From up on high a silvery eye glinted beneath a lazy lid. Bowie the tom cat regarded Gideon without speaking. Moments passed without a response until finally the other familiar stood and began to stretch; taking his time. Stretching low and long, his claws kneaded the wood of the rafter for several beats before his stretch shifted. Feet together, the cat's back arched high and a tremble ran across his body. One moment, two moments, three moments. Then the cat, still holding his pose, tipped off of the rafter.
"Ah! What the fuck!?" exclaimed Brooke as Bowie free fell onto her lap and immediately bat the teen girl's nose with a paw before darting off towards, and past, Drysi and Gideon. Brooke wasted little time in shooting up from her seat, bounding over and around others in the lounge, and almost colliding with Drysi before skidding to a halt.
"D'ya see that!? Damn cat!" Brooke shook a fist down the hall the cat had gone down. Settling down and registering the new arrival, the American ran a hand through her hair and huffed. "How ya doin' today, Drysi? Still taking in the Keep?"
[The Keep] Walking to Skye
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
Drysi had managed to turn when she heard the yelp, but swiftly tried to side-step Bowie as he padded past. Despite knowing that there was something human in their minds, she still found them to be animals, and that was something she was still coming to terms with as a druid. Not intending to follow, she turned only to nearly bump into Brooke, which caused the triclops to leap with a yip. Gideon held on for dear life as she whipped and swayed, feeling the full-effect of his interference.
Landing flat on her feet, Drysi held out her hands to catch her balance, looking at Brooke with big, wide eyes, like some three-eyed doe. The American took her aback with not just her gusto, but the fact that Drysi had almost expected to see Willow standing there. In fact, she had trouble shaking that image off of Brooke, and the girl had to avert her eyes.
“Oh me?” Drysi recovered, standing straight up again, and gesticulating with her words, “Yeah, I suppose. I woke up in tha’ library this mornin’; Watched some drills with Chief Brennan…. got my Master pulled inta’ my Chief’s office. She drug him in, I’ve not heard from him since. So I spent the rest of the mornin’... you know… Fillin’ out forms with Vincent in his cubicle.”
Her gloved hands swung back and forth, looking only politely distressed, “... Was hopin’ maybe I could find somethin’ to do that wasn’t… work …before I had t’go home. Y’know.”
Landing flat on her feet, Drysi held out her hands to catch her balance, looking at Brooke with big, wide eyes, like some three-eyed doe. The American took her aback with not just her gusto, but the fact that Drysi had almost expected to see Willow standing there. In fact, she had trouble shaking that image off of Brooke, and the girl had to avert her eyes.
“Oh me?” Drysi recovered, standing straight up again, and gesticulating with her words, “Yeah, I suppose. I woke up in tha’ library this mornin’; Watched some drills with Chief Brennan…. got my Master pulled inta’ my Chief’s office. She drug him in, I’ve not heard from him since. So I spent the rest of the mornin’... you know… Fillin’ out forms with Vincent in his cubicle.”
Her gloved hands swung back and forth, looking only politely distressed, “... Was hopin’ maybe I could find somethin’ to do that wasn’t… work …before I had t’go home. Y’know.”
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
With a certain air of bemusement Brooke listened to Drysi share the events of her morning. Once the younger girl had finished, the American let out an amused laugh before patting Drysi on the shoulder.
"Y'ur gettin' the full experience by the sounds of it! Poor Black Staff, though. Being alone with the Chief Egghead sounds intimidating," Brooke said, a smile still hanging out on her face.
"Aw! Don't be jealous Brooke, all Chief Maestro has on you is age, experience, refinement..." a nearby eavedropper called.
"Don't forget a staggering intelligence," added another.
"Ooooh, and I really dig Italian accents," came one more before Brooke wheeled around and threw what looked to be a bottle cap at the peanut gallery. Turning back to Drysi, Brooke's smile was grudging as she did a small wave of her arms as though she were presenting something.
"Welcome to The Lounge. Anyway! Come on over, you can meet some of the other Keepers, and we can brainstorm stuff you might like to do," Brooke gestured for Drysi to follow her, but made sure to stick close as she remembered Drysi tended to be a bit shy until she got talking. Ushering the newcommer into the lounge, the American Keeper retruned to her seat and motioned for Drysi to join her on the couch.
"This is James, Claudia, Dutch, and Norbert," the introductions passed to two druids sitting in a couch opposite of Brooke's, one in a nearby recliner, and one poking at the fire in the hearth. It turn, each waved and greeted Drysi, save for Norbert in the recliner. A perceptive eye could see him blush slightly and look away.
"Anyway, now tha'cha got'cha work stuff taken care of, anything in particula' you want ta do or see? It's the weekend, and with a Keeper escort I can get'cha most anywhere," Brooke stretched and kicked her feet up onto the coffee table in front of her before letting her arms drap down the back of the couch.
"Or even games," it was Claudia that spoke. "We got a closet full of games. Usually always someone around up for a game of Dragon Chess, Wheels & Woes, or Catan."
"Y'ur gettin' the full experience by the sounds of it! Poor Black Staff, though. Being alone with the Chief Egghead sounds intimidating," Brooke said, a smile still hanging out on her face.
"Aw! Don't be jealous Brooke, all Chief Maestro has on you is age, experience, refinement..." a nearby eavedropper called.
"Don't forget a staggering intelligence," added another.
"Ooooh, and I really dig Italian accents," came one more before Brooke wheeled around and threw what looked to be a bottle cap at the peanut gallery. Turning back to Drysi, Brooke's smile was grudging as she did a small wave of her arms as though she were presenting something.
"Welcome to The Lounge. Anyway! Come on over, you can meet some of the other Keepers, and we can brainstorm stuff you might like to do," Brooke gestured for Drysi to follow her, but made sure to stick close as she remembered Drysi tended to be a bit shy until she got talking. Ushering the newcommer into the lounge, the American Keeper retruned to her seat and motioned for Drysi to join her on the couch.
"This is James, Claudia, Dutch, and Norbert," the introductions passed to two druids sitting in a couch opposite of Brooke's, one in a nearby recliner, and one poking at the fire in the hearth. It turn, each waved and greeted Drysi, save for Norbert in the recliner. A perceptive eye could see him blush slightly and look away.
"Anyway, now tha'cha got'cha work stuff taken care of, anything in particula' you want ta do or see? It's the weekend, and with a Keeper escort I can get'cha most anywhere," Brooke stretched and kicked her feet up onto the coffee table in front of her before letting her arms drap down the back of the couch.
"Or even games," it was Claudia that spoke. "We got a closet full of games. Usually always someone around up for a game of Dragon Chess, Wheels & Woes, or Catan."
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
A small smile surfaced on Drysi’s face as she watched the Keepers go back and forth. Something about this kind of banter appealed to her, even if she lacked the confidence to participate. Reflecting on it, she hadn’t gotten the chance to speak with any of the other researchers in her circle. In fact, she was pretty sure she knew more keepers than anyone else at this point. Oddly, she was finding this was her comfort zone.
Still, four new people were pretty intimidating, and she sheepishly followed Brooke around until she made it to the couch. She took stock of her hand-bag, and the copious amount of things she carried on her before setting herself down. Then, her eyes snapped up at the introductions. A little helpless look flashed on her face as she tried to nod at each of the other Keepers.
“I… don’t really know,” was all she managed, looking embarrassed, she fidgeted for a passing moment, before Gideon took over.
”Set your bag down.”
Drysi, focusing on the motion, settled her heavy bag down next to the couch.
”Pull your hood back, and shed the cloak.”
Tugging back her hood, her gold curls spilled forth, and for the first time since shifting underpants, she took her cloak off. What she wore underneath looked like field attire, with a green top belted in pouches, with a set of sturdy shorts.
”Take a seat.”
The triclops plopped down on the sofa, her boots kicking up with her legs, before she started to coil up at the edge. As she settled in, it occurred to her that this was the first time she was, in a sense, relaxing since she got to the Keep.
”Gid, what do you think that fella’ by the fire was blushin’ for?” asked Drysi, ”Do I have somethin’ on my face?”
Her keelback snake emerged from his nest of gold, and took only a moment to eye his druid.
”You didn’t finish your conversation,” he reminded her, with a tone that implied direction for her not to worry.
“Oh! Well,” started Drysi, as if everyone else had been in on the conversation, “I heard, Mr. Willum’son does some sort of thing later in the day. But, I figured I’d do somethin’ I can’t do back home; I’m not comin’ back for a good while now.”
Still, four new people were pretty intimidating, and she sheepishly followed Brooke around until she made it to the couch. She took stock of her hand-bag, and the copious amount of things she carried on her before setting herself down. Then, her eyes snapped up at the introductions. A little helpless look flashed on her face as she tried to nod at each of the other Keepers.
“I… don’t really know,” was all she managed, looking embarrassed, she fidgeted for a passing moment, before Gideon took over.
”Set your bag down.”
Drysi, focusing on the motion, settled her heavy bag down next to the couch.
”Pull your hood back, and shed the cloak.”
Tugging back her hood, her gold curls spilled forth, and for the first time since shifting underpants, she took her cloak off. What she wore underneath looked like field attire, with a green top belted in pouches, with a set of sturdy shorts.
”Take a seat.”
The triclops plopped down on the sofa, her boots kicking up with her legs, before she started to coil up at the edge. As she settled in, it occurred to her that this was the first time she was, in a sense, relaxing since she got to the Keep.
”Gid, what do you think that fella’ by the fire was blushin’ for?” asked Drysi, ”Do I have somethin’ on my face?”
Her keelback snake emerged from his nest of gold, and took only a moment to eye his druid.
”You didn’t finish your conversation,” he reminded her, with a tone that implied direction for her not to worry.
“Oh! Well,” started Drysi, as if everyone else had been in on the conversation, “I heard, Mr. Willum’son does some sort of thing later in the day. But, I figured I’d do somethin’ I can’t do back home; I’m not comin’ back for a good while now.”
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
Brooke looked to think for a moment before pepping up and snapping her fingers. Springing up from her seat she gathered her things and ushered Drysi to follow along. Leading the younger teen out of the lounge and into the living quarters of the dormitory wing. Much like the Visitor Wing, this area was a series of hallways with close spaced doors. Unlike the Visitor Wing, the doors, and even the walls, bore an array of personalizations to mark their inhabitants. Off in a side hall, Brooke pointed out it was where most of the Keeper Initiates stayed until they made full rank and moved down to the barracks; although between them the American made clear she'd prefer to stay in the dorms.
"Here's home," Brooke announced as she stopped at a door and unlocked it. Stepping inside, Brooke invited Drysi in unless she preferred to wait in the hall. Before the door could swing to far the Keeper began changing out of her clothes unabashed by the potential of onlookers; a habit Willow also shared, who attributed it to still being more private than a changing room at the pool.
In no time flat, Brooke was changed into her more out-and-about clothes and threw on her cloak. Stepping over to Drysi, Brooke offered the other girl a bundle of cloth. Once unfolded, she could see it was a spare Keeper Cloak.
"I'mma take ya somewhe'e you can only see here at Carneath, an' I know you's gonna like it. Now, suit up and act natural."
"Here's home," Brooke announced as she stopped at a door and unlocked it. Stepping inside, Brooke invited Drysi in unless she preferred to wait in the hall. Before the door could swing to far the Keeper began changing out of her clothes unabashed by the potential of onlookers; a habit Willow also shared, who attributed it to still being more private than a changing room at the pool.
In no time flat, Brooke was changed into her more out-and-about clothes and threw on her cloak. Stepping over to Drysi, Brooke offered the other girl a bundle of cloth. Once unfolded, she could see it was a spare Keeper Cloak.
"I'mma take ya somewhe'e you can only see here at Carneath, an' I know you's gonna like it. Now, suit up and act natural."
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
Drysi watched Brooke bound off the couch much like Bowie had, and lingered a moment longer before she realized she needed to follow. With all her things in her arms, she nodded her head at the others, wishing them well, and then quickly chased after the initiate. Had she knew they were going to need to go somewhere, she would have just left all her trappings on.
Then, they came to Brooke’s room. Shy of people, but not privacy, she walked right in, and then immediately clapped her hands over her eyes, but not her top eye. A habit, much like Willow's, because of Willow.
The triclops was in the process of picking her things up off of the floor before she found a burgundy cloak pressed in her arms.
”Oh Gid,” gulped Drysi, ”I think we’re about t’go commit crimes. This is what Americans do. They’re like the French, but without sense.”
”Take a breath,” advised Gideon, giving one eye down to the spare Keeper cloak, ”put it on and just follow Brooke.”
Much as she had done so far, Drysi calmly stuffed her hand-made cloak, and threw on the Keeper cloak, admiring the color. She then shouldered her now hefty bag.
“Act natural,” repeated Drysi, nodding her assent to Brooke, signaling her to take the lead.
”Don’t even try,” warned Gideon, already anticipating what would transpire.
Then, they came to Brooke’s room. Shy of people, but not privacy, she walked right in, and then immediately clapped her hands over her eyes, but not her top eye. A habit, much like Willow's, because of Willow.
The triclops was in the process of picking her things up off of the floor before she found a burgundy cloak pressed in her arms.
”Oh Gid,” gulped Drysi, ”I think we’re about t’go commit crimes. This is what Americans do. They’re like the French, but without sense.”
”Take a breath,” advised Gideon, giving one eye down to the spare Keeper cloak, ”put it on and just follow Brooke.”
Much as she had done so far, Drysi calmly stuffed her hand-made cloak, and threw on the Keeper cloak, admiring the color. She then shouldered her now hefty bag.
“Act natural,” repeated Drysi, nodding her assent to Brooke, signaling her to take the lead.
”Don’t even try,” warned Gideon, already anticipating what would transpire.
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
As the duo left the living quarters, Brooke waved to the other Keepers who looked momentarily confused before recognizing what the American had in mind. Brooke, to her credit, was one hundred percent in business mode as she led Drysi down the spiral stairs. Whenever it sounded as though they were approaching someone coming up Brook began midway through what must have been a pre-prepared tour.
"...the kinds of things you Field Keepers can expect when visiting..."
At one point, when they passed the Ground Floor door, Brooke popped her head out briefly, then reappeared with a clipboard in her hand. Giving Drysi a coy smile and a wink, they continued down the stairs. Down and down, until once again Drysi was on the lowest sublevel looking at the doors leading to R&D. This time however Brooke gestured for Drysi to follow her down the long hall leading into the mountain.
"S'rry, 'sa bita hike, but I think y'll love it," Brooke said, her tone hushed but excited.
After what felt like a quarter mile Brooke straightened her cloak and held the clipboard up as though she were reading it over. Coming into view at the end of the hall was a set of heavy, ancient looking doors, and two Keepers standing guard.
"Afternoon boys," Brooke called as she and Drysi got closer.
"Brooke?" one of them asked. "What are..."
"I got tasked with inspection detail," Brooke offered, holding the clipboard up for them to see before gesturing to Drysi. "Got a Fieldy in who might be stickin' 'round, Chief wants me to run her through some of our tasks."
The two guards regarded the two interlopers, and then each other.
"Hope the new girl is a bit better about it then you are," the other guard said, before holding up a hand when it looked like Brooke was gonna complain. "Remember? How we found ya napping in there?"
"Get offa my back, Tim. Tha's what happens when I get inspection detail right after field training," Brooke waved the man off before stepping towards the door. The two guards sighed in tandem and placed their hands on the door. After speaking a chant in unison, the ancient doors swung open; revealing a cavernous room ahead. More than that though, Drysi would feel an almost palpable wave of energy wash over her as Brooke led her inside. Once through, the doors swung shut.
Drysi found herself in a large, domed room lit dimly with a gentle green light that almost made one feel as though they were sitting beneath some trees on a sunny day. The light was emanating from a vast opening in the floor in the back half of the room. Within the light, Drysi could feel more than hear what reminded her of a heartbeat.
"Welcome to The Wellspring, kid," Brooke spoke, her tone vibrant as the older teen looked energized. "This is what this Keep was built to protect over a thousand years ago. This is where our magic comes from."
"...the kinds of things you Field Keepers can expect when visiting..."
At one point, when they passed the Ground Floor door, Brooke popped her head out briefly, then reappeared with a clipboard in her hand. Giving Drysi a coy smile and a wink, they continued down the stairs. Down and down, until once again Drysi was on the lowest sublevel looking at the doors leading to R&D. This time however Brooke gestured for Drysi to follow her down the long hall leading into the mountain.
"S'rry, 'sa bita hike, but I think y'll love it," Brooke said, her tone hushed but excited.
After what felt like a quarter mile Brooke straightened her cloak and held the clipboard up as though she were reading it over. Coming into view at the end of the hall was a set of heavy, ancient looking doors, and two Keepers standing guard.
"Afternoon boys," Brooke called as she and Drysi got closer.
"Brooke?" one of them asked. "What are..."
"I got tasked with inspection detail," Brooke offered, holding the clipboard up for them to see before gesturing to Drysi. "Got a Fieldy in who might be stickin' 'round, Chief wants me to run her through some of our tasks."
The two guards regarded the two interlopers, and then each other.
"Hope the new girl is a bit better about it then you are," the other guard said, before holding up a hand when it looked like Brooke was gonna complain. "Remember? How we found ya napping in there?"
"Get offa my back, Tim. Tha's what happens when I get inspection detail right after field training," Brooke waved the man off before stepping towards the door. The two guards sighed in tandem and placed their hands on the door. After speaking a chant in unison, the ancient doors swung open; revealing a cavernous room ahead. More than that though, Drysi would feel an almost palpable wave of energy wash over her as Brooke led her inside. Once through, the doors swung shut.
Drysi found herself in a large, domed room lit dimly with a gentle green light that almost made one feel as though they were sitting beneath some trees on a sunny day. The light was emanating from a vast opening in the floor in the back half of the room. Within the light, Drysi could feel more than hear what reminded her of a heartbeat.
"Welcome to The Wellspring, kid," Brooke spoke, her tone vibrant as the older teen looked energized. "This is what this Keep was built to protect over a thousand years ago. This is where our magic comes from."
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
If any of the druids they passed along had any sort of sensitive hearing, they would have heard a heart beating like a diesel engine. Drysi was all about sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, but that was mostly when it was the private things and spaces of friends and loved ones. When it was somewhere unknown like this, it was completely different. She kept grabbing her chest, trying to get a hold on her nerves, bolstered only by Brooke’s confidence and the cool scales of a snake on her neck.
As Brooke talked their way past the two other druids, she considered what it meant to look like a Keeper. Most of the Keepers she had seen were rambunctious, or a bit flippant. In this case she was a field keeper. She was actually Mr. Flynn’s apprentice, a real field Keeper, what did he look like most of the time?
She pictured his face in her mind, and could only summon the look he had given her when they arrived at Skye. So, she sculpted her face into something practical, hard, and a bit flinty. In truth, it was how she carried herself all the time.
After all, she was a Keeper’s apprentice, and, if anything, her grit was real.
So, it was a noticeable change when the doors closed behind her, and her eyes opened wide. Drysi’s heart had only managed to slow just so. Now, she was staring into the literal wellspring of druidic power.
She closed her eyes for a moment, but her mind opened in the Wilderwood, on the other side of the world. The forest outside Safeholme was a charged place for her, one of joy, sadness and pride. It was where she felt herself for the first time since her grandmother’s death. It was where she had to face the old crone’s ghost for many nights. More importantly, it was where she finally cemented her path in this world.
It was his forest, but it was hers too. She felt it in the light on her face, and the warmth on her shoulders. Drysi yearned to see it, so she opened her eyes, but was shocked to see she was still in the heart of the mountain.
“It’s,” Drysi steadied herself, “wonderful. Overwhelming.”
Then, her eyes turned sharp, in Brooke’s direction, “You took a nap in the presence of something like this?”
As Brooke talked their way past the two other druids, she considered what it meant to look like a Keeper. Most of the Keepers she had seen were rambunctious, or a bit flippant. In this case she was a field keeper. She was actually Mr. Flynn’s apprentice, a real field Keeper, what did he look like most of the time?
She pictured his face in her mind, and could only summon the look he had given her when they arrived at Skye. So, she sculpted her face into something practical, hard, and a bit flinty. In truth, it was how she carried herself all the time.
After all, she was a Keeper’s apprentice, and, if anything, her grit was real.
So, it was a noticeable change when the doors closed behind her, and her eyes opened wide. Drysi’s heart had only managed to slow just so. Now, she was staring into the literal wellspring of druidic power.
She closed her eyes for a moment, but her mind opened in the Wilderwood, on the other side of the world. The forest outside Safeholme was a charged place for her, one of joy, sadness and pride. It was where she felt herself for the first time since her grandmother’s death. It was where she had to face the old crone’s ghost for many nights. More importantly, it was where she finally cemented her path in this world.
It was his forest, but it was hers too. She felt it in the light on her face, and the warmth on her shoulders. Drysi yearned to see it, so she opened her eyes, but was shocked to see she was still in the heart of the mountain.
“It’s,” Drysi steadied herself, “wonderful. Overwhelming.”
Then, her eyes turned sharp, in Brooke’s direction, “You took a nap in the presence of something like this?”
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
"I mean, yeah, I think it's kind of comforting," Brooke responded as she walked to the edge of the Well, leaning against a sturdy railing as she looked down. "They say everyone feels something different in here; from some aspect of the magic responding to you differently from how other bits of it respond to others. My magic focuses on sound, and to me when I'm in here I feel like I can hear a woman singing. So sometimes I like to just come in here and hum along; occasionally nap."
Nearer the Wellspring, when looking down, one could see shifting mists and vapor rising as though from a hot spring. Sure enough, with enough focus, Drysi would be able to feel the intricacies of the room. The light was nuanced, the mists took on forms, and even the drum of the World's heart held a cadence that welcomed the fledgling druid. This room was alive, and glimpsing into the Well was like viewing a geyser; an inspiring sight that merely hinted at a deeper, and far grander power.
"A First would probs be able t'splain it better than me, but if you got questions, go 'head 'n' ask," Brooke had her eyes closed and seemed to be rocking her head to a melody Drysi couldn't quite make out.
Nearer the Wellspring, when looking down, one could see shifting mists and vapor rising as though from a hot spring. Sure enough, with enough focus, Drysi would be able to feel the intricacies of the room. The light was nuanced, the mists took on forms, and even the drum of the World's heart held a cadence that welcomed the fledgling druid. This room was alive, and glimpsing into the Well was like viewing a geyser; an inspiring sight that merely hinted at a deeper, and far grander power.
"A First would probs be able t'splain it better than me, but if you got questions, go 'head 'n' ask," Brooke had her eyes closed and seemed to be rocking her head to a melody Drysi couldn't quite make out.
Re: [The Keep] Walking to Skye
The wellspring was a lot to take in for more reasons than one, chief of them being that this humble wonder was so essential to the druids. That it was the ordinary task of one initiate to inspect the source of all their power was very… druidic. Forests themselves were magnificent and ordinary all at the same time. It made sense that even a place like this with such enormity could be treated as a little hide-away. In the end, it was the Druids that determined it was special.
Albeit the depth in which she peered into made her feel queasy, as was her sensitivity to magic. She had to pull her hood low over her top eye to prevent the blood from rushing to her head.
“I have several,” said Drysi, pinching her nose to prevent a scene, “First, what is it that you all are inspectin’ in here? It doesn’t seem much could be off about an ancient source of power. Second, why is it I’m not learnin’ about this until just now? Runes and staffs and three-michelin star meals, but we’re all sittin’ on top of what we derive our power from? Thirdly, if any initiate can run inspections in here, how come I’ve t’sneak in? What if I want t’study this? Has it been studied? It must be. It’s right up the way from the Maestro.”
Albeit the depth in which she peered into made her feel queasy, as was her sensitivity to magic. She had to pull her hood low over her top eye to prevent the blood from rushing to her head.
“I have several,” said Drysi, pinching her nose to prevent a scene, “First, what is it that you all are inspectin’ in here? It doesn’t seem much could be off about an ancient source of power. Second, why is it I’m not learnin’ about this until just now? Runes and staffs and three-michelin star meals, but we’re all sittin’ on top of what we derive our power from? Thirdly, if any initiate can run inspections in here, how come I’ve t’sneak in? What if I want t’study this? Has it been studied? It must be. It’s right up the way from the Maestro.”