Long Form Roleplayers

Previous: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Characters:

You are not logged in. - Madison Jones

You are not logged in. - Tobias Kane

You are not logged in. - David Johnson

You are not logged in. - Volos

You are not logged in. - Copper Wolf

The Author:
Our heroes reach out to a specialist, Dr. Scott Damm, to find out more about the situation. Scott has been monitoring the situation ever since the pulse happened, and is able to give our heroes much needed information on how to solve the problem at hand.

Madison Jones:
I’m finishing up my call with Scott Damm, and while you both were able to hear half the conversation, I decide it is best to go over the whole thing so you understand exactly what is going on. Hanging up the phone I get us another round of drinks as I think about how to best explain it.

“Alright you two, I got some things to go over. It’s maybe a little more complicated than it needs to be, but I’ll try to explain it the best I can. As you both know, something happened last night that caused Volos and Copper to become suppressed, well this was not the targeted attack we thought it was. Turns out a lot of documented were-people have been affected and cut off from their beast forms. Dr. Damm was able to tell me the effect seems sporadic, but is stretching across the western United States, even into Canada and a few cases in Mexico.” I finish up the drinks and slide them over.

Tobias Kane:
“I don’t think I know this Doctor…. Oh, wait! He was in Estonia when….” I look over at David and decide I may not want to pursue that recollection. “Does this Dr. Damm have a sense of what the pulse was? Scientific device, supernatural spell. I take my drink and hand the other to David.

David Johnson:
Tobias begins to recall knowing Dr. Damm from the Estonian raid and tails off, I assume so as not to provoke me. “I was familiar with Dr. Damm’s name. He was often quite a problem for MI6 and may have made that raid necessary in the first place. But let’s get to Tobias’ questions.”

Madison Jones:
I’m taking a drink while you two talk, but then speak up. “Dr. Damm…. Scott is my personal doctor now. He’s been monitoring my heart since shortly after I Copper was put inside of me. See, I never fully trusted Volos when he made his offer, something about a giant black wolf that speaks in riddles sets off my D&D alarms.” I gesture to the stack of books on my shelf. “That being said, he has held true to his word so far, even if I think the intent was for Copper to devour me. What’s important though is that I trust Scott, and that he has a lot of intel because he is an agent of Plato.” I look over to David not sure if he is aware of… “As in The Plato. Guess the poison didn’t really stick.”

David Johnson:
I arch my eyebrow, wondering how much faith I should put in his taste of confidants. My eyebrow raises even further. “Wait, ‘The Plato’? Like ancient Greece Plato? How did he….? Never mind, you can tell me about that at the end of this bloody affair. Did Damm know anything about the source of the pulse?”

Madison Jones:
“Unfortunately it isn’t exactly clear, it’s only been about 16 hours since the whole thing happened after all. What they were able to confirm is that this is a mystical effect, or in other words, magic.” I take a drink and pet Umbra who is resting on a chair nearby. “It’s something I can deal with, I think, but I might need some help. See if this is a mystical affliction, then that means there is a source of mana behind it, and I think that would be inside of me… inside of us.” I touch David’s shoulder. “If I can go inside of us mentally and find the source, I can probably transfer that mana to a different location, someplace designed to hold mana. I could transfer it to this.” I hold out my hand and a glowing red gem appears above it, a little less than a inch in diameter.

Tobias Kane:
I look with curiosity and some apprehension as Madison shows us another artifact. How many baubles like these does he have and where does he store them? “So, let me get this straight. We don’t have to find the source of the pulse? We can do it all magically right here?”

Madison Jones:
“One step at a time buddy. I can’t fix all the problems from here, honestly I probably can’t fix all the problems period. Think of it as though paint was spilled from a source and blanked out over the western United States. When Were-People like us got covered with that paint, it turned off the ability to shift. This gem is able to suck up that paint and clean the afflicted. I think maybe we should call this effect… The Crimson Veil. Also, Scott was able to confirm that the Red Star is involved with this, likely even behind it. He monitors their networks. He is trying to pinpoint where the pulse originated. For now, why don’t we worry about cleaning up this mess here and getting Copper and Volos back online?”

Tobias Kane:
I see David is trying to wrap his head around all this. “That makes sense, Madison. I’m down with trying that. One question, well, maybe it leads to a second. Is it safe to try this here, especially with…” I gesture to the Mirror room. “... with whatever is in there around? Would it be safer to do this at Volos’ Lair? I assume you can find your way back to the entrance.”

“Were the sigils still glowing or did this Crimson Veil shortcircuit them as well? They function kind of like that gem, I think, storing magical energy. We may be able to draw on that as well.”

Madison Jones:
“I’ll be honest, I don’t think the Lair is safe right now. The runes were flickering a lot when we left. This could have been a calculated attack on us Tobi, for all we know the Lair was raided by Red Star agents shortly after we left. We know what they want…” I pat my pocket where the medallion is. “As for the Mirror, it seems harmless when kept in complete darkness, after all mirrors can’t work if there is no light, right? I think my room in the bar is one of the safest spots we have access to right if only because there are powers here that keep us protected. That is why I moved here, for protection from them.” I’m feeling the need for cigarette but hold out and instead drink some more.

“It was right here where I tried to help a friend by going into their mind Tobias. I think I can do this. I could use somebody with me though to help in case I get lost. Would you be willing to join me on my journey to save Copper?”

David Johnson:
“I would offer to help but I do agree that Tobias is better suited, having had more experience in these matters. I was basically just a vessel for the mon… for the Wolf.”

Tobias Kane:
“Yes, I will go with you, Madison. The sooner we see if we can resolve this, the better. What do I have to do, some Vulcan mind-meld thingy?”

Madison Jones:
“It might sound kind of silly, but yeah, basically. I haven’t told many people this Tobi, but I think I was born with a few minor psychic things… Maybe that is why I stood out to Volos. Perhaps it is part of the Orion Instinct. I really don’t know, but what I do know is that when he put Copper in me, suddenly I was able to do more which includes telepathy. I think that is why I can do this, because there is a power source inside of me now. In any case though… I’ll be right back.” I move into my room and come back with an incense burner, light it up on the table and take a seat. “Sit across from me Tobias, get comfortable.” I let the Mystic Red Gem float between my hands and reach for yours so we can start this process.

You are not logged in. - Mystic Red Gem

“One more thing David. …Please don’t run on us when we are doing this. Volos is trapped inside of you for now, but I’m sure the big bad wolf will break out of that Crimson Veil on his own eventually. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to make sure you are free.”

David Johnson:
“I understand that this seems my only hope to be free of this … inhabitation.” I look at Tobias, not understanding why he so freely took on what I have been trying so hard to dispose of.

Tobias Kane:
I sit across from Madison. I briefly wonder if we should have chalked a pentagram around the table before starting this, whatever it is, we’re starting. I relax, doing the deep breathing I use to dispel stress, and I reach for Madison’s hands.

Madison Jones:
Taking your hands I look you in the eyes, the scent of the incents helping both of us to relax. I close my eyes, my hand starting to glow with amber light. You are familiar with the coloring of the energy I produce when I do my mystic effects. As I start to relax more I close my eyes and you can feel me drawing your consciousness from your body to me through our connection. Together we begin to devolve into my mind.

David Johnson:
I look on with bemused interest. Had I not shared my body with a beast for two years, I would think myself imagining the mirror, the gem, and now the glow.

Tobias Kane:
The room around me seems to move out of focus and I begin to feel lightheaded, disoriented. I try not to resist, to let go, to let my mind wander where it needs to.

Madison Jones:
Together Tobias we delve into my mind, it is like free falling into another world. From this vantage point, us falling with our hands held, you can see what almost looks like an open book below us, an image spread across the two pages reminiscent of a painting. Some bits are still blank, having yet to be filled in, but there are very prominent areas, a city… a clear wrestling ring and a bar in it. There is a forest with many trails and peaks. There is a burning building. There is a cavernous location perhaps reminiscent of Volos’ lair. Of the spread canvas, I am not sure where Copper would be hiding, be we fall towards the forest first me looking you in the eyes.

“I’ve been searching for his presence, his trail since I woke in the morning. Nothing. Lend me your Wolven sense Tobias, use them to help find him with me.”

Tobias Kane:
I cling to your hand as I let you further into my own mind, so you can see with my eyes, hear with my ears, pick up the auras with my enhanced sense. We see a faint line, leading through a path until it turns a bend. “I suggest we follow that, Madison.”

Madison Jones:
I see the line you speak of… and now that I know more thanks to Scott’s intel, and can feel more by borrowing some of your senses, I can sense it more clearly… There is a trail of red light that leads into the forest. Copper would never venture into the “city” parts of my mind, he never truly felt welcomed there, and only came if I was in danger… if I called for him. The forest is the realm he felt safe in, so it makes sense that his trail would be there. This crimson line… perhaps that is part of the veil, but in this abstraction of my rather creative mind, it is the thing we need to follow. Descending to the apparent land, we find ourselves in front of a large dark forest… reminiscent of those Pagan Wood I visit from time to time. I release your hands as our mental bond is secure, and then we venture forward.

Tobias Kane:
I wonder at the detail of this vision and of what Madison has seen to produce this level of engagement. I briefly wonder what a journey through my mind would look like.

Madison Jones:
The journey through them is filled with products of my imagination of course, but echoes of the world I have seen. We travel following this trail and finally find a cave… perhaps we should call it, the Secret Lair of Copper Wolf? I look at you while we approach the opening, the face- of it lined with copper ore and shaped like that of an open wolf maw. “Tobias… I have never been here before. I don’t know if there are dangers, this is part of my mind that he carved off for his use. Perhaps similar to how I have a part of the Bar that Peter dedicated solely to me. I think he is probably sleeping though if we follow these analogies.”

Tobias Kane:
I become concerned when this very specific location is a place unfamiliar to Madison. What else about Copper does he not know? I wonder if there is more to Copper that Madison is unaware of, and whether my wolven speed and strength exist in this nonphysical realm if we find ourselves in need of them.

Madison Jones:
You seem lost in thought… lost inside of my thoughts? Best for me not to get lost in that train of thought I think. “Come, let’s see what’s in here.” I gesture for you to follow as we enter.

The scenery is something similar to that of Volos’ lair, but distinctly more orange in hue. There is no wall of runes or anything so elaborate, but instead holes in the ceiling allowing light to shine down. It occurs to me that this serene view is almost like that of the practice ring I use, and its skylight… perhaps he really likes that view too? More important though is that we see what I have come to call a nest, brown fur lining a gathering of rocks, copper tips on each of them. It is almost the same type of thing we see in Volos’ lair, but there are some differences, perhaps Copper desires to be different from his creator.

Laying in that nest is the wolf in question, the beast that gives me the powers I use, the ferocity I channel in the ring. Indeed there is a veil of red light over him, the ailment that keeps him in his slumber. I look to you Tobias curious what your reaction is to all this.

You are not logged in. - Copper Wolf

Tobias Kane:
I take a look at the wolf, peacefully asleep but clearly trapped by this strange red light. It occurs to me that, as long as I’ve known Madison, I have never met Copper Wolf. “Well, Maddy, we have found Copper and we have now seen the Crimson Veil.” I look over to you. “Now what?”

Madison Jones:
“It’s now Tobias, that I have to make a choice.” I walk towards the sleeping wolf. “In this state I still have access to him as a power source. My heart beats strong still, I can use my little tricks, I can be what I have become. Tobias, I’ve always feared that Copper would consume me, but with this… Crimson Veil, I have an opportunity to keep him suppressed. I could be me, just me, and not have to worry about him taking control, changing into this Mon… this beast. And I wouldn’t have to worry about him consuming the ones I love.” I go quiet.

Tobias Kane:
“We’ve come this far, Maddy. We can’t turn back now without completing our mission. You warned David that this is the only way to be sure you don’t face an angry wolf if this effect wears off. I think if you leave him here like this and he returns, you face the same threat. And if Volos breaks free, he will surely come for Copper.”

Madison Jones:
“I’m certain you are right, that he would. Tobias, you know I’ve been learning about my family and how they are basically all hunters until my dad left. There is a huge opportunity with these events before us Tobias. William Banks was raped and scarred by Volos. Your family was manipulated. Humanity as a whole was changed by him. There are countless sins, and for the first in ever I have known, he is vulnerable.” There is a subtle shaking of the cave as my thoughts reflect some sense of righteous revenge, “I have the means to end him, to throw that damn medallion into the void, and keep this wolf trapped. Even if I ended up like a warden for a supernatural threat like Justin is with Kwelling… it might be worth it.”

The shaking stops as I make eye contact again with you, then my head turns to the sleeping wolf. “While I fear the intent of him in me was to consume me and let him take over… I have to admit he has never hurt me. Only on rare occasions has he influenced my actions so much that I felt out of control. I’m guessing I already know your feelings on the matter, Tobias.”

Tobias Kane:
I weigh your words and understand their source. “Yes, my family was manipulated. I am not entirely sure that I was the first to give the Wolf what he was looking for in a host. I must have that conversation with my father and grandfather. But it seems that Volos did not anticipate that being able to make the connection would make…. a connection.

“And you leave out a factor, Maddy. Take away the wolves and Red Star gets to impose their will on however much of humanity as they wish. We could not oppose them. That makes up my mind. Let’s save the wolves.”

Madison Jones:
“There may be others who could oppose the Red Star, but… that is not guaranteed. Volos and Bedlam may be necessary evils in the face of a larger threat, but I can’t help but to wonder if there is another path. Unfortunately I don’t think I have the time to figure that puzzle out.” I approach my companion and hold out my hand to touch the Crimson Veil. It stings, but the pain quickly becomes numb… perhaps that is how it traps things in their thoughts? I close my eyes and hold out my other hand, the Mystic Red Gem, or perhaps just a mental representation of it appears. With a deep breath, I begin the process of decomposition. Argoniya taught this method, and so I break down the Crimson Veil into its most basic component, raw mana, and that transfers into the gem. It pulses with bright red light, and then the veil is consumed.

Tobias Kane:
I look on fascinated as you manifest the gem and it appears to do as was needed. The gem pulses, the veil disappears. So now, I meet the other wolf….

Copper Wolf:
Slowly my eyes open to see the visitors in my lair, the sight of Madison is expected only in so much that he shares this domain with me. The other is unexpected, the scent of my master upon him even now. Stretching my muscles, I rise up to a near 7 feet tall, my shadow cast over the two humans. “Tobias Kane… Host of Lord Volos. What do you in our body… our mind?”

Madison Jones:
While Copper awakens, I am dealing with the Crimson Veil. I’ll let my “house guest” speak to my roommate.

Tobias Kane:
“His once and future host, Copper. He and you disappeared, suppressed in your hosts. We’re still determining what caused it. You were sleeping and we came to bring you … home. We go for Volos next.” I wonder if I should hold my hand out or if it may come back a bloody stump.

Madison Jones:
I finish consuming the Crimson Veil, the Mystic Red Gem disappearing. My hand reaches out to touch Copper’s soft fur, the metallic tips flexible… like copper unsurprisingly. I look up to my companion, “Sorry for the intrusion buddy. We need to wake you, the Red Star put you to sleep.”

Copper Wolf:
At the mention of the Red Star, I let out a deep growl that rumbles through my lair. “I remember… falling asleep with Lord Volos… they did this. How long has it been?”

Madison Jones:
“Only a day or so. It’s hard to tell how much time has passed since Tobias and I delved into our minds. I’m… happy to have you back?” I give a smile knowing my words earlier were more conflicted.

Copper Wolf:
“I am happy to see you too. Humans… Let’s awaken our master now, so we may make this cult run red with blood.”

Madison Jones:
I offer my hand to Tobias ready for us to depart this facsimile of my mind now.

Tobias Kane:
I take Madison’s hand and the sight of Copper’s lair begins to fade. Madison’s apartment begins to faintly appear and then comes into focus.

Madison Jones:
Likewise the world around us begins to shift as we open our eyes for real, mine glowing with the radiance of Amber Topaz before shifting back to Grey Blue. I look down to the gem spinning in place, levitating above the table between my hands, it looking brighter and more full now that it has consumed a veil. I look to David, in part to make sure he didn’t ditch us, but also because we all know what comes next.

David Johnson:
I watch as Madison and Tobias open their eyes, blinking. I notice Madison’s eyes glow orange momentarily and I assume that means Copper Wolf is awakened. They have succeeded. I look at both in turn, “Does that mean it’s my turn, men?”

Tobias Kane:
“Oh good, David, you’re still here. I was a bit concerned. Yes, Copper is restored. I met him in person for the first time, albeit as our mental avatars.” I turn to Madison, “I’m ready to try for Volos next if you are. How do we do that with three of us?”

Madison Jones:
Grip my fingers a little first while looking around, the wolven senses coming back to me. “After being without them for most of the day… Yes, I’m with Copper again. I feel like I’m coming out of a haze. Come join us David.” I gesture to the third seat while reaching back to grab the bottle jagermeister, offering a swig to whoever wants one.

Tobias Kane:
I wrinkle my nose at the jagermeister. “Nasty stuff! I want to get this done but I need another of my comfort drink if you don’t mind. I would like another Redemption Rye Manhattan, if you don’t mind, Maddy”

Madison Jones:
“Coming right up.” I rise up and start to make one in my kitchen, “You know Jager means Monster Hunter I heard. Somehow it seems fitting… I guess my grandpa really liked the stuff, but dad hates it.” I bring over the Rye Redemption. “How about you David, just Jager or something else?”

David Johnson:
“Just a shot of whatever Tobias is drinking sounds like exactly what I need, Madison.”

Madison Jones:
“Very well, I’ll get us a full round of Redemption then. Seems fitting I think…” and so I make a couple for David and myself. Once the drinks have been served and the three of us are at the table, I reach out my hands with the Mystic Red Gem spinning in the center. “Alright, let’s start the dive.” With that, I close my eyes and start to pull the three of us into David’s mind.

David Johnson:
I look at Tobias, wondering if he is good to his word, as I gulp half the cocktail. The whisky has a pleasant bite on my palate. I reach out my hands. “I’m ready.”

Tobias Kane:
I look back at David and see his suspicion that I’m setting him up. I nod to him and also down half my drink. I set the glass down and reach out my hands. “I am ready as well.”

Madison Jones:
With the three of us connected, we begin to fall into David’s mind, similar to that of how we fell into mine earlier. There is an aerial view as we descend in, the various locations of David’s life laid out. There is much to take in, but of all the things we see, there is something that sticks out like a sore thumb, a deep hole in his mind, almost as though something crashed into it swallowing the surroundings in pitch black void. It stands out to me because when it came to Copper, it was more like something landed in me and grew. For this… it’s like something just came in and enveloped a chunk of whatever in complete darkness. I turn my gaze between my three companions as we fall like skydivers, us safely landing on the ground.

“Well, I think we know where the wolf is…” I look to David concerned about what damage one of these creatures living inside of a human mind could cause. Did Volos’ intrusion destroy parts of his mind, his memories? I know very little about possession… if this even qualifies, but I realize now that it is possible that David is more affected by Volos than I thought. I quietly worry about my friend Erik Atlas and what scars he may bear from Bedlam’s intrusion.

Tobias Kane:
We look at the impact crater, a hole torn in David’s mind. I wonder what the landscape of my mind would like and I think that I may not want anyone to see. I look to David as he takes in the visual image of his mental state. But I sense the Wolf at the center of this hole.

David Johnson:
I get little chance to dream in my shared existence but I remember when this crater was created, when the Wolf turned to me and my life was changed forever. But if we succeed here, if Tobias is to be trusted, I may be able to reclaim what is left of my life.

Madison Jones:
We travel together through the stage of David’s mind. There are many stories to be told here, a whole life of an agent and his many missions, his family, his life… but that is not what we are here for. While his life is important, we are here to get to the source of the intrusion in his mind, and I am here to remove it from him. Tobias seems convinced that he can sweet talk the wolf into body hopping, and I hope he is right. If I’ve learned anything in the last day, it’s that David deserves better than to be a body dump for a supernatural creation, even one as powerful and important as Volos.

Once we arrive at the edge of the darkness, there are perhaps… only shadows of what used to be there. I look to David, “Have you ever been in this?” I can't help but to wonder if this void, this darkness, is the type of realm that Volos came here from.

David Johnson:
I pause before answering. “Yes,” I pause again, “It is the void that I see when the monster takes my mind and my body.” I have made a promise but should we find him here, I wonder whether destroying him in my mind would doom me as well.

Madison Jones:
I take a deep breath as I stare into the darkness, a concern starting to build that one day Copper may grow into something like this inside of me. That’s a problem for another time, for now the three of us head into the shadows.

It is as dark as you would imagine. I try to illuminate a path of mana to follow to the Crimson Veil similar to in my mind, but the darkness quickly consumes it. My wolven senses are intact, and Tobias’ too, we are able to follow whatever mental scent there is. Soon we come upon where the wolf is… but it may be best for Tobias to recount that part of the tale…

Tobias Kane:
We find our way, I can see the red glow around the Wolf that keeps him entrapped. Although in a deep slumber, his massive body twitches and thrashes. I cannot tell of what he dreams, but his sleep is anything but peaceful. So fearsome yet here so vulnerable. I reach out but the Crimson Veil repels my touch.

I turn to Madison, “Remove the Veil, but he is restless and disturbed. Mine should be the first face he sees.”

Madison Jones:
I nod as I hold out my hand, the Mystic Red Gem once again appears over my palm, though its light is dimmed by the hungry shadows all around us. I turn to David one last time before I go through the act. “I made you a promise… if you don’t wake again… I’m sorry.” I then close my eyes, familiar with the process now of breaking down the veil into raw energy, I quickly dispel the effect with the gem consuming the mana.

Tobias Kane:
I watch as Madison does his magic, the Crimson Veil fades and disappears. The Wolf stirs, suddenly aware of his surroundings. In a blur, his massive paw reflexively gripping the being over him as a threat. I feel his power and the claws digging into my throat.

I gasp out, “Hey there, Big Guy. it’s me…..”

Volos:
I stir from my dreams and feel someone above me. I react quickly to the potential threat but a familiar voice addresses me.

You are not logged in. - Volos

“Tobias, are you yet another tortured dream?” I growl.

Tobias Kane:
“In a manner of speaking. We’re in this mental realm where you had been captured. I’ll explain later, well, most of it. Let’s get you out of here first.” I grip your upturned paw. “Madison, bring us home.”

Madison Jones:
I watch the reunion ambivalent to what is going on. Tobias always seemed to have a longing to be reunited with the wolf, something that seemed akin to Stockholm Syndrome. He seems so relieved to be here with the wolf though. I can only hope that it is a healthy reunion, and not that type that might happen when an abused person comes back seeking attention. I also monitor David, thinking he might disappear right away, but this serves to show me that Volos doesn’t need to suppress his host… he chooses to. It could be a bit more complicated that I know, I am quite literally an outside observer this time.

“Good morning Volos.” I offer a smile as I do like being around him for all the bad he has done, he has done much for me. I then step forward towards Volos and Tobias, take one last look at David. I give a quiet nod, close my mind, and then three of us disappear from his mind back to my apartment.

David Johnson:
We leave the alternate world - my alternate world, my nemesis before us and Tobias asks Madison to take us back to, well, earth, I guess.

Tobias Kane:
The crater fades and Maddy’s apartment comes into focus. Madison is holding my hand but in place of David’s hand is Volos’ upturned paw. I look into the Wolf’s bright blue eyes, the only time we’ve been face to face since he released me in Estonia.

“Red Star found a way to suppress you - and many others - into your hosts. We came to extract you. It seems we have succeeded.”

Volos:
I take in the information as Tobias fills in the missing hours of my mind. Of course it was Red Star that initiated this. There must be retribution for this latest assault. One matter piques my curiosity.

“Tobias, why are you here? You have been freed.”

Tobias Kane:
“Have I? You still remained in my mind. I am here because my connection with you vanished during the night. I knew something was wrong. I know what you were doing, that I was a result of your … project. I should feel used, manipulated, but oddly, it makes me feel … wanted...

“I know you hate human sentimentality but love human music. I chose this song for you.” I press the > on my phone.

Coming Home

Suddenly singing on-key, I touch Volos’ sable-furred chest,
“I could feel the winds change,
I knew something’s not right.
In some other world you think you lost me,
You need to know, I’ve come back home….”

Volos:
I tilt my massive head, steely-blue eyes focused on Tobias. “You have returned.” I trace an ebon claw along the human’s jawline. “To what purpose?”

Tobias Kane:
I grin up at you. “Do you really need to ask? You like making bargains. I have one for you. Release David and I will be your host again.”

Volos does not respond but I feel those eyes gazing deep into my core.

“I’m the one you wanted. Want. The host you bred who could communicate with you mind to mind. Together, we can take down Red Star, with our allies. You during the night, me during the day.” I look at Maddy, then back to the Wolf.

“But I do have one condition.” The Wolf tilts his head further. “Occasionally claim another body so we can sometimes speak face to face, like this.”

Volos:
I consider the implications of all you’ve said.

“I released you so as to not end the existence of something … someone I value … during my failed attempt at my redemption. I find your offer, and your condition, acceptable.”

Madison Jones:
While this touching scene is happening, my cell phone starts ringing, breaking things up and perhaps reminding you two that I’m still here. I was merely watching while making note that I need to replace the destroyed chair under Volos, and remove the Mystic Red Gem from view back into my mystic inventory.

You are not logged in. - Cell Phone

“And that would be Dr. Damm….” I say looking at it and gazing back at the two of you. “I’ll take it in my bedroom, I think you two might need a moment longer.” Then I head to my bedroom while picking up. “Dr. Damm… yeah it worked… The veil broke down like you said it would….” Door shuts with Umbra following after.

Tobias Kane:
I see the expression, or lack thereof, at Madison’s comment about the incoming call. “Yes, that Dr. Damm. From Estonia. But he is best equipped to help us find the source of this Crimson Veil.

“May I assume that you agree your, um my, um our …. next task is to find that source to reveal it and bring back the other beasts?”

Volos:
“I am less fond of that human than I am of most of your species. But if he is a useful tool, the goal is sound.”

I lock those steely-blue eyes on you. “Is there more you wish to say before I complete our bargain?”

Tobias Kane:
I playfully punch the Wolf’s massive chest. “Yes. Tell me you missed me. You were rarely far from my thoughts.”

Volos:
Humans and their emotions. And still…. “I thought the silence from your constant mental chatter would be a welcome respite. But I will welcome you back in my mind.”

Tobias Kane:
“Oh, are we telling jokes now? Still, I will take that as a ‘yes’.” I stroke the Wolf’s sable fur. “I’m ready when you are.”

Madison Jones:
The phone call is short enough, concise, and only one bit of a side chatter to distract us. I get the really important information though, and armed with that and a few text messages and documents he sent me, I come back out of my room quietly. Of course both of you can hear and smell me, but had it been normal humans, probably wouldn’t have noticed. Regardless, I seem to be coming in at the moment the change, so I stand by my door and quietly watch.

Tobias Kane:
I look up into those blue eyes and nod. I watch as Volos changes, the transformation is quick but I can track it with the wolven vision I’d been gifted, David begins to come into view. I feel my body changing, growing more massive, my fingers turning to claws, the fur covering me. My face elongates into a snout, my ears into those of a predator. My mind remains in place but I feel Volos taking control, as if I were now our co-pilot.

David Johnson:
I remember nothing after we left my theater of the mind until I am back in Madison’s apartment and I am face-to-face with the mon…. with the beast who took me two years ago.

I am confused, angry, relieved. I try to grip my emotions into check. I look at the wolf, this Volos, and he meets my gaze impassively.

“It this… is it done?”

Volos:
“Yes, it is done. Tobias is once again my host. You are free.”

Madison Jones:
This seems like the perfect time to speak up, and so I clear my throat. “And it is good you are. Scott was able to confirm a few things, first of all that he is able to make arrangements with James Mason to come and reunite you David with… well… he said it was classified… even to me. So it sounds like you really are free and able to return to your life after two years of being MIA. As for us…”

I move to the fridge and pull out that bottle of BloodRose I keep magically refilling. “We should talk about the Red Star and what is going on.” Begin to pour three glasses. I’m not sure if Volos would see David as “worthy” of the drink, but he is my guest here and I do.

Volos:
“Thank you, as Copper and as Mystic Barkeep, you never fail to satisfy.” I take the glass and look at the other human, thinking I should note his name. “This is a rare and unique vintage that Madison mysteriously always has in stock.

“Are you willing to drink with me?”

David Johnson:
I think, a bloody apology would be in order, wouldn’t one expect!? I take a sip to be polite, after all I am British and my freedom still depends on this creature’s whim. I wince, it is strong but not distasteful.

“Yes, I will drink with you.”

Madison Jones:
I take a sip as well and then interject an observation that might help sooth David’s feelings at the moment. “David, in a way you actually owe him your life. You were wounded when he took you, fatally maybe. He healed, and while he did use you as a body, two years of being a prisoner has led to you having many more years of freedom ahead, being reunited with whoever, and serving your country again. You know my feelings about possession, but in this case, his act has preserved your existence.” There is a little bit of truth bending there and guesses on my part, but I feel that it may help to smooth this over… especially for the other information I’m sitting on.

David Johnson:
“Mason is coming himself? I am gratified.” I listen to Madison’s apologia for the beast, I do recall some of that. I think my life, any human life … what do any of them mean to such an ancient creature? Yet, this Tobias seems special to him. No matter, I soon return to my life and this chapter will be behind me.

Volos:
“If you are finished playing therapist, Madison….” I think I should have eaten Freud’s head when I had the chance, “What is your other information?”

Madison Jones:
I turn to my phone and fling some of the documents to my TV showing a map of the western United States. “So here is the deal…” I take one more drink before I begin.

“Scott’s team that monitors for Red Star activity caught wind of creatures being unable to change. There was a reported visual effect in the sky if only briefly that night that locked you and Copper away, and it looked like a Red Aurora going as far as south as Mexico. Their team was able to cross reference that and found a single point that would make sense for the wave to come from. Northeast Utah. It sounds like this weapon… this Crimson Veil, somehow tapped into the Aquifer that runs deep underground this entire geographical location.” I pause to take another drink looking at Volos’ steely blue eyes.

Volos:
I take in this debriefing, weighing if they intended the results of this weapon’s deployment or if this was a test that nearly took out their chief adversary. Me.

Madison Jones:
It looks like you are lost in thought for a moment, I take a drink and continue. “I’ve worried about going against them for a long time, ever since you implanted me with Copper. They’ve come after me, and I’ve learned many things. Picked up Taekwondo, some weapons, researched my family, magic trinkets… I think I’m ready to attack them. Copper has grown inside of me for a year, and he is fierce…” I display on the TV a military base. “Scott thinks this is where they are held up, an old military base of the United States now decommissioned. I think we should assault it with full force.”

Volos:
“There is just so much magic you can wield, Madison, to reverse the effect of this. I agree, you and I need to do a surgical strike on this base. Do we know if they can detect whether we’ve escaped the effects? Surprise would be an advantage. With Copper’s and my speed, we can be there in hours.”

Madison Jones:
“That is… unclear. Scott thinks that this was too sloppy to have been planned. Perhaps this was a test and got out of hand. It’s probably still good that I bought the Medallion with me…” I pull out the Bedlam Medallion, “I suppose you want this back?” I hold it out for you to take.

Volos:
I take the Medallion, looking at it. In my slumber, I thought I heard the Demon’s mind in my head, dreams now vague glimpses now that I’ve awakened.

“It is a risk to bring this … Him … with us but we have few allies. And for now, he is still in my thrall.”

Madison Jones:
“I think the three… the five of us would make a fearsome team. Maybe we could let Bedlam lead the main assault to distract them while you and I swoop in and do some real nerve damage.” I touch your glass as well as mine and David’s causing them to refill. “Shall we start planning our assault?”

Volos:
“I am already considering our options. Red Star’s base will fall and we will decapitate their leadership.” I look to Madison Jones. “Killing Borgia, once and for all, is my prize. I will NOT be denied.”

Published: 2022-09-02, viewed 72 times.