(ToB) Long Journey Home

Dec 3rd, 2014 09:23 PM

Mace had booked a private room in the Bismark for the ritual. After hours of research, she'd found out just what she needed. And, as he must have known when he'd made the request, what she'd needed was a Mastagos, someone with sufficient Mind to send them on their way with the minimum confusion. So she'd called Aquinas, to make sure he was comfortable playing the part, and to set up a date.

She'd gotten in early, to set the room up. The decorations were muted, somber. Black tablecloths, votive candles, symbols of death used to celebrate the life lost. This was, after all, a funeral of sorts. The best funeral they could give to the five awakened who had given their lives and lost their souls. She'd asked Animus for pictures, effects, anything that would be meaningful to the people they once were. Five little alters, each on their own small table, placed where the points of the atlantean pentagram would be. Marked with the symbos of their path and order, to hold the 5 soul jars. It may not have been strictly necessary for the ritual, but she figured it wouldn't hurt. Perhaps the symbols would give them some comfort.

And in the middle of it all, a small dais. Wood covered in tablecloth, just enough to get them off the ground, and to give her and Aquinas a place to sit while they did what needed doing. She'd added some cushions, just in case. She didn't quite know how long they'd be there, but it was likely to get uncomfortable before the end. She'd also set up some chairs to get a vantage point on the ritual. Putting the word out had been a calculated risk, but she'd wanted to give those who knew the dead a chance to say goodbye, as few as there were. And as long as those who showed up honored the dead, she'd be pleased with the effort.

With one last look around the room, she placed herself next to the door, and took a deep breath. She'd put herself in charge of this, and now she had to be prepared to greet those who entered. Time to see this through.

**roadnottaken** · Dec 3rd, 2014 11:55 PM

The effects had been hard to come by. He'd scraped together what he could, but ... it had been years. And many of the fallen had been closer to acquaintances than best friends.

Triquetra was the exception, and even now the thought crosses his mind. She didn't have to waft away into the aether. Wasn't she his? Thoughts exacerbated by the dried pine needles he'd set next to her jar, the picture of a smiling girl unhurt and carefree.

Dangerous, unwelcome thoughts. His beloved deserved better than to be caged. So the shaman watches, silent, brooding. The dead would be freed. Perhaps they'd even find rest, and comfort.

But could he even dare to hope the same for himself, when the time came?

Dec 4th, 2014 02:09 AM

It wasn't like Asp had known the deceased. No, she'd come just before a door needed to be kicked in and Scelesti needed to be taken to task for their crimes. But she'd done things for them. She'd fought for them. Defended them. Killed for them. It didn't matter that she'd come a year or two too late to know them when smiles crossed their faces, when they did good works for the Awakened nation, when they had stood Sentinel just as she did now, when they had loved a scarred, broken man that she called a friend.

Asp would never shake their hands.

But she'd see them off, just the same.

She wore a simple black dress that winter morning, her handbag over her shoulder and her hair in a pony which she'd put up just before she entered and gave Mace a solemn nod as she stepped through the door.

Animus. This was for everyone, but for him, it had the most meaning of all. She strolled over quietly, smiled gently to him, and took up silent vigil next to her brother-in-arms for one final salute to the fallen.

Dec 4th, 2014 12:26 PM

Aquinas | Spells Active | Silver Ladder Status: 1 | Consilium Status 3 (Hierach)

Aquinas arrives as he undoes a button of his double-breasted sweater jacket. The Sacramento weather is thankfully mild and pleasant and in the low-sixties which keeps the man from needing anything heavier. Carried on quiet shoes, the Hiearch arrives holding a messenger bag. His lips are set into a thin line, though the lines on his face aren't smoothed.

The Enemy has claimed the lives of Consilium Members, finally rescued from whatever hell they've been put through.

Even the Awakened mourn.

Careful steps and Aquinas comes to rest next to Mace, placing a reassuring hand on the Moros' shoulder, “How are you doing?” Aquinas, himself, is a prodigal 'son' of another Hierarch: Peter Cartwright. Because of the balance of his Awakened Life and his Sleeper one, he couldn't see his Mentor off. Now, this is his Consilium and the Hierarch must be there to reassure and to inspire those who still live while giving ones who will never Ascend a proper send off.

“I'll be right back,” Aquinas tells Mace nodding to his bag, “I have ritual robes to slip on.” Since, of course, the Silver Ladder have ritual robes.

Dec 6th, 2014 10:42 AM

Mace gave Animus a nod when he walked in, bringing the things she'd asked. It was good to have them, and she helped him set things out. Except for Triquetra. That one was his alone, and she wouldn't impose herself on that one. So she helped with some of the others, and made the final tweaks. With everything in place, she took a step back, looking everything over. It was the best she could do, without knowing the Awakened better. She gave Animus weak smile and turned to Asp. "Thanks for coming," she said. "Mind watching the door while we get ready?"

She looked up when she felt Aquinas' hand on her shoulder. "I'm ready," she said. Or at least, she thought she was. The nightmares had been bad last night, probably because of what she was to do today. But she'd have to get passed that, and do the best she could. She nodded when he said he was going to slip on ritual robes, and wondered for a moment if she should have had talked with Pepper about designing some for herself. But it wasn't her, and if anything she needed to strongly be her for this.

She moved towards the dias and took her seat to prepare herself. She placed her tool, the knife she'd made back when she'd first Awakened, in front of her and knelt, closing her eyes. Then she began to breathe, slow deep breaths pushing everything but the task out of her mind. Focusing on her sense of self, her connection to the Supernal, and her memories of what she was to do today. She wrapped supernal energies around her, opening up her senses to the perception of the 5 soul jars. She wanted to be able to watch them during this, to make sure that everything went according to plan. To be ready to act, just in case they created something they did not intend. She shuddered with the memory, trying to put it from her mind. Was this how she had begun? All her research hadn't given her any answers on that, either when searching for the rituals nor back when the whole thing had started. If that happened again? Her breathing slipped, her fear getting the best of her for a single long moment. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw Animus. If it happened again, she'd just have to do what she told him she'd do. Do what needed to be done, whatever it cost her. The thought was more comforting than she would have guessed, and eventually her breathing settled back into the rhythm she'd wanted for it.

Rolls

Dec 6th, 2014 12:48 PM

Asp nodded to the Moros Councilor, a silent recognition of her request as she slid on over to the door, sharp eyes peeled as she remained vigilant against the night. She was turned to allow herself to witness what was to occur as well as observe any comers - there was much to see and learn here, a new aspect of the Arcane flowing out before her very eyes.

Stygia.

It was the world of the dead, a place which she had no affinity or understanding for at all. The province of other Awakened, she still recognized its importance. Every Tower, its place in the Pentacle. With luck, Mace and Aquinas could free these poor souls. Their suffering would end, and they could move on...

...and maybe, just maybe, so could Animus.

**Miach** · Dec 6th, 2014 04:03 PM

When Miach had first read the announcement, the Acanthus had frozen. For a long time, he had stood unmoving, shaken. It could so easily have been him... Had Fate looked after him ? Perhaps it just hadn't been his day ? No matter how you looked at it, it was hard not to feel affected, and he had been.

As he entered the Bismarck in the black suit, black tie, that befitted a funeral, the blonde doctor still wondered why he had come. He had crossed those Awakened's paths, of course. They were not unknowns. But still, he could hardly have called them friends. Potential friends perhaps, but that was it. He was here to mourn potentialities, and perhaps to express his thanks. They had all contributed to his life, and someone had to be there to testify that their life, their Awakening, had had a meaning.

He entered slowly and silently, and caught the scenery in his eyes. Fitting. With a curt nod to Asp who was manning the door, and Mace in front of him on the dais, he slide in, and paid his respect to Animus with a much longer nod. I know. He couldn't say it loud, but perhaps his gaze could express it. I know the pain of losing a lover. Futile, of course, but what else could he do. Nothing. He knew way too much how nothing could help but time, and renewal. Eventually.

**Jonokuchi** · Dec 7th, 2014 01:23 AM

When Jonokuchi arrived, it was in a sombre kimono of black and grey, formal attire suited for the passing of souls. Certainly, the Sentinel did not know any of those that had perished but it mattered little. They ha died in the service of something greater.

The Mastigos would respect their sacrifice.

Entering the room with assistance of his staff, Jonokuchi paused just within the doorway and offered a respectful bow. Immediately he took up position by the entrance, the opposite side to Asp-kun, patiently waiting for the ritual to begin.

Cast at Sanctum

Dec 8th, 2014 10:50 AM

Aquinas | Spells Active | Silver Ladder Status: 1 | Consilium Status 3 (Hierach)

Fabric sweeps around the Hierarch as he fastens an Iron clip. The Mantle is literal as it is figurative for the Théarch, steel gray and edged in gray-touched blue. It is an old piece of clothing, well-cared for and rarely used. In the modern era, robes aren't as necessary as they may have been in the past and Aquinas isn't really one for formalities. An adjustment of the standing collar and he comes back into view; runes in high-speech peek out from the folds.

“Are we waiting for anyone else,” Aquinas asks Mace ( liminal.shadow ). A quiet nod is offered to Miach and Sentinel Jonokuchi as he spots them.

Dec 9th, 2014 06:17 AM

Mace shook her head. "No one else contacted me about coming," she said. Only Animus had come with her to investigate the souls. "I think we can get started. If others come to pay their respects, they can stay in the back while the ritual progresses." She took a deep breath, and looked down at her implements. I'm as prepared as I'm going to be. It's up to the Supernal now. She nodded to herself, and looked up at Aquinas with a smile. "Let's send them home."

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-12-06 10:24:41		Mace rolls 5 to Resolve + Composure (Nightmares) (10 Again)		6, 5, 6, 5, 2		failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-12-06 10:29:17		Mace rolls 6 to Gnosis + Death (Soul Marks) (10 Again)		3, 5, 3, 1, 9, 10, 1		2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2014-12-07 01:21:49	Jonokuchi rolls 8 to Gnosis + Space + HS (Spatial Awareness) (10 Again)	8, 5, 3, 8, 8, 2, 1, 7	3 successes
2014-12-07 01:20:59	Jonokuchi rolls 8 to Gnosis + Space + HS (Untouchable) (10 Again)	5, 3, 1, 10, 10, 7, 1, 7, 2, 10, 10, 6	4 successes

(ToB) Long Journey Home

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