Smoke & Mirrors: Masao Dreams Again
05/15/2006
Logfile from GarouMUSH.
[GMNote: Stacey GMed this dream sequence.]
[In the Odeon Theater...]
An otherwise quiet evening is punctuated by the metallic crunch of a fang through a can. Squeaks is contentedly working another can of dog food open with her teeth. Through the dim light of a camping lantern, Masao watches the metis from the other side of the theatre. Sore eyes are rubbed and yawns fought off in vain until the Gnawer is unable to hold out any longer, Leaning her head against the wall, she nods off with a frown etched on her face. Awareness shifts to the park again, though down by the river this time and far from the beauty of the fountain.
It's a nice day out, and the river flows steadily. A couple children laugh as they fly kites off in the distance, but otherwise Masao seems to be quiet alone. All and all, it's peaceful, serene on this side of the park. Just up ahead, amongst a tall, thick patch of cattails, a bit of movement can be detected. Perhaps a rabbit? Or a fish that strayed too close to the shore? Fish? It's good to see fish in this part of the river. Smiling, Masao moves closer to the water's edge to take a look. The serenity is a welcome state for once, and lulls her a little.
As Masao steps closer and peers down amongst the cattails, she sees neither fish nor rabbit, nor any sort of creature that should be there, but a small, helpless infant, wrapped rather off-handedly in a small white cloth and left there. It starts to whimper weakly, its hands curled and eyes shut tightly, lips and skin already blue from the wet and cold.
Masao's breath catches in her throat for a moment, frozen in place staring down at the baby. "Oh, god...no..." she murmurs, covering her mouth with her hand briefly. It's tough to shake the glimpse of memory that grips her, but she eventually does and bends to collect the poor thing in her arms. Straightening up, she scans around the area to see if there's any sign at all of who left the infant. "Where's your mommy, huh? Or your daddy?" she murmurs vaguely.
The blanket is soaked. It must have been lying there a long time near the river. It begins to cry, but its sobs are weak, its little hand bumping against Masao's arm as it begs for attention and help. Masao looks around, but sees no one, not even the kite flyers from before... and when she next looks back to the baby, she sees not a natural human child, but a mini-Crinos with three eyes closed tightly, fangs bared as it growls faintly.
Masao's eyes widen and her heart starts to thud in her chest as her pulse picks up. "Oh, shit." she whispers, though she doesn't put the apparent metis down just yet. Another furtive glance checks again to see if anyone is around, though now it's more to make sure no one has seen the baby-turned-Crinos. A wry chuckle escapes her at some realization, "Guess you didn't get the luck I did, huh? What the hell am I supposed to do with you?"
As Masao takes a second glance around, with the little Crinos still growling for attention, she spots the familiar figures of Justin and Leslie heading away from the river, talking in a contented fashion.
Masao frowns sharply at the pair and looks back down to the little Crinos again. "Well, let's see what's up, hmm? First, gotta hide you, but you'll be warm!" Shucking her sweater while holding the infant to her, she twines the garment around it and carefully settles a flap so that it obscures the muzzled face. That done, she peers about and trots towards the Philos. "Justin! Leslie! Hold up!"
The two Philos stop at Masao's call, turning toward her. Leslie sighs, while Justin has this look of vague annoyance at being bothered, but they do wait for her to catch up. "Yes? What do you need?" The Silver Fang asks, tapping his foot. "Hurry up. We've finished here and want to get back."
"I found this by the river...and I can't find who left it here." Cradling the sweater-bundle close to her chest, she looks warily up at the pair. "It's not the sorta thing we want people to find, if ya catch my drift?" If what they say makes her more suspicious, she does her best to keep that emotion off of her face.
Justin looks incredibly annoyed as he sees the bundle and lets out a heavy sigh. "Damn it. We were almost rid of that little problem. Well, no matter. You're probably right." He nods toward the forest, which apparently borders the park, "Well, bring it along."
Masao takes a half-step back, fingers tightening around her armful slightly, "Wait...YOU left it? You abandoned this?" Looking between the two, she shakes her head and takes another step back. "I'm not taking it anywhere. I want an answer, now. Whose 'little problem' is it?"
"Does it matter who?" asks Justin. "It's an abomination. A sinful creature that must be purified from the world." Leslie reaches out to try to grab Masao's arm. "Come /on/. It can join Basil and Kevin in the bonfire. That should do it."
Masao twists away and backpedals a few feet away, "No. You couldn't just kill it and let its suffering end? You had to risk it being seen by humans? That's careless! That's a Veil breach in the making!" Then the other words sink in and she growls under her breath, "What bonfire? What are you talking about? I thought those two were to take their chances at the tire yard?"
Leslie laughs, almost a cackle. "Tire yard, bonfire, what's the difference? They'll all burn in the end. Burn, burn, burn like the witches of old. And who cares where we left it? Humans are blind and stupid."
Masao looks at Leslie as though the Black Fury has grown not only an extra eye, but two extra limbs and a spare head. "You are not the Leslie I know, nevermind that I don't know her well. She has more sense than that. Both of you do." she says flatly, eyes going cold as she regards these would-be Septmates. "No. No more deaths in the name of your twisted ideals! Two have paid the price, this one will live to decide its own fate!" Holding the small Crinos as close as possible, she takes off running across the park away from them.
The gleeful laughter of the Philos follow after Masao as she runs, echoing through the abandoned park. The trees seem more and more abundant, and soon she is running through the bawn, the metis infant clutched close. The gnarled, leafless trees reach out, trying to snag and grasp her as she runs, to trap her in their unfeeling grip.
Masao slides up into Glabro and continues running as if her life depended upon it, which may very well be the case. "I will not let you die without a fight. You deserve as much of a chance as I did." she gasps to the little one between pants for breath. Narrowing her eyes and hissing occasionally at a scratch or a pull to her hair, she doesn't stop moving.
Its a valiant attempt, but a hopeless one. Branches scratch against her arm, leaving small scrapes, some of which begin to bleed. The metis begins to howl in frustration, its little clawed hands reaching out to try to grasp onto something, whether cloth or Masao. It looks as though she might be able to keep this up, when a particularly aged and foreboding tree lifts its roots and trips the Gnawer.
Masao swears and tries to twist to one side, not wanting to land even her otherwise slight weight on the smaller body. The impact jars her enough that she loses her grip on the metis and it bounces from her arms. Winded, she forces herself back to her feet and listens to hear how far any pursuit may be from her.
As the Gnawer starts to rise, large branch-like hands grasp her arms firmly and lift her off of the ground, holding her up in the air. The trees seem to be staring at her, judging her as she dangles. A smaller tree dips a branch toward the howling metis and lifts off the ground. Growling can be heard in the distance, the sounds of a pursuit, drawing ever closer as Masao and the child are held in this unnatural jail.
Masao writhes and strains against the trees and growls in frustration. "Even the trees? Has the whole world gone fucking NUTS?" she snaps at her arboreal prison and tries to pull one arm free. The cries of the metis give her pause and she throws all of her energy into trying to get to it.
Struggle however she might, the Gnawer is unable to free herself from the tree's iron grasp, and the Metis' cries begin to grow in intensity, and a little in pain as the tree's grasp tightens. It's at that time that the three Philodox step into view, each in Crinos, surrounding the prisoners on each side. ~Gaia herself has judged you, abomination and aider of Litany breakers.~
Masao sneers back at the trio, specifically at Justin and Leslie. "Maybe I am an abomination, but I fight for Gaia as one of her warriors! And -aiding- Litany breakers? You still haven't told me who I'm aiding?" The corners of her mouth curl up slightly, eyes lighting with an idea. "Is it one of yours? Is that why both of you were by the river? Covering up your own crime and sacrificing others for your lie?"
Justin throws back and laughs, long and hard. ~Ours?? You think we would profane ourselves with such an act? Never.~ He smirks, then steps closer, baring his fangs. ~Perhaps you should search for the answer closer to home. Look to that filthy dog you call a friend and mentor. Ever wonder why she /didn't/ kill him? Why she told him to run? She hoped others would do the same when we discovered her sin. HA! She can run, she can hide... but not even she will escape our flames."
Masao goes limp at that, head hanging forward as if she has given up completely. The act doesn't last long, though, as her shoulders begin to shake. The shaking continues as her slack hands curl into tight fists and her head slowly rises. The sound of her own laughter grows stronger and stronger as she stares out at Justin from a curtain of her hair. "I don't believe you. Lies. More lies. You dirty Yi with your slander, oh high and mighty Silver Fang. You dirty Gaia with your words. She should hold you prisoner for your tarnished filth." Eyes glittering, she slides easily up into Crinos, the shift pressing against the branches as tries to lunge at Justin.
The branches that hold her snap as Masao breaks free, leaping onto Justin, who tries to fend her off, but once again Masao feels the Rage within her pulsing, lending her strength and speed, almost as though she had the Rage of an Ahroun! And he is no match when faced with her wrath. Blackriver growls, snapping in Masao's direction, yet not moving to help her tribemate. ~You attack because you fear its truth! How do you know he speaks false? You fear it. Deep down, you fear her weakness... And your own.~
Having laid into one Fang savagely with claws and teeth, Masao turns her bloody visage on the other and snarls at her. ~We are all weak! You! Me! Runs-the-Gauntlet! I fear no truth! This is NOT truth! LIES! We may be a low tribe, but I will NOT let you defile my elder's name!~ The Rage fuels her to leap at Blackriver with a howl of fury and her claws poised like daggers.
Blackriver strives to defend herself, howling in rage and pain as she, too, is struck down. The rage, the anger that flows through Masao is too great, knowing no limits. And why should it?! She is right. She has to be right! ~You don't know what you're doing!~ roars Leslie, ~You defend a dishonorable bitch. Not someone worth being called an elder! Not someone worth bleeding for... or killing for. Stop before you disgrace yourself further!~
Masao turns on Leslie and roars back, spraying the Fury with blood and spittle. ~Shut up! I know what I do, it is my choice! No one makes my decisions for me and I will defend who I will! I would follow her into the Wyrm's belly before I would listen to you!~ She paces towards the Philodox slowly, raising her claws threateningly. ~You left a metis to die where humans could find it. Who is dishonorable, now?~
Leslie snarls, although she takes a step back, fear starting to show in her eyes as the enraged Gnawer approaches. ~Then you are no better than she. A flea-bitten dog that knows no honor.~ She laughs, a wild, crazed, hopeless laugh. ~Oh, yes, you will indeed follow her into the Wyrm's belly. It is where we all go in the end... held at the mercy of the Corrupted Destroyer.~
Masao pauses for a moment in her progress, regarding that fear with a flare of her nostrils. The urge to tear into the Fury is restrained by a hair trigger that leaves her trembling. ~I know honor. I have tasted it, seen it, smelled it, touched it. Taking more warriors from Gaia is not honorable.~ A tilt of her head and a curl of her lip in distate are directed at Leslie, ~I pity your lack of hope. You fear the end so much it would almost be mercy to end your suffering now.~
The fear leaves the Furies face, replaced by rage at Masao's words. ~No! I don't need your pity! Not you, murder of the innocent!~ Leslie growls as she leaps toward Masao, seeking to rip the Gnawer apart... And all through this, the little Metis continues to howl.
Masao welcomes the Fury with her claws and a growl only intensified by the combination of howls and accusation. ~Murderer? I would save one whose only crime was being born! Is that not a supreme innocence?~ Letting her restraint slip away, she moves to meet the onslaught eagerly.
This battle takes longer than the other two, as Leslie fights almost as fiercely as Masao. Blood and sweat drips down to the ground beneath them and the air seems to intensify, growing warmer, almost electric in its energy as they battle, each giving into the Rage that boils within them, until finally Masao gains the upper hand, her jaws clamping down hard on Leslie's throat. The Fury growls in defeat and despair as she sinks to the ground.
Masao snarls around her mouthful and pins Leslie to the ground with her weight before removing her jaws from the Fury's neck. Looking down at her subdued opponent, she gives a toss of her head. ~No. No more death. I will take no more of Gaia's warriors from her.~ Her eyes flash at the Philodox over a sharp, wordless snarl as she battles with her Rage to not finish her off.
The remaining Philodox, bloodied and defeated, remains on the ground, watching Masao with a spiteful, wary scowl. The tree seems to sense the defeat of the three Philos and releases its grip on the Metis, which squeals as it falls toward the ground.
Masao's head snaps up at the sound and she leaps towards the metis, holding out her arms to catch it desperately. Leslie is ignored in favor of the little Crinos for now, her attention on the life that could one day fight for Gaia.
~Fool.~ The Fury begins to shake with unrestrained laughter as Masao leaps forward. The Metis falls neatly in Masao's arms, its cries abating once it begins to feel safe. The red-furred child snaps its tiny jaws, then opens its three eyes to peer up at Masao... Amber gold eyes... Yi's eyes.
Masao stares down at the metis and those eyes for a long moment, indecision warring in her own before she holds it to her and turns to face Leslie. ~Perhaps. Is that not what most see the newmoon as? A fool? If I am such, then that is my fault to bear.~ Her own yellow-green eyes bore unblinkingly at the Fury and her lips curl again. ~Anyone who would take this life from my arms is more fool than ever I could hope to be. Feel you that brave, Half-moon?~
The Fury laughs again, almost a cackle. ~No. Not me...~ she answers with a smirk, and then begins to stand, tendrils of blood and an oily black substance snake their way down her body. ~But you are no match for /us/,~ she hisses, as the two other Philodox also begins to rise, impossibly recovering from fatal wounds. They all bare their bloodied fangs and then leap as one at the Gnawer.
Masao is torn, visibly, between the desire to take the metis and flee again or stand her ground. In the end, she chooses to face the oncoming things that were her Septmates. ~I'm sorry, little one.~ she rumbles regretfully, cradling the cub with one hand and setting it down before leaping into the ensuing fray. ~Gaia! I fight for you, always!~
Once again, a battle of rage and pain, blood and sorrow. The Philos hold nothing back, and almost seem to have a new strength in their undead state. Masao strikes mortal blows, but is also struck herself. A frenzied mess of claws and fangs... And it is from this fight that the Gnawer awakens with a start, with only the sound of the abandoned child's squeals ringing in her ears.
Masao's eyes snap open, hands reaching out ahead of her before she's truly awake to grasp a child she can't see. When the realization hits her, she curls her hands in tightly to her chest and rocks a little in place. Her gaze strays shakily to the now-sleeping Squeaks and that only seems to make things worse. Sniffling a little and trying to be quiet about it, she buries her head in her knees and tries to put the dream-cub behind her. It certain that there are more sleepless nights ahead.
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