• Solo • Look What the Viper Dragged In!

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 16th early morning, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Sore, Surprised
蛇 Current Thought: Wasnt expecting company
蛇 Current Theme: Tsukimi

蛇 His body was reeling, pain and aches dancing on him as if he was a dance floor at some noble's Galla. His head also ached, beating like a drum as he laid in his bed. He was surprised to have made it home in one piece after visiting his father's grave and being jumped a few trials back.

He laid there, body bare and naked, as it would be quite the pain to try and struggle with putting on clothes at the moment. He still couldn't believe it, but it was the reality of his current situation. Even letting out a sigh, it hurt to do so, and he was sure that this was just the beginning.

He tried to quiet his mind, let it rest and think of nothing, keeping his mind from working which would allow his head to heal. But he couldn't focus, not at first anyway, as every inch of him hurt so damn much! And that throbbing, insistent banging in his head, it just wouldn't go away.

But as he laid there he heard it far more frequently, out of the rhythm of the throbbing of his own body. Forcing himself up, he looked to where the front door was, a brow rising in curiosity and confusion.

"Who could that be, I'm not expecting company?"

It was said in a whisper, his mind filled with paranoia as he struggled to get out of the bed. Knowing it to be far more trouble than its worth, he opted not to put on anything, it would be too painful to do so. Slipping a hand into one of the claw holsters, he looked to the door, more knocking though, in the sensitive ears of the viper, it was more so like a thunderous bang.

"Who is it?"

he called, and he heard the sound of a familiar voice, distorted by the stone door, but oddly noticeable. Claw in hand as he wasn't sure if it was all a well-designed trick, he opened the door.

A pained sigh of relief escaped his lips as he was greeted by the smile of Gabriela, his mentor from the seekers. Bright fluorescent demon-like eyes gazed upon her student, and a giggle escaped her lips. My, you look like shit young man. she teased, cupping his face as she crossed the threshold of the viper's den.

She was carrying something, a bird maybe from the flapping noises it was making. She sat the covered cage on a table and found herself situation in one of the two chairs in the home. It probably wasn't something she was used to, as he was sure the quarters of the seeker enclave were far more accommodating than his humble little shack.

"What brings you by Madame Traz?"

he inquired, curious as to why she was here in the first place, and going to fetch something to cover himself with. She pointed to him, a confused and surprised expression as he mimicked her point, aiming a finger at himself.

Your master isn't the only one who has a hand or two in the heaps, word travels fast among the disparity, it helps in giving them hope you know. she began, appraising the home now that she was comfy. I believe its time I took your training in the art of Becoming a little more seriously, giving you much more direction.

His eyes widened at her words, as he was excited now that her motives were out in the open. He could file it away to use for his profession. Eager to know what was going to be done, he came back out, a cloth big enough to wrap around his waist, and sat next to his mentor.

"So where do we begin?"

he asked, as his mentor looked to the cage she had brought with her. Removing the cover from it, Dosan laid eyes on the creature that was within. This is a Sangue Selvagem, a nifty little creature when it comes to training in the magic of Becoming.

She said as she retrieved a sword from behind her. Placing it in Dosan's hands she clasped his shoulder and leaned into him. You will kill it, and I shall show you how to make a totem out of it.

Looking at the creature, his eyes narrowed, and a smirk formed. If killing this creature is going to help him, then by all means, chop chop little guy. He ran his hand along the length of the blade, appreciating the quality of the blade, the weight of it in his hands.

Honestly, it felt right to have it in his hands, as it could be much more efficient than those claws of his. Tossing the blade back and forth in his hand he looked to the creature in the cage. Reaching in he took hold of the animal, making sure to keep it out of range of the winged mammal's maw.

Once out of the cage he pinned it to the table and ran the sharp blade through it, the sound of flapping wings moving from a rapid and sporadic pattern to slow and slower pats till there was nothing but silence. With that out the way, Gabriela went back the front door, retrieving something she had by when she entered. Dosan didnt even see her sit it down, and was curious as to what it was.

Sitting the bag on the table she turned to him with a smile. Now we shall make you a totem for this lovely little creature. Tell me do you remember what a totem is? she inquired peering over to her student as he smiled, knowing the answer.

"Totems are how we as becomers move from to another form from our selves."

he recanted, a smile on his face as he knew it better than he knew most blood prayers. Gabriela smiled and continued to removed things from within the bag.

Thats correct, now can you tell me what the three crucial components to making a totem are? Dosan thought on it, he knew it, but it had been so long since using the magic that he had forgotten. The pause in his response was far too long for her liking, evident by the crimson glare she gave him from over her shoulder. Come now my little viper, you know this. she reminded, laying things out on the table.

"Um......Blood, Bone,.........and....."

he stammered, trying to remember, but maybe his concussion was getting the better of him......actually it was evident to him he was light headed and then THUD! without warning, he hit the floor.

Moments later he found himself in the tender arms of Gabriela, fanning him. Looks who's awake, did you enjoy your nap? she purred, helping Dosan as he strained to sit up, his vision clearing up now.

Helping over to the table he could see what she had been doing when he passed out. The table was now a workstation, materials abound to aid in the construction of his next totem. 蛇

"Speech"

Off Topic

Dosan has the following injuries, and shouldnt be doing too much
- Busted Lip
- Bruises throughout the body
- Head Injury {Being whacked over the head with a vase}
- Sore Stomach {Gut punches}
- Bruised forearms

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 16th early morning, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Out of It.
蛇 Current Thought: Wait did I just pass out?
蛇 Current Theme: Tsukimi

蛇 Now back to the matter at hand. The three main ingredients to a Becomers' totem is Blood, Bone, & Hair. Blood signifies the lifeforce, Bone for structure, and hair for visage. All three of these are known as "The Three Sovereign Substances" she explained, patting his shoulder.

He looked at all the materials before him, then to the dead mammal on the table. Gabriela stood on the other side of the table and smiled. How you make the totem is entirely up to you Dosan, so don't be shy about creativity.

With those words, he got to work, taking that blade from earlier, and removing the head of the bat creature. Taking one of the bowls he let the blood of the creature drain into it. He made sure to drain just enough to use for the totem.

Next came the bones, using the edge of that blade to carve them out of the wing skin, carving the ribcage from the corpse, and using the blade to peel the skull from the flesh. Taking the skull by the mouth, he pulled on it and snapped the lower jaw from the upper one. now with all the bones cut out, he moved to carve the flesh and fur he needed for the visage part.

It was horrible, his cutting, and a mess at that, not to mention the nics and cuts from the poor skinning technique. But in the end, he had his pelt cut and laid out before him, which meant he could begin making his totem. He figured what form it would take, making sure to fit it around his neck just right once it was done.

He chose 7 bones for the necklace he was going to make, choosing the upper half of the animal's skull as the centerpiece first and then selected 6 other ones that had different sizes to them. Taking one of the chiseling tools his mentor provided, he chiseled a small hole in each bone, careful as to not completely damage them, with the guiding hand of Gabriela of course. She showed him how to make a hole from one side of the bone to the other. For him, It was of the utmost importance to use as much light pressure so as not to crack them.

Next came cutting the pelt with its fur into a long strip, eight of them, one for the cord of the necklace and seven to wrap around each bone. Once cut he looped the bones through, and held it to his neck. He gauged how much room he would need in order to put it on, and so it didnt come off all too easily either. Once that was determined he tied it off and began to wrap the rest of the strips which was easy to do.

The final step was now to use the blood, and so he took the necklace and soaked it in the bowl with the blood of the creature. He let it sit for a good, 30 bits, filling that time, getting some rest, as he could feel another feint coming on. Afterward, he took the necklace from the crimson pool and laid it out to dry. Deciding he wanted another nap he did so, Gabriela keeping watch over him and his condition, and waking him once it was dry.

Putting on the necklace he looked to Gabriela who smiled back at him and applauded. Well done my dear, now comes the fun part, imparting your ether into it. Are you up to it? You passed out just thinking about the three main ingredients.

"No I can handle it Madame' Traz."

he assured, moving from the chair to the center of the room on the floor. He knew what came next, meditating with the Totem, to make it part of him with his ether. 蛇

"Speech"

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 17th early morning, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Calm, Satisfied
蛇 Current Thought: Become the bat
蛇 Current Theme: Tsukimi

蛇 Sitting in the center of the room, he looked to Gabriela, her hands clasping his, placing the totem in them. To make this your totem for the blood bat, you must make it one with your soul. You must pour yourself into it. she reminded, flashing a warm smile, and taking a step back to give him some room.

Her words trailed on as he closed his eyes, and tried to relax his mind. He never meditated in his life, but he knew this was crucial, not to mention he didnt want to disappoint Gabriela. He began to fade into a trance-like state, allowing simple thoughts to exist within that space of his mind.

He would think on how the creature moved, the sound of its wings flapping and the sound of its shrills. Ether began to slowly seep from him like a mist and flow into the necklace he was holding. He was almost there, he could almost feel a connection being made between him and the piece of jewelry.

With his trance, he let his mind fill with thoughts of oneness, of two entities becoming one as he is ether seeped into the item he held. He imagined himself flying with its wings, seeing things through its eyes, hearing how it perceived the world around it. He was adrift in a sea of thoughts and feeling, melding to become one.

He could hear in that inner world of his the whispering words that describe this creature and him as one. Stealthy, observant, tactical, vicious, and he knew that this was the perfect first creature to use as a totem.

In that endless world of calm, filled all those words, every emotion, every feeling, the storm that they had become in his mind now seemed to ease itself. At that moment he could feel a sudden surge of energy, of etheric power flow from himself into the totem, enveloping it. It felt more like the ether was being pulled from him into it and he allowed it to happen.

Like a fountain, it flowed from him and the necklace gorged itself on his essence, the two becoming one with each passing tril. It was an odd sensation, like being pulled down a strong current and having no way to stop yourself. This feeling, it continued for what felt like breaks on end, then suddenly and abruptly it stopped.

His eyes shot open and pants for air filled the space around him as he looked to the necklace, then around the room. Gabriela was gone and all he could find of her was a note she left next to him.

"By the time you read this note, it will be the next trial, and you will have successfully made your first totem on your own. This is good, and the next step will come the next time we meet and you are all healed up my little viper. I, unfortunately, had to go and could not be there to see it myself, so as compensation, keep that sword as I'm sure you can make good use of it. - With love, Gabriela Traz.

Looking to the window the note was right, the trial had come and gone, and the new one was just beginning for him, though it was merely the same time as he started the trial before. Standing to his feet he placed the necklace around his neck and went over to the bed.

"Well that was exhausting."

his words hung in the air as he flopped back into the bed, his eyes falling on the blade she left him and a smile perched on his face. A totem and a new toy in one visit? He was starting to think Gabriela was spoiling him like he was her own child, but he didnt mind it, his mother was a bitch after all. Gabriela was a better alternative, even if she was stricker than he would like. 蛇

"Speech"

[Alistair]

Dosan

Knowledges
Becoming: The Three Sovereign Substances{Blood, Bone, Hair}
Becoming: Totems can take any form
Becoming: Pouring ether into the totem to make it work
Becoming: Totem help in becoming the creature
Meditation: Become one within an Item
Fieldcraft: Making a necklace out of animal remains

Loot: +1 Blood Bat Totem, +1 Shortsword (Doa)
Injuries: A concussion, and a mild headache that may occur on and off for 2 trials
Renown: N/A

Points 10 - These points may be used for Becoming.

Comments: Good stuff! I liked your delving into the fundamentals of Becoming, as well as your very descriptive method of performing each action with the magic. I also really liked the bit with the trance, and your emotive wording whilst in that state; it was very nice to read and helped paint a beautiful image. Well done, and enjoy your rewards!

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