[WOD] Final Session as Eile

 [this is a long one! bear with it, it's worth it.]

You're so mean, when you talk, about yourself you were wrong.
Change the voices, in your head, make them like you instead.
So complicated, look happy, you'll make it!
Filled with so much hatred, such a tired game.
It's enough! I've done all I can think of.
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same. 
[snip]

The world stares while I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and I tried tried
But we try too hard, it’s a waste of my time Pink, F'N Perfect

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Terrance- Chamgeling

Waco- Changeling

TK-Geist

Lucky- Geist

Reese- Vampire

Ed- Werewolf

Raaf-Werewolf

Ginger- Werewolf

David-Werewolf

Victor-Werewolf

Terrance, Waco, TK, Lucky, Reese, Ed, Raaf, Ginger, David and Victor are all at the farmhouse with the doorway where Waco took Eile. Ed and Raaf recognize the area- they had a run in with a “leech” and The Rangers nearby quite some time ago. TK also recognizes it, as he had been told by the leech in question that he could stay there.

The area itself reeks (to those that can smell it) of death. While it's not recent, it is prevalent and saturating, almost drowning out all other considerations. While looking around, the group finds other hostilities laying about. There's some tense investigations as Terrance and the Omen pack feel sources of wrath; along with spirits, shards and rats. The Omen pack makes a quick attempt to destroy the slivers of shards, but the slivers retreat to the other side of the Gauntlet. Ed resolves to deal with the Beshilu after their trip across the Hedge, and moves on.

Waco leads the way through the doorway and the rest follow suit. The pack goes through a strange, disquieting transformation as they step through and are stretched like rubber bands, with the thorns tearing at their psyches. Their pack telepathy is removed, and the “presense” of each others' minds is painfully revoked as they step across. Their spiritual elements are also revoked- most notably, Ed's hammer.

[WOD] Austin by Night- Session 15 as Eile

I'm on the hunt I'm after you.
Mouth is alive with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the wolf

Stalked in the forest too close to hide
I'll be upon you by the moonlight side- Duran Duran, Hungry Like The Wolf 
----------------------------------------

Eile works at the Hedge Row, serving drinks to Simon, Reese, Calin and Waco over the course of the night. She then closes her shift, and heads over to the strip club to work a show.

The show's a rowdy one, with a customer spilling his drink all over her, and another getting very touchy. Eile calls the bouncers to keep the guy in line, and gets ready to go home. Before she changes into clean clothes, she's invited by a bunch of girls over to a local all-night restaurant. When Eile emerges from the changing room, the girls are gone. Eile takes it in stride, and struts her way to the restaurant, feeling flush with the rush of money and the sweet smell of emotions.

As she heads down the street, she hears a voice calling out to her to "watch out". She turns and sees Waco; but nothing else. He's acting jittery and weird, and keeps saying something about "gremlins" and them being "after" her. Eile's really not a bright girl, and she's in a spirited, social mood, so she invites them all along to whatever she's doing- she wants to party. She continues on to the restaurant, with Waco in tow. As she enters the restaurant, she sees the girls who ditched her earlier, trying to avoid her. She shrugs and sits down to eat. 

As she's looking over the menu to order, Waco flips out- literally. He flips the table, hitting the one girl in the group of ditchers that was somewhat nice to her with the table settings. He grabs Eile by the arm and drags her out of the restaurant into the alley behind it. He's going on about the gremlins, and how they're everywhere- and they're interested in her. He keeps saying he sees them, and she doesn't. As this is going on, Waco asks her where she feels safe- a huge trigger for Eile's suspicions. She says she needs to call Terrance. As she turns to grab her phone and dial, Waco stabs her in the shoulder with a tranq gun, and she goes down. She drops the phone as the call is dialing, and the phone stays open. 

When Eile wakes, she's in a grassy meadow leading up to a hunting lodge. She's being carried over Waco's shoulder, and being taken to what appear to be kennels. She screams and cries, and yells and defies, all to no avail- Waco is much stronger and tougher than she is. All her questions reveal her worst fears come true; being betrayed by someone in her close circle. No amount of convincing or pleading works, either- she's been taken back to Arcadia against her will; at Waco's Master's insistence. Waco was given a picture of Eile, with the words "We want the bitch" on the back. His Master(s) threatened Waco's human family- a wife and daughter. The mention of a child is the only thing that offers Eile any sort of tenderness for Waco, as she's been contemplating her ability to procreate quite seriously with a recent pregnancy scare on her mind courtesy of TK. (12 weeks of waiting for her cycle, but with negative results at every test.) She knows she's one of a very few Others who come back with the ability to have children (and she knows she's exceptionally fertile), but she doesn't know how this affects her being brought back; and not to her Own Keeper.

Eile soon finds out why, as she's drug to a bitching station and chained to the ground by a collar with three links, no room to move or struggle. She's transformed yet again- no longer a coyote, but more a beagle; or a hunting dog of some sort. She's mounted by a stud and forcibly impregnated- and the gestation is rapid and brutal. Within 4 hours of impregnation, Eile bears a litter of hobgoblins that claw their way out of her canal, and the process is begun again. Each 4 hours, Eile brings about a gorge of servants to Waco's Masters; she's bearing the soldiers of an army. Time is truly strange on the opposite side of the Hedge, and while 16 hours goes by in Arcadia, Waco returns to Austin in just 36 seconds.

In Austin, Terrance gets the phone call, which he knows is from Eile, but nothing is on the line except the sound of passing cars and random talking. The phone is then run over by a car, and Terrance is left confused. He quickly figures out Eile is not at The Hedge Row or their apartment, so he deduces she was at the strip club. 

[The rest of this information is Terrance's story, but relevant to Eile.]

Terrance winds up in the alley behind the strip club, looking for Eile; and is confronted by a large number of gremlins. They  surround him and tell him : "It was our job. He took her. She's been TAKEN. She's gone." Terrance asks a few questions, which the goblins generally answer; and then they start to pursue him. Terrance runs, and calls Avere. They agree to meet at the Hedge Row, and Terrance avoids a serious encounter with the goblins.

Once at the Hedge Row, Terrance and Avere find Duncan and Terrance relays the story as he knows it to both Duncan and Avere. Duncan catches on the word "taken" which was uttered by the goblins very seriously and they discuss the ramifications of that specific word among the Lost. As they are discussing this, Waco comes in, out of breath and quite beaten up. He tells them he saw Eile being taken, and he knows where she is, and that they jumped him, etc.  With this last piece of news, Duncan is very concerned for Eile's safety and longevity. He impresses upon Waco, Avere and Terrance that he considers all the Lost that frequent the Hedge Row as family, and that everything possible should be done to help family. This is especially important to Avere, whom Duncan as adopted as a sister, and who has been searching for her family since she returned from Arcadia.

Avere and Terrance are vocal about doing anything and everything to get Eile back, and Waco goes along with them as they try to figure out how to rescue her. Avere calls the Omen pack, and calls in a favor. Ed feels more than compelled to help Avere, as it was at HIS direction that Avere was made a protected member of the pack. He agrees to meet her at the Hedge Row, and heads over in short order.

[He is sidetracked by something important, which allows for the situation at the Hedge Row to play out.]

Back at the Hedge Row, Avere, terrance and Waco head downstairs after talking to Duncan. As they head down, Terrance stops Waco and offers to help heal him. Waco accepts, and while Terrance bestows his contract of healing on Waco, he also uses Witches' Intuition, and discovers that Waco knows very precisely where Eile is, and he's hiding it from Avere and Terrance in fear of being discovered.

Terrance confronts Waco in front of a large crowd -many of whom are Avere's allies. Terrance is in a terrible wrath and is insistent that Waco is hiding something harmful. Avere trusts Waco, and doesn't understand Terrance's anger- until finally, Avere asks: Is what Terrance is saying true? Are you hiding something from us?

Waco answers, yes, he's hiding something. Avere continues: How do you know where Eile is? And Waco answers; "because I took her there".

Pandemonium ensues as Avere strikes at Waco with a wrench, and encourages several of her allies to do everything in their power to hurt (if not kill) Waco. She's infuriated that one of the Lost would betray another by continuing to obey their Keeper, and wants nothing but harm upon Waco. As this is going on, Terrance has grabbed Waco and wrapped him into a submission hold when Waco whispers something that stays Terrance's wrath. Terrance then grabs hold of a collar from around Waco's throat (which no one has noticed before) and starts trying to remove it.

The collar proves quite stubborn, and so Avere produces a unicorn's horn from her bag- something that she's used against Hedge crafted things quite successfully in the past. She stabs the collar, which opens up and grabs Terrance, wrapping around his hand. It begins to open a door, and is sucking Waco into the doorway- and Terrance feels the pull. Avere is trying to get him to let go, and Terrance panics and releases the collar. The collar sucks shut, pulling Waco into it like something out of a comic book, and the large group is left with no ideas on where Eile might be, or how to track her.

[WOD] Austin by Night: Session 14 as Eile

Chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin out over the line
Baby this town rips the bones from your back
Its a death trap, it's a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we're young
`cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run - Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[This may seem a bit truncated- we started late, and I was not as involved as usual due to some outside stuff.] 

The night begins with Eile  talking with Terrance. It's been several weeks since she's seen him, as he was staying with Ed at the Pack's house for a while. Eile's just a little jittery for reasons of her own. They're trying to find a solution to the problem of Bruce, who appears to be a direct threat to both of them in one way or another. Eile is struggling with Clarity, because the easiest answer seems to be the most appalling one- let Arcadia have him. She has decided against this, but her new plan is probably even more morally bankrupt, but is totally acceptable to Eile's modus operandi.

She goes to work at the Hedge Row, which quickly becomes full. Everyone from Memento, Calin, Bruce, Axel, to Keva, Reese, and TK show up at some point, and a new gentleman, Simon enters the fray. He works for animal control, and he's been called to the area to investigate a large animal sighting. The reports are of a lion, and the zoo has all of theirs in lockdown. Conversation bubbles around what could possibly be mistaken as a lion, and Eile tries to distract with tales of bears in California, and fails. Coyotes are mentioned as possibilities by both Simon and Reese, and Eile's already nervous mind has decided to make a break for it very soon.

Shortly after this strange conversation, Terrance comes back to talk with Eile, and announces he wants to come home. Eile tells hims this is fine, while being more than a little conflicted about how this will work. She now has to stick around at least a little, to help get her plan in motion.

[WOD] Austin Tales (1): The Vigil

Up at dawn. Head to Sand's. Work on adaptation again. Leave and head to the Row. Up the stairs (man, my ass is going to look nice), unlock the door. 

Inside, he's on the bed, under the sheets.  I sit next to him and keep hold of his hand, thinking of anything but the future. 

He neither breathes nor rots- in complete stasis. This idea is so foreign to me I just don't understand. I keep hoping something will change, but it doesn't.

Time to head downstairs to tend bar. I lock the door behind me as I slip it shut. 

After my shift, back upstairs and wait the night away, holding his hand as nothing changes. 

Weeks of this and time starts to blur on itself - I'm no longer sure how long I've been waiting. I've been waiting and the answer is always the same. There's never any change.

Is this still Austin? Have I gone back by mistake? Is this an even worse torture than never having something to hold onto? 

I leave Sand's and head to the Row. I head up the stairs (yeah, I'm rocking a smaller size jeans) and unlock the door.

He's not there. 

I check the window, look for mirrors (they're sneaky), check for trapdoors. Nothing.

He's not there. 

Faster than I can believe, it's time to work the bar. I head downstairs, with nothing but bees in my head.  I work, considering options and adaptations.

A man comes in the bar, and he asks for the usual. His voice sounds familiar, but I can't place him. He talks, and it becomes clearer- it's him; just different.

Did he go over, and come back changed? Is this where my world starts turning?

He's bewildered and babbling, and out pops a word I've heard; but never from him: wife.

He's not there.

[WOD] Austin By Night- Session 13 (as Eile, sort of)

 A snapshot of what I know happened. No quote as I really wasn't involved much. I was waiting for a couple things to resolve and wound up spending much of the night out of scenes.

--------------------------------
Werewolf stuff to my knowledge:

a) Ed has made a few blanket statements. Avere, Coyote Joe, Memento all have full access to the house. TK and Terrance have some access to the house, with his involvement/permission required. Eile is not allowed in the house, ever. (And his emphasis on *ever* was really strong.)

b) Another Irraka was added to the pack.. I only know sketchiest of details on this.

c) Avere and Coyote Joe were announced (through Cahalith calling) to be allies of the pack. Any harm that comes to them will be met with retribution. (I am pretty sure the harm has to come from Uratha related sources, but not sure. It might be ANY harm.)

d) January is fasting month to honor Brother Dreamcatcher's ban. No hoarding of food/essence, just enough to keep alive. IE you can't draw from the locus, you only get back what you gain from sleep. (I am not sure what else there might be, this is what I know I heard the ST saying.)

e) Mutual non-aggression agreement with Memento (might not be new)

f) Bruce is on the 'watch list' (from what I understand. I heard this early on in the night, it might have changed after other things happened). If he is seen in territory wearing silver- take him down. If he is seen in territory without, bring him to Ed.

g) Challenge made (through Cahalith calling) to Alpha of Blood Talons pack by Alpha of Omen pack. (I am pretty sure the wording was:  The Alpha of Omega pack issues a challenge to the Alpha of Blood Talons pack. If you don't respond, we know what your colors are.)

h) This one I only heard snippets on, but marking of expanded territory and/or into Blood Talons territory (?) began.

Other things:

-w6w-

--Reece (new player, Vampire) and Waco both check (separately) with Eile to see how TK is doing. She is very tight lipped and refuses to let either of them see him. Reece indicates that TK is somehow under investigation and tries to intimidate Eile into letting him talk to TK. Eile is steadfast and refuses to divulge any information or allow a visit.

-- TK and Avere had a long dream sequence that caused TK to regain consciousness and come back to reality. Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to TK's player before he left for the night to resolve a plot there.

--At beginning of "down time" (time outside of game- which our ST uses EXTENSIVELY), Terrance went to the Hedge on his own. He wound up in trouble and unconscious, on the outskirts of town. He has been out of touch for 2 weeks due to this predicament.
-Terrance woke in a hospital. He was in and out of consciousness, but he remembers being operated on, hearing Bruce's voice describing Avere's Seeming to someone out of eyeshot, being strapped and cuffed to a metal chair, and having stitches in his upper shoulder and along his spine.

--Terrance returns to the Hedge Row, where a very concerned Eile tries to find out what happened to him. He relates his general tale to her and asks her if the two of them should involve the Omen pack (due to history of Raaf seeming interest in helping Terrance). Eile decides this might be a good idea for reasons of her own (specifically trying to get Bruce dead).

--Eile sends Raaf a text message, saying they need to talk ASAP.

--Raaf calls back, and says he won't talk unless someone is in danger. When Eile relates that she believes Terrance is in danger, he gives Eile directions to the Tur, but says to wait until he calls back to do anything.

--Raaf calls back and wants to bring Ed along to talk but not at the Tur. Eile and Terrance agree and meet them on the street in front of the Omen pack house.

--Ed makes it plain Eile is not to come any closer to the house than where they are standing. The group talks and discusses the whole situation with Terrance. Terrance is most upset that another member of the "family" (Avere) has been threatened and someone who does not need information regarding the Lost has a LOT of detail. It is agreed that Omen pack will talk to Bruce and get back to Terrance with a resolution. Terrance agrees but indicates that if he doesn't like the resolution he may have his own.

[As all this is happening, Eile is standing in a protective fashion in front of Terrance, who is twice her size and three times as tough. Ed and Raaf both notice and say something, which Eile ignores.]

--Omen pack talk to Bruce. Bruce's player makes a colossally funny slip of the tongue trying to talk himself out of being beaten to death by Ed's hammer, which may have saved his character's life.

--Terrance and Avere talk again. Terrance tells of his adventures in the Hedge and learns you can show your seeming. He advises Avere that someone has seen her and she says she knows, it was ok- she showed someone (and indicates who with Avere-speak). Terrance lets her know someone OTHER than who she thinks she showed knows. He won't tell her who unless she promises to let him deal with it, which she won't do. They leave the conversation at an impasse.

--Terrance, Eile, Waco and Reece all at bar. Memento, Calin (new Mage) also present. At some point Bruce comes in and proceeds to get trashed. Terrance stalks and sulks. Bruce leaves as do Memento and Calin. Tensions lower.
-Terrance and Eile enter into a somewhat veiled conversation about what to do regarding Bruce, as he has been "let go" by the Omen pack. Reece and Waco are both present for this conversation, which discusses potentially killing Bruce, eating him, or leading him into the Hedge. BOTH Terrance and Eile make their clarity rolls for this outright plan to behave like The Others, and continue it. Eile does try to warn Terrance that maybe Waco shouldn't hear what they are saying, but Terrance misinterprets all of her warnings as encouragements. Reece leaves because he has no idea what is going on. 

I know quite a bunch of other things happened, but I am not sure what any of that was.

[WOD] Austin by Night- Session 12 as Eile

There's not enough room in this world for my pain
Signals crossed and love gets lost and time passed makes it plain
Of all my demon spirits I need you the most- Indigo Girls, Ghost 

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-- Terrance and Avere go into the Hedge together. When Terrance returns, there's a marked difference in his attitude towards Avere which leaves Eile feeling more than a little threatened.

-- Eile enters her first pledge.

--Ed, the previous Omen pack Alpha, returns from a mission in Chicago. He takes back his position as Alpha in the pack.

--Eile works at The Hedge Row and talks with Waco. He tells her of the fight from last session between the Werewolves and the Ghosts and Abomination/Dog Spirit and his pack.  Waco specifically uses the word "werewolves" in regard to the Omen pack.

--Reece, a new person to town, comes into the bar. He wants to talk to Bruce. Eile calls Bruce, who shows up and talks with Reece.

--Eile calls Raaf & she, Raaf and Terrance set the terms for Terrance to be a sponsored fighter at the Tur's fight pit. They go to the Omen pack's house. Eile discovers David is no longer Alpha, and she meets Ed. Eile flirts with David and in a backwards way, Ed. David rudely rejects Eile, which Eile takes in stride- she's learned something very valuable in the conversation.

Raaf is downstairs with Terrance, trying to determine what talents Terrance has so that he can help make sure the fights are fair. Raaf is suddenly surprised and the pack becomes very defensive. Raaf mentally lets them know he's fine, and things continue.

-- Some members of the group (Reece, Waco, Axel, Memento, Giovanni, possibly others) are involved in a mystery/plot involving the sewers. TK is found there, dying. Memento rushes TK back to the Omen pack's house, as TK is a friend of the pack. memento ALSO has a book, written in Latin, that he insists is essential to helping with the problem, However, Memento does not read or understand Latin.
- Eile stays at the Omen pack house with TK for a very personal reason.
-Eile overhears a comment that TK and Frank have been separated from each other. Eile knows this is BAD news- while she does not understand what it is that Frank is, she knows that TK has said they can't exist without each other.
-Axel, Raaf and Memento do everything in their power to recconect TK and Frank. There's some very strange Wuji going on involving a coin, which has tethers (invisible ones, btw) connected to Frank. Raaf suggests calling a death spirit (!) which makes Memento lose concentration on the spell he had going on the coin.
-Memento gets the spel lgoing again, and pulls the coin (with effort) over TK's body. He then pulls the tethers away and destroys the coin. The tethers sink back into TK's body, and Frank and TK appear to be connected again.
-Eile is emotionally stunned by the goings on for a variety of reasons. Memento's obvious desire for the coin and frestration with Raaf snap her into a full Glamour state. Memento then introduces himself to Eile in a very specific and unusual fashion, which feeds Eile a hint of what he desires overall.
-Memento then leaves BUT WAIT, there's more.

As all of this is going on, the spokesman for the Black Talon pack has made himself visible across the street from the Omen pack home. He's there to negotiate, but Ed, Ke, Ginger and David all head to deal with it. Terrance asks if Ed needs help, and Raaf says yes. Terrance heads up to the fron of the house. Eile follows for a moment and watches but realizes it's just a territory discussion and heads back to TK. The negotiations go on for a while and Eile and Terrance are separated so Terrance misses seeing TK being revived by Memento.

--Eile escorts TK back to the Hedge Row and gets him settled in his bed as he is still in a coma state. Terrance follows shortly after. They get into a long conversation where Eile admits wanting to face her fears and says she finally has something that makes her far less likely to run from her problems.

w4w-

--The negotiations with the Black Talon pack involved taking out the Ghosts as a combined unit. The designated time and place occur, and the two groups take their respective places. Omen pack does some strategic planning to try to scout and have advantageous lines of sight etc.

[I only heard parts of this section as I was still deep in conversation with Terrance's player. Please forgive me if I missed something or left something important out.]

--Apparently without Omen pack's knowledge, Memento came along, but in another dimension specific either to Mages or to his FIELD of magic. [I can't remember what it's called, either.] He watched the proceedings until he felt his involvement was important, and then acted. He opened a hole between the dimensions and grabbed a member of the Ghost pack, drug him into the portal, shot him a couple times, and then used Death magic to hide the cause of death. He then threw the Ghost out of the portal.
- The Omen pack saw a black nebulus open, with writing shadow tentacles grabbing the Ghost member, hear a couple noises and saw muzzle flashes, and the Ghost coming back out onto the roof of the building where he was grabbed.
-The other Ghost was somehow dispatched, and it involved his Locus in some way, but I missed this part for sure.

--Eile visited Raaf & Ed. She showed them her true seeming.

--Eile later visited Memento and offered her thanks for his assistance with TK. He rebuffs outright debt. Eile decides she likes him and offers to be on the lookout for whatever it is he regrets having lost.

There were at least 2 other scenes I know of that happened, but don't know who they involved or their results- I'm trying to get better, but what I hear all depends on where I am physically located in the building during the game. Sorry, I can't be everywhere -- YET.

[WOD] Austin By Night- Session 11 as Eile

Uncertain of what the balance held-  Lauryn Hill, To Zion 
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Snapshots/overview of the action:

--Eile visited David at the pack's home. She was looking for Raaf, but David had things he wanted to convey to Eile. Without explicitly saying so, David showed Eile the pack's territory. He also made it clear that Eile should not come by just for a 'social call'; she needs a reason to visit. David inquires about Bruce's stability to Eile, as Eile is currently rooming with Bruce. Eile's reply is not positive. David discusses a few other things, mostly inconsequential. He indicates that he might be a possible "sponsor" for Terrance's entry into the fight club. His behavior and attitude are markedly different than in the past, much more aware of responsibility and appearances of being an alpa than he appeared previously.

--Eile is at work and gets summoned to Duncan's office. He puts her on notice that she's not to get physical with a customer again, and that future problems are to be brought to his attention. He asks Eile her opinion of Bruce as well as that of Terrance. Eile vouches for Terrance and indicates her distrust of Bruce. She also tells Duncan she has an idea for raising the money and that she'll share it with him later. Duncan admits he's in over his head but has NOT made a pledge, which was Eile's fear.

--Duncan promoted TK to manager of Hedge Row. Fired Bruce due to fallout from incident in which Bruce chased Axel Axel out of the bar and then went after him later with a gun drawn.  Duncan gave Terrance Bruce's job and a token of some kind. He also asked Terrance to help him gather GoblinFruit, giving him the idea to ask Avere how. [Terrance does not know how to enter the Hedge due to back story.]

--Eile worked at the bar. TK, Avere, Axel & Waco all present. Eile finds out about TK's promotion. There's a very strange period where Avere is waiting for Duncan, and she completely ignores Eile.  Eile asks about Avere's recent trip to the hospital and Avere's reply ("you heard wrong" ) tells Eile a lot [but exactly what it means, Eile is still considering].

-- Raaf is at the bar with Te. Raaf wants to find TK because he wants to know if Te (a very attractive female) can stay with TK for a while until some things get straightened out. He relates all of this to Eile.

-- Eile finds a moment to talk with TK alone. They sit outside the back of the bar, talking about various things. Eile reveals that she has a plan to drum up the money that Duncan needs for the bar, but she fears TK won't like it. As the plan becomes clear, TK indicates that he's not a fan and doesn't want Eile to do it. He then asks whether the two are still a couple. Eile answers in the affirmative, and then changes the topic. She asks for directions to a local free clinic; which worries TK. Eile promises that she's not sick, just in need of a checkup. After a few more moments of talking, TK breaks off the relationship with Eile. Eile is a little surprised, but takes it with grace. TK then seems to want to make up (maybe just for the sex) and Eile rebuffs his advances.

--Raaf calls Eile on the phone while the conversation with TK is taking place. Raaf says that the meeting to negotiate for Terrance's entry to the fight club has to be postponed, but that it's a go. Raaf tells her that things might get rough for a while and to keep her head down.

--While the event below is going on, Eile and TK are visiting a free clinic. Eile goes in alone, and comes back with a piece of paper that she consults several times, appearing confused.

[The following is a pretty important event. Eile was not there and I missed some moments. It's my best attempt at an overview.]

Omen pack is attempting to take back some disputed territory. They have Te and Victor with them, both of whom are not yet (to my OOC knowledge) pack members. As they attempt to take back a certain amount of territory, they encounter the abomination (dog/fear) spirit that killed Jak, as well as his pack of dog spirits. A fight ensues. A signal of some sort has been established, and the signal goes out. The fight continues. 


Axel Axel, Avere & Waco arrive on the scene. Waco has Memento's dog spirit with him, which allows Memento to "see" the fight. (Mind link, essentially) The dog spirit (I think his name is Bane?) is pissed by the existence of werewolves in the area. Waco gets him to stay, but he (Bane) does NOT like it. His resonance is transmitted to Memento, who keeps an eye on the fight. 


Very shortly after this, others make their presence known. It appears this fight is with the Ghosts, a pack of Irraka. Stealthy and well established, the Ghosts start making attacks at the Omen members. The Omen pack have their OWN Irraka, who is mentally communicating (via Totem powers) whatever she sees to her packmates. The dog spirit picks up the Ghosts, and gets even MORE pissed. 


[The Ghosts found Memento nearly dead a while back and performed Rite of Healing on him, which was equivalent to torture to the Death Mage. They ALSO tried to rid him of his familiar, who appeared to them as a spirit that needed sent back to the spirit realm. Bane is NOT fond of these guys.] 


Memento starts making attacks through Bane's link, and then he lets Bane go. Bane attacks one of the Ghosts while Memento takes on another. Coytoe Joe arrives on the scene [I don't know why or when] and he gets embroiled in a fight with the Ghosts as well. Omen pack is taking on the Abomination and his pack while the rest of the fight is going on around them. [I THINK. They MAY have gotten involved in the Ghost fight as well.] Victor loses his roll vs Death Rage and is in Garoux, but Te has effectively held him down to prevent him from hurting anyone. 

Axel Axel apparently has the ability to channel a bear and was utilizing it during the fight, I believe grappling spirits to the benefit of Omen pack. [I don't know all the details here, I missed it.]


Memento materializes at the fight, bearing a shotgun with silver pellets. He and Coyote Joe start taking aim at Ghosts and spirits while Omen pack continues taking down the abomination spirit and his pack. Somewhere in here Coyote Joe was shot in the head by the Ghosts' sniper for 20 AGG damage. He had self healing on, and passed the needed check to remain alive. Memento sends him healing and they continue to attack Ghosts as Omen pack takes down the Abomination spirit and head back to their home. 


To my knowledge, the Omen pack defeated the abomination spirit & his pack as well as regained territory without any casualties. I also believe at least one of the Ghosts was seriously injured due to Coyote Joe and Momento.

[WOD] Eile's Night Out

[WOD Session write up from Nov 27]

You('re) the party, 
I'm just the guest list - Justin Timberlake, Chop Me Up
 

*I made up with TK. I really need him right now, but I don't know how much longer I can use him. I talked to him about Bruce. I want Bruce gone-I hope this pans out. *


 *I went to work. Dottie and a new guy, Nathan were there. Nathan was one of US, and new to town. He was asking a lot of general interest questions. Somehow I found out Avere had been admitted to an asylum. That's a tough break, but I didn't think she was long for this world. Terrance was nearby, as usual.*


 *I excused myself from the bar, and went to go talk to David and Raaf. Somehow Dottie wound up there, too. The girl's starting to get awful nosey. I have to watch her. She left eventually. I talked to David- the
more I talk to him, the harder it is to be nice to him. He does so many things all wrong- I'd eat him alive if I were of his kind. I can't wait to eliminate him. Switched over to Raaf and tried to offer a cut on my new enterprise in exchange for protection and wound up getting into negotiations for a fight club and getting Terrance something productive to do. The exchange between Raaf and I is so electric- it's delicious. I find that scrawny runt of a man truly wonderful, just for food alone. Then there are so many other considerations with him... We talk terms about the potential agreement. He's much more perceptive than his leader. He drives a hard bargain, and I enjoy that more than words can say. --- they have a new one in the house-- but I know nothing about him*

[WOD] Eile

Eile's a true hunter, always looking for a tasty morsel, a quick fix, a get rich scheme. She uses her wits to get by as best she can in this world. She uses, steals and lies to whatever end will get her the gratification she seeks (usually short term). She escaped to the idea of freedom, rather than FROM something else. She's running scared, but keeping her nose in the wind for something better. The things she hopes and dreams of are deeply hidden, unlikely to surface or be recognizable (even to herself) until she grows stronger.

Eile (eee-yell) deliberately rejects the Hedge. She gathers no Goblin Fruit,  builds no Hollow,  doesn't travel Trods, doesn't dream, and rarely if ever shops at Goblin Markets. Those she frequents are built on the Edges of the Hedge, rather than in it. [My ST has a very different geography for Goblin Markets than in the book.] Thus, she feeds exclusively on emotions.

As a Spring Courtier, she works in desire, greed and envy very well. Her various tricks include cons, grifting, old fashioned street hustling, and using her very overt sexuality to her advantage. The fix she gets from each hit is now wearing off more and more quickly, leaving her very much an addict, coming at you for a little more.

Her human mask is a woman about 5'7", shoulder length soft brown hair, cut straight. She's got an angular face with a big mouth full of teeth, and a wicked smile. Very long legs, dresses in a "messy dressy" sort of way with clothes from Goodwill, Salvation Army etc. However, she has GREAT shoes. Think Eliza Dushku with straighter hair and you have the picture. She wears a RiddleKith disguise almost constantly to guard her true mein.

Here's her write up, including XP. (The ST gives 27 starting XP, and 15 additional XP have been spent here.)

Real Name: Ellie Stevens (this memory is lost in the echoes of Arcadia)
Other Aliases: Ellen, Eileen, Ella, Alana, Ellery, Emerson

Current name: Eile

Concept: Grifter/Con Artist
Virtue: Hope
Vice: Greed
Seeming: Beast
Kith: Coyote
(Special Rule: May spend Willpower to gain +5 dice instead of +3 to Socialize or Persuasion)
Court: Spring

Mental Attributes (tertiary) Int 2, Wits 2, Resolve 2
Physical Attributes (secondary) Str 1, Dex 3, Stamina 3
Social Attributes (primary) Pre 3, Man 3, Comp 2

[+1 to Presence or Manipulation when used to entertain, persuade, distract or deceive others]

Physical Skills (secondary) Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Larceny (Breaking & Entering) 2, Stealth (Quick Retreat) 2, Survival 2

Social Skills (primary) Animal Ken (Lupine)1, Empathy 2, Persuasion 2, Socialize (The "long con") 2 Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 2


Health: 8
Clarity: 7
Derangements: None
Wyrd: 1 (10/1)
Glamour: 9
Willpower: 4
Size: 5
Speed: 9
Defense: 2
Initiative: 6
Defense: 2
Armor: none

Merits: Barfly, Fast Reflexes, Resources 2, Harvest Emotion 2 (Each Dot adds 1 die to rolls related to Gathering Glamour) pg 94, New Identity 2, Contacts: Cons, Mantle: Spring 1, Striking Looks, Rigid Mask

Contracts: Tongues of Birds & Words of Wolves (dice pool 2+1 or 2) pg 142, Beast's Keen Senses (dice pool 3+1) (Lupine for Both), Riddle Kith (Dice Pool 5) pg 129, Cupid's Eye (Dice Pool 4) pg 149

Pledges: none

Seeming Blessings:

-8 Agains on Animal Ken rolls & get specialty to reflect seeming
-Can spend Glamour to add to dice pools to involving Presence & Composure

Seeming Curse:
-Minus 4 on untrained mental skills
-(Special rule) Minus 2 vs Willpower checks to resist Social Interactions

Court Mantle Blessing: +1 to dice pools for social interactions with members of court in question

Weapons/Attacks: none

I have some experience (apx 12) to spend. I'm considering any of  the following: 

Dot 2 in Str (So I can buy Fleet of Foot Merit) (Cost: 10)
Dot 3 in Persuasion or Streetwise (Cost 9)
Skin Mask Contract (Cost:8)
Mask Of Superiority (Cost 6) [REQUIRES RP to justify per ST directions]
EITHER Buy Up Resources to 3 Dots (Cost 6) OR
Drop a Dot
(to justify a large amount of money Eile will get very shortly in game)
Fickle Fate (Cost 4)
Wrong Foot (Cost 4) (So I can buy Nevertread)
Perfect Stillness (Cost 4) (ROS Book pg 94)
Specialty in Subterfuge (bald-faced lie) (Cost 3)

Thoughts? Any other ideas?

[WOD] The Hedge Tales, Week 5 - The Show/The Mirror

[The Finale]

The Show

We line up backstage, listening to our directions again. We haven't been assembled all together like this in a great while. I'm careful to look straight ahead, but I gather hints of the ensemble through scent. I know most of the group either through interaction or reputation, but there's at least one new catch in the line. I'm just a little surprised to smell someone new, so I pay attention. I can't get much more than “wet” from the momentary “glimpse” I have of the newest; but I file it away for later.

I mentally prepare myself for the show, and submit to being brushed. The bristles and combs and scissors and fussing unsettle me more than words can say. I truly hate the grooming- I'm fairly good looking on my own and I care for myself well. I hold my tongue while paying mind to my tail.

[WOD] The Hedge Tales, Week 4 - The Delivery

[Where some of Eile's nature is revealed more fully; and where nuance means everything. Many deep thanks to Harald for some much needed guidance with this piece.]

Mouse does what he is told. He's precise and well oiled. His little gears tick-tock as he goes about his business, seeing to every detail within his purview. He's been here the longest, with Aimee close behind. He's become more and more like his prison, more mechanical and wound up with each passing moment.

Mouse's little eyes click at me, blinking an inquiry or brushing away an offense. It's hard to be sure with him. His mannerisms are tough to interpret, and his feelings are rarely his own. He's become an agent of the Throne; Her voracity has eaten almost the whole of him. My tendencies and talents are often lost on Mouse, and yet I continue in either amusement or petulance; I'm never sure which.

Terrance and I are talking in the middle of the room. Rena is propped up in the corner, quietly sleeping. Aimee is nowhere near, and neither is Clarice. It's my understanding that the rest of our Troupe have their own area. I assume Mouse checks on them as well.

Mouse nods his head in my direction, his neck whirring along with this head. I stride over to his post at the door. He murmurs something to me, his mechanical mouth clacking as the words whir out. I demur, moving my head in a negative fashion, and his response is to stammer, rattle and clank adamantly at me. I repeat my refusal, and take a moment to cock my head towards Rena, sleeping in the corner. I make a few gentle comments in Mouse's ear, talking slowly and directly. Mouse settles, and his noisy protests quiet into the sound of softly spinning gears.

I offer a few more words to Mouse and then head back to my conversation with Terrance. We talk of nothing important, carefully guarding ourselves of unchecked feeling or concern. As our discussion continues, we hear sounds coming from the corner. For quite a while, there’s an accusatory set of notes coming from Rena, pushing at Mouse with her strong sound and vibrant voice. Mouse persists, winding and whirring back at Rena. After some time, the tenor and tone of the sounds from the corner change.

I keep my composure as the little ticks, clicks and whirs escalate to buzzing, humming, and the sounds of springs in action. Behind the rhythmic staccato is an eerie wolfnote, the sounds of strings winding and descending, a squeak of rosin across strings, followed by a quick vibrato and then, after a long while, a duet. The ticking becomes a metronome; the strings begin to follow an unseen symphony, the odd music and machine working together.

The gears slowly begin to work faster, and the time in the music changes to a quicker beat. The tension of the two melds into a union of an unexpected chord, the pitch raising and the intensity gathering like clouds in a thunderstorm. Little bursts of steam start to escape from Mouse, and Rena is building a crescendo, her bridge bowing and heaving in time with Mouse. The metallic explosion and the long high C strike against each other in the quiet of the room, reverberating and echoing, very slightly discordant in the down beat.

Terrance has carefully been watching me throughout this concerto. I’ve been watching him as well, carefully looking for any movement, wrinkle or change in his stony face. Some of us are capricious and some are careful; yet we're always wary of Her presence. He’s much more like me than any of the rest, despite his appearance. His bulky, rocky masses are blunt, heavy and desperately grotesque. Each feature is turned and twisted in nearly unimaginable ways; coercing stares and gapes from those unfamiliar with his form.

Our hopes, watched and measured by that ever cool presence, are silent and obscured from the outside. I’ve seen a glimmer of desire in his rocky crag before, but I don’t think it’s for anything I understand. I catch it again now, as the orchestra pit and the conductor bid each other farewell. I haven’t understood Terrance’s interests before, but as I listen to Rena’s strings quivering, it clicks into place. I smell it, in the briefest of instants.

I incline my head, very slightly; knowing how dangerous this can be. Terrance slides back into his façade, his dark glassy features obscuring his face from me. This moment is enough, and I tilt my head down, gently raising my ears in a warning.

I hear Mouse banging the door closed, and I know that he’ll be back He does what he’s told.

[WOD] Austin By Night- Session 10 as Eile

lost in the maya
overboard in the sea
there was void and then that water broke
then something called "me"
now a trip to the desert to look at the sky
it's like never-ending mirrors
playing tricks on my eyes- Live, Face and Ghost
-----------------------------------------------------------

Personna Dramatis:
Eile -Changeling (myself)
Terrance- Changeling (Bb)
Raaf- Werewolf (B)
David X- Werewolf (G)
Ginger- Werewolf (S)
Dottie- Vampire (Ss)
Bruce- Hunter (TheBoy)
TK- Geist (E)
Avere [Not present in any scene I played in, but very important to several conversations]- Changeling (K)

Eile and Terrance go pay a visit to the Werewolves at their home (formerly Jak's house- this was super surreal for me). Raaf lets them inside. Eile talks with Raaf about a number of subjects but pays special attention to Raaf's apparent offer of friendship to Terrance (made at the police station during questioning). Eile also casts aspersions on David's leadership abilities and states that there are problems in the Werewolves' boundaries that David hasn't addressed. Raaf doesn't respond well to this, and Eile's further assertion that she knows there is another predator in the territory and her refusal to deal plainly only aggrevates Raaf further. Raaf's anger makes Terrance uncomfortable and he starts to get uppity as well. Eile eats it up (literally) and calms the situation by (mostly) telling the truth.

[WOD] The Hedge Tales, Week 3 - The Race

I look myself over one more time, checking to make sure I didn't miss anything or leave anything out. I pay special attention to my tail. It took me over a year to get used to- I kept tripping on it, or stepping on it, or finding it in my food. Over time, I was less and less surprised by my tail, with its shock of white at the end; and I began to accept it as part of myself.

I finally got accustomed to the thing when I started learning more about my adaptability and talent for fitting into new environments. The first few times I invoked the contract, I forgot my tail. Clarice tipped me off the first time. (Why I think of lambs when I see her, I don't know. She's a fiery efreet, with nothing gentle about her.) I wasn't so lucky after that. I spent a few nights in Ms. Wintour's cool embrace, learning to pay very careful attention to every detail around me. Even the slightest change might mean something important; or it might mean nothing and be her way of toying with me. Either way, I remember my tail now.

I wear my “suit” with pride. It's an important part of the race, and I play my part with purpose. The glittering diamond mantle, the white roses and the flowering dress give me a completely different look, much to the point.

I quietly trot over to the gathered throng. Some wear numbered placards and others hold old-fashioned racing forms. There's a starting line of sorts, and Mouse, the clockwork being, rustles around the group. Soon we divide into those racing and those observing. I slide into the group about to run at the line with a passive confidence. Mouse's metal gears squeak as he points us to our places. In a moment, we hear his precise little hammer bang, and we're off.

The point of the race is a nebulous thing at best. There is not always a specific end. There is not always a way to tell a winner from a loser. Sometimes, the idea is to lose rather than win. There are about five of us running and each of us is different. Often, the race is aimed to challenge one of our aspects in unexpected ways. Yet we run with purpose and sometimes pride, motivated by our own thoughts and concerns.

I keep pace with the group, running with a solid stride. My long legs are meant to run, and I work hard to rein them in. I am not intended to win this race, and I have to keep my personal tendencies firmly in check. I keep an eye on the others as I run, determined to give a good showing. If I'm going to throw the race I may as well look good doing it.

The finish line nears, and I shake my head to clear the visions from my eyes. I know what I see is not real (nothing in this place is real except denial and pain), but it's still hard to resist. I recognize the mirage for what it is; a test of my will and my submission to this world. It’s sitting on a small podium next to the finish line. I can’t take my eyes off it, but I know it is not for me. I grit my teeth and keep forging on to the line, careful to lag just a bit, but of course not in an obvious way.


We cross the line, with Terrance in the lead. The spectators mutter and tear apart their forms, while we patiently wait for the official announcements from Mouse. I chat with the others in the race, and Terrance is proclaimed as the winner. His puzzled look tells me everything I need to know as he is handed his prize. He holds a beautiful leather pump, with its red sole standing out against his obsidian facade. I drop the contract as I walk away, with a flash of white following behind me on my tail.

[WOD] The Hedge Tales, Week 2- The Turning

[Welcome to the 2nd week of the Hedge Tales. This is personally my favorite of the five stories. I wrote it first, and came back to it throughout the series as a touchstone whenever I was stuck. Enjoy!]

I woke up different. I’m long and lean, covered in soft brown fur, with whiskers and ears that telescope on the top my head. My mouth is elongated, and full of big teeth. My eyes are sharper, with clearer vision, but in a much lower spectrum. Colors are washed out, and bright things look a touch grainy. My nose is aflame with a million scents and textures in the air. It’s like a factory of information and my brain is on overload at the moment. I can’t help but notice that I have four legs, with bends going the wrong way at the joints, and weirdest of all, a tail. I shake myself in a strangely dismissive gesture, and I make a slight chuffing noise. I try to get back to business.

I look myself over in depth, and the closest I can come to understanding it is to think of myself as lupine, maybe a coyote. I hear a weird “meep-meep” in my head, strangely familiar, but terribly disconnected. I don’t know where it’s from. I circle around, getting used to the pads on my feet. I’m more than a little wobbly, confusion hazing my every thought. I rest my head on my paws, smelling the loam and the world around me on their fur. I doze off, a strange cloud of unease and bizarre thoughts running through my head.

I wake, and the world is different. It’s a vast forest, full of life. I spend the longest time drinking in the leaves, the trees, the bushes, the pollen, the flowers, the birds, the rabbits and the many other creatures that dwell here. I catch a whiff of a vole, and I straighten, trying to determine how many strides it will take to catch it. I know it’s not what I really want to hunt, but it’s near, and it’s small; so it will do.

I make a leap, pouncing after the terrified little rodent. I feel the air rushing under my chest, my legs rippling as I tear after my target, my muscles bunching and loosening under my pelt as the earth glides beneath me. My teeth catch the skin behind its little head, my snout all fangs and fury.

I clamp my mouth, and the world is different. It’s an arid desert, dry and empty in the hot sun. The rocks and sand are blazing in the mid day, and all around me is bleached out under the torture of the solar blast. I take a moment to smell the immediate area, and I can sense water, but it’s hidden. I know I won’t last long with my tongue hanging out, panting away my hydration. I head to a large section of boulders, and find an outcropping. I begin to dig a small hole, and wiggle myself into it, using the slight umbrella of shade from the overhang. I rest my head for the slightest moment.

The world is different again. I can’t remember how many times the world was changed. Weeks, months and maybe years of perpetual change passed me by as I struggled to accept this form. This existence is alien and difficult, but a part of myself recognizes its usefulness. I know that I learned to live in each new place, adapting and using the little resources I had every time something is made again. Every time I came close to any kind of solace, or indulge in my primal desires, the world was different.

I encounter others in the lupus families as I make my way through these strange lands. I learn their languages, their ways of communicating. I make some mistakes, to be sure. I quickly learn the many ways to show that I'm not after territory- to keep my tail low, to avert my head, to dig a makeshift latrine, not to howl, and to stay out of the way of alphas marking their areas. I don't want territory, but even if I wanted it, I couldn't keep it. I learned that lesson very quickly here.

As much as things change here, there are some constants. I can easily predict that as soon as I pursue prey, or show interest in an area, or find myself settled, I'll be shaken into a strange new place where I have to learn to adapt again.

Something jangles in my head- a fitting little ditty that seems so close but so far away. "How do we sleep when our world is turning?"

I keep it in my head every time the world is different.

[WOD] The Hedge Tales, Week 1- The Induction

When I was working on my Changeling character for the World Of Darkness game I play in, my ST had me roll randomly to determine if my character remembered her life before Arcadi as well as if she had any memories from inside the Hedge.

Eiel has no memories at all of her life before the Hedge. She does, however, remember her time in captivity very vividly.

My ST asked me to come up with some ideas of what my vision of her Durance and captivity was like. Here is the first of five stories I wrote with that intention. Hope you enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I entered the oversize ballroom, clearly examining my surroundings. The cathedral ceilings are gilt in gold, the walls blanketed with soft frescoes and endless tapestry. Chandeliers and sconces emit strange flickering light over the cavernous room, playing tricks on my eyes. The mere beauty of my surroundings is hard to fathom, and the mood of the hall strikes an odd chord in my heart. Shadows dance a jig in the corner, yet a strange melancholy rests in my head.


The music is played by what I see as moving anthropomorphic instruments. I have a stray thought of a dancing candlestick, teapot and armoire. I vaguely remember these images, but I can't recall why. As I move closer, I notice the musicians in more detail. I'm strangely moved by the cello, a curious cross of flesh and strings. I see her face in the scrollwork of the head, her ears poked with ivory pegs, like nightmare jewelry. Her slender neck is the fretboard, and her dark brown hair has been worked into strings. Her broad back and shoulders are softly rounded, with her wide chest bearing the bridge and crosspiece. Her arms act as the bow, moving across the strings with the music. Her wide lines come in sharply around her abdomen, with her torso flayed open for the “F” holes. Her hips and pelvis form the base of the instrument, coming to a gentle rounded stop, with her legs crossed and nearly fused together as the endpin.


There's a table stretching from one end of the room to the other, exquisitely appointed with chargers, monogrammed linens, crystal, silver, gold and breathtaking china. The table is laden with sumptuous foodstuffs; every dish more delectable looking than the next. Other appetites are addressed as well, with narcotics, pornography, libations, and more laid out for the taking. The air is thick with aromas and the scent of wax from the candles lighting the table.


A cool scrutiny presses heavily on the room, it's presence active and intense among the occupants. Like frosty breath puffing from a warm mouth, the air moves with chilly vapors. The varied beings here all react in some way, aware of each touch, each sensation and each action as the hall settles into an icy pall, thick with investigation and examination.


There are others here, aside from the quartet of living instruments; about eight in total. A few sit carefully, heads held high, chatting amiably yet discussing nothing of importance. Their eyes are riveted straight ahead, and their bodies kept remarkably still as they convey no emotion nor show any indication of the table or the surroundings.


There are some who have managed to control the outward expressions of desire, interest, or hunger. Their latent desires are betrayed however; through a quick flicker of their eyes, a nod of their head or the slightest twitch of their fingers. The electric heat of their pique rests in my nose, on my tongue, on the hair on my neck.


A fierce and primal part of me responds, eager to pounce on the morsels of arousal. My ears perk forward, my nostrils flare, my haunches tighten and I gather myself in anticipation of a quick strike.

The room goes cold, the air nearly frozen in time. I hear a crisp, cool voice murmuring to me. The question is simple enough, but loaded with malice.


“Whose desire is the strongest? Who would you find as your prey, if I were to let you hunt?”


It's the briefest of signals; the slightest of hints. The cold presence thickens and falls upon the target suddenly. The crystalline form of her body shimmers with ripples of color as she devours the emotion, and I'm crushed under her weight. I should know by now, but I can't help myself. I'm still too greedy.

[WOD] Eile- Snapshots

Freeze Frame- J. Geils Band 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

These little vignettes are best imagined as a black and white photos or short movies; just a quick glimpse into Eile's current life in Austin.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Picture 1-

The camera has captured Eile from a side-long and front ways angle, with the background in soft focus She could be anywhere- a bus or train station, restaurant or kitchenette of a small apartment. There's both a sense of mystery and familiarity to the shot. It's a rarely candid and intimate moment.

Eile is casually clumped low in a high back chair, her legs crossed and thrown over a table or bench in front of her. Her feet are shockingly bare, with her toenails delicately painted. Her head is thrown back and resting against the back of the chair, exposing her long and vulnerable neck.

In the hand nearest the camera, aggressively held in a fashion reminiscent of men and cons, is a lit cigarette, seemingly moving towards her mouth. Eile's eyes are closed in a tranquil and pensive fashion. Her lips are slightly open, and a cloud of hazy, dream-like smoke is caught drifting like motes in the air around her face. 

Picture 2-

The shot sees Eile as she's sunbathing atop the roof of a building. Despite the monchrome of the photo, Eile's supple nude back gleams in the sunlight. She's in the midst of turning from her back to her stomach; and her weight primarily rests on the set of her hips nearest the viewer.The dark bottoms of her bathing suit stretch across the skin of her rear in wonderful ways. The leg further from the camera is slightly bent at the knee, pushing her weight over.

One arm is under her, resting up to the elbow on the roof, and the other arm is gently bent out, with her finger crooked, beckoning to someone off camera. 

There's something sensual and hauntingly akin to an animal about to pounce on an unseen victim to the scene. 

Picture 3-

This is a long shot, taken from behind Eile's back. A sofa, sitting on the edge of a curb, sits beyond Eile in the foreground. Eile holds up a tailor's tape longways, and it's unclear if she's measuring the couch or the distant horizon seen at the outside edge of the picture.

The last picture in the series is in color. It's a source of inspiration and consideration I use often. The spirit and essence of Eile's joie de vivre just jumps off the page to me here, and the clothes and styling are spot on for how I imagine my Changeling girl. 

Thanks, Mondo!

Hope you enjoy. Look for more Eile related goodies next Friday!

[WOD] Austin By Night- Session 9 as Eile

The fixture in the city of lust
What the hell's your name?
What's your pleasure and what's your pain?
Do you dream too much?-   Green Day, Homecoming   [Part 1: The death of St. Jimmy]


Somebody get me out of here
Get me the fuck right out of here- Green Day, Homecoming    [Part 2: East 12th St.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Persona vitae of the scenes:
Eile- Changeling (Myself)
Bruce- Hunter (M)
TK- Geist (E)
New Character- Changeling (B.B.) [Ogre seeming, Gargantuan kith]
Raaf -Werewolf (B)
Avere- Changeling (K)

Last session ended with Eile in the paddy wagon along with her boyfriend (TK), her roommate (Bruce) and her potential kidnapper [new player, character name not revealed at this time] due to the serepticious suggestion made by Coyotoe Joe to the police.

Eile quickly deduces the new Changeling was under the mental influence of an Other (Gentry) and realizes he's absolutely fresh out of Arcadia, the place she's been trying to ignore for over a year now. She quietly advises the Ogre not to say anything while the other two men are talking to each other. She now has a way to influence each of them in some way, and she hopes, a way to get out of the mess as well.

They are taken off the paddy wagon and taken aside one by one. Eile is offered the following, after being read her Miranda rights- twice:

Look, we just want to know what happened. Please answer a few questions and if everything checks out, you'll be free to go.

Eile gently declines to speak, instead pointing, nodding and gesturing during the intial processing. She's put into an interview room and waits a while. Shortly after, Raaf walks in. He begins asking her questions, and she continues her silence.

[Completely unknown to me, at least one other player did the EXACT SAME THING.]

Raaf is more than a little frustrated and decides to try to find a way to make Eile look guilty for various crimes- including arson, embezzelment, insurance fraud and murder. Eile is more than a little amused by all this- with the exception of murder, she actually accomplished or contemplated each of those crimes in recent memory. [Most of them in backstory.]

Raaf finally brings out his big guns- he shows some pictures of murder victims, one of which is Eile's neighbor and Eile believes [right or wrong I don't know], a regular customer. Eile is offended by the idea of a source of tips drying up, and is mystified at Raaf's thinking that she'd destroy a steady revenue source. She absolutely fails a willpower check to stay quiet [Hey, I'm playing her, and my name IS Loquacious] and begins discussing the situation. Raaf has offended her, and he is a member of David's family. Eile has absolutely no respect for David whatsoever, and that disrespect bleeds over to Raaf. The interview quickly turns into Eile using every question as a chance to mock Raaf in some way (some much more obvious than others) while still maintaining as much of the truth as possible without explaining much at all.

Raaf doesn't believe anything she's saying, and her taunting only causes him to be even more hostile to her. He takes her to a holding cell, where Bruce and the New Changeling are already being held. She finds out that the Ogre listened to and followed her instructions, and that Bruce is being coached on what to say. The things that Bruce is being encouraged to say could easily fit with Eile being framed, and the Gargantuan has said nothing. Eile tries to come up with a plan, but realizes she has liabilities when she needs serious advantages. She makes an offhand remark that leads Bruce to believe she's strictly using TK and doesn't have any feelings for him, as well as dismisses the severity of the situation. All the while, New Guy is quietly wondering if Bruce has to go and if the cuffs can or should be broken. [Eile says no to both -at least for now.] They wait a while as TK is being questioned.

Eile asks to talk to Raaf again, and tries to imply that everything he's said about her is right. Eile's approach is rough, overtly direct, and very specific in details in regards to some aspects of her potential tale. Raaf doesn't seem to take that bait either, and Eile goes back to the cell.

[Unknown to Eile, while she is talking to Bruce, the new guy and Raaf, TK is off spilling his guts to the police about everything that happened- dragon and all.]

TK is brought into the holding cell area, and New Guy is taken back out.  There's a little more conversation. Eile spends some time fishing for information, and then asks if TK had anything to do with the murders. [Yes, she's got balls of steel.] He of course denies it, but Eile sees Bruce's reaction and knows the effect she was after has been achieved.

A little while later, Raaf comes down and wants to talk to Eile. He pulls her aside and tells her that the New Guy needs her  - for two specific things. He needs her to give him permission to speak, and he needs Eile to give him a name. Eile asks if she cann talk to him, and she goes to the other worm.

Eiele comes to the door and sees Avere in a chair facing the back of the room. The big guy is facing her, and Eile hesitates at the doorway for a long moment as she debates dealing with Avere.[There's a very cool, hard to describe, completely non-verbal moment between Eile and the New Changeling here while Eile debates.]  She finally enters, and before she has a moment to sit or speak to the new Changeling, Avere chimes in, demanding that Eile give him permission to speak.

Eile asks the Ogre if he wants to speak, and he indicates through writing that it's Avere that wants him to be able to talk. Another question and answer reveals that New Guy only wants to talk if Eile wants him to. Avere badgers away at Eile, trying to insist that he be allowed to speak for himself. Eile tells Avere very seriously- "I don't have to do anything". Avere isn't phased, she declares that it's the "right thing to do". Avere then goes on, in her somewhat childish and naive way, talking about the "dream out there" (meaning outside of jail) and how the new guy won't be able to function if he can't talk. Eile snaps- "I don't dream, and I don't want to; if it means I turn out like that" [implying Avere]. Another comment makes it obvious- the new Changeling WON'T speak until Eile releases him from his prohibition, and only if she wants him to. Eile now knows she has control over his entire world, and is shaken to her core, flashing back to moments in Arcadia. Eile debates and considers what to do, and nearly loses clarity again.

[An important note on the sequence of events and what Eile considered.

Eile was told that someone needed her- in a way that offered her power and control. For Eile, this was a huge and scary responsibility. She wasn't sure how to handle it or how to react. She arrives to find Avere, who she doesn't like or trust, "meddling" in her private domain. [Having one is rare enough for Eile- this is probably the first time she is in control of anything since her escape from the Hedge.] She then finds out that the new Changeling is literally hers to control; which is heady and horrifying. She also learns that Avere has obvious and easily manipulated desires, which flash across Eile's mental control panel in bright displays.Eile's greed and hope for something to call her own are in a vicious duel for Eile's heart as she considers. Eile is literally forced to chose between something -anything- to have as her own and refusing to be like the Fae.]

Eile releases the new fellow, and the two talk for a few moments. In this discussion, names and their power are discussed, as well as the fact that Eile's name is not of her choosing. [This is an important clue for a later scene I want to do] New Changeling wants a name- any name; just not the one he had before he was Taken. Eile admits he reminds her of someone, and he allows her to call him by the name of the person in question. Thus, Terrance is born.

The two are sent back to the holding cell for a while, and then later released for good.

This ends the night for the most part.Other things happened outside of my scenes, but I don't really know anything about them.

[WOD] Austin By Night- Session 8 as Eile

I’m gonna run away, and never say goodbye 
-Linkin Park, Runaway 

It burned like a fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil- U2, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

"Fashion over health. That's my girl." - Clay, Sons of Anarchy
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Dramatis Personae for this recap:
Eile- Changeling (myself)
Raaf -Werewolf (B)
Cowboy/Memento-Mage (J)
TK- Geist (E)Duncan- Changeling (NPC)
Bruce- Hunter (my son)
Avere- Changeling (K)
David- Werewolf (G)
Coyote Joe-Mage (T)
Giovanni- Mage (P)
Dog- Spirit Familiar (NPC)
Walker Lee -Mage (absent PC being played by ST  at player's direction)
Ghosts- Werewolves/Cops (NPCs)

Eile is tending bar and waiting tables at the Hedge Row. A phone call comes in from Officer Raaf, indicating that he'll be by shortly. Eile doesn't recognize the voice or the name at the time of the phone call. Raaf then arrives at the bar, and Eile remembers him as one of the members of David's family that was getting "medical attention" in TK's room a few weeks ago. Raaf shows Eile some pictures and wants to know if she recognizes any of the symbols on them. She vaguely points at symbols similar to those in the picture on surrounding architecture, which Raaf doesn't seem to find interesting. He then wants to talk to TK. Eile knows he is asleep upstairs, and offers to go get him. Raaf follows, and TK hears Eile's voice, so assumes it's her knocking on the door. He answers, less than fully dressed, and sees Raaf. He quickly gets dressed and comes out to talk.  He and Raaf discuss things and Raaf leaves. [Apparently he had dispensation to be in the bar from higher ups on the Uratha food chain than his own Alpha, David.]

Eile heads back downstairs to find another customer, "Cowboy", looking for TK. She goes back upstairs to get him, and TK heads down to the bar. Eile learns this fellow's name is "Memento", and that he has a VERY big dog. Eile asks to meet the dog, as she has an affinity for animals and wants to learn the dog tongue soon.  She recognizes that this "dog" is more than just a plain Bull Mastiff; it's something supernatural that sees her as not human. Eile quickly excuses herself back to the bar, but after witnessing Memento tell the dog that TK AND Frank are friends. Eile is now more confused about Frank than ever, but chalks the occurence up to a singular case of insanity.

TK and Memento come back to the bar a little later, and have a quiet discussion. Eile catches snatches of words and meanings she doesn't understand, and TK's responses and behavior have her attention. When the two men head upstairs to work on something, she quietly follows.

They head into the workroom, which has been locked for some time now. Despite careful preparations on TK and Memento's parts, Eile slips in behind them, avoiding notice. Just as they are about to investigate or discuss whatever they came for, Memento says something about his dog, and heads back downstairs in a hurry. Eile sneaks out right behind him, again avoiding notice. Avere and Giovanni were upstairs in another part of the Hedge Row, looking for TK.They bump into him as he is locking up, and they follow him downstairs.

Memento heads down to the dining area of the Hedge Row. Once inside the great room, am unusual occurrence is onviously afoot. In the middle of the room, there's a strange sparking and sputtering, emitting puffs of smoke and tendrils of fire. Duncan calls to Bruce to get the fire extringuisher, and he starts ushering patrons out of the establishment. Eile, as an employee of the bar; and attempting to look "normal", does the same.

As the ushering is going on, Coyote Joe is waiting outside for a meeting with Bruce. Bruce is otherwise occupied and misses the meeting.

The entity in the center of the room no longer behaves as an "electrical short", but shows its true nature. A portal, roughly car-sized, begins to open up. The portal is being pried open by a set of claws, and just the tip of a snout of some kind can be seen peeking out of the portal.

Eile hears the beast inhaling, and while she can't see the portal or the snout, she knows what is coming. She faced this creature during her introduction adventure at the Goblin Market, and Avere was there as well. Eile is a hunter at heart, and knows she is about to be prey. Just as she is about to make a move, long tendril-like vines whip out and grab at Duncan. Eile makes a grab for Duncan- he's her boss, he's a Changeling, and he doesn't hate her. She doesn't have any interest in seeing him taken “back” by this mighty hunter.



Avere calls David for help on a cell phone, and ducks to the back corner of the room. Eile is quickly wrapped in a vine, and another lashes out at Avere, who is WELL behind Eile, and just barely visible by most other PCs. It's about this time that Coyote Joe makes his presence known. He and Memento both make efforts to get Avere and Duncan loose from the vines- taking successive paradox penalties due to Bruce being present. Their spells go off without causing themselves damage, and Bruce joins the fray to get Duncan loose.



Eile is struggling on her own, and defiantly shouts that she won't go back. Coyote Joe now invokes an oath causing spell trying to deter the vines from grabbing anyone further. Giovanni provides himself with some sort of protection, and the battle rages on, with most efforts focusing on Avere and Duncan. Avere uses her “emergency calling card” to summon her protector mage, Walker Lee. [He arrives later.]



Duncan is finally loose from the vines, and he crawls in a corner, screaming like a little girl. Eile continues to resist being dragged towards the fiery mouth of hell, keeping herself firmly in place at the Hedge Row. Her mind, however, has been ravaged by the evidence of Arcadia she's been dutifully ignoring for so long, and she's close to cracking and losing clarity.



TK directs Frank to attack the vines- encouraging him to inflict his rage and violence upon these otherworldly manacles imprisoning his lady. This completely vocal discussion is effusive in swearing and directions, and all in the room hear it even if they don't register it as anything other than craziness.



Memento's dog has been dutifully getting shotguns and fire extinguishers for the mage. Memento uses the extinguisher like a clay target and shoots it directly in the open mouth of the beast, which is now very obviously recognizable as a dragon or other great lizard. Memento switches over to the shotgun rather than magic, and he and Bruce make separate efforts to shoot into the dragon's mouth, to varied or no effect.



All the while, Avere is trying to get loose. She remembers she has a unicorn's horn in her bag, and she proceeds to try to stab away at the vine with it.

About this time, Walker Lee arrives on the scene, crashing through a window, doing a ninja roll, and coming up with his “gun” hand bracing on a knee, pointing the “Dude Gun” at the dragon. He uses the mysterious Dude Gun powers, and it does something. [I don't remember or know what at the moment.] As this happens (or shortly after), Avere succeeds in stabbing the vine, which shatters the vine away and Avere is now free.

The dragon's mouth snaps shut, and the nostrils become the target. Bruce and Memento attack the nostrils with just as much effort as they did the mouth, and about as much effect (not a lot). One of the vines holding Eile has been severed by Frank's actions, with a bit of assistance from Memento and Bruce thrown in. As this happens, a roughly person shaped being emerges from the portal, and grabs Eile, who is still defiantly struggling to retain her freedom. She begins kicking at her captor, digging at him with her high heels.

While all this is going on, David has made a call to the Ghosts, who now own the block that holds the Hedge Row. David has been firmly told not to cross into this territory, and given the beating he took recently for infringing on another pack's territory, he will not do so again. David explains the problem in a decidedly hilarious way, but the subject is serious and this approach seems to annoy the Ghosts.

Eile is gutting it out with the guy holding her, but he manages to do a lethal damage to her. She's on the verge of frenzied now, and lays into him with a vengeance.

[Some other stuff happens here and I don't remember all of it. I think it was more trying to get the dragon gone and vine stabbing/shooting.]

The portal closes.

Everyone in the bar tries to get a sense of what's happening and many let down their guard. Then the lights go out.

An announcement is made that the police are on the scene, and they can see the entourage in the dark. The group is advised to put their weapons down, and to stand still.

The mages and Bruce all comply with the directions given. TK quietly puts his hands up and waits for further instructions. Avere uses her affinity for the dark to her advantage and slips out the window that Walker Lee broke coming in. Eile, in the grasp of a captor she can't see, continues to defend herself and struggle.

One by one, the various members of the group inside the Hedge Row find themselves with a person behind them, either cuffing them or frisking them. Eile's captor is forcibly removed from holding her, and Eile is left bleeding while she is handcuffed and asked to stay put.

Coyote Joe pulls out a badge of some sort and is quietly taken to another room for questions and a quick debrief. The Ghosts ask for his opinion on who to question, and Coyote Joe singles out Bruce, TK, Eile and the figure that came out of the portal (now revealed to be a new PC).

Still dark, these four are taken to the paddy wagon. Once inside, TK asks if Eile is ok, and proceeds to tell her that Frank saved her (but the damage he did to the vines was invisible, so Eile didn't see it).

We cut for the night.

[WOD] Generating Heat [M for Mature]

There's a song for every occasion. I often have music running in my head, making commentary on the aspects, mood and actions of the game I'm playing at the moment.

Eile's soundtrack has been pretty easy so far. Temptation Waits by Garbage, Don't You Want Me by Human League, Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood,  Tell Me Lies by Fleetwood Mac, and Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue have all made a momentary appearance on my mental playlist.

It recently occurred to me that much of my "angst" (man I hate that crap, especially for WOD which has a bad rep anyway) was due to thinking about the problem from the wrong perspective.

Instead of trying to get Eile into a position where she can be trusted, why not take advantage of the fact that she isn't, instead?

I'm really looking at creating a 'heat' campaign, like old school wrestlers used to do. I can easily find ways to make Eile appear to be untrustworthy, shifty and otherwise bad news. I can use that appearance and perception in a multitude of ways just as easily as I can use the raw and virulent emotions that come with true distate.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share the song Eile's using for one of her sets at the strip club. It's not traditional in any sense, but it's rythmic, sensual and truly suggestive.

[WOD] A Million Pieces

My Brain After Last Night

Almost entirely OOC WOD related thoughts- in no particular order-


On my WOD resume- "Hot Chick, Summoner of Dudes"

The Werewolves are getting the player they have needed for well over 6 months now. I personally asked this player to consider Werewolf previously and he declined at the time- but he's got the perfect personality for the Auspice he'll be playing as well as for the group of players in the pack at the moment.  I'm excited to see how it actually plays out- but again; I feel that conflict of "I wish I was there" and "Man, I am glad I am NOT".

The imminent entrance of this new Werewolf means this player's current character will be diminished in influence and appearance, and I had some thoughts on possible future interactions with him. Easy come, easy go, I guess.

TK's player, Erick, gave me one of the single best ieas for use in game I've heard in years. I'm very excited about its possible implications, but it does have some serious detractions and issues that I need to work through with the ST before I actually persue it.

I'm convinced that one of my long-time gaming friends would be great in and enjoy this wacky, intense, fun and unusual game. However he's known for being a pretty traditional table-top roleplaying type guy. The question and problem becomes whether a campaign to get him to join is a futile effort or if it's the type of thing I'm known for and good at.

Playing with your teenage kids presents some really unusual challenges. It does not help that my oldest is one of the world's biggest prudes/most straightlaced people ever, and I keep encountering his character while Eile is making amorous advances towards TK, or evidence of sexuality is in play at the time. As I mentioned previously, you have to pay attention to maturity, tone and interest when progressing with the more sensual plots.

It appears as if there will be a new Changeling soon. It also appears that she'll be tied to Avere, which is a confounding and interesting situation for me. Pretty much every character in game interacts with Avere (some to a nearly obsessive amount) and Avere's doing everything she can to NOT interact with Eile. This makes for some truly challenging obstacles towards doing what I'm aiming to do. (See below for more.)


Over on Greg's blog, he asked what kind of emotional responses I wanted out of gaming. Here's a snippet of what I said.

Sometimes what I get is related to the GM and/or the players, and when that's the case, I just have to think differently about whatever is happening to find a new direction. 

Last night I spoke to the ST of the WOD game because I was having concerns about what emotional responses I am getting from the game. We've both agreed that my character and her concept is wonderful, and we both want to find ways to keep her in the game and get her active.

One of the single most important aspects of making Eile work effectively for plot and results (resonance and personal satisfaction) is direct, player-to-player interaction. I haven't been able to accomplish this with more than a couple players- and while the results there are fantastic (just wait for the write-up);  it's not enough to make Eile a fully participating part of the group.

[This lack of direct interaction is due to two or three factors- one; Eile has been pursuing NPC oriented activities; two, Avere has been in many ways the "gate keeper" to other PCs with whom Eile could interact and Eile is actively avoiding Avere just as much as Avere is avoiding Eile; and three-the KIND of character Eile is- she's simply not direct in any way.]

At the moment, I really feel as if I'm playing a particularly active NPC. I did approach this with the ST; that perhaps Eile is better suited as an NPC.

Many of the downtime related activities Eile has been persuing have been highly NPC oriented (activity in the Spring Court, trying to encounter a Werewolf pack [not the one being played by the PCs], getting a job at a strip club, etc) and these activities- while they make perfect sense for her mindset and objectives- do not further her being an active participant in the game.

What I told my ST last night was that I either needed to come up with some new ideas/directions that would allow for character interaction, or consider a new idea entirely- because I'm just not generating the traction I want and expect through Eile and her endeavors.

if I consider something else, the problem becomes WHAT. I'm still convinced Werewolf is out. I'm not super sold on Geist but I am not as against it as I was previously. Mage is right out. Vampire is possible, but I'd have to be VERY careful with what character I generate- I can easily see another Eile type and the same frustrations coming about without caution. A Changeling doesn't really solve my problem; and then there's the issue of how to offer anything NEW to the group- Avere's pretty powerful and has shared a GREAT deal of information on the Lost and her abilities. And trying not to metagame this info into any new concept gets tricky, too.

So time to come up with some new directions and possibilities so I can keep this wonderful girl I love so much, I think.