Buda & Pest

[RedDrake]

*They are so predictable.
They do not understand the situation.

My old self would have stomped White Raven into the ground for trying to be such a smartass, but that day are long gone.*

/Ger/ - Exactly, we're sent here to scout them. And what have we found out till now? Just a possible entrance, and some unconfirmed guesses.

*I look in the direction of the entrances*
/Ger/ - This is not enough. Please, all of you, think a bit with the head of our enemies.

Consider the following facts:
*Yes may come as a suprise from a formal garou, but my will to ambush is a calculated risk.*
/Ger/ - We only have seen the mob from them but that also tells many-many things. First of all, they have good scouts. They managed to ambush us, and yet we vanquished them, they had formidable foes amongs their mob too.

Just remember the leader of the mob, he was a skilled fleshcrafter, a fiend from Transylvania, and if we were not blessed with the presence of you, with your powerful fighting spirits, we would have heavier casualities.

*Fightning spirits, how literal.*
/Ger/ - Did you really think, that they have given up their scouting after that? That would be highly illogical. No, our camp is an easy target to watch, I'm sure they have some basic information about us, and here comes my main point:

If they have brains, they sure expect scouts from our vanguard. So, White Raven, you are worried about these Gangrels, and you're right. If there are Gangrels here, or Fleshcrafters, who are surely here, then we are already discovered.

*I keep a small moment of silence, for them to comprehend this*

/Ger/ - Why, you may ask? It is simple, they have the biggest force for scouting in a forest. The animals. Both the Gangrel and the Fleshcrafters are excellent in controlling the minds of animals.

*It seems they might learn a little kindred-lore*
/Ger/ - We are surrounded by animals. Maybe a crow, a raven, or that owl in the tree, or that rabbit running. Or a small rat, any animal can be used. And there are other methods of scouting for both Clans too, far more sinister ways.

*I look to the cave entrance*
/Ger/ - They know where is their hidden entrance, it'd be fool not to guard it. So our position is most likely already have benne revealed, and they're musteering their forces, or waiting for us to retreat.

Of course, that is the case, when we've found out the real hideout, not just a trap they set for us, to gain time.

Do not forget, not only their nest is the enemy territory right now. Everything IS enemy territory until we make short work of their evil ways.
Considering this, isn't fighting these worms whenever and whereever they dwell is our duty?

*The two garou may notice, I was nearly quoting the litany, just exchanged the word Wyrm into worm.*

/Ger/ - They'll not expect this, and even we may have casualities we have know what is inside, what are they planning, what is their motivation. For that, acquiring a tortured person would help a great deal.

Even if we were careful, our scent could betray us, and Gangrels have sharp noses. So fightning is unevitable. The only question is whether we really do scout or just try to run back cowardly?
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"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Inu]

<Our great leader can't look forward far enough again. It's not a surprise that he is already dead. Getting inside isn't our concern. Getting out alive is the real problem.>

*It seems that I have to use some hints to lead the Ahroun. So I use polite tone and start the sentence as if I agreed him. Then I mention the problem. Let's hope that he knows what to do from there.*

-/Ger/ You are right Albrecht, we can raid the enemy under the ruins and we can free the captives, but Friderich mentioned us about "Gangrels" hiding under the surface of... the Earth. And this is their territory. We might get trapped inside with countless...

<...leech... >

-/Ger/...enemy in our back. We have already fought against one group of them. But if this is their home, a whole legion might slumber around us.

[Sablepaw]

I trot around the Shadow Lord with quiet yet impatient steps, looking the dead Garou in the eye... then carry my eerie gaze to the scar-faced Flat-Stone. My fur bristles; the vicinity of the nastiest of Wyrms boils under my pelt, urging me to rend and destroy, yet my instincts warn me to be cautious.

- /Gar/ Fighting badgers in their own den isn't the wisest. But if they have sharp noses and keen ears, an ambush might be better, or they'll spot us if we wait too long.

<But let the arrogant Flat-Stoned one rush down... good riddance... but he doesn't want to go down. Too bad I can only feel the scent death lingering around him.>

My growl is low and quiet, I mostly communicate with my body posture and I turn and twist my muzzle, trying to taste the scents.
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- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Albrecht von Wulfhard, Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Though Tristan observes the conversation with nothing but a gulp every now and then, and Friderich with a peculiar lack of interest, Albrecht's final suggestion causes him to intervene verbally - perhaps a tad louder than intended, or would be prudent right now.*

-/Ger/ Weren't we sent here to scout? We are not an army, are we?

*He does not exhibit fear, but still fidgets uncomfortably. Meanwhile, the stadium is still silent. Almost insolently so.*
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[RedDrake]

*Now we have the official translation. The question arises what to do next? Alert the troupe or make our own investigation?

We can retreat if needed and torture is underway. The decision is not hard, and White Raven knows that. Will he be the fox again? Probably.

About Friderich, will he be complaining again? Probably.

And Sablepaw? Will she cause havoc again? Probably.

With these allies, you do not need enemies. *
/Ger/ - We can catch them by surprise. Seize the moment! We can easily hold a narrow tunnel. It is time to stalk there and kill the torturers.
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Inu]

*When I arrive I'm also irritated still thinking about those tiresome ravens and crows. For a half second I almost forget that Albrecht "can't speak Garou". But then I look around the other leeches and throw off a rough translation.*

-/Ger/ We have found the enemy. They are hidden under the ruins. There is only one entrance so we didn't risk to stalk in and get caught. We've heard sounds of torture and seen evil spirits of this sick land.

*I was thinking of telling him to attack but its better to let him think it through and lead him to that conclusion indirectly. So the translation might be enough to come to the obvious solution.*

[Sablepaw]

At least that living Twoleg knows some respect, while that scarface, Flatstone is as anoying as ever.
Nevertheless, I rush to fetch White Raven and creep back to the Twolg, the Leech and the Leech-Garou...

<For Griffin, I endure, I endure all!>

I repeat almost the same growls as earlier with bristling fur and bared teeth, this "game" is getting annoying and fuels my Wrath further! My barks and snarls carry unmistakable urgency.

- /Gar/ We Found The Wyrm Lair! Below the ground, hidden well, not even prints! One secret cave, the passage, easy to get trapped in! Can't scout further without being seen. Scents muffled, not knowing numbers there but there's some torture down there! Spirit Lands sick, sick, sick, big dangerous Spirits!

... Waiting for the Shadow Lord to translate.
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[RedDrake]

*Friderich is underestimating somebody, again. It is his problem.*
/Ger/ - Good! We expected much from their sharp noses.

*I nod. *
/Ger/ - They're hiding in where they belong. We will bury them!

*It is so simple. The wyrm's vermins are about to be stomped on!
I look at the two arriving garou.*

/Ger/ - Ah, you're here White Raven! Sablepaw wants to tell us something. Can you translate it for us?
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Inu]

<Gaia cursed me with those birds...>

*I circle a few more times to make sure that crow can see me. If the bird doesn't care about me I do if I am to leave. Maybe that will open my friend's beak. Otherwise I look back one more time and really leave, silently following Sablepaw to the leeches.*

<It's time to send in the heavy cavalry.>

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Albrecht von Wulfhard, Sablepaw, White Raven.

*As Albrecht and Tristan trot closer and reply to his straightforward question, the Black Cross knight eyes them up in an almost challenging manner, regarding the ghoul "blood-slave" with a not-so-subtle, condescending smirk.
How uppity for coming in the monsters' lair with the true heroes of the night - he might think.
His words, however, are less revolting.*

-/Ger/ Wonderful. Our fur-clad friends here have successfully sniffed the place out.

*He gestures to the circular ruins of the old Roman amphitheatre behind him.*

-/Ger/ So far, no sign of anything. If the vermin are here, I'd bet my belt buckle they're hiding underground. Or in those blasted woods.

*With this, his plated hand instinctively slips to said belt accessory before he looks around with narrowed eyes.
This is when Sablepaw arrives. He regards her with a neutral glance and scoffs at her attempt at talking to them.
Though the Teuton has no communicative scent marks, the sole mortal twoleg here certainly does. His attention snaps at the child of Griffin as soon as he notices her - which is miserably late - and he's quickly overcome by a sudden rush of fear.
Fear that he does his best not to exhibit too much.
Perhaps he can fool the eyes and ears of his peers, but certainly not the nose of Sablepaw. This mortal will do nothing to harm her. For now.

Meanwhile, the crow a few dozen feet away keeps behaving just like a crow. It ruffles its feathers every now and then, but for all intents and purposes, it appears to be as inactive as it should be during the night.
Perhaps it's getting ready to sleep... or to deliver a stoic speech.*
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[Sablepaw]

*I soon realize Phoenix-Claw is not going to reply or follow me, or get other Leeches from the Leech-Pack.*

<It must be that he's hiding the thing that he's a dead Garou. How I hate these things! Right, right, I'll fetch White Raven>

*I grumble and growl but I realize I have to fetch the Shadow Lord to get things done... and so I do. I sneak back and with silent scent-and-posture communication with some quiet barks and growls, I signal him to follow me.*

- /Lup-Gar/ Need you! Speak! Them! Come!
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[RedDrake]

*There are dark times, even the humans know this, when a prayer just goes unheard. Sadly, I'm always living in these dark times, but that will not stop me from praying and waiting for that one miracle!

But now even my own powers fail me, luckily this person is not an enemy. It is Friderich alright. I doubt that any Tzimisce or scum would be that good at mimicing that knight.*

/Ger/ - The troupe there was arrived safely. I had no other business with that prince right now. What have we here?

*My voice is quiet too. It seems they got here much slower.
But our favorite lupus, Sablepaw is here too.

I wonder how Friderich got along with them? It must have been difficult. But not as difficult as for me, when I hear her howls and barkings.
Is she trying to ruin my disguise? We have talked about this!
I look at her raising an eyebrow but no my facial expressions do not change.
*

<Gasp, we've to play this along. No garou speech when other vampires are nearby.>
/Ger/ - Please, a bit less loud! We have to talk with your packmate so that he can translate.

<A secret cave? Passage? What can it hide?>
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Sablepaw]

*I sniff at the Crow, but I suppose it's that Crow spirit following the Shadow Lord - why else would a crow fly around during the night? Instead my attention drifts to the scents of the familiar horses. I use the advantage of both of us being in wolf-form, communicating by posture, scents and silent yips...*

- /Gar/ I go, I tell them.

*And if I get no objections, I quickly trod towards the horse-scents. Phoenix-Claw can understand me, and they can bring the whole group of Leeches for an attack. If I get to their vicinity, I start running by the Dead Garou's horse, keeping the safe distance - though I'm pretty small and less unnerving in my natural form compared to the Giant Wolf skin I usually wear.*

- /Gar/ Found Wyrm Lair! Below the ground, hidden, hidden well, not even prints! One secret cave, the passage. Can't scout further without being seen. Spirit Lands sick, sick, sick, big dangerous Spirits!
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Inu]

<This won't work. I can't see the bird. I have to trust my nose. If it smells like a crow it should be a crow... And the backup has just arrived. I didn't know we will have backup. So the other option is that the trap has just closed around us. No. I don't think so. Just the pact with those vampire knights made me more paranoid than I had ever been before.>

*Finally I walk under the tree of the crow and begin to circle around it to let the bird recognise me. If she is really Crow she will tell me what I need to know. And I can just hope that she needs no answer - she never does - because I don't want to change to my homid form here. The leeches can wait a little more.*

<I don't even dare to hope that the whole army is just waiting for our report to attack. Albrecht might be impatient and curious. No. He's not like that. Probably the plan has changed and we have a new quest. In that case we will know it soon enough.>

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Sneaking closer to the newfound bird scent, the werewolves still effect no change in their environment.
Or so it seems.
By the time they reach the tree upon whose branch the bird is perched, they can be certain it is indeed a crow - though in this moonless night, they can't see anything up there, amongst the pine's darkness and it makes no sound either.
Annoyingly, there's no way of telling whether it's that crow.
And that crow has an annoying way of not telling anything until she feels like it.
Simultaneously, the changing wind brings forth four more scents from behind; three horses and a human.
Last they checked, one of the hoof-beasts belonged to Friderich and the other to Albrecht.
Much like the human.*
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