Pagan Gods: Of Brotherhood and War

11:21 minotaur21560: The night in silence, under many a star... the boughs gently swaying with the hoarse whisper of the wind, whose voice I know... And dreaming trees that look down upon a quiet scene, all ominous shadows absent... while the world sleeps
11:26 Garras: "Preparation is as important as presentation though I am loathe to practice either." He murmurs as he clicks the clasp closed and whips around dramatically, the sine curve sweep of his cloak tails swaying and settling with a silent rustle as he looks down at his spike gauntlets, the plated metal sheening as the oiled grooves seamlessly roll beneath the undulations of his fingers until he makes a fist. "It occurs to me that as more humans are drawn to the forest, it is my obligation as forest spirit lord to hold their simian attention spans lest I be forced to reconcile their ignorance with fresh wet fertilizer for the trees."
11:27 minotaur21560: The bear stands in the lodge, looking at himself in the mirror. He is thoughtful, in a dark mood...

The day of this age holds him back, creating in silence,
Proceeding on its way, the blossom of the years,
And uproar of war and history of heroes holds him, stiff-necked destiny...
And some there are -- saved -- as though
On beautiful islands. Learnèd are these,
For they have been subject to
Temptations without end.
Countless fallen. So it went when
The Father of Earth prepared what is constant
In storms of the age. But that is ended.

11:31 Garras: The bear's chest piece is black dyed leather with silver filigree, cradling his pectorals in geometric celtic knots slowly unravelling to sprout into oak leaves that intertwine at his sternum. His neck is wreathed in a fur cowl, ebon fur stark against its backdrop and in place of his eyepatch, he dons an eye sash, the silken fabric a stark blood red that wraps around the left side of his face, cutting across his face and his stormy white brows. "I understand the hesitation of some. Knew it wouldn't really be their scene. And in truth, i never wanted our home to become the plane for which the ravages of extraneous forces would occupy our way of life, lunar and seasonal. I am... was... a ronin for a reason Minot. People seek fame and recognition. I am infamous and they are ignorant. It is as I told Asher long ago. What these manlings are looking for is not what they seek. Moths to the flame."
11:32 minotaur21560:

Bareheaded beneath God's thunderstorms,
To grasp the Father's rays, no less, with our own two hands

11:32 Garras: The bear turns around to look in the mirror, his oaken eye fixed on himself in his raiment. "This rendition has played out before. And demons cower in fear in the knowledge that I will one day die and be among their number."
11:33 minotaur21560:

And, wrapping in song the heavenly gift,
To offer it to the people.
For if only we are pure in heart,
Like children, and our hands are guiltless...
The Father's ray, the pure, will not sear our hearts
And, deeply convulsed, and sharing his sufferings
Who is stronger than we are, yet in the far-flung down-rushing storms of
The God, when he draws near, will the heart stand fast.

11:34 Garras: He flicks his eye to you.. Holding your gaze meaningfully before looking at himself. "Monsters do not go to war Minot. And Valhir looks down from his peak upon my supposed role." He snorts softly and averts his gaze to look out the window of the fallen king's castle, the cold dark skies gathering clouds among the mountains that frame their settlement. "I found solace in my disguise here."
11:34 minotaur21560:
But, oh, my shame!
when of...
My shame!

11:35 Garras: "Change is ever present Minot. And the beast is hungry, smoke columns rising. Heralds to this gathering of desires."
11:35 Garras: The bear turns from the mirror and places his gloved gauntlets upon the sill, the scythed tips clinking quietly as they land before the scything pitch of metal on rock scratches forth, carving grooves. "Your music has soothed this savage beast before. Brother. It is my hope that my ears will carry your song to its lair once more."

and after such prologue

PrettyMuscle: i walk into the woods, see the General and Garr, i nod to both of them
11:59 minotaur21560: Jumping in surprise, then recognizing..."My soldier... I'm glad you're here... My mind has been plagued with things that I felt perhaps I could unburden on you... But also... The clouds are gathering, the possibility of violence. So I found something for you...."
12:00 minotaur21560: *Hand a wrapped package to Tal, presenting it seriously with both hands... "open it"
12:01 PrettyMuscle: i open the box, "wow, how cool, thank you General"
12:01 minotaur21560: Put it on... I want to see how it looks
12:03 PrettyMuscle: i pull out the jaguar helmet, sun shimmers off the metal and emerald eyes, i place it on my head
12:04 minotaur21560: The fierce jaws frame your face, the eyes of the animal and of the man together to confuse the enemy... "It suits you well, soldier."
12:05 PrettyMuscle: "thank you Sir" look at Garr, "any comment big bear?"
12:09 Garras: The bear steps forward, an armored ronin with his arm extended to grip the warrior's forearm. "It will serve as your guide when the time comes Tal. The shape of you has grown."
12:10 PrettyMuscle: "thank you Garr" as i stand in front of you
12:10 minotaur21560: "The bear is right, warrior." I put a hand on your shoulder, guiding toward the porch outside the lodge house. "But the things I wanted to tell you... I feel the woods should witness... Will you come out with me, just outside? And Bear, you also if you wish..."
12:11 Garras: The bear nods, the grooves of his armor barely making a rustle.
12:12 PrettyMuscle: i feel you guide me, hand on my rounded shoulder
12:12 Garras: The bear a follower, to his own apostle.
12:13 minotaur21560: We walk outside, sitting down on the edge of the porch, feet dangling on the step. Tal on one side, military in his helmet, the bear on the other, in his own militant finery, but I remove my helmet, and put it to one side of me, sitting in only the red ball cords of my rank, and the chest harness. I look up at the trees and sigh...
12:14 PrettyMuscle: what is the problem General? as i rub my thigh on Garr's huge muscle furry leg
12:14 Apprentice: I linger on the edge of the clearing
12:15 Apprentice: Looking at the beasts and the impressive warrior
12:15 minotaur21560: "My confession involves a mage... I have spoken of him to both of you. But I have fallen to him again. I know he is against us. I do not think he is the enemy. Probably he used his occult spells to compel me, at least partly, but I have betrayed the woods myself, my lust... And it torments me. I feel the need to do penance, to purify... to renew my vows of loyalty, but i do not know how..."
12:16 minotaur21560: *I look up at the apprentice, and his presence only worsens my feelings, bringing back many guilty memories. The brave general, beset by compunctions, as witnessed by the emotionless grass, the tall trees without human feelings...
12:16 Apprentice: Why do you look at me like that Minotaur?
12:17 minotaur21560: "I cannot bear to explain, but you know as well as I, Executioner." I look back at Tal, and at the Bear, deperately hoping for sympathy.
12:18 Apprentice: I thought this was a better place. You said it would be. Where I could forget
12:22 Garras: The bear hears these words and his ear flicks. "Why is this the first I've.. Minot.." The bear trails off. Already imaging a whole slew of scenarios and equally sympathetic. Something that brings his stormy white brows to bear. "Minot. We are brothers. That is the shame here. To have carried this truth like rocks in your heart." The bear snorts and then reaches down to grip his warrior's balls by the palm, tugging them sharply. "Do you remember now? This grip. This bond we forged. Was the rope not reminder enough?"
12:25 minotaur21560: UNH... *as the bear tugs at the red cords he first installed...I do remember... But then I glance back at App. "I forget my duties... but first, it remains my deepest that this be a place of healing for you, executioner, as it has been for me... until i slipped... But I want you to know this one, PM called Tal, now first lieutenant, as you see from the green ball cord he so proudly wears. And Tal, this is App, a refugee and former torturer."
12:25 PrettyMuscle: nice to meet you App"
12:26 Apprentice: And you soldier. What should I call you?
12:30 PrettyMuscle: "App, you may call me Tal"
12:28 minotaur21560: I turn back to Tal... "I have told you to beware of the mage. He knows of my fondness for you. And he boasts that he will fuck every man in the woods and take his seed as he has already taken mine... But he will take... special pleasure in inflicting pain on you."
12:28 PrettyMuscle: "i will be ready for him General"
12:29 Garras: The bear snarls softly and grips tighter.
12:32 minotaur21560: "Bear, do you think it wise for Tal to meet the Mage in battle?"
12:32 PrettyMuscle: look at Bear, "i can take him"
12:34 Apprentice: I look at Tal. I’m sure he’s right
12:35 Garras: The bear shakes his head. "This is not a bounty for you to claim Tal. We hold our gaze to our borders. We are beset and bounded.. Our duty to maintain that vigilance." The bear snorts as he lets go of Minot's balls and swats them to send them flopping against his thighs with a resounding thwack that blooms churning nausea in the general's gut. "You press my hand Minot."
12:36 PrettyMuscle: "i cant let this mage threaten us Bear without him paying for it"
12:38 Garras: "That is exactly why I'm going to order a hunt. And brothers among brothers will bring this mage to heel.."
12:39 Garras: The bear grips Minot's chin and looks him head on. "May you find your guilt assuaged and your honor reborn." The bear utters quietly.
12:39 JungleHunter: *dropping from trees* "hunt?"
12:39 Apprentice: I smile as the jungleman joins us
12:40 minotaur21560: *doubles over in ball pain... then faces the bear listening to his words, fighting sick disappointment, the sweet tinge of the need for penance with its fragrance of treacle...
12:41 minotaur21560: I stand, tamping down the pain.... "There is one other element. I have also spoken of this matter to the Jacked Lieutenant Tony. Something told me this was right, and it is true that he has met and bested the mage before. And the mage has admitted as much..."
12:42 PrettyMuscle: "how are we going to bring someone to heel who is apparently a very strong Mage?"
12:42 JungleHunter: "punching work" *grins*
12:42 PrettyMuscle: "i can help and not afraid to fight him"
12:43 Apprentice: I am not one of you, but I will stand by you if it comes to it.
12:43 Apprentice: I swing my axe
12:43 Garras: Staring at Minot a question verging on accusation.
12:43 JungleHunter: *rolling my eyes* "yes, cub one of us"
12:44 minotaur21560: *Avoiding the bear, I clap a hand on App's shoulder in thanks and congratulations
12:45 Garras: Snarls softly before turning to Tal and pressing his hand to his shoulder. "Yes. You will come. And I will put you entirely under Minot's care. It will remind him that our duty is to each other, and not these conjurers."
12:46 Garras: He pins Minot beneath his gaze, using that tone of voice that brokers no argument. "Am I understood brother? We hunt as a pack."
12:47 minotaur21560: Tal stands tall in his jaguar helmet, the green cords shining below his waist. With my other hand I reach for his shoulder as well, grasp it. Finally look back at the bear... remembering the motto the soldier coined "To Protect and Grow Stronger!"
12:47 Apprentice: Senses tension between the beasts
12:48 PrettyMuscle: "i will do what you want General and Bear"
12:48 JungleHunter: *glancing back and forth between the beasts* "so...when hunt start?"

Published: 2021-11-22, viewed 64 times.