anyone who has even heard of the Umbra or, as it is known to some, Dreamtime, the astral plane or the spirit world."

Paul leaned over to Crickett, who was still currently Molly.  "I'm glad I'm on this side of the room.  I don't have a clue what he's talking about."

"I suspect our task is going to be equally odd," Michael said, the scent of his cologne wafting through the air as if on a gentle breeze.  "Then again what about this place is anything other than odd?

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Danger Room  10:34 pm - Samuel

He gave a nod to Dundee as he passed through the door, What the hell was his name. He tried to remember, he appreciated the unexpected support he got from the wolf, although he realized it probably had more to do with the rivalry between him and Major Asshole than any feelings for him but it was still something that surprised him and he had been unlike what he'd been led to expect from any wolf, although Major Asshole was pretty close to the mark. Nike? No, that didn't sound right, he'd have remembered if he were named after a shoe.

He gave a brief smile of encouragement to the Spirit-talker as they were separated according to were and non-were.

When Dundee spoke, asked his question his ears almost literally twitched in his direction. He was familiar with the spirit world, Grandmother interacted with it all the time. He'd also been told of the Umbra but had never dealt with it personally, although his teacher had a spirit she dealt with regularly and he knew something of the rituals the Bastet used to deal with it. He also had the impression that the Bastet had been much closer to it some time in the distant past but the connection had been made much more tenuous around the time the Wars of Rage had occurred. Probably something else the dogs had denied them in an act of spite, he thought grimly.

He raised an eyebrow and nodded to Dundee, "I know some", he said cautiously, "but I'm no Shaman, either." He might have said more, the curiosity was so strong, but he was also reluctant to let them know exactly what he knew, or how he knew it. He had no intention of sharing with the wolves, especially Major Asshole, anything that might lead them to suspect anything about the other Bastet.

[Demona]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  10:35 pm - Demona

Demona walked beside him and she sighed deeply, "I can assure you there is no reason to be intrigued.  I am just a freak!" She pulled away from him unsure how to take his words.  Her green eyes shimmered with barely held back tears as she took a deep breath to steady herself.  The rise and fall of her chest was apparent with the rapid quick beats of emotions that whirled within in.  This man drew her like a flame to a moth.  She was scared of him. Yet she also needed him.  She was so small in statue, yet her spirit was strong. 

The words shape-shifters to the right filtered through her thoughts and she stood rock still.  She was not sure what she was..hesitation was written on her face. Her green eyes shimmered with fear, remorse, intrigue, and uncertainty.  The paleness of her face seemed to darken suddenly.  A flush of red filtered over her quickly as she felt the urge to run. Something in the room made her feel sick. She didn't know who or what, but the feeling of utter terror filled her.  Green eyes jerked from face to face trying to figure out what it was.  Panic seemed to engulf her and she stepped back further into the corner.

[Sonovaditch]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Danger Room  10:35 pm - Vesper Novak

"Maybe you are. But that would make sense. It seems like all of us here are," Vesper said, his fathomless black eyes meeting her shimmering green as he tilted his head casually to one side, "So at least you're in good company."

Once Nicky (who's name Vesper was still trying desperately to recall) had announced the organized segregation of their group, the young Garou made to move toward the right side of the room, but he hesitated. He saw Demona's sudden loss of momentum, her eyes filling up with fear and uncertainty and panic. The older shapeshifter looked quizzical, entirely unsure of how to register her sudden but subtle display of emotion. They both seemed frozen for a moment, her in her fear and he in his fascination. Then, without much warning, Vesper took Demona's hand in his firm but gentle grasp and, with his very best comforting smile painted across his sharp features, lead her toward the right side of the room with him without a word. Even once he'd lead her there, he didn't let go.

Upon hearing Nicky's ask for a show of those whom were familiar with the spirit world, Vesper lazily rose his free hand above his head. He'd certainly heard of the umbra. Both his father and twin sister had spoken of it to him several times, though Vesper himself had never ventured into the mysterious astral plane. It had remained to him something of a fairytale since his father's death, and so the prospect of finally exploring this separate realm excited the Bonegnawer intensely (even though his body language hardly spoke of his underlying anticipation).

[Demona]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Danger Room  10:35 pm  - Demona

Demona nearly cried out when the lupin grabbed her hand. She had never allowed anyone to touch her in such a fashion.  For some strange reason, instead of pulling away she allowed him to escort her in the room.  She felt somewhat safe in his grasp.  It was the first time that she truly felt comfort in another's embrace. Softly she laid her head on his broad shoulder and just listened to his heart beat.  While her very heart beat so loudly, she thought everyone could hear it.  A sigh of content left her lips as she peered upwards for a moment.  Turning red, she looked down and tried to listen what was being said.  She had so much to learn and really didn't think this was time to make friends.  Besides sooner or later she would be gone and no one would even miss her.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:35 pm  - Nicky Dingo

The Australian's pale blue eyes found Demona. "I know it's a lot to take in in a short time.  It's all a blur right now but it will make sense eventually.  Just relax and go with it."  He chuckled.  "Trust me, Love.  We wouldn't drag you through Hell on a first mission.  There will be some danger but this time out your job is to be a extra pair of eyes.  We're going to step sideways, into the spirit world or as it's known to most Garou, the Umbra.  It's a little crowded out there right now because of the wards that protect this place.  Our job is to keep a careful eye out for anything trying to get in once we open the doors to let everyone out."  He looked over at Heinrich Faust.  "In a nutshell."

"Close enough for our purposes,"  Heinrich said, nodding.

[Goosekat]

Department 7 Headquarters - 10:36 p.m.  - -  The Common Room  - -  Tabitha

Tabby had heard of the Umbra from a couple of different sources but didn't really know much about it so she kept her mouth shut and her hand down.  She started to feel the beginnings of a good adrenaline rush as her anticipation started to rise. "Just what sort of 'things' are we supposed to be on the lookout for?" she stressed the word things as she spoke.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:36 pm  - Heinrich Faust

"When we take down the wards that are trapping the spirits inside, there should be a mass rush to escape," Heinrich replied.  "We want to make certain that all the spirits leave, so that when we rebuild the wards, there will be nothing left inside that does not belong inside.  Additionally, we want to make sure that nothing else enters.  The trapped spirits are shapeshifters, for the most part Black Fury werewolves.  They won't be able to hurt you but they will give the males a hard time while leaving the females alone.  There are other types out there as well, so don't assume that you won't have a pissed off ghost screaming in your face until the wards go down."

Heinrich smiled.  "You will also have to watch for things scuttling in amidst the exodus.  If it's small and gets missed, I doubt it will be an issue.  Anything worth worrying about is going to be like a beacon.  Things with power stick out, so if you need to see it, you'll be able to see it."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:37 pm - Samuel

Samuel cocked his head and raised an inquiring eyebrow, "What do you want us to do if we see something unwanted making its way inside?"

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:37 pm  - Nicky Dingo

"Do a rain dance,"  the werewolf said by way of answer.  "Sing out.  Jump shout and point.  Let everyone else know so we can keep track of it and make certain that it doesn't get locked in when the wards just come up."

"At least you won't have to perform a duck and cover maneuver," Michael said.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:38 pm - Samuel

Samuel gave a wry grin, "Duly noted. Should be an interesting time. When do we start?", he asked and looked around expectantly.

[Salamanth]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:38 pm- Destiny Jacobson

  The morning had been soothing in many ways to Destiny the time shooting had been so familiar that she had expected to find herself back at her Uncle's home the bush pressing in the possibility of stepping out of the house and finding a bear in your face very real. She gave her head a shake and smiled at Samuel as he apologized for not seeing her.

 "It's okay" she murmured "I wasn't very good company last night"

  She then trailed after the others the shields that had been placed about herself making the weight of trapped sols easier to bare though she had no idea what her part in this would be. When they entered the room she moved to stand somewhere between the shifters and the mages uncertain just what her part is. The feeling of the spirits still stirred in the back of her mind and she closed her eyes waiting to find out what she was to do.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:40 pm  - Nicky Dingo

"Right!"  Nicky rubbed his hands together.  "Everybody coming with me, line up and hold hands.  What we're going to do requires two things.  The first is physical contact and there is no bloody way I'm going to carry everyone.  The second is obedience.  When I say jump, you jump.  When I say shout, you shout.  When I say close your eyes, you close your eyes."  He seized the hand closest to him.  "Follow me," he called out and headed off out the door into the hall, pulling the others behind him like some kind of homeless pied piper.

"Colourful,"  Michael said, watching the werewolf go.

"Pointless," Talbot said.  "There are enough of us here that knows what we're doing that we could each take one through with us."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Common Room  10:40 pm  - Samuel

Samuel cocked his head and shrugged at the comments he heard. As he followed the others out he did have to admit that Dundee could be an entertaining character but didn't know enough personally about how to cross into the spirit world to judge if there were some potential issue with doing it this way. On the other hand, he was keenly interested in learning as much as possible about it. Hopefully, he could figure out how to do it for himself. He knew that among his people most of the older, more experienced were easily capable of doing it but that was not typical of the younger crowd, say his age, for example.

As he followed them a small smile appeared at the thought of his learning to cross now and the potential gain it would give him at the next gathering he could attend. He picked up his pace a bit to catch up with Dundee and get a position where he could observe closely how this worked.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Hall outside Common Room  10:42 pm  - Nicky Dingo

The Australian Bonegnawer led the string of new agents on a long and winding trip through the compound.  At some point it became a conga line. He had them wave their free hand in the air and kick their feet until half of them were laughing.  It was only then that he had them close their eyes and headed straight towards the large wall mirror.

He didn't stop or turn when he reached it.

He stepped through it.   

And the line behind him held followed him through.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Through the Looking Glass  10:43 pm  - Samuel

He widened his stride slightly to get nearer the Australian when the conga line broke out. He laughed at the spectacle and trying to get into the spirit of it he took the opportunity to dance his way midway up the line when they entered the long hallway and Dundee asked them to close their eyes and keep walking.

He debated with himself if it was truly necessary closed his eyes or if it was more of Dundee's entertaining theatrics. He finally made himself close his eyes and follow the person in front of him. After a few moments of walking in a straight line he realized he still hadn't heard or felt any indication that the line was turning but he knew that couldn't possibly be right, there was a wall at the end of the hall and the front of the line should have turned by now, surely.

He struggled for a moment and finally decided he had to see what was going on and just before he opened his eyes he wondered if there was a reason he was supposed to keep his eyes closed and hoped this wasn't one of the times that curiosity killed the cat.

Then he opened his eyes to see what was happening.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Through the Looking Glass  10:44 pm  - Nicky Dingo

The world that Samuel saw was a shadow of the world he had left behind.  The building that housed Department 7 was still there but as a twisted shadow of itself.  Several things were made perfectly clear in the image of the old building that existed on the far side of the mirror.  It was obvious that the building had been an asylum and that the mentally ill had not been always treated kindly there.  It was even more obvious that there had been a battle fought there recently and that the spirits of the dead were angry and hadn't quite given up the struggle.  The small group of travelers stood out against the battling dead because they glowed with their own life forces, while the dead were merely hollow images of their former selves, silent, empty things that had less substance than cobwebs.

"Open your eyes,"  Nicky called out as he swelled into his fully Chrinos form.  "Welcome to the spirit world.  The Umbra.  Dreamtime."  His voice was raised, despite the fact that he didn't need to shout over the din of the silent battle.  "Don't be afraid of the dead.  They can't hurt you.  They can't even touch you or notice you, which is a shame since I've wanted to bag some of these sheila's for years."  Nicky could have been referring to any number of the dead.  More than half of them were female and almost all of those were Black Fury werewolves.

"Pervert,"  Talbot said.  His voice a deep rumble.  "Set your sentries and let's get on with this."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Through the Looking Glass and back again 12:01 am - Nicky Dingo

The shapeshifters spent over an hour in the Umbra and the spirits that were there reacted much the way Nicky said they would.  When the wards dropped, there was no immediate response from the shadowy figures but after a few minutes more and more of them discovered that they were no longer fettered to the area bounded by the wards.

There was less a mass exodus and more of a dissolution of the crowd until only the bright spirits of the living were within the boundaries of the department 7 headquarters.  A few minutes later, the wards went back up and Nicky led the new agents back into the real world.

"Let me know if you have any questions about what just happened,"  the Australian Bone Gnawer said. "If you don't have any, you're too bloody clueless to be allowed to live.  Anyone without questions or wanting to make a quick trip back out there can pay a visit to Talbot's room at three in the morning with a jug of ice water.  Just pour it on him.  That should get you back into the Umbra in a flash."

The Get of Fenris didn't bother to respond to Nicky's remarks.  "Well done for a first mission," he said.  "You showed discipline under trying circumstances and worked as a team.  Fortunately we didn't have any trouble out there.  Next time we might not be so lucky.  Now get some sleep.  We're back in the classroom tomorrow."

[Goosekat]

Department 7 Headquarters  - -  Through the Looking Glass and back again 12:02 a. m.  - -  Tabitha

Tabitha wasn't sure she remembered the name of the name if the kid who grabbed holed of her right hand, but she was definite about the name of the person who had her left.  She was less then thrilled with the idea of having to hold Major Talbot's hand but was not about to show it.  The last thing she needed was to piss him off again, although being pissed off seemed to be his usual mood.  She couldn't help but smile and chuckle when Nicky had them doing a conga line and the hooky pokey to the limited extend that they could while holding hands.  When he ordered eyes closed she slammed her blue eyes shut till ordered to open them again. 

Once her eyes were open it took Tabby a moment before she realized that things were not the same.  Two things became very clear very quickly,  that the world seemed to be a mere shadow of its self and it was very obvious that violence, a lot of violence, had taken place within the building that housed her new home.  She felt more then saw the wards drop and immediately was on alert for anything coming towards the group, as opposed to moving away from them.  She noticed a few things in the distance that sent shivers up and down her spine but nothing come close enough to worry about.  Once they were back into the real world and released from duty she headed straight to her room, a warm shower and bed.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Real World  12:02 pm - Samuel

Samuel could barely keep his thoughts contained, his mind awash with new sensations and a million questions. He held his tongue for now but it took some effort. That was the most extraordinary experience he'd had since he first shifted with full knowledge of what he was.

He looked around for spirit-talker, what was her name...Dez?...that sounded close enough. When he spotted her he walked over, grinning at her. "How are you doing?  I don't know about you but I thought that was the most amazing experience I've had in a very long time."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Real World  12:02 pm - Heinrich

"Considering the fact that Miss Jacobson wasn't in the Umbra with you, Mr Travers, I suspect she will have a little trouble relating," the director said.  "She was one of those who were forced to remain fixed in this realm to deal with things from this end.  She is also quite scattered at the moment.  She was forced to channel far more than her usual number of spirits, so she might not respond to you in the way you might expect."

"So what did happen out there?" Paul asked.  He still had his skateboard tucked under one arm.  "All I did was fetch chalk and paint and stuff like that."  He seemed envious of Sam's experience and quite oblivious of his interest in Destiny.

[Trellin]

Department 7 headquarters - The Real World 12:03 pm - Samuel

Samuel gave a nod to the Man, Heiny, he thought it was, with a slightly concerned look. "Of course, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to push", he said looking at Destiny.

He turned to Paul without showing his annoyance, "It was...not of this world."
With a grin and delighted laugh he turned away and headed to his room for a few hours nap to process what he'd seen.
Before hiss nap he thought he should pay thanks to the spirits for showing him the Umbra so soon. Grandmother would have wanted him to, he thought.

[Sonovaditch]

Department 7 Headquarters - The Real World  12:03 am - Vesper Novak

Vesper was practically buzzing with post-Umbra excitement. He had so many questions, but they stumbled over each other too rapidly in his mind for his mouth to get ahold of one. So instead he listened to the others, hoping one of his many questions would be answered by those around him. And if not, that a prolonged silence might allow his mind to sort itself out. He remained close to Demona out of what was for him some close approximation of concern for her well-being, and would continue to keep by her side until she chose to leave for the night.

Mere metres away from the others, Vesper inclined his head as he listened to Samuel - still known to Vesper only as "lovely cat man" - attempt some quick explanation to a strange young thing wielding a skateboard before he retired to his quarters. While he would have conceded that Samuel's answer was truthful and its enigmatic nature was purposeful, the answer was too cryptic to be satisfying to the skateboarder. Once Samuel had departed, Vesper offered his own opinion.

"It was…. beautiful. And frightening. What happened was…" The Bonegnawer spoke, almost as if telling a ghost story, "Hard to describe. There were many others, many dead, almost all fighting to be heard or seen. The wards lifted and they drifted away until it was silent. The wards closed in…. And we departed."

"It was all much more complicated than that, but… Those are all the words… The simplest words, at least, I can find to explain."